(Hiccup's pov)

I was whirling one of my throwing knives in my hand while also formulating a plan of attack against Drago. There are several ways I can go about this, but ever since Raya spoke my name out loud in the chase not long ago, paranoia sunk its claws into me and filled me with dread. Surprise was my greatest advantage and now that advantage was slipping from my grasp in the blink of an eye. As I continue whirling my throwing knife, I look to Raya and see her squirming and looking over the edge of the boat. Sisu was enjoying a swim in the river and I knew first hand that when certain dragon species are deprived of their natural habitats, they tend to get cranky or even die in some cases.

"Sisu? Sisu?"

Rolling my eyes, I speak up. "Would you relax? Tidal Class dragons need to be in the water," as Heart's princess looked to me, I continued. "Why try and deny her of her natural habit?" Before Raya could reply, Sisu emerged from the river and let out a sigh of happiness as she floated in the water, much to Raya's disapproval.

"Sisu, please, get out of there!"

"I am a water dragon," Sisu stated. "This is water. Why not join me? The water is divine." Slithering throughout the water like a serpent, I could see how happy she was to be back in her natural habitat. This reminded me of when the gang and I had helped Scauldy when we found him trapped after a quake happened and pinned his wing under boulders. And thanks to Ruffnut's hair which held fish oil, Scauldy quickly took a liking to my now deceased friend because the scent of the fish oil in her hair reminded him of the sea. We saved that dragon from dying after being deprived of water for too long, and it made me smile lightly remembering one of my older adventures with the gang. Wallowing in nostalgia was something that kept me going; giving me the fire I needed to continue on and avenge the people I love. Obviously, it's all I have left of them, memories of all the adventures, battles, and tragedies we faced together.

"Someone could see you!"

"Oh. Do you mean our very intimidating and dangerous captain?"

Raya and Sisu's hushed, yet firm words broke me out of my thoughts and caused me to look to Heart's princess as she did everything in her power to block Sisu out of Boun's line of sight. Snorting at the sight, I continued whirling my knife and continue to watch as Raya pleaded with the water-dwelling dragon to get out of the water and shapeshift back into human form.

"Sisu, I saw people lose their minds over your gem. Can you imagine what they'd do over an actual dragon?"

I can, I've seen what greedy humans will do to obtain power, I've encountered such people in my lifetime. Especially men like Drago. That man will kill, destroy, and ravage anyone and anything to get what he wants. He's a blight I look forward to ridding the world of.

"Please, we need you to make this all work. Until we have all the gem pieces, you have to stay human."

"You certainly have an issue with trust."

I could see Raya tense violently at Sisu's words, which made me all the more curious about her backstory.

"Look, my father blindly trusted people and now he's stone."

With a sigh, Sisu shifted back into her human form and climbed back on the boat. "We will get your ba back, I promise," she then playfully nudged the edgy princess. "Come now, who's your dragon?" Raya pursed her lips and gave Sisu a look that said "watch your mouth," causing Sisu to quickly correct herself. "Apologies, I meant who's your human. Because I'm going to remain human until... well, you know full well." Chuckling lightly while giving the dragon a look of thanks, Raya then looked at me with... a hopeful look. I snorted at her and averted my eyes and then looked to the sky while still whirling my throwing knife.

"Hiccup—"

"I'm not talking to you," I said firmly while giving her a harsh glare. "I advise you to keep your distance right now and leave me be. Besides, you won't have to be brought down by my poor company much longer." Before Raya could question what I meant, Boun moved as fast as a Speed Stinger and kicked stools against the back of Raya and Sisu's legs, causing them both to be seated, he then placed two bowls before them and grabbed a large spoon to serve them what they call... Congee. Whilst Raya and Sisu were dealing with Boun, I decided to try and get some sleep. So I sheathed my throwing knife along with the others strapped around my hips and got myself comfortable to rest.

Nobody wants to face it; the end of all you know. I certainly don't, yet here I am in this foreign land, far from the mass graveyard that's now Scandinavia.

I want nothing more than to be done with this world and be with my loved ones.

But not yet, not yet.

(Normal pov— Tail Nation)

Drago was a man who not only took rumors seriously but also didn't allow them to fester either. The rumor that Hiccup, the Dragon Master, not only was alive but had also killed many of Askari's Dragon Flyers had spread like wildfire. Of course, there was no proof that it was a Viking who killed those flyers, that is until Askari and his men returned with the corpses of their fallen, showing Drago both the arrows and throwing knives a Viking would typically use. Upon inspection, Drago knew that full well that whoever killed his men was in fact a Viking survivor, whether or not it was Hiccup Haddock was yet to be determined.

