A/N: Sorry for the delay, I had intended to wrap this chapter up last weekend, but I got sidetracked. Anyway, here we are. We're so close to the end here, and I can't wait for you guys to see what's to come! I'm gonna be updating this story twice a month until it's done, so expect two chapters a month.

(Normal pov— Heart Nation)

Onboard The Conqueror, Drago had relayed orders to the shipmasters of his armada to follow him as they sailed further along the rivers that ran throughout Heart Nation. Eventually, they ventured deeper into the nation until the armada reached the very end of Heart Nation and out to the open sea. Once his armada exited the tight, narrow rivers they were sailing through, Drago had his flotilla drop anchor and establish a war camp, securing their position. The war master knew that when his servants returned from completing their tasks, they would find him.

While watching his forces establish a war camp, Drago's face was twisted into a deep scowl. Even though he desired to rule the world, unrivaled and unchallenged, he also wanted an heir to groom and mentor. The war master had his own harem of women he found fit, strong, fierce, and beautiful. Many of these women hailed from the African plains and the Mediterranean. Despite having numerous lovers to satisfy his carnal desires, his seed had not taken root in any of their wombs, causing the madman to come to the conclusion that he was not destined to have heirs.

Scoffing to himself, Drago's scowl deepened that he was troubled by such thoughts. Of course, he would have heirs! His anxiety and concern on this matter were a result of the struggles his junta had endured in their time in Kumandra, all thanks to Hiccup Haddock. The war master still found it hard to believe that he was being bested by a boy when he had defeated opponents far more imposing and menacing than Stoick's whelp, and yet here they were, nesting in the jaws of defeat. Drago would not allow himself to remain defeated, throughout the years, when his numerous campaigns had seen great suffering and loss, he would fall back on his favorite battle strategy— shock and awe. By dispatching his aspiring champions to attack the nations of Kumandra, it would goad the armies of each nation into foolish action, giving the Northern Alliance a chance to turn the tide of this campaign. These champions desired to have a seat at Drago's War Council, as well as to become new warlords to help the war master maintain order and control over the various warriors in the junta.

A series of footsteps filled Drago's ears, the war master turned to his right and grunted softly as not only his sorcerer but also his war priest, Kofi stood by his side. The old man then spoke. "Your attempts to produce an heir have born no fruit. And does this come as a surprise to you?" Before Drago could speak, Kofi continued. "It is because I have seen your future, master. And your fate is... troubling."

Under normal circumstances, Drago would cast aside Kofi's sorcery and ramblings of the future, but now, with so much at stake, the war master turned to his war priest. "Speak, old on," he encouraged. "Speak of my future and what will come of the Northern Alliance."

Chanting softly to himself, Kofi reached for Drago's face and placed his hand on the war master's face. Drago's eyes rolled in the back of his skull and he snarled deeply as Kofi showed him visions of the future. There was fire everywhere, and the stench of burning wood, flesh, blood, and black powder filled Drago's nostrils. Suddenly, the war master roared out in agony when he felt a blade of fire pierce through his middle, the searing blade burning his insides. That pain only grew when the blade twisted inside of his gut before being ripped out of him roughly. Looking to see who his attacker was, Drago once more roared out, not in agony, but in rage as he laid eyes on a seething Hiccup Haddock. The last Viking in the world was looming over him like an executioner, the young man's eyes blazed like the sun and they burned with hatred and resentment towards him. Having seen enough, Drago ripped Kofi's hand off of his face and snarled out in disbelief.

"You see now, don't you?"

Turning sharply to his war priest, Drago bore his teeth. "That's impossible! I refuse to accept that this is the end of my story; to be bested by a boy, on my knees before him, and him ready to kill me," Drago looked towards the horizon and shook his head. "I'm so close to bringing this world under my heel, and I've come too far to be bested by the likes of Hiccup Haddock!"

"Dread it. Run from it. There is no escaping your future, master," Kofi's tone was like a father who was going to punish his child for committing wrongdoings, and it made Drago scoff that his war priest was chiding him as if he were a pouting child. "I have cast my runes and have seen every possible future there is, but what you have seen by my hand is set in stone, you fall at the hands of Hiccup Haddock III."

Shaking his head, Drago was in denial. How was this possible? He had outmaneuvered many who have sought to take his life out of revenge, and yet Hiccup Haddock would succeed when so many before had failed? Drago needed to know why this was the case.

"You say there is no altering my fate, but I make my fate," Drago then narrowed his eyes at his war priest in question. "If I left abandon this campaign in Kumandra, will my fate change?" When Kofi remained silent, Drago approached the old man and repeated himself through gritted teeth. "Will my fate change? You will answer me. NOW!"

