章 6: Captured
Hiccup felt the sting of failure as he soared through the skies. Each day that passed, the weight of it grew heavier. His eyes scanned the endless sea below, the horizon stretching out before him—still no sign of Nuffink. Every island, every cove he searched came up empty. Desperation gnawed at him, but he couldn't let it show. As the leader, he was supposed to have the answers, but here he was, lost in a sea of uncertainty.
Toothless let out a low rumble, sensing Hiccup's frustration.
"I know, bud," Hiccup sighed, patting his dragon's head. "We'll keep looking."
But after days of searching with no results, Hiccup knew it was time to make a hard decision. They had to return to Serpent's Point. The people were waiting for him—depending on him to lead them to safety from the Scourge.
As they neared Serpent's Point, Hiccup saw the village nestled against the rocky cliffs. It was a somber sight. These people had been through so much already, and now, with the Scourge closing in, they were more vulnerable than ever.
Hiccup landed in the heart of the village, and the villagers quickly gathered around him. Their faces were a mixture of hope and fear, their eyes searching his for reassurance.
"Hiccup," Astrid called as she approached, her eyes scanning for someone. "Did you find him?"
Hiccup shook his head slowly, the disappointment evident in his voice. "No… not yet. I'm sorry, Astrid."
Astrid turned away, her face tight with grief and worry. Hiccup's heart sank. He looked out at the crowd. "But we can't stay here any longer. The Scourge is coming, and Serpent's Point won't be able to hold them off."
A murmur spread through the crowd. Hiccup raised a hand to silence them.
"I know you're scared, but I have a plan. There's a place further north—isolated, safe. We'll set off at first light. Pack only what's necessary. We need to move quickly."
As the villagers dispersed, preparing for the journey, Hiccup felt a weight in his chest, but he pushed it down. There was no room for doubt now.
That night, Hiccup sat by the fire with Toothless at his side, staring into the flames. His thoughts wandered to Nuffink. *Was his son out there somewhere? Was he sitting by his own fire, wondering when he'd come home?*
Astrid joined him quietly, sitting down beside him. The fire crackled, casting flickering shadows on the walls, but inside their home, there was only silence—heavy and oppressive.
Astrid sat with her arms wrapped around her knees, her blue eyes clouded with worry. Days had passed since Nuffink disappeared, and the fear that something terrible had happened gnawed at her.
Hiccup broke the silence, his voice soft. "He'll come back, Astrid. You know Nuffink—he's stubborn, just like you."
But Astrid didn't look up. Her jaw was tight as she stared into the fire. "He's been gone too long, Hiccup. What if he's in trouble? What if…" Her voice faltered, and she swallowed hard. "What if we never see him again?"
Hiccup placed a hand on her shoulder, squeezing gently. "We will," he said firmly. "Nuffink's strong—he's a dragon rider, just like us. He's probably out there right now, figuring out how to survive."
Astrid turned to him, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "But what if he's not? What if something happened? Hiccup, I can't just sit here and wait anymore. I need to do something."
"I know," Hiccup replied, wrapping an arm around her. "And we will. But we need to be smart. Running off without a plan will only make things worse."
Astrid shook her head as a tear slipped down her cheek. "I just… I can't lose him, Hiccup. He's our son. I feel so helpless."
Hiccup wiped the tear away gently. "Listen to me," he said, his voice steady. "I'm going to find him, Astrid. I won't stop until I do. You've always believed in me, and I need you to believe in me now."
Astrid searched his eyes, seeking reassurance. Hiccup's gaze was unwavering, full of determination. She knew that look—the same one he had when he faced down dragons, fought for peace, and led Berk through endless trials. Hiccup never broke his promises.
"I trust you," she whispered, her voice barely audible but filled with conviction. "But don't make promises you can't keep."
Hiccup leaned forward, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. "I don't plan on breaking this one."
He pulled her close, holding her as she let the tears fall. They sat like that for a long while, the silence between them no longer heavy with fear but filled with the quiet strength they had always shared.
When Astrid finally pulled away, her eyes were full of resolve. "Just promise me one more thing," she said, her voice steadier.
"Anything," Hiccup replied.
"When you find him… come back. I need both of you."
Hiccup smiled softly, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "I will. I promise."
Miles away, on an uncharted island, Nuffink dismounted from StormShadow with cautious steps. He had no idea where they were, but the island was wild and overgrown with thick foliage and towering trees. Despite the peace of the landscape, he couldn't shake the feeling he wasn't alone.
As he moved through the jungle, he heard a familiar voice.
"Hey, you!"
Nuffink spun around, grinning when he saw Luna standing there, arms crossed, a playful smirk on her face.
Luna—the bold, beautiful girl he'd met just weeks ago. The last person he expected to see here. Her dark skin gleamed in the sunlight, her braided hair tied back, and her fierce brown eyes were locked on him.
"Well, ain't this a surprise," she said, sauntering toward him. "Didn't expect to see a Viking on this island."
Nuffink smiled, trying to hide his surprise. "Yeah, well, I didn't expect to see anyone here."
Luna laughed, her voice rich and melodic. "What, you thought you were the only one who'd get lost? Remember, I was the one sent away with nowhere to go."
