Chapter 79: Chapter 78
Sorry, did not notice it was a repeat of chapter 77
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Aquaman, known as Arthur Curry, swims with powerful strokes towards the outskirts of Atlantis. His regal Atlantean armor gleams in the bioluminescent waters as he approaches the disturbance caused by the Trench People.
As Arthur nears the scene, he witnesses the savage Trench creatures attacking the local marine life. Their jagged teeth and claws rend the flesh of helpless fish and crustaceans, their hunger insatiable.
Arthur grips his iconic trident tightly, the mystical weapon thrumming with power. With a commanding voice, he calls out, "Trench! Your rampage ends here."
The monstrous Trench turn their attention towards the Atlantean king, their gaping maws unleashing chilling screeches. They surge forward, their grotesque forms undulating through the water with alarming speed.
Arthur plants his feet firmly, bracing himself for the onslaught. As the first Trench warrior lunges at him, he thrusts his trident forward, the sharp prongs piercing its rubbery flesh. The creature recoils, screeching in pain, but the others press on, their numbers overwhelming.
Arthur whirls his trident in a wide arc, the weapon's energy discharging in a powerful shockwave. The Trench are thrown back, their bodies thrashing as they struggle to regain their balance.
"You are trespassing on Atlantean territory," Arthur declares, his voice echoing with authority. "Return to the depths from whence you came, or face the wrath of your king."
The Trench, undeterred by his warning, converge on Arthur once more. Their claws and fangs clash against his trident, the sound of metal against chitin ringing through the water.
Arthur's movements are fluid and precise, his centuries of combat experience guiding his every strike. He darts between the Trench, his trident a blur as he dispatches one creature after another.
A particularly large Trench, its eyes glowing with malevolence, lunges at Arthur. He braces himself, but the creature's momentum proves too great. They grapple, their struggle sending shockwaves through the water.
Arthur summons his strength, pushing back against the Trench's savage onslaught. With a mighty heave, he tosses the creature aside, its body crashing into a nearby rock formation.
Seeing their leader falter, the remaining Trench hesitate, their collective screeches echoing through the underwater realm. Arthur seizes the opportunity, raising his trident high.
"Return to the Mariana Trench, or face the consequences of your actions!" he commands, the energy of the trident crackling with power.
The Trench, sensing the imminent danger, turn and retreat, their retreat marked by a trail of bioluminescent fluid. Arthur watches them disappear into the depths, his expression grim.
The Trench creatures' retreat fills Arthur with a sense of relief, but his victory is short-lived. Suddenly, a piercing ultrasonic blast strikes him, sending shockwaves of pain through his nervous system. Dazed and disoriented, he turns to see a group of black-armored figures surrounding him.
"Who are you?" Arthur demands, his voice strained.
The lead figure steps forward, the distinctive features of his helmet immediately recognizable. "I am Black Manta," the deep, menacing voice replies. "And we're here to take you in."
Arthur's eyes widen as the realization dawns on him. "You're the ones who attacked Hila," he growls, tightening his grip on the trident.
Black Manta nods, his tone dripping with malice. "Very good, Aquaman. You've figured it out. Now, you can come with us quietly, or we can make this difficult."
Arthur braces himself, his muscles coiling with tension. "I won't let you harm anyone else."
Without warning, the Manta Men charge forward, their ultrasonic weapons firing a barrage of disorienting blasts. Arthur tries to retaliate, but the pulsing pain in his head makes it difficult to focus. He swings his trident, deflecting the attacks, but the sheer number of his adversaries overwhelms him.
Black Manta watches from a distance, a sinister grin spreading across his face. "Give it up, Aquaman. You're no match for us."
Arthur grits his teeth, his mind racing to find a way out of this predicament. He knows he must protect Atlantis and its people, but the Manta Men's relentless assault is taking a toll. Desperate, he summons his strength and lashes out with a powerful surge of energy from his trident.
The blast momentarily scatters the Manta Men, but they quickly regroup, their determination unwavering. Arthur realizes he is outnumbered and outmatched, his movements becoming more erratic as the pain in his head intensifies.
Black Manta, sensing Arthur's vulnerability, barks orders to his men. "Subdue him! I want him alive."
The Manta Men converge on Arthur, their weapons pummeling him with devastating blows. Arthur tries to fight back, but the barrage of attacks proves too much, and he succumbs to the darkness, his consciousness slipping away.
As Arthur's vision fades, he hears Black Manta's menacing voice, "You've been a thorn in my side for too long, Aquaman. Now, it's time to pay the price."
…
Arthur Curry, the mighty Aquaman, slowly regains consciousness, his head pounding from the Manta Men's relentless assault. As he opens his eyes, a sense of unease settles over him. The air is dry and stale, a stark contrast to the familiar, life-sustaining waters of Atlantis.
