Hey! :) So sorry for the long break, but I bring you a new chapter. Yay!
I know that I said in the last chapter that this chapter would stop the confusion and explain everything but that will have to wait until next chapter because this chapter just became way too long. I kind of think Astrid is a bit out of character in this chapter, but I really hope she isn't, because I really tried to grasp her character. Please tell me what you think.
I would also like to note that I am going to try and update every day this week, so I can finish it before my summer gets crazy. What if Girl Scouts and band, my summer is at an end. :( But good for you guys, because…. Updates everyday! :D
Anyway….. Shout outs to...Lightclaw's Shadow, Guest: Snowflake and Guest: sophhascoconuts. You guys are great and I really appreciate you guy's continuous reviews and support. And everyone else who has kept reading. Thanks you!
So without further ado…. chapter 12!
Warning: This chapter is dark in content
Disclaimer: ***I don't own any of the How To Train Your Dragon characters***
Chapter 12:
Astrid ran as fast as she could through the burning streets of Berk. Vikings ran by and young children were screaming. Stoick stood at the top of the Great Hall steps yelling at people to grab whatever they could and get into the Great Hall. Astrid could never remember seeing Berk in such a panic and she felt tears well up in her eyes just looking at the smoldering ashes of once nice houses.
Astrid breath hitched in her throat as she ran, her heart pounding painfully in her chest. She silently cursed herself for not getting on Stormfly, but in the heat of the moment it had skipped her mind. Now she didn't have time or energy to run back to get her loyal nadder.
She kept her eyes trained on the burning house, that sat on the hill. Her thoughts straying towards the glowing sphere that lay inside. She prayed to all the gods that it was the key to saving Hiccup, because if it wasn't then she was wasting precious time. Precious time, she wasn't even sure Hiccup had.
Images of Hiccup, stranded in the forest surrounded by glowing light, made her heart ache. Why was it always him. What had Hiccup done to deserve this. All the pain. First is was being abused by everyone in his own village, then to losing part of his leg in the battle to save all those who had made his life miserable. Continuous fighting against Alvin the Treacherous and Dagur the Deranged had left no time for rest. And when he was finally getting a break, this happens. He didn't deserve it.
Astrid tried desperately to stop these thoughts from getting to her. They weren't going to help her or Hiccup in anyway. But she made a silent promise with herself that when they got Hiccup out of this, and they work get him out safely, she would make sure he got the break he had never received. Something to make him truly happy, so he could forget all this.
She was gasping for breath when she finally reached the Haddock residents, which was covered in roaring flames. Looking the house up and down she recognized the purple light radiating from the fire, making the fire seem purple. A surge of new hope and strength went through her, and without any thought she did one of the craziest things she had ever done. She ran into the burning building.
Smoke instantly crowded her lungs making it nearly impossible to breathe. Black splotches danced across her eyes. She raised her shirt up to cover her face, in an attempt to block out the smoke and her vision cleared slightly. As quickly as she dared, she navigated herself to the stairs of the burning home.
She could see the purple light seeping through the door of Hiccup's room. Walking cautiously on the weak steps she slowly made her ascent. The wooden beams groaned around her, threatening to fall and crush her. Flames crawled mercilessly up the walls and across the floor, devouring the wood. The heat made her eyes water and every part of her told her to get out.
Ignoring her own warning, she stepped forward on to the next step, which whined against her weight. And then Crack!
Astrid froze as the one of the ceiling beams gave way and fell with a thunderous crash. The steps, already weakened by the fire, broke away. Astrid screamed as the step supporting her gave way. She fell a foot down, and barely managed to grab a small piece of wood, that was jutting out from the wall. Breathing heavily, she looked down at the ten foot drop. Below her was nothing but merciless flames.
Astrid tightened her grip, looking for a way to reach the loft that was Hiccup's room. A short way above her was a ledge that lead right to Hiccup's door. Astrid narrowed her eyes at the ledge, confidence flooding through her.
With great effort, she managed to pull herself up enough the grab the ledge, putting her one foot on the small piece of live saving wood. The heat was becoming almost unbearable now, making Astrid's hands and face sweaty. She tried desperately to pull herself onto the ledge, but she was now shaking with fatigue and her strength was wavering. Tears of pain and defeat were clouding her eyes, as she looked down at the flaming floor.
Astrid closed her eyes in defeat, her whole body shaking in the effort to keep from falling. She had failed. Failed everyone. Herself, the tribe, Stoick, her friends, but most importantly Hiccup. Thoughts of Hiccup being stuck as an evil spirit's mindless slave forever, made her want to sob. But she couldn't, no she wouldn't. Light blazed into her eyes, as the thought gave her renewed confidence. She could do this.
Screaming in determination, Astrid pulled herself up onto the ledge, with strength she didn't know she had. The small piece of wood she had been rest most of her body weight on broke away as her feet left it. She lay there, on the ledge, quivering in complete exhaustion. She stared at the door in front of her, disbelieve overwhelming her. She had made it.
Climbing cautiously to her feet, she opened to the door. Heat blasted out at her, making her step back. The small room was nothing but flames and purple light. Astrid looked over the room, her eyes searching for the orb of light, that had caused so much trouble. At first there was nothing but fire and soot, but then she saw it. Lying in the center of the room, shining brighter then Astrid had ever seen it.
Hope, once again, flooded through her as she ran towards what she prayed would be the key to saving her best friend. She dodged flame after flame until she reached the seemingly innocent looking ball. Looking down at it, she had the sudden desire to destroy it. To smash it into a million pieces. How dare it look so innocent and harmless after everything it had helped do.
Astrid was so overcome with sudden rage, that she lifted her foot to stomp it into oblivion, when she suddenly stopped. She couldn't destroy it. It was the only clue they had to stop the spirit that was plaguing the island. It was Berk's and Hiccup's only hope. With a grudging sigh, she returned her foot to the ground and bent to pick up the glowing orb.
A sudden electric shock went through her, making her scream and drop the sphere. The light became steadily brighter until it was blinding. Astrid squinted as she looked down at the ball. The smoky interior billowed rapidly. Whispering sounds Astrid couldn't understand rung in her ears.
Creaking and groaning told Astrid that she was running out of time. The flames were becoming bigger pieces of the ceiling were giving way and falling around her. With a sudden crash the floor behind her fell into the rest of the burning house. With a desperate look around the room, Astrid grabbed the glowing orb, and ignoring the excruciating pain, raced to the window. And just as the floor finally failed and fell in, Astrid leaped right through the flaming window frame and into the cool night air.
Soooo. I'm sorry for the really bad ending. I tried my best to make it sound right. Hope you guys liked it.
Anyway, see you tomorrow for the chapter to clear all confusion! Yay! :)