The final challenge will test the strategy and give the Knights a chance to reach the skies high above, through the burning daylight of the Sun
-Raedwit
(A/N: The way how Raedwit's Illusions work is because it's FanFiction, not real life. Let that be a lesson to you when you plan on adding in a character like him, it's better off using that excuse than making a simple explanation. Enjoy!)
Now knowing of the objective at hand before them, Drayko and the Knights begin to make their way inside of what appeared to be a long corridor. Stone walls made from bricks and the pathway brightened up by the torches, this corridor looked very ancient looking and almost seemed like it was from the past of Mierviea Vde Rallie's history; although they didn't know it at first, this place looked advanced compared to the Archipelago's lifestyle as they seemed to have gotten passed the time of the ancient culture long ago and have moved on to much complex times. The hallway was long, but the Knights all stopped when their Dragons growled silently up ahead
"Ambush close ahead, Raedwit?" Maria asked
"Those Hunters would take any Dragon they see, even if it's a Illusion..." Raedwit smiled devilishly before sending a false but realistic image of Sharpshot towards the end of the hall, which was immediately shot at with Dragon Root Arrows; but when the Hunters planning to ambush the Knights realized they were tricked by the Illusionist, they were immediately killed right away by the barrage of Nadder Arrows fired by Maria. The Knights immediately continued forth on their way through the corridor
At the end right after the sharp turn with engraved markings drawn crudely with ancient stained blood, an temple like room stood before them with large smooth pillars with three rooms to enter through. Although the middle one was locked and needed it's own Puzzle to be solved in order to pass right through, Maria knew exactly what was required and had Drayko go with Raedwit, Bladehead and Fishlegs into the Northwest Room while she went into the Northeast Room. Thus they began to conquer what perils lied ahead for them on their way to the harbor and dodge any traps that were laid out for them
The Northwest Room put up no challenge whatsoever. Drayko had ran with his speed across the collapsing and brittle stone floor while using his wings to glide over the rest and allow his group to swing over. Next was a target that had Bladehead throw his double bladed halberd and strike the eye that immediately closed and opened the door before them, he reclaimed his weapon afterwards. Second to last had a unique obstacle though: it was a hanging bat sentry that uses sound against them, Raedwit casted a Illusion of a Dragon Hunter to distract the sentry who fired it's jewel powered fire stream towards the skull while the Knights made it across as long as the sentry was distracted. Finally was a room that had an heavy pressure plate button, Fishlegs slammed it with both the aid of Meatlug's tail and Shatterquake. This action allowed them to get the Item needed to open the main gate, so good so far
The challenges and obstacles for Maria and the others really spared no expense towards them. The Huntress navigated around the traps like it was nothing since she does raid ancient structures for a specific relic to keep out of the hands of any greedy person, Dragur passed through the narrow ledge with Rose keeping him up without falling and activated the bridge. Raijah used an severely injured but alive Dragon Hunter with the intention of sacrificing to gain admittance with a sinister smile on his face, the rest all did their parts and received the other key-piece needed to enter
They returned to the Main Hall of the Underground Temple and decided that they needed to prepare themselves if they're going to go any further, besides they've got time to kill so fuck it. Nothing beats preparation for what lies ahead. Drayko took this time to brood to himself and look into his Grandfather's Journal that was given to him by Spitelout long before he left Berk. He's read it through and could even consider it to be spoiling himself with this newfound knowledge he's learned about himself and Toothless, such as the story of Hiccup Horrendous Haddock II and how he would face off against his own brother; becoming a legend until his death since he made his own Dragon Rider Tribe like has done
But then there was just that one thing that was just keep on annoying the shit out of him: the Unknown Fugitive's words about not being powerful enough and being incomplete all because he used the power of the Titan Stones on Toothless since he was too young to harness such power. It still pissed him off to this day, but not as much as the Chains of Hooligans that kept him chained to the Hooligans of Berk. Being forced to do all of that shit for them, only to be refused an reward as they do not see him for who he really is
