AN: I'm finally getting around to posting this! I am posting it as a separate story... the old one will probably be taken down once I've finished this version. Now, it will be different from the original (both in dailogue and hopefully other areas as well) so hopefully that will make up for my lack of posting. There has been a guest reviewer going around stories that aren't purely Hiccstrid (you know who you are). I've heard other authors complaining about this, and some have even moved to different sites for this reason. Guest reviewer can't be reasoned with, even though their review is clearly a matter of opinion. With that being the case, you will be ignored. No ifs, ands or buts. Unless you have actual constructive criticism to offer, I am not accepting your review. Now, onto the story!

Chapter One

The island of Burgus was never at peace. War broke out between the humans and the dragons at a constant rate. The main village had become the target of dragon raids, often twice in one night. While most people would have fled from the island, the people were stubborn. As Vikings, the people of Burgus were born to fight, and fight they certainly did.

Children were taught at a young age to learn how to fight dragons. It was an island of kill, or be killed. One such villager had quickly learned where she stood among the villagers. Even as a baby, she was always seen as an outsider. But, as grew older, she began to notice how people would treat her like an outcast.

Where her sister had excelled in dragon training classes, Aniu had begun to see dragons in a different light. Her world revolved around observing and keeping her distance from the villagers after being pushed away. Even the blacksmith had assaulted her for visiting his shop in the attempt of escaping some of the more abusive children.

So, Aniu would slip away during the morning when no one was paying attention and study the dragons. It was through her observation that she learned they weren't the mindless beasts everyone made them out to be. Dragons seemed to have their own language, and could communicate with one another through a series of clicks, growls and roars. Though the language was obscure, Aniu soon began imitating them in a way that they could understand her.

She soon began to realize that dragons were amazing, mysterious creatures that few people bothered to understand. Aniu found herself spending more time with the dragons than she did with the humans. It didn't take long for one of the dragons to take notice of her presence. The dragons had been wary of her, of course. But, they eventually began to notice that she was as much an outsider to the village as they were.

She was six when the dragons had taken her in. At that age, Aniu had endured abuse of all kinds from the people of Burgus. Her own parents had begun giving up on her, and instead focused their attention on her older sister. Not that Aniu hadn't minded at the time. It made running from the village that much easier, when no one would notice her disappearance, much less care. The dragons had seen the cuts and bruises she tried hiding from the rest of the world, and knew that she was different from the rest.

Though, living with dragons hadn't been any easier. Some were against the idea of a human living among them. Others saw her as a handicap, someone with no wings who would slow them down. The Alpha of the herd soon quelled their bickering over whether it was worth keeping her. A dark purple Deadly Nadder, Nina, had become the Alpha of the herd, not just for her sheer size, but for her cunning and beauty as well. No dragon dared argue with her once she made up her mind.

It was around the same time when Aniu had been taken in that a dragon egg hatched. With this egg being the only in the nest, the dragons had been on high alert for any intruders. However, none of them were expecting the egg to hatch upon Aniu's arrival. She had never seen a dragon hatchling, before. This one was different from the normal Monstrous Nightmares, Gronckles and Deadly Nadders that claimed the nest as home.

With an arrow-shaped head, tiny bat-like wings, large greenish yellow eyes and a lithe body, the little dragon was like nothing Aniu had ever seen. She soon learned through the dragons that the hatchling was a Night Fury, and quite possibly, the last of its kind. Its parents had been killed during the last raid, leaving the hatchling to be raised alone. Aniu had quickly befriended the Night Fury, who was later named Cybele for her gentle and playful nature.

Aniu never left the cave without her adopted sister. Dragons grew at a faster rate than humans, and over the next five years, Cybele had quickly outgrown Aniu. But, that didn't stop Cybele from being her best friend. They often worked together, either avoiding the claws and teeth of angry dragons, or just exploring the area around them.

Of course, peace never lasted long when dragons were involved. It didn't take long for the people of Burgus to find their nest, hidden away within the mountains. Nina and the other dragons had quickly decided that leaving was their only option. Cybele was now old enough and large enough that she could fly. However, she refused to leave without Aniu. Nine soon decided that Aniu was part of their herd, and that she wouldn't be left behind, despite the protests other dragons made.

Once that decision was made, Aniu quickly gathered what little belongings she had throughout the village. She had mastered the art of archery over the years, and was keen on keeping up with her skills. So, she'd taken the bow, quiver and arrows that were forged by the blacksmith and returned to the nest, relieved to see that the others had waited for her.

