Capítulo 18: The Sword of Hyrkoon
"It truly is beautiful is it not" Rhaella said as she looked at the dragon in awe, It was curled up in front of Jon on the heavy wooden table in their tent, its golden scales glistened and perfectly matched the membrane of its wings, Joanna stood at the edge of the table looking at the dragon in awe, she had seen so many amazing things during her time away from home, but this was definitely above it all.
While all the Targaryens stood as close as they could, the rest of the people in the tent stood a safe distance away, such as Val and Ygritte who had a fear of any kind of magical creature. Though the rest had seen what the dragon was capable of when they were escaping the city. However, one person who hadn't left Jon's side since they escaped was Samaya, She had been introduced to everyone and Jon had told them all that she would be acting as their guide.
"I do not understand why you all cower, This dragon is but a babe, if it attempted to strike me I would discipline it as such" Samaya said in a stern voice as she looked towards the other end of the tent.
"Like fuck, a dragon is still a dragon and that golden prick could burn you to ashes" Ygritte replied.
"Kepa can I ride it!" Joanna said excitedly as she held onto Jon's arm.
"You'll have to wait until it's bigger before that," he said to her as he kissed her on the forehead.
"Does this mean you are its rider?" Daenerys asked speaking for the first time since she'd seen the dragon.
Jon shrugged "I suppose so, I set it free and it came back to me, to be quite honest I never studied dragons all that much"
They all look up as Jaime comes into the tent "There is a rather angry rooster outside demanding entry, I would tell you what he is saying but I'm not getting paid so I didn't listen"
Jon sighed, he knew something like this would happen, it was just a matter of time "Let them in" Jon Connington burst through into the tent his face almost matching his hair, With him was Aegon and Duck with Viserys in tow. Oberyn and Arianne came in a few seconds later, the former with an amused expression on his face.
As soon as Viserys saw the glistening scales of the dragon on the table his eyes sparked with a mixture of awe, jealousy, obsession and most of all madness. Aegon looked awed by the creature as well, he too had a look of jealousy in his eyes but it was a lot more subdued, it was more akin to envy than jealousy which was understandable, a dragon was a mighty beast and to be bonded to one was a great honour.
"You fucking traitor! First, you take half our army, then you ruin our chance to resupply at the city and now you take a dragon for yourself when it could've been given to your elder brother" Jon Connington shouted, It seemed as if he'd finally lost it, and now the legendary temper of the Griffin lord had come to bare.
Aegon put his hand on the man's shoulder "Jon it's fine, he is not a traitor for simply bonding with the"
"HE HAS UNDERMINED ME AT EVERY TURN!!!" Connington shouted, It was so loud it made Joanna jump and hold her father's arm tighter. Even the dragon that was sleeping until now reared its head at the sound.
"You will relinquish the dragon! And Aegon shall become its rider just like his namesake and he will conquer the seven kingdoms on its back" Connington stated as if his words would somehow alter reality.
Meanwhile, Jon sat there not saying anything his anger bubbling below the surface, he couldn't do this anymore, he refused to play into the facade any longer.
"Enough!" Jon shouted banging his arm against the table.
"I won't play into this facade any longer, That man is not my brother and he seems to be the only one who doesn't know that fact" Jon shouted causing everyone to fall completely silent.
Oberyn walked forward putting his arm on Aegon's shoulder with an angry look directed at Jon "Be careful with your words Jon, especially when directed to family"
Jon sighed "I'm sorry Oberyn but as much as you wish that is your nephew, he is not"
"You speak lies, has the sun finally touched your mind, what is wrong with you!" Oberyn said a bit more viciously.
Jon just stood there showing no emotion "Then we should ask someone who would know for sure" he said as he looked towards Rhaella, which caused Oberyn to look towards her as well.
Rhaella had a sad look on her face, She looked at Oberyn and then sighed "I recognised Jon as Rhaegar's son the instant I laid my eyes on him, I knew Joanna was my family as well because of certain features she shared with both Rhaegar and myself, when I first looked at Aegon I saw nothing, the boy only has Valyrian features but nothing else in common with Rhaegar"
"He is not my Grandson..."
Her words echoed out through the tent hitting Oberyn harder than anything he'd ever experienced, he found his hand drop from Aegon's shoulder as he stumbled backwards into a chair, Arianne rushed to his side to check if he was okay. But the person who was most affected by her words was Aegon himself, he had not spoken a single word the entire time and just stood there.
His entire life he was Aegon Targaryen son of Elia and Rhaegar and now he'd just been told it was all a lie. He turned to Connington who was also unnaturally quiet "Is it true?" He asked in a low quivering voice.
Jon Connington faces Aegon, all his anger seems to have disappeared and been replaced by a nervousness that was uncharacteristic for the man "Of course these are all lies your grace, you are Aegon Targaryen, I would recognise my best friend's son anywhere" he said not truly meeting his eyes.
"Don't lie to me! Now tell me the truth!" Aegon shouted making Jon freeze.
Jon grits his teeth and slowly nods his head "You are Aegon Blackfyre, Illyrio's son with his previous wife Serra Blackfyre"
Aegon felt his heart stop and found no words could escape his throat, his whole life he believed himself to be a Targaryen and heir to the throne, only to discover that he was their most hated enemy, a pretender. Aegon couldn't handle being in this situation any longer so he walked out of the tent with Duck following close behind.
Jon Connington goes to follow but a sharp whistle makes him turn his head "Do not forget our deal Connington, Give me the information and I will lead you to the sword, I don't care if he's a Blackfyre, but if I don't get my information I will kill all of you" Jon said in a severe voice, Connington just gulped before leaving and heading to find Aegon.
