Chapter 95
Hiccups POV:
It's been four weeks since I got back from my Hawaiian trip and in that time things have been pretty busy for me on the construction on my new island section. I'd been exploring the caves inside the volcano and discovered them to be perfect places to house my singetails who had the same idea and immediately began claiming caves as their own with the majority sharing caves. As for Logi he'd taken one large cave for him but the singetails didn't mind since this cave was literally on the edge of the lava that leaked into it creating a small stream of lava. The stream led into a small pond so he was able to enjoy chowing down whenever he wanted to and he was able to make a nest out of lava rock across from the pond.
His cave wasn't the only one with lava flowing into it though since there was another but I had made some alterations to this one and turned it into a hatchery for my dragons that needed heat since it was perfect for it. I had multiple nests built in different spots each one designed to hold different types of eggs but presently I only had singetail eggs housed in it. In the center was a large pit full of lava that I had altered so the top was now a circular pool of magma while the floor around it was smoothed lava rock with a pathway leading to the center of it where there was a platform. In the center of this platform was a pedestal with a small nest on it and four dragon statues with the heads facing away from it. Below the platform was a deep pool of water that the platform lowers into and in front of it was a pedestal with a slot for my stone of good fortune. The way it works is I'd place an egg on the pedestal before using my stone of good fortune to activate it making the statues turn to face the egg and blast it with the hot air released by the lava below it. This heat would cause the egg to begin to hatch as it was lowered into the warm water where the hatchling would burst out of the egg and then swim to the top without causing any damages since I learnt some dragon eggs explode when they hatch. I have been working on ideas for other hatching areas for different dragon classes or species like for my tidal classes or my dragons that prefer colder climates.
Along with the new hatchery I'd also built the shrine to the Hawaiian gods in the clearing past the coconut tree grove. The shrine was made of stone and built like a circular platform with three stairs leading up to it. At the edges of the platform were wooden tiki statues of the gods I carved all surrounding a small Hawaiian shrine where I was able to pray to the gods. Besides the shrine I'd also built a shack on the beach to store the surfboards I carved to practice on when I wasn't using Wave Cruncher since it was nice to do some things without the gifts from the gods. Speaking of Wave Cruncher I'd been practicing using him to both surf the waves that were surprisingly always good and of course practicing sinking ships using small boats I set out in the water. Figuring out how to make him launch the small sharks in his board form at will wasn't so difficult nor was learning how to summon him since all I had to do was enter the water and call for him before he came swimming. Other than that I also learnt I could lie down on him and move towards the waves without the need to paddle so he moved forward on his own. It was pretty nice to just lie back on the board and look up at the clouds, as I was lead to the waves. As for Moana, she'd been rather quiet in the section but that didn't mean she just lay in the water all day since she'd come out and wonder the Hawaiian section of the island everyday. It's because of this I was able to bond with her better earning her trust so she acted more warmly towards me instead of just ignoring me as she passed. Then there's my tiki's that most of the time I didn't use so I had them mostly patrol the island for trouble. No problems really occurred so they were mostly just walked around wondering the island.
Aside from all of this not much has been going on so I had to keep myself occupied with other things like surfing, helping out Gobber in the forge, designing new things, tending to my dragons, checking up on Oceananica's egg, riding my chariot being pulled by Phlegon down the long winding paths around my island, riding Aylen through the fields, swimming with Kal and other things. I've enjoyed these last few days of peace since my so-called relaxing vacation wasn't that relaxing with the realm of monsters being opened and then needing to deal with an insane cult of people worshipping a mad man. It was during the times on Berk that I had to deal with a few more issues like more than a few of the warriors asking me for fighting tips or challenges. This wasn't so bad since I enjoyed a good fight out in the real world rather than in my mirror since it made me fight harder but sadly with every victory came even more challengers. Heck I spent entire days taking on opponent after opponent and even more when Alvin and his men came by to visit and some of them wanted to test their skills against me. Aside from that I also had to deal with the females of Berk who were close to my age but luckily most of them weren't so bad since they often just tried talking to me, baking me something or just tried to dress nicely to show off a bit but the last method was rare. The only one who really caused me any problems was of course Ruffnut who stuck to her usual method of latching onto my arm and continuously flirting with me until I went to her parents, have them pry her off me and then drag her away. Sadly she only became far more persistent after each time and more than one occasion tried to get to my island only for my tidal classes to not only stop her ship but drag her back to Berk but it was never just her on these ships. Her brother and Snotlout were always with her wanting to check my island out and from what I heard hoping to get their hands on some of my wealth.
