Hiccup's Point of View
The fire crackled quietly in the hearth, casting dancing shadows across the walls of my cabin. I sat in my usual spot on the couch—worn leather, stitched with care and reinforced with dragonhide. My legs were stretched out, arms folded behind my head, the warmth of the flames seeping into my bones.
Peaceful.
For now.
I tilted my head slightly, my eyes drifting to the window. From where I sat, I could see her.
Luna.
She was standing near the water's edge, her neck bent low as she drank from the stream that fed into the cove. Her wings shifted with slow, calculated grace, and every now and then, she'd glance up from the water—right at me.
I couldn't help the small smirk that tugged at my lips.
Still here.
She hadn't flown off during the night. Hadn't turned away. She'd stayed. And that alone was enough to stir something quiet and strangely warm in my chest.
Progress.
I shifted slightly in my seat, still watching her, still soaking in the rare tranquility of it all—until I heard it.
Flap.
A blur zipped through the opening near the ceiling I had built specifically for one purpose.
My alarm.
A Terrible Terror glided in like a shadow, wings twitching with urgency. The instant I saw the small creature's gold-thread necklace glinting in the firelight, I knew.
I clicked my tongue in disgust.
"Raiders."
My lip curled into a snarl as I stood from the couch, crossing the room to the table.
And there they were.
My claws.
The newest set. Forged by my own hand, every curved inch of black metal perfectly balanced for lethality. They gleamed in the firelight, etched with the constellations of my design—symbols not of fate or gods, but of what I would build. A world not bound by tradition or names, but by willpower and self-made freedom.
But that vision would have to wait.
Tonight, I had rats to kill.
I turned to the Terror, kneeling before it. "Same drill. Show them the necklace. Make them think they're chasing treasure. Lead them straight to me."
The little beast chirped in understanding and launched into the air, darting out the window in a blur of wings and glinting gold.
I sighed as I walked to the door, reaching for the hem of my shirt and pulling it off in one smooth motion.
"I just washed this," I muttered, stepping outside into the cool night air. "Not like I have Tide and a working dryer. Not yet, anyway."
Still muttering, I turned toward the forest edge where Luna had returned—only to find her standing beside me, staring at me with a puzzled expression.
I froze.
Her head tilted slightly, as if silently asking: What's a Tide?
I blinked. "Forget I said anything."
She blinked back, unimpressed.
I sighed and gave her a half-smile. "Look, we're about to have company. Vermin. Raiders. And I have a strict policy about intruders in my territory."
I nodded to the forest. "This is my mess. I'll handle it. I need you to hide for now."
She snorted and rolled her eyes—then, with a flick of her wings, she jumped gracefully onto the roof of my cabin.
But not before smacking me across the back of the head with her tail.
"Hey—!" I rubbed the spot, laughing under my breath. "You're gonna be fun to tease."
Then I saw the glint.
The gold necklace.
My Terror was back, zipping through the trees, circling once before diving away. The signal was clear.
They're coming.
I exhaled slowly and flexed my hands, slipping the clawed gauntlets on with practiced ease. The moment the clasps locked in place, I wasn't Hiccup the disappointment.
I was something else entirely.
I felt her presence above me—watching. Judging. Measuring.
And in the back of my mind, something stirred. I wanted her to see what I could do. I didn't know why.
Was it pride?
Maybe.
Was it something deeper?
Probably.
But I didn't have time to dissect it now.
I heard footsteps.
Voices.
"Stupid rat dragon... think it dropped that necklace..."
"Shut up and keep moving—it went this way. Could be treasure!"
Idiots.
I crouched low in the grass just outside the treeline, muscles coiled, breath steady.
Behind me, above me, Luna watched.
And for some reason... I wanted her to see everything.
Let the hunt begin.