Chapter 127
Hiccups POV:
Night had fallen over the city where the demon Arbutus used the woman Hadasa to take over and either enslave or capture the people to harvest their life force. Since then a lot has happened despite it only being a few hours since all the people were freed from the pods that they were being held in as their life force was drained. As expected when I freed them they were all more than confused, especially the sultan who turned to me for answers as he recognized me from the party that was ruined by the forty thieves. I am not happy to say that I recognized him from that party as well as one of the sultans who tried to buy Toothless from me despite the fact that I kept telling him Toothless is not for sale. I spent an hour telling him of what had happened while both he and the people I'd set free and who was behind it all along with answering questions asked by him and the people. Some of them tried to crush the rose that bloomed from where Hadasa's body was pulled in but I cut them off warning them never to try anything since she was a victim of Arbutus like they were. When that didn't stop some of the more idiotic people I released my lion gauntlets and punched them into the wall opposite from me. This got them all to back off but sadly it also caught the attention of the sultan who wanted to know more about my gauntlets. He wouldn't leave me alone until I told him of all my new weapons, what I did to get them and multiple other questions. When I finished telling him of my adventures he insisted I spend the night claiming he wanted to thank me for saving his city and that I should rest for my journey home but I knew he really just wanted to try and convince me to sell him Toothless by the way he looked at him.
It's been seven hours since then and, in that time, I've gotten one of the biggest headaches since my theory of why the sultan wanted me here was proven correct. He'd spent the last four hours trying to convince me to part with Toothless offering me a ton of things to sell him such as gold, jewels, women and so much more but I kept turning him down. When he saw that wasn't working he tried to hire me to train him his own dragon but I once again turned him down knowing he'd treat the dragon like a thing and not a friend and I could not condemn any dragon to that life. When he figured this out he tried to hire me as a general and personal guard but once again I turned him down but he was nothing if not stubborn.
I was glad when I was able to convince him to let me go to bed to get some rest after today's events which brings us to now with me laying on a bed in a large room with Toothless sleeping at the foot of the bed. I stared up at the ceiling while thinking of a way to get the flowers that bloomed where Hadasa's body was pulled into the ground since there was no way I was leaving them here with so many people who'd destroy them when I'm gone. I let out a sigh knowing this was something that I should deal with tomorrow since after today's events I needed some rest. With these thoughts in mind I closed my eyes and went to sleep.
When I opened my eyes again I found myself standing in front of a familiar oasis with a path of stepping-stones leading to a stone platform in the center. I sighed knowing what I had to do and made my way across the stepping-stones and onto the platform before walking into the center. When I reached the center of the platform I looked down into the hole with water that reflected the moon as it began to bubble as the tablet with the symbol of the god Allah raised from it. I stared at the floating tablet and said.
"It's been a while Allah."
"That it has Hiccup Haddock."
"I assume you didn't bring me here just to catch up, did you?"
"No, I brought you here to congratulate you on your victory against Arbutus and to reward you for this deed."
"There's no need to reward me since I was only doing what I could to help the people of this land."
"This deed is not something to be taken lightly nor are any of your other deeds Hiccup." I raised an eyebrow. "Every victory you have has a much bigger impact on both this realm and the others then you will ever know." I nodded. "Take your latest adventure for example, should Arbutus have been left to his plans then this world would become one dense jungle while all living beings would be in pods having their life-force slowly being drained, giving him more power and leaving us gods weak." I raised an eyebrow. "Hiccup we are beings that rely on the belief and worship of the people to fuel our powers and in return we protect them from threats that they cannot fight themselves." I nodded in understanding.
"I understand but still the gifts aren't necessary since the fact that the people are safe once again is more than reward enough."
"As noble as ever I see." I shrugged.
"It's who I am but may I ask what do I do about Arbutus?"
"He is not something you need worry about for while you sleep his soul is being removed from the rose in your satchel made from the Jorogumo while the rose itself is being preserved in a indestructible glass orb so you may keep it as a souvenir or trophy from this fight." I nodded.
