Guest: For the love of Talos, stop asking for updates in guest reviews.
For the fight between you-know-who, have "The Hunt is Coming" from the Witcher 3 OST play in the background. I think it fits pretty well there.
Let's get the show down the road.
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The Adversary
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It couldn't be. A dragon was attacking Berk.
In a long time Berk hasn't been attacked by a single dragon. In over three years, to be excact. The last time a dragon has attacked Berk directly was when the Speed Stingers reached Berk through an ice bridge. A while later from that, some Smothering Smokebreaths were smuggled inside the island through a pile of scrap metal. They only stole the metal inside the village but didn't directly attack the village.
The villagers were storming outside of their homes to see what the commotion and the warning horn for a dragon attack was. All of them just froze at the very sight of the colossal dragon. The dragon had scales dark as the night sky, almost blending in perfectly if it weren't for it's bright red eyes and massive size. There were spikes all over the dragon, like a suit of armor. This was no ordinary dragon. Why did it appear on Berk was beyond their knowledge.
Mikael however knew who was the dragon before them all. He was called Alduin, the World-Eater. His name translates to 'Destroyer Devour Master', which is very appropriate for the dragon that is supposed to eat the world whole, thus ending it. He had a feeling that absorbing the Snow Wraith soul was a mistake, and seeing Alduin in the flesh confirmed his feelings. Mikael was now very much afraid for the Viking allies of his, since Alduin could sense his presence across worlds, and Alduin could travel between worlds to follow his scent, so to speak. The World-Eater could destroy Berk without even trying, but yet here he was, hovering above the village doing nothing, other than glancing around looking for someone. And that someone was him.
Hiccup could read Mikael's expressions very well. There would be only one dragon that could make him afraid to an extend, and that was Alduin, the World-Eater. It was just as Mikael descibed it, black, massive and has spikes all over his body.
"Okay...this is pretty bad." Mikael said to Stoick and Hiccup.
"It's just one dragon, Mikael. We can take it on." Stoick said gripping his warhammer even tighter.
"Stoick, with all due respect...this isn't just 'one dragon'." Mikael said. He gulped really deeply, then turned to face the massive dragon still hovering above the village, looking around.
"This dragon is the World-Eater, Alduin. I've met him only once, and he razed a small town to the ground without even trying." Mikael finished.
"So...what should we do?" Hiccup asked.
The rest of the Riders were running towards the three men, with their dragons closely behind them. Mikael took a look at Hiccup, then at Stoick then to the Riders. He didn't want to risk any unnecessary lives here.
"Dovahkiin, where are you? Ni his bovul mahfaeraak. You cannot flee for eternity." The World-Eater spoke. His voice echoed all around the village, trembling the ground beneath the villagers.
The Vikings around the village were startled at the dragon. Not only it is huge, terrifying and it can speak, too? The dragon spoke in an unfamiliar language. The Riders knew it was the so called 'Cyrodilic' language, mixed with some dragon language. Fishlegs was taking notes furiously on how a dragon can talk like a human.
"I have to face him alone. This isn't your fight." Mikael said with a trembling voice.
"Are you crazy?" Hiccup said.
"No. It is my fault he is here. He must've sensed my presence because I absorbed the Snow Wraith's soul back on Glacier Island. And the Nine preserve us since he has a way to travel between worlds."
Stoick looked at Mikael worryingly. No man should ever carry this kind of burden. But he suddenly remembered what Hiccup told him not even an hour ago. Mikael wasn't the kind of a man to give up. He will just keep going, no matter what.
"Stoick...I need to ask you to order everyone to evacuate off the village. If something goes wrong, at least you can rebuild the village. Remember, this isn't your ordinary dragon. It is my destiny to stop him, and I will not drag you or your people into this."
Stoick nodded, and understood what he meant. A Chief protects his own.
"Allright." Stoick said. "Everyone! We are evacuating the village! Get to the Arena!" Stoick bellowed to the Viking crowd, all armed to the teeth to face the dragon.
"Are ye mad Stoick? It's just one dragon!" Mogadon bellowed.
"Aye, we can take it on!" Bertha said.
"There's 'bout three hundred o' us 'ere! From five different tribes!" Ug yelled.
"I am trusting this man with the safety of my tribe, again. You people should do so too. That is no ordinary dragon, something we cannot fight." Stoick said to the chieftains, glaring them down. "But he can." Stoick turned to Mikael.
"Wat do ye mean, Stoick?" Mogadon asked.
"He saved this village during a Berserker skirmish. You'll see soon enough how. Now let's evacuate the village." Stoick replied.
Mikael saw this as his cue, and walked towards the hovering black dragon. All of the Vikings started to get away from the village towards the arena, except the Riders who mounted their dragons and followed Mikael.
"Hiccup, no. This is my fight. Not yours." Mikael said.
"Do you remember what I told you when I found you sneaking out of that one feast? You will have our backs, no matter what happens. You're one of us now." Hiccup said.
"I know. You do realise what the Snow Wraith did to you, and it was alone as well? This isn't a Snow Wraith, this is the World-Eater. It will only end in your death if you choose to follow me to battle here." Mikael snapped back.
"What about you? Will it end in your death as well?" Hiccup said.
Mikael took a deep breath.
"If that is the price for stopping him, then yes." Mikael said with a heavy heart. "At least I will be in the Halls of Sovngarde. I will die with a blade in my hand. A Nord will be judged not on the way how he lived, but how he died."
"If that dragon manages to take you out, who knows what will he do to our village then? Let us help you. It won't matter in the end if we die fighting the World-Eater, or when defending Berk against him." Hiccup said.
Mikael really was suprised on how keen Hiccup was on backing him up. Either they were fools, were really stubborn, or just had a really big deathwish. Probably all of the above. He was ready to sacrifice himself to prevent the end of the world or several worlds, but not his allies...or friends. He already has lost one person important to him, and he wouldn't allow that to happen again.
"Are you extra sure?" Mikael then suddenly asked.
"We're Vikings. It is an occupational hazard." Hiccup beamed, with the rest of the Riders nodding behind him.
"Allright, if you insist. But let me talk to him first. I'll try to get some information out of him, and possibly redirect him out of the village." Mikael said.
"Okay. Be careful." Hiccup said.
Mikael nodded and walked even closer to the World-Eater, but stopped at the edge of the cliff. Alduin was hovering above the sea, just above the harbor.
"Dovahkiin, you cannot hide from me, even in another world. Hi los nikriin. You are a coward. My belly is full of the souls of your fellow mortals." Alduin spoke with his echoey voice.
"Alduin! I am no coward! You know I ended up here by accident. But, you know you make my destiny easier coming here." Mikael bellowed back at Alduin.
"Ni los kril. You are brave. You however cannot stop me from devouring Nirn. Zu'u du Vus. You are welcome to try. Krif voth ahkrin. Fight bravely, and die in vain. I will consume you, mortal." Alduin spoke and then dove at Mikael.
"YOL TOOR SHUL!" Alduin Shouted.
Mikael barely somersaulted out of the way then stood up. He remembered the very Shout he read an Elder Scroll for, and what caused him to appear on this world. He now braced himself to see if it works.
"JOOR ZAH FRUL!" Mikael Shouted, and the blue glowing shockwave hit Alduin.
