Distant Shores 2: Waves Of Time

Battle For Atlantis

(Disclaimer: This chapter contains gory and bloody descriptions that some readers may find upsetting. These battle scenes do contain fights involving swords, pistols, and cannons.)

Thick smoke from cannons and gun powder is invading your nostrils, while the sound of steel against steel and pistols being fired is ringing in your ears. The battle is forging chaos all around you and it's difficult to tell which side is winning.

Even though you have all the faith in the world that your crew is strong and will succeed, you still can't help but worry about them. Plus the Tritons are weak from the lack of magic, and while you know they are fighting with everything they have to protect their home, it's taking a toll on their strength. Robert mouthed for you to get to the top of the temple where the curse is supposed to be broken; but before you can figure out what his plan was, you're forced to dodge to the side to avoid a knife flying right by your cheek. As you regain your footing, you hear a shot and see Edward standing over a dead navy officer, his pistol is still smoking in his hand. His gunmetal blue eyes are filled with fire when his gaze meets yours.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?! Get away from all this bloodshed!"

Before he even finishes his sentence, another one of Robert's pirate crew members tries to charge you, but you immediately pull out your cutlass and block the strike. As you regroup, Edward plunges his sword straight into the man's stomach; the pirate groans and drops to the cavern ground- dead.

The two of you take a moment to calm down. A cramp rolls through you, but you're determined to keep going and the life inside of you is helping to push you towards that goal.
Edward stands protectively in front of you while you catch your breath.

"Edward, we have to get to the top of the temple!"

"Are you mad, woman?!"

He looks around at all the fighting and most of it is centered towards the temple.

"I'm not going to risk losing you, Coral!"

Okay that's sweet but you still let out a huff of annoyance.

"And I'm not going to risk being separated from you! And to make sure that doesn't happen, we have to get to the temple before they do!"

You point with your index finger to where Samuel and Octavia are working their way through the struggle and getting closer and closer to the temple.

Zale and Calder are fighting with two pirates by the yellow houses, right behind the temple. The trident spears which shined brightly with their magic is starting to dim.

We're running out of time. The closer it gets to midnight, the more strength the Tritons will lose.

Suddenly, you see a figure run towards the waterfall of the temple. The water starts rising and it's only then you realize it's Robert. Amidst the confusion of the fighting, he was able to sneak away. You make eye contact and he smirks while tapping his finger to a make believe watch on his wrist. 

"Get going, girl."

You see him mouth. Was he subtly trying to help you or was he leading you into another trap?

There's another loud explosion and Edward shields you with his body from the debris that is falling like rain.

"Edward, we have to get up there, and we need to do it quickly. Do you trust me?"

He nods without hesitation.

"With my life."

The two of you try to discreetly follow the cerulean blue rocks that form a path to the temple.

As the battle rages on you look at the Damnation and see Jonas and Ginny loading another cannon ball before it's lit and a direct hit is landed on Samuel and Octavia's ship. The twins are leading a navy officer through a chase around the moon rocks. Ada and Ax start climbing the rocks. When the navy officer follows them up; they smoothly dip lower. The officer looks down, looses his grip on the cave wall and plunges down, impaling himself on a large stalagmite. Ada and Ax gracefully dismount the rocks and throw themselves back into the fight without a second thought.

Who thought acrobats wouldn't make good pirates?

Henry's hook hand is piercing up a pirate's chest, taking blood and chunks of flesh along with it.

Ewww. Reminder to not eat anything he cooks until that has been sanitized properly.

Maggie and Kendrick are fighting back to back, their steel blades knocking through pirates, one after the other.

"I never knew a pretty lass like ye could wield a sword like that!"

Kendrick sounds awestruck and you just silently shake your head.

He would choose the middle of a battle to start flirting.

"How long have ye known me for, Kendrick?"

Maggie chuckles and slices a deep gash into her opponent's arm.

Alvarez and Doyle are dueling with two of their former fellow navy officers off to the left of the Intrepid.

"I cannot believe you're siding with the commodore. He's supporting pirates, that's a crime in itself."

Doyle blocks his strike and quickly counters the attack.

"Oh that's rich coming from someone who became a pirate. No matter what, at least we can say our conscience is clear. Doing what is right, does not always mean doing what is legal."

I'm so proud of them. They've come a long way.

You and Edward have made it to the waterfall and you carefully press your hand to the gold box. It glows, recognizing the Triton blood and starts shifting the water around your feet to form the elevator.

Before the water can lift you up, two more people appear next to you.

"Navy boy and I weren't going to let you have all the fun, love."

You quickly glance over Charlie and Oliver and are relieved to see they both are unharmed.

"Are you hurt at all?"

You shake your head, appreciating Oliver's caring nature.

"I'm so glad to see you guys. Robert's already at the top."

"But the Fountain, love. If he-"

Charlie's unable to finish her sentence as the ground starts to shake from another cannon explosion.

The waterfall starts redirecting its stream towards your feet; the base forms and it begins lifting the four of you up. From your vantage point you see the battle continues to rage on, and the indigo rocks of Atlantis are stained red with blood. There are bodies everywhere of the enemies, but also sadly of the Tritons.

Edward pulls you closer to his side, trying to draw your attention away from the gruesome battlefield. You breathe in his familiar scent and feel his stubble scratch your forehead as he places a kiss there. A new wave of determination encircles you. You're ending this for all of them; for the Tritons, for your crew, and for your family.

Robert, get ready, because I'm coming for you.

Once you're at the top, the four of you run towards the door that leads to the Fountain of Youth. The full moon is shining brightly through the crystal covered dome.

Right as you reach for the mermaid jeweled handle, it swings open and you are met with Monterey, Havelock, and Varuna.

"What's going on?"

"There's no time to waste. Quickly now!"

Monterey ushers you in and to your surprise, standing nonchalantly in front of the Fountain of Youth is Robert, and in his usual gruff manner, states.

"Hurry up, girl. We've only got ten minutes before midnight."