The notification hung in front of my eyes.
System Notification — Death Song Tamed
Rewards Unlocked:
• Shop: Unlocked
• 500 SP
• Titan Wing Potion
I stared at the last reward, my breath catching.
A Titan Wing Potion?
I focused on it, and a description appeared before my eyes.
Once consumed by a dragon, this potion will transform them into a Titan Wing.
I went completely still.
That was impossible. Titan Wings weren't something you created—they were legends, rare evolutions born from time, battle, and survival.
Then again… reincarnation was impossible too.
I exhaled slowly, shaking my head with a quiet laugh. "Guess I shouldn't question it anymore."
The system faded away as I dismissed it.
.I must've spaced out again, because Hiccup stepped closer, lowering his voice.
"You okay? You keep doing that."
I blinked and looked at him. "Yeah. Just… thinking."
He studied me for a second, then nodded. "Well, let's get the others."
With Toothless leading, we hurried back through the forest. The smell of resin grew stronger the closer we got, thick and sharp in the air. When we finally broke through the trees, everyone froze.
Their eyes weren't on us.
They were fixed on the massive dragon emerging from behind me.
Its body was far larger than any dragon they'd seen before, black scales catching the light with deep blue highlights. Long, twisted horns curved from its head, with a thick nasal horn between them. Spikes lined its back and tail, sharper and longer than anything natural, and its massive frills flared slightly as it moved.
No one spoke.
Finally, Fishlegs whispered, barely audible.
"…That's not in my book."
Snotlout swallowed. "Please tell me that thing's friendly."
"It is," I said calmly.
Astrid said. "Are you sure about that?"
Before I could answer, Hookfang shifted restlessly, his eyes locked on the amber-covered riders. He let out a low growl, flames flickering in his throat.
Snotlout panicked. "No—no, no! Hookfang, don't—"
"Let him," I said.
Everyone turned to me.
"What?" Snotlout snapped. "That stuff's solid rock!"
Hookfang didn't wait for permission.
He inhaled—and unleashed a burst of fire.
For a split second, nothing happened.
Then the amber violently shattered, exploding outward in a spray of hardened resin and smoke. The blast knocked everyone back—but when the haze cleared, the riders were free, coughing and wide-eyed but unharmed.
Silence followed.
Hiccup stared at the shattered amber, then at me.
"…How did you know that would work?"
I hesitated—just long enough to seem normal.
"Lucky guess."
Astrid stepped closer, eyes sharp, studying both me and the massive dragon behind me.
"That wasn't luck," she said quietly.
I helped her to her feet, offering a small smile. "Maybe I'm just good under pressure."
She held my gaze for a moment longer, then nodded once.
"…Thanks."
As we regrouped and prepared to leave the island, the giant dragon followed behind without resistance, its presence heavy and awe-inspiring.
The flight back to the Edge was quieter than usual.
The massive dragon followed at a distance, moving through the air with slow, powerful wingbeats, never once acting aggressive.
When we landed, I stepped away .
"Austin."
I turned to see Astrid walking toward me, axe resting on her shoulder. Her expression wasn't hostile—just thoughtful.
"You didn't panic back there," she said. "When everything went wrong, you didn't freeze."
I shrugged. "Didn't seem like a good time to."
She snorted softly. "Most people don't get that choice."
For a moment, we just stood there, watching Toothless circle overhead before landing near Hiccup. The wind tugged at Astrid's braid, and she absently adjusted it, eyes still on the horizon.
"That dragon," she continued. "You trusted it. Completely."
"I trusted myself," I replied.
That made her look at me.
Really look at me.
"Huh," she said quietly. "That's… different."
There was no accusation in her voice. No suspicion. Just curiosity.
She nodded toward the training area. "You fight?"
"Enough."
A smirk tugged at her lips. "Then tomorrow, you train with me."
I raised an eyebrow. "That wasn't a question."
"No," she agreed. "It wasn't."
She turned to leave, then paused and glanced back over her shoulder.
"…Good work today. You didn't have to help us—but you did."
Before I could answer, she was already walking away.
I watched her go, a strange feeling settling in my chest.
Astrid wasn't someone who trusted easily.
Which meant this—whatever this was—mattered.
And tomorrow?
Tomorrow would be interesting.
The next day came far too early.
The morning air was cold, the sky still painted in pale blues and grays when Astrid and I stood at the training grounds. She already had a wooden axe in hand, rolling her shoulders like this was just another routine spar.
She pointed it at me. "Get yourself a weapon. Then let's go."
I nodded and headed into the storage area nearby. Racks of training weapons lined the walls—swords, axes, spears, shields. I scanned them absently until something caught my eye near the back.
A glaive.
The moment my fingers brushed the shaft, a notification flickered into my vision.
Weapon of same class as soul weapon detected.
Would you like to absorb?
Yes / No
My heart skipped.
I didn't hesitate.
"Yes."
The glaive vanished from my hands like it had never existed. For a split second, there was nothing—then I focused, imagining my soul weapon.
A glaive formed in my grip.
Wooden. Smooth. Perfectly balanced.
I blinked, then thought about metal.
The wood shimmered and shifted, transforming into steel with a soft hum before snapping back to wood when I relaxed my focus.
"…That's new," I muttered under my breath.
I gave it a few experimental swings, feeling how naturally it moved, like it had always been mine. Light, responsive—an extension of my intent rather than just a weapon.
"Austin!" Astrid's voice snapped from outside. "Hurry up already!"
I smiled faintly and dismissed the metal form, stepping back out with the wooden glaive in hand.
Astrid was already waiting on the opposite side of the arena, feet planted, stance solid, eyes sharp. She took one look at the weapon and raised an eyebrow.
"A glaive?" she said. "Didn't take you for the flashy type."
"Guess you're about to find out," I replied.
She smirked and lowered into a ready stance. "Don't hold back today."
I mirrored her, tightening my grip as the morning wind passed between us.
Then she moved.
And this time, I was ready.