All You Need Is Guts Chapter 5 (ASOIAF x Berserk) (Patreon)

It was strange to have only one eye again, the more time passed the more he looked like his old self, already his body was being covered in scars both from cutting and fire, his hair had a white streak and he had almost lost one of his arms. Was this fate? To look as he once did all so he could always have that strength that moved him forward or was this a curse to make sure that he never forgot the nightmares he once lived?

As he walked further into the territory of the beast that had come looking for a challenge Baelon became more thoughtful, already things were changing rapidly, he had a father! A father who loved him, a father who didn’t want to see him hurt, a father that wouldn’t sell Baelon’s body to anyone else. His childhood dream from another life had been fulfilled, Baelon had sworn to live this life as his mother would like but that didn’t mean that he couldn’t take satisfaction in having what once he desired above all things.

A distant roar took his attention, and Baelon took his new dragonslayer from his back without hesitation. The sword was still damaged but he refused to use any other sword other than it, not that any other sword would help him in fighting against a dragon.

A giant shadow passed overhead before going back in the direction Daemon had pointed as the Cannibal’s lair. Was the dragon showing him the way? His uncle and father both thought that dragons were smarter than other beasts, his fight on the castle certainly made it seem like the Cannibal had some cunning as it proved a far more dangerous foe than the other unnamed dragon Baelon had faced.

In the end, such things didn’t matter, what was important now was climbing the mountain, so Baleon continued his trek, the higher he went the more bones he saw. Some were small and man-like, and others definitely belonged to dragons since he doubted there was another type of winged monster in the world, shells of broken eggs also dotted the place.

Finally, he saw the entrance of a cave hidden by rocks and shadow, the cave was built deep into the mountain and probably ran deep perhaps it came close to some magma deposit as from what he heard when he lived in the village dragons enjoyed the heat. There was a familiar smell in the air wafting from the lair of the Cannibal, it was the scent of death and just like that he knew that he was in the right place.

Bones littered the cave floor, they were painted in dry blood and appeared almost like they were made of bronze. Baelon kicked one of the bones expecting it to break and was surprised when it didn’t, he kept on walking into the dark without anything to light the path, if it came to a fight then he would be announcing his position and despite what the king said he wasn’t so sure that the dragon wanted a rider.

Baelon discovered what produced such a strong smell, it was the rotting carcass of the dragon he killed. Charred in some places and with its stomach rotting on the floor the dragon was still impressive, morbidly he wondered what he would see if he opened up what was left of its stomach. Would he see the lower half of his mother or perhaps one of her arms? Baelon had only recovered half of her upper body but at least he managed to put that to rest properly and he recovered her most prized possessions.

Without thinking his hand moved to the place where the pendant rested, non-descript pocked on the side of his pants, it was comforting to have it with him as his mother refused to let go of it even in death and that meant that part of her spirit would always be with it and by extension with Baelon.

Moving further down signs of light started to appear and just like he had suspected there was a river of magma running through the deepest part of the cave. Resting right beside the lava stream was the Cannibal who turned in Baelon’s direction immediately. The massive head of the dragon was also covered in blood and the cause of that was standing just a few meters away, Baelon had his weapon in hand but the dragon didn’t seem worried then again it could breathe fire and inside the cave there was hardly any place to hide from the flames.

Baelon put the sword on his back as he advanced toward the dragon as he did the Cannibal decided that there would be no fighting today, the dragon’s head went back to staring at the lave leaving his back open to a possible attack. Despite considering it Baleon decided that he wouldn’t do so, the heat from the lava started to make itself present along with smoke that made it difficult to breathe but as Guts he had faced worse conditions.

He sat beside the massive bulk of the dragon and stared at the lava alongside him, Baelon would let the dragon decide when he wanted to leave this stinking place behind and some rest wouldn’t be amiss after climbing the mountain, he put his back against the scales of the Cannibal and despite some rumbling and growling from the dragon it seemed like the Cannibal approved of Baleon’s fearlessness.

In some twisted way, both dragon and man were alike, survivors, killers, and monsters.

When they emerged from the cave, they would be something else entirely.

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Rhaenrya

It saddened the princess that her uncle had been ordered to stay on Dragonstone until her half-brother tamed the Cannibal but at least she would be present for the announcement of her father’s bastard, not that she would say it to his face or anywhere her father could hear, it was what he was but her father didn’t like to hear it so she wouldn’t say it.

Her uncle had told her to be wary of Otto’s moves, Daemons said that after this he would try to make things even harder on her, perhaps try to make her hostile to Baelon by saying that he should be heir or some other nonsense. Daemon advised her to choose someone she liked and present her to Baelon to see if she liked it.

