A Sparkle in the Lightless Night... [[Noah]]

[nnghtrode]

Night.

It was night.

The starry sky shone down as animals went to sleep - just as others got awoken by the beautiful sight.

A light breeze blew through the rocky area Nightrode was in. Only a few bushes protected him from the soon-to-become harsh cold night.

Lifting his head, Nightrode took in the many scents that surrounded him. He lifted his mighty - yet slim body - and stepped outside the tiny cave that was his only protection.

Stretching his body, the beast lifted his large scaly wings. The light breeze caused the soft feathers on his belly and wings to flow with it.

As his cold-hearted body cooled down, Nightrode seeked once again the bad protection of the rocky roof and spiky bushes.

He growled in pain once his stomach reminded him that its last meal was quite some time ago.

Frowning, the dragon only laid down. He was too tired to hunt.

Drifting off into sleep, he didn't notice the incoming person who was climbing these deserted areas.

... A viking named Noah.

[nnghtrode]

The beast could already see all the food in the world swirling in his mind, being engulfed in his dreamworld when...

"BLAM!..."

A viking fell down, causing at least the entire animal neighborhood to screech in agony.

Nightrode awoke forcefully from this, his eyes glaring wide. It seemed as if the starlight caused his eyes to glow faintly in the dark.

Lifting his light body up, Nightrode took the scents around him in, noticing first the smell of...

...Steel.

Finding the claymore, the beast screeched in fear - its eyes growing to only slits.

"NO! EVERYTHING but THAT!" the beast exclaimed in dragonese.

Moving its entire body away from the weapon, the starlight shone on his back, giving Noah only the shadow of the dragon.

It took some nerve-wrecking moments... but Nightrode finally took in the viking that the weapon belonged to.

Faintly yellow glowing eyes stared right at the boy.

His expression was serious, but... there was a glimpse of fear in his face.

"He'll kill me if I don't get rid of him!" the beast thought, afraid of the boy.

Nightrode lifted himself on his hind legs, opened his wings and gave a fearsome roar towards the boys direction, clearly trying to make himself seem bigger and scare him away...

[nnghtrode]

As Nightrode fell on his front legs again, he carefully watched the boy. He seemed to have made no move towards his death-bringer (The claymore) and continued to watch him, uttering words that Nightrode did not understand in the least.

The boys voice was calm and certain. Not filled with anger as he's used to. Was he different then all those others?

Nightrode's eyes widened somewhat, the tension in his body ceasing away.

Interested at the boys behavior, Nightrode tilted his head somewhat to the side, inching his large neck and head towards the boy.

The beast made an entire step towards the viking, before something struck the dragon's mind.

"...He might have other steel weaponry in his body!!!

Upon realizing that, the beast inched away, going into a defensive stance. He lowered his large head, and moved his body to the side.

Growling lightly, his eyes went back to being slits, his large poisonous fangs showing.

As the situation almost escalated, the clouds moved away from the bright full moon that was hidden, shining light upon the scene.

Nightrode became exposed, his scales absorbing the light and shining in a sudden azure.

As the beast continued growling, something sudden made more noise then the beast - the beasts stomach.

Ceasing it's growl, Nightrode looked with slight embarrassment at the boy, its head flopping down, causing dust to fly away.

... Damnit.

[nnghtrode]

Watching the boy unravel his backpack, the dragon took a strong scent suddenly in.

Food.

Nightrode lifted his large head, eyes widening.

As the boy kicked his weapon further away, Nightrode could only conclude one thing to the boys strange behavior.

"He... doesn't want to harm me... but... why...?"

The large beast edged closer to him, keeping his head low in submission. A way to show that he appreciates the offer.

As the dragon got close, it was clearly visible that the dragon standing infront of him was NO usual dragon.

Doing a quick and swift snap, Nightrode bit down on the venison and gulped it down greedily whole.

Looking with wide eyes at the boy, the dragon "pancaked" infront of him, his tail slightly twitching.

"He's nice... but... no reason to trust him."

As the dragon looked the boy into the eye in a non-threatening manner, the winds started to blow stronger, and the moon became covered in clouds.

STORMclouds.

It seemed as this night was not going to be nice.

Nightrode looked up into the sky, multiple birds leaving the area as the winds increased.

"Like... this I'll freeze to death!..."

The beast lifted himself up, moving to the small rocky roof that can't even be considered a cave.

