Hiccup was now making plans for today's training exercise, and with Jill joining them, he had to make some slight alterations. Today's training exercise would be a simple game of capturing the flag, and it would be them and House Odin against House Tyr and House Loki.

He had already made arrangements with House Odin's commander so that he was in charge of the entire operation. In exchange for longer shower time meaning, they would give the hot water for longer.

Hiccup always tried to make sure that they would be in command of every single training exercise. Despite their diminishing influence on the other Houses House, Loki still tried to exert its influence by putting spies in the other houses.

He heard footsteps and looked up to see Astrid had just entered the room.

"Hey," said Hiccup, not looking up.

"I wanted to apologise," said Astrid. Hiccup stopped and looked up at her. "You were right, and I overreacted."

"To tell you the truth, I wish we were out there doing something about Johann," said Hiccup. "I can't exactly sit still, knowing the entire world is in danger."

Astrid nodded. "I know the feeling."

The two of them looked at one another in silence for about a minute.

Astrid's eyes then turned towards the battle map. "So, planning for today's exercise?"

Hiccup looked down at the map and nodded. "Yeah, have to alter a few things. We've got a new teammate in our House now."

Astrid nodded. "I heard a daughter of Freya. So what do you think of her?"

"She's certainly eager, but I have a feeling we will know more after today's exercise."

"You don't think that she could be a spy?" Astrid asked curiously. "I mean, the timing is suspicious. She arrives on the same day you have your dream, and she joins our House."

"It's suspicious, but we can't judge her based on that. I mean, when you say that my timing joining the Academy was rather suspicious, as was Heather's."

"Point taken. So where is she now?"

"Ragnar is giving her tour a quick tour of the Academy before class starts."

"Does it seem rather unfair that we have to attend class despite the fact that it's the Easter holidays?" Astrid asked.

"I know, but you know as well as I do that warriors don't sit on their hands. Besides, they don't just teach us normal classes. We do have some extra criteria in this Academy."

"True," Astrid agreed. "So, have you thought about what you would do after graduation?"

"I've been so busy trying to say this well I haven't given much thought about my future," Hiccup admitted.

"You going to join the military like your dad?" Astrid asked.

"I doubt it; I might try going into politics."

Astrid burst out laughing. "You a politician?"

"Does that sound so strange?"

"No, it's just not the path of a warrior that I envisioned."

"Winston Churchill was in the army before he became Prime Minister. In fact, there have been quite a number of politicians with military experience, though not all of them were extremely popular."

"Okay, fair enough," said Astrid folding her hands up in surrender. "Anyway, I better leave you to our battle plans."

"You're more than happy to share your opinions with me," Hiccup offered.

Astrid gave a small smile. "No, I do trust you to do the right thing. Though I should add that not everyone is particularly happy that you traded away shower time with our allies."

"You know how devious House Loki still is; I have to offer our allies something, so we don't get outnumbered."

"I know, and I would do the same thing; I just wanted to warn you of the opinions of those outside our squad."

"And I will make sure I won't alienate anyone in our house."

Astrid gave a small nod before she left the room.

After their morning classes, they went outside to start to capture the flag, and everyone was getting geared up.

"So, no one actually dies in these games, right?" Jill asked as Astrid fitted her armour.

"Not on purpose," said Astrid.

"You mean it does happen?"

"I assure you if you are killed, it will be an accident," Astrid smiled.

"Comforting."

"She's only messing with you," Hiccup chuckled. "They might rough you are, but they won't kill you."

"Do you guys do this with all the new kids on the block?" Jill asked.

"Jill, I was just stared when I first started, and everything turned out fine in the end," Hiccup assured her.

"Yeah, you just found yourself outnumbered 3 to one and nearly got beaten to a pulp," said Ragnar.

Hiccup narrowed his eyes. "Not helping."

"I don't suppose it's too late to not take part in this?" Jill asked.

"Jill, don't worry; I'm merely putting you on guard duty around our compound with Fishlegs; you should be perfectly fine," Hiccup promised.

"Unless House Loki brought a few members of our allies and have them still flag while we attack them," said Astrid.