However, the angriest one was not Jon or Oberyn, but Viserys who looked as if he was ready to murder Aegon. The way he saw it was that his birthright had nearly been taken away from him by a Blackfyre, he had been tricked into supporting a pretender, he had never felt so angry and foolish before and he could think of nothing but tearing Aegon's limb from limb.
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The vast desert stretched out as far as the eye could see, an unending expanse of shifting sands and shimmering heatwaves. The scorching sun beat down mercilessly, casting an unforgiving glare that could blind the unwary traveller. The landscape seemed to defy life itself, with dunes rising and falling like enormous waves frozen in time.
The sands themselves were treacherous, their golden grains moving with a life of their own. One moment, they formed graceful ripples, and in the next, they shifted into towering peaks and deep valleys. The wind whispered secrets to the dunes, coaxing them into ever-changing patterns that could confuse even the most experienced desert dweller. Footprints vanished in moments, swallowed by the ceaseless dance of the grains.
The air was dry and suffocating, a relentless heat that seeped into every pore and sucked the moisture from the body. Mirage-like illusions danced on the horizon, tantalizing with the promise of water and respite, only to cruelly dissipate as travellers drew closer. The heat waves warped the distant landscape into a dreamlike mirage, playing tricks on the minds of those desperate for shade and shelter.
Life, if it could be called that, existed in the most unlikely of forms. Scorpions, with their armoured bodies and venomous stingers, scuttled across the sand in search of prey. Lizards darted from shadow to shadow, their scales a mosaic of camouflage. And then there were the cacti, standing as silent sentinels with their thorny defences, eking out a meagre existence by hoarding the precious water they could find.
"This used to be an entire lake, almost the size of a small ocean" Samaya said to Jon as they stood with their companions on the edge of the desert, it was an intimidating sight, not only because they had to travel through it but because they did not have a clear destination.
"I find it hard to believe a lake of such size would just dry up in a few generations," Jaime said as he sat on his horse.
Samaya shrugged "Some say that it was the god's way of protecting us from the Jogos Nhai, while some believe Hyrkoon himself did it to protect us from the Long Night"
"As fascinating as the history lesson is can you lead us to the city?" Jon Connington asked, he was alone however as Aegon had scarcely left his tent when they camped and when they travelled he did so in a wheelhouse. It made sense to Jon but it did annoy him somewhat as it left Connington in charge with no one to curb his impulses.
Samaya laughed at the man "You think if we knew where the city was that we would let outsiders go there? The city is lost, buried beneath the sands, the only structure in this whole desert is the temple" she explained.
Connington went red-faced as his anger started to bubble "You bitch listen here, if you're lying to me I will-"
"Do what? Perhaps you once knew how to use a sword but the grey in your hair makes me wonder if you can still lift it" Samaya commented with a smirk.
"Enough!" Jon shouted sternly before the argument could turn into something more.
Jon looks towards Samaya "Can you lead us to this temple?"
She nods her head "Of course, many of us make the pilgrimage when we blossom, I know the way"
"Then we will leave at first light, give the men a chance to get ready" Connington stated.
"No..." Samaya said
"What did you just say?" Connington said as he clenched his fists.
"I said no... if you plan to bring an army into the Great sands, most of them will die, It is not a place for armies to travel, too many footsteps wake the earth-shakers" she explained
"She is right Connington, We'd run out of supplies quickly if we brought the army" Jon chimed in, Connington just sat on his horse his anger bubbling before he trotted away back into camp.
"I don't think I've met such an ill-tempered man before, he should take a break" Jaime commented.
"I'm sure planning a rebellion is stressful work" Jon replied.
"You know that is something that I've not understood since I came here, Surely you knew that I would've told Cersei about this rag-tag group of rebels, so why agree with let me come" Jaime asked as he looked to Jon.
Jon just shrugged "Aegon is not my brother, I don't care if he's discovered, but those that are my family are also Joanna's, so I know Cersei would not harm them if not for my sake then for hers"
"Had Aegon been my brother then you would not have made it back to Kings Landing so it would not have mattered" he continued.
Jamie couldn't help but feel a shiver run down his spine, he was confident in his abilities as a warrior but he had seen Jon do some rather fantastical feats, something that should be impossible for a man of his size, if he put his mind to it Jaime did not doubt that his words would ring true and one day he wouldn't awaken.
"Where is Oberyn?" Jon asked
"He is still having... difficulties accepting the truth" Jaime replied with a sigh.
Jon pinched the bridge of his nose "I'll talk to him, we need him on this expedition his experience will be invaluable"
"Samaya go back to camp and start preparing for our expedition, If there are any problems get Brienne to help you" Jon commanded, Samaya smiled and bowed her head in acknowledgement.
Jon turned his horse and trotted back into camp, he looked around looking at the sea of tents that lay before him, he was close to the end now and once he got this damn sword or at least proved it didn't exist then he would get the information he needed.
'Soon Tyene'
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Jon walked into Oberyn's tent, he was immediately assaulted with the stench of alcohol and he covered his nose, he knew he was grieving but not to this extent. He walked towards the chair that Oberyn sat in, he had fallen asleep with a cup in his hand, Jon took the cup out of his hand and put it on the table, he then grabbed the pitcher of water and threw it in his face.
"AHHHH" Oberyn gasped out for air as he woke up startled, he looked up and saw that it was Jon so he relaxed and leaned back in the chair.
"Have you woken up yet? Or are you still sleeping?" Jon asked rhetorically
"Leave me, Jon, I am in no mood for this" Oberyn stated solemnly.
"I'm afraid that I can't allow you to grieve any longer, we need you, so clean yourself up and get ready to leave, your daughters and Arianne are worried about you," Jon stated in a serious tone.
Oberyn just scowls and grabs his drink back off the table "The last part of Elia that was still alive... and it was all a lie" he said as he looked down into the cup.
