Chapter 156 - Atlantis II
The triangular gate that was more than 20 meters tall had a thin blue line that everyone had to pass through. If you didn't have something that identified you as an inhabitant of Atlantis, you wouldn't be able to get in.
Noah followed the Mermaid that had caused a commotion outside by grandly pronouncing his arrival as they crossed the thin film of light. It felt as if multiple unknown things were scanning him up and down, the Champion's Trident he had taken out blinking twice in his hands as he passed through with no problems.
The mermaid looked back at him as behind her, the full grandiosity of Atlantis spread out before Noah's eyes. He thought there were a lot of golden sh.i.p.s and submarines outside, but he was hugely mistaken. The inside of the underwater city was even more spectacular as architecture of all sorts of styles and sizes could be seen.
Pulsating lines of light that seemed to connect everything were spread throughout, making Atlantis seem very lively.
"Haha, the city always gives a shock to newcomers. Come this way, I'll show you the exciting place where you'll be spending some time in a few days!"
The mermaid was very bubbly and chirpy, making someone question the aura she held at Legendary rank as she moved around. Her name was Ula, and she was the Neon Commander in charge of bringing in the new Champions and preparing them for the things to come.
They swam around the huge city that could be considered an empire by itself as she pointed out everything around her as if she was seeing it for the first time herself. The city seemed to be mostly underwater, with a few places having barriers that provided pockets of air where Atlanteans gathered.
"This is the Gem of Knowledge."
She pointed to the extravagant building that seemed to be carved out of a large blue gem, where it had the outline of shining pages at its center.
"It holds all the knowledge about our world, the mysteries and unsolved phenomena, as well as...the terrifying creatures prowling in the deepest waters. Give it a visit sometime to expand your knowledge!"
She pulled Noah to the next places she wanted to show as he followed along with an exasperated expression, finding the pace of this mermaid much too fast as he enjoyed the illuminated surroundings of Atlantis.
It was the scene of innovation and life vibrantly budding as he was taken around for a tour that lasted more than an hour, and even then he had barely seen a percentage of Atlantis.
The mermaid, Ula, knew how to read the mood as she smiled and pulled Noah along to one last place. It was a less congregated place where a few guards patrolled, and they were granted access with Ula in the lead.
She brought him next to what seemed to be another blue road that extended for miles, though this one had what seemed to be train tracks running alongside it. They waited just for a moment as something zoomed near them, a beautifully sculpted tube that sprouted mechanical wings on each side opening its doors towards them.
"Haha, I'm sure you haven't used one of these before. Come in, our next place is the one you'll want to know about the most!"
Ula's chirpy voice enthusiastically rang out as she pulled Noah into the tube that blazed down the shining blue road at extreme speeds. Noah looked at the passing blurs of buildings, Atlanteans, and Merfolk as the tube sn.a.k.e.d across the connected roads of Atlantis and brought them further inwards at an alarming pace. He couldn't help but ask.
"These roads run throughout all of Atlantis?"
He asked while he sat down on the seats of the futuristic little train as the mermaid beside him continued talking.
"Everything in this city is connected, and the roads with these mini High-Speed Hydro Trains are just one way of that. As long as you know where to go, it won't take you too long to get there. We're going to the Aqua Tower that lies near the center of Atlantis, that's where new Champions gather every week to see if they have what it takes to become the Seekers of Atlantis."
Her eyes shined powerfully as she mentioned the word seekers. This was the title that those who were considered Champions could achieve in order to gain the knowledge and secrets that those in the upper echelons of Atlantis held on the Supreme Treasure that everyone was searching for.
The treasure that the first ruler of Atlantis held, allowing him tremendous power that allowed him to establish dominion in some of the deepest parts of the sea and establish the city of magic and innovation that's existed until now.
Yet, when the late king went missing some time back, so did the Supreme Treasure. Since then, there had only been a period of incessant searching, but nothing has been found.
The blurs of light around them passed as the Hydro Train with mechanical wings came to a stop in a clear environment with very little noise. There were a few powerful auras congregated around the area as they surrounded a large golden tower that rose above the seas.
The tower was meticulously built with an archaic design that seemed to be modified for the modern Atlantis as it stood grandly in front of them.
Ula raised her trident as she stood proudly in front of Noah.
"This is the Aqua Tower, a treasure built by the first King of Atlantis."
She turned towards Noah and looked him straight in the eyes, her trident pointing towards the Aqua Tower that was drawing in his eyes.
"In a few days, the selection to see just which Champions can become Seekers of Atlantis will take place once again. What you see currently is just the outer look of the tower, and your goal...lies below."
Noah's eyesight moved towards the ground that the mermaid was pointing at, as he could see a thin outline of the same tower that seemed to be much larger going down into the ground.
"Those who wish to become Seekers have to descend at least to the 70th floor in order to obtain a treasure that will initiate them into their new role. Many Neon Commanders have tried, with very few that stood at the peak of that level passing the 70th floor. It's mostly Golden Commanders that usually make it through and obtain the most rewards."
The neon and golden commanders she was mentioning were naturally Legendary and Mythical ranked individuals. Noah's power had already risen to the Mythical level, and he wondered just how far down he could go in this tower where treasures lay waiting for him.
This was one of his goals in coming to Atlantis. Past the 70th floor of the Aqua Tower was a treasure created from technology and magic, something that everybody holding the title of Champion wanted to get their hands on.
"If you are strong enough to reach that level, the expertly synthesized Golden Serum will land in your hand. It was the pride and joy that granted such incredible strength to King Neptune. You must have heard of its effects to be standing where you are now, so the one advice I can give you is, go as deep as you can."
The mermaid that was always speaking a chirpy enthusiastic voice turned serious as she said this.
"The deeper you go, the more concentrated the Serum becomes, and the more power you will gain after taking it."
Noah nodded at these words as many thoughts passed through his mind and she continued, this time getting back to her cheerful self.
"The new selection will start in a few days, so you have some time to enjoy Atlantis as it should be enjoyed. I'll lead you to the lodging where you'll be staying."
Noah followed closely behind the mermaid as he took in the expansive Aqua Tower one last time, his gaze lingering on a shining blue square on the right side of the tower that held multiple numbers with names in front of them. At the number one spot which shone in a golden light stood a name that would bring awe to any that looked.
It was written- King Neptune.