Chapter 41: House of the Undying – Part 4 – To Ashes
…
Ciri had endured many hardships in her life, countless times having her life at risk or being a captive. From being forced to flee her own kingdom when Nilfgaard invaded, being held captive by Leo and chased endlessly by countless others. Just when she thought she had endured every hardship, fate has once again shown her just how wrong she had been. The Grand Warlock and his disciples had shown how they could create life-like illusions and manipulate the mind in countless ways, be it memories or physical nature.
In her case, her body continued it's slow shamble across the chamber, moving past the withered forms of the Undying. They were like a sea of dried corpses, parting away as she moved forward, even bowing their bodies prone in near worship. Their intruding minds in her head were crushing her own thoughts, making it feel like a brick had been shoved into the back of her skull. Their whispers were constant, seemingly countless voices that smothered all noise except for the deep thump of her own heart.
"Save us."
"Accept your destiny."
"We will show you."
"Shut…up…" She could barely mutter out, the pain in her head and body growing more intense as she tried to resist. Every time she tried to fight the forced movement in her limbs it felt like the muscles threatened to rip themselves apart.
"It is fascinating how the body works in all living things. Muscles, nerves, sinew and blood. Countless intricate things working together for such simple tasks." Kai's voice spoke to her, quieting the other Undying's whispers. "Yet the mind is what controls it all, guiding impulses through our body. How curious it is when one can direct such energy through by their will instead of the other."
Ciri glared at the Grand Warlock, the withered mystic moved his hands continued to puppeteer her. His two attendants held the ritual dagger and cup, their purpose quite obvious to her. She knew his intent wasn't to kill her, though what worried her is what would happen after…that is if the ritual didn't destroy them all.
By now she was walking past Daenerys' altar, staring at the sleeping Targaryen and the surrounding dragons. "Dany -" She started to speak only for her jaw to clamp down as if bound by a muzzle. Despite only barely saying her name, the Targaryen's brow furrowed in reaction. Even the dragons seemed to shift in their sleep.
"Do not disturb them."
"They are learning."
"Understanding the greater plan."
It seemed the Undying didn't want her to speak, worried that her bond with Daenerys would break their mental hold on her. By now she was shambling past Dany's altar, yet noticed something familiar among the laid offerings. It was Sigligon, the sheathed Valyrian short sword set alongside Dany's stony bed. Ciri was so close to it, only needing to kneel down and draw it.
"You are being quite obvious with your thoughts Ciri." Kai's voice spoke to her. "It is hard to scheme with so many overhearing you. What good is this continued fighting?"
Ciri couldn't answer back though her eyes showed the intense determination she had to keep on fighting. She did her best to keep her feet to the ground only for her to skid forward, which at least slowed her pace. The weapon was out of reach, a few feet which may as well been a mile for her. Unless…distance wasn't the factor. It was strange to remember what the Grand Warlock had said earlier before putting her in that mind prison, talking of how her powers had potential limits. Bending time and space, warping matter through it like a water down a drain…at least how Avallac'h described it. Teleporting herself or others close to her had become simple, but so far doing that to objects from even a short distance at will was difficult. Considering the dire situation she was in...she had to try it.
"Do you think you can do it?" Kai questioned, knowing her intent through her own thoughts.
She ignored the Grand Warlock and the Undying's words as she focused on the sword. What little space in her crowded mind had her imagining the sword in her hand, one space into another. The whisperings of the withered Warlocks grew, working to once again smother the sparking power in her, break her growing focus. The pain in her skull was growing more intense like a spike being driven into the back of her skull, each renewed chorus of whispers being the hammer that drove it. Her hand trembled, Kai no doubt trying to turn it away though this time she refused it. Despite his control it seemed he couldn't exert too much focus onto one limb without weakening his hold on the others. Her feet dragged her on, but it gave her the time she needed.
The faint spark of power went between her spread fingers along with shining in her eyes. The pressure in her head built up, focusing to the back of her eyes as the mental might of the Undying and the Elder Blood seemed to be contesting against each other. For a moment the short sword trembled then began to shake, a bluish shimmer hinting along it much like it did around her own form. The pressure in her head grew more intense, making lines of tears trickle down her eyes from the sheer focus she put out. In the end something was going to yield…
Suddenly Ciri heard a faint pop in her right ear, a sharp stinging pain in the eye on the same side. In the corner of that eye a dot of crimson red showed before spreading, partly blinding her vision. The pain was too much…too tiring as her focus waned for a mere second. What feeling she had in her left arm was gone, the hand clenching close as the Grand Warlock snatched control once more.
"Very intelligent thinking there. It seems my advice from before was understood." He calmly complimented. "However you have pushed yourself too far Ciri. You've burst a vessel in your eye…blinding and painful…but recoverable with time. As always you only hurt yourself in this pointless fight."
Blood began to mix with the trickle of tears from her right eye. Between the exhaustion and the injury to it, she was blind in that eye right now. Drops of her blood fell to the floor, the surrounding Undying crawling towards where they fall, just barely stopping themselves trying to lap the crimson into their dry mouths.
"Do not shame yourselves my disciples. Remember who you are…what you still are despite what we've become." The resolute words made the desperate creatures calm, showing just how loyal they were to the Grand Warlock.
