A/N: PLEASE READ THIS AUTHOR'S NOTE, WOULD YOU KINDLY?
Feels strange, knowing this story is coming to a close. Only four chapters now...maybe less... I wrote this way back in 2020, and finishing it in 2021 just feels...right, somehow.
As reviews keep this old man writing.
Without them, I cannot write. No joke, there.
Every bit of feedback, no matter how small, or large, boosts my spirits. So by all means, speak up! Your voice matters!
Now then, lets answer your burning questions, comments, and concerns!
Q: Did you really just...?!
A: Read on and find out for yourself.
Q: BRING ON THE BLOOD! BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD!
A: If its blood you want, then blood you shall have. By all means, read on.
Q: Are you really dooming the heroes and saving the villains?
A: The hell gave you that idea? If I wanted to be a dick about this I could just kill everyone. I haven't. Remember that.
Furthermore, while Cinder is changing as a person, at the end of the day, she's still a villain at heart. She's simply learned to value life and those around her a bit more. Ah, but Salem! With her daughters brought back, she has a reason to live. I daresay she would've left well enough alone with her children to occupy her.
...and then Ironwood came a' knocking.
Alright, I've kept you long enough.
Now then, lets get ready. Set! Go! Once again, chapter title is part of the lyrics from the song "All Things Must Die."
As ever, I own no references, themes or memes! Not a wit or one!
And so, with that said...away we go~!
Lets pick up where we left of, eh?
"Such a grand gift you've given me. I'll use it well. After all, dear general...you won't have a use for it where you're going.
Thank you oh so much, for making this easier for me.
Now then, what to do with you...?"
~Declaration of War.
All Tales Conclude
Blood spattered the floor, staining the stone in rose red relief.
Cinder balked at it, not quite comprehending what had transpired. She looked down at found her blade wedged firmly in the meat of Winter's shoulder. Her fellow maiden glared up at her, a thin line of blood running from the corner of her mouth. Someone or something had knocked her weapon aside at the last instant; rendering what should have been a fatal blow into a painful one. It would kill her all the same, but not immediately. And in that moment, Winter had struck back with all the spiteful fury of a woman who knew she was already dead.
Trembling golden eyes glanced down, knowing what they would find there.
"Oh." Cinder made a small noise of surprise regardless. "That...wasn't supposed to happen...
She balked at the dagger even now protruding from her chest just above the breastbone. It was a good stab, a distant part of her mind mused with grey certainty. She only had moments to live. Already, she could feel her lungs filling with blood. A faint, hitching breath escaped her, little more than a ragged gasp. This...this was all wrong. It wasn't right. It couldn't be right. She wasn't meant to die here, surely. She had a destiny. Surely she was meant for more than this. To perish here, so close to her goal, just shy of true happiness...
Trembling fingers reached for the blade, to no avail.
Winter reached forward and ripped the dagger from her chest with a snarl, tearing the blade down through Cinder's heart as she did. It was the blow that finished her.
Cinder's legs buckled and she slammed down to her knees with nary a sound. She tried to move. To speak. Rise. Do something. Anything. She could only retch for air that refused to come. Each breath grew more shallow than the last. Hungry shadows pressed in at the edges of her world, leeching all the color from her sight.
Winter stumbled upright and brandished her blade for the killing blow. "For Atlas-
A streak of black light crossed the room, pitching Cinder onto her side.
Thunk.
Winter's blade fell to the floor before with a wet thud before it could complete its decapitating stroke, neatly severed just above the elbow. Now it was the Specialist's turn to balk; rather than complete her mission like a good little soldier, she gaped at the ravaged ruin of her left limb isntead. Her good eye fluttered in a rapid blink and she stumbled, balking at the ruined stump of her arm. Her remaining hand rose, clutching in vain at the spread stain across her sleeve. Aghast, she rounded on the perpetrator.
"Its nothing personal, dear." Salem lowered her arm with a serene smile. "I simply can't let you kill her just yet...