He curled together inside it like a dog searching a warm place, and for a moment, completely forgot the vikings presence.

As he lifted his head and looked at the viking, he felt sorry.

"He'll be freezing to death too... Hmm... Lets make a truce..." the beast thought.

Lifting one wing, the dragon invited Noah to come near, resting at his large body.

"Don't you think you're out of it, though... I'll stay the night awake to watch you."

[nnghtrode]

Nightrode watched the boy the entire time. He did not trust him, that's for sure...

...

... But nobody deserves to be left alone in the cold like he was.

Even though he is hostile... Nightrode had a bleeding heart for helpless people.

Lowering his large wing, orange-skin colored feathers surrounded the viking, giving off warmth. A slight heartbeat was noticeable.

Nightrode lowered his head, curling it somewhat around the boy - but he didn't close his eyes.

Can you blame him? Nightrode was afraid and yet he helped a possible threat.

The winds quickened faster then expected.

As the cold wind swirled into the small shelter, a powdery white substance got carried by the gusts...

...snow.

Terrified, the once mighty beast suddenly curled more together, giving the boy more warmth, but exposing his large head near the boys lap.

He shivered, his eyes squeezed tightly closed, as memories flushed by.

Of the terrible blizzard that almost costed his life.

His teeth made noises as they shook together, a slight whimper occasionally escaping the beast's throat.

He couldn't care less if there was a viking near him right now.

He was terrified.

[nnghtrode]

Nightrode's fear slowly faded when he noticed a hand gently stroking his head.

Slowly returning to reality, the dragon opened his eyes, meeting the glare of the boy.

He did not understand how the boys eyes could radiate such calmity and warmth...

Falling helpless to the boys caressing, his body relaxed more.

He did not notice how Noah tore his backpack apart to give the dragon some shelter, but he surely noticed the warmth soon emitting from it.

As fatigue seemed to win over him, he continuously tried to stay awake. His eyes fell oh-so-almost closed, but he managed to perk them up everytime.

The boys hand suddenly rested, and Nightrode could feel his steady warmth from it.

His eyes deluding, the dragon could not help his eyes and focus dropping. The steady night hunts took its toll, as the dragon fell asleep alongside the strange viking.

Outside the shelter, the weather worsened, and a blizzard roared for only 1 hour. Otherwise, snow and rain played tag and harsh winds sliced the mountains the both were in.

Not that he noticed... he was deep in slumber.

================================================

The first sunrays hit the mountains. Life suddenly awoke and the storm from the night before seemed forgotten.

No snow was visible, and the birds chirped in the sunlight.

Nightrode - as the heavy sleeper he is - continued taking his rather comfortable nap, his spliced tongue sticking out and lightly snoring, his throat vibrating whilst doing so...

[nnghtrode]

The splitted tongue returned to his master as a human hand softly stroked the head of the beast. Awaking from his deep slumber, Nightrode yawned, opening his large maw towards public.

He slept surprisingly well. His muscles were still lazy, and his eyes seemed to fall closed again occasionally, but it was a nice feeling. Being used to short nights and small naps - sleeping an entire night through felt refreshing.

Nightrode turned his head towards the human inhabitant, watching him silently.

"He did absolutely nothing to harm me... Hah, he even fell asleep faster then a baby!"

Chuckling to himself, his "smile" quickly ceased.

"...Well, so did I."

At this point, he was battling with himself.

Why was he so nice?

Why didn't he attack?

Why, for Thor's sake, didn't he put him in a cooking pot and boil him?

... Why that struck his thought we may never know, but Nightrode tilted his head somewhat, only confused at the vikings behavior.

As he lifted his body up, the dragon grabbed with his jaw the creative "blanket" and put it over Noah, returning it to him.

The sky was clear, the morning was crisp. Time to hunt.

As he moved himself outside, it would have made clearly sense for him to suddenly open his wings and take off!

... But instead he started sniffing over the floor like a dog.

He already recognized the strange scents of the island, and knew what to hunt, and what not.

As he occasionally stirred up the earth to gain a decent smell, flapping wings were suddenly heard.

Flapping wings...

Nightrode looked into the morning sun, a winged shadow steadily approaching them.

"Well, great, someone wants ME for breakfast?!"

Suddenly growling and showing his fangs, the beast edged back towards his shelter, shielding the boy from being noticed by the incoming hunter...

