In the shared chamber of the mersisters, early morning light filtered through the ocean waters. Most of the girls were still lounging or half-asleep, tangled in silkweed blankets or brushing out tangles from their hair.
Suddenly, the door slammed open.
"KYAHHHH!" Andrina squealed as she burst in like a whirlwind.
Aquata shot up, tangled in her blanket. "W-What?! I'm awake, I'm awake!"
Allana groaned and flopped over. "Andrina, seriously? It's too early for your drama."
"Yeah, what gives?" Arista said, still calmly combing her hair with a pearl-handled brush.
"You guys won't believe what I just saw!" Andrina cried, both hands pressed dramatically to her cheeks. "Ariel kissed Lucian on the cheek!"
Attina, mid-sip of her Tideberry nectar, spat it out in a coughing fit. "You what?!"
"Is that true?" Adella asked, leaning in.
The sisters perked up instantly, some raising brows, others exchanging glances.
"Yes! It's true!" Andrina said, nodding rapidly.
Aquata's mouth dropped. "No way!"
"YES way!" Andrina nodded furiously. "I was just picking up coral berries near the gate, and I saw them talking, and then Ariel just zoom and darted in and kissed Lucian on the cheek! Then she swam off redder than a volcanic crab!"
Allana squealed, tossing her kelp pillow. "Our baby sister has taken her chance!"
"Looks like little Ariel isn't so little anymore," Aquata teased, nudging Attina. "How about it, Attina? Time to step up your romantic life?"
Attina groaned, rubbing her temple. "I'm surrounded by lunatics."
"Oh please," Arista chimed in, smirking. "You'd be the first to panic if a cute merman winked at you."
"Would not!"
"Would too," Arista, Allana, and Aquata said in unison.
Before Attina could fire back, the door creaked open again.
Ariel floated in, blinking at the chaos. "...Why is everyone shouting?"
Andrina swam up with a devious grin. "Well, speak of the kraken and she appears."
Ariel tilted her head. "What do you mean?"
"Hmmm... what do I mean?" Andrina said, twirling dramatically.
Aquata crossed her arms. "We may have heard about a certain kiss."
Ariel froze. "W-WHAT?!"
She turned bright red, hugging her arms around herself. "How did you even find out?!"
"Oh-ho! She's not even denying it!" Arista crowed.
"Do you not know your sisters?" Allana giggled, floating up and wrapping Ariel in a hug from behind. "We've got eyes everywhere."
"I swear I was just saying goodbye!" Ariel said quickly. "It just... happened!"
"So," Adella said slyly, "was it a good kiss?"
"I-It was just the cheek!" Ariel buried her face in her hands.
"Which cheek?" Andrina teased. "Right one? Left one? Center? Was it soft? Did Lucian sparkle afterward?"
"Stop it!" Ariel wailed, laughing despite herself.
That was all the encouragement the others needed. The sisters swarmed Ariel in a warm, giggling group hug, tickling her sides and tugging at her hair playfully.
"You're so cute when you're flustered!" Allana giggled.
"Lucian better know how lucky he is," Adella said with a wink.
"Should we invite him for dinner when he visits again?" Arista added with mock seriousness. "Maybe grill him a little?"
"Interrogation by sisters," Aquata nodded. "Classic tradition."
Attina rolled her eyes but smiled softly. "Let's not scare him off... yet."
---
Near the rocky shore behind Berk
The morning mist clung to the sea's surface, veiling the world in a silvery calm. Lucian glided across the waves atop Scauldy, slicing through the water with ease. The young man, still in his mer-form, shimmered beneath the rising sun.
They reached the secluded stretch of rocky shore far from the village but open to the sky, where sea met stone. Just ahead, under a tangle of driftwood and seaweed, Lucian spotted a bundle he'd left hidden: his clothes.
Scauldy slowed to a stop, releasing a pleased trill as Lucian slid off its back and into the shallows.
"Thanks for the ride, buddy," Lucian said, stroking the dragon's smooth, damp scales.
Scauldy let out a deep, almost affectionate rumble before flicking its tail and diving back into the ocean. A spray of saltwater arched over Lucian as the dragon disappeared beneath the surface, leaving behind only ripples.
~huu
Lucian exhaled and looked down at himself. His tail flicked one last time as seafoam lapped at his waist. Then, a flash of radiant light burst around him.
His scales glowed for a moment, and then began to recede. The powerful tail morphed, splitting and shifting into legs, toes forming from fins as the transformation completed. Lucian stood on the wet sand, drenched but solid once again in his human form. He staggered for half a second before regaining his balance.
"Still not used to that," he muttered, brushing wet hair from his face.
He then moved quickly, dressing in the clothes he'd hidden: his usual black tunic, bracers, cloak, and boots. The fabric clung to his damp skin at first, but he adjusted as he worked. Once clothed, he crouched beside Simba, scooped him up, and carefully wrapped the baby merlion in a soft cloth sling.