"Wretched witch!"
"How rude of you." the immortal smiled. "But I am not the only one whose order you've disrupted."
A bloody horned shadow reared up over Winter.
Salem sneered ever so softly. "Behind you."
Cinder grinned through bloody teeth.
Clawed fingers caught the Winter Maiden by the face and slammed her into a wall at horrible speed. Cinder didn't see the initial impact from where she lay, but she felt it shake her prone from all the same. Winter's face struck unyielding stone with a horrible crack, bloodying her nose. She barely had time to groan before that tan hand swung back and repeated the process. Once. Senseless gibberish fled from her lips. Twice. She tried to claw her way free, to no avail. A third and final slam left the Specialist a stunned wreck, sliding down the brick masonry in a senseless heap.
She took some spiteful pleasure in her killer's suffering.
And then Naruto was suddenly there, his whiskered visage filling her vision.
"No." he took her into his arms as trembling hands settled over the red ruin of her chest. "No, no. no. You're alright." those words became an anxious babble as he regarded the pool of blood beneath her. "You're going to be alright." He went to work, running glowing green hands over her, uncaring of the toll it took from him. "This is nothing! I can fix you...!"
Blood bubbled at her lips. "I...don't think you can...
His eyes pulsed an ominous white. "Can! Am! Will! Watch me!"
"N-No." she pushed his hands down with a raspy gasp. "You're already weakened, you'll let her out...
"I don't care!"
He should. She saw the blood on his face. None of it was his. He must've slaughtered the Ace ops. That or beaten them so badly that they were no longer capable of pursuit. But even that effort must have cost him. The more he exerted himself the stronger she became. She'd break out at this rate, and they were, none of them, prepared to face her. If she emerged now, they were, all of them, dead. He couldn't resist that demon forever. She knew he couldn't. Not for long.
Naruto proved her wrong of course.
He always did, the lovable oaf.
Always.
(.0.0.0.)
"Soon."
Kaguya opened her eyes in the dark.
She closed them again a moment later with a smile.
(.0.0.0.)
Cinder slipped in and out of consciousness for what felt like an eternity.
She wasn't quite sure how long she swerved between life and death; but she felt every second. She did not die. But she didn't live either. More than once her soul threatened to slip away from her body, and her power with it; more than once she she felt Naruto grab her. For a terrifying weightless instant he held her in the palm of his hand. Her essence, her spirit, the very core of her being. Time and again he did something to bind it back into her body. Those gentle palms ran over her chest endlessly, mending flesh and bone like so much milk.
In her fevered sate, she saw things. Strange things. Place and people that shouldn't exist. Or wouldn't exist.
And there, among the visions, she saw them.
A young girl with striking dark hair -her hair!- and stark blue eyes smiled at her in the darkness. Beside her a boy with wild blond hair and golden eyes regarded her gravely. They were, the both of them, children. She'd never met them before, and yet she knew them all the same. Each wore a striking red outfit, not unlike her own; indeed, their faint whiskered cheeks told a story all its own.
Were these...?
"Don't die yet, mama." they spoke unto her. "If you do, we won't be born."
Cinder cried out and reached for them-
And the world shifted.
Reality snapped back with an awful crack and though she couldn't see Naruto's work over that pulsing glow, but she felt the moment air filled her lungs. Her body betrayed her and sucked in a sharp gasp, snapping upright with an almost childlike yelp. A ragged cry tore out of her; pale hands flailed, seeking her chest, half-expecting to find a gaping hole there, just as it had been before.
Instead her hands ran over healthy skin; the tear in her dress was the oly sign she'd been wounded at all.
That, and the blood. So much blood...
"You're alright." strong hands took her by the shoulders and pulled her into a warm embrace. "I didn't let you die."
