Issue #21: “King's Reign, Chapter 1: The Uprising”

It was his kingdom.

Orin of Poseidonis, better known to the world as the guardian of the seas, Aquaman, gently floated along the ocean currents, his eyes shut. He allowed his mind to just drift through the shifting tides, letting the chilly yet at the same time soothing flow embrace him in its grasp. He could always rely on his kingdom when he needed it.

Orin ruled the largest kingdom in the history of the Earth, taking up approximately seventy-one percent of the entire planet. At times it could feel so empty but on other occasions…it felt as if the ocean had a life entirely of its own.

That was the magic of his kingdom. It was forever changing, with him never knowing exactly what he was going to get next. But there was one thing that the greatest hero of the world’s water knew would not be changing anytime soon.

The ocean was his kingdom and he…was the king.

***

“It is the kings that have shaped our kingdom’s history and it will probably remain that way for the rest of time…”

“Throughout the history of our great nation we have seen many legendary leaders. One of our most renowned kings, Neptune, valiantly fought the Dark God Xthulu and defeated him, ending the Dark Age of Atlantis.”

The elderly aide to the king, Vulko, floated in front of the great stone statue of King Neptune that towered high a few miles away from Poseidonis. Six young Atlantean children listened to Vulko’s lesson as a few guards kept watch over the area. They couldn’t be too careful after the breaches in security that had occurred with both The Shark and Black Manta.

“That is all for today, children. Tomorrow we will begin the lesson on Tritonis lifestyle.”

The students began to swim back toward the city with the guards close behind them. One guard remained behind waiting for Vulko, who looked at the majestic Neptune ascending towards the heavens.

“Good lesson,” a familiar voice said.

Vulko turned to find King Orin floating behind him. Vulko had seen Orin grow from the young ambitious man he had been, when he first came into the oceans from the surface, to the now proud king of the seas and hero to all of the world.

“And what brings you out here on this fine morning, sire?”

Vulko knew that Orin did not agree that he should have to call him sire but Vulko felt it was only proper, even if Vulko was an incredibly-trusted friend.

“Just out for a swim.” Orin stared up high at the statue that towered over him.

“It is beautiful isn’t it?” Vulko said.

“Indeed. To think that the entire kingdom could have changed if not for this one man.”

“That is the case with all kings, Orin, including you.”

Orin nodded silently. He had never before let the pressure of being the king get to him, but lately, with all of the trouble that had been going on, he was starting to wane. Aquaman suddenly saw something in the distance moving quickly toward Poseidonis.

“A scout.”

“Wonder why he’s in such a hurry.”

***

“My lord, it was…it was a…a massacre.”

Aquaman sat high on his throne, scratching his golden beard. The council of Poseidonis, full of nobles and aristocrats, stood around the room while the scout that Orin and Vulko had seen outside of the domes bowed graciously.

“Please, just calmly tell us what happened,” King Orin said.

The scout inhaled deeply before beginning to speak again, “Our colony in the Persian Gulf…is gone, sire…all gone…the sea was…it was…” Tears flowed down the scout’s cheeks, realization beginning to take its toll on him. “…the sea…it was red, sire…RED!”

With a nod from Orin, two guards gently helped the stuttering scout to his feet and walked him to the exit.

The entire room went completely silent.

“Is this your idea of running things?” the elderly Councilman Utrin Yug said bitterly to Orin. “Since you’ve been king, Atlantis has been plagued by just about every imaginable evil. Terrorists, monsters, and now we’re on the brink of civil war! I’m surprised this hasn’t happened sooner with this pitiful government you say you’re running.”

Orin’s eyes glanced up from where he was seated, peering directly into Utrin’s pupils. Anger and frustration were steadily building up in him.

“I respect one’s own opinions, Councilman Yug, but it seems you forget that I am king. And as such, you will mind what you say to me,” Aquaman said sternly.

Utrin Yug remained persistent.

“I will not stand to watch as my home is destroyed by one man, king or not, making incredibly foolish choices.”

