[Edric's POV]
"Bold and fearless, even in the face of death… as one would expect from an Edric Storm."
"The face of death? Rather presumptive of you," I remarked. "I didn't come here to fight you. However, if that's what you want, I'd gladly deliver you a defeat."
"What do you believe that you've achieved with your interference?"
"Interference?"
"You believe that you aided them, no doubt. They grew from hopeless children to capable, confident adults in the blink of an eye. A gift... that should have never been."
"I'm sorry for doing your duties for you," I frowned. "What in this world is more important and so urgent that you've left your only two children in such circumstances for years on end?"
"You should have minded your own business," He said coldly. "All of this... is intended."
"..." I raised an eyebrow before chuckling. "Intended? So, you're even worse than a deadbeat."
"This world does not deserve my goodwill... it never has. The bastards born of rape are no exception."
His eyes looked very much like the Great Other's. No less, his aura was purely that of an Other. There... was seemingly not even a drop of humanity in him. I could only feel hatred and wrath.
"What grand plan of yours did I ruin? Do elaborate."
"They were meant to overcome their circumstances... or perish. If they were worthy of carrying my blood, they would have evolved to greater power. You denied them a second awakening."
"The potential of a second awakening, you mean. There would be no guarantee of that."
"Such is life," The Other Edric remarked. "Kill or be killed. The weak perish and the strong reign... I've lived through that, why should it be any different for them?"
"It's precisely because we struggled that we should aim to improve our children's lives so they don't have to go through the same thing," I shook my head. "You've got it all wrong."
"Pressure makes diamonds, while a soft hand leaves no mark. Your spoiling only lessens their potential."
"What's the use of your power if you choose to do nothing with it?"
"Why do you care so much for children that aren't truly your own?"
"In a way, they are. In that same light... you are me - if things had gone differently. Many things, I'd imagine. I'd wager there's no one capable of bringing you to your senses."
"What senses?" He laughed. "You've not realised that nothing in this world truly matters... nothing except us. It's all a game that we can alter as we see fit. Why should I care for the measly ants beneath me? I can make plenty more bastards. If I desired, I could form them out of thin air."
"You don't care for anything, is that right?"
"Not at all," He shook his head. "Existence is... an empty thing. I've forgotten what it means to feel anything. The invincibility and immortality I possess are a curse that I cannot be rid of. Observing the fate of others, the evolution of human souls... that is my only solace. My only entertainment."
It almost seems like he wants me to destroy him. Likely, nothing else could harm his existence...
"What about Raiden... is she not with you?"
"Oh, she is. It's a devastating thing - you seek out something with such great effort for years on end, only for it all to be so unsatisfying. I was incapable of love by then... making it all pointless, in the end. She became nothing more than a trophy."
"... Your existence truly is... unenviable."
"I've watched all of my friends perish, I watched my Realm turn to flame and devastation, I sacrificed myself for power... and tempered Lightbringer with Raiden's soul. All for what? This..." He laughed, shaking his head. "In Aerion's eyes, I was a failure... and so, he discarded me. Left no path for redemption or ascension."
"Do you need him to hold your hand?" I questioned. "You are in control of your destiny. No one can live your life for you. And, if he truly 'abandoned' you, I wouldn't be here. Honestly, you wouldn't even exist anymore."
"..." He paused, his eyes widening slightly. "Are you intended... as a form of guidance?"
"The children were my guidance... I would've definitely been a worse father to the twins of my world without the time that we had together. Not just a worse father, a worse person. Being a father helped anchor me to the world and my humanity - something that you've seemingly lost a long time ago."
"An anchor..." He remarked. "By that definition, my anchor was Arthur."
"I know how that pain feels, I've experienced it many times when trying to see the best possible future... and I'm sorry that it is your reality. If I lived your life, I'd likely not be too far off from you. It's hard to pick yourself up after all of that, but..."
"If anyone can do it, it would be you. It's never too late to make things right. You just have to try... and you'll see things differently, I can promise that with absolute certainty."
"... Your charisma is a terrifying thing," He stated. "To think that I find this possibility... appealing."
"There's the old Edric Storm in you, deep, deep in that frozen heart... we just have to ignite it."
"... So hopeful and optimistic," The Other Edric remarked. "I am willing... if this path leads to me feeling something."
[Garth's POV]
The two forces met on opposite sides of the Bitterbridge, the point where the Mander met the Roseroad. King Durran walked the bridge alone, his armour sharing many similarities with his supposed grandfather's. He wore a black cape, his coat of arms the original of House Baratheon. Indeed, he looked like a terror to behold.
Garth felt a widespread sense of unease in his ranks.
"This seems like a challenge..." Alysanne remarked, riding by his side.
"Knowing him by reputation, it wouldn't surprise me-"
"I challenge the Reach's king to single combat!"
Durran's voice was like thunder, reminding Garth of his father. Willas Tyrell... with his bad leg, was far from a great fighter.
"Given his circumstances, he may call upon his mightiest champion to fight in his stead. We stand as unified kingdoms, yet fragments of a once greater kingdom... my greatest desire is to change that. This is a duel for our kingdoms - the victor takes all!"
He raised his warhammer, and the thunder rumbled in the skies.
"Tens of thousands of lives may be spared. Do consider my offer, King of the Reach!"
The Reach's champion... in regards to that, Garth was clearly the best combination of sorcerer and fighter. His magic's power was only inferior to Alysanne, who did not partake in melee combat in the slightest.
