In the dusky night sky, Vermithor sped wildly, spewing Dragonfire erratically, clearly in a state of rage.
"Cannibal, let's lure it away," Rhaegar commanded.
He couldn't tell whether it was his father or Aemond riding Vermithor, nor when they might gain control over the giant dragon. The priority was to ensure the castle remained unharmed.
"Roar..."
Cannibal roared, flapping its wide, pitch-black wings, and rushed towards Vermithor, who seemed to be waiting for a confrontation.
As the black dragon left the castle, the other dragons calmed slightly. Dreamfyre hid on the stone bridge's long steps, Syrax stationed itself atop a cliff, and Sunfyre and Tessarion fled, not daring to look back.
The Cannibal flew swiftly, weaving through dark clouds, closing in on Vermithor. Rhaegar, leaning down on the dragon's back, finally saw the silhouette on Vermithor.
"Vermithor, adjust your flight trajectory!"
Viserys lay on Vermithor, calling desperately for the dragon to obey. His long silver-gold hair, burnt ends trimmed, and thick beard contrasted with his bare upper body, revealing a fresh cut. Despite his injuries, he persisted in taming the raging beast.
"Father, grab the scales on the dragon's back!" his eldest son shouted from a distance.
Viserys looked up in disbelief, but instinctively wrapped his arms around the dragon's spine. He knew he had caused quite a commotion, but he hadn't expected his eldest son to still be on the island.
Suddenly there was a ferocious roar as the Cannibal emerged from the clouds with its ghostly green dragonfire and locked on to Vermithor with vertical pupils.
Boom!
The dark green dragonfire struck Vermithor's head, causing the dragon to scream and fall uncontrollably.
"Vermithor, hold on!"
Viserys, sweating profusely, took the opportunity to give orders. The dragon responded, stabilizing as the dragon-taming ceremony reached its climax.
"Roar..."
The attack swiftly passed, and Vermithor's crimson vertical pupils adjusted as it balanced itself for a counterattack. Despite lacking dragon-fighting experience, Vermithor had plenty of war experience.
It had fought alongside King Jaehaerys in the Dornish Borderland War, the Shipbreaker Bay War, and the Great Wall's defense against the wildlings, displaying an impressive adaptability.
Watching Vermithor fly, Cannibal remained indifferent, flapping its wings into the thick dark clouds.
Before disappearing, Rhaegar shouted, "Father, try to control your dragon! Don't let it stay so mad!"
The fact that his father could ride Vermithor meant the dragon recognized him. However, Vermithor's berserk state was hindering the dragon taming process, and it needed to be brought back on track.
"Roar..."
Vermithor responded with a roar, chasing after the Cannibal with relentless fury. The dragon lashed out unpredictably, like a berserker denouncing the injustice of fate.
Viserys clung tightly to Vermithor's back scales, his gaunt face filled with worry. He understood his son's strategy to use the dragons' feud to tame Vermithor. It was dangerous and could easily escalate into a deadly fight, causing innocent casualties. But there was no better option.
If Vermithor stayed mad much longer, Viserys wasn't sure how long his frail body could endure.
Suddenly, Vermithor dove headfirst into the clouds, tilting its head back to blast golden Dragonfire. Passing through the moisture-laden clouds, Viserys shivered, his depleted spirit instantly refreshed.
Looking up, the bright moon illuminated the sky, guiding the way like a beacon. The world was foggy, thick dark clouds splitting the night sky in two. Moonlight spilled generously onto his face.
"The Seven Gods above! How can it be so beautiful," Viserys murmured, momentarily lost in thought. Any past beauty he'd seen paled in comparison to this moment.
"Roar..."
Unlike its mesmerized rider, Vermithor continued its frantic search, its icy vertical pupils scanning for its opponent.
Rumble—
Dark clouds tumbled and surged as a flash of ghostly green light appeared below Vermithor.
Despite its frenzy, Vermithor's war-honed instincts detected danger.
"Roar—"
With a thunderous roar, the Cannibal burst out of the dark clouds, its maw wide open, spewing ghostly green Dragonfire.
"Roar!!!"
Having been bested once before, Vermithor reacted swiftly, launching a counterattack at the green flames.
Boom!
The two adult dragons' roars echoed as their Dragonfire collided, erupting into a monstrous wave of heat. Under the bright moon, the bronze Vermithor and the black Cannibal faced off, neither retreating.
Vermithor's pupils narrowed with fury, spewing golden flames to suppress the fire from above. Cannibal, head held high and wings sweeping through the dark clouds, stared down its prey with evil green eyes.
The two dragons, one above the other, unleashed surging flames, creating a spectacular night sky.
"Roar—"
The stalemate was quickly broken as the Cannibal's strength overwhelmed the golden Dragonfire. Comparing speed, perhaps only Red Queen Meleys could rival it. In terms of Dragonfire strength, this wild king had no equal.
As Vermithor's flames weakened, its advantage was reversed. The Cannibal roared, its Dragonfire targeting the vulnerable scales of Vermithor's abdomen, climbing towards the more deadly jaw.
