The ocean raged as thunder cracked through the night sky. Waves crashed against the hull of the ship, tossing it wildly from side to side. Nuffink clung to the mast, shouting orders into the howling wind, but his voice was swallowed by the roar of the storm.
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"Axel, grab the lines!" he yelled, his words barely carrying over the deafening chaos. "We need to hold her steady!"
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Axel scrambled across the deck, slipping and sliding as he reached for the ropes, his knuckles white with the effort. "This storm came out of nowhere, Nuffink! It's so mighty! Are we still heading in the right direction?"
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Nuffink wiped the saltwater from his face, irritation flaring up despite the danger. "Does it look like we're heading anywhere but down?!"
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The ship groaned, caught in the grip of a monstrous wave that sent it plunging down into the trough, water pouring across the deck. Zephyr stumbled, catching herself on the railing.
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"Is there a way to ride this out? We need to get to Dad as soon as possible!" she shouted, desperation creeping into her voice.
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"I know, but I don't think there's any ridin' this out, Zeph," Nuffink said, his face set in grim determination. "We just have to hold on and hope."
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As if in answer, another wave surged over the side, ripping Axel's grip from the ropes and sending him sprawling. Before he could scramble back, the ship lurched again, and the world dissolved into a whirl of roaring water, splintered wood, and darkness.
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The chill of saltwater burned Nuffink's throat as he regained consciousness, sputtering and blinking against the grit in his eyes. Every inch of his body ached, his muscles stiff from the cold and the relentless battering of waves. A low groan escaped him as he pushed himself up, propping his weight on his elbows. His eyes took in the scene around him—scattered bodies on a stretch of damp sand, fragments of their ship bobbing just offshore, and a shadowy treeline beyond, shivering with hidden life.
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"Wake up!" a voice called from the shore, strong and commanding. It was Luna, her boots digging into the sand as she moved from one person to the next, giving them a firm shake or a pat on the cheek. "Come on! We're all still breathin' so get up and make it count."
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Nuffink blinked, clearing the salt from his lashes as he struggled to sit up, casting a quick look around. There was Zephyr, sprawled out nearby, her fingers twitching as she stirred to consciousness. His dragon, Storm Shadow, lay curled up beside him, breathing heavily but unharmed.
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"Zeph?" Nuffink croaked, crawling over and nudging her. "You alright?"
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Her eyes fluttered open, and she gave a small nod, coughing to clear her lungs. "I think so… but where are we?"
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"Hell if I know," Luna muttered, hearing Zephyr's question as she pulled Dax to his feet. He was coughing up water, looking dazed.
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Dax's gaze settled on Juliette, and his eyes widened as he remembered saving her from drowning and dragging her to shore. She lay a few feet away, barely moving, her skin cold to the touch. Panic flared in his eyes. "Juliette!" He scrambled to her, pressing two fingers to her neck, feeling for a pulse.
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"Is…she okay?" Star asked her voice tight with worry.
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"She's breathing," Dax murmured in relief, but her face was pale, lips tinged blue. Without a second thought, he pulled her close, holding her limp body against him to share his warmth.
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"Good thinking," Luna praised, gathering the others around Juliette. "I think she's going through a bit of hypothermia."
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They all huddled close, shielding Juliette from the chilly air. Jack stared at her with great concern.
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"Come on, sis. I mean, how do I make sense of this world without you? You know it's hard for me to think," he said, his voice catching as he watched her.
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Dax gave her a small shake. "Come on, princess…"
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Juliette's eyelids fluttered open, and she looked up, dazed but alive.
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Dax offered her a shy smile, shrugging. "Oh look, she lives."
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Juliette blinked up at him, her cheeks flushing. "Dax?"
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"Sis!" Jack interrupted, snatching her up into a hug. "Tell me, are you okay?"
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She coughed, giving a weak smile. "I'm okay, but your squeezing isn't helping."
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They laughed, briefly easing the tension, before turning back to their surroundings. Nuffink stood, brushing sand off his clothes as he surveyed the dense, eerie-looking forest beyond the shoreline. The twisted trees and strange plants gave the place an unsettling air, while the gray, bruised sky loomed heavily above them.
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"Zeph, you ever seen this place on one of Dad's maps?" he asked, looking over his shoulder. "You've studied them all, right?"
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Zephyr shook her head. "Not a chance. We're on our own here, I think."
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Nuffink grinned despite himself. "Well, then I guess it needs a name. I declare this place the Isle of the Lost."
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"How…creative," Zephyr muttered, rolling her eyes.
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"What?" Nuffink shrugged. "It makes it sound cool and mysterious."
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Zephyr shot him a deadpan look. "Says the boy with air for brains."
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The others chuckled as Nuffink rubbed the back of his head. "Did anybody see the damage on the boat?"
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Luna pointed behind her. "Take a look for yourself."
