Parenthesis in normal style is the character interrupting the flow of the story to say something.

Parenthesis in bold is me making a comment.

The state and summary of any of my stories is on my profile, you'll be able to see which I am currently working on and which are on hold. Note that I tend to have large periods where nothing is uploaded. Also, only because my profile states that I am writing for this or that story doesn't necessarily means I have the time to write (blame college and YouTube on that one lol), simply that it is/ they are the one(s) I am giving my attention during that time.

Before we start, I want to say that I am sorry if anyone sees any concept/idea from another fanfiction on this site. I have been inspired by the astronomical amount of fics I've read lately, eh eh… I'll try my best anyway.

And as for narrator, try not to get confused as yes, there will be parts in third person, but most of the story will be told from the characters' POVs.

Don't hesitate to tell me if I get something wrong, I'm not an expert of HTTYD, especially about places, a link to a map image of Berk and its surrounding would be nice tbh. I'll search for one on my side.

Ok seriously let's start or else I won't ever shut up.

Ps : I write dialogues the same way it's done in French, albeit it was hybridized with the way to write in English, which is technically incorrect in both languages, but, eh, you can probably guess that I don't care. Oh, here's what means what just below.

Normal text = story.

Following an hyphen = speaking.

In quotes = thoughts.

Any dialogue in bold = Dragonese.

Ho, and like this? This signals a flashback, I love doing those…

In later chapters these will be at the top. And please do me a favor and tell me to shut up if I ever get carried away with my rambling, I myself know I tend to get horribly carried away at times.

Pps : in the OC's world, HTTYD doesn't exists.


Chapter 1.

The other side.

"Urgh, why is history needed anyway, it's boring…"

Trying to look invested on learning, I twirled my pencil between my fingers, occasionally scribbling a few notes here and there.

Oh, you're probably wondering who I am. For starters, my name is Thomas, I have the weird habit of forgetting my family name at inconvenient times, like now for example. Don't worry, I'll tell you what it is the moment my brain accepts to work with me.

I am currently fifteen and on the way to sixteen in barely a month.

As of said month, it is in the middle of February, not that anyone is sure…

Yeah, you might've guessed it, I'm adopted.

Honestly, no one's certain of where I come from, apparently I suddenly showed up at the orphanage one day, during a fierce snowstorm. From what I've been told I was looking lost and confused, not caring of the cold, simply of where I was. With my pale skin and blond hair, I could have easily kept unnoticed by anyone if it wasn't for my eyes, which were a clear blue, like the waters around some of those tropical islands that has a bright blue water right around it before fading in the usual deep one of the ocean, as well as my clothing. I was wearing only a small cloak made of leather and hide doubled with sheep wool along boots made of the same materials. Luckily, one of the kids had seen me and pointed in my direction, and soon I was taken in the building, still confused.

Soon enough, I was adopted by a quite normal family. Mom is the head cook of the only restaurant the town's got while dad is a lawyer. My brother, Niko (his real name is Nicholas but he hates it so he wants us to call him Niko), is quite the handful at times. Despite being a year older than me, he is the most childish of us, but I am lucky enough to rarely be the target of his pranks. Plus he knows how I am when I'm upset. But that's a story for another time.

I have few friends, and I can understand why, I might have tried in the past, but no matter what I always stood out from the others. What with me being sometimes brash and harsh with others. Sometimes I would like it if the other students at school could look past that side of me, since I am alone most of the time. And in honesty, my "friends" where Niko's at first. He had presented me to them and a few eventually learned to look further then just at the surface. I am a good kid, seriously, I act like I do only to avoid others doing stupid things (and to be given some space from time to time), which generally backfires and leads me to be the one doing something stupid.

At least I can safely assume I avoided most of my classmates a talk with the director at least once or twice during the last year, not mentioning the other ones.

Back to now, I was sitting at the back of the class, and let the teacher say his things, which would enter from one side and leave by the other, meaning I would need to revise a lot for the next test.

I wasn't too bad in science, just a bit uneasy manipulating things that, despite being told are not that dangerous, may blind me if someone had the dumb idea to splash them in my eyes.

I was very bad in maths, I needed my notes every two minutes to be sure I understood what the professor was trying to teach us, and even then about a quarter of them where wrong, so I often spent time with the teacher to rectify the shot. If it wasn't for her kindness and patience towards me (and the fact I had her as my teacher last year too), I might've failed more than once. But with her help I often managed to stay in the clear. My notes weren't stellar, but at least I would be able to be accepted in college later if I wanted to after the next year, since I was on my fourth one right now.

