Hiccup had just won a massive victory against House Loki, but instead of celebrating with the rest of his House, he was currently in the headmaster's office.
"So what was so important that you have to tell me?" Mimir asked as his head resting on the desk.
Hiccup then began to explain his dream last night about Johann searching for an eye and his allegiance with the dark elves.
Mimir looked deeply troubled. "That is rather concerned."
"Do you know what he's looking for?" Hiccup asked.
"I have a hunch, and I hope that I'm wrong, but on the off chance that I'm not, I will inform Odin immediately."
"How bad is it?" Hiccup asked.
"If he is afterwards I think is then it's catastrophic, but until we have confirmation, you just go about your day."
Hiccup wasn't certain whether there was possible now that he knew that Johann was after something that could lead to catastrophe.
"What about Ragnar?" Hiccup asked. "They know that he's on their trail."
"We'll get word do him rest assured, but right now there's nothing you can do. Though considering that you had these visions, it is safe to assume that we will be calling upon you and your friends once again on this journey."
"Lovely," Hiccup sighed.
Hiccup return to the celebration informed the others of his meeting with Mimir.
"Johann is after an eye," said Ruffnut looking slightly disgusted.
"Cool," said Tuffnut.
"There's nothing cool about it," Astrid snapped. "This is rather worrying, and Mimir just told you to stay on standby."
"Until he gets confirmation there's nothing we can do apparently," Hiccup shrugged.
"I wonder what's got him so rattled?" Fishlegs pondered. "I've never heard of the special kind of eye in any of the Norse myths."
"Don't forget that there is very little information on Norse mythology," Astrid reminded him. "The Danes weren't exactly big writers and anything that was written down distorted by Christianity."
"And Johann was there before Christianity took root, he probably knows more about the Norse stories than any of us," Hiccup assumed.
"So we're just going to sit around here and wait until we have permission to attack?" Snotlout grunted. "You should have pushed harder."
Astrid looked at Hiccup. "Last time you had these visions, Mimir was quick to send you on your quest."
"The dragons were in immediate danger, this time the danger is not so clear," Hiccup pointed out. "I don't like it any more than you guys, but unless we get some kind of message from the Gods is absolutely nothing we can do."
It was at that point that a rainbow immediately appeared overhead and it touched down right in front of Hiccup.
"Not exactly what I had in mind," said Hiccup as he blinked.
"Looks like my dad is calling you," said Heather as she approached them.
"A little flashy," said Astrid.
By this point, everyone was looking at the rainbow and Hiccup, clearly seen the Bifrost Bridge was not a common occurrence.
Hiccup looked at Heather. "So do I just step on it?"
"Pretty much," she said. "Though perhaps I should come with you."
Astrid gave her a suspicious look. "Why?"
Heather looked at her and raised an eyebrow. "Well, would you pass obscene your dad if he offered an invitation to someone you know?"
"Point taken."
"Besides, it can be rather traumatic for mortal even one who's been invited, my father. I might be able to make the transition easier if I come with."
"So what would happen if Hiccup steps on the rainbow without you?" Fishlegs asked curiously.
"Well, he would shoot up the rainbow at an incredible speed yet blind by its colours and may end up going mad."
"She's coming with," said Hiccup.
Heather finished her drink and then approached Hiccup offering a hand. When Hiccup grabbed it, he couldn't help but notice that Astrid was looking rather annoyed.
"Brace yourself and close your eyes," said Heather.
Hiccup to a deep breath and closed his eyes firmly shut. The two of them then place the single foot on the rainbow, and they both took off like a rocket.
Hiccup would like to say that he kept his composure and stood firmly as a rock, but the truth was he screaming like a little girl. They were moving so fast it felt as if his skin would kill off and even with his eyes shut, he was still being dazzled by the seven colours of the rainbow. After what felt about half an hour this it finally came to a stop in the first thing he did was collapse and sick.
Heather merely smiled. "Don't worry, everyone has the same reaction when they come up the Bifrost."
Hiccup finally opened his eyes and found that he was standing on a rainbow and he was covered in some sort of glitter from the rainbow. He looked around and saw that instead of the sky, there were walls made of the same glitter.
