The Gray Area (1/2) - A Viggo Love Story (HTTYD/RTTE)

30. The Calm Before the Storm

Johann eyed Sessa suspiciously. "We know that you had help last night," he told her, "a few men reported seeing a second unknown figure sneaking about."

"Maybe I've extended my business of interrupting yours," Sessa suggested, trying her hardest to show no emotion. But that was quite difficult with a soul now.

Johann shook his head. "After so many years of solitude? I think not," he growled, an evil grin on his face, "you've found someone worth something to you. And somehow, you're worth something to them." Johann gave her a look of distaste as he spoke those last words. "Souls can only be shared like this through..love," Johann cringed at the 'L' word, but smirked at Sessa, "you've revealed you're greatest weakness without even knowing."

Sessa glared at him defiantly, but her heart felt weak and scared. At least they didn't know it was Viggo, though. However, she was astonished by how much Johann knew of the subject. In fact he seemed to know much more than her. So she decided to use his boasting against him. "Love doesn't make me weak," she retorted, hoping that the cocky man would explain on exactly why she was wrong.

And she was right. "You don't know anything, do you," Johann scoffed. "Any time you let emotions cloud your mind, you are immediately weakened. And in sharing someone's soul, you share their feelings," he told her.

It was a new bit of information to Sessa. It made sense though; having the same soul, you were bound to have similar feelings and perspectives. But before she could tap anymore information from him, he turned to Krogan. "Load her onto the ship," Johann ordered, "Sessa could be of use yet."

"How could this runt possibly be of use to us?" Krogan argued, "we should kill her now, before she has a chance to get away."

Johann sighed overdramatically. "Did you not hear anything that was just said?" He asked venomously, "Sessa only has half of a soul. The other half is bound to come looking for her. If we kill her, they'll know, and our chance of finding her little friend is gone." Krogan looked as if he wanted to argue back, but held it in. "Now, load her up," Johann finished.

Krogan grabbed Sessa by the arm and began to lead her forcefully out of the tunnels of the base. When they reached the exit, Sessa felt dread wash over her body. Outside, all was white to her. She was thankful that she could at least see the souls of those around her. But Sessa knew that she had a huge disadvantage in the sunlight.

She found herself actually being grateful of Krogan's merciless tugging of her in the right direction. Because if he wasn't, it would be quite obvious that she was blind. So Sessa did her best to look straight ahead, as if she could see the destination. Soon, the soft grass that squished under her boots turned to wood; they were on the ship.

"Take her below," Krogan told one of his men.

Sessa felt Krogan's rough grasp being replaced by a much more gentle one. She was taken to a set of stairs that led down below the ship's deck. Thanks to the shadow that cast over the entrance, she could barely see enough to not trip down. Once below, she turned to her guide. He was smaller than Krogan, with a dragon flyer helmet atop his head. In the dimly lit room, she could see his appearance as well as his soul, both only faintly though.

The man took her to a cell in the back and locked her in. Then, he left. Now all alone, Sessa sat down and allowed herself to relax. She didn't like being around so many strangers, especially without her mask on. She would've begun looking for a way to escape, but the ship was already far from land now. Even if she did make it out, where was she to go?

So Sessa laid back against the wall of the ship. Before long, she'd drifted to sleep.

• • •

Sessa found herself on a familiar island. Evergreens surrounded her as she walked. It felt odd, though; she knew that she was dreaming, yet everything was so real. Her mind felt fully awake as she followed a path to the only cave on the island. It was one of her many hide-outs, one she shared with Viggo now.

Just as he popped into her mind, Sessa noticed a person sleeping in the cave. She knew it was Viggo, for she could feel his sweet presence. Another oddity; why could she feel his soul so closely, when they were still so far apart? She walked into the cave slowly.

"Curious, isn't it?" Viggo's voice came from behind Sessa and, surprisingly, not from his body that laid before her sleeping. She whipped around. Another Viggo was leaning against the wall of the cave, staring at his own sleeping body with drawn in eyebrows. He shook his head as if to clear his thoughts and admitted, "I've no idea what's going on."