JenniferTjandrajana

Runa was growing impatient.

Her two companions should have been back by now. And it felt like hours ago since she last seen them. Worried something must have happened to them, Runa figured she should start to look for them.

She glanced at her dragon, Echo, who was curled up beside the toasty fire enjoying her slumber. Nothing else mattered except getting a decent amount of beauty sleep. Perhaps she wouldn't mind her rider being gone for a while.

"Where are they?" Runa groaned, standing up. "It shouldn't be that hard to gather wood. I swear they have a good explanation for taking this long."

Grumbling to herself, Runa followed the river stream. She examined the footprints, her brows furrowing.

There were more than two, and Runa suddenly she wasn't the only one around here. If there was somebody out there, there was a chance Ingrid and Gunner encountered them. Unsure who might be out there, Runa drew out her bow and arrow, prepared to face any strangers in the dark.

Cautious, Runa glanced around the dark, isolated woods, expecting something or someone to leap from the darkness. She froze when she heard rustling nearby.

Raising her bow and arrow, Runa backed away. Her heart was racing now that it felt like it would rip through her chest any moment. Facing intruders wasn't something she was afraid of.

As a child, her mother forced her to train long and hard to fight to be a warrior and bring honour to her tribe. That was why she never showed fear to the enemy or fell at her enemies' feet. She always stood her ground, appearing as brave and heroic as she could. Yet, she wasn't sure why she was trembling right now.

Was it the thought of being mauled to death by a wild animal? Or the intruder was too relentless and powerful to fight against? Or was Runa afraid of tasting defeat and becoming a failure to her family?

Her fingers trembled as she pulled her arrow back, ready to fire whoever was out there.

"Come out, you coward!" Runa announced, raising her arrow. "You can't hide in there forever. I'm not afraid of you! If you want a fight, well, I'll give you one."

As the rustling grew louder, Runa backed away while her eyes remained fixed on the shrub.

Suddenly three burly men dressed in dragon skin - Zippleback skin- leapt out of the shrubs, shouting war cries, and raising axes. Three more men emerged from behind raising weapons, letting out fierce battle cries.

Cornered, Runa knew she was outnumbered. But she held her ground and fired at her attackers, who were knocked unconscious. That's when Runa realised who they were; Horas' henchmen.

Her eyes widened in alarmed as a sudden weariness took over her. If his henchmen were here, maybe they found Ingrid and Gunner, and captured them. There was something hidden in the shrubs.

Curious, Runa moved closer to find a sword and a rusty horned helmet left behind.

Picking up the items, Runa examined them closely, wondering whose they were. Her eyes widened, suddenly realising the owner of these items; Ingrid and Gunner.

Glancing around frantically, Runa knew she was right; Horas had captured her companions. And she had been so foolish to not be aware they were in grave danger.

Quickly, Runa sprinted back to base camp, clutching onto her friends' belongings for dear life. Whatever Horas planned to do with her companions, Runa feared the worse. She needed to seek help and find them before it was too late.

If Horas had Ingrid and Gunner, then he must definitely have Hiccup and Toothless. Once Runa reached base camp, Runa immediately woke up the sleeping dragons.

"Come on, we don't have much time. Ingrid and Gunner have been captured. We need to find Valka quick. She must be able to help us."

Arrow and Fangs grumbled as they scrambled to their feet. They exchanged worried looks, grumbling something to each other as if they were saying, 'What's happening? Is it morning already? Where's our riders?'

"Echo, lead the way." Runa mounted on Echo's back, stuffing her companions' belongings in her rucksack. "Take us to the dragon sanctuary."

The Thunderdrum grunted then launched herself to the ink-black skies with the other dragons trailing behind.

As they soared through the pitch-black sky, Runa prayed to the gods Horas hasn't done any harm to her friends. Of course, given his name had 'Merciless' in it, Runa doubted Horas would give his prisoners any second chances.

He was a man who loved the idea of bloodshed, and hungered to torment his prisoners until they were of no use to him.

XXX

"What? Gunner and Ingrid are captured? And what about my son? Have you seen him?"

