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DC X Rider Ch 71
🕑 Added 2024-11-15 15:08:51 +0000 UTCTula and Kaldur were relieved to see Hila safe. "Princess Hila! We were so worried when you didn't return," Tula exclaimed, rushing to embrace her fellow Xebelian princess.
Hila's eyes widened in surprise at the sight of the two Atlanteans. "Tula? Kaldur? What are you doing here?" she asked, her regal demeanor momentarily faltering.
Tula rushed to Hila's side, her eyes shining with relief. "Princess Hila! We were sent by King Arthur to find you." Tula's words tumbled out in a rush. "When we discovered your guards...dead..." She swallowed hard, unable to finish the thought.
Kaldur placed a comforting hand on Hila's arm. "We feared the worst. But then we traced your location using the bracelet you wear." He offered her a small, reassuring smile.
Hila's brow furrowed with concern. "My guards...did any of them survive?" Her voice was tight with worry.
Tula's expression grew somber. "I'm afraid not, Princess. We found no survivors." She reached out to squeeze Hila's hand sympathetically.
Hila's shoulders slumped, her regal poise faltering. "I had hoped...at least some..." She trailed off, blinking back tears. The loss of her loyal guards weighed heavily on her heart.
"I'm so sorry, Princess," Tula said, placing a comforting hand on the princess's shoulder. "We searched everywhere, but there were no survivors. Your guards fought bravely to protect you."
Hila's eyes glistened with unshed tears as she processed the devastating news. "They were loyal and skilled warriors," she said, her voice wavering. "They did not deserve such a fate."
Kaldur stepped forward, his expression grave. "We will ensure their sacrifice is honored. But now, we must get you back to Atlantis, where you'll be safe."
Haruka, who had been watching the exchange silently, cleared his throat. "I'm afraid I can't let you take her just yet," he said, drawing the Atlanteans' attention. "There's more going on here than you realize."
Haruka, in the Amazon Omega armor, saw Tula and Kaldur were wary of him. Kaldur stepped forward, his expression guarded. "Princess Hila, who is this?" he asked, his eyes narrowing as he regarded Haruka.
Tula mirrored Kaldur's stance, her hand resting on the hilt of her trident. "He seems to be a threat. We should apprehend him immediately."
Hila raised her hand, silencing her fellow Atlanteans. "Stand down, both of you. This is..." she said, pausing momentarily.
"Kamen Rider," Haruka interrupted, unwilling to reveal his name.
Hila nodded. "Kamen Rider, the one who saved my life."
Kaldur and Tula exchanged a glance, their postures relaxing slightly. "Saved your life?" Kaldur asked, his brow furrowing in confusion.
Hila nodded. "Yes, Kamen Rider protected me from those who were pursuing me. He is the reason I am alive and standing here before you."
Kaldur and Tula exchange a glance, their expressions softening as they realize their mistake. Kaldur turns to Haruka, inclining his head respectfully.
"Forgive us for our hasty judgment," Kaldur says. "As Atlantean warriors, we are tasked with protecting our people, and we mistook you for a potential threat. But now we see that you have been a guardian to the princess."
Tula nods in agreement, offering Haruka a contrite look. "You have our gratitude for safeguarding the princess. We owe you a debt of thanks."
Haruka raises a hand, shaking his head. "There's no need to apologize. You were simply doing your duty."
Hila remembers Haruka's words about not returning to Atlantis just yet. She turns to Haruka, her brow furrowed with concern. "Haruka, you mentioned we should not go back to Atlantis. Why is that?"
Haruka nods, his expression grave. "Hila, I have to ask β do you think your ambush was suspicious?"
Hila's eyes widen as she considers his question. "Now that you mention it, the timing and precision of the attack does seem rather suspicious." She pauses, her gaze drifting towards the ocean.
"And the Trench's appearance on the shores β is that a regular occurrence?"
Kaldur shakes his head. "No, the Trench rarely venture this close to the surface. Their appearance is highly unusual."