In the end, the dragons were forced to find a new nest deeper into the archipelago. It was hidden in a series of caves on an island far from any humans that might be looking for them. The safer the nest was, the better off they all were.

Throughout the next five years, Aniu spent what free time she had exploring the other islands around them with Cybele. They were both curious about the world around them. Having learned that while she couldn't fly like a dragon, Aniu knew that Cybele would always be there for her, and provide the wings that she didn't have.

Their latest adventure had taken them farther than they thought possible from the nest. Sea stacks littered the ocean below them, along with islands of various shapes and sizes. Dragons of all kinds seemed to thrive in this land, consisting of Deadly Nadders, Gronckles, Monstrous Nightmares and even the rare Hideous Zippleback, a dragon with two heads. Aniu was fascinated with all the different kinds, suddenly wondering what compelled them to live in such a widespread area.

"You should not venture so close to the human village." Nina's warning had fallen on deaf ears when Aniu returned one day with Cybele, explaining what they had encountered so far during their explorations. The large Deadly Nadder had begun treating Aniu as if she was her own hatchling, providing what protection she could from anything she perceived as a threat. "Your curiosity is going to get you in trouble, one of these days."

"Don't you think it's strange that there are so many different dragons living near the village?" Aniu protested.

She had been aware that dragons didn't normally live so close to the village unless they needed to raid it. Nina's group had to leave their secret cave after the humans discovered it one day. Living close to humans had been a dangerous idea, one Nina didn't plan on using again. The only positive thing about their little island happened to be the fact that fish was plentiful. Dragons could live peacefully with one another, without having to compete for food or space.

"What other dragons who are not part of this nest do does not concern me," Nina rolled her eyes knowingly. "What does concern me, however, is that you seem to be putting your life in danger, along with Cybele's life."

A shiver of unease swept through Aniu as she looked down at the ground. By now, Cybele had wrapped her tail-fin protectively around Aniu, as if trying to defend her. She knew Nina had a point. She had been getting too curious about the humans that were living by the sea. It was through that curiosity she had learned about the dragons that seemed drawn by something. Aniu had heard the odd buzzing noise that echoed across the ocean.

"What she says about the dragons is true, though," Cybele warbled, "It's like something is drawling them to that island… like a loud buzzing sound that clouds my senses."

Nina's eyes widened in alarm at that. She began pacing around the cave, tail lifted high in the process. Aniu knew that she couldn't keep denying that something was wrong. Their island had been at peace since they left Burgus. Yet, that didn't mean everything was at peace. A few of their own had gone missing within the last few months since Aniu and Cybele had explored farther out. Ray, the friendly Gronckle that had always looked out for them when Nina wasn't around, had been among the missing dragons.

"I think for now, it is best that I ban dragons from leaving the island," Nina decided after mulling over the possibilities. "What you have discovered might have something to do with our missing friends."

Aniu frowned when she realized what Nina was implying. She hadn't missed how Nina shifted uncomfortably at the mention of Cybele's senses clouding over. Something else was going on. Her fists clenched at the thought of being grounded, though.

"We shouldn't have to be grounded for something that isn't hurting us!" Cybele immediately protested. She hated being confined to one place as much as Aniu did. Being grounded was like having their wings taken off, a punishment worse than death to most dragons, "There's nothing wrong with exploring a new island, especially if it means finding more dragons to—"

"No!" Nina roared back. Cybele cringed at the sudden tension that seemed to roll off of Nina. After seeing her reaction, Aniu couldn't help but place a gentle hand on her shoulder, "If this dragon is who I think she is, you are not to go anywhere near that island, do you hear me?"

She's afraid, Aniu realized after noticing how Nina was trembling. She couldn't tell whether Nina was afraid of them getting caught, or of something far worse. She had a feeling that whatever Nina was afraid of, it had to be something big. A shiver of unease swept through her, making her realize that even Nina wasn't invincible to the humans or other dragons.

Cybele grudgingly bowed her head submissively, knowing there wasn't any point in arguing with the Alpha. Though, Aniu hadn't missed the spark of defiance within her piercing gaze. Cybele was always a bit more adventurous, and willing to bend the rules to her favor.

"Okay," Aniu finally answered after glancing at Cybele warily. "We'll try and stay out of trouble, Nina."

Once Nina was satisfied enough with that answer, Cybele gave Aniu a wary look, "We aren't seriously going to follow the rules, are we?"

