The Eternal Valkyrie: War of the Realms (HTTYD fic)

Part 13

AN: I delayed this chapter because I wasn't feeling so well on Sunday. Doing much better now.

Chapter 12

"Sooo..... Where are we going again?" Snotlout asked as the group had assembled in front of the Bifrost.

"To Muspelheim." Hiccup told the shorter man. He glanced at those who would come with them this time. His parents, Gobber and Meixiu had volunteered to stay behind and help out in Asgard. Sigyn had decided to borrow Eret to do some heavy lifting in the library as they searched for more clues. Heather was sharpening a knife of hers while she was waiting and the twins and Fishlegs were arguing about the chicken Tuffnut had under his arm.

Hiccup overheard Fishlegs saying "I'm telling you Tuff, unless you want that chicken to become BBQ then by all means bring her along."

"..... And Muspelheim is a land of fire?" Snotlout now asked. Astrid answered this time.

"Yes, eternal fire and lava."

"Okay....... Let me get this straight. We are going to a realm that could literally turn us into crispy fritters, speak to the ruler of said realm, who is a giant, about his psycho girlfriend and hope not to get turned into pancakes. Did I leave anything out?"

"Nope, that's it." Astrid confirmed.

"You know if you're scared you can just stay here." Hookfang laughed as he sat on Snotlout's shoulder.

"I am not afraid!"

"You better not be!" Hookfang countered. "I set you on fire enough times that you should have no trouble in Muspelheim." The small red dragon looked rather proud of that admission while Snotlout frowned.

"I don't know if I should be flattered or insulted." Snotlout then mumbled.

The group turned as the door opened to reveal Dagur trying to convince Tyr and Frey, who were to be their escorts, about some matter or another. When Dagur spotted the group he shouted "YOU GUYS TELL THEM!"

"Tell them what?" Hiccup asked as everyone now looked curiously at the trio.

"They seem to think that magic users are useless in battle." Dagur jabbed a finger in the Asgardians' direction. "I've tried some of their magic in the library as you know and it isn't the useless drivel they keep spouting."

"Only the weak use magic." Tyr argued. "An Asgardian fights a battle with his own strength."

"But Frey is a warrior and he uses magic." Dagur countered.

"Excuse me! I do not!" Frey huffed.

"Dude! You have a talking sword." Dagur stated. "That's magic."

"It is not my magic that the sword is embedded with. So I use a magic tool, not magic itself." Frey shot back. "Magicians are the weak Asgardians who could not cut it as warriors."

"Why are you lot so focused on physical strength when magical strength could be just as good? Why I oughta......." Dagur was cut off by Hiccup interjecting himself into the conversation. "Okay, okay. That is enough. We do not need a fight right now before the mission."

Both parties huffed but said no more on the matter, but Hiccup was sure that it would come up again on a later date.

"Are you all ready to depart?" Heimdal asked from his guard position. He held a large sword in his hand that was called Hofund, Hiccup had learned a few days prior. Apparently it had a dual purpose. Heimdal could use the sword to open the Bifrost and send them to a specific location. Normally the Bifrost would open at the location of another Bifrost station in one of the realms but it was determined that the trek to Sutr's fortress would take them too long.

Everyone nodded and went to stand on the departure circle. Tuffnut quickly shoved Chicken into the arms of one of Heimdall's men saying "Take good care of my baby!" Chicken let out an indigent squawk as the guard had no clue what to do himself. Soon they were engulfed by a bright light and Tuffnut could be heard shouting "I'll be back soon baby!"

When the group left the confused guard turned to his superior. "Sir?"

"Give me the chicken." Heimdall ordered. The guard looked relieved as he handed the bird off.

Meanwhile, the group arrived at their destination with a flash. "Ugh!" Dagur groaned as he covered his mouth with his hands. Heather also did the same as the little Razorwhip nuzzled her cheek.

"I think I prefer the portal Astrid made." Heather groaned as she clutched her stomach.

"I'm with you on that sis." Dagur agreed.

"Are you kidding!" Ruffnut exclaimed. "That was awesome!"

"Again!" Tuffnut chanted.

Astrid and Hiccup laughed when Fishlegs muttered "Oh boy," as he looked at the glares the twins were receiving from Heather and Dagur.

"Bifrost travel sickness." Frey told the group as he clapped Dagur on the shoulder. "Nothing to be embarrassed about."

"You would know." Frey's magic sword sniggered from within the scabbard. "Why I remember when it was your first time....."

"SHUSH!" Frey whipped his head around so fast to glare at the sword on his belt but that didn't stop the magical object from spilling the beans. "You ended up stumbling off into the bushes and puking on a Vrellnexian!" The sword now laughed loudly.

Hiccup noticed Tyr also cracking a smile and asked "What is a Vrellnexian?"

"A giant cockroach." Tyr laughed upon seeing the disgusted looks of the group at the thought of a giant cockroach.

"Guys!! You gotta see this." Snotlout called. They saw him standing on a desolate hill and went up to see what had him so riled up.

"Oh. My. Thor." Astrid said as she gazed at what was before them. In the middle of the plains that were mostly filled with lava stood a gigantic black fortress.

"Well we've come all this way." Hiccup said. "No use in turning back now."

"How do you plan on getting inside?" Tyr asked. "Crossing the lava plains alone might pose a challenge."

"Only if you can't fly." Hiccup told the group who smirked. The dragons then came out to play in their original sizes.

"Finally some action!" Barf and belch shouted and stomped happily as the twins climbed on.

Hiccup was on Toothless and Astrid had climbed up on Stormfly. Tyr and Frey stood there and looked at the riders. Heather wasted no time and climbed up behind Fishlegs who blushed. Fishlegs would later attribute this to the heat of the realm and not his crush sitting behind him. Dagur took a seat behind Ruffnut who wagged her brows at him.

"Are you guys getting on?" Hiccup asked as he and Astrid offered them a seat.

"Eh......." Tyr looked a lot less sure now.

"It's easy." Hiccup told them. Tyr went to sit behind Hiccup while Frey took a seat behind Astrid.

"Now Toothless........ Gently." Hiccup said, as he didn't want to frighten the Asgardian on their first flight, but Toothless had other ideas and shot straight into the sky causing Tyr to let out a 'manly' high pitched shriek. On the ground Astrid facepalmed.

Back on Niflheim the situation wasn't looking any better for Hella. She groaned while trying to move but every bone in her body ached. She managed to eventually roll over on her back and winced. That position wasn't any better to ease her pain. Looking up she could see the large hole she had fallen through. It ended up in a dark underground cavern where there was little light. Hella felt tentatively to asses her injuries and winced when her hands touched her ribs. One or two seemed to be broken. Suddenly there was a howl and it echoed through the cave. Hella stiffened as she could hear footsteps. She inwardly cursed for not noticing them before. The footsteps came closer and Hella sucked in a breath as she came face to face with the inhabitant of the cavern.