Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or Boruto. Game of Thrones, or Horizon Zero Dawn. They are all owned by their respective authors and companies.

Chapter #4 – The Tower of Joy

- 3rd Person: In the Air -

Since their escape from King's Landing was done late in the evening. They decided to stay in flight as darkness came. Hanko was surprised as he expected Ellia or Rhaenys to say something about comfort as they have been in the air for a few hours, however Rhaenys seemed to have fallen asleep against Ellia as Ellia herself was still enraptured by the moonlit sky around them and the ground below.

Already in the dead of night, Ellia was able to point out the tower in the moonlight. In order to not cause a scene with the Stormbird, they decided to land about a mile ahead of their destination in a deserted area. They were able to dismount with Shi holding onto a freshly awoken Rhaenys by piggy-back ride, and Ellia being helped down by Hanko. They trekked the rest of the way to the tower on foot. Hanko could tell Elia was feeling discomfort and tried to offer her a piggyback ride like Rhaenys was doing on Shi's back currently, but she wouldn't accept. After convincing her he could carry her faster than they are walking now due to her, she looked embarrassed before begrudgingly accepting. Once on his back, Hanko and Shi used chakra-enhanced strength to run through the forest at top speeds. Making Elia shriek at first due to surprise.

"You are going too fast, if you trip-" She shrieked. She didn't seem to notice her daughter's own shouts of joy.

"Faster, faster!" Rhaenys shouted next to them in glee. Shi had a grin as she slightly sped up.

"Don't worry, we will be fine." Hanko tried to placate Elia as he sped up further; which only made Elia scream louder in fright. Hanko sighed. "Well they will definitely know we are coming now."

He was proven right as when they got over another hill directly before the Tower of Joy, Hanko saw torches lit and three men in golden armor and white cloaks, marking them as Kingsguard. They were blocking the pathway up to the tower. Elia started to lower her volume as they got closer, and the party reduced their speed. Hanko could already tell he made an impression on the Kingsguard; afterall he was just coming towards them at the speed of a horse with someone on his back. As the traveling group got within speaking distance, Hanko and Shi stopped and let their charges down from their backs.

"Princess Elia, Princess Rhaenys?" one of the men inquired in surprise.

"Yes, Ser Gerold Hightower." Princess Elia offered, while trying to comb her now windswept hair through her hands to make her more presentable, or as close to regal as possible. "We decided to travel here right away after escaping the sacking of King's Landing."

Now the men looked shocked. "The sacking of King's Landing?" Now the man who had the obvious features of Ser Arthur Dayne spoke up.

"Yes, the city has been taken by the leaders of the Rebellion, and by now they have probably sent out ravens to speak of their taking over the seven kingdoms." Hanko spoke up this time. Their attentions now moved over to him.

"And who are you Ser?"

"I'm no Ser," Hanko informed lackidazily. "I'm just a traveling ninja that happened across a crime being committed and stopped it from going any further."

"Ninja?" came from the third Kingsguard in the group; Ser Oswell Whent.

"Ser's if you wouldn't mind, we have had a long day and night and would like to find shelter in the tower," Elia spoke up tiredly.

"That is understandable and we don't mind if you stay here Princess Elia," Ser Gerold confirmed, "however we do not know your...ninja companions despite the fact that they came with you."

"My 'ninja companions', as you so adequately put it, saved our lives Ser!" Elia exclaimed in their defense. "Without them, I would not be alive, nor Rhaenys..." Elia's voice drifted off as her thoughts took a dark turn to Aegon.

"Look," Hanko interjected, "If we were any danger to the royal family, Elia nor Rhaenys would be here." He pointed to the tower. "Now, the person you have in the tower is the realm's worst-kept secret and there will be people coming. At the very least, I can help you defend the position."

"I don't care how good you think you are, you are not getting past us." The three Kingsguard unsheathed their swords and took ready stances.

Hanko just shrugged and reached into his side-pouch to pull out a kunai; going into a ready stance of his own. The kingsguard all bristled at the small dagger-like weapon. Rhaenys started to get scared and hid behind her mother, barely peeking around Elia's legs to look at the scene before them.

