Author's Note:
Re-uploaded chapter. Added some minor details, and fixed some of the grammar.
Chapter 2: Playdate with Destiny
Stella bobbled out of the house carrying a large brown box taped shut. She sported an oversized flannel shirt, black leggings, and white sneakers. Her golden locks were tied up in a messy hair bun, some stray stands framing the sides of her face. Both of her ears were plugged in with earphones. She hummed to the tune as she loaded the box in the trunk of the black W211 Mercedez-Benz. "All clear!" she called out and closed the lid. Garth just finished polishing the hood. "Thanks for your help, Ms. Stella." he thanked her with a warm smile.
The main door flew open and Finn, garbed in his Admiral uniform, stepped out with Astrid following behind. She was wearing a casual t-shirt and light denim shorts. Her hair was gathered in a long plait. "I'll meet first with the Mayor, then I'll see you girls at Academy after lunch." Finn straightened up his tie and smoothened out his cuffs. "Be on your best behavior. Remember, you are carrying our name and I don't expect less from you. " He added.
"Yes, granddad." Both girls replied in monotone. Finn gave them a small wave, and then quickly boarded the car. Garth started engine and the black Mercedes-Benz pulled away from the driveway. As soon the car disappeared into view the two girls went back inside the house.
(…)
"I thought Berk was out of date, but this is. Just. BRILL." Stella gasped at the station. Its walls and floors were made out Italian black marble. On the ceiling, was a mammoth mural of the realm of Asgard, and hanging from it were rows and rows of golden chandeliers. The ticket booths were stretched out across on one side of the wall, and a 3-inch thick and 4x5 glass panel divided the officers from the outside world. Stella thought that the station could pass off as museum lobby at the Louvre.
Helga dropped them off at the main subway station to board the train to the Academy. While Berk boasts of its main source of income: militarization and trading services; the Hooligans (locals of Berk) were also surprisingly excellent builders and craftsmen.
The subway, or what the locals call "The Loch," is a bullet train and the most prized possession of the island. It travels around 300 km/ph, which rivals Japan's Shinkansen. What's truly fascinating about their subway train system is it travels underwater to access Berk's other sovereign islands in the archipelago.
The train and its passageway were built from Grade-A materials shipped all the way from Japan, UK, and America. It's architecture and technology plans were scrutinized up until to the very miniscule detail. During its construction, the project heads kept a close eye and assured that everything sticks with the plan. Its initial test drive had taken them a good year and a half before they released it to the public. The Loch brought the main island lots of good fortune and soon it expanded from one island to another, also expanding Berk's income as it utilized its neighboring islands for business expansions.
Astrid jogged back to Stella and handed her ticket. The two girls plowed through the crowd and craned their necks to find their designated waiting area. The train wouldn't be around for at least 15 minutes, so the girls decided to lounge around the nearby café and busied themselves with their phones as they waited for their ride.
The Loch arrived right on schedule. As soon as the girls boarded the train and settled on their seats, Astrid couldn't help but marvel at the interior. The upholstery looked like an airline's first-class cabin: two large seats at each side of the carpeted aisle. A small table filled with refreshments flanked the sides of the seats. The train was divided into 3 departments: Economy, Business, and Carriages. Astrid and Stella were seated in the business section. The Economy section is the equivalent of business class in an airline. The Carriages were small rooms that housed a single bed, television, refrigerator, and a square desk that is commonly booked for long travels.
It took them nearly two and a half hour to reach their destination. An official Academy tram picked them up along with the other students at the station. After the roll call, the vehicle took off the road.
"Next stop, The Berk Academy. It'll be a 15-minute ride. Please settle down on your seats until we reach our destination. Thank you. " A robotic voice instructed in a monotone.
The Berk Academy is huge was an understatement. The prestigious academy is located in a 120-hectare island away from Berk's main island. The school and its grounds claimed 30-hectares of the land. The Academy has a dome-shaped building was encased in walls of an old castle. Its main entrance or the gateway, used massive pieces of black granite slabs that bricked its walls, and it stood 40-ft erect from the ground. Columns made out different minerals, stones, and iron towered each of the corners of the walls.
