Aquata Cove Ch. 57

"One," Samudra held up his index finger, "For Forbidden Love. And Two," He extended his middle finger, "For Abandoning One's Pod." Samudra put his arm back down, "The Noita of her pod branded her with the symbol of the latter, to her dismay, as she would rather be known for leaving her family for love."

"Despite everything I had felt, and how I was trying to endure my new change in life, I had my very own mate, who chose to brave the ocean with me of her own free will, along with my ever loyal companion, the Capricorn. I felt that as long as I had those two with me, my existence was more than bearable.

"Many moons later, me, Vanora, and the Capricorn found a lone Amnien mermaid, along with yet another Capricorn that featured mammal-type attributes. She was banished from her pod for the crime of hunting without permission for a total of 10 warnings. She too had nowhere to go." Samudra's voice darkened, "Shunned by her own kin over a trivial matter...

"I could not allow her to endure an undeserved fate, so I welcomed her to come along with me and Vanora...

"Moons passed," He continued, "One day, we found a young Holsien who was exiled for killing member of his own pod. We decided to give him a second chance, and he too traveled with us. And then a fish-like Capricorn was found protecting an injured Piscien, whom we found out was also banished from her pod for the crime of challenging the Triton of her pod.

"One after another over time, the rare Capricorns eventually started to come to our small group with a report on a Coshiton they have found. They tell us of their crime, and usually we decide if we will take them in to our fold.

"From then on, Vanora made me a new trident with her own power, and I became the Triton of a pod of outcast merfolk -- we have come to call ourselves the Kenovani Pod."

"..." Merrick looked to the side, away from Samudra.

"There is doubt in your eyes." He said to the blonde. Merrick felt his arm as complicated feelings whirled inside of him, "I speak only the truth."

"... I want to believe you... But there are several things that don't make sense." Merrick said, "Every time I go into the ocean, the Capricorn is there in moments, trying to take me away. I have signaled it on occasion to leave me be, but they still persisted. They didn't listen to me."

"That is because the Capricorns are not adept in communication." Samudra answered, "To an extent, they can understand us, but they can only understand the race of which it most resembles. A Capricorn with fish-like qualities can only comprehend the words of a Piscien, or one with mammal properties is only able to understand an Amnien's speech, and another with traits of a mollusk or reptile is only responsive to the language of a Holsien."

"But could they not tell that I am a Piscien? So they would go and find one that would understand me?"

"Well to be fair," Samudra said with a raised brow, "They ARE getting on in years."

"Another thing is that there's another Coshiton on this island," Merrick said, "A Holsien mermaid. She said the Capricorn came to her only once in her life, and never came back for her, even though she goes back into the ocean as she pleases."

"Hmmm..." Samudra squinted his eyes as he pondered, "I confess... I scarcely remember the Capricorn informing me of such a mermaid... I recall many moons ago that a dark Coshiton may have been residing in these waters -- yes!" He snapped his fingers, "I remember now. The Capricorn informed me that this Coshiton was guilty of the sin of Blood Theft -- a Latolcus."

"Yep." Merrick confirmed, "That's her."

"I see. The reason why she is not in the Kenovani is because she does not belong in the Kenovani." He said rather darkly.

"Wait," Adam said, feeling a little offended on Belinda's behalf, "I know what she did was terrible, but I can guarantee you that she is a good mermaid. She saved my life as well as Merrick's several times, and she happens to be a close personal friend of mine."

"I do not doubt that her intentions and nature is benevolent," Samudra said, "However, I cannot risk the presence of a Latolcus in my Pod. Drinking the blood of another is the one and only unforgivable sin in the eyes of all merfolk."

"Agh..." Adam grumbled stubbornly.

"Merrick," Samudra said, "If I am not mistaken, you were banished for the crime of Forbidden Love, correct?"

"Yes." Merrick nodded.

"I see. However, I cannot see your mark."

"It's on my back." Merrick said. He got up, and walked halfway around the roaring fire pit. He turned his back to Samudra, and knelt down to his knees.

"Ah yes, now I see." Samudra said as he looked at the elaborate heart design on the back of Merrick's neck, right at the base, on the border of his shoulders.

"I was also banished for the crime of Human Association." Merrick added. Samudra raised his eyebrows.

"Oh really? You are also a Triton?" Samudra asked as Merrick stood up, and sat back down in his place.

