The daily life of a demon teen
Disclaimer: I do not own How to train your dragon
KEY
'Thoughts/memories'
"foreign language/projected thoughts"
"Close-link/Private message"
Emphasis/yelling
"Magic incantation"
(A/N: Yeah, I should probably mention that I wrote a lime-ish bit in this chapter. Well, not really lime, it's kind of like those drink pouches you pour in water bottles to get a taste of lime. I honestly don't know why I did it but don't worry, nothing 'explicit' happens.)
Review responses
CajunBear73: Being an unsupervised adolescent with access to vast magical power, Hiccup gets to do whatever he wants. He has his own responsibilities and besides, what they have planned won't hurt him… maybe? A new roommate/friend. Eh, it's a small island/village, what are ya gunna do.
Umbra Lycan: So, one vote for exclusivity, check. Thanks, I like writing it. I have to watch/read Venom centric media before I start forming a plot.
OechsnerC: Thank you and my pleasure. He might need to renovate his house and set up a few rules to maintain peace. Here's more.
13mark20: Maybe. Her body will be organic since you can only upgrade constructs so much.
Arraia: Thank you.
Back to the action!
Chapter 7: This isn't a date… right?
Nar POV
Days later, Pass noon, Training grounds
Diggy and the other perched on the stump, both watching their respective users spar. Hiccup avoided Zia's jabs, "Whoa, you're getting faster".
He tried to sweep out her legs, she hopped and smiled, "Thanks, I have a good teacher". They punched and kicked at each other.
Hiccup caught her and flipped her over his shoulder, "So just good?".
Zia smirked and kicked her legs up, he leaned back to evade the surprise attack, "Maybe". She kicked up and both got into their stances, Zia rushed at him and went for a flying kick.
Hiccup caught it with his arm, "Nice try". He smiled at her, expecting a look of disappointment.
Instead, Zia gave him a cocky grin and hooked her leg around him. She swung them with her bodyweight, he landed on his back. Zia straddled him before he could get up, she tilted her head, "You were saying?". "Oof", Hiccup kneed her rear and sent her forward, she placed both her hands beside his head to catch herself. He grabbed her arm and trapped her foot, then rolled over to swap positions.
Hiccup pinned her hands to her stomach and mimicked her cocky grin, "Like I said, nice try".
She huffed, "Fine, I give".
He released her hands, Zia blushed when she realized what position they were currently in, "Uh Zia, you mind letting go?".
She eeped and unlocked her legs, "Sorry".
"No problem", he helped her up, "I'm gonna do my usual wash, are you going to shower back at the house?".
She looks at the small waterfall, "Yeah, that water's way too cold for my taste".
Both constructors hovered over to their users, Diggy carried a towel and outfit atop his body, "I'll send Digdig when I'm finished". Zia walked towards his house, her constructor following close behind.
Half an hour later
Zia stepped out of the bathroom, dressed in her normal outfit. She tossed her towel in the hamper, her damp hair hung down as she looks around, "Huh, I wonder if Hiccup's still cleaning himself?". The sound of small explosions come from outside, 'What…Hiccup!'. She rushed outside and sees Hiccup flying around the cove, several pursuing bolts with blue glow trails were close behind him.
He spots the revived massive tree; the teen eyes the spaced roots and dives towards them. As he closed in, Hiccup folded his wings in and spun through the gaps. All but one bolt splashed on the roots, "What the?". He stopped flying and spun, making the bolt shoot pass him. Hiccup looked down, finally noticing Zia staring at him.
"Hey Zia, when di-", the last bolt swung around and struck him under his shoulder blade, "Ow!".
Hiccup sent a glare at Diggy, "Apologies master, evasion training doesn't end until all projectiles are either evaded or hit".
"Riiight", he decreases mana to his wings, slowly descending to Zia.
"What are those things?".
