315 AC - Stepstones - Third Person POV
In the solar of Edinburgh Castle, sunlight streamed through stained glass depicting gryphon, casting vibrant hues across the stone floor. Domonic Augustus stood at the head of an oak table, his black doublet simple. Before him sat Queen Daenerys, her silver hair glowing, her Mera Mera no Mi faintly warming the air; Queen Missandei, her green gown alive with Mori Mori no Mi vines curling at her feet; Aemma Arryn, her blue robe serene; and the children—Alexander, fifteen, with violet eyes; Julius, fourteen, bold and dark-haired; Hazel, thirteen, with mischievous curls; and Visenya, ten, her silver hair framing fierce eyes.
Domonic's voice was calm but commanding, his eyes sweeping the room. "Today, we forge a new bond, one of trust and power. I need your oath—never to betray me, as I'll never harm you." He slid a parchment across the table, a contract glowing with magical runes, binding their loyalty without coercion. Each signed without hesitation, their trust in Domonic absolute. Aemma's hand was steady, her voice soft. "For you, Dom, always." Visenya scrawled her name, her voice fierce. "I'd never turn on you, Dom." The children followed, Julius grinning, "Easy, Father," Alexander nodding quietly, Hazel quipping, "No betrayal here, Papa!"
Satisfied, Domonic produced a vial of *Super-Soldier Serum*, its liquid shimmering like starlight. "This will enhance your strength, speed, and resilience—beyond mortal limits." He administered it to each, their eyes widening as warmth surged through them. Aemma exhaled, her voice awed. "I feel… alive." Hazel flexed her arm, her voice excited. "I could punch a dragon!"
Next, Domonic revealed two *Devil Fruits*, their surfaces swirling with unnatural patterns. He handed one to Aemma, the other to Hazel. "Eat them, quickly." Aemma bit into hers, gagging at the bitter taste, her voice strained. "Gods, it's foul!" Hazel grimaced, her voice dramatic. "It's like mud, Papa!" Domonic's voice was firm. "Swallow, both of you." They did, choking it down, and Domonic placed a *Weakness Removal Card* on each, a flash of light negating the fruits' curse of drowning. Aemma's voice was relieved. "No sea weakness?" Domonic nodded, his voice steady. "You're free."
To Aemma, he presented a *Marco Character Card*, its surface glowing. "You ate the *Tori Tori no Mi, Model: Phoenix*. You can transform into a blue-flamed phoenix, heal yourself and others, and fly with unmatched speed. Marco's card guides your mastery." Aemma's eyes widened, her voice awed. "A phoenix… I can heal?" She clutched the card, a blue spark flaring at her touch.
To Hazel, he gave a *Yamato Character Card*. "You ate the *Inu Inu no Mi, Model: Okuchi no Makami*, a mythical wolf god. You can become a white wolf wreathed in ice, wield frost and strength, and summon blizzards. Yamato's card will sharpens your control." Hazel's grin was feral, her voice thrilled. "A wolf god? I'm gonna freeze Julius!" She gripped the card, frost curling around her fingers.
For Julius, Domonic produced a *Julius Novachrono Card*. "You gain time magic, Julius. Slow, accelerate, or reverse time in bursts, wield chronostasis blades, and foresee brief futures. Your namesake's cunning is yours." Julius's eyes gleamed, his voice eager. "Time magic? I'm unstoppable!"
To Visenya, he offered a *Scáthach Card*. "You inherit Scáthach's warrior spirit, Visenya. Master all weapons, summon Gáe Bolg—a spear that never misses—and manipulate runes for strength or barriers. You're a battle goddess." Visenya's voice was fierce, her hand closing on the card. "I'll make you proud, Dom."
Finally, to Alexander, he gave an *Iskander (Fate/Zero) Card*. "You command conquest, Alex. Summon the Ionian Hetairoi, an army of loyal spirits, ride Bucephalus, and wield a chariot of thunder. Iskander's charisma fuels your leadership." Alexander's voice was soft, awed. "An army… for me?"
They exclaimed in unison, their voices a mix of shock and excitement. "So we can use these powers now?" Domonic nodded, his voice firm. "Yes, but mastery comes with practice. To the courtyard—train, and your cards will unlock deeper knowledge." Their eyes lit up, Julius's voice bold. "Let's go!" Hazel's voice was cheeky. "I'm freezing you first, Jules!" Visenya smirked, her voice taunting. "I'll spear you both." Alexander's voice was quiet but eager. "I… want to try."
