And here we are again with chapter 7. I hope you'll enjoy it! See the first chapter for acknowledgements and major canon divergences and, as always, thanks to everyone leaving comments and kudos.

Chapter 7

Orm kept glancing back at his mother who was leading him and Arthur to a spot deeper inside of the island. He still couldn't believe his mother was alive and was afraid that she would suddenly disappear if he looked away. As they walked, Atlanna explained what had happened to her these past years: "Orvax sacrificed me to the Trench, but I survived. I fought my way through them as you both did and ended up here."

"You spent all those years here?" Orm asked as they arrived at an open area near a waterfall. "Yes," his mother replied as she turned back at them. "You must forgive me. For everything."

Arthur sighed. "This happened because you had me." Atlanna shook her head and touched her eldest son's check. "Not for having you. None of this is your fault. I made a choice, I had to leave to save you and your father." Her eyes turned questioning. "Tell me about him. Is he…?" Orm diverted his face. It felt like he was intruding on something personal he wasn't meant to see. He knew his mother had loved Arthur's father. It had been a love that hadn't existed between her and his own father. He had never blamed her for it. He had only been angry with Arthur for causing Atlanna's death, but now he had realized that even that had been Orvax's fault.

"He still walks to the end of the dock. Every morning. Every day. Waiting for you," Arthur replied to their mother's question. A mixture of sadness, relief, fondness, and love came across Atlanna's face. "Why didn't you ever come back?" his brother asked.

Their mother took a shaky breath to collect herself. "Because the portal that brought you here won't let us return. The Trident is the only way back, but it is guarded by the Karathen beyond the waterfall. I've tried to retrieve it many times over the years, but the creature will only allow the True King to pass."

Orm and Arthur glanced at each other. A couple of days ago, Orm would have insisted on going in first and alone. He would have reasoned that he was a full-blooded royal Atlantean, that he had ruled Atlantis successfully for multiple years already, and that therefore he was the one true king. But now, after Arthur had shown him these glimpses of the surface world, had shown him what kind of man his brother was, he realized he had been wrong. Orm might be the king Atlantis wanted, but Arthur was the king Atlantis needed. The land and the sea could only go forward together. And so Orm stepped aside and motioned for Arthur to enter the waterfall.

Arthur's eyes widened and he shook his head. "No, you're the king. You should be allowed to go first. I am-" Orm grabbed his brother's shoulder, thereby stopping his trail of words. "Arthur. Yes, I am the king, but Atlantis does not need that right now." His brother frowned. "What could be greater that a king?" Orm smiled. "A hero. A king only fights for his nation, you fight for everyone, all of the land and all of the sea. That is what Atlantis needs."

Arthur managed to combine both disbelief, acceptance, fondness, and courage into one look. He opened his arms and pulled Orm in for another hug. Orm held on tightly, knowing the dangers beyond and hoping his brother would return. Their mother sighed and enveloped them both in her arms too.

They stood there for a minute, before Arthur broke free. He gave them both a nod, his expression turning serious, and turned in order to walk into the waterfall. Orm and Atlanna watched him disappear beneath the water, their hands clasped together in hope.

Arthur swam along the sea's floor and regarded the various ruins that surrounded him. A golden glint caught his eye somewhere in the distance and he swam towards it. There, in the middle of a large ruin, on top of a rock that almost seemed like a throne, sat the decayed body of king Atlan, wearing green and golden armor and holding the Trident.

He was about to swim forward and take it, when he heard a rumbling sound behind him. Arthur turned and saw a number of enormous tentacles weave their way through the pillars of the ruined building he was in and slowly but steadily make their way towards him. Arthur realized this had to be the Karathen. His heart was beating loudly in his chest whilst he tried to keep his fear in check.

Somewhere in the distance, beyond the tentacles, the creature started to speak in a deep voice. "You do not belong here, half-breed. I have guarded the Trident against false kings since the beginning and for a thousand years and I have seen the greatest of champions try and fail. But never have I sensed one as unworthy as you." Arthur was forced to back away from the tentacles that were inching ever closer. His back hit a pillar. Meanwhile the Karathen continued to speak. "You thought yourself worthy? You thought yourself a king? You dishonor this place with your presence."

The creature lifted one of its tentacles, ready to bring it down and crush Arthur. Arthur lifted his arms above his head and shouted "Stop!" To his surprise, the Karathen actually halted its movements, its tentacle hovering but a couple of centimeters above Arthur's head. "You're right," the dark-haired male continued. "I am a half-breed. But I did not come here because I thought I was worthy. I know I am not."

The Karathen lifted its tentacle away. "You understand me?" It sounded less hostile and more curious, though still cautious. Arthur nodded. "I do." The creature in front of him let out a thoughtful hum. "No mortal has conversed with me since king Atlan. Who are you?"

Arthur shrugged. "I am nobody. I am somebody who came here because they have no choice. I came because I want to save my home and the people that I love, and because the Trident is their only hope."

The Karathen remained silent for a while. Arthur almost feared he was about to be crushed after all, but finally it spoke. "No man has ever freed the Trident from Atlan's grip. Should he deem you unworthy… Well, I haven't feasted in eons and I am famished." Then its tentacles retreated further away, allowing the dark-haired male to move away from the pillar he had been backed up to.

Arthur turned and finally swam up to the stone upon which Atlan sat. He carefully placed his hands above those of the old king. For a second, it almost seemed like Atlan looked up at him before letting go. The body then crumbled into dust, leaving nothing but the Trident and the armor behind. Arthur gasped as suddenly his mind was connected to every living creature inside of the oceans and seas. He could feel their thoughts and moods and, if he wanted to, he could even control them.

Arthur turned and saw that, just beyond the entrance of the ruin, the Karathen was bowing its head.

Orm held his mother's hands as they were seated on a large rock in front of the waterfall Arthur had disappeared into. He had briefly related to her what had happened to him after she had left him and how he had met Arthur. Now, they sat in a mostly companionable silence. He glanced back at the waterfall again, hoping Arthur would survive.

"Hey," his mother said as she squeezed his hands. "He will be fine. He is strong and true." Orm looked back at his mother and sighed. "It's just… we've only just met. I don't want to lose him before I even got the chance to properly get to know him. There hasn't been enough time." Atlanna gave him a knowing smile. "You will have the time." She raised one of her hands to his cheek. "I am so glad you were able to meet. It was my greatest wish when you were born."

Their conversation was interrupted by footsteps coming from behind the waterfall. Orm helped his mother up from the rock they had been sitting on and together they watched as Arthur emerged from the water, clad in a gold and emerald green suit, holding a golden trident in his grip, and looking every bit like a king. Orm's breath faltered. He looks like stunning, he thought. Wait, what? Where did that thought come from? He shook his head as his brother walked towards them.

Atlanna smiled beside him. "The one true king."

And there it is! I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter as much as the previous ones. Still two more chapters plus an epilogue to go and this first "book" (out of three) will be finished.

The next chapter will most likely be posted next Sunday (14-4-2024).