I had good notes in sports, and for some reason, I always found myself at ease with using bats or rackets, in fact, anything long and not too heavy.

I also like swords, since I was a child I would go in the forest to find big branches to carve into swords, although I kept them blunt to be able to play with Niko, otherwise never our parents would have allowed me to even make one! Still, in secret I had made one I kept as sharp as I could, I had made sure to keep it away from moisture and well hidden under a plank in the corner of my room. The plank was next to a small hole under the wall, just big enough to slide it partially in (after having gotten said plank loose enough to move it) and store some objects under it, so I had to make the sword short enough to make it fit. I might have it in case there was a problem, but even I wasn't completely sure if it could cause any real damage, even less wound someone if it came down to it. I sure hoped to never have to use it.

Uh, looks like I soliloquized a bit too much, I think I fell asleep in the middle of the teacher's speech because...

- Thomas!

- Ha, w-what is it?!

The teacher (a man I never cared to remember the name of) was looking at me in an upset manner.

- You fell asleep, again, he grumbled.

If only I hadn't been so lost in my thoughts!

- … I'm sorry.

With a sigh, he turned back to his desk, the class was already over. Advantage of being in the back, teachers would notice you less.

If you happened to have a bit of luck, that is.

As I got up, I began to pack my things, this class had been the last for today and I couldn't wait to get home. Looking through the window I was surprised to see the small snowflakes falling graciously earlier, before my unwanted "nap", had become clusters that fell heavily to the ground.

A blizzard, just what I needed.

And I'm serious, I loved playing outside during one of these. Another of my quirks, others would say, even though this one was of those that made people look at me with a face that clearly said "this guy is weird", not that I cared.

- Uh, sorry for that, I said to the teacher as I got out.

He wasn't a bad guy, it's just that the class in itself was boring me to no end.

I think just this winter, it was the third time it had happened.

As I opened my locker, I saw other students putting on their heavy winter coat.

I was nearly sweating for them.

Me? Just a small one people normally used during autumn or spring. I only used a heavy coat when the temperature was abnormally low. And by that I meant something like minus thirty to forty Celsius, I may be okay in the cold but I had my limits just as everyone.

Closing the locker and making sure the lock was, well, locked (unavoidable unintended pun, I promise), I went to the main entrance where Niko was waiting for me.

- Ready, he smirked.

I smiled.

- Last to the house wash the dishes for the weekend?

He frowned.

I had a slightly cocky smile now.

- What? Afraid to lose against your short little bro?

He looked away, still frowning.

3…

He seemed thoughtful.

2…

Then turned to me.

1…

- Alright, I take the bet.

Gotcha!

Fell for it, like always.

We counted together and at "go", pushed the door and ran in the storm.

Even if the visibility was bad, we still could see far enough to avoid any stupid accident.

I turned left, he turned right.

I used a small space between two houses and got slightly ahead of Niko.

Down the street, then right, and after only a few minutes we saw the house.

Surprising me, Niko began to sprint, but I smiled.

- So it's like that, uh?

I ran faster and eventually was the first to reach the door.

- I WIN!

I heard him breathe heavily while I was hardly tired at all.

- You… you cheated, you took the shortcut.

I shrugged.

- Not my fault if it exists, talk to the person who built the houses where it is.

- Ha, ha, very funny, did he replied.

Despite losing, I knew he was smiling.

As we entered, we were, if I have to be honest, not surprised to notice dad was not home yet, he was in a sticky situation lately. A robber had nearly committed a murder not so far from town, and the police, well, they are not the most active there exists, so proofs were slow to gather on their side.

But what surprised us was that mom wasn't there, it had been long since she had managed to let her boss go home early enough to be there when we would be coming back home.

Wait, that's right, there was a blizzard anyway! She shouldn't even be working!

Getting a bad feeling, I expressed my worried to Niko.

- Now that you mention it, she did say that the restaurant would close for today because they announced the storm… You know what, maybe she's just in her room.

Turns out, she wasn't.

- Maybe we could check the garage to see if her car's there, I suggest.

No car either.

Ok, NOW I was really starting to feel on the verge of panicking.

- I can understand for dad, blizzard or not he has to do his job, but mom?