It was during one of the days the bazaar was open I decided I should try to visit some of the places I've been to before since after the war with the hunters ended I immediately just went to explore a new land instead of visiting some of my vacation homes in the places I've been. This brings us to where I am now which is in my vacation home in Alexandria after using my portal door to arrive with both Toothless and Heatwave and now looking over the city from my houses balcony. It was truly a thing of beauty and I was happy to be back here once more and hopefully this time there wouldn't be any assassination attempts, desert bandits, mystical beast or any other such problem for me to deal with. I stroked Toothless' head as I looked out at the city. I just hoped people have calmed down with me and would treat me like a normal person this time. I turned to Toothless and sighed as I said.
"Let's hope this trip will be a nice and quiet vacation bud." He just growled and shook his head making me chuckle. "You're right, it wouldn't be a trip without a little bit of trouble for us to deal with but I can dream." He just crooned. "Well we better let Cleopatra know we're back in town." He nodded before we took off with Heatwave following.
4 days later
It's been four days since we arrived and I am happy to say these past few days have been nothing but calm and relaxing with everything that I've done. I've worked at the forge helping forge some new weapons, enjoyed a walk through the market, sparred with Asim and the other guards, spoken with the nobles, told Cleopatra a bit about what's happened since we last met but the best part so far was I was able to walk through the city and wasn't swarmed by people wanting to talk to me but I was still bothered by the merchants wanting to sell their goods but their not as bad as before. I still had to deal Djal thanks to his daughter Henite who still wanted to sink her claws into me so he was still pestering me about coming to dinner at his house or talking to Henite. I have told him that I'm not looking to begin a relationship but he just told me that me and Henite were made for each other and he was just trying to show me that but I just ignored him after that.
Now I was standing in the throne room with Toothless and Heatwave on either side of me and multiple warriors being carried out of the room either injured or unconscious while Cleopatra sat on her throne in front of me with Asim at her side along with multiple guards lining the walls. I had spent the last hour telling her about my trip to Hawaii since she's been so busy handling some issues with some strange things occurring in the desert and traders disappearing without a trace. She had asked for a demonstration on what my hook could do along with a show of how my fighting skills have improved since she last saw me in combat and I was happy to demonstrate which lead to all the injured and unconscious guards. Cleopatra smiled down at me as she stood up and held her hands out as she said.
"Hiccup Haddock that was an absolutely remarkable combat demonstration." I bowed.
"I'm honored that you think so your majesty." She then put her head in her hand and stared at me for a few seconds.
"You really aren't the same person I met when you first came to Egypt."
"What do you mean your majesty?"
"Well when you first came I saw a confused boy with a small sliver of fear in his eyes and now you stand before me a hardened man and warrior with not a glimmer of fear in his eyes, ready to fight any dark foe who chooses to arise."
"Oh I don't know about that last bit."
"Hiccup from what I've been told when any form of evil appears and seeks to do harm to the innocent you don't hesitate to step forward and take it on even though it may mean your own death."
"I'm just trying to help the people in need."
"And that is what has defined you as a true hero worthy of admiration in not only the eyes of many but my eyes as wall which is why I wish to invite you to a grand ball I am having tonight." I bowed.
"I am honored your majesty to hear what you think of me and for your invitation but may I ask what this ball is for."
"The ball is simply a time for me to socialize with the nobles of Egypt along with multiple new traders and visiting nobles who wish to show their respects to me and discuss business with each other but also there are many who wish for the chance to meet you."
