A Multiversal Journey (GOT/ASOIAF)

Words ~ 3004

Author here ~ Sorry I couldn't give a chapter yesterday as I had a test, then a pre-planned date with my girl and the when I reached home at 7 pm, I was feeling sick and no longer in the mood to write.

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Richard Stark's POV

As soon as I crossed into the territory of House Noir, I felt an almost palpable shift in the atmosphere. The land seemed to exude a strange vitality, as if the Old Gods themselves had blessed this region. The sight before me was a stark contrast to the rest of the North. Here, the greenery was so lush that it reminded me of the Riverlands, with rolling fields and vibrant forests. The air smelled different—cleaner, richer, like it carried the life of the land itself. It was hard to believe I was still in the North, except for the patches of snow that stubbornly clung to the ground, remnants of a winter long gone. The ancient weirwood trees that lined the roads, their gnarled white trunks and blood-red leaves, were a constant reminder of the Old Gods' presence here.

The road beneath my horse's hooves was unlike anything I had ever seen. Smooth and uniform, it was made of a substance called "concrete," according to the rumors. A liquid stone that hardens over time. Alaric Noir, the heir to House Noir, was said to have invented it himself. A child of barely five years, yet already his name carried whispers of genius and power. How could one so young create something so revolutionary? My mind reeled at the thought.

As my men and I rode deeper into the Noir lands, the signs of prosperity were undeniable. Crops grew tall and healthy in the fields, the peasants appeared well-fed and content, and the villages were bustling with activity. It was as though this land had never known hardship. The abundance of weirwood trees, in particular, gave me pause. These ancient trees took centuries to grow, yet here they stood in great numbers, their massive trunks and sprawling branches forming a canopy that seemed to shelter the entire land.

"Do you think it's true, my lord?" asked Maester Luwin, riding beside me. His wrinkled face bore a mixture of awe and skepticism as he surveyed the weirwood trees. "That the Old Gods favor this house?"

I didn't answer immediately. Instead, I glanced at one particularly massive tree, its carved face seeming to watch us as we passed. "If not the Old Gods, then something else," I finally said. "No land becomes this prosperous without a price."

Our first destination was the newly built harbor at Stony Shore. I had heard tales of its marvels—of ships larger than anything seen in the North, of trade flourishing like never before. Some whispered that a southern house was secretly backing House Noir, seeking to plant a foothold in the North. If that were true, it was my duty as Warden of the North to uncover it.

When we reached the harbor, I was struck speechless. The docks were alive with activity—merchants unloading crates of goods, fishermen hauling in their catch, and laborers scurrying about with purpose. The harbor itself was massive, far larger than anything I had imagined. And then there was the ship.

A behemoth of wood and iron, it dwarfed every other vessel in sight. Its masts reached skyward like the towers of Winterfell, and its hull was wide enough to hold entire armies. I could scarcely believe such a thing could float, let alone sail.

"By the gods," Luwin muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.

I nodded, unable to tear my eyes away from the ship. "If that thing sails, it could rival the Ironborn's entire fleet."

My gaze wandered to the far end of the shore, where the coastline lay quiet and undisturbed. Or so I thought. What I saw made my blood run cold.

Heads. Rows upon rows of severed heads, mounted on wooden spikes, their lifeless eyes staring out to sea. The sight was both gruesome and chilling.

"So the rumors are true," Torrhen said, his voice trembling. "House Noir shows no mercy."

Their house words—Without Mercy, Without Fear—had never felt so literal. The sight of the heads filled me with unease. This was no way to honor the fallen, no matter how fierce the battle. It was brutal, dishonorable, and deeply unsettling. But then, House Noir was not known for their honor. They were known for their ferocity.

After the harbor, we made our way to Wraithstone Castle, the seat of House Noir. It was said they were building a new castle, grander and more fortified, but for now, Wraithstone remained their stronghold.

The castle itself was an imposing structure, its dark stone walls rising high against the horizon. It was smaller than Winterfell but no less intimidating. As we approached the gates, I noticed the watchful eyes of guards patrolling the walls. They carried themselves with a confidence that bordered on arrogance, their gazes piercing and unyielding.

We were made to wait at the gates for a time before the doors opened to reveal Master Edward himself. He was a tall but fat man with an air of quiet cunning. Beside him stood his Lord, Alaric Noir.

The boy was flanked by a maid, who guided him forward. He was small for his age, with silver-grey eyes that seemed almost otherworldly. He greeted me politely but did not bow. It was not out of disrespect, I realized, but simply because no one had taught him to. He was five years old, after all, and likely unaccustomed to formal court etiquette.

"Lord Stark," Edward said, extending a hand. "Welcome to Wraithstone. You honor us with your presence."