"What about Hadasa, will she ever be human again?"
"Why do you care, she held your dragon hostage and enslaved you to her will?" I glared at the tablet.
"She was being manipulated by Arbutus, none of it wasn't her fault." Allah chuckled.
"Never lose that fire in your heart Hiccup but I'm sorry to say there is nothing I can do to help her return to her human form as that is something only time can do." I sighed.
"And if I leave her in Arabia then time won't have the chance to heal her with all the people wanting to crush the flowers after what she was forced to do."
"I believe this may help with moving her." The water rippled, as a clear glass orb floated out. "This orb can only be used once and shall allow you to safely move both the rose and the bed of flowers that surrounding it." The orb floated into my hand. "Simply hold it over the flower bed to collect it and when you wish to release the flowers simply place the orb on the ground and it shall do the rest." I nodded. "And now onto your gifts." The water rippled, as a familiar pot rose from the waters but there was something different about it. "As you know we originally gave you this to help you avoid the need to fight your own dragons or you falling under enemy control but it's power has been over shadowed before including on your latest adventure." I nodded. "We were able to increase its power and assure you that the only ones able to overcome it would have to be on level of a god so you may never be controlled again." I nodded.
"Why do I get the feeling I'm going to be needing this immunity in the future?"
"Most likely because you seem to attract danger like fish to water." I shrugged.
"It's a curse I'm afraid."
He chuckled before the water began to ripple again before what looked like a black leather waterskin rose from the water and floated into my hands to examine. The water skin was a circular one that was the size of my fist in size and made of skin that is black as night with dark blue crystal imbedded in the center of either side and circling them was the indent of Toothless. The lid on top looked to be made of black wood with a smooth spherical top that looked to be made of black marble and connected to the skin by a thin strap of leather circling around it and the bottom of the opening. All in all, it looked like a normal water skin. It was then I was brought out of my thoughts by Allah saying.
"A plant cannot live without water nor can any animal or human including you and this is why I gift you with this enchanted water-skin." I raised an eyebrow at the word enchanted. "This water-skin shall never run out of water no matter how much of it is used but be warned for this shall make it a much-desired item by those in the desert where water is scarce so be careful." I nodded as the water rippled once more before a small black scorpion statue floated out of the water and into my hand. "Hiccup the deserts of the world hold many secrets but you cannot discover them from the back of your nightfury up in the sky which is why I give you this scorpion." I looked down at the scorpion, which looked like an ordinary scorpion statue if not a bit more detailed. "To find it's true power simply place in the desert sand and it shall be released." I nodded as I turned the statue in my hand and looked back up at Allah.
"Now it is back to the mortal world I send you with these gifts until we meet again."
There was once more a bright flash and I opened my eyes to find myself in bed with both the flask in my right hand, the scorpion in my left and the pot and orb on my lap. Seeing this I smiled and put the scorpion on the side table before I took the lid of my water skin and took a sip to see how the water tasted. I smiled since it was ice cold and refreshing and I knew this flask would come in handy in my future trips to deserts, wastelands and places that are simply suffering from drought. I then turned to the scorpion on my side table and wondered what it was capable of and why Allah gave it to me. I sighed and shook my head before moving the orb and pot to the side table and dropping back into the bed knowing these are questions that can wait till tomorrow and went to sleep.
Morning
It's only been an hour since I woke up and I already had a headache due to the events that have happened since I woke up thanks to that sultan who cannot take a hint. Since breakfast he's been making a last-ditch effort to get me to sell Toothless to him despite me constantly telling him Toothless is not for sale. If that's not bad enough he was now trying to buy the rose and flower bed that formed where Hadasa's body was pulled in after it was placed in the orb claiming he'd love a thing of such beauty. As for how the orb itself worked was impressive as to use it I just held it near the flower bed before it floated out of my hand, over the rose and grew as large as the flower bed itself. When it grew slightly larger than the flowerbed it lowered down onto it with it fazing through the flowers until the top half covered the flowers. It then shrunk back down to its original size with the flowers and dirt they were planted in shrinking with it leaving a large crater in the ground. The sultan immediately tried to buy it from me but I turned him down and put it in my spider pack with my other gifts where I knew he wouldn't be able to get it.
