(Normal pov— Denmark)

Mongrel warriors were dragging a battered and beaten Gobber the Belch to a cell within the dungeons, accompanying these warriors was Vitani's brother— Kovu, another one of Nikora and Eir's lieutenant's within the Mongrel Tribe.

Kovu is a tall man with a muscular build, he is a silent and dangerous man who rarely speaks. Vitani's brother is a brutal, hardened warrior, preferring to use two daggers to slice and gut his opponents to pieces as they are swifter weapons. He, like his sister and fellow Egyptian brethren also wield a khopesh. Kovu stands as one of the Mongrel's deadliest fighters and his muscular body is covered in scars from shoulder to shoulder, one for each life he has taken who stands as a worthy opponent, then carved into his flesh. Like his sister, Kovu's hair is done in dreads, yet his hair is shorter than his sisters. A cheetah fur cloak drapes around his broad shoulders, as well as cheetah fur lace boots to add another layer of warmth.

Once reaching the nearest cell, the Mongrels tossed the old blacksmith inside, they lock the cell and made sure to strip him of any hidden he yet carries. They had moved Grump to the warlords' new alpha to enslave the Hotburple along with countless other dragons who were not fortunate enough to flee the cruelty of the Mongrels and their allies.

Gobber, who managed to kill several Mongrels received a gut wound. It's not fatal, or at least he doesn't think so. He had won the fight against countless Mongrels who pressed him but not before a Carthaginian Mongrel drove a sword into his side. It cut through his tan tunic and bear fur cloak, leaving behind a nasty wound and a considerable loss of blood. But the Mongrels cauterized the wound to preserve Gobber's life for the time being, because he possessed information they needed to find Hiccup and his family.

As seconds turn into minutes, and minutes turn into hours, Gobber beings to doze off, that is until loud footsteps filled his ears.

"Gobber."

He opens his eyes and lays eyes on two people who all but delivered Denmark into Nikora and Eir's hands— Gudmundr and Revna. Despite the gut wound, Gobber stands— too quick, he gets dizzy— and steps towards the cell doors.

"Traitors," he says in greeting, "come to gloat, eh?"

"No, merely to give you an opportunity to join us, alongside Nikora and Eir Stormheart," Gudmundr said, "Haddock shamed, disgraced, and humiliated the likes of me, Revna, and those who chose to break free from Haddock's shackles! We would give you the same chance; to set yourself free from the yoke Haddock has placed around your neck—"

Gobber spits in Gudmundr's face and snarls out. "Never," he glances between the two traitors and continues, "you have betrayed not only your fellow Scandinavians, your king, and queen but the gods themselves by conspiring with these foreigners! And when you die, you will not see Valhalla, instead, you will suffer in the fires of Helheim— a fate most deserved."

"When they torture the information out of you, it is you who will die," Revna said, "those among us who faithfully serve our new masters will be rewarded."

Scoffing Gobber settles himself back on the floor of his cell and shakes his head. "You're both fools," he then adds, "as are those who stand with your new masters," turning back to the two traitors, Gobber cocks his head in curiosity and inquires, "what did they promise you in exchange for betraying Hiccup? Hmm?"

"They promised us to begin a new age for our people—"

Barking out a laugh, Gobber then groaned in pain as he clutched his side and cursed under his breath. Shaking off the pain, the blacksmith turned to the two traitors and shook their heads at them. "They're using you," chuckling bitterly, he continued, "feeding you lies to make you serve them with blind loyalty, and when you have served your purpose, their Shadows will place gilded swords in your back."

Wiping the saliva off his face, Gudmundr gazed upon Gobber and snorted at the man. "They are honorable—"

"Stop wasting your breath you withered corpse!" Gobber barked out in annoyance. "I will never betray Hiccup, Astrid, and their family. Never!"

Sighing heavily, Gudmundr and Revna shared a look before turning back to the royal blacksmith with pitiful looks. "You poor old man," the disgraced shieldmaiden said, "so firmly tethered to Haddock, yet he has left you behind to die. Your loyalty is misplaced—"

"I chose to remain in the city to ensure my apprentice fled this doomed city," Gobber corrected, "do not think you can twist the reason of my continued presence within the walls of this place."

Grasping one of the bars of his cell, Gudmunndr spoke. "Do not say we gave you a chance to cast off the yoke of loyalty you hold for Haddock Gobber," he then shrugged, "your stubbornness has sealed your fate."

"Then I shall die knowing that I served my sworn lord with loyalty," Gobber said, "and when the Valkyries summon me home, I shall enter Odin's hall with fear."

Another set of footsteps could be heard, causing the three Scandinavian's to lay eyes on Absko, the Numidian spoke to the two traitors. "Nikora and Eir summon you, come," with that said, Gudmundr and Revna gave Gobber one last glance before following the Numidian out of the dungeon, leaving Gobber to dwell upon his present situation— rotting in a cell while also carrying information the enemies of Scandinavia need to end this conflict. Gobber, however, would never turn on Hiccup or his family, he would gladly give his life so that the Haddock bloodline carries on in Scandinavia.

