Chapter 41
For now, Xerneas decided to set aside such troubling thoughts and turned his attention towards Jon, who was currently in Essos.
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For the past week, Jon Snow had struggled to adapt to the ways of Volantis. Their customs and beliefs were vastly different from his own, especially their callous treatment of slaves, whom they viewed as mere commodities to be bought and sold without remorse. The sight of young girls being used as sex slaves, their innocence stolen before they had even reached womanhood, was just one of the many heinous acts Jon witnessed during his time in the city.
In the markets of Volantis, Jon observed slaves being auctioned off like livestock, their dignity stripped away as they were examined and prodded by potential buyers. Some slaves bore the marks of previous abuse, their bodies scarred and bruised from years of mistreatment. Others were forced to perform back-breaking labor under the scorching sun, their cries for mercy falling on deaf ears.
In the shadows of the city's alleyways, Jon stumbled upon underground brothels where unspeakable acts of depravity took place behind closed doors. Young boys and girls, barely old enough to understand the horrors of the world, were forced into a life of servitude and exploitation, their spirits broken by the cruel whims of their masters.
Despite his efforts to remain stoic in the face of such atrocities, Jon found himself haunted by the suffering he witnessed every day.
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In the grand hall of the palace provided to Jon, more than thirty slaves had been assembled, their faces bearing the mark of their suffering. Some bore the unmistakable features of Valyria's ancient bloodline. The nobles who had brought them before Jon awaited his approval, hoping to gain favor in the eyes of their chosen lord.
Jon hesitated, torn between the desire to appease the nobles and the urge to free those around him from the shackles of misery. But as he stood there, grappling with his conflicting emotions, he felt a strange sensation wash over him—a loss of control over his own body.
Maester Aemon, sensing Jon's inner turmoil, moved to intervene, but Jon silenced him with a determined stride forward. His gaze fell upon the kneeling slaves, their faces etched with the scars of pain and suffering, their souls marked by the looming presence of the Red God, who would claim them in death.
In the hushed silence of the hall, Jon spoke in the ancient Valyrian tongue, surprising everyone present except for the slaves, who looked upon him with hope in their eyes for the first time. "Are you all willing to serve me?"
After a moment of hesitation, the elder among them spoke up, affirming their willingness to serve their new master. Jon's gaze shifted to the others, silently urging them to speak, but they only nodded in response, their reluctance evident.
Then, with a flash of green light emanating from his eyes, Jon declared, "Then my men are not slaves." In an instant, the collars and chains binding the slaves broke free, leaving them bewildered as they watched in astonishment. Their attention was drawn to Jon's glowing eyes, which seemed to hold a power beyond comprehension. Unbeknownst to them, the slave marks on their faces began to fade away, disappearing little by little until they were no more.
A sense of peace washed over Jon as he felt the presence of Xerneas within him, guiding him with silent wisdom. The words echoed in his mind, reminding him to remain true to himself, to embrace his destiny as a king. With a smile, Jon retreated from the hall, leaving Maester Aemon to handle the aftermath.
Back in his chambers, Jon attempted to communicate with Xerneas, but there was no response at first.
Xerneas's voice echoed in Jon's mind, breaking the silence. "Aegon," it began, "I won't ask you to seek favor from those around you, but you must steady yourself. Do not be swayed by your emotions. You must have the resolve of a true leader. Do not disappoint your men who await you, waiting for their king, the king of Yggdrasil."
Confused by Xerneas's words, Jon questioned, "My men? Yggdrasil?" He initially thought of the wildlings, but as Xerneas spoke further, he realized there was something else he didn't yet understand.
"You will understand when you return," Xerneas assured him. "Find your resolve."
Jon nodded in response even though he want to ask a lot but kept lips tight. Then, Xerneas instructed, "Send Cannibal to Brynden's side."
"I will do as you say," Jon replied obediently.
With a chuckle, Xerneas added, "And you will have a guest now. Go and meet him."
Suddenly, Jon heard a roar more majestic than Cannibal's, startling him. Without hesitation, he dashed outside. When he had first arrived in Volantis, Jon had kept the existence of his dragon hidden from others. But now, a newcomer had arrived to join Jon's ranks—a dragon believed to have perished along with its rider in the ruins of Old Valyria. It was the red dragon of one of the last dragon lords, Aurion—a dragon with a size that rivaled even Cannibal and Balerion.
As Jon emerged from the palace, he was met with the breathtaking sight of the magnificent red dragon, its scales shimmering in the sunlight. With a sense of awe and wonder, Jon approached the dragon, ready to welcome this unexpected ally into his fold.
In awe of the red dragon's presence, the gathered crowd remained stunned. Unlike Cannibal, the red dragon displayed no aggression, instead showing interest in Jon. Overwhelmed by the moment, Jon approached the red dragon, recalling the name "Syrax" that came to him. As he laid his hand on Syrax's massive head, a sense of connection passed between them, reaffirming their bond.
Maester Aemon, who had emerged alongside the slaves, couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and gratitude at the sight of new dragon. The presence of Cannibal alone was enough to bring him joy, but the unexpected appearance of Syrax left him speechless. Meanwhile, the slaves who followed Aemon began to see Jon in a new light, recognizing his mystery and power, and understanding why the old blood revered him despite his non-Valyrian features.
With the presence of Syrax, Jon's status among the people of Eastern Volantis was unmistakable, solidifying his position as a leader as long as they accept.
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Sorry folks, I've been down with a viral fever last week, messing with my brain big time. Even my neighbors caught it—talk about a neighborhood party! Thankfully, I'm back on track now. And guess what? Xerneas decided to wake up not just one, but a whole squad of six Pokémon! Can you imagine the chaos? Instead of guessing their names, tell me what's become of Pokémon number six! For those impatient for more chapters, swing by my Patreon and support this struggling author—your laughter is the best medicine!
link: patreon.com/AmouxCreationX
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