A/N: Please read this note, would you kindly?
EDIT: Well, that's less feedback than I was hoping for. Can't be helped, I suppose...T_T
Still! I have news~! Henceforth, for future chapters, my AO3 account will begin to feature lemons more mature ratings, and so on. Some of them will even have alternate endings/paths compared to the stories I'm posting here. Feel free to head over there if you're interested. Wanted to say that first and foremost; because in the future there are going to be some...interesting scenes that I can't show here.
That said, I'm trying to push ahead with this story, but it might just end early...apparently folks don't like the slower pace.
Once more, we're sticking with the "Embers" rule for this story, and others. If folks don't like this, it won't be continued. Meaning that if the story itself ain't popular? Well, it won't be continued. I'm working two jobs -might need a third soon!- so I barely have time to write; as such, I cannot afford to write something folks don't enjoy. So by all means, speak up! Your voice matters! Make yourself heard! As ever, reviews are the fuel that sustain me. Without them I cannot write a single word. Simple as that. Working nearly all hours of the day keep me absurdly busy, and I can't bring myself to write something folks don't like.
No questions to answer this time. I haven't the heart for them.
As ever, I own no references, quotes, memes or themes. Not a wit or a one.
I'm just a humble author trying to make his way in this wild world, one word at a time.
"Death comes for us all. Even gods. You cannot hold it back forever.
You can stall it, perhaps. Delay it, even. But sooner or later...
...the reaper has his due.
~?
The Long Game
"Dearest Miquella! So nice of you to visit. Care for some tea?"
...no, thank you."
"Are you sure? Its fresh!"
A muscle jumped in Naruto's jaw. He did his best to stifle it with a smile and only partially succeeded. The result was a somewhat strained expression that left him looking rather constipated. Kurama's irritated sigh did little to assuage his own anxiety. And the smell down here...ugh. That only made matters worse.
Must. Not. Kill.
His ties to his half-brother Omen were tenuous at best. He knew there was something fundamentally wrong with the man before him...still, he had his uses. His research had been useful in fending off Malenia's rot in the past. That was the only reason he yet lived. But he was just so damn creepy! Worse, supposedly his brother Morgott lurked down in the underground somewhere. He didn't want to meet that one.
Mohg's "abode" didn't do much to dissuade one of that either; the sewer chapel was a ghastly and putrid place, covered in roots from above and below. Perhaps it had been something else once upon a time. Now it was a shell of its former self, just like the Omen himself. Just another devotee to worship the Fallen Mother. Thinking of her made him shiver. There enough Outer Gods in the Lands Between, and he was already at war with one of them. The last thing he needed was another.
...spare me the pleasantries, Mohg. You know what I'm here for. Do you have it?"
"Indeed I do!" the horned abomination scuttled forward and it was all he could do to stand his ground. "Here you are," he pressed a worn yellow tome into his hands, "Every bit of lost-and-or-heretical knowledge I could accumulate on the Frenzied Flame, its incantations, and the like."
He held it up in the dim light and considered it. "Good. We'll be in touch."
"Leaving so soon?"
...what do you want, Mohg?"
The omen bowed, low and deep at the waist. "A moment of your time Dearest Miquella, nothing more."
Kurama scoffed. Naruto felt the faintest flicker of disgust stir in him. He choked it down.
Calm down. Breathe. Don't rise to the bait. He had enough enemies already. "Unless you know a surefire way to save Malenia, I ain't interested."
"Ah, but I do, dear one!" the madman sounded far too giddy for his liking. "The formless mother has show me much since we last spoke. If you would but listen to her, she could show you the way to save your sister."
"Through blood?" Kurama's voice dripped acid. "Thanks, but not thanks."
"Aha!" Mohg rounded on him, lone eye gleaming in the dark. "And so the shadow speaks! A piece of advice for you, little one. You think you know much, but you know nothing. You would be wise to reconsider your current allegiances."
Kurama didn't rise to the bait and offered a selfsame smile in return. "I know that you won't be useful to us much longer. That's more than enough for me."
Naruto clicked his tongue. "Kurama, no."
