The same

The same

Theon POV

Sadly, I couldn't loot New Ghis as much as I wanted. We accepted a few gifts and hostages and then prepared to leave. It took a few days for Asha to come back and for me to establish a trade for resources to come to Meereen. As much as I wanted to deny that I was a battle junkie, making people surrender without a battle was discomforting.

I spent the nights spying on everyone with Rocky, not because I thought they were lying but because I was hoping they were trying to scheme something against me. Unfortunately, they really didn't want to fight me. They even seemed to be happy that I accepted their surrender even though I made quite a few demanding requests to be fulfilled.

Well, after hearing how they talked about me, even I wouldn't want to fight me. To them, I was a demon that came from the depths of the sea to bring everyone who stood against me down. They interrupted everything they heard of me in the worst way. I didn't know how I should feel about it; even if it was flattering to hear such things said about me, there was a limit to how bad of a nightmare I could be to people.

"Is everything to your liking, Your Majesty," Sarnor zo Harozys, the representative of New Ghis and the new commander of New Ghis legions. He was chosen as the previous commander and his right hand decided to fight me in the sea foolishly and now was at the bottom of the said sea. This one didn't seem to be courageous or skilled, and it wasn't a surprise since I found out he was responsible for the logistics of the army. But he was quite an intelligent fellow.

"Do I look satisfied?" I asked glaring at Sarnor as he quickly buckled under my stare and started to sweat. "Because I am. Did you finish recording everything that would be given to us?"

"Yes, Your Majesty." He was fun to mess with because he was quite expressional and wanted to please me way too much, which was quite amusing, if not sad.

In the end, he was a scapegoat for those in power in New Ghis if something went wrong. And Sarnor knew that, too, so he was smart enough to make sure nothing went wrong. And as long as he did his job well, I didn't have a problem with him. He was certainly simpler to deal with than those so-called nobles. And I gained twelve thousand soldiers from Iron Legions with him.

"Theon, can we talk," I turned to Euron as soon as I walked into my ship, he was waiting for me.

"Let's go to my cabin then," I didn't have any reason to refuse him, so I led him to my cabin. "What is it about? And for the last time, no, we aren't going to slit their throats as they sleep and steal everything for ourselves. Even if it is tempting to do."

"What can I say? I can't deny my desires," Euron chuckled harmlessly as we entered the cabin away from anyone else's eyes and ears. "But no, I didn't want to talk about killing and thieving. It is about something I have been on my mind ever since I met you. I wanted to ask this but didn't know how. So, I will be straightforward. He came for you, didn't he?"

"Who?" I looked confused at Euron, as it wasn't even a bit straightforward as he said it would be. I wouldn't say I believed his harmless expression either; he was certainly scheming something.

"Three-eyed crow," Those three words made me shudder as I remembered those dreams of being held against my will as I was ripped apart. "So, I was right. Did he promise to teach you how to fly, too? No? Maybe something else. It doesn't matter. His words were a lie, and seeing your reaction, I can tell that you agree with me. As I thought, we are the same, Theon."

"How so?" I asked, letting Euron misunderstand my reaction.

"We are meant for greater things," Euron replied. His smile was warm and, strangely enough, genuine. "We have powers that put us above others. We have a bigger purpose in this world than anyone can imagine. We and we alone are born special."

"What kind of powers?" I asked, trying to see where Euron was going with this and what he knew.

"I noticed how you can control the animals around you—the squirrel and the seagull," Euron replied. "I can do something similar. But I have also learned other things. I can see things that no one else can. And it is more than the visions in the fire your priest claims he can see. My visions are clear and have a purpose."

"And what did you see?" I asked, offering him wine to disarm him further.

"I saw the end, and I have seen the beginning," Euron replied as he sat down before me. "I saw what we can do. But firstly, we need to free ourselves."

"Free ourselves of what?" I asked.

"Of our mortal shells," Euron replied, his smile growing more manic with each word. "Free ourselves of the morals others have set, of the rules and laws that were set by those in power, free ourselves of the chains that the so-called gods have bound us with. Then, we can reach our true purpose. I saw what we can do together as long as those chains don't bind us."

"What is our purpose?" I would lie if Euron's words didn't intrigue me.

"To become gods," Euron truly believed his words. "We have everything we need to become gods that rule this world, gods that can destroy this world and rebuild it into a new one in our image. We have everything to achieve this. You have the power and loyalty of your followers, and I have the means to further our power. Together, we would be unstoppable. You seen how New Ghis fears you and are ready to offer their lives. But this is just the beginning. The world is ours."

"And what is the price for it?" I asked, leaning forward. "What do I need to pay to achieve this?"

"We don't need to pay anything," Euron replied. "The world does. A price of blood and iron. Once the price is paid, the world will know his true god."

"Hahahaha," I laughed, reclining in my chair. "What do I have to do?"

