=Normal POV=
(Friday; 6/14/2020-9:15 pm)
(Outcast Island; Hangout)
Bolverk had spent his time since returning after the encounter with Gala just trying to relax. It didn't give him any pleasure to do what he did, but he also wasn't going to stand there and take it either. Bolverk had mostly been sitting around after making dinner, his father and two dragons watched him do some art on the wall. It wasn't hard to miss that he was miserable, but the three reptiles didn't know what they could really do to help. Of course, unknown to him, his friends and Astrid finally reached the hangout.
"Are we clear?" Heather asked as everyone checked that no one was around them first.
"Clear," The five reported. Eret went ahead and opened the passage as Soren led Astrid to it and motioned his head to go inside.
"Duck your head going in, then take the stairs to the top," Soren informed.
"Wish me luck," Astrid nodded as she ducked under and headed inside, finding herself in some kind of square tunnel, but had a staircase that led up.
"Good luck," Olivia called gently. Astrid took a breath as she started her way on the stairs. The four outcasts only sighed, figuring there was nothing more they could do.
Astrid must have climbed six stories before she finally saw what appeared to be at the top-level floor. It was sectioned out to have different areas, but no real doors, just doorways. Astrid made her way around, realizing that this place wasn't so much a hangout as it was the place Bolverk and his friends turned into their own open-concept apartment. None of it was modern, but Astrid could figure out what everything was meant to be. The thing Astrid loved the most was all the incredible wall art. And she suspected that Bolverk was behind it, such was confirmed as Astrid located Bolverk in the main space on a small lift painting a somewhat blank area of the wall. None of what she saw mattered, though, she was here on a mission to get her boyfriend to come back to Archian Isle. Finding her courage, she took a silent breath and stepped in more.
"I thought we said that an art class would be better than using lockers, desks, and walls?" Astrid spoke up as Bolverk quickly turned around, and was surprised to see her there.
"Astrid…" Bolverk forced out.
Astrid fiddled with the ring in her hands as she looked down at it, then back to him. "Bolverk, I'm so sorry about our fight," Bolverk only stared at her, the shock having worn off and now it just left him feeling like someone had a grip around his heart. "It's all my fault. I shouldn't have thrown everything on you the way I did, and I shouldn't have assumed you were just okay. And…I should have told you about what the royal ball represents, and asked you if you were alright with everything happening. I realize how fast it came on and it was wrong of me to not sit down and talk about everything involved with dating me…" Astrid paused. "I'm really sorry for everything, Bol…" She held up the ring to him. "Please come back home?"
Bolverk sighed as he moved down to floor level and set down the art tool he had in his hand. "Astrid…I am home,"
Astrid faltered on what to say next, it wasn't exactly untrue because Outcast Island was where Bolverk was from. "I brought the limo…It's a sweet ride," Okay, Astrid had no idea why she said that because it had no bearing on the situation.
Bolverk shook his head to her and lizard Drago hissed at her as Astrid flinched a bit. "Cool it, Dad…" Bolverk told him before looking back at Astrid. "Look…I tried, Astrid. We tried to make it work…But you and I come from different places, literally. You are the queen of Archian Isle, you were born into that place, even if it was through adoption…You were still taken into the royal family and have lived that life. This," Bolverk motioned around him. "This is where I was born, and this is the life I live. And as it's been proven, our worlds can't mix because I can't be someone I'm not. And if I want to be with you, that's exactly what I have to do. I have to change to that nicely dressed, well-mannered, even perfect groomed hair guy…And that's not who I am. This is me," He motioned to himself. "And I can't be me at your side. I'm sorry, but I can't change who I am."
"Then…I'll change," Astrid suddenly said.
"No, no…" Bolverk told her.
"I'll…Skip lessons, do something crazy with my hair, wear stuff like this," Astrid motioned to her Outcast outfit.
"No, stop. See? I'm such a bad influence in your life. Your people already don't like that you chose to date an outcast, Astrid. And in their own way, they've been pushing and pushing me to change to be your lord, prince, king…Whatever. Your royal boyfriend. And I tried…I tried to meet the demands, for you…But I can't change myself into something I'm not…" Bolverk stated. "I won't be in your life and risk your people hating and turning on you because I can't be the guy everyone expects me to be. I can't be the reason you lose everything. Not over me…I'm not worth it."