"Not what I was expecting," said Hiccup.
"It used to be a bridge," said Heather. "But my father has recently installed many security methods."
"For good reason," said a voice.
Hiccup looked up and came face-to-face with Heimdall and was easily dazzled by his good looks. He had perfect white teeth, dazzling sky blue eyes and bright blonde hair, and he was dressed as a security officer.
"Heimdall?" said Hiccup.
"The one and only," he said.
"Hi, Dad," Heather smiled.
Heimdall beamed at her. "Heather, you certainly have grown since the last time I saw you. It was just 230 years ago that you laid there in your crib."
"236 years to be exact," she said.
Hiccup could only imagine what it was like not seeing your father for that length of time, but Heather didn't look bothered in the slightest. There again, an elf's perception of a long time was far longer than that of human.
"Heimdall, why have you summoned me?" Hiccup asked.
"Well, I know that you are deeply concerned about your friend," said Heimdall looking at Hiccup.
"Word travels fast," said Hiccup.
"Not really I was just eavesdropping on your conversation with Mimir. I can see and hear everything in all the Nine World."
Hiccup blinked. "Do you often eavesdrop on private conversations?"
"Hiccup," Heather hissed.
Heimdall merely chuckled. "It's quite all right, Heather. I've been asked that quite a lot and to answer your question no, I do respect people's privacy. However, you are a special case, my boy and every single god out there is keeping a close eye on you."
Hiccup suddenly filled rather nervous with so many powerful individuals taking an interest. He already had a big enough target on his head, he really didn't want more people to take an interest in him.
"You wanted to talk about Ragnar?" Heather asked, looking at her father.
"Indeed, I can tell you that he is in danger."
"What?" Hiccup stared.
"But it's nothing that he can't handle," Heimdall continued. "However, your biggest concern should be what Johann is after."
Hiccup wanted to talk more about Ragnar, but he got the feeling that what Johann was after was connected somehow.
"He said it was an eye, but it looked like a crystal in my visions," Hiccup frowned.
"In a way, it's both. It's called the Eye of Odin."
Hiccup suddenly had a realisation and what this Eye of Odin really was. "It's Odin's actual eye, the one he gave up do you drink from the Well of Knowledge."
Heimdall smiled. "Bright boy. Yes, it is that very eye that Odin sacrificed to gain wisdom from the Well."
"But I've never heard of it," Hiccup frowned.
"Mimir can tell you more if you want, but I will tell you that it is imperative that Johann does not get his hands on it. Legend says that the eye can bestow upon the one who holds it wisdom of the Well itself and with infinite knowledge in Johann's hand I don't have to tell you how bad things can get."
"Loki seemed to be interested in it as well," said Hiccup. "Johann mentioned his father when he was talking to that Dark Elf."
"Ah, you must be referring to Atras," Heimdall nodded.
Heather's face then immediately turned paler than normal.
Hiccup looked at her. "You know him?"
"He's the leader of the Purists, the rebel group that's trying to overthrow the Queen," Heather explained.
"Purists?" Hiccup blinked.
"They're the rebels I mentioned in generally there a bunch of anarchists," said Heather. "They believe strongly of the old ways, the days when we terrify humans and wared against the Light Elves."
"Sounds lovely," said Hiccup.
"Atras is the most radical out of all of them, but unfortunately for us, he is a very good leader. He would like nothing more than to behead the Queen and sit upon the throne himself."
"And now he seems to be working with Johann," said Hiccup folding his arms. "Though I get the impression of just using him."
"I can't tell you for sure what Johann is doing," said Heimdall regretfully. "There's a spell placed around him and his men that hides them from my sight and hides their voices for my ears."
"I didn't even know that was possible," said Heather astonished.
"I don't know how they accomplish this either, but I'm willing to bet that Loki has something to do with it. However I would say that your course is very clear now Hiccup, you must find the Eye of Odin before Johann does."
"You mean I'm about to go on another quest," Hiccup sighed.
"And the stakes are just as high as the last one," Heimdall added. "Odin himself would like to resolve this matter himself, but tensions are high in Svartalfheim it was dangerous now sending a Light Elf there to follow Johann's trail."
