Mera stared at the strange structure embedded in the rock ahead, her eyes widening in surprise.
"How is this possible? It looks like some kind of fortress, but also… like a beehive," she murmured.
Arthur studied the building alongside her, nodding in agreement. "It seems embedded into the rock at a precise angle, almost like it landed there deliberately."
Mera's gaze sharpened. "It looks like it crashed. This wasn't made by the Mermen, Curry. This is some kind of underwater vessel, a submarine of some sort."
Arthur matched her speed as they swam closer. "Do you think it's… alien?"
Mera's fingers traced the edge of the opening, carved into the rock. "No. I recognize the symbols. These are from ancient Atlantis, before it sank. Their script has survived in fragments."
Arthur felt a spark of excitement. Even though she wasn't Atlantean herself, her knowledge of Atlantis was impressive.
"This vessel has been here for many years," Mera continued, scanning the structure's exterior. "It's damaged, but still intact…"
Her words were cut off by a sudden roar from inside the opening.
"We have to see," she said, and without hesitation, Arthur followed her into the dark cavern.
The fish he had summoned broke free of his influence, swimming away in instinctual panic.
"Their survival instinct overrode my control," he murmured, pushing deeper into the darkness. "But this confirms we're on the right path. These Mermen have already fed on humans… even if for survival, this trench must be sealed."
Mera's tone was sharp. "You're naive, Arthur Curry. These creatures are mindless. Keeping them alive will only bring disaster to the world."
Arthur's eyebrows furrowed. "Is that how Atlanteans view humans?"
Mera gave him a cold glance. "You seem to have opinions about Atlanteans?"
"Not really. I just consider problems from multiple perspectives," he replied, brushing off her comment as he pressed forward.
A sudden ripple surged through the water. From the darkness, a shadow charged at them.
Arthur reacted instantly, lunging to intercept it. He grasped the creature, which was smaller than the others.
"No… this is one of their young," he said, shaking his head grimly. "It's dead. Likely mutated through inbreeding. This race is facing extinction."
They swam deeper into the cavern, approaching the heart of the structure.
There, in the vast chamber, a sight both horrifying and awe-inspiring awaited: a colossal Merman, over twenty meters tall, with a gaping maw. Hatchlings crawled from its body, many already lifeless.
Arthur's eyes widened. "This… is their queen. This chamber… but it may be the last. She cannot reproduce much longer."
He looked up at the ceiling. Cocoons hung in clusters. "Mera, help me. We need to move this entire wall! They cannot survive here, and we cannot leave them."
Together, they grabbed the wall, displacing torrents of water.
The Mermen reacted instantly, swarming toward them. Arthur shouted, "I won't let you use me as food!"
The queen cried out, commanding the swarm. Arthur saw the danger and aimed for the nearby volcanic vent.
Pain exploded through his arm as a Merman bit down. Blood flowed freely, but he pushed forward, enduring the assault, dodging, striking, and pressing on. Mera blasted water at approaching Mermen, holding them at bay.
Then, a warmth touched her back—the same place Adrian had once made contact.
A golden light flooded the chamber, emanating from outside the cavern. The Mermen shrieked and scattered, their frenzy broken.
Arthur grasped the Staff piercing the water and felt its power resonate through him.
"All clear," he murmured, raising the Star Scepter. Light flooded the chamber, illuminating the path, forcing the Mermen to retreat.
Mera's eyes widened. "The lost Trident?"
Arthur shook his head. "No… this is Adrian's Star Scepter. He sent it when we needed it most."
Breathing deeply underwater, he pointed the Scepter toward the volcano. A massive eruption erupted from the sea floor, engulfing the Mermen nest in flames.
The Merman Queen let out a mournful cry before being consumed, along with countless hatchlings.
Arthur and Mera seized the wall of cocoons and propelled themselves upward, escaping just as the cavern collapsed behind them.
He cast a final, sorrowful glance at the destruction. "Atlantis… not all is beautiful," he murmured, surfacing as ripples spread across the water.
Back at Kent Farm, Rachel giggled, splashing water over herself. Adrian stood by the window, watching Arthur and Mera's distant figures.
"Rachel, don't waste water," Adrian admonished, picking up a towel to dry her hair.
"I know, but Mom isn't here," she replied mischievously.
"Then I'll scold you in her place," Adrian said, tapping her forehead.
"Good. I won't be upset if Big Brother scolds me," Rachel laughed.
Clark walked in, noticing the scene. "Rachel, wasting water again? Remember the last time all the sheep ran wild because of you?"
Rachel's attention shifted. "Clark, your glasses look strange!" she exclaimed.
"You should call me Big Brother Clark," he said, gently touching her damp hair. He concealed his identity carefully; the glasses hid Superman beneath.
Rachel tilted her head. "You're kind of handsome… but still not as much as Big Brother Adrian. He has fans at school, older sisters even treat me to meals."
Clark felt a pang of frustration. Why was his luck with women always worse than Adrian's?
Rachel ran upstairs to use a hairdryer, thumping along the stairs. Clark set down his bag and sank onto the sofa.
"You've learned to hide yourself, Clark?" Adrian said casually.
"Sometimes we must conceal ourselves. Masks are normal in society," Clark replied.
"That's true. You've grown, Clark."
"Perhaps. The suit… it gives me relief, maturity. I reconcile with my past self. Since Alicia died, I've tried to forget the pain. Forgetting it means I forgive myself, accept what happened."
Clark's eyes met Adrian's. "We all grow up eventually. Once it was Adrain and Clark… now it is Homelander and Superman."
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Patreon = _Zeph