"I was experimenting with augmenting basic attack spells, in this case changing the standard 'Magic missile' to 'Aqua Missile'", he rolled his shoulder, "Far less lethal".
"I meant the things on your back".
Hiccup subconsciously flicked his wings, "You mean my wings?". Both his normal and, unbeknownst to him, a much smaller pair.
Zia walked behind him, eyeing the pinions before he retracted them inside his body, "How did you make them?".
"Make them?", Hiccup chuckled, "All demons are born with them".
Her eyebrows shot up, "Even me?!".
"Huh, I… I actually don't know", he held his chin, "But we can find out". Both teens walked to the stump, "Here, sit down", Zia did. "Now concentrate on moving your lower back muscles", she scrunched her face, something moved under her sweater. "Here", Hiccup slightly lifted the hem of her pullover, "Let me give you a hand". A pair of protrusions poked through small openings, she winced when he touched them.
"C-can you p-please be gentle?", Zia looked over her shoulder, showing her flushed face. He nods and gently held the ends, she trembled as he slowly pulled them out. Zia's heated panting made Hiccup gulp audibly, 'Why does this feel so… wrong?'. As he pulled, her whining and groaning made him feel awkward, 'Maybe I should ask her if she can do the rest herself'.
"U-uh, Zia?", her face was even more red, "C-can you do the rest y-yourself?". She tried to flex her wings; they didn't budge. Zia looked at him pleadingly, he sighed, "Ok". Her whimpering intensified, 'If someone were to walk by, I would have A LOT of explaining to do'. With one final pull, Hiccup freed her wings.
Zia gasped, "Ah!", then breathed heavily. He examined her wings; they were slightly smaller and more delicate. Her membrane was mauve, as opposed to Hiccup's puce. A gentle breeze made her wings flinch, brushing his hand, "Mmph!".
He pulled his hand away, "Oh, I'm so sorry".
"I-it's ok, I just… need a m-moment", Zia panted. She spent a few minutes opening and closing her wings, their sensitivity becoming more manageable, "Ok, I think I'm good".
Hiccup pulled out his wings, "Now that we know you have your own, do you want to learn how to use them?". She nodded earnestly, "Good, let's start by hovering". He pumped mana into his wings, the membranes glowed red as Hiccup floated up. Zia tried to do the same, "Just like when you summoned your shield, you need to 'feel' the flow". She closed her eyes and relaxed, the membranes of her wings flickered bright violet, "Almost there, try to evenly distribute mana to each wing".
The glow stopped flickering, Zia's feet hung as she lifted into the air, "I'm flying!". In her excitement, she lost control of her mana and spun wildly, "Hiccup!".
He swooped down and caught her, "Don't worry, I got you". Hiccup clasped her hands and held her out at arm's length, "Now you can concentrate on rising and falling". With his help, Zia spent the next hour learning basic movement, like strafing and spinning in place. "Looks like you got the hang of it, just keep practicing while I head to my workshop", he dropped down to the ground. He walks to his house but looks back, "Just stay near the cove and call me over the comm if you need me".
"I will", she smiled and resumed flying.
Sundown, Hiccup's home
Hiccup was working on his project, when Zia returned after spending a few hours getting comfortable flying. After reporting her progress, she went to her room to rest. Zia was startled from her nap by rustling coming from Hiccup's workshop, she looked out her window at the darkening skies, 'Ugh, how long did I sleep?'. Zia fixed her hair and stepped out of her room, seeing Hiccup attach his mask, "Where are you going?".
His mask gave her a surprised look, "Oh Zia, I'm sorry, did I wake you?". She shook her head, "I'm uh… going on patrol before I turn in for the night".
Zia sees him extend his wings, "Um, Hiccup?".
He looks back, "Yeah?".
She bit her lip, "I was wondering… c-could I tag along?".
Hiccup furrowed his upper eyes, then relaxed, "I don't see why not, do you feel rested enough to fly for a bit?". She smiled and nodded, her choker necklace transformed into her mask, "Do you need to get anything before we head out?".
