Hiccup woke up the next morning, at least assumed it was morning it was hard to tell with it being constant night. He made his way down into the dining hall where breakfast was already waiting along with the others.

"Look who's finally awake," said Snotlout as he bit down on a slice of toast.

Hiccup then sat down near the head of the table, opposite Heather and next to Astrid and the Queen. He then started to tuck into his porridge, looking at the Queen as he did so not sure what the protocol was.

"I assume you would like to know how to contact your brother," said Queen Briar.

"You said there might be a way?" said Hiccup.

"To be perfectly honest, no one has ever tried before," she said. "In order to contact someone in Helheim, you'll have to be close to death itself. I cannot guarantee whether you meet your brother and if you stay too long, you will be dead trapped within Helheim itself."

"This sounds risky," said Astrid.

"The safer means would to go there yourselves, but you would have to cross Niflheim and to be perfectly honest I don't think you'll be to survive the cold. At best, you would be able to survive for about half an hour."

"That is the safest option," said Fishlegs.

"I could survive," said Eret folding his arms. "I am part frost giant, and my mother is the goddess of winter."

"And we dwarves are quite resistant to the cold," Snotlout added.

"The two of you are forgetting that Hiccup has to be there," Heather reminded them. "Balder may not show himself to anyone else, but Hiccup."

"This sounds like a shot in the dark," said Astrid folding her arms and then she lifted Hiccup. "But it's your call."

"We just had a rough time making our way down the tree yesterday, I don't fancy going through that again only to climb all the way back up," said Hiccup.

"There are other means to traverse the worlds, for something like that you need the power of a god," said Queen Briar. "Unfortunately, doing quests, they don't always offer much assistance. They can guide you and can only help you if you perform a task."

"Who came up with these rules," said Snotlout rolling his eyes. "It sounds like someone just made them on purpose to make things difficult for us mortals."

Hiccup looked at Queen Briar. "Where do we have to go?"

"You have to go to the Dream Woods," she explained.

"That's where Ragnar contacted me," said Hiccup stunned.

"No way that's a coincidence," said Astrid.

"It is possible to contact someone from beyond death through one's dreams, but you'll only have a short amount of time, or else you'll never wake up," Queen Briar warned.

Dagur then approached them with a map. "This map will guide you to where you need to go, I've also highlighted hotspots where we encountered quite a few Purists. Watch yourselves, those woods are quite dangerous field with terrifying creatures."

"Of course it is," Hiccup sighed taking the map. "It wouldn't be any fun otherwise."

"Then let's get going, time is not on our side," said Heather.

They soon made their way through the forest which filled with trees with different coloured leaves as if autumn it was eternal. The different coloured leaves red, brown, orange and yellow sparkled in the moonlight.

"This place is beautiful, in a creepy way," said Fishlegs.

"I loved eventually now in the forests when I was younger," Heather smiled, but it quickly turned to sadness. "I miss the times when Ragnar and I ventured out in these woods playing hide and seek."

Hiccup stared at her. "I can't picture Ragnar plane any kind of children's game."

"Nor can I," said Astrid. "He's always been some serious, never one the games."

"That was before he was exiled, you see Frey visited here with both him and his mother. Neither of us realised that our parents were planning our future together. You should have seen his face were the first time he saw the night sky, he was terrified."

"I would pay good money to see that," Snotlout laughed.

"But then he got exiled, and I never saw him again until a few decades later," she said sadly. "He changed, he was no longer the free spirit he once was. I could see deep pain in his heart, so deep in fact, that I was certain that he would never be able to trust anyone ever again."

"Yeah, I thought that was quite common for elves in general when I first met him," said Eret. "Then, of course, I learned his back story I can't help but feel sorry for the poor guy."

"Has anyone noticed that Ragnar seems to be the centre point in all of our stories," said Tuffnut.

"Yeah, he held every single one of us to get to the Academy," said Ruffnut.

Hiccup had to admit there was no way that was a pure coincidence, but right now, he was more focused on reaching the Dream Forest.

"We shouldn't be too far away from the forest now," said Hiccup looking at the map. "Heather, do you see it all?"

Heather being a Dark Elf, had was able to see into the dark, which was enhanced thanks to her telescopic vision.

"It's just a few miles away at this pace we should be there in a few hours," she said.

"And then we have to find this lake," said Astrid.

"Yeah, and according to the map it's in the centre about forest known as the Cove," said Hiccup looking at it closely.

"So what do we do when we get there? Go for a swim?" Snotlout asked.

"More like a deep sleep," said Heather. "Mother gave me instructions on what to do, but I assure you absolutely want to do this Hiccup? There's no guarantee that you will meet your brother let alone come back to us."

