Chapter 134
Hiccups POV:
It's been a week since I freed the ninki nanka and in that week I'd been kept busy keeping an eye on Kimoni using my Scouter automatons so he wouldn't know I was keeping an eye on him. When it came to his necklace though he told Mosi that it was stolen from his hut a week before my battle with the ninki nanka and Mosi believed him and after watching him for a while I began to believe him to. Honestly from what I saw Kimoni was an alright guy, he had a wife who he clearly loved and an eight-year-old son who thought the world of him, the respect of every guard in the village and admiration of multiple members of the village and I knew why. He worked hard to protect the village constantly patrolling and helping train the warriors while also finding time to spend time with his family and play with his son. It was because of this I had the gut feeling that he was being set up but the question was who is the one doing the setting up. Along with this I had spoken with Rashidi to find out what happened to Mosi's brother who only told me that his name was Kilan and he went out hunting one day but never came back so everyone assumes he's dead. I however had a feeling that there was more to this than meets the eye but I needed time to figure it out and more clues but until then I'd let it go.
This all brings us to where I am presently which is sitting down on my bed in my tent with Toothless laying down in front of my bed sleeping while I kept my eyes closed as I watched Kimoni through the peer stone of the Scouter that was following him as he patrolled the edge of the village. In doing so I was hoping that perhaps the one trying to set him up would slip up resulting in me finding out who was behind all of this. It was then I noticed a shadow lurking up behind him but before either of us could react the figure swung a club into his head and he went down in what I hope was only unconsciousness. Seeing this as the figure picked him up and ran away but I was quick to will my scouter to follow them while I opened my eyes and said.
"Wake up bud, we've got trouble." Toothless immediately sat up as I ran past him towards the entrance to my tent and to the entrance of the village only to find both Kimoni and the person gone. "Too late!" I growled and clenched my fists until I heard footsteps behind me while the flickering of torches lit up the darkness as a voice I recognized as Mosi's asked.
"Hiccup, what's going on?" I turned to him and saw there were five other warriors with him along with Toothless. "We heard Toothless roar and came running."
"Someone or something attacked Kimoni and took him." He raised an eyebrow.
"How do you know this exactly?" Knowing he wouldn't like to know I was spying on his cousin I quickly came up with an excuse.
"With the recent attacks I've been a little nervous that something might attack the tribe at night so I send out my Scouter to keep an eye on things to be safe but saw someone attack Kimoni from behind and ran to help." I looked down and frowned in sadness. "I was too late to save him and whoever or whatever it was took him." They began murmuring.
"Did you get a look at what took him?" His voice was drenched in desperation and fear as I shook my head.
"No, it was covered in a cloak so I couldn't make out any features." He looked down growling but stopped when I continued with. "I had my scouter follow it so I if I hurry I can catch them before it does anything to Kimoni." Mosi looked at me with a serious look on his face.
"I'm coming with you!" I shook my head.
"No, there's a chance that you're the real target and Kimoni is just the bait." He glared at me.
"Hiccup I can't just sit back while one of the only remaining members of my family dies."
"True but as a chief you need to think of your tribe first, a tribe that needs its leader during these difficult times." He sighed and nodded before looking back up at me.
"Do everything you can to bring Kimoni back alive Hiccup and if you can bring the one who took him back alive as well to face justice." I nodded before I mounted Toothless and we took off.
1 hour later
We came to land outside a cave where my scouter had followed the one who kidnapped Kimoni since whoever it is was able to get some ground while I talked with Mosi and able to hide from us in the tall grass and darkness. I dismounted Toothless and looked up at the cave since I felt this strange feeling as if something dangerous was resting within it but never the less I approached the cave while signaling Toothless to watch the entrance if the guy tries to escape. He didn't like it and to be honest the thought of entering a dark cave alone to face, who knows what isn't too appealing but it had to be done. I slowly made my away into the cave counting on the eye of the dragon to allow me to see. I walked into the cave looking around for any sign of life but saw nothing until I heard the sound of a moan of pain deeper in the cave and ran towards it to see who was hurt only to find Kimoni tied up and laying against the wall with a bleeding head. Seeing this I said.
