#4 𝗛𝗧𝗧𝗬𝗗 - 𝖧𝗂𝖼𝖼𝗎𝗉 𝖧𝖺𝖽𝖽𝗈𝖼𝗄

The storm had appeared out of nowhere.

One second the riders had been flying smoothly above the sea, and the next they were battling violent winds, freezing rain, and thunder so loud it shook the sky itself. Dragons roared against the storm as lightning split through dark clouds overhead.

"Cave! There!" Astrid shouted over the wind.

Without hesitation, the group steered their dragons toward the rocky cliffs, quickly disappearing into the mouth of a massive cavern hidden along the coastline.

The moment they landed inside, the sound of the storm became distant echoes behind them.

Water dripped from the cave ceiling. Cold air curled through the darkness. Toothless growled quietly beside Hiccup, his tail flicking uneasily.

Something felt wrong.

Hiccup stepped forward carefully, holding a torch higher as the riders slowly moved deeper into the cave. Their footsteps echoed sharply against the stone walls.

Then suddenly...

A faint flicker of light appeared somewhere deeper inside.

And with it came something unexpected.

A cold breeze.

Not normal cave cold.

Snow.

Tiny white flakes drifted through the air before melting against the ground.

Hiccup immediately frowned.

"Snow?" he muttered quietly. "There shouldn’t be anyone living this far north..."

"What if they’re dragon hunters?" Brutilda whispered, already pulling out her weapon cautiously.

Astrid narrowed her eyes and tightened her grip on Stormfly’s saddle.

"Then we deal with them first."

The riders exchanged tense looks before slowly advancing toward the source of the light.

Closer.

Closer.

Until finally... they saw someone standing near the far end of the cavern.

A figure wrapped in a thick white fur cloak stood silently beside a small fire, their back turned toward the group. Snowflakes drifted strangely around them despite the cave being completely closed off.

The figure stiffened slightly at the sound of footsteps.

Then slowly turned around.

A woman..