A/N: We're so close to the finish line! I cannot wait to end this story and take a much-deserved break before I get back here and finish up my Traveler series. Anyway, onwards to the next chapter!

(Normal pov— Denmark)

Nikora stood on the deck of The Tempest while ensuring her prowess as a warrior queen did not dull; she would spar against imagined foes, face her Shadow bodyguards, or against her lieutenants who stood as the Mongrels best. All the while, Nikora's mind wandered with thee thoughts of the coming battle between her people and Haddock's Viking hordes. She recalled as a child, she watched as their father earned a glorious victory by defeating the madman Drago Bludvist in single combat, this power-hungry warlord craved world domination and came to the Mongrel Tribe to enlist Hassan and his people to join his cause. But Hassan saw Drago as a man who spat upon honor and would fight in dishonorable ways in order to achieve victory, and dishonor is not the way of the Mongrel people.

Better to earn victory through integrity and honor rather than deception and dishonor.

Eir had spat upon the belief of the Mongrel Tribe by sending her sect of Hashashin to assassinate Haddock in his sleep.

This was an insult that left Nikora enraged, she only discovered this when Vitani had given her report, and as punishment for trying to gain a victory through dishonorable means, Nikora forbid Eir from participating in the coming battle, which of course enraged the Mongrel princess. She desperately pleaded with Nikora to reconsider and let them fight together, but Eir's pleas fell on deaf ears and Nikora forbid Eir from partaking in the coming battle.

"My queen,"

Turning around, Nikora laid eyes on Absko, the Ngbaka was wrapped in leopard skin and bowed his head in greeting before speaking. "All has been attend to as instructed," he then continued, "the warlords and their armies too stand ready."

"Good," Nikora said while wiping beads of sweat of her brow while also dismissing her Shadow sparring partners, "as our campaign draws towards climax, we shall avenge the death of Hassan Stormheart and all those we have lost at the hands of the Viking people."

"I long for the day to arrive," The Numidian then voiced concern, "yet... there are many among us who believe Eir should partake in the battle ahead—"

"She spat upon the honor we hold close to our hearts and sent assassins to kill Haddock in his sleep," Nikora spat out with disgust, "I hold no love for the man who killed my father, but I do know he deserves a glorious death on the battlefield. My decision is cemented and it will not be broken." Looking out towards the horizon, she said firmly. "I would see us conclude our campaign with integrity and honor, rather than dishonor," turning back to Absko, Nikora bore her teeth and growled out, "inform those among us who share my sister's thoughts of dishonor and treachery that they too shall be forbidden from partaking in battle, and those who defy me will be put to the sword." Absko bowed his head in understanding and took his leave.

The Mongrel queen whirled her Kwan Dao and once more looked out towards the horizon and prepared herself for the tidal wave of Vikings that threatened to wash away her and her armies from this world.

Hiccup was within the chambers of his war room, looming over a map of Denmark and of the battlefield they would wage their final battle with Nikora and Eir. He had already dispatched Atali, her Wingmaidens, Mala, and her best Defenders on ahead to free the enslaved dragons the enemy possessed, perhaps they would turn on their oppressors and thin the enemy's numbers to the point where the tide of the battle would truly be in their favor, it was a possibility that Hiccup hoped would come to fruition, but he had other concerns at the moment. The plan he had purposed to his forces was sound, but in order for the plan to succeed is for the Stormhearts to take the bait, or else his plan may collapse. Sighing heavily, and lowering his head, Hiccup had lost so many loved throughout his life, yet those he held closest to heart yet no longer walk among the living continue to haunt him in his dreams— Heather, his unborn child, Toothless, and Valka.

The thought of failure made Hiccup sick to his stomach because in his world when those around you smell even a drop of failure, your leadership and authority are put to the test and you face the threat of usurpation or worse. Hiccup knew that a victory over his enemies would make his saga immortalized even long after he was but dust and bones, but failure would tarnish everything he's done for the Scandinavian people.

