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Chapter 14: The Kill Ring
(Hiccup POV)
Nervous.
The word doesn't even touch my current feelings.
It's been a few days since my return and word spread like wildfire. Today however, is the final exam.
I'd woken up this morning, skipped breakfast for fear of not being able to keep it down, replaced a large majority of the bandages, tugged on my hood a dozen times or so before leaving the house. Everything hurts but it's a dull pain similar to when there's a bruise and you poke at it. Mostly asking, 'does it hurt?' poke it, yup, 'does it still hurt?'. The burns aren't as serious as they were yesterday. I've always been able to recover from large wounds quickly.
My missing tailfin on the other hand is another story, with my 'test flight' completed yesterday, it's obvious I don't need it to fly steadily like Toothless does. It's just there and now it's missing. Well half of it.
I never want to go through an interrogation again.
When I reach the arena roughly ten minutes later, I walk over to the gate and hold the helmet under my hand as more people gather they begin to chant my name, "Hiccup! Hiccup!"
I hardly register their voices, there are at least seventeen different ways this can go wrong. Probably more. I'm not exactly sure who's brilliant idea it was to kill a Monstrous Nightmare to end dragon training but I want to grab them by the throat and throttle them.
I wait about five minutes before I hear Mom's voice, "Well, I can show my face in public again!" She says, laughter ripples through the crowd and I tug at my hood, picking at the ends of the frayed fabric."If somebody had told me that in a few short weeks Hiccup would go from being...well Hiccup-" I cringe, my wings twitching,"-To placing first in dragon training! Well I would have tied him to a mast and shipped him off to Alvin for fear he'd gone mad!" The crowd roars with laughter and I bite my lip harder. "And you know it! But here we are, and no one's more surprised or more proud than I am." She says. "Today my boy, becomes a Viking! Today he becomes one of us!" Mom yells, the crowd cheers.
No I'm not, I can't. Ever. I am not normal.
I stare at the ring, it was empty except a weapons rack standing towards the side, I sincerely hoped it had more than hammers and long swords. I'm more skilled with thinner daggers and short swords. Why can't I focus today. I feel like my brain is something bouncing off a wall, leaping from one thing to the next.
"Be careful with that dragon." Astrid says behind me startling me slightly, but I don't jump, I don't even look back at her. The last few days have been a blur, I distinctly remember talking to Astrid about this but I can't remember what I said. Toothless has been over protective but we've both tried to settle accept the 'twins' theory. It's crazy.
"It's not the dragon I'm worried about." I admit and watch Mom as she weaves her way through the crowd. Astrid gives a soft nod and moves up behind me. Though I've gained her respect I still lack her acceptance.
"What are you going to do?" She asks.
What am I going to do? I don't know. I'm not sure if there is an answer. Leap into the battlefield with my fingers crossed. That's the best I can come up with.
"Put an end to this. I have to try." I say. I slowly turn to her, her hair is pulled back into a tight braid but her bangs still cover her left eye. She looks nervous but determined to be brave. I purse my lips. Toothless is my brother, I can't let anything happen to him, if I die durning this, I want Astrid and Toothless to leave. "Astrid," I say quietly, "if something….goes wrong, just make sure they don't find my twin." I say.
Astrid looks at me her blue eyes widening.
"I will." She promises. Explanation. It's a wonderful thing, I'm glad Astrid isn't demanding any. She pauses before looking at where my ears should poke from my head under the hood, "Just promise me it won't go wrong." Astrid pleads.
It would be a dead promise.
I open my mouth to respond but at that moment, Gobber strides into the small opening. He looks at me then Astrid and gives a soft smirk before he turns to me, "It's time. Knock 'em dead, Hiccup." Gobber commands.
I let out a shaky breath and move forward clenching my fists tightly.
I glance around me at all the Vikings who are watching me before I walk over to the weapons rack and breathe a sigh of relief as I see there is more than hammers and swords. I stare at the weapons for a second before I pluck the smallest dagger off from the board. I hear my Mom's quiet but firm voice, "I would have gone for the long sword."
I grab a shield from the rack and then slowly release the breath I had been holding. I don't make eye contact with anyone, "I'm ready." I say. Ready for this to end, ready for the secrets to stop, ready for the bloodshed to come to a close. I'm ready for that. Not for this battle.