The Cannibal would surely prove as a deterrent against her detractors as the dragon closest in size to Vhagar, many would say that Meleys was bigger but Rhaenrya knew that it wasn’t so she only looked bigger because of her wings, her brother was also one of the best if not the best swordsman in the world, already his legend was being spread around, rumors were surely making their way to the other kingdoms about a man who wielded the largest sword ever forged to slay a dragon, a peasant that turned out to be the king’s son.

The story would surely move the hearts of the people and it would be a great boon to her cause that such a man was in her service. If only Rhaenrya could do as her ancestor Ageon and marry herself to two people. She could easily imagine herself between her half-brother and her uncle. Her cheeks colored at the thought and she had to wave some air to her face. Her uncle had a reputation as a seeker of pleasure, and if her half-brother was as big as he looked then she would certainly enjoy herself, skill against size, Rhaenrya would have to do ‘battle’ many times to see what was best.

Syrax roared as they started to descend and she realized that her fantasies had taken too much of her attention, Rhaenrya hadn’t even noticed that they had arrived back at the Red Keep. Her dragon gracefully landed in the courtyard and the dragon keepers quickly moved her into the dragon pit. Ser Criston didn’t take long in arriving either and she quickly grabbed his arm before leading him back into the castle.

“You wouldn’t believe what happened on Dragonstone!” Rhaenrya made sure to be as loud as possible as she talked, she wanted everyone in the castle to know that soon there would be another member of the Targaryen family with a dragon.

“It must have been something good if you’re in such a good mood princess. There was much speculation and panic when the King and the small council rushed over to Dragonstone and I was worried about you since you ignored everyone after you first returned from Dragonstone, the news of a dragon attack on the castle was also widely spread”

“The first time I returned I was very emotional, the dragon that attacked the village had been killed but not by another dragon but by a man! I discovered there that he was my father’s natural-born son, can you imagine it Ser Criston? I barely could and I saw the corpse of the dragon and the blade embedded in its skull!”

Her protector stopped suddenly, along with all the noise that the servants had been making as they worked. Rhaenrya was tempted to clap just to see how far the sound of her clapping would go in the silence that surrounded her.

“The king has a bastard? And he killed a dragon?!” the incredulous tone on Ser Criston’s voice didn’t alarm her but the sudden anger he had as he said bastard was worrying.

“Technically he isn’t a bastard, he had Baelon before me and before he was married. He is the first-born sonof the king and I will remind you that you can only have a bastard if you’re married” the pleasure that Rhaenrya had at saying the words was almost too much, she couldn’t wait to directly say it to Allicent’s face.

“If he killed the dragon then what beast attacked the castle?”

“It was the Cannibal, he apparently was impressed by Baelon and went to challenge him directly. My father also summoned Daemon and has rescinded his exile and my uncle took Baelon to the Cannibal so he could properly claim him as his mount, soon there will be another Targaryen dragon rider in the world!”

Ser Criston was as shocked as the first time and while amusing it was also annoying as she couldn’t talk if he didn’t ask questions. Rhaenrya continued to drag him along, she would make sure to take the long way to her room, it would give Ser Criston enough time to ask more questions, and this way she could make sure everyone heard the news.

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Daemon

His nephew was taking a while in coming back so Daemon decided to return to the castle, his brother wasn’t happy to see him returning alone but once he told him that Baelon was simply spending time with his dragon Viserys calmed down.

Now they were discussing the support he would receive in the Stepstones, despite having conquered the dammed isles and having control of most of the sea routes there was still resistance in some of the islands.

“I need men to patrol some of the more problematic places or a piece of the royal fleet, just enough to make sure that no pirate escapes their just reckoning and if you could send a polite letter to the Triarchy so they fuck off from my lands that would also help”

“You still have a way with words Daemon” Viserys smiled at him indulgently like when they were children and Daemon ran around trying to make sure Viserys would teach him how to fight, his brother finally caved to Daemon’s demands, and from then on until Daemon properly could train in the yard Viserys ‘fought’ with him with a toy wooden sword.

Daemon still had those swords, sometimes when he was frustrated and the company of a woman wasn’t available he would stare at them and reminisce about happier times.

“Perhaps prince Daemon has forgotten that we can’t act so directly against the Triarchy” Otto looked as horrible as ever and the grasping shit still looked pissed whenever he had to say Daemon’s proper title which reminded the ruler of the Stepstones about a change in that everybody had forgotten.

“It’s King Otto, I’m the king of the Stepstones. Aren’t you lucky? It’s not every day that one shares a drink with two kings” Daemon raised his cup in the direction of the Hand of the king and delighted himself with the fury in the Hightower’s eyes.

“He is right Otto, by right of conquest my brother is king and as his older brother I will make sure to help him with his realm. Send a message to the Trairchy and another one to Braavos, I have an idea”

“That’s a bold move brother, I like it”

“Despite what the Triarchy or Volantis thinks the major powers in the sea are us and having an alliance will make that a permanent status”

Otto could do nothing but bow to his king and it took Daemon every ounce of willpower not to laugh in his face.