"But how we supposed to get there?" Hiccup asked. "Ragnar was the one who helped us last time travelling between worlds."
"I'll let Mimir explain this to you," said Heimdall as he raised his hand. "Now I think it's time to attend the two of you to your party."
Before Hiccup could say anything, he felt as if he had dropped several thousand feet from the air. A split second later he then suddenly found himself on solid ground, a little shaken but otherwise all right.
He looked around and saw that he was in the middle of the victory party, and everyone was staring at them.
"Nice of you to drop in," Astrid joked.
"So what did Heimdall say?" Fishlegs asked.
Hiccup took a deep breath. "That I have to go on a new quest."
Hiccup and the others immediately made their way to Mimir's offers, and somehow he wasn't surprised to discover that he had already expected them. Eret with them just as Hiccup opened the door sitting in an arm chair.
"Ah, right on time," said Mimir.
Hiccup looked up and saw two ravens sitting on the bookshelf and knew them as Hugin and Munin, their names translated as thought and memory. These were Odin's ravens, his eyes and ears on Midgard which meant that this was a big deal they were here.
"Is he word travels fast," said Hiccup as Fishlegs closed the door behind them.
"Aye, I just sorry that you didn't have more time to celebrate your victory," said Mimir.
Astrid looked at Eret. "Why is he here?"
"Hello to you too," said Eret.
"He's here for the same reasons you," said Mimir narrowing his eyes as Astrid. "Now tell me everything that Heimdall told you."
Hiccup began to explain everything, especially about the Eye of Odin. Mimir remained silent listening to every single word you could tell from his eyes that the cogs in his brain were moving with incredible speed.
"This is certainly unexpected," said Mimir when Hiccup finished.
"My father said that you could tell us more about the Eye of Odin," said Heather.
"Indeed I can, but I imagine that few of you understand the significance of this eye," he said, looking directly at the twins.
"Why are you looking at us?" Tuffnut frowned.
"As you know, Odin is the God of Wisdom, and as such, he craves knowledge, to discover something new. To that end, he made his way to Jotunheim in order to take a drink from my Well."
"He went all that way just to get a drink of water?" Snotlout scoffed.
"He's talking about the Well of Knowledge," said Fishlegs. "It is the greatest source of wisdom in all the Nine Worlds."
"Then how come no one else goes to drink from that well?" Snotlout asked.
"For one to achieve such knowledge, one must go through intense pain," said Mimir. "Odin is my nephew, but even I cannot allow him to drink from the Well without offering something in return. He craved knowledge, so I told them in order to obtain it he had to gouge out his own eye and drop it into the Well."
Snotlout looked as if he was about to throw up. "If that's the price I have to make to pass this year's exams, I'll rather just fail."
"Which is why no one is willing to make such a sacrifice," said Mimir. "Odin, however, was willing to pay any price for knowledge to make himself a better king and so he gouged out his eye without hesitation. The moment the eye fell into the Well, its magical properties turned into a powerful artefact, one which can be bestowed upon a person with wisdom that would equal that of Odin."
Hiccup's eyes widened. "The Eye of Odin is actually Odin's eye."
"That is correct, with it Johann could become all-knowing like Odin, which is why you need to retrieve it," said Mimir.
Astrid looked incredibly confused. "Wait a minute, if this eye is opposed to be in the Well of Knowledge how in the Nine Worlds did end up in Svartalfheim?"
"That is a very good question, but I don't have a proper answer."
"But it you all Well!" Gobber reminded him.
"And do you know what is always going on in your house?" Mimir asked. "Besides the Well flows knowledge into all the Worlds, it wouldn't be impossible for something as small as the Eye of Odin to slip through the cracks."
"It is a matter how it got there what is important is getting it before Johann does," said Hiccup.
"And on that, I can agree on," Mimir agreed. "But we do have one thing in our favour if all else fails."
"And that would be?" Astrid asked.
"The Eye, just like the Well, will not give its wisdom freely, a sacrifice must be made in order to unlock the knowledge deep within it."
"What kind of sacrifice?" Hiccup asked curiously.
"Sorry, lad, but if I tell you it will change the outcome," said Mimir apologetically. "Just know that the price will be steep."
