Ascendant

CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX: THE LION

(track: "King Arthur: The Coronation" by Daniel Pemberton)

Faelan was the first to climb atop the rooftop nearby and see the horizon, watching what was coming just as the sun broke through the thick clouds and shone beams through the smoke.

"By Odin's beard," Arne said when he got up behind him.

An army of dragon riding warriors waving banners of different northern tribes flew as a cluster towards the island, led by a familiar face waving the Berkian flag on his Hotburple dragon.

"Hey lads I think Gobber's back!" Faelan said to his companions below him and they exchanged looks before running to the rooftop to join them.

When Mora saw this he was enraged and no longer playing around, taking his blade and turning to kill the stupid Night Fury himself. But that's when Astrid landed there, jumping off Barf and Belch as Tuffnut remained on the saddle, the dragon roaring at him like a giant snake's hiss.

Astrid held her sword before her, a glare on her face as she stood between him and Toothless.

He snarled and nearly growled before picking up his weapon and charging straight for her.

Muiredach, Melody, Runa, and Eino ran to the edge of the wall they were on and their eyes widened at the sight of the army headed their way, hope returning to their souls as Runa's lips stretched into a smile of disbelief, the sounds of thousands of battle cries heard from even this great distance.

Yrsa and Kahu looked around them as the undead enemies that were closing in stop and immediately begin running in another direction, the dragons roaring and flying towards the arena.

They exchanged a look.

Moira and the crew noticed this as well and Uriah looked at his love. "Hiccup and Astrid," she pointed out.

He whistled for Ikatere and they scrambled to mount their dragons.

Astrid and Mora exchanged attacks and blocks as she used her finesse to her advantage against his height and sloppier fighting now that he was so angry.

Barf shot his gas everywhere, enveloping them in smoke and making it impossible for the Deathgripper to intervene as Tuffnut got off his saddle and tumble rolled into the brawl, pulling out his broken halberd and swinging it for Mora's head.

(track: "End Credits" by Junkie XL)

He ducked back and caught Astrid's sword with his khopesh, yanking her weapon down and catching Tuffnut's next strike with his hand on his weapon, kicking him back and blocking Astrid's next strike immediately.