Mole Man appeared from the depths of a dark cave, bracing his rotund body with his stave. Rain dropped continuously over Monster Isle, causing the skies to darken an eerie shade of gray, but even in the faintest of light, Harvey Elder squinted beneath his massive visor upon looking into the distance as light cascaded upon his face.
Large squinty eyes trailed Mole Man, but they didn’t dare to show from the shadows. They feared the light, they lived so much time underneath in the caverns of Subterranea that both their eyes and skin reacted poorly to light, even in the lowest of settings also.
“Hmm…” Mole Man expressed, not noticing the sudden, spontaneous blinking from the Moloids behind him. Something was coming. Something that Mole Man had not seen before, yet Monster Isle stood silent, waiting for what was coming.
A small round mass could be spotted near the shore line appeared out of the water, and another, with many more following. The showing was an oddity in itself as the beaches of Monster Isle dropped rapidly once water touched shore. It was then they appeared once the waves rushed back into the clear blue waters, their greenish bodies appearing upon the surface.
Their faceless features made their way upward the beach, their arms dragging slowly in their march onto Monster Isle. In a matter of seconds, the entire shoreline was overrun; the dense shrubbery which greeted many that had set foot upon its shores now being slowly obliterated by the razor sharp claws and fangs of the Faceless Ones.
Monster Isle was now under siege.
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“Are you bored, Andromeda?”
Walking the numerous paths of New Atlantis was tiresome in itself, but the fact that Andromeda was not in the front of battle made the day even more tiresome. She hated this feeling. She was a warrior and battle was what she craved. Obviously her facial and body expressions reflected that desire.
“Lord Namor told me to defend not only you, Lady Marrina, but also New Atlantis,” Andromeda sighed. “I would rather be the tip of the spear rather than the shield. No offense to you, Lady Marrina.”
Marrina could do nothing else but smile. “I am sure you are a fine warrior, Andromeda. I even hear you were even an Avenger for some time.”
Andromeda smirked at the affiliation. “It was a mutual agreement of services that led me to battle along the surface heroes.”
“So you accomplished the terms of your agreement?”
There was a slight pause of hesitancy, a shrug of a shoulder, and some issues better left to Namor to explain than herself. “That would be open for debate. There are many issues—”
Andromeda’s thoughts shifted as she could see a small group of young Atlanteans scamper through the alley ways. Atlantis was always free for its citizens, but there are times when its citizens take it too far. Andromeda had figured out long ago that there was no line that separated youthful joy from childish stupidity.
She could see the kids disappear into the distance but she was curious about where they had been. She shuffled down the alley with Marrina behind her. There was an unusual feeling to the stillness she was experiencing – like one gets when expecting an ambush. She focused even more intently until she finally heard it.
“What is the matter, boy?” Andromeda asked, as she moved near a small cut out in a building.
The boy said nothing as he remained trembling in the shadows.
“I said speak,” Andromeda commanded.
The boy merely shifted his gaze from Andromeda to Marrina and back to Andromeda. “You are Atlantean. I would rather not,” he said with a whimper on his voice.
“Of course I’m Atlantean. You are in Atlantis.”
Marrina rested her green webbed hands upon Andromeda’s shoulder. “I am not Atlantean,” she said with a smile.
“Hello,” Marrina said with her usual soft voice. “Why are you hiding there?”
There was a pause but an answer did come. “I’m hiding from the Atlanteans.”
“Why?”
“The Atlanteans do not like us Neptunians.”
The reply made Marrina curious. “What makes you say that?”
“They do not talk to us unless they have to. They even bully us.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Marrina responded. Marrina stretched her hand out with it eventually being greeted by the kid’s own young hand. “How about you come see me when something like that happens again.”
“Sure,” the kid replied. “Where can I find you?”
“You see that big tower in the distance?” Marrina pointed. “I live there.”
The boy’s eyes grew large. “How do you live there? You said you are not Atlantean.”
Marrina couldn’t stop but chuckle. “I know people. Is there anyone here taking care of you?”
“My brother.”
“How about we find him together?”
The boy nodded with a giant smile. He walked to the corner, waiting for Marrina and Andromeda to follow.
Marrina returned the smile gesturing for a small moment with Andromeda. “When we get done finding this boy’s brother, I want to speak to Peter and Nia Noble. It seems that things are not going as smoothly as I had hoped.”
“As you wish, Lady Marrina.”
