Disclaimer: I do not own "How to Train Your Dragon."
Author's Note: I'm back with the new chapter and earlier than I thought I would! I really like how this one turned out, so I'm eager to hear what you all think. I sincerely hope this chapter shows up this time!
(Update) Sorry, nothing new, I went back to clean up some of the mistakes here and I accidentally deleted the chapter. So if you're seeing this as an update I'm sorry it's nothing new.
At the age of eighteen, he had not yet understood the true power of his voice.
—from "Biography of the Master of Dragons" by Astrid Hofferson.
"Dragons!" A man shouted, bursting through the doors of the Great Hall.
Stoick was in the middle of a meeting he had summoned with a few other chieftains to make official his heir to the throne of Berk. But it was now on hold.
"Dragons!" The man shouted again. "They're goin' after th' keep! Our food's there!"
Stoick glanced from across the ovular pit of fire, out the doors. Just by the sounds of fire and shouting he could tell it was a big raid.
He nodded to Gobber, "Aye, we fight!"
The other chieftains all raised their weapons high and shouted in agreement.
As they filed through the giant doorway, led by Stoick, they were met by the sight of blazing orange, causing the night stars to retreat.
In the heart of the village, people scattered and cried as they fought the swarm of dragons, razing their homes.
The beasts burned through the roofs slithering through the structures and bursting from the sides. They seemed to be seeking something, Stoick had a feeling what that something was.
"Gather men around the storage, they can't get our food!"
In the nodding of heads their group divided into two directions, one to the storage and the other, to the heat of the battle.
"Stoick," Gobber said, "I'll cover the north if you get the shore."
Stoick nodded, "Aye, man."
The two took their forces and headed toward their respective directions.
Stoick couldn't help but blame these raids on the demon that took his wife and son. Those demons are angry at what we did to their King. He allowed a moment of satisfaction to pass before hauling a wooden carriage onto his shoulders, and chucking it at a Nadder ripping apart a rooftop.
It smashed upon impact, sending the beast staggering off into the night.
He corrected his cloak, fixing his gaze on a Zippleback chasing a mother and her child.
Oh, no you don't, demon! Not again!
He rushed with a surging speed toward the dragon, launching himself onto one head and twisting it around the other. You'll not ruin the lives of any more of my people!
He grabbed his hammer to beat it, when a Monstrous Nightmare struck him onto the ground. He flipped up in a mighty cry and punched the red beast right in the snout. "Come on you coward, is that the best you can do?"
It roared and vomited red lava his way.
He dodged, spinning up to the side and hammered its face. In its moment of disorientation he grabbed its horns and smashed its head into the dirt.
"Tie him up!" He yelled to the men, still holding the face, "We're in need of another one of these!"
Once the beast was immobilized he turned to a man for report, "How're we faring?" He had to yell above the deafening bursts of battle.
"Our supply hasn't been tapped yet, sir." The man ducked as a stream of fire zoomed by, "And there hasn't been any threatening dragons spotted yet."
A nearby explosion sent wood splinters raining down on them. Stoick stood unfazed as he casually brushed them off. "Every dragon is a threat." He said coldly.
"Of course, sir, but there hasn't been anything besides, Gronckles, Nadders, Zipplebacks," He stopped to glance at the immobilized dragon, "Nightmares."
"Any Night Furies?"
"None. There hasn't been one in years."
He nodded, watching the swarm screeching in formation high above, "Better to air on the side of caution. How's Gobber?" He asked.
"He's in the thick of it at the moment; we might need to help them."
"All right then..."
"Back you foul beast!" Gobber shouted at a Nadder, brandishing the mace harnessed to his peg-arm.
The dragon screeched and shot its tail spines at him. One stuck in his left shoulder, he laughed as he pulled it out, "You'll have to do more than throw your toothpicks at me!"
He then heard a man shout a warning to him from behind, he whipped to see a hammer smash the face of a Gronckle that had almost pounced on him.
It was Stoick!
"Aye, my old friend, you saved me!"
"We'll talk later; right now we need to head these dragons off the island."
"Got ya, sir!" He said, glancing at a group of men wrestling with a pack of Nadders. "These beasts are relentless; I never remember them being this persistent."
"They must be desperate for food."
"Good. Let them all starve I say!"
"Are you gonna need me?" Stoick asked suddenly.
"Nah," he replied, his gaze fixing on the Nadder that had hit him earlier, "I've got a score to settle."
