The Core

The void

"I can't be dead!" Rhaegon spat.

"Well, you are, and yelling won't change that." The man said.

"Who are you?!" Rhaegon demanded.

"I've been called many names by many faiths, for now just call me 'Moribund'." He said.

"Near death? Of all the names you could've chosen, that's the name you go with?" Rhaegon asked.

"Well, it's the closest I could go with." Moribund said.

"I still don't believe that I'm dead. I refuse to believe this." Rhaegon spat.

"Oh for fuck sake!" Moribund pushed Rhaegon and he fell down into a river.

Just then Rhaegons eyes shot open.

3 weeks ago

Stepstones

"You shouldn't be here." Daemon said.

"I have to be here." Rhaegon said.

"This isn't a game, Rhaegon." Daemon said.

"I'm not playing games, uncle." Rhaegon said.

"Very well. Just don't get killed." Daemon said.

The void

Rhaegon was still in the water and he started to remember more.

Stepstones

"What's your name?" Rhaegon asked.

"Edric, my prince. I'm from the Vale." Edric said.

"How old are you?" Rhaegon asked.

"Five and ten, my prince." Edric said.

"You shouldn't be fighting." Rhaegon said.

"Forgive me, my prince, but I have to fight. I'm only seen as a bastard and if I make a name for myself, my family will thrive. My mother, brother and sister will have something to their name as well." Edric said.

Rhaegon sighed. He admired this boy's need to fight for others. "Very well. Just make sure you don't leave my side."

"Yes, my prince." Edric said.

The void

Rhaegon was still under water and this time he was struggling to breathe

Stepstones

Rhaegon and his troops had gone to face the Crabfeeder after they attacked the Celtigar and Driftmark soldiers. Rhaegon thought it would be best to force the Triarchy out of the caves, unfortunately Craghas Drahar had ambushed the troops and killed them all. Rhaegon was badly wounded and when he looked to his right, he saw Edric who had his hand removed.

"You thought that sneaking up on me would work, boy?" Craghas Drahar asked.

"E...Edric?" Rhaegon called out.

"I'm...I'm alr...alright, my prince." Edric said, but Rhaegon could see that the boy was scared.

"Craghas, it's me you want to kill. Spare the boy." Rhaegon tried to reason. The Crabfeeder walked to Rhaegon and the crown prince looked at his mask. Craghas Drahar then smirked at Rhaegon. He then slowly walked to Edric. Rhaegon looked at the frightened boy. "Edric...Edric look at me. Edric looked at Rhaegon. Don't be afraid." Craghas Drahar mercilessly beat Edric's head with his hammer until he died. Rhaegon shed a tear of anger and looked at Craghas Drahar. "You had better kill me now Drahar. If you don't, I won't stop until you're dead."

"Thank you for warning me." A Triarchy soldier handed Blackfyre to Craghas Drahar. When Rhaegon and Rhaenyra left for Dragonstone, Rhaegon had stolen Blackfyre. The Crabfeeder then walked to Rhaegon. "You thought that you were hunting me, but I've been fooling you this whole time. Die knowing that I'm going to destroy everything that you love." The Crabfeeder then stabbed Rhaegon through the chest and the crown prince instantly died.

The void

Rhaegon jumped out of the water, and gasped. He then spat out the water that was filling his lungs.

"Seen enough?" Moribund asked.

"I died. I'm dead." Rhaegon was in disbelief.

"Yes you are, the good news is I don't want you to stay dead. The bad news is, it has to be your choice." Moribund said.

"I don't understand." Rhaegon said.

"You have a choice." Moribund raised his hand and a door appeared on Rhaegons left. Another door appeared on Rhaegons right. The door to my left is peace. "You stay dead and reunite with your mother and brother. Or you can go to the door on your right. You'll be alive and continue the fight."

"What fight?" Rhaegon asked.

"That's something that I can't tell you. Not yet anyway." Moribund said.

"I remember your voice. I was drowning after my mother's funeral and you spoke to me." Rhaegon said.

"I did. I can only appear when someone is close to death." Moribund said.

