Foreign desires of unforeseen transformations
Chapter 36- Ancient markings
Toothless and Hiccup returned to the lake last night. It had taken a while to get there on foot, but they ended up meeting with Gora again for a while. It was obvious how happy Toothless was in having remembered, and found, his best friend from long ago. Hiccup found himself thinking of ways to make it possible for Gora to come with them if he wanted, but it always ended with the fact that Berk was still a no dragon zone. He never said anything, deciding to wait and see if the cave markings could bring them any closer to solving that mystery. That way he would be closer to knowing if it was at all possible for Gora to even come to Berk. The last thing Hiccup wanted was for Gora to be stuck on Dragon Edge, when he would be safer staying here with Visskara if Berk proved to not be an option altogether.
Acacia had found them at some point last night, and treated Toothless's wounds while he was in his human form, before they returned to the cave. Having no idea what time it was they didn't get to sleep until the early hours of the morning, it wasn't surprising therefore, that they had slept past sunrise.
Hiccup and Toothless had woken up in alarm that early afternoon, to loud sounds of smashing rock, and vibrations that were causing dirt and small rock fragments to fall. Dusty debris had filling the air, and they woke up coughing. They rushed from the cave to see what was going on. Three Gronckles and the purple and grey Grunt-Smasher were smashing down the cavern walls, while the other three Gronckles carried the smashed rock fragments away in an orderly fashion.
''Gorrolketir?'' Toothless shouted over the smashing. ''What the fuck is going on? You couldn't have warned us first?'' He coughed.
Gorrolketir the Grant-Smasher, stopped with a loud grunt, and turned to face Toothless. ''Should have woken up then. The great sol finally returned, time to mend the damage and re-stock the food. Best you move out! Alright Alrollkenders…'' He bellowed, turning back to the others to continue his commands. ''…more force. Tusiain! Stop eating the rocks you quiazule and get back to moving them! That's it Drofrolk, that's the way we roll!''
Toothless couldn't make much sense of what Gorrolketir just shouted at him, he was quite startled and just stood there blinking in shock.
''Toothless?'' Hiccup asked. The smashing had resumed and he was expecting some explanation, or translation.
''Erm… A-All I got from that was… T-Time to move out!'' Toothless stuttered over the noise and rubbed his eyes. ''Let's grab our stuff quick and get out of here before the cave falls in. I think everyone is getting ready to leave the cavern babe. Well, everyone that don't live down here anyways.'' Toothless explained, getting over the shock of being rudely woken up and then shouted at.
-OOO-
Toothless flew them and their stuff to a safer location within the cavern before returning to his human form. Toothless's side was now just a scar, and the bruises were already fading. Whatever Acacia did was astonishing, even Gothi couldn't heal wounds that quickly.
Not many dragons remained in the cavern now that the storm had passed. The Gronckles and Grant-Smasher were busy doing what they did best. The Hotburples, and Stronkles were nowhere to be seen, and Toothless presumed they had moved to a different cavern. The Flame-Tips were laying together to the far-left side of the cavern by the stalagmites, although they still had company of a couple Deadly-Nadders. The Night-Wisps were sleeping to the far right, curled up together. The only others in the cavern, was Gora down by the lake, and themselves setting up in the south area.
''I thought the storm would last till tonight.'' Hiccup asked, as they sorted out the wood that they had saved from the cave, to be used for the fire later on.
''That's what Karisonita said. Sometimes they get it wrong.'' Toothless shrugged.
''Karisonita?'' Hiccup asked.
''Yeah! The Aheitavattaid I was telling you about.'' Toothless reminded him.
''Oh, the Tidal class dragon, I remember.'' Hiccup nodded.
Gora spotted them and decided to fly over.
''Hey Gora!'' Both Toothless and Hiccup greeted in unison as he landed.
''You sticking around?'' Toothless asked. He got onto his feet and bashed into his friend playfully. Gora just pushed Toothless away with his foot looking bored. He obviously felt Toothless was too weak in his human form to be bothered by him. ''Just wait till I change Gora, I bet I can still beat you!'' Toothless goaded, trying to wrestle him with his arms around Gora's neck.
Gora chuckled mischievously and his eyes glowed red. Toothless suddenly starting running around the cavern, screaming like a mad man, and taking off his vest and tunic in the process.
Hiccup's jaw dropped in confusion and shock as he watched Toothless throw his vest, and then his tunic, across the cavern and then proceeded to undo his trousers. ''Gora!'' Hiccup shouted accusingly, but he couldn't help chuckling when Toothless tried to fly in his human form, flapping his arms around and still screaming very loudly.
Gora ended up rolling on the floor in fits as Hiccup tried to contain his own laughter. With Gora distracted, Toothless was no longer under the effects of the hypnotism. He stopped running, and looked down just as his trousers dropped to the ground exposing his arse. Hiccup burst into laughter, no longer able to contain himself.
''That's it Gora! You asked for it!'' Toothless shouted once he realised what had happened. He removed what was left of his clothes and changed into a dragon, tackling Gora immediately after the change.
Hiccup was still trying not to laugh as watched his Night-fury and a Hypnofuse play-fighting around the cavern, tackling each other like teenage boys. They almost hit a red and blue Deadly-Nadder as it was leaving, which gave Hiccup a look of exasperation as it huffed away.
''Sorry, he just… Yeah.'' Hiccup didn't really know what to say as he watched it leave.
When he looked back at Toothless, he saw Gora had gone to whack him with his tail and had missed, hitting a stalagmite instead. Hiccup winced as he watched the stalagmite fall, nearly landing on top of Runisalith who was minding her own business for once. She flew over towards Hiccup, to get away from their destructive games and to glare at him like it was his fault.
''I am so sorry Runisalith.'' Hiccup covered his eyes in embarrassment. ''He's not usually like this.''
''Now I'm beginning to remember those two!'' Runisalith sighed, of course Hiccup couldn't understand her. She vaguely remembered the gossip of a Loightakalean and a Hugreaetlavafi, from many ar'tios ago, that always cause trouble on the island. Come to think of it, she remembered when the Loightakalean use to be under Kalvissmari's care, along with Visskara when they were hatchlings.
Over by the lake, Toothless was immensely caught up in his game with Gora and had just activated his alpha mode. Runisalith gave Hiccup a very strong glare of disapproval.
''Oh, that's just… I-I have nothing to do with this!'' Hiccup told her, defending himself from getting blamed. He received a huff and a disapproving eye-roll nonetheless.
''Gora! I command you, stop attacking me!'' Toothless firmly ordered, roaring to assert his dominance as he hovered in front of Gora.
''That's so unfair you plifigen!'' Gora shouted, trying to hypnotize Toothless to go for a swim.
Toothless nearly ended up nose diving into the lake, but his alpha mode made Gora's hypnotism weak. He managed to break the hold Gora had on him and land on the rocks protruding from the lake instead.