At last Ciri would reach were Kai sat, getting a full look of the decayed mystic. Even with her senses dulled from so much she could sense the ancient power the man had even in his current state. Those golden eyes looked at her with a dull sadness, his face no longer able to show emotion because of his worn state. Despite all her rage she felt only pity, unsure how anyone could endure centuries trapped in their body like this.
"This will be over soon Ciri. When the rite is done you will be cared for…healed in mind and body." One dried hand outstretched to her. "You will come to accept the plan I have set. Together we will save this world…all worlds."
By now Ciri had closed her blooded eye, though the other still had that lingering spite towards the man. Against her will her left hand reached out until gently grasping Kai's withered grip, turning it about so the palm faced up. The Grand Warlock's right hand then took the offered dagger an Undying held out to him. Up close she could clearly see it was made of obsidian though it was far too smooth in how it had been shaped. Runic markings showed along it, unlike anything she had seen even in comparison to elven script.
Raising the dagger up, Kai then 'spoke' in a strange tongue, unable to understand it yet partly comprehending the power behind them. "By blood, all life is connected. To those who live today and by those who lived long before us!" The dagger pressed to Ciri's palm, the obsidian so cold against her skin. "To she who is bound by fate, the link between the past, present and future. The one who bares the seed of fire, that which is both life and destruction." His words reminded her of Ithlinne'sprophecy, mainly that of the seed of fire, though the wording was different from what she knew.
What free thoughts she had though were cut away, nearly literally as the dagger cut across her palm. There was oddly no pain even as she saw blood ooze up to pool in her hand. Perhaps it was some strange quality of the dagger, the Warlocks suppressing the pain…or just her exhaustion numbing her. The dagger was handed off to one of the Undying while Kai took the obsidian cup.
"By blood given, let the power of life be freely shared." His left withered hand touched under Ciri's tilting it to carefully pour the pooling blood from her cupped palm into the cup.
Once the cup was full, Kai gestured for one Undying hold the cup before being handed clean bandages which he carefully set around her cut hand. It was surprising he took the time in this ritual to stop the bleeding, which surprised her. With the wound bandaged, he took back the cup which he held in both hands. "By the blood of the elders, power unbound. Give me the means to renew." Holding the cup up the runes along the black surface colored with a deep red, as if the blood filled the nooks it had.
Ciri could sense the stirring power from the cup, magic unlike anything she knew. Despite being captive there was a curious fascination at what was about to happen, nearly submitting to her situation. At that thought though she remembered now, those words of advice she had been given by Gaunter. It all made sense what he had meant, each sentence pertaining to the differing dream worlds she had been in.
"And lastly, when all hope seems lost, don't surrender."
The memory pushed back some of the pressing thoughts of the Undying, letting Ciri glance up at Kai. The Grand Warlock noticed the renewed fire in her eyes which made him hesitate as he had the cup close to his lips, puzzled by her.
"You…forgot…" She barely whispered, making Kai tilt his head ever so slightly. "...Jorah…"
On cue there was a fierce yell from the back of the hall before a heavy clanging as dried bodies were bashed aside. Suddenly Ciri's head was filled with confusion and panic by the Undying, shocked at this sudden attack. Their voices were painful, but their weakened focus freed her mind.
"An intruder, how?!"
"It is the brute who followed! Why does he live?!"
"STOP HIM! PROTECT THE GRAND WARLOCK!"
At last Ciri had enough freedom to turn her body slightly, looking back to see the chaos behind her. Jorah was wading through the hall, having come in from one of the many hallways, lashing out with sword and shield. The withered Warlocks scampered about to avoid his wild attacks before they started to fling themselves at him to hinder his path. The Northerner had a look of pure anger on his face, a strained grimace showing as he was no doubt being mentally attacked.
"CIRI! DAENERYS!" He yelled out before four of the Undying grabbed at his arms, trying to weigh him down while others grabbed at his body. A few drew wicked knives from their aged clothes, trying to stab at him as he was being grappled with. His plate armor though protected him from most of their desperate stabs and clawing, though a few pained grunts escaped from him as a few blows nicked him. "GET OFF OF ME…YOU….MONSTERS!" He thrashed hard to fling the Undying away before moving towards Ciri. Every step he made became slower as whatever mental struggle he faced grew more intense while more Undying continued to grasp at him. Despite this he cut one of the Undying down, slicing them nearly in half though they clung to life still and even crawled to continue fighting.
"The master…protect…" A weakened voice muttered before becoming silent when the crawling mystic laid still.
"NO! STOP THIS!" Kai's voice rang out, the Grand Warlock thrusting his free left hand out at Jorah. "YOU ARE DESTROYING CENTURIES OF KNOWLEDGE! A SINGLE DECADE IS WORTH MORE THAN YOUR WASTED LIFE!"
Jorah's body suddenly became rigid as a board, eye wide in confused pain as his frozen limbs twitched. His neck turned in his struggling before a thick ooze of blood leaked from his nose as he was straining his body. With what will he had, he looked to Dany sleeping on the altar, though her face showed discomfort from the chaos around her. "Khal…eesi…" He stammered before the Undying grabbed at him, dragging him down to his knees before piling onto him.