"Nid! You use the weapons of your ancestors! Nivahriin joor!" Alduin bellowed and fell out of the sky and all the way to Raven Point. The massive dragon toppled a large amount of forest in it's fall. Mikael managed to divert the World-Eater from the village, for now.
"Qolokah, let's go!" Mikael yelled and ran towards his Skrill and mounted him.
The large forest that was destroyed could be seen from the village. All of the Vikings stood at the edge of the village to see what was going on, against Mikael's orders.
"Wha was that, Stoick?" Mogadon asked.
"I think I'll let you see for yourself." Stoick said, and gestured to the battlefield where the massive dragon fell.
The Riders were now circling the World-Eater above, surveying the battlefield.
"Allright Mikael, break it down. How do we defeat him?" Hiccup said.
"We need to keep him grounded at all times. He is too strong in the air. Hit his wings with everything you have, even if it doesn't seem to do anything. If you see fire raining from the sky, get away immediately and come back once the fiery storm has subsided." Mikael yelled while circling the fallen dragon above.
"Fishlegs, anything else you could add?" Hiccup asked.
Fishlegs was blabbering incoherently, wondering what the Hel kind of information would he give? This is a new species of dragon, and it seemed to be a Titan Wing of it's species, so to speak.
"Fishlegs!" Hiccup snapped, bringing Fishlegs out of his shock.
"Gah! Sorry Hiccup, b-but all I can tell is that we s-should follow Mikael's advice. His armor looks way too strong, and according to Mikael he has u-unlimited shots, can fire f-f-frost and fire, and apparently r-rain f-f-fire from the skies. I suggest we stay away from those." Fishlegs said while stuttering heavily.
"Allright. Other than that, what's your plan, Mikael?" Hiccup yelled.
"I am going to land, and take him down up close and personal. You guys provide support from above, and keep him grounded. Qolokah, no matter what happens, you stay in the air, allright?" Mikael said.
The Skrill screeched at his battle brother. He didn't want to see them seperated at any time.
"I will be fine, brother. Most likely. But you are stronger in the air, and I am stronger on the ground. Please do this for me, brother." Mikael said while scratching the chin of the Skrill.
The Skrill groaned, and then dove at the World-Eater.
"Allright, he is going down. We will stay in the air, and provide support. Keep him grounded! 'Legs Astrid and the twins, you hover around providing closer support while me and 'Lout do divebombing attacks." Hiccup issued orders to the Riders.
"On it!" Ruff and Tuff said and dove.
"We got it!" Astrid said and dove closer with Fishlegs.
"Fire it up!" Snotlout said.
Mikael landed near the World-Eater and gestured the Skrill to back in the air. The Skrill looked at his brother for a second, then went back to the skies.
"Dovahkiin, you have forged interesting allies. Joorre dovah. Mortal dragons, a disgrace to their kind. No dovah should call themself dov if they are not the children of Akatosh. Ni bormah krin." Alduin spoke.
"Children of Akatosh or not, but worthly allies." Mikael said, and charged the World-Eater.
"YOL..." Alduin started.
Mikael somersaulted out of the way just in time to get behind a large rock.
"TOOR SHUL!" Alduin Shouted and breathed fire at where Mikael was standing, then at the rock Mikael was hiding behind.
By now, Hiccup and Snotlout dove at Alduin, and both fired a shot at Alduin's wings. The World-Eater roared at the hits he took but he looked unharmed for the most part.
"Meyye. Hin dinok saraan, sahlo dovah." Alduin bellowed at the dragons overhead.
Alduin then released a roar and a small shockwave quaked the forest. Suddenly a maelstorm of fire appeared above, and several meteors started to rain towards the ground. Everyone were doing their best to avoid the raining meteors but it was impossible to do so while fighting Alduin.
"Everyone, get back!" Hiccup yelled, and the Riders complied.
"LOK VAH KOOR!" Mikael Shouted, and the meteor storm was dispersed quickly.
"Dovahkiin, hin Thu'um los mul. Your Voice is strong. Shame we cannot be on the same side." Alduin bellowed at the Dragonborn.
Mikael then sprinted the remaining meters between Alduin and him. Alduin tried to lunge at Mikael but Mikael managed to somersault out of the way, then raised his sword high with both hands and brought it down at Alduin's neck. The World-Eater roared in small pain, but the wound was visible. Alduin swatted Mikael away with one of his wings, but Mikael managed to regain his footing after rolling on the ground several times. Mikael charged the World-Eater again.
"YOL..." Alduin started yet again.
Mikael however smirked.
"...TOOR SHUL!" Alduin Shouted.
"WULD!" Mikael Shouted and instantly rushed several meters forward, avoiding the fiery breath and was now behind Alduin's neck. He raised his sword high yet again and brought it down at Alduin's neck. The sword created a large wound at the World-Eater's neck, causing him to roar loudly into the air. Alduin beat his wings to get in the air and knocked Mikael down, but Qolokah hit the World-Eater in one of the wings, causing the World-Eater to fall right back to the ground.
"What? Hin sahlo dovah zaan qo. Your weak dragon shouts lightning." Alduin roared.
"He isn't weak, and he is my brother. KRII LUN AUS!" Mikael Shouted, and purple coloured Shout hit Alduin, severely weakening his armor and slowly sapped away the World-Eater's vitality.
"Hiccup, hit him with everything you have!" Mikael bellowed to the dragons circling above.
The Riders now returned to their duties. Ruff and Tuff flew over Alduin, surrounding Alduin with the flammable gas. As Barf and Belch started to climb back up in the air again, Belch sparked the gas, causing a large explosion. Alduin roared at the two-headed dragon, then arched his neck back.
"YOL..." Alduin Spoke.
"Oh shit." Ruff and Tuff said at the same time.
"...TOOR SHUL!" Alduin Shouted yet again.
"Barf, Belch, evasive maneuvers!" Ruff and Tuff yelled to their dragon. They barely dodged the stream of fire the World-Eater breathed.
Fishlegs and Meatlug dropped several lava blasts at Alduin, while Astrid and Stormfly kept shooting poisonous spines all over Alduin's body. Snotlout and Hookfang made several divebombing attacks, while using his signature battlecry. Hiccup and Toothless made several pinpoint accurate shots at Alduin's head. Even with all that bombardment in combination of Mikael's armor-sundering Shout Alduin was not getting that much weaker.
Mikael however was still on the ground, usually trying to do sneak attacks in between either Snotlout's or Hiccup's bombing runs. Mikael now was running at Alduin, and this time directly at his head. Just when Mikael was about to bring his sword down at the head of the World-Eater, Alduin raised his head, and arched his head backwards. Mikael was too close to somersault out of the way or use Whirlwing Sprint.
"FUS RO DAH!" Alduin Shouted, and hit Mikael.
The Dragonborn was flung several meters backwards, and hit a tree at high speed, then fell to the ground. One of the branches impaled Mikael's back deeply. He seemed to be dead from the skies above. The Skrill noticed Mikael first, and dove at the ground.
"Mikael!" the Riders yelled in unison.
The Skrill landed next to the dead Dragonborn, and screeched loudly to make him wake up. It nudged the body of the fallen warrior. It growled deeply, then turned to face the World-Eater one on one. How dare this big dragon kill his brother? It must pay for his crimes.
"Oh no..." Hiccup saw Mikael, lying seemingly dead on the ground and the Skrill next to him.