Now I was standing outside the city walls with the sultan, who was here to see me off and see what this scorpion could do, and his personal guard, who claimed they were there only to protect the sultan but I could see they want to see what this scorpion could do. I held the scorpion in my right hand as I gave Toothless a smile as he tilted his head in curiosity before I kneeled down to place the scorpion but before I could put it on the sand the statue came to life and jumped into the sand. I watched as it quickly scuttled a few feet away from us before digging into the sand and burying itself within the sand like some scorpions do. For a few seconds there was nothing but silence as we all waited for something to happen before the sands began to shift showing us that something was happening.
A few more seconds past before a giant black metal scorpion only slightly smaller than a submaripper crawled out of the sand. It walked up to us before it lowered it body down to the ground allowing me to take a proper look at it. Its legs were made from black metal, as was the majority of its body but the pincers and were made of gold, as was its stinger. The shell on its back caught my attention though since there was a large rectangular indent that was about a foot deep, the edges of this dent were gold and in the center was another dent except this one was a small square shaped indent that's three feet deep. (AN: Picture the pinterest image '2009 Concept arts of WHO (Lands of the dead update). Warhammer FB' without the Egyptian markings, skulls and corpse.) I slowly walked up to it and saw it wasn't a living being and more like an automaton and walked up onto its claw to examine its body a bit more. I walked up its arm to examine the indent only to find writing on the edge, which read.
'Hiccup
Place your folded-up tent in the deep indent in the back of the scorpion and it shall know you are there and an orb shall rise from the scorpion. This orb is the heart of this creation and shall allow it to fully activate and give you control over it once you place your hand on it allowing it a single drop of your blood binding it to your will. Only when all of this is done shall you truly understand the purpose of this creation.'
Seeing this I was glad I kept my god made tent in my spider pack that was presently on my back. I had it reach in to pull out my tent before I walked up onto the back of the scorpion before doing as the message and placing my folded tent into the deeper indent in its back. It was then it began to glow making me back up out of the indent as the sound of metal scraping sounded behind me. I turned to see a red orb on a pedestal being pushed up three feet behind the head and knew this was the orb mentioned in the message. I walked up to it and placed my real hand on the orb before I felt a small prick and the orb turned from red to white before sinking back into the scorpion. It was then I heard a rumbling sound and turned to see my tent formed before the scorpion stood back up making me lose my balance for a moment but I quickly regained it. I then heard metal scraping against metal again and looked back to see the place where the orb rose from and saw a short square platform rising as a larger and taller one rose in front of it. I knew this was where I was to sit when riding this scorpion and looking back at my tent as the purpose of this scorpion. This scorpion would allow me to easily travel across desert grounds in comfort with no trouble and be able to do escort missions with no problems. Still though before I did anything I needed to figure this scorpion out so I could fully use it without any problems since there's no telling what it could do.
It was then I remembered the sultan and his men were still here and turned to see them all staring up at me on top of the scorpion in shock. I sighed knowing this would mean I had a lot to deal with now starting with explaining to the sultan that if he wanted a ride he'd have to wait till after I'm done figuring this scorpion out. I then noticed a gleam in his eye and knew things were not going to be easy since the look in his eye was one of both desire and greed. I'd seen this look in the eyes of many people I'd encountered all of which desired to buy Toothless from me among other things. I sighed and shook my head knowing this was going to be difficult.
