Chapter 130

Hiccups POV:

Five weeks have passed since the Meatheads returned to their own island and in those five weeks so much has happened with me here on my island. To begin with Roots had fully settled into his new life here on the island forming a nest of sorts outside of the bewilderbeasts nest next to the forest. Now his back looked like part of the forest with a large Cliffside but my wolves seemed to like it enough since they'd spend a lot of time running through the forest on his back. Besides that, I'd also been working on some new automaton ideas to help with my mining operation on dragon island but had yet to build them.

I had however built one new types of a tiny little bird that could fit in the palm of my hand or simply land on my finger since I wanted this automaton to be unnoticeable to the world. The reason for this is I designed it with the desire to create a recon unit for checking out unexplored cities, islands, army bases and other such things. This small bird automaton had an outer shell made of bronze mixed with gronkle iron and Featherstone to allow it to fly. Along with this it had two eyes that were made from peer stones and slightly smaller than a pea but despite this they did their job and allowed me to see through them so I could scout out places while the lifestone rested within its body. Along with these materials the bottoms of their feet were lined with latch stone in order to help them grip onto things without wobbling around and drawing attention. As for its defenses the inside of the claws had a small dose of speedstinger venom that could be released from the tips but other than that nothing since they were simply for scouting out places. I'd also given it the ability to pull its feet and head into its body forming a small ball making it easier to travel with and decided to call it a 'Scouter' because of its purpose.

I am happy to say that besides that the only other interesting thing that's happened is the bazaar had come and gone with me needing to deal with a few more admirers than usual since word of my Arabian adventure had spread. Sadly, so did word of my travelling scorpion meaning many merchants wished to discuss business with me wanting to buy it with the tent. It was absolutely insane what they were offering me since they were offering me food, jewels, carpets free stuff from their stalls for the next ten years and those who had daughters were offering them to me as brides. I admit their daughters were beautiful but when I looked at them I could see in their eyes that they didn't desire me but the type of life they would live as my wives. Because of this I flat out turned down their fathers telling them that I wasn't looking for a wife and wouldn't be for a while but they were nothing if not persistent. Other than that, nothing big has happened so my dragons and me were able to enjoy a bit of down time, which was nice considering all that's happened.

It was because of this time of peace I decided to take some down time and visit Egypt to enjoy the desert and city of Alexandria for some time. Cleopatra was happy to have me back in her city and as expected was eager to hear about my latest adventures and gifts from the gods. Of course, the nobles were also quiet interested to hear my tales and I could tell I'd earned more respect from the generals and guards when I told them how I lost my eye in my battle against Akuhei. Then came the requests for demonstrations of my new weapons and their new capabilities along with the upgrades to my original weapons. These demonstrations of course required multiple guards and training dummies which always drew in a large audience of nobles, normal people, guards and army troops wanting to see what they were capable of.

This of course meant big trouble for me since after that everyone was eager to buy the weapons from me despite the fact that before I gave the demonstration I announced that they weren't for sale at any price. This didn't seem to get through to them since I still had to deal with a whole bunch of people asking me to sell them my weapons only for me to repeat myself. As always, I tried to turn down their offers but whenever I did their offers would get even higher or they'd offer me different items in exchange. Now normally this stuff wouldn't bother me too much but when I revealed the scorpion, waterskin and tent along with their abilities I could not get a moments peace anywhere. My house was the one place I could get some peace but then thieves began breaking in to try and steal my stuff but after I caught the first one I kept my ninjas ready and patrolling the house at all times. Because of this I ended up capturing eight thieves and learnt most of them were hired by nobles to steal from me while others acted on their own hoping to be able to sell my stuff for enough gold to live out the rest of their lives in luxury. I reported them to the Cleopatra who was not impressed with them resulting in her summoning them to the palace to discuss their punishment.