Thanks captain obvious.

Unaware of my "this is bad" look, Niko went to get his coat again.

- Go take your sword, he said.

Okay, how did he-

The look he was giving me was not one to be questioned.

Quickly I got upstairs and fetched the wooden blade. With the care I had put into it, it was still sharp.

I seriously hoped today wasn't the day I would get to find out if it was effective or not.

For once, I was glad the blizzard was there, if, hypothetically speaking, someone was out to harm us, we would be harder to find.

- Niko, I nearly whimpered, there's something really wrong…

He nodded as we went out again.

The storm was still going, and it felt as if the wind had gotten even more powerful.

Staying close together, we went around the house, only to see nothing suspicious.

We spent nearly half an hour looking around before Niko's phone vibrated, he must had received a notification.

As he looked to the screen, he seemed relieved.

- It's dad, he says he wonders where we are.

- Have you asked him if he saw mom today?

- I just asked him, he said she called him to say she had to go see her boss for something.

Well, that could explain her absence.

Thinking back to that moment, I ask myself how I could miss the fact she had left no note to tell us she had to go... Eh, surely it was the stress.

But maybe I should have been more cautious.

- You know, I said as I lowered the sword, maybe we were just a bit paranoid, the blizzard and all, I gestured around us.

- Yeah… but we'll just laugh of it later, he grinned.

As we entered, however, I felt something, again, (definitely that feeling was stuck to me today) was wrong.

This time, I felt it was horribly wrong.

- … Hey, asked my brother, do you smell that?

I took a breath by the nose and almost gagged.

There was some stench and it sure wasn't helping with the recent stress!

- Oh god I'm gonna be sick, I said while bringing a hand to my mouth.

- C'mon, it's not that bad.

- I think it's just your nose that's too clogged to smell correctly, I said angrily.

That smell, gah, it was as if someone had peed everywhere in the house, how could he not smell it even with his nose full?! And worst, there was something under the first odour, as if… as if there was blood. A whole lot of blood.

- Niko, I pleaded.

Looking worried, he simply sighed and nodded before leading me outside, by now I had both hands on my mouth, trying not to give back my dinner.

The moment we were out, I couldn't help it, I doubled over and it all came out.

What was going on?!

- Hey Thom, are you okay?

Crouching next to me, he looked sincerely scared for me.

- I can't, I started as I wiped my mouth (great, now I had my coat stained…), I can't believe you didn't smell that.

I shivered, but not from the cold.

- Hey, it's okay, tell me what's wrong.

Ok, now if NIKO, out of everyone, that joking clown was the one comforting me, the apocalypse might as well have started!

- Blood, I muttered, there was that stench, as if someone had been so drunk they had peed all over the house.

I looked back at him.

- But I swear, there was blood, it smelled so much…

Still worried, Niko looked suspiciously at the door.

- I hope you're wrong…

Standing up, I decided to breath with my mouth through my shirt, no way I was going to get a single breath of that sick odor again.

Seeing me, Niko did the same, even if he was looking unsure if it was really needed to do so.

Barely filtered by the clothing, the odor was at least now bearable.

As we looked at the stairs, my brother's phone received a new message.

"Hey, where are you? Are you planning to prank me or something?"

Niko simply shrugged, still cautious, when I nudged him to look once more.

- Dummy, look at the second sentence, I hissed quietly to him.

His brow furrowed together for a short moment before his eyes became as round as doughnuts.

We both had the same thought.

We would NEVER worry our parents just to do some petty joke on them, and both dad and mom knew this.

Whoever was sending these messages, it was not dad.

- Be careful, I said as he began to go upstairs, one step at a time.

When he told me to come, I saw he had paled.

No wonder why, when I saw the trap leading to the attic opened, and the stench was even worse once close to it.

- I suspect it's that blood you smelled earlier I smell now, he said, taking an interesting color between his usual peach-like coloration and an apple green tint, nearly like in a movie.

It would've been funny if it wasn't for that feeling of dread clinging to my mind.

- L-let's see what it is, before I get sick, muttered my brother.

I retained myself from saying he already looked sick.

- Push me up, I asked him quietly.

Who knew what thing was in the house with us.

As he took me and hoisted me up to the trap, I managed to grab the small ladder we usually used.

- Get me in and I'll send you the ladder, I said.

