A/N: Warning! This chapter is gonna include brutal rape, Askari and his men are gonna take out their anger on her by sexually brutalizing her.

(Normal pov— Heart Nation)

Namaari strolled through the war camp each of Kumandra's chieftains had established outside of Heart Nation's imperial city, the camp was divided and had banners set up so that each nation of Kumandra was identified. There was still some tension between the nations, after all, they had been at odds for a very long time, and resentment, as well as disagreements of that scale, didn't dissipate overnight. But for the sake of the future of their respective peoples and Kumandra itself, the nations had agreed to set aside their differences to fight together against Drago Bludvist, the man who would put them all to the slaughter. Approaching the side of the war camp that bore Fang Nation banners, Namaari made her way to the tent where the healers were tending to those still wounded from the Druun or otherwise. Within the tent was Lahn Wei, shirtless, and was having his wounds treated with healing properties. Looking up to his old childhood friend and now chief, Lahn Wei bowed his head in greetings.

"Chief Namaari, what a surprise," he hissed in pain as the healers applied further healing properties to his wounds. Shaking off the pain, he then inquired. "How may I be of service to you?"

Namaari crossed her arms across her chest and paced back and forth. "You satisfy my curiosity," coming to a stop, the young chieftain narrowed her eyes. "Now that the Northern Alliance has left you to die, will you sever your loyalty to the madman who caused the destruction of our imperial city? Or will you return to him like a well-heeled dog, once your wounds have been sealed?"

Groaning as the healers began to bandage his wounds, Lahn Wei released a heavy sigh. "I have no intention of returning to Drago. Even those I was one of his Chosen, he doesn't care about anyone or anything other than himself and reaching his ambition of world domination. His lust for unlimited power nearly killed me, and I now renounce my allegiance to Drago Bludvist," once the healer had finished wrapping bandages around his wounds, Lahn Wei nodded in thanks. He then fetched a robe throw over his well-built body and looked back at Namaari. "I know Drago and how he thinks, my knowledge can serve you and our coalition well."

"It will," Namaari agreed. "You will speak with your mother, Atitāya, as well as the other generals and commanders of my army, and you will tell them all that you know. Do this, and you will have earned my trust."

Nodding, Lahn Wei then bowed his head. "As you command, Chief Namaari," he then made his way out of the healer's tent to speak with the leaders of Fang Nation's army.

The young chief then looked to see her cousin, Somwang by her mother's side. Mahalia was recovering from the torture and sexual abuse that Drago himself had inflicted upon her. It hurt Namaari to see her family being hurt in such a manner, despite the healer's best efforts, Mahalia's grip on life was slipping. Standing beside her cousin, Namaari placed a hand on Somwang's back, causing her to turn to her cousin before looking back down on her mother, who was resting on one of the many cots in the tent.

"How is she?"

Somwang sighed heavily and shook her head. "She's... not good. At this point, she's just fortunate to be alive," her hands clenched into fists and she seethed out. "When I get my hands on Drago--"

"He'll pay for this, cousin, not only for brutally raping your mother to within an inch of your life but for all the offenses he's committed. That mad dog will soon be put out of his misery."

"I look forward to it."

One of Namaari's bodyguards suddenly entered the tent, they announced their presence and bowed before the young chief before speaking. "Chief Namaari, Hiccup Haddock has returned," they then added," and... he had returned alone."

Quickly saying a farewell for now to her cousin, Namaari made her way outside the healer's tent with haste, Namaari laid eyes on Hiccup who slid off of Stormfly, his sleek black armor had dust clinging to it and there was dried blood spatter along it as well. Hiccup ran a hand through his wind-whipped hair and then lowered his head while murmuring to himself.

"Hiccup, where's Raya?"

When the Viking didn't answer, Namaari stormed over to him and gripped his face, forcing him to look her in the eyes. "I asked you a question," she snarled like a predatory cat. "Where. Is. Raya?"

Ripping her hand off of his face, Hiccup glared at Fang Nation's chieftain while shaking his head. "She's been taken by Askari of Ashes, the head of Drago Bludvist's Dragon Flyers, which I am sure you well know by now," the young Viking looked to the heavens and released a heavy sigh before looking back into Namaari's eyes, which demanded he continued to talk. "We had words with Chief Chanthou, while also discussing a plan on how we deal with Drago, but Askari and a group of his flyers forced us to hide while they had too had words with Chanthou. After mocking her and the people of Tail Nation a great deal, Chanthou unleashed her rage on Drago's pawns, during the chaos, Raya was taken by Askari. I did what I could, but... it wasn't enough."

