Right, before beginning, I must tell you that this chapter will be the one that sparks for the fire for the next major event that will happen when I release the next chapter.
And this event won't be in one part. Likely two or three.
Secondly, thanks again to everyone who reviewed last chapter! I'm glad you all love this story so far!
Now, let's see what unfolds in this chapter. Shall we? (Once again, apologies for any grammar mistakes.)
"Are you sure this will work, Vlar?" Ivar asked as he laid there on his back, feeling pressure applied to his legs.
In the Great Hall of Kattegat where the Chieftains were rallied, they all eyed their King as the Iron Wolf Chieftain - Vlar - was applying something to the young Viking's legs. It was made out of a metal that was meant to be somewhat heavy as well as apply enough for for pressure. Though for Ivar, the pressure just felt like his hand being gripped in a firm handshake.
"It's almost done, High Chieftain." the Iron Wolf Chief replied. "I just need to apply something here and…"
The sudden sound of a click interrupted everyone as all eyes fell upon the supports that were placed around Ivar's legs. Some questioning what it was to accomplish. More armor?
"What's the Chieftain of the Iron Wolf up to now?" asked Karvein of the Bloody Berserker Tribe, facing Frode as the Warrior-Elder nodded his head, grinning.
"The gods say these two plates are Ivar's new weapons." he said, replying coldly. "Yes… two weapons that will aid him in battles yet to come in the future."
Karvein shook his head. "Bah. How will two metal plates around a cripple's legs help? He can't bloody feel a darn thing those numb pair of limbs-!"
"Mind your tongue, Karvein." replied Frode, interrupting him.
"Perhaps that's not the case!" a Barbarian Chieftain called out to the Bloody Berserker. "Perhaps it is the cure to giving back strength to the King's legs. Something that will give us an advantage, and a blessing from the gods for him."
"Aye, he's got a point." a Rus' Chieftain said, nodding at the Germanian. "The gods may have other plans for the King. They view him as special after all."
"Alright, alright! I get it!" shouted Karvein, sighing as he glanced back from the Chieftains and at the supports that were still being placed around Ivar's legs. And it was then that they all heard another click snap, and from that Vlar back up, viewing the image and giving himself a nod of pride as he crossed his arms.
"It's finished, Ivar. How do you feel?" asked Vlar.
"...I do not feel any different, Vlar. Is this supposed to make me look stupid or are you just making some foolish prank on me? All there is on me is but a bit of pressure that I feel against my legs-"
The Iron Wolf Chieftain smiled. "And?" he asked, reaching his hands out as he revealed a staff in front of the young Viking, though it was somewhat shorter.
Ivar shook his head as he shrugged it off, turning himself to face the Rus' before grabbing the staff from his hands. Then, with much of his strength from his left hand he helped himself up, and as he felt the staff hit the floor whilst he held it in his right hand he was a little bit shocked at first.
His rear hips were still touching the table he laid down against, but his feet touched the floor with the staff.
"Hm." he said, moving the base of the wooden stick forward, still gripping it tightly. However, as he did so he oddly felt the urge to move one of his legs forward, following the staff like an old man with a crippled back would… and it was then that unexpectedly, Ivar felt something in his legs move.
The young Viking looked down at his left leg, even though it looked deformed and out of place as his foot faced left instead of forward. But ever so slightly he could feel it… move. His leg was actually working, sort of. To further test this, he moved himself forwards toward the other Chieftains who stood gathered with those sitting on the other side of the room of which Ivar faced.
And so, for the first time in his life - Ivar the Boneless was finally able stand up straight, though requiring support to help him walk as he would just fall without the staff in his hands.
"It will develop over time, young King." assured Vlar, nodding his head with a grin. "Those metal supports will be your bones, and the staff your guide. Overtime they will continue to slightly squeeze against your legs until you finally begin to feel muscle inside them - plus the bones will come out of that deformed form, hopefully. But we'll see what the gods will think. Fate will decide."
A glare emanated from Ivar's face as he glanced at the Chieftains, though his expression looked evil. And then, a slow smile began to expand and stretch out until it achieved a fully wide grin from cheek to cheek, though his brows were still lowered… A soft splurt then came out from his mouth.
