Chapter 4

The sun was still low on the horizon, casting a golden light over the peaceful shores of Amnesty Bay. The breeze carried the fresh scent of saltwater, but it did little to ease the tension building within Arthur Curry Jr. His mind had been swirling with thoughts of his recent training session and the strange encounter with Garth, the warrior from Xebel assigned to guard him. He couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to Garth than the quiet loyalty he showed.

Arthur Jr. sat on the rocky shoreline, watching the waves crash against the rocks. He could feel the power of the ocean beneath him, the currents whispering secrets that only someone of royal Atlantean blood could understand. For the past two days, those whispers had grown louder, more urgent, but he couldn’t decipher their message.

A sudden voice cut through his thoughts.

“You look troubled, young prince.”

Arthur Jr. turned to see his uncle, Orm, standing behind him, the usual sternness in his expression tempered with something almost resembling concern. Despite the bad blood between Orm and Aquaman, the exile had been training Arthur Jr. secretly, molding him into a fighter. Orm had been the one to teach him how to channel his energy, to sense the flow of water, and to connect with the oceans in a way even his father couldn’t.

“Just thinking,” Arthur Jr. replied, his voice distant. He glanced at the crashing waves. “The ocean’s been restless. Something’s coming, isn’t it?”

Orm knelt beside him, his sharp gaze studying his nephew’s face. “You’re perceptive for your age. It’s true; the ocean always knows before we do. But you must remain focused. You’ve grown stronger, but strength without clarity will be your downfall.”

The young prince nodded, though his mind was still wandering. The memories of Garth, his intense gaze, and his enigmatic presence haunted him.

“Garth,” he muttered. “There’s something about him. I can’t tell if he’s really here to protect me or if there’s something else.”

Orm’s eyes darkened. “Garth is loyal to Xebel. Never forget that. His loyalty lies with his king, not with you. Keep your guard up.”

Arthur Jr. frowned, processing his uncle’s warning. He had sensed that Garth was hiding something, but he hadn’t yet figured out what.

“Do you think he knows something about the prophecy?” Arthur Jr. asked quietly.

Orm didn’t answer immediately. His eyes remained fixed on the horizon, watching the endless waves crashing against the rocks.

“It’s possible,” he finally said. “The prophecy has been a shadow over the kingdoms for years. But Garth’s presence here is no coincidence. If he suspects you are Aquaris, he may be watching you for more than just protection.”

Arthur Jr.’s heart pounded in his chest. Aquaris. The name had haunted him since the echo of the prophecy had first pierced the minds of everyone in Atlantis five years ago. He had never spoken of it aloud, not even to his parents. The thought that he might be the warrior the prophecy spoke of filled him with both fear and a strange sense of inevitability.

Before he could say more, the sound of footsteps approached from behind. Garth emerged from the path leading down from the lighthouse, his stoic expression betraying no emotion.

“Your training session is about to begin,” Garth said, his voice calm yet authoritative. He gave Orm a respectful nod but kept his distance, as if sensing the unspoken tension between them.

Arthur Jr. stood, brushing the sand off his clothes. He glanced at Orm, who gave him a silent look of warning before stepping back into the shadows, leaving the boy to his training.

---

Later That Day – Amnesty Bay, Training Grounds

The day passed in a blur of physical challenges and relentless sparring. Garth had been a demanding instructor, pushing Arthur Jr. harder than anyone had before. As they trained, Garth remained quiet, focused, his eyes always watching, studying the boy’s every move.

Arthur Jr. could feel the weight of his gaze, the intensity of his scrutiny. Each blow, each block, each fall, Garth seemed to be analyzing not just his technique but something deeper. It was as if Garth was searching for a sign, some hidden clue to Arthur Jr.'s true nature.

By the time the session ended, Arthur Jr. was drenched in sweat, his muscles aching from the relentless pace. He sat on the ground, breathing heavily, while Garth stood nearby, his arms crossed.

“You’ve improved,” Garth said after a long silence. “But there is more to being a warrior than strength. You must learn to read your enemies, anticipate their moves. Trust your instincts.”

Arthur Jr. nodded, though his exhaustion made it hard to focus. Garth’s words echoed Orm’s earlier warning, a reminder that strength alone wouldn’t be enough.

As Garth turned to leave, Arthur Jr. couldn’t help but ask, “Do you believe in the prophecy?”

Garth paused, his back still turned. There was a long silence before he finally spoke, his voice low and guarded.

“I believe in what I see,” Garth said, his tone cryptic. “And I see a future that you cannot yet imagine.”

With that, Garth walked away, leaving Arthur Jr. alone with his thoughts once again.

---

Two Days Later – Lighthouse, Early Morning

Arthur Jr. awoke with a start, his heart pounding in his chest. He had dreamt of the ocean again, of the prophecy, of a great shadow rising from the depths. The echo of the ancient voice still rang in his ears, its words like a curse.

He sat up in bed, staring out at the lighthouse’s window where the ocean stretched out into the distance. There was something out there, something calling to him. The prophecy had said it would come, and now he could feel it, like a storm building on the horizon.

He knew that he couldn’t hide from it any longer. Whatever was coming, he would have to face it.

---

End of Chapter 4.