The gate slowly creaks open and then as soon as the restraint is gone it bursts open and a Monstrous Nightmare explodes from the cage. Lighten aflame in a full fury it roars and then jumps onto the chain enclosure and spitting fire, the Vikings dodge and a few give some chuckles. The Monstrous Nightmare's claws tighten inwardly in frustration before it turns and sees me. It slowly lowers itself to the ground and the flames coming to a close
"And what do we have here?" It hisses, voice male.
My voice fails me.
Terror is pulsing through me as it slowly advances at me, this isn't a game, this is real. One slip up and it's the end.
I slowly back away and drop the dagger it clatters against the ground. I stare the dragon in the eye, refusing the break eye-contact before the dropping the shield onto the ground. Murmurs of confusion ring through the crowd. I slowly outstretch my hands to the Nightmare an offering of peace between us. It opens its jaws and it's hot breath pours onto me, "Hey, it's okay." I say gently and the Nightmare follows my hands and curiosity feels it's eyes, "It's okay." I sooth. The Nightmare gaze shifts to my head and I realize what's it's staring at. My hood. It can probably see what most humans miss. My ears.
If this is what it will take, then so be it.
I slowly reach up my hands making sure the Nightmare can track every movement I make as my shaking hands grab the edges of the fabric slowly pulling it off of my head. I'm not a Viking. I will die to protect Toothless alive, I nearly did on Night Fury island. This is the point of no return.
I tug the hood off and the greyed sunlight splashes across my head the ears poking out happily.
I lower my hands and stare the dragon straight in the eyes. "I'm not one of them."
Gasps fill the air, disbelieving voices rising towards me.
"Stop the fight." Mom's voice says her tone calm despite the fire in her stature. I meet eyes with her.
"No!" I beg, " I need you all to see this." I say and put my hand over the Nightmares snout. "We don't have to kill them, they aren't what we think they are." I say and look up around me several hands snap over mouths. My gaze briefly flickers over Astrid, her lip is tucked firmly under her teeth.
"I said, STOP THE FIGHT!" Mom yells and slams her sword down on the chain ceiling. The sound echoes in the air and the Nightmares eyes narrow and it snaps at me fire spitting out of it's mouth.
"YOU LIAR!" He shrieks, snapping at me. I jump back slipping on my tail and scramble to my feet as arena as the Nightmare sends a wave of fire at me
I let out a scream of fear and race across the ground my cloak flying out behind me. "HICCUP!" Astrid shouts.
I don't look at her but run.
Plan, plan, plan, plan…
I look at the weapons rack and race toward it I can hear the Nightmare chase after me. My claws unsheathe and I dive forward in a roll grabbing a shield from off of the weapons rack before the Nightmare smashes it with a single claw. I lift up the shield and the Monstrous Nightmare slams it's claw down on the wood.
I grit my teeth but push up against the claw the wood cracking beneath the pressure. Splinters fly out and I release the shield rolling out of the way. I leap to my feet my back arching in pain. "Your death will be satisfying." The Nightmare says and opens its mouth pulling upwards. I'm frozen in place, no more fire. Please.
A hammer smacks the Nightmare in the face and his head turns left towards the arena a low growl escaping his throat. I whirl around and look at Astrid standing next the smashed weapon rack a furious glare sent at the Monstrous Nightmare's direction. The Nightmare angrier, turns and looks at Astrid, turning to her starts to chase after the teen. Astrid looks up at me and then I hear Mom's voice ring through the arena, "This way!" She yells.
Astrid turns to the open door that I'm closer to and I pick up the speed and race forward my feet hardly touching the ground. I shove Astrid forward to the gate and she makes it as my mom grabs her pulling Astrid towards her.
I start to race forward to the door but the Nightmares claw smashes on top of me and I hit the ground my wings softening the fall slightly. I look up at the dragons angry gaze. I struggle under the claw and Nightmare hisses softly, "And now, you die little Viking." He growls and my blood rushes cold as I see the fire building in his throat.
My limbs feel frozen. There isn't an escape. I don't have any plan B.
I squeeze my eyes shut waiting for the killing blow.
There's a whistling noise and I jerk my head left as I realize I recognize it.
No, no, no, no, no, no…
I sense Toothless before he blasts into the arena with a plasma blast. Toothless jumps onto the Nightmare forcing the dragon's claws off of me looking wild and furious. I roll away from them both and the Nightmare shoves Toothless off of him the two rolling into the clear area of the arena.
"Someone get in there and help him!" Someone screams.
Toothless lets out an angered roar and several intakes of breath are a responce, "Night Fury."
