A Race To Kings (Hiccup x Reader) On Hold

Chapter 21

Ares was surprised with the delivery of children, and prisoners. He was furious knowing hunter ships were now carrying shipments for the trades. When Hiccup and the riders left to Berk with Daymos about the contract, Ares had been making plans to fight. He wasn't alone as Cherry and Odyessues were on board, but Salem was hesitant.

With Cherry pregnant again, Salem wanted her far from danger, but Ares thought it best to rid of the danger. It was a consistent argument as Y/n and Ashaw felt forced to pick a side. Ashaw and Y/n did their best to keep out of it, but Salem's with irritated and Ares urge for action was leaving Cherry stressed. If there was one thing Y/n knew, stress wasn't good.

"Okay, enough!" Y/n stood up, ceasing Salem and Ares's argument. "This fighting isn't good for Cherry!"

They paused and looked to Cherry who was shaking her head slowly.

"Now please stop fighting," Y/n looked between them both to ensure they were listening. "You both hold valid points, but you both need to think of the pros and cons to your ideas."

Ashaw let out a breath of relief as the two males considered Y/n's words. Cherry sighed, relaxing and only relaxing farther when Odyessues was rubbing her shoulders and neck.

"If we go to war, we risk losing loved ones. Our lives, but it'd all be for our freedom," Y/n turned to Salem. "We could stay hidden and hope for best, but then that'd mean our enemy had won."

Salem sighed, knowing his little sister wasn't wrong. Given everything that had happened, and Salem's losing streak, he felt staying hidden was the safest option. It still was, but hiding means giving up. Salem's chest felt like lead realizing he was giving up. No matter how hard he fought, he still lost nearly everything every time. He couldn't bare the lose anymore.

"Y/n, I can't lose anyone else," Salem whispered.

"That's what's gotten to you?" Ares asked, his eyes finding Salem's. "Losing? Giving up is just as bad if not worse."

"And what would you know?" Salem snapped.

Cherry, Ashaw, and Y/n stood wanting to ease Salem and Ares before another fight broke out, but Odyessues had Cherry sit back down knowing this is just what these two have been doing since they officially opened their relationship. And this time, Odyessues knew it was best if Cherry sat this one out.

"What would I know?" Ares scoffed. "Are you serious?"

Y/n and Ashaw stepped back, not wanting to be in middle of this one. Ares's eyes were cold, as and mirthless laugh left his pale lips.

"You want to know something? My mom being the head of the slave trades is my fault. My father left us behind because of me," Ares's voice started to rise. "My big brother is dead because of me! Liu hates me, and no matter what I do, my blood.. my family either leaves me behind or dies. The only real family I have is here and I'm willing to give my all for them."

Salem's faces expression soften slightly, but his gaze flicked down. Ares shook his head, and continued.

"If I had just did as my father taught me, my brother would be alive instead of being public executed. My mother wouldn't be running slave trades, and maybe Liu would've had a normal loving family if I killed that damn Nightfury!" Ares's shook lightly, before glaring at Salem. "Loss isn't new here. We've all lost something."

Salem's body tensed as his gaze met Ares. Odyessues rubbed Cherry's shoulder gently as Ashaw held Y/n to his side.

"I am sorry, Ares. I can't say I know what that feels like, but I can't risk anyone else," Salem's voice was quiet. "I never met my mother. She died the day I was born. At six my father remarried to a woman who brought dragons to our homes, but the real messed up thing about it was that Athena was nine years older than me. I was eleven when Ashaw was born, so I'll let you do the math on that."