"What is happening to him?" Samaya asked. Her voice trembled as she watched Jon standing by the throne, frozen, as if he had fallen asleep standing up. The worry gnawing at her heart deepened the longer he remained motionless. She had tried to wake him, shaking his shoulders, calling his name, but he wouldn't stir. They could only stand there, helpless, waiting for him to awaken from whatever dream held him captive.
"I'm not sure," Qyburn said. He circled Jon, his fingers brushing over the man's wrist, checking his pulse. "He seems to be in good health but is unresponsive. I've never seen someone in such a state."
"I've seen it before," Daario said. He leaned against the wall. Every head in the room turned to him. "Look at his eyes. They're pure white. I've seen a few warriors from the north with the same ability. They had animal companions they could see through the eyes of."
"I do not see a creature here he can see into," Obara said. Her frown deepened as she glared at Daario.
"I do," Daario said. His gaze flicked to the massive creature lurking behind the grate, its body glinting faintly in the torchlight.
"Silence!" Samaya hissed. Her eyes blazed as she rounded on Daario. "I've had enough of your vile tongue. Speak again and I will cut it out."
Daario smirked, raising his hands in mock surrender. "I have no wish to offend you, Lady Samaya. I was just offering my thoughts on the matter."
"Keep the thoughts to yourself," Samaya snapped. She turned back to Jon, her fingers twitching toward the hilt of her sword. If it didn't go against Jon's wishes, she would drive her blade through Daario's neck and watch him choke on his own blood.
Minutes crawled by. The air in the room grew thick with unease. The massive ancient creature behind the grate shifted, its claws scraping stone, sending a shiver through the group. They were trapped in this chamber, with only one exit. The longer they lingered, the more likely it was that their pursuers would find them.
"Fuck this," Daario muttered. He pushed off the wall, his boots scuffing the stone floor. "I'm not going to stay here and wait for this bastard to snap out of it." He strode toward the exit, his hand resting on the hilt of his blade.
Samaya lunged forward, her hand clamping onto his shoulder with enough force to bruise it. "You'll wait here. This 'bastard' has saved us multiple times, or did you forget about that?" Her voice was venomous, her grip tightening until Daario winced.
"I don't care what he's done," Daario said. He shoved her hand off, his eyes flashing with annoyance. "He's not worth my life. None of you are." He turned and marched toward the steps leading out of the chamber.
A faint spark of light flickered at the top of the stairs. Daario froze, his eyes narrowing. The spark grew brighter, hurtling downward, and his instincts screamed. He dove to the side, hitting the ground hard as a ball of fire roared past him. It splashed against the stone floor, flames licking harmlessly at the air before fading. Mya burst into the chamber, her silhouette framed by the fire that surrounded her. Fire wreathed her palms and feet, casting shadows across the walls. Her eyes locked onto Jon, still frozen by the throne, and she raised her hands. A plume of flames surged toward him, aiming to kill him immediately.
Samaya moved without thought. She charged, her shoulder slamming into Mya's side with the force of a battering ram, throwing off her aim. The impact sent Mya sprawling, her flames guttering as she skidded across the stone floor. She rolled onto her back, her palms igniting fresh fire, and pushed herself to her feet with a burst of flame that scorched the ground beneath her. With a guttural roar, Mya thrust her hands forward. A searing line of fire shot toward Samaya, its heat warping the air. Samaya dove to the side, her cloak singeing as she rolled across the floor and came up in a crouch, her sword already drawn.
Obara seized the moment as Myas attention was drawn elsewhere. She sprinted toward Mya, her dagger flashing in the firelight. Her blade slashed downward, aiming for Mya's throat. Mya leaned to the side, the dagger grazing her shoulder, drawing a thin line of blood. Obara struck again, a backhand swipe aimed at Mya's chest. Mya bent backward, her spine arching impossibly low, and the blade whistled over her.
