A/N: Had to take a week off from work because I got hit with a nasty cold, but now I'm much better. Now then, story-wise, things are going to pick up and are going to get interesting. Onwards to the next chapter!

(Normal pov)

Drago was having difficulties finding sleep.

Years of leading and preparing to accomplish the Northern Alliance's ultimate goals led to many sleepless night for the junta's leader.

This wasn't a surprise to the war master, for years he has had to suffer lesser men within his junta who would attempt to defy his jurisdiction and assassinate him to obtain his power and title as 'war master' for themselves. He has endured much throughout his long life; surviving the dragons that took his people, village, and family as a boy and those dire circumstances forced him to become a strong man far too soon in life. As a man, he found the most feared, respected, Dragon Hunters as well as Dragon Trappers, and powerful warriors in the world together to form the Northern Alliance, a coalition that vowed to conquer this world and ensure those who're too weak are either eradicated or forced to serve the strong.

For five decades, Drago has known loss, death, sacrifice, devotion, and power. The world knew of his infamy and his reputation, none dared to challenge him and his junta because of the vast army of men and dragons under his command which has washed away entire civilizations and empires who refused to join him and his junta.

Now everything he has worked for is under threat by this sole Viking that survived the purge of Scandinavia. Not only did he lose a trusted ally in Ragnar the Rock, but he has also lost his prized war beast, the alpha of his dragon army. Even now, the dragons his men had wrangled and captured from Scandinavia grow more defiant than ever, because his alpha was no longer able to keep the dragons he has subjugated in line. The armored dragons in his junta, their spirits were broken and they knew the cost of defiance and would not dare to lash out at those above them. The armored dragon's numbers were in the thousands, true, yet it wasn't an overwhelming force that could conquer the world.

This Viking knew what they were doing by killing the alpha of the dragon army. Drago knew that acquiring a new alpha was not likely, at least here in Kumandra. However, the madman possessed a contingency should his alpha ever fall in battle or be killed by traitors seeking to undermine his efforts to create a dragon army large enough to wash away anyone who would defy him. However, before Drago could check up on the secret he kept from his allies, something interrupted him.

"Fear swells within your breast, Drago Bludvist."

Quickly turning to the source of that raspy, yet cold voice, the madman laid eyes on black and violet smoke seeping through the window of his quarters before manifesting into a tall, yet lithe figure with smoke rising from its head, its violet eyes devoid of any care for anything but itself, and it approached the war master slowly. Drago himself placed his Bewilderbeast egg back in the hidden compartment and slowed his rapidly beating heart by taking deep, yet quiet breaths.

"So, Drago Bludvist, why do you reek of fear? Has your campaign here in Kumandraa gone sour?"

Steeling his nerves and shielding his thoughts and true intentions from the entity that commands the Druun, the leader of the Northern Alliance satisfied his guest's curiosity. "I face an enemy who has survived my previous campaign and has managed to land several crippling blows to my chain of command," he then snarled out. "I do not fear this enemy, I am annoyed that they believe they can stop what I seek to do. This enemy is embedded among my ranks and will not stop until everything I have worked for is rendered asunder!" Pacing back and forth slowly, the entity had its arms crossed behind its back and hummed to itself before chuckling, causing Drago to bear his teeth. "Do you find this amusing? If my junta is destroyed, I cannot aid you in bringing the remainder of the Dragon Gem pieces and Sisudatu to you. If my followers and I die, you and the Druun will be expelled from this world once again."

"Yes. I am aware that without you, we cannot destroy that infernal gem and Sisudatu herself. They yet evade our presence, staying on water and not lingering too long on land so that those I command cannot overtake the last dragon and the humans accompanying it."

Now Drago began to chuckle before inquiring in a taunting tone. "You command an unstoppable force and yet you cannot apprehend your five-century nemesis or the fools who accompany the last dragon in Kumandra?" Lifting on its hands, the entity curled its fingers, and the false arm it had gifted Drago began to glow dark violet, and searing spread throughout the war master, causing him to snarl out in agony, fall to his knees and grasp the appendage he was gifted.

"Mind your tone, mortal. You may stand as the greatest of your kind, but you speak to a superior being. That being said, I can make you suffer in ways your feeble mind cannot fathom."

The pain grew tenfold and Drago roared out in pain, sweat began to form on his brow and it felt as if his insides were burning. By no means was Drago a stranger to pain, yet this was unlike any pain he has ever experienced, and he knew he had to make amends before he met a grisly fate. "F-Forgive me!" He hissed out while bowing in submission. "I am... but a mere mortal in the presence of such divinity." Releasing a gasp of relief, Drago felt the pain leave him.

"That you are. Tread carefully when you are graced with my presence, Drago Bludvist, like you, my mercy has limits. And it would be... unfortunate to end your life when I have need of your services," war horns were then sounded, as were the cries of battle, causing both Drago and the entity to look to the window. "Explain yourself, mortal. What is happening?"

