Chapter 4-

'Moonlight'

Ragnarok is coming…

Astrid looked at the reflection that stared back at her through the glass puddle. What she saw was not her, rather a pale creature with eyes as dark as midnight while glinting only the faintest of light from which sourced from the wakened moon. A hollow, white face seemed to frame those eyes and the skin of the body resembled ephemeral wings; one would think it would fall apart like ashes if touched. A slender hand, shackled by savage, wicked chains, ghosted a feather touch across that face and Astrid wondered how this could be her reflection. Perhaps there was a God she had deceivingly vexed and they deigned to curse her soul to take the form of an evil beast, inspired by the eternal darkness of Hellas' realm.

"Not so pretty now." Whispered a shallow voice from across her, it was strained, as was her own from a lack of any source of water. The voice had sourced from her shackled companion that lay sprawled across the cold stone floor, a welcoming torment to fend off such a suffocating humidity that surrounded them.

Her companion, as there was no other label for the girl who had been as helpful as a clam in their imprisonment, was not at all the kind of person Astrid thought she would call a friend. Out of the millions of people in the world, she had been thrown in a cell with the most negative, irksome being that she had ever encountered, and Astrid knew of a pair of twins who would soon give her a run for her money. The woman's name was Heather. Heather whom and Heather of where was still a mystery to Astrid as was the prison that had been constructed around her.

Astrid looked at her reflection again, trying to look past her evident changes. To see the beauty of Berk that she once was. She closed her eyes and imagined golden hair instead of white. Imagined crystal blue eyes and glowing, tanned skin, instead of pale and pasty. And then she opened her eyes but nothing had changed and Astrid sighed in defeat, laying back against the cold stone behind her. It was not so much that Astrid was embarrassed of what she now looked like, more like she was pissed. Pissed that she was stuck with no way out, pissed that her only source of company was willing to lie down and die without a fight, pissed that, despite this, she felt content to do the same.

A soft sigh had Astrid looking at Heather. She watched as the girl lifted her gaze to the moon in the distance; watched as the girl's eyes donned a small crescent as the moon reflected.

"It's your turn you know. I know because Dr Gand has been staring at your file for the last twenty minutes." she spoke with the obvious intention to state the obvious, something that Heather knew pissed Astrid off.

"Yes. I am aware." she said, although this was only a half truth as Astrid could not actually see the doctor, but she knew in her mind when it was her time.

"And are you ready?" she looked at Astrid then like she knew that there was no possible way for Astrid to be so, but felt that it was a good conversation starter all the less.

"As much as I can, I suppose." Astrid saw as Heather seemed to go to say something instead of replying, "good." and turned back away from Astrid.

Each week, Astrid was taken to the Hospitum. No one really spoke of what happened in the room. Only the screams of pain ever gave inclination as to when there was an unfortunate soul that day, and sometimes she could swear that she knew the voice. Sometimes as she and the others of the cells were forced to listen to those awful, blood curdling screams, she would recognise something. She could recognise the voice of a mumble or a pitch in a tone. Berkians. People from her village; her people, screaming. Begging. It was all Astrid could do to convince herself that she was wrong. That she was imagining things because she was delirious from starvation. Once, she had been slumped against the wall, much like she was now, when she heard a voice so familiar that it was impossible to doubt. She had looked up, desperate to find the source of the voice but it faded before she could possibly hear it again. But then the light had caught on the face of the man as he was being carried to the Hospitium and she saw. She saw Fishlegs. Then she heard him as he screamed. It seemed like his agony was the worst thing she had ever heard. She never saw Fishlegs again. She never saw any of them again. Once someone went in, they never came out. Apart from her. Astrid wished she wasn't an exception, but for whatever reason when she was taken to the Hospitium she would wake in the cell , Heather alongside her. Heather had never been selected and Astrid thought they had maybe even forgotten about her and Heather gave no notion otherwise.

