This is Berk… It's twelve days north of hopeless, and a few degrees south of freezing to death. Located solidly on the meridian of misery, this village is—in a word—sturdy. Founded and thriving for seven generations, but every single building is new. The inhabitants fish, hunt and farm to live. A charming view of sunset beautifies the cold archipelago as the ray of sun leaves the horizon. The only problems are the…pests. Normally, most places have mice, mosquitoes, on the other hand in Berk, it's…
"Dragons….!" The teenaged, auburn haired girl slammed her door shut as soon as she saw the dragon as it fired at the wooden barrier.
Peeked from the small gap or doorway as she opened, the girl was witnessing the raid of dragons everywhere, stealing the livestock, breathing fire on the houses. Her people—the vikings— were fighting the, Life-risking but it was how they do every midnight. If it was village of normal people, they would leave. But the vikings, they have quite amount of stubbornness issues. This girl with auburn hair, green eyes and a rather petite figure for a Viking, is Hilde. A simple, but strong name as she was named after several valkyries such as Grimhilde, Hildegard, Brunhilde, etc. Hooligan parents believed hideous or strong names will frighten off gnomes, trolls, or other mythical creatures. That is, when their charming demeanors wouldn't do so.
Hilde sneaked off as one man who fell out of a sky from his attempt to beat the dragon, caused her to dodged the surly bearded man. After ducking under the log carried by two vikings, nearly bumped onto a group rushing past her. Another dragon's fire blasted on a ground sent a shockwave around that are close to it. She tripped over as the Viking above, letting out a battle cry before his expression morphed intro friendly one as he greeted.
"Mornin', lassie!" And he took off, continue to charge at whoever the dragon is close by. Hilde continued to run off further where her people were crowded and ready to defend their village.
"What are ye doin' here?!" One viking demanded as he ran past her.
"Get back inside!" The middle-aged Viking woman yelled after her but they were too focused on stopping the dragons.
Hilde continued to head towards the street before here, only for another dragon blasted its fire on it. Including the voice of a burly man calling her out as she was yanked back by her vest.
"What is she doin' out h—," the red-haired man frowned at her, "what are you doing out?! Get inside!"
With a light shove, Hilde escaped from the man's path. This large Viking, is Stoick the Vast. Chief of the Tribe. Wearing dark green tunic reaching down his knees, leggings baggy as it was striped with reddish brown straps. Slightly worn leathers formed as his boots. Wearing Viking armor, he was like a living figure of Norse god. In a recently written legend, when he was an infant he popped a dragon's head clean off of its shoulders. Does Hilde believed it? The answer was yes.
"What have we got?" Stoick turned to one of his Viking Warriors, Anders Hofferson.
"Gronckles, Nadders, Zipplebacks, and Hoark saw a Monstrous Nightmare." Anders answered, ducked under his shield as the ball of flames blasted the ground next to them while Stoick didn't move, remained stern.
"Any Night Furies?" The chief asked, effortlessly brushed the small flame off of his shoulder armor.
"None, so far." The elder Hofferson replied.
"…good." Stoick nodded.
Several vikings tossed their torch in the large pyres as it rose up, brighten the area as they were able to see the flying dragons. Hilde managed to reach the forge, sighed as she felt safe with wave of relief.
"Oh! Nice of you to join the party," the smith looked up as he wiped the sweat off of his forehead with his arm, for the hand itself was a prosthetic hammer used to strengthen the bend blades back into its usual form. The blacksmith was Gobber the Belch, "I thought you've been carried off!"
"Who? Me?" Hilde rolled her eyes with a grin, putting her leather apron on, "nah, I'm WAY too skinny for their taste. They wouldn't know what to do with all this." She remarked with hint of sarcasm as she checked herself on a large shield with its metal reflecting her slim feature before she began her job. Hilde has been the blacksmith's apprentice ever since she was little—well, littler.
