Estarossa was still putting quite a lot of pressure on Hiccup, who was roaring in agony.
"For a moment there I was worried about what might happen," said Melascula. "Excellent work Estarossa." Gloxinia then flew beside her. "Excellent timing, Gloxinia, I need a favour. You think you can fix my body?"
"Well, I suppose so, but then I'll have to stop using Droplet of Life for a while," said Gloxinia. He then extended his hand and Basquias appeared in its flower form. "Spirit Spear Basquias: Seventh Configuration! Moon Rose! Droplet of Life!"
A single drop then fell upon Melascula and almost instantly those terrible burn marks on her body vanished completely.
Derieri looked at Estarossa. "Listen Estarossa, bottomline are you sure about this?"
"I've sensed a strange gaze focused upon us for a while now," said Monspeet. "Most likely it's the rest of Hiccup's group. Is it wise to leave them unsupervised? I'm not sure."
Drole then immediately opened the stone tomb he had created earlier to capture Astrid and the others only to find that it was completely empty.
"Looks like they got away," said Gloxinia as he flew through the rubble.
"Seems as if they figured it out," said Toothless as all them observed the events with a crystal ball in his mouth.
"The Seven Deadly Sins, your new team of fighters Hiccup," said Estarossa as he looked down upon Hiccup. He then grasped his throat and squeezed, not enough that he was choking, but enough to make it unpleasant. "Tell me, did you tell them of your crime? Did you tell them that you try to make peace between the Demons and the Angels, because you believe that UN you alone could accomplish such a thing? Yet it was nothing more than a ploy which started the Holy War and you decided to join the ones that caused it without a second thought."
Everyone's eyes widened as they stared, but Astrid was the only one who was not surprised.
"You believe yourself to be a peacemaker, you did after all manage to stop your own kind from annihilating one another and formed an actual tribe. The Dragonborn were highly revered by the humans as their greatest protectors, but you let them into war. In that one piece conference the Angels took the advantage of the summit, both the Angels and Demons have always been looking for way to gain the advantage on the other."
He then lifted Hiccup off his feet. "There's no way that the Angels would have even dared to launch such a cowardly attack if they had not assisted them. As a result of this piece conference of yours two of the Commandments were slaughtered which left a power vacuum. Drole and Gloxinia eventually joined us, forming the Ten Commandments that exist today, the balance that was maintained between the Demon Race and the Angels was instantly shattered. Seizing the opportunity the Angels incited the other races to eliminate our kind once and for all. It was you, that started that war 3000 years ago!"
He then brought Hiccup closer to his face. "If that wasn't bad enough, you also had a hand plane making this seal that locked us away. You, that bitch Astrid as well is your mage friend Ragnar sealed us away for free thousand years!"
"I can't believe what I'm hearing," said Gilthunder.
"So, he was ashamed all this time," said Eret. "He always regretted for causing such a terrible war, that's why he won't speak of it."
"Though clearly you anticipated return and created a whole new order to combat us," Estarossa continued. "Though it's apparently clear that neither one of them have the strength to face us one-on-one, it would seem as if you did not had enough time to implement your plan. Always the strategist."
Estarossa then released him and he dropped to the ground.
Hiccup winced. "I truly have failed, haven't I? I failed to protect my charge, I failed to protect Astrid, I failed to bring about peace and I failed to prevent this war from happening. I guess I'm nothing more than a big failure, aren't I?"
"That least you finally admitted," said Estarossa.
Melascula then appeared behind him. "You should let me be the one to finish off Hiccup."
Estarossa narrowed his eyes. "You, huh? Because…"
"As you saw those friends of his really did a number on me and I feel that he should take responsibility for their actions."
Ase realise what she intended to do. "Oh, crap. She's not gonna…"
"What?" Ruby asked.
"She's saying that she wants to eat his soul."
"Then isn't there anything we could try and do to stop this?"
"Well, maybe…" She then turned towards Snotlout. "Snotlout should we…?"