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Zephyr turned and winced at the sight of their ship, practically destroyed. "Why did I even bother?" She sighed. "Let me see if it's salvageable."
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"I may as well help you," Axel volunteered. "I'm good with this type of stuff."
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"Thanks, Axel."
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After inspecting the wreck, Zephyr approached Nuffink, looking somber.
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"Lay it on me, sis."
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"Really, really bad. I almost don't know if she'll ever sail again. All we can do is try."
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"Aww man… So what now?"
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Zephyr put a hand on his shoulder. "We can search here for some wood and supplies. See what we can come up with."
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"Whatever you say, sis."
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They set out in search of wood, food, and anything that could help repair their ship and keep them alive long enough for a way back. Shadow joined them, padding silently beside Nuffink, sniffing the air for anything edible or useful. The farther they ventured into the forest, the more a suffocating silence seemed to press down on them, as if even the creatures in the trees were holding their breath.
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"Shadow? What is it, boy?" Nuffink whispered, noticing his dragon tense and puff up his chest in a protective stance.
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Nuffink raised his hand. "Everybody stop. Shadow's onto something."
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Dax arched an eyebrow. "Really, who died and made you boss? And you don't have to tell me twice!"
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"Shh! Shadow's onto something," Nuffink insisted, and the group fell silent, hearts pounding with tension.
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A sharp, chilling screech broke the silence, and Nuffink froze, reaching for his axe as he glimpsed movement in the underbrush. More screeches followed, closer this time, and then he saw them.
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A group of creatures emerged from the shadows, sleek, predatory animals with long, feathered bodies and talons as sharp as scythes. Their scales were replaced with iridescent feathers that gleamed even in the dim light. Their sharp eyes glinted with feral intelligence as they closed in on the young riders.
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"Uh… Nuffink?" Gus whispered, barely daring to breathe.
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Nuffink's mind raced. "Everyone, run!"
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They scattered, sprinting over the uneven terrain as the creatures shrieked and lunged forward, talons slicing through the air. Nuffink grabbed Zephyr's hand, pulling her up a rocky slope as the beasts' screeches echoed around them. One of the creatures lunged for Gus, snapping at his heels. He barely dodged, yelping as he stumbled forward.
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"There's a cave behind that waterfall up ahead!" Nuffink shouted. "Maybe the water will throw them off."
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"We could get cornered!" Axel shouted back.
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"We'll use the small entrance to our advantage. They can only get to us one at a time."
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They scrambled into the cave, breath coming in ragged gasps, weapons at the ready. The feathered creatures circled the cave's entrance for a tense moment before retreating, their screeches fading into the shadows.
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"What was that?" Jack asked, his face pale.
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"A bunch of crazy, rampaging feathered beasts. Didn't you see them?" Dax replied sarcastically.
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Jack scowled. "Dax, don't make me tear you limb from limb. You know I don't like sarcasm."
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Gus raised a hand. "Wait… Feathered Rampagers. That has a nice ring to it. A good name so we know what we're dealing with."
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Nuffink rolled his eyes. "Name the predators, why don't ya? Nice, Gus."
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"What? I mean, our parents always named the new dragons they came across."
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Nuffink squinted into the shadows of the cave. "New dragons… wait, these are new dragons!"
Star rolled her eyes, crossing her arms. "Wow, I'm glad you just learned that, Nuffink. The rest of us graduated from that class a long time ago."
"No, I mean, if they're here, then there has to be more on this island! Meaning, if Nijal is looking for dragons…"
Zephyr nodded, catching on. "He's bound to come looking here… or he's already been here!"
Luna stepped forward, her eyes glinting with mischief. "For all we know, he has a base here too. We could scout around to find out."
"Nice thinking, knucklehead!" Zephyr said with a smirk, nudging her shoulder.
Nuffink tilted his head thoughtfully. "There's more here than meets the eye sometimes."
Once they were certain the creatures had left, the group took a closer look at the cave. It was damp and chilly, with sturdy walls and a narrow crevice at the back where a draft of fresh air seeped through. As they ventured deeper, the cave revealed a series of wider spaces, almost like hidden rooms.
"What are these?" Gus asked, his voice echoing off the walls.
Axel studied the surroundings carefully. "Looks like this place was once underwater. These might have been air pockets."
Everette ran his fingers along the walls, examining faint, eroded claw marks. "Or taverns for water dragons," he said.
Axel looked at him with interest. "How did you come up with that?"
Everette pointed to embedded fish bones in the rock. "There are a lot of them all around us."
Axel smiled as he looked around. " Amazing, I guess that's why they call you expert trackers?"
"Is it just me, or does this conversation sound super nerdy?" Gus scoffed, giving the others a sidelong glance. "All in favor of stopping this nerdy talk immediately, say 'I'!"
"I!" Jack chimed in eagerly.
