43 Resignation

"Raiden…"

Edric suddenly stopped walking forward, a good distance away from the cave. She floated ahead, facing him. The two shared gazes as a conflicted light flashed in Edric's eyes. Saying farewell to Alysanne had given him clarity... and forced himself to realise something he would instead have looked away from.

"What's wrong?"

"What's... wrong?" Edric mused, frowning slightly. "Why am I here? Why do I have to bury someone dear to me? Did an enemy of mine kill her? Was it a beast? Did time take her away? Was it an accident..."

"You know the answer to that."

"Yes... it was you." Edric's expression relaxed as he chuckled wryly. "My dearest Shogun. My greatest benefactor. The goddess who has given me strength, will, comfort and guidance in all walks of life. The woman who has breathed life into me time and time again, yet also taken it away..."

She gave no reply, though her expression was not the same one that had once confidently proclaimed that she had done it for his benefit. Rather… there was regret—not at Alysanne's death, no—but at the consequences that came from it. She had carved a piece of Edric Storm and shattered it.

"Never once did you ask for forgiveness... no, the matter was of no consequence to you." Edric smiled slightly. "In the end, you got what you wanted. You killed my distractions, desire for happiness and willingness to love others. You took my humanity. You made me into your puppet, and I willingly marched along blindly, no matter what it would cost me."

"Do you know why?"

"... Because you love me."

Raiden Shogun answered simply.

"Yes..." Edric replied, nodding slowly. "I… wanted to love you, I truly did. I wanted to overlook everything and look towards a better future. That's what I've been doing until now. Hoping, wishing, praying for a good ending to all of this. Because... you were the only thing that mattered to me."

"... But why is that?" Edric suddenly questioned. "Surely it's not because you killed the one person who could've 'driven' me away from you..."

"Tell me... what had I ever done to betray you like you betrayed me?" 

Raiden Shogun's expression was conflicted as she found herself unable to answer. He was loyal, honest and true. His very ambitions and way of life revolved around her resurrection. Even after the matter, he became King, taking upon the heavy duty he otherwise would've run from. 

"... Nothing." 

"She was an innocent girl. Just a normal, kind, sweet, girl… and you... struck her dead... for me." Edric clenched his fists. "I'm weary of it. The guilt that consumes me, the blind love that binds me to you, the way I've been strung along..."

"It ends here and now." 

Edric removed the glove on his left hand and drew his dagger. Raiden's eyes widened as he slashed down the middle of her insignia, forming quite the gash on the back of his hand. His expression remained firm as his blood dripped down, looking straight at her.

"I am your retainer no longer." 

He walked ahead of her, lightning sparking in his left hand as blood continued to drip down. 

"When I gather my banners for the Long Night, face the Night King and ultimately triumph... it will not be for you." Edric paused, his black hair swaying slightly. "I will do it because it is my duty and obligation to all the friendships I've forged and will forge. It will be for the people who believe in me, who raise their swords and dedicate their lives in my name."

"I will not be their deceiving tyrant, who serves only his own needs and discards them when their use is over. I will not be the man who breaks their trust, crushes their beliefs, and carelessly throws them to the wind."

Edric's golden Baratheon cape swayed under the heavy wind.

"I will fight for them as they fight for me. I will carry the ambitions and visions of all the good people who serve me, justly rule in their name, and give them peace and prosperity..."

"I will be their King."

And with that... he had shattered the chains that bound his heart, freeing himself and treading upon the path of greatness that once was no more than a dream. The realisation of his true self had begun... 

For what man could rule the world if he could not conquer himself?

Raiden Shogun remained still, one hand resting on her chest. She observed with a saddened expression as his figure grew more distant. What words could mellow his determination? Would seeking forgiveness do anything but fuel the fire? Not only had he released himself from her service, but he also rejected the love he once confessed...

Her dark violet hair swayed as she couldn't find the words to put him at ease and make him turn back to her.

"Is this fate... for you to one day outgrow me?" She questioned with a low voice, glancing at the tempestuous sky. After a moment of silence, she reached out her left hand and observed it. "No... I am at fault." 

"I should've let you have your way. It would've been better if your love ended on your terms - whatever the result of that would've been. You could have realised the truth of love, rather than me forcing it upon you…"

"No words I say will ever return her to life, nor do I even have the power to change a thing.." She lowered her hand, sighing. "The Shogun... how could I be so powerless?"

...

As Edric continued to walk, the clear skies grew dark, and rain poured down - something he had grown used to. If anything, it comforted him. So did the heavy wind that made the trees dance wildly, and the calm lakes surge with waves. The lightning most of all. 

Suddenly, the rain froze in the air. The world around him seemed to stop entirely.

'What's this...?'

He looked up and saw a silver-haired ghost lying against a tree on a hill. It was the only tree in sight, standing tall. Edric continued walking forward and was suddenly struck with the sound of song.

"I'm tired of being what you want me to be. Feeling so faithless, lost under the surface..."

Edric recognised this song... and realised just who was singing it. There could only be one person. He quickened his pace, running up the hill and facing him. The Targaryen's lips curled into a mocking grin as he continued on.

"And every step that I take is another mistake to you..."

"What are you doing here?" Edric questioned, looking down at him.

"I-I've become so numb, I can't feel you there. I've become so tired, so much more aware. I'm becoming this... all I want to do is... be more like me and be less like you."

"Can't you see that you're smothering me?-" His singing was cut short.

Edric drew his Warhammer out of his chest, aiming to smash it right down on him.

