Atlantis

Red and Ari cautiously approached the huge entrance.

The converging walls narrowed and the path suddenly lit with thousands of flashing yellow lights like that of the sands of the trench. The lights pulsed in a steady rhythm, like a flower opening and closing.

Ari inspected the area for any other hostilities, wary of the fact that the spiteful dark blob might come back to attack, but only deadly silence welcomed them.

As the two floated unto the elevated platform, Ari's magic started to waver and he struggled to maintain the little pocket of air. The closer they went, the harder it became for Ari to hold on.

Just as they crossed the first gigantic pillars into the temple, a blast of energy coursed through their bodies and Ari lost his grip on his magic. It was like they had been hit by a force field of some sorts.

"Brace yourself Red!" Ari warned his future queen. Red inhaled all the air she could breathe and prepared to be crushed by the immense pressure of the water coming in. Ari's wind magic dispelled and they were now left to the mercy of the sea currents outside.

As water began to flood their little bubble, they tumbled onto the cold slab of the temple. Red had held her breath when she noticed that a slight gust of air was blowing from the far end of the temple.

Ari felt it too and he was the first one to exhale and inhale. A mix of shock and amazement was etched on their faces as it dawned upon them: they could breathe fine.

"Ok this is getting weirder." Red commented.

She looked back to the entrance and saw that the seawater was held at bay by nearly invisible walls of magic. The only thing that gave it away was the slight shimmer it emitted every so often, like light skimming through the top of its layers.

"Magic truly is a bit weird." Ari remarked. "It is after all, what makes it so enticing for humans. The 'weirdness' and 'wonders' it possesses." He raised a brow as if waiting for Red to agree.

Once they checked the vicinity was clear, Red and Ari stalked the ends of the temple. The sound of dripping liquid echoed in the dome shaped space.

Stalactites looked like chandeliers dangling menacingly at the ceiling. At the cold temple floor, stalagmites formed waves of minerals like they were hedges leading to the other end.

When they arrived at the end towards the tabernacle, an altar of what looked like a goddess towered for over ten feet. At the foot of the statue, a wooden door was left slightly ajar.

A crack permitted a sliver of light and they peeked into the tiny gap.

"What the actual fuck." Red whispered in disbelief.

Ari opened the door and they entered into a sunny patch of an open arena for gladiators. The cheers of hundreds and thousands of crowds were deafening that Red strained to hear Ari's words.

She squinted her eyes and focused on his moving lips as Ari mouthed, "Atlantis."

Ceremonial drums rolled and as Red turned around, the door had magically vanished, leaving only a plain slab of yellowish walls. Suddenly, the crowd's cheers stopped and both of them turned to look at the viewing box in front.

To Red's shock, it was the beautiful mermaid herald that stood eerily as she peered down. Her rainbow scaled tail now a sequined dress ;the hem were waves of ruffling chiffon. A slit stretched from her waist down which brandished her long pearly white legs.

She waved her sharp nails at other wooden entrances as each one began to open and out came pairs of men and women Red could only surmise as the other candidates.

Red covered her mouth and staggered backwards as she saw the familiar faces she once knew as Noelle and Wolfe, emerge from one of the doors.

Noelle Winters and Wolfe Gray, they were candidate and warrior all this time?

She saw Red and waved casually like they just met at the company elevator when Red ran late and Noelle would hold the button to let her in before the lift closed.

Next came out a tall and tanned Latina with an equally tall blonde man in his mid-thirties. They looked as if they could strut their way to the crown with just their mere beauty. So regal and sophisticated. A third door opened and the little bitch with her shapeshifter warrior came out.

Lastly, the middle door opened and out came a sweet looking teenage boy about the age of sixteen, carrying in his arms a little girl barely out of her diapers.

Red blinked rapidly then squinted her eyes.

Are these two pair candidate and warrior as well? Queen Tiana has fucked up so much. Red can't even imagine how one could let a child compete in a battle that could lead to death.

Just as the last pair of foot stepped unto the arena's floor, Red heard the crowds cheering again and she whipped her head to look at their audience. People of scaly bodies, green, yellow, blue, red, there were so many different colors that mixed and matched. Fins for ears and pearls and seashells for ornaments.

The men and women of Atlantis stood in their respective bleachers and jeered at the candidates, awaiting the announcement by the herald at the box seat.

Red quickly scanned the other candidates. All had been present during the first trial and she wondered which of them had gathered what was asked and which had failed. The tiny bitch smirked at her, sticking a tongue out like a spoiled child.

Ohhh… she's not backing down on that challenge. She raised one brow and stood straight, establishing a strong demeanor even if she is actually pretty damn nervous at the moment.

The herald raised her scaly hand and the drums slowed into a low steady hum. The crowds silenced once more in anticipation.

'Dear candidates we welcome you to Atlantis!' she said without moving her mouth the tiniest bit. 'The second trial is at hand, raise up your heads for this is a moment of great pride.'

She elevated a glowing necklace with jewels that looked like a whole universe is contained inside each stone. They were shaped irregularly in a layered manner. The biggest at the center and smallest at both ends.

'Just like in ancient times,

Warriors to battle for glory,

The maidens to support,

A battle of strength and agility.

The Mermaid's Jewels be won.'

There was a menacing aura that surged inside of the arena. The candidates each stepped away from their warriors, save for the teenage boy who still carried his candidate in his arms.

"Red, it is better you step away. Stay outside the circle." Ari said as he pushed her aside, his face clearly apprehensive of the others.

"Why, what is happening?" she frantically asked him, oblivious to the sudden shift in the air.

"The warriors are to battle until the last one standing. You women, may assist but cannot lay a hand on the others directly." Ari quickly explained, his eyes fixated at the other warriors.

'Warriors to positions!'

'Maidens outside the circle!'

The herald raised her hand and in one fell sweep, two horns resounded and echoed in the arena, the jeers of mermen and merwomen a deafening crescendo.

'The battle of Pankreata begins!' the herald announced.

And the warriors engaged.