A/N: I was having difficulty writing this chapter all week thanks to a Wi-Fi outage, resulting getting a new modem. Having Wi-Fi difficulties is not fun, especially when you're trying to write, ugh! Anyway, we're moving on to the more juicy stuff here. Hope you're ready!

(Normal pov— Spine Nation border)

The sun had begun to peak over the horizon of Kumandra, bathing this war-torn world in its radiant light once more. Raya looked at her reflection on the waters of Spine Nation, her face was contorted into a look of dread and loss. Not only did they lose one of the gem pieces to Drago's men, but Hiccup was captured as well. Despite only knowing Hiccup for a short time, she was beginning to see him as a friend. A disbelieving chuckle rumbled in her throat as that thought entered her mind, the last time Raya had a friend, she betrayed her and unleashed hell upon Kumandra. Reaching into one of her pockets in her pants, she pulled out the gilded Sisudatu pendant necklace Namaari had gifted her all those years ago.

She was betrayed by Namaari, the one she not only trusted as her best friend, but the one she loved. But now she lost Hiccup because of Drago's men.

Clutching the pendant in her hand, Raya closed her eyes and felt tears swelling in her eyes. A low, yet firm coo of worry filled the ears of Heart's princess, she turned to see Tuk Tuk approaching and the large mammal nudged his head against her shoulder. Smiling at her large, furry companion, Raya caressed Tuk Tuk's head and reassured the pill bug that she was fine. Resting his head on her lap, the large pill bug groaned in contentment with his owner's reassuring words. The Shrimporium floated gracefully as the inhabitants on the boat were preparing to acquire the next gem piece before Drago's men could get to it first.

The abrupt sounds of pots and dishes clattering caused Raya to flinch and look to see Noi and her Ongi companions continuing to stuff their faces with food, much to Boun's annoyance. As the young captain of their vessel chased off Noi and her Ongi's from eating the entirety of their food stores, the noise and mayhem on board caused Raya to groan in annoyance. She regretfully had to move Tuk Tuk's head off her lap and she made her way over to the two children and the Ongi trouble makers.

"Hey, would you like to play hide and seek?"

That caused Noi and her Ongi's to cease their chaotic behavior and they gave Raya eager nods, causing Heart's princess to snicker and nod. "Alright, ready?" She placed a hand over her eyes and began slowly counting, she could hear the four con artists shuffling around and moving in hiding places. She then looked to Boun who gave her a thankful smile as he then began picking up the mess their guests from Talon Nation had made. Raya saw Sisu sitting on the edge of the boat, curled up, and looking like she had lost a piece of herself. Making her way over to the dragon, she sat beside Sisu and inquired what was bothering her.

"We shouldn't have left Hiccup," the water dragon turned to Raya and shook her head. "Those men who took Talon's gem piece are still out there, and they're going to kill Hiccup if we don't do something—"

"Sisu, I don't like the fact that we left Hiccup anymore than you do, but if we didn't leave, Drago's men would've killed us and taken the gem pieces we currently have," Raya said firmly. "Hiccup made a strong moral decision, he chose to save us and ensure we get the rest of the gem pieces rather than letting us all be captured or killed. You are the key to wiping the Druun away and restoring Kumandra, Sisu. Without you, this all goes up in smoke."

"But we're going to get Hiccup back, right?"

"I... I don't know," Raya answered truthfully. "He has a thirst of vengeance that needs to be slaked and I have the desire to see my Ba and people reverted back to living beings. Wherever Hiccup is now, I'm sure he'll be fine. From what we've seen with our brief time with him, he's more than capable of taking care of himself in this cruel world."

"I hope you're right."

(Fang Nation)

Chief Virana, leader of Fang Nation was pulled from the embrace of slumber as the gongs were struck, alerting everyone of impending peril. Quickly rising from bed, Virana rushed to the balcony of her prestigious bed chambers and looked out towards the water.

What she saw was her past coming back to haunt her.

The Conqueror, the warship of Drago Bludvist, along with the rest of the Northern Alliance fleet was bathed in the light of dawn, many could mistake this show of force as saviors who intend to protect civilization from destruction. But Virana knew better, Drago and his followers weren't saviors, they're the bringers of death and carnage. The Northern Alliance flotilla was now forming a ring around the massive canal that keep the Druun at bay. Dragon Flyers could be seen ascending from the swarming ships and Virana quickly made her way to her wardrobe to dress and arm herself. Once she was prepared, Virana made her way to the throne room and found General Atitāya, along with her personal guards and the rest of Fang Nation's commanders.