Namaari noted Hiccup's puffy, bloodshot eyes, clearly losing Raya had affected him a great deal. But it affected her even more. Namaari had already lost too much to Drago Bludvist, if he robbed her of the woman she loved, she would act on base impulses. However, to act in such a way would do Raya no good, by now she's in Drago's vile hands, and she would be used as leverage or if Kumandra were to attack the Northern Alliance, they would threaten to rob Raya of life.

"I'm sorry, I did everything that I could—"

"Shh," Namaari closed the gap and wrapped her arms around Hiccup. Like Raya, Hiccup had gotten close with Namaari, he had told her of his past battles, adventures, misfortunes, and defeats. He even told her of how he had been haunted by dark, twisted phantoms that wore the faces of his loved ones while he had stowed away on one of Drago's ships. Caressing the back of Hiccup's neck, Namaari could feel her friend trembling in her arms. "You're trembling," she stated. "Were you haunted by these phantoms on your flight back here?"

Nodding, Hiccup murmured against her ear. "They taunted me on my failure to bring Raya back here and they told me that I'll die here in failure," pulling away from Namaari's arms, Hiccup growled. "Before I face Drago in combat, I need to be rid of these phantoms. They represent my regret and shame for trying to reason with Drago when everyone I loved told me not to speak with the war master. I... I'm the reason my people are no more—"

"Drago would've attacked your people and eradicated your kind regardless. You acted on what you believed was right, unfortunately, Drago squandered the opportunity to see the truth about dragons and to stray from the path of conquest and death," reaching for his face again, Namaari gently pinched her friend's chin so that he was looking into her eyes. "I know meditation techniques to help you find inner peace, and to turn these phantoms into memories that will give you strength rather than regret."

Hiccup smiled in thanks, but before he could express his gratitude, Chief Benja and two of his guards approached. The Viking cleared his throat and answered Benja's unasked question. "Raya isn't dead, Chief Benja, she's been taken by Askari of Ashes, head of Drago Bludvist's Dragon Flyers," he then spoke with sympathy. "I fear Raya will be used as leverage so that Drago can reclaim every dragon here. I'm sorry for not being a better companion to your daughter—"

Benja silenced Hiccup by placing a hand on the Viking's shoulder. "You were there for my daughter when the whole world was against her. You helped my daughter trust in those who are not her own people and you helped her yo forgive those who ultimately led to our world being broken for six long years," smiling, Benja gave reassuring words. "I blame you for nothing, my boy. Raya has been trained to resist torture and pain since she was a child, she will resist Drago for as long as she's able. But we too must formulate a plan to get my daughter back before her spirit is broken."

"Agreed," Namaari then turned back to Hiccup and inquired. "What of Chief Chanthou? Were you and Raya able to persuade her to join our cause?"

"Tail Nation is with us. They should arrive soon enough, I told Chanthou to meet us here with haste," Hiccup saw then saw Boun, Noi, and Tong approaching. The three of them as well as the Ongis and Tuk Tuk gave the Viking a questioning look. "I'm sorry, but Raya has been taken by the enemy."

"No," Boun whispered. Even though the young man had his real family back, he saw Raya as his older sister, and if there was a way to rescue her, he would do it without hesitation. "When do we rescue her?"

"We don't. Not yet, anyway."

"But—"

"Boun, I'm worried about her too. I am, but we don't know where Drago and his army are exactly," Hiccup said firmly. "We need to be patient, if Drago sends someone out here to try and divide us, we'll force them to tell us where the Northern Alliance is hiding."

Grunting in agreement, Tong cracked his knuckles. "And I would be happy to force the potential saboteur to tell us where Raya is being kept," grinning, Tong continued. "I will make them talk in no time!" Noi made babbling sounds of agreement while making an intimidating face, expressing she would aid Tong.

"I admire your enthusiasm, Tong, but we cannot be certain Drago will send someone here," Benja then looked to Hiccup. "What do you think?"

