A/N so, this story has a lot of stuff with gods, i think you've noticed that. most won't be important other than Mars, Pluto and Jupiter- a decision i made because i am no Rick Riordan, i can't teach ya'll about gods in a fanfic. but I will be name dropping and including other gods in passing, so if you care enough and want to know what all the gods mentioned are and do, I'll write it here, otherwise just skip the rest of this note and move to the story.

Pluto: king of the underworld, Greek counterpart is Hades.

Jupiter: king of the sky and the Olympian council, god of lightning and the sky, Greek counterpart is Zeus.

Mars: God of War and battle, Greek version is Ares.

Proserpine: Goddess of Spring and Fertility, child of Ceres, Wife of Pluto, Queen of the Underworld, Greek=Persephone/Kore

Vesta: goddess of the hearth, home and fire, maiden goddes, greek=Hestia

Neptune: god and king of the sea and ocean, brother to Jupiter and Pluto, greek=Poseidon

Venus: goddess of love, in all forms but especially romantic, sexuality, fertility, greek=Aphrodite.

Ceres: goddess of the harvest and farming, crops, etc. Greek=Demeter

Minerva: goddess of arts and battle strategy, the Romans side-ligned her as a craft goddess and replaced her with other beings, greek=Athena

Diana: goddess of the hunt and wild, greek=Artemis

Hecate: doesn't really have a Roman form and isn't technically a goddess, more a titan, of magic. also a triple goddess. Greek is called Hecate.

Somnus: titan of sleep, can't think of his greek form off the top of my head. he has like a hundred kids that represent nightmares and dreams. 

Moneta: goddess of memory (kinda)

have i missed any i mentioned? i don't think so... uh... i have mentined Juno, i believe, she's queen of the olympians, Jupiter's wife, goddess of marriage and family, her greek version is Hera. if I've forgotten any just ask.

When the sun rose the army continued the forward march. Those on night watch reported that the worst trouble they'd had was a wayward Viking lashing out. it seemed like Drago was readying for a retreat.

They couldn't have that.

The eighth legion split off and around. The entire army had control of the outer circle by mid-day, no one was getting in or out. they broke through the second wall not long after. If anyone was outside the city attempting to retreat they likely wouldn't leave till they had a decent force to protect themselves.

And through the whole day of fighting nothing went awry. The blessing of Mars kept the battle in their favour and tipped the balance against every Viking who attempted to bear arms against them.

When night fell watch schedules were finalized and the few injuries gained were treated in make-shift infirmaries scattered throughout the buildings. The council was split this time into it's three legions, located along the second outer ring. By the end of their night shift plans were arranged and communicated along the line. They were well on their way to another day of easy fighting.

And if all went according to plan by the morning Hiccup would be back with his team- Aeliana in tow. Charlotte sent word to their healers that there was a good chance she'd need to be treated when she was back.

Regardless, Charlotte didn't sleep well that night.

.

"looks like we beat them to the third wall," Gaius leaned over Tylac's back and squinted down at the city.

"that's weird, they should have made it by now," Hiccup flew low, looking for a watch, he found one rather easily, posted on a tall building not far from the second wall, they glided in silently. Tylac gripped the side of the tower and Ex and Plode waited on the top. Toothless was small enough to fit onto the small opening in the tower. Before Hiccup had even stood straight a centurion was running to greet him.

"Praetor!"

"do you know where Charlotte is?" he asked before the centurion could even get a question out of his own.

"I- uh, the south side of the city, there's a huge tent setup, she'll be there."

"thank you."

"uh, Praetor," he glanced at Aeliana and floundered, "uh, there's a, a thing you need to hear about..."

"will Charlotte tell me?"

"uh, yes."

"then I'll hear it then, I can't stick around, sorry."

"yes sir."

Hiccup climbed back into the saddle and they set off again, heading to the south side.

"Praetor, huh?" Aeliana asked, finally noticing Charlotte's badge on his armour.

"acting."

Aeliana snickered, "all according to plan."

"because you definitely foresaw this."

