A/N: The next chapter is the chapter that you've all been waiting for— the final showdown between Kumandra and the Northern Alliance, as well as Hiccup and Drago. So, this chapter is gonna be a brief moment of respite for those who've been fighting, and Hiccup will commune with his loved ones from beyond. So, let's get to it.

(Normal pov— Heart Nation)

Celebratory cries filled the air throughout the Kumandran war camp, as did the delicious aroma of foods being prepared, music was played to raise spirits, and for the first time in centuries, the people of Kumandra could gather and be one people. However, despite celebrating the success of their combined efforts to prevent Drago's aspiring champions from laying waste to various places throughout Kumandra, the respective armies of these lands were all keenly aware of the lives lost in battle and innocents that were slaughtered, and so prior to celebrating, they gathered together to pay homage to the fallen and they had one of Heart Nation's most talented vocalists, Aanya, meaning One who shines bright, to sing a eulogy song to the fallen. Her words were genuine, and true, and spurred the Kumandrans to remain one people from now until the end of days. After that moment of respect and remembrance for those who fell, each of Kumandra's respective armies gathered together to feast and enjoy a moment of respite before they venture out to Tail Nation and face the Northern Alliance.

For Hiccup, he hadn't gathered together with friends and allies in what felt like ages. He could still scarcely believe he was the last Viking, that was just a cruel reminder that time favors nothing and nobody— the strong, the brave, the weak, the weak, or the conqueror. His people are nothing but a distant memory because Drago Bludvist is afraid he won't fulfill his mad desires of conquering the world unchallenged and unrivaled.

Power.

The Vikings have taken their place in the ash heap of history because the one who destroyed them desires power.

Power is always dangerous. It attracts the worse and corrupts the best. When he was still heir of Berk, Hiccup never wanted power, he wanted to explore and discover every species of dragon the world had to offer, with his friends and the love of his life by his side. He knew power is only given to those who are prepared to lower themselves to pick it up. Those who desire power the most deserve it the least. Drago Bludvist and those who follow him don't deserve even a sliver of power, they use their power to enslave, devour, and destroy in the name of world domination.

Whatever Drago believes, Hiccup knows that his days of power are drawing to an end. The moment he began destroying the Northern Alliance from within, Hiccup knew he was bleeding his enemies of their power, it was now time to bleed them dry. And with the deaths of Drago's aspiring champions, Hiccup knew that the Northern Alliance was far more vulnerable than it was before, all that remained was to cut off the head, and the Northern Alliance would be no more.

"How's your congee, my dear Viking?"

Snapping out of his thoughts, Hiccup turned to a smirking Raya, causing him to roll his eyes at her, yet the smile on his face told the princess he didn't mind her speaking to him like that. "Delicious," he answered her question after eating the last of the food he had been given before gesturing to the chef responsible. "Hard to believe Boun and his family volunteered to cook for the entire army. Thank the gods they have chefs from all the lands to aid in feeding this army."

Chuckling, Raya placed a spoonful of food in her mouth, humming in agreement. After chewing for several seconds and then swallowing. "True. Although some of the other nations are still skeptical of each other, I don't think it reached the point where they'll accuse each other of poisoning food and fight when we need to stand united," taking a drink of water, Raya sighed and could see pain glistening in Hiccup's eyes. "Reminds you of your old life back in Norway?"

Nodding, Hiccup chuckled lightly. "We Vikings would throw huge feasts whenever the need for one came," recalling all the times he and his people would celebrate in the Great Hall of Berk made tears swell in Hiccup's eyes. "Those were times that I truly miss, and I still find it hard to believe that I'm the last of my people." Determined not to cry in front of his friends and those around him, Hiccup then gestured to the celebration around him while adding a teasing jab. "However, I don't think you people know how to truly celebrate. Because I've seen better."

