Ragnar looked down at Frodi body which just remained motionless. Olaf was still stunned about what just happened.
"Ragnar Keatson, he's more powerful than my investigations led me to believe," said Olaf.
Then Ragnar collapsed, the battle against Frodi had worn him out.
"Are you okay?" Toothless yelled.
"We're running out of time, we got rescuer Astrid," said Ragnar before blacking out.
"Ragnar, you can't go down too!" Toothless yelled.
"Is it possible his concern for his friends increased the strength of his magic," Olaf wondered.
Toothless began to shake Hiccup, trying to get him to wake up. "Come on! You gotta get up, Hiccup!" he begged.
But Hiccup didn't steer.
Olaf couldn't help but smile. "You couldn't have chosen a better guild, Astrid," said Olaf.
Meanwhile, at Era, the Viking Council were preparing the Etherion. Four towers began to rise from the ground around the city and all the people just stared. Then a large crystal rose from the city centre.
The Viking Council employees began to set the targeting coordinates from inside the Viking Council building.
Meanwhile, in the Tower of Valhalla, both Ruby and Heather were laying on the floor. Their battle with Daldus had really taken its toll on them.
Ruby opened her eyes and realised she was too weak to move her body.
"I'm totally wiped out, I can't even more a muscle," she said to herself. "Guess I over did it fight that Daldus freak." She then noticed that Heather way lying beside her also not moving. "Looks like Heather's down for the count too."
Then she heard footsteps approaching them.
"Whoa, someone really did a number on this place," said a familiar female voice.
"Yeah, you see what I see kid," said another familiar voice.
Ruby recognised those voices and would have screamed if she had the strength. Those voices belonged to Neria and Oghren.
"Good thing we found theses dames," said Oghren.
Ruby had no idea what to do, she didn't have the strength to explain things to them.
Meanwhile at Era, the Etherion was being to charge and everyone in the city was watching in wonder.
"Such a critical decision to make," said Heyral.
"You know it was solemn duty to do whatever it takes to maintain order," said Borg.
"There's no need for you to worry Heyral," said Sven. "I realise we're violating international protocol by initiating this massive attack, but we're protected under clause four of article twenty seven of the national security directive and is chairman you had no choice."
"The legality of this is not my concern, our decision to fire an Etherion blast could put innocent lives at risk," said Heyral.
"If Drago is resurrected many more will be at risk," said Sven. "Sadly, an evil force of that magnitude can only be countered by such extreme measures."
Unknown to the rest of the council members, Strider and Ultear was looking down at them on the next floor.
"The time has finally arrived Master Strider," said Ultear.
"Yes," Strider agreed.
"After all these years your dream will become a reality," said Ultear.
"Let me ask you something, are you afraid?" Strider asked.
"No. Not in the least, I trust you wholeheartedly and I have complete faith in your judgement," said Ultear.
"Of course, you're not why would you be your life isn't in jeopardy," said Strider.
Unknown to them Johann was eavesdropping, he was using his Stealth Magic to spy on them. He knew those two were up to something, but he didn't know what.
"That's true," Ultear continued.
"I must admit, I'm a little nervous," Strider admitted. "If my plan fails I'll cease to exist." Johann was confused by that statement, but then he heard Strider say, "Even so, I consider the risk of my life a small price to pay. I'm so close now. My destiny awaits!"
"Yes," Ultear agreed.
In his throne room, Jellal knew that the council had voted to use the Etherion and for some reason wasn't worried.
"Twenty five minutes," said Jellal as he knocked Frodi piece with Ragnar's. "The time has come for us to say our farewells, Strider."
Meanwhile, Tamlen was running up the tower, he still had Astrid trapped in a card and still believe that he could take on Jellal by himself.
"How could you?" he yelled as he ran. "You lie to me Jellal! You lie to all of us! I won't let you get away with it!"
"Calm down, Tamlen," said Astrid in Tamlen's pocket.
"He's going to pay for what he did!" Tamlen yelled.
