It was daybreak, and the army they gathered was about to move out, there was no turning back now. They would either win, or they all lose.
Ake approached Hiccup as he saw humans, elves and dwarves uniting under a single banner and preparing to fight for their homeland. Despite their best efforts, Hiccup knew they would be outnumbered.
"We have gathered all the forces we can," he said as he looked on. "The darkspawn horde is sure to reach the capital before us, and so we must race to Aresgan as quickly as we can. The lives of many thousands hang in the balance. We must not forsake them." He then looked down at her. "You have gathered an army to replace the one lost at Ostagar, Hiccup. Let us pray that it will be enough."
Hiccup nodded. "We march!"
When they reached Aresgan, they found that the sky was a blazing red. The moment they went over the ridge they saw that Aresgan was in flames and over the city they could see the archdemon. The entire city was under siege there were thousands upon thousands of darkspawn outside executing the soldiers protecting the gate, and they were swarming inside the city.
Before they marched charged to the city, Hiccup turned and faced the army they had gathered.
"Before us stands the might of the darkspawn horde. Gaze upon them now, but fear them not. I stand here not only as your king but as a Grey Warden. My companions and I have survived, despite the odds, and without them, none of us would be here, including myself! Today, we save Aresgan! Today, we avenge the death of my cousin, King Cailan! But most of all, today we show the Grey Wardens that we remember and honour their sacrifice. For Midgard! For the Grey Wardens!"
The army charged. The arrows of the Freefolk hunters crashed into the darkspawn ahead of the charging humans and dwarves. As the armies clashed, the hunters focused their fire on the darkspawn emissaries and archers on the heights, preventing them from raining death on the soldiers.
And then the gate was theirs.
"You've managed to fight your way to the gates. We're doing better than I hoped," said Riordan
"That will change quickly," said Sten
"Bloody nug runners! We're outnumbered three to one!" Wartihog shook his head.
"What do we do now, Riordan? You have a plan, I assume?" said Valka.
Riordan nodded. "The army will not last long, so we'll need to move quickly to reach the archdemon." He looked around. "We're going to need to reach a high point in the city… I'm thinking the top of Fort Drakon might work."
Fishlegs stared at him. "The top of…? You want to draw the dragon's attention?"
"Unless one of us are able to grow a pair of wings I don't see much choice," said Hiccup.
Riordan shook his head. "We have little choice, though I warn you that as soon as we engage the beast, it will call all its generals to help it."
"I am sure that if we do slay those generals, it would stop the darkspawn in the city from doing a lot of harm!" said Heather.
"Sounds to me like we need to split up," said Astrid.
Hiccup nodded. "The Grey Wardens, Astrid, Heather and mum will come with me as we make our way for the city. Everyone else hold the gates, we need to prevent as many darkspawn from entering as possible."
"You sure you don't need some extra muscle?" Wartihog asked.
"No, we need to prevent as many darkspawn in responding to the call of the archdemon when we engage it," said Hiccup. "There's already plenty in the city, we don't need to add more to their numbers."
"But who's going to be in charge?" Snotlout.
"You are," said Hiccup.
"Did you hit your head again?" Astrid asked.
Hiccup ignored her and looked back at Snotlout. "You need all the gate no matter the cost, you understand?"
Snotlout was staring at him, completely just as shocked as everyone else that he was put in charge. "I won't let you down."
"We move now," said Hiccup.
The first place that they managed to reach was the marketplace which was overrun by darkspawn, most of them trolls. Many of the buildings had been burnt to cinders even the Chantry had not been spared. The city guard was doing its best to bend them off, but they were more experience dealing with petty criminals than darkspawn.
Without hesitation, he quickly moved in Ragnar skilfully fired an arrow and went straight through the head of a troll alpha. Astrid made a beeline towards a troll and skidded across the ground it tried to grab, and she quickly slammed her axe on its chest.
