Chapter 24: Title at bottom
The sun shone brightly over Pentos as the central marketplace filled with a restless crowd. The air was thick with anticipation. At the center, a large wooden platform had been erected, and atop it stood Khal Drogo and his remaining men, their hands bound, their faces bloodied.
Alex, dressed in a black, military-style outfit that exuded authority, ascended the platform. Beside him stood Daenerys, regal and composed, with her dragons perched nearby, their eyes gleaming with intelligence.
The crowd silenced as Alex raised his hand.
"People of Pentos!" Alex's voice boomed across the square. "Today, you witness the end of a threat that has loomed over this city for far too long. Khal Drogo, once a terror of the Great Grass Sea, dared to march on our gates. He dared to threaten our families, our homes, and our future. And yet, here he stands broken and defeated!"
The crowd murmured, their fear of the Dothraki replaced by awe and respect for their new ruler.
"This," Alex continued, gesturing to the bound warriors, "is what happens to those who dare oppose us. Let this serve as a warning to all who think they can take what is ours."
Without further delay, Alex signaled to Victor and Mark, who stood at the edges of the platform. With swift efficiency, the executions began. One by one, Khal Drogo's men were brought to their knees and executed.
Finally, it was Khal Drogo's turn. His defiance had not wavered, even in the face of death. As he was forced to his knees, he locked eyes with Alex.
"You may kill me," Drogo snarled, "but you will never break the Dothraki."
Alex leaned closer, his voice low but icy. "The Dothraki are already broken."
With a sharp nod, Mark raised his blade and ended Drogo's life.
The crowd erupted into cheers and applause as Alex descended the platform with Daenerys at his side, they made their way back to the castle.
Back at the castle, Alex stood in his study, the System interface glowing faintly before him.
Mission Complete.
Reward: 20,000 Credits
Reward: Bloodline Upgrade Card
Alex smirked, his mind already racing with possibilities. He turned to Daenerys, who had just entered the room with her dragons trailing behind her.
"Come," Alex said, motioning for her to follow. "There's something I want to show you."
In the castle's expansive backyard, Alex separated Drogon from the other two dragons. The black-scaled creature tilted its head curiously, sensing something unusual.
"What are you going to do?" Daenerys asked, her tone a mix of curiosity and concern.
"Blood magic," Alex replied with a small smile. "But don't worry it's safe."
He accessed the System and selected the Bloodline Upgrade Card.
Target: Drogon. Confirm Upgrade?
"Yes."
A blinding light enveloped Drogon, forcing everyone to shield their eyes. The transformation took an entire minute, during which the dragon's body shifted and grew.
When the light subsided, Drogon stood transformed.
He now had four powerful legs with razor-sharp claws, two massive black horns protruding from his forehead, and his entire body was covered in obsidian-like scales that gleamed with an otherworldly sheen. His size had also increased significantly; he now stood at four feet tall, towering over his siblings.
Drogon let out a mighty roar, testing his new body. Then, to Alex's surprise, the dragon ran toward him and nuzzled into his embrace, as if expressing gratitude.
Daenerys and the other dragons stared in stunned silence.
"This… this is incredible," Daenerys whispered, awe-struck.
Alex stepped back and looked at Drogon. "This is no longer Drogon. This transformation is a rebirth, a new beginning. He deserves a name that reflects his future a name worthy of his power."
He turned to Daenerys and announced, "From this day forward, he shall be known as ANCALAGON the BLACK."
The name rolled off his tongue with a sense of finality. As if understanding, the newly transformed dragon let out a roar of approval, his obsidian scales glinting in the sunlight.
Daenerys smiled, placing a hand on Alex's arm. "Ancalagon… it suits him."
Alex nodded. "He'll grow into it and when he does, the world will know his name. In future, he'll be known as the Mightiest Dragon to ever walked on this world".
With that, the two of them stood together, watching as the Ancalagon established his superiority on the other two Dragons. They easily submitted because they were no where near the size of him.
Word of Alex and Daenerys' rise to power spread like wildfire across Essos and even reached the shores of Westeros.
In King's Landing, Varys, the Spider, stood before King Robert Baratheon in the Red Keep.
