The festival continued late into the night. The first thing Lukas did after their battle was to make sure his mother was safe. Despite the facade he put on for the Kraken and Selene insisting she would be fine, he had still been beyond worried about her.
Lukas' mother had lived up to her name. She'd actually had to hold back or risk taking a few of the Dragonborn's lives. She seemed to be enjoying herself well and Lukas left her to the festivities.
He sat perched on a ledge, away from the crowds below. The people hardly seemed to care about the massive destruction that his fight with the Kraken had caused.
As for the Kraken, the monster would live to see another day. He still had questions that Lukas needed answering. But for now, he would savour this victory. The first in this new world that he'd found himself in.
Dealing with the Kraken, finding himself in his new body and travelling around the Seas, everything had happened so fast; Lukas realized he'd never really taken the time to process it all. How fucking crazy was this? He was in a world of magic and living among Dragons.
He'd won yet another fight and it felt great but here he was again; away from the people. He was alone but this time it was by choice. He knew if he went down there, he could spend time with the people who mattered to him. But that was exactly the problem, he wasn't even sure that it was his place to care for those people. Had the Lukas Drakos, the true Lukas Drakos, had a choice? If not for his wish being granted, would the son of Lord Jaren and Selene of Dawn have awoken and lived out the life he was always meant to live?
What if he had taken away all the happiness that the original Lukas Drakos was supposed to experience? What if by getting a second chance at life, he'd taken away someone's only shot at it?
What if he told them the truth? What if he told them all that he was not truly Lukas Drakos and that he had possibly taken away the real soul who first inhabited this body? What would they say, what would they do, how would they treat him if they knew?
He also worried because the fact of the matter was that nothing truly was free in this world. He'd have to pay a price eventually to that immortal being who'd made all of this possible in the first place. He wasn't sure if he would be ready to pay that price when that day came but he did know that it wasn't one he would be able to refuse.
It was guilt. That was the final wall that he could still not overcome in this second life. It was why he still kept everybody around him at a distance despite him truly beginning to care for these people as if they were family. He'd tried to accept the fact that they were family because he was Lukas Drakos. But now, at this moment, he knew he wasn't. He was still Julien Fronterra. A fighter. A champion. A legend who had died alone.
Did he really deserve all this? Did he truly belong in Hiraeth?
This stream of consciousness was interrupted by a familiar voice.
"You have done well, Lukas. I am proud of you. Thank you. I mean that with all that I am, I thank you for what you have done. You have brought something to the Seas that has been absent for years now. You have brought hope." Lady Kaitlyn Drakos held a glass in her hand. She seemed to have warmed up to Lukas, the harsh judgemental aura gone, replaced by acceptance and even a hint of warmth.
"My Lady. If not for your teaching, I wouldn't have been able to defeat the Kraken. I almost lost."
"Oh come off it, young man. You were putting on a show. And it was a damn good one. It was no question that you would have won though since I was your teacher." She laughed and took another sip of her glass. Then her expression grew serious, somber even.
Lukas stood there silently, waiting for her to say what she had to tell him.
"You are more like your father than I ever expected. Lukas, from this day forth, you will lead the Drakos Family. This throne is rightfully yours and it is a responsibility you must take. Our best interest is to serve our people and right now, I think…no. I know that you are to be the one to lead the Seas." She gave him a small smile, holding out a hand for him to shake. It was clear this wasn't something that Lady Kaitlyn had decided on impulsively.
She'd been testing him this entire time since the first time they met and she had finally accepted that he was worthy enough to lead her people.
Lukas truly respected these dragons. She was graceful enough to step down, yield her authority and power for the betterment of the Seas.
Yet he did not shake her hand. He was not going to accept her offer.
"If we are keeping the Sea's best interest in mind then I am not the one who should lead our people, Lady Kaitlyn."
The consort's smile faltered and her hand fell to her side. There was a mix of confusion, annoyance and even shock that was apparent in her eyes while her expression remained as neutral as ever.
"It may seem very daunting, Lukas but there is no greater honour to serve our people. We need you now more than ever, the Seas are just finally getting back on our feet. I implore you to not act so rashly. I will continue to guide you through this process." She seemed genuinely baffled on why he'd ever turn down her proposal.
"If we are keeping the people's best interest in mind, then it is you who should continue to lead our people. You are more worthy of ruling than I ever could be. This does not mean I am abandoning my duties however. I will continue to serve our people but Lady Kaitlyn, right now, you are the one who should sit on that throne." And Lukas meant it too. He had a lot to think about, reflect on his situation and honestly he did feel like he wasn't ready. Everything was happening too fast and if he made the wrong move, it wouldn't just be him who'd suffer the consequences. It would be hundreds and thousands of different people who would all be suffering with him. He couldn't have that on his conscience.
The Lady Kaitlyn seemed both flattered but at the same time, disappointed. Perhaps she was hoping for him to act with the same bravado he had displayed when they first met where he had made the claim that he would defeat any opponent no matter who they were up against. Lukas was still confident he could back up that claim. But this was more than just winning a fight. This was being a leader. That burden was not something Lukas was anywhere capable of shouldering.
"For now I would like you to continue to guide me. Teach me not only in the ways of magic but how to lead the Seas. And when that time comes when I feel like I am worthy enough, I will…inherit the throne. I give you my word." This was no bluff. These were not words spoken simply to comfort the royal consort. It was the truth. He cared about these people, even if he had conflicting feelings. If ever came a point where he was worthy enough to lead the Seas then he would do so.
"That…is all I can ask for."
There was a sudden crash as the doors to the open balcony swung open. Jesse and Katrina both held barrels of liquor in their arms and they grinned from ear to ear once they finally found Lukas.
"WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN!? COME CELEBRATE WITH US UNC!" Katrina roared as she began splashing alcohol all over the place and Lukas let out a soft chuckle at the sight. Even Jesse seemed to be in a good mood and that kid had been stressed ever since the Merchant Guild's creation was announced.
He glanced towards the Lady Kaitlyn who gave him a small nod, signalling for him to follow the two youngins. It was a time for love and community. It was a time to let worries go and simply live in the moment because it could truly be your last. For now, he would not think about his past life and what seemed to be a troubling future that was in store for him.
Just for tonight, it was a time for celebration so he danced and drank his fill.
Just for tonight, Julien Fronterra allowed himself to be unapologetically Lukas Drakos.