"What are you? No riddles. Just tell me what you are!" Rhaegon demanded.

"I've been given many names. Some call me a stranger. Some call me a lord of light. Some even call me a god of death, but I am the air that breathes into your lungs, and I am the one who leads you to your everlasting peace or eternal damnation." Moribund said.

Rhaegon sighed and looked at the door in his left. "What happens if I don't go to my mother?" He asked.

"You'll make an honorable sacrifice." Moribund said.

"What happens if I don't choose the left door?" Rhaegon asked.

Moribund sighed. "I wish you mortals weren't so fucking inquisitive." Moribund waved his hand and Rhaegon saw images in the water.

"Rhaenyra." Rhaegon saw his sister reading one of his letter in the godswood.

"She doesn't know that you're dead...yet." Moribund said. "A letter is on its way to Kings Landing as we speak. Daemon is about to burn your body, and there's nothing that you can do." Moribund raised his hand again and Rhaegon saw Rhaenyra in the throne room. His father had named her his heir over his half-brother, Aegon.

"She'll be the queen." Rhaegon said.

"Yes...but your death causes everything to burn." Rhaegon saw many images after. Dragons dying. His family fighting and killing each other, but the thing that set him off was watching Rhaenyra die. She was eaten by a dragon.

"No! Rhae!" Rhaegon shouted and fell to his knees. "I can't lose her. I won't lose her!"

"Good. Now that you and I are on the same page, I need a champion. Someone who can fight on my behalf. A soldier." Moribund said.

"Send me back!" Rhaegon demanded.

Moribund simply moved his finger and Rhaegon was in the air. "Don't make demands of me. It might anger me." Rhaegon then felt his limbs being pulled. He groaned in pain and then screamed. Moribund stopped hurting Rhaegon and the crown prince fell to the ground. "I need you, and you need me, but don't ever make demands of me. Are we clear?" Moribund asked. When Rhaegon didn't answer Moribund blinked and Rhaegons arm broke. "I said are we clear."

"We're cl...clear." Rhaegon groaned. Moribund then healed Rhaegons arm with a snap of his finger. "I have to go back to her."

"I agree, but you will have to let Aemma go." Moribund said.

"What do you mean?" Rhaegon inquired.

"Your anger towards the world comes from Aemmas death. You have to let go the hold it had on you. It's why you almost killed Otto and its why you fought in the Stepstones. If you don't let it go, you'll be stuck in the void until you do." Moribund explained. "You need to confront the truth."

"What truth is that?" Rhaegon asked.

"Her death was not your fault." Moribund said.

Rhaegons face went pale. He realized that Moribund might be telling tbe truth. Since his mothers death, he's been different. Reckless and dangerous.

"If I didn't leave, she would be alive. All I had to do was find a wife and sire my own line." Rhaegon said. He then looked at the door on his left and saw Aemma. "I'm sorry mother.:

"She doesn't blame you. No one does." Moribund said. "Look at her. She's at peace." Rhaegon saw Aemma playing with his brother, Baelon. "They're both at peace."

Rhaegon smiled through his tears and accepted that his mother was happy. He then looked at Moribund. "I'm ready to go back. Send me back to Rhaenyra."

"Good." Moribund then punched Rhaegon in his face.

Stepstones

Rhaegons body was wrapped and Daemon was about to command Caraxes to set it on fire. Daemon shed a tear. He failed his nephew. He couldn't protect him.

"Dr-" before Daemon could finish, the wraps burst open and Rhaegon heavily gasped. "Rhaegon?" Daemon called out. Lord Corlys, Ser Vaemond, Laenor, and the army were just as shocked.

"Rhaenyra? Where's Rhaenyra?" Rhaegon asked.

"She's in Kings Landing." Daemon said. A few hours later, Rhaegon was in a camp. He was given food to eat and he was watched by Daemon. "You died."

"I did." Rhaegon said. "The Crabfeeder expected us. He was two steps ahead."

"I told you not to go." Daemon was beyond angry.

"I know." Rhaegon said. "I know. We have to kill him so that we can go home."

"We don't. I will. You rest here, and wait this war out." Daemon demanded.

