It was dawn when the Chronicler arrived back at Berk and in her hands, she was carrying Hiccup's body. Meeting her outside was Runa and she was shocked to find that she was carrying Hiccup.
"What the hell you doing with Hiccup?" she stared. "What's going on? Is he okay? Where did you find him? No one has seen or heard from him for a year now, we've all been sick with worry."
"Are you the only one here?" the Chronicler asked.
"At the moment, everyone else is getting ready for the Harvest Festival," she explained. "Due to Hiccup's absence, I've been obliged to serve as Dragon Tails temporary Guild Master."
"Then this makes things easier," she said as she handed Hiccup's body to him. "Something happened, which forced me to put him in a deep coma, but he still a danger to everything around him. I suggest that you seal his body in some way unless you don't want everyone in town to die. I've done everything I can, I'm afraid the rest is now up to you."
She then turned around and walked away much to Runa's shock.
"Who are you? What's your name?" she yelled.
"I gave my name up a long time ago, but if you have to call me something I am known as the Chronicler."
Runa's eyes widened. "The Chronicler? The governor of space and time?"
"Don't expect me to interfere again, I'm only 1 inch from crossing that line."
Runa was completely shocked as she tried to process what just happened.
She did exactly what the Chronicler told her to do, she went below the Guildhall and sealed Hiccup's body in a large lacrima and once there she began doing research on his body trying to figure out what the Chronicler meant and sadly he discovered the truth.
'That is how my body ended up inside the lacrima and why it remains there today,' Hiccup explained. 'Runa worked tirelessly, trying to figure out what had happened and then one day, due to his vast knowledge of magic, he had finally realised what had happened. I had been touched by a deadly curse, there was only one reference which was within one of my books and he discovered that the curse resonated with Drago.'
'By the gods, was this curse what caused Chinhilda's death?' she cried.
She then slammed her fist against the wooden floor. "No, I can't let anybody else find out. The Guild would not survive!"
'She kept his word, no one would know the truth about me. In 736, Runa made up her mind and decided to tell the Guild that I passed away. A shrine over an empty grave was erected on Cove Island, which was declared sacred land. In that very same year, Runa became Dragon's Tail Second Master, acting in accordance with the wish I had made known before the time of my disappearance. He devoted all of his time, not spent on his duties as Guild Master, in solitude working without rest to find a cure for me.
'Within the year 739 Grimbeard passed away prematurely, I can only assume the loss of his wife caused him to die of grief, never knowing of the true cause of his her death. Runa continued her attempts to kill me for the next 20 years though not successfully and the results revealed something rather unexpected.
'Like I said he had a vast amount of knowledge of magic and had used all his resources to kill me, but I remained in suspended animation inside the lacrima unable to age or truly die, in unforeseen conversion factors and unacceptable form of magic was created… it was something that would rock the Viking world to its very core.'
Back in the present, every member of Dragon Tail utterly stunned by what they had heard.
"… Eternal magic called Dragon Heart," he finished.
"I don't understand… what is it?" Ruby asked.
"Yes, please explain," said Astrid.
"An everlasting source of magic, simply put the power that springs from Dragon Heart will never dry up," Master Hiccup explained.
"You mean magic you can use forever and ever?" Toothless stared.
"Consider the weapon developed by the old Viking Council… the Etherion Cannon it was powerful enough to wipe out an entire country with one blast. The Dragon Heart contains enough magic energy to fire an infinite number of Etherion blasts or perhaps contain is not the right word for it, it can generate that kind of magic energy… enough to wipe out all countries."
"I understand why we would want to keep this secret," said Merrill.
"News like this would definitely throw the Viking world into total chaos," Stormfly agreed.
"Excellinor tried to get her hands on it some years ago, it seems word of it assistance has reached the shores of Alvarez as well," said Stoick.
"Which means they're going to launch an invasion, to try to get control the power it generates," said Alvin.
"But why would they go through the trouble? Aren't they always swimming in magic power over there?" Dogsbreath asked.
"Drago is power-hungry, but I suspect that they also want to use it as a weapon in a fight against Acnologia," Master Hiccup concluded. "Even Drago considers him to be too evil for this world."
