A/N: EDIT:...ouch. That's not a lot of feedback. T_T
Added a lot more content too, though no one seemed to notice. Can't be helped, I suppose. Did the best I could with the flue. Hopefully, time will change things. If not, I'll be moving this one down the update rotation with the other, weaker stories.
Sorry if this isn't up to my usual quality.
Writing while ill is no fun, but I'm trying to push through it.
Can't afford to call off; I've got bills to pay, mouths to feed, ain't nothin' in the world for free...
Looking forward to reading your reviews/chatting with you all when I get back from work. Hopefully I'll feel better by then.
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, I'll discontinue it soon thereafter. I'm working two jobs -holidays are upon us!- with no days ogg so I barely have time to write; what little I do is either before or after work, or occasionally on break.
As such, I cannot afford to write something folks don't enjoy. So by all means, speak up! Your voice matters! Make yourself heard!
No questions this time around, only a minor timeskip as promised. Meaning we're in for a few surprises~!
Alright then, I've kept you long enough. Lets get into the meet of the matter and have some fun!
As ever, I own no quotes, references, or memes. Not a wit or a one. NOPE!
They're merely tributes to legends far beyond me~!
Are you ready? Got some twists in store...
"Is this what comes of it? Being a god? All this pain and death, and for what?
We will be the gods we choose to be, Ranni. Not those who have been.
Who I am, is not who you will be. Nor will I be what you are.
We must be better then one another. For if we are gods...
...we make our own fates.
That's called ambition.
~?
Smoldering Ambition
Time waits for no one.
Neither the seasons nor mortals, not even the gods.
In truth, Naruto found it ironic; for all their spells and sorceries no had, not once, in all the history of the lands between, ever tried to meddle with time. None that were remembered at any rate. Or perhaps they had and screwed up somehow, erasing themselves from history in the process. There were some lines one didn't cross. Had he possessed a more...curious disposition he might have dabbled in such spells. Found a way to extend the time he had, stretching it out into eternity. Perhaps in another life. He had his hands full enough in this one.
For time had passed, and with it, new life came into the world
"PUSH!"
He was the one who said it, yet HE felt his right arm creak ominously under Rennala's grip.
Radagon -dad!- lay sprawled out on the floor of the birthing chamber, both his arms broken long ago in the thrones of her labor. Now it fell to him to stay by his mother's side as she struggled.
And struggle she did.
It had been a rather unusual pregnancy all things considered; longer than usual, a full year compared to the customary nine months. The baby had surprised them all; refusing to arrive on any terms but her own. No spells were able to coax her forth from the womb; no gentle words or prodding quickened her arrival. She would come when she was ready or not all.
Now the moment had arrived.
Here she was at long last. His baby sister.
A reedy cry split the air as the midwife fussed over his exhausted mother.
"Look, Radahn!" Rennala released his ravaged arm to hold the newborn. "Its a girl! You have a sister!"
"Looks like it." Naruto set his arm with a sigh, rolling his wrist back into place as he considered the small babe in Rennala's arms. "Well, I always wanted to be a big brother…"
Radagon groaned where lay. "Is it over...?"
Rennala huffed, dignified even in her exhaustion. "Yes, it is over, you silly louse. Come see your daughter."
Naruto hid a small smirk behind his still healing hand as his lord father dragged himself up.
Said smile died an ugly death when he heard his whisper. "She's an Empyrean...
His brow furrowed. The word sent a chill through him. "A what?"
"Nothing you need concern yourself with, boy."
But it did. He'd remember it.
His new sister kicked up a wail, shattering his thoughts.
"There, there." Rennala snuggled the baby close. "You're alright, little Ranni. 'Tis nothing to fear...
Her dazzling smile did much to wipe away his anxieties in that moment. It almost didn't feel real. He'd always wanted to be a big brother; a deep seated desire that he'd nursed for what felt like an eternity. Now here she was. Pretty and pink, with bright golden eyes and a flaming crown of red hair.
And she was loud!
"A healthy pair of lungs on this one!" Radagon rumbled a laugh, back to his normal self at last. "She'll make a fine woman someday!
Rennala crushed his arm. "Say that again, dear and I'll kill you."
"Ow! T'was a jest, nothing more! No need for violence!"
Naruto hid a snicker behind his right hand. "Whatever you say.
Rennala rounded on him. "Would you like to hold her?"
He flinched. "I would...but what if I drop her?"
Ranni's cry told him exactly what she thought of that.
Their mother smiled despite it all. "You won't."
She tucked Ranni into his arms and bid him hold her, showing him the proper manner in which to do so.
Adorable little bugger.
The moment he held Ranni, she stopped crying. Startled eyes blinked up at him, as though to say, "who in blazes is this?!" wholly unprepared for his presence.