"With Tail Nation by our side, we'll outnumber the Northern Alliance. I have no doubt Drago will send an assassin to disrupt our unity," turning to Namaari, Hiccup gave her a firm glare. "I would advise you to assign Serlot Claw warriors to each of the chiefs, as a precaution."

"Very well. I'll see to it that they're assigned to each chieftain here," Namaari then exhaled softly. "Let's hope Raya can resist whatever torture Drago will inflict on her."

"She's strong, Namaari. She'll do her part," Hiccup spoke firmly. "We need to prepare for anything Drago will throw at us."

Although he was doing his best to remain positive, Hiccup prayed that Raya would remain strong and withstand whatever Drago would inflict on her. He needed to have faith in her because she has placed her faith in him.

They will get her back. And then Kumandra could go to war.

Raya moaned in pain as she felt the back of her head aching, she tried reaching for her head, only to find that she was bound. She quickly took in her surroundings and realized she was at Heart Nation. The winds caressing her face and running through her hair told her that she was in the sky, but the dragon she was on was not Stormfly, it was a Singetail. Carefully turning to the flyer, Raya that they were too busy steering the oppressed dragon down towards the water. They entered a massive cloud that blocked Raya's line of sight for a moment, but when they emerged out of the cloud, Heart Nation's princess laid eyes on a massive armada of ships sailing along the jungle rivers, and at the front of this armada was one of the largest ships Raya had ever seen. This ship consists of three masts and four sails, each of the sails bore the image of a large sword going down the middle of a Monstrous Nightmare's skull, an emblem to represent that even dragons as powerful and fierce as a Monstrous Nightmare could be quelled by Drago Bludvist. Unlike the other ships in the Northern Alliance armada, this hulking warship bore three main segments, each lined next to the other. The bowsprit for each of the segments sported dragon skulls. As the ship got closer and closer with each passing moment, Raya could see plenty of dragon cages on this warship, all of which are controlled by a rotating gear mechanism, a means to hold captive dragons that are muzzled and held fast by ropes.

Once landing on the deck of the ship, several of the warriors manning the ship approached Askari who was catching his breath after the hours he had spent flying and after fighting Hiccup Haddock. The head of the Dragon Flyers then dismounted his Singetail and looked to the second in command of Drago's warship. "I've come bringing our master a prisoner that may give us the advantage in this war with Hiccup Haddock and Kumandra," he then raised an eyebrow in question. "Where's Drago?"

"In the armory."

Nodding at the head officer onboard, Askari then reached for his valuable hostage and then started to drag the squirming princess of Heart Nation into the dark chambers of the Conqueror's armory, which was dimly lit. Drago's personal guards lined the walls as they watched the head of the Dragon Flyers dragging Raya, who was trying to rip free from her bonds and from Askari's hold. Eventually, Askari came to a stop and tossed Raya to the hard deck. Lifting herself up, the princess then received a brutal backhand slap from Askari. The blow caused her eyes to water and it left a small cut underneath Raya's left eye, she hissed at the sting of the blow and then gave Askari a murderous glare.

"I take it that Tail Nation's chieftain will not submit to my might. Am I right?"

Looking ahead, the darkness of the chamber shrouded his master's form, but he was here. Askari bowed his head and spoke with regret in his tone. "Yes, their chief refused to join you and the Northern Alliance. She killed many of my flyers, and then we were followed by that Viking filth, Hiccup Haddock, he killed what was left of the flyers that accompanied me. I alone survived—"

"You had the chance to kill Hiccup Haddock?"

Askari fell silent, previously, Drago had voiced his wishes to see Hiccup Haddock suffer beyond imagination before finally killing him. But after the damage, he had inflicted on the Northern Alliance and after losing a substantial number of warriors in Fang Nation's imperial city thanks to the Druun, the war master voiced that anyone who would bring him Hiccup Haddock's head would be elevated and rewarded most handsomely. Those who failed in killing the heir of Berk would meet their death.

"Y-Yes. I nearly had him, b-but—"

"You failed," Drago's tone was low, cold. Recently, those who had failed the war master twice were met with a swift or slow death. But now that the Northern Alliance was in a state of beleaguerment and weakness thanks because of recent events, Drago would not suffer failure, period. "Your services are no longer required, Askari of Ashes." Two of the war master's personal guards approached Askari with blades drawn and ready to execute the head of the Dragon Flyers without pity or mercy.

