Chapter 73: Atlantis

"We're going to need to keep an eye on the centre, according to Diana that's where they appeared from in Themscyra." Arthur said, looking at the Mother Box as he spoke.

"Did she say who or what was the thing that came out from the centre?" Mera asked.

"Yes, Kalibakk and another one of Darkseid's sons." Arthur said.

"Orion?" Mera asked.

Arthur shook his head. "Not Orion, another one."

"He has another son?!" Mera exclaimed.

"I know." Arthur replied looking at his wife briefly and laughing along with her. A hum drew his attention back to the box.

"What's happening?" He called up to one of the guards.

"I don't know, Your Majesty. It's moving." Arthur moved closer to the box, Mera following him. He stopped just short of it, saw that it was moving, the hum getting steadily louder, a crack started to appear.

"Something's going to come through, prepare." Arthur barked. The moment he finished speaking there was an ear shattering roar, a blast of light and then he heard Kalibakk.

"Ah, but it's good to be back."

Arthur growled and moved to fight the beast. He swung his trident and hit the bastard on the arm, causing the beast to growl. "Atlantean." Kalibakk growled. The beast moved toward him swinging his fist, Arthur moved to one side and hit the beast on the head sending him tumbling down to the depths.

"Arthur!" Mera exclaimed, Arthur turned around and saw his wife fighting a beast that was taller than Darkseid, with purple skin and fists the size of boulders. He watched as his wife hit the beast with a water bomb, only for him to shake it off and swing at her.

"Mera!" Arthur exclaimed as his wife got hit and flew backwards.

He growled then, and hurled himself at the beast with purple skin. He threw water bombs and tidal waves at the beast. The beast shook them off and then threw himself at Arthur. It took all of his strength not to bend to the beast. He was hitting him quite hard, that Arthur knew, he could feel the tension in his bones, still he kept on fighting. He blocked the blows with his trident, felt the thing start to rattle, and then when he sensed an opportunity he fought back.

He put all of his strength into pushing back, the beast's eyes widened in surprise as he was thrown backwards. Arthur then closed his eyes and raised his right hand, calling up the power of the ancients, he channelled it into his right hand and then at the last moment threw the energy toward the beast. He opened his eyes and watched as the energy hit the beast, causing him to scream and contort.

Mera, are you okay? Arthur asked, using their connection to communicate.

Yes, I've just got a bit of a sore head, do you want me to come back?

No, get reinforcements and go look for Kalibakk, I'll deal with this shit.

Okay.

He looked up and saw the beast hurtling toward him. Arthur raised his trident and prepared to fight only to see the beast stop short of him, smile and then say something inaudible. The next thing Arthur knew he was being picked up and thrown upwards, all the way out of the water onto the surface, then a fist grabbed him and threw him back down, all the way down to the depths, where the thing pushed on him.

The purple skinned beast appeared before him as he felt his breath start to fade. "You cannot win, Atlantean." The beast said. "My father will make this world his own." The beast whispered something else and Arthur felt his eyes close.

When he opened them again, he saw Mera looking at him, concern apparent on her face. "What happened?" He asked.

"They killed the guard and took the box."

"Fuck." Arthur swore. "I'm going to have to let Bruce know."

"You're going to need to get treated first."

"Why how bad are my injuries?"

Mera looked down and Arthur followed her gaze, he saw his left leg turned completely to the other side and his right arm hanging limply. "Fuck."