In regards to where in Midgard she was, Astrid was absolutely clueless. She knew what she could see and that wasn't very much. In the day, there would be a small period of time where the sun would burst through the small opening of which the moon now shone, but that small fragment of light only allowed her to see the rows of cells that lined up in front of her, and that was it. When they would take her to the Hospitium they'd knock her out with a cloth that they would shove in her face and the smell of acid burned her nose leaving her with no information of the layout of the room, if that's even what she was in.

The current cell she was in, seemed to always be damp and smelled ferociously of mould and decay. It was big enough to hold the two women, but did not leave much leg space and left Astrid and Heather confined and always in the other's space, especially when they needed to go. Astrid could relieve herself in the bowl as provided and when she did so, the guards, who would watch them day and night, would look at her through their filthy eyes and smile and smirk. She would return the look, staring at them the entire time, refusing to yield to such an embarrassment, much to the amusement of the guards.

Astrid had finally accepted after the first few weeks passed, that no one was coming for her. That she might die. She prayed to the Gods each night that they would help her family. That while she was gone, her mother and two brothers would manage to live on. The knowledge that she hadn't been able to make sure that they were even alive before she had been taken, gnawed holes in her heart. It was all she could do to keep hope, and hope was all she had; not hope for herself but for her family. To make sure that the memory of them did not fade she would count her loved ones as she lay at night: gave them each a star. Rayther had the star in the East. Her mother always told her that the East star was the brightest, not measurable by the light it gave off, but by the accomplishments of such an old star. It was said that the East star has guided some of the most noble and heroic men into battle, and Astrid thought that her courageous little brother was even braver than herself.

Sunnil was the star from the West, the youngest star. Young with the heart of fire that burns with a million flames, the true heart of warmth and compassion. And her mother. Astrid thought of her as the southern star; the furthest of the elder stars. It was said that the Southern star was a dead one, constantly falling, someday to fall so far that no one would see it again.

The moon was moving now, taking its heavenly light with it. From where Astrid lay, she could see only the last fading blade of silver light. It illuminated the hard stone of the floor and on that floor rested a feather. A lone, black as night feather that twitches every so often from the gentle wind.

She could use that feather. Could pull off the soft part and scavenge the hollow bone to try and pick the lock. But she was so tired, so tired Astrid thought that, if she closed her eyelids for a mere moment she might fall asleep and never wake up. Yes, sleep. She would sleep and use the feather later, when the stone wall did not seem so cold, the thick, wooden bars so cruel and the dark so inviting. So, Astrid let her eyes flutter closed - or at least tried to because sleep never came. It happened every night as she tried to fall into blissful ignorance something would snap at her. Like there was something that she was supposed to do, something that she was forgetting and her mind refused to rest. What was most unsettling was how long she could stay like this. The only rest that she got was when she was taken away and forceful chemicals made it impossible to ignore that feeling deep in her chest.

Groaning, Astrid reached out, close enough that she was touching the feather as her fingertips brushed across its soft side. If she could not sleep, then she wouldn't waste perfectly good time with self pity as her only companion of thoughts, aside from Heather. Astrid almost had it, just a little push. But then the wind blew, and then the feather took flight, flew right through the bars and into the dark.

"No." She desperately croaked, the words were like sandpaper in her throat. Astrid let her hand drop to the floor and huffed out a breath.

No. no she was done with this gods-forsaken dungeon. Done with being so bloody weak. Let them slowly kill her and be done with that too. She said as much into the echoing darkness and a guard's chuckling reverberated in her ears. Bastards. It seemed that Heather had dozed off sometime ago, soft snores marking her even breaths.

Slowly, painfully slowly she pushed her stiff limbs to move, to turn just slightly so that she could see the sky through the small gap in the far wall and close her eyes. The crescent had moved on now as well as that once glorious, small sliver of light gone with it. Astrid smiled into the darkness, a wicked slow smile.

"Break me you stupid rats. Break me all you want, but the moment I get out of this filthy pit you will wish you had killed me when you had the chance." Her voice, surprisingly, held firm; her only blessing in this pitiful night.

"Is that a threat?" The voice of a guard grumbled, a female guard.