She stopped in front of him, eyeing him up and down. "What you doin' here, anyway? Where's your family?"
Nuffink shrugged. "Looking for shelter. Maybe food. I messed up real bad, so I kind of left. I'm… stuck."
Luna's playful smirk softened. "You left?"
Nuffink hesitated. "I almost got my mom killed. The village is destroyed, and my dad… he was so furious, he compared me to the men who ruined everything."
Luna sighed, shaking her head. "I guess you did mess up bad."
Nuffink nodded. "Yeah, it's just me, Shadow, and the wilderness."
Luna tilted her head, watching him closely. "You know, when I look at you, I don't see a screw-up. I see a leader who doesn't know his true potential yet."
Nuffink blinked, surprised. "Wait, what?"
Luna grinned. "It's in your blood, Viking boy. Your father, his father, and the ones before him—they were strong. Your dad changed the way people saw things. You'll do the same. You just have to find your power."
Nuffink looked down, feeling the weight of her words. "Do you really see that in me?"
Luna nodded. "I do, but I won't tell you exactly what it is. It starts," she placed her hand over his heart, "right here."
Nuffink felt his cheeks flush, his heart pounding. He leaned in without thinking, drawn to her.
But just as they were about to kiss, Luna pulled back. She laughed softly, but her expression had hardened.
"Nah," she whispered, shaking her head. "This… this ain't gonna work."
Nuffink blinked in confusion. "What do you mean?"
Luna stood, turning away. "Too much going on. Ain't no room for distractions."
Before he could say anything, she disappeared into the shadows, leaving Nuffink standing alone by the fire, wondering what had just happened.
The moon hung low in the sky, casting an eerie glow over the landscape as Hiccup led the villagers away from Serpent's Point. The night was quiet—too quiet for his liking. He had felt the tension building for days, the weight of unseen eyes watching their every move. Something was coming.
Hiccup glanced back over his shoulder at the long line of people following him—men, women, and children—dragons flying low to keep close. They were leaving everything behind, moving toward safety, but Hiccup's instincts told him this was no ordinary night. He was right to be worried.
"We're almost there," Hiccup muttered to Toothless, who grunted in response, his eyes scanning the dark horizon.
But as they rounded a sharp bend along the forest trail, a loud roar echoed through the trees, shattering the stillness.
"They're here!" Hiccup yelled, his heart racing as the unmistakable shadow of the Scourge appeared in the sky. Dark-winged creatures blotted out the stars, descending with terrifying speed.
"Everyone, move faster!" Hiccup shouted, his voice full of urgency. The villagers panicked, rushing forward as the Scourge drew closer, their dragon-like mounts circling above like vultures waiting to strike.
Astrid, who was flying with Stormfly at the front of the group, turned her head, her eyes wide with fear. "Hiccup, what do we do?"
Hiccup's mind raced, searching for a way out. The Scourge were too fast, too coordinated. They had been lying in wait, and now they had sprung their trap.
"We'll never outrun them!" Hiccup called back. His hand tightened around the hilt of his sword, the blade gleaming under the moonlight. He had to think fast. His people needed time—time to escape.
Without another thought, he made his decision. "Astrid! Get them to safety! I'll hold them off!"
Astrid's eyes widened with alarm as she pulled Stormfly beside him. "No! Hiccup, you can't—"
"There's no time to argue!" Hiccup cut her off, his voice sharp but filled with resolve. "If I don't stop them now, they'll catch us all. You have to lead them. You have to protect them."
Astrid's face twisted with anguish, but she knew he was right. She nodded, though her heart felt like it was breaking. "You better come back," she whispered fiercely.
"I will. I have to. I promised, didn't I?" Hiccup said, though deep down, he wasn't sure he could keep that promise.
With one last look at Astrid, Hiccup pulled on Toothless's reins and turned sharply, veering away from the fleeing villagers. His heart pounded in his chest as he charged directly toward the incoming wave of Scourge riders.
The Scourge wasted no time. They saw Hiccup break from the group and honed in on him, their mounts screeching as they dove from the sky. Hiccup flew fast and low, darting between the trees, his mind racing. If he could just keep them chasing him, the others would have enough time to get away.
Toothless dodged and weaved between the trees, but the Scourge were relentless. Their leader, a tall figure clad in black armor, flew at the head of the pack, eyes locked on Hiccup with deadly precision.
"Come on, bud," Hiccup muttered to Toothless. "Just a little farther…"
But as they burst into a clearing, Hiccup's worst fears were realized. The Scourge had planned this—they had anticipated his move.
A net shot out from the trees, wrapping around Toothless with brutal force. The dragon let out a pained roar as he crashed to the ground, taking Hiccup with him.
"No!" Hiccup yelled, struggling to free himself as the Scourge closed in. He reached for his sword, but before he could draw it, a blast of energy shot through the air, striking him square in the chest. The force knocked him off Toothless, and everything went black.
When Hiccup awoke, he was bound, his hands tied tightly behind his back. His head throbbed, and the faint light of dawn was creeping through the trees. He groaned, blinking away the haze as the realization hit him: he'd been captured.