Dax groaned. "Please! It's disgusting!"
Everette shrugged and walked away, leaving Dax, Jack, and Gus exchanging guilty glances.
Axel shot them a scornful look. "Nice. One of the few times he speaks, and you ruin it."
Zephyr pointed at them, eyes narrowed. "Idiots!" She swung, startling them before pausing. "I'll go check on him," she said, stalking off into the shadows.
Axel smirked, raising an eyebrow at Luna, humored. "As you should, milady."
"Ooo, is that silence I hear?" Luna teased.
"Shut up, Luna!" Dax grumbled.
Meanwhile, Axel set to work rigging up hammocks from the ship's ropes, muttering under his breath as he calculated each knot. Luna gathered driftwood to start a fire, her movements quick and efficient. Once the flames crackled to life, the cave's walls flickered warmly, casting a comforting glow across the group.
As the others settled in, Zephyr found Everette sitting alone in a dark corner, holding a couple of rocks.
"Everette…" she said, approaching cautiously.
He jumped up, letting the rocks tumble to the floor. "Zephyr! I… um…"
She chuckled lightly. "Collecting samples?"
"No," he mumbled, rubbing the back of his head. "I mean…"
She placed a hand on his shoulder. "Don't pay any attention to them, okay? They're idiots sometimes, you know that. Like my mom used to tell Nuffink and me, just be yourself. Don't worry about what others think, because every gift serves a purpose." She nudged him gently, smiling. "Besides, I thought that observation was pretty cool."
He returned her smile, though faintly. "You think your brother breaking things with his head is cool, too, Zeph."
She grinned. "It's amazing, you have to admit that."
Everette leaned against the wall, a soft chuckle escaping. "That much is true… as much as I hate to admit it."
Zephyr laughed, hiding her smile behind her hand as he turned away, his cheeks tinged pink.
Nuffink is heard from another space, clearly itching to venture beyond. "I might step out a while," he said out loud casually, hoping no one would notice the hint of eagerness in his voice. "See what I can find."
Zephyr's eyebrow twitched a sure sign she was catching on. Everette gave her a shy smile. "Looks like that's your cue."
Zephyr tilted her head towards him. "See you, Eret. NUFFINK!"
He barely made it two steps before Zephyr grabbed his arm, her grip firm but playful. She smirked. "Oh, no, little brother. I'm coming with you. I don't trust you not to get into trouble on your own."
Nuffink's face fell. "Zephyr, come on, really?"
"Don't make me pull you by the ear, you little brat. You owe me a ride, remember?"
He sighed, knowing she would make good on her threat if he argued. "Get on."
As they stepped outside, StormShadow kept a vigilant eye on their surroundings, his sleek form blending with the shadows. They searched nearby trees for fallen branches and edible plants, moving efficiently as they gathered supplies. They were nearly done when Zephyr fell quiet, her expression thoughtful. She secured the last branch to Shadow, who suddenly nudged her, his nose pressing insistently against her shoulder.
"What is it, Shadow?" she asked, caught off guard.
StormShadow's cold, stern gaze seemed to pierce her. His eyes narrowed, full of conviction and an unusual hint of scorn. He shifted his gaze slowly to Nuffink, urging her to follow his stare.
Zephyr's brows knit together. "Wait… are you telling me you… understand what I'm feeling? What's going on between us?"
StormShadow stared at her again before nudging her sharply toward Nuffink, blowing air forcefully out of his snout.
"You… you want me to talk to him, don't you?" she murmured, awed.
The dragon exhaled heavily in confirmation, fixing her with a determined look.
Zephyr hesitated, but before she could act, Nuffink called over. "Zephyr! You gonna help or what?"
She glared at StormShadow. "Hold that thought; I'm not done with you, mister."
Shadow snorted arrogantly, trotting away with a swish of his tail. They finished gathering what they needed and climbed onto Shadow, taking off into the evening sky. As they flew, Zephyr suddenly felt a firm smack from Shadow's tail, sending her sideways with a frown. She looked down, only to find the dragon's gaze fixed on Nuffink, who was staring straight ahead.
Clearing her throat, she softened her voice. "Look, Nuffink, I came because… I wanted to talk to you. I should've told Dad I was in on knowing about Shadow. I just didn't want him to lose trust in me. But… you're my little brother. I shouldn't have let you go it alone."
Nuffink looked at her, surprised. "Zeph… you've always looked out for me. I get that. But don't feel bad, okay? I created this mess. I didn't leave because of you. I just felt like I was holding everyone back. Like I was… dragging you or anyone else down with me."
Zephyr's gaze softened. "Nuffink…"
"No, Zephyr, it's true. I broke this… I have to figure out how to fix it."
Zephyr stared at him, taken aback by the determination in his voice. After a moment, she hugged him from behind, her arms wrapping around his waist and resting her head on his back. "Thank you, Nuffink."
