Hiccup, the Womanizer (A Httyd Fanfiction)

Chapter 23: Raya

A/N: The fact that I haven't written a Hiccup x Raya-centered story is crazy, I'll need to think of one in the future. But for this next chapter, Hiccup and Raya will be pairing up, she's going to be one of his main women and help him secure an alliance with Kumandra at some point in time, but that's a chapter for another time. For now, let's get to it!

(Normal pov— North Sea)

A fleet of Blackstone Legion galleons sliced through the open seas, they were en route to the island base of the Northern Alliance, and Drago Bludvist. Apollyon herself stood in front of her menacing flagship— The Hellhound. Apollyon cared not for absolute power or ruling over the world like so many fools she had both challenged and killed in single combat all over the world, she only cared for war and ensuring that war would reign eternal. After all, war was a constant in the world, mankind cannot help but be at odds with each other and succumb to violence and bloodshed. So long as she and her Blackstone Legion provoke the wolves among the world powers of their true nature and start a war with their people, that was more than enough for Apollyon.

"Master, Prince Harald Haraldson, as requested,"

Turning around, Apollyon dismissed one of her Blackstone Wardens who brought her... guest. Facing the banished Viking prince of the Fairhair dynasty, Apollyon snorted softly. "So, here you stand, banished from your family and your people, and throwing yourself into the hands of forces that would see the Vikings chosen king dead," while circling the banished prince like a bloodthirsty shark, Apollyon tilted her head softly. "Does your ambition to take over as King of Vikings mean so much to you that you would forsake honor and your place in Valhalla?"

Grasping his wrist that bore his sacred arm ring, Harald caressed his ring before looking into the demonic mask of Apollyon. "Hiccup Haddock is not my king. I never truly swore an oath to him, and so I am not sacrificing my place in Valhalla nor am I forsaking honor. His ascension as king was only because we were desperate to flee from our now-dead and decayed homelands." Sighing in frustration, Harald continued to vent. "True. He has led the Vikings to many victories, eventually, his luck will run out. And from what I've seen what your Blackstone Legion has to offer, that boy is no match for you in both combat and tactical brilliance."

"That remains to be seen, Harald Haraldson," Apollyon's firm tone caused the Viking prince to tense. "As a warrior, you should know better than to underestimate your opponent. Your hatred and ambition cloud your judgment. And I will not allow that to infect my ranks." Turning sharply away from the banished prince, Apollyon's cape billowing thanks to the ocean breeze as she spoke over her shoulder. "You are a wolf that will turn your own people against each other and Hiccup Haddock. When the dust settles, you will lead your people, but only because of me." Once reaching the front of her galleon, the warlord of the Blackstone Legion voiced a warning to her Viking guest. "You are free to recruit any of your kind who oppose the idea of following a boy. However, if I smell the slight hint of betrayal from you, then your name and story will be lost to history. Do I make myself clear?"

"As clear as a crystal,"

The Blackstone Legion's master then brandished a parchment and extended it for Harald. "This is a list of renegade Vikings who have cast aside honor and will do anything to survive, even if it means conspiring with those who would see their people dead. You will see which of these renegade factions are familiar to you and you will then meet with them once you have been provided with a dragon of your own," Harald took the parchment pocketed the list, and looked back at Apollyon as she inhaled the sea breeze. "I've faced many challenges and opponents in my lifetime, Prince Harald, but from what you've told me about Hiccup Haddock, he seems... worthy of all this effort." Chuckling darkly, she continued. "Leaders who wish to avoid bloodshed are wise, however, peace can only last for so long. War is perhaps one of the truest constants in the world; mankind can only tolerate each other for so long before they are at each other's throats like wild animals." The warlord then turned to the Viking. "A peacekeeper like Hiccup Haddock will soon learn a hard, brutal lesson that you cannot trust anyone, not even your people. Especially if they crave war. And who better to rile up than Vikings?"