Chapter 19: Chapter 19: Perseverance.
< Viserys POV >
"NOOOO!! AHHH." I jerked out of bed. Cold sweat covered my body.
I look around in fear, only to slowly calm down and breathe a sigh of relief. My head still gives me fragmented nightmares. All I could remember was looking at those red eyes...
'How dare he wake the dragon' I felt anger,
'He was meant to obey my will, yet he actually did this to me!' but soon, my confidence wavered.
'What did he even do?...' I was scared of the unknown.
I roll off the soft mattress that I feel nostalgic for. Before I was on the run, I had the best of the best, but now I'm forced to become a rat in the gutters, only running and hiding.
I really took in all the furniture. Within a couple of moments, a group of maids walked in, checking in on me after I screamed.
Then offered to help change my clothes. I looked at some of these maids' voluptuous breasts and felt my heartbeat quicken. I nodded and was taken for a bath.
'Yes... my good Targaryen loyalist has treated me well,' I feel contented. 'No more shabby life, and this luxury... ' The feeling of soft flesh touching me made me feel like I was in heaven.
I felt my stomach growl, and a sense of shame welled in me, but then I remembered I no longer had to eat stale bread. Looking up at the maids surrounding me
"I am hungry. Show me where we eat and bring me the best food," I demanded.
'This is how a King should be treated.' I can only imagine a grand future.
As I was led to the dining hall, the first person I noticed with his back turned to me was Illyrio. He was reading some letters while eating his breakfast.
A maester stood beside him holding parchments, which he kept taking and replacing whenever Illyrio finished reading.
I then saw my sister Dany.
She was surrounded by two other girls who looked around her age, probably only a few name-days older. They were talking and laughing together, but Dany, in the middle, looked Dazed.
She looked back and forth from her food and towards the most hostile person I felt now. Even more than that, Usurpor. This guy dared strike at me. I would not let this go.
Thinking that I am now inside my own territory, I immediately said
"Control him and bring him to my room later for me to punish him myself," I said, even feeling my head raise. 'This is what happens when you defy a real dragon.'
I waited. But no one did anything. Everyone looked at me with different reactions.
Illyrio ignored me.
'Why would he?' I was confused
Dany looked at me with sadness
'Why would she?' I was defending the reputation of the dragon.
Daemon looked at me with amusement.
I gritted my teeth at his hateful face. How can the noble Targaryen blood be tarnished by black hair and red- wait, why are his eyes black now?' I felt a lot of anger well up when I looked at Daemon, and I looked at his eyes only to see that it was black.
I rubbed my eyes.
Could I have believed wrong? Was it just a nightmare of what happened last night? But it felt too real.
Only shortly later did my thoughts on this disappear. I didn't want to care or think of it. I just wanted to know if he would obey me now.
"I was just joking, Brother. I heard you are strong at fighting. How about we fight?" He is just six years old. If I can't even beat a little kid, then I might as well die.
My words once again gave various expressions around.
Illyrio finally looked up at me, not in confidence, but with a look of pity. Dany looked at me now with a hint of worry, but I wasn't sure if it was towards me or Daemon. Daemon didn't even look at me. He was just eating his meal.
'Why does he still ignore me' I felt a pent-up rage, and I instinctively went to slap my sister, but since there was only a playmate next to her, I hit the playmate.
Silence rang out after the hit.
I looked up with a haughty expression, I felt relieved, but I was met with Daemon's dark black eyes, they felt like they were sucking me in, and I started to feel fear again.
His eyes slowly moved away from me, and he just stared at Illyrio.
I could see Illyrio's face showing contemplation, and finally, I heard him say.
"Visery's, let's go back to the room and talk. I need to start teaching you about this world more and understanding better to become a better king," Hearing his words.
"I haven't eaten yet," I responded, hungry.
"We can bring the food to your chambers. Let's talk about it there." I saw Illyrio stand up. Then, followed by a butler and some guards, he made his way from where I came.
I grumbled off the chair. Without looking at the girl, I had slapped. I grab Dany with all my strength, my grip visibly leaving a painful expression on her. I felt satisfied. "Let's go"
But soon, I felt immense betrayal.
