Chapter 91
Hiccups POV:
It's been seven weeks since the end of my war with the hunters and in that time a lot has happened both with my allies and me. Dagur and Mala got married with me standing in as best man, Shattermaster being the ring bearer, Heather and Atali standing in as Mala's bridesmaids. Looking at Dagur and Mala I have to say their future is pretty clear with the look of love and devotion you see in their eyes when they look at each other. It really made me wonder if I'd ever find a nice girl to settle down and have a family with but I knew I was still a long way away from that. As for the edge, I admit I've put a lot of work into it over the months I'd lived on it and for a long time it's been a home to both me and my dragons and I have to admit it's helped me grow both as a rider and as a person. Now however it's time I moved on and I admit I will miss it but I have brought back a big part of the edge with me or to be more accurate it chose to come back with me. The night terrors ended up following me through the portal and took to nesting in my forest but I didn't mind since they'd be an eternal reminder of what I've gone through on the edge.
As for the edge in general it now serves as an outpost run by Throk for the defenders of the wing who are concerned about Johan's employer and fear there may be more hunters out there. I couldn't blame them for worrying since I was also a bit concerned about it but they know to write me if they find out anything. Another thing that's happened is my dad's made a full recovery and is back to his chiefly duties but I had the feeling he's still not going to have any complaints about trying to hand the reins over to me when he feels it's time. As for Oceanica, she expanded the ice nest a bit but other than that she really hasn't done that much besides rest a bit and seem to be talking with Glacia so she's settled in well. As for me I've been kicking back and just enjoying time on my island that wasn't able to enjoy during the war. My days on my island were filled with me flying my dragons, racing my wolves through the woods, swimming with Kal, climbing trees in my jungle with my jaguars and monkeys, reading in the desert with Nylene's head in my lap, riding my chariot being pulled by Pterippus down paths, riding Aylen through the open plains and enjoying the sunset from the griffin's roost with Plutarch. My days off my island were either spent up in the sky enjoying a quiet flight with Toothless or down below the waves with my tidal classes in my submersible ship looting sunken ships of the treasures that went down with them. I had to say now that the war was over it was good to finally get back to living my life without the constant worry of dragon hunters. I knew Krogan wasn't going to be a problem since when I got back to the edge I used my golden falcons to find him but when I did he was at the bottom of the ocean so sufficed to say he wasn't going to be a problem anymore but I was worried about his employer. I just wonder who it is and what their plans are but I had a feeling I'd find out soon enough.
Now however I was getting ready for my latest trip to a place that according to my map was rather peaceful and had very little to be worried about. It was just the kind of trip I needed to go on before I had to deal with any dangerous quests or deadly monsters since I was just getting out of a war, the last thing I wanted to go through was another life risking experience so soon. Just to be on the safe side I was bringing my god made weapons and extra supplies along with multiple gronkle iron weapons since I only wanted to use my god made weapons as a last resort but I just hoped I wouldn't need them on this trip. Presently I was standing on my ship in my regular armor looking down at my dragons and animals that had come to see me, Toothless and my Scauldrens off. I promised them we'd be back soon in a couple of weeks before we set sail as I looked back and waved back at my dragons and animals. When the island was completely out of sight I walked back onto the front of my ship and looked out to the wide-open sea hoping that I'd be able to have a nice peaceful trip.
Three weeks later
It's been three weeks since we left and I am happy to say there has been no problems whatsoever on this trip so far but I kept my spirit arrow quiver just incase. Now I was in my boating armor, standing by the side of the railing enjoying the sight of the waves crashing down as we sailed on the blue waters. I was brought out of my thoughts by the sight of something in the water and figured it was nothing but used my eagle eye to get a better look. I'm glad I did though and immediately ran to the front of my ship and ordering my scauldrens to swim towards the floating object after I saw it was four men holding onto what looked to be the remains of a boat. When we got to them I saw they were all conscious but barely so I threw down some rope to them to grab onto and they didn't hesitate to grab onto the ends before me and Toothless pulled them up. When they got to the deck they dropped to their hands and knees gasping for air and coughing up a bit of seawater. I saw there were five of them all well built males with tanned skin, black hair, different tattoos on parts of their bodies and the only thing they were wearing were what looked to be towels wrapped around their waists except for one who was also wearing a shell necklace. They looked up at me smiling until they spotted Toothless and each let out a yelp before backing up against the railing in fear. Toothless tilted his head and crooned as I rubbed his head while saying.
"Don't take it personally bud, you know how people are afraid when seeing you for the first time." It was then a voice said.
"You're a Norse man?" I turned to face the men to see the one wearing the shell necklace standing up and staring at me as I nodded.
