The trio walked in silence as Kida led them deeper into the heart of Atlantis. The glow from the crystal suspended far above seemed to thrum louder with every step, its soft, pulsing light dancing across the stone pathways. Water cascaded down intricate aqueducts carved into the walls, and faint glyphs flickered like memories barely holding on to life.
Kurai's boots clicked against the smooth stone floors, her silver eyes scanning their surroundings with measured calculation. Skuld walked just behind her, arms folded tightly, doing her best not to bristle at the taller woman's icy demeanor. Helios, at the center, kept his expression calm, though he could feel the weight of countless Atlantean eyes watching them from balconies and side corridors.
"Here."
Kida's voice drew their attention forward. The massive double doors of the throne chamber loomed over them, etched with stories of Atlantis's past—glorious victories, conquests, and a flood that swallowed entire continents.
Two towering golems stood vigil at either side, their crystal cores faintly glowing as Kida raised a hand. "They are with me," she said firmly in Atlantean.
The golems' glowing eyes dimmed, and the doors creaked open.
The throne chamber was vast and echoing, its domed ceiling decorated with swirling murals of the Heart of Atlantis. At its center, a stairway spiraled upward to a grand dais where King Kashekim Nedakh sat. His figure was draped in deep blue robes that seemed to drink in the light, their embroidered edges pulsing faintly with crystalline patterns.
Though his body was frail, the king's presence was undeniable. His blind eyes—clouded and pale—seemed to pierce through the chamber as though he could see them clearly. One hand rested on the throne's arm; the other clutched a staff tipped with a dull shard of crystal.
"Who are these outsiders you've brought before me, Kidagakash?" His voice was deep, like stone grinding against stone.
"They are wanderers, Father," Kida said carefully. "They defended themselves against our guardians but did not destroy them. They say that they seek only safe passage to learn our stories."
The king's lips curled faintly—not a smile, but something colder. "Wanderers? Or predators cloaked in polite words?"
Helios stepped forward, bowing slightly. "Your Majesty, I greet you and thank you for the audience. It is an honor, my name is Helios. These are my companions—you may refer to them as Kurai and Skuld. We mean no harm to your city. Our journey brought us here by chance, and we only wish to admire the beauty of Atlantis, learn of its stories and history, and then leave peacefully."
"Admire?" Kashekim's voice dripped with disdain. "Atlantis is not a museum for wanderers to gawk at, boy. It is a fragile ember of what once was—a legacy balanced on the edge of ruin. I do not welcome your presence."
Skuld shifted uncomfortably, her lips parting to speak, but Helios raised a subtle hand to silence her.
Kurai, however, spoke in a voice as sharp as a blade. "If it is so fragile, perhaps you should not have let it fall so far."
The temperature in the room seemed to drop and become darker. Kida's eyes went wide, and Skuld hissed, "Kurai—don't."
"You mock what you do not understand," Kashekim said coldly. "Atlantis stands now because of the sacrifices I made. Because I would not repeat our previous actions taken due to my arrogance. One such as yourself clearly is unable to see what consequences one's action may bring."
Helios exhaled slowly, forcing calm into his voice. "Your Majesty, forgive my companion's bluntness. She speaks from a place of unfamiliarity, not malice. We are, of course, not here to question your rule. I humbly beg that you take no offense."
"You would be wise not to," Kashekim said.
Helios pressed on. "We only ask for your trust—just long enough to learn your story, to hear Atlantis's voice before we continue our journey. We offer no weapons, no threat."
"Words, words…" the king muttered. "All strangers bring words before they bring ruin. I have seen it before."
"Then let us prove ourselves by actions," Helios said. "Allow us to remain as guests for a short time under the watch of this warrior, Kida, and if we bring harm, your golems can strike us down."
The king was silent for a long moment. The only sound was the faint hum of the crystal far above.
"Father," Kida said softly, stepping forward. "They could have destroyed the guardians, but they chose not to. I believe there is more to them than danger."
Kashekim's blind eyes turned toward her, and his voice softened just slightly. "You are still too trusting, my daughter. But…"
"Very well," Kashekim said at last. "You may stay for a few nights under strict supervision by my daughter, Princess Kidagakash. Step out of line, and the full might of the once glorious empire will crush you where you stand."
"Thank you, Your Majesty. We will not betray your trust," Helios said, bowing again.
Kurai remained still, her expression unreadable. Skuld let out a quiet breath of relief.
As the tense audience with King Kashekim concluded, Kida motioned silently for Helios and his companions to follow her out of the throne room. The massive doors groaned shut behind them, leaving the weight of the king's suspicion lingering in the air. The crystal's hum felt softer here in the corridors, though its light continued to cast shifting blue patterns across the carved stone walls.
"This way," Kida said calmly, though her voice carried a faint edge, perhaps from her father's harsh words or from Kurai's earlier remarks. "I will show you to your quarters. You'll find Atlantis is… hospitable, so long as you remain respectful."
Kurai's gaze flicked briefly toward Kida, but she remained silent. Skuld, on the other hand, walked a step closer to Helios, still brimming with restrained frustration.
"Your people have beautiful craftsmanship," Helios offered lightly, trying to ease the atmosphere.
Kida's stern expression softened slightly as she glanced back at him. "Our beauty is all we have left. We guard it fiercely because so much has already been lost."
The group emerged into a quieter section of the city where the air smelled faintly of salt and glowing streams of water trickled through aqueducts cut into the floors. Rounded doorways marked with Atlantean glyphs lined the walls.
"This will be your chamber," Kida said, stopping in front of a door carved with an intricate spiral pattern. She gestured for them to enter.
Helios stepped forward but paused. "Would it be possible for the three of us to share a room?" he asked politely. "We travel together often—it helps us plan and keep organized."
Kida raised an eyebrow at his request, her crystal-blue eyes unreadable for a moment. "If that is your preference, very well. But remember, you are still under observation."
"Of course," Helios said with a gracious nod.
As Kida stepped aside, Kurai brushed past her wordlessly, entering the chamber first. Skuld followed close behind, sparing a sidelong glance at Kurai before sighing. Helios lingered a moment to give Kida a polite smile.
"Thank you, Princess Kidagakash. We'll trouble you as little as possible."
Kida studied him for a beat longer before replying, "See that you don't."
When Helios finally stepped inside, the door sealed with a soft hum, leaving the trio alone in the quiet glow of the guest chamber.