"Chief Virana, what do we do?"

"Do we expel them from our lands?"

"Or we stand by and allow these outsiders to attack us as they did all those years ago?"

Pursuing her lips, Virana knew that it was only a matter of time before the man who killed her husband would return and expect the Dragon Gem in his possession. But the gem was not whole, it was shattered and all the lands held at least one piece of the gem. Drago would not find this news pleasant, the madman would most certainly go on a killing spree when he learned of this revelation.

"Virana, what would you have us do?"

Turning to General Atitāya, Virana eased her people's concerns. "We cannot make rash decisions, not now anyway. For now, we will offer no resistance and break words with our... guests," she then urged for her subjects to follow her. "Come, let us speak with Drago and tell him what has transpired over the past six years." As they made their way outside the palace, they could see armored Singetails and two flyers perched on their backs, one with whips in hand and the other armed with a bow and quiver full of arrows.

By this time, the people of Fang poured out of their homes and establishments to see Drago's men making a thunderous entrance; Dragon Flyers descending from the heavens and touching down on the ground or nearest structures. And for those on board Drago's warship, they soon disembarked from the massive ship made their way to the docks and soon ascended the steps leading to Fang Nation's imperial city. Virana and those accompanying her stood at the steps of the palace and waited for the imminent arrival of Drago Bludvist with bated breath, they knew the war master of the Northern Alliance was a man who did not suffer failure, and Virana feared that the man who robbed her of her husband would take everything else from her; Namaari, her people, kingdom, and land.

"Virana!"

Turning around, Fang Nation's Chief laid eyes on her sister and her husband. Nodding to them in greetings, Virana could see men under Drago's command entering the main gates, but no sign of the war master himself.

"I don't understand, where's Drago?" Atitāya wondered out loud.

"Perhaps he has fallen."

"If only, sister," Virana said to Mahalia. "Be on guard. He must be close by."

Soon enough, Drago's men approached Virana and those by her side. After what felt like a lifetime, Virana spoke with a firm, authoritative tone. "I demand to speak with Drago, where he?"

"He's not here, Virana."

Among Drago's men emerged one of his Chosen, warriors handpicked by the war master to take his place, should Drago ever fall in battle or otherwise. This particular Chosen was from Fang Nation, his name was Lahn, and he voluntarily left behind the only world he had ever known as a sacrifice to preserve the lives of his people. After Drago had slain the now late Chief Chien, the war master of the Northern Alliance demanded a warrior among the people of Fang Nation to join him, and this warrior was Lahn. He had joined Drago not only to protect his people but also to see what else the world had in store for an adventurous individual.

Lahn's ebony hair was short, yet spiky, and the sides of his head were cut into a fine fade. His handsome face bore a light mustache and stubble gracing his chin. His eyes bore the fire of a Fang Nation warrior, yet also gentleness behind that fire. The years of training and battle did miracles for the body, Lahn's physic was lean and toned. His attire was a white and gilded tabard of a Fang Nation assassin, he also wore white leggings, and he bore white leather pointy boots. His weapon of choice was a kunai spear rope, he also had traditional Fang forged swords strapped to his back.

"Lahn? Is that you?"

Turning to General Atitāya, Lahn smiled warmly at her. "Hello, mother," he then approached her with his arms extended. "I've missed you." Atitāya approached her son and they shared a warm embrace, one that made Lahn melt and realized just how touch starved he was. Regretfully, Lahn broke the embrace and kissed his mother's forehead, and then looked in the crowd of people gathered, searching for someone. "Where's my father?" He inquired.

"He... was taken by the Druun and is now a mindless stone warrior," Atitāya exhaled shakily. "I'm so sorry, son."

Lahn lowered his head and his face twisted with grief and loss, but a firm look then replaced the loss that was etched on his face. He then turned to Virana and spoke. "Drago and the rest of his army on their way by foot, I was ordered to lead his flotilla and the remainder of his forces here and wait for him to return here," he then crossed his arms across his chest and inquired. "What happened? You were supposed to retrieve the Dragon Gem intact, instead, you allowed the other chiefs of Kumandra to take separate pieces."

