[H2][Color=FFA500][Center]Salutes and Seizure
Part I[/Center][/Color][/H2]

A sharp chill washed over Arthur Curry's skin, despite being in moving, even rushing water, he felt his muscles freeze. Even with vision adapted to the deep, he could hardly see a thing through the black waters he flowed through. His body violently opposed him as he lurched forward, pressing off of one stone slab, and deftly landing on another, skipping through a tunnel of shadow. But, looking forward, he saw a speck of light shining towards him and those begin him.

[Quote][Color=6495ED]"The Black Waters of the aqueduct may be our only entrance,"[/Color] Vulko advised the troops. [Color=6495ED]"The rebel sect has secured our city and separated us loyal to Atlantis for years, even the first was far too long. The city's walls are unscalable, guarded by seabeasts. Dragging an army would be suicide for thousands, but this would only risk a few. In the hundreds of years since the city first sank, the Black Waters have never been explored fully. But we are going to cross them."[/Color][/Quote]

When the journey began, there had been fifty men, accompanying the king and general, but at this phase, only three remain. A mysterious illness sapped the warmth of the army's brightest young men, and food shortage stacked upon a brief battle with a horde of eels left almost no survivors while Vulko and Arthur, who were guaranteed the first pick at any supplies. Arthur took the soldiers into consideration, even relinquishing his share when possible, but Vulko had not, and it nearly cost them their entire troop.

[Color=FF0000]"Lord Orin, the end is in view! We've finally made it!"[/Color]

Arthur gasped, covering his mouth and resisting the impulse to silence his follower. Before a blink of the eyes could pass, a black blur darted from behind, passing through the troop like a bullet through a pillow, brushing a red mist through the air as it disappeared back into the dark. His stomach churned as he suppressed the urge to scream for his soldier.

[Quote][Color=6495ED]"While you are in the Black Waters, if you so much as mutter a curse, the waters themselves will impale you. Silent, dark, and mysterious. Any lights will also trigger an aquatic execution. If you fail, there is nothing to be done for you."[/Color]

Taken aback, Arthur dropped his face into his palm. [Color=FFA500]"Is there any alternative, preferably less volatile?"[/Color]

[Color=6495ED]"Not to win tho war."[/Color][/Quote]

The remaining four Atlanteans surged out of the darkness, Vulko trailed behind, pivoting with every step and swinging his corpulent figure like an axe.

[Color=FFA500]"We've made it. We're a couple dozen men short but we've made it. Garth, how's your shoulder holding up?"[/Color]

[Quote][Color=FFA500]"It's not that I think you're incompetent, just a bit young, Garth. Just a bit inexperienced for a mission like this. I'm sure you have a bright future, and I appreciate your support, but I can't take you along."[/Color]

[Color=8B0000]"With all due respect, my lord,I feel it would be foolish not to take me along. Surely, General Vulko would ease any concerns you may foster. What I lack in experience, I overcompensate for in skill.[/Color]

[Color=FFA500]"That's it though, I don't want you overcompensating or trying to prove yourself. You're young, it would be tragic if something were to happen and you'd gotten hurt."[/Color]

[Color=8B0000]"Would it not be even worse were I to sit idly while Atlantis soul be brought to nothing? I'd give my life for my people, and I'd give my soul for you, my king. Regardless of this, I will die one day, but please let my death be meaningful."[/Color]

[Color=FFA500]"Very well, then. I'll speak with Vulko.."[/Color][/Quote]

[Color=8B0000]"Much improved from earlier,"[/Color] Garth answered, referring to an incident in which the waters had pierced his shoulder to silence the soldier in front of him, [Color=8B0000]"and nothing short of functional."[/Color]

[Color=FFA500]"Given these circumstances, it I impossible to return to the base, and unthinkable to surrender ourselves. So I have decided that we are forced to stealthily overtake the  as planned, just us four."[/Color]