Mya countered with a sudden leap, her foot snapping out. Her boot struck Obara's wrist, sending the dagger spinning into the air. As Obara's eyes widened, Mya surged forward. Her palm glowed red-hot as she slammed it into Obara's stomach, the impact forcing a grunt from her lips. Obara grabbed Myas other wrist, twisting it to redirect the woman's arm, ensuring the flames Mya summoned stayed aimed at the ceiling. Obara snarled, and drove her fist into Mya's jaw with a crack that echoed off the walls. She snatched her dagger from the air and lunged, aiming for Mya's heart.
Mya caught Obara's arm mid-strike, her fingers digging into the warrior's flesh. She growled, her feet sliding back as Obara's strength pushed her across the floor. With a twist of her hips, Mya threw Obara off balance, sending her stumbling. She spun to face Samaya, who was already charging with her sword out. Mya flung her hands forward, unleashing a barrage of fiery spheres. Each one screamed through the air. Samaya's blade moved in a blur, the flat of her sword striking the first sphere, snuffing it out with a hiss. She deflected the second, then the third, her eyes always locked on Mya. Closing the distance, Samaya drew her sword back, ready to cleave through her opponent.
Mya exploded into motion fire boosting behind her. She darted forward, her knee driving into Samaya's face with a sickening crunch. Samaya staggered, blood streaming from her nose, but Mya pressed the attack. Her fists flew, each punch propelled by a burst of flame from her elbows, making her strikes impossibly fast. One fist slammed into Samaya's ribs, another grazed her cheek, searing her skin. Samaya growled, her sword flipping in her grip. She blocked Mya's next punch with her forearm, then drove the hilt of her blade into Mya's stomach. Pivoting behind her, Samaya hooked her arm around Mya's waist and hurled her toward Obara.
Obara was ready. Her dagger plunged downward, piercing Mya's shoulder as the two collided. Mya screamed, "RAAAAAAAAHGGGGG!!!" Her body erupted in a torrent of flames, the force of it blasting Samaya and Obara backward. They hit the ground hard, rolling to extinguish the tongues of fire clinging to their clothes.
Mya staggered to her feet, blood dripping from her shoulder, her eyes had flames flickering at their corners; never had she felt so enraged. She locked onto the nearest target—Daario, who had been watching from the sidelines waiting for the right moment to escape. She lunged, her hand outstretched, and a stream of flames shaped itself into a clawed hand, reaching for him. Daario dove forward, rolling over the fiery claw, and came up on one knee. His hands flicked out, hurling a trio of throwing knives at Mya.
Mya's hand whipped through the air, her flames flaring to swat the knives aside. They clattered to the ground, formed into molten slag and made useless. She grabbed Daario's leg with a fiery grip, the heat blistering his skin through his boots. He screamed, clawing at the stone floor as she dragged him toward her. Samaya and Obara recovered, and began charging from opposite sides. Mya raised her arms, summoning twin walls of flame that roared to life, blocking their paths. Samaya didn't hesitate. She shielded her face with her arm and barreled through the fire, her cloak catching alight. She tackled Mya, driving her to the ground with a bone-jarring thud. Mya's breath exploded from her lungs, and the walls of flame flickered out.
Samaya reared back, her fist cocked to deliver a crushing blow. Mya reacted faster, parrying the punch with her forearm and deflecting it into the ground. Her other hand clamped onto Samaya's throat, her fingers heating until the skin beneath them began to blister. Samaya snarled, twisting Mya's wrist until it cracked, forcing her hand away. Mya opened her mouth, and a jet of flame roared out, aimed at Samaya's face. Samaya threw herself backward, the flames grazing her hair, singeing the ends. Mya kicked upward, her boot slamming into Samaya's chest, sending her sprawling. Mya rolled to her feet, her shoulder wound bleeding freely, but her hands still glowed with fire.
