Against All Odds

Levi's POV: Deep under the majestic waves of the Atlantic Ocean lies the enchanting kingdom of Atlantia, a haven for merfolk. As the sun's golden rays pierce through the azure waters, the shimmering houses made of grand shells stand proudly, resembling natural caves adorned with delicate strands of swaying seaweed. Schools of colorful fishes dart amongst the corals, playing hide-and-seek with graceful sea turtles, while oysters gleam with hidden treasures and alluring pearls. The tranquil beauty of the underwater world envelops every corner of this ethereal realm, filled with an aura of ancient magic and tradition. Here, amidst the grandeur of Atlantia, the momentous event of the Mating Festival is fast approaching. The air crackles with anticipation as mermen and mermaids prepare for the sacred ritual that only occurs once every millennium. Within the 10 shoals- a term we use for family, each characterized by their unique traits and customs, mates are to be paired, giving rise to the next generation of Atlantians. Under the gentle tides, a young mermaid, adorned in shimmering scales, hovers near a grand coral structure, her heart filled with a mix of excitement and trepidation. As the Mating Festival approaches, whispers of destiny and legacy echo through the kingdom, hinting at the impending central conflict—the fateful phasing test that will determine the path of the next generation, and the destinies of many. The phasing involves the offspring during their teenage age, revealing what powers they possess to enable the ruling council to assign them to their various class. Three classes exist: the healers, who make medicine for the sick, performs cleansing for brides before marriage, and cleansing of the waters at specific periods to make sure it is safe. The warriors that protect Atlantia and its people from invaders and enemy clans. The rulers, made up of the ruling council, from which a new king is chosen after the passing of any ruling king. I am Levi, the offspring of a warrior merman and a healer mermaid, and I have bizarre eyes- every other merfolk had a conventional blue eyes for females and grey eyes for male, except me. I had green eyes which caused my mates to taunt me even as a kid. My blue hair complemented my bluish tail, and I would have been the most good-looking offspring if my eyes were normal. Not even Zeeba would have beat me to it . We live in a cave under the sea that looked like a giant snail shell. The time for the much expected phasing test was approaching, and I grew up alongside Mika, Kilan, Zeeba, and Finn, all of us undergoing rigorous training right from when we turned 3. Our days were filled with exercises, concentrating our minds, and focusing on our inner strength. The pressure was mounting as the test neared, and the tension within the cave was palpable. The weight of our family's expectations rested heavily upon our young shoulders. In the dim, luminescent surroundings of the cave, we honed our skills, each of us determined to prove ourselves worthy. The sound of our movements echoed through the hollow chambers, creating an atmosphere fraught with anticipation. As the day of the phasing test drew closer, the air crackled with nervous energy, and every breath we took seemed to reverberate against the clammy walls. The rumble of the sea outside added to the suspense, serving as a constant reminder of the challenges that awaited us. With each passing moment, the sense of urgency hung over us like a thick fog, enveloping us in its suffocating embrace. Our hearts pounded in unison, a symphony of fear and determination echoing through the cavernous depths of our home. Mika was an offspring of a ruler mermaid and a healer merman, she was the prettiest with a long curly light-brown hair, and an adorable pinkish tail. She often revered herself as royalty since a ruler co-parented her. She often kept to herself, except for Zeeba whom she acknowledges as her equal. Kilan was equally pretty-looking with plaited brown hair, and a beautiful greenish tail. She was an offspring of two healers. She is quite nice and friendly. Zeeba was an offspring of two rulers which made him boastful, full of himself, and a bully. Even as kids, he would beat up Finn, and whenever I stood up to defend Finn, I also get my own fair share of beating. Zeeba was quite bigger than the rest of us, as he looked older than his age. He was good-looking with golden long hair, and a golden tail which matches the hair. He would often tease Mika that he would make her his queen when he's grown and becomes the king of Atlantia. Finn is a jocular being, and weird-looking. He had bulgy eyes, a dark skin, white fluffy hair, and an off-white tail. His oddness was probably one of the major reasons we became best of friends. His appearance stood out, as did mine. Finn had a frail tiny structure, and he looked like someone a serious wave could break in halves. He was the exact opposite of Zeeba, and looked smaller than his age. He was an offspring of two warriors, but was nothing close to courage. He would often be bullied by Zeeba. As the trainings continued, I discovered that I was lagging behind. I was having a hard time clearing my mind and concentrating. while others could do it effortlessly, I was engulfed in the mirage of my childhood fantasies- Living amongst humans, and being accepted by them which gave me a hard time focusing on my training. Alas! the phasing day was fast approaching, and I need to be prepared in a matter of few weeks.