"Of course, not," Aniu rolled her eyes, smirking in amusement as Cybele's eyes lit up, "When have the rules ever stopped you?"

Cybele only snorted at that, letting out a puff of smoke in the process that covered her face. With that thought in mind, they took off before Nina could notice their disappearance and stop them.

They flew off in the direction of a volcanic island that they had passed several times during their exploration. Aniu had begun to notice the pattern of dragons returning to said island every few nights with strange food in their jaws. Sheep and other assortments of creatures had been seen within their jaws. It was strange, considering she knew that dragons normally lived off of fish.

She shook her head at the thought, watching as another island came into view not long after they left the volcano. Not for the first time, she recognized the familiar buzzing sound Cybele had described. It was enough to send a shudder through her, as she felt the pull that kept enticing them to visit the island, and never leave.

"I wonder if this is where Ray disappeared to?" Cybele warbled as they soared over the volcanic island, eyeing the scarred land, "She was always so much friendlier than the other dragons."

"Nina wasn't lying about the island," Aniu murmured thoughtfully, ignoring Cybele's question, "This island makes me feel uneasy."

They flew on in comfortable silence. Aniu wished she could explain the strange feeling in the pit of her stomach. The truth of it was, she was afraid of what might have happened to their missing nest-mates. Ray had always been a friendlier dragon, often helping them pull off pranks or standing up for Aniu when the others complained she couldn't keep up with them during races. As if she had read her thoughts, Cybele let out a crooning sound of concern.

"Are you sure you're alright? You haven't been the same since Ray disappeared," she commented.

Aniu leaned forward, suddenly aware that Cybele was right. Of course, she hadn't been the same. Ray was their best friend, after all. But, it was more than that. Aniu couldn't shake off the sense of dread that something terrible had happened to Ray.

It wasn't until they reached the secluded island where they usually hung out that Aniu pulled out her bow from the quiver strapped around her shoulder. This was where they usually spent their afternoons when they weren't exploring. It was secluded enough that the other dragons wouldn't find it, and close enough between the two islands that they could fly to the human village if they were interested. Though, Aniu took advantage of the terrain this island provided.

Rocky bluffs, cliffs and large, twisting and gnarled trees made up most of the terrain. It was the perfect place to set up an archery course. She and Cybele had worked together with some help from Ray in setting the course up. She used makeshift targets for practice, and often made her own arrows to keep her skills sharp.

She wasted no time in firing an arrow, watching in amusement as the arrow hit the bull's eye. It hadn't taken her long to figure out how she could hit the target with ease, and without missing the bull's eye in the center.

"Ray was our best friend," she sighed after collecting the arrows she could pull out, "What Nina said about grounding all dragons bothers me… we aren't meant to be grounded."

She glanced at Cybele when her sister/best friend landed on a rocky bluff beside her. After pulling out a throwing knife and carving marks into the wooden part of her bow, she'd found herself gazing at the ocean down below. The scenery would have been serene, if it wasn't for the worry gnawing at the back of her mind.

"Ray wouldn't have wanted us to worry about her," Cybele reminded her. "Besides, Nina may have a point about avoiding that island… I have a bad feeling nothing good is going to come out of sticking around."

Aniu was ready to argue when she caught the haunted look clouding Cybele's eyes. She wasn't just concerned about angry dragons attacking them. Her own parents had been slaughtered by humans. Aniu understood full-well why Cybele was so worried.

"I know. You hate humans as much as I do," she muttered, refusing to make eye contact when Cybele glanced at her warily.

She could never forget what the people of Burgus had done to her. Years of abuse had taught her that humans would all be the same. They couldn't be trusted as far as she could throw them. As far as she was concerned, humans were nothing more than bad news.

"I don't know… you seemed pretty interested in that village the other night," Cybele warbled, almost looking amused as Aniu rolled her eyes once more and crossed her arms.

"I was not!"

"Was too!"

By now, Cybele was chortling with laughter when Aniu scowled in annoyance. She had to admit, there was something about that village that caught her attention. Though she would never say it out loud, one of the humans caught her attention. He was a scrawnier looking human, with auburn hair, a freckled face and forest-green eyes. Aniu hadn't missed the fact that the people of his village either ignored his presence entirely, or, treated him like he was an outcast.

She bit the bottom of her lip as she remembered the way that ruffian looking Viking boy had teased him. Though he didn't hurt the human while there were others around, Aniu could see the fear in his eyes whenever the bigger human would approach him.