Ciri knew she didn't have much time left before Kai focused back onto her or to finish his ritual. Seeing Jorah's life on the line, she growled in fierce determination before grabbing the obsidian absently held by one of the Undying beside her. Without hesitation she stabbed it right into the Grand Warlock's chest, sinking it up to the hilt. Despite such a sudden attack though, Kai didn't even flinch though his golden eyes widened in surprise.
"I…won't let you hurt…my friends…" She gasped before pushing herself away, trying to struggle her away to Daenerys. Right now she was the key to stopping this…she just had to awaken her. All the Warlocks were too divided to mentally bind her, so the Undying relied on their numbers as they grasped at her.
"The Queen of Dragons can't be awoken!"
"Her mind isn't ready!"
"She will destroy us all!"
The pitiful creatures quickly slowed her down as they grabbed around her legs and waist, stopping her midway to Dany's altar. Despite her clothes their long nails did drag at an exposed spots, making her hiss as more pain was forced onto her aching body. "Dany…I know you can hear me!" She spoke out, one hand reaching out towards her. "You have to wake up…it's not real…what they show you…" One hand grabbed at her hair, yanking back painfully in trying to stop her. "Gah! You can't get them back Dany! Drogo…your son! You have to…accept their gone…focus on those…who…still live!" Her face was shoved to the floor, silencing her as the Undying were piling on her like Jorah.
"Do not harm Ciri! Control yourselves!" Kai commanded as his followers seemed driven by a near deranged drive to protect him.
Despite being partly blinded, Ciri saw Dany stir on the altar, eyes suddenly snapping open. Suddenly the Targaryen sat up on the stone bedding, the chains on her arms rattling. At the same time the dragons nesting around the altar started to awaken with an alert gleam in their eyes. Everything was still and silent as the Undying just looked to Daenerys, though from what Ciri sensed from them was complete terror.
The young Targaryen's violet eyes quickly focused on Kai, the dazed confusion in her gaze instantly replaced by cold anger. Even the dragons look to the Grand Warlock, growls coming from them as they shared their 'mother's' rage. Then at last Daenerys' lips parted to speak a single word that echoed throughout the hall.
"Dracarys."
Without pause the three dragons opened their mouths before spouts of flames shot out right at Kai, the fires striking all the Undying in the way. Like dry wood their bodies were set ablaze, the withered mystics quickly rolling and flailing on the strong ground in a desperate attempt to put the flames out.
"NO." Once more Kai thrusted one hand out, the trio of flames suddenly sharping around him by some unseen force. Yet bit by bit stray sparks passed through as the might of the three young dragons could only be held back for so long.
Ciri unfortunately was close to the path of the flames, only avoiding the spewed fires since she was nearly prone. The Undying though holding her down suddenly pushed off of her, rushing towards the Grand Warlock.
"Master!"
"Teacher!"
"We must protect him! The future for all!"
Even as the Undying were set alight, they pressed on to be a growing human shield for Kai. Yet even then it wasn't enough to stop the fury of the dragons as one by one the Undying were being burned into little more than flaming blacked husks.
"STOP THIS! MY DISCPILES, YOUR LIVES AREN'T MEANT FOR THIS!" Kai's voice pleaded out, though it fell on deaf ears as the Undying continued to desperately shield him.
By now the air was becoming hot as both Ciri and Jorah crawled away from the burning chaos the dragons were unleashing. Both of them were trying to reach Dany who's gaze was set on the inferno before her, lips moving as she seemed to repeat that Valyrian word. The anger she no doubt felt being manipulated by the Warlocks and Kai had pushed a side Ciri hadn't seen before.
"DANY!" Ciri yelled out over the roaring of flames and the mental cries of the Undying. "You have to stop! You're going to burn us all with them!" Stray flames made her curse out, nearly getting burned by now. At last she was out of the way of the flames, staggering up before limping towards Daenerys. Even when she neared the Targaryen didn't seem to notice her. "Dany…sister…" She panted out, the last word making Daenerys blink in sudden awareness.
However it was too late as Kai's unseen barrier was broken, the three spewing flames washing across the writhing wall of Undying. Ciri could just see the Grand Warlock, eyes filled with sad despair as his life long followers grasped at him in trying to shield him from the fires. At last the dragon flames reached him, striking across the blood filled cup in his hands which began to crack with red glowing power.
For a brief moment Ciri saw the withered man's chest rise as it took a breath and those close dried lips parted to speak true words. "Magnificent."
Then the cup shattered and with it a blinding flash of light that consumed everything.
…
Unknown
Suddenly Ciri snapped her eyes open to stare up at a dusty colored sky, gasping out before sitting up from where she lay. Already her mind was reeling, trying to make sure all her memories were intact. One thing that was certain was she was still blinded in her right eye, wincing as it still bled which forced her to close it.
"What happened…where…am I?" Her questioning words quieted as she took a look around her.
She was in some city or at least what was left of it. What buildings that remained standing were unlike Qarth, reminding Ciri more of designs of Novigrad. Everything look burned as if the city had been put to the torch though some structures looked like they had been blown to pieces. Whatever caused such destruction had thrown tons of ash into the air, blocking out most of the sun and airing gently down from the sky. All around the street were dozens of bodies, a mix of civilians in plain clothes while the rest looked like soldiers in a variety of armor. The oddest thing was all of them wore something over their faces…masks? It was a variety of masks, with the soldiers wearing ones representing animals while those in plain clothing were smoothly featureless.
