"What was this you were saying about rankings?" Zane asked trying desperately and failing to hide the tinge of competitiveness in his voice.
"Son of Land, all of you. Before I continue, it is imperative that you understand that all mer are equal in value. Though I speak to you with different titles reflecting your rank, I treat you all with the same honor and respect. A mer's rank, or lack thereof, speaks to experience and ability, not worth. You would do well to remember this."
Zane bowed his head a little. From anyone else he may have defended himself. However, he found the accuracy of the spirit's words strangely disarming. He also realized that she was right and that he needed to keep his motivations in check. They were here to learn, not to compete with one another.
Zane remembered how stupidly competitive he was with Ash before their transformation. The memory almost embarrassing how he treated someone he now called one of his best friends, perhaps even a brother. It was strange the changes that were brought upon them, and how shared experiences brought him closer to people than he had ever thought possible. Perhaps even stranger was that Zane was glad for them, and how they had gifted him with the family that he had always wanted.
"That being said," Arethusa continued, "there are five main mer classifications based on ability, from least to most powerful: Newborn, General or 'Post 7's', Gifted, Twice Blessed, and Royal. The reason I refer to you three as 'Son's of Land' is because you are still newborn."
A confused look spread over the boy's faces while the girls giggled. Ash said, "Um…I'm almost nineteen."
"That may be so, but you have not yet experienced your seventh moon cycle."
Now everyone gave the water spirit a strange look.
"A newborn mer is one who's powers are still in fluctuation. It is different with Sea Born mer, but for Land Born and Moon Blessed, one is considered newborn until they have experienced seven full moons after their transformation. It takes that long for a mer soul to be completely bound with the moon. It is also during this time there is still opportunity for a mer to reject their powers, as they have not yet solidified."
"Wait, are you saying we can be human again!?" Lewis asked in complete disbelief.
"As the moon and ocean have not laid full claim over you yet, it is possible. Though it would require a spell and a means to perform it of which I do not have."
"I thought you can only be changed back during a special full moon every fifty years?" Ash asked, referencing events that happened before he was in on 'The Secret'.
"That is perhaps the easiest, most permanent and most dangerous way, but it is not the only one. Removing powers from any non-newborn that way can have lasting damage on the soul."
"In other words, not recommended." said Rikki.
"So, if we're newborns," Zane began to ask, "What does that make the girls?"
"They are in the general population of mer as they have completed their seventh moon cycle. Their powers have been fully realized."
"You mean how we can control the weather now?" Cleo asked, starting to understand where this was going.
"Yes, and I call you Ocean's Daughter because though you may have been born to land, the moon and ocean have laid claim to you. As of your seventh moon cycle your powers have increased and stabilized. More importantly, your body now fully belongs to the ocean, and your soul to the Moon Goddess."
"What does that mean?" asked Emma. "Our souls belong to the moon?"
"It does sound a bit creepy," Cleo pointed out.
Arethusa sighed before slowly walking toward the door back to the hallway. They all followed her expectantly when she stopped. She kept her back toward them, but Zane could clearly see that something had upset her. Unsure of what to do he stood there waiting for her to say something, and everyone seemed to have the same idea. She sighed again, this time seemingly with her whole body. She looked up to the ceiling and cried a little as she said something in an unknown language. The moment was short, as she quickly brought her head back down in composure. "It is for conversations like these that I miss the Royals." She spoke not quite to them but in English so they could understand. She pushed her way back through the double doors and everyone but himself and Rikki made a slow move to follow her.
Once the others had left, he looked down to his girlfriend and saw her, apparently sad in sympathy.
"You're the best judge of character here; do you believe all this?"
"Yes. She was telling the truth. She may not be human, but that reaction was real. And everything she's said…it makes sense. More than Lewis' theories ever have."
He gave a brief chuckle. But quickly sobered when he recalled the visceral display of the water spirit.
"She's been through a lot hasn't she," he spoke to her gently.
"Yeah, she's hurting. I think it's important we came."
Zane nodded in agreement as they walked to the door to catch up to the others. They stopped when they found the group back in the hall they had started in. Even though they had fallen behind it seemed the silence had carried on and they hadn't missed anything.
Arethusa looked to all of them, "The moon goddess gave you power. She chose you. Everything that you are is because of her blessing." She looked up at the large full moon on the ceiling. "Full moons are when she is at her strongest. It is then that she is able to bestow gifts. It is also when she calls to her chosen ones to aid her in strength, as is their duty."
"What does that mean?" Emma asked.
"You have all experienced strange behavior on the full moon, yes?"
They all tentatively nodded. Zane thought about the strange feelings he was having even when it wasn't the full moon, the strange affection toward the moon that sometimes kept him up at night. He had a low sinking feeling he was about to get the answer.
"The odd behavior, the call to this island when the moon is full, the emotional attachment to the moon you feel between those times…"
The group shared an odd look confirming they all knew exactly what she was talking about.
"She is calling you to worship her."