The royal transport descended through the inner currents of Atlantis with slow, majestic precision. As it moved deeper into the capital's heart, the scale of the city only became more overwhelming.
Entire districts unfolded beneath the vessel.
Wide avenues of flowing water currents functioned like streets, guiding thousands of merfolk through the metropolis in graceful streams of movement.
Merchant platforms built from layered coral terraces bustled with activity as traders sold glowing sea-fruits, enchanted shells, and rare deep-sea artifacts.
Massive leviathan beasts drifted lazily through designated guardian channels, their colossal silhouettes casting moving shadows across the city below.
Schools of shimmering fish formed living murals that shifted colors in response to Atlantean mana signals, creating flowing banners of living light that rippled between towers.
And above it all, the Royal Atlantic Palace dominated the skyline.
It rose from the ocean floor like a divine monument.
A colossal living structure grown from a single ancient world-tree coral whose trunk alone was wider than entire city blocks.
Its towering branches spiraled upward in layered platforms, each one holding gardens, halls, terraces, and balconies adorned with glowing aquatic flora.
Runic waterfalls cascaded down the palace's sides in glowing streams of enchanted water, splitting into countless smaller channels that flowed into the city's waterways.
Massive pearl domes crowned the upper levels, their surfaces reflecting sunlight filtering down from the distant ocean surface.
Guard towers extended outward like protective thorns, each one manned by elite Atlantean warriors clad in polished coral armor.
Even from a distance, the palace radiated power.
Ancient wards, Royal authority, and the unmistakable presence of centuries-old magic embedded into every inch of its living structure.
Inside the transport, Elektra leaned against the crystal dome, watching the palace grow larger.
"...That thing gets bigger every time I see it."
Mera chuckled softly.
"It technically does."
Elektra blinked.
"Wait, what?"
"The coral is alive," Mera explained casually.
"It continues to grow slowly. The palace expands a few meters every decade."
Elektra stared at the palace again.
"You're telling me the royal palace is literally still growing?"
"Yes."
"...Okay that's actually terrifying."
Albedo remained silent as he watched the palace approach.
But his eyes were analyzing. The entire structure was saturated with mana. Not just ordinary mana either, very pure and refined through centuries of reinforcement.
Albedo could feel defensive formations layered throughout the coral architecture.
City-scale barrier arrays and Spatial compression zones. Water-pressure manipulation fields.
If someone tried to attack Atlantis directly, this palace alone could probably hold out against multiple extremely powerful attackers.
The vessel slowly rotated as it approached one of the upper landing terraces.
Several smaller royal transports were already docked there, each attended by squads of Atlantean guards and palace servants.
As their vessel glided into position, the glowing runes along its hull dimmed slightly.
A soft humming pulse passed through the ship as its engines powered down.
Outside, the landing platform was a magnificent structure in its own right.
A circular terrace carved from layered pearl-stone and reinforced coral, wide enough to accommodate several massive transports simultaneously.
Elegant archways lined the platform's perimeter, each one carved with ancient Atlantean runes that glowed softly in the surrounding water.
Dozens of royal guards stood in formation along the edges.
Their armor was far more ornate than the trench soldiers.
Polished coral plating layered over deep-blue sea-silk uniforms, golden runic patterns etched across their shoulder guards.
Each warrior carried a long trident weapon infused with concentrated mana cores.
Elite Royal Guard.
As the transport settled gently onto the platform, the lower ramp unfolded once again like a blooming coral flower.
This time, however, the moment the ramp opened, the environment changed. A transparent barrier shimmered into existence around the platform, expanding outward like a dome.
The surrounding seawater receded instantly.
Within seconds, the entire landing terrace was dry.
Clean air flowed through the chamber as atmospheric runes activated.
Elektra blinked.
"...Well that's convenient."
Mera stepped toward the ramp.
"The inner palace districts maintain an air environment for surface visitors."
Albedo followed her down the ramp.
The moment his boots touched the pearl-stone platform, he felt the shift immediately.
The air was crisp and fresh.
A faint scent of salt and blooming coral gardens filled the atmosphere.
Above them, the massive archways framed a clear view of the surrounding ocean beyond the barrier dome.
Schools of fish drifted lazily outside the transparent walls, their movements casting shifting shadows across the platform.
It felt like standing inside a glass palace beneath the sea.
Servants immediately approached the ramp.
Several attendants guided floating stretchers carrying the unconscious mermaids toward waiting palace medics.
Healers dressed in flowing aqua robes moved quickly but calmly, surrounding the injured with restorative spells.
Soft green mana pulses spread across the wounded bodies as they were transported toward the inner palace medical wings.
Mera watched them go, relief clear in her expression.
"They'll recover."
Albedo nodded once.
Nearby, a group of palace guards escorted Jax carefully down the ramp.
