The salty breeze whipped through Kael's hair as the ship sliced through the choppy waters, carrying him closer to the Archipelago. The seagulls cried overhead, their calls mingling with the creaking of the ship's timbers. Kael stood at the ship's bow, his sharp black eyes scanning the horizon, eager to catch the first glimpse of the island he had been ordered to search.
As the ship neared a lonely seastack, Kael's keen senses went into overdrive. His nostrils twitched as an unfamiliar yet impressive scent wafted towards him on the wind. Yes… just what he was looking for. The girl and her anicor, he thought with a smile. The scent was unmistakable, a delicate mix of earthy musk and wildflowers, tinged with a hint of something uniquely her own. Kael had encountered many anicors in his time of hunting them for his master, but something about this one truly caught his attention.
He closed his eyes, letting the scents guide him. The breeze carried the fragrance in waves, teasing him with its unpredictability. Kael's mind whirred with anticipation. The anicor was very strong indeed, he could tell. This hunt promised to be a challenge, and Kael thrived on challenges.
With a renewed sense of purpose, Kael descended from the bow and made his way through the bustling ship. Sailors scurried about, their voices mingling with the clattering of crates. Kael's focused gaze didn't waver as he moved, his steps sure and steady.
Finally, he reached the ship's edge, where a gangplank connected the vessel to a wooden dock of a nearby island. Not Berk exactly, but not too far either. Stepping onto solid ground, Kael inhaled deeply, savoring the rich scent of the unfamiliar land. The air felt different here, charged with her scent and untold possibilities.
As he walked along the dock, Kael's nose led him unerringly toward the heart of the Archipelago. The scent grew stronger with each step, a heady cocktail that both enticed and challenged him. His lips curled into a grin. The girl and her anicor were very close, and the hunt was about to begin.
The crackling of the campfire filled the night air as Skai sat among the dragon riders on the sandy beach. The warmth of the flames danced across her face, casting flickering shadows on the group gathered around. It was a tranquil evening, the calm after a day of soaring through the skies on the backs of magnificent dragons. Well, Skai just watched; she didn't know how she felt about heights yet and she didn't particularly want to risk the wrath of the small old lady with the big stick just yet.
Skai's eyes sparkled with curiosity as she listened intently to the stories being shared. The dragon riders had traveled far and wide, their adventures taking them to distant lands and unknown territories. Their tales were filled with bravery, danger, and the unbreakable bond between dragon and rider.
Fishlegs, with wonder, recounted their encounter with a legendary Scauldron in the depths of the ocean; how its scales shimmered in pale green while he was under hypnosis as 'Thor Bonecrusher'. Skai's imagination soared as she envisioned the majestic beast, her mind painting vivid pictures of the encounter. It also helped when Fishlegs showed her pictures from the Book of Dragons.
Skai leaned forward, her eyes alight with excitement. "What about the Dragon Eye? The ancient artifact that held knowledge about all the dragons in the world. What happened to it?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.
Fishlegs sighed, his expression solemn. "It was destroyed," he replied. "We had to protect the dragons from hunters who wanted to exploit them. The knowledge contained within the Dragon Eye was too dangerous in the wrong hands."
Astrid, sitting next to Fishlegs, nodded in agreement. "We made the difficult decision to ensure the safety of our dragons. Sometimes, you have to let go of powerful tools to protect what truly matters."
Skai's gaze shifted towards the distant horizon, where the Dragon's Edge once stood. "And what about your base, the Dragon's Edge? Why did you leave it behind?"
Astrid smiled softly. "We felt our time there was finished. It was a place of growth, learning, and forging new alliances. But in our hearts we knew it was time to return to Berk. It felt right to be coming back home."
Tuffnut, always one to seek adventure and excitement, chimed in with a mischievous grin. "But hey, don't you guys miss the wild shenanigans we used to have at the Dragon's Edge? I mean, we could use a bit more fun, right?"