"See?" Rennala preened as he cradled the swaddled child. "She likes you."
Not quite the word he'd use, but...he was just so damn happy. Nothing compared to this. Not his first friend, or his first jutsu, or even his first kiss. This was joy beyond joy; a delightful memory he'd carry to his grave. For all his efforts to remain stoic, he found himself cooing down at the tiny little life in his hands. Here at last, he found the proper words to evoke his emotions.
Deliriously giddy. Yes, that was the word.
The little girl gazed up at him. He grinned down at her. "Welcome to the world, Ranni...
He didn't miss the way Loretta shied away from her post at the door, trying to get a better look at the babe. No doubt she was curious as to her new charge. He didn't blame her. He was pretty damn happy himself right about now. He'd be the best brother ever, come hell or high water.
He swore it.
A harsh bang shattered the chamber before he could truly savor the moment.
The guard captain stepped in through an adjacent, paused at the threshold, saluted now when he saw Loretta there standing guard. She didn't let him pass, bless her simple soul.
"Begging your pardon my lords and lady, but there's a matter that needs your attention." He saw little Ranni mewling in his arms and his ruddy face lit up. "Oh! Ladies, then. I suppose congratulations are in order. Is she well?"
"She is." Rennala heaved a sigh. "What is now, Alfred...?"
"Ma'am! You told me to inform you if any intruder sought to breach the premises today." A pause now. "Well, one did. We caught them."
Rennala was in no shape to rise. Radagon didn't look keen to leave his wife's side.
Loretta flashed a silent pleading look his way, no doubt wishing the shame.
Naruto sighed and carefully handed Ranni back to Rennala.
"I'll handle it...
(.0.0.0.)
...here she is, my lord."
In short order the Captain led him to the lecture hall proper. It was there than he found three of his best men gathered round a kneeling...was that a woman? Hard to tell by the dirt and grime on her robes, much less the blood and that ugly grey sack someone had wrapped round her head. Her head perked up at the sound of his approach. The blades at her neck tightened, preventing any such movement.
Even so she didn't quiver. Her lead lifted still further as he approached. As though she could see him through the sack.
...ominous." Kurama rumbled.
Naruto scoffed despite himself. "Oh, now you pipe up?"
"You were having a moment back there. Didn't wanna ruin it.
"We found this one skulking about, sir." Alfred saluted, breaking their reverie. "Tried to break into the academy, she did. Took down three of my best men before we brought her low."
Unfortunate. He'd trained them himself. "Will they live?"
"Aye, but they've got some nasty burns...
"I tried to reason with you, yet you gave me no choice but to defend myself." a placid voice emerged from within the hood. "You barred me time after time and for what? Mindless dogma. Your kind will never learn."
One of the men smacked her with the flat of his sword. "She's a sassy one, sir."
...I merely speak the truth. You cannot hold me if I do not wish it. Do not mistake my compliance for weakness."
"You've got a sharp tongue. " Naruto tucked a strand of red hair behind his ear and fought down a frown. "Then what do you call this?"
Their captive made a low, hoarse sound that might've been some distant cousin of a chuckle. Twice removed. "Pity."
Bold girl. She had a lot of confidence, he'd give he that much. That, or a good poker face. Speaking of which...
Naruto ripped the hood off the woman's head.
Defiant violet eyes glared back at him as he tore the sack free, shining from a pale-yet-round face framed by long dark hair. An old burn mark marred the right side of her face. For all her bruises and cuts she still radiated stoic dignity. She and Sellen might've been sisters, so striking was the resemblance.
"What is your name?"
...Friede." She regarded him for a long, ponderous moment. At length she spoke. "So you are General Radahn, the one who would do scar the sky...
General? He didn't have any such rank. Naruto bristled. "Leave us."
Alfred and his men bridled. "But my lord! This girl is-
"No match for me." he interjected, never taking his eyes off the grinning girl. "She won't be able to do any harm. Now go."
...as my lord wills."
They filed out, closing the door behind them. He waited another minute. Sighed. "I can still here you out there."
A muffled growl and they retreated properly.
Naruto waited a minute more, listening as their heavy boots clomped back down the hallway proper. Only when they were gone did he dare speak. "Scar the sky...?"
"Forgive me." Friede bowed her head as he looked on. "I possess the gift of prophecy. Oftentimes I speak of the past and future without realizing it."
Propehcy, eh? Shion had said something similar once.
"You can keep that gift to yourself." he waved a hand to silence her. "I'm not interested in it."
"But of course." those cold violet eyes met his. "After all, this is not your first life. You were never interested in prophecy during your first life, either."
Had he been a more paranoid sort, he might've panicked then and there. As it stood, he merely arched an eyebrow.
"Alright." he dropped down onto his haunches, bringing himself eye level with the shorter girl. "I'll play your game. If you're a prophet, then tell me my real name."