"You're going to need my help to fight him," Astrid pointed out. "Release me from this card at once."
"I can't do that," said Tamlen. "I'm sorry, but it's for your own good. You're safe in there."
"Don't be stupid," said Astrid.
Soon Tamlen entered into a large room, it was some kind of training room. The weapons neatly stacked, maps pinned onto the wall and training dummies scattered around.
He soon came to a stop when he saw Arnora, the leader and final member of Trinity Raven. At once Tamlen grabbed a handful of cards and got ready for fight.
"I am Arnora, who might you be?" she asked.
"Get out of my way lady, don't make me hurt you," Talmen warned.
"Dear me, why should I be burdened with such a boorish man," she sighed.
"I warned you!" Tamlen yelled and tossed several cards straight at.
However, Arnora unsheathed his sword and slashed the cards. Then once she sheathed it the cards were sliced down the middle.
"How did you do that?" Tamlen gasped.
"My sword is able to cut through anything with extreme precision," said Arnora.
"Well, that sword of yours won't scare me," said Tamlen and they is another handful of cards.
However, before he could throw them, the ground beneath him was sliced and the cotton is hand sliced pieces. He then suddenly felt weak.
"What? I can't move," he said as he fell to his knees.
"I've just shattered your nervous without cutting your clothes or flesh," Arnora explained. "You can't challenge my Sword Magic."
She then noticed that one of the cards weren't sliced and that there was someone inside it.
"Let me out of here," Astrid demanded.
"I can't," said Tamlen helplessly.
"Well, well, what do we have here," said Arnora. "I was wondering where you are hiding, Astrid."
"You gotta release me, Tamlen. She's too powerful for you to take on by yourself," said Astrid.
"Don't worry about me," said Tamlen. "All that matters is that you're safe. I casted a Shielding Spell on that card, she can't harm you from the outside."
"Is that so?" said Arnora as she unsheathed his sword again. "Let's test that theory shall we."
"Your spell won't hold up against her," said Astrid. "That's no ordinary sword she is using its magical!"
"You're safe, I promise," Tamlen assured. Arnora then sliced at the card, and it looked like there was no effect. "Trust me."
Then he noticed Astrid had blocked the slash with her battle axe. He then realised if she hadn't blocked it the card would have been cut in half.
"She can cut across the dimensional rift!" Tamlen gasped.
They both stared at Arnora as she sent more powerful slashes at them. Astrid was able to block every single one of the slashes, but Tamlen was thrown backwards.
"Sister!" he yelled.
Then suddenly there was a blight light and when it vanished Astrid stood their battle axe in hand.
"I suspected your attacks would weaken Tamlen's Sealing Spell," said Astrid. "Allowing me to cut right through it to freedom."
"A sword that could cut through dimensions is amazing enough," Tamlen said to himself as he looked at Astrid in amazement. "But her ability to that power to her advantage, is what makes her even more amazing."
"You said you're name is Arnora, well I didn't come all this way for you," said Astrid. "Be gone."
"My apologies, but I think I'll stay," said Arnora smirking.
Suddenly Astrid shoulder guards shattered and she fell to her knees.
"Sister no!" Tamlen yelled.
Astrid stared at Arnora, who was smiling evilly. "You seem surprised," she said. "A skilled warrior like you should have seen that coming."
Astrid got back into her feet, but Arnora just continued to smile. "Your single minded forces on Jellal has rendered you a fledgling novice. Completely unaware of my swords flashing about you." Astrid glared at her, but again Arnora continued to smile. "Yes, there's the look I've been waiting for."
Tamlen just stared, he'd had never seen Astrid like this.
"You maybe skilled, but you don't stand a chance against me," said Arnora.
"You're my enemy and I will defeat you," said Astrid. She then Requiped into her Deadly Nadder armour. "I always do."
"I'd like to see you try," said Arnora unsheathing her sword.
Astrid then charged at her and their blades clashed. As Arnora redrew her sword Astrid rose up into the air.
