A/N: EDIT: Rejoice, for I went back and expanded this chapter! Hope you enjoy the additions!
Shorter than I'd like, given that its Tuesday -election day over in the States- but after the 3.2 update...well.
This chapter is a birthday request from someone who wishes not to be named.
Think of it as a fragment of sorts, a prelude to what is to come.
Alas, poor Ronin is still out sick, and not responding to anyone. Starting to worry about him to be frank, he wasn't doing so well when last we spoke...
As ever, the Embers rule remains. If people don't like this story? If they don't enjoy it? Well...I'll not continue it. That's no joke, folks. I'm so busy these days with two jobs; basically, I don't have time off. Not anymore. My free time is limited and as such, I can't afford to focus on something folks don't like. Reviews keep me writing in these times, and keep the daily updates flowing. Silence...silence only hurts. I hate having to beg for feedback, but without it...well, it feels like I'm not making an impact.
Looking forward to chatting with you all when I get back from work~!
Only a few questions this time:
Q: Update schedule?
A: At the moment it should be, in no particular order, Love Bites, Rise of the Beast Hero and POSSIBLY Runt of the Litter alongside Scarlet Vow. The last two are new stories and I find myself hesitant to post hem, but folks have been beating down my door for those two...
Q: No mercy for the Fatui?
A: Depends on which one. Poor Scara. Even Signora had a sad past...
Does that mean they instantly get redeemed? Yeah, no.
Q: I don't like that you're being nice to Childe. He pulled some shady shit.
A: You think I'm being nice? No, no, no...
Q:...smol Archon when?
A: *zips lips*
Alright, then. I think I've kept you waiting long enough.
Hope you're ready; because this chapter's got a bit of everything in it!
As ever, I own nooooo references, quotes, memes or themes. Not a wit or a one. They're tributes, one and all~!
"Did you really think it would be that easy? You're an Archon now, boy. You're connected to them.
Such a bond is not so easy to shake...as you shall soon find.
I shall enjoy watching you struggle."
~?
Puny Harbinger (Fragment)
Wind met water.
Naruto lunged at Childe and the world dissolved into a mindless blur of violence. Their weapons clashed. Once. Twice. Thrice. On the fourth the Harbinger struck low and he went high, Skyward Spine smashing through his hydro daggers as though they didn't exist. Back he stumbled. Naruto didn't give him time to recover. Even as the stunned redhead retreated, he advanced, sweeping the young man's dominant arm aside to strike in at his chest.
Like any sensible warrior, Childe instinctively tried to block...and mistakes were made.
The very moment his adversary went on the defensive Naruto pressed his advantage; hammering down attack after attack against his guard. Child grimaced and took a step back. And another. Yet another now. A glimmer of concern flashed across his face as he tried to ward him off and failed.
"Parry, parry, parry!" Naruto stoked his fears with a snarl. "Is that all you can do? You were talking a good game early-
He swept in, forcing him to block or lose a leg.
Skyward Spine howled in triumph and changed course at the last instant.
Blood flew through the air.
"Ack?!" Childe's staggered with a grunt, clutching at a cut just above his ribs. "...not bad." He straightened, grimacing at his bloody palm. "I didn't think you were this strong. Maybe I should take this seriously after all."
An outraged snarl swelled in the street behind them. Naruto craned his neck to regard the noise. Childe joined him, only to wince as Rosaria hurtled past and struck a wall. Shenhe stalked after her, luminescent eyes fixed firmly on the nun. She said not a word as she sashayed past. Both men grimaced. Eventually, the former sighed.
"Looks like your comrade's in a bit of a pinch."
"Eh, she's no ally of mine." the harbinger offered a selfsame smile and a shrug. "Like she said, its an alliance of convenience. Nothing more. Now where were we?"
'Cocky bastard. I'll beat that outta him...
A beatific smile was answer. "I was smashing you into the ground."
Childe scoffed. "Bold words, but I'm pretty sure you weren't doing anything of the sorrrrrrgh?!"
An open palm slammed up into the redhead's chin, rendering his words a startled gurgle as his head snapped back and his body found itself launch skyward. Naruto caught his ankle before he could reach escape velocity. Five firm fingers squeezed, echoing the smile he wore. Bright blue eyes bulged. Golden orbs narrowed.
