Hours away from Atlantis
Warm Waters where Sunlight Shines
Time - Daylight
{Damian}
Thankfully, Mera knows the way out of the dark zone. She left trails of light essences before she came to find me. So, we followed the trail out and now we're in the warm waters.
It's comforting to see light after being in darkness for so long.
We're swimming so close towards the surface that we could be easily spotted by flying objects above the waters. I've shared my concern to the Queen but she said it's safe so there's nothing to worry about. According to her, we're protected by a shield which blends in with the waters around us.
We're currently on the warmer side of the sea where many creatures are present. There's fishes, eels, shellfishes, seals, sea plants, and many more.
I kept looking around hoping to find one creature, Iruka. But as far as I can see, there's not a single dolphin present in the water at the moment. We've been swimming for a while now, passing by many territories but still no sign of any dolphins. I started feeling worried, thinking that she may not have made it out safely and is injured somewhere.
"Something on your mind?" Mera interrupted my thoughts. "You look... worried."
"I'm just thinking," I replied.
"Want to talk about it?" She asks. "Maybe I can help?"
"Not really," I said. "Maybe I'm jumping to conclusions too soon."
"I'll ask when I'm ready."
"Okay." She said as she turns her head to face me. "You're good with your tail for a newbie."
"You must've practiced a lot huh?"
"Maybe," I said as I recall some flashbacks of Iruka and I learning the basic skills of a sea creature. "I learned from a friend."
"A friend?" She asks. "As in, the dolphin you mentioned earlier?"
"Yes," I said. "She's been a very big help since I came to the sea."
"We owe her our gratitude for keeping you safe." She said. "And also for being a friend throughout this experience."
"I hope she'll show up soon so we can meet her face to face."
"I hope so too," I said under my breath.
"I gotta say, you look beautiful as a siren." She laughs. "The turquoise shade of your tail, gills below your chest and neck, fins on your arms and back, and scales all over."
"I can say without a doubt that you don't look like the average sirens in the sea. Most of them have eerie features and acts the way they look."
"What do I look like then?" I ask seeing my hands. "When I see myself right now, I'm afraid of him."
"You're a siren but somehow you look... normal." She said. "Maybe it has to do with your blood being half-human."
"Maybe," I said.
"Anyways, Zayka." She asks sternly. "Did he say where he lives or anything that could lead us to him?"
"No... but he did brag that it was okay to tell you guys about him because no one has been able to find him for years," I said.
"He's not wrong." She said. "It's like he just disappears into thin waters without leaving any sign or traces... and then suddenly appears back to cause problems."
"I wouldn't be surprised that it was he who caused the recent tsunami in Metropolis."
"If it was him, he better watch out," I said as I clenched my fist.
"Look, I know he's the cause of your new form but if we do get a hold on Zayka, I want you to set aside your anger towards him because one wrong move, and we will lose him again." She said. "And we do not want that. He's caused one too many problems already, it's time to end this."
"No promises," I said.
"I'm serious, Damian." She said.
"So am I," I replied. "But rest assured, I won't kill him if I get a hold on him."
"Maybe a lot of torturing."
"You'll get time to take revenge on him." She said. "But an advise from hero to hero, I wouldn't advise it."
"Whatever." I ignored her words. "But, I have one question."
"What is it?" She looked at me.
"Is there a way for me to get my human self back?" I ask.
"We found a way. By we I meant, Arthur, Batman, and I." She said. "But, we can't be sure if it'll work out fully or not."
"But we want to give it a try anyway because who knows... maybe it'll work out."
"If it doesn't?" I ask.
"Then we will continue to find one." She said. "I'm pretty sure Batman isn't going to rest till he gets you back home safely."
"It's Batman..." I recalled her. "Are you sure he's the type to care that much?"
"Believe it or not, Batman is working harder than the rest of us into bringing you back. Well, it was he who found a way at the end."
"He's Batman yes, but he's just like us, he has feelings and he loves his family... even if he doesn't show it."
"He certainly doesn't show it directly." I thought to myself.
"Now, back to Zayka, do you remember what exactly he told you back at the dark zone?" She asks.
"Why?" I ask.
"In Atlantis, there's an ancient artifact that helps us to see our memories." She said. "But, it only works if you really remembered the entire memory from A to Z."
"Why don't we give it a try and see if it works?"
"Sure," I said.
"But, why do you need to see my memories?" I ask.
"It might give us a clue or two on how we can catch him." She said.
"You are aware that the siren transformation isn't reversible right?" I ask. "Zayka said he can't turn me back into a human even if he wants to."
