After the battle, everyone could stand and move and immediately rushed everyone injured to the infirmary. Alas, not everyone made it, even with Gothi's skill at healing and Ragnar's assistance.
"How many did we lose?" Hiccup asked.
"About 30," said Ragnar solemnly.
"And there's only about 200 students in the Academy," said Astrid.
"The casualties would have been much higher if the elves hadn't come to our rescue," said Hiccup.
"I just wish we got here sooner," said Ragnar regretfully.
"We can mourn our dead once this is all over," said Mimir as Viggo carried him towards them.
"In all honesty, the enemy suffered greater losses than we did, and they lost one of their commanders," said Viggo. "Additionally, we now have the support of the elves, small as it may be."
"Both Queen Briar and my father are still trying to push aid," said Ragnar. "We were just lucky to have this number of volunteers to accompany us."
"We can't count on luck again," said Mimir. "The arrival of the elves was indeed a surprise, but Loki knows that even a hundred elves are not enough to turn the tide, not when his army is still very large."
"What is the situation with the other gates?" Hiccup asked.
"A few orcs did manage to circle around and attack both the East and West gates, and there were casualties, but nowhere near the number you're forces lost," said Viggo.
"I doubt Loki is going to launch another attack tonight; he'll until tomorrow," said Mimir. "We need to use that time to refortify our defences because the next attack might be even bigger."
"I'll continue helping Gothi with the injured; with luck, we should be able to get a few of them back onto their feet," said Ragnar, returning to the infirmary.
"Heather is keeping a lookout; she'll inform us if there's another attack tonight," said Astrid. "In the meantime, I'll check our supplies."
"And I'll go and oversee our defences," said Hiccup.
Hiccup was just about to leave, but Viggo stopped him. "No, the only thing you're going to do is get some sleep."
"What?" Hiccup stared. "You can't be serious?"
"We need you at your best. You fought gallantly tonight, but you also exhausted yourself. An army is only as good as its leader, and we must ensure you're in the best possible shape for another attack."
"I agree with Viggo. You need your rest, and you can consider that an order," said Mimir.
Hiccup knew better to do than to argue and made his way to the dorm. Even though he wouldn't admit it, he knew they were right; that last battle did exhaust him quite a bit.
When he entered the dorm, he yawned, now realising just how tired he was.
"Why don't you look exhausted," said a sweet voice.
Hiccup looked around and saw a beautiful woman with long blonde hair in a long blue dress sitting on the couch reading a stylish hair magazine.
"W-What?" Hiccup stared.
The women giggled. "Aren't you sweet? I can see why my stepdaughter is so fascinated by you."
"Your stepdaughter?" Hiccup frowned. "You mean Astrid?"
"Well, I do have a number of stepdaughters, but only one of them is a close friend of yours," she said without looking up from her magazine.
Hiccup suddenly realised who he was speaking to. "Wait, you're Sif? Thor's wife?"
"Yep, his trophy wife," she nodded. "And you are most certainly Frigg's son; only she would have such brainy children."
"Thanks, I think," Hiccup frowned. "But, uh, what are you doing here?"
"Why am I here for you," she said.
"Uh, why?"
"Think of me as your councillor. I understand that you had a rough few days, and Lord Odin believes that maybe you wish for some form of counselling."
"That's very nice of him, but I'm perfectly fine."
"There's no need to put such a brave face, my dear," she said as she turned the magazine page. "You have indeed been through a lot, and I understand that you haven't really talked through your problems with anyone."
"I talk to my friends, and Mimir offers me some advice," said Hiccup.
"Ah, but are you truly honest with your friends? And Mimir, while is an excellent adviser, he's not such a good counsellor, especially in times of war."
"And you are?" Hiccup asked, sounding a little dubious.
Sif finally looked up from her magazine, looking a little miffed. "I assure you I am more than perfectly qualified to be your councillor. I have to all have to counsel my husband; believe me, he has a lot of personal issues."
Hiccup could barely picture Thor lying on a sofa bed and was suddenly glad he couldn't.
"Okay, but why me? Surely there are other demigods with issues?" said Hiccup. "I mean, there's Astrid, and Ragnar has quite a few latent issues."
"Oh, I did Ragnar a very long time ago," she said. "As for my dear stepdaughter, she is tough as nails, though the problem with her now is not in the head but rather in the heart."
"You mean me and Astrid," Hiccup sighed.
"To be honest, I'm surprised you haven't kissed; I mean, the two of you are made for each other."
"But we're completely different?"
"As me are my husband," Sif reminded him. "I am a gentle lady, while my husband is a full-blown warrior. I believe you mortals have a say in this: opposites attract."
"Am I really going to get romantic advice from my crush's stepmother?" Hiccup asked. "And I admit I'm rather surprised that you seem to like her."
"Because my husband had a child outside of wedlock while he had a beautiful wife already?" Sif asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Uh, yes."
"My dear, we're immortals. Life gets very boring when you're thousands of years old; you mortals don't realise just how lucky you are. Unlike certain gods, we Norse Gods do not mind if our spouses gain someone else's interest. Besides, I haven't been particularly fatal to my husband; I did have a godly child outside of wedlock myself."
