Chapter 155: The Trident Artifact
Blackened Mera landed on an island within the Hidden Sea at the Earth's core.
Here, many prehistoric creatures still roamed, dinosaurs flying freely through the air, as if they had never become fossils.
As soon as Blackened Mera set foot on the beach, a female figure emerged from the island.
The woman wore tattered, old aristocratic armor from Atlantis. On her back was a bow made from small dinosaur bones and arrows of fishbone. Removing a slightly intimidating helmet revealed a face weathered by time but still graceful and gentle. From her features, it was clear that in her youth, she had been no less beautiful than Mera.
Her figure was well-maintained, mature and full, as if she were a thirty-year-old woman in her prime. The Hidden Sea's local food supply must have been excellent.
"Mera… is that you?" The woman asked in disbelief.
Mera's mind raced with excitement: "It's Atlantis' former queen, Atlanna! She's still alive! She taught me when I was a child."
"It is I," Atlanna confirmed.
Xi Nian, not wanting to ruin the reunion, controlled Blackened Mera to speak.
"This is wonderful. I never thought I'd see you again in my lifetime!" Atlanna rushed forward and hugged Blackened Mera tightly. But as she inhaled Mera's scent, her eyes flickered with something strange.
Blackened Mera remained still, her body stiff as Atlanna held her.
"She's alive… that's wonderful," Mera's mind reflected.
"Don't forget, we just killed one of her sons. No matter the reason, it's an indisputable fact," Xi Nian reminded her.
Though uneasy, he would kill Orm again if needed.
Mera's mind ached; she didn't know how to explain to Atlanna.
"Atlanna, why are you here?" Blackened Mera asked.
Atlanna, still caught in the joy of reunion, said: "Twenty years ago, I was sacrificed by Atlantis to the Trench, and I fought my way here, just like you."
Blackened Mera didn't correct her—she hadn't fought her way but rather forced her way in.
"Atlanna," Blackened Mera went straight to the point, "do you know where the Trident artifact is?"
"Of course," Atlanna nodded, pointing to a waterfall cave behind her. "It's in that cave."
"Did you come here specifically to retrieve the Trident?" Atlanna asked, suddenly realizing.
"Yes."
Blackened Mera didn't hide her intentions. "I want to become the ruler of the seas!"
"You…" Atlanna stared at her, frowning deeply. "That will be difficult… extremely difficult."
"No matter how difficult, I have to try," Blackened Mera said, stepping directly toward the waterfall cave.
Atlanna watched her back and cautioned: "Do you know? The Trident is guarded by the legendary sea monster, Karathen. I've tried for twenty years and could never get close. Only someone with true royal potential can wield it."
Blackened Mera paused, then turned to Atlanna: "Atlanna, your son Orm is dead. I killed him."
"And now… I am not the real Mera. If you wish to hate, then hate me!"
With that, Blackened Mera disappeared into the waterfall cave without another word.
Atlanna stood stunned, a brief moment of silence before the sounds of loud cries rang through the prehistoric world.
In truth, from the moment she approached Blackened Mera, she had sensed the presence of her son's blood on her hands.
...
Inside the waterfall cave,
Blackened Mera descended into a tranquil, spacious deep-sea area, filled with the ruins of an ancient civilization.
On a ruined stone pedestal above the ruins sat a male skeleton wearing a crown and armor. In its hands was a golden Trident, glowing faintly in the water, radiating power and majesty.
The Trident before them gave Xi Nian a strange sense of familiarity.
Right—it was similar to the artifact on his aunt, seemingly made from the same place, or crafted with similar metals and techniques.
"Aunt?" Mera's mind took note of the connection.
Blackened Mera moved forward, approaching the radiant Trident.
…
The Hidden Sea.
Two figures emerged from the ocean roughly ten seconds apart, arriving on the primitive island.
Their features bore some resemblance, one clean-shaven, the other with a beard.
Both reached the island and exchanged a glance. Despite meeting for the first time, they instantly recognized each other.
"Namor?" Arthur raised an eyebrow.
"Arthur." Namor frowned.
Twin brothers, meeting for the first time.
"Are you two… Arthur and Namor?" Atlanna asked, astonished.
"Mother," Namor stepped forward, kneeling. "Orm… he—"
"I already know," Atlanna said, grief-stricken.
Arthur also knelt: "Mother, Father… he—"
"—What did you say?" Atlanna and Namor's faces turned pale.
A reunion overshadowed by tragic news.
Atlanna nearly fainted, looking at her two sons: "You two… must have come for the Trident as well. The artifact is behind the waterfall cave. The one who claimed not to be Mera went in recently. If you both want to be king, go and try."
Arthur and Namor exchanged glances and turned their sharp eyes toward the waterfall cave.
Whoever claimed the artifact would be king.
…
Blackened Mera approached the throne. Just as her hand reached for the Trident, only three meters from the artifact—
Gush!
"Without the legitimate bloodline of Atlantis, you dare to claim the Trident?" A hoarse, chilling voice called from behind.
Blackened Mera looked back. From the dark depths of the sea, huge serpentine tentacles emerged—at least five or six, each the size of a Boeing fuselage, pressing forward with immense force.
"What are you?" she asked fearlessly.
"I am Karathen. I have guarded this artifact for over a thousand years, slaying countless thieves who sought to defile it," the voice rasped.
"Though you can understand me, I will not let you pass. You carry a very evil aura… and lack the potential of a true king!"
"Is that so? Then I will leave..."
Before she could hear Karathen's reply, Blackened Mera's right hand, previously reaching forward, transformed into a dark claw, seizing the Trident firmly from the skeleton's grasp.
Got it!
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