I accepted the bread and salt he offered, a gesture of guest right that eased some of my tension. "The honor is mine, Master Edward. Your lands are... impressive."

Edward allowed himself a small smile. "We do what we can."

As we stepped inside the castle, I felt the boy's gaze on me. Alaric's eyes were unlike anything I had ever seen. Silver-grey, almost luminous, they seemed to pierce through me, as if seeing every thought and secret I carried.

[How his eyes look]

The people of House Noir were known for their unsettling eyes. Many in the North spoke of them in hushed tones, calling them the Eyes of the Predator. They were a unique shade of grey, almost metallic, and they seemed to glow faintly even in the dim light of the castle. When you looked into them, it was as though you were staring into the eyes of a wolf—or something far more dangerous.

Alaric's gaze was no different. Despite his youth, there was an intensity in his eyes that made me uneasy. It was not the curiosity of a child but the sharp, calculating look of a predator assessing its prey.

"Hier Noir has a keen mind, Master Edward," I said, attempting to lighten the mood. "I've heard much about his inventions."

Edward's expression softened as he glanced at the boy. "Alaric is... gifted," he said simply.

The boy said nothing, but his gaze never left me. It was unnerving, to say the least.

As we continued deeper into the castle, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being watched—not just by the boy, but by the very walls themselves. Wraithstone had a presence, a weight that pressed down on you. It was a fortress in every sense of the word, built not just to defend but to intimidate.

When we finally reached the great hall, Edward gestured for me to sit. Alaric remained by his side, silent and watchful.

"Tell me, Lord Stark," Edward said, breaking the silence. "What brings you to our humble lands?"

I chose my words carefully. "The prosperity of your house has not gone unnoticed, Master Edward. As Warden of the North, it is my duty to understand the strengths and resources of all the houses under my protection."

Edward's smile didn't quite reach his eyes. "And have you found what you were looking for?"

"Not yet," I admitted. "But I intend to."

Our conversation continued, polite but guarded. All the while, I felt the boy's gaze on me. Alaric Noir was a mystery, a child of immense potential and unsettling presence. Whatever the truth behind House Noir's success, one thing was clear: they were a force to be reckoned with.

And Alaric? He was the heart of it all.

---

Alaric's POV

As Lord Richard Stark was preparing to leave, I ensured that everything was in order. But before allowing him to depart, I placed numerous layers of compulsion on his mind. The intent was simple—ensuring his loyalty to my house and preventing him from entertaining any treacherous ideas. His thoughts were now clear and focused, free of any inkling to act against us.

Through my subtle probing and inspection of his mind after his discussion with Master Edward, I discovered his worries. He was not concerned with the strength of our house or our growing influence in the North, per se, but rather the possibility that some southern house might be secretly supporting us. The idea of external interference sowing discord among the Northern houses plagued his thoughts. There was also a nagging fear about rebellion—a notion perhaps planted by the actions of the Boltons in the past. House Noir was an enigma, and to the uninitiated, a potential threat. But with his mind suitably adjusted, I was confident that he would now focus solely on maintaining peace rather than stoking the fires of conflict.

Once Richard Stark departed, my attention shifted back to matters more pressing—business and expansion. My ships were finally ready to depart on their grand voyage, and I ensured their safe journey by splitting off thirty of my magical clones to accompany the fleet. These clones were instrumental to my plans; each was a perfect copy of myself, capable of independent thought and action but tied to my consciousness. They would act as my eyes, ears, and hands in distant lands.

---

Two Months Later

Sothoryos – Clone's POV

It had taken our fleet a full month to reach the distant and untamed lands of Sothoryos, but the journey was far from straightforward. Our ships made multiple stops along the way, conducting business in the Reach, Dorne, and various Free Cities like Lys and Volantis. These stops were critical, not only for trade but also to strengthen our reputation and establish our influence. The recent addition of ice to our trade goods was a roaring success, and it complemented our vodka and beer offerings perfectly. The demand for these beverages, particularly when paired with ice, was skyrocketing.

For the northern Free Cities like Braavos, Lorath, Pentos, and Tyrosh, a part of our fleet had split off to deliver goods, ensuring no corner of Essos was untouched by our enterprise.

While it had taken us a month to reach Sothoryos, this was only possible due to the magical enhancements on our ships. A fleet of our size, under normal circumstances, would have taken at least six months to make the journey, even without stopping along the way. The enchantments I had placed on the ships made them faster, sturdier, and more efficient, allowing us to traverse the treacherous seas with ease.

Now, standing at the edge of the forest-covered land of Sothoryos, I felt a surge of excitement. This was untamed territory, a land brimming with potential. My vision for Sothoryos was ambitious—I intended to turn this wild and dangerous land into a powerhouse of agriculture and industry.