"Do I really need to know the details?" Hiccup asked.
Sif chuckled. "Apologies, but you are right. This is about you, not me. So would you say that we get started on your therapy?"
"Hang on," said Hiccup quickly. "Perhaps you can explain why the All-Father sent me a therapist instead of sending godly reinforcements to battle against Loki."
Sif's face immediately darkened. "Believe me, I would like nothing more than to strangle Loki after what he did with my hair."
"Your hair?" Hiccup frowned, and then he remembered the legend of Sif. "Oh, right. Loki shaved it off, didn't he?"
"That he did," she said furiously. "My husband was so furious he threatened to throttle him if he did not do something to remedy my distress. Loki managed to get a pair of dwarves to create the golden hair I wear now. However, as much as I like this new hair, I am still rather furious that he cut it off in the first place."
"So, any reason why the gods aren't fighting with us?" Hiccup asked.
"My husband is unable to leave Jotenheim as he is busy trying to fend off a giant invasion," Sif explained.
"Wait, giant trying to attack Midgard?" said Hiccup shocked.
"Only the Frost Giants, thankfully, but they are more than enough to keep my husband occupied, so he cannot assist in this fight. After Loki's escape, Odin and Heimdal are more focused on watching the Nine Realms in case this is another diversion. I believe the last thing we want is the freedom of Garm or Fenris."
"Okay, but what about the other gods?" Hiccup asked.
Sif looked at him, surprised. "Mimir hasn't told you, has he?"
"Told me what?" Hiccup asked.
"The war is fighting on all fronts, not just here in Midgard," said Sif, putting the magazine down. "All across the Nine Realms, evil forces are spread out, calling chaos; the Aesir and Vanir are doing everything they can to ensure this does not spill into Midgard. That is the main reason why we have not been able to offer any assistance in terms of warfare."
Hiccup sat down on his bed. "You're not saying that Ragnarok has already started?"
"Oh no, it's not that serious," Sif assured him. "Though the destruction of the Academy could send shockwaves throughout the entire Nine Realms, and that could very well start Ragnarok."
"As if I didn't have enough pressure," Hiccup groaned.
"Which is no doubt the reason why Mimir didn't inform any of you of this."
Hiccup glared at her; he couldn't believe this had come across her mind until now.
"It would seem like I have my work cut out," Sif sighed. "Now lie down on the bed, do you, and we can begin."
Hiccup chose to comply now that this massive bombshell was landing on him. He wasn't particularly confident in Sif's council skills, given that she let slip that the entire fate of the Nine Realms rested on his shoulders.
"Now I assume that you feel anxious," she said as if it wasn't blatantly obvious.
"You could say that," said Hiccup dryly.
"So, what exactly is bothering you?" Sif asked as she sat down next to him.
Hiccup stared at her. "How the weight of the entire universe on my shoulders and everyone I love could die any day now."
"I completely understand that you feel as if it is up to you to determine the fate of every single person, but to be honest, you're merely a cog in the massive machine of life. An important cog, let's be honest, but you are not the only cog in the grand scheme of things."
"I know everyone has their part to play, the other commanders, Astrid, Ragnar and even Snotlout, but everyone looks to me. I am possibly the most experienced demigod in the Academy. I have led a number of missions stalling Loki's attempts to start Ragnarok, but I'm starting to question whether I truly made a difference."
"You have made a difference," said Sif softly. "You have changed the lives of everyone in the Academy and that of your friends. My stepdaughter Astrid was a lone wolf who had troubles with her mother, but thanks to you, she now realises that she doesn't do everything alone and is reaching out to her mother. Ragnar more or less mistrusted everyone around him, but now he's starting to warm up to everyone. And then, of course, there is Jill."
Hiccup looked up and frowned. "What about Jill?"
"I'm afraid I cannot share my meetings with Jill, doctor-patient confidentiality, you understand. However, she has had quite a rough past, but thanks to you, she is starting to cheer up."
Hiccup frowned upon hearing this; he always found Jill to be rather cheerful. It was difficult to imagine that she ever suffered in her life; on the other hand, she never really asked about her life before she came to the Academy.
"Now, regarding my stepdaughter," said Sif. "You have not yet told her exactly how you feel?"
Hiccup felt his face turning pink. "I told how important she is to me."
"How important she is as comrades in arms, not as someone you love. I can also tell that she also has feelings for you, but she cannot express them. I'm afraid you have to be the one to make the first move."
"But we don't know how things are going to end," said Hiccup. "And the last thing we need is to be distracted, especially with the faith in the universe on our shoulders."
"That is your decision, but I believe you'll both get stronger if you confess your feelings."
"I'll try," said Hiccup.
"Good, now I believe that is the end of our session," said Sif as he rose to her feet. "I suggest you think about what we have discussed and don't worry about what tomorrow may bring. Instead, focus on the here and now and live your life to the fullest."
Suddenly, she vanished into thin air, leaving Hiccup alone to contemplate what she said.