"Roar..."
Forced to close its mouth, Vermithor screamed in agony, flapping its wings to disengage from the encounter. Its crimson vertical pupils gradually faded. Vermithor's jaw, once covered in bronze scales, was now scorched black, with many scales cracked and dry.
Viserys lay on the dragon's back, a flash of excitement lighting up his pale face. He sensed a weak connection forming between them, feeling Vermithor's anger abate and sanity slowly return.
"Vermithor, hold your balance! The enemy hasn't flown far yet!"
With eyes glowing with anticipation, Viserys sat up from the dragon's back, hands clenching its scales as he scanned the surroundings. He knew how to seize the moment, even if he wasn't adept at attacking.
Confused but obedient, Vermithor responded to his rider's commands, pulling away from the fight. Rhaegar observed the scene, halting the Cannibal's attack and ascending higher into the sky.
For a moment, the situation was reversed.
Cannibal flapped its wide wings, casting a ghastly shadow against the bright moonlight. Rhaegar, dressed in black robes, stood atop the dragon's back, looking down on the man and dragon below.
Vermithor managed to regain its balance, swooping down against the clouds.
"There will be other opportunities to kill a dragon," Rhaegar murmured, continuing to soothe Cannibal.
With the advantage of altitude, the Cannibal had an 80% chance of tearing into Vermithor's neck with a single bite, hunting down the impulsive Bronze Fury.
Patting the dragon's back, Rhaegar instructed, "Cannibal, let's go below."
The battle was already clear; there was no need to dwell on it. Vermithor was a powerful dragon, not only ferocious but also growing faster than other dragons of the same age. Even the Cannibal, with its enhanced size from Life Essence, was only one-fifth bigger than Vermithor.
Six years apart, the two dragons had fought twice, both times ending in Vermithor's defeat. The Cannibal's wild dragon experience and Rhaegar's high compatibility with it gave them the upper hand. In contrast, Vermithor's temperament and rider were a disadvantage.
Vermithor seemed to suffer from a birth defect, possibly inherited from its mother's Vhagar bloodline, making it emotionally unstable and prone to berserk states. If this flaw could be overcome and paired with a suitable rider, Vermithor's potential would be immense.
"Roar--"
Annoyed at being reduced to a mere bait, the Cannibal reluctantly descended and hid in the clouds. Aside from the dim-witted old dragon, he seldom felt as threatened as he did tonight.
With one man and one dragon gone, Vermithor flew high into the sky, alertly searching for its enemy. Two heavy blows to its head had restored its senses.
"Vermithor, left rear!" Viserys suddenly shouted.
"Roar!!!"
Vermithor instinctively followed the command, releasing a burst of Dragonfire.
Boom—
A ghostly green Dragonfire shot up from below, intercepted by the golden Dragonfire. Dark clouds rolled, obscuring the Cannibal's presence and scent.
Vermithor's vertical pupils were cold as it scanned the dark clouds below, soaring higher into the moonlight.
Rumble—
The dark clouds churned, ghostly green fire flickering in three directions, then disappearing into the gloom. Viserys pointed out the Dragonfire's origin one by one, seizing the moment to command Vermithor.
He understood his eldest son's strategy: use the chaos to help tame Vermithor while the dragon regained his senses.
After a while, the dark clouds calmed and calm returned.
"Roar..."
Vermithor flapped its wide bronze wings and let out a low, reluctant roar. It sensed that the Cannibal had fled.
"Vermithor, don't give chase. We all need rest now."
Exhausted and drenched in sweat, Viserys collapsed onto the dragon's back, putting any thought of pursuit to rest. The harrowing ordeal had drained him, leaving the bruised king unwilling to move a muscle.
"Roar..."
Vermithor shook its head in irritation but complied, hovering obediently in mid-air.
"Oh, I feel your frustration."
Viserys laughed bitterly, communicating with Vermithor while gazing at the bright moon.
As his eyes grew hazy, an old man's silhouette seemed to appear on the moon.
"Grandfather," Viserys whispered, his voice choked with emotion. "I inherited the Iron Throne from you, but I've been anxious and restless, unable to adapt."
The Iron Throne, a chair of swords, only hurt him.
"Roar..."
Sensing its rider's sorrow, Vermithor growled softly.
"Don't worry, I'm just not used to flying so high."
Viserys soothed Vermithor and muttered, "Grandfather, after all these years, I have once again inherited your dragon."
Casting aside his distractions, Viserys prayed silently, "May you and Vermithor grant me strength and resolve."
"Roar!"
Vermithor seemed to understand, gazing at the bright moon and stretching its neck to let out a resonant roar. The dragon's emotions mirrored those of its rider.
Man and dragon soared slowly, in serene unison.
Viserys panted slightly, lying calmly on Vermithor's back, basking in the moonlight.
This scene reminded him of riding Balerion's dragon many years ago. The difference was that his once youthful face was now lined with age, and his status had changed from prince to king.
Yet one thing remained the same.
The vigor of his youth resurfaced, and his tired face now bore a few more determined lines.