Chapter 86

Haruka, wearing the Abyss armor, along with Hila, Mera, and Atlanna, sat in the craft as it headed toward the Sunken Citadel. They arrived in the canyon and could see many sunken ships and vessels surrounding them.

Hila's eyes narrowed as she surveyed the eerie landscape. "This place is as unsettling as the rumors suggest," she murmured, her fingers tightening around the craft's controls.

Mera nodded in agreement, her gaze sweeping across the wreckage. "We must proceed with extreme caution. We have no idea what dangers lurk within the Sunken Citadel."

Atlanna's expression was resolute, her eyes fixed on the looming structures ahead. "We cannot afford to hesitate. Arthur's life may be in jeopardy. I will not abandon my son."

Haruka gripped the side of the craft, his armored form tensing. "Then let's finish this as soon as possible."

With a nod, Hila guided the craft deeper into the canyon. The group remained on high alert.

Haruka tensed as massive underwater vessels appeared, intercepting their craft. Hila's grip tightened on the controls as fish-like creatures emerged from the vessels, their gaze fixed on the intruders.

"Who dares trespass in our domain?" one of the creatures bellowed, its voice distorted by the water.

Atlanna spoke up calmly. "We mean no harm. We are simply seeking the Sunken Citadel."

The creatures exchanged glances, their expressions unreadable. Tension hung thick in the water as they awaited a response.

The fish people considered her words, then replied, "We can escort you there, but first, you must be chained."

Hila's eyes narrowed, and she gripped the craft's controls tighter. Mera's hand moved towards her trident, ready to defend them. Haruka clenched his fists, prepared to transform if necessary.

The vessels surrounded them, blocking any chance of escape. Atlanna raised a hand, signaling the others to stand down. "Very well. We will cooperate."

Hila shot Atlanna a concerned look, but the queen nodded reassuringly. Haruka watched warily as the fish people maneuvered their craft closer, preparing to board and take them into custody.

Haruka, Hila, Mera, and Atlanna were chained to a moving platform, surrounded by shark people who were guarding them. Mera turned to Atlanna and asked, "Are you sure this is a good idea?"

Atlanna replied calmly, "This is our best chance to enter the citadel without causing a commotion. We need to find Arthur, and this may be the only way."

Mera frowned, clearly uneasy about the situation, but she nodded in understanding. Hila remained silent, her eyes scanning their surroundings warily.

As they approached the Sunken Citadel, Haruka, Hila, Mera, and Atlanna saw a sunken cruise ship transformed into a base. The gates opened, revealing various underwater inhabitants drinking, gambling, and indulging in other sinful activities. It resembled a nightclub and casino underwater.

Haruka's eyes widened behind his Abyss helmet as they passed through the gates. The eerie, dimly lit interior was filled with a cacophony of sounds - the clink of glasses, the chatter of the patrons, and the occasional shout or laugh.

Hila leaned in, her voice barely audible over the din. "This place is a den of vice and corruption. I had heard the rumors, but to see it with my own eyes..." She trailed off, shaking her head.

The platform carrying the group continued its descent, deeper into the heart of the Sunken Citadel.

Kingfish, a regal-looking anthropomorphic fish, greets the chained group with a sarcastic smile. "Well, well, what do we have here? Royalty gracing us with their presence. How delightful." He examines them, his piercing gaze resting on Hila, Mera, and Atlanna.

"Where are my manners? I'm Kingfish, the leader of this Sunken Citadel." He gives a slight bow, his scales shimmering in the dim light. "To what do I owe the honor of this visit from the esteemed Atlantean royal family?"

Atlanna holds Kingfish's gaze, her expression guarded. "We are here seeking information about a matter of great importance. Our king, Aquaman, has gone missing."

Kingfish's eyes widen momentarily, then he lets out a low chuckle. "Ah, the mighty Aquaman. I must say, it's not often we receive such distinguished guests." He pauses, stroking his chin contemplatively. "Unfortunately, I'm afraid I cannot be of much assistance. This establishment is rather...disconnected from the affairs of the surface world and Atlantis."

