A/N: Only five chapters left, nearly there guys! So the sea battle I have in mind is inspired by 300: Rise of an Empire, the outnumbered Vikings lend ships Viggo and Ryker used, those ships are some of my favorite in the Httyd universe because they're built to smash through anything that stands in their path, and these ships are going to be what inflicts heavy losses to the Stormheart's fleet, as well as their warlord allies. Anyway, onwards to the next chapter!

(Normal pov— Denmark)

The howling and snarls of pack hunters filled the ears of Dahlia the Dark One, though the sounds she hears are from hunters that she is unfamiliar with, and she certainly is not willing to stick around and find out what has picked up her scent. She had fled the city after cursing Nikora and Eir Stormheart, now she is being hunted like an animal so that she can lift the curse off the foreign rulers that have invaded Scandinavia.

Currently, the witch was draped in heavy furs and running towards the beach that leads far beyond the capital city, Dahlia would come to this beach often for peace, now it stood as her salvation as she ran straight towards a grotto that contained more Viking ships that were left behind. Dahlia did not need a warship, a simple drekar would suit her needs of escaping Denmark and flee to Greenland where her Blood King and Queen resided. While acquiring the drekar and setting it out to sea, the witch laid eyes on large, dog-like, carnivores that were accompanied by the foreigners who took the Viking capital. Snickering to herself, Dahlia knew they were pursuing her and that her rulers who deal with them and send a message to all of Midgard that attempting to tear down the Scandinavian Empire was a fool's gambit and would not go unanswered.

Reaching for a satchel, Dahlia grabbed handfuls of gold and other treasures while also praying to Njǫrd to bless her ship with much-needed speed, though the riches she held were not nearly enough to appease the god of wind and sea, it would have to do for the time being.

A smile crept across Dahlia's lips as the winds gained and provided her ship with the speed she needed to flee from the hordes of foreigners who hunted her. They were after her to bring her back to their masters so that she could break the curse she had cast, no doubt. But Dahlia would show Nikora and Eir no mercy, she would inflict terrible suffering on the two foreigners, providing her Blood King and Queen the advantage they needed to defeat them and avenge the thousands of Scandinavians who perished at the hands of this coalition of foreigners.

(Within the fallen Viking capital city)

The hunting party sent to track down Dahlia returned to the Viking capital city and informed their masters that the witch fled their grasp. Upon hearing this, Eir turned to the Mongrels who followed her and ordered them to prepare their ships and be ready to pursue Dahlia, knowing that she would not only lead them to break the curse she cast upon them but their father's killer as well. Nikora, however, pleaded with her sister that an action born out of impatience could cost them dearly, but Nikora's words fell on deaf ears as Eir prepared the Mongrels who followed her and she prepared Atilla and his hordes of Huns to join her as well.

"I tire of you preaching of patience Nikora," Eir snarled out, "we are here standing idle while a witch holds our lives in our hands, and yet you would dare tell me that patience is the best course of action?!"

"You would rather take a significant amount of our warriors and those who follow the warlords to pursue Haddock out of blind rage—"

"No, I wish to be free of the curse that witch has placed upon us!" Eir corrected. "I'm going to end this, with or without you," the Mongrel princess turned to one of her top commanders and gave them orders, "ready my troops and armor. We're going to follow that witch to our true prey, and crush Haddock and his pack of dogs beneath our heels."

"You move recklessly—"

"Spare me your prattle," Eir barked at Nikora's words of caution, "our enemy has fled to its neighboring colonies to replenish their weakened numbers, and you have done nothing to press the advantage we have over Haddock and his people. I aim to rectify your error and secure a victory that will be forever remembered." The Mongrel princess left her older sister while she gathered the Mongrels who followed her and the Hunnic warlord Attila and his hordes to aid her and her forces.

"Eir!"

The Mongrel princess turned around to face her older sister, the Mongrel queen then spoke. "I can't help you if you choose to do this," she explained further, "I'll be leading the rest of our forces and the warlords armies in an effort to destroy any Viking villages or kingdoms that could potentially be of aid to Haddock. Are you prepared to face the devil who took our father alone?"

