Darian's POV:

I was the son of the village's blacksmith, and life wasn't easy. I was always picked on, and not being very good at anything, well, I was the laughingstock of the village. We live on an island called Alome, and we were Vikings. We all battled dragons, and I still don't know why. Why did we choose to have a war with flying beasts that could breathe fire? I was strong, but it didn't look like it. I was a runt, and nobody wanted me. Even my dad. My mom died when I was born, so I never knew her. My relationship with my dad was pretty rocky, and it may have just gotten worse. I am outside during a skirmish, and see a dragon, trapped under a net. I take my knife out to kill it, but something stops me. I look and see the large, golden eyes staring back at mine. It is scared, and it knows that it is defeated. But if I look deeper, I can see more. It is terrified, and it, no she, has resigned herself to death at my hands. I am forced to make a choice. Do something that could get me killed, and release her, or I can kill her and face myself. 

I can't kill her. I am about to cut the net when a new dragon arrives. The Deathwing. It blasts the net off of the female that I was going to let go. She looks at me for a moment, then flies off. I am grabbed from behind and lifted off the ground. Then I'm thrown down. I land on my face, but I know who it is.

"Hey, Stick, your daddy wants you back at the forge. It's to dangerous out here for a baby." Cainel growled. Cainel was the Chief's son, and he was a bully. He used his position to be mean,  and not get in trouble. Also, my nickname is Stick, because I'm a runt, at least by their standards. I hate that name, but no one will listen to my protests. 

I run to the forge, and start working right away. My dad came in and said something that might change my life. "You are going to join the dragon killing class, led by the chief. You had better not mess this up, it took me forever to get him to let you in." I just nodded, not wanting to respond. I finish sharpening the swords and axes, then I work on making my own weapon. I had asked dad yesterday if I could make a weapon for me, and he said yes. 

I made a shield, but I added many things to it. There was a rope that shot out and wrapped around anything. It also had an assortment of throwing knifes, which I could actually use. It had many other secret compartments that I could use for anything. And it was fireproof as well. And it all worked at the touch of a button. It looked just like a regular shield, and no one knew what it could do. 

I also made a lightweight sword, but it was very durable. I was very proud of my new weapons, and almost forgot about dragon killing practice. But I didn't. I went to bed late and woke up early, but I was used to very little sleep. I was nervous, but I went anyway. I grabbed my things, because we were supposed to bring our own weapons. 

By the time I arrived, everyone was there. Cahira was practicing with her axe, Stolm was practicing with his sword, Bremin was working with his hammer, and Leim was using his mace to see how many hits it took to destroy a shield. Cainel was just standing in the archway with his sword out, waiting for me. I had my shield and my sword. I could actually use my sword, and was good with it.

"Hey Stick. I think you are in the wrong place. The nursery is on the other side of the village." I glared at him. "No, I'm here for training. Please let me pass." I tried to be polite. 

"No." 

"I don't want to fight you."

"Why, you scared?" He mocked.

"No, I'm just thinking about you and your honor. After all, it would be a blow to your honor and self esteem if a runt beat you in a fight." I smirked.

He stood ready to fight. I drew my sword, and prepared for an attack. He lunged at me, and I grabbed his arm and used his momentum to spin him around into the wall. I then jumped behind him and set my sword tip to the back of his neck. "Now, if you don't mind, I have training I have to get to."

"Get your sword away from my boy!" A voice boomed from above. I sheathed my sword and looked up at the chief. He looked at Cainel, shaking his head in disappointment. 

I set one foot in the killing arena, and collapsed.