Symphony of Shadows

60. Ghost

A/N: Ladies and Gentlemen, this is what you have all been waiting for! Next chapter is out next Sunday at 8pm American Eastern Standard Time. Sorry for only uploading once next week, but a girl's gotta go to school😔.

Well, their plan had gone to shit. Hiccup couldn't see anything since he had a black sack over his head. His helmet was still on—further blocking his senses. Around him, he could feel the constraints of some ropes.

But he wasn't alone. Careful not to attract the attention of any possible guards, Hiccup sat still. If he moved his head, it might signal that he was communicating, so he looked straight forward.

"Astrid, is that you?"

He whispered just barely above his breath, not wanting anyone around them to hear.

"I'm here."

Thank Thor. At least they were together. But that meant Berk hated her as much as they hated him, and his rage simmered. How could they do this to her? Did they suddenly forget that she was the only reason the raids had stopped? That once she left, the Svikari hadn't come back? They were utter morons. Hiccup was the demon, not Astrid.

"How are we going to escape?"

Astrid tried to wriggle against her restraints, but the ropes didn't budge. Good thing he had a solution.

"I've got an idea. Just sit still. We need to see—."

Like Odin himself had heard them, someone lifted the cloth, and Hiccup could see the entire row of people getting a front-row seat to capture. Awesome, they had an audience. It would surely be entertaining.

His eyes adjusted, and he saw Dagur standing next to Stoick, his father, along with the Meathead chief, Mogadon. Two older warriors guarded him and Astrid, but he'd have no problem taking them out. If he called Toothless, they'd be able to blast them all into oblivion and escape. Hiccup knew Toothless and Stormfly hadn't been captured since he didn't hear their familiar coos. They'd be able to make it out easily, but at what price? Astrid would never forgive him.

He had another idea that didn't involve Astrid hating him for killing her friends and family.

But it would cost him.

Finally, his dad, ever the entertainer, spoke up.

"Did you really think you'd be able to sneak around on my island without me knowing?"

Hiccup said nothing and stared straight at his father, mentally preparing himself for what was about to happen.

"Take off his mask, Brandr. Reveal his face once and for all."

The command echoed through the square and people shoved their way through the crowd to see the grand reveal. Hiccup could see little kids being hoisted up by their parents and some sat on others shoulders to get a better view. Really...it was ridiculous. But he guessed the Svikari had become somewhat of a local legend and no one had anything better to do than watch the display.

The guard next to him grabbed his helmet and tugged it off, only for it to fall to the floor as everyone gasped. While everyone was distracted, he grabbed the hidden knife in his boot and used it to slash their ropes. They jumped up, and he quickly disarmed his guard, Brandr. It was all too easy to take his ax and behind him, he could hear Astrid do the same to her guard.

Still, no one dared move a muscle as they gaped at him, and the shock was oddly satisfying. The plot twist none of them saw coming.

He couldn't hide his smirk.

"What? Never seen a dead man before?"

His father was speechless, jaw on the floor. Good, Hiccup wanted to get a reaction out of him. He recognized a lot of familiar faces, mostly his father's friends. In the far back, he could see Gothi, who grinned at him and waved. She didn't seem surprised at all. Had she known it was him? No matter, they all knew now. The son of the chief hadn't died a sad death all alone in the woods, he'd become their nightmare and torment.