"Let's discuss this in the palace, Lahn," Virana suggested, noting Drago's men tensing and placing their hands on their weapons, eager to spill blood if the need arises. "I'll explain everything to you." After a minute of considering her offer, Lahn then nodded and ordered the men under his command to remain outside and offload supplies from the ships. He then followed Virana, his mother, and Fang's council as well as commanders of its vast army into the palace to break further words. Once inside the throne room, Virana seated herself on her throne, Atitāya, the commanders of the imperial army, and the council seated on small cushions on the steps leading to Fang Nation's throne.

"We did what Drago wanted us to do, we weren't counting on the rest of Kumandra's chiefs to move against Benja either," Virana said once settling in her throne. "They fought ruthlessly for the gem, resulting in it shattering and unleashing the Druun upon our world once more. These last six years have taxed us all, but most of the other nations of Kumandra have fallen: Tail, Spine, and Heart Nation's warriors and people are either reduced to stone statues or now mindless warriors in the Druun's ranks. Fang Nation stands as the most powerful nation in all of Kumandra; our army is unrivaled, we are surrounded by high walls to keep any intruders out, our canal ensures the safety of our people from the Druun moving against us, and our farmers provide us with numerous crops that feed our imperial city."

"You know that Drago won't care whether stand as the most powerful nation in Kumandra, yes? He's out there with his army which has grown more vast over the years, and I know not whether or not he'll put you or hundreds of our people to the sword."

"Will you just stand idle and let that happen?"

Turning to Somwang's father, Lahn replied to the former samurai. "I don't want to see my people being wiped off the face of this world, as Drago has done to countless civilizations," he then sighed heavily. "Our latest campaign was in the Viking lands of Scandinavia, it was most... disturbing to witness. Drago took every dragon in those lands and he wiped out every Viking; the young and the old, he and his men raped and murdered them all without compassion or mercy. He took everything of value and burned everything else to the ground," Lahn looked to the floor beneath him and let out a shaky sigh. "I can still hear the screams of horror from those people as Drago wiped them off the face of this world." Looking back up at his people, he then inquired. "Where's Princess Namaari?"

"She and my daughter, Somwang, led a group of Serlot riders to find a thief who stole Fang's dragon scroll," Mahalia said. "Is there something else we should know?"

"Yes. Drago has tasked me with seeking out Namaari's hand in marriage and producing the future of Fang Nation," Lahn continued. "The children Namaari brings into this world are to be trained and then taken by Drago to be indoctrinated into the Hand of Drago, his sect of highly trained warriors."

Many on the council voiced this displeasure of this news, Virana most of all, she knew her daughter would not take this news kindly. In fact, Namaari would kill to make sure something like this would never happen to her future children, should she have any. The doors to the palace throne room soon opened, revealing Princess Namaari and Somwang, the two women bowed their heads in greetings to those of high position within Fang Nation's hierarchy. Virana beamed at the sight of her daughter, she rose from her throne and approached with her arms extended. Namaari embraced her mother and closed her eyes as her mother murmured affectionate words in her ear. When they broke their embrace, Virana turned to Lahn and then back to her daughter.

"Namaari, do you remember Lahn? General Atitāya's son?"

Turning to the handsome young man, Namaari saw Lahn bow his head to her in greetings while smiling lightly. Namaari then turned back to her mother and nodded. "Yes, of course, I remember Lahn, how could I not? We used to spar as children," she then noted Lahn bore a gilded arm brace that bore the emblem of the Northern Alliance, a Monstrous Nightmare skull with a sword going down the middle of it. "You're... with Drago?" Namaari gasped out in surprise and shock, she was told that Lahn had perished when the madman and his forces came to Fang Nation six years ago.

"I had no choice, Namaari," Lahn reassured her. "Drago was threatening to wipe our people out if an offering of flesh and blood was not given to him. And that offering was me. Despite the cruelty and barbarism I've witnessed that man and his followers inflict upon the world, I never forgot where I came from. I'm Fang, and my true loyalty is to my people, always."

"Hmm. I suppose we'll find out, won't we?" Namaari then turned back to her mother and gave her a grim look. "I ran into Drago while looking for our thief," Virana's eyes widened in concern, but Namaari assured her that she was fine. "That monster and his army have grown far more powerful, mother. His forces have been on the hunt for Raya, she's been stealing gem pieces from the other nations."

"What? Is she acting alone?"

"No, she's accompanied by a girl and... a round eye foreigner."

