Chapter 42

The bleeding star adorned the night sky, casting an ominous glow over the land as Xerneas continued his preparations. He could feel the surge of magic within him, growing stronger with each passing moment. However, he knew that this increase in power wasn't exclusive to him alone—it also empowered his enemies. This realization only fueled his urgency to hasten his plans.

Xerneas understood that before he could confront his adversaries, he needed to establish his authority firmly within the mortal realm. It was crucial to ensure that mortals recognized his dominion, particularly in the territories where he held sway. The emergence of the bleeding star served as a clear sign that time was of the essence, urging Xerneas to expedite his efforts.

With the celestial portent hanging overhead, Xerneas knew that he couldn't afford to delay any longer. He pressed forward with resolve, determined to solidify his position and assert his influence before the balance of power shifted irrevocably.

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As Eddard and his daughter continued their journey, both by sea and then by land, exhaustion weighed heavily upon them. The endless travel took its toll, leaving them weary and longing for respite. Arya, however, seemed unfazed by the weariness, finding solace in riding alongside the knights who shared tales of distant lands—stories she had never heard from Maester Luwin or Granny. Her eagerness to embrace these new experiences allowed her to let go of her identity and immerse herself fully.

Eddard observed Arya's enthusiasm with a sense of pride, grateful for her resilience amidst the hardships. He found solace in the company of the people around him, who, despite their diverse origins, shared a common reverence for the old gods—a belief system Eddard had once considered exclusive to the First Men. This realization prompted a shift in his perception, leading him to silently admire the virtue and resilience of these individuals.

Meanwhile, Sansa, confined to the carriage, felt jealousy towards her sister's companionship with the lady knights and others. Yet, her attention was soon drawn to a mysterious figure among the travelers—a man whose gaze lingered upon the bleeding star in the sky. She couldn't help but notice his towering stature and striking golden eyes, igniting her curiosity about his origins. However, she chose to keep her thoughts to herself, silently observing the diverse array of individuals gathered around her.

As the horse-drawn carriage continued its journey with a steady pace, a beam of green light suddenly appeared in the distance, catching the attention of all the knights in the party. Eddard peered out of the window, his eyes widening in anticipation of yet another miraculous occurrence. Glancing around at the knights, he noticed their surprise, tinged with a sense of eager expectation.

"Prepare yourselves!" one of the knights exclaimed, urging the others to quicken their pace and hasten towards the source of the mysterious green aura. Although the destination wasn't far off, the urgency in their voices conveyed the importance of reaching it as swiftly as possible.

Sensing the urgency, one of the lady knights turned to Arya, urging her to join her on carriage so they could ride ahead at a faster pace. Arya, taken aback by the sudden request, hesitated for a moment before acquiescing and climbing into the carriage. She couldn't help but feel intrigued by the beam of green light in the distance, mirroring the curiosity and excitement shared by the other travelers.

Meanwhile, Sansa remained transfixed by the mesmerizing sight of the green aura, her fascination evident in the gleam in her eyes. 

With renewed determination, the carriage set off at a swifter pace, following closely behind the knights who rode ahead.

Arya watched with eager anticipation as the knights spurred their horses to ride faster, their excitement palpable as they raced towards the source of the green aura. Eddard and Sansa shared in her anticipation, their curiosity piqued by the mysterious sight ahead.

As the carriage drew closer, the silhouette of Harrenhal castle emerged from behind the radiant green beam, its imposing presence looming in the distance. Yet, what came into view next left Eddard utterly astonished. He had thought the 5,000-strong escort accompanying him to be formidable, but the sight of the vast gathering near Harrenhal surpassed all his expectations.

Gathering around the banks of the God's Eye river were tens of thousands of men, all bearing the emblem of a tree on their armor and proudly hoisting green flags aloft. The sheer magnitude of the assembly left Eddard speechless, his mind racing to comprehend the significance of such a gathering.

Realizing that the carriage could proceed no further due to the multitude of camp tents and horses covering the area, Eddard made the decision to continue on foot, accompanied by his determined daughter's, who's refused to be left behind.

As they reached the edge of the gathering, they found themselves unable to see the source of the green aura, obscured by the mist rising from the river.

Suddenly, the crowd knelt in unison, driving their swords into the ground and holding them with both hands. Eddard and his daughters exchanged surprised glances, unsure of what was unfolding before them. Then, as the mist began to dissipate, a small island emerged from the river, bathed in the ethereal glow of the green aura.

Their eyes widened in amazement as Xerneas came into view, surrounded by a powerful aura that danced around him. The crowd erupted into cheers, shouting, "For the glory of Old Gods," as they paid homage to the legendary being before them.

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Ever find yourself lost in the writing maze? Me too! It's like trying to herd dragons in a Game of Thrones crossover with logistical nightmares. Speaking of which, wouldn't it be hilarious if Westeros and Essos decided to merge—like, literally, they just bump into each other one day? Maybe they used to be one continent eons ago, and now they're having a cosmic reunion. Who knows? As for my story updates, if you can't wait to see how this chaos unfolds, hop onto my Patreon where you can time-travel through chapters before they even exist! See you in the land of 'soon to be one landmass' madness!

link: patreon.com/AmouxCreationX

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