The Night Fury didn't slow until they were well above the clouds.
Lucian clung tightly at first, body pressed low against the dragon's neck as the wind roared past his ears. The sudden ascent had stolen the breath from his lungs, the world below shrinking into a blur of green and blue. Cold air bit at his face, sharp and clean, and then—
They broke through.
The clouds parted like mist torn open by wings, sunlight spilling across endless white. Up here, the air was calmer, smoother. The Night Fury leveled out, powerful wings beating in an easy, controlled rhythm as the frantic speed faded into something steady… natural.
Lucian loosened his grip.
His breath caught not from fear this time, but awe.
The sky stretched forever around them, a vast ocean of blue brushed with gold. Below, the clouds rolled and drifted like living things, casting soft shadows on the land far beneath. The Night Fury banked slightly, responding to a subtle shift of Lucian's weight as if it could feel his instincts forming in real time.
They circled until Berk came into view.
From above, the village looked small, cozy even. Wooden houses clustered together like they were clinging to one another against the wind, smoke curling lazily from chimneys. The forge glowed faintly, the docks reaching into the sea like wooden fingers. Vikings moved below, unaware, their lives continuing in neat little patterns.
Lucian felt something warm settle in his chest.
It was beautiful.
The Night Fury let out a low, pleased rumble as it circled the island once more, wings slicing cleanly through the air. For a moment, Lucian forgot everything.
There was only the sky, him and the night fury.
Only the quiet certainty that, somehow, this was exactly where he was meant to be.
___
Back in the cove, things were considerably less peaceful.
"Why do you have so many fish?" Ariel demanded, standing directly in front of Hiccup with her arms crossed. "And why are they all dead?"
Hiccup took a step back.
"Well—uh—because we caught them?" he said carefully, gesturing weakly toward the basket at his feet. "They're food."
"For you?" Ariel pressed.
"No! For Toothless!" Hiccup blurted out, pointing wildly toward the Night Fury, who was now happily gnawing on a fish several feet away. "Dragons eat fish. Lots of fish. Like—a lot a lot."
Ariel stared at Toothless, then at the basket, then back at Hiccup. "You hunt them… for him?"
"Yes," Hiccup said, voice cracking slightly. "That's kind of how food works here."
She opened her mouth to argue again—
And then the shadow passed over them.
A powerful gust of wind swept through the cove as wings thundered overhead. Hiccup barely had time to look up before the Night Fury descended, landing smoothly on the sand with Lucian still astride its back.
Hiccup's eyes lit up.
"Oh thank the gods," he muttered, immediately jogging over and grabbing Lucian by the arm. "Hey man, save me."
Lucian slid down from the dragon's back, boots hitting the sand as he steadied himself. He took one look at Ariel, still bristling and then at Hiccup, barely holding it together.
He smiled faintly.
"Ariel," Lucian said calmly, raising a hand. "Relax. I know this is… different from what you're used to. But I promise, I'll explain everything later. Okay?"
She hesitated.
Then she inhaled slowly… and exhaled.
"…Alright," Ariel said at last, nodding. She turned, scooped Simba up from where he had been sniffing rocks, and walked over to a nearby boulder before sitting down.
Simba blinked.
He looked at her.
Then at the ground he'd just been exploring.
His little face scrunched in clear confusion as if to say 'I was busy.'
Lucian hid a chuckle.
Hiccup watched Ariel retreat, shoulders sagging in relief. "Wow," he muttered. "That was intense."
He glanced back at Lucian. "So… who is she? And why does she not know literally anything about fishing?"
"I'll tell you later," Lucian replied, placing his hands on his hips.
He tilted his head toward the massive Night Fury, who was now watching them quietly, eyes alert but calm. "Right now, I need your help. Think you can help me make a saddle for my guy here?"
Hiccup followed his gaze.
Then he grinned.
"Oh yeah," he said confidently. "Definitely."
He paused, then frowned slightly. "But… what do we call him? We can't just keep saying 'the other Night Fury.' That's not very personal."
Lucian looked at the dragon.
The way it held itself, proud but cautious. Powerful, yet restrained. Its eyes sharp, intelligent, ancient in a way that felt deeper than age alone.
Minutes passed.
Finally, Lucian murmured, more to himself than anyone else—
"How about… Nyx,"
The dragon didn't move but its eyes narrowed just a fraction, attentive. A low, almost imperceptible rumble slipped from its throat, like distant thunder.
Hiccup blinked. "Nyx, huh?" A grin tugged at his mouth. "Cool name. What does it mean?"
"It's the name of the night itself," Lucian said. "From an old legend. A being older than the stars. The darkness before dawn."
Hiccup let out a low whistle.. "Seemed fitting."
"Yeah," Lucian said. "Yeah, it really does."
Nyx lifted his head, eyes glinting as he looked between the two of them then let out a soft, approving chuff.
Lucian laughed. "I'll take that as a yes."
He glanced once more toward Ariel sitting on the rock with Simba, then back at Nyx, his expression settling into something firm.
"Alright," he said. "Let's get you a saddle."
The night had found its name.
_____
The next morning arrived.
The arena roared with clanging metal, shouting Vikings, and the heavy thud of wooden gates being dragged into place. Heat rose from the sand, carrying the sharp scent of smoke, sweat, and dragon breath.
Inside the arena stood the usual group.
