Princess Selena took the front position, holding the reins with a confident grip, her posture relaxed yet commanding. She glanced back at Shawn and Makara, her expression serious but with a glimmer of excitement in her eyes. “Hold on tight,” she advised, a hint of a grin touching her lips.

  Shawn and Makara both nodded, gripping the harnesses securely. With a soft command from Selena, the whale surged deep, its powerful streamlined body slicing through the water with ease. They plunged beneath the surface, the world around them transformed into a kaleidoscope of blues and greens. The water rushed past them, and Shawn felt a brief moment of disorientation as they descended into the depths. But soon enough, he adjusted to the sensation, feeling the steady pull of the ocean current guiding them deeper into the unknown.

  Ocean Master and General Kelathor watched as Princess Selena, Shawn, and Makara submerged into the deep on the back of the whale. Ocean Master turned to General Kelathor and asked, “Will the princess be okay?”

  “She will be fine,” General Kelathor replied confidently. “Remember who trained her.”

  “Who?” Ocean Master asked, tilting his head.

  General Kelathor stared at him in disbelief. “Ocean Master, sometimes you are weird.”

  “I get that a lot,” Ocean Master said with a shrug, “but I don’t seem to care. I only care about the charts.”

  Before General Kelathor could respond, a voice came from behind them. “So, she left?” Both men turned to see King Atlann standing there. They immediately bowed in respect.

  “Yes, my king,” Ocean Master replied. “They just left.”

  “So, you handed the weapon over to her?” King Atlann asked.

  Shock and anxiety flickered across the faces of both Ocean Master and General Kelathor, but neither said a word.

  King Atlann narrowed his eyes. “Hmm. Well then, General Kelathor, prepare ten thousand Atlantean soldiers. They are going to aid the Tri-Kings.”

  “At once, my king,” Kelathor replied.

  With that, King Atlann turned and walked away, and both Ocean Master and General Kelathor followed him in silence.

  Under the ocean, as Shawn, Makara and Princess Selena moved further into the abyss, the light from the surface faded, replaced by the soft glow of bio-luminescent creatures and plants that dotted the underwater landscape. Shawn took a deep breath, marvelling at the strange sensation of the water filling his lungs, only to realise that he was breathing perfectly fine—thanks to the air pearl.

  Beside him, Makara looked equally awed, his eyes wide as he took in the alien beauty of the ocean around them. The underwater realm was both eerie and enchanting, a place where light and shadow danced together in a mesmerising display. Princess Selena, however, looked perfectly at home, her expression serene as she guided the whale through the watery expanse of Atlantis. Her long, braided hair flowed behind her like a dark ribbon, and her eyes reflected the shimmering blues and greens of the ocean around them. Shawn saw the circular tube from the citadel connecting to the old kingdom, and at the bottom, a faint white light continued to emit. It was so faint that Shawn chose to ignore it, focusing instead on the journey ahead.

  Princess Selena guided the whale with the ease of someone who had done this many times before. Her hands were steady, her movements confident, and it was clear she was in her element. After some time, they moved away from the walls of Atlantis. The whale swam like a wave, moving up and down and gliding through the underwater world with remarkable agility. The rhythmic motion was almost soothing, a stark contrast to the excitement and danger of the fight earlier.

  As the sun dipped below the horizon, darkness filled the ocean, enveloping them in an inky blackness. The once-clear water became a shadowy abyss. Princess Selena’s voice cut through the silence, calm and commanding. “Control your breathing and close your eyes,” she instructed. “It will help you adjust to the darkness.”

  Shawn and Makara obeyed, closing their eyes and focusing on their breathing. The cool water rushed past them, and for a moment, all they could hear was the sound of their own breath and the rhythmic swishing of the whale’s tail. After a few moments, Selena’s voice came again, softer this time. “Now, open your eyes.”

  Shawn and Makara opened their eyes to an astonishing sight. The entire ocean floor was illuminated with vibrant colours. Phosphorescent fish darted through the water like living jewels, their bodies glowing with greens, blues, and purples. Jellyfish drifted by, their translucent bodies pulsing with soft pinks and oranges. Even the octopuses seemed to join in the dance of colours, their skin shifting through a kaleidoscope of patterns. They were surrounded by vibrant coral reefs and shadowy underwater caves, each filled with mysterious life. It was as if they had entered a world of living light, a place where the ordinary laws of nature seemed to bend to the magic of the deep.

  Shawn was captivated by the scene, the beauty of it all. “I’ve never seen anything like this,” he murmured, his voice filled with awe.

  “It’s beautiful,” Makara agreed, his eyes wide as he took in the spectacle.

  Selena glanced back at them, a faint smile playing on her lips. “The ocean is full of wonders,” she said.

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  As they continued, Princess Selena's expression became more serious. She turned back toward Shawn and Makara. “Hold on tightly,” she warned. “We’re about to enter the current.”

  Ahead, they could see a swirling vortex of water, a powerful current that created a ring-like formation. Within it, fish, turtles, and other sea creatures were moving at incredible speeds, caught in the flow. The whale approached cautiously, its body tensing in preparation.

  Shawn and Makara braced themselves, gripping their harnesses tightly as the whale edged into the current. The moment they entered, they felt the force of the water pushing against them, propelling them forward at an incredible speed. The rush of water was exhilarating but also slightly terrifying. Shawn felt the current tugging at him, pulling him in different directions, but he held on, his knuckles white from the effort.

  Makara, beside him, let out a whoop of excitement. “This is incredible!” he shouted over the roar of the water.