Friede frowned. Her brow furrowed for a moment.
"No tricks, now." he raised a finger to warn her. "You lie to me and the sack goes back on. I might even feed you to the wolf." He wouldn't of course, but she didn't need to know that. "Well? I'm listening."
Her head bowed a little. "There is no need for threats, my lord. I am your ally."
"Tell me my real name, then."
Violet eyes fluttered shut opened now. "...Naruto."
Despite his restraint, he hissed out a rare breath of surprise.
"Oh?" Kurama rumbled a laugh. "Seems she's the real deal after all."
"You seek the dawn of a new age." Fried continued apace, heedless of his shock. "That is what you and your...friend, represent. My visions have brought me to you. I would see such an age flourish My fellows are not so like minded. They see the threat you represent and would have you slain. I would warn you of this."
"And they are?"
"Your enemies." her eyes met his, burning bright. "To them, I am known by a different name." the faint scent of burning rope reached his nose. He looked down to find her bonds burning away in a haze of dark fire. Yet for all that the flame didn't harm her.
A scarred hand rose, pushing her dark hair out her eyes.
"Allow me to introduce myself once more." she rose slowly, careful not to make any sudden movements. "I am Blackflame Friede." She lifted the hem of her robe and dipped a humble curtsy. "At your service."
"Blackflame?" Realization dawned a moment later. "You're one of those godslayer cultists...
"Once, but no longer. I have learned all I can from them, and now seek to serve you." Another pause now, as she considered him anew. "Do you truly not fear me...?"
He scoffed. "Should I?"
She bowed once more. "As you say then, husband."
Kurama guffawed in his head.
Naruto choked.
"Husband?" a sharp bark laughter burst from him before he could hold it in. He reared back to get a better look at her. "Aren't we getting a little ahead of ourselves? We've only just met!"
She tilted her head, unabashed. "In one of the many futures I saw, we were wed. It is a prevalent outcome."
"Flattering, but I hardly know you..." still, her words nagged at him. "A priestess once that said I would die." he spread his arms wide. "Her prophecy was wrong. I survived. Why should I listen to a word you say?"
"Mine are never wrong." Friede remained unfazed. "And all things must die eventually." "Perhaps she spoke of the future. Would you like to know yours?"
Determined witch. Curiosity got the better of him and he clicked his tongue. "Speak, then."
Friede grew still. Ominously so. Her gaze misted over.
Silence reigned. And then:
...in a few years time, your father will betray your mother." his eyes blazed and some of his anger must've shone through; because she backpedaled and barreled on, likely fearing he might grab at her. "You shall have two more brothers. And another sister after little Ranni." the fact that she already knew her name -nevemind Rennala's nickname for her- alarmed him to no end, but she wasn't finished yet. "Her name will be Malenia." those cold, violet eyes rose now, searing into his very soul. "You will face one another in battle on the fields of Caelid. There, she will unleash the Scarlet Rot."
Enough. He took a step forward. Another now, looming over her when she didn't continue. "Is that all you've seen?"
"For now, my lord." Despite being cast in his towering shadow, Blackflame Friede didn't waver." Should any of these prophecies proves false, you may have my head as recompense." Much to his chagrin she stepped forth and laid a hand on his broad chest, the better to look up at him. "I shall gladly tell you if the future changes."
Kurama growled, low and deep in his throat. "Bold of her...and stupid. She has to realize we might kill her here."
Dangerous woman, his mind hissed back. Far too dangerous to let out of his sight. Part of him wanted to kill her now; end her and damn her prophecies to the dark. She knew it, too. She had to. Even so she didn't try to flee, beg, anything. She just stared up at him with those gentle, placid eyes. It would be so simple. A mercy, even. One quick swipe, a swing of his swords, and Friede would be dead. He could make it painless he knew; end her before she even knew what was happening. He had the power. Dare he say the right...?
His right hand twitched.
"This is the moment where my destiny takes two paths." she smiled sadly at him, perhaps understanding his thoughts. "If you choose to kill me here and now, my destiny ends. I will not defend myself. Nor will I blame you." her free hand flitted to her bosom, perhaps to still her hammering heart. "Prophecy is not a gift for the faint of heart. Should you spare me, however, I will be yours forever more. Your sword. Your shield." here at last her voice wavered, betraying a hint of the emotion she'd so ruthlessly suppressed. "Your very scythe. I will never betray you. This, I swear.
A thought occurred to him. "When we met, you called me General."
"I did." her head bobbed, eager to please him. "'Tis a rank you shall achieve soon-
"Stop!" He flung up a hand, silencing her. "I don't want to hear anymore of my future today. Maybe not ever."
