I groan as I awaken, struggling off the cold floor of the prison cell. The light from outside is slightly brighter than that of the night, showing me that it's morning. I push myself up and slump against the wall, looking down to see that I fell asleep with my necklace clutched tightly in my hand. I sigh and lift the broken chain, slipping it around my neck and tying it in the best knot I can. I have to wear it.

Footsteps sound from the stairs, but I don't look up. The pounding feet get closer and closer until they cease for a moment, only for the harsh metal of the cell door to creak open. Two sets of beefy hands grasp my arms, underneath my armpits, and jerk me to my feet before dragging me unceremoniously up the stairs. I remain limp and submissive, silent.

The sky is overcast outside, as usual, when the guards drag me outside. I look through the curtain of hair covering my face, noting that Vikings have started to trickle over to this general area and form a crowd. No one looks even remotely content, their faces gaunt with misery.

The guards bring me to a tall wooden post, setting me in front of it before forcing me to my knees. I wince as they yank my arms behind my back and chain my wrists in place, tugging on the metal links to check for breaks before marching back to their spots. I see Eret standing next to Alrek, but he refuses to meet my eyes. Demon dragons are staggered everywhere, keeping the crowd in place or watching Alrek, but no matter what they're doing I get the creeps from seeing them. They're so unnatural.

Alrek waits for the crowd to become larger before he saunters forwards, unleashing my father's sword from the sheathe on his belt and lifting the shimmering weapon to the sky. Fear shoots through me and I shut my eyes momentarily. You would think that death doesn't scare me anymore, yet the idea of being on the receiving end of that blade again still makes me cringe.

"Vikings of Berk!" Alrek hollers to the crowd, making their murmurs fall silent. He points one accusing finger at me. "This is a madwoman. She has infiltrated your village, stolen your belongings, and plotted against you and your families. She attempted to destroy our way of life."

I keep my mouth clamped shut. Just like him to add false accusations onto a sentence. Alrek gives Eret a pointed look.

Some Vikings mutter disapprovingly to themselves and a few cry out in fear. Some people look genuinely appalled by their leader's words, believing his lies, while others look too scared by him to argue. Eret shifts in place and casts me a quick look.

"The sentence for her crimes is death," Eret announces, his voice quivering just enough for me to catch.

I look towards the horizon, searching for any sign from the gods. I almost wish they would just tell me that I've failed, that they would come and take me back to Valhalla now. Somehow, I think their way of soul retrieval would be a lot less painful than getting cut down by Alrek, tied to a post like an animal for slaughter.

Instead of a godly figure, I see a sleek black shape on a faraway peak, one that I recognize as a Night Fury even from this distance. She's come to see me die. I almost smile, glad that I've been able to see her one last time.

"I shall deal the final blow," Alrek announces, a grin curling across his aging face.

He takes a step towards me, sweeping his cape. I keep myself from visibly flinching, my heart starting to race so fast that I feel it may fly out of my chest. Before the red-haired Viking can take another step, Eret reaches out and grasps his shoulder.

"My lord, this isn't right," he utters, his voice loud enough for both Alrek and I to hear.

"She plotted to kill me, Eret," Alrek retorts, a menacing look in his eyes. "Get back in line with your men or there'll be a lot more than just her corpse to clean up." Eret doesn't budge, giving a defiant look that makes Alrek's mouth twist into a sneer. "My demons will find your friends easily, captain. Don't test me."

Eret falters at that, casting me a mere hint of a glance. I shake my head minimally, just enough to make the loose curls in my hair quiver. The once dragon trapper steps back into submission, making Alrek smirk. The chieftain turns to me, sword glinting as he moves closer. Somewhere above us, drums start beating, matching with the pace of my fearful heart.

I refuse to close my eyes. I have to stare death in the face. If I am to die here, I will die with courage. No coward will be accepted into Valhalla, and I'd rather not take my chances with the gods.

Alrek grins at me, revelling in my pitiful state, and raises the sword. I take one last breath and prepare, my hair falling in my eyes and obscuring my vision for a moment.

"WAIT!"

Alrek halts, his cold eyes snapping with fury. Eret puts himself between Alrek and I, jaw clenched and arms spread behind him as if their muscle is a protective cage for my body. I lift my head, openly gaping at him. The crowd at the base of the small hill breaks into murmurs at the action.