"Sire," Varys began carefully, "news from across the Narrow Sea. Pentos has fallen under new leadership. A man named Alex has seized control, and Daenerys Targaryen stands at his side as queen."
Robert barely looked up from his cup of wine. "And why should I care about some upstart across the sea? Let them play their games. What can do they to us from across the Narrow sea".
"My lord, news tells me that, they have 3 dragons with them, alive and kicking."
"Dragons?, lies there are no dragons left. Magic is long gone, and we all know Dragons can't live without magic. You need to work on your sources, Varys" said the drunken king.
Varys frowned but didn't press further. The drunken king's short-sightedness was typical, but Varys made a mental note to keep an eye on Pentos.
In Braavos and Volantis, the reaction was different. The news of Alex's military prowess and the existence of three dragons made the leaders cautious but curious. Rather than risking conflict, they sent envoys to Pentos to establish relations. Pentos' strategic location and newfound leadership made it a potential ally or at least a neutral party worth befriending.
Back in Pentos, Alex was overseeing the transformation of the city. His summoned engineers and local laborers were making steady progress. The census was nearly complete, with 90% of the population now accounted for, providing crucial data for future planning.
Road repairs had improved trade routes within the city, and construction of new public toilets was underway. Alex's insistence on proper sanitation was met with initial confusion but quickly won over the population as they saw the benefits.
At the docks, the repairs were in full swing, ensuring Pentos could handle more trade ships and improve its economy.
Daenerys, meanwhile, had taken to walking among the people, accompanied by Ancalagon and the other dragons. Her presence, along with the dragons, inspired both awe and loyalty.
Ancalagon had grown significantly in just a week, now standing at five feet long and two and a half feet tall. His sharp claws and obsidian scales gleamed in the sunlight, and his horns had grown more pronounced.
Alex couldn't help but marvel at his dragon. The resemblance to the legendary Ancalagon the Black from the tales of Tolkien was uncanny.
"System," Alex asked one evening as he observed Ancalagon. "Is there any chance this transformation is more than I expected? He's growing faster and stronger than I thought possible."
The System responded in its usual monotone:
"The Bloodline Upgrade Card unlocked the latent potential within Drogon. The growth rate and physical attributes you observe are consistent with the genetic evolution initiated. However, further evolution is dependent on environmental factors and resources provided."
Alex smirked. "So, he could really become like that Ancalagon?"
"Theoretically, yes."
This revelation filled Alex with a mix of excitement and caution. If Ancalagon continued to grow at this pace, he would become a force that could dominate not just Pentos but the entire world.
By the end of the another 2 weeks, envoys from Braavos and Volantis arrived at Pentos, requesting an audience with the new rulers.
Alex met them in the newly refurbished throne room. He sat on the Ironwood throne, with Daenerys beside him and the three dragons perched around them.
The Braavosi delegate spoke first. "We come in peace, seeking to establish trade and mutual cooperation. Braavos has no quarrel with Pentos and recognizes its new rulers."
The Volantene envoy echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing trade and cultural exchange.
Alex listened carefully, his mind already working on strategies to turn these potential alliances into long-term benefits for Pentos. He agreed to discussions with both factions, setting the stage for future negotiations.
As the week came to a close, Alex gathered his subordinates in the war room.
"We're making progress," he said, his voice steady but commanding. "But this is just the beginning. Pentos will not only be a stronghold it will be a symbol of what a city can achieve under proper leadership."
He turned to his commanders. "Train the soldiers harder. I want them disciplined and prepared for anything. And keep an eye on the envoys. We don't need spies reporting back more than we want them to know."
Then, addressing Daenerys, he added, "You're the face of our rule, Dany. Keep walking among the people. Show them their queen is not just a symbol but someone who cares."
Daenerys smiled warmly, her earlier nervousness replaced by growing confidence.
As they left the room, Ancalagon nudged Alex with his massive head.
"You're going to be the cornerstone of our empire, buddy," Alex whispered, stroking the dragon's obsidian scales.
The future was bright, and Alex knew he was just getting started.
(title= ANCALAGON THE BLACK)