As a forewarning, if you hadn't read Act I, you will not understand the beginning of this story. It takes place IMMEDIATELY after. I recommend reading that before you start this one.

Chapter One: Found, Never Lost

Ukiah grunted as he fumbled with a large rock. Using his body to create leverage with it, he made sure his one arm had a good grip. Satisfied, he then hobbled into the pool of water that he was building up in the middle of the village ruins. Since he had made his decision to revive the Crevites, he had spent the time with Jessika doing exercises and trainings to make him not only physically tougher, but mentally as well. Wading through the water, he set it down on the dam he was tasked to build.

"You're getting stronger, Ukiah." Jessika called out from her seat. "Not just your body, but your mind as well."

"I'd be a liar if I said I wasn't feeling that way." He admitted, turning to face her. He had recently spent an entire week working on the dam, rebuilding it since she told him that there used to be a large pool of water near the village square. Because of his training, he rarely wore his hunting vest or chainmail; only his hunting pants. Days of toiling in the sun, as well as the labor in physically preparing himself, had darkened his already tanned body. His scars, especially the one in the center of his chest, seemed to contrast like a torch in a cave. His hair was taken out of its usual braid, given that he couldn't do it himself anymore. He had let it hang low near his shoulders, making him seem even five years older than he really was. His scruffy beard also added to his age, turning him from a young, seasoned hunter; to a hardened warrior.

"It shows on your countenance. You're not only feeling more confident, you're believing it."

Ukiah nodded, agreeing with her. Truth was, he was believing it more and more every single day. His first 'trial' that Jessika had him do, was to meditate for an entire week, stopping only to eat and drink when it became unbearable. The purpose was to learn how to identify his connection with his ancestors; and to learn how to tap into his cold anger that burned inside of him. That experience alone seemed to reinforce his decision to stay and become the Chief of the Crevites.

"That should be good, Ukiah." Jessika called out, pulling herself up with her staff. "You've proven that you're ready for your final trial. After which you'll be sent on your initiation test."

"A trial for a test?" He huffed, kneeling in the water to ensure the rock wouldn't slide out. Grunting as he pushed it in farther, he asked "Why do I have to go through so many trials in order to be tested?"

"To ensure the test won't overload you; both physically and mentally."

Turning to her with a raised eyebrow, he then waded out of the pool towards his gear. "What is this test for then?"

"As it sounds. It's an initiation. If you pass this, you've proven that you're worthy to be Chief."

Making the connection, he began to nod as he grabbed a large towel to wipe himself dry. "I think I understand…since there's no Chief for me to challenge, I have to do this to prove my strength. But…to who? You?"

Shaking her head, Jessika walked up to him and grabbed his vest. Handing it to him, she watched as he worked to put it on with his single arm. "Not to me. To your ancestors. They won't help you if you don't prove to them that you're their future. When someone challenged the Chief to assume his or her position, it wasn't intended to only show the village who was stronger, but our ancestors. If it was their will, then the person would conquer the former chief. If they failed…it meant they didn't support them."

Ukiah shook his head as he straightened his chainmail. "I guess I'm still getting used to the idea that our ancestors play such a role in our lives.

"We have to have them involved. If we ever hope to bring our people back."

Ukiah frowned as he nodded. Something was still bugging him about bringing his people back, even with his resolution to change a few things. Something was…off.

"You'll understand it soon enough…" She replied with a calming smile. Reaching up, she stroked his cheek and whispered "I know your father is proud of you. I'm sure he wishes he could be here with you to guide and council you. Even as a seer, my advice can only go so far. It's different from a father's position."

Closing his eyes in a silent angst, he could only nod. "I'm ready to start my final trial…"

"Not yet. Tomorrow. We'll begin at noon."

"Fair enough. What should I do to prepare myself?"

"See to your personal needs. Prepare your fortitude. This trial tests even those that are the strongest willed. Your father struggled with this during his rite of passage." At that, she turned to walk to her room, etched into the smooth stone cliff wall as all the other rooms and houses were.