He glanced down, surprised by her gesture. "For what?"
"For just… being here, I guess."
"Hmph, you too sis."
Shadow glanced up at them, an almost smug smile on his face before returning to his usual aloof expression.
She shook her head, grinning. "Just don't tell Dad, okay?"
Nuffink chuckled, rubbing her hand affectionately. "Deal. I'll never tell unless you do first. That's a promise."
When they returned to the cave, their arms were full of wood and fresh fish they'd caught along the shore. Inside, the others had already settled in, the fire crackling warmly in the center. Axel had set up hammocks, his craftsmanship surprisingly comfortable.
As the group gathered around the fire, Nuffink's eyes caught a serious gaze from the young woman they had encountered earlier, Nijal's sister, tied up nearby. Her face held an intense expression as she watched him, unblinking.
Jack noticed him looking and spoke up. "We found her sneaking around outside the caves. I had almost forgotten she was with us."
Nuffink nodded. "I see…"
The woman's gaze didn't waver. "If you're wondering, my name is Aseela."
Nuffink raised an eyebrow. "I'm not interested in that, and you know it. What is Nijal planning? And where is my father?!"
Zephyr glanced at him, startled by the conviction and hardness in his tone. She had never seen her brother quite like this.
Aseela studied him with narrowed eyes. "Most likely your father is on one of his ships. When we're on the move, he rarely stays in one place for long."
Nuffink crossed his arms. "And when he's not?"
Her expression turned guarded. "We stay on a hidden island, like you, with our tribe and family. That, I won't reveal."
"I see…"
She shifted her gaze away, her voice lowering with an intensity that made everyone lean in closer. "However, if you want to know what Nijal's planning… He wants to eliminate all dragons. He thinks that if he removes them, the world will be 'equal', and no one can use dragons to gain power over others. He believes the fear he instills through his attacks will establish a one-world order. One under his rulership."
A collective hush fell over the group, and she continued, her face shadowed by an unsettling seriousness. "He has a serum he's been manufacturing from another alpha's blood mixed with the blood, of DeathSong as well as his own. One that forces humans and dragons alike to obey him. Those who think they're moving and acting freely are, in reality, under his thumb. He believes that through this iron fist, he'll create a peaceful world. One without free thinkers like your father, dragons, dragon-riders, or anything that threatens his people or authority."
Nuffink's fists clenched, his eyes blazing. "That's madness! My dad always said peace doesn't come from force or fear. It comes from understanding… from in here." He placed a hand on his heart, his voice filled with conviction. "Controlling people… killing dragons… This guy is going to upset the balance of nature itself! He's crazy!"
Aseela's expression softened. "Believe it or not, Nijal wasn't always like this. When our father was killed by a dragon rider in what used to be a peaceful, dragonless village… something inside him broke."
Nuffink frowned. "How can that be? I thought all dragons left when the Alpha took them away."
Aseela chuckled sadly. "This is a big world, Nuffink. There are stones unturned, lands unexplored… dragons everywhere. Your Alpha cannot possibly control them all. Dragons are like wolves, Nuffink. They travel in packs in a variety of places and lands. There's not just one Alpha… there are many. And Nijal plans to draw them all out… and destroy them."
The group sat in silence, her words reverberating heavily in the dim light of the fire.
Nuffink's eyes widened. "So… there's more than one Alpha out there?" he asked, almost in awe.
Meanwhile, on a Cliffside Near the Enemy Camp, Astrid, Dagur, and the others peered over a nearby cliff, spotting a cluster of boats belonging to the Scourge. In the center sat a large, royal-looking vessel, the most opulent among them.
Dagur pointed. "It's the big royal-looking one. If he's here, that's where he'll be. It's where I would have put him."
Fishlegs nudged Astrid, gesturing to the deck below. "Look, Astrid! Dagur's right. Toothless is in one of those cages."
Snotlout clenched his fists. "Then let's go get 'em!"
Astrid shook her head, her expression grave. "No. There are too many of them and too few details. We strike at dawn. For now, we watch and look for weaknesses."
Eret nodded. "Alright, you heard her. Spread out, see what you can find."
As the others moved away, Astrid and Fishlegs remained behind, gazing at the distant ship.
Fishlegs turned to her, his voice soft. "I know it's hard, Astrid. I'm here for you."
Astrid's face crumpled, her voice choked with emotion. "I feel so torn apart, Fishlegs. I just want to get him away from them. I just, have this awful feeling about all of this… it's terrifying."
Fishlegs wrapped her in a comforting hug. "No matter what happens, remember Hiccup's strong. Resourceful. He's our leader. We wouldn't be who we are without him. And, I bet he's already working on a plan to make his way back to you right now."
Astrid took a shuddering breath, nodding as she looked out over the water. "I hope you're right…"
ns 15.158.61.6da2
