Chronicles of the Dragoniters
"Normal Speech-Dragons included"/ #Telepathic Speech# / Thoughts
CotD: Vikings, Dragons and Elf-Faes
Chapter 13: Legend of the Boneknapper Dragon Pt 2
Edited: 12.06.2017
In order to use Fishlegs as 'dragon bait', they made him wear a moustache made out of rope, a helmet with horns that was a bone replicate of Gobber's helmet and hold a dragon's talon as a fake prosthetic hook-hand. A massive rib cage of some unknown dragon was suspended above him, which Fishlegs constantly glanced up at it nervously. It was anchored to a rock and Phil was to kick the bone of which the cord was wrapped around from beneath the rock which would activate the trap and make the ribcage trap the Boneknapper once it was underneath it, that was. The Dragoniters, Gobber, China and Serpent were hiding behind a rock ridge, watching. "I hope that when or if we do catch the Boneknapper, we can convince him or her to stop chasing Gobber." Aniu said to Nava. "Yeah and find out why he or she is chasing him." Nava added. "There must be a reason. Gobber said the Boneknapper only appeared when he opened the chest." Hiccup said. "Wait, if that particular dragon is covered in bones and is called a Boneknapper, it must want the bone Gobber has." Astrid said. "I do believe you are right, Astrid. The problem is how are we going to convince Gobber to give him or her the bone." Toothless said.
"Um, Gobber, are you sure this is safe?" Fishlegs called anxiously. "Ah, safety is overrated." Gobber shrugged and turned away. "Okay, here is the plan: the Boneknapper wants me, right?" He said to theDragoniters and two Grapple Grounders. "He comes down that trail..." He pointed to a trail off to the side. "...sees Fishlegs, thinks he is me, rushes Fishlegs..." Fishlegs yelped in fear, wishing his dearest, beloved Meatlug was with him. "...causing Phil to trip that rope..." He pointed to Phil the Sheep. "...dropping that ribcage..." He pointed the ribcage. "...and then we rush in and finish him off, once and for all!" Everyone stared at him. "It is sad when they get old." Snotlout whispered to Ruffnut and Tuffnut. Both of them nodded in agreement "Yeah, when they die but at least they lived long lives." Nava replied. "Many Elf-Faes say death by old age is the best way to die." Aniu said. "Gobber, you are taking this way too far. Okay? Even if the Boneknapper does exist, we are not going to kill it without finding out why it has been hunting you!" Hiccup yelled, trying to talk some sense into his mentor and surrogate uncle.
"Wormsquat, now get into position. Way to go, Fishlegs! You are doing fine!" Gobber exclaimed, turning to Fishlegs on the last sentence. "No wonder the village thinks you are crazy." Tuffnut said. Behind them, a large dragon flew down and landed, only seen by Fishlegs, who gasped and his eyes widened and heard by Aniu, Nava, Hiccup, Toothless, Elenia, Solarfira, China and Serpent. They peered over their shoulders and gasped. "This is a complete waste of time." Astrid hissed but then she and the others heard their fellows gasp and turned around. Except for Gobber, their eyes widened and their mouths dropped open in shock. "I think that is the Boneknapper." Fishlegs squeaked. Indeed, it was the Boneknapper, 90 feet long with a 55 foot wingspan and absolutely covered in bones which formed a suit of armour all over its thin, bony body. It was bipedal with two wings and two legs. The head was roughly ovular in shape, covered and armoured by the skull of another Boneknapper. The lower jaw was slightly thicker and longer than the upper jaw, forming an under bite. Two massive, long sharp fangs protrudes from the lower jaw close to the chin under which extended a sharp, bony, curved chin horn and another two smaller fangs protruded from the lower jaw nearly halfway down. Another horn much like the chin horn protrudes from the top of the snout, close to the large nostrils. A pair of knobby horns irregularly bent, curled and curved from the back of the head. The legs were strongly built with oversized, powerful, sharp talons and the wings were ragged in appearance with a single claw at the main joint. The Boneknapper's skin was covered with soft scales. His chest was covered with a dragon's ribcage and his entire body was covered in some way with bones and sometimes scales of dead dragons. This particular Boneknapper's scales were a light green with dark red spots and his eyes were deep yellow.
The Boneknapper opened his mouth to roar but only a raspy squeak came out. "Well, what do you know? No roar." Fishlegs said thoughtfully. "Run!" Gobber shouted. They ran towards Fishlegs as the Boneknapper shot fire at them. Toothless, Elenia, Solarfira, China and Serpent were the fastest runners, closely followed by Aniu and Nava thanks to their Elf-Fae speed. Hiccup was the fastest out of all the humans and they quickly overtook the others. "Come on, Hiccup!" Toothless roared. When Hiccup failed to catch up, Toothless doubled back and ran beside him. "Okay, Gobber. We believe you!" Astrid shrieked. The Boneknapper swung his tail at them and the humans were sent flying over to Fishlegs, ending up sprawled on top of him in a pile. Phil the Sheep waited until the non humans had caught up then raised a hoof and tripped the rope, causing the ribcage to fall and trap them in a makeshift cage. Everyone could fit through the ribs but Toothless, China, Serpent, Elenia, Solarfira, Gobber, Fishlegs and Snotlout were too big to slip through, so they were trapped.