He then chuckled, followed by a snort, and eventually he began to giggle wickedly. His teeth were shown out as if they were fangs, and laughter soon begun echoing from Ivar's voice. He looked up to the ceiling, picturing the sky outside and beyond that, and soon enough he was full-on cackling, laughing evilly towards the heavens.
His laughter, so loud and wicked, echoed beyond the Great Hall's walls…
…
3 days later...
Hiccup sat at the edge of a cliff overlooking the ocean, unable to sleep, and pondering how long it would take before Berk would become the next target for the Heathens - at least that's what he called them as he and Snotlout had recently received even more letters from scouts saying how many more islands have fallen…
Some of those letters were from Tribes in ruin.
With all of this news coming at Hiccup like lightning, he soon began to doubt. What consequence would Berk suffer if the Great Army arrived at the island? What would happen to his friends? Would they be able to handle it? ...What would happen to him?
"How great." he said to himself, sarcastically. "How great it is to see Berk's allies brought to ruin in a matter of days. My Dad doesn't know the true amount of men that Ivar is sending at us, and we're outnumbered six to one whilst mostly outskilled. What can we do if-"
"What can we do if what?" asked a familiar feminine voice from behind. Hiccup turned around, revealing Astrid who was walking towards him with her axe sheathed to her back, and her arms crossed.
"Oh- hey Astrid." he said as he waved his hand, receiving one back from the blonde-haired girl as well. "I was just… talking to myself, and pondering."
"Mhmm." she replied, sitting next to the scrawny Viking who continued gazing down at the ocean. "Pondering and talking. Surely something that isn't important. Unless, there's something on your mind?"
"Well- there is, but- it's just that…" Hiccup lost his words, unsure of how to express them as he let out a sigh. Thus, he remained silent and kept his mouth shut, not knowing what more to say as he feared on what Astrid would think. Would she react the same way he did? Would she tell him not to bring it up?
Only way to find out.
"Astrid." he said.
She turned to face him. "Yes?"
"The thing is…" he began softly. "I am extremely worried for the position in which Berk lies in. We stand surrounded by a foe that's been chasing and hunting us and our allies all around the Archipelago for their own amusement of killing, pillaging, and enslavement. Many have fallen, though some remain, and I don't know WHEN Berk will be attacked by those heathens - those, monsters… The reports Snotlout and I received make me doubt if Berk can stand against them like my Dad-"
"Hiccup." interrupted Astrid, catching the young Viking's attention as he snapped out of his quick speaking. She then placed her arms on her shoulders, and Hiccup took a breath.
"There's no need to worry." she said with a smile. "One way or another we will try and attain victory over our foe. With your guidance, as well as Magnus' and Eira's, we can fight right beside you without too much trouble. You told me that you, Eira and Magnus cut your way to the docks stealthily and out in the open when the two of them covered your escape. What is there to worry about if you can handle it?"
"My worry isn't that I can handle it." he replied, shaking his head. "It's the fact that you guys might not be able to handle it. What if you end up like half those men who died escaping the scouting ship? I can't imagine-"
"But I won't." she said, once again interrupting him. Her hands then lowered from his shoulders to his right hand as she held it firmly. "As long as I have you, and you have me to fight by, I assure you that I'll be fine. Just… keep moving forward. For me, for Magnus, and for everyone else. Alright?"
Hiccup sighed, and his face cooled down. "Alright." he said, and a small smile grew on his face. "You're right. I shouldn't let a few letters make me doubt."
"Good." she nodded back at him. "While you're at it though, Magnus wants to speak to you about something."
"Oh?" he asked as a brow lifted.
"He said that he wanted to discuss with you on something about… the Dragons?"
Her words soon began to make him more curious. "Dragons?" he said. "Why? They're just creatures that fly around and do nothing aside tending to their own survival and species? What would I have to do with it?"
Astrid gave a shrug. "I don't know. But he seems desperate. I think he's trying to find a solution with fighting back Ivar - though I don't see how dangerous fiery creatures could help."
"...Maybe he refers to something else? You know Magnus can be a crafty and mysterious one a times. I mean, it's not like a Human could ride atop a Dragon and have it help aid in battles."
"Well…" she said in a long tone, turning her back as her arms crossed, unsure of what to say. "I guess you will have to find out, Hiccup."
...
Hiccup stood before the door of Magnus' hut, wondering on what the older Viking was thinking when he mentioned Dragons. Did he have some crazy idea in mind?
