A Rather Intense Spar

"So, what did you have in mind?"

"The reconstruction of Summerhall."

"Summerhall? An interesting suggestion, one that I agree with. Unfortunately, the Crown's gold has already been used on another castle..."

"Ah, I saw. You plan to expand King's Landing, as well... it is reasonable. Have you ever thought of expanding to other lands, dear nephew?"

"It would be foolish not to think about it, but I would rather not start conquering now. My conquest started just about a year ago and I have been King for a small eight months."

"Saving your second conquest for later, eh?"

"Mhm, you are correct."

Viserys smiled. "It shall be a grand spectacle when the Dragon's banners are raised."

Aerion nodded. "The World will tremble in fear on that day."

And when it is done, the Free Cities will be free no more.

~

While Aerion was making preparations, he asked a few people if they would be willing to come with him. Tai Xia kindly rejected, which was understandable. Other than that, everyone agreed. The first Kingdom that Aerion wanted to visit was the Stormlands. It was in-between the way to Dorne from King's Landing, making the journey rather convenient.

Aerion travelled in a relatively small group. Three Kingsguard, a dozen knights, Margaery, Viserys, Daenerys, Izanami and himself. There wasn't a need for more. On the way, he visited a few holdfasts and keeps where he was warmly welcomed. There was many great things that came with being a King, along with a few less great things. But it all balances out pretty well.

The group walked up the rough hills to see a familiar sight. Storm's End, the first piece of land he had conquered in the Seven Kingdoms. There were a few interesting memories in that place, that was certain. Izanami took hold of his right hand with her left.

"So this is where you defeated the old king for the second time. Quite impressive, I must say."

Aerion could hear the sarcasm a mile away.

"You are occasionally sharper than my blade, Izanami. I could have beaten him with strategy but that would have taken more time. Simply put, unnecessary."

"Mhm, sure."

"The reinforcements from Dorne and the Reach would have turned the tables either way." Margaery pleasantly stated.

Daenerys shrugged. "You are all placing far too much importance in a past event."

"That is true." Aerion agreed, "Let's continue, we are not far."

They walked towards the bridge and crossed it fairly slowly, taking in their surroundings. The gate opened quickly to their arrival. Reply Baratheon was the first person to welcome his King and company.

"Welcome to Storm's End, Your Grace. I was surprised when I heard that you would be making your arrival. Why Storm's End, of all places?"

"It is the closest, it wouldn't hurt to make a quick visit, would it?"

"No, not at all, everyone, come... a feast shall be prepared for His Grace!"

A good feast, it was, but Aerion did not eat much. He would rather drink a few glasses of wine. Many of the people already knew Aerion from his days as Lord of Storm's End. Those days were short, yet glorious for many. They remembered how he humiliated Robert Baratheon for days on end with his supreme power. The soldiers, especially, revered the now King. It seemed that for a day it was Aerion's castle, not Renly's (Or Stannis' for that matter).

There is only one man who can produce such outstanding reverence, Renly thought. It was the Targaryen Pirate King who fell to a ferocious storm and reappeared over a year past his death, this time he himself became the storm as he swept the Seven Kingdoms in four months. In no time at all, Robert had been dethroned. Wherever Aerion goes, others follow... his greatest weapon is charisma. That and his magical abilities.

Loras Tyrell seemed to have settled nicely in Storm's End, weird... he and Renly seem to have something going on. I... would rather not know. Margaery left Aerion's side to speak to her brother, Izanami took her seat.

"I have a surprise for you, outside."

"I wonder what it is."

"You will see... he decided it was time to meet once again."

"Your father?"

"A... damn you, Aerion."

Aerion laughed. "You gave too big of a clue, I can still act unsuspecting if you want."

"You are too considerate, Aerion, but it is not necessary."

"Hmph, what does he have to say anyway?"

"Not much."

"Interesting..."

