ACT ONE. CHAPTER II:
THINGS MY WAY

SOMEWHERE IN THE ATLANTIC OCEAN.
2016, JANUARY 28.

Never before had Sade experienced such a heavy, oppressive silence following her question. She knew she might have misstepped by making a joke about the strange figures before her—especially since she didn't even know if they could understand her. The weight of her words hung in the air, thick with uncertainty.

The conversation that followed was a murmur of foreign tongues, a rhythmic, hypnotic exchange between the two women and the man. The sole non-blue-skinned figure was gradually drawn into the shadows, leaving Sade alone in the eerie half-light of the cavern. Fear wasn't something she entertained. She'd never been afraid of much, and certainly not of "mermaids"—or whatever these beings were.

But as the man approached, the air shifted. His movements were deliberate—light, yet unmistakably predatory. With each step he took toward her, the space between them seemed to contract, as though an invisible rope was tightening around her chest. The realisation of her vulnerability gnawed at her, but she didn't flinch. She wasn't the kind of prey who would cower. She never was. Even in this strange, submerged place, surrounded by danger, she fought against the suffocating pull of inevitability.

Her fingers tightened around the grip of the gun she had quietly drawn from her boot, the cold metal a small comfort in the face of whatever fate awaited her. As the man fully emerged from the darkness, the tension snapped inside her, her heart thundering painfully in her chest. It wasn't just fear that jolted her; it was the sheer presence of him—the way his eyes pierced through her like an electric shock, sending shockwaves that left her breathless.

He stopped in his tracks, his gaze locked on her with such intensity that it felt like a physical weight pressing down on her. For a moment, neither of them moved. Time stretched. Seconds dragged on, then minutes, as they stared at each other in silence.

Sade blinked, her daze breaking. She felt strangely... small, despite the confidence she'd held moments before. The weight of the situation settled deeper, and she cleared her throat, her voice a raw rasp from the tension that had coiled inside her.

      "Um," she croaked, fighting to regain control. "Where are we?"

The words felt like a mistake the moment they left her mouth. She winced inwardly, her voice betraying her with a higher pitch than she'd intended. She hadn't asked who he was, because somehow, she knew his answer wouldn't just be a name—it would be something far darker. A death sentence.

She could taste the bitter sting of defeat, even if she had no idea what she was truly up against. The feeling that she had already lost, even before the war had begun, settled heavily in her chest.

The man closed the remaining distance between them with measured steps, deliberately ignoring her question as he towered over her. His dark brown eyes were unnervingly calm, yet something darker simmered behind them—something far too dangerous to be mere curiosity.

Sade's body tensed, and her legs shook faintly beneath her. She wanted to rise, to stand tall in defiance, but the subtle tremor in her limbs betrayed the sense of powerlessness he'd effortlessly instilled in her. She could feel it now—this invisible weight, pressing down on her, forcing her into a quiet submission.

He lowered himself just enough to bring his face a mere few centimeters from hers, the intensity of his gaze unblinking. A marine scent, fresh yet oddly unsettling, curled around her senses, invading her nostrils and disorienting her like a sudden tide. His golden skin shimmered under the dim light, droplets of saltwater catching the glow like a scattering of stars across a darkened beach.

      "And who are you?" His voice was smooth, each word sliding off his tongue with the precision of a predator, a snake coiling around its prey—an unsettling charm that felt both dangerous and deceptive.

Sade met his gaze unflinchingly, her defiance a silent challenge. "Where are we?" she repeated, each word deliberate, heavy with weight.

The man didn't answer at once. Instead, he examined her closely, his eyes sweeping over her with an intensity that made her pulse quicken. Sade fought to keep her composure, but she could feel her heart thudding against her chest under his scrutiny. He seemed to sense her tension, the ghost of a smile tugging at the corner of his lips as his eyes locked onto hers.

      "You didn't answer my question... fair human."

      "Answer mine first," she shot back, her voice steady despite the rising tension.

A slight, almost imperceptible twitch in his eyebrow betrayed his surprise. The glow in his eyes intensified, dangerous and predatory, as if the air around them thickened with the promise of something far more sinister.

      "Don't make me repeat myself. What is your name, surface dweller?"

His words felt like the pull of an undertow, threatening to drag her under. Sade held his gaze, each second stretching into eternity as she steeled herself. It wasn't until his hands rested on the rock beside her, leaning in closer, that her reflexes kicked in. The barrel of her pistol came to rest at his temple, the cold metal pressing against his skin with eerie precision.

The man's eyes widened in genuine surprise, and for the first time, he seemed taken aback. Then, slowly, the deep, rumbling laughter of someone who had lived in the depths for centuries echoed from his chest, as though his amusement came from the ocean itself.

      "Do you really think your weapon will do anything, little human?" he asked, the edge of menace creeping back into his voice as his laughter died.

Sade's lips curved into a small, knowing smile. She didn't flinch. The weapon was made of vibranium, and the bullets? Vibranium too. She knew exactly what it could do.

      "Answer my question," she said, her voice quiet but unwavering, "and I won't use it, little mermaid."