As the door to his chambers opened, Hiccup turned and laid eyes on Astrid. She silently closed and locked the door behind her and embraced her husband from behind, resting her chin on his shoulder she then murmured in his ear. "The hour is late," she pressed a kiss to his pulse point to urged him, "come back to bed."

"Sleep cannot come," he confessed to his wife, "the thoughts of the coming battle fill my mind as does the possibility of failure."

"You will not fail—"

"But if I do, then everything I've done for the Scandinavian people will be spat upon and believe me to be weak," he shook his head and continued to pour out his heart to Astrid, "if I fail in delivering us a victory or... if I fall in battle, I don't know how long our people will last against Nikora and Eir. But without me, our people will be crippled to the point where we could never regain our footing; they'll strip everything of value in our lands, kill all our warriors, enslave those who cannot fight, and wipe our existence from history. This isn't just a battle to preserve my face as Blood King, but it's a battle to preserve our way of life!"

Astrid buried her face in Hiccup's neck and cooed reassuring words to calm her frightened husband, it was one of those rare moments behind closed doors where the monster inside of Hiccup was absent and he was that same scared boy back on Berk. Despite being... different from most men, Hiccup Haddock was not a god but a human being, and his fearful rabbling humanized him even further, making Astrid grateful that even with the power he held, he wasn't arrogant or believed all around him to be inferior.

"Your fear is my own as well," Astrid murmured into Hiccup's ear, "defeat at our enemy's hands is possible, but if we are to die in battle then it will be with weapons in hand and the gods by our side, not in shackles or enslaved to those foreign animals." She then took both his hands in her own and entwined their fingers together. "And if I am to die in battle, I want you to know that I have no regrets," she then clarified, "turning my back on Berk for the sake of making things right with you was the best choice I've made in this life; it led me to happiness, being a mother to two amazing children who're now fully grown and stand with us in this final battle, and a husband who does not allow power corrupt him."

Hiccup backed up lightly against Astrid as she then wrapped her arms around his torso and continued to place light kisses on his pulse point and neck, sending pleasant sensations down his spine. Turning his head slightly, he then looked Astrid in the eyes and spoke his heart. "You were always the love of my life, even when we were children, and even when we drifted apart back on Berk," he chuckled lightly and continued, "though I had loved my late wife Heather very much, you... you never truly left my mind throughout the years I formed the Red Maw. You always clung to me and refused to leave my mind, and it warms my heart to know that you will never leave my side in this life and when we dine with Odin and the gods in Valhalla." The two shared a warm smile and came together in a passionate kiss that was full of love and warmth.

Breaking their kiss, Hiccup exhaled while shaking his head in disbelief. "You're an extraordinary woman Astrid, who am I to deserve such a woman like you?"

"I'm just like any other woman," Astrid said with a shrug, "I don't want to "have" to do anything. I don't want to be trapped like a cornered animal," she then began to slide off the sleek black robe around Hiccup's battle-hardened, tattooed body, "I want to fight. And I want to be unpredictable and cunning as you." She then pushed Hiccup onto his desk which was sturdy enough to hold him, a coy grin crept across Astrid's beautiful face, causing Hiccup's eyes to turn into thin slits as he could smell his wife's desire for him.

It was a scent he would never tire of.

She then crawled up his body, cat-like, and a mischievous glint in her eyes while she began loosening the strings to his pants. "I want you to bless you with many more children and fill your life with pride and joy," she then shrugged off her own robe, revealing her own battle-hardened, tattooed body for Hiccup's eyes to devour— scars littered across her body, her breasts rose and fell with heavy breaths, and her arousal filled his nose which caused him to snarl in pleasure that he could bring his wife in such a state so quickly. "I want to have sex." She grinned at him before shrugging. "I may die tomorrow, or you might die tomorrow. But, in any case, if possible," she then began rubbing her slicked folds along his cock, causing them both to groan out at the sensations of their sexes rubbing together, "I should like to be with child once more." She then threw her head back and moaned as she then sank down on his cock, his impressive size and the heat of him being inside her made her see stars. Hiccup too moaned at the feeling of being inside his wife, he placed his hands on her curvy hips and watched with rapture as Astrid rode him at a slow pace.