Daario, freed from her grip, scrambled back, his leg scorched and trembling. Obara circled to Mya's left, her dagger held low, while Samaya rose to her feet, her sword in hand, blood dripping from her face. The three closed in, their movements synchronized, their eyes locked on Mya. Mya spun, her flames lashing out in a wide arc, forcing them to scatter. She focused on Obara, firing a concentrated beam of fire. Obara dove behind a stone pillar, the beam charring its surface. Samaya used the distraction, sprinting forward with her sword raised. Mya turned just in time, catching the blade with a fiery gauntlet that formed around her hand. The metal hissed, glowing red, but Samaya held firm, her muscles straining.
Daario flanked Mya, drawing his blade. He slashed at her back, but Mya sensed the attack. She released Samaya's sword and spun, a whip of flame cracking through the air. Daario ducked, the whip scorching the wall behind him. He thrust his blade upward, aiming for her side. Mya sidestepped, grabbing his wrist and burned him until he dropped the weapon with a cry.
It was at this point that Jon finally woke up, the young Targaryen looked around at the scene before him and the only words that came to his mind were.
"What the fuck is happening?" He said aloud.
This caused Mya to turn to face him and roar as she rushed him. Whipping both her hands forward she summoned two spiral flames that spun towards him. Jon rushed forward and flipped into a cartwheel narrowly avoiding the flames, he then slid under the next fire before kicking out Myas feet from under her and grabbing her midair before throwing her across the chamber.
"Jon!" Samaya said, relief evident in her voice as the ran up to him. "I was worried you were lost in a dreamworld of some kind."
Jon smiled at Samaya. "Have no worry... I am well, and I know what we need to do," he replied.
"But first we must deal with her." He looked over to Mya who had stood up. She looked a pitiable sight with the injuries and dirt marring her body. "Give up Mya... leave this place, and forget about me, you needn't die like this."
Mya spat on the ground, a thick glob of blood staining the stone. "You think I'll forget? Like everyone else? I will never forget what you did to my father!!!"
"Your father killed my sister you stupid bitch!" Obara hissed, gripping her dagger more tightly. "I only wished he had suffered more before he died..."
Mya growled at the Dornish woman and the glow and sparks around her started to grow more intense. "Let's go!" Jon said to both girls as he rushed down the centre and the two girls rushed down the side.
Meanwhile Daario stayed back, his leg still in pain, while Qyburn took a look at it. "That fucking bitch!" Daario spat as he watched Jon and the girls fight against her. "I'm gonna kill her!"
"I wouldn't advise it," Qyburn said as he inspected the leg. "While I don't believe there is any permanent damage, it won't stay that way if you make it any worse."
Daario stood there stewing in his rage as he looked at Mya... but not just Mya, Jon as well. He hated Jon with a passion, he hated Jon more than words could express. He was always beating him, whether it was in fights or in intelligence or even getting to various artefacts before him. 'Why! What makes him better than me!' He thought to himself.
*take it...*
Daario turned around, he felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. "What was that!?" He said.
Qyburn looked up at him. "Are you okay Daario?" He asked with a look of concern on his face.
Daario whipped his head around, turning it in every direction available to him. He saw nothing, only the Qyburn and the fight between the others. "I'm fine..." he said.
*take it...*
He heard it again, tho the this time he made an effort to ignore whatever devilry this voice was.
*take the crown*
*its power can be yours*
'Power...' Daario found himself involuntarily looking to towards the beautiful crown.
*why should Jon have it?*
*it should be yours...*
*all your wishes*
*just take it*
"Just take it..." Daario said to himself as he started walking towards the throne. Qyburn who was Intront of him frowned and looked at the man who looked as if he were in a trance. "Daario? What are you doing?!" He asked only to be shoved to the ground.
It was at this point that the battle between Jon, Mya and the others was wrapping up. Despite having a powerful artefact, she couldn't overcome the skill and teamwork that Jon and his companions had. Jon had her pinned to the ground, ready to take off the damn necklace that gave her the abilities in the first place.
"Jon!"