The Nightmare jumps onto Toothless and Toothless kicks him away, Toothless rolls to his feet in front of me. "Don't you dare touch him!" Toothless roars and I sit up taking in several deep breaths.
"I kill what I want, prince." The Nightmare snears. Wait. These two know each other!?
Toothless's back arches and he gives a snarl, "Not this time."
"What are you going to do little dragon? Run from it all again if I do?" The Nightmare asks and Toothless growls smoke leaking from his nose. The Nightmare leaps forward and I lean back but Toothless shoves the dragon away preventing any attempts the Nightmare makes.
"GET BACK OR YOU WILL HAVE NOTHING TO BACK AWAY WITH!" Toothless roars angrily. The Nightmare backs up surprise clear on it's feet before it rushes off.
I let out a few shaky breaths before I scramble to my feet and run over to Toothless every step panicking thinking deeply. I reach my twin and Vikings start pouring into the arena. "Toothless go!" I tell him and push at his head.
"No!" Toothless says firmly and he doesn't move.
"Get out of here!" I plead.
"No!" Toothless repeats. I shove uselessly at him. Footsteps catch my attention and I look up and see as my mom shoves Astrid to the side grabbing a sword from off of her back and races forward.
"No Mom! He won't hurt you!" I promise. She doesn't listen.
Toothless looks around us at the advancing Vikings, his breathing picks up speed before he whacks the nearest one with his tail and shoves others away before leaping forward and jumps onto Mom. They roll and my mother shoves at the Night Fury but it's impossible. "Toothless stop!" I beg.
Toothless doesn't seem to hear me and opens his mouth; I hear the whistling sound of a plasma blast. "No," I breathe. I look at my twin and Toothless stares down at Mom, "NO!" I yell and Toothless closes his mouth and looks at me his pupils widening. I feel my heart sink as he holds confusion in his eyes.
"Hiccup?" Toothless asks.
'That's our mom!' I yell mentally and his eyes widen with horror as he looks down at the women under him.
"GET IT!" A Viking yells. All the Vikings race across the floor and jump on Toothless shoving him of off their chieftess. I look at them my eyes widening.
"Oh, no, no no. Please!" I cry. They ignore me and I start to race forward before Astrid grabs me around my chest pulling me back. I struggle harder jerking at her grip she readjusts but refuses to give. "Please! Just don't hurt him!" I beg and stop my useless struggling against Astrid's grip.
Mom staggers to her feet and looks at Toothless before looking back at me, Unti hands mom and axe and she turns her attention to Toothless. I glance at my twin, she cannot kill him! I start to pick up the struggling again my voice catching in my throat weird strangling noises the only thing leaving me.
Mom shoves the axe into Unti's hand and looks at Toothless, "Put it with the others." She commands before shooting her piercing stare to me. She storms up to me and Astrid release me from her grip. I fall to my knees and stare at Toothless as he is dragged away, Mom grabs my arm and pulls me to my feet and starts to pull me Thor knows where but I hardly register it. My eyes remain locked to Toothless."I trust you." He murmurs.
The Great Hall's door is thrown open and Mom tosses me into it. I stumble forward my ears twitching and I can almost see the fire shooting out of her ears."I should have known, I should have seen the signs." She mutters to himself.
"Mom-" I start.
"We had a deal!" She shouts. I run a hand through my bangs and look up at her.
"I know but that was before...oh it's all so messed up now." I groan and she whirls around to me face furious.
"Everything in the ring? A trick?" She demands. My ears fall into my hairline and I back up running a hand through my hair.
"I-I-I screwed up! I should have told you before now!" I say and look up at her worry whirling through my chest,"Take this out on me, be mad at me, but please just don't hurt Toothless." I plead. She glares at me.
"The dragon!? That's what you're worried about? Not the people you almost killed?" She shouts.
"He was just protecting me! H-he's not dangerous!" I say her glare doesn't waver.
"They've killed HUNDREDS OF US-" I cut her off.
"And we've killed THOUSANDS of them!" I yell, I look up at her. The tension is enough to make me feel like I'm choking on it. "They have to! If they don't bring back enough food they'll be eaten themselves, there's something else on their island Mom….it's a dragon-"
"So you've been to the nest." She interrupts and looks back at me from where she'd been pacing. My fists clench, I bite my tongue. Why couldn't I have kept my mouth shut?
"Did I say nest?" I ask quickly.
"How did you find it!" She demands, I look up at her and shake my head.
