I'm back with another chapter! If you've been following me, you might have noticed I've been uploading a lot tonight. Well, it's my very weak attempt to apologize for being so slow for updating everything. Jobs and school, it's all just not fun.
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Enjoy another chapter! XD
(Astrid's POV)
Play my part… what did that mean?
I huffed in annoyance, rolling onto my side and glared at the wall. What was Gothi playing at? She knew Hiccup was in trouble, she knew we wanted to help, but she just made this feel like a joke. I sat up and left my home, heading to Stormfly's little hut. Smiling hearing her let out a chirp seeing me, I patted her neck, searching for comfort.
"I'm worried girl," I whispered, "I want to help, I want to know Hiccup is ok… but I don't know what that will lead to…." Glancing towards the small window, I frowned slightly, seeing Stoick looking at the sunrise. Giving Stormfly another pat, I went and headed for the ridge where the chief was standing. I became increasingly worried seeing the solum face on Stoick.
"Good morning sir." I said calmly, not wanting to startle him.
"Ah, Astrid, going morning. What are you doing up so early?"
"Couldn't really sleep."
"To much on your mind?"
"You could say that. …If I'm not to intrusive sir, you seem very worried."
"I am… something's been bothering me…."
"What is?"
"This dream keeps… reoccurring… but I don't know what it means."
"Does yours have a tree in it as well?"
Stoick laughed. "No, no talking trees in mine…. I see my wife."
"Your wife?" I said in surprise, "I've never heard you talk about your wife sir."
"It's not something I wish to discuss…. But she keeps appearing to me, trying to warn me about something, but I can't understand what."
"When did these dreams start?"
"A little before Hiccup left, they were so fuzzy then, I couldn't tell what was happening. Then she suddenly appeared, clear as day, I was so thrilled to see her. …But she wasn't happy to see me, she was very disappointed."
"Has she said why?"
"She remains silent…. It's something I can't really dwell on."
"But what if she's saying something really important, what if… what if Hiccup's in real danger and she's trying to tell you to go find him."
"What do you mean Astrid." Stoick frowned, facing me.
"Gothi… agrees with Hiccup, that something out there is happening. He might be in danger."
"What did Gothi say?"
I looked at the ground. "You might not believe me… but she showed us that…. Hiccup is being hunted by Odin."
"What!? Odin, how is that possible, why is he hunting my son!"
"Gothi didn't say, she said it wasn't time for us to know, that we have to play our parts."
Stoick growled, hitting the mountain side hard. I was shocked when a large crater appeared, the rock cracking. "Wasn't time… she might say that to you, but she will answer to me."
"Sir, I don't know if that is a good idea. I don't think we can control what happens, she'll say that it's the matter of the Gods."
"This is about my son!"
Stoick faced me, his look of fury disappearing instantly, his attention drawn towards something above me. Turning around, my heart skipped seeing a large crowd of dragons heading for Berk, Gobber and the other riders coming into view as well. We rushed forward as the party landed, my fear increasing when Gobber slid off his dragon, looking dejected.
Hiccup was nowhere to be found.
"Gobber… where is Hiccup, where is my son!" Stoick demanded, the area silent.
"I… don't know…. He was attacked by… something, I didn't see anything…. And Toothless followed some wolf into the forest…. We lost them, we searched everywhere on that island…. They were just gone…."
Stoick didn't say a word. He turned, heading for his hut, and shut the door.
**~linebreak~**
(Hiccup's POV)
I woke the next morning feeling well rested, curled against Toothless. Lifting his wing gently, blinking against the bright light, I felt relief seeing Thor across from me.
"Good morning." He said, handing me a roasted fish as I sat near the fire.
"Hi…." I replied weakly, taking the stick and eating. "So, what are we going to do about me…."
"Getting hunted and killed?"
"Right."
"If we are to resolve this problem, we must go to where this stared."
"Where?"
"Yggdrasil."
I frowned. "But won't your father have that place tightly sealed?'
"His attention's not fully on it right now, plus we'll be in and gone before he arrives."
"O-Ok…." I tried getting my breathing controlled.
"Hiccup, please calm. I'm here to make sure you're safe and I doubt Toothless will let anything happen to you." A deep rumble of agreement sounded behind me, Toothless pressing his head against mine gently. I nodded weakly.
