Thud...thud...thud! Thud-thud-thud!

The knocking is coming from beneath the throne room of Hades. The Olympian of the Dead readies his bident.

"Takashi, let me and Harmonia handle the matter. Their history with the surface is riddled with immeasurable pain. The wrong words will bring bloodshed," his silver eyes stare at the mortal.

"I understand," the time traveler stands near the footsteps of Hades' throne along with Cadmus.

Harmonia touches the center stone of her cursed necklace. She lets out a deep exhale and smiles to acknowledge her readiness. The King of the Dead taps his two-pointed weapon against the stone ground.

Multiple cracks splinter and spread out into a hole of water. The quartet of Atlanteans enter the Underworld. Commander Cheli with his subordinate Kavartos, Psari carrying a stone tablet, and a woman with the head of a dolphin wearing shiny rings that rival the bright waters. Thanks to Hephaestus' necklaces, puffs of water refresh the four.

Taki smiles upon seeing familiar faces. Psari's fisheyes fixate on the foreigner. Glimpses of him appear to her akin to a dream that felt too real.

The dolphin noble pulls the ends of her teal dress to curtsy before Hades.

The King bows in response. "Lady Delphis, I appreciate your presence in this important matter."

"When you sent Atlantis a letter, we nobles couldn't believe it," she points her snout at him. "Why now, Lord Hades?"

Takashi couldn't ignore the anger and resentment from her tone.

"I accept all fault, my lordship," the white-haired deity puts a hand over his heart. "I allowed my work to drown me from reaching out to the surface and below," his words drip with genuine sincerity. "What Zeus had done to your king and my brother is unforgivable. I can imagine the pain of your peo-"

"Then I will paint it for you," she cuts him off. "Our oldest to the youngest cry out to us for leadership. We lent the aid of Scylla and Charybdis to Hephaestus because we trusted him. And now our city is left defenseless from Zeus' attacks. So, forgive me if I'm not trusting of your family."

Harmonia steps forward. "We understand. That is why our actions and words will be transparent, so nothing is left amiss. Zeus has hurt too many people for far too long. I would know it," her voice wavers. "Our alliance will bring him to justice," her courage returns.

Delphis' eyes focus on the black-haired stranger sticking out. "And what of this stranger? Who is he really? And what's his part?"

The time traveler kneels to her nobility. Upon standing up, his milk chocolate eyes glance at Hades and Harmonia. Their nods give him permission to speak.

 "I'm Takashi Watanabe. I'm from a different place, but I inherited the time control of Kronos, Zeus' father."

"Are you his son?"

"I am not," he admits.

Psari stops in the middle of taking notes. Her eyes bulge in surprise from the revelation. Cheli's lower jaw drops.

A high pitch screech of confusion exits the dolphin's mouth. "Who's your father then?"

Taki sighs. "My father is nobody important. But my mother-"

Delphis screeches again. "An air breather of no relation obtained the powers of a god?! Why would he choose you?"

Harmonia clears her throat. "We agreed to no slurs, Lady Delphis. It is unbecoming of a noble," she briefly smirks.

The noble slaps her own body with her rubbery hands. She lets out an exhale of water through her blowhole.

"Besides, he didn't finish speaking," the goddess of peace continues.

Taki appreciates her intervention with a smile. "My mother is Aiko Watanabe, and my sister is Hikari. They are not gods, but I got my strength from them. And I do want to correct my earlier statement.

My father-in-law, Nicholas, is the closest person to be called my father. And I know I will see them again along with my wife and friends. Aid our side so not only justice can be served, but that I also can return home."

The confidence and kindness of his words takes the Atlanteans aback.

Cheli stands up on his tail. "How can you help us?"

Delphis jerks her head from hearing him speak up.

"Demeter will obtain the knowledge Nyx left behind. We will apply it in our plans to overcome Zeus."

"What kind of future?"

"That I don't know, but I pray it's a brighter future for all of Gaia and myself."

The noble walks up to him. "Does it include returning the Earthshaker to us?"

Before he can answer-

"If it was possible, we still wouldn't return him," Hades objects with a stare.

Kavartos the lobster puffs his chest in anger. Delphis turns to the Lord of the Dead.