"Deadly Nadder: Spine Shot!" Astrid yelled.
She fired about a dozen spikes from her wings, but Arnora didn't look worried in the slightest. Then all the spikes were sliced to pieces and they fell nest to Arnora.
"That was my Empty Flash technique," said Arnora.
"She cut through the spikes," Tamlen gasped.
Astrid then landed back on the ground and Arnora sent another Empty Flash at her. The moment she redrew her sword Astrid armour shattered and she screamed in pain.
Then Arnora covered herself in a fiery aura.
"Please, be careful!" Tamlen yelled.
"Empty Flames!" Arnora yelled sending a fiery slash towards Astrid.
Fortunately, Astrid Requip into her Monstrous Nightmare armour and managed to survive Arnora's attack.
"Ah, the Monstrous Nightmare armour," Arnora smiled. "It's highly resistant to flame attacks is it not. I'm impressed that you are able to Requip so quickly."
Then at that moment the Monstrous Nightmare armour shattered and left her body was completely exposed.
"How embarrassing to be so inappropriately dressed in that young man's presence," said Arnora. "I suggest you adorn yourself with the most powerful armour you possess."
"What a monster," said Tamlen.
At that moment Astrid replaced her broken Monstrous Nightmare armour with an entirely new one.
It was green and brown with many spiked features. The chest plate was entirely green except for a small arrow like inward protrusion on both sides near her stomach. The plate was lined with several spikes running from top to bottom. Multiple layered shoulder guards connected to the chest plate and feature several pyramid shaped spikes that protrude outward. Around her neck was a large necklace of spikes, matching the ones found around the chest plate but much larger. A brown coloured metal covers her upper arms before connecting to the green arm guards. The arm guards feature two metal straps and two spiked protrusions near the elbows. At her waist, she was wearing a multiple layered spike skirt ending in the spikes found in the shoulder guards. Around her waist was a simple banded belt. The tops of her legs remain exposed before her greaves start a little above her knees. Above the knee, the greaves were sectioned off, featuring two spikes per section. At the knee, a diamond like pattern forms with several spikes at the outward facing side. Below the knee, the spikes move to the side of the leg and are placed in even intervals all the way down. Astrid's hair was spiked outwards in order to manage the armour's design.
"Rumblehorn Armour Requip complete!" Astrid roared. "You'll regret your arrogance when I'm through with you." Then she summoned a giant greatsword and send a powerful gust of wind around the room. "No one who's seen this armour and lived to tell the tale."
"This is the most powerful armour in your possession?" Arnora asked. "Let's test its limits."
Astrid then jumped into the air and slammed her greatsword down towards Arnora, but she simply jumped out of the way. In rage Astrid charted her once again and slammed her greatsword onto the floor causing a small earthquake.
However, like before Arnora simply jumped and then unsheathed a sword and dealt Astrid some slashes before landing behind. Tamlen gasped as Astrid armour and greatsword shattered to pieces.
"I'm sorry, but you can't say I didn't warn you," said Arnora. "You made a valiant effort, but there's no armour in existence that my sword cannot cut through. Admit your defeat."
Astrid fell down onto a knees and felt despair flowing into our body. However, she then took a deep breath and turned to face Arnora one last time and then began to glow.
When the light vanished both Tamlen and Arnora stared at her, because she not Requip another armour, but instead was wearing a simple pair of blue baggy pants and bandages wrapped around her breasts. Her hair was tied in a ponytail and she was holding her favoured battle-axe in her hand.
"Is this some kind of joke?" Arnora asked. "Why would you trade out your armour with an outfit made a regular cloth."
"Requip!" Tamlen begged.
"Is this foolish choice of dress designed to mock me?" said Arnora.
"What are you doing?" Tamlen yelled. "You don't stand a chance against her like that! I'm sure you've got all kinds of heavy duty armour right! You gotta stay strong!"