Speedfist and Valka and these powerful spells upon the goblins and gremlins causing a lot of confusion allowing Heather to work her magic. Hiccup quickly made his way towards the general, which was a large orc, with both sword and shield at the ready.
He slammed her shield into the darkspawn's face. It tried to hit him with its battleaxe, but Hiccup leaned back and missed it. He then quickly swung his sword slicing through its arm and then quickly spun around for another swing this time aimed for its neck. With one swing, the head fell to the ground and rolled.
He then looked around and saw the others had dealt with this portion of the darkspawn.
"That's one general down," said Hiccup.
"What about the other one?" Astrid asked.
Ragnar then saw smoke coming out of the alienage. "The alienage, most of the elves there don't know how to fight."
"Then that's our next stop," said Hiccup.
They quickly rush towards the alienage quickly as they could, and Hiccup could definitely sense darkspawn at the other end. As today entered the square, Hiccup saw Kallian marshalling defenders.
"It's you…?" Kallain's face broke into a wide smile. "Oh, am I glad to see you! The alienage is under attack." She pointed. "There is a large group of darkspawn approaching, and the gates won't hold! We need your help."
"That's why we are here," said Hiccup.
"Since when do elves have weapons?" Astrid asked.
"We had a few laying around, but Lord Tyrell decides to form a central militia just in case there was an attack on the city and said that we need to protect our homes. Rest assured that we will fight alongside you. This is our home, and we're not going to let it fall."
"We're with you!" Other voices called out.
"Tell us what to do," Kallian said as she fell into step beside her. "And we'll fight for as long as we can."
"Find vantage points for your arches. When those gates fall, draw them back, to the choke point," Hiccup ordered them. "If you run out of arrows throw rocks at them. Ragnar, Heather see if you can get past the lines and attack them from the back, mum provide us with support from afar. Astrid and I will deal with anything that breakthrough."
Kallian nodded. "You heard what he said! Come on!"
No sooner have they taken positions that the darkspawn broke through the gate and were now marching towards them. Hiccup and Astrid attacked them head-on while Valka unleashed powerful spells to confuse them. From the rooftops, the elven archers fired their arrows. Out of the corner of his eye, Hiccup could see Ragnar and Heather sneaking behind the darkspawn ranks.
So far they were holding their own, but then coming into view was an emissary which could only be the general.
"I see the general!" Ragnar yelled.
"Ah, the one behind the three trolls," Heather noted.
Valka quickly moved in with health a bolt of lightning in the emissary to the exact same thing. The two spells clashed, and a bolt of lightning began shooting out in all different directions. Ragnar took this opportunity to jump down from his vantage point and began making his way towards the troll.
He quickly due out his twin blades, slid across the ground in order to avoid a troll's grasping hand and then quickly sliced his blade across its neck. The second troll attempted to move in, but Heather quickly fired an arrow hitting it straight in the eye and while it roared in pain Astrid quickly jumped in and slammed her axe right down on top of its head. The third troll don't know which way to turn by the time it realised it had been taken down by a volley of arrows courtesy of the elven archers.
Hiccup used as an opportunity to getting close with the emissary which was still doing battle with Valka. The emissary quickly turned and fired a fireball at him, but Hiccup raised his shield, causing the fireball to bounce off of it. He then quickly moved in and plunged his sword right through its chest, killing instantly.
With their general gone the remaining darkspawn when chaos and Speedfist rain down lightning on top of them.
"That's the lot of them," said Ragnar.
"Kallian, you and the other should find cover," Hiccup advised.
"You heard him," Shianni shouted.
"If we want to get to Fort Drakon, we have to get the Palace first," said Hiccup.
"We better hurry," said Kallian, and they turned to run.
Riordan was on the battlement and had just slain many darkspawn, he was just about to move out when he saw the archdemon coming his way. Riordan adjusted his grip on his blades and started to run. As the archdemon passed, he leapt.
Riordan landed on the back of the beast and held on for dear life as it tried to throw him off. Once he steadied himself, he plunged his sword right into its back, and the archdemon roared in pain, trying to follow him off.