"What?" his old friend shrugged. "Its the truth, isn't it?"
This again? He didn't have time for this. "Even so, you can't kill him without good reason."
"Do you see?" Mohg preened anew. "My dear one values me more than you! Why, it might be you he casts aside!"
Here at last, Naruto's temper slipped its leash. He touched the shackle hidden in his robe and a bolt of golden light leaped forth to catch Mohg by the throat, bringing him low. Bands of blessed chains burst forth from the floor, seizing him light bound him to the wall. They wouldn't last long, but they didn't need to. He strode forward, grabbed the hunched Omen by his horn, and smashed him down. Mohg gurgled wetly.
"I ain't your dear one." he hissed at him." Call me that again and you'll lose the other eye!"
Maybe it would be better to kill him now and be rid of him...!
Kurama spoke up before he could. "Time to go?"
Naruto stepped back and released him. "Yes. "We'll seek knowledge elsewhere...
Mohg laughed at their retreating backs. "Be sure to write~!"
Naruto slammed a fist into a wall and left it crumbling behind him. The things he did to save Malenia...
Surely Ranni was making better progress.
Maybe he should check in on her...
(.0.0.0.)
The academy of Raya Lucaria was home to a great many books. Too many, some might say.
Naruto has thought himself ready for such; ready and willing to make use the knowledge hidden within. More fool he. Now he found himself beginning to regret his life choices as Ranni thumped another pile down on his desk. It was the third in as many hours and they weren't even a fourth of the way through the shelves looming above. Never before had quest to cure Malenia felt more daunting than this. Lunar Princess though she was, his half-sister didn't have access to nearly every tome in the academy -nor did he expect such from her!- yet she'd proven herself both serious and able in her desire to aid him.
But so many books!
His head kissed the worn wood with a groan.
"It should not be this hard to cure one damn disease...
"There, there, Miquella." he felt a cool hand caress the back of his neck. "You knew this would be difficult, and greatest deeds often require the strongest of wills." when he didn't lift his head, he heard her tut softly. "Shall I send Blaidd to fetch some refreshments?"
...no, let them be." he dragged himself upright, heaving a sigh. "They've more than earned a break."
From this angle he could clearly see Blaidd and Kurama chatting away in a corner, arms waving as they argued over something he couldn't hear. Probably swords. Cheeky buggers. Kurama seemed silently bemused by the half-wolf's bluntness; while Blaidd appeared to enjoy the chance for conversation in turn. After all they'd been through he wasn't about to deny him the chance to make a friend.
Ranni plonked down beside him, shoulder brushing against his. The faint scent of cinnamon and dusty books accompanied her. "To work, then?"
"Fine, fine...
Naruto tossed his head, stifled a yawn, with one hand, and considered his research anew. The fruits of his latest labor lay sprawled across his desk, tomes as myriad and ranging in subject matter as the stars themselves. His current choice, a worn yellow tome with fraying pages presented another possible path, a solution to rid Malenia of the Rot in her veins once and for all. Unfortunately, that solution came with caveats.
"The Frenzied Flame burns away all." he licked his finger and used it to turn another page, tracing over the illustration of a man clutching a fire to their chest. "The idea of burning sounds useful, but...well. Where would we even begin?
"Its not a matter of beginning, but ending." Ranni reached over his shoulder and pointed to another paragraph and with it, an illustration below the one he'd outlined. "See here?" Where once the drawn man had grasped the Flame, now he clutched at his eyes, back arching in pain, lips parted within a silent, soundless scream. "'Tis all well and good if the Flames sears away sickness as well as Rot, but this passage here...
He followed her gaze. Frowned now, when he saw what her pale finger indicated. "Yeah, I see it. That's a problem."
What was the point in curing one disease, only to inflict her with another? No, this madness was not the way. With one hand he swept the book aside to be shelved again at a later date. The other scratched out another line of a piece of parchment nearby, crossing out the words "Frenzied Flame" in bold ink. It was one of many such scratches across multiple methods. They'd been at this for some time now. He suspected they'd keep at until the sun set, or Marika called them back to the capital.
Whichever came first.