Hanko only waited a few seconds and initiated by running towards the Kingsguard group, both to distance himself from his royal party members, and to attempt getting in closer with his shorter weapon. He put some chakra into his steps to get in front of them faster, but not too fast, to bait them into a move.

Upon getting into range, Ser Oswell Whent side-stepped and swung horizontal at such a high speed target. Hanko parried the swipe above his head, making the knight's swing unbalance him. Hanko then quickly with the same hand, punched the helmet on the man. The punch resounded comically against the helmet like a gong. With the knight disoriented, Hanko grabbed the man's wrist holding the sword and twisted so his palm was turned the wrong way. With a grunt of pain, the sword started dropping.

Before the sword could hit the ground, Ser Gerold of Hightower came up behind Hanko and swung. Hanko repositioned himself by turning his held target to face Ser Hightower. Ser Hightower stopped his swing mid-way to prevent hitting a friendly unit. With a grunt, the held knight gained his wits about him and made to kick Hanko off of him. Hanko removed his grip and shock kicked the knight away from him, into Ser Gerold's direction. Ser Gerold was able to dodge just in time. What both Kingsguard didn't expect was the amount of power Hanko put in the kick that had Ser Oswell flying past Ser Gerold a few feet before crashing. The knight's breastplate had a large dent, and the knight was unconscious.

And that's one, Hanko thought

Hanko grabbed the new owner-free sword from the ground in his free hand. While simultaneously throwing his Kunai at Ser Gerold in front of him. Ser Gerold side-stepped to dodge and then stepped towards Hanko thinking to catch him while he was still bent down for the sword.

Ser Gerold was taken by surprise when Hanko swiftly rose up and started attacking with the newly acquired sword at high speeds. The clash of swords against each other increased in tempo as Ser Gerold used his utmost concentration to block all the incoming strikes. It took him only moments to realize that his opponent was not using any technique he could ascertain, but pure speed and power to keep him on the defensive.

Ser Arthur attempted to charge in from behind Hanko, but before he could get close enough, Hanko did a chakra empowered front-flip over Ser Gerold. While flipping, Hanko was still lashing out with the sword to keep Ser Gerold on the defensive during his acrobatics. Once landing, he was now repositioned where both his combatants were in front of him. He noticed his current footing before letting out a chuckle.

"I have the high ground!"

Shi grimaced as a comical sweat drop appeared. "You just had to say it didn't you."

The pace of strikes was now at an all time high; Hanko's arm practically a blur. Eventually Ser Gerold's grip gave-way as his hands were so numb from the built-up shocks during impacts he couldn't hold it anymore.

Taking his sword and turning to the flat-side of the blade was facing his opponent he called out "Swing, batta-batta, SWING!" and the flat of the blade dented the side of Ser Gerold's plate armor. Ser Gerold flew a few feet now, landing quite near Ser Oswell's unconscious form.

Now the last one left was Ser Arthur Dayne who was wary now of Hanko. Hanko decided since his opponent had two swords, why shouldn't he. Seemingly without worry of being sneak-attacked, Hanko picked up the sword Ser Gerold dropped and faced his opponent.

"You know, we don't have to fight right?" Hanko offered the option. He wasn't necessarily afraid of the outcome of the duel, but he figured it would save everyone some hassle if it was stopped before it started.

"My Prince ordered us to guard the tower and its occupants with our lives, and that is what we will do." Ser Arthur's answer came bitingly cold for such a hot place as Dorne.

Hanko was expecting it; after all, it was the same in the Game of Thrones TV show he remembered.

They faced each other in silence for only a few seconds before Arthur engaged. A couple torso swings and corresponding parries passed before Arthur made a leg-swipe. Hanko jumped over and tried a kick, which Arthur dodged and then tried an amputation strike, which Hanko pulled back his leg while still landing. Hanko then crouched in his landing and did a leg sweep, which Arthur dodged backwards. Hanko then went on the offensive with swift strikes, while also using technique to attempt redirecting Arthur's parries away. After the close battle had over 15 exchanges, he was able to unbalance Arthur's stance and slashed at the wrist of one sword-arm. While Arthur was distracted by the pain of his missing limb, Hanko took the other wrist as well, before pivoting around Arthur and slashing the backs of his knees, forcing Athur to kneel on the ground.

