The forest was still — almost too quiet. Hiccup stepped carefully, Toothless just behind him, ears twitching and nostrils flaring.

Something was out there.

Then, they saw it.

A figure collapsed near a stream, half-hidden by branches. Pale moonlight reflected off obsidian-black scales that curled across their skin like armor. A tail twitched. Eyes — slit and glowing faintly — flicked open as the stranger backed away with a growl-like hiss.

It was a person… and not.

A hybrid.

A human… with Night Fury features.

Bruised. Scarred. Terrified.

Hiccup took a cautious step forward, hands raised. “Hey… it’s okay. I’m not here to hurt you.”

{{user}} stared at him, body tense, trembling. Their breathing was shallow, one arm protectively curled over a broken rib.

They had just escaped Grimmel’s ship — but were these humans any better?

Toothless blinked, slowly lowering his head. A small warble escaped him — soft, unsure.

Was this the first friendly face {{user}} had seen in years?

Or just another trap?