He knew it was in good humour, but he couldn't help but think of Jael. It sobered him beyond compare and he suddenly felt like he'd collapse. He was surprised he'd made it this far without collapsing into anguish. He was beginning to see how this would pan out. he'd go on perfectly fine and every other day he'd set time aside to be alone and let himself feel. no one the wiser. A stony façade and the perfect leader to most.

He could understand why his father had become the person he was. He'd never seen the breakdown moments, but he knew they must have happened. The thought made him grip the saddle tighter. He refused to become his father. A "great leader" or not, a "good fighter" or not, he was incapable of accepting anything but his own plan, he couldn't let in any emotion lest it pull him apart. Hiccup wouldn't let himself be that, he was a good leader because he could let his emotions in.

"chill out, you're gonna break your saddle," Aeliana murmured.

Hiccup forced his hands to relax on the leather of the saddle, "I didn't even notice."

"mmm," Aeliana sighed, "when we're not worrying about planning the end of a war, we need to talk."

"talk?" Hiccup looked over his shoulder, "about what?"

"I'll tell you when we're talking about it."

"are you kidding me?"

Aeliana snorted, "eyes front soldier, watch the road."

Hiccup snorted but turned to face the 'road', "we're in the sky, nothing's gonna run into us."

A Terrible Terror crashed into his face at that exact moment. 

.

Seven months of complete silence.

Going in, Astrid had known she wouldn't be hearing from Hiccup again till he was finished taking care of the onslaught. She'd known that it could take months, heck, a year, more.

But there was always the chance that this time, when Hiccup suddenly disappeared, he wouldn't magically re-emerge.

And now she was off her game, which was blatantly obvious to everyone around her.

She parried a hit from Snotlout, stepped back, back again under another hit, once more and he manoeuvred to hit her leg and she stumbled back, wheeling her arms as she tried to force herself back in the circle.

Ruffnut gripped her wrist and pulled her back in, spinning her out of the way of Snotlout's onslaught.

"hey! No team ups! That's cheating!"

Ruffnut blew a raspberry at Snotlout while Tuffnut continued fighting, Astrid shook her head, trying to focus on the sparring match.

"come on you lot, this isn't about brute strength, remember?" Gobber called form the sidelines.

Now the dragons weren't an issue Berk's next big worry was other Vikings trying to conquer them. everyone was rushing to brush up on human vs. human fighting styles, which meant a whole new training regime for the young Berkians. It didn't help that rumours had continued to spread about Rome and their draconic forces. Everyone was so scared because they heard about how only six of their soldiers had taken down an elite dragon trapper community that had flourished for years.

Astrid found it hilarious.

Merchants and Vikings alike would visit and tell stories of the very scary and ultrapowerful dragon master and Astrid would have to leave before she burst out laughing.

And it made it worse when Stoick was getting all dramatic about being able to protect their people.

Oh if only he knew.

But it was forcing the others to put more care into their training, which Astrid found helpful. It definitely stopped the twins and Snotlout from being as gratingly annoying. However it allowed excuses for people to analyse Astrid's every move, and right now that was the last thing she needed.

She twisted out of a hit, dodged, parried, struck and danced out of the way.

She took a deep breath, saw her father standing on the edge of the ring through the chains. She had to prove to him she was made to be a shield maiden, that she was a destined fighter. If she lost here it would be a downward spiral to him forcing her into domestic life. she forced her mind into a calm and ran at Tuffnut.

She moved faster than him, blows coming fast and easy, she pushed him back till he was at the edge and kicked him over the line drawn on the rock with charcoal. She ducked and moved out of the way of a hit with Snotlout.

As Tuffnut skidded on the rock she heard a barely hidden victory cry from her father, out of the corner of her eye she saw the Chief looking on in approval.

"good job Astrid, keep it moving!" Gobber called, moving around the edge of the circle.

Within a minute it was her and Snotlout twisting around each other in the circle. Snotlout ran at her, relying on blows guided by brute strength. Astrid danced around him with ease, looking for an opening to whack him with the flat of her blade or her pommel.

He charged her with a downward hit and Astrid flipped out of the way. Instead of standing from her crouch she swept his legs from him and held her blade at his throat.

"and Astrid takes the match!" Gobber announced, "nice try everyone, clean up, get ready for your watch shifts, we'll recap on mistakes then. Bring food."

