Finally, I reached the arena and sat down, back against the stone wall. It's still pretty dark, but light enough for me to draw some sketches. The first thing that popped in my head was a sword. I'm not really sure if I got the metal or the equipment. I'll just have to ask Gobber, even if some of them are super risky to get, I think I will have an advantage for it. Or so I hope.
A few more minutes and training should start. Where is everyone? Shouldn't Gobber be here putting together an exercise? I would've expected at least someone to be here. Maybe I got the time wrong? CREAK! Maybe not. I watched as the 'big five' walked in to the center of the arena. Obviously, haven't taken their time to notice me.
"Welcome to dragon training!" Gobber shouted, gesturing to the arena and the cages. It's been a few years since last time dragon training was in action. My dad even forced me to watch it. This is something I will never be able to clear from my mind. Every time I see this arena, the images pop back into my head. Even a year ago, I didn't think killing dragons was the way of earning peace. Of course it's not! War can only be stopped by agreements. But how do you agree on a 'peace treaty' with dragons that can't understand you or give back a response? "This is where our newly captured dragons are kept, in these cages lays the beasts. From the first and 'easiest' dragon class, is the Gronkle. A Hideous Zippleback is extra tricky, two heads, more danger. The Deadly Nadder is fast and light on its foot. Very sneaky and constantly squawks. Then there's the Monstrous Nightmare. Only the best Vikings go after those, and the one to be picked will have the honor of killing it in front of the whole village!" He explained and taught us about our dragons, but of course Snotlout have to start talking.
"What is he doing here?" He said, pointing at me. Clearly, he didn't want me here as much as I don't want to be here, but I really don't have any other choices and it's not like anyone will care if I die, right?
"Training. Now get ready for the Gronkle," Gobber said, opening one of the cages and out came a large Gronkle. It seems distracted about something. We ran our separate ways, searching for shields. "If you ever get the choice between a sword and a shield, take the shield. Defending gives a higher chance of winning. Wait for the perfect time to strike. The best time is when your opponent is distracted or tired. Loud noises is used as a distraction," We did what we first could think of which was slamming our weapons to the shield, making loud noises. I could see the Gronkle getting confused, and to defend itself, it tried to crush someone by flying all around the place while shooting its hot lava balls.
The twins, Ruffnut and Tuffnut, where shot at as they were fighting over a shield, Fishlegs got distracted by being right on his dragon facts and didn't noticed as the Gronkle fired on his shield. Snotlout flirted with Astrid, wrong move. He didn't see as the Gronkle slammed him to the wall, almost knocking him out. Then there are just me and Astrid. I try to find a good hiding spot, but ended up losing my shield. I ran after it, not noticing the yelling of Gobber and the Gronkle chasing its target. When my shield was in my hands, I turned around to see the Gronkle only a few steps away from reaching me. It took his head against my stomach, pinning me to the stone wall behind me. It backed away from me slowly, opening its mouth. Reveling razor sharp teeth and a glowing light, getting larger and larger. The dragon in front of me, breathed out and I felt the warmth coming from the growing light. With that, I knew what was going to happen. I covered up my face with my hands, waiting for the in pact, but it never came. I looked out of my hands and saw Gobber holding the dragons by its jaw, and just as it fired I covered my head again.
BOOM!
Rocks fell on the ground beside me, small ones hitting my left arm. Gobber had managed to clear the Gronkle from me before it ever got to shoot my head off. And I'm glad he did. I don't think I'm ready to die, even if it would be better for me. Shocked, I sat there, thinking about what could've happened, and what did happen. I watched as Gobber threw that large dragon into its cage again, and then he came over to me, helping me off the ground.
"The dragons will always, always go for the kill. Training dismissed, you can go now," He said, looking back at me. He started inspecting me for bruises, but turns out I didn't have any. "You're lucky it didn't kill ya. Get back to the house, I'll be there in an hour or so," He said, walking away to clean the arena.
I walked out of the arena without bumping into someone. Luckily, the gang had already gotten out of sight. I can't stop thinking about that Night Fury. If every dragon kills every time, then why didn't he? Looks like the tough Vikings of Berk knows nothing about dragons after all. Not knowing where I was walking, I ended up at the same spot I met the Night Fury for the first time. Ever since that day I have been thinking of how it tried to escape. Maybe it's wounded? Well, only one way to find out. Search in the direction it was last seen in.