Unfazed by Drago's tone, Kofi closed his eyes, raking through the futures his sorcery had allowed him to see. Opening his eyes once again, the war priest replied. "Your fate cannot be changed, Drago, it is set in stone--"

"Then I will kill Hiccup Haddock first!" The war master growled out. "I will finish off the Viking people by killing him, and when Hiccup Haddock's head rolls, there will be no one that can stand against me." Drago then summoned Askari of Ashes. When the head of the Dragon Flyers appeared, the war master looked his servant in the eyes. "You failed in bringing back Benja's girl. However, I will grant you an opportunity to prove yourself worthy of remaining by my side. When Aten and Mkali return to me, regardless of success or failure, you will personally deliver a message to Hiccup Haddock. You will tell him to meet me in a place of my choosing and we shall battle to the death."

Askari bowed his head in understanding. "By your will, Lord Bludvist," he then stood straight and inquired carefully. "Is that all you would have me?"

"For the moment."

As the leader of the Dragon Flyers to his leave, Drago looked back at Kofi and smirked. "You see? I make my own fate, your sorcery has not always been an accurate, old man," he then continued. "By luring Hiccup Haddock to a battlefield of my choosing, I decide who will leave that field alive."

"If that is what you want to think, then think it," Kofi then took his leave. The war priest spoke over his shoulder. "Regardless of what happens, all of Kumandra will bear witness to what is to come." With that said, the war priest left Drago alone.

Looking towards the jungles, Drago's scowl deepened as he prepared a strategy on how he would deal with Hiccup Haddock.

Raya steadied her breathing as the advancing exclaims and footsteps of her pursuers drew closer. As she took up a battle stance, the leg that now bore the vicious bite of a hyena caused her to whimper in agony, she even felt dizzy due to the amount of blood she was losing. She then quickly reached for bandages she had placed in the back pocket of her pants, after driving her blade into the ground, she quickly began to bandage her wound tightly, stopping the blood loss and giving her the time she needed to survive the impending encounter she would soon find herself in. Once the wound on her leg was tended to, Raya removed from blade from the ground and hissed in pain.

She needed to fight through the pain.

If she died, her death would make her a martyr and ensure Kumandra remain unified. But Raya wanted to live a long, peaceful life with those she loved by her side. Drago and his Northern Alliance threatened that desire, and if she wanted the future she craved, she needed to make it of this encounter alive.

"There she is! Get her!"

As General Hannibal and the Carthaginian elite charged Raya, Heart's princess bore her teeth while whirling her blade overhead. She then swung at her nearest attacker, who had raised a four-shot crossbow, her blade severed the top of their face, causing a geyser of blood to spew up into the air until the corpse fell to the ground. The princess retracted her blade and then whirled it expertly while rushing towards the man Drago sent to hunt her down. As Raya locked blades with the Carthaginian general, she then kicked him in the chest and backflipped over one of her attacker's blades, and then decapitated them while jumping over them. Once on the ground, she swatted away one of her attacker's blades and struck them hard in the face with the palm of her left hand, sending them to tumble to the ground while clutching their now heavily bleeding nose.

A larger warrior seized Raya from behind, the princess roared out as she then bashed the back of her head against her attacker's face. With their grip loosened, Raya then delivered a ferocious elbow in their face, causing the warrior to release her. Looking to see one of her attackers aiming their four-shot crossbow at her, Raya quickly moved behind the giant that had seized her, and instead of taking a crossbow bolt to the chest, Raya smirked as the bolt that would've struck her instead struck the hulking warrior in the throat, causing them to collapse and choke on their blood.

Using her blade to swat away two incoming crossbow bolts, Raya then used the whip feature of her blade to decapitate the hostile warrior attacking her. Quickly racing for the warrior she killed, Raya snatched the crossbow they had used and fired at the other warriors with crossbows, each bolt Raya fired struck her attackers right between their eyes, killing them instantly.

Raya screamed in pain when a throwing knife embedded into her right arm. Tanyih, who had drawn another throwing knife hurled it directly at Raya's chest, but she quickly swatted away the incoming projectile with a loud grunt. As the wounded princess fell, Tanyih charged, and Raya pulled the knife embedded in her arm and rolled out of the way of her attacker's blade that would've struck her in the head. Sweeping Tanyih's feet out from under her, Raya was then tackled by Hannibal and then slammed against a nearby pillar. The Carthaginian general then wrapped his hands around Raya's throat.

"You will be taken back to Drago, one way or another!" He seethed.

With a growl, the princess then drove her knee into his groin, causing the general to groan in pain. With his grip loosened, Raya took the knife that had previously been embedded in her arm and plunged the blade into the back of Hannibal's back. While he screamed in agony, Raya continued to ruthlessly stab the general without compassion or mercy. His blood stained her face and gritted teeth as she finished the great general off by driving the blood-slicked knife in the back of his head. Soon, Hannibal fell limp against Raya's body, the princess pushed the now dead general off of her and then turned to Tanyih who had watched her general's death with horror in her eyes.

