That's certainly an interesting power Valka has, and do I spy some hints that Cloudjumper has one too? It isn't what my first guess would have been, but in retrospect it does fit her character quite well. She was always the one to see the thing everybody else was blind to.

Also, I'm almost certain Hiccup's benefactor is Nilbog, given the hints you dropped this chapter. It makes sense, both thematically and practically (why not give gifts to her slave to make him more effective? She didn't expect to lose control over him.)

Also, the hammer. Again, thematically that makes total sense, and I really like it. There's so much you could do with a hammer that defies the laws of physics at its user's will like this one does, and that's not even getting into the lightning powers Hiccup seems to posses.

Now I see the point of all this buildup, by the way. You needed it to make the crazy powers our protagonists demonstrate seem earned. In another story, I would be decrying them as too overpowered, but in this one they're just in contention now, not helpless insects forced to run and hide. In other words, the enemies are also this strong, and it seems like a lot of characters have been buffed by various gods. (And there's still Astrid, who now must somehow pose a legitimate threat, all but guaranteeing she's going to be messing around with godly power somehow at some point, if she hasn't already).

This has changed from mechanical to magical it is admittedly a bit weird and will take some getting used to.

More time passing, more development, all building to something. Something big, I assume, otherwise you wouldn't be powering both of our protagonists up so much (albeit in different ways, constructive for Toothless and potentially destructive for Hiccup, as we see with the assortment of I'm guessing very lethal traps he's making). Also, Nidhog is back, and we find out that there are three, possibly four gods-blessed individuals around Hiccup, and know that he doesn't count. Going by the assumption that these are characters we already know, I'd say the Bewilderbeast, Valka, and possibly Cloudjumper. The first of those three is laughably obvious, Valka could definitely fall under the 'doesn't know it' category, or maybe she does know, and Cloudjumper might have gotten something incredibly minor. I have to guess that Valka's communicating with dragons so simply would be a part or perhaps the whole of her blessing, given Hiccup doesn't seem to understand the mechanics of it, just that it works, and she hasn't tried to teach it to him (which she might not be able to if it's a blessing, not a learnable skill).

Put a mini flamethrower in the arm please

Thank you for this great story! I look forward to the next chapters.

Well, it's a good read so far. Was a little disappointed at Toothless agreeing to be separate from Hiccup but after reading his side I now suspect Fenrir has lied to them, getting them to both believe the other has agreed to it?

If so, I suspect it may not end well for him should they find out the truth.

Yup, still around! If you've not got any more school, you're lucky; my college just switched everything to online-only and sent people home if they had anywhere safer to go.

Hmm, a training montage? I like it, personally. It's good to see some progress, even if there's not much for me to theorize about. Next time, I suppose. I don't even know what to think about Toothless' powers, and Hiccup's armor sounds interesting. I'm really interested in seeing what he ends up with as his final-form prosthetics and weapons, because this story is extremely unique in that department.

A lovely chapter.

After that small part about a weak magnetic energy between Hiccup and the metal, I just have the image of his entire body being made out of cogs and gears.
Like, some super machine thing. Maybe like some dwemer contraption (dwemer are from elder scrolls if you didn't know) but with a human mind.

I'm looking forward to the next chapter.

Hollow Knight, you say? I got more of a Monster Hunter vibe from a lot of them (specifically, places like the Rotton Vale really match up, down to the inclusion of a bone-armored dragon-esque inhabitant), but I can see it. How far are you into Hollow Knight? That's one of my all-time favorite games.

Anyway, on to the actual chapter.

After the mostly-talking chapter of last time, I see you've balanced things by giving us one of mostly action! I do wonder what Toothless is up to during this time, but I'm sure we'll find out eventually. In the meantime, that was quite a rapid series of biomes and new dragons. Just how big is the Haven, that Hiccup can spend days traversing it? The dome of canon wouldn't take that long to cross end to end, or even circle.

I feel like I say this every review, but it's always good to see this story updating. This chapter had some interesting worldbuilding, though apparently you don't plan to do much with it except supply Berk with a plot excuse to make it to the nest, if I'm not mistaken. Maybe some cameos from Dagur, as he seems to have a little bit more of a personality (and a far more subdued, reasonable one than I was expecting).

So, Hiccup's controlled escapades have not gone unnoticed, though it seems that Tuffnut is the only one to have made all the connections. Too bad he didn't figure out that Hiccup was being controlled in time to do anything about it (though I've no idea what he would be able to do in any case).

And of course, Astrid is dark and troubling. What's new? Can't wait to see how that plays out.

How did I like it?

I liked it. As a lot of other people probably did, I would have enjoyed seeing more Valka, but writing dialogue is always more difficult than it seems it's going to be; can't blame you there. When Valka started mumbling to herself I was startled, then afraid she was also possessed. She wasn't, but I commend you on making me think she was. Subversion of expectations. Can we call this a clifffaller? - oh yes, and you casually mention that there might be some time between updates.

Not much you can do about school; not much at all.

Good one.

Cheers! From Blackberry Avar.

Old village_ left to his fate . Or a place where he learned to support himself.
Here left again... a place where he relearns he may ask for help... I guess.
I find Valka bad at parenting, then again she hasn't been there for most of it and kids start out with people will help me, I can clearly see why Hiccup doesn't go quickly to that, seriously Valka go join fenrir in the bad way to give lessons corner.

I'm rooting for Hiccup, someones got to do it. No one else needs it (little to no trouble for toothless) or deserves it.

It's back! only 3k words, but it's back! Glad to see this story is still alive and kicking.

Hmm, my gut reaction to Valka telling Hiccup to get another dragon is 'not happening,' which seems to be his as well, but that does raise the question of when Hiccup and Toothless will reunite. Probably not before Hiccup has reached his full potential, whatever that is, so a few more chapters at minimum would be my guess.

Something is odd about Valka. I think we can blame her isolation and Hiccup's overall weirdness, though I'm not ruling out more supernatural causes just yet.

... And I suppose that's one way to get down, albeit not the one he intended. What are the odds next chapter is on Toothless? That's what I would do, just to mess with the readers.

Seems like Hiccup and Tuffnut are going to have a friendship. The Gronkle incident stunk, and I really wonder what the thing inside Hiccup is. At first, I thought it was Toothless, but I don't think he can mind control and it seems that he really cares for Hiccup.

Toothless got a new tail! I noticed the Zippleback training scene was relatively close to the movie, except that Hiccup didn't slam a bucket over the two-headed dragon's head. Snotlout is really being a jerk. Why is Hiccup just taking it? I guess he's waiting for the right moment to strike Snotlout down.
Toothless returns! Yay!