As I ascended I could only think one thing while the odor grew stronger despite me trying, I admit it was in vain, to keep my shirt up

"Please," I prayed to no one in particular, "please don't let it be what I think it is."

But my prayer were left unanswered, that I understood when looking at one of the worst thing I have seen in my life.

Blood was spilt everywhere and piss, soaked by the unkempt and dry wood, gave the floor of the attic a sickly yellow tint.

As I looked, my gaze following the dripping fluids, I nearly fell back on Niko who was holding me.

- N-no…

I hurried, not caring of my brother's scream of surprise, before he got in too by the ladder I passed to him, freezing in nearly the same manner I had moments ago.

- Oh god, even in the darkness, there was enough light for me to see the tears forming in his eyes.

I couldn't blame him, really, after all…

It was none other but our parents, nearly dismembered and then hung together in a finale embrace.

Saved for what had been the finishing blow, the scene was a carnage that held no trace of a human being the culprit. Yet them being hang was the proof one was the cause of it.

We had been here barely minutes before deciding to look outside, how could we miss that?!

More importantly, who could do that?

I fought against my own tears, despite them not being my true parents, they had been caring for me all these years and had been wonderful persons. I was proud of being their son, and now my memories would be all that would be left from them. Looking around, I felt enraged like never before, as if my whole body was going to catch on fire. I wanted to find the bastard who had performed this gruesome barbaric act. I wanted to finally test my weapon and would be oh so delighted if this fucker died. So much rage, just for one individual, and even if Niko called the police, nothing could change my mind. The police would arrive too late in any case, and their murderer would be delivered in a very, very small box.

I would find them and make them suffer.

Niko must had noticed the change in how I stood, and the general feeling I was giving off.

However, I was disturbed, if only for a moment, when I saw him take a step back as I turned to him.

- Uh, is something wrong, I tried to sound concerned as my only thought was to get the killer.

I think I might have sounded more aggressive then I wished, because he simply looked aside and shook his head.

- I… I just t-think we should call the, uh, the police, who knows where the killer might be.

Just as I went to tell him not to, a high-pitched laughter, but still clearly of a male, resonated in the attic. (For some reason when I wrote this I thought of Rumpelstiltskin's voice from the Once Upon A Time series lol.)

- Oh, call the cops if you want, you'll be surprised to see how easy it is to cut all access to network on a specific zone.

That voice was WAY too cheerful to be of any friendly attention.

- You're the one who did that, right?

Although my question was more of an affirmation, the laughter greeted my ears once more, like dissonant notes from a violin.

- Do I need to answer?

Gritting my teeth, I didn't wondered why the place suddenly seemed a little brighter as Niko continued to back away, but not from me (at least I am sure it was not only from me). I turned around to look where the insufferable owner of this voice was, ready to tear him apart when I heard said voice, now much calmer and serious, whispering in my ears. But there still was that smile in his voice.

- Look above, don't be afraid~

I rapidly swiped the weapon horizontally, but all I got was a rush of air going upward as the fool laughed at me.

- Oh, feisty are we?

I looked above only to hear light footsteps going away.

As both of us looked frantically around, the voice came back from above.

He was playing with us like we were toys, but that only fueled my rage more.

- I see a quite adorable prey in that corner, he cooed lowly.

I froze as the unknown person spoke in a sickly sweet tone.

- Mind if I take a bite? AHAHAHA!

Quite involuntarily, I began to growl as the place became yet lighter, as if my eyes had adapted more quickly than usual.

- Don't you dare touch him!

A thoughtful silence was my answer, until I felt something brush my back.

"Got him!"

I swung downward, striking as fast as I could to bring the blade behind me, and with a satisfied expression, I heard a grunt. I looked back with a small smile as I saw my sword come back coated with blood on the very end of the tip. This guy was quick, and having trained since I was little, that was something.

- So the little brother wants to play…

I said nothing, yet I somehow knew he could feel my hatred, and that he loved seeing me lose control in this way.

- Tho-

- VERY WELL THEN, exclaimed the voice as it interrupted Niko, I ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE!

- I said nothing you fucker.

I heard a "hmph!" that sounded almost like he was chiding me for my language.

Suddenly, a small man hang from his feet to face me. If it hadn't been from the surprise I felt, I would've made quick work of this rat by severing his head. Said head he tilted in curiosity.

- My, you are quite interesting… I wonder where I have seen those before…

His grin came back faster than I would have replied.

