Hiccup woke up suddenly, with her eyes wide open. She wasn't even bothered by morning tiredness, she sat up and looked at hers open window. Sun already up, few clouds in sky. Just then from it went cold brew of winds, she shaken. Immediately she was dressing herself in some furs. Typically she wouldn't dress herself with such warm cloth, she never actually felt bothered by cold, or maybe it's because of dragons cold bloodiness? Today was different, she knew it's already close to end of autumn, but it's already would be freezing eventually.
What caused hers todays rapid awaking? Promise. Promise she had sworn yesterday. She promised something would eventually change, she wasn't going to let that feeling out easily. Today was day, when she will made something , she thought she wouldn't be capable of, she is going on free will fight a dragon. Last day and hers last experiences was one of most tragic in hers life, they got her thinking by nightmare she wouldn't forget as she always forget dreams.
This one was unforgettable, she heard voice, voice she didn't wanted to remember, that dragon voice. Nothing else, everything was dark, just voice. Actually not even voice, but sentence was in matter, sentence she will eventually remember for rest of hers life.
'I won't kill you, but only because that wouldn't even change a thing!'
That one would be repeat in hers head over and over, making each of times feel in her something else. First, it was sadness, then sorrow, then even apathy, just to end with rage which would wake her up with jump. Today was day something change, she is going to make sure of it.
When she ended preparing herself, she would now run straight of hers stairs almost tripping herself just to meet eyes to eyes with hers father eating breakfast. She stopped in midway of them at look of him. She was surprised he wouldn't force her into making meal, but she could actually predict that he wouldn't. After such 'adventure' nobody would in fact function correctly. He just gave her break she needed.
"Good mornin' lad. Ye're hungry?" He asked pointing at dish just across from him at the far part of table.
She heard hers stomach rumble, then saliva produced into hers mouth. "Aye, I'm feelin' like I'm stravin'" She got to hers place and started eating.
Stoic looked at her, not much surprised about hers sudden act. "I was about to brin' yer up, but yer were faster. I thought yer would sleep that day out too."
She confused. "What yer mean? I slept one day?"
"Aye, but yer don't worry, it good for yers gettin' strength back. Yer see, little of rest and yer will be eventually in few days ready for trainin'" He ensured her.
She stopped eating, shallowed loudly and replied. "I actually thought, maybe I would today have some trainin'? What yer think?"
He looked at her focused. "Yer want? Isn't that too fast? Well, I won't say no on that, if yer want..."
"Aye, I really do." She responded instantly. Afterwards both just continued on meal.
Hiccup yet again found herself in that area, this time there wasn't much of crowd, mostly because hers decision was sudden and unexpected for everyone. Even so she wouldn't say she didn't had auditorium, still there was much of Vikings. She yet again stood there with sword and shield in hers hands, but this time she knew she wasn't forced into that, she choose to be here. She choose to fight. She won't fail, at last she would try to complete.
The sound of lifting chains, there were part of stone which closed the enter cage of dragon. That sound would mean start of fight. She got into hers fight position, with hers shield and sword in ready. Still in nervous Hiccup now would see just second when chains was lifted dragon, Gronckle in exact, got into area. Same one which hers peers would fought earlier.
"Danger! Danger! Escape! Escape!" Hiccup heard dragon say in much feminine voice, trying much just to ignore it.
Hiccup noticed dragons with theirs mind communication wouldn't interact with long sequences, but short, one-words ones. She wasn't surprised of that. They were part animals, they didn't needed to talk between each other, only thing they needed to inform one another of such things as danger, probably some mating and to show dominance. She couldn't say so because in that area 'danger' thing was only she would hear from them.
Difference is in dragons which was here for longer time. Ones that spend here even years. These ones actually would say much more as they learned words from Vikings surrounding them. That's why probably that Night Fury learned speak such properly. If he done as he said, he probably spender that 5 years into learning theirs language.
Hiccup focused when longer than her body went into hers direction in concept of attacking her. She made dodge just right in time, avoiding again 'laying in bed' time because of crashed scull. As she promised she done, she tried attacking it, she took hers sword, but not in interest of rushing with it into dragon, but just to start smashing it into hers shield making sound which confused dragon. Dragon have really sensitive hear, they would hear things humans wouldn't, but same way loud noises would distract them. For Viking, Hiccup would use hers brain, not hers muscles in fight.
"Danger! Danger! Scary! Scary!" Dragon almost cried in hers head.