One type of soldier that stood out were those in iron armor and gray leathers, gear that was similar to Jorah's. Their masks were of a snarling wolf which she remembered represented House Stark, the ruling House of the North.
Close by were other soldiers who looked similar to the Northerners though their colors were green with hints of yellow along with their masks resembling an elk. From what she remembered the elk represented the current King of Westeros, though she couldn't remember more than that.
The third type of solider was armored very differently than the rest, regal red plated armor with imposing helmets that rivaled the Nilfgaard's in unique style. It was obvious that whoever they served supplied them with the finest and most extravagant equipment coin could buy. Their masks was a roaring lion, having a fierce golden mane as well. She remembered that one of the major Houses had the lion as their symbol, though that was all she knew.
The fourth type of mask though was the most confusing since not one singular type of soldier wore it. Scattered around she recognized Unsullied, Dothraki and soldiers wearing armor very plain yet practical styles. Their masks was of a dragon though varying in color from black, green to bright yellow. It was easy to understand that these warriors fought for Daenerys, though it didn't make sense why such differing groups were fighting for her.
"This is another illusion…some trick…" She muttered to herself before hearing the shuffle of rubble. On guard, she turned about to see a hooded robed figure limping out from an alley, the cling and ring of metal following every step. Considering his slopped yet tall stature and the familiar ringed staff it clung to, she knew who it was. "Kai…what trick are you-" However she stopped speaking when the man stepped fully out of the shadows.
His lavish purple and starred robes were burned, exposed parts of his body cracked with life threatening burns. Every shift made it seem like an ember burned within his body as the cracked skin glowed. "This is not my doing Ciri. It seems our battle has caused a…unique reaction to the House." His hood shifted to show his face, one half being in his young prime state while the other half was scarred by flames, even one eye fused shut. Despite the horrific injuries he seemed so calm, the only show of discomfort being his labored breath. "I see the way you stare. It seems the injuries from the physical world has followed us into the mental one."
"Mental? Like the prison you put me in?" Ciri questioned in a guarded manner. However she did remember his history lesson about the House's power, of how it could show things without another manipulating it. "My blood…and the dragon fire. It caused a reaction didn't it?"
Kai nodded before limping along, examining the ravished city surrounding them. "The amount of energy released is the most to grace the House in centuries…maybe even eras. A one in a million chance."
Silent for a moment, Ciri continued her questioning. "So what is this place and what does this…massacre have to do with anything?"
The Grand Warlock gave a low wheezing hum of thought. "This is King's Landing. I've only visited once when my…condition was worsening. I hoped to find new solutions to prevent the decaying we were suffering. Sadly, the magic of Westeros is long faded…gone with the passing of the Children…or the darkness beyond the Wall." There was a moment a pause before he continued. "As for this scene, it's obvious what this is. You know of the civil war brewing across the Narrow Sea along with Daenerys' ambitions? This appears to be the results of it."
That direct answer did indeed make the most sense, making a cold fear pit in her gut at the realization. "I…where is Dany and Jorah then? They were caught in the light after all."
"The bear knight lacks the 'gift' we have and isn't with us. As for the Targaryen…I'm sure you can sense where she is." Those golden eyes drifted to a looming structure set on a southern hill, a blasted keep of red stone smothered by raining ash. "The cursed throne calls to her…just like many others. The sickness of power that we both understand very well."
She didn't remark on his words as her gaze focused on the keep which she began to move towards, following the ravished street leading to it. Indeed she felt a strange tugging within her heart, reminding her of moments when a great Source was close by. The cold fear she felt remained, though it was not for herself but of what could happen to someone else. Behind her she could hear the cling of Kai's ringed staff as the Warlock followed her, thankfully remaining silent.
Along the way the signs of battle grew more intense, the number of dead soldiers and civilians growing. Among them though were knights in a wide mix of armors and nobility of both genders. The odd thing was they seemed sprawled out as if crawling, all facing towards the keep.
The main gate to the keep was blown to pieces, leading to the court yard which was a blackened by intense fire. There weren't even bodies here, just piles of boney ash and slagged metal. What drew her attention though were the loomed bringers of destruction perched on the scorched walls. Drogon, Rhaegal and Viscerion, the three the same grown size that she had seen in one vision Kai had shared. The three dragons snarled though their colorful eyes showed an intelligent fondness as they focused on her. Drogon loomed on top of the entrance to the keep, the black dragon the most fierce looking along with being the largest. They let her reach the entry way, though she noticed they didn't even look at Kai, as if he wasn't even there as he followed her silently.
The entrance hall of the keep showed signs of defenses being thrown up along with a clashing battle between knights in gold colored plate and Unsullied. To the right was a great doorway, the heavy wooden doors having been broken by a battering ram, leaving one even hanging dangerously on its massive hinge. At last though a noise broke the silence of the ruined city, the clashing of metal and yells of combat. It came beyond the doors, within the throne room where the tugging feeling drew her towards.
