*One week later*
Delphine's heart raced with anxiety as she approached the usual calm and empty place near the beach.
The golden hues of the setting sun painted the sky, casting a warm glow over the tranquil scene.
Ethan had told her that he would be waiting for her there.
Something very important was going to happen and she felt the weight of it, but she was determined to learn.
She had almost reached the designated spot, when she spotted Ethan standing near the water's edge.
This time his outfit was not like the casual ones he used to wear, that allowed him to blend perfectly into the society.
He was wearing a black hood, the dark fabric contrasting against his pale skin and gray eyes.
In his hands, he held a worn, leather-bound book, its pages seemingly filled with ancient knowledge.
Ethan turned at the sound of Delphine's approach, a soft smile playing on his lips.
His eyes immediately recognised the mix of emotions that reflected on her face.
"Delphine" he greeted her, his voice gentle yet filled with a sense of purpose.
"I'm glad you've arrived."
Delphine nodded, her anxiety intermingling with a growing sense of determination.
"I'm ready, Ethan. I don't even know what to expect, but I'm ready."
During the last week leading up to her meeting with Ethan, Delphine found herself immersed in a deep introspection.
The prospect of fully embracing her mermaid identity had both excited and scared her.
She contemplated the unknown that lay ahead and wasn't sure about what to do.
She had to decide alone, because no one else knew about it.
In those quiet moments of solitude, Delphine reflected on her journey so far.
She pondered the countless questions that swirled in her mind.
What would it feel like to develop her mermaid powers?
Would she be able to adapt to a life that had been hidden from her for so long?
And most importantly, would she finally find a sense of belonging that had eluded her since birth?
Delphine recognized the weight of her decision.
She had spent her entire life as a human, unaware of her true nature.
The realization that she was a mermaid had initially overwhelmed her, bringing a mix of excitement, curiosity, and fear.
The desire to learn about her heritage was deep within her soul, but the fear of the unknown stopped her.
However, as the days passed, Delphine gradually discovered a newfound strength within herself.
One night, Delphine made her decision.
She would face her fears and embrace the challenges that she would find.
The thought of staying stagnant, forever wondering what she could become, was more distressing than any fear she might find along her path.
With a deep breath, Delphine let go of her apprehensions.
She was sure of her decision.
That time she took the initiative and, in the darkness of her room, looked for her phone on the bedside table without even looking.
Then she took it and typed "I'm ready".
She sent it to Ethan, and without even waiting for an answer she put the phone back in its place and rolled over in bed.
She only needed to know when and where they would meet.
Delphine's eyes were drawn to the weathered book that Ethan held in his hands.
Its presence intrigued her and she wondered about its meaning.
She finally voiced her question.
"What is this book?" Delphine asked, with genuine curiosity.
Ethan's gaze shifted towards the book, with reverence and pride flickering in his eyes.
"This" he began, "is a grimoire—a sacred repository of mermaid knowledge passed down through generations in Atlantis."
Delphine's eyes widened as she absorbed the weight of his words.
The ancient book held within its pages the accumulated wisdom of countless mermaids who had come before her—a treasure full of secrets.
Ethan's gaze met Delphine's, a proud smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
"This grimoire contains spells, rituals, and insights into our mermaid powers. It is an essential tool in helping you develop your abilities."
Then, Ethan nodded, recognizing the yearning in Delphine's eyes and realising what she wanted to do.
"Go ahead, Delphine. The book welcomes your touch. I'm sure it recognizes the potential within you, your power waiting to be awakened."
Tentatively, Delphine extended her hand, her fingertips grazing the ancient cover.
Her touch met the worn leather and a pulse of energy coursed through her.
Delphine's hand trailed along the intricate figures that adorned the cover, her touch reverent and delicate.
It was as if the book whispered secrets to her, promising her the knowledge she was looking for.
As she withdrew her hand, Ethan asked "So, are you ready? Come with me."
Ethan guided Delphine to a hidden cave nestled along the shoreline.
Its entrance was covered by the seaweed and shimmering seashells, giving an air of enchantment to the place.