"Turn around," he told her, indicating with gestures what he meant.

It confused her, but as soon as she sank down his shaft again, facing the foot end of the bed and the open room now, she understood. Grinning, she shifted into a better position to move, leaning back a little with her hands on Hiccup's chest behind her. Arching her body and pushing out her breasts, and—

Oh, gods!

Astrid moaned as Hiccup rocked beneath her, his cock inside her pushing against a spot that made stars explode in her mind. Oh, this was a great position! Like being taken from behind and hitting that wonderful sensitive spot inside her, except that she was the one in control now. She pushed down on him, moaning again when he hit her just right.

Without further delay, Astrid began to move for real, rocking and grinding, taking herself on Hiccup's cock without paying her surroundings much attention. Freya, this felt good! Her eyes closed, her mouth falling open as she panted for air. She certainly gave an amazing sight like this, with her breasts bouncing up and down with every movement. Harder and harder she dropped down on Hiccup, his grunts and groans evidence of the pleasure she brought him, too. She felt amazing, her entire body tight like a bowstring as she rode him and herself closer and closer to the edge. Just a little more, just a few thrusts, and—

Without a warning, Hiccup's one hand were suddenly on her breast, the other pinched and rubbed at her clit and nipple without mercy, making it impossible for Astrid to hold out any longer. Behind her eyes, light exploded and her vision, a scream echoed through the room once more. She felt fantastic, basking in how her body clenched rhythmically, sending one wave of pleasure after the other through her. She felt Hiccup swell insider her, too, felt the hot gush of his seed filling her womb, and she prayed that she could provide her husband with more children.

If they did indeed die in battle, Astrid would savor her final moments with her husband and those she held close to heart.

Zephyr was outside, wrapped in a wolf fur cloak and looking out towards the horizon as her thoughts dwelled on the coming battle and what the gods had in store for everyone gathered. She looked to the early morning sky and closed her eyes as snow fell on her face and sunk into her skin. An exhale fled her mouth as she attempted to calm her racing nerves, the coming battle was full of uncertainty; the enemy clearly had the superior numbers, and their warriors were highly trained, more so than any Viking warrior.

But despite facing superior strength, numbers, and skill, Zephyr knew in her heart that this would not strike fear in her father's heart, he was a man who rose to any challenge thrown his way and would ensure to emerge victoriously.

And yet despite the confidence she held in her father's plan and that the gods would stand with them, Zephyr felt doubt creeping into her bones. It was a feeling that Zephyr was unfamiliar with because she held firm faith in her father and the gods, but even now her faith seemed to be on shaky footing and it was causing Zephyr to fear for the future of her family, people, and nation.

"What troubles you?"

Turning around, Zephyr laid eyes on Leif the Commoner, she had been helping him with his combat prowess and although the man she held affection for was a quick learner, he was nowhere near ready to face the enemy.

"I fear for all of our lives," Zephyr confessed, "I fear for our history as a people, and I fear that I empire and all trace of our existence if we lose this battle."

Standing beside her, Leif hummed and wrapped the furs around his body tighter before voicing his thoughts. "I agree," he then shrugged, "but what if your fears are exaggerated? What if the gods will fill us all with the guile and wit we need to defend our home? If we allow ourselves to be crippled by fear, then it will only fester and cripple us to the point where we don't even need the enemy to inflict such grievous injuries. We must be strong in the face of our enemies and show the world we are a powerful people that will fight to our last breath to defend our home."

Nodding, Zephyr looked Leif in his eyes and nodded. "You're right," she then chuckled lightly and shrugged, "forgive me, I'm the heir to the Scandinavian Empire, a human being born with powers men can only fear or envy, and I—"

His arms, having a mind of their own suddenly wrapped around Zephyr's waist; pulling her close and silencing her rambling. Leif then looked into her eyes and spoke. "We will not fail! Of that I am certain," he then continued, "we have the gods and your father leading the charge, have faith." Leif soon realized that he was holding the woman who he had harbored affection for in his arms, despite being a common man he wished that he could offer Zephyr something more than just mere words of reassurance.

