Hey guys, I was having some major writer's block on this chapter despite how important it is to the plot. So it took me a lot longer to make than it honestly should have. My bad about that. Anyway, a few things I'd like to talk about first. First off Marty Supreme was the greatest fucking movie I've seen all year with maybe the exception of Sinners. Please do yourself a favor and watch it.
Secondly, I've been thinking about how I should maybe start proofreading and adding commas to my work myself instead of relying on Grammarly to do it all for me. Especially since I'm doing this to actually become a better writer. But then I was like nah ain't nobody got time for that shit. However, I have evolved to making slight outlines of what I want a chapter to be before I make them instead of just writing on the fly. Plus the chapter has a song in it and personally, I absolutely hate songs in my webnovel chapters but I thought it fit for the theme of this chapter so you can skip it if you don't care.
Third my doctor upped the dosage of my meds and now I'm in a constant state of itching so I'll need to either contact her about that somehow or wait until my next appointment witch is next year. Either way for now I'm in a continuous state of mild to severe agony. Isn't life just so fun? š¤£
Fourth I also now realise that on the audio reading function, the special text I was using can't be heard so that sucks. I'm not sure if I should keep using it for the dragon's voices, or if I should just do bold text so let me know.
A: Use Bold Text Instead
B: Stick to the unique text it's cool
XXX
104 AC
Dragonstone
XXX
I sat alone in my room a knife in my hand, and a wooden block in the other. I carved at it deep in contemplation. I like making things, whenever I'm building something my mind feels clearer and I have a purpose, direction, and the slight rush that comes from accomplishment.
But this time I was using it in order to clear my head of my troubles. Not that it was actually working but it was all I really did in order not do what I had to do today. I sighed trying to ignore the deep weight of the past few months.
Months have passed since the coronation ceremony of my uncle and so far his reign has been peaceful. The celebrations have started to die off now and the small council has been meeting regularly once again. But there is a problem that has been heavy on the hearts of our house. Although the new year has been peaceful my mother has been chaotic in her health.
I thought I could stop it but mothers condition is only getting worse. Others have noticed now and they are worried for her as well. From time to time she seems fine but then it's like she's not there at all. My mother Rhea had been trying to comfort me, as if I needed something that worthless. I don't need comfort I need to find a way to save someone who's one of the most important people in my life. One of the few people who helped hold me together my entire life was now in such a terrible state. So when I turned to my system only a week into the process I only received even worse news.
XXX
Flashback
XXX
I satnext to the old queen who was sleeping soundly in her bed. I was in a chair I pulled up next to her nightstand.
I sighed all of my efforts so far hadn't been working. She was only getting worse and I had no idea what to do but I knew who to ask.
'System.' I thought of the glow of a white and blue panel.
[ "What do you want you fucking child?"]
'I wanted to ask if there is a way to save my grandmother. You told me the Dragon's gift skill could help her but she's not getting any better!' I thought back to it folding my small hands together.
[" It did help her didn't it?"] It said sarcastically.
'It didn't fix her though! I want to fix her!' I said growing angrier and angrier. The panel had changed color from white and blue to green and black.
[Let me explain something to you so you can understand what's going on."]
'What is it."
["The only way to save her life would be to use a metamorphosis-type skill of a much higher level of power than the Dragon warrior body."]
'How much is it?' I stood up I didn't care how much it cost only that I could save my mother, but the system's next words crushed that hope entirely.
["The next available metamorphosis skill that can save her costs 10,000 points and you only have 256 points currently. Some skills and items can prolong her life, but none that you can afford that could save her."]
A cold feeling settled in my chest and I felt my world go sideways. I clutched my chest, this wasn't a panic attack, I had been through those before. Instead what I was experiencing now was a strange mix of sensations that brought me down to my knees.
I felt sick, as if it would only take the slightest of touches to make me vomit. Sorrow and nausea consumed me and I fell from my chair. Then I heard a sound from my mother. I looked up hoping I hadn't woken her. Fortunately, she had only shifted in her sleep. I decided it would be best for me to leave for now.
I stood up and walked over to the door opening it I quickly greeted the guards and had one escort me back to my room. As we walked my I continued my conversation with the system AI.
'WHY THE HELL IS THIS EVEN HAPPENING IN THE FIRST PLACE?! Shouldn't the damned dragon warrior's body fix the issue?'
