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Rating:
Explicit
Archive Warnings:
Graphic Depictions Of ViolenceMajor Character Death
Category:
F/M
Fandoms:
A Song of Ice and Fire & Related FandomsGame of Thrones (TV)A Song of Ice and Fire - George R. R. MartinThe Beginning After the End - TurtleMe
Relationships:
past Ned Stark/Ashara DayneCatelyn Tully Stark/Ned StarkOberyn Martell/Ellaria SandJon Snow/Rhaenys Targaryen (Daughter of Elia)Other Relationship Tags to Be Added
Characters:
Jon SnowNed StarkAshara DayneGendry (A Song of Ice and Fire)Mya StoneJaime LannisterObara SandTyene SandNymeria SandOberyn MartellDoran MartellAllyria DayneEdric "Ned" DayneDaenerys TargaryenViserys Targaryen (Brother of Daenerys)Sylvie (The Beginning After the End)Robb StarkArianne MartellEllaria Sand
Additional Tags:
MagicSlow BuildSlow BurnAshara Dayne LivesAshara Dayne Raises Jon SnowR Plus L Equals J | Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryen are Jon Snow's ParentsOther Additional Tags to Be AddedJon Snow Doesn't Join the Night's WatchNew social normsNo Bashingmagic heavy
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English
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Published:2025-10-09Updated:2026-07-22Words:269,612Chapters:71/?Comments:435Kudos:692Bookmarks:257Hits:79,173
The Magic Bastard
Sometbatenerd
Chapter 4: The lesson of loss
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Jon
The questions came fast, and Jon had a lot of them. He was a curious five-year-old child, a very curious one at that. He had started to get used to Sylvia's appearance more and more as time went on.
She looked like a scary monster that ate children and juggled babies in the air before she devoured them. But Jon found that despite her appearance she was really nice. When he was hungry she got him food, using her massive height to reach the fruit growing atop the cave's ceiling. She always made sure to get him the tastiest ones too.
The first question Jon had asked was what this place was. He knew it was the Boneway but had no idea where exactly he was. The second question was why she was here alone. What need would she have to hide in the Boneway? On top of that, where was she from? And how did that wound come to plague her chest?
But his main question was why did she save him?
"Your first question is easy enough to answer. We're in a narrow zone that rests between Yronwood and Hellholt. No one knows of this place because I've warded off anyone who comes close though those cases are few and far between. You're the first one to enter here Jon."
"Oh well, that's nice. You have a…" Jon paused and looked around. "Lovely home. Very glowly."
"Why thank you," Sylvia said amusedly. "For your second question, the reason why I am alone is simply because I have no one left to be with. I have many enemies that desperately wish for something I have."
Jon felt his features fall when she said that. He also grew a little afraid. Just who were her enemies? What type of creature could wound something with a mana signature like Sylvia's?
"My last battle with my enemies left me with this wound before I could escape." Sylvia didn't make a sound as she stood. Her black armor reflected no light from the glowing fruit. "As for why I saved you, perhaps I was moved by your courage to save your family. Or perhaps I've just grown lonely. Even I don't fully understand why."
Sylvia winced as she began to walk away deeper into the cave. "Forgive me but I would excuse myself for the night. My wound festers and I would like to be well rested before I work on the rift tomorrow. It would do you no good should I mess it up."
"Okay, goodnight Sylvia," Jon said.
As she walked away Jon couldn't help but feel like Sylvia had been really lonely. How long had she been down here hiding? What was it her enemies wanted? What were they willing to kill her for? The thought settled in Jon's veins like ice and made him a little scared. If they could injure someone as powerful as Sylvia what could he should they show up?
He couldn't help Sylvia. He was only a boy.
"Oh, before I forget. I'm not able to see exactly where they are. But my sight can confirm the safety of your family and friends. In case you weren't sure. All of them are safe."
Jon felt his body go rigid as Sylvia disappeared from sight. "Safe?" The word tasted foreign on his tongue as he sat down. His legs were no longer able to support his small body. "They're safe." He said again.