"A threat? No." She tittered. "I don't make threats, I make promises and I promise to leave your body in nothing but ribbons fine enough to braid my hair with." She snarled.

The guard had the gall to laugh at her. Laugh so hard it made Astrid think the woman was crazy, truly and actually crazy.

"Oh, now that I would pay good money to see." Said a gruff voice from the other direction. She knew that voice. She opened her eyes and skipped a breath at the man she saw in front of her. His face smiled through the bars, smiled in all the wrong ways. Ways that had any last fighting fibre in her body telling her to run, to get away, hide.

"Surprise," he whispered, mad eyes glinting through the dark of the night.

Dagur. He was a man of only destruction and pain. Two years ago, Berk had been attacked by soldiers who were commanded by the chief of Berserkers, Dagur The Deranged. The battle had almost wiped Berk out. They had managed to at least protect the children; stuffing the old and young in the great hall and sending all able to fight. The attack was short, but surprise meant that Berk was unprepared and began to fall fast. Soon Dagur's army seemed to be satisfied. And then the screams had subsided as the dying died and the grieving accepted but the battle had only begun. Before Berk had the chance to regain their footing and have fighters at the ready,another wave hit. Dagur battled with vengeance and power. He pounded their shores and left Berk scrambling and begging for mercy, something that Dagur found most amusing. And the reason for the attack? He lost a game.

Two years prior to the attack, during the harshest of the Winter months, all clans within the 'Fourteen' gathered and competed in The Winter Games. Challenges of strength and brutality were competed in. Each of the games were practically meaningless and as for the winner? Their only prize was to be the one to brag during the great feast that would occur that night. Although there were some, like Dagur, who decided that failure was not an option.

Dagur's tribe lost every game to Berk. Again and again and again. His tribe was mocked by Berk's winners and with a temper as short as a Terrible Terror, Dagur vowed to crush Berk and all those who mocked him, a feat that earned him the title, 'Dagur The Deranged'. But at the time, it was his father that was chief and the man, although still as mad as any Berserker, would never embarrass himself by folding to the wishes of his tempered son who huffed like a child. But two years later, he died and unfortunately passed on the role of chief to his son. Dagur.

When both sides were in tatters, Dagur offered a peace treaty.

In exchange for the Berserkers to surrender, all Stoick had to do was offer up 'the fairest maiden in all of Midgard'. During the Winter games Dagur had become somewhat obsessed with Astrid and so he spoke of her. In order for Dagur to leave Berk in peace all they needed to do was send Astrid's hand in marriage, to Dagur, like a pig being sent for slaughter.

Astrid's mother outright forbade such a notion, claiming the idea to be 'absolutely ridiculous that Astrid should have to carry the burden of Berks weakness'. But it was Stoick that had silenced the women and demanded that she not make it harder than was needed. That every Berkian was to play their duty in keeping Berk safe for generations to come. In Astrid's mind, the loss of his son turned Stoick bitter and so she wasn't surprised when he expected Astrid to give herself as the price. Astrid knew that she had no choice. That her chief would ask this of her and she would conform. Berk could not survive another attack. So, it was set that Astrid, when she came of age, would marry Dagur of the Berserkers. But it never happened.

Astrid soon passed the rightful age to marry and despite a continuous string of threats and warnings from Dagur, Stoick regarded the issue as if it didn't exist. Although Astrid was grateful, she knew that she was ready when the time would come. Threats went unfulfilled and soon Dagur lost his advantage as Berk was aided by some of the other clans and The Berserkers could not attack Berk without the retaliation of such clans. But Dagur was owed a bride and it was only so long that Stoick could deny him. And so it should not have come as a surprise that it was Dagur who launched the attack and took her. Although she could not fathom how he gained such control of the dragons and why he would not just kill the people from Berk instead of capturing them. She also couldn't work out why the Hospitium? What was the point in killing them slowly? What was he doing to her as she was forced to sleep? The kind of images that came to mind, made her almost vomit on the spot; not that much would ever come up.

