A/N: Things are going to get tense, hope you're ready.

(Normal pov— Fang Nation)

The Fang riders under the command of Princess Namaari were nearly home, they treaded through the grassy plains of Fang Nation, which was bathed in radiant moonlight, night had fallen on Fang Nation. Namaari then ordered her riders to slow down, and when their cats came to a stop, they soon came across the dragons who were reduced to stone the last time the Druun nearly devoured all of Kumandra. Despite the current circumstances their world was now facing, Namaari still held great respect for the dragons of her home, even though she had never seen any dragons from her home which weren't reduced to stone statues. Moss and vines covered them over the centuries, and although the princess of Fang wished she could remove the vegetation clinging to the dragons, it was a risk not worth taking, especially since the Druun were most active at night. Coming up to a hill, the Fang riders stopped and looked back to see their princess looking at the dragons for a final time and cup her hands over her head before joining them once more. Once Namaari took the lead, the group of young men and women knew that they would never make it back in time, the Druun were already out; their ghastly roars and chittering spooked them, and their cats. They needed to find someplace where the Druun wouldn't find them and reduce them into mindless monsters. Luckily they found a cave at the base of a nearby mountain which was large enough to hold them and their cats in for the night, and they were able to cover the mouth of the cave with thick vegetation which served as a veil.

While the Fang riders started a fire and pulled out the last of their provisions for themselves and their cats, one of the riders noted that Namaari was silent for the majority of the ride back home, though they understood completely, there was much to contemplate after all. Not only was the madman who murdered their late chief and his hordes of warriors and dragons back, but the princess had seen Raya again after six long years. Fang's princess can still remember how hurt and how betrayed her best friend, or rather former best friend was after she opened the doors of chaos by attempting to take the Dragon Gem. True, Drago had commanded Virana and Namaari to attend Chief Benja's parley and attempt to bring all of Kumandra together as they once were. But with the war master of the Northern Alliance pointing a sword at the throat of Fang Nation, Namaari knew that she and her mother were given no choice but to give into Drago's demands and steal the Dragon Gem that resided in Heart Nation. The rider then approached Fang's princess with a deep breath and watched as the future chief was unpacking her bedroll.

"Cousin."

Turning around, Namaari laid eyes on her older cousin, Somwang. The woman was beautiful and strong, she bore muscle that suited a man, but only because she has trained to be a warrior her whole life and Somwang always pushed herself to her breaking point. Her hair was ebony and done in a low messy bun, and her burnt sienna eyes would often blaze like the sands of Tail Nation. She wore the attire of Namaari's guards since was the leader of that sect of warriors who devoted their lives to ensure Namaari's protection and well-being. Namaari's cousin also wore a gilded dragon ear cuff on her right ear but also an elephant carving necklace around her neck. She bore a deep scar on her right cheek, which marred her beautiful face, Somwang received that scar in a sparring match and her opponent went against the rules and drew blood because her opponent hated outsiders, they didn't see Somwang as "pure Fang," but those hateful words didn't stop Somwang from proving herself trustworthy but also proving that although she wasn't "pure Fang" by blood, she was pure Fang by heart.

Yes, Somwang is Namaari's illegitimate cousin because her father wasn't native to Kumandra, but her mother was a member of Fang Nation's council. Her father, Akuma, was a banished Samurai from Feudal Japan, he fled to Kumandra and came upon Somwang's mother, Mahalia, near death. But after he was nursed back to health, Mahalia presented Akuma to Chief Virana and Fang Nation's council and asked for their permission if Akuma could reside with them. Many on the council refused Mahalia's plea, not only because Akuma was an outsider, but because they were cautious as to why Akuma was banished from his home, to begin with, and they feared this stranger would bring something terrible back to their home. Akuma revealed that he was a Samurai warrior who was banished from his home because he was considered a "demon," because they were under siege by the Mongol Empire, who was set on conquering all of Japan and making it another appendage to their empire under the Eternal Blue Sky. Stopping at nothing to ensure his home didn't fall, Akuma did... questionable things which led to death for both the Mongol invaders and his people, he was apprehended by his superiors and brought before the shogun who had him banished for tarnishing what it means to be Samurai and for killing hundreds of his people unintentionally.

