Dragons and Thrones: A Dark Shadow Looms
Chapter 36 of my crossover story, enjoy.
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Now onto the story.
Disclaimer: Game of Thrones belongs to George R.R. Martin. Dragon Age belongs to Bioware.
Cullen
Cullen grit his teeth, this was going to be his toughest challenge yet, the hardest fight he had ever faced. It was hard to even see Samson anymore, through the thick red cloud of energy that enshrouded him. Samson was glaring, his eyes glowing red, just as Knight Commander Meredith's had; Cullen knew exactly what was happening; he hated the thought, but it was the only way.
"I will see you pay for this, Cullen!" Samson yelled.
With that he lunged and attempted to attack. Cullen was ready however, and, pivoting swiftly, he deflected, knocking Samson off balance. He attempting to deliver a strike of his own, down Samson's back, but all he got for his trouble was the deafening shriek of metal on metal as the armour was merely scratched. Samson laughed; clearly relishing his advantage.
"Accept it." He snarled; backhanding Cullen, making him stagger. "I am just too strong for you."
His strength was incredible; beyond human and when he attempted to deliver a punishing blow with his sword, Cullen only barely blocked. Yet the blow jarred his shield and Cullen nearly lost feeling in that arm.
Cullen hissed as he staggered back. 'Maker's breath, he's far stronger than before; this...this isn't...I must stay focused; keep, keep fighting.'
He readied himself again, Samson just shook his head unleashing even more power.
Cullen grit his teeth and fought on, striking at Samson but not inflicting any damage. Samson just kept laughing and striking himself; forcing Cullen to dodge or deflect the attacks; he couldn't afford to block anymore, not after what just happened.
"Just give up already, die!" Samson yelled as he struck again.
Cullen yelled out as he only narrowed avoided the blow, but not fully. He winced at the pain that lanced up his right arm from the cut he had received. Samson's strength had truly improved beyond anything; he had just cut through Cullen's armour as if it was thin parchment.
"Cullen!" Arya cried out, clearly worried.
He shook his head. "Stay back, this is my fight; I have to...I have to keep going."
Gendry then yelled out. "But, you'll…!"
Samson laughed. "Oh please, how pathetic, just let them fight, I can kill all of you easily.
Ducking under yet another attack, Cullen then heard Meera telling Arya and Gendry not to intervene.
"He can win this, I know he can." She said. "In fact, he already has."
Cullen managed a smile; pleased in her confidence in him. He wondered if she had seen it too, the same thing he had noticed about Samson.
The duel continued, Samson continued to dominate; his raw power forcing Cullen to dodge or give ground. Laughing, Samson simply began unleashing even more power. Cullen grit his teeth and dug in.
'This cannot last much longer; how much more does he intend to...' He thought desperately.
He was knocked off his feet as Samson struck his shield again, knocking Cullen onto his back. He heard the gasps for his allies and struggled to move. But Samson was quicker, he now stood above Cullen, a sick grin on his face, which looked almost twisted by the Red Lyrium. His eyes were glowing bright red, the veins in his face too.
"You should have learned your lesson Cullen; you should not have pushed me so far." He said; his voice seemed to tremble with every syllable. "You should have joined me when you had the chance, when I made you the offer."
Cullen snarled, despite his injured state. "Never."
Samson shook his head and raised his sword above his head, ready for the killing blow. It was then, it happened, with a powerful blast, Samson's armour and sword ruptured and all power drained out of him, although the Red Lyrium cloud still remained, Samson screamed in agony and Cullen knew what was happened, he had seen it before at Kirkwall, when Meredith was defeated.
Despite his anger at Samson, Cullen couldn't allow this to happen to him; leaping to his feet, and out of the way of the Red Lyrium cloud himself, He swung his sword, catching Samson with the flat of the blade. Samson's yells were cut short as he too was knocked out of the way, saved from becoming a statue of Red Lyrium at the last minute, yet also being knocked out.
"Cullen!"
He turned, panting for breath, the other three approached him, amazed and concerned.
He nodded. "It's alright, I'll live...I had to, had to get him to do that, to keep raising his power."
Meera nodded and revealed she had indeed understood. "I thought so, by forcing him to keep using more and more power, you made it unstable and in the end, the pressure was too great."
Cullen nodded; it was then they heard more shouts and saw Robb approaching, along with Dacey Mormont and the Greatjon. Seeing their amazement and desperate to save time he quickly explained what happened, aided by Arya, Gendry and Meera.
It was then agreed they could waste no more time. Despite Cullen's exhaustion, he insisted on continuing onwards with them. So he, along with Arya, Gendry, Meera and Robb prepared to hurry onwards, while Dacey and the Greatjon seized Samson as a prisoner and went to regroup with the main army.
They hurried onwards, sure that they were near the end, they could feel it, the ones they sought to rescue, along with Calpernia and Corypheus himself were just ahead.
End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.