The Mystery of Valka’s Bewilderbeast: What Happened to Its Body?
The question of what happened to Valka’s Bewilderbeast’s body after its tragic death in How to Train Your Dragon 2 is a persistent one among fans. The straightforward answer is: its body was never shown on screen after its death. While the movie depicts its brutal impalement by Drago’s Enslaved Bewilderbeast, the subsequent battlefield scenes conspicuously lack any visual confirmation of its remains. This absence has led to much speculation and debate within the fandom, with various theories proposed to explain this oversight.
The Immediate Aftermath and Absence of a Corpse
The film vividly illustrates the moment of impact – Drago’s Bewilderbeast using its tusks to fatally pierce Valka’s Bewilderbeast’s underside. This devastating act is a turning point in the battle, showcasing the raw power and ruthlessness of Drago’s strategy. However, in the chaotic aftermath, as the battle unfolds and the focus shifts to other events, the body of Valka’s Bewilderbeast vanishes from the narrative.
This disappearance is significant because the film normally is fairly consistent about showing the aftermath of large battles. Dragons are typically depicted as being very physically present in all scenes, especially larger ones like the Bewilderbeast. The fact that this is missing leaves many questions. The absence of the body is especially noticeable given the Bewilderbeast’s titanic proportions and the impact such a large carcass would have had on the battlefield. One would expect to see it somewhere even after the immediate fighting is over. This lack of visual confirmation is the main reason why the question keeps cropping up. The most common assumption among viewers is that it was either too large to move and simply was not shown or that its body was taken away by the other dragons at the sanctuary.
Theories and Fan Speculation
Given the lack of concrete visual evidence, fans have generated several theories to account for the missing body. Here are a few of the more prominent ideas:
- Submerged in the Ocean: One possibility is that the Bewilderbeast’s body, mortally wounded, eventually drifted into the nearby ocean. Given the chaotic nature of the battle, it’s not impossible that it could have been carried out by the waves or pulled down by its own weight.
- Moved by Other Dragons: It’s not unthinkable that the other dragons, aware of the death of their leader, moved the Bewilderbeast’s body to some place more private as a sign of respect or as a part of an ancient ritual. The film establishes that dragons of that size and status are leaders of their nest, and thus its passing would warrant reverence.
- Simply Not Shown: The most practical, yet perhaps less exciting theory, is that the animators chose not to show the body, perhaps to avoid unnecessary gore or to streamline the narrative. This would be in line with standard film techniques, where some details are omitted for pacing and audience engagement. This, along with many other missing details, is simply not shown due to production reasons.
- Implied, but not shown: Given the size of Valka’s Bewilderbeast, they may have wanted to imply that it was simply too massive to move or for a wide-angle shot to capture.
- Left for the sea creatures: As a sea-based creature, it’s possible that the carcass could be a food source for other sea creatures.
- Valka or the dragons took it away later: This is unlikely due to the length of time it would have taken, but perhaps Valka would have taken some of the skeleton back to the sanctuary.
While these are all possibilities, the truth is that the movie never shows what happened. This is likely due to pacing and production costs. Regardless, the absence of the body remains a significant point of curiosity for viewers. It also leaves a lot of room for fans to theorize and engage in the world. The question is now not something that is easily or directly answered.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 FAQs to further explore the nature of Valka’s Bewilderbeast, the circumstances of its death, and the larger lore surrounding the species:
1. What is a Bewilderbeast?
A Bewilderbeast is the largest and most powerful known species of dragon in the How to Train Your Dragon universe. They are considered Alpha dragons, meaning they have the ability to control other dragons. They are not fire breathers, but they can freeze the water expelled from their mouths for powerful ice attacks.
2. How big was Valka’s Bewilderbeast?
Valka’s Bewilderbeast was a titanic creature, reaching approximately 520 feet in length and about 160 feet in height. These massive sizes contribute to why its absence is so noticeable after death.
3. Was Valka’s Bewilderbeast a Titan Wing?
Yes, Valka’s Bewilderbeast was a Titan Wing dragon, meaning it was much older than most known Bewilderbeasts. This status is partly why it was so formidable and able to establish a safe haven for other dragons.
4. How did Valka meet her Bewilderbeast?
The exact circumstances of Valka and her Bewilderbeast’s first meeting are not fully explained. However, it is implied that they met around 15 years before the first movie. It’s also implied that it was present when she came to the sanctuary, further enhancing their shared time together.
5. How did Valka’s Bewilderbeast die?
Valka’s Bewilderbeast was killed in combat by Drago’s Enslaved Bewilderbeast. Drago’s Bewilderbeast used its tusks to impale Valka’s Bewilderbeast, inflicting a mortal wound.
6. What class was Valka’s Bewilderbeast?
Valka’s Bewilderbeast belongs to the Tidal Class of dragons, which are adapted to water environments. This further explains its affinity for the ocean and its ability to freeze water.
7. How many Bewilderbeasts are known to exist?
In the series, five Bewilderbeasts have been seen: two alive, one in an egg, one deceased (skeleton on Vanaheim), and the one killed in the film. This highlights their rarity and unique position in the dragon world.
8. Where did the Berserker Bewilderbeast live?
The Berserker Bewilderbeast lived beneath Berserker Island. The underground caverns were filled with its ice formations, indicating that it had lived there for a long time.
9. How did Drago’s Bewilderbeast become so powerful?
Drago’s Bewilderbeast was abused and conditioned to be a mindless weapon. Unlike Valka’s approach, Drago used fear and control to establish his dominance. This resulted in a much more violent dragon.
10. Is Drago Bludvist considered a villain?
Yes, Drago Bludvist is the main antagonist of How to Train Your Dragon 2. He is a ruthless warlord who attempts to conquer the world by creating a dragon army, slaughtering those that refuse him.
11. How did Toothless defeat Drago’s Bewilderbeast?
Toothless, empowered by plasma, challenged and defeated Drago’s Bewilderbeast by breaking its left tusk. This victory caused Drago and his dragon to retreat into the ocean.
12. Is Valka’s Bewilderbeast the same one who hatched from the egg?
No, the Bewilderbeast that hatched from an egg is different. Valka’s Bewilderbeast was already established in the dragon sanctuary for many years and is not the same as the Berserker one.
13. How did Valka learn so much about dragons?
Valka spent many years living with dragons in her sanctuary, learning their behavior, and gaining their trust. This experience allowed her to become a great expert in the field.
14. Did Valka raise her Bewilderbeast from an egg?
While Valka is shown picking up a Bewilderbeast’s egg in Race to the Edge, this is not the same dragon in the sanctuary. This suggests she did not raise it from an egg. Her Bewilderbeast was a pre-existing leader.
15. What does the absence of the body suggest about Valka’s Bewilderbeast’s legacy?
The fact that the movie doesn’t show what happened to the body has allowed for the mystical nature of dragons to persist. It also shows a respectful way to handle the death of such an important character in the film without showing unnecessary details.
In conclusion, while the immediate fate of Valka’s Bewilderbeast’s body remains a mystery, its legacy as a protector and leader is undeniable. The absence of its remains serves to add to the complex and often enigmatic world of dragons. It opens doors to further conversation and discussion within the How to Train Your Dragon community.