"Is he really that strong?" Ragnar asked. "I mean I know he's like a force of nature, but that's insane."
"It's hard to imagine," said Heather.
Hiccup remains completely silent.
"I still don't understand, if we had something this powerful what's stopping us from using it on both of them?" Toothless asked.
"Yes, I do suppose that question does need to be asked," Stoick nodded. "I admit that I did consider using it to stop the Faces in the battle against Helheim. Although we would have clinched a short-term victory, there was no telling what the long-lasting effects might have been. For example what if we lost control of the Etherion and it rained down unlimited destruction?"
"I suppose you can't counteract a poison with another poison," said Skullcrusher.
"Careful that's our First Master you're referring to," Stormfly warned.
"If Edolas ever discovered this, you would solve their magical problems," said Cloudjumper.
"No matter what we're up against, Dragon Heart must remain secret," said Master Hiccup bluntly. "The world is just not ready for it."
"No way we would give that up!"
"It's your body!"
"We're going to protect you with everything was in our power!"
"I have a dream I would be the cause of all this," Master Hiccup sighed. "I've dragged the entire Guild into a mess that could end us for good."
"You were fulfilling your duty, no one can blame you for that," said Eret.
"He's right and you mustn't blame yourself for what happened," Astrid added.
"It is unfortunate, but it's obvious that this is not what you had intended," said Stormfly.
"Because of you Dragon Tail is a force of good in the world," said Ruby.
Toothless nodded. "And if there was no Dragon Tail…"
"…then we wouldn't be friends today," Skullcrusher finished.
"You made this happen, your love for people is what brought us all together," said Ragnar.
"And we're willing to do whatever it takes to protect the Guild that you created because we believe in it," said Merrill.
"Your Guild has grown into a thing of beauty, First Master," said Stoick.
"I failed to stop Drago thousand years ago, and now he has become an even greater threat to every living thing on this continent," said Hiccup. "He used to be my student, I did everything I could to protect him, but now I need to stop."
"Not going to lie, it will be tough even if we took down Alvarez's army," said Dogsbreath.
"Drago himself can't age nor die, isn't that right?" Alvin asked.
"Wait, he's really immortal?"
"You mean like there's nothing that can kill him?"
"How do we defeat somebody like that?" Astrid pondered.
"You can leave that to me," said Hiccup and everyone looked at him. "I'll take down Drago…" He then pulled up the sleeve on his left arm revealing a bandage covering it. "What I've got on my left arm will be able to defeat him."
Meanwhile Brandish was in her room and tending to her every need was a tiny Atran.
"Hey, have I told you lately that your the epitome of Triple A+ beauty?" he said.
Brandish then placed her foot right in front of him, which to him was enough force to create a small earthquake.
"I'd be even better if you finish this pedicure," she said looking down at him coldly.
"Of course, my lady," he said as he immediately grabbed a brush down with nail varnish. "I will put all of my care into making these nails truly divine. When I'm done they'll be the envy of the gods."
He then began to apply the nail varnish. "So my lady, if it's not asking too much, do you think you would be willing to turn me back to my normal size pretty please?"
Before she could give him an answer the door opened and walking inside was Griselda. "Tell me, Randy…"
"Yes, Griselda," she said looking annoyed.
"I heard that you let some troublemakers escape," she said with a small smile. "Surely that's not true."
"No, I did not let them escape I wasn't in the mood with dealing with them is all."
Atran then immediately rushed towards Griselda. "Trust me, I try to convince that it wasn't the best idea." He then smiled up at her. "My, you're looking absolutely A+ 2 my lady?"
Griselda turned and looked at Brandish. "Will you turn him back to normal, he's like a disgusting cockroach that can talk."
"Say what?" said Atran.
"I'll pass," said Brandish.
"Oh, come on! I hate being tiny!" Atran complained.
"Are you ever in the mood to deal with anything?" said Griselda folding her arms. "Isn't that what he's for? Anyway, the Drake Twelve have been summoned, your lackeys magic should spare you the hassle of travelling."
She then walked out of the room and close the door behind her.