"How I love to watch that wonderful brain of yours try to work this one out." His Smile remained, sadistic and dangerous as ever. He peered through the bars like a savage dog looking at its dinner. Astrid forced away the shiver that crawled down her back and with all the strength that remained in her exhausted body. Astrid forced her features to remain stoic and plain.

"Have you resorted to kidnapping now Dagur? Seems like a low, even for you." She mocked and gained the satisfaction of noticing how he clenched his teeth.

"My dearest betrothed, although I do plan to marry you, I am sorry to say that your imprisonment was not my idea." Genuine guilt flickered over his face, but she refused to believe him.

"Then let me out."

"Ah, that I cannot do." He sucked his breath through his teeth.

Who then? if not Dagur then who wanted her and Berk so badly? What benefit was there to keep them alive? Berk had no royal secrets that needed to be kept, no extravagant riches or power, no quarrels with any of the other villages. It just didn't make sense.

"Can you at least tell me where in Hellas I am?"

Silence.

Dagur shook his head and slid to the ground, still eerily watching her through the bars.

"My dear, you ask all the wrong questions."

Astrid bit her tongue against the name. "Then tell me, are we still on a boat?"

"No."

One-word answers then, she concluded. "What colors do we live amongst?"

"Black."

She could not remember any clans that bore flags with a black crest. It made no sense. If it was not Dagur who kept her, then who? And why her? Why attack Berk only to take Berkians. Certainly not to threaten Stoick into paying their kidnapper to give her back and all the rest of them. He would never spend Berk's riches on getting a few of his people back.

"Who commands you?"

Nothing.

"Let me out."

...

"Guggh!" Astrid slammed her hand on the ground- a pitiful sound echoed the action and she bit against the pain of her weak bones as they connected with the hard stone.

Still, that infuriating grin remained plastered on Dagur's face. Astrid's temper flared. "Just tell me where I am!" she screamed, eliciting the same painful response from him. Dead silence and that grin.

Astrid made herself look away and to the ceiling. She heard the ruffle of clothes as Dagur stood. Finished with mocking her and began to walk away after a suspicious glance in the direction of Heather as she remained ignorant.

"It is not the where or who or why that you should be asking after. Ask the right question Astrid, and you and I might both make it out alive."

Before Astrid could ask what in the Gods name he meant, he was gone. So Astrid put her head back and closed her eyes, still seeing that smile.

Ragnarok is coming…

"I'm coming with you." Liogoo stood blocking the way out, her arms crossed firmly across her chest and her face unrelenting.

Not again, Liogoo was so over having her heart stop every time she walked into this bloody room and saw flat sheets on a dormant bed. He always did it on purpose, made out in the dead of night or late in the day after she had come running into the room, thinking he had left on some idiotic and impossible mission that would be more dangerous than the last.

It wasn't so much that she was angry at 'being left behind' as he had put it, but it was the crushing fear that he wasn't going to come back this time. That this one time he had bitten off more than he could chew and would get himself killed. She would die before she told him this though. Liogoo knew her fear was more than irrational, he was capable of taking care of himself, and if she did go, she thought she would probably just get in the way.

Avrid was arched over a sack as he carefully packed the things he would need. Parchment and sticks of charcoal, books, empty bottles, a wine-skin, and other bits. He waved a hand of dismissal in her direction.

"Look Liogoo, it's a simple case and Midgard is no more than a thorn in my side. I promise to be-"

"No. No, I don't care how 'careful you be.'" And this time she told the truth. "I know, Avrid." Her voice softened, barely a whisper in the echoing walls. "You told me yourself what you would do if you ever set foot in Midgard." Her voice was tight and low as she braced for him to snap at her, to tell her to mind her own business; she felt instant regret for bringing it up. But instead, he stopped packing and looked up to stare in her eyes. His did not hold the anger or pain she had anticipated, on the contrary, the emerald orbs were empty, the impassive mask he had so very well perfected. Liogoo sighed. No reaction was worse than one.

"That was a long time ago. It was an irrational boy that made those claims. That boy is dead." His voice echoed of nothing and so the sudden smile that flashed made Liogoo shut her retort.

