=Normal POV=
(Saturday; 6/15/2020-11:30 am)
(Outcast Island; Docks)
Astrid had been originally taken by Dagur's crewmates and tied to the mast on his ship, left there until Bolverk came. Astrid couldn't do much as Dagur and Bolverk basically shot insults at one another, but Bolverk was still far colder and meaner towards Dagur. It made Astrid wonder what exactly happened between the two of them. Unfortunately, her rescuing was put off until today as Dagur wanted the scepter to tear down the barrier on Outcast Island, so he could set the people living here free and go through with what Bolverk and his friends did not in taking over Archian Isle. After Bolverk left, Astrid was moved down into one of the cells, given something to eat, drink, then use the bathroom before getting left there all night, but guarded. When morning came, Astrid was again allowed to use the bathroom, eat, and then retied to the mast to wait for Bolverk to arrive and trade the scepter for her freedom. Currently, Astrid was being annoyed by Gala, who was dancing around her cheerfully.
"How's it feel being queen now, Asty?" Gala asked as Astrid ignored her.
Dagur finally came aboard to see Astrid shaking her head. "Give it a rest, Gala. Leave her be," Dagur ordered.
Gala whirled around and pointed her Astrid's face. "You said I could cut her up," Gala reminded.
"I said at twelve and if my beloved brother doesn't show," Dagur clarified.
Gala checked her watch with a giggle. "Twenty minutes more," Astrid bent her neck a bit.
"That says 11:30 in the morning…" Astrid remarked. "So it's actually thirty minutes," Gala glared at her, raising her sword tip to just under Astrid's chin.
"Gala!" Dagur warned as Gala backed off. Dagur looked back at Astrid now, a calm grin on his lips. "You better hope your lover comes through with the scepter,"
Astrid's eyes softened a bit and she looked down a bit. "He's…Not my lover anymore," Astrid admitted, recalling what Bolverk told her that him leaving was best for her and Archian Isle.
Dagur tilted his head a bit, keeping his smile. "Leave us be, Gala," Dagur told her, motioning his head for Gala to leave them.
Gala strolled by Astrid, skipping merrily, checking her watch again. "Nineteen minutes to go,"
"Go I said," Dagur commanded, his tone becoming irate. Gala continued along as Dagur looked back at Astrid now.
"Look, I know you don't deserve all this. And it's why you want to leave, Dagur…" Astrid spoke.
Dagur laughed a bit, then sat down across from her, leaning back on his arms. "The island wouldn't even be so bad if we weren't living in the Viking Age, living off what's available, and receiving all your scraps," Dagur remarked. Astrid looked at him as Dagur's stare hardened. "This island is a prison thanks to your parents. And don't try to worm your way into me letting you go with all this caring about us outcasts. No one gives a dragon's butt about us," Dagur informed coldly. "All we got is looking out for ourselves. Everybody for themselves,"
"Oh, so this isn't your parents' plan, like five months ago when Bolverk's dad wanted him to take the scepter and destroy the barrier to have their revenge?" Astrid inquired.
"Pfft, yeah, right," Dagur rolled his eyes. "My parents don't care about me…" He scoffed. "Haven't since they had my sister,"
"Ouch," Astrid winced, knowing that it had to hurt.
"I don't need your pity," Dagur remarked.
"No, you don't. You're very resourceful," Astrid glanced around. "It wasn't pity anyway, more realization of what you said about everyone here only looking out for yourselves. I figured, at least, families would have stuck together."
"What gave you that idea?" Dagur questioned. "Because its perfect and fairytale-like in your family? Yeah, no. We don't get that here. We get survival skills until we're about thirteen, then you're basically on your own," He added.
"I'm so sorry," Astrid looked down sadly.
"Save it, Blondie," Dagur scoffed. "You gonna get all sentimental because you see now that this place is a constant war-zone, us battling to survive? And for what? We know we ain't going nowhere, so there's nothing to fight for. Everyone here, except for a few, have accepted that once you're here, you're here for life." He informed. "The few who don't are people like me, who search for and take the chances when the arise to get out of here."
"Is that a shot at Bolverk because he ruined your chance to leave here?" Astrid asked.
"Perhaps," Dagur shrugged with a grin. "But it's only one of many. There's a lot I want to hurt him for," Dagur paused. "He took everything from me…Including my little sister." He cracked his knuckles. "I don't hate her or nothing, just that Bolverk turned her against me and calls him her brother now..." He added. "Alright, let's talk about you and Bolverk. Tell me what he really did to end up here again?"