"I used to be..." Merrick said sadly, "Though that's not exactly true -- I was an Adra when I was exiled."

"Adra or else, you are still a born Triton," Samudra said with an encouraging smile, "No one else in the Kenovani Pod is of noble blood." He nodded to him, "I am curious as to meet your mate. She may want to know of my discussion with you."

"Actually..." Adam said.

"Yes?" Samudra looked at him.

"My love," Merrick said, "Is more forbidden than you know, Samudra..." Merrick put his arm under Adam's arm, and moved in closer to him. Samudra's face brightened with unexpected surprise.

"Oh? You mean you are actually mated to another male?" He asked. Merrick nods as he rubs a hand along Adam's bicep, "I must say, that is surprising -- I have never heard of merfolk being able to mate with the same gender. It is an intriguing concept to say the least. Forgive me, but when we first met today, I had assumed that you were only brotherly companions."

"In the human world," Adam said, "A lot of people are... Banished for mating with the same gender a lot -- we call it homosexuality. It's been a cause of violence and hatred for centuries. A lot of humans believe that being a homosexual is an abomination to God."

"That is very disheartening to hear." Samudra said with sympathy, "I have heard tell that humans believe they know what the Land Father thinks and desires, and so have used His name to justify war and calamity." He sees Merrick's blue eyes look into the fire, half-lidded, "I'm sure life must be hard for you, Merrick. Considering that you have been on land far longer than any merfolk should be, even for a human-mated one."

Merrick looked up at Samudra, "Wait... What do you mean?" Samudra chuckled lightly.

"You do not know? How long have you lived on the land since you were banished?"

"Almost three years now." Merrick answered.

"Three years?!" Samudra exclaimed, "And you are still walking??" After a pause, he nodded, "Then again, you are a Triton; the life force is strong in you. However, even with your bond with a human, I can see you are in poor health."

"Wait, hang on," Merrick let go of Adam's arm, "What are you talking about?"

"You really have not noticed...?" Samudra asked. Adam and Merrick shook their heads, "Very well... I will explain." He adjusted himself, and leaned forward, "First, Merrick. When did Adam teach you to walk?"

"He... Didn't, actually..." Merrick said, "I sort of taught myself... In a day, really."

"No, you did not," Samudra chuckled, despite Merrick looking a bit hurt, "It took me all of five moons to teach myself to walk when I had the chance on land. It is not simply learned within one sun..." Samudra turned to the human, "Adam, do you hunt in or on the ocean? I believe the humans call it, 'Fishing'?"

"Yeah, I fish."

"Yes. I presume you are good at it?"

"I don't like to brag, but yes, I always catch large fish, a ray, octopus, and such. I just seem to have the best luck when it comes to fishing."

"As if you know where the best catch is going to be..." Samudra said, leaving Adam with a somewhat confused look. He turned his attention back to Merrick, "What about your skills of reading and writing? I hope they are going well?"

"Sort of..." Merrick said, "I can understand words bits and pieces, and I'm getting really good at writing by hand too."

"Adam must be an excellent teacher then." Samudra smiled.

"Actually..." Merrick continued, while Adam awkwardly scratched the back of his head, "Adam didn't teach me that either..."

"I might have known." His green eyes looked back to Adam again, "And though you do not know it, Adam, but I can surmise that you can understand the signals and songs of merfolk underwater.

"I don't know, I've only heard merfolk speech a few times, and..." Adam hesitated, "... Now that you mention it... I kinda do remember what I heard..."

"Yes... You do..." Samudra nodded. He looked back to the blond merman, "And Merrick. When was the last time you swam in a river? And more importantly, how much bullshark meat have you eaten so you CAN swim in freshwater without it irritating your body?"

"... I... Haven't eaten bullshark in so long..." Merrick realized, "I never needed to when I came to visit Adam..."

"Yes. And Adam," He glanced back at the other man, "I would wager that your eyes can see as clearly as a crystal underwater, without a protective item placed upon your face. Am I wrong?"

"No..." Adam answered, "I haven't had the need for goggles in ages..."

"What are you getting at, Samudra?" Merrick asked.

"It is a secret of the Sea Mother's love -- a very little-known fact about the bond between merfolk and their mates." Samudra gestured with his hands, "When merfolk find their mates, they are bonded for life. Besides that, something else happens between them: though they cannot feel it, they share and exchange attributes with each other that neither of them could have on their own."