"Phil!" Gobber yelled in annoyance and frustration, a bleat was Phil's response. The loud sound of giant footsteps heralded the Boneknapper's presence as he ran up to them. Astrid, Fishlegs, Snotlout, Ruffnut and Tuffnut screamed and took cover behind the rib bones with Gobber while Toothless and Elenia shielded Hiccup, Aniu and Nava behind their wings, reinforced by China and Serpent. The Boneknapper shot another blast of fire at them and Solarfira fanned back her wings then thrust them forward, sending a wave of her own fire and wind at the Boneknapper's fire and blowing it backwards. When his fire failed, the Boneknapper jumped on top of the ribcage, trying to break through in an attempt to reach them, particularly Gobber who welcomed the oncoming fight eagerly. "Bring it on! You just wait till I get out there!" He shouted. Then Sharpshot, Sneaka, Terrence and Talisa noticed something. "Um...guys." The four Terrible Terrors said, pointing at Gobber's belt buckle then at the Boneknapper's chest plate where a hole the exact same size and shape of Gobber's belt buckle was located. It became clear to them why the Boneknapper was constantly hunting Gobber.
"Wait, it searches for the perfect bone to build its coat of armour." Aniu said. "The treasure! Gobber! Take off the belt buckle!" Hiccup yelled. "Huh?" Gobber asked in confusion. "Why?!" Astrid, Fishlegs, Snotlout, Ruffnut, Tuffnut and their Terrible Terrors yelled at them. Talisa pointed at the Boneknappe's chest then Gobber's belt buckle and Astrid understood. "Listen to us! I think Fishlegs was right. The Boneknapper is supposed to have a roar, but maybe he cannot, because the bone he needs is your belt buckle." Hiccup said. "It makes sense as to why the Boneknapper began chasing you after you found the bone, Gobber." Nava said. "Gobber, please. You have to give it back. If you do not, he will kill us." Astrid pleaded, her mind already made up.
"No way, it is mine." Gobber said stubbornly, but the Boneknapper tore off a rib and grabbed the blacksmith by his prosthetic foot. "Uh-oh, whoa!" was all he had time to say before pulled out and swung around as the bone-covered dragon tried to get the bone."Give him back his bone!" Hiccup and Aniu shouted. "No!" Gobber screamed. "Give him back his bone!" Hiccup, Aniu, Astrid and Nava shouted this time. "No!" Gobber screamed again as the Boneknapper let go of him, sending him flying through the air. "Nooo!...Oh, alright." Gobber grabbed the bone from his belt and threw it to the Boneknapper, despite the overwhelming force of gravity. The bone landed directly in the hole and it was the perfect fit and shape. A bright golden light glowed from around the bone and the Boneknapper stopped and shook his head. Gobber landed with a grunt in a pile of bones and the Dragoniters gasped, including the two Grapple Grounders. Gobber appeared, bruised but uninjured.
The Boneknapper took a deep breath and let out a very loud roar. It was so loud one would not be able to hear themselves think even with their hands over their ears. Aniu, Nava, Toothless and Elenia had it worse than the others because of their highly advanced hearing. Gobber took the brunt of it as he was right in front of the dragon. Eventually, the roar ended and everyone uncovered their ears."Gobber! Hiccup and Aniu screamed. Gobber, upon realizing the Boneknapper staring down at him, stood up and sighed. "Alright, you got me. Make it fast." He said, resigning himself to his fate. Instead of killing him, the Boneknapper instead leaned down and nuzzled Gobber. And that caused Gobber's pants (which didn't have a belt holding them up anymore) to fall down.
The blacksmith looked down at his underpants and chuckled in embarrassment. Everyone groaned and gagged in disgust. "That is going to give me nightmares." Hiccup groaned. "Well, at least that Boneknapper is not our enemy anymore." Astrid said. "Aren't you cute? Yes you are, yes you are." Gobber cooed, tickling the Boneknapper under the chin and the bone-covered dragon wagged his tail in enjoyment, not at all minding being called cute and cooed at. Once Gobber was finished, the Boneknapper walked over to them. "Hello, young ones. My name is Armour."He of course, only the non humans and Hiccup could understand him. "Hello, Armour." Hiccup said. The Vikings stared at them but Astrid and Talisa grinned. "You named him!" Snotlout exclaimed. "No I did not. It has been his name all his life." Hiccup said and they nodded. "I am very happy that my rivalry with Gobber is over." Armour continued. "Gobber, Armour has just said that he is very happy that his rivalry with you is over." Aniu said. "Wait. Armour, how do you know Gobber's name and where he lived?" Nava asked. "A little Terrible Terror told me and I must ask for your help." Armour said.
"What do you need help with?' Toothless asked. "There is a group of my fellow Boneknappers who are trying to find the right bones o complete their armour but unfortunately, the entrance to the cave they are in is frozen over. We cannot get close enough to melt the ice wall with our own fire so we must ask other dragons for help but unfortunately there are no other dragons around here so you lot are our only hope." Armour said. Hiccup, Aniu and Nava told the others what Armour had been saying and they made a decision. "Yes, we will help you. Where is this place?" Hiccup asked. "I will lead all of you there once you humans are on a flier's back." Armour said and Aniu and Nava turned into their dragon forms. Astrid chose to ride with Hiccup on Toothless's back. When they were settled, Astrid wrapped her arms around Hiccup's waist, leaned forward and kissed him on one cheek. Hiccup blushed and smiled. Fishlegs, Snotlout, Ruffnut, Tuffnut and Gobber got onto either Aniu, Nava, Elenia, China or Serpent's backs. Armour waited for them patiently and once they were ready to go, he flew into the air. The Berkians followed him to a cavern entrance in the side of a mountain range where a group of around 20 Boneknappers were either trying to widen the entrance so they could fit in, sleeping or lying around talking.