Tanyih's face soon twisted with rage towards the princess, she tried reaching for one of the loaded four-shot crossbows laying idle on the ground, but her hand was severed clean off by Raya's whip blade. Screaming in agony, Tanyih clutched her now heavily bleeding stump and quickly wrapped a cloak around her wound. Looking back at Raya, the wounded, and enraged Carthaginian snarled. "You think this makes a difference? More will hunt you down until my master has what he wants," she then smiled maliciously. "Once the dragons are back in the hands of the Northern Alliance, your people and your world will be reduced to ash and dust!"

Lifting her bloodied blade at Tanyih's face, the princess of Heart gave her a cold glare. "You're wrong. Kumandra is united, and it will remain united until the end of time," as she drove her blade through Tanyih's throat, Raya finished. "Drago and all who follow him, however, have no future." She then removed her blade and watched as Tanyih choked softly on her blood until she was lifeless.

Sighing heavily, Raya groaned in agony as the wounds that had been inflicted were taking their toll on her. Knowing that she would need the expertise of Heart's healers, Raya carried on, making her way back home to rejoin the fight against the man who had her brutalized and raped to gain what he wanted most at this moment.

Hiccup didn't expect to fall asleep, but he had dozed off for about an hour after failing to complete the severance ritual. Once he had gotten back on his feet, the Viking saw Namaari kneeling in the center of the cavern, her head lowered and eyes closed as she was praying quietly to herself. The young chief of Fang Nation then turned to see Hiccup stretching stiff muscles, she concluded her prayers and rose to her feet.

"Good. You're up," Namaari then approached her Viking friend with urgent. "While you were asleep, I just received word from my scouts that a group of Drago's Dragon Flyers is here, undoubtedly here to see if they can reclaim the dragons from your homeland, take Sisu, her siblings, as well as the Bewilderbeast spawn that was in Drago's hands. If the enemy succeeds in taking back the dragons, Raya will be nothing more than a means to an end, they'll kill her or worse."

Nodding in understanding, Hiccup gestured to the center of the cave. "I'm ready if you are—"

"You can't force the severance, Hiccup, we don't have time for you to fail the ritual again. Time is not on our side right now, you need to come to terms with the phantoms haunting you and you need to make peace with your demons, only then will you find inner peace, and the phantoms haunting you will become memories that will give you strength to press on," she then raised an eyebrow in question. "Are you ready to achieve your inner peace?"

"Yes."

As Hiccup seated himself in preparation to repeat the severance ritual, he knew that although the dark phantoms of his loved ones were slowly but surely driving him insane, they also made him push himself to his limits. All that he had done up to this point was because he wanted to earn their forgiveness; by killing those who killed his loved ones, perhaps the phantoms would cease their torment, but it had the opposite effect, instead of praising Hiccup for killing each of Drago's warlords and many more of those who killed his friends and family, the phantoms continued to torment him. Once again, Namaari prepared the ritual and once Hiccup was ready to begin, he could hear the phantom's vile words.

"Pathetic child, you will not be free from our wrath," this phantom wore his mother's face. Hiccup chose not to engage as the phantom whispered in his ear. "You failed in severing us from your mind, you will fail again."

"Aye, because that's what you are, boy. A failure," His father's voice filled his ears, those words cut Hiccup deeply, they reminded him of the days when his father and people barely acknowledged his presence. But after showing them all the truth about dragons and making amends, Stoick became a better man and father, Hiccup knew that his real father would never speak to him like this again. "Our words cut you deep, and in your zeal to be rid of us, you will fail in the task of disposing of us. Your failure here will cost you in the coming war."

Drowning out the dark phantom's words, Hiccup came to realize that the anger these phantoms had towards him was justified, when his loved ones were yet among the living, they all warned him of the danger Drago posed, or at least his parents did. Regardless, he didn't consider the safety of those he held close to his heart or the safety of his people. Had he listened to his father and mother, Drago's attack may have been delayed, giving them time to prepare. But instead, the Viking people were not ready for the superior warriors and war machines at Drago's disposal, leading to their ruin.

"We died because of your arrogance, Useless! Instead of listening, you acted like a child who wanted to prove to those around you with more experience that they were wrong. And look how that turned out. Was it worth our lives, Useless?"

"I'd sure hope so, our sagas and history of our people are no more because of you! I'm ashamed that I once called you "friend." If you were my friend, you would consider the well-being of those who you loved and our dragons!"

Flinching at the phantoms of both Snotlout and Fishlegs, Hiccup groaned out. "You're right, I wasn't considerate," he then murmured. "I'm sorry."

"Well guess what? Being sorry doesn't bring us back to life, does it?"

"It certainly does not. We not only died slowly and painfully, but we all died because you tried to reason with a murdering piece of yak dung who doesn't understand the value of reason."

Nodding, Hiccup replied to the phantoms of Ruffnut and Tuffnut. "I know, and I see the error of my ways—"

"Do you?" Astrid's phantom challenged before curling her lip in anger. "You and I had so much to live for, and you just... threw it all away for a fool's errand. What do you have to say about that?"