The first step was obvious: lumber. The dense forests of Sothoryos were teeming with valuable timber, and I planned to harvest these resources systematically. Simultaneously, we would clear land to establish farms. My ultimate goal was to transform Sothoryos into a breadbasket capable of feeding not just the North but all of Essos.

Currently, my lands in the North produced enough food to sustain our house and trade within the region, but that was merely the beginning. I wanted to completely sever the North's dependency on the Reach. By monopolizing the food and lumber markets, House Noir would solidify its position as an unshakable force in this medieval world.

This strategic move was also why I chose not to involve myself in the mirror-making business. While it would have been lucrative, the constant annoyance of assassination attempts from Myr, which held a monopoly on glassmaking, was not worth the trouble. Additionally, by keeping superior glassware and mirrors exclusive to my house, I could flex on the other noble houses, showcasing a level of wealth and sophistication they could only dream of. Mirrors were incredibly expensive in this world, and their rarity made them a perfect symbol of prestige.

---

The work began immediately. My clones and the ship's crew worked tirelessly to clear the forests, setting up camps and fortifications as they progressed. The wild animals of Sothoryos proved to be a constant threat. Massive wyverns, large apes rivaling giants in size, and other monstrous creatures frequently attacked our workers, but they were no match for my enchanted crew.

The crew members, equipped with prototype virus, made quick work of any threat. Their arms could transform into massive blades, and they fought with a precision and ferocity that ensured no creature survived long enough to pose a significant danger. With no one around to witness these abilities, they were free to unleash their full potential.

The more we pushed into the forest, the clearer my vision for Sothoryos became. The land was fertile, the resources abundant, and the possibilities endless. I instructed my clones to focus on establishing a sustainable system of logging and farming. The timber would be shipped back to Westeros and Essos for profit, while the cleared land would be transformed into sprawling fields of crops. This venture would not only secure our economic dominance but also lay the foundation for House Noir's legacy as the provider of life-sustaining resources.

---

Alaric's POV

Back in Wraithstone, my work was progressing smoothly. The fleet's success was just one of many projects I had in motion. Among these was my personal endeavor to create mounts and creatures that would solidify my dominance on land, sea, and air.

First, I focused on creating stronger horses for my cavalry. These were no ordinary horses but genetically enhanced beasts designed for speed, strength, and endurance.

[Cavelry Horse's pics]

Next came my personal mount—a wolf. It was still a pup, but even at this stage, it was massive. Its potential was limitless, and I could already see it becoming a fearsome companion and symbol of my power.

[Wolf mount]

Then came the larger projects.

The first was a water serpent, a colossal creature capable of growing indefinitely and emitting thunderous roars that could rival a storm. I designed it to patrol and protect my shores, ensuring that no naval threat could approach unnoticed. Even the dragons would fear it might just because of its size. For now, I decided to leave it in Sothoryos, where it could grow undisturbed in the vast rivers and oceans surrounding the land.

[Thunder Serpent]

The second project was even more ambitious—a dragon. This was no ordinary dragon but a creature engineered to surpass even Balerion the Black Dread. It was still a baby, but its potential was staggering. When fully grown, it would make the greatest dragons of history look like mere hatchlings.

[Dragon]

For now, the dragon would stay with me, a constant reminder of my unparalleled power. But once it was capable of flight, I planned to release it into the forests of Sothoryos, where it could grow freely and without constraint. Teleporting to Sothoryos to check on its progress would be a simple matter for me, ensuring that I could monitor its development closely.

---

Clone's POV – Progress in Sothoryos

The work in Sothoryos continued at an impressive pace. The forests were being cleared systematically, and the first farming plots were already taking shape. The local wildlife, though fierce and relentless, was no match for our enchanted crew.

The wyverns, in particular, were a constant nuisance. These winged beasts were formidable predators, but their ferocity paled in comparison to the precision and strength of my workers. The crew's enhanced abilities allowed them to deal with these threats efficiently, ensuring the safety of our operations.

With the forests yielding valuable timber and the farmland beginning to take shape, the vision of Sothoryos as a hub of resources and agriculture was becoming a reality. This land, once untamed and wild, was being molded into the cornerstone of House Noir's economic empire.

The water serpent, now released into the surrounding waters, had already begun to grow at an astonishing rate. Its presence alone was enough to deter potential threats, and I could sense its connection to me even from across the world.

The dragon, meanwhile, remained with me in Wraithstone, its piercing eyes a constant reminder of the future I was building. Every move I made, every project I undertook, was part of a grand design—a design that would see House Noir rise to unparalleled heights.

And this was only the beginning.