The following day, Hiccup told Astrid everything he had experienced last night.

"Sounds like Snotlout's got his hands full," said Astrid. "I knew things were about to realise that with this bad."

Hiccup nodded. "His generals don't seem to be enthusiastic about lending as aid. There are going on about not forgetting past grievances."

"The dwarfs are proud people, and they most certainly do not like being used," said Astrid. "Naturally, they can't get back at the gods, but that's another matter entirely for the other mortal races. Both us and the elves have used their equipment without showing any gratitude or payment."

"You mean we've been stealing their stuff?" said Hiccup.

"A few centuries ago, and in fact, it's only now that was starting to pay them back with interest. But until then, been fully paid back, they refused to show any assistance in any regard."

"But Jurtag helped us, and he made you your new axe," Hiccup pointed out, gesturing to Stormbreaker. "And Jill's sword."

When he mentioned Jill, he instantly regretted it because Astrid's face had become dark.

"Yes, well, Jurtag understood the enemy we were facing and didn't let tradition get in the way of saving the universe," she said without looking at him.

"If only there were some way we could help Snotlout."

"You know as well as I that we have other battles on our hands," Astrid reminded him. "The Scout just reported that there is an even bigger encampment."

"How did he get so big overnight?" Hiccup groaned.

"I don't know, but judging from all the smoke, they could attack at any moment."

"And Loki was no doubt hoping I would surrender to his ultimatum," Hiccup sighed.

Astrid nodded. "I don't know why he expected you to surrender, or for the rest of us for that matter."

"Reverse psychology?"

"It's hard to know what goes on in the mind of the God of Tricks, and I'm not sure I would like to know what goes on in that of his."

"How are the preparations going?" Hiccup asked.

"We could have the strongest defence possible around the south entrance, and I have people double and triple checking everything in case the spy sabotaged as anything else."

"And has Mimir informed us, so who's going where?"

Astrid then handed him a list. "This is our list, and it looks like our group will stay together."

"As together it is without Snotlout, Ragnar or Heather," said Hiccup as he reviewed the list. "I know some of these people, and they are quite powerful from what I've heard."

Astrid nodded. "Mimir no doubt suspects that we are going to take the full brunt of the attack, so if you want the strongest, we have to face them."

"I just hope it's enough," Hiccup sighed. "There's a lot riding on this victory."

Astrid nodded. "I try not to think about it. Oh, and just so you know, Mimir says that we should all our families in case the worst happens."

Hiccup raised an eyebrow. "So we basically phone our parents telling them we might all die."

"Not exactly, but it would be nice to talk to them before the battle."

"Have you spoken to your mum?"

Astrid nodded. "Yeah, I've told everything that has been going on, except for the whole ultimate battle part. You know, before I met you, I would never have dreamed of talking to my mum, and I would have imagined just how close we are now."

"So you have no regrets?" Hiccup asked.

"What regarding my mother," she said, looking at him but quickly looking away. "And you better speak to your dad; I'm sure he's pulling his beard out worried over you."

"Does sound like dad," Hiccup agreed.

Hiccup took Astrid's advice and went to the Academy's roof, where he called his father.

"Steven Haddock, how can I help you?" said his father's booming voice.

"Hi, Dad," said Hiccup as he leaned against the railings.

"Hiccup, it's great hearing from you," his father beamed. "I was worried sick; you can recall a lot sooner. "

"Sorry, Dad, but I had a top-secret mission."

"As something to do with Loki, I assume?"

"Yeah, it didn't go quite according to plan."

"No plans ever do, son. Just remember you can't give up even if things don't go your way."

"Oh, I don't intend on giving up."

"That's my boy."

"So, how are things going between you and Violet?" Hiccup asked.

Violet was his father's girlfriend. Hiccup had more or less made his father meet her at first as his therapist, but then she became his girlfriend.

"She's doing fine," said his father. "In fact, I have something important to tell you, son."

"What's that?" Hiccup asked.

"We're going to get married."

"You're what?!" Hiccup gasped, not sure if he heard that right. "Did you just say you two are getting married?"

"That we are, son," said his father happily. "And you're going to be my best man if you choose to accept it."

"I-I would be honoured," Hiccup smiled. "When are you planning to get married?"

"Oh, sometime during the summer holidays, and you can bring that girlfriend of yours."

"Astrid is not my girlfriend," said Hiccup.

"You mean you still haven't told us how you felt?" his father laughed. "That's funny coming from the man, who kept on insisting me to tell Violet how I felt."

"No need to rub it in," Hiccup groaned. "I'll invite Astrid if it makes you happy, but she is not my girlfriend."

"You keep telling yourself that. And son, stay safe."

"Dad, I would like nothing more than to have a peaceful, normal life; it is just that fate seems to disagree with me."

"Regardless, take care, son."

His father then ended the call, and Hiccup just stood there speechless. He couldn't believe that his father was getting married, but that would only happen if they won this fight. Yet another thing to worry about.

Hiccup was silent during lunch, a fact his teammates had caught.

"Hiccup, you've been quiet for quite some time," said Fishlegs.

"Is everything all right with your dad?" Astrid asked.

