Chapter 43: I Am a True Dragon, and Also Fire
Rhaegar opened the bronze dragon king's ring, and various kinds of fire seeds slowly floated before him.
The black giant fish fire seed had been completely digested by Rhaegar, and he began to covet other fire seeds.
Some time passed, and he felt that he could once again undergo a fire bath.
The more fire seeds absorbed, the more the Blood of Fire might awaken.
However, the body's vessel had to be expanded slowly. Rhaegar's training under Ser Barristan Selmy and Ser Arthur Dayne also progressed. His swordsmanship and spearmanship began to enter the mainstream.
In the small bedroom, before Rhaegar, was a paradise of colors.
He had already sealed the room and made preparations.
These fire seeds were the fire of life, the eternal fire.
Various bright lights bloomed before Rhaegar's eyes. The fire seeds were not scorching, but merely warm and soothing, making one feel slightly drowsy, like the intermittent afternoon sun.
Gray long-haired giant elephants galloped across the wilderness, lush green wheat swayed, black sea serpents coiled and writhed, golden three-headed idols showed no joy or sorrow, yellow sand worms bore ferocious faces, long-winged dragons of Sothoryos loomed fiercely, azure spring water sparkled like jewels, and subterranean blood worms were dark and terrifying.
The fire seeds were so numerous that Rhaegar found it hard to list them all.
Legend held that the Sealord of Braavos possessed a menagerie of rare beasts, yet what Rhaegar saw surpassed even that.
These fire seeds were remnants plundered by ancient Valyrian Dragonlords. In the height of Valyria, their power far surpassed that of Braavos. Braavos itself had been founded by escaped slaves fleeing Valyrian rule.
Speaking of which, the ancient Valyrian conquests had been cruel—but that cruelty belonged to history. What did it have to do with him, Rhaegar?
The fire seeds were exquisite, like real creatures reduced and sealed in flame.
Each was lifelike, faint traces of former splendor lingering. Yet all were dull and silent, their vitality long gone.
Most fire seeds were fist-sized, though some were larger. The greater the size, the stronger the life force they once possessed. Among them, the black sea serpent fire seed and the golden three-headed idol were the largest.
"You're the one."
Rhaegar's gaze settled on the azure spring-eye fire seed, a cluster of blue droplets condensed into flame, transparent and pure, evoking hope and renewal.
It was the smallest fire seed present, yet its vitality remained. The spring bubbled endlessly, unceasing.
Rhaegar lightly tapped it.
With a soft bang, the azure fire seed shattered and flowed into his body. Azure light flickered within Rhaegar's indigo eyes.
The fire bath began.
The flame was gentle, warm, and soothing.
It flowed like water, permeating his entire body.
The flame carried the nature of water—measure, restraint, endurance.
This spring originated from a tributary of the Rhoyne, quiet and remote, long revered by the Rhoynar before their civilization flourished around it.
As the flame spread, Rhaegar felt his blood warm without pain, refined and strengthened.
His silver hair slowly ignited with azure flame, like a living spirit of fire.
He saw a true dragon once more.
Amid towering pillars of flame, a silver dragon gazed back at him. Its scales gleamed like molten silver, its golden eyes burning like furnaces. It opened its jaws, and fire engulfed Rhaegar completely.
Rhaegar felt himself become a dragon, soaring freely, roaring across the world, spewing dragonfire.
Then he became fire itself—wildfire, endless flame, devouring all.
I am a true dragon.
And also fire.
Rhaegar awoke, refreshed.
His status panel had changed.
Blood of Fire: Awakened
Blood of Fire (Intermediate): You have awakened the Blood of Fire. You possess faint fire resistance, resistance to disease, and temporary tolerance to flame. Further awakening may allow blood-forged fire sorcery.
Though he had not yet awakened a living dragon, this was still an immense gain.
The Blood of Fire would allow better bonding with dragons and deeper understanding of ancient Valyrian arts.
Rhaegar examined himself. His senses were sharp; fire resistance now flowed in his veins.
A true Dragonlord did not fear disease.
The Targaryens' gradual loss of resistance, he realized, stemmed from fading magic and dormant dragon blood. Without dragons, the Blood of Fire weakened.
Dragonseeds were one threshold.
The Blood of Fire was another.
As magic waned, even dragonlords grew mortal.
Lucky One: You have bathed in a fire seed born from a Rhoynar sacred spring. You gain extended vitality and resistance to poisons.
Rhaegar's eyes hardened with joy.
Extended life. Poison resistance.
The ancient Valyrian legacy was truly vast.
If only he could one day share such power with his grandfather.
The dragon king's ring was a treasure beyond measure.
Rhaegar Targaryen
Identity: Prince of House Targaryen, Blood of Fire (Intermediate)
Aptitude: Natural Warrior, Sword Heart and Zither Mind, Dragon Dreamer
Status: Giant dragon not yet awakened
Traits: Fire resistance, disease resistance
Legacy: Dragon Dreams
In a hidden chamber beneath the Citadel, the glass candles—one green and three black—flared briefly.
An archmaester froze.
"They burned," he whispered. "They truly burned."
Another archmaester frowned. "Magic has not returned… unless something has changed. Or a dragon has stirred."
He stroked his beard slowly.
"Spread word quietly across Essos. There are those who will fear such signs far more than we do."
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