The baby merlion blinked sleepily, letting out a soft squeaky trill as Lucian lifted him gently.
"We're almost there, little guy," Lucian said with a quiet smile and nestled him against his chest. "Time to head home."
---
As he approached the village, Lucian noticed a buzz of energy rippling through the people. Vikings hurried past him, all making their way toward the port.
Curious, he stopped one burly man lugging a crate of fish. "What's going on? Where are you going?"
"Haven't you heard? Trader Johann's arrived!" the man said, eyes gleaming. "Best day of the month, lad!"
Lucian raised an eyebrow. "Trader Johann huh?"
He turned away, heading toward his home. Inside, he gently placed Simba in a cozy basket by the hearth. The little creature pawed at the air once before settling into a nap.
"Stay here for now. I'll be back soon."
---
At the port, the energy was buzzing. Trader Johann's flamboyant ship was docked, its sails furled, its deck piled high with crates, barrels, and mysterious cages. Johann himself stood in the center, arms outstretched.
"Ah, Berk!" he declared. "The jewel of the northern isles! The fish! The fire! The fine folk!"
Bucket rushed up first. "Where have you been this time trader Johann?"
Johann beamed. "The places I've seen, the tales I could tell! Alas, we must conduct business first. I bring wares from every corner of the archipelago food, tools, weapons, and knowledge!"
The villagers crowded around as crates were opened and goods displayed. Spices from southern realms, carved weapons, rare silks, and even strange creatures peeked from their cages.
Snotlout elbowed forward. "I call dibs on everything!"
"Ah, the ever-ambitious one Master Snoutlout. Try to leave something for the others, will you?" Johann said.
Tuffnut, staring at a particularly twitchy chicken, asked, "Wait… is that one alive? Is it supposed to move like that?"
"I don't know... it looks kinda dumb to me," Ruffnut said, poking it with a stick.
Fishlegs was already scanning the books on display and perked up, cradling an old tome. "Is this your only book on botany?"
"Indeed, and a rare one! Given to me by the author himself."
"I'll trade you this necklace of baby dragon teeth!" Fishlegs said, practically bouncing as he hugged the book.
Johann inspected the necklace and gave an appraising nod. "Fair trade, Mr. Fishlegs."
Gobber, eyes wide, sifted through a crate of unusual metal scraps. "Pure Dwarven steel. Not bad... not bad at all."
Astrid chuckled. "Easy there, Gobber."
"You've got a sharp eye, Master Gobber. Those metals are pretty hard to come by," Johann said.
As the crowd bustled on, Lucian arrived quietly, slipping in at the edge. He scanned the wares with casual interest, taking note of a few tomes and a rack of finely crafted blades.
Gobber spotted him first. "Oi! Lad! Didn't see you yesterday. Where were you hiding?"
Lucian gave a casual shrug. "Just camping outside the village. Needed a breather."
Gobber narrowed his eyes for a moment, but let it slide.
Johann turned at the sound of a new voice and fixed his gaze on Lucian. "Well now, who's this young man?"
Hiccup, walking over, said, "That's Lucian. He's our guest here on Berk."
Johann's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Well met, Master Lucian!" He extended his hand with a flourish.
"Likewise" Lucian shook it, and just then, a soft chime echoed in his mind.
[Ding! You have encountered a Special Character: Trader Johann.]
[You have received: Rare Blind Box.]
'Another special character, huh…. ' Lucian thought. His gaze sharpened subtly.
"Tell me, Master Lucian," Johann said, gesturing to his goods, "is there anything you're searching for? Artifacts? Weaponry? Wisdom? I deal in all three."
"I'll browse for now" Lucian gave a polite nod and wandered slowly through the stalls, pausing at an old dagger with a draconic motif.
Nearby, Gobber asked, "Will you be staying for the day, Johann?"
"Alas, I cannot," Johann said, voice turning serious. "There's a grand auction tomorrow at the Northern Market. Delegates from all across the seas will be there royals, merchants, tyrants... even the kingdom of DunBroch will be present."
"What're they selling that's got everyone in a frenzy?" Gobber asked, rummaging through a pile of gears.
Johann's voice dropped low. "Dragons."
Snotlout scoffed. "Pfft. Dragons are everywhere. Who's dumb enough to buy one?"
Johann smirked. "Ah, but this isn't just any dragon..."
He reached into his coat and produced a charcoal sketch: sleek black scales, glowing orange patterns, piercing orange eyes.
"A Night Fury."
The chatter died instantly.
Fishlegs gasped, clutching his book. "A Night Fury? But... that's impossible."
"Well, Hiccup already took down a Night Fury, so it's not that impressive," Snotlout said, pointing at him.
"Oh, shut up," Hiccup shot back.