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #
The Atlantean fleet scurried the Pacific Ocean like no time in their history. The Pacific Ocean was now the hunting ground of their massive numbers, all unified in a common goal.
A flurry of fish appeared, flooding the vision of even the sensors of the Triton.
“Evasive maneuvers!” The Atlantean navigator called out, the warship banked its weight almost instantly upon warning, with many of the crew bracing from their sudden shift.
Byrrah appeared on the command deck, sturdy and firm as the ship continued its hard bank. “Have we found them?”
“No --” Argos replied. “We found something else.”
The view screen was still broadcasting as schools of aquatic life still scattered feverishly. There was a glimpse of something on the screen, but then disappeared, pulling many in its wake, the Triton not being an exception. Its massive metal frame was caught in the instant pull of dominate current as if was a mere guppy in a pond.
“What was that?” Byrrah asked, still trying to contemplate what his eyes saw.
“We do not know, General Byrrah.” The helmsman of the Triton called out. “Do you want us to follow?”
Byrrah nodded, confirming the question. “Contact Lord Namor and tell him we are in pursuit of a disturbance.”
“Signal sent…,” Argos said as his jaw dropped with dismay along with the others of the Triton crew as their eyes set sights again on the disturbance.
“Is that an underground volcano?” one asked. The question was legitimate, but the sudden motion of the object caused another swell of water to drag them slowly in its wake until the ship restabilized.
“That thing is alive!” Someone shouted.
“That thing is going to give our position away. It’s scaring away all the blasted wild life,” Argos replied.
Byrrah cocked his head, looking at the creature making gigantic meticulous strides as he seemed to glide along the ocean floor with gingerly strides. Within a few strides he was out of view of the Triton, swimming into a swarm of fish.
“He isn’t scaring the fish,” Byrrah shouted. “Something else scared them. He is just going to the source. Inform Lord Namor of our course and we shall meet him there.”
“Do you expect us to wait for Lord Namor when we arrive?” the helmsman asked.
“Obviously you have never seen Lord Namor within your own eyes,” chuckled Byrrah. “I hear that Lady Marrina is faster, but these two eyes have never seen anything move like Lord Namor. I just hope the battle is not over before we get there.”
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #
His name is Attuma. He is the warlord of the seas. In a world which water covers over seventy percent of it, not one inch of it does not know his ruthlessness and anger.
He remembers as a child, he had to fight for everything – even the very chance to breathe. It was then he honed his skills. It was then he started his legacy. It was then in the waters where he learned of a prophesy that he would one day rule Atlantis. On that day, the darkened waters which surrounded him were nothing more than a nuisance as he fixed his gaze upon the bright city of Atlantis. It was then that he knew that Atlantis would not be given to him but he would have to take it.
“Lord Attuma, we have found it.”
The words caused Attuma to smile. “Bring it here.”
Two men entered the room with a wooden chest, setting it down in the center of the room. It was then Attuma could hear the soft rumbling of something that the others could not -- a voice. The voice seemed to be calling his name.
He approached the chest, his eyes opening wide with amazement as he opened it. The soft voice he heard just moments ago was now like a roaring musical. It was as if the contents were alive, liking as Attuma raced his fingers across its body.
“With this power nothing will stop me from reclaiming Atlantis,” Attuma proclaimed. “The Serpent Crown is now mine to command.”
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #
Tricephalus, the winged three headed denizen of Monster Isle, spewed hot fire upon the invaders below, as well as leveling city blocks of once lively forestry into nothing but scorched ash. The smell of burnt flesh lingered heavily in the air, the stench multiplying with each fallen invader being replaced with another.
“Attack, Tricephalus! Attack!” Screamed Mole Man, his voice cracking at his highest pitch. “Monster Isle is no one’s harvest.”
The Faceless Ones continued their march toward the gates of Subterranea, but even their march slowed to a halt as their attention and faceless features turned back toward the bay. The waters itself turned black as something approached from the depths until the waters seemed to split, revealing a creature that even dwarfed the many creatures that called Monster Isle home. Its skin was a sickened tone, as if it had not seen or felt the light of day. Its blue fin gave the monster the appearance of even greater heights than it already possessed, while possessing claws from its snake-like body.
The Leviathan beast towered above with even the residents of Monster Isle looking up. It let out a demonic shrill as the Faceless Ones rallied for another salvo.