He wanted to kiss her and ask her to be his woman.

In spite of everything that had happened between the two of them, Leif can't bring himself to do it. The fear of rejection is too great. His gaze fell from hers as he starts to release her.

Zephyr, however, tightens her grip on his forearms, holding his hands right where they are on her waist. Leif looks back up at her in shock, meeting her gaze just before she leans in to kiss him passionately, her lips pressing hungrily against his as he yelps against her mouth with surprise. Leif hesitates only for a moment before kissing back fervently, again gripping her waist firmly.

Zephyr moans weakly against his lips as he suddenly and passionately returns the kiss. The first time she had kissed him previously, he had been too surprised to do anything. Now, his lips press firmly against hers, making her whole body heat up and flush with excitement at his eagerness as she simply melts inside. She slides her hands up his arms, caressing his neck and face. Her fingers glide through his hair and then she wraps her arms about his neck, deepening the kiss, her tongue pushing its way between his lips.

Leif whimpers as Zephyr kisses him more intimately, his knees going weak as she leans into him, pushing him back against the table. His arms wrapped tightly about her waist, pulling her slim form snugly against him as his tongue entwines with hers. The two young adults kiss with wild abandon, pressing up again each other as they lose themselves in the moment. Once the need for air was too great, they released each other and looked into each other's eyes.

"You are an heir to the Scandinavian Empire, would... would you be willing to take a common man as your man?" Leif asked hopefully. "I offer you nothing but my loyalty, my admiration for you and your family, and my heart."

His words made Zephyr's own heart melt, she cupped his cheeks and nodded at him. "I would gladly be your woman," she pressed her lips against his in another kiss before smiling warmly at him, "come, let us savor the time we have left together a little while longer before we find ourselves upon the battlefield." Nodding, Leif followed Zephyr as the two of them retreated into her quarters to savor their time together as a couple.

It had been many hours later, but the fleet of Viking, Grimborn, and Kievan ships finally made a beach landing on the outskirts of Denmark, as the tens of thousands of men and women disembarked from their respective ships, Hiccup quickly gathered his Red Maw Vikings and their allies, ordering them to advance into the forest and make a break for the field they have chosen to do battle in. Thousands of Vikings charged into the forests on foot, horseback, chariots, and on the backs of dragons as they raced off to the battlefield. Hiccup laid eyes on his children and approached them. "The time has come," he said firmly, "victory or death, know that I've never been proud to call you my heirs." Halvor and Ingrid, being the eldest stepped forward and offered loving sentiments to their father, and Blood King, but not before embracing him and mounting their respective dragons, and taking to the sky. Turning to Nuffink, Hiccup placed a hand on his youngest son's shoulders and shook his head lightly. "The battle ahead of us will be most fierce and bloody, are you prepared to fight today?"

"I am," Nuffink said firmly, "all my life has been in preparation for this moment so that I can prove myself a man in your eyes and show our people that I am worthy of being your son and heir." Hiccup smiled and shook his head before embracing Nuffink, kissing his hair, and murmuring in his ear. "Of that, I have no doubt," he then broke their embrace and patted his shoulder, "you and Katerina will lead the Kievan army from the rear and attack our enemy's flanks. I'm counting on you and Katerina to hit the enemy with everything you have."

"We shall," Katerina reassured her father-in-law while gesturing to the Kievan war machines being offloaded from their ships, "we'll cut our enemies deep and ensure they don't have the chance to regain themselves when you and the others have applied enough pressure." Nodding, Hiccup took Katerina's hand and offered a warm smile. "Thank you, my daughter," he said with heartfelt gratitude, "I know it could not have been easy returning to your Christian brethren when you begged them to help us, should we survive the day and emerge victoriously, I will offer you those among my people who wish to convert to Christianity to join you and the Kievan Empire." Katerina bowed her head and kissed Hiccup's knuckles, offering him her own thanks. The rulers of the Kievan Empire soon dismissed themselves so that they could help their warriors offload the remainder of their war machines from their ships.