"Nope", Zia followed close behind.
He stopped at the door, "Hey Cyrai?".
"Yes Hiccup?".
"Are you ok by yourself for an hour or two?", he knew his grimoire could feel lonely, her avatar appeared on the coffee table.
"Yes, I have- ", she looked to Zia, "-something that needs my attention, be safe you two". Hiccup felt her attitude was unusual, but he didn't want to press further and possibly upset her. Cyrai gave a knowing look at Zia, she understood and followed him outside.
Later, Berk great hall
Astrid POV
"Aw, c'mon babe, you gotta show me some love", Snotlout's disgusting voice almost makes me want to chop off my ears… or his mouth. He tried to grab my hand while I ate my meal, I snatched it away, "I know you're just playing hard to get".
"The only time I ever willingly make contact with you, is when my fist hits your face!", I growled.
"Please, you and I both know you can't resist this- ", he flexed his 'muscles'. I shook my head in disgust, 'He thinks we're just going to forget how easily Hiccup dropped him and made him wet himself'. Spitelout was more than 'displeased' with him when he heard the murmurs floating around the village. Snotlout tried to find out who was spreading them with the twins, even though he didn't know they were the ones doing it.
He closed his eyes and pursed his lips, so I broke his nose, "Argh!".
He fell to the floor, Fishlegs scribbled in his notepad from across the table and sighed, "That makes three this month". We watched him wobble out of the great hall, "When do you think he'll get the message?".
"Until he's dead or Ragnarök comes", I huffed.
I walk to the doors, "Hey Astrid?", I look back at Fish. "Do you ever think about… Him?", he muttered.
"No", I lied, "Why, do you?".
"Yes, not because of what he became", he looks down, "I kinda… miss him, you know?". I wanted to say, 'Why, since you're Snotlout's lacky', but I held my tongue. I walked through the doors, leaving him and a few villagers to enjoy their dinners.
My mind wanders as I take the long way to my home, 'Why did I lie?'. The full moon was low in the sky, bathing the village in soft white light, 'I do think of him, but I don't miss him!'. I pass by the forge, Hiccup's weird… 'thing' has been the talk of the town. Everyone has different opinions about it, from wondering what it does to destroying it. Obviously, no one would break it, lest Gobber decides to stop making and repairing our weapons. I chuckle, 'Then how will we defend our home from the raids'.
Nar POV
Astrid was broken free from her thoughts when she was shadowed from the moon's light only for an instant, her eyes widen. Her blue eyes scan the skies, spotting a flying figure. Astrid was about to yell a warning until she sees a pair of red glow trails behind the flyer. 'What kind of dragon is that?', the flyer swooped and spun like a sparrow, the trail behind it creating beautiful sweeping curves. Astrid stared in wonder as it 'danced' through the sky, she recalled the bedtime stories about fairies her mother had told her.
The red flyer suddenly spun to avoid a violet one, it flew up to hover in front of the moon. Astrid finally sees the silhouette of the winged humanoid, 'Hiccup?!'. The violet one flew up to hover next to him, 'Then that means the other one must be-'. Long silver-white hair glisten in the moonlight as it flowed in the wind, both the red and violet glows dimmed slightly as they conversed.
Meanwhile, in the sky above Berk
"Sorry, still getting use to flying", Zia rubbed her shoulder.
"It's alright, no harm-no foul", Hiccup gave her a smile, which put her at ease.
She looked down at the village bathed in moonlight, "So this is where you lived when you were human?".
"Yep, it seems almost peaceful without the villagers roaming around", he sighed.
Zia gave him a sideways glance, "Do you ever miss it?".
He shook his head, "Not since my mother died, after that Gobber and Gothi were the only ones who looked after me". Hiccup cleared his throat, "Anyways, enough about that, care for a game of tag?".
