House of The Dragon-A God Amongst Men-Chapter 138: The Sword II

(Third Person POV)

[Dragonstone]

"So...." King Jaehaerys said as he approached the beach where Corlys stood, "You bring the sword before me?"

Corlys held the sword in his hand, "Yes...."

Behind Corlys, most of his men were rounded up as they were surrounded by House Targaryen soldiers. Caraxes and Meleys stood at opposite ends of them as their riders, Aemon and Alyssa stood under them. The two dragons were snarling and glaring at them as they stood there with unease.

Corlys stood before Jaehaerys, who was in front of Vermithor. Despite knowing that House Targaryen was inferior to Drakken in terms of power, three dragons were enough to make Corlys know not to try anything rash. Even if his curse was activated, Corlys was restraining himself at that moment.

"You do understand the situation you are in, Corlys." Jaehaerys said seriously, "You have gone from village to village in Essos, murdering and pillaging. You brought shame to your House, to your Father, to the Realm!"

Corlys scowled, "It was no fault of mine!" He shouted, "Drakken cursed me with madness! The only way I can satiate it is by killing!!"

"And you do not resist? You do not defy this curse?" Jaehaerys asked, "How pathetic!"

"It is much more difficult than you can comprehend, Your Grace!" Corlys said, "This power....it is pure magic...it is something far worse than what you can think of!!"

"Enough of this...." Jaehaerys said with a serious scowl, "To what we gathered here for....that Sword....."

Corlys raised it in his hand, "This is the Sword that was forged by the heart of the Fallen Star, imbued with a powerful magic that requires to be activated." He said, "Upon holding it, you receive a vision of the skies beyond everything...it speaks to you....Eternity....i-it's hard to explain....."

"Is this some sort of trick?" Jaehaerys asked, "You wish for a Royal Pardon, in exchange for that Sword? How are we so sure that this is what can kill Drakken?"

"Drakken has plundered Andalos in search for the blade." Corlys said, "He wants it as much as I did! Why else would he bother himself in flying all the way to Andalos of all places in Essos looking for a sword that should not interest him! He is afraid of this power, he just does not show it!!"

"Hm....." Jaehaerys said, "And what do you mean by needing to activate it? What do you need to do?"

"In my vision....." Corlys said, "Only he who has the mark of the dragon's blood can wield it..."

"What?" Jaehaerys frowned, "What does that mean?"

"I do not know." Corlys said, "I saw an arm....with a mark.....stained with blood....my guess is that someone of Dragon's blood can create this mark on someone who holds the sword....and it will activate. Upon activation....the sword's power will awaken...it is the End of Death....the End of War.....The End of Drakken....."

"A Mark?" Aemon asked, "What are you talking about?"

Corlys crouched down and drew a mark on the sand, similar to that of Drakken's dragonclaw marks that he imbues on others.

"Something like this." Corlys said, "With the blood, draw this mark on the arm of the wielder and the sword will activate."

"Hm...." Jaehaerys said, "Dragon's blood.....perhaps....."

"Targaryen blood." Corlys said as he looked at him

Alyssa scowled, "What?!"

"Think about it!" Corlys said, "Drakken is constantly draining the magic in your blood. What if that magic is the key to defeating him!!"

"You want one of us to place a mark on you with our blood??" Alyssa asked with a scowl, "You are mad, literally!! I will have you scorched, Corlys!!"

"This is the only way!" Corlys said, "You must believe me! Allow me to do this! I will kill Drakken! I swear it!!"

Jaehaerys sighed, "The risk is too great." He said, "Drakken has beasts that greatly surpass ours in power. The Storm Goddess he used on Dorne is enough to devastate the Realm by itself.....and he has more....he has much more.....do you think he will not use them!"

"We can device a plan, then!" Corlys said, "Last I was in the capital, he was interested in Daella! Use that! He can come to the Capital by himself and we can strike!!"

"I do not trust that, Father." Aemon said, "Drakken is not an idiot.....and he already knows about the Martells and Daynes being in the Capital.....Balerion was not healed....the risk is too great as you said...."

"Use me, that way the risk will not be as great as you think." Corlys said, "I have a plan!"

"I don't trust you." Jaehaerys said seriously

Corlys got on his knees, "T-Then, take hold of the sword....." He said as he offered it to him with both hands, "Hold it and you will see the truth!"

"Father, do not!" Alyssa said

Jaehaerys stepped forth, "Calm down, child." He said as he reached Corlys, "I wish to see it for myself...what this fool claims....."

He reached for the sword's handle and held it. The moment he came in contact with it, his vision spun violently and suddenly, in his mind, he was transported into the sky, past the clouds closer to the sun.

"W-What?!" He exclaimed as his body was suddenly ripped forwards past the sky and into the void,

Amidst the void, he saw nothing but the celestial bodies of stars and felt the overwhelming power of something in the distance, glowing and emitting nothing but magic power. Jaehaerys felt it; power. The mere touch of the sword was enough to feel it coursing through his body and giving him a feeling of bliss.

He then saw an image of a pitch-black figure with dragon wings on his back that was impaled by the sword, catching flames and shouting in pain, the voice distorted as everything around him collapsed into itself. It was a strange vision, but something that spoke to Jaehaerys clearly.

He let go of the sword, being transported back to reality, "W-What was that?"

"You saw it, didn't you?" Corlys said, "The Death of The God.....?"

"Yes...." Jaehaerys said as he wiped sweat off his forehead, "I-Incredible....."

"Father....?" Aemon asked

"This could be it...." Jaehaerys said seriously, "The key to freeing our people from Drakken's clutches of fear....."

"I told you...." Corlys said, "This is it....."

Jaehaerys nodded, "So be it..." He turned around and walked towards Vermithor, "We will discuss our plans later....my wife is returning to King's Landing as we speak.....it appears Balerion will not be healed."

Aemond and Alyssa looked at each other, "What just happened?" Alyssa asked

Aemond frowned, "I do not know....." He said as he looked at Corlys, "But....."

"It could be bad...."