"All right, then." He said, hurrying off in his own direction.
As he leaped over the burning piles of debris, he notice the formations of the dragons in the sky suddenly shift direction, now heading away from the island. The dragons on the ground took off to follow them, sounds of chaos fading.
It was replaced by the cheers of men, rejoicing their victory. But Stoick knew better, something wasn't right about the way they left. It was too abrupt.
They were in the thick of battle and they just stop and leave without their prize? That doesn't make sense; they would've had to been ordered away.
A meaty hand on his back drew him from his thoughts, "We did it, sir!" Gobber proclaimed.
It was true, they had won—but not by much.
In every direction there seemed to be a burning home or scorched grass. The beasts had taken their toll.
Now it was time to rest… or so he thought.
"Stoick," a man called.
He looked up, waiting for him to respond.
"There's a boat down't the docks, looks like Drago's men."
Stoick growled. This was a bad time for him to visit.
At the docks, Stoick and Gobber were met by a group of armored men, lining the docks as they awaited their superior to exit.
Stoick growled inwardly, the feeling not completely lost on his face, however. Drago Bludvist, you are a madman, we will never bow to you, he thought, his hand finding the handle of a blade, hidden beneath his cloak. I could kill him here and now, save us from the tyranny… no, the risk is too great, they'd lay waste to Berk.
He felt himself tense as he saw a figure passing through the soldiers, but was taken aback as he became visible: Dagur? Of the Berserker Tribe?
"Ah, Stoick, long time no see!" He said. "How's the village coming along… still having the raids I see."
He must be in Drago's employ.
"I am under Drago's employ, and I know that it may seem… shocking, but we have little time for questions now."
"What are you doing here?" Stoick demanded in a low growl.
Dagur allowed a short laugh, "Right to business I see, well, if you must know I am here to strike up a deal. So what do you say, Stoick, want to make a deal?"
"You picked a bad time to come here Dagur."
"Oh, really, and why is that?" he asked insinuatingly.
"You will show him respect!" Gobber snapped, causing Dagur to take a step back.
He quickly collected himself, "Well, by the looks of the vivid paints splattered around and the sounds of a cheering crowd, one would think it's a ceremony… Tell me, you wouldn't be electing a new chief would you?"
Stoick growled, "Our affairs are none of your business, Dagur."
"Drago made it pretty clear how he wanted things done." Dagur said.
"Drago isn't here, now is he?" Stoick countered.
"Well I'm delegating for him. And I want to know: Are you electing a new chief?"
Stoick's hand begged to grab his blade. It would be so easy…
"No? Well then, perhaps my offer may persuade you—care to hear it?"
"No." He speaks of an offer, but won't specify till I give him an answer. This could be dangerous.
"Excellent! Well today, I bring to you—Stoick the Vast—the Master of Dragons!"
His heart nearly stopped: Does he speak truth?
Gobber seemed shocked as well, asked: "How do we know you're tellin' the truth?"
He chuckled, "I'll show you—follow me."
"Absolutely not!" Stoick snapped, "You'll bring him out here."
"Fine," he turned to his men, "bring him out!"
Two men nodded, hurrying into the ship.
Neither Stoick nor Gobber had seen this evil being before, they only had Astrid's and a few men's accounts to go by.
Stoick shifted in anticipation: Will he have razor teeth and black claws? Will he have demon eyes and speak in demon tongue with which he will control us with? A lifetime worth of wonders was answered as he laid eyes on a boy no older than eighteen, hands held behind his back and eyes red from fatigue.
He had frail arms and tousled auburn hair. He couldn't be a boy though; it must be a trick, a façade!
Stoick felt the compelling urge to end him there and then, fighting to keep his hand from his blade. What an evil thing to impose itself as a weak boy. These men are foolish to not have him restrained.
The boy, who was held up only by the men behind him, looked up at him, thought: I've seen him in my vision! But, it's foggy. He's dangerous though.
Stoick, still trained on the boy, asked: "What are the terms of this deal?"
"You pledge your allegiance to Drago."
Stoick seemed to consider it, "I can't make that decision. That will be up to the new chief."
"No." Dagur said, "That's not acceptable."
"Well, that's all you're getting."
Dagur reclined momentarily, mulling an idea over.
This is foggy ground, Hiccup told himself. Where's Toothless?