- So here's the rules, if you catch me, I spare your brother, but if you lose me would it be only a few minutes, his voice hardened, know that I won't have any remorse in massacring the two of you.

During his miniature speech, I took in his appearance, determined not to forget him anytime soon. He was looking a bit old and his clothes looked like they were from all kind of places, a sleeveless jacket made of brown snakeskin (or was it another reptile's hide? I shrug at this one), a white cotton shirt with jagged sleeves and rags of what must once have been leggings made of brown soft tissue. He had messy brown-auburn hair waving messily and staying stiff on his head, his teeth were barely yellow and his nearly orange eyes held some kind of wisdom occulted by his apparent frenzy for violence. This was the look of someone who had lost everything that had them holding to their sanity, this was a beast hiding as a human.

And soon one less to prowl this world.

With speed that surprised even myself, I lunged at the perpetrator, sword held high, now conscious it could easily be used to kill him.

And, it is what has me afraid when thinking of that moment, this was something I looked forward to, to avenge my parents.

And to save my brother.

But just as the man was to be impaled by the wooden blade, he let himself fall to the ground. The next moment he was bowing to me, standing on the edge of the hole used to pass, his clothing clearly dripping with blood. The reverence in itself was more of a mockery then any real sign of respect. With a smile that got me even deeper in my rage, he jumped and I could only hear his feet tapping against the floor before a door was slammed.

I went to chase him, but Niko abruptly moved forward and grabbed my arm, hard.

I looked up to tell him to get out of my way when I saw his face.

He was looking scared, so scared…

- Please, Thomas, he pleaded, don't do this.

I sighed, still seeing red.

- You know I have to, otherwise we are both dead.

He looked one last time at mom and dad before closing his eyes. When he opened them, all I could see was determination.

- Then let's get that bastard, he muttered, quickly whipping his tears away.

I nodded, and while I turned away, I saw my reflection in his eyes… I could've sworn mines weren't so bright looking before, but the color melded in his irises, so I couldn't be sure.

I shrugged it off and, as Niko quickly zipped his coat, we both began to pursue the man.

As we got out, the blizzard had gained in strength yet again, now the snow was nearly already in balls when falling and the wind could cause some serious damage to some habitations, vegetation and the surrounding infrastructures.

I heard his laugh as if he was circling us.

- Well well well, more daring than I first thought, the both of you are courageous enough to confront me…

He stepped forward just close enough to see the outline of his body. My sight went immediately to his feet, covered in pee and blood, not talking of the possible rest that formed some kind of crust, it was disgusting, and I could still smell him, as if he had bathed in these bodily fluids.

My face scrunched up. I loathed this man, he wouldn't give us mercy, so we would not either.

- Come, he seemed to be whispering, I'm waiting.

With one last laugh, he set off and I immediately began to chase after him.

- GO, WE CAN'T LOOSE HIM OR WE'RE DEAD!

And quite literally, too.

With a nod, Niko followed me as best as he could.

As time passed, his silhouette always at the edge of my field of view, I felt as if my rage was changing something in me, I began to run faster, and even if I still felt it, the cold didn't bothered at all after a while. Surely during the chase I lost Niko as I later noticed he wasn't with me anymore. Something must have happened to my feet (maybe I had hit them on some ice or rock by accident?) since I felt forced to lean forward a little. But maybe that was just the adrenaline and whatnots playing tricks on me. I mean, it was his or our lives.

And even if we survived, I would never forgive myself if he escaped.

So with renewed strength, I desperately made a sprint, barely taking into account the inclination of the ground becoming more pronounced as I ran after the murderer.

What happened next was very strange.

Suddenly, it was as if I could see clearly despite the blizzard, not by much, but largely enough to completely see him. And the odor had gotten even worse, and I had to force myself not to vomit again, or else I would lose him.

The ground became flat once more, and he began to slow enough for me to hit him.

With a sound that was disturbingly close to a roar, I managed to slash at him, the hit only caught him in the back, yet a near sadistic smile spread on my face as I saw the wound becoming red with a small amount of blood.

As long as this wicked man's blood would spill down on the ground, that would be one step closer to victory.

Suddenly, he stopped and sidestepped. I panicked as I recognized the cliff looming over the town, here the sun was able to get through the blizzard and shine. I managed to avoid a fall certainly fatal and turned to the killer, but curiously, he had already vanished.

- THOMAS!

