Unnamed waters.
"ROOOAAARRR!!"
The sea monster Karathen howled in agony.
One of its colossal tails had been shattered by Fenric's punch, the wound still bleeding profusely. The surrounding seawater turned a deep, ominous red.
Then it revealed its full body—an enormous form, vast as a small island, dwarfing everything around it.
Fenric's eyes narrowed. This was the largest creature he had ever faced, comparable in size to a living Godzilla.
"ROAR!!"
Karathen's roar thundered through the waters. Its massive eyes glared at Fenric with fury, teeth bared, claws spread, as if desperate to tear him apart.
And yet—it did not attack.
The memory of Fenric's devastating punch lingered. That single blow had broken its tail, filling even this ancient beast with fear of the human before it.
"What's wrong?" Fenric asked calmly, his voice carrying clearly through the water. "Do you want another punch?"
His tone shifted, steady and commanding. "I know you are the guardian of the trident. You've stood watch for thousands of years, granting it only to the one worthy of being king."
Fenric remembered the story well. In the original events, Karathen was not mindless; it possessed wisdom, even speaking directly to Arthur Curry.
Though Fenric lacked Arthur's ability to communicate with sea life, Karathen seemed to understand his words.
Fenric's smile curved with quiet arrogance. "Unfortunately for you, the king you honor is nothing before me. I don't take him seriously."
At that, Karathen's massive body trembled with rage. To insult the first King of Atlantis—its master—was unforgivable.
"ROOOAAARRR!!!"
It lunged, preparing to fight to the death.
But then Fenric's gaze sharpened.
An overwhelming force erupted from him—an aura like an ancient sovereign descending upon the deep.
Conqueror's Haki.
Karathen froze mid-motion.
It felt as though a primordial behemoth towered over it, a natural suppression that made its massive body quake. Its knees buckled, forcing it down before Fenric against its will.
Karathen stared at him in terror.
Even if its original master were resurrected, that king would have been a mere firefly before the blazing sun that was Fenric.
How could a human radiate such overwhelming might?
Fenric's voice was steady, absolute.
"I am no king. But I am more than worthy to be your god."
With that, he turned and strode toward the golden trident.
Karathen did not dare to stop him. In truth, it no longer wished to.
The trident itself chose its master. Any unworthy hand would suffer its backlash.
Fenric reached the throne.
The golden trident trembled violently, sending ripples of energy throughout the ocean.
Instead of seizing it directly, Fenric released the dark trident he carried.
Instantly, the two weapons were drawn together like magnets.
A blinding light erupted—golden brilliance flooding the depths, turning the waters into a radiant sea of gold.
At the center of it, the two tridents fused into one.
Karathen's massive eyes widened in awe. It had never witnessed such a phenomenon.
When the light faded, the throne stood empty. The bones of the first king had crumbled to dust, merging with the sea.
Fenric lifted a hand, his will summoning the weapon.
The fused trident flew to him, glowing faintly.
"So… my trident devoured the golden one," Fenric murmured, studying it. "Its color has changed, but little else seems different."
But then the weapon shone again.
Golden light wrapped around Fenric's body, solidifying into armor—a regal golden cuirass that gleamed like sunlight.
In that instant, Fenric felt the change.
The sea itself bent to his will. The lives within it pulsed as though waiting for his command. His control over the waters surged to new heights—where before he could summon a tsunami a hundred meters high, now he could raise one a hundred and fifty.
Not an overwhelming increase, but unmistakably powerful.
Fenric glanced at his golden armor and chuckled. "Interesting."
Beside him, Karathen let out a deep rumble and lowered its colossal head to the seafloor, pressing it into the sand in a gesture of submission.
"Surrendering to me?" Fenric asked with a laugh.
The beast gave a soft, resonant growl—an affirmation.
"Good. Then tell me—do you know the way out?"
Karathen nodded.
Outside the waterfall, Atlanna waited anxiously.
Impatience gnawed at her heart. Has he been defeated? Was he swallowed by Karathen?
Part of her hoped Fenric had failed. Something within her whispered that the trident was meant for another—someone far more important in her life.
And yet, another part of her prayed he had succeeded. For if he failed, she would remain trapped here forever, doomed to die in loneliness.
Her thoughts were broken by a sudden figure emerging from the cascade.
It was Fenric.
But not as he had entered.
Now he was clad in resplendent golden armor, radiating light like a divine knight.
"!!!"
Atlanna's eyes widened in shock.
"Your Majesty Poseidon… you have succeeded?"
"Would I ever fail?" Fenric replied, his tone carrying effortless confidence.
Atlanna quickly shook her head, fear flashing in her eyes. "Forgive me, Your Majesty. I meant no offense."
Fenric waved dismissively. "Enough. Let's go. The scenery here may be beautiful, but there is nothing worth lingering for. I will take you back to your family."
At his words, tears welled in Atlanna's eyes.
"Your Majesty Poseidon… thank you. For your kindness, for your strength… I, Atlanna, am willing to serve you as your faithful servant."