Temporary Alliance
As Helia observed the control of the undead within the city of Oros, she realised that her assistance wasn't necessary. This was a result of Aerion leaving behind a rather sophisticated chain of orders which ensured the survival of those around him even if he wasn't conscious. In this circumstance, the undead were to eliminate all of the dragons and storm the city. If overwhelmed, they would retreat away from the city and prioritise the lives of the living until their Lord awakened.
Helia decided to help with the destruction of the living dragons and the conquest of the city instead of retreating. Although fatigued from her battle with Aerion, she still had enough magic vitality to deal a thunderous blow to the city.
Suddenly, dozens of flaming arrows exploded towards the dragons in the sky. The greater undead dragons rose and ascended into the skies to strike down the living dragons. A long dance of dragons and Soul Knights ensued, leading to the partial destruction of Oros as fire fell from the sky. The dragonlords below drew their swords of valyrian steel and managed to strike down a few Soul Knights before suffering intense flames. The deadliest and largest of the valyrian dragons present managed to burn down one greater undead dragon before being pierced by a thunderous bolt of lightning from Helia.
Following that, the rest of the opposing dragons were also struck down by lightning. The only opposition that remained after that was the city watch... needless to say, they were slaughtered within ten minutes.
~
After some time, Aerion had returned to the void of light.
"You have officially ascended to the rank of Grandmaster." The system announced. "With that, your Necromancy, Aeromancy and Pyromancy have all followed suit and ascended to Grandmaster as well. As you know, most destructive Master skills scale around a hundred men while a Grandmaster skill is capable in the tens of thousands at the least. In addition, the most powerful of Grandmasters can crush the largest of cities with a single destructive spell."
"As such, your magic vitality growth will accelerate greatly and rise to the hundreds in good time. I shall present your current status now."
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[Status]
Prince Aerion Targaryen
Date of Birth: 280 AC, the fall of the second moon.
Age: 16 (and 4 moons)
Titles: The Rightful King, the Dragon of the Sea, Emperor Of New Valyria, Silver Khal, the Stormcaller, Dragon of the East
Traits: Handsome, Genius, Strong, Tall, Patient, Diligent, Proud, Ambitious, Ruthless, Brave, Confident.
Personal Manpower (Valyria): 377; Sixty-three Soul Knights, three hundred flaming skeletons, seven dragons (greater undead), five other greater undead, one Kingsguard and Viserys.
Personal Navy: None
Gold: About 10,000 gold dragons (if converted)
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[Physical Attributes]
[+ Means that you are close to your (natural) physical peak.]
Strength: 89+ (+1)
Endurance: 99+
Dexterity: 94+
Charisma: 98
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Magic vitality: 56 (+1)
[Magic grades and skills]
Pyromancy: Balanced Grandmaster Of Pyromancy ☆☆☆☆
-Skills: Fire Control (0+), Fireblast (0.3), Greater Fireblast (4), Rain of Fire (8), Collapsing Dragon (30)
Hydromancy: Efficient Adept Hydromancer ☆☆
-Skills: Water Control (0+), Water (0.5), Tidal Wave (10)
Aeromancy: Powerful Grandmaster Of Aeromancy ☆☆☆☆
-Skills: Air Control (0+), Wind gust (0.75), Mighty Roar (2), Tornado (5), Earth-Devastating Tornado (20)
Necromancy: Balanced Grandmaster Of Necromancy ☆☆☆☆
-Skills:
Novice: Control undead (0), Revive Dead (0.3), Soul Steal (0.3)
Adept: Greater Revive Dead (4)
Master: Soul Summon (8 + 0.3), Complete Rebirth (80 corpses, Soul, Greater Revive)
Grandmaster: Alternative Complete Rebirth (20), Blessing Of The Lord (50 + ???), Supreme Soul Summon (100)
Light Magic: Powerful Light Adept ☆☆
-Skills: Novice Heal (1), Adept Heal (4)
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[Overall skill grades]
Magic: Grandmaster Mage ☆☆☆☆
Duelling skill: Mythical Warrior ☆☆☆☆
Martial: Skilled Tactician ☆☆☆
Diplomacy: Grey Eminence ☆☆☆☆
Stewardship: Fortune Builder ☆☆☆
Intrigue: Intricate Webweaver ☆☆☆
Learning: Dutiful Clerk ☆☆
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As Aerion observed his status, several questions did come to mind. One harmless thing to note was that Necromancy seemed to have taken a more organised approach due to the large number of abilities attached to it. The three magics which had ascended to Grandmaster all featured an increase in efficiency depending on the class. This was wonderful to see since he had encountered the issue of running out of vitality quite a few times... especially when placed in a difficult situation.
More importantly, he had gained 4 entirely new magic skills; Collapsing Dragon, Alternative Complete Rebirth, Blessing Of The Lord and Supreme Soul Summon.
"I have an idea of what the Collapsing Dragon and Alternative Complete Rebirth might be... but what of the other two?"
"The Alternative Complete Rebirth is a less complicated version of the Complete Rebirth. Instead of using corpses, Alternative Complete Rebirth uses a greater amount of magic vitality to create a Soul Knight." The system explained despite Aerion's wishes as it knew exactly what he needed to know.
