King of the Seven Seas (EMH) Chapter 8: Battle of Kings (2)

[Third person POV]

Arthur reacted with razor precision. He swung his trident to the side, deflecting Orm’s incoming slash with a resounding clang, the impact releasing a burst of pressure that rippled through the water. Without missing a beat, he flipped his weapon to the opposite side, blocking another strike in rapid succession.

Each swing blocking the strikes, while Orm expertly dodged most of Arthur’s counterattacks.

He gritted his teeth, twisted his grip, and brought his trident overhead in a powerful arc—only for Orm to catch it with a precise counter. Before the momentum could shift, Arthur tucked his legs in and launched both feet forward, planting a double-kick directly into Orm’s chest.

Thoom!

Orm grunted as he was launched backward through the water like a cannonball.

Arthur didn’t let up. He stabbed the base of his trident into the arena floor and used it to spiral upward, spinning in a violent turn. With the momentum, he tore up a massive slab of earth from the arena and flung it toward Orm.

Orm raised his own trident and slashed through the boulder mid-air, shattering it into stone fragments—only to see Arthur already in front of him, hidden within the cloud of debris.

The butt of Arthur’s trident slammed directly into Orm’s chest.

Boom!

Orm was sent crashing into the arena wall, the impact shaking the coliseum. Cracks exploded outward like spiderwebs across the stone as fragments rained into the molten lava below, hissing upon contact.

The water split with a sharp crack! as Arthur surged forward again, trident extended.

Orm rolled at the last second, just as Arthur’s weapon embedded itself deep into the stone wall. Orm kept rolling, narrowly dodging as Arthur ripped his trident free and pursued relentlessly, stabbing again and again.

On the final strike, Orm snatched the shaft of the trident, pressed his feet to the wall, and launched himself off. Yanking Arthur around, dragging him with the force of his spin. Using the momentum, Orm launched Arthur down toward the platform.

Arthur twisted in the air, trying to regain control, but Orm was already there.

A blur in the water.

Then—Crack! A devastating kick to the gut sent Arthur crashing into the platform, the impact buckling the stone beneath him.

He gasped, air escaping his lungs in a distorted bubble. Dazed, Arthur looked up just in time to see a streak above him—Orm, descending like a predator, trident poised.

Arthur thrust himself upward, trident raised, and met Orm midair.

BOOOOM!

The resulting shockwave detonated between them like an underwater explosion, a massive sphere of compressed water expanding outward and hurling them both backward. The energy rippled through the entire arena, creating a visible wave that swept over the stunned crowd.

The audience was thrown back in their seats, some nearly lifted off entirely. Silence hung in the aftermath, until awe took hold—and the stadium erupted into a frenzy of wild cheering and gasping roars.

Arthur and Orm tumbled through the water, their bodies flung like rag dolls in opposite directions. But they didn’t rest.

Both coiled—legs bent, arms ready.

They launched forward at the same time.

To the spectators, they were gone—replaced by whirling trails of bubbles and flickering flashes of light. Only the aftermath told the story.

Shockwave after shockwave exploded across the battlefield.

In a blink, Arthur was slammed into the far wall, stone exploding behind him as he was dragged along the surface, carving deep jagged grooves.

A blink later—Orm was the one reeling, as he was pinned to the ground, Arthur crashed down on him from above like a meteor, flipping in tight spirals before slamming into him with all his might.

BOOM!

The platform cracked. Surging water pressure slammed into the audience again in pulsing waves.

But then—Orm struck back.

A hand snapped around Arthur’s leg and Orm’s fist came crashing over with brutal purpose.

CRACK!

“ARGHHH!” Arthur roared in pain, the sound vibrating the water as a blinding white agony seared through his leg—broken.

Before he could react, Orm spun and threw him like a ragdoll.

SMASH!

Arthur crashed into the wall again, and this time he didn’t get up fast enough.

Orm followed like a missile, tackling Arthur into the stone. Ripping Arthur’s helm clean off and tossed aside. Without mercy, Orm began hammering his fists into Arthur’s face—again and again.

Blood mixed with the water in thin crimson trails, as the cracks along the wall grew with each hit.

From the royal box, Mera gasped sharply, her hand flying to her mouth. Her green eyes widened, fear and worry dancing across her features.

Beside her, Vulko stood silently, his posture stiff, hands folded tightly behind his back. His expression was grim as he watched the brutal beating unfold below.

And then—something shifted.

A strange ripple radiated from Arthur’s head. Invisible telepathic waves burst from his skull, slicing through the water like a silent scream—and pressing directly into Orm’s mind.

Orm suddenly froze.

“UGHHHHH!! WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?!” he screamed, clutching his head. “WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO ME?!”

His body convulsed as if electricity coursed through his brain.

Arthur’s eyes narrowed, blood dripping from a gash on his brow. His lips curled in a tired, grim smirk.

A secret about Arthur's telepathy: he doesn't just talk to fish. Sea life, especially smaller creatures, can’t exactly hold conversations, their minds aren't developed enough for that. He simply compels them to act and asks for assistance. Out of respect and moral ethics Arthur doesn't take control of their mind and force them to do with bidden otherwise they would lose respect for him.

His power wasn't just limited to marine life.