Nikora's question settled in Eir's mind, was she indeed ready to confront Haddock personally? Of course she was! She was a daughter of Hassan Stormheart, and her desire to avenge her father's death would be sated.

"I am," was her response to Nikora. "I no longer stand as a child, and you cannot smother me with patience any longer. With or without you, I will make Haddock pay for the grievous wound he inflicted upon us." With nothing more to say, Eir left her sister and steeled herself.

But before Eir could lead those under her command and leave Denmark, however, there were still several people she needed by her side. The Mongrel princess approached Harald Forkbeard, Gudmundr, Revna, and the Scandinavians who betrayed Hiccup and sided with the Mongrel Tribe. Approaching the group of Scandinavians, Eir eyed those who once stood with Hiccup. "You have already betrayed your sworn lord by siding with us, now I would test the true depths of your loyalty to us," she continued, "our hunting party informed me that the witch who cursed myself and Nikora flees back to Haddock's warm embrace. You will be accompanying me and tell me where exactly Haddock has hidden."

"Chances are he has fled to Greenland," Gudmunndr said, "that land not only holds a significant farming colony, but it also holds Haddock's auxiliary forces, men who used to be Dragon Hunters."

Eir turned to Harald and nodded. "Ready yourself, Haddock and his people may not have enough numbers to challenge us head-on, but they will seek vengeance against us," she then added with a sinister smirk, "let us put these rabid dogs out of their misery."

(Hiccup's pov)

The funeral we held in my mother's honor was never going to be easy, it was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do in my life. I remember when I was still a boy back on Berk, begging the gods that my mother was still alive and that she would save me from all the hell I endured there. Such terrible memories have long since faded, but the loss of my mother will never leave my mind. Those who served Valka and her dragon-riding tribe mourned spectacularly; bitter tears flowed down their cheeks, they said their individual farewells, and they swore to the gods that they would honor her name by continuing to serve her children with loyalty and humility, just as they served her.

Greenland's inhabitants offered us their condolences as well as gifts of food, though the sight of my dead mother's ghostly white skin made me lose any appetite I had, it made me sick to think there was nothing I could do to prevent my mother from succumbing to her illness.

Now, it was time to send Valka to Valhalla and give her the rest she rightly deserves.

Halfdan and Hava had said their heartfelt farewells to our mother and I knew saying goodbye to her was no easy task; it was a severe blow to their spirits and it threatened to crush them. I would not have it so, the coming days would put our people to the test, and I would have my siblings keen and not dulled by sorrow.

I approached and entered the ship that held my mother, her body prepared to enter the afterlife, her possessions by her side— her mask, shield, staff, and what necessities she's held close to her heart. Approaching her pyre, I place a hand on her now icy cold forehead, causing me to close my eyes and let out a shuddering exhale. "Farewell mother," I murmur, "Matriarch of House Haddock and Mother of Scandinavia. Your presence in this world will be sorely missed, but the gods have beckoned you to join them in Valhalla, may you bask in the joys the gods have in store for you now, and may you finally find peace. May we meet again." I place a kiss on her forehead and then disembark from the ship and order my guards to let it drift out into the sea.

My siblings as well as Astrid held bows in their hands, I too grabbed a bow and set the tip of my arrow on fire, took aim towards my mother's ship and let the arrow fly, and watched as my arrow hit my mother's pyre. Following my example, my family ignites the tips of their arrows and lets them fly, they all hit my mother's pyre and the ship soon engulfs in flames.

Hours after mourning my mothers' death, I had finally worked up an appetite and made my way to the Great Hall to gather food and quench the hunger gnawing at my stomach. I was seated with my wife and siblings, whilst my eldest children and son in law were still out seeking the aid of the Celestial Empire, I had no doubt they would deny our plea since we too treat dragons with respect and as equals, but anything is possible and I prayed that they would realize how dire our situation is and help us. We had been receiving countless refugees throughout Scandinavia, they told us how the enemy has been burning their villages to the ground to break my people's spirits. Whilst eating, I could hear thee Greenland settlers murmur words of doubt amongst themselves.

