Chapter 8: Talk with Stoick

Morning broke over Berk with a golden glow, the sun's rays spilling over the jagged cliffs and shimmering off the waves below. The peaceful scene belied the tension that simmered within the Great Hall, where Hiccup, Fishlegs, Snotlout, and Gobber sat alongside Stoick at the central table. A faint aroma of smoked fish and bread lingered in the air, though none of them touched the food. The events of the previous night hung heavy over the gathering, each person lost in their thoughts.

Stoick's deep voice broke the silence. "So," he began, his tone gruff and no-nonsense, "let me get this straight. You woke something—someone—in those cursed ruins, and now we're dealing with a dragon that controls all the elements? A beast the likes of which I've never even imagined?"

His piercing gaze landed on Hiccup, who sat at the edge of his seat, fidgeting slightly under the weight of his father's scrutiny.

"What were you thinking, boy?" Stoick demanded, his frustration thinly veiled.

"Dad," Hiccup began, holding up his hands defensively, "it wasn't intentional. We were scouting the area—exploring—and Toothless… well, he tripped something. A mechanism, I think. It was ancient, Aetherian tech. And then..."

Hiccup paused, searching for the right words. His hesitation prompted Fishlegs to jump in, his hands animated as he recounted the event.

"The ice!" Fishlegs exclaimed, his voice tinged with excitement despite the grim topic. "Massive blocks of it started to melt, almost like it was… alive! It wasn't natural at all. And then, when it was gone—poof—there they were: Nyx, Lyra, and… Chaos."

At the mention of Chaos, Snotlout let out a loud groan, throwing his hands into the air. "Oh, great. Chaos. Really reassuring name, by the way. Why not just call it 'We're All Gonna Die' and save everyone the suspense?"

Gobber snorted, his grin wide as he leaned back in his chair. "Aye, I've heard worse. Remember that lad who named his dragon Bitey? Poor thing didn't last long."

"Enough!" Stoick barked, his voice cutting through the banter like a knife. He turned his sharp gaze back to Hiccup. "You said they attacked you?"

Hiccup shook his head quickly. "Not exactly. It was more like… they didn't trust us. Nyx thought we were enemies, but he didn't go all out. If he really wanted to kill us, Dad, we wouldn't be sitting here having this conversation."

Snotlout snorted. "Oh, sure, let's feel all warm and fuzzy that the walking stormcloud decided not to wipe us out on a whim."

Hiccup shot him a glare before continuing. "The power he unleashed… it wasn't random. It was calculated, controlled. Almost like he was sending a message: 'Stay back.' But the amount of energy—it was…" He trailed off, struggling to find a word that could adequately describe it.

"Terrifying," Fishlegs supplied, pushing his glasses up his nose as he nodded fervently. "But also fascinating! The way Chaos's energy resonated with the entire area—it was like it wasn't just manipulating the elements. It was the elements. And Nyx—he's completely bonded to it. I've never seen anything like it, not even with Toothless and Hiccup."

Stoick rubbed his temples, the weight of the conversation clearly sinking in. His broad shoulders seemed heavier as he leaned forward. "And what exactly is this Nyx planning, then? You say he's powerful, but what does he want?"

Hiccup hesitated, his brow furrowed. "That's just it, Dad. I don't think he knows what he wants. He's broken… lost. And Lyra—"

"Don't even get me started on her," Snotlout interrupted, crossing his arms. "She's way too calm for someone married to a walking natural disaster. Suspiciously calm, if you ask me."

Gobber leaned forward, his grin returning. "Sounds like my kind o' lass. Bet she's got some real clever tricks for handling him. Eh, Stoick?" He winked, earning a withering glare from the chief.

"Stay focused," Stoick growled. He turned back to Hiccup, his tone sharp. "And this Lyra—what's her role in all of this? If she's his wife, why didn't she stop him?"

"That's why we're here," Hiccup replied. "She did stop him. But it's… complicated. She cares about him, but there's a wall between them. And she's—well, I don't even know how to describe it. She's… different."

Before Stoick could press further, the heavy wooden doors to the hall creaked open, drawing all eyes to the entrance. Astrid stepped inside, her expression calm but resolute, the set of her jaw reflecting her readiness for the conversation to follow. Behind her, Lyra entered, her presence immediately commanding attention.

She moved with quiet grace, her silver-blonde hair shimmering in the morning light streaming through the high windows. Her emerald-green eyes swept the room, pausing briefly on Hiccup before locking onto Stoick with steady resolve. There was a weight to her gaze, a subtle blend of sorrow and unyielding determination.

"You have questions," she said, her voice calm yet firm, carrying just enough authority to match Stoick's commanding presence. "I will answer what I can."

Stoick straightened, the wooden chair creaking under his weight as he leaned forward. His eyes narrowed as he regarded her, his tone clipped but not hostile. "Aye, I do. First and foremost—why in the name of Thor were you encased in ice? And why are we dealing with a dragon that could flatten Berk with a sneeze?"