"I'm well aware that the siren transformation is a curse but not to worry, curses can be broken. One way or another." She said. "Either way, we need to detain him to put an end to all his mischievous acts."
"Alright, let's see how it goes," I said.
"Well, brace yourself." She said as she grabbed my hand and began diving deeper at a faster speed. "We're here."
I wanted to ask her where is here, but then all I had to do was look down. We've finally reached Atlantis. There was no force field surrounding the city, nothing. It's widely open where humans could easily visit just by diving.
The view took my breath -- the water out of me -- because I've never seen the city before. I never knew how high tech and futuristic it is. It looks like an actual city on land but even better.
There's vehicle powered by salt waters, buildings, and apartments made out of sea materials, light sources provided by creatures and magic and so many more.
"Welcome to Atlantis." She said. "Now, let's get you into the palace."
"Where exactly is Atlantis located?" I ask. "Was it necessary for us to pass through the dark zone to get to Atlantis?"
"That's one of the ways." She said. "The dark zone is like what the humans call, a back door."
"The main entrance is located on the East side of the Indian Ocean."
"If only we knew that before entering the dark zone." I thought to myself.
While swimming, I've attracted the attention of the people. Aside from regular sea creatures, I'm the only siren around here.
From the looks on their face, some seemed scared, some are on guard, some are excited, and some are just normal.
"Why are they looking at me?" I ask Mera.
"It's been years since we've had sirens visiting our place." She said. "The last was Zayka and he left a bad first impression for the people to remember because he terrorized a lot of innocent Atlantians."
"What made him do that?" I ask.
"He and his family went for a vacation to the surface, they were supposed to return after one week but one month passed and no one has heard from them." She said. "One day, he came back, injured badly, he called everyone out to witness his siren transformation. Right after his transformation, he was fully healed and he started attacking the people, their accommodations, seniors and children, and many more."
"Blood covered the waters for a while but thanks to the kingdoms guard, they chased him out of Atlantis."
"Who knew one being could cause so much damage." I said. "Especially towards a kingdom with powers of their own."
"Zayka is born in the kingdoms' strongest royal blood. When he became a siren, he used his song as his main weapon... along with his powers to slaughter the innocent." She said. "Till today, no one knows why he went from an innocent Prince to a ferocious Siren."
I don't know what to say.
Apparently, no one knows the reason for Zayka's transformation and changes in his behavior. No one knows the reason why he became who is he is because he lost his family and only lover... Aqua Jewel.
Was it my fault?
The LOA and mother caused this to happen which affected not only the Depth Family but also Zayka, and the people of Atlantis. One clan caused many deaths of another.
It's scary how everything has a connection whether it involves you or not. Consequences go to the innocent even when they did nothing.
As we kept swimming, I started contemplating if I should let her know the real reason as to why Zayka changed... or should I just let her find out the truth someday.
No, I can't say anything now. If I do, I might just become their enemy.
Maybe when they catch Zayka someday, perhaps he will tell them... and hopefully, I'll be human again by then.
When she took her hand back, it brought me back to my senses. I looked up to see that we've arrived in front of the gates of the palace.
The gate wasn't guarded by guards or anyone like a normal palace would. Instead, the gate has a key structure to which only magic could open.
I turn to see Mera using her powers to open the gate.
The gate opened after a while. She cooled down her powers and held her hand out towards me. I reach her hand as we enter.
We entered the throne room. Like many palaces, there's the throne for the king and queen, fancy decors, royal guards surrounding each exit and entrance, and so on.
"Neat," I said while gazing around the throne room.
"You think so?" She chuckles.
"My Queen!" A guard caught my attention. "Zayka's returned! Protect the Queen!"
I thought maybe Zayka was in the room so I looked around only to find all the guards approaching us... or me. Only then I realized that the guards thought I was Zayka.
"Stand down!" Mera covered me with an arm. The guards lowered down their spears and stood straight just a few tails in front of us. "He's not Zayka Depth!"
"Who is he then?" A guard asks.
"That is none of your concern." She said. "All you need to know is that he is a friend, not a foe."
"No harm is to come upon him. Understand?"
"Yes, my queen." All the guards said at ones just before returning to their original position.
"Thank you." She lightly bowed her head. "Alert me at ones if the King returns. We will be in the Artifact Hall."
"Understood, my Queen." A black guard said.
Mera started swimming towards higher grounds to which I followed her. She led us to a passageway where a huge door sits at the end.
"Ready to see your memories of Zayka?" She asks.
"Yes."