A few hours after leaving the Edge, Toothless eventually felt more up to chatting with his mate and Elin. He had been rather quiet, mostly ruminating in his thoughts of leaving Hiccup behind. He really didn't know how to feel, at least not in his current state of mind.

Myrai? He called to his mate, using her dragon name, now that they were away. She twisted her neck to him while still keeping an eye on their daughter who was flying closer to Elin.

Hm?

How… how did you get used to being away from home for the first time? Like realizing that you wouldn't be back to live there anymore? She frowned, understanding the context of his question.

It wasn't… easy. She admitted, it was my first time being around humans within a village… there was so much to get used to. But I had a support system early on, so that helped make the transition easier.

Mm…

I know it's scary, but I trust Elin to help us. Blueheart attempted.

I don't know if it's about not trusting anyone… well, maybe with the other humans out there. Just… being away from Hiccup.

Is it about the tail? He flapped his wings.

I don't know… I can't really… I can't figure out my thoughts right now. He softly admitted. Blueheart's own gaze softened seeing her mate at war with himself.

Hey, it's okay. We don't have to have everything figured out. I know that's easier said than done, but we have to trust our instincts.

While he did agree with her, he still found himself lost in thought. It was just unbelievable, being the Alpha, he never thought too hard about his concerns, as he usually knew what to do. And plus, he and Hiccup essentially dual-ruled Berk together, the Vikings and dragons respectively. It had been Vikings and dragons for years now, and it was all he knew as an Alpha, but now he was heading into uncharted territory with leading dragons without his favorite human by his side. Sure, he and Blueheart would be together still, but there were just too many doubts clouding his mind.

Perhaps Blueheart would be better suited for this? After all, her father was an Alpha… but she had shared essentially the same amount of time he did with humans herself. So in that case, their main guide would be Elin. Helping them navigate dragon politics, as such a thing existed just like human politics. And in many ways, they were similar, sharing some of the same values, such as the love of family and strength in numbers.

In spite of all his thoughts in a tailspin, he did his best to focus on their journey to the Hidden World. Together, the group of Furies flew through towering cumulonimbus clouds, soaring above the pillars of clouds that seemed never-ending.

Blueheart had taken notice of her mate's apparent disassociation, seemingly lost in his own thoughts even as she circled around him. She did worry for him, with the understanding that most of his worry was focused on Hiccup and how the young Viking would cope without his beloved Night Fury by his side; and of course, she had the same worry for Zyrah as well.

No, now was not the time to be getting lost in what-ifs.

She roared to her mate, breaking him out of his endless thoughts, and taunted him into a race through the clouds, knowing he would never turn the offer down. And just as she expected, a grin crossed his face, and he agreed. With their daughter remaining by Elin's side, Toothless excitedly challenged his mate, racing ahead of her, knowing she would be hot on his tail.

Staying close nearby with the baby Night Fury flying just above her, Elin marveled at the sight of the Night Fury pair racing and challenging each other through the nearly endless maze of towering pillars and arches, the clouds glowing from a growing storm.

All her life, Elin had grown up hearing stories of Night Furies from her elders, with stories having been passed down from generations of Light Furies occupying the world under the sea. She knew the legendary origin of both species and how connected they once were. And from the moment she saw the small family in the forest on Berk, she couldn't deny her utter fascination.

And so, a glimmer of thought occurred… a motivating one. And perhaps Blueheart would agree.

She did not have time to call the female Night Fury over, as she became distracted with the young hatchling catching her attention.

A mighty storm had gathered over the sea, with dark clouds towering over the quartet, flashes of lightning surrounding them, echoing through the sky, but neither of the Furies expressed concern, not even the youngest, after all, her pseudo "uncle" was a Skrill; the one dragon who had harnessed the true power of Thor himself.

With a small grin, Elin shot a fireball up ahead, hoping to entertain the hatchling, and it seemed the hatchling was just as eager, as she flew right through it.

Nightfire practically lit up at the sight of the Light Fury blasting a fireball her way, as she knew what happened to the white dragon's scales when she went through it, so… what would happen if she did? Taking the opportunity, she zoomed through it but did not achieve the results she hoped for. She didn't turn invisible.

Her father just below stifled a chuckle at the sight.

Elin, how do you do that? He called out.

Oh! It's my scales, they heat up when I fly through my fire, and become reflective! It's how we Light Furies stay hidden even during the day.

Hey, you still stay hidden even at night.

Ah, but you all are the masters of the night, at least that's what my father used to say.

If you don't mind me asking… are you sure the other Light Furies will be as accepting of us as you are with us encroaching on their territory? Us Night Furies have been in hiding for so long from humans, and we value any bit of territory we can to protect our families.

Of course, I understand. To be truthful, I don't know how far some are willing to accept… but we all know the connection we share. Respect from a distance, we like to say. Elin flicked an ear as she thought more about it. The Hidden World, as the humans called it, was filled with dragons of all types and classes. But with that said, there were different territories and dedicated spaces for different species, especially during mating season. Things could get chaotic. But overall, the respect was mutual, and over the centuries, the different species had grown to refer to themselves as clans, each with a designated clan leader.

But… it had been a long time since the clans were collectively ruled and protected by one leader… one Alpha. And with Toothless and Blueheart the Alpha pair of Berk's flock… there would likely be a long period of voting amongst the clan leaders. But who was she to say? She had kept to her own kind, only interacting with other dragons if necessary, until she decided to leave the Hidden World.

Elin's mention of the shared history between Night and Light Furies got Blueheart's attention.

You… you know the story? The two females stared at each other.

Sorry, what story? Toothless interrupted.

It's the story of how Night and Light Furies came to be… eons ago. Blueheart explained, you didn't know? Toothless shook his head.

No… I don't. Blueheart sighed, she felt that now was not the best time…

I will tell you and Virva the story together… when the time is right. But not now. Toothless's face fell briefly, but as he had learned, his mate had her reasons.

Tensing the disappointment, Elin shifted the mood, challenging the family to fly through the continuing storm with her and to challenge the hatchling, to make her strong. And so, in somehow perfect sync, that is exactly what they did. Their previous inner turmoils forgotten as they soared through, up, and around the towering pillars of dark, rain-filled clouds as lightning flashed around them.

Blueheart and Toothless fell into their own synchronicity, flying together as a mated pair, circling each other, and as always, Blueheart challenging him to chase her; a favorite game of hers. In a perfect corkscrew, they broke past the thick covering of clouds, revealing the star-studded sky, and the brilliantly colored ribbons of the Northern Lights guiding their way.

Somehow… some way, the stars had been a guiding light. Toothless felt that his meeting Blueheart was meant by the Norns, written in the stars, as corny as it sounded… but he also believed that to be why he and Hiccup met. Their entwined destinies were as sure as fate itself.

Soaring over the endless clouds below, Toothless felt a tug at his heart, deep within his chest, and followed the feeling, Blueheart right next to him, having felt the same tug herself. If she trusted whatever this feeling was, then he knew he could.

The tug at his heart grew stronger, growing into that of a call deep inside, a call from somewhere. He craned his neck up to the stars above, feeling a comforting presence that he was doing the right thing. And he wanted to believe it was his parents guiding him the right way, to something that would ensure the safety of not just his flock… but his family.

And it was a distant, watery roar that drew him in like a siren. The clouds broke, and overhead, the Northern Lights faded into a point like a compass on a map and vanished as their gaze set upon a great caldera below them; the roar of the great waterfall beckoning them to come. It was Elin calling to them as her white figure dove past the surf into the depths below, and so… down they went, eager to greet the new world that they were promised.