They swam back as fast as they could, arriving to see the central coral lit up and decorated. Caspian frowned, swimming to one of his friends that had been guarding the area.
"What is happening?"
"They're holding Naia's coming of age ceremony now," he said, eyes looking past him and to Naia.
He smiled handsomely, which made Caspian want to push him. The friend ignored him and continued to look warmly at Naia, "Elder Baba is calling for you."
Naia looked at Caspian, confused, but nodded and said her farewell anyway, though feeling strangely reluctant.
Caspian's emerald eyes followed his future mate with a complicated expression.
Although doing the ceremony in advance was not unheard of, it was rare and usually unnecessary.
He… had a bad feeling about this.
***
Later that night, the world's only mermaid clan gathered in one place, watching in anticipation.
The area was lit with bioluminescent creatures and sparkling stalactites. Everyone waited patiently as their most beloved Naia was finally entering adulthood.
The path was lined with bioluminescent creatures, paving a way of light fo the new adult mermaid to join the clan.
In factr, seeing Naia together with the other mermaids, her differences were starker in comparison: Her skin had more color, her ears weren't as pointed, and her hands weren't webbed.
She slowly swam along this path, the luminescence casting an ethereal glow on her and fascinating all who saw.
As she moved, the mermaids sang together, their lovely voices reverberated among the waters. They sang a harmonious melody, one akin to the young merfolk entering another life.
Perhaps it was.
At the end of the path was a platform made of special shells and corals. They were as old as a few millennia, literally witnessing the growth and decline of the clans.
Behind this platform was the grand elder herself, ready to facilitate the ceremony.
This was a great honor, as it was always the other elders who had done it for others.
Naia felt a little nervous as she approached the end, turning her head slightly to see Caspian, who smiled at her reassuringly.
She smiled back, feeling a bit better. Her heart settled as she floated in front of the platform and the elder.
The elder didn't speak for a while, only looked at her deeply. Naia was already beginning to feel nervous again when the old mermaid finally spoke.
"Today, we celebrate a momentous occasion for our small clan: our Naia's coming-of-age ceremony.
"After eighteen cycles of the world, the day has finally come.
"Currents of time flowed forward, we witnessed the growth of our youth.
"Now she has come of age, and a new path awaits."
She turned to look at Naia, directly speaking to her.
"Young mermaid, you will now embark on the journey to the unknown.
"May your strength and love for the clan be your guide. The future of our clan rests with you. Do you accept?"
Naia, curled her tail, bending her body. "Yes."
Obviously, this was told to the other merfolk that underwent this ceremony.
Why did it feel… different?
It felt heavier, she thought, as did everyone else.
Perhaps it was because the Grand Elder himself led her ceremony?
***
The custom after the ceremony was a feast, held in one of the massive outcroppings.
There, a bounty of abundant oceanic delights lined up an elongated stone.
There were platters after platters made of seashells, carrying various food to fill the stomach.
There were different types of fish, seaweed, and the like, and the merfolk consumed them happily as they exchanged their tales.
Mermaids gathered around. Mostly talking about the former-youngling's story. It so happened that Naia was the favorite merling of the clan since she was young. By virtue of her natural sweetness, sincerity, and beauty, she was loved by all, despite her trouble-maker ways.
Some merfolk would tell them of her childhood cuteness. Some stories from her birth, and some tales from her first journey to the outside world from the safety of their abode.
Some merfolk would fondly recall their playtimes together.
And some merfolk would tell about her naughty excursions that made schools of fish panic.
Laughter bubbled up in reminiscence, teasing and filled with happiness.
Naia watched all of these with a smile, until a guard called her somewhere. She blinked and said goodbye to the others, dutifully following as ordered.
It was the Grand Elder, and she realized she had been watching the gathering some distance away.
Despite Naia's playful nature, she couldn't help but pause and feel solemn. She stood by at a distance from the elder before heaving a sigh and approaching her.
"Did you call for me, Grand Elder?" She asked, her sweet voice echoing in the area.
The Grand Elder didn't speak for a beat, before slightly turning her head to her, "Do you love your clan?" She asked, and Naia nodded immediately.
"Yes, of course."
"Will you do what you can to protect it from ending?"
"Of course!" She said, but her eyebrows furrowed. No matter how clueless, how could she not notice the heaviness in the older mermaid's tone?
She shook a bit as she stared at the older mermaid. "What is… happening, Grand Elder?"
The old mermaid sighed and just patted the girl's beautiful azure hair, not answering her question.
"Enjoy this night, child. The next one may take a while."
***
For a while, the interaction was a true mystery to her, and she couldn't help but feel heavy, her eyes watching the happy merfolk swim around, singing in perfect harmony together.
What did the elder mean?
However, her thoughts were interrupted when she felt strong arms wrap around her small waist.
"I found you," a familiar velvety voice sounded in her ears. "What are you doing all the way out here?"
He had been looking for her for a while. He was a guard and he had to do his duties before joining the gathering. He was surprised to see her not there when he arrived.
"The Grand Elder called me," she said, "She just asked me a question and went away…"
Caspian frowned and his hold loosened as he turned her to face him. He looked at his beautiful future mate, floating in front of him in a daze.
He, too, felt the difference in the ceremony.
And he instinctively felt a bit of threat.
But… even he didn't have the power to question the elders. He trusted things would clear up very soon.
In any case, he didn't want this special day to be marred by this heaviness, so he pulled up a smile, reassuring his mate that it would be alright.
"Let's not worry about that for now," he said, holding her soft hand.
He gently pulled her to his abode, a cave created by the central coral, near the edge of their community.
It was about the size that could fit a few orcas comfortably.
It was one of the largest and most private spaces there was. After all, he was the son of an Elder.
He closed the shell curtain, locking them both in, and she stared at him in a daze.
"You have now come of age…" he said, leaning down, "Things have changed. We can now create offspring."
At his words, Naia blinked, tilting her head.
She has just passed her ceremony and she had not yet taught these things. Caspian decided to teach her himself.
Caspian chuckled, patting her head. "Didn't you love merlings?" He asked, very patient.
Her face brightened, nodding.
"Do you know how they're made?" He asked, wrapping his tail around hers, changing the angle of their float. "It's when mates consummate their love."
He looked at her deeply, his emerald eyes met her azure ones, filled with seduction, hoping to entice.
"Shall we?"