''Stop hypnotizing me and I'll stop commanding you! What's the matter Gora? Still can't take me without them powers of yours?'' Toothless goaded.
''Oh, I can take you Kalean!'' Gora boldly assured him, flying straight for Toothless as fast as he could.
As Gora got closer Toothless went to take off, but Gora spun at the last moment and managed to whacked him with his tail. They both splashed into the lake.
''Gee Gora…'' Toothless spat the water out at him. ''…If you wanted to go for a swim you should have asked'' Toothless quipped.
''Where's the fun it that, you torht?'' Gora tried to Hypnotize Toothless again, but he got splashed with water by Toothless's tail, breaking his concentration. Gora returned the water attack using his own tail.
Gora and Toothless were still play-fighting, and insulting each other, when Visskara flew into the cavern. She spotted them and hovered over the lake.
''Gora! Toothless! That's quite enough! Toothless, your alpha mode isn't welcome on this island without my consent, I shouldn't have to remind you of that. I have something to tell you if can manage to grow up long enough to hear it!'' She then flew over to where Hiccup had been watching, Runisalith was still there.
''Ooo, you got told Kalean!'' Gora gibed, once Visskara was out of earshot.
''Shut it you plifigen!'' Toothless smirked, turning off his alpha mode and splashing Gora for good measure.
''You love me really!'' Gora teased.
Toothless and Gora got out of the lake and returned to where they had left Hiccup. Visskara was there talking to Runisalith when they landed, she turned to speak to them.
''I can't begin to imagine what you two were like as younglings.'' Visskara voiced aloud and sighed. ''I wanted to let you know that I will take you to the section of the caves you seek in the morning, after the great sol has risen. I am needed elsewhere on the island today assisting clean up after the storm. Please do try and stay out of trouble.''
Toothless and Gora nodded their assurance, but when Visskara turned around to continue her conversation with Runisalith, Gora whacked Toothless with his tail. Visskara turned to face them again before Toothless could retaliate, seeing their feigning innocent faces looking back at her she huffed. Hiccup was trying not to chuckle, he had assumed correctly that Visskara had reprimanded them and behind her back were doing the opposite of what she wanted. That face off Toothless's used to work with him, but he doubted it would work with Visskara.
''Don't force me to separate you two. I'd have expected better from you Toothless, being an alpha dreki nonetheless. I have enough to deal with as it is without cleaning up after you two hatchlings.'' Visskara warned them.
Toothless and Gora nodded again, assuring her they would behave. With her back turned Gora mimicked Visskara's accusation that they were behaving like hatchlings. Hiccup covered his mouth to stifle his chuckles. Toothless whacked Gora upside the head with his tail.
-OOO-
Gora and Toothless had failed to reel it in when Visskara left, continuing their mischievousness and tomfoolery. They had tired each other out by the time Toothless changed form to spend some time with Hiccup. Toothless was still breathless as he pulled up his trousers and went to find the vest and tunic he'd thrown from before. Gora laid in a heap near Hiccup, still breathing heavy himself from chasing after Toothless.
''Who won?'' Hiccup asked when Toothless sat down beside him, sighing in relief at being able to rest.
''Me! Did you have any doubt?'' Toothless's smug smile reeked of his ego. Gora huffed in disagreement. ''Don't know what your huffing about, you couldn't catch me you yenho!'' Gora grumbled and rolled his eyes. ''Yeah, I'll give you that one!''
''What did he say?'' Hiccup asked, smiling at his boyfriend.
''That he isn't such a yenho anymore. I used to call him that when we were younger, back when he couldn't get his confusion or hypnotism to work like he wanted. He's a much better opponent now, right Gora?'' Gora had a smug look about him after hearing Toothless agree he had gotten stronger. ''Don't let it go to ya head, you're already a massive plifigen!''
''You always call each other names?'' Hiccup asked.
''Well, I was the torht and he was the yenho. Weirdo and weak-shit in case you forgot. Now he's just an arsehole!'' Toothless chuckled. Gora rolled his eyes and looked like he was trying to sleep.
''Looks like you had fun.'' Hiccup chucked. He leaned in to kiss Toothless and whispered ''I was routing for you babe.''
''I should hope so?'' Toothless whispered back before returning the kiss.
-OOO-
Gora had actually done them the favor of fishing for them, after he had returned with his own share of red sea bream that evening, when Hiccup had announced that they needed more fish themselves. Shockingly enough, Gora had found Hiccup and Toothless a two-foot Tambaqui. Even Toothless was impressed at the catch.
''Fuck me Gora, I ain't seen one of them in years!'' Toothless exclaimed.
''What is it?'' Hiccup questioned, poking it with a stick.
''Babe… It's dead!'' Toothless laughed.
''J-Just checking, that thing has teeth!'' Hiccup pulled the stick back and shuddered.
''It's a… Tambaqui I think. Really hard to catch and tastes great raw if I remember right, bet they taste just as good cooked!'' Toothless was almost dribbling as he stared at the fish.
''You sure its safe?'' Hiccup asked. He was hesitant to even touch the massive fish, let alone eat it.
''Just cook it! I'll eat it if you won't.'' Toothless pressed. He was starving, especially after his mischievous endeavors earlier on with Gora.
Toothless had sent Gora to find a big enough stick to stake the Tambaqui on. He came back with a few suitable ones and Hiccup just about managed to pierce the thing though the middle. It was really heavy, and certainly wasn't an easy task. Toothless helped Hiccup make the fire, they then stacked some rocks to act as a cooking spit to rest the fish on. Once it was finally cooked, Toothless seemed over eager to start eating.
''Mmm. It's so good!'' Toothless mumbled with his mouth full, trying to shove more in.
Hiccup hesitantly placed a piece into his mouth and his face lit up. ''Mmm. This is great! It makes a nice change from the other fish we have been eating. Thanks Gora!'' Hiccup thanked him, truly appreciative of the change.
After dinner, Hiccup found himself thinking about what Berk would be like with both Toothless and Gora there. He didn't know if the villagers could handle both of them together. After today though, he really didn't want to make Toothless say goodbye to his childhood friend.
''What's on your mind Hicc?'' Toothless asked, knowing Hiccup was in deep thought about something.
''I'm just hoping we can get the dragons back to Berk.''
''That reminds me, Visskara said she would take us to find them markings tomorrow, after the sun rises.'' Toothless informed him.
''That's great. If we can get the dragons back, do you think Gora would come to Berk.'' Hiccup looking over at Gora who was sleeping.
''I haven't asked him since last time. I sure don't want to have to say good bye though.'' Toothless admitted.
''Well, you know where this island is now, so you can always visit. It won't take you as long to get here on your own.'' Hiccup reminded him.
''That's true, and I always have you on Berk.'' Toothless smiled at him. ''I'll ask him what he thinks after we have seen the markings tomorrow. You never know Hicc, we might be one step closer to getting the dragons off the edge and back home.''
''Yeah, I'd like that. I'd like Trid to grow up with the dragons around him. To teach him everything I know. He might grow up to outshine me.''
