A/N: Alright, just a heads up, these next few chapters might be shorter, but story-wise, a week has passed since the Druun was defeated and everyone they had taken had been restored. Since then, Hiccup, Raya, and Namaari have been building a coalition to unite all of Kumandra and stand against Drago and his army. Brace yourselves people, we're nearing the finish line, and things are going to get intense.

(Normal pov)

The Conqueror sliced through Kumandran waters as the hulking warship led the pack of the hundreds of other warships and trapper barges that tailed behind, Dragon Flyers loomed overhead, providing the rest of the armada cover in case anyone lurking in the jungles threatened to lash out at them. Despite the immense, crippling losses the Northern Alliance had suffered since their campaign in Kumandra had begun, their mighty armada was among the last of their war machines that had remained unscathed. A significant amount of warriors had been entrusted to protect the armada whilst Drago and his now-deceased warlords led the bulk of their forces to Fang Nation, but thanks to Hiccup Haddock, Drago had lost much: his Bewilderbeast, the hundreds of thousands of dragons he had possessed for decades as well as the dragons he had taken from Scandinavia, his powerful siege engine was no more, the Blue Lotus and their thousands of warriors who were deceived into believing their newly appointed warlord had been assassinated by Chagatai Khan's Mongol assassins now were nothing but meat for predators and birds to feast upon. All three of his warlords, his closest allies, and those who have proved themselves loyal and capable of following his command with undying loyalty were all victims of Hiccup Haddock's vengeful wrath. It had been a week after fleeing Fang Nation's imperial city, and now, the Northern Alliance, once a great, and unbeatable force was now beleaguered and reeking of imminent failure in their campaign in Kumandra and ultimately risked failing in achieving their ultimate goal of ruling the world.

Drago resided in his chambers, the room was dimly lit by lanterns on his desk, and the shadows that were dominant in the war master's chambers reflected his mood on the inside. He felt the gloominess of defeat creeping into his bones, it seemed all but inevitable now. Despite the best efforts of the Dragon Flyers, they had lost a substantial number of warriors in Fang Nation's imperial city, the Druun slaughtered them all without compassion or mercy, as retribution for attempting to enslave them.

Growling, the war master brought his fist down on his desk, leaving a sizeable dent there, he huffed and puffed softly in anger, uncertainty, and fear. Everything that he built, and everything that he has worked for in this life rested on the success of their campaign in Kumandra. If Drago was to gain the upper hand, he needed to regain control of the dragons that Hiccup Haddock had freed when he had revealed himself some time ago.

He needed Sisudatu and the Bewilderbeast egg he had kept hidden back in his siege engine fortress.

His army of man, which was still a considerable force had been severely depleted, and Drago and an inkling that those who resided in Kumandra would not join him. This campaign was all but over, Drago needed to make preparations to move on from Kumandra and take time to rebuild his junta whilst planning another campaign. Not only that, but he needed new warlords to keep the Mongol and Slavic armies in line, a matter he needed to attend to immediately.

Making his way to the deck of his ship, the warriors under his command stood at attention as Drago addressed his men. "You all know the current condition of our junta, we have been battered, but our fire still burns. We have been crippled, and yet our fire still burns. By no means are we strangers to hardship and strife, but each time we have suffered loss and substantial casualties in our campaigns, we press on!" The war master then pounded his fist against his chest. "Were you but common people, you would've abandoned our glorious calling to rule the world. The fact that you remain firmly fixed on the path that I showed you has told me all that I need to know about you. Each and every one of you men and women are warriors, born for this calling. You willingly stay the course despite all the setbacks and death we've suffered upon our arrival here, you honor me," Drago then boomed out. "I'm in need of new warlords. After the deaths of your former leaders, my war council is empty. Prove yourselves worthy in combat, and should you impress me, you will ascend to the position of warlord. Our time in Kumandra is coming to an end, and all of my plans here have been foiled. Now, our only hope of rebuilding our junta is to retake the dragons here: those that were once ours, those that we took from Scandinavia, and we will take all of Kumandra's dragons as well, including their precious Sisudatu, who will serve as our new alpha until her usefulness expires. We are one united force; we eat the mountains and we drink the seas, we are the Northern Alliance, and nothing and no one will stand in our way of fulfilling our destiny!" Roars of harmony and resolve filled Drago's ears, and it was pleasing to him. In truth, the losses they had suffered was in fact a blessing in disguise, it had severed the weak and the incompetent. Those that remained were among the elite of the junta, those who follow commands without question or uncertainty.