"Meyye. You cannot defeat me, mortals. Especially you, mortal dragons. Joore dovah, sahro dovah. Weak dragons. Now you shall feed me." Alduin bellowed.
"VEN MUL RIIK!" Alduin Shouted and the entire island was encased in a mysterious mist almost in an instant.
The Riders started to fire everything they had on the World-Eater to keep it busy as long as possible. It would be a vain effort due to the thick mist encompassing the island, but it was better than doing nothing at all. The World-Eater only laughed, and started to fire at the dragons attacking him. Hiccup and the Riders were barely dodging the Shouts Alduin used. They needed a plan, and fast. Little did they know that this mist is for soul-snaring. If they died in it, their souls would be consumed by Alduin.
The Vikings were panicking. Was was this mist? They could not see a thing. Was Ragnarök upon them? They were on the fence of rushing to battle to help the Riders. They were Vikings, it was an occupational hazard after all. And nothing was more glorious to a Viking than dying in battle then join the heroes of old in the halls of Valhalla.
The Skrill however turned to his fallen brother. 'Not like this', he thought. He really had a connection, a bond with the Dragonborn. Even though he hated humans for a long time, he really liked his new surrogate brother, and started to tolerate the humans his Rider hung around. He then pushed his head against the body of his brother, and tried to comfort him, even when he was seemingly dead. Qolokah placed one of his talons on Mikael's chest.
'You will never give up, and you are not giving up now.' The Skrill thought in his mind.
Mikael's body then suddenly twitched, with one of his hands tightening to a fist. The Skrill was suprised to see any kind of movement. Was it his internal electricity? Qolokah charged up his body with more electricity to see if that would help him get up.
"YAAARGH!" Mikael screamed to the air, and was panting heavily for a second, then got up to a sitting position. He shook his head around a couple times to get the dizziness out.
"Thanks...brother." Mikael said with a raspy voice. "Time to finish this." Mikael said, and then got up.
'Are you crazy, brother? That...thing almost killed you and you are now bleeding. Stupid human.' The Skrill thought.
"It takes...more than a little scratch to kill me. You know that. Stupid...dragon." Mikael said mockingly to the Skrill, catching his breath. "Time to put this overgrown earthworm out of his misery."
Mikael took a deep breath. He couldn't let Stoick, and this village of Vikings down in their hour of need. It was his fault that Alduin was here now. Besides, he won't die bleeding. It is either victory, or Sovngarde.
He had to call on his draconic aspect.
"MUL QAH DIIV!" Mikael Shouted. [1]
All of the Riders instantly turned to face the source of that Shout. They could barely see in this mist, however they glimpsed a glowing figure somewhere in the general direction. But they knew who he was.
"LOK VAH KOOR!" the voice Shouted again. The soul-snaring mist of Alduin around the island was dispelled instantly, revealing the source of the Shout.
It was Mikael. His whole body was glowing, even his eyes were glowing even brighter than usual. It is as if his eyes were nothing but pure fire. His whole body was surrounded in some glowing, spectral armour that was coloured yellow and light blue, and Mikael even had spectral horns above his head. Qolokah could even hear his unusual breathing - it was a combination of normal human breathing, and as if a dragon was breathing at the same time.
"What...is...that?" Fishlegs stammered, trying to grasp what the Hel was going on.
"Looks like Mikael unleashed his inner dragon..." Hiccup said quietly. "This could get ugly. Stay on your guard, we shouldn't interfere." Hiccup said to the Riders. All of them nodded and got higher in the sky.
Meanwhile inside the village the Vikings were absolutely stunned at the very sight, even the Hooligans. However Ugli-Thugs and the Meatheads were cowering in fear. Was the man a god? Was he an aspect of Thor or Odin? Or Thor or Odin in a mortal body? Or just a champion of the Gods, wielding a power to stop the evils of the world?
"Gods above...wha didn't ye tell us about 'im? Were ye harborin' a wizard in yer amidst?" Mogadon asked from Stoick.
"No. He is just a man, but born with the blood of dragons. As for why, your reaction should be the answer." Stoick said, not turning to face the Meathead chieftain, still looking at the battle below. It was glorious, straight from tales and legends. The Meathead chief sighed, and turned his gaze to the battle as well, accepting Stoick's answer. Ug did the same, content on what he was seeing.
"Alduin the World-Eater! Your crimes against both man and mer are unforgivable! Unslaad Krosis! As long as I live, I will see to it that you are punished! Hi aus mahfaeraak!" Mikael roared, his voice so loud it echoed around the island and so that the Vikings in the village could hear him perfectly. His voice was very surreal as well, as if his normal voice and a dragon's voice have been combined. However they could not understand what he said, as he was still speaking in Cyrodilic and Dovahzul.
"I see you have learned the secrets of the First Dragonborn. Tahrodiis Sonaan, Miraak. Treacherous Dragon Priest." Alduin spoke back.
"Enough! Time to end this! Tiid wah oblaan!" Mikael bellowed, and the ground around the forest the shook violently, and even the dragons flying above and the Vikings far away in the village felt the miniature earthquake.
"SU GRAH DUN!" Mikael Shouted, and his sword became imbued with the power and speed of the skies above. He started to run at the World-Eater with his sword held high.
"YOL TOOR SHUL!" Alduin Shouted, but Mikael didn't even try to dodge the incoming dragonfire. After the stream of fire ended, Mikael was still sprinting at the World-Eater while spinning his sword in front of him like a shield, seemingly completly unscathed. He raised his sword again.
"WULD!" Mikael Sprinted forward, and brought down his sword at the World-Eater with the combined force from his hands imbued with the power of wind and his draconic aspect plus the momentum from the Whirlwing Sprint. If his target was a normal human, he or she would be dead instantly. Alduin screamed loudly in pain as Mikael's sword pierced the World-Eater's armor like butter, and heavily wounded the World-Eater.
"JOOR ZAH FRUL!" Mikael used Dragonrend to keep Alduin grounded.
"TIID KLO UL!" Mikael Shouted and slowed down time to a crawl. He started to maniacally run around the World-Eater, slashing around his entire body from wings to tail to the head. From an outside perspective it looked like Mikael was speeding around the World-Eater like a Speed Stinger, using his speed to throw quick and very powerful slashes across his entire body within a maelstorm of draconic rage and death. Alduin tried to swat the puny human away with his wings and tail but he was too slow to do so and with each slice Mikael threw he roared and screeched out of pain. He was now getting weaker and weaker.
"FO KRAH DIIN!" Mikael Shouted. The frosty Shout slowed the World-Eater down.
"IIZ SLEN NUS!" Mikael Shouted again, and the frosty Shouts froze Alduin in place. It could barely move, and with the combination of Dragonrend Alduin was firmly put in place. There was no escape for the World-Eater now.
"You have becomen strong, Dovahkiin. Meyz mul. But I am the first-born of Akatosh! I cannot be slain here, by you or by anyone else! I will outlast you...mortal!" Alduin growled at the Dragonborn.
"Qolokah, keep him still." Mikael said calmly to his brother, who nodded and fired a steady stream of lightning at the World-Eater.
Mikael knew he couldn't beat Alduin in the mortal plane, however. He would only return a while later to continue his destiny to destroy the world. He knew what to do in order to make him get away from this world. He pulled the Elder Scroll out of his satched quickly, and held it in front of him, and took a deep breath.