It then dived down into the city and headed straight towards a tower. Riordan realised what it was trying to do and jumped off its back and stuck his sword right into its right-wing. The archdemon slammed into the tower, and if he had not jumped off, he would have been crushed to death.
However, he now had a new problem, the archdemon continued to flap its wings trying to remove him and sored up Fort Drakon. He attempted to climb back onto its back, but his sword cut right across its wing and he fell to his death.
However, the archdemon now had difficulty flying, because of the huge rip in its wing and fell right on top of Fort Drakon, wounded, but still alive.
From the ground, Hiccup saw the figure fall from the back of the archdemon. He knew it had to have been Riordan, no one other than a Grey Warden would do such a thing. Though Riordan's sacrifice had not been in vain. The archdemon was now crippled on top of the Fort.
"That had to be Riordan," said Ragnar.
"Looks like he's damaged the wing though, it's grounded for the time being," said Hiccup. "Riordan gave us a chance we can't let a sacrifice be and vain!"
"Your Majesty!" a voice yelled.
They looked ahead and saw Tyrell in armour battling against the darkspawn with a group of soldiers. He had just managed to cut off the head of a goblin with his battleaxe.
"Tyrell, I'm glad to see you're still alive," said Hiccup as he rushed over to him.
"As I," said Tyrell. "I regret to inform you that the city is not exactly how you left it."
"It is still standing, he managed to hold on considering the circumstances," said Hiccup and he looked around. "Where's Viggo?"
"He went to Fort Drakon, he theorised that it would be the best place for you to battle against the archdemon. I admit I had my doubts, but when I saw that firebreathing been flying overhead, they were diminished. He and his men will prevent that from gliding to safety until you can reach it."
Hiccup nodded. "Continue to protect the Palace, we need to get to the fort and end this now before more lives are lost."
"It'll be done."
They still had a battle their way towards the Fort, but it looked as if Viggo had managed to clear them up as there were fewer darkspawn than they expected. Fort Drakon was first and foremost a prison, and it was the tallest tower in the entire city.
It was also where his uncle slew the fake king during the occupation ending the war. Hopefully, they would have the same luck when they challenge the archdemon. They had to find their way through several floors which were infested with darkspawn. Fortunately, they had several healing potions avoid the wooden exhausted finally reached the top.
Once they got there, they found Viggo leaning against the wall with a massive burn mark over the left side of his face. The burn mark left a horrifying scar as well as leaving him half-blind.
"Finally made it I see," said Viggo.
"Viggo, are you all right?" Hiccup asked.
"Forget about me," he said and then pointed towards the door. "The archdemon is just past those doors my men are holding it off, but I don't amass too much longer. I remain here and make sure that no darkspawn comes to its aid."
"Viggo, you barely have the strength to stand," said Hiccup.
Viggo looked at him. "All our hopes ride upon you, my King. Now go!"
Hiccup nodded slowly. "Farewell."
Viggo then watched as they made their way outside, and then he stood up straight with sword in hand standing guard over the entrance.
They started up the stairs and emerged outside. They saw several guards trying to take down the archdemon, to no avail. It managed to knock several of them off their feet with its tail, and the soldiers continued firing arrows, but most of them bounced off its scales.
It then managed to grab one of the soldiers with its mouth and crushed him with its fangs. Then began moving to the other soldiers crushing one of them beneath its claw and then it breathed its dark flames down upon the soldiers burning them to a crisp.
"Okay, how you want to do this Hiccup?" Astrid asked.
Hiccup took a deep breath and looked at them. "Ragnar, you and Heather getting close and see you can find any weak spots in the Dharma. Astrid and I will take on it head-on and distracted from the rest of us. Mum, you and Speedfist supported with your magic and don't let up. Kallian, Zevran see if you can't find a weak spot in its armour.
They nodded.