---
In Edinburgh Castle's vast courtyard, ringed by magical wards, Daenerys, Missandei, and Domonic guided the newly empowered family. Aemma transformed into a phoenix, blue flames swirling, her voice awed as she soared. "It's… freedom!" Daenerys coached her, her voice warm. "Focus, Aemma—channel the flames to heal." Aemma's fire touched a sparring dummy's gash, mending it, her voice triumphant. "It works!"
Hazel shifted into a white wolf, ice trailing her paws, her voice gleeful. "Look, Papa!" She loosed a blizzard, frosting the grass, but slipped, yelping. Missandei laughed, her voice melodic. "Balance, Hazel. Feel the Makami's spirit." Hazel growled, retrying, her frost sharper, her voice determined. "Got it!"
Julius slowed time, dodging Visenya's practice spear, his voice cocky. "Too slow, Vis!" Dominic's voice was stern. "Don't overuse it, Julius—time's costly." Julius nodded, summoning a chronostasis blade, its edge humming, his voice focused. "Understood, Father."
Visenya summoned Gáe Bolg, its red tip gleaming, her voice fierce. "It sings!" She hurled it, piercing a target's bullseye, runes flaring around her. Daenerys's voice was proud. "Precise, Visenya. Now, try a barrier." Visenya traced a rune, a shield shimmering, her voice thrilled. "I'm a warrior!"
Alexander summoned Bucephalus, a massive black stallion, his voice hesitant. "He's… real." He climbed aboard, thunder crackling.
For a week, they trained daily, their powers sharpening. Aemma healed sparring bruises, Hazel froze training dummies, Julius outmaneuvered Daenerys's flames, Visenya's runes deflected Missandei's vines, and Alexander's army drilled in formation. Their cards pulsed, feeding them instincts and techniques, their laughter and shouts echoing through the castle.
---
After a week, Domonic gathered them in the solar, his voice serious. "You've done well, but a greater test awaits. In one week, we journey together. Master your powers by then." Hazel's voice was eager. "Where, Papa?" Domonic's smile was cryptic, his voice teasing. "A surprise. Practice hard."
The children buzzed, Julius's voice bold. "Bet it's a war!" Alexander's voice was thoughtful. "Maybe a new world…" Visenya's voice was fierce. "I'm ready for anything!" Aemma's voice was curious, her eyes on Domonic. "What are you planning, Dom?" He winked, his voice light. "Trust me, Aemma."
Domonic spent the week preparing, appointing stewards for Uruk and the Stepstones, ensuring Paradis's stability via Missandei's ravens. He visited Rhaenyra in the Red Keep, apparating under charms, finding her with Perseus, now a week old, in her chambers. Her violet eyes dimmed as he spoke, his voice gentle. "Rhaenyra, I'll be away for a time—a journey with the family, but I'll return."
Rhaenyra's voice was soft, sad. "Perseus will miss you… as will I." Domonic took her hand, his voice warm. "When he's older, we'll adventure together—Perseus, you, all of us, as family." Her smile returned, her voice resolute. "I'll hold you to that, Dom." He nodded, apparating back, his heart heavy but determined.
---
A week later, in one of the rooms of Edinburgh Castle, the family assembled in riding leathers—Domonic, Daenerys, Missandei, Aemma, Visenya, Julius, Alexander, and Hazel. Their powers hummed, their cards tucked close, their eyes bright with anticipation. Domonic raised his Elder Wand, opening a *Dimensional Gate*, a swirling vortex of light. "Follow me," he said, his voice steady, stepping through.
They emerged in a dense forest, trees towering, air thick with humidity. Birdsong and distant roars filled the silence. Julius's voice was wary. "Where are we, Father?" Hazel's voice was excited. "It's wild!" Domonic's voice was teasing. "Search and see."
They trekked through the forest, Visenya's runes lighting their path, Aemma's phoenix form scouting above. At a clearing, they froze, eyes wide. A herd of massive quadrupedal beasts—forty feet tall, with three-horned faces and bony frills—grazed, their low rumbles shaking the earth. Julius's voice was awed. "What *are* those?" Alexander's voice was hushed. "They're… ancient." Hazel's voice was thrilled. "They're huge!" Visenya's voice was fierce. "Can we fight one?"
Domonic's grin was wide, his voice grand. "Welcome to Jurassic Island."