Dragged deeper toward the seabed by immense, crushing tentacles, Wonder Woman fought through the pain as the creature coiled tightly around her body. The slick, iron-like limbs restricted her movement, making it difficult to gain any leverage underwater. Every attempt to break free was slowed by the resistance of the ocean, her strength unable to reach its full potential. She could only struggle as the creature pulled her further into the depths.
Just as the pressure and desperation began to mount, she caught sight of a familiar figure descending from above the surface.
Surprise flickered across her face, followed by a warmth that spread through her chest. He had come.
For a brief moment, relief overtook her thoughts. Of course he would not allow harm to reach her.
The realization, however, stirred a trace of shame. She was an Amazon, a warrior raised to rely on her own strength and skill. Depending on someone else, even him, did not sit easily with her pride.
Her thoughts were interrupted when the tentacles suddenly loosened their grip. From the darkness below, faint, distorted cries echoed through the water. The creature was in pain.
Seizing the opportunity, she drew in a breath and raised her sword, bringing it down with force. The once unyielding tentacles had weakened, and her blade cut through them with ease.
Freed at last, she surged upward, cutting through the water toward the surface.
When she emerged, the scene had completely changed.
The massive sea creature lay motionless, its enormous body floating lifelessly. The violent thrashing from before had ceased entirely. Its tentacles were scattered across the surface, severed cleanly.
A closer look revealed a gaping wound in its central mass, blood pouring steadily into the ocean. That strike had ended it.
Spitting out seawater, Wonder Woman lifted her gaze.
Adrian hovered above, his figure steady in the air. His body was splattered with the creature's dark, foul blood, a clear sign of how quickly and decisively he had ended a battle none of them could resolve.
A faint smile touched her lips as she flew up to join him.
Behind her, Green Lantern, Shazam, and Rachel regrouped and followed, forming a loose formation around Adrian.
Adrian's attention shifted first to Arthur.
"Arthur. It's been a while."
Arthur, still stunned by the sudden death of the creature, blinked before focusing on him. His expression was complicated.
"Adrian."
Adrian's gaze moved briefly to Mera.
"And you, Mera. Still holding up?"
She gave a small shrug. "Not that long by Atlantean standards. Though your name has been impossible to ignore. On land and beneath the sea, people talk about you constantly. Some fear you, some admire you, others resent you."
Adrian nodded slightly. "Sounds about right."
Mera smirked faintly. "If things continue like this, I might return to the surface one day and find you ruling the entire continent."
Her tone carried amusement, as if she were watching events unfold from a distance.
Adrian ignored the remark and turned back to Arthur.
"You are the King of Atlantis now. Correct?"
Arthur hesitated, then answered, "Yes."
"Then you remember our agreement."
"I do."
Arthur's voice was quieter now, weighed down by the situation. He was not someone who broke promises lightly.
"Good," Adrian said, his expression unreadable. "Then step down as King of Atlantis."
Arthur's face tightened. Conflict was clear in his eyes.
"I... I can't do that right now."
The words had barely left his mouth before Adrian vanished.
In an instant, he reappeared in front of Arthur, gripping him by the throat and lifting him into the air.
"So you intend to break your word?"
Arthur struggled to breathe but forced himself to respond. "No. That's not it. Even if I stepped down, my people would never accept you. You are not Atlantean. They would reject it outright."
His voice strained, but he continued.
"I will honor my promise. Just not like this. It will take time."
"Time?" Adrian repeated.
For a brief moment, silence hung between them.
Then Adrian released him.
"For now, I'll allow it."
His gaze shifted toward the battlefield below, where chaos still lingered.
"But explain this."
In the next instant, his hand shot forward again, seizing Arthur by the neck and lifting him once more.
"Your people attacked mine. On my territory. Should I take that as a declaration?"
A faint red glow began to gather in Adrian's eyes.
Arthur coughed, struggling against the grip. "They acted first. Not me."
"Who?"
"Humans. They were hunting whales recklessly. I was going to deal with it. I didn't want this to escalate."
Adrian's grip tightened slightly.
"I saw you attack first. I saw you summon that creature."
"That wasn't my intention," Arthur said, forcing the words out. "I was trying to stop it from turning into this."
Adrian studied him for a moment, then released him again.
Arthur dropped slightly before steadying himself, rubbing his throat.
"You should understand something," Adrian said coldly. "Land or sea, it makes no difference. If I decide to take control, I will."
Arthur met his gaze, his voice calmer now.
"I understand you. After everything you lost, it's not hard to see what drives you. Whether you realize it or not, you're already building something like an empire."
He paused.
"But Atlantis will not be part of it. We will remain independent."
Before Adrian could respond, Wonder Woman stepped forward and handed him a communicator.
"Adrian. Something's happening."
He took it without looking away from Arthur. "What is it?"
"Atlantean forces have surfaced across the world."
Adrian's expression sharpened.
He activated the communicator.
Betty's voice came through, urgent and clear.
"Multiple coastal locations are reporting the same situation. San Francisco, Rio de Janeiro, Dubai. Atlantean forces are emerging from the ocean and advancing inland. They are forcing civilians out of entire districts."
Adrian lowered the device slowly.
His gaze returned to Arthur.
Without warning, heat vision erupted from his eyes, striking Arthur and sending him crashing back into the ocean below.
Arthur hit the water hard, disappearing beneath the surface.
Adrian remained hovering above, his expression dark.
"Arthur, this is war."
The faint glow in his eyes intensified.
"I will tear Atlantis apart if I have to."
He looked toward the horizon, where the world itself seemed to be shifting.
"Anyone who stands against me will understand exactly what they are dealing with."