My senses came back to me as my rage finally subsided, at least partially, I was still mad at the killer and wished to be able to hack him in small pieces for what he did, but now I wasn't going berserk anymore.

- Ugh, I felt the start of a headache, I'm here, I managed to shout while looking around.

This garbage had been clear, losing him meant losing our lives as well.

- Where is he?

I sadly had no idea, so I told him he managed to force me to break right in front of the cliff, leaving him enough time to flee.

Niko frowned upon hearing this.

- He can't be that far, the cliff is narrow around here, we would've noticed if he had fled by going back.

I nodded.

"He can't have gotten back to the town, but there isn't enough snow to hide, plus most of it is completely frozen…"

I then noticed something that sounded like a huff, but it was coming…

- Don't tell me that nutcase escaped like THAT, I shouted angrily.

Looking quizzically at me as I neared the edge, Niko went to my side and looked down.

Both of us became wide eyed.

For a handful of seconds, we saw the man climbing down before leaping in a cave.

While my brother was telling me descending with nothing was suicide, I looked closely at the face of the cliff, noticing red marks here and there.

- Niko, I nudged him, look down there, see these marks?

- Uh, he crouched like I did and squeezed his eyes, yeah, I see them, kinda, so what?

I turned to him.

- Earlier, I felt I had hit him, seems like I got his hand.

He sent me an annoyed look.

- Let me guess, let's follow the marks so we don't fall to a certain death while tracking him down?

I nodded.

- He needs to pay anyway, and the debt is heavy this time.

- Ugh, you know I hate it when you use metaphors like that.

I jumped a bit, startled.

- You know it comes to me naturally, right?

He simply rolled his eyes.

- Let's just get this over with, before all this chase get to be for nothing.

I eyed the rocks, noticing some of the grips being slippery while others…

He wouldn't make it.

- I go alone, I grumbled.

This immediately sent Niko off.

- No way I leave you alone with this maniac!

I growled, and although it wasn't the same kind of growl as earlier, it still seemed to unnerve my brother.

- You know you are clumsy, and your shoes are not made for slippery surfaces, mines are.

He thought of it, then sighed, resigned.

- Fine, but let me hand you the sword once you're down there, I don't want you to fall because you had to play it pirate-style.

Despite the conflicting emotions of anger and hatred towards the killer, I grinned at this remark.

- You know we'll be both guilty of murder at this point, I pointed out, don't you?

He shrugged.

- If it means this bitch doesn't get to make any more victims? Fine, jail sound like a small fee to pay to me.

I smiled, that was the Niko I knew.

- Let's do this then, as soon as I'm in, dial to the police station, ASAP.

- Got it.

I handed him the sword and he absentmindedly swiped it across the snow, getting it rid of the blood that had stained the wood.

- Good luck.

I nodded before going downward.

Admittedly, it was easier then I first thought, the sun hadn't been that warm, but being able to grip the rock properly was easier thanks to the ice having melted slightly. I slipped once or twice, but nothing big, only my feet slipped, for I think if my hands had gave me up I would have went crashing to the frozen sea underneath me or would've get shredded by the spiky formations jutting out of the ice on the way down. Either ways, would I have fallen, I was a goner, but I still managed to reach the cave, shouting to Niko.

He threw the sword and even if it hurt, having had to grab it by the blade (couldn't be as lucky like in movies and catch it by the handle, right?), I managed to get in.

The inside of the cave was dimly lit by a few candles, the place being shielded from the wind, as it was lower than the top of the cliff and had said cliff forming a natural wall around it.

A small chair, one table and hand-made mattress made of numerous layers of tissues (just how long had that guy stolen things to make this?!) were the only things around.

No sign of the killer.

But hadn't he be hidden when we first went to the attic?

Hidden in… the… oh no.

- Fuck, I shouted as he let go of two stalactites he was using to hang to the ceiling.

He landed on me, and we rolled on the ground. During our short struggle, I never let go of my sword. I wouldn't trust myself in close combat, melee was my thing.

I did receive a few hits, but with the effect of surprise gone, I noticed he was weaker then I first thought. This killer must had relied on his speed, agility and stealth over the years to commit his hideous crimes.

Untangling from the other, we both fell to the ground, but I was slightly faster than him to get up. He was still crouching when I brought down my sword. Still, he nimbly dodged by rolling to the side, using his hands to propel himself farther, landing on the makeshift mattress before pulling a bloody knife still dripping fresh blood. My parents' blood.