Gobber just prayed that he lived long enough to see Hiccup strike these invaders down and see the empire return to glory.

(Within the city, entertainment district)

Leif the Commoner was fortunate to survive hordes of Mongrels as well as the warlords armies that now owned the city, the young man was determined not to leave the city until he rescued Gobber. He had witnessed the Mongrels drag him to dungeons and was now formulating a plan to liberate his old friend from captivity.

But he needed to be smart, and careful.

Moving through the streets was risky, and rooftops alone couldn't carry him to the dungeons fast enough.

Leif was so caught up in his thoughts to formulate a plan that he failed to hear several pairs of footsteps sneaking up behind him, he only took notice when a sword was placed at his throat and a familiar voice filled his ear.

"Were I a Mongrel, you would be struck from this world,"

Turning around, Leif laid eyes on Zephyr, Dak, and Leyla and their dragons who all managed to move through the streets undetected, granted this was their home and knew it better than the foreign armies within its walls.

"Why are you still within the city?!" Zephyr hissed out.

"Gobber and I were taking our leave, but the enemy halted us," Leif said, "he is being imprisoned, no doubt kept so that the enemy can torture information out of him for your fathers whereabouts."

The group of young adults and their dragons heard the sounds of advancing Huns, they all quickly entered an abandoned home and hid from the Huns as they passed by. Dak ran a hand through his spiky crimson hair and shook his head. "How did this happen? How did they take Denmark so easily?"

"Because a wolf embedded among us gave them this battle," Zephyr said, "during Nuffink and Katerina's wedding celebration, Halvor and Avery informed my father that Fishlegs and Camicazi had overheard Gudmundr conspiring with a Scandinavian Mongrel. We were betrayed."

"The cock on that man to turn against your father, especially when he spared his life so long ago," Leyla said, "his death is all but guaranteed now, should he annd Hiccup come face to face."

"Indeed," Zephyr said, "but for the time being, we need to get Gobber out of here and flee this place so that we can regroup with my father and the rest of our depleted forces."

Leif took a peak outside a window and could see numerous foes scouring the streets for any survivors, even breaking into the abandoned homes to check for any who were foolish enough to stay behind. Backing away from the window, Leif turned to Zephyr and spoke. "We'll need to cause a distraction," he then continued, "maybe, uh, we can destroy a portion of their ships, as long as we can draw them away from the dugeons, we can get Gobber and Grump out of here."

"I agree," Leyla said, "we can't fight our enemies head on, but if we can inflict harm to their resources, it'll make fighting us all the more difficult for them."

Turning to the twins, Zephyr raised an eyebrow in question. "Are you and Dak volunteering to reek havok on the enemy?"

"If there are no objections," Dak said.

"I have no argument," Zephyr said, "let us see this done, and try not to get killed." Both twins chuckled and nodded in acknowledgment, they then led their dragons back outside and saddled up before taking to the sky. Turning to Dart, Zephyr caressed her dragon's chin and smiled at the Night Light as she let out a content purr. The young princess looked int Leif's eyes and nodded at him. "Do you stand ready? Tonight you must spill blood if you wish to see Gobber freed from the clutches of our enemy," she continued, "I know you wish for a common life, but we're Vikings! We're far from common, we're Odin's mortal warriors and we must teach our enemies why our reputation is so fierce."

Leif had dreaded the day when he had to spill blood, but did he want to show Zephyr that he's a coward or show her that he can rise above his fear and become strong? Soon enough, he gave his answer.

"I am ready," he unsheathed the sword he carried and spoke firmly, "I am ready to spill the blood of our enemies and to free my mentor."

(Elsewhere within the city)

Harald Forkbeard moved with upmost haste, he had been enjoying reward in the form of exotic wine, food, and women for his loyal service and his efforts in taking the city. Now ripped away from such pleasures, Harald made his way to the temple of Odin and where several healers were tending to Nikora and Eir, yet perhaps a paler reflection of their former selves. Forkbeard also noticed Gudmundr and Revna by his masters side as well, his curiosity was indeed piqued.

"Tell me Harald, have you ever been cursed by a witch?" Nikora groaned out in pain.

Ah, so this was the reason why he was summoned with haste.

"I have not," he said, "who has done this to you two?"

"Dahlia the Dark One," Gudmundr said, "they gave her description to us and wish to know how to break a curse."

Stroking his goatee, Harald turned back to his masters. "It is no simple task to break a curse my masters—"

"We do not have time," Eir snarled out with blood stained teethed, "that witch has seized our path of exacting our revenge against Hiccup Haddock and has already inflicted us with unimaginable suffering."

"I see," Harald said, "if you wish to kill a curse, you must kill the seer who cursed you without spilling a single drop of their blood. You must use a different approach— strangulation or drowning should be suffice."

Nikora turned to Absko and groaned out. "Bring out the hyenas," she then added, "use them to track that witch down." The Numidian knife hurler bowed his head and left the temple to assemble the hyenas and their best trackers.

"When do we pursuit Haddock and his scattered forces?" Harald then inquired.