Tears of joy started to stream down his cheeks as he let out a sigh of relief. He had tried his hardest not to let his mind wander to the worst of scenarios. Instead pushing his focus toward reaching Sylvia and survival. He couldn't do anything for his family if he died.
But now knowing that they were safe. That Allyria, his Mother, Nymeria, Wylla, and Ser Desmond all lived. Jon felt an overwhelming sense of joy as he sniffled out his thanks.
"Thank you, Sylvia." He sniffled.
….
Time passed slowly for Jon though he didn't seem to mind that. He spent every waking moment with Sylvia just talking and training. The two spent hours talking about all sorts of things. Yet Sylvia never talked about her own life. Gently and subtly nudging Jon away from those types of questions without him realizing.
During that time Sylvia was still preparing the portal. Jon wasn't exactly sure when she did it as she always talked with him and helped him gather food from the ceiling. One thought was she did it while he was asleep but sometimes when he needed the comfort she would let him sleep atop her.
Despite how terrifying Sylvia looked she reminded Jon of his Mother in a way. She was kind, gentle, and patient. Though she did not hesitate to scold him when he was wrong. It was odd in a charming sort of way.
….
Jon was cycling mana through his core just as Nymeria had taught him. Though when he thought about the girl he had called friend and teacher he felt his mind drift to the ambush. He ran during the ambush. He ran while Nymeria stayed behind to fight. Had Jon been older he could've stayed behind as well.
Stayed behind and actually have done something. Killed the bandits, found that Conjurer earlier so that the bastard wouldn't take a shot at him and his family. Jon wanted nothing more than to drive his knife through that man's throat. To watch as the life faded from his eyes for daring to hurt his family.
A sharp flick to his head sent Jon flying off the rock he had perched himself on and to the ground. He winced in pain as he rubbed his head and looked up to see Sylvia looking at him with what seemed to be a frown.
"What was that for?!" Jon asked.
"Jon, you are not wrong for feeling anger at those who separated you from your family. It is a normal reaction to feel." Her head tilted. "However, letting your heart and mind cloud with hatred like this will only cause you harm. Continue on proudly with your life instead. With your gaze firmly kept forward."
Jon sighed as he rubbed his forehead. He felt slightly ashamed of his thoughts of revenge. He was only five. What could he exactly do to a fully grown man and a mage at that?
Sylvia's massive hand came to rest on his shoulder. But her hand was so massive that it held half his body instead. "Learn from the mistakes and misfortunes you will experience. Don't let it corrode your mind and look forward to the future and face it with a smile. Only then will you truly win at the game that is life."
Jon sighed and rubbed his forehead causing Sylvia to lean forward in worry. "Did I flick you too hard? Does your head still hurt?"
It felt odd for Jon to be scolded by a woman who looked more monster than human. But perhaps that was supposed to be another lesson in and of itself?
….
Days bled into weeks as Jon waited for Sylvia to open the portal. They ate and talked and Jon trained. Though as time passed Jon's eyes were increasingly drawn to her wound.
"Your wound looks like it's getting worse."
Sylvia waved him off. "Think nothing of it. It festers from time to time."
Jon frowned, he felt like that was a lie. Maester Orville would have to take a look at the wound when they arrived at Starfall, he was smart. That meant he could heal Sylvia. He could deliver babies after all. That means treating a cut should be easy for him.
"Jon, I've been meaning to ask. It was my understanding that humans didn't awaken as mages until they were eight or nine. How have you formed a mana core already and have better control than some full-fledged mages?"
Jon smugly smiled, a sense of pride welling in his chest. "My Mother and everyone at Starfall says I'm a prodigy and a genius. Though I don't know what prodigy really means…and Maester Orville always seems smarter than me. So if I'm a genius what is he? Some sort of super genius?"
Sylvia chuckled as she stood. "Then perhaps you'll be able to learn it."
"Learn what?"
A sudden and heavy influx of mana filled the heavy from Sylvia's body. It rotated in and out as she stood and walked around causing Jon's eyes to widen in shock.
'That shouldn't be possible.' He thought.
