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Eighteen years ago…

Young Arthur Curry awoke as he did every day to the sound of seagulls cawing outside his window. His eyes peeked open to the sound and sensation of being close to the sea as he picked himself up and yawned greatly. His darker blonde hair was a mess but he didn’t mind as he slowly picked himself up and out of his bed.

“Arthur!” he heard a call from his father. “Is that you waking up or rolling off your bed again?”

“Waking up!” he called back with a yawn.

“Good. Breakfast is ready.”

Rubbing his eyes the boy grumbled to himself as he exited his room and making his way to the kitchen. He could already smell the inviting scent of eggs and bacon. They acted as his guide while he still dealt with the “sleeps” in his eye; as his father always called them.
Finally entering he found his father at the oven, frying up Arthur’s breakfast. There’s as a hybrid room, acting as both a kitchen while blending into a dining room and living room. Arthur always prefer to sit at the kitchen bar for breakfast, eager to have his meal fresh off the frying pan if he could. He knew exactly where since his father had set a glass of juice waiting for him.

After climbing up onto one of the elevated chairs Arthur sipped some of his juice while his father asked “How’d you sleep?”

“Fine.” Arthur answered with tired tone.

His father chuckled and replied “Sounds like you still need another hour or two.”

“I’m fine, dad.” He smiled, trying to hide it from his father.

“If you say so.” He teased while starting to gather everything on a plate. “Because if you want I can just let this sit while you drift back off to dreamland and-”

With a little laugh Arthur blurted “Maika‘i no au, dad!” which indeed translated as “I am fine”.

With that his father turned with a big smile and chuckled “Okay, little man.” He served his plate and finished with “There you go.”

Arthur’s father, Tom Curry, leaned back and awaited to see what his son’s verdict was. Even if for nothing else he always enjoyed seeing his son happy and content. He may have had the same darker tan skin as him and his family but always his darker blonde hair was the one true heritage from his mother.

Within a minute Arthur had finished and said “‘Ono, pop. Always ‘ono.”

Tom chuckled in his throat and replied “Hope you tasted it at least. Good thing I had more waiting.” He turned back, already working on the next batch, before asking “So what’s on the agenda today, Arthur?”

“Uh…don’t really know.” He shrugged.

Another chuckle as Tom commented “That’s the problem with you kids these days. Especially when school’s out. Never knowing what to do with yourselves.”

Arthur leaned back in his seat and suggested “I might just swim. Maybe do some diving.” As Tom nodded, thinking it was a good idea, his son perked and asked “You think you can come with me this time, pop?”

Tom seemed a little upset to the point of sighing before answering “I’m sorry, Keiki. I’ve got some work to deal with.”

Arthur looked down with a little distress and asked “Is this about mom again?” Tom turned as Arthur looked back up, he asking “Are you still going to keep looking for her?”

Tom could see the sadness in his son’s eyes. He knew that he didn’t spend as much time with him as either would have liked but given the nature of his research into finding Arthur’s mother did set a priority with him; one he needed to remind Arthur of.

He took a seat next to his son, putting his arm around his little shoulders, and explained “You might not know it yet but when your mother comes back she’s going to change your entire world, Arthur. She’s got a lot to tell you…. Both of us. But I still need to find her first. Find out where she went. What she’s waiting for. If…”

“If she’s ever coming back at all?” Arthur both asked and finished.

Tom looked at his son’s sad face and, trying to be reassuring, brought him in for a small hug while saying “She will, keiki. She will.” While he could tell that wasn’t enough to lighten his son’s spirit he then said “Tell you what, as soon as I’m done I’ll join you down at the beach. And by then you’ll be in charge. Whatever you want to do we do.”

“Promise?’ Arthur asked with an enthused look.

“Promise.” He replied, his son smiling which made him smile just as much. After that he then rubbed his blonde head, messing his hair a little, and said “Now get going, Kolohe. Before the fish get bored and swim somewhere else.” Arthur jumped down from his seat, taking another quick gulp of juice down as he did, before hurrying off his with father calling “And don’t forget to brush your teeth, eh?”

It took less than an hour for Arthur to ready himself. He brushed his teeth, after his father insisted yet again, before finding a decent V-neck shirt and his favorite pair of green swimming trunks. Sandals on his feet, a towel under one arm and a bottle of fresh water in the other and he was set and ready.

As he set out the door of the small one-level house Arthur stopped for a moment to look at the lighthouse right next to it; the place where his father worked. Ever since he was just a baby he always remembered the looming sight of that lighthouse, like a watchtower over his home and for those who would come to the shores of Maui.