That caught Lahn's attention. "A round eye," he then gave Namaari a questioning look. "Can you describe him?"

"He has ivory skin, he's tall and lean, henna colored hair, his emerald green eyes burned with a fire that could consume the world. He was wearing sleek black leather armor, he had one of our gilded face masks, he's a most impressive warrior, and... he's quite charming."

"Rumor has spread like wildfire among Drago's ranks, they're saying that this round eye foreigner is a Viking survivor," Lahn said before asking Fang's princess with a question in Norse.

"Snakket han slik?" Before Namaari could question what he said, Lahn translated his question. "Did he speak like this?" When Fang's princess nodded, he nodded and turned to Virana. "Apparently, this Viking is Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, Dragon Master of Norway." Many in the room murmured amongst themselves, all of them were familiar with the name Lahn had just spoken. After all, many foreign traders and merchants have traveled to Scandinavia and have spread stories and tales of many legends whether they were Viking or not along the Silk Road and beyond. Kumandra, being a land that had once lived harmoniously with dragons were intrigued with the legends of Hiccup Haddock since many traders from foreign lands have told them that the Vikings of Scandinavia stand as one of the last places in the world to live alongside dragons.

"So, this... Hiccup Haddock is indeed the last Viking, yes?"

Turning to Somwang, Lahn nodded. "Yes. And it appears the only reason that he's here is to seek revenge against Drago for slaughtering his kind," he then snorted lightly. "Good luck with that."

"What of Raya?" Virana changed the subject. "She already has three gem pieces, all she needs are the gem pieces from Spine Nation and then from Fang Nation. What does she intend to do with the gem pieces?"

"Undoubtedly to repair the damage that has been done," General Atitāya stated. "Because of our actions, we've unleashed the Druun and are surviving off the fat of the land. That won't last forever. Eventually, our resources will be depleted and we'll need to expand to the mainland."

"And how do you purpose we handle the Druun, General Atitāya?" Virana challenged. "Without proper protection, it would be a death sentence for our people." Everyone gathered soon began voicing their concerns or suggestions, speaking over each other and drowning the throne room with heated chatter.

Lahn then turned to Namaari and raised an eyebrow at her. "What do you suggest? You know Raya better than anyone in this room, what would she do right now?"

"When I saw her for the first time after six years, she had taken our dragon scroll, she seeks to find Sisudatu," Namaari's words caused everyone to cease their chatter and listen to what the princess would say. "If Raya brings all the gem pieces together and... if she actually manages to find Sisudatu, then the Druun would be expelled from our world and everyone in Kumandra will be brought back." Turning to her mother, Namaari noted a look of fear and worry etched on her face. "Mother, we need to help Raya and do this—"

"No."

"What? Why?"

"If what you say is true and if Raya is able to bring Sisudatu back and if they restore Kumandra, who do you think the other nations will come for? You forget the other lands blame us for what's happened."

"But we... we never meant for anyone to get hurt."

"Yes, but if we had the dragon and the gem pieces, we would be forgiven," Virana said with a strategic tone. "We can save the world, yes. But more importantly, our people will remain safe."

Stepping forward, Lahn voiced his opinion. "A bold plan, yet one you undertake at your own peril," he said with caution. "If Drago ever discovered what you speak of—"

"He'd kill us all, yes, I am well aware of what that animal will do if he ever discovered what I'm suggesting," Virana said before turning to Namaari and nodded at her. "Gather your strength, my child. When you're ready, take a detachment of our troops to Spine Nation, intercept Raya, find out whether or not she has found Sisudatu, relieve her of the gem pieces in her possession, and secure Fang's future." Namaari wanted to object, she had already hurt Raya enough as it is by not only betraying the friendship they've had for so many years but... she loved Raya. Many would call her mad, the prospect of favoring a woman rather than a man would be frowned upon; Namaari was Fang Nation's future ruler, she would need to take a suitable husband to have children with and secure her family lineage. But none of that suited Namaari, truth be told. Ever since she and Raya met as children, Namaari felt something for Heart's princess, and that feeling grew stronger and stronger the more time they spent together. Now that Namaari knows what she feels for Raya truly is, her mother is now commanding her to go intercept Heart's princess and quite possibly destroy any chance of repairing the relationship they once had.