"Wait!" Askari held his hands out towards the advancing guards and then looked at his shrouded master. "I've come with Chief Benja's daughter, Princess Raya!"

The guards looked to their shrouded master, waiting to give the command to end Askari. The silence that followed made the head of the Dragon Flyers hold his breath, he wondered whether or not Drago cared if they now possessed a valuable hostage, they could demand much from the Kumandra coalition, mainly the dragons in exchange for Raya's safe release. Either way, Askari's fate was in Drago's hands, and all he could do was pray that he would live another day and prove himself worthy in his master's eyes.

"You have Chief Benja's daughter?"

"Y-Yes, she and Hiccup Haddock were at Tail Nation, persuading its new chief to join their coalition and make Kumandra unified once again," Askari then continued. "With Heart Nation's princess as your hostage, you can lure Hiccup Haddock here and demand anything from him!"

After another long moment of silence, heavy footsteps soon approached the kneeled princess and she laid eyes on a hulking figure that was shrouded in the darkness. Eventually, the figure emerged from the shadows, now exposed by the dim lantern lights, Raya now had the chance to lay eyes on the madman that Hiccup was hellbent on killing and who inflicted grievous injuries throughout Namaari's life, both past and recently.

Drago Bludvist.

This genocidal monster was a tall, well-built man matching his intimidating personality. Hiccup had told her that he previously wore a prosthetic in place of his severed left arm, but now thanks to his interactions with the Druun and the magical matter that could destroy the now late demons, Drago's left arm was made whole, though now it was of cold, black matter rather than flesh and blood. His hair and beard were in thick, messy dreadlocks. Multiple scars run over Drago's face and body, evidence of his past battles with those he had conquered and the dragons he... "controlled." His attire consists of a sleeveless breastplate, a thick waist belt, and a huge black cape fashioned from dragon skin. Attached to his belt he wears a loincloth, blue trousers, and boots covered in fur.

Grimacing at the menacing brute that was Drago, Heart Nation's princess spoke boldly. "Hello, ugly," Drago growled at the young woman before him while he bore his teeth in warning. After a long moment of tense, uncomfortable silence, Raya then shrugged. "So, what now?"

Drago gave her a grin that made her skin crawl and her stomach twist with nervousness. There was a certain look in those cold, malicious eyes of his, it was a look that Raya knew all too well from encountering men who craved carnal satisfaction.

"You have done well, Askari of Ashes." The war master commended before speaking firmly. "Keep her alive, she will be of great use to us," Drago reached down to caress her cheek, causing Raya to shrink back in disgust. "You and your flyers may take her and have your... fun. You have earned it." Laughing lowly at the horror filling in Raya's eyes, Drago then laughed louder at the sight of Askari grabbing a handful of the young woman's hair and dragging her out of the armory chambers.

"You'll pay for this, Drago! I'll see to it personally!"

Raya shrieked out while trying to free herself from Askari's grasp, but Drago merely grinned at the princess. She had a fire in her eyes, seeing her struggle reminded him of Hiccup Haddock's woman, she too had a fire and she was defiant. But that fire was snuffed out eventually, and the same would happen to Benja's daughter.

Chuckling, Drago returned to what he was doing earlier, honing the edges of both his sword and bullhook while also preparing to send a message to Hiccup Haddock and Kumandra.

"Kofi! Come!"

An old, grizzled man emerged out of the shadows and stood by Drago. His ebony skin bore white war paint, he wore a skull as a mask, yet it only covered the top half of his face, not the lower. He bore long dreadlocks that were done in a ponytail and were completely white, signifying his old age. He was draped in hyena fur, and he wore a crimson skirt that had skulls of several types of small animals. His skin also bore crude, grotesque runes, telling everyone that this man was a sorcerer, and he wielded a staff with bird skulls tied around it as well as bird ribs jutting from the sides.

"How may I be of service, Lord Bludvist?" Kofi inquired.

"Prepare a spell that will allow me to speak with my enemies, especially Hiccup Haddock," Drago then continued. "When your spell is complete, come to me."

