AN: Ready for another?


Through the Looking Glass

Inner Demons


Naruto stood over the wounded dragon, ready to strike the finishing blow.

A strong hand gripped his wrist. "Leave it boy. He's beaten. He's not fighting back. He's not a threat anymore. If you let him live, he might even become a valuable ally, with mastery of the Thu'um."

Naruto stared blankly at the dragon. "I can't use the shouts. I know the folly of leaving a wounded foe behind, when you have no way to control him. Too well."

Gungnir looked at Naruto, and saw a coldness in his eyes that went far deeper than the power of Skyrim's natural energy. "I'll teach you how to bind him. Till then, I'll hold his leash. Isn't that right Sot-Viing-Maar." The Dragonborn dragged out the dragon's name, infusing every syllable with power. The dragon lacked the strength to speak, and so nodded. Gungnir created a glimmering sphere of magic and pressed it against Sotviingmaar's head, and healed the dragon until it could move again, but not fly. "Begone from here, you will be called in time. You would do well to be ready for battle when that time comes. Am I understood?"

"Yes Dovahkiin." He swung his massive head to face Naruto, "...Kos Nahl Slen..." The reluctance was evident in the dragon's voice, but a wave of soothing golden energy washed over the blonde regardless.

Well, that was nice of him.

Naruto hardly noticed his wounds healing, or even Merrill's voice. His eyes were still icy, and locked on Sotviingmaar's eyes.

Why do you restrain yourself? I mean, you don't trust this monster. And this man you hardly know, wants to tame it? Just wait, it will turn on you, at his command.

The chill strength of Skyrim's natural energy left Naruto's body, but a chill remained.

Hmmm. Is that so bad though? When he does turn on you...you'll be able to feel that old joy again. Betrayal. Such a sweet taste, isn't it oath-breaker?

BE QUIET!

Naruto grabbed his head, "Shut up. You're lying. You don't...you don't know me."

Gungnir looked at Naruto with concern, "Whelp, are you ok?"

Heheheheh. Can you drive me back again? Hmmm? Show me if you can, whore.

Merrill's anger peaked. Naruto, I'm going to go away for a bit. Don't worry, I'm not abandoning you, I swear.

Naruto's eyes were wide, and he only nodded.

I will pick the flesh from her bones Naruto. I will break her, body and mind. And she will be mine. Such sweet, tender flesh. Aaaaaaaaall mine.

"No! Shut up you fucking bastard! Leave her alone!"


Hawke and Anders watches as Merrill blew about her home, the small woman a whirlwind of activity, the symbols needed for the ritual appearing on the walls faster than the two men could see.

She suddenly stopped and sat down, pulling out the Eluvian shard as she did so. Her low chant filled the room with power. She slumped forward.

Hawke inspected the runes on the walls, and nodded. He raised his finger, and scratched one more, before taking a seat next to Merrill. Taking the Eluvian shard from her relaxed hand, he repeated her chant.

Anders only groaned. "What a couple of idiots."


Merrill appeared in the tunnel again, her lyrium brands ablaze. A splash sounded behind her, and she whirled about, ready to strike.

Hawke stood there, his staff planted in the water. That was singularly unpleasant. Woah, I sound all...ethereal.

Merrill's eyes were wide, H-Hawke? Why are you here?

The man rolled his shoulders, I know this is important to you, so I figured I'd lend a hand.

How disgustingly sweet.

Mmmm. You should let Naruto know that his precious little woman is not as dedicated to him as he thinks, wouldn't you agree dear lover?

Quite.

Merrill spun around, an inarticulate cry of anger bursting from her lips. Go away!

Hawke dispensed with the pleasantries, and lobbed a fireball at the first demon. You've any idea how many of your kind I've killed? You're just another dead demon to me.

Hah. You've never faced our like before.

The Champion twirled his staff. Yeah, heard that before.

A blast of blue fire engulfed the feminine spirit, and she roared in pain. You fucking WHORE!

Merrill scowled, Well that's not a very nice thing to say.

No? Well, fuck you. This kitty has claaaaaws.

The pink monstrosity leapt at Merrill, screeching all the way. The elven woman smiled and ducked into a side tunnel, leading the female demon away.

Hawke looked on with a grin. Looks like its just you and me.

No, it's just me. And the serpent lunged.