"Namaari, are you alright?"

Somwang's worried tone broke Namaari out of her thoughts, and Fang's princess looked to her cousin and shrugged. "Just seeing Raya again made me... feel things," she confessed to not only her cousin but her closest friend. "I loved her, and I betrayed her heart and her trust by trying to take the Dragon Gem, but getting her mother killed." Fang's princess lowered her head in shame and bit her lower lip, trying to hold back the tears that we now swelling in her eyes.

"You did what you had to do," Somwang too shrugged before continuing. "Drago was threatening to wipe Fang Nation off the face of this world if you and your mother didn't comply with his demands—"

"I should've refused!" Namaari snarled out. "I can still see Raya's face twist with horror, shock, and utter betrayal when I kicked her in my dreams; it haunts me after six long years. And when we encountered her at Tail Nation, seeing the resentment in her eyes cuts deeper than any blade ever will." Shaking her head, Namaari laid her bedroll out on the ground and then looked up at her cousin. "Even if I could speak with Raya, she wouldn't trust a word that came out of my mouth, and I don't blame her. Aside from you, Raya and I were as close as two people can get. But thanks to fate and Drago Bludvist, the chasm between us seems impossible to bridge; she'll never trust me again, not after what happened six years ago."

"Perhaps. Yet you cannot allow your fear and regret to consume you," she stated. "I know you'll report everything to your mother when we get back home in the morning, but you don't have to obey every command your mother gives you. Your heart still yearns for Raya, doesn't it?" Namaari nodded at her cousin in affirmation. "Then follow your heart, the next time you and Raya cross paths, talk to her and tell her the truth—"

"She won't believe me," Namaari groaned out while laying on her bedroll and looking to the cave's ceiling. "Why would she? She thinks it was Fang Nation who was solely responsible for tearing her world apart. If I tell her we had no choice but to submit to Drago's demands, she won't believe me."

"But you don't know that," Somwang countered. "True, she harbors great resentment towards you, yet don't just jump to conclusions and assume that Raya will not believe the real reason her world ended. I know what I'm suggesting is terrifying, especially six years after it happened, but if you want the guilt and the regret to stop eating you alive, you need to face Raya and tell her the truth; what happened when Drago attacked Fang Nation, what he did to your father, and what he demanded of you and Virana. Promise me that you'll take my advice, cousin." Namaari was silent for a full minute, but she then nodded at her cousin.

"I promise."

"Good," Somwang then yawned and smiled at her cousin. "Get some sleep, Morning Mist, we'll be back home and get some proper respite after telling your mother of what's happening."

Nodding, Fang's princess let out a heavy sigh and soon found a comfortable sleeping position. The day had been long and tiring, Namaari was quickly succumbing to slumber. But before she fell asleep, Namaari pulled out a long knife with a gilded hilt and bore the feral cats of Fang, it was a gift Raya had given to her on the day she betrayed her. Clutching the knife to her breasts, Namaari murmured to herself before submitting to the embrace of sleep.

"Stay safe, Dep La."

(Talon Nation)

In his brief time in Kumandra, Hiccup had nearly died from being dealt a serious wound when he escaped the warship he had stowed away on for months, the sweltering heat from Tail Nation's desert had taxed him, and he faced the threat of the Dragon Flyer's once again without flinching. And although he would be flirting along the thin line of life and death once more, now was the time to calm himself for the time being. Talon Nation was one massive city, except for a few establishments and huts built in the water, but it was all beautiful nonetheless. The smell of food was thick in the air and it was just so colorful. Trading and merchant ships were docked at port making supply runs or here to sell exotic materials to the citizens of Talon Nation. As the Shrimporium soon pulled into port, Hiccup exhaled in shock and awe.

"It's... beautiful," Hiccup then added. "Certainly better than that barren wasteland that is Tail Nation."