Atlanna's eyes narrowed as she studied Kingfish's expression, sensing a hint of deception in his words. "I find that hard to believe, Kingfish. This citadel is known to be a haven for those who wish to avoid the scrutiny of Atlantis and the surface world. Surely, you must have heard something about my son's disappearance."

Kingfish's smile faltered momentarily, and he shifted in his seat, his scales rustling. "I'm afraid I cannot be of more assistance, Your Majesty. As I said, we try to maintain a certain level of...discretion here." He paused, his eyes flicking towards Haruka and the others. "However, if you were to, perhaps, offer some form of compensation, I may be able to recall a few...whispers that have reached my ears."

Atlanna's jaw tightened, and she opened her mouth to respond, but Hila spoke up first.

"Enough with your games, Kingfish," the Xebelian princess said, her voice laced with contempt. "We do not have time for your petty bargaining. If you know anything about the whereabouts of King Arthur, you will tell us. Now."

Kingfish's gaze shifted to Hila, and a sly smile spread across his face. "My dear princess, I'm afraid it's not that simple. Information, as you know, has a price. And in a place like this, the currency is not always coin."

Hila's defiant gaze met the growls of the shark people surrounding them. Unfazed, she retorted,

"If you refuse to reveal what you know about Aquaman's whereabouts, we will bring an entire army to tear this Sunken Citadel apart."

Kingfish's lips curled into an amused smile. "Traditionally, the kingdoms have turned a blind eye to the goings-on here. But it seems we'll have to blind it for you."

The shark people and Kingfish's men began to mobilize, preparing to confront Haruka and the group. Haruka shot a pointed look at Hila. "You just had to aggravate them, didn't you?"

The shark people and Kingfish's men surround Haruka, Hila, Mera, and Atlanna. Haruka inserts the Sword Vent card into his Abyssvisor.

[Sword Vent]

The Abyss Sabers appear in Haruka's hand, and he cuts the chains holding Hila, Mera, and Atlanna.

Hila and Mera unleashed powerful torrents of water, knocking away Kingfish's men and creating an opening. Atlanna grabbed a wooden spear, using it as a substitute for her missing trident.

Haruka swung his Abyss Sabers, deflecting the attacks from the shark people surrounding them. Hila and Mera fought back-to-back, their hydrokinetic abilities in perfect sync as they battered their foes. Atlanna, with surprising agility, thrust the wooden spear, striking the shark people with precise blows.

The chaos of the battle echoed through the dimly lit Sunken Citadel, drawing the attention of the patrons. Some fled in terror, while others watched with morbid curiosity, unwilling to intervene.

Kingfish observed the skirmish, his expression a mixture of amusement and annoyance. He raised a webbed hand, and a group of his enforcers moved to intercept the group, their weapons at the ready.

Haruka slashes at the enforcers, his Abyss Sabers cutting through their ranks with swift, precise strikes. However, a new group armed with beam weapons emerges, forcing Haruka to take cover behind an overturned table.

Ducking behind the makeshift barrier, Haruka quickly assesses the situation. The beam weapons are a threat, and he knows he needs to even the odds. He inserts another Advent Card into his Abyssvisor.

[Advent]

In a surge of energy, the colossal Abyssodon appears, its mechanical shark-like form towering over the enforcers. With a mighty roar, Abyssodon charges forward, its chainsaw-like appendage slicing through the beam weapons and sending the enforcers scattering.

Kingfish's eyes widen in surprise as he watches the Abyssodon lay waste to his forces. "Impossible!" he exclaims, his webbed hands gripping the armrests of his throne.

Hila and Mera take advantage of the distraction, unleashing powerful torrents of water that further disrupt the enforcers. Atlanna, wielding the wooden spear, darts between the chaos, striking the shark people.

The Sunken Citadel erupts into a maelstrom of violence, as Haruka's Abyssodon rampages through the enforcers, its destructive power shaking the very foundations of the underwater lair.

The battle ended, and Haruka and the group stood before Kingfish. "Maybe we could talk this out?" pleaded Kingfish, his webbed hands raised in a gesture of surrender.

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