"Approaching main building," The robotic voice droned again through the speakers. The tram paused in front of a massive iron gate. After a few seconds, a thundering screech was heard and the gate slowly opened. The tram proceeded inside without a word from the driver, and soon the dome-shaped building appeared in a distance in its full glory.
From the center of its roof, was a statue of a black dragon. It was sprawled on its stomach-a reversed spreadeagle, its head fixed at direction of the main gateway. The dragon's hand and legs were extended in four directions: each reached at the base of the dome, which served as the building's main pillars. It looks like as if the dragon is going to take off, carrying the dome with it. The other parts of the dome building were filled with stained-glass panels and black heavy iron-grills from the roof to the ground.
The tram stopped in front of dome. Just like in the main entrance, its walls were also made from slabs of black stone. It stood imposing on its own and sent out an unwelcoming vibe.
Stella gaped at the edifice in awe from her window seat. The school she went to London could easily fit inside the main building itself. "Come on, girl. We don't want to be late." Astrid called out, standing off her seat and dismounted the vehicle. Stella followed suit.
As soon as the last student disembarked the vehicle, the tram took off and went back to gated entrance and soon disappeared into view. A bulky-looking man with blond hair and beard greeted the students and quickly ushered them in.
They were led into a Great Hall. Unlike it's stony and cold exterior, inside radiated with warmth and cozy vibe. Just like a log cabin in the middle of the woods.
Stella quietly surveyed the place. She was sitting beside Astrid who looked bored beyond her wits and was scrolling through her phone listlessly to pass time.
"This is pointless," Astrid complained. "We've been sitting here for at least an hour and half already and-." As if on cue, a burly woman emerged from the door on the other side of the threshold.
"Greetings!" The woman called out. "Sorry, I was late. I had to finish some tasks." She apologized in between breaths to the students who gathered in front of her. Stella and Astrid stayed behind the crowd, not moving from their seats.
The woman was at least 6ft in height and her dark brown hair was neatly organized in a bun. Her brown eyes, radiated with wisdom and warmth under her vintage square-shaped frames. She was dressed in long-sleeved dark-grey wool tunic dress that reached up to her knees, black leggings, and brown flats to finish her ensemble. On her neck, hung several layers of necklaces made of gold, silver, and different pendants made out of precious stones.
"First of all, I would like to introduce myself. My name is Dr. Phlegma Fierce, aside to be your biology professor, I will also be your guidance counselor." she smiled warmly at the crowd. Phlegma looked at least in her late 40's for there are streaks of grey on her dark brown hair. "If you have any questions, whatever it is, do not hesitate to come up to me and I will gladly answer them for you."
Astrid and Stella exchanged knowing looks. "Home sweet home, alright." Astrid snickered. "Berk has the most weirdest names." Stella agreed with an amused chuckle.
Phlegma gracefully crossed to the other side of the room, until she stopped in front of a massive intricately designed two-door, made out of red oak. She dug around her pockets and fished out a 3-inch black iron key. The students watched her every move without a peep. Without missing a beat, she inserted the key and opened the door. With a thundering creak, Phlegma turned to the students and beckoned them to her.
"Come on now, lads and lassies. Follow me." She disappeared into the doorway and passed through the doors. The students flocked the doorway, with the sisters following behind. The students pooled inside another room. Opposed to the Great Hall they were in a few minutes ago, the new area looked barren, except for four strange looking chairs that squat at the middle.
"Berk Academy or also know as The Academy, is the biggest and oldest school here in Berk. I think most, if not, all of you know that this is a prestigious school and not everyone can enter." "So do you know why?" Phelgma asked the crowd as soon as they have settled down in the center of the stonewalled room.
"Professor Fierce," A girl about 13 years old raised her hand, and Phlegma acknowledged her with a nod. "It is either by legacy, or association." She answered. The Professor gave her an approved grin.
"That is correct. But contrary to the common notion, it is more than that. Even if you're not a legacy, nor you were recommended, you can still enter the school. It is not limited to those two options only. Here in Berk, what we look for is talent. And of course, passion." She added. The students erupted in a chorus of whispers and hushed gossips.