''No one could replace you Hicc. You had to figure out we weren't evil beasts yourself, you did that with everyone telling you otherwise. At least Trid will grow up knowing the truth, he has a great father after all.'' Toothless wrapped his arm behind Hiccup.
''And he has you too!'' Hiccup reminded him.
''He does indeed?'' Toothless smirked. Hiccup chuckled, but then he looked troubled.
''I just hope I don't have to tell my son I failed, that I couldn't bring them home.'' Hiccup sighed. ''Berk will never be the same without the dragons… and the riders.''
''You can't fail if you tried Hiccup. You can only do something that's possible, if there isn't a way to bring them back then at least you can say you tried your best. I bet we will find a way though! Don't worry about it tonight. Let's see what we find tomorrow yeah?''
Hiccup nodded, but he still couldn't help imagine having to tell the village he came back empty handed. Toothless knew Hiccup was still thinking about it, so he pulled Hiccup closer to him and they laid back together.
''What do you think of Gora?'' Toothless asked.
''I think you two would destroy Berk!''
''It's possible.'' Toothless chuckled. ''No, we wouldn't do that. Just scare a few locals maybe.''
Hiccup punched Toothless. ''And this is convincing me how?''
''He'd get on great with the twins.'' Toothless remarked.
''Yep, he isn't coming!''
Toothless rolled on top of Hiccup and pinned him to the ground. ''Is that so?'' Toothless asked him, leaning forwards to press his lips into Hiccup's, almost as if to say 'but you love me'. The kiss that transpired was slow and loving before Toothless lifted his head to look down into Hiccup's eyes, his own bright green eyes doing their best at feigning innocence. ''You would deny me my best friend?''
''I thought I was your best friend?'' Hiccup asked.
''You got promoted… to boyfriend, remember?''
''Well, I do have to put the needs of Berk first, just saying.''
''And where does that leave me?'' Toothless asked.
''Oh, somewhere up there with Trid.'' Hiccup smiled.
''So, If I really wanted him to come back, would you say no? More importantly, could you stop him? Oh, mighty dragon trainer!'' Toothless looked over Gora, who was still asleep, before returning to look at Hiccup.
''I, erm…Well, er…'' Hiccup stuttered
Toothless chuckled and kissed Hiccup again. ''Didn't think so!''
When Toothless let his guard down Hiccup managed to flip him over and sit on top of him.
''Let me get this straight. You would invite Gora to Berk and destroy my village, giving all the dragons under your command a bad name. Where I'll be forced to evict them from Berk altogether because you decided to undo all my training. Oh, mighty alpha dragon.'' Hiccup smirked.
''Well, when you put it like that, I-I…erm…'' Toothless stuttered.
''Didn't think so!'' Hiccup smiled.
Hiccup had been taught from a very young age how to negotiate for the sake of peace treaties and such, which is one thing Toothless didn't have. He could manipulate well, gods only knew where he learnt that, but Hiccup had the upper hand on this one and Toothless knew it. Toothless resorted to the only thing he could think of, he tickled Hiccup sides.
Hiccup pleaded with Toothless to stop, but he ended up pinned in Toothless lap being tickle assaulted. Toothless only let up when Hiccup couldn't breathe.
''Sorry Hicc, but you're so cute when you laugh!'' Toothless chuckled.
Hiccup sat in Toothless's lap until he regained his breath, he then turned around to kiss his boyfriend. As they shared a kiss Hiccup smirked and caught his boyfriend off guard, he tickled him back right under his arms where he was weak. Toothless was stronger than Hiccup, but under the tickle assault he could only squirm, laughing as he tried to plead with Hiccup to stop, occasionally getting in some tickling of his own.
The two boys continued wrestling, tickling, and horse-playing around. The laughter woke up Gora who looked at them, puzzled at their game. He could tell they were happy, excited, and just having fun, but it provoked his curiosity and he went to investigate. He started sniffing Hiccup's arse, essentially ramming his nose right up there as Hiccup was tickling Toothless. Hiccup was startled at the sudden intrusion and yelled as he spun around to see who his assailant was.
''Whoa! What the…'' Hiccup suddenly shouted, startling Gora in the process who wondered what he had done wrong. Toothless was breathless from being tickled as he looked up at Gora, and then back to Hiccup. Hiccup was now sitting next to him, guarding his backside. ''Okay, Let's not do that again.'' Hiccup told Gora.
''What happened?'' Toothless asked when he had his breath back.
''Oh, you know. Gora just wanted to say hi… The dragon way.'' Hiccup explained.
It took Toothless a moment till the penny dropped, but then he started laughing again. Hiccup just frowned at him, wondering what was so funny about having his arse assaulted by a dragon.
''Oh, that is so mature!'' Hiccup stated when he realised the joke, he couldn't help chuckling though.
''Gora, that arse is all mine!'' Toothless managed to say before laughing again.
Gora was rather confused to say the least.
-OOO-
The next morning, true to her word, Visskara arrived to take Hiccup and Toothless to the section of the volcano mountain that pertained to the Ogthantarth markings. Toothless was in his dragon form, the saddle fixed into place with some of their things. Hiccup was in his flight suit and sitting upon Toothless as they flew through the cavern, leading to the tunnels that lead deeper into the mountain. Gora followed, wanting to stay with Toothless but also curious to what they were going to find. Acacia also joined them, she didn't know much about the Ogthantarth markings, that was Groaldridax's area of teaching, but she had been around long enough to perhaps be of some help.
They traveled for a while, flying past stalagmites, over large drops inside the mountain, and through new caverns. Some were homes to other dragons that Hiccup had never met, nor was he going to. Word had spread through the volcano mountains of Toothless and his sal-binda Hiccup, so the dragons just watched as they flew through, bowing in respect to Visskara as they passed.
They flew through a smaller cavern, glowing with gems and crystals. They past two different species of dragons that had Hiccup turning to get a second look, Toothless warbled at Hiccup's excitement. One of the species were grey and white, shaped like a Stronkle but covered in what looked like diamonds or clear crystals. The other species of dragon were purple, with spikes, and covered in gems of all different colors. Hiccup didn't get long to look as they turned to climb up into some other tunnels.
''You know what we're talking about later, don't you bud?'' Hiccup patted Toothless head, Toothless rolled his eyes.
''Why's he so interested in them rock loving faifuhs.'' Gora asked Toothless.
''He likes to learn about new dragons, and them rock loving idiots as you call them, they like rocks that are worth a lot to humans.'' Toothless explained.
''But there just rocks!'' Gora protested.
''Humans call them gems, crystals, or gold. They like to wear them, or give them to women to wear at least. The men sometimes give them to their mates, to express their love and loyalty. Seems to make them happy. They can also swap rocks like that for other things, like weapons or food. You know trade that stuff for something else.''
''Kalean! I think you've been human to long!'' Gora exclaimed.