It mattered not to the war master of the Northern Alliance. Whoever dared to move against him and his army was both insane and had a death wish; they would die soon enough.

Night fell upon the lands and whilst going over reports of the Druun that were lurking out in Kumandra, the Hand of Drago, a group of the most highly trained warriors and killers in the Northern Alliance had been summoned by the war master himself. Upon entering Drago's quarters onboard the mighty siege engine fortress, the Hand of Drago and its warriors approached their master and bowed their heads in both greetings and submission.

"You were once proud members of the Mongrel Tribe, a group of the finest warriors this world has to offer. I had bested the now late King Stormheart in combat in the hopes of merging the Mongrel Tribe with my cabal. But your people follow Nikora Stormheart, a pathetic girl who has dragged your former brothers and sisters into a life of piracy, tainting their reputation as great warriors. But not you. Instead of going down the path of thievery on the seas, you have chosen to swear loyalty to me and my cause, and you have my respect and gratitude because of that choice. You have been gathered because you stand as the most skilled warriors in my army, you now have the opportunity to prove yourselves worthy of being members of the Hand of Drago," the madman looked into the eyes of his supplicants and continued. "According to Askari, the Viking we seek is alongside Chief Benja's daughter, Princess Raya, of Heart Nation. They possess two pieces of the Dragon Gem, which we will need in order to bring back the other dragons in Kumandra, but also expel the Druun."

Rising from his seat, Drago took his sword and pointed it at a map that showed the whole of Kumandra. "Your prey travels via skiff, they're traveling along Tail Nation's river. Perhaps in mere hours or even days, your prey will arrive in Talon Nation's floating market to acquire the gem piece residing there," the war master then turned back to his men. "Bring me Benja's daughter along with the Viking she is allied with, as well as the gem pieces in their possession back to me. Do this, and you will be rewarded." The highly trained warriors all bowed their heads and then took their leave. Soon after the finest warriors left, one of Drago's Chosen entered their master's quarters. The madman looked up at them with questioning eyes.

"Master, come quickly," their voice was laced with concern and... fear. "I've never seen anything like it."

Drago followed his supplicant immediately.

What the madman saw outside was unlike anything he had seen before in his lifetime. Before him was an army of Druun, they outnumbered his own forces ten to one. Many of the warriors under Drago's command had already taken battle positions and readied not only their war machines but armored dragons for a fight. But the Druun did not show any hostility at the moment, they merely displayed a show of force and stood still. One thing about the enslaved thralls under the Druun's control was that they jitter and had a tortured look to them, which was an appropriate description; after all, there are fates worse than death.

The war master and his warlords disembarked the siege engine and made their way to the front of their army to face this opponent head-on. As Drago and all his followers prepared themselves for a bloody battle, an amorphous, dark purple and black cloud soon revealed itself as it levitated over the thousands of stone thralls. Soon, a demonic and raspy voice boomed out for all to hear.

"Which of you mortals leads this force of man and dragon?"

Stepping forward, Drago revealed himself to the entity and boomed out in return. "I, Drago Bludvist stand as the head of the Northern Alliance," the war master then inquired. "What is it that you want?"

"I have been expecting you, Drago Bludvist. Come, let us discuss how we can help each other."

Hesitant about the Druun's offer, Drago swallowed a thick lump in his throat and approached the entity before him. When he was close enough, the entity spoke.

"Long ago, we were wiped off the face of this world by Sisudatu, the final dragon and protector of Kumandra. But thanks to the foolish mortals of this land, their greed, and lust for prosperity caused the destruction of the Dragon Gem, allowing me and the Druun to return to the mortal world and exact our vengeance upon mankind and Sisudatu."

"What does this have to do with me?"

"You have a choice, Drago Bludvist. I see your heart and it is as black as night. You... are not like the other mortals we have come across, your desire for world domination mirrors our own desires. Perhaps we can come to a mutual understanding and unite our two forces together."

Drago himself suggested to his generals and Chosen that perhaps the Druun could be found and reasoned with to form an alliance. Now, standing before this entity and the thralls under its command, Drago would be a fool to accept the entity's offer without being cautious. "You say you wish to align ourselves to obtain the same goal of world domination, but what guarantee do you offer me that you won't betray me and my followers?" The madman then bore his teeth. "I stand before the presence of a serpent who hisses attractive words to my ears, yet one would be a fool to make a deal with a serpent without cutting off its head. I know you and your slave army hold power, but as long as the gem pieces and Sisudatu remain in this world, you are vulnerable to oblivion. Why would I want to ally myself with a force that can be defeated as soon as the gem pieces are brought back together and Sisudatu could summon her power to once again remove you from this world?" For a long while, the entity remained silent and tension was thick in the air. Drago, however, stood his ground and didn't show any sign of weakness or fear as he glared at the entity before him.