"You got what you asked for technically," Hanko concluded, and crossing his swords around Arthur's neck, he completed a decapitation move.

Man, if only it was real, that would have been a Mortal Kombat finisher. Dull maybe compared to others, but still a finisher.

Ellia had her hands to her mouth in utter disbelief as she watched the scene before her. "WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT?!"

"Oh calm down, what you are seeing isn't real," Hanko informed her, snapping his fingers. Suddenly their view changed and the entire group of Kingsguard was back to their ready positions before the skirmish.

Gerold Hightower looked around, "What? What happened?"

"I showed you all, except Rhaenys, a glimpse of what could happen to you through Genjutsu." Their confusion seemed to mount until Hanko clarified with a roll of his eyes, "Illusion magic."

"Magic!" Ser Oswell shouted in alarm.

"Yes, I showed you just a fraction of what I could do in a fight against you," Hanko informed them much to their chagrin. "Trust me, if I went all out, there would be nothing left of you. Now since I technically killed you guys, your oath has been fulfilled so can we pass to the tower?"

The Kingsguard looked at each other as if talking without words. Ser Gerold gave a sigh and just nodded, sheathing his sword. The others followed his lead shortly afterwards and Arthur led them past, making their way through the Tower of Joy's entrance, past the foyer and to the right. They arrived in a hallway with doors to rooms.

"There are some rooms on the ground floor here. Everyone else is asleep at this time so you can break your fast with the others in the morning." Arthur added. "We don't have much in furniture so I have to apologize in advance for the lack of beds."

They acknowledged his words and apology, opening one of the doors, they came upon a larger room with some furnishings inside, but no bedding. Hanko took a torch from the hallway and made his way through the room lighting the torches inside. Putting the torch in a spare holder on the wall, he smoothly took out a scroll from his seal-storage.

Tiger

Un-sealing Jutsu.

With a puff of steam, a large futon appeared. He did this two more times, before making his way to the door.

"I'm going to try the next room, you ladies can stay here."

Elia looked at both Shi, then Hanko, "Don't you want to take her with?"

Hanko shook his head, "I would rather have her here for your safety." He didn't wait for Elia to agree as he went out the door.

Elia didn't waste time trying to get Rhaenys into the futon to sleep. Rhaenys squirmed, now wide awake after already having taken her nap on the back of the Stormbird. She made to get up from the futon and to the door.

"I want..see!" Rhaenys pouted, pointing to the exit. Gaining a chuckle out of Shi. Shi decided to distract Rhaenys with something else.

"I have a gift Rhaenys, but you must promise me that you play with it here in the room." Shi waited for Rhaenys to nod in her excitement before a puff of steam came from her own palm, and in it shown a triangle-like object with a bright blue line of light showing down the middle.

A Focus.

Shi directed Rhaenys, "You have to take this, and put it close to your head right above the ear. I'm warning you now, your sight will change with this, so don't freak out."

Now Elia was starting to get worried. "Will this change of sight hurt her?"

Shi shook her head, "As long as she doesn't freak out and hurt herself, it will be fine." Shi turned back to Rhaenys, "Look," pointing to her own ear where the Focus sat. "Just like I have here, place it on the side of your head in the same place."

Shi carefully gave over the Focus to Rhaenys. Rhaenys looked over at the Focus in wonder, slowly tracing her small finger over the blue line of light coming out the side. She then put the light almost right up to her eye to see if she could spot anything. The only difference was her sight in the dark of the room was hindered for a moment as the light messed with her pupils.

Finally, Rhaenys put the Focus to the side of her head as described by Shi-.

Startled, she back-pedaled until she tripped and her butt - just missed the ground as Shi caught her in time. Rhaenys quickly swiveled her head all around her as if taking in her immediate surroundings in duress. Elia was also looking at her child in worry as she couldn't figure out what Rhaenys was seeing that made her so frightened.