Mine froze when I understood I had underestimated my enemy. Contrary to my blade, the steel of the knife would cut more easily, but my solid yet somewhat fragile sword may leave some splinters, and in places like the feet and hands, these would hurt strongly at first, and a big one (with some luck) would be much more distracting.

Taking a defensive posture, I waited for him to make the first move. I may be impulsive, but I knew when I was confronted to stronger then myself, and this elderly-looking man had done a good job at tricking me.

With a scream, he tried to strike me in an upward move, but I angled the sword to force his blade to slide along it, the unwanted momentum I gave making him recoil a few steps back.

He seemed to reconsider me after the parry, and no doubt would we be less on the offense each.

"Let's see what you've got, old man," I thought as I kept my attention on him.

Unable to hold any longer, he went to me without screaming this time, more focused then earlier. He tried to strike me on my right, but I noticed his clumsiness and knew it was a feint, so I managed to block him at the last moment. He had tried to get my left side, but since I was right-handed I could block early and avoid the hit. He had angled his strike badly and as his blade bounced off with a small thud, I made a low blow and managed to hit one of his hips, which would slow him down, hopefully.

Yet I was far from having seen the last trick of the old coot.

Sadly, it turned out I only had managed to hit him, but I hadn't be able to cut him. If he survived, he would be sore on that hip, but nothing more.

With a grunt, I sliced left but, grabbing the handle with my two hands, managed to redirect to the right fast enough to catch his chest with the sharp edge. I was proud for I had made this technic by myself, if I had struck too fast I would have too much momentum with the sword and I might even had lost my grip on it. Too slow and he would have had enough time to parry and possibly wound me.

I knew this was literally a fight to the death, but I was trying to keep that thought out of my head.

A second later, I was leading the blade of the crazy murderer down, but he took me by surprise when he punched me in the face. Obviously, he had taken the risk of going past the range of my blade just to hit me.

I had the reflex to get a hand to my face, but managed not to despite feeling a bit of blood, damn he hit hard.

Recomposing myself, I looked for an opening, I was no swordsman, but I had my share of fights with bullies in the past, only this time the bully had a weapon and REALLY intended to kill me.

Once more, this time as I began to panic a little, the room seemed to brighten, and the fool glanced at me with a questioning gaze.

I stood my ground and let him come to me. When he tried to stab me, I brought down the handle hard on his wrist, but as he let go of the knife, he managed to catch the weapon with his second hand.

What luck was that, an ambidextrous killer, marvelous.

I cursed myself, reporting my attention at him. He quickly tried to run to my left, but it was clear that despite being ambidextrous, he was mainly using his left hand. Maybe that could play in my favor…

I snapped back to reality when our weapons clashed, this time the blades had caught each other, but mine hadn't caught his in a way that would let me disarm him. My arm was in a precarious position, since I had to strike upward to block the hit.

He was putting more and more pressure, but then I had an idea.

As fast as I was able to, I jumped back while letting my weapon fall to the ground. The man stumbled from the sudden lack of resistance.

His face would have been laughable if it wasn't for the fact he was fucking trying to eviscerate me!

"This has better work or I'm seriously done for!"

As I hoped, he lunged at me, but I managed to sidestep and plunged on my sword.

He came back running at me, but I caught him in the right shoulder. His left hand having recovered from my last blow, he once more switched hand. From the way his other harm hanged, I suspected I had cut something correctly, impairing him.

I looked at the blood soaking the blade with a grin. Looked like things were finally turning to my advantage.

Still, all the man did was frowning dismissively at his wound.

Apparently it wasn't the first time he was injured this way.

By now I was hopping Niko had been able to contact the police, because I was starting to run out of tricks.

I tried to stall a bit.

- Why, I asked.

He looked like he was just going to try and maim me again, but suddenly a sliver of intelligence returned to his gaze.

- Because it's fun, he said with a psychotic smile.

I could've laughed if my life wasn't on the line.

Instead, I nearly growled at him, that was the lamest excuse a murderer could possibly give!

- Don't tell me this is all there is to this killing stuff.

- Aaaah, I guess I'm busted.

He began to rise his knife, but spoke nonetheless.

- Truthfully? I first consider this a game, yes, a game! And a fun one at that. Also I want everyone to know what it is like, to suffer, oh how I enjoy seeing them pleading to me. I am sure that's what you would like me to do, plead you to let me go.

