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Raiden's Storm Chapter 102: A Knight's Resolve
🕑 Added 2025-02-02 01:27:46 +0000 UTC[Edric's POV]
The Plane of Euthymia was still as ever, except for the purple blossoms lightly waving in the wind. There seemed to be more of them.
“I'm surprised you didn't ask about the sudden change of weather."
"I was more so focused on capitalising on the situation," I replied, glancing at Raiden. "Is there something I should know about it?"
"The change was of the Dendro element, an aura different from yours… yet somewhat similar.” She answered. “Whereas your elemental energy is purely destructive, that kind was the polar opposite.”
"Similar to mine?" I raised an eyebrow. "How similar?"
"I've observed that while your elemental power does evolve through your resolve and ambition quite like a vision bearer... you do not possess the object yourself. Rather your body, your entire being, is the vessel and source of all your magic abilities. Your blood is a core part of that."
The sea god and goddess of the wind... my supposed divine ancestors through Elenei, wife of the Storm King Durran Godsgrief. If there's some truth to them, then...
"I see." I smiled slightly. "Are you suggesting that my unborn child is the source of this blessing?"
"Your lady is a Tyrell-"
"My lady-?" I questioned.
“Tonight, I don't want us to ride to the North or Dorne, nor anywhere else. No… not at all.” Raiden made a slight mocking smile as she spoke like me. “I want to mount you, Margaery-"
"-There's no way I said that." I scoffed, shaking my head.
"- Like a beautiful rose that's been waiting arm’s reach for too long, I wish to pluck you from the earth and take you for myself.” She continued. "You belong to me... and only me."
"Alright, surely it doesn't get worse..." I chuckled, feeling rather embarrassed.
“I shall give you a crown of white tonight, sweet Margaery.”
"She was drunk too, right?"
"No, she was very much sober." Raiden smiled slightly. "And that's just the beginning of it. There's more..."
"-I'd rather hang myself than hear the rest," I spoke before she could continue, shaking my head.
How did wordplay like that get me anything other than an empty bed? Gods, I'm never getting drunk again... and I will forever regret bringing up this topic.
"Memory as refined as mine is as much of a curse as it is a blessing," Raiden remarked. "How do you think I feel having to not only witness such a travesty but also remember it for the rest of my existence..."
"Definitely not a high point in my life," I admitted. "And I'd rather not dwell on it... so, what about her being a Tyrell?"
"A Tyrell with a Hightower mother and Redwyne grandmother whereas you have a Florent mother along with an ancestry that leads to the Gardeners. Given how the Westerosi noble houses always seek to make alliances with each other through marriage, there's likely more I am not aware of."
If there was some truth to Ellenei, then Garth Greenhand...
"Garthie Greenhand jr." I smiled, jesting. "Perhaps my drunken self was onto something I did not see."
"You seem to be more fond of the bedding now," Raiden observed.
"It's better to focus on the good rather than dwell on the bad." I shrugged. "It's called optimism."
"Right."
"Though, if you're right... I just find it surprising that one unborn child could make something like this happen."
"You did put a lot of energy into the conception."
"Did I now? You almost sound like you want the same treatment..." I chuckled, puffing up my chest. My earlier embarrassment of the matter turned to confidence. "My bewitching goddess, I shall give you a crown of white tonight-"
In all honesty, I expected a thunderous slap that would send me straight to the afterlife... but she only laughed.
"If you think that will work on me, you're out of your mind."
"I am quite mad, true." I nodded, chuckling. "I'll need to work on something more effective."
My intention was simply to tease her, though a laugh was a pleasant surprise.
"If you were serious, however, perhaps I'd have taken the terrible bait..."
"Oh?" I raised an eyebrow.
"You've had a number of opportunities by now, shying away at the last step. Is there a reason why you hold yourself back?"
"... Well. I don't know - it didn't seem fitting."
"Didn't seem fitting..." She mused, her eyes darkening. "I see."
"It's not your fault." I managed a smile, not wanting to give the wrong impression. "You see... my body is still that of a growing boy. I would... perform better at an older age."
"That's your reason?" She smiled slightly. "Your lady seemed plenty satisfied."