"There is a high chance I won't be headed to Berk anyway." He simply stated and flung the small bag over his shoulder. "So you needn't worry about the safety of Berk." With a half-smile cracked in his face, he made to step past her.

"You know that's not how I meant it," she tried to interfere, fearing she had pushed too far. A small shake and his amused gaze searched hers. "You meant to say that you fear the women would be flabbergasted at my mere presence, so much so that they would work themselves into a tizzy and faint? Well I say, do not fret! I'll wear a hood." he demonstrated this by flipping up the black hood on his cloak.

Liogoo met his questioning stare. "Even so. As you said, it is not fun being left here and unfair of you to leave me with all the paperwork." His brows rose another centimeter, but she continued on, "I'm coming with you and that is that. I have tired of the never-ending gorgeous views and am in need of a break from the Light Elves. Certainly, you wouldn't deny a lady a stroll to Midgard? If only to make sure you do not woo the females to their unfortunate deaths with all that mysteriously, newly, gained, rugged, foreignness." She wiggled her fingers and, without waiting for an answer Liogoo turned on her heel, and quick as an arrow she hurried back to her quarters, muttering 'flabbergasted' under her breath. Where in the world did he come up with these words?

Liogoo resided on the East Wing of the Asylum, the guest residence.

The Asylum was, as Avrid called it, 'a safe house' somewhere that the people of Radox could seek sanctuary, a place to lie low. The average Asylum was built similarly to a rich man's manor and one was located in every realm. Each Asylum was a living thing, protecting its inhabitants and so, was sacred to every member of the Radox. The legendary founders of Radox were said to have built each building on the fallen brethren of the Lost War. The souls that had perished among the fires of the Gods. Souls that were used to build the Asylums. Of course, Liogoo knew it was foolish to believe such stories. It was only The Firsts that believed in those superstitions. They were merely tall tales told by the old folk that wanted nothing more than to scare young children into behaving for their parents. They were bedtime stories.

Liogoo reached her chambers and rushed into the familiar room, dashing this way and that, packing the bare minimum. She made her way as fast as she could to Avrid, glancing over her shoulder with a smile to look at her room again before she left. Finally, she thought. Finally she would travel with him instead of pacing her room at all hours of the day waiting to hear that telltale roar. Liogoo's heart filled with a million butterflies at the thought of it. Avrid traveled alone. Not only did he not need another's company aside from Toothless, but he refused to let another come with him, even though it was Radox policy to take a partner; he cared little for rules. If he allowed her to come with him then she barely dared to think of his feelings towards the matter. Liogoo had been pushing for years to become his partner. Had trained her ever since she had met him, to live up to his expectations, but he refused. Of course the day that she had followed him, then he had finally allowed her to accompany his mission, but her involvement was limited. But she did manage to save his life, at least that's what she told herself, it was more an accidental stumble. But from then on he treated her as much of a friend as Liogoo thought he knew how. Her persistence was rewarded and he became fond of her and she him, although Avrid still refused to let her be his official partner she still often sneaked her way in. But all her faked assurance that he would let her come was a complete gamble. She didn't put it past Avrid to leave without her. So, she forced herself to forget the butterflies that beat notes around in her stomach and focused on getting to Avrid before he flew away.

As Liogoo stepped out into the immaculately trimmed garden that was situated at the front of God Freyja's Asylum, she was not a moment too soon. Avrid sat atop his mighty beast, both man and creature were perched on one of the many lifted stone slabs; built for a dragon to take flight. Liogoo ran the last few yards and caught up to him; now he could not leave without either forcibly pushing her from the platform or letting The Black One's wings beat upon her. Liogoo smiled up at him and watched as he puffed his lips at the sight of her, as if he had indeed thought he could get away before she sought him out. If she was honest, another second and he would have.

