Chapter 3
The sun hung high in the sky, its golden rays beating down on the village of Berk. Hiccup paced the floor of the Great Hall, anxiety gnawing at him as he listened to his father's booming voice echoing off the walls.
"You're going to dragon training tomorrow, Hiccup. You need to learn how to defend yourself!" Stoick's tone was firm, unwavering.
"I don't want to train with dragons, Dad! You don't understand!" Hiccup shot back, frustration bubbling to the surface.
"Understand what? That you're trying to run away from your responsibilities? You're not a child anymore; it's time to act like one!" Stoick's words hit Hiccup like a cold wave, intensifying his frustration.
Hiccup felt his heart race. "But I want to find my own way! I don't want to be just another Viking!"
Stoick crossed his arms, his brow furrowing in disapproval. "Trust is earned, Hiccup. You need to show us you can handle this."
With a surge of anger, Hiccup clenched his fists. "Maybe I don't want to handle it the way you want me to! I want to explore my own path!"
Silence filled the hall, the tension rising. Stoick's face hardened, and Hiccup knew this argument was going nowhere. With a defiant glare, Hiccup turned and stormed out, feeling the weight of his father's disappointment on his shoulders.
Outside, the cool breeze greeted him, but it couldn't cool the fire within. He made his way toward the cove, the familiar path guiding him as thoughts of Toothless swirled in his mind. Unbeknownst to him, Astrid had seen him slip away and followed at a distance, her curiosity piqued.
When Hiccup reached the cove, he felt an immediate sense of calm wash over him. The sun reflected off the water, and he stepped forward, his eyes scanning for Toothless. "You're here, aren't you?" he called softly.
Toothless emerged from the shadows, his sleek black form contrasting with the bright surroundings. Hiccup's heart swelled with relief and excitement. "There you are, buddy!" He approached slowly, hands open in a gesture of peace.
Just then, Astrid stepped into the clearing, eyes wide with surprise. "Hiccup? You found a dragon?" she exclaimed, stunned.
Hiccup quickly turned, his heart racing as he realized she had followed him. "Astrid! I... it's not what you think!" He felt a rush of panic, unsure of how she would react.
She stepped closer, studying Toothless with a mixture of fear and fascination. "You're really not scared?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Scared? No! I mean, yes, but he's not going to hurt us," Hiccup replied, feeling a surge of confidence. "I think we can fly together."
Astrid's eyes widened. "You think?"
Without waiting for a response, Hiccup moved closer to Toothless. "Okay, buddy, let's show her what we can do!" He climbed onto Toothless's back, gripping the smooth scales.
"Wait!" Astrid exclaimed, her voice a mix of excitement and concern. "You're really going to do this?"
Hiccup nodded, feeling the thrill of adventure pulse through him. "Hold on!" He shouted, and with a powerful beat of his wings, Toothless launched into the air.
The world below shrank away as they soared, the wind whipping through Hiccup's hair. Laughter escaped his lips, a sound of pure exhilaration. Astrid, watching from below, could hardly believe her eyes as the two ascended higher, the dragon gracefully gliding through the sky.
After what felt like an eternity of pure freedom, Hiccup guided Toothless back to the cove, landing softly on the sand. He slid off, breathless and filled with an indescribable joy.
"Amazing!" Astrid gasped, her eyes shining with excitement. "We actually did it!"
Hiccup beamed, pride swelling in his chest.
But as the moment of triumph faded, reality crashed back in. He looked out over the water, knowing he couldn't stay. "Astrid, I have to go," he said, the weight of his decision heavy in the air.
"What do you mean, go? You just flew with a dragon! You can't leave now!" Astrid's expression shifted to one of concern.
"I need to figure things out—about myself, about this connection with Toothless," Hiccup explained, determination etched on his features.
Astrid's voice softened, the worry evident in her eyes. "What if something happens to you? You don't know what you're facing!"