"Sisudatu and her gem must be destroyed in order for us to have a permanent foothold in this world. Yet I can see your mind; you wish to enslave Sisudatu and use her gem to destroy me and the Druun as a whole in order to return every dragon in Kumandra and enslave them in your dragon army. A bold plan. However, the dragons of Kumandra are not only sentient beings, but they are strong as well. They will not break as easily as the dragons you have broken before."

"Perhaps. But every living thing can endure suffering for so long."

"True. Let us take you for example. You lost your arm to dragons as a boy. You have suffered for most of your life; losing your home, family, and people to dragons. And yet you did not allow the loss of what you had in your previous life to consume you, you rose above your fear and became strong. I can make you stronger."

Before Drago could react, the entity produced tendrils and took hold of the madman's false arm, and lifted him off the ground as if he weighed nothing. Another tendril came out of the entity and attached itself to his chest. Roars of agony fled Drago's mouth as he felt something flowing through his veins as he looked to his false arm, he could see his prosthetic arm was fusing against the stump of where his left arm would be. After what felt like a lifetime, the entity released Drago and he fell to the sand beneath him, panting heavily and then looking to his left arm. A gasp his shock and awe left Drago's mouth as he saw himself gripping a handful of sand with his false hand, the grains of sand in his false palm slipped through the cracks of his false fingers, and when Drago released the handful of sand in his hand, a disbelieving chuckle slipped past his lips and he looked to the entity with wonder and question.

"You are now whole again. Consider that as a gesture of good faith as you consider my offer of merging our forces as one. I shall find you again soon, use your time wisely, Drago Bludvist."

The entity soon dissipated and the Druun army sunk beneath the sand, leaving the Northern Alliance alone for the time being. As the leaders of this might cabal approached their leader, they witnessed Drago flexing his false arm and grinning. Turning to his allies, Drago nodded at them firmly at his warlords, generals, and Chosen.

"Have our forces set up camp here, and let us retire to my chambers and discuss what a future alliance between my cabal and the Druun may entail."

(Hiccup's pov)

A ghastly, horrifying screeching pulled me from the grip of sleep. I inhaled sharply and looked towards the jungle and saw monsters of stone eyeing us like ravenous wolves stalking a wounded elk.

The voyage down Tail Nation's river had given me the chance to calm my anger and frustration towards Raya for revealing my name to Drago's flyers by getting some much-needed sleep. Now that I was awake, I looked to see most of my companions were asleep as well, except Boun, who was sitting on the edge of his boat and using a long staff of bamboo to keep the boat from steering off course. In truth, I was angrier at myself more than Raya. Everyone that I held close to my heart was dead because I believed I could sway the mind of a madman. My gift of persuasion has served me well in the past, but I expected too much when I had first stood face to face with Drago at the battle of the Dragon Sanctuary.

"Drago Bludvist is a madman. Without conscience or mercy."

My father's words echo in my mind once more, which only served to further fan the flames of self-loathing and regret. I was too overconfident and I believed that a man like Drago could be reasoned with.

"Men who kill without reason, cannot be reasoned with."

Groaning, I clutch my head grit my teeth. I had so many opportunities to stop and listen to my father; he knew Drago and had encountered him before. But my determination to prevent war between this madman and all of Scandinavia drove me to prove my father wrong and show him I can persuade even the vilest of men.

"I'm dead now, because of you."

I nearly jump out of my skin at the sight of my father, his skin blanched, and a large scorch mark, as well as a searing hole, burrowed in his chest. My father's face twists into one of severe disappointment. "Hiccup, why didn't you listen to me?" I tried to reply, but no words came out of my mouth. "I told you that Drago was a man who couldn't be reasoned with. Why didn't you listen to me?"

"I... I thought that I could change that monster's perspective about dragons—"

"But I already told you that men like Drago cannot be reasoned with," My father soon caught ablaze from the feet. "And now I'm nothing but ash at the bottom of the sea because you didn't listen to me." Tears swelled in my eyes as I saw my father being devoured by the fire while looking right in my eyes. He reached out to me as he continued to burn into an unrecognizable crisp and soon his bones were exposed until finally, he dissipated from my sight.

"You always were determined to prove people wrong, cousin," I saw Snotlout seating himself beside me, his skin too was blanched and the bruise of where the noose was wrapped around his neck was visible. "You proved all of us wrong by not only defying centuries of Viking tradition but making life better for us all by slaying the Red Death and training Toothless. But... here we are."