Then he pivoted and whipped him face first into the ground, leaving a decidedly Childe-shaped-impression behind.
Back and forth he went. Now forth and back. Ever on the attack.
Time and time again he smashed him into the ground like a proverbial flail, silently reveling in the harbinger's pained cries as he crashed back and forth. Was it wrong to torment an opponent like this? Undoubtedly. Was he disrespecting him? Almost certainly. Did he enjoy it?
Very much so. "...puny Harbinger.
On the ninth slam he finally had enough of the game and let Childe go, leaving him lay in the cratered street. An unmanly squeak of pain reached his ears...and he saw the Harbinger's right hand twitch. Still conscious? Unacceptable. Naruto raised a hand, called a rasengan to his palm, and brought crashing down on his foe's chest with all the force of a falling star.
For the first time since he'd met him, Childe cried out in pain.
Screamed now, as the jutsu drilled him into the dirt.
It would've been a simple matter to finish him there. In truth it was almost tempting. A quick stab with Skyward Spine and he'd be done.
.
..
...no. He was better than that.
"This is boring." he turned his back on him with a sigh. "I think I've humiliated you enough for one day...
A blast of water splashed harmlessly against his shoulders.
He looked back. Childe had found his feet once more.
"Stubborn bastard. I was being nice...
"You're afraid this fight will be boring...?" The Harbinger forced himself upright. Palmed his face. Blood fell from his chest to spatter the floor, chased by a throaty chuckle. Baleful blue eyes peeked between his fingers. "I'll spice it up for you then!"
Dark light burst forth from his body with a nebulous roar.
Naruto squinted at it, frowning as armor swept forth to cover his shrouded form. "What is that...?
"Foul Legacy - The Devouring Deep." Maeve stepped up beside him, momentarily claiming his attention. "A powerful transformation...and a costly one." she frowned as a mask swept forth to shelter the Harbingers visage from view. "He must feel cornered. Do be careful."
"Your strength is praiseworthy." Child swept his weapon up, restored once more. "I, too, shall use all of mine."
Naruto shook his head. Laughed. "When did you get the impression I was trying?"
"You're bluffing." Childe bridled. "I'll wipe that smirk off your face...
Naruto beckoned him on. "You'll certainly try...
(.0.0.0.)
Angry.
She was angry.
Terribly, horribly angry.
When was the last time she'd felt like this? She couldn't remember. "You disgrace yourself, servant of Mondstadt!"
Rosaria bridled, dragging herself up on one knees. "Excuse me?"
"Did I stutter?" Shenhe thrust her spear forth, parried the counter that followed, and kicked her foe. "You lower yourself to work with the Fatui!"
The poor fool tried to defend her reasoning, and herself, as all fools do. It availed her naught. "We share a common goal-
"Yes, you do." she caught her spear, tugged it aside and drove an elbow into her face. "Stupidity!"
Blood splashed through the air. Rosaria went down with a yelp, clutching at her savaged left arm. Not enough. Shenhe snarled and cut down. An awful crack of bone filled the air as her heel struck the girl's collarbone. Her cry of pain fell on deaf ears. She was the one who had made a pact with the devil; this was her doing. She'd started this. And so...
...I shall end it."
Calamiy Queller seethed in her hands. Despite its namesake, it could not calm her rage. When the girl fought in a frenzy, she beat her down with single-minded determination.
Fast, this one, but her so-called talent was naught but raw when compared to her. She had not trained in the divine Adepti arts as she had.
In that respect, she was but a child. Naughty children mush be punished. And she was so very, very angry with her.
She batted her spear down and spun away, whispering beneath her breath.
Ice erupted across the street. And with it, came a word:
"Manifest."
(.0.0.0.)
Childe was laughing.
It took Naruto a moment to realize he was, too.
Against all odds, he was enjoying himself. The Harbinger, it seemed, was a man of his word.
They ranged back and forth like madmen. Elements flew through the air. The heavens rattled when their weapons clashed. Once. Twice. Thrice. Smash! Smash! Smash! Sparks flew as they crashed into one another time an' again. Gold clashed against baleful blue-violet.
He swept low. Childe, high. Spear met lance as they strove against one another. "Don't disappoint me, partner!"
Naruto strove back. "Wouldn't dream of it!"
And then.
Quite suddenly.
He found himself somewhere... else.