"Yes I am." I then raised an eyebrow. "You can understand me?" He nodded.
"What is that creature with you?"
"You mean Toothless?" I pointed to Toothless as he nodded. "He's my nightfury and my best friend but we can go over that later after you tell me who you are, how you know my language and what happened."
"I am Akoni and these are my friends." He gestured to the men. "I know your language because generations ago a norse man washed up on our shores and taught the chief your language and it has been passed down for generations should the need to use it arise." I nodded as he pointed to the water. "As for what happened to us we were out trying to catch some fish in order to feed our people but our ship was attacked and sunk." I walked over to the railing and looked over at the remains of a ship seeing a large chunk was missing and judging by the outline of the missing piece it looked like something took a bite out of it.
"What attacked you?"
"We didn't get a good look at the beast before we were sunk." He ran a hand through his hair. "All I remember was seeing a large fin rushing towards our boat before I saw something grey with large teeth and next thing I know we were all swimming towards the remains to try and stay afloat." Before I could reply I heard a roar from my scauldrens and ran to see what was wrong only to see what looked to be a large dorsal fin rushing towards us, knowing this was trouble I looked at them before yelling.
"GET OUT OF THE WATER!"
They were quick to do so and just as they were a good twenty feet in the air the fin disappeared below the waves but I knew this wasn't over yet. I was proven correct when the entire ship was slammed into on the side rocking the whole ship making us all stumble to the side but I stood firm so I wouldn't fall over. I ran to Toothless and mounted him as I looked up at my Scauldrens and yelled at them to get the ship out of here while Toothless and I dealt with whatever this thing was. They began to do so while me and Toothless took off into the sky to get a better idea of what we were dealing with. When we were able to get a good look at what was under the water I was shocked to see a shark half the size of a fully-grown bewilderbeast circling the ship. I knew this was no normal shark and released my spirit for a fight and took out a lightning arrow from my quiver but before I could do anything the shark slammed into my ship again and I'm sure if it wasn't for the gronkle iron lining on the inside my ship would be sunk.
I aimed my arrow at the sharks back and let it fly hitting it just above the dorsal fin sending a powerful lightning shock making the shark roar in pain. It stopped circling my ship and dived down making me worry before it surfaced heading straight towards us to the point we were barely able to dodge it. I quickly took out an ice arrow and fired it at the water freezing it as the shark plunged down into the water only to break through the ice but I could tell it did some damage. I was proven right when the shark surfaced with shards of ice stuck in its body. It looked up at us with those blank black eyes before I let loose another ice arrow at it only for it to dive before the arrow could hit it but whenever its dorsal fin rose I fired another ice arrow. Soon enough I had a field of ice in the middle of the ocean, which is when a plan came to my mind. I looked down at Toothless as I put my bow back in my arm and said.
"Toothless take me in low so I can get onto the ice bud." He growled and looked back at me. "I'll be fine, trust me bud." He nodded and slapped me with one of his head fins. "I know I've said it before but this might be our one chance to beat this thing."
He let out a growl but went low allowing me to jump off him onto the ice after I switched his tail fin to automatic. When I landed on the ice I slid across a bit before digging my foot in and doing a leg sweep before I was able to stand up while releasing my star sword. I looked around for the sharks dorsal fin but kept my guard up since there's no telling what this shark could do. I was proven right to keep my guard up when the shark rammed through the ice right beneath me but I was able to jump out of the way. As it came down to smash through the ice though I cut at it with my sword leaving a gash on its torso. I smiled at the sight of the blood rise to the surface of the water but I knew that shark wasn't dead yet and my assumption was proven right when the dorsal fin rose to the surface twenty feet away and began speeding towards the ice. When it was close enough it jumped out of the water diving towards me but I tuck and rolled out of the way avoiding the sharks strike as I noticed it was heading to the holes in the ice it made when it jumped out and then dived back in. I knew if it got into the water I'd be having some major problems dealing with this shark so I quickly took out two ice arrows and not having time to get my bow out to ready it I just threw the arrows at the holes sealing them up. The shark slid across the ice turning to face me with an intense fire of hatred and anger in its dark black eyes. I just smirked and said.
"I've dealt with worse things than an overgrown fish like you."
