The dragon's head remained bowed, wings drawn tight against her sides. The air trembled faintly beneath her — the pulse of a creature unsure of its own strength.
The Nameless One stood in silence. The stillness between them stretched, ancient and patient.
"Enough of that," he said at last, his voice even, almost gentle. "I didn't wake you to kneel."
The dragon lifted her head slowly. Her molten-gold eyes fixed on him — bright, intelligent, and curious. There was no fear in her gaze, only awareness.
"I have no need for servants," he continued, stepping closer, his tone calm but certain. "I want a companion. Someone who walks beside me — not behind."
The dragon tilted her head slightly. Light flickered beneath her scales, like sparks shifting in a dying fire.
He smiled faintly. "You understand me, don't you?"
She rumbled softly — the sound carried a question, not defiance.
"Not with words," he said, more to himself than her.
He placed his hand gently upon her brow. Her scales were warm — almost soft, thrumming faintly beneath his touch.
"Let's make this easier."
The air thickened. The veil between thought and being grew thin. The Nameless One's mind brushed hers — a storm of heat, instinct, memory, and silence. In that quiet, he heard the first echo of her voice.
You are… different.
He blinked. "I've been called that before."
You called me from the dark. Why?
"Because you were still alive," he said simply. "And this world could use something alive again."
Alive… she echoed softly. It has been long since I felt that word.
He nodded slightly. "Then we'll start from there."
A silence followed — curious, steady.
Do I have a name?
He studied her closely. The glow of her scales pulsed with each slow breath. "What would you like to be called?"
I do not know. I was warmth and dark. I had no word for myself.
"Then I'll give you one," he said.
He brushed his fingers gently against her brow again, as though tracing an unseen pattern. "Vaerynna," he whispered.
The name hung in the air like a spark suspended in shadow. Her eyes widened. He felt the ripple through their shared link — recognition, joy, belonging.
Vaerynna…
The word flowed through her thoughts like a melody rediscovered.
"It suits you," he said softly.
You give names easily?
"Only to things I want to remember."
A flicker of warmth touched her thoughts.
Then remember me well.
He smiled. "I will."
And what shall I call you?
He raised an eyebrow. "Me?"
You have many names, but none are yours.
He hesitated. "You may call me whatever you wish."
Then I will call you mine.
He blinked, surprised — then laughed quietly. "Possessive, aren't you?"
Of course, she replied, unashamed. I am a dragon. You are the first thing I have ever wanted.
The Nameless One's laughter faded into a small, knowing smile. "Then I suppose we understand each other."
The vault around them groaned — ancient stone shifting, dust falling through cracks of fading light.
"It seems Valyria has finally tired of pretending to be eternal," he said.
This place dies, Vaerynna murmured. Like those who built it.
"Everything dies," he replied. "That's not the tragedy."
Then what is?
"That most forget to live before they do."
Her eyes softened, as if she understood — or wanted to.
He turned toward the remnants of Valyria's brilliance — broken tables, melted tools, shattered glass, and half-burnt tomes."All this," he said, "and still they thought they could master creation."
He swept a hand across the nearest table. The air shimmered. Shadows gathered, curling like smoke around the remains of the empire's vanity. Books, relics, and secrets vanished into the dark.
You take the dead words of men.
"Someone should remember them," he said.
To use them?
He shrugged lightly. "Maybe. Or maybe I just don't like leaving ghosts lying around."
She watched him quietly, wings shifting against her sides. Her mind burned bright — curiosity, awareness, pride.
Where will we go?
He looked up at the ceiling, where sunlight broke through the cracks like thin golden blades. "Outside," he said. "To see what's left of the world."
The world beyond fire… I want to see it too.
He gave a small nod. "Then we're agreed."
Vaerynna lowered herself, wings folding close. He placed a hand on her neck — steady, grounding.
"Let's go, Vaerynna."
The air stirred. Shadows coiled around them, soft as smoke and silent as sleep.
And as the last echoes of Valyria's vault faded into dust, the two disappeared — leaving behind only falling ash and the quiet pulse of life reborn.