Astrid closed her eyes and sighed. "Nothing," Dagur arched a brow. "Bolverk didn't do anything that made us send him back, he chose to leave. Bolverk believes he can't be and do what everyone wants, so he just left,"
"Huh. Just up and left?" Dagur asked as Astrid nodded. "So he meant what he said about it being fun for a while, but got sick of being good? Wow. So why'd you come after him?"
"I thought I could convince him to come back with me. It's…My fault he left. I pushed him…" Astrid looked down.
"Well, go on…What happened? You two fight?" Dagur chuckled.
"I mean, we were dating and he was going to become a lord of the court…I didn't realize how much pressure he was under, or that everything going on was forcing him to be someone he's not. He was doing it all for me, and I just…Didn't even talk to him about things, or ask if he was alright with it all. So we fought on Wednesday when I caught him using his dad's spellbook, I called him out on not being truthful about us doing things together, and Friday morning, he was gone, leaving a note that said he can't be himself with me, so he was going back to Outcast Island…" Astrid explained.
"So since you blamed yourself, you decided to come after him and convince him to return with you?" Dagur folded his arms. Astrid nodded. "Yeah, well, it's rare that I take Bolverk's side…You probably should have talked to him about what was going to happen to his new life as your boyfriend. How can he the guy you fell for when you're expecting him to be someone else?" Astrid stared at him. Dagur shrugged. "Just saying, you went and invited him to Archian Isle to give him a chance at a new life of freedom without the influence of his father…He chooses to be good, be with you, and it's right back to him being expected to be a certain way with no control over his life,"
"I…Never thought about it that way. No wonder he hates me…" Astrid muttered.
"He don't hate you, Blondie," Dagur huffed with an eye roll.
"Oh, and you're a relationship expert?" Astrid looked off to the side.
"Don't have to be. I know how it feels to walk away from someone you care about just so they can be happy. I know what it feels like to lose everything that ever meant something to you. To lose someone you love. Even if it means you have to let them go and be miserable. So I don't need to be an expert in relationships to be able to see that Bolverk was willing to do anything, including using magic, to make you happy." Astrid's head snapped in his direction, shocked. "You said it yourself," Dagur shrugged now. "He put up with everything for you. Because he loves you." Astrid's eyes widened.
"But he's never-," Astrid tried.
"He didn't want to hurt you," Dagur cut her off and rolled his eyes at her confused looking face. "Oh, my Gods…You goodie, good people really don't see the obvious, do you?" Dagur groaned. "Bolverk put up with everything happening, including changing himself with magic, to fit into your royal lifestyle. Bolverk did all that to stay with you, and make you happy because he loves you." Astrid stared, mouth open. "Let me guess. You came here to apologize to him, and he told you no because he doesn't fit in. Blah, blah back and forth then you told him you loved him, but he never said it back and stated it was what was best for you and the kingdom that he removes himself?"
"Yeah, exactly that…" Astrid replied.
Dagur gave a cocky smirk. "Classic when you truly love someone, you have to let them go." He remarked. "He doesn't believe he's good enough for you because he couldn't fit in without the magic to make him appear perfect at your side. And in that, he can't be himself. Bolverk left because you accused him not doing this whole thing with you when he was actually doing everything he could, including changing himself, to do it with you, for you. Bol's an outcast, Astrid, you can't have expected him to be on your level of royal teachings, so he did what could to be the guy you wanted him to be. Bolverk feels like on top of not being in charge of his own life because you've now basically set his future in stone with you, that you also don't want him to be himself." Astrid's eyes widened a bit.
"Regardless, when Bolverk realized that he would never fit into your life because he wouldn't be accepted by you or your people if he decided to be himself…He walked away and let you go. Bolverk knows he hurt and disappointed you, so he chose to leave that way he can't hurt you again. Of course he isn't going to tell you he loves you back when he's trying to let you go so you can find someone better than him who doesn't have to be something they are not to fit in. Returning your feelings would only make you hold onto him more. Like I said…When you love someone, you let them go because you genuinely just want them to have more than that you can give," Dagur told her firmly. "But being brutally honest here Blondie…And again, it's rare that I feel bad for anyone…I think it's you who doesn't deserve him," Dagur walked away from her towards the edge to watch the docks. "Despite everything that went down between you two and him ending up hurt; he's still going out of his way to steal that scepter to save you…Remember that,"
It was quiet for a bit, bringing the time to about 11:50 am.
"Gala! Grab the queen and get into position. It's almost time," Dagur ordered.