"We're under attack."

Drago approached his armor rack, took hold of his breastplate, and fastened it over his hulking body, he then placed his forearm gauntlets over his arms and put his boots on. Reaching for his thick sword, he strapped the blade to his side and then took his bullhook. Armed and prepared for whoever was foolish enough to attack them, Drago turned to see the entity that commanded the Druun continued to look at him.

"Who would be foolish enough to attack you?"

Making his way towards his chamber doors, Drago answered the entity. "I intend to find out," with that said, the entity dissipated, leaving Drago to fight those who attacked his junta. Opening his chamber doors, Drago was met by his two warlords and their personal guards, who were ready for battle. "Tell me, who is foolish enough to attack us?"

"That is yet to be discovered," Griselda said before adding. "Whoever it is, they will be no match for our collective might."

Turning to the Slavic warlord, Chagatai spoke with caution in his tone. "It would be unwise to underestimate whoever it is that attacks, Griselda, especially when there is still a Viking straggler among us who will exploit such a fatal oversight," he then turned to Drago. "We've been concocting a search and have checked every one of our men while on the march, none of them have aroused suspicion nor do any of them reek of misrepresentation."

Growling to himself, Drago chose not to reply as he and his warlords soon found themselves outside and on the deck of the siege engine. The warriors stationed on their mighty war machine were already manning their stations, arming the cannons, readying the Hwacha arrow launchers, and loading catapults. However, the warriors on board who bore the emblem of the Blue Lotus suddenly drew their weapons and cut down their companions, especially those who were Mongol. This sudden act caused mayhem to ensue on the weapons deck, Drago and his fellow warlords readied themselves as the men Ragnar commanded now turned on their companions.

As these defectors turned to Drago, Griselda, and Chagatai, they rushed the hierarchy of the junta, and despite the warlord's personal guards' efforts to halt their advance, they were overrun and cut down. With a heated roar, Drago swung his bullhook at the nearest defector, the hook embedded itself into their temple, allowing the war master to pull them in and finish them off by running them through with his sword. Kicking his opponent off his blood-soaked blade, Drago ducked as a battle-axe nearly took his head off, he then hacked off his attacker's leg with one strike, causing his opponent to scream in agony and fall to the deck. Looming over his attacker, Drago lifted his right foot and caved in his attacker's face. Removing his foot which was now soaked with blood, teeth, and gore, Drago bashed his head against another opponent who foolishly charged him. Staggered by the blow the war master inflicted, the opponent swung his sword in a manner that suited a drunkard, Drago easily evaded such a clumsy swing and drove his sword through their sternum. Falling to their knees, the opponent lifted a hand up, but Drago hacked off his attacker's arm and moved to face his next opponent.

Griselda, who had felt her blood lust climb to heights she never thought possible due to the fact that the Viking embedded among them was sowing destruction and death now had the chance to unleash her rage and slake her blood lust for the moment. She ran up a crate of black powder and then leaped down on top of a large defector and cut him down like a searing knife cuts butter. She quickly turned around and stepped back from a sword strike that would've cut her throat open, snarling, she spilled her attacker's belly open, a stomach full of blood spilled across the deck as did their insides. Taking a battle-axe off the deck, Griselda brought the weapon down on a charging opponent's foot, causing them to stop in their tracks and roar out in agony, but they were soon silenced when Griselda drove her blade through their mouth. Two more defectors advanced to challenge the Slavic warlord, and Griselda was more than happy to oblige their challenge. One of her new challengers swung a sword at her head, but Griselda ducked and used her own blade to cut them across the lower abdomen, causing them to fall on their knees and be met with Griselda bringing the axe in her hand down on top of them, splitting their head in half. Turning to her next opponent, Griselda was cut across her left leg, causing her to snarl in pain and then slash her attacker in the neck, causing them to drop their weapon and clutch the wound Griselda had inflicted. Pressing her advantage, Griselda then drove her sword through their throat and then removed her blade to hack both her opponent's legs out from under them. Looming over her dying opponent, Griselda then raised her blade high above her head and brought it down on their face, blood spatter flew up to wet her face, and gritted teeth, a droplet slid down her helmet nose guard.

