The sky was just beginning to blush with the first hints of dawn. Lucian sat down barefoot on the cool sand of the beach, arms crossed loosely over his chest as he watched the sun slowly rise over the horizon. Golden light spilled across the water, turning the waves into liquid fire. In half an hour, the entire village would gather for Hiccup's dragon-killing ceremony. But right now, the world felt strangely peaceful.
In the shallow water, Simba paddled happily, his golden lion-like mane floating around him as he chased small fish. Nyx, the Night Fury, lay curled up on the sand beside Lucian, her black scales shimmering faintly in the morning light, eyes half-closed in contentment.
A soft rustle came from behind him.
Lucian turned and saw Astrid walking toward him, her braid swaying with each step. She looked more thoughtful than usual.
"Hi," she said quietly when she reached him.
"Hi," Lucian replied with a small smile.
Astrid hesitated for a moment, then gestured to the spot beside him. "May I?"
He nodded.
She sat down on the sand, close enough that their shoulders almost brushed. For a while, both of them simply watched the sunrise painting the sky in soft oranges and pinks. Simba splashed playfully in the shallows.
"You know," Astrid said after a moment, "I'm really curious about your other pet."
Lucian smiled. "He's a merlion. A combination of a mermaid and a lion."
Astrid raised an eyebrow. "Mermaids aren't even real."
"They are real, you know," Lucian said calmly. "You're looking at one right now."
"Yeah, right," Astrid scoffed, rolling her eyes. "And I'm the Queen of the Valkyries."
A comfortable silence settled between them again. Astrid glanced at him sideways.
"I… wanted to say thank you," she said, her voice softer than usual. "For everything you've shown me about dragons. I used to think they were nothing but monsters. Killing machines but you… you made me see them differently. You broadened my mind. I didn't think that was possible."
Lucian turned to look at her, his expression warm. A playful glint appeared in his eyes.
"Well," he said smoothly, leaning just a little closer, "if I can change the mind of Berk's fiercest Viking warrior, maybe I'm doing something right. Though I have to admit… seeing you smile while watching the sunrise might be my new favorite sight."
Astrid's cheeks flushed a light pink. She tried to hide it by looking away, but the small, genuine smile that tugged at her lips betrayed her.
"You're such a flirt," she muttered, though there was no real bite in her words.
Before Lucian could reply, Simba suddenly stopped paddling. His ears perked up as a small fish darted frantically toward them through the shallow water.
"L-Lucian!! Help!" the fish cried.
Lucian's head snapped toward the water.
Simba had gently caught Flounder in his mouth, holding the terrified yellow fish without hurting him.
"Hey!" Lucian stood up quickly and waded into the shallows. He gently pried Simba's jaws open. "Let him go, buddy."
Flounder flopped free, gasping dramatically. "Thank you!"
Lucian crouched down so he was eye-level with the little fish. "Flounder? Why are you here? What's wrong?"
The words tumbled out of Flounder in a panicked rush. He told Lucian everything, how he and Sebastian had hidden in the palace, how Ursula had taken over Atlantica, the forest of twisted polyps, Ariel's sisters trapped in a cage, and how the sea witch had stunned Ariel and taken her captive. He explained that the kingdom was deathly quiet and that King Triton was still away.
Lucian's face darkened into a deep frown as he listened.
When Flounder finished, Lucian placed a reassuring hand near him in the water. "Wait here for me. I'll be right back. I just need to get a few things."
He turned and jogged back toward his house, Astrid following close behind. Inside, he quickly rummaged through his belongings and grabbed his satchel, slinging it over his shoulder.
Astrid watched him with growing confusion. "You can talk to a fish?"
Lucian paused and looked back at her, one eyebrow raised. "You can't understand him?"
"I don't," she said matter-of-factly. "Why would a fish even talk?"
A flash of understanding crossed Lucian's face. He had always taken it for granted, talking to sea creatures, thanks to Scuttle and the world of princes and princesses he once knew. But how? The question lingered in his mind.
"Maybe it's because of the Tideborn legacy," he muttered under his breath.
He turned to Astrid with a playful grin. "I'm a mermaid, remember?"
"Oh, shut up," she replied.
Lucian's expression grew serious again. "I need a favor, Astrid."
"What is it?"
"You know that whatever Hiccup does today at the ceremony… something is going to happen. I can't be here. Can you keep an eye on him? Help him if he needs it and tell him, if he really needs help, go to Nyx, he'll understand."
Astrid studied him for a moment, then nodded. "Okay. I'll do it."
Suddenly, the deep, resonant sound of the village horn echoed across Berk. The signal that the ceremony was about to begin.
Astrid stood up straighter. "I have to go now. Be careful, Lucian."
"I will," he promised.
She gave him one last look before turning and running back toward the village.
Lucian sprinted down to the shore. Flounder and Simba were waiting. He pulled a beautiful conch shell from his satchel and blew into it. The clear, haunting note carried across the waves.
He quickly stuffed his clothes into the satchel, then waded into the water. The moment the sea touched his legs, his body shimmered. His legs fused together, scales rippling across his skin as he transformed into his sleek mermaid form.
The water suddenly churned violently. A massive shape rose from the depths, Scauldy, the enormous Scauldron dragon.
The dragon let out a low, friendly rumble.
"Hey, buddy," Lucian said warmly, rubbing the dragon's massive head.
He swung himself onto Scauldy's back.
Flounder and Simba clung tightly to the dragon's smooth, scaled body. With a powerful surge, Scauldy dove beneath the waves, carrying them swiftly into the deep ocean.
As they swam, Lucian reached into his satchel once more. In a flash of golden light, a majestic trident materialized in his hands, its prongs glowing with ancient power.
His expression hardened with determination.
"Hold on, Ariel. I'm coming."