"I think we already established that we don't have an option," said Hiccup. "Unless you guys want to go directly to Niflheim and knock at the gates of Hel."

"Did you really have to put it like that?" Fishlegs asked.

"Yeah, our sister really hates the word hell," said Ruffnut.

"She is one of three monstrous children, isn't she?" Eret asked, looking back. "I seem to recall that Loki had an affair with a giantess."

"Yeah, Hel was one of them and became the goddess of the dishonourable dead," Hiccup nodded. "Believe it or not she's a less monstrous out of the three of them and possibly the most reasonable."

"Considering the other two are the giant wolf, and the other one is a giant snake that's not a lot to brag about," said Snotlout folding his arms.

"Either way you need to be careful," said Eret looking at Hiccup. "And there's no telling what might happen."

"So what are we going to do when we get this light of Balder?" Ruffnut asked.

"That is actually a good question," said Astrid looking at Hiccup.

"I suppose we need to try and find the Eye of Odin," said Hiccup. "Perhaps Balder and point us in the right direction."

"That's a long shot," said Astrid.

"Look making this up as I go along like we normally do on a quest," said Hiccup.

"Last time we had clear instructions," Snotlout pointed out. "This time we just seem to be wandering aimlessly for small crystal, which could be anywhere."

"Maybe we should look for Ragnar, he had been spying on Johann for a while now he might know where to look," Heather suggested.

"And it wouldn't hurt to have another tracker," Eret added.

"Let's see we can talk to my brother first and then we can decide on what to do next," said Hiccup.

They spent the next few hours making their way through the woods which were getting creepy in creepier by the second. Fishlegs, in particular, became very jumpy when he heard the screech of an owl and had jumped onto Snotlout's back.

Eventually, they reached their destination, a deep cove and insider they could see a large body of water. The water was as black as night, making it impossible to see the bottom of it, and in the centre, they could see the full moon's reflection shining directly at them.

"Looks like we found it," said Astrid.

"So what do we do now?" Fishlegs asked.

"According to what Queen Briar told me, I just have to weed in and stand in the reflection of the moon," said Hiccup. "Then, I just simply fall asleep."

"And what's going to stop you from drowning?" Snotlout asked.

"Actually he'll be floating on top, this place is the equivalent of the Dead Sea on Midgard," Heather explained.

"Can you fall asleep on top of the water just like that?" Fishlegs asked.

"It has to be a certain type of sleep," said Hiccup and Heather handed him a vile. "This potion will put me in a deathlike sleep, the moment I close my soul should be able to reach Helheim and then I can begin searching for my brother."

"But how do you wake up?" Astrid asked.

"The moment I find what I seek," Hiccup explained. "However, none of you can touch my body, even the tiniest ripple could cut my connection, and I'll be lost in Helheim with no way of returning to my body."

"You can't stay asleep forever, you'll die of starvation or dehydration otherwise," Fishlegs pointed out.

"Yeah, and there will be another problem," Heather added. "His presence here will attract draugr, zombies if that makes it clear."

"Of course it will," Snotlout groaned. "Why should I be surprised?"

"Just stay alert all of you," said Hiccup and then started to make his way towards the lake.

The water was freezing, but Hiccup kept going until he reached the centre of the lake. The water was now up to his waist, and he then leaned back and found himself floating on the water. He then pulled out the sleeping draught and dragged the potion, once the vial was empty he looked up at towards the moon and filled his eyes getting heavier eventually everything went black.

He opened his eyes and found himself in the thick fog, it was so thick that he could only see a few feet ahead of him. He began to wonder where he was when he suddenly heard voices, and then the fog began to part.

There before him was a massive golden palace with towers that reached up towards the sky. He saw beautifully carved statues standing over the doorway. Behind him, he could see an enormous wall that almost looked impenetrable. It then dawned on him that he was in Asgard, but that made no sense.

"I'm supposed to be in Helheim what am I doing here?" Hiccup frowned.

"Oh, you are in Helheim," said a voice behind him.

Hiccup slowly turned and saw a beautiful woman with long black hair standing behind him, her skin was as pale as Heather's, and she wore a pale white cloak. She then turned, and he gasped because the right half of her body resembled that of a corpse. She had withered skin, a skeletal hand, and leg, patches of blue ice covering decayed flesh, membrane-thin lips over rotten teeth, a milky-white eye and tufts of desiccated hair like a black spider web.

Hiccup knew who she was instantly. "Hel."

Hel smiled at him, which was rather creepy. "Indeed I am, though you can call me Hela if you wish. I must say you are either foolish or quite brave to come here, I'm still deciding which."

"What am I doing here?" Hiccup asked.

