Author's Note: Hey, guys! I'm back with another chapter! This time, I focus on the origins on Tyrion, and how he was able to escape the ancient city of Arabia. I still have not decided a proper dragon breed that Tyrion can ride, as I am busily researching good breeds for him to try out. If you have any suggestions, feel free to leave a comment!
With much ado, let's get on with the story! Thanks to all who favorited and followed! I'm so excited to be writing this!
Disclaimer: I do not own How To Train Your Dragon. All respected characters, places, and dragons belong to their respected owners. All rights reserved.
The sands…
The sands of time…
Unending…
Unyielding…
Undying.
They are all that stand between and us and death.
Tell me.
What do they ask of us…?
Do they desire death?
Do they desire salvation?
I don't know…
Please…
Help him.
Location: Hiccup and Astrid's Bedroom
Time: One Hour before Morning
"…he's waking up!"
Hiccup groaned as he held his forehead in irritation as he woke up. He had remembered falling…then…that same dream. Now, he was back in bed, vision still blurry and voices muffled as he slowly returned to consciousness. "W…Wha…?" Hiccup muttered as he buried his face in his pillow, as Hiccup's head immediately was bombarded with a terrible migraine. Urgh, take the bite of an angry Stormfly, multiply it by ten, and you got the sum of the pain Hiccup was feeling right now.
The cross, which had stopped glowing, was resting near the desk where Hiccup wrote his maps of the uncharted world. Toothless gave a soft whimper as he nudged Hiccup's arm, seemingly droopy and lifeless, drained of energy. After Hiccup fell unconscious, Astrid flew Toothless towards Berk, and immediately found Valka, Hiccup's mother, who was currently tending to Cloudjumper in the Dragon Hangar. After learning of her son's sudden collapse, she wasted no time in traveling with Astrid back to Hiccup's manor, a far distance away from Berk.
Along the right side of the bed, Astrid brushed away a few tears, as she held her lover's hand, still trying to hold on what energy he still had left. It was all so sudden; it was a nightmare. Hiccup's lifeless body was barely moving; deprived of life? What power…what could have done this to him? To her Hiccup?
The bedroom door suddenly creaked open, with Valka carrying a warm bowl of water and a damp cloth around her arm. Cloudjumper slowly strode in, quietly taking Toothless under a comforting wing. The two dragons slowly strode over towards the dark corner of the bedroom, trying to get a comforting sleep. It had been a stressful night, and they needed some sleep.
Valka sighed as she wet the washcloth with the water, and gently turned Hiccup's head, wiping it on his forehead. "Gods…I didn't know this happened." Valka muttered as she felt the side of Hiccup's throat. Burning hot, and sweating heavily. "Did you know what caused this, Astrid?"
Astrid gulped back a few tears, and cracked, "I…I-I d-don't k-know…One minute h-he was awake and o-okay… And, n-next thing…"
Valka calmly crouched next to Astrid, and place a gentle grip on her shoulder. "There, there," Valka comforted, "It's alright. Only just a short fever. It'll be better by the afternoon."
Astrid cleared her throat, then brushed her hair back. "S-Sorry, Valka, I-I'm just…shocked. I….I think it's that trinket he found on the shore a few days ago…"
Trinket? Valka stood up as Astrid pointed towards the desk where the cross was placed. As Valka walked over and picked it up, she carefully perused over the design. These strange markings…Could it be? No…It had been too long ago…
"M-Mom…? A-Astrid…?"
Both women quickly rushed over to Hiccup's side as he tried to get up, resting his head upon the dashboard for support. Astrid threw her arms around him, crying, "Oh, Hiccup!" Valka chuckled as she wiped Hiccup's brow with the washcloth. 'It seems you're a fast patient, my son. The only person I know who could recover quickly like that was your father." She commented thoughtfully.
Hiccup gave a chuckle, as he scratched the back of his head. "Well, guess Dad knew which genes to put in me, eh?"
Astrid quickly held Hiccup's face in her hands, scanning for any bumps of bruises he might have. "Hiccup," she urgently question, "Are you ok? How's your head doing? Do you feel any drowsiness? Any fuzzy vision?"
Hiccup smiled as he gently brushed a hair off of his girlfriend's beautiful face. "It's alright, Milady. I'm fine."
That careless response earned him a slug in the arm, which surprised Hiccup as he yelped in shock. "Stop playing games with me, Hiccup! That trinket! It did something to you!" Astrid bellowed, obviously afraid of Hiccup's current condition, not trusting the quick recovery. "I need to know if you're alright, and-"
Her voice was silence by a quick peck on the lips by Hiccup, and she sat there next to him, her mouth agape. "Trust me, Astrid." Hiccup replied with a grin. "It's just a small migraine. I think I can manage."