Ragnar looked at Hiccup. "It has been an honour to fight at your side, your Majesty."
He nodded. "Same to you."
Hiccup in Astrid quickly moved in attacking the archdemon's sides trying to stay far away from its mouth as possible, they didn't want to make the same mistake as the soldiers. The only danger was that they had to avoid its claws, but they were just a distraction.
They were attacking Ragnar and Heather were attacking the joint in its scale armour scoring a few critical hits. Whenever its head turned Hiccup in Astrid moved in to make it seem as if they were the ones that dealt the blow.
Two of the matter was they would have already been dead if Speedfist and Valka hadn't used some support magic and healing potions they provided were a great help. They were trying to make the archdemon movement sluggish by unleashing powerful ice magic, and it looked as if it was having some effect. Valka then transformed into a giant there and dunged her claws into the beasts hide. When the archdemon turned its sights on her, Speedfist fired a powerful lightning spell directly at its head.
It looks like they were going to win, but then the archdemon flapped its wings sending a powerful gust of wind blowing Hiccup, Astrid, Ragnar and Heather away. He then attempted to swap them with its tail, but Valka in her bear form was able to grab it. Speedfist had used up a lot of mana was now panting, it did look like he had a single spell left in him.
Hiccup looked around and saw that he was the only one still, and he knew he had to take action take action.
"Hiccup," said Astrid's voice.
Hiccup looked down and saw her lying next to him on the ground. Hiccup placed a hand against her cheek and could feel the tears dripping down her face.
He then pulled her towards him. "I love you, always."
He then kissed and felt the tears brushing against his cheek. Then with a heavy heart, he pulled away drew Starfang and charge that the archdemon.
The archdemon saw him and fired a burst of fire at him, but he was quick and nimble enough to dodge it. It then tried to take a bite out of him, but he sidestepped and grabbed hold of its horns. It tried to shake off, but he held on with all his might, and he plunged his blade right down on its neck.
It roared in pain, and finally, he could not hold on and was thrown to the floor, and he watched as it toppled over. He then picked up Starfang, this may be his only chance to end the Blight once and for all.
Ragnar had regained consciousness and saw Hiccup. "Hiccup, no!"
Hiccup turned and looked at him with a firm expression. "For the Wardens!"
He then charged that the archdemon with all speed. In one last attempt to finish him off, the archdemon tried to take a bite out of him, but he simply went down on one knee and skidded across the floor with his sword slicing through its neck.
The archdemon toppled over, the injury was too extreme to recover from, and Theron stood above it. He took in a deep breath, and with one final yell, he plunged Starfang right into its skull. Theron held on as best as he could as it shook, his own body seemingly vibrating with the energy flowing out. A beam of light soared upwards into the sky for all to see and the others had just recovered in time to see it.
Then there was an explosion, and they were all knocked off their feet. The explosion could be heard all across the entire city, and almost immediately, the darkspawn began to retreat. Cheers erupted from all over signalling the end of the Blight.
There were no cheers of victory on top of the tower. The cheers they heard sounded hollow as the smoke cleared with hearing the remains of the archdemon and beside it was the body of Hiccup. The rain began to fall, covering up their tears because they had just lost a friend, a king and a true hero.
Astrid pushed past them and raced over towards Hiccup's body and held it in her arms. Ragnar didn't know what to say to but allowed Heather to comfort the poor girl.
Oddly enough though Valka didn't seem to be too upset, in fact, there wasn't a single tear in her eye. She burst into tears when she saw Stoick die, but yet she was dried either after the death of her son.
Then suddenly, Hiccup's body beginning to move in his eyes slowly opened. "Hey, guys."
Everyone just editing stunt and Astrid then punched him hard. "Never scare me like that again!"
Everyone laughed and then she pulled Hiccup into a deep kiss and hug him so much that if she wasn't careful, she could end up suffocating him. Ragnar didn't know how he survived, but at this point, he didn't really care; he was just happy that they didn't lose a friend.