"Meet me?" She gave an amused smile.
"Tales of your adventures have travelled far and wide as has word of your fortune so more than a few traders are eager to discuss business with you." I let out a sigh of annoyance as I muttered.
"Everyone's after my fortune."
"Such is the price of fame and fortune Hiccup but can I expect you to be there."
"Of course your majesty but I hope it's not like the last ball you hosted that I attended."
"Oh yes, the ball where you not only saved my life but caught Adio who was the leader of the assassins who were making attempts on my life."
"I just hope I don't have to deal with any attempts on your life or anyone's life at this ball your majesty."
"As do I Hiccup Haddock."
"That reminds me I've been meaning to ask what happened to Adio?" Cleopatra frowned.
"He was taken to the dungeon for a few months before he was left in the hottest part of the desert and left there to wonder until the desert took his life." She then raised an eyebrow. "Why do you ask?"
"Just curious since guys like him have a habit of coming back at times with even worse problems then before."
"You worry too much Hiccup for the desert is a truly unforgiving thing that very few survive."
"You're right your majesty but I do hope he's not one of those few who survived."
"As do I Hiccup Haddock, now if you'll excuse me I must prepare for the arrivals."
"Have a pleasant day your majesty and I shall see you tonight at the ball." She nodded before we both left to prepare for the evening.
Nightfall
I was wearing my formal armor with my golden arm exposed and my eagle shield on my real arm as a precaution since if there was even the slightest chance of trouble I wanted to be ready. Now the ball was in full swing with multiple nobles and traders from distant lands all socializing with each other discussing many different things but from what I could tell it was mostly just business between them. Of course, there were a few people who were talking and laughing like old friends. There were of course more than just a few guards lining the walls standing ready to take down any possible threat to either Cleopatra or the guests. I admit at the beginning I was having a decent time but now I couldn't wait for it to be over due to a certain someone latching onto my arm since she first spotted me and refused to let go. This someone was none other than Henite who was wearing a fine white silk dress with a gold belt wrapping around her waist and a bejeweled gold necklace around her neck. She'd yet to leave my side and if any of my other female admirers tried to come close to me she'd give them a hard glare and they'd back off. If this wasn't enough I heard people pointing at us and saying what a cute couple we made and how some of them were curious to know when the wedding was. The only thing that I found more annoying was how Henite practically bathed in the attention we were receiving and pulled herself closer to my body with every comment. If that weren't bad enough she wouldn't stop talking about how great she thought I was and how a man of my stature in the world should have a woman who knew how to handle the kind of political issues I may face in the future and also showed off my masculinity with their beauty. She didn't hesitate to 'subtly' mention how she was raised knowing how to handle nobles who were interested in starting business with me and how she knew she'd grow up to be a true beauty in the future like her mother. I had seen her mother a few times before and I couldn't deny she was a true beauty but I wasn't looking for a girlfriend let alone a wife at this time and she failed to understand that as did her father.
It was as I was sipping from my goblet of wine while trying to block out Henite's talking about how through her father she knew a few influential traders who could help me start a business to increase my fortune that something happened that brought the entire room to a standstill. The doors burst open as two guards were flung in and slid across the floor as everyone stepped out of the way to avoid being hit by their bodies. I looked at them in shock as I pushed Henite off me and released my star sword before pointing it at the door to see who threw them. I didn't have the chance to react as three black and blue blurs rushed into the room smashing into the guards leaving them falling to the ground unconscious. I saw when one of the guards tried to swing their khopesh at the blurs their the khopesh was snapped in two seconds before he fell to the ground unconscious with a large bruise forming before the blurs came to stop in front of the door. It was when they stopped I saw not men but three creatures, who had black skin, golden jackal heads, glowing blue eyes, orange loincloths wrapped around their waists and each wielded a black metal weapon that had a blue flame covering them with one wielding a khopesh, another an axe and the last wielding two small clubs. (AN: Picture the minions of set from Samurai Jack and cut me some slack.)
