Aquamarine of Sapphire Skin

"So, what's the catch?" asked Vassilis, the leader of the group.

Glauco Ponti shrugged, holding up his basket of fish. "Just the usual suspects. Some sardines, a few octopuses, nothing too exciting."

Dimitri smirked. "Come on, Glauco, don't hold out on us. You always manage to catch something interesting."

Glauco shook his head. "Not this time, boys. Just another boring day on the water."

But just as he said that he felt a strange tug on his line. It was stronger than anything he had ever felt before, and he struggled to keep his footing on the boat as he reeled it in.

"What the hell is that?" he yelled, his eyes widening in shock.

As the creature surfaced, the fishermen couldn't believe what they were seeing. It was the Aquamarine Dolphin with Sapphire Skin, something that can only be described as mythical. Its absolute beauty was made only more brilliant thanks to the rays of the sunlight that bounced from its sapphire skin directly into the sea. 

"Jesus Christ," muttered Vassilis, his mouth agape. "What in Heaven's name is that?!"

Glauco was as stupefied as the rest of the group. "I... I don't even know," he stammered.

As they gazed at the creature in disbelief, they knew that they had just witnessed something incredible. It was the catch of a lifetime, something that would be talked about for generations to come.

"Boys," said Glauco, breaking the stunned silence. "I think we just hit the jackpot."

Glauco Ponti had always been a man of the sea. He knew the waves and the tides better than anyone else, and he had always been able to bring home a good catch. But everything changed the day he caught the Aquamarine Dolphin with Sapphire Skin.

As Glauco pondered his decision, he decided to take the dolphin to a secret pond deep inside the Chalkidiki peninsula near Greece to keep him safe and out of sight. As he approached the pond, the dolphin began to stir in the water, sensing that someone had arrived.

Glauco was staring intently at the beautiful sapphire skin of the dolphin when suddenly he heard a voice.

"Hey, you! Don't you even think about hurting me," the voice said.

Glauco was taken aback and jumped backward to what felt like a precursor to a heart attack, his eyes widened in shock. He stumbled backward, tripping over a rock and falling to the ground. The dolphin just looked at him with a smirk on his face.

"You're… you're talking," Glauco stammered.

"Yeah, I'm talking," the dolphin replied nonchalantly. "And don't freak out, man. I'm not gonna hurt you either."

Glauco felt his heart racing, he was sweating profusely. He had never heard of a talking dolphin before. The dolphin continued to speak, his voice dripping with suaveness.

"You see, my dear sea boy, I'm not an ordinary dolphin. I'm Delphinus, the one who helped Poseidon, the grandiose and rageful eminence that presides over the sea, storms, earthquakes, and horses, in winning the heart of his beloved wife Amphitrite. And you, my friend, have caught me," the dolphin said with a smirk.

Glauco was surprised to hear that the dolphin knew the god of the sea, and his curiosity was piqued.

"Wh-what do you want from me?" he asked, his voice trembling.

"Relax, man. I just want you to release me back into the sea. I've got places to be, and people to see. And you… you can go back to your boring life of fishing," Delphinus said, his tone dripping with condescension.

Glauco felt a surge of anger, but he tried to keep it under control. "You know what? I don't think I will. You're mine now. And with you, I can make a fortune," Glauco said, his voice shaking with adrenaline.

Delphinus just chuckled. "Oh Glauco, that is your name with which the other guys were talking to you, right? You have no idea what you're dealing with. But suit yourself. Just remember, there are consequences for your actions. Poseidon doesn't take kindly to those who mess with his friends," the dolphin warned, before diving back into the pond with a splash.

Glauco was too tired to think straight anymore. Glauco took a turn back and started walking outside of the secret pond to a place where he could meditate and plan what he was going to do with Delphinus. But before he could rest, Delphinus emerged from the pond with his shining skin reflecting everything around and with his eyes fixed on Glauco. 

"Going so soon, my dear sea boy? And here that I had a magnificent proposition for you" said Delphinus with a suave yet intimidating voice. 

Before Glauco could be out of the dolphin's sight, he turned back with a confused face and one thing to say: "I beg your pardon?"

Glauco and Delphinus had a nice little chat after that. 

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It was the next day. Glauco had slept enough and he went directly to the pond. 

Glauco arrived at the pond and saw Delphinus swimming gracefully in the clear water. "Good morning, Delphinus," he said, feeling a little less intimidated than the night before.

"Good morning, Glauco," Delphinus replied with a smooth voice. "I hope you slept well."

Glauco rubbed his eyes. "Not really. I couldn't stop thinking about our conversation last night. You said you could teach me everything about the sea, right?"

"That's right," Delphinus said with a friendly smile. "I can show you the currents and the tides, the best places to fish, and the best times of the day. With my guidance, you and your group will be able to catch more fish than ever before."