"Which is why I'm putting Heather in command of the outpost while we go on the offensive."

Upon hearing Heather's name, everyone suddenly fell far more relaxed.

"Why is everyone so relaxed upon hearing Heather's name?" Jill asked.

"Heather is the daughter of Heimdall, and she has quite good hearing and eyesight," Ragnar explained. "To put it bluntly, there is no way we'll be caught by surprise as long as she's here."

"I'll be sure to keep my eyes and ears open, so we're not caught by surprise," Heather assured them.

"Now, while me, Astrid and Snotlout keep the enemy occupied, Ragnar, the twins will sneak into the enemy camp and take the flag," Hiccup instructed.

"You're not going with?" Jill blinked.

"Not seen at the front lines, the enemy will know that we're up to something," Hiccup explained. "They'll think that I will favour an all-out assault on their base, not aware that I'll be sending an infiltration team behind their flank."

"The twins and I should be able to get into the enemy camp without notice so long as the enemy is occupied," Ragnar nodded.

"Just try and make sure the twins stick to the plan; I never know what goes on in their heads."

"I'll try, but I am not a miracle worker."

"Sounds like a solid plan," said Astrid. "I take it you've already gone over the planned with the commander of Hose Odin."

"I did, and he agreed to it."

"I'm surprised anyone in his house to join the infiltration team," said Jill.

"That's because House Odin doesn't have anyone particularly stealthy in their House," Hiccup explained. "They've got good weapon smiths, strategic thinkers and a number of warriors, but that's about it."

"I thought the Houses would be divided evenly?" Jill frowned.

"It mostly comes down to individuals' personality and desires when it comes to being sorted into their House. For instance, House Loki favours deception and espionage among anything else, we of House Odin favour those with the honourable and the courageous, House Odin values those who value wisdom, and House Tyr values the hard workers and those who are loyal."

"That said, there are those who fall through the cracks," said Ragnar.

"Seems a little uneven if you ask me?" said Jill.

"Which is why it adds the competition," said Astrid. "We have to train every single day and try to prove ourselves. That would be hard to do with everyone were on equal footing."

"Anyway, I think that enough chat; we should be starting about 10 minutes, so I suggest we all get ourselves into our positions," said Hiccup looking at his watch.

Everyone nodded and began moving out.

Hiccup found himself on the front lines next to Astrid as they began making their way towards the enemy base. Once they came into view, they could see the place was well fortified, plus it was in the middle of the clearing, which meant sneaking around would not be easy.

"They chose a very good location for their base," Astrid noted. "A lot of open ground so they can see the enemy advancing and good lookouts to pick us off."

"So how exactly are Ragnar the twins supposed to sneak in?" Snotlout asked.

"It will be easy for the twins as they can shape shift the turning into a fly and slip in," said Hiccup.

"And Ragnar?" Snotlout asked.

"He'll create a blinding flash of light that will make them think it's the sun. The moment we attack, there will be a moment of chaos which should give them enough time to reach the walls of the enemy base."

"Excellent plan as always," said a voice.

They turned and saw Duncan, House Odin's commander, approaching them. He was a rather handsome young man just a few years older than they were. He was a son of Odin and was a strong strategic thinker.

"Is everyone in position?" Hiccup asked.

"Just say the word."

Hiccup looked at his watch. "Attack to commence within the next minute."

"Have to say House Loki chose a good location for their base," Duncan admitted.

"Yeah, but I think the ones we really should congratulate are House Tyr; I'm betting they were the ones who set up the fort."

"It's almost a shame that we have to take it down," Astrid smiled.

"All we really need to do is distract for the infiltration team to enter," said Duncan.

"Or failing that, we just bust down the front door, Snotlout smiled.

Hiccup looked at his watch. "Well, he's away. It's time. Attack!"

All of them then immediately charged at the fort with the loudest battle cries imaginable. They heard the sound of alarms as the defenders immediately rushed over the bows at the ready, and soon enough, arrows came flying down towards them.

Hiccup quickly waved his hand, creating a few runes and a shield appeared in front of them. The moment the arrows came in contact with the shield, they merely bounced off. Sadly, Hiccup couldn't extend the shield very far, only able to protect their main vanguard.