Raya was tossed to the deck of the ship while Askari summoned the remainder of his fellow flyers to his side. They soon got to work on removing Raya's bounds, once she was free, the princess of Heart Nation landed a ruthless kick to Askari's face, blood and spittle flew out of his mouth while the other flyers held her limbs.

"Hold her!"

"She's resisting!"

"Hold her down. Now!"

With a roar, Raya was able to free herself from her captors and then spun in a circle while on the deck and swept the flyer's feet out from under them, causing them all to fall. The warriors on the deck all drew their weapons and advanced, intending on overwhelming Raya. Knowing she stood no chance against all these warriors, Raya sprinted toward the ledge of the ship, but before she could leap into the water below, the razor-sharp blade of a dagger-tail chain whip embedded itself deep into Raya's right shoulder blade, causing her to scream in agony and to stop her dead in her tracks. Turning around, Raya saw one of Drago's flyers with the dagger-tail chain whip in hand, they glared at the princess before bearing their teeth at her.

"Come here!"

With a sharp yelp, Raya was yanked back into the arms of the Dragon Flyers. Before she could even fight, they all proceeded to land ruthless blows to her stomach until she fell down on the deck. She was then being kicked relentlessly, each kick knocked the air out of her lungs and when she received a sharp blow to the jaw, blood and spittle flew out of her mouth and she fell down on the deck, wheezing raggedly, while also desperately trying to regain her breath. As she tried crawling away, she could the laughter of the men and women who served Drago fill her ears.

"Where are you going to go, huh?"

"I love females with fire, it makes breaking them all the more fun!"

"She'll soon know her place. Grab her!"

Again, multiple hands lifted Raya off of the deck, and then the beaten, bloodied princess was dragged to a section of the ship where she could be chained and displayed for all on the main deck to see.

"Now, strip her."

Raya's eyes widened in horror as she heard the dark chuckles coming from Askari's men as they once more laid hands on her, stripping her of her clothing. Despite her best efforts to repel the men surrounding her, they landed blows to her battered sides as well as the wound she had received in the shoulder blade, knocking the fight out of her. Eventually, Raya was stark naked and then the flyers proceeded to chain her upright so that all could see her nudity. Those gathered roared in laughter, exclaimed in excitement, as well as taunted the now exposed princess of Heart Nation.

"She certainly is a sight to behold."

"I heard she favors cunt, rather than cock."

"Well, if she hasn't experienced a real cock yet, she'll be well filled."

Blushing at the vulgar words of Drago's men, Raya whimpered in fear as Askari stepped into her line of vision and then took hold of her face in a firm grip, causing her to hold her breath. "You and that Viking filth, Hiccup Haddock killed many of my finest flyers, brothers, and sisters in arms. Their blood stains your hands, and I would see them avenged by making one who played a role in their death suffer," although the prospect of raping Raya was appealing, Askari already had his woman, Mkali, who at the moment was away, and he would respect the years of companionship he's shared with her by not taking advantage of Benja's daughter. "I won't rape you, but don't think you'll escape my wrath, I will make you suffer when my men have had their fill of you." Releasing his hold on Raya's face, Askari turned to his men and grinned. "She's all yours. Who's first?"

The flyers spoke over each other, then one of the larger flyers stepped forward, a warrior who was a figurate tower yet he was brawny. Raya bit her lower lip and released a shaky breath when this hulking flyer approached her from behind, he undid his pants and undergarments, exposing his raging cock, but after giving his length several strokes, he was at full mast. A scream of horror fled from Raya as this flyer buried himself inside her without warning. Another flyer approached, they removed their mask and then began groping Raya's perky breasts, in another time and under different circumstances, the princess would be crying out in pleasure. But there was nothing pleasurable about this. Despite her best efforts to hold back her moans, Raya mewled weakly as the flyer groped her breasts and then began lapping up her nipples.

"You like, don't you?" The flyer tonguing her nipples breathed out. "Deny it all you want, but you are no longer a princess. Now, you're nothing but a whore to satisfy our carnal desires." Before Raya could curse the flyers, the man pounding into her from behind wrapped his fingers around her throat, cutting off her airflow whilst he thrust into her at a rapid pace.