''Everyone is unique Gorahiroa…'' Acacia imparted her wisdom after overhearing their conversation. ''…for what one may like, another may not. This is the law of things that keeps everything else in balance. I am different to you in many ways, but that is what makes me great at being a Grutregrasvattir and you a Hugreaetlavafi. The great dreki gods made us different for a reason Gora. There is no shame in being different, only shame in seeing different as wrong!''
Gora looked like his head was going to explode in confusion as he glanced over at Toothless. Toothless chuckled at him. Visskara soon stopped, and made them all land as she plasma blasted through a blocked section of the tunnels.
''We should be nearly there. Looks like no dreki has come this way since the great fire erupted.'' Visskara informed them as they pressed on.
True to Visskara's observation, the tunnels eventually got harder to travel and they had to fly in single formation. Occasionally they had to blast their way through the tunnels, or past the sharp stalactites and stalagmites. It was extremely dark, but Visskara glowed in her Alpha form and allowed Toothless to do the same for Hiccup's sake. Gora had a strange pink-purple glow when his mouth was open and Acacia's wings and tail glowed a faint pink colour.
''How does Visskara know the way?'' Hiccup asked Toothless.
''I have been here before, my mooir showed me these tunnels not long before the great fire erupted. It is also my job to know every inch of this island. I can also see the cooler air pockets with my vision.'' Visskara explained to Toothless, knowing he would relay her reply to Hiccup later.
They finally reached a cave opening where Visskara stopped, informing them they had arrived. Toothless used his echolocation to observe their location, it looked safe enough. Visskara nodded her head to the cave walls where various markings were etched deeply into the stone. Hiccup jumped down from Toothless and pulled out inferno.
''Toothless, is it okay if I…?'' Hiccup asked, showing them what he wanted to do. When he got a nod from Toothless, he activated the blade and flamed it up. The flame engulfed some of the darkness well, illuminating a third of markings in front of him. Hiccup stood in total awe at the engraved drawings and the ancient writings that covered the entire length of the wall. ''Oh, Thor! Toothless, t-these are h-human markings! They predate anything I've ever seen before. This is amazing bud!''
Hiccup found some rocks to use, to balance inferno between like a touch, he then scrambled for his journal and pencil. ''I can't make out these markings, but I think they are a form of ancient writing. These drawings are remarkable though, I should be able to figure out what they mean at least.'' Hiccup voiced his thoughts before turning to Toothless. ''Toothless, ask Visskara and Acacia the last time humans were here?'' Hiccup asked as he copied the markings and drawings onto his parchment. Getting them all down would take some time.
''We haven't had humans on this island since the great sorcerer herself. I have no idea how many ar'tios ago that was. It is safe to assume it would have been over a thousand ar'tio ago. Grutregrasvattirs live to be about three hundred, I am already over two hundred ar'tios myself. My mooir's mooir, used to tell me the stories of the sorcerer when I was a youngling, that she lived hundreds of ar'tios before her time. Even her mooir wasn't alive when the sorcerer died. Only the stories that have been passed on remain to honor the memory of the sorcerer, and this island remains devoid of human life because of her.''
''T-Three hundred?'' Toothless asked, he was still shocked at the life span of her species.
''Yes, that is right. Only the drekis of old live for such a long a time. The Grutregrasvattirs being one, the Ogthantarth I believe was another. Although as far as I am aware, Grutregrasvattirs are the last to live such long lives. Then again, I believed the Ogthantarth was extinct, until you and Hiccup explained how one had attacked your island.''
Hiccup was still busy laying out parchment and copying the markings. Occasionally he would he pause to try and work out what each part meant, or check his drawings matched with the markings on the wall. When Toothless finished talking with Acacia, he changed into his human form and relayed the information onto Hiccup as he put on his clothes.
''T-Toothless, do you know what this means?'' Hiccup excitedly asked him, once Toothless was done repeating what Acacia had told him.
''Lets pretended I have no idea.'' Toothless smiled.
''Humans may have been around longer then we thought. These marking are like nothing I've ever seen before. The drawings I can… maybe figure out but… the writing is like a whole new language Toothless.'' Hiccup wiped the sweat from his forehead onto his sleeve, and continued working.
Toothless noticed Hiccup was getting hot, and now he was in his human form it did feel quite warm and stuffy down here. He watched as Hiccup copied parts of the markings on to the parchment. When he had finished with that section, he moved his inferno over to copy some more. By the time Hiccup was only half way through copying the markings, he was sweating heavily and had to remove his flight suit.
''It's it hot down here babe, or is it just me?'' Hiccup asked.
''No, it is quite warm. Maybe you should take off your vest and tunic too Hiccup, your sweating.'' Toothless suggested.
''I'm okay now. You could pass me the water though… please.''
Toothless passed the water over to Hiccup and he watched him work. Hiccup had decided to focus on copying the drawing and writings down, leaving the translation till after. Toothless felt a bit useless just watching, but the engravings were fascinating to look at. As more time passed, Toothless was starting to sweat as well and his tunic clung to his back so he took it off. Hiccup on the other hand, was soaked in perspiration and breathing heavier.
''Hiccup, are you okay? I think we need to… think about getting a move on.'' Toothless expressed his worry.
''Not yet Toothless. Some of these markings are missing. Down here, the lower section of the drawings are gone.'' Hiccup said, pointing to the lower part of the wall.
''They must have been erased when the volcano erupted.'' Toothless suggested.
''No! no no no, there must be more. There has to be…'' Hiccup was saying before he starting getting a bit dizzy.
''Hiccup! If you have copied it all down, we need to get going!'' Toothless stressed.
''I'm fine!'' Hiccup told him. Checking that he had all the marking accurately copied. He knew he probably wouldn't get a chance to see this amazing discovery again, and a part of him wasn't ready to leave yet even if he had copied everything down.
Toothless was at least trying to get Hiccup to take off his vest and tunic when the flame on inferno started going out.
''No, Argh!'' Hiccup complained as he changed the Monstrous-Nightmare canister, but the same thing happened and the flame refused to stay lit.
The dragons started to feel the air change, and Visskara announced it was time to go. Toothless started collecting parchment, and forcing Hiccup to pack up and leave.
''Babe, if we die down here, these marking won't mean anything. Let's go!'' Toothless told him.
Hiccup gave in realizing he had no choice, it was now becoming harder to breath and he felt too dizzy to concentrate on his drawings. Toothless stripped and changed form once the bag was packed. Hiccup quickly fixed the saddle into place, stuffed the clothes into the bag and jump on with his flight suit in his hands. As soon as he was on the saddle, Toothless took off.
Toothless felt okay back in his dragon form, but Hiccup didn't seem to be feeling much better. He didn't want Hiccup to pass out and fall off, so he used his echolocation to navigate the tunnels and zoomed ahead of the others. Visskara could have kept up with Toothless very easily, but she had to make sure Acacia and Gora could find their way back safety.
Toothless kept flying, trying to remember the way back, when he eventually flew into the wider sections of the tunnels and heard Hiccup coughing.