It was... a tempting offer, if not for the possibility that Durran Baratheon was superior to him in both aspects. Fighting ability, most definitely... magic-wise, that was something Garth could only speculate. Durran was strong enough to conquer the Crownlands and Stormlands almost singlehandedly. A lowborn peasant who became King.
And, unlike Hugar Blacktyde, he would be fresh and fully focused on beating him...
Still... he was right. Much bloodshed could be avoided through this.
"You're thinking about it, aren't you?" Alysanne questioned.
"... Why wouldn't I? It seems quite reasonable," Garth stroked his chin. "We could obtain two regions with one duel. Despite his outlawish origin, Durran Baratheon seems to mean well... his goal is not all that far from ours, in truth."
"If he truly means well, then he'd surrender his kingdoms willingly. Instead, he seeks to further himself and believes that there isn't anyone strong enough to match him... making this challenge one without any risk."
"He likely believes that only he can achieve this goal... same as I," Garth replied. "One does not conquer the Seven Kingdoms by being a saint. Besides, it is entirely optional. If we decline, all it will do is make the Reach look weak and strengthen his army's morale."
"So, what do you have in mind?" Willas inquired. "This Durran Baratheon carries quite the similarities with your father. There's reason to believe he might be even mightier than Hugar Blacktyde was."
"He is," Alysanne confirmed. "He awakened the traces of divinity in his blood, like our father did. His magic is denser in power, and he has considerably more reserves flowing in his body. I do believe he'd make short work of Hugar if they had ever fought..."
"So, this is the strongest warrior in the Seven Kingdoms."
"A strong contender for the strongest in the entire world... with the exception of our father, of course."
Alysanne added.
(Sorry, I had to do it!)
Edric Baratheon had, to Garth's knowledge, slain every god in the world... his domain of power was overworldly and entirely unreachable. Every living thing breathed at his mercy every day. If he decided to end the world, it would end that very same moon...
It's why, despite the calamities he had brought, many still worshipped him for his power alone... or mayhaps it was the fear of him suddenly turning on the living world.
Garth still remembered the days when the Realm began to turn on him after he fully became an Other. He was more tyrannical, certainly, and paid no heed to anyone... but he kept it all together. King's Landing had been overrun, so he set it aflame - a sin that all held against him.
Once he defeated the Night King, much of the blame for the terrible age that was the Long Winter was placed solely on him. Lords plotted his downfall, seeking to end the 'reign of terror'. He was one step ahead... and simply stepped down only days after the Night King's defeat, an act that scattered all the kingdoms instantly.
It was... ingratitude that doomed the Realm.
Or, likely, Edric had lost all desire to continue ruling... that was simply the last straw that pushed him over the edge.
"I'll fight him," Garth decided. "In the best case, we'll either secure the kingdoms or slay our greatest opposition if he doesn't keep his word. If I lose, then... Alysanne should be capable of finishing him off regardless."
"... I suppose that would work," Alysanne nodded. "But, it is all too dangerous. What if he kills you? One swing from a warhammer like that-"
"I know, I have plenty of experience with that," Garth smiled. "Geo shields are perfectly capable of negating physical damage. If anything, I'm a pretty bad matchup for him."
"It's settled, then," Willas nodded. "You'll be my champion. It is only fitting you fight for the kingdoms you seek to rule."
"Indeed."
...
Garth rode up to the bridge, dismounting at its beginning. He walked the rest of the way until he was standing face to face with the Storm King. Where Durran Baratheon wore the truest colours and sigil of House Baratheon, Garth Storm's coat of arms was the reversed golden stag of his father on a field of Tyrell green.
"I was hoping it would be you," Durran admitted. "The black and gold stags fighting for the Realm is a song that will be sung for years to come."
"Claiming your own legitimacy is quite the move," Garth remarked.
"Someone has to reforge the Realm as one."
"We are agreed on that."
"If anything, you should be the King of the Reach. You have blood ties to many of the Reach's most prominent houses and stand as the sole son of the last king..."
"I unofficially am, in truth. Once your forces are dealt with... my uncle will legitimise me."
"... I see," Durran smiled slightly. "And he'll simply hand over his crown to you?"
"Indeed," Garth nodded. "A crown he never truly desired."
"I've heard of your lack of ambition. How odd."
"Things change... people change," Garth remarked. "My goal is the same as you claim yours to be: the unification of the Realm. If you are true to that goal, then you should surrender now."
"Simply because your claim would be stronger than mine?"
"Only if you were the 'saviour' and force of good you declare yourself to be."
"One thing... I will not kneel to anyone weaker than me," Durran raised his warhammer, pointing it at him. "If you prove yourself stronger than I, then I will be the most devout of your subjects. But... if you are too weak, then you will pay me the same courtesy. That is fair, no?"
"It seems that you have King and Warrior confused. The strongest isn't always the most fit to rule. Hardly ever is, in truth."
"The last two kings to rule over the Realm have been the greatest warriors of their time - that is the Baratheon legacy!" Durran affirmed. "Strength keeps unruly subjects in line. If there is a sorcerer mightier than you... Then you rule and even exist at his mercy! Strength is the most important thing of all for a monarch, it always has been!"
Westeros did put much emphasis on martial prowess, which was undeniable. And now, even more so on magical prowess... as the mightiest of sorcerors could topple kingdoms singlehandedly.
"If that is the language you speak, then I will indulge you."
Garth formed his greatsword of stone - more refined than ever. It looked like it was made of pure gold rather than stones from the earth. Having gotten rid of the excess weight, it was lighter and sharper. The magic from its blade was also considerably denser.
"Let us dance, my cousin."
Durran sounded all too excited - he was very much a Baratheon, even Garth found it hard to speculate otherwise.