Outside where the battle continues, Stoick stood by few Vikings, "We move to the lower defenses, to attack with the catapults." He ordered and took off with them as they evade the blasted flames. As mentioned, new houses were to built in the old village because formers were unfortunate to be caught in a fire. Hilde noticed voices of younger Vikings around her age, looked out and watch them moving with large, wheeled barrel of water bucketed on each as they moved to put their fire out. Little ones were to be protected but older new generations of Hooligans were joined to help adults during the dragon raid.
The burly, blond haired teenaged boy was Fishlegs Ingerman. Wearing reddish brown, long furred tunic, hornless helmet on top of his head, he was seen with a rather ambiguously intimidating snarl. Despite his large features, he was rather sweet yet timid. He prefer to hung out with "cooler" vikings and if it weren't for his size, he and Hilde would have been forming a group of "surreal" Vikings. Then again, he shared one thing in common with her; interests with literature and history.
Snotlout Jorgenson was the dark haired, bulky—but less than Fishlegs—and has his nose up as perfect way to describe what he is; Hilde's arrogant and boorish cousin. He was wearing slightly worn beige tunic under the black bear-furred vest, dark brown trousers with its length inside his ankle boots. Hilde described his head is slightly big it was full of gossips or schemes to make her life miserable. Although he boasted himself better than her, he has low intellects.
The fraternal twins Ruffnut and Tuffnut Thorston. They were mischievous duo seeking for the trouble. Tuffnut was born first but if they were able to stand straight, his sister was taller. Both have long blond hair under their respective helmets that has two pairs of horns on; the brother was a bit shorter as Ruffnut has her hair braided both sides. They even wear similar outfits, but with Tuffnut had longer vest while Ruffnut has it tied around her waist by the belt. The sister was more of a brain as her brother was 'dumbest' among the group he once, ONCE, asked Hilde how to spell "sheep", but that was the only time he talked to her.
Last but not least, was a 'leader' of the group; Asgard Hofferson. Put out a small ring of fire and turned in just a timing where the ball of flame exploded behind, yet he didn't even budge. Wearing shades of green, blue and gray striped tunic, iron shoulder pads with skulls attached and the matching pairs on both side of his hips with red-brown leathers strips decorated with spikes. Navy blue trousers and has dark colored pair of boots. Everything made him look like a young warrior than any other teenagers. His light blond hair loosely braided down his back, frontal bangs covered his left eye. Hilde blushed by his presence, nearly dazed by this young Viking blessed by Thor the God of Thunder.
'Their job is so much cooler…' She sighed.
Hilde leaned out the opened worktop to observe the teens charged off to put out fires somewhere else. Only to be picked by the back of her vest by none other than her mentor.
"Awww, come one, please…," Hilde groaned, "just few minutes, I can take down at least ONE dragon. I might even get a date!"
"Lassie! You can't lift a hammer, you can't swing an axe, and you can't even throw one of these!" Gobber lifted a bola and held it up as the Viking grabbed it and threw towards the Gronckle dragon.
"I know, but—" she was about to explain until shushed by Gobber, when she cringed at why.
There was another reason why her people were feared the Dragon Raids continued. From the worktop, Gobber and Hilde could see and even hear the trees rotten. It was far yet everyone sees what was approaching. A massive, reptilian creature. No doubt a dragon, but its body had countless maggot-like creatures emerged from their skin. Glowing red eyes widely observing the village and it has one goal; destroy it.
"A Cursed Ripper!" Gobber exclaimed, dread over his body.
The Vikings hurriedly covered themselves with more fur, raising their weapons. But there was another that has temporarily prevented the dreadful, maggot-filled reptile. Hearing a familiar screech from the sky, Hilde looked up. The sky was dark but no movement. She knows what it was.
"Night Fury!" The Viking exclaimed.