After reaching the sanctuary, Runa rushed over to Valka's chamber and quickly explained what had happened. Once she explained everything she could, Runa was out of breath.

Concerned filled Valka's forest green eyes. A look of bewilderment fixated on her face as she wondered about her son's whereabouts.

For days, Valka searched places to find signs of her son and his night fury. She sent a few of her tracking dragons to locations he might be; the forest near the village, his cabin, and she even sent one to the Isle of Berk.

Since Hiccup patched things up with his father and the village, there was a chance he might have fled there to escape the Edonian chief's banishment. Maybe that's where he was all this time.

Somehow, Valka had a sickening feeling Hiccup and Toothless weren't somewhere safe and sound. A twisted feeling in her gut whispered they might be in trapped in the hands of danger, desperate to escape but they were lost and vulnerable to even break free.

If Ingrid and Gunner were captured by Horas' men, there was a chance Hiccup might also be captured.

Valka knew Horas and what he was capable of. The man was the most ruthless being who worked the earth; showing no mercy, but resentment. He has hunted down dragons for many years, and her encounter with him all those years ago had been frightening, to say the least. He had quite a reputation for his cunningness and immense strength.

"We think he might be captured with them." Runa said gravely, "Who knows what he'd do to them. We don't have very much time, Valka. We need to find them, but first maybe we should plan a strategy when we do face Horas and his men."

"How long has Hiccup and Toothless been gone?" Valka lowered her eyes, subconsciously petting Cloudjumper's back. Guilt cast on her distressed face and a single tear trickled down her face.

"I knew I should've stopped him that day," Valka's voice trembled, hurt by the ordeal she faced now, "but he is as stubborn as his father; stubborn like myself. He was so upset that day and I can understand how being banished a second time put a great weight on him. But I wished I reasoned him to stay, so he's safe and sound and we'd find a way to reason with the chief that neither of us aren't traitors."

Runa fell silent. Her heart sank with empathy as she listened to the vigilant dragon rider contemplate to herself.

The room suddenly grew cold and silent. Flames danced from the fireplace in the hearth, its flames casting shadows over Valka's face, illuminating her face.

The dark bags under her eyes as evident enough she hasn't gotten a decent amount of sleep lately.

Who could blame her? It was motherly instinct to worry so much for her own son, praying and hoping he was alive and away from meeting a dangerous fate. Yet, it broke her heart to be separated from him again.

She made the mistake of leaving him when he was an infant, and reuniting with him after seventeen years made her realised life was short and she wanted to make up for all those years of loneliness and confusion Hiccup felt. Sometimes, she would contemplate what it had been like for Hiccup to grow up without a mother; taunted by his peers for being a black sheep, trying to prove himself in a Viking society, and learning to fend for himself. She imagined Stoick, being the chief of the village, was too preoccupied with running the village that he'd neglect his own son even if he didn't mean to. Of course, being a chief was tough when he had a village to worry about and a son to raise and nurture on his own. It was a juggling act.

"Valka..." Runa paused and sighed gravely, "I'm sorry, that must been devastating for you. I can't imagine what it must have been like for you both to be separated for years. But I can sort of relate in a way. I grew up with my mother since my father was always going on quests. He got injured in the last voyage, and it's good now that he's home often. But the sad thing is he can't fight anymore."

Valka looked up, her face saddened. "Oh, I'm sorry to hear that."

Runa shrugged, "It is what it is. But we'll find Hiccup and Toothless and the others. Don't worry, Valka, you won't get separated from Hiccup again. I promise."

Valka nodded. She furrowed her brows, frowning at the embers deep in thought. A grave look fell on her face.

"For years Horas has collected, tortured and controlled dragons to build his own army," she murmured, lost in her own train of thought, "Nobody knows for certain his main purpose. All I know...all I remembered the first time I encountered him was...he seeked to find the legendary Night Fury to use for power and revenge. Defeating Horas will be a risk, Runa."

The more she thought about her friends and Toothless, the more anxious she became.