"Don't let the beauty of Talon Nation distract you," Raya warned. "It is a beautiful place, but it's also a hotspot for con artists and pickpockets."

"How fortunate, I have no pockets!" Sisu smirked. "Nobody will be stealing from Sisudatu."

Turning to Raya, the vengeful Viking acknowledged her warning and then inquired while arming himself. "So, where exactly is the gem piece being kept here?" Heart's princess then pointed to a large prestigious structure that bore dark and light pink banners as well as crimson lanterns, making it stand out.

"The gem piece is being kept by Dang Hai, Chief of Talon Nation," Raya then added. "What he lacks in style, he makes up for in mean."

"Not as mean as I can be," Hiccup said as he threw on a black and golden poncho over his Night Fury scaled leather armor and then placed his gilded face mask on. "I'm eager to spill blood tonight, and if Dang Hai resists us, I'll run him through."

"Why so serious young Viking? Come now, cheer up, and calm yourself!" Sisu encouraged with a grin. "Why pick a fight when we can be charming instead? All we need to do is find him a gift and win his favor. Luckily I know just what to offer as a gift to Chief Dang Hai—"

"Sisu, I think it might be safer if you stayed on the boat."

The dragon gave Raya a confused look. "What?" she then placed her hands on her hips and gave her a demanding look. "Why?"

"Without you, we can't put the gem back together."

"But I wish to help—"

"I know, and you will, by staying safe," Raya reassured. "Hiccup and I will be back before you know it." Turning to Viking who was now geared up, Raya gestured for him to follow. As the two young warriors walked side by side, Boun spoke up.

"If you happen to see any hungry faces, send them my way."

"You got it, Captain Boun."

Tuk Tuk too exited the boat and followed Raya and Hiccup as they soon made their way out of the docks and into the market city. Having encountered numerous foreign traders when Berk was still of this world, Hiccup was now being exposed to those foreigners' world when in the past, all he could do was imagine what it was like. Talon Nation's streets were bustling and hustling with all manner of life; traders from every corner of the world were exchanging words with potential customers, merchants selling fine silks, animals, and spices from every corner of the world, and Talon's citizens up and about. Hiccup saw a man with a large serpent coiled around his body, he saw the people of Talon cooking food that smelled divine, and he could see strange furry animals hanging from nearby clotheslines while stuffing bits and pieces of strange curved yellow fruit into their mouths.

"You've never seen anything like this, have you?"

Shaking his head at Raya's words, Hiccup replied. "I always knew that Midgard had much more to offer, but I never could venture beyond Scandinavia to see anything like this and Kumandra itself," he then sighed heavily. "If my betrothed and friends were yet of this world, the looks on their faces would be to die for. I've never seen anything like this before."

"Looks are deceiving, especially here in Talon," Raya warned while placing a hand on Hiccup's shoulder. "Under different circumstances, maybe I would give you a tour and introduce you to what our world has to offer. But we can't afford to be distracted, we have a task, and we must see it through."

"I understand," Hiccup murmured before he spotted the same structure Raya had pointed to earlier on the boat. "That's our destination?"

"It is. Dang Hai's home," Raya then turned to Hiccup. "Are you ready for this?" Nodding at Heart's princess, the two young warriors were about to carry on, but the sound of a baby crying filled their ears.

Looking towards a nearby alley, Hiccup and Raya laid eyes on a little girl who appeared to be three winters old. The girl was whimpering and looking at both warriors with begging eyes and a pout that would move anyone to come to the child's aid. Hiccup looked at Raya and he could see she was going to help, but he grasped her wrist firmly and growled out.

"For all we know, this is a ruse by con artists; they leave a helpless child out in the open like this and when we aren't looking, someone will steal the three gem pieces in our possession."

Groaning, Raya nodded in agreement but when she looked at the child who was giving her a hopeless look, Heart's princess broke and she then removed herself from Hiccup's grasp and then approached the whimpering child.