Drago then looked to the heavens to see Askari of Ashes touching down on the deck of his ship. As the head of the Dragon Flyers slid off his Singetail, he bowed his head and then spoke. "Master, your spies have sent word that the chiefs of Heart, Spine, and Talon are gathering at Heart Nation itself to speak of unification against us," Askari then continued. "The mercenaries of Tail Nation are ripe for seeking an alliance if we can meet their price. They believe fighting a war against us is futile."

"Wise, they care only of self-preservation. Lead a detachment of flyers to Tail Nation and have words with whoever leads those soiled sand rats, if they wish to preserve their people, they will follow me," the war master then growled. "If they do not find my generosity appealing, teach them that I am not to be trifled with." Bowing his head in understanding, Askari mounted his Singetail and took to the sky, leading a group of flyers in the direction of Tail Nation.

Meanwhile, Drago turned to one of his most skilled and most dangerous assassins, he was an Egyptian named Aten, Serpent's Fang due to being partial to snakes, especially cobra serpents. Aten bore dusky skin, his shaven head gleamed in the morning sunlight, his bronze-colored eyes seemed to glow like smoldering metal, and he bore gilded fangs in his mouth. His outfit was worthy of the priests who devote their lives to the Lord of Thebes. Like most of Drago's Hands, Aten was a former warrior of the Mongrel Tribe, but he had left his former tribe in favor of reaping war with Drago. The man held a long, dark cobra serpent which was wrapped around his right forearm, the serpent was calm and docile to Aten, who held it close to his face, savoring its quiet hissing.

"Aten, I have need of your services in the art of assassination," Drago said firmly. "You will be escorted by one of my flyers to Heart Nation, once there, you will assassinate Hiccup Haddock's allies as well as the respective chiefs of Kumandra. Without their leaders, we will leave these rebellious and incompetent peoples to fight each other, doing our work for us." Chuckling darkly, Drago then gave his best assassin a pat on the arm. "Prepare yourself, our enemies are not to be underestimated."

"Rest assured, the last thing I will do is underestimate our enemies, Master," Aten purred softly. The serpent coiled around his arm and then slithered into black robes, and Aten looked into Drago's eyes with a sinister smirk. "You wish for a poison blade to find its way into the heart of our enemy. By day's end, our enemies will be of no concern to you."

Drago held Aten in high esteem, he was one of the only warriors who had never failed him. Pleased with his assassin's words, Drago chuckled darkly once more. "Good," he then gave him a dismissive wave. "Prepare yourself. I will have one of my flyers fetch you shortly." Aten bowed his head and left the deck to gather what he needed to perform the required assassination his master had demanded of him.

(Heart Nation)

In the week that followed the Druun's total destruction, all of Kumandra was informed of Sisudatu's titanic battle with Xodar and how she not only eradicated the monsters who nearly destroyed their world but that she also brought back everyone who had been taken by the Druun. Under different circumstances, this would've been a time for celebration, but there was still a great menace lurking in Kumandra, the Northern Alliance.