"So… when do we need to go?"
"Now, if you're ready."
"Oh, um, I guess, how are we getting there? Do you open a portal or…."
"Actually Hiccup, I am unable to get there. My father is the one who can travel there."
"What, then how-"
"You can get us there."
"But I've never been! It visits me!"
"Exactly Hiccup, you must have some sort of connection with Yggdrasil. Something about you has called it's attention, it may have given you a way to it."
"But I don't know how…." I watched as Thor began to write in the loose dirt.
"Here Hiccup, read this."
"What is it?" I walked over, Toothless by my side.
"An incantation, the one Odin uses to get to Yggdrasil. Lets see if it works for you."
"Alright…." I read it over once, before I began.
"The one who binds the worlds and breaths life,
open the way to you to allow power in."
The air became cold and still, the hair on my neck standing up. A pressure was suddenly placed on my chest, the world beginning to spin rapidly. I let out a small moan of pain as light from the sun began to dim.
"Hang on Hiccup, we're almost there." Thor said, keeping me upright.
I shut my eyes, willing for everything to stop, legs shaking as the ground became solid again.
"A-Are we here?"
"Yes…."
I open my eyes, my mouth dropping in surprise at what stood before us. The large ash tree once proud and strong, was now a sick green color. Pieces of it flaked off, crumbling away and disintegrating before it hit the ground. The island that we were placed on was covered with the ruined parts.
"This… is worse than I thought." I whispered, walking towards the slowly dying tree. Reaching out cautiously, I placed my hands on the crumbling bark, chunks falling away. A deep sorrow and pain washed over me, whispering voices surrounding me, begging for help. "It's in so much pain….. I don't know what to do…."
"What is it saying?" Thor asked, voice quiet.
"I… can't really tell, it's saying to much, to quickly." I pressed my forehead against the bark as well, surprised to find a dull light emitting from deep within the tree. "It's so close to fading…. Something inside is… is killing it."
"Ragnarök…. How is he doing this."
"It's… like a virus…." A rush of pain hit me hard, my stomach churning, head pounding. I feel to my knees, clutching my stomach, hearing Thor call out my name. "I-I'm fine…. I think he knows we're here…."
"How, he's suppose to be in an eternal sleep, unaware of what happens outside the tree!"
"No, he know we're here," I stood weakly, "And he's excited…."
"Why?"
"Because I'm trapped…." Toothless growling at the tree, knowing something from inside was causing me distress.
"Hiccup, what do you mean trapped."
"Thor, how dear you help out a traitor." My stomach, whatever was left, dropped as Odin appeared around the tree, spear in hand.
"He can't be a traitor if he hasn't done anything wrong!" Thor fought back.
"I-It's not me!" I spoke up, leaning against Toothless. "It's Ragnarök, he's awake and trying to get free!"
"Impossible! He is trapped, unable to use his powers, how could he do this much damage!"
"Father listen, this boy is not the problem. He is the reason why Ragnarök hasn't freed himself yet." Thor attempted to explain.
"What do you mean." Odin frowned darkly.
Thor didn't get to reply. A loud snap sounded, a large crack beginning to form through Yggdrasil. White hot pain suddenly erupted from my chest and I crumpled to the ground, screaming in pain. I couldn't breath, my body curling into a ball, wishing to push the pain away. As the pain diminished, my body fell limp, twitching slightly when the pain would shoot through again, whining softly.
"Hiccup, can you hear me?! Hiccup!" Thor tried to call my attention, but all I could manage was a small whimper of pain.
"What's happening here?!" Odin asked, sounding absolutely bewildered..
"Your demise, oh King of Gods."
I winced as I heard Thor being knocked away, Odin letting out a grunt of pain as he was hit as well. I heard Toothless attempt to attack something, but it fought back, something heavy landing next to me.
"Ragnarök, how…."
"Impressed? Have I left you speechless?" I shivered as a cold laugh rang out. "My, my, how I have waited for this moment. The two most powerful Gods at my feet and I am finally free! …Well, I'm close anyway."
I moaned softly as I attempted to get up, my heart stopping when I saw Toothless lying next to me, unmoving.
"T-Toothless…." I crawled over slowly, placing a hand on his head. I relaxed when he let out a small whine. "Y-You're ok…."