She stopped by that, ashamed of hers doings. Hiccup at training really get close to that creatures. Of course, they wanted kill her, hurt her, maybe eat her, but after that time of trainings she get to know of that dragons pretty well, just by theirs behaviour. This one is female one which is pretty shy and scared much. She was scared almost of everything, but Hiccup wasn't surprised by that, when you living all yours life in cage she would be scared too. Hiccup also took notice that one didn't wanted actually cause any harm, that's why it attacked with hers body, much rather than hers fire. This was actually reason Hiccup didn't wanted harm these creatures, she knew them now so well... she knew they didn't attack because of hate, but from frighten... all of them.
Even so Hiccup stopped making any sound Gronckle would hit hers head into wall of area because of lack of balance caused by distraction and would collapse straight onto ground. She moved towards laying body, actually proud of herself. She felt it was little too easy, but still she made it. Behind hers back she heard known her crowd, as always yelling things like 'kill it'. She was actually confused by them, even she heard hers father yelling that. Wasn't it training dragon? She can't kill her, it's forbidden! There wasn't much of trainings dragons now, if killed they would have to look for new ones. Eventually she would understand it's because she is daughter of chief and she can do such things, or maybe it's because it's hers first kill? Probably both.
Just as always, Hiccup stood in front of hers victim. She tighter hers hold of sword, got in high into air... just to stay into that position. Yet again she looked at thing she was about to make. Kill. She hated that. Taking life of another's creature, not matter what ones. Of course she wouldn't mind killing animals she ate everyday at dinner. It's about thinking ones. Years ago, she wouldn't dare to miss opportunity to kill, she just was weak back then. Now, she understood that 'thing' is living, have feelings. It was comparable to killing human... but, she make promise.
Just when she closed hers eyes, not willing to see what she was about to do, she heard it againsaing such simple word. "Freedom"
It wouldn't be surprising for her... if it wasn't first time she heard that word from THAT dragon. She probably learned herself that from others dragon, maybe from people, it doesn't matter. What matter she said it, showing Hiccup only thing she wanted was freedom... Yet again she saw in creature like it herself. It wasn't like in first time... but it was real connection she felt that make her do thing like this again. She put down sword, not even touching Gronckle.
There was sighs around her, made by annoyed Vikings. This time dragon didn't went at her again, she looked at her motionless and went into needed sleep, laying tiredly at stone ground. Hiccup looked at that view, saddened by herself. She broke promise... she didn't made it... but at last she stood there alive...
Stoic with few males went into area. "Get that demon into it's cage." He commanded them, afterwards turning towards Hiccup. "Hiccup, yer-"
"I know dad, I just-" She started, but then something behind his back got hers attention, or rather someone.
Hiccup didn't knew that person, or she knew? She wasn't sure because it was caped. At first Hiccup didn't quite understood why that got hers full attention, but then by one look, by one contact of theirs eyes, she understood that all... those eyes. She knew those eyes. When that figure noticed she spotted itself, it immediately turned around and went away, maybe even run away. Oh that Loki's bloody-
"Yer alright?" Stoic woke her up from hers thoughts.
"I just... have to go. Now." She responded rapidly and not even second later she knew she was running towards area exit.
There was shouts of hers father after her, but she didn't even revived them. Hers only target was that caped figure.
She run, really fast, she didn't remembered when last time she run so fast. She just run. Hiccup took notice that person she was following went it's way towards forest. That would mean it wadnt someone from village. Who is she kidding? She knew who it is! She knew why HE went into forest! Why for the Niflheim can't he just leave her alone!
She tried as much as she could outrun him, which at first was impossible, but after while she was meet with good information as she was able to do so. She got herself as much to him as she could, both of them now was maybe even miles from village, trees were surrounding them, Hiccup would admire them if she wasn't little busy!
When she got close enough hers first thought was just to strangle him, but then she jumped straight at him, sending him onto ground. Because of speed two of them found themselves in actually both of them would now make few flips just to end in position in which Hiccup was sitting just atop of him at his stomach. She would for safety get hold of his hands. She still didn't saw his face under hood.
"You may be faster than me-" He started and then for hers surprise her hold of hers hand and forcefully pulled her that Hiccup now was one on ground, stomach onto ground. He placed his knee at hers back just to keep hers into that position and placing hers arm just behind hers own head, twisting it. Face of hers onto dirty ground. "-but I'm stronger." He acknowledged silently.
"Yer think yer such smart? Yer sheepheaded-" At that response from her, he started twisting it much stronger. After feeling pain Hiccup whined. "Okay, I surrender! Let me out!" He didn't stopped, she could feel now hers bones bursting into pain. "LET ME OUT!" She shouted. At that he finally let off her.
He stood up, not caring about her. She sat up, holding hurting now arm. "Yer crazy! Yer almost broke it!" Even under cape she clearly noticed his eye roll.