[ "First off there's no need to yell inside your own head you fucking child. Secondly, the short answer is because she's old." ]
'Then give me the fucking long answer.' I couldn't give up hope just yet I had to find a way for her to survive.
[ "It's because you gave her the transformation when she was old rather than when she was younger. Her brain was already breaking down and so was her body. Because of the physical effects on the human body, she has allowed her to continue living for as long as she has. Without it, she would have already died years ago. Regeneration is indeed an effect of the Dragon Warrior Body but she was already damaged beyond its capacity to fully repair. All it could do was prolong the inevitable."]
'So is there really no hope then?' I gulped I felt the answer coming before the system said it.
[ "As of right now, the only way you would have the points to purchase what is needed to save her life, is to go on a killing spree. Only if you commit a massacre of high-point value creatures, or somehow complete a high-point value quest which is highly unlikely."]
I remained silent for a long time before it dawned on me. She was going to die and there was nothing I could do. I felt empty and a sinking void within me opened up, a void I had kept sealed for years, a feeling that hadn't dwelled in me since my last life.
XXX
Even with that devastating news I tried to prolong her life for as long as possible. I also took the time to spend as many waking moments as possible with her. I think the others could tell I was trying to spend as much time with her as I could, but for some reason, the fos were getting in my way.
Even my own birth mother was attempting to sabotage me. She couldn't possibly understand what was going through. I could feel the carefully crafted barriers in my heart cracking and my old self seeping through.
Eventually, she became weak and couldn't even leave her bed. After that, her delirium became even more pronounced. I would often visit her and even though she would almost always mistake me for her eldest son I didn't care. Yes, it hurt, but what hurt more was the idea of reminding her that her eldest son was gone. I had spent several nights unable to sleep wondering if that night would be the last time I would ever see her breathing. But luckily for me it never was.
Besides, although I know it's wrong I can't help but feel good calling her mother and her calling me son. Even so, although I pumped as much energy as I could into her to the point it started to visibly affect my body. My eyes became sunken and I think I got a lot thinner. But nothing in this world could convince me to let her go without doing everything I could.
But then a day came when something strange happened. Mother had called every member of House Targaryen to her chambers one by one. I wasn't with her as I was told she wanted me to wait outside while she talked to the others.
First was Viserys, then his wife, and then my father. Each of them spent about an hour with her before they left. Even Rhaenyra was called to her chambers before I was. Not everybody could make though. Unfortunately, Rhaenys's side of the family couldn't be there as they were residing at Driftmark for the moment. But for some reason, I was the last of us to be called for.
XXX
A cold sweat rolled down my spine as I wondered what was taking so long. My hands clenched around the arms of my chair. Rhea had waited for me for a while but eventually I convinced her to leave and that I would meet her better. But that wasn't what was bothering me.
'Why am I last?' That was what was worrying me. Had I done something wrong? Did she realize I had been pretending to be her son? Surely she could understand why I did so right? I only wanted to make sure she wouldn't be distressed.
I could feel myself starting to worry so I took a deep breath just like I used to. In through the nose and out through the mouth long and slowly. After a few breaths, my calm returned.
Out of the corner of my eye, I could see the concerned glances of the king's guard knights outside her door. Ignoring the white cloaks, I returned to my normal breathing and continued to wait. This had happened a few times now, and I had managed to maintain most of my composure.
Then the door opened quickly as little Rhaenyra ran out. She had grown a lot since last year she now looked roughly 9 or 10 years old despite being only 7. She seemed to be in a rush but when she saw me she stopped and blushed. It confused me and it seemed to confuse the king's guard as well.
"Um excuse me!" She says in a high-pitched squeak. Then she runs off down the halls at full speed. Without missing a beat, the white cloaks look at each other and one nods, then he takes off quickly after her.
I watched them go, running down the halls. Then, I heard a horse voice call me in. I stood and I felt my little legs wobble and a headache from standing up too fast. I breathe deep again to calm myself.
I walked over to the red door and I took a moment to admire the dragon carvings in it. My hand reached the door handle and I stared at the shining metal, searching for some strange answer and finding none.
'Im stalling.' I sigh, shaking my head rapidly to remove the thought. I press open the door and step through. But instead of any sort of negative interaction I was expecting I saw her there, smiling.
