Chapter 2
The lighthouse stood tall against the backdrop of a gray morning sky, its light casting a guiding glow over the restless waves. Arthur Curry Jr. leaned against the railing of the lighthouse balcony, staring out at the vast ocean. The sound of gulls calling and the steady beat of the waves against the rocks should have been comforting, but the serenity only made the tension within him more palpable.
It had been five years since the prophecy. Five long years of trying to understand the weight it carried and the role he might play in it. Yet, in these quiet moments, Arthur Jr. found himself haunted not by the prophecy itself, but by the choices that had been made after.
His grandmother, Atlanna, appeared behind him, her regal presence softened by the years spent away from the political turmoil of Atlantis. She had taken to life on the surface with grace, yet she never forgot who she was—or the responsibilities that still lingered.
“You’re thinking about it again, aren’t you?” she asked softly, her voice like the gentle roll of the tide.
Arthur Jr. nodded but didn’t turn to face her. “Every day.”
The ocean breeze whipped through his dark hair as he looked out over the horizon, wondering what lay beneath those waters. Wondering if the destiny foretold was creeping ever closer.
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Flashback – Five Years Ago – Atlantis, Throne Room (Midday)
Arthur Jr. stood in the grand hall of the Atlantean palace, the glowing coral casting shifting shadows against the marble pillars. He was still a child then, unaware of the growing unease that surrounded him. He had been visiting with his grandparents, his time divided between the surface and Atlantis.
King Arthur Curry and Queen Mera were on their thrones, regal as ever, discussing matters of state when it happened. The echo. It came without warning, a sudden intrusion into the minds of everyone in the kingdom.
The prophecy.
“Doom shall descend, the depths shall quake,
All shall perish, their fate they'll forsake.
In decades' time, the abyss shall claim,
Prepare for obliteration, for sins are to blame…”
The voice, ancient and powerful, reverberated through their minds, bringing with it a searing pain. Arthur Jr. remembered clutching his head as terrifying visions of destruction flashed before his eyes. Images of bloodied seas, shattered cities, and the lifeless bodies of his people haunted him, leaving a scar that no time could heal.
His parents had looked to one another with silent understanding. There was nothing they could do in that moment to stop the force that had spoken, but from that day forward, they knew the prophecy would shape the course of their lives.
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Flashback – Three Years Ago – Atlantis, Throne Room (Midnight)
The throne room was darker this time, lit only by the soft glow of bioluminescent coral. King Arthur sat on the edge of his throne, his brow furrowed as he discussed the matter with Mera and the council. The atmosphere was tense. The prophecy had loomed over them for two years now, but it had not been forgotten. In fact, its shadow only grew longer.
Arthur Jr. had just turned nine when the decision was made. It was time for him to leave Atlantis.
“He cannot stay here,” Mera said quietly, though her voice was firm. “The prophecy is too dangerous. The people grow anxious, and there are whispers—whispers that he is Aquaris.”
King Arthur nodded, though the weight of the decision was clear on his face. He had always imagined his son growing up in Atlantis, learning the ways of their people, becoming a warrior in his own right. But the risk was too great.
“He will go to the surface,” Arthur said, his voice heavy. “He’ll live with my father and Atlanna. It’s the only way to keep him safe.”
And so, the decision was made. Arthur Jr. was sent to live permanently with his grandparents, away from the dangers of the prophecy and the growing unrest among the kingdoms.
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Present Day – Amnesty Bay, The Lighthouse (Morning)
Arthur Jr. shook himself from the memory, turning away from the ocean. His life on the surface had been simple, almost too simple at times. But the burden of his legacy was never far from his mind. He often wondered what his life would have been like if he had stayed in Atlantis. Would the prophecy have been fulfilled by now? Would he already be the warrior they called Aquaris?
Atlanna watched him carefully, her sharp eyes missing nothing. “You’re not alone in this,” she reminded him, stepping closer. “No matter what that prophecy says, you are still the son of Arthur Curry and Mera. You have the strength of two worlds within you.”
Arthur Jr. looked up at his grandmother, her words a small comfort against the weight of his thoughts. But deep down, he knew there was only one thing that would bring him peace—the truth. He had to know if the prophecy was about him. If he was Aquaris, the warrior meant to unite the kingdoms, or if his fate lay elsewhere.
“I just don’t know if I’m ready,” he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.
Atlanna placed a hand on his shoulder. “None of us ever feel ready when destiny calls. But you’ll know what to do when the time comes.”
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Xebel – The Royal Palace of King Nereus (Midnight)
Deep within the crystalline halls of Xebel, King Nereus sat on his coral throne, his mind alight with thoughts of conquest. He had already made the decision to send his most trusted warrior, Garth, to the surface under the guise of protecting Arthur Jr.
Nereus's brow furrowed as he thought about the boy. If Arthur Jr. was indeed the prophesied Aquaris, he would need to bring him to Xebel's side. Uniting the kingdoms under his rule was paramount, and the prophecy provided a path to achieving that goal.
A faint knock echoed in the silent hall, and Garth entered, his expression solemn.
“My liege,” Garth began, bowing before his king. “I am ready to depart for the surface.”
Nereus's eyes gleamed as he studied his warrior. “Remember, Garth, your mission is not only to protect the boy. You must earn his trust, guide him. When the time comes, he will choose Xebel, and through him, we shall rule Thalassia.”
Garth nodded, his loyalty unwavering. “I will not fail you, my king.”
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Present Day – Amnesty Bay, The Lighthouse (Evening)
The sun was beginning to set over Amnesty Bay when Arthur Jr. returned from his training with Orm. The air was cooler now, the waves lapping more gently against the shore. As he entered the lighthouse, he found his grandfather, Thomas Curry, seated at the kitchen table, reading a weathered old book.
“Another hard day of training?” Thomas asked, looking up with a smile.
Arthur Jr. nodded, though his thoughts were far from the training session. “Yeah. It’s getting harder,” he admitted.
Thomas chuckled. “It only gets harder, kid. But you’ve got the blood of kings in you. You’ll figure it out.”
Arthur Jr. smiled at his grandfather’s words, but the weight of the prophecy still lingered in his mind. He excused himself and made his way to his room, staring out the window at the ocean once more. Somewhere out there, his future awaited him—whatever it may be.
Just as the sun dipped below the horizon, a knock came at the door. Arthur Jr. froze, sensing something strange in the air. Thomas stood up, motioning for him to stay back as he opened the door.
There, standing in the doorway, was a tall man with intense eyes and long, dark hair. His armor gleamed in the fading light, and he carried himself with a grace that only someone from the depths of the ocean could possess.
“My name is Garth,” the man said, bowing his head slightly. “I’ve come to serve as Arthur Jr.’s protector.”
Arthur Jr. stepped forward, curiosity and suspicion swirling within him. “Protector?”
Garth met his gaze, a calm determination in his voice. “The King of Xebel has sent me. I am here to ensure your safety.”
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End of Chapter 2.
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