𓆩𝘛𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘦𓆪 Dark! Paul Atreides x Reader

𝘊𝘏𝘈𝘗𝘛𝘌𝘙 𝘛𝘞𝘖

𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠

-threats of war-

Paul stood in the ship's command room, hands clasped behind his back, posture regal as he stared out at the endless void of space through the thick viewport. He appeared composed, but beneath the surface, his mind was a maelstrom of conflict and urgency. 

A month, he'd been aboard this vessel with his people, and from the moment he stepped on board, his visions had unraveled into a tumultuous storm. He saw the path to billions of deaths, the annihilation of entire worlds, and the relentless march of his holy war. Each vision painted a picture of relentless conquest and a future drenched in blood.

Yet amidst the chaos, a more seductive vision emerged. It was a path that promised a swifter resolution—a scenario where his holy war ended sooner, and the Great Houses bent their knees to him with far less suffering. The prospect of a quicker end, of achieving his goals without the prolonged agony and devastation, was tantalizing. Yet, it remained elusive; his own visions were withholding crucial details on how to achieve this streamlined path, what sacrifices and actions were truly required.

Or perhaps he wasn't looking close enough.

"My Lord."

Paul was jolted from his unstable thoughts, his mind struggling to steady itself. He turned to face his Master in Arms, Gurney Halleck, whose rugged and battle-hardened presence provided a rare anchor amid the chaos swirling in Paul's mind.

"Our navigation system indicates we are just a couple of days out from Aetheria, my lord," Gurney reported, his voice steady and pragmatic. Paul blinked, absorbing Gurney's report before nodding. "Thank you, Gurney." Gurney acknowledged the command with a nod and turned to leave, but Paul's voice halted him. "What do you know about Aetheria?" Paul turned to face him more fully, his gaze intense. "I checked the Holo-Lessons and the limited books available on the ship. They had little more than basic information about its terrain."

Gurney paused, gathering his thoughts. "All the information I have pertains mostly to their soldiers, my lord. They are well-trained, few in number, but highly skilled. Their loyalty is unparalleled, and their queen is practically worshipped as a deity." Gurney's lips curved into a smirk, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "But they'll be no match against the Fremen. Their queen is old, has little battle experience, and will likely be waving the white flag in no time."

Paul's smirk widened as memories of the queen from his childhood flashed in his mind. He recalled her regal demeanor and how, even then, she had seemed fragile and distant. The contrast between her perceived weakness and the formidable force of the Fremen was reassuring. The door creaked open, and two Fremen entered, flanking his mother, who cradled a small bundle in her arms—his sister. Paul's smile softened as he looked at them. "Mother, Sister," he greeted warmly, his voice carrying a trace of genuine affection.

Gurney, always the soldier, nodded in acknowledgment of the new arrivals.

Jessica's eyes met Paul's, her expression calm but her gaze intense. "You requested to see us?"

"Yes," Paul replied, his gaze fixed intently on her. "If I am to claim Aetheria, I must understand them—especially the Queen. Does she have a Bene Gesserit advisor at her side?"

Jessica's eyes darkened as she took a deep breath, her expression reflecting the weight of her words. "Years ago, a Bene Gesserit sister was sent to Aetheria. Their aim was to do what they had done with other planets—manipulate the queen and influence the prophecy." She paused, her voice trembling slightly with the gravity of the story. "Days later, a box arrived for the Reverend Mother. Inside was the sister they had sent—a charred corpse, reduced to coal." Paul remained calm, his expression a mask of composure.