(Drakken's POV)
"Why are you giving them the ability to send you away for many years?" Mya asked me as she sat next to me
I reached for her cheek and patted it, "My sweet sweet girl, why you ask?" I said with a smirk, "Because I feel like it."
She frowned, "I really don't understand how your mind works."
I pulled away and as I did so, she reached for my hand slowly, frowning even more. It is as if she wanted me to keep patting her cheek.
"The idea of sending them away might make them fight more desperately, more fiercely." I said with a chuckle, "I want to see what their warriors are all about. In my normal state, I can easily slaughter them, even if I limit myself to a single weapon. But right now, I have forced my body to be on the same level as them. My agility, reflexes, strength, and everything else are on the same level as them. But my skill? I can say I am not normal."
She looked at me, "You're a good swordsman?"
I nodded, "I'm not half-bad." I said, "There was this one guy, who I fought....now he was a real monster when it comes to the Sword. I don't come close to him, truthfully. I, of course, limited myself to using my greatsword and nothing else. This Hero, was quite humble and told me that he would not mind if I used my Sorcery. I took that as arrogance but...I was schooled. One of the few times I have been defeated due to my own hubris. He was a Hero-Knight, one of the most Gallant and Stalwart men I have ever encountered. Viktor had to pull me away while Riktor fought off the rest of the Heroes."
"What happened with him?" Mya asked, "This Hero-Knight."
"On our second encounter, I killed him." I said with a smirk, "He fought well, even bested me in the sword once again. But the stakes were higher than our first fight so I did what I didn't think I would need to do; use my Dragons on him. I would say it's shameful, should I have honor like him.....but I couldn't be disgraced in front of my brothers again."
"I see..." Mya said
I looked at her, "I want to see what these Men are worth." I said, "Knights, Warriors, Men that have pride and honor. Maybe they're like the Hero-Knight. Maybe not. Obviously in terms of power, he'd be superior than 100 Warrior Incarnates. Or maybe 1,000. I don't know."
"This land you come from....." She said, "It sounds like it's from a folktale. Gods and mystical creatures living among each other."
I smiled and looked down, "You think so?" I said, "To me, it was home. But there were times were it was Hell. You don't know the half of it."
"I have always wanted to ask." Mya said, "You say you are a god."
I looked at her, "I am one."
"Y-Yes....but....why chose this form?" She said
"It's what I look like." I said
"You can turn into any other form, no? A god can choose the appearance they take, right?" She asked
I nodded, "Some of them, I suppose." I said, "Maybe even me."
"Then why?" Mya asked
"Because I don't find a reason to do so." I said
"I see. Then something else I have wanted to ask." She said, "H-How old are you?"
I raised an eyebrow, "Ho?"
"You....look my age.....a bit older...." She started, "But....you called even my Father a boy.....even the King....."
"Hm." I said with a smile, "It is quite complicated to explain to someone like you."
"Y-You can try!" She said as she leaned forward, "I can learn, I promise."
I looked at her, her eyes were glimmering with a bit of hope. Something was wrong with this girl, something that happened in the past few years. I swear, warging into that thing must have fried her brain or something because she was never like this. Or was it the blood draining?
Nevertheless, she is a consequence of my actions so I won't discard her like trash. I'll keep her around, she's good company.
"I was born a god, but like a Human, I was a babe." I said, "Then, I aged quite fast and when I reached this form, I stopped aging. I then lived for years in the mortal realm and eventually, I challenged them. Those bastards.....and they cast me inside a prison.....and I spent decades in that prison, locked in with three very vile beings that constantly hunted me down. That prison was crafted specifically for them and for thousands of years, they were there, alone. So when I was tossed in there, they were dying to kill their boredom."
"I see...." She said, "But in your world....the land of gods, you were seen as The God of War and Death?"
I nodded, "Yes." I said, "For a good while, I was worshipped as a legitimate deity. I challenged the Dragon Gods, Corvinus and Azurria...and....well, I don't know why I would tell you that. Point is, I am very old...if you believe I am a god, why do you wonder about my age."
"New gods....." Mya said, "They tend to be younger than they claim to be. I thought you were the same.."
"Well, consider me vastly older than all of you." I said with a chuckle, "That's all you need to know."
"Is that why you don't take me?" She asked with a frown
I looked at her and sighed, "Not this again." I said, "Focus on our task. The Games will begin tomorrow. I need you to go and do what I want you to do the moment it starts."
"I won't be able to watch?" She asked
"This is a private event." Drakken said, "Only a select lords and ladies will watch. Jaehaerys does not want to be humiliated publicly. Anyways, go and get ready. Now."
************
(Third Person POV)
Outside of the Red Keep, the arena was prepared. A circular barrier was erected, 20 meters in diameter, as some stands were right next to it. There was another set of stands, much larger and better decorated, this is where the King and Queen will watch.
As the Lords and Ladies that were chosen to come and witness walked towards the stands, King Jaehaerys and Queen Alysanne walked into view as well. Next to them, Lady Jocelyn and Princess Alyssa were following. Both of them were wearing pretty dresses that were prepared for this occasion, even the tomboyish Alyssa.
The Princess looked a bit uncomfortable wearing a dress but had to put up with this. Lady Jocelyn had a look of serious concern on her face, looking all around to try and find her husband, Prince Aemon.
The entire area was surrounded by guards, five of the Kingsguard were stationed by the King's stands and around the area. Needless to say, this was a highly guarded event.
As everyone got to their seats, King Jaehaerys stood up and cleared his throat.
"My Lords.....my Ladies.... " He said as he looked at them, "Today we are here for one specific event at the request of a certain man. As most of you may know, for the past few years, The Realm has been graced by the presence of a terrible and foul being that calls himself the God of War and Death...you have heard the stories of this person terrorizing the Riverlands...."
The Lords and Ladies that were in the stands shifted uncomfortably, murmuring among each other.
"And it is safe to say that while the conflict has eased down, due to my dealings with him, there is a possibility he decides to rise up again and create chaos." Jaehaerys continued, "We are here to foresee a test of might and worth, where seven warriors will represent the Faith of The Seven. They will fight against this person who has promised that should we be victorious, he will give us years of peace until he comes back and starts this game again."
They began to murmur among each other again, takin in the information.
Jocelyn leaned in to Alyssa, "I am very worried."
"You and me both..." Alyssa said, "But if I was able to stab him.....then I don't see how these warriors far superior to anyone I have seen can not do that....."
Jaehaerys cleared his throat and gestured at one of the entrances to the arena, "And here he comes..." He said, "The Man known as the God of War and Death....Drakken..."
Everyone turned to see Drakken walking in, a slight smirk on his face as he had a simple iron sword in his hand, sheathed.
"Heh." Drakken said
By merely looking at him, the crowd of nobility gasped in shock. They felt the tense aura that Drakken exuded as he walked towards the barricade of the fighting arena.
He cracked his neck and leaned the sword on the side of the barricade as one of the guards looked at him.
Drakken took off his coat and tossed it to the guard in a very disrespectful manner, "Keep it clean or I cut your balls off." He told him with a serious scowl, "You got that?"
The guard gulped but didn't say anything.
Drakken was wearing a simple buttoned-up gray shirt with long sleeves and many were able to see that his build was quite lean and muscular. The Lords and Ladies began to murmur among themselves once again and King Jaehaerys narrowed his eyes at Drakken who entered the arena, a sword on his hand.
"Well well well...." Drakken spoke up as he stood in the middle of the arena, "Should I win, I will have my prize, King Jaehaerys. And should you win, well, I leave you alone. Until I return that is. So now.....let's get this over with....."
"Who's up first?"