[nnghtrode]

Whatever the boy was doing behind his back, suddenly grew unimportant. The shadow drew closer, it was round, and had many hills...

A common dragon. The Gronckle.

Making a clumsy landing, the fat beast sniffed towards Nightrode's direction.

"Teheee... that human you have behind you... why not share it?" the Gronckle growled, obviously not taking 'No' for an answer.

The 'overgrown brown sausage' drew near, as Nightrode lifted his wings, increasing his size.

"He may not be my friend, but he's certainly not going to become an EASY meal for YOU!"

Nightrode suddenly screeched pouncing towards the Gronckle which didn't get thrown over by his weight, but certainly surprised.

The brown dragon threw Nightrode off with ease, as he's a lightweight.

Flapping with his wings erratically and clumsily, the lavender dragon just barely managed to not fall down the cliff the three were on.

The Gronckle quickly turned his attention towards the helpless human, charging one of his devastating fire breaths.

Seeing no other option, Nightrode breathed in, and suddenly spewed an acidic green breath, hitting the distracted Gronckle.

The brown beast roared in pain, canceling its attack. Skin parts were seen flopping down where the acid hit it.

Enraged, the Gronckle flew up into the sky, aiming to plummet straight into Nightrode.

"What... what to do?!... The human doesn't have his deathbringer, and I never really fought before...!!

[nnghtrode]

The Gronckle roared in pain, blood gushing out of its throat.

It backed up, looking with a burning hatred at the both of them.

"You... lavender... mix breed, whatever you ARE!... Why are you helping FOOD?!" the Gronckle exclaimed in a deep, rusty voice. He must have been too old to fight well already.

"Simple."

Nightrode answered calmly whilst staring the Gronckle into the eyes.

"I don't eat human. And he doesn't eat dragon."

With that, the lavender serpent suddenly charged at the bleeding foe, wrapping himself around the brown beast, immobilizing it.

"Give up!! Or I'll end your life right here!" Nightrode roared right into the face of the Gronckle.

The brown dragon only smirked, and suddenly rolled towards the ledge of the cliff. Being coiled around the Gronckle, Nightrode couldn't escape and plummeted down with the Gronckle.

"ARGH!!...NO!...VIKIIIINNGGG!..." Nightrode yelled, glaring once more up at the adult.

Moving himself away from the wounded beast, he tried to beat his wings frantically - in vain.

It was clearly showable that he didn't know how to fly.

Having only made his fall slower, Nightrode landed clumsily onto an outsticking large rock, whilst the Gronckle continued falling...

and falling...

and falling...

"BLAM!..."

A heavy object landed at the foot of the area.

Yelping in pain, Nightrode observed the area, standing up.

He saw his tail being crooked, and whenever he moved it, it hurt insanely... funny.

The pain made him dizzy, and flop down on the rock again.

"Well... I'm sure... the boy will go now..." Nightrode thought, not expecting him at all to come to his help...

[nnghtrode]

"He... he came back..." the dragon exclaimed whilst looking unbelieving at his Saviour.

He was sure that the boy would have just gone, as he would have been rendered useless to him like this.

Crooked tail, on a rocky ledge... he'd be best as dinner now.

Staring at the viking, he watched his every move. He was going to be SURE to NOT let himself be finished.

But instead, the boy bent his tail straight again with a rope and branch - even though it hurt quite alot.

Nightrode yelped when Noah bent his tail straight again, but he didn't snap. He's not stupid, he understands the gesture.

As the boy came around to meet his eyes, Nightrode looked at him with far less fear then he had the night before.

Whatever the boy uttered, he did not understand, but he answered with a slight bark.

Lifting his body up, the dragon stared down the rather... uncomfortable way they'd had to go incase they wanted to get down the dead end.

He gulped. How can they both move safely down from here?

Flying is no option. No way. No how.

Nightrode went towards the belongings of the viking, picking them up with his left front claw, whilst snapping carefully into the cloth collar that he had.

Using his massive claws, Nightrode climbed further down, aiming for a rocky path that was clearly visible for both of them.

...Just reaching there would be a pain.

For Nightrode it was a challenge, but easier then any viking would have.

Using his wings to balance himself and float somewhat, the dragon carefully jumped and climbed from one ledge to another, until reaching his destination.

Letting the boy down, and returning his belongings, they were both now on a clear and easy road towards civilization.

For Noah, at least.