"We need the dragons," Euron replied with a satisfied smile. "But we don't need Daenerys. I have the means to take the dragons for ourselves without her."

"What if I like her?" My smile was gone, and my eyes darkened as I looked at Euron's lone eye.

"Keep her," Euron replied. "Even I can't deny her beauty. Keep her as a pet for your desires. A king should not be shy about the women he wants to keep. But we don't need her for anything else."

"Price of blood and iron," I repeated the words. It did intrigue me, but Euron was hiding something more. "What does it mean?"

"You will learn with time," Euron was definitely trying to entice me with his words but couldn't reveal anything more. "We are the same, Theon. We don't need to act so estranged. We are fated to achieve more than anyone else has in known history. So, let's work together. Like family. Let me show you the world worth of your name."

A big part of me wanted to take out my dagger and run in through his lone eye. Euron was hiding many things, and he was definitely trying to use me for something. I knew I would regret keeping him alive, but his confidence made me hesitate. Could I justify killing him? Probably. It was hard to say. But there would still be people who would see it as me fearing Euron. Or me becoming mad and killing even my kin.

They would think that I feared Euron's growing power within the Ironborn, which would leave the Iron Islands unstable if I ever wanted to leave them to Asha. On the other hand, Euron has indicated in his words that he alone wants to rule the world—or destroy it. It is hard to say. Even though he said that we would do it, he already saw himself as the one and true god, and I was something that was standing in his way.

"We are not the same," I said, in the end, deciding not to risk instability with my men. "You say we are equals, but that is not true. I am your king, Euron. And it is time for you to realize it. Next time you call me by my name and not by my title, I will have your tongue. And Daenerys will be your queen. If she wants to keep you as a pet, you will be a pet. Not the other way around."

"You are still blind, Your Grace," Euron said as he stood from his seat, his smile gone. "But you will see it one day. I sure of that."

Was that a threat? Did he think I would be afraid? Rather, I wanted him to do something—to try something so it would give me a reason to get rid of him one way or another, preferably by killing him. But I have to wait until then, as even now, I could see that the Ironborn on my ship looked respectfully at Euron as he walked past them.

Should I just stab in the back? Damn, if only he weren't my kin, I wouldn't have that much trouble making such a decision. But he was, and Kinslaying wasn't good, even if Euron probably didn't think so. And there was still the question of what else Euron was hiding. He also knew about my warging abilities, making it harder for me to spy on him.

"Theon," I snapped back from my thoughts as Asha came upon me. "What did you and Euron talk about?"

"Would it be bad if I killed him right now?" If she said no, I would probably do it.

"Disappointingly, yes," Asha said, making me want to drink myself to death. I should ask for Tyene for some Tears of Lys. Otherwise, I will be mad for a while. "So far, he has shown courage and strength. Generosity instantly bought him quite a few allies, and he is gaining more support. I don't know how he can gain more power over you, but if you kill him some will demand a reason for doing so. I thought of it many times, and it doesn't bode well if the ruling family is fighting each other, especially for no reason."

"My people respect me as much as they fear me," I still didn't give up on that as I weighed that the repercussions of killing Euron were worth it. Something inside me told me that Euron alive was more dangerous than any consequences of killing him would be.

"And our enemies can use that fear against us," Asha replied. "Don't you want the Westerlands? Do you think anyone will follow you aside from the Ironborn when they hear you killed your blood for no reason? The rumors will quickly spread, and even North will not be happy to help a kinslayer. And they are our most powerful ally."

"I know," But knowing that didn't help how I felt. It would be so easy to just act like a mad king. I really wasn't suited for these kinds of games, nor did I like them. Why can Euron just try and kill me so I can rightfully defend myself? "Find a way for me to get rid of him. Or do I have to wait until he has done something to me that would give me reason and justification?"

"What did he say?" Asha noticed that I was more agitated than usual.

"He said enough to make him my enemy."

How dare he say I was the same as him? But it made me wonder what that Three-eyed crow said to him. And why did he do the things he did to me? I had some notes about him, but they weren't very concrete. But I was sure he was also my enemy, and I would probably meet him again. Then, I will have my answers.

"Your Grace, the ships are prepared to depart," Gormond informed me, or was it Gran Goodbrother? I still couldn't recognize them.

"Wait for the high tide, and we shall set sail," I replied.

I still couldn't stop thinking of what Euron said. Maybe he was taunting me by telling me that kinslaying shouldn't stop me. And he was right that it was holding me back right now. But he was wrong on one thing. Aside from killing the Lannisters, I didn't care about ruling the world that much. My goal didn't change.

I was still going to spend my last days in the Summer Islands, but I first had to set the Empire of the Iron Islands. And if Euron doesn't get rid of me before that, I will surely get rid of him because, at that point, I probably won't give a shit about other things. Maybe I should do it now and exile myself to the Summer Islands? Ah, but then, who is going to kill the Lannisters? I just wanted to see Tywin's face as he realizes that he fucked up so bad.