Chapter 29: Rise of Valyria
Aerion, the shepherd from Valyria, found himself drawn to a small temple nestled amidst the moutains of the Valyrian Peninsula. Despite its crumbling exterior, it retained an aura of mystery.
Anxious and fearful, Aerion's heart was heavy with the weight of his troubles.
For days, Aerion came to the temple, seeking guidance through fervent prayers and offerings to the gods. The stone walls echoed with his pleas, as he poured out his soul with every word. His faith and belief in the divine presence of the Ancient gods gave him hope that they would listen to his prayers.
Yet, despite his dedicated devotion, doubts began to creep into Aerion's mind. Were the gods truly listening? Did they even exist anymore? With each unanswered prayer, his fears threatened to overwhelm him. Was he merely grasping at the memories of a bygone era, believing in something that no longer held power in the present?
Nevertheless, he persisted. For within the depths of his soul, he knew that he could not simply abandon his faith.His ancestors started following Ancient gods after being saved by Ulmo's water priests and from then on they followed everyone of the ancient gods.
Aerion's heart pounded in his chest as he witnessed the astonishing sight before him. The majestic figure, once gleaming in gold with head of a falcon, with plasma blue colored eyes with
gold and silver colored wings, otherwise identical to falcon wings.
As powerful gust of wind from Horus' wings swept over him, causing his hair to ruffle and his clothes to flutter. He looked up in amazement at the majestic figure before him, Horus, the God of the Sky, who had descended from the heavens to answer his prayers.
The sound of a falcon's cry echoed through the air, replacing any ordinary speech that could have emanated from the divine being.
He soon took on a more relatable form.
As the divine transformation occurred, the metallic body morphed into a towering humanoid shape. Horus stood between 8 to 10 feet tall man, exuding an aura of otherworldly presence.
Horus' luminous blue eyes locked onto Aerion's, and the shepherd felt a mix of anxiety and reverence in the presence of this divine being. The god's regal and approachable expression offered comfort, reassuring Aerion that he was not alone in his prayers and fears.
Horus still radiated power and wisdom, his presence casting a glow over the surrounding landscape.Aerion, overwhelmed by the sight and sound of the godly entity, fell to his knees, a mix of astonishment and reverence flooding his being. He had prayed to Eru, the supreme deity, and his prayers had reached the ears of Horus, the emissary of the gods.
With a voice that resonated deep within Aerion's soul, Horus spoke, his words carrying a divine weight. "Rise, humble shepherd," he commanded, his tone simultaneously gentle and commanding. "Your devotion has been heard, and I have come to guide you on the path you seek."
Aerion, still awestruck, slowly stood up, his eyes locked on the radiant figure before him.His encounter with Horus imbuing him with newfound courage and determination.
Aerion wasted no time in sharing his plight with the god, explaining how his family and fellow shepherds were ordinary people caught in a dire situation. Recently, a large group of raiders had settled near their home, relentlessly plundering their sheep. Initially, they obeyed the raiders' demands, but now the marauders were demanding the unthinkable: the wives and daughters of their community as slaves.
Understanding the gravity of the situation, Horus nodded solemnly and assured Aerion, "I comprehend your predicament. Ask for a boon, and it shall be granted."
Aerion's heart swelled with hope, but he soon found himself lost in contemplation, pondering the best course of action. "Should I request immense strength?" he wondered aloud. However, he quickly dismissed the idea, realizing that even with great power, his children would remain vulnerable after his eventual demise.
Suddenly, a memory sparked within Aerion's mind. He recalled hearing tales from a traveler who had journeyed from a distant realm known as the Shadow Lands. The traveler had spoken of magnificent creatures called dragons, powerful beings that thrived for centuries. Legends held that these majestic creatures possessed the ability to lay waste to entire nations with their fiery breath.
Determined, Aerion found his resolve and declared, "I seek for my people the power to forge a bond with dragons and command them."
Horus, his falcon-like gaze fixed upon the valiant shepherd, considered his request.He immediately contacted his father through telepathy, Eru was now surprised and muttered"So they really are fated to have dragons."
Eru told his son to grant it, but don't give him absolute control over the intelligent beast.
After a brief pause, the god responded with a voice that echoed with ancient wisdom, "Your request is bold, but I see the determination in your eyes. I shall grant you this power, but remember you would never be able fully control a powerful beast like a dragon."
Aerion's heart leaped with joy and gratitude. He knew that with the ability to control dragons, he could protect his family, his community, and restore peace to their land. Little did he know that this newfound power would also lead him on a path filled with challenges, testing his courage and lead his descendants to there very doom.
Horus with a majestic wave of his hand, four dragons materialized before them. These mythical creatures had long, serpentine bodies, adorned with proportionately elongated necks and tails. Their anatomy included four limbs: two short back legs and two massive wings that served as forelimbs, resembling the body-plan of a bat.They were not fully grown and only had the size of elephant for now.
As the dragons stood before Aerion and Horus, their eyes gleamed with curiosity and power. Aerion felt a mix of awe and responsibility in their presence, understanding the gravity of the gift he had received and muttered"Amazing."
Horus then spoke to Aerion, "You shall possess the ability to communicate with these dragons through your birth tongue, Valyrian."
Aerion nodded, while the bond between man and dragon had been rekindled, and the destiny of Valyria was forever changed.
Aerion approached the dragons with respect, offering his hand as a gesture of friendship. With his heart filled with compassion and reverence for these mythical beings, he conveyed his intentions and sought to establish a connection with them.
The dragons, perceptive of Aerion's genuine intentions, gazed into his soul, assessing his character and purpose. Finding him worthy, they reciprocated the gesture, allowing Aerion to touch their scaled snouts with a gentle hand.
With Horus as his guide, Aerion dedicated himself to learning the ways of the dragons. He studied their behaviors, respected their instincts, and sought to harmonize their powers with the wellbeing of his people and the land of Valyria
Also Horus advised Aerion, the first Dragon Rider, about the dangerous nature of the bond between Dragon and Rider. He emphasized that the strength of the bond depends primarily on the Dragon, rather than the rider. He cautioned against bonding with more than one dragon, as it could weaken the connection between the Dragon and its Rider(There are possibilities of this working, but only if the bond between the Rider and Dragon is really strong).The only one who tried this was Aemond Targaryen.
Additionally, Horus warned Aerion not to claim a dragon whose rider had just passed away, but instead, wait for two moons (2 months) to allow the dragon time to grieve. This way, the bond between the Dragon and its new Rider would be stronger, reducing the risk of the Dragon disobeying and going berserk.This rule was broken by one individual one was Maegor the Cruel.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone