Chapter 16
Thanos stood in the midst of the celestial battleground, where the clash of fire and ice raged around him, a testament to the might of the gods he faced. The God of Fire, R'hllor, his hair a blazing inferno, charged with a roar, his molten sword swinging in an arc that seemed capable of cleaving the sky. Thanos met him head-on, their weapons clashing with a sound like thunder.
The air sizzled and cracked as Thanos's blade cut through R'hllor's defenses, sparks flying with each strike. The God of Fire bellowed in rage, flames surging around him, but Thanos was relentless. With a powerful thrust, he drove his sword through the god's chest. The flames flickered and died as the divine being's life force ebbed away. Thanos yanked his blade free and, with a swift, brutal motion, beheaded the god. The fiery head rolled to the ground, its once-blazing flames extinguished.
The Goddess of Ice, the Great Other, watched, her expression cold and unyielding. She raised her hands, and a blizzard swirled around Thanos, the temperature plummeting. Ice crystals formed on his armor, but he pushed forward, each step a testament to his indomitable will. The Great Other conjured a spear of pure frost, hurling it at him with deadly precision. Thanos deflected the spear with his gauntlet, the ice shattering into a thousand shards.
He advanced, his blade gleaming with the blood of R'hllor. The Great Other summoned all her power, creating a barrier of solid ice, but Thanos's strength was unstoppable. He shattered the barrier with a single blow, his sword piercing the goddess's heart. She gasped, her breath a cloud of frost, and then fell silent, her body as still as the ice she commanded.
Thanos stood amidst the ruins of the celestial realm, his blade dripping with the blood of gods. The realm began to crumble around him, the power of the slain deities dissipating into the ether. He sheathed his sword, his expression grim, and turned away from the destruction he had wrought.
The scene shifted to a white, star-studded sky, the land below a barren wasteland. Thanos stood there, his blade still covered in blood, the remnants of his battle clinging to him. A female voice, smooth and cold, echoed around him.
"All done?" the voice asked, its tone both mocking and curious.
Thanos nodded. "Yes. Those seven were a little pesky to remove. The one with the cloak was elusive, almost ran, but yes, all of them are handled. But each of them sent seeds. I removed their souls and influence from the seeds and let them go to their chosen champions. The boy needs powerful helpers, and conquering or befriending them will be a good growth experience."
As Thanos spoke, seeds of divine power began to fall from the sky, each seeking its destined champion.
In Winterfell, a young Jon Snow was practicing with his wooden sword in the courtyard. He paused, feeling a strange sensation. A seed of power descended upon him, its energy seeping into his very being. Jon fell to the ground, visions flooding his mind. He saw the ancient wargs, felt their power, and understood that he had inherited the abilities of the Warg King. He saw himself mastering these powers, becoming one with the beasts of the North.
Far to the east, Daenerys Targaryen stood by Maximus's side, her silver hair shimmering in the sunlight. A seed of fire fell upon her, igniting her very soul. She was engulfed in flames, but instead of burning, she felt a surge of power. Visions of ancient dragons and the secrets of fire magic filled her mind. She saw herself commanding flames, becoming a beacon of power and strength.
Beyond the Wall, the Night King stood amidst the icy wastes. A seed of cold power descended upon him, encasing him in a massive iceberg. The Night King absorbed the power, his eyes glowing with a new intensity. He saw visions of death and rebirth, understanding that his dominion over the dead had grown even stronger.
On the Iron Islands, a young girl played by the beach. A seed from the Drowned God fell upon her, and she was suddenly pulled into the sea. She didn't drown; instead, she felt the cold embrace of the water, filling her with the power of the Kraken. Visions of ancient sea beasts and the strength of the ocean filled her mind, transforming her into a powerful avatar of the sea.
In Dragonstone, Stannis Baratheon sat in his solar, brooding over his sick daughter. A seed from the Father fell upon him, and he passed out as if he had drunk too much wine. In his unconscious state, he had visions of justice and rules, understanding that he was bound by these principles to be a better leader. He woke with a new sense of purpose, ready to lead with an iron fist.
In Highgarden, Margaery Tyrell was in the garden, tending to her roses. A seed from the Mother fell upon her, filling her with a warmth and kindness that transcended her understanding. She had visions of healing and compassion, knowing that her path was to care for and nurture those around her.
In Dragonstone, Shireen Baratheon lay in bed, her face marred by greyscale. A seed from the Maiden descended upon her, and she was enveloped in a soft, healing light. The greyscale receded, and she felt her strength returning. Visions of purity and renewal filled her mind, giving her hope for the future.
In Highgarden, Olenna Tyrell sat in her chamber, plotting as always. A seed from the Crone fell upon her, and she suddenly felt a surge of wisdom and capability. Visions of the past and future intertwined, giving her insight and understanding far beyond her years.
In King's Landing, Jaime Lannister stood on the battlements, his mind heavy with guilt and regret. A seed from the Warrior fell upon him, and he felt a surge of strength and courage. Visions of valor and honor filled his mind, reminding him of the knight he once aspired to be.
In the Red Keep, Tyrion Lannister sat with a goblet of wine, lost in thought. A seed from the Smith fell upon him, and he felt a surge of creativity and ingenuity. Visions of inventions and creations filled his mind, giving him new ideas and solutions for the challenges ahead.
In Winterfell, Arya Stark watched the training ground in secret, her eyes sharp with desire to learn. A seed from the Stranger fell upon her, and she felt a cold, dark power seeping into her. Visions of death and shadows filled her mind, honing her skills and instincts for the trials to come.
Each of these champions felt the touch of the gods, their powers and destinies intertwined with the divine. They would face great challenges, but they would not be alone. The seeds of power had found their chosen, and the world would never be the same.
.....................
Authors thoughts:
I started this project for fun but didn't like the initial growth setting of the protagonist being a merchant. I felt it limited the potential for showcasing the dynamic action of Warframes. The focus on improving North seemed repetitive, similar to many existing stories. Therefore, I decided to change the direction and set the protagonist on a journey away from that setting.
It's also a logical decision within the story. If a small family were to suddenly revolutionize the economy in a few years, powerful figures like Tywin Lannister and Olenna Tyrell wouldn't just stand by. Anyone from the 21st century needs a reality check in that world. The gods play significant roles in the series—R'hllor bringing back Jon Snow, for example—acting at key moments. Removing them from the picture and empowering the major players helps level the playing field. As it stands, most characters would be like paper compared to even a low-level Warframe, let alone powerful ones like Dante, Volt, or Gauss.
This new direction opens up plots involving other players while the protagonist, Max, grows. There could be alliances between characters with newfound powers, or Jon Snow becoming more assertive, for example.
Overall, this project is just a fun way for me to destress from life. I'm open to incorporating good ideas from others and don't plan to limit the story to just one world. If you have any thoughts or suggestions on this new direction, I'd love to hear them.