But alas she stood there, daring him to deny her. Avrid met her gaze with equal stubbornness, as if to say get off, you are not coming. Liogoo, try as she might, could not meet that stare. Damn those eyes. She looked away, noticing as she did, the faint, triumphant tug of his lips. Without hesitation or help from Avrid, Liogoo pulled herself over the smooth scales of the night fury, who only slightly bent low so she could reach up. He too then, agreed with her in the importance of another friend when they went to Midgard. Liogoo subtly gilded her hand of the dragon's back in acknowledgment and settled herself behind Avrid. She noticed how he downright refused to look behind him. Avrid grunted when his dragon rumbled for confirmation that they were ready to go. Careful to stay far enough from him, Liogoo settled in the nook of the dragons back. It was uncomfortable and extremely hard to balance without the aid of a saddle, which is something that is normally used for flying. Whatever possessed him to fly without one was beyond Liogoo. The beast only shifted himself, getting used to the extra weight. She sent a silent apology and patted his side. Only until they hit open water and then she would dive into the water, her stomach fluttered with excitement.

It had been too long since she heard the friendly clap of the waves and gentle caress of the current. Long enough that her skin had become dry and itchy. Avrid would scold her, tell her not to be so reckless as to weaken herself by denying something so simple. But she hadn't wanted to tell him that she was doing so because of his recent disappearance, one that had had her stomach in knots.

She wasn't afraid to tell him, no not afraid of saying what she so desperately wanted him to hear. She was afraid of the self-hatred he would think of himself with. That if she told him she cared, he would detach again.

He would deem himself unworthy, a liar and fraud, because he hid something. Something he dared not even tell her. Something that had him already broken the day she had met him, and it wasn't that rat hole Berk. So she would keep quiet.

Would never tell him that she wanted him to live because she couldn't see it any other way, even when he found every and any way to rally danger.

"Ready?" Avrid's voice startled her and she blinked twice before answering. He took no notice and with an effortless leap they were in the sky.

No, it wasn't enough to make her risk it at all.

Ragnarok is coming...

An hour later, Avrid, Toothless, and Liogoo had made it to the edge of the realm's centre, flying past the millions of homes. The village seemed small from this distance, although Liogoo knew it was one of the largest trade areas in all of the nine realms. While the villagers carried out their daily lives, not one of them paid heed to the giant mass of muscle and flesh that flew above their heads, in the sky that drifted above them.

It was these people that Liogoo looked down on, she watched as a scavenger wickedly chatted the ears off a tradesman while snaking his hands around the merchandise, lifting as many apples as his pockets could carry; till his pockets resembled gant apples themselves. She watched as the baker strode from his kitchen and sat upon an obviously familiar rock, lighting a cigar and pressing it to his lips. She watched as the lives of 'normal' men and women played out.

Liogoo watched what she knew she could never again have, but she supposed it was shameful of her to regret actions of which the consequences were her own to bear. So, she thought not of the mortal life and of the immortal, a process in which reminded her of the sulking body in front of her.

Pissed. Yes he was pissed. Liogoo knew he only kept mute to annoy her, he knew her distaste at silence, but she would not yield, let him be the first to speak. Hellas herself would greet her before Liogoo broke the tangible thing that kept them quiet.

So, as another hour passed, Liogoo spoke.

Liogoo groaned. "Fine, you win. But when will we be there? You told me no more than an hour should pass and then the Sea of Vargess would appear. Might I state the obvious and say that it has been almost two hours?" Liogoo cracked the joints in her back in emphasis. "Also, I'd say that it is rather unflattering of you to huff like a child. All because you would rather to venture alone. Honestly, must I scold you?"

"No, but I'd have to say it would be rather beneficial if you would stop your yammering," Avrid turned to face her, a smirk of triumph plastered on his face.

Liogoo huffed a breath and rolled her eyes, looking to her side where a comfy blanket of clouds surrounded them, she could see nothing but endless sky.

"Make me, but you still have not answered my question, when will we be at shore, that blasted sun is like a hot coal burning me alive." It was not a lie, the itch of heat had become almost unbearable. "No time at all," Avrid replied, and they dived so suddenly that Liogoo had to grasp the fabric of Avrid's tunic to stop herself from tumbling into the unknown below.