"I-I didn't, Toothless did. Only a dragon can find the island." I say and look up at her. She glares before an idea passes on her face. She's going to use Toothless to find dragon island. This can't be real. No! She cant! Toothless is a part of me that's been missing for sixteen years! Toothless is her son!
She stomps to the doorway and I chase after her, "No, no no! Mom no! It's not what you think! You don't know what you're up against! I promise you won't win this one!" I cry the huge dragon flashing through my mind, she doesn't stop and I let out a breath my hands jerking in frustration, "For once in your life would you please just listen to me!" I plead racing forward and grab her arm. She throws me back and I hit the ground my palms skidding across the rough stone.
I stare up at her shock running through me.
Her pale green eyes narrow, "You've thrown in your lot with them. You are one, more dragon than human." She says and the words make my blood go cold, "You're not a Viking. You're not my son." She says and turns around slamming the Great Hall door behind her,"Ready the ships!"
A monster
More dragon than human.
And it keeps getting stronger.
I watch as the door slowly creaks back open a ray of sun shining through the darkness. I lay on the ground for a long time before I get to my feet, blinking several times nothing functioning right.
I open the door and walk out, my mind miles away, my feet guiding me forward. I make it to the top of the cliff and stand watching as Toothless useless struggles against the chains that hold him towards the boat. My heart sinks. The boats are loaded and the Chieftess looks up at me her eyes are angry, I slowly shake my head in warning but she looks away.
The ships set out and I feel my heart sink even lower. My limbs feel stiff as I watch them set sail. The chances of them returning are slim to none. I mentioned nothing of our heritage. I should've said something, demanded the truth from her. Valka is leading one son to their death and has disowned the other.
Why did I mention nothing!?
The last two months have been a blur, a mess. When did everything plummet?
"It's a mess." Astrid states moving next to me and breaking me out of my thoughts. I sigh and look away my ears drooping wings falling to the ground,"You've lost everything, your mother, you're tribe, you're twin brother." She says.
"Thank you for summing that up." I say dryly. Astrid frowns, "Why couldn't I have just killed that dragon when I found him in the woods?" I ask angrily looking at the boat-less horizon. "It would have been better for everyone." I add.
"The rest of us would have done it." Astrid agrees before looking over at me, "So why didn't you?" She asks softly.
"I don't know, I couldn't." I respond looking down at the ground memorizing the pattern on the wood.
"That's not an answer." Astrid says. look at her. Frustration boils in me and I whirl around to her glaring,"Why is this so important to you all of the sudden?" I demand.
She looks at me a firm determination in her voice as she says, "Because I want to remember what you say, right now."
I look the girl in the eye, "Oh for the love of- I was a coward, I was was I wouldn't kill a dragon." I exclaim angrily.
Astrid smirks,"You said 'wouldn't' that time."She points out. I snap the build up from the whole day finally loosening my tied tongue.
"Okay! Whatever! I wouldn't! Three hundred years and I am the first person who wouldn't kill a dragon!" I turn away from her shocked face staring at the ocean lapping against the shore lazily.
"First to ride one though," Astrid says, I lift up my head at her words, "So..?" Astrid asks. I turn around to her, everything slowly merging into an answer. Yes me and Toothless are siblings but I didn't know that at the time, it was just...him.
"I wouldn't kill him, because he look as frightened as I was." I say quietly, I lift up my head. "I looked at him, and I saw myself." I say.
Astrid lets out a breath and is quiet for a second, "I bet he's really frightened now." She says softly before turning to look back at me, "So what are you going to do about it?" She asks.
"Eh, probably something stupid." I say dryly and Astrid smiles softly.
"Good, but you've already done that." She says giving a soft shrug. That I have. My eyes widen as an idea pops into my head throwing itself into my brain like Toothless breaking the speed of sound.
"Then something crazy." I say starting to turn around before I see something in the distance, I freeze.
"That's more like it." Astrid agrees grinning. She pauses as she sees my face, "What?" She asks.
I point forward worry starting to build in my chest,"Is that-?" Astrid starts.
"Alvin the Treacherous." I finish looking forward on the horizon wear Outcast ships are dotting the horizon. Why now? He couldn't have waited a day? They were bound to attack us before the season was over. I grit my teeth in frustration.
"We gotta get your plan into action, now." Astrid says and I nod. Both of us whip around taking off down the dock.
A/N: I'm going to try and get as much as possible done in this story today so...brace yourselves for a lot of updates. :)
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