Life Moves On

PJO World
The Winter Realm, The Winter Fort

Flying with Caraxes has always been liberating and empowering to Aemon, it is easy to see why his dragon riding ancestors believed themselves above even gods. However, while the experience has always been thrilling, Caraxes has never been the fastest of dragons. Nimble, agile, and ferocious are the Blood Wyrm’s greatest characteristics, not speed. It is why Vhagar was so grievously injured by Caraxes as to die first and why Drogon was humiliated when he challenged Aemon’s dragon. It is a quirk of the dragons’ physique which allows it to maneuver any which way at the cost of speed. 

However, since experiencing Dragon Communion and obtaining Albion’s power and wisdom Caraxes’ speed has quickly become one of the dragon’s strengths. Feeling the sheer strength and power coursing through his companion’s muscle with every beat of wings, Aemon quickly theorizes that while Caraxes may not have grown much his muscles have certainly become more powerful without sacrificing his agility or nimble movements. It is such that Aemon would not be surprised should Caraxes prove to be the fastest of the dragons nesting in his headquarters of Dragonstone. He would not even be surprised to find him to be faster than even Meleys, the fastest dragon in Targaryen history after the Conquest.

As they fly through the skies of the Winter Realm, the dragon makes sure to fly low enough for all to see his rider. Even without Aemon’s say so, through their bond Caraxes understands Aemon’s wishes; to send a message through all those inhabiting the Winter Realm that their new King rides a dragon. Prideful as ever, Caraxes relishes flying low and roaring for all to hear and behold his magnificence, occasionally belching out huge balls of fire into the air or streams of flames at any whose sight he does appreciate. Melting the White Fort was not enough, they must bear witness to how such an act was accomplished. 

The tour through the Winter Realm took a mere few days, short one might say until one considers the fact that the realm is easily twice as big as Westeros. It is simply due to Caraxes speed that it took such a short time.

As Aemon returns to the Winter Fort, he finds Percy and the others waiting for him.

Landing just a distance away, Aemon easily jumps from Caraxes’ saddle and gracefully lands on the ash covered ground of the once White Forest, his landing not even kicking up the dust and ash. 

Walking towards his fellow chat members, Aemon is momentarily stumped when he feels the sheer presence rolling off of Percy in waves, as if it is not a demigod standing before him but rather a god. 

With a slight frown he cannot help but look deeper, extending the senses of his newly discovered spirit to find the cause. As his senses sweep over the demigod the roar of a dragon warns him off and causes him to quickly stop peering. 

This effect, only one who has bathed in the blood of a dragon they have slain in single combat can possess such a presence. The aura of a dragon, skin impervious to anything that cannot harm a dragon, increased physical and magical might, and more importantly an existence as dense and powerful as a dragon’s.

There is a reason why single combat is the preferred judgment of many societies, because it is a ritual. Not one of justice, but one of spirit. Two beings face one another in single combat are pitting their existences against each other to determine which of them is worthy of living, and should the ritual be properly adhered to the winner’s existence will not only be proven but their spirits shall also be strengthened through the absorption of part of the enemy’s might. 

Of course most forms of single combat never reach such a stage, especially in the mortal realm, for most societies now adhere to the belief of justice as opposed to might makes right. However, facing a dragon is different for their very being is so saturated with magic that it would not be completely wrong to claim them to be the ones who produce most of the energy, nor would it be wrong to name them magic’s favored children. 

However, facing a dragon in single combat begins the ritual not only due the sheer amount of magic they possess, but also because the existential weight of a dragon is such that nature recognises that choosing to face one of its favored children by oneself and succeeding is deserving of a reward. One can say that it is nature’s way of rewarding the combatant for creating a miracle, for what else can it be to face a dragon in single combat and emerge the victor? 

“You have grown more powerful.” comments Aemon as he looks at Percy with an appreciative nod. 

He knew that Percy emerged victorious against Vortigern but he did not think that he accomplished it single handedly, nor did he think that his blessing would be so great. Sensing Percy now, Aemon does not think that the true blessing of Vortigern’s defeat has made itself known to him yet. 

“Yea, they said it’s because I beat Vortigern and got his blood all over me.” says Percy with a grimace as he caresses the back of his head. With a chuckle and a pat on his back, Aemon reassures the demigod that he will help him with his newfound abilities. 

Turning to Anakin, a solemn expression makes its way to Aemon’s face, “Well?” he asks the Jedi. 