It wasn't until they were fully prepared to go further in that something caught his eye and it was something that the Knights had overlooked again, a similar thing happened with the Frostheart Axe but during that time they were distracted with the reason Eret was now against his former ally. Drayko immediately slipped away from the others and went to investigate, which to his surprise was none other than a familiar weapon. It was an crossbow, and it belonged to Dagur the Deranged but it was now changed like it was upgraded into a much better weapon than before. Drayko picked it up and examined it closer
Dagur's Crossbow was made of African Blackwood and Great Dark Oak Trees with some Unknown Alloy reinforcement on the ends of the limb and sporting the head of an Triple Stryke/Skrill hybrid as the main body of the crossbow had designs placed onto it which of course was made from the same Unknown Alloy that the Frostheart Axe was made from. The double strings used with were metal cordwraps used for sword handles and the entire body was smoothed out with it's shiny armor. The head was located on the riser and cocking stirrup with the barrel allowing for double the shots. Simply put, it was an Dual Shot Crossbow designed by him inspired by the Megapult that Drayko had on him
Looks like that Berserker really favored him since he compared the dual shot to his Megapult attachment for his Crossbow Shield, designed not long after that dark night when Ru left back to the Eastern Territories after the adventure with Captain Lech had ended. Though he did stay for a few more days before he made his final departure to all who loved him so much, it was the dark night and he was just so angry and confused at his own depression he suffered because his Birthmark stopped glowing; he was driven to madness
HTTYD
It was in the cold, dead night on Draconia. Drayko sat on his bed rethinking about all that has transpired right before him, reflecting on such dark times that he had experienced for himself; it was all too painful for him to sleep. He held his Old Armor on his lap and went into deep though of how much lies he was told by Stoick the Vast, how much pain he had to endure and how much scorn of the Village he was being treated with. He was no longer depressed as all he just needed was some action to take place, to get his blood flowing and get the adrenaline rising
Looking back at Toothless, who now slept peacefully and dreamfully in his own Den that was made in memory of his Human Self, he noticed the treasures that were there right in front of him as well. From the first time he found Toothless after finishing his Pepperoni Pizza with Dark Fudge Chocolate Sundae and left the Main Hall to the New Cove, to the final moments inside the cell of the notorious late Captain Lech. Seeing Vixen asleep on his old cot made him feel much colder than before, he got up and hung his Old Armor before exiting his room silently without a sound, taking his robes with him. Unknown to him however, Toothless awakened just in time to see the shadow of his brother walk through the hall
The Night Fury tracked him back to the New Cove where he witnessed Drayko bend down to a single knee to the very spot where Toothless lied on his stomach as a Human and began stroking the grass, feeling the warm fleshy skin that he felt when he first touched him. Toothless could only assume that he missed seeing him as a Human and was torn in between wanting to have his original form back, and his Human form when the Behwearft had ended. Drayko looked up towards the water to see the moonlight peaking through on him and glintering in the water with the dark clouds shrouding and covering the New Cove in darkness. At the point and time, Toothless lit two torch stands and came over to his brother before enveloping him with his wings and tail, moving his head over to his shoulder and warming his scales for comfort
"Life seemed so much simpler when you're tinkering with projects like mine back on Berk" Drayko spoke with a tone that sounded like was still frustrated
"It sure as hell did for you doesn't it? When you're not getting screamed at or being beaten just for being yourself, you have a mind of endless creative ideas" He complimented him
"Of course I do..." He stated
The two brothers in arms sat out on the grass, overlooking the water's reflection of the moon and the rays of dusk before Toothless felt the way Drayko was feeling; thus taking a shitty guess for his instincts had told him that there was more than what he was going to tell him
"You didn't come here just to reflect on the fragments of Gicpa's Life now, did you?"