6 days later
It's been seven days since I took on the demon known as Arbutus and six since I released my new scorpion and, in that time, things have been nothing but busy for me, not because of both my new scorpion though but because of the sultan. For the past three days I've been doing everything I could to learn all that my scorpion could do but I was constantly interrupted by the sultan who kept pestering me with questions and asking for rides on both my scorpion and Toothless. It drove me nuts how I couldn't even go for a simple flight with my dragon without the sultan running up and asking if her could join us. I was more than happy when I was able to leave him and his city behind after learning how to control my new scorpion to the point where I could use it for travel.
Speaking of my scorpion I'd been running multiple tests on it and I was more than impressed with what I discovered it could do. To begin with when I sat down on the short metal platform a thin rectangular platform rose from behind it forming a chair for me to sit on while the top of the one in front of it expanded forming a table before a map formed on it. This map was light blue in color, could not be touched since when I tried my hand went right through the models of the dunes and cities and could be moved around to different parts of Arabia through swiping at it in a direction. The cities on this map were all orange in color while the oases were green and in order to make the scorpion begin walking towards them all I had to do was place the palm of my hand on the map where the city lied and it would begin walking. If I wanted it to move faster I'd just have to will it to move faster like I did with my ship and like my ship this scorpion could move fast and by fast, I mean as fast as Toothless. It wouldn't stop unless I wanted it to meaning I could sleep through the entire journey in my tent which surprisingly didn't rock from side to side with the scorpion's body. Speaking of sleeping I learnt that when I was travelling on my scorpion and resting it would sink into the sands leaving only the tent out leaving it looking like a normal tent in the ground meaning a normal camp sight. I knew this would make a great trap for bandits who would more than likely see this as an easy mark for them. Fortunately finding a place to store it when I'm in the city wasn't going to be a problem since like my ship it could shrink down and fit into my prosthetic arm.
Then there are its defenses, which I had to say, were rather impressive and I knew that with them I'd have no trouble dealing with bandits. To begin with its pincers could shoot out at speeds that would allow them to shatter rocks while they're connected to long golden chains that would pull them back into place just as fast. Along with the claws there is of course the stinger that can spray a liquid onto enemies that could either act as a paralyzing spray or an acid that can eat through metal as if it were nothing. Along with this there's the effect it had on my tent, which surprisingly had a trap door in the center of the floor now, which leads down to a hall with two doors on either side of the walls and a trapdoor at the end. I recognized the first room through the left door as a large storage room area with the back wall being able to open up like a drawbridge so it could be loaded up with stuff. The other room on the other hand lead to a stable area for my dragons that could fit six of them with the back wall being able to open and let them out. Finally there's the room the trapdoor leads to which turns out is a dungeon with three cells on either wall that can only be unlocked by my stone of good fortune. The storage room was large and could fit up to six gronkles worth of crates while the prison hold had six cells that had three wooden beds built into the walls so the room could fit eighteen people in total.
I was able to test these rooms when I went to the bazaar and bought a few items and discovered that the scorpions' stomach can open up like a drawbridge leading to the prison hold but the prison hold so I could unload prisoners but putting them in is another story. I learnt this when some of the sultan's men volunteered to try and attack my scorpion head on only for it to spray them with its paralyzing liquid and then much to my horror, eat them. Fortunately, none of them were harmed and were found unconscious in the cells in the prison hold but I knew the sight of the scorpion eating people would mentally scar a lot of people.
Once I learnt of all of these abilities I could not get away from the city fast enough with the sultan trying to buy my scorpion and Toothless from me. Sadly, the sultan wasn't the only one trying to buy my scorpion since when word about my scorpions' abilities spread through the city I had to deal with multiple traders wanting to buy it. I couldn't blame them though since the desert is full of paroles such as bandits who are always eager to attack wondering traders and steal their goods. They offered me a lot of items in exchange for my scorpion from food to imported rugs with few even offered their daughters hands in marriage. I admit their daughters were beautiful but I wasn't going to buy a bride who I don't even know anything about other than their names and who their fathers are. It drove me nuts but I figured I might be able to do a few escort jobs but I wasn't sure knowing how this would no doubt result in more traders wanting to buy my scorpion.