"Raya, you're getting Loki'd by this child," Hiccup sighed out in disbelief. "You said don't get distracted—"

"I know what I said, Hiccup, but there's a helpless child who's all alone out here. We need to help her," Raya crouched down and scooped the little girl in her arms and smiled lightly at the child. "Hello there, little one. Why's a pretty little girl like you all alone?"

Groaning in disbelief, Hiccup turned to Tuk Tuk and saw Raya's animal companion eating a bowl of fruit while three strange animals were rummaging through Raya's satchel.

"Hey!"

Turning to Hiccup, Heart's princess looked to Tuk Tuk's back and her eyes widened at the critters who now held the three gem pieces in each of their hands. "Ongis?!" A mix of both monkeys and catfish, these three animals flashed Heart's princess mischievous grins. "Drop them!" The Ongis took off just as Hiccup tried to grab at them. Before she could react, the child in her hands shrouded her line of sight with her straw hat and kicked her in the face with surprising strength. Fixing her hat, Raya then received a face full of dust in her face from the supposedly innocent and helpless child. Before Hiccup could grab at the fleeing child, the child climbed on the back of one of her Ongis companions and they soon made a run for it.

"A con baby?!"

"Still think we should've helped it out, princess?"

"Shut up, Hiccup."

The two young warriors and Tuk Tuk soon pursued the con artists among the crowds of Talons marketplace.

Askari of Ashes had rested long enough, he and his best Dragon Flyers, along with a handful of warriors from the Hand of Drago were now looming over Talon Nation, they had orders not only to relieve the gem piece from Talon Nation's chief but also to apprehend the Viking survivor who had killed plenty of flyers under Askar's command. The flyers had their Singetails descend to the docks, causing the occupants in the area to scatter and make way. Once his armored dragon touched down on the dock, Askari turned to Zaina, the head of the Hand of Drago, and a former general in the Mongrel Tribe.

Zaina was Arabic, her ebony hair was sleek and done in a simple ponytail, she bore a gilded nose chain ring attached to her nose, and her eyes were like scarlet cores that could burn you from the inside out if you looked into them for too long. She wore the garbs of a Hashashin assassin, and her weapons of choice were Katar daggers, knives in which the grip and the grip are perpendicular to each other, weapons that are native to India. Not only was Zaina beautiful, but she was ruthless as well, much like her master, Drago. Underestimating her has been the downfall of many opponents and those who believed her to be another helpless woman.

"Our prey must be here with Benja's daughter, why else would they be here if not to take Talon Nation's gem piece."

"Agreed. Which is why we will divide and conquer," Askari said. "While my flyers and I will obtain the gem piece here, you and the rest of the Hand capture Hiccup Haddock."

"Assuming it is him."

"Regardless, we have our tasks. Failure is not an option."

With that said, Askari and his flyers soon took to the sky once more while Zaina and the warriors under her command made their way off the docks and into the city. Whilst the Hand of Drago were far enough, they failed to acknowledge the fact that both Boun and Sisu had overheard what they were planning. The boy turned Sisu and gave her a dreadful look.

"We need to warn Raya and Hiccup that they're being hunted down!"

"Don't worry, I'll find and warn them," Sisu said before exiting the boat before continuing. "Just stay here and remain calm. I'll be back soon!" Once Sisu was out of sight, Boun let out a loud sigh and murmured to himself.

"What have I gotten myself into?"

"Get them!"

The people of Talon let out surprised cries as not only the little girl and her Ongis scampered past their feet, but also nearly got knocked over by Raya, Hiccup, and Tuk Tuk. As the con artists made it onto a skinny bridge, Hiccup and Raya saw that Tuk Tuk couldn't fit, causing him to growl out in annoyance and began rolling away in another direction to cut off the little thieves. Said thieves soon jumped off the bridge and landed on a ferry below them, while throwing the two young warriors taunting grins.

"We're getting played by a child and her pets! This is unbelievable!"

"Less talking, more pursuing!"