Tricephalus, one of the few monsters capable of competing in sheer size against the Leviathan, made another run toward the beach of Monster Isle, setting his sights upon the Leviathan. All three heads concentrated their flames upon the creature creating an eruption of flames.
The Leviathan erupted with a gigantic cry of pain, swinging its arm instinctively which connected with Tricephalus. The winged beast spiraled uncontrollably, stopping suddenly due to one of the Isle’s massive mountains. One of its heads swiveled as if dazed, the other unresponsive from the crash, while the remaining head took attention to the Leviathan which approached like a predator towards its pray.
The massive Leviathan raised his claws toward the sky, preparing to deal the finishing blow upon Tricephalus, but the Monster Isle green giant, Giganto, appeared from the bay in an explosion of water.
Wrapping his massive arms around Leviathan, Giganto hurled Leviathan backwards into the bay with a Herculean effort.
Giganto continued his assault, hurling a big blow toward the Leviathan. However, the sea was the Leviathan’s battle field and Giganto’s blow faltered. Slipping out of the behemoth’s grasp, the Leviathan quickly slithered up his arm, constricting tightly as he moved around his neck.
Giganto struggled mightily, attempting to break the iron grasp Leviathan now possessed. He could feel the pressure constrict around his chest, and then his arms, his sight beginning to blacken as Leviathan moved around his neck. Giganto let out a roar, but the rushing water silenced the scream.
Leviathan could feel the life escape his opponent while almost taunting Giganto as he compressed tighter every second. He opened his jaw, revealing rows of sharp teeth ready to finish his challenger. He was ready to win. Ready to finish his prey, but something rocketed through the back of his skull at 300 knots.
Leviathan’s body went limp. Giganto awoke with a second chance. Out of the water came the frazzled Giganto in an explosion of water from the bay. Giganto roared in gratitude that he had survived by another’s hand. His champion stood still, a grin on his face as he enjoyed the rain drops soak his body.
“Namor!” Mole Man hissed. “I should have known Atlantis was behind this.”
“Hold your tongue you portly dolt,” Namor snapped. “Atlantis had nothing to do with this attack.”
“Why are you here then?”
Namor walked passed Mole Man, the massive shadow of Giganto following Namor. “The Avenging Son has come to destroy the scourge that has set foot upon this surface. To finish the job you struggle to accomplish. Feel blessed that I am on your side of battle, for any creature be it in air, sea or land will not withstand my wrath today.”
Large squinty eyes trailed Mole Man, but they didn’t dare to show from the shadows. They feared the light, they lived so much time underneath in the caverns of Subterranea that both their eyes and skin reacted poorly to light, even in the lowest of settings also.
“Hmm…” Mole Man expressed, not noticing the sudden, spontaneous blinking from the Moloids behind him. Something was coming. Something that Mole Man had not seen before, yet Monster Isle stood silent, waiting for what was coming.
A small round mass could be spotted near the shore line appeared out of the water, and another, with many more following. The showing was an oddity in itself as the beaches of Monster Isle dropped rapidly once water touched shore. It was then they appeared once the waves rushed back into the clear blue waters, their greenish bodies appearing upon the surface.
Their faceless features made their way upward the beach, their arms dragging slowly in their march onto Monster Isle. In a matter of seconds, the entire shoreline was overrun; the dense shrubbery which greeted many that had set foot upon its shores now being slowly obliterated by the razor sharp claws and fangs of the Faceless Ones.
Monster Isle was now under siege.
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #
“Are you bored, Andromeda?”
Walking the numerous paths of New Atlantis was tiresome in itself, but the fact that Andromeda was not in the front of battle made the day even more tiresome. She hated this feeling. She was a warrior and battle was what she craved. Obviously her facial and body expressions reflected that desire.
“Lord Namor told me to defend not only you, Lady Marrina, but also New Atlantis,” Andromeda sighed. “I would rather be the tip of the spear rather than the shield. No offense to you, Lady Marrina.”
Marrina could do nothing else but smile. “I am sure you are a fine warrior, Andromeda. I even hear you were even an Avenger for some time.”
Andromeda smirked at the affiliation. “It was a mutual agreement of services that led me to battle along the surface heroes.”
“So you accomplished the terms of your agreement?”
There was a slight pause of hesitancy, a shrug of a shoulder, and some issues better left to Namor to explain than herself. “That would be open for debate. There are many issues—”
Andromeda’s thoughts shifted as she could see a small group of young Atlanteans scamper through the alley ways. Atlantis was always free for its citizens, but there are times when its citizens take it too far. Andromeda had figured out long ago that there was no line that separated youthful joy from childish stupidity.