Things had settled down over the past few weeks; Malenia's "episode" had only strengthened her resolve and made her all the more determined to become stronger; so that she might never drag him down in such a way ever again. To that end, Marika -Mother!- had found her a proper mentor, one who promptly set to teaching his twin ways of the sword. He'd seen her training from afar once and didn't envy her it. Malenia had a harsh taskmaster. If she survived, she'd become something spectacular.
All the more reason to find a cure for her, and soon. Before he ran out of time.
Blaidd said something that made Kurama bark a laugh, drawing him from his maudlin thoughts.
Ranni laid one hand against her cheek, a faint smile touching her pale face. "T'would seem our shadows get along."
He gave her a nudge. "As do we."
She sputtered, pale face gone red as she looked away. "We are Empyrean, you and I. Such is expected of us."
...if this is a marriage proposal," he smirked, "I'm afraid I'll have to decline. We're both kinda young."
Ranni flung a book at him. "Do not jest about such things!"
He ducked it nimbly.
...stubborn girl. Ranni really was too proud to admit that they got on well with one another. "Would it kill you to say you enjoy my company?"
She elbowed him for it, jabbing him in the ribs. "Yes."
"Aw." Naruto couldn't quite hide his grin. "Must be my boyish charm-acck!" he coughed as she drove another elbow into his side, rendering his words a raspy laugh. "Jeez, you can be aggressive. You'll never find yourself a proper partner at this rate-ow! A joke! I was joking, Ranni! Not the hair! I give!"
With those words she stopped grinding her knuckles against his skull. Wow, her face really was red. She leaned with a huff, gave him a baleful look, and took a moment to comport herself before she dared to speak again. "There is...another course we haven't charted."
He didn't like the sound of that. "And what would that be...?
"My mother...she has an amber egg gifted to her by father." she closed a book and leaned over it, clutching the leatherbound hide her chest. "It contains a piece of the Elden Ring, that is to say, a Greater Rune. It is only one of two in existence, the other being Destined Death, guarded by Maliketh himself."
"Ain't that Marika's shadow?"
"Isn't." Ranni flicked his forehead to correct him. "Use proper words. But yes, rumor has it he resides in the Beast Sanctum north of Caelid."
Kurama met his gaze over her shoulder and quirked a brow.
Naruto gave him a shallow nod. They'd remember that tidbit. Was it possible to "kill" the rot with Malenia without harming her? Semantics, he supposed. He'd have to track him down.
...forgive me," she palmed her face with a sigh, sweeping stray strands of scarlet out her eyes. "I'm rambling, aren't I? What I'm saying is, it might be possible to rebirth your sister. Such would require a Larval tear of course, but...well." As he looked on she reached into her robes and withdrew a small blue pouch bound with golden string. "I have several handy. You might even be able to rid yourself of your...ailment."
Shame pooled in the pit of his stomach. He hated the bitter taste of it. "You do realize I can push this curse back for at least a few minutes a day."
"I am aware, and that is only with your shadow thusly empowering you." bright blue eyes met his gold. "Do you not wish to be whole?"
He considered it. "Maybe I should ask her-
"No!" the suddenness of Ranni's exclamation startled him as much as it did Ranni. "No," she repeated, softly now. "Mother is...not in sound mind at presents. She hasn't been for quite some time and Rykard's absence has only made her more unhinged. She has confined herself to her chambers hence, but If you were to enter, you, who are the spitting image of Marika and Radagon combined...
.
..
...yeah." he grimaced. "I can see how that wouldn't end well."
"No, it would not!" Ranni hissed at him. "And more fool you for thinking of it! I shall speak to her on the morrow and see if anything can come of it. Don't go near her. You may be a demigod, but you're no match for her in you're current state. If she sees you," a glimpse of something dark flashed across her face, "I fear she may try to kill you."
Naruto shrugged. "Then I won't go into her chambers."
"I demand a promise!" She shoved her face against his. "Swear to me! Say you won't go anywhere near her!"
He raised a hand. "Cross my heart and hope to die."
After a moment, the princess finally relented. "...that will suffice."
"Bah!" Kurama scoffed through their mental link. "I could take Rennala."