The word mermaid seemed to irritate him more than she'd anticipated. His grip on the rock tightened, crumbling a few small stones from the edge.

      "Angry already?" she teased, maintaining her steady stance as she slowly rose to her feet, keeping the gun trained on him. "I thought you liked to have fun. Let's do things my way."

He followed her lead, rising with a grin that stretched too wide, unnervingly so. The tension between them thickened like the calm before a storm.

Sade's fingers tightened around the weapon as she eyed him, watching his every movement. His grin only widened further, and she braced herself for whatever came next.

      "Talokan," he finally answered, the word thick with meaning, hanging in the air like an omen.

For a moment, Sade's mind flashed to the Afghan city of Taloqan—before the realisation hit her. The way he was dressed, the others around her. This wasn't just any place. She knew this was something far older, far more hidden than she'd imagined. A shiver ran down her spine.

      "Talokan," she repeated slowly, her eyes narrowing as she studied him. She quickly glanced up at him, the pieces of the puzzle beginning to fall into place. "Tlālōcān? One of the underworld realms from the Aztec codices?"

He smiled, the expression chilling in its self-assuredness. "What an interesting human you are," he mused, stretching his lips into that dangerous, enigmatic grin that seemed to hold secrets only he knew.

Sade bristled, her patience fraying at the edges. "Stop calling me that and answer my question, Ariel."

      "Yes, like Tlālōcān," he replied smoothly, his gaze never wavering as it drifted down the barrel of her weapon, following the line of her arm toward her face. "Now, may I ask who is behind that mask?"

Her brow furrowed, confusion clouding her mind. She hadn't removed her photostatic veil, so how could he know? It was a precaution she'd always taken to avoid recognition. The question gnawed at her.

Though a part of her wanted to deny it, she couldn't afford to make the situation any worse. She took a breath. "Imani."

      "Imani," he repeated, rolling the name on his tongue as if savouring it. The way he said it made her throat tighten, a lump of unease forming. "And who's really under that mask?"

It was clear now. He wasn't fooled.

      "What do you mean?" she asked, trying to steady her voice.

       "I know it's not your real face, Imani." His voice was low and certain, his proximity now closing in as he took a step closer, his presence overwhelming. The air felt thick with unspoken promises, the weight of the sea pressing down around them. "Show me who's hiding underneath," he murmured, his breath hot against her ear, sending a shiver through her. "But I've noticed you're always asking for something in return. So, I'll tell you who I am, fair human."

He drew back just enough to meet her gaze, his eyes glinting with something dangerous—something knowing. His attention flicked briefly to the arm still holding her weapon, a silent understanding passing between them. "My people call me K'uk'ulkan," he said, the name rolling off his tongue like an ancient ritual. He let the words hang in the air for a moment, and then, with a slight shift in tone, he added, "But my enemies... humans like you, call me Namor."

A chill ran down Sade's spine as the weight of his words settled in. The tension between them was almost palpable, thick with the promise of violence—or something worse.

K'uk'ulkan. The Feathered Serpent God.

A god. Among his people. And she was standing on unfamiliar ground. To strike at him now would be madness.

With slow, deliberate movements, Sade began to peel back the photostatic veil. The fabric fell away, revealing the planes of her face.

Namor's eyes, sharp and calculating, roved over every inch of her, taking in each detail. Every beauty mark. Each flicker of her lashes. Every pore, as if her very being had become the object of his fascination. It was as though he had stripped her bare without a single touch. His gaze lingered, absorbing her, and she could feel it, the weight of his scrutiny, the way his dark eyes saw right through her.

The air between them thickened further, a quiet, unspoken acknowledgment passing between them. She was no longer just a human to him. She was something more. Something that had captured his attention in ways she couldn't yet fathom.

      "I like that better, Sade," he hummed, his voice deep and husky, as if each word was a secret meant only for her ears.

Her heart leapt in her chest, the rhythm quickening as his words, thick with his hypnotic accent, wrapped around her like a forbidden delight. Hearing her true name slip from his lips sent a shiver through her.

      "How?" she breathed, her pulse racing as his mischievous grin only seemed to grow, his amusement deepening with every moment.

      "I have ears everywhere," he said, the words rolling off his tongue effortlessly. "And I already knew who you were, Princess."

      "My name is Imani, not Sade," she shot back, her voice sharp as she swiftly backed away, reclaiming the pistol she had dropped in her surprise. "And stop calling me Princess."

      "I'm sure the name that comes up first when someone's looking for you is Sade," he teased, his tone laced with humor. With deliberate steps, he closed the distance she had put between them. She was trapped, her back against the cold stone wall. The weapon in her hands was now her only escape. "Honor bestows the crown, right? So why—"

      "What am I doing here?" she cut him off, her frustration rising. "You could have killed me on that boat. Why didn't you?"

Namor didn't immediately respond. He just stood there, his gaze locking onto hers with an intensity that seemed to hold her in place. His breath, warm and heavy, crashed against her face once again, a stark contrast to the chill of the cave. His eyes lingered on her lips for a fraction of a second before he took a step back, extending his hand to her.

      "You asked me where you were. Why not show it to you?" His voice was soft, inviting, like a melody carried by the waves, soothing and impossible to resist.

