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: Snotlout bashing incoming.)
Review responses
OechsnerC: Thank you.
Arraia: Thanks, and maybe
Back to the action!
Chapter 8: Two's company but three's… complicated
Nar POV
Berk's great hall
Cheers and singing filled the hall as Hooligans celebrating 'their' victory over the surprise outcast attack. Ack and Hoark tapped their mugs together as they walked pass the teens table, slightly spilling mead. "Stupid Useless, ruining my chance to show everyone how awesome I could've been in battle!", Snotlout grumbled.
Beside him, Tuffnut snickered, "Yeah right Snot, you probably would've wet yourself if a real outcast attacked you". Ruffnut agreed, laughing as she high fives her brother.
"Shut up Tuff, I'll get Hic-gah!", he felt a sharp pain in the back of his mind, which confused both the twins.
"Hic-gah? I don't think that's fishbone's name", Tuff chuckled.
"Stop laughing!", Snotlout grabbed his collar and held up a fist, both were knocked to the ground by Ruffnut.
"No one threatens my brother except me!", he and the twins rolled as they fought. Astrid spared a glance at their tussle, then returned to cleaning her axe. Being satisfied with its sheen, she set it down and noticed Fishlegs quietly scribbling in his journal. The large teen ignored his surroundings, intent on recording the events of the battle.
Astrid could see one page filled with neat writing, the page opposite had a sketch of the docks. Two humanoid forms flew above it, raining down fire onto the outcast ships. She eyed the one with shorter hair, obviously meant to represent Hiccup. The three brawling teens smacked into the table, breaking her free from her thoughts. Astrid sighed and walked to the doors, leaving her peers to their own devices.
The cove, Hiccup's house
Both Hiccup and Zia just stared dumbstruck at the stranger standing in the kitchen, the tall blonde girl held a white sheet wrapped around her body. He managed to find his voice, "Astrid?".
"Do I really look like a crazy axe-wielding barbarian girl, you idiot?!", the differences became apparent as he further examined the young woman. From a distance her hair appeared blonde, but upon closer inspection had traces of strawberry blonde. He could make out fang ends poking out from under her full pink lips as she nervously bit her lower one. Unlike his former peer, her slitted iris was an unnatural garnet red color as opposed to sky blue and surrounded by black instead of white. Her pointed ears flicked as her anxiousness grew at his stare, "Say something!".
"Uh?".
His response infuriated the girl, making her lose her grip on the sheet and reveal more of her fair skin, "Eek!". She frantically tried to readjust her covering and, in her haste, had stepped on the end. "Hiccup!", the girl called out as she fell, he moved quickly and caught her.
He supported her with ease, even though she was nearly as heavy and taller than him, "Oof, you're kinda heavy, Cyrai".
"Hey, that's rude-you finally recognized me?!", she looked up astonished, a small smile on his face. Cyrai felt blood rush to her face when she realized how close their faces were, a new experience for the former sentient grimoire. Her heartbeat quickens as her body reacted to his presence, becoming deafening for her.
Her stillness worried Hiccup, "Cyrai, what's wro-?", she silenced his mouth with her own. His brain shutdown when the teen felt her tender lips, his lungs followed suite as she held the gentle kiss.
A moment later, Cyrai was pulled away by Zia, "You double-crosser!". She stumbled to the couch, managing to cling onto her sheet.
"Huh?", was all Hiccup could say before Zia grabbed his face and pressed her lips on his. She curled her arms around his neck and tilted her head, further deepening her kiss. He tried to speak, which allowed her tongue to probe his mouth. Zia's tongue glided and coiled around his, rapidly breaking any resistance he had. She pressed her bosom into his hard chest, turning his dazed brain into mush.
After what seemed like hours, Zia broke their kiss, a thin strand of saliva between their mouths. She gazed at a dumbstruck Hiccup with half-lidden eyes, "How did my first kiss taste, better?". He mumbled incoherently, making her giggle, "I thought so".
"Ahem", Cyrai cleared her throat to burst their bubble.