"Wha-h-how are you doing that?"
"Humans have a very linear focus when it comes to mana. Just start with something small and work your way up."
Jon sighed before looking down at his palm. He tried to rotate mana in and out of it. His hand glowed white for only a second before fizzling out.
"Easier said than done. It didn't work."
"Mana Beasts learn to do this naturally. But since humans awaken much later their bodies aren't able to do this sort of multitasking. However, since you have awakened much earlier than your normal human counterparts, practice hard enough and you will succeed."
"I'll try my best."
….
The process was difficult for Jon. At first, he tried the simple motion of running it through his fist and working his way up like Sylvia taught him. That took him a week of constant failures before he was finally able to succeed and that was the easy part.
The next step was to cycle the mana while standing. Normally one had to be sitting and focused to cycle mana through their core. It was just how things worked. But Sylvia was telling him there was another way and had shown him one as well. So with that in mind, he attempted to cycle the mana through himself while he stood.
That took an even longer time than his fist. Hours upon hours of trial and failure that made him want to quit, and that was before he started moving and doing the same thing. But he persisted, this mana rotation seemed to be a great boon for him, and if he could master it he'd be just that one step above everyone else.
After he had mastered the rotation standing up he then moved onto walking. This was the hardest part yet. He had to constantly keep his focus on the mana rotation while also walking. Splitting his focus was difficult and it took him at least a hundred tries. But like all other steps, he eventually got it.
The hardest part however was yet to come. Now he had to rotate the mana while practicing the forms both Ser Desmond and Nymeria had taught him. This is where he failed the most and got the most frustrated. But Sylvia stopped him from quitting.
Giving him the support he needed until finally, finally, he succeeded.
"Sylvia! I did it!" Jon cheered after doing two full sets of his forms. His heart hammered in glee as sweat ran down his face and body. But he didn't care, after months of work, he had done it.
His heart dropped and turned to ice however when he heard a body thud to the ground. Quickly turning on his feet Jon found Sylvia face down in front of a glowing rainbow circle that floated two feet above the ground.
He didn't waste any time rushing to her side.
"Sylvia! Sylvia what happened?!" Jon shakily asked. He froze however when he felt something wet touch his shoe. Looking down all he saw was red. Blood, Sylvia's blood sticky and wet under his feet.
He quickly cleared the rest of the distance and grabbed her arm. Sylvia was lying on her side, unmoving and Jon tried to move her. She didn't budge and so he had to focus mana into his body just to be able to turn her onto her back.
It took a herculean effort but he did so. Only for Jon's eyes to widen at the sight of Sylvia's wound worsening. The cut that had been there was bigger and deeper now. Like something had torn part of her body off.
"Wha-your wound?" He breathed out. "Why's it getting worse so quickly?!"
Jon paused as the rainbow portal seemed to glow brighter. Bathing his face in a radiant light and causing his breath to hitch and tears to sting his eyes.
"Oh?" He whispered. "That's why." Memories of their time together came flashing into his mind as Jon sank to his knees. "Her wound, it's getting worse because of the portal. It's getting worse because of me."
Tears started to stream down his face as the guilt began to weigh on him like a boulder. But Sylvia's hand came to rest upon him once more.
"It's okay Jon."
"How?" Jon hiccuped. "How can this be fine? You're…you're dying for me. I-I don't want you to die."
Jon cried, cried for a long time as he could do nothing but listen to Sylvia's labored breathing. Her wound bled and she was dying and it's all his fault.
"Have you calmed down a little Jon?" Sylvia gently asked.
"No."
Her hand came up to hold her wound. "We don't have much time left. And I'd hate for it to be wasted on you blaming yourself."
"How can I not?! You're dying because of me! Because of someone you barely know!"
"You're doing me a favor by letting me leave this forsaken place faster." She chuckled.
"Sylvia…" Jon whimpered.
"That name doesn't suit this form any longer." She sighed.
A glowing gold light began to encompass her body as the black armor around her began to fade and turn to dust. It cracked and faded before two pale white wings filled with feathers unfurled from her back.
