Legacy of Valyria: Maegor’s Glory

-In 282 AC –

A ship with a spear piercing the sun on its sails was sailing towards Blackwater Bay. The vessel belonged to House Martell, which had departed Sunspear a month prior and was now nearing King's Landing.

On board were Doran Martell, Oberyn Martell, Manfrey Martell, and Areo Hotah, accompanied by sailors and soldiers from Dorne who had yet to encounter the scourge of the Great Spring Sickness.

It had been six months since Doran Martell received the letter sent by King Aerys, during which time he found it peculiar that all men of House Martell were summoned to King's Landing. Were it not for the assurances of his uncle Lewyn Martell and his sister Princess Elia Martell, he would not have considered bringing his entire family, dismissing the suspicious letter altogether. The letter stated that Houses Martell, Lannister, and Targaryen needed to face a significant trial together. It emphasized that if they succeeded, House Martell would achieve unprecedented prosperity.

Doran glanced thoughtfully at his brother Oberyn and cousin Manfrey, who were both traveling comfortably on the ship. Though he did not know the reason, he occasionally felt pains in his legs, which eased with rest.

As the ship approached the docks of King's Landing, Prince Maegor awaited to greet House Martell, accompanied by Kingsguard Ser Lewyn Martell.

Lewyn, who had not seen his nephew Doran and Manfrey for many years, concealed his inner excitement beneath a composed exterior.

From the ironclad ship, Doran Martell was the first to disembark, followed by his brother and cousin. Maegor greeted Doran Martell, saying, "Welcome to King's Landing, Prince Doran, Prince Oberyn, Ser Manfrey, and yourself?"

Doran replied, "Areo Hotah is my guard."

Maegor chuckled, "Welcome as well, Ser Areo."

Areo Hotah interjected, "I am no knight, I serve, I protect."

Maegor nodded and continued, "The carriage is ready, Prince Doran. Shall we head to the Red Keep?"

Doran affirmed and began moving towards the carriage, his retinue following closely behind. As they boarded the carriage, Doran asked Maegor, "Prince Maegor, what is it that is so crucial for our families?"

Maegor answered, "Can you still wield your sword and fight, Prince Doran?"

Doran's face tensed. It had been a long time since he had gripped a weapon due to the pains in his legs, but his skill and experience remained intact. His well-proportioned body showed no outward signs of illness.

"Fear not, Prince Maegor," Doran replied stoically. "Where my spear strikes, it strikes true."

Maegor chuckled, "Then you shall see when the time comes, Prince. If we succeed, we will be the most powerful families in Westeros and even in Essos. Exciting days await us."

With that, Maegor didn't elaborate further and engaged in light conversation about various topics until they arrived at the castle.

Tywin Lannister's hired soldiers had successfully completed their mission, returning from the lands of Asshai with only one ship out of four, yet bringing back at least 100 kilograms of Black Stone despite losing dozens of men. They were richly rewarded by Tywin Lannister for their efforts.

The weirwoods from the Isle of Faces had been gathered, and finally, all the materials were stored in the Red Keep's warehouses.

That evening, King Aerys hosted a feast at the Red Keep, attended by the three families destined for the Portal. Maegor raised his goblet to begin speaking, "Father, my lords, the day we've been waiting for has finally arrived. Lord Tywin may already have some understanding of our intentions, but allow me to explain. Our actions will be deeds of global significance, involving a secret and opportunity left by the ancient Valyria and the Great Empire of the Dawn..."

Maegor began recounting all the information Mera had relayed to him. When he finished his explanation, a great ambition gleamed on Tywin Lannister's face, while Doran Martell regarded him with a calculating smile.

Maegor continued, "I must emphasize again that whatever you gain from the Portal, House Targaryen will not demand anything from you on the first journey." Turning to Tywin Lannister, he added, "As for how greedy you are, that's your concern. If thoughts of rebellion against House Targaryen enter your mind after reaping the benefits, perhaps we'll see another House Darklyn."

Rhaegar and Aerys nodded their heads in agreement with Maegor's clear threat. Tywin Lannister, concealing the greed in his eyes, nodded solemnly. "I agree, Prince Maegor. This is a tremendous opportunity for our families, and we will not squander it with greed. House Lannister has always been loyal to the Targaryen dynasty and will remain so."

Oberyn Martell smirked disdainfully, recalling how Tywin Lannister had belittled House Martell when he escorted his mother and Elia Martell to Casterly Rock for a marriage agreement. If given the chance, Oberyn aimed to poison Tywin Lannister after passing through the Portal.

Prince Doran spoke up, "House Nymeros Martell has long been loyal to the Iron Throne. Our houses are bound by marriage ties. Betraying kin is one of the greatest sins in Westeros. House Martell will support the Targaryen dynasty and ensure the highest benefit for ourselves as well."

King Aerys, seeing everyone's agreement, stood up and announced, "My lords, the feast shall now conclude. Rest well, all of you. Tomorrow morning, the Portal will be erected, and we Westerosi lords shall conquer another world."

King Aerys, along with Princes Maegor and Rhaegar, left the hall amidst applause. The others returned to their chambers to rest and decide among themselves who would go.

The next morning, a crowd gathered in the deepest dungeons of the Red Keep. According to Prince Maegor's description, weirwood roots and Black Stone were intricately stacked by builders and servants to form a door shape, expertly placed to resemble a gateway by the construction masters.

The day before, hundreds of animals had been slaughtered in the Dragonpit, their blood stored in large pots by laborers hired from Flea Bottom.

For the past two months, Maegor had been collecting his own blood in a vessel, amassing over a liter for the occasion.

