**Point of view:Athena**

"Hi, my name is Athena. I am 24 years old. After completing my studies, I started a YouTube channel called 'Nerdy Bird' where I usually  posts the video of me being an environmentalist. Though I hardly have 100 subscribers, I still love cleaning nature. Now you must have guessed why I have less subscribers. Well I'm from India, Tamil Nadu, but after university, I applied for a job in Bacalar, Mexico .Because Bacalar is my dream town , I have always wanted to visit it. Being a YouTuber is just a hobby; actually, I'm a software engineer. I work at an IT company in Bacalar. At first, learning Spanish was tough, but I've gotten used to it since I've been here for 2 years already.

Once, I visited a park near my dorm, and it was covered with plastics and trash. My heart couldn't take it, so I decided to clean it myself. It took me nearly 9 hours to clean the entire park. Bacalar is a place full of tourists, so things like this happen. After that, I started doing it regularly. Cleaning and keeping away hazardous plastic from Mother Nature gives me a sense of peace and pleasure.

Right now, I'm at my office, winding up my tasks so I can go to my dorm and rest. My best friend, John, who is a year older than me, came and asked whether I'm ready to leave. One of the best things that happened to me in Bacalar, other than nature's beauty, is John. John is such a sweet and caring guy. He is from the States. We met shortly after I arrived in Bacalar, and our friendship blossomed quickly. Despite the differences in our backgrounds, we found common ground in our love for adventure and exploration.

John and I made our way to the most famous 'Jinny Kitchen' in Bacalar to have our favorite Indian and  Korean foods. Yes, you guessed it right; it's a Indo-Korean restaurant. The aroma of the familiar dishes and the friendly atmosphere of the restaurant always make me feel a bit closer to home. Though all john had in his life was burgers and pizza after meeting me he has been addicted to the Indian cuisine. After having dinner, John dropped me off at my dorm and went to his home, which he had rented near the beach. I couldn't help but envy his proximity to the tranquil shoreline.

Back in my dorm, I did my regular skincare routine and FaceTimed my family. The virtual connection with my loved ones provided a comforting reminder of the bonds that transcend geographical distances. With a sense of contentment, I drifted off to sleep. In my dreams, I was on a boat alone in the middle of the ocean with strong waves and a cold night. I was scared, feeling isolated amidst the vastness of the sea. But then, a glittering tail emerged from the water, approaching me with a gentle grace. It offered me the light I needed in the darkness, a beacon of reassurance.

And then, the alarm rang, shattering the dream. I woke up, the remnants of that comforting feeling still lingering. I have this dream often. I don't know why, but whenever I go to the beach, I have this calm and warm sensation, as if the breeze itself is soothing my spirit, embracing me in its tranquil embrace. And whenever the waves delicately brush against my feet, I feel a love I have never felt before. It's both invigorating and unsettling, this deep connection with the water element. Though the ocean is the thing I love the most, it is also the thing I am scared of the most. I don't know why; I just feel an undeniable and indescribable bond with water. In my dream, whenever I was scared of the darkness, loneliness, and vastness of the sea, that luminous tail would appear, guiding me through the uncertainty. What could it signify?

Lost in my thoughts, I didn't notice that it's already past 8 am, and John will be here any minute. With a sudden realization, I hurriedly completed my morning routine and made my way out of the dorm, making sure to send a kiss in the direction of my 'BTS' poster – my seven gems. Well, I can only kiss them on the wall poster. Just at that moment, John arrived, his cheerful presence dispelling my ponderings. We exchanged greetings and headed to the office, looking forward to another day of challenges and discoveries."

[End of Chapter 1]

**Point of view:Author**

On the other side, a young man with a perfectly built body was engaged in a fierce battle against demonic sea creatures. His powerful strikes and unwavering determination showcased a warrior of great skill and courage. He was none other than Zeus, the prince of the ocean, destined to become the future merman king of the Azolihftha kingdom. For the past century, his father Adonis had ruled the kingdom with authority, making Azolihftha one of the most powerful realms beneath the waves. Other sea kingdoms, in deference to its might, acknowledged Azolihftha as their sovereign.