The figure flashed forward, grabbing his warhammer midswing.

"Ah... such mercurial tempers you Baratheons possess." He chuckled, his long hair parting to reveal heavenly violet eyes. "What will you do now?"

Edric tried to push down, but the effort was futile. He didn't even budge.

"You think it's funny?" Edric questioned. "It must be fun being an omnipotent being capable of controlling all of reality. You don't have a single worry in the world. Everything is just like you want it to be-"

"Oh, believe me, it's awfully dull." The Targaryen let go, turning away. "My most amusing years were when I was mortal, climbing the steps to immortality. The trials and tribulations of my youth..."

"You... were mortal?" Edric blinked, lowering his warhammer.

"An eternity ago..." He placed his hands behind his back, looking up at the sky. "Nevertheless, you should not be nearly so anguished. You two will find a way. You are soulmates, after all. Star-crossed lovers. Nothing but death may part such love birds."

"Is that so?"

"Yes... she made you the man you are today. You are her Storm, through and through. A most turbulent storm, true... but hers nonetheless. You cannot deny that much, even as you turn away from her. The very path you set out on... even now... was a consequence of her actions."

Edric did not reply, returning his Warhammer to the Plane of Euthymia.

"Why did you come here, Targaryen?"

"Am I not allowed to visit my little stag?" He glanced back, tilting his head slightly. "I came here with a proposal. How would you like to participate in the coming tourney at King's Landing?"

"I intend to do so regardless."

"Hm... but what man in their right mind would strike their King?" He laughed. "Even if you insist, they will not. Even if you try to attend as someone else, you couldn't possibly do so - not in King's Landing with all eyes on you. I propose to perform a little magic trick and set up a body-double during the tourney - while you participate as a mystery knight."

"... And what do you get out of it?"

"Soooo suspicious, Arthur Astley. I get to grab pizza, a soda and be entertained. Do I need more from you? Better yet, if you win the joust, I will reward you personally."

"The catch?"

His lips curled into a grin.

"The catch... you should know."

"It won't be easy?"

"Bingo!" Mr Targaryen laughed, turning to face him and grabbing his shoulder. "We're getting on the same page, you and I. As for the armour you will wear, I have prepared it for your little inventory space. No need for you to worry about it."

Edric looked within, only to find a full set of dragon-styled black plate armour paired with a blood-red cloak and a three-headed black dragon.

"Blackfyre..." He remarked. "Really?"

"It's beautiful, isn't it? Perfect for a bastard like you."

"..." Rather than taking offence to that, Edric chuckled. "I'll take that as a compliment, dragonspawn."

"Dragonspawn..." He chuckled, slowly fading away. "You truly are Edric Baratheon now."

As he entirely disappeared, the world thawed and continued as usual. He returned to Evenfall, seeing the Kingsguard hard at training, with Arthur being the most passionate of the bunch. He took the time to clean himself off, have a few drinks to calm his mood and then encountered Sansa Stark, who was enjoying a lemon cake on a balcony overlooking the sea.

"Quite the sight..." Edric remarked, startling Sansa.

"Your Grace... I..." She turned to him, not knowing what to say. "The weather... was quite turbulent today."

"So it was." Edric nodded, stepping forward. "May I sit next to you?"

"Of course..."

She nudged to the side, giving him a place to sit on the edge. 

"You've been avoiding me yet staying within my sight," Edric remarked, smiling slightly as he looked at her. "My lady, have I done something wrong?"

"No... it was me." She shook her head. "I..."

"You're acting as if it's treason to kiss a King," Edric chuckled, looking into her deep blue eyes. "Though you did take me by surprise, I hold no grudge against you. However... you did put me in a challenging position. What am I to do with your sweet kiss?"

"... Nothing." She lowered her gaze. "It was a mistake."

"Hm... I see." Edric turned away, looking at her lemon cake. "May I have some?"

She nodded, and he had a few spoonfuls.

"Mnn... this is good." Edric spoke with his mouth full, making Sansa smile slightly.

"Your Grace, it's improper to speak with your mouth full."

"Oh... I know. But who will scold me for it here, other than you?" Edric swallowed and looked into the sea, watching tides rise and fall. "Life is ever so unpredictable, hardly ever as we wish it to be... yet we keep striving to make the best out of it. Love is such a strong emotion in our lives that it drives people to do unthinkable things. You know it's wrong... yet you do it anyway - because that is what your heart desires the most."

"... Mn." Sansa slowly nodded. "If Arya knew... she'd kill me."

"Heh." Edric chuckled. "I'm sure she would. Anyway, you shouldn't be in a rush to fall in love and get married. Marriage tends to last quite a long time, you know. You'd want to make sure you're committing to the right person, or you'll regret it for a lifetime."

"... Yes, Your Grace." She managed a slight smile. "I will be more patient."

"Mhm, that's good."

...

After spending a day at Tarth, Edric set sail straight for Storm's End, which was not too far from the island. When he sailed into the cavern underneath the castle, he was welcomed by the entire court. Guards gathered in an organised formation and kneeled in a line, and even a golden carpet was laid down for him.

"Welcome home, Your Grace."

Cortnay Penrose kneeled to the side with a proud smile. The boy he once knew had left as the bastard and returned as King Edric 'Storm' of House Baratheon, the First of His Name. Songs of his glory were numerous and widespread, retold a hundred times over. Now, more than ever, he was the pride of Storm's End.

"Aye..." 

Edric took a deep breath, observing the nostalgic sight before him. 

"I am home at last."