"I have to take this chance. I can't let fear hold me back," Hiccup replied, steeling himself. "I need to do this."
Astrid opened her mouth to protest but then paused, understanding dawning on her. "Promise me you'll be careful. And that you'll come back to me."
Hiccup blinked, taken aback by her words. "You... you want me to come back?" He felt a warmth spread through him, surprised and slightly flustered by the concern in her voice.
"Of course I do!" Astrid shot back, her cheeks flushing slightly. "You're my friend, Hiccup. I want to know you're safe."
"I... I promise," Hiccup said, his voice firm, though his heart raced at the unexpected weight of her feelings. He took a step back, feeling the pull of adventure beckoning him.
With a final look at Astrid, who stood watching with concern etched on her face, he climbed back onto Toothless. "I'll be back."
Toothless crouched, ready to take off, and Hiccup felt a thrill run through him. With one last look at the familiar shores of Berk, they launched into the sky, heading south toward an island he had spotted on the horizon, a place where he hoped to discover more about himself and the bond he shared with Toothless.
As they soared into the unknown, Hiccup felt a mixture of excitement and fear, the world stretching out before him like a blank canvas, waiting to be filled with new adventures.
Hiccup guided Toothless through the air, the wind rushing past them as the rocky outline of the island loomed ahead. It was small and rugged, a stark contrast to the rolling hills of Berk. The shoreline was jagged, lined with sharp rocks and dense underbrush, but it was the perfect place to begin anew. As they landed, a sense of exhilaration surged through him. This was his chance—a fresh start away from the weight of his father's expectations.
After dismounting, Hiccup surveyed the area. He spotted a clearing nestled between a cluster of trees, the perfect spot to set up a makeshift tent. With a nod to Toothless, he began to gather fallen branches and large leaves, crafting a simple shelter. It took some time, but eventually, he managed to create a rudimentary structure, just enough to keep him dry from any nighttime rain.
As dusk settled over the island, he built a small fire, its flickering light casting shadows across the trees. Sitting beside it, Hiccup felt a strange mix of peace and anxiety. This place was wild and untouched, brimming with possibilities, but also dangers. He closed his eyes, allowing the sound of the crackling fire to lull him into a sense of security.
Exhausted from the day's events, he lay down on the ground, using his cloak as a makeshift blanket. Sleep soon claimed him, and for the first time in a long while, he felt free.
The night passed uneventfully, but as dawn broke, Hiccup awoke to an unusual sound—a rustling noise nearby. Groggy and disoriented, he rubbed the sleep from his eyes and sat up. The fire had burned low, the embers glowing faintly. As he focused on the source of the noise, he froze.
Standing not far from him was a wild boar, its bristled fur glistening in the morning light. It snorted and pawed at the ground, sniffing the air. Hiccup's heart raced. He had no desire to tangle with a creature that could easily overpower him. Yet, as if sensing his presence, the boar turned its head sharply, its dark eyes locking onto him.
Panic surged through Hiccup. He scrambled to his feet, his mind racing. What do I do? He quickly grabbed his dagger, the only weapon he had, and took a defensive stance. The boar charged at him, and instinct kicked in.
"Hey! Get back!" he shouted, but the creature was relentless. With a guttural grunt, it lunged forward, tusks gleaming dangerously. Hiccup barely dodged to the side, the boar narrowly missing him as it barreled past.
Without a moment to waste, he pivoted and slashed with his dagger, aiming for the boar's flank. The blade met flesh, and a grunt of pain echoed through the clearing as the boar reared back, turning to face him again. Blood flowed from the wound, and Hiccup's heart pounded in his chest.
The boar charged once more, but this time, Hiccup was ready. He sidestepped and thrust his dagger into the creature's side with all his strength. The boar let out a final, pained squeal before collapsing to the ground.
Breathing heavily, Hiccup stepped back, his mind racing. He had done it; he had killed the boar. But the victory was bittersweet. As he glanced down at his hands, he realized they were covered in blood—his own, and the boar's.
