Hundreds, perhaps thousands, gathered around the Moon Pool in Braavos, eager to witness the death of either an exiled dragon or the Titan's Bastard.
It seemed every thrill-seeker in Braavos had come; the duelists were both highly controversial figures.
People stood shoulder-to-shoulder on the steps surrounding the Moon Pool. The Sealord's guard and the Justiciars held the line, keeping the space clear for the duel.
Ordinary folk came for the spectacle, crabbers came to see the Prestayn family humiliated, and some assassins and Water Dancers came to observe and learn.
After all, both the "Violet Swordsman" Viserys and the "Titan's Bastard" Mero were incredibly dangerous killers.
To watch in comfort, many brought stools, and some even brought kegs of ale to sit on.
The innermost circle was reserved for the Braavosi elite: the Sealord, nobles, bankers, courtesans, guild masters, and famous Water Dancers.
The Black Pearl, Syrio, "Crab Tycoon" Ringo, the Daughter of the Dusk, Moonshadow, the Nightingale, the Lady Blade, and other courtesans stood in support of Viserys. Ser Roland Lake was tasked with protecting the two children.
Old Prestayn naturally had his own supporters: the courtesan "Mermaid Queen," members of the insurance guild, and some of the older noble families were his allies.
The Sealord remained neutral, acting as the mediator.
"Who will win?" Sealord Ferrego asked curiously.
"Hard to say," First Sword Qarro replied. "Both are very dangerous killers. Recently, Prestayn spent a fortune hiring swordsmen to train Mero, while Viserys seems to have been taken out to sea by Syrio for a few days of training."
"This Viserys truly is a troublemaker," the Sealord thought with a headache. The boy really knew how to stir things up.
"Not just a troublemaker, but a genius," Qarro marveled. "Syrio has a good eye. I've never seen a beginner with zero foundation reach such a masterful level of the Water Dance in such a short time."
"Kill him!"
"Kill him!"
"Beat him!" The onlookers began to cheer together, anticipating the exciting moment to come.
"You must win," Little Prestayn muttered, praying for his own victory by proxy.
Viserys appeared wearing a tunic split half-black and half-red. Flash Silver was thirsty for blood.
"The Titan's Bastard is going to butcher you," Mero sneered at Viserys. In his hand was a rapier, but Mero's blade was longer and thicker than the standard slender sword.
Mero hadn't been idle. Recent training with famous swordsmen had boosted his skills and his confidence.
"Perhaps I will butcher you," Viserys said coldly. "I must avenge Moro."
The fires of battle ignited around them. Neither wore armor; this was unrestricted combat.
Both turned sideways and launched their attacks.
The aesthetic of the Water Dance was unique, but the slender swords were deadly.
Viserys launched a storm of attacks right from the start, Flash Silver humming with the sound of wind and thunder.
Mero was confused. His impression of Viserys was that of a cunning fighter famous for luring enemies in and countering. He hadn't expected Viserys to be the aggressor today.
But Mero quickly turned his confusion into joy. This means Viserys is afraid of me and is rushing to attack like a fool.
"Viserys is too impatient," Qarro commented. "He has the advantage in speed. He should lure the enemy into attacking, wear him down, and then deliver the killing blow. How can he attack directly like this?"
Swords clashed, emitting harsh, metallic rings.
The blades were dangerous; a single touch meant a wound.
Mero was surprised. The silver-haired boy's strength was far greater than he had imagined. This was unusual.
"Die, little king! I heard your family is all dead!" Mero hissed.
"I don't talk to dead men," Viserys replied coldly.
They went back and forth, Viserys displaying the lightness and speed of the Water Dance to perfection.
"Truly magnificent," the onlookers praised. Both sides were displaying an extremely high level of skill.
Sword light flashed, illuminating the duelists' faces.
The sound of steel clashing was incessant as the two chased each other around the Moon Pool.
Viserys was like a slippery rat; Mero's blade couldn't touch him.
Conversely, Viserys's blade flickered left and right, already opening several wounds on Mero's body. Bright red blood stained his black clothes.
"Die!" Mero was getting frantic. If this continued, he would eventually be worn down to death.
Mero wanted to leverage his size and strength advantages before the enemy could react.
So, Mero roared, abandoning his circling tactics.
His rapier moved so fast it created a blur of magical light and shadow, following his deafening bellow.
Metal crashed against metal, swords locked together.
"Viserys!"
"Violet Swordsman!" Many cheered for him.
The Daughter of the Dusk watched the shifting battle quietly. The Nightingale and Moonshadow's eyes were wide open.
The Black Pearl held onto little Daenerys and Rhaenys.
Viserys steadily blocked the blow, then leaped out of the encirclement.
They engaged again. Viserys swayed his body, making Mero look like a clumsy fish being played.
"Oh!"
"Oh, he lost! Someone lost!" The crowd screamed in frenzy.
Mero's blade roared, using a killer move he had recently mastered.
But the path of insight was truly profound. The blade seemed inches away from Viserys's chest, arm, and head, but it was always a step too slow.
Such fierce attacks were slowly draining Mero's strength.
"What is happening?" Old Prestayn was getting anxious. He had spent a fortune and staked his reputation; he certainly didn't want to lose this duel.
His family's guard looked mighty, but he couldn't even touch a hair on the boy's head.
Viserys, on the other hand, sped up, his sword moves becoming even more frantic.
His blade danced wildly like a storm.
"How does he still have strength?" Qarro was astonished.
Strength was generally linked to size and age, and Viserys was clearly the younger and smaller of the two.
In terms of strength, speed, and resilience, Viserys was truly exceptional.
Viserys feinted, attacking to the left. Mero hurriedly moved to block.
Unexpectedly, Viserys's blade danced wildly, slicing open Mero's right thigh, leaving a long gash.
"Fight me!" Mero shouted.
Viserys aimed, then thrust. Under his elusive feints, more and more wounds appeared on Mero's body—long cuts on his chest, abdomen, and legs.
Pain and the frustration of blood loss assaulted Mero.
Viserys was as agile as a cat. Mero tried to slash at Viserys's face, but his speed had slowed significantly.
Viserys slashed another cut across Mero's thigh, his speed astonishing.
"Die!" Mero thrust powerfully, but whether it was a thrust or a slash, Viserys parried it all.
Viserys decided to end the game. He launched a fierce attack on the Titan's Bastard's vital points.
Mero's counterattacks were futile attempts. He saw the silver blade flash, but he never knew where the next strike would land.
With a powerful strike, Viserys slipped past and thrust directly into Mero's abdomen, then twisted hard.
With a howl of agony, Mero, the instigator, collapsed on the duel ground. Slick intestines spilled out like eels.
Viserys watched Mero dying, life bidding him farewell.
Mero pointed a finger at Viserys but lacked the strength to rise.
Viserys, reeking of blood, watched Mero's vitality drain away bit by bit. Then, he thrust his sword into Mero's heart and twisted it.
Standing in the crowd, Viserys looked like a terrifying, blood-soaked warrior.
"Bloodthirsty!"
"Bloodthirsty!" The onlookers cheered in unison.
"Andalos," the Sealord suddenly thought, realizing exactly where to send this troublesome young man.