"Dagur…You don't have to do things this way," Astrid said when Gala called that she was coming. Dagur moved closer to Astrid to get her off the pole.
"Yeah, I really think I do. There's no other way off this island than destroying that barrier," Dagur grinned. "Besides, it's kind of fun to see Bolverk go through so much for the girl who promised him freedom from a prison he was in because of her parents, and ended up being the one to take his freedom for herself,"
"You could let me go, and we could go back together," Astrid offered.
Dagur smirked now. "Oh, now I get an invitation?" He asked. "You know the day I learned you chose Bolverk, Heather, Soren, Olivia, and Eret…That's about as mad as I've ever been in my life. And I been plenty mad before," Dagur tapped her cheek before moving away. "More so when you only invited them to change their lives," He laughed a bit. "While the rest of us rot here, abandoned, and forgotten by our beloved queen. Or have you forgotten that we're your people too?" Astrid stared at him.
"You're right. I didn't follow my plan to bring more over after the first five. They were only supposed to be the start, a test to see if we could offer a new life or start to more. But I was only the princess then and didn't have the power to go over my parents. And when I became queen, I just go so wrapped up in other things. But I swear to you that I will fix this and everyone will get their chance…" Dagur eyed her while Astrid stated this and Dagur folded his arms, turning his head from her. "We're both leaders, and we want the best outcome. Help me now, so we can help these kids…Let's make a difference,"
Dagur chuckled, leaning close to her. "Be part of your solution?" He grinned. "Nah," Dagur shoved her towards Gala. "I don't need you for anything more than making Bolverk hand over that scepter and then I can do for the outcasts what he failed. Free them. Lead them. And destroy the people who looked down on us all these years."
. . .
(12:00 pm)
Bolverk arrived with Heather, Soren, Olivia, and Eret and they quickly made their way onto the docks. Bolverk held the scepter as there was a little surprise in the stone beside just the light to make it glow. Also, Bolverk knew the coronation had been televised, so anyone on Outcast Island was able to see that it took someone with a great deal of power to even hold the scepter, let alone use it.
"Okay, losing…Not an option, you guys," Bolverk said firmly.
"Right," The four friends nodded.
"And do not forget what I told you to do once we have her," Bolverk reminded.
"Yes, Bolverk," His friends replied, already knowing that Bolverk meant for them to get Astrid and get out quickly.
Bolverk began the walk to get into sight and continued forward in the form previously discussed before showing up. Oivind spotted them first. "Hey! Hi, sis!" Oivind called brightly, waving to Olivia. "I didn't know you were coming too," Olivia fought facepalming.
"Surprise," Olivia managed.
"Welcome to the end!" Gala announced.
"Finally, thought you'd never come," Dagur smirked, standing across from Bolverk on the dock bridge that let people get on the ship.
Bolverk rolled his eyes. "Must you always be so dramatic? You told me noon…It's noon,"
"Indeed. I'm surprised you listened," Dagur remarked. "After all, you never follow orders,"
"We can take shots at one another all day, but it's only going to make you wait longer for this," Bolverk reminded. "I thought you hated waiting,"
"I do, so hand it over," Dagur held out his hand.
"It's not a handoff, Dagur. It's an exchange, so how this works is you get this when I get what I was promised for it," Bolverk stated. "This is why you fail at being a villain,"
Dagur glared at him. "Gala," He said as Gala brought up Astrid, her arms tied at the ankles and behind her back. Gala basically dragged her to the plank and pushed her forward to go over if Gala let go of her jacket. "How about now?" Bolverk looked at Astrid, who looked scared. Bolverk moved his arm to give Dagur the scepter. "No, hold up…Too easy," Dagur chuckled. "We wanna see it work first. It's Stoick and Valka's magic, so it'll work inside the barrier. You're a spell-caster, like your dad, Bolverk…So go ahead, give it a little test drive. And nothing too big or queenie is shark food,"
"We're dead…" Soren gulped.
Bolverk sighed as he begrudgingly gave a small bow to Dagur. "As you wish, Daggy," Bolverk stated before he stood straight and turned slightly to look around before he saw Flare, Soren's Terrible Terror, come into sight on one of the high platforms. "Although your roars are misunderstood and meek, I grant you now the ability to speak," Bolverk pointed the scepter at Flare, then tapped the base on the wood. Bolverk pulled a dragon treat from his bag and held it up. "Want a treat, Flare?"
"Oh, boy, do I!" Flare exclaimed, zipping forward to land on Bolverk's shoulder and nuzzle his face before Bolverk gave him the biscuit.