He laughed drily and I frowned.

His voice was cold, yet passionate as he spoke once more.

- I am above that, I don't care whether I die or not, as long as the game continues! There is no winner in this, you simply survive and can consider yourself a winner if you survive long enough to create rumors and gossips wherever you go. I like to see people's afraid looks, they remember me of small mice and me I'm the cat waiting calmly to strike, hidden in the shadows.

Just as he said that, he went to the candles and blew them, inviting the darkness in the shelter.

- And the shadows never let me down, his voice whispered.

"Argh I am so fed up with his shit!"

My hatred and anger flared for a moment to replace my previous state of panic, and disgust seemed to mix in the emotional cocktail.

He was gonna get it this time.

- The game stops with you, not noticing I had slightly dragged my "s", all I was focusing on was to get this fucker to finally drop dead in front of me.

I felt the air move around me, and I turned around.

Nothing.

Then I felt something fall on me.

From the smell, I knew it was blood.

"That dirty trick? Again?!"

I tensed and dodged him when he fell down.

I swiped in diagonal, not caring what I hit, because I felt it, I did hit something, I just had no idea what I hit.

Like in the attic, my eyes adapted to the darkness around me and soon I could distinguish the man. He was leaving a trail of crimson red behind him, but identically to when I had stabbed his shoulder, he seemed to push the pain away.

Gosh, did I had to dismember him myself! ? !

Actually, the thought seemed somewhat appealing, maybe that would've gotten a scream or two from him…

I shook my head, I wasn't going to get as low as him!

With a burst of speed, I slammed against him as he was limping away towards the end of the cave, looks like I got his ankle or something near one of his feet.

I smiled as I saw my sword finally slice through him, right through the chest. Even if I had missed his heart, the blood loss would eventually kill him.

The next moment, I was screaming in panic as I noticed something horrifying.

The tunnel had stopped and a pit was under us, we were falling in darkness.

I saw his body, barely far enough to prevent me from using him as a human pillow (say what you want, he was dead or dying away, might as well make him useful), as I soon noticed pointy stalagmites down below.

It was clear now, I might have avenged my parents, but I still was going to die anyway, impossible for any human being to survive such a fall.

It was actually ironic, killing the killer, for him to make you his last victim.

Just as I was going to be impaled by one of the spikes, I realized I would leave Niko behind, and maybe both mine and the man's corpses would never be found.

That made me panic completely, I didn't want to die!

"I seriously need a miracle, like, now," I thought as I felt like my heart was beating so hard it would burst out of my body.

I couldn't help it, the last second before I hit the stalagmite, I closed my eyes.

Pain flared through my body, and I thought I saw a bright light.

I wished I could scream.

The next moment, my consciousness was blown like the candles in the cave above me.


Argh, I actually wanted to get a look at what was happening back at Berk, but the chapter was becoming too long.

Also before anyone asks no the killer didn't know Thomas in any way, he was just bat shit crazy…

Still can't get that Rumpelstiltskin voice out of my head tho…

And just a few clarifications, this is my very first fanfic for HTTYD, so don't be surprised if I ask help from time to time, I am not perfect, nobody is. Also I might get the characters sometimes wrong, with what I have for the next part it shows already with Hiccup and Astrid's relationship (btw the story takes place between the first two movies, might throw in some things from the series in it, like Mildew, even though I hate him he's fun to mess with XP). The rest I think I can manage (I admit a bit thanks to the wiki), but if I get anything wrong, please don't wait for over a dozen chapters later to tell me, please.

So, I guess that this is how the adventure starts then, consider the next chapter as the rest of this one, a two-part introduction if you want.

Anyway, I seriously need a detailed map of Berk, I tried to find one, but heck, it was hard even to find one acceptable, and even then I had to go on the wiki to understand that the forest where the cove is is actually Raven Point! Any help with that problem would be really appreciated.

Oh, also in chapter 3 (since y'know it's kinda a double upload and stuff…) and onward I'll answer any review (always at the end of the chapter), and I mean it, any review. Just don't flame me please, that's the last thing I need right now haha ^^'

Ps : I know some lines are super cheesy but hey, I was trying to write an insane old dude that kills for fun and I needed something to explain Thomas' state in the second "half" of this intro, I may rewrite that one day, but so far it's my best.