She could see the kids disappear into the distance but she was curious about where they had been. She shuffled down the alley with Marrina behind her. There was an unusual feeling to the stillness she was experiencing – like one gets when expecting an ambush. She focused even more intently until she finally heard it.
“What is the matter, boy?” Andromeda asked, as she moved near a small cut out in a building.
The boy said nothing as he remained trembling in the shadows.
“I said speak,” Andromeda commanded.
The boy merely shifted his gaze from Andromeda to Marrina and back to Andromeda. “You are Atlantean. I would rather not,” he said with a whimper on his voice.
“Of course I’m Atlantean. You are in Atlantis.”
Marrina rested her green webbed hands upon Andromeda’s shoulder. “I am not Atlantean,” she said with a smile.
“Hello,” Marrina said with her usual soft voice. “Why are you hiding there?”
There was a pause but an answer did come. “I’m hiding from the Atlanteans.”
“Why?”
“The Atlanteans do not like us Neptunians.”
The reply made Marrina curious. “What makes you say that?”
“They do not talk to us unless they have to. They even bully us.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Marrina responded. Marrina stretched her hand out with it eventually being greeted by the kid’s own young hand. “How about you come see me when something like that happens again.”
“Sure,” the kid replied. “Where can I find you?”
“You see that big tower in the distance?” Marrina pointed. “I live there.”
The boy’s eyes grew large. “How do you live there? You said you are not Atlantean.”
Marrina couldn’t stop but chuckle. “I know people. Is there anyone here taking care of you?”
“My brother.”
“How about we find him together?”
The boy nodded with a giant smile. He walked to the corner, waiting for Marrina and Andromeda to follow.
Marrina returned the smile gesturing for a small moment with Andromeda. “When we get done finding this boy’s brother, I want to speak to Peter and Nia Noble. It seems that things are not going as smoothly as I had hoped.”
“As you wish, Lady Marrina.”
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #
The Atlantean fleet scurried the Pacific Ocean like no time in their history. The Pacific Ocean was now the hunting ground of their massive numbers, all unified in a common goal.
A flurry of fish appeared, flooding the vision of even the sensors of the Triton.
“Evasive maneuvers!” The Atlantean navigator called out, the warship banked its weight almost instantly upon warning, with many of the crew bracing from their sudden shift.
Byrrah appeared on the command deck, sturdy and firm as the ship continued its hard bank. “Have we found them?”
“No --” Argos replied. “We found something else.”
The view screen was still broadcasting as schools of aquatic life still scattered feverishly. There was a glimpse of something on the screen, but then disappeared, pulling many in its wake, the Triton not being an exception. Its massive metal frame was caught in the instant pull of dominate current as if was a mere guppy in a pond.
“What was that?” Byrrah asked, still trying to contemplate what his eyes saw.
“We do not know, General Byrrah.” The helmsman of the Triton called out. “Do you want us to follow?”
Byrrah nodded, confirming the question. “Contact Lord Namor and tell him we are in pursuit of a disturbance.”
“Signal sent…,” Argos said as his jaw dropped with dismay along with the others of the Triton crew as their eyes set sights again on the disturbance.
“Is that an underground volcano?” one asked. The question was legitimate, but the sudden motion of the object caused another swell of water to drag them slowly in its wake until the ship restabilized.
“That thing is alive!” Someone shouted.
“That thing is going to give our position away. It’s scaring away all the blasted wild life,” Argos replied.
Byrrah cocked his head, looking at the creature making gigantic meticulous strides as he seemed to glide along the ocean floor with gingerly strides. Within a few strides he was out of view of the Triton, swimming into a swarm of fish.
“He isn’t scaring the fish,” Byrrah shouted. “Something else scared them. He is just going to the source. Inform Lord Namor of our course and we shall meet him there.”
“Do you expect us to wait for Lord Namor when we arrive?” the helmsman asked.
“Obviously you have never seen Lord Namor within your own eyes,” chuckled Byrrah. “I hear that Lady Marrina is faster, but these two eyes have never seen anything move like Lord Namor. I just hope the battle is not over before we get there.”
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #
His name is Attuma. He is the warlord of the seas. In a world which water covers over seventy percent of it, not one inch of it does not know his ruthlessness and anger.