''Toothless, I'm okay now! You can slow down bud and wait for the others to catch up.'' Hiccup told him, breathing easier as the air seemed to thin and was cooler here.
Toothless slowed and landed as he waiting for Visskara to catch up, he warbled in concern at Hiccup.
''Its okay bud! Thanks for having my back. I think I got everything.'' He patted the side of Toothless's head.
''Care to explain why you just took off like that?'' Visskara asked when she and the others caught up to them.
''Hiccup wasn't doing so well. When I was in my human form, it was too hot and difficult to breath. I had to get him out of there.''
''The air did change, we all felt it. Maybe humans suffer worse than us drekis.'' Acacia voiced.
''Very well, but stay with us until we get back. There are many tunnels leading to many places down here, I wouldn't want you to get lost.''
Toothless nodded and flew behind Visskara and Acacia, alongside Gora.
''So, your human is kinda weak then.'' Gora thoughtlessly remarked.
''Hiccup isn't weak you faifuh!'' Toothless snapped, growling at Gora.
''Geez! Don't Insult the human, got it!''
''His name is Hiccup! And I'm sorry Gora, I didn't mean to snap. Hiccup is one of the strongest people I know. Yeah, he might not be the biggest, and when you start comparing him to dragons… well of course he isn't gonna look like much, but that's where you'd be wrong. I haven't told you much about him, but Hiccup has been though a ton of shit Gora. He certainly isn't weak and I love him. You might not get that, the whole love thing… and until recently neither did I. But it means we work as a team, and together were stronger, happier. We look out for each other, and when you insult him, you insult me!''
''Got it! Hiccup really means a lot to you huh?''
''Yes, he does. I have already died for him once; didn't that tell you anything?'' Toothless asked.
''Yeah, I get you really like him and want to keep him safe and all, but damn Kalean! I never realised just how much he meant to ya!''
''How much we mean to each other. Gora, I don't own Hiccup, he isn't mine in that respect. His opinions matter to me as much as his life. We were best friends, like you and me. But when I got to be human, we realised we loved each other, that it was more than just friendship.''
''It's just really weird, ya know? And sometimes you act like you own him.''
''I get that. I know it's hard to understand. Right now, we're just trying to get the dragons home, and he doesn't want to fail them. That's why he wouldn't leave the cave markings and I had to drag his butt out of there. Back on Berk, he is the leader. I guess because he is the only human here… it might seem that way.''
''Why's it so important the drekis get back to Berk. Why don't they come here or go somewhere else without humans?'' Gora asked.
''Because it's their home Gora, they have human friends there. The people on Berk miss the dragons, and the dragons miss their lives on Berk. We protect each other, and look after each other. It just works Gora! If we can get the dragons back, you should come and see for yourself.''
''Humans make me nervous Kalean… but I'll think about it.''
-OOO-
They eventually got back to the cavern where they had been staying. Hiccup jumped down and removed his vest and tunic, sighing in relief as he took the bags off Toothless and took out his water jug. Toothless changed into his human form just as Hiccup was walking down to the lake, it wasn't far from where they landed. Toothless threw on his clothes and ran after Hiccup.
''You okay Hicc?'' Toothless asked once he caught up to him.
''Yeah, I'm good. Just gonna get some fresh water and cool down. I can't believe how hot it was, it's usually quite cool in caves.''
''Well, we are on a volcano.''
''I guess there is that… Thanks for having my back, back there.'' Hiccup thanked him.
''That's what I'm here for… to stop you doing something stupid.'' Toothless sassed, Hiccup rolled his eyes.
When they reached the lake, Hiccup splashed his face and filled his water jug. He downed the drink before refilling it and offering it to Toothless. Toothless drunk some, nowhere near as thirsty as Hiccup had been. Hiccup then washed his tunic in the water and wrung it out.
''Want me to do yours?'' Hiccup offered.
''Erm…sure!'' Toothless answered, removing his tunic for Hiccup to wash. ''You know, there are other reasons to get naked together.'' Toothless's voice was very suggestive.
''Toothless, I think you're getting worse!''
''But you love me, right?''
''Of course! But that don't mean I want to… you know, all the time.''
''Why not?''
''Well… Firstly we have company down here, and secondly, I still have to study the markings.'' Hiccup explained. Once he had wrung Toothless's tunic out, they started walking back together.
''We could go somewhere more private, and the markings can wait.'' Toothless tried his luck.
''Oh no! Toothless, we're not doing that! Visskara probably wants us to stay here anyway.''
''I could ask her.''
''Don't you dare!'' Hiccup warned him.
''Fine. You're no fun sometimes!'' Toothless pouted
''But you love me!'' Hiccup smirked, and smacked Toothless butt before running ahead.
''That's not fair Hiccup!'' Toothless whined, chasing after him.
-OOO-
After Hiccup and Toothless had changed into their spare clothes, Toothless told Visskara that they would give her an update on the progress of the markings tonight. He didn't want to change into a dragon, just to have to go over it all again later. When Visskara left with Acacia, Hiccup got straight to work on the markings with Toothless's help.
''See this Toothless…'' Hiccup pointed to a drawing of the Ogthantarth above the sun, above drawings of people kneeling below it. Then he showed him a second drawing where there was more than one dragon below the Ogthantarth, and the people were now holding weapons. ''…I think this means the Ogthantarth was the very first dragon. The Ogthantarth came, then others came. People worship dragons once, but then they started attacking them for some reason. What do you think?'' Hiccup asked.
''You're better at this than me, but I remember Groaldridax telling me it ruled over all the dragons because that was the order of things, not because it was the alpha or because it came first. It had the power to cause great pain directly into the minds of other dragons though, so maybe it controlled them out of fear. Why do you think people would suddenly turn on it, if they worship it before though?''
''I don't know. I can't transliterate this writing, maybe Fishlegs would have better luck there. All I know is that people went from kneeling before it, to attacking it. That's what the drawing illustrates anyway.'' Hiccup explained.
''What's next Hicc?'' Toothless asked.
''Right… erm, here!'' Hiccup pointed to a new drawing with an Ogthantarth egg in the middle of three other drawings. One had its parent presumably, breathing fire onto the egg. Another dropped the egg into a volcano. The third drawing, had two dragons of importance breath fire onto the egg, followed by dropping it into a volcano. ''I'm guessing this has something to do with how the eggs were cared for, or hatched.''
''Wait… I remember something…'' Toothless squinted his eyes trying to remember. ''…Argh, why didn't I pay more attention to Groaldridax. She was trying to teach me something about the eggs.''
''Take your time.'' Hiccup encouraged.