Attempting to move, Arthur finds his limbs restrained, the chains binding him tightly. He strains against the unyielding metal, but to his dismay, these are no ordinary shackles. The familiar weight and texture of the chains identify them as forged from Atlantean alloys, crafted to withstand the immense pressures of the deep ocean.
Confusion clouds Arthur's mind as he surveys his surroundings. He is no longer in the tranquil waters of Atlantis, but in a dimly lit, unfamiliar space. The lack of the ocean's soothing presence leaves him unsettled, as if a vital part of his being has been severed.
Arthur's brow furrows as he tries to piece together what has transpired. He recalls the confrontation with the Trench, the sudden ambush by Black Manta and his Manta Men, and the overwhelming barrage of attacks that had ultimately led to his capture.
Frustrated by his helplessness, Arthur tugs at the chains once more, the metal biting into his wrists. He knows that his strength, while formidable, is no match for the craftsmanship of Atlantean engineering. The realization that he is trapped, cut off from the sea that is his lifeblood, fills him with a growing sense of unease.
As Arthur struggles to comprehend his predicament, a familiar figure emerges from the shadows, the distinctive silhouette of Black Manta's menacing helmet visible in the dim light.
Aquaman watches warily as Black Manta approaches, the villain's menacing helmet casting an ominous shadow over him. Though his limbs are bound, Arthur's gaze remains defiant, unwilling to show weakness in the face of his greatest adversary.
"Ah, so the mighty Aquaman finally graces us with his presence," Black Manta says, his deep voice dripping with malice. "I must say, I'm glad to see you've rejoined the land of the living."
Arthur narrows his eyes, his mind racing to understand his predicament. "Where am I, Manta?" he demands, his tone laced with a hint of urgency.
"All you need to know, Aquaman, is that you'll be rotting in this cell until you draw your last breath. Also, someone wants to meet you."
Dread settles in Arthur's gut as Orm, his own flesh and blood, enters the dimly lit chamber. A mixture of disbelief and betrayal washes over him as his younger brother approaches, a cold expression on his face.
"Hello, brother," Orm says, his voice dripping with disdain. Arthur's brow furrows, his ocean-blue eyes narrowing as he takes in the sight before him. How could Orm, the one he had hoped to bring into the light, have fallen so far?
Arthur's mind races, trying to comprehend the gravity of this revelation. "Orm, what is the meaning of this?" he demands, his voice strained with a mixture of confusion and anger.
Orm glances over his shoulder at Black Manta, a subtle nod of acknowledgment passing between them. "I'm afraid our dear brother here has been rather... uncooperative," Orm says, his tone laced with feigned concern.
Arthur's eyes narrow as the pieces begin to fall into place. "You're working with him," he growls, straining against the unyielding Atlantean chains that bind him. "How could you betray Atlantis like this?"
Orm's expression hardens, a flicker of resentment crossing his features. "Betray Atlantis?" he scoffs. "I'm doing what's necessary to secure its future, something you've failed to do, brother."
Arthur feels a surge of frustration at Orm's words. "What are you talking about? I've dedicated my life to protecting Atlantis and its people."
Orm shakes his head, a humorless smile playing on his lips. "That's where you're wrong, Arthur. You're only a half-breed, a mere surface dweller who has no true claim to the throne. It's time for a true Atlantean to rule."
Arthur's heart sinks as the realization dawns on him. "You've been planning this all along, haven't you?" he says, his voice laced with betrayal. "You've been working with Manta to undermine me, to take the throne for yourself."
Orm nods, his expression unapologetic. "I resent the fact that you, an outsider, have been crowned king. Atlantis deserves a leader who understands its people, its traditions, its rightful place in the world. And that leader is me."
Arthur struggles against his bonds, his frustration and anger building. "Orm, you're making a grave mistake. The surface world and Atlantis must coexist in peace. Your thirst for power will only lead to ruin."
Orm's eyes narrow, a hint of malice creeping into his voice. "The surface world is a plague, Arthur. They have polluted our oceans, disrespected our way of life. It's time for Atlantis to rise and reclaim its rightful place, even if it means conquering the land above."
Arthur's heart sinks as he realizes the depth of Orm's ambition and the lengths he is willing to go to achieve it. "You're wrong, Orm. This path you're on will only bring more destruction, more suffering. I won't let you do this."
Orm's expression darkens, and he turns to leave. "It's too late, Arthur. The die has been cast. Enjoy your stay in this cell, dear brother. By the time you're free, Atlantis will be mine."
With those parting words, Orm departs, leaving Arthur alone with the realization that his own brother has betrayed him, all in a bid to seize the throne of Atlantis and wage war against the surface world.
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