"Hold, Alduin on the Wing! Sister Hawk, grant me your sacred breath to make this contract heard! Begone, World-Eater! By words with older bones than your own I break your perch on this world and send you out! You are banished! Alduin, I Shout you out from all my endings unto the last!" Mikael recited the very same speech Felldir the Old used to cast Alduin forward in time thousands of years ago...with some minor differences that made all the biggest differences on what would happen next. Alduin tried to stop Mikael from reciting the words but found himself unable to do so. He was too weakened to take flight, or to even try to Shout.
"Faal Kel? Nikriin..." Alduin tried to speak but was engulfed in a light blue portal, and vanished soon after after the portal shrunk into nothingness.
"You are banished!" Mikael shouted and his Voice echoed all around the island.
The battlefield fell silent after that. Most of the forest near Berk was utterly destroyed, and where Alduin was not only a couple seconds ago there was a Time-Wound, just like on the summit of the Throat of the World. Nobody however initally saw it. Mikael was standing there doing absolutely nothing for a few seconds, then put the Elder Scroll back to his satchel and started to walk back towards the village, still in his draconic aspect.
"He did it. The World-Eater is gone." Stoick said quietly.
"The World-Eater? Wat ar' ye talkin' about, Stoick?" Mogadon asked worryingly.
"That dragon was called Alduin, the World-Eater. According to Mikael, he is the dragon that is supposed to end the world by...well, eating it. I suppose he has fulfilled his destiny now."
"What destiny?" Bertha asked.
"His destiny to slay the World-Eater. In a prophecy he is named as the Last Dragonborn. I think I'll let him tell you the details, I gave you the short version." Stoick said, and started to walk towards the crowd behind him. "Allright everyone, show's over. Go back to your homes! We will discuss what happened the next morning."
The crowd dispersed soon enough, even when they were quite reluctant to do so. They wanted answers. What the Hel was that, for one. A massive dragon suddenly appears on Berk, the Chief orders everyone to evacuate the village, then suddenly a man becomes a demi-god and makes a dragon disappear. Not your every day occurence for Berk or for any of the islands of the Archipelago. For all they knew that heralded the beginning of Ragnarök.
The Dragon Riders were equally puzzled about this whole affair. Hiccup knew what Mikael became however, to a certain degree. He could tell he used some sort of a Shout to empower himself with the power of dragons due to the silhouette his spectral armour and horns provided. But why Mikael used that...scroll, or whatever to make him go away was the biggest question. The Riders landed near Mikael who was still walking towards the village.
"Hey, Mikael. You okay?" Hiccup said, and caught the attention of the Dragonborn.
Mikael stopped dead in his tracks, then turned around slowly and glared the Riders down with his fiery eyes for a second. For a moment they were wondering if Mikael was himself, as if he was ready to cut them down on the spot. Then suddenly the spectral armour and glow around him vanished, and Mikael fell to the ground instantly. The Riders were at his side immediately.
"Looks like he collapsed from exhaustion. Let's get him to Gothi's hut." Hiccup said, and the Riders lifted the man on top of Qolokah.
The Riders flew to Gothi's hut, and laid down the unconscious warrior on a bed. Qolokah was next to his Rider with great worry. Gothi took a look at the unconscious man, then went to the backroom to get some herbs.
The Riders removed Mikael's armour slowly, and managed to do so without making the wound worse, luckily enough. They all now saw Mikael's upper body being riddled with scars, ranging from burn marks to very deep gashes. Gothi returned soon after, and once she saw the large wound on Mikael's back, just barely missing his spine her eyes went wide, and then she quickly applied some herbs on the wound, and bandaged the wound quickly. She started to write something on the ground.
"She says he needs to rest here. He seems to be heavily exhausted and wounded, and needs at least a weeks rest in a bed. The wound isn't bleeding heavily, maybe because he lost a lot of blood." Fishlegs translated Gothi's scribbles.
"Allright. I suppose we'll leave then. Qolokah, you will take care of him, right?" Hiccup said to the Skrill. The Skrill crooned and nodded in response. He was really worried for his Rider.
The Riders left Gothi's hut, and returned to their homes. Once Hiccup opened the door to his house he was greeted by his father who immediately crushed Hiccup in a hug.
"Dad...I ca-an't breathe!" Hiccup said. Stoick released Hiccup soon after.
"I was worried, son. What of Mikael? He deserves the title of 'Dragonslayer' for that...or something like that." Stoick said, laughing heartily.
"He is at Gothi's hut. After that...thing he used wore off he collapsed to the ground. According to Gothi he needs at least a weeks time in bed thanks to exhaustion and the wound he received from flying to a tree at high speed. Apparently a branch impaled his back, just missing his spine."
"Oh thank Thor. Do you know what happened? All we saw from the village was that he was glowing and we heard him talk all the way from here." Stoick asked.
"We saw him up close. From what I saw dad...he apparently called on his inner dragon. It was really scary up close, he had this...weird ghostly armour around him, and we even saw some ghostly horns above his head." Hiccup said.
"Thor almighty...if he wasn't from this world I suppose he would be called an aspect of Thor or Odin themselves. But I am glad he is allright. It's been a long night, get some rest." Stoick said.
Hiccup nodded and went upstairs with Toothless. Hiccup fell asleep shortly after.
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Meanwhile on Tamriel...
Paarthurnax was sitting on the Word Wall of the Throat of the World. He has tried to stay out of the conflicts of the world. He avoided Alduin, and his soldiers by hiding on top of the Throat of the World or Monahven, 'Mother Wind'as the dragons called it.
Suddenly however he felt the flow of Time shatter. There was one time before when he felt it, and it was thousands of years ago. When Alduin was sent forward in time, he felt the same shattering of the flow of Time. This time however...it was slightly different. It is as if Time wasn't that shaped, but rather Space instead.
He felt Alduin reappear on Nirn yet again, but this time on the Time-Wound of his mountain. Alduin flew to the skies immediately after he appeared ignoring Paarthurnax completly, and flew straight to east, towards the mountain ranges between Skyrim and Morrowind.
He could tell Alduin was weaker. Maybe Dovahkiin did defeat him, and used the same Elder Scroll to cast him back to Nirn? If that is the case, where was the Dragonborn? He knew Alduin's lordship would only result in the permanent death of the dragonkind, but this blow to his pride would severely harm his control over the dragons of Tamriel. 'Good', he thought.
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Back on Berk, the next afternoon...
Mikael woke up.
It felt like a vampire sucked out all of his blood, and then forced him not to eat or drink nothing for three days straight. He felt so...empty. Exhausted. Drained. That's what he gets for using the Dragon Aspect shout, he thought. It gives a god-like advantage for the Shouter temporarily, but drains the person using the said Shout horribly. Even more so when you Shout excessively.
He turned very slowly to the left to see Qolokah curled up next to him, still asleep. He must've been here all the time when he was asleep or unconscious. Poor dragon. Must've been worried sick for his Rider. Collapsing to the ground after standing straight suddenly is something to be worried about. Qolokah now noticed Mikael completly awake, and was overjoyed seeing his brother completly safe. He covered Mikael's face in saliva, much to Mikael's disgust...and joy, to some degree.
"Hey...brother. I hope I didn't scare ya." Mikael said with a raspy voice.
'Scare me? You frightened me!' the Skrill thought while roaring in Mikael's face.