"Hello, my sweet boy come here and sit." She motioned for me to sit in the chair next to her. She sat up and leaned against the headboard of the bed with a gentle grace.
"Good Morrow Granny how are you feeling?" I say slowly walking over and taking a seat in the offered chair. She reached out to me placing a hand on my head and tracing it through my soft curls. I realize that I had forgotten to comb it out before I came in fact I've forgotten to do it for days not that it matters.
"I am well my love, tell me how are you?" She says quietly but with a level of warmth I've missed. She smiles fondly again and cups my cheek.
"I'm well grandmother, but why did Rhaenyra run out so quickly?" I say slightly confused as to my cousin's strange actions. She chuckles at that and then pinches my cheek. I ignore the slight pain and a calm fills me. She doesn't seem upset or confused like before in fact, she seems fine.
"Oh, nothing to worry about my sweet boy. Tell me what you think of your cousin.?" She says chuckling once more, and releasing me from the pinch. Returning her hand to my hair, she slowly combs through the pale gold locks. It was something about me that she always fixated on, no doubt due to the similarity to her son. She locked eyes with me and sighed, she looked tired but better than before.
"Aemon my boy my little dragon there's something I need to tell you so please don't interrupt before I'm done." My heart sank at her words, I had no idea what she wanted to say but I was worried. Would she hate me reject me, and denounce me as a member of her family? My bad habit of spiraling thoughts re-emerged with a vengeance but before I could completely spiral out of control she spoke again.
"Aemon listen to me I love and I thank you for everything you've done for me. Without you, I would have passed from this world long ago but you have brought me a joy in my life I haven't felt in a long time." She paused her speech reaching for a nearby glass of water. Before she could reach it I grabbed it and handed it to her gently.
"Thank you dear, now what was I saying? Ah yes. You've given me joy that I haven't felt in a very long time. But nearly all my children and the man I love are gone. I can feel myself fading and that I don't have much time left." She said and I could feel the gates in my heart cracking again. I reinforced them again steadying my shaking breaths and pressing down the stinging sensation in my eyes.
"No I can't accept that we can find a solution-" I said grabbing her hand trying not to let her lose hope, but she cut me off and a bit of her old strength came into her tone.
"You know that won't work Aemonā¦. It's ok I promise and I'm sorry that I'll have to leave you all alone. My only regret is that I won't be able to see you grow into the strong man I know you will be. But I have one last request for you." She said her tone growing softer again as she spoke. She readjusted herself on the bed she still looked at me but now she was lying down flat. I loosened my grip on her hand, intending to let go, but instead she gripped it tightly and let her thumb grace the back of my palm.
"What is it, grandmother I'll do anything you ask please just don't leave me I can't do this without you," I said to my surprise I had never sounded more desperate or young. I felt so weak, so useless, I couldn't help her, couldn't save her, couldn't do anything at all. I couldn't hold my mental barriers in place and the gate in my mind cracked once more but this time it was far larger than before and I could repress it fully this time.
"Im *cough* sorry Aemonā¦ I can't stay but could you do this for meā¦ could you *cough* sing for me *cough* one last time." Her voice grew weaker and more hoarse as she spoke and I knew she was right. I calmed myself refuse to panic or scream or do anything to worry her. I firmed my will and nodded to her request.
"What would you like to hear," I said giving up the hope that lay in my heart and replacing it with determination. Part of it was my own but another seeped through mental barriers like a black mist. I cleared my throat ready to give the best performance I could.
" I would like to hear *cough*ā¦ something new *cough*." She said quietly still coughing and I could hear her voice growing weaker. That's when it dawned on me that she truly didn't have long now. So I concentrated, I wanted to squeeze my fists so hard the nails would break skin. Instead, my mind raced for a song that I could send her off with. But despite how I tried I couldn't think of anything until a song I had heard a long time ago while sitting in the passenger side of my mother's care cane to me. It was Mother's Day and she made some joke about how the song really connected to her so I should remember it. The song was called "A Song for Mama" by Boyz II Men and I wasn't sure I could make it work without the instruments but I decided to make it work.
I drank some water from the nearby pitches and opened my mouth to sing. As the words poured out although I could sing even I could admit I was doing my absolute best today and I poured all my heart and soul into it.
