As the battle continues, Alrek's forces start to dwindle more and more whilst my group has no losses. The battle is turned in our favour, something that spurs each of us forwards. I spin Nightstar around and zip through five demons at once with my sword held in front of me like lance, wincing as the putrid smoke wafts around my face.

I hear cruel laughter echoing from the ground and I look towards the source. I stop Nightstar as my eyes go wide, my heart pounding faster and faster.

Hiccup stands with his dragon blade raised, facing Alrek on the ground in the wide opening at the base of Berk. It's the same spot where Toothless took down the Bewilderbeast so many years ago, only giving me a flashback of his last brush with death.

The old man's words come back to me.

Although your friends now have the power to defeat the dragons, they are not strong enough to defeat him. You are the last of the line of slayers and it can only be you.

Hiccup advances on Alrek, slashing and fighting with determination. The red-haired Viking evades every sweep of the flaming blade, a wide smirk on his face. He's agile and swift, unlike the Berkian style of fighting which utilizes brute force over cunning.

Alrek dodges another swing, almost twirling on his foot as he crashes the hilt of his sword into my fiancé's head, making his legs go weak. He grunts in pain as he crumples to the ground, his forehead starting to bleed.

I land Nightstar and leap off her back, sword gripped tightly in my hand. She takes off into the air to kill more of the demons as I race towards the duelling pair.

Alrek raises his sword, staring down at Hiccup with an evil glint in his eyes.

"Any last words?" he asks.

Hiccup says nothing, his stare unwavering. Alrek swings his sword, the blade flashing, and I leap between him and my friend. The sword slashes across my gut, causing a white hot pain to arc through my body. I groan, stumbling back but not falling.

"Th-Thora?" Hiccup stammers.

I clutch the heavily bleeding wound with one hand, raising my sword in the other. My chest heaves as I stare up at Alrek, my teeth gritted and my eyes fiery with rage. My braid has long since fallen apart and the wind whips my auburn locks around my face.

Alrek cackles, his scarred face mocking my every move. "Always the brave one," he murmurs. "Now why don't you do what you do best and run away?"

"You're a coward, Alrek. That's all you are," I hiss, trying my best to let his words pass over me.

He growls. "Your existence is a mockery of me."

I roar and lunge forwards, slashing my sword towards him as my fierce battle cry rings out across the empty village. His face falters with shock as he leaps back, blocking my blade with his own. I keep going, my energy renewed and my strength coming in giant waves, crashing over me.

Our battle is a dance. We're both light and quick on our feet, intelligent and aware of the other's every move. Narrow dodges and swift blocks occur more often than actual blows, and when those do happen our armour deflects the hits. We're evenly matched in almost every aspect.

I have to do something unpredictable if I'm going to get the upper hand. My mind clicks on an idea in a split second. He swings his sword at my head and I duck, swinging my leg out and catching his legs. He's knocked off balance for just a second, meaning I have to react just as swiftly as I pop back up to full height.

With a quick flick of my wrist, his sword clatters to the ground. In another swift movement, I knock him to the ground and aim my sword at his throat. I breathe heavily, beginning to feel dizzy from blood loss.

Alrek chuckles, the sound dark and menacing as he stares up at me. My foot holds him to the ground, his death is imminent, and yet he doesn't look scared.

"You don't have the guts," he sneers.

I lift my sword, looking at the shining blade. I shake my head and my voice comes out, quiet and deadly. "I hope you burn in Helheim."

I spin and plunge the sword into his chest, and at long last my enemy breathes his last. As he does, all the demons disappear into clouds of smoke, the source of their power absent and their purpose scattered. My friends look around in confusion at the sudden disappearance. I hear Skullcrusher roar in surprise as Eret pumps his fist in the air.

"Did we win?" Snotlout asks.

A few joyful shouts sound from the air, but I say nothing. There's a ringing in my ears and I can hear my heart beating inside my head as I sink to my knees, my forehead resting against the hilt of my sword. My head pounds, my hands slipping from the grip on my weapon as I slump over.

I hit the ground, my breaths starting to come out more laboured as the pain in my torso starts to spread. I'm faintly aware of people calling my name, but I can't bring myself to respond as my hands rest over my torso.

Hiccup appears above me, his eyes wide as he pulls me up into his arms. I groan at the movement as I bring my hands away from my wound, the crimson liquid staining my hands and clothes. There's far too much blood. I know what it means, and Hiccup notices this too.

"No...no," he mumbles. He holds me closer as he looks at some place I can't make out. "Someone get the doctor! Hurry!"

"H-Hiccup..." I whisper.

"Yes? What is it?" he asks, his tone wavering.

"Don't try to s-save me," I say, feeling oddly calm.

"What? Thora, I have to try. Just hold on. They're getting Fiske. He'll patch you up and you'll be fine," he rambles, tears starting to brim in his eyes.

I smile, the look weak and pitiful. "Why're you wasting tears on m-me?"

His expression is incredulous behind his sorrow. "You're dying! What else am I supposed...supposed..."

I take in a shaky breath as some of his tears fall on my dirty face. "The old m-man was right. Love is m-my downfall."

"What are you talking about?" he asks, his voice still choked.

"I was k-keeping more secrets, Hiccup. I'm s-sorry," I breathe.

His face floods with an unreadable emotion, his tears leaving tracks along his freckled cheeks. "Secrets? What...Thora—" He coughs in a vain attempt to clear his throat. He pulls me closer to his chest, his arms trembling. "You shouldn't have interfered!" he nearly shouts, although it comes out weak and raspy.

I don't dare close my eyes, wanting to keep watching him for as long as I can. "At least...I s-saved you."

He looks down, his lip trembling as he brushes a loose curl from my eyes, his fingers quivering with every movement. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have gone after him. I was trying to prevent this."

"Prophecy is p-prophecy...it can't be...a-avoided..." I whisper, finding it harder and harder to breathe.

I wince, a pained noise leaving me as I feel a wave of strength leave me. His panic seems to worsen as he hugs me closer to him, his cheek against my hair and his mouth just brushing my forehead. It's as if holding me tighter will keep me from leaving.

"Don't go," he orders, although his tone is more pleading. "Just try to hold on for a little longer."

I reach my hand up to his neck, a movement that makes him move to look at me. I manage the weakest of smiles as I trail my fingers along his jaw. He sniffs and grasps my hand, holding it against his cheek and shutting his tear-soaked eyes briefly. There's still a streak of blood trickling down from his bangs and down the side of his face, and I wish desperately that I had the strength to wipe it away.

"Don't worry...I'm r-rejoining my...f-family," I say, my hands starting to shake as his features go in and out of focus.

He squeezes my hand, his eyes snapping open as his lips part. "Thora, I have to tell you—"

"Take care...of our F-Furies. P-Promise me..." I interrupt, feeling my body growing colder as I shiver. "...Hiccup Horrendous Haddock...the Third."

A strained laugh fights through his tears. "I will. I...I always will."

"Thank y-you..."

He rests his forehead against mine, his heartbeat beneath my ear and his soft cries assaulting my ears. My hand falls to my stomach, my eyes looking up towards the sky. The heavens seem to open and I feel like I can see the gates of Valhalla. I don't fear death; I fear what waits on the other side.

I meet his eyes for the last time, the green colour of them the last thing I can focus on as the edges of my vision start to blur even more than before. My nose brushes his as my eyes finally close.

"Farewell..."