We left the dragon island behind, its volcanic silhouette shrinking against the horizon, and I felt the weight of the battle settle deeply in my bones. As Toothless landed us gently in Berk, I stumbled from his back, my legs giving way beneath me. The ground felt solid but foreign, like I didn't quite belong there anymore. Toothless was immediately at my side, his emerald eyes wide with worry. He nudged me, his scales glinting faintly in the evening light.

"Nyx, please," he whispered, his voice carrying an almost childlike desperation. "Don't collapse on me like that."

I managed a weak smile, my fingers grazing his head in a soothing motion. "I'm fine," I murmured, though the blood soaking my chest and the tremor in my limbs betrayed me. My form flickered, and with a breath, I allowed the golden glow of my wings to retreat into my back, leaving me in my human form once more.

But the change had taken its toll.

I didn't bother to hide my exhaustion as a commotion erupted in the village square. Hiccup's familiar stride came into view, flanked by Astrid, Fishlegs, and Stoick. Their faces were a mixture of alarm and confusion. I saw Gothi's small frame hurrying toward me, her staff tapping rhythmically against the ground, but I held up a hand to stop her.

"No need, dear," I said, my voice soft but firm. "Save your energy for others who need it more."

Instead, I reached out for Hiccup, who dropped to his knees beside me, his freckled face pale and stricken. He gripped my hand tightly, his calloused fingers trembling against my own.

"You'll be alright," he said, his voice faltering. It wasn't a question—it was a hope he clung to desperately.

I shook my head faintly, my lips curving into a bittersweet smile as I reached up to touch his cheek. "No, Hiccup. This is the way it must be. The dragons need peace now, and they need you to lead them. You and Toothless."

Tears welled in his green eyes, spilling over as he pressed his forehead against my hand.

"You can do this," I urged, my voice barely above a whisper. "Promise me, Hiccup. Promise me you'll hold the peace we fought for."

He nodded numbly, his tears slipping down his face and onto my fingers. "I promise," he whispered hoarsely.

I leaned forward, pressing a kiss to his forehead before resting mine against his. "May you fly among the stars, my dearest Hiccup," I said, my voice filled with both sorrow and hope.

Turning to Toothless, I managed another smile, though my body ached with the effort. "And you, Shadowstrike... may your flights always be swift, and your skies always peaceful."

Toothless crooned softly, leaning into my touch as I ran a hand over his scaled snout one final time.

The world around me began to fade, my form shimmering with golden light. Hiccup's grip tightened as if he could anchor me, but I shook my head. "Goodbye, my friends," I murmured, my voice carried on the wind as the last of my strength dissolved.

Golden particles lifted from me like fireflies into the night sky, swirling around Hiccup, Toothless, and the gathered villagers. For a moment, the light illuminated their faces—astonished, sorrowful, and touched by something far greater than themselves. Then, like a gentle breeze, I was gone, my essence scattering to the stars above, leaving behind a quiet stillness.

And in that stillness, the first seed of peace began to grow.