Gasping in mock offense, Fang Nation's chief remarked with pride. "Well, I apologize if we aren't as excited at throwing feasts as your people, my friend. But that doesn't mean we don't know how to celebrate. In another time and under different circumstances, you'd see how we Kumandrans celebrate," Namaari smirked as raised a cup. "A toast, to the imminent demise of Drago Bludvist, the rebirth of a unified Kumandra, and let the death of the Northern Alliance and its insane master bring us all some manner of peace."

"Yes," Raya followed her lover's example and raised her cup. "I'll drink to that."

Raising his cup, Hiccup gave a firm nod. "Skål," he then drank the wine in his cup in one gulp before setting his cup down with a heavy exhale. "If you'll excuse me, I'd like to tend to the dragons of my loved ones' before taking a well-earned bath." Excusing himself from the table, Hiccup summoned his late loved ones' dragons. "Stormfly! Hookfang! Meatlug! Barf! Belch! Come." Raya and Namaari watched as their Viking companion headed outside the war camp and soon disappeared in the evening darkness with the four dragons by his side.

"Surprised he stayed at the celebration for as long as he did, I thought he would outright reject attending," Namaari confessed before finishing the last of her food and then turning to her lover, who nodded in agreement. "Why don't we follow his example and see ourselves excused? I don't know about you, but I would kill for a bath."

Humming in agreement, Raya too finished her food and the two of them stood up from the table and made their way to the palace.

Raya emerged from the shallow depths the pond she was bathing in, heaving softly as she had been submerged for five minutes, pondering on the torture she had gone through, physically and sexually. She had taken the necessary teas to prevent her rapist's seed from taking hold of her womb, but the scars they had inflicted upon her were still fresh. The scars she received would've broken a woman with a weaker will than hers, but Raya hadn't been broken, despite the best efforts of her tormentors. Now, she desired to kill those who believed they could use her like an object meant to be discarded, her time would come, and of that, she had no doubt.

Not only was she eager to spill the blood of those who sought to destroy her home and everyone she cared for, but she was also eager to see that Hiccup lived a long, peaceful life. Skeptical about him at first, Raya had come to love the Viking as though he were a brother, and during their time together, the princess could see how much Hiccup craved to be at peace. Though he was driven by revenge, Raya knew that her friend wouldn't stop until he found peace, and she feared that that peace meant in death. He had told her on many occasions that for a Viking, death is bliss, but Raya wanted to offer Hiccup a way of living the rest of his days with her and help him find another woman and start a family of his own.

Though she feared Hiccup would outright reject this offer.

Strong arms wrapped around Raya's middle, causing the princess to close her eyes and recline back against her lover. Namaari nuzzled the side of Raya's face, inhaling her scent and then exhaled softly against her cheek. "What's on your mind?"

"Hiccup."

"What of him?"

"His lust for revenge and his pursuit of peace. For Vikings, falling in battle is the way they reach their glorious afterlife. And throughout the day, I saw how Hiccup killed each of Drago's aspiring champions like they were nothing," recalling every time he locked blades with those who led vicious attacks throughout Kumandra, Raya shook her head. "I've come to love that man like a brother, and... I don't want to lose him."

Caressing her toned skin, Namaari hummed in understanding while washing the remaining grime and blood off of Raya's skin. "Have you told Hiccup that he doesn't have to die in battle in order to acquire peace?"

"No, because I know that he'll rebuke me, severely," sighing in frustration, the princess shrugged. "That man is quite stubborn, believing he has to die when I can offer him much more in life."

After helping her lover clean up, Namaari had Raya turn around so that she was looking into her eyes before speaking firmly. "I've seen the bond between the two of you, and I can't deny that it's a strong one. What you just told me came from your heart, and there's nothing wrong with that, however, as Confucius once said "Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves." Hiccup is in too deep at this point, Dep La, it may be too late to change his mind—"

"I'm still going to try," Raya said firmly. "At dawn, tomorrow, I'll see if I can sway Hiccup away from having to die along with Drago and the Northern Alliance."

