14 The Winter Soldier

As the we finally reached the Prince's Pass. There was an abandoned tower that we used to rest. Prince Rhaegar, Jon Connington and Hawkeye were walking and talking in the distance.

Sometimes I don't even know how I got here. From a young peasant boy living in the Glover lands in the north to one of Prince's Rhaegar guards on Dragonstone. My mother was a crofter, never knew my father I thought I'll soend the rest of my days with her.

We were attacked by bandits in the village. We fought, we lost. They killed and looted from almost everyone including my mom. I was devastated. It was in that state I unlocked The Haki of Observation. I stayed for a while after helping rebuild the village after we asked from aid from Lord Glover.

Eventually I left the North. Came across some bandits killed them took their armour and swords. Sold most of them for coin. Eventually improved to a descent level, made my way to Dragonstone to offer my arms to guard the Royal Family. Prince Rhaegar took me in regardless that I am a peasant. For that he has my loyalty. All day everyday.

As days dragged on by as we made our way to Starfall our next destination. I can't believe we are headed to the home of The Sword of the Morning. A more dangerous man in Westeros cannot be found. The undisputed strongest in Westeros. I hope I am not overwhelmed.

As we finally arrived at Starfall we were giving bread and salt. James (a fellow soldier) and I were sharing a room. After sleeping I woke up only to realize it was the next day.

I had a bath, headed to the kitchens to grab a bite then headed to the yard to practice. Its been weeks since I had any fighting and I wasn't about to lose my touch.

I got there and saw Ser Mihawk there, swinging away in silence. We've heard stories about him, his exploits in Essos, the riches he gathers and always send back home to Bear Island. To most Dayne, Selmy and him are the strongest in Westeros.

I took a stance and started going through my axe forms while training my observation haki and armament. I wasn't tried by a noble to so its just brute forcing it while hoping my talent can carry me. This kept on going until,

' You're doing it all wrong.'

'I'm sorry my lord doing what wrong?'

He sighed and dropped that massive excuse of a blade beside him. He walked towards me and continued.

'You are a northerner right?'

'Aye.'

'I don't do this normally so pay attention. Haki is willpower. Belief in oneself so strong that you slighty alter reality to your whims.'

The fuck is this guy saying. Will? Belief? You train your body until the Old gods or New allow you access into it. Is he some sort of heathen that does not believe in our gods.

I'm sorry I don't understand. Haki is granted by our gods. It is known. It was what was taught by the Old and new gods.'

He sighed before stretching and sitting down while placing the blade on his lap. He then tapped the floor signaling me to sit down too. I wearily looked at him before complying.

'Look I know what we were taught. I was taught the same thing. I am going to tell you my observations during the years and how I came to the conclusion.'

'Haki and Devil Fruits are not some gifts of the gods. I believe magic is along those lines. Haki is simply your willpower and how it affects you and the world. You believe so strongly that you need to see the world around you more clearly, more thoroughly. You want nothing to escape your senses, you can't afford to let anything escape your senses. That's why Haki blooms in battle. The need the drive its never felt so strongly like when you are at death's door.'

By the gods. Blasphemy that makes sense. I've never even heard anything like this. Was it not when those bandits came I unlocked observation haki. I needed to see. I couldn't afford to have any blindspots. Fuck fuck fuck I just came out to train not to have a fundamental belief system ripped apart.

'You said something about altering reality?'

'Yes. When you believe in yourself so strongly that you don't need just eyes to see. This belief communicates with the world and the rules governing herand grants increased perception.Training haki helps maintain it or go further slower but it is in battle that haki grows. I was once battling against a sellsword group in Lys. They're commander was an old greybeard called Sadaq Noharys. Our companies where not on the same level but he alone almost leveled the playing field. He could do it all. Fast, observant and tough at his age. I would love to fight him in his prime. He cut through about thirty pf my soldiers before we met in battle. He kept attacking each other, blows dodges, ripostes, counter ripostes we had it all. He could see the future with his haki too, his armament was so tough that using internal destruction wasn't worth the loss. His sword skills where better than mine. After two hours of non stop battling he sliced me across the chest, scarring me for life.'

He then unbuttoned his shirt and I saw a scar from almost the neck to his hip. The fucker tried to cleave him in half.

'As I lay there thinking that I've had a good life. That I've tried my best. That wasn't it okay to rest now? My answer was no. My Royal haki exploded in all directions knocking everyone except him but it allowed me time to move because he hesitated. The battle continued and that's when I finally realized my strongest ability in one on one combat: Divine Departure.'

'Divine Departure?'

'I coiled an insane amount of royal, armament and a mix of observation around my sword and swung it on him. The end goal isn't to cut him in half but to hit him so hard off his feet he gets sent flying for a good distance. After I that I stabbed him as he lay reeling on the ground.

I won but what I'm trying to say is haki blooms in adversity especially life and death when you put your all on the line. It isn't some divine blessing. Haki is what allowed the First Men stand against the magic of the Children of the Forest. Haki is the mortal man's answer to Divinity… to god afterall…'

'What's a god to a non believer.'

There was a silence in the yard. The discomforting type. I know I just heard something that sounds like an affront against our gods but…

Is that what it is… pure belief in ourself, the drive so strong it affects the world around us. Yes I needed to know where those bandits where so bad that I did. I needed an extra layer of armor and I have it. Haki is truly wonderous.

' I can see why everyone had high hopes for you back then. You exceeded expectations and more,Hawkeye.' said a low baritone voice behind me. I immediately got up with my blade in hand and pointed it at whoever that was behind me… which was the Crown Prince fuckkk.

'Yes your grace. Maybe another day we'll talk about devil fruits Winter Soldier.'

'Winter Soldier? Who's that. Did he just give me an epithet? And a good one? The Winter Soldier. I like it. I have to live up to the name now.

' So pick up your sword and lets spar. I'll instruct you as we go through motions and remember always try to kill me after all… you're weak.''

Damn. I sparred against him and Prince Rhaegar continuously for hours on end. I couldn't land a blow on either of them. Eventually I was exhausted and just sat down and watched them fight. I can say I improved so much in these few hours than I would have in months. Looks like I am going to be challenging people to duels alot from now.

Right now I am an ant to Hawkeye cause if the beating he's putting on Rhaegar is anything to say then I could have been crushed from the first exchange. Willpower huh. I need to get stronger, much much stronger.

The Prince was on his back with Mihawk stepping on his chest while holding his sword at him.

'Yield?'

'I yield.'

'I expected more from you, Rhaegar but I guess you grew up in a glassgarden with no adversity. I advise you to go around the kingdom disguised as a hedge knight for combat experience.'

I'll consider. Lets go back. We have to head to Sunspear. My lady awaits.'

Well then lets get out of here.'