"Oh, everything is fine. It's better than fine," said Hiccup awkwardly.

"Did something happen?" Jill asked.

"It's just that my dad is going to get married," he said, smiling.

"What?!" everyone gasped.

Jill squealed with delight. "That's amazing, Hiccup."

"Yeah, it is, and he wants me to be his best man," Hiccup added.

"That's quite the honour," said Fishlegs.

"It is, but it's only going to happen if we survive this," Hiccup reminded them.

That immediately spoiled the mood, and everyone looked back at their food; now they themselves had lost their appetite.

"Did you really have to ruin the moment?" Tuffnut asked.

"Yeah, we were actually enjoying ourselves," Ruffnut agreed.

"Sorry, it's just not only do I have to worry about the end of the world, but if we fail, my father's wedding is going to be ruined, and I don't know which is worse."

"So you're fine with the world ending, but you're terrified that your father's wedding is not going to happen," said Astrid, looking at him strangely. "You have some seriously strange priorities."

"I know, I know," said Hiccup. "It's just that dad getting married put everything in perspective."

Astrid then placed her hand over his and gave him a gentle smile. "We're going to win this, and your father is definitely going to get married."

Hiccup smiled back. "Thanks, Astrid; I don't know what I would do without you."

"I sometimes ask myself the same question."

"Get a room, you two," said Tuffnut, looking as if he was about to throw up.

"Or at least kiss," Jill smirked.

Hiccup saw Astrid's face turning bright pink and could feel that his face was doing the same thing. They immediately pulled away from one another, equally embarrassed.

"S-So, do you know when your father is getting married?" Astrid asked.

"Yeah, he plans to do it during the summer when I'm home," Hiccup nodded. "He also asked me to invite you."

Astrid's face turned even pinker. "H-He did?"

"He kinda insisted on it."

"W-Well, that's nice."

"So, Snotlout is in a lot more trouble than we assumed," said Fishlegs, quickly changing the subject.

"What? Oh, yes, but from what I saw, his generals don't want to help us," said Hiccup. "In fact, the rebels are attacking him because he wants to help us."

"Looks like Snotlout's reign as king is going to be rather short," said Tuffnut.

"How can the dwarfs be so stubborn? Surely they know that they can't allow Loki to run amok," said Jill.

"I think it's more the principles in the way," Hiccup sighed. "They don't want to help anyone who betrayed them in the past."

"But we never betrayed them," said Ruffnut, frowning.

"Actually, dwarfs believe that the parents' sins are passed down to their children," said Fishlegs.

"You mean they blaming us for something our ancestors did centuries ago," Tuffnut stared.

"I know doesn't seem fair, does it," Hiccup sighed. "I'm starting to understand why Mimir sent Gobber instead of any of us."

"Because he was born before these grievances happened, so he's totally blameless," Astrid nodded.

"Plus is a skilled blacksmith and a warrior, both things that the dwarfs respect," Fishlegs added.

"Still seems like a long shot, though," said Ruffnut.

Astrid then looked at Hiccup. "Has there been any word from the encampment?"

Hiccup shook his head. "No, there's been no movement, but the camp is getting bigger. Also, considering that Loki's forces gain more strength at night, they will likely attack after the sun sets."

"At least we're not dealing with an endless army of undead soldiers," said Ruffnut positively.

"True, but orcs are quite dangerous in their own right, not to mention dark elf terrorists," Hiccup added.

"What about the jotun?" Fishlegs asked.

"We've only seen a small amount of them, and they're relatively small in size," said Hiccup. "I'm guessing Thor has managed to repel a good number of them, but if you snap through."

"Let's not forget that Utgard-Loki wants to do everything he can to prevent Ragnarok," Astrid reminded them.

Utgard-Loki was the king of the mountain giants; they encountered him on their first quest, and he was of some help. On the other hand, he did challenge them to a number of humiliating contests, which they barely survived.

"And Surt is sitting out of this," Jill added.

"True, but that might change if they see us losing," said Hiccup.

"What are our chances of winning?" Fishlegs asked, looking at him.

Hiccup was pretty certain that their odds were very low, but he didn't want to share that information with Fishlegs.

"I don't know," said Hiccup.

"Then we'll simply have to do our best and hope it's enough," said Astrid.

"Is that supposed to boost our confidence or something?" Ruffnut asked.

"No, Astrid, right," said Hiccup. "Doing our best is the only thing we can do, as well as hope that our friends are successful in getting those reinforcements."

"You're saying we should put our faith in Snotlout?" said Tuffnut dubiously.

"There's still Ragnar and Heather," Fishlegs pointed out. "They might have a much easier time getting us the reinforcements we need. We need to hold out."

"Yeah, how long do you think we can do that?" Tuffnut asked. "It's like we have unlimited supplies."

"Which is why Mimir will be starting rationing tomorrow," said Hiccup. "So everyone had better eat up because this may be the last time we get to fill our bellies."

"This hurts more depressing by the moment," Ruffnut sighed. "As if things couldn't get worse."

Then suddenly, the entire place shook violently, and they heard alarm bells ringing.

Hiccup narrowed his eyes at Ruffnut. "You had to say it?"