Armour roared and they looked up, getting to their feet and lifting their wings in response. "Armour, why are they not responding with their voices?" Aniu asked, flying closer to him. "Boneknappers cannot talk or communicate with their voices until their armour of bones is complete." Armour said. "So how do you guys communicate other than body language?" Nava inquired. "All dragons have the ability to communicate via speaking words and sounds with their minds but they prefer speaking with their voices like humans, only in Dragonese. Boneknappers have no choice but to use telepathy until their armour is complete." Armour explained. "That makes sense. Hey, Toothless, we should really learn how to use telepathy with each other, Aniu, Nava and Elenia." Hiccup said. "It will make everything much easier the sooner we learn. That way, we can talk and no one will even hear us." Toothless grinned. They landed and Armour stepped forward to talk to his fellow Boneknappers. "Hey, everyone! I have found the last bone and completed my armour!" He said and the Boneknappers' mouths opened in silent gasps, their body language and facial expressions showing surprise, shock and joy but when they saw who Armour had brought with him, they glared at them warily.
A female Boneknapper with deep, dusty blue scales and yellow spots stepped forward and gestured with her head at the Berkians. "It is okay, my love. They are our friends and have helped me claim my bone. I told them about us and they agreed to help us find our bones." He said. The female Boneknapper nodded and embraced Armour lovingly. He smiled and turned to the Berkians. "Everyone, this is my mate Ivory." He said, gesturing at the female Boneknapper before he introduced the Berkians to the Boneknappers and vice versa. With the introductions done, the Boneknappers led the Berkians to the tunnel entrance. It was so small only they would be able to walk inside. "My Terrible Terror friends have flown in here and they told me they found ice walls blocking off cavern entry and exit points. Some of them melted holes in the ice and squeezed through. When they did, they found caverns which are full of the bones we need. Unfortunately, they were not able to melt the rest of ice and carry the bones out so we need you guys to do it for us." Armour said. Ivory stepped and mentally spoke with her mate. "Ivory says that the caverns themselves are too small for us and some of the bones can be quite big so you lot will have to work as a team to get them out. Good luck and may the blessing of Draco be with you." Armour continued.
"Thank you, Armour. We will try our best." Hiccup promised and led his fellow Berkians into the tunnel. They followed where it led and along the walls there walls of ice through which the other side could partially be seen."I think we are here. This places pretty much matches what he told us." Aniu said. "Well then, let us get digging. Armour's fellow Boneknappers need those bones." Nava said. "This ice is pretty thick and Armour said those Terrible Terrors could not melt all of it." Astrid said. "Well then, it is up to us. Blasting our way in could bring this entire cavern and tunnel down on top of us." Toothless said. "A continued burning of concentrated fire should melt this ice without any damage." Hiccup said. "Quite right. I have no fire of my own and neither does Astrid, Gobber, Fishlegs, Snotlout, Ruffnut and Tuffnut." Elenia agreed. "My dragon form is a Winter Dragon and I cannot breathe fire so I will have to do it in my human form." Nava said. "Just make sure you do not get in our way. It will be horrible if you got scorched." Aniu said, affectionately patting Nava's shoulder. "It will have to be me, Toothless, Solarfira, China and Serpent. Perhaps even our Terrible Terrors if they want to try." Hiccup said. "Wait! So, we do not get to do anything?!" Ruffnut asked in dismay. "Oh, come on! At least let us be a part of this!" Tuffnut whined.
"You two can help us carry out the bones without complaining." Astrid told them firmly. "Astrid is right. We do not know how many bones there will be in those caverns and I really need a new belt buckle." Gobber said, holding up his pants. "Well, you guys are looking at the right man for this. Just stand back and those bones will with those Boneknappers in no time." Snotlout grinned, flexing his muscles. "Wait, how will we know which bones they need? Will we just carry out every bone we see?" Fishlegs asked. "I think we will have to, Fishlegs." Serpent said. "There could be other Boneknappers who need them." China added. Solarfira translated what they said to the humans who nodded. "This could take a while and we need to be back on Berk before they send search parties." She added. "You could write messages and we will deliver them." Sharpshot suggested. "That sounds like a great idea. What do you think, guys?" Sneaka asked. "I like it. At least we are the only ones who have to fly back and forth between places." Terrence said happily. "That way we could stay in touch and contact each other from long distances." Talisa said.
"We could call it 'Terror Mail'. Wait, no, that is not it. Let me think." Scratcher patted his head, trying to think. "What about 'Dragon Mail'? because we are dragons and delivering mail to other people." Ganodi suggested. "We could do it when we are in trouble and are in need of aid, we find something and need to call the others..." Puncher listed. "Hiccup, Toothless, Aniu and or Nava could send Sharpshot, Sneaka or Terrence whenever an urgent situation happens." Kicker said thoughtfully. Hiccup, Toothless, Aniu, Nava and Elenia were listening and they nodded at each other in agreement, smiling but then they remembered what they were supposed to be doing and called for the others attentions. "Guys, we are supposed to be doing this!" Hiccup said, gesturing at the ice walls. "Sorry." They all apologized. Toothless gazed around and counted the number of ice walls. "There are six of them and each one will take all five of us to melt them down." He told Hiccup who nodded and told the others.
"Hiccup, that means you will have to turn into your dragon form." Aniu said. "Remember your lessons and training. Let them guide you." Nava added. Hiccup nodded and focused on the magic inside him, taking deep breaths and imagining himself morphing into his Night Fury form. Slowly but surely, aware of everyone watching him, an emerald green light began glowing around him. Hiccup could sense Toothless aiding him and the glow grew brighter and brighter until it flashed and disappeared, revealing Hiccup in his Night Fury form. Like Toothless, his scales were pure black and he had the same lighter black manta ray markings. His eyes were the familiar shade of emerald green and the spines on his back, tail and legs were reddish brown, the same colour as his hair, as were the tips of his ears and sensor plates which also had a reddish brown stripe running down the middle of each one, his claws and the bottom edges of his tailfins and wing fins.