It was unfair, the tens of thousands that had suffered a fate worse than death because of the Druun's thrall couldn't enjoy at least a month of peace with their loved ones, now they had to prepare for a war that most of them would die in. Many had refused to answer the call to war even though Sisudatu and the dragons under her command were aiding those who were prepared to fight, those who refused the call to war believed it was a war that was not worth fighting, and so they did not come. Those who did come, however, were all gathering at Heart Nation, home to Princess Raya and Chief Benja. Assembling in the very same place they had years prior, the chiefs of those who answered the call to war convened in the throne room of the palace, a massive map that held all of Kumandra and the lands within its borders was brought so that the chiefs could plan and form a strategy on where it would be best to fight Drago and his army.

Whilst each of Kumandra's chiefs were having words, Hiccup was outside the throne room and carving whilst enjoying the cool breeze, the smell of dew on the leaves, and the breathtaking view of mountains and rivers beside Raya's home. As Hiccup continued carving, he contemplated on all that he had done over the last week: he had learned to speak the Kumandran language surprisingly fast, he had been tending to the dragons he had freed from Drago's thrall from a secluded area in Heart Nation that was untouched by man and it was spacious enough for the enslaved dragons to savor the taste of freedom, and finally, he had been busy training to fight against Drago and his Hands. The last time he confronted the butcherer of his people, he barely escaped with his life, and he needed to ensure his skills as a warrior would serve him well the next time he came face to face with the madman who destroyed his future and his well-skilled warriors.

"Hiccup, those who came to join us are all here, we're ready to commence with the gathering."

Raya's words caused the Viking to grunt in acknowledgment as he was concluding his carving. Curious as to what Hiccup had carved, Raya approached with a questioning look. "This is a game piece to Maces and Talons. In my world, Maces and Talons was designed to test the abilities and decision-making expertise of future chiefs in the heat of battle. A former enemy turned acquaintance applied Maces and Talons in conflict; sacrificing pawns to further his agenda and even outsmarting me on many occasions, making me look like a child who can be easily manipulated," chuckling at the memories of his confrontations with Viggo made Hiccup realize how much he missed those days because even though the war with the Dragon Hunters was dicey, he still had Astrid, his friends, his father, Gobber, and everyone else he held close to his heart. Pulling out Inferno, Hiccup snickered. "My last Inferno blade wasn't like this one, the opponent I spoke of had given me inspired me to improve my craft, he ultimately helped sharpen my intellect, among many other things."

"What's your point?"

Looking at the game piece he had carved, Hiccup answered the princess. "The point is that we can't just fight Drago head-on, we need to inflict the killing blow to him and his junta. I've already crippled his army during my time embedded among them; his Bewilderbeast was not only his prized war beast but it was also the means of controlling countless dragons and keeping them in line. I've destroyed their mighty siege engine fortress that held a great many of their supplies, I've killed Drago's warlords one by one and ultimately plunged the respective armies under Drago's command to fight and even kill countless hundreds of their own people and allies. The Northern Alliance is crippled, it's out there licking its wounds like a wounded dog. Now all that remains is for us to put that wounded dog out of its misery, and finally, be rid of the Northern Alliance and its mad leader."

Namaari soon joined her lover and ally, causing them both to turn to her. "Everyone is here," Fang Nation's young chief then gave a firm nod. "Let's formulate a plan of attack." Nodding, Hiccup made his way inside the throne room, Raya and Namaari by his side until the three of them joined the chiefs of Spine and Talon Nation.

Benja who was speaking amongst the two chiefs of Spine and Talon soon turned to face his daughter, her lover, and Viking ally with a pleasing smile. "Good, now that we're all here, let's come together and formulate a plan of attack," the chief of Heart Nation had a bamboo staff in hand and he pointed to the map where Fang Nation is located. "With the Druun now nothing but a distant memory, Drago Bludvist and his army fled through Fang's canals, they know that none of us would be foolish to broker an alliance with him. Fang Nation, although they collaborated with Drago in the past to steal Sisudatu's gem piece in the years prior were left without a choice, their home and people would've been massacred had they not done what they did. I know many have suffered because of what happened six years ago, but that's now the past, which is now history. Today is the present, and we are blessed with this gift because of the efforts of my daughter, Sisudatu, as well as those my daughter is allied with.

