[Garth's POV]
Durran Baratheon was similar to facing his father... only considerably weaker and less versatile. Still, likely stronger than him. Garth used the reach of his longer blade to keep away from the warhammer, yet was unable to get past the king's guard. The self-proclaimed Baratheon was blessed by Anemo and Electro, possessing considerably greater speed. Garth found himself on the back foot.
Durran was relentless, hammering at Garth's guard without end. The sheer impact of the blows shook Garth's arms. The blunt force was no jest... but the young man endured. As Durran raised his arms for another strike, Garth raised his right, and out transformed the mini crossbow from his gauntlet.
The first shot came to his left shoulder blade. Durran was caught off-guard, tanking the attack. The small stone bolt pierced through his armour and embedded itself in his shoulder. Despite the great pain, Durran stayed on course...
Garth fired multiple times, greatly wounding that same shoulder. A fire ignited in Durran's eyes as his entire body sparked with electro - turning all the bolts to ash. He then smashed through Garth's guard in one strike, destroying his shield with the second and broke the stone pillar Garth erected between them with the third.
Garth's eyes widened.
It was like an unstoppable force...
The fourth struck Garth's head from the side with such force that he was sent flying into the water.
What followed were dozens of lightning strikes, lighting the water beneath the bridge blue. The pain was unbearable... unending, carrying a sense of hopelessness. Death to lightning - wouldn't that be all too ironic for a son of Edric Storm?
He who could never be harmed by lightning. He who was its master, its god...
I was never meant to be a warrior, after all...
Garth closed his eyes.
...
"What's this sorry ass display you've put on?"
"..."
Garth saw his father's image, standing over an endless ocean.
"Losing to this Robert Baratheon offshoot... is he too strong? Are you too weak? Is it all too much to handle, a force that you cannot stop? These doubts that drown your mind serve only to chain you. Everything you need is right here."
He pointed at him.
"Let go and let your true self emerge."
A heavy wind swept over the world, creating great tides.
The sky darkened, thunder rumbled.
"Who are you?"
...
While Durran considered the duel won, Garth shot up from the water - sparking with the remains of the Electro elemental energy that he had been scorched with. He spun in the air, manipulating the wind to land without consequence. His longer, wet, hair swept over his golden eyes.
The blue lightning sparking around his body suddenly shifted to gold.
"..." Durran's eyes widened. "A third element?"
"I am my father's son."
Garth spoke, calling upon his blade. It flew into his hand and fixed its cracks. Newfound resolve coursed through his body.
"I am his legacy."
"And I... will rise where he fell."
The dreams and ambitions you once carried, I'll see them through my own way.
Garth dashed forward, matching Durran's speed. The two clashed all over the bridge, seemingly being equals. However, Durran's warhammer was considerably more powerful, continuously forming cracks on the greatsword. Eventually, he broke it in two... leaving himself open.
The broken greatsword suddenly split into a dozen pieces, each soaring into Durran all at once - targeting different parts of his body. He was caught completely off guard, sustaining noticeable wounds where he was pelted.
"Such brilliance!" Durran's eyes sparked blue with excitement.
The ground shook beneath Durran's feet, making him less mobile. Meanwhile, dozens of earthly projectiles formed all around him. He used his magic to avoid and break through everything in his path - charging straight for Garth.
The two clashed once more, with Garth matching Durran's strength. While Durran was restricted to his warhammer, Garth was able to transform his weapon into whatever he needed in the moment... which he began to do. One moment it was a greatsword, the next, it became a lighter and shorter blade, and then a spear.
Abusing this versatility, Garth began outmatching Durran and even managed to stab his other shoulder with his suddenly greater reach, surprising the warrior.
Every action Garth took was calculated and focused. It was as if he was playing a board game... adapting and making the best move through strategy. Meanwhile, Durran relied solely on his instincts.
By now, Durran was running on fumes physically. His magic could only carry him so far... and Garth saw that all too clearly. Garth used his magic to control the tempo and circumstances of the duel, forcing Durran to play along to his regulations. He began to abuse his superior ranged abilities, smothering the warrior in wind, lightning and earth.
Durran attempted to use Electro and Anemo against him... but those elements bent to Garth's will instead.
Garth had disarmed the greatly weakened Durran by shooting a bolt at his wrist, forcing the warrior to drop the growingly heavy warhammer. It flew into Garth's hands as he smashed it into Durran's knee, forcing him to lower himself to his knees.
"I concede," Durran spoke, taking a deep breath. "You've defeated me."
"I have half a mind to kill you, here and now."
There was fury behind Garth's eyes.
"If you wish, it would be justified," Durran lowered his head. "I've done plenty of wrong up to this point. To the Crownlands, Stormlands, the Narrow Sea and even your homeland... much of it was for myself. I wanted more than survival; I wanted vengeance upon those who feasted and revelled while I and those like me suffered. Further down the road, I convinced myself that I could do some good by forcing this turbulent age to an end myself."
"To bring the change that I sought with my own hand and going about it the only way I knew how..."
"..." Garth sighed, lowering the warhammer. "I can't preach what I do not practice myself. If I fought solely for the Reach... I would kill you, but... the picture is far bigger than that. I will offer you mercy and obsolution only once."
He dropped the warhammer to the ground, raising his hand in its stead.