The unseen dragon blasted its exotic fire, sniping at the catapults, destroying the stand as well. Usual dragons Vikings take down are strong. Deadly Nadders has poisonous spikes. Gronckles have tough skin and has tremendous appetites. Zipplebacks have two heads, one breath the gas, the other breath fire. Monstrous Nightmares has their nasty habit to set themselves on fire. Only the best Vikings can take down that fiery beast. However, Night Fury and Cursed Ripper are TOTALLY different matters. Unseen at night, mysterious, and never miss their target.
"Man the fort, Hilde! They need me out there!" Gobber replaced his metal stump with the new that has axe attached to it, "Stay. Put. There. You know what I mean."
Hilde watched Gobber ran out with his battle cry. With a smile, she pulled off her apron, picked up her bagged crossbow with arrows, grabbed on the handles of her ballista, placed it on the wheel and sneaked out. Reaching to where the Night Fury presumably flies around, she arrived on an empty cliff, pressed on the lever the top case of ballista opened, set itself to the ground. Its bows stretched with nets. She had to catch one for a score, hoping to prove her people and her father she is strong enough to be part of them.
Hearing a rumbling growl from the night sky, ready to load as she pulled the handles down and inspected the starry night. Scrutinizing, the Viking girl spotted the black silhouette moving, blending the stars. With another roar, Night Fury fired another blast of flames at the remaining catapults. Taking a hint that the nocturne dragon moved towards one of it, she aimed towards the direction and fired. The sniping force caused Hilde to step back, heard a screech and saw a captured dragon descending towards where she guessed, the forest was.
"…I hit it…! Yes, I hit it…!" She gasped out a joyful laughter, which was cut off when she heard scream from the village.
Walked towards the edge, Cursed Ripper was attacking the upper sides of village, rotting the woods. Her eyes widen in alarm as little children climbed out of window as the horrifying creature was eating the house. Dread and fear filled her stomach, but she instinctively held out her crossbow and an arrow from her bag. She had to protect them. She caught Night Fury, now she had to take down the cursed reptile before it could harm the little vikings. With determination, Hilde stormed down the hill, brushing past group of vikings.
"Hilde! Don't get close to that damned creature! You will get cursed!" Gobber yelled after her, gaining attention of several young Vikings and also the chief.
However, she was aware of her mentor's warning but she didn't care. Group of little kids were running away from the hate-filled, maggot piled dragon. One girl tripped on his face as the others surrounded her, holding their respective yet small weapons. Fearing that Cursed Ripper would devour them, Hilde acted quick. Aiming her crossbow, she released as the arrow stabbed its eye, earning its painful howl as it stopped.
"Kids! Run!" Hilde turned to the children who carried the injured girl and hurried off.
"HILDE!"
She heard several vikings screamed, and turned to see the Cursed Ripper's maggots extended to reach for her body as she ran for the wooden pillar. But before it could rot any part of her, Gobber threw his axe, cut them off and Hilde evaded further. Yet, she didn't give up. As the neck of Cursed Ripper was exposed without the disgusting parasites, she could tell that would be where she can finish off the monster for good.
"Get away from that devil!" Stoick roared.
Aiming two arrows on a crossbow, Hilde released them again. The sharp and long shards of the arrows penetrated Cursed Ripper's neck as it let out hoarse screech. Hilde was pulled away by Gobber who was too busy to check any spot she was injured. The pillar's wood, which was rotten by the Cursed Ripper's touch, began to crock as the pyre rolled over the village's ramparts with each impact had Hilde cringed. The other dragons carried off as several of them held the stolen livestock, fishes and sheep. Bit her lips, she faced Stoick the Vast.
"…Sorry, dad."
All flinched as the Cursed Ripper collapsed to the side. All parasites melt away, revealing the creature's identity. Most let out surprised murmurs as it was none other than Whispering Death, the large Boulder Class Dragon. Curiosity kicked in, Hilde approached to it, not listening to Stoick's voice calling out her name. Whispering Death was breathing slow as its eye landed on the petite girl who gazed back, but with slight fear.
