Author's Note:
Hello all and here is the second chapter. Things start to kick off this chapter as two characters make their appearance. Thank you those who've favourited, reviewed and followed this story so far and I hope you enjoy the chapter.
I own nothing.
Chapter 2
Snotlout sat in the arena, largely daydreaming as Hiccup waffled on about something or other.
He'd thought his cousin had wanted them all there early so as to do some sort of long flight or training exercise, not sit around and listen to him lecture them. He may complain furiously about Hiccup's training exercises but he freely admitted they were far more interesting than running over the theory and the Book of Dragons for the umpteenth time.
Personally, he thought they discovered more about dragons by going out and actually finding them, the amount of times the book had been wrong or had missing information was so ridiculously often, they might as well burn the thing and start from scratch. Then, Fishlegs could entertain himself by writing it and not look down upon him all the time because he didn't know every stupid dragon fact there was!
He really couldn't be bothered with this.
Yawning very conspicuously, he waited for his cousin to notice and respond, hopefully helping to relieve some of his boredom at the same time. He was surprised when Hiccup didn't react to his blatant display of lack of interest and he looked at the other teen in confusion.
Hiccup had actually stopped talking and was simply stood there, wiping his forehead with his hand and slightly swaying.
"What's up fishbone, are you about to faint?"
He'd said the words mockingly, hoping that his cousin would roll his eyes and give a sarcastic retort as he usually did, but instead, the boy frowned, "It's just really hot."
Snotlout scoffed, "C'mon, it's not that hot!"
"Seriously Snotlout, can't you feel it?"
He glanced at Astrid, realising that she was also wiping her head, her face flushed red. He looked around at the others, seeing them all reacting similarly. Fishlegs was even more flushed than Astrid and he was frantically fanning himself with one of his many books while the twins had taken shelter under Barf and Belch's wings, hiding in the shade. Ruffnut was lying on her front as she also spoke, "Okay, I know I say that Berk could stand to be warmer occasionally but this is ridiculous!"
Tuffnut was sat up, flapping his hand to try and send cool air into his face, "I know, it's like sitting in a sauna, or a volcano, or maybe a volcano sauna! Like a saucano or a volna!"
Hiccup had sat down, Toothless shading him with his wings, and he frowned at Snotlout, "You honestly don't feel how hot it is?"
Snotlout shrugged, yeah it was warmer than Berk usually was and he had shed his outer fur vest, but it wasn't so warm it was affecting him the way it was the others, "Not at all." He smirked, "I'm the real Viking after all, a little heat is nothing for me, unlike you wimps."
The fact that no one responded to his jibe told him there was a serious issue and worry flashed through him. He studied Hiccup's features carefully and saw that he was flushed from the heat like the others and was sweating as much. Looking around revealed that it wasn't just the teens, even the dragons seemed to be feeling the heat and that was a major problem. If creatures with fireproof skin that breathed flames were too hot, then it was seriously warm!
"Hiccup!"
Stoick's voice came from the entrance and Snotlout turned to see him walking their way.
Even the chief was showing the effects of the high temperature, he was as red as the others and would continuously rub his arm across his forehead to wipe away the sweat. Hiccup slowly looked up at his father, "Dad?"
"We're moving everyone down to the north beach." Stoick stated, "Its shaded from the sun and the water is cold, we're using it to cool ourselves off in this heat."
Hiccup nodded, "Okay, we'll make our way there as well."
His father smiled, "Good." He glanced up at the sky, "Hopefully this heat will die down as we get closer to nightfall." He frowned, "I've never known Berk to ever be this hot before."
The north beach was packed with Vikings trying to avoid the heat and many were submerging themselves in the ocean to cool off. Most of the teens had immediately gone to join them but Snotlout sat on an outcrop of rocks watching.
He still didn't feel as hot as everyone else but he didn't understand why. Even Hookfang, a Stoker Class dragon, was in the sea to escape the heat but he wasn't bothered. It was hot but the heat wasn't that much different from sitting close to the fire, why was everyone else so much hotter?
Help…
Snotlout nearly fell off the rocks in surprise, who was that? He glanced around but there was no sign of anyone needing help. Perhaps he'd been hearing things.
It burns…!
He looked around again, he'd definitely heard that! Where was it coming from? Frowning, he checked the area carefully, thinking it could be the twins trying to prank him. He then spotted them both trying to drown each other in the sea some distance off so it certainly wasn't them.