"Any more questions?" Phlegma surveyed the crowd, "Okay, sit back and relax because your ride is about to start. I want you to form four lines please." The students did as what they were told and formed four lines without much of a protest.
"Before we send you off in your merry ways, we have to catalogue you first." Phelgma looked up from her tablet that she was holding. "It is quite hard to explain, but let me show you."
"The seats you see here are advanced in technology, there will be some test to define who you are and where you will be placed. Think of it as a personality exam. Just relax and it'll give the best results."
The chairs already looked strange and alarming from a distance, but upon closer inspection it looked way worse. Stella scrunched up her nose trying to decipher the strange object in front of her. It looked like something out of Frankenstein's lab. The four chairs were seated together side by side. Four-overturned olive green glass-bowls was hanging on top of each with different-sized and colored wires sticking out on its sides, connecting it to the machine behind the chairs. They look like an old-fashion electric chair, ready to fry their brains out.
"This is my assistant, her name is Mildred. She will be helping me to assist in this test." Dr. Phlegma ushered a petite curvy girl with curly chestnut brown hair and tan skin to take a seat on the chair. Stella internally cringed at sight.
Mildred wordlessly followed Phlegma's command and instantaneously sat on one of the chairs and fitted the glass gear into her head. The machine behind her roared to life, emitting a sound of static and gears whirring. A few minutes later, the machine's light bulbs lit in different colors. And robotic voice broke the silence that settled into the room. "Results: Stand by." The light bulbs lit again in succession.
"Boulder, Gronkle." The machine's voice droned on. "Dreki." It added. The machine then simmered down, indicating the test was over. Mildred gently lifted the fragile gear off her head and rose up from her seat. She then took the position beside Dr. Phlegma, staring into the crowd with a small smile gracing her delicate features.
"You might be wondering what those group of words mean. Let me break it down for you, the first word is Boulder. This signifies in what house you will be sorted into. There are seven houses in TBA. Can anyone tell me?" Phlegma asked the crowd. One of the students raised his hand and looked nervously at her.
"Tidal, Boulder, Mystery, Strike, Tracker, Sharp, and Stoker." He said quite sheepishly.
"Correct!" Phelgma nodded her head approvingly. She looked over to Mildred and urged her to take over. Mildred took a step, and cleared her throat.
"Next is the word, Gronkle. It signifies the identity study you're supposed to take, given by your examination results. Your warrior training will also be based on this. Now the third word: Dreki." She surveyed the eager faces in the crowd. "You'll soon find out. " A series of groans flitted over the crowd, while Phelgma chuckled softly at the side.
"It's a bit complicated to explain." Mildred reasoned. "Okay, let's start the test! Please form four lines!" Phlegma beamed at the crowd. "Quickly, quickly!" She ushered the students and Mildred assisted them. The students did as what they are told. Stella and Astrid also lined up.
"Step on the platform, please." Mildred guided the first four students to the platform and helped them fit the gear on their heads. She checked if they were properly placed and the wires were intact. The machine whirred back to life and the light bulbs flashed again in succession. "Results: Stand by."
"Stoker, Terror." The robotic voice droned "Ryder." Phelgma quickly switched the machine off. "Sorry, it will only just be for a moment." She apologized at the students on the seats. Phlegma faced the other students again, "Now, you heard another classification which is Ryder." she started.
"There are two classification on the third one. It is either you be a Ryder or a Dreki. In layman's term: Viking and Dragon respectively."
"What? That's like crazy some master and pet thing?" The student sitting one of the chairs piped up and Phlegma shook her head.
"No, no. Vikings and Dragons are equals. To put in simpler terms, this will determine your place in the partnership system here on BA." She explained. The crowd listened to her curiously. She tapped her chin lost in thought, she was finding another way to explain this complex idea. Then she brightened.
"Uh….Oh! Let's put this in this perspective: the seven houses are considered the different buildings in a typical college setting. For example, Gronkle here would be Engineering, Stoker would be Business, Tidal would be Liberal Arts, something like that." She told the crowd. The students nodded their heads in understanding.