After three days of this I went to the palace hoping to get some quiet and speak with Cleopatra about hiring some of her guards for crowd control. I am happy to say she made the arrangements and armed guards now stood outside my gate keeping the crowd at bay but unfortunately there was always someone who got through which I then had to deal with. Then one night I had this vision of the desert before I literally just seemed to fly across it till I came to the edge of a dense jungle as a voice from above said.

"The lives of many of this lands people lies in your hands Hiccup Haddock."

A leaf from one of the trees then blew off the tree and landed in my hand before I woke up at first believing it was all just some strange dream. That is until I looked down at my hand and found the same leaf resting in it, I would've figured it just blew in through the window but all of them were shut and none of the trees in the city held leaves like this one. I knew this meant I was being pulled into another adventure but I'm used to it and the next day I went to the palace to talk with Cleopatra. She told me it was a sign to get out of the city for a while and spend some time exploring her land but not just the desert but also the land of dense jungle far to the south as she could tell the stress of everything was getting to me. I admit it was a bit of a shock learning that there's a jungle past the desert since the desert was mostly just large sand dunes with the occasional oasis. Cleopatra was even kind enough to give me a map to the jungle but warned me that the jungles held many dangers but I doubt it was anything I couldn't deal with.

This brings us to where I am now which is sitting on top of my scorpions' head with Toothless flying above keeping an eye for any trouble. So far, we'd been travelling for four days straight only stopping for an hour a day so we could enjoy a flight together before travelling again and after so long of seeing nothing but sand dunes a large piece of green came into sight in the distance. I knew this meant we were going to be reaching the jungle soon and smiled as I said.

"At last this long journey across the desert is near an end." I brought my fingers to my lips and let out a whistle calling Toothless down who flew down and landed behind me crooning in confusion. "Sorry for calling you down from your flight early bud but we're almost there." He crooned at this and lay down behind me. "Just think bud, a new jungle with new plants and animals to see and who knows, we might end up finding some more people who are native to the land." He growled and shook his head. "True we might end up being pulled into another life risking adventure but hey maybe this time we won't need to deal with any dangerous situations of the mystical kind." He just shook his head. "Yeah I know but it doesn't hurt to hope for it." He just growled and we made our way towards the jungle.

Nightfall

It's been hours since we left the desert and entered the jungle and, in that time, I was amazed with what I'd seen in the short amount of time. When we first entered the jungle, I shrunk the scorpion down before putting it back in my prosthetic and collapsed my tent and placed it back into my spider pack but not before changing into my jungle armor. The reason for this is my scorpion wouldn't be much use since the jungle was too dense for it while my tent couldn't be set up due to it being too big to be set up between the trees and I wanted the chance to explore this dense jungle on my own two feet. I'm glad I did this since I've seen all sorts of birds, bugs and plants around the area but no animals for some reason but when I looked back at Toothless I knew why since he was a little intimidating to those who didn't know what he was. Still despite all this the new plants and birds were a lovely thing to see and the bugs were interesting enough but I hoped to see some animals before we left. Now night time had fallen upon the jungle and we were looking for a place to set up camp for the night but it wasn't easy finding a clearing in this jungle.

It was then I was brought out of my thoughts by the sound of a scream of pain but this wasn't just any scream of pain but that of a human being. I didn't have to tell Toothless what this meant for us before we took off in the direction of the scream. We ran through the jungle being hit in the face by branches, leaves and vines but we didn't let it slow us down in the least since chances are whoever it was that was screaming was more than likely in danger. We came to stop at the bottom of a large cliff as another scream echoed through the jungle drawing our attention upwards which is where the scream came from. I gasped at the sight of someone holding onto a branch that was sticking out of the cliffside leaving them dangling at least seventy feet above the ground. Using my eagle eye, I saw that there was someone on top of the cliff reaching out trying to get the person who was dangling but I knew this could result in them falling off as well. Knowing I couldn't let this happen I quickly mounted Toothless and said.

"Come on bud we've got to save them."

