One Storm To Another

"I could almost cry, you know." Aerion smiled, nodding. "Before, you were dying to kill me, but now you treated my youthful, mortal clone with such kindness... it seems that you've become more grateful as of recent. Are your eyes finally opening to the truth?"

"Mortal clone?"

"I admit clone is a bit generous - more of a tool. He was as I used to be… with a few tweaks."

"What of his universe?"

"It never existed in the first place."

"So you gave him false memories?"

"It was the simplest way. Recreating a few events would've proven a little difficult and unnecessary. After all, you were so very curious about me, so I created this to quench some of that curiosity and nothing more."

"... I see."

Created to be a glorified informat from your very own image, destined to perish. It's not exactly an enviable existence.

"Live enough aeons with boundless power, and you start to see how insignificant everything beneath you becomes. I am uncaring—but you? You'd be a worse god in my place."

"... Is that so?" I questioned.

"In your point of view, you think you're the centre of the universe. Someone truly special. Hahaha… I have trillions of prospects like you, hundreds of Arthur Astleys in particular. I, myself, am but a miniscule part of the Transcendent Being's will."

"Hundreds of me? Sounds like an obsession." I stroked my chin. "After all, I was just a normal guy. Your pool of people to choose from must be endless."

"Do you truly believe that?"

I raised an eyebrow, contemplating that question. I hadn't accomplished anything in my past life. Anyone with any sort of ability wouldn't be where I was.

"What happens when you cut off a dragon's wings, teeth, and claws, take away its flames, shrink it to a pet, seal it in a cage, and drug it into being content with its existence? Will it ever soar the skies and eclipse the sun?"

"... No."

"You can figure out the rest, surely." He smiled, placing his hands behind his back. "For what it is worth, you are the very first of your kind. The first Arthur Astley I plucked from his cage."

"How are all the others doing?"

"You know what they say... nothing beats the original."

"One moment you say I am one of trillions, the next you flatter me to such an extent." I chuckled, shaking my head. "What are you trying to point to, exactly?"

"Why, both can be true."

"Seems rather... contradictory."

"You'll understand if you live long enough." He remained cryptic. "Now, don't you have some other things to ask? As you'd know, an audience with my great self doesn't come very often."

"Through your all-knowing wisdom... what advice would you have for me?"

"Seeking my advice? Now, that is a first." He looked surprised or perhaps pretended to. "I feel like a proud guardian if anything. My baby stag is growing."

"Mhm..." I didn't take the bait from his condescending remark, crossing my arms. "Well?"

"Taking advice from an omniscient being is a form of cheating, you know..."

"Can't even throw some other cryptic statement?" I raised an eyebrow. "You seem to be quite refined at those."

"Hm, why not - you did become a father, after all. You deserve some merit for that."

A father... that didn't quite sound right.

"I broke the bars that held thee fast, yet thou hast drawn new walls with silken thread."

Is he saying that I've caged myself?

"Hm, no use if you figure it out so quickly. Though, you don't know what exactly to change, do you? That is the real mystery behind those words."

And, just like that, I was back to the river. It seemed to be crossable this time, however. I turned to Raiden, who had been absent.

"Did you get into any fights like I did?" I asked.

"No... you were in a fight?"

"Yeah, I had a little dance with death."

"I did say it's dangerous..."

"What about you? Did you encounter anything?" From my last question, I could tell something was up.

"The Vision Hunt Decree... I witnessed all ninety-nine people have theirs seized away. I watched them lose their ambition and will - becoming shells of the extraordinary people they once were. I saw the struggle of the resistance and all the lives that were lost for the sake of my tyranny."

"There's nothing you can do about it now," I replied, shaking my head. "If the Shogun was who you are now, it would've never happened."

"That thought is less comforting than you may think. It remains as a reminder of my powerlessness..."

"In the end, all the visions were returned to their rightful owners, after some sense was knocked into Ei."

"I simply... wish there was a way for me to right my wrongs."

"I understand." I nodded, smiling slightly. "And I have a feeling that you will be able to do just that one day."

Despite nodding, she didn't look too certain. I looked at the corpses another time and wondered for a moment, would I care so deeply in her place? I shut down the thought as quickly as it came. Most certainly, I would.

"Shall we keep going?" I questioned, looking at the bridge.

"It will be morning soon. You have places to be, don't you?"

"Empty North horizon number sixty-nine, yes." I nodded, sounding as excited as I could about it. "I suppose whatever lays beyond is a conquest for another day."

I woke myself up and got ready for the day.

...

Each ride without my old black destrier felt more and more depressing. My substitute wasn't half the horse my former stallion had been. Freedom's replacement was a raven, too, ironically. Though it wasn't a tenth as majestic, it was more than strong enough of a flier. The Others sure did like killing off my companions.

Arya rode near me most of the time, sharing her experiences with the kneelers. Though, a lot of it was about Val. 