"For one, there's most certainly a difference between you and Margaery... and she can be quite the actress. Who knows if she was genuine or putting on a show."
"She was bedridden afterwards. Seems to me that you did more than your part."
"I'd rather not talk about it. Besides... there's something else on my mind."
"What is it?"
“... Is it possible for me to develop more support-based abilities?” I questioned, tactfully changing the topic, “Or am I stuck to mostly destructive power?"
She seemed to sigh lightly.
“Considering that Hydro is one of the gentler and more versatile elements by nature, it is possible. You'd need to practice a great deal to make use of it properly, however.” She spoke with a lecturing tone. “The fact that you possess three elements speaks to your nature, ambition and potential. Developing such abilities… should be well within your power. You need only the desire.”
While one magically enhanced soldier might not change much, an entire army... that might just shift the tides in my favour. I was so focused on increasing my own strength that I neglected the potential of broadening my horizons. What's the use of all these thousands of men if they're no more than future wights for the Others? At that point, I might as well have planned to face the Night King alone.
"The question is if I have enough time for all of that."
"If the Night King is waiting for winter to worsen, and this winter is bound to be the longest... then you may have more time than you think," Raiden stated.
"Someone picked up on my optimism," I remarked, smiling. "Are there any such abilities you could pass on to me?"
"You already have one. The Baleful Omen which calls upon the Eye of Stormy Judgement..."
"-Can be spread to others."
I remembered the skill, alright. My party wouldn't be without it from the moment I levelled her in the game.
"Quite right. If you were ever to master it, you would be able to manipulate the very stars to defend and arm your subjects with your thunderous might."
"Anything else?" I inquired, curious.
"Nothing of significance, no. I had no use for such abilities, for my blade alone was enough to cut down any foe in my path..."
And little care for your retainers, I suppose.
"Ever the inspiring Shogun." I smiled. "Such a trajectory would be ideal for me if my enemy wasn't a necromancer with an ever-growing host."
"You seek to be your people's King... and so, you should fight with that principle at heart. Do not merely trample on your foes singlehandedly - give your retainers the strength and opportunity to stand up for themselves. That is how they will grow the most."
"Agreed... I can be a little hand-holding sometimes." I nodded.
"All the time." She corrected. "If you carry them through every difficulty, they will only know to rely on you."
...
"You have need of me, Your Grace?"
I sat on top of the King's tower, my legs hanging over the edge. It was a silent night with an open sky and calm winds, though the winter chill was ever prominent. I had enough furs to keep me comfortable, however. Having heard Brienne's voice, I turned and nodded.
"Yes, I wanted to talk to you. Away from all the noise."
"A relief," Brienne admitted. "Truth be told, I am not fond of the wildlings."
"They have their strengths." I shrugged. "Regardless, do you remember what I said about magic awakening in those who are exceptional?"
"Yes, Your Grace."
I hopped off the merlon I was sitting on and stepped onto the tower's floor.
"... Forgive me for not making any progress" She spoke before I could. "It's something that eludes me... and I fear that I might not ever be able to reach the heights you think I'm capable of."
"No... you're wrong. You can do it." I put my hands on her shoulders and looked into her eyes, smiling reassuringly. "Think of all the people who have ever doubted you, the trials you have endured to be standing here and the person you've grown to be. You are a symbol of defiance and inspiration, someone who is steadfast in following the path you believe in, no matter what everyone else might think of it."
"Now... why don't you go ahead and prove yourself wrong, too?"
"..." Her already large blue eyes widened, sparkling. Her lips trembled for a moment as no words left them before turning into a smile. She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath and seemingly gathering herself. "I will do it."
"Do what?" I smiled, egging her on.
"Awaken." Her eyes reflected an unshakeable resolve. "I will be strong enough to stand by your side, shield you from harm and cut down your foes... as a Kingsguard should. No matter what it takes."
"Good, good." I smiled, nodding as I lowered my arms and turned to the sky. "You know, I would've knighted you on the day I gave you the white cloak... but it didn't seem right. I didn't want you to face all the scrutiny that would've come with it. The Gods know there was enough for being a sister of my Kingsguard."