Chagatai was locked in a heated fight with Ragnar's men, though he was unsure as to why they lashed out at him with more ferocity. Wielding his two blades, Chagatai hacked and slashed all the resistance he met with equal ferocity. Disarming one of them, he spilled their guts open and drove one of his blades through their throats before pulling the blade out of their throat and then using both his swords to decapitate them. Blood spewed forth, wetting Chagatai's gilded armor and staining his face, yet he didn't mind in the slightest. Another opponent lashed out and with a snarl, Chagatai hacked off their sword hand and then slashed his opponent across the face, knocking off their helmet and leaving a nasty scar across their face. He then finished his opponent off by embedding one of his blades in their chest and bringing his other blade down on their skull, splitting their head open. Chagatai then received a strong blow to the face, causing him to fall to the floor and look up to see that one of the defectors was strong, yet stout, this would allow Chagatai to inflict as much pain as he could on this large warrior. However, this warrior was out for blood and he drove Chagatai into a corner and was armed with a large battle-axe, the weapon was mere inches from the Mongol warlord's chest, held at bay only thanks to Chagatai using his blades to form an 'x' and use his strength to keep his attacker's weapon from making contact with his flesh. With his strength waning, Chagatai drove his knee into his opponent's groin, causing them to back off and take deep steady breaths from the low blow. With a cry, Chagatai again drove his knee into his opponent, only the blow instead was delivered to his opponent's face. Spawled out on the ground, the stout man tried to get up, but the Mongol warlord delivered a merciless kick to his face, keeping him down. With his blades, Chagatai one of his blades in his opponent's face and the other in his heart, killing them instantly. As another opponent came from behind, the Mongol warlord whirled his blades and thrust both blades behind him, until his blades were sticking through his surprise attacker's belly. Ripping both blades out, Chagatai turned to finish his final opponent off by decapitating them and watched as their lifeless corpse tumbled to the floor with a thud.

Turning to a fatally wounded defector, Chagatai approached the crawling defector before using his foot to flip them over onto their back. "What is this?! Why are Wen Jin's men attacking us?" When the defector gave no answer, Chagatai pressed his foot against their wound, causing them to mewl in agony. "Why do the Blue Lotus attack us?" He seethed out, but the defector spat blood at Chagatai's feet, a show of disrespect as well as defiance. Having enough, Chagatai used one of his swords to finish the defector off.

"So, it would seem Wen Jin is using his position as a warlord to undermine us all and become the sole leader of the Northern Alliance," Griselda said before looking to Drago. "What are the lay of your thoughts?"

Looking down at the encampment below, Drago replied. "I will make a gruesome example of Wen Jin and all the fools who are loyal to him. No one will jeopardize all that I have worked for, no one," he then turned to his two warlords. "Get down there and marshal your forces. We will stamp out this insurrection before it escalates out of our control." Both Griselda and Chagatai bowed their heads and gathered the men they had on board the siege engine to disembark and meet the Blue Lotus defectors in open combat.

Meanwhile, Drago himself heard multiple footsteps behind him, he turned around to see his personal guards, he then grunted. "With me. We're going to find whoever is leading these defectors and ensure they suffer a fate of the cruelest kind," the guards sworn to protect Drago bowed their heads in understanding before following their master onto the battlefield that was their encampment. Once on the ground, Drago and his guards led the charge, rallying those yet loyal to fight back and strike down all who would defect because of their allegiance to the new deceased Wen Jin. And those who were foolish enough to engage the Northern Alliance's war master were met with swift, yet brutal deaths.

With his raw strength and now that the arm the Druun entity had gifted him, Drago was more ferocious than ever.

Now entering the escalating battle, Drago unleashed a roar that struck fear into his enemies as he bulldozed into the nearest defector and then brought his sword down on them, burying his blade in their mouth. Bearing his teeth like a bloodthirsty predator, Drago then thrust his bullhook through a charging defector's belly, he twisted his bullhook and then pulled the weapon out of that opponent's belly, causing a gaping wound to form as well as blood and intestines to spill out and splatter on the ground. Turning around to see another defector rushing him, Drago ripped his sword out of the mouth of his deceased opponent and then cut his rushing opponent's throat wide open; a geyser of blood sprayed out of their neck and wetted Drago's face and armor. He then drove his sword under another opponent's lower jaw, causing the blade to enter their mouth and burst out of their head. Having enough of hearing the dying gurgles filling his ear, Drago finished his opponent off by cleaving their face in half.

"Drago!"

The war master was soon met by three hooded women who struck at him with the speed of a serpent, one of them landed a blow to the face, another cut him in his right leg which caused him to snarl in pain as well as fall to a single knee, and he received another blow to the face which sent him crashing down on the ground and dropping his sword and bullhook. Quickly getting up off the ground, one of these hooded women pressed her attack and lunged at Drago, but this time the war master was ready to fight his assailants. Reaching out, he grabbed the woman who lunged at him by her throat and bashed his head against her own, and then threw her like she weighed nothing. The other two women charged, but Drago grabbed them by their throats and then bashed their heads against each other, he then landed a heavy kick to one of the woman's chest, and he used his false arm to land a devastating blow to the other woman's belly, sending her to tumble along the ground.

"You are fierce warriors, true," Drago praised his three assailants before stating harsh facts. "But I am the war master for a reason, I have trained to combat and counter any and all who oppose me. Even assassins of your caliber."