"Daemon, help me, please. I don't want to go with him." She started to cry, but she actually dared to speak up for help from that ungrateful brat. However, soon, I felt amused. I wanted to see if this brat would do anything.
"Daenarys, you still disappoint me. You shouldn't ask others for help. You should seek that answer yourself. Rely too much on other people, and when they are gone, you are nothing. But create your own strength, and they will respect and fear you. If you want to break this cycle of oppression on you, you must fight back, or you will never be able to escape."
'That's it?... just fancy words? I knew he wasn't anything special.' Bored, I dragged Dany, who seemed again stunned by Daemon's words but didn't resist being pulled.
Moving towards my room with Dany, I felt her trying to break free, and I let go.
"You actually wanted his help? You bitch" I slap her hard on the face. Seeing her clearly visible red mark, my lips quivered. But soon, I shake my head and walk towards my room, leaving Dany alone. I was gonna become a true king with Illyrio's help.
'I wonder if he can help me think of some ways to deal with Daemon.' Jealousy and anger were the only feelings left inside me toward him... I wanted to make him suffer.
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< Daenarys POV >
Everything felt like a distant memory, fragmented and incomplete. As I walked dazed, with a new slap mark on my face, towards the woods behind this estate, I started to think of what had happened when we first arrived here.
When I first heard about a new sibling, I was really excited. Family means everything to me in this small, cold world.
When that man came to pick us up yesterday and talked about it, I felt strong. I wanted to meet this new sibling.
I remember being at the estate of my new brother, Daemon Targaryen. I remember the conversation that had taken place and our first encounter.
"Daenary's," I wanted to tell him my name had more, and I wanted to feel any slight connection.
He looked at me, and I felt happy. But soon, it would be cut short.
When I touch my face, a still-stinging sensation comes over me, almost the same slap from yesterday and today intertwining.
Thinking of those Red Eyes I saw in that forest and then Viserys falling down, I was initially scared. I thought we might die, but sadly, I didn't feel too much sadness at that thought.
My life was filled with tragedy, and death would be sooner than later.
I wanted to shake my brother awake, but once again, it was the same slap.
I felt a tear burn in my eyes. Am I such an unlovable person? Is this meant to be my life?
"Will you forever live in his shadow, or do you want to be stronger and live for yourself?" I felt a sharp blade pierce into my heart. My new brother didn't hit me, but he hurt me more. I didn't want to live like this, but I couldn't do anything.
'of course, I want to be stronger and live for myself, but I can't. He overwhelms me. He is stronger than me, and I can't fight back. If I do, I will only get a bigger backlash. I am scared.'
"Weakness Disgusts Me" These words with an expression I couldn't explain, not that I could see clearly with my eyes watering, but I felt overwhelmed. He is disgusted by me. What can I do? My tears fell, I couldn't stop it.
I heard my brother say, "You bastard, how dare you pick on my sister? You just awakened the sleeping dragon!" But I didn't care about his tone.
'Does he still care for me' I could only hope.
Then those same Red Eyes looked at us. Looked at my brother again, making him scream and tremble, then fall down. My only thought was that he was gonna kill us, but surprisingly, I didn't feel anything.
I looked up subconsciously and saw my world spinning. Those scary red eyes were so beautiful at that moment. 'Mom, I can finally see you again,' I smiled peacefully.
Then I woke up.
Getting up, I was greeted by two new girls, just older than myself. They wanted to be my friends, and I felt happy finally to have some.
We spent the time getting to know each other as they helped me get dressed.
Then we went to eat breakfast, and I saw Daemon already sitting and eating. He seemed in his own world, and I felt like I couldn't keep my eyes off of him. He was my new family.
I could only control myself from trembling when I saw Viserys step into the room.
This bright picture would turn gloomy whenever he was here, but he was my brother, and I still cared for him.
My thoughts stop here. Thinking anymore would just bring me a painful feeling since all that's next is the proof on my face.
I gradually came to but realized I was lost. I had aimlessly wandered in this forest and needed help figuring out where to go.
