Astrid knew Hiccup's usual organized chaos, and this was not it. Papers littered the floor of the house, books scattered about on random pages, it was a hazard to walk through. Hiccup was waist deep in a large trunk as Astrid attempted to tidy up a bit.

"What are you looking for?" She couldn't help but giggle when he jumped in surprise, banging his knee on the side of the chest. He hissed lightly as he soothed his bruised joint.

"I thought I had more detailed dragon notes." He sighed sitting on the floor, Astrid continuing to organize the mess. "A few of the newer residents are struggling to settle in, and I can't for the life of me remember what's needed for some of the non local dragon species."

"What about your mom? She spent all that time living with dragons, maybe she knows." She picked through a collection of papers, making sure they were in the right order.

"There are some even she admits to never encountering. Or they were too territorial for her to get close." Stretching stiffly as he came to stand beside her at the table, thumbing through one of the discarded books. "I know Fishlegs and I kept records of the dragons we encountered on the Edge. I thought I got everything when we came back."

"Maybe they're still there."

"Hm, maybe. Wouldn't hurt to look." They cringed as a loud crash resounded from outside. Tentatively looking out the window to see another set of dragon roosts collapse.

"I'll get everyone ready and we'll head out in the morning." Astrid gave his hand a firm squeeze before she turned to leave.

"I don't think we need everyone, we could just head out now."

"I don't think it would be best to leave right now." She pointed out the window to the gathering crowd of miffed villagers. Hiccup lightly banged his head along the window pane, letting out an annoyed groan at knowing he'd have to find a way to fix this before another fight broke out. Astrid smiled reassuringly kissing him on the cheek. "It would only be a day trip. Besides, I wouldn't mind stopping by to see Mala and Dagur for an update on any hunter activities."

He couldn't argue her logic. "Alright. We'll head out tomorrow morning then." He pulled her back towards him before she could walk away again, holding her close to share a tender kiss. Which was broken far to quickly as they both flinched to the sound of raised voiced and fists making impacts. Astrid chuckled at his pleading face.

"Cheif first, romance later." She pushed off his chest and left him alone with his thoughts. Which weren't necessarily good as he noticed some hatchlings get all panicked from the excitement, accidentally setting things, and people, on fire.

This was going to be a long night.

I hate this. No other way to put it.

It started out great. I was finally feeling better, after spending a full day puking my guts out. I was lucky enough to be sick on my days off so I didn't have to call in, but not for much longer. I had one more day off, and it was a beautiful day, I thought I'd get some fresh air, so I went on an adventure. One of the joys of living in the empty country side, no one bothers you and there's plenty of woods to explore.

I followed a less worn down trail through the trees behind the house, completely mesmerized by spring time budding greenery. I knew where I was for the most part. My dad taught geography, so I could navigate well enough without a map. Plus, knowing my small hometown, you can easily guess which road you'll end up on if you keep going straight.

I don't quite remember how long I was out for, but I knew it was about time to turn around. I was getting hungry.

So why didn't I stop and turn around? I just kept going, like a zombie. I wasn't looking for anything, still too early in the season for wild critters and their young to be out to make it intriguing. I just didn't want to go home yet, thinking that there might be something I haven't seen yet in twenty-eight years of living here.

I wasn't expecting what I found, though. A gigantic wooden post, standing in the middle of a clearing. It would probably take about ten people holding hands to wrap around it fully. And it shot so far into the sky, how could you not see it? It was carved like a totem pole, with great attention to details. The markings looked ancient but the textured was hardly weathered by the elements, like it was made only recently. I should have brought my journal, some of the carvings looked runic and I was curious if they were real or someone's interpretation.

In fact, I would head home, eat something, then grab my book and come back. With this being as titanic as it was, I could surely find it again.

The trees were gone.

I walked not ten feet out of the tree-line to come before this totem, and I turn around to find the trees gone. They were replaced with large rocks and fallen logs, massive and smooth, splayed across like a boardwalk. I got dizzy from all my spinning about, trying to get my head straight. There were impossibly huge structures on either side of the totem, marked in similar fashion and painted in bold colours. My curiosity got the better of me. I waded through the long grass until I reached the base of a column that seemed to arch and cross over another of identical design. A slanted roof reached all the way down to the ground. It looked like a wooden tent. Only gigantic. Going well over a hundred feet I figured, though my measurements could be off.

I was about to go inside when I heard a clamorous clicking rushing my way, accompanied by obnoxiously sharp cheeping. And to my horror I was swarmed by fluffy little chicks. Little being relative, they were the size of great danes. Their heads reaching my chest. They were nuzzling and pecking at my arms and feet. It left bruises but nothing too serious.

But it still hurt.

You've got to be thinking, that's insane! Giant baby chickens! That's crazy. I've got one better for you. The mother of those fluffy monsters. Tell me, have you ever been sat on by a gigantic chicken? I was adopted into her brood and it was not fun. For the last three days as I've tried to explore these coliseum like buildings and get a grip on this reality, I've been mothered by this hen. Do you have any idea how hot it is being smothered by a chicken? It's torture. Not to mention trying to find food that isn't regurgitated bugs is near impossible, aside from a few field grains.

I'm tired and starving, and still trying to figure out what the hell is going on. I think I did a Narnia travel thing. But isn't there then supposed to be someone, or something, to guide you to your "destiny"? It's still just been me and the chickens.

Oh, yes. And the dragon. Horrible creature who had it out for me the moment he saw me. He is roughly as big as the mother chicken, with mossy scales decorated with red spines and bulging yellow eyes. Mama hen has been fearlessly fighting him off for me after he tried to roast me alive.

Thunder crackled in the distance as the sun set, mama ushered her flock inside. I brushed the pattern etched into the door post, a coming storm the least of my worries.

If structures as big as this exist, and there are chickens and dragons here, then I have just two questions. Who built this and where are they?

Better yet, do I want to know?