The Sea and the Storm

The sky exploded in dazzling colors as fireworks illuminated the grand ship sailing across the ocean. Laughter and music filled the air as the crew celebrated on deck. Hidden beneath the waves, Ariel gazed up in awe, her wide blue eyes reflecting the spectacle above.

Just behind her, Sebastian and Flounder swam frantically to catch up.

"Ariel! What—what are you doing?! Jumpin' jellyfish! Ariel, get back here!" Sebastian whisper-shouted, waving his claws.

But Ariel wasn't listening. She had already swum closer, her heart pounding with excitement.

Above, the sailors sang joyously:

🎵 I'll tell you a tale of the bottomless blue,

And it's hey to the starboard, heave ho!

Look out, lad, a mermaid be waitin' for you

In mysterious fathoms below. 🎵

As Ariel watched, mesmerized, a familiar voice squawked nearby.

"Hey there, sweetie! Quite a show, eh?"

Ariel flinched as Scuttle suddenly flapped down beside her, nearly landing on her head.

"Scuttle, be quiet! They'll hear you!" she hushed, her gaze still fixed on the ship.

"Oooh, I gotcha, I gotcha. We're being... intrepidatious! WE'RE OUT TO DISCOVER!" the seagull declared proudly, only for Ariel to grab his beak.

She turned her attention back to the ship. Her eyes landed on a figure tied to a post, silver hair gleaming under the fireworks.

"I've never seen a human this close before," Ariel whispered, captivated. "Oh… he's very handsome, isn't he?"

Scuttle tilted his head, peering at the burly, bearded captain nearby. "I dunno, he looks kinda hairy and slobbery to me."

Ariel shook her head, pointing. "Not that one—the one with the silver hair. But... why is he tied up?"

On the ship, one of the drunken guards staggered forward, raising his mug with a mocking grin.

"Silence! Silence! It is now my honor and privilege to present our esteemed Prince Lucian with a very special, very expensive, very large present for his exile!"

The crew roared with laughter as a massive, gaudy statue of Lucian was unveiled—a crude, exaggerated version of him made of stone and metal.

"Congratulations, oh Prince Lucian!" the guard sneered before drawing his sword and swinging it hard, shattering the statue into pieces.

The sailors erupted into drunken laughter, chugging their ale.

Lucian, still bound to the post, watched them with an unreadable expression, but inwardly, his mind was calculating. Just then, a series of glowing notifications appeared before his eyes.

[Ding! The Surprise Blind Box System has been activated.]

[Introduction: You can acquire items and skills from the person who provides the box. The quality of the Blind Box is divided into Ordinary, Uncommon, Rare, and Special.]

[Conditions:]

[1. Blind Boxes mainly appear in special people.]

[2. The more special the character, the higher the level of the box.]

Lucian's sharp eyes flickered. "A system, huh? And what does it mean by special people...?"

He was about to analyze the notifications further when a sudden shout rang out.

"DRAGON!! READY THE CANNONS!!"

As if summoned by the captain's words, a massive dragon burst from beneath the waves—followed by two more.

"Thunderdrums," the captain whispered in terror. "Oh, Triton have mercy on us."

Lucian's gaze snapped to the dragons, fascination gleaming in his eyes.

The Thunderdrum dragons were massive, their broad, manta ray-like bodies gliding effortlessly over the waves. Their deep-set eyes glowed as they let out an earth-shaking roar, releasing powerful sonic blasts.

BOOM!

The shockwave sent sailors flying across the deck. Some collapsed, blood trickling from their ears. Even Lucian, gritted his teeth as pain rang in his skull.

The ship tilted wildly as rain began to pour, thunder rolling across the sky.

"HURRICANE APPROACHING! SECURE THE RIGGING!"

"FIRE THE CANNONS!!" the captain barked.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Explosions lit up the night as cannonballs soared through the stormy air. The Thunderdrums dodged gracefully, their roars growing angrier.

"ROAARR!!"

One dragon twisted midair and unleashed another sonic blast—this one obliterated a section of the deck.

Lucian's mind raced. "They're not attacking randomly… they're retaliating."

The captain struggled to hold onto the wheel, but a powerful wave sent him slamming into the mast. The ship was being torn apart.

On deck, flames erupted, casting an eerie glow against the black sky.

Ariel, clinging to the side of the ship, gasped as a lightning bolt struck a sail, igniting it instantly. The burning mast creaked ominously.

Lucian tugged against his bindings. His instincts screamed at him to move— to escape—

But he was too late.

A Thunderdrum's sonic blast struck the mast, sending wooden splinters flying. The pole snapped—and Lucian was hurled into the ocean.

The last thing he saw was the captain, eyes wide in horror, as a dragon's massive jaws closed around him.

The ship erupted in an explosion of black and red flames.

Ariel frantically scanned the wreckage—until she spotted him.

Lucian was sinking.

She darted forward, her powerful tail propelling her through the water. Bubbles swirled around her as she reached him, wrapping her arms around his unconscious form.

With a firm kick, she dragged him to the surface.

_______

The storm had passed. Golden sunlight peeked through the lingering gray clouds.

Lucian lay motionless on the sand as waves lapping at his boots. Ariel knelt beside him, brushing silver strands from his face.

Scuttle fluttered down beside them, peering at Lucian curiously.

"Is he... dead?" Ariel asked softly.

Scuttle tilted his head, opening one of Lucian's eyelids. "Hard to say."

The seagull then pressed his ear against Lucian's foot.

"Hmm… Nope, can't hear a heartbeat."

Ariel's heart clenched. But then—

"No, look!" she whispered in relief. "He's breathing."

She gazed at him, her voice turning soft, almost reverent.

"He's so beautiful."

Ariel's fingers brushed over Lucian's hand as she began to sing, her voice delicate yet filled with longing.

🎵 What would I give, to live where you are?

What would I pay, to stay here beside you?

What would I do to see you, smiling at me?

The sunlight broke through the clouds, casting golden rays upon them.

Lucian's eyes fluttered open. For a moment, he saw a girl bathed in light, her silhouette like a vision.

And then—something else caught his attention.

Floating beside her… was a purple treasure box, glowing faintly.

[Ding! You have obtained a Special Blind Box.]

Before Lucian could fully comprehend it, his vision blurred, and darkness claimed him once again.

"Hey Ariel get back here" Sebastian said as he watched in horror as a group of men approached from the nearby cliffs.

As footsteps neared, Ariel reluctantly backed away, casting one last longing glance at Lucian before vanishing beneath the waves

"Look, a boy, Stoick."

A gruff voice rumbled in agreement. "I see it, Gobber."