The reception hall slowly filled with a calm, welcoming warmth that contrasted sharply with the violent chaos of the Midnight Trench only hours earlier.
The golden doors closed behind them with a soft echo, sealing away the distant sounds of palace activity. Within the chamber, the atmosphere was tranquil and refined, almost sacred in its quiet elegance.
Soft light filtered through the massive crystal windows lining the far wall.
Beyond them, the endless ocean stretched outward in every direction, a vast sapphire world illuminated by drifting schools of glowing fish and distant coral forests swaying in slow underwater currents.
The room itself had been designed for honored guests. Every detail radiated wealth, comfort, and ancient Atlantean craftsmanship at the highest level.
The circular table dominating the center of the chamber had clearly been grown rather than carved, its surface formed from polished living coral whose veins glowed faintly with embedded mana crystals.
Around it sat luxurious seating platforms layered with silk cushions dyed in deep ocean blues and pearl-white patterns.
Servants moved with practiced silence as they finished arranging the prepared dishes. Dozens of small plates rested across the table, each containing delicacies unique to the ocean kingdoms.
Shimmering kelp-wrapped seafood. Translucent sea-fruits glowing softly from within. Small crystalline dishes filled with thick blue nectar extracted from deep-sea flora.
Even the drinks were unusual.
Floating glass spheres filled with sparkling liquid hovered gently above small coral stands, held in place by subtle levitation runes.
Elektra immediately stepped forward.
"...Alright," she muttered.
She picked up one of the floating drink spheres and examined it, taking a deep drink, "Man, I missed this drink, you guys always do the mixing so well,"
Arthur chuckled quietly as he heard that, "I will take that as a compliment."
Mera smiled as she took a seat beside the table.
"You should eat while everything is fresh."
Albedo stepped forward and studied the food briefly. Even without touching it, he could feel the mana signatures within many of the ingredients.
This wasn't ordinary food.
Several of these dishes had clearly been prepared with mana-infused plants and rare sea-beasts.
These foods contained healing properties and enhanced energy restoration while still being delicious.
Atlantis didn't do anything halfway.
Arthur noticed his observation,"Atlantean cuisine tends to focus on recovery and longevity," the King explained, "Many of our ingredients grow in mana-rich waters."
Albedo nodded slightly, "I can tell."
He took one of the glowing sea-fruits and examined it briefly before taking a bite. The texture was soft and cool, almost melting the moment it touched his tongue.
A gentle burst of flavor spread instantly, sweet and refreshing.
And beneath the taste, he could feel a subtle warmth spreading through his body as the fruit's mana content circulated through his bloodstream.
His mana channels reacted immediately, absorbing the energy like dry soil drinking rain.
Elektra had already devoured three different dishes.
She pointed toward one of the plates with a fork.
"Whatever that thing is," she said between bites, "you need to export it."
Arthur raised an amused eyebrow, "I'll consider it."
Mera laughed softly.
Albedo continued eating slowly.
He wasn't starving, but his body had burned a tremendous amount of energy during the battle in the trench.
Now, with real food and ambient mana saturating the palace environment, his recovery accelerated rapidly.
Even Havoc and Ruin resting at his sides seemed to respond to the environment.
The demonic pistols absorbed the ambient mana drifting through the room, their runic engravings glowing faintly before fading again.
Arthur noticed them.
His gaze lingered on the weapons for a moment.
"Those are unusual firearms."
Albedo glanced down briefly.
"They're special."
Arthur nodded slowly.
"I can sense that."
He didn't press further.
Instead, the King leaned back slightly in his chair. For a few moments, everyone simply enjoyed the meal.
The atmosphere relaxed naturally.
Eventually, Albedo placed his utensils down.
His hunger had been satisfied. More importantly, the mana-infused food had done its job. His body felt balanced again.
Arthur watched him calmly.
"Better?"
Albedo nodded.
"Much."
He sat up slightly and met the King's gaze.
"Thank you for the hospitality."
Arthur waved a hand dismissively.
"You saved my people."
His tone was matter-of-fact.
"This is the least Atlantis can offer."
Mera smiled proudly beside them.
Arthur leaned forward slightly, resting his forearms on the table.
"You will find that Atlantis values loyalty and bravery above all else."
His blue eyes held a quiet intensity.
"You demonstrated both."
Elektra finished another drink sphere and stretched her arms.
"So what's the official title he gets now?"
Arthur smirked faintly.
"We haven't decided yet."
He looked toward Albedo.