The desire to refuse her mother's request was roaring loudly in Namaari's heart, she wanted nothing to do with this. But... duty must eclipse personal desires, a lesson both her father and mother taught her many times. A defeated sight slipped through Namaari's lips and she bowed her head in submission to her mother's command.

"Yes, mother."

(Unknown location— Hiccup's pov)

Inhaling sharply, I suddenly regained consciousness and quickly took in my surroundings. I was bound while Drago's men were surrounded by a fire, eating and speaking amongst themselves. The snarls of a Singetail caused me to turn and lay eyes on a large, green Titan Wing Singetail, it bore the same kind of armor most of the dragons under Drago's thralldom bear, and it had ghastly scars, both old and new on its side.

"Good. You've awakened," looking away from the large, armored Singetail, I look up to see Askari of Ashes looming over me before turning to those gathered by fire. "The Viking awakes!" Many ceased their eating and chatter before rising and joining Askari to loom over me. One thing I note is that these particular warriors weren't Dragon Flyers, they were of different races, genders, and sizes. Yet it mattered not to me, like Drago, they all must die for slaughtering my people and destroying my world.

One of these warriors crouched down to my level and gave me a smile, I glared at the Arabian woman before me, while also taking in her appearance. 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 strange yet elegant garbs, and around her waist was a sigil that bore the skull of a Monstrous Nightmare and a sword going down the center of it, the emblem of Drago's regime.

"Welcome back to the land of the living," the woman finally said. "Now that you're awake, we can begin." Turning around, this Arabian woman barked out. "Ragnar! The Viking awakes." Hearing that name made me tense violently, this foreigner who bore the Viking name of "Ragnar" was one of Drago's warlords and the man who killed Heather. Footsteps approached from behind, I couldn't turn around to see this warlord yet, but as his footsteps grew closer, I looked to my right to see him looming over me as the others gathered.

"Stoick's whelp, alive and well," Ragnar breathed out in disbelief before snickering. "You've come all this way to claim vengeance, yes? I'm afraid your journey ends here." Turning to Askari and all these foreign warriors, Ragnar the Rock nodded at them. "Return to Drago, I will deal with this myself."

"Is that wise, warlord? You have not seen what this "whelp" did to my men back in Tail Nation," Askari warned. "He's not to be underestimated—"

"Your concern is noted, Askari of Ashes, but not necessary," Ragnar said abruptly. "I give you, the Dragon Flyers, and the Hand of Drago to take your leave and regroup with the bulk of our forces. They're now encamped at Heart Nation and should reach Fang Nation soon enough. Now go." Submitting to Ragnar's command, Askari barked out orders to his flyers to mount up and prepare to fly. Apparently, the Hand of Drago, this strange multiethnic group of warriors followed the flyers and mounted the oppressed Singetails as well. The cruel cracks of whips filled my ears as the flyers brought down the instruments of torture down on the dragons they had "trained" with force, causing roars of pain to entwine with the cracks of whips. Soon enough, those who had captured me left, and I was left alone with Ragnar the Rock.

"Are we alone?"

Looking at me, Ragnar snickered. "No. I'm accompanied by four of my personal guards," the warlord looked into my eyes while narrowing his own. "You wish to know how I got here, yes? Well, I came here on the back of a dragon, of course. But that is irrelevant, I've been tasked by Drago himself to confirm whether or not the Viking Askari of Ashes and Zaina, the head of the Hand of Drago had captured is in fact the son of Stoick the Vast. And now that I know you are truly Stoick's son, you will be joining your dead kin shortly." He then drew his sword and pointed it at my chin, causing me to groan as his cool steel made contact with my skin.

"Go on, kill me, like you killed so many of my friends and people, like a coward," I seethed out through gritted teeth. "You call yourself a warrior? Prove it! Unbind me and let's see you handle yourself against a Viking who can fight back!" This was a gamble, if Ragnar the Rock is as stupid as he looks, then he'll have me unbound and I can make him suffer greatly in his role in committing genocide on my home and people. Every passing moment felt like a lifetime until finally, Ragnar turned to his men and nodded at them. My bounds are loosened and then removed entirely, I then rose to my feet and stood tall, throwing Ragnar a murderous grin, causing the hulking warlord to laugh.

"You will not defeat me," Ragnar taunted. "Your people never stood a chance against our collective might. What hope do you have, whelp?" He was attempting to goad me into committing a foolish action, I knew this. "You're free. What will you do?" He smirked, soon I would flay that taunting smirk off his face.