Feeling tears sliding down his cheeks, Hiccup exhaled shakily. "I did what I thought was right, and it cost me my family, my friends, my world, and my happiness," he then shook his head softly. "I've come to realize the moment I saw the aftermath of Scandinavia's destruction, that there is no reasoning with Drago Bludvist. He cannot be reasoned with, my father said as much. I wanted to prove him wrong, like always, and it cost us everything. I ask for your forgiveness, all of you. Please, forgive me."

Silence was all Hiccup heard, and he feared that he had failed once again. However, when he had regained his senses, he gasped when the warped, twisted phantoms that wore the faces of his loved ones now resembled how they looked prior to being raped and murdered by Drago and his minions. As Hiccup looked at his betrothed, he exhaled shakily when he saw her give him a reassuring smile.

"You can only apologize for something that's your fault, Hiccup," the memory of Astrid then continued. "Drago was going to attack your mother's Dragon Sanctuary anyway. But because I thought that I could intimidate him, he only accelerated his plans and it led to the death of that nest's alpha and your father."

"I laid down my life so that you can live to lead our people, son. But now, you carry all of us on your shoulders, not just Berk but all the Viking people," turning to the memory of his father, Hiccup watched as Stoick gave him a proud look. "You're nearing the end of this journey, son. Do us proud, and when the time comes, we'll see you again, in Valhalla."

"When Drago finally falls, we can be a family again," Valka's excited words caused tears to stream down Hiccup's face. He nodded at the memory of his mother and saw her give him a warm smile. "You couldn't prevent the destruction of the Viking people, but you can help prevent the destruction of this foreign land and those you call allies and friends."

"Aye. Drago still underestimates you," turning to the memory of his old blacksmith instructor, Hiccup smiled when the memory of Gobber winked at him. "Show him the fatal error of that mistake, lad."

Turning to his friends and former allies, Hiccup could see them all smile at him, giving him looks and nods of encouragement. Hiccup laughed silently and looked at his loved ones. "Yesterday, I was too tired to rest. Today, I'll find you all, in my dreams," he then spoke firmly. "Drago will fall, and when he does, I'll see you all in Valhalla." The memories of his loved ones and friends soon dissipated, and with his demons now memories to draw genuine strength from, Hiccup turned to Namaari.

"Let's go join the others and stop our enemies from taking the dragons."

Lahn Wei was glad to be back on his feet and prepare for the impending war Kumandra would have to fight, most importantly, he was glad to be back among his people. When his wounds had healed to the point of non-interference in combat, he would spend time with his old friends, especially Sirinan, Mayari, Somwang, and Namaari. Their other friends had regretfully laid down their lives to ensure their people fled their imperial city when the full might of the Druun was unleashed upon them. Whilst enjoying the time with his old childhood friends, Lahn Wei had told the Kumandran chieftains everything he knew of Drago that could help them in the coming war: his favored strategies, how he operates, and his ruthlessness in waging genocidal campaigns. Each nation of Kumandra and its strategic figures came together to formulate a plan of action on how to resist the advances of the madman who would see them all dead. Currently, all of Kumandra's chieftains and generals, save for Namaari, had gathered to discuss Hiccup's plan among themselves.

"The plan that Hiccup Haddock has presented to us is quite appealing, though is it wise for us to gamble with the fate of our world and our people because of a foreigner's plan?" All those gathered looked to Spine Nation's chieftain, the hulking warrior then continued to voice his concern. "What Hiccup Haddock proposes is madness; he wants us to gather at the sweltering sands of Tail and have us do battle in many of its narrow ravines. We are facing an army of the world's greatest sects, tribes, and groups of warriors who fight for the most ruthless man of our era. Drago Bludvist will use his knowledge of warfare to destroy us—"

"Have you no faith? True, the foreigner, Hiccup Haddock's plan is a gamble, but it's brilliant," Chief Chantou said while placing her hand on the map of Tail Nation. "Our Viking ally has suggested we fight this war at Tail Nation, not only do my warriors know the sands better than any one of you, but we can cut down the enemy's numbers by laying traps and ambushing them until they reach the field of battle. Now, Hiccup Haddock suggests that we lure the enemy into the series of narrow ravines, many of you believe this to be foolish. On the contrary, it allows us to slowly lure the enemy inside the ravine and ultimately trap them. With the enemy cut off from each other, we'll cut them down with our archers and the dragons will reduce them to ash and bones."

Dang Hai grunted before speaking up. "Surely, Drago will not commit the entirety of the Northern Alliance into this trap that we will spring, the man is a brilliant tactician and strategist, he will see what we plan on doing and will no doubt outmaneuver us in some way," he then shrugged. "Tell us, Lahn Wei, you were once one of Drago's Chosen, what will he do when he figures out the Viking's plan to trap the entirety of his junta in this ravine?"

