Sefina: "Seriously, why would you do this?"
Barnaby: "I don't know. It seemed like fun."
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52131322033_10e8b5e8ec_b.jpgSefina: "By now, you should know that making messes isn't right. Now, you need to start your vacation cleaning."
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52131300346_a666473e66_b.jpgBarnaby: "I don't mind. I'll clean this mess right up."
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52131322018_c1961cf8e6_h.jpgAnd so, Barnaby cleaned his mess up.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52130279262_54ea048cc4_c.jpgAfter Barnaby finished cleaning, the family left for Nereus Lagoon. A local beach that featured Karaoke and a number of water activities. A perfect place for merfolk and water elementals. Dylan and Cecelia enjoyed singing a duet while the younger twins did tricks on the water slide.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52130279567_ab6e1cfb50_b.jpghttps://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52131321978_40580296af_h.jpgWhile Dylan's family was having fun, Zeph kissed Sefina in the water. The young merman was enamoured with Sefina, and Sefina felt the same way. Sefina loved the outdoors and was a Child of the Ocean. Sefina was drawn to the sea, and even though she was born a human, she naturally got along with merfolk, dolphins, and any other denzin of the sea.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52131537334_8dbf1232b6_b.jpghttps://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52131798615_de4edd5db8_c.jpgAfter a long day of fun,the family gathered for dinner. Dylan and Zeph could eat human food even if they never needed to, but their wives and Dylan's sons needed to eat. It was something to get used to. Much like how Dylan and Zeph became best friends and super siblings from a young age, Barnaby and Wade were becoming an inseperable duo.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52131798610_e80e342ac5_b.jpgCecelia: "This is everything I've always wanted. I never imagined that we would be spending time as a family so soon. I... I was worried about introducing the twins to their heritage so soon, but everything seems to be working out for the best."
Dylan: "I think the twins are ready to learn about their heritage. Tomorrow, I'm going to show them my true form."
Cecelia: "They'll be young mermen before I know it. I think it's a good idea that they know what they are."
The twins were curious about their parent's conversation, but they didn't pay it much mind.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52130279497_cb994a7fe6_b.jpgCecelia put the merboys to bed before going to sleep.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52131798585_432c8ef754_b.jpgBefore going to bed, Dylan had a crazy idea. "You should offer Sefina some mermadic kelp. She could join us in the sea."
Zeph rubbed his temples. 'Was it really that simple? Sefina loved the sea, but would she be willing to give being human to be with Zeph in the sea?'
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52131798580_b8801ed1e4_b.jpgWhen Zeph joined Sefina in a human bed, he dreamt of humanities mortality, the inevitble death from old age that waits for anyone that survives to their elder years.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52131300256_2c266cd71a_b.jpgDylan slept soundly next to Cecelia. Most merfolk didn't use human beds. Their scales would dry out over night and it was just more comfortable to not exert energy to maintain a human form while asleep. For Dylan, it was worth it because Cecelia no longer had her eternal youth.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52131321898_be946c13da_b.jpgThe Ancient Bloodline that coursed through the veins of the twins was beginning to awaken. They came from a lineage of Elementals and Merfolk. The time they spent in Sulani sped up the awakening. Before long, they would grow into their true form and gain their full power as mermen.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52131798390_c9a0e5ebab_b.jpgThe next day, Dylan went into the water with Barnaby and lept out of the water. For the first time, Barnaby saw what his father truly was, shimemring blue tail and all. His head raced with questions.
'How was he on land when he didn't naturally have legs?'
'Why did he keep it a secret?'
'Would he get a tail too?!'
'Are there other magical people in the Worlds?'
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52143093326_fa5dfed0b1_b.jpgBefore he could ask his question, Dylan dove under the water and flicked a light spray of sea water at his son with his fluke. Barnaby laughed at the playful gesture. Knowing that merfolk were real was awesome!
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52143579950_124229ba62_b.jpgBarnabus often suspected that the people that wandered the streets at night weren't human. He had a question for his father.
"Are vampires real?"
Dylan's playful demeonor turned serious. "Vampires are real, but they aren't all friendly. There's one vampire you should never look for. He's the Shadow Elemental and preys on people's inner darkness. You should never make a deal with him. It will never end well."
Dylan paused and remembered his own time under a curse.
"Merfolk that let their inner darkness consume them can become Vampires of Shadow that prey on others. It's important to swim in the light and treat others right."
Dylan looked at Barnaby in the eyes. He didn't want to scare him, but he wanted him to know the truth.
"Barnaby, you are a merling, a young merman that hasn't grown into his power. You don't have a tail yet, but your current form is only temporary. Eventually, you will gain your true form, a tail, and a great deal of power. That power comes with a great deal of responsibility."
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52142071017_b9ae943327_b.jpgDylan's demeanor changed back to playful. "But let me tell you, the freedom that comes with swimming in the sea, the dolphin friends you'll make, and all the merfolk you've yet to meet will be great! It's not something to fear. Merfolk and Water Elementals should never fear change because change is in out nature. We change our form to walk on land, change the way others feel, and change the weather."
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52142071002_503e5ee8b4_b.jpgDylan: "And as far as Vampires are concerened, one of your aunts is a vampire and an Earth Elemental of the Land. She's actually pretty cool, and I think you would get along with her. Just remember what I said, not all vampires are friendly. The merfolk consumed by their darkness become vampires for a reason. It is a curse to lose your tail and your mermadic powers."
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52143579560_1f6873bc04_b.jpgDylan: "It's important to embrace who and what you are."
