AN: Hey guys this is a story I've been thinking of for a while. I finally found the motivation to write it.

Big thanks to Constantinus for beta-ing!

I hope you'll enjoy it!

The sun began to set over the mountains on the west side of the island. The last rays of light reflected in the clouds, which were a color between violet and red. Pine trees bent in the wind of spring. The breeze carried their smell to me, and brushed against my hair. I could hear gulls in the distance. The area seemed to fulfill all the conditions for an ideal place to settle.

"This place is perfect." I breathed, looking at the twilight sky. I then turned to the woodland and left the natural dirt path.

There was a slope at the edge of the forest that seemed to reach a lower clearing. During the descent, the sound of a stream of water could be heard. I jumped from the last stone and landed on the floor littered with leaves. I started walking toward the noise source while spanning the roots and avoiding low branches. The forest was dense and dark, but as I moved closer to the water stream the moonlight pierced through the leaves. I could hear crickets chirping and frogs croaking. I found a small creek but the noise didn't come from it, so I followed it.

(Moments later)

The source of the noise was actually a waterfall that flowed into a pond in the middle of a cove. I walked around trying to find an entrance. I finally found a narrow passage that led down into the ravine. The sides were covered with vines and small lianas.

I looked around at the bottom carefully, to avoid disturbing dragons, especially during this time of the year. There was nothing in the cove, except a few fish in the pond. Night had fallen and it was getting cold. There were a few trees here, which would help me making a fire. First I started by making a circle with some stones that I found in the pond, then I piled kindling and fallen twigs in the ring. I only picked up very dry wood so it would ignite easily. I looked in my bag to see if it contained any sharp object.

"A dagger? No it doesn't cut wood right." I said, setting it aside. I kept looking and I found the perfect tool. "A handsaw? I completely forgot I brought one!" I smiled.

I began to saw a big tree branch and despite the fatigue, I cut it in no time. Everything was ready, the final step was a little harder : light the fire.
I took a stick and quickly rubbed it against the dry wood. White smoke started to emerge. Within minutes the fire was lit. I leaned against a moss-covered rock and let the flames warm me. I shivered when a wave of heat struck me. I felt much better.

The beauty of the cove and the calm atmosphere made me think of my village, filled with noisy and dirty Vikings, thinking only of violence, war, pillage and killing dragons.

-Flashback-

At dawn, I got up, took a large bag my father used for "Searching the Nest" quests and filled it with some clothes. I slowly opened the door so it wouldn't creak and tiptoed down the stairs. I could hear my father snoring loudly. I walked into the pantry, grabbed some food supplies and stuffed them in the bag. I took a dagger from the kitchen table and left the house. I went to the blacksmith shop, discreetly avoiding the night patrol. There, I took some important tools for survival, as well as paper and coal. I was ready to leave this accursed place, but before my departure I had to do something very important. I dropped off a letter of farewell to the only person who appreciated my presence, the elder of the village.

Eidna,

We both knew this day would come. I am leaving Helgg and will probably never come back. Thank you for everything you've taught and showed me;you are like a mother to me.

Farewell,

Aslak.

-End of Flashback-

It had been three days since my departure, and I already missed Eidna very much.

The only sounds were the crackling embers and the waterfall.I had to stop thinking of the village so much. I couldn't wait to explore the surroundings, but I was too tired.

I lay on the moss and closed my eyes. I was starting to fall asleep when an ear-splitting shriek echoed. I got up instantly and looked around me. The cry came from the forest. Whatever that was, it was suffering horribly. That meant that dangerous animals were prowling and I was in danger. I took a metal tip from my bag and sank it into the top of a stick I had set aside.

"This spear is much less well made than those at the village, but it will protect me," I considered.

I took another stick and plunged the top in some of the oil I took from the forge before putting it in the fire.

"Now that I have a torch and a weapon, I can go see what the hell happened there," I said to myself.

(Moments later)

I could hear growls, whimpers and footsteps of an animal running. I identified the running animal as a wolf. I then heard a huge thud and another animal screeching in pain. It was the same noise as the one that woke me up. I walked silently towards them.

I could see a black shape laying on the ground with a white shape standing in front of it. I lifted my torch higher and I was right, a huge wolf was standing there. I clumsily stepped on a stick and it cracked loudly.

The wolf turned his head violently and glared at me. His white fur was covered in blood, but he wasn't wounded. I took a step back as the wolf walked towards me, baring its sharp teeth. I froze as it crouched down and prepared to attack. He jumped and everything seemed to be in slow motion. But my instincts kicked in and at the moment it reached me I protected myself with the spear. The force of the impact knocked me to the ground. I closed my eyes as a shriek of pain resounded.

I slowly opened my eyelids after a few seconds. The sight was gruesome : the wolf was pierced by the spear and one of his hind leg was twitching. My pants and shirt were covered in blood. I pushed the wolf away from me and got back up.

"Great. This doesn't wash out," I said sarcastically and disgusted.

I was about to leave until I heard small whines. I turned around, there were coming from the black creature. I picked up the torch on the ground and moved towards it. It was a scaly creature as black as the night and as big as a very large dog. I was one meter away and as I looked closely I realized it had folded wings and a tail curled against its side, where a deep gash bled. A small puddle of blood glistened next to it. It was shaking in fear and had plates pressed against its head.

It was unlike any dragon I've ever seen. It was too small to be a Monstrous Nightmare, the surface was sleek unlike a Gronkle, the tail was long and had two pairs of fins so it couldn't be a Nadder and finally it had only one head. But that black color intrigued me the most. I pondered for a moment about it, but then I realized :

"Night Fury."

Suddenly I felt a burning sensation on my chest and the rock on my necklace was glowing blue.

The plates on the creature's head twitched and two cat-like eyes stared at me.

"Please, don't hurt me..."

AN: Please leave a review: let me know what you think of this prologue. See you soon!