However before she moved past the doors, she stopped when she saw a familiar face on the floor, back leaning against the wall. "Jorah!?" The Northerner was still despite her gasping his name, his head slowly forward, blood dripping from his brow. His armor was different from the dull iron he normally had, his now being a deep red with the three-headed dragon marked across the chest plate. Quickly she stumbled onto her knees, grasping his shoulders to shake his limp body. "No…No…" She could see his injuries, countless cuts across exposed spots and his armor dented by many blows. He most likely fought to his last, knowing him.
"Do not forget…this isn't truly real." Kai suddenly spoke, snapping Ciri out of her sorrow. "This can be his fate…along with the fate of everyone we have seen…and will see." His ringed staff gestured to the throne room, the sounds of the fight ringing out. "Go see it. This so called 'power' humanity kills itself for."
Ciri calmed herself, hating how Kai was right. Her emotions were a jumble right now, she had to be mentally strong for whatever waited ahead. Standing up, she moved through the broken doorway and into the vast hall of the throne room. At the very end she could see a black bladed shape, a thing of iron that filled her gut with nausea. The fighting she heard was between two lone individuals trapped in a heated duel, though she couldn't clearly identify them from this distance and with them moving about. All across the floor were a variety of individuals who seemed quite distinct despite being masked like all the others. Just their appearance and their grim fate told a story about them.
A human dwarf with a lion mask, a large pin shaped like a hand clenching a spike shoved into the right eye socket. Crowning his curly golden hair was a fool's crown and in one hand a spilled goblet of wine
Beside him were more individuals in lions mask, one of which had a familiar look to him. It was an older man considering his appearance though even in death there was an imposing stoniness about his stature. He was standing, slumped back against a pillar with what seemed to be a fine dagger buried in his heart.
Next was a woman with messy long golden hair and, her lion mask laying beside her while a crude mask covered the head. The design was patch work out of wood and leather, trying to copy the look of the lion mask close by only to look pitiful in comparison. Her battered body was bound up in ropes, one even around her neck like a noose. To Ciri it seemed like this noblewoman had suffered at the hands of a mob or faced a cruel punishment by the royal court.
What followed though was strange, since instead of a body it was just a jumbled set of armor. It was the royal golden set she had seen a few of the knights in the entrance hall wearing, though the styling hinted at a greater rank. It was coated in blood, the plate badly damaged from countless weapons. Among the scattered pieces was another lion mask, though it was near cracked in half by a cut along the right jaw.
The masks of the dead now changed, and the fates of their owners were even stranger. By far the most disturbing was a boy in a worn out wheel chair. His body was bound to the seat by gnarled tree roots which seemed to even pierce in and out of his body, one even into his left eye. Littering his body were black feathers from what she assumed were from a raven or crow. Laying at the foot of the wheelchair was a large silver gray furred wolf, which too was bound by the over grown roots.
Curled up close by the wheelchair was a younger boy, his body looking thin from starvation. Another large wolf, this one covered in thick black fur surrounded the child in a protective manner. From it's thin stature, the creature had starved away trying to protect it's master, even when he had died. The sad scene brought a sense of forgotten abandonment about the two.
Past the shriveled boy was a young woman in a black cloak, her masked face partly obscured by her laying on her front. The ash that drifted down from the damaged ceiling was thick around her, piling up like it was snow. Surrounding her prone form were arrows, with one deep in her back. One of her arms was outstretched to something partly buried in the ash, which Ciri realized was a beautiful gray furred wolf, it's fine fur bloodied by a single wound to it's chest. From her Ciri felt an odd familiarly of the time she had fled her own home…an innocence lost to the cruelness of the world.
Another furred form laying among the ash drew Ciri's attention, a larger gray furred wolf who was riddled with countless bleeding injuries. Clenched in it's jaws was a broken thin blade that looked like a small rapier, which to Ciri's puzzlement had a wooden wolf Witcher medallion tied around it handle. There were so many questions she felt towards this scene, but her surroundings distracted her.
At last she neared the end of the hall where the duel was taking place, getting a close look on the two combatants, one a man and another a woman. The male warrior's face was shrouded by black curly hair and the hood of his broad furred cloak. The only facial feature shown from under it was a short black beard. As for the armor under the black furred cloak it was much like Jorah's in design though the chest piece had the mark of a howling wolf. Despite the protection it offered there were notable bleeding wounds all across it, the man continued to stand his ground before the Throne. In the man's hands was a bastard sword, the gleaming dark color showing it was made of Valyrian steel. He wielded the weapon with masterful technique though every attack was slow and hesitant. He swung an
The female duelist though Ciri recognized even though she had to be aged into her twenties now and was dressed in armor instead her usual gowns. Daenerys truly did look very much like her, even though her hair had a shiny silver look like platinum. A golden crown shaped like dragon wings and maws crowned her head, the jaws of the scaled beasts holding blood red rubies. If anything the sturdy jewelry could double as an armored circlet. The light armor she wore was blood red dyed leather and plate, an even balance on flexibility and protection. In her right hand she swung Sigligon, the short sword dripping thickly with blood while in the other hand was a battered buckler with the Targaryen House symbol across it.
"Why…why won't you die!" Dany growled, her tired voice full of anger before lunging in to attack.
The cloaked swordsman backstepped, turning his blade to block her rapid blows with both short sword and shield. His injuries made had him slow as the buckler jabbed into her injured right, drawing a grunt from him while he staggered back. Despite the blow Dany left herself up in her reckless strike, though the man didn't take the opening.