XXX (Here are the Lyrics to the song.) XXX
You taught me everything
And everything you've given me
I'll always keep it inside
You're the driving force in my life, yeahThere isn't anything
Or anyone that I could be
And it just wouldn't feel right
If I didn't have you by my sideYou were there for me to love and care for me
When skies were gray
Whenever I was down
You were always there to comfort meAnd no one else can be
What you have been to me, you will always be
You will always be the girl
In my life for all timesMama, mama, you know I love you
(You know I love you)
Mama, mama, you're the queen of my heart
Your love is like tears from the stars, yes, it is
Mama, I just want you to know, lovin' you is like food to my soul
Yes it is, yes it is, oh, yes it is, yes it is, yes it is, ohYou're always there for me
Have always been around for me, even when I was bad
You showed me right from my wrong
Yes, you didAnd you took up for me
When everyone was downin' me
You always did understand
You gave me the strength to go onThere were so many times
Looking back when I was so afraid
And then you'd come to me and say to me
I could face anythingAnd no one else can do
What you have done for me
You'll always be, you will always be
The girl in my life, ooh, ohMama, mama, you know I love you
(You know I love you, you know I love you)
Mama, mama, you're the queen of my heart (you are)
Your love is like tears from the stars
(Your love is like tears from the stars)
Mama, I just want you to know (ooh, mama I just want you to know)
Lovin' you is like food to my soulNever gonna go a day without you
Fills me up just thinkin' about you
I'll never go a day without my mamaMama, mama, you know I love you
Mama, mama, you're the queen of my heart (the queen of my heart)
Your love is like tears from the stars
(Your love is like tears from the stars)
Mama, I just want you to know
Lovin' you is like food to my soulLovin' you is like food to my soul, oh yeah
You are the food to my soul, yes, you are
XXX
When I was finished, I felt exhausted and my throat felt sore, but I made damn sure to do my absolute best, and I didn't miss a single note. Despite that, I was worried about what she would think but she made the most beautiful smile I had ever seen in both of my lives. Her hand which she had moved to run through my hair again as I sang, now gripped mine again. I could feel her heart beating through her skin and the sign wasn't good. Her heart beat was slowing and weakening and I knew there was nothing I could do. Soon she opened her mouth again and I leaned in to hear her.
"That was beautiful my sweet Aemon, my pressures boy. I know you'll be a great man and be a great king someday." She said as her blue eyes locked with mine. Somehow I'd missed that her eyes weren't the traditional Targaryen purple but rather a shade of blue that was similar in certain lights.
They were like oceans full of depths that I would never fully understand. Her eyes were infinite in their vastness and beauty, but I couldn't understand the emotion behind them fully, only one thing was clear there was love. Those two orbs of illuminating blue beheld me and in their reflection, it looked like I was the only thing in the world to her. It was a love more intense and unwavering than anyone in this entire life had ever shown me, even more so than my own birth mother.
I could tell because although I never said it, when she looked at me, Rhea always saw my father's face not mine, even if it was just for the briefest of moments I could see it there. The resentment, the hatred, not for me, but for the entirety of House Targaryen, especially the one that plagued her. Her entire adult life had been haunted by Daemon so I couldn't really blame her, and although I knew she loved me, I couldn't help but slightly resent her for looping me in with him. As if I wasn't her son as well. But I couldn't say that her feelings were entirely unfounded after all she wasn't the one who chose to marry Daemon, the choice was made for her.
But when I looked into the eyes of my great-grandmother, although I didn't know if she saw me or her first son or me. I hoped that this meant that she had accepted me as her son just like how I had accepted her as my true mother in this world.
"Promise me. Promise me Aemon. That one day you will be a great king. The greatestā¦ this realmā¦. Has everā¦ seen." She said spending the last of her strength on those words and in that moment I made a decision. I moved to cradle her in my arms the best I could and locked eyes with her, my mind made up I spoke the words firmly, proudly, and with no hesitation.
"Yes, mother I promise I will be a great king! The greatest this world has ever seen!" I said my amethyst eyes meeting her sapphire ones. And it was in that moment, as if receiving permission from my answer, she breathed her last breath. Her heart beat faded completely and she died in my arms.
I set her down gently and closed her eyes kissing her forehead one last time. I sat back in my chair and my soul felt empty only the bare minimum of my willpower was directed towards stopping the incoming darkness in my mind. Instead, it was all focused on repressing the emotions I was feeling as I always had. From this life to my last life I had always kept them sealed but today I fought them for one reason and one only.
