[Edric's POV]
After the rebirth of my other self, I watched from afar.
"You stand to greatly benefit from returning to the fold. Your cold and harsh lands would be supported by the south, so you would never have to face a terrible winter again."
Garth said, to the ruling queen of the North. Sansa had married one of her bannermen as Arthur was the truest of Kingsguard in this timeline. He got the end he thought he wanted… though, in the end, I doubt he was content with how it went.
"You didn't bring your forces with you," Arya noted. Her steely grey eyes scanned Garth. "Did you believe them to be unnecessary?"
"Taking the North by force isn't my desire," Garth shook his head. "It would be quite impractical and a waste of resources, for one. It would also lead to many battles and many more lives lost. No less, I don't want to put a stain on the bond that your father and my grandfather shared. I wasn't alive to know either of them…but their great efforts laid the foundation for my father and I. I wouldn't ever tarnish that."
"If you wish to keep your independence, I will honour it and return as if I was never here."
Not bad. Quite an improvement, diplomacy-wise.
"You'd simply return empty-handed?" Arya raised an eyebrow.
"You heard me," Garth nodded. "I would hold no spite, only... disappointment."
"Is a crown truly worth the long-term implications of being separated from the rest of the Realm?" Alysanne added.
"The North and its people have always been the most detached from the rest of the Seven Kingdoms. The Last Winter was ten years ago, and it seems there is every sign that it will remain the last. My people can sustain themselves without your aid and the taxes that would come with it."
Sansa had a point, I suppose.
"My desire isn't to lord over you, nor take anything from the North. I simply wish for all the kingdoms to stand as one again and reach greater heights together," Garth shook his head. "Surely we can come to some agreement that you can agree with?"
"... You have more of your father's gifts than I first thought," Sansa remarked. "You've made such a prospect seem appealing."
Not bad... not bad at all.
In the end, despite my other self's shadow hanging over the Starks, they did choose to return to the fold after Garth expressed the plans he had for the future. It was... satisfying watching him evolve over time. Initially, he believed that the only choice he had was following in my footsteps and forcing his way to conquest. But, recently... he had been using his words instead.
Of course, those words would not work as well if not for his earlier victories.
I was proud.
Everything seemed... as good as it could be.
My purpose here was more or less finished.
As I stopped using my magic, I felt a force grab me back in. I found myself in Winterfell again, although it was empty... except for Alysanne.
"Do you intend on leaving without even seeing us?" She tilted her head.
"I did plan on seeing you two a bit later."
".... Oops," Alysanne chuckled. "I got a bit impatient, it seems."
"For how long were you aware of my existence?"
"Ever since I saw the new 'Ashter'."
"I'm terrible at hiding, then," I laughed.
"You're not too bad. I'm just a little too perceptive," Alysanne shrugged. "Besides, my father would've never left his domain without good reason. I would've glossed over you if not for my curiosity "
"Well… regardless, you've both done better than I expected. Honestly, you two never fail to make me proud."
"All thanks to your guidance, father."
"... I can't take all the credit for your remarkable talents," I smiled, shaking my head.
"I wonder where all that came from," Alysanne smiled. "You seem to have aged a fair bit. How many years has it been?"
"Over six years."
"I take it most things went well?"
"You could say that," I nodded.
I shared some of my experiences.
"It does sound better," Alysanne stated. "The not-so wonderful thing about changing the future for the better is that you'll never truly live it. I do envy my other self... but there's no use in that."
"Create the future that you want to live in. So few people have the luxury of being capable of such a thing; it shouldn't be taken for granted."
"Still... being responsible for the world's fate is a heavy burden to bear. I do want to make it a better place, but-"
"You're not alone, you never are," I smiled, shaking my head. "You have your brother and father to share that burden with. There are many others who would aid you, just as you have aided them. Believe me."
"I do miss your pep talks," She chuckled.
"... You didn't bait me, did you?" I raised an eyebrow.
"Uhm... mayhaps, a little bit."
"It's alright," I laughed. "I do like the sound of my voice, too."
"Win-win, then," She smiled. "Although, in truth, these thoughts do linger in my mind. I'm able to suppress them, however, and focus on what is important."
"That's good. Doubt creeps into the mind of every soul. Avoiding it is futile... how you deal with it, however, is in your hands."
"Mhm. Soo... what are your plans now?"
"I was just on my way out, in truth."
"Oh. A short-lived trip, then."
"I still have plenty of things to sort out in my world. Regardless, I don't truly belong here... it's a little odd with another version of me around. I'd rather not step on his foot."
"That is fair..."
"You should cherish him, rather than me, as he is the one who's going to stay and, well, he is your true father. He needs you more, too. Life hasn't been all that kind to him."
"I know," She nodded. "And you're right. I may just end up choosing you over him, which is all too foolish."
"It's understandable," I shrugged. "I once preferred you over my own Alysanne... so I'd know. It was a little unfair, since I met you first, but the point remains. Travelling through timelines like this isn't at all ordinary, and the human heart can find it confusing."
"Indeed..."
~
In the end, all of the kingdoms were restored under the new Verdant Throne. In a ceremony that shocked many... Edric Baratheon had made his public return, crowning Garth personally. Thereafter, Garth Baratheon married Myrcella Lannister and, well, it truly did seem like a fairytale ending.