The lavender beast turned around. He was hungry, and the viking surely had a home to call his own, with many other vikings...and friends...

Even though he'd hate to admit it, Nightrode grew sad over leaving this newfound companion.

But it's not like the viking would have much interest into HIM...

[nnghtrode]

Turning his head towards the boy, Nightrode looked first a little confused...

Then he answered the boys smile with his own, however stupid that looked.

"He wants...to stay with me... " the beast thought, jumping from joy from the inside.

He made a noise he didn't do since ages.

Nightrode purred.

He continued to walk, accepting Noah at his side. He may not really trust him throughoutly... but he is a presence he enjoyed.

He wasn't alone.

Nightrode started leaping playfully forward, squeaking. It seemed as if he was doing a joyful dance for Noah.

He ran, squeaking towards Noah, wagging his still mobile tail.

He lowered his head, gasping whilst sticking his tongue out.

He doesn't know why he felt like this, but Noah suddenly became for like a good friend.

[nnghtrode]

Seeing his hand point to his stomach, Nightrode could conclude that he was talking about food.

He simply nodded. Dragons eat alot... and since he doesn't know how to fly, getting food has always been a trouble.

He started to sniff over the floor once again, searching for any living being that can be eaten.

Wolf... cat... bear... deer...

Nothing to eat...

Wait, deer?!

The scent was fresh, and without even him noticing, there were clear footprints in the earth. putting his front claw near the print, Nightrode hoped that Noah got the message.

There is food nearby, and he's willing to get it.

Nightrode lowered his body, showing his back towards him.

He was inviting him to climb on his back... the scales would give friction so falling off is rather hard, whilst the horns on his head can be held on...

[nnghtrode]

Nightrode certainly didn't feel all too sure yet with the boy around... but there is evidence that he cared about him.

Nightrode marched forward, following the fresh tracks.

They led, of course, into a fresh grassy patch of land. The grass seem to slowly tower, and the trees looked rather puny with all the vegetation around them.

The dragon made sure that the ride wasn't too wacky and bumpy for the viking, but it surely must be a new sensation.

It was easy carrying him for Nightrode, and enjoyable. He could always feel that he was near.

Before he drifted away into daydreams, a tiny group of deers made themselves visible in the lush grass patch. They ate, not knowing a thing of the incoming danger.

Nightrode squeezed his body towards the ground, starting to snake his way towards the prey. He hoped that, to Thor, the boy would duck aswell. Otherwise they'd run away quicker then you can say "Night Fury".

[nnghtrode]

His entire body suddenly tensed up.

One of the deers moved towards him. Today must have been his lucky day!

The closer the mammal got, the more slitted his eyes became.

Just a bit closer...

a bit...

closer...

Suddenly the dragon leaped at the deer, surprising it. The mammal ran for its dear life, but since Nightrode had a small meal in the night, he had enough energy for a sprint.

He reached out with his claws, and got a good hold upon the young deer. A quick bite in the neck ended the show.

The other deer ran away, leaving its offspring behind. They knew they can't handle a dragon.

As he stepped away from the dead animal, the dragon lowerd his body again, allowing Noah to step off. Surely Noah was hungry too, so he had to eat.

He didn't know why he felt so responsible for his human companion, but... it just was that way.

He resisted upon creating a gore scene mostly for the fact that he gave Noah the "first bite" of the prey.

It's not like he knows he cooks meat or anything...

[nnghtrode]

As soon as he retrieved the small meat chunk, Nightrode dived at the carcass. He was hungry. REAL hungry.

He ate the raw chunks mostly whole and managed to leave the corpse almost barren of bones.

By this time, the sun was at the peak of its heat. Not hot for Berk, but comfortable.

With a full stomach, Nightrode moved away from the dead deer and lied down in the grass, staring into the sky.

"I could get used to this company... atleast one thing that'll lighten up my days." a slight sigh went from the throat of the beast.

It's nonetheless somewhat embarrassing that he doesn't know how to fly. Over the time he'd seen many dragons fly, and especially dragons with humans...

But he? He can't even glide.

Watching an eagle fly past by them made the scene all too worse.

The dragon stood lazily up again, going a few feet away from his viking partner and flapped his wings!...

He took off!...

And fell on the side of his body, delivering the most pathetic attempt at flying.

Disappointed of himself, he pouted about, bickering loudly with himself.

He lied down afterwards again, looking with sad eyes at Noah...