As they stood there all the guests backed away in fear as the remaining guards either ran in front of the crowd with their weapons drawn or ran to protect Cleopatra. The creatures just growled at them as a man wearing black and gold armor with the mask of an animal I didn't recognize covering his upper face but exposing his mouth. He looked around at the people smiling like a madman before his eyes landed on me and his smile widened as he pointed at me. The creatures rushed at me but I was ready and raised my sword to block the strike of the first ones khopesh before I ducked beneath his fist that was aimed at my head. Sadly, the one with the clubs took the chance to attack me from the side and nailed me in the gut knocking the air out of me but I was able to duck out of the way of its second club and roll to the side. This gave the one with the axe the opportunity to try and strike me with its axe but I flipped back barely avoiding getting struck so the axe ended up imbedded in the floor making its wielder growl at me. Soon as I stood up though I had to step back to avoid the khopesh blade that was slashed at me before the wielder pounced at me landing right on top of me but I had my sword raised at the last-minute pointing at the beast. This resulted in it being impaled on my sword through the chest before my sword glowed brightly as the creature roared in pain while the glow in its eyes died and its body turned to black dust before blowing away leaving only the golden head and khopesh which no longer had a blue flame surrounding it. I looked back at the remaining two who were now staring at me with their teeth blared as their backs began to blaze with the same blue flame that covered their weapons. If this wasn't a sign that they were angry then I don't know what was as they charged at me I unfolded my eagle shield feeling I'd need it to fight these guys since I just killed one of their own.
They both charged at me with incredible speed that I'm pretty sure would come close to matching Toothless at his top speed with the one holding the clubs leaping up and bringing its clubs down towards me but I held up my shield and blocked them. As expect the shockwave sent it flying back before the one with the axe slashed at me from the side but I blocked it with my sword as the beast growled at me. It then lashed at me with its fangs trying to bite into my neck but I stepped back and slammed my shield into its muzzle dazing it and making it back up. I was ready to take a slash at it with my sword but before I could however the one with the clubs tackled me from the side sending my sword out of my hand and sliding across the floor to the wall out of my reach. It held me down and began snapping at me with its fangs but I held it back with my shield pressed against its chest with both arms beneath it holding it against the beast which was not easy since this thing was strong. When it stopped snapping at me it had its clubs crossed against my shield holding me down as the one with the axe walked up from above me with its axe raised. Before it could bring it down on me though Asim stabbed it in the back with his khopesh while letting out yell. The creature lowered its axe and turned around glaring at him as it took the khopesh out of its back showing the weapon was melting in black ooze before dropping it and punching Asim in the stomach sending him flying while the one holding me down watched. This was the distraction I needed to summon my sword back to my hand before I stabbed the one holding me down in the neck just below the gold. Like last time my sword glowed and the beasts body turned to black dust as the light in its eyes died leaving only the head and its clubs. I quickly stood up to look at the last one of them who was now glaring at me with narrowed eyes, as the flames on it got bigger and hotter.
It let out a snarl and charged at me with its khopesh ready before it swung it's khopesh at me but I raised my sword stopping its khopesh before it delivered a swift punch to my face sending me stumbling back. I didn't have that much time to recover before it slashed at me again but I stepped back but it was able to scratch at my armor leaving a sizable scratch in my chest plate. I didn't get the chance to study the scratch, as I had to duck underneath its fist that it swung at my head before slashing its khopesh down but I stepped back dodging it. Unfortunately, I was backed up into the base of a statue but it did give me an idea on what I could do to take this thing down. It snarled at me as I ducked under its khopesh resulting in it running across the legs of the statue just as I expected before I kicked the beast in the chest sending it back and making it growl. I just smirked at it and gestured for it to come at me, which it did in the form of a pounce but I just jumped to the side so it slammed into the statue that then fell right onto the beast leaving it trapped. I knew it couldn't be killed that easily since in my past experiences creatures like that aren't that easy to kill. I was proven right when it burst out of the stone rubble that was once a statue as it roared in rage with its arms spread but it gave me a chance to lunge forward and stab into its chest. I looked down at me as the light disappeared from its eyes and its body slowly turned to black dust as my sword glowed in its chest.