This had been the only home Arthur ever knew for the last twelve years. While his father never spoke of it much he did tell some stories of his life growing up in the islands with his parents until he eventually became the keeper of the very lighthouse he worked in. He had a small education, which he got from his brief years on the main lands of America before returning home when his father passed away. Aside from knowing that she was missing the only thing Arthur ever knew about his mother was that she was very beautiful, kind, and was something out of a dream; as his father always described her. But beyond that he didn’t know who she was, where she came from, where she was, or even if she was still alive. That was why his father spent his times in the lighthouse always looking at maps and other things. Sometimes he’d find his father looking out from the top, scanning the horizon with a spyglass as if thinking she’d just appear one day.

Despite this Arthur enjoyed growing up in Lahaina. Warm weather. Friendly people. And always being so close to the sea. Arthur loved the water and the feel of clear, salty sea air. He made it a chore for himself every day to swim at least a good hour and a half, just so he never lost the knack.

After making his way down to the beach nearby Arthur started to walk down it, trying to get a good distance as to not be too far from his home and his father’s sight while also somewhere not too many people would bother him. Waved crashed as the twelve year old boy took in that feeling of beach air with a smile.

Arthur didn’t get too much father down before hearing the cries of “Help! Help me!”

Without hesitating Arthur dropped everything and ran towards the source, his sandals flying off his feet as he made haste. He only ran a good minute before seeing the cries were coming from a boy out near the rocky area of the bay. Seeing him struggle Arthur rushed up one of the nearby rocks to get a better distance before diving into the water.

After crashing into the sea Arthur swam with all his might towards the boy. He could feel how the water was moving around him which indicated a nearby riptide; likely the source of how the kid had wound up so far out and drowning. Despite this Arthur proved that even for a young boy he had powerful arms and legs, helping to propel him towards the still struggling boy just in time to save him. He’d nearly gone under for the last time before Arthur reached him, taking his arm and pulling him up towards the surface.

Despite using just one arm now while carrying the boy in his other Arthur still managed to swim towards the shore with all the effort his young body could give. Pushing past the currents and soon riding with the waves the two eventually managed to reach the shore where Arthur near dragged the boy as far from the water as possible.

The boy in question didn’t seem that much older from Arthur, perhaps a year or two older at best. His heritage was African and he seemed a little on the meeker side, given the build of his body in comparison to Arthur’s. He had trunks similar to Arthur’s only dark blue in color and a little longer.

Arthur gave the boy a moment to cough out the water in his lungs and catch his breath before asking “You alright?” He couldn’t speak but looked at him and nodded before coughing again, Arthur then saying “You should be careful. That riptide would’ve sent out all the way out to God knows where.”

After regaining himself enough the boy, sitting on his back, said “S-Sorry *pant* I didn’t realize until *pant* *pant* Well…” He indicated being sent out towards the open ocean, Arthur nodding. He then explained “I was just trying to *pant* *pant* see the fish. And the *pant* the stingrays…”

“Maybe next time just go to an aquarium. Less risk of drowning there.” Arthur joked, both he and the boy sharing a little laugh at this. He then patted hos back and added “You’ll be alright.”

The boy nodded, sitting back a little as he started to breathe normally, and commented “Pretty good swimming back there. You training for the junior Olympics?”

Arthur laughed before replying “Just comes to me naturally.” After that he pointed out “Guess you’re not from around here, are you?”

The boy smirked and asked “What gave it away?”

Arthur only shrugged and answered “Well the fact you didn’t know about the riptides for one thing. That and anyone who’d go through all the trouble just to look at fish and stingrays obviously doesn’t see a lot of them wherever he’s from.”

The boy smiled as he showed he was discovered before saying “I’m staying here for a bit with my father. He’s on a business trip in town and I thought I’d come out here to try and get some swimming done. Besides I’ve always liked the water. The cool feeling. How it almost cleans you every time you come out.”

“Now there’s something I think we can both agree on.” Arthur added before holding out his hand and saying “I’m Arthur. Arthur Curry.”

Taking his hand and shaking it the boy introduced himself as “David.”

The two finished, giving a few more complimentary greetings between the two, before Arthur asked “You think we should head back to where you dad is? Should let him known what happened.”

David sighed and looked down at the sand before answering “I don’t think so. My dad’s probably busy and he hates when he’s interrupted. Besides…I don’t think he’ll care.”

“Why not?” Arthur asked. “Doesn’t he care about you?”

David shrugged and replied “I think all he cares about is making sure I’m ready. For when I have to take over the business.”

“Sheesh. Sounds rough, man. What’s your mom say about all this?”