"Don't do this, Bolverk…" Astrid moved in, holding his hand and placing the ring in his palm. "Don't quit on us now, please?" Bolverk lifted the ring, looking over it and remembering when Astrid gave it to him, saying that she hadn't been faking her feelings at all since the spell wore off in the Enchanted Cove. "The people love you, Bol…" She paused. "I love you," Bolverk met her blue eyes, hearing the words from her mouth for the first time that wasn't because of the spell. Bolverk knew she said them right after being spelled, but she'd never said it with the spell broken. "Don't you love me?"
Bolverk did. Gods above did he love the young woman before him. But Bolverk couldn't say it back because he wasn't good enough for her as himself. Bolverk didn't deserve her, and Astrid deserved someone who could be the royal leader beside her for Archian Isle. What else could he do but let her go, so she would have a real chance at happiness? Bolverk took Astrid's hand lightly, then set the ring in her palm, closing her hand around it and pushing her hand away lightly. "I have to remove myself because it's what's best for Archian Isle, and you…"
"Bolverk…" Astrid moved to step closer to him. "No, please?" But Bolverk put his hands up for her to stop.
"Astrid…I'm sorry," Bolverk told her, trying to keep his composure up so it wouldn't fall and he wouldn't break in front of her at how much it hurt to let her go. "But I can't do this…" Astrid's eyes widened in a bit of shock and sadness as Bolverk backed up more and picked up his art things. "You should go, Astrid…" Bolverk moved back to the wall and turned to still see Astrid there. "Please leave, Astrid…Please go…" Bolverk pleaded. "Go home…And don't come back here again." He stated in the firmest, coldest voice he could manage before turning his back to her, to keep working on the art piece. Astrid took a few steps back before facing the exit and leaving.
Bolverk sighed with a shaky breath, his forehead against the wall, and his eyes were closed. Without warning, Bolverk's left hand on the wall turned into a fist, and he punched right through it. Bolverk pulled his fist out, looking over to see it now scratched up and bleeding a little. Sharpshot, Toothless, and Drago all looked at each other, then back at Bolverk, who uncurled his fist and turned so his back would be to the call, head against lazily and sort of looking upward. "A million thoughts, in my head…Should I let my heart keep listening?" He started singing as his lips quivered, and tears began forming in his eyes. "I know its time to say goodbye…So hard to let go…" His voice broke as the tears finally fell and he closed his eyes before he slid down to the floor, knees up to his chest, arms wrapped around them, and burying his head against his kneecaps. "I'm sorry…I'm so sorry…" He whispered and continued to cry softly. Sharpshot and Toothless moved to find the best place to be against Bolverk to comfort him. After a moment, Lizard Drago also came over and got on Bolverk's shoulder, settling down there and lightly wrapping his tail as much as he could to reach the other side, sort of like a hug.
. . .
(Outside The Hangout)
Hearing footsteps, the four outcasts looked to see Astrid coming down the stairs and ducked to get out of the entrance.
"Well?" Olivia asked.
"What happened?" Soren pushed.
"He's…Not coming back," Astrid replied in a somber tone before moving away, but the others hadn't noticed her actually walking away in the shock that, apparently, Bolverk was refusing to come back.
"I'll talk to him," Heather moved to the speaker. "Bol?" She asked. "Bolverk, it's Heather…Just let me talk to you for a minute…"
"Leave me alone!" Bolverk's voice sounded angrily. "Go away…"
There was a loud, deep locking sound at the entrance as Soren tried to get it open. "He locked it from the inside controls…" Soren confirmed.
Heather sighed sadly. "Let's just give him a couple of hours to cool off…" Olivia offered softly.
"Guys…Where's Astrid?" Eret suddenly inquired, looking around the area they were in, only seeing fog and dim light down the pathway.
"Astrid?" Olivia looked around quickly.
"Astrid!" Heather tried in a louder tone. A figure was seen approaching them but shadowed. "Oh, thank Odin…" She sighed, believing it was Astrid.
"You scared us to death," Olivia sighed.
"We told you not to wander off, don't do that again…" Soren remarked.
