Okay, so I don't want to say this, mainly because I don't want you all to kill me...

Oh, wait, that's right. You guys won't kill me because then you'll never find out what happens! Bwahahahahahaaa!

Just wanted you all to know, that this is the only update I will be able to do until Monday evening. So, just so you all know. Shout-outs then. :) I hope you enjoy this chapter for what it's worth. BYE! :D

The flight to Rome was strangely smooth and filled with anxiety and unanswered questions. Astrid couldn't stop thinking. Hiccup was in Rome with people whom he had been sold to. Who knew what the Romans were doing to him? Part of Astrid was even afraid to find out.

No one spoke, but questions were racing through their heads; what would they do when they landed in Rome? What would their plan be? How would they find Hiccup? Would they even find him at all? What if the Romans killed him? What if he was hurt? What if...what if...there were so many what ifs.

They landed on Rome as soon as it was in sight; and it was massive. Not too big, but still, about three or four times the size of Berk, and looked very intimidating with buildings and towers.

"Well, this is a comparison to that Lava Lout place for sure," Snotlout whistled, shaking his head and looking around the place. "This place is awesome."

"We're not here to sightsee," said Astrid. "We're here to get Hiccup, and then get out. If you want to, Snotlout, you can come back in your own time and get yourself killed, but not right now."

Snotlout suddenly didn't look so excited.

Astrid and the others dismounted, drawing their weapons once more, looking around them for any soldiers that could have spotted them when they flew in on their dragons; but no one seemed to be around.

"That's strange," said Astrid. "Where is everybody? If I didn't know better, I would say that this place is abandoned."

"Not abandoned," said Fishlegs, raising a finger as he spoke matter-of-factly. "Actually, when a large event is held, lots of people go to see it. And if they have Hiccup, and know he can train dragons-"

"Then there could be a 'large event'," said Valka, finishing the thought for Fishlegs. Fishlegs nodded. "Come on!" said Valka urgently. "We have to find Hiccup, before something bad happens to him!"

She turned and raced in the opposite direction, followed closely by the others and their dragons.

...

Hiccup hated fights to the death as much as the next person, and he especially hated it when the whole of Rome was there, watching his every move.

He stood at one side of a large arena, where the soldiers had taken him after his re-capture, and clicked Inferno. True to his word, Felix did return to Hiccup his fire sword, which Hiccup now wielded with confidence in his face, fear in his heart.

He looked to the other side of the arena, where his challenger was standing. He was a tall, burly man with a complete set of armor, shield, and sword that was about as long as Hiccup was tall. He was intimidating, but Hiccup didn't let that get to him. Looks were often deceiving; he wasn't about to start doubting his chances of survival before they were even laid out.

"Men of Rome!" Felix addressed the crowd. "And visiting Meatheads! I give you, the yearly fight against Rome's champion, and the Meathead's champion."

The crowd roared with anticipation. Hiccup swallowed, gripping his sword a little tighter.

"I give you the Meathead challenger," said Felix, "Robundagus!"

The challenger, or, Robundagus, lifted his sword over his head and shouted something to the crowd in Latin. He did a terrible job; Hiccup didn't even understand what he was saying, and it was quite obvious he had tried to learn something for today's fight; and yet the audience didn't seem to care whether or not they could understand a word he was saying. They clapped and cheered for the Meathead until settling down once more.

"And I give you the Roman Challenger," said Felix, "Tobias!"

Hiccup swallowed hard as the crowd clapped. He felt sick. This entire affair was sickening; that's all it was.

"You all know the rules," said Felix. "A fight to the death! The method used does not matter at all. The last man standing will be greatly rewarded, and the tribe he belongs to will be equally so. Start the fight in THREE...TWO...ONE...NOW!"

Although it was entirely against his own will, Hiccup found himself charging, his attacker doing the same. Their weapons smashed against each other with a clash that echoed throughout the arena, almost ringing in Hiccup's ears. Sparks flew from Inferno as Robundagus' weapon slid against the sword until finally he withdrew and went in for another strike.

Hiccup jumped to the side, nearly dropping Inferno in the process. His challenger was on him once more, doing everything in his power to try and kill the young Berkian.

Hiccup ducked as the sword sailed over his head. He thrusted his sword arm forward, burning Robundagus' hand with the fire that lapped over the blade. Robundagus withdrew his hand and shouted once again in bad Latin before charging once more.

Hiccup was pushed to the ground; he rolled to the side when Robundagus tried to impale him. The sword sank into the ground where Hiccup was a second ago, and Robundagus grunted as he yanked it out and tried once again. Hiccup rolled to the opposite side, Robundagus missing once more, his sword sinking into the dirt again.

While yanking his weapon out of the Earth, Hiccup kicked him in the shin, recollected Inferno, and ran. He ran until he reached the far end of the arena, turning around just in time to see Robundagus running in his direction, sword raised over his head in obvious fury.

Hiccup sank to the ground as the sword flew from Robundagus' hand; he had thrown it at him. That merciless Meathead just threw his sword at Hiccup. Hiccup grabbed the sword before Robundagus could grab it once more, and then threw it in the opposite direction. Robundagus' sword clattered on the ground a few feet away, but Robundagus' steps didn't slow, nor did they falter. He smashed into Hiccup, the shield in between the two men.

Hiccup could have sworn he heard one of his ribs crack. Inferno slipped from his grip and fell to the ground beside him, the flame distinguishing, and suddenly, he couldn't breathe. The oxygen was knocked out of his lungs, and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't draw more in. Only one thought rushed through his head:

I am going to die.