Hey guys! IronPhoenix here with my debut fic! If you clicked here then you're probably wondering what the hell the title means, well I'll tell ya later. First things first.

This is AU, and I don't just mean mostly cannon with character or path variations, I'm talking a full blown Alternate Reality. There are a few parallels plot wise, and to the core the characters remain the same, but if you notice any "OOCness" its going to be the result of whatever scenerios their life in this version has put them through. The main trope here is high fantasy, you know elves, dwarves, worlocks, that sort of stuff. And before you ask, NO, this is not a crossover with World of Warcraft, its more so based on Dungeons and Dragons, and basic fantasy RPG's in general.

Also I won't be adding any of that japanese suffix bullshit, no -kuns or -chans, because it simply doesn't fit with the setting, and frankly I just don't give a shit. I mean I'm not japanese, what sesne does it make to use parts of another language I don't speak or write? I guess I'm just not that fanatic. Boo-hoo, get over it.

Now this may be my "first fic", but hold nothing back in your reviews, I'll never become a better writer if everyone only pats me on the back. I WANT constructive criticism, even for the little things, I'll either amend them or explain the reason why I wrote something in a particular way.

Thanks for reading.

DISCLAMER: I do not own Naruto, or any of the fantasy/ RPG tropes present in this fic. If I did it wouldn't be a fan fiction now would it? See the logic?

Between the time when the hell-god Hextor was nearly resurrected, and the rise of the Torbera kingdoms, there was an age undreamed of. And on to this, Naruto, destined to bear the consequences of the Third Infernal Incursion upon his soul. It is I, his chronicler who alone can tell thee of his saga.

Let me tell you of the days of high adventure… (1)

Chapter 1 What life will you lead?

Her heart was pumping at its maximum capacity as she dashed though the underbrush of the forest. The air was close and provided much needed oxygen for her, even if in the end everything proved to be futile. She glanced behind her in the hopes that her pursuer had long since abandoned the endeavor, but her eyes confirmed that she had no such fortune. The young woman pushed her legs even harder to outrun him, only to have a blunt object strike at the back of her skull. She fell of course, against a tree, and when her bearings began to return, her eyes revealed that a stone had been the tool for her continuous misfortune. When her vision returned to its full cognitive state, what they beheld made every muscle she had, save for independent ones, to tense and twinge.

It stood three, to three-and-a-half feet from its filthy, most likely stolen shoes, to its dark, unruly, and matted hair. Its ears were cross between a man's and that of a hairless fox, though still attached to the east and west hemispheres of the skull. His body was a thin frame, but more practiced than any child, and covered in a sickly, pail brown pigmentation. The attire was gathered from bits and pieces that he and his brethren had plundered, never seeing any need to tend to its condition. Large nocturnal, yellow eyes, normally in a glazed expression, peered at the girl with great pleasure.

Young human females were always so easy; their society, hardly ever allowing them to receive any sort of training or equip them with weapons, made them prime targets, though older ones like this one were much harder to keep up with, the results rarely differed, at least to this orc's opinion, not that it thought so in such a complex manner. First it would satisfy itself upon her, and then take her body back to the tribe for meat. It took the hilt of its rusted short sword and approached her, licking its lips in anticipation of the pleasure soon to come followed by the feast. However, the fortunes of both parties would take a dramatic turn as a thick stave smashed against the face of the would-be predator in a blunt, yet spectacular motion. The orc spun around, attempting to regain its bearings, and what bearings it did regain allowed it to see the source of its newfound pain.

It was but a boy, older than fourteen, but under the age of sixteen who wielded the stave. The orc, having regained enough of its bearings, became infuriated and charged, thrusting its blade at the lad. The lad however, saw its sloppy attempts quite easily, and while he lacked any true combat training himself, he had the wit to parry the object, and strike a mighty blow to the filthy thing's abdomen. This time the orc relinquished its blade to the ground, as its body was completely stunned from having the wind pushed abruptly from its lungs. Seizing the opportunity, the boy heaved the thing off balance, and being that without any oxygen in its chest, it was in no position to resist, let alone rise from the grass it landed on. Wasting no time, the young heroic figure brought the stave to maximum height, and struck down with great force, enough to be rewarded with a very audible crunching sound emanating from the orc's skull.

The deed done, the boy dropped the stave to tend to the young woman; he knelt down checking for any signs of injury. "Are you okay miss?" he inquired, pure concern coming out of his voice.

