The next morning dawned bitter and still. Snow blanketed every inch of the courtyard, muffling steps and silencing breath. Cregan moved alone beneath the gray sky, drawn by something more than curiosity—a call beneath his skin, beneath his blood.
He descended into the crypts.
The torches hissed against the cold stone walls as he passed row upon row of ancient Stark kings, their stone direwolves crouched at their feet. He stopped before the lowest vault, where the snow never touched, and silence reigned like a crown.
[Simulation Ready]
Choose a Simulation:
Attempt rune activation using Stark blood.
Meditate on visions of the ice-bound sword.
Explore ancient Stark lore through simulation memory replay.
He chose the first.
[Simulation Running...]
You draw a blade across your palm. Blood drips onto the stone altar etched with runes older than Winterfell itself.
The runes pulse. Dim at first. Then brighter.
A door doesn't open in the wall.
It opens in your mind.
You are falling.
You see a vision:
A boy chained in frost, whispering names into the snow.
A sword clutched in a wolf's mouth, resting on an icy bier.
A star falling beyond the Wall, trailing blue fire.
And a woman, silver-haired, eyes glowing like moonlight, watching from a shadowed ridge.
Voices echo around you: "The pact must hold. The blood must remember."
Then silence.
[Simulation Complete]
Knowledge Gained:
The Stark bloodline once forged a pact with the powers of the North.
The sword is bound by blood and cannot be claimed by outsiders.
Trait Gained: Blood Resonance – Certain magical items, relics, or places now react to your presence.
Accept? "Accept."
Cregan collapsed against the wall, heart pounding.
In the silence, he heard footsteps above.
The crypt had awakened something—and it was not pleased to be disturbed.
Snowflakes drifted down from the ceiling cracks, cold as the voice he heard next:
"She seeks the sword. You must stand in her way."
He turned. No one there.
Only the roots curling down from the weirwood above, feeding on secrets buried deep.