Chapter 79

Haruka and Hila anxiously await Aquaman's return. He has been gone for a while, and Mera is starting to worry. Atlanna tries to comfort her, but she is also concerned for Arthur.

Hila paces the palace corridors, her brow furrowed with unease. Haruka, still in his Abyss armor, stands nearby, his gaze fixed on the entrance to the throne room. They had heard the commotion earlier, the reports of Trench creatures breaching Atlantis's borders, and Arthur's swift departure to address the situation.

Now, as the minutes tick by, the tension in the air grows thicker. Mera, the queen, wrings her hands, her eyes betraying the worry that threatens to consume her. Atlanna, the former queen, places a reassuring hand on Mera's shoulder, but even her own expression is tinged with concern.

"He will return," Atlanna says, her voice gentle yet resolute. "Arthur is a strong and capable king. We must have faith."

Mera nods, but the fear in her eyes remains. Hila steps forward, her regal bearing faltering for a moment as she shares in the collective anxiety. Haruka reaches out, a silent gesture of support, and Hila accepts it, drawing strength from his presence.

The waiting continues, the seconds stretching into minutes, as the four of them stand vigil, praying for Arthur's safe return.

Nereus, the stern-faced king of Xebel, approaches Haruka, the Kamen Rider clad in the Abyss armor. His footsteps are measured, his gaze unwavering as he comes to a stop before the young hero.

"Kamen Rider," Nereus begins, his deep voice carrying a weight of authority. "I have been observing you since your arrival in Atlantis."

Haruka straightens his posture, meeting the king's piercing eyes. "Your Majesty," he responds, his tone respectful yet guarded.

Nereus folds his arms across his broad chest, the ornate details of his Xebelian armor glinting in the bioluminescent light. "You have shown yourself to be a capable warrior, and you have protected my daughter Hila." His expression remains neutral, but there is a hint of something unreadable in his gaze.

Haruka nods slowly, unsure of where this conversation is leading.

Nereus' expression hardens as he speaks. "You are a surface dweller, Kamen Rider. Your place is not here in Atlantis. I suggest you return to the world above and leave the affairs of my kingdom to those who belong here."

Haruka stands his ground, feeling the weight of Nereus' words. "With respect, Your Majesty, I came here to assist Princess Hila and prevent a war. I cannot simply abandon my mission."

Nereus' eyes narrow, his regal features etched with displeasure. "Your mission is not our concern. Atlantis has no need for a surface hero. Your presence here only complicates matters."

Hila, who had been observing the exchange, steps forward, her voice laced with a hint of defiance. "Father, Kamen Rider can be trusted. He saved my life and I believe he won't harm out people."

Nereus turns his gaze to his daughter, his expression softening ever so slightly. "Hila, you know the importance of our kingdom's independence. We cannot afford to entangle ourselves with the surface world, not when Atlantis faces its own challenges."

Haruka approaches Nereus, aware that he has overstayed his welcome. However, he senses that something bad is about to happen, and he can't leave without addressing it. Haruka pleads for Nereus's patience.

"Your Majesty, I understand your concerns," Haruka says, his tone earnest. "But I fear there is a greater threat looming, one that affects not just Atlantis, but the surface world as well." He pauses, searching Nereus's stoic expression for any sign of receptiveness.

"Please, give me a chance to prove my worth. I may be a surface dweller, but I have sworn to protect those in need, no matter where they come from." Haruka clenches his fists, the metallic gauntlets of his Abyss armor glinting in the ambient light.

Nereus regards him with a measured gaze, his brow furrowed in contemplation. "You speak of threats, Kamen Rider. What exactly do you know?"

Haruka takes a deep breath, gathering his thoughts. "I believe there are forces at work, trying to incite a war between Atlantis and the surface. The attack on your daughter was no isolated incident. There are darker powers at play, and I fear they will not stop until they have achieved their goals."

Nereus looked at Haruka, his piercing gaze scrutinizing the young hero. Haruka met the king's eyes, unwavering in his conviction. Seeing the resolve in Haruka's stance, Nereus felt a grudging respect for the surface dweller's courage.