Hiccup sighed heavily and turned to Astrid, Zephyr, and siblings. "You will be among those who lead our most skilled Vikings to attack the enemy from the side while we keep their attention on us in the center of the battlefield, are you ready?" Both Halfdan and Hava stepped forward and nodded firmly. "We are," they both said firmly.

"We will cut them down and cause disarray among their ranks," Astrid promised her husband, "you can count on us."

"I know I can," Hiccup said, "I know." The Blood King looked to the sky to see his two Stoker alpha dragons touching down on the sand, and soon the Bewilderbeast who was once Drago's prized war beast emerged from the icy waters and let out a thunderous roar; summoning every dragon that had accompanied them to his side.

"With the dragons on our side and the support of three alpha titans, we will inflict severe damage to the enemy," Zephyr stated, "but they still hold the superior numbers."

"True," Avery said while approaching them, "but if they do not suspect our trap, then we shall drown in a sea of our enemy's blood."

"Well let's get to it then," Astrid said with a wry smirk, "I wouldn't want to miss the battle." She then turned to Zephyr and her in-laws to take command of the elite Viking forces so that they could get into position.

The cold air brought tears to Atali's eyes, but she blinked them away as she and her Wingmaidens flew over the warlords' fleet, many of the women descended to the foreign ships below to free the dragons that were in cages onboard the fleet below. Atali and her women were like ghosts; unseen and able to blend into the early morning darkness with ease as they moved from ship to ship, freeing every Viking held by the oppressive hands of the warlords and their forces. Although Mala and her Defenders don't ride dragons, they had bonded with some of the baby Razorwhips the Wingmaidens use for flight and were using them to fly to their destination, this task required stealth, approaching by ship would put the enemy on high alert.

Mala and her Defenders then had their Razorwhips to descend to the warlords' prize warship— The Conqueror, while Atali and her Wingmaidens would free as many of the enslaved dragons as they could. Once landing on the ship, Mala drew her Katana and clung to the shadows while looking for any dragons above deck. She spotted a cage full of armored Thunderclaws, one of them was whimpering at a nearby foreign soldier; no doubt begging him for the release of bondage. But the foreigner struck the Thunderclaw in the throat with the butt end of his spear, causing the dragon to back away and cry out in pain.

The sight made Mala's blood burn.

Moving like a serpent, she emerged out of the shadows and thrust her sword through that soldier's mouth, killing him instantly. Removing her now bloodied blade out of the foreigner's head, she took his keys and turned to the cage of Thunderclaws, and opened it. Once opening the cage, the dragon that had been abused looked upon Mala with caution, it even bore its teeth at the Defenders queen. Setting down her bloodied blade, Mala held her hands towards the dragon. "Calm yourself," she cooed, "I stand as a friend to all dragons. I can help you." Curious, the Thunderclaw sniffed Mala's hand and its aggression ceased as it pressed its snout into her palm. Turning to the Defenders by her side, Mala ordered them to quietly remove the armor off these Thunderclaws and ordered the others to get to work on liberating the rest of the dragons on board this massive warship.

Meanwhile, Atali and a group of her best Wingmaidens made their way to the edge of The Conqueror, while the remainder of the Wingmaidens kept watching for any hostile forces from the sky or were freeing more enslaved dragons onboard the foreign warships beside the warlords' prize warship. Atali then spotted large thick chains coming out of the mouths of two maw figureheads on the ship, these chains were clearly attached to something within the icy waters below, no doubt the enslaved alpha. Turning to Minden, Atali extended her hand out, the woman handed her leader a bottle of Changewing acid to burn through the chains that kept this alpha under the warlords' heel. The acid worked flawlessly; burning away at the thick chains in mere seconds, one the first of the two chains were removed, the water below began to churn and bubble, until the massive dragon emerged from the deep and set its eyes upon the bewildered Wingmaidens.