Raya had trained her whole life to protect herself, and she used those skills to ward off the unwelcome advances of men who would seek to take advantage of her. But now, she was entirely at the mercy of these dogs who believed themselves to be men, and it made Raya sick to think that her rapists had overpowered her so quickly. With a snarl, the hulking flyer inside her then found his release, causing Raya to cry out in despair and disgust. Removing himself from her womanhood, the hulking flyer then landed a slap on her pert backside, causing Raya to inhale sharply and glare daggers at the smirking flyer who had violated her first. The flyer who was ravishing her breasts removed himself too, turning to Askari who was standing by a basin of fire, and in his hand was a brand that bore the emblem of Drago Bludvist— the head of a Monstrous Nightmare with a sword going down the middle of it.

"Those we take as slaves receive this brand," Askari lifted the brand out of the basin, revealing the searing hot image to Raya, who had blanched at the realization of what was to come. "As a slave to the Northern Alliance, your life is forfeit; your freedom is revoked and you will please however and whenever we want." Approaching Raya, the princess desperately tried to back away from the searing brand, but two flyers held her still so that she couldn't move while Askari stripped her of her freedom. With a devilish grin, Askari spoke softly. "Now you'll be ours to with as we wish until you've outlived your usefulness." Just as he was about to press the brand to Raya's face, a deep voice boomed out.

"HOLD!"

Panting heavily at the heating caressing her face from the searing brand, Raya saw Drago emerge out of the armory with his guards and his sorcerer, Kofi. The war master looked to Akari and shook his head. "I have no use for Benja's daughter to become a slave. She is to be leverage, nothing more and nothing less," as Askari lowered the brand, Raya released a sigh of relief, even though she was spared from the thought and possibility of thralldom, she would still suffer for the time being. "Kofi will enact a spell that will allow all of Kumandra to see what has become of Princess Raya, and then I will demand the price for her freedom."

"You'd best kill me, you animal!" Raya seethed out. "If you free me, I'll see to it personally that Hiccup can ensure your death." For her words, Raya received another vicious backhand across the face from Askari, causing her to hiss in pain. Looking at Drago, the princess could see he was unmoved by her threat.

Drago then turned to his sorcerer. "Begin your spell," Kofi nodded and began to make preparations. Turning back to his flyers, Drago gestured to Raya. "She and Hiccup Haddock both have killed many of your brothers and sisters in arms. Every one of you is to take their turn with her. Continue to use her as you see fit." With their master's approval, the Dragon Flyers chuckled darkly amongst themselves while surrounding Raya, who was shrinking back in fear.

Two flyers approached the princess, removing their the lower half of their clothing, and asserted themselves in her womanhood and puckered hole, causing Raya to snarl out in agony. Laughter and cheers filled the air, and it only made Raya's blood boil, these people had no morality and cared not about how would ruin her standing in the eyes of Kumandra, Namaari, and her father. While the flyers inside her thrust up into her body, they began mouthing her chest and the back of her neck as well, murmuring lewd words against her skin and ears.

"You're so tight, Princess Raya. And you're taking us both so well, like a good little whore."

"Yes, we'll make crave our cocks before your friends come to rescue you. Perhaps you'll favor us more than the woman you hold affection for."

Their words made Raya's skin crawl with disgust and her blood boil in rage, the flyer's words made Raya wish she could hack out their tongues with her sword, but not before relieving them of their cocks. Whilst being taken, Raya laid eyes on the sorcerer pouring a strange substance around where she was being chained and raped and again pouring it around Drago. Once the substance was dispersed, Kofi took a torch and placed it on the substance, causing it to engulf in green fire, though surprisingly, this fire was... unnatural, and it didn't burn the deck of the ship, nor did it produce heat.

"I will begin the spell," Kofi said to Drago. "On your command." Grunting to his sorcerer, the war master watched as his sorcerer began chanting in the Afrikaan tongue. Whilst speaking the spell, Drago could see the green flames rising, an aroma rose from the flames and found itself into the nostrils of the war master, causing him to hiss sharply and his eyes rolled in the back of his skull before he could see all of Kumandra before him.

It was time to give his enemies terms for guaranteeing the safe return of Raya.

"So, you believe Drago will use my daughter as leverage as a means of reclaiming the egg of this... Bewilderbeast?"

