Chapter 1: Chapter 1 - The Brilliant Light of Hope
Warning: This fic will be heavily Ai cause I'm too lazy to make this into a full series and simply want to make the story.
So there might be scene that doesn't make sense. If you want them feel free to make your own version because I really want to read a story like this.
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What makes a nation great? Is it the people? Is it the man who leads it? For many, it is the people who form the backbone of a nation, their unity and spirit that elevate it to greatness. Others argue it is the leader, the one who guides, inspires, and shapes the destiny of millions.
But I have lived long enough to know the truth: it is both. A nation is great when its people and its leader are united by a shared vision, a core belief, a principle that binds them together. Without that unity, chaos reigns. And chaos is the death of progress.
I know this because I have built a nation greater than any other. I am the Emperor of the Golden Sun, the ruler of an intergalactic empire that spanned the stars. I was called the Brilliant Light of Hope, for I brought prosperity and unity to a fractured universe.
Under my rule, mankind became the cornerstone of the most powerful intergalactic race, a beacon of progress and strength. I achieved this not just through my power as a 9th Tier Swordmaster and 9th Star Mage—the Sword Magic God—but through my vision. A vision of unity, of order, of a future where all could thrive.
But that was my past life. Now, I am Eryx Baratheon, the eldest twin of Joffrey, the supposed son of Robert Baratheon and Cersei Lannister. Though, as I know from the memories I devoured, I am the product of Cersei and Jaime Lannister's incestuous union.
Does it disgust me? No. I have seen far worse in my millennia of life. Ambition, after all, often requires sacrifices, and the Lannisters are nothing if not ambitious. Fortunately, I bear no deformities from their union, and my body is strong, capable of being molded into something greater.
I awoke to this world a few weeks ago, my memories of my past life and the fragmented memories of the soul I devoured merging seamlessly. The soul belonged to a young man from a world where this land, Westeros, was nothing more than a story. A primitive world, stagnant and fractured, where progress is stifled by endless wars and petty ambitions. It amazes me that after thousands of years, they remain in the same state, their potential squandered by selfishness and short-sightedness.
In my past life, I unified nations through strength, charisma, and an unshakable vision. Here, I see only division. The lords of Westeros care only for their own power, their own legacy. They do not see the bigger picture, the potential for greatness that lies dormant in this world. But I do. And I will awaken it.
As I sit in the solitude of this cabin, my mind drifts to my parents—my true parents, from my past life.
My father, Kaelion the Unyielding, was an 8th Tier Swordmaster, a man whose blade could split continents and whose will was as unbreakable as the mountains. He was a warrior-king, a man who believed in strength above all else. He taught me the way of the sword, the art of war, and the importance of discipline. But he was also a man of honor, one who believed that power should be used to protect, not to oppress.
My mother, Liora the Enlightened, was an 8th Star Mage, a woman whose mastery of magic was unmatched. She could bend reality to her will, summon storms, and heal wounds with a touch. But more than her power, it was her wisdom that shaped me. She taught me the value of knowledge, the importance of understanding the world around me. She believed that true power came not from domination, but from enlightenment.
Together, they were a force unlike any other. Their union was not just one of love, but of purpose. They believed in a world where strength and wisdom could coexist, where the sword and the spell could work in harmony. And they passed that belief on to me.
It was from them that I inherited my talent, my ambition, and my vision. They were the ones who taught me that a leader must be both strong and wise, both a warrior and a scholar. They were the ones who showed me that greatness is not achieved through fear, but through unity.
But they were also the ones who showed me the cost of ambition. My father died in battle, defending our homeland from an invasion. My mother followed soon after, her heart broken by the loss of her husband. Their deaths were a reminder that even the strongest can fall, that even the wisest can be undone by fate.
Yet, their legacy lived on in me. I became the Sword Magic God, the first and only being to reach the 9th Tier in both swordmanship and magic. I united the fractured nations of my world, creating an empire that spanned the stars. And I did it all in their name.
I sit cross-legged in the small cabin, isolated from the rest of the Red Keep. This is my punishment for beating Joffrey, my cruel and sadistic twin. He had tormented a servant girl, and I could not stand by and watch. My mother, Cersei, was furious, but even she could not deny that Joffrey's actions were reprehensible. Still, she had me confined here, with only water and the occasional meal brought by a servant. She thinks this is a punishment. She does not realize it is a gift.
The cabin is quiet, the air thick with the scent of wood and dust. Outside, the sounds of King's Landing echo faintly—the clatter of hooves, the shouts of merchants, the distant tolling of bells. But here, in this solitude, I am free to focus. Free to begin the process of rebuilding my strength.
"This world is brimming with mana," I mutter, my voice low and steady. "But it is clear that few understand its true nature and power."
In my past life, I was the first and only Sword Magic God, a being who had mastered both the internal and external manipulation of mana. Swordmasters channeled mana inward, enhancing their physical strength and speed, while mages wielded it externally, bending reality to their will. I had transcended both, achieving a balance that made me unstoppable. Now, I must start again, rebuilding my foundation from scratch.
