chapter 44
The Cannibal, feeling challenged by the human staring at him. Spewed more emerald flames that started to dance around Willaim. As if it wanted to play with its food.
But what confused the dragon next, is what the human said.
"Aōha perzyssy gaomagon daor sȳngagon issa, cannibal. (Your flames do not frighten me, Cannibal.)" William declared in Valyrian, which he had learned the language with the help of Rhaenyra weeks ago before they were married. When he was just acting as an advisor.
Cannibal, The Wild, the legend itself embodied in this cavernous monstrosity. Countless stories swirled around his name, a tapestry woven with threads of history and myth. Some spoke of him as a steward of Dragonstone, predating even the Targaryens, while others whispered of his role as a population control agent during Valyria's prime.
Yet, to William, Cannibal was nothing but a slumbering coward, emerging only to feast on his brethren before retreating to his lair once more.
Hearing that the dragon screeched, the sound reverberating through the cavern walls. Its eyes, once filled with a predatory glint, now held a flicker of curiosity. It was as though the beast recognized the audacity in William's words, the boldness of a mortal challenging an ancient and formidable creature.
As William closed the distance between them, the stench of molten flesh and scorched earth grew stronger. Some of the flames, started to burn William but he just kept on getting closer and closer.
After a few more steps, William decided this was a good distance to stop, as getting any closer would undoubtedly result in him being burned alive. Then he spoke again, his words vibrating in the cave.
"Cannibal, ao emagon ēdrutan isse darkness syt eons, nykeā creature hen zūgagon se legend. Yn tubī, nyke jiōragon ao nykeā arlie path. Nykeā partnership bona transcends se confines hen aōha cave. Join issa, se hēnkirī īlon shall reshape se destiny zaldrīzoti." (Cannibal, you have slept in darkness for eons, you are a creature of fear and legend. But today, I offer you a new path. A partnership that transcends the confines of your cave. Join me, and together we shall reshape the destiny of dragons.)
Cannibal's maw remained agape, its fangs gleaming in the dim light. But William could sense a shift in its demeanor, a hesitancy born from the unexpected. It was a wild thing, unaccustomed to defiance. Yet, it was not beyond reason.
"Aōha uēpa power se kustikāne kostagon sagon harnessed syt nykeā greater purpose." (Your ancient power and strength can be harnessed for a greater purpose.) William continued, "Rūsīr issa guidance, ao kostagon sīmonagon hen se shadows se reclaim aōha dīnagon isse nykeā vys bona emagon bōsa forgotten aōha brōzi." (With my guidance, you can rise from the shadows and reclaim your place in a world that has long forgotten your name.)
The dragon's eyes held a glimmer of consideration, a spark of possibility. It was a gamble, a bet on the belief that even the most fearsome of beasts could be swayed by the allure of change and purpose. The fires that raged within the cave seemed to dim.
And then, slowly, almost imperceptibly, Cannibal's massive head lowered —a gesture of acceptance, of willingness to explore a new path. The cave that rumbled, had calmed downed and an alliance formed in the heart of darkness.
Seeing this, William smiled. It seemed he was not destined to die today. Step by step, Willaim came closer to The Cannibal, extending a hand to touch the dragon's rough scales. With this, the destiny of dragons was about to be rewritten.