"So, should I go and see the Norns?" Hiccup asked.
"Uh, I'm afraid while this is your quest you're not the one to receive an audience with the Norns," said Mimir regretfully."
"What?" Hiccup stared. "How does that make sense?"
"I'm not the one that you should be asking, lad. It's the Norns that are the ones that decide who shall receive their prophecy, and it's not always a leader of the quest."
"So if it's not Hiccup then who is it?" Astrid asked.
Mimir then pointed his eyes towards Heather. "Her."
Heather's eyes widened. "Me?"
"The Eye resides in your homeworld, and you do have a deeply personal reason to go on this quest as you know."
Heather closed her eyes and nodded. "I know."
"Am I missing something here?" Snotlout asked.
"No, we're just as confused as you are," said Ruffnut.
"Which is nothing new," Tuffnut added.
Hiccup would be lying if he wasn't disappointed, he had hoped that the vision of the Norns would give him some answer about Ragnar. There again, he could understand Mimir's argument though he wondered what personal reason Heather had to go on this quest.
"Wait, we haven't even decided whether she would come or not," said Astrid.
Eret raised an eyebrow. "I thought it would be rather obvious, she knows more about Svartalfheim here other than Mimir, and he can't really go on this quest. Plus it would be handy having someone who can see and hear for miles."
Astrid looked at Hiccup, but he merely shrugged. "He does have a point."
"Additionally, Eric here will be joining you," Mimir added.
"What?" Astrid yelled furiously. She then mopped up to the desk and yelled in Mimir's face while gesturing to Eret. "Heather I can understand, but him?"
Mimir gave her a dark look. "Miss Hofferson, I've warned you not to use that tone with me. Eric here is an excellent tracker, the best this Academy has produced for a long time, and he's a capable warrior. There will be no arguing am I clear."
Astrid looked as if she wanted to argue but relented. "Fine, but I do this under protest."
"You certainly know how to make a guy feel welcome," Eret joked.
Mimir sighed and then turned to Heather. "You best go and see the Norns, my dear, before we have any more arguments."
Heather nodded and began making her way down the steps towards Norns meaning all they have to do now was wait.
"So what personal reasons you think Heather has to come?" Fishlegs whispered in Hiccup's ear.
"I don't know, but Ragnar seems to trust her, and that's good enough for me."
"Still it would be nice to know," said Astrid folding her arms. "This year has not been what I expected, and that's not a good thing."
Heather then emerged from her meeting with the Norns and looked at them with a dark expression.
"By the look on your face that the Norns' perception of the future doesn't bring good fortune," Hiccup assumed.
"They said that the Eye is definitely in Svartalfheim," she said.
"But…" Hiccup pushed.
Heather took a deep breath. "We will only find the Eye with the help from the light of Balder, and its wisdom will only become ours when one of our sacrifices something to save us all."
"But Balder is dead," said Fishlegs.
"And what specifically where we have to sacrifice?" Snotlout asked. "Because I'm telling you now there's no way I'm gouging out my own eye."
"I don't know, that's all I know," said Heather.
"What about visions?" Hiccup asked. "He did you see anything that could give us a bigger picture."
"Some old elven ruins and a dark forest, but there are plenty of those in Svartalfheim. Though I definitely saw Ragnar and he appeared to be being chased by something, I'm not sure what."
"Looks like we are going to need a tracker," said Astrid grunted.
Hiccup looked at Mimir. "I don't suppose you have any insight all this?"
Mimir looked as if he was in deep thought. "Can't say, but it seems clear that your journey should begin within Svartalfheim. Perhaps if you see the Queen, she could give new more insight."
"We should probably at least warn her heard about Johann," said Hiccup looking at the others.
"But how do we get to Svartalfheim?" Snotlout asked. "Last I checked Ragnar was the one who guided us on our last quest, and he's not here."
"I might be able to help," said Heather. "All elves whether their Light or Dark have some connection with the World Tree and with my heightened senses, I should be able to guide you."
"That's reassuring," Snotlout muttered.
"It's all we have and clearly time is of the essence," said Hiccup. "Everyone get a good night sleep because tomorrow we're going on another quest."