Valka's head hung low. For once in her life, felt afraid. Nobody really knows what goes on in Horas' head, but Valka knew he was a man who would threaten those vulnerable to him, including someone like Hiccup; born so early and different to the world. Hiccup wouldn't be able to escape his fortress.

"I'm willing to do whatever it takes to get Toothless and the others back," Runa declared, her voice booming with determination, "I don't care if Horas is some warlock or something. I can't let him get away with this. We need to rescue them and we obviously need a plan. So, Valka, what should we do?"

Valka stared at her warily then breathed out a sigh. She explained her plan, part of her anxiously how everything will unfold in this rescue mission.

XXX

"I don't get it. How does this thing work?"

It was nightfall and two of Horas' henchmen were patrolling the cages of prisoners, just in case any one of them would escape. Though, it was unlikely they wouldn't since the cells were made of the sturdiest iron.

One of the guards was fiddling with Hiccup's inferno sword, growing frustrated by the strange mechanisms of the weapon. The other guard stared at him with a irate expression while he tried to keep himself awake for the whole night.

Since Hiccup was imprisoned, Horas had taken any weapons he possessed, leaving him vulnerable. Horas even swiped away his armour, leaving the boy in just his old faded green tunic. dark green trousers and one leather boot. Fortunately, Horas had allowed the boy to keep his prosthetic leg.

For days, he's stayed in his prison cell treated like the dragons locked up. He would be left to starve, if there weren't any food left for him. He would often be taken to Horas' quarters to be whipped, kicked and punched while Horas pressed him to force him to reveal the secrets to taming the unholy offspring of lightning and death.

No matter what they did to him, Hiccup didn't give in. He stood his ground, enduring every pain hurled at him, literally and refused to spill out every secret he knew. Never in his wildest dreams would he help a madman like Horas train dragons, especially Night Furies.

Day by day, Hiccup grew weaker and more vulnerable. Lately, his bones were starting to show through his rags. The dark circles beneath his eyes started to become more noticable from lack of sleep since he would be up an hour before dawn by Horas to do the chores around the fortress. He had become Horas' personal slave by force. If he refuses to do as Horas asked, then Hiccup would face a far worse punishment than enslavement.

Wounds and scars adorned his back and abdominal, making his movements stiff and painful that he couldn't really physically do much. He'd often cry himself to sleep, leaving a puddle of tears in his prison cell.

Stranded in the middle of nowhere and lost, Hiccup had no one but his loneliness and endless train of miserable thoughts haunting him everyday.

Toothless was now Horas' property to be used for his own devious plan, and he was probably meeting a more horrible fate than Hiccup was. Though, that didn't stop Hiccup from trying to escape his prison cell and rescue his dragon.

There were many other dragons imprisoned. Most of them were in chains with wounds and deep scars slitted all over their scaled bodies. Seeing them with sunken spirits made the young rider feel heartbroken. None of them deserved to be here; their freedom stripped away like they lost their ability to fly.

"Put that thing away," the other guard sighed. "We don't know what that thing us. It can be dangerous for all I know."

"This thing? Dangerous?" the first guard scoffed, "I doubt it. It's just a sword and it's useful to finish off those beasts."

"Horas doesn't want to kill those dragons, you idiot," The second guard chastised, "He wants to conquer them. And with him on that boy's night fury, he will really make quite an entrance. Now, give me that sword!"

In the shadows, Hiccup watched the guards argue of what became a ridiculous debacle. He rolled his eyes, finding it quite amateur the way the guards had no idea about his sword's mechanism. Like they were decoding a complex code to a secret passage. Still, it was rather amusing to watch.

The guards were now fighting over the sword. They tackled each other on the ground, shouting curses and throwing punches.

As the guards continued their brawl, the sword suddenly slipped out of their hands.

The sound of metal scratching the stone ground echoed through the dark hallways as the sword rolled away until it abruptly stopped outside Hiccup's cell.

Dreaded silence fell to the room. The guards seized their brawl and their gaze were now fixed on their prisoner. Both guards stared at him with anticipation. Whatever this boy plans to do, they weren't going to let him get away. If Horas finds out one of his prisoners escaped, both guards knew they'll be in for a brutal punishment.