Astrid quickly buried her face into his shoulder, Hiccup's arm gently caressing her back in assurance. "Why do you have to go and do stupid things, Hiccup? It's going to get you killed…" She sniffled in a muffled voice.
"We're Vikings. It's an occupational hazard."
Another slug came at Hiccup's arm, as he groaned in pain. "Gods…I think you're gonna break my arm pretty soon…" Hiccup moaned, "The poor thing is already beat up as it is…"
Astrid looked up at Hiccup, and gave a small grin. "Good," she affirmatively replied, "That way you'll always be here. Forever."
Valka watched as the two bonded over Hiccup's fast recovery. Such glad remembrances made her think of the love she and Stoick shared when he was alive. You should be proud of Hiccup, Stoick, Valka thought. He has grown into quite the Viking himself. I could never be more proud than any mother could over her son's accomplishments.
Astrid quickly got up, and walked over to Valka. "Thanks for coming on such short notice." She thankfully said. "Hiccup's lucky to have a mother like you.
"And, Hiccup is lucky to have a wife like yourself." Valka replied with a smile. "I would be proud to call you my daughter-in-law."
Suddenly, a roaring screech came from outside the Personal Hangars of the Manor. Stormfly, ready for a morning flight and breakfast. Astrid quickly rushed towards Hiccup's side, gave him a small peck on the cheek, and whispered, "Gotta go. Morning chores. Don't go anywhere today. The gang got training covered. Love ya." She then bid farewell to Valka, then exited the bedroom, heading to the washroom to prepare for the day.
Valka quietly sat at the edge of the bed, feeling Hiccup's forehead as she checked his temperature. Still warm, but, bearable. Hiccup smiled at his mother, as he noticed the cross in her hand. "Can't believe that cross knocked me unconscious, huh?" Hiccup joked as he sunk back into bed.
Valka sighed as she closed her eyes. She had seen this cross before. Yes, she needed to tell Hiccup. Valka promised to tell her son all the secrets she knew; as a sign of trust that was building up between the two. However, she wondered how would she tell him this secret? And, more importantly…How would he respond?
She guessed she'll have to make do of what goes along.
"Hiccup," Valka began, as she held the cross in both of her hands. "There's something I need to talk to you about. I'm afraid you're going to have to listen very carefully."
Oh no. Was it…THAT talk, Hiccup thought? Because it was too early for a marriage contract between him and Astrid. They promised to marry one year after the incident was over, and a marriage right now would ruin the total balance of tasks in Berk.
Hiccup, frowning, tucked himself in the sheets, preparing for the confrontation that was ahead. "Okay, Mom. Fire away." He nervously replied, praying to Odin it wasn't about marriage.
And, so, Valka began her long lost secret.
"It all began so long ago…Back, when I first arrived at the Dragon Sanctuary. Your father and I, before the Dragons took me, we wanted a family. And, we didn't want you to be an only child. So, we planned to have a second child. But, Hiccup came first before the other, and we didn't know if we would have time to prepare for the second. But as Cloudjumper landed in the Sanctuary, I felt a painful twinge in my stomach. I thought it was the trip back, but…it was a kick."
"Hiccup. You have a younger brother."
Hiccup bolted up, his eyes wide open, and slowly filling his tears. Could it be…was there really another Haddock out there? "W-What h-happened when you had h-h-him…" He stammered, too shocked to say anything else.
Valka closed her eyes, and stood up, holding the cross tightly in her hands. She could feel her emotions get the better of her, as tears began to form in her eyes. "It was a healthy baby boy… The Dragons nursed him to peak health, and I could still remember his little face as he quietly sucked gently on my teat…Tyrion. I named him Tyrion, Son of Haddock, as a reminder of our proud family. It was going to be well…I would raise my son to live amongst the Dragons…But…"
Hiccup could hear his mother quietly sniffle, causing him to stumble to his feet, Toothless rushing over to help him. "Mom….What happened? Tell ME!" He yelled, too pained to figure out what would happen next.
Valka turned towards Hiccup, a tear rolling down her face.
"It all happened too soon. An Ancient Dragon arrived at the Sanctuary. A magnificent creature, whose scales were as pale as the shifting sands. It walked over to me…And…And…"
Hiccup opened his mouth to say something, but he could barely make anything out as he heard Valka's final words.
"The Dragon took him, my son. Into the Ancient Desert, where it is said the first descendants of Dragons and Humans have said to have lived."