"Kimoni!" I ran up to him to check him as he looked up at me as he groaned out.
"Hiccup?" I reached him and knelt down to begin undoing the ropes.
"Don't worry Kimoni, I'm getting you out of here." BeforeI could touch him though a voice behind me said.
"You're not going anywhere with my cousin." I turned around to see a man with a green loincloth wrapped around his waist, a small beard running down the middle of his chin, middle length black hair that was shaved on both sides and grinning at me like a evilly standing against the wall at the entrance.
"Who are you?"
"I am Kellan and you just fell right into my trap." He reached into an opening in the wall and pulled something in it right before the roof at the entrance collapsed blocking the entrance leaving us trapped for now but all I could say was.
"Was that guy really Mosis brother?" It was then Kimoni's voice brought me out of my thoughts as he answered.
"Yes, it was." I turned to him. "He's been behind all the mystic beasts attacking the village to make Mosi seem like a bad chief to make it easier for him to take over."
"But he's Mosis brother so why would he want to take over?" He looked down and shook his head.
"I can't think of any reason other than a thirst for power." It was then a roar echoing through the cave making me turn down it.
"I'm guessing we'll have to worry about that later and worry about whatever it is that's in this cave with us." He nodded as I quickly released the rotating blade on top of my hand and cut the ropes before I helped Kimoni up and took him to an opening into the gap in the wall and slid him into it.
"What are you doing?"
"Putting you somewhere where you'll be safe."
"But Hiccup I can help you." He then grasped his head in pain.
"You're in no condition to fight with that head wound so leave it to me." I then smiled. "I've got experience in dealing with monsters." He nodded as I unfolded my eagle shield. "And just to make sure you're not hurt I'll leave this as a little extra protection." I stabbed it into the ground and watched as the shield turned into its phoenix mode and formed its shield around Kimoni as I turned back to the cave using the eye of the dragon to see in the darkness. "Now let's see what I'm going up against."
It was then out of the darkness the head of an elephant appeared but it was then I noticed some very important things that set it apart from a normal elephant as soon as it opened its mouth. To begin with its tusks weren't curved up but curved back and only slightly to the point that they were almost straight and facing down making them look like snake fangs and its trunk seemed shorter. Its mouth was the real shock though since when it opened its mouth and I knew it was not an elephant since its trunk was on its chin, its teeth were fangs and its mouth split open right to the back of its head and I was then able to see it had a spike on both its head and beneath its chin. When it approached me my hopes of it just being any species of elephant were firmly destroyed as in place of a body was a long tail like that of a snake and I then knew what it was making me say.
"Of all the beasts that could've been in this cave it had to be a grootslang."
With the knowledge of the what I'd be facing I realized Pirus and Ventus would be the best ones for the job since I wanted to keep my distance and deliver my strikes as fast as I could and while my bow would be effective it would take time to load my arrows. I reached back to my spider pack as the hilts popped out of the top and I was quick to reach back and take hold of them with Ventus in my left hand and Pirus in my right before pulling the blades out. I smiled as I felt their presence take form in my mind as their power surged into me and it didn't take much to know that they knew what was going on and didn't need me to tell them the danger I was in.
It was then the eyes of the grootslang landed on me and I knew this because it felt like they were burning a hole right through me but compared to the pain that lead to me being forced to severe my own arm it was nothing but a simple stinging. (AN: Chapter 68 if you don't remember.) The grootslang let out an unearthly roar that would cause even a thunderdrum to wince in pain, which was only increased by the echo of the cave so by my standards it was incredibly painful, but I endured it until the grootslang charged at me at incredible speeds. I quickly activated my ox flame boots speed mode and ran out of the way of the charging beast but I was only barely able to dodge its strike and when it did it exposed its side to me. I took the opportunity and slashed both my blades against its hide but I was shocked to discover that my blades were barely able to leave a scratch on it when they had no trouble cutting through gronkle iron or anything else I tested them on. I knew this meant this things hide was tougher than what I'd usually face but I was not going to let that stop me from taking it on and defeating it for the people of this land. I of course knew that this meant my attacking from a distance plan while using Pirus and Ventus's abilities wasn't going to work meaning I'd have to take this thing on close and personally.