The dragon began to whiff at the Wingmaidens and immediately realized these humans are not like the ones who destroyed its mate and hatchlings, these creatures coexisted with dragons.

Holding out a hand, Atali cooed out. "Steady yourself, great one," she then began pouring the remainder of the Changewing acid on the final chain that attached itself to a thick collar around this foreign dragon's throat, "we come here to set you free from the horrors that have been inflicted upon you." After the acid burned away the second chain, the alpha was free from the lash that had so often robbed it of life and breath for many years.

Suddenly, horns were blown throughout the enemy ranks; alerting their numbers that they are under attack.

Minden and those alongside Atali readied themselves for a fight, should any of the enemy troops spotted them. Turning back to the abused alpha dragon, Atali spoke to the dragon once more. "I offer you the chance to flee the horrors you've faced at the hands of these vile humans or stand with us and see them struck from this world, either way, you're free, what will you choose?" Before the alpha dragon could even blink, several harpoons were fired into its head, piercing through its dense skin, and striking its brain. The alpha's eyes rolled in the back of its head, blood flew out of its mouth and it collapsed into the water, the sight caused Atali to gasp in horror and witness this foreign, yet beautiful dragon sink to the bottom of the icy sea. Looking to see who fired those harpoons, she laid eyes on Slavic warships who had ballista's onboard and the warriors were loading several more harpoons and they were aiming them at several weak points on The Conqueror, with the intention of sinking the ship, along with the caged dragons still on the ship.

"We need to destroy those ballista's before they sink this ship and drag hundreds of dragons to their deaths!" Atali exclaimed, she then turned to Minden and a handful of her women. "Go! Deal with them, the rest of us will get to work on freeing the rest of the dragons!" Minden nodded and took command of half the Wingmaidens to deal with the Slavic warships trying to sink The Conqueror.

Time was no longer on their side, and they needed to move quickly.

Griselda the Grievous and her bodyguards emerged out of one of the chambers of The Conqueror and were greeted with chaos; dragons flying everywhere attacking those who enslaved and abused them, flames consuming the ship around them, and Haddock's dragon sympathizer allies releasing their armored dragons. Drawing her sword, the Slavic warlord took a step but lost her footing when The Conqueror shook violently and lurched; hurling Griselda in the air and causing her to crash back down on the deck of the ship. Groaning in pain, she ripped off her helmet and snarled as she laid eyes on her own warships firing upon them. "Tell those fools to hold their fire, lest they kill us all!" Her bodyguards nodded and barked out to their Slavic companions to hold their fire.

Looking for someone to kill, Griselda laid eyes on Queen Mala slaying several Mongols and Chinese warriors; showing off her impressive martial arts and deadly skills with the blade. The Defenders queen then laid eyes on Griselda and pointed her bloodied weapon at the Slavic warlord. "Withdraw! Or find yourself struck from this world!"

"I do not fear you," Griselda snarled out while advancing, "come, and face me!" With a cry, Griselda lashed out at Mala, causing the Defenders queen to step back and lash out at Griselda in return, her Katana struck the Slavic warlord across her right cheek, causing her to cry out in pain and then cry out in anger before returning a blow which struck Mala in the side. With both women wounded, they eyed each other with murderous glares and then locked blades, the sound of steel entwining with the sounds of death and mayhem all around them.

Nikora emerged from her chambers onboard The Tempest to lay eyes on mayhem and death; the warlords' fleet was under attack by dragons, it was not clear whether or not these dragons were Haddock's but either way Nikora wanted to be prepared for once the fight was brought to them. Grabbing a warhorn, Nikora blew it with all her might; alerting her Mongrels of the attack at their doorstep. Soon, the crew onboard The Tempest manned their stations and prepared themselves for the battle ahead of them, Nikora laid eyes on her lieutenants approaching her, they all bowed their heads and awaited their orders from their leader and queen. "Prepare every last man and woman under the Mongrel banner," she then licked her dry lips and growled to herself before continuing, "and send word for my sister to come to me. I would have words with her." All of the Mongrel lieutenants bowed their heads before barking out orders to the Mongrel warriors to prepare themselves, even sending signals to their fleet.