Brandish then looked down at the snivelling Atran, who immediately looked up at her nervously. She then grabbed him with her toes and lifted him off the ground.
"Hey, be careful! What you doing?" he panicked.
"I can't stand that cow, so horrible and ugly," she said in a disgusted tone. "If I were you I would say that she is an F-."
"Please don't squash me," he pleaded.
Meanwhile back at the Guild, everyone was still rather surprised by Hiccup's announcement.
"So how exactly are you going to beat Drago?" Astrid asked looking at him.
"I'm afraid it is a secret," he said.
"I don't know what he's talking about, but knowing him I'm sure it's something special," said Merrill.
Toothless remained absolutely quiet on the other Exceeds looked at him.
"I take it that you know what the secret weapon is," Skullcrusher assumed.
"Perhaps," he shrugged.
"And if you do know about it I doubt that you would tell us," Stormfly concluded.
"Hey, I would if I could, but Hiccup was quite firm on the subject," said Toothless.
"Not like him to keep secrets though," said Cloudjumper folding his paws.
"All I can say that I could only use it one time and with it, I'll be able to take down Drago once and for all," said Hiccup. "There's no way I'm going to lose to him."
Upon hearing this everyone began to lighten up and it looked as if they had a real shot of winning this war.
"Only one time?"
"He's literally got an ace up his sleeve."
"He certainly knows how to make a very convincing argument, doesn't he?" said Dogsbreath.
"Yes, indeed," Astrid nodded. "And it seems his confidence is quite contagious as well."
"He certainly knows how to inspire people," said Skullcrusher.
"And that's why we made him our guild master," said Stormfly.
"He's always had a knack for this stuff," Alvin agreed.
"Of course I have several strategies of my own, but I'll let Hiccup lead for now," said Master Hiccup.
"Master Stoick, you should probably tell us everything that you know about who we're going up against?" Ruby suggested.
Stoick nodded in agreement. "Yes, that is a good point. I'll share what information I was able to gleam from my time over there. At the very top, we have Emperor Drake, of course, hearing Septem he's more commonly referred to as the legendary Black Tyrant Drago Bludvist. And beneath him a powerful Vikings, an elite and terrifyingly roofless force known as the Drake Twelve.
"During the year I was confined there I was only able to see six of them and because it's such a large region it apparently quite rare for them to be in the same place at the same time. First on the list is Krogan, a.k.a. the Winter General, Drago's right-hand man. I'm not sure, but his nickname leads me to believe that he uses some form of Ice Magic, though I haven't seen him in action."
Ragnar folded his arms. "Ice, huh?"
"Chaghatai Khan, the Desert King," Stoick continued. "He's the Sand Viking way encountered during our escape from Alvarez as we experienced he's one of the Twelve's most aggressive members."
"He didn't stop us," said Hiccup.
"Brandish, the Nation Destroyer, though not as much as a hawk she does wield enough magic power to wipe countries off the map."
Astrid nodded remembering her. "We've encountered her before. On Eos Island, she is a force to be reckoned with. From what we could tell her magic is able to alter the object mass."
"Next we have Griselda the Grievous, I don't know what magic she uses, but she is an extremely skilled warrior who was considered a goddess of the battlefield."
"So she's both able to use a sword and magic?" said Astrid.
"Sounds kind of familiar, doesn't it?" said Hiccup.
"And then, of course, we have God Serena," said Stoick bitterly. "He was the top-ranked ex-member of the Ten Viking Lords, he is a profound disappointment to our country and impossible to like. But I have had the chance to witness his extraordinary magic power firsthand."
"I still can't wrap my head around the fact that the highest rank Viking Lords is working with the enemy now," said Ruby.
"I wonder why he decided to desert Septem," Heather pondered.
"Honestly I highly doubt there's any way to know for sure without asking him personally," said Skullcrusher.
"I'll make sure to do that when I addressed him," said Eret.
"Perhaps more worryingly is the one named August, the Viking King," Stoick continued. "Be especially wary of him. Although I don't know much about him personally, his magic power is rumoured to be without equal among the twelve. He is on a completely different level, if what I heard is true he has mastered every form of magic across the world. It has been said that he might even wield more types of magic than Drago himself."