Burning…!
It was louder this time and he fixed his eyes towards the mountain. He was sure the voice had come from that way and something in him really wanted to find out what it was. Slowly, he slipped off the rocks and padded up the beach, his departure going unnoticed by the Vikings of Berk. He entered the forest and wandered through the trees, some instinct pulling him on.
Help me…!
His pace quickened and he hurried onwards, the pull getting stronger the further he went. He had no idea what he was doing and in other circumstances, he'd probably turn and run the opposite way. This time however, he couldn't ignore the voice and he wasn't even considering how dangerous what he was doing was.
His path brought him to a cave that ran down deep into the mountain and he could feel the heat pouring out. He didn't know why, but he was certain that this was where the unnatural heat all over Berk was coming from. He hesitated at the cave mouth, whatever was calling out and whatever was causing the heat was inside, he had no idea what lay within and he considered turning back and telling the chief about what he'd found.
I can't stand it! Help me, PLEASE!
Without a second thought, Snotlout ran into the cave.
It was definitely much hotter inside the cave and Snotlout could feel himself sweating buckets.
Regardless, he kept going, the strange pull taking him onwards as the tunnel wound down and down into the mountain. An odd glow permeated the stone, lighting everything with a dull red colour, and while he had no idea how it was happening, he was glad it was since he had no torch.
Eventually, the tunnel levelled out and widened as the glow increased. Snotlout's pace slowed and he tentatively moved forward, caution dictating his steps. The tunnel opened onto a massive cavern, filled with bright, bubbling lava and an intense heat like he'd never seen before. He didn't realise that the heat should've already killed him, that something was somehow protecting him, instead, he focused on the mighty ring of rock that sat at the cavern's centre. Whatever had been calling him, it had to be there.
"Hello!"
His fearful voice echoed in the vast space but he received no answer, there was an edge just ahead of him and he peered over to see if there was a way down. What he found however, was nothing but a steep drop straight into the lava, causing him to hastily back away. There was clearly no one here, perhaps the heat had actually got to him and he'd been imagining things. He really needed to get back to the beach and cool off with everyone else.
Help me…
He looked to the central rocks, there was the voice again! Who was calling him?
It burns…
There came a low rumble and the lava in the centre bubbled viciously.
It burns me!
The voice was getting louder and the ground beneath him started to shake, the whole cavern rumbled and several boulders were shaken loose and fell.
It keeps burning!
The shaking became more violent as the lava roiled and churned chaotically, Snotlout staggered about until he gripped the wall for support.
IT BURNS!
Suddenly, a column of flame erupted from the centre, sending waves of lava rushing throughout the cavern. The area shook so violently that Snotlout was convinced it could be felt all over Berk and boulders rained down from the ceiling. An inhuman roar resounded in his ears and a pair of massive, clawed hands burst out of the flames. The fires died, revealing a mighty, beastlike form behind them.
It was huge, towering over him as it stood on two, powerful, tree-trunk like legs. It somewhat resembled a lion but its body was covered with rippling muscles and its crimson mane poured down its back. The rest of its fur was burnt brown, though it had cuffs of crimson fur around its wrists, and its four paws were surmounted with dangerous claws. It bared its sharp canines in a snarl and two long horns, protruded from its head and curved backwards, heightening its savage appearance.
A pair of glowing, yellow eyes looked down upon him and Snotlout gulped and backed away slightly. The beast snarled and swiped down with its paw and only the teen's quick reflexes saved him from being crushed. He immediately high-tailed it towards the exit but a fireball impacted right in front of him, throwing him backwards.
"WHAT THE…!?"
The beast roared and another, massive fireball formed between its hands, it held them aloft, its intent obvious and Snotlout instinctively covered his head, certain that he was about to die. He heard the roar, heard the attack be thrown down upon him and he awaited the inevitable...but it never hit.
The teen nervously lifted his head and saw that he was being protected by a dome made from the most unlikely substance.
Ice.
He sensed someone standing over him and he turned to see a towering, blue-haired woman, her hands uplifted as if she'd just cast a spell. She wore a long blue robe and her skin was icy white, she looked down at him with pale, crystal-like eyes and smiled.
"Do not fear child, I am here."
PS-So, who are the two beings that have appeared? I'm pretty sure many of you can guess. Please let me know what you thought and I'll hopefully update soon.