"Alrek, we have to—"

"You dare interrupt me a second time?" Alrek booms, making Eret flinch. "This execution—"

"Is not proper," Eret interrupts, his almost golden eyes darting to the crowd and gauging their reaction before settling on his master. "You did not give her a fair trial. We can't kill someone just for accusations. We need proof."

Alrek laughs. "What do you think this is? You told me yourself that she was plotting to kill me. You heard it from the lips of her and her constituents! Now you expect me to put her on..." Another harsh laugh rattles his frame, making the crowd fall silent as it rings in the air. "To put her on trial?"

Eret swallows, lowering his head just a little bit. "Yes...sir."

Alrek bursts into even more crowing laughter, and his distraction gives me a chance. I can't stay silent any longer.

"What are you doing?" I hiss through gritted teeth, directing my question to the man shielding me.

"You deserve justice, Thora. You can't die in a home that isn't your own," Eret responds, a whisper sent only to my ears. He glances over his shoulder to look at me, a small smile on his face. "You have to get home."

"Enough!" Alrek roars, his laughter cutting off as his voice echoes through the entire village. "I have had enough of these games! If it's a trial you want...fine." He shakes his head in disbelief. I see Eret's shoulders relax. "But the gods shall give it to both of you."

There's not enough time to react or even shout a warning. Alrek swings, his blade slicing across Eret's chest and opening a gash that seals his fate in an instant. The man gasps, his legs trembling for a second as he reels in shock from the sudden pain. He stumbles, coughs up blood, and collapses to his knees. The crowd lets out shrieks of surprise, breaking me from my moment of shock as Eret's body hits the ground.

"ERET!" I cry, my necklace tingling against my neck as it becomes warmer.

My chains shatter rather abruptly and I scramble forwards, crawling on my hands and knees to the body of my fallen friend. I grasp his shoulders and roll him onto his back, a groan leaving him as his eyelids flutter. I pull his head onto my lap, cupping one hand against his cheek as the other flits to his chest and stomach.

"Eret, hey...Eret!" I say, my tone wrought with a sort of panic. "Eret, come on, hold on. Stay with me."

He coughs, more blood reddening his teeth as a trickle runs down his wide jaw. He blinks a few times, his eyes already clouding over with the coming of death. I look up at the spectating crowd, finding that their attention is fixated upon us.

I see Astrid pushing through the front of the group, her blue eyes wide with confusion as the rest of her friends make their way through the group. We make eye contact, my face grim. She gasps and claps a hand over her mouth, taking a weak step back. Tuffnut rests a hand on her shoulder, unsure of what to say.

Eret's hand moves to rest on my own, his breaths coming out slower and slower as the ugly gash across his body soaks his clothing with his own blood. He looks up at me, a faint smile crossing his lips.

"H-Home..." he croaks, more crimson liquid clogging his throat.

Tears well in my eyes and I nod, squeezing his hand a little tighter. "Yeah, home. You'll be home soon. Ilia...Ilia's waiting for you."

His eyes fall shut, his chest ceasing to rise anymore as his hand goes limp in my own. A weak sob leaves me and I hug his head to my chest, my breaths shuddering as tears run down my face. His arm slumps to the dirt, stained and cold. A few cries of surprise and horror rise into the air from the crowd.

I look up at Alrek, who stares back at me with a cruel sort of amusement in his countenance. Anger burns through me, my eyes narrowing. I lower Eret's head onto the bloodstained soil, slowly pushing myself to my feet as I clench my hands into fists. My necklace tingles again and the metal shackles still clinging to my wrists shatter into pieces, collapsing to the ground. I hear Fishlegs and Snotlout gasp rather loudly.

Alrek glances at my necklace, looking surprised. "So you do have magic. Pity, it won't save you or your friend," he spits, aiming his sword at Eret's body.

"Face me, Alrek, son of Asmund," I utter, my voice low with determination. "You coward!"

My voice echoes, making the redhead stiffen as he returns his gaze to me. He curls his lip, aiming the blade of my father's sword at me.

"Demons, end her sorry excuse of a life," he orders.

The demons let out roars of glee at being sent to kill as they rise into the air, zooming towards me. I shut my eyes, feeling the gem of my necklace getting warmer and warmer every second as the wind picks up.

A banshee-like shriek echoes towards me as a solid form knocks me to the ground.