"…you loathsome rabble…"
With a slight yelp, she took a step back, alarming her father and mentor. Hilde glanced at the creature with wide eyes.
"you shall feel my pain and hatred…" Whispering Death hissed before the skin rot, eyes melting until it left nothing but skeletons, causing the Vikings to cover their mouth and nose by the odor.
Stoick walked over to his daughter as she slowly turned to him, shock didn't left from her face.
She heard the dragon.
But based on her father, her mentor and everyone else's expressions, they didn't. Snapped back to real world, Hilde just had to began.
"…upside, I hit a Night Fury."
Obviously, he didn't bought it as he pulled her away from the gathered people.
"It's no lie, dad! I mean, I really, ACTUALLY, hit it! I had a very clear shot and it went down just off the Raven Point," she even gestured to skeleton of the Whispering Death, "you can see by how I hit that one—"
"Stop, Hilde," Stoick stopped his daughter, "that, is enough. I can't keep worrying about you going outside as disaster happens! Winter is almost here and I have an entire village to feed!"
"Yeah, well, at least the village COULD do with a little less feeding…" She remarked with snarky gesture and few of vikings touched their belly, self-conscious or offended.
"This isn't a joke, Hilde! You cannot get yourself hurt outside!"
"Oh, you can't just keep me sheltered forever, you know! Dad, I'm a Viking, your daughter! Aside from, taking down a dragon, it's my duty to keep them away from the threat! By killing it!" Hilde glared, her arm flung towards children who she saved.
"You are many things, Hilde," the chief sighed, rubbed his temple in exasperation, "but killing dragon is not one of them."
Shoulders sagged, Hilde exhaled in frustration.
"Gobber, get her back to house. Make sure she gets there," Gobber nodded as he walked to Hilde, "I have her mess to clean up."
She could see the little kids wanted to approach to thank her, but were pulled back by their parents. It was always the same. True, she did bring more trouble than helping, but she earn a minimal success on defending the little ones from the dragon raids. But what did she got? No compliment from her own father, and parents prevent their children from talking to her even though it was her who saved them.
Not even the young Vikings around her age. As she was walking pass them, some of them sneered.
"Quite a performance, Useless!" Tuffnut laughed.
"I've never seen anybody mess up that badly, that actually helped~!" Her cousin Snotlout gave a mocking gesture on her.
"Thank you, thank you I was trying." Hilde rolled her eyes. Fishlegs laughed along with the teens to not get himself cast out among the peers as Asgard didn't bother to give a single glance on her as he polished his axe.
She walked her way to house with her mentor. The blacksmith was like a second father figure to her ever since she was small and this was normal for the man to take her back home whenever her father had to be off with other Vikings, leading and directing to wipe out the mess she made or when she had no one else to be with. Remembering the voice of Whispering Death, she internally winced by small amount of headache before turned to Gobber.
"Can I ask you something…?" She asked as the blacksmith blinked, "can dragons… talk?"
With a small pause, Gobber's expression can tell it was as if Hilde had grown another head.
"Aww, Hilde. Ye must have misheard! We can't understand dragons, only dragons understand one another."
She sighed by his reply.
"But, really, I kinda did. And I really did hit the Night Fury."
"Sure ye did." Gobber shook his head.
"He never listens." Hilde groaned.
"Well, it runs in the family."
"AND when he does, it's with his disappointed scowl like someone hold the meat on his sandwich," she then proceeded to make stressed impression of her father with annoyed tone, "excuse me, barmaid! I feared you brought me a wrong offspring. I ordered an extra-large boy with beefy arms; extra guts and glory on the side. THIS here, is a talking fishbone!"
"The point is, lil' lass, stop trying so hard to be something yer not."
Closed her eyes with heavy sigh, she reopened her eyes.
"I just want to fit in." Hilde opened the door and went in as she closed it. With a defeated sigh, Gobber left the doorstep.
Not hearing the stubborn girl walked out from the back door and rush off in the woods.