Snotlout sighed as he stood and Astrid offered him the sword he'd dropped.

"you're off balance?" she asked him, knowing he was nowhere near as acrobatically inclined as herself, but still noticing he was not at his top game.

"I helped Gobber with some work last night and dropped some hot metal on my foot."

Astrid nodded, surprised but understanding that as they all got older they would recognise that some jobs weren't annoyances but duties that needed to be done to keep the village running.

"you seemed distracted?"

Astrid shrugged as she started walking for the gate, Snotlout at her side and Ruffnut catching up, "just thinking."

Snotlout nodded, clearly expecting she was worrying about invasions, Romans, Dragons. Lies always had a bit of truth in them.

"we've got to man the watchtower tonight, maybe we should bring some whetstones, I know Tuff and I have a few blades that need some upkeep." Ruffnut stretched out an arm.

Snotlout nodded, "yeah sounds good, I'll see if dad has anymore of that Mead from last time the Berserkers visited."

Astrid smiled. She was already looking forward to it. 

That night Swifty seemed agitated. He'd been staying mainly in Berk since Hiccup's last letter. She hadn't sent anything to him seeing as he apparently wouldn't get it or would get into all kinds of trouble if he did.

It couldn't be because of not flying. Astrid had taken Stormfly, the gorgeous Nadder she'd befriended, on several flights and Swifty usually came along. She guessed it was probably because he was used to living in Rome where he could move and fly about freely and get snacks from charmed civilians. He wanted to be home.

Astrid could understand that, but she didn't know why he didn't just leave. If only she could speak to dragons.

She snuck in as often as possible to see the dragons in the kill ring. She offered fish and scratches and even cleaned their scales. They wouldn't let her near enough to do more than offer food before but now all of them would curl up in seconds at a single touch.

Astrid didn't know why they hadn't been killed or set free. No one was training with dragons anymore and they certainly weren't keeping them for altruistic means.

Maybe it was just spite. Something to remind them of the old days. Maybe she could understand it half a year ago when she was of a similar complex, but now she just felt baffled by the Vikings around her and their actions.

She sighed as Swifty paced along her desk. She had to go soon, she was on watch, and she was actually excited for it.

But she didn't want anyone finding Swifty because he was being aggravated. Swifty locked eyes with her and whimpered.

She scratched him behind the ear and he purred.

"why don't you go home?"

He nuzzled into her palm, she felt his hot breath against her skin as he purred.

Her eyes drifted to the paper on her desk. She chewed her lip.

She didn't want Hiccup to get in trouble.

But she also needed to know.

She scribbled a word on a paper, shoved it into the tube hidden below her desk and tied it to Swifty's leg.

As he shot out her window she sighed. Failing all else, she'd have an answer to her question. 

She was on edge for the whole watch, a bundle of nerves waiting for an answer, but she had less uncertainty looming. She'd have an answer soon. She forced herself to relax as she spent time with her friends.

Even though she was missing one of them. 

.

"you've got to be kidding me?"

"unfortunately, no." Charlotte leaned back in her chair, "nothing we could do about it. we just had to keep going."

"keep going?" Aeliana leaned on the table, no weight on her feet, "a god is proposing to take a child as an offering and you just went along with it?"

"there was nothing we could do." Atticus mumbled, "by the time we found out it was too late."

Aeliana spluttered, "I'm gone for two weeks and you're letting kids give themselves over to gods?"

"we didn't let her!" Charlotte answered, indignant, "we tried, Lia, we argued. And then she walked in and told us it was too late."

Aeliana still stared, stood in silence for a second before sighing and looking away, "I can't believe you."

Atticus looked at the ground between his boots, Charlotte stared back at her friend.

Silence lapsed and Verlin cleared his throat.

"Lia I think you should head for the infirmary."

She sighed, knowing she had no excuse nor argument, "fine, yeah, okay." she gave Charlotte one last steely look, "fine."

Gaius and Breha had already trudged to their respective barracks and as Verlin and Aeliana left Hiccup was left alone with his two friends.

He crossed his arms and leaned against the table. A light sprinkle of rain started to trickle against the canvas above them. light from a fire lit in a covered pole reflected on the metal of his helmet, resting on the table.