All eyes turned to the former member of the Northern Alliance, Lahn approached the war table and took the carved pieces that represented his former master and his junta. "Seeing the brilliance of Hiccup Haddock's plan, Drago will not commit the entirety of his army into the mouth of the ravine. Instead, he may very well use our intentions of trapping his army against us, we'll need to prepare if that's the case."

"Yes. Any additional means of defeating Drago Bludvist and his hordes will be imperative if we are to ensure the survival of Kumandra and all of our people," Benja said with his arms crossed behind his back. "Of course, our survival will mean nothing if we don't fight our enemies as one people, as one Kumandra. For the sake of our people, our children, and for the sake of our independence, we must stand together."

Suddenly, two of Benja's bodyguard's entered the tent the chieftains and their strategists were gathered. After bowing their heads, one of the guards spoke. "Chief Benja, apologies for the interruption, but one of Drago Bludvist's Hands has surrendered himself over to us," the guards then looked to Lahn Wei. "He claims that he has renounced loyalty to Bludvist and wishes to speak with General Atitāya's son."

"Lahn, what is this?"

Turning to his mother, Lahn Wei shook his head. "I don't know," he then looked to Chief Benja. "We should at least see what this Hand is doing here and what their intentions are. These are some of Drago's elite warriors, and if one of them has renounced the war master, we must bring them into our fold and see if they are willing to stand with us."

"Are you certain that's wise, Lahn Wei?" Tong inquired before stating a possible fact. "For all we know, this Hand and their "renunciation" to Drago is nothing but a ruse for us to lower our guard. If this is the case, this Hand could be the one sent to assassinate our leaders or gather information." Both chieftains of Spine and Talon grunted in agreement while Benja and Chantou shared a look.

After contemplating for a moment, Benja looked to his guards and gave them a firm nod. "Bring this Hand of Drago before us, and let us see whether their intentions are pure or otherwise," the guards bowed their heads and temporarily left the tent the chieftains and their confidants were gathered before they and two other guards returned with the Hand, who was bound and confiscated of their weaponry, which consisted of a Konda sword, an African style bow, and a quiver full of razor-sharp arrows.

This Hand of Drago bore dark skin and black hair only on top of his head, braided into mohawk dreadlocks. He's very muscular, possibly due to the harsh life of his upbringing. He also bore a series of small spherical scars on his forehead, chin, and around his eyes, which was a tradition among his tribe. His attire consists of a gorilla fur one-shoulder tunic on the left shoulder with a black sash-like belt, along with a red and black underlayer, black trousers, and black fur boots. And like all Hands of Drago, this man bore a belt buckle that bore Drago's emblem— a sword going down the middle of a Monstrous Nightmare's skull. This Hand is an intelligent, proud, and skeptical person, especially since he and his tribe had been raped, pillaged, and murdered by Drago. He also doesn't give trust easily due to the hardships that he went through.

"Bayana?" Lahn Wei exhaled in disbelief. He had expected this Hand to be one of Drago's devoted, but this Hand was a man Lahn Wei had befriended and even considered a brother, considering they had been recruited as boys and grew up together under the brutal training Drago had them go through. Approaching his old friend, Lahn Wei then inquired. "What are you doing here?"

Bayana spoke in his rich, yet firm East African tongue. "I accompanied Mkali, the Fierce, and Aten, Serpent's Fang, along with a clutch of Dragon Flyers. Both of whom intend to inflict harm upon your coalition by taking the dragons away from you and assassinating one of your allies."

Everyone murmured amongst themselves, that is until Benja approached Bayana and questioned with curiosity and caution. "You betray your allies and Drago by telling us this news, why would you do such a thing?"

"My allegiance to Drago is nothing but a means to an end. I am the last of my kind from a peaceful nomadic tribe in Africa. But Drago, craving the fierce warriors my tribe had to offer wanted us to join his vast army of man and dragons, but my tribal chief refused the war master. Because of this defiance, Drago slaughtered my people without compassion or mercy, though the warriors of my tribe fought bravely, they were no match for the warriors who served Drago," Bayana recalled with his hands clenched into fists, he then exhaled shakily. "I was only a boy and I had killed one of Drago's Hands after they had killed my mother and father with their bare hands. Seeing me kill one of his best Hands at the time, Drago took me and forced me to become a killer under his command." He then lifted his bound hands and confessed with shame in his voice. "My hands are stained with the blood of millions of innocent men and women. I'm not proud of what I've done, but I used my station in life as a means of gaining Drago's trust and confidence in me. Now that I have accomplished this, I wish to see the man who slaughtered my kin and tribe die, you are in the best position to see to Drago's ruin; with all of you united and with the dragons by your side, you will be able to deal the war master one final defeat until he is utterly ruined and has no means of completing his world conquest."