"I can't do that, because I've never been strong," said Astrid. "It's all lie. As a child I've watched as those close to me suffered, I lost loved ones because I didn't have the strength to protect them. I try to be strong, but when I was alone I couldn't hide my emotions I decided that in order to convince everyone I was strong I would hide my heart away in a suit of armour there nobody would see that it was broken. I wear armour in order to conceal my weakness from the rest of the world, without it I've been too afraid to fight."
Tamlen just stared at her.
"Wear it not it makes no difference to me, I'll strike you down just the same," said Arnora.
"I thought my armour protected me, but it did more harm than good," Astrid continued. "It shielded me from pain, but it kept me distant from others my heart was too guarded to connect with anyone. That is until I joined Dragon Tail everyone was so warm and caring that my cold shower began to crack and I began to feel emotions again. The one who showed me this more than anyone was Hiccup, no matter what people called him, no matter how weak he was he never gave up, he always stood his ground and pushed forwards. How could I do anything less?"
"Sister," said Tamlen as a tear rolled down his cheek.
"I can't ally on my armour any more, I know I'm strong enough to defeat you without it!" Astrid yelled.
The two of them just as there, getting ready to strike. Then they charged at one another and Tamlen watched as they struck each other. They then landed with their backs towards one another waiting for one of them to fall.
Then Astrid axe shattered and Arnora laughed. "Our battle… is over," she said then her sword shattered. "Most impressive." Then she toppled over.
"Sister, what you did was amazing," Tamlen gasped.
"Are you all right?" Astrid asked.
"I think so," said Tamlen getting to his feet shakily.
"Defeat is quite bitter indeed, in all my years I've only known the sweet taste of victory" said Arnora weakly. "It doesn't matter if you beat me, because you and Jellal are both doomed to fail."
"What are you talking about?" Tamlen asked.
"In fifteen minutes time—" she then passed out.
Astrid guessed what she was talking about. "The Etherion blast," she said. She turned and looked at Tamlen. "Tamlen, go find Olaf and my Dragon Tail friends and get everyone as far away from the towers possible."
"What Sister?" said Tamlen confused.
"I know it's hard, but will you do this for me, please?" Astrid asked smiling.
Tamlen stared at her, but he knew there was no way he could change her mind. "Yeah, but what about you?" he asked.
"I'm going to settle things once and for all," said Astrid.
Meanwhile, Olaf was climbing up the tower with Hiccup on his shoulder. Hiccup was still weak from his battle with Frodi, but he awoke.
"What happened?" he asked.
"I was wondering when you were going to wake up," said Olaf.
"The last thing I remember was flying around in circles," said Hiccup trying to stop his head from spinning.
"Just don't throw up on my shoulder," said Olaf. "Anyway, after that Frodi stole your magic power. Luckily Ragnar was able to save you."
"He always had my back," said Hiccup.
"He defeated Frodi, but he was badly wounded during the fight," said Olaf. "Your friend is taking him to a safer place."
Toothless was carrying Ragnar down to the basic of the tower. Then they saw all of Jellal's men climbing on the boats and above them was the Satellite Square above them.
"Look is that the Satellite Square?" one of them asked. "We gotta get out of here!"
"Let's pick up our speed!" another one yelled.
"But we'll sail straight into the Septem Navy!" one of them pointed out.
"That's better than the Etherion blast."
Toothless watched as all the ships disappeared off into the distance. "Argh, there goes all the ships," he said.
"Look below us," said Ragnar weakly.
Toothless looked down and saw a boat anchored at the basic of the tower. "How did you know that was there?" he asked.
"That's the boat we came in on," Ragnar explained.
Back in the tower, Hiccup was finally strong enough to stand on his feet.
"At least their safe," said Hiccup.
"They won't if we don't stop Jellal," Olaf pointed.
"You could try being a little more optimistic," said Hiccup. Then he noticed Olaf clutching his chest. "Are you all right?"
"Don't worry I'm fine," Olaf assured, but Hiccup could tell he was lying.