Zeus was a formidable figure, known for his commanding presence and cold-hearted demeanor, reserved solely for his family. Eldest among his siblings, he held the position of army general within the kingdom, a position earned through his unyielding dedication to protecting his people. Azolihftha was a realm beyond reality, where architectural wonders and natural beauty existed as the most remarkable creations of the gods themselves.

In this world of splendor, everything seemed serene until love cast its unpredictable spell. Zeus, despite his seemingly impenetrable exterior, fell for the charms of Hailey. With her innocent façade and caring demeanor, she managed to worm her way into Zeus's heart. Unbeknownst to him, Hailey was a wolf in sheep's clothing, harboring malicious intentions. Trusting her deeply, Zeus offered his heart without reservation.

Life in Azolihftha continued harmoniously until a calamity struck. The protective shield safeguarding the kingdom shattered into fragments, leaving everyone bewildered. Even Giovanni, Zeus's confidant, couldn't fathom how such a catastrophe had unfolded. The kingdom's power was concentrated within an amulet, securely hidden within the depths of a secret garden. Driven by love and misplaced trust, Zeus shared the secret with Hailey, exposing the amulet's existence. Little did he know that Hailey's intent was to dismantle the royal family's power and gain control over the entire kingdom.

Hailey, as it turned out, was the daughter of the demon king of the sea, harboring ambitions of dominance. Her true purpose was to retrieve the amulet for her father's sinister plans. Unbeknownst to Zeus, their romantic involvement was a mere ploy to infiltrate and destabilize Azolihftha. During a surprise attack by demonic forces, the kingdom was left in chaos, the king and queen captured by Hailey's faction.In the midst of the turmoil, Giovanni, a voice of reason, directed Zeus to take the amulet and flee. A solemn promise was extracted from Zeus: he would protect the amulet, whatever the cost. Despite his overwhelming desire to remain with his family, Zeus realized the gravity of the situation. The world itself hung in the balance, the demon king Victor's ambitions threatening to engulf everything.

Summoning all his resolve, Zeus made the agonizing decision to leave his loved ones behind and escape. He knew that the consequences of failure were far too dire. The merfolk of Azolihftha believed the amulet to be a manifestation of the water goddess herself, an entity that granted them strength and protection. With unwavering determination, Zeus vowed to return, stronger and more capable, to safeguard his family and realm.

But as he fled, the demonic forces pursued him relentlessly. In a valiant effort, Zeus engaged in a desperate battle, his fury matching the intensity of the tempestuous sea. However, in a cruel twist of fate, Hailey, the one he had loved, betrayed him. She plunged a dagger into his back, her treachery piercing deeper than the wound itself. The pain of betrayal eclipsed the physical agony.

Fueled by his anguish, Zeus turned on Hailey, his eyes blazing red with rage. In a torrent of power, he reduced her to ashes, the remnants of his broken heart mirrored in her destruction. Zeus has made a decision to never trust or love anyone again in his life. Grief and fury mingled within him as he made his escape, his tail transforming into legs as he reached the shore of Bacalar. Fueled by desperation and wounded both physically and emotionally, he swam onwards until his strength finally gave out. His vision faded, and he slipped into unconsciousness.

The tides of fate carried him to the shore, where his battered body lay sprawled in the sand. Beside him, the amulet that held the kingdom's power glittered in the sunlight. The waves whispered tales of his struggle as they gently lapped against the shore. Unbeknownst to the people of Bacalar, a fallen prince from the depths of the ocean now rested on their shores, his destiny intertwined with a new chapter awaiting him.

[End of Chapter 2]

**Point of view:Athena**

I woke up as the alarm jolted me from my dreams, the bright sunlight spilling across the room while the cheerful chirping of birds greeted the new day. I stretched lazily and made my way to the balcony, a familiar routine I had come to cherish. The birds gathered around as I scattered some feed for them, their melodious tunes intertwining with the gentle rustling of leaves. What a wonderful way to begin the day. And today, it's Sunday—a day John and I had set aside to clean the north side of the beach.