"you're awfully quiet." Charlotte murmured. She looked at him expectantly and Hiccup noticed a speck of dirt sitting below her right eye, dark shadows lining her under eyelids.

He looked to Atticus, still with his eyes to the ground, clenched his jaw as he turned his head back away.

"what's her name?"

"Annabella." Charlotte answered, "she's on the outskirts of the city with most of the people we got out, she'll be on her way to another village south for safety soon."

Hiccup nodded, "and you haven't let anyone else jump onto an offering slab I hope."

"Hiccup-"

He held up a hand, "just..." he sighed, let it drop and hit his thigh with a thump, "I'll see you tomorrow."

He found Toothless jumping around the street in the rain, it took an effort of persuasion to get him to stop. They found where the Praetors had set up camp- three small houses connected together with barely two rooms each- and caught up on the plan of attack for the next day.

Eventually when he had nothing left to do he unclipped the metal mail canister from his belt and studied it.

It was the one from Berk, Astrid's, no doubt about it. but why would she send something? He'd told her he could get his ass kicked from Rome to Egypt if he was caught sending and receiving messages whilst on mission so it had to be important. But what could happen? He had it now.

He unscrewed the cap and took out the parchment inside. he unrolled it on his desk to find a single word scrawled across the paper.

Alive?

His eyebrows shot up as he read it.

Alive?

Astrid was more of a born soldier than himself. She always had been. With dragon training, protecting the village, everything. She'd been the one who'd stood above him with an axe to his throat and told him to pick a side. The idea of her breaking a rule was as unfathomable as Aeliana committing treason.

And she'd just done it. to see if he's alive.

Alive?

Oh.

He was answering in seconds.

Alive.

Once he twisted the cap on he realised what he was doing. Toothless warbled from behind him.

He couldn't send this. Well, he could. But if someone didn't notice the terror coming in, they would notice it leaving. The crap he could get himself into.

But if Astrid had taken the risk to send it she must be worried. He didn't want her to fuss, and seeing as she'd sent something she'd just get more worried without an answer. And really, what was stopping him?

He was about to go looking for the terror when something pulled him back from his thoughts.

"don't."

Hiccup turned, sword at the ready, pointed, at the man standing behind him.

"easy soldier," he smirked, "wouldn't want to get in a fight you can't finish."

Hiccup glared, kept the sword pointed, "you're trespassing, who are you and why shouldn't I run you through?"

He laughed and the metal of his armour clinked. Hiccup took in his appearance quick. Tall, strong build, well armoured, clearly some kind of fighter. The cape and style of armour suggested a soldier as well, but it was wrong. it was older, something a senior officer would have worn ten years ago.

And the cape was purple. The royal colour, you couldn't wear that colour if you wanted to avoid a chopping block. An overreaction, sure, but still.

"oh, calm yourself boy, I'm not here to hurt you. I'm just here to talk."

Hiccup twisted his arm slightly, let the sword drift a touch closer, "who. Are. You."

He smiled, "ah, fair enough. In fact I'd be disappointed if you trusted me so quickly."

Hiccup continued to glare.

He still smiled, "I'll give you a hint," he raised an eyebrow and his eyes flared from brown to red, the iris's lit up in flames. His teeth seemed sharper as he smiled, and his shaved head appeared to flicker from skin to vaguely skull-like, "got a guess?"

Hiccup stumbled back, his blade shooting from the man's face, "Mars."

"aye, lad," he continued to grin, but his face simmered back to normal, "or would you rather I call you cousin?"

Hiccup blinked.

"well you're practically Pluto's boy now, welcome to the family. That's what I'm here to talk about."

Hiccup gripped his sword tighter, "he's not my father."

"no, no, that's that Viking chief, isn't it?" Mars sighed as he slid a chair out from the desk and sat down, "but you know how we gods are, we pick and choose."

"do you want something?"

"oh, testy are we?" he gave his sword a pointed look, "you know what? I like you. Most of these soldiers would be grovelling by now, you've got spunk."

"what. Do. You. Want."

Mars looked to the ceiling, "to. Talk. Interested?"

Hiccup ground his teeth together, gripped the sword tighter, "no."

