The Herald of the Change

The next moment, the entire subterranean world was lit up in bright light, far brighter than anything that Valkorion had seen before, and instantly, he felt some suppression on him that was stronger than anything else that he had experienced before.

He sensed that his blood was boiling, rather strongly at that, and it was forcing him to submit to the being that was manifesting from the light itself.

Whatever Valkorion did, he just realized that he was most probably compelled to drop a few drops of his blood onto the altar, and it seemed that the remnants of the True God had revealed itself.

It was an enormous draconic creature that wore a metallic suit of armor similar to that of the traditional Dragoon armor that he saw Dragonriders of the Freehold to wear, and was more humanoid in appearance.

He has a dragon's tail, and the wings of his armor are made of swords, 15 on each side, himself also brandishing one. The being was several tens of meters in height, but most probably, it was just lowering his height to a manageable size, or else, it wouldn't even fit the subterranean cavern properly.

"Descendant of the Tenebrae... it seems that the Fate has brought us together in this moment for a purpose."

The being spoke as his majestic words reverberated through subterranean cavern; what was more surprising through, even though the being clearly spoke in the Dragonese, Valkorion was able to understand every single word perfectly without any misconception.

He immediately realized that this was most probably due to the boon of the entity in front of him.

Tenebrae, the name, was spoken with reverence within the Valyrian Freehold, an Angel of unimaginable power who was one of the Founders of the Valyrian Freehold. Mighty warrior and sorcerer, even more powerful Beyonder. 

'He' was one of the Beoynders who stood in front of the unimaginable horrors of the night that threatened the Valyrian Peninsula and banished them back, Baelar, another Angel and founder of the Freehold.

"Like your Ancestor in youth... so weak, yet filled with great ambition and potential... if only he didn't Fall. But many will fall on the journey, and not many can withstand the passage of time, descendants of the Tenebrae. Indeed... the tests have judged you to be worthy of my Quest."

That being said, with power and authority, that left no room for argument, and Valkorion knew that it was basically decided in his place. Not to mention, he knew that even if it was possible, he couldn't refuse, or else, he would be turned into nothingness by the entity in front of him.

Even though this was most probably just remnants of the Spirit of True God, dealing with any Low Sequence Beyonder was still as easy as breathing for Valkorion. Just one look would be enough to smite him from existence.

"Still... it saddens me that nobody has remembered my Honorable Name and existence, everything forgotten in the annals of history, washed by the rivers of time into the oblivion where only few would dare to enter."

As the being spoke once more, Valkorion listened to it, not daring to speak unless he was spoken to. Right now, preserving his very own life was the best course of action, though he wanted to agree with the being because he had no clue who the True God that fell here was.

Not even a little bit, and he had to admit that he was a rather educated person, as he read through almost all books of the Tenebraenys Manor and its library. All compendiums were written by the Valyrian Scholars or Maesters of the Citadel Order.

Due to the fact, that most Maesters of the Citadel Order were of the Reader Pathway, they were rather apt at scribing down the knowledge and other things like writing down history.

"You may speak, mortal..."

The being looked down at him as it painted at him an enormous golden-black sword that was being held in its right hand.

"No."

That was everything that Valkorion said, and simultaneously, it was also everything that the being in front of him needed to hear. 

"I am Bahamuth the Astral Draconian, True God of the Draconian Pathway. True God from the long-forgotten Era and God of All Dragons, the Bladekeeper, God of War, and God of the Swords."

Those were some imposing titles, and the longer he listened to them, thinking over them, he remembered them. 

True God of the Dragons in the 1st Epoch, one of the Ancient Gods, Bahamuth the Draconian, one of the most powerful Gods, was said to have perished to the unknown enemy in an unknown time, but his fall was felt by all. 

From his shattered Godhood, the Five-Headed Dragon God rose in its place, with representations of Balerion, Meraxes, Vhagar, Syrax and Tessarion. Each of the heads of the Five-Headed Dragon God was said to be a Dragon on its own or whatever.

But that all could be traced to the Draconian. 

He was the first one.

The original Dragon God.

Valkorion knew it only due to some mentions in the journals, but the name of the was not spoken in the Valyrian Freehold.

"So the pretenders are still alive? Traitors of the Oath."

The fury of the Astral Draconian was visible even to Valkorion, who carefully observed the remnant of the once mighty Ancient God with part fear and part reverence.

"If you complete my Quest mortal, descendant of the Tenebrae, I shall reward you greatly. I, God of Judgment, the Oaths are sacred. If you give me the Oath of compliance, I will give you the Oath of Acceptance as well. You can call it partnership during my journey to life once more as my revival is imminent."

Valkorion was deeply thinking about it, but knowing that he couldn't really refuse in the face of sure death, he was doing what was required of him. He knew very well that in front of True Gods, everything else was inconsequential.

Even Sequence 1 Angels were insignificant in the might of a True God, especially if they were from the same Pathway as the God itself. In the end, Valkorion agreed to the "proposal"; hopefully, the situation would be better than it seemed.

At least he could get something from it and have some backing in this dammed world.

Valkorion wasn't stupid; he knew that the ancient entity wanted him to start some sort of revival process for him, which would be lengthy as hell, but if he succeeded, then there was nothing more valuable than having True God behind his back.

But if that was the case.

"Then the Five-Headed Dragon God of the Valyria must die."

Valkorion calmly stated as he stood up from his kneeling position.

"Then you shall become my Herald, Valkorion Nerona... Herald of the Astral Draconian."

When the Bahamuth, the Astral Draconian, said that, he felt some sort of connection forming between him and the remnant consciousness of the True God from the ancient past. Not only did he feel the connection being formed, but he also felt a weird power dwelling deep within him. 

"Then as the Quest, the first one in this Path, would be to work together with the chosen one of the R'hllor to obtain something for his own devises."

With the decree of the Bahamuth the Draconian, it seemed that his program for the foreseeable future was already decided.