With that, Aquaman rose to his feet, his eyes staring intensely at Yug. The nobleman quieted down and then, without a second glance, left the room. Orin glanced around at the councilmen, his face turning scarlet. He attempted to keep his composure.

“Is there anyone else who has anything to say? If so, speak now,” Orin said.

There was no movement until one man stepped forward. A few seconds later, this man was followed by another and then another after that. One by one the council members exited the room until no one remained.

No one but the king.

In solitude.

Alone.

Orin’s greatest fear began to well up in his mind.

It was beginning to happen.

He was turning into what he never wished to be.

A king without a kingdom.

***

“We all share a common goal. Bringing order to our world.”

Ocean Master stood tall at the end of a long table that was set up in an undersea cavern. About a dozen seats at the table were all full, except for one. Sitting in the chairs were people of all different shapes and sizes, all listening to Ocean Master intently.

“Ever since King Orin, my brother, has been on the throne of Poseidonis, he’s been spreading his blasphemy to the rest of the ocean. He’s had far too many dealings with the surface world, in fact, he just made one with a man who once tried to destroy Poseidonis. We all know that the surface wants nothing more than to eventually eliminate us. Genocide is second nature for them.”

“Is it for us as well? I know of what you and your Oceanics did recently, Prince Orm,” former Atlantean Councilman Utrin Yug said.

“Please, Utrin, I go by a different name now. But to answer your question, we did what had to be done for the protection of our cause, I assure you. The surface kills over confusion, prejudice, and lust for power. We do not. We do what has to be done to spread order and peace.”

“Guess I’m fashionably late.”

Black Manta stepped into view.

“Nice of you to show up,” Ocean Master said.

“What kind of game is this?” the former Atlantean councilman said. “You condemn the Atlanteans for making deals with the surface, yet now…we have one of them here.”

“Ha. I spend more time in the water than out of it. And I don’t give a damn about your cause. I’m just here for my money,” Black Manta said, his voice echoing through his helmet while he took a seat, throwing his feet up onto the table.

“Everyone, this is Black Manta and he is indeed from the surface. But he also happens to be the only man who has ever successfully breached the walls of Poseidonis-“

“Twice,” Black Manta cut in.

“Yes…twice. So despite the fact that he is a surface dweller, he is essential to our cause,” Ocean Master said. “Manta, allow me to introduce you to this little…alliance we’ve put together.

“Lord Ladon. Something of an aristocrat. He comes from the Hadal Zone, the deepest and darkest region of the ocean.” A man sitting at the table with jet black hair slicked back over his incredibly pale skin glanced with disinterest at Black Manta. He was well-dressed, with a fancy reddish-black robe and he was wearing expensive-looking rings on some of his fingers.

Black Manta twiddled his thumbs, unimpressed, while Ocean Master continued to speak.

“And over here we have the terrorist, Karshon, better known around here as simply The Shark. He recently put Poseidonis into a state of panic. But of course, like most, he was beaten by my brother.”

The Shark picked at his dozens of newly-grown teeth, having had the majority of his originals broken from his fight with Aquaman. Black Manta looked at the shark-man’s bloodshot eyes to find only malice and hatred coming from them. Not even an ounce of any other feelings.

“This is Utrin Yug…”

Ocean Master proceeded to introduce the others at the table who mostly consisted of exiled Atlantean politicians, aristocrats, or nobles. Black Manta’s attention was immediately drawn to the next person at the table.

“…is Thanatos. He nearly eliminated Orin singlehandedly.”

Thanatos sat with his cutlass at his side, watching the scene with his soulless black eyes. Black Manta couldn’t believe what he was seeing. The resemblance between Thanatos and how Aquaman had once looked, during the time he had been Arthur Curry all those years ago, was uncanny! Black Manta instinctively clenched his fist.

“He looks like-“

“My brother? Yes, I’m aware,” Ocean Master said with a smile. He then turned his attention to another member at the table. “And you already know General Gorgon.”

Black Manta eyed the brown scaly Oceanic who had been the one to recruit him. Gorgon met Manta’s gaze but simply nodded at him grudgingly.