With a minor concussion from the earlier encounter, a wave of dizziness washed over him. He stumbled slightly, bracing himself against a tree as he caught his breath. He had fought hard, but the physical toll was evident, and he could feel the sting of pain spreading across his head.
Finally, he turned back toward Toothless, who had remained nearby, watching with a mix of curiosity and concern. "You're not going to believe what just happened," he said, forcing a grin as he approached the dragon, blood still dripping from his dagger.
Toothless sniffed the air, letting out a low rumble, and Hiccup chuckled despite himself. "I guess it's breakfast time," he added, feeling a sense of pride wash over him for facing the wild beast, yet knowing he had much to learn in this harsh new world.
Hiccup wiped the sweat from his brow as he dragged the boar back toward their campsite, grunting with effort. The beast was heavy, but adrenaline coursed through his veins, fueling his determination. Every so often, he glanced back at Toothless, who followed closely, his luminous eyes watching Hiccup with a mixture of curiosity and encouragement.
Once they reached the clearing, Hiccup dropped the boar with a thud, panting heavily. "Okay, Toothless, let's get to work," he said, wiping his brow with the back of his hand. "We need to cook this before it goes bad."
Toothless let out a low huff, seemingly understanding the task at hand. The dragon padded over to the remnants of the fire, which had nearly died down. With a gentle puff of his breath, Toothless ignited the embers, flames licking back to life in vibrant orange and yellow.
"Nice job, buddy!" Hiccup exclaimed, feeling a surge of gratitude for his companion. He watched in awe as Toothless added a few dry twigs and leaves, expertly fanning the flames into a full blaze. "Now, let's make a spit."
Hiccup set to work, searching the nearby underbrush for sturdy branches. He found a long, thick stick and set it down near the fire. He then took out his dagger and began to carve the ends into sharp points, all the while keeping an eye on Toothless, who was busy patrolling the area, ensuring they were safe.
Once he was satisfied with the spit, Hiccup rolled the boar onto its side, using all his strength to maneuver it onto the makeshift spit. He secured it in place, propping the ends over the fire to allow the heat to begin cooking the meat.
"Now we just have to wait," he said, wiping his hands on his cloak. The smell of the roasting meat soon filled the air, a tantalizing aroma that made Hiccup's stomach growl in response. He leaned back against a nearby tree, allowing himself a moment of relaxation as he watched Toothless, who sat close by, his eyes fixated on the cooking boar.
Toothless let out a soft chirp, as if expressing his approval of their work. Hiccup chuckled, realizing how strange it was to be here in this wild place, cooking a meal with his dragon companion. "You know, this isn't exactly what I imagined when I thought of adventure," he said, glancing at Toothless. "But it's definitely memorable."
Toothless tilted his head, the flames reflecting in his bright eyes, and let out a low rumble, seemingly in agreement. Hiccup couldn't help but smile. There was something incredible about sharing this moment with Toothless—two unlikely friends carving out a life in the wilderness.
As the boar continued to roast, Hiccup felt a sense of accomplishment wash over him. He had faced a dangerous creature, brought it down, and now he was preparing a feast. It wasn't just survival; it was a celebration of their bond, of the journey that lay ahead.
"Alright, let's check on our dinner," he said, rising to his feet. He approached the spit, carefully checking the meat. It sizzled pleasantly, and Hiccup could hardly contain his excitement. "Not bad for a first attempt at cooking, huh?"
After a few more minutes of careful tending, he decided it was time to eat. "Toothless, I think it's ready!" he called, pulling the boar off the spit and setting it on a flat stone to cool slightly. He reached for his dagger, ready to carve into the freshly roasted meat.
As he began to slice off a piece, he looked up at Toothless, who was watching intently, tail flicking in anticipation. "I'll save you a good bit," Hiccup promised, grinning at his friend. "Just let me taste it first."
