Chapter 10: The Long-Lost Connection

The storm around the elemental dome raged on, a violent clash of elements weaving a breathtaking yet foreboding display. The Riders, Stoick, and Gobber hovered just outside the barrier, their dragons circling uneasily, their bodies tense against the chaotic energy radiating outward.

Fishlegs scribbled furiously in his notebook, struggling to keep his grip as Meatlug bucked slightly beneath him. "It's… I don't even have the words for this! The barrier isn't just chaotic—it's alive. The elements are bending, feeding off each other, sustaining this… vortex. This is beyond anything we've ever seen!"

"Alive?" Tuffnut chimed in, leaning precariously over Barf's saddle. His eyes were wide with fascination. "So… does that mean it's, like, hungry too? What do storms even eat? Clouds? Other storms?!"

Ruffnut rolled her eyes, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Yeah, Tuff, it probably eats lightning for breakfast and snacks on hailstones." She nudged Belch's reins, steering closer to her brother. "Seriously, does everything have to be about food with you?"

"No," Tuffnut said indignantly, crossing his arms. "Sometimes it's about destruction and chaos. Like this storm! I mean, come on, look at it! It's beautiful."

"Beautiful?" Astrid shot him a sharp look, her grip firm on Stormfly's reins. The Nadder growled softly, its eyes darting nervously toward the barrier. "This isn't natural. No storm just stays contained like this."

"It's not staying contained," Ruffnut pointed out, her expression unnervingly calm. "It's just really angry in one spot. Like me when Tuff eats the last of the fish jerky."

Tuffnut gasped, clutching his chest dramatically. "You wound me, sister! My snack habits are not comparable to the wrath of nature itself."

"Actually," Fishlegs interrupted, his voice strained as he tried to focus on his notes, "Ruffnut might have a point. The energy inside the barrier is centralized, almost like it's… controlled."

Hiccup squinted against the sharp bursts of light radiating from the dome. "Not just controlled—maintained. It's deliberate. It's meant to keep us out, and everything inside safe."

Stoick's deep voice cut through the chatter, steady as always. "If it's meant to protect, then it's not random. This Nyx… he's not just powerful. He's precise."

Gobber shifted uncomfortably on Skullcrusher, muttering, "Well, here's hoping precise doesn't mean 'explode everything.' My beard's already singed from the last time dragons got creative with the weather. This time, it's my head that's at stake."

"Your head?" Snotlout scoffed, his voice rising as Hookfang snorted beneath him. "What about my amazing face? If anything happens to it, the people of Berk would mourn for generations."

"Generations of relief," Astrid muttered under her breath, earning a smirk from Ruffnut.

The tension broke as a low rumble echoed through the air, drawing all eyes upward. Chaos had descended from its perch atop the dome, its massive, glowing form moving with a grace that belied its size. The Cosmic Dragon's molten-gold eyes locked onto Toothless with an intensity that sent a ripple of unease through the group.

Toothless stiffened immediately, his wings tensing against his sides.

"Uh, why is it staring at Toothless?" Snotlout asked, his bravado faltering as Hookfang growled in response, shifting uneasily.

Chaos circled Toothless with slow, deliberate movements. Its glowing patterns pulsed faintly, and its massive head tilted slightly, almost as if studying the smaller dragon.

"Do you think it recognizes him?" Fishlegs whispered, clutching his notebook like a lifeline. "They're… similar. Look at the shape, the movement—it's uncanny."

"Similar?" Ruffnut tilted her head, her eyes narrowing as she scrutinized the two dragons. "Nah. Chaos is, like, Toothless after he's had way too much dragon nip and decided to start a cult."

"Chaos doesn't need a cult, Ruff," Tuffnut chimed in, his tone reverent. "Chaos is the cult. And I, for one, am ready to pledge my allegiance."

Astrid shot him a glare. "You might want to hold off on that. Just because Chaos hasn't fried us yet doesn't mean it's friendly."

Toothless let out a soft chirp, his head tilting in confusion as he watched the larger dragon. Chaos mirrored the movement precisely, tilting its head the same way.

"Okay, that's unsettling," Hiccup murmured, his hand resting protectively on Toothless's neck.

Suddenly, Chaos's demeanor shifted. Its molten eyes narrowed, and its golden aura flared brighter. With a single, powerful beat of its wings, the dragon shot away, disappearing into the storm at blinding speed.

"Did you see that?" Snotlout exclaimed, his voice an octave higher than usual. "It's like it was curious one second, then—poof! Gone the next!"

"That," Tuffnut said solemnly, "is how a true king leaves the room."

Ruffnut rolled her eyes. "Or how someone leaves when they're sick of you talking."

Hiccup didn't hesitate, nudging Toothless forward. "We're following it. Something's happening."

"Uh, Hiccup?" Fishlegs called nervously, glancing at the swirling storm ahead. "Are we sure that's a good idea? Because I'm pretty sure this storm wants to kill us."

"Fishlegs, everything wants to kill us," Ruffnut said, grinning. "This is just more dramatic about it."