He gave a growl and nod before we took off towards the dangling person just as the branch they were hanging from began to break. This only made me nudge Toothless with my foot telling him to speed up which he was all too happy to do and we sped at the person. Just as the branch fully snapped sending the person falling down to the ground as they screamed in fear but stopped when Toothless grabbed them in his claws. We quickly flew up to the top of the cliff where the other person was before hovering as we lowered the person to the ground who immediately ran to the other person and hugged them in joy. As they did this Toothless and I came to land behind them drawing their attention towards us and I was able to get a proper look at them. They were both male who looked to be the age of ten with one being bald while the other had black hair that was shaved down the sculp, both wearing wraps around their waists with one being red and the other green with the bald one wearing a necklace of beads. It was then I noticed that while I was examining them they were examining both Toothless and I.

I opened my mouth to speak but was cut off by the sound of a growl coming from the forest and by the sounds of things and the look of fear forming on the boys' faces it was not friendly. It was then a creature burst from the bushes and looked around while growling as I studied its form and I had to say it looked a lot like a werewolf but it seemed like a different species of canine. Its fur was light brown with black spots and a large tuft of fur on its head moving back down giving it a Mohawk like appearance as it ran down its spine. The creature looked around while sniffing the air before its eyes landed on the boys and it began growling as the children backed up and I knew they were its prey but this was something I couldn't allow.

It was then the creature jumped at them with its claws extended but before it could even reach them I activated my boots speed mode and charged at the beast. When it was three feet from the kids I used my prosthetic arm shoulder to slam into the beasts' stomach making it roar in pain and fly to the side before tumbling across the ground. I quickly turned to Toothless and signaled him to guard as I pointed at the boys signaling him to protect them while I handled whatever this thing was. Toothless immediately ran and hopped in front of the boys in his defensive posture growling shocking the boys and making me smile knowing he wouldn't let anything happen to them.

I was quickly brought out of my thoughts by the sound of a roar coming from next to me and turned to see the creature in mid pounce at me but before I could react it had me on my back with its paws pinning my chest down. It lunged down at my head intent on sinking its fangs into my neck but I moved my head to the right avoiding the fangs by mere inches. It pulled its head back and lunged at me again but this time I held my prosthetic arm in front of its jaw making it bite right into my prosthetics fore arm. Since my prosthetic wasn't an actual part of my body I didn't feel any pain but the creature didn't seem to realize this since it kept biting it as if it were a bone. I smiled remembering I had a blue crystal loaded in it and knew this could result in giving this beast a bit of a shock and immediately began channeling the crystal. The opening in my arm glowed blue right before a lightning ran around my arm as the creature took another bite into me arm.

As soon as it bit into my arm the beast fur stood up as it let out a yelp and was thrown back by the shock giving me the chance to stand back up. I stopped channeling my blue crystal as I stared at the beast wondering what I could do to beat this thing. It was then my spider pack let out a humming sound as my prosthetic released my spirit bow without me even trying to summon it. I reached back to my spider pack to see what was happening only for an arrow to be shoved into my hand and when I pulled the arrow in front of me I saw it wasn't one of my regular since this one had a fletching of pure silver while the arrow seemed to glow in the moonlight. Seeing this arrow my mind flashed back to my first trip to Ireland in which I was forced to go up against my friend Connor who turned out was a werewolf and wound up curing him instead. (AN: If you don't remember then reread Chapter 64 if you don't remember.)

Remembering how I saved him from the curse he was suffering from made me realize that this creature wasn't a wild beast but a human being who's suffering from a curse. I looked up at the beast and knew I needed to kill the creature but save the human who's been cursed by it. I didn't get the chance to load up my arrow though since I was forced to quickly tuck and roll to the left side in order to avoid another one of the beasts' pounces. I saw it slide across the ground as I loaded the arrow and took aim at the creature but before I could let it fly though I heard screams of fear and turned to see the boys being held back by Toothless as they cried out towards me. It wasn't that hard to figure out they knew who this beast was and definitely cared about him but believed I was going to kill him with my arrow. I turned to them knowing they couldn't understand me but I still said.