Her eyes lit up, "Oh, you're on!". From below, Astrid watched the two laughing teens chase each other through the skies above Berk. Red and violet spun and looped, trying to chase each other when one was tagged. They raced around the mountain; its surface still cratered from Hiccup's duel with the night fury.
Their game ended as a helix of red and violet above the docks, Astrid stood on the cliff surveying the docks. She looked up at the two flyers with an emotion she couldn't quite place. Hiccup looked at the moon higher in the sky, "It's getting late, we should head back".
"Yeah, that sure was fun but I'm beat", Zia coasted behind Hiccup, enjoying the familiar scent he trailed behind him. A small smile was hidden by her mask, 'As long as I can stay by his side, I don't care what happens'.
Astrid watched the pair disappear behind the tree line, then resumed walking to her family's home.
A week later, middle of the ocean
Alvin the treacherous, Chieftain of the Outcast, stood at the helm of his flagship. Behind him, twelve ships fully loaded with outcasts thirsty for blood sailed towards Berk. His lieutenant Savage crept up to his chief, Alvin asked without looking back, "'ow we lookin'?".
"W-we'll reach Berk by nightfall, sir", the smaller man mumbled, the Outcast chief recalled why they were sailing.
Flashback, over two months ago
Alvin watched a ship approach the docks. His scowl had not relaxed when the men moored the boat, he marched to the arriving scouts, "Well?!".
The commander of the scouts cowered at his voice, "The traders said the ship never arrived".
Alvin growled then bellowed, "Savage!".
His lieutenant flinched as he stood beside him, "Y-yes sir?".
"Map", he handed the roll to Alvin, who snatched it and walked to a stack of crates. "Now, show me tha' route tha' fool took", savage traced a path from Outcast island, pass several uninhabited islets and swinging pass Berk, then finally ending at an island on edge of the archipelago. Alvin growled, "If ol' Stoick wants a fight, 'e'll get one!".
Flashback end
Later, Berk's forge
Gobber was just finishing the last of the hinges, he tossed it in a crate filled with other ones. The blacksmith carried the crate to the storeroom, the emitter's interface began chiming as he returned from the back. "Now, 'ow did 'iccup show me?", Gobber scratched his head with his hook hand, he shrugged and placed his hand on the screen.
"Finally, Gobber listen carefully, there's a fleet of outcast warships are closing in on Berk", a hardlight ring projected from the screen, wavering with every syllable.
"Wha', 'ow do yeh kno' tha'?", he couldn't believe it.
"Trust me Gobber, they'll reach Berk- ", the horn blew in the distance.
Gobber hobbled over to the ordering window, he sees a flaming boulder crash into a catapult, "Eh".
"Listen, do you remember how to turn on the emitter?", Hooligans rushed out of their homes.
"Aye", Gobber placed his hand on the screen.
"Ok, do that and stay inside the forge, I'll be there as soon as I can-what are you doing Zia?".
The blacksmith heard clinks and snaps, "What, you said your uncle is in trouble".
"Yeah, but I haven't tested it yet!", Gobber glanced at the villagers running pass his window as the pair argued for a bit, "Ugh fine, just be careful with it ok? ".
Hooligan war cries came from outside, "Eh, 'iccup?".
"Don't worry Gobber, we're on our way".
Meanwhile, Berk's docks
A few of Berk's fishing boats were sunk, three ships carrying outcasts cleaved their way through the wrecks. Gangplanks slammed onto the boardwalks; the invaders rushed at the Hooligans. The clashing of swords and axes sounded as Alvin stepped on the docks, the light from the village torches shone behind the clifftop. He grinned when he spots Stoick's silhouette commanding his warriors in defense of the village.
Alvin led his men against the Hooligans, pushing them back until they reached the top of the dock ramps. The firelight behind Stoick cast a shadow on his scowling face, "Well now Stoick, fancy meetin' ya' 'ere!".