My eyes went blurry, but I absolutely refuse to cry. Not ever will I do so, I made a promise and I would keep it forever, new life or not I would never cry again. And so with an immense strain from me, I fought them back I kept my promise no matter what. And so I sat there feeling cold and alone, soul filled with nothing but grief and a hollow sensation.
I don't know how long I sat there holding the hand of the woman I loved the most in the whole world, but it felt like an eternity. When I came back to my senses I realized there were two hands on my shoulders.
I looked up and to my surprise on my left lay the hand of my birth mother Rhea Royce, and on my right was the hand of my blood father Daemon Targaryen. They looked at me with so much concern filling their eyes and a new emotion bubbled in me. My throat felt sore and raw and I never thought I could feel this way for the two people standing next to me. I didn't know what the sensation was at first but it soon came to me. The emotion that I was feeling was.
ABSOLUTE DISGUST
I didn't need their pity more their empty kind words all I needed now was the power to take what's mine. And so I stood up from my seat turned and without a word I walked out of the now crowded room. I have a promise to fulfill and I won't stop just because of a little pity from these background characters.
Couldn't they see, couldn't they understand, I didn't need them now, I needed them earlier! I needed their help to save her, and instead, they wouldn't even bother to visit her from time to time! As if there was anything more important than spending time with the ones that you love who you know are not long for this world! I didn't need their pity or their false empathy! I neededā¦ I needed... I needed my grandmother back.
XXX
Present
104 AC
Dragonstone
XXX
So that brings me to the present day where I am now. Sitting in my room all alone, carving away at a wooden block until a knock came on my door.
"Enter!" I shouted but I didn't take my attention off my carving instead I kept my eyes on it slowly finishing it.
"It is time my prince." A white cloak said. I turned my head to see the familiar face of Ser Ryam. Normally I would expect him to be with the king but now he's here to get me I wonder why. Whatever the reason it didn't really matter to me anymore so I sat up, scooted back my chair, and got up. I pushed it back under the desk gently and walked over to Ser Ryam as I carefully removed my apron. I had it custom-made with the Targaryen logo and colors. It's even flippable and displays the Blackfyre colors on the other side. I folded it and placed it down delicately on a nearby sofa.
"I'm ready," I said nodding at the lord commander of the Kingsguard and he nodded back. Soon we left to join the rest of the royal family. We walked at a brisk pace my strides fim my posture impeccable and my face stern and unreadable or at least as close as a boy my age could get. As expected we reached my family quickly and with no difficulty.
Much like Jaehaerys' funeral the entire family had gathered in one place for it. Plus lords and ladies from all across the realm had come to mourn her. Every lord paramount's house and every single one of their key vassals all arrived for the funeral. They all mourned her I could tell that some did really care. Some even cried from the crowd mainly the ladies but even a few lords had eyes filled with tears.
I honestly had no idea she was so beloved but I should have known. She was the best Queen that Westeros has ever seen and even now in death she still has a strong influence on the realm. But it's good they're here, and I know exactly what to say to them. I ignored them for now and analyzed the faces of each of my family members.
They each looked solemn even Rhaenyra and Laena were expressing their grief. She had been close to them, too she was also their great-grandmother as well after all. Even so, what I didn't expect was the visible sorrow on my father's face. I realized soon after I left him and my mother in my grandmother's room that I was being unfair to him and my mother. It's not like they actually could have saved Grany. Even I couldn't and I literally had superpowers so I did what I'm best at and repressed the emotion. I hadn't bothered to reinforce my mental barriers yet but I honestly couldn't be bothered.
Viserys as expected made his stupid speech not that I bothered listening to his nonsense. But then the moment I was expecting arrived. In truth, I had zoned out at that point and didn't expect it to come so quickly.
"Aemon come forward," Viserys called out to me. I jumped slightly snapping out of my train of thought and looking up over at him. Seeing his outstretched hand and the expectant gazes of my family members around me I walked forward. Not too quickly not too slowly but with dignity and grace. I had prepared myself for this and had taken actions to ensure it would go exactly how I wanted it to.
"Before she passed my grandmother asked me to have your dragon be the one to do this. If you don't want to or-" He put his hand on my shoulder and looked down at me. Frankly, I hated being so short that any of the fools could look down on me but I'll let it go for now.