Jon felt his breath catch in his throat as the armored form disappeared entirely leaving only a pale white feathery dragon with golden eyes and runes running down her sides.
"There, now I look more like a Sylvia."
"How?" Jon gulped. "How are you a dragon? They're extinct. They died so long ago."
"Lesser creations, not true dragons." Sylvia hummed. "But we don't have much time for idle chatter. My veil is broken and I need to use this form to finish the portal. We don't have much time as they'll be coming."
"They? Who's coming?"
Sylvia didn't respond and the portal shimmered before growing blindly bright. Jon had to cover his eyes with his arms just to be able to see Sylvia who was holding her wound.
"Jon, you need to listen because there's something we must discuss before we part."
Below her wing light seemed to glow and an object began to take shape. Moving quickly Jon stuck his hands out and caught the object. Confusion grew as a rainbow colored stone dropped into his hand. It wasn't heavy, yet he felt as if he could barely hold it.
Sylvia bit down on one of her feathers and ripped it off. Handing the feather to Jon who looked even more confused.
"Use this to conceal its aura."
"Sylvia, what is-
"Please bear with me one last time."
Before Jon could respond or even form a thought Sylvia pushed her snout into his body causing him to get knocked back slightly and drop the stone. Fiery pain shot up his arms as his sleeves were torn away. Golden runes shone on his arms as his vision tinged lavender.
He screamed, then the pain was unbearable, and then it was gone. Jon fell to his hands and knees. Panting for breath as he looked up at Sylvia. Her golden eyes were already beginning to lose their shine.
"Everything will reveal itself when the time comes. Now it's time for you to go. I'm sorry but I didn't have time to send him directly home. But I am sending you to where humans are. Now hurry."
"Come with me!" Jon begged picking up the stone. He had already wrapped it in the feather as instructed. "A Maester can heal your wounds. You don't have to do this!"
The ceiling above Jon began to shake and then crumble. Sending jagged shards of rock right toward Jon's head. His eyes widened and he moved to cover his head. Back a white tail smacked the rocks away from him.
"Lady Sylvia." A calm yet ice-cold and authoritarian voice said. "I advise you to cease playing hero and hand it over. Submit now and he may even heal your wound."
As the dust cleared Jon's eyes widened as he saw what could only be described as a monster. A man with ash gray skin and red eyes. His long hair was a shade lighter in color than his skin. Two dark horns jutted from his head taking on an s-shape and he was dressed head to neck in black battle armor.
His visage was one that struck terror and fear into Jon. This man looked nothing like a human. But what scared Jon the most was that the man was floating above the ground as if gravity didn't even matter to him.
'He looks like Sylvia's previous form.'
Jon began to wonder if he was staring at a god.
"You've already caused us quite a lot of trouble hid-
The man was cut off as time around them seemed to freeze. The man's mouth hung open and the other rocks that were falling stopped in midair. It was with startling realization that Jon realized time had frozen.
"I'm sorry Jon but I have a bit of a confession to make. The truth is I intentionally prolonged the teleportation spell so I could spend more time with you. A selfish thing I know, I won't ask you to forgive me. But I enjoyed not being alone for these last four months."
Jon felt tears stream down his cheeks once more as he grabbed a clutch of Sylvia's feathers. "It's fine, l-let's just go. I-I don't care what you did. But everything's frozen, w-we can leave together."
Sylvia's dying golden eyes looked at him, and she cried. "You know I can't."
"Sl-
Her wing pulled itself free from Jon's grip and knocked the boy into the portal. The gravity of it sucked and pulled him in. This caused his eyes to widen with dawning horror.
"Farewell Jon."
"No, Sylvia!"
"Thank you, my child."
….
A multitude of colors flew past Jon as the portal carried him away. It was so beautiful that had it been a different time he might have enjoyed the scenery immensely. That wasn't the case however. Jon was trying to crawl his way back to Sylvia. Like the inside of the portal was a river.
"Bring me back! Bring me back!"
His struggles amounted to nothing however. Try as he might, Jon did not budge, and soon the portal spat him out into a shallow body of water. It was maybe a few inches deep, only coming up to about his ears. But he just simply lay there and processed everything.
