Out of the Blue

Water bending

"We get to the beach. Mother explains the basics of mermaid history and magic, whilst I set up some basic water magic exercises, Neria then starts to control water. After that, Kaerio reads Neria's power, and we begin to try to get her to use and control her powers. Everybody understands?" We all nod, though I get a nervous ball in my throat. How am I supposed to learn to control the water so quickly?

So that is what happens. We walk to the beach where my father separates from the group, and my mum begins to explain.

"Let's begin with the origin of mermaids. It is believed that mermaids have been created by Triton, the god of sea, to keep him company. When he lived in the Golden Palace with his parents, Poseidon and Amphitrite, and not many other beings like him. He blessed them with the ability to bend water, and a power unique to each. Some of the mermaids' souls are connected to a Greek God, resulting in powers related with them. There's not many of them, however they're supposed to be the most powerful of us all, destined to do great things. Now, they're considered a myth, since one hasn't been found for centuries, but we call them The chosen ones. Powers are varied, they can branch out from simple visions, to powerful mind-reading or even projecting your voice to move objects.

The most powerful mermaid of all, is believed to be the first mermaid and Triton's wife, Rava. Her power remains to be a mystery, however it is believed to be lighting. Since she married Triton, she was blessed as a Goddess herself, Goddess of water and its creatures.Powers can be very similar, have the same principle, but level of power and how much and what you can do with it is completely individual, though twins can have the same powers, but get stronger when they join together. As far as water bending, everyone's power in that field is equal, however it depends on talent and determination on how well you can control it, therefore some of us can control entire oceans, whilst the others can only move water from a glass. Last rule of water bending is that you cannot be afraid of the water, because then either nothing happens or you get hurt, depending on the water's mood."

"Water's mood?" I ask.

"The water isn't just a liquid, ocean waters have their own mind, you can either befriend it or have it as an enemy, though it's rare with mermaids."

Time to begin training. My father has set up two buckets of water for a start. "Kaerio, do you want to have a practice too? I thought that while assisting Neria's blood father, you wouldn't have much time to polish your skills, so I've set up a bucket for you too."

"I'd love to, actually. I've never really learned how to bend water properly. Guess we're both at the same level, eh, Neria?" he jokes.

"What are we supposed to do?" Michael asks.

"You'll help do several things, like helping my wife with making food, helping me set things up etc."

"So, nothing exciting,then?"

"Not really, sorry about that guys, though Neria may need some of your support." my dad answers, and then turns to me and Kaerio. "Right. focus on the water, ignore everything else. Imagine you and the water are one. Direct your arm towards the water, loose wrist, inside of your hand up, and raise it. Focus on the water the whole time. When you do it repeat, until it's easy." He goes on to demonstrate, and does it effortlessly.

I focus on the bucket. I close my eyes picturing it in my head, imagining I'm the water and I are one and the same, breathing in and out slowly. Opening my eyes, I draw my arm towards it. Just like my father instructed I raise it. Effortlessly, I bend the water upwards. I did it! Glancing over, I see Kaerio has done the same. "I see you're both naturals. I'm kinda jealous actually. When I first tried I couldn't even move a droplet."

"But dad, you were underwater. How could you tell you couldn't move a droplet?"

"When you bend water, it gets rid off all the salt, so it doesn't mix with the rest of the ocean. All I could do at the start was just do that." he laughs.

Me and Kaerio move on to try to do the same, but with the edge of the sea. We joke and mess around, when suddenly I heard Michael shout "Neria! I think I did something with the water! It moved up into the air!" We all run towards the two buckets.

*Please note that some parts of the mermaid history have been taken out of Greek mythology, and the rest was made by me to fit in with the plot :P