He took a tentative bite, the smoky flavor exploding in his mouth. "Wow," he said, surprised. "This is actually amazing!"
Toothless let out an eager chirp, clearly wanting his share. Hiccup chuckled, cutting a larger piece and tossing it toward Toothless. The dragon caught it mid-air, munching happily.
"Looks like we're going to survive out here after all," Hiccup said, satisfaction settling over him. Together, they enjoyed their feast under the open sky, the warmth of the fire creating a cozy ambiance as the sun dipped lower, painting the horizon in hues of orange and pink.
As the sun sank below the horizon, the last vestiges of daylight painted the sky with vibrant colors. Hiccup finished his meal, the warmth of the fire providing comfort against the cooling night air. He felt a deep sense of contentment as he leaned back against a rock, watching the flames dance.
Once he finished, Hiccup set aside his dagger and began gathering materials for a makeshift bed. He piled together some dried leaves and soft grasses, creating a small nest for himself. Toothless lay beside him, his eyes slowly drooping as the warmth of the fire lulled him toward sleep.
Just as Hiccup was about to curl up for the night, a rustling sound broke the stillness of the night. He sat up, straining to listen. Suddenly, a small figure burst into the clearing—a tiny Green Terror, its scales shimmering in the firelight. The dragon looked around with wide, innocent eyes, clearly drawn to the remnants of the roasted boar.
Hiccup chuckled, watching the little creature with curiosity. "Hey there, little guy," he said softly, trying not to scare it off. "You're a brave one, aren't you?"
The Green Terror sniffed at the leftover meat, its little tail flicking in excitement. Before Hiccup could react, it took a big bite out of the remaining chunk of boar, a triumphant chirp escaping its lips. But as it chewed, its eyes widened in panic. The piece was far too large, and it began to cough and sputter, unable to swallow.
Hiccup sprang to his feet. "Oh no!" He rushed over to the tiny dragon, kneeling beside it as it flailed its little arms in distress. "Come on, buddy, you can do this!"
He gently grasped the Green Terror, tilting it slightly forward. "You've got to get it out!" Hiccup encouraged, feeling a surge of adrenaline. The little dragon gagged again, but with a desperate cough, it managed to spit out the too-large piece of meat, which landed on the ground with a wet plop.
Relieved, Hiccup quickly grabbed his dagger and, with careful precision, began slicing the remaining meat into smaller, manageable chunks. "There we go," he said, holding out a piece to the Green Terror. "Try this instead."
The little dragon eyed the offering cautiously before snatching it from Hiccup's fingers. It chewed eagerly, this time managing to swallow without issue. As it devoured the food, Hiccup couldn't help but smile at its exuberance.
"Looks like you've got quite the appetite," he remarked, watching the Green Terror's eyes sparkle with delight. After finishing the last piece, the dragon plopped down beside Hiccup, letting out a satisfied little huff.
Feeling a sense of companionship blossom, Hiccup leaned back against the rock again. The Green Terror curled up beside him, its warm body pressing against his leg. Toothless opened one eye, watching the scene with a relaxed expression, as if to say, "I guess we have another friend now."
"Guess you're not the only one who likes to crash at camp," Hiccup said, scratching the little dragon behind its ear. The Green Terror leaned into the touch, emitting a soft rumble that sounded like a purr.
As the stars began to twinkle overhead, Hiccup settled into his makeshift bed, the warmth of the fire creating a cocoon of comfort around him. He glanced at Toothless, who had closed his eyes, and then at the tiny Green Terror snuggled beside him.
"Goodnight, little guy," Hiccup whispered, feeling a sense of peace wash over him. "Welcome to the team."
With that, he drifted off to sleep, surrounded by the gentle crackling of the fire, the soft breathing of Toothless, and the occasional chirp from the Green Terror, the sounds of the night weaving a tapestry of safety and companionship in the darkness.