"I'm not going to kill your friend, I'm going to save them from this inner beast."

They stared at me in confusion before I turned my attention back to the beast that was now charging at me as I pulled my arrow back once more taking aim. The beast leapt at me once more as I released the arrow and watched it fly through the air before striking the beast right in the chest. Like with Connor the arrow went right through the chest leaving a faint glow before the arrow flew out the other end impaling some sort of canine made of shadows but I knew this creature wasn't a wolf and like Connor the beast dropped to the ground as if it were pulled down. I smirked as the shadow creature squirmed on the ground before the arrow glowed and the beast faded into nothing while the arrow evaporated into shining white dust. I then turned back to the beast in general and watched as its body shrunk down while the fur was pulled back into the body, as the muzzle seemed to shrink in and be pulled into the face. When it finally stopped I was looking at a man who seemed to be twenty like me and was wearing a brown wrapping around his waist with a shaved head.

He groaned as he slowly got onto his hands and knees while the boys were able to make it past Toothless and run up to the man. They helped him up as Toothless walked up to my side while they spoke with the man who was groaning as he looked between the two. His eyes then landed on me and he stared for a few moments before he walked up to me and looked right into my eyes showing no emotion whatsoever. He then smiled before placing his hands on my shoulder and said something in his own language, which I did not understand but assumed it was a thank you. He then gestured to the two boys and spoke some more before he then gestured to the jungle and walked towards it while gesturing me to follow. I knew I could handle things easily enough if this was a trap but I had the feeling that this would lead me to the true reason I was brought to this land.

Half-an-hour later

We'd been walking through the jungle for half-an-hour now and in that time the only sounds that could be heard was the sound of our footsteps and what I believe to be the natural sounds of the jungle. Other than that the walk was filled with nothing but silence since we couldn't understand us which is why I hoped that they were taking me somewhere with other people. I might be able to find someone who could speak one of the many languages I did speak, maybe Egyptian since there must've been some Egyptian traders who came this way. It was then we came into a break in the dense plant life to find ourselves in front of a large clearing that held what I assume is their village because of the strange buildings filling it. These buildings looked as if they were made of clay in circle shape with grass roofs, a large fire burning in the center and a river to the right of it.

We all walked in as the guy let out a cry of some sort and before I could blink there were multiple people running out of the buildings with some being armed with spears and what I assume are clubs. We were surrounded in under twenty seconds with weapons and glares pointed at Toothless and I until the guy got in front of us and said some things in his own language, which I didn't understand. When he said this they lowered their weapons but didn't let their guard down if the way they were looking at me was anything to go by. It was then an elderly man walked through the crowd, this old man had short grey hair, a short length beard that was tied together under the chin, wearing a white wrapping with sash going across his chest and a beaded headband while in his hand was some sort of club he was using as a walking stick. The man walked up to him and spoke with him for a few moments before the elderly man turned to the two boys and spoke to them. I'm not sure but I think he was talking to them about what happened but I couldn't be sure since once again I couldn't understand them.

The elderly man then walked up to me and said something I couldn't understand but before I could reply another man walked through the crowd and this guy stood out from everyone else. His head was completely shaved, wearing what looked like the skin of some animal on his torso and waist that was mostly orange with a bit of white and black with surprisingly stripes white. The thing that caught my attention the most though was his face since surrounding his eyes like some sort of mask were multiple dots but on closer inspection I realized they were scars. He walked up to me and stared at me for a few moments before his eyes landed on my prosthetic arm and took my hand in his examining the top of my palm. I saw his eyes widen before a smile that looked as if it would rip his face apart formed before he gripped my face with both hands, said something I didn't understand then let go and stood next to me on the right side. He then proceeded to lift my prosthetic hand up and yelled something out which I assume was good if the way everyone suddenly began cheering was anything to go by. It was then the old man who I'm guessing is the village chief walked up and said something I didn't understand and I'm guessing it showed on my face since he then said in Egyptian.

"Do you speak the language of those of the land of moving sands perhaps?" Hearing him say something I could actually understand filled me with joy.

