The shrieking reverberated into their bones, digging its claws even into the warmth of Toothless and Hiccup's new bond. To the Night Fury, the desire to give in and give up felt horrifically like the mental force once wielded against him by Drago's Bewilderbeast.

Hiccup...

"Just block it out bud. You can do it. I know you can."

But Hiccup's words rang hollow. Toothless could feel his rider's own terror, as Hiccup could his. And the fear fed off itself in a vicious cycle, slowly but surely building. They weren't catatonic, but they were certainly faltering. With the blasts likewise weakening, a few fearlings closed in, forcing Hiccup to light Inferno to drive them off.