"It is time to get to work." He said, his voice as human as it was in his human form. "China, Solarfira and I will start with this one." Toothless said, gesturing at the first ice wall. They lined up in front of it in and Hiccup, Nava and Aniu, who was in her dragon form, lined up in front of the second one. "Ready your fires..." Elenia said and China, Solarfira, Toothless, Hiccup, Nava and Aniu called forth their fires. "Get set..." They waited for the Griffin's signal. "And burn!" She said and China, Solarfira, Toothless, Hiccup, Nava and Aniu let their fires loose in concentrated streams at the two ice walls they were facing. Instead of shooting their fire, Hiccup, Toothless, China and Serpent let them burn like lasers. With their combined efforts, the ice walls began melting and cracking until they fell to the ground as melting or melted ice. "That is two done, four more to go." Elenia said. The fire team moved onto the next four and melted them as well.
With all six ice walls done, they could then walk into the caverns. It took a few minutes to reach the caverns but when they did, everyone's mouths dropped open in shock and awe. "Wow, some of those bones are really big." Snotlout said uneasily. "Well, Snotlout, it is a good thing three of us can turn into dragons and we have a Night Fury, a Griffin and a Phoenix." Astrid told him. Hiccup, Toothless, Aniu, Nava, Elenia and Solarfira gazed around the cavern and estimated how many bones were there. "All right, guys. All of you grab as many bones as you can carry to the Boneknappers." Hiccup said. "Once you lot have done that, come back in and grab some more until there are no more bones left." Aniu said. "The sooner we start, the sooner we finish if we work as a team." Nava added. The Dragoniters, Gobber and the two Grapple Grounders nodded and they all got to work, sorting through to find enough carry-able bones and leaving those they could not carry for the others or the next time they came back. As soon as each and every one of them had every bone they could carry, the Berkians walked back out of the caverns, through the tunnel and out to the Boneknappers who threw back their heads, flared their wings and opened their mouths in silent crows of joy. Armour was the only one who could be heard and his crow echoed around them.
The magical beings among the Berkians could feel the minds of the jubilant Boneknappers in their heads as they thanked them profusely. Aniu, Nava, Hiccup, Toothless, the other dragons, Elenia and Solarfira accepted their thanks before they followed their fellow Berkians back into the caverns as the Boneknappers sorted through the bones to find the right ones for their armour. Armour watched them, beaming proudly. It took several trips back into and out of the caves to get all the bones out to the Boneknappers. "Okay, I think we got all the bones." Aniu said after they checked every nook and cranny for any bones they might have missed. "Armour said every Boneknapper has every bone they need." Nava said. "And they are pretty happy about it." Astrid said. Then Hiccup saw something that caught his attention immediately. "Hey, what is this?" He asked, moving over to a small wooden chest with gems imbedded in the metal frame that was hidden in a small alcove.
"What is what?" Toothless asked, moving over to get a better look. "Is it treasure?" Snotlout asked eagerly. "Can we have it?" Ruffnut inquired, eyes lighting up. "I want the treasure!" Tuffnut exclaimed, punching his sister on one shoulder. "Guys, shut up and listen." Astrid said, swatting both twins over their heads. Aniu and Nava walked over and stood beside Hiccup, Astrid following them. "It does not look dangerous." Nava said. "Open it and see what is inside, Hiccup." Aniu added. Hiccup nodded and taking a deep breath, slowly reached forward and cautiously lay his hands on the lid. When nothing happened, he warily opened it, half expecting a booby trap of some sort to lunge out and reveal itself. Hiccup peered into the chest and gasped. The contains inside consisted of an object nestled in velvet. It had a circular diamond centre framed by a hexagon shaped, wooden disk marked in strange symbols and runes. Hiccup picked the object up and held it out so that Toothless, Aniu, Nava, Astrid and Sharpshot could take a look. "What is it?" Astrid asked. "I do not know." Nava said. "It looks like a lens." Aniu said. "Bot of what kind?" Toothless inquired. "It is pretty cool looking." Sharpshot said.
Hiccup showed it to the others, hoping someone like Gobber, Elenia, Solarfira or the dragons would know what it was. Snotlout, Ruffnut and Tuffnut were disappointed it was not gold or gems, Fishlegs poked and prodded at it experimentally and even asked if he could hold it himself. Hiccup gave it to him and Fishlegs stared at it curiously, holding it at different angles and the dragons sniffed at it. Elenia was frowning, trying to remember if she had seen it before. "Are you all right, sister?" Solarfira asked. "I am fine, Solarfira." Elenia said. "I have seen a lot of strange things but never something like that." Gobber mused. "Whatever it is, it could be important." Aniu said. "So, let us keep it and see what happens." Nava said. "I think Hiccup should keep it. Finders are keepers." Astrid added. "I agree. It could be something very special." Toothless said. Hiccup dug around in the chest for any clues but he found nothing. "There is nothing here other than the silk." He said and put the lens-like thing back into the chest and closed the lid, placing it inside the saddlebag he had attached to Toothless's saddle.
"We could go and see if there is any treasure around here." Ruffnut suggested eagerly. "Great idea, sis. If I found any, it is all mine." Tuffnut grinned. "I suppose we could do that if it does not take too long." Nava said. Then Aniu began to feel a strange pull tugging at her mind and heart. Frowning, she began to follow it. "Aniu, where are you going?" Nava inquired. "I am feeling a strange pull towards something." Aniu said. Nava, Hiccup, Astrid, Toothless, Sharpshot, Terrence, Sneaka and Talisa frowned and began to follow her. Aniu was not the only one feeling the pull, Nava, Hiccup and Astrid were feeling it too, Toothless to a lesser extent. Aniu followed the pull to another alcove along the wall leading to another cave. Another wooden chest was hidden in there, much bigger than the first and decorated with brown wood, a blonde metal frame and emeralds and sapphires. A warm, kind, gentle, quiet voice suddenly spoke inside Aniu's head and she jumped, looking around. "Aniu, what is wrong?" Her companions asked. "I heard a voice in my head. I can feel a presence in my mind. It is speaking to me." She said and concentrated on the voice which spoke again. #It is all right, child. I mean you no harm or ill will. I simply wish to guide you.# The voice whispered.
