AMBER MENORA AND THE VIAL OF BLOOD (Slow Updates)

2. LEIA'S KINGDOM

     No sooner did the words tumble out of Marianna's mouth than Talia and Theo's eyes widened in surprise.

      "Atlantis?" Talia sat up. "You mean, the Atlantis?"

Theo joined her, his voice slightly hoarse from waking up so abruptly.  "The legendary place under the sea?"

   Aaron frowned. "What's so legendary about Atlantis?"

   Both of them stared at him incredulously, as if he had grown a pair of horns and whiskers on the spot. Even I couldn't understand why they were making such a big deal of Atlantis.

   Perhaps Earth had a different way of depicting realms...

      I stood up, making my way to the corridor where Ana was still beaming at us excitedly.
"I'm not missing the chance of viewing the portal crossing. Anyone else willing to join me?"

        Theo looked away, fiddling with his quilt. "I want a little rest, please."

    I nodded, shifting my gaze to Talia. Aaron had already walked over to us, not wanting to miss it either.
   
     Portal crossings had always been intriguing, since time immemorial. With a display of the brightest colours, sparkles and magic, they never failed to hold a magnificent beauty worth viewing.

      Talia slowly removed her sheet. "Will there be a problem if I tag along?"

                                                        ~▪☆▪~

     I watched in awe at the dancing waters as we neared the portal, made to look like an everlasting whirlpool. The wide sea and valleys were long gone, replaced by a narrow tidal stream over which we were traversing, dangerously balanced by sheer cliffs and siren caves.

     Queen Aqua was standing majestically on the topmost deck, directing the ship using her magic and incanting the portal to open up. Talia was gaping at the sight before her, standing close to Aaron, while Marianna was clutching his arm with a child-like excitment. I smiled at Flora, who grinned and patted Tutu perched on the rail in front of us.

     "Finally, Leia."

   The moment Flora nodded at my words, the sails touched the circling water gate, prodding an uproar from the waves. The next instant, the water gurgled and bubbled up, parting to reveal an array of colourful blue glittery sparks.
    As we floated inside the tunnel of the portal-- Aqua still invoking the tides in our favour-- my breath stilled at the beauty of the deep sea. Millions of sea creatures, hippocampi, glowing azure jellyfish, rays and hordes of colourful pisces swam about freely on the other side of the protected water walls of the tunnel. This was the magnificence of the portal, where every being lived harmoniously together.

    " We're nearing Atlantis!" Marianna's squeal caught my attention. "The mermaids are waiting for us, look!"

    "Wha--mermai--whoa!" Talia was staring wide eyed, mouth still hung low, at the water dwellers.

     Indeed, as we drifted towards the exit, I noticed the fish tailed beauties waving and bowing before us, guiding our ship through a maze of lightened water towns. Each of these towns were protected by energy shields to demarcate their particular areas, with their names glowing atop the entrances to their respective places. A few miles away, standing tall and mighty, was the royal palace of Leia and her love-- the rulers of Atlantis. 

    Talia looked around, muttering under her breath, "I can't believe we're in Atlantis...I'm underwater! I'm--wait--" she frowned, glancing at Aaron. "I'm still breathing? Underwater? Without any supplements?"