An idea sprang into Dagur's head at that moment, "All right, here's the new deal: We will leave the decision up to your new chief, if they can defeat the Master of Dragons in one-on-one combat."
Stoick stiffened: He knows of our inauguration process! His father must've told him long ago.
Stoick looked at the boy again noting his features: This could be a ploy to kill the heir-chief and leave us defenseless, the Master of Dragons surely is a well of hidden powers—demon powers. But if they were able to subdue him…
After a moment he nodded, "Very well, bring the devil to the arena." We won't let these men leave the island. Our allegiance will never lie with Drago.
Hiccup remembered hearing those words—it was one of the many uncertain visions he's had and now it had come true. He knew now that he was still on the narrow path to the Kingdom of Diamond, but he remembered that this vision had been dangerously close to the first peak of violence. He then realized that he had also seen this fight in the same vision and how dangerously close it was to the black abyss.
It was like a man losing his footing on a steep incline, he only had a few miraculous chances to catch himself from a fatal plummet, and Hiccup had slipped.
As he glanced around at the place, noting how strange their society was—they each lived in small wooden shacks, they had statues, a place to craft weapons, and bridges to cross to each isolated shard of land. I've always wondered how they managed without dragons, and it's terrible! They have to build walkways just to reach small spaces! These people really need to see the light in dragons. He then noticed how the place looked in ruins; a ferocious battle had happened here and by the looks of it, they hadn't fared well.
"Well, Stoick, it seems as though your village is not doing too well." Dagur remarked, glancing at the simmering wood of burned homes.
"Dragons," he snarled.
"The attacks getting to be too much for you, eh?"
Dragon attacks? The idea of it struck Hiccup as odd. Why would dragons just attack people? That makes no sense.
"Dragons attack everybody, you know that Dagur."
"No, I can't say I do Stoick, Drago has his ways of keeping the beasts away…which reminds me, we also have his dragon: the unholy offspring of lightning and death itself!"
"A Night Fury," Gobber gasped.
Dagur gained his predatory smirk, "We can lock it up in the arena with this boy."
"What else do you have in there, Thor himself?" Stoick remarked. Rule number one about making deals: Never let it known that you're interested, they'll bleed you of all you have. "What else are we gonna have to give for it?"
"Nothing. He's part of the deal."
It must be too much for them. "Very well, then."
Hiccup perked up at the mentioning of his companion, I'll be with Toothless—good.
They reached the large dome-like cage in the ground, illuminated in torchlight. The place frightened Hiccup; he glanced at every inch of the place as he was led through an open gateway.
What is this place? He wondered, a feeling of dread overcoming him. Could this be where they kill dragons?
The thought of it disgusted him, so much so that he had to force himself to think of something else.
There were many doors here and he could hear the restlessness behind them. One in the center opened, the mechanisms that comprised it cranking and clinking in the process. The inside was a dark pit, a void of nothing, except the growling of a dragon, deeply disturbed by its situation.
Just by the growl, he could tell it was a Monstrous Nightmare.
These people know nothing; Hiccup thought angrily, you can't cage a Monstrous Nightmare in such a small space, they are claustrophobic, it'll only make them more dangerous!
He felt the ropes around his wrists severed and a forceful shove pushing him into the tiny space. The door sealed shut, leaving him in darkness. He was alone again, or at least he felt like it.
He turned in the direction of the dragon, beckoned it, "You don't need to be afraid of me, I'm not like them."
The Monstrous Nightmare that had been in the corner approached him. He had been around about fifty Nightmares in his life, and all of them were hard headed, if commanded one thing, they did the opposite. The most frustrating dragons Hiccup has ever attempted to work with. But they weren't all bad, once they were familiar with someone, they could be quite the weapon in battle.
Hiccup could feel its breath on him as it studied him. Hiccup knew he would smell like a dragon to him and would have no trouble winning him over—just as long as it didn't set itself on fire. He preferred not roasting alive in the small space.
They need to trap a dragon to learn of its ways! If they had—as mom always says—even a modicum of sense, they'd know enough to call him from the sky.
The long neck seemed to coil around him as the dragon continued his examination. Hiccup knew how to win him over—extending his hand, he gently placed it on his snout.
The dragon widened his amber eyes in the dark room, shocked that a human was showing affection.
Hiccup felt an overwhelming sympathy for the dragon in that moment. He was trapped in darkness and neglected probably all the time, and when they did bring him out, he was probably shown harsh aggression.