"Huh, I think he's a little preoccupied," said Fishlegs.
"No kidding," said Heather.
Snotlout was actually hugging Shanna tightly in his arms.
"This isn't the time!" Ase yelled.
"Don't be silly my love, there's no need to ask for by forgiveness," said Shanna.
"Thank you," said Snotlout releasing her. He then turned and looked at the mage. "Hey, mage, I need a favour."
"What is it?" he asked.
"Send me over there."
Melascula was currently floating above Hiccup with her hand outstretched and began chanting in an ancient language. Hiccup felt as if he was going to be second he realised that it was his soul there was trying to exit from his body and he did everything he could to resist.
"Come now why are you resisting it?" Melascula asked curtly. "I happened to be a specialist, an expert in manipulating souls of the dead. Extracting your soul when you're mobilised is child's play for someone like me!" Her face began to turn viler as she looked down upon Hiccup. "Soul Invitation!"
Hiccup roared in pain and his soul then shot out of his mouth as Melascula continued to chant.
"Zero Sign!" said Snotlout.
Snotlout had appeared on the battlefield and was moving unnoticed among the Commandments as he advanced towards Melascula.
'I could end up losing you with I do this,' said Snotlout to himself. 'But I'm going to bring you back to life someday, no matter what. I swear.'
'It's all right,' Shanna assured. 'Snotlout, please, you need to save him now. There is no need to ask for my forgiveness.'
"So, Hiccup, any last words before I taste your soul?" Melascula asked and then suddenly Snotlout appeared directly behind her and grasped her head. Then with one good twist he snapped her neck much surprised the Commandments.
"Sorry, what was that you're mumbling?" Snotlout asked as he looked down at her. He knew that enough wind kill her, but he knew what would. "Say goodbye, Fox Hunt!"
He then outstretched his hand and immediately removed five hearts from her body. He had been informed recently that low ranking Demons had four, but the more higher class Demons had total of seven. He had already taken one out of her previously which meant that she only had one heart remaining and for good measure he immediately stomped on all five of them.
Hiccup's soul returned to his body and he looked up at Snotlout. "What are you doing here? I knew you were reckless, but this?"
"Says the guy who decided to take on two Commandments by himself," said Snotlout.
"Fair enough, but why did you come here?" Hiccup asked weakly.
Snotlout looked at him. "Despite our differences, I have respect for you and you did get me out of that godforsaken prison which gave me a chance find a way to bring back Shanna."
"That's the Seven Deadly Sin's Snotlout, the Fox Sin of Greed!" Fraudrin announced.
Zeldris immediately reached for his sword.
Estarossa looked at the crumpled remains of Melascula's body look towards Snotlout. "Melascula tried to devour Hiccup's soul without my permission and she got what she deserved. Thanks human, I appreciate what you done."
Snotlout looked at him. "I didn't really do this for you?" He then extended a hand towards Hiccup. "Can you stand?"
"You muttonhead," said Hiccup as Snotlout lifted him to his feet. "Believe me when I say that I've been through worse."
"There again," Estarossa continued. "If you hadn't killed her, I would have gladly done it myself."
Snotlout placed himself between the Commandments and Hiccup. "You're in no shape to handle this, let me take on."
However, Estarossa moved with blinding speed and plunged his soared right into Hiccup's chest. "Hiccup has to die and it must be by my hand," he said.
Hiccup then fell to the ground and Estarossa conjured up swords of darkness around him.
"By the way, why did you come here in the first place human?" said Estarossa with his back towards Snotlout.
"Why the hell do you think?" Snotlout yelled as they extended his hand. "Now Fox Hunt!" He tried to remove Estarossa's hearts, but somehow his hand broke within seconds of casting the spell.
"Now is make this as painful as possible," said Estarossa and plunged another sword into Hiccup. "It's the least he deserves from betraying us."
Snotlout then immediately grasped his head and attempted to snap it clean off, but it wouldn't budge an inch. "I won't let you do that!"
