Chapter 158: The Sea God, Xi Nian, and Mera
Deep beneath the island, in the hidden sea.
"Sea God?"
Blackened Mera lowered her gaze to the Trident in her hands, sensing that she could now control the waves and tides of the area at will, communicating with all the sea creatures within, including the trench-dwelling guardians at the entrance to the hidden sea.
Xi Nian finally understood why whoever obtained the Trident could become the ruler of Atlantis.
Indeed, the Trident was Atlantis' most precious royal relic.
Its significance went far beyond being a symbol of power.
Forged in ancient times, the Trident's divine power was intrinsically linked to the ocean, allowing its wielder to command every marine species. Its abilities were almost identical to the Greek god Poseidon's legendary power, which explained why Xi Nian had felt a strange familiarity before. This Trident, aptly named Poseidon's Trident, shared the same lineage as the artifacts possessed by his Aunt Diana, and even those on Themyscira. Unfortunately, that was all the connection it had.
Xi Nian had no interest in the title of Sea God or the inheritance that came with it.
In a few hours, Blackened Mera, now recognized as the second-generation Sea God, would vanish completely from this world.
Thus, the title of Sea God, like the ancient gods, had long been nominal.
However, possessing an official endorsement and status from Karathen made what came next much simpler.
"You two… still want to fight?"
Her golden, divine eyes burned as Blackened Mera glanced at Arthur and Namor. She pointed the glowing tip of Poseidon's Trident at them: "Submit, or die!"
The twin brothers floating in the underwater area fell silent.
Before the Sea God's glory and aura, their potential as kings seemed dim and weak, even pitiful.
King Arthur instinctively bowed his head, unable to meet Blackened Mera's gaze. With Atlantis' royal blood coursing through him, he felt compelled to kneel in reverence.
"Mera became the Sea God? Seems… not bad. At least now, the surface and the seas won't go to war." Arthur thought to himself, feeling empty yet comforted.
Just days ago, Mera had urged him to return and rule Atlantis, but now she had ascended to godhood!
"In the end, it really came to this?"
Namor muttered in disbelief, finally sighing as he sank to one knee in the water before Blackened Mera.
…
In the Mediterranean deep, the underwater fleet arrived.
Advisor Vulko led a hundred jellyfish- and fish-shaped submarines, their metallic hulls glowing like daylight, encircling a storm-like underwater vortex.
Orm's death had enraged the royal family and nobles of Atlantis. Vulko was ordered to capture Princess Mera, guilty of regicide and treason—if necessary, she was to be executed on the spot.
As the royal advisor, Vulko could hardly comprehend how the princess had changed so drastically in just half a day. What had happened to her?
"Advisor, look!"
Mounted on a seahorse, Vulko froze as a soldier shouted.
He looked ahead and his expression mirrored the soldier's shock.
In the center of the expanding vortex, bolts of scorching lightning snaked violently through the water.
Three figures emerged from the depths: two men and a woman.
"Arthur, Namor, and the former queen?!"
Vulko shivered, instantly recognizing them, and leapt from his seahorse.
"Advisor," Atlanna also recognized him, her pale, weary face softening with relief.
"Your Majesty," Vulko saluted formally, then turned to Arthur and Namor. "You found the Trident?"
"Yes, we did," Namor replied stiffly.
Arthur forced a wry smile. "Vulko, now is not the time to reminisce. We should make way."
"Make way for whom?"
Vulko froze, realizing the vortex ahead was still expanding.
"What is that?"
The soldiers on the submarines were stunned. From the vortex emerged a colossal, terrifying sea beast.
Larger than any submarine, its length and height spanned over a thousand meters. Seven or eight snake-like tails trailed behind it, each as massive as a Boeing aircraft fuselage.
Its head was triangular and dinosaur-like, and its front claws could easily slice a ship in two. Its presence alone stirred massive waves, dwarfing the submarines like minnows beside a great shark.
This was the legendary sea beast—Karathen .
Every Atlantean trembled in fear at the sight.
Above Karathen , a striking red-haired woman stood, holding the golden Trident, her presence radiating overwhelming authority.
"Meeting the Sea God, why are you not bowing?" Karathen said, his voice caused every Atlantean's blood to tremble in submission.
…
"Someone has regained the Trident and claimed the title of Sea God!"
"After thousands of years, the name of the Sea God returns to the seas!"
"It's Mera! The princess who just killed King Orm!"
The news spread rapidly across the seven underwater kingdoms. Among the four surviving civilizations, the entire underwater world erupted in shock and excitement.
At the gates of Atlantis' prison, King Zeber was released and could not believe what he heard. "Are you kidding me? The one who obtained the Trident—is my daughter?!"
…
This day marked a turning point in underwater history.
Blackened Mera stood atop Karathen, holding the Trident, commanding the seven seas. Countless sea creatures followed her, waves and tides parting as if by will.
She seemed to survey her kingdom as though it were her own courtyard.
"Thank you, Xi Nian," Mera's mind whispered.
"This is our achievement together. I've done all I can to help. To be a true ruler, you'll face much more in the future," Xi Nian replied.
With the Trident in her hand and Karasen's help, Xi Nian believed she could handle whatever came next.
"Are you leaving?" Mera's heart trembled, though she controlled her thoughts.
"Yes, the time is nearly up," Xi Nian said, calm and lighthearted.
The symbiosis was coming to an end.
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