Jon walks over and sits in the chair opposite Oberyn "It is painful I know, but you cannot look back lest you become lost in a time that has long passed"
Oberyn glares at Jon "And you? Do you look forward, do you never look back"
Jon grits his teeth "That is not the same..."
"Oh and why is it so different!" He shouted at Jon slamming his cup down on the table.
"For me, there is no future without Tyene, and I know I can bring her back, though the same can not be said for Aegon" Jon explained.
"So you must stop this grieving, we need you... and I will need you when the time comes to travel the Grey Waste" he continued.
Oberyn clenched his fists and didn't reply, Jon sighed "We leave at first light, if you are going to join us you have until then" Jon said before he stood up and left the tent, leaving Oberyn to his silent grieving.
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Jon breathed out a tired sigh as he walked into his tent and sat down on his bed, It had been a long day and it would be even longer tomorrow, travelling the desert would be dangerous so he did not wish for too many of them to traverse it.
He felt small hands snake across his shoulders and down his chest "You look tired" Jon heard the voice that he recognised as Daenerys say from behind him.
"I will be glad when all of this is over, I will have a much deserved rest, mayhaps I can finally build myself a keep," Jon said in a tired voice.
Daenerys pulled his tunic up and helped Jon take it off, She then started placing small kisses along his shoulder while she traced circles on his chest "I believe it's time for me to reward you for everything you've done for my sake" she said as her hands fell lower and to the hem of his breeches.
Jon turned around on the bed and cupped Daenerys face pulling her into a deep kiss, She moaned as Jon's tongue snaked into her mouth. Jon pulled her nightgown over her revealing her slender body, Jon found his cock hardening at the sight of her erect nipples that stood on her small but curvy breasts. Between her legs was a grove of silver hairs that were soaked with the nectar that dripped from her cunt, she had clearly been wanting this to happen for a while.
Daenerys while looking Jon in the eyes lay down on the bed and spread her legs widely "I am yours..." she whispered, if Jon was hard before then now his cock was almost breaking through his breeches. He quickly took off the rest of his clothes and his cock sprang free, Daenerys gulped as she saw the thick appendage between Jon's legs, she was over a foot smaller than he was and she wondered if it would even fit inside of her.
Jon climbed on top of her, sliding in between her legs his cock pressing against her stomach. He pressed his lips against hers once again revelling in the softness of them, Daenerys wrapped her arms around Jon's neck pulling him closer, she felt his cock rub against her sex and couldn't help but moan into his mouth "Put it inside..." she whispered to Jon through the kisses.
Jon reached between his legs and gripped his cock and rubbed it against her sex "Mmmm" Daenerys hummed in pleasure as Jon kept kissing her. He pressed the head of his cock against her hole and pressed forward causing Daenerys to moan even louder. Jon groaned as he pushed himself further into her, she was incredibly tight so much so that he could feel her pulse inside. However, as he pushed a bit further he felt himself unable to go any further "Are you ready?" He whispered to Daenerys as he looked down at her, She had a pretty blush on her face and she nodded her head with a smile as she fluttered her eyes.
Jon pushed forward and broke through her Maidenhead "Ow!" Daenerys squeaked in pain as she closed her eyes tightly. Jon kept pushing forward until his entire cock was sheathed inside her, her sex contracted and squeezed Jon's cock making him groan, Daenerys wrapped her legs around Jon's hips digging her heels into his backside trying to push him deeper inside. She felt as if she was being split open and yet she had never felt more complete, as if her entire life she had been empty and waiting for Jon to fill her.
Jon pulled his hips back withdrawing his cock from her sex though not without difficulty, she was so tight it sucked his cock inside of her as if it refused to let him go. Gripping the bed he pushed himself back inside of her "Ooooooh" Daenerys moaned as Jon's cock pushed deeply inside of her, though her sex still ached from losing her Maidenhead it was quickly starting to feel good as his cock brushed against sensitive areas.
Jon kissed Daenerys neck and nibbled on her ear as he thrust his cock in and out of her, her moaning was like music to his ears and it only spurred him on making him thrust faster "It's incredible" she whispered as Jon sucked on her neck, her hands held onto Jon's back and her fingernails dug into him as she felt herself finish her sex squeezing Jon's cock as she sprays her juices all over him.
Jon felt himself getting close as Daenerys squeezed him tightly "Dany I'm about to"
"Do it inside..." she breathed out as they looked into each other's eyes, she wanted to be filled with his seed, she wanted to carry his babe, she wanted to be claimed as his. Jon started to thrust faster and faster, he could feel his balls start to bubble and expand, he tried to hold back as he wanted to enjoy this for a bit longer but he couldn't.
Jon groaned as his seed started shooting out of his cock filling Daenerys and soaking her womb "OOOOOOOHH" Daenerys moaned loudly as she finished once again being pushed over the edge by Jon's seed pushing deeply inside her.
Jon breathed heavily as he pushed himself off Daenerys and lay down next to her, he pulled her onto his chest and she curled up onto him. No words needed to be said as they revelled in the bliss of being in each other's company.
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The morning was a hot one, the sun was shining brightly even though it was just past dawn, and the wind was blowing causing sand from the desert to blow into the camp, On the edge of the desert stood the expedition, the group who would be searching for the legendary sword.
Jon, Samaya, Brienne, Jaime, Ygritte, Jon Connington, Aegon, Duck, Darkstar and Viserys. This was the group that would be braving the desert sands, Jon had no clue as the why his uncle would leave the safety of his tent to travel such a harsh environment, for the entire time since they travelled from the city Viserys had kept to himself and only consorted with Gerold Dayne. Though while it was strange Jon didn't care much.
Jon looked towards Aegon, he didn't look well, he had bags under his eyes and his shoulders were slumped. Ever since the truth came out Jon had not heard him speak a word, he had kept to himself and not spoken to anyone, Jon thought that he would be a liability in such a dangerous place and shouldn't come in the first place.