I breathed heavily in exhaustion while groaning in pain at the bruises that were more than likely forming beneath my armor before a laugh echoing through the room caught my attention. The reason the laugh caught my attention was because this laugh wasn't one of humor but one of a person who was annoyed yet impressed at the same time. I turned to see the man who brought those things in looking at me from behind his mask but when he stopped I could feel his glare on me. He stepped toward me as he took out a sword made of the same black metal covered in the same blue flames as the beasts as he said.
"You've improved since we last met Hiccup Haddock but your skills won't save you from the power my queen has given me." I raised an eyebrow.
"Have we met before?"
"Oh, don't you remember me?" I stared at him as he let out a cold laugh. "Of course, you wouldn't after all the last time we met you ruined my plans to get rid of that wretched women pretending to be queen and then took my house along with all my belongings while I was dragged out to the desert to perish." Then it hit me.
"Adio?"
"So, you do remember me."
"What happened to you?"
"Now there hangs a tale but I'll be happy to tell you it right before you die." He lowered his sword as the flames dimmed. "After I was left to perish in the desert I wondered for three days searching for an oasis to supply me water but found nothing which is when it happened." I raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "I was wondering through the desert under the blazing sun when I collapsed on the verge of death before a blue flame burst from the ground and the face of the god Seth appeared." He held out his arms. "I was offered power beyond my wildest dreams if I released the true queen of Egypt and helped her regain control of Egypt but in order to do so he needed me to collect the souls of mortals."
"I take it you're the one behind the missing traders?"
"Indeed, I am and once enough souls were gathered I made my way to where my queen was imprisoned and released her from her shackles." He then gestured to the remains of the beasts. "She in turn brought for three of the minions of set and ordered me to return to Alexandria and to fight you."
"Why me?"
"I don't know why, perhaps she thinks of you as a threat but I can guarantee you won't be leaving this room alive."
He charged at me with his sword raised before I charged to meet him in the middle making my starsword and his blazing sword clang together. I pushed against his sword as he pushed back before I kicked him in the stomach making him back up giving me the chance to fold up my eagle shield and give him an uppercut knocking the mask off his face but when I saw what was underneath it I regretted it. The top part of his face looked as if it had been rotted off and his eyes were no longer the same color but were milky white instead with two red irises on each eye that were connected. The horror I was feeling must've shown on my face since he smiled at me and gestured to it as he said.
"A price worth paying for the power and as soon as I'm finished with you I will return to my queen and then lead an army of Seth's minions into battle against this city and then the world." I let out a sarcastic laugh.
"Please I've this speech too many times so let's just skip the whole conquering the world speech and get back to the fighting where I kick your butt."
"Impatient as ever but I won't turn down your challenge since I've been wanting to kill you for so long."
He charged at me again swinging his sword but I parried it with my own before swinging my sword at his chest but he stepped back avoiding my blade. He tried to punch me in the face but I ducked beneath it and grabbed his arm before swinging him to the side and into the wall. I tried to stab him with my sword but he turned at the last second dodging my blade and giving him the opportunity to swing his blade at me but I stepped to the side avoiding his burning blade but barely since he was able to get a slice at my shoulder but he just scratched the armor. This gave me the opportunity to take a slash at him but he dodged it by stepping to the side but it also gave me the opportunity to punch him in the face since he'd stepped to the side with my free hand. He rubbed his nose as I took the opportunity to stab at him but this time I didn't miss and lodged my sword into his stomach. He looked down at my sword imbedded in his stomach before looking at me before much to my surprise he smirked and coughed up some blood as he said.
"You may have killed me and three of Seth's minions but you'll never stop the others."
"There are more of those things?"
"Thousands and they will bring about the end of Egypt and the world."
