Euphemism
- an inoffensive word or phrase substituted for one considered offensive or hurtful, especially one concerned with religion, sex, death or excreta
-the use of such inoffensive words or phrases
Jack scowled as he sat on a boulder.
The winter spirit and Hiccup just had a big fight a few days ago.
Sure, they would bicker and argue. But that was miniscule compared to the one Jack and Hiccup had recently.
That 'small' argument escalated into yelling and shouting. Hurtful and painful words were said, scarring into the soul and heart. Heated voices filled the air. Glares were directed at each other with such ferocity that neither had seen directed towards the other before.
Hiccup had realized it, he was about to apologize but Jack cut him off. The winter spirit spat venomous words before flying off, leaving icy tears in his wake.
The immortal spirit snapped back to reality and sighed. Maybe he had gone too far.
No, they both had gone too far. Hiccup was about to apologize and he just pushed him away, avoiding him for a few days.
Maybe this was long enough to cool him off.
He would come back, they would both apologize, then cry, then kiss or whatever, then everything would go back to normal right?
Right?
He flew back to the village, but saw no one there. There were broken shields and weapons and blood splatters scattered everywhere.
Red flags went up in the back of his mind when he heard voices coming from a distance.
He turned around to see most of the citizens of Berk at the docks.
He flew to the crowd, noting everyone was either crying or having grim faces on.
Jack spotted the Riders and flew to them. "What's going on?" he scanned through the faces of the crowd, but he couldn't find Hiccup. "Where's Hiccup?"
Astrid stepped forward, her face grim and her eyes were red and puffy like she cried recently. "We're…we're having a funeral," she said softly, "and about Hiccup…he…"
Jack felt dread rising up in the pits of his gut. "Tell me."
"He…" Astrid looked down, unable to face Jack to tell him the news. "He passed away(1)."
Jack's eyes widened. "What?"
"Hiccup's dead," Snotlout bluntly stated from behind Astrid.
"There was a battle against the Outcasts and the Beserkers, Jack," Astrid explained softly, still not looking at Jack, but if you look closely, there were a few tears running down the shieldmaiden's face. "Most of us just got minor injuries, but Hiccup…Hiccup was injured severely…He couldn't survive," she suddenly looked up at Jack, her eyes hard. "His last words were 'tell Jack that I'm sorry and I love him'."
Jack's world suddenly froze. He couldn't believe it.
No…
They must be joking right?
No…no…
A cruel sick joke.
No…no…no…
Jack turned around and saw in the middle of the water, was a raft with something covered by a blanket and full of Hiccup's stuff.
No no…no…
Every single last one of Hiccup's stuff.
No no no no no
Jack screamed. He tried to rush to the raft, to save Hiccup's body so he could at least bury it. To save at least one of Hiccup's stuff as a memento for all the good times they had.
Nonononononono
But they held him back. Even one of them grabbed his staff so he wouldn't try to use his powers.
NONONONONONO
Gothi ordered the archers to let loose the flaming arrows.
NONONONONONONONO
Jack could only scream and struggle and cry his eyes out as he witnessed the flaming arrows hit directly on target, and the fire quickly spread throughout the raft, burning everything before it sank to the bottom of the sea.
Both Hiccup's stuff and Hiccup's body with it.
NONONONONONONONONO
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Jack cried out in agony and anguish as he wept and was held back by Hiccup's friends and people.
He didn't get to say sorry.
He didn't get to say 'I love you' to him for the last time.
He didn't even get to say goodbye.
Even with Astrid's euphemism, it didn't dull the agonizing pain in his heart he knew he was going to feel the rest of his immortal life and eternity.
"pass away" is an example of an euphemism