The woman was in tears the entire time until now, the hiccups and sobs lessening from the ordeal, "Um, I think so," she replied in a small voice, her hands over her eyes, when she gathered enough courage, she looked at him directly, "Thank y-" but then she recognized him. And with more fear and distain then she had for the orc she cried, "You! Get away from me!"

"But wait I-", his attempts to console her were futile.

"Get away from me, beast!" she flailed, slapped, and scrambled away from him and "escaped" into the woods. He let her go; after all there was little point in holding her against her will, only confirming others' beliefs, at least in her mind.

He let out an audible sigh as he rose to his feet, "So, how long have you been standing there old man?" he more so stated than inquired, not bothering to turn to the general direction the reply would come from.

"Long enough to see you try playing hero again," his voice was scratched, as it was characteristic for his age, in height he couldn't be much taller than the boy, viewing them in comparison, as the man stepped out of the shadows. He wore a simple aged cloak, the hood protecting his receding hair line from the sun. White hair protruded away from his chin which balanced the wrinkles and laugh lines quite nicely on his face. "It's a shame really; I thought she was rather pretty, perhaps even marriageable," he stated in a near nonchalant manner, his next action was bending down to the fallen orc to rummage through its items.

"You say that like I'll actually marry someone," the lad smiled dryly.

The older man said more to himself than in reply to the boy, "This is the sixth orc attack in this month alone," while searching the orc he indeed found something of interest. A medallion; the graphic on it was that of a snake coiling itself insidiously around a man in triumph, looking down at its defeated prey with its forked sensory organ tasting the air. Well I'll be damned, recognition flickered in his eyes followed by distain. But whatever negative mannerisms that were written on his face were forced down, this was no concern of the boy's (at least not yet), "They're getting bolder, I wouldn't be surprised if we had a full scale raid on our hands soon," he rose up from the foul thing, concealing the coin in one of his pockets.

He had heard what his elder said, but chose to focus on his own troubles, "Hell, I doubt I'll even make one friend other than you in my life time," his tone was dry once more, "that's just pathetic."

The elder merely smiled and gave words of encouragement, "Naruto, it's like I always say; it just takes time for people to-"

"Fifteen years? I'm nearly a man and they still look at me the same, even their children!"

"I know its hard, but-"

"No! You don't know! You don't know what is like to have everyone hate your guts because you're the spawn of demons. You don't know what is like to go through your childhood wondering why everyone avoids you like you're some sort of disease. You don't-"

"Naruto!" this silenced him, the elder's gaze was firm and held the boy where he stood, "You're right, I did not grow up like that, I have not felt those experiences myself, but need I remind you that it was I who bore witness to those fifteen years. I understand your rage son, including your bold and impulsive nature, but I will not tolerate you raising your voice against mine in such an uncalled for manner." It was too short to be called a speech, it was to the point and the message was clear, and Naruto felt a pang of guilt well within him, becoming evident on his face. The elder's gaze softened, radiating sympathy as he put a comforting hand on the boy's shoulder.

"I'm sorry I just," he couldn't even finish his sentence; he truly didn't mean to offend his guardian.

"I know lad, I know. Everyone snaps at some point," he reassured, He peered trough the forest canopy and observed, "It'll be sundown soon, best we move, we'll continue this conversation once we reach home." The boy agreed and the pair soon departed the woods for their small village, along the way, the elder took out the medallion, without Naruto's knowledge of course, and gazed at it reflectively before replacing it in its concealed home, Just what are you up to?

It was late in the afternoon now as they made their way home. Log houses, and dirt streets, littered with all manner of weeds, were the sights with which the pair was most familiar. It was in no way, shape, or form a wealthy settlement; nearly isolated from the rest of the world. It was a humble village, ideal for living the quiet life. For Naruto however, the quietude held a different meaning, and he could see it in the villagers' eyes; distain, distrust, disgust, even simple apathy. You see the source of it all lies in the unusual circumstances of Naruto's birth.

If you consider demonic origins unusual.