I was so caught up in my thoughts I didn't notice the back of its tail coming at me until it struck my chest in the side sending me flying into the wall while also damaging both my chest armor and the straps holding it so it looked like a dented piece of metal that just hung off my chest. Knowing it would most likely just cause trouble in this battle I stabbed my swords into the ground for a second before I ripped off the chest plate of my desert armor and threw it to the side leaving my bare torso exposed to the world before my spider pack lifted allowing the back of the armor to fall off. I glared at the beast that turned towards me as I took Pirus and Ventus back into my grip and yelled out.
"I'M TAKING YOU DOWN BEAST AND MAKING SURE YOU'LL NEVER HURT ANOTHER LIVING BEING!"
The grootslang roared in reply and once again lunged at me but this time I charged at it using my ox flame boots speed mode before I was within ten feet of it I dropped to the ground and went sliding across the ground on my thigh that was thankfully still armored. Sadly, with the leather ties weakened from the earlier blow the top parts came leaving me sliding on the bottoms that were no longer part of the armor and just something I was using as a sled. When I was right below its body I raised the blades cutting into the hide of the beast leaving a long shallow scratch before I struck the part of the tail that was on the ground. I quickly rolled out of the way as it lowered down to crush me barely avoiding the crushing tail as it came down on the pieces of armor flattening them completely while I looked back and gulped knowing that could've been me. I looked up at the grootslangs large head that was the size of a titan wing gronkles head as it opened its jaw letting out another roar before it once again lunged at me but I tuck and rolled out of the way avoiding it. As I dodged the blow I saw the roof was covered in stalactites with multiple weak points that made the roof ready to crumble as an idea formed in my mind and mentally told the idea to Pirus and Ventus before I mentally asked.
"Think it'll work?" Ventus replied.
"It's pretty risky," Pirus then continued.
"But it's the only plan we have so I say go with it." This was all the incentive I needed before I slammed their hilts together making them merge and extend forming my double ended staff as I said.
"Let's do this thing!"
I then turned back to the grootslang as it lunged at me again with its mouth wide open and ready for the kill but this time I thrust my weapon towards it with Pirus facing up and Ventus facing down. The staff flew right into the open mouth of the grootslang making the creature stop in shock and try to snap my staff by closing its mouth on it but I knew Pirus and Ventus couldn't be broken so easily with the magic running through them. Before I could react however the grootslang swung its tail into me from the side sending me flying into the wall and without my armor I felt the full impact against my body and felt my ribs cracking due to the force of the impact against the wall. I fell to the floor, coughing up a bit of blood as I looked up at the grootslang that was once again slithering at me with its mouth still being held wide open by Pirus and Ventus making me smile as it got closer putting it in the perfect position for my plan. Seeing the opportunity, I released three of my scimitar throwing knives and threw them right up at the ceiling and smiled as their lunar mirage ability activated making them split up striking all the weak points in the roof section above the grootslang. The beast didn't notice though until the sound of cracking filled the cave while I ran for cover as the grootslang looked up just in time to see the caves roof coming down right on its head. It was at this time I was at a good distance not only to avoid being crushed but also get a good view of the rocks falling on the head of the grootslang making its head slam to the ground before the boulders landed on its head forcing its mouth closed making it impale its head on Pirus and Ventus with Pirus coming out of the head.
I watched as light shone from above from an opening in the roof that was made when I caused the cave in and knew it lead to the outside so we had a way out. My attention wasn't on where the light was coming from though but what the light itself was shining on since it was shining on the head of the now slain grootslang and reflecting off the blade that was Pirus who was now sticking out of the head of the beast with blood dripping from the blade. The thing was the light reflected off the blade to the back of the cave shining onto a gem which reflected the lights onto others completely illuminating the back of the cave revealing it to be full of gems.
It was then I remembered the legends about the grootslangs and how it was said that this creature was born when the gods were still new to the art of creating life and didn't yet understand the dangers of making something as powerful as the grootslang which is when they tried to correct their mistake. The gods did this by trying to exterminate every grootslang that lived by splitting the powers of the Grootslang and dispersing them across as two species, the elephant and the snake. Sadly they failed to get them all and one female Grootslang managed to escape into Africa. It was this single female that became the mother of the whole species of these creatures that even the gods themselves called a deadly error. As time past most grootslang began to cling onto hoards of glittering diamonds and guarded them with greed and envy. It was then I was once more brought out of my thoughts by someone saying.