The morning sun barely pierced the thick clouds overhead as a boat rocked steadily on the turbulent waters of the North Sea. Sixteen men—hardened villagers from Eldergrove—were determined to hunt down the beast that had plagued their home for far too long. Rumors whispered through the taverns about a colossal Skrill, a dragon that could summon storms and wield lightning with a flick of its tail. It had destroyed boats, homes, and taken lives. Today, they would face the terror that haunted their nights.
At the helm of the boat stood Iker, a wiry 16-year-old with sharp eyes that mirrored the turbulent sea. His father had been one of the victims of the Skrill's fury, and vengeance burned in his chest. "We're close," he said, scanning the horizon. "It's time we ended this."
Beside him, Ulf, the eldest of the group at 40, gripped the harpoon tightly, his muscles tensed with anticipation. "Easy, lad. We need to be smart about this. A single misstep, and we could end up like the others."
"I still think we should have brought more men," complained Erik, a burly fisherman with a scruffy beard. He leaned against the side of the boat, arms crossed. "Sixteen is hardly enough for a beast like that. We could have overwhelmed it with numbers."
"More men would mean more mouths to feed and more chances for someone to get in the way," Iker retorted, glancing back at Erik. "We need to be precise, not reckless."
"Precision doesn't matter much when you're facing a dragon that can summon storms!" Erik shot back, frustration etched on his face. "What if we fail? What if—"
Before he could finish, a deafening roar echoed across the waves, silencing the crew. The sky darkened as ominous clouds rolled in, and Iker's heart raced. "It's here!" he shouted, adrenaline surging through him.
The Skrill burst through the surface of the water, scales shimmering like silver in the fading light. Its wings spread wide, casting a shadow over the bow of the boat as it leaped into the air. Iker felt the sheer force of its presence, a wave of dread crashing over him.
"Prepare yourselves!" Ulf bellowed, raising the harpoon. The crew scrambled, grabbing weapons and bracing themselves.
The Skrill unleashed a blast of electricity, lighting up the sky as it sent a bolt crashing down toward them. The men ducked just in time, but the blast rocked the boat, sending several crew members sprawling.
"Steady! Don't panic!" Ulf yelled, trying to keep them focused.
The Skrill circled above, its eyes glowing with malice as it surveyed the small band of hunters. It dove down, talons extended, aiming for Erik. Iker's instincts kicked in. "Get out of the way!" he shouted, throwing a small net toward Erik to distract the beast.
The net missed, but it gave Erik a moment to react. He leapt aside as the Skrill's claws raked the deck, splintering wood beneath their weight.
"Haul it in!" Ulf shouted, sending a harpoon into the air. It soared toward the Skrill but bounced off its scales like a pebble against a mountain.
"See? We needed more men!" Erik yelled, panic creeping into his voice.
"Less talk, more action!" Iker shouted back, determination etched on his face. He grabbed a grappling hook and aimed for the Skrill. With a swift throw, he managed to catch one of its wings, but it only angered the creature.
The Skrill screeched, twisting in the air and sending lightning crackling through the sky. It retaliated with a powerful gust of wind, sending Iker tumbling backward.
"Hang on!" Ulf barked, struggling to keep the boat steady. "We need to regroup!"
As the crew scrambled to regain control, the Skrill dove again, spewing electric fire across the deck. One of the crew, a young man named Tomas, was caught in the blast. Iker's heart sank as he saw him fall, writhing in pain.
"Move! We have to get him!" Iker shouted, but the Skrill was relentless. It lunged at them, narrowly missing Ulf, who barely managed to dodge.
"Get him to safety!" Ulf ordered, but before Iker could act, the beast was upon them again, swiping its tail and knocking several men overboard.
"We can't keep this up!" Erik yelled, panic rising in his voice. "We need to retreat!"
"No! We can't let it go! Not after what it did!" Iker's voice was firm, but the reality of their situation was setting in. They were outmatched.
With a sudden surge, the Skrill ascended high into the sky, gathering energy. "It's going to strike!" Iker shouted, raising his hands to shield himself.