Slowly but surely getting back on their feet, the war master laid eyes on three women who were actually triplets, the Wu sisters, Ragnar the Rock's prized assassins. They wore black and gilded robes, blue cotton pants, black curved boots, and they bore the emblem Ragnar bore on his breastplate on their belt buckles. Each sister wielded weapons that suited a ninja for close quarter combat, the head of the triplets, Yuan Wu, wielded two blue and gilded war fans that bore blades on them. "We have served Ragnar the Rock since he rescued us from starving in the streets of Xi'an, and by serving our now dead rescuer, we have served you," Yuan said before giving the war master a demanding look. "So I ask you, did you know that Mongol steel found itself in Wen Jin's heart?"

"I gave no order to move against the Blue Lotus or against Wen Jin," Drago reassured. "And neither did Chagatai. He would never be so foolish and spark infighting of this scale among us."

Another one of the triplets, Xu Wu, wielded a pair of ring blades then snarled out. "You lie! It's no secret that Wen Jin held little to no regard for you and those in your inner circle, such unforeseeable insubordination is a clear threat to you and your position as leader of this junta," she then continued. "Perhaps you sent one of your Hands to kill a potential rival before he became a real threat to you."

"You overstep, child," Drago seethed out at Xu Wu before turning back to Yuan Wu. "You and your sisters would be a welcome addition to the Hand of Drago. Lay down your weapons, submit fealty to me and you will live. Refuse my generosity, and you and your sisters will join Ragnar and Wen Jin in death." Raising a questioning eyebrow, the war master then inquired. "What will you decide? Following the fools who were under Wen Jin's command in death? Or will you join me and exact your vengeance on the one who killed both Ragnar?"

Pursing her lips in consideration, Yuan knew that even with their incredible prowess as warriors, she and her sisters were no match for Drago, he has killed opponents far more deadly than them after all. Noting that Yuan was going to accept the war master's offer, the third of the triplets, Su Wu, who wielded a Kwan Dao, gripped her sister's arm and gave her a questioning look. "Are you certain this is what's best for us?"

"Better than we live and avenge the one who saved us instead of throwing away our lives for one who saw no value in our service," Yuan then turned to Drago and bowed before him. "I pledge myself to you, Drago Bludvist." Both Xu and Su too bowed down in submission, bringing a pleased smile to the war master's scarred face.

"Rise."

The Wu sisters rose and Drago approached them with a grin that made them uneasy. "You will have your revenge, I swear to you," his grin faded as he then gestured to the battle around them. "But first, bring me the one who is leading this insurrection against us. Do that, and you will have earned my trust in you. Go." In the blink of an eye, the Wu sisters were gone, leaving Drago and his guards to return their attention to the battle at hand.

War horns continued to sound, alerting everyone within the encampment that they were under attack. However, many in the Northern Alliance ranks weren't expecting their allies to be lashing out at them on mass. Those who were under Ragnar the Rock's command and then Wen Jin struck down many of their allies in their tents before they could even arm themselves, even taking torches and burning their tents down with the occupants still inside them. The warriors who lost yet another warlord lashed out with the belief that they were betrayed, and they struck down any and all those they called allies without compassion or mercy.

The warriors of the Blue Lotus were taken for fools though, they were falling right into the hands of one who wanted them and everyone else in the encampment dead.

Whilst chaos was ensuing, Hiccup used this opportunity to make his way towards The Devourer, he wasn't only going to find a way to sabotage the massive war machine, but he was also going to relieve Drago of the gem piece his servants had obtained for him back in Talon Nation. Making his way towards the rear of the mobile fortress, Hiccup took out of his Gronckle Iron shield and fired a grappling line, as he propelled off the ground and soon found an opening, allowing him to enter into the underbelly of this architectural monstrosity. Once inside, Hiccup was blasted by a wave of heat and he laid eyes on furnaces full of coals that blazed hotter than the sun itself. Massive gears were turning, as were cranks and pistons that allowed this massive siege engine to even move in the first place. Hiccup had been creating inventions for as long as he could remember, but what he now stood in was unlike anything he had laid eyes on. Regardless of the architectural marvel, he stood in, Hiccup knew that he needed to find a way to destroy this monster and land yet another crippling blow to Drago and his junta.

Reaching into his satchel, Hiccup pulled out a jar of Changewing acid and began to pour the liquified acid onto the cranks and pistons that enabled The Devourer to move. The acid chewed through the metals in little to no time at all, causing them to cave in on themselves and break down. Smiling to himself, Hiccup continued to pour the Changewing acid on anything of import, and soon enough, the inner workings were being destroyed, leaving it crippled. Unfortunately, the warriors tasked with defending the vulnerable underbelly of The Devourer came to investigate the racket, only to find that an intruder was crippling the architectural monster.

