Chapter 1: The search

"His blade erupted in flames as the blackened ground rumbles and crackles with soldier fleeing hopelessly. He whips his blade across the land burning all things to ash. His speed unknown. His strength unknown. No one has ever fought the beast and lived to tell the tale."

Astrid read the letter again and again. Memorizing every literary etch of ink on crusty paper.

"And I shall be the first to defeat him"

She gulped as she read the last word of Alvin the treacherous's letter sent back to Savage on his last voyage into the deep dark mist of the pirate sea. She can feel her body sway with the very same waves that Alvin rode as she watches as captain Eret brings her into the fog. Some say that the Pirate sea is even more dangerous than Helheims gate. It's a Barron collection of island and stolen treasons that sparkles brighter than the sun, but kept in the hands of scums who would eat their child if they could to keep the treasure themselves. How sickening and sinister the waves sounded as the timber hull hit carcasses of ships that were looted. The smell soon followed as it was carried by the mist into Astrid's cabin.

"Blood" She said rolling the scroll back into the draw and slinging her white fur jacket on. She opened the door as the sound of Eret bantering with his crew of dirty pirates. She reminded herself why she was here needing help from such scums.

It was only 10 years ago when fate punished us Vikings. First and foremost was Stoick's son's death. He was carried off my the infamous nightfury, and both the dragon and the heir were never to be found. Our chief Stoick snapped. Something changed in him that day. he became unstable and obsessed with revenge. Perhaps he felt as though he had failed. His eyes dulled, his skin paled and his hair grayed fast as he goes on another hunt leaving Valka to cover up for him. The death toll up each time as mothers are left widowed. It became a usual thing for the next 10 years. He would train his troops, commission new ships and sent himself into the deep fog of helheims gate. Everyone accepted his way of handling pain, but it only lasted so long until the ship ceased to return. Only a letter from a mysterious Drago Bludvist claiming to have killed the chief, only to claim Berk as his own. Ofcourse Valka did not reply and the village backed her up. When Drago's scouting ship arrived he sent them back bloodied and bruised as a warning. Even with that. Everyone knew that an imminent danger is on the way, which is why I was sent to search for this illusive warrior who served under no one. The very man no beast who took on the Roman invasion with his small crew the serpent. Gothi prophecies are never wrong, and then so that makes him our only hope.

She walked overly sternly with her axe never leaving her back. He took notice and turned around to welcome his client "Astrid relax. I know these waters like the palm of my hands." He passed her an old dusty bottle. Her face crunched at the smell. "Drink it. The finest rum you can find." He insisted. "We drink ale from where I come from" Astrid replied. "You have to learn to learn. The best way to do that is to try to do. thats what my father taught me" he rolled on. "Yes I know Eret son of Eret the greatest of all pirate" Astrid reached out for the bottle in hopes that she dent have to hear another biography of his father the 'great' pirate. Her opinion of pirates are much like the rest of the world. They are 'great' scums of the world. She pondered as she took a sip but quickly rejected it. She coughed as spat the burning bitter taste as it grips her tongue tight. "What in Loki's chest is that?!" She yelled still coughing. Eret and his crew laugh as some look thirstier than others. "Darling its much more enjoyable than what you tried to cook" A crew member said as he stares at her hungrily. Eret stood up and gave the man a passive squeeze on the shoulder. "Watch your eyes or you'll lose it" Eret whispered to his crew man threateningly with hidden panic on every word. Sweat beating down his face he nodded. "Astrid I'll talk you through the details in private." Eret said as he guided her to the captain's quarter. A room with a grand table a map. "The men can be so u- gentlemen like. I must apologize on their behalf." He bowed slightly. Astrid huffed and walk over to the map. "So did you manage to locate him?" She tapped the table impatiently. She has been on this fog for days as the lands they past are but silhouette of wrecked ships. "My tracking ship relayed a message saying that they saw the Serpent heading towards Kraken's edge." He explained as he pointed to a small island in the middle of the maze map. Her face looked confused as she only heard the words from tales. "Kraken.. as in the mythical beast?" She asked. "No. The Kraken was never a beast, however it was a ship that sunk ships for breakfast lunch and dinner. The crew got old and decided to open a place where the worst of the worst goes for drinks and business." He explained. "Thankfully I am going to get you a hearing with Veronica Kraken herself. She has a favor to pay back, but you Berkians had generously paid me plenty in gold already." He continued. Astrid Looks down at the spot. The serpent is spotted there. "Why would the serpent be there? Aren't they freedom fighters?" She asked skeptically. Eret huffed and pulled out a book of wanted posters. He drags his finger down and pulled out a page. "Chester Kraken. Some say Veronica's son is actually the newest addition to the Serpent's crew. That is all I can tell you" eret laughed as he crossed his arms puffing up the bulges of muscle under his tattoos. Astrid wanted to vomit. She held it in "When will we get there?" She asked as she walks around him about to get back to her cabin. Eret turned around smirking as he held his dagger out. "We're here".