Aniu took deep breaths and replied back with her mind. #Who are you? Where are you? Why are you in my head?# She asked. #I am someone with whom you share a powerful connection of which you have no knowledge of. I am no longer in the world of the living so I am a ghost of someone who lived many centuries ago. My flesh, blood and bone body has long since decayed into nothingness, only my soul, mind and conscience remain. My presence has always been by your side and in your heart and soul ever since you were first conceived in your mother's womb. You have always been a special child and you have a great destiny ahead of you, one that will be both love and hate, joy and sorrow, happiness and anger, fear and courage, endurance and breakings, life and death and so many others. As do Nava, Hiccup, Astrid and Toothless. My name is and you are my reincarnation.# The voice said Aniu was stunned speechless and Evelyn giggled. # I will explain everything I can in due time but first there are four sets of gifts you, Nava, Astrid and Hiccup must find. Your souls already know the way to them and they are in this general area. You must find them and they will be your saviours and aides in the years to come.# She said.
#Okay, I understand.# Aniu replied and let the pull guide her to the chest. She opened the lid and nestled inside on silks of emerald green and sapphire blue were four square, leather boxes. One box was golden-brown, the second one was silver-blonde, the third was reddish-brown and the fourth was golden-blonde. Aniu realized with a start that each of the four boxes corresponded to her, Nava, Hiccup and Astrid's hair colours. "What are they?" Nava asked, moving forward. #Go on, let Nava, Hiccup and Astrid look.# Evelyn urged. Aniu nodded and turned to them. "Guys, have a look at these." She said. Nava, Hiccup, Astrid and Toothless moved forward to take their own looks. #Aniu, it is time for these to be given to their rightful wearers. Hand them out according to hair colour.# Evelyn said. Aniu nodded and gave the silver blonde box to Nava, the reddish brown box to Hiccup and the golden blonde box to Astrid, keeping the golden brown box to herself. "Go on, open them." She urged and opened her box, Nava, Hiccup and Astrid doing the same. When the boxes were open, every single one of them including the dragons gasped. "They are necklaces." Aniu murmured. #Yes, they are but not just any necklaces, they are imbued with magical powers attuned to you and the other wearers.# Evelyn told her. #What can they do?# Aniu asked. # You four can use them to communicate even when you four are far away from each other but they do have a range limit. All you four have to do to activate them whenever use of the necklaces is needed is to press one thumb against the front of the gem and press your other four fingers behind it then say out loud or in your minds the name of the person you wish to speak to. If you four keep your fingers on the gem and open a link from your mind to it, this allows for telepathic communication. Whenever one of the other necklaces's wearers are trying to contact, the gem will heat and light up. Another way to activate these necklaces is open a mind link to your necklace and say telepathically who you want to speak to. If any or all of you are in danger, hurt, injured or about to be attacked, these pendants will heat up and you four will instantly know who needs help or saving.# As Evelyn explained what the necklaces did, Aniu stared at her and her necklace in awe.
Evelyn was a ghost of a stunningly beautiful Elf-Fae with a warrior's body, mind and heart. A pair of horns towered proudly above her head and a pair of big wings rested on her back in a neat fold. Her hair was loose and flowed down her back to her knees. Evelyn wore full body, form fitting armour and Aniu could see two swords strapped to her back, two daggers strapped to her forearms, two strange hilts dangling from her belt as well as two very strange metal contractions. Four other ghosts were talking to Nava, Hiccup, Astrid and Toothless and Aniu realized with a start just how much they resembled the ones they were talking to. Evelyn noticed and giggled. #Who are they?# Aniu asked her. #They are what Nava, Hiccup, Astrid and Toothless will be to you in the future. When I was alive, I lived basically the same life as you and I developed an extremely powerful bond with them. You will not know what it is until the time is right.# Evelyn said. #Okay, I am in love with Nava and Toothless is Hiccup's Soul-Dragon but as for Hiccup and Astrid, I do not know what I feel for them.# Aniu said. Evelyn's beautiful, angelic face lit up with a warm smile and her ghostly glow brightened. "You will find out very soon, my dear reincarnate but this is not the time or place." She said.
Aniu nodded and gently grabbed her pendant, feeling a powerful, swooping, elated sensation flow through her body as she held it up to the light. It was a truly beautiful but simple necklace. The chain was simple and made out of pure golden gold. The pendant was a beautiful, shiny, bright, oval shaped emerald framed by golden-brown gold. It was small and Aniu saw Nava, Hiccup and Astrid move over to her to show her their necklaces. They were simple, beautiful, shiny and the pendants were small and oval shaped just like hers. Nava's chain was made out of pure silver and the pendant was a beautiful, sapphire blue sapphire framed in silver. Hiccup's chain was made out of pure silver like Nava's and the pendant was a beautiful emerald green emerald framed in silver. Astrid's chain was made out of pure gold like Aniu's and her pendant was a beautiful sapphire blue sapphire framed in gold. "Go on, put them on and let their power flow through your souls." One of the ghosts said. He was the one who had been talking to Nava.
Aniu, Nava, Hiccup and Astrid nodded and lifted their hair so they could clasp the chain around the necks. The pendants rested above their hearts and each of them glowed brightly as they felt a powerful, strange, swooping, elated sensation flow through their bodies, their hearts, their minds and their souls, much more powerful then when they had first touched them. Aniu, Nava, Hiccup and Astrid felt their pendants connect to their very souls and after what seemed like hours, the sensations faded and Aniu, Nava, Hiccup and Astrid gasped for breaths, dizziness forcing them to lie down on the ground. "Quite a rush, right? That is what it felt like for me." The ghost who had been talking to Hiccup chuckled. "Just wait until you guys find the other gifts we have for you." The ghost who had been talking to Astrid grinned. "It is quite a shock but over time, you four will become used to it." Said the dragon ghost who had been talking to Toothless. He looked to be a Night Fury but much bigger than Toothless. "Who are you all?" Aniu asked.
