บท 684: Chapter 684: Two Choices
"Nothing lies beyond, Your Grace."
Jon Clinton remained silent for a long while before shaking his head and speaking.
He struggled to find the right words to describe it. After a long pause, he finally uttered the closest term.
"Utter darkness."
"Void."
Jon Clinton had indeed journeyed to that realm, but the sensation was beyond mere words. He could only convey so much to Viserys.
"Void?"
For Viserys, this was the first time he'd spoken with someone who had died and then returned. Naturally, he was intrigued.
Hearing Jon's words, a hint of speculation crossed Viserys's mind, his brows relaxing slightly.
"Perhaps there is no 'beyond,' Your Grace."
"I just felt engulfed in darkness."
Jon Clinton struggled to describe his experience after death, his words caught in his throat.
Viserys, after listening, chose to remain silent. He believed Jon had no reason to deceive him on this matter, so he felt no need to press further.
"What should I do next?"
"Miraxys?"
Under the dim glow of the campfire, a silver-haired youth sitting at the center of the Red Keep's dungeon shifted his pale purple eyes towards a statue on the ground.
Only then did Jon Clinton notice the third presence in the dungeon: a faceless statue, silently watching him. A chilling sensation rose within him. He had never believed in the tales of spirits and deities, but his own death had opened his eyes.
Of the three in the room, he felt the weakest. When Viserys first awakened him, Jon had witnessed such immense spiritual power that he almost believed he was in the presence of the Seven Gods. Thinking of this, Jon shook his head in self-mockery.
He had served as the Hand of the King for many years, thinking he knew Viserys better than anyone. But now he realized the king was far more mysterious than he'd ever imagined.
Suddenly, Viserys spoke, prompting a moment of silence before a woman's voice answered from within the statue.
"What happens next, I do not know."
"You don't?"
"Why didn't you say so sooner?"
Upon hearing this, Viserys's brow furrowed again.
"Because collecting souls is not within Miraxys's domain. Have you forgotten her title?"
Miraxys was a deity of the Valyrian pantheon, known as the Sea God. Her full title was "Lord of the Raging Oceans," governing the seas and storms.
According to Archmaester Marwyn, a scholar of Valyrian history, Valyrian sailors once prayed to Miraxys for calm seas before setting out.
"Belerion is the god of death, responsible for gathering the souls of the deceased."
"Be it from natural causes, illness, wars, etc., all souls are under his control."
"He is the ultimate end of all life on this Valyrian land."
Miraxys explained calmly, detailing the role of the god of death.
However, as Viserys listened, he felt an increasing sense of familiarity. Wasn't his ability to absorb souls similar to Belerion's duties?
"Where did the Valyrian god of death go?"
Viserys's voice held a hint of urgency. But no answer came from the statue.
"I'm sorry."
Viserys took a deep breath and waved dismissively, realizing he had been somewhat hasty.
Miraxys had mentioned before that she wasn't sure what had transpired, how the powerful Valyrian gods had been defeated so easily.
She was but a small fragment of consciousness within the statue.
"You need to remain calm."
Miraxys then slowly spoke.
"There's undoubtedly a hidden secret within you. I understand that. But your progress has been swift. You need to pause and reflect upon the past."
Miraxys wasn't certain of the secrets within Viserys, but she believed that for a mortal to come this far, there must be some providence at play. Her kind reminder brought clarity to Viserys's mind.
"If resurrection isn't possible, what should be done with Jon's soul?"
"I know of two methods."
Miraxys, noting Viserys's composure, began to explain.
"The first is to become a wandering spirit like me, drawing sustenance from the faith burning within you."
"He won't be able to control his deceased body and cannot stray far from you."
"But being a spirit has its advantages. He can still offer wise counsel, help uncover secrets, or even possess other living beings."
A spectral advisor? A guardian spirit?
Viserys pondered the idea, likening it to having a protective spirit. Such a being could live indefinitely, drawing from souls, as long as Viserys's divine flame continued to burn.
"And the second method?"
Viserys considered for a moment, then inquired.
"Rebirth."
"Bring a pregnant woman, yet to give birth, and transfer his soul into her."
"A fetus gestating within a mother is a new life being formed. The unborn child hasn't developed its own soul, allowing Jon's soul to take its place."
"Isn't reincarnation possible?"
Both options seemed imperfect. Viserys turned to look at the soul of Jon in his palm. Jon's wife was expecting their child, making this method a possible choice.
"Reincarnation?"
Miraxys paused, trying to grasp Viserys's meaning, but soon understood.
"There's no reincarnation."
"Each newborn is a fresh soul. Those who die will eventually fade away."
"Is that so?"
Viserys seemed contemplative.
Miraxys wasn't omniscient. She only knew parts of the truth, which he understood.
If all souls faded, it wouldn't explain how the Ice God revived the ancient Kings of the North. By rights, their souls, spanning thousands of years, should have vanished long ago.
However, Viserys didn't voice these thoughts. Instead, he once again focused on Jon's soul, deciding to let him make the choice.
Would he choose to be a wandering spirit or start a new life?
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