''Acacia told me earlier that the Ogthantarth lived for like three hundred years, but I already told you that. No… this was about… the eggs. They only get laid… once or twice in the Ogthantarth's life. That's it! And they can only be hatched one of three ways. These must be the three ways, let me see Hicc.'' Toothless said turning the page. ''Okay, so their mooir, or mother can hatch the eggs with their own fire power. Volcano?'' Toothless mused looking at the drawing. He gasped slightly as he remembered. ''Groaldridax said the eggs can live hundreds of years, there were two ways to activate the hatching process if it didn't have its mooir, its mother. The first one was… to leave the egg through all changes in a great fire. So… for a year inside an active volcano.''
''Okay that makes sense, what was the third one? Do you remember?'' Hiccup asked. Toothless looked at the drawings of the two dragons and the volcano, but shook his head. ''I wonder why the dragons are drawn like they are important, maybe they are a certain type of species, or perhaps Alphas.'' Hiccup mused out loud.
''I must have given Groaldridax the slip on that particular lesson Hicc. I only remember her saying that the powers of an alpha dragon had no affect on the Ogthantarth, and the Ogthantarth never possessed Alpha powers. I know that the Ogthantarth ruled the alpha's and they ruled the rest of the dragons but… I don't know if they were connected to the eggs.''
''Alright so we can come back to that.'' Hiccup told him, going to another drawing. ''This one seems to show the Ogthantarth using fire and ice powers, and you said it could cause great pain in the mind. So, we know what it can do, how long it lived for, and some bits about the eggs. Wait did you say it only lays one egg in its life?'' Hiccup asked
''Yeah, that's what I remember being told. They could only lay one or two eggs, in its entire life time. Considering they lived to be like three hundred, explains why it went extinct right.'' Toothless said.
''That would create a problem for their species, especially if humans started killing them.'' Hiccup agreed.
Together they continued trying to piece together as much information as they could from what they already knew, and from the drawings. They couldn't figure out the other way to hatch the eggs, but it involved not only a volcano, but two other dragons as well. They had just reached the drawings that pertained to its death, and Hiccup was shocked that the drawing was illustrating its immediate death, should it take the life of another.
''That must be why it died that night. What mum says coexists with these drawings. It died because… it killed you!'' Hiccup realised.
''Are you sure? I mean how did it protect its self?'' Toothless asked.
Hiccup looked at the drawings and nodded. ''I'm sure. It looks like they didn't need much protection though. They were quite fast for their size, very strong, had scales tougher than a Gronckles, and it was followed by all the dragons. I think humans are the reason it became extinct. They must have known that the worst it could do was hurt them, that if it killed it would die. It was its major fault.'' Hiccup sighed, sitting back on his knees. ''If it didn't… If it hadn't… killed you that night. We might have lost Berk!''
''Hiccup, don't! You know it would have killed someone else, or another dragon. You can't keep thinking about what ifs… remember.'' Toothless stressed.
''I-It did kill another dragon. It killed Bloodsbane!'' Hiccup stuttered.
''I think Bloodsbane died later that night Hiccup. Come on, lets look at the other drawings, don't focus on this too much. You're only going to upset yourself.''
''I know, but if I'm right. Your death ended the battle… your death saved Berk.''
''That's not true Hiccup, if it wasn't me someone else would have died. You could have died! Please Hiccup, stop focusing on this.'' Toothless pleaded, as Hiccup looking troubled.
''W-What about the dragon. C-Coaldron, must have had an egg. It's the only way… H-how did he even know how to hatch it? Toothless, it probably didn't even know what it was doing… I-It was forced to kill, did Coaldron know it would die? W-Was I the target?'' Hiccup stuttered.
''Hiccup, it wasn't your fault! Hiccup?'' Toothless held onto Hiccup's arms facing him, shaking him gently. He appeared to have zoned out, and looked extremely troubled as Toothless tried to get him to respond.
Hiccup played the scene over in his mind, knowing he shouldn't be winding himself up but, the Ogthantarth could have been hatched just to be used as a weapon to kill him. The very last Ogthantarth egg, used in such violent means, it was sickening. When Hiccup though of how young the dragon could have been, his stomach churned. The image of Toothless's dead body flashed in front him, the blood pouring from Coaldron's chest as he plunged in his sword crossed his mind, and his stomach pulled back like a sling shoot.
Hiccup's face turned pale just before he came back to reality. He pulled away from Toothless and ran over to the boulders, heaving up the contents of his stomach. Toothless, rushed to his side rubbing his back, and Gora had walked over to see what was going on. Some of the other dragons in the cavern even looked up from what they were doing.
''It's fine Gora, leave us alone for a bit yeah!'' Toothless got him to leave right before Hiccup threw up a second time. ''Why do you do this to your self Hicc?'' Toothless sighed.
Hiccup spat out the last of the vomit and shook his head. ''I-I'm sorry Toothless. Those images… t-the memories of that night. I can't understand how someone could be that cruel, just to hatch a dragon, for the sake of killing!'' Hiccup rubbed his face.
''Come here!'' Toothless wrapped his arms around Hiccup. ''You don't know that Hiccup. Coaldron could just have been another Drago, another evil lowlife shit bucket that wanted what he couldn't have. That Ogthantarth could have been older then you think, but it's over now, it's done! You can't change what happened. I'm still here, Trid and Berk and everyone else are safe. Why don't we go down to the lake… get you feeling better, then we can look at the rest of them drawings. If you're up to it!''
Hiccup nodded and sighed. ''Guess we'd better throw some water over the contents of my stomach back there.'' Hiccup told Toothless as they walked to the lake.
''I'll do you one better and get Gora to fry it instead!'' Toothless smiled at him, and Hiccup chuckled.
-OOO-
Gora cremated what Hiccup had brought up, so much so that it had been obliterated. Toothless had managed to convince Hiccup to come for a swim with him. He had been a bit hesitant to strip off with the other dragons watching, but eventually decided to go for it.
Gora had gone down to the lake, after seeing Hiccup and Toothless having a splashing fight, deciding he wanted to join in. They had all goofed off in the lake for a long time before they all decided to get out. Hiccup and Toothless got dried and dressed, then they finally returned to the drawings in better spirits.
''You sure you're up to this?'' Toothless asked Hiccup.
''Yeah! I feel much better, thanks for convincing me to do that.'' Hiccup thanked him, glancing up at the lake.
''It was fun. Seemed like you needed some fun!'' Toothless smiled, pushing him playfully in the arm.
Hiccup nodded and chuckled as he pulled out another drawing to look at.
''So, what's this one?'' Toothless asked, looking at a drawing of what appeared to be a dead Ogthantarth, with a spear through its body. ''You sure you're okay to do this Hicc?''
Hiccup sighed and nodded. ''Yeah, someone has to do it! Right… Okay well… there was two of these, both showing a dead Ogthantarth. One seemed to indicate it actually being killed, the other I'm guessing means it was killed by its flaw.'' Hiccup explained showing Toothless the other drawing, with the Ogthantarth standing over its kill, then its death.
''What about old age?'' Toothless frowned.