Turning to Ragnar's four guards, I could see them with swords drawn and slowly approaching me while giving me malicious grins. Sighing heavily, I lower my head for a moment and close my eyes, a chuckle then rumbled in my throat as I look back up at Ragnar before giving him a devious grin, one that made him give me a confused look. "You were unwise to send Askari and the Hand of Drago away," I said as I reached for my hidden throwing knives secured with my leather forearm gauntlets. "You've fallen into my hands, Ragnar the Rock. I owe you a debt of blood, in the name of those you killed in Scandinavia." Drawing out four throwing knives, I hurled each knife at Ragnar's guards with deadly aim, each knife either striking the guards right between the eyes or in the heart. When all the guards dropped dead, I could see the shocked look on Ragnar's face, causing me to chuckle darkly, his fear was a sweet aroma.

Regaining himself, Ragnar let out a roar as he lashed out at me, his blade was aimed at my head, in an effort to end this fast. I quickly ducked underneath the warlord's blade and then laid eyes on my gear near the fire my captors had gathered around not long ago. Making a run for Inferno which rested on top of my cloak, I ignite the blade and raised it just as Ragnar brought his blade down on me. Sparks flew and steel rang throughout the jungle as the warlord bore his teeth and pressed his weight against his blade. With a grunt, I pushed myself up and then rose to my feet as Ragnar and I glared heated daggers at each other. Breaking the blade lock, the warlord thrust his blade at my belly, but I sidestepped away from his blade and backhanded him with a closed fist, he fell to a single knee, I then kicked him across the face with my peg leg, as my metallic foot made contact with his face, blood and spittle flew out of his mouth as he crashed down on the ground.

"Get up."

Wiping the blood and spit off his lips, Ragnar snarled and swung his blade at my face, but I backed away from his blade and waited for him to rise. Now on two feet, he charged and bulldozed into me, wrapping his hulking arms around me, and slamming me against a nearby tree. Despite my best efforts to free myself from his grasp, he was too strong. He squeezed his arms around my torso, and my arms pinned to my sides, so I was unable to hit him or claw at his face to release me. He then began to laugh as I struggled like an animal caught in a trap by those on the hunt. "As I said, you will not defeat me, whelp," he smirked before delivering a bone-rattling headbutt. "You will die, alone and forgotten." Again he delivered another headbutt, my vision was blurring, my ears were ringing loudly, and his blows were making my grip on life slip faster than I had anticipated. As the warlord continued to taunt me, I quickly released a canister of Zippleback gas, Ragnar ceased his taunts as he noticed the gas and he then looked at me with horror in realization. With a flick of my wrist, I ignited the gas with Inferno, causing it to blow, sending me and Ragnar to fly in opposite directions.

Groaning in pain, I spat out a mouthful of blood and placed a hand on where Ragnar had bashed his head against my face. Shaking the pain off, I look to see the warlord singed and quickly ripping off his fur cloak as the fire from the explosion began to devour it. Rising to my feet was a challenge, yet I did so with determination as I stormed over to a now crawling Ragnar, he was reaching for his sword, but with a snarl, I brought Inferno down on his sword hand and removed it from his body.

"ARGH!"

His screams of agony echoed throughout the jungle, frightening nearby birds in the trees above us, causing them to caw and fly away. Kicking his now severed hand, I saw Ragnar clutching his cauterized stump with gritted teeth, he then looked to me with a petrified look on his face.

Good.

He now knows how my people felt as they were put to death in such a barbaric manner.

I then brought Inferno down on his left thigh, causing him to throw his head back and scream, the scent of burning flesh filled my nostrils, not that it bothered me. Removing Inferno from his left thigh, I then brought my blade down on his right thigh, twisting the heated blade as well, and making sure Ragnar could not escape my wrath.

"You're more ruthless than you realize, Hiccup."

Viggo's final words to me echo in my mind as I removed Inferno from Ragnar's legs and watch in pleasure as the now crippled warlord clutches his seared legs. Whimpering in terror, he tries to flee, but to no avail. I approach Ragnar and again deliver a ruthless kick with my metallic leg, stunned by my blow, I then dragged the warlord to the tree where I was bound and force him to his feet. Extinguishing Inferno and clipping it to my side, I then reached for another hidden throwing knife in my forearm gauntlet and press the blade against the warlord's throat, causing him to hold his breath and cease his whimpers of pain.