"Bloody hell it's fuckin' hot I don't know how you Southerners deal with it," Ygritte said as she fanned herself
"You get used to it," Jon said to her as he got on his horse.
"I bloody hope not" she replied as she did the same.
"Enough talk, we need to set out, The day will be hot and you must keep your energy," Samaya said, She did not think they should be using horses to traverse the desert but was overruled by the group, she did not care too much as she knew the horses would most likely die soon enough and she would get her wish.
Jon nodded his head but he looked back towards the camp and sighed, he hoped that Oberyn would come but it seemed that he was still struggling to move past his grief "Come let us go, we have no reason to wait" he said solemnly.
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Beneath the relentless sun, a small group of travellers ventured through the unforgiving desert. The wind whipped up the fine grains of sand, creating a hazy veil that obscured their surroundings. The shifting dunes stretched endlessly, their contours changing like the waves of a restless sea.
Mounted on their horses, the travellers navigated the treacherous terrain with unwavering determination. The scorching sun beat down upon them, its rays reflecting off the golden sands and intensifying the heat. The wind carried with it a dry and arid scent, a reminder of the harshness of the environment they were traversing.
Samaya led the group, her face covered by a scarf to shield against the stinging grains of sand. The horses' hooves sank into the soft dunes, their progress slow and deliberate. The shifting sands posed a constant challenge, causing the ground beneath them to constantly change shape.
As they pressed forward, the dunes seemed to stretch on without end, each rise and fall of the landscape merging into the next. The travellers' eyes scanned the horizon for any signs of relief—a distant oasis or a sheltering rock formation—but the desert remained an unyielding expanse.
The wind carried the echoes of their horses' hooves, the rhythmic sound a stark contrast to the vast and desolate surroundings. The scorching sun cast long shadows behind them as they continued their journey.
In this seemingly endless sea of sand, the travellers pushed forward with a shared purpose. Their determination was the only thing that kept them going as they pressed through the unrelenting desert, facing its challenges head-on in pursuit of their destination.
Jon had been able to deal with the head by using Winter weaver and placing it inside his tunic, however, the same couldn't be said for others. He rolled his eyes as he had to listen to Viserys complain about how hot it was every hour "Your uncle is a cunt" Ygritte said from his left with a disgusted look on her face.
Samaya chuckled "Indeed, had he been born in my home we would've gelded him" Samaya chimed in.
"He's not too bad, you just need to know when to ignore him," Jon said with amusement.
"Though I wonder as well, how long until we get to the temple" he asked Samaya.
She shrugged "It has been a long time since I've made the journey but it should be no longer than a few days"
Jon nodded his head and turned around to see Aegon lagging behind the group he sighed and turned his horse around, he rode his horse beside Aegon's though Aegon didn't acknowledge his presence "Aegon, we need to speak" Jon said to him.
Aegon looked up at him but then moved his head back down "Don't call me that..." he said in a low voice.
Jon looked at him with evident confusion "Call you what?"
"Aegon" he replied
"That's your name is it not?" Jon asked.
"Is it? Because it seems that name belonged to an infant boy that died 16 years ago" Aegon stated.
"I have no right to that name, not Aegon nor Targaryen" He continued.
"Aegon believe it or not I know how you must be feeling at the moment," Jon said to Aegon.
Aegon looked up at him with narrowed eyes "How could you know what I am feeling!" He shouted.
"I was young when I discovered I was not a bastard, but the son of Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryen and even to this day I find it hard to accept, I was born Daemon Targaryen but I still use the name Jon Snow" Jon explained.
"But even if I go by Jon Snow I know who I am, You're not a bad person Aegon but at the moment you are lost, think about who you are and what you want in life," he said before spurring on his horse ahead leaving Aegon to his thoughts.
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For the next few days they travelled through the scorching desert, Multiple horses died not being able to withstand the harsh environment but none of that mattered as they had finally come within sight of their destination. Though to say it was underwhelming would be an understatement, the temple was small and made of sandstone, and pillars rose out of the sand surrounding it.
"We are here," Samaya said as she turned towards the group, They were all tired and covered in sand, sweat and grit.
"Finally! This damn desert nearly killed us" Viserys shouted as he complained once again, though Darkstar leaned towards his ear and whispered into it making Viserys fall silent.
Jon ignored it all though, he was more interested in the ruins of this ancient temple, he galloped his tired horse towards the building and jumped off into the sand. He could see ancient writing carved into the side of the temple and he couldn't help but brush his fingers over it "This must be over 8,000 years old" he said to himself with awe, for a building to stand after so long it would've had to have been made by a master craftsman.
He turned around to the rest of his group with a childlike excitement "Come on let's explore inside" He said before rushing inside.
Samaya couldn't help but laugh at his antics "Does he always behave so childishly" she asked Ygritte and Brienne.
"When it comes to history or artefacts he might as well be a child," Ygritte said with a snort with Brienne nodding her head in agreement.
The rest of the group followed closely behind and entered the ancient temple, its walls looked like sandstone but must've been something else, for a building to be composed of such a material and yet still stand for 8,000 years would be unheard of. But that was a question for another time and had no relevance to the matter at hand.
Inside was a large chamber, they saw Jon inspecting various writings on the wall, but in the centre of the room was a large glass lens that was suspended horizontally above a large hole that looked like a well. Above the lens was a large hole in the ceiling that allowed the sun to shine through, the lens seemed to be shining light down this hole. Ygritte and Brienne tried to see what was at the bottom but the only thing they could see was a glinting light.
"Where is the sword?" Connington asked as he looked around not seeing anything even remotely resembling the artefact they were looking for.
"There's nothing here!" Viserys shouted as he pushed an old-looking pot on the floor smashing it. Samaya who saw what he did growled and walked over towards him before winding her arm back and smashing him in the face.
