Raiden's Storm (ASOIAF)

"You're really putting the wild in wildling, huh." Edric laughed, looking at the knife. His blood had surged, and his heart pumped with adrenaline as he looked at Val's wondrous blue eyes. She lowered herself, placing her full bosom against his own chest. 

"Though, what gives you the right to lay claim to a King?"

Edric grabbed Val's wrist and easily overpowered the wildling, turning himself over her. In mere seconds, he had the dagger over her throat - reversing the situation. With Edric on top, there was scarcely anything she could do.

"If you were man enough, you'd take me here."

"Uh-huh, you're playing that card." Edric laughed, pulling her from the ground as he stood up. "I might be drunk, but I'm not that drunk."

"What are you so afraid of?" Val questioned, looking into his eyes.

"I'm not afraid of anything."

"Why do you hesitate, then?"

"I don't hesitate. I'm just a man of integrity." 

Val smiled to that. "Only when it suits you."

"Heh." Edric chuckled. "You understand so little, wildling. Taking you would be all too easy. I bet I'd shut that pricklish mouth of yours well enough - which is a tempting prospect, I'll admit." 

"Do it then. You want to - I can see it in your eyes."

"My eyes deceive you." Edric pushed her against the wall, his figure towering over hers. "But, since you're so stubborn on being claimed, I'll have you serve me. Kneel."

He let go, releasing Val and sheathing his dagger.

"So obsessed with kneeling… is that what you're into?" Val questioned with a slight smile.

"Of course." Edric played along, grinning. "What better place for a woman than my feet? Besides, you wildlings hate it soooo much. It's the ultimate seal of your devotion. The surrender of your so-called 'freedom'."

"And if I don't?"

"I won't be so kind."

Edric's expression looked far more serious, his eyes glowing threateningly.

Val bent the knee.

"Are you pleased, Your Grace?"

He smiled.

"Very. I'll find you something to do… but, for now, enjoy this wonderful chamber." Edric turned around, yawning on his way out.

…

After finding himself a bed, Edric fell asleep and woke to the Plane of Euthymia.

"Wow… aren't you beautiful, Raiden?"

"You're drunk." She raised an eyebrow.

"Tiny bit." Edric chuckled, shrugging. "I can't celebrate, now?"

"Except you're not celebrating." She observed, shaking her head. "It seems that something unsettled you, and you're merely using it to cope."

"The pains of you watching my every act…" Edric laughed, shaking his head. "You might just know me better than I do."

"Perhaps I do." Raiden stepped closer, looking up at him. "You don't need to pretend in front of me."

"I don't want to talk about it."

She raised an eyebrow. "It has something to do with that prophecy, no?"

"..." Edric sighed. "I suppose that was obvious enough…"

"If I already know, what's the point in avoiding the matter?"

Edric gave her a long look before speaking.

"I didn't think too much of it before, but… knowing that silver cunt, it's precisely what he intended. He'll make it so that I have no other choice." Edric chuckled, turning his back to her. "I don't want to be Azor Ahai; I never did. I'd sacrifice a billion Mance Rayder's, but my Nissa Nissa - I don't think I'd be able to do that."

"Where did your resolve go - your desire to achieve victory at all costs?"

"What victory would that be?" Edric questioned, looking up at the bleak skies - an ominous mix of crimson and black. "Even if I win, the loss would be too great."

"Choosing between one person and the world… it should be a simple decision for you. Don't forget where your priority lies."

"What sort of hero sacrifices the person he loves most?" Edric questioned.

"It would not be a sacrifice if it were an easy thing to do." She appeared in front of him, forging a blade and pointing it at his chest. "If you have no other choice in the matter, you must do what is difficult."

"Even if that sacrifice is you?" Edric grabbed the blade, its great sharpness cutting through his skin.

"Especially if it is me." Raiden Shogun's lips curled into a pained smile. "I am nothing to your world, in the end. You have much more to live for than I do. If my sacrifice is what it would take to give you victory… then it would be a fitting end. An atonement for taking the visions of my own people, and taking you down this perilous path."

"You did not take me down this path, Raiden. You and I know the truth. Who warped reality-"

She placed a finger on his lips.

"It matters not, Edric. What matters is that you keep fighting for the things you love. Once the shadow of the Night King finally lifts from your shoulders, you will surely be free and happy… truly happy."

"This life of mine truly began with you and will end the same way." Edric determined, grabbing her hand and removing it. "I don't care what prophecy is written in the stars, what fate is sealed for me. I am not its tool. I will forge my own destiny with all the strength that I have."

Edric said, all too passionately.

"And if it's not enough… I'll watch the world freeze to nothing."

"Then all you did would have been for nothing." She countered.

"A world without you isn't worth living."

Edric smiled, looking into her eyes intently as his left hand slid across her cheek.

"You truly are drunk." Raiden chuckled, stepping back. 

"Oh, but these words come from the heart. You are the person who matters most to me."

"Edric… don't get any nefarious ideas."

"I have plenty." He grinned. "If you want to stop me, then it's just a matter of raising your hand."

He pulled her against the purple blossom tree and held her head with both hands as he edged closer. Raiden, for all her words, didn't put up much of a fight. He planted a soft kiss across her lips. Once he got the first, it was never quite enough. He'd come for more and more… conquering the lips that begged to be kissed.

"You…"

He slid down one hand, firmly grasping one of her breasts - more than a handful, even for him. All the while, she blushed red, a unique sight for the Shogun.

