The Journey Begins

Aerion's fleet docked with the port of Volantis. This was followed by dozens of fearsome men landing onto the platform who were led by their Emperor, along with his Kingsguard. The people at the port had cleared a path which led towards the triarchs of Volantis, all three of whom were on their knees.

"Welcome to Volantis, My Emperor. We are most pleased to have you visit us on such a fine d-"

"Who was it that said my valyrian blood was tainted?"

Aerion interrupted the Triarch, in a cold tone no less. A moment of silence passed as the tension between them vastly increased. A drop of sweat fell from the oldest Triarch, Malaquo Maegyr, as he began to realise that his chances of living were depressingly close to zero.

"My Emperor... we were simply fools!" One of the Triarch's answered Aerion's question. "Nothing more, nothing less. Now we have come to realise that you are greater than any dragon lord... collectively, we all believe you to be worthy of the title 'Dragon Emperor'. However, as I look upon your radiant beauty and divine strength, I do not see a mere dragon emperor."

"What I see is God!"

So he's one of those...

"God?" The other Triarch questioned. "That cannot be true. Even the person you proclaim as God disagrees with y-"

"Silence."

Aerion waved his hand as flames surged towards the Triarch. Within mere moments, the Triarch turned into a human torch. He attempted to jump into the water but the flames burned so swiftly that he died almost immediately.

"My blood is tainted... and yet my fire burns brighter than any dragon fire."

Aerion's violet gaze remained on the two Triarch's.

"If you believe me to be God, then I ask that you show your devotion." Aerion threw his dagger onto the ground, right before the Triarch. "First kill the other Triarch."

"It shall be my pleasure." The Triarch took up the dagger and faced the other unarmed Triarch. One was of the elephant party while the other was of the tiger party so they weren't the best of friends either way.

"My Emperor... allow me to defend myself-"

Several stabs later, only one Triarch remained. He kneeled once more and presented the dagger before Aerion, as clean as it had been before. Aerion returned the dagger to its rightful place before pondering on the fate of the Triarch.

"What is your next instruction, My Emperor?"

"Serve me in death."

Aerion's scarlet flames burned the Triarch's to crisp. They were shortly followed by emerald flames which dragged the Triarch's soul into Aerion.

"One of you, carry the two corpses."

A Soul Knight stepped forward and carried the corpses on each shoulder as Aerion continued onwards. The tiger cloaks of Volantis made way for Aerion, acknowledging him as their new master. The Triarchy was dead... and it was unlikely that another would follow. As Aerion walked through the streets, he realised that there was a mixed reaction to his appearance.

Some feared him while others were cheerful. A High Valyrian, one of Old Blood dating back to a family of dragon lords, had proclaimed himself Emperor and conquered all nine Free Cities in less than two years. This was not a time for sorrow, no... it was a time for celebration!

A new era was upon them, after all.

"Hail to the Emperor!" One valyrian noble raised his sword into the sky. He looked at the slaves behind him who were rather joyful and joined him in his chant not so long after.

It was known that Aerion's policies towards slaves were quite forgiving. It was the duty of a master to take care of his servant... if the master were to fail this simple duty, they would be punished under the Emperor's law by the Soul Knights who carried their Lord's will.

~

After a short few days spent electing new leaders for Volantis, Aerion prepared to leave for Old Valyria. There were six magisters, three from each political party. However, he did not elect a Lord Magister. As this was the closest of the Free Cities to Old Valyria, it was only fitting that he would rule it himself which meant that there was little need for a Lord Magister.

Of course, he could still elect one in his absence... but he decided to reserve that position for someone truly worthy. He thought of his Targaryen relatives but didn't believe that they were quite capable of such a role yet. Viserys clearly did as he wished most of the time and was quick to anger which made him unfit. Meanwhile, Daenerys was far too timid to rule a city. And she was only twelve years old... though, Aerion did not judge people by age as he knew himself well enough.

This did not change the fact that she was timid... but a position of power would surely change that, wouldn't it?

Aerion wondered as he looked towards the sea from his palace. One of his desires had always been to see House Targaryen prosper. Not just himself, but his aunt and uncle as well. Even his half-brother in the North... he truly wanted them all to be great. It is why he would personally teach them all that he knew whenever there was time.

*Knock*

*Knock*

"Who is it?"

"Princess Jocelyn of House Baratheon. May I enter?"

"Sure." Aerion turned around as Jocelyn opened the door and closed it behind her. "What is it?"

"Must I always have a reason when I visit you?"

"I am the Emperor of Valyria." Aerion reminded her. "Which does make my time valuable."

"You don't seem to be doing anything of importance at the moment."