Stoick grunted, his tone firm. "Hiccup's right. Whatever's going on, we can't turn back now. Stay close."

The group urged their dragons forward, pushing through the relentless storm. The winds tore at their cloaks, lightning streaking across the darkened skies. Chaos's glowing trail was faint but visible, weaving through the storm like a beacon.

Each rider steeled themselves, the howling winds carrying them closer to whatever lay ahead.

Breaking through the storm's chaos, the Riders found themselves in an eerie clearing. The cliffs ahead plunged into a roiling sea, and the ground was scorched in irregular patches as if the elements had battled fiercely, leaving their scars. Steam rose from fissures in the ground, and the air hummed with unearthly energy.

Chaos hovered near a massive Bewilderbeast, its glowing patterns casting reflections on the beast's frosty breath that curled and swirled around its massive tusks. The Bewilderbeast stood like a towering monument, its size and power unmatched by anything the Riders had encountered before—except, perhaps, the Cosmic Dragon that circled it now.

Above the Bewilderbeast, a Stormcutter glided effortlessly, its four wings outstretched to counter the buffeting winds. The dragon moved with elegant precision, holding its position against the storm's chaotic currents.

Riding the Stormcutter was a figure dressed in layered leathers and a deep green cloak that billowed like liquid shadow behind her. The cloak's dragon-scaled texture blended with the stormy landscape, giving the impression that she had stepped straight from the tempest itself. Her armor bore the wear of countless journeys, scratched and weathered but still resilient. A dragon mask obscured much of her face, but her sharp eyes gleamed beneath it, assessing the scene with quiet authority.

The Stormcutter circled, its rider's gaze fixed on Chaos. She seemed unaffected by the ferocious storm, as though she had weathered far worse.

"Who is that?" Astrid asked, gripping Stormfly's reins tightly. Her Nadder hissed softly, its feathers twitching with unease.

Hiccup shook his head, his voice low and cautious. "I don't know, but she's not here by accident. She's drawn to this, just like we were."

Snotlout puffed out his chest, trying to mask his unease. "I'll tell you who she is—someone with a serious death wish if she's thinking about getting in Chaos's way."

Ruffnut leaned over Barf's saddle, squinting. "She's got a vibe. Like… you know that one scary aunt who always shows up uninvited and tells creepy stories about the family?"

Tuffnut gasped dramatically. "Yes! Except with a dragon mask. That's how you really make an entrance."

Fishlegs, meanwhile, was frantically jotting notes in his journal, his words tumbling out in an anxious stream. "The Stormcutter's wingspan… look at the control, even in these winds! And that Dragon what is it"

The massive Bewilderbeast let out a deep, resonant roar that cut through the storm, its vibrations rumbling through the ground and into the Riders' very bones.

Chaos reacted instantly. Its molten scales flared brighter, and a pulse of golden energy radiated outward, enveloping the clearing in its glow. The Bewilderbeast faltered, its massive body trembling. Slowly, with a deep groan, it lowered its head to the ground in a display of submission.

The Riders' dragons reacted in kind. Stormfly, Meatlug, Hookfang, and even Thornado bowed their heads, their powerful bodies subdued by Chaos's overwhelming aura. Toothless hesitated briefly, his ears twitching as if resisting, but he soon followed, folding his wings tightly against his sides.

"What's happening?" Fishlegs whispered, his voice trembling with awe.

"Why are they suddenly submitting?" Astrid asked, her sharp gaze flicking between Chaos and the Bewilderbeast. "And they don't seem scared, exactly."

Hiccup urged Toothless forward slightly, his voice steady but cautious. "Chaos! Don't hurt them!"

The Cosmic Dragon turned its molten-gold gaze toward Hiccup, tilting its head with what seemed like genuine curiosity. It let out a soft, questioning rumble, as if confused by the plea.

The swirling storm barrier suddenly opened a gap, and Lyra emerged. Her crystalline ring glowed faintly as she approached the group, riding atop Lexy. The Crystal Fury's shimmering scales reflected the chaotic light, making her seem almost otherworldly.

"Chaos isn't hurting them," Lyra said, her voice calm and clear. "This is how dragons communicate."

Hiccup turned to her, frowning. "Communicate? It looked like Chaos just forced them to bow."

Lyra shook her head, stepping closer. "Chaos is a Cosmic Dragon. It doesn't need to force anything. Dragons instinctively recognize its place in the order of things. This is respect, not fear."

As if to demonstrate, Lyra approached Chaos with calm confidence. The massive dragon lowered its head slightly, allowing her to place her hand against its molten-scaled snout. The energy around it seemed to settle, the tension in the air easing as Lyra's touch reassured the Cosmic Dragon.

The woman on the Stormcutter finally spoke, her voice calm but firm, cutting through the roar of the storm like a blade. "This storm," she said, her tone carrying an undeniable authority, "is not natural. It's harming the balance of nature."

