Interaction(s): NoneOf all the kingdoms that had survived the Great Cataclysm, Venturia had endured the tragedy far better than the rest of the empire that had sunk beneath the waves. Perfectly preserved pristine structures made up the secluded capital city of Shayeris. The polished ebony stone glistened like glass in the rays of artificial light, barely aged a day in over eight millenia despite the layer of algae and coral build up resting atop it. The swirled patterns of voluted capitals shaped after the nautilus shell sat atop of tall columns that circled the numerous rounded buildings, supporting their dome-shaped roofs.
A road of shimmering white limestone led into the center of the city as the crowded midday streets were filled with stalls manned by those either too young or too old to hunt and farm. People went about their unsuspecting business going from stall to stall as they purchased their needs. A ripple in the water suddenly passed over the crowd as some of them paused, caught off guard until it was followed by another disturbance and then another. As the frequency increased, the gates to the city were thrown open as the Xebellian royal escort flew through the water above the busy crowd. In tow, the king’s carriage made its way through Shayeris as the convoy proceeded to the temple that sat above the city caught between the towering cliffs that formed the Hidden Valley.
“You said that I would be king!” The words echoed through the temple and into the small chamber before the door had even finished opening as the Xebellian royal stormed the home of the mystics. Swimming through the opening, the blonde haired Atlantean gripped the hilt of his weapon tightly as he neared the meditating mystic.
“Did I say that you would be king?” The mystic mused, opening an eye beneath a raised eyebrow as he turned to peer towards the Xebellian intruder.
“You said the Heir to the line of Kodax would rule all of Atlantis.” Orvax snarled through clenched teeth. “I am the sole heir to the line of Kodax. I should be the one betrothed to Princess Atlanna not the Heir of Arion, not Tyndareos!”
“Did Tyndareos not best you in martial combat?” The mystic asked, the rhetorical question hanging in the air for a few seconds before the seething Xebellian King answered.
“You know damn well the answer to that question!” Orvax bellowed as he drew his weapon, brandishing it towards the Venturian. “I am losing my patience, Seer!”
“Temper, temper, your majesty.” The mystic scolded, as he stood while crossing his arms in front of him. “Put your toy away before you hurt yourself.” He chortled, straightening the leathery sash wrapped around his waist, hanging atop the kama which protected his dignity. “You and your heirs will rule Atlantis. This much I can promise will come true. I can’t, however, guarantee when these events will occur no matter how much violence you threaten me with.”
“If not now, then when!” Orvax roared as he lashed out, slamming an armoured fist against the nearest wall.
“You are asking for answers that the tides do not give. The flow ebbs and wanes, but it is never still, much like time itself.” The mystic answered as he raised a hand dismissively. “Your answers will come, but I can’t say when.”
“Then the fates and your riddles be damned, old man. I’ll take matters into my own hands.” Orvax stated, tossing his heavy cloak over his shoulder before turning to leave. Angry practically rolled off of the seething man as the King of Xebel stormed out of the mystics’ room. Exiting the temple, Orvax quickly rejoined his escort outside before giving the signal to depart from Shayeris.
Unusual for the militant driven Xebellians, Orvax had always placed his faith in the Mystics of Shayeris, something his fellow King, Tyndareos, did not. This often led the two kings into a series of heated debates that were rarely settled outside of a duel as neither was willing to concede their point.
Unlike the other five kingdoms that made up Atlantis, Xebel was an oligarchy, not a legitimate monarchy. For as long as Atlantis had been beneath the waves, Xebel had always been ruled by two hereditary kings; one to represent the line of Kodax, and one to represent the line of Arion. As a result of the actions of Princess Fen at Lemuria, tensions across Atlantis were at an all-time high and if Xebel and Netheria’s alliance fell apart so too would what remained of the once mighty empire. Xebel had demanded that one of its leaders take Thakorr’s place upon the throne of Atlantis or else it would bring its military might down on Netheria and take the throne by force. Not wanting anymore bloodshed in addition to the cold war with Lemuria, Thakorr’s advisor’s agreed, and Princess Atlanna was pledged to the Xebellian King. A trial by combat was then called to discern which of the two Xebellian rulers would ascend to the Throne of Atlantis. Assured in his victory due to the fortunes told by the Mystics, Orvax was caught off guard when he was defeated quickly and soundly by his rival king, Tyndareos.
