HTTYD: Wings of Change

Prologue

Berk was a place where survival meant fighting or being killed. Flames engulfed the village, blood stained the ground, and the sounds of battle filled the air.

Gunnar Hofferson shouted as he hurled a Gronkle into three of its companions, grabbing his warhammer. "Come on, you monsters!" he bellowed. The Gronkles growled, only to be silenced as they were pinned by a pile of rocks. Gunnar blinked in surprise and looked up, grinning as his wife, Bertha, descended on a rope. "I had it under control, Bertha," he chuckled. She playfully rolled her eyes, responding, "I thought I should take charge." They shared a laugh and a quick kiss before Bertha let out a battle cry and dashed off to chase some Nadders away from the sheep.

Gunnar laughed, but his amusement turned to fear when he heard a scream. His face went pale as he saw white scales entering their home. "The girls!" he gasped, racing toward the house. He kicked the door open and rushed upstairs, hearing Astrid scream. "Astrid!" he shouted, turning the corner, only to freeze in terror.

The floor was stained with blood, furniture lay in disarray, and little Astrid struggled to move her bed in their shared room. "Naomi! It's in there with her!" she cried. Gunnar gasped and shouted as he kicked the bed aside and rushed in. His heart sank when he saw Naomi's nightdress torn and bloodied on the floor. An albino Night Fury growled at them, clutching one of its hatchlings.

Gunnar stared at the dragon, his breath becoming heavy and tears filling his eyes. In a fit of rage, he screamed and charged at the creature. The dragon swatted him away with its tail and darted through the broken wall, disappearing into the night with the hatchling.

Astrid, filled with fury, chased after it. She halted at the wall, gripping her axe tightly. "I will find you! I will track you down and kill you, demon! I’ll avenge you, Naomi!" she shouted, convinced that the dragon and its hatchling had devoured her sister.

Gunnar sat up, wincing as he clutched his shoulder. Astrid turned, and her eyes filled with tears. She ran to hug him, sobbing. "Daddy, I... I'm sorry. I went to get my axe, and I told Naomi to stay. It's my fault." Astrid whimpered. Gunnar sighed, hugging her close, the best he could.

"... It's not your fault. We'll hunt them. We will hunt them all." Gunnar vowed, glaring into the night.