He swallowed a surge of anger in his throat, said: "I promise, on my life that I will get you out of here. You will be free and will have a place in our kingdom."
He could feel the dragon watching him, understanding his promise. He was still apprehensive though, the way humans had treated him his whole life had poisoned his image of them, but he could sense that this one was different. And with that, he was willing to give him a chance.
Hiccup then heard the doors click, a large mechanism turning and wood dragging along the outside of the door.
It must be Toothless, He thought.
As the door opened to full mass, he saw a large number of men, wrestling a familiar dragon.
Toothless!
They threw him into the stone room with him, and quickly closed the doors again.
Hiccup rushed to the side of his companion and pulled off the restraint around his mouth.
They embraced like long-lost friends, Hiccup expressing his happiness in a tight hug and saying how glad he was, and Toothless expressing his in grateful nudges of his head into his friend's and giving a great lick to his face.
There were many visions where Toothless wasn't with him here, and he avoided all of them.
"Oh, bud, I'm so glad to see you! I'm so sorry I put us in danger like that."
The Night Fury crooned, nuzzling his face into Hiccup's, when the Monstrous Nightmare drew near, his head just over Hiccup's right shoulder.
Toothless saw him and protectively growled.
Oh no, Hiccup thought, possessive Night Fury warning.
"Toothless," he said, "It's okay, it's okay—he's a friend."
Toothless lowered his aggression to a low growl, muscles tensed to strike at any given moment. He possessively wrapped his tail around Hiccup, claiming him as his own.
"Toothless please, he isn't gonna take me away from you!"
He still had his protests, but eventually gave in.
"He's gonna come with us when we escape. He's gonna be a part of our kingdom!"
His growl subsided as he realized what Hiccup meant—a follower. They were going to rebuild the kingdom again.
Not much later they went to sleep.
For the first time since he had met the dragon, he fell asleep in his grasp, a wing wrapped round to keep him warm. Toothless positioned himself between the Nightmare and Hiccup, a sign that told the Nightmare the boy was taken.
Hiccup was grateful that Toothless offered this to him. It was freezing cold, and he had no blankets or jacket, but the Night Fury kept him warm and that's all he could ask for.
But something else happened.
As they slept, Hiccup felt a familiar feeling in his dream, one that he had not felt since the King had died. He had joined awareness with someone. Could it be the King?
He then saw the familiar dragon and they were in the old kingdom of ice.
"Hiccup," he said in his sonorous voice.
The sight and familiarity of the voice was overwhelming to him and he could feel the tears welling up in his eyes.
"You're here." Hiccup said quietly.
"Only in your dreams."
"How? Why?"
The King chuckled, "There is something I must do. Remember the conversations you and I had?"
He nodded. His heart aching from a sudden longing for those times.
"Well as King I was capable of doing such a thing. That and because of your mind. But those conversations, while important, will not be nearly as important as the ones you will have with the new King."
"Toothless," Hiccup asked breathlessly.
The King nodded with a smile, "There could, perchance be a time when you'll hear my voice again, but that is not to be known yet."
"Well I hope I do."
The King shook his head, "You're still the same Hiccup as when I left. There's a saying among dragons: We do not fly into the future with a determined fortune without knowing first the path that lays it. We count our scales thus and endure with a heart of intentions and a mind deprived none of vigilance."
Hiccup sighed, "There is no one who can speak like you do."
"Do not be so certain, Toothless is very intelligent. That saying was crafted by a Night Fury."
"So he could be more intelligent than even you?"
"It is a possibility, but you must remember that intelligence comes in numerous forms."
Hiccup nodded, letting it sink in.
"Now, I've taken up enough of your time. Once I've bestowed the title upon him, I'll connect you to Toothless' awareness so the two of you can converse."
"Wait, I thought he was the King already?"
"No. He wasn't ready at the time. And I see your worries—do not fear, this will not change him."
Hiccup nodded slowly, "I guess this is goodbye, then. I hope I'll see you again." Hiccup said.
The King smiled, "If it is to be then we will—farewell, Hiccup."
The image of the scene changed drastically, a square within a square, moving and shifting until it settled into an open field under night stars, and a great moon. He could still feel another presence, but it was different this time.
He then saw the Night Fury looking at him through light green eyes.
"Toothless?" He questioned.
The dragon smiled at him, "Brother, Hiccup!"