"Oh, and here is our special guest, the Seed of Life." Looking up weakly, I cowered behind Toothless, eyes widening at what I saw.
A skeletal, pale face peered down at me behind a veil of long, thin black hair. It held no eyes, just skin sunk into the sockets, mouth turned into a small smile, showing rows of jagged, sharp teeth. Robes of black draped on the form, becoming billows of smoke as it reached the ground. White, skeleton hands barely showed from the long sleeves.
"What did you call him." Odin demanded, he and Thor fighting against black smoke.
"Seed of Life… the person who's keeping me locked away."
"I-I don't… understand…." I said weakly.
"Such a sweet child, of course you don't understand. All of this has started before you were even born."
"Explain yourself Ragnarök!" Odin growled darkly.
"Of course, I'm sure some explanation is in order before you die." Ragnarök smirked picking my up easily by my throat. I winced as a skeletal finger rand down my cheek, the smirk growing.
"You see Odin, I had awaken in my prison, weak, but aware of where I was. But you nor Mother Goddess knew about my awakening, both so sure that I was sealed away, no longer your problem. Mother Goddess only knew I was back when Yggdrasil began to die, her along with it. Knowing she couldn't seal me away, she fled to the mortal world."
"Why would she do that instead of coming to me."
"She was to gone, knowing that she was to weak to make a new seal, but knew if she could pass her abilities along, the tree would live. Therefore my prison would still keep me in, even with how weak it was. She just needed to produce…an offspring."
My eyes widened. "M-My mother…."
Ragnarök laughed. "You are a clever one. She found your father out of desperation, not love, and you were only born to keep my prison strong. When she passed on, I thought I would be free from that. But when I wasn't and the tree still lived, I knew she had done something. But an offspring I wasn't aware of."
"Until you found out about Hiccup." Thor added.
"Yes, a ver interesting Viking indeed. Weak, slow, quite the 'troublemaker' if you will. Definitely not the carved from stone model they pride themselves on, and the chief's son none the less! Then I was told of the Night Fury and the downfall of the Red Death and I knew this had to be a sapling of Mother Goddess. A… Seed of Life, if you will."
"Why is it Hiccup, it could be anyone if you claim Other Goddess mated with a mortal."
"Not every mortal has the ability to train dragons, no mere mortal can bring down something with power matched by the Gods! This child has power you can't even begin to understand, he doesn't know of what he's capable of! …But I know…." I struggled weakly as Ragnarök pulled me closer, a finger running gently right under my eyes. "Your eyes, they're the same color as hers, the same vibrant green. They hold the same power that imprisons me, that gives life…."
"If you're still trapped, as you claim, how can you be standing here before us." Odin frowned.
"The barrier is weak enough for a small part of my power to escape. This form is merely a shadow of myself, but I have enough energy to finish the job myself."
"W-Who helped you…." I choked out, gasping for air. Ragnarök's face fell at my question, but then laughed loudly.
"You clever little boy! Yes… yes I did have some help. As my knowledge of the outside world was limited, I needed someone loyal to relay information to me."
"Who would be twisted enough to help you!?" Odin growled darkly.
"L-Loki…." I answered.
"Very good, yes, Loki has been my eyes."
"Why… why would he betray us…." Thor frowned, clearly confused and worried.
"He's tired of being ignored, being second best. I agreed that if he helped release me, I would allow hime to rule over Asgard."
"Over my cold form!" Odin fought back.
"In good time Odin, don't fear. But I must take care of one person first." I let out a gasp as the pressure around my throat increased, my hands clawing at the skeletal one. "Your form is mortal, meaning your death will be simple. Such a shame really, you were protected all this time and this is just going to be to easy."
Ragnarök let out a roar of pain, dropping me and grabbing his arm in pain. I gasped for air, quickly inching away as Toothless fired again, growling darkly.
"You miserable beast! I should have killed you when I had the chance!"
"You would still have to deal with me." A teen with black hair, wearing robes of blue, released Thor and Odin from their bounds, standing before Ragnarök.
"Baldur… I suppose I was rather careless in forgetting you."
"Stand down Ragnarök, you cannot win with all of us here." Thor said, gripping his hammer tightly. But Ragnarök just laughed, the sound echoing.
