Atlantian War

Chapter 7: Princess

Rani reached the edge of the city , striking down Sentinels as she sprinted by. Her eyes scanned for Bryice and her father, knowing they would be here.

She still noted Adonis bellowing after her, pretending not to hear as she drove on.

In the heart of the city, she took notice of the Sentinels herding the Athenian people around the city center fountain. Rani became aware of babies crying, women shouting for their husbands, and men who attempted a fight lying on the floor writhing in agony from the Sentinels' swords.

A Sentinel nudged on Rani's back, attempting to get her in the crowd with the rest of the mortals. She lashed out and swiped her sword, cutting past his armor. The Sentinel gasped and clutched at his gut, plummeting to the ground.

Rani turned her attention back to the crowd, hunting for a familiar face. She distinguished Galen all in armor, next to him were more Elite Sentinels, a whole crowd of them. Her eyes narrowed and she started straight for the crowd of mortals gathered by the fountain. She drove past people, sword still in hand. She clambered atop the stone wall of the fountain, catching a flash of her father's golden triton. She leapt from her perch and stalked towards them.

Adonis was still close behind her, following her every step.

"Bryice! I know you are here!" Rani shrieked as she reached the clearing before the Elites. They side stepped and the human figure of Prince Bryice strode forward.

"Rani, it's nice to finally see you again." He verbalized with a smirk. Her eyes rolled in revulsion as she toyed with the blade she possessed.

"Why are you here? Hurting all these people?" She barked at him.

"Why are you striking down your own people? You're own Sentinels?" He questioned her.

"You're killing innocent people." She growled, bearing teeth.

From afar, Adonis noticed Rani growl and hiss at this general. They hadn't even taken her weapon. Do they know each other? He speculated.

He inched closer until he could hear.

"This wouldn't have happened if you had just listened to Galen." Bryice countered.

"Listen," Rani hissed as she stalked forward, only inches from Bryice's face. "If you think this will make me your wife, you're dead wrong."

"All I needed was to find you." He simply stated. Rani spotted her father squirming through the Elites.

"Father? You let him do this?" Rani cried.

Adonis shoved through the bodies herded around the fountain, itching to catch a glimpse of Rani's father. Wondering who it was. He obviously had a high status. But why wouldn't Rani tell him that?

King Poseidon stepped forward. He was monstrous, towering over his little Rani. His legs were just as fit and large as his muscled arms.

"Rani, it's hard to explain." He said in a soft voice, throwing off his menacing look. Rani fought to keep the tears back knowing her father, a god, listen to this ignorant thing they called a prince.

"Then explain! I have all the time in the world!" Rani exclaimed throwing her arms up, dropping the sword, letting it rattle on the cobblestone.

"You ran away, Rani. I didn't know where you were and Bryice offered to help." Poseidon told her, offering his hand. She just stared coldly at it. "Rani, listen to me. I was worried sick about you. I didn't know what to do. Hades and Zeus wouldn't help me." Poseidon sighed. "Where else was I to go?"

Hades and Zeus? Who was this man? Adonis wondered.

"What does that have to do with anything?" Rani spat.

"Ranessa!" The king shouted. The storm over the sea threatened to sweep in as the king's temper was tested.

Adonis decided to step out. He pushed past the mesmerized crowd, standing in the clearing aside from Rani. She turned to him, watching his expression turn hard.

"Adonis?" Rani whispered.

"Take that mortal away!" Poseidon ordered. Elites started their way towards Adonis but Rani side stepped them, standing in front him. "Rani, move aside."

"No. Father, you don't touch him." Rani barked.

"No, Rani, I don't even know who you are." Adonis sighed, clearly disappointed with her. "You couldn't even tell me your real name." He said, stepping back from her.

"I was going to tell you." Rani cried, her voice cracking.

Bryice watched as the two bickered, noticing that Rani actually had feelings for this mortal.

"Ranessa, where are your manners?" Bryice gasped, stepping in. Rani shot him a dark glare.

"Who are you?" Adonis hissed.

"Prince Bryice, my good man."

"Prince of what?" Adonis barked.

"The Arctic Region, you see Adonis, is it? I'm the prince of the mer-" he started.

"Bryice!" Rani growled.

"I'm just telling him the truth, Ranessa." Bryice chuckled.

"I'll tell him." Rani said softly as she took Adonis's hand. "I'm sorry I lied Adonis, just please trust me." Rani pleaded as she sat him down at the spot where they first kissed.