"Don't even start!", Zia turned to her, leaving her partner weak in the knees. She marched up to the taller demoness, unintimidated by the difference in stature. Although Cyrai had a good seven centimeters height advantage over her, Zia was still more 'well-endowed' in comparison, "You broke it first".
"What?!", she yelled as Hiccup came to.
He spun around and muttered, "C-cyrai, can you get dressed?".
"Fine", Cyrai sat on the couch, "Fragment, display object: clothes".
She swiped through the projections, "Fragment?", Hiccup asked.
Cyrai sighed, "Before I transferred my consciousness into my body, I left a simple copy of myself in the grimoire". She chose an outfit and was engulfed in light; her choice was a futuristic black bodysuit that covered everything but her hands and above her collar.
Hiccup blushed, Zia noted his reaction, "Cyrai, don't you find that outfit a bit too… formfitting?".
The demoness became nervous, "I don't mind if Hiccup doesn't", she muttered while pressing and twiddling her fingers. Zia glared at her, "Fine", she created a short dark grey coat jacket and threw it on. Hiccup relaxed a little, "There, with that settled, I'm going to bed".
Zia sees her going towards the stairs, "Whoa, where do you think you're going?!".
Cyrai stopped at the first step, "To Hiccup's room, his bed is big and I'm sure he doesn't mind sharing".
He was about to speak up, when Zia cut him off, "How does that make sense?!".
"As you recall, demons organize their groups or 'clans' in a hierarchy", Cyrai walked back to her and placed her hands on her hips. "Since Hiccup is the only male and strongest of our group, he takes the rank of Alpha male", he rubbed the back of his head. "Likewise, Since I've been with him the longest, I should take second spot", placing her hand on her chest.
"Only in projections, I've been here longer physically!", Zia countered.
"Really, care to settle our disagreement?", her dark red eyes narrowed.
"Uh, guys?", Hiccup didn't like where this was heading.
"You know it!", Zia's violet iris glowed.
"Um?", He felt an ominous aura from both, almost seeing lightning arcing between their glares.
Cyrai crossed her arms, "Magic or weapons?".
"Doesn't matter, I won't lose", she stood defiantly against her taller challenger.
"Me neither", Violet and maroon colored miasma swirled around their respective sources.
"Knock it off", Hiccup's fear changed to annoyance as they ignored him.
"Let's step outside, shall we?", Cyrai smirked, his frustration grew into anger.
Zia returned her smirk, "Yes, let's".
"ENOUGH!", a shockwave of malevolent energy accompanied his bellow, making the lights flicker and rattling dishware. They felt crushed when another wave pulses out from Hiccup, "There will be no infighting between us, do I make. Myself. Clear?!", he roared out. Zia and Cyrai looked at him shocked and slightly enamored, both nodded obediently, "I don't like us fighting each other". He breathes in to calm himself, "Both of you will be my betas, equals, ok?".
"Ok", they both replied.
"Now, as for the sleeping arrangements, I'll crash on the couch and give my bed to Cyrai for the night", she hummed in disappointment and went upstairs, while Zia felt relieved. 'Void pocket', Hiccup reached into the gash and pulled out a blanket and pillow.
"Are you sure, I'm ok sharing my bed", she offered.
"I'm good, see you in the morning", he got comfortable as Zia walked to her room.
"Goodnight", she sighed before closing her door.
The next morning
Hiccup was sprawled out on the couch, unaware of the conflict in his kitchen, "No, I'm making breakfast!". The aroma of boar slices and fried fish filled the air, accompanied with the crackling of eggs.
The sound of crashing metal jolts him from his pleasant slumber, sending him plummeting to the floor, "Ow". Hiccup groggily stood up and sees his two roommates glaring at each other, he yawns, "Hurrr, It's way too early in the morning for this". Both Cyrai and Zia wore aprons, their hair tied back in buns.
"Oh, Hiccup, you're awake", Cyrai said happily, Zia was busy stifling her snickering at his messy hair.