In a blinding flash, the Skrill unleashed a torrent of lightning that illuminated the sea, striking the boat with a deafening crack. Iker was thrown to the ground, and he watched in horror as the remaining crew struggled against the furious storm created by the dragon.
As the chaos swirled around him, Iker realized they had no chance of winning this battle. "We have to go!" he shouted, but it was too late. The Skrill, sensing its victory, released a final roar before soaring into the stormy sky, leaving the men standing on the remnants of their once-mighty vessel.
The survivors, bruised and battered, stood at the bow, the boat drifting aimlessly in the choppy sea. Iker looked around, counting heads. Only ten of them remained. The others—men he had grown up with, shared stories and laughter—were gone.
"We should have brought more men," Erik grumbled, bitterness in his voice.
"If we had, more would have died," Iker countered, his voice steady despite the loss. "We need to rethink our approach. We can't keep fighting this thing blindly."
As the storm cleared, Iker knew this wouldn't be the last they saw of the Skrill. They had survived, but the fight was far from over. The sea lay before them, vast and unpredictable.
As the remnants of their boat bobbed on the waves, the tension in the air slowly dissipated, replaced by a mix of exhaustion and dark humor.
"Anyone fancy a swim?" Erik joked, his face still pale from the earlier chaos. "I hear the waters are just lovely this time of year."
Iker snorted, shaking his head. "Right, because nothing says 'relaxing vacation' like being stuck on a splintered raft in the middle of nowhere with a dragon circling above us."
Jari, one of the younger crew members, piped up, "Maybe we should start a fishing club? 'The Floundering Fishermen' has a nice ring to it."
"More like the 'Sinking Sailors,'" Ulf added with a smirk. "At least we're not on the bottom of the ocean… yet."
"Don't say that too loudly," Iker replied, rolling his eyes. "We might just summon the Kraken next."
As Hiccup soared through the sky on Toothless, the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden glow across the ocean. It was then he spotted it—a dark plume of smoke rising from the water, twisting and curling into the sky. Lightning flickered intermittently within the cloud, illuminating the scene below like a flash of fate.
"What do you think that is?" Hiccup asked Toothless, who let out a low rumble in response.
"Let's check it out," Hiccup decided, guiding Toothless downward. As they got closer, the silhouette of men clinging to the remnants of a boat came into view, their faces pale with fear and exhaustion.
Toothless landed gently nearby, hovering just above the water. "Hey there! What happened?" Hiccup called out.
Iker, a sixteen-year-old survivor among the stranded men, squinted up at Hiccup and Toothless. "We were hunting a Skrill, but things went south fast! The dragon came out of nowhere!"
"Not your average day on the water, huh?" Hiccup replied, surveying the wreckage. "What are you doing out here?"
"Thought we could take it down. We were wrong," Iker said, shaking his head.
"Okay, let's get you all out of here." Hiccup hopped down from Toothless, who unfurled his massive wings, creating a wind that helped the men steady themselves.
"Just hold on," Hiccup instructed as he positioned himself near the edge of the wreckage. "We're heading toward Eldergrove."
"Lead the way lad!" Erik, one of the older crew members, said.
Toothless dove into the water, his powerful limbs propelling him forward. Hiccup stood beside the stranded men, balancing on the edge of the wreckage with the youngest crew member, Sharpshot, perched confidently on his shoulder.
"Alright, everyone, hang tight!" Hiccup called out, trying to keep the mood light as they began their journey.
The group exchanged excited whispers, some of them laughing nervously as they settled in for the ride. As Toothless towed the makeshift raft through the waves, Hiccup felt a surge of camaraderie. "Just keep your eyes peeled for that Skrill. You never know when it might decide to come back."
"Or when it'll choose to fry you instead," Iker joked, earning a chuckle from the group.
Hiccup smiled, feeling a sense of relief wash over him as they sped toward safety, ready to face whatever lay ahead.