"How are we going to fight this enemy? We cannot possibly hope to defeat them!"

"Perhaps the gods have truly abandoned us."

"Haddock alone cannot possibly lead us to victory, only the gods can, and they curse us."

Having enough of the people's words of doubt, fear, and panic, I then pushed aside my food and spoke up for all to hear me. "You tell me that we stand no chance against the coming storm of foreigners we must all face," I said will scoffing, "perhaps you believe thee lies you have told yourselves. But while our people struggle to resist the enemies that have invaded our home, you have all settled for comfortable lives here; living off the fat of the land and forgetting who you really are— Vikings! The sons and daughters of the gods who long for Valhalla!" Rising from my seat, I continued. "Those among you who believe you can cast aside your lives as warriors and live the rest of your days in peace must stop this belief and realize that you cannot have that life any longer! Our enemies surround us like ravenous wolves and they will deliver a killing blow to us; they won't just slaughter our people, but they will wipe any trace of our culture, sagas, and legacies from history! Do you wish for this to happen?"

"NO!!"

The people boomed out, causing me to nod and continue. "And yet you all sit here and refuse to aid me in defending our culture and empire from annihilation! You still claim to be Vikings, then act like Vikings, forget about your comfortable existence! Come with me, and let us conquer our enemies!" The people began to rise from their seats and roared out. "Come with me and let us expel these savages from our lands and give no reason to ever challenge us again! Prove your birthright, be like the gods and reach for Valhalla!!" Every Viking's breast swelled with flames as they were now ready to face the coming storm of blood and death, set to purpose by me.

Despite being farmers, these people were still Vikings and knew how to fight from the day they could stand. Many among them were seasoned and fought with me in many foreign wars, their experience would serve its purpose and help me send a message to Nikora and Eir Stormheart that we may be beaten, but we are not dead.

They may have delivered a crippling blow to us by striking down many of our countrymen and sacking our capital city, but I will strip away the victory they crave more than life itself. When this conquest ends, with me as the victor, I will send a message to all foreign powers and teach them why Odin's mortal warriors should be feared.

A lesson I will begin momentarily.

(Normal pov— Days later)

Zephyr steered Dart through the dense winter fog, Leif clinging to her middle all the more tightly at the Night Light moved like the wind. The Viking princess and her companions had been pursued by enemy dragon flyers, they had been throwing the flyers off their scent for days until they finally lost the enemy hunters and were now free to continue their journey to Greenland. While on the run from the enemy dragon flyers, Zephyr was able to train Leif in combat and build his confidence as a warrior who serves at the will of the gods. Not only did the Viking princess and her companions face the threat of hostile dragon flyers, but a large enemy fleet was on the move to Greenland. Zephyr had an inkling those who betrayed her father were now guiding the foreigners to the farming colony in an attempt to burn her father out of hiding and destroy him while he's in a position of weakness. The Viking princess prayed that her father was able to marshal the settlers and their auxiliary forces and prepare them for battle because, despite the cruel winter conditions, the enemy fleet was moving like a phantom and quickly approaching Greenland.

Time was not on their side, they needed to move all the more quickly or they'd all perish.

After days of flying in ferocious blizzards, the threat of hypothermia exposure, and starvation was driving the small group of Vikings and their dragons to the brink of madness. Though fate would not have them fall to such ignoble ends, their prayers were answered when they flew out of the winter fog and Greenland came into view.

"Oh, what I sight to lift my spirits!" Gobber said while shaking off the ice and frost clinging to his body. "The thought of a warm bath, a hot meal, and freshly brewed ale is divine," he said with a grin, "let's not delay any longer, eh?"

"Agreed," Zephyr said, "as soon as we touch down, we find my father and speak with him first about three enemy fleet on its way here, and then we replenish ourselves." Steering Dart down, Zephyr could see the incoming villages swarming with activity; the auxiliary forces who served her father were arming themselves, as were the settlers. The dragons rallying to their alphas outside the villages, and war machines being loaded onto the warships at the harbor.