It was then that she finally gathered the strength to push him away, albeit gently enough not to send him flying.

"Did I do something wrong?"

"You did everything wrong, you fool." Her face slowly regained its colour. "You're supposed to be training."

"What better form of training for endurance than trying to keep up with a goddess?" Edric questioned with a cheeky grin.

"Don't make up nonsensical justifications."

"I thought it was something we both wanted."

"Perhaps it is… just not like this."

In a flash, she struck his chest and knocked Edric out cold.

~

[Edric's POV, 1st]

When I woke up, I immediately realised I had been up to no good.

"Memory's a bit fuzzy… did I do something ill-advised?"

"Not in this world." 

"... Oh." I stroked my chin, trying to piece it all together. Though, I couldn't recall a thing. Knowing my drunk self's indulgent past, I made an educated guess and raised my hand - making a groping gesture.

"... So you do remember."

"Actually, I don't." I smiled slightly, shaking my head. Oh, I knew I'd die at least a thousand times tonight. I was finished. "Can I dig the grave first?"

"It's already been dug." She coldly replied.

"Ahah…" I laughed nervously. "Is it too late to say sorry?"

"... You're fortunate to be who you are." 

"Too fortunate." 

I pushed my hair back and got out of bed. It was cold under the sheets, but the chill that struck me once I left them was much greater. I swiftly got dressed, donning the bear fur cloak over my garments. With the cloak, I felt some form of warmth at last.

I recalled giving Jon my permission to free Ygritte, though I never had the honour of seeing the woman who made him forget his honour. Her survival might just make matters more difficult for him as he'd be fighting the vows of the Night's Watch against his love for her. More than likely, he would not be voted as Lord Commander… which is not my preferred outcome. 

I sat at the head of the table, breaking my fast as I pondered this matter. Then, in the corner of my eye, I saw Jon chatting with Ygritte. She looked… alright.

"I don't see what's so special about her," Arya spoke my thoughts.

"A sense of humour goes a long way," I remarked, shrugging my shoulders. "In some ways, I envy him… in others, not so much. I was in a similar position once."

"I hope he makes the right choice."

"And which would that be?" I questioned.

"His oath, obviously. Even if you pardoned him, the Wall is a long way from King's Landing. The wildlings might have bent the knee to you, but that doesn't mean the Night's Watch likes any of them. If he keeps her close…"

"An astute observation." I nodded. "Except, the black brothers are all made of flesh and blood. Whether they do it under broad daylight or under the veil of the night - it matters not. If every man of the Night's Watch who broke his vows were to be hanged, the Wall would only be guarded by ghosts. Still… I see your point. It's not a good look and actively draws him away from his black brothers. As of now, he is trapped between love and duty."

I smiled, finishing off my food.

"It's why I don't envy him."

…

Due to Mance Rayder previously dividing his forces and focusing on the east, I had no choice but to ride there with a couple hundred riders. The rest of the army I left to Robb Stark, who'd be holding down the fort in my absence. While I doubted that the wildlings would rebel, I couldn't be too certain. 

We rode long and hard… (pause)... reaching Eastwatch-By-The-Sea within only a couple days. It was there that I would see something more than just black brothers and wildlings. 

~

The wildlings had been trying to take the castle for weeks, meeting great resistance. They tried to pass by boats, only to be shot down by arrows or crushed by the Night's Watch's far larger and more impressive vessels. They tried climbing the Wall, only to meet a rain of ice and arrows. They even tried to force the gate. The wildlings had thousands with the tenacity to match their numbers… while Eastwatch's garrison originally numbered less than two hundred - which was on the verge of being less than a hundred. 

Some wildlings had managed to row over to land, making an attempt to take the castle only to be met with fierce resistance.

Then… Edric came like the wind.

His cavalry thundered across the land, sweeping the wildlings in one charge. The waters grew even more treacherous and violent, crashing against the wildling boats and sinking them one after the other. In hardly any time whatsoever, Edric's forces devastated the wildling invaders. The vessels under the Night's Watch returned to the coast, led by their commander.

"Is that the bloody King, I see?" Cotter Pyke observed, looking up Edric, who remained mounted. "You have our thanks, Your Grace. These wildlings were buggering us long enough."

"I take it that was not all of them?" Edric looked to the Wall.

"I wish. There's plenty of them on the other side."

"Then we shall storm them. Open the gate."

"A king of action." Cotter Pyke remarked with a slight smile. "The gate will be opened right away."

With Eastwatch's gate opened, Edric led his cavalry against over a thousand wildlings - routing them in what was almost a blink. One second, they were fighting - the next, they were scattering north. Edric halted his forces, feeling strange as the wildlings disappeared into the woods. Normally, he'd press the charge and finish them off… but something was not right.

He began to hear screams and sounds entirely foreign to him.

Within minutes, wildlings were rushing right back south.

Are they running from… them?

Edric felt colder than he had before. 

He stored away his warhammer and dismounted, drawing out his dragonbone longbow from his chest. His eyes focused on the woods, not seeing much other than the fleeing wildlings. He turned to his falcon, possessing it and flying into the forest.

Soon, all sounds had died down. There was only silence. The wildlings who sprinted away in terror had begun going west, avoiding Edric's riders. His men looked with unease. What in Seven Hells was so frightening that they'd turn back and risk being ridden down?

Then… the Others came.

One after the other, until there were seven.