The Lost King’s Legacy

The afternoon sun bathed Berk in a golden glow, a perfect contrast to the chilly air that carried the salt of the sea. The Riders, along with Lyra, sat outside on a broad patch of grass near the edge of the cliffs. Dragons lounged around them, basking in the warmth or playfully wrestling with one another. Toothless and Lexy lay nearby, occasionally exchanging curious glances, their tails flicking in unison like silent companions engaged in a shared understanding.

The atmosphere was relaxed, but as conversations naturally flowed, Astrid steered it toward the curious events of the past few days.

"So," Astrid began, leaning forward with her chin propped on her hand, "you and Nyx communicate through that barrier because of the ring, right? But it seems like a pretty roundabout way to talk to him."

Lyra nodded, her crystalline green eyes thoughtful. "Yes, the ring gives me a sense of where he is and lets me feel his presence, but it's not exactly a conversation. It's more like… knowing he's there, and feeling when he's not."

Snotlout frowned, leaning back and crossing his arms. "That seems like a lot of trouble. Why not just—I don't know—yell really loud?"

Astrid rolled her eyes, flicking a pebble at him. "Because yelling doesn't exactly work through elemental storms and magical barriers, genius."

Snotlout dodged the pebble, feigning offense. "Hey, it was a valid question! Besides, maybe Nyx is the type to appreciate a good dramatic shout."

Lyra chuckled softly, her fingers tracing the band of her ring. "It's not about shouting. The ring was designed for connection, not casual talk. It ensures I can always sense him, even if words aren't possible. But…" She trailed off, her expression shifting to one of contemplation.

Hiccup, perched on a nearby rock with his legs dangling over the edge, noticed her hesitation. "What is it?" he asked gently.

Lyra glanced at him, then sighed. "In Aether, we had devices called Runic Communicators. They were enchanted crystals that allowed us to send messages across great distances. Much easier than relying on rings or barriers."

Fishlegs practically leapt to his feet, his notebook already in hand. "Enchanted crystals? Like magical devices? How did they work? Tell me everything!" His quill hovered eagerly above the page, ready to record.

Lyra tilted her head with a faint smile. "Magic and technology together. The communicators used runic energy drawn from carefully carved crystals. When activated, the runes would light up and transmit your voice to another communicator, no matter how far away it was. The message wasn't just sound—it carried intent, emotion, and clarity."

Astrid raised a brow, unimpressed. "So, like dragon-sized talking rocks?"

Lyra laughed, shaking her head. "Not quite. They were small, portable, and far more elegant than anything resembling a rock."

Hiccup's eyes gleamed with curiosity. "Do you think they're still out there? In the ruins of your kingdom?"

Lyra tilted her head, considering the possibility. "It's possible," she admitted, "but Aether's been frozen for so long. I can't be sure if anything survived intact, let alone functional."

Snotlout waved a dismissive hand. "Okay, let's say you find one. How do you know it won't just, I don't know, explode or something? Magic stuff is tricky, right?"

"It is," Lyra said evenly. "But Aetherian technology was crafted to endure. We used materials like Emberstone—a magical stone that absorbs and withstands extreme conditions—and Runic Steel, which doesn't degrade over time. If anything survived, it would be because of those materials."

Fishlegs furrowed his brow as he scribbled frantically. "But wouldn't the ice have disrupted the runes or damaged the energy flow?"

Lyra nodded. "There's a chance the runes are dormant, but Aether had redundancies for almost everything. Magical artifacts were stored in secure vaults, and even general supplies were built to last. If we search warehouses or other storage areas, we might find something that still works."

Astrid glanced at Hiccup, her tone curious. "If we had something like these communicators, it could make things a lot easier for us. Imagine not having to rely on Nadder mail to get a message across the archipelago."

Hiccup smiled, nodding slowly. "It does sound incredible. But, Lyra," he added, his voice softening, "are you sure you're ready to go back to Aether? It's only been a few days since you woke up. That can't be easy."

Lyra's gaze drifted to the horizon, her expression tinged with sadness. "I'm not sure about anything," she admitted softly. "But if there's even a chance that something from Aether can help us now, I have to try. Besides," she added, her faint smile returning, "I won't be alone, will I?"

"Not a chance," Astrid said firmly. "We'll go with you."

Snotlout groaned dramatically, slumping in his seat. "Great. Another frozen wasteland. My favorite."

Ruffnut and Tuffnut exchanged mischievous grins. "Frozen wastelands are awesome," Tuffnut declared. "So much room for chaos!"

"And ice battles!" Ruffnut added, punching the air.

Fishlegs shook his head, muttering under his breath, "This is going to be a disaster."

Lyra couldn't help but smile at their antics, though her thoughts lingered on the uncertainties ahead. "Thank you," she said quietly, her voice sincere. "I don't know what we'll find, but having all of you with me… it means a lot."