Lyra hesitated, folding her hands in front of her, the crystalline ring on her finger catching the light. For a moment, her composure faltered, a flicker of guilt crossing her face before she took a steadying breath. "It was not by choice," she began, her voice soft but resolute. "Our kingdom—Aether—was attacked. Nyx fought to protect it with everything he had, but the enemy was overwhelming. When our people were on the verge of being slaughtered, Nyx made a desperate choice."

Her voice wavered slightly, though her posture remained poised. "He unleashed Chaos's full power to stop the attack. But that power… it consumed him. Consumed us. The ice you found us in—it was Chaos's doing. It shielded us from destruction, but it was not without cost. That moment destroyed what remained of our kingdom."

Stoick frowned deeply, his fingers curling into a fist against the table. "Protecting you from what?"

Lyra's expression darkened, her eyes shadowed with memories. "Aria Vespera," she said, her voice low. "A Star Wanderer bonded to Velona, the Cosmic Dragon of Stars. She sought Nyx—not to destroy him, but to take him. To tear him away from Aether, from his people. She believed his power was wasted in our world, that he was destined for the stars."

A heavy silence fell over the room. Hiccup's gaze dropped to the table, his mind racing to piece together the fragments of Nyx and Lyra's story. Astrid shifted beside Lyra, her brow furrowing at the weight of her words.

"And this Aria," Stoick pressed, his voice unyielding. "Is she still out there?"

Lyra nodded solemnly. "Yes. And if she finds him…" She trailed off, her gaze sweeping the room, her tone thick with warning. "The consequences could be catastrophic. Nyx may kill her if it comes to it, but even then…" She hesitated before continuing, "He won't fight for himself. Not fully. That is his nature. When they last battled, his people were below. He fought to protect them—not to destroy her."

Her eyes fell on Stoick. "But Aria won't hesitate. She sees no boundaries, no cost too high."

Stoick's jaw clenched, his expression dark. "And Chaos? What role does it play in all this?"

Lyra straightened slightly, her voice firm. "Chaos is no ordinary dragon. It is the Cosmic Dragon of Elements. All elements bend to its will—fire, water, air, earth. It doesn't just wield them; it is them. Its power is unparalleled, and that power has not left Nyx's side for a moment."

Her voice softened as she added, "But that power is a double-edged sword. Without Aether, without his people, Nyx's emotions are… unstable. That instability feeds Chaos's strength, making it unpredictable. Dangerous."

She paused, her gaze distant for a moment. "When Nyx was just a child, he once fell down the palace steps. He was upset—crying. And in that moment, he destroyed an entire wing of the palace without even realizing it."

Fishlegs let out an audible gasp, his hands gripping the edge of the table. Gobber whistled low, his grin fading into something more cautious. Snotlout's face paled as he muttered under his breath, "We're so dead."

Stoick's eyes narrowed, his expression unreadable. His voice, however, was steady and grim. "And you're saying that if we don't find a way to stabilize him, his emotions could destroy us all?"

Lyra's gaze met his, unwavering. "Yes."

She glanced toward Hiccup, her expression softening slightly. "That's why he left me with you. He was afraid his instability might harm me." Her voice dropped slightly, carrying a faint note of sadness. "He trusted you, Hiccup. He trusted all of you to keep me safe."

Hiccup shifted uncomfortably, guilt flickering across his face. "He trusted us?" he repeated, his voice quiet but strained.

Lyra nodded. "Yes. Despite his isolation, despite his pain, he believes in you."

She reached into the folds of her robe and withdrew a small artifact—a smooth, crystalline lens that shimmered faintly with an inner light. Its intricate edges glowed faintly, etched with patterns of ancient runes.

"This is the Info Lens," Lyra said, holding it up for all to see. "It is an artifact of Aether, given to Nyx at birth alongside Chaos by the Cosmic Dragon of Time. Its true name… I do not know. That knowledge was a royal secret, even to me."

She set the lens gently on the table, her fingers lingering on its surface. "Nyx entrusted it to me before he left, believing it would help me integrate with your people. He thought it would ease my burden."

Lyra's lips quirked into a wry, depreciating smile. "He may have overestimated me. Even using this lens to see a fragment of information places an enormous strain on me."

Astrid leaned in slightly, her brow furrowing. "Then why keep using it?"

Lyra's smile softened, but her tone turned resolute. "Because I am Lyra Celestria. Wife of Nyx Aetherion, the pride and last king of Aether. I have faced worse burdens, and I will not leave him to face this alone."

The room fell into a heavy silence, Lyra's declaration hanging in the air. Gobber broke it with a low whistle, his expression a mix of admiration and concern. "Well, lass, you've got more spine than most I've met."

Fishlegs nodded fervently, still wide-eyed. "That… that's incredible. I mean, the Info Lens, Chaos, the Cosmic Dragon of Time! You're living history!"

Snotlout crossed his arms, his bravado faltering slightly. "Yeah, well, living history or not, that guy better not flatten Berk."

Stoick rose slowly, his towering presence filling the room, his shadow stretching across the table as he stood. His gaze, heavy with the weight of leadership, met Lyra's steady emerald eyes. For a moment, silence hung in the air like a held breath.

