Symphony of Shadows

54. Arena

A/N: Finally, what many of you have been waiting for—almost. Grab a tissue, or two. Next chapter will be posted next Wednesday at 8pm American Eastern Standard Time:)

Her thighs ached from the long, non-stop flight, but she couldn't think about anything other than getting to Berk. Eret had tried to strike up a conversation at the beginning of their trip, and it quickly became clear that she wasn't interested. Berk was the only thing on her mind. There was so much to do in so little time.

Images of crying parents and children kept flashing in her mind. Ruffnut, her parents, the entire tribe. They'd all be dead—crushed by rubble, unable to do anything but scream. Astrid pushed Stormfly to fly faster.

Her entire plan consisted of just getting there. If there was a Berk left to go back to.

Her heart pounded in her chest as she saw the outline of the island and directed Stormfly to touch down in the outskirts of the village. She couldn't get enough air in her lungs, and her knees nearly buckled when she dismounted her saddle. Quickly, she shed her armor and shoved it in a bush. It killed her to leave such a valuable possession behind, but she couldn't risk it. She hesitated to leave her axe; it was such an important reminder of Hiccup's love for her.

Berk needs you.

Astrid carefully tucked the weapon in a secret spot hidden behind thorny bushes and turned to find where Eret had landed. His Gronckle was too big to navigate its way through the trees, and she found them in a clearing nearby. She realized he'd be seeing her face and learning her identity, but it wouldn't matter if they all ended up dead by sunset. They needed to work together.

"Alright, you stay here until I give the signal. I need to warn the chief, and he'll send out letters in warning to the other tribes. Though by the proximity of the tremors, he likely already struck one of the islands."

The Shellfire hadn't arrived yet. There was still time. There was still time. But Viggo could arrive at any minute. They had to line the perimeter. Catapults would have to do. But would the dragon be able to easily avoid them by diving underwater? There was only one way to find out.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?"

Her mind barely processed his words as she began to hyperventilate. She wasn't getting enough oxygen into her lungs, but she ignored it. There was so much to do in such little time. Would they be able to evacuate?

Stoick. She had to find Stoick. He would know what to do.

"Stormfly, stay here. I'll come back for you, girl."

Her Nadder chittered in protest, and Astrid gave her some good scratches before they parted ways.

She forced her legs into a jog, then into a sprint as she made her way through the familiar woods. It wasn't long before she reached the farthest row of huts. Forcing air into her lungs, she scanned the pavilion, and her eyes caught on Spitelout lugging a mountain of firewood over to his hut. She rushed over to him.

"Where's Stoick?! I need to speak with him. It's urgent."

He blinked at her, mouth ajar as if it were the ghost of his ancestor speaking to him.

"Astrid...?"

The logs tumbled from his grip as he grabbed her by the arm.

"Lass, where have you been? Your parents have been worried sick over you! D'ya know how hard it is to distract Greta from murdering anyone who looks at her slightly off? For Odin's sake. Let's get you back to your parents."

Astrid shook her head vehemently; she'd see her parents later if there was time. She had to get to Stoick first. Wrestling free from his grip, her hands balled into fists at her side.