Naruto's met his partner's gaze across the room and scowled his way. 'Don't even think about it.'
"Fine, fine. Worst comes to worst, I'll just snatch the egg off the old biddy and run for it. Happy now?"
Something nagged at Naruto. It felt suspiciously like guilt. He wasn't sure why. "Speaking of family, has there been any word on Rykard?"
"None." Here at last, Rani looked away, good mood dashed on the harsh cliffs of reality. "Its as if he simply fell off the face of the earth. Father remains unconcerned, but Mother is heartbroken...
Naruto could sympathize. He didn't like Rykard, but prick or no, he was still Ranni's brother...even if they hadn't parted on the best of terms. "I'm sure you'll find him."
...I do not think we will." she granted him a small, sad smile. "Its been nearly a month now, and still no sign of him."
That was putting it mildly. Radahn was beside himself with worry. Leyndell was still being searched high and low even now, but nothing had come of it. Rykard had all but vanished into the winds. Worse, he wasn't sure why. Demigods were powerful to be sure, but he couldn't imagine why Ranni's brother would just strike out on his own like that. Assuming he had in the first place.
"The Golden Order has its fair share of enemies." Kurama's voice was a death knell to his hopes. "I wouldn't be surprised if someone spirited him away."
Best not to tell Ranni that. Might break her heart. "I'm sure he'll turn up sooner or later. What else do we have?"
"Here." His half-sibling thumped a heavy tome down before him, happy for the distraction. "Have a look at this."
Naruto considered the worn cover for a moment, and its title besides. "Myths and legends?
"Not just that, silly." she opened the tome and turned to a marked page. "Look here. It is said that a blind swordsman once sealed the essence of an outer god in a lake far below Liurnia." her eyes met his again. "A god of Rot."
Likely the same that afflicted Malenia. His left ear twitched. "Is that so...? Malenia's new tutor is blind, ain't he?"
"Is he?" Ranni titled her head. "I suppose its possible. They could be one and the same. 'Tis unlikely, though.
"Unlikely doesn't mean impossible."
"Hmm." Ranni favored him with a wry grin. "You're learning. Onto the next." She wrestled another book to the center of the desk. "Perhaps the idea of catalysts might at least forestall Malenia's rot...
Naruto squinted at the words as much as the diagrams within. "I don't know these spells."
"Fear not," his fellow Empyrean preened. "I shall teach you them."
He warmed to Ranni's words and listened intently to her lesson. And as he listened, an idea was born. While he could pacify the Rot in Malenia, doing so drained his strength, and that blessing needed to be applied daily. It wasn't a sustainable course of action. Even with Kurama boosting him, sooner or later, he'd reach his limit. And what then?
He knew the answer. Without him to beat it back, the rot would consume Malenia. It would take her arm, then her legs, even her eyes. Eventually, it would have her very soul.
...unacceptable. He wouldn't let that come to pass. Not while he could still hold restrain the Rot.
But if there was a way to bind that blessing to something, make it self-sustaining with an item perhaps, then give that item to Malenia. Would that work? It would have to something that couldn't be removed easily. No, not a necklace. Maybe a ring? No, no, that would be removed, too. An earring? No, no, no. Blast it. He needed something that would bind the blessing to her, use her own strength to feed it. Couldn't be large either, something small, something that wouldn't cause her pain.
It wouldn't be a cure he knew, but a stopgap. Even so...
Kurama looked over, sensing his excitement.
Ranni noticed it next. "Miquella?"
"Shh." he held up a hand. "I'm thinking."
His mind was already racing. He would need something strong. Something what wouldn't break easily, if at all. Something imbued with strength and vitality that Malenia wouldn't be able to lose. For it to work, it would have be embedded in her body, but he couldn't go stabbing her with a sword, or even a dagger; no, it had be something slender, something to draw the rot away from her body, contain it, and purify it. What was smaller than a dagger? Something small and slender, so tiny as to barely bother her at all-
An epiphany dawned. He shot to his feet. "A needle!"
Ranni jolted, startled by the suddenness of his outburst. "What?"
