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Chapter 20 - Awakening

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What happened next was that Robb brought the captured Jaime to report the victory to Catelyn.

After that, Jaime tried to provoke him, using sharp words to push Robb into accepting a duel to the death.

Watching everything as if he were watching a movie, Robb had already realized that this was the famous Battle of the Whispering Wood from the original storyline.

But he couldn't move.

Then, suddenly, he heard the cawing of a bird behind him.

When Robb opened his eyes again, he heard Theon's voice beside him once more.

And so, again and again, Robb relived the Battle of the Whispering Wood.

As the cycle repeated, he noticed that the control over his body began to loosen.

Now he could move his head slightly.

And every time he brought the captured Jaime to meet Catelyn on the hillside, just before the scene reset, he would hear the bird's caw behind him again.

Finally, this time, when Jaime invited him to duel…

Robb slowly moved his neck, like a rusted mechanism, turning his head toward the sound.

On a low branch sat a crow.

On its forehead was a glowing green eye.

A three-eyed crow stared at him.

"Craa! They cannot die yet! Craa! They are part of the future!"

Suddenly, the three-eyed crow flapped its wings and spoke in a harsh, grating voice.

Robb knew exactly what that creature was.

But even though he could move his head, he still couldn't speak.

"The one trying to destroy the future! Craa! Who are you? Who are you?

You are not Robb Stark! Craa!"

As the crow screamed its final words, growing more frantic, it began to cough up blood.

In the next instant, its body exploded.

At the same time, the scene that had held Robb captive for so long began to collapse rapidly.

A blinding light filled his vision.

This time, it wasn't green.

It was white.

"Auuu!"

"Robb!!! By the gods of the sea, he's awake!"

"Prepare some liquid food! I'll inform Lady Catelyn!"

His vision still blurred, Robb heard familiar voices.

He forced his eyes open.

The image before him gradually came into focus.

Robb was lying in his own bed.

Theon was on his right.

Bloodwind lay on his left.

There was deep concern in both of their eyes.

A little farther away, Dacey and Owen stood near the door.

When they noticed Robb looking at them, they gave a slight bow and left to attend to their duties.

"Robb! You must be feeling very weak. Do you remember what happened?"

Theon watched him closely as he spoke.

"W… what… happened…"

Robb tried to speak, but his throat was dry and hoarse.

"Robb… you were unconscious for thirteen days."

Theon's words hit Robb like a bolt of lightning.

"Th… thirteen days… the… Lannisters?"

Theon answered immediately.

"Lord Eddard accepted the position of Hand of the King. Three days ago, they left for King's Landing with the Lannisters."

"And Benjen took Jon and the little demon to the Wall."

After a brief hesitation, Theon continued:

"That night, the man I sent to warn you found you collapsed outside your door. We couldn't wake you."

"Without your signal, the plan couldn't continue."

"We hid the wildfire again. Dacey canceled the operation and informed Lady Catelyn."

"The next day, the king and Lord Eddard rushed back to Winterfell…"

He lowered his head.

"…and that same afternoon, Bran fell from the broken tower."

Theon seemed unable to meet Robb's eyes.

But Robb already knew that supernatural forces were manipulating everything behind the scenes.

He didn't blame Theon.

"Owen… Osha?"

"Since you were unconscious, everyone was worried about you. Owen stayed by your bedside."

"Bran knew Winterfell well. He managed to slip past Osha."

"By the time she realized, he had already fallen."

Robb nodded slowly.

Then he pointed to a cup on the table.

"Water…"

Theon immediately brought it.

"For the past few days, we had to feed you by force with milk and honeyed water. Your body is very weak. Don't strain yourself."

Robb nodded and drank.

After a few sips, his throat improved slightly.

He coughed softly and spoke again:

"Theon… take Bloodwind, Owen, and Smalljon."

"Catch up to my father and the king."

"Once you reach them, follow from a distance. Don't let them notice you."

"When they stop at the Inn at the Crossroads…"

"…bring back Lady and Nymeria."

"The wolf will help you."

"As long as your identity isn't exposed… you can do anything."

"Theon… remember."

"Anything."

After giving his orders, Robb turned his head toward Bloodwind and sent the command mentally.

Help them bring the two wolves back.

The wolf, whose intelligence had already awakened, understood immediately.

He let out a low growl and showed his concern for Robb.

"Ah… and have Torrhen and Edd Karstark guard my room with some men."

"Dacey should protect Bran."

"That's all. Theon… Bloodwind… go."

Feeling his body extremely weak, Robb didn't try to do anything more.

He simply gestured for them to leave.

Theon wanted to wait for Dacey and Catelyn to return.

But the wolf pushed him toward the door with its massive head.

After the two of them left…

A look of anger appeared on Robb's face.

With what little strength he had, he struck the side of the bed.

His heart was filled with hatred.

But not toward others.

Toward himself.

He hated his own arrogance.

He had believed he could change everything and alter his family's fate.

He hated his own helplessness.

He had been trapped in a repeating nightmare by the three-eyed crow, unable to resist.

If not for Theon and the others taking care of him, he would have starved to death inside that dream.

After releasing some of his frustration, Robb closed his eyes.

The past couldn't be changed.

Now he needed to think about what to do next.

Not long after, Catelyn rushed into the room.

When she saw Robb sitting on the bed, she covered her mouth and began to cry silently.

Two of her children had fallen unconscious.

Her husband and daughters had left for distant lands.

She was carrying too much.

"Mother… don't worry."

"From now on, I'll take care of everything."

"I promise."

Robb opened his eyes and smiled gently.

Catelyn smiled through her tears.

She rushed to the bed and embraced Robb tightly.

Meanwhile, after organizing everything according to Robb's orders, Theon set out with Bloodwind, Owen, and Smalljon.

Each of them had two horses.

They rode quickly along the Kingsroad.

With Robb's awakening, the entire main castle stirred to life.

Servants moved back and forth, preparing everything to serve their lord.

No one noticed that…

A crow had taken flight silently into the sky.

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