Soon enough, Eir joined her older sister and shrugged. "You summoned me?" Turning to face her sister, Nikora approached and spoke firmly. "What you did was not the Mongrel way; sending assassins to kill a worthy opponent in his sleep," she then continued, "and although I have forbidden you from partaking in this battle, I have decided to renounce my your punishment and give you the opportunity to prove to me and our father who watches over us in the shores of the afterlife that you are worthy of holding the title of Stormheart, a name that represents honor! Prove yourself worthy in my eyes and in the eyes of our parents. Can you do that?"

"Yes," Eir responded immediately, "I can and I will prove myself worthy of holding the Stormheart name, and I will honor our parents by spilling Viking blood."

"Queen Nikora!"

Both Stormheart sisters turned to see one of their scouts approach them, they bowed before raising their head and speaking. "This... attack is nothing but a diversion! I have laid eyes on Hiccup Haddock and his Viking hordes advancing in the plains en route to their capital city!"

Turning to her sister, Eir spoke through gritted teeth. "He is out in the open! Now is our chance to attack!" Nikora looked back towards the warlords' fleet and could see their own dragons were turning against them and tearing them to shreds, she then turned back to her scout and gave him orders. "Go to our allies and inform them to gather their armies and meet us on the ground, we advance on Haddock and his army!" The scout nodded and took off to do his queen's bidding. Nikora looked to Eir and nodded at her.

"Ready yourself. It's time to end this."

Mala was pushed into a corner while Griselda continued to bombard her with strikes that rattled her bones, the two women were then in a ferocious blade lock, the Slavic warlord then pressed her blade closer to Mala's throat, but the Defenders queen pushed Griselda back and struck her in the face with her boot, causing blood to fly out of her mouth. Before Mala could press her attack, she saw the remaining three warlords coming to their companions' aid, knowing she could not defeat all four warlords on her own, Mala urged her Razorwhip wrapped around her torso to take to the air just as Chagatai Khan swung one of his blades at her. Looking around her Mala could see almost every dragon the foreigners had enslaved were now free and unleashing hell on the warlords' armies for all the suffering and agony they endured by their hands.

Atali and her Wingmaidens glided towards Mala and looked around them. "I'd say we've played our part well," Atali said, "with these dragons free and destroying many of the enemy ships, they'll have nowhere left to run when they are defeated."

"Yes," Mala said, "now that this task is complete, we must go to the battlefield Hiccup has chosen so that we can lead the second band of elite warriors. Come." The group of Defenders and Wingmaidens flew away, leaving the warlords' fleet in shambles.

Griselda watched as Haddock's allies disappeared in the early morning darkness and let out a cry of anger that they slipped from their grasp. She then turned to the Mongrel fleet and spotted a signal that told them to prepare their forces and make their landing on land. Turning to her fellow warlords, Griselda pointed her sword at The Tempest. "It would appear our time to finally face Haddock has come, are you all ready?"

"Yes," Chagatai said, "I am ready."

"As am I! Rong growled out.

"And I!" Attila said.

"Very well," Griselda said, "ready yourselves my brothers, it is time to crush the Viking people once and for all."

Nikora and Eir led their armies to the place their scouts told them thee Vikings were gathered, they treaded through the thick, dense forest while also ignoring the icy winds and snow, because the fire that burned in their breasts kept them warm, as did the thought of slaughtering Hiccup Haddock and his people. Finally emerging from the forest, the sisters and their lieutenants laid eyes on thousands of Vikings straight ahead.

"SHIELD WALL!!"

That was Haddock's voice, and soon enough Viking grunts filled the air as they formed a massive shield wall, the sight caused Eir to scoff. "They have no chance against us, not with the numbers at their disposal!" Nikora ignored her sister's words for the time being and turned to her lieutenants and warriors.