Sighing, Ukiah knelt down and picked up his mom's sword, laid in a homemade sheath he scratched together. Slipping the belt over his shoulder, he let it hang behind his back as he began to walk his own direction.

Shaking his head, he couldn't help but feel conflicted inside. His mind felt like he was doing the right thing, even logically; but his heart wasn't still…at peace. Even with his resolve to bring back the Crevites his way. What was going on? Shouldn't he feel peace in both heart and mind? As he experienced before?

Sighing, he turned to look up above the cliff walls. There, standing a top and staring down at him, was Lasher, the Triple Stryke that refused to leave his side since he was freed from the Dragon Hunter's fight arena. The purple and yellow dragon stared at him with an earnest look, as if asking if he was done for the day.

"Come on, friend. Let's go for a ride. Perhaps we can find another goat while hunting." He called out.

Lasher roared with excitement, leaping off the cliff. Diving straight at his rider, he pulled up just feet in front of him, letting the wind create a mini dust storm around the two.

Smiling, Ukiah quickly leaped on his saddle, not even needing to use his arm. One thing he couldn't deny about his 'trials', were that they were helping him cope with losing his arm. And with the loss of his friend, Arrow. He knew Arrow was with him; supporting him from another world. It was really his driving force in becoming who he was supposed to; all to avenge the Sand Wraith.

Grabbing the crossbow strapped to the saddle, he whispered in Lasher's ear "Let's go see if we can't see anything by the Patriarchs. Those massive stones always have some kind of goat or deer nearby.

Lasher growled in acknowledgement. Launching in the air, he flew above the canyon walls and towards three massive rock pillars in the distance, which Ukiah took to calling the Patriarchs since deciding to live at Crev.

Staring at their destination, all he could do was think what the final trial would be, and why Jessika said it would test even the strongest willed person.

"Are you ready, Ukiah?"

"I am."

Jessika nodded in satisfaction, seeing Ukiah stand there with all his gear and Lasher behind him. "I believe you are as well. Now, take off your gear. Strip yourself of all items and garbs that would otherwise offer protection or comfort."

Surprised at the requirement, he did as he was told.

Grabbing some linen shorts, Jessika then handed them to him as he continued to shed his gear. "These are the only things you're allowed to wear. And if you didn't guess by now, Lasher will not accompany you either."

Lasher growled with narrowed eyes, understanding that Ukiah would be alone for whatever the task would be.

After a few minutes of changing his clothes, and sorting his gear, Ukiah stood up straight in nothing other than the shorts provided to him.

"You see the stream that runs through the middle of our village?"

"Yes."

"Follow it. Trek through the crevice. Find its source, and emerge on the other end."

"Simple enough." He replied, raising an eyebrow at the task.

"All while under the effects of this." At that, Jessika pulled out a small glass vial, no bigger than a thumb. Inside was a dark, purple liquid. "Drink all of its contents before you enter the cave."

Taking the vial, Ukiah stared at the purple liquid. "What is it?"

Jessika let a small, sheepish smile grow on her face. "To be blunt with you, it's a poison."

Ukiah's head whipped up and stared at her with a mixture of confusion and anger.

"It's not lethal, obviously, but it is a poison that will…dull your skills and comprehension. Your father explained to me that it felt like he was drowning the entire trek through. Your mother did this as well; she told me that she had never felt so hopeless or tested in all her life."

"Has this trial it killed anyone before?"

"Not while I was living. Though I have heard that a handful of participants that went through the trial, were found dead."

"What's the point of this trial then? What's it supposed to prove?"

"To prove that you're a warrior and possible leader to the tribe. One that is able to be used by our ancestors. If they believe in you, they will help you traverse through your journey. If not, then you never will make it to the end. This trial either determined you were a warrior, or a farmer or hand maid. I never attempted the trial, as I was the seer's apprentice; but I know that I would not have made it. It's the perfect sift. No middle ground. No exceptions. No false warriors or leaders."