After my morning routine, I decided on an outfit: white shorts paired with a baby pink crop top and yellow sneakers. I know, it might sound like a strange combination, but that's just me when it comes to fashion. With a laugh at my own quirkiness, I left the dorm. Given that it's the weekend, I was certain that John was still snoozing away. It's my responsibility to rouse him from his slumber and get him ready. I had breakfast for both of us in tow as I made my way to his place. Thanks to the spare key I had, I entered his apartment and drew back the curtains, letting the sunlight filter in.

"Rise and shine, Johnny!" I declared with a grin. "Come on, wake up, dude. We've got work to do." John groaned but managed to stir, heading for the shower while I laid out breakfast. The sun was blazing today, and considering the heat, we slathered on sunscreen generously before we left for the stunning blue expanse of the Mexican ocean. Armed with trash pickers, gloves, bags, and other cleaning supplies, we embarked on our mission.

Our first task was to conduct an awareness session on the importance of keeping nature clean. As expected, most people seemed oblivious to our words, engrossed in their leisurely beach activities. Unperturbed, we shifted our focus to cleaning. Hours slipped by, and before we knew it, it was lunchtime. I managed to pull John away to Jinny's Kitchen, and we indulged in a satisfying meal. Energized, we spent the afternoon meeting new people, recording content for my YouTube channel, and soaking in the ambiance of the beach.

With renewed determination, we returned to our cleanup duties. Splitting our efforts, I took on the northeast part of the beach while John tackled the northwest. Time seemed to stretch on as we meticulously collected discarded debris. The sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows as evening approached. It was then that a disheartening sight caught my attention. A group of young men, appearing to be American tourists, carelessly tossed bottles and cans onto the pristine sand.

My frustration surged, and though I tried to reason with them, they were dismissive of my pleas. Just when hope seemed scarce, an unexpected ally arrived in the form of a elderly woman, around 65 years old. She, too, was American, and she confronted the litterers with a stern voice. Scolding them, she managed to shoo them away. I was both amazed and grateful for her intervention. I thanked her profusely, but she humbly redirected the gratitude. "You should be thanked, my child, for your dedication to Mother Nature. Bless you." With those words, she departed, leaving me with a heart warmed by her understanding.

As the day progressed, the beach grew emptier as people started leaving, leaving behind a cleaner shoreline. Having completed my section, I decided to assist John. Yet, while en route, a glimmering object seized my attention. Lying in the sand was an amulet, partially buried and obscured by mud. Intrigued, I picked it up and washed it clean in the lapping waves. Its brilliance took my breath away; I had never seen anything quite so enchanting. Unbeknownst to me, a subtle force seemed to beckon me towards it.

Just as I was absorbed by this discovery, John's voice cut through, calling for my help. I sprinted in his direction, my curiosity momentarily shelved. When I reached him, my eyes fell upon a sight that stole my focus entirely—a man, with a perfectly sculpted body, lay ***** on the shore. It was apparent that he was hurt. Without second thought, my legs guided me toward him, and I found myself cradling his head in my lap. I could feel his slow, rhythmic breaths against my leg.

A voice broke through my reverie—John's, questioning my actions and suggesting we call the authorities. I hesitated and shook my head. "No, not yet." Determined to offer aid, I asked John to fetch a towel and a first aid kit. In the meantime, I glanced down at the man before me, his features handsome like those of a Greek god. The temptation to reach out and touch his chiseled abs was strong, but I scolded myself for my inappropriate thoughts. "Athena, what are you doing? He's an injured person," I muttered, struggling to focus on the situation at hand.

Yet, a mischievous notion flickered through my mind. Could a gentle kiss hurt? It seemed harmless, and so, without further contemplation, I leaned in and pressed my lips against his. His breathing remained steady, and I felt a sense of connection in that fleeting moment. Suddenly, I heard the sound of approaching footsteps, jolting me out of my impulsive reverie. Reality crashed back in, and I berated myself for my actions. What had I been thinking? I had just given away my first kiss to a complete stranger.

[End of Chapter 3]