"It appears your father is well aware of the enemy fleet on its way," Dak stated, "he's a man that has faced impossible odds, and has always managed to deliver a victory for the Scandinavian people."

"True, but this will be a challenge that will put a tactical genius like my father to the test," Zephyr said to her friend, "our enemy is a starving predator, and it has its sights on us, poised to tear us apart and eat us alive. We cannot defeat this enemy by brute force alone, we must have solid tactics to obliterate our enemy."

"Aye, your father will figure this out," Gobber reassured Zephyr, "he always does."

Upon landing on Greenland soil, the small group dismounted from their dragons and were greeted by the settlers of the colony, as well as some familiar faces— Fishlegs and Camicazi.

"Would you look at that, looks like the princess and her entourage live!" Cami said in a teasing manner at Zephyr, the two embraced and shared sentiments of joy seeing each other alive.

"It truly is a relief to see you alive and well, Princess Zephyr," Fishlegs said with a warm smile, "your family will also be relieved to see you. They're at the Great Hall, making preparations to deal with the enemy fleet." Nodding in understanding, Zephyr had a handful of approaching Blood Guards to tend to their dragons for the time being and see to it that those who accompanied her are well taken care of while she breaks words with her father.

Treading through the sea of settlers, auxiliary fighters, and warriors gave Zephyr time to look at the condition of her people— they were being backed into a corner and they could either admit defeat and fall to the sword or prove to their enemies that even a cornered predator may yet bear its teeth and deliver a killing blow. Zephyr knew her people were the latter, they would strike back and send a ripple throughout all foreign powers in Midgard, that the Scandinavian people are not weak and will not die easily.

Upon entering the Great Hall, Zephyr laid eyes on Hiccup and Astrid concluding tactics with Viggo and Ryker Grimborn. Turning in my direction, my parents beamed at the sight of their daughter, dismissing the Grimborn's, the Blood King and Queen approached their daughter and showered her with affection. Ceasing their actions and sentiments of love, Hiccup placed a hand on Zephyr's cheek and smiled warmly at her. "It lifts my spirits to see you alive and well," he then continued, "after the loss of my mother—"

"What? Valka is dead?" Zephyr asked in a shocked tone.

"She is," Astrid said, "she now sups with the gods in Valhalla."

Zephyr lowered her head and felt sympathy flood her nerves, Valka had always held a special place in her heart, she was the one who helped her learn how to perfect her skills as a dragon rider and continue to help her build trust with Dart. "Her loss is keenly felt," the young princess said, "I shall honor her and those who fell by bathing in the blood of our enemies."

"Of that, I have no doubt," Hiccup said, "the enemy fleet draws ever closer, I am to take command of the warships we came here on and lure whoever leads the enemy into a trap. The fog surrounding us will provide excellent cover for the Grimborn's ships to inflict horrifying damage on the enemy fleet."

War horns sounded off and the three Haddocks left the Great Hall to see their forces making final preparations and despite the fog on the horizon, Hiccup could see the enemy fleet on the horizon. "They're here," he told his wife and daughter, "it is time to reduce the sea into the blood of our enemies." Turning to Zephyr, Hiccup placed a hand on her shoulder and commanded her to remain in the village to rest while also promising her that she'll have another opportunity to fight, but after her long journey, she needed rest. Turning to Astrid, Hiccup nodded at his wife, and the two of them made their way to the harbor and board their largest warship with their purpose clear.

To avenge those they lost and spill foreign blood.

Out at sea, Eir's fleet was moving in on Greenland and poised to find their enemies and slaughter them while they're in a position of weakness.

The Mongrel princess commanded a dreadnaught that was impressive in size and armed to the teeth, her own personal warship— Willbreaker. By her side were Dagan, Alya, Vitani, and Harald and their respective forces. Atilla and his Hunnic fleet trailed behind the Mongrels while they took the lead. Eir's forces consisted of Persians, all the warriors under her command were battle-hardened and could best any of Haddock's warriors.