"Intruder! Kill them!"

Hiccup quickly pulled out Inferno and used his flaming blade to further defend himself against the harsh opponents that he faced. These warriors were built like an ox, their hulking frames made it easy for Hiccup to inflict harm on his opponents, but if he didn't finish these large warriors off quickly, one of them may slip from his grasp and inform Drago that there's an intruder in the underbelly of their siege engine. One of the warriors lunged at Hiccup with a spear, Hiccup quickly ducked the blow and then backed away as the warrior swung at him again with the lantern in their hand. With a growl, the warrior thrust their spear at Hiccup's belly, but the Viking used Inferno the sever the spear off, now that his attacker was disarmed, Hiccup slashed the warrior's chest open, blood spatter painted Hiccup's body and face as he watched his first attacker fall back, dead. Another warrior lashed out at Hiccup, the Viking quickly raised Inferno to lock blades with his new attacker, the warrior then landed a headbutt to Hiccup and then kicked him in the chest, knocking Hiccup to the ground. Pressing their advantage, the warrior rushed Hiccup and brought his sword down on the Viking, but instead of piercing flesh and bone, their sword struck the wooden floor. Hiccup, still on the ground then hacked both his attacker's legs off, causing them to roar out in pain and clutch their smoking stumps. Another warrior quickly tried to end the young Viking, but Hiccup landed a kick to their face with his pegleg, staggered by the blow he landed on his next opponent, Hiccup drove Inferno through their lower abdomen while getting up, with a sharp inhale, Hiccup spilled his opponent's guts open and then proceeded to decapitate them.

Panting heavily, Hiccup looked to see more warriors were advancing, some were bigger than others, and the young Viking knew that he wouldn't be able to kill them all with his skills with the blade, he could be overpowered, overwhelmed, or dragged to Drago to suffer a cruel and agonizing time of torture before meeting a grisly fate. With no time to waste, Hiccup began to release a full canister of Zippleback gas from the hilt of Inferno, when the gas cloud was large enough, Hiccup ignited the gas and the explosion sent the group of warriors flying in all directions while also being burned alive, killing them. Quickly vacating the area, Hiccup eventually made his way out of the underbelly and made it above deck and was relieved that little no enemy warriors were on board the siege engine decks. Looking below, Hiccup witnessed his foes locked in heated battle, killing each other on mass without compassion or mercy.

It was a most pleasant sight for Hiccup to lay eyes on.

Satisfied for the time being that his plan to thin the Northern Alliance numbers bore fruit, Hiccup quickly made his way to Drago's quarters. Moving quickly and silently, Hiccup had his shield and Inferno at the ready as he moved through the corridors of the sleeping chambers this siege engine held. Each door bore an emblem that represented each of Drago's warlords, generals, commanders, Chosen, and anyone else of high authority within the junta. Hiccup soon found the emblem of a Monstrous Nightmare skull with a sword going down the center of it, that was Drago's quarters. With a deep breath, Hiccup kicked the door open and got into a battle stance but found the room empty, Drago was no doubt fighting those who were provoked into lashing out against their allies. After thoroughly checking for traps, Hiccup lowered his guard enough to strap his shield around his shoulders and retract Inferno and clip it to his waist, but just in case he was attacked from behind, he pulled out one of his poison laced throwing knives and had it in hand while searching the room for the gem piece the Dragon Flyers took from Talon Nation. Drago's chambers were kept in soldiery condition; his bed was tidy as was everything else in the room, which meant Hiccup had a chance of finding what he was looking for, granted he needed to move quickly in order to avoid discovery.

Drowning out the sounds of battle outside, Hiccup eventually found what he was looking for, he found the gem piece hidden among thick logs kept in the firepit. Smirking to himself, Hiccup placed the gem piece in his satchel before noticing something interesting. Looking underneath Drago's war table, he noticed what looked to be a hatch that was peeking out from beneath the rug, it was clearly a secret that the war master intended to keep hidden from those who would attempt to usurp him of power and those who wished him dead. With his curiosity peaked, Hiccup made his way towards this hidden compartment, moved the rug aside, and opened the hatch to see what Drago was hiding.