"Well, at least I wasn't mooning over another dragon," she snapped.

Cybele opened her mouth, ready to protest when she thought better of it. Aniu couldn't hide the triumphant smirk that followed. Try as she might, Cybele couldn't ignore the fact that she heard another Night Fury not far from the volcanic island they had explored.

"This wasn't just any other dragon, though," she pointed out, puffing out her chest as if to prove her point, "This was another Night Fury! It proves that Nina was wrong, and that I'm not the last of my kind."

Aniu furrowed her brows together when she realized the significance of what Cybele said. For over ten years, Cybele was brought up to believe that she was alone in this world. It gave them another painful reminder that while she wasn't alone, they were close to that point.

"If I didn't know any better, I would have thought you had a crush on this Night Fury." Cybele narrowed her eyes at that, ready to slap her tail across the back of Aniu's head when she decided it wasn't worth it.

"All I'm saying is, I'd love to meet him and see whether she was right," she muttered.

"Well, what are we waiting for?" Aniu remarked, knowing that she would never let Cybele hear the end of it if this Night Fury happened to be a female.

Cybele didn't need to be told twice as Aniu hopped onto her back. They'd already gone over the possible locations it might use for hunting, or even nesting. Aniu had no doubt that this Night Fury had emerged from the volcanic island. It had been around during the dragon raids on the island where the same boy came from. Which left her wondering if there was a connection, somehow.

By the time they tracked the Night Fury down, it was getting late. The sun had begun to sink behind the mountains, revealing dark skies ahead. Aniu blinked in surprise after spotting the human village not far from where Cybele was soaring. She used the darkness to her advantage, hiding herself from any prying eyes.

It wasn't until hearing distant roars that Aniu realized too late they had arrived in the middle of a dragon raid. The brilliant display of flames danced before them, and Cybele paused in her stride as she watched the chaotic scene unfold.

"Cybele, we should leave, now," she whispered, rubbing the Night Fury's shoulder after realizing this wasn't just a raid; it was a battle between human and dragon.

"No! I've picked up his scent; he's near!" Cybele protested, brushing off any attempts at getting away.

Aniu felt her stomach twist with worry when she recognized the screech of a Night Fury. Night Furies had a distinctive screech, one that carried through the clouds and left another reminder that they were the masters of the sky.

"Leave my nest-mates alone!" Cybele perked up immediately at the sound of a male's voice.

Not for the first time, Aniu was thankful Cybele could hide herself in the blackness of night. She recognized the outline of a Night Fury soaring through the sky. He was practically radiating confidence, and Aniu nearly laughed at the sight when she noticed how Cybele couldn't take her eyes off of him.

Her heart nearly skipped a beat when she spotted a Monstrous Nightmare scaling a cliff. The same human she had seen earlier was running from the Monstrous Nightmare, screaming in panic when he lit himself on fire.

"Do you really think you're going to capture and kill a Night Fury?" the Nightmare crowed with laughter.

Dragons rarely killed humans for sport. Aniu had quickly learned that after living in the nest for ten years. What bothered her more than anything was that these attacks seemed much worse than the ones on Burgus. Those attacks were organized chaos. This was just… chaos.

"Cybele, we need to leave," Aniu pressed, realizing that if they were caught in the middle of this raid, it would ruin everything.

Cybele was ready to protest when she realized what Aniu was implying, "I was really hoping to meet that Night Fury," she sighed longingly.

"If he is a Night Fury, then, he'll be fine," Aniu reassured her, though, even she could hear the doubt in her voice.

Relief swept through her when Cybele finally flew away from the island, leaving it behind. War between man and dragons had taken place for countless generations. Aniu knew that it wouldn't end anytime soon. Both sides were just trying to defend themselves, though, the humans would often kill dragons for sport, especially on her old island.

I wish there was a way to end this stupid war, she thought, recalling all the lives that had been lost as a result. Both human and dragon had lost lives because of this war. Unless there was a way to convince a human that the dragons weren't going to hurt them unless they were hurt, she knew things wouldn't change. Not unless the humans were willing to accept said change.

AN: There's the first chapter :) I want to say that updates are going to be regular, but I can't make that promise. I'd say once or twice a month is the best option for me until I get my schedule sorted out. The title of this story is actually based off of a song by Lord Huron; if you ever get the chance, I'd highly recommend checking them out, they're an awesome group!