Bitter and resentful, Orvax returned to Xebel and began to plot a way to take the throne. His faith in the mystics had been challenged, but still, the King remained unwavering, firmly believing that the mystics’ words of his future were infallible. While Tyndareos was paraded across Atlantis as though he was Poseidon incarnate, Orvax worked in the shadows finding allies to support his bid for the throne. The Brine King was particularly eager to ally himself with Orvax, still seeking vindication for the slight felt by all of the Brine by Fen’s alleged alliance with the surface which cost them peace. Dark deals were made in the shadows as Orvax orchestrated the death of an Emperor all before his once friend was coronated.
So it came to pass that on the day after the wedding of King Tyndareos of Xebel to Princess Atlanna of Netheria, that Tyndareos would be murdered before he looked upon the face of his new bride. Dressed in the finest the Brine had to offer in covert armour, the nearly invisible assassins easily scaled the palace walls, bypassing the defences as they slipped inside.
Patrols marched the wide hallways as the assassins silently made their way towards the chambers of the Imperius Rex and his new bride. Approaching the doorway, the assassins stopped, assessing the situation as they looked towards the posted guard. Drawing long thin daggers from the back of their belts, the murderers lunged forward. The water around the guards’ necks flowed red as the blades were plunged through their throats. Retracting their daggers, the assassins entered the bedroom as the bodies of the guards floated upwards, coming to a stop against the ceiling above the hallway.
Entering into the room, the first assassin moved swiftly as he rounded the bed, taking hold of Atlanna as the new Queen was dragged out of bed, a blade quickly placed against her throat as Tyndareos was startled awake.
“Lemuria sends its regards.” The second assassin stated, thrusting his blade forward as it pierced the heart of Atlantis’ newest Imperius Rex.
“No!” Came Atlanna’s pained cry as her eyes began to glow. The assassin holding her began to choke as the water was pulled from his lungs, draining them and effectively drowning him where he stood. Startled, the second assassin turned to attack the Queen only for a summoned undercurrent to carry the first assassin hurtling towards him. Caught off guard, the other man found himself suddenly crushed beneath the weight of the corpse as it was forced atop him by the Queen’s attack.
Imperial Guards burst into the room, attracted by the commotion as they came to a dead stop, looking towards the ceiling as Tyndareos’ body floated against it. The assassination shook the kingdom to its core, and the late King was soon interned in the Hall of the Dead among the other Imperius Rex of the past. Though still in mourning, Atlanna was quickly remarried to retain stability across the empire. As planned, Orvax was found to be the most suitable replacement for Tyndareos and for a time, peace did seem to fall upon the Empire.
In times of peace there is often cause for celebration and nearly nine months to the date of their marriage, Queen Atlanna delivered a healthy baby prince into the Kingdom. Named Orin after the legendary king of the past, Orvax had ensured an heir to succeed him just as the Seer had foretold. However, the King began to feel haunted, guilt slowly creeping into his consciousness as he began to hallucinate Tyndareos’ face watching him. Paranoia slowly took ahold of Orvax and soon conspiracies began to tumble through his mind.
Convincing himself that Orin was not his son but in fact had the blood of Tyndareos and Arion flowing through his veins, Orvax made an attempt on the boy’s life only to be stopped by the Queen herself. Accusing her of treason and demanding she hand the child over to him, Orvax left Atlanna with no choice but to flee the palace.
“She’ll never be safe in Atlantis, King Father.” The sage voice of Nuidis Vulko broke the tense silence as he addressed the former Imperius Rex, Thakorr. Escaping Poseidonis, Atlanna and her infant son had made their way to the King Father’s retreat in the Northern region of Netheria.
