Till Death Do Us Part
Prologue
1050 years before battle between Pitch and Guardians
A man stood next to his black steed and waited to give the command to charge. All around, his people sat atop their mounts waiting for the signal. He knew that they would win this battle and that it would get rid of an age old enemy but he had the distinct feeling that something would go wrong. That was why, months before, when he had heard that this attack was coming, he had made preparations for the worst. He had taught Kerr everything there was to know about being the chief of a tribe.
Kerr was his son in everything but blood. He had raised him as his own, and even though Kerr knew that he was not his biological father, he had always called him "dad". The man had never married, not even when the title of being chief was passed on to him. The reason was that there was no one that he loved. Sure, he had been attracted to some of the foreign girls, but after one or two dates, he knew they weren't the one. And the only girl his age who lived on the island was, by far, too "ruff" for him. His biggest regret was that Kerr had not grown up with a motherly figure in his life. There had been plenty of male figures. His own father, who spoiled Kerr rotten, but had never shown the same affection when he was a child. His mentor, who would make whatever toys Kerr asked for, free of charge. But no womanly figure to give what mother's gave their children. He had tried to be both to Kerr but it was hard.
But there was no point in looking back now. Kerr was a fine young man, married to a lovely young woman, and he was going to be a great chief. Right now, he had an army to lead. Climbing atop his black mount, he raised his hand and called for silence.
"I have known many of you my entire life. You all know the story of going from useless to useful, so I will spare you all the details. Mainly what I want to say is that through all the good and bad times, all the exclusion and inclusion, all the abundance and famine, I am proud to call myself a Viking of Berk. And I am proud to have served as your chief. As you all know, my son Kerr will be taking over that title after this battle. He will lead us great places and will soar to new heights. Quite literally." Everyone chucked at the small effort for humor. "But now we must face one more obstacle and take up our axes and hammers to protect our home and our way of life once more. Fight with everything you've got. I know we will be triumphant, but there will be loses. My only reply to that is a quote from my father. We're Vikings, it's an occupational hazard." The crowd clapped at the speech he gave and then got ready to charge.
Kerr, astride his own Changewing, moved toward the man. "Are you with me?" Kerr questioned.
The man turned and in a fatherly tone answered, "To the death."
Then he gave the signal and the army took off, human battle cries and draconic roars filling the air. The battle was ferocious, yet they won. The enemy ships were all aflame and only one catapult remained operational. The opposing army had surrendered.
Save one disobedient soldier. And when said soldier fired said catapult at a certain Changewing, the man could only shove the Changewing and its rider out of the line of fire. Quietly he whispered to his black dragon, "I'm sorry, bud."
The black animal crooned in understanding as the boulder crashed into both of them knocking the dragon unconscious and whacking the man from the saddle. Just before crashing into the sea and letting the darkness overcome him, he had one last thought.
To the death, indeed.