"Well it's hard sleeping through the noise", he yawned again. He opened a small portal and pulled out his spare outfit, then walked to the bathroom. After they ate breakfast together, Hiccup went outside with both Cyrai and Zia.
"I hope you don't mind me borrowing Diggy for the day", while said automaton hovered beside her.
"Sure, if it helps build your room faster, why not use Zia's as well?", he offered.
"What a wonderful suggestion, you wouldn't mind right?", Cyrai asked her peer with a smile.
"Fine, just don't break it", Zia called it over to her. The two constructors hover over to the last remaining stone pile, red and violet beams carve away at it. They returned and began laying the foundation against the side of the house, the other followed behind Diggy sculpting the molten rock.
"It shouldn't take too long, Zia and I are going to Gobber's forge for a bit", Hiccup wrapped his arm around her.
Cyrai gave her a stern glare, "Make sure nothing happens to him".
Zia smirked, "Please, I can handle myself against a bunch of club swinging morons". Hiccup opened a gate and they stepped through together.
Later, Berk's forge
Hours passed as the two demon teens worked with Gobber, Hiccup with the forging and Zia helping with the tools. She found the blacksmith's embarrassing childhood stories about Hiccup adorable, much to his expense. Lunchtime rolled around, Gobber wiped his forehead with a rag, "'ow 'bout I get us some lunch?".
"I should go with you, you know… to help carry most of it", pointing to his right hand. Zia was about to ask but Hiccup placed his hand on her shoulder, "Don't worry, we'll be back quickly". He looked to his uncle, "Right, Gobber?".
"Aye, ya' don' mind watchin' ma' forge till then?", he swapped his hammer for his hook.
"Sure", she shrugged.
"Thanks", Hiccup let go of her shoulder, but she caught his sleeve.
He looked back and was pulled into a kiss, Zia broke off after a couple seconds, "Hurry back". He babbled a mess of words and nodded, then followed a confused Gobber. She closed the door behind her and sat on a crate nearby, activating her mask for good measure. A few villagers looked at her, they turned away when noticing her mask. After a couple minutes of waiting, Zia unclipped her khopesh and pulled out a cleaning rag. A group of teens spot the awaiting demoness on their way to the great hall.
Snotlout's arrogant voice rang out as they approached her, "Hey there, what's a gorgeous flower like you doing in a place like this?", he wiggled his eyebrows when she looked up.
Zia had to use all her willpower not to vomit inside her mask, "I'm waiting for Hix", she clipped her khopesh to her belt.
"What, why would you waste your time on that loser?", under her mask, Zia clenched her teeth. He strolled up to her, "You should come with us", electricity arced between her fingers. "We can get to know each other better", Snotlout offered coyly, reaching for her shoulder. BOOM! the conceited boy was thrown by a burst of high voltage, smoke rising from his clothes as he rolled to a stop. Her 'Thunderlight skin' enhancement created tiny sparks of violet from her body, her mask's eyes flashed as she dispelled it.
Zia marched up to the groaning Snotlout, stepping on his collarbone, "Let me make two things clear, you pathetic worm". She pressed down harder, "First, you don't get to touch me with your grimy, grubby little hands". The demoness frees her khopesh and holds it above his eye, "Second, the next time you insult MY alpha, I will pluck out your eyes". Zia lowers her sword, bringing its tip close to Snotlout's tearing eye, "Got it, worm?".
"Note to self: never make you mad", she looked over to the masked Hiccup, as he hands a basket to Gobber. Zia pulls her khopesh away and steps off Snotlout, he scurries away with the twins and Fishlegs. Astrid pauses when she sees Zia hug Hiccup and snuggles her head under his chin, the shieldmaiden turns back and walks elsewhere.
"Eh, 'iccup", the teens place some space between them but did not break their embrace. "Yeh mind explainin' all… this?", he motioned to all of them.
"Oh, right", he released Zia and rubbed the back of his head, "Let's go inside, it's… kinda private".
