I don't own anything other than Lana. All other things (Most of the plot and characters belong to Warner Brothers)
The Stronghold
This has got to be a punishment. Despite what my father may say. I don't see the honor of being away from my home to guard an ancient box at the edge of Atlantis. The damn thing was older than he is. No, I saw it for what it was. To get me out of sight, out of the way. Or as my sister would say out of trouble that I can't help but find myself into. Taking another look around the massive stone vault I noticed a large podium in the center of the room. Nodding to the guards inside I swam up to the top where a rather large box had been placed. It didn't look as bad as I thought, just one long crack to the side. The main guard bowed to me as I approached.
"I was told there would be more men than this. Where are the rest?" I asked, ignoring the gesture. Rude I know, but my annoyance with the situation at hand was clouding my better judgement.
"Disappeared, commander" he informed me. The statement not only set me on edge it also confused me greatly. Swimming down to him I asked.
"Disappeared?" He nodded, letting me know I heard him correctly. "Yes, while on their last patrol four men" he says.
Baffled and my mood only soured more.
"Send word back to Atlantis. Ask the king to send more reinforcements. Then we can send out a search for- "A loud noise cut through the room interrupting my train of thought. It was a loud hum, pulsing. Looking up I noticed a light that wasn't there just a moment ago at the top of the podium. Swimming back up for closer look we saw that the box was indeed admitting the pulsing hum. So much so that it was moving a bit in its place. It felt as if it was calling out to something. Glancing back at the guard.
"Has it done this before?" I asked.
"Yes, But only once and not for this long." He spoke.
"Hurry and warn the King, I'm afraid something may be coming, and we'll need all the help we can get."
The guard bowed once more before swimming out of the chamber. Staring at the box for a moment longer I decided that it would be a good idea to do a quick patrol of the ruins. Make sure the perimeter of the stronghold is secure.
"Keep a close eye on it. Let me know if anything changes."
I instructed the two remaining guards, before leaving myself. Once outside I swim around the perimeter keeping a close eye out for anything a mist. Reinforcing any weak point with men I did have. It was about 30 minutes before the messenger returned. Sinking to the sea floor I created an air pocket around us.
"Commander Lana, I told the king the perimeter guards were taken. He won't send reinforcements. he says all reserves are needed in the rebel region!"
At that my blood began to boil, angrily I pulled my helmet from my head. My auburn hair flopping down my back, my crown a bit askew.
"He's as short sighted as he is cruel. Alright take what men we have left and form a phalanx around the mother box."
In that moment a loud thud sounded from inside the chamber. Dispersing the air pocket, we rushed back inside where I could hear the pulsing had intensified. Once inside I saw what looked to be a beam of light beside the podium. It then disappeared with a deafening boom. Motioning to the guard to check out the platform below. As he moved closer a very large figure shot up from the opening below. The silver horned humanoid-like creature startled him causing a second of hesitation before firing. With a menacing growl the creature grabbed the guard by the throat, running him across the room into the wall of the vault. Killing him instantly. The remaining guards fired at the creature, but it was no use. I watched in disbelief as it dispatched them one by one before he headed for the mother box.
Quickly I raised my hands removing the water from around it and the platform. Causing it to fall hard to the chamber floor, before bringing the water back down upon him, trying my best to drown him. It wasn't enough as it recovered quicker than I anticipated. Shooting back at me alarmingly fast, so fast I didn't have enough time to try and hit it with another blast. He caught me by the throat pinning me hard to the chamber wall, knocking the breath from me. I couldn't help but let out a pained groan, as its grip tightened the more I fought. Thinking fast I created an air pocket around us.
"You can't escape" He growled. I must admit it was terrifying up close, with his silver tipped horns that matched its body armor, with almost reptilian skin.
"I'm not trying to." I said before blasting him in the face. This time trying to use whatever water was in his body to drown him. It pissed him off. With another growl I was thrown hard to the stone floor below. Bits of the stone broke apart and floated around me. Dazed, I was unable to get my bearings before the thing was charging back at me, fire tipped axe raised and ready to strike. Accepting my fate, I prepared for the undoubtably fatal blow. It never came, instead it hit the floor next to my head. Shocked I looked and saw that a large man had intercepted the axe knocking it aside. With a grunt he threw the creature away from me before going to attack again. Dodging the creature's axe, which lodged in the podium. He grabbed the creature by the horns gathering momentum to knee it in the face. It did daze it but barely as the creature sent a punch so powerful it knocked him back to the podium. The creature then rammed him at full speed causing the podium to collapse. Bits of stone fell around them, the mother box falling directly in its hand, as if it belonged. Now with prize in hand it once again disappeared in a beam of light, the boom of it echoing in the now empty chamber. Sighing I swam over to the man who saved me. Creating a pocket, I gave him a once over. He was handsome, incredibly tall maybe two heads above me, he wore no shirt his bulging muscles on display, with tattoos going from his stomach up to his neck and along his arms and no doubt his back. His thick beard and long shoulder length blonde tipped hair only added to his appeal. But I have to admit his golden eyes were the best part of him and I knew who he was instantly.
"Vulko told me you'd come. The first born of the beloved Queen Atlanna." I said amazed at who I was looking at. It was known that he had no love for Atlantis, and no desire to know his home below the seas. And if the look he gave me was any indication that was still the case.