Snotlout, rubbing his singed backside from a recent fire mishap, rolled his eyes. "Speak for yourself, Tuffnut. I wouldn't mind not getting my butt set on fire half the time."
As if on cue, Hookfang slyly sparked a tiny flame from his nostrils, igniting Snotlout's behind. It took a moment, but when one could smell the burning, a yelp of surprise erupted from Snotlout's lips as he jumped up, frantically trying to extinguish the flames.
Laughter boomed from the dragon riders, their mirth echoing along the beach especially as Snotlout jumped butt first into a bucket of cold fish water. Snotlout sputtered and glared at his mischievous dragon in annoyance. "That was NOT funny, Hookfang! Come on! We talked about this!"
"You're right." Ruffnut chimed up. "It was hilarious!"
Astrid's laughter subsided, and she looked around at her friends with a contented smile. "You know, I wouldn't change a thing," she said sincerely. "Every moment, every challenge is what brought us here. And it's in those moments that we've grown, learned and forged unbreakable bonds. It's made us who we are."
Hiccup nodded in agreement. "Exactly, Astrid. If anything had changed, who knows where we might be? Our journey has been unpredictable but it has shaped us into a family. And that's something I wouldn't trade for anything."
The campfire crackled once more, its warm glow casting a comforting aura over the dragon riders. They continued to share stories, laughter, and dreams beneath the starlit sky.
Hiccup was also very grateful too; he expected Astrid to continue being cold or hostile but it seems she just needed a little time to come to terms. In fact, Astrid and Skai were getting along great, especially after that little riff at the academy m, and he couldn't be happier. Skai seemed to be winning everyone over, one person at a time, but it was clear just how much she made an impression on him; one that he will never forget for the rest of his life.
Navigating through the narrow streets of the bustling port town that drowned in Vikings and dragons, Kael's eyes darted from side to side, taking in the sights and sounds of the village of Berk at night. Merchants haggled over colourful trinkets, children laughed and played, and the enchanting melodies of street musicians echoed through the air.
But amidst the clamor, Kael's senses remained focused on the scent that guided him. It led him through winding pathways, up a flight of weathered stone stairs, and finally to the entrance of a house. The scent was strongest here, mingling with the aroma of freshly baked bread and spiced ale.
Kael pushed open the door, stepping into the dimly lit interior to see that no one was home. She was definitely on this island. Yes, oh yes, she was.
A thrill of excitement coursed through Kael's veins as he made his way towards her anicor. The hunt had just begun, and he was eager to test his skills against the girl. The scent of intrigue filled the air, promising a challenge like no other.
The leathery-skinned monster paced through the dimly lit halls, its footsteps echoing against the marble floors. The air was heavy with the scent of age and decay as if the very walls held the weight of a forgotten history. Portraits lined the stone, their subjects staring back with frozen gazes & capturing moments long gone.
As the creature moved past the portraits, its eyes fell upon one in particular—a painting of a young woman. Her features were delicate, her skin pale and adorned with a smattering of freckles across her button nose. But it was her eyes that truly captivated the viewer - metallic blue with a ring of gold encircling the outer iris, shimmering with an otherworldly light. Curly light-brown hair cascaded around her face, framing her ethereal beauty.
The creature paused, its gaze fixed upon the portrait. A wicked smile twisted across its leathery face, revealing jagged teeth. It stepped closer, peering into the eyes of the captured image, as if trying to unlock a forgotten secret.
"Ah," the monster hissed in a raspy voice, its words dripping with malice. "You were once the pride of this bloodline, weren't you? The darling daughter of a proud lineage."
The monster's voice echoed through the silent hall, the words carrying an eerie weight. It seemed to relish over the trapped woman within the painting.
"But look at you now," the creature continued, its voice a low growl. "Reduced to nothing but paint and canvas while I, the last of our kind, stand here living and breathing."
The monster's eyes burned.
"You see," the monster sneered, its voice filled with a perverse satisfaction. "I will be the legacy, the last and evermore. Only I shall reign… The way it should have been all those years ago."
