The Soul of a Dragon

Chapter 67

Hiccup

Sometimes, I think of things that could have been; how such things would have completely altered anyone's life.

What would the world look like when night furies would still roam free, darkening the skies, and filling the air with the whistling sound of their wings?

Who would I have become?

Flashback

Vara

The morning sun drowns the forest in a warm, golden light, and the air is filled with the sound of birdsong and the gentle rustle of leaves. Aria and I are taking a break from our usual training. I lie on the soft grass, staring up at the clear blue sky, feeling a rare sense of peace. Aria is beside me, her massive form sprawled out lazily as she suns herself. I watch her, a smile tugging at my lips as she lets out a contented rumble, her eyes half-closed in bliss. As long she is happy, I am happy.

"You're such a lazy lizard," I tease, reaching out to run my fingers over the smooth, cool scales on her neck, admiring the pearlescence that seems to have a light source of its own. "We should be training, you know. Hiccup would scold us if he saw us like this."

Aria snorts, a puff of smoke escaping her nostrils, and I can almost hear her saying, "Let him try." I laugh softly, my heart swelling with love for this incredible creature beside me. We've come so far together, survived so much. I never thought I'd find a home, a family, but Aria gave me that and so much more. She makes me feel like I belong.

I stretch out, my fingers brushing the grass, and close my eyes, soaking in the warmth of the sun. For once, there are no worries, no battles to fight, no dragons to save. I forbid myself from thinking about anything like that. It is just the two of us, enjoying a rare moment of tranquillity.

"What do you think, girl?" I murmur, turning my head to look at her. "Maybe we should take more days like this. Just you and me, away from all the craziness."

Aria opens one eye and huffs softly, her tail flicking softly in response. I chuckle and roll onto my side, propping my head up on my hand.

"I know, I know," I say, pretending to scold her. "You're the mighty Aria, protector of dragons and all-around badass. But even the most powerful dragons need a break sometimes."

She lets out a low purr, and I feel a pang of affection so deep it almost hurts. For all the strength and power she possesses, she's still just a creature with her own fears and dreams, just like me. I reach out, placing my hand on her side, feeling the steady rise and fall of her breathing.

"We've been through so much, haven't we?" I whisper, my voice barely audible over the rustling leaves. "And we've still got so much more to do."

Aria shifts, her eyes opening fully to gaze at me. There's a softness there, a warmth that I've come to rely on. She leans in, nudging me gently with her nose, and I laugh, the sound echoing through the clearing.

"Alright, alright," I say, pushing myself up. "I get it. No more brooding. We should probably get back to training before we get too comfortable."

I stand up and stretch, my muscles pleasantly sore from the morning's exercises. Aria rises to her feet, her body a sleek, powerful silhouette against the sunlight. She shakes herself, her wings spreading wide, and I'm struck, as I always am, by how beautiful she is. Strong, graceful, and fierce - everything I strive to be.

"So, this is where you're hiding, huh?" a familiar slightly nasal but husky and deep voice asks from somewhere behind me, causing me to freeze. Of course, he'd find us.

"First of all, stalker," I make sure to enunciate every syllable just to mess with him, "and, second of all, rest is just as – if not, more – important as training."