Cheli bows. "Lord Hades, please reconsider. Atlantis has been kept safe because of him. We appreciate that you allow our kind into Elysium, but why are you denying this?"

"My little brother has done terrible crimes. Things that should be left unspoken."

"He was our king! How could you not?!" Psari covers her mouth for speaking out of turn.

The dolphin noble screeches. "And what about the crimes of the people your fellow gods ruled over? Mortals like him," she points at Takashi. They dirty our waters with their garbage. That garbage forces our children to cover their mouths! Our kind gets ill because of them!"

"You're right," Taki's response takes them aback. "My kind has done unforgiveable things to your people. But I still won't allow Poseidon to return. I will never forgive him for the hurt he caused to my loved ones. I inquire if someone else could rule Atlantis. Maybe-"

"Another god? None of them understood our plights more than Poseidon. If you won't oblige, we are leaving!"

Delphis begins to make her steps towards the water. Cheli, Kavartos, and Psari begin to follow her.

Taki's right foot taps to think. "Can you please tell me why Atlantis went underwater?"

The dolphin grips her hands. "Why should we ever tell you?"

The time traveler sits down cross legged to their surprise. "Because I want to be the bridge between you and the rest of Gaia," he bows with his head to the dirt. "I beseech thee."

Commander Cheli slithers forward. "Raise your head."

"Commander, why-"

"If we are to become allies, he must know," the commander recalls the incident that brought Atlantis into the depths.

Once, Atlantis was above the surface like every other kingdom in Gaia. Its many bridges extended out to Athens, Corinth, and the land of Sparta. Trade flowed back and forth, enriching the mainland with fresh seafood and gems while the seafolk received clothes and necessary tools. A family of Atlanteans took a trip to Athens.

Cheli's body sparks while his jaw clenches. Tears cascade down his face.

An Athenian gang mugged and violated each of the family members. Only one child survived to tell Poseidon the tragic story. The Earthshaker's rage led to him murdering the criminals, leaving their heads on the shore as a permanent reminder of what they did.

With a swipe of his trident, the bridges broke and separated from land. With a lowering hand, he sank the wonderful city into the deepest chasms. Poseidon was the only one who stood up for his people.

The time traveler is moved to tears. "I'm so sorry."

"And that is why making a deal with humans is costly," Delphis scoffs. "I will not allow our species to die out!"

"The past is too much to repeat, Takashi."

Taki clears his throat to collect himself. "I cannot dismiss what has happened. That left a scar that will never go away. That's why I want to bridge you to a future. One where Atlanteans are acknowledged and respected as residents of Gaia. I cannot guarantee what may happen, but I will fight for you with all that I am. I won't be your ruler, but maybe you don't need one."

Cheli raises an eyebrow. "Explain."

Harmonia mentions a possibility. An Atlantean council that will represent their needs above until it's time for them to resurface. "It won't be like Athens because 500 is too many people to discuss matters. It will be your brightest and strongest to pool together and send to a liason."

"We will never accept a human to be our-"

"I won't be," Taki intervenes. "What if a son of Poseidon can be your representative?"

The idea settles between their heads. "Who do you have in mind?"

Taki stands up. "What about Bellerophon?"

"The prince in Corinth? Why him?"

"He shares the same characteristics of an Atlantean. I've seen it. He is young, but with guid-"

"He's a half breed!" The noble swipes her hand through the hair. "He knows nothing of where he came from."

"Then I will teach him just like you did with me," he stands up. "And I have a way of proving my dedication. Soldier, what is your name?" He points at the puffed-up lobster man.

Cheli glances at him to answer. 

"Kavartos."

"Commander Cheli, is he your strongest soldier?"

"He is," he doesn't hesitate.

"To bridge Atlanteans and the rest of humanity, I offer my blood to reconnect us. Kavartos, I want you to hit me with all that you have."

Gasps leave the Atlanteans' lips.

Harmonia pulls him back by the hand. "Don't do it!"

The time traveler pats her hand. "I will be okay."

"You don't understand," she begins to cry. "Due to the deep pressure they lived through, you may not survive the first blow! Please reconsider!"

His gentle hand wipes away a tear. "I must show them how serious we are. And to show you that I will bring your parents back."

Her lips quiver, but she lets him go.