Hiccup couldn't believe it; he was finally talking to his best friend just like he had with the King. He reached a hand out to touch him; he had to be sure he wasn't going to fade away.
Toothless chuckled at his awe, "I'm as surprised as you are." His joyous smile faded, "I'm sorry, brother, I didn't know you thought I was neglecting you, before. I promise you, I love you, my brother and nothing will part us. Wherever you want to go, I'll be there and I'll go with you! We can adventure, just like we used to!"
Slowly, a smile pulled at Hiccup's lips, "Oh, I have so many questions! Like are there any other Night Furies?"
Toothless frowned, "You don't wish to leave me, do you, brother? Because I won't let you."
Hiccup sighed, "Toothless, I'm not gonna leave you."
He looked unconvinced, "There are so many of us that want you, but they can't have you! You're my brother!"
"Toothless I've been with you for ten years! Do you not trust me?"
"Of course I do, brother!" He said. A misunderstanding flashing in his gaze. "I'd trust you with my scales, and they're the most precious thing a dragon can give! It's the others; they will try to win you over."
"But I can have other—"
"No! You can be no one else's brother except mine."
"So you're limiting me from seeing the other dragons." He said monotone.
"Yes." He said finality in his tone.
Hiccup shook his head, before a harsh laugh, "You're lucky you're such a good friend."
"I wouldn't think of being anything else."
"What about Cloudjumper, though? I have to be able to see him!"
"He's the only one I'll trust with you. But you're still my brother."
He nodded, "Fine. But one day you'll come around to it."
Toothless let out a barked laugh, "You have much to learn about a Night Fury then."
Hiccup remembered something at that moment, "You know you're gonna have to let me fight tomorrow."
His face snapped into anger, "Absolutely not!"
"Well we have no other choice!"
"We can just fly out of here!"
"No we can't. Trust me, I've seen our options. I need to get a good look at the area first."
Toothless huffed, knowing of his 'gift.' "There must be another way, this is too dangerous."
He shook his head, "There isn't."
"Oh, Hiccup, you may as well pierce my heart with your human blades, I can't let you be in such danger."
Hiccup sighed, feeling his pain, "I'll tell you what—if I really need your help I'll call you and you can come bursting out and help me."
"If they so much as mark your face, brother, I'll tear them all to pieces." He said—the malice nearly visible.
He smiled, "I know you will, bud. But I'd prefer that didn't happen."
"If they hurt you I'll have no choice."
"They won't, I'm too quick for them to catch me. Once I have the area mapped out, I'll call for you and the Nightmare, and we'll get out of here."
At this, sincere concern crossed his face, "Please, promise me you won't try anything too… Hiccup."
"Hey! What's wrong with my ways?" He asked, offended slightly.
"Sometimes you like to try…extravagant things. You're very curious."
"It's not a bad thing!"
"Here, it is. Just promise me you'll stick to the task."
He huffed, "Fine. I don't want to stick around here anyway; I sense something…strange around here, something dangerous."
"All the reason not to go exploring; now it's about time to wake up, we'll talk again tomorrow night."
Hiccup nodded in understanding, and then felt his awareness vastly shift and morph into one again.
On her seventeenth birthday, Astrid Hofferson was to kill her one hundredth dragon in the Berk training arena as an inauguration as Chief. The entire village had gathered to view the event, the soon-to-be-retired chief, Stoick the Vast, sat in his authoritative chair, Gobber by his side.
In honor of the event, and to remind all that Astrid was of the Hairy Hooligan Tribe, the island was streamed in colorful banners that spanned building to building, and the faces of the crowd splashed in arrays of vivid paints that mimicked the paints splashed on the homes for the occasion.
It wasn't long after their defeat of the dragons in the Nest that Stoick had found Astrid and her companions drifting on the northern sea. He had brought them back to Berk and much to their surprise, did not punish them. The conquering of the Nest had filled him with such elation at the time he even went so far as to name Astrid as heir-designate to the throne of Berk. But it was something he had been planning for quite some time.
"The pressure's on," Gobber hummed above the rowdy cheers of the villagers overlooking the arena with their hungry eyes. "Ah, it's a proud day to see one of my students taking on the role of Chief, and it makes me even more proud to know it is Astrid that'll be filling that role."