"oh, believe me," Mars smirked, placed a black medallion on the desk, "you will be."

.

Three years before hand Hiccup had stood on a mountain overlooking the fourth and fifth legion's base. Toothless napped between the roots of the trees on the edges of the small clearing, every now and then flicking an insect from his scales.

He was still getting used to his new leg. His skin itched and ached and he couldn't walk far without his muscles shaking, but he was getting better with it.

He had just told the Praetor's that he wanted to join the legion.

"are you sure?" came a voice from behind him.

"yes." He answered, and found Pluto behind him.

He looked strange here. The embodiment of the underworld standing in the real world. Sun shining on pale and hollowed skin. Grass and flowers growing beneath his feet.

Pluto nodded, opened his mouth to say something and closed it, sound dying on his lips. he clenched his jaw.

"is there something wrong with that?" Hiccup asked. hadn't Pluto suggested this?

Pluto looked him over, his eyes seemed... sad.

"look after yourself." He fidgeted, opened his mouth to say something more, closed it.

"I intend to."

Pluto did it again, voice dying before it could be heard. He cleared his throat. "take this." He handed over a black coin. Scripture engraved into it, spells, magic, things he didn't understand. "it will... help you. If you need it. I hope you don't."

"what will it do?"

"it's for... communication. If you... end up... in, well..."

"the underworld." Hiccup raised an eyebrow. He couldn't say it? was the god of the underworld always this awkward around the prospect of someone dying, or was it just him?

Pluto nodded.

It was probably just him.

"just... flip it. it'll let me know and I can help. Even if you're not there because of obvious reasons."

"why else would I be there?"

Pluto swallowed, "I don't know."

Hiccup was quite sure he was lying. He slipped the coin into his vest. "thank you."

Pluto nodded, gave him a sad look. He tried to say something and failed once more.

"look after yourself."

And he disappeared.

.

Three years after this Pluto stood in the council room of the underworld. Neptune on his right, Proserpine his left. Vesta in the centre loitered by the fireplace.

"what you suggest is..." Mars trailed off.

"unimaginable." Venus finished.

They were joined by several other gods, most of the council was present. They needed to be. this was important.

"expand your imagination." Vesta answered.

Venus scoffed, raised her pretty little eyebrows delicately.

"you'd best have proof of this, Pluto." Minerva answered instead.

"remind me again why the craft goddess is present." Mars sneered.

"I am more of a war being than you will ever be," Minerva scowled back.

"calm down, you battle-born heathens." Ceres drawled as she stormed past. She drifted to stand in front of Pluto, "I give you the benefit of doubt because my daughter believes you, but what you speak of is treason. You. Need. Proof."

"mother." Proserpine whispered, "please."

Ceres sighed through her nose and drifted back to give Pluto the floor.

"You are all aware of Drago Bludvist and the threat he poses-"

"the non-existent threat?" Minerva raised an eyebrow.

"no," Mars said, "it's getting worse."

Minerva eyed him.

"yes." Pluto sighed, "like I said, I have reason to believe a god is tampering with the battle. We think they are offering... guidance. A blessing of some kind."

"who?"

"we're not sure."

Venus threw her hands in the air, "this sounds like speculation to me."

"it's not." Neptune stepped in, "two weeks ago half the Roman camp was put to sleep for 24 hours. They couldn't be woken. Within a day they awoke raving about dreams and nightmares, horrific images and unimaginable terrors. Its magic."

"so a god is conspiring to destroy the balance of creatures? Plotting to grip more power from the gods?" Venus laughed, "this is ridiculous."

"no, they have a point there." Ceres but in, "I've noticed it. someone's trying to tip the balance."

"excuse me?" Mars scoffed, "you're hokey triple magic crap has nothing to do with this."

"would you prefer to chat with Hecate about it? or Diana?" Ceres threatened.

Mars blanched.

"that's what I thought. It hasn't happened yet, but it doesn't have to. We can feel it coming, see it coming."

"maybe it's not a god." Minerva pointed out, "maybe you're overreacting."

"no." Pluto said, "this is real. Someone is going to start a war."

The word rippled through the room. Mars straightened, "what?"

