At first it was difficult for Hiccup to pinpoint the exact location of their attackers over the sounds of his friends splashing their way toward the beach. Then an arrow came flying from his right, and after dodging it, he noticed the group of 15 or so hunters who were running up the beach from the uninhabited side of Dragon's Edge. If they hurried, they could make the beach before the group reached them.

Snotlout and Fishlegs were the closest to the beach where their weapons and armor was strewn haphazardly across the white sand. Astrid had immediately taken off swimming for land and Hiccup now followed, kicking hard with his good foot and briefly wishing he had designed a flipper for his prosthetic. Ruff and Tuff were making the most racket as they attempted to run through the water towards the beach. Thankfully their movements were so sporadic that the arrows targeting them missed every time.

Snotlout and Fishlegs had just reached the beach, but the hunters were too fast and it was looking unlikely anyone else would have time to reach their weapons. A sudden flash of purple followed by a long jet of flames shot towards the hunters. Hiccup heard their frustrated shouts as the dragons closed in on them, giving their riders time to reach land.

Then, everything seemed to slip into slow motion. Hiccup's eyes had refocused on the beach where Astrid was just now climbing out of the surf towards their weapons. She had nearly reached her trusty axe when a hunter suddenly appeared from behind a boulder, most likely positioned there to attack from behind. Hiccup opened his mouth to yell a warning when a wave overtook him, forcing his head underwater and filling every open orifice with seawater.

Ignoring the burn of salt water in his eyes, Hiccup struggled to surface so he could alert Astrid. Her pained scream interrupted his train of thought, however, and he surfaced just in time to see Astrid crumple to the ground beside the triumphant looking hunter.

Hiccup's stomach flipped violently as he noticed the scarlet gleam of blood on the hunter's blade. Another look at Astrid, huddled helplessly on the sand before the menacing hunter, and it was as if his body had completely bypassed his brain. He suddenly found himself on the shore feet from Astrid, thwarting the enemy's fatal strike by barreling into him and sending his sword flying out of his hand.

In seconds Hiccup had retrieved the wretched weapon and smacked his opponent across the face with the broadside of the blade. Had he been more himself, the logical, calculating warrior, he would have noticed how fearful the hunter was of his own sword. When Hiccup advanced again, his anger now in full control of his actions, the offending man turned abruptly and ran to the safety of his fellows. The other dragon hunters were busy fighting the riders, who were joined by their dragons. The fight was evenly matched, until Hiccup joined the fray.

It had been Astrid who had finally succeeded in teaching Hiccup how to use a weapon. Sure, his first shot with a bola had brought down the most feared dragon known to Vikings at the time, but she argued that had been a lucky shot. After the incident with the Red Death, Astrid feared for Hiccup's safety and begged him to practice with her. Within a few years, he decided the only use he had for an axe was chopping wood, he could shoot an arrow from a bow if his prey stood still, but give him a sword and even Astrid grew wary.

Now, as he swung the unfamiliar steel through the air, he was thankful for all those years of practice. With hardly a thought, Hiccup disarmed three soldiers who fought Ruffnut. In his fury he did not hold back, and had the enemy not run from him it was likely he would have killed them.

As soon as they realized the likelihood of their defeat, the soldiers retreated to their boat that had materialized after the battle began. Hiccup was fully intent on following them when a hand grabbed his shoulder. Ducking and spinning as Astrid had taught him so long ago, he turned to find himself holding his sword to Fishlegs' throat.

"H..Hiccup?"

It took longer than it should have, but Hiccup dropped the blade into the sand and backed away from his friend.

"I'm so sorry Fishlegs," he shuddered, "I don't know what came over me, I saw that hunter stab Ast…"

It was suddenly as though the oppressive heat had disappeared and instead he was dunked in Glacier Lake. Stumbling around Fishlegs and taking off at a dead run, he made it to Astrid's side just as she fell sideways into the sand.