Presently I was sitting on top of my scorpion with the Arabian city within my sight as I smiled at the sight since this journey may have been fast but there were some issues along the way. I picked up some hitchhikers in the form of a group of twelve bandits who were attacking another group of three traders and their camels carrying that were carrying their merchandise. The bandits never saw me coming since I rode in on Toothless launching some of my arrows catching them by surprise and getting half of them captured. The other half tried to make a run for it only for my scorpion to catch them and devour them each whole much to the horror of the traders. It took me ten minutes to calm them down and actually show them that the bandits were unharmed. When that was done they begged me to escort them to the city with my scorpion and I was happy to do so after we rounded up the horses belonging to the bandits and got them into the stables with the camels.
I was overjoyed at the sight of the city since for the past two hours the traders have been bombarding with questions about both the scorpion, Toothless and my adventures. Apparently, my tales had reached their ears and were curious to know what was fact and what was fiction due to how gossip travels and gets mixed up. Throughout this journey they haven't asked me to sell Toothless or my scorpion but I could see the look of desire in their eyes and knew that chances are they'd ask if I was willing to sell them before we get to the city. For now, I just need to enjoy the peace while the men waited in the tent for us to arrive and Toothless flying overhead keeping an eye out for trouble. With the city in sight I decided I should tell the traders that we were nearly there and stood up from my seat before walking into the tent and found the three of them sitting at the dinner table talking. They all fell silent when they saw me approaching them making me worry but I didn't let it show on my face as I said.
"We'll be arriving at the city in a few minutes, felt that I should let you know." They nodded before the one in the middle stood up and said.
"Thank you Hiccup and thank you for both rescuing us from the bandits and escorting us to the city safely." I shrugged.
"No problem, it's what I do."
"Hiccup, before we arrive me and my companions would like to discuss something with you." I raised an eyebrow and gestured for him to continue. "We would like to buy your scorpion with the tent, your bottomless water skin and your night fury."
"You want me to sell you my scorpion, tent, water skin and Toothless."
"Indeed, the scorpion along with the tent and water skin would be most helpful to us in our travels while your dragon is incredibly exotic and would make a fine companion on our travels." I raised an eyebrow. "We'd be more than happy to pay you enough to live the rest of your life in luxury and- "I held up my hand up silencing him.
"My dragon, water skin, scorpion and tent are not for sale nor will they ever be for sale so just drop the subject and get ready to get off with your items when we arrive." He sighed.
"Very well we'll let it go for now but do keep our offer in mind." I simply opened up the trapdoor leading to the lower levels where their camels are being kept.
"I'll let you and your camels out when we're a mile away from the city." They nodded and climbed down the ladder leading down the trapdoor.
Next day
I was walking through the palace garden as I went over what's happened since we got back from the trip and although it's only been one day but it feels like an eternity. The reason for this is because I've been forced to deal with the guards who assumed my scorpion was there to attack the city, the traders who were eager to hear about what riches I brought back and the royals who wanted to know what happened and why the city was attacked. I told them I'd explain everything once the bandits I captured were dealt with and now said bandits were in the dungeon while their horses were in the stables. After they were dealt with the sultan insisted I stay another week so we could all catch up on things since it's been so long. Knowing this was a chance to catch up with old friends I accepted his offer but sadly I forgot one thing that would cause a lot of problems and that thing is gossip.
With gossip being what it was here in Arabia word spread through the palace quickly now everyone was talking about my latest adventure and my latest gifts from the gods. If that wasn't bad enough the traders I rescued let word of my scorpion's abilities and bottomless water skin spread so now I had to deal with traders in the bazaar shoving their products into my face begging me to take them in exchange for my scorpion and tent. It was nuts how I couldn't take five steps out of the palace without a group of traders running at me all holding their items begging me for a trade. It was then I was brought out of my thoughts by the sound of a cough coming from behind me and turned to see Amira and Jahid looking at me with knowing smiles as Jahid said.