Hiccup barked at Raya's disbelieving words, they then ran along the canal of the marketplace and had the con artists in their sights as they vaulted baskets full of fruit to slow them down. Raya drew her sword and hacked the fruit to pieces while Hiccup unstrapped his shield which was around his back and used it to protect himself from receiving fruit smacking against his face. As the four little con artists were getting away, Raya slid on the ground and then somersaulted backward until she landed on a ferry directly in front of the four con artists, cutting them off. But the one of the Ongis grabbed a nearby bamboo pillar and screeched out to its companions to grab onto its tail. Soon enough, the four con artists vaulted themselves up to the sky, over a shocked Raya, and were now off the canal and back in the city, laughing at them.

Hiccup sprinted after the con artists with a stern glare, he pushed people out of the way as he neared those who stole from him and Raya. Suddenly, a filthy diaper nearly struck him in the face, causing him to cry out and swat the filthy garment away with his shield and groan in disgust. The Ongis quickly helped their little human companion into a new pair of pants that fit her and they soon neared a window small enough for the four of them to fit, the little girl threw Hiccup a mocking look and stuck her tongue out at him before leaving him behind. With a snarl, the Viking ran as fast as he could and he leaped through the window, luckily he was able to squeeze through it. A pan was then hurled into his face, causing Hiccup to cry out in pain as his gilded face mask was knocked off and the force of the blow made him feel like he had a slight concussion. Shaking off the doozy feeling, Hiccup bore his teeth at the sight of that noisy girl and her equally noisy furry pests laughing at him. But the four con artists were surprised that Hiccup didn't fall back unconscious, instead, he got back up and gave them a murderous glare. Giving the Viking innocent smiles, the four thieves made a run for it and Hiccup was on their tail on more.

Having enough of this nonsense, Hiccup growled and snatched a bola off a nearby trading cart and began to whirl it with ease, he narrowed his eyes as he honed his sight on the child and her furry, thieving companions. With a snarl, the vengeful Viking let the bola fly and it wrapped around the four con artists tightly, causing them to crash down on the ground face first and slam into a nearby fence that Tuk Tuk now closed with his tail. Desperate to get free, the con artists ceased their struggling when Hiccup pulled out Inferno and pointed his fiery blade at their faces.

"Hiccup!" Raya cried out as she soon caught up and was now by his side. "What're you doing?"

"I consider myself an even-tempered man, but these four have officially gotten under my skin," he then lowered his heated blade closer to the child and her Ongis faces, causing the four of them to whimper in fear at the Viking's angry face which illuminated in the flames of his blade. "My tolerance has expired. Give us the gem pieces right now or I'll throw you lot in the water and let you drown." The child blanched at Hiccup's threat and had her Ongis give the gem pieces back to Raya.

"Using that innocent charm of yours to rip people off is sordid," Raya snorted before using her sword to cut the bola off the four con artists. "Now, where's your family?" The child blew a raspberry at Heart's princess and then began to vacate the area. One of the Ongis looked to Raya and stood on its hind legs and held its paws out, telling Raya that this girl's family was reduced to stone statues. Struck with sympathy, Raya looked to Hiccup with a look the Viking knew all too well. It reminded him of the time when he was back at Dragons Edge with the gang and Astrid wanted to bring Garf along on a mission to stop Krogan's operations.

"Absolutely not. Are you out of your mind?!"

"Hiccup, she's a child doing what she has to do to survive in this cruel world, tell me you wouldn't do the same," Raya then continued. "Just trust me. Despite being a child, that girl and her Ongis could be essential allies." She then called out to the child and her Ongis. "Hey, how would you like to earn some honest loot?" The child and her Ongis stopped and gave Raya a questioning yet curious look. Hiccup, however, groaned in disbelief that this was happening, he crossed his arms across his chest and murmured to himself.

"It's always the hard way, nothing can ever be simple for Thor's sake."