"Oh, forgive us. I am Zalkorin. Nava is my reincarnation." The ghost of the male Elf-Fae who had been talking to Nava said. "I am Miniki. Hiccup is my reincarnation." The male human ghost who had been talking to Hiccup said. "I am Strykia. Astrid is my reincarnation." The human female who had been talking to Astrid said. "And I am Nightflier. Toothless is my reincarnation." The male Night Fury ghost who had been talking to Toothless told her. "It is wonderful to meet you all. Why have you five appeared to us now?" Aniu asked. "Likewise. We have been waiting impatiently to meet your five as well." Zalkorin said. "We would have come to you five even if you five and the Dragoniters were not in terrible danger." Miniki said. "What do you mean by terrible danger?" Nava asked. "Do you five remember learning about the Third Great Hags-Fiend War?" Strykia inquired. "I think I have heard about it before." Hiccup said, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "I do not think I know anything about it." Astrid said. "I remember hearing other dragons talking about it." Toothless said. "Wasn't that a huge war fought by humans, Elf-Faes, dragons and other magical beings against Hags-Fiends?" Nava inquired. "I heard that this war was fought all over this world." Aniu said.
"Yes, indeed. Millions died on both sides when this war was fought around 5000 years ago. The year is now 820 AD and the Fourth Great Hags-Fiend War could begin in a mere few decades." Evelyn told them. "That soon?" Aniu, Nava, Hiccup, Astrid, Toothless, Sharpshot, Sneaka, Terrence and Talisa gasped in shock and horror. "Most terribly, yes. The Hags-Fiends have began preparing for a massive world war and every sentient species, civilisation and culture of humans, dragons and Elf-Faes must prepare also otherwise the Hags-Fiends will win and everyone who is not them will be exterminated." Zalkorin said gravely. "Every Hags-Fiend empire in this world will unite to fight, conquer and exterminate. All of humanity, dragonkind and other sentients must join together if we are to survive." Miniki said. "During the last war, there were 40 Hags-Fiend Champions who were very powerful. The same goes for 40 individuals of different species (humans, Elf-Faes and dragons for example) who were champions of the Free Folk. Quite a few of them were Soul-Bonds." Strykia said. "Believe it or not, there are other worlds out there. This world is just one planet in a galaxy of millions. When we lived during the time of the Third Great Hags-Fiend War, we had to travel by portals to several of those worlds in order to learn how to defeat the Hags-Fiends and form alliances." Nightflier told them.
"So what you guys are saying that we are some of the ones who are the Champions of...the Free Folk?" Hiccup asked. "Yes but you lot are five of the Champions of Sunheela who is the Goddess and Supreme Embodiment of Everything Good and Pure. The Hags-Fiends Champions are known as the Champions of Devilcai who is the Devil and Supreme Embodiment of Everything Evil and Monstrous." Zalkorin said. Zalkorin, Miniki, Strykia, Nightflier and I lived during the time of the Third Great Hags-Fiend War and we were five of the Champions of Sunheela." Evelyn said. "We are here so we can train you five to take our places. But first, you five must collect three more of our gifts." Miniki said. "As Champions of Sunheela, we came back to life every time we were killed with all our memories intact and our bodies the very same age as they were before we were killed. When we came back to life, every one of our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wounds and injuries. For example, if our arms were cut off before we died, our missing arms would be regrown with all weaknesses gained from injuries removed." Strykia said. "If any of us were tortured to insanity and died, we would come back to life with our sanity restored. It was and is the same for those necklaces. Whenever they were broken, they fixed themselves and they will continue to do so no matter what happens to them. Whether or not you lose them, they will always reappear around your necks and no one can remove them without suffering harm." Nightflier added.
"That is a relief. So where are the other gifts?" Aniu asked. "Let your necklaces guide you to them." Evelyn said. "Wait. Toothless, did you get a necklace?' Hiccup asked. "I do not have one but it is okay." Toothless said. Hiccup nodded and followed Aniu, Nava and Astrid as they let their necklaces guide them into another chamber where another chest was hidden in another alcove. Evelyn, Zalkorin, Miniki, Strykia and Nightflier walked behind them. "Sooo, who is going to open this one? And I wonder what is in it?" Hiccup asked. "You and Aniu have already opened the first two chests so let Nava, me or Toothless open this one." Astrid said. "That sounds like a good idea. It implies we are all equal in our own ways." Toothless agreed. "I will open this one. Besides, we better hurry up. They will be wondering we are and what is taking so long." Nava said and moved forward to open the chest. The lid fell back and Nava saw four much smaller wooden chests inside. One was made of deep brown wood and gold metal decorated with emeralds. The second was made of blonde wood and silver metal decorated with sapphires. The third was made of deep brown wood, red metal and emeralds while the fourth was made of blonde wood, golden metal and sapphires. Eyes wide in awe and curiosity, Nava handed them out according to colour and held the second one. "Go on, open them." Zalkorin urged. Aniu, Nava, Hiccup and Astrid nodded and opened their chests, each of them simultaneously gasping in awe. Four beautiful, perfectly smooth and spherical clear crystal orbs with swirls and patterns of emerald green and sapphire blue around 16 cm in circumference lay nestled one in each chest on nests of gold or silver silks. Toothless, Sharpshot, Sneaka, Terrence and Talisa crowded around, peering over their heads. Their reactions upon seeing the orbs were the same as Nava and Aniu's. "Let your soul guide you to which is yours and pick them up." Zalkorin said. Instantly, Nava knew which orb was his and cupped his hands around it, lifting the orb out of its silver nest and holding it up to his face. It had more sapphire blue than emerald green and emitted a coolness. He noticed Aniu, Hiccup and Astrid picking theirs up. Like his, Astrid's had more sapphire blue then green but hers had a gold nest of silk. Aniu and Hiccup's both had more emerald green than blue but Aniu's had a gold nest of silk and stand like Astrid's and Hiccup's had a silver nest.