What Hiccup saw caused his eyes to widen and a shocked breath fled his mouth. "A... A Bewilderbeast egg?" Hiccup carefully lifted the egg and noted that it was in good condition, yet the future alpha that resided in that egg was not yet ready to hatch. The last time he saw one of these eggs was underneath Berserker Island, he remembered stopping Johann and Krogan from procuring the same type of egg all those years ago. Rage soon swelled within Hiccup's veins, this innocent dragon would suffer a fate worse than death, it would be forced to become a killer and a slave for one who cares about nothing but power. "You're not going to enslave this dragon, Drago. Not a chance!" Hiccup placed the Bewilderbeast egg in his satchel as well, he then looked around in Drago's chambers before noticing the torches that lit the room. Taking one of the torches, Hiccup soon began to light anything flammable and soon enough the room was being devoured by fire, everything of value and worth whether it be war plans, battle tactics, or anything else that Drago valued was soon consumed. Quickly vacating Drago's chambers, Hiccup continued to torch the chambers of every high-ranking individual within the Northern Alliance, until that section of the siege engine was utterly consumed by flames. As the fire continued to ravage the mighty siege engine, Hiccup knew he needed to inflict more damage to render this war machine utterly useless to Drago. Quickly making his way back outside, the vengeful Viking reached the munitions deck and found hundreds of barrels of black powder, a substance that's highly flammable and will send an explosive ripple through the siege engine, destroying it from the inside out.

A blade soon pierced through Hiccup's side, causing him to scream out in agony and surprise, he turned around and was greeted by a multitude of Slavic and Mongol warriors. With an enraged snarl, Hiccup landed a ruthless elbow on the warrior who stabbed him, with a labored grunt, Hiccup pushed himself off the blade with a cry and then drew out Inferno to sever his attacker's arms off their body and then sliced the top of their face-off. The warriors gathered readied themselves and watched as Hiccup quickly cauterized his wound by slapping Inferno against the wound he was given. Snarling out in pain, Hiccup took a deep breath and readied himself for the fight at hand, he drew out his shield and banged Inferno against it. "Come then," he challenged. "Try and kill me like you killed my people!"

"His accent, it's Norse," one of the warriors said before their eyes widened in realization. "It's the Viking who killed Ragnar and our alpha!"

Another one of the warriors bore their teeth. "We've found the one responsible for our latest misfortune, at last," that warrior then barked out. "Summon Drago, quickly!"

One of the warriors tried to slip from grasp, but Hiccup quickly activated a switch in his shield to fire a bola at the fleeing warrior. The projectile wrapped itself tightly around the warrior, giving Hiccup the time he needed to kill these warriors before another one of them tried to flee and inform Drago that they found him.

"Get him!" The head warrior barked out. "But pacify him, not kill. Drago will want him alive." With that said, the warriors rushed Hiccup with the intention of overpowering him. Expecting this, Hiccup quickly turned to the nearest barrel of black powder and kicked it at the group of charging warriors, the contents of the barrel spilled and many of the warriors slipped and fell, but the rest of them stopped in their tracks and gave the Viking a nervous look, considering that Hiccup was wielding a flaming sword and now black powder was in the mix. Smiling maliciously at his enemies, Hiccup used the tip of Inferno to light the powder on the ground, it lit itself quickly and before any of the warriors could even react, the flames caused the black powder to implode. A violent explosion sent all the warriors flying in all directions while being burned to a crisp.

Using his shield to protect himself from the explosion, Hiccup knew that the explosion he caused would cause a chain reaction, which meant he needed to make himself scarce, and fast. Luckily his long legs helped him flee the munitions deck just as more barrels of black powder began to explode. The siege engine shook violently, and Hiccup made his way to the rear of the war machine and jumped off just as a massive explosion ripped the moving fortress from the inside out; smoldering debris flew in all directions and the force of the explosion sent a wave that struck Hiccup in the back, causing him to fall on top of a nearby dragon trap. Groaning in pain, from not only taking a blow to the gut as well as the wound he had cauterized earlier, Hiccup quickly fled the scene and hid so that those in the Northern Alliance would blame this attack on their mighty war machine on those he had provoked to violence.

Back on the battlefield, Drago was walking nonchalantly in search of the one leading this insurrection, all the while his personal guards dispatched any who dared to raise a hand against him in defiance. However, when those who wished to do Drago harm broke through the line of his guards, the war master was quick to send them to the afterlife. Five traitors broke through his guard's line and attacked, Drago, however, was not helpless, he was war master for a reason and all who opposed him were brutally reminded of this. He cut down one who foolishly charged like a drunken fool, he whirled his bullhook to drive the hook into another of his attacker's cheeks and then proceeded to rip his face open, he ducked underneath a sword swing and used his own sword to slice that attacker in half while also using his bullhook to sweep his fourth attacker off their feet and then drove his sword in their heart. He then backed away from his fifth attack who thrust a spear at his head, Drago broke his attacker's spear in half and then ran him through with his sword while also driving his bullhook through their neck and then kicking his now deceased attacker off his weapons.

Another broke through his guard's line of defense and had the intention of cutting Drago down, however, the war master used his sword to spill his charging opponent's belly open, they cried out in agony while sinking to their knees and clutching their insides which were spilling out of the gaping wound. The war master then thrust his bullhook through his opponent's mouth, killing them then and there. With a snarl, Drago retracted his bullhook out of his opponent's mouth and then looked to see that his prized war machine was not only set ablaze but a series of large, violent explosions came from its munitions deck and tore it to pieces, causing the mightiest war machine in Northern Alliance's arsenal crumble and fall into smoldering pieces.