"That, or Drago will not only demand we give him the egg, but every dragon here: Sisu, her siblings, and those native to your world and mine," Hiccup shrugged before turning to the other chieftains and their confidants. "It's the only thing that makes sense. After I had triggered infighting among Drago's ranks, he could possibly recoup his numbers by taking back the dragons, subjugating them once again, and forcing them to be nothing more than mindless beasts of war."

Sighing heavily, Namaari shook her head. "We can't let Drago's strength replenish, not after all the damage you inflicted on him, Hiccup. It's imperative that we ensure he remains in a weakened state!"

"I don't disagree with you, Chief Namaari," Dang Hai said while stroking his beard. "But we must choose a careful course of action. We know not whether or not Drago has spies watching our every move. If we proceed in an aggressive manner, Drago would no doubt be alerted and be prepared to counter whatever we throw at him."

Grunting in agreement, Spine Nation's chief spoke up. "I agree with Dang Hai, your emotions will get the better of you if you don't remain calm—"

"I am calm," Namaari hissed, bearing her gilded fangs. "Aside from Benja, I love Raya with all my heart, I would never propose a reckless plan that will get the woman I love killed."

War horns were then sounded, alerting everyone gathered in the chieftains tent of an approaching force. Naturally, the armies of each of these proud, stubborn nations readied themselves, as did the chieftains who were exiting the text with weapons drawn. But as this unknown force emerged out of the jungle, Chief Chanthou and her generals revealed themselves on horses while their armies emerged out of the jungle behind them with war machines as well as war leopards.

Chanthou steered her horse towards Benja and the other chieftains of Kumandra. Once dismounting her horse, she bowed her head in greetings, a sentiment Benja returned.

"Chief Chanthou, welcome to Heart Nation,"

"Thank you, Chief Benja," Chanthou then gestured behind her. "I offer you the sons and daughters of Tail Nation. May this war bring us to unity."

Smiling, Benja nodded. "Indeed. We not only face a common enemy that every nation must face, but we must also come together and ensure the future generations of our people live to tell their children how we finally set aside our differences and came together as one,"

"Yes. That is a cause worth fighting for," Chanthou's face suddenly fell. "I only wish your daughter were here to join us. Hiccup Haddock told you what transpired in my kingdom, I presume?"

"He did, and he also offered counsel to me as well as the other chieftains here. We are to prepare for a possible attack from Drago, a means to fracturing our unity."

Dwelling on Benja's words, Chanthou then inquired. "What precautions are you taking?"

"Chief Namaari's elite warriors of the Serlot Claw are assigned to protect each chieftain. You as well. The possibility of Drago dispatching an assassin to kill one of us and then frame the killing is very likely. We must be prepared should that be the case," Benja then extended a hand out to the side of the war camp that hadn't been occupied. "Please, rest. We will help you and your army set up camp."

Before Chanthou can express gratitude to Benja, suddenly, green fire licked the sky above the war camp, everyone readied themselves, believing this to be an attack by Drago. However, they were unprepared for what they were about to lay eyes on. The fire manifested into a clear mirage, revealing the stark naked, yet chained princess of Heart Nation, Raya.

"B-Ba... Hi-Hiccup... Ma-Mari..." panting heavily through the blood, sweat, and tears, Raya then whimpered out. "He-Help me!"

Everyone gasped and exclaimed in shock, Benja, Hiccup, and Namaari too gasped in horror at the sight of Raya, who had been chained upright and displayed out like an "X" while she was being raped by Dragon Flyers. Not only that, but there were several cuts along her and bruises on her toned body, indicating that she had indeed put up a fight against her captors and rapists, but they were making her suffer as a result of her defiance. The flyers suddenly ceased their sexual assault and the mirage of Askari appeared, he had a knife in his hand and he cut along the bridge of Raya's nose, causing her to scream in agony.

"ARGH!"

"Dep La!" Namaari exclaimed in terror. Turning to the mirage of Askari, Fang Nation's chieftain snarled out. "Leave her alone, you piece of—"

"Do I have your attention now, Hiccup Haddock?" Turning to the larger mirage of Drago Bludvist, the young Viking approached the hulking mirage of the man he had sworn to kill. Hiccup could see the war master bearing his teeth before roaring out. "DO I?!!" Tensing at the war master's violent tone, Hiccup glared at Drago as he pointed to the mirage of Raya.