It let out what sounded like a roar before it hopped towards me faster than I thought possible for a shark I was barely able to jump out of the way. It was quick to begin turning around but I ran at it and used its fin as a step to climb on top of it. The shark roared and began shaking trying to get me off but I held on to its dorsal fin. As I held on I began thinking of how I could take this thing down when I realized how I could do so but it was very risky so like my other battles with monsters. When it lunged forward I let the fin go and slid down the front of the body keeping a tight grip on my sword until I reached the top of the head where the shark tossed its head throwing me up into the air. I looked down as I fell towards the sharks' wide-open mouth with large teeth all pointing in but I thrust myself just above the open mouth and plunged my sword into the nose of the shark where the brain can normally be found. The shark let out a roar and began thrashing as I used my sword to flip myself around so I wasn't on the edge of the mouth but on the top of its head. When I was able to get a good footing I pulled my sword out and slid down the top of the shark before I saw how I was right in between the eyes and slammed my sword into the sharks head right up to the hilt. The shark let out one final roar before collapsing dead on its side. When I was sure it was dead I pulled my sword out and slid down the carcass smiling as I looked to my ship where I saw the men were all staring at me in shock as I signaled Toothless down. He growled at the shark as I patted his head while saying.
"Don't worry bud it's dead." I then mounted him while looking at the shark. "Well if this is any indication the relaxing part of our trip is over." He just growled and shook his head as we took off back to the boat where the men from before were still staring at us until we landed when Akoni said.
"You killed the demon shark."
"Is that a bad thing?" He smiled and then much to my shock hugged me while jumping and chanting.
"Ua pepehi 'ia ka mano! Ua pepehi 'ia ka mano! Ua pepehi 'ia ka mano!" Soon enough the other men joined in the chanting before I was able to push him off while saying.
"Calm down and please explains what's going on."
"My apologies but for the past few weeks we've been sending ships out to fish but none have returned." He sighed and looked down frowning. "After one of my friends on a ship didn't come back me and my men decided to investigate it ourselves only for us to face the beast ourselves and as you know have our ship sunk and our lives nearly lost." He then looked up at me smiling. "But you defeated the beast in a truly magnificent battle with your strange arrows and sword." He put his hands on my shoulders. "Please may I know the name of such an incredible warrior?"
"My name is Hiccup Haddock but could you please keep it down with that great warrior stuff, I'm just a normal guy who was trying to survive."
"Never the less you have done my people a great favor and as the future chief I can not let it go unrewarded." He spread his arms. "As future chief I invite you to join me and my people in our village for food and rest."
"Well I don't know."
"I insist and with our ship sunk I was hoping you'd be kind enough to give us a lift home." I smiled.
"I'll be happy to take you back but I'm going to need you to act as my navigator to get there."
"I can do that easily but would it be possible for you to bring back the sharks corpse to show what's been destroying our ships." I smiled and walked up to the side and looked at the shark floating on the ice.
"I have an easy way to do that, just give me a minute." I walked below deck and grabbed three harpoons before coming back to the top deck and tying rope to the end of the harpoons, threw the harpoons at the ice stabbing them in as I tied the other end of the ropes to the ships back railing. "We can pull it back to the island now."
"So simple but so clever."
"Thanks now let's get you guys home." He nodded.
1 hour later
We'd been sailing together for an hour now and in that time I am happy to say nothing has happened besides me talking to Akoni about that shark and life in his village. From what he told me their home's been having a rough time with their crops either dying or turning black on the inside over night and with their fishing boats not coming back things have been difficult since they've needed to ration their food but the supplies are running low. I told him I'd be all too happy to share my spare food with them since I still have so much left since I packed so much incase. It was then the island came into view and I directed my scauldrens to swim towards it with Akoni standing up front with his men to let the islanders know we weren't there to cause any trouble. When we docked there was a large group of people waiting for us but at the head was a man wearing a crown made of tall grass and feathers. He stared at my ship as we came into dock before lowering the gangplank allowing Akoni and the others to walk down to the beach. When Akoni made it down to the beach the man with the crown that I assume was Akoni's father ran up and hugged him as I walked down the deck while they spoke in their native tongue that I now know to be Hawaiian. Akoni pointed at my dragons, the shark and then me before his father stared at me for a few seconds before walking up to me and saying.
"Welcome to Molokai and I thank you for both saving my son and freeing my people from the scourge of that monster shark."
"It's no problem since I'd do the same for anyone."
"Never the less I cannot let such an act of kindness go unrewarded." He placed a hand on my shoulder. "We shall hold a grand celebration tonight with you as the guest of honor."
"I appreciate the thought but I was told your people need to ration the food."
"We do but with the shark gone we shall be able to gather fish once more."
"Never the less at least let me give food for the feast."
"Do you have any food to spare?"
"A few large crates full of rations."
"Then I accept your offering and if you will allow us we can feast upon the slain shark aswell."
"Are you sure the meat is safe to eat?"
"We shall have our shaman run a test on it to see if it is safe when he returns from his investigation."