"Surrender, now? Do you know how close I am to winning? Yggdrasil is almost dead and the only person to truly put me away has no power! You've all lost and I'll be free soon enough!" With that, he disappeared, laving the area quiet and cold.
"We need to leave, in case he decides to come back," Thor broke the silence, "Hiccup, can you stand?"
"I-I don't think so." I mumbled weakly, feeling my legs shaking. Toothless bent down, letting me slide up, Baldur helping me up. "T-Thanks…."
"Not a problem." Baldur smiled softly.
"Where did you come from Baldur." Odin asked.
"From outside Fernlock woods, Frigg is waiting for us."
"Of course your mother's here. Lets go before she tears open a portal with her own hands." Odin struck down his staff, a blue sphere of light appearing. Thor entered first, Baldur leading Toothless and I through, a large forest appearing in front of us soon.
"You're all alright." Frigg breathed a sigh of relief as Odin finally appeared.
"For now, yes," Odin said, "Ragnarök is close to freedom."
"'What, how?" Frigg's eyes landed on me, " I knew he was special…. How is he connected to all of this?"
"Son of Mother Goddess."
"Yes, I can see it…." I flushed softly as her hand touched my cheek, causing me to look at her. "You do have her eyes…. Why are you sad child?"
I frowned and looked away, not wanting to talk, to discuss what had just happened. I was exhausted and all I wanted to do was sleep and leave this world for awhile.
"He needs sleep… we need to take him somewhere safe. Not in the woods."
"Where, his home isn't even safe." Odin said.
"Our home, it's the only place where we can protect him."
"No mortal has entered Asgard!"
"We shall bend the rules for this. Besides, he is a god, in his own right." I was starting to drift off, my eyes feeling very heavy. Getting as comfortable as I could, I laid against Toothless, falling asleep. I felt fingers run through my hair gently, Frigg whispering,"Sleep little seed, we have much to discuss when you wake."
**~linebreak~**
(Normal POV)
Astrid jumped, but remained silent as Stoick punched Gothi's wall…again. The hut creaked, but remained standing against the chief's anger. Taking a deep breath, Stoick faced Gothi again.
"My son is missing and in danger, and you won't tell me what's happening. Do not tell me that it isn't our time to know!" Gothi stood her ground, shaking her head no, Stoick letting lose another hit.
"Calm down Stoick! Beating up a house isn't going to solve anything!" Gobber shouted out, trying to get a handle on the situation.
"Don't tell me what to do! My son is gone and we have no idea to where!"
Gothi shook her head in dismay and grabs a scrap of paper, writing something down quickly and passing it over to Gobber. The blacksmith took it and read it over, frowning. "Um, really? What is this all about?"
He jumped back when Gothi banged her stick on the ground. "Alright, alright, hang on. She wrote this out, but I'm not really sure what it all means. When the light fades, only the three every lasting forms will bring it back. Um…anyone have a guess?"
Before anyone could answer, the door to the hut was opened quickly, a villager looking around frantically, out of breath. "Stoick! T-There's someone who wants to see you."
"What, who? I wasn't expecting a visitor."
"He says he's… Loki." The hut fell silent, in slight shock at what had just been said.
"…What does he want."
"Hiccup."
Stoick left the hut first, Astrid and Gobber dashing after him as they entered the center of the village. A large crowd had already gather, Stoick and Astrid rating the way, reaching the front. A lone man stood in the middle of the clear area, a smirk playing across his face as he looked around.
"What business do you have here?" Stoick asked, stepping forward, Astrid remaining close.
"You must be the chief," The stranger spoke, "Perhaps you can help me. I'm looking for someone named Hiccup."
"Your trip was for nothing as my son isn't here."
"Chief and his father, well well…."
"What business do you have with Hiccup." Astrid demanded.
"It's a touchy subject really, not very good. Hiccup has done something to anger the Gods, not good, and he needs to be held on trial for what he's done." Murmurs broke out through the village.
"He's done nothing wrong!" Astrid defended.
"Oh, but my dear he has. Now if you could produce him, that would be so helpful."
"He's not here and I suggest you leave my village." Stoick said, an unspoken warning in his tone. But the stranger did not back down, his smirk only growing.
"Well then… I guess you're going to help me draw him out."