In response David shook his head and answered “Don’t have one. Not anymore…”

Hearing that Arthur felt a discomfort in his gut. It was both sympathy and true understanding, giving his own situation with his mother. When he apologized to David the two looked at each other as if truly understand what the other was going through.

“You too?” David asked. When Arthur nodded he asked “Is she…dead?”

Arthur shook his head but then shrugged and answered “I don’t think so. I mean…I feel like if she were I’d know.” David nodded before he asked him “Is that what happened to yours?”

David shrugged and answered “My dad doesn’t like to talk about it. But let’s just say I don’t have the same feeling you do about her…”

Arthur put a hand on his shoulder out of sympathy and said “Sorry to hear that, man. Really. I am.” David nodded, still looking a little upset, before he had an idea. “You know this might be a little lolo but I think I know a better spot you can dive for fish. No riptides. And that’s where more of the stingrays are.”

David smiled a bit before asking “You sure? Not worried I might drown again.”

“If you do then I’ll save you just to drown myself for having such a pupule idea.” David smirked a little wider before getting to his feet and nodding, Arthur let out a little “Outrageous.” As he stood to join him.

Hearing that David chuckled and asked “The heck was that?”

Arthur bashfully shrugged and answered “From one of my shows. It’s nothing.” After managing to recover his things he directed with his head “C’mon, hoahola.”

“What’s that mean?”

“Friend.” Arthur translated with a smile, which David returned, before the two headed off.

As the two walked Arthur explained some of his terminology he’d been using. Words like pupule and lolo that often crept into his sentences. He told David it was after all the same language everyone else on the islands used but when speaking English they tended to get mixed up or simply liked the way they sounded over the other way. He even tried teaching David some of the words, like “I’a” meaning fish and “kai” meaning sea and even some phrases like “‘O ia mau nō” meaning same as usual and “ ‘A‘ole pilikia” which simply mean you’re welcome. David got some of them but Arthur couldn’t help but poke fun at his pronunciations here-and-there.

Eventually the two reached the spot Arthur had spoken of further down the shore. There were a few more rocks around that shaped it almost into a miniature bay. A small handful of people were scattered around the beach but not enough to crowd where the boys planned to swim.

After giving a few last minute instructions about staying close to him and watching for dangerous areas or fish in the ocean Arthur made his way into the water with David following close. The two began to swim their a little ways out until they were near the opening of the bay.

“Deep breathe, okay?” Arthur reminded.

David gave a “Pfft.” Before adding “Is that before or after I go under?”

Arthur only shook his head with a smile before diving down, David following. The two swam towards the sandy bottom where they could already see some of the fish scatter at their presence. They were beautiful colors of exotic nature that dazzled the boys’ eyes. It was more a sight to David as Arthur was used to seeing these fish by now.

A moment later Arthur pointed out to David as low and behold a stingray skimmed along the bottom. David’s eyes lite at how close it was trying to swim down to at least touch its back. Arthur followed if only to make sure David didn’t get too close and risk being stung in the process. As David came closer the stingray did not seem to notice or care as it just kept to its business. Managing to get only so close the tip of David’s finger stroked against its back before the sea creature swam off in haste.

David felt the need to come back up for air but Arthur only watched and smiled as his new friend hurried back to the surface. He didn’t feel the need just yet. Unlike most Arthur never seemed to run out of air when swimming. His father always told him he just had really strong lungs but sometimes he couldn’t help but wonder if it was more; perhaps something else about his mother he inherited. It wasn’t until a few minutes later that he could hear David calling from the surface that he finally came back up.

Upon his return David asked “You alright? Though you actually were drowning for a second.”

“Never had to worry about that.” Arthur replied. “It’s like you said. Sometimes I just really like the feeling of the water.”

After that the two decided to swim back, Arthur stopping and noticing something before diving back down. David returned to shore only to look back and see Arthur was gone again. He looked around, worrying something happened, before Arthur reemerged. In his hand he was holding a few pieces of trash like old bottles, glass, and even a couple of can holders and pieces of metal.

“Akua with these people.” Arthur said as he took all the stuff to the nearest garbage can.

“That’s what you went back for?” David asked while pointing out the junk in his hands.

“Sorry. Just that I hate seeing this stuff just casually thrown out in the water, you know? The fish hate it and so do I.”

Hearing that after watching him throw it all away David asked “You AND the fish? What are they your friends?”

Arthur looked back to him and answered “No. Well…I mean sort of.” Seeing the confused if a little odd look on his face he explained to David “It’s more like I feel what they feel. Like I understand what they’re thinking.”

Hearing that David only huffed a smile and sarcastically asked “You sure you’re not some sort of fish boy?”

