Chapter 632: Miraxis

In the distant Aegon's High Hill, beyond the Red Keep, lies the sacred Godswood.

The miraculous golden pillar, which had fueled discussions far and wide, gradually dissipated, leaving behind specks of gold dancing in the thin air.

The Unsullied stood steadfast, their spears and shields forming a tight ring around the Godswood, their cold eyes forbidding anyone from entering the sacred grove.

Anxious faces of Queen Aelinor, Princess Rhaenys, Daenerys and others lingered outside the woods, wondering about Viserys' current state.

"I apologize, my Lord."

Oberyn and other councilors from the Small Council had also arrived, but they were refused entry by the stern-faced commander of the Unsullied, who spared no one's dignity, not even the queen or the princess. Hence, Oberyn, Illyrio, Varys, and others had no choice but to wait outside.

Inside the Godswood, as the golden glow faded, Viserys remained seated, clutching a faceless statue, his face contemplative.

"It's been long,"

A soft sigh of a woman abruptly resonated in Viserys' mind, causing his eyes to narrow.

"Who are you?"

Outside, the Unsullied encircled the Godswood, while within, Viserys sat with a grave expression.

For he had traced the sudden voice in his mind to the faceless goddess statue he held.

A talking stone? This surely touched upon one of the most mysterious forces in this world. Viserys, being among the strongest of men, knew that if anything were to happen, none could protect him, not the Unsullied outside nor the mighty armies.

Yet, Viserys remained calm. It wasn't arrogance but a preparedness for unseen changes that had been cultivated over time.

"I am Miraxis."

The voice from the faceless statue echoed again in Viserys' mind.

This time, Viserys discerned that the entity spoke High Valyrian, albeit slightly different from what he was accustomed to.

It seemed like a dialect of High Valyrian, strange but understandable to a keen ear. Viserys was not unfamiliar with it, for this ancient Valyrian language was something Maester Marwyn had been diligently studying.

Human languages evolve over centuries; a few hundred or thousand years could bring about significant changes.

"Ancient Valyrian."

"Your name is Miraxis."

The silver-gold haired young man continued to sit on the ground, his violet eyes reflecting a hint of hesitation.

"Could you be…"

With the dark mist within him, Viserys had developed a keen interest in the history of the now fallen Freehold of Valyria.

But the once glorious empire now lay in ruins, its magnificent history seemingly erased by invisible hands.

It was puzzling how the mighty empire that once dominated the world could have its history forgotten so swiftly post-calamity, to the extent that not even the names of the Forty Families who ruled Valyria could be recalled.

The Valyrians had left many descendants, exquisite cities, and grand architecture from Dragonstone to the Empire of Ghiscari, from the Summer Isles to the Great Grass Sea. Yet, their history was forgotten. Was this reality?

Despite it being less than a millennium since Valyria's fall, detailed information was scarce. Scholars like Maester Marwyn were piecing together clues from sparse fragments to unravel the truth.

Miraxis. Viserys had come across this name.

But it wasn't the third of the five dragons, the deep blue female dragon, or 'Conqueror Aegon's' sister Rhaenys' dragon. It was the name of a true ancient deity worshipped by the Valyrians.

'Conqueror' Aegon's sister had named her dragon after this ancient goddess, as had Viserys when naming his dragons.

"I am the Lord of Raging Seas!"

A deep, authoritative, and oppressive voice reverberated in his mind, confirming his suspicion.

Though the faceless statue depicted a graceful woman, the entity was the God of Seas from Valyrian lore. A true deity wouldn't find itself at the mercy of a mortal.

Yet, the majestic voice didn't startle Viserys. He held the deity in his hand.

Had Miraxis retained a fraction of her power from her prime, she wouldn't have found herself in such a predicament. Any deity with a shred of dignity wouldn't allow itself to be held by a mortal.

"What is this statue? How did you end up like this?" Viserys inquired calmly.

There was a long pause before Miraxis spoke again.

Indeed, before proceeding, each needed to understand who the other was. Viserys had learned her name, but the 'Lord of Raging Seas', Miraxis, had yet to learn about the silver-haired young man before her.

"My name is Viserys Targaryen."

"A king among humans."

Viserys revealed his identity succinctly. It seemed Miraxis had been asleep for an indeterminate amount of time, and it was Viserys who had awakened her. Instead of explaining the intricacies of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, he opted for simplicity: he was a king among humans.

His words instantly resonated with Miraxis. However, she seemed more intrigued by his last name.

She could feel the ancient and sacred Valyrian bloodline coursing through Viserys' veins, but she hadn't expected it to be from the lesser-known Targaryen lineage.

And now he was a so-called human king?

Miraxis could sense the Valyrian power in the young man before her, yet it amazed her that Viserys hailed from the relatively insignificant Targaryen household.

And now, he stood as a king among humans?