A shiver stole over Cinder as her chin came down over his shoulder. She ruthlessly repressed her tears with a snarl. No tears. Never! She'd felt vulnerable, but she wouldn't show it. She wouldn't speak of what she'd seen. Not here. Not yet. To do so was akin to admitting her weakness; something she'd sworn never to do. Never again. A thorn of fear pricked at her heart. Should she tell him? Did she dare? It might be her imagination, or nothing at all. And yet...
And yet as she lay there in his arms, she saw Winter, still sprawled out on the floor, struggling to rise.
No. Trying to crawl toward the exit.
Anger reared its ugly head.
Winter never made it.
Even as she dragged herself forward, Salem laughed and a wall of snarling Grimm moved to barred her path. A giant Ursa caught the specialist with a mighty paw and flung her back the way she'd came. Winter struck the arena floor in a heap, body slumping in defeat. Now! It was all the excuse Cinder needed to finish what she'd started.
The Maiden burst to her feet. "She's mine!"
Naruto made a grab for her, and missed. "Cinder, don't!"
She struck out in a blind fury. Blood spilled anew. She scowled at it.
Her blade dripped with blood to be sure, but it was not the blood she'd meant to spill.
"Why...?"
Naruto had caught her blade at the very last moment, trapping it in his fist. As she looked on aghast, he twisted his wrist and shattered it, sending the shattered shards clattering to the floor. And with it, Cinder felt her black heart threaten to break all the same.
Somehow, she found her voice. "Why protect her?! She's an enemy!"
"She is." His head bobbed in a slow nod. "And that's not why I stopped your attack. That was rather clever of you, Winter." his gaze swung back to the Maiden now trapped under his boot. "Shame it didn't work." Grinding his foot down, he continued his tale. If you killed her just now, the power would've gone to anyone else. She clearly wasn't thinking of you."
"Yes, I was." Winter lied through her teeth. "He doesn't know what he's talking about-ack?!"
Naruto stomped down. "You're an awful liar."
She tore herself free, raged back to life and drove him through a wall. They fell into a mad waltz that put the last to shame; if only because it ended quickly. When drove her bloody blade into his chest, he rolled his eyes, bent the blade to prevent her from hooking it free, then slammed her down to the ground. Bones cracked, with no aura left to shield them. Another slam rendered her insensate.
"Now, this won't kill you," his hand reached down and closed around her face, "But you'll wish it had."
Azure sparks shot up his arm and Winter writhed in his grasp; a cry of defiance burst from her lips, one that immediately became a keening gasp. Those sparks became a raging inferno as her power taken from her, torn from her soul like the arm she'd lost. She screamed anew, long and loud, physically trembling as her strength was stolen away from her.
Naruto leaned back, and Cinder found herself flinching half a step. Because now his eyes were glowing.
Winter's weren't. She lay at his feet, a wretched gasping mess curling in on herself with a cry.
"Earlier, you asked why I spared her?" Naruto gave her a bleary grin, one that seemed almost drunk. "Because all life is precious. I'd rather not kill someone if I don't have to. Also...I'm sorry."
She blinked, frowning a little as he took both her hands in his. "Sorry for whaaaaaaaaiiiie?!"
Her words piqued into a startled yelp as Naruto squeezed her tight. Rough thumbs ran over the callouses of her fingers. And then they pulsed. All that strength, all that power he'd absorbed; all of it came rushing out. With nowhere left to go, it poured down his arms, into his wrist, now his fingers, and finally...into her.
Cinder's body absolutely convulsed.
Like a raging flood it filled her every pore, awakened each cell as if it had been awakened from a long slumber. The power of Spring and Summer stirred in her, sensing their sister season. Together, they rejoiced and bid it welcome. Winter's might was welcomed with open arms, melding flawlessly with that of her siblings. Cinder sank to a knee again, this time of her own volition, only for her balance to fail her. Rather than a dignified crouch Instead she collapsed into a boneless heap. Her entire body spasmed, and there wasn't a damned thing she could do about it.
It was power like she'd never known; greater than any climax she'd ever achieved.
This was joy. This was bliss. This was power.
Little mewls of noise fled from her lips as she writhed upon the floor, unable to control herself.