At last the clouds disappeared and a blue, grumbling, sea took its place. Liogoo smiled and took in a long breath. What greeted her was salt and brine, the sting of fresh air in her throat and the anticipated release.

As Toothless came to an abrupt halt, hovering above the sea, Liogoo's nerves churned as excitement fluttered through her in a million humming butterflies. She practically bounced on the lizards back.

"Well? What are you waiting for? An invitation?" Liogoo did no such thing and instead, catapulted herself straight into the rumbling ocean and, with a gentle and silent dive, she was in the water.

Overwhelming pain spiked through every nerve in her body; tearing a curdling scream from her chest, the sound gobbled up by the sea. The change was always the same, always this brink of unbearable pain, to feel the remolding of her bones as they cracked, expanded and grew; as one body gave way for the other in screaming protest. She thrashed and screamed, waiting for the end. Waiting for that pain to give way to bliss; and bliss was what it was.

Liogoo considered the ocean like a best friend, like a sister. A sister of watery depths and beauty. The soul of the world that called to her own soul. Each current tickled, yet caressed her scales, stroking her with love. The ocean was her home, the land was amazing and wonderful and bright. New, different and strange but this was where she belonged. To swim amongst the colorful corals and each unique ocean child was home each creature a brother, sister and friend. But what she missed more was the speed. The ocean was her oyster - one giant, open, oyster and she was the shiny pearl. Liogoo wiggled her tail through the waters, relishing as the warm waters embraced her, and then she charged. Quick as a flash and undetectable to those above she dived down deeper and deeper, then suddenly turning and rising up and up and up until she broke from the water's surface. Her shimmering scales reflected the sun's rays making her shine like a diamond. Before splashing back into the water, Liogoo opened her eyes and caught a glimpse of Avrid's smile, her obvious joy infecting even his grumpy mood.

Liogoo turned in a circle to raise her head above the water.

"Come. If we're to make it to The Edge then we'll have to keep going. It's unfavourable to have to travel in the dark." Avrid states while nudging Toothless with his foot to move on.

The Edge was where they would travel into Midgard and it was a long distance from here to there, neither preferred to travel in the dark and so they headed off.

Ragnarok is coming...

Avrid flew above Liogoo as she swam through the sea, she could feel rather than see the giant shadow Toothless gave off. Liogoo guessed they had been travelling for over half the day now and as the sun began to fade into an orange glow, the once tropical warm waters began to turn freezing. Liogoo wasn't made for cold water. Her home were waters that, in the summer, if one looked close enough, they could see the steam layered upon it. So, as the trio headed out of Alfheim the corals and small bright dish disappeared and the waters became icy and unforgiving; the waves rougher and the current wilder.

She had to get out soon, before she became less creature and more ice-cube, but Avrid was going too fast. She was fast, but The Black Beast was faster. To catch up would mean he would have to hear over the clash of the waves above her she doubted Avrid could.

The temperature of the ocean began drop further, until it forced Liogoo to swim slower, her muscles becoming too stiff to continue. Her eyes began to lose focus and her heart beat too fast and too slow at the same time. Like it was giving all it had and yet not enough. Soon, Liogoo stopped altogether and it took all she had not to just let go and float to the bottom

But then something warm slammed into her body and pulled her with great force through the frigid water, slicing at her cheeks. Whatever it was, it held onto her with a fierce grip, almost suffocating. Before she could anticipate it, she was thrust from the water and the raw air slashed at her exposed skin and then she felt hard earth beneath her. She strained to see what had saved her, but the winter air's assault made her shiver uncontrollably and the best she could do was make out a pale face with eyes similar to her own. Straight away she knew who it was and she knew she was in trouble.

Ragnarok is coming...

Yes i am aware that this chapter has inexcusable time frame, but deal with it.

Next chapter? Well all i can say is that it'll be out when it's out.

looking forward to that review Shirzadym!

Please remember to go read my wonderful Beta's work, MpeachlinS!

love ya

~Crystal~