Jon automatically turned his head around to the person shouting him. He saw Qyburn on the ground and Daario lifting the Starlight Crown off the corpse of Qarlon. "Daario! Don't! Put it back! You don't know what you're doing!" Jon shouted. This moment of distraction cost Jon, the moment he turned around and spoke to Daario Mya charged up a powerful flame and shot it directly at him, throwing him from her body. Obara and Samaya tried to jump in and contain her but she spun around on her back releasing fire from her feet in a swirl which hit both of them and knocked them back.
Meanwhile Daario who watched all of this happened smirked. "You always thought you were better than me bastard, always having that smug grin on your face when you beat me to an artefact... no more." Daario put the crown on himself while closing his eyes.
A moment passed.
Daario frowned when he didn't feel the power that he was promised. In fact, he didn't feel anything at all. "Stupid piece of junk..." he whispered to himself as he looked at the crown—after taking it off.
"Still... it'll fetch a good price..." he said with a grin.
Jon who was recovering from the fire blast looked up at Daario. "Daario don't! The crown can't leave these chambers!" He shouted, but he was too late the sellsword rushed out of the room hopping up the stairs, two at a time as he made his escape.
Jon got up to go after him but was tackled from behind by Mya. "You're dead snow! I've waited long enough!" She shouted as she drew her hand back summoning a ball of flames she planned to shove down his throat. Samaya slide by her, before hooking her arm over Myas and pivoting around her, throwing her off Jon and making her tumble towards the massive grate.
"Jon!" Samaya said as she helped him up. "Did she get you? Are you well?" She asked.
Jon caught his breath back. "We need to go! We need to catch Daario!" He said desperately.
*rumble*
A deep tremor echoed out through the chamber, one so loud and so deep that it rattled everyone's very bones. Even Mya who had done nothing but try to kill Jon since she arrived paused in her actions and turned behind her.
What was once smothered in the dark began to spark; it started with a few embers, but as the tremors rose so did the light grow. "What in the seven is that..." Mya said with her eyes wide as she looked at the fire soon taking the form of a massive monster.
*ROARRRRRRRRRRRRR*
"RUN!!!" Jon shouted as the sound of massive footsteps shaking the earth rocked the entire chamber. Obara and Samaya both ran towards the entrance, the latter with Qyburn on her shoulders. They weren't the only ones to run, Mya rushed towards the entrance fire bursting from her feet, knocking past Jon and making it to the stairs.
Jon was knocked to his backside and was able to face the monster that was now holding the bars of its cell. Its flames were dim, but that only made it all the more monstrous, its eyes were hollow, but the intelligence behind them was there. That was perhaps the most terrifying part, the way that it seemed to scan him.
*ROAAAAAAAAR*
The creature started to melt the bars of the cage which made Jon wise up and run up the stairs with the others. As he made his way up to the lever room he felt the earth shake; he looked behind him and saw the creature was tearing through the rocks and earth at a frightening pace. "Fuck!" Jon shouted before pushing himself faster.
'What do I do!' He thought to himself. The creature would catch them, they wouldn't be able to outrun it. Even if they did the bridge is out, there was no way across it now unless they climbed from the sides. Of course there was no way he could fight it. "Shit! Shit! Shit!" Jon cursed as he burst into the lever room.
Obara, Samaya and Qyburn were there standing still. "What the seven hells are you doing!?" He shouted.
"We're waiting for you!" Obara shouted back.
"Are you fools? Run now!" Jon shouted at them. Though he didn't run with them, instead he went to the lever in the center of the room.
Qarlon had told him what would happen when he pulled it, but if he didn't then that creature would get up to the surface... then who knows what. Daenerys, Rhaella, Brienne, Val, Ygritte. His children. All of them would be dead, everyone above ground would be killed by this thing.
*do not touch it*
*you still haven't saved her*
*Tyene is dead because of you*
*she's waiting for you to bring her back*
Jon shook off the voices, and put his hand on the lever. He had come here to find an artefact to help him in his mission to bring Tyene back. Oh how he had failed. At least now he would be joining her.
"I'm sorry Tyene..." he whispered before pulling the lever.