The Gnosis in his chest sang a green melody, the world blurred, all the colors of reality fading away to black. Childe vanished. Mondstadt vanished. All of it, gone in an instant.
Motes of green light swayed across his vision, turning his world a rich, verdant shade. He turned, following them in his confusion.
And then he saw her.
A girl on a swing forged from light.
Her eyes were a sparking shade of green, her hair white on silver. Tiny little thing. Barely even a child, wrapped up in a white dress nestled with strange bits of jewelry he didn't recognize. The sight of her resonated with him. This feeling. He'd seen this before. Where? Where had he seen this before? He stood there, balking at her, not quite comprehending.
"Oi, oi! What the hell is this, Gnosis?! Where am I?" He looked left, then right. Not a soul save them in sight. "Who is this?! What did you do?!"
The gnosis sang in his chest. Words whispered in is mind. Lesser Lord Kusanali. Nahida. Protect. Save. Restore.
She turned to face him, alarmed, having heard those very words.
"Who...are you?"
A/N: Aaaand scene.
Smol Archon makes an appearance, as requested. She plays a part in the next chapter.
Word to the wise, don't make Shenhe angry. Certainly not when she's without her red ropes.
Once more, the Embers rule remains. If folks don't like this story? Well...I'll not continue it. That's no joke, folks. I'm so busy these days; basically, I don't have time off. Not anymore. My free time is limited and as such, I can't afford to focus on something folks don't like. Reviews keep me writing in these times, and keep the daily updates flowing. Silence...silence only hurts. I hate having to beg for feedback, but without it...well, it feels like I'm not making an impact.
Right then, as ever, Reviews are love, Reviews are Life.
Reviews keep me safe from any and all strife.
So in the immortal words of Atlas...
...revieeeeew, would You Kindly?
Enjoy these humble previews.
Far though some are.
(Preview)
"Oh!" Nahida blinked. "That is a very large fox.
Kurama huffed behind him. "Don't look at me. Didn't ask to be here."
She favored him with a long look. "I'm afraid I've been here for a terribly long time."
"Sorry, we didn't mean-
"Your gnosis must be resonating." she considered him, clasping both hands behind her back as she swayed in place. "How curious. You're "newer" compared to me." A dazzling smile lit up her young face. "I suppose that makes me your senior, doesn't it?"
...I'll get you out of here."
He reached for her.
Their fingertips brushed.
And the world shattered like glass.
Reality lurched back with a start.
Hydro daggers in his chest. Childe grinned at him.
"I'm sorry. Did I break your concentration?
He rolled his eyes. "No. But I'll break you.
Golden knuckles surged upright.
Childe hurtled out of the city with a strangled yelp.
Dvalin looked out the window, craning her neck towards the raging storm.
"Nope." she yanked the shutters shut. "Not messing with that."
The sage choked in his grasp. "Why are you doing this...?!"
Baleful blue eyes met his. "Why, you ask?"
He squeezed, fingers biting down.
"YOU KNOW WHY. There are some things a man just cant stand. Did you enjoy bullying that child? I hope so. Because now? Its your turn."
"Set sail~!"
EDIT: Unlimited Blade Works reference incoming~!
"I hope you're happy, Fatui! YOU'VE DONE IT NOW!
"Its as you say. I'm an Anemo Archon. Unfortunately for you, wind has always been my natural element.
A hand rose. High above their heads, dark clouds rushed in the sky turned black.
"Let me show you my secret weapon."
And so he began.
"...I am the freedom of the Sky...
They scoffed. "What is that, a chant? Don't think it'll stop me from...from...?"
...Wind is my body and clouds are my blood...
Around him the world rippled wind whipping across the grass, tearing through the heavens.
Paimon clasped her hands. "Oh, jeez! Paimon isn't prepared for something like this!
They agreed! What was that? What the hell was he making?!
...I have withstood over a thousands storms!" Naruto's head snapped up, blue eyes glowing a deep emerald, speaking with more than once voice. "Unknown to fear! Nor known to despair!"
No! "Stop! Stop that right now!"
"My shoulders carry the weight of countless dreams!"
They lunged. He pivoted, dodged their grasping hand, and kicked them away, never pausing in his chant.
"Yet these hands wish only to heal." the Gnosis sang in his chest, a burning beacon filling the world with light. "So I declare...!
~Nz.