"Gudmundr, Revna, and those who broke off from Haddock have told us of Haddock's Iceland and Greenland colonies, which no doubt hold a considerable amount of Viking reinforcements to further swell his numbers," Nikora said, "we must strike them first before they have time to regroup and launch a counterattack."

Before another word was spoken, a series of explosions filled their ears, as did the cries of their forces being slaughtered. Harald ran towards the temple entrance and could see large clouds of smoke rising from the harbor, turning back to Nikora and Eir, he spoke up. "The docks are under attack!" Drawing his sword, Harald was about to sprint to the docks, but he noticed a blur that moved in the blink of an eye heading towards the dungeons.

"Harald, why do you pause?" Eir demanded.

Turning around to see his masters on their feet and approaching him, Harald replied. "I believe this attack is to draw our attention away from something far more valuable," he then turned to Gudmunndr and Revna, "you two, with me." the three Scandinavians raced outside and moved towards the dungeons.

(Within the dungeons)

Handfuls of Mongrel warriors were blasted and sent flying in all directions as Dart cleared a path for the two young Vikings. Zephyr and Leif moved through the dungeons halls and soon found a cell that was under guard, the two Mongrels guarding the cell drew their weapons and advanced with the intention of killing the two young adults. Swinging a sword at Zephyr's head, the first Mongrel nearly lost his footing as he struck nothing but air, the Viking princess ducked under his attack and proceeded to hack the foreigners leg off, causing him to cry out in agony and fall to the ground. Zephyr twirled her blade in hand and plunged cold, Scandinavian steel into her wounded opponent's chest.

Leif lashed out at the second Mongrel, managing to back them into a corner and engage in a ferocious blade lock. But the foreigner broke the stalemate and headbutted Leif in the face, causing the young man to lose his foot and fall to the ground while clutching his now heavily bleeding nose. The Mongrel raised their blade to strike down the downed blacksmith, only to receive a crimson plasma bolt to the chest, resulting in a painful death.

Zephyr inahled sharply and exhaled slowly as her crimson veins died down to their normality, she then helped Lief up and and spoke. "When we have time, you and I are going to train," Leif was about to speak up, but Zephyr beat him to it, "come on, Gobber's waiting." The two young adults approached the cell the Monngrels were guarding and laid eyes on Gobber who was sound asleep, Zephyr's hands burned with scarlet plasma and she blew the cell door open, causing Gobber to arise from the grip of slumber. "Hey old man," Zephyr said with a playful tone, "ready to get out of here?"

"More than," Gobber said with a smirk, "but first we need to get Grump, I'm not leaving him behind."

"Right," Leif said, "let's make ourselves scarce."

The three Vikings were about to leave, only to lay eyes on Harald Forkbeard as well as Gudmundr and Revna by his side. "Leaving so soon?" The Scandinavian Mongrel inquired in a taunting tone. "I'm afraid your ruse fell short," he said, "you and those causing mayhem at the docks will not live to regroup with Haddock."

"You don't know me, traitor," Zephyr growled out, "we are leaving this place and leaving you empty handed."

Raising his sword, Harald narrowed his eyes as he studied Zephyr's face and he chuckled in realization. "You're Haddock's daughter," he flashed the princess a predatory grin, "oh, forget the blacksmith, you'll make for a far better hostage." Harald then turned to Gudmundr and Revna. "Take the boy and blacksmith, the princess is mine," twirling his sword, Harald spoke in a taunting tone, "hope you know how to wield that sword princess."

"Perhaps another time," Zephyr then smirked, "oh and by the way, you really ought to watch your backs." The three hostile Scandinavians turned around and saw nothing but a violet explosion sending them flying in the air and crashing down on the ground, giving Zephyr, Leif, and Gobber time to run with Dart right behind them.

Once outside, the trio laid eyes on Dak and Leyla on their respective dragons, and Grump was by their side as well. Gobber laughed out in joy to see his dragon was relatively fine, he then quickly climbed on his dragons back and spoke up. "Let's go young ones!" Zephyr mounted Dart and offered Leif a hand, he took it and she hoisted him up the Night Light's back and the group of Vikings and their dragons took to the sky just as Mongrel forces were closing in on them.

"You can run princess! But we will find you and your father, annd finish what we came here to do!!"

Looking back, Zephyr laid eyes on Harald who emerged out of the dungeons and his face burned with rage, the sight made Zephyr smirk. "Oh, I hope you do find us traitor," she said, "and when you do, I will rip you to shreads and offer your remains to Odin's ravens." Turning to Leif, Zephyr cocked her head curiously. "Are you alright?"

"Y-Yeah," he said with a shaken voice, "just... not used to that much... excitement."

Smirking at his words, Zephyr nudged him playfully. "There's a warrior within you, we'll find him," she then added, "I'll see to it personally." She then kissed Leif, causing his eyes to widen in surprise, but when she pulled away and saw the smile and flush on his cheek told her he had no problem with her kissing him. "Ah, its so beautiful when young ones find love," Gobber said while flashing Zephyr and Leif a teasinng grin, causing them both to flush deeply and for Dak and Leyla to laugh out loud.

Now that they had fled their home, they needed to regroup with the nearest colony and pray that Hiccup was there and form a counterattack.