"NO!"

The madman roared out in both shock and outrage, not only did he lose an invaluable war machine that held the bulk of their supplies, weapons, and food stores, but he also lost the one thing that could help him rebuild his dragon army in the future. By the time The Devourer was nothing but a memory, those who served Ragnar the Rock and Wen Jin were rounded up and forced to their knees to suffer the terrorizing wrath of Drago Bludvist.

"Drago!" The war master turned to see Yuan Wu approach, she bowed her head and turned around and nodded at both Xu and Su, both women were dragging a high-ranking member of the Blue Lotus and then tossed the man at Drago's feet. "This is the man who led this uprising against us, and you." Drago inspected the man and recognized him to be one of Wen Jin's Chosen and the one who would have been the next warlord of the Blue Lotus, Yan Zhi. Bearing his teeth at who led an uprising against his junta, Drago gave the leader of this coup a murderous glare. "Explain yourself. Why did you and your men lash out against us when we have done no wrong to provoke you?" Holding his tongue in defiance, Drago sheathed his sword and used his false arm to backhand Yan Zhi with enough force to take his head off his body. Both Xu and Su each took one of Yan Zhi's arms and lifted him up and had him face Drago. "Tell me what I want to know, or I will tear you to pieces, here and now," stabbing his bullhook in the ground, Drago's false arm soon burned bright with violet energy, forming a blade that illuminated Yan Zhi's now horrified face at the prospect of being torn to pieces, or worse. "Very well. I take it that your silence is an act of defiance. So I will kill you slowly and painfully, while those who followed you into battle watch, and anticipate the fate I have in store for them."

"Wen Jin was found murdered in his tent, Mongol steel was buried in his chest," Yan Zhi's defiance crumbled with a shaky exhale, he then turned to Chagatai Khan and spat at his feet. "Mongol cur! Have you no shame? You would send your men to assassinate our new warlord in his sleep, rather than facing him like a man in single combat!"

Drago then turned to Chagatai for a clear explanation, he knew his loyal warlord would never do such a thing, but he wanted Chagatai to say it himself. The Mongol warlord reassured his master that he gave no such command to assassinate Wen Jin. "I gave no order to assassinate Ragnar's successor, and none of my men would dare stoop to commit such treachery when we have obeyed the jurisdiction of you, Drago Bludvist, when facing an opponent who seeks power in this junta, you face them in single combat, not assassinate them. Unless..." his eyes widened in realization before letting out a disbelieving snort, Chagatai then looked back to Yan Zhi. "This infighting, the destruction of The Devourer, and the warriors we all struck down was all orchestrated by our real foe who has secreted himself among us."

"Of course," Drago groaned out, he felt like a fool for falling for the schemes of this Viking. "We're falling into this Viking's hands, all of us! They want us to be weak and to tear each other apart, and for the first time in this junta's history, we've suffered crippling losses. No more! If we wish to achieve our ultimate goal, we must stand as one! Or we will fall divided." The war master then summoned the Hand of Drago, his most cunning, skilled, cruelest, and exceptional warriors to his side. Zaina, the head of this sect of warriors stood at attention and awaited her master's command. "Each of you were once warriors who served the Mongrel Tribe. But after I killed King Stormheart, I gave those under the Mongrel Tribe's banner to either join me or die. Those who stand before me chose war, power, and reputation. But you must prove yourselves worthy of being the Hand of Drago! This is my command: find this Viking who secrets himself among us, bring them to me, and we shall ensure this interloper suffers beyond imagination before joining his people in death."

Bowing their heads in understanding, the Hand of Drago waited for Zaina to speak for them. "Your will, our hands," she said firmly. "We will not stand before you again until we see to it that this Viking is in your midst. Should I fail—"

"Should you fail, I will flay you alive and leave your corpse to be devoured by wild predators," Drago vowed while raising his bloodied sword at Zaina's face, causing the Arab to hold her breath, fearing he might harm her. However, Drago inflicted no harm, he removed his blade from her face, sheathed it, and gave her and her companions a dismissive wave. "Now go. Prove yourself worthy of being the head of the Hand of Drago. Or I will find one among your companions who are capable of bringing me victory." Bowing her head once again, Zamia turned to her companions and they vacated the area. Turning his gaze back to Yan Zhi, Drago shook his head lightly. "Now, what am I going to do with you?"

Releasing a shaky breath Yan Zhi begged. "Please, spare my men, at least those who didn't raise a hand against you," he then continued. "Do what you must to set an example to the junta by killing me and those who joined me in this attempt to overthrow you and your warlords, all I ask is that you spare those who didn't raise a hand against you."