"You killed the grootslang!" I turned to see Kimoni staring at the body of the beast in awe before he turned to me. "Hiccup Haddock, no mortal in the history of Africa has ever single handedly slain a grootslang." He continued to stare at me to the point I was beginning to feel uncomfortable before he smiled and laughed as he walked up to me and placed a hand on my shoulder. "My friend, you'll be a legend in Africa when word gets out." I sighed and shook my head as I walked past him to get my shield as I said.
"We'll go over that another time." I picked up my shield before approaching the grootslang while putting my shield back on my arm. "For now, we need to get back to the tribe to warn them about Kellan since chances are he'll kill Mosi to take over." Kimoni growled at this as I climbed onto the head of the grootslang.
"I would sooner die then allow Mosi to be murdered." I pulled Pirus and Ventus out of the grootslang by Pirus through the top of the skull.
"Then let's not waste any more time." I split Pirus and Ventus apart and sheathed them back in my spider pack that pulled them back in through the top of the eyeholes.
"But how are we going to get out of here with the entrance sealed up?" I pointed up at the opening in the roof of the cave.
"That's our way out!" He raised an eyebrow.
"But how are we to get there?" I smiled at him.
"Easy!" I released my hook and pointed it towards the hole. "We pull our way out." I launched my hook into the hole and felt it wrap around something before I gave it a pull to ensure it had a good grip and smiled as I offered my hand to Kimoni. "Let's get out of here!" He took my hand before I began reeling the chain in pulling us up to the hole before I pulled us out of the cave. "We've got to get back to the village and stop Kellan." He nodded before we rushed down the hill where we found Toothless standing up groggily with white powder on his nose which I'm guessing was used to knock him out but I ran up to him and brushed the powder off his nose. "Come on bud, we've got to get back to the village now." He shook his head to get rid of the drowsiness before he growled. "I know bud but there'll be time for payback later, for now we need to get back to the village to warn the tribe of Kellan." He growled and nodded while lowering himself to the ground allowing both Kimoni and I to mount him before we took off.
One hour later
We came to land half a mile away since if Kellan was able to make it back before us chances are he'd already painted me as the bad guy and told everyone Kimoni is dead which means the tribe would attack me. Because of this we made our way back to the village on foot so we could at least see what's happening and using my eagle eye I was able to tell there were no guards so we'd be able to arrive and sneak in easily. We made our way to the village as I signaled Toothless to stay back since he would more than likely draw attention and we'd most likely be attacked. When we got into the village we both grabbed a discarded blanket and used them to cover our bodies, heads and faces up so nobody would recognize us. We made our way through the village before we came to find a large crowd with all the tribe members all look up at Kellan standing next to Mosi as he announced.
"AND THEN I PLUNGED THE SPEAR HEAD INTO THE NECK OF THAT FOREIGNER AVENGING KIMONI AND ALL OF OUR FALLEN MEMBERS OF OUR TRIBE WHO WERE KILLED BY THOSE DARK BEASTS HE FORCED UPON OUR PEOPLE!" There were many murmurs among the crowd while Kimoni and I made our way through the crowd as Mosi placed a hand on Kellans shoulder and said.
"Forgive them brother, we all thought Hiccup was a kind-hearted man who had come to help us but instead was the one responsible for the attacks and was killed Kimoni while blaming it on an enemy so he would get some glory while then being able to get make assassinating me easier without my top guard." He then turned Kellan to face him fully. "I am truly happy that you have returned to us in our time of need brother and that are you are safe." He sighed and looked down. "I just wish it was under better circumstances." He took his hands of Kellans shoulders and clenched them into fists. "I trusted that boy with my life and treated him as if he were a blood member of our tribe, I can't believe he'd betray us like this and everything was just a lie." It was then I decided to make my presence known as me and Kimoni were now at the front of the crowd so I said.