Naruto's soul was a maze of murky water and twisting pipes. Perfect for fighting against a stronger opponent in her opinion.

The feline demon appeared around a pipe, and Merrill sent a blast of blue fire into its face.

GRAAAAAAAHG YOU BITCH!

She ducked behind a pipe, and vanished into the twisting tubes. You aren't very smart are you?

The demon howled in rage, I WILL KILL YOU YOU GODDAMNED LITTLE BITCH!

You have to find me first~

I'LL RIP YOUR BONES OUT YOU STUPID LITTLE BITCH.

Merrill paled as the demon's fury began to melt the pipes, threatening to reveal her location.

A high pitched laughter filled the area, I found youuuu! A titanic spectral paw slammed down, sending a shower of water over Merrill and knocked her back.

Go away! Leave him alone!

The demon paused, Go where? This...this is all we have left! The demon screeched, and slammed into Merrill, lifting her into the air and scorching her with the heat of its fury.


Hawke staggered back, holding his ungauntleted hand against his side.

Kekekekeke, does it hurt? Are you bleeding? Are you dying?

Hawke grimaced, This? Nah, this is a scratch. You'll impress me if you tear a hole in the sky and make it rain Mabari.

I will make it rain your blood.

Well that's certainly intimidating. Very ominous piping.

You dare to mock me?

Did you say something?

You bastard.

My parents were QUITE married when I was born, thank you very much.

I...what...you... JUST DIE!

Hawke laughed as the serpentine demon crashed through the pipes. A dark void loomed to his right.

A dark void with bars.

Hawke was amazed. It was a cell, or a cage, and he had never seen one that was larger. One massive door had swung ajar.

The sight struck Hawke with sudden inspiration. Whispering a few words of magic, he summoned up an illusion of himself inside the cage. The demon charged, laughing madly.

And crashed into the back of the cage.

The mage thrust his hand into a flaming void in the air before him, and slammed the cage shut. The demon threw itself against the walls of the cage, to no avail.

Well, that was oddly convenient.

A burst of light emanated from the bars of the cage, and the gloomy tunnels brightened considerably. Hearing footsteps in the water, Hawke turned.

Well. I can say, this is unexpected.


Merrill was dying.

Of that she was reasonably certain.

Her arm was burned to a crisp, only the lyrium markings were undamaged. A length of jagged pipe was clutched in her hand, to be used as a makeshift staff. She had pulled it from her own leg.

Heheheheeeeeeeeeee! How are you feeling now darling? Ready to become one with me now? Let me devour you! It's not that bad from what I understand. Like falling asleep.

Merrill slipped in the water, and tumbled down a small slope in the tunnel. As she lay on the floor, her eyes half open, she sighed. I'm not strong enough. I'll just...stay.

A sickly pink light engulfed the tunnel. There you are! The demon purred her "R's", and Merrill felt ill.

Come on Merrill. You can do better than this. Merrill raised her head just enough to see the speaker.

W-what? How?

Naruto grinned, You are in my mind, I'm sorry it took me so long to find you. Hawke, take her out please. Both of you, thank you. So much. I will handle the rest.

Hawke nodded and scratched a few symbols on the wall before picking Merrill up. The two mages vanished in a swirl of pale white light.


The demon stood perfectly still, its emerald eyes locked on Naruto.

You.

Naruto rubbed the back of his head. Yeah...me. You know I need to lock you away now that I know you're here. You still gonna fight this? With a whoosh of air, Naruto and the demon were standing before the mighty bars of the cage.

I will not be caged. The demon sounded cautious.

That's what he said too, I'm sure. But Hawke locked him away anyways. Look, you can either exist inside the cage, or I can kill you. Your choice.

The demons were silent.

I'm waiting.

We have

a right

to exist.

Naruto nodded, and pulled the cage open, and the cat slinked inside. I don't deny you that right.

As the door slammed shut, the feline demon whirled about. You denied it to us before.

Naruto sighed, and with a swipe of his hand, a golden void appeared before him, that would return his mind to the waking world.

I know. I'm sorry. Goodbye Sakura.


AN: So, anyone expecting that? Also, Glob dang it. The appearance of Skooma Cat keeps getting pushed back. My bad ya'll.

Please, for the love of the Maker, for the love of the Divines, for the love of Kami, PLEASE REVIEW!