"I... hold no resentment. Only men could be knights - all I can do is act and live as one would. It would not be right nor recognised if you had done so."
"Who decided that, the Gods?" I chuckled, shaking my head. "No, I believe even they would approve of you. You are a true knight in all but title; the only difference is that the world does not recognise it as such. That... is why I held out on it."
I turned to her.
"Wouldn't it be all the sweeter if, when the day came, the Realm applauded your knighthood?"
"That... wouldn't happen."
"You can make it happen." Lightning suddenly struck the earth. "Rise above the doubt and become so great no one in the entire world could deny who you are. When young boys speak of the greatest knights of the past, Ser Ryam, Ser Aemon, Ser Barristan, Ser Arthur Dayne... let them speak of your name the same."
The look in her eyes reminded me of someone.
"Though, talk is cheap-"
"Spar with me again." Brienne urged, drawing her sword. "Your Grace."
"Didn't you already get your fair share..." I wondered with a look of concern. "I wouldn't want to wound you."
"Wounds are the seal of warrior's devotion."
"... I've heard something similar from somewhere." I smiled, drawing my own sword. "Very well."
Enhanced by magic, I swiftly knocked the sword out of her hand and followed up with a more gentle burst of lightning. She fell to the floor and I wondered if I was being too harsh. Though, the Others wouldn't hold such reservations.
"You should get some rest," I remarked. "Though your mind is willing, your body can't keep up."
"I... can still fight."
She made herself stand, only to collapse right after. I flashed forward and caught her before she could complete her descent. Upon closer inspection, she seemed to be unconscious.
"You're reminding me of Arthur, stubborn fool," I sighed, shaking my head. Though, traces of a smile did emerge. "If only I could pass around blessings like an actual God... I would give you the strength you seek."
I took her to a chamber and used my day's reserve of magic for a non-destructive purpose - for once. In this case, I used my least proficient element, which I had been practising the most in the past days. A wave of Hydro elemental energy surged from my body and spread out over Brienne. Given my lack of proficiency in that specific element, I needed more energy and time to achieve any desirable result.
I sat beside her for what was an hour, watching the effects slowly emerge.
'Enough power to wipe out hundreds of men... used to heal a single friend.' I chuckled. 'I'm a terrible support.'
"Edric..." She suddenly woke up, turning slightly rosy. "I mean, Your Grace-"
"I didn't expect you to wake up so soon. I was seeing how effective of a healer I'd be with my magic... and, well, I'm quite awful. Much better at obliterating my foes."
"I feel... great," Brienne noted, perhaps trying to make me feel better. "Good as new."
"Mhm..." I smiled. "That's good. Though, you should rest properly."
"If that's your wish. You should rest yourself, however. You've been running around all day and night."
"Comes with the territory... but I will." I nodded.
Right as I was about to take my leave, she spoke once more.
...
Days turned to weeks as I continued overseeing the affairs of the Night's Watch and training my Kingsguard. As Brienne would keep stubbornly trying again and again, I would also heal her each time... improving at it as I went along.
This time, I stood in the yard, having beaten all but one of my best warriors to the point that they could no longer put up a fight. The last one to stand was Brienne, whom I'd beaten a number of times already. Though, she kept her resolve.
I had a gut feeling that she was getting there.
Perhaps my magic flowing through her broke some sort of bottleneck...
Lazily, I raised my free right hand, and lightning shot out of my fingertips. It hit her straight on, though she didn't fall... only step back slightly. The blow hadn't been weaker than all the times before...
I saw a flicker of lightning around her body - and it was not mine. It seemed to be an aura of sorts.
Yes.
"It is as I first thought..." Raiden stated, watching beside me.
Before I could speak, she flashed forward with inhuman speed. Her sword stopped only an inch away from my neck. I blinked, bewildered. It had all happened so suddenly... I hadn't expected that in the slightest.
She looked just as surprised as me when she snapped out of it. The surrounding observers looked even more baffled.
"I did it... didn't I?"
"Yes, you did."
I smiled proudly, lowering her sword with my hand.
"I always knew you had it in you."