"The only lies here are the ones Kellan has been telling you all." All eyes landed on us as I removed the blanket to reveal myself to the tribe as I continued with. "Kellan's the one who's been behind the attacks on this village and is also the one who kidnapped Kimoni to lure me away so he could do away with me and I would no longer be in the way of his plans." I saw Kellan staring at me wide eyed before he yelled out.
"YOU SURVIVED, BUT THE GROOTSLANG SHOULD HAVE KILLED YOU?" I shrugged.
"I've gone up against worse." Kellan then turned to Mosi.
"Brother, he is clearly trying to deceive you and place the blame of his villainous actions on me." Mosi nodded before he yelled.
"GUARDS, SEIZE THE FOREIGNER!" They immediately rushed towards me armed but Kimoni stepped forward removing the blanket as he yelled out.
"STAND DOWN, HICCUP HADDOCK IS NOT OUR ENEMY BUT OUR ALLY AGAINST KELLAN WHO HAS BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL THE ATTACKS BY MYSTIC BEASTS ON OUR VILLAGE!" Everyone stepped back at the sight of him but it was then Kellan said.
"HE MUST BE UNDER THE FOREIGNERS CONTROL, GET HIM AS WELL!" Before the guards could make a move, a voice screamed out from the crowd.
"ENOUGH!" All eyes turned to the owner of the voice who turned out to be Rashidi who had just made his way to the front and glaring at Kellan. "It does not take magic to know that you are the one who has been saying lies with what you have just revealed with your words." Kellan glared at him but I could see the fear in his eyes.
"What are you talking about old man?" Rashidi glared at him.
"In your story that you told all of us you claimed Kimoni was already dead when you found them due to his throat being cut, yet he stands before us alive and well with no scars on his neck." Before Kellan could reply. "Furthermore, you claimed you killed Hiccup Haddock by stabbing a spear head into his neck yet when he showed up you yelled out how a grootslang should have killed him." Kellan growled before he smirked and put his hands behind his back.
"You always were the observant one Rashidi but I was hoping nobody would notice the difference between my story and those things I said." I gasped as he then pulled out a stone knife from behind his back and lunged at Rashidi with the blade pointed at his neck but I was faster, using my bull flame boots speed mode I ran and grabbed the hand holding the knife with my prosthetic when the knife was only inches from Rashidis neck making Kellan turn to me as I frowned and said.
"Don't even think about it!" He glared at me and pulled his arm free before Mosi walked up with horror written all over his face.
"Brother, why?" He turned to glare at him as he answered.
"All my life I lived in your shadow." His grip on the knife tightened. "You were the one who was trained to be chief, you were betrothed to the girl I wanted, you were the one who father loved more and you were the one he always praised no matter how hard I tried to gain his approval." He pointed the knife at himself. "I left this village and went into self-exile so I could train to become strong enough to kill you and it was in my exile that I planned." He tapped the knife against his chest. "I was the one to put the ideas to attack the other tribe into the children's heads, I was the one who sent the isitwalangcence, it was I who captured the ninki nanka and set it in the wetlands while leaving Kimoni's necklace to frame him and I was the one who kidnapped Kimoni hoping to be rid of him and that accursed foreigner by leaving them with the grootslang." He then turned to me. "It failed but how could you have escaped the grootslang when no man has ever survived an encounter with it without bribing it using precious gems?"
"Like I said, I've faced worse in my life." He just glared and let out a war cry before he lunged at me with the blade but I stepped out of the way and saw everyone had backed up except the guards who were readying their weapons but I held up my hand signaling them the stand back. "No, this is my fight now!" They all stepped back and kept the crowd at bay as I looked at Kellan who glared at me before he smirked.
"I guess now is where you ask me to peacefully surrender."
"I know you won't since the guys I go up against never do but I'm hoping this time things might be different."
"I'm afraid not so why don't you take out one of your god made weapons so we can do battle where I claim them for myself after I claim your life." I shook my head and had my spider pack pull out the African club I was given after my adventure in the jungle and had it placed in my prosthetic hand before I lifted the top legs of my spider pack making it fall to the ground as I took my eagle shield off my arm and dropped it to the ground.