Again, everyone gathered murmured amongst themselves, though the prospect of having Bayana by their side was appealing, he would need to earn the trust of the chieftains gathered.

Ultimately all the chieftains looked to Benja awaiting his thoughts on this. The leader of Heart Nation looked to Lahn Wei and spoke firmly. "He'll be your responsibility, Lahn Wei. Have two people you can trust to watch him, if he does anything to endanger our unification, I will see to it that he's imprisoned," he then looked to his fellow chieftains. "It's settled, now, lets take the necessary precautions needed to ensure the safety of the dragons and our own lives. Each of you will choose four of the best of your guards to serve as your protection and I will send word to Namaari of this development. We'll meet again, later on, do as you will for the time being."

The chieftains all nodded and took their leave for the time being.

Little did they know that one amongst them would be snuffed out.

While treading through the thick dense jungles of Heart Nation, Aten soon reached the Kumandran war camp. He crouched low to hide from Fang Nation scouts as they were perched on their Serlot mounds, he then pressed on when he was certain that the scouts had moved on and hadn't seen him.

Aten reached the end of the jungle and peaked through the thick jungle plants as he looked for any sign of his prey. Looking to the tent that held Spine Nation's leader, the assassin smirked when he noted the giant chieftain was making his way to the jungle, rather urgently too. Keeping out of sight, Aten slowly approached his prey while the prominent chieftain undid his pants to relieve his bladder. While sighing in relief as the large chieftain was leaning against the tree to relieve himself, Aten drew one of his palm axes and approached the unsuspecting chieftain of Spine.

Once the chieftain had finished relieving himself, he inhaled sharply when he felt Aten's axe against his neck. "Hello, chief," the Egyptian then hissed. "Drago Bludvist sends his regards."

Calmly turning, Spine's chieftain took in the assassin's appearance and was relieved that it wasn't a warrior of Kumandra. Regardless, this assassin was poised to kill him, and if he didn't act, his warriors and people would be leaderless. "Your butcher of a master can keep them," with a roar, Spine's chief lunged, crashing his shoulder into the Aten, causing the assassin to drop his palm axe, but not before slicing the chief's right bicep. Undeterred, Spine's chief slammed the assassin to the ground, clutching their throat in one hand and making a fist with the other. He cocked his arm back. His reflection in the assassin's eyes stared back at him. Furious. Unblinking. Curious. "Go on, assassin," the chief snarled. "What message does Drago bring?"

Smiling maliciously, Spine's chief was confused, but when he felt fangs sinking into his flesh, he roared out in agony. Looking to his side, he gasped in horror at the sight of a cobra serpent clinging to his side and dispersing its venom into his body. Quickly ripping the serpent off of his side, he backed away from Aten and fell back, feeling the effects of the poison taking root inside him. The cobra serpent slid into the assassin's garbs while Aten rose to his feet, chuckling darkly.

As Spine's chief cried out for help, Aten grabbed the first half of his axe off of the ground. "You feel that poison, chief? It moves swiftly, and you are too late to stop what is to come next," whirling his axe in hand, the assassin soon loomed over his prey and savored the fear in the large warrior's eyes. "Die, knowing Kumandra will fall and everyone who inhabits these lands will be put to the sword. Your people among them." Lifting his weapon high above his head, Aten brought the axe down with enough force to sever his prey's head off with one precise blow. Retrieving his quarry's head, Aten could see Spine Nation warriors advancing, they sounded war horns, alerting the entire war camp of an intruder.

However, Aten was already gone. As a Mongrel, he had trained to disappear in the blink of an eye, despite being seen by the enemy warriors, Aten could return to Drago with assurance and confidence, he had succeeded in his task to strike a crippling blow to the Kumandran alliance by killing one of their chieftains.

Soon, the rest would follow, and once the armies of these proud, stubborn nations were left leaderless, they would join their people in death.

Mkali and the Dragon Flyers by her side flew to where the dragons were residing while also making sure to remain out of sight by the Kumandran coalition. Undoubtedly, there were sentries keeping watch over the dragons and Sisudatu, so Mkali knew that she and her fellow flyers needn't act swiftly, or else they would need to deal with five armies who had set aside centuries of differences to prevent their extinction. As much as Mkali enjoyed the thrill of battle, the odds she and her flyers faced were not in their favor, and she knew that speed was of the essence.

Upon reaching the land that held the dragons, Mkali noted that it was a massive mountain shaped like a dome while the top was open, allowing the dragons to fly in or out. There was an abundance of waterfalls and lagoons that held an abundance of fish for the dragons to feast upon. It was truly a paradise for the dragons, especially those who had the yoke of oppression for most of their lives, courtesy of Drago and the Northern Alliance, Mkali and her flyers, however, would see that yoke return to the dragons.

"Hold!"