Hiccup fell to his knees, tears streaming down his face. He had a brother…And, now, he was taken away, towards a barren wasteland where the bones of ancient dragons were fading away. His mother couldn't do anything to stop it? She just sat there as it took away his only brother, a companion, a friend he could have had ever since he had found Toothless?
No. She could have done something.
She SHOULD have protected him.
"Why…" Hiccup choked, emotions clouding his better judgment, "Why didn't you do something? WHY!?"
Valka quickly rushed towards Hiccup's side, helping him up back to his bed. "Hiccup...I tried to get up. I swear to you, if could replace my body with his, I would. But…the pains of childbirth were too great…I fainted as he came over your brother. By the time I awoke, he was already gone….Hiccup…please…"
Hiccup bit his lip, remembering his manners towards his own mother. She was right. There was nothing she could have done in those circumstances. Such energy was not meant to appear so quickly after childbirth. Yet, still. Something could have been mustered, out of desperation to save his only brother. But, now, it was all said and done.
Hiccup knew what to do. But, first, he needed more information.
"Do you…" Hiccup question in a calm tone, looking at his mother with desperate eyes. "Do you know where I can find out more about these Ancient Dragons? And the Ancient Desert. I have to find my brother, Mom. I have to."
"Son, there have been no records of these Dragons for centuries. The civilization they served under has been buried away for centuries."
Great. A dead end. No helpful information there.
"But, there is one thing that can help you. My old Sanctuary. The crystals there contain ethereal powers of old."
Hiccup smiled as his mind was already formulating a plan. The migraine was long gone. Now, he had a new task: find his brother, and bring him back to Berk.
"Hiccup," Valka quickly spoke, putting both hands on her son's shoulders. "I'm sorry. I…I should have told you this from the moment we first met! Please…I don't want this to ruin my chances of becoming a part of the family again."
Hiccup smiled, as he held his mother's hands with affirming ease.
"Hey, Mom. Dad wasn't exactly the perfect father as I was growing up. I learned to deal with being second best. It's not your fault if you wanted to keep it hidden away from me. Besides, I could have lost you and Dad, if I was too distracted. But, now, look! I'm the Chief, and I have more time now to find my long-lost brother than ever before. So, Mom…Thank you for telling me."
Valka smiled, as she hugged her son, with Hiccup returning the hug with affirming ease. "Your father was right," she replied, with a motherly tone. "You do have the makings of a chief. And, you can always count on my undying support to you and your brother."
Hiccup grinned as he got up from bed, still wobbly over last night's ordeal. "Erm, Hiccup," Valka chastised in a stern tone, "You're still a little shaken from that fall of yours. It would be wise to get some rest."
Hiccup grinned as he got his flight suit and helmet out of his closet. "Since when has that stopped me?" He replied. "Besides, my brother is out there somewhere, and I'm not going to leave him behind!"
Hiccup gave a high-pitched whistle, and Toothless's perked up, signaling to head towards the Hangar and get ready for a flight. As Toothless bounded down the stairs, Hiccup went over to his mother and gently placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Just…don't tell Astrid where I've gone. She's going to throw a fit once she sees me out of bed." He quietly whispered, just high enough for Cloudjumper to hear, and give a confused growl.
Valka smirked, giving a tsk as she shook her head mockingly in disappointment. "Trying to escape your wife, my son? You'll never hear the end of that one on your wedding day."
"Think of it as…an exploration venture. I'll be home by supper."
"Hiccup. Wait." Valka quickly took something out of her pocket, as she placed it in Hiccup's hand. "Take this. If you find your brother, show him this. You both have the same birthmarks on your shoulder."
Hiccup stared at the charm his mother gave him. It was the Haddock symbol, a bolt of lightning. As he rolled up his left sleeve shoulder, he could see that the birthmark on his skin was the same shape as the charm. It would be useful when trying to find his brother. If he could.
Hiccup grinned, and gave his mother a quick hug. "Thanks, Mom." He then turned towards the washroom, preparing to set off on another adventure. "I'll find my brother, I promise!
Valka smiled as he closed the door behind him, his metal leg clanking down the stairs as he went to get ready for his flight to the Dragon Sanctuary. Valka smiled as Cloudjumper crawled right next to her. It would be a perilous task for Hiccup, trying to find his brother. But, in the end, she believe he would do it. He stopped the Red Death. He defeated Drogo. What else he couldn't do?
"Don't worry, Cloudjumper." Valka sighed as she petted her Dragon. "Hiccup will find Tyrion. I know he will."
Place: Ancient Desert, City of Arabia
Location: Sun Temple of The Primarch, Entrance
Time: Morning
"Ever figure out what that mark on your shoulder stood for?"