He circled his hands a little, trying to find the best way to describe it, "In a sense, they... Evolve together, as they stay mated over time." He continued with a smile, "And as I have come to realize a long time ago, it is no different for when a human mates with a merfolk."

"It is common knowledge that a kiss from any merfolk to a human will protect that human from ever drowning in the ocean. In exchange, that merfolk is able to freely enter river water or seawater without needing to take measures to prepare their bodies. It is that moment of affection that gives a trade between a human and a merfolk, regardless if they are lovers or not."

Samudra turned his attention to the human, "Adam, you are highly skilled in 'Fishing' because you have absorbed the intuition of a Triton -- you somehow know when and where a sizable prey is going to arrive. Your senses are also opening up to the sounds and rhythms of other sea creatures so that you can understand them, as well as being able to see perfectly in the water."

Samudra looked upon the awe-struck merman, "Merrick, you were able to figure out how to walk on your own within one sun because you have mated with a human who knows how to walk, it came very easy for you. As well, you have a very firm understanding of the human language, you're able to recognize and copy the letters and symbols -- the very knowledge is born inside of your mind without even realizing it."

"It is also the reason why you are able to last so long on dry land without dying," Samudra explained more, "By mating with a human for long periods of time, the bond itself has allowed you to adapt in a way for you to sustain yourself longer than the normal limit of an average merfolk."

"... But..." Merrick is really at a loss for words... So many information to take in, such huge revelations are surging in his mind as he tries to take it all in, "I'm always so weak..." Adam looks sadly to his boyfriend, "I find myself fainting almost every sun, and..."

"That is because you are far past your limit." Samudra said seriously, "Though you are mated to a human, and thus strengthened your stamina, the sea still calls to you, and without it, you will only grow weaker by the sun..." Samudra straightened up, "That is why I am here... Talking to you..." Merrick looked up at him.

"The Capricorns have been persistent in their pursuit of you -- when a Coshiton runs from them, they eventually become more... Competitive -- they try to see which one of them will be able to bring in the next Coshiton before they can escape."

"So what," Adam said, "It's just a game to them?"

"No. Forgive me, I digress," Samudra apologized, "Since you have evaded them on numerous times, I took it upon myself to come to you instead, and speak with you, to tell you that there is nothing to be afraid of..."

"..." Merrick keeps his eyes on Samudra.

"You may have already guessed what I am about to ask..." He cleared his throat.

"Merrick, I ask that you join the Kenovani Pod. For your own preservation." There was a pause after the proposal. Neither Adam nor Merrick know what to say -- the statement just seems to hang in the air, both of them stunned for words, as if everything they've ever known has been rewritten.

"I know this may be a strange and abnormal thing to consider, not to mention having to take in all that I have told you, but I honestly want you to join my Pod. My heart feels your pain and the anguish you have suffered as a Coshiton."

Merrick still refused to answer as his whole being seems to shake, "Merrick... How long has it been since the sea has embraced you?" He asked, "How many times have you lost energy in the middle of a sun? ... How much of your very strength left you in all the time you have lived on land?" Samudra looked sharply at the merman, "... How much water has abandoned your body?"

Merrick gasped as he looked up, "Yes." Samudra said, "I know what it means to 'sweat'. For humans, it is a normal function that comes from heat and exertion. But for merfolk..." He shook his head, "It is a disease that reflects a state of severe weakness."

"I..." Merrick shook with terror -- he can feel a drop start to roll from behind his ear, "I'm... Diseased?" His voice trembles with immense fear.

"But you will be alright," Samudra said a little hastily, "As long as you are alive, it is not too late. Fear not, young Triton."

"H-How can I not be afraid???" Merrick began to panic, "I-I'm falling apart! I-"

"Merrick, calm yourself." Samudra said.

"Babe, it's ok, take it easy," Adam held Merrick as the merman began to hyperventilate, "Merrick! Merrick, easy! Sweetie, calm down!"

Merrick whimpered and shook as Adam tended to him. Just hearing the very statement that he is dying, and this 'sweat' is actually a sign of him being ill puts him in a very terrified situation. Adam rocked Merrick a little as he steadily eased his deep anxiety. As Samudra watched the two of them, he can easily see the bond this human has... Mating with the same gender is almost unheard of in the world of merfolk, but seeing this man cradle and support this merman in a moment of overwhelming shock... It just proves that it's as valid as any mated pair.

