Atlantis, once a proud and independent kingdom hidden deep within the ocean, now echoed with the undercurrents of change. The city's majestic spires shimmered under the soft glow of the aquatic light, its beauty marred by the quiet tension that spread through its people. Word had already reached the Atlanteans—their king had bent the knee, and Atlantis had fallen under the reign of the Futa Goddess, Raven.
Aquaman and Mera returned to the throne room, their hearts heavy with the weight of their submission. The royal guards, ever loyal to their king and queen, could feel the shift in the tides—an unspoken understanding that the realm was no longer their own. They bowed respectfully, their expressions uncertain as the weight of Raven's presence seemed to linger, even though she was not physically there.
Mera glanced at Aquaman as they sat on their thrones. She could see the conflict in his eyes, the battle between loyalty to his people and the undeniable power that Raven had demonstrated. Atlantis was no longer free.
"Arthur," Mera spoke softly, her voice wavering with emotion, "what will become of us? What will become of Atlantis under Raven's rule?"
Aquaman's gaze drifted across the room, his fingers tightening on the armrests of his throne. "I don't know, Mera. But I do know that we can't fight her. Not now. Not like this." He sighed heavily, the weight of his decision bearing down on him. "We'll serve her, as she commands. But we'll protect our people, as we always have."
Mera nodded, though the uncertainty lingered in her heart. She had always been a fighter, a queen who stood beside her king in battle, but this—this was unlike any battle they had ever faced. "We have to be careful," she whispered, "Raven's power... it's beyond anything we've ever encountered. We have to ensure that Atlantis survives."
Before Aquaman could respond, the waters around the throne room began to stir once more, signalling Raven's return. But this time, her presence wasn't just felt—it was seen. A portal of swirling darkness opened near the centre of the chamber, and from it, Raven's towering figure emerged.
She floated effortlessly above the ground, her dark robes trailing behind her like the very shadows she commanded. Her divine aura pulsed through the room, making the water shiver and bow to her will. With a soft smile on her lips, Raven's gaze settled on the royal pair, amusement twinkling in her glowing eyes.
"Your kingdom is beautiful, Arthur. Mera," Raven's voice echoed softly, filling the chamber with sensual authority. "Atlantis will thrive under my reign, and you both will see that soon."
Aquaman rose from his throne, his posture one of reluctant acceptance. "What do you want from us, Raven? What is your plan for Atlantis?"
Raven's smile widened, her power radiating from every movement as she floated closer to them. "Atlantis will serve as a key part of my rule," she explained. "The seas themselves belong to me now, and through Atlantis, I will expand my influence across the oceans, reaching every corner of this planet. Your people will serve me, and in return, I will ensure their prosperity."
Aquaman narrowed his eyes slightly, his defiance not entirely extinguished. "And what of us? What of Mera and me?"
Raven chuckled softly, her eyes flicking between the two of them. "You, Arthur, will continue to lead Atlantis as its king. But you will do so in my name. And Mera—" Raven's gaze shifted to the queen, her lips curving into a mischievous grin. "Mera will find new purpose under my guidance."
Mera stiffened at Raven's words, her hand instinctively gripping Aquaman's arm. "What do you mean by that?"
Raven descended to the floor, her feet touching the ground with a gentle grace. She stepped toward Mera, her hand reaching out to cup the queen's cheek. "You're a warrior, Mera. I see the strength in your eyes, the fire in your heart. You will serve me as one of my generals—a leader of my forces in the seas and beyond."
Mera's eyes widened in shock. "I will never betray my people. I will never betray Atlantis."
Raven's smile never wavered as her fingers traced Mera's jawline, her touch sending a shiver through the queen's body. "You won't be betraying anyone, my dear. You'll be ensuring their survival. Under my reign, Atlantis will flourish, and you will have the power to protect your people—far more than you ever could on your own."
Aquaman stood silently, watching the exchange. He knew there was no point in resisting now. Raven's power was absolute, and the more they fought, the more they risked the safety of their kingdom. But there was still a flicker of hope in his heart—hope that perhaps, one day, they could find a way to resist, a way to break free from Raven's grasp.
But that day was not today.
Raven stepped back, her eyes glowing with the same cosmic energy that had reshaped the universe. "You both have a choice," she said, her voice gentle but firm. "You can either serve me willingly, and see Atlantis rise to greater heights than ever before. Or... you can resist, and watch as everything you've built crumbles into the abyss."
Aquaman and Mera exchanged a glance, the weight of their decision hanging heavy in the air. Finally, with a slow, reluctant nod, Aquaman lowered his head. "We will serve."
Mera hesitated for a moment longer, her gaze hard and defiant. But she, too, understood the futility of resisting Raven's power. With a deep breath, she bowed her head in submission. "We will serve."
Raven's smile returned, her satisfaction evident. "Good. Then we shall begin immediately."
With a wave of her hand, Raven summoned a surge of cosmic energy, infusing it into the very waters of Atlantis. The city began to glow with an ethereal light, its structures shimmering with newfound power. The Atlantean people, unaware of what was happening, felt the surge of energy ripple through their kingdom, filling them with awe and fear.
Raven turned back to Aquaman and Mera, her eyes blazing with divine power. "Atlantis will be my stronghold beneath the sea. You will be my eyes and ears in the depths, ensuring that my will is carried out."
'Not that I need them to watch for me really, I know everything that is going at all times. But I want them to feel like I need them unless how will they feel they have a purpose to fulfill in my world? Besides, I have already planted the seeds of rebilion in the King. Batman can at least have an ally in the sea. They better prepare very well. There is a reason I didn't just kill Zatanna and Nabu, they better use this opportunity well and I better not underestimate them or I fear there might be no do overs.' Raven smirked in thought.
Mera's jaw clenched, but she said nothing, her resolve hardening. Aquaman simply bowed his head, accepting the new reality they faced.
"But, Mera. I am still unsure of you. I have to test your loyalty." Raven began as Aquaman had a bad hunch on what Raven was referring to as anger built in him.
"Uh, what do you mean Raven-I mean goddess?" Mera asked wondering if she would be forced to kill Aquaman.
'Maybe I should just go with what she's thinking to make things easier.' Raven smiled with a hand on her chin as she moved closer. Reading the thoughts of mortals was a thing Raven would merely regard as a skill it was like looking at the dress of a person and redressing the person in thought.
"Kill your man here." Raven said with a wicked glint in her eyes.
"Nooo. Please, anything but this, please!" Mera knelt and bowed pleading as Aquaman looked at Raven with fear and confusion, what was going on?
Things are changing rather quickly on Earth.
I won't lie I am a bit stumped going forward in the Raven fic.