Tyrion sighed as he trudged along the sandstone paths of towards the temple, taking a quick look at his left shoulder, noticing the lightning bolt mark. Erikson, slowly hovering next to his left, noticed the sudden mark, curiously wondering what it was for. It was abnormal to be born with marks like those, but they did have literal meaning.
"The Physician said it was a birthmark," Tyrion casually replied, uninterested at the mark on his skin. "It was said to have been a symbol that was supposed to tell me more about my parents, but, frankly, I barely know anything about them."
"Well," Erikson replied thoughtfully, the cloud growing bright yellow to indicate thoughtfulness, "I do have a history of my life with Vikings. Perhaps, once you find your family, it will be easier to communicate with them, once you learn of their ways and customs."
Tyrion narrowed his eyes, and glanced skeptically at the specter. "You really expected me to learn all about my culture in one sitting? Wow, I must have really "great" potential if you guys brought me back from the dead."
"I'll take that answer as a yes, then." Erikson happily replied. "What would you like to know?"
Tyrion kicked a rock out of the way with his leather boots, as the road was covered with sand and rubble. Might as well listen, he thought, if it gets him to shut up. "I'll start with where these Vikings are located, if you please."
"Very well. We hail from Berk, a frosty, frigid land that's mainly covered by snowfalls and sometimes torrential downpours. We live off the edge of a very stormy coast, because the last chieftain was a full blown warrior who wanted to get his hands dirty at every chance he got."
Tyrion rolled his eyes. Rampaging brutes looking for conflict. Typical. "Continue."
"We're mainly a war-like people, if we're not fighting dragons or whatever beasts we come across, we're practicing with our weapons. Axe, spear, sword, shield, even slingshot! You name it! Our smiths forge the best quality iron that your eyes can feast on! No finer weapons can come from the forges of Berk!"
Sweating blacksmiths dedicated towards war? Typical.
"If we're not busy fighting, we're either drinking to tales of epic battles, or feasting on roast mutton or a leg of lamb! Other than that…Erm…That's mostly our things to do?"
"That's it? Eat? Fight? Then, sleep? Is that really all Vikings do?"
Erikson laughed heartedly, his visage glowing bright canary, to indicate humor. "Aye, those are the things we're GOOD at. Other than those, we're just your normal people. Living on this earth like any other person."
"Wow…I'm…speechless."
"No need, lad. So, how about you? What's Arabia like?"
Tyrion took a deep breath, and then spoke his peace.
"From what I could tell, it's far more different what the Vikings actually have. The Children of the Sun pride ourselves in studying what the Sun gives us. Through it, we are able to reap its profits. To help understand our Glorious sphere, we study the different subjects of the world. Agriculture. Economics. Tactics. Espionage. Architecture. Geography. Surveying. We pride ourselves to expanding our horizons towards the far edges of the world."
"We just let the other guys find the technology for us, then, we just go by a "learning on the job" basis."
Tyrion turned towards Erikson, and smirked. "That would make you…unintelligent, would it not?"
Erikson sighed, as he glowed blue, signaling disappointment. "Tyrion, a word on Vikings. The only way the want to solve problems it to put an axe through their skull. I was actually one the ones that wanted to see the world; find out why things work, why dragons fly…To find the finer things in life, you know?"
Perhaps Erikson isn't as brutishly illiterate as he actually appears to be, Tyrion thought. "I certainly can't agree with you more, Erik. You don't mind if I call you that, do you?"
"No mind to that, Tyrion." Erikson turned towards the grand temple doors, which were standing right in front of the steps.
"We're here."
Tyrion pushed open the doors, opening with a resounding creak that shook the hallways, sand slowly plummeting to the ground. A circular discus stood in the middle of the temple, signifying the infinite life the Sun brought towards Arabia. The temple itself, was ancient, yet still magnificent. Pillars of sandstone towered and held up the roof of the temple. Colored windows made of brittle glass shone a kaleidoscope of colors down upon the floor below.
Tyrion knew this place too well. It was his old temple, where he learned to become a warrior. A Vanguard of the Light.
"Say, Tyrion," Erikson questioned as he floated over towards the discus, floating around it as he studied the intricate markings on the edge. "Do you know what this is?"
"That's the Eternal Ellipse." Tyrion replied, resting a hand on the circular monument. It was the first sight he saw as a child when he first entered here. It signified the continuation of his growing life, and the never-ending circle of eternity. "We use it as a symbol to show that all things never end in this world. Even when the Sun sets."
"Well, Tyrion." Erikson floated back towards the boy, still remembering old memories of the past. "I think I might have found your way back to your homeland."
