Chapter 10: Let the Games begin!

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WARNING: PLOT TWISTS AHEAD!

Now, onto the story.

Isle of Berk, Viking Archipelago, Scandinavia Northern Isles, Midgard

Astrid's POV:

I was running as fast as I can, but my legs got tired.

Finally, I stumbled over a rock and fell deep into the cove I was passing, into a lake.

I screamed before I hit the water and I tried to get air, yet I found myself impossible to do so since I had drained so much energy with running.

This was my end. I wouldn't see Valhalla, I wouldn't see my father again. I would die a death that would send my spirit to Hellheim.

Water slowly flowed into my lungs.

I'm sorry mother, I'm sorry Uncle Finn, I'm sorry father, that I couldn't be the Viking daughter you wanted me to be.

Then I felt a pair of arms being laid upon my stomach and, whoever it was, pulled me up to the surface.

When I could breathe again, I couched up all the water from my lungs.

"Are you alright?" a familiar male voice asked with very much concern.

I looked over my shoulder to see Hiccup, the village's runt.

He had saved my life, saved me from an unworthy Viking death, saved my spirit from being send to Hellheim.

Guess I owe him my life now.

Damn, I'm screwed!

"I'm fine, just... tired." I replied.

Hiccup smiled. "Toothless! Get me out here!"

Wait! What!? Who was Toothless?

After Hiccup commanded that, a black shadow appeared above us and two black scaled claws grabbed the leather bands on Hiccup's shoulders, lifting us out of the water. Hiccup didn't let go of me.

I noticed his arms had become more muscled than before. Guess he's not so much of a runt anymore.

I heard flapping of wings and I looked up, seeing... a Night Fury.

Yes, a real life Night Fury with quite a big wingspan, completely black scaled and big green eyes.

I couldn't believe my eyes.

The Night Fury returned us to the land, putting us both down on the dirt. The Night Fury landed a few feet away and turned towards us, sitting down like pets would, looking at us with his cute green eyes.

Wait... did I just say cute?!

"Astrid, I hope you're not so mad." Hiccup said, going closer to the Night Fury. "But... this is Toothless, the Night Fury you shot down?"

Oh, shit!

"I-I... I only wanted to prove myself to my mother." way to go Astrid! You stuttered in front of the village's runt, now you're screwed for life.

Hiccup gave a sympathizing smile. "I know that feeling. Guess we do have something in common after all."

If you see it that way...

"Why did you give up?" I asked.

Hiccup sighed. "I realized I could never be my father's perfect son. I'm not strong enough, not mean enough towards dragons, I can't kill one even if I wanted to. I'd probably burn alive one day while I'm sleeping and send to Hellheim."

I was a bit surprised. "Wait a moment... you can't kill one even if you wanted to?"

Hiccup nodded. "Somehow, when I look into a dragon's eyes, I can see their pains, reminding me of all the things that make me a runt in the village."

I blinked with my eyes. We've been at war for about 300 years with the dragons, we were told they'd kill us on sight if we didn't act first.

But this Night Fury, Toothless, didn't really look like he was about to kill them.

Had everyone been telling lies? But if it was a lie, who spread it?

"Everything we've been taught about dragons, has it all been a lie?" I asked, looking uncertain at Hiccup.

Somehow, there was a golden flash in his green eyes.

"I may not know who started the lie, but that person certainly didn't like Loki." Hiccup replied.

"Loki? What does he have to do with it?" I asked.

"He created the dragons, as a tribute to a few other Gods." Hiccup replied. "The Gronckle is a tribute to Lady Frigga, the Zippleback is a tribute to Lady Sif, the Monsterous Nightmare is a tribute to Lord Odin, the Night Fury is a tribute to Lord Thor and Lady Hella. All the dragons are tributes to other Gods!"

I stared at him. "Why is this so impossible to believe?"

"Because Loki doesn't really have a good reputation." Hiccup replied. "And because the dragons who attack us are controlled by a Queen."

"WHAT?!" I asked. "How..."

"Toothless showed me the Nest, and somehow, I'm suddenly able to understand their speech!" Hiccup told.

I raised my eyebrows and pulled a horrified face. That was absolutely impossible!

"No... that's not possible! Dragons are vile!" I called out.

Hiccup sighed. "Guess I have to do this the other way."

The other way?

There, right in front of my eyes, Hiccup changed his shape.

His shirt shredded as he grew, brownish-golden scales appeared on random places, his forest geen eyes turned pure golden, his nails grew longer and his brown hair turned midnight black and grew longer. His pants shredded as well, and brownish-golden scaled wings appeared out of his back.

I stood there, my mouth wide open. How the hell...

Hiccup smirked. "I'm truly not who I claimed to be."

"Then... who are you?" I asked, standing there, shaking on my legs. It felt like I was about to fall down on my knees.

"I, am Hávarðr-Jarl, demigod son of Jǫrmungandr the Midgard Serpent." Hiccup said.

I couldn't believe it.

Both of our village's outcasts had godly parents.

"I am no monster, neither is my father or grandfather." Hiccup snarled. "And I, am Alpha to all dragons."

"What are you going to do?" I asked on a bitter tone.

Hiccup smirked. "I will show the village not to mess with the Gods or any of their offspring. And you," he pointed straight at me. "will be staying here."

There was a roar behind me.

I froze, and slowly turned around with my eyes wide open.

There I saw a pair of Monsterous Nightmares, a Gronckle, a Zippleback and three Deathly Nadders.

I'm screwed. I'm totally screwed.

Ashalla's POV:

We neared the village as the sun was about to go down.

My husband-to-be helped me off Sleipnir like a real gentleman and kissed my knuckles.

"I will stay hidden, but I will watch you tomorrow during the games." he said.

"Don't worry, I'll be fine." I said and walked to the village.

I heard Loki leaving and I sighed.

Well, here we go.

I slowly came out of the forest, careful not to trip over my robe.

"There she is!" I heard Mulch call out.

"Ashalla Hofferson has returned!" Bucket called out.

The Chief, Stoick, came up to me. "Well, it took you long enough. But where the hell does that cloth come from?"

Woops... "Uh... it was a gift, from someone I met yesterday. She was a trader, and I gave her my old clothes."

Chief Stoick nodded. "I'll bring you to the tribute's quarters near the arena."

Phew! That went better than expected.

Asgard's POV:

I don't know if I should tell dad about Ashalla's disappearance. I just don't know what to do.

And until then, I'm stuck with Dagur and Ingrid.

Dagur is just a deranged kid, both Ashalla and I will be able to defeat him. Perhaps I'm more limited with my weight than Ashalla, but my armour should help at that.

Ingrid is more of a threat.

She's bitter, crazy, arrogant and a lot more of that. She's a bit afraid to lose.

Then, my father opened the door.

"And our last tribute has arrived!" he said.

Behind him, I saw Ashalla standing, covered up with a light blue robe of some outlandish fabric.

What..?

"Well, you four need your rest. Go to your rooms and prepare for tomorrow." father told.

Ashalla was immediately off to the room where her name was carved, she didn't even say hello.

I sighed and went into my room as well.

My father had provided me with an armour that he let Gobber make.

It was not actually a traditional Viking armour, but strictly made for battle.

I hope I won't die.

And if I do, I hope that Ashalla will win this.

Even though I'm not ready, I will have to do it tomorrow. I have to make my father proud, as well as the village.

I hope you liked this.

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- Alaika Skywalker Antilles 1