Chapter 32 – Walking through Berk
Thor, Astrid, Moana, and Shiro were walking leisurely through the winding paths of Berk, a village built upon rugged cliffs and surrounded by the endless sea. The air was crisp, carrying the scent of salt and pine trees, mixed with the occasional burst of smoke from the village's chimneys. Moana's eyes widened in awe and surprise as she noticed dragons of all shapes and sizes perched on rooftops, soaring overhead, or resting quietly near the villagers. Their scales shimmered under the fading afternoon sun, their wings folded with ease, and their eyes gleamed with intelligence and curiosity.
Thor chuckled softly, noticing Moana's amazed expression, and asked with a playful tone:
— Surprised by them? Although they look fierce and intimidating, most of the dragons here aren't aggressive at all.
Moana turned her gaze to Thor, her curiosity burning bright.
— How do you manage to live in peace with all of them? — she asked, her voice a mixture of wonder and disbelief.
Astrid smiled warmly, stepping closer to Moana as she spoke, her voice calm and confident.
— Well, we didn't always live in peace, not by a long shot. It took years of hardship, battle, and learning to understand these creatures before we could reach this fragile harmony.
As she spoke, Astrid gently stroked Stormfly, her dragon companion, who cautiously approached her with soft, rumbling purrs. The bond between them was evident—built on trust, respect, and countless shared experiences.
Thor watched the scene with a fond grin and said teasingly:
— You'd make a great mother, you know?
Astrid's cheeks flushed faintly with embarrassment. She gave Thor a playful punch on the shoulder and scolded lightly:
— Stop saying silly things in front of others!
Raising his hands in mock surrender, Thor laughed and replied:
— Okay, okay, I give up! I won't say another word!
Moana couldn't help but smile at the lighthearted exchange between the two. The warmth and camaraderie were palpable. Yet, her expression soon shifted to a more serious tone as she faced Thor again.
— Why did you decide to come with me, though? Even after saying it would be very dangerous? — she asked earnestly.
Thor took a few more steps and settled down on a sturdy wooden bench overlooking the village square. Astrid and Shiro joined him, sitting comfortably at his sides. Thor's gaze was steady as he turned to Moana and answered thoughtfully:
— Because I want to become stronger. Not just for myself, but to protect my home, my family, and everyone I care about. I know that strength only comes through fighting and facing challenges. And right now, here in Berk, there's no one strong enough to push me to grow.
Moana absorbed his words in silence, the weight of her own mission settling heavily on her heart. She had left her village with hopes of finding allies and strength to save her people. Her smile was soft as she finally spoke:
— He's lucky to have you.
Without hesitation, Thor pulled Astrid and Shiro closer into his embrace. His voice was gentle but firm:
— No, I'm the lucky one to have them in my life.
The sun began to dip below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the village and signaling the end of the day.
Realizing the sky was darkening quickly, Thor stood up and decided to escort Moana to Astrid's room before the night fully descended.
As they walked through the village lanes, Moana's curiosity sparked a stream of questions about Berk and the dragons. Thor patiently answered each one, explaining the history of their bond with the dragons, the daily routines of the villagers, and the challenges they faced to maintain peace. The sounds of distant dragon calls and villagers' laughter created a comforting soundtrack around them.
Despite the weight of their journey ahead, the moment felt calm and hopeful—a brief respite filled with friendship and trust.
---