-Chapter 26-
-21st day of the 6th moon of the year 299 AC-
-POV Stannis-
The sea air filled my lungs as I stood at the bow of my flagship, gazing at the imposing silhouette of King's Landing that was emerging on the horizon.
The sun was setting, casting orange hues over the Narrow Sea, but I could clearly distinguish the ramparts of the capital and especially our target, the Mud Gate, the easiest gate to break. It was there that the battle would be fought.
My heart beat with renewed vigor. After the shame inflicted by Ronnet, I needed this victory. I had prepared it in the smallest details.
Hundreds of ships sailed around mine, bearing the crowned stag of my house, all ready to launch the assault. The men sang war songs, their ardor palpable in the salty air.
Suddenly, a ship that had been sent as a scout returned at full speed in our direction, confirming that the way was clear, no chains to block the port entrance, no trap in sight.
Tyrion Lannister had apparently not had the time or resources to prepare his usual tricks.
We approached quickly, and soon, the tension rose a notch. The men got busy, preparing the ladders and siege engines for the landing. The archers, armed and ready, awaited my signal.
Without warning, a volley of flaming arrows fell on some of my ships. Cries were heard, but there was no question of retreating.
I ordered a counterattack and our archers replied, their arrows whistling through the air towards the ramparts.
The first ships touched land, and the soldiers began to disembark with force and determination.
The beach resonated with the noise of combat, cries, and clashing metal. Our battering rams advanced towards the Mud Gate, protected by human shields.
I had chosen to attack this gate for a reason: it was the least defended but also the most strategic. Its capture would open the way to the Red Keep.
As the battle raged, I disembarked in turn, Lightbringer in hand, ready to lead my men into combat. We advanced quickly. The Mud Gate was within reach and despite the fierce resistance of the defenders, it began to give way under the pressure of our battering rams.
It was a scene of total chaos: wood cracking, stones crashing, iron twisting.
But amidst all this, a feeling grew within me… Hope.
The gate finally fell, creating a breach through which my troops rushed with a roar of triumph.
King's Landing, after so many years, was finally within my grasp.
---
-POV Joffrey-
The air was dense, the scent of blood mingled with dust enveloped the Red Keep.
Through the crenellations of the ramparts, I could see the melee below, Stannis's troops penetrating the city, roaring in victory.
I gripped the hilt of my sword, the cold metal reminding me of the days when I was Ronnet's squire.
Every lesson, every reprimand, every scratch I had suffered... all resonated within me at that moment.
If Ronnet could perform miracles on the battlefield, why not me? After all, was I not the king chosen by the gods?
With a cry of defiance, I charged towards the invaders. I carved my way through the melee, dodging, parrying, striking.
'If I hid at such a moment, who would fight for me?' I thought as I saw the soldiers start to flee the battle by the dozens.
Every blow I struck seemed guided by the very hand of the gods. The soldiers fell before me, their faces contorted with surprise at seeing me while the courage of my men was bolstered upon seeing their king fight like a lion among a flock of lambs.
But as I advanced, a familiar figure emerged from the chaos: my uncle Stannis, the usurper, with that look of determination I hated so much. Lightbringer shone in his hand, emitting a strange green glow.
We faced each other, eyes locked. Without a word, we both knew it would be a single combat, a fight to the death.
I advanced without fear and the first exchanges were intense. Our swords clashed with brute force, creating sparks with each impact.
I remembered Ronnet's lessons, seeking to exploit every opening, to anticipate every move.
But suddenly, with a cry of rage, Stannis brought Lightbringer down on me with colossal force. My sword shattered in two, and the cursed blade pierced my armor, impaling me.
'Damn, it's a Valyrian steel sword,' I thought as I saw it cut through my sword in two.
The Valyrian steel sword lodged in my shoulder. The pain was unbearable, burning, almost blinding and I knew it was over.
He withdrew his sword from my shoulder and then raised it before bringing it down towards my head. I saw the blow coming towards my neck without being able to do anything. A few seconds later, I felt myself falling slowly.
As I collapsed, images flashed before my eyes: my coronation, my triumphs, my failures... and Ronnet.
The lessons he had taught me had not been enough. I was neither the warrior nor the king I thought I would become.
As darkness engulfed me, one last thought crossed my mind. I had wanted to prove my worth, my divine right to rule.
But in the end, even the gods had renounced me.
'Fucking hell… is this how it ends for me… I hope Ronnet kills him,' I thought before sinking completely into the arms of the Stranger.
---
-POV Stannis-
By decapitating that bastard, I felt a weight lift off my shoulders but it was short-lived as I felt the ground rumble behind me and saw behind my army a cavalry charging through the streets of the city.
Two griffins combatant reversed in pale on a red and white field appeared, floating proudly, and like last time, like a reaper, Ronnet Connington charged at the front of his army.
'NOOOON, I can't let this happen a second time'
"RONNNNNET," I yelled.
He halted and then said: "STANNIS, IF YOU SURRENDER WE CAN LET YOU LIVE IN PEACE ON DRAGONSTONE."
'Bullshit,' I thought, knowing that if he was here, he had made peace with his whore Lannister and that she would never let me live after killing her son.
I smiled triumphantly and then said, holding up the severed head of that bastard: "Kneel before me Ronnet and I will let you and your men keep your heads."
He jumped to the ground, landing effortlessly on his feet and then said:
"You will pay for assassinating the two kings I served."
'We'll see about that, you bastard. Now that I have regained all my strength, I will show you how powerful I am. Azor Ahai, the Fire of the Lord of Light, burns with strength and vigor within me,' I thought before charging towards him.