As they held them, the colours began swirling and gliding inside the orbs, responding to their holder's touch and emotions. "They are so beautiful. What can these orbs do?" Nava inquired. "These orbs were a great help to us back during the Third Great Hags-Fiend War. You can store your memories in them by placing your hands on one orb and meditating, focusing clearly on the memory. They can also store information from books or from what you hear other people saying. If it is from books, you have to read the information in the book with one hand on your orb and open a link from your mind to orb. These orbs were very helpful whenever we could not remember an important memory or a piece of information. Another special ability of these orbs is that they can work similar to your necklaces. By holding your orb in your hand and saying 'I wish to speak to whoever you wish to speak to and if you want to speak to them face to face add 'face to face'. If the person you wish to speak to has their orb with them, their orb will alert them and an image of their moving faces and bodies will appear so in all technicality, you and the person you are speaking to are speaking face to face. Whenever you four need your orbs, hold out your hand and think 'orb, I need you' and your orb will appear." Zalkorin said.
Aniu, Nava, Hiccup and Astrid stared at their orbs in awe, an expression copied by Toothless, Sharpshot, Sneaka, Terrence and Talisa. "I do believe it is time for your next gifts. Let your orbs guide you to them. Who will do it this time?" Miniki asked. "I will." Hiccup volunteered and glanced at his friends who were so quickly becoming more. They nodded in agreement. Hiccup smiled and held out his orb, letting it direct him, his friends and the ghosts to another alcove where yet another chest was placed. "Hiccup, you open it." Astrid said. Hiccup nodded and opened the gasp, letting out yet another gasp of awe. Inside the chest were four diamond vials around 16 cm high and 8 cm thick, each one filled a pearly, pure white substance. Each one was marked with a different colour on the cork. Emerald green, sapphire blue, ruby red and gold. Instinctively, Hiccup knew which vial was for who and handed them out. Aniu got the green, Nava got the blue, Astrid got the yellow and Hiccup kept the red one. "What is this stuff?' Hiccup asked. "Purified Phoenix Healing Tears. Capable of cuts, scratches, scrapes and bruises in seconds and more serious injuries in minutes, hours or days depending on the severity. Even broken, shattered minds and bones can be healed by these tears, if they are swallowed that is. It takes a few drops to heal minor injuries and a dozen drops to heal major injuries. With enough doses, even missing limbs can be regrown. They even act as cures for most sicknesses but you may still need the necessary ingredients. In dark places, they light up enough for you guys to see and when the vials are empty, the tears are self replenishing. You do not even need to ask Solarfira, your Phoenix friend to refill them. Another thing is these bottles never break. One reason is because they are made out of diamond which is extremely hard and durable." Miniki announced proudly, grinning.
Aniu, Nava, Hiccup and Astrid stared at their bottles of Purified Phoeniz Tears in respect and awe before Strykia broke it. "Astrid, are you ready to lead them to the last gifts? All you have to do is let these tears guide you." She asked. Astrid nodded and held out her diamond bottle of Phoenix Tears, letting it guide her, her friends and the ghosts to the last gifts which were inside four chests, all marked with their respective colour. Instinctively, Aniu, Nava, Hiccup and Astrid knew which ones were their's and opened them, gasping in awe. Two twin daggers sheathed in scabbards lay nestled on silks inside each chest. Each pair of scabbards were made out of strong, soft leather. Golden-blonde for Astrid, reddish brown for Hiccup, golden-brown for Aniu and silver-blonde for Nava.
Each of them simultaneously unsheathe their daggers. Each dagger had a 25 cm long, razor sharp blade forged out of a shiny, silver, strong metal and the hilts were 10 cm long each with downward curving crossguards, leather wrapped grips and a single circular gem framed the same metal as the blades. Astrid's daggers had sapphire gems imbedded in the pommels and crossguards which were coloured golden-blonde with white leather grips. Hiccup's daggers had emerald gems in the pommels and crossguards which were coloured reddish-brown with black leather grips. Aniu's daggers had emerald gems in the pommels and crossguards which were coloured golden-brown with black leather grips. Nava's daggers had sapphire gems in the pommels and crossguards which were coloured silver-blonde with white leather grips. "These daggers are amazingly beautiful." Astrid murmured. "You may believe that swords, axes and shields are much more useful than daggers but I guarantee you these daggers will be immensely useful, even in the field of battle. I do believe they require no more information." Strykia said. Aniu, Nava, Hiccup and Astrid stared at their daggers in awe, put them back in their scabbards and clipped them to their belts, letting their daggers rest against their hips and thighs.
"I think it is time we went back to the others." Toothless said. "Yes, they will be wondering and worrying where you nine are." Nightflier said softly. "Have they got all the gifts?" Sharpshot asked. "For now, yes. You will find more Gifts for the Champions of Sunheela in the near future that are only for you five. If your friends ask you where you have gotten your gifts from, tell them you found them in a cave and had a feeling that they were for you and that there are no more here." Nightflier said. "I guess we will see you five again soon?' Aniu asked. "Yes, you will, children. We will always be with you." Evelyn said. Aniu, Nava, Hiccup, Astrid, Toothless, Sharpshot, Sneaka, Terrence and Talisa said their goodbyes and walked back to their friends who were waiting for them impatiently. "There you guys are! We were just about to come looking for you." Gobber exclaimed in relief. "Hey, what are those?" Snotlout asked, pointing at their daggers and necklaces. "We found them in a cave and knew they were for us. There are no more there." Aniu said. "That is why we were gone for a while." Nava said. "We were not in any trouble, I promise." Hiccup said. "Just remember, these are ours and there are none left." Astrid said firmly. "Those necklaces look so pretty!" Fishlegs gushed. "I never knew you girls liked wearing necklaces. Maybe I should get some for you ladies. And Hiccup, Nava, those necklaces make you two look girly." Snotlout said.