“I still do not understand why we need this…human.” Ladon finally spoke, his voice arrogant and spiteful.

Ocean Master was about to respond when Black Manta put up his hand to silence him.

“The reason I’m fit to, pardon the expression, ‘sit at the big kid’s table’ is because I have the knowledge, experience, and ability to take control of Poseidonis…not to mention the wealth.”

“What does wealth have to do with it?” The Shark growled.

“You can really ask that? Where have you been, Jaws?” Black Manta said, rising to his feet. “You may want to follow me.”

Black Manta began to slowly strut toward the exit of the cavern while the rest of the attendees at the table looked to Ocean Master for a sign. Ocean Master had a smug grin on the bottom half of his face, the feelings in his eyes hidden by his mask. He confidently followed Black Manta out of the cavern at which point the others also went after them.

They exited the cavern through a large opening in the floor of the cave that led back into the ocean currents outside.

“Try not to get too excited, gentlemen,” Black Manta said.

His voice was difficult to hear over the strange sound that was roaring through the surrounding waters. A large object appeared high above them on the surface of the ocean, descending toward them. From the distance it appeared to be an enormous manta ray but, as it drew closer, turbines could be seen at the back of it and the object took on more of a metallic appearance.

“I like to call them Devil Ray submarines.”

“Who will be operating them?” Ocean Master asked, looking up at the large vessel.

“A group of mercenaries. The same mercenaries I had with me during my first visit to Poseidonis.”

“So they’re good then?” Ocean Master said.

“The best.”

“Devil Rays?” The Shark snorted.

“Laugh all you want but this should answer your question on why you need someone with wealth and not just some shark that can tear a few people’s heads off,” Black Manta said.

The Shark clenched his jaw in response but his anger quickly vanished as three more Devil Rays approached from the darkness of the surrounding ocean. Black Manta shrugged.

“See?”

***

“It was Orm.”

Aquaman sat on his bed while Mera stood close by, tidying up his orange scale-mail shirt.

“Why would Orm attack Atlanteans though? I mean he wants to be king so why go after the people he wants to rule?”

“Because my brother has absolutely no limits in what he will do to take the throne away from me. He even could have been the one to send Black Manta to kill you.”

“We can’t just jump to conclusions yet, my love, even if it is Orm.”

“I’ve never been more sure in my life, Mera. It’s him,” Aquaman said.

“Okay…if that indeed is the case, how much of a danger he is to our people?”

“When I fought Trident a while back, he told me Ocean Master had taken over the Oceanics. And it seems he still is in charge of them after that group of them went after us when we visited my father’s lighthouse. Even so, there aren’t enough Oceanics to come after us here. Orm knows this no doubt.”

“So that’s why he’s going after individual bases of ours around the sea instead of just coming for us?”

“Precisely. That seems to be the case. I’ll let Vulko warn the other outposts to either evacuate or prepare for a possible attack.”

Orin got up and walked over to the mirror, staring at his own reflection, looking at the man he had forged himself into over the years. The scars on his body were a reminder of his victories…and his defeats.

“What Utrin said…is it true? Am I responsible for all of this?”

“No, Orin. Don’t believe that for a minute. Without you, my love, Poseidonis would have been destroyed years ago.”

Aquaman tapped his head gently against the mirror for a moment, his mind in deep concentration. Mera stepped up behind him and put her hands on his shoulders, looking at his image in the mirror.

“Utrin was right about one thing though, my love,” Mera said. Orin glanced back at her, startled. “Atlantis really is close to civil war.”

“I know,” Orin replied sadly.

Mera turned him around and put her soft hands on his cheeks. Orin stared into the depths of her eyes and she peered back at him with just as much feeling.

“Civil wars are about a nation splitting apart but the country’s wound could still, even now, be sewn up.”

“How?”

“All it would take is a strong king. And that king…is you, Orin.”

***

“It is almost time.”

Orm Marius, the Ocean Master, self-proclaimed rightful heir to the throne of Poseidonis, stood on the cliff overlooking the army he had been assembling for months.

