The five students were still mesmerized by the breathtaking beauty of Atlantis. The smaller towns along the streets they walked were filled with dazzling buildings made from crystals and metals unlike anything they had ever seen. Along the city streets stood lamp posts made of large crystal spheres, emitting soft light in a variety of hues. The light reflected off the surfaces of the buildings, creating a shimmering glow that illuminated every corner of the city, giving it an otherworldly, magical feel. Aisha, Yoona, Oliver, Amelia, and Jay felt as though they were walking inside a living dream.
"Is this really real?" whispered Yoona, her eyes sparkling with amazement. "It's like a fairytale come to life."
Oliver, usually composed, couldn't take his eyes off the breathtaking scenery. "This is more than just a legend. This is an advanced civilization we could only imagine."
However, their wonder soon turned into unease. The residents of Atlantis—beautiful people with delicate features, resembling a blend of Asian and Arab races—observed them with suspicion. The women of Atlantis had wavy, lustrous hair that shone under the crystal lights, wearing colorful, translucent silk robes. Golden ribbons tied at their waists, crisscrossing over their chests, gave them an elegant yet exotic look. The men wore both long and short robes, balancing simplicity with beauty. Some wore elaborate headpieces, while others let their hair fall freely, creating a visual harmony against the glittering backdrop of the city.
The Atlantean guards stationed near the city gates began eyeing the students warily, as they had never seen such different-looking outsiders before.
One guard, clad in gleaming silver armor, stared at them sharply. Without a word, he communicated telepathically with his comrades across the city.
"Outsiders. They are not from Atlantis. We must capture them before they cause trouble."
Tension rose quickly, and in an instant, several fully armed Atlantean guards began moving toward the students. Aisha, with her sharp instincts, immediately sensed the approaching danger.
"We need to leave—now," Aisha urged, her voice tense. Something felt very wrong.
Yoona glanced around and spotted the guards advancing quickly. "They're coming toward us," she whispered, fear creeping into her voice.
Without hesitation, the five students bolted, sprinting down the narrow streets of the city, weaving between towering crystal buildings. Their feet raced alongside the pounding of their hearts, as the Atlantean guards closed in, ready to apprehend them.
Oliver stole a glance behind them. "They're too fast! We won't outrun them!"
Just when it seemed there was no escape, a figure observed the chase from afar. Selene Vedrana—a female warrior and leader of the rebels—immediately realized the danger the five students were in. With her sharp instincts, she knew these strangers were not a threat; they were merely lost souls in a world that did not belong to them. Selene, accompanied by two skilled comrades, quickly decided to act.
Drawing a deep breath, Selene used her spiritual powers to telepathically communicate with her team. "We have to help them. They won't survive without us."
In seconds, Selene and her two companions—Taren, a martial arts expert with incredible strength, and Kara, a swift fighter with mastery in illusions—moved swiftly toward the Atlantean guards, gliding silently through the crowds like shadows.
Just as the guards were about to seize the students, Selene and her team intervened. Taren delivered a powerful punch to one guard, sending him crashing into a crystal wall with a resounding impact. Kara, moving as swiftly as the wind, used her dagger to incapacitate another guard, causing him to collapse to the ground without serious injury.
Selene positioned herself in the center, standing protectively over the terrified students. With graceful but powerful movements, she channeled her spiritual energy. The advancing guards were suddenly thrust backward, landing hard as though pushed by an invisible force radiating from her hands.
"Come with us!" Selene commanded the students, her voice firm and fearless.
Aisha, who had felt hopeless moments earlier, grabbed Yoona and Jay's hands. "Let's go—now!"
They ran after Selene and her companions through the narrow alleys of Atlantis. The guards, recovering from the surprise attack, quickly resumed the chase. But with Selene's protection and her ability to fend off the guards, the students managed to escape—at least for the moment, though the pursuit was far from over.
They arrived at a hidden hideout, a concealed cave on the outskirts of the city. Still gasping for breath, the students tried to process everything that had just happened.
Jay, normally composed, was visibly shaken. "Who are you? And... what just happened?" he asked Selene.
Selene looked at each of them, her gaze serious but kind. "I am Selene Vedrana. We are part of a rebel group opposing the tyranny in Atlantis. You are in great danger. The guards won't stop until they capture you. You must stay with us."
Aisha, still stunned by Selene's display of power, asked, "Why did you help us?"
Selene gave a faint smile. "Because I know you're not from here. And you don't deserve to be punished just for being different. You have a purpose here—and perhaps, our fates are connected."
Amelia, who had been silent the entire time, studied Selene with curiosity. "What do you mean, 'our fates are connected?'"
Selene took a deep breath. "There is much you don't know about Atlantis and the war hidden beneath the grandeur of this city. You will understand soon."
The five students exchanged glances, realizing that their journey in Atlantis had just become far more complex than a mere exploration. With Selene and the rebels' help, they were now caught in a conflict that could determine the fate of the entire city.
But one lingering question remained in their minds: were they ready to face everything that awaited them?