"How can I even tell you, what I can't explain...?" He repeated those same words Toothless had asked him during his outburst of frustration
"You can tell me anything you wish" The Night Fury nuzzled his face, Drayko only breathed through his nose and began to question himself
"Why... why did that fat bastard of a failed father did he have to lie to me? I wish I was taken by Sceohleapaner (Cloudjumper) too, so I can escape this entire hell from my past and form my own Kingdom in peace" He sorrowfully asked, beginning to walk around the New Cove
"I made a promise that one day, one day I will have my revenge against Stoick. But in order for that to happen, I would become one of the most feared and powerful figures of the Archipelago so that nobody would think twice to treat you all like filthy shit like they have done to me when I come out of their giant asses" He declared
"Was this because of that night, when my Behwearft was ending?" Toothless asked, not wanting to see his brother upset. Drayko only sniffled
"After Ru left back to the Eastern Territories, I had nowhere else planned to go. I was lost, but I took my Zippleback, Deathly and Striker to... to Dragon Hunter Island where those Hunters and Barbarians where, and out of my own rage for what happened to you... I killed all of them. I-I-I killed them all... they're dead" He was starting to break down, Toothless could only imagine what happened there, but he assumed that he snuck in and found a whole ship containing fresh killed corpses of Dragons and their Hatchlings. Beaten, feasts on by the cannibalistic savages that the remaining Barbarians were, but slaughtered like animals gruesomely; the victims had laid before them and drove his brother to go on a rampage
"But it wasn't just them I killed. I murdered the Viking Women there during their sex, I killed their horrified children who were playing with their familes, I murdered their crying and screaming babies and infants. I slaughtered their families. All in a fit of rage!" He wanted to cry, but Toothless replied otherwise
"You have nothing to be ashamed of Bróðor, they have no sympathy because they wanted you to be one of them and become cannibals like them towards us. We're far past that point now, it does not matter to the both of us anymore nor the rest of us all now-"
"Well it should matter, the Dragon Hunters were there watching me with those terrified faces. Ryker saw everything I done and vomited like he ate his own putrid bullshit that came out of brute ass! All Dragon Hunters are disgusting, filthy animals and heartless devils... and I slaughtered them all like the animals they are... I HATE THEM!" He shouted out with a broken voice, collapsing onto his arms and knees before going back into the warm scales of Toothless
"I'm much more better than this piece of shit, I shouldn't be acting like a cold bloodthirsty animalistic serial killer. I can't feel or tell if you're really here anymore, I've spent too much time with you as a Human that it doesn't feel the same anymore..."
"I'm here Bróðor, they deserved to feel your suffering pain and know your anger's wrath. To be angry like this, he should've never have ever done such a thing to you. I am more than your Dragon and more than your companion, it will be the two of us against them with our allies by our sides at all times..." He calmly told him
Drayko refused to speak a single word as he dug himself further into the soft, warm underbelly of Toothless who laid down on him and continued to sooth his growing pain of frustration. Especially now as Drayko's tears of rage spilled out onto the grass and were dried with his scales, softly rubbing his head where Toothless' thighs were in his belly
"To be angry like this... that means to be Human, especially now I know what it means to have such a feeling. Once Stoick is gone, everything will be alright. I will never again let him touch, hurt or even try and kill you when the time of their Ragnarok comes and begins" Drayko could only whimper out like a puppy tossed into snow
"I miss Serena and the Water Wyverns... I need her guidance, she and Lobeila must understand. Kraelos would know what to think of this, but I miss Ru the most already; wish he didn't leave..."
"They will understand, I'm sure of that. Let's return back to the Main Hall, a Dark Fudge Chocolate Sundae will be waiting for you Bróðor, nobody's going to eat it and NOBODY will when I'm around. I assure you that"
"Thank you... Toothless"
The two brothers got up and walked the path with Toothless holding him very close, all the way throuhg the path of the Forest and back to Draconia's Main Hall...
