Mermay

Miesad scanned his field of vision, trying to peer through the murky water. His little brother, Nisu, meandered ahead slowly. They had been swimming for many days, he was tired, and the pressure this deep was not easy on his young frame. Miesad was taking Nisu for his first sight, a tradition of their people where the parents of a young child show them one of the various wonders of the ocean, such as the great Steel Whales, or the Ivory Reefs. It’s a tradition to bestow wonder on a young merfolk; but since their parents no longer lived, Miesad took it upon himself to show Nisu something special.

He once more glided over a rocky hill, and once more did the tired Nisu follow. Miesad meandered towards a small patch of Glow Coral, where he found a disappointing example of what he was looking for; 2 young Starcoi. Miesad frowned. Usually they swarmed in schools of hundreds, but now it seemed, there was none to be found except these two. The small fish lit up their bioluminesent scales in presence of the large creature. Knowing their glow was finite, he called Nisu over.

The young Merman did not know what to expect, so when he saw the small fish, he exitedly petted them, smiling. Miesad felt bittersweet, subtly rejoicing in how his brother was enjoying himself. Maybe this was wonderful enough. But then he felt it. A warm glow from above. Could it be? It was!

Miesad lit up his own bioluminescent scales, signaling Nisu to look up, and witness his first true sight.