Glauco's eyes widened. "That sounds incredible. So, what's the catch?"

Delphinus chuckled. "Oh, Glauco, you're always so suspicious. There's no catch, I promise. I just want to share my knowledge with you and help you achieve your dreams."

Glauco looked at Delphinus skeptically. "I find that hard to believe. You're not just doing this out of the goodness of your heart, are you?"

Delphinus shook his head. "Of course not. I have my own interests, but they align with yours. I want to see you succeed, Glauco. When you do, we both win."

Glauco frowned. "I don't like the sound of that. What exactly do you want from me, Delphinus?"

Delphinus swam closer to Glauco and looked into his eyes. "I want you to become the most successful fisherman in Chalkidiki and all of Greece. I want you to become a legend. And in exchange, I want your loyalty."

Glauco felt a chill run down his spine. "What kind of loyalty?"

"The kind that requires you to keep our conversations and agreements strictly between us. The kind that means you'll do whatever it takes to protect our partnership," Delphinus said calmly.

Glauco hesitated. He knew he was dealing with something beyond his understanding, but he couldn't resist the temptation of wealth and success. "Alright, Delphinus. You've got a deal. Teach me everything you know."

Little did Glauco know, he had just signed a pact with a creature that would make him face a very brutal situation

Glauco's business exploded with success, and the money was flowing in like a never-ending stream. The once-small fishing company had now grown into a massive empire, thanks to Delphinus' teachings.

The fishermen working for Glauco were in awe of the man, and even more so of his incredible companion, the sapphire dolphin. They marveled at Delphinus' ability to predict the tides and currents and to guide them to the best fishing spots, where the fish practically jumped into their boats.

Glauco's wealth and influence extended beyond the fishing industry. He was now one of the wealthiest men in the region, with politicians and high-ranking officials at his beck and call. His wealth gave him the power to make or break businesses and even sway public opinion.

But what Glauco didn't know was that Delphinus had other intentions, and his ultimate plan was yet to be revealed.

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Everything continued to go swimmingly for Glauco. All was well and he couldn't be more elated. But his spirit was destroyed one day, when the most horrific thing he had seen in his life, as a man of the sea, was notified through newspapers, televisions, smartphones, and the internet in general. A gargantuan tsunami that appeared out of nowhere was going to destroy the entirety of Southeast Europe.

The gargantuan tsunami that was approaching South East Europe was a force of nature unlike any other. Its monstrous waves reached hundreds of feet in height, crashing down with unimaginable force and fury. The water surged forward with the power of a thousand hurricanes, sweeping away everything in its path.

Entire towns and cities would be destroyed in an instant, with buildings collapsing like sandcastles in the face of the tsunami's immense power. People would be swept away in the deluge, unable to escape the overwhelming force of the water.

The tsunami would continue to surge forward, ravaging the coastline and moving inland with unstoppable force. It would obliterate everything in its path, leaving only destruction and chaos in its wake.

Those who were fortunate enough to survive would be left with nothing but devastation, their homes, businesses, and livelihoods destroyed in a matter of minutes. The tsunami would leave behind a trail of destruction that would take years to recover from if recovery was even possible.

In the face of such a catastrophic event, it was clear that Glauco and his people were facing an impossible situation. The sheer power of the tsunami was beyond comprehension, and the destruction it would bring was almost too terrible to imagine.

Glauco's world came crashing down like a sledgehammer to the gut. The news of the approaching tsunami hit him like a ton of bricks. He knew he had to act fast, or everything he had built with Delphinus' help would crumble to dust.

"Delphinus, what the hell are we going to do? This tsunami will wipe us all out! Can you do anything to stop it?" Glauco pleaded, his voice trembling with fear.

Delphinus looked at him with a suave expression, his eyes sharp like a shark. "I'm sorry, Glauco. But this is Poseidon's wrath, and there's nothing we can do to stop it." This was Delphinus's plan all along.

Glauco's heart sank like an anvil. "What the hell do you mean? I thought we had a deal. You were supposed to help me become a rich and powerful man!"

Delphinus sighed. "And I did, Glauco. But you must understand that every action has consequences. Poseidon is not a creature to be trifled with. He's a god, and his power is immense. He'll stop at nothing to get what he wants."

Glauco's mind was spinning. "What can we do, then? We can't just sit here and wait for the tsunami to destroy us."

Delphinus paused for a moment as if weighing his options. "There's only one thing we can do. We must give me back to Poseidon. It's the only way to appease him and stop the tsunami."

Glauco's heart skipped a beat. "What?! No way! I can't give you back to Poseidon! I'll lose everything I've worked for!"

Delphinus looked at him with a cold, calculating stare. "You have no choice, Glauco. It's the right thing to do, and who knows? Maybe Poseidon will be merciful."

Glauco knew there was no way in hell that Poseidon would be merciful. He was a god, and he did not take kindly to mortals messing with his business. But he also knew that he had no other options. He had to give Delphinus back, even if it meant sacrificing everything he had gained.