Ukiah made the connection, realizing why this trial was different from his initiation test. "This proves that I'm worthy to be tested as the chief. This makes me ranked with-"

"Ranked with those like your father. Only the strongest can even attempt to become a warrior for the tribe, let alone become the chief." Jessika finished for him.

Staring at the vial, Ukiah nodded in understanding. "I'm ready then. How long has this trial lasted?"

"The longest? Two days. The shortest? A day and part of the night."

"No time to waste then." He whispered, looking at the vial with resolve. Turning to Lasher, who was eyeing the vial with suspicion, he whispered "I'll be fine, friend. I'll be back before you know it."

Lasher growled, closing his eyes and resting his massive head in his chest.

Holding his dragon with his arm, he simply whispered "I know you and Arrow are behind me." At that, he let go and began to hike alongside the stream.

He had never actually walked along the stream, given that he was always busy with Jessika preparing him and then the occasional ride and hunt with Lasher. Time wasn't really a luxury he had since arriving to Crev. Now…he was not only going to have to spend time with the stream, he was going to have to conquer it. With some sort of adverse effects from a poison.

Shaking his head, he held the vial up in front of him. What was this stuff? And what was it supposed to do? His only guess as to what it did, was make him feel as if he was heavily drunk.

"Guess I'll find out…" He huffed, seeing the stream lead him into a narrow slot canyon. Taking a deep breath, he turned to see Jessika busy at the fire pit in the village square. Next to her was Lasher, not taking his eyes off of him.

Soaking in the sight, he took a deep breath, and marched into the stream and up narrow slot canyon. Being a little slower since he didn't have his boots, he shimmied his way through, with the water rising to his knees. Gritting his teeth, he pushed through the water, now acting as a torrent within the narrow space. Making sure each step had a secure foothold, he now understood why the trek took so long to do. He wasn't even at the cave he was supposed to traverse through!

Step for step, minute by minute, and hour to hour, he slowly made his way up the stream. The canyon itself made it where he had suck his chest in, just to pass through some points in the hike. Eventually, with the sky above him turning fire orange, he finally arrived to his destination. Breaking into a large opening, he stared at the cave ahead of him.

"This is it, huh?" He whispered to himself, walking up to the entrance. Eyeing the darkness ahead, he noticed a worn, half-destroyed crate. Inside were a couple of torches, a few containers, and a piece of flint and steel. Knowing it was left for those to do this 'trial', he instantly began to prepare a torch. Soaking one of them with the oil in a container, he then used his foot to hold the piece of metal down, and scraped the flint against it. Though he was learning how to live with one arm, he still wished he had to ability to use another hand. The sparks instantly lit the torch, burning bright and strong. Sticking the torch upright in the ground, he then grabbed the vial. Staring at it, he let out a deep sigh and bit down on the cork and pulled it off. Without a second thought, he then chugged the entire container before he could even taste it.

"Agh!" He cried, collapsing onto his knees. He couldn't believe how fast the poison worked. His world suddenly darkened, while his sight went into a narrow tunnel vision. "Urrghhh…gods!" He cried out in agony, feeling his stomach twist in such a sharp pain that he rolled over onto his side. Clutching his stomach he tried to fight the excruciating pain. He was sweating from every inch of his body, adding to the frenzied feeling. The pain felt as if something had ripped out his insides and twisted them in a hundreds of knots! His body was screaming at him for even thinking about drinking the poison. His breath shortened as he tried to focus on not passing out. How was anyone to walk after drinking that? Let alone pass a trial?! How did his dad and mom do it? How did anyone do it?!

Then the feeling he was training to hone in on began to break through the pain and enshrouding darkness. It was calm, cold feeling. Gritting his teeth, he slowly rolled to his knees. Gripping the ground with his hand, he then forced himself up onto his feet. His head instantly began to spin around at the movement, but he forced himself to step forward. Slowly grabbing the torch, he stumbled into the cave and continued to follow the stream.