Estarossa raised yet another sword and plunged it into Hiccup chest and perform the same process over and over again.
"Stupid Demon bastard! I won't let you murder him!" Snotlout roared.
Estarossa ignored him and plunged yet another sword making five in total.
"Hunter Fest!" Snotlout yelled and tried to draw as much power from everyone present as possible.
However, despite this he was unable to move Estarossa's head in the slightest.
"Your efforts are futile," said Estarossa.
Snotlout couldn't believe that this was happening. 'Nothing I do phases him. Why can't I protect anyone?'
Estarossa then positioned his last sword this time a minute directly over Hiccup's heart.
"Stop that's enough!" Snotlout roared.
"This is the end of you," said Estarossa and then plunged the sword through Hiccup's heart.
"No!" Snotlout roared furiously.
Hiccup was now completely silent and there was no life in his eyes.
Snotlout was now overcome by rage and he was determined to make Estarossa pay for what he had done.
"You have become far too noisy, quiet down," said Estarossa.
Snotlout's body then exploded leaving no trace of him whatsoever.
Estarossa then turned to face his brethren. "The deed is done. Hiccup is dead, this continent is now ours."
Everyone just stared at the crystal ball overcome by grief from what they had just witnessed. In fact the only ones who weren't crying were Ruby and Astrid, which was strange considering the two of them had a much deeper connection than the others. Astrid then placed Eret down and she and Ruby then turned towards the mage.
"I want you to teleport us there," said Ruby.
"But it's too late," said the mage.
"Please, we need to be there," said Astrid.
"As you wish," said the mage.
Astrid and Ruby found themselves on the battlefield, the Commandments had already left with their mission now complete. The two of them then approached Hiccup's body which just laid there in the dirt.
"Thank you for company me," said Ruby looking at Astrid. "I know that you two have a complicated history."
Astrid closed her eyes. "The only emotion that I have ever come close to feeling's rage, but now I feel nothing. There was so much that I wanted to say that I wanted to do with him and now I will regret not doing anything or saying anything."
They soon approached Hiccup's body and the moment that she sword Ruby burst into tears. Astrid, who had no heart, just stood there in indifference and filled with regret. It was hard to believe that he was gone, Hiccup always seem to be invincible now he was just a bloodied mess.
Ruby wasted no time and cradled him in her arms and allowed her tears to flow free. "Please, open your eyes. Please, no!"
The sun was now beginning to rise and Astrid placed a gentle hand on Ruby's shoulder.
A few days later Ruby was now healing Sol and Della with her healing powers, Zalpa was standing next to her as she performs her magic. With her was the twins, Toothless, Astrid, Fishlegs, Heather and Dagur as they watched her healing the two children.
When she was done the two children opened their eyes and their fevers had completely vanished. Zalpa was beside with himself with joy upon seen his two children alive and Dagur was deeply relieved.
"Thank goodness," said Heather.
"It's a miracle," said Dagur as she looked at Ruby. "I don't know how to thank you."
"There's no need," Ruby assured. "Really I'm just glad to be of some help."
"Don't be silly, your saviour," said Zalpa.
Fishlegs grimaced. "It's been a while now, I wonder the others are doing okay."
"They ended up being scattered all over the continent each doing their part to stop the Demon Races invasion," said Dagur.
Astrid folded her arms. "I'm afraid that is easier said than done, the south has fallen and it has become quite apparent that Berk will be the next target."
"Shouldn't we go and assist Berk?" Ruffnut asked.
"And do what, even Hiccup stood no chance against those guys, what can we do?" Tuffnut asked.
"For starters you can't give up," said Toothless. "Things might seem bleak now, but there will always be those that rise up when the most needed. It's the most constant thing in this world."
"The Demon Races a vast in number," Dagur reminded. "I'm sure it will be a struggle for them."
"Hey, listen," said Fishlegs as he looked at everyone. "It's just a suggestion, but if you would like to join me you're all invited to the Fairy King's Forest."
