The Dragon Master and The Lightning Rider *Hiccup Fanfic*

34. Circle of Her Life

The Riders gathered into their Training Arena. The twins and Snotlout sat back in a corner, eating berries just to irk Skye. Tuffnut's Chicken was clucking by Skye. She immediately bent down and scooped up the pet, pretending to gnaw it.

Tuffnut dropped his berries with a gasp and dashed over, grabbed Chicken and ran away. Skye gave a growl and he yelped, promising not to eat berries.

Everyone had gaped at the history of Alsaer, that seemed vastly contrasted from the Berk history involving war, stubbornness, and more war. Hiccup and Fishlegs skipped to the part where the Alpha Skrill abilities were noted. Said Skrill was prancing about with the other dragons. Astrid and Skye were setting up the training equipment and targets.

"So Sin can shoot from her tail?" Fishlegs asked, awe-struck.

"Yup," Skye said as she jumped down from a barrel. "We tried working on that, but the most she could do was produce a tiny spark."

Sinless raised her head proudly.

Hiccup pointed out another attribute. "Alpha Skrills also possess the ability to grow an extra set of wings!"

Fishlegs gasped. "That-that means she can fly so much faster! And carry twice the load and-oh by the norns!"

While Skye was pleasantly surprised and proud of her dragon, the two nerdy men seemed to have no control of their new discovery.

Hiccup approached Skye giddily. "We need to help Sin earn these! It's a breakthrough for Skrills!"

Skye smiled. "I-I guess so. It could be extremely helpful." And give her the advantage to destroy the Shruiken, she thought suddenly.

It was rather annoying for Skye, because all her life working for and running from the Shruiken made her every thought return to the Shruiken. It was like her life revolved around the tribe.
She glanced around at the preoccupied group, crowded around the book. She felt that she didn't belong, and it was a feeling that had stuck with her ever since she returned back to the Edge.

How many times had she thought about leaving them? How many times did she actually follow through? How many times would they forgive her until they realize she wasn't worth it?

She felt her chest compress itself, and the air didn't seem to reach her lungs. It was like she was claustrophobic. In panic, Skye pushed aside the bandage on her arm and dug her fingers into the healing wound, ripping apart the skin again. She let out a yelp, holding her arm.

The others looked up at the shout. Hiccup immediately went by her side. "What happened?! Why are you bleeding again?"

She forced a chuckle through her lips, her breathing getting labored. "I think I just stretched it the wrong way."

"I can-"

"No, it's okay," she muttered. "Take care of Sin. I'll wrap this up again in your dorm, okay?"

Without waiting for a response, she bolted out, cursing herself for such a stupid excuse to get out of the arena and away from the riders.

Hiccup was about to go after her, when Fishlegs, who was absorbed in the book, pulled him back. "This is the most ground-breaking thing ever since the Dragon Eye!"

Hiccup turned his head back to him after a second of hesitation. Skye just never seemed to be content enough, and he never understood why. She could never relax, never take a break. Then again, she was a wanted person for half her life.

The Dragon Riders began training Sinless.

Meanwhile, Skye had rushed to Hiccup's room, and crashed through the door, startling Toothless who was resting. She paid no heed and gasped for breath, throwing herself on the bed. She curled on the bed, just whimpering at the hollowness that spread through her chest like a raging, flame-less fire. Toothless nudged her, and then put his head near her body. Skye didn't even understand what caused this, this panic attack. It was so sudden.