"But you have already earned something far more valuable."
"Trust."
The room fell quiet for a moment.
Albedo gave a small nod.
Trust from a king was not something given lightly.
After a short pause, Arthur stood.
"I will allow you time to rest and explore."
He gestured toward the palace corridors beyond the doors.
"The capital is open to you."
He paused slightly before adding:
"Though I would recommend seeing the city during the twilight currents."
Mera smiled knowingly.
"It's the most beautiful time."
Arthur inclined his head once more before turning toward the exit.
"I have matters to attend to regarding the trench incident."
His gaze briefly returned to Albedo.
"We will speak again soon."
With that, the King of Atlantis departed the reception hall.
The golden doors closed quietly behind him.
Elektra leaned back in her chair.
"...Alright."
She rubbed her stomach, "I wish I could live here,"
Mera laughed, "You say that every time you visit."
"Because it's true." Elektra said with sarcastic frustration.
Albedo stood slowly, "I think I'll take a walk."
Mera tilted her head.
"Explore?"
"Yes." Albedo said with a nod.
Her smile widened, "You should."
She stood as well.
"I'll show you where the outer districts are."
They left the reception hall together.
The palace corridors were just as magnificent as the entrance halls.
Long archways stretched overhead, supported by towering coral pillars that pulsed faintly with ambient mana.
Living gardens filled the walls with glowing aquatic plants, their colors shifting softly as they absorbed the palace's magical energy.
Servants passed by carrying trays and supplies.
Guards stood watch along major intersections.
Everywhere they walked, Atlanteans bowed respectfully toward Albedo.
Word had spread fast.
The hero of the Midnight Trench had arrived.
Eventually, they reached one of the outer palace balconies.
Beyond it, the city of Atlantis unfolded in its full glory.
Albedo stopped walking.
For several seconds, he simply stared.
Even after seeing it earlier from the transport vessel, the view from the palace was different.
Closer.
More alive.
Towering coral spires stretched across the ocean floor like a living skyline.
Thousands of glowing currents flowed between buildings like highways of light.
Merfolk traveled along them gracefully, swimming in organized streams of movement.
Market districts buzzed with activity.
Massive sea creatures drifted peacefully alongside the city walls.
Far in the distance, colossal guardian leviathans patrolled the outer boundaries of Atlantean territory.
The entire civilization pulsed with life and power.
"...Incredible," Albedo muttered quietly.
Elektra crossed her arms beside him.
"Yeah."
She nodded toward the city.
"Hard to beat that view."
Albedo reached into his coat.
From one of the inner pockets, he pulled out his phone, ready to take pictures.
Albedo stepped closer to the balcony edge.
He adjusted the camera angle carefully. Below him, the sprawling capital of Atlantis shimmered beneath the ocean currents.
Golden coral towers. Floating market platforms. Living streams of glowing plankton weaving through the streets.
He snapped the first picture.
~CLICK!~
The image appeared instantly on the screen.
Perfect.
He took several more from various different angles and of different districts.
The guardian sea beasts circling the outer walls and even the coral spires glowing beneath the filtered sunlight.
The massive palace branches stretching overhead.
Mera watched him with curiosity.
"You are documenting the city?"
Albedo nodded.
"My sister would love to see this."
Gwen had never traveled far from home. Her world had always been small.
But Atlantis was something no one could truly imagine without seeing it.
He continued taking pictures.
Soon, he began walking through the palace terraces and outer districts, capturing images of everything that caught his attention.
Marketplace scenes. Atlantean warriors training with tridents. Massive sea-turtles carrying traveling merchants on their backs.
Children playing along water-current streets. Colorful coral gardens glowing softly in the twilight currents. Every photo captured another fragment of the breathtaking underwater world.
Elektra eventually shook her head.
"You've taken like fifty pictures already."
Albedo glanced down at the screen.
"...Sixty-four."
Mera laughed.
"Your sister must be very important to you."
Albedo looked back out across the endless ocean city.
His expression softened slightly.
"She is."
The twilight currents slowly began to shift.
Far above, the distant surface sun dipped lower, casting long rays of golden light down through the ocean depths.
Atlantis glowed.
The coral towers reflected the sunlight like living jewels.
Schools of bioluminescent fish ignited across the city, creating rivers of drifting starlight through the streets.
For a moment, the entire civilization looked like a dream floating beneath the sea.
Albedo raised the phone again.
~CLICK!~
Another picture.
One more moment to bring home to Gwen.
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