The soft glow of bioluminescent algae illuminated their path.
Ethan quickly led Delphine to a circular stone platform at the center of the cave, as if he had always known that place.
On it, there was an intricate arrangement of seashells, crystals, and a small bowl filled with shimmering seawater.
He opened the ancient book and lay it open nearby, showing its pages filled with ancient formulas and symbols.
Delphine didn't know what to expect.
"First, I have to do a ritual" Ethan explained.
He noticed that Delphine was visibly nervous and he stopped mid sentence.
It was obvious: she had entered a dark cave with a guy she met a few weeks before, all dressed in black that was going to perform rituals she had never heard about.
Who wouldn't be nervous?
"Do you trust me?" he asked, trying to give her reassurance.
"Yes, I trust you. Keep going" Delphine answered, her soft voice echoing in the cave.
Ethan nodded and proceeded.
"This is a ritual that will help you channel and manipulate the water. It will bind your energy with the essence of the sea, allowing you to command its might."
Delphine nodded her approval.
Ethan began to recite the ancient incantations, his voice reverberating within the cave.
Delphine recognised some Latin and Ancient Greek words, but they were mixed with other languages she had never even heard.
But it felt like each word carried power and purpose, invoking the spirits of the sea and the ancestral mermaids of Atlantis.
Then, as he kept reciting the formulas, Ethan motioned for Delphine to step forward.
She approached the stone platform, her hand shaking.
Ethan dipped his fingers into the shimmering seawater within the bowl and gently anointed Delphine's forehead, marking her as a vessel of the sea's power.
"Delphine" Ethan said, his voice filled with unwavering belief "the time has come. With the power of your ancestors, the knowledge within you and the support of the spirits of the sea, you shall command the water as your birthright."
Delphine closed her eyes, feeling a strong energy that enveloped her inside.
She visualized the currents responding to her will, the waves rising and falling with her command.
As she opened her eyes, Delphine extended her arms, palms facing the bowl of shimmering seawater.
Ethan, with the book in his hands, held it out to her slightly so she could read and pointed to a formula with his finger.
She whispered the incantation that was written in the grimoire and, in that moment, she felt an even stronger energy responding, flowing through her veins, intertwining with her very essence.
Suddenly, the water within the bowl began to stir.
Gentle ripples transformed into dancing waves as Delphine moved her hands.
Ethan's eyes shimmered with pride and he smiled.
"You're doing it, Delphine" he whispered, his voice filled with admiration. "You're tapping into the primal forces of the sea."
Ethan set down the book, stood behind her and placed his hands on hers, which were still in the air.
"Don't stop visualising" he whispered in her ear, slowly moving her hands with his.
Caught off guard by that sudden sort of hug, Delphine's face flushed with a tinge of embarrassment.
Her concentration wavered, causing the water she had been manipulating to lose its ethereal form and cascade back into the bowl.
She turned to face Ethan, her cheeks still tinged with a rosy hue.
"I... I'm sorry" Delphine stammered, her voice betraying her slight embarrassment.
Ethan's gaze met hers, filled with understanding and a gentle smile.
"Delphine, you made it on your first try. This is already exceptional."
"You have been amazing" Ethan continued, his voice brimming with genuine admiration. "Trust in yourself, you are amazing."
In that mystical cave, where the echoes of their voice intertwined with the whispers of the sea, the atmosphere suddenly changed.
A magnetic energy seemed to pull her closer to Ethan.
Their eyes locked, communicating a depth of understanding that surpassed mere words.
Without hesitation, their lips gently met, the tender brush of a kiss.
The desire that had been hidden beneath the surface suddenly erupted, awakening a hunger she hadn't fully recognized until now.
It seemed that Ethan, too, shared this fervor, his touch conveying an unspoken longing.
The echoes of their breath mingled with the whispered secrets of the sea, creating a moment suspended in time.
Their kiss deepened, speaking volumes of unspoken emotions.
Delphine felt her heart pound in her throat with happiness and the adrenaline of the moment, as Ethan's hand lifted her chin and continued to kiss her.
If all of that was a dream, she never wanted to wake up again.