Orm tightened the straps of the armor he now wore over his usual Ocean Master attire.

“Yes, mother. I know what I must do,” Orm said.

“Do you?”

Orm paused, his vision shifting to a school of fish swimming by in the distance. It always amazed him how many fish made up a school and yet…they all were united.

“Yes. I must unite the oceans to the one great force they once were. Even by force if I must,” Orm said, having recited his motives in his head countless times.

“Good. And then the new Dark Age of Atlantis will begin and we will await the coming of the Dark God.”

Orm twitched for a moment, looking back at his mother. He had never believed any of those prophecies of the return of the Dark God Xthulu. The monster had been slain by King Neptune years ago and that was that.

“Yes, mother.”

“Remember, Orm. You have taken it upon yourself to save the seas and bring back the honor of Atlantis. Don’t allow your personal feelings for anyone in Poseidonis to cloud your judgment. You are the only one who can bring order to our world.”

Orm tightened his grip on his mask and then peered down at it hesitantly. But he knew that his mother’s words were correct. He slowly slipped the mask of the challenger over his face.

It was his time.

***

“I can’t believe I told them Atlantis could potentially be a threat and they are only doing something about that now.”

Peter Mortimer was working on replicating his original Scavenger designs. For months, he had been working on a diving suit that would give the wearer mobility and strength in the water that could match even Aquaman. But only recently, the US military had approved of the suit and requested for it to be prepared for mass production.

“And the fact that they’ll probably only want to use this for exploring purposes is ridiculous! With these suits, we could finally have a way to fight back against the Atlanteans!”

“But sir, the Atlanteans aren’t attacking us. With Aquaman as their king, they wouldn’t.”

“Ah you see, that’s exactly the excuse they came up with. But frankly, we’ll have to face the facts someday that that super hero won’t be in charge forever. Whether it’s ten years from now or even a hundred, they will someday be a threat to international security.”

His assistant remained silent.

“And it’s our job to make sure we’re equipped for whenever that happens.”

***

“Just stick to the plan and make sure you don’t screw up.”

General Gorgon walked through the disorderly rows of his fellow Oceanics with Thanatos at his side. The Oceanics sneered at Thanatos while he strolled by them. Having been banished by the Atlanteans, the Oceanics held a deep hatred for the swordsman due to his far too similar appearance to King Orin.

“I’m not the type to screw up,” Thanatos said.

“Haha. You think very highly of yourself, don’t you?” General Gorgon snarled.

“As I’ve proven to Ocean Master and you, I have the right to.”

“You may be the master’s favorite pet now but we’ll see how long that lasts. One slip up and-”

General Gorgon stopped dead in his tracks, his eyes fixed on a dark opening in the undersea cliffs. A dark purple line of water was rising from the darkness and as Gorgon and Thanatos grew closer they found the source of the strange disturbance.

The Shark was hunched over the mutilated body of an Oceanic, its corpse ripped and torn into pieces.

“What the hell are you doing!?” Gorgon roared, grabbing The Shark by the shoulder and pinning him against the side of the cliff.

The Shark opened up his bloody mouth, revealing his dozens of teeth, pieces of the Oceanic’s scaly body still stuck between them. Thanatos looked away from The Shark’s face, disgusted by the sight. The Shark looked into Gorgon’s furious pupils, beginning to laugh.

“Sorry ‘bout that. I was a little hungry,” The Shark said, blood splashing from his mouth as he spoke.

“I would kill you right now, monster, if the master did not have need of you. But I swear right now, if you pull a stunt like this on any of my men on the battlefield…I will not hesitate,” Gorgon said.

A sick blood-stained smile stretched across The Shark’s face.

“General! Release him,” Ocean Master’s voice ordered from behind.

Gorgon loosened his grasp on The Shark, dropping him next to the body of the Oceanic.

“Save some room in that stomach for the Atlanteans,” Ocean Master said, The Shark smiling up wickedly.

“Marius, I need a word.”

Black Manta stood behind Ocean Master who gave Gorgon and The Shark a threatening look before turning away. They floated a few inches from the rocky ocean floor, leaving the others behind.