“The echoes of death in the force on such a massive scale isn’t something I want to feel ever again.” says Anakin. 

“Unfortunately this was nothing compared to a true war.” replies Aemon. “Here you did not feel the despair and suffering of the innocent as war ruins their life, nor did you feel nature dying as the scale of the war encompassed the entire planet. All you felt was the echoes of the dying warriors who understood and accepted that they may not survive the battle.” he says, causing Anakin to pale.

“How can you be so calm about this?” he asks with a sigh. 

“Because this is the reality and ironic beauty of life. For as long as life exists there will be war, that is a fact of life. You may think that only sentient beings wage war, however that cannot be further from the truth. Even plants wage war on one another and it is what makes life so beautiful, the ability to choose how to live it.” explains Aemon. “Think on my words, and once you understand them we can begin your training.”  he says before turning to Jenifer and Simon. 

“Well?” asks Simon with a slight smirk, “Any sage advice for us?”

“Other than that I do not agree with your pacifist nature? No.” replies Aemon as he turns to leave. 

“Wait seriously?” asks Simon as he follows Aemon. 

“There is nothing wrong with diplomacy however, at times one’s best course of action is violence whether in protection of oneself or an innocent and to limit oneself by excluding the option of violence completely is to be cruel to oneself and those in need of protection.” says Aemon, leaving Simon standing behind while in deep thought. 

“And me, oh wise one?” jokes Jennifer, earning an eye roll from Aemon. 

…

…

… 

The preparations for the migration to Dragonstone took much longer than Aemon anticipated. Still that time was not wasted for Aemon spent the duration of it training Percy into familiarizing himself with his new reality, helping Anakin train to resist the temptations of his darker emotions. A challenging endeavor considering Anakin’s tendency to allow his emotions to rule him, still progress was made and now Anakin is able to resist most taunts levied against him by Aemon. Even in combat he now keeps a more level head resulting in quite intense spars between him, Percy, Aemon, and at times Jennifer. As for Simon, he merely watches and does not participate in the spars. 

As for Aemon himself, well he has been practicing and has accomplished much in the past week. While he may not have become more powerful in terms of raw power he is confident that should he face Messmer once more the Impaler would not pose a challenger to him at all. 

After a grueling session of sparring, Anakin and Percy are sprawled on the training ground floor while Aemon merely leans on a nearby wall and watches on with an analyzing eye, only looking away when Simon approaches him. 

“I might need your help with something.” says the vampire. 

“What is it?” asks Aemon. 

“So Clary is going to the Seelie Court in our world and I was wondering if you can be back up?” asks Simon.

 “My friend, it would be my pleasure.” says Aemon with a predatory grin. 

The Seelie Knights in his Wild Hunt have been a thorn in his side mayhaps this trip to their Court would provide a solution for him. 

…

…

…

Shadowhunter World
2007, Central Park 

Appearing in Central Park, seemingly out of nowhere, Aemon and Simon spook Jace into drawing his sword and slashing towards them. With a single step Aemon pulls Simon towards him as they disappear from Jace’s sight and reappear behind him. 

“Well, aren’t you an excitable one.” comments Aemon as Jace turns to face him, only to be promptly disarmed as if he were a child throwing a tantrum. 

“Simon?” asks Clary as she finally takes notice of who it is that appeared before her. “What are you doing here?” she asks while pulling Jace back.

“We’re here to help.” replies Simon. “I wasn’t going to let you go meet the Seelie Queen by yourself.” he says. 

“She’s not going alone.” retorts Jace. “Besides, what are you going to do if things get bad in there, geek them to death.” he snarks “More importantly though, who is that?” he asks through gritted teeth and narrowed eyes. 

“Well I thought what better back up against the Seelie Queen than our own faerie.” says Simon with a small smile. 

“Aemon Targaryen, enchanted.” says Aemon as he takes Clary’s hand and places a light kiss on the back, causing the girl to blush to her roots.

“Now, I believe that we have a meeting with the Seelie Queen, and time is of the essence.” says Aemon as he pushes Clary backwards into the reflection of the moon on Turtle Pond causing her to subsequently disappear. 

“Clary!” screams Jace as he lunges towards Aemon only for the same to happen to him. 

“Was that necessary?” asks Simon with a sigh, earning a raised eyebrow from Aemon. 

With a roll of his eyes Simon steps backwards into the reflection of the moon on Turtle Pond and promptly disappears, with Aemon following closely behind. 

Author's Note: Here's the latest chapter. As usual, tell me what you guys think.