Suddenly, a large and violent explosion shook the ground, causing cries of panic to fill the air. A large, thick cloud of black smoke rose an area that was further away from the water. Hiccup and Raya shared a look and nodded before they urged the girl and her Ongis to hitch a ride on Tuk Tuk as they made their way towards that explosion. As they pushed through crowds of people, they finally reached steps leading to a wall that led out into the jungles. But that wasn't what got their attention. Dozens of Dragon Flyers had slain many Talon Nation guards and among these flyers was Askari of Ashes, he was just now removing his bloodied blade from a small, decrepit old woman who wore the garbs of a chief. Tossing her body to the ground like trash, Askari crouched down and took the gem piece that was in that old woman's hands, causing both Hiccup and Raya to gasp in horror at the realization that now Drago Bludvist has his hands on a gem piece.

"Raya!"

Both Heart's princess and Hiccup turned to see Sisu running towards them, Raya gave the dragon a disbelieving look. "Sisu, I told you to stay on the boat—"

"I know, but Boun and I saw those men we encountered back in Tail Nation. But they're not alone."

Askari then looked into the crowds and laid eyes on Hiccup, Raya, and Sisu with wide eyes. The head of the Dragon Flyers gave them a malicious grin. "Looking for this? This gem piece now belongs to Drago Bludvist," Gesturing to the gem piece in his hand, he then placed it in a pouch attached to the small of his back before looking to Hiccup and chuckling. "Thank you, Viking. You've just made our task all the easier."

Before he could question what Askari meant, something sharp struck Hiccup in the neck, causing him to hiss in pain. Pulling what was embedded into his neck, Hiccup's blood ran cold and recognized it was the same type of dart Krogan used on him when Viggo Grimborn had placed a bounty on him all those years ago. His vision began to blur rapidly and he soon fell to his hands and knees.

"R-Raya, g-get out of here!"

"Hiccup?"

"GO!"

People soon scattered as Askari's flyers began killing anyone in their way, Raya and Sisu then hoped onto Tuk Tuk's back and had the little girl and her Ongis sit on their laps while giving Hiccup a questioning look.

"Get out of here! GO!"

Nodding, they took off and watched as a handful of warriors that were previously on the roof and embedded in the crowds soon swarmed Hiccup. Although Sisu voiced her desire to go back and help Hiccup, Raya told the dragon that Hiccup made the right choice by telling them to leave; they couldn't help the Viking even if they could, Drago's men would simply kill them and take the gem pieces that were already in their possession. Once they were back on Boun's ship, Raya informed the boy that Hiccup was taken and that they needed to leave right now, lest they all meet their end at the end of a sword. As their ship left Talon, Raya looked back and felt deep worry and concern for the friend she had made in the form of Hiccup. True, they didn't agree on many things and they got into arguments from time to time, but although knowing him for a short amount of time, Raya cared for him. She prayed that this wouldn't be the last time she saw Hiccup, but as she saw, the Viking was well capable of taking care of himself.

"Leahaey samreab pelnih Hiccup. Roksaa sovotthephap."

(Hiccup's pov)

It made me feel relieved to see Raya and Sisu flee with those annoying con artists, had they stayed, Askari and the other murderers here would've killed them and taken the other gem pieces off their corpses and would then deliver them to Drago.

That was one worry off my mind.

But now I find myself in the worst predicament imaginable; being struck with a sedative dart and most likely be taken back to Drago to receive a slow, agonizing death at the hands of that genocidal monster.

"Hello there, Viking," a thick foreign, female voice filled his ears as an Arabic woman loomed over me. "It looks as though your quest of vengeance has expired. Worry not. Soon, you will join your people in death."

"N-No."

"Yes," she chuckled cruelly. "When the time comes, you will die with the fact that not only we have conquered this world and all life upon it, but that you failed to avenge those you lost. You will die alone, and utterly forgotten."

Despite my best efforts to stay awake, whatever that dart was laced with soon enveloped me in darkness, and I prayed that this wasn't the end.

Once again, my fate was now in the hands of the gods.

A/N: We've reached the point of the story where Hiccup is now going to inflict extensive damage to Drago's cabal; killing the evil Bewilderbeast and freeing the enslaved dragon army, turning Drago's people against each other, and destroying his most valuable assets and resources. Stay tuned for more soon.