An hour later
"So, Alvin's attack wasn' unprovoked?", Gobber asked as he straitened a warped sword. He sees his nephew grimace, "Don' worry 'iccup, I ain't upset".
"Really?", Hiccup asked, working the grinder.
"Ya' did tha' honorable thing an' saved Zia", the blacksmith inspected the sword he was fixing. "Speakin' o' honorable, ya' haven'-", he motioned between the two confused teens.
Hiccup caught on, "Oh no, we haven't done 'that' if you're implying what I think you're implying".
"Not yet at least", Zia said with a grin as she handed him a dull dagger, which slipped through his fingers.
He cleared his throat and picked it up, "That wasn't very funny, Zia".
"I wasn't trying to be, my dear Alpha", she purred.
"Ya' betta' take responsibility 'iccup", Gobber said with a mock stern tone.
"Oh no, not you too!", he groaned and went back to sharpening, ignoring the two as they laughed.
Later, Hiccup's cove
The two teens returned to the cove, amazed at the new addition. The three-story tower was grafted on the side of their house, the first floor was cobblestone while the other two floors were wooden. The third floor had a dome of glass panels, Diggy and the other were nearing the completion of the addition. "Hiccup, you're back!", Cyrai noticed them as she used his design tablet to monitor the construction.
"Hey Cyrai, um…", he trailed off, still coming to terms with the tower.
"Don't you think it's a little too much?", Zia questioned the approaching demoness.
Cyrai held the tablet screen up, a projection of the tower shone, "Not really, the second floor is where my room is". She zoomed in on the midsection, displaying a bed and some furniture. "The third floor will be our observatory/study", the projection showed a circular room, the walls had bookshelves built from them. "Now we'll have a place to store the books Hiccup will no doubt horde", he blushed and turned away.
"Wait, so that's why I was buried by the landslide when I was looking for a spare blanket?!", Cyrai stifled her giggles, remembering Zia's arm sticking out of the pile of tomes several weeks ago.
The demoness composed herself, "Yes, with this we won't have a repeat of that".
"What about the first floor?", he was wondering why she skipped it.
"Oh, that… that will be our new armory", the projection moved to reveal a windowless room filled with empty weapon cabinets and armor stands.
"Will we really need more weaponry?", Zia was sure Hiccup was drooling with the prospect of creating more equipment and armaments.
Cyrai's serious demeanor became unsettling, "Yes, I'm afraid I've begun picking up magic anomalies in the expanding forest around the cove".
Hiccup picked up on her tone, "Are they dangerous?".
"To us…, no", she handed the tablet back to him, "But you two should monitor the village". Hiccup and Zia followed her inside, "If you learn anything suspicious, I want you to contact me immediately". The aroma of delicious food filled the air, the dinner table was set with three bowls, "Dinner will be ready in a couple hours".
"I didn't know you could cook, Cyrai", Hiccup examined the pot on the stove.
"When you've had unrestricted access to information for several millennia, you pick up a thing or two", enjoying the praise from him.
"I guess having taste buds now helps, right?", Zia flopped on the couch.
A week later, Gobber's hut
Hiccup visited Gobber alone, Cyrai wanted to train her magic with Zia. 'I hope I still have a house when I get back', he worried as he was doing maintenance on the forge's defense equipment. He pulled out the dim power cell, replacing it with a brighter one. Hiccup tossed the worn cell through a small portal along with his tool bag, a commotion outside the forge's order window drew his attention.
"Clear the way!", yelled Hoark, carrying a stretcher with a wounded man.
"Send someone to get the healer!", Agnar hollered while holding the other end.
Gobber hobbled in, Hiccup picked up the faint scent of blood on him, "Hey Gobber, are you ok?".
"I'm fine, why?".
"Because I smell fresh blood on you", his response shocked the blacksmith.
Gobber breathed out sadly, "I've been helpin' Gothi with tha' wounded".
"Wounded, did you guys get raided?", Hiccup wondered if somehow someone managed to get pass Fragment's sensors.
