As they approached the Ocean Master's quarters, the massive wooden doors swung open, revealing a chamber filled with all manner of aquatic maps, charts, and strange artifact that glimmered with a faint, otherworldly light. The room was a treasure trove of knowledge about the seas, with shelves lined with ancient scrolls and books bound in materials Shawn couldn’t identify. In the centre stood a large, miniature map of Atlantis, its contours shifting as if alive, displaying the ever-changing currents and tides surrounding the city.

  The Ocean Master stood before the map, a tall, slender figure with long, flowing silver hair that cascaded down his back like a waterfall. His deep sea-green eyes glimmered with a wisdom that seemed as ancient as the ocean itself. He looked up as they entered, a small, knowing smile playing on his lips.

  “Princess Selena, I see you’ve brought our guest,” he said in a voice as smooth and deep as a calm sea, his gaze resting on Shawn with a measured curiosity.

  "Yes, Ocean Master," Selena replied formally, inclining her head with respect "We need to prepare for a journey to Prince Zhao’s castle."

  The Ocean Master nodded, his expression thoughtful as he turned back to the miniature map. "Very well, follow me," he said, his voice carrying an undercurrent of authority. Shawn and Princess Selena followed him down a narrow corridor that opened into a vast chamber, and the room was dimly lit. In the centre of the chamber lay a small square pond filled with water.

  The Ocean Master moved to the front of the pond and extended his hands, his fingers splayed before him. With a deep breath, he summoned a magic circle around his arm —a brilliant blue disk inscribed with the ancient markings of Atlantis, symbols that seemed to pulse with an inner light. As his hands twisted and turned, the circle mirrored his movements, resonating with his gestures. The water in the pond responded in kind, rippling and undulating as if alive.

  Shawn and Princess Selena watched in awe, captivated by the Ocean Master’s display of skill. The water seemed to dance beneath his command and took shape into a bigger version of the miniature Atlantis that seen before, the liquid city reflecting every subtle movement of his hands. After a moment of concentration, the Ocean Master spoke, his voice calm and measured. “We are here,” he said, as a spot on the water’s surface began to glow with a soft blue light, marking their current position. Then, with a subtle flick of his wrist, another point began to glow—a deep blue jewel light emerging from the waves. “And Prince Zhao's castle is located here,” he continued, as a small wave rippled across the water map, pointing directly to the location of the castle.

  “You can reach the castle by riding the northern current,” he advised, highlighting the northern current, his tone serious. “However, the castle is submerged deep underwater. Princess, can your companion breathe underwater?” His gaze shifted to Selena, waiting for her answer.

  “That’s why we came to you, Ocean Master,” Princess Selena replied smoothly, her tone respectful yet firm.

  As if on cue, they were joined by General Kelathor and Makara, who stepped into the chamber with purposeful strides. The Ocean Master let his hands fall, undoing the magical enchantment. The blue light of the map dimmed, and the water settled back into stillness. “Ah, more visitors,” he remarked dryly, a hint of amusement in his voice. “I must be popular today.”

  He stroked his chin thoughtfully, considering their predicament. “Well,” he began, “I do have something that could help your companion breathe underwater, though it is a bit… slimy.” His eyes twinkled mischievously.

  Princess Selena nodded. “That’s fine,” she replied, her tone practical and unwavering.

  The Ocean Master nodded again and turned, disappearing through a small doorway at the side of the chamber. As he left, General Kelathor called out, “Ocean Master, bring that other item as well,” giving a subtle signal with his hand, an unspoken request passing between them.

  Meanwhile, Shawn moved closer to Makara, lowering his voice to a whisper. “Is everything alright? What did the King say?” he asked, concern etched on his face.

  Makara glanced around before replying in a hushed tone, “Yes, everything is fine. The King gave us a stern warning. The protection of the Princess is more important than our own lives,” he said, his expression serious. Then, with a slight grin, he added, “But on the bright side, I just received my reward—a premium wine from General Kelathor.” He patted the medium gourd at his belt, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.

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  Shawn chuckled softly, appreciating the light-hearted moment in the midst of their serious mission. Just then, the Ocean Master returned, carrying a small chest made of a strange, dark wood that seemed to absorb the light around it. He set it down with a soft thud and opened it to reveal a collection of shimmering, translucent pearls, each one pulsing faintly with an inner glow.

  “These are Air Pearls,” the Ocean Master explained, holding one up for everyone to see. The pearl was smooth, shimmering with a faint inner light, and glistened with a slimy coating. “They will allow you to breathe underwater, but you must swallow them whole,” he instructed, his voice steady and reassuring despite the oddity of his words.