"What about the girls?" Hiccup asked.
"I just got word from Oghren, he and Neria had found Ruby and Heather, but they're in bad shape," Olaf explained. "He said that it looked like they took down one of the Trinity Ravens all by themselves."
"The two of them?" said Hiccup shocked.
"They hadn't heard that we weren't enemies any more so they were confused when I asked them to take the girls to safety," said Olaf.
"What about Astrid?" Hiccup asked.
"Don't worry, she's fine," Olaf assured. "Tamlen's informed me that the last member of Trinity Raven has been defeated."
"I take it that it was Astrid's doing," said Hiccup slyly.
"Of course," said Olaf. "Now that they are out of the picture that just leaves Jellal. Astrid's gone to find him."
"By herself?" Hiccup asked.
"You know as well as I did that she's got a score to settle and whether we like it or not she wants to do it on our own," said Olaf. "It is as if they are destined to fight each other. I'm worried about her, because Jellal is stronger than she knows." He then turned and looked at Hiccup. "I beg you, you have to help us fight him."
"I don't know if I can do that," said Hiccup.
"What?!" Olafroared.
In his throne room, Jellal placed Astrid's piece in front of his and got up from his throne when he saw Astrid enter.
"Don't tell me that the game is over already," said Jellal.
"You find that much pressure in toying with the lives of others?" Astrid said distastefully.
"Between the moment of our birth and the time of our death there is only the game of emotions we call life," said Jellal. "What could be more drearily than simply existing day after day?" He then turned and faced. "It's been a long time hasn't it?"
"It certainly has," said Astrid glaring at him. "Tamlen and the others are no longer under your influence."
"That's fine with me," Jellal shrugged. "Now that the Tower of Valhalla has been completed I have no need for them."
Astrid then summoned a battle-axe into a hand and pointed it at Jellal. "You don't seem too concerned it will soon be destroyed," Astrid noted.
"You mean by the Etherion?" Jellal laughed.
"You're so carefree, I can only assume that you are bluffing," said Astrid.
"Not so," said Jellal pulling down his hood. "The Etherion will rain down on us."
"I'm relieved to hear it," said Astrid taking a battle stance. "That means I just need to keep you occupied for the next ten minutes and this nightmare will be over at last."
"No. When the beam strikes your life will be sacrificed to Drago," said Jellal as a dark aura surrounded him. "This has always been certain. You cannot avoid fate Astrid. This is your destiny!"
Meanwhile, at the base of the tower, Ragnar had met up are now sailing away from the tower. Though some of them weren't too happy about it.
"Come on guys turn this boat around right now," said Ragnar.
"That ain't happening so close your trap," said Oghren.
"Astrid said as far away as from the tower as we can," said Neria.
"But now Astrid and Hiccup have no way to leave," Ruby pointed out. "Their stock."
"You don't have to worry their going to be fine," said Tamlen. "I know it."
"They can't do it alone, Hiccup needs me there to back him up," said Ragnar.
"Forget about it, Olaf is with him so I'm sure it's gonna work out just dandy," said Oghren.
"Well, it isn't gonna be dandy if they end up dead!" Ruby snapped.
"You don't have to yell like that," said Neria.
"We should be fighting you guys," said Tamlen.
"Shut your trap and take me back to shore right now I've got to go back for them!" Ragnar yelled.
"I'm with him, turn the boat around!" Ruby demanded.
"I told you that ain't happening!" Oghren yelled.
"Just shut up!" Toothless yelled.
That cause everyone to turn towards him, Toothless was staring at the tower and he too looked very worried.
"Quit yelling at each other and try to get along!" he yelled. "I want to go back for them to, but we can't because the Etherion is about to blast that place any minute now. Hiccup is going to save Astrid and they'll get out of there alive, Olaf told me that's what was going to happen. He said that once Hiccup's true power awakens with in him then he's gonna be unstoppable. Not even Jellal will be able to beat him."