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52143332054_9525f66ec1_b.jpgWade slept in, so Dylan showed Wade his tail later in the day. Wade had many of the same questions his brother had, and Dylan gave very similar answers. Dylan wanted to make sure both twins understood the importance of using their powers responsbily and the dangers of misusing their powers. He also explained to them why merfolk wore the clothes they wore and the dangers that lurked in the sea.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52142070982_8755f6c306_b.jpgWade, however, did ask a few questions that were different from his brother's. And again, Dylan took a more serious apporach to answer his questions.
Wade: "If merfolk that misuse their power become vampires, how are they different from vampires like our aunt."
Dylan: "The biggest difference is what they feed on. Merfolk consumed by their inner darkness need to feed on the suffering of others. They inflict pain to satisfy a hole inside them. It's a very ugly cycle."
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52142070937_30b7f63e21_b.jpgAs the day went on, Dylan and the twins went on land. He knew from experience that Elementals had power at an incredibly young age. He wanted to show the twins the power they had.
Dylan turned to Wade and back to Barnaby. "All Elementals, be they Water, Air, Fire, or Earth have a connection to the Heart of Sulani, Mount Pel'Am. Mount Pel'Am touches all the Elements. We can call on it to summon lava bombs anywhere."
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52143331944_b1705bc10d_b.jpghttps://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52143331924_2d5fa78911_b.jpgDylan turned to Wade. "These powers can become dangerous. The lava bombs can start fires and humans can burn themselves if they touch them while they are hot."
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52142070887_4cbac516d5_b.jpgDylan: "This is one power that must be used responsibly. But, I believe you are ready to learn."
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52143093226_f4eee98c90_b.jpgDylan channeled the Heart of Sulani into the palm of his hands. Fire ignited as he gathered more power.
Barnaby: "That's so cool!"
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52142070497_328c136db8_b.jpgShowing restraint, Dylan closed his palms before fire rained down on the island.
Dylan: "Now you two can try."
The younger twins began looking deep within for their own power. Soon, fire ignited in their hands. They couldn't sustain the fire and eventually it extinguished.
Dylan: "Give it more practice and you'll be able to control this power."
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52143579815_8252311270_b.jpgDuring the middle of their vacation, the merfolk family enjoyed the sun and explored the island. The older twins diliginitly showed the twins the joys of singing and music that came naturally to all merfolk. The younger twins honed their motor skills and achieved their aspiration to become physically gifted.
As their vacation came closer to an end, Zeph invited Sefina to Wayfinder's Atoll and slow danced with her.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52143579785_7fe4166e0f_b.jpgThe sky was clear, and the moon shined on the sea. Zeph expertly navigated the human dancing techniques, but Sefina took the lead.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52143110573_4fa3d60aa5_b.jpgZeph felt it was time to make the proposal his brother mentioned earlier in the week. Maybe it would be this simple.
Zeph: "Sefina, I want you to have this. I don't want you to feel pressured, but if you take one bite out of this magic kelp, you'll gain mermadic powers and eternal youth. The choice is yours and I'll support whatever you choose."
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52143093196_8100b35f01_h.jpgThe next day , the younger twins explored more of the islands and snorkled in the lagoon. The merlings were close to growing into their true form.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52143110838_09d251dee8_b.jpgAs the sun set, Sefina waded into the sea and thought about the offer Zeph gave her. All she had to do was bite into the magic kelp he gave her and her life would change forever.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52143579715_eb2e337af3_b.jpgAs much as Sefina loved Zeph, she didn't want to change because of him or anyone. If she was going to become a mermaid, it had to be because she wanted it. After staring at the kelp a long while, she realized that it might be a dream come true. She loved the sea. She loved Zeph. Would could be better than being with someone she loved and in a place she loved forever. Sefina took a bite and shrieked as she changed into a mermaid.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52143579710_a191991013_b.jpgZeph heard her and ran to her. He was worried something terrible might have happened. 'Could a Darkfin be targeting the love of his life?'
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52143331439_9e578ce64d_h.jpgToo Zeph's surprise, he was greeted by Sefina with a huge grin. Sefina's shirek was a shriek of laughter and joy. When Zeph swam to her, Sefina felt the mermadic power coursing through her veins and instinctively gave Zeph a Mermaid's Kiss, an ability merfolk reserved for their soulmates and a kiss Zeph often gave Sefina to keep her from drowning in the sea.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52143093111_e6b92effea_b.jpgSefina pulled Zeph close as he arched his back. Sefina's hand wrapped around the back of Zeph's head as she pulled him closer.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52143579685_b7b57f3490_b.jpgIt was an intense moment for Zeph and Sefina before Sefina released the young merman from her embrace. Zeph smiled back at her. He was in love.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52143331754_147a1daf69_b.jpgNot long after, another change happened. The younger twins changed and grew into their merman form. They were still in their human form and had yet to go for their first swim as mermen. Zeph and Sefina met up with Dylan at the Nightclub. Dylan played the DJ booth and the family had a small dance party to celebrate the changes in their lives.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52142070702_a1f29006ba_b.jpgDylan's musical skill started to draw a crowd, and one of the people that showed up was Ember, his younger sister. Ember knew about the curse that plaugued Cecelia. As a spellcaster, she knew that spellcasters could end up cursed too. She did some digging and discovered a potion that could cure curses. She had a special gift she wanted to give Cecelia.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52143579655_0c7d1605a7_b.jpgCecelia smiled, almost crying when she saw what was inside the present.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52142070662_f557f40763_z.jpgCecelia went downstairs and drank the potion. She felt a warm light flow through her and the spell Sarah wove with her Siren Song was undone.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52143331559_258076a93e_b.jpghttps://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52142070557_05ce2f8a0b_b.jpg