The creature's laughter filled the hall, echoing off the walls, mocking the woman frozen in the painting. As the sound of its laughter faded into the darkness, the monster turned away from the portrait, its eyes gleaming with a twisted determination. It resumed its pacing, the weight of its words lingering in the air.
The crescent moon hung high in the night sky, casting a silvery glow over the tranquil beach where the dragon riders had made camp for the night. Skai and Hiccup lay nestled against the warm scales of Toothless, each wrapped loosely in a wing. All around her, the riders slept soundly, their breathing steady and rhythmic.
But Skai's senses were heightened, attuned to the slightest disturbance in the peaceful night. And so, when a twig snapped somewhere in the distance, her eyes shot wide open; her heart racing. It wasn't a fierce snap, but it was sharp and quick; almost too quick, like it was snapped on purpose. She peered around only to find the gang and their dragons still fast asleep. Confusion momentarily clouded her, however she quickly dismissed it, assuming it was just a random noise from the surrounding forest.
As she settled back down, prepared to drift off to sleep once again, a soft whisper brushed against her ears. Though devoid of any distinct words, it carried an unmistakable gentleness. It was as if the wind itself was trying to communicate with her. Intrigue welled up within her as it kept calling, so she leant her ear toward the wind in the hope she could pick up what it was more clearly. A faint name echoed through the air, barely audible yet persistent: "Tiamatta."
The voice called to her, pulling at her very being. Her senses sharpened further, and she felt a peculiar resonance vibrating through her body. It was as if every nerve ending was on high alert, and her scars - across her eye and arm - throbbed with the intense pain that she hadn't felt in several days. Unable to ignore the mysterious call, Skai sat up once more, her eyes scanning the sleeping forms of her companions. They were blissfully unaware of the ethereal whisper that had stirred her from her slumber. She hissed silently, a reflexive response to the searing pain coursing through her scars. With a quick glance to ensure the coast was clear, she cautiously rose to her feet.
The night air wrapped around her as she stepped away from the comforting shelter of Toothless' wings. Skai's every sense seemed attuned to the unknown presence beckoning her. She followed the elusive voice, her steps light and deliberate, as if guided by an invisible force.
As she ventured deeper into the darkness, the forest seemed to come alive around her. The whispers grew louder, the name "Tiamatta" reverberating through the rustling leaves and the murmurs of nocturnal creatures. Skai's heart pounded in her chest; trepidation and anticipation coursing through her veins.
The path ahead was shrouded in shadows and fog from the cold night air, but Skai pressed on, her determination unwavering. The voice continued to beckon her, its melodic cadence mingling with the very essence of nature itself. She knew, deep down, that she couldn't resist its call any longer. There was something important, something significant awaiting her.
With each step, the weight of the world seemed to lift from Skai's shoulders, replaced by an inexplicable lightness. She embraced the unknown around her but she just had to ask the question. Who was Tiamatta? Who or what was calling out this name? And why was it drawing her so irresistibly?
As Skai ventured further into the night, she couldn't help but wonder what lay ahead. The name echoed in her mind, intertwining with her own thoughts and desires. She couldn't shake the feeling that her destiny was entwined with this mysterious presence, and she was determined to uncover the truth.
Driven by the whispers on the wind, Skai continued her solitary journey into the cove, her path illuminated only by the faint glimmer of the stars above. The air was thick with anticipation, and a sense of ancient magic seemed to permeate the atmosphere.
As Skai's gaze settled on the waterfall cascading on the other side of the lake, she noticed a faint light shimmering in the distance. It grew brighter, gradually taking the shape of a magnificent wolf, its form glowing with an otherworldly radiance. The wolf's eyes were mesmerising, metallic blue with a golden hue in the outer iris, mirroring Skai's own.