"Dead and reduced to ashes."

"Now nothing more but a memory."

Both Ruffnut and Tuffnut said both of them gave their signature mischievous grins while cocking their heads, causing me to shrink back slightly.

"We know you meant well Hiccup, but was the result of your good intentions?" Fishlegs inquired.

"It led us to our death."

Looking in front of me, I see Astrid approaching with a smile. Her hips were swaying and she too was set ablaze by fire and I soon rose to my feet and reached out to her. "No! A-Astrid, please! Don't leave me again!" I knew it was pointless to reach out to her and everyone else I loved, they're all dead. Nothing is left of them but their ghosts that haunt and torment me with guilt, sorrow, and regret.

"Avenge us, Hiccup. Avenge us all."

Soon, Astrid and all the gang were consumed by fire and dissipated from my sight. I then fell to my knees and began weeping quietly as guilt and regret once more crashed down on me like a tidal wave, threatening to drown me. I knew that this was nothing but my guilt and regret manifesting themselves to torture me further, and as much as I wish that I held the power to reverse the sun and go back to when Astrid and I returned to Berk after encountering Eret, Son of Eret at his obliterated fortress, I could not; the past can't be undone as much as I wish it was.

"Hiccup?"

Looking up, I see Raya approach and give me a concerned look. "Are you alright?" I scoff at her words and move away from her and sit near the edge of the boy's boat. Raya sits beside me and could see my tear-stained face, no doubt she saw me talking to the ghosts of my loved ones and saw how I tensed in horror and regret.

"What do you want?"

"Your loved ones continue to haunt you—"

"Of course they do! They will always haunt me until I kill Drago; they demand that I avenge them and see to it that they did not die in vain," I seethed out while looking at the water below, seeing my reflection ripple on its glassy surface. "Yet I fear I'll fail in this task because you said my name to the enemy."

"Hiccup—"

"This quest of vengeance is all I have left to live for!" I boomed out, scaring Tuk Tuk, Sisu, and Boun as our three companions looked at me with confused yet worried looks. Releasing a shaky breath, I wiped away tears of anger and seethed out. "I have nothing left in this world. Nothing but my life and the vengeance that burns within my heart. And because of you, Drago will leave nothing to chance and no doubt send his deadliest warriors to find and kill me." I then punch one of the support beams of the boat, snarling as pain erupted throughout my hand.

"Who's Drago?"

Looking to Boun, I give him a grim look. "Someone you never want to meet," I then look to Raya and shake my head at her. "You and the people of this land have hope. If we collect the rest of Sisu's gem pieces together, you get your father and your people back. My people and my home are now nothing but a distant memory. Taking Drago's life and destroying everything he has worked for is all I have left to live for." Bowing my head, tears once more spill from my eyes as I exhale shakily and find myself doubting whether or not I will exact my vengeance on the monsters who took everything from me. I then tensed violently as Raya wrapped her arms around me and pressed her face against the side of my head. Gods, it feels like a lifetime ago since I last experienced an embrace, but as my emotions were eating me alive, it was exactly what I needed at the moment. I returned her embrace and close my eyes as she began murmuring a beautiful lullaby in my ear as I continued to cry against her shoulder. Her scent filled my nostrils, she smelled of Midgard, sweat, and lotus flowers. She made me feel at ease, for the time being, just being embraced by someone once again was something I thought I'd never experience ever again.

"I'm sorry," she whispered while caressing the back of my neck. "It was never my intention to undermine your efforts at exacting vengeance against Drago. It was an unfortunate slip of the tongue, saying your name out loud."

Regretfully, I remove myself from her embrace and run a hand through my hair, and sigh. "It's my fault that they're all dead. My father had encountered Drago a long time ago and warned me what kind of man Drago Bludvist is. But... we Vikings have, or rather had stubbornness issues. I believed I could sway the mind of that war-mongering animal, I had done so to many opponents in the past. But Drago is unlike any foe I've encountered; he's beyond cruel, drunk with absolute power, and ravenous to place his yoke of tyranny and oppression on man and dragon," As I wipe away the tears staining my cheeks, I laugh bitterly. "The first time I encountered Drago, I was determined to show him the truth about dragons, but he couldn't be reasoned with. He then used his pet killer to take control of my bonded dragon, Toothless. Drago's alpha controlled him to the point where he nearly killed me. But my father sacrificed himself and was killed at the last second. And not long after that, the same evil alpha flash froze me in its ice when me and those I loved returned to our home, only to find Drago and his pet killer laying waste to Berk, my home. When I was encased in ice, the madman and the rest of his army reduced it to ashes, took all of Berk's dragons and anything of value. Meanwhile, the animals under Drago's command slaughtered and tortured anyone who resisted, they raped the women to within mere inches of their lives and killed everyone else." Everyone was dead silent, the sounds that filled my ears was that ghastly screeching from those monsters in the jungle and water churning beneath the boat.