"Frighten you? Oh cmon...wait what?" Mikael suddenly realised what he said. Did he hear his brother dragon talk?
'Yes, you frightened me to death! What were you thinking?' Qolokah thought and warbled.
"I fought a big dragon, who is an even bigger jerk. But seriously, how...?" Mikael said, holding out his left hand to Qolokah's snout. Qolokah pushed his head to Mikael's palm. Qolokah now realised what Mikael was wondering.
'Wait. You can hear my thoughts?'
"Whoa...I bet Hiccup would absolutely love to hear this."
"Hear what?"
Qolokah got out of the way so Mikael could see Katrine standing in the doorway. Not the face he was thinking of.
"Uh, nothing." Mikael said, trying to stand up more so he could sit on the bed he was resting on. However his muscles felt too weak to move him anywhere.
'What's the deal between you and this female?' Qolokah 'said'.
Mikael didn't answer that question, however, and held out his hand to quiet Qolokah down. He guessed that Katrine didn't hear his brother think, so he decided not to appear insane by talking to his dragon. Even if he really didn't care for the red-headed Viking woman.
"So...sleep well?" Katrine asked, now next to his right.
"I guess so. What're you doing here anyway?" Mikael asked exasperatingly.
"Hiccup asked me to check on you once in a while. Are you hungry, thirsty?" Katrine asked in a soft, sultry voice.
"Yeah, feels like I haven't eaten in three days. Or drank anything. Speaking of which, how long was I out?" Mikael said weakly.
"Only the following morning and this afternoon after the battle. It's late afternoon now. Allright, I'll go the Great Hall and get you some lunch. Bye!" Katrine went with a beaming voice and left the hut in a hurry.
Mikael could finally breathe.
'So what was the deal with you and this female?' Qolokah asked.
"Nothing. In all seriousness, nothing. I really don't care for her." Mikael replied quietly, hoping that Katrine wouldn't overhear him.
'Don't worry, she is gone. I would smell her anyway, you don't have to whisper. I do not know anything about humans, but I can tell she wants to mate with you.' Qolokah said.
"You're right on that regard but the feelings are not mutual." Mikael said.
'How so?' Qolokah pried.
"I dunno, I don't feel anything for her, nothing at all. You see, humans really do not randomly pick their...mates. We choose them based on how much we like them. We form...permanent bonds, so to speak." Mikael tried to explain humans to his dragon brother.
'You humans are so impractical.' Qolokah huffed and curled back on the floor again.
"I agree." Mikael said and laid back down on the bed.
Mikael laid there, thinking about what could happen next. He kind of did use some powerful magic to cast Alduin away. Hopefully, not a single Viking even from the Hooligan tribe saw him. They did go to the Arena, right? So they couldn't see him cast Alduin out of this world with the Elder Scroll. Unless the curiousity got the best of them and watched them from the village.
About half an hour later however, Katrine returned with a bowl of mutton and some mead, and with Hiccup and Stoick in tow.
"Mikael, you're awake!" Hiccup said.
"Yup, a bit sore and weak everywhere but otherwise awake. So what's up?" Mikael said, taking the bowl of mutton from Katrine, muttering a 'thanks' to the redhead.
"What happened there Mikael?" Stoick asked.
"So you saw what happened?" Mikael said sternly to the Chief. Stoick sighed.
"Yes, we did." Stoick said.
"Allright. Katrine, will you excuse us? This is something only the Chief and Hiccup will hear first." Mikael said to the redhead. Katrine could only sigh.
"Okay." said Katrine, and walked out of the hut and down the spiraling staircase.
She was really disappointed. She wanted to hear all about the battle from the hero himself. She hoped he would tell her later.
"Anyway...what do you want to know?" Mikael said while eating his lunch.
"What did you...you know, do?" Hiccup asked.
"Well, I didn't really kill Alduin. I sent him back to Nirn." Mikael said.
"Why? How?" Stoick asked.
"Because I knew Alduin or any kind of god or divine being can't be killed on a mortal world. He would only return later to presume his own destiny of eating the world. As for how...I'd rather dwell on that." Mikael said.
"So...how would you kill a god?" Hiccup asked.
"Well...what I know, a god can only be killed on a realm of a god or gods or otherwise 'divine' beings."
"How do you know such things anyway?" Stoick asked.
"One of my ancestors killed a...demon-elf named Umaril. He had to travel to a plane of Oblivion to kill him. A plane of Oblivion is...a realm of a devil, so to speak." Mikael said.
"You keep getting interesting every minute. But was that you did before you...banished Alduin?" Hiccup asked.
"Well, I kind of used a Shout to call on my draconic aspect. It is heavily draining, as you could tell from me collapsing to the ground suddenly." Mikael said.
"Anyway. As much as I like to learn things about people, we have something to celebrate. I think that battle will go down in Berk history as one of it's biggest victories." Stoick boomed.
"Victory? I did not kill Alduin." Mikael groaned.
"I know, but you prevented the destruction of this town, and possibly the entire archipelago. Every single Viking on this rock is grateful for you." Stoick said calmly.
"Even when I used...you know, 'magic'?" Mikael asked, using air quotes. Thu'um is magic at it's very core, but it's source is different from your usual magic. Oh right, he used an Elder Scroll to banish Alduin.
"As far as I know, nobody really cared. I think you'll have to ask the people themselves." Stoick said.
"Thank Talos. So what's up next?" Mikael asked from Hiccup.
"Once you recover fully, we begin searching the archipelago for Dagur." Hiccup said.
"Sounds good. How long until I get out of this bed?" Mikael asked.
"According to Gothi, you'll be there for at least a week. Your back wound plus the exhaustion really did a number on you." Hiccup said.
"You tell me. Guess I'll have a weeks worth of time to kill. But I have Qolokah with me, I'm sure I won't get bored." Mikael said.
'You're right, I will stay here to remind you how stupid you are.' Qolokah said. Mikael smiled and scratched Qolokah affectionately, emitting a purr from the lightning dragon.
"Allright. We'll leave you to rest. Katrine will be bringing food for you every day." Stoick said and stood up. "The lass seems to be eager to help you." Stoick continued and threw a small wink.
Mikael could only throw a weak, fake smile at the Chieftain.
Once they finally left, Mikael figured now would be a good time to write in his journal.
Fourth Era year 204, Hearthfire 27th
What it means to be a Dragonborn?
Depends on who you ask, you can different answer.s The Greybeards told me that Akatosh bestows the gift or curse of dragonblood to a select few mortals in times of great need. To most Nords it means the greatest honour a Nord can ever receive, not even being the High King of Skyrim is as honourable. If you ask me, it is both a gift, and a curse. But mostly a curse.
I managed to banish Alduin from the land of the Vikings. Hopefully he will not return here. I weakened him enough that he will not be eating the world as whole in the near future, so I bought some time for me to figure out a way home but may the spirits have mercy on my soul, for I have ashured Alduin on them.
Hopefully I can return to Nirn soon so I can complete my destiny and be over with this madness. And I really hope I won't end up like my ancestor. He ended up becoming the Daedric Prince of Madness.
Mikael finished his short journal entry and closed the journal.
"Hey." a voice called out.
Mikael lifted his gaze from his leather-bound journal and to the red-headed Viking standing on the doorway. 'Great', he thought. Can't he be left by himself for at least an hour per day? Well, alone apart from Qolokah. Being bedridden certainly did not help in that regard.