"Your identity study would be considered as your Major or your Degree. Under Tracker there would a lot of identity studies, like D. Nadder, Rumblehorn, Mudraker, etc." Phelgma continued,
"Another example would be under Sharp, there would be Timberjack, Stormcutter, and so on. For the partnership, A Ryder should have his or her Dreki, and a Dreki should have his or her own Ryder. Although, at some cases you have to understand that the Ryder has the choice to have or not to have a partner, while the Dreki it is strictly important for them to have a partner at under any cost. You'll learn about its specifics soon enough. Clear?" Phlegma shot Mildred a look, and the girl nodded in understanding. The machine was turned on again, with its lights flickering.
"Let's continue the examination then!" Mildred announced to the crowd cheerfully. The machine gave the results to the first few students in succession. And soon, another batch took the platform. It has been half an hour and the sisters were getting bored by the second, waiting for their turn.
"Ryder," was the only thing that Stella heard when she finally tuned in on the test results of the current batch of students in front of her. Astrid has a scowl plastered on her face. "This is taking forever." She groaned. Astrid was never the patient type. Soon it was finally her turn to take the platform. Stella watched her sister squirm on the chair uncomfortably as the glass bowl was fitted on her head.
"Tracker" The machine beeped and beeped. After a few more minutes, "Hybrid. Ryder." It continued. Stella cocked her head at the side, curious at the result. That's new, she thought to herself. Mildred looked absolutely shell-shocked at first then turned excited. Astrid was just sitting there indifferent at the reactions that elicited from the crowd.
"Interesting. It has been a while since we had a… hybrid." Phlegma helped Astrid off the chair, a big grin on her. Astrid looked at her quizzically.
"Don't worry, lass. It's a good thing. Hel, it's a great thing. Not all can be a hybrid." The Professor reassured her, and patted her shoulder with a laugh. Astrid just nodded her head and went to stand next to Stella who elbowed her on the rib cage, with a snicker on her face.
"Professor, what's a Hybrid?" One student asked and Astrid felt that eyes were on her. Phlegma adjusted her spectacles, and cleared her throat.
"All you have a specific identity study, correct? Hybrids can jump from one house to another. They could either be a Sharp or Mystery and would sit in just fine. Or they could be both." This elicited some hushed whispers from the students, and Phlegma smiled at them. "It's natural talent. Well, as expected from a Hofferson." She observed Astrid's reaction, but the girl's face was indifferent.
Another student raised her hand meekly, and addressed the professor, "Can you study all of the houses?"
"Being a hybrid is quite a feat itself. It takes a new level of skill and brains to be able to master two houses at the very least. But to master all of them, you have either to be a genius or be extremely skilled. " Phelgma replied. Students sneaked a glance at Astrid, some were openly gaping at her in awe, and some are already sending glares her way.
"So that's quite impossible, then." The student supplied. But Phlegma shook her head.
"Oh no, I didn't say that! But to put it into perspective, there is only one student in the History of BA that is known to be studying all of the houses. You'll be surprised. Anyways, let's resume." The professor clapped her hands together, signaling the end of the discussion.
Astrid raised an eyebrow. Who could have such talent? Better not getting in my way or else, she thought to herself.
"You okay?" Stella whispered into her ear, sensing that her sister was tensed. "Yeah, why wouldn't I be?" Astrid replied, as she was jolted from her thoughts, and noticed that the girl named Mildred was looking at their way. "Anyways, I think it's your turn." Stella nodded and climbed up the platform.
As soon as Mildred fitted the glass bowl over head, Stella felt extremely uncomfortable with everyone's eyes on her. She also felt slightly bit pressured since Astrid, as usual, topped it off.
"Tracker, Nadder." The machine whirred. A series of lights flashed and then stopped, Stella waited in baited breath. "Dreki." It finished. Astrid's eyes widened in surprise and her brows knitted in confusion. While Stella, kind of felt a bit disappointed that she didn't get to be a hybrid just like her sister.