"Yes, I do." He smiled and placed a hand on my shoulder.

"My apologies if we were confusing you by speaking our own tongue."

"Don't be sorry, you weren't aware of me not understanding what you were saying and it's only right you speak your own tongue in your own land but I'd appreciate it if you'd speak to me in this language until I can learn the language of your people." He nodded.

"I believe that would be best."

"Now if you don't mind me asking, what is your name, who is the guy who gust held up my hand and why did everyone start cheering?"

"My name is Kwame and I am the chief of this tribe." He then gestured to the man with the scars on his face. "The man who raised your hand up is our village shaman, Zane." He then turned back to me. "As for why my people cheered, Zane recognized the symbol on the top of your hand and knows what it means and is happy you have arrived."

"My name is Hiccup Haddock and Zane knew I was coming?" Kwame nodded.

"He tossed the bones which read that he who wears the symbol of the tree on top of his hand would come and aid us in the coming time of need."

"The coming time of need?" He nodded.

"The bones have spoken of a coming dark cloud that threatens our people but through it you can prevent so much suffering." He then gestured to the once beastman and boys. "You have already begun to do so by saving one of my sons from falling to his death and once again from his brothers hyena curse along with his twin and then you did what was believed to be impossible and freed my eldest from the curse of the beast."

"Okay then but did you say hyena?" He nodded. "What is a hyena?"

"The hyena is a canine species native to the savannah but there are times when a man shall be cursed to become half man while the other half shall become that of a hyena."

"Sounds like a friend of mine who was cursed to become part man, part wolf until I cured him a while back." He nodded.

"Hiccup you have clearly lived an interesting life which you must tell me about but for now you shall stay in the village as my guest."

"I'd like that but don't worry about accommodations since me and Toothless can stay in my tent at night." He nodded.

"If that is your wish and now it is late so we should all rest for now." I nodded.

"Just show me where I can set my tent up for the night." He nodded and led me over to an empty space between two huts.

"Is this enough room?" I smiled at the spot and nodded.

"This'll do just fine thanks." He smiled at me as I activated my spiderpack making a leg lift and reach in as Kwame jumped back in fright. "Don't worry, it won't hurt you I'm just getting my tent out of my pack." The leg pulled out my folded-up tent and placed it in my hands as Kwame stared at me. "Let's just say on my adventures I've collected a lot of powerful things that come in handy in my other travels." He stared at me before he shook his head.

"Tomorrow, we have a lot to discuss my young friend and keep in mind that chances are a lot of my warriors shall wish to test their skills against you." I shrugged.

"I'm used to it." With that said I walked up to the center of the spot and placed my tent down before pulling the knot and letting my tent form while smiling. "Can't deny, this is possibly one of the most useful things the gods have ever gifted me." I turned back to Kwame who was staring at my tent. "I'll explain everything tomorrow since it's best we both get some rest for now."

He nodded before he walked away while I walked into my tent with Toothless following me but as I entered I wondered what this dark cloud their village shaman was talking about is. I sighed and shook my head knowing things aren't going to be easy in the least since they never were but with Toothless at my side there was nothing I couldn't handle. I turned and gave Toothless a pat and smile knowing I wouldn't even have the amazing life I do if it wasn't for him and for that I'll always be grateful to him. With these thoughts in mind I walked into the bedroom and collapsed onto my bed armor and all before falling asleep.

AN: Hey everybody! Yeah, I know this chapter is short but these past few days have been tough for me with what I hoped to be just a flu only today for me to get the results from a Covid-19 test. The results were positive so in other words I have Covid-19 so I'm going to be in isolation for two weeks I'm sad to say. Don't worry though I'm sure my life isn't in danger since I don't have any serious health problems and I'm not elderly so I'll hopefully be fine. Anyway I'm a little low on ideas for gifts from the African gods but I do have some ideas so if you have any just PM me and we'll see if they fit into it. Till next time guys I hope you're doing better than I am.