From what the boy was told, during the Second Infernal Incursion his mother was raped by a demon, and nine months later he came as a result. The birth took his mother's life, adding to the idea that he was indeed and unholy being just like his father. In his boyhood he took pleasure in pulling pranks on the villagers, but instead of it being seen as a boy being a boy, or as a simple cry for attention as it truly was, it only further added to the belief that his mischievous ways were signs of his ancestry taking root. It wasn't until he became a teenager that his guardian, a veteran of both Infernal Incursions, Hiruzen Sarutobi, revealed his ancestry to him, and of course his life was never viewed the same again.

It all made since now, why he was merely…tolerated.

Naruto's breed is rare, but not at all unheard of. Ages ago the Church of the Pantheon decreed that demon hybrids were to be treated by the law no differently that any other being. Their reasoning being that at least half of that person was not evil incarnate, as was most of mankind; employing the belief that the sins of the father are not the sins of the son; therefore they were accountable for their own actions. This neither excused, nor made guiltless whatever crimes they committed, the same as any other person. This was of course controversial, other churches had outright refused the inclusion of demon hybrids, and there were even some orders of paladins dedicated to eradicating the "threat". Though, there were other more sympathetic orders that viewed them as supernaturally ill, and would make attempts to separate the demon half from the other through various rituals.

To date, none have been successful in which the subject survives.

Though it is only because it would be considered murder, and that they would be tried for that crime the people of this village did not become so bold, it hasn't stopped them from bringing him close to death. Hiruzen however saw to the end of that personally.

Prejudices aside, with his guardian Naruto's life was at least a bearable existence, a sentiment that he almost took for granted a few hours ago, and upon seeing their humble home a bit away from the rest of the village, it rekindled the gratitude he had for this man, for he could have just as easily turned his back on him at infancy as the others did. Naruto was lucky and he knew it.

The house was like all of the others, lumber walls for a perimeter, crudely crafted windows, a chimney at the back end, used the most during the bitter winters, and all of it worn from the elements; characterized by the environment. As Hiruzen opened the door, Naruto surveyed said environment, a wall of trees and bushes surrounding the entire village, emphasizing the isolation effect felt. The only sign that there was a world beyond these few acres was the road leading to the north, barely cutting through the forest noticeably. He wondered what it would be like to travel down that road.

"Naruto are you coming?" the voice of his guardian brought him back to the here and now, and he obliged by awkwardly turning back to the cabin with Hiruzen expressing a knowing smile on his face.

The boy closed the door behind him, and decided to take a look at the mirror, placed in the middle of the wall to his right. It was one of the few luxuries they had in this place. Naruto sized himself up: wild, golden hair that almost seemed to defy gravity, and whisker marks, which also oddly he was born with, adding to his feral appearance. His physique was stocky, more physically capable for a boy his age, and in estimation, by adulthood he would have the body of a well practiced blacksmith.

The elder went to the fire place, grabbed some flint and struck it until he was rewarded with a small plume of smoke, he gently blew upon it to feed oxygen, and then let it grow on its own. Satisfied, the old man brought his attention to Naruto, calling him to meet to the dinner table at the core of the cabin, sitting down in his favorite chair. Much to the lad's impatience, the elder took his time in lighting his personal pipe, taking a puff, exhaling, and then speaking, "Naruto, have I ever told you I was once a paladin?" The boy's expression turned into one of complete incredulousness. He had some hint that the man possessed a martial history, but a paladin? The revelation made his taking in of Naruto all the more stupendous, as well as perplexing. Why would a martial servant of all that is holy have any reason not to dispose of him, let alone raise him?

The elder continued, "It was a long time ago, but its relevance to this conversation will become clear," he took another puff of his pipe. "You had point back in the woods about this village, which is why I am considering-"

"Wait, do you hear that?" Naruto didn't mean to interrupt, but something unsettled him.

"Hear what? I don't-" but the old man silenced himself, for he too now sensed something. It sounded like…people…in distress. Immediately both parties bolted to the door, what lied beyond was something they had not anticipated until much later.

Houses were already burning, chaos dominating the streets, orcs running wild, torches and pitchforks quickly being gathered for the imminent response. An orc raid; small, but still hazardous to the average villager. Recognizing it immediately, Hiruzen dashed back into the house, and pulled out a trunk caked in dust. It took all of three seconds to pull out a bastard sword that Naruto never knew they had and whizzed by the confused boy before he could make so much as an interjection. But before Hiruzen would rekindle ancient practices, he came back to the boy, looked him squarely in the eye and said in an unmistakably to be obeyed tone, "Stay. Here." And with that he was gone.