"Dreki? There must be some kind of mistake…" She directed the question to Phlegma. Worry creasing her features.
"Hmm…" Dr. Fierce looked at the results on the screen, and scrolled through them. "Nope, it says on the results that she's a Dreki." She turned back to the girl, confirming the result.
Astrid visibly, looked shell-shocked. Mildred gave her a small apologetic smile, and continued herding the next batch of students to the chairs.
"Is there something wrong?" Stella asked her sister, as she returned beside her. Astrid flinched and gave her sister a small smile.
"No, not all. I-I was just surprised that's all. I thought you'd be Ryder, too."
"Kinda hard to step out from shadow now huh, sis?" Stella joked and nudged her on the side. Astrid rolled her eyes and pushed her sister back and laughed.
"Oh, shut it."
As soon as the results were given, the students were again herded back to the Great Hall. Phelgma Fierce started to pass around small boxes made from black velvet. Inside, you can find a round gold flat pin, as big as a dollar coin, with the TBA's insignia and the specific house mascot carved on it.
"Now each of you has an emblem. There are seven houses in the Academy. These houses will serve as your dormitory and identity until you graduate from this school. Is that understood?"
After each student received his or her emblem, the professor also passed around a medium-sized black matte boxes with academy's logo stamped on the lid, which contained the uniforms. Stella opened her box and pouted, "And I thought we'll be wearing civvies." She muttered disappointedly. "This is still part of UK, so I don't know why you thought it would be any different." Astrid laughed.
When everything seems to be in check, Phlegma checked her tablet again. And delivered the last of her welcoming speech.
"Ah, before I forget, you have to be given a warrior alias, a "nickname" as what you might call it." The children gave her confused looks. "I am afraid, you have to ask your house prefects for a brief introduction on that, as I have another duty to finish. All of you are dismissed and have a great stay here at BA." Dr. Fierce noted to the direction of seven pairs of students each wearing their house colors near the door, and left the room in a hurry with Mildred towing behind.
"A nickname?" Stella looked at her sister confused. Astrid shrugged her shoulders, "Beats me."
"The school's a bit funny, why'd you think granddad forced us here?" Stella fiddled with the emblem. Before Astrid could reply, a girl, maybe a year older than Astrid approached them.
"Hi," She started out, her long red bangs covering her left eye. She wore her hair in a short bob. The two sisters snapped their attention to her. "You must be the Hofferson sisters. I heard so much about you two." The girl gushed. "My name is Dagny, and I'm the house prefect for Tracker class."
"Hey, Astrid. " Astrid greeted her.
"And, I'm Stella! Pleased to meet you!" Stella took her hand and happily shook it. "Oh, you don't have your berkian aliases yet?" Dagny looked nonplussed. Astrid cocked an eyebrow at her reaction.
"Yeah, just like most of the students here…right?" Stella asked her confused.
"Legacies usually have their names given to them at an early age. It is especially prevalent in clans. And since Hoffersons are one of the most oldest here on Berk, I figured that you already have them."
"Oh, I see." Astrid replied nonchalantly. "Besides we didn't get to ask our parents since they died two years ago on a freak accident. We just moved back here on Berk." Stella supplied.
"That is very…unfortunate. The Admiral, he may have inkling on it. But don't worry! If you don't have them, then you'll get your nicknames after Loki's Trial or the initial examination" Dagny chuckled. This made Stella more confused more than ever. "Initial examination? For what?" she asked.
Dagny gave a small smile. "I'll explain it some other time. I'm late for my next class. Our dormitory is North of the Great Hall, go left, you'll pass by the garden until you reach the end. You'll see the dorm house there. Your luggage should also be there by now." Dagny started walking away and stopped. She turned around and shouted at the two girls, "Oh! Classes will start at 9:00 am tomorrow, don't be late!" with that she jogged out of the Hall thru the south exit.
"Sooo, want to check out our room?" Stella asked Astrid when crowd thinned out of the hall. The new students were already looking for their dorms. The said girl was still lost in thought. Her sister has been acting quite standoffish ever since the Catalogue.