I felt scared until I heard some noises in the distance.
Since this is still the landowner's private land, I moved toward it to find help. As I moved the bushes from my face, I saw Daemon. He was in an open space and making several moves and attacks that were visually pleasing.
Watching his footwork and training ignited a small fire in me, his words etched into me, and his disgust for me pushed me to drive a force I didn't think I had.
I tried to mimic what he was doing and could only last a bit before feeling exhausted. Tears welled up in my eyes once again.
"Weakness Disgusts Me," those words would replay. I didn't want to be disliked or hated by my new family. I wanted to prove myself. He also didn't hit me or hurt me. My eyes couldn't stop flowing water.
I just want a normal life.
I just wanted to be loved, but my brother Viserys stopped doing that recently. He used to tuck me in and say how much he loved and would protect me.
Now...
He vented and released his anger on me all the time, but I got numb to it. I didn't want to lose him, but now these words made me know I couldn't let it happen.
The more I thought of this, the more sad and angry I felt.
Soon, my world, surrounded by trees and forests, turned into a dark, never-ending tunnel. I could only walk around clueless, feeling sadder and sadder, negative emotions flaring inside me. I wanted to stop moving, but then I saw it.
I saw a light at the end of the dark tunnel, and standing in front of it was my brother Daemon, his cold, resolute look but with care in his eyes.
My eyes were blurred from tears and exhaustion.
I reached out to grab him, but my hand stopped just before feeling a grabbing sensation behind me, and I saw Viserys. He looked so evil.
'You cannot leave me! You have awoken the dragon.' His voice resounding in my ears
I tried to push forward, but I couldn't. My hand instinctively reached for that hand again, but this time, it connected.
I felt my world go from gray and gloomy to the vibrant forest we were in. Before I noticed I was being carried back to the estate, Daemon was holding me.
"Congratulations, you finally found your real self." I still felt happy to hear him talk to me like this, even if it felt cold and distant.
"But it's not enough. If you can prove to me your resolve, I will help break your fate. If you can't, I will never contact you again. Think of this tonight," he continued.
I could only hum softly in response.
Before I knew it, I was put in bed and watched Daemon ring a bell. The sound brought my playmates inside. Watching Daemon point at me, the playmates instantly understood and nodded. I watched as Daemon left, but I still whispered.
"Thank you."
I saw Daemon stop moving for a short moment and then continue walking out. I slowly let out a light chuckle. My smile was very pure, not having to please my other brother, Viserys. If I could just live in this moment forever, I wished I could.
The next few days, I would sneakily watch Daemon practice and work, attempting to copy it until I was exhausted.
I thought he would help me back like he did the first time, but reality struck me.
I had to stay outside in the dark all night alone until I could move back to the estate.
I wanted to give up, but I knew that if I did, I would lose this new member of my family, so I persevered. This sense of adventure and freedom awakened something in me, and I felt I could keep going...until today.
"You are not suitable for what I do. Your physique is too weak, but a physique is the foundation of everything. I will train you properly." I felt my burning enthusiasm get snuffed out. My world became gray, but then it brightened again when I heard him finish.
'Physique is foundation.' I looked at my body. I was starting to build some chub from all the excellent food I had been eating recently, and I felt very embarrassed.
Then, I couldn't help but look forward to training myself with Daemon.
We can bond through this, too.
This is what a real family should be like.
"You are more suitable for Water Dancing. I will send you a book to read about it. However, It is up to you, but if you are gonna get stronger, you should also think of a real goal and reason behind it. That way, you won't lose your original intention no matter how hard it gets."
'Water Dancing?' This word was new to me, but I wouldn't disregard it since Daemon can tell me it's good, so it should be good.
I am trying to understand what he means by goal, but this was an opportunity for me.
"I will find you a proper teacher if you can keep this perseverance up. When I deem your physical level perfect, I will bring one." He looked at me with strong authority.
I could only nod to him and follow his ideas. I would do my best to train and follow what he asked me to do as long as he didn't hit or leave me.