  He handed one to Shawn and another to Makara. As they took the pearls, the slimy texture clung to their fingers. Shawn grimaced, feeling the slippery sensation, and turned to see how Makara was handling the situation. To his surprise, Makara showed no hesitation; with a casual shrug, he popped the pearl into his mouth and washed it down with a swig of sake from a flask he had tucked into his belt.

  “Ugh,” Shawn muttered under his breath. He could feel the eyes of everyone in the room on him—Princess Selena's amused gaze in particular was almost tangible. Swallowing his apprehension and feeling the weight of peer pressure, Shawn closed his eyes and swallowed the pearl in one quick motion. It slid down his throat with a sickening squelch, leaving a lingering taste that made him gag. He coughed violently, trying to suppress the urge to spit it back out, his eyes watering from the effort.

  Princess Selena observed him with a hint of amusement playing at the corners of her mouth. Noticing her expression, Shawn asked, between coughs, “Did you... not take it?”

  Selena’s eyes sparkled with a mix of pride and mischief. “Unlike you, surface dwellers, we Atlanteans are naturally adapted to underwater environments,” she replied smoothly. “We don’t need such aids to breathe beneath the waves.” Her tone carried a slight teasing edge, and Shawn caught the glimmer of satisfaction in her eyes, a small triumph in their ongoing silent contest of who would best the other.

  Still sputtering slightly, Shawn could feel the air pearl starting to take effect. His lungs felt oddly cool, as if filled with fresh ocean air, and the discomfort began to fade. He straightened up, trying to regain some semblance of dignity, but the smug look on Selena’s face made it clear she had enjoyed the spectacle. Meanwhile, General Kelathor said to Princess Selena, “You should also prepare yourself if you are going with them.” With that, Princess Selena left the room.

  Seeing that Shawn and Makara had successfully swallowed the pearls, the Ocean Master clapped his hands together. “Good, now that you are all prepared, follow me,” he instructed, his voice brisk and businesslike. He led them outside to a vast, open area at the back of the palace—a large pool that connected directly to the open ocean through a wide, arched channel. At the pool’s edge waited a massive whale, its sleek, muscular body rippling with the promise of power and speed. The creature’s eyes were large and intelligent, gleaming with an awareness that went beyond mere animal instinct. Fitted along its back were harnesses and seats designed specifically for underwater travel.

  “This whale will take you to Prince Zhao’s castle,” the Ocean Master explained, gesturing to the mighty creature. “She knows the currents and the safest routes through the deep. Just hold on tight, and she will guide you safely to your destination.”

  Before they could proceed, the Ocean Master produced a bundle of garments, each one tailored uniquely. “Also, you will need these,” he added, handing them out. “The currents can be fierce, and these suits are specially designed to provide resistance against the pressure and cold of the deep ocean. You can wear it over your current dress.”

  Shawn and Makara quickly donned the suits. They were made of a flexible yet durable material that clung to their bodies like a second skin, each suit slightly different—Makara’s bore reinforced plating across the chest and shoulders, while Shawn’s was a balanced blend of protection and manoeuvrability. A voice came from behind: “The suits look perfect for you guys.” They turned to see who it was—it was Selena, wearing her custom-built suit, which featured sleek, streamlined sections designed for agility. As Shawn and Makara were adjusting to their suits, General Kelathor and the Ocean Master approached Princess Selena. “Princess,” Genera Kelathor began solemnly.

  “Yes, General?” Selena responded, turning to face him.

  “Since you will be venturing beyond the safety of Atlantis’ walls,” Kelathor said, his tone grave, “we have something for you.” He nodded to the Ocean Master, who produced a long, cloth-wrapped object. Selena took it and unwrapped the cloth carefully, revealing a small metal rod about the size of a dagger. She examined it curiously, her brow furrowed in thought.

  “This,” the Ocean Master explained, “is an ancient weapon of Atlantis—a versatile tool that has served our people well for generations. If you twist it counterclockwise at the centre, it will extend into a spear. Continue twisting, and it will reveal different weapon-head configurations with each turn.”

  A flash of excitement crossed Princess Selena’s face, quickly masked by her usual calm demeanour. She nodded appreciatively and secured the rod at her back, clearly pleased with the unexpected gift. “Thank you, Ocean Master, General Kelathor,” she said, bowing her head slightly.

  With everyone equipped and ready, they secured themselves into the whale’s harnesses. The massive creature seemed to sense their readiness, shifting its tail in the water in anticipation. They exchanged quick farewells with those on the shore, receiving nods of encouragement and final instructions and venture deep looking for the first heir of King Azure.