...because he couldn't do it. Killing her out fear or for convenience would make him no better than Danzo or Orochimaru. He'd steeped his hands in heresy already, but he refused to go down that path. However dangerous Friede might be, she wasn't a bad person. A bit misguided perhaps, overly reliant on the gift of prophecy, but hadn't Shion been the same? He'd saved her back then, and them some.
Could he really turn his back on someone suffering the same plight?
Naruto heaved a sigh and palmed his face. Letting her go simply wasn't an option, either. Putting aside the face that Friede might scarper off to sage knew where, the gift of prophecy was a dangerous thing and practically taboo. Even if her visions could change, did change, would be changed, letting her roam free in the Lands Between promised disaster.
"So keep her close, then."
"Kurama?!" He nearly balked. "You're okay with this?!
"Better the devil you know than the one you don't."
...fine. We can say she's a bodyguard or something. Might work.
"So be it." they reached a consensus. "Seems we're taking charge of this runaway...
"You're sparing me." A shiver ran through the scythe-wielder before he even voiced his decision. Have I finally proven my use to you? May I enter your service?"
"You have and you may," He scowled at her, Radahn once more. "But I'll make my own fate."
Friede made a pleased noise, placed both of her palms over one of his large hands, and squeezed softly.
"That is my dearest hope, my lord." Tears glimmered in her ethereal eyes, running freely down her cheeks. "You shall try. You shall certainly try...please, prove me wrong."
A/N: Ha! As if prophecies have stopped Naruto before. Not likely!
Man's like Kratos, in a way. He makes his own fate, destiny be damned.
And aye, that's Blackflame Friede. The infamous dual-scythe wielding boss with three bloody phases. Seeing as everything's connected in the Fromsoftware universe, she slots into this story quite nicely.
Aaaaand there we go.
Yet another timeskip coming up next chapter...
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, I'll delete it soon thereafter. 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 my lifeblood. Without them, I cannot write.
So In the Immortal Words of Atlas...
...Revieeeeew, Would You Kindly?
They keeps an old man alive.
And enjoy the previews.
As ever:
POTENTIAL PLOT DETAILS AHOY!
SPOILERS! SPOILERS!
YE BE WARNED!
Some are very far off, mind you.
Obvious references are obvious, of course~!
God of War vibes incoming, but you knew that already~!
Three years later and he still found himself somewhat startled by just how demanding the little tyke could be at times.
Ranni raised her arms, somehow managing to looking imperious despite her small stature. "I wish to be held."
Naruto howled with laughter.
"Can it be? Has my boy finallly found himself a wife?"
He refused to meed Rennala's eyes. Far too clever by half, his second mother was. She had ways of reading him when and where he least expected it.
Gwynevere was sulking. "I don't trust her, cousin."
"Not this again...
Godwyn shrugged. "Don't look at me. You understand her better than I."
"You seem like a calm and reasonable person, Radahn." Godfrey sat before him. "Are you? A calm and reasonable person?"
His eyes sparked, but he didn't rise to the bate. "What's gotten into you?"
"I want what was promised, boy. You are of age now. Fight me."
"She's adorable!"
Gwynevere and Godwyn had come to visit as was customary. They took one look at little Ranni and were smitten.
"I won't let anything happen to you.
Gwynevere perked up. "You'd fight anyone?"
"Of course. He grinned. I'll take on all challengers. Even the stars themselves."
Gwynevere steeled herself.
Yes. She could do this. Breathe!
They'd talked countless times before. This would be no different.
Gwynevere managed a timid wave. Radahn pivoted. How someone so tall could move so quickly was beyond her.
"Did you need something, cousin?" he lowered his swords. I'm a bit busy here. Well," he grimaced at the ruined practice dummy. "I was.
She bowed her head and thrust her hands at him. She was holding flowers. But not just any flowers.
"They...they reminded me of your red hair."
His jaw clicked open.
"Oh."
"BOY!"
Naruto heaved a sigh. "What now?"
Godfrey's grin was grim indeed. "Watch your head.
"What do you mean-ow!" Stars burst before his vision as he hit the floor. "...all of my hate, Godfrey. You have it."
"Get up. I'm not leaving until I see the real you."
Gwynevere smiled. "This means war."
Friede returned it. "May the best of us win-oh, wait. I will."
Rykard tottered after him on pudgy little legs. Even at the age of three, he was a stubborn one "Big brother, waaaaiiit!"
Loretta knelt. "As you will my lord."
EDIT: Hey, you made it!
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, I'll discontinue it soon thereafter. I'm working two jobs -holidays are upon us!- with no days ogg so I barely have time to write; what little I do is either before or after work, or occasionally on break.
As such, I cannot afford to write something folks don't enjoy. So by all means, speak up! Your voice matters! Make yourself heard!
Looking forward to chatting with you all when I get back!
R&R~!