"Even my people knew when to make peace. But, since we were naturally born to fight and raid, peace was not used often— or lightly. We wouldn't have summoned you here if we weren't sincere."

Drago Bludvist and his Northern Alliance are all that stand in your way of securing true, genuine peace in Kumandra, yet your petty quarrels have been the reason you've unleashed the Druun that nearly wiped out Fang Nation's imperial citizens. You'll fall to one if not the other," Hiccup's face twisted with guilt, and self-loathing. "My people did."

"Hiccup Haddock, I'm sorry for what you've lost."

Turning to Chief Benja, Hiccup replied swiftly. "We have all suffered, by the Druun or otherwise," turning to the chiefs of Spine and Talon Nation, Hiccup said firmly. "Your people and your home will not survive unless you overcome the petty differences that have kept you crippled. Drago Bludvist will exploit that weakness and use it to his advantage by either demanding you pledge loyalty to him and force you to fight in his junta or he'll wipe you out without pity or mercy."

Dang Hai, Chief of Talon Nation crossed his arms across his chest before giving the young Viking a curious look. "And what do you suggest that we do? Even if all the nations of Kumandra were aligned, Drago's army still holds the advantage in numbers. You would have us face uneven odds?"

"No, I suggest we apply Maces and Talons in this battle. Where I came from, this game helped the decision-making of future Viking chiefs and to help hone their minds with strategy," Hiccup then pointed to Heart Nation which was on the massive map. "We are here. And according to the latest reports from Chief Namaari's scouts, Drago and his army are advancing to Heart Nation, my guess is that the Northern Alliance seeks to retake the dragons I freed from their oppressive yoke. If they succeed, Drago will succeed in replenishing his numbers for the time being until he could sail away to another faraway land and wage another genocidal campaign to force another culture of people to join him or perish by the sword."

Stepping up, Namaari growled. "I will ensure the dragons are under the protection of my elite warriors. Drago will not touch Sisudatu or the egg of that... Bewilderbeast, nor any of the other dragons under our protection," she then stood by Hiccup and gave him a curious look. "This game of yours, Maces and Talons, what form of strategy can you conjure up from your time playing it?"

"I've fought in countless battles, granted, most of those battles were on the back of my Night Fury, Toothless. But yes, I can conjure up a strategy—"

Spine Nation's chief scoffed loudly, everyone turned in his direction as he shook his head. "What is this? We're relying on a round-eye foreigner to plan our battles? Not only that, but he believes a child's game can help us form a proper strategy? How pathetic," he then looked at Hiccup with a taunting grin. "Do you believe your little game pieces will defeat an opponent like Drago Bludvist?"

"Chief, with all, do respect if you do not mind your tongue, I will hack out your tongue with my axe myself," Tong growled, causing the chief to turn to the hulking warrior with an angry glare. "Hiccup Haddock knows this enemy better than you, and without his knowledge, we will be slaughtered."

Brandishing his own axe, Spine's chief lifted the blade of his weapon at Tong's throat, causing the hulking man to groan as cold metal was placed against his skin. "I am your chief, Tong, speak out of line again, and I will—"

"If you touch him, you're dead," Boun said while drawing a knife he had kept on his family's boat. Noi and her Ongis gave Spine Nation's leader threatening glares, much like Boun. "Go ahead, touch our friend, and see what happens."

Dang Hai, leader of Talon Nation then laughed. "Yes, please, show us what happens, little ones," Boun and Noi turned to him with glares, but he then brandished his two blades. Benja stepped forward, ready to end this nonsense was stopped when Dang Hai pointed one of his blades at his face. "If you value your life, I'd step aside."

"Touch my father, and I'll kill you myself," Raya snarled, drawing her whip sword.

