The Prince of Moon and Shadow

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The growing kingdom of Dead Mountain was a sight to behold! Its inner most chasm had been shaped and fitted to the will of the Black Moon who commanded it. Hundreds of platforms interwoven together on the many levels, linked by entwining tunnels through the entirety of the mountain. Rooms and special areas had been mined into the mountain by dragon claws. Hot-springs and rivers of lava flowed at the deepest parts of the mountain, heating the interior from below to battle the icy terrain.

Regular dragons flew about within the mountain, moving stone and rubble out, and fresh supplies inside. Shadow, the overlord of Dead Mountain, watched on from his perch. In human form, it was almost comical how he lounged on a high precipice like a drake. But those who served below him knew exactly what he was, and followed his orders willingly. He had asked the company of dragons to assist in building the new kingdom, and they followed his command like platoons of perfect soldiers.

They knew what he was, they knew he was a Black Moon, and they knew what they were capable of. They would rather bow to him, than bow to the tyranny of the Red Death.

Shadow had learnt about her too. The Red Death who commanded her battalions to raid and pillage villages, to steal everything they had just to feed her gluttonous belly. He was repulsed by the misuse of power. And he had vowed to put a stop to it and her tyrannical rule.

The mountain kingdom was almost complete, then he could begin the next stage of his plan to bring about a new age of prosperity for his kind.

Down below, Shadow heard Hiccup calling him. He swiftly climbed down from his comfortable perch and smiled at the boy. Hiccup had grown in strength these last three months. No longer was he a thin and lanky boy, but now, he was growing into a young man. As they had worked over the months, Hiccup's muscles had developed, and his body had grown into that of a strikingly handsome warrior. Here in the safety and security of their mountain home, he had matured and progressed though his mastery of the Black Moon blood in his veins, and letting it show on the outside.

Shadow loved to see how much of his blood affected Hiccup, loved to see the ash grey skin and thick, flowing dark hair. The forest green and silver eyes, the sharpened claws and elongated fangs. It didn't matter what form Hiccup took, he was still amazingly handsome, but this form was Shadow's favourite.

"I've heard the reports from all the teams, everything has been set up, and everything is ready. They are just adding the finer details on the individual rooms, and adding new materials to the Magma Forge. Apart from that, we are ready to receive the Black Moon hordes."

Shadow smiled warmly. "It has been far too long since my kind have had a proper home. And thanks to you, and the efforts of all the dragons seeing refuge here, that we now have a place we can raise our young and live in peace."

"So what is next in your plan?" asked Hiccup. He had been longing to see another Black Moon, and to see their plans succeed.

"The threat of the Red Death remains of great concern. With her nest flourishing near ours, she would see it as a threat if Black Moons started flocking together, passing though her territory to live here. While she lives, we cannot bring all of our kind here. She must be dealt with."

The two of them walked away from the gaping interior cavern of Dead Mountain, and into one of the larger rooms near the top of the mountain. It was their designated council room, despite not having anyone to fill the seats.

"Before we can end the tyranny of the Red Death, we will need to amass our own strength, but not so much as to gain her attention. By summoning the Seven Black Moon Princes, we will have the strength of seven legions, or the equivalent of an entire army. With the seven princes here, we can fully begin our plans to bring the Black Moons here to start our new lives. The seven princes can take the fight right to the queen and challenge her, either making her back down to our might, or fighting her in open battle and claiming her territory. Once the queen is dead or our subordinate, we will have no resistance to bring forth the dragons."

"How do we summon the Seven Black Moon Prince?" asked Hiccup. Over the months he had lived with Shadow in Dead Mountain, he had learned so much about the kind who he shared blood with, but never before had he heard about the princes.

"There are songs that all Black Moons know, songs that we can sing on frequencies only known to us. Each song means something, and with them, we can communicate through long distances. Those who know about the Black Moons, and have lived long enough to learn, know that when you hear a Black Moon sing, it means that death is upon you. Most songs are homing signals, ways to call others to our aid. With the right song, I can call the princes here, and our plans will begin."

Shadow took a seat at the head of the stone table. There, he looked like a powerful lord, or even a prince in his own right. He was majestic and royal, now wonder the common dragons in Dead Mountain bowed to him.

Shadow calmed his breathing and prepared himself. If he wanted to call the princes, he had to concentrate, and let out the signal on the right frequency. He played the words over in his head, before he sung them out loud, calling to his brethren. His voice was like silk, sweeter than honey, and as powerful as a thunderous roar.

"Oh misty eye of the mountain below… Keep careful watch of my brother's soul… and should the sky be filled with fire and smoke… keep watching over Void-Wing's sons."

All around him, Hiccup could feel the power and intensity of the music, the way the words caressed him, and the soundless music filled his mind. He could hear the call, and was drawn to it.

"If this is to end in fire, then we should all burn together. Watch the flames climb high into the night… Calling out father oh, stand by and we will, watch the flames burn auburn on, the mountain side…

"And if we should die tonight, then we should all die together. Raise a glass of wine for the last time… Calling out father oh, prepare as we will, watch the flames burn auburn on, the mountain side. Desolation comes upon the sky.

"Now I see fire, inside the mountain. I see fire, burning the trees. And I see fire, Hollowing souls. I see fire, Blood in the breeze. And I hope that you remember me…
Oh, should my people fall, then surely I'll do the same. Confined in mountain halls, we got too close to the flame… Calling out father oh, Hold fast and we will, watch the flames burn auburn on the mountain side. Desolation comes upon the sky…"

The tempo echoing inside his head increased, like another melody was being added to the song. It was the answering call of one of the princes. One of them could hear the call, and was answering it with their own.

"Now I see fire, inside the mountain. I see fire, burning the trees. And I see fire, Hollowing souls. I see fire, Blood in the breeze. And I hope that you remember me…

As Hiccup listened to the siren sound that was Shadow's voice, he could hear the princes calling to one another. Two more had joined in the call. He could hear them, adding to the song, letting each other know that they heard.

"And if the night is burning, I will cover my eyes. For if the dark returns, then my brothers will die. And as the sky is falling down, it crashed into this lonely town. And with that shadow upon the ground, I hear my people screaming out.

The final three princes started singing, adding their voices. Hiccup could feel the power flowing through him as he listened to the song, the sheer power in their voices filling him with joy and ecstasy. Shadow continued to sing, while the other princes sung in the background. Shadow was leading, letting them know it was he who was calling. Calling them to Dead Mountain.

"Now I see fire, inside the mountain. I see fire, burning the trees. And I see fire, Hollowing souls. I see fire, Blood in the breeze. And I hope that you remember me…

"I see fire. Oh you know I saw a city burning out!"

"Fire!"

"And I see fire. Feel the heat upon my skin, yeah!"

"Fire!"

"And I see fire. Uh-uh-uh-uh."

"Fire!"

"And I see fire burn auburn on the mountain side…"

Shadow opened his eyes, revealing that they were glowing as bright as starlight in the stone room. He was wearing one of the biggest smiles Hiccup had ever seen. "The Princes have heard my call. They are coming…"