  Selena, at the front, was clearly enjoying herself. The whale moved effortlessly through the current, navigating the twists and turns with a grace that only came from years of experience. She glanced back, a grin on her face. “Try to relax and enjoy the ride,” she called out. “It’s not often you get to travel like this.”

  Shawn, feeling the wind in his hair and the spray of water on his face, couldn’t help but smile. There was a wildness to the ride, a sense of freedom that he hadn’t felt in a long time. He could see Selena ahead, her hair streaming behind her, and for a moment, he felt a kinship with her—both of them travellers in this strange, underwater world.

  After what felt like a few exhilarating minutes, the current began to slow, and the whale gradually pulled out of the vortex. They had covered a great distance in a short time, and now they found themselves approaching a new sight—a massive structure built into the underwater landscape. It was Prince Zhao’s castle, a formidable fortress of coral and stone, rising from the depths like a sleeping giant. The walls were covered in vibrant sea plants that glowed softly in the dim light, giving the castle an ethereal appearance.

  As the whale surfaced near the entrance, Shawn and Makara dismounted, stepping onto a stone platform that led to the castle’s imposing main gates.

  The palace looked deserted, as if it had been untouched for years and when they touched the door, it opened automatically, and shadows filled the vast corridors. Shawn and Makara moved in cautiously, their eyes scanning the dark corners for any signs of life. The eerie silence made Shawn uneasy. He expected a heavily guarded fortress, but instead, it felt like they had entered a ghost castle.

  Just as they were about to step deeper into the palace, a voice called out behind them.

  “Wait!” It was Princess Selena.

  Shawn and Makara turned around to see Princess Selena standing where she had dismounted from the whale. Her posture was firm, and her expression was serious. "We’ve arrived at Prince Zhao’s castle," she began, her voice clear and commanding. "Remember, I’m only here to guide you to the entrance. Once inside, you’re on your own." She paused, her eyes narrowing slightly, and then her expression softened into a mischievous grin. "That’s what I would like to say, but I’m joining you guys," saying that she said, sending the whale away.

  Shawn and Makara exchanged confused glances. “You’re joining us?” Shawn asked, his tone a mix of surprise and uncertainty. “But... your father said—”

  “I don’t care what my father said,” Selena interrupted, stepping forward with a newfound determination. “This is the first time I’ve ever been outside the palace walls of Atlantis, and I’m not missing this opportunity.” She brushed past them, her pace quickening as she moved further into the palace.

  Makara chuckled softly, nudging Shawn with his elbow. “Looks like we’ve got a new travelling companion,” he said with a wry smile.

  Shawn shrugged, still processing the change of events, as he was cautious about the King's word on Selena’s role in their mission, but she didn't care about that at all. Perhaps it was her spirit, her unwillingness to be bound by the rules of royalty.

  “Princess Selena,” Makara called out as they followed her into the palace, “are you sure about this? Your father will not be pleased if he finds out.”

  She turned back to face them, her expression confident. “I’ve lived my whole life under the watchful eyes of others,” she said, her voice resolute. “It’s time I see the world for myself, make my own decisions, and maybe find my own path. Besides,” she added with a playful smile, “I have a feeling you two might need my help.”

  As they continued deeper into the palace, the interior became more labyrinthine, with hallways that twisted and turned, and staircases that led both upward and deeper below. The architecture was grand, but worn by time. Stone statues of sea creatures lined the halls; their eyes seemed to follow the trio as they moved past. The floors were covered with intricate mosaics depicting ancient battles and alliances, the colours still vibrant despite the passage of time.

  “Doesn’t it strike anyone else as odd that there’s no one here?” Shawn whispered, his voice barely audible above the echoing of their footsteps.

  “It does feel strange,” Makara replied. “We were expecting guards, soldiers, maybe even the prince himself. But it’s as if the entire place has been... abandoned.”

  “Or worse,” princess Selena added, her hand resting on the hilt of her weapon she carried at her back. “It could be a trap. We need to stay alert.”

  They moved cautiously through the empty corridors, every sense on high alert. The air was heavy and damp, and the dim lighting from the phosphorescent moss growing along the walls cast eerie shadows that danced with every flicker of their movement.

  Suddenly, they heard a distant clattering sound echoing through the halls—a metallic noise that bounced off the stone walls and sent a shiver down Selena’s spine.

  “What was that?” Selena whispered, instinctively gripping his weapon tighter.

  “Stay close,” Shawn instructed, his voice barely above a whisper. Then Shawn, Makara and Selena led further down the corridor that opened into a vast chamber. The room was dark, the only light coming from the undersea lanterns on the ceiling. At the far end, a large, ornate door loomed, its surface engraved with symbols of the sea and guarded by two large statues.

  Shawn felt a strange pull toward the door, “That must be the entrance to the throne room,” he murmured, stepping closer.

  As they approached the door, it swung open with a low creak. Beyond it, they could see a grand hall, empty and silent. The tension in the air was palpable, every instinct telling them they were not alone.

  “This feels too easy. Stay on guard,” Makara muttered under his breath.

  Selena nodded in agreement.

  As Shawn, Makara, and Princess Selena stepped into the chamber, a heavy tension hung in the air like a thick fog. The room was dimly lit, with the sea lanterns on the wall. The trio moved cautiously towards the centre with their footsteps echoing unnaturally under the water, and their senses were on high alert, the oppressive silence pressing in around them.

  Suddenly, a deep, resonant voice boomed through the chamber, startling them "Welcome, travellers!"