"Huh?" Heather frowned.
"The Fairy King's Forest?" Dagur blinked.
"As the Fairy King, it's my duty to make sure it is well protected," said Fishlegs. "How about it? It should be safer out there than in here at least."
Heather looked up at her brother. "So what should we do brother?"
Dagur looked at Sol and Della, who were currently playing with Toothless and then looked back at her. "I must admit it's probably our best option for the moment."
Heather then looked down at Ruby. "What do you think?"
"It makes sense, but I would like to continue serving our people," said Ruby.
Astrid nodded. "We have a mission of our own."
The twins nodded.
Fishlegs looked slightly upset, but he understood why they couldn't come.
It had been one month since the events of Vaizel and Gustav had returned to the south in order to retake his kingdom and the strange swordsman, whose name was Nanashi, had accompanied him. The kingdom's army had been utterly annihilated and there were only a few Dragon Knights still alive.
Two Dragon Knights were running as quickly as they could with two Grey Demons on their tails. One of them fired a blast down on top of them, they managed to avoid direct hit but the after-shock sent them flying.
Then launching out of the smoke was Nanashi and he touted several slashes against the Demon with his sword, which was known as a katanas. Suddenly it arm was sliced off along with one of its wings and it fell to the ground, but not before firing one last attack upon Nanashi.
Nanashi quickly raised his katanas and sliced right through the attack which circled around him.
"Merciless Waterfall!" he said and seconds later the Demon was split in half.
The other Demon then landed in front of him, but he just stood there calm and collective. Gustav, then appeared from out of nowhere plunged his sword into its back, but it it was as if sticking a needle into it.
"You dare fightback, human," said the Demon grasping Gustav and ripped him off his back. He then tossed Gustav towards the ground and then advanced towards him. "You now have two choices remaining. Except your defeat or die."
Gustav lifted himself up. "You forgot about the third choice, fighting back into the bitter end."
It took some doing, but eventually they managed to take down the last Demon.
"We did it," said Gustav as he rose to his feet.
"Yes, indeed," said an old knight. "It's an absolute miracle Sir Gustav."
"But who would ever thought that the Demon Race was this powerful," said the other knight.
"Either way, somebody has to bring them down. If we keep fighting, one day we will see the light," Gustav assured them.
"Well, if that's the case then you're that light Sir Gustav," said the old knight.
"That isn't how I describe myself at all," he said blushing slightly. He then turned towards Nanashi. "If Sir Nanashi hadn't been out here I don't think I would have made it. I just want to say thank you."
Nanashi looked at him and then to the cat on his shoulder. "So long as that monster cat is at your side, you'll never die."
Gustav looked at him confused. 'What did he say?'
"King Gustav! Demon reinforcements!" a knight yelled.
They look towards the sky and saw a flock of Blue Demons flying down towards them firing black flames at them.
"Retreat!" Gustav ordered.
Immediately the four them ran knowing that they were outnumbered and ran with explosions erupting behind them.
"I'm going to have to become a whole lot stronger," said Gustav.
"Me would also like it if Gustav got stronger," said the cat.
Gustav stared at it. "Wait, Cat did you just talk? Can you speak like a human?"
'What a creepy cat that is,' said Nanashi to himself.
"So you say me instead of I?"
Nanashi his head. 'That's the weird part?'
With the south virtually conquered the Demon army had advanced towards Berk, which was the last major stronghold in their bid to conquer the continent. The Berkain Knights were putting up a strong fight against the Demon horde, but they were getting overwhelmed.
"Let's go, Ake!" Gilthunder yelled at Ake.
Ake nodded and they immediately jumped into the field of battle.
Snotlout was at one of the battlements with Sven, by all intents and purposes he was now leading the army.
"Leave the West to Gilthunder and the others, we'll take the East," Snotlout instructed.
"Right," Sven agreed and they quickly made their way to the East battlements.
