Jon Snow stared at the halo hovering above his head. He reached up to touch it, but his hands passed through. When his head moved the halo moved with it. Touching it made him feel cold. Jon didn't know if he liked it, but he couldn't think of a way to get rid of it.
The last thing he remembered was shaking, Maester Lewin saying he had a fever, his father's stormy blue eyes, and the leaves of the weirwood tree. Now he was here, wherever here was.
Purple clouds covered the sky and blue grass carpeted the ground ending at a crystal blue pond. White speckled geese flew low over the pond and the water erupted. Strange fish with teeth shiny like a bear trap burst out of the calm water and snatched the low flying birds. The water splashed across the shore as they dove back in with their prizes. In the center of the pond was the largest weirwood tree Jon's ever seen.
Long lazy limbs crept out over the pond covered in crimson leaves. Its massive roots jutted out of the shoreline and the face in the center seemed to look into his soul. Jon grabbed one of the roots and pushed himself up.
Jon stepped back. He'd wanted to drink from the pond, but that bird wasn't much smaller than him. He backed up slowly until he hit something. It felt like he'd hit a mountain and tumbled forward from the impact.
"What are you doing here, mortal?" The words were spoken with an aristocratic tone and carried the same scorn he recognized from Lady Stark. Slowly, he turned around and bowed.
"My apologies my lord, I don't know where I am. I went to sleep and woke up here." Jon said quickly.
"Pitiful, you died in your sleep." The Lord sighed. "That doesn't explain how you're here." Jon's eyes widened at the man's words; he was dead. The fever it must have killed him. Bitter tears began to well up in his eyes.
Jon didn't dare look up and expose his tear covered face. "This sounds like Gowasu's meddling. Another ploy to teach me the value of mortals." Jon shivered at the darkening tone. "Raise your head, I want a good look at you mortal." The lord said.
Reluctantly, Jon raised his head to look the lord in the face. He hadn't expected the lord to be a green skinned, pointed eared, and white mohawked creature. The purple he wore denoted him as royalty. Jon cursed himself for using the wrong honorifics.
"I," Jon felt himself freeze at this being's gaze.
"Hold your tongue mortal, I didn't give you permission to speak. Your power level is pathetic. As you are, you're unworthy to be the attendant of a kami much less a supreme kai in training. My master clearly means for you to teach me a lesson." Another sigh escaped the prince's lips. "You will refer to me as Master Zamasu what are you little mortal?" Master Zamasu said.
"I'm a bastard lor, Master Zamasu." Jon said. Gravity took hold of him and Jon tumbled to the ground. Suddenly, an immense pressure crashed down on him and he couldn't move.
"What a pitiful name for a species to call themselves. Very well Bastard, do you feel it, the planets gravity is intense for a mortal. Through my grace, I gifted you with a reprieve and until you can walk on your own, I'll continue to give you my grace. This isn't free, I expect you to grow quickly. Do you understand Bastard?" Master Zamasu said.
Jon fought with all his strength to nod his head. Suddenly, the weight vanished. Jon rolled over and dry heaved on the sacred blue grass below.
"Bastard this world is one of my creations it took hundreds of years to advance to its current state, I'd prefer if you didn't dirty the ground." Master Zamasu said.
"Yes, Master Zamasu what will you teach me first?" His master tapped his chin before smiling evilly.
Jon was taught not to complain no matter how hard his life got. No one cared. When Rob snuck food from the larders and blamed him, he took the punishment and didn't complain. Lady Stark called him a bastard in hushed tones filled with scorn, but he didn't tell his father. When Theon picked on him and beat on him in the training yard, he hadn't told his father a thing. No one would take a bastard's word over a true born. When his master attached straps to his back and told him to pull a cart like a donkey, Jon took it stoically.
"Pull faster bastard, I plan to fish soon. Keep searching for your inner ki. I'll know when you touch it, don't worry." Master Zamasu said.
Sweat beaded down his face as he struggled to pull the cart. Every inch was struggle, foot a hardship, and yard a miracle. Despite how heavily he sweat and how hard he worked, he didn't thirst, hunger, or feel tired. Despite how difficult it was to move the cart he could do it.
His destination was a small hut in the distance. Jon concentrated searching for something and struggled forward. His nails tore away and returned with every hand grip. Pain from broken toes and turned fingers lasted for a few minutes before light from his master healed them.
"If your hurt then I will heal you but don't think too much into it. This is for my benefit. I'd like to reach my shed in the next few hours." Master Zamasu said. Jon struggled to move forward. The injuries were piling up and wearing him out. Despite the healing and his quick recovery, he was wearing down.
"Don't forget to breath as I taught you. Slacking isn't allowed from a deities attendant." Master Zamasu said. Jon hurriedly resumed the breathing technique his master taught him and focused. His master said that there was power inside of him and if he could reach it then his real training would begin.
Jon continued to search while he acted as a mule for his master. Eventually, he reached the shed and toppled over gasping for air. "Rest and regain your strength Bastard. I can tell by your size that you are young, but adequate work." His master opened the door to his shed and pulled a fishing pole and a small bag out. Then he climbed back up the cart.