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< Madara POV >
I was surprised by Daenarys. What I know of children in this world is way different from my old one. The experiences she had gone through changed her and made her mature early.
'Something I must change for world peace.'
I noticed her watching me as I trained, and then she would also attempt it. What I was doing were the more advanced fundamentals, but she hadn't even started the basics.
So, of course, mimicking mine would only lead her to extreme exhaustion and an improper balance.
But she could still come out and do it just far enough from me.
Over time, some days, I felt her persistence, and finally, I decided to help her train in a different way. She will be in my life for a lot longer, as I am not yet ready to leave. So I must think of a plan for Visery's.
I offered to help retrain her physique so she would be ready for water dancing.
That is what I chose for her fighting style.
Water dancing was a unique style that was swift, sudden, and focused on piercing. If I trained Daenarys properly, this fighting style would do wonders.
I also selfishly intend to have her become my subordinate if needed.
Just like I did to Obito... only this time, I won't leave a sealed mark in her heart. But I will make her feel dependent on me.
'Viserys...' I couldn't help thinking. The last time I saw him was at breakfast about a week ago.
Illyrio and him have been behind closed doors, but I didn't care enough to find out. In fact, it felt better.
"Daemon Targaryen!" Hearing a shout at me, I look up from my contemplation and see Viserys walking towards me.
'Hmph, let's see what he wants now.' I just waited without concealing my scrutinizing eyes.
"No, that's not right. You are Daemon Black, and you are not even a true Targaryen. You should stop trying to act like a real dragon when you are not. I am. Now I want you to follow me to conquer the seven kingdoms. I will be your king. You should start to respect me now." His voice was arrogant. His demeanour acted like I should beg him.
'Did Illyrio send him here to die? He even told him the truth about my parent's lineage and birth? Does he really think I wouldn't kill this annoying bug?' I started to get a little irritable.
The contrast between the two Targaryen siblings really made me feel that the saying I read about the folklore superstition, "whenever a Targaryen is born, the gods flip a coin." I was witnessing this firsthand.
However, I knew I must keep this dead guy alive because he would be a perfect way for Daenerys to relieve her demons and truly follow me.
I had already started to calculate. A play to make this all happen. But it seemed God had other plans for me, As I heard him say.
"So I want to fight you. I want to prove that I can only be the real dragon." He said as he pulled out a wooden training sword. The weight seemed to make him feel a little uncomfortable, but he still held onto it.
I raised my eyebrows at this and just scoffed.
He was stimulated and launched an attack at me. I easily dodged these attacks, leaving only sarcastic comments.
"Weak"
"Pitiful"
"Boring"
"Predictable"
As I watched his face contort more and more into anger, I felt the thrill of bullying kids for the first time in my life.
'Oh, how I have fallen,' I could only chuckle.
Finally, I was going to end this, as Viserys looked way too tired to stand straight. I stepped forward with a jump and punched him in the face.
He fell down, but I didn't stop there. I didn't use enough power to send him unconscious or flying. I just used enough to let him feel pain and be unable to do anything, a flurry of blows punching his face over and over again until he was dazed and could only lay there in defeat.
He was still awake, I knew because his almost swollen eyes were staring daggers at me.
I look down at him, an eleven-year-old boy. So much hate and anger trapped inside him, but he has potential. I opened my Sharingan.
I didn't need to use it for that beating there. He was not worthy of them.
I look into his eyes, constructing a genjutsu. I took the idea of Izanami and applied it to him.
He will figure out where he got these thoughts and his anger, and maybe his emotions will become more regular.
I used this application as a memory-learning technique. This was a unique eye idea I had come up with.
I wanted to know if the coin flips of the gods were true, and my Sharingan would help me find out.
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< Viserys POV >
I was stuck, watching replays of my life flash by, but I felt more clear-minded. I wasn't as angry as shown in these memories.
I followed it all the way from birth, following my brother Rhaegar and my admiration for him, up until I was forced to leave and start my journey.
I watched as my mother died, and she told me to take care of my sister. I also agreed... my cleared mind made me rethink the past.
'What was I doing'.