Hiccup exchanged glances between the sword and the bewildered guards. An idea suddenly sparked in his mind. Throwing an arm out, Hiccup grasped his sword, hauling it towards him. He looked at the guards with a smirk on his bruised face.

The guards glared at the young rider, their fingers tightly gripping onto their spears.

"I believe this belongs to me," Hiccup unclasped the silver canister connected to his sword, "Let me show you how it's done. But you might want to step back, unless you want to get toasted."

Brows furrowed, the guards exchanged confused glances.

The first guard obeyed and slowly shuffled backwards. He glanced at the other guard warily, motioning him to do the same. The second guard didn't oblige and stayed firmly in his place. He glared suspiciously at the prisoner.

"Why would we want to do that?" the guard cast an incredulous look, "What can a runt like you do to pair of guards twice your size?"

Hiccup shook the canister, ignoring the guard's remark.

Realising what the young rider was doing, the second guard chuckled dryly.

"If you think you can escape, you're sadly mistaken. He is a man who doesn't give freedom so easily. I suggest you don't test him if you don't want to face a far worse punishment. Possibly, death. And this fortress is completely guarded, so good luck trying to get out of here."

Hiccup swallowed a nervous lump. He knew Horas was a merciless man, who cannot be reasoned with.

With Toothless' life on the line, Hiccup was determined to find him and escape this place. Rescuing his dragon was his one goal, and if he dies trying to rescue him, Hiccup was willing to face death as punishment. As long as Toothless was safe and free from Horas' clutches, Hiccup would die peacefully, if death really was his punishment. Afterall, his best friend's life mattered to him.

"I'll take my chances." Hiccup replied, as if he knew what was ahead of him, "Now, if you excuse me..."

The guards' eyes widened like saucers.

Shaking the canister, Hiccup waved it over the rusty metal bars. Zippleback gas licked the bars, releasing a rather awful stench through the guards' nostrils.

The guards gagged, scrunching their noses in disgust. They kept watching the prisoner in bewilderment.

Clasping the canister to the sword, Hiccup flicked on a switch. Flames suddenly engulfed the blade, its embers casting shadows over Hiccup's bruised face. He slowly waved the sword around, which grabbed a few attentions from the imprisoned dragons nearby.

The guards gasped, horrified yet amazed what they were witnessing.

"Y-You're a...w-what are you?!" the first guard whimpered, shielding his arms over his face, "Ahh! You're a sorceror! No human can light a sword like that!"

"Impossible!" the other guard exclaimed, "How in the hell-''

The cell door suddenly exploded , knocking both guards against the walls unconscious.

Surrounded by a fog of smoke, Hiccup coughed violently, then once he composed himself, he limped out of his cell.

Shouts and loud footsteps pursued him from behind. Hiccup kept running through dark corridors, passing squawking dragons, who were rudely interrupted from their slumber.

Panting, Hiccup kept running while he whispered-yelled Toothless' name. He raced through a maze of corridors, his heart pounding and his legs moving as fast as his skinny could carry him. It didn't help that he hadn't eaten for days. He was famished and the fresh welts on body made it painful for him to move.

But he mustered every strength to keep going; his best friend needed him.

After the countless times Toothless saved him, it was Hiccup's turn to save him in return. They were nothing without each other; they had a symbiosis bond and would do anything for each other. After all, Toothless has been the first to believe in him and see through his flaws, when nobody did. He was the one who brought Hiccup his purpose, who stood by him through his harsh banishment and led them to a wonderful place like the Isle of Edon.

Most importantly, Toothless helped him uncover the truth about dragons not being the monsters Vikings thought they were.

As Hiccup raced through a narrow corridor, he heard a familiar roar from one of the closed doors. Curious, he pushed through the door, finding himself in some kind of war room.

Grey timber walls trailed along the room, reaching up to the high ceilings. A throne made of jagged stones stood proudly on the end of the round stone table, surrounded by chairs made of matching stone.