Of course, the future would have its own obstacles... but that would be his to solve.
"You've been hiding from me, eh?" Garth chuckled. "I'm not that scary."
"Hiding? No, observing is the right word."
We had a little family reunion after all the eventful nights had passed. Garth seemed... happy, fulfilled. The crown he avoided and didn't believe suited him for so long suits him quite well, in truth. He and Myrcella were beautiful together. She brought out a lot of what he kept to himself. He was more cheery, for certain.
"Whatever you say," Garth nodded. "I never thought I'd never see you again... but... now that I have - thank you, for everything. In the few months that we spent together, you helped me become the man that I am today."
"It's okay... you already thanked me when you left," I smiled, shaking my head.
"I'd say it a thousand times if I could," Garth smiled, embracing me. "But you'd only get irritated, I'm sure."
"You're still a tad bit too weak," I remarked. "Don't neglect your physical training, you know. A fit and healthy body is going to keep you going for far longer."
"Well, I could find ways to extend my life via magic... I believe," Garth stepped back and stroked his chin. "Far beyond what any normal person would be able to."
"Heh... I guess," I shrugged.
"I could make you an Other," Edric Baratheon added. "If it came down to that..."
"I could turn you into a tree, too..." Alysanne added jokingly. "... I think."
"A frozen tree, brilliant," Garth smiled, shaking his head.
"It's been a joy to see you fulfil what you set out to do," I said, shifting the topic.
"This is only the beginning," Garth said. "I want to do much more than just mend the Realm."
"And I'm sure you will," I nodded. "I've seen all I wanted to see. So... this will be farewell."
"I wish you the best, father."
"Father, eh?" Edric Baratheon remarked. "Ah, the primary school jest of 'you have two dads'..."
I laughed. "For once, it applies, I suppose."
"It doesn't affect you?" Alysanne blinked.
"I only have the highest respect for dear Edric Stormfyre," He smiled, shaking his head. "If you see him as your father, I can live with that. After all... even if our paths may have diverged, we share the same origin. Once, we were the exact same person..."
"Did you ever pull Zhongli... and what level did you keep him at?" I questioned.
"He was hard stuck at level one for a long time. I was too lazy to level him, along with several others."
"Hahaha," I laughed. "Indeed, we share the same origin."
"An inside joke?" Alysanne questioned.
"Garth's powers resemble those of that person in some ways," Edric Baratheon stated. "There are some similarities in character as well, now that I think about it..."
"Yeah, I see it," I nodded. "Young man's going to be a great king."
After saying our farewells, Edric Baratheon took me for a fly over to Storm's End. Upon a beautiful hill, stood a tombstone covered in flowers. I could feel his heart grow heavy. He closed his eyes as the skies darkened. A trickle of rain began to fall...
"There was a statue in his name... several statues, for that matter. He was loved dearly. Wholely dutiful, honourable. Benevolent. A radiant ideal that many Kingsguard could only dream of matching. Even in death, he served as my blade..."
He drew out what I knew to be his version of Lightbringer. It shone the pure white radiance of Arthur's soul, unlike my mix of purple and gold. Its might was... immeasurable. I felt its pressure just by standing next to it.
"This is my most treasured artefact."
"Naturally..." I nodded.
He planted it before the tombstone and into the ground.
"It has seen far too much misuse by my hand..." He said, looking at me. "It can rest here until a hero worthy of Arthur's spirit draws it out."
"..."
"Hm," He chuckled. "I knew you wouldn't take it, but a part of me wished you did. It would make your future battles seamless."
"I can handle my own problems... without taking something so important away from you."
"You are mighty strong, I will admit. Considerably stronger than I was at the same time period. Still... your heart is not anywhere near as ruthless as mine was. Your time as a father did soften you up."
"I can't really deny that."
"If you won't take the sword, then... take this. My token of gratitude."
He placed his hand on my chest.
I felt an immense wave of power rush through my body, invigorating it. It kept on going, like a blazing inferno, rushing tide, veil of darkness and raging storm all at once. New roots sprouted from the origin of my magic, expanding outwards. It didn't end there - the type of magic I produced evolved. It became more... divine.
Not just more, supremely divine. It was greater than the difference between a mortal and what I was before.
In this kind of state, I would've overwhelmed the Great Other I fought at the end of my life... and likely been capable of destroying him without any sacrifice on my end.
"How much was that of your own power?" I questioned.
"I gave you the divinity I took from all the other gods I've slain, along with a good chunk of my own. R'hllor, the Drowned God, the Merling King, the Black Goat, the Great Other, the Many-faced God... whatever god you've ever heard of, it's all there."
"That's... a bit too much, don't you think?"
"Better safe than sorry," Edric Baratheon shrugged. "Regardless, I had no use for any of them. I was far too powerful... I still am. As for you, they might cause some issues at first."
"... Issues?" I blinked.
"Essentially, given that you just became a god yourself, their presence would dilute your own divinity and eventually overwhelm you... Not to worry, however, I've sealed them all off for now."
"How reassuring," I smiled. "Does this mean I have access to their abilities, should I let them loose?"
"Indeed. Go wild... within your limits, of course."
"Well... thank you. It's quite the token of gratitude."
"You deserve it."
The view before my eyes twisted... and that was when I knew it was the end.
The next thing I'd see was my own world, reborn as a god.