"You disrespect the place of my ancestors! Keep your hands to yourself or I will remove them!" She shouted at Viserys who was rolling on the floor holding his nose. Ygritte couldn't help but laugh at the misfortune of the silver-haired twat as she would often call him.
Aegon hadn't said a word and had just taken a seat on a loose block of sandstone with Duck standing close by, even after discovering his true identity he remained loyal to Aegon.
"Can you all shut up! I'm trying to concentrate" he shouted at them as he went through the writing on the wall. It was as he expected it was all in ancient Yi-Tiish, the language of the Golden Empire of the Dawn. 8,000 years ago the Patriarchy didn't exist, Hyrkoon was just a man who lived in a village in the empire.
He scanned through the writing on the wall trying to find anything pertaining to a sword but was coming up with nothing "Jon, there is a picture of a sword here" Brienne said as she stood next to a rather large wall of writing, it was on a raised step that made it seem like it was not part of the room.
Jon rushed over to her and saw she was right, there was a picture of a man who was kneeling with a sword pressed down in front of him, he read through the writing on the wall and couldn't help but find himself confused, it told of the story of Hyrkoon but it was a bit different to the ones he had heard. He looked back towards Samaya and sighed 'It would be best not to mention it' he thought to himself.
He then tried to find information on the sword and while it did make a person who held it the perfect warrior, it seemed to have a plethora of other abilities though similar to Winter Weaver they were only available to those who shared his blood directly.
"Jon! What does it say about the sword!" Connington shouts eagerly as the group converge on him.
"Yes come on nephew hurry up and spit it out" Viserys Chimed, his eyes shining with pure greed.
Jon looked back at them and shrugged "Nothing... it describes the sword but not where it is, it's a dead end" He replied.
Jon Connington's face goes its trademark red as he starts screaming and hitting the wall "This! Can't! End! Like! This!" He shouted as he bashed the wall bloody.
Jon just stood and watched with Jaime and the rest of his group by his side, It was pitiable to watch but they would not offer words of comfort to the man, not after everything he had done and tried to do.
Ygritte just laughs and leans against a wall next to Jon "What a cunt" she whispered, however as she was leaning she felt herself falling backwards and stepping forward into Jon's arms. She looked back and saw a brick of sandstone receding, They all went quiet as they heard the stones shifting and what sounded like clicking "We need to leave-" but before Jon could finish the floor underneath them shifted and slanted and they all fell.
They all screamed as they slid down a steep slope that seemed to have many twists and turns, some of them were split off from the group as they went into different tunnels Jon righted himself and grabbed onto Ygritte and Brienne pulling them towards himself. Eventually, they seemed to be reaching the end as Jon saw a glint of light, they fell out into an opening landing on some soft sand.
The others also came out of multiple different holes all landing on their faces. Jon got up spitting sand out of his mouth and standing on his feet, he looked around and his mouth opened in awe, there was an entire city down here hidden beneath the sand hidden for over 8,000 years.
"By the gods!" Samaya said as she looked around, this was her heritage, the founder of her people came from this city so needless to say she was truly in awe. And so were most of the group though certain members were only interested because of the possible treasures this place possibly held.
Brienne looked to the large river that seemed to surround the city "This is amazing... but how can we see down here? There should be no light"
Jon points over to a polished metal disc, it was polished to the point where you could easily see your reflection "It's an old method, not used much anymore, the lens in the temple above focuses the light down and it reflects off strategically placed mirrors lighting up places that would otherwise be dark" they all looked to the many mirrors placed around the city. But what seemed to catch their attention most of all was a glowing radiant light that came from a large peak, the strange part was that there were stairs that led up to the peak.
"Come I think I know what we are looking for," Jon said to the group as he started walking, with them following close behind. The city looked intact but was empty, it was a clearly a poor city as there were no lavish decorations and the size was more akin to a large town than a city. But it was still amazing to see, that Samaya was similar to Jon in the way she looked around with a childish wonder, she was currently in the lost city of her founder Hyrkoon.
Had she not been with Jon she would've been exploring every inch of the city, but her instincts as a warrior held her back, it would be stupid to split off from the group in a place so unknown and obviously purposely hidden from the world. What made her sad however were the various skeletons that littered the area, in houses mostly but some on the street, some on the roofs.
Jon couldn't help but wonder how the people died, but he put that thought to the back of his mind as the group finally approached the bottom of the steps that led to the platform. No one wanted to take the first steps as they had already fallen for one trap Eventually, Ygritte huffed "You are a bunch of children" she said before walking up the steps. She gets to the eighth one and nothing happens, so the group slowly follow after feeling a little embarrassed.
Jon walks ahead eager to get to the top, The stairs go high and it gives them a good view of the city and the cavern that contained it. When they reached the top they finally saw what was shining.
"Sword of Hyrkoon," Jon said aloud, those beside him looked in wonder at the sword that was pressed into a black oily stone. A skeleton held the sword while he knelt, it was as if he died stabbing the sword into the ground. He was on a small raised platform and behind him was a large stone tablet that had writing on it.
Jon Connington walked forward intent on grabbing the sword but Jon grabbed him by the shoulder "Don't be foolish, it could be trapped, Let me read this first" he said and Connington reluctantly agreed. Jon looked towards the tablet reading the ancient words inscribed.
*I am sorry I have failed everyone, The empire has fallen and the demons spread across the land, I placed my sword in the ground and sealed the water beneath the sands, They will not be able to cross the desert that will form, I hope it is enough to protect the rest of the world. My home city that once floated on the surface of the lake will be submerged beneath the sands, I offer this to those who do not wish to share the fate of the others, The sword must*
The rest of the tablet was eroded but Jon got the message "He created this desert to stop the Others from spreading west, he tried to protect everyone even when all was lost" Jon said in a sad tone.