Tyrion crossed his arms, awaiting Erikson's proof. "Pray tell."
"These markings on the stone, they come across the ancient lettering of the Sun Gods. Fortunately, some of the symbols on this discus are similar to symbols on the Viking Alphabet."
"You actually studied Arabian Alphabet and implemented it into Viking Language?"
"My boy." Erikson glowed bright green with affirmation. "I invented the Viking Alphabet."
Tyrion raised his eyebrows in surprise, thankful that the gods had granted him an intellectual partner to work with. "Well, then, scholar, mind telling me what these symbols mean?"
Erikson turned back towards the discus and begins to read the description.
"In Arabian tongue, it reads, 'The Sun brings life, and with it, the path to redemption.' However, in Viking terms, it reads, "The God's power is unmatched, and a new route to the homeland awaits…"
"Meaning?"
Erikson glowed brightly yellow, focused with anticipation. "Hold on. Let me see if I can try something." With that, he disperses into the air, flowing into the discus. All Tyrion could do was patiently wait as he watched the Viking work his magic.
But, something felt wrong…
The temple was quiet…Too quiet…
The birds would not chatter. The lizard's patter could not be heard.
Stillness.
Darkness.
Lunar.
Tyrion could hear the temple door burst open, as a regiment of Lunar Soldiers surrounded him, shields at the ready, with their spears rested up top their shoulders. The Lunar had grown powerful since the Sun Battalion had fallen; now, they were an effective killing force, with no other objective than to slaughter the remaining survivors of Arabia.
Tyrion quickly muttered under his breath, "Erikson…This isn't going to end well if I get skewered…"
Suddenly, the ground began to shake under the soldiers. They tumbled to the ground, their heavy armor preventing them from getting up quickly from the massive tremors that shook the temple. In a flash ,the discus began to emit a bright light, slowly expanding into a portal, from which Erikson quickly appeared out of.
"Tyrion! JUMP!"
The young boy needn't had been told twice. He immediately leaped into the circle, and he, along with the discus, vanished in a bright explosion of light.
All Tyrion could feel was the sudden rush energy that flowed as he dematerialized into the unknown…
Location: Dragon Sanctuary
Place: Valka's Sanctuary
Tyrion tumbled onto the crystal floor, as he hit the wall with a deafening thud. He groaned as he tried to get his bearings, still fuzzy from that sudden trip. Vision blurred; noise deafened; and body was shaking. He wasn't in Arabia anymore. He was in the cold harsh environment of some sort of…cave. Not quite used to the treatment he received back in the desert.
"Well, that went well." Erikson rematerialized in the air, glowing a vibrant purple, to signify calmness. "How are you doing?"
Tyrion groaned as he tried to get up. "Oh, yeah, like being thrown from a mysterious portal doesn't hurt at all! Yeah, other than that, I'm "fine."
"You'll get used to the travel. Don't worry."
Tyrion began to take a few steps across the crystal, until, he notices something behind his belt. He detaches the object that was strapped behind him, revealing it to be a hammer. More like, a smithy's hammer. Tyrion didn't remember having this strapped to his back on the trip. Perhaps…
Turning behind him, Tyrion noticed a glowing anvil, embedded in the crystal floor. It was the Ancient Anvils of The Sun God. It was said to contain the memories of old, and to house to the true bearer an ancient power of old. Should he strike it?
Strike the anvil.
A voice resounded through the cave. Who was that?
Strike it?
No…It can't be.
Azir. You are the chosen one.
Tyrion felt himself walk towards the glowing object. His grip on his hammer tightened.
You will save us from the Lunar.
He approached the forge. The light pulsated with undying spirit, waiting for the final strike.
Save us all, Azir. It is your destiny.
Tyrion, using all of his might, brought the hammer down on the anvil.
A blinding flash.
Then…
Silence.
Author's Note: Ooh, cliffhanger! Wonder what will happen when Hiccup finds Tyrion already at the sanctuary? And, how much does Erikson know about the Vikings and his knowledge of Arabian culture? When Tyrion awakes, he is faced with an unfamiliar environment, and an unfamiliar face. When faced with strange foes, Tyrion's solitude will get the better of him, and will compel him to defend himself against any who would dare go up to him.
Thank you all so much for reading! I know this is my first story, but, I really wanna know what you guys think! Favorites, Follows, or Reviews are not necessary, but they are appreciated! Also, you can message me for any specific things you want me to add to this story! Or, suggest future chapter topics!
Thanks for reading! I'll see you in the next chapter, Brothers Unite!
-xXTheDevilandTheDragonXx