Arthur laughed before the two walked over to a nearby spot to where they sat before telling “We actually have a legend in these islands. About a woman and her husband.” David settled in as he was interested to hear the whole story, prompting Arthur to continue. “Now the man was a fisher and he tried every day to catch good fish. Never worked out. So one day his wife tells him to stay home while she catch the fish. Sure enough she comes back with a whole bunch of them. Her husband think she was laki, or lucky, and tried to go out again the next day. Same thing. No fish. So when the wife went out the next time he followed. Turns out she was actually taking to the fish and getting them to come up to her. When he found out he asked her how and she ran away. Legend say she was some sort of sea goddess in disguise and was just trying to make the man happy. He went out fishing and hoped he’d catch her but never did.” He looked back to David and commented “Sad, no?”

After hearing all that David chuckled a bit and commented “Maybe that lady in the story’s related to your mom, huh? Bet she might be one of these fish mermaid people herself.”

At first Arthur only laughed it off as another lame joke by David. However he began to wonder if it might not have been true in his case. Maybe there was more to the legend that his father always told him. Maybe it had more in common with him than he realized.

A moment later David then realized “Oh man. I think it’s getting late. My dad’s probably done by now and I should get back.”

Hearing that Arthur nodded before asking “You okay then?”

“I will be.” He replied. He held out his hand for another shake before saying “And hey, thanks again, Arthur. You’re a little weird but I like that.”

With a smile Arthur shook his hand saying “Same to you, David.” After that he said “A hui hou.” Which he then translated to him as “Until we meet again.”

“Oh good. And here I thought you were calling my grandma a bad name.” David joked. He began tl walk off as Arthur collected his things before calling back “Oh, and tell your dad I said ‘hi’ too. Maybe next time I’ll have a chance to check out that lighthouse of his.”

Arthur watched as David continued to walk off, waving to him the few times he looked back. Once he was far enough away Arthur began to make his way back home, only to stop and realize something about what David had said that was odd.

He’d mentioned his father’s lighthouse which, as far as Arthur could remember, he’d never mentioned to him. Then how did he even know? Perhaps Arthur had said something about it before without realizing. That was a good an explanation as any as he just shrugged it off and continued for his house.

Upon returning home after his long walk Arthur was excited to tell his father of the morning he had. He hoped he’d be excited enough to known about David and, if permitted, maybe invite him and his father for dinner sometime. Arthur was already picturing the amazing time they’d have playing while they’re father’s talked about whatever dads usually did.

As he came to his door however his imaginations were broken when he saw the door hanging wide open. Arthur looked a little worried as he knew his father would never just leave the doors open like this. Calling to him Arthur rushed inside but found no sign of his father. Not his room or Arthur’s or even outside at the beach.

He hurried up to the lighthouse thinking he may have been in there but again there was nothing. Arthur even came up to his father’s study where all his maps and journals were but there was no trace. It was as if he’d simply up and left.

Scared and worried now Arthur ran down to the beach, thinking that may have been the only place his father had gone. He looked around and out to the surface and surmised he must have been out on the boat. He may have gone fishing or something and this was Arthur just overreacting. That had to be it.

Nothing. No boat. No sign of life other than the seagulls cawing above his head. His father was gone.

“Dad!” Arthur still called in the hopes he’d be heard. “Dad! Where are you? DAD!”

There was no response. No indication his father was around or even possibly alive. He was simply gone. And with that horrible revelation finally coming into his mind Arthur fell to his knees on the beach and began to cry.

Why did his father leave? Where did he go? Why didn’t he try to find him or leave some message about what happened? None of these questions had any reasonable answers Arthur could think of. For all he knew he simply just walked away and wasn’t planning on coming back. But he knew his father better. He knew he’d never just abandon him like this. Something else was wrong.

It was then Arthur thought back to what David had said about knowing his father worked in a lighthouse. Did he have something to do with it? But how? They’d only just met and knew nothing about each other. Or did they?

There were too many questions and all of them just made Arthur feel worse and he continued to cry, his eyes going red and the sand beneath him feeling like cement. It didn’t matter how it happened, all he knew was that his father was gone and he was alone.

As Arthur wished that everything would go back to normal something began to stir in the sea nearby. Arthur was far too upset to notice as something, or someone, began to rise out of the depths towards him. Not until it, or as Arthur soon discovered she, came closer did he notice.

She was a beautiful woman almost equal to an angel from the heavens; or perhaps the ocean as he began to think. Long blonde hair and deep, green eyes that complimented her overall gorgeous complexion. She wore what looked like an otherworldly swimsuit of blue-green along with pieces of jewelry, like braces and a belt that had an aquatic design to them.