Samudra patiently waiting until Merrick's breathing has settled down before continuing further.

"Merrick... You need to know that you are not alone..." Samudra said slowly, "In the Kenovani Pod, there are two other merfolk who have been banished for mating with a human, just like you..." As Merrick took deep breaths, he looked up at him.

"Though your heart and soul belongs to your mate, your body ultimately belongs to the sea." The merman stated, "The merfolk of Forbidden Love in my pod live with their human mates, they live their own lives on land. However, the time comes for when their time in land runs out, and they must return to the sea. As I said before, however, the longer you mate with your human, the longer you are able to stay on the land. However, you in particular, you are far beyond your limit."

"Merrick," Samudra said, "I implore you to come join the Kenovani Pod. Just like with the other two merfolk in my pod, you may only stay for as long as you need to -- my mate, Noita Vanora, can tell when your body has fully recovered." He can see the gradual acceptance and desperation in Merrick's eyes, "And when you are able to return to the land, one of the Capricorns can be summoned by your own signal, and it can take you back to this very shore with no danger." He nods with assurance, "It has become routine for the other merfolk I mentioned."

Merrick sniffles as he looks down, still shaking and edging with emotion.

"... You still doubt me..." Samudra despaired.

"I..." Merrick whimpered as he struggled to contain his voice, "I want to trust you... I want to believe you... I want so much for this to happen..." He whines as he wipes his eyes, "But part of me wants to shut it out... Part of me is not completely able to accept all of this..." His hands pressed to his chest as he held back his tears, "I-I know you're trying to help me..."

"So let me." Samudra said.

"You... You don't understand." Adam said, "Merrick and I... We've been through so much... Merrick has had so much struggle with personal feelings, along with a terrible event not too long ago that completely broke him."

"I see." Samudra says, "If Vanora can see you, her eyes would see that your aura is tearing itself apart. There is pure agony where trust should be." He looked upon Merrick with sad eyes, "We can help you heal, young Triton." He winced as Merrick's hand clutched his own knee as he grunts lowly, "Please, Merrick... What can I say or do that can persuade you to allow me to help you?"

Merrick continues to take very deep breathes in an attempt to steady himself, to digest everything he's heard. It's too much for him right now... "I... I can't... I don't know how..." He choked.

Samudra shook his head as he watched the poor merman before him, 'What he must have been through...?' He thought.

"T-Triton Samudra?" Came young voice. All three men look to the side to see a young boy standing there. His body is mostly exposed except for a few patches to cover his privates, and is also equipped with ropes of kelp around his body.

"Oh?" Samudra turned to look at him, "What are you doing out here, little one?"

"I-I was wanting to practice my walking..." The child said. He holds a spear in his hands, a simple thin shaft with a stainless steel survival knife tied at the top end. He holds himself on it like a walking stick.

Merrick gasps with total disbelief. He stands up from the stone he was sitting on. "Nuh... No way..." Merrick shakes to his core as he looks upon this young boy with tan skin, brown and beige hair.

"I-I don't know where I started..." The boy whimpered as he held his weapon, his eyes glistening, "I think I'm lost..."

"It is alright, child," Samudra said kindly, "You have found m-" Samudra stopped as he sees Merrick slowly walk to the small boy, "Merrick?"

"It... It can't be..." Merrick looked down at the very young merman, his legs shaking so badly, worse than the kid himself, "You're... You're alive..." Sparkling tears welled in Merrick's eyes before they rolled down his cheeks.

"Merrick?" Adam stood up, but stopped when Samudra held up his hand to signal him not to move. Samudra watches with wonder as Merrick went to the little boy. This child once spoke of a generous Adra that once save his life. Could this really be the one?

The boy gasped as he looked up at him, "You... I-I remember you!" The child's very voice overwhelms the Piscien to no end, "I never forgot about you!"

Merrick wept as his own legs gave in, and fell to his knees, his hands clasping onto the boy's shoulders, sobbing uncontrollably as he can barely move at all.

"Hhhgghhgghhg... " Merrick cried as he looked into the child's innocent eyes, "... You're ali-i-ive... Arnaav... You're alive..." Merrick wept as his hand placed onto the boy's left chest, over an intricate symbol, "You're alive, Arnaav... You survived... After all this time, you're alive..." Tears continued to fall from his face as he squeezed the Amnien's shoulders.