Suddenly, a messenger burst into the throne room. "Your Majesty, we have an urgent report!" the messenger cried, his eyes wide with urgency.

Mera's brow furrowed with concern as she faced the breathless messenger. "How many enemy vessels are we dealing with?"

The man's eyes were wide with alarm. "Multiple surface submarines, Your Majesty. They're bombarding our city - our people are already taking casualties!"

Nereus narrowed his eyes, his brow furrowing with concern. "And the Hydro Cannons?" he inquired, referring to Atlantis's formidable underwater defense systems.

The messenger's expression grew grim. "That's the worst of it, Your Majesty. The attackers seem to be using ultrasonic weapons, and they've already destroyed the Hydro Cannons. We have no way to repel them."

Mera's eyes widened with alarm. "This is an outright invasion," she declared, her voice laced with determination. Turning to Nereus, she said, "We must act quickly to defend our people."

Nereus nodded, his regal bearing radiating authority. "Assemble our forces," he commanded the messenger. "We will not allow these surface dwellers to breach our kingdom."

The messenger bowed and hastened out of the throne room, leaving Mera, Nereus, and the others to prepare for the impending battle.

Mera's shoulders squared as she straightened her spine, her elegant gown flowing gracefully around her.

"We must act swiftly to defend our people," she declared, her voice carrying a weight of command. Beside her, Atlanna placed a reassuring hand on Mera's arm, her brow furrowed with concern.

"I will accompany you, my dear," the former queen said. Nereus, the stern-faced King of Xebel, stepped forward, his ornate armor glinting in the bioluminescent light.

"As will I," he stated, his deep voice brooking no argument. The three rulers exchanged a resolute nod, their shared determination etched on their faces as they prepared to lead Atlantis's forces against the invading surface vessels.

Haruka, still clad in his Kamen Rider Abyss armor, stepped forward, his gaze shifting between the three rulers. "Please, allow me to assist you," he implored.

Nereus turned to Haruka, his expression hardening. "This is not your fight, Kamen Rider," he declared firmly. "Atlantis and Xebel have the strength to defend our own. We have no need for a surface hero's intervention."

Hila stepped forward, her gaze pleading. "Father, please. Kamen Rider has proven his worth. He can aid us in defending Atlantis."

Atlanna nodded in agreement. "Hila speaks the truth. Haruka has shown himself to be a capable and honorable warrior. His assistance could be invaluable."

Nereus regarded the two women, his expression contemplative. After a moment, he inclined his head slightly. "Very well. The Kamen Rider may join us in defending our kingdom."

Haruka felt a surge of relief, but Nereus raised a hand, silencing him before he could speak.

"However," the king continued, his voice stern, "know this, Kamen Rider: your loyalty will be closely watched. Any betrayal of Atlantis or Xebel will be met with the full might of our forces. Do not give us reason to regret this decision."

Haruka straightened his posture, meeting Nereus's unwavering gaze. "You have my word, Your Majesty. I will not betray the trust you have placed in me. I will fight alongside you to defend Atlantis and its people."

Nereus held Haruka's gaze for a moment longer, then nodded once, satisfied with the young hero's response.

The group quickly made their way to the palace's launch bay, where a sleek Atlantean vessel awaited them. Hila and Haruka boarded first, followed by Mera, Atlanna, and Nereus. As the ship's engines roared to life, they could feel the weight of the impending battle pressing down upon them.

Haruka gripped the edge of his seat, his mind racing with a thousand thoughts. He knew that this was no ordinary conflict – the fate of two worlds hung in the balance, and he was determined to do whatever it took to protect both Atlantis and the surface.

As the vessel surged forward, cutting through the shimmering waters of the Atlantean capital, Haruka's gaze locked onto the horizon, where the faint sounds of distant explosions could be heard. With a deep breath, he steeled himself for the challenges that lay ahead, ready to stand alongside the rulers of the sea and defend their kingdom.

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