"Today the last Vikings in Scandinavia will fall! Show them no compassion nor mercy!" Nikora boomed out to her Mongrels before turning back to the Viking shield wall straight ahead. "Today we will dance upon the backs of dead Vikings. Today we exact vengeance for our kin and those Haddock and his people have destroyed. Today I want to feel Hiccup Haddock's throat beneath my heel." Nikora said, her adrenaline soaring like a winged beast, all too eager to finally engage Hiccup in battle. A warhorn sounded behind them, and Nikora laid eyes on her allies and their armies as they stood beside her Mongrels, now that everyone was gathered, they could begin their attack. Raising her weapon high in the air, Nikora then pointed her Kwan Dao at the sea of Vikings before and roared out.

"CHARGE!!"

A chorus of roars loud enough to shake the ground filled the air as the Mongrel, Slavic, Chinese, Mongol, and Hunnic hordes advanced towards the Viking's shield wall.

Hiccup and the thousands of Vikings sprinted through the forest for what seemed like an eternity, the battlefield of Hiccup's choice was an open field, which meant his forces and the enemy stood on equal ground, yet they still held the superior numbers, for the time being at least. Finally emerging from the forest, Hiccup and those accompanying him joined the rest of the Vikings who were already in position and merely awaited their ruler to arrive and lead them. Hiccup would be leading from the front, and ensure he and his people gained a victory that would be spoken of for generations and long into the future. Letting out an exhale, Hiccup regained his breath looked ahead to see movement, and it was fast approaching. Soon, the banners of the Mongrel Tribe came into Hiccup's line of sight, as did the thousands of Mongrel warriors, the Blood King turned to his warriors and allies while booming out.

"SHIELD WALL!!"

The Vikings let out grunts and formed a perfect shield wall and prepared for the sea of enemies that would soon wash over them like a tidal wave. But they were determined to hold the line and ensure their shield wall did not shatter. Hiccup held his breath as he watched the foreign army regain their senses and they then laid eyes on him and his Viking companions, but would they take his bait and attack or would they sense that something was amiss? Shaking his head to clear his head of any doubt creeping into his mind, Hiccup could hear Nikora speaking rousing words to her people, he then laid eyes on Eir who had a look of bloodlust in her eyes.

It was a most pleasing sight to Hiccup, he was counting on such blind rage that Eir held for his plan to bear deadly fruit.

"It appears only the Mongrel armies are gathered," Dagur said while turning to Hiccup, "what of the warlords and their—"

A warhorn sounded and the sight of the warlords and their hordes emerged from the forest and stood beside the Mongrels, eclipsing the Vikings like a twilight.

"By the gods," Alvin breathed out, "they stand as an ocean that threatens to wash us away!"

Hiccup chuckled lightly at Alvin's words and nodded. "Good," those beside him looked at him as if he was mad, "let the enemy bring all their warriors to this field, so they can fall right into our trap." The battle cries of their enemies were defeating and the very ground beneath them shook as the enemy soon advanced upon the Viking shield wall with the intent of breaking it and killing them all. Looking to his sides, Hiccup could see his companions and people bracing themselves. Deciding to ignite a fire in their breasts, Hiccup spoke in Norse and boomed out.

"Er vi redd for å dø?"

"NO!"

"Har du tenkt å dø i sengene dine som gamle menn?"

"NO!!"

"Hvem er klar for ære eller Valhalla?!"

The Vikings all boomed out their desires to taste victory or to dine with the gods in Valhalla, and with that said their nerves were reforged into steel and their tightened their shield wall and braced themselves as the enemy and their overwhelming numbers advanced. Hiccup closed his eyes, inhaled sharply, and exhaled slowly as his pupils turned into slits.

This would be a day-long remembered, and it would be a battle immortalized in history.

But as the enemy crashed into the Viking shield wall, there was only one question tugging at Hiccup's mind.

Who would win?

A/N: Next chapter is gonna be absolute madness, be ready!