It was fine at first, stealing to live on the constant run, but I still took good care of my little sister. My memories showed a special night.
I just put Dany to sleep and went to bed myself, but the next day, I started acting crazy and talking about waking the dragon.
"Oh, so that's it." I turned to look at the childish voice and was surprised to see Daemon. Normally, I would have felt jealousy, but now I felt nothing. He just looked at this scene.
"There is a special energy left inside you after this. It's full of hate and anger. It has been influencing you ever since." I felt shocked,
"Let me see..." In this memory, I saw the Daemon projection walk toward my body as he tossed and turned in the bed.
"HUMANITY... WE WILL NOT BE ENSLAVED." A mighty dragon roar rippled this illusion, I saw Daemon's Eyes start bleeding, but he only had pure excitement.
"Who are you, and why are you interfering with Mortals?" he said calmly, but I felt different. I felt scared just now from that roar.
"I AM CANNIBAL, THE LAST DRAGON, THE END OF NEW DRAGONS," the voice starts to shake the foundation of this memory.
Soon, the voice of the dragon roar came again, but more confusion
"THIS IS NOT MEANT TO HAPPEN! YOU ARE NOT MEANT TO BE HERE." I see the dark energy suddenly form into huge lantern-like eyes almost overflowing with magma.
I saw Daemon's eyes, which were initially red with two black dots, slowly spun and formed into three.
"In front of these eyes, you are nothing." Hearing Daemon say this made me feel like Rhaegar when he protected me.
The vast eyes started turning into the same as Daemons, but not before a loud roar seemed to break into this memory world. A giant dragon head appeared and roared in anguish.
"THIS IS NOT OVER YET HUMANITY! I WILL BE BACK TO BURN YOUR CITIES TO THE GROUND. I WILL FIND YOU, AND I WILL KILL YOU."
Then, there was an endless silence. Daemon looked to be standing in a daze until he slowly turned to me. His projection looked very weak now.
"He has been sealed for now... He will most likely come back. Let me know if it does, and I will deal with it then... You can also keep it a secret from me. But I will not help you again once you lose yourself again." He looked at me with a particular understanding.
'I didn't want to become like this if I had a choice, I have a house and a sister to care for.' Realizing what I truly wanted, I felt relieved.
'Daemon, thank you.' I didn't say anything aloud, but I felt comforted and free. I felt like I was no longer trapped in emotions I couldn't control.
As the world around me stopped and became dark, I was awoken and saw Daemon still standing over me.
I felt more fear because what I had gone through felt like a long time but looking at this same position meant it was only a moment.
I saw Daemon's eyes now. The same red eyes but now with three dots. Blood streamed down his sockets as he casually wiped them, showing that what was just transcribed was real.
"Overexertion, I didn't expect such a surprise from that dragon. It's only natural to be able to backlash me a bit. He is worthy of my future mount," he said with a smug smile.
I felt weird but also a little jealous. I wished to be as powerful as him so that I could take back the Kingdoms. Even though he sealed that giant dragon's power, I still had some thoughts. I could still feel some irritability, but it was much more controllable than my irrational thoughts.
I saw Daemon turn around and walk away, not before leaving a sentence.
"I want to see you with your sister tomorrow on the training grounds. Training starts tomorrow. I will shape you both into real warriors worthy of the name Targaryen."
I stood up wobbly, but I wanted to see Dany. Walking with my head down, passing servants and guards alike, I walked towards Dany's room. Hearing her giggling, I felt a pain in my heart.
When I entered her room, I saw her reading books on Water Dancing. The various outlines of the moves fascinated her.
She seemed to notice me. She turned her head to look at me, and I felt fearful. I felt another rage overcome me, but I slowly caught myself. Breathing heavily, I walked towards Dany.
The more I did, the more she trembled and put herself in a position ready to be attacked.
My expression was uncertain as I raised my hand toward her face and gently caressed it.
"I'm sorry, Sister."
She was stunned, she didn't know how to respond, but before I could even stay to talk, I felt an overwhelming exhaustion and dizziness wash over me.
'I guess I have really woken up to reality,' was my last thought before passing out.