If Arthur concentrated, if he pushed his mind hard enough, he could affect anyone with a nervous system. Human. Atlantean. Monster. His power worked on all lives.

A normal person? He could fry their brain—cause seizures, trauma, even unconsciousness—with nothing but thought.

Arthur’s voice echoed, low and sardonic, “Sorry. Not telling~”

He forced more pressure into the mental link.

“And this—” he growled, glaring at his brother, “is payback for breaking my leg… you asshole of a brother.”

With a roar, Arthur slammed his forehead forward—CRACK!

Orm’s nose shattered under the blow, blood erupting upward in a stream, clouding the water in red. Orm reeled back with a snarl of pain, but Arthur wasn’t done.

He clasped his hands together, interlocking his fingers and bringing both fists down like a hammer.

WHAM!

The impact cracked across Orm’s cheek, sending him flying backward like a torpedo. His body twisted through the water before smashing into the already-ruined platform. He skidded along the stone in a trail of debris, coming to a stop just beside their fallen tridents.

High above, from the royal box, King Ryus of Xebel leaned forward slightly, his expression unreadable as he watched the brutal duel unfold.

“He’s gotten much slower now with his leg broken” Ryus observed calmly. “Though… I’ll admit, he’s been trained exceptionally well.”

Mera shot her father a glare, her eyes flashing with restrained fury. “You know we could end this right now. Withdraw your support for Orm. There’s no reason to go to war with the surface.”

Ryus exhaled slowly, his voice steady but grim. “Mera, the surface dwellers have done irreparable harm to the seas. They’ve poisoned our waters, threatened our people. This war… it may pain me, but it is necessary—for the future of Atlantis.”

“Fine!” Mera snapped, rising from her seat in a burst of frustration.

“Mera, get back here,” Ryus called, turning in his seat. “What are you doing?”

She didn’t stop.

“You have made your decision, Father,” she said as she walked away, not sparing him a glance. “Now I’m making mine.”

The door slammed shut behind her.

In a single motion, Mera kicked her ceremonial heels off. They clanged against the wall and tumbled to the floor. She grabbed the hem of her formal gown and tore it away, revealing the sleek, sea-green armor beneath—form-fitting and plated for battle.

She reached up, tied her hair back into a high, flowing ponytail, leaving two long strands to frame her face. Then she sprinted forward, water bending around her like a current. Her strides became blurs—then waves—as she propelled herself through the corridor with superhuman speed.

She reached her transport—a manta-shaped vehicle built for high-velocity combat. Mera climbed inside, grabbed her headgear from the panel beside her, and slid it over her forehead with a determined glare.

She fired the engine.

Then she dove—toward the arena.

---

Meanwhile, below, the tide had turned.

Arthur’s face was ground into the platform, blood pooling from his lips and mixing with the water in a crimson mist. Orm’s trident was pressed tightly against his neck, pinning him down with unrelenting force.

They’d traded blow for blow, attack for attack—but now it was brute will that decided the victor.

The battle had taken them dangerously close to the arena’s outer ring—where boiling magma churned beneath them, illuminating their figures in a fiery glow. Every trident clash was a killing blow now, each strike meant to cripple, not just wound.

“AHHH!” Orm roared as he thrust his trident downward, aiming for Arthur’s chest.

Arthur gritted his teeth and blocked the thrust by angling his polearm defensively. Sparks flew from the collision as the metal screeched against metal. Orm kicked his legs violently, increasing his speed, pressing down harder and harder, forcing Arthur toward the glowing heat below.

Arthur’s muscles strained. He could feel the searing bite of the magma’s heat against his exposed skin. Sweat—or blood—poured from his brow.

With only one usable leg, Arthur’s speed was compromised. The imbalance, combined with Orm’s rage-fueled strength, was pushing him lower and lower.

Then—CRACK!

Arthur’s silver trident split down the center, shattered from the pressure.

The prongs of Orm’s weapon burst forward, piercing straight into Arthur’s chest.

“AHHHHH!!” Arthur screamed in agony, his body writhing from the impact. Blood poured from the fresh wounds, the prongs lodged deep into his torso.

He gasped, then seized the shaft of Orm’s trident with trembling hands, barely stopping it from digging further. The metal burned through his chest as he fought back, the pain unbearable.

The water around them shimmered with his blood.

His arms shook. His grip faltered.

Then—a shockwave.

A concussive blast of water slammed into Orm like a cannonball.

BOOOOM!

Orm was hurled to the side, spiraling through the water like a ragdoll. He smashed against the arena wall and tumbled off the edge, his face coming within inches of the molten lava below. The heat scorched his skin, the orange glow flickering across his eyes.

He gasped and floated upward slightly, his body barely steadying itself.

His gaze whipped around—just in time to see a dark blur streaking toward Arthur from above.

A sleek, manta-shaped vehicle shot into view, flying upside down with precision. It hovered over Arthur’s broken form, and an arm reached out, gripping him by the shoulder. With a spin, it flipped right-side up and dragged him inside before sealing the hatch shut.

Orm’s eyes widened.

“STOP THEM!!” he bellowed, his voice echoing like thunder through the water. “Do not let them escape!!”

His hands clenched into trembling fists. Rage boiled in his gut like magma beneath the crust.

His lips curled back as he snarled a single name—

“Mera…” He said, sounding almost like a curse.