"Uh, sis? You look pale, are you sure you're-"
"You go ahead and check the rooms, I'll follow you in a minute. I just have to talk to the administration for my schedule." Astrid walked towards the west side of the hall, and gave Stella a ghost smile. Stella nodded at skeptically but choose not to push it.
When Astrid disappeared from the Hall, Stella rummaged through pockets and fished out a crumpled piece of paper. She opened it and studied the guide. "Hopefully, they have good bathrooms." She grumbled and proceeded to the north exit of the Great Hall.
Finn Hofferson took a swig of his brandy as he watched the leaves outside the window of his office, dance to the wind. Albeit the calm vibe he has as his front, a storm was raging inside. Any second now, he thought to himself, as he took note of the seconds ticking in his pocket watch.
"Admiral!" Astrid stormed inside. Finn swiveled his around and finished the last of his brandy to greet his granddaughter. He also took note of the scowl on her face.
"Please take a seat. I want to congratulate you for being a hybrid." He gestured to one of the bergere (it's a chair) in front of his desk. Astrid crossed her arms over her chest and stood rigid in her place.
"That's what not I'm here for." There was bitterness in her voice "…Did you know?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about, lass."
"I have a goddamn feeling that you know!" Astrid lost her temper and slammed the desk. But the Admiral wasn't startled at the sudden burst of emotion.
"She-She's a…she's a… Dreki, granddad!" Her eyes were filled with worry and agitation. Finn sighed and got up from his seat. He walked towards the window and stared at the horizon.
"It showed." It was soft as a whisper but Astrid heard it, which sent her into overdrive.
"What do you mean, it showed?! You do know about this!" Astrid raged and demanded for an explanation, even if it means she'll make someone bleed. Finn decided to finally tell her the truth.
"I'm not sure if you can remember, but when you and Stella were children, our military men were hunting for vessels for an advance DNA regeneration program. They need strong bloodlines in order to make this work. If not, they need vessels who are willing to give themselves up." Astrid looked so lost, but she listened intently. Finn continued.
"They were building warriors for the military with metahuman abilities to be used as weapons. It was a very dangerous procedure that cost someone their life if the body rejected the serum." Astrid's eyes widened. "B-But, what does that have to do with Stella?"
"It wasn't supposed to be Stella. They wanted Galvin. I couldn't do anything." Finn gazed at the horizon again, replaying the haunting moment in his mind like a loop.
"We'll be back soon." A petite woman with long golden hair and grey eyes handed a wailing little girl to a younger-looking Finn. "Sassa, I think this is preposterous idea! Don't you think that they'll find you?!" The child only cried louder sensing the agitation around her.
"Hush now, Stella. Mum and Dad, will be back soon." Sassa kissed the child on the forehead and the little girl immediately stopped crying and snuggled into Finn's chest. "Da," the woman turned to a distressed Finn. "I have to do something. They'll be killing my child!" Finn stared at the bundle that his son-in-law is carrying. "Won't you reconsider this, lass? This is for the betterment of Berk. It is great honor to be serv-"
"Honor? What honor is this? The government is robbing these children their futures! Their fate is sealed, Da! You want that for my son? Your grandchild?" Sassa fury flooding her delicate features.
"Sassa, you and I both know that they would be ruthless if they found out. Don't be a traitor to Berk! You will be dead!" Finn tried to drill some sense into his daughter's head. Sassa huffed and walked away.
"I rather be dead, than to see them take my son! I will fight 'em bloody monsters as long as I live just to protect my children."
"Mum?" A little girl about five years old, with messy blonde hair and blue eyes came running out and hugged Sassa's leg. "Astrid, take care of Stella for a while. Mum and Dad needs to go somewhere." she hugged the little girl who gave her a curious look. "Galvin's going with you?" she asked. Sassa nodded and walked her to her grandmother.
"You'll be mum's little helper for the time being, alright?"
"'Supposed so." Astrid sighed, a bit disappointed that she's not part of the trip. She grabbed Finn's hand and watched Sassa climb the car. "Da, please, whatever happens keep them safe." Her eyes were pleading. Finn held on to his granddaughters tightly. "Please be safe." He whispered as the car revved out of the manor driveway.
