King of the Seven Seas (EMH) Chapter 22: Portal to Otherworld

[Third Person POV]

Arthur sat securely behind Mera on her shimmering conjured seahorse, its translucent body glimmering with a faint oceanic light. Arthur wrapped his strong arms around Mera’s waist for balance, though the truth was that he also relished the closeness. Mera’s lips curved into a quiet smile as she felt his steady hold. She patted his hands with a tender reassurance before subconsciously leaning back against his chest, her posture softening as she took firm control of the reins.

“Are you two ready?” Dane’s voice rang out, his tone carrying both focus and faint amusement. He stood in his full Black Knight armor, dark steel gleaming under the setting light, his sword resting securely at his side. His helmet concealed most of his expression, but the way he shifted his stance betrayed his readiness.

Arthur and Mera both nodded in unison, their silent agreement enough for Dane. Without hesitation, he spurred into motion, his steed taking off with a thundering stride. Mera urged her seahorse to follow, her eyes glowing with a soft, ethereal blue flare as the conjured reins bent to her will. The construct surged forward effortlessly, keeping pace with Dane’s mount as they broke free from the confines of the estate and soared into the open sky.

The cool wind rushed against them, Arthur pressed a little closer for warmth, and with a crooked smile he teased, “Now I’m really questioning why we didn’t just do this from the start. You could’ve carried us across the entire United Kingdom with one of these things.”

Mera resisted the urge to roll her eyes, her tone even but amused as she answered, “Because you insisted on being discreet, remember? Not to mention avoiding drawing unnecessary attention to ourselves.” She paused briefly, tightening her hold on the reins. “Besides, these constructs are not something I can sustain forever. They demand constant concentration and drain mental strength. I can manage for a while, but not across half a continent. Luckily for us, this trip will be short enough that I should be able to endure.”

Arthur chuckled sheepishly, scratching the back of his neck “Ah, right. Sorry about that… guess I got caught up in the convenience of it.”

Her gaze flickered back to him briefly, her expression softening as the glowing horizon stretched ahead of them. The city lights dwindled far behind as they galloped weightlessly through the clouds. “Tell me more about it, then,” she said, her voice tinged with curiosity. “Your gift. The way you commune with animals. I find myself intrigued. At first I thought your telepathy only worked with marine life.”

Arthur exhaled slowly, settling into explanation. “It’s… complicated. My telepathy works on everyone, at least to some extent. I believe it has to do with my mixed blood—Atlantean and human. But that's just a theory” His eyes followed the flow of the air around them as he spoke. “With sea creatures, it’s not always a conversation. Most don’t possess the kind of developed minds that allow for dialogue the way we’re speaking now. Instead, it’s more like sending a request—a command, if you will—directly into their instincts. Because of the strength of my Atlantean heritage, they recognize me, respect me, and are usually willing to comply. But that respect is fragile. If I were to push too far, to fully dominate their will, I’d shatter the trust I’ve built with them.”

He shifted slightly, his voice low but earnest. “In simpler terms, my Atlantean blood gives me authority, makes them more inclined to listen. But my human side isn't as strong as my Atlantean side that bond with surface creatures. With them, it’s not authority, it’s more like friendship. They’re less compelled to help me unless they want to. I could force them if I truly tried, but I won’t. Forcing thoughts on another living being is invasive—an abuse of power I never want to indulge in. Especially with people. It's all really a big moral dilemma for me”

Mera’s lips curled faintly, her voice carrying a note of teasing warmth. “A good thing you carry such strong morality. Otherwise, we might have been in far greater trouble by now.”

Arthur laughed lightly, the sound rumbling close to her ear. “I still think I should train it more. I haven’t really been pushing myself to its full potential…”

His words brushed against her ear, and Mera squirmed slightly from the closeness, her cheeks warming despite herself. She covered it with a smirk. “You’ll have more than enough practice once you’re King,” she replied, gently placing her hand over his where it rested at her waist. Her touch was steady, grounding.

“Ugh, don’t remind me,” Arthur groaned dramatically, resting his forehead against her shoulder as though her presence could shield him from the weight of his future. “I’m already dreading it…”

“Oh?” she asked, one eyebrow arching playfully. “Are you really?”

Arthur immediately tensed, his panic almost boyish. “Not everything, of course!” he insisted quickly, pressing a soft kiss to her cheek to reassure her, lasting longer than necessary. His voice softened as he added, “You’re the only thing that's worth all the trouble—the journey, the trials, even the burden of becoming King.”

Mera’s breath caught, her face glowing with warmth. She turned back toward the skies ahead, though the smile that spread across her lips was impossible to suppress. She let her grin split wide, her heart thudding with a quiet joy. Reaching up, she tenderly patted his cheek where his face rested against her shoulder, and with a voice just above a whisper she said, “Good.” While kissed his cheek as well.

They continued to soar higher into the night, their steeds carrying them through the cool air. The sun had long since dipped below the horizon, but its fading glow still lingered faintly on the edge of the world, painting streaks of violet and crimson across the sky. Slowly, those colors gave way to the dark velvet of night, where countless stars unveiled themselves one by one, glittering like diamonds strewn across an infinite canvas.

Mera’s breath caught as she looked up. Her eyes, already pulsing with faint blue light from her construct, seemed to widen with childlike wonder. She gazed at the heavens as though she were seeing them for the first time, her chest rising and falling softly as awe overtook her.

