HTLANF: Race to the Edge

Chapter 9 ~ Dragon Eye of the Beholder (Part 9)

After Gothi went back inside, Hiccup and I talked over what to do about getting a Snow Wraith tooth.

"We might not even need to look for a Snow Wraith. There may be a skeleton long forgotten somewhere on the island or something." I suggested as Hiccup busied himself with braiding a strand of my hair.

"That's definitely a possibility. Do you remember anything about when you went to that island?"

"Not really. I was only about seven winters old at the time and like I said, I was scared off the island rather abruptly by a male Snow Wraith. So chances of me knowing are little to none. Plus, the island could be completely different from the last time I was there because of weather changes and other things."

Hiccup sighed and rested his head on my shoulder, coming to a stop in his braiding. "Guess we'll have to search the place top to bottom for one. I really don't want to tussle with a dragon if I don't have to."

"Hopefully the Gods are kind enough to keep that from happening. Akatosh knows we could do without right now."

"Speaking of, you think you could tell me more about Akatosh? You've never gone into depth about him."

I smiled with a joyous glimmer in my eyes. "Of course I can. Akatosh is the Dragon God of Time. If I remember correctly, he's the only God dragons worship. He represents endurance, invincibility, and everlasting legitimacy. I'm not sure of the origin of his existence, but from what I overheard in my travels, time did not exist before Akatosh himself did. Some dragons even believe he is the father of all dragons and that he created a world where dragons could live peacefully, hidden away from humans who wish them harm."

Hiccup's eyes widened a bit. "A hidden world? Is it actually a thing or just a myth?"

"I'm not sure. It's possible, but I'm not sure where it would even be if it was real. To be honest..I would go there in a heartbeat if there were any chance of any other Night Furies living there.." I looked down as sadness overtook my body. "I don't wanna be the only one left.."

Hiccup lifted my face to make our eyes meet and he cupped my face as he wiped away tears that began to escape from my eyes, love and care shining in his features.

"Hey..you are not the only one left..I can feel it..they're just hidden away somewhere..we'll find them..I promise.."

I smiled a bit and rested my forehead against his with my eyes falling shut.

"Thank you..I love you.."

"Love you too, milady.."

~~~HTLANF~~~

The following morning Kala and I were preparing to head out. Her and I thought it best to just go on our own to get the tooth since it would be safer that way. As I was securing the saddle to her back, I noticed Astrid making her way towards us from the corner of my eye.

"What is it Astrid?"

"You two never told the rest of us what Gothi told you last night. We're a team. We deserve to know what she told you guys so we can help." Astrid retorted with her arms crossed.

Kala huffed in annoyance, her tail flicking like it always does when she's in a bad mood. I rolled my eyes and looked at Astrid.

"We didn't tell you guys because you've got other things to do with your lives now. Not to mention it would go quicker if Kala and I just went alone. Now if you'll excuse us. I've gotta get Kala's tailfin connected so we can leave."

Astrid glared at us then stormed off to do who knows what. I sighed and finished up securing the saddle and tailfin, then Kala and I were airborne in no time.

~~~HTLANF~~~

When we made it to Glacier Island it was midday. I shivered a bit from the cold breeze as Kala landed softly on the snow covered ground.

"Now I know why it's called Glacier Island. Gods, it's cold. I should've brought a cloak or something." I breathed out as I dismounted Kala's back.

Kala crooned in agreement as she pulled me close to her body with her wing to help keep me warm. I smiled in appreciation and got closer to her warmth as I looked around the island.

"It's beautiful here. Wonder where the Snow Wraiths are.."

Kala sniffed the air a bit then pointed a paw towards the mountains. I looked in that direction and noticed a lot of caves.

"Oh. Yeah that makes sense. Would be kinda stupid to just mill about out in the open for Vikings or Dragon Hunters to see. You think there's any Snow Wraith skeletons in the lower ones?"

Kala nodded and crooned as she guided me towards the closest cave. I looked around the cave as she used her echo-location to find anything and to make sure we're alone. After a minute or so Kala stopped and ushered me towards the far back of the cave. There was a skeleton of an adolescent Snow Wraith buried halfway in the snow. I quickly got the Dragon Eye out of the satchel and started to look for a tooth that fit the keyhole.

After a few minutes of pulling out teeth from the dragon skull and comparing, I was able to finally find one that fit perfectly.

"Yes! Found it!" I exclaimed in glee.

Kala crooned happily and pranced around in joy as I stood and brushed all the snow off my legs. I waited until she calmed down to tuck the Dragon Eye and Snow Wraith tooth in the satchel and mount her back again.

"Let's head back love."

Kala nodded in agreement and rushed out of the cave and took flight as soon as her tailfin was adjusted.

~~~HTLANF~~~

After Hiccup and I got back from Glacier Island we tried to figure out how to unlock the Dragon Eye for the rest of the day, but with no luck.

I yawned as Hiccup set the Dragon Eye down on his desk.

"Alright that's it, we're going to bed. Maybe we can unlock it in the morning." He decided and yawned himself.

"Agreed." I said, then transformed into my dragon form to get some sleep.

I used my flames to warm up my slab to sleep on, but as I went to lay down Hiccup shook my wing.

"Kala wait. Do that again, but with a low flame aimed at the Dragon Eye."

I raised my brow bone a bit and nodded, doing as he asked. I was shocked when the wall of our room was lit up with a purple glow from the Dragon Eye projecting maps. Hiccup and I looked at each other in awe.

"This changes...everything." He said, still too shocked from the revelation.

~~~HTLANF~~~