"Shut up, Snotlout!" Aniu, Nava, Hiccup and Astrid snapped. "I sense great power emitting off those daggers and necklaces." Elenia whispered to Solarfira. "As do I and I sense they have more special, magical objects with them that are hidden away." The Phoenix whispered back to her Griffin friend. "So, are we ready to go?" Aniu asked. "It is about time we got back to Berk otherwise Stoick will have our heads." Gobber said and they walked out of the caverns, through the tunnels and back into open sunshine where the Boneknappers were waiting for them. Armour got up and approached the Berkians, relief at finding them alive and unharmed clear in his eyes. Ivory stood behind him, smiling. "Thank Draco you lot are all right!" Armour exclaimed. "We were getting worried." Ivory said, her voice smooth and clear. "We were about to go looking for you guys!" Piped up a young Boneknapper and Ivory gently swatted him with her wing. "Roran, you should know better than to speak up like that." She scolded. "Sorry, Mum." Roran apologized, lowering his head in shame.
"So, what took you lot so long in those caverns?" Armour asked. Gobber, Fishlegs, Snotlout, Ruffnut, Tuffnut, Ganodi, Scratcher, Puncher, Kicker, China, Serpent, Elenia and Solarfira turned to stare at Hiccup, Astrid, Aniu, Nava, Toothless, Sharpshot, Talisa, Sneaka and Terrence with raised eyebrows, or eye ridges in the dragons, Griffin and Phoenix's case). "We found some...stuff in the caves and we will tell you and our parents back on Berk." Aniu said. "All right lass, but you five better explain or we will be onto you five like a Snaptrapper on honey." Gobber said sternly. "Do not worry, Gobber. We will explain everything we can back on Berk." Nava promised. "We should get to back to Berk otherwise they will send search parties." Astrid said. "Not to worry, Astrid. My fellow Boneknappers and I wish to make a new home on Berk if we are accepted and find suitable nesting locations." Armour said. "We are ready to leave now. We have everything we need off this island." Ivory added. "What did they say, Hiccup?' Gobber asked. Wide a smile on his face, Hiccup told them what Armour and Ivory had said. "Are we all ready to go now?" He asked.
"I am not on sticking around here fore much longer. The sooner we are back on Berk, the better." Gobber said. And with those words, Ruffnut and Tuffnut eagerly climbed onto China and Serpent's backs while Fishlegs mounted Elenia after asking for the Griffin's permission which she granted, Astrid mounted Toothless behind Hiccup, kissing her Soul-Mate on one cheek which Snotlout frowned jealously at, he ended up seated behind Ruffnut on China's back, awkwardly wrapping his arms around her waist. "Seriously, Snotlout? Stop being a big wimp." She teased. Armour and Ivory's son Roran looked a bit upset that he could not get one of the humans on his back but he cheered up a bit when Gobber rubbed his chin on his way to Armour who let his former human rival climb onto his back with Phil the Sheep, a smile spreading along his face. With all of the non-fliers on a dragon or a Griffin who could fly, Aniu, Nava, Toothless, the eight Terrible Terrors, China, Serpent, Elenia, Solarfira and the horde of around 20 Boneknappers spread their wings and flew into the sky.
The trip back to Berk was a few hours shorter on dragon back than it was onboard a ship. The towering mountain peaks of Berk loomed over the horizon and Toothless, China and Serpent roared to let the dragons flying around the island know they were coming. The village soon appeared the Berkians and Boneknappers landed once the crowd had moved back to give them room. Everyone including many dragons were staring open-mouthed and wide-eyed at their Boneknappers. "Believe me now, Stoick?" Gobber yelled, seeing his chief at the front of the crowd. "Gobber, Hiccup! Are those...Boneknappers?" Stoick asked in shock. "They most definitely are." Gobber grinned, walking up to Stoick after Armour let him dismount. "And we can explain." Hiccup said, walking over to Stoick with Toothless and Sharpshot at his side. And so they told Stoick, Fengo, Namara, Theo, Nala, Arin, Mira and Toothless's siblings about their adventure in the Great Hall where they had dinner. When Hiccup, Astrid, Aniu, Nava, their Terrible Terrors, Toothless, his siblings, Stoick, Fengo, Namara, Theo, Nala, Elenia, Solarfira and Lunastar were the only ones left, Hiccup, Astrid, Aniu and Nava showed them their new daggers, necklaces, orbs and Phoenix Tears as well as telling them about Evelyn, Zalkorin, Miniki, Strykia and their destiny as Champions of Sunheela. Needless to say, their parents were amazed, worried and nervous. Their talk lasted late into the night and only ended when they decided it was time to go their beds and sleep the rest of the night away. As they neared the doors of the Great Hall, Aniu spotted a target positioned against a wall. Getting an idea, Aniku unsheathed one of her daggers, took aim and threw it. The dagger spun end over end before finally, sinking right into the very middle of the target all the way up to the hilt. Everyone including Aniu, stared at it, wide eyed before Aniu, Nava, Hiccup, Astrid and Toothless glanced at each other and nodded.
I must apologize for taking a whole month to edit this chapter but I believe it is understandable considering everything that happened in it. So Hiccup, Aniu, Nava, Astrid and Toothless have a very important destiny and as time passes, they will train, they will learn and they will find their destiny as Champions of Sunheela.