''Right, I thought about that too. I'm thinking old age falls into the first one, because if you look here, you can see its bones. In this other drawing there are just stars, or dust maybe. Which is what mum said happened to the one on Berk. There was no body, or anything… just like it disappeared in some kind of explosion. If it was killed, or died of old age, there would be bones left right.''
''I guess. So, we have two different means of death. What do the drawings say next?'' Toothless asked.
''That's where it broke off into two different sections. Both sections started with these plants and some strange circles, but that's where the cave marking started to vanish and there wasn't any more. This is all I have.'' Hiccup showed Toothless the last of the drawings.
Toothless's memory of the caves from when was younger, tried to flash in his mind. The memory was there but he couldn't hold onto it long enough to explain them to Hiccup, or to draw them himself. ''I'm sorry Hiccup, I remember these drawings, but I can't remember them enough to be of any help.'' Toothless sadly admitted.
Hiccup sighed and turned the drawing back to himself. ''It's okay Toothless, we have a lot of new information to work on, maybe Fishlegs can help me with the writing at least.''
''Grr! Its right there though, I just can't…Aargh!'' Toothless put his head into his hands and took a deep breath. He kept trying to see the cave wall more vividly in his mind from when he was younger.
Hiccup looked at the drawing and kept trying to piece together how flowers were related to the Ogthantarth. Maybe you're supposed to plant flowers where it died, or maybe humans put them there anyway, he was thinking when Gora yawned. Hiccup suddenly looked at Gora, then back at Toothless like he had an idea.
''Gora!'' Hiccup exclaimed suddenly, Toothless and Gora both looked at him.
''I'm sure Gora doesn't know anything about…''
''No!'' Hiccup interrupted. ''Gora can hypnotize you to do anything right?'' Hiccup asked.
''Yeah, I guess. But I really don't want to end up running around naked again.''
''Maybe Gora can hypnotize you to draw what you remember, or don't remember in this case.'' Hiccup explained.
''Come again?''
''Remember when we hypnotized Fishlegs to think he was Thor Bonecrusher.''
''I'd rather not! What with that Scauldron and then Gobber's ear wax. Ugh!'' Toothless shuddered at the memory of his saddle being polished in that stuff.
''Okay yeah, I could have done without that memory too! But seriously, if we could get Fishlegs to think he was fearless, maybe Gora can get you to remember what you're having trouble remembering.''
''I don't know Hiccup.''
''Would you at least give it a try, for me… please?''
''Alright.'' Toothless sighed, giving in.
Hiccup and Toothless explained to Gora what they wanted him to try and do, to finish the missing sections of the drawings that he couldn't remember. Toothless offered to change into a dragon to explain it, but Gora nodded that he understood. All prepared with some parchment, and a pencil, Gora tried a shot at hypnotizing Toothless to finish the drawings.
Toothless never blinked and looked like he was in some kind of trance as his hand worked on the pictures. Hiccup smiled excitedly, it was working! The drawings were a little unclear, but he could make out the shapes and pictures just fine. When Toothless finally stopped, Gora ended his hypnotism.
''I guess it didn't…'' Toothless had assumed it hadn't worked until he saw the finished drawings. ''Did I do that?'' Toothless asked in surprise, pointing to the drawings in front him.
''You sure did! So, no sudden urges to save a village, or any anti-heroic feelings?'' Hiccup asked.
''No, just this sudden urge to slap you.'' Toothless replied.
''Okay, well lets rain check that for… never! And let's get back to the drawings shall we.'' Hiccup looked at the pictures Toothless had drawn and frowned. ''It appears to have worked, but do these looks right to you?'' Hiccup asked
''I think so, but you had to have Gora hypnotize me to draw them, so I can't be totally sure. I mean I don't remember do I. They do look familiar now though. Why'd you ask?''
Hiccup was about to speak when Gora huffed loudly from the lack of appreciation and laid back down.
''Sorry Gora! Thank you for your help.'' Hiccup thanked him, but Gora didn't look too pleased.
''Ignore the grump!'' Toothless told Hiccup, loud enough for Gora to hear. ''What was you gonna say Hicc?''
''These drawings, they seem to illustrate the growth of… some type of flowers, near to where the Ogthantarth dies. We searched Berk, lots of times, and there weren't any flowers. I don't get these circles either.'' Hiccup explained his confusion.
''Two mani'' Toothless muttered.
''Two many what?'' Hiccup frowned.
''No Hicc, two Mani! Two moons. The circles, what if it means two full moons?''
''That… actually makes more sense. If the flowers need two full moons to appear, no wonder we didn't see them.''
''Hiccup, look at this one. Does that mean what I think it does?'' Toothless asked, looking at the drawing that illustrated the death of the Ogthantarth, followed by the departure of dragons.
''Oh, My Thor! Toothless, this means they were connected! There must be something here that shows us what happened next, or what we have to do to get the dragons back.'' Hiccup rushed to put the drawings in order.
''Slow down Hiccup!'' Toothless chuckled.
With new found confidence that they were actually making progress, Hiccup was eager to piece together the meaning behind the rest of the drawings. They had been making progress but after hours of going over the same things, they had hit a wall.
''Maybe we should take a break Hiccup.'' Toothless yawned.
''Were so close Toothless, we can't give up now!''
''I never said to give up. I said to take a break! Maybe will have better luck if we have something to eat, and come back to it after food. Come on Hiccup, I'm starving!''
''Alright, but we should get some more…''
''Fish!'' Toothless interrupted. ''Already have that.'' He pointed to another huge Tambaqui.
''When did you get that?''
''I didn't. I got Gora to hunt it down for us. Its been staring me Hicc, it wants to be eaten!'' Toothless dramatically pleaded.
''Fine!'' Hiccup relented, if he was honest, he could do with another break.
-OOO-
Food didn't last long once it was cooked, Toothless had eaten over half the Tambaqui himself. Hiccup could never figure out how Toothless managed to eat so much as a human, it still continued to surprised him. His father, being a big man, used to eat enough to last Hiccup the entire week, and he was sure Toothless would do the same if he was given the chance.
They had just finished when Acacia and Visskara came into the cavern and landed. Hiccup nodded his head in respect to her as did Gora, but Toothless had to be different.
''Hey Vissy, Nice of you to drop in!'' Toothless smiled. He received daggers from Visskara, and a loud slap on the head from one of Acacia's wing vines. ''Ow! That fucking hurts.'' Toothless complained rubbing his head. He gave Hiccup a look of disbelief in regards to Acacia's assault.
''You're on your own babe. Acacia's a dragon version of Gothi.''
Visskara obviously wanted to talk to Toothless, so he moaned as he stripped off and changed into a dragon.
''Ignoring your insolence, have you both found what you were looking for?'' Visskara asked him, getting straight to the point.
''Not exactly. The drawings… markings we went to see, they are really hard to figure out. We managed to work out quite a lot already but now were stuck.'' Toothless explained.
''What is it that you have… figured out so far?'' Visskara asked.
Toothless explained that they could only assume what they had concluded from the drawings was correct, before he went into details about their findings.