"I…don't…want it…" He gasped in a low weary voice.
"Stop saying that!" Daenerys snapped, gripping her sword in both hands. "Why do you stand in my way…just like everyone else!" The Valyrian blade slashed in an upward arch, the swordsman too slow to react. Enchanted steel just pierced through the thin gap between his chest piece and the gorget around his neck, stabbing right into his throat. A wild look showing in Dany's eyes, the thrill of victory. "Yes…"
"I…" The swordsman gasped, blood trickling from the corner of his lips. "…don't…want it…" Gasping, he slumped to his knees until Daenerys withdrew her sword, at last letting him fall fully to the ground.
"Yes…it is mine now…my birthright…" She muttered while catching her breath. At last Dany turned to look at Ciri who had been standing there watching in silent shock, unable to believe this was the same Daenerys. The fierce look on the Targaryen's face disappeared as the more familiar look of joy crossed it. "Ciri…it's you…it's really you!" She hurried to her, dropping her weapons in the middle of her short dash just to embrace her.
"Dany…" Ciri started, nearly at a loss for words as she could see the blood covering the young woman. "What has happened here? Why are there so many dead?"
After a long moment Daenerys let her go, still giving that warm smile. "It was the war, the final war." She calmly answered. "They feared me because of my dragons…and those who were loyal to me, the outcasts of the world." A tired sigh escaped from her, letting Ciri sense years of exhaustion from the her. "The people of Westeros needed their queen…a liberator to take it all back." Slowly she turned about to face the looming mound of iron. "Its right there. The Iron Throne. Isn't it glorious?"
Up close now Ciri could truly see the horrific seat of power. While both Jorah and Dany had described the Iron Throne to her in their conversations, this image of it pushed it into a nightmarish level. It was a jagged mountain of blades that loomed above them all, the steps leading to the actual seat even made out of flattened blades. What was disturbing was how many died crawling or impaled on its spiky form, bathing the throne in blood and gore. It seemed everyone who desired it were willing to throw themselves in a suicidal drive. Surrounding the foot of the gruesome throne was another collection of masked bodies. Their dirtied regal clothes and the crude iron crowns on their head hinted that these individuals were past rulers or perhaps aspirants to it.
First of the group was a man wearing a red dragon mask, laying on his side with a clear stab wound through the back and chest. He was dressed in regal deep red robes trimmed with gold colors, though his appearance looked very unkept. From his long white hair that flowed over his shoulders and his fingernails being long and cracked. It was easy for Ciri to realize this was Daenerys' father, Aerys Targaryen.
To the right of the Mad King was a fat man wearing just an elk mask and simple pants, showing off his large gut. A split oozing wound was at his lower belly, a gash that had stitching yet ripped apart in some struggle. The thick bushy beard under the mask was covered in spit and bile, almost as if he had choked or vomited to death.
Next was a younger man in a wolf mask and plain black clothes. His back was bent forward from leaning against the Iron Throne, showing three knives stabbed into him. The right arm was also missing, seeming to have been cut away leaving only the bloody sleeve.
Further were two more men with elk masks, one young and the other older. The younger noble was dressed for battle, wearing ornate plate armor that was colored a faint green. However it was seemingly shredded as if blasted by some explosive force, leaving deep wounds where the armor had been damaged. The older man meanwhile wore gray iron armor, the plate still damp with rank sea water. She couldn't tell how he died, though guessed drowned considering the water coating him.
The last in the line up was a golden haired youth with a lion mask. He must have been into his late teens at least. He was dressed in red and gold much like the other lion masked individuals, though around his right hand and wrist wore a leather support brace. The exposed upper arm showed multiple cuts across it, hinting of suicide.
"My family built this seat of power. They brought order to Westeros, just as I have. So many pretenders trying to control it. Yet its over now…order will at last be rightfully restored…"
At last Ciri found the will to speak again. "It's monstrous. That isn't a throne…it's a monument to death." She bowed her head shaking it. "And you call this a liberation? This city has been burned into a ruin and its people little more than ash."
Dany was silent as she slowly turned to look to Ciri, conflicted emotions showing in her violet eyes. "You don't know what I've been through to get this far on my own!" She growled back. "Every turn I faced a new enemy, hating me for simply being a Targaryen, fearing me for having dragons!"
"Seems their fears were true considering what I've seen of this city." She gestured about the ash covered hall. "Easy to call yourself a liberator when everyone else is dead!"
"I had no choice!"
"There is always a choice!" Ciri yelled back, her voice echoing through the dead hall, making even Daenerys flinch. "There is always a choice…to fight or to not. The Daenerys I know wouldn't sacrifice the lives of innocent people, no matter whose side they are on."
A twitch of anger hinted the corner of Dany's lips. "You think I never considered? I wanted nothing more then to have the people overthrow their false leaders…the tyrants who held them hostage." Slowly she paced towards her dropped sword, reaching down to pick up the bloody weapon which she looked over. "Yet they refused when the choice was given. At that point they chose to be my enemy…and deserved no mer-"
Suddenly Ciri lunged at her, hand slapping across the Targaryen's face. The echoing smack seemed to drag on until silence followed except for the faint pained breaths Ciri made since she had used her injured hand. Hearing Dany speak like that and the mad look on her face just triggered something in her, to lash out just to make a point. A look of shock replaced the cold madness the Targaryen had, having her senses return to her.