'She's gone.' He thought with grief. 'I'll never see her again.'
Jon wanted to scream, let his anger and grief be known to the world. But he kept his mouth shut, he didn't know what was out there. Memories of the four months spent with Sylvia ran through his mind over and over again. It was both short and long and yet Sylvia had treated him like her blood. Teaching him things he had lacked as such a young boy.
The thought of that monster floating in the air filled him with unease. What was that thing and why was he hunting Sylvia? Who was he referring to when he said he might fix your wound? What exactly was it that he was looking for in the first place? What was Sylvia hiding from them?
The questions ran through Jon's mind like a running stream. So many questions, no answers. What was he to do? Why would someone allow such a monster like that to exist? He had the body of a man, and yet at the same time, he looked nothing like one.
But then what was Sylvia? She was a dragon, but the dragons died out ages ago and he didn't remember any accounts of them being able to change forms and talk, or open portals. Yet Sylvia seemed to know of the other dragons and referred to them as lesser creatures. What was it that made them lesser?
Was there a hierarchy when it came to dragons?
The sound of thumping filled Jon's head causing his eyes to narrow in confusion and breaking him away from his thoughts. What the hell was that sound?
"Ahem, ahem. Testing, is this thing on?" Jon shot up out of the water, his eyes wide. "Hello Jon."
"Sylvia! Did you-
"If you're hearing this right now." Her voice continued. "It means I have shown you what I actually am, and that I am dead."
Jon deflated and brought his legs to his chest. Sylvia must have left him a message when she pressed her snout to his chest.
"As aggravating as it may seem, you are nowhere near ready for the full truth yet. Your body is only that of a boy of five and your mana core is only in the dark red stage. You're not strong enough yet."
Jon grumbled under his breath and held himself tighter as Sylvia continued. His chest felt tight and heavy.
"As a small gift, I have imparted onto you my will. Your future as a mage depends on how well you're able to use my gift."
'Who cares about some stupid gift. I'd rather have-
"Oh, and Jon. I can imagine what you're feeling right now. Sorrow, guilt, anger. Forget those feelings and turn towards happy ones. Think of your family and the happiness you'll all feel once reunited. I only wish for you to embrace the joys and happiness of childhood and to not let hatred blacken your heart. I want you to become someone your family and I can be proud of."
Jon sighed as he reached for the stone lying on the pool. The feather was wet but it still stayed wrapped around the stone almost protectively.
"Once you reach past the white core stage you will hear from me again. At that time I will explain everything in full and with detail. Lots of it."
Jon held the stone almost reverently as it was one of the last things he had of Sylvia. It felt comfortable now in the palm of his hands. He'd take care of it.
"I wish for you to live a long happy life without regrets. Until then, I bid you farewell. Aemon Targaryen."
Jon's brow furrowed at the name. "Aemon Targaryen?" He whispered. "But my name is Jon."
Looking up Jon noticed the body of water he was lying in was in a marble pool. The more he looked around the more odd his surroundings became. Colorful marble stones painted the area. More pools were littered around him filled with more water. Yet those were empty. Everything seemed to be empty except for the pair of eyes Jon could feel on him.
Turning his head to the left he saw two girls, both older than him by a few years standing on a pathway shaded by pillars and balconies above them. The first girl was pudgy, flat-chested, and a little ugly. Her hair was short and shaggy black as were her eyes. The second girl was younger than the first. She was slimmer and skinnier than the first. With long black hair much like the first girl. But her eyes were a striking violet in color.
A sharp contrast to her friends.
The three stared at each other for a long, tense, silent minute that seemed to drag on for hours. Once the shock of the situation wore off the first girl shouted.
"Guards!"
Notes:
Questions, questions. Who and what is Sylvia? Who's hunting her? What is she hiding? Why is she hiding? Why was she hunted? How is a dragon alive when they died 170 years ago? So many questions to be answered.
Anyway with that little spiel out of the way next chapters starts with an Oberyn POV.
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