"What's up?" Mikael asked, faking interest on what could she say.
"Oh, nothing. I just thought that you could use some company." Katrine beamed with a cheery voice and walked next to Mikael, sitting down on a bench to right of him.
"I have Qolokah with me. But fine." Mikael said.
"Not like he can talk or anything, right? You'd get bored from one-sided conversations." Katrine said jokingly.
"You'd be suprised." Mikael deadpanned.
"Dragons can't talk." Katrine said with a serious face.
"I'm repeating myself but you'd be suprised. Right Qolokah?" Mikael turned to the Skrill.
'She is really ignorant. ' Qolokah said in his mind and growled to prove Mikael's point.
"He thinks you're ignorant." Mikael translated Qolokah with a deadpan expression.
"What...are you saying you can understand those...warbles, or babbles? They're really incoherent." Katrine said, gesturing to all of Qolokah. The Skrill looked at Katrine for a moment in confusion.
"I did not say that. Apparently I can hear him think." Mikael said casually enough.
"Whoa...can you teach me that?" Katrine asked in amazement.
"No. I was as suprised as you to hear him think out loud to me. It just happens. And I guess being half dragon half man really helps in that regard." Mikael explained casually.
"Oh. But anyway, what were you doing?" Katrine asked.
"What do you mean?" Mikael asked some what irritated.
"Well, firstly during the battle, and then when I was about to walk in, on both occasions." Katrine asked with a cheery voice.
"During the battle? Nothing, just typical Dragonborn stuff. Banishing an evil dragon, yada yada. First time you walked in I just realised I could hear my brother talk..." Mikael started to explain.
"Brother?" Katrine asked, curious.
"The Skrill. Anyway. Second time I was writing my journal." Mikael said and held up his journal only to have Katrine snatch it away from his hand.
"Sure, snatch something away from the bedridden guy. Not like you could read my journal anyway." Mikael deadpanned.
"What do you mean I can't read your jou- Oh." Katrine turned the first page only to see the writing isn't in Norse runic alphabet, and probably in a different language.
"Told you. Now my journal, please." Mikael demanded. The red-headed Viking gave Mikael his journal back.
"Allright. Can we talk?" Katrine asked with a gloomy face, completly contrary to what kind of a voice she had not only ten minutes ago.
"Sure...what about." Mikael said in an uninterested tone.
"You said you'll think about...you know, you and me?" Katrine asked.
Mikael closed his eyes and took a deep breath. If there's a good moment of making her to stop her advances, this would be it.
"To be completly honest, I lied there." Mikael said suddenly.
"Why?" Katrine asked, feeling slightly betrayed.
"Because...don't you get it? I am not...into you, you know? And I am not looking for a relationship right now. I have a world to save or several of them." Mikael said, and one could hear slight irritation to his voice.
"You...you don't like me?" Katrine asked, almost crying now.
"I tolerate you at most." Mikael deadpanned.
Which wasn't completly true, Mikael admired the dedication from the Viking woman. Upon hearing those words, Katrine stood up from the stool next to Mikael's bed and stormed out. The hut was silent for a while, but Mikael decided to speak first.
"Was I too harsh, Qolokah?" Mikael suddenly asked, not turning his head around to move his gaze from the roof to his brother.
'Maybe a little.' the Skrill deadpanned.
"Ugh. Well, at least that will tell her to bugger off." Mikael said and scratched the Skrill's head.
'You're right.' the Skrill agreed.
"That reminds me...Qolokah, what do you honestly think of me? As...you know, half dragon, half human? A Dragonborn?"
Qolokah went silent after a while, thinking deeply. He could still think on his own so his brother couldn't read his thoughts constantly. After a while he had an answer.
'I consider that the greatest honour a human can ever achieve. We dragons are proud and powerful, and to be one of us...and at the same time, not to be one of us...' Qolokah explained.
"Thanks, Qolokah. Sometimes I think...all of this to be a curse." Mikael said.
'Why? You can breathe fire like a dragon! Well, I can't because I'm a Skrill as you humans call me.'
"Well, aside from god-like powers, everybody expects you to do everything. Back on Tamriel I basically all I did was hunt down dragons, or other monsters of the world. All for coin, not for glory. It was very lonely. Because of my...well, appearance." Mikael said with a frown and pointed to his face.
'Appearance? I do not know what humans like to see.' Qolokah narrowed his eyes.
"These bright, yellow eyes, scars all over my face... I was always the freak of the town wherever I went. One of the many reasons I don't really get Katrine." Mikael said and sighed.
'Maybe humans are practical after all...' Qolokah mused, only to earn a questioning look from Mikael. Animals and to extend dragons are all about showing off their wings, or whatever.
'Since I am already confined to this bed, I think I should just rest.' Mikael thought to himself, and quickly fell asleep.
o~-~-~-~-~o
o~-~-~-~-~o
Tomorrow morning was one of the many days ahead of Mikael.
Completly confined to the bed. Barely moving. Even when Mikael at first tried to get out of the bed, Qolokah promptly pushed him back to the bed, earning a glare from the Dragonborn.
'You need to rest. I can barely feel your dragonblood inside you', he was told by his lightning dragon.
"Nonsense. I could Shout right now if I wanted to." Mikael said protesting his cooped up state.
'Well? I am waiting.' Qolokah said.
"Still don't feel like it. Gah, fine...yeah, I still feel kind of weak. And that annoys me a lot." Mikael condeded and hit his head against the pillow.
The pair fell silent, and didn't speak to each other for a while. Mikael absolutely hated being cooped up, no matter what is the case. He had to keep his skills and his fitness up at all times.
The Riders arrived inside the hut suddenly, with Hiccup carrying some breakfast for Mikael. Hiccup handed the breakfast to Mikael who started eating it right away. He had a lot of strenght to regain after all. Mikael then noticed all of the people who showed up. Even the three heirs from different tribes were there.
"So...what's up?" Mikael decided to speak up.
"We saw Katrine running away yesterday, sobbing really loudly. What'd you do?" Hiccup asked sternly.
"You'd better ask her. Anything else?" Mikael said.
"Thuggory and Dogsbreath have something to say, I think." Hiccup gestured the two heirs forward.
"Yeah...we believe what Stoick told us. Us and our fathers or chiefs. That dragon was supposed to end the world, right? You did a great job defeating it. Dogsbreath and I heard that how the Bogs initially treated you for your...abilities. We spoke to our dads or chiefs about it, and they decided not to try to rouse any trouble. " Thuggory spoke up.
"Thanks a lot. The last thing I need right now is more superstitious Vikings." Mikael said.
"Besides, how are you feeling?" Hiccup asked.
"The same as yesterday, like I haven't eaten in three days. However I can finally sit on my bed, and even tried to get out of the bed but this guy right here didn't approve of it." Mikael said, pointing a finger at the Skrill curled next to him and even glared for a while. The Skrill then laughed, at least it seemed like it.
The Riders laughed at that statement. If there was a dragon and rider combination that rivalred Hiccup's and Toothless' bond it was Mikael and Qolokah.
"He's just trying to protect you." Hiccup said, still laughing a bit.
"I know." Mikael said and looked at his brother.
"Allright, we'll be leaving now. Glad you're regaining your strenght. See you later!" Hiccup said and gestured to everybody to leave the hut. Finally, some peace and quiet.