The drunken cheers and cried of hundreds of pirates is muffled by the giant black timber ship the size of a small island mountains over Eret's ship. various ships anchored nearby acting as defense towers. They are likely customer's ships. The black ship stands tall and proud with the Kraken symbol sown on it's torn up sails. The ship is big enough to cover a small island and it seemed to be drawn as one on the map. It had a dozen of other pirate ships anchored near and many smaller row boats tied to it like little ants feeding on a fish.

Astrid stepped down the ladder into the creaky rowboat as Eret row towards the ship. The pitched black water under them merged with the sky as the muffled songs got louder and louder as the smell of booze fills the air. Eret smiled as Astrid's frown grows serious under the cold raindrop. Eret ties his row boat to the ship and he looks up at the hanging rope. "You aren't coming" Astrid asked as Eret shook his head. "Say that Eret sent you to collect the debt. Goodluck Astrid" he said as he started to row away. She took a deep breath and pulled over her fur hood and held onto the slimy rope. She yanked it and held on tight as she is pulled up and caught by a big burly figure. "State your business at Kraken's edge?" Astrid looked behind her. She was faced with a throaty bearded woman twice her size with short brown hair. She had an eye patched and her teeth gold as in the metal. Astrid steps down to the ground that's surprisingly sturdy whilst trying to ignore the boozy breath. "Astrid Hofferson. Eret sent me to collect the debt." She said as the mountain woman scanned her down up at down. With a huff she turned around and grabbed old green chain handcuffs. Astrid was told that this would happened if she were granted a session with Veronica. She lifted her arms forward as the locks clanked into place and then she was trapped and dragged downstairs through a metal gate that reveals a dystopian world to her.

The moon shines through colored glass which softly defuse into the wooden chamber. The light vividly tinted the drunken pirates of all sorts singing carols of thief and drinking liquid death as they flex their wealth and power on all display. Astrid was unable to see the details as she was dragged through the sea of drunk and filthy pirates. Women barely dr4essed in dirty rags serving pickled food and strong drinks in string knitted clothing. The pirates with face full of hair and heavy clothing covered in jewels of all kinds shines all over as they cheer on over and over again. The woman took a turn behind the bar table into a heavy metal door. She unlocked it and violently with a twisted jerk and threw Astrid like a sack of trash into the room before slamming the metal door shut. "Argh!" She grunted in pain as the skin slide across the splintered floor boards. She notice that the music is completely gone as she stood back up in a dimly lit room. Everything was yellow from the walls to the very treasures that's organized boastingly on display like an armory for fit for the best of knights. She turned around as she sees an old woman decorated with gold sitting opposite a young blond man in leather. His young face is fitted with an arrogant grin as he held his wine glass femininely. The leather armor is soft from the way it slacks. Astrid couldn't possibly see the functionally of such a weak armor, but looking at his long sword he is clearly a pirate or a warrior. She walked towards them slowly as they both are in a conversation. A different tongue, possible Normandy she thought. She stood next to the man looking at the woman, as they both ignored her. She had straight grey hair and golden teeth fashioned to be sharp like of a beast. Her golden goblet filled to the brim with red wine. The younger man has curly blond hair and a finely shaved face and blue eyes that's almost as blue as hers. "A hm" Astrid coughed trying to get their attention. She wriggled her chains slightly as the two continued to ignore her. It's as if she wasn't even there. Astrid decided to let them know that she means business.