With those final words his body turned into black sand and fell to the floor forming a pile. A few seconds of complete silence passed before the crowd burst into cheers for me but I knew from his last words now was not the time for cheering since this was only the beginning. I just hoped Egypt would be ready for it but I didn't get much time to dwell on it since before I knew it I was surrounded by people cheering for me while shaking my hand or slapping my back. It all stopped however when Cleopatra called for silence. The crowd parted allowing her and two guards at her sides to walk towards me as she smiled. When they reached me, Cleopatra placed both her hands on my shoulders and said.
"Hiccup once again you have shown to be a truly great warrior to battle those creatures and come out the victor and for your brave act shall not go unrewarded."
"Forgive for ruining the mood your majesty but this is far from over."
"What do you mean?"
"Before he died, Adio told me there are more of those things coming and they number in the thousands." Murmers immediately spread through the crowd.
"But how?"
"All I know is they're called 'the minions of Seth' and they have some sort of queen."
"We need to do research on them and hopefully find more information about how to defeat them." A noble then asked.
"Why not simply stab them like Hiccup did?" I noticed Asim's khopesh that's blade had been melted and picked it up before walking over to the noble as I said.
"My sword was forged from a star!" I held up the khopesh. "Your weapons aren't!" I handed the khopesh to him and turned back to the sand pile that was once Adio. "We might be able to find a clue in here." I then noticed a small glimmer and used my starsword to lift it out of the sand only to find a golden chain with a pendent that was engraved with a symbol I'd never seen before but knew it was my first clue and turned it to face Cleopatra. "Have you ever seen this symbol before your majesty?" She leaned into examine it and shook her head.
"I can't say I have seen it before but judging by the look on your face you believe it may be a clue as to what we're dealing with."
"You are correct your majesty and if I'm right we need to figure this out fast or it'll mean big problems."
"I don't normally do this Hiccup but you have permission to use my own private library." Everyone gasped including me since Cleopatra's library was off limits to everyone including her most trusted nobles and guards so in other words she was the only one allowed entrance and for her to allow me access was a major honor.
"Thank you, your majesty, for such a privilege and honor."
"Thank me by finding out what the symbol means and be careful as many of those tomes have been in the royal family for generations."
"I'll treat them as if they were newborn infants." She nodded before she gave the order to the guards to check up on Asim who was beginning to get up while groaning while also telling them to take care of the remains of the minions of Seth and Adio as she led me away with four guards following.
4 hours later
I was sat down at the only desk in Cleopatra's library where I've been for the last four hours. The library was impressive with it being the same size as the library back on my island with there being at least a hundred shelves all holding countless scrolls holding so much knowledge. Despite all of this I couldn't find anything on the symbol that was engraved on the pendant that was currently resting on the corner of the desk that was now covered in scrolls that I was going through. I sighed as I rolled up another scroll that although was interesting held nothing on the strange symbol and stood up before walking up to a shelf that was up against the wall with the scroll and putting it away. I looked around for another one of the scrolls that might hold the answer to my questions on the pendant. As I did though I noticed the same symbol on the amulet engraved into a single brick on the wall. Knowing it might lead to the answers I was looking for and slowly pushed against the brick before I heard the sound of stone scraping behind me and turned to see a trapdoor opening up next to me revealing a stairway. I ignited my arm using a red crystal and slowly walked down the stairway and stopped only to ignite the fire bowls on the sides which in turn ignited all the bowls leading down the stairs igniting not only the stairs but the cobwebs covering not only the walls but the passageway. I released my starsword and ignited it using my red crystal to ignite it so I could burn the cobwebs that got in my way. When I reached the bottom, I found myself in a study with a single desk in the middle four torches hung up in between the corners of the room but the thing that caught my attention the most was the book on the desk which had the same symbol as the pendant in the center of the cover. That single book might hold the answers I've been looking for so I began to make my way up to the book but I kept my guard up incase there were any traps.
AN: Hey all sorry for the long wait but work's been busier than usual this week so I couldn't write as often but despite that I was still able to write a bit and hope you all enjoyed the chapter so please keep your reviews friendly. Also, a special thankyou to my friend Red dragon 112293 for helping with ideas for this chapter so thanks for the help. Until next time have a nice day until next time.