"If you lost your family, home, and your people, in the same manner, then you'd understand why this means so much to me," I said to Raya before changing the subject. "I'm sorry. For my hostility towards you—"

"No, I understand. I lost my mother the night Fang Nations betrayed us and made a move to take Sisu's gem from Heart Nation, even when we were under a parlay with the other nations to hopefully mend our differences and become Kumandra once more. But greed consumed and blinded the other nations to not only fight over the Dragon Gem but also shatter it. My Mteay was killed in the mayhem and my Ba is now a stone statue, as are the rest of my people," Raya then continued. "But if we are to make things right, we need to work together and trust each other. All of us." Raya then gave me a reassuring smile. "I accept your apology. Can you say the same?"

"Water under the bridge," I say with a light smile. "Yes, I forgive you." I then look ahead and see a floating city, and lanterns illuminating in the darkness.

"Looks like we've arrived at Talon Nation," Boun stated before continuing. "So, where are you guys heading after Talon? I might be heading there, too. I mean, for a fee, of course."

"Of course," Raya replied with a chuckle, she then turned to me and raised a questioning eyebrow. "Are you ready?"

"I am. Let's get this next gem piece."

(Normal pov— Tail Nation)

"You cannot seriously be considering that we side with those demons."

"Their offer of unity is a ruse, clearly. When our guard is lowered for but a mere second, they will strike and make us all mindless stone monsters!"

"What other choice do we have? Our spies reported that they cannot be beaten by traditional means of combat and our weapons would be ineffective against them."

"Master, what are the lay of your thoughts?"

The warlords, generals, and Chosen of the Northern Alliance looked to Drago who had his arms crossed as he dwelled on what an alliance with the Druun could entail. After making up his mind, the war master spoke his thoughts. "The Druun are a necessary evil. If we fight them, we would lose everything we've spent years building. And I will not allow ourselves to be weakened when there's no reason to," he then continued. "You all know better than anyone, a wise warrior does not pick a fight with an unbeatable foe. For now, we will ally with the Druun."

"Drago, I voice concern in this decision," Chagatai Khan said. "We know not whether these demons will honor their word. Why would they? They not only outnumber us but their stone warriors and dragons cannot be defeated."

"He's right," Ragnar the Rock spoke up. "We came here to retrieve the Dragon Gem pieces and restore the gem so that we could not only wipe the Druun off this plain but also return all of Kumandra's dragons only to then add them with our dragon army."

"Siding with the Druun complicates our campaign in Kumandra," Griselda the Grievous stated. "They want to destroy Sisudatu and her gem. If they do that, there will be nothing to stop them from taking this world for themselves."

Drago grunted at his fellow warlords in acknowledgment. "Your concern is well received, and practical. The entity can see my thoughts, which is why I will hide my true intentions from the entity. Only a weak-minded man would exploit his thoughts to an entity who could pierce his mind and see what lurks within him," Drago gave his trusted allies and warriors a reassuring smile. "Worry not, we will do what we set out to do; retrieve the remaining gem pieces, restore it, and not only send the Druun into oblivion but also bring back all of Kumandra's dragons and add them into our dragon army." Everyone gathered in the room nodded and smiled in relief that their leader was not merely ordering their cabal to align with the Druun simply because they made him whole once more, but because strategically it was a sound tactic.

"There is one other matter we should discuss."

Turning to one of his generals, Drago waited for them to continue.

"What of the Viking survivor? Whoever they are, they wish to exact revenge for the death of Scandinavia and the whole of the Viking people."

"I have already dispatched the Hand of Drago to deal with this foolish Viking," the war master reassured. "Whether or not this Viking is in fact Stoick's whelp hardly matters. My warriors are already on their way to Talon Nation, which is where Benja's daughter, Sisudatu, and the Viking are going to acquire the next gem piece. If the Hand of Drago not only succeeds in killing this lone Viking and Benja's daughter, we will have three of the gem pieces in our possession. We would only have to comb through Spine Nation to acquire their gem and then regroup with the rest of our forces at Fang Nation and relieve Chief Virana of the gem piece she has in her possession. Soon, we will complete this campaign and then take this world as our own. Those who refuse to submit to our might will die or be subjugated. Either way, everything is going as planned. And nothing will stand in our way. Nothing."