I'm Leaving Forever (a HTTYD Runaway Fanfic ~ Book 1)

21 - Taken Away

The entire flight lasted for almost a day, but eventually, the riders were nearing the Defenders of the Wing. The island became clearer and more features were made distinguishable as the distance between them decreased and the Riders were relieved when they were so close to landing. For Astrid, Fishlegs, Gustav and the twins, this was the first time seeing this island and it really captivated them.

The first thing that caught their attention was the Volcano, which to their concern, had smoke wafting from the crater. Dagur had told them that, unlike the dormant volcano back on the Edge, these people lived alongside an active volcano and it really baffled them. Though they were already aware of how they dealt with the lava levels, it still amazed them that these people could live at the base of a volcano that could erupt at any time. However, despite that one minor detail, it looked like an ideal island to make home.

As for the tribe down below on the island, they weren't expecting anyone to come near their island, let alone the Riders, so when a few of them spotted a group of different dragons flying towards them in a group, they immediately when to find Mala and Throk. Throk turned out to be the person who found first looking up, he could see group of dragons flying towards the island, just flying overhead the forest. However, what confused him more was the number of dragons. He only knew Hiccup, Heather, Dagur and their respective dragons. He was only used to seeing a Night Fury, Triple Stryke and a Razorwhip with riders, in addition to Striker. Seeing a Monstrous Nightmare, a Gronckle, a Nadder and a Zippleback was strange. Furrowing his eyebrows, he went to find Mala.

"Mala, we have riders approaching the village," he said Mala was done talking to a group of four people.

"Riders? That's strange?" she responded. Hiccup didn't send a Terror Mail like he usually did when he was planning to come here. Dagur and Heather would usually do that too, so this sudden appearance meant something was going on.

The Riders were now flying directly above the village, overlooking the huts that were clustered together, some out in the open while others were creeping into the forest. A large statue of an unrecognisable dragon stood proud on the stone beam created between two sturdy pillars made from the same material. A dragon that Fishlegs immediately assumed was Boulder Class. And from the brief fly-over, it seemed that the statue marked the centre of the village.

The dragons landed on an elevated platform made from large stone blocks with Dagur being the first to dismount his dragon. He missed this place a lot. Being chief of the Berserkers meant it took a lot of effort to make room to visit his friends and allies outside the archipelago. As far as he was concerned, it had been a year since he has last set foot here. Quite a long time, especially considering the fact that his wife lived here.

"As happy as I am to see you here, I wasnt expecting this," Mala said with a small smile on her face as she walked up to Dagur with Throk by her side. However, she came to a halt when she noticed the new people on her island, along with their dragons. "Who are they?"

"Don't worry about them, they're a few new riders we have from Berk. Meet Astrid, Fishlegs, Ruffnut and Tuffnut, their twins, and Gustav," All respective riders gave a wave, but most didn't dismount their dragons. Although Dagur had told them about Mala, Throk and about the Defenders of the Wing in general, they were still on a new island meeting new people. To them, it was uncertain as to what Mala's reaction, or anyone's reaction would be to a group of new dragon riders landing on their island and they didn't want to trigger a negative response.

"Nice to meet you all," Mala responded respectfully, despite the confusion as to why they were here, but she leaned towards Dagur, so the next thing she would ask would only be heard by him, "excuse me for asking, but...er....are the twins a boy and a girl?" However, the twins were the ones to answer her.