The flyers tugged violently on the reins that were around their Singetail's maws, causing them to roar in pain, but effectively causing them to come to a stop. Mkali pulled out a telescope and eyed the sanctuary that Heart had gifted to Sisu and the dragons, she then laid eyes on Sisu and her siblings while they were inspecting the spawn of the Bewilderbeast which was placed on a large pedestal shaped like paws which were cupped together. Smirking, Mkali lowered her glass and then turned to her flyers. "Now, our master's Bewilderbeast spawn is in the center of that sanctuary, and it appears Sisudatu and her siblings are protecting it. I will retrieve the spawn of the King of Dragons, while the rest of you subdue Sisudatu and her siblings. Once the rest of the dragons see that we have the alphas and their future king in our grasp, they will cease hostility and have no choice but to follow us to ensure the safety of their hierarchy."

"And what of the Fang sentries? Once we begin, they will alert the rest of the Kumandran coalition of our intentions."

Humming in agreement with the flyer at her right, Mkali turned to them. "Exactly. This is why we cannot afford to waste any time dealing with the fools stationed here or the dragons who will undoubtedly come to the aid of their hierarchy," she then looked back down to the sanctuary with a firm look. "Failure is not an option, we must return to Drago with all these dragons, or we will lose our heads." She then urged her Singetail to charge, once the larger dragon let out a mighty roar, it descended to the sanctuary. As the flyers by Mkali's side followed her example and steered their oppressed mounds to the center of the sanctuary, their auxiliary flyers were armed with crossbows that could fire nets large enough to take down adult dragoons. Once the flyers were in the range of their targets, Mkali turned to her companions.

"NOW!"

The auxiliary flyers had already taken aim, and once the flyers steering the Singetails were close enough, they fired their nets down on top of Sisu and her siblings. The nets were lined with razors, cutting into the five dragons and causing them all to roar in agony. Upon hearing the roars of pain coming from their hierarchy, the rest of the dragons sprung to action and were about to destroy the flyers, however, once the flyers surrounded the five dragon siblings with weapons pointed at them, the dragons ceased hostility. Mkali steered her Singetail down and retrieved the Bewilderbeast spawn, she then looked down at the thrashing Sisu and her siblings, who once more roared out in agony as the razors cut their bodies.

"Sisudatu, a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance," Mkali bowed her head mockingly while placing the Bewilderbeast spawn in a satchel strapped around her armor-clad torso. "You and your siblings are going to order the dragons to come with us, or else... well, you're a clever dragon, I'm sure you know."

Roaring, Pengu, the elder brother of the five alpha dragons of Kumandra glared at Mkali. "You wouldn't dare kill us, if you do, our brethren will tear you all to pieces—"

"Careful, dragon," Mkali warned with a confident smirk. "We needn't kill you, but we can make you and your siblings suffer without taking your lives." A firm glare then replaced her smirk. "Now, order all of the dragons to follow us. Now."

Sisu maneuvered through the razors near her face and groaned out. "Pengu, we have no choice but to do what they say," she whimpered in pain when one of the razors cut the back of her neck.

"Sisu—"

"You and the rest of our siblings trusted me to save Kumandra when the Druun nearly devoured our world five centuries ago. Your faith in me is what gave me the strength to sacrifice myself to ensure Kumandra and the world would have a future," Sisu's eyes sparkled with pleading. "I ask that you all place your faith in me again in this decision." Pengu opened his maw to speak once more in objection but then turned to the rest of his siblings, giving them questioning looks.

"We have no reason to doubt our sister, Pengu," Pranee whimpered in pain. She then looked into Sisu's eyes and gave her a reassuring smile. "I trust you."

"As do I," Jagan growled out in warning as one of the flyers pointed their blades at his face. He then looked to Pengu and gave his elder brother a firm nod. "Sisu saved our world from the Druun twice. I have no reason to doubt her, now or ever."

"The feeling is mutual, Jagan," Amba cooed before hissing in pain as the razors dug into her body. "I trust Sisu's judgment. Do you?"

Suddenly, war horns were sounded by the Fang sentries tasked with guarding the sanctuary. The horns alerted the Kumandran coalition of the intruders, and the flyers could see Fang archers aiming bows at them, but Mkali drew her blade and pressed it against Sisu's neck, drawing blood. "One move, and I'll end your precious Sisudatu. Drago will have all of these dragons, one way or another," she then challenged them with a smirk. "So, what will you do? Kill one of my flyers, and the story of Sisudatu ends here. An ignoble end after all that she's done for you."

The Fang archers shared looks before ultimately lowering their bows, choosing to ensure the safety of Sisu and her siblings. Smirking, Mkali then gave the order to her flyers to round up their prizes and to return to Drago. Once the Singetails had taken hold of the nets containing Sisu and her siblings, Mkali looked down at the five alpha dragons and gestured to the remaining dragons in the sanctuary. "Order them to follow us," she then added in a cool tone. "No tricks or my flyers will end one of you without hesitation." Nodding in understanding, Sisu unleashed a roar that told all of the dragons to follow them and not to attack their captors. Reluctant to return to the Northern Alliance, the dragons ultimately obeyed the command of Sisu, setting aside their well-being to guarantee her safety and the safety of her siblings.