At first he was surprised to see her but once she stopped, a sad but comforting look in her eyes, Arthur began to realize “M…Mom?”

She knelt down in front of him, reaching out and taking him into her arms while saying “I’m so sorry, my son. I never meant to leave you for this long.” She tried wiping away his tears while adding “I meant to come and tell you before….before this.”

Arthur still had trouble believing this but had to ask in the hopes that she knew “Where’s…where’s my dad?”

In response she held him tightly for comfort and answered “He’s….he’s gone, Orin.” As Arthur looked up, questioning that name, she only answered with “It’s time you came, my son. Your real home.”

With that Arthur’s mother stood, picking him up to his feet before taking his hand. She led him towards the water where Arthur stopped just where the water met the shore. He seemed hesitant as to what this meant if going with her was the best option.

So much was happening all at once. His father gone. His possible friend behind why he disappeared. And now his mother just appeared out of the ocean like some sort of mermaid from a fairy tale. And on top of that she wanted to him to join her to wherever it was he was supposed to follow. What did it all mean?

Arthur was still standing where he was as the greater question before him plagued his mind: should he go with her? Wherever it was meant leaving the place he knew as home for his whole life. It meant leaving the chance of finding his father if he was still alive. It meant leaving his friends and everything else he knew. And for what? Whatever place it was that this mystery woman wanted to take him? Was it a trick? Could he risk it? Perhaps, if there was a chance for answers, he would have to risk it.

When his mind was finally made up Arthur took steps towards the water. He followed his mother further and further until both disappeared under the waves.

In time people would realize the Curry’s were missing but none would have any clue as to where they went. Neither of them would ever be found until many years later when one would return to the surface forever changed and ready to face the world as the man he was born to be.

*****

From a distance someone watched as the Atlantean and her half-breed child walked out into the ocean before sinking under the ocean waters. After seeing enough of what had transpired the man lowered his binoculars and smirked. He wore a vest and pants while standing near his large van where someone else had been watching with him.

“You see, son, it’s just as I told you.” He began to say. “You need to know your prey before you can truly hunt it. And now that we have the half-breed’s father’s notes we’re one step closer.”

David, finally turning from watching Arthur and his mother leave, turned to his father and replied “Yes, sir.”

“You did well in keeping him away. I knew he’d eventually lead us to the truth.” David’s father then opened the van and hopped into the far back while saying “And to think the quickest way to Atlantis was through its queen’s every own heart.”

David walked towards the back and stood at the opened door, looking into his father’s van to see all he had decorated inside. One side was an assortment of weapons like knifes, guns and even a spear gun. On the other was a map along with a pile of journals and papers. The map itself had lines and pictures of different people, some looking ordinary while others appeared to be scientists of sorts. Among them were pictures of Arthur and his father with them pinned to a smaller map of the Hawaiian Islands circled.

As his father looked over some of the notes and maps he’d taken from the Curry’s home his son asked “What do we do now, father?”

“Now that we have a better idea of where the city is, we just need to gather enough men and money.”

“How long will that take?”

In response his father looked towards his weapons and commented “I may need to run a few ‘side jobs’ but we will find it, son. We will find Atlantis. And all of its treasures will be ours.” He then turned back to face David and finished with “We were meant for this, David. We deserve this. With enough time and patience we will have what we’ve always wanted. I promise. But you need to be strong just as I need to be, understood?”

“Yes… Yes, sir.” David nodded, trying to stay strong as his father wanted.

As David’s father turned back to his work he looked back to the sea where Arthur and his mother had vanished. He thought back how all of today’s actions were his father’s plan. He needed young Arthur out of the way long enough to find his father and find the information he had about Atlantis; or at least whatever he had on its queen whom he’d discovered to be Arthur’s biological mother. This had been the first time his father allowed him on one of his little hunts for the lost city and he was glad to have helped him. He may have played the friend but in reality he didn’t care about Arthur. He just needed to be sure he was Atlantean as his father deduced as further proof of the trail leading to Atlantis’ discovery. As long as it made his father proud he didn’t care about the costs.

With a determined look David stared at the ocean knowing that one day he and his father would finally find Atlantis and claim what was meant for them. Perhaps then he’d see Arthur again and finally reveal who he was. At the very least he’d have to thank him for letting him see the stingrays. The one memorable thing he’d take away from all this was knowing he’d left just as deadly a sting on him as those creatures did.

Little did he know that indeed the two would meet again and when they did both would be changed. The one time friends would soon become the most deadly of adversaries and hold the fate of the oceans themselves in the balance.