He remembers as a child, he had to fight for everything – even the very chance to breathe. It was then he honed his skills. It was then he started his legacy. It was then in the waters where he learned of a prophesy that he would one day rule Atlantis. On that day, the darkened waters which surrounded him were nothing more than a nuisance as he fixed his gaze upon the bright city of Atlantis. It was then that he knew that Atlantis would not be given to him but he would have to take it.
“Lord Attuma, we have found it.”
The words caused Attuma to smile. “Bring it here.”
Two men entered the room with a wooden chest, setting it down in the center of the room. It was then Attuma could hear the soft rumbling of something that the others could not -- a voice. The voice seemed to be calling his name.
He approached the chest, his eyes opening wide with amazement as he opened it. The soft voice he heard just moments ago was now like a roaring musical. It was as if the contents were alive, liking as Attuma raced his fingers across its body.
“With this power nothing will stop me from reclaiming Atlantis,” Attuma proclaimed. “The Serpent Crown is now mine to command.”
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #
Tricephalus, the winged three headed denizen of Monster Isle, spewed hot fire upon the invaders below, as well as leveling city blocks of once lively forestry into nothing but scorched ash. The smell of burnt flesh lingered heavily in the air, the stench multiplying with each fallen invader being replaced with another.
“Attack, Tricephalus! Attack!” Screamed Mole Man, his voice cracking at his highest pitch. “Monster Isle is no one’s harvest.”
The Faceless Ones continued their march toward the gates of Subterranea, but even their march slowed to a halt as their attention and faceless features turned back toward the bay. The waters itself turned black as something approached from the depths until the waters seemed to split, revealing a creature that even dwarfed the many creatures that called Monster Isle home. Its skin was a sickened tone, as if it had not seen or felt the light of day. Its blue fin gave the monster the appearance of even greater heights than it already possessed, while possessing claws from its snake-like body.
The Leviathan beast towered above with even the residents of Monster Isle looking up. It let out a demonic shrill as the Faceless Ones rallied for another salvo.
Tricephalus, one of the few monsters capable of competing in sheer size against the Leviathan, made another run toward the beach of Monster Isle, setting his sights upon the Leviathan. All three heads concentrated their flames upon the creature creating an eruption of flames.
The Leviathan erupted with a gigantic cry of pain, swinging its arm instinctively which connected with Tricephalus. The winged beast spiraled uncontrollably, stopping suddenly due to one of the Isle’s massive mountains. One of its heads swiveled as if dazed, the other unresponsive from the crash, while the remaining head took attention to the Leviathan which approached like a predator towards its pray.
The massive Leviathan raised his claws toward the sky, preparing to deal the finishing blow upon Tricephalus, but the Monster Isle green giant, Giganto, appeared from the bay in an explosion of water.
Wrapping his massive arms around Leviathan, Giganto hurled Leviathan backwards into the bay with a Herculean effort.
Giganto continued his assault, hurling a big blow toward the Leviathan. However, the sea was the Leviathan’s battle field and Giganto’s blow faltered. Slipping out of the behemoth’s grasp, the Leviathan quickly slithered up his arm, constricting tightly as he moved around his neck.
Giganto struggled mightily, attempting to break the iron grasp Leviathan now possessed. He could feel the pressure constrict around his chest, and then his arms, his sight beginning to blacken as Leviathan moved around his neck. Giganto let out a roar, but the rushing water silenced the scream.
Leviathan could feel the life escape his opponent while almost taunting Giganto as he compressed tighter every second. He opened his jaw, revealing rows of sharp teeth ready to finish his challenger. He was ready to win. Ready to finish his prey, but something rocketed through the back of his skull at 300 knots.
Leviathan’s body went limp. Giganto awoke with a second chance. Out of the water came the frazzled Giganto in an explosion of water from the bay. Giganto roared in gratitude that he had survived by another’s hand. His champion stood still, a grin on his face as he enjoyed the rain drops soak his body.
“Namor!” Mole Man hissed. “I should have known Atlantis was behind this.”
“Hold your tongue you portly dolt,” Namor snapped. “Atlantis had nothing to do with this attack.”
“Why are you here then?”
Namor walked passed Mole Man, the massive shadow of Giganto following Namor. “The Avenging Son has come to destroy the scourge that has set foot upon this surface. To finish the job you struggle to accomplish. Feel blessed that I am on your side of battle, for any creature be it in air, sea or land will not withstand my wrath today.”