Astrid placed a reassuring hand on Lyra's shoulder. "That's what we're here for. Now let's get ready—this sounds like it's going to be a trip to remember."

The frozen spires of the Aether Kingdom shimmered in the pale sunlight, their crystalline structures radiating an ethereal glow. The Riders, led by Lyra atop Lexy, descended cautiously onto the icy streets below. Despite the biting chill in the air, the haunting beauty of the frozen kingdom had not lost its power to captivate.

"No matter how many times I see this place," Astrid murmured, her breath forming clouds in the frigid air, "it still feels… unreal."

Hiccup, perched on Toothless, nodded, his gaze sweeping over the frost-encrusted arches and intricate runic patterns embedded in the streets. "It's like the whole kingdom is frozen in time, waiting for someone to wake it up."

Lyra dismounted gracefully, her boots crunching against the frost-covered ground. Her green eyes roamed over the empty streets, a wistful expression flickering across her face. "It does feel like that," she said quietly. "As if Aether is holding its breath."

Snotlout shivered dramatically, rubbing his arms for warmth. "Well, if the people ever do come back, they'd better bring fire pits. This place is colder than Hookfang's attitude after I tell him off."

Hookfang snorted indignantly, a puff of steam escaping his nostrils, while the others chuckled softly. Even Lyra's lips curved into a faint smile, her tension easing as the group began their exploration.

The group moved cautiously through the main avenue, their dragons trailing behind or flying low overhead. Each step revealed more of Aether's frozen splendor—towering arches encased in ice, statues of dragons and rulers standing sentinel, and streets inlaid with runic designs that faintly glimmered beneath the frost.

"This was the market district," Lyra explained, gesturing to the frost-covered stalls lining the avenue. "It was always lively. Merchants sold everything from runic artifacts to dragon care supplies, and there was always a storyteller or musician performing here." She gestured toward a circular plaza where a frozen fountain stood, its cascading water suspended mid-flow. "The performers would often gather there. It was a place for joy."

Fishlegs's eyes widened with awe as he furiously scribbled notes in his notebook. "Aether really was a utopia for dragons and humans working together. It must have been extraordinary to live here."

"It was," Lyra replied softly, her gaze distant. "But like all great kingdoms, it had its struggles too."

Astrid ran her gloved fingers over the carvings of a stall, marveling at the intricate detail. "I can't imagine what it must have been like when it all froze over. One moment, everything alive, thriving, and then…"

"Silent," Lyra finished, her voice barely audible. She turned away from the group, her steps purposeful as she led them deeper into the city.

Their search took them to several key locations—warehouses where artifacts and supplies were stored, the guildhall that once housed Aether's scholars and artificers, and even a temple dedicated to the Cosmic Dragons. Each place held relics of a bygone era, preserved in frost and silence, but none contained what they were looking for.

"It's like searching for a needle in a haystack," Fishlegs muttered, brushing frost off a damaged scroll. "A frozen haystack, no less."

Lyra's expression was firm, her determination undiminished despite the fruitless search. "We're not leaving until we find something," she said.

Hiccup placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "We'll find it," he said with quiet confidence. "If anyone can, it's us."

Lyra nodded, and they pressed on.

The Aetherian Palace loomed ahead, its towering spires glinting like frozen stars. Even among the grandeur of the rest of the kingdom, the palace stood apart, a monument to Aether's legacy.

"I'll never get over how massive this place is," Snotlout said, craning his neck to take in the sheer scale of the structure. "Nyx grew up here? Must've been nice to have your own personal castle."

Lyra's lips quirked into a small smile. "It wasn't as lonely as it seems. The palace was always full of life—advisors, courtiers, dragon trainers… It was the heart of the kingdom."

They stepped inside, their boots echoing softly on the crystalline floors. The palace's interior was as magnificent as its exterior, with walls adorned in intricate runic designs that glimmered faintly. Frozen chandeliers hung from the ceiling, refracting light into shimmering rainbows.

Hiccup glanced around, taking in the detail. "Let's start on the first floor," he suggested.

The group moved through grand chambers and corridors, their footsteps leaving faint trails in the frost. The air was thick with an almost reverent stillness, as though the palace itself was aware of their presence.

In one of the grand chambers, the group finally found what they were searching for. Against the far wall stood a series of Runic Communicators, their crystals glowing faintly despite the centuries of ice and silence.

"Finally!" Astrid exclaimed, brushing frost away from one of the devices. "These look like they're still working."

Lyra approached the communicators slowly, her expression a mix of relief and reverence. Her fingers brushed over the runes, and a faint glow pulsed beneath her touch. "They are," she murmured, her voice tinged with awe. "The crystals are intact, and the runes… they're still active."

Fishlegs practically vibrated with excitement, his notebook falling to the floor as he knelt to inspect the devices. "This is incredible! Fully functioning magical technology, preserved perfectly after centuries in ice—"

"Yeah, yeah, nerd out later," Snotlout interrupted, waving a hand dismissively. "Let's make sure they actually work first."