After the feast, Aerion left the hall and went outside. The sun was long gone, the only sources of light that remained were the shining moon and sparkling stars. It reminded him of worse days, when he would dream of returning to Westeros and vengeance. Most of all, he used to wish for the prosperity of himself and his family. Daenerys and Viserys was all he had left back then…

"You have come far since we last met."

Aerion heard the voice of an old man behind him, so he turned. It was him.

"Why do you come here now, of all times?"

"You seem to be struggling… my dear daughter tells me."

"What would I be struggling with?"

"You… hahaha, so this is a dragon's pride, let's have a different approach to this. Draw your weapon."

What is this old man talking about? He wants me to fight him?

"Go on, old doesn't quite mean fragile. Being a cultivator, you should know that by now."

Aerion reluctantly drew Blackfyre. That was his primary weapon, after all.

"Good…"

The old man drew his own blade, which was a fairly long katana. In an instant, its blade would have separated Aerion's head from his body if not for his quick reaction. He blocked it, barely.

He's fast…

"Use more of your strength, or you will meet an unfortunate end!"

Aerion stepped back as the old man tried to push Blackfyre out of the way and cut him. Aerion activated Draconic Heart, temporarily gaining an advantage until the old man effortlessly increased his own strength. Then he was stronger again… with one blow, he sent Aerion into the distant skies.

"I know you can do more than that…"

Lightning formed around his free hand for a few seconds. Then he released it in the direction of Aerion, who had recently recovered his balance. The lightning took the shape of a roaring dragon. It was one without wings… but it could most definitely fly.

Damn it... CRIMSON DEMON SLASH.

The two moves clashed against each other, neither coming out of the confrontation as the decisive victor.

"Most impressive." He clapped. "But the real fight starts now... hahaha."

Using observe, I discovered that the old man had jumped all the way to Divine Origin 6! This had to be intentional... but how did he know?

Aerion reluctantly activated Silver Calamity.

Aerion struck first, with an overhead feint that turned into a diagonal slash. This caught the old man by surprise, but only temporarily. He parried the attack and tried to counter but a crimson scaled hand had grabbed his blade. But it was all for nought... the old man's blade cut through Aerion's hand. Aerion retreated hastily but the old man was too fast. In an instant, his right arm was sliced off. Blood spewed forth... Aerion did not feel quite as horrified as he thought he would be.

"That was a bold move, but you should not attempt it against my sword. But it would have worked, otherwise... how unlucky."

An intense crimson aura erupted from Aerion as more and more scales began to appear on his body, both silver and crimson. Soon enough, wings sprouted forth and new scaled arm replaced its unfortunate predecessor.

"How unlucky indeed... but that does not matter much."

So this is the strength of a dragon... I haven't quite mastered it yet. It is very easy to simply let go... last time I did that, the Heavenly Fire Demon had been ravaged. I would rather have control over myself... but the fury is awfully hard to contain.

"The blood of Aerios... hmm, it has grown thicker."

"You know about that?"

The old man laughed. "Why, of course, I do."

It is the main reason I sought you out... but that information is for later.

"What else do you know?"

"Very few things can escape my eyes... let's leave it at that."

"Fine..."

Surprisingly, Aerion had exchanged several blows with the old man. Even matching the old man when he used various powerful elemental skills. But it all ended when Aerion grew weary of Silver Calamity... his effectiveness rapidly declined until he was forced to power down.

Aerion was breathless and the old man was seemingly pleased. "You fought well, I must say. But your main weakness is that you run out of strength quickly. Your opponents are likely to take advantage of this... you are a wise young man, I am sure you will find a solution."

And just like that, he vanished. Aerion looked at his wounds... he almost died in that spar! His scales scattered in all directions, leaving his body. His eyes were heavy, forcing themselves shut. The floating technique was deactivated soon after and a half-conscious found himself falling down into the roaring sea from the distant sky. But someone caught him mid-way.

"Father did not show much mercy, it seems. But you will thank him for it later."

"I... already... have..."