Double Fury (Book Two)

Chapter 22: Did We Win?

As the battle continues, Alrek's forces start to dwindle more and more whilst my group has no losses. The battle is turned in our favour, something that spurs each of us forwards. I spin Nightstar around and zip through five demons at once with my sword held in front of me like lance, wincing as the putrid smoke wafts around my face.

I hear cruel laughter echoing from the ground and I look towards the source. I stop Nightstar as my eyes go wide, my heart pounding faster and faster.

Hiccup stands with his dragon blade raised, facing Alrek on the ground in the wide opening at the base of Berk. It's the same spot where Toothless took down the Bewilderbeast so many years ago, only giving me a flashback of his last brush with death.

The old man's words come back to me.

Although your friends now have the power to defeat the dragons, they are not strong enough to defeat him. You are the last of the line of slayers and it can only be you.

Hiccup advances on Alrek, slashing and fighting with determination. The red-haired Viking evades every sweep of the flaming blade, a wide smirk on his face. He's agile and swift, unlike the Berkian style of fighting which utilizes brute force over cunning.

Alrek dodges another swing, almost twirling on his foot as he crashes the hilt of his sword into my fiancé's head, making his legs go weak. He grunts in pain as he crumples to the ground, his forehead starting to bleed.

I land Nightstar and leap off her back, sword gripped tightly in my hand. She takes off into the air to kill more of the demons as I race towards the duelling pair.

Alrek raises his sword, staring down at Hiccup with an evil glint in his eyes.

"Any last words?" he asks.

Hiccup says nothing, his stare unwavering. Alrek swings his sword, the blade flashing, and I leap between him and my friend. The sword slashes across my gut, causing a white hot pain to arc through my body. I groan, stumbling back but not falling.

"Th-Thora?" Hiccup stammers.

I clutch the heavily bleeding wound with one hand, raising my sword in the other. My chest heaves as I stare up at Alrek, my teeth gritted and my eyes fiery with rage. My braid has long since fallen apart and the wind whips my auburn locks around my face.

Alrek cackles, his scarred face mocking my every move. "Always the brave one," he murmurs. "Now why don't you do what you do best and run away?"

"You're a coward, Alrek. That's all you are," I hiss, trying my best to let his words pass over me.

He growls. "Your existence is a mockery of me."

I roar and lunge forwards, slashing my sword towards him as my fierce battle cry rings out across the empty village. His face falters with shock as he leaps back, blocking my blade with his own. I keep going, my energy renewed and my strength coming in giant waves, crashing over me.

Our battle is a dance. We're both light and quick on our feet, intelligent and aware of the other's every move. Narrow dodges and swift blocks occur more often than actual blows, and when those do happen our armour deflects the hits. We're evenly matched in almost every aspect.

I have to do something unpredictable if I'm going to get the upper hand. My mind clicks on an idea in a split second. He swings his sword at my head and I duck, swinging my leg out and catching his legs. He's knocked off balance for just a second, meaning I have to react just as swiftly as I pop back up to full height.

With a quick flick of my wrist, his sword clatters to the ground. In another swift movement, I knock him to the ground and aim my sword at his throat. I breathe heavily, beginning to feel dizzy from blood loss.