Above him, the leader of the Scourge, Nijal Rune, loomed, his dark armor glinting in the early morning light. His face was hidden behind a mask, but his voice was cold and calculating.
"Hiccup Haddock," the leader said, his voice a chilling whisper. "You've led your people well, but this is the end of your road."
Hiccup glared up at him, his body aching from the crash. "You don't know my people," he spat. "They'll fight back. They'll never give up."
Nijal chuckled darkly, his laughter sending shivers down Hiccup's spine. "Perhaps. But you won't be there to see it."
Hiccup's heart pounded in his chest as he struggled against his restraints, but it was no use. He had no choice but to watch as the Scourge gathered around him, their victory almost complete.
As the Scourge dragged him to his feet and prepared to take him away, Hiccup's thoughts drifted to Astrid, Zephyr, and Nuffink. He had made a promise, and even now, as a captive, he vowed to find a way back to them.
Back in Berk, Astrid paced the great hall. Days had passed since Hiccup was supposed to return. Something was wrong—deeply wrong. She couldn't wait any longer.
"Mom," Zephyr said, her voice steady despite the fear in her eyes. "Do you think Dad and Nuffink are okay?"
Astrid nodded. "I'm sure they'll be okay. For Hiccup's sake, they better be."
"I gathered everyone as you asked," Zephyr said, her voice filled with determination.
Astrid looked over the young group. Perfect.
Zephyr knew what this meant. They couldn't do it alone. They needed the best team—her generation of Vikings. She wasted no time and gathered them all in the great hall. Each one of them had been trained from a young age, but this mission wasn't just about skill. It was about the heart.
Axel, Tuffnut's brilliant but annoyingly confident son, was the first to speak. He adjusted his spectacles with a smug grin. "Logically speaking, if Nuffink hasn't been found yet, he's either on an uncharted island or in a location we haven't mapped. I've already drawn out possible routes. With my calculations, it's only a matter of time before we find him."
"Perfect," Astrid replied.
"Ugh, do we really have to do this?" Dax, Snotlout's perpetually lazy son, groaned from his seat. He had one foot resting on the table, clearly disinterested. "I mean, we could just wait for him to turn up… eventually."
Astrid elbowed him hard in the stomach as he curled up, whimpering, "I'm sorry."
Juliette, the bright, beautiful daughter of Fishlegs and Ruffnut, smiled warmly at Dax. "Come on, Dax, it'll be fun. Besides, we can't leave Nuffink out there. He's one of us." Her kindness was infectious, but it was no secret that many of the boys, including Dax, were smitten with her. He gave her a smooth smile and thumbs up, trying to man out the pain.
Her brother, Jack, stood up and flexed unconsciously, his bulging muscles making his shirt look two sizes too small. "Yeah, well, whoever gets in our way, I'll take care of them. Just point me in the right direction."
Star, Dagur's gothic and nonchalant daughter, sat in the corner, filing her nails, her black hair covering half of her face. "Of course, he'd go and cause us a lot of trouble, right?" she said in a bored tone. She noticed Astrid with a glint in her eye and jumped up to her feet. "But, I guess it could be entertaining to see what kind of trouble we get into."
Gus, Gustav's mischievous son, bounced around, clearly excited about the prospect of adventure. He was small for his age, but he made up for it with boundless energy. "They won't even know what hit them! I'm sure we'll be fine! Who knows? We might even find something cool to look at."
Everette, the shy yet handsome son of Eret, stood in the back, his eyes downcast. He was always a bit of an enigma, rarely speaking unless absolutely necessary. Zephyr approached him directly. "You okay with this, Everette? We're gonna need you."
He nodded, still avoiding her gaze. "Yeah, I'm in," he muttered quietly. Despite his quiet nature, everyone knew he was a reliable fighter—and incredibly skilled when the time called for it.
Then there was Shadow, Heather's son, leaning against the far wall, arms crossed, with an air of mystery surrounding him. The loner, the cool silent type—every time he entered a room, the energy shifted. His sharp eyes surveyed the group. "I just hope he hasn't had his head melted off by a scald…I mean, Astrid, we'll do our best to bring him home," he said in his cool, deep voice.
Zephyr took a deep breath and stood in the center of the group. "We're all here for one reason—to find Nuffink. It's going to be dangerous, but we've trained our whole lives for this. This isn't just a mission—it's family. So pack what you need. We leave in one hour. And we will find him."
The young riders exchanged glances, their determination rising.
Astrid chimed in, "Just remember to follow the route Hiccup drew out. It will keep you safe. He always thinks of everything."
"Of course," Axel replied, his tone confident as he squared his shoulders, ready for action.
As they left to prepare for their journey, Astrid watched her daughter take charge. There was no question now—Zephyr had the same fire that Hiccup did. But even as she saw the strength in the new generation, her mind was elsewhere.
She needed to assemble the old dragon riders. Hiccup was out there somewhere, and she knew, in her heart, that they couldn't afford to lose him. Not now. Not ever.
As the young riders prepared to set sail, Astrid gathered her own team, her heart heavy but her resolve strong. She knew this journey would change everything—for her, for her children, and for the future of Berk.
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