After while he finally handed her his hand, but she refused it with outraged face. On hers own she stood up and then he took out from himself his hood. She didn't actually knew what to say. He was rather young man, maybe hers age, or little older than her. He had rather long hairs, but she knew there are more hairy male in hers village. He looked at her with much unwillingness, not that she felt differently.
"What are yer even doin' here!? What is wrong with yer! At first yer saying how terrible I am and then yer spyin' on me? What for Thor's sake yer want from me!" She recalled, yelling at him.
He started to pounder what actually to say. Because of that she actually had time to observe him, to analyse him. He was taller than her for sure. It was maybe eve foot difference, she wasn't sure. Even because of cape which wasn't now covering him whole, she could notice his clothing and figure. His clothing was, strange... at last for her. It was such ordinary... Viking liked having much metal of them, belts, helmets, but he didn't. His cloth was only one black turtleneck with simple leather pants and black wool boots. Only unordinary was tooth necklace. About figure... it was basically a typical Vikings one. Maybe not hers father, but a younger one. He was fit, muscled and, as she unfortunately find out, strong. If it wasn't for hers hate towards him, maybe she would even consider him being handsome.
"Okay, from start." He took deep breath. "I'm sorry."
She laughed at that, then she looked straight at him and shouted. "Cow shit! Yer think after what yer said I'm just goin' to what? Forgive yer? What yer even want?!"
He signed. "I need your help." He informed. She just shake her head in annoyance.
"Yer should think about that before yer KIDNAPPED ME AND CALLED ME AS WORST!" She yelled.
At that he snapped. "You think I don't know! Listen here you little eel eater-" He went closer towards her that both of them stood before each other, she had to look up and he down so they would look straight at each other's eyes, like they had inside battle. "-I need your help, with this." He took book from bag he had under cape, she didn't noticed it. At it's cover was written 'The biggest collection of legends.'
"Legends? Why would yer need-"
"There is answer of what happened to us." He informed harshly. "If you will help me, we will eventually get free."
"Why would I be willin' to help and trust someone like yer?!" She acknowledged as harshly as he.
"Don't you want to be free?" He asked calmly and she looked down, he knew he got into hers thinking. "Don't you want answer for yours questions?"
"I don't trust yer." She replied, almost whispering.
"Listen. We don't have to be friends or something. I just need yours help. Whatever happen to us, involve both of us. If you help me, you will never see me on eyes. I swear that to you. Are we having deal?" He asked, handing her hand.
That was hard question. In one way she would never had to think why she is like that. She maybe would get free! But then she would have to work with him. Every word said from his mouth gave her such shivers she wanted just ignore every word of his. Anyway, he wants same as her. He want to get rid of his other part. Maybe she might trust him for bit? If they succeeded, she might get rid of him forever!
"Get me let this straight. I help yer, we both got rid of that... curse, and I will never see yer again. But then what if we won't succeed?" She asked, nervously.
"I never actually tried human meat. I wonder how it taste." He replied, looking at her threatening. Oh gods...
She shivered at that, but had she another possibility? She shook his hand.
Dragons legends 56-120
Shapeshifters' creation
It all started with begin. It all began with start.
Gods created dragons.
They supposed to be strongest creatures. Claws strong enough to crash stone. Jaws strong enough to break bones. Fire that would melt mountains. Symbol of strength. The kings of animals. At the top of food chain. Nothing was strong enough to stop them. Only thing that would, was theirs owns weaknesses.
As for kings, dragons still stayed animals. They thought as animals do, they wouldn't think, wouldn't cooperate with gods. Even when gods helped them, gave them possibilities of communication, they still wouldn't.
That's when gods created human.
Weak animal, but strongest of them all. Gods gave him weak limbs, lack of claws, lack of sharp teeth. But there was something that stand out them. Intelligence.
That creatures were able to improve. To create on theirs own. To evolve without any changes of theirs bodies. They with own hands created weapons. Made food. Communicate using theirs throats.
Gods made them prefect opposite of one another.
Gods made them complete each other.
They were supposed to work together. They were supposed to life together. Gods gave them as mission life as one. Survive as one. Life as one.
For first hundred years there were peace.
Dragons would using theirs strength in protecting, helping human. Humans would using theirs minds to control and communicate and care for dragon. There was peace. For one hundred years.
But then, war began.
Nobody know what caused it. There are few versions. Most possible was dragon couldn't control it's murder instinct and killed human.
When that happened, his own wanted revenge.
First dragon died.
When that happened, his own wanted revenge.
War began.
When that happened, gods cut off themselves from each of them. But not quite actually. They observe.
They are waiting for one day. One day in which impossible happen. The bond between dragon and human yet again create.
