House of The Dragon-The Beauty, The Bold, and The Black Dread: Chapter 162: Impulse II

(Third Person POV)

[Mereen]

Flames burned high, overtaking most of the buildings of Mereen, the screams of terror and agony filled the air as many people tried running away in panic. The pyramid was scorched, most of it was set ablaze as the pillars of flames raged into the sky, smoke filling the sky, blocking out the sun. 

Slavers and slaves alike stampeded out of the city, trying to escape the wrath and destruction that was left by Balerion's flames as the massive winged beast circled around in the sky, roaring loudly. There was nothing that could be done about this, as Balerion had descended down to Mereen and in a matter of minutes, engulfed half of Mereen in a sea of flames. 

Hundreds, no.....thousands died almost instantly as the Black Dread swept through Mereen, destroying everything in his path. Balerion circled around the city, only leaving walls of flame, blocking off any way of escaping. He then targeted the Great Pyramid, shooting massive streams of flames at the base, swiping upwards and breaking off a massive chunk of it. 

Nobody knew why this had happened. 

They had heard of Baelon, The Bold's power, the Rider of Balerion had been famed to be a ruthless yet reasonable man. They did not think that Baelon Targaryen would be capable of plunging a city into destruction without provocation. 

Both Slavers and Slaves were shocked and terrified by this thought; Baelon not caring for anyone or anything in his path. The fact that those that had power in Mereen did not know why he had come to the city in the first place was a major factor in their shock. They were unaware of the Dragonseeds hiding out in the city, knowing that House Targaryen had sent warnings all over Essos. 

Baelon sent no warning, however. He simply descended into the city and bathed everything in flames. 

Balerion's roar was loud and deafening, something out of a nightmare as he circled the city in the sky, shooting flames down at the harbor, obliterating all of the ships and boiling the sea itself. 

This was but a mere portion of the power that The Black Dread had, the destruction Balerion was capable of. To the dragon, this was nothing, it was just another short flight. It took him back to the days of the Conquest, where he set everything ablaze and destroyed everything with his rider, Aegon I. 

Baelon reminded him of Aegon at that moment. 

Perhaps this was one of the Old Valyrian Gods' omens, sending the Black Dread with his tired rider, Baelon Targaryen. Baelon, who has had enough of everything. Baelon, whose frustrations had reached an all-time high. Baelon, who was humiliated, who was defiled, who was targeted multiple times. Baelon, who was tired of them constantly escaping like rats scurrying away into the night. 

Nevertheless, it happened. 

And everyone in Mereen paid the price for it. 

Was it deserved? Who knows. 

Was it shocking? Yes. 

There must have been a goal for this, something that was going on in Baelon's mind when Balerion unleashed his flames. 

The goal? To flush out the Dragonseeds. 

Despite indiscriminately burning everything, Baelon knew that by some miracle, the Dragonseeds would turn out to be fine. 

And that is what he counted on. 

****************

Gael stood atop the rocky hill, watching the city of Mereen be set ablaze as hordes of men and women were running out of the main gate, trying to escape the heat. 

She had a shocked look in her eye as her mouth was agape.

"He actually did it....." She said softly, "Baelon....." 

As she turned to look at her brother, Maegor, who was holding Small Baelon in his arms, they all heard the flapping of Balerion's wings above them. 

"Shit...." Varos said as he crouched down in alarm, "Gael!!" 

Balerion flew right above them, landing hard a couple dozen meters from them, causing a massive tremor that toppled everyone but Maegor, who simply stared at this with a serious look in his face. 

Gael fell on her rear, "B-Balerion...!!" 

"The Black Dread fell upon us...." Varos said, "We need to escape, now!!!" 

Maegor scoffed, "No." 

Balerion let out a deep growl, one that rattled everyone's bones, including Maegor. The boy in his arms began to weep out fear, digging his face in his chest. 

The Black Dread raised his head as he snorted loudly, glaring right at those in front of him. 

Gael slowly got up as Varos helped her up, "W-What is happening...." she said, "This cannot be real....right...?" 

They all watched as Baelon slowly descended down the rope ladder and landed on the ground, his armor clanking loudly as he turned to face them. 

He removed his helm, revealing his serious expression as he began to walk forward. Balerion lowered his head and growled deeply, slightly opening his maw and revealing a bright glow. This was a display of power; Balerion was showing those in front of him that he could burn them within a split second, and nobody could do anything about it. 

Baelon stopped halfway between Balerion and the group in front of him, he then looked to the side and watched the flames that were burning in the city. The glow of said flames reflected off his purple eyes, causing them to glimmer. 

Gael saw this and felt a strange emotion; Fear. 

She had not felt fear in the longest time, not since she was a little girl. 

She did not foresee Baelon Targaryen to go this far to get to her. In fact, she was completely baffled, she was sure this was not the same person that she had taunted back at Braavos. The same person who spared the City simply because they had nothing to do with the Dragonseeds. But now, he had plunged Mereen into flames, uncaring for what happened. 

"You......" Gael said softly, "You are mad...." 

Baelon then looked at her, a serious glare in his face, "You....." He said as he extended his arm forward, "Hand over the boy." 

Gael frowned, "What?" 

"The boy." Baelon said seriously, "Hand him over." 

"Why should I do that?" Gael asked, "He is my son!" 

"And if what you claim is true, he is my son as well." Baelon said seriously, "I will not ask again." 

Maegor stepped forward, handing the boy over to Gael, "Tch....." He said seriously, "So you are Baelon Targaryen...?" 

Baelon raised his eyebrow, "And you are?" 

"I am Son of Saera, Brother of Gael." Maegor said seriously as he walked in front of the group, "And I challenge you to a duel." 

"A fight to the death."