"You feel the pain of your friend, can you? Each twist of my blade hurts you as much as it hurts her. She will not die, not by my hand, but she will suffer until you stand before me with the Bewilderbeast spawn, Sisudatu, and all of the dragons you stole from me." Drago then spoke passionately. "For the Northern Alliance, victory is our ultimate goal; victory over those who would see us dead, victory over man and dragons alike, and victory over conquering our consciousness! We refuse to be held back by guilt and regret which will hamper our progress toward world domination and we refuse to swallow failure and defeat, and those who cannot keep up with the best of us, are cut down. Those among us who are strong enough to do what must be done are the best of humanity! Their fears are extinguished and their weaknesses are beaten from them. From all of us. It makes us strong!" Slamming his fist against a hard surface, everyone turned to the mirage of Raya as she wailed out in agony as another flyer took their blade and cut down the left side of her face, down her eye. Hiccup grit his teeth at the sight, he turned to Namaari, she was huffing and puffing in rage, her hands were clenched into fists, and she glared murderously at Drago's mirage. Benja too was enraged at this, the man who was threatening to burn Kumandra and its people to ash was violating his daughter in the most grotesque of ways, Hiccup could feel his pain, even though he himself wasn't a father.

But he could've been... in another life, perhaps.

Returning his attention back to the madman, Hiccup watched as Drago then looked down at him with a cruel grin. "Your compassion for these people and your determination to see their people flourish makes you weak, and that's why you will lose this war, Hiccup Haddock. You couldn't stop me from wiping your incompetent race off the face of this world, and you believe you can prevent the same fate that will inevitably fall upon Kumandra and its people. Admirable, but a wasted effort," the grin on the war master's face disappeared and was replaced with a stern glare. "Our time together is at an end, Hiccup Haddock. I await our final meeting. If you value the life of Princess Raya, you will give me what I want, or I will have her life." The mirage of both Drago and Raya soon dissipated, causing the coalition to talk amongst themselves.

"He's a monster."

"What can be done?"

"If we don't deliver what he asks, then he will kill Chief Benja's daughter!"

Namaari turned to Hiccup and grasped his left arm. "We have to act. Now!" Her eyes burned with desperate determination, but the fire in her eyes dimmed with fear and worry for her lover. "H-Hiccup, I lost both my parents to that monster. I can't lose Raya too, I-I..."

"We'll get her back, Namaari, I promise," he grasped the back of her head and pressed his forehead against her own, causing them both to close their eyes. Hiccup then offered her counsel. "If you act on base impulse, it could get Raya killed. Drago is not only using her to get what he wants but he's also goading us to act foolishly, we can't do that. We need a plan, one that will ensure Raya is returned to your arms and one that doesn't involve the dragons being sent back to the madman's grasp as beasts of war and nothing else."

Nodding against Hiccup's head, Namaari then whispered. "Okay," she then pulled back to look her friend in the eyes. "What do you have in mind?"

"We better gather Benja, Tong, Dang Hai, and Chanthou. We can't keep secrets from them, after all, we're meant to be unified."

"Hiccup's right, we can't keep secrets from each other. Not now, not when we're on the verge of being Kumandra once again," Benja said firmly before urging both Hiccup and Namaari to follow him. "Come, let us convene with the other chieftains and form a plan. One that guarantees the safety of my daughter and all the dragons. And should we succeed and get Raya back, then we'll move as one people to wipe the Northern Alliance and Drago Bludvist off the face of this world." Whilst Benja and Namaari approached Tong and the other chieftains of Kumandra, Hiccup looked back to where the mirage of Raya was.

He was not going to let his friend suffer the way Astrid, his mother, and many of the Viking women had been— raped to within an inch of their lives and then strung up, left to rot and decay.

"Hiccup?"

Turning back to Namaari, who was waiting for him to join them, the young Viking nodded as he approached the chieftain's war tent to form a good, sound plan.

For the sake of Raya and the dragons, this plan needed to succeed.

A/N: The stakes have been raised! Slowly but surely, the Northern Alliance and Kumandra will meet on the battlefield for an apocalyptic clash. As will Hiccup and Drago. Only ten chapters left, eventually, those dominoes will fall. Stay tuned for more!