Stay here…

Right…

Who ever he said that to it most certainly wasn't Naruto.

Hiruzen thrusted his blade expertly into the orc, it was down by the time the former paladin decapitated another. Even after all of these years, the muscle memory and tactical knowledge was ever-present, he was handling the filthy things with relative ease. But more were coming, and while he indeed still "had it", he knew full well that his body could only take oh so much stress before his age betrayed his spirit. Another pack of orcs came his way, and he dropped into a firm stance, he cleaved one after another almost as if they simply lined up to die, but amazingly one had escaped his vision, flanking his left. He caught sight of him and attempted to counter, but then his abdomen started to ach from the stress, he would not be able to counter in time. A blade unexpectedly impaled the goblinoid from behind (2), when it fell; Naruto appeared as the assassin, wielding two short swords that were obviously pilfered from the invaders.

While the old man was indeed glad to still be alive, at the moment the only thing he could say to the boy was, "Naruto? Damn it boy don't you know the meaning of- oh, why do I even bother?" the guardian exasperated.

Naruto could only reply smugly, "Good question, maybe you should give up trying altogether, and you're welcome by the way."

Hiruzen rolled his eyes and then gave his attention down the road, where the last wave of the goblinoids was charging. He sighed in spite of himself, and then said as he raised his weapon, "Well, as long as you're here." Naruto went to his side with a grin and readied a roguish stance. When the invaders finally clashed with them it wasn't a battle, but much more resembled an orc massacre. Black blood, entrails, and severed heads were flying everywhere. Then it seemed the orcs actually displayed some intelligence by realizing that the combined strength of these villagers was simply indomitable, and retreated.

Hiruzen and Naruto both took the time to admire each others handiwork, the old man sheathing his weapon, and the boy dropping his as there was no longer any need for them. "Not bad Naruto, not to encourage violence but you were pretty natural," Hiruzen complimented.

But before the boy could thank his guardian a voice cried, "What did I tell you? He is a curse! He probably brought them here!" At this Naruto's face immediately went into a deep frown, and Hiruzen's patience, which was so strong these past fifteen years, was thinning exponentially.

"Yeah! That abomination's has been nothing but trouble since birth. I say we throw him to the orcs to feed!" Many others now were clamoring and jeering, but Hiruzen finally had enough.

In a voice that silenced all others by the simple deafening of them he proclaimed, "You wretched people know nothing! This boy has done you no true harm or threatened you in all of his life, he has even fought to protect this village that you hold so dear, but still your ignorance persists as you continue shovel your faces into the dirt. What gall!"

"Who are you to speak," rebuked a naysayer, "what kind of paladin doesn't kill demons? Traitor!" The clamoring began again in full force. Hiruzen ignored them, Naruto was right, these people would never accept him because they had no desire to do so, racial equalities was never and will never be a concern for them. Blocking out the jeers the old man took Naruto back home, for they had serious matters to discuss.

The door slam reverberated throughout the entire cabin, now Naruto had seen his guardian become angry on more than one occasion, but at this point in time he was, in no better words; flat out pissed. "Those goddamned villagers! If I wasn't a fucking lawful good paladin I'd..." he stopped himself, inhaled, and let it go, this was the time to move things forward, not dwell on things that would never change. He sat back down in his favorite chair at the dinner table and beckoned his charge to join him. Naruto sat perpendicularly to the man whose eyes were closed, with his thumb and index finger pinching the bridge of his nose, and seemed to be murmuring to himself.

The boy waited for him to say something, but when he didn't, he asked, "Um, old man?"

This seemed to bring him back as he shifted then saying, "What? Oh, yes, I'm sorry I was just a little lost for a moment." Naruto raised an eyebrow; his guardian had never been this impertinent or absentminded, but this quickly faded. "Naruto, you were right." The boy raised his eyebrow higher. "You were right about this village, they will never accept you, and I wished very hard that one day they would, but I realize it is only a waste of our time, more importantly your life."

Naruto could hardly believe what he was hearing, after everything they had gone through Hiruzen was giving up? Anticipating his charges inquiry Hiruzen gestured an open palm, signifying that he wasn't finished, "I have come to a decision Naruto; its time we left this place."

"What?" it wasn't as if he wanted to stay here, but it was the only home he had ever known, and where were they going? How would they get there? What would they do? Too many questions, Naruto just settled down and let the man speak more.