"A needle!" He repeated, rounding on her. "Do we have any needles around here?"
"Needles?" For the first time, his half-sister faltered and yielded to his whims; her fair face turning a pale shade of red beneath his blazing glare. "I...yes, well, I have some in my sewing room."
He grabbed her by the hands. "Bring me as many as you can!"
Ranni sputtered. "I...well...Blaidd! Do as he says!"
Her shadow nodded and lopped away. Kurama went with him, and in a matter of moments, they were alone once more.
Naruto sank back into his seat, winded. "Sorry about that. I'm not even sure if this'll work, but I have to try.
"Hmm." Ranni plonked down beside him. She still hadn't release his hands. "'Tis rare to see you this excited. Did you have an idea?"
"Yeah," he wiped a bit of sweat from his brow, idly cursing his body for its weakness. He just felt so frail these days without Kurama boosting him. "It...well, its gonna be complicated, but it just might work."
Ranni sighed into the silence that followed "...you truly would do anything for your sister, wouldn't you?"
"She's family. Of course I would." he pivoted to look at her. "I'd to the same for you, ya know."
Ranni's face burned to match her scarlet locks. "Hold thy silver tongue! I shall not be swayed so easily-
"You're looking pretty swayed to me."
She thumped him over the head with a book. Didn't hurt. Only made him laugh. Of course that had her throwing another book his way, which only had him laughing all the harder. Say what you would about Ranni, but she just couldn't be honest with herself sometimes. He liked that about it. Not only did it make her easy to tease, but he found he enjoyed her company these days. Radahn was nice and all, but his knowledge of spells tended toward gravity and little else; he wasn't inclined to learn the way they did, to ask why.
Another book bonked him on the head. "Don't ignore me, Miquella!"
Naruto grinned as he fended her off. "Wouldn't dream of it."
He wouldn't trade moments like these for the world.
Unfortunately, the faint sound of rapidly approaching footsteps drew their ear before he could make a meal of her tantrum.
"They return already?" Ranni craned her neck back, glancing toward where they'd last seen Blaidd and Kurama.
Someone hurtled around the corner. Nope. Not them. Definitely not them. wasn't them.
A cry, sudden and sharp. He had no time to dodge.
"Brother!"
Ranni let him go with a huff.
Malenia was on him a heartbeat later, all but crashing into him.
"Hey?!" he caught her balking a little as nuzzled him. "Wait, I thought you were back in Leyndell.
"I was! But...mother sent me to fetch you and Ranni." she drew back, holding him at arms length, pale face pensive. "She wants all of us back in the capital immediately. Idly he saw Priscilla behind her, leading a baffled Blaidd and Kurama, each of whom carried several small boxes-doubtlessly the needles he'd asked after. "This is important!" Malenia yanked on his sleeve, snapping out of his musings. "She's...she's not alright. There's been an incident. Deaths." she elaborated when he and Ranni exchanged a baffled look. "We must return. Now."
Confusion bloomed in his heart. "Wait, deaths? Why's she upset?! Who died?!"
...someone dear to us." Radahn stepped through the arch from which Malenia had just come, his once-jovial face carved from stone. "Come. This is not the place for this."
"I will do no such thing!" Ranni stood her ground. "Not until you tell what the devil's going on!"
Radahn and Malenia exchanged a miserable glance. Naruto saw something pass between them. Some shared understanding...
.
..
...he wasn't going to like this, was he?
"Mother plans to hold a funeral." Malenia's voice wavered only a little. "They found Rykard's body in the sewers beneath the capital...and what was left of Morgott."
Ranni choked on the very air she breathed. "Body...?"
Radahn grimaced. "Yes. I'm sorry, sister."
An awful silence filled the library.
"...!"
And then Ranni -proud, stubborn, strong Ranni- made a pitiful noise caught somewhere between a sob and a wail as she all but fell to her knees. Naruto caught her with one arm and found himself dragged down for his efforts as his half sister latched on for dear life, Held tight now, burying her head into his shoulder heedless of Malenia's presence. For once his twin didn't protest. She sat down beside them, tucked herself into his free side, and held them both. Radahn stooped down on a large knee and wrapped his arms round the three of them.