HTTYD
He was exaggerating when he said that he did all of that, out of pure frustration and hatred. It truly goes to show how far he's become mentally unstable and how he's fallen into madness with his own anger that he can't control whenever Toothless is threatened. Memories recalled of that horrible moment where he lost his own brother to that greedy motherfucking, cocksucking son of a bitch. But surely, even as he never seen him before, nobody can take the throne in the most darkest and fiery pits of Hell reserved for none other than whom was known as Grimmel the Grisly
When he meets that jackass, he is going to flip his total shit off the table and start strangling him for what he has done to all the Night Furies native in the Archipelago; for they did not make their true home there, it was just on the outskirts that they were protected from his wrath. One day he will confront him and that day would be his final breathing moment when he slays and strikes him down brutally in cold blood. He may be called a Knight, but he is bound to serve no King
While he was letting his memories recall to his mind, the other Knights had fully prepared for what lied further for them behind the Main Door and used the items to fit into the slot. The Temple started to shake as stone dust slipped through the cracks and crumbling pieces shattered into earth as soon as they hit the ground, the large doors opened wide and allowed our heroes to enter inside. Drayko immediately ran ahead and stopped in front of them as soon as they saw what was before them
The long hallway had many traps: collapsing floors made from brittle and shatterable stone, swinging pendulum axes that swung from side to side, sharp deadly spikes for a painful death, bottomless pits of no return, knifes that were thrown from nowhere inside from an illusionary wall; they had everything here, they had it all like a Black Friday discount at the Northern Markets before the Holiday Season. This alone made Drayko crack an one liner like he used to do before he became all serious and brooding to himself. "I've been stabbed better by sharper knives that those, Drago just can't seem to get his shit together and up-to-code on covering his tracks"
"Uh Drayko, I'm not the one to judge you and your jokes-"
"I don't want to hear this..."
"But that's creepy and sadistic of you"
"Fishlegs, I never crack any jokes, I hate being a comedian. Alright Vixen, I've a little proposition for you" Vixen immediately jumped off of Drayko as he bend down to talk to her
"That lever over there shuts off all traps and opens the door to the next chamber on the other side, your size will allow you to conquer each one that this temple throws at you. Do you understand?" Vixen yips and nods as Drayko proceeded to stand up. "Road to your treat lies at the end of this temple, do not forget that now" Vixen understood and heads off, determined to help her master and friends
The young Fox Kit ran across the collapsing floors as they began to crack and break away, becoming pieces and falling down below into the point of no return. She used her size to easily run through the swinging pendulum axes and gather up a extreme amount of momentum in order jump acorss the pit of spikes that had corpses of greedy adventurers down below. The bottomless pits fared no better as she did the same thing, but it was the throwing knives trap that had her use whatever limited agility she had; although it seemingly struck her, she continued to run before she managed to pull the lever down and deactivate all traps. Thus allowing safe passage through as the Knights shot their grappling hooks from their Crossbows and swung over to the other side
Vixen was just about to jump back onto Drayko's shoulder until she yipped in pain, collapsing onto her knees and growling in agony; Drayko growled at the sight as Raedwit yelled in concern. "Vixen, what the hell happened?" The Illusionist really loved that Fox Kit and when Drayko turned her over onto her side, it was revealed that she had an bleeding scar on her white and soft fluffy underbelly. Drayko, not wanting to lose her and Toothless' companion proceeded to give orders to Arson. "She's wounded, get your ass workin' on that scar"
"At once Drayko, zis vill not pe zee day of her final fate. It's ein minor vound mind you, nothing zat ein compat medic like I can't fix, Frost vould you mind slovin' dovn zee pleeting?" Frost immediately approached Arson and brought out his new weapon which happened to be a medieval Trident spear that looked like this: it's three pronged blades were split in half with the gothic base looking like a snowflake jewel in the middle and both of the side blades going cuvred to the side and downwards, the long metal shaft was decorated in silver bandages and sported a sharp spike on the pommel. This Trident was known as "Snowblind" and like Drayko's Inferno, it too sported the ability to spray nitrogen mist. Frost had also changed appearance as well
He wore a metal chestplate with snowy runic spirials and snowflakes, his fur ended gauntlets sported sharp iceberg like knifes for stabbing while his fur end greaves sported white roses that reminded him so much of his late wife, Aurora. All in all, he was still armored and still had tubing connected from his back that fed nitrogen into his blood for his severe heat intolerance that is still dangerous to this day. "I understand how much your Fox Kit means to the both of you Drayko and Raedwit, just as my wife meant to me. So allow me to put her blood on a death stopper before it starts getting worse" He revealed his arm tube devices and sparyed the icy wind onto Vixen's wound; making her twitch since it was so cold but Arson held her still
Once the blood was cleansed, the wound was sewed to prevent infections, some of the extra healing coolant was wiped away and the bandages were wrapped up; she was returned to Drayko and Raedwit immediately afterwards, nodding as Raedwit thanked her. Now that whole treatment was over with, the Knights continued through the Underground Caverns through the hallways and corridors; for this would not be the last time they enter through a structure like this. To which the final chamber inside behind the door contained this particular puzzle that made Maria think about how the Architect was bored and decided to model this after his favorite pastime