After exiting the fog, Greenland came into view, as did a handful of Viking ships that were in a protective circle, causing the Mongrel princess to scoff at the sight. Eir then turned to her ship's commander and summoned him to her side. "Commander Bahiri," she eyed the man from head to toe before inquiring, "what guarantees can you give me that you'll deliver me a swift victory?"

"My word and my life," he said firmly.

"Good," Eir said.

"My rules of engagement?" Bahiri then inquired.

"Obliterate Haddock's puny fleet of ships," Eir then looked to Greenland and continued, "then burn the Vikings farming colony to the ground."

Bahiri nodded his head in understanding and ordered his men to give signals to the fleet of ships accompanying them to begin their attack. Whilst the Mongrel and Hunnic fleets moved in to attack Haddock's ships, Eir summoned Gudmundr to her side. Turning to the older Viking, Eir then questioned him. "Tell me, Haddock is grossly outnumbered and has no chance of defending his farming colony, even with the aid of his auxiliary forces. What form of tactics do you believe he will pull from his fevered mind?"

"He will use your hubris against you," Gudmundr stated, "and find a way to decimate your forces before you set foot on Greenland."

Snorting at his words, Eir looked at the small ring of Viking warships and narrowed her eyes. "What are you up to Haddock?" She murmured to herself.

(Hiccup's pov)

The enemy fleet bearing down on us is vast, but such numbers do not frighten me nor the warriors by my side. I have faced far worse odds in the past and have always lived to tell the tale of how I was able to outsmart my enemies, this won't be any different.

"Children of Scandinavia! Steady yourselves. Look within yourselves, and remember what you are! Odin's mortal warriors on Midgard!" Astrid said while addressing the Viking settlers. "When in the heat of battle, you need a reason to fight on, look to those standing by your side! This is the 'why' of battle, this is the brotherhood of arms, an unbreakable bond made stronger by the crucible of combat!" She then pointed her battle-ax out to the enemy fleet approaching. "A pack of ravenous wolves approaches as we stand as wounded prey. Although we're wounded, we are not dead! If the enemy takes Greenland and the food supplies it carries, they have Scandinavia by the throat and we'll be one step closer to death. So you fight strong today! Fight for everything you've worked so hard to create, fight for those you hold close to heart, but most of all you fight for Scandinavia!" The Vikings let out roars as my wife fanned the flames within their breasts.

"You all know what must be done!" I then boomed out. "Honor the gods with gifts of blood and push the invaders back!" Once again our people roared out and prepared themselves for the fight ahead of us.

Turning to one of my warriors, I nodded at them and they proceeded to fire a signal bright enough to illuminate through the fog and telling the Grimborn brothers to begin their attack while the enemy would charge head-on towards us. As an enemy warship drew closer, our people had their weapons drawn and let out battle cries as we began hurling spears at the enemy archers trying to pick us off. I snatched an arrow that was fired in my direction out of the air and activated my shield's crossbow mechanic and loaded my weapon with the enemy's arrow and returned fire to the archer who fired in my direction, killing them where they stood.

Whilst the fighting ensued, our small fleet broke off from the protective circle we had formed and kept the enemy's focus off of us while the Grimborn fleet could sneak in and inflict the damage we needed them to do.

Soon enough, war horns were sounded and the Grimborn fleet emerged from the fog like a monster revealing itself to its victims before smashing through the nearest enemy ships as if they were nothing.

The enemy soon became disoriented and disorganized, seizing this opportunity, I ordered the commander of my warship to smash into the nearest enemy vessel so that we can spill the blood of our enemies. Not needing to be told twice, my commander had those rowing below deck move to the nearest enemy vessel and we soon collided into the ship. Astrid and I led the charge as we boarded the enemy ship and began slaughtering any warrior who stood in our path.