His already darkened vision didn't help him with seeing. Stumbling through, he felt his feet slip on the wet rocks. Crashing into the water, he forced himself to keep the torch raised and out of the water. Feeling the cold water rush over his body, he tried to sit up as fast as he could. Groaning, he awkwardly rolled to his feet and pushed on.

"…herald…chief…"

Ukiah froze in the darkness, his limited vision trying to pierce the dark with the torch's light. Was someone calling him?"

"…death…"

Feeling his world spin, he leaned against the wall of the cave. He wished he could clutch his stomach, but was forced to hold onto the torch. The voices he was hearing, they weren't help calm his already frenzied body. "Wh-who's there?" He called out weakly, trying to peer ahead.

"…vengeance…hate…blood…"

"Agh! Shut up!" He roared, crumpling in the water in pain and frustration. "Who is that?!" The voice sounded like it was behind him now, moving around him with every word spoken.

"…alone…failure…friendless…"

Ukiah was about the throw the torch at where he heard the voice last, only to find himself staring at the side of the cave. Even with his narrow tunnel vision and frenzied mind, he knew he couldn't risk losing his only source of light.

"…denial…puppet…"

Realizing what he drank was probably something that made him hallucinate, he growled to himself as he ignored the taunting and words he feared. "My ancestors better appreciate that I'm doing this…"

Fighting the relentless pain in his stomach, as well as the enshrouding tunnel vision, he pushed on through; disappearing into the infinite darkness with a single torch leading his way.

"Gah!" He cried out, stumbling into the water for the thousandth time.

"…devil…"

Another voice sounded off, making him grit his teeth in frustration as he forced his legs to move.

After what felt like hours, he finally emerged out of the cramped cavern, pushing against the current of the stream; he finally stepped out into another slot canyon. Thankfully a lot wider than the one that led him to the cave.

Though his stomach had settled slightly, his world was still spinning and dark. The voices never stopped, almost driving him insane. They were so real, that he had to fight the urge to try and find them. To make matters worse, the torch he had was nothing but a stick with some embers at the end of it. Closing his eyes in a tired angst, he dropped it in the stream and forged on. Looking up above the slick rock canyon, he stared at the stars shining straight down on him. A half-moon was also visible, lighting his path way enough that it wasn't pitch black.

Shaking his head with what was left of his exhausted energy, he looked ahead through his distorted vision. A small sandbar was banked around a corner, looking like a haven for a brief moment. Fumbling through the knee high water, he collapsed on the wet sand and rolled over onto his back. The mud seemed to embrace him with a welcomed coolness, given that his body felt like it was burning up.

Staring at the night sky above him, he whispered to himself "Wish you were here with me…Arrow. Heh, I guess anyone really. Lasher, Jessika, Heather, Matt, Astrid, even Hiccup. Wish anyone could be here right now."

"…homeless…"

Closing his eyes to shut out the voices, he cast his mind back to Dragon's Edge. The thought of the others seemed to make his stomach instantly cramp again. Gripping his stomach, he rolled over to his side. What was happening with them? Were they alright with the war between Riders and Hunters? Was he selfish in leaving them to find his home island?

"Gods' help them…" He huffed, closing his eyes to try to quell the pain. He never once took the time to think of them. Since he first met Jessika, it was like his mind was frenzied. That, and his decision to revive the Crevites clouded all else.

Digging his hand into the cool, moist sand, the thought crossed his mind that he should stay and rest; start again in the morning when the poison passed through his body. Then he realized that the poison probably had a longer duration than the time it would take to complete the actual trial. Letting out a soft sob, he waited until his stomach stopped feeling like it was getting wrenched out of him.

"…Crevite…"

Rolling onto his knees, he let the thought creep into his mind. "How am I going to finish this? How is it even possible?" His legs felt like they were tied to anchors; his willpower was all but gone. What was the point in suffering like this? Just to prove himself to his dead ancestors.

"Ancestors." He whispered, recalling what Jessika told him earlier, in that his ancestors would support him through it. Grimacing in pain, he decided to give it a shot. Rolling over so that he was at least sitting, he simply bowed his head and began to think of his family he never really knew. His dad. His mom. All the Legna's before them. If this was something he was supposed to do, then surely they'd help him.

