Delphine woke up with a heavy sense of anxiety gripping her chest.
The anxiety of the afternoon meeting with Ethan had kept her tossing and turning throughout the night.
She couldn't shake off the nerves that had settled in her stomach like a swarm of butterflies.
She went through her morning routine and tried to distract herself.
She busied herself with mundane tasks, hoping to calm her racing thoughts.
However, her mind kept wandering back to Ethan, replaying different scenarios and conversations she might have with him.
Her mind wandered back to the things she had read during her research on Atlantis and the mermaids in the library.
One by one, the questions danced through her mind.
During lunch, something unexpected happened.
Just as she sat down, her mother proposed inviting Dorian over for a meal.
"He hasn't come to visit us yet, invite him to lunch so you can go out on the boat afterwards!"
With a cautious smile, she agreed to her mother's suggestion.
Delphine felt a bit uncomfortable about that situation and she realised that she needed to talk to Dorian about it.
She had managed to divert her mother's attention by lying about spending time together until that moment, but she now she had to face the task of explaining the situation to her best friend.
She didn't want her mother to know that she was lying.
But the knowledge that he would inevitably discover her deception ate her inside, and she wasn't sure about what she could tell Dorian.
Her friendship with Dorian was built on trust and transparency and she was proud of it.
But the last discussion, the sudden silence between them after school and her lies threatened to tarnish that bond.
Delphine knew that keeping him in the dark was neither fair nor sustainable.
Then, she decided that she would think about it after meeting Ethan.
*A couple of hours later*
The afternoon arrived sooner than Delphine had anticipated, and she couldn't shake off the lingering nerves that accompanied her meeting with Ethan.
When she prepared to leave the house, she found herself facing the same situation—telling another lie to her mom.
Taking a deep breath, she approached her mother, who was tidying up in the kitchen.
"Mum" Delphine began, "I'm going out with Dorian on his boat."
Her mother looked at her and replied "Have fun, remember to invite him over tomorrow."
Delphine nodded and started getting ready.
She went to change her clothes and made sure to wear something that would make a good impression on Ethan.
She didn't know why, but she always wanted to look at her best when she had to meet him.
She put on a white sundress and sandals and tied her blonde hair up in a ponytail.
She checked her reflection one last time before grabbing her bike and setting off towards the meeting spot near the sea.
Before reaching her bike, she took out her phone and sent a message to Dorian, asking him to meet later and that it was an urgent matter.
As she pedaled through the countryside streets, the anxiety in Delphine's chest grew stronger.
She quickly arrived at the designated location, secured her bike and took a moment to soak in the scenic view.
The crashing waves and the salty scent of the sea enveloped her, momentarily calming her racing thoughts.
Ethan was not there yet.
As she awaited for his arrival, her eyes scanned the horizon for any sign of his approach.
Suddenly, she spotted him walking towards her, his summer outfit contrasting with his pale skin that looked like he had just come from the North Pole.
A smile spread across Delphine's face as Ethan drew nearer, and she noticed his eyes gleaming with excitement.
Their conversation began with a warm greeting.
Then, when Ethan noticed that she was comfortable, he asked "Are you ready to dive deeper into the mysteries of Atlantis?", his voice carried a hint of intrigue.
Delphine's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm as she nodded.
"Absolutely! You know, I've been doing some research in the library and online. I've read a few books and articles about Atlantis."
Ethan's expression shifted, curiosity mingling with a touch of skepticism.
"Ah, books... They can be a double-edged sword," he mused.
"What a smart girl, you took it very seriously" he added.
"But I wouldn't trust books when it comes to these topics."
Delphine's excitement waned slightly, caught off guard by Ethan's comment.
Ethan noticed her momentary hesitation and reached out, placing a reassuring hand on her arm.
"Don't worry, Delphine. The fact that you made your research is very good."
Delphine nodded as a sign of relief.
She had been so focused on the information she had gathered that she didn't think that all of that could be a lie.
"Come, let's sit" he said, giving her a nod of his head.
Ethan's voice carried a captivating blend of knowledge and intrigue.
"Many years ago" Ethan began, with a sense of wonder "Atlantis thrived as a magnificent civilization. There was an advanced technology and wisdom beyond its time. But its downfall was not a result of natural disaster alone. It was a cataclysmic event—a clash of immense powers that shattered the once-great island."
Delphine listened intently, her imagination ignited by Ethan's words.
She could almost envision the ancient ruins hidden beneath the depths of the sea, waiting to be discovered.
"But what's fascinating" Ethan continued, "is that despite the destruction, Atlantis did not vanish completely.
Instead, it changed and evolved, becoming a realm veiled from the eyes of ordinary humans.
It still exists now, but in this world it only exists in legends and mythology."
Delphine's eyes widened in awe, captivated by the notion that Atlantis still thrived in secrecy.
Her mind raced with questions about its current state, its inhabitants, and the wonders that lay within.
"And what happened to the people who once lived in Atlantis?" she asked, not being able to contain her curiosity.
Ethan's expression softened, a hint of solemnity in his eyes.
"They sought refuge in the depths of the sea, adapting to their new environment."
Delphine's mind was astonished with wonder, trying to visualise a hidden society of hybrid beings existing beneath the waves.
But one question lingered on her lips.
"How do mermaids fit into all of this? Are they... I mean, we... the result of their physical change?" she asked.
Ethan's smile widened with a glimmer of enchantment.
"When Atlantis faced its fateful destruction" he explained, "the surviving Atlanteans had no choice but to seek refuge in the depth of the ocean. Over time, they met mermaid communities and formed connections, blending their own heritage with that of their newfound brethren."
Delphine's mind realised what he was trying to say.
Some mermaids got assimilated with the old Atlanteans and became part of the same society.
"The merging of these lineages" Ethan continued "resulted in the creation of a remarkable society where ancient wisdom and newfound knowledge coexist. The current inhabitants of Atlantis embody the resilience and adaptability of their ancestors, while embracing the influences of the other communities that joined them."
Delphine's admiration for the and Atlantis. mermaids deepened as she found out more and more their shared heritage.
Ethan paused for a moment, looked at her to make sure that she understood and then continued talking.
"In this way" he concluded, "the mermaids of Atlantis became a symbol of the resilience of their people, embracing the ancient Atlantis heritage and the one of the mermaid community, creating a diverse and united community."
Delphine's heart swelled with admiration for the mermaids of Atlantis.
Their existence represented the deep capacity for unity, acceptance, and shared experiences.
They embodied the notion that from the ashes of destruction, beauty and strength could emerge, reminding her of the power of resilience and the potential for harmony among different cultures and beings.
She turned to Ethan, curious to learn more about the various beings that called this hidden realm home.
"What other races reside in Atlantis?" she inquired, her voice brimming with anticipation.
Ethan smiled, delighted by her inquisitiveness. "Oh, there are many communities" he replied.
"First, there are the descendants of the original inhabitants of Atlantis that didn't mix with others, those who have preserved their ancient heritage through generations. They carry within them the wisdom and traditions of their ancestors, acting as the keepers of the city's legacy."
Delphine smiled at the thought of a lineage that stretched back through the ages, preserving the essence of Atlantis within their very beings.
She imagined them as guardians of the city's ancient knowledge, carrying the weight of history on their shoulders.
"Additionally" Ethan continued, "there are mermaids like us, a mix of their ancestors and the mermaids that joined the community."
Then he added with a smile "But that's not all, you will also find other unique races, some of them are very small communities, but you will find out with time. Just know that there are different peoples that coexist."
Ethan's words revealed a world where myth and reality coexisted, where the realms of
imagination and tangible existence intertwined.