Sweat poured down his face throwing his messy black hair in his eyes. His clothes were damp, and the cold breeze froze him even under the suns overhead. Shade from the purple clouds made him shiver.
He raised his hand and felt it tremble. Every muscle in his body shook in protest.
Jon stared at his next destination the pond. It was twice the distance from where he started from.
The blue grass along the way was stained red with Jon's blood. Small gouges from his hand holds covered the ground leading to the shed.
"Rejoice, this is the hardest part of your journey. The beginning of your training won't be easy, and you may grow to hate me because of it. Only by persevering can you hope to surpass your limits." Zamasu said.
Jon lowered his head. "Thank you Master Zamasu."
His master stared at the pond the grinned at Jon. "Remember your breathing and search hard for your ki. The harder you work and search the easier it will be to find your ki." His master sat on the cart's chair. "Get to work Bastard." Master Zamasu said.
The distance was far, and he knew what to expect. His body shook but he pulled the cart. It was heavier, enough to notice but he didn't focus on that.
Jon focused on what his master said. His every breath matched the technique his master taught him. With every gouge he made in the sacred planet of his master he searched himself. It was there his master said it was. He had ki inside of him.
…
Healing from his master wasn't cutting it anymore. Jon's body shook and he teetered on the brink of collapse. His entire body rebelled against him. Pushing his muscles was becoming impossible. They burned and burned without end.
He felt like he would collapse at any moment when he saw a light. It was a small thing. The light looked like it could vanish at any moment, but it was real, and it waited for him. Jon knew that this was what his master was talking about. The light was his ki.
If he didn't do something, he knew it would slip through his fingers. He reached out to it, but he was falling. The light was so close but so far. Jon charged after it and dragged himself through the dirt.
This was something that Rob would never have. Theon could brag all he wanted but this was unique. For once this was Jon's.
Handful after handful of dirt passed through his fingers. Jon clawed himself after the light growing closer with each handful. He could feel himself getting closer. In the darkness, he clawed his way through rough terrain and couldn't remember his master anymore. All he could remember was how to breath and crawl.
Jon reached out and grasped the light. He felt a connection form and fell face first into the pond. His master lifted him from the water without touching him and tossed him to the side.
His muscles still ached but he felt an energy course through his body. It was unlike anything he'd ever felt. Despite how tired he felt, Jon knew he was stronger. His master nodded once to him.
"Rest while I fish for a while and Bastard." Jon opened his eyes and struggled to a sitting position. "Well done, your actions have pleased me greatly. When you awaken your training will grow more intense."
Jon fought for the energy to speak. "Yes, Master Zamasu," Jon said before passing out.
…
Jon awoke to a strange humming and Lord Stark sleeping at his bedside. Morning light slowly crept in through the window and birds began to chirp. The crows began their calls for corn and the castle began to bustle.
"Corn, Corn," the crows called as the memories of Master Zamasu returned.
He glanced up and felt disappointed, there was no halo above his head, had it all been a dream? The memories of that strange world and Master Zamasu hadn't dimmed as dreams normally did. His body wasn't covered in sweat and the blood from countless torn fingernails didn't stain his hands. But one thing remained.
Jon's ki thrummed within him. Warm like a rare sunny day in Winterfell his ki filled him with hope. If it was real, then meeting his master must have been as well.
Slowly, he closed his eyes and focused on the ki. His breathing soon matched his master's teachings. In those moments of early morning Jon meditated for the first time. He didn't know what he was doing not really. All he knew was that the ki within him was his and no one could take that away from him. For hours he basked in the warmth of his ki familiarizing himself with it.
A strong hand touched his shoulder and all too soon he opened his eyes to the waking world. He stared up into the stormy blue eyes of his father. A smile spread across his father's face.
"Jon, you're well again." His father said.
"Yes, I feel better. Father are you alright." Jon asked. He could tell his father had lost some weight. Lord Stark's cheeks were gaunter than Jon had ever seen them. His eyes sagged from poor sleep and even his hair was a mess. New worry creases appeared on his father's forehead.
Jon quickly realized it was because of him. He'd caused his father to neglect himself. "I'm sorry," Lord Stark's hand gripped his shoulder. He looked up worry crept in his veins like ice. Rarely did he call Lord Stark father, saying so was a reminder of Jon's sinful birth and his father's dishonor.
Those stormy blue eyes met his own. "You're my son." Despite the warmth of his fathers tone he knew it was just in the moment. It was ironic that Lady Stark a Southern woman brought winter to any warmth between Jon and his father.
'Bastard,' his master had called him not out of spite but of a misconception. What was he if not a bastard?
Jon had taken the role as a deity's attendant. Could anyone in the world claim such a station.
The thoughts of pride left as soon as they came. Did the king's man servant out rank a lord? No, he had only climbed to a slightly higher station than bastard after all.
He felt his ki thrum beneath his skin filling him with power. The little ember was there even for a bastard like him. It was a bastard's flame. He'd basked in it enough to get some feel for it. Now, he needed to stand.