Regardless, Hiccup reached his arm forward and knocked loudly three times - with each knock banging against the wooden door. Soon enough, the door opened up and Magnus stood in front of Hiccup with a smirk on his face as he nodded, allowing the young Viking in.
"Alright, Magnus." he said. "What's this all about. Why have you called me here?"
The older Viking sat himself down in a chair, with Hiccup leaning against the wall having his arms crossed, eyeing Magnus - though not with an irritated or aggressive expression. A period of silence followed however - but an answer soon came out as the older Viking cleared his throat and eyed Hiccup.
"Hiccup." he began. "While I was away organizing and sharpening some of my weapons, an idea had come to my attention and I started to think deeply about it. It's an idea that is sort of out of the mind, but something that's worth a try, and I'd like to share it with you."
A face of concern and thought showed off from Hiccup, and took a step forward from leaning. "I'm all ears, Magnus. Tell me."
"Well…" he replied with a long inhale of air. "I was thinking about the Dragons. I was thinking about how powerful they are and could be, and what kind of creatures they could be in general in their own ways. I know Dragons are more than just creatures - they're viewed as beasts, but something tells me that this isn't entirely the case."
"Oh?" asked Hiccup. "What do you mean?"
"Well firstly, I remembered the story that you and Astrid shared. You said that she told you about how the Dragons eventually flew away. Explaining on how it was their biggest attack ever - and then all of a sudden in the middle of it, they just gave up and dropped all of the cattle…"
"And your point is?"
Magnus cleared his throat once again. "My point is that; perhaps it wasn't their choice to attack Berk. If it was, then they would have came back and continued their attacks years ago. Plus, Astrid said a Gronckle licked a villager before it flew off. Something just felt off to me. So, I can only assume that the Dragons weren't in their own minds when they made their attacks."
Intrigument had now gotten the best of Hiccup. He walked forward besides a chair and sat down in it. "And how does this relate? What are you trying to tell me?" he asked curiously.
"I think… these creatures can be friendly with us."
The scrawny Viking's eyes widened. "What?" he let out. "That's insane, Magnus! These creatures are nothing more than fiery killers." he said, lying. "Do you not remember that I told you that a Monstrous Nightmare tried to attack Astrid and I?"
"And yet you claimed that a Night Fury saved you." he pointed out, and Hiccup was immediately stopped in a halt… he was right. Toothless, the Dragon he named, was the one that saved Hiccup and Astrid when they were attacked, though it was hard to see on if there was even a reason of why the fiery Dragon struck. Plus, he and Astrid fed the Night Fury, and he was even able to get a closer look at the black Dragon.
Perhaps Magnus was indeed right…
"So if you think Dragons can be friendly." he said. "What do you want me to do? Go out and befriend a Dragon?"
Magnus chuckled with a nod. "You've read my mind like reading a book, Hiccup. But, I don't want you to just take any Dragon." He leaned in closer. "I want you to find that Night Fury you spoke of, and get it on your side. If that Dragon is still out there, then perhaps it can help aid us against Ivar. With the powerful creature, Ivar will fall."
Hiccup slowly nodded at Magnus' statement - his words at the end giving him slight confidence as he straightened out his back and glanced at him eye-to-eye.
"Well, Magnus. About that, I-"
Before he could continue to speak however, Hiccup felt his chair slightly shake. Magnus raised a brow.
"You don't need to move closer you know." said Magnus, but Hiccup shook his head.
"That wasn't me. It-"
Suddenly, the hut shook as objects on the wall fell to the ground, and Hiccup watched a plate shatter as it fell from the long table. Both their eyes immediately widened however as they not only felt the area around them shake more, but the sound of a loud and large boom follow at the same time.
"What's happening!?" asked Hiccup, his tone rising.
An answer was given as a horn outside blew, and both of the Vikings wasted no time as they stood from their chairs, grabbed their weapons, and ran out the door into the snowy and cloudy day.
Outside, they saw many villagers running around in a panic, as well as regiments of warriors rallying together as they began making their way towards the cliffs. All of a sudden however, the door to the smithy slammed opened, revealing Gobber who immediately raised his voice.
"BRACE YERSELVES, LADS! WE'RE UNDER ATTACK!"