"Aw, I'm sorry to break the news that Astrid was walking aimlessly and happened to bump right into me back there," Informed a female voice, the figure came forward to be revealed as Gala, grinning wildly.
"Gala…" Eret glared.
"Hi, big brother," Gala beamed.
"We're not-," Eret began.
"Eret…" Heather warned for him not to start. "Where's Astrid?"
"Oh, we nabbed her," Gala giggled. "And if you want her back alive, you'll tell Bolverk, wherever he's hiding, to come to the docks tonight. Dagur wants to have a meetup and little talk with him," She informed, preparing to leave. However, she suddenly spun around with delight in her eyes. "Oh, but Bolverk is to come alone or Dagur passes the message that you'll find Astrid at the bottom of the ocean, in pieces," With that, she ran off down the way and out of sight.
"Great…" Olivia sighed. "Now we have this to deal with…"
"Come on…" Soren motioned as they started climbing up the stone wall, which had strategically set rocks for the sake of climbing up and getting inside the hangout as a backup method on the off chance someone discovered their hideout and managed to get in, run them out, and take it over by locking it from the inside. Moving slowly and carefully, the four got on the roof and located the hidden hatch to get inside. After a little maneuvering, their way down some hanging ropes to the next level, then a couple of stairs, and getting the well-hid key to the door; the four got inside the main room, taking Bolverk by surprise while he was on the couch with his two dragons and father.
"I thought I said I wanted to be left alone," Bolverk remarked.
"Well, we've got bigger problems," Olivia folded her arms.
"Enough," Heather glared. "Bol…" She approached carefully. "Dagur found out that Astrid was here and took her…"
"What?..." Bolverk's eyes widened.
"Gala just delivered the message that Dagur wants you to come to the docks, alone, tonight or Astrid is as good as dead…" Eret grumbled.
Bolverk was up on his feet now. "Why is she even here, let's start with that! I know she didn't come here alone because she'd have no idea how to navigate the island to find this place or any inkling how to get in the hideout." The four friends bit back, then sighed, and began to tell Bolverk everything since learning he left Archian Isle. By the time they finished, it was almost 10:00 pm.
"When Gala left, we climbed up and came in through the secondary entrance to tell you…" Olivia informed.
"You never should have brought her here…You could have told the guards or her parents, and they would have kept her from trying to come here alone," Bolverk glared.
"We know…But she was just so upset about the fight you two had and wanted to fix it…We thought if we came, it would keep her safe…" Heather looked down.
"And we failed, big time and now we have to get her back," Eret said.
"Dagur said to come alone," Bolverk reminded.
"Bol…You know he plays dirty, we're coming with you," Olivia stated.
"That deranged idiot doesn't scare me. I know he plays games, and never plays fair. But I have no choice because my friends decided to bring the queen here, so now I have to get her back..." Bolverk remarked with a glare.
"Let us come and watch your back," Eret tried.
"Dagur said to come alone, so Bol can go and probably figure out what Dagur wants in exchange for her…We'll wait here for you," Soren stared firmly as the others gave in, and nodded. Bolverk turned and left the room, unlocking the entrance downstairs as he quickly headed out to get to the docks and find out what game Dagur wanted to play for Astrid's release.
. . .
(10:30 pm)
(Docks)
Arriving at the docks, Bolverk saw Dagur pacing up and down the dock, groaning about how Bolverk wasn't there yet. Dagur wasn't born on Outcast Island, he was born four years before Bolverk and got into being evil young, so about the time Drago tried to take over the islands with dragons, Dagur was among the group of under six years old to be sent to the beloved island known as Outcast Island, where everyone is free to wander the island, but the barrier keeps everyone from causing trouble. Dagur was a male with green eyes and red hair, he had a tattoo over his face and eyes, a list of names tattooed on his arm of people he wanted revenge on, and always wore brown boots with black pants and a dark red tank top. There was also a sword at his side.
"You'll never get away with this, Dagur," The sound of Astrid's voice reached Bolverk's ears as he tried to see her, but couldn't from where he was.
"Shut it, Blondie," Dagur demanded. "Ugh, I may kill her out of aggravation if Bolverk doesn't show soon. Where is he?!" Dagur yelled as his gang winced.
