In the deepest part of the prison, inside the solid alloy prison doors, there was a figure crawling on the ground.
The tattered clothing and the handcuffs on his hands and feet were all signs that he was a prisoner with a serious offense.
"Still alive."
The prison guard took a look behind bars and then left.
His daily work was very simple, just making sure the prisoners were still alive.
He didn't need to consider food, hygiene, and other aspects.
"Another bad day."
Namor slowly moved like a reptile with its bones removed.
Atlantis's cell was slightly different from the surface world, with beds and sanitary facilities placed in the corner.
The remaining one-third of the space was occupied by a nutrition chamber that resembled a large fish tank.
Long-term dehydration was a terrible punishment for Atlanteans.
Their bodies needed to be 'rehydrated' after leaving the sea for around a week.
Prisoners in prison would still have the most basic human rights.
Only when they made mistakes would they be punished by cutting off the water.
"One day, I will return to the surface."
Namor struggled to crawl and rolled into the nutrient cabin.
The liquid inside was rather turbid, obviously used for a long time, and hadn't been changed over a long period of time.
But this time, he didn't care about it.
Half of his body was soaked in the nutrient solution, and every cell in his body was hungry for water.
Namor's manic emotions also calmed down.
He closed his eyes and relaxed his breathing.
The stabbing pain from his broken spine felt a little better and no longer tortured him.
After the double trial from the military court and Atlantis, Namor was thrown into this cell-like garbage.
As the aristocrats said, he lost his crown of glory and power as King and became a 'nobody' prisoner.
Like falling from the clouds into the mud.
It was all because of -- Superman!
He would never forget the heavy blow that the upright figure gave him.
Howling in pain, struggling helplessly, and then returning to darkness.
Namor's self-confidence that was accumulated over decades completely collapsed under Superman's iron fist!
Hiss!
Memories may bring anger, despair, or hatred ... The poor King, who lost everything, subconsciously turned his body.
Severe pain hit his brain again!
His grim face, full of depression and disappointment, became particularly fierce.
"It shouldn't be like this."
Namor remembered what his land dweller father said, that he was born to rule the ocean and become the King of Atlantis.
But now, he had to stay in a cramped cell in the dark.
Day after day, he was wasting away.
This was undoubtedly the most terrible way to torture a strong man with great ambition and aspirations.
Creek!
The heavy prison door suddenly opened, and a glimmer of light came in.
"It smells so bad here."
The charming female voice sounded, which made Namor look up.
With the dark environment, he couldn't see her face clearly, but he could roughly judge that she had an explosive body.
"Namor?"
Against the light, the Black Queen, hidden in the shadows, stared at the bearded man who smelled like a beggar.
She couldn't help but hesitate. This figure really didn't look like the Lord of the Seven Seas, the King of Atlantis.
"Who are you?"
Namor asked coldly as he was lying in the nutrition cabin.
Since his imprisonment, many nobles came to visit and made fun of his situation.
"Someone who can save you."
The corners of the Black Queen's lips hooked up. She approached him a few steps and sent a gesture of goodwill.
"You're a mutant?"
Namor asked with a frown.
By the light, he could see the person's face.
Without the blue skin of Atlantis.
Beautiful, enchanting, like a deadly black mandala.
"Yes, we're the same."
Selene bent down slightly and spoke in a seductive tone, "Your people have abandoned you here, and the robed aristocrats have called you a 'cold-blooded executioner' and 'inhuman butcher', doing everything they can to smear your image."
"Your Majesty, Atlantis is no longer your home. It has united with the great kingdoms of the surface world against your will and against the traditions of the past."
After a failure, Namor became much calmer.
Before he hit his low point, there was one thing that was undoubtedly true.
Sebastian Shaw deceived him and used him.
Namor slightly frowned. The bewitching tone of the Black Queen was familiar to him. This was simply no different than Sebastian Shaw.
'This is a liar!'
He decided.
"Tell me what you need from me and what you can give me."
Namor's face was tense, trying to restrain the excitement inside.
No one wanted to stay in a cell, endure the dirty environment and waste their life.
Freedom was something that every prisoner in jail once had, then lost, and now yearned for.
The arrival of the Black Queen brought him a glimmer of hope.
"I hope you can get out of the shadow of failure, overcome your inner nightmare and find yourself again."
The Black Queen revealed her chips.
A brilliant flame crystal.
The Phoenix Force!
She had already gotten one and couldn't continue to absorb it.
A Phoenix host was needed, and Selene thought that Namor was very suitable.
He was a mutant with powerful ability and great potential.
Unfortunately, he met a strong enemy like Superman when he first debuted, so he suffered a disastrous defeat and lost everything.
"Atlanteans can easily heal your broken spine, allowing you to recover and stand up again."
The Black Queen stirred up Namor's anger, trying to keep the other party from thinking clearly and become her puppet.
"But they didn't. Those aristocrats allowed you to live without dignity, hiding behind the curtain and laughing."
"I'm willing to give you the opportunity to take revenge and take back what belongs to you ... but only if you sign a contract."
Selene threw out a parchment branded with flames. She was a witch and was no stranger to the ways of the demons in Hell.
In this contract, there were many traps that ordinary people wouldn't pay attention to.
By signing on the dotted line, the Black Queen could easily take away Namor's soul when the job was done.
After using this tool to the fullest!
No matter before or after death, she could use him!
Perfect!
"How can I trust you?"
Namor glanced at the contract and warily asked.
To be honest, he couldn't quite understand the obscure, tongue-twisting, and long words.
The Black Queen stretched out her hand and poured life energy drawn from the usual sources into Namor's body.
It was like a medical miracle!
Namor, whose spine was broken and his lower body was paralyzed, actually felt something.
He grabbed the edge of the nutrition cabin with both hands and suddenly stood up.
The atrophied muscles were slowly expanding like a water-filled balloon.
"This is ..."
"Your lost strength."
The Black Queen smiled and continued, "I can also make you stronger."
Namor's expression looked uncertain. He hung his head as if he was thinking.
After a few deep breaths, the young king, who had nothing to lose, took the contract from Selene.
He bit his finger and placed his fingerprint on it.
He placed his 'name' on the contract!
"Very well, you made a wise choice."
The Black Queen smiled with satisfaction. She handed the piece of the Phoenix Force to the other party and then said, "Now it's time to talk about the fulfillment part of the contract."
"I need you to deal with a man and hold him in check."
Namor's eyes flashed as he gradually regained his strength and asked in a deep voice, "Who?"
"Your 'old friend'."
The Black Queen spat out the name softly.
"Superman."