"Investigation?"
"He's trying to figure out what is killing our crops and hopefully put an end to it." I nodded before I boarded my shop and opened up the front so we could begin unloading the crates full of food.
Nightfall
I was sat next to Akoni's father who I now knew to be named Alika with a large table with food spread out all over it while I watched some of the people perform a dance they called Hula. The food mainly consisted of traditional food, some of the food I gave them but mainly the meat of the shark I slayed after the shaman studied the meat and claimed it was safe to eat after eating a chunk himself to prove it's safe. I had to say the meat is delicious and the traditional dance being performed was pretty interesting. It was then Alika placed a hand on my shoulder bringing my attention to the grim look on both his and the shamans faces which I knew from past experiences was not good and I was proven right when he told me him and the shaman needed to speak to me after the feast. This just proved to me that my days of relaxation have officially come to an end.
3 hours later
The feast was both delicious and entertaining but after Alika gave me the grim look I had a hard time enjoying it since I was now worried what he meant by that look. This brings us to where I am now, sitting on the floor of a large grass hut with the Alika and the shaman who I now knew to be named Kainalu with each of them wearing grim looks. I patted Toothless' head that was resting by my side and said.
"Alright Alika what did you want to talk to me about?" He looked down and sighed.
"On his trip Kainalu discovered why the demon shark came and why our crops are now dying."
"And the reason is?"
"The gate to the realm of monsters has been opened once more allowing the evils inside free to bring down their rain of terror."
"Okay but what does this have to do with your crops blackening?"
"When the realm of monsters opens then the land let's us know that great darkness has befallen us."
"Alright but what does this have to do with me?"
"You slayed the shark that has been attacking our people and we were hoping you'd travel to find the gate and seal it once more."
"Where can I find this gate and how can I seal it."
"You would need to travel to each island and find a piece of the seal."
"How do you know each island has a piece of the seal?"
"When the gate opens the five seal pieces always scatter onto each of the islands in order to protect themselves from the monsters who shall seek to destroy them and ensure their permanent freedom."
"So in other words you want me to travel to five different islands to find pieces of a seal that will lock the entrance to a world full of monsters."
"I know it's asking a lot but if you don't do it our people will be wiped out and our homes destroyed." He sighed. "And I know you owe us nothing but I beg you to-"
"Sure, I'll do it!" I smiled at his gaping mouth before he shook his head looking unsure.
"Really, you will?"
"This isn't the first time I've had to go on some quest to save another race of people who I've just met."
"You've done this before?"
"You'd be surprised."
"You must live a very interesting life."
"Trust it gets old really fast but let's focus on this seal to close the realm of monsters and what these seals look like."
4 hours later
We spent an hour discussing the fastest routes to the other islands and where I might be able to find the pieces of the seal. I learnt that when I go looking for the pieces I have to keep my guard up since the monsters have more than likely sent out their forces to find all the pieces in order to bring them together which is the only time they could be destroyed. Fortunately, the pieces always landed in sacred heiaus hidden from both people and monsters so nobody would be able to get to them easily but as for where the sacred heiaus were only the tribal shamans would know. As for what the seals looked like I already know as they gave me one of the five pieces that looked to be a quarter of a circle with engravings on it. When I asked them where the entrance to the realm of monsters is they told me that nobody knew but when I completed the seal then I would know the way. Before I left the hut though Alika gave me a shell necklace and told me it was a tribal necklace given to all allies. I was afraid that me being unable to speak the language would cause a bit of trouble but Alika assured me that all the other chieftains know Norse as well from the chiefs of the past experience with the Norseman who washed up on their shores. My lessons had already begun after we went over the information on the seal and monsters I was given a short lesson on some of the basic words along with how to pronounce them. Now I was lying down in bed on my ship in just my pants looking up at the piece of the seal I was given and let out a sigh before I said.
"Well so much for a nice relaxing vacation." I placed the piece of the seal on my nightstand before looking up at the ceiling. "These next few days are going to be very busy." I then shut my eyes and went to sleep.
Morning
I had spent most of my morning going over the directions to the next island known as Kauai. I decided it best if it was just Toothless and I alone on this trip while my Scauldrens stayed behind to help the fisherman gather more fish to feed their people and guard the waters for any more beasts that might attack the ships. Also this way I'd be able to get to the islands faster and hopefully deal with whatever monster's possibly trying to get its hands, claws, tentacles or whatever it uses to pick things up on the seal piece. Now my saddle bags were filled with supplies, my prosthetic had my god made weapons that I'm sure I'd need if the monsters were anything like the shark and the seal piece was safely tucked away in my armors satchel since I didn't want to risk someone swiping it off Toothless while I wasn't looking. I just hoped there wouldn't be any monsters for me to face on this island in order to get the piece I need. All I really knew was that I had no idea what this trip held for me but like all my other challenges I'd take it head on and purge the land of the evil that's threatening it.
