The deep sea is a realm of perpetual mystery, a submerged canvas splashed with the vibrant hues of coral, shimmering seaweed swaying in the currents, and a teeming abundance of marine life. Schools of fish dart through the ink-black depths, each scale a spark of defiant color.
For Harry and his friends, this descent marked their first true plunge into the ocean's abyss. Hermione, with her family's wealth, had known oceans from the decks of passenger ships, but the seabed had remained a domain of illustrated books. Even young masters like Malfoy and Cassandra had never breached this liquid frontier, which wasn't for lack of means. Their families possessed the resources to bend magic and fortune to their will — hiring skilled wizards, procuring enchanted artifacts, and harnessing magical creatures to unveil the secrets of the deep. Yet, the notion of visiting the seabed for leisure had never surfaced. As for Harry, before magic had claimed him, the Dursleys scarcely allowed him a glimpse of the world beyond Number Four Privet Drive, let alone a shipwreck.
Nagini, ever the enigma, seemed curiously at ease, perhaps stirred by some ancient serpentine memory. Tom, meanwhile, remained engrossed in conversation with Eric and Ariel. The little merman's ambition eclipsed his understanding, fixated merely on earning renown through battle and dragging Eric into his ventures. Eric claimed some mastery of martial arts and swordplay, but admitted he'd never clashed with a mermaid. Thus, the unlikely alliance was born. Tom watched, bemused, as the duo, moments ago strangers, now resembled "brothers." He found their antics faintly amusing.
"If you aspire to heroism," Tom interrupted, a hint of dark amusement lacing his tones, "shouldn't you adopt monikers befitting your grand endeavors? Men with spider-like abilities are called Spider-Man, while men wearing iron suits are called Iron Man. Even I, a wizard, possess a title. Surely, you cannot intend to charge forth under your given names alone?"
Eric and Ariel faltered, momentarily perplexed. Self-bestowed titles, while not entirely unheard of, had fallen from favor in their time. Yet, Tom's logic resonated. After considerable deliberation, and finding themselves creatively bankrupt, they turned to Tom, seeking inspiration.
"Me?" Tom echoed, momentarily taken aback. "I am called Voldemort."
"Voldemort? An imposing name," Eric gushed.
"It sounds like a great, benevolent wizard! Someone with that title must be very popular, right?" Ariel added.
Tom remained unmoved by their flattery, having endured countless such insincere accolades. After further cajoling, Ariel finally revealed his purpose. "Perhaps you could help us devise suitable titles?"
To their astonishment, Tom assented with a disarming ease, delivering his verdict without pause, as if the matter had long been settled. "Considering your shared affinity for the aquatic realm, how might 'Sea Superman' and 'Ocean Ranger' strike your fancy?" A sinister smile played on Tom's lips as he presented his offerings.
"Sea Superman? Beyond human capabilities... only such a title can encompass my nature as a warrior of the sea! Ahahahaha..." Ariel threw his head back, his laughter echoing through the water, scattering the nearby marine life.
Eric, in contrast, maintained a veneer of composure. "A ranger? It matches my style." Yet, the barely restrained smirk betrayed his true delight.
In short order, guided by Ariel's water-manipulating magic, Tom and his companions arrived at Atlantis. The city's splendor defied description. Its location amplified its grandeur. Atlantis comprised the royal palace and a vast expanse of residential districts. The palace resembled a colossal crystal formation, shimmering beneath the waves, casting an ethereal light upon the seabed. The outer districts paled in comparison, yet surpassed all other structures they had encountered, save for the castle. Lacking the means to ignite flames, the Atlanteans relied on luminescent jewels such as night-shining pearls and bioluminescent organisms, easily obtainable with the right skills. Some merfolk, Ariel explained, possessed the magical ability to conjure light.
Led by Ariel, they passed unhindered through the city's defenses and into the palace grounds. Ariel promptly arranged for his guests to be settled before departing to seek an audience with his father, the Sea King, ruler of Atlantis.
...
While Ariel sought his father's counsel, Tom and his companions availed themselves of their newfound freedom to explore the castle. A castle beneath the waves was truly a sight to behold. Eschewing brick, tile, and wood, it was built from coral and crystal. Despite its extravagance, they seemed disinclined to take up residence. Since plunging into the sea, Harry and Malfoy had already depleted their magic twice. Without Tom's alchemical trinkets to replenish their stores, they might have perished already. Their magic now stood at the cusp of C-level, comparable to Cassandra's when she first joined Hogwarts. Yet, sustaining the Bubble Head Charm indefinitely remained beyond their capabilities. Should they spend a night within these walls, they would likely drown before dawn.
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