Cadmus rushes over and holds her from behind. "If you want to look, I will look with you," he reassures.

Taki faces the lobster man. "To clarify, I won't use aura to heal myself. And Hades, you cannot hold him accountable for what may happen."

The King of the Dead approaches him. "Your aura will automatically heal you like muscle memory," he taps his bident at the center of the mortal's chest.

Takashi stumbles back. The sensation was all too familiar. His aura channels are silenced once again. He can't even summon a wisp no matter how hard he tried.

"It will reactivate on my command," Hades explains. "But what if you actually died this time?"

He turns his head. "Zeus wouldn't allow that. He needs me more than I need him," he smirks to relieve the tension. "Kavartos, hit me and I will stand back up. I will consent to another hit."

His heart and mind pulse, warning him to stop this dangerous task.

Delphis delivers a wicked smile. "Do it, Kavartos."

The lobster pulls back his large blunt claw. His hatred for humans propels his attack forward.

Multiple cracks.

Taki's back smacks against the wall. A sharp inhale is followed by the coughing of his golden blood.

Tears cascade down Harmonia's face while Hades grips his bident. Delphis smiles from the infliction of pain on an airbreather.

Psari's face is overwhelmed with tears that she can't explain.

Moments of heavy breaths come from the time traveler. Each breath takes a stab at his organs. The right side of his chest is caved in from the heavy blow. He spits out golden vermillion. His arm trembles from trying to push himself off the ground.

Kavartos' beady eyes fixate on the mortal who requested this odd task.

The realm of the Underworld vibrates. Tree branches burst through the dead ground and aim for the soldier. Harmonia's pink aura shields him from the quick slash. The lobsterman's feet freeze in place from the near death. The other Atlanteans tremble in their spots, afraid that the next move will be their last.

Harmonia, Hades, and Taki all recognize Demeter's fury.

"Demeter," the mortal whispers. "I know you're mad," he coughs out. "Please don't hurt them. I beg you. Nyx wouldn't want this."

The whispers travel down to the roots. The branches slowly return to the realm of Elysium. 

Kavartos finally takes a breath.

The time traveler grabs some blood from the puddle. Do it for them. Do it for Penny! Do it for my Karisa. Stand up and be that bridge!

The fire in his belly ignites.

The fish maiden's mouth opens from the sight.

Takashi crawls like a turtle to return to that spot. Within three yards, he wobbles up to his feet. Short inhales, short exhales. Do it for them.

Each step drags along the dead ground. The image of his "opponent" blurs with the surroundings.  His life flashes in front of him with the following steps. His resets, the friends he had made, his triumphs and failures, his daughter's face, and the encouraging messages from his loved ones.

He finally makes it his original spot. I will not die here. He opens his hand and spills his blood between them.

"I felt your hate," he clutches his ribs. "Let this blood connect our people," he coughs again. He feels a lung almost coming out of his mouth. "If you're not happy, I can take another hit."

Despite the shaking legs, the lobster man can't ignore his bright brown eyes. Hope, compassion, and love reflects back at him. Not an ounce of hatred that he expected.

His large claw trembles as he pulls it back. The mortal stomps his feet to stand firm. Harmonia clasps her hands in a desperate prayer.

Kavartos' attack travels...and stops inches from the man's unblinking face. Instead, he gently pats Taki's black hair.

Tears roll down the soldier's face. "Hatred is tiring to hold. I want to believe in the hope you mentioned."

Harmonia's weeping turns into tears of joy.

"Good," Taki almost laughs. "I lied on that last part-" His body topples forward, but the lobsterman carefully holds him up.

Upon Hades' snap of the finger, the emerald aura channels reopen. "It will be a slow recovery, but he will awaken."

"My lord?" Psari steps forward. "May I attend to his wound?"

Commander Cheli smiles at her request while Delphis is left dumbstruck.

The Olympian waves his bident to reveal a room off to the side with a blanket and pillow. "Go ahead."

"I will take notes on your behalf," Harmonia assures her.

The fishmaiden picks up the mortal with ease in her arms. After applying the ointment to seaweed, she wraps it arounds his chest and ribs with care.

The eventual gentle breaths reassured her heart. She prays that she will repay the man who saved her life long ago.