Lyra turned to face her fully, her expression softening slightly as she considered the woman's words. There was no malice in her voice—only concern and conviction. Still, Lyra knew the situation was far more complicated.

"The storms are because of Nyx," Lyra explained, her voice steady but tinged with sorrow. "His emotions are unstable, and Chaos reflects that instability. He doesn't want to harm anyone, but…" She hesitated. "He's lost. The storm isn't intentional, but it's a symptom of what he's going through."

The woman's green eyes sharpened, and her tone hardened. "Then he must be confronted. This storm is damaging more than just this island. It's spreading. The skies are in turmoil, the balance of the natural world disrupted. He may not intend harm, but that doesn't change the consequences of his actions."

Without waiting for further explanation, she urged her Stormcutter forward, its four wings spreading wide as it glided toward the swirling barrier. The dragon moved with purpose, its rider exuding the same resolute determination.

Chaos reacted instantly.

The molten scales of the Cosmic Dragon flared brilliantly, its golden patterns glowing with an intensity that seemed to dim even the storm's light. The air around it shimmered with raw energy, rippling outward in waves of heat and force. Chaos let out a deep, guttural growl that resonated in the chests of everyone present, a sound that left no room for misinterpretation.

It moved swiftly, cutting off the Stormcutter's path with a single, deliberate motion. Its wings spread wide, its molten-gold eyes locked onto the smaller dragon, daring it to proceed.

"Stop!" Lyra called, stepping forward with urgency. She raised her hands, her crystalline ring catching the faint light of Chaos's aura. "You can't go in there. Meeting Nyx isn't possible right now. He's not… ready."

The woman reined in her Stormcutter, though her piercing gaze remained fixed on Lyra. "Not ready," she repeated, her tone skeptical. "Or not willing? There's a difference."

Lyra squared her shoulders, determination flashing in her green eyes. "Both," she admitted. "He's not in a place to face anyone. And forcing your way in will only make things worse—for him, for Chaos, and for all of us."

Behind her, Stoick had been uncharacteristically silent, his expression unreadable. His sharp eyes were fixed on the woman, studying her with an intensity that even the storm couldn't distract from.

The cadence of her voice, the way she held herself with such authority, the unwavering conviction in her words—it all stirred something deep within him, a memory he had buried long ago.

Finally, Stoick spoke, his deep voice cutting through the tension like the crack of a hammer on an anvil. "Do I know you?"

The woman froze, her back stiffening as though the words struck her like a physical blow. Slowly, her hand reached up, fingers brushing against the edges of her carved dragon mask.

For a moment, she hesitated. Then, with deliberate care, she removed the mask.

Fiery auburn hair tumbled free, catching the storm's dim light and framing a face marked by years of hardship and wisdom. Her sharp green eyes softened, a flicker of hesitation crossing her features as they met Stoick's gaze.

"Stoick," she murmured, her voice trembling slightly.

The storm itself seemed to still as Stoick's eyes widened in disbelief. The name escaped his lips in a breathless whisper, carrying with it years of pain and longing. "Valka?"

The Riders exchanged confused glances. Gobber broke the silence with a low whistle, his voice tinged with awe. "Well, I'll be… it is her."

Stoick stared at Valka, his expression a mix of shock, hope, and disbelief. Slowly, he dismounted Thornado, his movements heavy and deliberate. When his boots hit the ground, the weight of years seemed to bear down on him, but he stood tall, his gaze never leaving hers.

"You're alive," he said finally, his voice thick with emotion.

Valka dismounted her Stormcutter as well, her steps careful as she closed the distance between them. Her gaze, unyielding yet soft, held his as she spoke. "I didn't think I'd ever see you again," she admitted, her voice trembling slightly.

The space between them seemed vast despite their closeness. Stoick reached out hesitantly, his large hand hovering uncertainly before finally resting on her shoulder. His touch was gentle, almost reverent, as though he feared she might vanish if he pressed too hard.

"You're here," he said softly, his voice cracking under the weight of his emotions. "After all this time… you're here."

Valka's lips quirked into a faint, bittersweet smile. "I never stopped thinking about you, Stoick. About Berk. But…" She hesitated, her gaze dropping briefly before meeting his again. "The dragons needed me. And I thought… I thought you'd moved on. That you and Hiccup…"

"Hiccup grew strong," Stoick said, his voice steadying as he spoke of his son. "But not a day went by that I didn't think of you. That I didn't miss you."

The storm raged on around them, but in that moment, it felt as though the world had stilled. The years of separation, the pain of loss—they hung in the air, unspoken but deeply felt.

Valka placed her hand over Stoick's, her expression softening further. "I should have come back," she said quietly. "I thought I was doing what was best, but I see now… I made mistakes. Leaving you, leaving Hiccup—it was the hardest thing I've ever done."

Stoick shook his head, his grip on her shoulder tightening slightly. "You're here now. That's all that matters."

For the first time in years, Stoick allowed himself to hope, to believe that the family he thought he had lost might still be whole.

As the storm swirled around them, a long-lost connection was finally rekindled, its light breaking through the darkness.