A Single Slash

"Complete Rebirth- The requirements of this magic skill are a hundred or more corpses, a summoned soul and the magic vitality cost of a 'revive greater undead'. This magic ability results in the chosen soul being reborn with far greater physical capabilities than that of their original body while retaining their intelligence from when they lived. This new, superior, body serves as a container for the soul which controls it. The reborn beings cannot be considered dead as they are alive in most regards, though they are far from the ordinary living being as they possess magical abilities."

The system explained.

"Is this only a one-time event or will I be able to discover more magic abilities on my own?"

"Yes, in certain circumstances, it is possible to discover them on your own as every magic in existence is already stored within your mind."

"Every magic in existence?" Aerion replied with a surprised expression.

"Yes, it is as I said. He merely locked them behind chains... chains which you can break through various means. One of the most important aspects when it comes to breaking these 'chains' on your own is desire. From desire and practice, you can discover any magic on your own and develop it to the point where you can be considered a God."

"Even then, you can go even further beyond! This is because of your blessing; the divine blessing of boundless potential over magic."

Boundless potential...

Aerion nodded before asking another question out of curiosity.

"Who is he, in truth?"

"That is not something I am allowed to speak on, unfortunately. You will have to discover the truth from Him yourself. Still, I am allowed to say this one thing..."

"And that is?"

"He is closer to you than you might think."

What am I to make of that...?

Aerion wondered as the mystery behind the person who blessed him remained.

~

As the first day of 296 AC dawned upon the world, the remaining five Free Cities united against Prince Aerion Targaryen and forged an alliance in an effort to remove him once and for all. They denied his claim of Emperor as his blood was 'tainted by the west', especially Volantians who were especially proud of their Valyrian descent. The leaders of the Free Cities truly believed that Aerion could be overwhelmed and forced into a defeat through their combined efforts. If not, then they would all be coming down together... all except for Lys.

The magisters of Lys decided that they would rather not test the might of the Dragon Prince's magic as it seemed to grow with every passing day. Instead, they bowed in submission and even offered tributes for their new Emperor... which he reserved for later.

Aerion did not waste much time when it came to educating his relatives. Viserys became an exile at the age of seven while Daenerys had been an exile her whole life which meant that they both lacked greatly when it came to knowledge, especially Daenerys. Aerion made sure to hire the very best tutors and assist them himself at times, though he was more concerned of his own abilities at the moment. Stannis turned out to be a useful servant when it came to teaching, as well, so Aerion assigned him to Jocelyn as it was only fitting.

Aerion soon came to discover that Viserys' rare talent in stewardship. After realising this, he ensured that this talent would one day emerge in all its greatness as he made Viserys focus on it. Meanwhile, Daenerys seemed less talented due to her timidness. Since this was the case, it was more difficult for Aerion to find something that she could excel at which led to him providing a more generalised education. This would remain the case until he could discover what she was best at, of course.

After using up his magic vitality by practising magic, Aerion would always train his duelling skill through his Kingsguard who were all formidable duelists. He had taken note of the system's words and started to aim for a type of magic that could enhance his physical capabilities. More so, the sheer strength of his Undead Knights made him slightly envious. He was their Lord yet they were stronger than him physically... this was a matter that his pride simply would not accept.

Although he didn't discover any new type of magic, his physical attributes started to rise at a greater rate.

Instead of striking out against the rebellious magisters, Aerion remained at Pentos and let them come to him while he fortified the city and prepared his troops. Braavos and Lorath joined their navies into one truly formidable navy. On top of that, they spent a great deal of gold to increase the strength of this navy further. Meanwhile, Norvos and Qohor mobilised their armies to strike Pentos on land. Volantis raised its fleet to join with the navy from Braavos and Lorath as well, showing that the Volantians were taking no risks when it came to eliminating Aerion. All five of these Free Cities had planned to strike Pentos at the very same time, therefore overwhelming Aerion from both land and sea.

For once... they were all united against a common foe. This was not a common occurrence, to say the least.

~

The second moon of 296 AC, Pentos.

"The Dothraki... they've come!"

As Aerion was breaking his fast, a rather restless-looking Stallio Pahroran opened the doors to his hall. Viserys, Daenerys, Jocelyn and Aerion himself sat at this table which only had space for royalty. They were all peacefully breaking their fast and conversing before Stallio had entered the room.

Aerion found the thought of raising the deerling himself quite amusing as it made his Usurper and Tywin Lannister look terrible in the face of the smallfolk along with a great number of the nobles. Where Tywin's orders led to the brutal deaths of two royal children (an act which Robert did not disagree with in the slightest), Aerion took great care of Jocelyn Baratheon despite her being his prisoner. This simple act of kindness vilified both House Lannister and Baratheon while making the Rightful King look like the far greater man.

Along with that, he found himself welcoming her company more times than not. She was rather stubborn and sharp at times which he found rather amusing and refreshing. This was because it was a great contrast to his subjects who were usually no more than glorified yes-men (not all of them, of course). Moreover, she and Daenerys had been able to form a bond as they were ladies around the same age.

"Which Khal is it?"

"The fiercest of them all... my Dragon Prince, it is Khal Drogo himself."

Aerion smirked. "He has come asking for gifts?"

"Yes, he has."