Jon slowly pushed himself from the bed. "Wait Jon, you'll be a little week after your fever." Lord Stark said. He paid his father little mind and pushed ki to his limbs. This was why ki was important. Just a little bit could put a bed ridden body of 12 back on his feet.
One misstep nearly left him in the floor if not for Lord Starks quick reflexes. "Careful Jon," Lord Stark said.
Jon slowly took control of his footing feeling more like a newborn fawn than a wolf. He stumbled more than he would've liked to and his ki reserves were drying up fast. Soon the shakes from the other world returned in full.
It wasn't as easy as on his master's world. Each step pushed his ki to the brink to put his body back into shape. He concentrated on his master's breathing technique. Each breath helped recover ki and soon, he made it to his wardrobe.
"You're doing well son," Lord Stark turned to a servant. "Go get Maester Lewin." Lord Stark ordered. His father helped him get dressed.
Even in the castle during the summer it was well below freezing in the early morning.
He couldn't help but contrast it with the world of his fever dreams. Despite the green distant hills, the gray stonework of Winterfell was practically colorless. The red leaves of the weirwood in the god's wood stood out from the snow covered rooves and gray stonework. In comparison the weirwood on his master's world looked like just another tree.
On a world where the grass is blue, and the sky is purple why not have a tree with red leaves and white bark.
The clink of chains alerted him to Maester Lewin's presence. He was forced to wait as the old man walked down the long hall to get here. Every doddering step was met with a jingle of chains.
Jon tightened his fist and felt his ki thrum through him while he waited. Every second he struggled and used his ki to fight and stay standing trained his control. Jon couldn't wait to test out his ki in the training yard. Ser Rodrik would be surprised when he returns. He also wanted to find somewhere quiet and bask in the flame. Perhaps, the God's wood would be a good place to meditate. Only father seemed to go there.
Finally, the door opened and the Maester stepped inside. "Are you feeling better Jon?" Maester Lewin asked.
"Yes Maester Lewin, I feel much better." Jon said.
Jon approached the maester on surer feet. His first few steps had gotten rid of most of the stumbles. It wouldn't be long before he raced Rob across the hills again. He continued to breath as his master taught him through Maester Lewin's checkup.
"Are you having trouble breathing?" Jon shook his head. It took a bit of focus, but he would get used to the new skill. All he needed to do was keep focused. Soon his master's technique would come naturally. The Maester checked his temperature and nodded a few times. "Lord Stark, Jon has made a full recovery. I'd recommend he eat light for his first meal, but he will recover completely." Maester Lewin said.
…
It was as he thought, the god's wood was practically empty. This was the perfect place to meditate and get a better grip on his ki. He closed his eyes and began to meditate. Soon he basked in the flame of his ki and felt for his energy. It flowed gently through his body as he concentrated on controlling this new power. Moments later he felt a tugging sensation and was gone.
Jon opened his eyes to a purple sky and a powerful weight on his shoulders. Even breathing was difficult. He struggled to lift even a finger but failed. Just when he thought he'd die he heard a flash and the weight on his body vanished.
"Bastard I've been searching all over for you. Did you roll off into a hole somewhere? Honestly, you mortals are so annoying." The tone in his voice was more scolding than scorn.
"I'm sorry Master Zamasu, when I fell asleep, I was back in my home world." A force lifted him off the ground and brought him face to face with his master.
"You aren't lying Bastard. But that is clearly a halo above your head. Was I wrong, or are you a unique mortal handpicked my Gawasu. Yes, the other option seems more likely." Jon felt the force leave him and he landed on his feet. "Your ki control has grown sense our last lesson. But you haven't had time to increase your ki. My attendant must be a shining example among mortals. You will be the ideal that all other mortals aspire to imitate." Master Zamasu crossed his arms. "Well, you will be when I'm done with you."
"Do you want me to tell other about you?" Jon asked.
"No, I have no intention of hearing my name blasphemed by mortals. You will stand as an example of what mortals can be. Even if you are a Bastard." Jon felt shame creep over him. He knew it wasn't what his master meant but it still hit him hard. "So young and humble Gamasu chose you well. We will begin with forms; I can't have my attendant flailing around like an ape." Master Zamasu pointed his hand at Jon and a beam fired out. Instead of hurting Jon his clothes were replaced with a weighted duplicate. He almost fell before he used ki to force himself upright.
Master Zamasu worked with him for the rest of that day teaching him the forms for his fighting style.
When Jon returned the god's wood, he felt better stronger. There were so many new options to fight hand to hand. He looked down at himself and felt the weight of his clothes. They'd come with him.
Author's Note: Hey this story has been bouncing around in my head for some time. There are a lot of stories with Jon learning the force, getting magic, and becoming the dragonborn. What would happen if Planetos was in Universe 10? Jon will be a little AU and Zamasu has his claws in him a little early.
Please leave a review and tell me what you think. I know with a power level of 100 Jon could curb stomp the entire planet save maybe the gods. I'm thinking about making R'hllor a failed candidate for kami of planetos and doing a garlic jr situation.