Despite the Isle of Berk swarming in dragons, Aaron was struggling with finding his perfect fit.
The most common dragons appeared to be Gronckles, Terrible Terrors, Monstrous Nightmares and Deadly Nadders. Aaron didn't feel like any of these particularly connected with him.
Disappointed, he boarded his father ship as they headed towards Aaron's home island.
The journey back would take them about a week, and they would make a few stops on the way.
Their first stop was an almost abandoned tropical island. They didn't stay there for long since his father considered it a cursed place. Apparently there was a creature on that island that wouldn't hesitant to attack them and then consume them alive. Aaron dreaded to think what it could be.
The next post was a rock island with heaps of mountains. This is where they ended up making camp for the night.
Aaron closed his eyes, dreaming of azure eyes and gold hair.
"One way or another, I'm going to find you Astrid. I promise," he whispered before descending to sleep.
When Aaron woke up next morning, his father was nowhere to be found.
"Dad?" Aaron called out uncertainly and received no response. Suddenly, he could hear a thunderstorm approaching.
Aaron quickly leaped to his feet but it was too late.
There was a deadly silver Skrill blocking his path. Aaron closed his eyes in surrender. He was sure this was going to be the end of him and began counting down in his head.
But then... nothing happened.
Aaron blinked his eyes open and saw the Skrill collapsed a few meters away. He ran to it and gently touched it to check if it was still breathing.
"Are you alright?" Aaron whispered. The Skrill glared at him but didn't move away. Aaron took that as a good sign.
"I'm going to take care of you buddy. And then two of us are going off on a adventure of our own," Aaron promised with a gleeful smile. "I think I'm going to name you Thunderbolt."