“This will be the first place the King’s Guard looks, you’ve damned us all by coming here!” Fen stated, stepping forward while holding her own son in her arms. “Orvax is a tyrant, we’d be so lucky for him to charge us with treason..” She added, her voice shaking as she continued to berate her sister. “He will kill us without hesitation to get you and your son.”
“And none of this would have happened if you had simply learned your place!” Atlanna snapped back. “If everything had gone well with Lemuria, we wouldn’t be-”
“ENOUGH!” Interjected the voice of the man who had ruled Atlantis for the majority of his life, the authoritative tone quickly silenced any further squabbling between the sisters.
“Vulko is right,” Thakorr stated, floating out of his chair as he rose to an upright position. “There is nowhere in Atlantis safe for my daughter or grandson.” The King Father added, making his way towards Atlanna as he wrapped his arms around her. “I can think of no safer place for you than the surface.”
Atlanna recoiled from her father’s arms the moment the words left his mouth.
“We can’t survive on the surface,” She replied in horror, disgust clearly displayed upon her face. “We may as well wait here for Orvax himself.”
“No,” Fen spoke up from behind her sister. “We can survive up there, we can breathe air.” She stated. “Our bodies adapt, it’s painful at first, but it does become easier.”
“But father said-”
“I lied,” Thakorr replied raising a hand to stop Atlanna, “I wanted to keep you safe, I could never have foreseen it going this way.” Shaking his head, the tired elder Atlantean rubbed his temples as he looked between both of his daughters. “Vulko can get you safely out-”
The King Father’s words were interrupted as his own personal guards burst into the room.
“The Imperius Rex’s High Guard are approaching.”
“Then we’re too late.” Fen exclaimed as Vulko moved across the room, taking hold of Atlanna’s arm.
“No, but we must go now.” Vulko insisted, “I’ll take your father’s craft to detour the pursuers, you should take one of the escorts, it’ll be a tight fit for you and your child, but it’s far faster.”
“And what about us?” Fen asked, cradling Namor tightly against her.
“I’m afraid while your safety is a concern, you’re not currently wanted for treason.” Vulko replied, “You’ll be safe here, with your father.”
“No, I want to-”
“Fen,” Thakorr stated, “They need to go, there’s no more time.” Her father placed his hand on his daughter’s shoulder as she began to cry. Taking the young Prince from her arms, Thakorr held Namor in one arm, while Fen laid her head against his chest. Together they watched as Vulko escorted Atlanna from the room before turning towards the door, awaiting Orvax’s men.
Moving swiftly through the estate, Vulko helped Atlanna into the small escort craft before climbing into the larger luxury craft. Launching out of the dock, Vulko pushed the vessel to its maximum speed looking back as the Orvax’s forces gave chase.
Seeing her chance, Atlanna launched the vessel heading North. The Atlantean Queen escaped that day, undetected due to the sacrifice of Nuidis Vulko she was able to safely make her way to the surface. Exhausted and emotionally drained, Atlanna lost control of her vehicle, scuttling the craft along the shallows of the Southeastern United States.
Dragging herself and the infant Orin ashore, Atlanna was found by a lighthouse keeper by the name of Philip Curry. Nursing the pair back to health, Philip took care of Atlanna and treated Arthur as though the boy was his own. Long presumed dead, Atlanna and Orin found a new life amidst the surface world.
Fen, however, was not as lucky.
In exchange for her son’s life, Fen was forced to replace her sister as the Tyrant Orvax’s bride. A condition she eagerly accepted having watched her father mercilessly cut down in cold blood for knowingly aiding a wanted fugitive. While Fen was crowned Queen of Atlantis, Namor was delivered to Xebel where he was to live out the rest of his life in eternal servitude to the crown. However, unbeknownst to Orvax, even the late Thakorr still had allies within Xebel.
King Nereus, the successor to Tyndareos, remained loyal to both of the late Imperius Rex’s and took Namor into his own home. While Namor would never see the crown, Nereus ensured the boy would be educated, he'd be trained to fight, he'd be brought up to be civilized, taught to talk and act like a prince, not a slave as Orvax intended.
It was the least Nereus could do in honour of his fallen Kings.
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