Stoick's large solemn eyes were trained on the presently, empty arena, Astrid was still resting in her home, preparing for her long-overdue battle with the Monstrous Nightmare that would baptize her into the role. He couldn't help but feel distressed that it couldn't be his son that would take the title. It was a day he should've been here for, but at least the Master of Dragons will be slain, and his debt to his wife and son will be nearly laid to rest. There still was the beast that took them from him...
"I hope Astrid won't be too angered by this change." Stoick said.
"Ah-h-h," He waved it off, "She'll be fine. Besides you've seen how hateful she is of this devil. The only thing I'm worried about is the mess to clean afterward. I'm gonna be here all night!"
Stoick nodded looking to the sky.
The gods were smiling at them today, for the sun was shining bright in the sky, no clouds to obstruct its gaze. It was a perfect day—but the Chief's mind was focused on one thing: the death of the Master of Dragons. And it would happen today, right before of his eyes...
The cheers that had filled the arena were muffled from within Astrid's home.
Standing as straight as she could, she examined her battle ax, ripe for the killing.
"This is it," she said in a preparing breath, "Today I become the Chief."
She viewed herself through the reflection in her ax. The band that used to hold back her hair was now lost under it, a long thick braid of hair cascaded down her shoulder. She had grown the past three years, having a longer, more angular face that has rarely smiled. She was well aware of how beautifully she was perceived among her companions, they would try relentlessly to win her heart—offerings of sheep and chickens and weapons—but she rejected them all, she wanted none of their wealth or their love, all she wanted was to defeat the Master of Dragons. But she knew nothing of his presence on Berk, only that she would be fighting the Monstrous Nightmare.
In a breath, she holstered the ax on her back, removed her gloves and dismantled the hood of her outfit. It would only slow her down.
Standing momentarily and taking a few more deep breaths, she proceeded out her front door, exposing herself to the waiting crowd.
When they saw her they began chanting her name, "Astrid, Astrid, Astrid, Astrid!"
She walked past them, pretending to ignore their cheers, but inside she felt adrenaline coursing through her. As she entered the arena, she caught the supportive glares of her companions, Ruffnut and Tuffnut held theirs for about a second before they found something to fight about.
When she arrived at the center of the arena, she stopped and drew her ax, holding it to the sun so that the gods may bless her weapon. After a moment her gaze fell on the Chief as he rose from his chair.
The rowdy crowd silenced as he spoke, "Today is a great day for Berk." He exclaimed, "Today we name out new chief!"
The crowd cheered wildly at this.
"Now as tradition goes the successor must slay the Monstrous Nightmare and be baptized by its blood. But today that will not be."
Gossiping mutters arose from the crowd, even Astrid betrayed her confusion with a furrowed brow.
"Today is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Odin has sent us an even fouler demon for Astrid to slay."
She felt her whole body tense at this. What's behind those doors? Is it a Night Fury? Surely they wouldn't put that much risk on me.
The entire crowd seemed to be sharing her thought as they all watched the doors.
"Today—here on Berk—Astrid Hofferson will slay the Master of Dragons!" He exclaimed.
What? It was like the gods had answered her prayers. But she still couldn't believe it. She found that her lungs were working overtime, her breath quick.
Sudden gasps filled the air. The one whom they all feared was here on their island.
Astrid, through all the sudden excitement and eagerness, resumed a professional stance—she was going to be Chief.
The people must see that I can remain unaffected by surprises. I can handle anything thrown.
She then directed her ax toward the Chief, "I dedicate this blood to Chief, Stoick the Vast!" And to my parents, who I wish could be here to see this…
Lowering her ax she faced the large barricaded doors, readied her stance. She allowed tension to ride along her neck and shoulders: This beast could use demonic powers over me. Control me with a simple turn of his hand. If he could do it to the dragons he could do it to her and for a brief moment she felt fear tinge through her.
She fought it off as she heard the mechanism of the door clinking and clanking, the barricade rising.
His blood shall coat my ax!
Two men on the sides of the doors rushed in to suppress a Night Fury and Monstrous Nightmare that that surprisingly didn't try to escape.
This was disconcerting to the crowd and to Astrid.
Then the Master of Dragons emerged.
He was overwhelmed at first by the sight of the cheering faces surrounding the cage above, each calling for his blood. His eyes then fell on his opponent; an elfin faced maiden with eyes two pools of the purest blue, and a sinuous body with perfect curves and marvelous slender. If there be a woman of greater beauty, then he had never seen her before. He felt an unnameable tremor through his body, a feeling of weakness surging through at her presence—she was beautiful. But he saw the cold ferocity in those pools of beautiful blue, a thing that didn't belong in such an ethereal being as her.