Snotlout bit his lip. "Things are going nuts and Ragnar thinks this is a good time to shut himself in his lab. As for Astrid…"
Despite his best attempts to assure the Pleiades of the Azure Sky that Astrid was no threat the kingdom, they still banished Astrid for the capital.
"Though I can't put stock in what Calder says, it is too risky to have you roam around the capital freely," said Emerald to Astrid about a month ago when they returned. "You can only enter the capital if you agree to be a prisoner until we could determine your true nature."
Astrid had no intentions of being locked up so she opted for self-exile, that meant without Hiccup or heard the Seven Deadly Sins were now without a competent captain. To make matters worse Heather and Fishlegs had not returned to the capital and Ragnar was still a stone statue which meant that the only ones who could mount up any kind of defence were Snotlout and Eret and the latter could only fight during a certain time.
"Idiots, all of them," Snotlout growled in frustration.
"I must say it's a miracle for us that you're back to normal," Sven noted remembering what happened to Snotlout a month ago. "You were blown apart what kind of body do you have?"
"I'll never die, I'm immortal," Snotlout explained. "And even if I wanted to die is impossible."
It took quite some time for Snotlout's to regenerate after that little explosion and by the time he returned to the capital, Ase gave him some bad news.
"I was so focused on you and Hiccup that by the time I noticed, Shanna had already…"
"She vanished? Is that it?" Snotlout asked.
"I'm so sorry," she said apologetically. "If only I had paid more attention."
"Take it easy," said Snotlout placing a hand on her head. "It's not your fault, because I was the one who cut of the magical power that kept Shanna alive by killing the Demon that resurrected her. That is something that Shanna and I decided together."
Ase looked at him sadly.
Snotlout and Sven had finally reached the East battlements and a Scout had just returned, though he was badly wounded and barely alive.
"What happened to the guards in the northern village?" Snotlout asked as he helped him up.
"T-the villagers they offered up Dragon Knights are sacrifices."
In order to weaken the militarily of Berk and any other occupied land, the Ten Commandments had announced that they would delay the calling of any village if they produce any rogue Dragon Knights.
"We've got them cornered," said a villager.
"Someone needs to go and report this."
A bunch of villages had surrounded Ruin and Friesia, due to the events of what happened at Grimbeard Prison they and the other surviving members of the Weird Fangs were now fugitives. Unfortunately a few villages recognise them the moment they entered their little village.
"You stupid commoners!" Ruin roared as he slammed his staff into the ground. "Who do you think we are anyway?"
Friesia scolded him. "Shut up! Don't pretend you don't know that were on the run from the kingdom!"
"We're Dragon Knights of Berk, my name is Sir Ruin of the Weird Fangs and this is Friesia."
"Idiot!" Friesia glared.
The villagers had enough possession a magical eye which was how they were able to determine that they were Dragon Knights.
"These two have quality power levels," said a villager as he looked at the magic eye. "420 for the guy and 440 the woman."
"Quick, capture them! The stronger they souls the more great for our benefactors become!"
Ruin laughed as the villagers charged at them with pitchforks and other farm tools. "For people like you powers aren't needed!"
He then immediately swung his staff smashing through the villages weapons in knocking them to the ground.
"Great, now I've got no choice," said Friesia as she knocked them back with her whip.
However, despite them being knocked off their feet the villagers were giving up.
"Offer them up."
"Hand over your souls, we need them."
"Give them to us now!"
Both Ruin and Friesia weren't fully aware of what had transpired in recent days, most notably the revival of the Demon Race.
"What's with them?" Friesia frowned.
"I rushed over when I heard you were here," said a voice. Then suddenly appearing directly behind them was Fraudrin, but the two of them he was still Inquisitor Calder. "Yes, you will do nicely."
"Inquisitor Calder, how are you?" Ruin asked. "We heard the rumours that how you vanished after that the battle in the Royal Capital fighting against all the Seven Deadly Sins. I never thought that I would get the chance to see you in the—"
He stopped the moment that Fraudrin placed his hand on his chest and suddenly his soul was forced out of his body and without hesitation he swallowed it.