"You've given us much to think about," Stoick said finally, his voice deep and grave. "If Nyx trusted us, we'll do what we can to honor that trust."

Lyra inclined her head, her expression calm, though there was a flicker of something softer—gratitude, perhaps—in her gaze.

"And," Hiccup interjected, his voice more hopeful, "we'll all help him find his footing again. Help him be stable. Be with us, with you, Lyra." He leaned forward slightly, his hand resting on the table as determination colored his words. "Now, we just have to figure out where he went."

Lyra opened her mouth to speak, her lips parting with the beginning of an answer, when Astrid's voice cut through, light but teasing.

"No worries there," Astrid said with a slight smirk, leaning casually against the back of Lyra's chair. "Lyra's ring is connected to Nyx's, right? Wherever he goes, he can't escape her." She shot Hiccup a sideways glance, her tone turning playful. "I'm thinking of asking Lyra to get one of those for us, too."

Hiccup's face flushed immediately, his ears reddening as he sputtered. "Wha—I—Astrid!" He fumbled with his words, his hands waving in a flurry of embarrassed gestures. "That's not—that's—"

Astrid leaned closer to him, her grin widening. "What? You don't think it's a good idea? You do wander off all the time, you know. It'd make keeping track of you so much easier."

Gobber barked out a laugh, slapping his knee. "Aye, lass! You've got the right idea. Keepin' Hiccup on a leash—figuratively, of course—would save us all a heap of trouble."

Snotlout, never one to miss an opportunity to chime in, leaned back in his chair with a smug grin. "Ha! A leash for Hiccup? Count me in! But if we're handing out magic rings, I'll take one that tracks my awesomeness instead. Can't have people losin' sight of how amazing I am."

Astrid rolled her eyes at Snotlout's comment, but her smile lingered. Lyra, however, watched the exchange with a faintly bemused expression, her fingers brushing the crystalline band on her own hand.

"I suppose it does seem convenient," Lyra said, her voice carrying a quiet humor. She tilted her head, considering Astrid's suggestion. "Though I must warn you, these rings are not merely tools. They're a bond, a symbol of connection and trust. In Aether, they were sacred."

Fishlegs, wide-eyed and enthralled, leaned forward, nearly knocking over his chair in his eagerness. "Wait, wait, how exactly does it work? Is it purely magical? Or is there a technological component to it? Maybe a mix of both? Oh, this is fascinating!"

"Does it work on dragons?" Ruffnut suddenly piped up, her voice breaking through the chatter as she peeked into the hall alongside her brother. "Like, if I got one for Barf and Belch, could I make sure they don't ditch me for fish again?"

Tuffnut nodded sagely beside her. "Yeah, we need one for tracking dragon mischief. Or Snotlout. Either one."

Snotlout threw up his hands, glaring at the twins. "Oh, real funny, guys. Like I'm the one who needs tracking. I'm the most reliable person here!"

"Reliable for causing trouble," Astrid quipped, her tone dry.

"Exactly!" Ruffnut said with a grin, making Tuffnut cackle beside her.

"Enough," Stoick's deep voice rumbled, cutting through the playful chaos. The room settled instantly, the Riders sobering under his commanding presence. His gaze turned to Lyra, serious once more. "You said these rings are connected, bound by something deeper than magic or craft. How does that help us find him?"

Lyra straightened in her seat, her hands resting lightly on the table as she explained. "The rings are forged with materials unique to Aether, infused with both our kingdom's magic and runes. As long as Nyx wears his ring, I can feel his presence, sense the direction he's in, no matter how far. It's faint at times, but… he cannot sever our connection, even if he wanted to."

Her voice softened, her gaze distant as she added, "I imagine that is why he left me here. He knew I would find him when the time was right. He trusted me to follow, and…" She looked at Hiccup, her eyes earnest. "He trusted you to protect me until then."

The weight of her words silenced the room. Even Snotlout, who had opened his mouth to make another comment, shut it with a snap and looked away awkwardly. Fishlegs adjusted his glasses, blinking rapidly as if processing the enormity of what Lyra had said.

Hiccup's expression softened, guilt flickering across his face. "We'll keep that trust, Lyra. I promise. But… when we do find him, what then? How do we help him?"

Lyra's lips pressed into a thin line, and for a moment, uncertainty clouded her features. "That is something only Nyx can answer," she admitted. 

Gobber let out a low whistle, shaking his head. "Well, lass, if grit and loyalty could fix every problem, I reckon you've got this one handled."

Fishlegs muttered something under his breath about "the most romantic bond ever," while Astrid reached out and gave Lyra's shoulder a firm but friendly squeeze.

"We'll find him," Astrid said simply, her tone confident. "And when we do, we'll figure it out. Together."

Stoick nodded firmly, his eyes meeting Lyra's with quiet respect. "You have my word. Berk will stand with you."

Lyra's expression softened, gratitude shining briefly in her emerald eyes. "Thank you," she said quietly, her voice steady.

The room grew quiet again, but this time, it was a silence of resolve, not uncertainty.