“Just want to make sure that when this is all through, I get what you owe me.”

“Your treasure? Yes, once the task is completed, you will be greatly rewarded,” Ocean Master said, moving upward through the water to a small cavern.

Ocean Master motioned Black Manta into the dark cavern. Once inside, the surrounding darkness was immediately lit by a beautiful gold glow. Piles beyond piles of doubloons and treasure filled the cave and Black Manta hummed with satisfaction beneath his helmet.

“Is this well enough to your liking?” Ocean Master said, a smug smirk pasted on his masked face.

“You have no idea.”

***

“Is it true what everyone’s talking about? That there’s going to be a war?”

Javen, Tula, Tramm, and Koryak all sat on the steps of the palace with Aqualad. Garth hadn’t wanted to tell them much because the less people who knew how serious the situation was, the less people there were who would be worried by it.

“Well, at the moment, Ocean Master’s only attacking some of our small bases. King Orin said to me himself that they wouldn’t dare go after anywhere major like here,” Garth explained calmly.

“Well, that’s good. Really wouldn’t want any of those Oceanics spoiling a nice day,” Javen said cheerfully and now more relaxed.

Tula and Garth made eye contact for a quick second and in that brief moment, she gave him a knowing look.

“Hey what’s that?” the youngest of the group, Koryak, asked.

Garth’s attention was drawn to where Koryak was pointing. He looked past the futuristic buildings of the city and towards the transparent dome wall, looking out at the neighboring city of Tritonis that stood proudly on the cliffs nearby.

“I’m…not sure.” Garth slowly rose to his feet.

It seemed as if a giant black cloud was moving fast through the water from Tritonis toward the domes of Poseidonis. Garth’s lavender eyes squinted, trying to get a better look at what it was. As the ‘cloud’ seemed to move closer, Aqualad could make out individual shapes within the object.

“Garth? What is it?” Tula’s voice broke through his concentration.

Aqualad continued to stare intensely until he could finally make out what the object really was as it swam through the ocean. Garth’s mouth fell open and his eyes widened.

“Tula, get the king!”

“But, what is-“

“Now!” Garth shouted, running toward the dome’s wall.

Tula began to run up the steps to the palace while Javen and Tramm, who many called Lagoon Boy, looked to see if they could make out what was happening. And the moment they checked to see, they immediately saw what the panic was about.

Thousands of mer-folk were spilling out of the ancient city and into the open ocean in the distance.

Javen’s jaw nearly hit the floor.

“Uh oh.”

***

Aqualad sprinted past the crowds of Atlanteans in the streets of Poseidonis who were now beginning to see the mer-folk’s evacuation of Tritonis.

“Excuse me. Excuse me.” Garth found himself nearly shoving through people

“Hey, watch it!”

“Make way for the king!” Garth heard guards in the mobbed streets behind him shouting.

Aquaman stepped up beside Garth at the front of the crowd.

“What’s happening?”

“See for yourself.”

King Orin narrowed his eyes, trying to get a better glimpse of what was happening in the neighboring city. He could make out small shapes floating around the spires of the city and a mass of them standing by the edge of the cliff, looking down at Poseidonis.

Orin felt a shiver roll down his spine, a strange sensation washing over him. It was almost as if he could detect an all too familiar presence.

His brother, Orm.

“I thought you said we’d be safe! That they wouldn’t dare come for us!?” an Atlantean man amongst the crowd spat.

Aquaman’s attention was frozen on the thousands of silhouettes floating against the dark backdrop of the ancient city. He couldn’t believe what was before his eyes. He had never anticipated anything like this.

“Orin? Are you alright?”

Aqualad’s question fell on deaf ears. Orin was glued in place, the feeling of hopelessness beginning to well up inside of him.

The king had been wrong…

War had come to Poseidonis.

TO BE CONTINUED!

NEXT ISSUE: The people of Poseidonis try to mount a defense against the unexpected attack from Ocean Master and his followers. But will they be able to survive?


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