I close my eyes and begin the Eternal Golden Lion method, a technique I created and perfected over centuries. It is a method for refining mana, turning it into aura and lifeforce, strengthening the body and soul. The process is slow, painstaking, but I have no choice. This body is weak, untrained, a far cry from the vessel I once possessed. But it is mine, and I will make it strong.
As I meditate, I feel the mana around me, a vast, untapped reservoir of energy. It flows into me, filling my veins, my muscles, my bones. I can feel my body changing, growing stronger, more resilient. It is a small step, but it is a beginning.
As I work, my mind drifts to the challenges ahead. My family is a nest of vipers, each one scheming for their own gain. Cersei is cunning but blinded by her love for power and her children. Jaime is a skilled warrior but lacks vision. Tyrion is the only one with true intelligence, but even he is shackled by his family's legacy. And then there is Joffrey, a monster in the making. I cannot allow him to rule. He would destroy everything I seek to build.
Myrcella and Tommen are different. They are kind, innocent, untainted by the corruption that surrounds them. I will protect them, guide them. They will be part of my vision, my new empire.
But first, I must survive. I must grow stronger, both in body and in influence. The game of thrones is already in motion, and I will not be a pawn. I will be the player, the one who reshapes the board.
I am Eryx Baratheon, the Brilliant Light of Hope reborn. The Tyrant Emperor who once ruled the stars. And I will not rest until this world is united under my vision.
The weeks passed in a blur of meditation, training, and relentless focus. The cabin, once a place of isolation, had become my sanctuary.
Here, I honed my body and mind, pushing myself to the limits of what this frail, untrained vessel could endure. The *Eternal Golden Lion* method was not for the faint of heart. It demanded discipline, precision, and an unyielding will—qualities I had in abundance.
As I sat in the center of the room, my breathing steady and controlled, I felt the mana within me surge. It flowed through my veins like liquid fire, strengthening my muscles, sharpening my senses, and fortifying my bones. This was the essence of the 1st Tier—the stage of a **Squire**. For most, it was a humble beginning, a step above the average warrior but far from extraordinary. But I was not most.
My foundation was unshakable, my techniques perfected over centuries of practice. Even at the 1st Tier, my power rivaled that of a 2nd Tier Blade Apprentice. My strikes carried the precision of a master, my movements fluid and efficient. I was not just a Squire; I was a force to be reckoned with.
There is a ranking system from previous life use beside the tier list of swordmaster, also named that they are called.
1. 1st Tier: Squire
Every master was once a beginner. Squires are the novices, the ones who learn the basics of swordsmanship and mana control. They are the apprentices, the hopefuls, the ones who dream of greatness but have yet to grasp it.
2. 2nd Tier: Blade Apprentice
Apprentices have moved beyond the basics. They can wield mana to enhance their strength and speed, their strikes carrying a faint glow of power. They are no longer children playing with sticks; they are warriors in training.
3. 3rd Tier: Sword Adept
Adepts are skilled fighters, their techniques refined through countless hours of practice. They begin to develop their own unique styles, their blades an extension of their will. This is where true potential begins to show.
4. 4th Tier: Sword Knight
Knights are respected warriors, their names known across the land. They can perform feats of incredible strength and endurance, their mana-infused strikes capable of cleaving through armor and stone. They are the protectors, the commanders, the ones who lead armies into battle.
5. 5th Tier: Sword Lord
Lords are masters of the blade, their power unmatched by all but the most exceptional beings. They can single-handedly turn the tide of battles, their presence alone enough to inspire fear in their enemies. They are the legends of their time.
6. 6th Tier: Sword King
Kings are transcendent warriors, their skills bordering on the supernatural. They can move faster than the eye can see, their strikes carrying the force of a natural disaster. They are the rulers of nations, the ones who shape the destiny of millions.
7. 7th Tier: Sword Saint
Saints are beings of pure mastery, their blades an extension of their will. They can split mountains with a single strike, their power rivaling that of the gods themselves. They are the guardians of the world, the ones who stand against chaos.
8. 8th Tier: Sword Emperor
Emperors are rare, their power unmatched by all but the most exceptional beings. They are the pinnacle of swordsmanship, their names whispered in awe and reverence. My father, Kaelion the Unyielding, was a Sword Emperor. His blade could split continents, his will unbreakable as the mountains.
9. 9th Tier: Sword God
The pinnacle of swordsmanship. A Sword God is a being of pure mastery, their blade an extension of their will. They are capable of feats that defy logic, such as cutting through space itself. I was the first and only Sword God, a title I earned through centuries of dedication and sacrifice.
But the sword was only half of my power. The other half lay in magic, the art of bending reality to one's will. Mages channel mana externally, shaping it into spells and rituals that can alter the very fabric of existence. Like the sword, the path of magic is divided into tiers, each representing a deeper understanding of the arcane.