The raids happened after that day. Children were taken from their homes. Some parents pleaded to spare their children from the war. Others gave theirs up for the sake of honor. The harvesting happened in sporadic instances. It was only a matter of time when the officials would come to the Hofferson home and collect the child. It befell on a Wednesday night, when everything was starting to die down.
Finn's heart raced in panic when he heard several knocks on their door, but as a veteran military warrior, he stayed calm. He nodded at Helga, who also projected the same calm demeanor as her spouse. He slowly opened the door and greeted young men dressed in black military uniforms.
"Admiral," one of the young officers greeted him with a salute. Finn nodded in acknowledgement. "Pardon to disturb you at this hour, but we've come to talk to the parents of Galvin Hofferson."
"Sorry to inform you, but the parents of Galvin are not here. Please leave, for you interrupted our sleep." Finn was already closing the door when a hand shot up and held the door.
"I beg your pardon, Sir?"
"They're not here. Finn told him off sternly. "Keep your hands off my door, lad."
"Sorry Admiral, but the rules are-"
"I know what the damn rules are! You cannot take the child without the parents' permission!"
The officers seemed to be taken aback "Actually Sir, we can." The young man pushed the door back and opened it forcefully. "Search the house!" he barked to his comrades who flooded inside the manor.
"This is my house! You have no right!" Finn bellowed, face red with rage. He never had been disrespected like that. "You have no right to question us, Admiral." The commanding officer handed him a paper and bounded up the stairs. Finn could not believe his eyes, the prime minister granted the extraction whether there's permission or not.
"Pawpaw?" Astrid peeked at the doorway of her room. "Astrid get back inside!" Finn commanded and ushered her in. "What's going on?" Astrid asked curiously. Her grandfather was acting strange. "Go inside, don't make a peep." The Admiral placed Astrid inside a wooden trunk.
"Are we playing hide and seek?" Astrid smiled at him, excitedly. The voices upstairs are getting louder. They'll come down, soon! Finn worried. "Yes, lass. Now, be quiet. So, Nana wouldn't know where you are. Count to 100 and you can come out." Finn kissed Astrid on her forehead and carefully closed the lid. He then took a small blanket and draped it over the trunk.
Footsteps were echoing down the stairs. The Admiral quickly stepped out the room and closed the door. He blocked the way and glared at the men with his arms crossed.
"Sir, the child's not here!" One officer emerged from the shelter outside the manor. "Admiral, where is Galvin? What you're doing is treachery! As ordered by the Prime Minister, you must comply with the rules!" The commanding officer angrily demanded.
"I don't know where they went!"
The commander officer sighed, "Then, we have no choice but to choose a replacement." Finn visibly balked. "There are no more male children!
"According to the new decree, female children are added to The Harvesting."
Finn heard Helga's scream at one of the rooms down the hallway. "Sir we found a child." Another officer came reporting back to their commander. With a nod, other officers jogged to the room. Finn rushed behind them, fearing for the worst. He grabbed his axe as he passed by his study.
"What are you doing?! Get your hands off her!" Helga was hell-bent and clutched the child to her chest. But one officer was tugging the girl's arm rather roughly, that made the little girl cry.
"Get your filthy hands off my granddaughter, or I'll blast yer buttocks off my house!" He wielded his axe in front of the officers. One suddenly pulled a gun and aimed at Finn. Helga suddenly stopped struggling and looked horrified.
"Try and stop us, you'll be dead. We do not take orders from you Admiral." Came the steely voice of the commander. "You should be glad to be given this privilege. Otherwise you'll be stripped of your titles and will be casted out of the island." Finn wasn't able to move, he has no problems being shot, but the bastard might harm his wife or the lass.
"He can't do that! That's dictatorship!"
"He already did, Sir." A cold smile graced the lips of the commander. "I suggest if you want to keep your honor and your family name, you do what is right." His assistant opened a briefcase and a stack of pictures to Finn.