However, one person decided to return half an hour later to the hut, and it was Astrid.
Mikael really didn't have any patience left in him to talk to another human person. Even if it was one of the Riders.
"Uh, can I help you somehow? I'd really like to be by myself right now, apart from my brother." Mikael spoke up, slightly annoyed and gestured to the Skrill curled on the floor next to him.
"Mikael, did you know how badly Katrine was infatuated with you, at all?" Astrid asked with a slightly demanding tone. Apparently she did talk to Katrine.
"I kind of did. However I didn't feel the same for her. Why do you ask?" Mikael asked nonchalantly
"Well...just asking out of curiousity. We, the Riders and even Berk as whole apart from some muttonheads would like you to stay here. As Stoick and many others like me see it, you're a Viking. And who knows, you may not never return to your world. You know what I am getting at?" Astrid asked.
Mikael was suprised at those statements. What if he really couldn't return to Tamriel, as in forever? The Nine Divines or Akatosh at least would have a really, really twisted sense of humour if He made Mikael as a Dragonborn, and his revealing was really coincidental with Alduin's return and suddenly he disappeared from Nirn, unable to stop Alduin from ending the world? Why bother creating him at all at that point?
"I...guess. But I will do everything in my power to stop Alduin from consuming my world. And this world, too." Mikael replied.
"Allright. Just...think of what I said, allright?" Astrid said, did a small wave and left the hut quickly.
Mikael will do just that. After all, he has about six more days to kill.
o~-~-~-~-~o
o~-~-~-~-~o
Three days later...
Today was the day Mikael is supposed to walk again after being confined to the bed after four days.
Even when Gothi highly advised Mikael not to get out of the bed, at least not for three days at least, Mikael didn't really want to contract cabin fever. However after a lot of convincing Mikael was given a crutch mostly to lean on and have extra support, not because he has an injury. On top of that having a dragon as a spare crutch is really helpful, but not too pleasant given the amount of licks the dragons give affectionately to their Riders.
Stoick had a feast arranged at the Great Hall in honour of Mikael. The visiting tribes even contributed some of their food that they brought on the island for the feast, so it would be highly disrespective of Mikael not to show up. The feast was kept as secret from Mikael, to throw him a really nice suprise. Mikael was none the wiser thanks to his condition. He really couldn't overhear or see anything that was happening in the village.
The feast was supposed to start when the sun sets, and it was almost sunset. Mikael was still in Gothi's hut, but this time not laying in the bed, but standing on the wooden platform overlooking the village. Gothi's hut was very high compared to the rest of the village, just above the Great Hall. Mikael could see the busy village below, with the occasional dragon flying about. And speaking of dragons, Hiccup and Astrid flew towards the hut with their dragons, and landed on the platform.
"Hey Mikael. How're you doing?" Hiccup asked.
"I'm fine. I can walk around with the crutch just fine. What're you up to?" Mikael asked.
"Can you fly on Qolokah? Come with us to the Great Hall." Astrid said cheerfully.
Mikael's face however beamed up instantly.
"Sure. Hey brother, can you give me a lift to the Great Hall? Just go slow." Mikael turned to the Skrill behind him.
'Aren't you supposed to stay here and rest?' Qolokah said to Mikael while crooning softly.
"I take that as a yes. Let's go." Mikael said and tried to get on Qolokah, ignoring what Qolokah said but the Skrill refused to bow down to let him climb on his back. Mikael's current condition didn't help there at all.
"What's wrong? Oh don't give me that look." Mikael said sternly to the Skrill.
'You're staying here, and that is final.' Qolokah said and pouted.
"You're pouting? Seriously? What happened to the most fiercesome dragon of all existence?" Mikael said.
Toothless however growled behind him with Hiccup giving him a pat on the head. Mikael turned to the Night Fury and glared at him right in the eye.
"That's right, I said it. Deal with it." Mikael deadpanned. Astrid giggled quietly at that statement, earning a silent glare from Hiccup. Mikael then turned back to his Skrill. "I'll be fine. After being impaled by a tree branch at high speed being able to walk in four days is good, right? Now stop being a big baby." Mikael said to the Skrill.
'Fine. But anything happens to you by your stupidity, I'll be there to remind you of it forever.' The Skrill screeched.
"Yeah yeah I know. Can we go now, please?" Mikael said. The Skrill screeched and then reluctantly bowed his head down, allowing Mikael to mount his dragon.
They flew to the Great Hall, and landed right in front of the door. Toothless and Stormfly were to stay outside but the Skrill outright refused to leave his brother's side. Hiccup agreed to allow the Skrill to enter the Great Hall, because he knew what the lightning dragon would do if he didn't.
They opened the giant doors of the Hall and stepped inside. Mikael was suprised at the amount of people inside. It wasn't dinnertime yet, so they must've been here for something else.
"Mikael. Come here." Stoick boomed across the giant oval shaped center table of the Hall.
The crowd parted ways to allow the Skrill and the guest of honour to get across the oval shaped table, and stood next to Stoick.
"The battle four days ago was something to behold, truly straight from legends. One of the greatest battles Berk has ever faced. However, Mikael stepped forward alone to face the greatest enemy to our existence. For our village. For that, we will sing of Mikael's victories forever in this Great Hall." Stoick bellowed across the Great Hall, and gestured all around the Hall.
"It was nothing, Chief. I had the Riders' help." Mikael nervously said and scratched his neck.
"Don't be ridiculous, Mikael. Now we will feast in your honour!" Stoick boomed and grabbed a tankard from the table.
"For Mikael, the Dragonbane!" Stoick roared and raised his tankard high.
The rest of the hall raised their tankards high as well.
"For Mikael the Dragonbane!" The rest of the Great Hall yelled.
The feast then started. And boy, some feasts in Skyrim could use some tips from the Vikings. There was food everywhere, from mutton to chicken to yak butter parfait. There were some bards singing about the legendary battles of old and new, including Mikael's 'victory' against Alduin the World-Eater. Mikael was sitting at the seat of honour, in the middle seat of the oval table across the doors of the Hall. Hiccup was sitting next to the left of him and Fishlegs was sitting to his right.
"See, Mikael? You have a permanent place here." Hiccup whispered to the Dragonborn.
"I...I guess so." Mikael said, looking anxiously around.
"What's wrong?" Fishlegs asked.
"It's just that...this is kind of overwhelming." Mikael said anxiously.
"Not the kind o' feasts or parties they throw on yer homeland, eh?" Gobber said walking to the table.
"Well, kind of hard to tell as I haven't attended any feasts or parties." Mikael said miserably.
"What do ye mean? Yer a bloody hero." Gobber said.
"No matter how many dragons I slayed, no matter how many roaming bandits or marauders I exterminated...All I got was a pouch of gold and then a hateful glare. Because of...because of my appearance." Mikael said and took a swig from his tankard.
The only group of people that at least some what respected or tolerated Mikael were the Nords of Skyrim, and the Companions and the Fighter's Guild. Everyone else only saw him as a mercenary, a sellsword. A killer for hire. Not only that but he looked like a freak, too.
"Ungrateful bastards, more like." Astrid piped up from the left of Hiccup.
"Damn them all to Helheim then. You have us now." Stoick said suddenly, appearing from behind Gobber.
"Chief is right. Even if you're...you know, a foreigner, you're still very much cool on my book." Snotlout said.