Samaya found her eyes watering as she kneeled in front of the statue showing her respect to a man who deserved every ounce of it. Even Jon and his companions did the same thing, though each had their reasons. Connington, Viserys and Darkstar did not bother, however.
Viserys had been walking toward the sword the entire time with a smile on his face, though this wasn't noticed by the others not until his hand reached out to grab it "Uncle!" Jon shouted to him making Viserys stop.
"Do not pull the sword out, if you do it's possible we might all die!" He said in a stern voice as he got up from his knees.
Viserys mockingly laughed "Don't be stupid, it's just a sword, What danger is there"
"Hyrkoon used it to seal the water, If you remove it then it's possible it could undo what he did," Jon said as he edged closer to his uncle.
Viserys hesitated for a moment before sneering "Lies! You just want the power for yourself!" He said as he kept reaching for the sword. Jon went to run towards Viserys before he could pull it out but he was tripped by Darkstar who had an evil smirk on his face. Aegon trusting in Jon's statement went to go and stop Viserys but was held back by Connington.
It gave Viserys free rein to grip his hand around the hilt of the sword and pull it out, the black oily stone it was in lit up before breaking in half, the skeleton of Hyrkoon collapsed and broke into dust, and the whole cavern started to shake and shift, the water which calmly flowed in the river become rougher and started to rise. However Viserys saw none of this as he was too busy looking at the sword he had in his hands, he could feel the knowledge that he never had flooded his mind, the perfect way to hold the blade, the perfect way to swing it, it even described sword skills that went beyond normal and delved into the realm of the supernatural.
"A sword fit for a King," he said to himself as he smiled broadly
"With this, I shall take my rightful place upon the Iron Throne, You may all swear allegiance to me now, or you will die," He said arrogantly as he pointed his sword toward them.
Darkstar moved and stood with Viserys "It's just as I said your grace, they planned to take this power away from you, the rightful King"
It all made sense to Jon then, it was Darkstar who had been whispering in Visery's ear making him to this 'I should've killed him when I had the chance' Jon thought to himself with gritted teeth.
"Now I shall show my power by killing the man who slew my father, are you ready Kingslayer, they say you are the greatest swordsman in Westeros, we'll let us see how you do against the DRAGON!!!" However, before he could step forward and slay the Kingsguard he looked down and saw something sharp was poking out of his chest.
He looked to his left and saw Darkstar smiling at him maliciously "Did you think I'd allow such a powerful weapon to be used by a man-child" he withdrew the dagger he had just used to stab him in the back and stabbed him again and again. The group stood there too shocked to act, Viserys Targaryen one of the last Targaryens in the world took his final breath as he fell to the floor.
Darkstar reached down and plucked the sword from his corpse, he sighed in contentment as knowledge flooded his brain.
"Stand down Darkstar, you swore yourself to Aegon Now hand over the sword" Connington commanded as he approached Darkstar. However, the man just smirked and in a move that seemed too fast to be natural, he cut the air in front of Connington.
"AHHHHHHHH" The man screamed as he fell to the ground with a large gash on his chest, Most of the group wondered what in the hell happened but the more experienced swordsmen knew though even then they hesitated to believe it.
'The wind pressure from the swing is what cut him' Jon and Jaime both thought with disbelief. Not even they could do such a thing, they doubted even the greatest swordsmen in Westeros history could, it was something that went beyond what was achievable.
"You think I ever cared about that brat? I was after this from the beginning, I was denied Dawn countless times despite being the best in Dorne so when I heard you were to go on this quest for such a legendary sword I had to make sure I was there in case it turned out to be true" He explained.
"And now I am invincible... I can do anything with this, I don't even need my sword hand" he said as he started to laugh manically.
"You fucking traitor! I will kill you and -" Before Connington can finish Darkstar slices the air again and Connington grabs onto his throat, his neck has been sliced open and blood pours all down his chest.
Jon and his group start backing up towards the stairs, Aegon runs towards Connington and kneels next to the man, tears forming in his eyes as the man who raised him dies. He may have lied to him his entire life but Aegon was sure that the man cared for him "Do not be sad little Blackfyre, you'll be joining him soon" Darkstar said with a laugh as he stepped towards Aegon, What he didn't expect was Duck to stand in front of him.
Duck turned towards Aegon "Leave this place! And live well my friend!" He said with a smile before roaring and charging towards Darkstar who goes to slice him but Duck drops low and tackles him and they both fall off the platform plummeting below. Duck was an average fighter and didn't have many talents, but he was loyal and he died as a true Kingsguard, sacrificing himself for his King.
Aegon sat there having lost two of his oldest friends in a matter of seconds, he didn't move and Jon silently cursed as he quickly ran to him "You were right Jon... the Iron Throne was never worth it, it is just a cursed thing that takes everything away from you" he said as he sat there helplessly
"Aegon we don't have time for this, We need to leave this place is crumbling, whatever magic held it intact is wearing off," Jon said as he picked him up and walked him over to the stairs.
"Let's go now!" He said to the group and they hurried and ran back down the stairs with the cavern above them crumbling the water level had risen and engulfed the streets, and they rushed back to the way they came through desperately trying to escape.
"We might be a little fucked don't you think" Jaime commented as they arrived at the holes they came into, they were too steep to climb and too large to get any leverage.
Jon walked around desperately trying to figure out a way to escape, but in the end, he came up with nothing. They were all going to die there, they all looked at him expecting him to have some sort of answer but he didn't "I'm sorry but I-"
"What're you all standing around for, your handsome knight has arrived"
They heard it from behind them and all looked to the voice, Jon couldn't help the smile that cracked on his face, stood on a small hill stood someone he desperately wanted on this journey Oberyn Martell, he stood there with a cocky grin on his face.