"Shhhhhhhhh, it's ok Rhaenys, I can see what you are seeing at the moment, those are just lights mapping your surroundings; nothing to be afraid of.

Rhaenys then continued to look around, but now in fascination as she took in the lights around her.

"What is happening, Rhaenys, are you okay?" Elia held Rhaenys at arms length, looking straight into her face.

"Fine mama," Rhaenys chimed giddily, "pwetty lights."

Elia looked at the torches, but didn't see anything different. Shi shook her head. "It's lights that are only visible with the Focus."

"The Focus? I'm focusing just fine."

Shi grinned. "The Focus is the little object I gave Rhaenys."

Elia looked to the triangle on the side of both Shi's and Rhaenys's head. "I...what is she seeing?"

"It's something that draws 'light' on top of your current surroundings so that you can see and move things that would otherwise not be showing to others."

"...can I have one of these Foci?"

"Maybe tomorrow, try to get some rest now Princess, we had a long day." Shi nodded to Rhaenys who was now moving her arms interacting with the Focus interface. "I'll keep an eye on Rhaenys, don't worry."

Ellia didn't know why but she felt completely comfortable with leaving Rhaenys to Shi, even though they just met today, and might not be an actual person; since Hanko 'summoned' her out of nowhere.

"I thank you kindly," Ellia expressed in a low murmur as it seemed the past few hours rewound through her thoughts. Their current situation finally seemed to dawn on her. They are now fugitives, on the run from the new ruling family, the Baratheons. The dread started to creep in like none-other. Her breathing must have become uneven because Shi recognized Ellia's agitation.

"I understand your concern, but while you are here, you have nothing to fear. Both Hanko and I can protect you without equal."

Ellia looked at Shi, "How can you say that when the Rebellion can muster up entire armies to look for us. They can bring half the continent to bear just to find and kill us."

"Because Hanko was going easy on those Kingsguard he fought earlier." Shi shrugged. "You have seen only a bit of what he can do. And only one of the machines he can summon." Shi pondered for a bit before elaborating. "You have heard of dragons and how monstrous, and lethal they can be. Now imagine something of equal if not slightly smaller size than Baleron, but with enough weapons of its own to make fire-breathing look like a parlor trick."

Ellia went wide-eyed at the new revelation. "Not possible."

Shi just shook her head. "Hanko can unseal a multitude of the same type of monsters I spoke of without breaking a sweat. Monsters that could raze havok on entire armies and still function afterwards."

Ellia was shivering in fear now. "Then why does he go through all this," she inquired with trepidation. "He could rule Westeros, or even Essos instead of staying here as a glorified bodyguard."

Shi just sighed. "A hero complex I'm sure." Ellia still looked afraid, but now curious as well. Shi elaborated further. "He knew what was going to happen to you and decided to change that much, but if things don't go at least closely by script, then there could be complications."

"What are you saying, that he could foresee that Gregor Clegane would come after me? He said he didn't know about me before, was he lying?"

"In a manner of speaking," Shi left it at that. "I could say exactly how he knows but suffice it to say that if I told you, things would be worse off than if I didn't." Ellia now looked angry in her fright. "Trust me Princess Ellia, you don't want to know. As for if he was lying or not; that is harder to put into words. I could summarize that he knew names and dates, but did not know you specifically, or what you look like, so technically he wasn't lying."

Shi calling her Princess Ellia made Ellia's thoughts return to how she is no longer a princess of the seven kingdoms. Shi seemed to catch her thoughts at the right time because she added. "Just because you are not the Princess of the Seven Kingdoms, does not mean you are not a Princess of Dorne. Yes, it technically lessens your influence, but at least you have your life; and that is the best gift someone can keep."

Ellia breathed in deeply. "I understand."

"I hope you do," Shi stated. "Trust me, I would know."

Shi did not seem to want to add to that, so Ellia decided to try to sleep, even if it would be a fit-full sleep, she would hold back on her open grieving for a little longer.