"whether that's what's guiding them now is another question but that's where they're going. The dragons are in danger and if they are attacked who knows what could happen."

"they're messengers at best, Pluto. They're not important. Just animals."

"no, they're a crucial part of the balance of magic and if someone starts taking them down we'll lose power. You know this. We all knew this when we let them be created in the first days. They're our embodiments in the human world." Pluto looked from one god to the next, "someone is helping Drago, and his goal is to wipe dragons from living memory. We let the Vikings fight the dragons tooth and nail and look what's happened, we have barely any idea what's happening up there anymore because we have no power there."

"who cares? Its Nordic territory anyway. Those barbarians can have it." Venus scoffed.

"and what happens when Drago goes back there? If he takes over the north he could come back to Rome with a vengeance. The fact he's lasted so long is a sign he has help, it will only get worse if we don't do something." Proserpine cut in, "inaction is our enemy. It always has been. We are Romans, since when does it matter if something is only possible, we prepare for every possibility and right now this one is extreme."

Minerva pursed her lips, "you really think this is true? That a god is trying to rise up?"

Pluto nodded.

"we've all been having visions," Vesta added, "Neptune, Pluto, Proserpine and I. we have seen a god calling for battle against us all. We don't know who, but we do know they will stop at nothing for power. And it starts now."

The gods lapsed into silence.

"if one god is already involved, it is not against the ancient laws for us to intervene." Mars said slowly.

"if we do they'll catch on," Pluto said, "we have to be smart about this."

"says the one who's practically adopted a human." Venus muttered.

Minerva looked to Pluto, "that's it, isn't it?"

"what?" Venus asked.

"this isn't just going to effect the council, we need soldiers."

"excuse me?" Venus scoffed, "earth to Minerva, explain what you're saying, please."

"how many demigods do we have right now? Champions?"

"uh..."

"we can't just show up in the camp and kill Drago, nor can we sentence a random god to die on so little information. We need... spies. And when this... war, begins. We need soldiers." Minerva said, "you knew this, didn't you?"

Their eyes trailed to Pluto who traced the marble veins of the floor with his eyes.

"didn't you?"

Pluto nodded.

"does he know?" Mars asked, "does he know he's no better than an animal for slaughter?"

"he is not-"

"how often to mortal soldiers survive the battles we need them to fight?" Mars asked.

Pluto clenched his jaw.

"does. He. Know."

Pluto sighed. "no."

"will you tell him?" Venus asked.

Pluto pursed his lips.

"that's ridiculous."

"Mars."

"no," Mars cut in, "no. you don't know humans like I do. You deal with the dead ones that are a shadow of what they used to be. I am war, I am the anger they feel, the rage. I am mentally closer to mortal than any of you want to believe, and this is ridiculous."

"exactly." Venus scowled, "this is low and I never expected it of you. Jupiter? Yes. Neptune? Probably. You?" Venus scoffed.

"give him a break, at least he's done something to help." Neptune defended.

"I can't believe you've allowed this Vesta, I thought you were better than this."

"that's enough." Proserpine cut in, "enough. When you start actually doing something to help you can judge but till then." Proserpine's staff faded into existence between her palm and fingers, "get out. Come back and preach about humanity and emotion when you have a better way to save everyone and keep the world in balance."

The gods glared. Venus sneered a 'fine' and disappeared in a cloud of smoke. Minerva raised an eyebrow and laughed lowly as she faded from view and Neptune dissolved into sea spray.

"you too, Vesta," Proserpine said, kindly, "meeting's over."

Vesta stepped back into the fire, giving Pluto a nod, and disappeared into the flames.

Pluto stepped up to Mars, before he could leave he handed him a coin.

"give it to him."

"excuse me?"

"you're going to speak to Hiccup, aren't you?" Pluto said, giving Mars a heavy look, "give him this. He'll be more open to speak with you."

Mars raised an eyebrow but pocketed the coin anyway, "this doesn't mean anything."

"of course not."

And Mars disappeared with an acrid smell, like fire and metal, and Pluto turned to his wife.

"thank you."

"yeah?" Proserpine raised her chin, "don't get used to it."

Pluto's jaw dropped and his wife left the council room.