Arthur tilted his head curiously, his arms still snug around her waist. “Never seen the night skies before?” he asked, his tone laced with amusement but softened by genuine interest.

“Not so much, no,” Mera admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. “At the bottom of the ocean, the surface always feels so far away. I sometimes forget just how endless the skies really are… and how beautiful.” She paused, her lips parting as she drew in a long, trembling breath. “It’s overwhelming. The stars… the vastness above us. To think of how small we are compared to all of that.”

Arthur smiled faintly at her words, though he said nothing, content simply to feel her lean against him. Mera’s heart fluttered in her chest. Here she was, cradled in the arms of a man who was destined to be king, gazing at the infinite cosmos as if the universe had opened itself just for them. It was surreal—so wondrous, it nearly made her forget to breathe, it made her forget about everything.

Not long after, Dane veered closer on his winged steed, Aragorn, the horse’s black-feathered wings slicing through the starlit sky with powerful strokes. “Let’s drop!” Dane shouted, his commanding voice carrying easily over the wind. “We’ve arrived!” He pointed downward toward the darkened landscape below.

Arthur and Mera both turned their keen gazes downward. Thanks to their sharpened eyesight, the world below was laid bare in remarkable clarity. They could make out ancient stones, massive and weathered, stacked in deliberate patterns like building blocks of a forgotten age. The great circle spread across a flat plain, unmistakable even from the air.

“The Stonehenge…” Arthur muttered under his breath.

Dane dove first, his steed tucking its wings and gliding down with controlled grace. Mera followed closely, guiding her shimmering seahorse construct into a smooth descent. Aragorn’s wings flapped once before folding slightly, his hooves striking the earth with a reverberating thud as he landed. The horse trotted forward with careful precision, slowing until he came to a complete halt within the ancient ring of stones.

Mera landed moments later, dismounting lightly, her feet touched the sacred ground. Arthur dropped down beside her, boots crunching softly against the grass.

They now stood within the heart of Stonehenge—one of the great wonders of the world. The monolithic stones loomed around them, their surfaces etched with time and mystery.

Mera looked around with quiet unease, studying the ancient structures. Finally, she turned toward Dane. “Now what? Do we just… walk through one of them? Will it open into this ‘Otherworld’ you spoke of?”

Dane shook his head, a wry smile tugging at his lips. “No. If it were that simple, anyone could wander into the Otherworld without restraint. Only those who know the secret may pass through.” He motioned for them to give him space, his tone shifting into something more serious, more ceremonial.

Arthur and Mera complied, stepping back as Dane strode toward the very center of the circle. He turned slowly, his gaze scanning the stones until he stopped before one in particular—a monolith that seemed reminiscent of a gateway.

Dane reached for the hilt of his sword. With a smooth, deliberate motion, he drew the blade. He planted it firmly into the earth at the circle’s epicenter. The ground hummed faintly beneath their feet. Then, twisting the blade, he spoke with a voice that resonated deeper than his own: “Open, Gate to the Otherworld.”

At once, concentric rings of white light flared outward around Dane, spreading across the ground in rippling arcs. Semi-circles of radiance spawned around him, their glow intensifying until they lanced forward, tracing a luminous path directly toward the chosen stone. The great monolith trembled, then erupted in a burst of blinding brilliance.

Arthur shielded his eyes with a raised hand, though his grin betrayed his awe. “Cool…” he muttered, eyes sparkling like a child’s at a fireworks show.

With the ritual complete, Dane pulled his sword free and slid it back into its scabbard. He turned with a flourishing bow, gesturing toward the glowing portal. “Ladies first.”

“How noble of you,” Mera teased, though her smile betrayed her appreciation. She stepped forward confidently, tugging the reins of her seahorse construct. Together, she and her creation walked into the light, her form dissolving into brilliance as she passed through.

Arthur moved to follow, but Dane’s gauntleted hand clamped lightly onto his shoulder, halting him. Arthur raised an eyebrow, silently questioning.

Dane reached into his armor and pulled something from his pocket—a small, velvet-red ring box. His grin was unmistakable. “You dropped this back when I carried you both to my castle,” he said smoothly. “I figured it was important. Didn’t think you’d want her to see it so it took me a while to find the right moment to give it back.”

Arthur’s face burned crimson, his ears practically glowing. He snatched the box back with lightning speed, stuffing it into his hand. “T-Thanks…” he stammered, his embarrassment thick in his voice.

Dane burst into laughter, his booming mirth echoing off the stones. “Hahaha! I wish you luck, my friend!” he said, clapping Arthur heartily on the back. “May your endeavor be fruitful—and may she say yes!”

Arthur groaned, hanging his head forward as he stuffed the box deep into his pocket. “Shut it…” he muttered, his voice muffled with flustered frustration as he hurried into the portal after Mera, his figure vanishing into the white radiance.

Dane chuckled as the last echoes of Arthur’s embarrassment faded into the light. Turning to Aragorn, he patted the stallion’s dark mane, whispering warmly, “Isn’t love such a beautiful thing?”

With that, he urged his mount forward. Man and steed passed into the shimmering brilliance, the portal swallowing them whole. A moment later, the glowing rings of light dimmed and winked out, leaving Stonehenge as silent and unchanged as it had been for millennia.