The Vengeful Extra's Ascension

The soft shutter sound of Albedo's phone echoed faintly against the coral balcony as he lowered it from his face.

The newest photograph appeared on the screen, Atlantis glowing beneath the twilight currents like a dream carved from living sapphire.

For a moment, he simply studied the image. Even the camera struggled to capture the full majesty of the city.

Still… it was close enough and Albedo Gwen would love it and would definitely print the photo out and get it framed.

Once he was done with that, he tossed the phone back into a spacial storage, and continued to look around.

Below them, the twilight currents continued to deepen as the distant sun above the ocean surface began its slow descent toward evening.

Shafts of golden light pierced through the vast blue waters, refracting into thousands of shimmering rays that scattered across the coral towers of Atlantis.

The entire city was beginning to glow.

Lantern corals ignited along streets and balconies. Bioluminescent gardens awakened along terraces and rooftops. Schools of drifting plankton formed soft luminous trails that wound between buildings like rivers of starlight.

It was beautiful in a way few surface cities could ever replicate.

Mera leaned against the balcony railing beside him.

"So?" she asked.

"Worth seeing?"

Albedo nodded slowly.

"Yes."

Elektra snorted.

"That's the most excited answer you've given all day."

Albedo ignored her. Instead, he turned slightly and looked toward the sprawling districts spreading outward from the palace.

He looked down and spotted people conducting trade, alongside residential towers, training areas and even research domes.

The entirety of Atlantis was fully alive, schools of fish moving around everywhere.

And suddenly, an idea crossed his mind.

He glanced back at Mera, "Are there markets nearby?"

Mera blinked once as she heard that, "Markets?"

He nodded, "I want to buy a few things."

Elektra raised an eyebrow.

"Shopping?"

Albedo shrugged, "Souvenirs, for my little sister,"

That earned a smile from Mera, "Oh, for that? There are plenty of places."

She straightened and gestured toward one of the palace pathways that spiraled downward into the city.

"The Pearl District is closest."

Elektra stretched her arms.

"Well," she said, cracking her neck, "Guess we're going shopping."

***

The walk from the palace into the city itself was almost surreal.

Massive coral walkways connected the palace terraces to the surrounding districts, each path lined with glowing sea-lanterns and living gardens.

The air environment remained intact within the central districts, protected by enormous barrier domes that kept the water out while still allowing the city to function underwater.

Beyond those domes, the true ocean flowed freely—but within them, Atlantis felt like a strange fusion of sea and land.

Merfolk moved through the streets easily.

Some swam through controlled water channels that ran along the walkways while others walked upright on fin-adapted legs within the dry areas.

Many of them paused as Albedo passed, recognizing him as the hero who helped Mera and Elektra save the captured Merfolk.

All of the citizens bowed out of respect to Mera and then acknowledged Albedo and Elektra before moving on.

The story of the Midnight Trench had clearly spread fast. Elektra leaned closer to him.

"You're famous now."

Albedo sighed quietly, "I was already famous. You both recognized me remember,"

Mera laughed as they continued walking, eventually reaching the Pearl District, and suddenly the atmosphere changed.

The calm elegance of the palace gave way to something far more lively. Entirely with markets, crowds and music.

Rows of merchant stalls stretched across wide circular plazas built from layered pearl-stone platforms.

Hanging lantern corals illuminated the entire district with warm shimmering light.

The air smelled faintly of salt, sea herbs, and sweet nectar fruits.

Merchants shouted out deals.

Travelers from various ocean territories browsed stalls filled with exotic goods.

Massive sea creatures drifted lazily through overhead water channels while their riders bartered below.

It was chaotic, but in the best possible way.

Elektra grinned, "Oh yeah. This is my favorite part."

Albedo scanned the rows of stalls carefully. Every table was filled with unusual objects.

Carved coral jewelry, shell instruments and even magical sea-crystals. There were also runic artifacts grown from deep-sea plants and Albedo even spotted small mechanical devices powered by compressed water mana.

Mera pointed toward one stall.

"That merchant specializes in memory shells."

Albedo looked closer.

Dozens of small shimmering shells sat across the display table.

Each one glowed faintly.

The elderly merfolk merchant noticed them approaching and immediately brightened.

"Princess Mera!"

He bowed quickly.

"An honor!"

Mera waved casually.

"Hello again, Torven."

Torven's eyes shifted to Albedo.

Recognition flashed instantly.

"Ah!"

"The trench hero!"

Albedo grimaced slightly.

Torven continued enthusiastically.

"These shells record sound memories," the merchant explained, lifting one gently.

"Hold it to your ear and you'll hear the ocean from where it was collected."

Albedo took one carefully.

The shell was smooth and cool. He raised it to his ear and a soft sound immediately echoed within it.

Waves, a distant magic whale-song and then the quiet whisper of deep currents. Albedo lowered it slowly, "Interesting."

Torven grinned, "Each one contains a different ocean memory."

Albedo picked out three of them.

"This one," he said.

"And those two."

Torven beamed.

"Excellent choice!"

Mera leaned closer.

"She'll like those."

Albedo nodded.

He paid the merchant easily with some money Arthur had given to him to spend during his stay here. The shells were carefully wrapped in soft kelp cloth and stored within his coat.

They continued walking.

Another stall caught his attention next. This one displayed small glowing coral figurines. Tiny sculptures shaped like sea creatures.

Magic Turtles, Leviathans and Dragonfish. Even miniature replicas of Atlantis itself.

Albedo picked up a small coral turtle. It moved slightly in his hand.

Elektra leaned over his shoulder.

"Oh that's adorable."

"I'm getting one."

She grabbed a dragonfish figurine that snapped its tiny jaws playfully.

Mera laughed.

"Those are grown from coral seeds."

Albedo selected several.

The turtle. A miniature coral leviathan, and a tiny replica of the Royal Atlantic Palace.

The deeper they moved into the market, the more unusual items appeared.

He found enchanted sea-glass jewelry.

Mana-infused kelp fabrics.

Atlantean music crystals that played ocean melodies when tapped.

At one point, he even purchased a small snow-globe-like artifact containing a miniature water current swirling around a glowing pearl city.

Mera tilted her head.

"You're buying a lot."

Albedo shrugged.

"It's rare I get to visit somewhere like this."

Elektra smirked.

"And you're a soft big brother."

He ignored her.

Eventually, they reached one final stall.

This one was more refined.

Inside glass displays rested rare Atlantean artifacts. One object immediately caught Albedo's eye. A delicate pendant made from a polished moon-pearl.

Inside the pearl floated a tiny glowing ocean current. The mana signature was gentle and very calming.

The merchant spoke softly.

"A Tideheart Pendant. It protects the wearer from mana turbulence."

Albedo studied it carefully.

It wasn't overly powerful but it was very elegant.

"I'll take it." Albedo said.

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