"Despite contrary to popular belief, Helheim isn't a place for the damnation as the name suggests. The dishonourable dead that dies here just basically relive their life is a bit was some sort of dream. That said I it can be a very hellish place for murderers and oath breakers."

Hiccup then looked back at the Palace. "This is Balder's dream."

"Yes, your brother is right inside," Hel nodded.

Hiccup looked at her. "Does he know?"

"Does he know that he is dead?" Hel smiled. "Of course, he does, and he's been trapped inside a dream ever since."

"I need to see him," said Hiccup.

"And quickly would seem," said Hel, whose eyes then turned towards his feet. "It looked as if you don't have much time."

Hiccup looked down into his hole he found that she was right, his feet were starting to disappear.

"You better go and see him, unless you want to stay here until Ragnarok," said Hel turning around and began to leave.

Hiccup looked at her, confused. "You're not going to stop me?"

"I suggest that you make your conversation with your brother short, you don't have much time."

Hiccup didn't know what game she was playing, but clearly, she was an enemy though she was pretty far away to be called a friend. Though she wasn't lying when she said he didn't have much time, the last thing he wanted was to stay here.

With that, he made his way into the Palace, not sure what to expect and began looking for his brother. The halls were empty though he saw several wisps flying by, and he was very confident those don't exist in the real Asgard.

He then had time to question the presence of the wisps as his legs were slowly beginning to disappear. The problem was this place was so big he wasn't sure where to start searching for Balder. He decided to begin his search by making his way to the Great Hall as it was the most likely place to find Balder.

The Great Hall was certainly grand; it has to be the size of three football fields, and there had to be at least a hundred tables. He can help but notice the setup was somewhat similar to that of the Great Hall in the Academy, though it was probably based upon it.

He made his way towards the head table where you some more important gods sat, but every one of the chairs were empty. In fact, there was no trace that anyone ever sat in, and there was no evidence that anyone was living here either.

He looked down and saw that his waist was now disappearing and still he had been able to find Balder. "I'm running out of time, need to find Balder."

"Well, you could try looking behind you," said a voice.

Hiccup turned around and saw the most handsome guy he had ever seen, and he knew instantly that this was his brother Balder. He could understand why all the world mourned his death. He had to be about 25 years old, with a mop of dark brown hair, sparkling blue eyes and a smile that just irradiated with warmth and good humour. The only thing that ruined his look the arrow in his chest directly where his heart would be.

Balder smiled. "Hello, brother."

Hiccup was so stunned the only thing he could manage to say was… "Hi."

"I've always wanted to meet you, though I wish it was under better circumstances. Let me tell you your reputation even reaches down here."

Hiccup wasn't sure whether there was a good or bad thing, but at this point, he didn't really care.

"I need your help," said Hiccup.

"I know, you will be down here otherwise though I am somewhat amazed that you made such a dangerous trip."

"The time wasn't on our side, though I am surprised that Hel didn't stop me."

"Contrary to popular belief she does not want Ragnarok to happen, because then she would lose me," Balder explained.

"Come again?" Hiccup blinked.

"I'm her grand prize in this realm, it is said that after Ragnarok happens, I will be free from Helheim and become one of the new gods that blew over the New World. So I do everything I can to delay Ragnarok from happening, hence why you're here."

Hiccup was now even more confused than before. "Wait, you don't want Ragnarok to happen despite knowing that afterwards, you will be free."

"And it would result in the death of my father and many members of my family, I work my freedom but not the cost of losing my family."

"Then you're paying a great price," said Hiccup.

"I know, but right now, my focus should be helping you. I say that you don't have long," said Balder.

Hiccup looked down and saw that his arms were now starting to disappear. "I was told that I needed the light of Balder, but I've got no idea what that could be."

"I think I do," he said and then suddenly appearing in his arms was a shield made of the shiniest metal Hiccup had ever seen. "I believe this is what you came here for."

"A shield?" Hiccup stared confused.

"This shield has a token of my power, it should be able to light your way when things look dark."

Hiccup took the shield and looked at him. "Can you be any vaguer?"

Balder chuckled. "I'm afraid we gods have no choice but to be vague, we have to let you mortals carve your own path. You need to prove your mettle all by yourselves, the only thing we can do is give you a gentle nudge in the right direction."

"And I don't suppose you cannot mean the direction of the Eye of Odin?" Hiccup asked.

"No, I have no idea of its whereabouts. However, that shield should be able to guide you if you use it correctly."

Hiccup groaned. "I was afraid you were going to say that."

"Now I think it's time to return you to your body, just promise me that you keep our family safe brother."

"I will," Hiccup promised.

Then everything around him began to fade; the last thing he saw was the smile on his brother's face.