As the tension reached boiling point, Hiccup had seen and heard enough. Just as Dang Hai twitched, Hiccup drew Inferno and severed one of his blades in half with one strike, causing everyone to look to the Viking. "Enough!" He seethed out. "Fighting each other will only benefit Drago, he wants us to weaken each other when we should be strengthening each other!" Hiccup's words caused Raya to let out a huff of frustration, but she knew he was right. Lowering her blade, she sheathed it back in its scabbard and backed away until everyone ceased their hostility. "You all have a choice to build or destroy to fight or to come together," Hiccup said firmly once everyone had settled down. "Love is a bridge and trust is a gift, when we give it to those we place our faith in, it gets better, in time. I'm the last of my kind, but if you want to preserve your futures and ensure your children and their children live in to carry your legacies, you must come together and trust in each other."

Raya and Namaari smiled at Hiccup's words, they laced their fingers together and squeezed each other's hands. They had made peace and were now happy together, Hiccup turned to the two women and used them as an example. "You all carried petty resentment towards Heart Nation because they were the keepers of Sisudatu's gem and kept it hidden, only because they knew if it was found, it could be used in a bad way or be destroyed, and in your case the latter. You all are to blame for reawakening the very monsters Sisudatu sacrificed herself to dispose of in the time of your ancestors. My friends Raya and Namaari were once at odds not long ago, they fought and inflicted pain on each other but it didn't balm their emotional wounds. But now they have made peace with each other and stand together, they understand that Kumandra must be what it once was, as does Chief Benja, who has continued to speak of unifying once again," the Viking then extended his arms out. "What is it going to take for you people to understand the time for petty disagreements and quarrels is over? Every moment you delay, Drago Bludvist will find a way to reinforce his army. His last true hope of completing his quest for world domination is subjugating Sisudatu, using her to bring all of Kumandra's dragons under Drago's control. He'll even be in search of the tens of thousands of dragons I liberated from his thrall when I was secretly embedded in his flock. So, what's it going to be? Will you choose to come together and guarantee the future of your people or will you watch as Drago Bludvist reduced Kumandra to fire and ash as he did to my home?"

Benja was impressed that this young man, a foreigner no less, be the voice of reason among people that were clearly not his own. He could hear the Viking's passion, even his desperation as he begged those who had come to set aside their old ways to be a unified Kumandra once again. Heart Nation's leader then turned to his guests and raised a questioning eyebrow. "Hiccup Haddock preaches what I believe is right and necessary, we must become Kumandra once again by unification," he then challenged. "With the Druun gone and Sisudatu and all the dragons our forefathers lived alongside restored to us, will you see this new beginning as a means of waging war against each other or will we ascend above our stubborn past and finally be one people?"

After a long period of silence, Dang Hai sheathed his one blade and then looked to Spine's chieftain. "We've been doing this for too long, I have decided to trust in Chief Benja's promise of a better Kumandra," he then narrowed his eyes in question. "Do you?"

Spine Nation's chief looked up at Benja, and his stubborn nature wanted to deny that he was right, but he knew that he would only look like a child who refuses to heed wisdom, and he hated looking like a fool. With a heavy sigh, he lowered his axe from Tong's throat and looked at Benja. "Very well, may this alliance between us bring our people ever closer to a better Kumandra," he then continued. "Tail Nation should've been here, I know not who leads them, but since they did not attend this gathering, the enemy will no doubt seek to turn them against us."

"Precisely," Benja said in agreement, he then turned to Raya. "If it isn't too much trouble, Dewdrop, I need you to go to Tail Nation and seek an audience with whoever is in charge. If we are to stand a chance against Drago Bludvist, we need all of Kumandra to stand with us."

"I understand, Ba," Raya then looked at Hiccup with a playful grin. "What do you, Dragon Master, care for a road trip?"

Snorting, Hiccup shrugged while returning Raya's playful grin. "I suppose someone needs to keep you out of trouble since Sisu is busy preparing the dragons for the inevitable war ahead of us," he then turned to Tong, Boun, and Noi. "Stay out of trouble, will you?"