"Easy, Dagur…He'll come for his queen. Just be patient…" Gala tried to soothe her leader.
"You know I hate waiting!" Dagur growled out.
Bolverk rolled his eyes, coming into view and keeping himself composed as calm, but cocky with a smirk. "Well, I guess it's good to know that time hasn't changed you much, Dagur," Bolverk remarked. "That should make beating you and taking back my place as leader of Outcast Island all the easier,"
"Bolverk!" Astrid shouted. Bolverk saw her now, tied to one of the poles on Dagur's ship, but he refrained from reacting to seeing her unharmed.
"Brother!" Dagur threw his arms up in rejoice, grinning happily. "It's so good to see you again. You're looking good, a bit taller, cleaner, more style," He added. "Come! Sit, sit," Dagur kicked a chair towards Bolverk, as he only stopped it with his foot out and Dagur chuckled. "We have so much to catch up on,"
Bolverk kicked the chair back to the table Dagur was standing before, then span it around and sat down with his arms over the back of it before looking at the area they were in. "I doubt this," Bolverk replied. "Place is more dreary than when I ran things, and I dare admit that in response to you being happy to see me again; I don't quite feel the same," He informed.
The slightest irritation showed in Dagur's eyes at Bolverk's remark. "Oh, I'm sorry? We're down a design team and personal assistant today, your majesty," Dagur commented.
"Cut the dawdling, Dagur. It's why you always lost to me," Bolverk stated. "You insist on playing games. Now, how about you hand over the queen and I don't have to make you look like a fool,"
"You know, I knew you'd say that," Dagur smirked.
Bolverk knew how Dagur operated and knew what this was about. Dagur believed that Bolverk used him to become the leader of the outcasts, and took his sister, Heather, away. This happened about two years ago when Bolverk and Heather were fifteen. Bolverk didn't use Dagur, he got his place from being Drago's son and Drago was considered the evilest villain around. Naturally, nobody was going to mess with his child. Heather started hanging with Bolverk more because Dagur began to go crazy with jealousy and wanting power, and she considered Bolverk to be like a brother to her. Originally, Dagur and Bolverk had been the ones to hang a lot, calling one another brothers until the day a harmless prank was set off too early by someone else, and it triggered a much bigger problem than accidentally landed Dagur the laughingstock of the island and he swore vengeance on Bolverk, believing it was meant to purposely happen the way it did. Dagur refuses to hear what happened because the story has been misconstrued so many times that it sounds like Bolverk had planned the whole thing to embarrass Dagur.
With all the fighting since then, Bolverk no longer felt guilty as he wasn't given a chance to explain. So now, he just dealt with Dagur as a rival to his conquest for power. In this case, leading Outcast Island. "Why'd you come back, huh?" Dagur circled around him. "We all want to know why you suddenly came back to Outcast Island after abandoning us here to go live your perfect fairytale,"
Remaining calm, Bolverk shrugged with a grin. "It was fun for a bit, but being good is such a bore when you know you're rotten to the core. So here I am, back again to do what I do best and be the most perfectly evil I know I can be,"
"No…No. I think you did something to show everyone in goodie-two-shoe land that you're just a fake and they sent you back here, but not before you arranged some kind of trap to get her here then be able to swoop in and save the day and get to go back free and clear as a hero," Dagur pointed at him. "I know how that brain of yours works…You always have a way to get what you want,"
"Look, Dagur…If you have some kind of play to make here, do it. If you have a score to settle with me, bring it. But I'm growing immensely bored with your games when I have better things to do with my time. I didn't do anything to bring her here, nor tick off anybody back on Archian Island. I decided to leave for the reasons I stated and she came after me to convince me to return. I don't intend to go back because it's not me. So, all I am doing is getting her away from your derangedness and sending her back where she belongs," Bolverk remarked coldly as Dagur actually looked a little surprised. "Now, you can tell me what you want, quit while you're ahead, and release her to me…Or I can make you sorry you decided to cross me when I'm already in a really bad mood…" He glared. "Those are the only three choices you get. Your move, brother," Bolverk invited, leaving everyone to bring their eyes to Dagur and wait for what he would choose to do.