"…Ukiah…"

That was a first. He never heard his name before. Not sure what to expect, he thought he heard a soft growl. Opening his eyes, he gasped at what he saw. Not an ancestor. Not a person. Not even strength to fight the poison! It was an illuminated brown and black dragon, staring at him from farther down the slot canyon. He had spikes aligned along his back and wings, making him look like an arrowhead.

Ukiah couldn't help but sob out the words: "Arrow…"

The ghost-like figure then turned, walking farther into the slot canyon and out of view.

"Arrow! Wait!" He cried, fumbling onto his feet. As he tried to chase after…whatever he was seeing, his mind moved faster than his legs. Crashing down into the water, he felt his leg get jabbed by something. Ignoring it, he made his body chase after the fainting light. His vision was tunneling even more now, due to the stress of seeing his friend again and trying to function with the poison. Breathing became a chore to do, in a sense creating a drowning feeling.

Rounding the turn where he saw Arrow disappear too, he was able to catch the illuminated tail disappear around another corner further ahead.

"Arrow! Please! Come back!" He shouted, almost in hysteria. He didn't care if it was a hallucination from the poison; he needed to get to his friend! Using his hand to guide him along the canyon walls, he ran blindly after the Sand Wraith. His vision was finally clouding over to where he couldn't see anything. Again, his legs tripped against a rock protruding from the canyon wall, sending him crashing into the water again. Fumbling on his hand and knees, he tried to continue his chase. "Please! Slow down!" He tried to cry out, feeling sick inside again.

Crawling through the water, he finally calmed down enough to get a little bit of his eyesight back. Bracing himself against the wall of the canyon, he took a moment to catch his breath. Looking ahead, through the tunnel vision, he gasped as he saw that he was standing at a wide area within the canyon. The path itself was split into a fork, with a waterfall that was pouring down the middle of it. It was the source of the stream! This was the end of his trial.

Closing his eyes to try and recuperate, he shook his head; which proved to be a mistake. His brain felt like it was bouncing around in his skull, adding to the painful task of simply trying to see. Was Arrow helping him finish? Or…was he just hallucinating what he saw? Was it a side effect of the poison?

"…Death's Herald…"

Ukiah reluctantly opened his eyes, looking for the source of the voice. Glancing at the pathway that forked to the right, he gasped as he saw an individual standing there. Stood up straight and tall, the eerie figure wore heavy looking armor plating. His face was expressionless, and all that could be seen in detail was his mouth. Honestly, Ukiah thought he was part of the walking dead.

Seeing that he had the Crevite's attention, the ghostly figure let out a sly smile. "…Herald…decide your fate…choose your path…"

Shaking his head, Ukiah kneeled down and splashed his already wet face to try and wake himself up. "Ugh, what…what am I seeing?"

"…choose…"

Looking back up, he gasped as he swore he was staring at an army of ghostly individuals, all blurred together behind the lone figure. They seemed to create a pathway as if to beckon him to continue down the path to the right.

Confused, he then heard a familiar growl. Looking to his left, he gasped as he saw Arrow standing on the pathway to the left. Sitting on his haunches, he just stared at Ukiah with an inquisitive expression, silently asking if he was really debating on which path to take. Behind him, he swore he saw Hiccup, Stoick, Astrid, Matt, Heather, and all the other riders.

"…Arrow…" He choked out.

"…choose…avenge us…"

Ukiah let out another gasp, feeling as if something punched him in the stomach. Collapsing on his knees, he painfully looked up to see the individual stand over him and stare him down.

"…avenge us…"

Glancing back at Arrow, he let out a stifled cry. Arrow was already turning around and walking away, as if to leave Ukiah behind. The others were gone, as if his hesitancy was his choice.

"No, Arrow…wait."

Arrow stopped to turn, looking at him with a resolved expression.