"Good girl," Bolverk scratched under her chin with a smile, then his lips curved to a grin at Dagur.
Dagur mumbled something about Bolverk always showing him up. "Fine, whatever. Give me the scepter!" Dagur demanded.
"Give me Astrid!" Bolverk glared.
Dagur growled a bit but looked at Gala. "Bring her over," Gala dragged Astrid back carefully and then over next to Dagur with Astrid on her knees. "Aw, the concern in your voice is so genuine. It's like you-," Dagur began.
"Dagur, I swear to the Gods if you don't cut the procrastinating right now and make the trade, I'm going to use this scepter to turn you into my father's favorite meal as a lizard…" Bolverk warned menacingly, his green eyes glowing and as the glow in the stone brightened when Bolverk's hand tightened on it. Surprisingly, Dagur sort of lost his determined look for a moment, almost debating with himself if he should push it.
"Ugh, you're so boring these days…" Dagur groaned. "Cut the girl loose, Gala…"
Gala used her sword to cut upward, getting the rope on her ankles and wrists. "I never get to have any fun anymore…" She sighed.
Bolverk put his free hand out to Astrid as she took it and he gripped hers securely. Dagur put his hand out for the scepter as Bolverk handed it to him, and then Dagur laughed maniacally as Bolverk pulled Astrid to her feet and quickly behind him. Bolverk gave Astrid a light push towards his friends as they came up to coax Astrid further away as Bolverk was moving with them, but not turning his back on Dagur and his crew. Dagur hurried onto the deck of his ship with the others, preparing to use it.
"Go, now…" Bolverk said firmly.
"Astrid, come on," Olivia urged.
"We're not seriously letting him keep the scepter?!" Astrid protested.
"Our goal was to save you, and we've done that, now let's move!" Eret pushed her along.
"We'll explain later, when you're safe back on Archian Isle," Heather whispered as they reached the exit of the docks, but Astrid paused and looked back to see Bolverk not where they were.
"What about Bolverk?" Astrid asked.
The four fell quiet. "Saving you was our only objective," Olivia repeated, grabbing her hand, and pulling her along.
Dagur held the scepter in his hand, raising it up a little. "Okay, okay," Dagur calmed his crew down. "By the power of me, I command you to destroy the barrier and set us free!" He yelled, tapping the base on the ship deck. Nothing happened as Dagur inspected the scepter quickly. "Arg!" Dagur glared at Bolverk. "Why isn't it working!?"
"Maybe because you're not strong enough to wield its power?" Bolverk shrugged.
"Then you get over here and break the barrier with it!" Gala ordered.
"Oh, sorry…I just remembered that I don't take orders from you," Bolverk smirked. "The agreement was I bring you the scepter to release Astrid, and that's what I did. If you can't wield the scepter's power, that's your problem,"
Astrid's eyes widened a bit, realizing what was going on, and she gasped while looking at Heather, Eret, Olivia, and Soren. "Oh, my Gods…It's a fake, isn't it?" She whispered.
"Bolverk's idea," Soren mentioned.
"And now we should get going before Dagur figures out that Bol tricked him!" Eret insisted.
"No, wait…" Dagur looked over the scepter again before pulling the stone off the top, seeing the wires and light inside. "It's fake!" Dagur grew angry.
"You mean like he just did?" Olivia glared at Eret.
"Outta time!" Heather rushed the group to get going.
"Ugh! You do not get to win every time! Get them!" Dagur demanded his crew.
Bolverk grinned as he pulled a small detonator device from in his pocket. "Not so fast, Dag…" Dagur and his crew froze as Bolverk looked back to see his friends and Astrid still there. "I told you to go!" He remarked.
"Not without you!" Astrid refused.
"Get her out of here, right now, and do not go back on what you promised to do!" Bolverk ordered.
Though worry-filled, the four friends knew Bolverk would never forgive them if they didn't listen and all of this went in vain. Astrid saw their faces, realizing that Bolverk planned to stay behind so they could leave. "No…No, he's coming with us!" Astrid said firmly.
"Sorry, we don't have a choice…Eret, grab her," Soren stated. Eret lifted Astrid up, despite her protesting and fighting to be put down, as the four of them quickly made their way out.
"It's been real, brother," Bolverk pressed the button on the detonator. The stone in Dagur's hand lit up more as he noticed it and quickly tossed it away from him as the stone exploded, leaving a huge separation between the ship and dock that allowed them to board it. Bolverk gave a two-fingered salute and darted along the docks to make his escape.