Following Maegor's instructions, workers had fashioned a door from Black Stone and weirwood. They then lifted the large pots of blood and poured them over both the door and its immediate surroundings.

Nearly a ton of animal blood, painstakingly collected, was completely poured onto the Portal and its surroundings by noon.

Once the construction was finished, Maegor drew his sword and gestured with his head to the Kingsguard, the representatives of House Lannister, and House Martell who were gathered around him.

At first, the laborers from Flea Bottom, palace servants, and construction masters didn't understand why Maegor had drawn his sword, but soon they were struck with terror.

Under Maegor's orders, the doors of the dungeon were shut by Kingsguard Ser Oswell Whent, and a massacre ensued inside. In less than fifteen minutes, despite pleas and begging from those inside who had contributed during the construction, all were slaughtered.

When Oswell Whent reopened the doors, the interior was transformed into a lake of sacrificial and worker's blood, staining the clothes of all who stood there.

Following Maegor's command, King Aerys, Lord Tywin, and Prince Doran Martell were summoned to the dungeon. As the King and Lords entered, Maegor's squire Jaime Lannister followed behind with a pot in hand.

After everyone entered, the doors were closed. Maegor took the pot from Jaime and approached the nearly completed Portal, slowly pouring his own blood onto the skeleton made of Black Stone and weirwood.

As he poured, he began chanting, "Drāmmagon Lion of Night zyt drāmmagon, Drāmmagon Maiden-Made-of-Light zyt drāmmagon, Drāmmagon God-on-Earth zyt drāmmagon..." Starting an invocation in the ancient Valyrian tongue.

Aerys and Rhaegar understood the words being spoken, while Tywin and Doran grasped some understanding and attempted to comprehend the meaning behind them.

Chanting, Maegor poured his own blood completely onto the frame of the door and fell silent.

Everyone inside started to look at the door expectantly when the Prince remained silent.

Maegor frowned and found it strange that the Portal still hadn't opened, mentally saying to Mera: "I did everything as you said, why didn't the Portal open?" ''

"Normally, it should have been opened, but apparently the magic in the land and its blood is less than I expected. Ask for the blood of your brother Rhaegar and your father Aerys, perhaps the door will be opened with the magic in the blood of the three of you. ''

Maegor immediately spoke: "Father, brother, please pour some of your blood on the door, the magic in the environment is not enough to open the Portal." ''

Rhaegar and Aerys began to shed their blood on the door frame by making small cuts on their arms with daggers.

Maegor suddenly turned and said: "Prince Doran, Oberyn, Ser Lewyn, Ser Manfrey, please shed your blood too, your ancestors in the Rhoynar had magic flowing in their blood."

House Martell complied with Prince Maegor's request, even though it was difficult, and they began to shed their blood on the door's frame.

As everyone's blood flowed down the frame of the door, Maegor began to hear a voice in his mind different from Mera's: "Which realm should be targeted, Sagiri Mountain or Dajin, Origins?"

Maegor started to ponder if he knew the mentioned places. After a moment of thought, he recalled Sagiri Mountain as the place where Sakonji Urokodaki lived in the Demon Slayer universe. Dajin, on the other hand, was the starting point for the main character in the Black Tech Internet Cafe universe.

While Maegor contemplated which to choose, the voice in his head spoke again: "Sufficient energy has been gathered for Sagiri Mountain, but Dajin requires more energy."

Maegor then asked Mera in his mind, "Was there a voice telling us where to go when opening a portal in Old Valyria?"

Mera replied promptly, "Impossible. If we could choose where to go, we wouldn't choose a place that would destroy us."

Maegor realized that Mera hadn't heard the other voice in his mind. As the voice guided him on both the destination and the energy requirement, Maegor responded to it in his mind: "Sagiri Mountain."

Without any reaction until Maegor's response, the dormant portal began to softly glow once he spoke. Seeing the light emanating from the portal, the lords of Westeros quickly retreated. The light gradually took on a purple hue, adorned with faint stars visible within.

Maegor breathed a sigh of relief and said, "The portal is open. Be cautious wherever we are headed. Those who are to come with me, please step forward."

Upon Maegor's words, members of House Targaryen stepped forward: King Aerys, Prince Rhaegar, and Kingsguard members Ser Gerold Hightower, Ser Barristan Selmy, and Ser Arthur Dayne.

From House Lannister, Tywin, Jaime, Tygett, Gerion, and Kevan Lannister stepped up.

From House Martell of Dorne, Prince Doran, Prince Oberyn, Prince Lewyn Martell, Manfrey Martell, and Areo Hotah moved forward.

At that moment, the doors of the dungeon opened, and Queen Rhaella Targaryen entered accompanied by the youngest Prince Viserys.

Rhaella smiled with a worried expression and said, "I wish you all good luck. Aerys, Rhaegar, and Maegor, please be careful. Even if you achieve nothing, aim to return safely first. Please take care of yourselves."

In the Red Keep, guarding Queen Rhaella and Prince Viserys were Kingsguard members Ser Jonothor Darry, Ser Oswell Whent, and Ser Richard Lonmouth, who had filled the vacancy left by the last King's Guard recommendation of Prince Rhaegar.

After Harrenhal, Aerys and Rhaegar's relationship had improved, and King Aerys occasionally sought advice from his son Rhaegar on governing the realm.

Maegor signaled for everyone to approach the portal. Giving a final smile to Queen Rhaella, who had borne him, Maegor was the first to step through the portal.

Following Maegor were Rhaegar and Arthur Dayne, with the others following suit, stepping through the portal one by one.