Aerion finished off his water before standing up and reaching Stallio. He grabbed his shoulder and smiled. "Worry not, I will provide him with the gift he so desperately desires."

"And... that is?"

"My steel."

Stallio noticed the cold yet burning tone in Aerion's violet eyes as he turned towards the doors. He opened the door and ordered his Kingsguard who stood behind it.

"Jaime, prepare my sword and armour, and Ser Arthur... I want you to prepare the men on the walls in case something does happen. Ser Barristan and Ser Oswell, you two will stand beside my family."

"Understood, my prince."

"So... it has begun," Jaime muttered as he turned to retrieve Aerion's equipment.

He was unsure whether Aerion could defeat Khal Drogo in single combat or not without the use of magic. Meanwhile, there was nothing Khal Drogo could do in single combat against any one of his three undead knights. They would crush him with ease... but, then again, that was the craven's way out. Along with that, the victorious undead knight would be recognised as the Khal of the tribe (who could not even speak their tongue)... and not Aerion.

Within ten minutes, all that had to be prepared was prepared. It was in the middle of the morning as the vibrant sun had only dawned two hours ago. Ahead of the walls was a barren field with no grass in sight. Instead, there was only sand and a massive horde of mounted men. This massive horde of forty thousand could be seen till the very end of the horizon which was quite a frightening sight.

Although Aerion wasn't threatened by the great khalasar in the slightest, he still admired its strength. It was truly a magnificent sight worthy of praise, after all. For a single man to lead this many people, he had to be someone extraordinary... which Khal Drogo certainly was.

"He asks for gifts... and if we don't comply, he will loot the city," Illyrio stated.

"If I remember correctly, the gates are closed," Aerion replied. "The Dothraki are not known for their siege weapons either... how does he intend to loot the city"?

"Well, I presume that he will find a way inside."

Jaime chuckled. "Perhaps, he is a man capable of magic."

"Whatever the case may be, I will be taking that khalasar of his," Aerion stated before trying out his Dothraki tongue.

"Khal Drogo, this King challenges you to a duel to the death!"

Khal Drogo frowned as he did not expect the silver-haired prince to be capable of speaking his tongue. Then his frown disappeared as he started to laugh.

"A boy wants to fight me!"

The Dothraki around him all burst into a roar of laughter as they imagined their fierce and ruthless leader facing Aerion. That alone made Aerion's blood burn... his violet gaze continued to stare down on the Khal.

"Do you fear me, Khal Drogo?"

Aerion taunted so that the Khal would take him more seriously.

"The Khal does not fight weak men." Qotho, one of Drogo's bloodriders, spat onto the ground.

"Do you?" Aerion wondered. "If I can't kill a naked barbarian like you, then your Khal can take everything he wants in this city and more."

"He is stubborn like my horse." Khal Drogo smiled. "Go, Qotho, kill the silver-haired boy."

Qotho nodded and dismounted from his horse. He prepared his arakh for a duel against Aerion.

Meanwhile, Aerion descended the steps and ordered the gates to be opened. Behind the gates stood a massive phalanx formation of Aerion's greater undead which was devastating to the Dothraki screamers. If the unsullied could repel the Dothraki, then the greater undead would simply destroy them.

Aerion walked through his greater undead, who made space for him before drawing his sword against Qotho. The Dragon Prince was also accompanied by ten Soul Knights in case matters went south. Another ten Soul Knight archers stood on the walls, ready to rain down a frightening barrage of flaming arrows. Aerion knew how devastating his Soul Knights could be... especially when armed with the fire bows which they, themselves, create.

"You look stronger on the ground," Qotho observed Aerion's rather strong physique.

"And you look weaker."

Without a horse, a dothraki was far less formidable, after all. Aerion wore any slashing weapon's worst nightmare on this occasion... a full set of plate armour. It was of the greatest quality he could get his hands on and rather light. In fact, it was lighter than most mail armour which was precisely why he chose the magnificent set of plate armour. Since the Dothraki mainly used arakhs for melee combat, a slashing weapon, Aerion gained a massive advantage from the very beginning.

Qotho started to feel Aerion's frightening aura which made him uneasy.

"Fight." Khal Drogo commanded.

Qotho hesitated forwards while Aerion paced towards him with his sword pointing towards the dothraki's chest.

"Haa!"

Qotho was first to strike.

Aerion deflected his slash to the side before moving his sword at a devastating speed towards the dothraki's neck.

Slash...

The dothraki dropped to the floor after a kick from Aerion, grasping his neck which was raining blood onto the sand before dying completely.

Qotho had been defeated within a single exchange...

Khal Drogo's riders looked at each other in shock, in disbelief. Did one of the fiercest men in the khalasar just die without even putting up a fight? Almost immediately, the riders started to respect Aerion's ability as a warrior. Even though most of them thought that Qotho was too arrogant, the duel would not have been so short unless Aerion was truly a lethal warrior worthy of facing Khal Drogo.

Khal Drogo looked at Aerion with surprise, yet fury at the same time. The two exchanged stares before the Khal spoke.

"Only a true warrior can kill the blood of my blood."

He dismounted from his horse and drew his arakh. The sudden death of one of his bloodriders angered him, an already fierce warrior, greatly. Still, Aerion had certainly gained his respect as a warrior.

Aerion prepared to face Khal Drogo, who did the very same. However, before the battle had begun, Khal Drogo began to speak.