"Do you think me a fool?" Drago scoffed. "Whether those who didn't raise a hand against me or not will harbor resentment because I would have killed you and the fools who followed you. Ragnar was the only one who kept you all in line, and now that he has passed beyond this world, I no longer have need of the Blue Lotus." Before Yan Zhi could plead any further, Drago inhaled sharply and decapitated him on his knees. Turning to those yet loyal to him, the war master gave his men a firm nod. "Kill them," he then added. "Kill them all." And kill them they did, every warrior who bore the Blue Lotus crest on their belt buckles were put to the sword, their blood-soaked the ground, and their corpses would be a feast for the birds and wild animals. All trace and all records of the Blue Lotus were put to the torch, Drago had his men take what resources their former allies had and take them.

After purging the Blue Lotus from history and from his junta, Drago growled to himself, driving his bullhook on the gore-slicked battlefield and wiping the sweat and blood off his face. How could he have been so foolish? He not only allowed himself to get distracted by this infighting that the Viking concocted, but he should've had men ensuring Wen Jin wouldn't be assassinated in the dead of night.

Such an oversight cost Drago much; his prize war machine, a multitude of resources as well as food stores on board the now smoldering Devourer, legions of warriors that Ragnar once commanded, but were now all dead because of the risks of them turning against him again was too great, but he also lost the Dragon Gem pieces his servants delivered him and he lost the Bewilderbeast egg his most trusted warriors acquired for him beneath Berserker Island.

With all the loss his junta has suffered, Drago knew he had no choice but to ensure Askari and his Dragon Flyers confirmed whether or not they found the magical matter the Northern Alliance would need to subjugate the Druun and find the Viking responsible for the damage they had inflicted. And when this Viking interloper was found, Drago was going to take his time in killing them before caving their skull in, finishing off the Viking people for good.

He was not going to let one Viking destroy everything he has worked for.

"What do we do now?"

Turning to see Chagatai and Griselda approach him, the Slavic warlord repeated herself in a tone that made Drago's already boiling temper escalate. "What do we do now? We've been weakened significantly all because of this Viking cur, our army has suffered a crippling blow, the bulk of our supplies are now nothing but ash, and we are without an alpha to control the dragons we took from our previous campaign. Tell us that you have a plan and that you don't intend to allow this Viking nuisance to continue his contact interferences?"

Snarling at Griselda's tone, Drago seized her by the throat, choking her. "Mind your tone, or I will kill you here and now," Chagatai tensed and he looked to the woman he held affection for, giving her a pleading look to change her tone or she would meet a dishonorable end. "Speak! Or find yourself forever unable."

"F-Forgive me... argh! M-Master!"

Releasing Griselda, the woman coughed violently as she desperately regained her breath while looking up at Drago who loomed over her like Death itself. "Do not question me in such a tone again, or I will hack your tongue out of your mouth and kill you with my bare hands," he then satisfied her curiosity. "And yes, I have a plan on how we recoup our losses. We're not far from Fang Nation's imperial city now, we march and regroup with our forces commanding our fleet and then we will demand Chief Virana to pledge her army's fealty to me. Not only will we have Fang Nation's army join our junta, but if Askari and the Dragon Flyers confirm whether or not the discovery they found is what I need to subjugate the Druun, then our junta will be greater than its ever been! The world will be ours for the taking, and all who defy us will be erased from history by our collective might!" He then looked to Chagatai with a firm glare. "Give the order to break encampment and have our men continue the march." Bowing his head, Chagatai barked out Drago's orders and everyone began to break the encampment and continue the march to their destination. Getting up off the ground, Griselda looked to Drago with a renewed fear before joining Chagatai in giving orders.

Meanwhile, Drago looked at the thousands of lifeless Blue Lotus warriors sprawled out on the ground. "What a waste," he snarled to himself before nodding to himself. "I did what needed to be done. They brought this upon themselves, I will not give those an opportunity to plot against me even though they did not partake in the effort to undermine all that I have worked for!" He then took his bullhook out of the ground scanned the area before letting out a huff of disbelief that this Viking interloper sparked a small civil war among his junta. "Whoever this Viking was, they would soon be introduced to my wrath," Drago reassured himself. "And I will inflict suffering beyond imagination on them." His vow made the war master march with purpose and it helped take his mind off the fact that he was being bested by a filthy Viking.

Drago growled to himself and continued marching alongside his loyalists, he would recoup his losses and make the Northern Alliance stronger than ever before. This Viking was only delaying the inevitable, and all their constant interference was all for nothing. When the Viking interloper would finally be caught and brought before Drago on their knees, the war master vowed that he would savor their suffering before finally ridding the world of Vikings, once and for all.

A/N: Stay tuned, Hiccup is going to give a surprise gesture that'll keep you on the edge of your seat!