Hiccup felt dread run down his spine, and thus with Magnus
"Wait, Hiccup!" he called out.
Upon making his way to the cliffs, Hiccup shook. He knew that sooner or later that the enemy would come, but now, they were here...
Before him stood over a hundred ships, armed and ready, with dozens of men aboard them each of them. They made ready and lined up in positions, letting out their battlecries and shouts. In total, there were more than three thousand warriors.
From behind, Magnus along with Eira, Stoick, Astrid, and the others showed up as they all eyed the massive force that stood at Berk's doorstep, armed and prepared in taking the island.
"Odin help us…" gasped Stoick as flaming boulders rained over the village, slamming into huts and structures. Some of them even struck the forests and mountain.
"I should have seen this coming." the Chieftain grunted, turning his back and marching forward. "READY ALL TROOPS! THE TIME HAS COME TO FIGHT, AND TO DEFEND ALL THAT WE HOLD DEAR!"
At first, Hiccup was about to make his way forward and join in with his father, but another thought hit his mind as he remembered what Magnus said about Toothless. He looked back at the older Viking and gave a nod to himself as he spun towards the forest.
"I have to go." he said, sheathing his blade and catching the attention of his father.
"Hiccup, you can't!" the Chieftain called out as he placed a hand on his son's shoulder. But the lad merely shrugged him off, and thus began running.
"Get back here!" he ordered, but Hiccup responded with a mere wink. His mind was focused on reaching the forests, and finding the one thing that could help him, his Tribe, and all that he held dear...
"HICCUP!"
...
Hiccup ran through the forest with adrenaline running through him. His feet stomped against the grass and leaves as his hands swung away at branches and bushes, moving them out of the way,
Right now, the only place he could think of was the cove. He had to reach the cove and find Toothless.
"C'mon!" he grunted. "I've gotta get there in time before everything's lost! I've gotta get there…"
Time was on his side thankfully, and he managed to reach the cove in a quick period of time. He squeezed himself through the gaps leading into the peaceful area, and he slid down the steep hill.
His rush and desperation however would cause him to slip and fall towards the frosty ground on his first step, landing face first, though he quickly shoved aside the pain as he pushed himself up.
He looked around the area, trying to spot a large black winged figure that would be Toothless, hopefully lying around or doing something. He glanced from his left side, to his right side, and then forward… but all he saw was the terrain. The Night Fury wasn't in sight.
"Toothless!" he called out loudly, hoping for a response. A growl, a roar; something.
But once again, there was nothing...
It was then, that the young Viking felt despair wash over him. He ran to the very cove he found Toothless to find help, and in return the help had just left him, and his hopes immediately began to die out. Hiccup sat on his knees as his eyes dropped towards the ground.
"Why…?" he asked himself, letting out a long and hopeless sigh as he felt a warm stream of air hit his face. It seemed there was nothing left for him to do aside to do what he must - go back, and fight like a Viking. Another warm stream of air then hit his face as he continued thinking...
'...Wait, is that warm air?' he asked him.
He slowly turned his head to gaze up, and before him stood the mighty and familiar black winged creature that he had been looking for. Toothless stared at Hiccup with calm and non-aggressive eyes, and Hiccup's eyes in return widened.
"Oh, bud." he said, sighing in relief. "You don't know how relieved I am to see you… I need your help. I beg of you. Please…"
From his words, Toothless could sense Hiccup's worry and fear. It became obvious to the Black Dragon that the young man had ran to the cove to search for him, and the knowledge on why was clear, for he also felt distant vibrations in the earth beneath him.
From this, the Dragon growled angrily.
His gaze then landed back on Hiccup, and with his head he rushed under the Viking and threw him up into the air.
"AAAGH!" he screamed, flying up, but unexpectedly landing down on the back of the Black Dragon, facing the other direction from when he was looking at him.
Hiccup proceeded to then climb up into a comfortable position as he gripped his hands around Toothless' neck, and sat on his scaley back.
"Hold on tight." was what the Black Dragon said with a gesture, and immediately the two of them went flying up into the air, with the thoughts of battle and fighting at the front of their minds. Hiccup held on tight, a smirk spreading across his face as he unsheathed his sword.
The time was now. The moment was upon them. The Battle for Berk and the fate of the Archipelago had now begun...
The Battle for Berk begins next chapter...
Until then,
To be continued...