Presently I was on Toothless flying over the crystal blue waters heading for the island to find the next piece of the seal. We'd been flying for half an hour at our top speed so I knew the island couldn't be too far now and it was then the island came into view and using my eagle eye I caught sight of a small village built near the beach bringing a smile to my face. We came to land in the middle of the village and saw many people came out to see what was going on with most of them being armed with weapons I recognized from the village on Molokai. It was then a well muscled bald man with a black patterned tattoo on his shoulder wearing a grass crown walked out of the crowd as I dismounted Toothless holding my hands up to show I wasn't a threat. The bald man walked up to me and looked me up and down before his eyes landed on the shell necklace around my neck and resting against my chest. He lifted it up to examine it as I just held still since a lot of the warriors were all pointing their weapons at me then a smile came to his face as he let go of my necklace and put his hands on my shoulders and spoke something in Hawaiian that I couldn't understand so I said.
"I'm sorry but I don't speak Hawaiian since I only arrived in the region yesterday."
"Oh so you're a Norseman and judging by the necklace you met my friend Alika on Molakai."
"Yeah, my names Hiccup."
"I am Kaili and I am the leader of this village but I must ask what brings you to our island of Kauai?"
"I'm here to find the piece of the seal that will close the gate to the realm of monsters."
"You are?" I nodded. "If that is the case then it as our shaman feared and the gate to their realm has truly been opened."
"I've already had a close encounter with one of their minions."
"You must tell me of this encounter but for now I am sure our village shaman Kapula will want to speak with you."
"Where is he then?"
"I am sorry but he went on a walk yesterday evening and has yet to return, I have already sent out a search party of four men to find him since I fear something may have happened but they to have yet to return."
"Just give me directions to the route he takes and I'll find him."
"Are you sure?"
"I have experience in tracking things down and if he's fallen into trouble then I can help get him out of it." Kaili nodded and pointed at a path leading out of the village.
"He always takes that path and never strays from it so it might be a good start." I nodded and turned to Toothless.
"Stay in the village bud since there might be trouble while I'm gone and they'll need the help." He crooned as I smiled. "Don't worry bud, I'll be fine like all the other times I've gone up against some kind of monster." He nuzzled my chest as I pet his head. "I'll be back in no time bud but in the meantime I need you to look after the piece of the seal I do have." He pulled away to look at me while I took out the seal piece. "If the reason the men aren't back yet is a monster then we can't risk it getting ahold of this piece so whatever you do don't let anyone touch it." He growled and nodded as I placed the piece in his saddlebag. "I'll see you soon bud." I then gave him one last final pet and walked down the path.
Half an hour later
I've been walking down the path where I was told the shaman walked followed by the search party for half an hour and so far the only thing I've seen is the beautiful native flora and birds that call this island their home. In other words, there've been no clues as to what happened to the shaman or the search party so far but to be honest this made me all the more worried since it normally meant trouble was coming up so I kept my guard up. It was then I saw something's lying on the path up ahead so I readied my eagle shield incase this was some sort of trap. I walked up to the items on the ground and found them to be discarded weapons that were in perfectly good condition meaning they most likely belonged to the search party. The strange thing was looking around there was no sign of any sort of battle or a struggle. This was rather worrying and brought up the question of what happened to the people who owned the weapons if they weren't able to put up so much as a fight. I was brought of my thoughts when I felt something hit my shoulder and turned to see what looked like webbing and said.
"What the-"
I was cut off when I was pulled up by my arm using the webbing while letting out a short yelp of surprise as I was quickly pulled up from the ground. I looked up and saw a giant black spider with glowing red eyes pulling me up using two of its hairy orange legs. As it did I also noticed on its web sack was the image of bright red and orange flames however I was also able to see its red pincers on either side of its fanged mouth. I wanted to react some how but before I could it let out a hiss as some gas came out of its mouth and into my face. Next thing I knew I couldn't move a muscle as it cocooned me in its webbing as I wondered what I could do to get our of this before this thing killed me.
AN: Yes I know it's shorter than some of my other chapters but I'm still getting back into the flow of writing new adventures in foreign lands after altering episodes for so long. It is because of this I ask you to cut me some slack and be nice with the reviews and actually review please. Also if you're wondering why I chose Hawaii you will know when his adventure is over but until then that time comes I can only bid you all farewell or in this case Aloha.