"Come we have to leave now!" He shouted as he saw rocks falling onto the city from the ceiling of the cavern. They all ran and followed him, Jon rushed ahead and ran next to the man "I'm glad you could join us, but how did you find us" He asked.
Oberyn laughed "You were right, I was being a miserable bastard, so I washed myself grabbed some supplies and my daughters and tracked you"
Jon raised an eyebrow at that "Through the desert?" He said sceptically.
Oberyn snorts "Of course, do you forget where the Dornish live? If we could not track through the desert then we'd be a crime-infested wasteland"
Jon had to concede the point "Where did you come in through?" He asked and Oberyn pointed to the first mirror. There was a rope dangling down the hole that went up to the surface.
'Of course, I wouldn't think of such a simple solution' he thought to himself, they arrived at the mirror and in good time too as the cave started to shake.
"Ygritte you go first you're the lightest" Jon said, She nodded and started climbing the rope to the surface, he was then about to push Aegon to the rope and order him to climb it.
"I hope you aren't planning to leave without me!" A voice said from behind them, They all turned to see a soaking wet Darkstar with a malicious smile on his face and Hyrkoon sword still in his hand. They all drew their weapons even Aegon though he felt himself trembling at the thought of facing him.
In the heart of the cavern, the air was thick with tension as Jon, Samaya, Jaime, and Brienne squared off against the enigmatic Darkstar. Jon's axe glinted with an otherworldly light as he charged, swinging with a controlled fury. But the Darkstar was elusive, his movements fluid and almost dance-like. He sidestepped Jon's initial blow and with a swift counter, the Sword of Hyrkoon left a shallow gash on Jon's arm, a cold fire trailing in its wake.
Samaya's powerful strikes followed, her sword a blur of steel. Yet the Darkstar's movements defied predictability, his body contorting in unnatural ways. With a graceful twist, he avoided Samaya's attack, his blade flicking out to nick her thigh. The wound burned with an inexplicable agony, sapping some of her strength.
Jaime's legendary swordsmanship came into play as he engaged the Darkstar with a calculated finesse. Their swords clashed and spun in a mesmerizing display of skill. But the Darkstar's Sword of Hyrkoon seemed to have a life of its own, parrying Jaime's strikes with eerie precision. With a quick feint, the Darkstar exploited an opening, leaving a cut across Jaime's cheek, the blade's touch sending a shiver through his veins.
Brienne's towering presence was a formidable challenge for the Darkstar. Her strikes were measured and powerful, yet his evasive movements made her task difficult. With a sudden sweep of his sword, the Darkstar disarmed her, the Sword of Hyrkoon skimming her arm and drawing a thin line of blood. Brienne gritted her teeth against the pain, refusing to waver.
The Darkstar's elusive techniques continued to baffle his attackers. He moved seamlessly from one opponent to the next, his Sword of Hyrkoon a deadly extension of his will. The cavern echoed with the clashes of steel and the grunts of exertion, each warrior determined to break through the Darkstar's defences.
As the cavern quaked, rocks fell from the ceiling, adding to the chaotic scene. The Darkstar's movements were a dance of death, his every strike timed to perfection. He parried Jon's axe with a twist of his wrist, slashing across Jon's thigh in retaliation. Samaya's strikes were met with a calculated sidestep, and he managed to graze her shoulder, the touch sapping some of her vitality.
Jaime's strikes came in rapid succession, each met with an uncanny block from the Darkstar. Their swords clashed in a symphony of steel, but the Darkstar's blade found an opening, slicing a shallow cut across Jaime's arm. Brienne lunged forward, her determination unyielding, yet the Darkstar's quick reflexes allowed him to evade her strike, his blade nicking her side.
As the battle wore on, the Darkstar's techniques seemed to grow stronger, his movements more confident. With a calculated manoeuvre, he disarmed Jon, his blade leaving a deep gash across Jon's chest. The cold sensation spread through Jon's body, sapping his strength.
He was playing with them and they all knew it, Many moments occurred where he could've ended each of them and he wanted them to know it, Jon who had just been thrown back to the floor gritted his teeth and hit the ground in frustration.
Samaya, though fierce and determined, bore the marks of her earlier encounter with the Darkstar. A deep gash on her forearm hindered her movements, causing her strikes to falter. She fought valiantly, but the Darkstar's supernatural technique seemed almost impossible to predict. With a swift, calculated manoeuvre, he exploited Samaya's injury, landing a powerful blow that sent her stumbling to the ground. As she struggled to regain her footing, the Darkstar's sword hovered menacingly, poised for a final strike.
Brienne, her towering figure a bastion of strength, fought alongside Samaya, their combined might was almost overwhelming. But the Darkstar's dark energy seemed to infuse his attacks, enabling him to fend off their assaults with unnerving ease. Brienne, too, fell victim to his blade, a deep gash on her shoulder rendering one arm nearly useless. Despite her unwavering determination, she collapsed to one knee, unable to continue the fight.
It was at this dire moment that Oberyn, his eyes burning with determination, leapt into the fray. With his spear held at the ready, he intercepted the Darkstar's blade just as it was poised to strike the incapacitated Samaya. Oberyn's agile movements and calculated strikes kept the Darkstar at bay, the two engaging in a deadly dance of spears and swords.
Oberyn's spearwork was swift and precise, his strikes meant to exploit any opening he could find. However, the Darkstar's supernatural technique proved to be an insurmountable challenge. With a deft parry, the Darkstar disarmed Oberyn, sending his spear skittering across the rocky ground. In a swift motion, the Darkstar's blade found its mark, a deep cut across Oberyn's arm.
Darkstar smirked at him "The Red Viper of Dorne, the only man more famous than I am, I wonder what people will say when I kill you" He said with manic laughter.