"I use my god made weapons to take on monsters, demons, mystics, armies and powerful enemies but to fight a pitiful man like you all I need is a normal club given to me by some dear friends in the African jungle." He just smirked.
"Underestimating me is a mistake that'll cost you your life."
He then launched himself at me with the knifes point pointed at my heart but I side stepped him avoiding the blow before swinging my club into the back of his right leg making him stumble to the ground and drop the knife. He quickly recovered though and grabbed a spear that was leaning up against the hut he had stumbled towards before turning towards me glaring. He charged at me with the spear pointed at me and charged at me once more ready to kill me but I wasn't going to be going down so easily. Kellan thrust the head of the spear towards my stomach but I stepped the side and grabbed the pole just below the spearhead and yanked it forward making Kellan stumble forward. When he was close enough I swung my club once more but this time the ball of the club struck him right in the stomach making him gasp in pain and drop the spear before kneeling over and grasping his stomach in pain. He glared up at me as I looked down and said.
"You can't win against me Kellan, give up and save yourself the pain."
He just glared at me with a look in his eyes that I knew all too well from my past enemies who refused to give up despite there being no chance of them winning. It was the look of someone who has truly given into not just their rage and anger towards me but the rage and anger that put them on this path they are on now and using all of it to fuel their strength and determination. I knew from past experiences when the person or creature gives into this state of mind there's no talking to them since when like this they only think of killing their target which in this case as usual was me. He kicked the spear upwards and grabbed it before he once more charged at me but I raised my club and brought it down hard as Kellan raised the spear using both hands while holding the spear sideways. It didn't do anything to stop my blow though since as soon as the head of my club made contact with the pole of the spear it was snapped in two as if it were nothing making me smile before I used my fist to punch him right in the face. He dropped to his knees as I shook my head and turned away as I said.
"This battle is over."
I turned and began walking over to Mosi but a yell from behind me caught my attention and turned to see Kellan charging right at me with the head of his spear gripped in his right hand and pointed at me. When I saw this, my ninja training kicked in and my reflexes acted up and I quickly dodged to the side but he was able to get a slash on my left arm just below my shoulder leaving a bleeding cut that I knew was going to leave a scar. I ignored the pain though and swung my club one more time but this time I aimed for the upper part of the stomach as hard as I could before he dropped to the ground unconscious. I let out a sigh as I shook my head knowing this time he was down for good but from victories like this I never took any pleasure since I knew at one point my opponent was a good man. I turned to Mosi who was on his hands and knees with tears dripping from his face and onto the ground but I knew it was because as insane Kallan was he was still Mosi's brother and nothing would change that. Seeing the pain my friend was in I walked up to him and kneeled down before I hugged him and said.
"I'm sorry things had to be this way Mosi." He sniffled and hugged me back.
"It's not your fault Hiccup but I wish I'd known the pain Kallan was in then I might have been able to help him."
"There was a darkness within him that he can't escape no matter how hard he tries." He looked at me. "I know Hiccup and I am truly sorry for all the trouble it has caused you."
"Don't worry about it, compared to everything else I've had to deal with on this trip my fight with your brother has been nothing more than an annoyance."
"Still though you were wounded in your fight against him."
"He caught me by surprise so it's no big deal." Rashidi then walked up to us.
"Speaking of which Hiccup I believe it best we get that wound tended to now to avoid it being infected." I nodded before I turned to Mosi but before I could say anything he held up his hand.
"Don't worry, I'll handle Kallan while your wound is tended to." I nodded before I allowed Rashidi to lead me away to his hut so he could tend to my wound but as he did I hoped that with the mastermind behind the attack dealt with the attacks would stop.
AN: Hey all I hope you enjoyed the chapter and will review kindly despite the battle scenes not being too exciting but you know I'm not that good at writing them. Anyway I hope you're all staying safe during these tough times since I know how hard it is on all of us so it's best to stay safe at home, wear masks when you go out and practice good hygiene and social distancing. To those of you who are curious to know what happened to the body of the grootslang, don't worry all will be explained in the next chapter so be patient. By the way for those of you who think he should get the ninki nanka the answer is no and the reason for this shall also be explained in the next chapter. In the meantime stay safe, enjoy your day and remember to review kindly.