"Wow, since when you give compliments?" Tuffnut said.
"Only to treasured warriors." Snotlout said confidently, then flexed his muscles. Astrid and Ruffnut just gagged in their mouths.
"Uh, thanks...Snotlout." Mikael said.
"You're welcome." the Jorgenson replied.
The bards stopped singing for a while, and then walked over to where Mikael was sitting.
"Hello, Mikael the Dragonbane. Do you know of any good songs from your homeland that you could either teach us or you could sing yourself?" one of the bards asked.
"Hmmm...I do have a book of the most common songs sung by bards of my homeland, but I don't have it on me. But if you want, I could sing a song." Mikael said.
"You can sing?" Fishlegs asked, slightly suprised.
"Well, not really. But there's just something about speaking in the language of dragons that makes my voice...well, louder. Clearer. And I don't mean using the Thu'um." Mikael said, and then stood up from the table and walked to the small stage.
"Attention everyone! Our guest of honour wants to sing!" Stoick boomed and everyone's eyes turned to the Dragonborn. Mikael then cleared his throat. He hated to sing about himself, or any Dragonborn for that matter but it was all he knew.
"This is a song in the language of dragons from my homeland. I hope you like it." Mikael said nervously but then stood straight, and took a deep breath. [2]
"Dovahkiin, Dovahkiin, naal ok zin los vahriin, wah dien vokul mahfaeraak ahst vaal
Ahrk fin norok paal graan fod nust hon zindro zaan, Dovahkiin, fah hin kogaan mu draal
Huzrah nu, Kul do od, wah aan bok lingrah vod, aahrk fin tey, boziik fun, do fin gein
Wo lost fron wah ney dov, ahrk fin reyliik do jul, voth aan suleyk wah ronit faal krein
Ahrk fin zul, rok drey kod, nau tol morokei frod, rul lot Taazokaan motaad voth kein
Sharot Thu'um, med aan tuz, vey zeim hokoron pa, ol fin Dovahkiin komeyt ok rein
Ahrk fin Kel lost prodah, do ved viing ko fin krah, tol fod zeymah win kein meyz fundien
Alduin, feyn do jun, kruziik vokun staadnau, voth aan boahlok wah diivon fin lein
Nuz aan sul, fent alok, fod finvul dovah nok, fen kos nahlot mafaeraak ahrk ruz
Paaz Keizaal fen kos stin nol bein Alduin jot, Dovahkiin kos fin saviik do muz
Dovahkiin, Dovahkiin, naal ok zin los vahriin, wah dein vokul mahfaeraak ahst vaal
Ahrk fin norok paal graan fod nust hon zindro zaan, Dovahkiin, fah hin kogaan mu draal."
When Mikael sang, the Hall echoed loudly from his singing as if there was a background choir somewhere even when there wasn't, and even sometimes causing a small tremble. People were slightly alarmed at those but realised it was all Mikael. After all, his voice is his weapon. His breath is his strenght.
As Mikael finished his song, the entire Hall erupted to huge applause, even some whistling there and there. Mikael then did a small bow, and exit the stage. When he finally sat down at his seat at the center table, he was approached by the bards yet again.
"Where did you learn how to sing like that? It was as if you had a choir hidden somewhere." one of the bard asked really enthusiastically.
"Nowhere. It was really all in my blood." Mikael replied casually.
"What was the song about anyway?" Tuffnut asked.
"It was...well, about me. It was the only song I knew that was in the Dovahzul, and I can't sing in my own language or Norse." Mikael replied.
"I see." a bard replied.
However, now they were approached by Spitelout and Mildew. The last persons in this village they wanted to see and the ones causing the most racket in defiance to the Dragonborn.
"What do you want, Spitelout? Or Mildew?" Hiccup hissed at the two cranky Vikings.
"To apologise." Spitelout deadpanned.
"You? Apologise?" Hiccup replied, slightly shocked.
"Aye, you heard me. Mikael, we are sorry on how we treated ye for the past month or so. I have to agree with my brother that ye saved our village from it's destruction. We saw the battle, and with that...fire raining from the skies the dragon used we wouldn't have stood a chance." Spitelout said, and offered a hand to Mikael.
Mikael hesitated for a second, but then promptly took it and shook it.
"Me too. I still don't trust dragons, but I can trust you. You're still a man, not a dragon. At least, not wholly." Mildew said and offered his hand as well.
"Fine by me. Well, apologies are accepted." Mikael replied casually and shook Mildew's hand.
"Thank you. And good luck on your future." Spitelout said and both Vikings left.
Once the Jorgenson senior was out of earshot, Astrid spoke up first.
"Was that slightly unexpected, disturbing...?"
"Yep. Is really Ragnarök coming? Spitelout and Mildew actually being nice for once...?" Fishlegs added.
"I think so." Hiccup said.
"Well, at least not by that Alduin guy not eating the world." Tuffnut said.
"I hate to be the mood breaker, but Alduin is still very much alive." Mikael said, slightly annoyed.
"What do you mean?" Fishlegs asked, slightly worried.
"Well...I used a really powerful artifact to banish Alduin from this world. He is very much weakened, so he won't be doing any world eating in the near future. I bought myself some time, nothing more." Mikael explained with a heavy heart.
"Oh damn." Tuffnut said, slightly melancholic.
"But why? Couldn't you just have killed him on the spot?" Astrid asked.
"No. Alduin is the first-born of Akatosh, given some god-like powers therefore making him an aspect of Akatosh so to speak. A god, or a god-like being cannot be killed in the realm of mortals. If I 'killed' him he would just return stronger than ever later on." Mikael explained.
All of the people listening to Mikael now well silent and slightly melancholic upon hearing what he said.
"All I need to find out is where Alduin retreated to lick his wounds, and then finish him off." Mikael added, trying to cheer them up.
"What do you mean? Isn't he just going to return later on?" Snotlout asked.
"He most likely can travel to the realms of the dead, so he can devour the souls of the dead. Namely, Sovngarde or other realms of the afterlife. So...next plan, get to Sovngarde, the land of the heroic dead and slay Alduin there. Simple, right?" Mikael said sheepishly.
"Sure, there should be a sign somewhere that says 'Valhalla this way'." Hiccup said sarcastically, earning a laugh from the Riders.
"Well, enough of this morbid talk. I need a drink or several." Mikael said casually.
"Agreed. Cheers!" Hiccup said.
The Riders decided not to worry for the rest of the day. They drank, ate and sang.
But soon there would be a call to action yet again.
o~-~-~-~-~o
Another chapter done.
Please review. I like to see reviews. Especially the ones containing constructive critisism.
Do you want your own character in the story?
Send me a PM, and please include the essential details like age, gender, skills, etc etc. I will lean on Elder Scrolls characters more than HTTYD characters.
[1] Again, I felt that the Dragon Aspect Shout was...really disappointing. Yay for mods when you play on a PC. Anyway, I thought that with a closer bond to his dragonblood he could gain unlimited Shouting power, become almost invincible due to the spectral armour he gets and his dragonscale armour, and immense strenght. However it comes with a price after the Shout's powers wear off.
[2] Play 'Sovngarde' from the Skyrim OST to play in the background. Now imagine if Mikael was the main singer, and ignore all the background singers, the occasional drums and so on and there you have his performance. With a bit different voice though.