What is happening to me?

      "How do I know you won't kill me on the way?" she asked, though she took a step forward, skepticism still lining her words. She eyed his outstretched hand carefully, considering it. She knew she should refuse, but her curiosity clawed at her, urging her to see the hidden world he spoke of.

      "If I wanted to kill you, I would have done it without you knowing, Princess," he chuckled, the challenge clear in his gaze. His words hung between them like an unspoken dare.

Sade didn't immediately respond, still contemplating his offer. He was a stranger, her captor, and yet there was something about him, something beyond the danger that lured her in. Finally, against her better judgment, she reached out and took his hand, feeling the heat radiate from him as their fingers brushed, a shock of awareness coursing through her.

      "If you try anything, I won't hesitate to put a bullet between your eyes," she warned, her voice low but unwavering.

Namor paused, meeting her gaze, studying the seriousness in her eyes. After a moment, he simply nodded. "I know you won't, Princess."

He began to lead her toward the cave's exit, but then halted suddenly, his eyes scanning her up and down.

      "You can't go out like that."

Sade raised an eyebrow, looking down at the jumpsuit she still wore, the one that had kept her alive through the freezing waters of the Atlantic. "What's wrong with the way I'm dressed?" she retorted, her tone defensive.

      "It's not worthy of a Que—" Namor stopped abruptly, his words faltering under the weight of the look she gave him. He quickly adjusted, his smile returning. "Of a Princess. Royalty should be treated right."

At that moment, the two blue-skinned women from earlier appeared behind her, each carrying a robe. Sade glanced at the one who had seemed to resent her presence earlier, before turning her attention back to Namor, who stood watching her with an unreadable expression.

      "Really?" she asked, disbelief mingling with her suspicion.

      "I promise I'll show you Talokan once you've put on our clothes," he replied, his grin wide and knowing, like he'd won a quiet victory the moment she'd threatened him with her gun.

How much weight did his promise carry for me to actually believe him?

Sade narrowed her eyes, the doubt not easily washed away as she followed the blue-skinned women into another nearby cave. One of them reached out to help her with her suit, but she quickly grabbed the fabric herself.

      "I don't need help getting a dress on," she said firmly, a hint of defiance in her voice.

The woman backed off without a word, while the other, the one who had been eyeing her suspiciously, remained rooted to her spot, keeping an unblinking gaze locked on her.

      "Listen..."

      "Namora," the woman interjected, her tone as sharp as her stare.

Sade blinked at her for a moment, unsure if she was being teased, but the seriousness in Namora's eyes told her it was no joke. Unable to contain herself, she snickered, which only deepened the frown on Namora's face.

      "Namor, Namora. It's like calling my kids Taylor and Taylora," Sade giggled, despite the growing tension in the air.

      "Cousin," Namora corrected flatly.

      "That's even worse. Can I dress myself?" Sade replied, her patience thinning.

Namora held her gaze a moment longer before turning her back on her, signaling that this was the only privacy she would get. Sade rolled her eyes, muttering under her breath before quickly stripping off the jumpsuit and slipping into the water-green dress with nacreous beads that adorned it. Golden strands were woven carefully into the fabric, the craftsmanship undeniable. Despite her resistance to dresses, she had to admit the skill of the Talokanils was impressive.

      "I'm done," she said, tying the dress at her waist before standing.

Namora didn't even glance over her shoulder, simply turning and leading her through a labyrinth of caves. Sade couldn't help but notice how the walls of each new cavern were different—more rounded, with vibrant murals covering every inch. Each painting seemed alive, poised to spring into motion for anyone willing to look closely enough. In the center of the room stood a small table cluttered with brushes and pots of paint. Unable to resist, Sade walked toward one of the murals, running her finger gently along the outline of a snake, marvelling at the delicate strokes.

      "It's beautiful, isn't it?" a deep voice came from behind her, startling her.

      "Ever heard of 'personal space'?" she shot back, irritated by his sudden closeness.

Namor only responded with that insufferable sneer of his, which was starting to grate on her nerves. He pulled back slightly, his gaze briefly flicking to the walls before landing on her, the dress she wore now under careful scrutiny.

      "These are my colours," he said, his voice barely a whisper, but still laced with meaning.

Sade looked down at her outfit, the realization dawning. "I can change—"

      "No." His tone was final, but there was an odd glint in his eyes. "It really looks good on you."

The air between them grew thick with tension, strange and electric, pulling at something inside her she couldn't quite identify. She had never felt this way before—like something was slipping through her grasp, like she was willing to lose herself just to see where this strange pull would take her.

But what did she have to lose? 

AUTHOR'S NOTE
namor :

sade:

shorter chapter but i want to take the time to reaaally describe talokan in the next chapter sooo. first encounter between my babies hehehe. the tension, the angst *bang fist on the table* namor activated his simp card immediately and i'm pretty sure he secretly enjoyed the fact that sade told him that she wouldn't hesitate to shoot him.

namora being like:

now that i've remembered that he is also blue, new nickname activated
&& don't forget to vote, comment and share 🫶🏾

© ADONYSIAC ― IZIA™