Ever since a time that can only be described as 'long, long ago' by the mortals of the world, it was the way of the Gods not to govern the mortals, but to govern the laws of the earth they had created. However the God's favoured creation, Mankind, still seemed to believe in destiny, despite the free will bestowed upon them. For them, it was a way of romanticising love, kindling hope, grieving death.

Of course, with free will, Mankind developed culture and personality, and the Gods were pleased to be able to watch their people grow. However, when the going gets tough, the Gods realised the lore of fate had great power; when they exercised wrath or pity, it was "meant to be", not just the will of the Gods, but written in the stars. It seemed to comfort beyond all else, and they suspected the Heavens remained peaceful because of it.

The Gods, having created a beautiful and endlessly intricate world, were in charge of the four elements they had created together; Earth, Water, Wind and Fire. The God guardian of the Earth ruled the land; of Water, they ruled the seas; of Wind, they ruled the skies; and of Fire, heat that gave life to the cold loins of the world, they ruled the transient divide between life and death, guiding souls between Heaven and Earth, birth and death.

The God of the Sea admired the works of the land. Though their own charged world was unique, beautiful and terrifying as they had created it with their kindred, there were not the likes of the elegant horse with wind in their fur, or the gliding bird which drifted high in the skies above. So, the God decided their horses would be in the waters, waves to transport Mankind in their majestic ships (the Gods were highly amused the Mankind's own creations; proud, they saw their own likeness in the beings they had created), with white manes and indeed huge strength and great unpredictability. However, while the horse can be tamed, the seas cannot.

The God of the Earth loved the people who lived there, although the inherently flawed beings often made them frustrated and sometimes downright angry. There were many the God had seen potential in, and often they entertained Mankind's notion of destiny by prodding those willing in the right direction, and with the God's blessing they would become prominent figures in their society, whether it be their potential is realised in the scholarly circle and become noted philosophers, or their skill is recognised in protection and they raise in the ranks of the guards as leaders. The interest with seafaring was rapidly increasing in the present times with Mankind, and the God quickly spotted a being sparkling with talent and tingling with adventure. The man's endeavours into the trade, building charters of his local seas and captain of his own ship, set him apart from the rest. However, one day while on a new journey in hopes of exploring the water beyond the bay and near-by islands of his home, the white horses of the water had spooked and a storm quickly brewed. The Gods of Wind and Sea loved their creation also, however the weather which came to pass in accordance with the laws of nature set in motion in the very beginning was not something they would often interfere with; after all, while tweaking certain things in their creation often did no harm, there was a balance and a harmony which they would rather not upset too much or too often. This in mind, the God of the Earth was disappointed when his plea to spare the adventurer's boat was met with a shake of their kindred's heads.

Fate of the crew sealed, The God resigned himself to the fact the next they would see of the mortal was in the Heavens. However, when the God of Fire came, it was with an idea.

Pity was taken upon the bright heart of the mortal. Rather than letting him drift to the bottom of the ocean to return to the sand, the God of the Sea plunged into their oceans in their immortal form, the unique body long and smoothly scaled, with a fanned, translucent dorsal fin and wide spanning tail, their wings in the water. The God's head was like nothing else in the waters, the eyes of a snake, the cheeks of a horse, the snout of a wolf and the crest of a lion, with smooth reptilian skin and a miriad of colour as every silver scale caught light even in the darkest depths. By then, the ship had wrecked, and the God caught the mortal on their back as he sank with his vessel.

Curling their flexible body around the soft human flesh to keep him in place, the God twisted to see the mortal in their grip was dazed and losing consciousness. He may not remember, but the God leaned close and closed their eyes, and a soft light emitted from the mortal. His water filled lungs began to breathe again; with the help of his new gills. His fingers gained sensation against the cold of the ocean, however, slowly as he regained his senses he realised he was no longer able to swish his legs; in their place, he felt a powerful, single limb push against the water around him.

Mortal, your heart was rare on the earth; the Gods have been reluctant to let such a light pass so early in its journey within our creation. Our service to you is to spare your life. However, now you have a service to us and your old kind; you are the first of the Mers, and should any of Mankind fall to the perils of the sea, it is your duty to pass on the gift you have received. The nature of life itself is invaluable and intimate; therefore, the way you shall give such a precious gift a second chance in the world under water is through a kiss.

Such is the legend of the Merfolk.