That the Ogthantarth was the first dragon species to fly the skies. At some point in history humans turned on the dragons out of fear or lack of understanding, and were most likely responsible for its extinction. The Ogthantarth could live for at least three hundred years unless it was killed. They had many powers, including fire, ice, a way to inflict pain, and a blast of power that can kill on impact. They had extremely tough scales that many human weapons failed to pierce, and so tough that other dragons would find it nearly impossible to attack and harm them. Their wings were razor sharp and they could slice through trees like a knife to butter. They laid eggs only once or twice in their life, and hatched their babies with their own great fire. If their mother was no longer around, maybe having left or died, then hatching the eggs could be done one of two ways. One of those ways included leaving the egg inside a volcano for a year. The other, perhaps, involves not only a volcano, but two other dragons as well, although that part was still unclear. The Ogthantarth would die if they took the life of another, and it appeared like flowers would grow after two full mani's to mark its final resting place. The drawings suggest that the type of plants to grow would depend on the circumstances of its death. That if it died of age, or had been killed, one type of plant would grow. A different version of that plant would grow however, if the Ogthantarth died because it had taken a life. The next course of action would depend on the plants that grew however, they assumed whichever plants did grow would be pertaining to its flaw in dying due to ending a life, his!
Toothless then said, that they had concluded, in order for the dragons to return to Berk, two particular dragons must shed blood over the plants.
''We can't figure out what type of dragons it is referring to. And we can't figure out what other parts of the drawings mean.'' Toothless finished.
''Amazing, all that knowledge hidden in marks on cave wall. Fascinating indeed! Unfortunately, I can't be of any help… Acacia?'' Visskara turned to look at her.
''It's just like Groaldridax taught me all those ar'tios ago. The marking in the cave looked familiar.'' Acacia said, as she remembered being taught about them herself.
''Wait you knew? You didn't think to… oh I don't know… say something! Help us?'' Toothless exclaimed.
''You never asked… and I don't have much knowledge about the Ogthantarth, that is true. My memory from that time isn't as bright… what I do know is clouded in fog. What you have just explained has, shall we say… cleared some of the fog away. Maybe I can be of some help to you now. If you show me these markings, maybe I can brighten some of the shadows you cannot light up.''
Toothless huffed and decided to change forms to explain things to Hiccup. Once he finished complaining, they both showed Acacia and Visskara the drawings. Hiccup explained the parts he couldn't make sense of, and Toothless was soon asked to changed back into a dragon for communication purposes. He was running out of turns for the day and exhaustion was staring to creep in affecting his concentration.
''These two drekis you speak of, in the markings. I believe they refer to… two alpha dragons.'' Acacia explained.
''Alpha dragons? But that can't be right. I'm an alpha and I can't be on Berk in my dragon form.''
''I may be wrong, but it appears your Alpha powers need to be on for you to return as a dreki.''
''Dreki what?'' Toothless yawned.
''Toothless! Please pay attention.'' Acacia scolded him.
''Sorry. I think the changing is making me tired. I'm listening!''
''You should be able to be a dreki on your island, as long as you are in your alpha form.''
''So, the two dragons… there alphas?'' Toothless asked.
''Yes. I believe they are drekis in their alpha forms. And the plants from the markings, I believe they are Genislaile magnificen. My mooir told me a story once, and I'll never forget it. 'A great dreki of old breathed his last breath, and where he walked, he shall lay to rest. The flowers of blue, oh Genislaile magnificen you grew, shall heed respect till the last petal blew.' She told me that where the flowers grew, no dreki could walk till the last of the petals had fallen, and the plants had returned to the soil. Maybe the fallen dreki of old in her story, was an Ogthantarth. It would fit very well into what you have told already. In my mooir's story however, the dreki died of age, and the flowers were blue. She would tell me that the Genislaile magnificen lasted hundreds of ar'tios before the last petals finally fell, and the drekis returned to that land. From what you have told me, and from the markings you have there, your flowers may be slightly different… perhaps a different colour.''
''Okay… So, what about the whole blood thing? An alpha dreki has to die on the plants?'' Toothless guessed.
Acacia chuckled. ''Oh, dear young one, I do not think it would be quite that dramatic. I do not know much more than what you have told me, but I would conclude, that two alpha drekis must give blood to the roots of the plants. A cut, a few drops would most likely suffice. I believe it is more to show your respect to their resting place, not a sacrifice.'' Acacia paused to collect her thoughts. Toothless was trying not to get a headache, and retain everything he had been told. ''Yes, that makes the most sense. The dreki died because it took the life of another, I very highly doubt another life needed to be given.'' Acacia finished.
''That makes sense, I think. Thanks Acacia, I better turn back and tell Hiccup. I just don't want to have to change again tonight. To be honest, I don't know if I could handle it.''
''We shall leave you alone tonight and return in the morning.'' Visskara told him, she could see he was tired. ''I will need to know your plans when I return. Whether you intend to stay here on this island for a while longer, or if you intend to leave. You are both welcome here, and I will admit that it will be a shame to see you leave. Even so, it will be for the best and I dare say you both would like to return home soon.''
''Yeah, Hiccup misses home, and his son. Thanks, Vissy.''
''My name is… Oh, never mind! I give up. I will see you in the morning.''
''Cool! You know it's like Hiccup said, we kinda had the same mooir. So, were like family.'' Toothless said, right before he changed form. He staggered a bit, but smiled as Hiccup helped him maintain his balance.
''You know very well drekis don't…'' Visskara shook her head, she knew Toothless wouldn't be able to understand her now.
''You can deny it all you want Visskara, but you have grown very fond of Toothless, of both of them.''
''Oh hush.'' Visskara smiled as she took off with Acacia.
Hiccup and Toothless watched them leave the cavern together, Toothless than sat down and rubbed his face with his hands.
''You okay Toothless?'' Hiccup asked him.
''Yeah, that's the eighth change I've done today, and it's been a long day too. I'm so tired and my head feels like it's being squeezed.''
''Just rest for a bit… here!'' Hiccup said handing him some water.
''Thanks. I have to tell you what Acacia said before I fall asleep and forget.'' Toothless rubbed his eyes yawning again.
Hiccup started massaging Toothless shoulders and neck as he repeated what Acacia had told him. Toothless was really enjoying it but it was so relaxing that he was trying not to fall asleep. After everything they had done today and all the reading, he was wiped.
As he was explaining that two alpha drekis had to drop some blood on the plants, Hiccup suddenly stopped.
''Aww, why'd you stop? Toothless complained sleepily.
''Two Alpha's? Is that what the drawing of the two dragons meant?'' Hiccup asked.
''Erm… Yeah!'' Toothless mumbled, half asleep.
''Toothless… how many alpha dragons do you know expect you?''
''Err…'' Toothless had to think for a minute because he was so tired. ''…just Visskara.''
''And there the problem! Toothless… We have to convince Visskara to come to Berk with us!'' Hiccup announced.