Snotlout paced like a caged wolf, rolling his shoulders and flexing his grip on his axe. The twins bounced on their heels, arguing loudly about who would take the first hit and who would "look cooler doing it." Fishlegs adjusted his helmet for the third time, muttering facts about Deadly Nadders under his breath.
Astrid stood apart, still and focused.
Hiccup lingered near the edge of the group, hands fidgeting slightly as he stared at the massive iron gates across the arena floor.
Lucian was not with them.
High above, atop the edge overlooking the arena, Lucian leaned against the railing with Ariel beside him. Simba sat between them, front paws dangling over the edge as he peered down curiously at the chaos below.
Ariel's eyes were wide.
"So… they're really going to fight it?" she asked, gripping the railing. "Like face it head-on?"
Lucian nodded calmly. "This is training. Vikings believe the best way to survive dragons… is to beat the fear out of you early."
Her brows knit together. "But you said dragons aren't mindless monsters."
"They're not," Lucian said gently. "But Berk's been at war with them for generations. To them, this is tradition. Strength and proof."
Ariel watched the arena floor as below them, Gobber stomped into the arena, metal foot clanging loudly against the floor as he raised his voice.
"Alright, listen up!" he bellowed, pacing in front of the gates. "Today ain't about winning or losing. It's about proving you've got the grit to stand your ground!"
The crowd quieted slightly, anticipation buzzing.
"By the end of this trial," Gobber continued, "two of you will be chosen. The strongest. The sharpest. The ones with the spine to face a real beast."
He jabbed a thumb toward the massive gate behind him.
"Next week, those two will earn the right to face a Gronckle. And if one of those two knock it out—" he grinned fiercely, "—he or she will earn the honor of slaying their first dragon!"
The arena erupted in cheers
Up on the arena, Ariel's grip tightened on the railing.
She turned slowly to Lucian, her voice quieter now. "And the two they choose… that means they're expected to… do that?"
Lucian's nodded. "They earn the right to face a Monstrous Nightmare next week."
Her head snapped toward him. "Face… or kill?"
Lucian didn't look away from the arena. "Kill."
Ariel went very still.
"That's horrible," she whispered.
"I know," he said quietly. "But it's their tradition. It's how they live. You can't change something that's been ingrained into their bones overnight."
Below them, the gates groaned open.
A Deadly Nadder burst into the arena.
Blue scales gleamed like sharpened steel, wings snapping open as it screeched, tail spines rattling ominously. Sparks exploded beneath its talons as it lunged forward, fire flashing between its jaws.
"Dragon out!" Gobber roared.
The teens scattered.
Astrid moved first.
She charged forward with precise, brutal efficiency, ducking under a swipe of the Nadder's tail and hurling her axe. The blade struck true, clipping the dragon's wing joint. The Nadder screeched, stumbling as it tried to regain balance.
"Nice hit!" Tuffnut shouted.
The dragon retaliated instantly.
Its tail snapped around, launching a volley of razor-sharp spines. Ruffnut barely had time to raise her shield.
CLANG!
The impact sent her skidding backward.
"Hey!" Ruffnut yelled. "That was my good shield!"
She glanced upward mid-recovery and grinned.
"Hey look," she called out, nudging Astrid. "Your Viking in fur and beard has someone now."
Astrid, mid-dodge, snapped, "What?"
Ruffnut pointed up toward the scaffolding. "It's a Knight in shining armor reference" she said with a laugh. "You still get what I mean… right?"
Tuffnut snorted. "Shining armor's imaginary. Beard is real."
Ruffnut laughed then yelped as another spine whistled toward her. She raised her shield just in time, the impact rattling her arm.
Astrid glanced up briefly.
She saw Lucian.
And beside him… a girl with bright red hair, clutching the railing, eyes full of concern instead of excitement.
Astrid frowned.
Then the Nadder roared again.
Her focus snapped back.
Astrid sprinted forward, sliding under the dragon's belly as it lunged for Fishlegs. She slammed her axe into the Nadder's leg joint, forcing it to stagger.
The dragon hissed, turning on her but before it could strike, Hiccup moved.
As the Nadder shifted, Hiccup noticed how it reacted, how its breathing hitched when Astrid's blow landed, how its neck muscles tensed unevenly.
"Wait—don't hit it again!" Hiccup shouted.
Astrid ignored him and raised her axe.
"Wait!" Hiccup yelled again, running in despite himself.
The Nadder reared back, fire building—
Hiccup dove forward and pressed his hand gently against the dragon's neck, right beneath the jawline and scratch it.
The Nadder froze.
Its body sagged.
Fire fizzled out harmlessly as the massive dragon slumped forward, collapsing into the sand with a deep, stunned thud.
Silence fell.
Then cheers exploded from the stands.
Astrid stared at the dragon. Then at Hiccup.
"What did you do?" she demanded.
Hiccup blinked. "I—uh—found a spot. It relaxes the muscles."
Gobber stepped forward, pointing between them. "Well I'll be—! Did you see that?"
He turned to the crowd. "Looks like we've got our contenders!"
He slammed his hook hand into the iron gate. "Astrid Hofferson! Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third! You'll be competing next week for the honor of slaying your first dragon!"
The crowd erupted again.
Astrid didn't smile.
She looked at Hiccup then up toward Lucian.
Then she turned away, jaw tight, axe resting heavily on her shoulder.
High above, Ariel clutched the railing.
"They're cheering," she whispered.
Lucian said nothing.