"I'll do it," I said cutting off the fool. Viserys was a good man but he was very naive and that would be his downfall in canon. But that doesn't matter now the only thing that matters now is what I was about to do.
I stepped up to my grandmother's pyre not yet lit. I stared at her corpse preserved but lifeless and cold not the kind and warm presence it had been. She was atop a pile of white flowers and lush green leaves. Briefly, I took her hand and kissed it. It was cold to the touch but I didn't care. Then I let go stepped back out of range, closed my eyes, and breathed deeply.
For the longest time, I had been pondering the issue of whether or not to hide my power. I knew if I hid it and was later discovered I would be bad for me. On the other hand, if I revealed my full capabilities from the beginning then others would be able to craft countermeasures against me. In the end, I settled for this compromise. It might put a target on my back or act as a deterrent however Ive made up my mind.
So I called for them their great beasts, whom I had tamed the night before. Using my skills I had snuck into the caves on Dragonstone and used an ability I had always hesitated to. A skill that I had great plans for but now those plans have changed.
Like thunder beating the sky the sound of wings echoed across the land. Eyes looked up with fear and reverence. And before the eyes of the lords, my dragon was joined by two others in the air.
Roaring with enough force to shake the bones of all the crowd and landing with a grace and force no other species could replicate. Silverwing, Vermithor, and Ancalagon all in unison land around me. Silverwing to my left Vermithor to my right and behind me my own Ancalagon. They obey my orders to the letter. Ancalagon by his own will, the other two by the might of the Dragon Tame skill I've used on them.
Gasps ripple out through the crowd, and awe and confusion fill the lords of Westeros as they stare at the display. The wardens of the region's eyes all focus on my show. Good, that's just what I wanted. They expect me to wait a while to let them sneak in their courtly gossip. But I don't stop, I don't wait for them to process what I'm doing. The fury that burns in my lungs releases with a single word. A word I shout loud enough for all the people present to hear me. A word that chills the spines of all the lesser who hear it and ignites the fire in the blood of the dragon lords behind me.
"DRACARYS!"
Then in an instant from the roar of my words, a deluge of three flames flares forward. A pulse of blue, silver, red, gold, white, black, and purple flames all collide to light my great-grandmother's funeral pyre. Shocked gasps and awed sounds surround me as the heat blasts all around. It's so hot and bright that many have to look away to cover their faces.
Then akin to the scene from avatar the last air bender the flames rise in a spiral of colors. But in the red and blue flames, I swear I can see her face smiling down upon me. For just a moment all the negative emotions I've been feeling vanish seeing her one last time. But then she's gone and the spiral of red and blue reminds me of the cop car that crashed into me the day I died.
I feared the game of thrones. I'm man enough to admit that now. I feared poisoned glass or the knives that might come for me in the dark. I was no fool I knew that the game pulled me in the moment I was born in this world. But I thought I could get away from it. That I could keep my head in the clouds and isolate myself in the safety of the Vale as the Starks do in the snows of the north.
But I was wrong, and now I'm ready to play. I know the danger, I know the consequences, and I know that I will stop at nothing. Because when you play the game of thrones you either win or you die.
I can see my goal now in the shimmering flames before me. The blazing light shifts into the thousand blades of Aegon's enemies. My enemies. Those blades are just as sharp as the perfect replica carving in my room. And I know that when I play this game. I'll play for keeps.
[Chapter image]
XXX
HA HA Villain MC bet you didn't see that coming. šBut in all seriousness, he's not pure evil but he's certainly no saint. Honestly, I didn't really plan this chapter so even I'm surprised but the pieces just fit together so well.
So let me know what you guys think. Was it too edgy or cringe or did I do it well? Do you guys want more on the events of his past life? SHOULD ROCKS FALL AND EVERYONE DIE. FIND OUT NEXT TIME ON DRAGON BA-AHEM I MEAN HOUSE OF THE DRAGON OR WHATEVER! Jokes aside I could use the feedback.
More importantly, I have a message for you all. This is the end of Arc one so I'll be taking a small break before continuing to the next arc. During that time I might start work on a new project as well but who knows? I promise it won't be very long though no longer than a week or so.
Also next chapter there will be a much longer time skip and a few things will happen off-page though so do be prepared for that.
HAPPY NEW YEAR AND GOODNIGHT 2025 I'LL SEE YOU ALL NEXT YEAR.