The entire chamber was black and steel blue with a tiled floor and 17 statues on both sides. One was black and the other was white. Eight of the statues was an armored soldier crouched down wielding a spear, two of the statues was an knight in shining armor mounted on a horse wielding an sword and shield, two of the statues was an priest wearing an mitre and wielding an corsier, two of the statues was an castle tower with an guard wielding dual swords on top, one of the statues was an woman in a beautiful dress wielding twin battleaxes and one of the statues was an man in shining armor wielding an single sword. There were blue flamed torches plastered on both sides of the walls as the room was illuminated the door closed behind the Knights
Knowing what kind of challenge this was, Raedwit climbed the stairs and activated the obelisk while Drayko stood by the next door before them. The pieces began to move with the white pawn going forward; Raedwit moved the black pawn using the obelisk's layout of the board, another white pawn moves again and Raedwit destroys it with a downward's slash
A few moves later...
The black knight moved after the white bishop was destroyed by him. The black rook destroyed the queen and finally, the white king was next; the Knights themselves began to wonder if the Architect was running out of ideas for this little puzzle
"Looks like Maces & Talons are becoming out of date. Better hope Viggo wasn't listening in to what I just said, he's always one step ahead of us anyways" Maria speculated as she watched Raedwit conquer the game like puzzle
Raedwit moved the black knight and with a single decapitation, the king was destroyed and is declared the victor. The Underground Caverns began to shake like a earthquake once again as the door on the front wall before them opened up, giving them entry inside. Within this chamber happened to be an exit of glowing white light that led them out of the Underground Caverns, they wasted no time in mounting their Dragons and flying off towards the light as Drayko calmly directed to his Knights; "The Harbor lies on the other side, we'll be finding the Empress right before any of these godforsaken Hunters do" He told them all
In the moment's notice, they all flew out of the Underground Caverns and into the burning daylight. It was to be known that they either return with Empress Jacqueline alive and well, or perish within the dark plans of the warlord himself; never to return to the world of Man and Dragonkind of the like
HTTYD
This... is Caldera Cay, it's distance between here and Draconia is shorter than Berk as for them it would take two hours to reach this place. For Draconia, shorter than two hours as they once again prove that Dragons are much faster. These Headquarters served to be none other than the legendary kingdom belonging to none other than the Defenders of the Wing, led by the one and only Queen Mala as well as the mighty Eruptodon who stops all destruction from the volcano that threatens to erupt. Among this Island was the Rock Mines, the Lava Pools and the Draconic Hospital where those who have been saved but left with injuries are taken to heal the wounds caused by the notorious Dragon Hunters. It was situated under the shadow of worship and it was close to the resting place of Vanaheim, but Caldera Cay is not without the danger of Dragon Hunter attacks. Like the feudal land of Ancient China from where these asian descents appeared to originated from, they had large torches to set fire if there was to be an hidden attack
A DOTW Sentry was looking out for any intruders and patrolling around the Volcano where the proudly proclaimed Great Protector resided. All appeared to be calm, but this was but a mere sign of the approaching storm coming this way; for not all was what it seemed to be. Especially as now that an knife was thrown near the Sentry's shoulder and some grappling chains were fired upwards to his position. Just as the Queen predicted, it was an foolish attack on their Island; thus the Sentry ran off to lit the signal
"We're being attacked, lit the signal and alert the Queen!" He ordered to his fellow Defenders as they nodded and ran off. Some Dragon Hunters stood in the Sentry's way and even tried to attack, but all were no match for the swinging slashes of his spear and stabs into the head. Times have changed since then as they no longer knock out their enemies, but instead they kill them as the Hunters are not meant to be shown any type of mercy from the heroes of the Archipelago. Weather or not it's considered a treasonous act and an major departure of what was once such a pacifist like world, but still fought when needed and threatened to kill is fucking irrelevant. The Archipelago is not a place for peace as the threats against the Dragons continue until one side wins while the other falls. That was the new way in the Archipelago even as Red Death lived after she had fallen, but there was much deeper lore to be discovered behind the curtains soon
The DOTW Sentry reached the Volcano and grabbed a torch, but before the signal could be lit; an threatening shadowy figure emerged from the smoke, it stood before the Sentry with a Bullhook in hand as it was none other than Drago Bludvist! The Sentry immediately threw the torch and lit the oil filled torch bowl, to whom both of them watched on as the other Sentries lit the signals throughout the Island while the one who stood before Drago turned to him and spoke with hatred in his voice as all would do to this Warlord. "Now all of Caldera Cay knows you have come"
Drago did not appeared to be frightened at all as he slammed his Bullhook to the ground and replied with a calm, but deadly voice as his expression never changed from being seriously threatening. "Perfect..."