It was pictures of generals and high-ranking officials who were murdered together with their families. Some are even children. Finn gritted his teeth, both of his hands are tied. He looked at Helga who was shaking her head in disbelief and clutched the girl tighter to her chest.
Finn looked at her apologetically. He can't win this battle. There's too much at stake.
"Go," Finn resigned and turned his back to them. Helga screamed again and thrashed as the officers pulled the child away from her.
"For honor," the commanding officer patted the crying child on the head. And injected her a syringe filled with green liquid. Stella convulsed for a minute then stopped and dropped on the floor completely knocked out. One officer pulled out stamp-like device and pulled up the girl's shirt, exposing her back. In one swift motion, the stamp met Stella's flesh and left an imprint.
"Phase One, complete. We'll be collecting her soon." Soon after that the officers left the manor. Helga dropped on the floor and cradled the child in between sobs.
The next day, Sassa, together with her husband immediately came home. It was Helga who broke the news to them. Sassa ran to Stella and stripped off her top. And at the little girl's back was a tattoo in the shape of Berk's crest.
"No!" Sassa wailed in disbelief. "Sassa ple-" Finn tried to talk to his adoptive daughter. Sassa turned around in rage to face the Admiral "This is all YOUR fault! You gave them permission! How could you, Da?!"
"I-I have no choice." Finn's head fell in shame. Sassa's body wrecked in sobs "You had a choice!"
"When?" she asked him, her eyes dead. Finn's eyes dropped to the ground. "When are they going to slaughter my child?!" She asked him again filled with agony. Finn sighed, "5 years from now, they'll collect Stella."
There was an impregnate silence afterwards. Stella stopped crying and became quiet. Finn tried to approach her. "Lass?"
"We're leaving." The woman said suddenly, her voice cold. "Sassa, please no, child." Finn pleaded and grabbed her by the shoulder. Sassa turned around and looked at her father in the eye, her face devoid of any emotion. "We. Are. LEAVING." She shrugged his hand off.
Her husband and Helga came rushing down the stairs with the luggage. Sassa picked up Stella, and grabbed a hold of Astrid's hand.
"Sassa! Don't do this!" Finn begged his daughter. He looked at Helga for help but his wife, looked away and went back up the stairs.
"I don't want to do anything with you or with this goddamn island. I'm taking my children and we're leaving this hell hole." Sassa deposited the children inside the car and climbed inside. Finn ran outside of the house with a pained expression on his face.
"Goodbye." She clicked the windows close and the car drove out of the driveway. Finn ran after the car, begging his daughter to come back.
"Sassa!"
That was a decade ago.
Finn was still looking out his window, that incident had haunted him forever. Even more so, when Sassa had died.
"Th-That's the reason why we left Berk. They were running away from this. And you brought us back?" It finally dawned on Astrid what her parents did for them, for Stella. This was never about the inheritance. Their grandfather will no doubt will throw them to the wolves!
"You let your own granddaughter turn into a weapon? What kind of a grandfather are you?! I-I should have not let you bring us here. We should have stayed in England!" she felt betrayed.
"You cannot change her destiny. She is what she is." Finn poured himself another drink, trying to drown out the nightmares.
"She'll be killed!"
"And she will die if you don't let nature take its course! It is only a matter of time Astrid when it will manifest!" The Admiral finally snapped. "You can hate me all you want lass, but I paid for the dues and I'm still paying for it. If I could only bring back time, I would have never let it happen." Astrid snickered and glared the old man in front of her.
Nobody spoke, and the Admiral returned to his usual cold and strict demeanor. Astrid on the other hand, kept her silence. Finn took a sit and arranged the papers on his desk.
"You are dismissed, Camicazi. Report to me after your training." Astrid just stared at him, and shook her head in disbelief. Even at the time like this, he addressed her as a soldier. She took her leave and walked to the door. Before she left, she turned around gave the Admiral a cold hard glare.
"Coward. No wonder mum left you." And slammed the door behind her. From inside the room, there was a sound of glass shattering.
Stay tuned for the next chapter! You'll meet the other dragons!