Both the left and right flanks were easy prey for the archers, but Hiccup had planned for that and had both flanks reinforced with heavier armour and shields. They also began to retaliate with arrows themselves, firing at the defenders overlooking them from the battlements.

Eventually, they reached the front gate and began hitting him with a battering ram they had made from a large log. Hiccup used his shield to protect the wielders of the battering ram from the arches above as they began firing arrows and stones down on top.

"They're really going at it," said Duncan as he approached Hiccup.

"Rocks are a bit of an overkill," said Hiccup.

"I only see House Tyr defending the fort," Astrid observed.

"That doesn't surprise me; House Loki always preferred fighting from afar," said Duncan.

"It's also possible they sent an infiltration team themselves and the others regarding the flag," Hiccup assumed.

"Even Ragnar, the twins managed to get inside?" Astrid asked.

"If not, we'll just have to go with plan B, bust out the gate and get the flag ourselves."

"Which looks like it's going to be any moment now," said Duncan observing the gate was now beginning to buckle. "Put your backs into it!"

They then suddenly heard screaming coming from the other side of the wall.

"Sounds like the infiltration team is going all out," said Duncan.

Hiccup, however, had a bad feeling. "I don't think that Ragnar, the twins."

They could hear the clash of swords on the other side, and now the archers had turned to face inwards with fear covering their faces.

"Sounds a little much for three demigods, even if they are extremely powerful," said Astrid.

They then heard the sound of a fly, and then suddenly materialising in front of them was Tuffnut covered in cuts.

"What are you doing here?" Snotlout demanded.

"To tell you we're in trouble," said Tuffnut.

"Tuff, please tell me that all that screaming and fighting on the other side is just a ploy by House Loki," said Hiccup.

"No such luck; we're being attacked by zombies!" Tuffnut cried. "Ragnar and Ruff are helping the defenders, but there's just too many of them."

"Find the teachers and tell them what's happening; we'll get them out of there," said Hiccup.

Tuffnut nodded and immediately transformed into an eagle and flew off.

"Uh, why are we helping the enemy?" Snotlout asked.

"Because right now, there are classmates, and they need our help," Astrid snapped.

"We need to get in there now," said Hiccup.

Duncan nodded and looked at the soldiers manning the battering ram. "You heard the man! Bust down the door!"

Soldiers immediately nodded and grasped the battering ram hitting hard against the door with all their strength. It took about another two heads until the doors finally gave way, and they rushed inside and found the chaos.

Sure enough, they could see hordes of zombies attacking members of House Loki and Tyr, and they were slowly being pushed back. They were all pretty much standing in the circle trying to fend off the zombies, and in that circle were Ragnar and Ruffnut.

Ruffnut was using her spear to inhale any zombie within reach, while Ragnar was using Sumarbrander, slicing through the zombies as it flew across the air. While this was going on, Ragnar was also assuming the wounded, and then he looked up and saw them.

"A little help would be appreciated!" he yelled.

"Charge!" Hiccup yelled.

They charge straight on towards the zombies swinging their weapons frantically as they create a breach within the circle.

"Grab the wounded, and let's get out of here!" Hiccup yelled.

Every freehand immediately grasped the wounded and carried them to safety, but the zombies were starting yet reorganised and tried to encircle them. Fortunately, Astrid was creating massive thunderbolts, which proved to be a rather strong deterrent for the zombies.

Ragnar then appeared with the last of the wounded. "That everyone, let's go!"

Everyone was rushing out of the fort, but the zombies continued to try to advance towards them. They had managed to reach the gate and were now trying to fend off the zombies, but Hiccup knew they were about to get overrun, but there wasn't anything he could do about it.

It was then that he heard a series of explosions erupting, and if he didn't know it any better, it looked as if the zombies were the ones panicking. More explosions happened in the zombies began to retreat, only to be continuously blasted.

Hiccup spun around and then saw Gobber standing there with a bazooka resting on his shoulder and standing next to him with the other teachers with similar sorts of weapons.

Tuffnut then appeared next to him. "I got the teachers."

"Your timing was perfect," said Hiccup relieved.