Everyone was completely stunned by this prospect.
"That is all the information I have on those six, as far as the others I only have the names of three. They're Ragnar the Stone, Neinhart and the last one is Wall."
"Great I share a name with one of them, that's not going to get confusing at all," Ragnar muttered under his breath.
"We need to formulate our strategy, everybody pays close attention," said Master Hiccup. "Drago will invade with a full-scale assault with his entire army. I won't sugarcoat it, there's no question that wherein an overwhelming disadvantage, our enemy is greater in number and for more powerful than any we've faced before, but… due to our courage and our bond, we will prevail letters show them what our guild is made of."
With that, all of them cheered burning with enthusiasm.
Meanwhile, at Meridian Palace, Drago was now addressing members of the Drake Twelve where there was only set for seven of them along with the Chancellor Yale.
"Seven of you, I am pleased that so many of you made it here despite the sudden notice," he said.
"Actually I believe that Neinhart is lurking somewhere withinside the Palace your Majesty, but well…" Yale informed him.
Drago raised his hand. "It's quite all right."
Krogan narrowed his eyes. "I disagree, not attending this meeting is an unacceptable defiance of your Majesty's orders!"
"Don't be such a stick in the mud, Krogan," said Chaghatai. "There's more than enough of us here to start the meeting. Besides, I think a smaller force would be nice anyway."
"As I'm sure you all likely surmise I have convened this meeting to discuss preparations for our invasion of Septem," said Drago bringing everything back on track.
"What a hassle," Brandish grumbled.
Drago narrowed his eyes. "I hope that wasn't an act of defiance, Brandish. Do not forget you agreed to follow my orders."
"Yes, of course. I didn't actually say that I wasn't going to do it. Just that it sounded like a massive pain in the neck to me."
Griselda smiled at her. "You know Randy, the fact that you say whatever is on your mind is why everyone hates you."
"Yeah, so what? I don't really give a damn, because the truth is I actually hate them."
"I see, then I guess it's no wonder we get along so well."
Drago then turned towards God Serena. "Tell me, God Serena… will destroy your homeland cause you pain?"
God Serena was human with blazing red hair he also had a scar running across the bridge of his nose. "Painful? No…" he yelled as he extended his arms dramatically and everyone just gave him blank looks.
"Jackass," Brandish muttered under her breath.
Serena didn't appear to have heard her. "But thank you."
August remained absolutely silent and then turned to Drago. "Your Majesty, there's no doubt in my mind that we are prepared to go to battle in this final war of Ragnarok."
Then an elf, with a rather calculating face spoke up, his name was Wall. "As I understand it, our target is the body of your former teacher."
Drago narrowed his eyes. "He never did a single thing for me and technically I am not after his body rather the magic inside of it. However, this is not our only goal we will also wipe out Septem, all those that live there must be exterminated without fail."
"Everyone?" said Griselda.
"Your Majesty certainly does not know the word mercy," said August.
"And nor should we, we are near the pieces on the board," said Wall.
Brandish remained absolutely quiet.
"Yes, good," said Serena.
"On that note, let's plan our strategy," said Krogan.
"You should just let me do it," said Chaghatai.
"I cannot allow that," said Drago. "This will be a full-scale assault."
Chaghatai looked outraged. "I can handle the whole thing on my own! If the strongest guy there was God Serena then that means I'll have no problem taking on the whole continent alone."
Chancellor Yale did not look as convinced, he was also extremely worried as Chaghatai was, in fact, his son.
"I understand what you're saying, Chaghatai," said Drago. "But you should never underestimate your enemy so we will go with a full-scale assault. The Dragon King Festival begins, let the invasion commence!"
Meanwhile deep within the mountains, Acnologia, sat there within his cave feeling a slight pain in his stump.
"My arm is aching," he said. "The same one that was devoured by the Flame Dragon." He then rose to his feet. "This is my time, the Dragon King Festival will soon begin."
He then began to transform into his dragon form. "Behold and tremble before the true King of Dragons! The ultimate lifeform on this planet… Acnologia!"