Chapter 156: Battle for the Artifact
Blackened Mera's speed was astonishing, and her dark claws extended with even greater swiftness. Even Karathen , the guardian sea beast, couldn't react in time. Her claws gripped the glowing golden shaft of the Trident.
Buzz!
The dark claw, stretched and brimming with wild, almost evil power, clutched the Trident's handle tightly.
The upright Trident seemed to awaken, its golden metal humming with life. Circles of divine energy radiated outward, sending golden ripples across hundreds of meters of dark, tranquil water, shaking nearby deep-sea ruins.
Blackened Mera's actions enraged Karathen . Its hoarse voice became sharp and furious, like an ancient god growling beneath the sea, the sound waves shaking the water around: "Anyone who touches the artifact will be killed without mercy!"
Blackened Mera frowned. Even her dark claws could not pull the Trident from the old emperor skeleton's grip.
"Is this the power left behind by the old emperor of Atlantis?" Mera's mind wondered.
"No."
Xi Nian, who had used his aunt's artifact before, judged immediately.
Even a living old emperor could not contend with the Trident in its current state. The artifact itself was resisting.
"Could it be… that only someone with true royal potential can claim it?"
Blackened Mera furrowed her brow. The Trident's awakened golden energy shone like a sun in the deep sea, gradually forcing her dark claw open.
The Trident did not recognize Mera.
Or rather, it did not recognize the Mera controlled by Xi Nian.
Either way, this was not good news for them.
Her dark claw expanded further, becoming a monstrous half-human-sized paw, tearing at the Trident's radiant energy.
Xi Nian attempted to help, but a massive shadow suddenly attacked from the side.
Boom!
The water surged, pressure rippling chaotically.
A serpentine tentacle, like a diving Boeing aircraft or a gigantic whip, struck Blackened Mera, sending her flying from the throne and artifact. Any Atlantean could not withstand such a strike.
Blackened Mera slammed into a semi-ruined ancient platform tens of meters away. The ruins shattered violently, turning the surrounding water murky.
"You persistent thief, die!"
Karathen roared, enraged.
Though thrown, Blackened Mera's dark claws still clutched the Trident, refusing to release. Her arm extended like a tentacle, disappearing into the turbid water around her.
"Not even letting someone try… that's excessive," she muttered as debris and silt fell around her.
"Have you not already tried? I told you, you lack the potential of a king. You cannot claim the Trident!"
Karathen roared again as another massive tentacle struck down, like slapping a mosquito.
Boom!
The underwater area trembled violently. Ruins, rocks, and silt were thrown into the water as the tentacle smashed down.
"Huh?!"
Karathen quickly sensed something unusual. Its tail did not feel the expected resistance of crushing flesh. Instead, a distinct force arose from the center.
Buzz!
The surrounding water and silt surged. The massive tentacle slowly lifted as Blackened Mera held the Trident with one hand and used her empty left hand and shoulder to lift the base of the tentacle. Her small frame unleashed incredible strength.
The symbiosis, the energy-devouring beast, and Mera's physical abilities merged perfectly, giving her an astonishing power level. In the water, she might not rival a Kryptonian bug-level being, but she far exceeded even the Hulk's strength.
Observing secretly, Karathen whispered, as if recalling the past: "I've seen a being with your power… but they are long gone from this world…"
"Who?" Blackened Mera asked curiously.
Xi Nian was certain: Karathen did not mean the old emperor. Perhaps it referred to the creator of the Trident, or an even more ancient being.
Karathen suddenly sneered: "Two more have entered, two hybrid bastards. In a thousand years, this is the first time it's been so lively!"
Following its words, two tall men descended from the waterfall cave into the deep-sea ruins.
The twin sons of Atlantis' former queen—Arthur and Namor.
Before they could assess their surroundings, one of Karathen's tentacles struck them. Even as those claiming the title of Aquaman or King of the Seas, they could not evade the powerful strike and were sent flying like helpless flies.
They crashed into the ruins. Even with royal blood, the sudden blow left them in immense pain, nearly gasping for air.
"What is this thing?" Arthur patted his dizzy head, staring at the massive tentacles floating around.
"That is…"
Namor squinted, immediately spotting the Trident standing before the skeleton and throne.
He dashed forward like a dark shadow, aiming for the artifact.
"Watch out!"
Arthur lunged, colliding with a second tentacle aimed at Namor.
Despite his size and strength, the tentacle overpowered him, forcing him backward and tumbling through the water.
Namor seized the opportunity, moving rapidly toward the Trident.
"I am the true king of the seas!"
Namor's eyes reflected the Trident's golden light. His right hand reached out to grasp it, but at the last moment…
The dark claw holding the Trident suddenly exuded a black, viscous liquid. The darkness spread along the Trident, coating the entire artifact.
Thus, Namor's hand could only touch the Trident's outer dark protective layer.
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