"Having problems today Hiccup?"
"Very funny Jahid but you've seen what I've been dealing with."
"Yes, the traders can be a rather annoying bunch when they have their eyes set on something." Amira then continued.
"You can't really blame them though, with the scorpion and tent they'd be able to travel the deserts in comfort and without fear of bandits while also being able to carry more products to trade while the water skin would ensure that they never run out of water." I shrugged.
"Not arguing about that but I can complain about what a pain it is to deal with those who want to buy them off me." Jahid replied
"Such is the price of fame my friend." Amira then said.
"You know I saw some of the traders are actually camping outside the palace waiting for you to come out so they can convince you to trade with them." I sighed and shook my head. "You have to admire their determination." I shrugged.
"True but I am beginning to rethink your fathers offer to stay another week."
"Oh, come on Hiccup you know fathe, thinks of you as a son so it's hard for him to see you so rarely."
"Yeah, I know but it's hard to deal with the traders making me a prisoner in the palace." Amira sighed as she looked down.
"I know the feeling." She then looked up at me. "You just need to make the best of things." Jahid then said.
"Think of it as a chance to enjoy some down time with friends." I shrugged.
"Yeah but when this time is over I'm going to have to explain all of this to my parents and they are not going to be happy."
"All the more reason for you to enjoy the peace while it lasts." I sighed before I smiled.
"You're right!" I sat down on the edge of the fountain. "I've just got to enjoy the down time before I'm forced to embark on another adventure." We all chuckled at that before we began talking.
4 days later
It's been four days since my talk with Jahid and Amira about how I should enjoy the down time I have here in Arabia and since then things have been pretty peaceful for me. After I stopped worrying about the merchants bothering me and decided to just enjoy my time in the palace talking to friends, sparring with the guards, taking flights over the city with Toothless, strolls through the garden and talking ideas with the sultan on how the city could be improved since he was eager to talk shop with me. Whenever we finished he always told me I had the makings of a great leader and hoped that his family will always be able to count on me for council when they needed it. I was all too happy to promise that if they ever needed my help then I would be there for them.
The only downside was these times were that I couldn't go past the palace walls since more than a few the traders had set up their stalls outside of the palace so I couldn't set foot outside without being swarmed by them. They'd even tried bribing the guards to let them in to talk business with me or to convince me to come out and meet with them. All the guards turned them down flat but when it came to the persistent traders who kept trying to bribe them were threatened with dungeon time. Of course, the guards weren't the only ones suffering because of these traders, the servants who were sent out to do business in the city or just walked out on days off were also forced to deal with these traders the wanting the same thing they tried to get from the guards. Fortunately, they knew how much I wanted them to be kept out and how doing what the traders wanted would get them in trouble with the sultan so they didn't take any of the offers.
Presently we were all sitting at the dining room table enjoying breakfast and discussing the agenda for today. It was then the sultan asked me.
"Are you enjoying your time here Hiccup?" I nodded.
"Despite the fact that I can't go past the palace walls without being swarmed by traders I am finding this trip to be truly relaxing." It was then a voice from behind me said.
"I'm afraid your time for relaxing must be cut short Hiccup." I immediately released my star sword and turned to face the owner of the voice but was shocked to see who it was.
AN: Cliffhanger! Ha ha ha ha ha! Hey guys I know this wasn't much of a chapter but I've had a bit of a rough week with one of the people in the office I work in being proven positive for COVID-19 so I've been pretty nervous. Along with this my cousins just got out of hospital and is now in quarantine because he caught COVID-19 so I'm sorry but life's been rough here in Johannesburg. As for the cliffhanger I needed to do something to keep you all on the edge of your seats so sorry but deal with it. Anyway be safe and remember to review kindly and until next time have a pleasant day.