"Will you join me in fulfilling the vision of a united realm?"
"I will be your hammer, Your Grace," Durran spoke solemly. "Point me in the direction of your foes, and I will destroy them all, from this day until my last."
"Then take my hand, and rise, Lord Durran."
Durran would surrender his crown to Garth, submitting to his cousin. Garth would have Alysanne heal their wounds. Durran's forces were informed of the aftermath, leading to them marching over to the other side. It was there, before both armies, that Willas Tyrell legitimised Garth Storm before surrendering his crown.
"I, King of the Reach, hereby surrender all my lands and titles to the Son of the Storm, King Garth of the House Baratheon, the First of His Name and the rightful Lord of the Seven Kingdoms. May his ingenuity, his resolve and ambition lead us to the complete restoration of the Realm!"
"Garth!"
"Garth!"
"Garth!"
Cheers were sung into the night as a new King rose from the cold shadow of the last.
~
Garth looked over a map of the Seven Kingdoms along with his advisors. He had gained two of the 'Seven', three of the nine major regions if the Crownlands and Riverlands were considered. Still, there was much to be done, and the next step was crucial.
"You had an alliance with Dorne, didn't you?" Garth looked at Durran. "Could that possibly grant us the allegiance of Dorne..."
"Well, Arianne is quite a bitter woman regarding your father and the Tyrells... your mother especially," Durran stated.
"To think that she has clung to her envy for all these years..." Margaery stated. "It's surprising, even for her."
"... Surely the invasion of the Reach was more than that?" Garth raised an eyebrow.
"It was beneficial to tear down the Reach and expand Dorne's border," Durran nodded. "The last thing she'd want to do is kneel to a son of Edric Baratheon..."
"Forcing Dorne to kneel has never gone well. Not for Aegon the Conqueror, Daeron the Young or anyone else," Willas added. "I'd suggest reinforcing the border and ignoring them for now."
"... I do have a way with the princess," Durran stated with a confident grin. "Long-term, she will submit."
"Are you two... a thing?" Garth stroked his chin. "I suppose you do have the classic Baratheon features..."
"Oh, she was all over me-"
"Spare me the details," Garth shook his head. "I'll leave Dorne to your... diplomatic prowess at a later date. Now, we should secure everything beneath the North's border."
"The Riverlands would be a simple conquest. In truth, they might willingly unite under you. It has been the most chaotic land in the Realm from the moment Edric gave up the crown..." Margaery stated. "As for the Westerlands..."
"That is where you might want to offer your hand in marriage, brother," Alysanne smiled. "The Westerlands would make for a powerful ally, especially with their mighty King joining our ranks. Aaaand... you did fancy their princess when you were younger-"
"The Myrcella?" Durran chuckled. "I didn't know you liked them that much older than you."
"..." Garth observed as all eyes turned to him. "Yes... I suppose a marriage would be ideal, for the obvious reasons. Jaime is a formidable warrior, even at his older age, and we do not have any notable grievances with the Westerlands. They are a strong, unified and wealthy kingdom."
Part of him certainly did hold a certain fancy for Myrcella from his time growing up in King's Landing. He always found her to be intelligent, kind, graceful and pretty. It was not romantic love, for he had been far too young to harbour such feelings, more so of a young boy's innocent fondness.
Garth did not care much for the pursuit of love, seeing his marriage more as a tool to strengthen the foundations of the Realm he sought to rebuild. For the sake of duty, he was more than willing to choose the very best 'logical' option. But, in this case, it was both logical and the option he would prefer...
"What are the chances of the King of the Rock accepting that offer?" Durran wondered.
"There's plenty of reason to believe Jaime doesn't wish to keep his crown and is simply holding it because there is no better option..." Garth replied. "He hasn't chosen to remarry or expand his borders in all of these years. It seems that he strives for stability, keeping the Westerlands together... which is precisely what would continue under my reign."
The meeting continued on for some time. After it concluded, ravens were sent to all lords with considerable power in Westeros, offering to willingly fall under Garth's banner. Garth wanted to avoid using force as much as possible. It was the last resort in his mind.
But... if he had to, he most certainly would.
...
"My pride and joy..."
Margaery smiled, embracing Garth.
"My brilliant son."
Garth closed his eyes, wrapping his arms around his mother. This was the place he found the most comfort. Undoubtedly, she was overjoyed... kingship was the vision she had for him from the day that he was born. And now, he was the mightiest king in Westeros on the march to restoring the Seven Kingdoms.
"The weight of all of the responsibility that you now carry so suddenly thrust upon you... It must be taxing."
"It's not a light..." Garth admitted. "But I was shaped to carry it."
"You have always been dutiful, but it would do well for the mind if you were to find time for yourself and unwind a little."
"I'll do that after this conflict comes to an end," Garth let go and stepped back.
"... I hope Myrcella is all they say she is," Margaery smiled slightly. "You need someone to balance out your unrelenting focus. Even you are not immune to being overwhelmed..."
"I'm... all too aware of that."
Garth nodded.
Kingship was a heavy duty, and it had weighed even on his father. He wasn't born to be a king, either... but he took that responsibility because he had to. That was Garth's greatest example, his ideal.
Unlike his father, however, he was determined to fulfil that role until death...
Even if that meant burying his other dreams.