The Lord of the Seas - An Isekai Progression Fantasy [ Currently on Volume 2 ]

Lukas awoke slowly, the scent of sea salt still lingering in the air, though fainter now, replaced by the faint smell of mint leaves and clean linen. The pounding in his head had faded to a dull throb, but he could feel the magical energy begin to replenish within his Mana Pool.

He blinked once, twice—and then there he was.

Jesse Sterling himself. The boy who had once followed him around like a shadow now stood tall at the foot of his bed. Jesse had grown yet again in the months Lukas had not seen him. His hair had grown longer, tied back in a simple knot at the base of his neck. There was a firmness to his jaw now, a strength in his stance.

Jesse was not a boy anymore. He was a man.

Hardened by both experiences and time, the young dragonborn was no longer the same child that he'd met in that kitchen all those years ago. Jesse had his eyes on some kind of paperwork that he'd laid across the bed but he glanced up when he felt Lukas slowly sit up.

The moment their eyes met, Jesse let out a breath of deep relief and bowed his head low in respect. But Lukas laughed, loud and unrestrained. Despite the ache in his muscles, he rose from where he lay and pulled Jesse into a firm hug.

"Heavens, Jesse," Lukas called out, still laughing as he clapped a hand against the boy's back. "You're huge!"

Jesse laughed as he returned Lukas' embrace. "Not quite as huge as you though."

"Not yet," Lukas replied with a grin, ruffling his hair before finally leaning back against the pillows, the exhaustion still humming beneath his skin.

There was a brief silence then.

"How is Velena doing?" Lukas asked. The words came gently, but they carried weight. Enough to make Jesse's smile dim, just slightly.

The young man hesitated before giving an answer. "Her condition is not getting any better."

Lukas sat up straighter, concern sharpening the edges of his expression.

"She's getting old," Jesse told him with a weak shrug, voice softer now. "There's not much we can do."

Lukas didn't respond right away. There was a reason why only Jesse was here before him, without the presence of Velena Ilagron by his side. The Countess' health had taken a gradual toll, to the point where travel was inconceivable for the old woman. She had remained in Ilagron Village while Jesse continued to travel the seas of Hiraeth to oversee the Guild's activities.

Lukas stared at the floor, the image of the Countess burned into his memory—sharp-eyed, silver-tongued, and too damn fierce for age to ever touch. Not until now.

Lukas was well aware of how strong Velena and Jesse's relationship had become over the years. Lukas knew that Velena Ilagron had become like a mother to Jesse, a mother that Jesse never had the privilege of having in his early childhood.

"I have been made the new official Head of the Merchant Guild." Jesse told Lukas.

Lukas blinked, he had not known about that but it wasn't out of the question now that Jesse was already of age. Jesse was still young but he had proven himself over the years well; no one in the Merchant Guild could or would challenge his claim.

"I didn't even want it," Jesse told Lukas with a hollow chuckle. "But Velena pushed for it. Said it was about time I took over. She said…it wouldn't be long before she was gone."

The silence this time was heavier. There was an unspoken ache of inevitability that both of them now felt.

Lukas had felt it before in the worlds within the Crest. He had seen how Valerion had to watch Aurelia Ilagron pass while he remained within the realm of the living for years to come after her death. They say history repeats itself and that saying had now become a reality for both of them.

Lukas had to now watch Magnus Elarion struggle against death and Jesse had to now witness the eventual passing of Velena Ilagron.

"She still tries to act like everything's fine," Jesse added. "But I can see it, Lukas. She doesn't have much time left. Ellion says that…she has two months tops and I know he was being optimistic. He's remained behind to look after her in Ilagron. He sends his regards, by the way."

Ellion Haever had graduated a year after the Archmage Varian's death and he had been made an offer by none other than the Merchant Guild. He had worked closely with them ever since. As of a year ago, the former apprentice to the Archmage now held the position of the Merchant Guild's Head Physician.

Lukas closed his eyes for a moment. Even the strongest pillars, eventually, began to crack. Magnus wasn't doing well either. Perhaps this was something that they could not prevent. No one could defeat time. Not even the dragons. Eventually, they all would share the same fate.

"She'll be fine," Lukas told Jesse at last, his voice quiet but steady. "Velena's too stubborn to go quietly."

Jesse gave him a weak smile. "You always say that."

"Because it's true. And you'll be fine too, Jesse, no matter what happens. I can promise you that."

That made Jesse smile and Lukas could see that he had needed to hear those words.

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But now, it was time to talk business.

Jesse nodded. "Growth has been consistent. We've been sending profits back to Linemall and not just to the Seas. The Great Houses of Flame and Earth are starting to rely on us for supplies, trade, and infrastructure now too."

Lukas leaned back and smiled—really smiled, the kind that crinkled the corners of his eyes and softened the tired lines on his face. He breathed in slow, then let out a long, satisfied exhale.

This was what Lukas had wanted all along. This was the reason why he had created the Merchant Guild in the first place. It had always been to ensure a better life for his people, for not only the Seas but all who resided within the Kingdom of Linemall.