Despite the shocked gasps of the crowd, Astrid maintained her composure. She had seen him before, so his small frame was no surprise to her. What did surprise her however was how enraptured he looked, his eyes transfixed on her like a beautiful gem. To be honest she was surprised that he was capable of showing emotions—unless it was one of his tricks.
It's a feint! He thinks to trick me with his evil ways; well I won't give him the chance.
In the blink of his absorbing eyes she flashed toward him, incredible speed on her side. It was by his supreme quickness, he dodged it.
What speed! He thought, seeing the shocked look on her face as she saw the air she had sliced.
Astrid bit back frustration as she hurled her ax at him.
He dodged again, the thing almost taking his left arm with it.
She dove into a combat roll to rip the ax stuck in the stone wall, then pursued him again.
"You'll not best me, dragon loving scum!" She yelled.
Like the turning of a lever, he realized that she was a dragon killer and that the danger here was real.
His purpose returned. I can't hurt her, he told himself, I just need to keep her at bay while I search for a clear path out. But he stumbled.
She pounced.
Gods, what a fighting woman! He thought; his head smashed into the ground.
She pressed the blade of her ax toward his face; he pushed against the handle, fighting it away.
I have to do something! Remembering his mother's lessons, he sent his knuckles into the top of her wrist, causing her to lose her grip on the ax. He used the moment to slip away from her, shocked gasps from the crowd echoing through the arena.
She darted to her feet, not bothering to wipe the dirt off. He's trying to make a fool of me before my people!
He was now just realizing she's a well-trained killer, almost as good a fighter as his mother. And he was a Hiccup and never fought without Toothless, one slash from that ax and he was done. But luckily he has youthful quickness, and according to his mother, is 'the swiftest human she's ever seen.' All that practice dodging Nadder spikes is what did it, not to mention the obstacles Toothless would and still puts him through—he's a dragon of puzzles, the most intelligent one alive. He even considered him intelligent among Night Furies and they were intelligent creatures by nature.
She darted at him again, feinting left and swinging her ax in the direction he was going.
The crowd gasped.
He had managed to grab her arm and disarm her of her weapon, kicking it away. But he didn't attack her, he was too busy gazing at the sky, looking for a way out.
He managed to hear her steps and danced away from a raging fist. I just have to keep this up and I'll make it out of here.
But he spoke too soon, he tripped over the weapon he had disarmed her of and tried to regain his balance. He felt an exploding pain in his face as her fist streaked across. It came again and again and he fell to the ground, her hand constricting around his throat.
He needed to call Toothless for help, but his windpipe was being crushed. He felt a moment of desperation, she was going to kill him right here and there was nothing he could do.
He saw the ax rise and block out the sun, then it stopped. The grip on his throat released.
As he choked down air, he heard the cries of the crowd above. He saw the red bearded man from before cry, "Beast!"
In the flapping of mighty wings above, Valka and Cloudjumper hovered over the arena, she whirled her staff toward the cage that covered it, a horde of dragons descending and blasting the cage.
Now strong enough, Hiccup jumped to his feet, he had to get her to understand.
"Listen." he said.
Astrid, who was busy watching the spectacle stiffened at his words. He speaks!
"We don't want to hurt you!" He pleaded. "We just want to show the world how amazing dragons are! They're amazing creatures that love and protect people! My name's Hiccup and I'm just some guy, not the Master of Dragons."
His words seemed to visibly strike her and she couldn't find the words to respond.
Hiccup? He's Stoick's...
At that moment a blast obliterated the metal door that concealed Toothless and the Monstrous Nightmare.
Toothless spotted him through the chaos and rushed to his side. He seemed to be physically hurt when he saw the marks on him. He then snapped in a vicious snarl at the girl.
"No, no, no, Toothless! It's not her fault!"
The Night Fury seemed unconvinced but trusted him.
"She'll understand, bud." he said. He looked back at her, her figure shocked against the wall, pale like having seen a ghost. He grabbed her limp hand, cold in fear as he inhaled, prepared to speak.
But the dragon wasn't having it. He grabbed him up unwillingly and took off toward the sky—but he didn't realize that Hiccup was still holding tightly to the girl's grasp, and he had taken her too.
So now the heat of the story really begins! I'll try to post the next chapter as soon as I can! Until next time!