Back at the tower, Olaf pinned hiccup to the wall.
"What's the matter with you?" he demanded. "We both agreed that Jellal needed to be stopped and you're not going to help you in doing it."
"This is her fight, she wants a hundred on her own and she will never forgive me if I intervened," said Hiccup.
"There's no way she'll could ever win against Jellal," said Olaf releasing him.
"She's stronger than you know," said Hiccup.
"You got it all wrong," said Olaf. "I'm not saying I doubt powerful magic, despite everything that has happened I know that Astrid still wants to save Jellal. I have no doubt in my mind, in her heart she could never truly hate the boy she remembers from her childhood." Hiccup just stared at him. "Jellal is viciously cunning, he knows exactly how to manipulate her things to his advantage and that's not the only thing working against. As you know the Viking Council is prepared to fire an Etherion blast. When that happens the tower and anyone inside it will be wiped out. If what's Tamlen told me is correct we only have ten minutes."
"What?" Hiccup gasps.
"She ordered everyone else and went on to face him alone," said Olaf. "If you know her as well as I do then you know what she's up to." Hiccup just looked at him in shock. "She's giving up her life and when the blast comes it will take them both down together."
"Then we better find her," said Hiccup.
Up in the throne room, Astrid and Jellal were still staring at each other and Astrid hadn't lowered her axe.
"Only seven minutes left," said Jellal. "When the Etherion strikes the tower we'll take our final breaths. Why don't we simply enjoy these last moments together?"
"You should know I've cast off all my fears, even my own death," said Astrid as the dark aura around Jellal began to take form. "I'll relish in it, because I'll be taking you down with me."
"Oh, really? Is that what you?" said Jellal. He then aimed his hand towards her. "Then we'll just see about that!"
Then the dark creature around him charged straight at Astrid. However, Astrid just slashed it in half with her axe.
She then charged at Jellal and swung her axe at him, but he blocked it and slammed the palm of his hand into her which was covered with dark magic. He hit her with such force that Astrid went straight through the wall and began to fall.
However, she jumped off the rubble and landed back in the throne room. Astrid then charged at him swing her axe at him which he dodged.
"You destroyed the very thing you worked so hard to create," said Astrid dodging a blast of dark magic Jellal just fired. "What the point!"
She then swung her axe at him again, but he dodged it and she ended up slicing through the game board Jellal had setup.
"Why should I care about a pillar or two?" Jellal asked. "After all there nothing more than decorations."
"Maybe so, but the reason why there here is because the others spent all those year building them for you!" she yelled.
"How is it that you manage to find fault in everything I say?" said Jellal smiling. "I never forced them to work they chose to they knew how important the tower was to me." Astrid glared at him. "And now at long last it's been complete!"
Then Astrid felt something by her feet and look down to see the dark entity that Jellal had created was sipping through the floor below her. Then it rushed out and warped around her becoming a sphere.
"While it's true that you've honed your skills over the years, you're no match for me," said Jellal as he walked around the sphere.
Astrid was unable to move and voice rushed into her head, they were the voices of her friends.
"You're freaking me out, because this isn't like you at all," said Ragnar's voice. "Stoick taught us that the strongest warriors need a little backup every once in a while."
"And no matter what happens we're always going to have your back," said Ruby's voice.
"We're the strongest team!" said Toothless' voice.
"I've always believed in you, Astrid," said Olaf's voice. "And there's nothing that could change that."
"Sister," said Tamlen's voice.
"I'll miss them, but not as much as I'm going to miss him," Astrid thought.
"You don't have to lie to me," said Hiccup's voice.
After hearing Hiccup's voice, Astrid felt newfound strength and sliced through the sphere freeing herself. Jellal turned and looked shocked.
"I told you, I've cast off all my fears, including you," said Astrid. She then dealt him a powerful blow with axe that sent him flying.
"This is not the weak girl I remember," said Jellal shocked as he landed on the ground.
He looked up to see Astrid glaring at him pointing her axe straight at him.