"No. I won't sit here while you fight." Rhaegon spat.

"Enough." Daemon said.

"Uncle. I will listen to you, but I can't stay out of this fight." Rhaegon tried.

Daemon sighed. "No. Your fathers reinforcements will be here shortly. You'll stay with them."

"By the time they arrive it might already be too late." Rhaegon argued. "Besides, I have a plan."

The Crabfeeder and his men have been destroying ships. The Velaryons have lost all hope even with Daemons aid it still wasn't enough.

"We have 16, perhaps 18 worthy ships. 700 foot soldiers, some 60 knights." Corlys pointed out. "Our food quickly dwindles, save for what we can fish from the sea. I would say we have a fortnight, mayhaps a bit longer with strict rationing. I've made call for Driftmark to send more ships but they will be weeks away. We are faltering, and the Triarchy knows it. We must press the attack and continue sending the dragons."

"It's pointless, father." Laenor Velaryon spoke up. "The Crabfeeder's created a chokepoint here, beyond these dunes. Archers hold their high positions, and foot soldiers hold the ground. We've strayed them on dragonback again and again, but they keep retreating to the caves."

"Dragons can circle Bloodstone until they fall out of the sky." Vaemond Velaryon spoke up. "The Crabfeeder and his men have no reason to leave those caves."

"We must give them one." Laenor pointed out. "An offering of flesh to bait the crab."

"Who?" Corlys asked

"Dragon returning!" Ser Joffery Lonmouth announced. Everyone stood ready as they watched Caraxes fly past and land.

"Yes. Who? Which man here will happily go to his death?" Vaemond asked. "Show me the knight who will march into that hell pit nephew, and I will show you a mad man."

"Daemon. " Laenor said.

"Daemon is why we are losing!" Vaemond spat.

"He, at least is fighting this war." Laenor snapped back at Vaemond. "What role are you playing uncle, other than the master of complaints."

Daemon was walking down slowly to the war council.

"Enough, Laenor." Corlys said.

"If Kings Landing will not support Daemon, why should any of us?!" Vaemond shouted loud enough for everyone to hear.

"Lord Corlys pulled Vaemond by his arm. Blood or no, Vaemond. I will not have you stoke mutiny."

When Daemon arrived, everyone was quiet. "If you do not seek control of this war, my lord, the crabs will soon dine on all of us." Vaemond said. Just then, Ser Addam approached.

"Prince Daemon. I bring word from His Grace Viserys Targaryen first of his name, king of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men lord of the Seven Kingdoms and protector of the realm." Ser Addam said.

Daemon to read the letter and then passed it back to Ser Addam. Suddenly, Daemon beat Ser Addam with his helmet to the point where he had to be stopped by the other knights. Once Daemon was finished beating the knight. Daemon remembered Rhaegons plan and sailed to meet the Crabfeeder. He then waved a flag of surrender and disarmed themselves. The Crabfeeder looked to the skies thinking it was a trick he sent his men to get the dragon riders but just as they believed that the Velaryon forces were surrendering, but Daemon attacked as many soldiers as they could, they cut through many men just before Daemon was hit with an arrow in his chest and his leg. Daemon pulled himself into an area where the arrows would not get him. All seemed lost until the Velaryon forces arrived and just as Daemon was surrounded a burst of flames incinerated the Triarchy. Daemon looked up to see Seasmoke and Ser Laenor and Daemon smirked when he saw the Crabfeeder run into the caves

The Crabfeeder arrived in the caves and saw a familiar face. "I killed you." He saw Rhaegon Targaryen carrying 2 severed heads.

"Yes, you did." Rhaegon said and threw the severed heads he held in his hands at Drahars feet.

Without hesitation, the Crabfeeder charged at Rhaegon and Rhaegons sword clashed against his hammer. Both men were fighting each other with murderous intent. Rhaegon managed to get the upper hand and kicked Craghas Drahar to the ground. He then lokked down at Drahar and walked away from him. When Drahar got back on his feet, Rhaegon was gone.

"Where are you?!" The Crabfeeder spat.