"No, nuthin' like tha'", that relaxed him, "But mo' 'unters are comin' back mauled, some people are sayin' an unknown dragon may be stalkin' tha' forest". Gobber went to pump the bellows, while he grabbed a broom and began sweeping.
Hiccup muted his mask, "Did you catch all that?".
Cyrai hummed, "Yes, what's strange is that we haven't detected any dragons near the island in weeks". "Would you like me to send a monitor to survey the forest?", a day after her tower was complete, Hiccup began manufacturing monitors. Similar in design to the constructors, their smooth crescent shaped magi-steel body had a large gem eye to record or feed images back to Fragment.
Hiccup finished sweeping and set the broom by the grinder, "Please do, I'll find more info on my end". He hung his apron and his mask reformed to glasses, "Hey Gobber?".
He stopped pumping the bellows and looked at Hiccup, "Yes?".
"I was wondering if you needed help treating the wounded?", the large man sulked, "I mean if you don't want to, I understand".
"Gothi's gettin' exhausted, so we'll take all tha' 'elp we can get", Gobber extinguished the coals.
Elsewhere in the village
Gobber led Hiccup to one of the warehouses near the docks, "Why are we going here and not up to Gothi's?". Stepping inside, the teen was hit by the stench of blood, herbs and pain. While he found negative feelings like sorrow and pain energizing, the disgusting odor of rotten blood made Hiccup activate his mask. He felt his mana grow in the presence of their suffering, "Where is Gothi?".
"Out makin' house visits", although she was one of the few villagers he cared about, he found it difficult to be near her aura.
"I see", the demon teen walked deeper into the makeshift infirmary, the maimed either squirmed in discomfort or laid still. He stopped at a cot, recognizing the man, 'Gunther Hofferson?!'. Hiccup looked him over, stopping his inspection at the man's legs.
Gobber follows his gaze, "Gothi did all she could", he sighed. Gunther's legs were in terrible condition, everything halfway down his thighs to his feet was heavily bandaged. Hiccup could tell from the abnormal form of the dressings that the wounds must have been severe.
Gobber's voice roused the Hofferson from his slumber, "Gobber, please don't tell me I'm gonna lose 'em".
"I'm sorry Guntha', she said they weren't lookin' so good", the fear increased in intensity from him. The man sat up but shuffled away when he notices the masked teen, causing him to wince.
"Hic-oh!", Gunther felt a sting from somewhere else than his legs.
"It's actually Hix", he said in a relaxed tone, "So what Gobber said… is it true?".
The Hofferson grimaced, "Yes, Gothi said she'll have to amputate 'em if they don't get better". Hiccup didn't dislike Gunther but also wasn't too fond of him, since he neither supported nor opposed the other villagers.
'I've been meaning to try this for a while', he looked to Gunther, "You don't want to lose your legs, do you?".
"Aye", the Hofferson said with a sad tone.
"Can I try something?", he looked up to Hiccup, "It might heal your legs".
His demeanor changed instantly, "Please, anything!", he desperately pleaded.
Hiccup moved his hand toward his legs, but stopped, "What are you willing to give me for my help?".
Gunther bowed his head and squeezed his hands, "I don't want to be a burden to my family". He lifted his head and looked at Hiccup, "I'm willing to do anything in my power… anything".
"Anything?", Hiccup raised an upper eye like a brow.
"Y-yes".
He turned to his uncle, "Are you willing to be a witness, Gobber?". He nodded, "Good, let's begin", he hovered his hand over Gunther's legs. His mask eyes flashed, 'Lesser healing', red miasma flowed from his hand. The bandages burned away as flesh and bone regenerated, sealing up the large gashes. Gunther felt a tingling sensation replace the pain, slowly fading as the damage was repaired. A few seconds later, Hiccup was finished, "There, all done".
"By Odin's great mercy!", he swung his legs over the edge and shakenly stood.
Gobber was flabbergasted, "'ow ya' feelin', Guntha'?".
The Hofferson smiled, "Great, as if I never was hurt to begin with!".