"Fine," Glauco said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I will take you back to Poseidon."

Delphinus nodded, his expression unreadable. "It's for the best, Glauco. Trust me."

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Glauco had made up his mind. He would give Delphinus back to Poseidon, no matter the cost. He knew that the journey ahead would not be easy, but he was determined to see it through.

Delphinus guided Glauco toward the middle of the Pacific Ocean, where Poseidon was said to reside. All with only days before the tsunami crashlanded.

At last, they reached their destination. A vast underwater kingdom, shrouded in darkness and mystery, rose up before them. Glauco could feel the power emanating from the kingdom, and he knew that Poseidon was close.

Delphinus led him through the underwater city, past towering temples and magnificent palaces, until they arrived at the throne room of Poseidon himself. Glauco's heart raced as he approached the throne, wondering what fate awaited him.

Poseidon sat upon his throne, his eyes ablaze with anger. Glauco trembled at the sight of him, knowing that he was in great danger. But he steeled himself, drawing upon the suaveness he had learned from Delphinus.

"You dare to come before me after what you've done?" Poseidon thundered.

Glauco took a deep breath, channeling the suaveness he had learned from Delphinus. "I come before you humbly, great Poseidon. I know that I have angered you, and I am willing to make amends."

Poseidon raised his trident, ready to strike Glauco down. "What could you possibly offer me that would make up for your transgressions?"

Glauco reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet pouch. "I have brought with me all the wealth and treasures I have amassed throughout the years. Everything is yours if you will spare my life."

Poseidon regarded the pouch with interest. "Everything, you say?"

Glauco nodded. "Everything. And more. I have also brought a gift for you. A statue made of Aquamarine Sapphire, in your image. It is the most valuable thing I possess, and I offer it to you freely."

Poseidon studied Glauco for a moment, then gestured for him to approach. Glauco stepped forward, holding out the pouch and the statue.

Poseidon took the pouch and examined its contents, then nodded in satisfaction. "This is a good start, Glauco. But it will take more than money to make up for what you have done."

Glauco swallowed hard. "What else can I offer you, great Poseidon?"

Poseidon leaned in close, his eyes glinting with malice. "Your life. That is the only thing that will satisfy me. You must die for what you have done."

Glauco took a step back, his heart pounding. "Please, Poseidon. I have given you everything I have. Isn't that enough?"

Poseidon's lips curled into a sneer. "No. It is not enough. You must pay the ultimate price."

Glauco closed his eyes, ready to accept his fate. But then, he felt a gentle nudge at his side. He opened his eyes to see Delphinus, looking up at him with a knowing expression while he swam through the air of the palace itself.

"Glauco," Delphinus said softly. "You must use the suaveness I taught you. You can convince Poseidon to spare your life."

Glauco nodded, taking a deep breath. "Poseidon, I understand that I have wronged you. And I am willing to accept whatever punishment you deem fit. But I ask you to consider this: if you kill me now, you will lose the greatest source of wealth in the entire world that would benefit your kingdom whenever you like. Is that what you want?"

Poseidon considered this for a moment, then lowered his trident. 

"Very well, Glauco. I will spare your life. But know this: If you ever cross me again, the consequences will be dire" said Poseidon sternly. 

Glauco breathed a sigh of relief, feeling a weight lifted from his shoulders. "Thank you, great Poseidon. I am forever in your debt."

Poseidon nodded, then transported Glauco and Delphinus towards the surface. Glauco then turned to Delphinus with a grateful smile.

"Thank you, Delphinus. I couldn't have done it without you."

Delphinus nodded, his eyes twinkling. "You learned well, my friend. And now, you have everything you need to succeed in life."

Glauco smiled, feeling a sense of peace.

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After delivering Delphinus to Poseidon, Glauco returned to his homeland, unsure of what his fate would be. He had given up everything he had worked for, but he knew it was the right thing to do.

To his surprise, he found that the tsunami had vanished without a trace. The waters had calmed, and the people of Southeast Europe were safe. Glauco realized that Poseidon had spared them, perhaps because of the offerings he had made.

With his newfound perspective, Glauco began to rebuild his life. He used the skills he had learned from Delphinus to start a new trading company, of also great success and sustainable practices. He traveled the world, sharing his knowledge and helping to protect the oceans and their creatures.

And throughout it all, he remained friends with Delphinus. Though they could no longer communicate in the same way, they found other ways to connect. Glauco would often visit the ocean, watching the dolphins swim and play, and imagining that Delphinus was among them.

In the end, Glauco realized that his journey with Delphinus had been about much more than wealth and success. It had been about learning to respect the natural world and its creatures, and about finding a deeper purpose in life. And for that, he was eternally grateful.

He would always remember him, of color aquamarine and sapphire skin.