"Of course, you have nothing to worry about," Boun reassured. "Besides, I can finally cook for an army, this is going to be great!" Noi made babbling noises of excitement and her Ongis ran around in circles while screeching in excitement, they loved helping Boun prepare food, and the thought of those con-artists preparing food was a rather... disturbing image, one that Hiccup didn't want to think about.

"Worry not, Hiccup Haddock III, we will keep the peace, and await your return!" Tong said firmly.

Raya then turned to Namaari, took her hands in her own, and smiled warmly. "I'll be back soon," she then pressed her forehead against her lover's own. "Will you be alright here?"

"Mhmm," Namaari then pulled away from her and placed a hand on Raya's cheek. "Go. I'll see you shortly." The two women then shared a kiss and an embrace of temporary farewell. After sharing touching sentiments, Namaari turned to Hiccup and nodded at him. "Make sure she gets back here in one piece, will you?"

"I will," Hiccup then turned to Raya. "Are you ready?"

"I am. Let's go."

The two of them soon made their way out of the palace and eventually found their way onto the bridge leading to the mainland. Raya had brought Tuk Tuk with her, but Hiccup had other plans. He then made the dragon call of a Deadly Nadder, and soon enough, Stormfly appeared while squawking happily at Hiccup. After sharing a brief moment of affection with Astrid's bonded dragon, Hiccup mounted Stormfly and held a hand out for Raya.

"Uh, Hiccup?"

Smirking, Hiccup playfully jabbed at her. "What? Is the princess too scared to go flying?"

"Unlikely," Raya then dismounted Tuk Tuk, the furry Pillbug let out a disappointed groan, but Raya cupped her furry companion's face. "Don't worry, Tuk Tuk, I'll be fine. Go back to the palace." She then took Hiccup's hand and allowed him to haul her up on Stormfly's back. While most of the dragons, including Hookfang, Meatlug, Barf and Belch were getting acquainted with Sisu and the rest of the dragons here, Stormfly refused to leave Hiccup's side, not that the young Viking minded. In a way, with Stormfly by his side, it was as if Astrid was by his side as well, perhaps not in person, but certainly in spirit.

"Alright, princess, brace yourself," Hiccup warned before patting Stormfly's crown. "Alright girl, let's fly." With an acknowledging squawk, Stormfly took to the sky with a sudden burst of speed, Raya let out a cheerful whoop while wrapping her arms around Hiccup's torso. Feeling her arms around him like that reminded him of the first time he had shown Astrid the truth about dragons all those years ago on Berk when he was still Hiccup the Useless. That romantic flight with the girl of his dreams was one of the best nights of his life, a memory he always preserved in his mind's eye.

Now, they were on their way back to Tail Nation, back to where his journey in Kumandra began. If Drago was there to personally persuade the people of Tail Nation to his side, he could avenge Astrid, and everyone else the mad war master had taken from him. Though he didn't get his hopes up, Drago no doubt sent his pawns to deal with Tail Nation's people. Like Drago, those that the madman had dispatched would soon meet their end, Hiccup would see to it personally.

The fight he had been craving for was drawing closer, sooner or later, his blade would cross with Drago's. And when that happens, he would either find glory or he would find Valhalla.

If the Æsir favored him, he would find both and reunite with his loved ones.

"Soon," Hiccup whispered to himself. Reaching for Astrid's betrothal pendant still around his neck, he caressed the pendant in his hand and repeated to himself. "Soon." He would worry about that later, for now, he needed to help Raya to turn Tail Nation over to their side and join their alliance. Even though they had enough manpower and the aid of dragons, Hiccup wanted to ensure that their victory would be guaranteed. He would leave nothing to chance, Tail Nation would either join them or they would be a liability to them. Drago too would have no use for them if they refused him.

They needed to convince Tail Nation to join them. There could be no room for error.

A/N: We're getting closer to Hiccup's fight with Drago! Stay tuned!