Lukas lifted the giant cobblestone slabs like it was nothing and at the same time manipulated the waters to lift hundreds more around them. The Seas were alive with renewed vigour and the news of the Kraken's defeat had spread across Linemall.
The Drakos Family may fall but it would not fall any time soon.
Lukas wanted to get the construction of the destroyed training yard underway as soon as possible. So he put his money where his mouth was and had spent the entire morning with the construction crew. It gave him a good chance to get more and more used to the use of his new Divinity.
What the Seas needed now was order. And to establish order, you needed power to assert that authority. Even though he doubted there was anyone in the entirety of the Seas that could even pose a challenge to him, he knew that the Seas were lacking in power. There was a reason why so many things had gone unchecked even with someone as capable as Lady Kaitlyn on the throne.
It wasn't like they didn't have the manpower either and Lukas figured it was about time these damn Dragonborn stepped up to serve the Seas. What ensured his mother's safety was not only that she was strong but it was because these nobles were weak as shit. And that had to change.
Lukas still wasn't sure that he was ready, if he would ever see himself as worthy as inheriting the position of the Head of the Drakos Family but he was sure that he wanted the best for these people. This was a society untouched by the greed of human nature, a true community that stuck together. He wanted to ensure that the Seas would be in good hands, even if those hands were not his.
"Lukas. He's ready to talk." Jesse Sterling stood behind him, bowing as Lukas turned to face the young boy. He was like a machine. The only reason why the Merchant Guild had been as successful as it had become was because of him. It seemed like it had been a good idea to spare his father after all, for he had gained loyalty and trust from somebody who could've become a very tricky opponent. A temporary loss to the Kraken had turned into a monumental victory with Jesse.
Jesse himself had requested for the interrogation of the Kraken to be assigned to him, even with everything else on his plate. He seemed determined and Lukas obliged after some consideration. He ordered the crew to take a lunch break and followed after Jesse who led him to the holding cell.
"What information have you gained from him so far?" He asked. "Anything of note that I should know about?"
"He has given up all the businesses that were under his control. The Merchant Guild has acted upon this information immediately and all of it seems to be pretty legit. He's also given us all of the Dragonborn who have been willingly working with and for him throughout the past 50 years. It's…a long list. I have captured and locked the corrupt nobles in holding cells until further notice. Their fates…well, I'll leave that to you to be the one who decides that." Jesse nods, clearly satisfied with his own work and rightfully so.
Lukas was impressed.
"It will be up to Lady Kaitlyn. For she is still the Royal Consort of the Seas and the current Regent. I am still a Lordling. I expect you to pass on all the information you've collected during this interrogation to her as well, Jesse."
Jesse hesitated before nodding. This would not have been the first time that Lukas had had to remind him that he was not actually the one ruling the Seas. He did find some satisfaction and comfort in knowing that the boy trusted him to such an extent however. He was starting to grow a bit fond of the kid, even if he didn't act his age 90% of the time.
Lukas had decided that it wasn't a good idea to bring the Kraken back to Kuria Prison. It wasn't like he doubted that Katrina wouldn't be able to hold her own if he tried breaking out again especially in his current state after their fight. But he knew what the Kraken could be capable of and he wanted to keep him close. So he'd been put in the various holding cells beneath the Palace.
The moment he stepped into the holding cell, he knew why the Kraken had folded as fast as he did. The cell had been drained of water, meaning for the first time in his second life Lukas was experiencing what it was like not to be submerged completely in the water. He had thought multiple times to swim to the surface but he hadn't the time nor the energy to do that. Magical energy was keeping the water out, as if he was stepping through a portal of sorts, but instead of being cast from a magical user it was through stones that lined the door.
The Kraken remained in his humanoid form, chained up in the center of the cell. He was…crying and Lukas almost felt sympathy for him. For all around him, ten chefs stood in a circle all around him. In front of each chef was a grill where all kinds of cephalopods were being cooked up. The smell of grilled squid and octopus filled the room, the sound of the meat sizzling on the grill the only other constant.
Jesse grinned from ear to ear as chefs would pass on the grilled seafood onto a plate before serving it up to Marshall Sterling who sat at a table right in front of the Kraken. He seemed to be having the absolute time of his life, feasting on the dishes served. He ate like a fucking pig, chewing with his mouth open and intentionally making the most obscene noises known to man.
The very sight was nearly satanic and Lukas genuinely felt bad for the Kraken. He glanced at Jesse and Marshall who were cackling as he downed another plate with the Kraken wailing in desperation for him to stop.
The heat from the grills, the smell of your own kind being cooked on a grill, the dryness and absence of water, the sight of an absolute sadist chomping down on your cousins...wow Lukas was thankful that he wasn't the Kraken.
"Alright chill. Enough of this." Lukas couldn't watch any longer. The Sterlings…they were really something. He was just glad they were on his side. He didn't just stop to give the Kraken a single respite of peace from the endless torment he'd been put through thus far.
He still had questions that needed answering.
The Kraken finally raised his eyes to meet Lukas' gaze and he shook his head when he finally realized who was standing in front of him.
"What more do you want from me? Just kill me. Put an end to all this. Put an end to my life. Put an end to my race, dragon. You…the Drakos…have won. I have nothing more to say to you. I have told that boy everything he wants to know. Give me the mercy of at least a quick death." The Kraken whispered before lowering his gaze, defeated.
"I just need to ask you some more questions." He knelt in front of him, meeting him eye to eye. The Kraken looked uncertain, not trusting Lukas for a second.
"I already told you, I answered all the boy's questions. My businesses, all-"
"I want to know who taught you the Draconic Flow." This was the question that had been weighing heavy on Lukas' mind and the one he really wanted an answer to. Only those who have mastered the Draconic Flow could pass it onto other dragons. Even the Dragonborn never learnt how to completely control the strange power. For the Kraken, a creature who was not even of draconic descent, to have been taught the Draconic Flow; he must have had a brilliant teacher.
He seemed surprised, shocked at the question before realization hit him.
The Kraken finally cracked a smile, letting out a soft laugh.
"The Dragon who taught me is very much still alive. And I know exactly where to find him. If you want that information, then you are not going to kill me young dragon. Because now I have something you want." The Kraken grinned now, realizing he had something of value now. Something that could keep him from an inevitable death. Lukas didn't like that look at all, one of certainty.
"And why in the world are you so confident that I would rather kill you than find this dragon in particular?" Lukas, for once, had no idea what to expect. He didn't like it. He didn't like this one bit at all.
"Why, you ask? Because, Lukas Drakos, the Dragon who taught me your race's beloved Draconic Flow is none other than your older brother…Lord Rodan."