Hiccup joined Lyra at the communicators, his analytical mind already considering the possibilities. "Can we test them now?" he asked.

"Not yet," Lyra replied. "They've been dormant for a long time. It'll take a few adjustments to wake them up properly. But it won't take long."

As Lyra focused on adjusting the communicators, Hiccup and Fishlegs ventured further into the chamber. Their attention was drawn to the far wall, where two massive tapestries hung shrouded in frost, their rich colors dulled but not diminished by the passage of time.

"Hey, Lyra," Hiccup called, stepping closer to the intricate works of art. "What are these?"

Lyra looked up from her work, her expression shifting as her gaze fell on the tapestries. She approached slowly, her footsteps soft against the icy floor, the room's stillness amplifying the quiet crunch of her boots.

The first tapestry loomed large and regal, its shimmering threads catching what little light filtered through the frozen room. At the center of the image, the Cosmic Dragon of Time, Kronos, stretched its mighty wings. Its scales glimmered like shifting galaxies, and in its claws, it held a golden crown. Beneath the towering dragon was a cradle of radiant light, and within that cradle lay an infant, tiny and fragile. Despite its size, the baby's golden eyes gleamed with an uncanny brilliance, almost as though the threads themselves pulsed with life. Kronos's wings curved protectively over the child, its gaze solemn and resolute.

Hiccup instinctively reached out, brushing frost from the edges of the tapestry to reveal more of the stunning detail. "This… this is incredible," he murmured, his voice filled with awe. "It's like the dragon itself is alive."

Fishlegs stepped closer, his breath fogging in the cold air. "Look at the craftsmanship," he whispered, his fingers tracing the edge of the woven fabric without touching it. "The scales on the dragon, the light in the baby's eyes… it's as if every thread tells its own story."

Astrid, standing slightly behind them, tilted her head. "It's beautiful, but also… imposing. That dragon—what kind is it? I've never seen anything like it."

Toothless let out a soft, curious chirp, his wide eyes fixed on the radiant image of Kronos. 

"Look at the crown," Fishlegs said, pointing to the delicate circlet in Kronos's claws. "The detail is so precise, even the runes on it are visible. Whoever made this was a master."

As they marveled at the first tapestry, Astrid's gaze shifted to the one beside it, and her expression hardened. "Hiccup," she said softly, her tone wary. "Look at this one."

Hiccup followed her gaze, and his breath caught as the second tapestry came into focus. Where the first was luminous and hopeful, this one was dark and jarring. Blood-red streaks marred the fabric, their vibrant hue stark against the somber backdrop. At the center of the image stood a figure shrouded in shadow—Nyx. His obsidian-black sword was raised high, its jagged edge glinting with ominous light. Around him lay a battlefield of chaos and destruction, the bodies of countless enemies strewn across a scorched and broken landscape. The sky above was alight with storms, the swirling clouds painted in shades of crimson and ash.

"What in Thor's name…" Snotlout muttered, his usual bravado muted as he stepped closer. "This is... intense."

The details were hauntingly vivid. The ground beneath Nyx's feet appeared cracked and splintered, as though the very earth had given way under the weight of his power. His molten-gold eyes burned fiercely, their glow almost unnerving amidst the tapestry's grim scene. Surrounding him were faint outlines of dragons in the sky, their shapes blurred as if consumed by the fury of the storm.

Astrid crossed her arms, her sharp gaze lingering on Nyx's figure. "It's not just intense," she said grimly. "It's... violent."

Ruffnut and Tuffnut, uncharacteristically quiet, exchanged uneasy glances. "It's metal," Ruffnut finally said, her voice lacking its usual excitement. "But like... too metal."

Tuffnut nodded solemnly. "Yeah. Even for us."

Fishlegs hesitated before speaking, his tone hushed. "The contrast is... staggering. That first tapestry was all about protection, light, and destiny. But this..." He gestured toward the second tapestry, his hand trembling slightly. "It's like... destruction given form."

Toothless let out a low growl, his ears flattening as he turned his gaze away from the blood-red streaks. Lexy, who had been watching quietly from the side, let out a soft rumble, her crystalline eyes narrowing slightly as though in recognition.

Hiccup tore his gaze from the grim image to look at Lyra. "What do these mean?" he asked, his voice cautious but firm. "Why are they here?"

Lyra stood motionless, her green eyes fixed on the tapestries. Her hands were clasped tightly in front of her, her knuckles white. For a moment, she said nothing, the weight of the images reflected in her expression.

When she finally spoke, her voice was soft but resolute. "It's... a long story," she said, her words measured and distant. "I'll explain back at the village. It's better shared there."

The Riders exchanged glances, their curiosity palpable but tempered by the gravity of her tone. They didn't press her further, sensing that the answers they sought were tied to memories too heavy to be unraveled here.