Hiruzen laughed, "I thought that would get your attention," he lit his pipe and brought it to his lips. "Remember when I told you I was a paladin? The reason I told you that is because when we leave here, you will be going on a journey to become one yourself." Naruto's reaction was now becoming repetitive. "When I was younger, I had three pupils training to be what I was, although only one actually stayed on that path. The others…well that's not important, this one former pupil is named Jiraiya, and he will be your teacher."

"Wait, why can't you teach me?" Naruto legitimately asked.

Hiruzen exhaled some smoke and answered, "I am old Naruto," his tone was almost somber, "My body can't endure as much as it used to, you know that, and we also both know that you learn much better by example. I simply can't do those things, though I wish with all my heart that I could, its just best that you can find someone who has the ability, the endurance," he puffed his pipe once more, "and the time left to do it, Pelor knows I don't."

The boy had an expression of comical disbelief, "Yeah right, you've still got a lot of years ahead of ya old man!" Naruto grinned a wide grin.

Hiruzen could only chuckle in response, "I certainly hope so," he then rose to his feet and made his way toward the trunk where he had kept his bastard sword, "Come here Naruto I want to give you something." The lad followed, and saw the old man reach into the trunk and pull something out. "These are you; I hope they'll be of good use."

What Hiruzen handed him was a wooden round shield, at least one meter in diameter, a longsword, and what seemed to be leather armor, all in good condition too, though obviously worn. Naruto could scarcely describe what he was feeling; his own weapons and armor; Hiruzen was giving his first tools for becoming a paladin.

He was never so excited in all of his life.

The light fog retreated from the forest, evaporating by the minute in the early morning, the path Naruto and Hiruzen were on now came to a fork, and they stopped to choose a direction. They were a ways away from the village now; it had all but shrunken in the distance behind them. Both carrying their respective supplies and armaments, Naruto now sporting his "new" leather protection, his longsword and shield strapped to his back, with a rucksack full of rations, waterskins, and a bedroll, under the shield attached to his lower back. Hiruzen was sported in a similar manner. Naruto looked to his left, and to his right, "Ok which way do we go old man?"

Hiruzen pointed to road to the right, "You will be going that way, towards Arncliffe, that was the last place I am aware Jiraiya was staying, your search for him should begin there." The old man turned to the road to the left, opposite of Naruto's.

The boy noticed this, watching Hiruzen stare down his road, "You're not coming with me… are you?"

The man turned back to the boy, came up to him, and placed a firm hand on his shoulder, "Naruto, you've grown so much…its time that you went out on your own, shaped your own destiny." He glanced back at his road for a moment, "I have things that I need to see through…but know this: no matter what anyone tells you, or what you believe yourself, your birth was nothing short of a true miracle, and I feel blessed by the gods to have known you."

Naruto was at a loss for words. This man had given him words of encouragement before, but this was the single kindest thing anyone had ever spoken to him. Tears were threatening to fall and the man pulled him into an endearing hug, like a father to a son. "I will miss you Naruto."

His body was quivering, and so was his voice, "I'll miss you too Hiruzen."

When the embrace was over, they took their time to turn to their respective roads, the separation feeling somewhat surreal for the both of them, but it needed to be done. They took their steps without haste, becoming more aware that their proximity was enlarging.

But they dared not look back. (3)

Hiruzen continued on his path, still very aware of his first true separation from the boy, but it wasn't the only thing on his mind. From out of his pocket to his open palm the medallion traveled, and he stared at it intently, Its been twenty years since our last encounter...but I will find you, Hiruzen clasped the coin in a death grip steeling his resolve,

...and stop you!

(1) Cue Conan the Barbarion theme, if you recognized that intro than you've earned +10 internetz! =D

(2) I'll bet 100 gold pieces that some of you snickered at that.

(3) I had the Force theme playing in my head at that part, total Obi Wan/Luke Skywalker moment.

If your wondering about Naruto's outburst earlier, it was to get the "everyonehatesmeandI'mhavingteenangst!" bit out of the way. We all know his life has been shit, better for him to mope about it in the start and only bring it up again when its relevent.

To be honest this chapter feels a bit short, but I feel I at least drew out the nessesary reactions without making them monotonous.

Loosely translated the title means in Latin: Demon Soldier of Light an Virtue.

Please review, and thanks for reading.