"Don't you ever think like that!" Ciri gasped, biting back tears. "You talked about how you don't want to be like your family. Cruel…violent…controlling. Yet that is what you are right now…only you delude yourself being…righteous!" She stepped back, taking deep breaths to calm herself both from the pain she felt physically and emotionally. "I know all your life everyone has told you that you deserve…this." She gestured to the Iron Throne, Dany even glancing back, starting to realize the grisly nature of it. "But that is what they wanted. Their desire that they pressured onto you."
Those words again seem to strike deeply to Daenerys as she kept her gaze on the Throne. She didn't answer for a long moment. "I…I don't know what I want." Looking back, tears gently trailed down her dirtied cheeks, washing away dried blood across it. "I just believed what I was told. Wanted to be special…be like my great ancestors…"
"Who were conquerors." Ciri stated back before stepping closer to Dany. One hand reached for her sword arm, gently holding over her grip. "Its easy to war and conqueror…yet difficult to build and govern. So…what will it be Dany?" She slowly raised the Valyrian blade up until it was aimed at her chest. "Do you be what everyone expects you to be…or build your own future not bound by your family's past?"
Daenerys' hand trembled as she stared into Ciri's green eyes, the familiar innocence returning to them. At last she pulled her hand free of Ciri's grasp, giving a pained sob before throwing the weapon at the foot of the Iron Throne. "I want to be myself…to be my own!" She sobbed as she clung to Ciri, who in turn held her closely.
"I know…I know…" The whispered words eased the Targaryen's sad cries, wanting to comfort her like a true sibling. For a moment the gruesome sights of the throne room was forgotten, until the soft cling of metal made Ciri look up, drawing even Dany's attention.
Both gazed at Kai who had been standing off to the side, silently watching the drama that had played out. The warlock was even more burned than before, his face nearly charred except for the upper right corner of his face. His one golden eye though showed now pain despite his condition, cold wisdom only showing.
"And now you understand." Kai muttered as he paced closer to the Iron Throne, looking across it's bladed shape. "The past needs to be let go…and a new future shaped. You understand this Ciri…while Daenerys must learn it." He then gestured his ring staff about the hall. "All of this is just a distraction to the true war. The battle against the Enemy of Life."
Just the name made a chill go through Ciri, the same one she felt when she had entered this world through the Tower of the Swallow. "The White Frost."
The Grand Warlock nodded before glancing down at his left hand which he then held up, each finger started to break apart into little more then cindering ash. In fact the whole room seemed to be disintegrating, starting from the far end of the hall and working towards them.
"Our time is up it seems. It is a shame our destiny isn't what I planned…though our time has been enlightening." A small amused look hinted his burned face. "To think I would have seen everything in my life…yet this day has surprised me more times than I could have imagined." A tired sigh followed before he continued to speak. "Both of you must become stronger both in mind, body and in your bond. It will be fascinating to see what you will become…"
By now half the room had disappeared into nothing, leaving only a blank white void in it's place. "And what of you, Kai?" Ciri questioned, still conflicted by the mystic's intentions.
The question drew a small light in the Grand Warlock's one good eye, a low wheezing chuckle escaping from him. "That is for fate to decide. In life or death…I will play my role…" By now his body crumbled up to his chest then his neck, at last reaching his head. "Goodbye…sisters…" At last his entire form was gone, little more than dust in the wind.
Ciri and Dany looked to each other in confusion at those parting words before looking to the white void about to reach them. She could see the uncertainty in the Targaryen's eyes, though she held her close. "Time to go back…together…" She softly assured her.
A short murmur and nod was the only answer needed as Daenerys clung to Ciri. Instead of falling away into the void, they seemingly became part of it. A floating sense of weightlessness followed as everything was simply gone. Matter, sound, time and space…it was simply erased. Then it came all crashing back in one cataclysmic boom.
…
"DAMN IT CIRI WAKE UP!"
A firm hand patted at her face, making her turn her head about before blinking her eyes open. Her first breath of air became a choking gasp as smoke filled her lungs. Jorah loomed over her, the Northerner covered in soot and soaking in sweat because of the intense flames surrounding them.
"How…how long was…" She gasped, shifting to sit up from where she lay with Jorah supporting her.
"A minute at least. There was a flash before both you and the Khaleesi suddenly passed out. The dragons…they also stopped shooting fire."
On cue, Viserion peeked from around the knight, squeaking at her before scampering around to nuzzle her arm. It seemed the dragon wasn't concerned about the fire and choking smoke, though that was expected from such a creature. Beside Jorah was Dany, who's white gown was dirtied by the smoke and flames, though her body wasn't even reddened. Whatever protection to fire she had from the pyre months ago remained with her.
"Ciri…what is…" Daenerys started before coughing out, barely able to breath from the smoke.