It was then that Throk and two other Defenders had approached the throne of Queen Mala, for it was known that there was news to be told. "Your highness, the Hunters have attacked our eastern borders. Drago Bludvist is leading them" Throk informed her. Mala thought to herself as a Defender suggested
"We'll guard you and the Great Protector no matter the limitations we have right away"
"No, seek out the Knights at Draconia. They know what the Hunters are planning and I know that Drayko has a connection with their leader"
"I hate to be the one who would never object your plans, your majesty. But I believe we can use their liberated Dragons against his Army"
"I'm not taking any risks nor gambles. Throk will seek them out right away and call upon their help, they've dealt with these Dragon Hunters long enough to know their next move; especially their second in command, Ryker Grimborn. A single scale of a Terror can tip the strength of even the King of Dragons, even a single person can be the difference between victory and defeat"
"I shall go forth and seek them immediately, your highness" Throk nodded and ran off to the docks
"Do not forget, the Great Protector and Caldera Cay will be doomed and left in ruins without their aid. We may be formidable, but it is only a matter of time before the Archipelago falls in the shadow of his warpath" Throk did not forget the warning and jumped onto the boat, knowing of the dangers that lie ahead for Caldera Cay will prevail; if not, then let there be a rebellion to fight against the vile forces of Drago Bludvist's empire of arrogance
Yeah, I used Mulan (1998) as a introduction to the self-proclaimed Dragon God, Drago Bludvist because he's exactly three villains: Jafar, Shan-Yu and Judge Claude Frollo. Former being his lust for power, middle because he's one of the worst villains that mostly Drayko has to fight, latter being the fact that he's willing to commit all sorts of crimes just to rid those who he deems unworthy to join his ranks among the Dragon Hunter Army. That and he's willing to kill innocent people, no matter the age they are. And what a fitting concept because Drago Bludvist is one of the most hated villains and the Number 1# Villain that Drayko hates the most; the son of a bitch does dickish things later on in the story, so be prepared for the horrible atrocities he does to break his nemesis. You will not like it one bit, it is even worse than what Grimmel does for Toothless in HTTYD 3: The Hidden World
Hope you're enjoying this story so far because next chapter: get ready for the "Demon comes this way for Drayko" Villain introduced, although he's not named yet because it will be revealed soon. For now, you remembered that Mysterious Woman from before? The Razorwhip Raider who infiltrated the Dragon Hunters from the previous story? She's the one and her name is finally getting revealed. But like you don't know who she is already... Remember: Don't Like it, don't read it. Otherwise, Feel free to Review and Until we meet again...
TheLegendaryBlackDragonKnight
P.S: A shame to lose Stan Lee, but it's about time as well because he was so fucking old and there had to come a time when there would be a extra scene that says: In the loving memory of Stan Lee. A True Legend of Marvel Comics Who Now Rests with Jack Kirby, Excelsior Forever!