I smiled. "It seems there was never a dull moment for you."

"Sounds to me like there was plenty for you."

"Mayhaps a few, true enough, but there was more… frustration than anything. Those people can be so foolishly stubborn in their ways."

"All their lives, they've known freedom, and you gave them a choice between losing that or their lives." Arya seemingly countered.

"You make it sound like I bound them with shackles. They chose the Night's Watch; they swore the oath and yet still plotted a coup for when I left. I wanted the best for them, and all they did was spit on my face. I was so… very close to burying all of them."

"But you didn't."

"And now they're Jon's issue alone."

"He'll manage. Ever since you spared them, they've been nothing but loyal. Truthfully, you're overthinking it."

"Am I?" I wondered.

"Have some faith in my brother. You made him Lord Commander for a reason."

"Hm…" I nodded. "I have grown to only think of the worst outcome; that way, nothing ever can surprise me again. Alas, you are likely right. I might be worrying too much."

She nodded in agreement.

~

A little over two weeks of travel later, Winterfell greeted me like an old memory.

It had been nearly eight months since my last visit, and the realisation hit me like a tower of bricks. Robb Stark stood at the forefront of the crowd, looking more lordly than I remembered. It suited him well.

Catelyn gave me a strange, almost piercing stare, but I shrugged it off, pretending I hadn't noticed.

"Hurry up and rise," I said, gesturing for him to stand. "This King's hungry."

"And when isn't he?" Robb chuckled as he rose to his feet, a smile on his face.

"These muscles don't feed themselves, you know," I laughed, pulling him into a warm embrace.

"Try not to eat the tables as well," Robb joked, returning the hug.

"I make no promises, Lord Stark," I smirked.

"You heard him," Robb called to the servants. "Prepare a feast for His Grace and our guests."

...

"So, you have any good news for me?" I took a bite of a chicken leg and felt invigorated after two weeks of travelling.

"Well, for one, the wildlings and northerners haven't killed each other yet. In truth, the wildlings you gave us seem rather tame."

"All part of Mance's plan, apparently. Most of the unruly, barbaric ones died beneath the Wall." I replied, having a sip of wine. "Is it the same in the south?"

"Can't say for certain. Word from the south does not spread quickly here. Except..."

"Except?" I raised an eyebrow.

"There was a raven sent from the capital carrying a message with the royal seal. I planned to send it to Castle Black... but news of your upcoming arrival reached us first."

"Fortunately."

"Regarding that, we were given two messages. One meant for you and the other which was to be made public."

"Oh?" I made a sound of surprise. "And what did the message say?"

"I believe it would be best for you to receive the personal one first." Robb took out the letter from within his cloak. "I'd reckon they are connected in some form."

"Oh?" I leaned back in my chair, looking at him.

Robb handed me the letter.

——————————————

To my beloved nephew, King Edric I 'Storm' of the House Baratheon,

While you were fighting your battles in the North, there was a battle of a different kind in the south. Lady Margaery of House Tyrell, with great strength and grace, brought into the world not just one, but two beautiful children—a healthy girl and a son, both strong and full of life. Alysanne and Garth Storm, they would be named.

You should have seen Highgarden at this time, my nephew. It was as though the very air was alive with the bloom of summer, the flowers in full splendor, the skies impossibly bright and clear. Some even say that the miracle of their birth revived the sick and weakened among the smallfolk, as if they too had been touched by divine blessing. Truly, the realm rejoices, and the Faith is already calling this a blessing, a sign from the gods.

As for you, dear nephew, you are now a father! Even Robert, your father, did not have children as quickly as you. When you can, see the boy for yourself—he is your very image...

——————————————

I closed the letter slowly without even finishing it, each word sinking in deeper than I anticipated. With a weary sigh, I crushed the letter in my hand. A flash of lightning sparked from my palm, and the paper turned to ash. The wind swept the remains, sending them scattering toward Loras, who coughed as he tried to wave the dust away.

I downed my drink in one go.

"So I was right," Robb spoke, breaking the silence. "We spoke of this matter before, didn't we?"

"Yes, but..."

I sat back, shaking my head. It was almost funny. I was fooled by my own vision, in a way. I thought that it would only be a daughter, not twins. A bastard daughter is rather inconsequential, but a son... especially for a King who won't be having any heirs for a good while...

Not to mention that I've set the precedent for bastards to become kings...

Alysanne and Garth Storm... those names, too. Margaery knew what she was doing.

I couldn't help but laugh in the end. It wasn't almost funny, it truly was!

"What's so funny?" Arya questioned.

"Not much, just..." I poured some more wine, raising my cup. "I'm a father of two!"

My words could be heard across the hall, though I had no doubts the 'public' message was more or less the same as the one I just received. Everyone but me and my companions had already known.

I laughed; the world sometimes didn't seem real to me.