Naruto couldn't bring himself to enjoy the warmth. No, his mind was already churning, trying to ponder everything out, and for once, failing spectacularly. In the end, he came to a singular conclusion, flawed though it was. There was a murderer loose in Leyndell. But who? Who could possibly kill demigods?
This was the last thing they needed. Didn't they have enough problems?!
How little he knew. How very little indeed.
Their troubles had only just begun.
A/N: Aaaaand scene!
Poor Naruto isn't aware of Kurama's nightly excursions...
Pairing's still very much up in the air here, so lemme know what you think.
Do you want this to be continued? Yes? No? Maybe so? Make yourselves heard! By all means, let me know!
Once more, we're sticking with the "Embers" rule for this particular story, and others. If folks don't like this, it won't be continued. Meaning that if the story itself ain't popular? POOF! Gone. Completely. I'm working two jobs -might need a third soon!- so I barely have time to write; as such, I cannot afford to write something folks don't enjoy. So by all means, speak up! Your voice matters! Make yourself heard! As ever, reviews are the fuel that sustain me. Without them I cannot write a single word. Simple as that. Working nearly all hours of the day keep me absurdly busy, and I can't bring myself to write something folks don't like.
Aaaand there we go. As ever, reviews keep me alive. Without them, I cannot write. So...in the Immortal Words of Atlas...
...Review...Would You Kindly? And have some previews that I'm working on.
Bodies continue dropping next chapter.
(Previews)
The funeral was a miserable thing indeed.
Time flew by.
Malenia readied her blade. "Are you prepared?"
"For you to knock me around? Probably not. Have at it, then."
Radahn clapped him on the shoulder. "Whomever you choose...be good to them."
His nephew had come to visit.
That made two visits in as many days, now. Truly, it came as something of a surprise to Malekith; he knew young Miquella was the inquisitive sort, but he hadn't thought the boy would go so far as to seek him out here, of all places. There was a reason he'd chosen to hide himself away in Crumbling Farum Azula after all.
Not just at Marika's request, but because few could find their way here in the first place. The hidden paths were not known many, and those who did had long since been sworn to silence.
Yet somehow the boy was here. How he'd wriggled his way in was anyone's guess.
Still, he was glad for the company. His was a lonely duty after all; to guard destined death was no easy task.
Which in turn begged the question:
"Why are you here, little Miquella?
The boy grinned and plonked down beside him.
...your shadow speaks well of you."
Malekith was silent for a long moment. At length, he sighed and levered himself upright.
"You would do anything for your sister," his tone was soft, almost contemplative. "Just as I would do anything for Marika. Very well.
Reaching behind his back, he drew forth his blade in all its flawless glory.
"I shall allow thee to look upon Destined Death, young Miquella. Though I know not what you can gain from seeing such a thing...
"Thanks." Naruto ran his hands over the perfect blade. "This means more to me than you know, uncle.
Uncle? Malekith blinked once at that. Uncle. The word ignited an odd feeling It was...not an unpleasant feeling.
Perhaps it would not be so bad then, to have a visitor every one in awhile.
"Uncle? Hrrmph."
She was silent for a long moment. Then she whirled.
Firm hands grasped him by the shoulders.
Warm lips pressed against his.
It all made sense.
"Heh. I see. So that's how it is...!
Naruto hid a laugh behind his palm. He couldn't hold it back.
Mirth spilled out of him. He threw his head back and laughed at the full moon.
"You've gone mad!"
"Have I? I don't feel mad. I just see the world for how it is. Now stand aside. There's work to be done, I have a tree to grow...and you're in my way."
"This is Heresy against the order. For your own sake, I will not allow you to take a single...step...further...?
They looked down too late. Saw the wound in their stomach. Fell to their knees.
"Well, this is unfortunate. Look what you made me do...
He'd created life from death. Fascinating.
"What is your purpose here?"
The Rot howled at him, thrashing in his grasp.
Naruto only smiled. "That's right. Put up a fight. Won't make a damn difference. You think you can eat my sister? No...I'M GONNA EAT YOU."
R&R~!