Knowing that her lover was set on doing this, Namaari nodded. "Do as you wish. Just... don't get your hopes up. You may be disappointed, affecting your performance on the battlefield."

Raya acknowledged Namaari's words with a soft grunt before she treaded through the water and stepped out. While drying herself, Heart's princess was determined to save Hiccup the way he had helped save her from giving up on Kumandra's people.

She just hoped Hiccup would at least consider her proposal, rather than blatantly dismiss it. However, Raya already knew what Hiccup's answer would be before she even offered the proposal to him.

Despite the celebrations that were taking place, Hiccup wanted to be alone. He had just finished tending to the dragons that once belonged to his betrothed and friends; he had cleaned wounds and prevented them from getting infected, he fed them properly since they were looking malnourished, and he had washed them. After showing affection to the dragons, Hiccup retired to the palace of Heart, and was now taking a much-needed bath after a whole day of battle and bloodshed. Emerging out of the crystal clear waters of his bath chambers he was bathing in, Hiccup grabbed a towel and dried himself off while also pondering how many lives he's taken and all the blood he's spilled in the name of the children of Scandinavia and those he loved. He had always sought peaceful solutions, but that was in the past, there could be no peace so long as the Northern Alliance existed. Though that once invincible junta has been brought to its knees, Hiccup knew that Drago would send everyone and everything he had under his command to destroy him and Kumandra.

"Do you believe you can beat a man like Drago in combat?"

Turning to his left, the memory of his dead father stood there, Hiccup hung the damp towel and began putting on his now cleaned tunic, undergarments, and pants. "I've killed his warlords, his aspiring champions, and many of his men. I need to best him in combat," Hiccup replied firmly. "Otherwise, all the lives I've taken and all the blood I've spilled in the name of those I hold close to my heart and the children of Scandinavia will have been for nothing." Shaking his head, Hiccup reached for his sacred arm ring around his left wrist and caressed it. "I swore upon my ring to avenge you all and all Vikings that Drago slaughtered, if I fail to fulfill that oath, I jeopardize my place in Valhalla. I can't allow that, I won't allow that."

"Do you have the stomach to kill him, boy?"

Grimacing, Hiccup walked out of the chambers he had been bathing in while looking over his shoulder. "You think I don't have what it takes to rid the world of that animal? I've dreamt of killing him in every way possible: strangulation, mutilation, torture, and other grotesque ways. But I want him to see that I, Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, Dragon Master of Norway, will have not only defeated him and his mad ambitions but I want him to look me in the eyes when I take his life," Hiccup could picture his words in his mind's eye, and he prayed that that possibility would become reality. "I will kill Drago Bludvist. Whatever it takes."

"Spoken like a true warrior."

Walking alongside him was the memory of Astrid, her beautiful face was stern as she raised a curious eyebrow. "However, temptation will be presented to you in the near future, the temptation to renounce Valhalla and join us in death," she then narrowed her eyes. "I wonder if you will give in to the temptation."

"Never," Hiccup's answer was immediate. "Aside from taking Drago's life, what I crave more is to be reunited with all my loved ones in Valhalla."

Shrugging, Astrid's memory continued. "Perhaps. But you've grown close with the princess you've fought side by side with. She cares about you, she would even have you reject the path of a Viking by avenging us and facing a warrior's death. You would have that woman that you call "friend" disrespect you like that?"

"If she tries to steer me away from my fate, then I'll handle it," Hiccup said firmly. "But if Raya doesn't respect my choice in facing a warrior's death in the final battle with the Northern Alliance tomorrow, then I will renounce our friendship. To her, that will cut deep, and she may try to double her efforts to keep me from facing the end I desire. If that's the case, she'll fail, because I won't let her or anyone stand in my way." The two strongest memories he had left him, for the time being, and Hiccup let out a heavy exhale.

