I had just closed the distance to the cages, the trapped dragons straining against their bars, when suddenly—
Out of nowhere, Ryker appeared directly in front of me, as if he had been waiting. My heart skipped a beat. How had he moved so fast?
In his hand, he swung a dragon-resistant sword, its edge gleaming in the sunlight. The movement was lightning-quick, precise, and deadly.
"Damn it!" I shouted, gripping the Speed Stinger tighter.
The dragon instinctively twisted, claws digging into the rock as it tried to dodge—but there wasn't enough space. The blade cut dangerously close, missing only by inches as the Speed Stinger's tail lashed out instinctively, brushing against Ryker's arm.
The paralytic effect didn't hit him—it was the wrong type of strike—but it bought me a fraction of a second. That fraction was all I had to react.
I could feel adrenaline surging through my veins, the bond with the Speed Stinger electric beneath me. Its muscles tensed, tail flicking, ready to strike again—but Ryker was fast, and somehow he had closed the gap without me noticing.
I swallowed hard, heart pounding. One wrong move, and the mission—and the dragons—could be over before it even started.
For a heartbeat, everything froze: the trapped dragons, Ryker's men, Ryker himself, and me riding the Speed Stinger, caught between the need to strike and the need to survive.
The moment stretched for a heartbeat, then I leaned forward, shouting, "Move!"
The Speed Stinger leapt sideways with impossible speed, claws skidding across the jagged rocks. Ryker swung again, the dragon-resistant sword slicing through the air where I had just been—but the Speed Stinger was already gone, twisting and weaving like liquid.
I pressed my weight down, urging it forward. Its tail flicked instinctively, brushing Ryker's side. This time, I aimed perfectly, hitting him near the hip. He staggered, surprised, his sword arm jerking in reflex—but it didn't paralyze him. Still, it slowed him enough for us to gain precious distance.
"Keep going!" I yelled, leaning low to avoid another swing.
The Speed Stinger sprinted in a zigzag pattern, incredibly agile, claws scraping the rock. Every step, every leap, felt like we were dancing on the edge of death. Ryker tried to follow, but his heavy boots slipped on loose stone, giving us a small—but crucial—advantage.
I grinned, heart pounding. "That's it… just like that!"
Another hunter attempted to intervene, stepping into our path, but the Speed Stinger whipped its barbed tail with lightning precision. The hunter froze instantly, muscles locking with paralytic venom.
I barely had time to breathe before the Speed Stinger pivoted, tail flicking again, striking another hunter before they could react. One by one, the outer guards fell, leaving Ryker exposed and furious.
He snarled, swinging his sword wildly now, frustration evident in every move. But the Speed Stinger was untouchable, moving faster than the eye could follow, dodging, striking, and clearing the way toward the cages.
I leaned forward, whispering, "Almost there… keep them off us just a little longer."
Ryker's rage-filled eyes followed us, but he couldn't touch us—not yet. And in that moment, I realized the Speed Stinger wasn't just my mount. It was a weapon, a shield, and a partner—all in one.
The first step of this rescue mission wasn't over… but we were already winning.
While the Speed Stinger darted across the rocks, tail flicking and paralytic strikes taking out Ryker's hunters one by one, I kept my eyes on the cages. I could feel the dragons inside straining, sensing an opportunity, wings twitching, claws scrabbling.
"Hiccup!" I whispered, glancing up just as Toothless swooped overhead. "Now!"
Hiccup's green eyes lit up. Without a word, he sprang into action, moving quickly from cage to cage. He worked with precision, unlocking latches, undoing chains, and calming dragons with gentle words and gestures. A Deadly Nadder shrieked as its cage opened, but Hiccup held his ground, letting it step out slowly, wings flaring, before retreating to a safe distance.
Ryker barked orders, fury in his voice, but he couldn't reach Hiccup fast enough. The Speed Stinger's movements kept him distracted, darting in, tail flicking, forcing him to dodge and react instead of controlling the situation.
One by one, the dragons emerged from their cages, some hesitating, others letting out low roars of relief. Hiccup guided them toward safer ground, using Toothless to herd the more stubborn ones.
I leaned forward, feeling the thrill of the synergy. "Keep going!" I shouted to the Speed Stinger. "Don't let them interfere!"
The Speed Stinger lashed again, paralytic tail striking two more hunters who tried to move toward Hiccup. Ryker snarled, swinging his sword wildly, but the dragon's speed made him untouchable.
Hiccup worked quickly, whispering to the dragons as they left their cages, calming panic and guiding them out. In the chaos, Ryker's control over the hunters was collapsing.
"Almost there!" I yelled, my heart racing. "Hurry, Hiccup!"
With one final stretch, Hiccup and Toothless had freed nearly all the dragons. The cages now sat empty, some knocked over in the commotion, while Ryker's hunters were paralyzed or fleeing.
Ryker's face twisted in rage as he realized his plans had failed. He glared at me and the Speed Stinger, then at Hiccup and the freed dragons. "This isn't over!" he shouted, voice echoing across the cliffs.
I clenched my fists, leaning low on the Speed Stinger's back, tail twitching, ready for whatever came next. "No," I muttered, grinning. "But it's **over for now."
Ryker's eyes blazed with anger as he watched the last of the dragons escape his cages, guided carefully by Hiccup and Toothless. His hunters were either paralyzed or fleeing in panic, leaving him exposed and frustrated.
"This isn't over!" he bellowed, brandishing his dragon-resistant sword. His voice carried across the jagged cliffs, sharp and threatening.
The Speed Stinger hissed low, tail twitching, claws digging into the uneven ground. I leaned forward, gripping its shoulders. "Hold… he's just retreating."
Ryker glared at us one last time, then turned sharply, sprinting down a narrow, rocky path that led deeper into the wilds. His retreat was fast, calculated—a predator regrouping to strike another day.
I exhaled, letting the tension ease slightly. "He's gone… for now," I murmured.
Hiccup brushed dirt from his tunic, eyes scanning the surrounding rocks and trees. "That… could have gone much worse. If he'd caught us off guard…"
I smirked, leaning back on the Speed Stinger's muscular shoulders. "Yeah. But he didn't. And the dragons are safe—for now."
Around us, the freed Deadly Nadders roared and flapped, circling above nervously but without threat. The wilds seemed alive with the chaos of wings and claws, a mix of relief and energy.
Still, I knew Ryker wasn't gone for good. He was clever, dangerous, and now aware that someone—or something—had interfered with his plans. The next encounter wouldn't be a simple rescue.
I glanced down at the Speed Stinger, its tail flicking, muscles coiled and ready. "We'll be ready," I whispered.
The dragon hissed in agreement, and together, we watched the path Ryker had disappeared down, knowing that the wilds themselves now hid a dangerous threat waiting for its moment.
One thing was certain: this was only the beginning.