So much power. Nearly too much. She could barely contain it all. Yet she had to. She must. Flames flared at the edge of her eyes, gold, then red and now a wild blue. Ice crept across the room, bathing the world in frost in stark relief. Still she grappled with her new str.
And then, quite suddenly, it was done.
Golden eyes snapped open, burning with fresh flames. "How...?"
"A man can't use the Maiden power." Naruto explained as she lay there, wasted and gasping for air. "Ozma saw to that ages ago." he flexed his now-burnt hands, regarding the blackened digits with idle fascination as they began to regenerate. "I wasn't sure I could take it and give it away." those same hands reached down, tugging her upright. "Now it seems I can." His smile was pure sunshine. "So I gave it to. I keep my promises."
Her eyes watered and a single, traitorous tear rolled down her cheek.
Damn it. Damn her. Damn it. She'd fallen in love. Sentimental fool. He'd ruined her-
Something moved in her peripherals. Sharp steel flashed through the air. "This isn't over!"
"Yes." Cinder pivoted, caught Winter's remaining wrist and broke it like so much kindling. "It is. Stay down."
A single headbutt sent her foe sprawling again.
Yet even then, with one arm broken and the other severed, she didn't give up.
"You... overestimate yourself!"
"Child." Cinder clicked her tongue. "My sword is still slick with the blood of my enemies. I have mastered this power and made it my own time and again. But you?" golden eyes burned with amber flames, scarlet embers, and now even the cold touch of winter itself. "You live through misguided mercy alone. Don't push your luck."
Winter tried to rise. Behind her the air shifted-
A vicious kick to the head sent her spiraling down into slumber with a broken cry.
Only then did Cinder dare to take stock of her surroundings.
Salem awaited them patiently across the amphitheater, looking horribly amused. Naruto pushed himself upright, rubbing at the right side of his face. He'd gone pale, almost eerily so, but somehow maintained control. It seemed to be a fine thing, one that might tip the balance at any given concern. She wouldn't allow it. She refused.
And so she stepped forward, grabbed him by the face, and pressed her lips to his.
Across the room, Salem cooed. "Well, aren't you precious?"
Naruto yielded with a weary sigh, yet nevertheless wrapped an arm 'round her waist to hold tight. She tilted her head for a better angle, humming but a little as his right hand ran down her flank. She hooked her left leg in his, preventing his escape, drawing him closer like the terrible temptress she was. Some might insult her for such sentiment; choosing now of all times to kiss him. She disagreed. Now was the perfect time to remind him how she felt. To give him a reason not only to stand, but to fight. He needed that now, more than ever. As did she.
She could fight Salem for him later.
Here and now, there were enemies to be dispatched.
Satisfied at last, she pulled away to regard her partner. "What now?"
"Now? Naruto stepped past her. "Now we have a relic to claim. Follow me."
To her credit, Cinder hesitated all of a moment; then she waded into hell alongside him.
A/N: Next time: All Bonds Dissolve.
Not much to say this time around. Reviews keep me writing, and without them, my inspiration falls flat. Ever bit of feedback helps. Surgery hurts. Surgery hurts a loooot. But silence from readers and reviewers? That hurts even more. As ever, reviews keep this old man alive during this dark and crazy time. I ain't joking.
Seriously, we're all locked away anyways these days, feedback is all that sustains me.
So in the Immortal Words of Atlas... Review...Would You Kindly?
And enjoy these previews! Remember those hints?
Yes? No? Hope you paid attention. Because!
SPOILERS! SPOILERS! SPOILERS!
PLOT DETAILS AHOY!
YE BE WARNED!
Read at your own risk!
(Preview)
"HEY! GODS! I WANT A WORD WITH YOU!"
Kaguya howled. "I! AM! FREE! EVERYTHING YOU LOVE WILL BE ASHES!"
"Come to the tower. Or she dies."
Ruby regarded the now-silent scroll with a scowl.
R&R~!