"Alvin… what makes you think you can win?", the outcast chief casually looks around.
"All yur' catapults are destroyed, ya' 'ave half yur' men wounded an' I still 'ave ma' boats", he shrugs. "I think I 'ave a good chance", he began to laugh, his warriors soon followed suit.
The sound of a building whistle made both side's blood run cold, Stoick whispers, "Night fury?".
BOOM! An orange plasma blast struck an outcast ship carrying a catapult, a streak of red swooped pass the burning vessel. Alvin's men muttered as he follows the pair of red glow trails, they circle back and came in for another pass, "Wha' tha' hel, a night fury?!". A plasma blast strikes another outcast ship, the light from the flaming boat illuminated a figure for an instant.
The outcasts on ships outside the docks began to shoot flaming bolts at the flying man, a pair of violet glow trails broke from the clouds and descended on the distracted fleet.
Earlier, Hiccup's home
"I'll be there as soon as I can-", Hiccup sees Zia strapping on his prototype leg rig, "What are you doing Zia?". Flexible pads contoured to her thighs, on either pad was a large magi-steel box.
She locked the belt and adjusted the straps, "What, you said your uncle was in trouble". Zia touched the boxes, channeling her mana into the launchers. The rune for 'Magic missile' glowed first on their outer side, then a ring of demon script for 'Augment: plasma blast' lit up around the magic circle. The collective glow started off vermillion before turning a bright violet.
"Yeah, but I haven't tested it yet!", Hiccup left the comm on.
"What, I thought you liked 'Field-testing'", Zia air quoted while imitating his nasally voice.
"Har-har but I don't sound like that", Zia snickered. "Seriously, I don't mind putting myself in danger", he motioned to her, "But not others if I can help it!".
She gave him a blank look, "You done?".
Hiccup threw his hands up, "Ugh fine, just be careful with it ok?".
"Eh, 'iccup?", he realized that his uncle was still listening.
'Damn!', he cleared his throat, "Don't worry Gobber, we're on our way". Hiccup ran into his workshop, throwing open the weapon cabinet. After fastening on his vest and gauntlet armlets, he snatched his 'new' fury rifle. The damage from the internal explosion was severe enough to require a complete rebuild. He used his newly created reinforced magi-steel alloy to replace the weapon's larger parts.
The alloy, which Hiccup named 'Shade steel' due to its black color, was created by mixing his crushed crystallized mana into molten magi-steel. The main body of his fury was black with a red sheen; smaller bits of the weapon were still the shiny grey of regular magi-steel. It resembled his first rifle, but with one difference. It lacked a stock, replace by recoil dampeners built on either side where the barrel met the fore end of the rifle.
Hiccup snapped the fury to his back plate as he walked into the main room, Zia eyed his gun, "When do I get one?".
His mask flashed on, he shrugged, "Hey, you picked the wrath launchers". She followed him outside, both teens extended their wings and shot up.
In the sky near the village
When Hiccup spotted the attacking fleet, he turned to Zia, "Did you sync the wrath to your mask?".
"On it", from behind her mask, she swiped through her HUD using her gaze and blinks. Zia found the menu, "Syncing now", the launchers emitted a whirling sound. "What's the plan?", Hiccup banked left, Zia followed.
"I'll take out the artillery ships first, getting their attention", he zoomed in on the boats carrying catapults. "Get into cloud cover and as soon as you see them shooting at me, break through and use the launchers", she nodded and flew into the mist. Hiccup grabbed his fury and looked back to the ships launching burning rocks, 'Ok, it's go time… it's go time'. He streamlined his body as he drove, creating a whistling sound.
Hiccup fired a bolt at the ship, the blast sent bits of wood shards flying. A few outcasts were thrown from the explosion, those that weren't were hit by the shrapnel. He flew through the plume and looked back, the other boat was still lobbing flaming boulders, 'One down, one to go'. Hiccup flew up and came back around for another pass, his second shot hit the other ship near its waterline. 'Yeah, two for tw-', Hiccup dodged a flaming bolt, 'Yep, they're angry'. He dove and spun to avoid the barrage; his shield flashed when an occasional shot glanced off.