"I am Astrid Hofferson sent here on behalf of Eret son of Eret" I said putting Eret's necklace on the table as she is again ignored. "Eret said that you owe him a favor" I pointed impatiently. The two laughed as they continue on their conversation. Astrid was never good at being ignored. Actually I've never been ignored ever in her life. Especially by a man. I thought to herself as she is reminded of Hiccup. Looked over, and ignored... always. "I know that Fury is here and I need to find him" I said expecting to be ignored again, however both figures froze and pause their conversation as the air fell silent and tense. Veronica reached out her glass for a refill as the man pours her glass half full. "Be somewhat civil around strangers won't you mother even if they're savages. We don't want to appear rude to a Viking dog in such haste" He changes the subject with a smear of bitter sarcasm. Veronica took a sip of her wine and exhaled with concerns. She looks at me with those judgy hazel eyes. Her gold pierced tongue creeps out to lick the wine off her saggy lips. "Do you know who I am?" She asked as her voice echoes with dominance. "Yes. You are Veronica Kraken" I nodded. The man smirked as he takes a sip of wine. "And What significance does that name hold?" She asked again with a demeaning fine gaze that sent chill down my spine. "Err.. you are the owner of this place." I reply as I feel myself shrink under her dominant eyes.

"Do I barge into your house and demand things to be done? It sounds petty and entitled, but guess what young lady. I am entitled to this water. My word is law so you best sit your sorry ass down before I throw you out for the men to play with" Veronica snapped back and like an alligator, those wounds dig deep. Astrid immediately sat down and apologize. "What's your business with Fury?" She asked as she lit her pipe. Smoke pouring out in clouds of sweet honey berries. Astrid composed her words with care as it may be her last. "I am the leader of the Burkina scouts. Our Chieftess wants to hire him to protect us and help improve our defenses. We can pay with 100 gold coins a day." before Astrid could finish her explaination the man cut in "no" he said bluntly. Astrid looked at him in pure anger as Veronica ponders. "We can pay him in gold and much mo" Astrid blurted out. "No" the answers the man gave was cold and it stuck in her mind. The one sound of rejection that she barely got to hear in her life. "He works for no gold, or materialistic things little lady Hoppy" he stood up as he towers over Astrid and he arched his back to "give it up and go back if you have no normality to offer us. Its bad business." he whispered coldly. Astrid looks up at the man fearlessly. The two blue eyes collide like two rivers merging only to form a violent waterfall.

"Chester dear" Veronica said softly as smoke escaped her nose. Isn't that her son Chester? Astrid thought. "Shall I escort her out mother" he said smiling at his mother. "You may sit your ass down you donkey" again she snapped hard shatter her son's smile. Just as quickly as Astrid did he returned to his seat and looked away pissed off. "I can tell that Eret sent you here. Only that man would send in someone alone without telling them the fake password. You need to fix the next attitude, for next time you won't be so lucky in my generous gaze. Chester dear take her to Fury. Say that mommy's order" she smiled softly as her hazel eyes locked on to me. Chester stood up gracefully and started walking. He signaled Astrid to follow. "Till next time mother" He said as they walked out.

"Follow closely and don't say a word Hopper" Chester said calmly without even looking back. He lead me down the stairs into the hull of the ship. It's a closed off area full of spider webs and dust. The floor however is littered with footsteps and coins. "Hand him the letter and say nothing. he might just cope with it" he lectured on.

I've never believed in magic until that very moment. The moment Chester swiped his hands across nothing only to somehow pull the curtain out of reality to reveal a brightly lit room. There was a floating fireball lighting up the room and keeping it warm like the sun. There were books and objects floating around everywhere. The room was circular and the ceiling was a dome. A shape that's very hard to achieve even with the best of builders. I can feel my axe getting yanked off. I turned around to find nobody as a dry finger taps my shoulder once. I turned around and was greeted by my green eyed thief. The black hair girl stood at my height with chromed armor. Her stance was tough as she held my axe like a toy. "Who is she and why is she here?" She asked raising an eye brow as she inspected the weapon. Her shoulders jerking intensely at each word. "Mothers orders. Looks like she has to repay a favor to an old friend" Chester said walking pass us to pour himself some red wine. "And what would that be?" She asked. Her expression crossed like she dreads the answer. "She has a job for Fury" he said as he smirked staring right at me. I swear to Odin that I saw his eyes glow a golden ring on his iris. I looked at the girl as she scanned me again. "You're a Viking. He doesn't work with Vikings." She said as she tossed the axe back at me as I caught it. Chester laughed "Heather she is a client of high priority according to Kraken. Please treat her in a way that mother won't punish me." He said arrogantly with clear control over the situation. Heather's Pokerface burnt up clearly bothered by my presence. "He will be here shorty. Please be take a seat" she pointed to the dining table at the centers of the room as she stormed impatiently out of the room.