Hiccup's Point of View
The arena was still bleeding silence.
Behind me, the body was growing cold. Around me, fear hung like a fog no wind could clear. That was good. Let them feel it.
But there were other matters now.
More important things.
I turned my head toward the Nadder and the Zippleback—still standing tall, still watching every movement from the edge of the stone floor.
Loyal.
Deadly.
Mine.
"You two," I said aloud, just enough edge in my voice to catch their attention. "Back to your pens."
The reaction was immediate.
A low, unified groan from both dragons—a mental echo followed through the link.
Why? the Zippleback whined. We want to stay. We want to play.
The Nadder didn't speak, but I could feel her irritation ripple through our bond like the tremble of a blade drawn too long.
You're dismissing us now? After all we've done?
I exhaled through my nose, calm. Controlled.
It's not punishment, I told them.
Then why? the Nadder snapped.
I glanced at the villagers behind the dome. The same cowards who had watched dragons rot in cages for years. The same ones who dared to laugh as children suffered.
My blood simmered.
Because I have a plan, I replied through the link. To destroy Berk. And when the time comes...
My hand twitched at my side, and I let the words flow like oil across flame.
...your revenge will be fulfilled.
The Zippleback's dual minds hissed with interest.
The Nadder was quieter—but beneath her stillness was something electric. Anticipation.
I stepped forward, walking to the edge where they waited.
"You've both earned something else," I murmured.
The Nadder blinked at me.
I placed a hand lightly on her snout. "It's getting tiring calling you 'the battle-hungry Nadder,' don't you think?"
She blinked again, this time slower.
I smiled.
"From now on," I said aloud, "your name is Stormfly."
She made a noise halfway between a chirp and a growl—pleased. Proud.
The name felt right. A perfect match for the fury caged in grace and blue-gold scale.
I turned to the Zippleback.
"And as for you two..."
Both heads perked up at once.
I looked to Freya, who had been watching quietly from beside Luna. She stepped forward, curiosity lighting her face.
"You get to name them," I told her. "They've chosen you just as much as they chose me. So... however you like."
Her mouth parted slightly. "Really?"
I nodded once.
Through the link, I sent her a whisper of thought—Think of it this way. They might be your babysitters one day.
She groaned. "Papa..."
The Zippleback huffed, both heads leaning toward her, tails wagging.
Freya stared at them, lips pursed.
"...Barf and Belch."
A long pause.
Then both heads sneezed in unison.
The tail thumped twice against the stone.
They liked it.
My brow rose slowly. I let out a low chuckle under my breath.
"Barf and Belch," I repeated, almost in disbelief. "Figures."
Luna raised an eyebrow beside me. "That's... a choice."
"It suits them," Freya said flatly, already owning it.
And strangely—it did.
I stepped back, folding my arms. My voice deepened.
"Now go."
Stormfly turned first, reluctantly stretching her wings as she stalked toward the pen gates. She paused only once—eyes narrowing toward the village before she disappeared behind stone.
Barf and Belch turned next, both heads groaning again but obeying. One glanced at Freya.
We'll be waiting.
And then they were gone.
I stood there for a moment, arms still crossed.
Stormfly.
Barf and Belch.
Names had power.
And these flames?
They finally had names to go with their fury.
They started to make thier way towards their temporary homes until we all could be free and I had my flock.
The sound of Stormfly's tail vanishing into her pen echoed like the closing of a vault. I followed, stepping to the mechanism, fingers brushing over the iron handle.
You don't need to worry, I told them through the link as I sealed the door shut with a soft, metallic groan. You'll be free again.
Soon.
There was silence at first. Then the reply came—layered, simple, absolute.
We will be waiting, Alpha.
I let the words settle in my mind, satisfied, before turning back toward the center of the arena.
The silence was still suffocating.
Every villager watched with breath caught in their throats, clinging to the fear I had carved into them. I met their gazes one by one. They couldn't even hold it.
Pathetic.
"I'm leaving now," I said, voice like a knife across frost.
No one moved.
"No one will follow. No one will interfere."
I took a step toward the gate, letting the echo stretch.
"If you try anything," I continued, my tone darker, hungrier, "if you so much as breathe in a way I don't like..."
I smiled faintly.
"...your death will be the only thing it brings."
I turned.
Luna and Freya were already beside me, shadows at my side.
We stepped together to leave—until I stopped.
Luna tilted her head. "What is it?" she asked, softly.
I didn't answer at first.
Not aloud.
Then I turned my head, eyes drifting to the blonde who still hovered near the arena gate.
Astrid.
Something about her was wrong. Off. Different.
"I want answers," I said finally. "And I want you with me for this little... get-together."
Luna narrowed her eyes instantly, claws twitching at her sides.
I turned to Astrid.
"Follow," I said. "And don't ask questions."
She blinked once, then obeyed, silent and focused.
Luna growled under her breath. "What's the meaning of this?"
I met her glare without flinching.
"I told you—I want answers."
She took a step closer, her voice lower now. Dangerous. "From her?"
"From anyone who stood there grinning while I was tortured," I said coolly. "And now suddenly wears hate like armor."
Her expression twisted. Possessive. Violent.
I stepped into the link between us—private, warm, a current only we could feel—and let my thoughts brush against hers.
You don't need to worry.
You are my beloved.
My Queen. My Luna. My love.
You own my heart... just like I own yours.
She stilled.
The jealousy quieted.
But the edge never dulled.
Astrid began to move behind me.
Luna didn't even wait.
Her hand lashed out and gripped Astrid by the throat, claws pressing just enough to remind her who ruled this territory.
"Don't get any ideas about my beloved," she hissed, eyes glowing like embers. "You will only step where I allow you to step."
Astrid didn't struggle.
She didn't fight.
She dropped her eyes.
"I understand," she murmured. "He's yours."
Luna released her, expression unreadable.
I frowned slightly.
I didn't like the way Astrid submitted. Not because I expected resistance.
But because it felt... wrong.
False.
That wasn't the Astrid I remembered.
And yet... maybe that was the point.
Maybe she wasn't who I remembered.
Maybe she never was.
I grabbed Luna gently by the waist and pulled her forward, breaking the tension. "Come," I said.
She obeyed, walking close to my side.
Astrid followed, quieter now.
But I was watching her.
Thinking.
This wasn't over.
She had changed.
And I intended to know why.
If the girl who once spat my name now looked at me with reverence, then something inside her had either snapped...
Or awakened.
And if I had to add another body to my kill list before the war began—so be it.
But first...
She would speak.
And I would listen.
And if her answers weren't good enough?
Then not even Luna would stop me from burying another corpse beneath Berk's ashes.