1. 1st Star: Initiate
Initiates are the beginners, the ones who have just begun to tap into the flow of mana. They can perform simple spells and rituals, their power limited but their potential vast.
2. 2nd Star: Apprentice
Apprentices have a basic understanding of magic, their spells more consistent and powerful. They are the students, the ones who study under the guidance of a master.
3. 3rd Star: Mage
Mages are full-fledged spellcasters, capable of wielding elemental magic and performing complex spells. They are the scholars, the ones who seek to understand the mysteries of the universe.
4. 4th Star: Archmage
Archmages are powerful spellcasters, their abilities vast and their influence widespread. They can summon storms, create barriers, and manipulate the environment. They are the leaders, the ones who shape the future of magic.
5. 5th Star: Sorcerer Lord
Lords of magic, their power is vast and their influence widespread. They can cast spells that affect entire regions, their names known across the land.
6. 6th Star: Sorcerer King
Kings of magic, their abilities are legendary. They can summon natural disasters, control the minds of others, and even manipulate time on a small scale. They are the rulers of nations, the ones who shape the destiny of millions.
7. 7th Star: Sorcerer Saint
Saints are transcendent mages, their power rivaling that of natural forces. They can create life, summon celestial beings, and alter reality itself. They are the guardians of the world, the ones who stand against chaos.
8. 8th Star: Sorcerer Emperor
Emperors are beings of immense magical power, capable of reshaping continents and bending the laws of physics to their will. My mother, Liora the Enlightened, was a Sorcerer Emperor. Her magic could reshape reality itself, her wisdom guiding me through the darkest of times.
9. 9th Star: Magic God
The pinnacle of magical mastery. A Magic God is a being of pure arcane power, capable of creating and destroying worlds with a thought. I was the first and only Magic God, a title I earned through centuries of study and experimentation.
The sound of footsteps outside the cabin broke my concentration. I opened my eyes, my senses sharpened by the mana flowing through me. The door creaked open, and a servant entered, carrying a tray of food. He was a thin, nervous man, his eyes darting around the room as if expecting to find something amiss.
"Your meal, my prince," he said, his voice trembling slightly.
I nodded, my expression calm but calculating. This man was no threat, but his presence was a reminder that I could not remain hidden forever. Sooner or later, I would have to face the world beyond these walls. And when I did, I would need to be ready.
As the servant set the tray down and turned to leave, I spoke.
"Wait."
He froze, his back stiffening.
"Y-yes, my prince?"
I stood, my movements smooth and deliberate.
"Fetch me a practice sword."
The servant hesitated, his eyes widening.
"A practice sword, my prince? But… your mother, the queen, she—"
"Do not make me repeat myself," I said, my voice low but firm.
The servant swallowed hard and nodded.
"At once, my prince."
As he hurried out of the cabin, I allowed myself a small smile. It was time to test my progress.
The practice sword felt familiar in my hands, its weight and balance a reminder of the countless battles I had fought in my past life.
I stepped into the small clearing behind the cabin, the morning sun casting long shadows across the ground.
My opponent was a guardsman, a burly man with a reputation for being one of the best fighters in the Red Keep. He had been ordered to spar with me, though it was clear from his expression that he thought this was a waste of time.
"Are you sure about this, my prince?" he asked, his tone condescending.
"I wouldn't want to accidentally hurt you." I smirked.
"Do your worst."
The guardsman shrugged and raised his practice sword, his stance confident but sloppy. He lunged at me, his strike powerful but predictable. I sidestepped effortlessly, my movements precise and economical. Before he could recover, I struck, the tip of my sword tapping him lightly on the ribs.
He blinked, clearly surprised.
"Lucky shot," he muttered, resetting his stance.
This time, he came at me with more caution, his strikes faster and more deliberate. But it made no difference. I moved like water, flowing around his attacks and countering with strikes of my own. Each blow landed with pinpoint accuracy, each movement a testament to my skill.
By the time I disarmed him, the guardsman was breathing heavily, his face a mixture of shock and admiration.
"How… how are you doing this?" he asked, his voice tinged with awe.
I lowered my sword, my expression calm but satisfied.
"Training," I said simply.
Soon, Word of my victory spread quickly, as I knew it would. By the time I returned to the cabin, the guardsman had already told his comrades about the "prodigy prince" who had bested him with ease. It was a small step, but an important one. Reputation was a powerful tool, and I intended to use it to my advantage.
As I sat down to eat, my mind turned to the future. I had reached the 1st Tier, but this was only the beginning. The *Eternal Golden Lion* method would allow me to progress faster than anyone else, but I would need resources, materials, and allies. And I would need to navigate the treacherous politics of King's Landing.
But I was not worried. I had faced far greater challenges in my past life, and I had emerged victorious. This world, with its petty lords and squabbling kingdoms, was no different. I would rise again, not just as a Swordmaster or a Mage, but as the Sword Magic God. And when I did, the world would kneel before me.