Ignoring the ghost-like figure, Ukiah fumbled onto his feet. If this was a choice, it was an easy one to make. Shuffling up the path to the left, he turned to see that the individual and other figures were gone. Leaving him alone. Returning his attention to the path he was taking, he gasped to see that Arrow was gone too! He was alone, just like when he started this trial.

"No…don't…don't leave me!" He cried out. Trying to run down the path, he stumbled and fell flat on his face. His heart was pumping in anxiety, almost helping shroud his vision even more so. Dragging his knees along, he used the side of the canyon to help himself up, ignoring the mud that was getting caked on him and the jabbing pain in his leg that seemed to grow with every passing minute.

Not needing to worry about the stream tripping him up, he ran his hand along the wall of the cliff edge, guiding himself through the dark path. No sooner had he rounded a corner, he gasped at what he saw. He was on a trail. A trail that led down to Crev. He could see the canyon that made up the walls and rooms of his ruined village.

Shaking his head, he collapsed onto his rear and stared at the sight. What did he just see? Was it significant at all? Turning to his right, he saw an exit from another pathway, looking like it came from the way that the figure was trying to coax him to take.

"What…what in Helheim…" He whispered, closing his eyes in angst and confusion.

Hearing what sounded like a growl, he turned his head to see Arrow's head floating over something. A small sand dune. Looking like he was smiling at him, the apparent apparition of Arrow slowly disappeared with the rising sun peeking over the horizon. He had been in there all night!

Stumbling onto his hand and knees, he crawled over to where Arrow disappeared too. Staring at the sand pile, he noticed something shift in it. Confused, tired, and in pain, Ukiah weakly brushed some of the sand away. He felt a hard object underneath, but…it was moving. A little more coherent, he continued to brush the sand away with what was left of his vigor, trying to see what was underneath it. Realizing what he was uncovering, he gasped "By the gods…"

A large, single egg lay there in the sand. Though the startling part was the fact it was cracked open! A baby dragon was trying to emerge from it. Staring at it with amazement, he let out a silent gasp as its head finally broke through the shell. A tiny, spike-littered dragon let out a cry of triumph, finally breaking free from its little prison. Using its tiny rows of teeth, it began to bite off pieces of the shell. Small claws also began to pierce through the shell at random, helping the tiny dragon continue to whittle down the egg.

Ukiah couldn't believe it. He honestly thought it was the poison still in him that was making him see what he was watching. As the dragon finally shattered the egg around it, it tumbled down right into his lap.

Ukiah lost his already shallow breath at the sight, recognizing the brown and black coloration. The tiny spikes along its wings and back, the dragon looked nothing more than a giant horny toad with wings. It was a baby Sand Wraith!

The dragon screeched a high-pitched roar, sounding more like a squeak and less of a display of dominance. Looking up at Ukiah, it let out a wide smile with rows of its tiny teeth flashing at him. It had no idea what to think of the giant creature that it fell into, but it clearly thought it was its mom or at least caretaker.

"Thank you…" He whispered out loud, reaching down and grabbing it with his hand. Cradling it in his arm, he let it gnaw on his thumb as he tried to get onto his feet. "Thank you, Arrow…you've given me more than just another Sand Wraith…you've given yourself back to me…You gave me a piece of myself back…" Looking down at the baby Sand Wraith, he whispered "I'm not going to let anything happen to you…Arrow."

With the sun rising, lighting the world up, he slowly limped towards the ruins as the pain from all the stumbles and crashes during his trek was setting in. Even the poison refused to let up with the inspiring sight, but it mattered little him now. He had Arrow. He was back in his life. And for the first time, he felt peace in his heart.

Well, here we go. I'm going to try to get this finished before too long, though I don't really have an idea for a ETA of finishing it. In case anyone was wondering, this is probably the last Dragon Boarder I'll write for a while. It's not the last one EVER, but the last one for a bit. Aside from school starting up again, I kind of want to write other stories. Again, we'll see how that goes.

Either way, here's to another DB story! Thanks for those who supported, followed, and reviewed the previous one. I hope this story meets expectations!