As the foreigners regained their footing and attempted to repel us, not that it mattered. The enemy stood no chance against me, even though they were the superior fighters, I had fought men and women of their caliber throughout Midgard and have slain tens of thousands of their kind and knew how to fight and kill them. Those who stood in my path were slain within seconds or I drew out the fights and gave them a false sense of hope before having enough and striking them down for defiling our home with their mere presence.

Searing pain ran down my back as a foreign warrior slashed me in the back, causing me to snarl out in pain. I then turned around cleaved his head in two with my sword, blood spatter wets my face, but it is a feeling I have dearly missed; slaying my enemies on the field of battle and ensuring they never lift their hands to challenge me again.

The enemy sees us as nothing more than vermin that should be eradicated, hubris is always a dangerous trait for a leader to possess, because it often leads their followers to their deaths. It would appear Hassan Stormheart's daughters hubris was as endless as an abyss; their warriors are indeed more skilled than Viking warriors, true, but they underestimate us.

Astrid has always been a capable warrior even before she became my queen, and for her first time dealing with foreigners whose fighting capabilities eclipsed her own, she was handling herself well. One of the Mongrels was armed with a spear and thrust at Astrid's belly, she used her battle-ax to cut the speat in half, she caught the half of the spear that held the razor sharp tip and then drove it into her opponent's throat, causing them to choke on mouthfuls of their own blood. My queen then used her battle-ax to hack her opponent's legs off and then finish the now legless Mongrel off by burying the head of her ax into their face. Another Mongrel charges Astrid, she rips are ax free and hurls it with terrifying ease, and the blade embeds itself right between the eyes of the charging Mongrel, killing them in seconds.

Soon the deck of the Mongrel ship is slick with blood and gore, with no warriors left to challenge us we then torch the foreign warship and retreat back to my warship as crimsonnn fire devours the ship at horrifying speeds. Once the ship sinks to the bottom of the sea, the waters below soon reduce themselves to crimson, and its a sight that one might tell their children, but we now sail upon the blood of our enemies.

We boarded yet another Mongrel ship that was filled with warriors that hailed from Arabia, I remember launching a most bloody campaign against these people some years ago and walked with vast amounts of wealth, slaves, and necessities that could make my people's lives all the more comfortable. Shaking my head as my former glories came to my mind, I blocked a sword attack which was meant to remove my head, but I parried the attack and slashed open my attackers gut and also ducked underneath another sword that clipped the back of my neck, I then hacked off my second attackers sword hand off their body and then drove my sword through their mouth.

Turning around to see if Astrid required assistance, I saw her punch one of the Mongrels with a ferocious right hook and then use them as a living body shield as incoming arrows were fired in her direction. Quickly grabbing her stunned opponent, Astrid hid behind the Arabian Mongrel as they were being riddled with arrows, while the enemy archers were nocking another set of arrows, I fired a plasma bolt at them, sending them tumbling down into the icy waters below us. I then noticed what the Chinese call black powder that was stashed in barrels, a grin crept across my face. Turning back to Astrid and the warriors by my side, I ordered them to return to our warship, they all knew better than to argue with me and returned to our warship with haste as I fought off the remaining Mongrels on board the enemy vessel, I then fired a plasma bolt directly at the barrels of black powder and sprinted back to my warship just as a violent explosion tore the Arabian warship to pieces; debris, blood, and gore flew in all directions and my forces formed a shield wall to protect themselves from incoming debris. After regaining my footing, I ran a hand through my hair and nodded at the sight of dozens of enemy warships being torn to pieces and sinking to the bottom of the sea.

We had repeated this cycle of bloodshed for some time now, and after we had slaughtered every foreign warrior who pressed us, we retreated back to my warship and sunk the enemy ships, until the enemy was beaten so badly that they had to withdraw their forces. The sight of our invaders now fleeing caused my people to let out thunderous roars that seemed to have shaken the heavens themselves, this was a victory we needed to replenish our morale, and I would say that my people were ready for what's to come next— gathering all of our Scandinavian brothers and sisters and taking the fight to Nikora and Eir.

A day I long for.

A/N: Almost at the finish line, then I'm in desperate need of a break before I finish up my Traveler series.