A cleaning pan clattered to the floor behind them, getting the three's attention. Brenna and Astrid both stood, mouths agape. Hiccup and Gobber moved aside to let the mother-daughter pair rush at Gunther. The teen walked out with him in tow, leaving the Hoffersons to celebrate in peace. Brenna kissed her husband and squealed, "What happen?!".
"Hix, that boy granted my wish", Astrid and her mother stepped back to eye his unblemished legs.
"He healed you, how?!", asked the shieldmaiden, looking around but not finding him.
"Don't know, maybe used his magic", Gunther held his wife, who was crying with joy. Astrid joined the group hug, their fear of his crippling injury gone.
Later, back in Gobber's forge
"Why'd yeh do it, 'iccup?", he and Gobber had finished their work in the forge.
The teen shrugged, "Eh, honestly I don't know, curiosity I guess?". He watches his uncle swap his tong attachment for his hook, "You know Gobber, I could always bring back your hand".
"It's alright, I've gotten attached ta' it over tha' years", he sighed, patting his prosthetic.
"Or I can build you a magic enhanced one if you like?", the gears in Hiccup's head began to turn. He opened a portal, "You know how to reach me if you change your mind", then disappeared.
Hiccup's cove
As soon as he stepped out of the portal, Hiccup rolled to avoid a trail of sword-sized ice shards. He skidded to a halt and looked up, Zia and Cyrai were launching an assortment of elemental attacks at one another. The tall blonde held her arms out from her sides, "Razor hail". Pale ice blue magic circles appeared above her shoulders, they spun as each unleashed a burst of blade-like ice fragments.
Zia backflipped to dodge the trailing line of impaling ice blades, she spun in midair, "Pyre bulwark". She landed behind a sprouting wall of molten rock; the frozen projectiles dug into the burning rampart before turning to steam. "Molten slug", a large chunk of magma tore through the fiery barricade, sending a cluster of flaming buckshot barreling towards Cyrai.
The demoness shot up in the air with her wings to avoid the attack, Zia followed her while shooting fire bolts. The constructors had projected barriers to prevent stray projectiles from damaging the buildings, Diggy left the other and hovered over to Hiccup, "Greetings master".
"You mind explaining what is going on?!", the two girls continued their dogfight.
"After you left for your visitation, Cyrai and Zia were running standard training exercises. Zia's unit and I were in the process of recycling iron, when our sensors detected the use of combat magic. I was unable to dissuade them from dueling; thus, I directed the other unit to safeguard the structures from collateral damage until your return", Diggy explained. The two demonesses hovered above them, each eyeing their opponent.
Zia shot another mass of magma at Cyrai, "Glacial hammer", she launched a chunk of solid ice. The two projectiles collided between the demonesses and exploded, incapacitating them.
"Acceleration", a pulse of yellow light flashed around Hiccup's body as he flew towards the falling girls. He caught Zia in his left arm, then swooped down and grabbed Cyrai with his right in a blink of an eye. His four wings glowed bright red as he descended with his betas in his arms, he gently laid them down after he touched down.
"H-hiccup?", Cyrai blinked as she came to.
"W-what happen?", Zia wobbled as she sat up.
"Guys seriously, are you trying to destroy our home?", he sighed.
"C'mon, it wasn't that bad", Hiccup gave Zia a deadpan look, then motioned to their surroundings. Ice shards and bits of burning stones were scattered around, the ground was torn up with craters and trenches.
"We may have been a little excessive", Cyrai muttered meekly.
"It's fine as long as you're both safe, ok?", they feel their hearts flutter at his concern. "Why don't you two take a break while I get started on a project of mine", Hiccup helped Cyrai up.
Zia dusted off her leggings, "So, did you find out anything while helping Gobber?".
"Not much, I know it's big and can tear through flesh like butter", the trio walked inside the house for lunch. Hiccup held the door, "I'm gonna need to make a few upgrades before we go hunting".
(A/N: Yeah, I got impatient, this story wasn't meant to be a slow burn like my first one. A deal with a demon, what could possibly go wrong?)