He sees Zia break out from cloud cover, "Looks like fun, mind if I join in?", she says over the comm. She dives behind the fleet, the launchers whirl to life. Zia comes to an abrupt stop out of range of the crossbowmen and the launcher's front-ends open. The glow from inside intensifies as she locks on to a ship, 'Fire!', a large violet plasma bolt shoots out of either launcher's upper barrel. The missiles flew at a fraction of the speed of a plasma blast, leaving a glowing smoke trail behind them.
One hit the aft section, the other struck the deck and set off the pitch barrels the outcasts were using. The burning liquid spewed from the explosion and ignited nearby ships, Hiccup beamed, "Way to go Zia!".
She felt immense pride, "Thanks Hiccup", both teens began raining hellfire down at the outcast fleet. Zia launched another salvo, the launchers chimed, 'What?'. She looked at them, noticing their dim glow, 'Must be low on power'. Zia channeled mana into them, causing her to cringe, "Ah!".
She heard Hiccup call over her comm as he strafes another ship, "Keep a close eye on your reserves, the wrath is very power hungry".
"I will", she sees the outcasts retreating to their boats, "Looks like they're running".
Berk's docks
Alvin snarled, 'What in Helheim are those things?!', his men were in full retreat. Savage tries to run pass him but is caught, "Where ya' goin'?!".
"S-sir, half our fleet is gone, we need to get aboard while there's still room", the man muttered in fear. He releases him and grumbles as he boards the ship, the two demons above continue to bombard the still floating wrecks.
As his remaining ships clear the inlet, Alvin shoves his way to a covered catapult. He pulls the sheet off and ordered his men to load it with stones, 'I'll make sure the dragons finish what I started'. "Aim fur' thur' 'orge!", he grins as the cloud of rock sail towards it. Alvin's smirk falls as the stones bounce off a strange dome like the demons had around them, 'Berk must have made a deal with Loki!'. His yell of frustration was so loud that it was heard by Hiccup and Zia as well as Berk.
Both the defending Hooligans and those dousing the fires began cheering, Spitelout leading it, "We done it!".
Zia huffed in disgust, "What, we're the ones who sunk most of their fleet!".
Hiccup hovered over to her and placed his hand on her shoulder, causing her to stiffen, "Zia, let them think whatever they want". She turned to look at him, "If Gobber's safe, I couldn't care less about who won".
Zia relaxed when he held her shoulder, she sighed, "Ok, as long as you're happy, I'm happy".
"Thanks", his mask displayed a mischievous look, "Up for a race home?".
She smirked, "Oh, you're so on!".
Berk village
From among the smoldering huts, Astrid watched the two teens shoot off into the distance. Ruffnut shook her, "Hey Astrid, you ok?".
She blinks and shakes her head, "Yeah, I'm fine Ruff". Astrid starts to follow her but stops, she turns back, 'Thanks Hiccup, for saving us again'.
Later, Hiccup's cove
"Whoo! First place!", Hiccup cheered as he touched down first.
"You know these things are heavy, right", Zia began unstrapping the wrath and gave it to him. They both walked in and were greeted by their automata.
He dropped off the wrath in his workshop, then emerged a moment later, "So, what should we do for dinner?". Hiccup looked at Zia when she didn't respond, she was frozen in shock, "Zia?".
He heard footsteps behind him and a familiar voice, "Hiccup?".
(A/N: Oooh, another cliffhanger… please-don't-kill-me! Bat-like wings have exposed membranes, so they should be sensitive… right? Yes, thigh mounted Magitek missile launchers, Whoo! The poll for the appearance for Cyrai's body will close one week after this update.)