"Now, the Blessing Of The Lord requires a large amount of magic vitality and a special item to cast. This item can occasionally be attained at the end of trial grounds, both minor and large. The result of this spell is an even greater 'Soul Knight' who is capable of resurrecting its own undead and using Pyromancy to a far greater degree than an ordinary 'Soul Knight'. They can also train their magic and grow even stronger, much like yourself."
"It's like having another mage under me," Aerion remarked. "With far greater physical capabilities, might I add."
"That is correct."
"Now what about the Supreme Soul Summon?"
"The Supreme Soul Summon... now that is quite the ability." The system admitted.
"At the cost of a hundred magic vitality, you may drag a soul from the afterlife and attach it to yourself."
Aerion's violet eyes widened in surprise. "Any soul?"
"Yes... any soul. Be it a dragon, a lord of the past, a glorious king or the cat from your childhood. There is another requirement, however, and that is that you must give away a soul or multiply souls of equal value to the one you wish to drag away."
"I already have an idea of several people who should be added to my army." Aerion chuckled.
"Isn't that wonderful? Though, I should remind you that you need a hundred vitality to even cast this spell."
"You did say that my magic vitality growth will accelerate greatly, did you not? It should be quite simple in that case."
"I suppose you are correct." The system agreed. "Knowing your persistence, it shouldn't take too long."
~
As Aerion's violet eyes slowly opened, he was shaken awake by the sound from some silver-haired loud mouth.
"You're finally awake!" Viserys cheerfully stood up from his chair.
"Viserys..." Aerion cleared his eyes. "Where are we? How long has it been... and where did that mage go?"
"We are still in the city of Oros, roughly two days after you fell. As for the witch, she is... meditating atop one of the towers. Is it something that you do as well?"
It seems that my plan of occupying Oros was a success, even without me. Necromancy is truly a great asset... perhaps even my greatest.
"No, I don't." Aerion began to ponder. "I suppose she has greater knowledge over magic than I do... but why is she still here?"
"Well... I bargained with her." Viserys admitted. "For our greater good, of course."
Aerion frowned. "What was the bargain, exactly?"
"Her protection until you awakened in exchange for the Tome of... Hematomancy? And sh-"
"The Tome of Hematomancy!?" Aerion laughed. "There is no way in Seven Hells I'm giving up something so valuable for 'protection'!"
"Without her, we would have had to retreat from the city," Viserys replied. "Which would have made matters less convenient-"
"And what did you swear this trade on... if anything?" Aerion looked directly at Viserys.
"The... honour of House Targaryen."
Aerion sighed. "The honour of House Targaryen as a whole isn't yours to swear upon in the very first place. If you had forgotten, I am the head of House Targaryen!"
"Forgive me... I did what I thought was right..."
Aerion stood up from his bed, in the same clothes he had worn since he was unconscious, and felt slight regret as he watched Viserys' cheerful expression turn sorrowful.
"You did something that was wrong... and yet right at the same time." Aerion grabbed Viserys' shoulder and smiled in a cheerful manner. "Since you cannot swear upon the honour of House Targaryen as a whole, the entire bargain falls flat and means very little in the end."
"It does?"
"Indeed." Aerion nodded. "And I do greatly appreciate your concern for our survival along with your initiative to make a bargain, although it was a slight bit unnecessary."
"Then what of the witch?"
"I am unable to harm her directly due to a contract we made before. On the other hand, she is unable to harm me and my subjects. Therefore, someone like yourself can attempt to kill her while she would not be able to defend herself effectively."
At least, it should be that way.
Viserys shook his head. "Even if I would like to, she is far too skilled."
"Even I can be killed by a knife while asleep," Aerion replied. "Though, there is a chance that she can kill you in self-defence... depending on how this contract works."
"Since you cannot harm each other, wouldn't it be better to work as allies?" Viserys advised. "She is much like yourself in terms of strength which can be a valuable asset in the following trials we may encounter."
"You would, of course, have to put away your grudge to do that. But killing her is a waste, wouldn't you agree?"
"That is not a bad piece of advice, Viserys." Aerion smiled as he was seeing Viserys grow before his eyes. Although he didn't particularly like her, he was able to put his differences aside for the greater good. "Indeed, she might have her uses."
"Can you lead me to her?"
Viserys nodded and turned to the door. "Right this way..."
"So your finally awake." The doors to Aerion's temporary chamber opened, revealing Helia herself. "I was beginning to get impatient."
Fire bla-
As Aerion thought of attacking her, his entire body froze. It seemed as if crimson chains of blood had bound him from doing so. These chains were strong... as strong as the combined strength of both mages, as a matter of fact.
I see... this is not something that I can break alone.
"I feel slightly appalled that you would attempt to strike me so soon." Helia made a false expression of sorrow. "Didn't your uncle say that you 'value those that assist you in a time of need'? Should I take him for a liar... or you as a deceitful person?"
"I do not consider the previous circumstance as a 'time of need'," Aerion replied. "You changed very little, in truth. I would have survived without your protection."
"What of our deal?" Helia turned to Viserys. "Does this mean-"
"He swore on something that only I could swear upon." Aerion interrupted.
"He swore on the honour of your House on your behalf, either way." Helia shrugged. "Does your uncle's word mean so little to you?"
"It's quite the opposite." Aerion smiled. "Because of his advice, I'm willing to alter the bargain and turn it into a temporary alliance between us."