Tula adds, "It's as if someone is deliberately trying to provoke a conflict between the surface and Atlantis."
Haruka's eyes narrow as he processes this information. "That's what I was afraid of. I believe someone in Atlantis is orchestrating all of this β the attack on you, and now the Trench showing up. They're trying to use you to start a war."
Hila's expression turns to one of alarm. "But why would anyone want to do that? And who could be behind it?"
Haruka's voice is grim. "I suspect the black-armored men who attacked you, as well as the Trench, were sent to eliminate you. If you were to die, the surface would be blamed, and it could spark a war between our worlds."
Hila, Tula, and Kaldur considered the possibility that someone in Atlantis was orchestrating the attacks. Tula furrowed her brow, "But why would one of my own people want to start a war with the surface?"
Haruka shook his head solemnly. "That's the troubling part. As far as I know, no one on the surface definitively knows that Atlantis exists. The only ones who would have both the motive and the means to provoke a conflict would be Atlanteans themselves."
Kaldur's expression grew pensive. "You make a valid point. The surface dwellers have little reason to instigate a war with us, but there are factions within Atlantis who see the surface as a threat."
Hila's determination was unwavering. Even after learning that someone in Atlantis was orchestrating the attacks against her, she insisted on returning to her home kingdom. "If I remain here, the surface will be blamed for my death, and it could lead to war," Hila argued, her regal features set in a resolute expression.
Haruka knew he would struggle to dissuade the princess. "Hila, it's too dangerous. Whoever is behind this will stop at nothing to eliminate you," he warned, his voice laced with concern.
But Hila would not be swayed. "I must face this head-on, Rider. As the princess of Xebel, I have a duty to my people and to Atlantis. I cannot hide while others risk their lives in my stead."
Tula and Kaldur listened to the exchange, their expressions somber. They understood Hila's sense of responsibility, but they also recognized the grave risk she was willing to take.
Haruka let out a resigned sigh, knowing that he could not stop Hila's determined course of action. "Very well, Princess. If you insist on returning to Atlantis, then I will accompany you."
Hila's eyes widened slightly at Haruka's offer. "You would do that? Even after all the trouble I've caused you?"
Haruka nodded firmly. "I cannot in good conscience let you face this alone. If someone in Atlantis is truly behind these attacks, then you'll need all the help you can get."
Hila is happy to see Haruka is willing to help her this far. A problem, however, is how Haruka is going to get to Atlantis. Haruka can't breathe underwater like they can. Haruka realized this problem as well.
Hila's eyes shone with gratitude as she regarded Haruka. "I must admit, I am relieved to have your support, Haruka. But..." Her gaze drifted towards the ocean, her brow furrowed with concern. "How will you be able to accompany me to Atlantis? You are not Atlantean - you cannot breathe underwater as we can."
Haruka felt a pang of stupidity as he realized the obvious problem β he couldn't breathe underwater like the Atlanteans. In his eagerness to accompany Hila, he had forgotten this crucial detail. Furrowing his brow, he tried to think of a solution, but his mind drew a blank.
Haruka searched through the system shop, desperately looking for anything that could help him breathe underwater. He scrolled through the list of Kamen Riders and their associated powers, but the cost of each item was far beyond his current points.
"Come on, Ada, help me out here. Give me something I could use in this draw," Haruka pleaded with the AI.
[The gacha draw is random, Host,] Ada replied, her tone matter-of-fact.
Haruka let out a frustrated sigh. "I know. I am just praying that whatever god is out there will help me." With a deep breath, he initiated the gacha draw, watching the familiar roulette spin.
As the roulette slowed to a stop, Haruka held his breath, hoping for a miracle. When the results were displayed, his eyes widened in surprise.
[Congratulations, Host, for acquiring: Kamen Rider Abyss.]
Comments
Noah Samuel Baker
Awesome π Kamen rider abyss is really cool