"You didn't think I would make this easy did you?" Rhaegon asked.

"Come out and face me!" Drahar spat.

"Are you scared, Drahar?" Rhaegon asked

"I'm not scared of anything!" Drahar shouted.

"Yes you are. You're scared of dying." Rhaegon said. "Everyone is afraid to die. Not me. Not anymore."

Craghas Drahar felt Rhaegons breath on him. He swung his hammer behind him, but no one was there. "Show yourself!" Rhaegon started laughing. "Stop laughing!" Rhaegon continued laughing.

"This is for the boy you killed. His name was Edric Stone of the Vale." Rhaegon immediately stabbed Drahar. He then twisted his sword and cut him up diagonally. Drahars blood sprayed all over Rhaegon.

Rhaegon walked out of the cave and was holding Drahars dead corpse by his sleeve. He then dropped a dead Drahar in the water. The Velaryon, Celtigar and Bar Emmon soldiers cheered for Rhaegon, and then bowed to him.

"The King of the Narrow Sea!" The soldiers cheered for Rhaegon.

Kings Landing

Viserys was enjoying himself for the nameday celebration of his second born son, Aegon. He wished that Rhaegon were here, but three years ago Rhaenyra had told him that Rhaegon had gone to fight in the Stepstones with a small army. Everytime Viserys sent an army to help, Rhaegon sent them back.

"Your grace." Tyland Lannister, the new master of ships approached the king. "I bring urgent news from the Stepstones. It's from prince Daemon."

"Is it about my son?" Viserys asked.

Tyland swallowed thickly. "I'm so sorry, your grace."

"No. No!" Viserys grabbed the letter and read it. It confirmed that his son was killed. "We have to stop this celebration. Where's Rhaenyra?" He asked.

"Your grace." Otto spoke up. "I grieve this loss with you. Rhaegon was a strong warrior, but we cannot stop the celebration."

"Ser Otto is right, my king." Tyland said. "Too many lords and ladies have already come to see prince Aegon."

"The king should be allowed to mourn. The realm will understand." Lord Lyonel said.

"Once the celebration is over, his grace could strike at the Triarchy with everything the realm has." Otto said.

Viserys sighed. "We'll go forth with the celebration, but can someone tell me where I'm the Seven Hells Rhaenyra might be?!" The king spat.

A few minutes later Hobert Hightower stood next to his brother. "Look at him. He said looking at Aegon. 2 years old and our boy already has a kingly presence."

"He may yet, brother, but this morning he was eating porridge with his hands." Otto said.

Hobert laughed. "He will grow. It's quite the celebration we have here, and after the hunt we will have more to celebrate."

"What, pray tell is that, brother?" Otto inquired.

"It is Aegons second nameday. His infantcy is behind him." Hobert said. "All that remains is for Viserys to name him as his heir, not that Rhaegon is dead." Otto looked around. The king didn't want anyone to know about Rhaegon yet, but Otto told his brother.

"I don't think the king sees it so." Otto said.

"Then it lies with you to make him see it, Lord Hand." Hobert said and walked away.

The royal family was in the wheelhouse carriage and even though Rhaenyra was angry, she could tell that something was off with her father. He wasn't talking and even Alicent had not said more than three words to her.

They finally arrived in the Kingswood and before they could leave Otto opened the door.

"Your grace. You have to see this." Otto said and the royal family stepped of the wheelhouse carriage.

Viserys was in a state of shock when he stepped out, as was Alicent. Rhaenyra on the other hand was happy. They saw Daemon on his dragon Caraxes and Rhaegon on his dragon Slyrak.

Rhaegon smirked. He then walked down Slyraks wing. Once his feet touched the ground he walked straight to the king. "Father, it's been a while." Rhaegon greeted.

Hi guys, here's another chapter of Blood of the Dragon

What did you think of how Rhaegon died?

What did you think of Moribund?

What did you think of Aemma at peace?

What did you think of Otto and Hobert already talking about Aegon being heir?

What did you think of Daemon and Rhaegon being in the Kingswood.

I'm open to suggestions for this story

Please comment and vote

Thanks, guys