Friesia was more than a little startled with what she witnessed. "What the…?" She quickly turned towards Calder. "Sir Calder, what did you do to him?"
Fraudrin then looked at her and his mark appeared upon his face. "No one requires your protection any longer nor is this country your home. Die with grace and dignity."
She realised too late that this was not Calder and before she could make a move villages immediately grabbed her.
"Open your eyes you stupid worms!" she yelled punching them one by one. "He's not human!"
The villagers were perfectly aware of his identity, but it didn't matter to them and so they pinned to the ground.
"You won't get away!"
"Sinful woman, that man is a Ten Commandment!"
"Let me go!" she cried.
"Hand it over! You're just a human how dare you stand up against the Demon Race!"
"What you mean the Demon Race?" she said. "Don't you spineless fools have any pride as humans?"
"Pride won't save our families Dragon Knight, the only thing that will is offering."
"You'll regret this!" she snarled. "I'll kill you all! Cowardly bastards!"
Fraudrin approached her calmly. "This soul appears to be much more livelier than the other one."
He then placed his palm on top of her and her soul exited from her body.
"You all did quite well, finding these two from me," he said to the villagers. "As a reward I will extend your grace period by three months."
The villagers were utterly relieved upon hearing this, the children had watched the entire thing. They knew that their parents were trying to do anything they could to save them, but it was still very horrific for what they were forced to do.
In another village, the villagers were trying to chase down another Dragon Knight, but he had managed to get away.
"We find Dragon Knight?"
"Dammit, he got away."
"He's probably fled into the Forest of White Dreams by now."
"Want to chase him?"
"Not really, haven't you heard the rumours about the monsters that people have seen in that forest. No thanks."
The Dragon Knight they were chasing was none other than the last surviving member of the Weird Fangs, Golgius. Truth was he was only able to escape thanks to his invisibility power, but he knew that it would be useless against the Demon Race and so he was running for his life.
"The fog seems to be getting thicker," he noted as he panted. "It looks like I got lucky." He then laughed to himself as he picked himself up. "Got lucky? It makes me laugh just saying it out loud to myself. How can I use a phrase like that when this place is teeming with Demons at every turn?"
He had been sleeping in an inn in the nearby village when he awoke hearing the voices of villagers outside.
"I hear a Dragon Knight is staying in this room."
"Understood, I'll report him right away. If I offer up a Dragon Knight soul, we'll be safer sure."
Not wanting to waste any time getting his armour back on and escape the village before an angry mob could appear all them contacting the Demon Race.
"First I was beaten by the Seven Deadly Sins, then I was driven out of the kingdom, am I to be fed to the Demon Race next?" he groaned. "What a drastic twist that fate has given me."
Suddenly the ground began to shake and then he saw something driving through the fog, something massive.
"D-demon," he quivered.
He was then suddenly struck by a powerful gust of wind and was not to the ground.
'So this is death, so ante climatic than I thought,' he said to himself as everything went black
"Hey, five more ales!" a voice cried out within the darkness.
"Yes, sir," said a female voice.
Golgius opened his eyes and found himself in a strange room.
"It really surprised me to find this place way up in the middle of the mountains."
"Yeah, same here. I thought that I'd died and had gone to a pub in the afterlife."
"Where am I?" Golgius groaned as he took in his surroundings.
He got out of bed decided to investigate the voices downstairs.
"It's the strangest thing, three days ago there was nothing here."
"Some kind of tavern?" Golgius blinked as he poked his head round the corner.
He could see to men drinking and eating at a table.
"I know, right. Man this is great."
"Even in a world full of Demons as long as there's ale we couldn't be happier."
"Thanks for waiting," said the female voice.
Golgius eyes then widened when he saw Ruby handing a bunch of tankards to the two men.
"Hold on, that's…"
"Hey," said Ruby as he put the tankards on the table. "That's five large tankards gentleman."