"Tell me of Drago, what else he's planning!" I demanded, instead of giving me answers, Ragnar spits blood in my face. Groaning in disgust, I wipe his blood off my face and give him a cruel grin. "I was hoping you'd make this harder on yourself." I then drove my knife into Ragnar's gut, I bore my teeth and savored the agonizing cries from my enemy. I then cut deeper and wider, those crises only intensified as I then reached in and took hold of Ragnar's intestines in an iron grip and squeezed tightly.

"ARGH! S-Stop! Pl-Please!"

"Were those not the same cries of my people as you and everyone under Drago's command slaughtered my village?" I seethed out as I then ripped out his guts, causing him to throw up a mouthful of blood. "How does it feel to be helpless as I take your life? Hmm?" He then grits his bloodstained teeth together as I took another handful of his guts. "Tell me of Drago, and what else he plans to do here in Kumandra, besides using the Dragon Gem of Sisudatu to bring back all the dragons in this land." When he did not speak, I then pulled on his guts and he screamed as the pain became too unbearable. "Tell me!"

"H-He... has spoken with the entity that controls the Dr-Druun as a whole," he groaned out in agony. "I-If D-Drago cannot possess the... gem pieces, he will aid the Dr-Druun in consuming all that is in Kumandra, and in return for our cooperation, the Druun will bless us with power the likes of which the world has never seen, making us unstoppable!"

"Power. You vile creatures have wiped entire cultures and races off the face of Midgard for power. Who are you to play like the gods and wipe us out whenever you feel like it?!"

"B-Because your people were weak! You were not warriors, not true warriors. You are lower than the dust. Th-The Viking people were nothing more than big, ugly thieves who took the lives of those they raided for gold and silver! Your people are now a distant memory, as they should be."

With a snarl of anger, I then took hold of the man's jaw, and with a great deal of effort, I broke his jaw as a sickening "crack" filled my ears, but it filled me with pleasure seeing a member of Drago's inner circle suffer a great deal. With his jaw now limp, I held my bloodstained knife to his face and then reached into his mouth and took hold of his tongue. His eyes widened in horror as he realized what I was going to do, despite his efforts to fight me off, I then began to hack out his tongue. My face was twisted with raw fury as I continued to relieve Ragnar of his tongue, the cock on him to insult my people when they've done nothing to deserve the horrific end they met. Soon enough, his screams of agony were no more, I had hacked out his tongue and showed it to him before tossing it aside.

"You are of no further use to me," I then gave him a dark grin. "Your mutilated corpse, however, will send a strong message to Drago and those who follow him." With a grunt, I drove my knife into his heart, twisted it, and watched as the life in his eyes faded until there was nothing left. Removing the knife from his heart, I then used the blade to rip off his armor and tunic until his hairy upper body was bare. My knife soon made purchase with his flesh as I began to write a message, those under Drago's command will see what is about to come and the death I plan to rain down on them.

They took the lives of my people and all the Vikings of Scandinavia. I will repay that offense thousand times over.

Once I had finished carving my message into Ragnar's chest, I looked to the armored dragon he had ridden on and noted that it was a Thunderclaw. It looked at me with eyes full of fear and... hope. Momentarily disarming myself, I approached the armored Thunderclaw and ensure the oppressed dragon that I mean no harm, and after several strong whiffs, the oppressed dragon pressed its snout into my palm. Now that I had a ride out of the jungle, I gathered and put on my gear; throwing my cloak over my armor-clad body, placing my gilded face mask on, strapping my Gronckle Iron shield across my torso, grabbing my quiver full of arrows, and throwing the strap around my torso as well, strapping my waist and leg sheaths that held dozens of throwing knives, and taking hold of my satchel that held numerous poisons and other small vile of healing properties, including Night Fury salvia.

Now armed and filled with a fresh wave of zeal, I urged the Thunderclaw I had bonded to take to the skies. I thought about returning to Raya, Sisu, and the others, but I decided that they would be fine on their own for the time being. Instead of waiting for Drago to keep sending his slaves after me, I was going to take the fight to the madman himself.

My father had warned me of Drago's ruthlessness and barbarity, and I believed I can change that madman's mind. Now everyone I loved and cared about in Scandinavia is now dead.

Now it's Drago's turn to see how ruthless I can be.

A/N: The good stuff is coming up, hope you're excited to see what Hiccup will do!