Shapeshifters was created.
They were chosen. Not quite human, not quite dragon. Both. And always two of them. Theirs mission is to make peace yet again. God gave them such possibility just so they could communicate even better than any time in history.
There could been just two. Not less, not more. These two would complete each just as years ago, but same time they would together be powerful, because of which there is only two.
First ones was killed.
Second ones was eaten.
Third ones feel in love, just to die for each other.
The prophecy is clear.
The death would break, the lost would make.
Coincidentally they yet again found themselves in same cove they were earlier, so that's why they went just to it. In that moment Hiccup reading legend hers 'companion' showed her, sitting with crossed legs. About him, he was now leaning at stone wall, watching her closely, waiting for her to end read and getting annoyed why was it taking so long. Truth is Hiccup read that already 5 times, but wanted to make sure of every word she just saw. She tried to put all this story in one... but that was just for her impossible to make.
After while she started. "I must say, pretty great story, but somethin' is missin'. Flyin' cows. It bunch of Loki's ideas. There is no way somethin' like that happened." She closed book, and pushed it towards him.
"For moon's sake... do you actually know anything? Or you're just dumb?" He asked with irony.
"My moon? What is this talkin'? Again from some FAREST ISLANDS?" She asked, irritating him much.
"Moon, you never saw moon?"
"Why Ye're refer to it as it was god?" She asked confused.
"Because it is god?" He answered confidently.
She facepalmed. "It's not god. It's just moon." She exclaimed rather calm.
"That's dragons faith. It's better than yours faith into invisible persons. I, at last, saw my god." He acknowledged.
"Okay! Whatever! Don't you say yer thinkin' of it as possible?" She asked, pointing at book and looking at him like on some crazy guy.
"It's as possible as the way of human becoming dragon." He replied, which actually was enough answer for her.
"Okay, we might think, only might, that's truth. Then, gods made us Shapeshifter because I let you out?"
"So you're finally started thinking?"
She looked annoyed at him. "So to get free, we should just accept mission and try to lead towards peace? But, that's impossible!"
"We are impossible. We have to try at last."
"Now why are you need my help?"
He looked straight at her. "No matter what, we have to do it together. That is pointed in book. 'Always two of them'. That means for some time we have to trust each other."
"I guess yer know by heart it, doesn't you? Besides, where yer get that from?" She asked in curiosity.
"There is island where people actually help dragons, heal them. It's called Defenders as I remember. I took it from them." He explained.
She got up. "Wait, if there is island as that, that means somewhere in world is peace between dragons and people. Why gods didn't choose one of them?!" She shouted.
"It's not same. They are just helping them. They were learned since child to do so. You helped me even so because of war. That's big difference. You went against yours own."
She signed. "Well, listen. I don't have any idea how would we done it, okay?! There is now way in convincing my village, not even saying whole world, that there could be peace!" She yelled.
He snapped. "Why can't you at least try!"
"I'm tired of tryin'! Okay! Yer can as well just eat me here and now!" She went towards him closer. "Yer would done it much easier for both of us!"
He looked at her raged. He shouted throwing his arms. "Why are you willing to end yours life so easily?! Last time we met you were capable to let took yours life, now you do. Why you're-!"
"Because it's useless! I'm useless!" She shouted, and went into tears.
He didn't done nothing about it. Not smile, not mean comments he just continued. "There isn't life which is useless." She looked at him, in curiosity of his next words. "There isn't worst thing than death. Losing yours awareness of living. That's just not worth it, you know? Even if it's hard to life, survival is our fate. We life, to survive. We fight to survive. Every thing you ever done in life had consequences into another's one. Good and bad ones. It's your choice which ones you make."
She looked at him, at his words yet again she saw theirs similarity. Something deep into her told her he wouldn't say such words if he didn't thought it through on his own. As her he probably bothered with same thoughts as her, but he is right. No matter what, hers fate is just to try survive that. No matter what, she could at least try. No matter what, maybe hers life made sense.
She wimped hers tears. "I'm sorry. Yer probably right." She sighed. "I will try tomorrow, something at last. I don't know what exactly yet." She explained and then looked at sky. She saw colours of sky changed itself into orange. Dinner. "I must go." She went towards exit of cove.
"Okay then." He replied, making her stop. She turned to him surprised why he wouldn't stop her. "Don't worry. I still would keep my eye on you." He explained and then went into further part of cove, as she considered he would stay here for night.
When she was about to go, yet again she stopped. "One more question." He turned to her. "'The death would break, the lost would make.' What do you thing that means?" She asked.
"That's good question, isn't it?" He replied and continued on his way.
As he did, she did same.