Frozen in awe and slight intimidation, Skai watched as the wolf gracefully moved across the water, hardly making a ripple. Its presence commanded respect, and Skai dared not look away. With each step closer, the wolf's true enormity became apparent. It stood taller than Skai, even on all fours, emanating an aura of power and wisdom.
The wolf's gaze shifted from Skai's eyes to her necklace, a silver pendant. It held a special significance to Skai considering she had it for as long as she could remember though she had never fully understood its true meaning. The wolf's scrutiny intensified, its eyes locked onto the necklace before returning to meet Skai's gaze. There was a profound connection between them, a shared essence that Skai couldn't comprehend.
Without warning, the wolf leaned forward, gently touching its snout against Skai's forehead. A surge of energy coursed through her, as if a cosmic force had been transferred in that brief contact. The wolf's luminous form dissipated into countless balls of light, which merged seamlessly into Skai's chest.
Overwhelmed by the experience, Skai's senses heightened, and everything around her appeared brighter, more vibrant. The repeated whispers of "Tiamatta" echoed in her mind, filling her with a profound sense of purpose and destiny. But amidst the reverberating voices, another message emerged, clear and urgent.
"Rhavendil... He is coming," the voice warned, its tone laced with fear. The name sent a shiver down Skai's spine, a name she had never heard before but instinctively knew held great significance. But then... the voice was gone, not to be heard again. Everything was silent.
Questions flooded her mind. Why was she being called Rhavendil? What did the encounter with the wolf mean for her? Skai stood in the cove, grappling with the weight of the encounter, her heart pounding with a mixture of wonder and trepidation. As she ventured forth from the cove, Skai couldn't shake the feeling that her life would never be the same.
She took a deep breath as she emerged from the dense woods, her senses still heightened. The cool breeze caressed her skin, carrying the salty scent of the nearby beach.
As she made her way back towards the sandy shores, a sudden male voice sliced through the air, causing her to halt in her tracks. "You smell divine, little girl..." The words slithered towards her, dripping with an unsettling tone. A chill coursed down Skai's spine, and her heart quickened its pace.
Slowly, she turned around to face the source of the voice, her eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of movement. And there, emerging from the darkness, stood a figure, his features obscured by the dim light. Skai's breath caught in her throat as her gaze locked onto the man before her.
"Who are you?" Skai's voice trembled, her words barely audible. She never got an answer.
As the figure stepped closer, Skai instinctively took a step back, her eyes intense as she absorbed every detail of his terrifying presence. Half human, half demon, he stood tall and imposing. Solid black eyes stared back at her, devoid of any life. His raven hair cascaded around his shoulders, adding to the aura of darkness that surrounded him. It was as if he had been chiseled from stone, an entity not of this world.
Every fibre of Skai's being screamed at her that this creature was dangerous, that she should flee without hesitation. Her heart pounded in her chest, and her instincts roared with a warning that echoed through her veins. But Skai stood her ground, refusing to let fear paralyse her.
"I won't go with you," Skai's voice rang out, her words firm and resolute. She knew deep down that yielding to this malevolent force would bring nothing but pain and despair.
A wicked smile curled upon the lips of the figure before her, his eyes glinting with malice. In a blur of motion, he lunged towards her, his hand poised to strike. But to shock and disbelief itself, his fist was caught in Skai's hand, her grip unyielding and unexplainable. The air crackled with a surge of energy, a force that defied the laws of nature.
With a flick of her wrist, Skai effortlessly tossed the figure back, sending him hurtling through the air. He crashed into a tree, skidding across the ground for a considerable distance before finally coming to a stop around forty feet away.
As the dust settled and silence reclaimed the surroundings, Skai stood there, her eyes ablaze. She had tapped into a power she didn't fully understand, but in that moment, it had saved her from the clutches of this beast.
But the encounter was far from over. The figure rose to his feet with an eerie grace, a mixture of fury and curiosity etched across his face.
He chuckled, "You are strong, little girl. Very strong, indeed. My master will take great pleasure in you."
"You're going to have to catch me first." And the first thing she ran to was the beach.