Gesturing for her to cover her mouth, Ciri turned to overlook the flaming devastation before them. Where the Undying and the Grand Warlock had been was little more then a burning mound of bodies. Considering the Warlocks had piled themselves up to protect Kai, he was no doubt buried under all of that, a gruesome end to consider. Despite everything they had done to them all she could only feel was pity, knowing they had done this out of desperation. Of course in death, this may very well be the end of them since their dried bodies provided potent fuel for the flames.
"We need…to get out of here…" She gasped, struggling to get up before groaning out in pain as her legs ached so badly. All her muscles felt strained after Kai had moved her about like a puppet. In her condition she would be lucky to crawl.
"The Khaleesi is also weak from whatever enchantment those bastards put her under." Jorah spoke out. "She can barely walk…much less help support you…" Despite trying to seem strong, Ciri could also tell that the knight was just as physically exhausted from his own trials.
By now Dany had gotten closer, her dragons huddling close as they continued to be protective of her. "At this rate…we're going to suffocate down here…" She gasped, holding her 'children' close.
"No…we still have a way out…" Ciri knew she was reaching her limit. Right now she wanted nothing more than to let the exhaustion take her. Only her lingering willpower kept that from happening. "Going…to have to warp us out. Its going to be rough…but no choice."
"You can't be serious!" Jorah started before having a firm hand grip his arm. Seeing the determination in Ciri's eyes, he scowled before nodding. "This is insane…"
"A bit late to say that…" Ciri weakly chuckled before gesturing for Dany to get close, the Targaryen making sure the dragons did the same. "Just hold onto me. This is going to feel weird for a moment…" Blue light filled her eyes and then coursed along her body, spreading out over everyone else touching her. The building power only made her battered body feel like it was being stretched apart, like a piece of rope being pulled to it's limit. Despite it all she kept herself together until at last unleashing her power.
In the blink of an eye the surroundings changed. The smoke choked ceiling was replaced with a blue sky and the floor now soft earth. The three gasped for fresh air, coughing out to clear their lungs from inhaling so much smoke. Ciri groaned tiredly, laying down on the ground though turned her head to look around their surroundings. The House loomed close by, the sun shining low from the other side of the black stone structure.
"Gods…ugh…that was an experience." Jorah grumbled between coughs. Following Ciri's gaze to the House, he frowned slightly. "Last I checked the sun wasn't in that direction."
"It…looks like for morning. Yet I remember…it was the middle of the night last time…" Dany muttered, sitting down while she catched her breath.
"Its your sense of time…its muddled from what they did to you. Most likely happened to us as well…it may have felt like hours, but we must have been in the House for…nearly a day." Ciri answered back. She opened her right eye after a moment, seeing half the world red still. "Fuck…Kai did push me…"
"Who?" Jorah questioned before realizing the intent of Ciri's injury when he saw the condition of her eye. "Damn it. What did those monsters do to you?!"
"The eye is more of my doing…" Ciri tried to dismiss before closing her eye to ease the pain it felt. "Had worse…much worse…"
"Its my fault…" The words of guilt from Daenerys made both of them look to her. "All of this. Trusting Xaro…the Warlocks. If I hadn't been so gullible we-"
Reaching out, Ciri had one hand touch Dany's shoulder to quickly silence her. "What's done is done. Can't change…what happened. Only move on…learn from it all." Those last words meant quite a lot for them both. She could tell from the sideward glance that Daenerys remembered how the last vision had played out. They would no doubt talk about it when they were alone…and when her body didn't feel like a pile of bricks. "Anyway…wouldn't have survived if Jorah didn't swoop in at the last second." She chuckled, giving a slight pat to his arm in a jesting way.
The compliment did make the knight glance aside slightly. "If anything I wish I had arrived sooner." His tone made Ciri wonder what he may have faced within the House, though knew it would be best to question him later. "What we need to do is get back into the inner city. Wouldn't be surprised if the Council hasn't mobilized their guard…" Though as he looked about, he stopped when he noticed a flying banner with the mark of Qarth across it. "I be damned…talk about good timing." Staggering up, he yelled out and waved one arm about to draw the city guard's attention. "Alright they should be-" Yet before he could finished he realized the two women weren't listening to his chatter.
The two had shifted to rest back by a large smooth rock close by. Dany rested her head on Ciri's right shoulder, eyes closed as she was fast asleep. Ciri was passed out as well, having at last succumbed to exhaustion after all she had endured. The dragons meanwhile had coiled around them both, the beasts too seeming tired after the fires they had unleashed. It was a unexpected yet charming sight, making a faint amused smile hinting his lips.
"Well…you both deserve some peace after what you've been through." By now he could hear the Qarth Guard arriving, the Warden and Harito at the lead. He knew that the coming weeks would be the start of a new future for them all…along with new challenges. "Things are only going to get tougher from now on…"
…
Notice: Didn't keep everyone waiting too long this time! Can say the House of the Undying was a wild story arc to do, letting me touch on some different themes and quite trippy moments. A lot of possible outcomes were shared as well with the final vision, which I'm eager for everyone to debate on what it can mean. The future isn't set in stone and sometimes an image can be misleading.
Next chapter we return to Westeros and Geralt as he begins his role leading the Winter Wolves. Meanwhile the Grims continue their grand plans while the Crone strike their first blow in their conquest of the Riverlands. The first battle of the war is going to be an intense, something I'm very excited to do!
As always share your thoughts on the forums, reviews or a PM!