"Wait" I called out as he turned to leave. He ignored me. Rolling my eyes "Please" I said trying again. That did it but barely.
"I knew her." My words seemed to agitate him. He stalked back towards me.
"Well, that makes one of us" he said his voice deep, but smooth at the same time. The sound was almost welcoming to me, if it wasn't for the glare, he shot my way.
"I lost my mother in the wars. She took me in" I told him. Hoping I can get somewhere. Anywhere, or maybe I was stalling.
"What a saint" It was sarcastic dripping with animosity. Anger.
"You dare speak of Queen Atlanna that way?" Shocked by his disrespect.
"Your Queen left me on my father's doorstep and never gave me another thought." He growled. Having heard enough I walked closer to him so angry I was having a hard time keeping my anger in check I know my eyes glowed.
"That is the furthest from the truth. Your mother left you to save your life. You cannot imagine how much it hurt her. What it cost her, but you're not a defenseless child now. It would've been her responsibility to follow that monster to the surface and stop him. Now, it's yours. To save the land you love so much." I was awarded with a scoff. He spread his arms out on either side of himself while walking out and in the ocean. Our eyes connected once more before he swam off to the surface.
"Insufferable jackass. Just like your brother. But thank you." I sighed touching the locket that hung around my neck. Dispersing the air pocket, I made. I looked around at the fallen soldiers, then with a heavy heart I headed back home to Atlantis.
The City of Atlantis:
I've never been so relieved to see the bright lights of the city. Ever. Especially when it came to where I was headed right now. The throne room. The last thing I want to do is be anywhere near the man we have to call king, but it is my duty. Not only as a member of the Atlantean Guard, but as a member of the royal family. Moving with purpose throughout the massive, yet beautiful cathedral-like structure bathed in a bright light. I moved with a purpose ignoring everyone in my path until I reached the throne room. The two guards bowed to me to which I returned before they pushed open the grand doors, Announcing my presence.
"Princess Y'Lana, my king"
I moved down the runway until I was before the throne. Apon it was a man, slender yet muscular. His short blond hair moved with the waves around us. A silver crown laid on his head. His features striking,his bright blue eyes even more so. Dressed in his silver armor his father's trident in hand as he leaned on his throne chair. All in all, King Orm was as handsome as he was cruel. Ocean Master. His one goal as of late is to wage war on the surface world. His brother's world. Beside him was a woman, tall, beautiful, vibrantly bright red hair, amazing green eyes. Dressed in a blush pink gown that seemed to mold to her every curve. Orms betrothed, the eldest princess of Xebel, and my sister. Mera.
"The mother box strong hold was attacked. I regret to inform you my lord there were no survivors, other than myself and the mother box taken." I said head held high; voice stronger than I felt. There was a long pause as Orm just stared at me. Mera nervously looking on. I don't know why. It's not like he can hurt me. Not without angering our father and losing the alliance with Xebel. Not when he needs it for the war he's planning.
"Death and misfortune seem to always follow you" He said while standing on his feet. His voice carried throughout the room. Slowly he made his way down to where I stood. My heart raced. "Curious, as to why you are the survivor. Care to share Princess Lana?"
It's at that moment I knew that he knew. He knows that Arthur was there at the stronghold. That he saved me. Scoffing.
"Don't be so disappointed, besides I think we both know that answer to that. Question is how you know, when you couldn't even bother to send in reinforcements." Sarcasm and disrespect clear in my voice. His face turned from teasing to pure barely masked fury.
"Be careful Lana. Being my betrothed sister only gets you so far. And as for my mother's bastard I'm ALWAYS aware of those who may challenge me for my throne."
Shaking my head "My apologies my lord, but I get the impression that is the last thing he wants. He holds no love for Atlantis." I was tired at this point. "We need someone to retrieve our dead from the strong hold. I wanted to inform you of what happened and to let you know that the creature has the box."
Placated, it seems he went back to his throne and sat.
"No doubt taken back to the surface, as should be. Let it be their problem, I'm sure my brother would gladly lend a hand." Orm takes a deep breath. "As for our fallen, I'll have everything taken care of and notify all families. Your dismissed."
With that I bow and take my leave. Casting a look at my sister as I turn. I'm out the door and halfway down the brightly lit corridor before I feel her following me.
"Not now Mera." I said annoyed and not in the mood for one of her lectures.
"Well, that's too bad" She says moving in my way." Why, must you provoke him."
"Your fiancée is an ass. And a murderous one at that." She hushed me loudly looking around, before pulling me aside.
"Are you out of your mind. What you say can be considered treason, he can have you banished, better yet sacrificed to the trench, like Atlanna. Is that what you want?" Said Mera. Panic was shown clearly in her eyes. Ashamed, in looked down at the floor below us.
"No, but I can't just stand and watch as hatred and prejudice destroy an entire world. To back his war makes us no better than he is. Atlanna wouldn't want that. Arthur is the rightful heir to the throne. He can bring both worlds together. The land and the sea. And if fighting for what's right leads to banishment or to sacrifice then so be it." Mera scoffed at me eyebrow raised.
"You are a princess of Xebel your loyalty should be to your home and your people. Not some half breed on the surface. Your mind is clouded." She spoke. The disgust in her tone was unmistakable.
"My mind has never been clearer." And with that I move around her and head to my quarters. Fuming the whole way there.