*Click*
*Click*
A deep, grinding groan echoed from beneath his feet, like the sound of the world cracking open. At first, it was only vibration—barely noticeable—but then the floor trembled sharply, knocking him off balance. He staggered back, barely catching himself as the ground began to shift beneath him like it had drawn breath.
Then the walls began to move.
Massive slabs of stone peeled back with a deafening screech. Dust poured down in choking clouds as gears, hidden for thousands of years, turned behind the masonry with a clank. The very room they stood in began to tilt, uneven now as entire sections of the floor sank or rose like broken teeth shifting in a jaw. Jon looked up just in time to see the ceiling begin to break apart.
Huge stone plates, each the size of a ship's deck, folded outward and slid into unseen corridors. Chains groaned as they unwound from the ceiling, dragging entire archways and columns into motion. One support beam cracked and dropped thirty feet with a crash that sent everyone staggering. Samaya hit the ground hard but rolled into a crouch. Obara stumbled into a pillar, gripping it to stay upright. Daario fell onto his side and cursed as the floor tilted again, the center of the room sinking into a wide bowl. Even Mya was thrown to one knee, her flames sputtering as the world came apart around her.
Jon turned just in time to see the walls splitting along hidden seams.
Corridors that had never existed before now opened like the inside of a clock, folding into themselves, reshaping. Platforms emerged where there had been smooth stone. Steps retracted, twisted, then locked back in place in new configurations. The entire city was moving, collapsing in on itself.
A massive column crashed down from the ceiling and drove through the floor, sending tremors through the stone. Across the chamber, parts of the far wall folded inward and dropped, forming staggered, uneven platforms that looked like steps climbing toward th heights above.
Then the air changed.
A sudden, violent gust surged upward from below, and with it came the stench of salt and brine. A distant roar followed it, like the throat of the ocean itself had been opened. The sea was coming. They were running out of time.
___________________________
The ground bucked beneath Joffrey as though the island had been punched from below. He dropped to one knee, palms scraping gravel while a dozen Lorathi mercenaries around him lost their balance and sprawled across the broken path. Spears clattered, shields rang, and someone cried out when a loose slab smashed his ankle. Dust burst from the cracks that had opened in the flagstones, clouding the air in choking sheets.
"What in the seven hells is happening?" Joffrey shouted, forcing himself upright. The quake rolled on, a deep, guttural rumble that vibrated through his ribs.
A Lorathi captain staggered to his side, one hand pressed to a bleeding temple. "Look! Look at the maze, Captain," he rasped, pointing with a shaking finger.
Joffrey followed the gesture.
Beyond the scorched trees and jagged boulders, the labyrinth that covered the island was shifting like a living beast. Whole walls slid sideways, carving new channels that swallowed arches and pillars. Towers that had stood tall moments before folded inward, grinding against one another in a roar of stone. Every layer was collapsing, sinking, rethreading itself deeper into the earth. The ground quaked again and a cliff face split, disgorging a plume of dust and shattered rock.
"This whole island is going to sink!" another Lorathi screamed, his voice cracking with terror.
"Get to the ships!" Joffrey bellowed. He pointed toward the distant cove where their galleys bobbed in the water, already tugging at their anchors as waves surged. Men scrambled to obey, snatching weapons and limping down the fractured path.
Joffrey turned to run but stopped short. Somewhere beneath that collapsing stone Jon Snow was still alive or had been. Joffrey's jaw clenched; he tasted copper where he had bitten his tongue.
Seven hells.
"Marq, Hossar, Eigo come with me!" he barked, singling out three men who had kept their nerve. "The rest of you, to the boats."
The chosen zlorathi exchanged fearful looks but fell in behind him. Joffrey pivoted away from the shoreline and sprinted toward the southern shore where he knew the Princess Lyanna was docked, the roar of shifting stone at his back and the crash of a rising sea somewhere ahead.
(AN: Yeah so the last chapter will be next chapter, i was gonna just do it with this one but i try to get consistent word counts on my chapters which are usually 4-5k. The last one was 7k so meh. Anyway I hope you enjoyed this chapter.)
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