The large warrior was still unconscious, though his breathing had stabilized significantly after Albedo's earlier healing.
A tall palace attendant bowed respectfully toward Mera.
"Princess Mera. The royal physicians have prepared a private recovery suite for the hero Jax."
Mera smiled.
"Good."
The attendant gestured toward the palace interior.
"He will receive the highest level of care."
Several guards carefully lifted Jax onto a floating medical platform and began escorting him deeper into the palace corridors.
Elektra watched them go.
"...Luxurious recovery room, huh?"
Mera smirked slightly.
"The royal guest suites are nicer than most noble estates."
"Nice."
Elektra stretched her shoulders.
"Guy earned it."
Before they could continue walking, the royal guards lining the platform suddenly straightened.
Tridents lifted slightly in synchronized motion. A powerful presence approached from the grand palace entrance ahead.
The massive pearl doors slowly opened. A group of high-ranking Atlantean officials stepped out first, forming a respectful corridor, and then, he appeared.
King Arthur.
Ruler of Atlantis.
King of the Merfolk.
He was taller than most merfolk, his presence alone commanding immediate attention.
His long golden hair flowed past his shoulders like strands of sunlight, contrasting against the deep-blue royal armor he wore.
The armor itself was a masterpiece of Atlantean craftsmanship.
Layered pearl-metal plates reinforced with ancient runes, glowing faintly with protective enchantments.
A regal cloak of shimmering sea-silk flowed behind him, embroidered with the ancient royal crest of Atlantis.
But the most striking feature was the trident resting at his side. The legendary weapon radiated immense mana pressure even while dormant.
Arthur's piercing ocean-blue eyes settled on Albedo.
For a brief moment, the entire platform fell silent.
Then the King stepped forward. Instead of speaking immediately, Arthur placed a fist over his chest in a formal Atlantean salute.
It was a gesture of respect reserved for heroes and equals. The surrounding guards immediately mirrored the gesture, but they knelt respectfully towards Albedo.
Arthur's voice carried across the platform, deep and steady.
"Albedo Neverwinter."
The name echoed across the terrace.
"I have heard much about you in the last few hours."
His gaze softened slightly.
"My people are alive today because of your actions."
He took another step closer.
"The mermaids rescued from the Midnight Trench are already being treated in our royal medical halls."
A faint smile touched his lips.
"They will live."
Mera crossed her arms proudly nearby.
Arthur continued.
"You protected them."
"You fought the abyssal corruption threatening our territory."
"And you saved one of our greatest warriors."
His gaze shifted briefly toward the corridor where Jax had been taken.
Arthur turned back to Albedo.
Then, the King of Atlantis bowed his head slightly. It was subtle, but unmistakable.
"I thank you."
The surrounding officials visibly froze for a moment.
A king rarely bowed to anyone.
Arthur straightened again.
"From this day forward, you are not merely a visitor within Atlantis."
His voice carried authority now.
"You are a respected guest of the Atlantean people."
He extended a hand toward the palace behind him.
"The gates of Atlantis will always be open to you."
Elektra quietly leaned toward Mera.
"...Well damn."
Mera smirked.
"That's a big deal."
Arthur studied Albedo carefully.
"Your companions are welcome as well."
He gestured toward the palace interior.
"You must be tired from battle."
"Come."
"Let us welcome you properly."
Behind him, the palace entrance opened fully.
The interior of the Royal Atlantic Palace was breathtaking.
Massive vaulted ceilings crafted from luminous pearl-stone arched high above them.
Long corridors stretched outward, lined with towering coral pillars that glowed faintly with embedded mana crystals.
Gardens filled with glowing aquatic plants grew along the walls, their colors shifting gently in response to ambient mana flow.
Crystal chandeliers hung overhead, each one containing swirling spheres of captured ocean light.
Ahead, palace servants and officials moved quickly but quietly through the halls, carrying supplies and coordinating the influx of injured mermaids from the trench.
Healers hurried toward the medical wings.
Messengers delivered updates between commanders.
Despite the sudden crisis earlier that day, the palace functioned with flawless efficiency.
Arthur guided them deeper into the palace corridors. As they walked, more guards and servants bowed respectfully when they passed Albedo.
Word had clearly spread.
The hero who fought in the Midnight Trench alongside Elektra and Mera had arrived.
Eventually, Arthur stopped before a grand set of golden doors.
Two elite royal guards stepped aside as the King pushed the doors open.
Inside was a luxurious reception hall prepared for honored guests.
Large crystal windows displayed the endless ocean outside the palace barrier.
Comfortable seating platforms surrounded a massive circular table carved from ancient coral.
Servants immediately entered, placing trays of food and drinks across the table.
Arthur turned toward Albedo.
His expression was warm now.
"Welcome to the Royal Atlantic Palace."
He gestured toward the room.
"Please."
"Rest."
"You have more than earned it."
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