Hiccup could understand that Raya was concerned for him, but if she was going to try and steer him away from facing a warrior's death and reunite with his loved ones in Valhalla, then she'll have spat on their friendship. Growling lowly, the Viking shook his head, Raya believed that she could offer him more in this life, but Hiccup knew that the only thing left for him in this life was revenge. Despite the friendships he's forged in Kumandra and the allies he's made in this foreign land, Hiccup didn't want to settle here and live the rest of his life here, a proposal Raya would undoubtedly offer him at dawn. Finding himself outside the balcony of his guest room, Hiccup looked outside and he could still hear the celebratory music and cheers from the Kumandran armies as they ate and drank.

They deserved this celebration, true. However, so long as Drago and his junta are still free to reap chaos, there's nothing to celebrate about.

"Don't be so morose, my boy. This is a time for celebration, not sulking."

Having been immersed in his thoughts, Hiccup failed to notice Chief Benja entering his guest room and approaching him. Giving him a nod in greetings, Hiccup chuckled. "My apologies, Chief Benja, my intentions aren't to soil this celebration of victory and unity for the Kumandran people with my gloomy mood..." he looked to the horizon of vast mountains, jungles, and waterfalls. "...however, as long as Drago draws breath, none of us are safe, mankind and dragons."

Standing beside the gloomy Viking, Benja crossed his arms behind his back and took in the breathtaking view of his home. "Yes, our future is under threat so long as Drago and the Northern Alliance roam free and unchallenged," he then smiled. "However, our current circumstances have brought Kumandra together, and we are now one people standing up in the face of tyranny and oppression."

"You have your daughter and Sisu to thank for that," Hiccup said, a smile gracing his face. "They brought Kumandra together and because of their actions, your people will no longer be at odds or continue with the petty disputes of your ancestors. So long as you learn from the mistakes of those here before you, your people will know peace."

Humming in agreement, Benja remarked. "Indeed. Peace, after all, is such a fragile thing. If we are to secure the peace you speak of, we cannot keep each other in the dark," he then turned to Hiccup and narrowed his eyes at the Viking. "Even though you are not Kumandran, we are taking action based on your plans."

Understanding where Benja was getting at, Hiccup spoke softly. "You believe my lust for revenge has completely clouded my ability to act in the best interests of Kumandra."

"You can understand my concern," Benja looked back out to the horizon while continuing. "Revenge is a dangerous game to play. And it can get people killed."

Nodding, Hiccup shrugged. "You needn't worry about me fracturing peace between Kumandra for the sake of my revenge, Chief Benja. I may be eager to see Drago and his junta fall, but not if it means seeing you lot at odds with each other once again," he then spoke lowly. "Either way, Drago Bludvist and the Northern Alliance will die, and you can savor peace with your daughter by your side." Having nothing more to say, Hiccup was silent while Benja took in his words, whether Heart's chief believed him or not wasn't Hiccup's concern, he wouldn't let his need for revenge endanger his ally's unity after centuries of odds with one another.

"Well, I'll leave you to yourself," Benja said after a long moment of silence. He then placed a hand on Hiccup's shoulder and squeezed gently. "Rest. Tomorrow, the world will change, for better or for worse." Nodding at his host, Hiccup watched as Benja took his leave.

He was right about one thing, the world would change.

One way or another, Hiccup knew that he would die trying to avenge his people and those that were ripped away from him. All that mattered to the young Viking was that he emerged victorious by killing Drago Bludvist and die a warrior's death so that he could be welcomed into Odin's grand halls.

"Not much longer now," Hiccup mumbled to himself before chuckling lightly and making his way to his bed. "Not much longer."

A/N: The final three chapters are upon us and trust me, you don't want to miss them. I still can't believe I'm almost done with this story, this has probably been one of my favorites to write, and I'm gonna miss it! Anyway, I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter, you can also find this story on FanFiction.Net and AO3, be sure to leave some support and feedback for me on those writing platforms as well. Thanks for tuning in and I'll catch you in the next update!