"Not everything is at it seems," Aerion replied.

"I wonder if the life of an Emperor is one of isolation." Jocelyn stepped forward. "If you cannot make time for others..."

"Kings and Emperor tend to have fewer true friends," Aerion nodded. "Because they are of higher stature than the rest and most subjects find it difficult to close that gap. I doubt your father found many friends after usurping the throne... several flatterers, perhaps. But no friends that he could trust."

"He does enjoy drinking with some people especially... but I would not think too highly of them," Jocelyn remarked. "His only true friends would be uncle Ned and Jon."

"It seems that I was correct."

Aerion frowned as Jocelyn touched one of his dragon eggs which laid on the desk. It was a pale cream dragon egg streaked with gold and bronze, the brightest of all three dead dragon eggs.

"You said that they were dead but this one is warm."

"Are you certain?"

As everyone but himself had regarded the dragon eggs as cold, this came as a surprise to him.

"I would not lie."

Aerion chuckled and made a jest.

"Then I shall adopt you into House Targaryen if you don't mind."

"In what way?" Jocelyn wondered.

Aerion shrugged. "It was but a jest... no need to overthink it. For now, these dragon eggs are useless whether you can feel their heat or not. But that will not be the case for long as I intend to give them life."

"Dragons... so will I get the opportunity to see one? Alive?"

Aerion nodded "I would not keep them far from myself."

I know a Baratheon who's far less amused by the thought of dragons...

~

Aerion came to ask his last questions about the trial of Old Valyria.

"Is it true that everyone who journeys with me will inevitably die?" Aerion inquired. "Or was it merely a lie to make me travel on my own?"

"All people will inevitably die, whether or not they follow you." The System replied.

"Can anyone but myself survive the trial?" Aerion rephrased the question.

"There... now, that depends on whether or not you are capable of protecting them. Your magic vitality was lesser by twenty-five points when I was certain that you could barely protect yourself. If you do decide to bring an army... well, there was a dragon lord by the name Aurion who failed miserably. I suggest keeping your company to a single ship as the rest will be... wasted."

"Do know this; all of the living who do survive this trial are to receive their own blessings."

"What of the undead?" Aerion inquired.

"They will be yours to reward."

"Interesting." Aerion nodded. "Thank you for clearing some of the mist."

"It is my duty."

Before leaving for Old Valyria, he decided to do a little 'heat test'. He doubted that it meant anything but it was amusing to see who could feel anything from the dragon eggs. As expected, the majority felt nothing but the cold scales. But there was another who felt the heat and that was none other than Daenerys Stormborn of House Targaryen. As a result of this revelation, Viserys was clearly the only Targaryen who had failed this test. This was slightly disappointing to Aerion but he did not pay much heed.

~

"It has only been a few days and you are already leaving." Viserys sighed.

"Ah, no need to sigh... because you're coming with me, uncle." Aerion smiled. "I already have your possessions gathered in preparation."

"I see."

"And where is it that you will be sailing?" Elia inquired.

"The Free City of Lys, mother. I believe they have some gifts prepared for me and I am most eager to see what they are."

Aerion didn't feel well when he lied through his teeth, especially to his mother, but it had to be done.

"I would very much like to see what they are, as well," Elia replied.

"And I would rather you stay in Volantis." Aerion countered, in a slightly harsher tone.

"As you wish." Elia nodded, noticing that he was not leaving much room for debate.

The Magisters I have set in place are good enough...

"Daenerys..." Aerion turned to Daenerys.

"... Yes?"

"I will grant you the title of Princess of Volantis in my absence. You will be the undeniable ruler of this city and my knights will hold your authority if need be. Use the Magisters I have elected to advise you and do not make any major decisions until I return... unless absolutely necessary."

"I will not fail you."

She does have the blood of the dragon, after all...

"Good."

"What about me?" Jocelyn inquired.

Aerion shrugged. "I will get you a gift from Lys."

"Just a gift?"

"Or I could gift you with a one-way trip to King's Landing." Aerion laughed.

"Hmph."

"Well, we'll be going off now." He turned around and the rest followed. The Mad King was now comprised of the most talented Soul Knights (thirty-four), the Kingsguard, Aerion and Viserys. Aerion did not go over forty men because he did wish for any of his Soul Knights to be 'wasted'...

After sailing away from the sight of Volantis, Aerion made the ship turn in the direction of Old Valyria.

"Where are we going now?" Jaime wondered. "You went off-course from Lys..."

"Old Valyria is our next destination."

Viserys looked at Aerion. "Old Valyria? Are you trying to kill us all?"

"No, quite the opposite." He calmly replied. "Relax, uncle. The view will be wonderful when we arrive."