Jake Carter felt a mix of shock and disbelief as he discovered a shocking truth that could change everything. He saw that he was not an ordinary human, but a descendant of the Atlanteans who fled to Earth before the cataclysm. He saw that he had inherited some of their powers and abilities, but he also carried a dark secret that could destroy him and everyone he loved.
He learned this truth from an ancient artifact that he and Aria had found in a hidden passage under the palace. It was a metal sphere that looked like a globe, with symbols and lights on it. It was an Atlantean device that stored and displayed information and memories.
They had activated the device by touching it with their hands. They had seen a holographic projection of a man who looked like Jake's father, James Carter. He had spoken to them in Atlantean, but also in English.
He had told them his story: how he was an Atlantean spy who had infiltrated Earth to gather information and resources for Atlantis; how he had fallen in love with Jake's mother, Sarah Carter, who was a human journalist who had interviewed him; how he had married her and had Jake with her; how he had kept his true identity and mission a secret from them; how he had been contacted by King Orion, who had ordered him to kill Jake as soon as he activated his Atlantean powers and abilities; how he had refused to do so and had decided to protect Jake and Sarah from Atlantis; how he had been pursued by Zane, who had been sent to kill him and Jake; how he had escaped with Jake and Sarah to Morocco, where he had hidden the device and the map that led to Atlantis; how he had been killed by Zane, who had followed them there.
He had also told them his secret: how he was not just an Atlantean spy, but also an Atlantean experiment; how he was part of a project that aimed to create super soldiers for Atlantis; how he was genetically modified and enhanced with nanotechnology; how he was given extraordinary powers and abilities, such as enhanced strength, speed, senses, healing, telepathy, telekinesis, etc.; how he was also implanted with a fail-safe mechanism that would activate if he ever betrayed Atlantis or revealed its secrets; how the mechanism would cause him to self-destruct and explode with enough force to destroy everything within a radius of several kilometers.
He had told them his warning: how Jake was also an Atlantean experiment, since he had inherited his genes and nanites; how Jake also had extraordinary powers and abilities, but also the fail-safe mechanism; how Jake was in danger of self-destruction if he ever betrayed Atlantis or revealed its secrets; how Jake needed to be careful and cautious with his actions and words.
He had told them his apology: how he was sorry for lying to them and hiding from them; how he was sorry for putting them in danger and causing them pain; how he was sorry for leaving them alone and dying without them.
He had told them his love: how he loved them more than anything in the world; how he loved them more than himself or Atlantis; how he loved them more than life or death.
He had told them his goodbye: how he hoped they would forgive him and remember him; how he hoped they would be happy and safe; how he hoped they would find Atlantis and fulfill their destiny.
He had told them his name: James Carter, son of Atlas, spy of Atlantis.
He had faded away and the device had turned off.
Jake and Aria had stared at the device in silence, trying to process what they had just seen and heard.
They had felt many emotions: sadness, anger, confusion, fear, guilt, regret.
They had felt many questions: why, how, when, where, what.
They had felt many doubts: about themselves, about each other, about their worlds.
They had felt many choices: to stay or to go, to trust or to doubt, to love or to hate.
They looked at each other and saw that they were both shaken and troubled by the revelation. They saw that they were both scared and worried about the consequences. They saw that they were both hurt and betrayed by the lies. They saw that they were both alone and lost in this strange world.
They also saw that they were both still attracted and affectionate towards each other. They saw that they still cared for each other and wanted to help each other. They saw that they still shared a bond that transcended their differences. They saw that they still loved each other in this strange world.
They reached out for each other and held each other tightly. They comforted each other and reassured each other. They apologized to each other and forgave each other. They confessed their feelings for each other and kissed each other.
They decided to stick together in this strange world. They decided to face the truth and deal with it. They decided to overcome the challenges and conflicts. They decided to fulfill their destiny and save their worlds.
They decided to love each other in this strange world.
They were Jake and Aria, son of James, daughter of Orion, explorers of Earth and Atlantis, who had been waiting for each other all their lives.