The transformation hurts. It feels like something or someone is shoving a burning torch down my throat and electrifying my veins. As soon as it disappears, however, I can't help but feel stronger. Nothing about my body has changed physically, yet the newfound power is obvious to me.

I stand shakily as the last bit of burning leaves me. Thora holds my dragon blade out to me with a tiny smile, and I feel a great sense of relief when I can wield it again.

"Alright, that's that," Thora says, a finality to her tone.

"That hurt..." Ruffnut grumbles.

"It wasn't that bad," Eret retorts, although he looks just as uncomfortable from the past pain he experienced.

"Either way, you can kill demon dragons now." Thora rolls her eyes, smirking.

"Yeah. We can," Fishlegs says. "But...we aren't exactly sure how."

"We haven't killed dragons in years," Snotlout says. "Pretty sure these demons are gonna be tougher than actual dragons."

"All of you need more training, and lots of it." Thora sheathes her sword before clasping her hands behind her back. "You may have the power now, but that doesn't mean you're ready." She pauses, holding out her hand. "Nobody freak out. This is something I've been tinkering with."

She eyes each of us before she focuses. Her gem glows again as the smoky shape of a Gronckle appears; an exact decoy of a demon dragon. The apparition growls and claws the ground. Fishlegs immediately tenses up. We all gape in horror and shock.

"Alright guys, good luck," Thora says, snapping her fingers.

The Demon Gronckle lunges towards us. Everyone scatters, looking incredibly panicked. I grab for a shield automatically, remembering my days in dragon training when I was fifteen.

"THIS IS DRAGON TRAINING ALL OVER AGAIN!" Snotlout screams as he runs away from the decoy dragon.

"Fishlegs! That isn't a Gronckle! It's an apparition of a demon!" Thora yells to the blond as he trips over himself, nearly in tears.

"But it looks real!" Fishlegs yells back as he scrambles away from the beast.

I ignite my sword and take a deep breath, waiting for the opportune moment. I rush towards the thing and swing my weapon as it nears me. As soon as the blade touches the dragon, it roars and disappears into a cloud of smoke.

Everyone stops running around, breathing heavily and trying to catch their breath. Thora smiles and nods approvingly to me, making my chest puff up with pride.

"Next time, let's have everyone remember that this isn't a real dragon, alright?" she asks.

"Maybe give us a warning that you can actually do that!" Tuffnut exclaims.

"But it looks so real..." Fishlegs groans.

Thora sighs and pinches the bridge of her nose. "Look, I know you haven't killed dragons in eight years, but these dragons cannot be trained. They are pure evil and the only way to save Berk is to kill them. Do you understand?"

"Don't worry, Thora. We've got this," Astrid says, determined.

"Good." Thora holds her open hand out to her side as her necklace glows again. "Let's try a Whispering Death."

Thora's POV

By the end of training, everyone has managed to fight or kill one of the decoy dragons. It's better than I could've asked for, so my confidence levels get higher. Everyone leaves willingly when I dismiss them for supper, talking to one another about the training events.

I walk outside the arena with Hiccup at my side. Valka, Cloudjumper, and our four Night Furies wait for us.

"Hey mom," Hiccup greets with a smile.

"Evening, Hiccup. Evening, Thora," Valka responds. "I heard some rumours flying around that you're training for battle."

"Yes. We have to be prepared for the oncoming threat," I say, moving closer to Hiccup.

Valka's eyes crease slightly as a worried look crosses her aging face. "Just...be safe, okay? I don't think I could stand to lose anyone else."

"Don't worry, mom. You won't," Hiccup assures her, giving her a hug.

Nightstar shambles to my side, nuzzling me with her wide nose and getting my attention off the family pair. She makes a soft noise, her tail swishing back and forth as I nod.

"I know, girl. We've got a lot of work to do," I whisper.