"We go!"

Mkali then urged her Singetail to take to the sky, and the rest of the flyers followed suit while also being mindful of the alphas in their possession.

"What about Aten and Bayana?"

Turning to a flyer at her left, Mkali barked out over the roars of the dragons following them. "They'll make it back to Drago on their own. For now, we focus on delivering these dragons back to our master without delay."

Mkali let out a sigh of relief to herself, she and her companions could return to Drago with confidence and assurance that they would live to fight another day. She prayed that her lover Askari had been granted mercy by Drago after his flyers failed to recapture Benja's girl. For the moment, Mkali set her fears for her lover aside and returned her focus to the present. Right now, her only concern was delivering the dragons and Bewilderbeast spawn back to Drago, and that's what she would do.

As Mkali and her Dragon Flyers departed with Sisu in their clutches, all of the dragons followed their new alpha to ensure that she would stay alive. Kumandra's warriors watched in horror at the sight of all the dragons being snatched away from them. The warriors of each nation soon looked to their leaders for guidance. However, the chieftains were just as shocked as their fellow people, their eyes wide with shock and mouths agape. Hiccup and Namaari had rejoined the others just when Drago's minions had fled with the dragons in their grasp, and though the former heir of Berk was struck with disbelief and anger, he knew that they couldn't afford to stand idle and blame each other for allowing this to happen.

Now was the time to declare war on Drago and end his madness once and for all.

Hiccup then turned to his allies and snapped them out of their stupor and barked out. "What's done is done! We can't afford to stand idle and do nothing! Once those dragons are back in Drago's clutches, his numbers will be replenished and he will then use the dragons to destroy your world, just as he did to mine," he then raised his eyebrows. "But are you going to let our enemies do that?"

"No!"

"Are you going to stand idle while Drago and his army of murderers eradicate your people? Your families? Your children?"

"NO!"

Nodding, Hiccup continued. "Then we must act now, if you wish to save your people, your lands, and the dragons, then we must act now!" He then pounded a fist against his chest. "Set aside your differences and move against Drago and his army as one people! They will be no match for when you fight together as one!" The Kumandran people exclaimed in agreement as Hiccup continued. "Fight for those who fell so that you can be here today! Fight for your families! Fight for Sisu and the dragons! But most of all, fight for Kumandra!"

As the Kumandran armies all let out passionate roars, their feuds and quarrels with each other were no more. Hiccup had fanned the flames within their bellies, steering them to fight not just for themselves but for everyone and everything they know. While the crowds exclaimed and roared out, the Kumandran warriors all suddenly gasped in shock and surprise. Confused for but a moment, Hiccup and chieftains too gasped when Raya emerged out of the jungles.

"Raya!" Namaari exclaimed in relief and joy. As she rushed over to her lover, she saw that Heart's princess was badly wounded. Placing a tender hand on Raya's face, Namaari leaned in and kissed her lips before inquiring. "How bad is it?"

"Bad. But I'll live," Raya murmured before looking to Hiccup with a smile. "What did I miss?"

Shaking his head, he satisfied her curiosity. "Drago dispatched his minions to strike a severe blow to our coalition," he then continued. "Spine Nation's chief was assassinated and a small group of Dragon Flyers took all the dragons."

Raya's eyes widened in horror at this. "We have to go—"

"You're in no condition to fight, not yet," Benja stated as he approached her daughter with a look of relief etched on his face. "When your wounds have been tended and your strength has been replenished, we will move against Drago as a unified Kumandra. We will get Sisu and the other dragons back, I promise." Turning to Namaari, Benja gave her a nod. "Take her to the healers and see to it personally that she's tended to."

"Of course," Namaari then had Raya throw her arm around her shoulder and she then carried the wounded princess bridal style. "Come, Dep La, let's get you cleaned up and tended to."

Raya then looked to Hiccup and was about to speak, but the Viking held a hand out, stopping her from speaking. "Rest. Tend to your wounds. Make love with your woman. At dawn, tomorrow, we finally go to war with Drago and the Northern Alliance," looking back to the sky, Hiccup added. "And we avenge those these murderers have taken from us."

In the past, Hiccup had barely considered himself a true Viking. But now? He craved the blood of his enemies like a man craves food after being deprived of it. Though he managed to severely cripple Drago's army alone, Hiccup was elated that he had all of Kumandra and his new friends by his side.

The coming days would be legendary. And whatever happened at the end of this campaign, Hiccup knew he would finally find closure and peace.

A/N: The time has come, to execute Order 66... wait, hehe. I mean the time for war has come. Hope you guys enjoyed the chapter and stay tuned for the coming battles and the final confrontation between Hiccup and Drago!