Throne of Demons

Chapter 1 - Conversations

When Arthur was notified that his brother wanted to talk to him, he was fairly surprised. Arthur thought it would take weeks for Orm to finally come around and want to have a civil conversation.

Arthur swam to the highest tower in Atlantis where Orm was being kept. He was given a view after all. Orm could see all of Atlantis and more if he wanted to. It seems like he just brooded in the cell, sitting on the bed keeping his nose in a book.

The cell was bright and small, but Orm was given necessities and few wants. Arthur allowed Orm to have books from Atlantis' wide variety of choices in the library. He was glad to know Orm had some interests besides screaming and yelling "half-breed bastard" at him.

Arthur nodded towards the guards to bring the electrical barrier down so he could hear what Orm has to say to him. The guards nodded then Arthur ordered them to leave so he could speak to his brother as privately as possible.

Arthur swam into his brother's cell, "seems nice and cozy in here, Orm."

Orm scoffed and put his book down on a table near the bed, "perhaps we could trade places."

"You wish," Arthur laughed and realized that was the first actual nice interaction with his brother.

There was a hint of a smile on Orm's face but it faded quickly, too fast for Arthur to take notice.

"I'm ready to talk, brother."

"Then let's talk," Arthur watched as Orm got up and turned his back towards him to look out the cell at all of Atlantis.

"When I was a child, I was told horror stories of the surface. I was told how the people above only murdered each other and went to war. How they killed our kind, murdered our grandparents," Orm breathed in and continued, "I was terrified of what was happening to you on the surface, I only ever wanted to rescue you from it, Arthur. That of course changed when I blamed you for mother's execution. I was so full of hate and–"

Arthur looked at Orm perplexed, this was the first time he was genuinely open about his childhood. Arthur never bothered to ask Atlanna about it, he knew the memories were painful. It was evident Orvax was never a great father, husband, or even king.

Orm took a shaky breath and stared off as if he was reliving a harsh memory then spoke up again:

"Do you remember when we were in the Ring of Fire and you said to me that you wanted to get to know me before?" Orm asked.

"I recall," Arthur stated.

There was another long pause and Orm finally asked, "was... was there any truth to that?" He sounded conflicted, almost as if he was being torn between wanting to end Arthur right then and there or wanting their conflict to end and finally make peace.

"Yes, there was a truth to it. I wasn't just talking out of my ass, Orm," Arthur said.

Orm turned around with a pained look on his face, "then why were you never there? Why did you abandon me? Why did you never come to see mother and me?"

Arthur was shocked, he couldn't believe these words were coming out of Orm's mouth.

"I think you know why..."

"I don't."

Arthur folded his arms and rolled his eyes, "I'm surprised you never figured it out."

Orm stood still waiting for Arthur to explain more.

"Your father, Orm, your father!" Arthur couldn't believe he had to spell it out to his brother.

"My father? What's he to do with this?" Orm questioned, raising his voice slightly.