Under the Waves

Under the Waves is a speculative fantasy series set in a near-future world where human–marine hybrids are persecuted by the surface government. The story follows Altair, a sheltered hybrid boy whose life is shattered when his mother is abducted during a government raid. He escapes into the ocean and is brought to Meliora’s Institute, a hidden refuge that shelters and trains hybrids to survive in an ongoing conflict between land and sea. As Altair adapts to life underwater, the narrative alternates between his perspective and that of adult guardians and leaders within the Institute, revealing the broader political and military tensions driving the war. The series explores themes of identity, belonging, found family, and the moral consequences of war, with a focus on character development and worldbuilding. The plot gradually expands to cover larger conflicts, covert operations, and the secrets surrounding Altair’s origins and importance to both sides of the war.