As the tension in the cavern reached its peak, Jon Snow and Jaime Lannister, their weapons held high, leapt into the fray just in time to block the Darkstar's deadly strike aimed at Oberyn Martell. The clash of steel reverberated through the cavern as the three combatants engaged in a high-stakes battle. The Darkstar's Sword of Hyrkoon met Jon's icy axe and Jaime's sword with uncanny precision, his movements almost supernatural in their speed and grace.
Jon's axe swung with a controlled force, the air around it shimmering with frost. His strikes were calculated, each blow aimed at exploiting the Darkstar's weaknesses. Jaime's sword danced in his skilled hand, his movements fluid and precise. The two fighters moved as one, their attacks coordinated in an intricate dance of steel and strategy.
But the Darkstar's technique was an enigma, his counters calculated and seemingly impossible to predict. With a flick of his wrist, he deflected Jon's axe strike and parried Jaime's sword thrust, his movements almost a blur. He retaliated with a swift series of strikes that forced Jon and Jaime onto the defensive, the Sword of Hyrkoon a deadly extension of his will.
Jon and Jaime fought in sync, their combined efforts a testament to their shared resolve. Jon's icy barriers attempted to slow the Darkstar's movements, while Jaime's swift swordplay sought to find chinks in his armour. They exchanged blows with a rhythm born of experience, their strikes carrying the weight of their determination to defeat this supernatural adversary.
The Darkstar's movements defied the limitations of mortal combat. He sidestepped Jon's axe swings effortlessly, his footwork allowing him to evade the icy barriers Jon created. Against Jaime's swordplay, the Darkstar's counters were almost effortless, each of his movements a calculated response that kept him one step ahead.
Despite Jon and Jaime's synchrony and determination, the Darkstar's eerie technique remained dominant. With a calculated thrust, he disarmed Jon, sending his icy axe clattering to the ground. Jaime pressed the attack, his strikes a flurry of steel, but the Darkstar's counterattacks were unyielding. In a swift motion, the Darkstar's blade found its mark, cutting Jamie's arm deeply, Had I not moved it an inch to the side he would've been short one arm.
"AHHHHHHH" he screamed in pain as he held his arm, all the while the Darkstar laughed at his misfortune.
Jon seeing what had happened called for his axe and it flew towards his hand, he jumped up and smashed it on the ground making a small crater and forcing Darkstar back. He swung his axe as fast and hard as he could in a flurry of strikes but each one was easily dodged or parried, his supernatural strength meant nothing as Darkstar was able to use pure technique to distribute the force elsewhere.
"You're all boring me now, the greatest fighters in Westeros and you amount to nothing, It's time to die," Darkstar said as he flicked his wrist and sent Jon's axe flying away once again. He then thrust his sword forward going to impale Jon, he could do nothing but close his eyes and wait for the inevitable.
*Schlunk*
Jon heard the blade pierce flesh, but he did not feel it. He opened his eyes and was met with silver hair, Aegon stood in front of him with the Sword of Hyrkoon sticking inside of him. Darkstar attempted to withdraw the blade but Aegon grabbed onto his arms "Do it now Jon!!!" He shouted and Jon snapped out of his shock and called his axe to his hand before spinning around and cutting Darkstar's head straight off.
He sees the head roll down the hill they were on and into the rising water, and his body follows shortly after. Jon grabs Aegon before he falls and holds him laying him on the ground gently, "What possessed you to do such a stupid thing?" he asked Aegon who was struggling to breathe as blood filled his mouth.
Aegon smiled at him "I-I j-just w-wanted to do t-the r-right thing for once" he coughed out blood splattering out of his mouth.
"D-Did I d-do It... d-did I do the r-right thing" he struggled to get out.
Jon grabbed Aegon's hand tightly "You did exactly what I would've done," he said with a smile, Aegon smiled as his eyes started to water.
Jon clenched his fists "I-I k-know we a-aren't b-brothers b-but could y-you c-call me b-brother o-one last time"
Jon shook his head "You're wrong... we are brothers in all the ways it matters"
Aegon smiled as tears rolled down his face, he took in a deep breath as he tried to speak normally "I-I am so happy that I had a family even if it was only for a little while" he said before coughing up more blood and seemingly going limp in his arms.
"Aegon!" Jon shouted as he shook him but he didn't respond. Jon just gritted his teeth and found his own tears leaving his eyes.
"Rest well Brother," Jon said before closing his eyes.
"Jon! We need to leave now, or we will die!" Samaya shouted as she pulled him up. Jon wiped his eyes before nodding his head. He then looked at his friends who were climbing the rope out of the cavern.
He then took one last look at Aegon and then the Sword of Hyrkoon that stuck out of his chest.
———————————————————
"RUN RUN RUN!!!!" Oberyn shouted as they ran outside the temple with the building and the surrounding area sinking into the sand, They all mounted the horses as quick as they could and started galloping away from the area.
They finally got a safe distance away and looked back, to the massive sinkhole that was starting to form "Looks like this place might become an ocean again soon" Jon commented.
"I'm just glad we got out alive," Jaime said with a sigh as he nursed his arm.
"Next time don't bring fucking cunts on the trip" Ygritte said.
"Seconded" Oberyn chimed.
Jon just shook his head and turned his horse away heading back towards camp, he went next to Samaya "Now that it's over what will you do"
She looks at him with apparent confusion "Did I not make that clear? I am going to ride your cock till you spray your seed inside me" she said casually.
Jon just sighed as he rode his horse into the desert with his companions following close behind. Though his thoughts would remain on Aegon Targaryen, he earned that name and that is how Jon would remember him.
(AN: AHHHHHH finally done, pretty long ngl, maybe I'm just a bad writer but I struggled with this. Anyway that's the end of the Arc, next one will be a bit more adventure based than this one and will be taking place ok Lorath. Hope you enjoyed it, also next arc is gonna be shorter, it's more of a lead up to the next Phoenix Sigil Arc)
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