The thought sat in the air between them—not with burden, but with peaceful satisfaction. A weight of purpose fulfilled, or at least, finally gaining momentum.Ever since the Great War, Linemall's economy had been hanging on by a thread. Even the wealthiest of the dragoborn could not shield their people from poverty.

Now, things were changing.

Lukas could feel it in his chest, that quiet pride. Not the boastful kind, not the pride of victory—but the pride of progress.

"And the Shard?" he asked.

"We're close," Jesse replied. "Khaitishi nobles especially are stubborn, you know that. They're secluded. But we've been wearing them down. One at a time. At this rate, we'll finish distribution to the last of them before the end of the year. That is something we can guarantee."

Lukas reached out, clasping Jesse's shoulder. "You've done well, Jesse. You've done more than well, I'm proud of you. I really am."

Jesse looked away for a moment, the praise washing over him more deeply than he let on.

"How's Valkari?" Lukas asked.

Though Lukas had feigned innocence, Jesse knew the question Lukas had truly meant to ask. Lukas wanted to know whether or not that the Dragonborn of the Flames had caused any trouble as of late.

"A few arguments here and there with some of the men we do business with—mostly with those who didn't know when to shut up—but nothing too serious. She hasn't hurt anybody." Jesse answered with a small smile.

Lukas smiled. "That's good to hear."

He had not seen Valkari Isthar in a very long time. Not because she was avoiding him but because Valkari had been tasked with a responsibility that she was glad to carry out. Every dragonborn, dragon or wyvern that the Guild liberated, Valkari had made it her mission to bring them home. She had led every return party home back to Linemall, insisting on it. Lukas was just glad that she had been able to channel that rage towards something beneficial for them all.

"Has she travelled to Easthaven with you?" Lukas asked.

"I'm afraid not. The last group—the ones we bought from the noble in Easthaven? All of them were dragonborn of the Earth. Valkari promised to personally escort them back home. That was around two months ago. She means to stay there until the Draconic Summit."

At the mention of the Summit, they both locked eyes; understanding passing between them.

It was almost time.

Lady Kaitlyn's voice still echoed in their memories.

The promise that they had made to return to Linemall, to return before the Draconic Summit began. It was a promise that they both meant to keep.

Just as Jesse opened his mouth to speak again, a sharp knock echoed against the door—and before either of them could respond, it flew open with the force of a miniature hurricane. Rosalia Elarion stormed in, eyes wide, shoulders tense; but the moment her gaze landed on Lukas sitting upright in bed, her entire posture sagged with relief.

"Oh, thank the titans," she exhaled, planting her hands on her hips. "Jesse, you idiot, why didn't you tell me he was awake?"

Rosalia marched straight up to Jesse and punched him on the arm—not hard, but not gently either.

"Ow," Jesse muttered, rubbing the spot with a wince.

"I'm fine Rosalia." Lukas assured her, "And would you two stop flirting in front of me?"

Immediately, both Jesse and Rosalia recoiled like they'd been slapped in the face.

"What—no—we're not—" Rosalia stammered.

"I wasn't—" Jesse tried to add.

Jesse rubbed the back of his neck, cheeks tinged with red. Rosalia tried her best to glare at Lukas, but even she couldn't keep the amusement from curling at the corners of her mouth.

It had been months since Lukas had seen Jesse. But that also meant that it had been months since Rosalia had seen Jesse and she had missed him dearly, that much was obvious. Judging by the way her eyes kept darting back toward him, Lukas knew that the princess had missed Jesse more than she herself realized.

A small smile tugged at the edge of Lukas' mouth. "I need to rest. I'm going to need the both of you to leave." Lukas ordered the both of them, gesturing at them to depart this instant.

Rosalia crossed her arms. "I'm not leaving until I know you're okay."

"I'm fine, little one. I have been through worse." He told her.

"You were unconscious for more than a day, Lukas!"

"And yet, here I am." Lukas smiled. "Still breathing. Still as good looking as ever."

Rosalia rolled her eyes, but Lukas could see her shoulders relax, even if just slightly.

"If you're fine then we should be training." Rosalia shot back. It seemed like the princess wasn't going to leave without a struggle.

"I've told you time and time again—rest is just as important as training. You've worked hard, Rosalia. You're the most hardworking girl I know. Take the day off."

Rosalia hesitated.

Lukas nudged his head toward Jesse. "You two haven't seen each other for ages. Catch up with one another," he added.

Her blush returned with a vengeance, and this time she didn't try to argue. Jesse gave Lukas a bow, clearly trying to maintain composure, though the smile twitching at the corner of his lips betrayed him. They both practically fled the room, Jesse holding the door open for her, the two of them exchanging flustered glances and whispered jabs as they vanished down the corridor.

Lukas leaned back and let the silence settle.

It was sweet.

The way they danced around it—this bond, whatever it was between them. Lukas did not know what it would become. Maybe they would just end up being the best of friends. Maybe they would grow into something more. That part didn't matter. What mattered was that they had the space—and the safety—to discover it.

This was the reason why he still fought. Lukas fought for the next generation to have something better. And seeing it with his own eyes right here and now? It made the fighting worth every single second.