A/N: Read this note, please. Big changes are coming to this site.
I'll say it plain, if this email opt-in business with the doesn't get resolved soon, I'm probably going to retire.
It HURTS to say that, but with this new system, reviews and readers have dropped to an all time low, authors are leaving the site in droves.
If you're not already aware of it, ever since the 16th of November, you now have to turn ON your email alerts in account settings -AND MAKE SURE YOU CLICK SAVE SETTINGS!- else you won't be notified when anyone updates. No alerts, no email, no nothing. Apparently that's a thing we all have to do every ninety days or so, now. Alas, not many are aware of it...which is a problem. As things stand this new "fix" as it were, has cut everyone's viewership/reviewers in half because most folks don't know about it.
Sometimes opting in works. Sometimes it doesn't. Really depends.
I hope the admins tweak/update this system. This sudden change is driving authors away in droves; because no one knows, since not all of us have Twitter, which means most aren't even aware; as a result, they think we're not updating, and they don't read or review...which makes us write even less...
So here we go. The fate of this story depends on you, the reader.
Do you guys and gals still want weekly updates? Kinda need to hear from you here, it determines my update schedule.
Once more, we're sticking with the "Embers" rule for this tale...and others. If folks don't like this, it won't be continued. I'm working two jobs with ever increasing hours 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! As ever, reviews are the fuel that sustain me. Without them I cannot write a single word. Simple as that. Two jobs keep me absurdly busy, and I can't bring myself to write something folks don't like.
No questions this time; it'd spoil the chapter.
Alright then, this old man has kept you long enough! I'll let you enjoy this crazy little story.
As ever, I own no quotes references, themes or memes. Not a wit or a one! They're merely tributes to legends far greater than I.
Now then, I'll not keep you. Get ready to smile~!
Minor timeskip ahead here...
"You can't be that naive-no, wait, you are. Unbelievable. You've collected so many Great Runes.
Did you think no one would notice? That there wouldn't be...repercussions?"
"You do not want this fight.
"Ohhh, I KNOW I do...
~a future scene.
Dragons and Destiny
They were staring.
Naruto could feel it with very step as he led the party deeper into Liurnia.
More fool he for walking ahead of the bunch, he supposed. After last night he didn't much blame them.
It wasn't just Milicent watching him; although he could feel his self-proclaimed Blade stealing glances his way when she thought he wasn't aware, but Latenna as well. The archer seemed to realize something was afoot though she'd not put her finger on it yet. She seemed content to ride atop Lobo for now, but judging by the looks she was giving Milicent and him, it was only a matter of time. Rennala seemed insufferably smug about it all as she trailed behind them, while Melina radiated discontent in her astral form. He doubted she would show her face anytime soon.
...do you regret it?"
Easy answer, that one. "Nope."
The tiniest of smiles touched his whiskered cheeks as he threaded around another watery ruin. A giant crayfish poked its head out the muck and waved a broken claw his way in a stern warning. He waved back and kept moving, careful to give the beast a wide birth. He'd been told they were vicious creatures, but they were awful calm so long as one didn't linger in their territory.
Or maybe it was all that prawn he'd gotten off Boggart. They wouldn't lack for food for the time being at least.
By some small mercy, their party was a small one today. Ranni remained in her rise, awaiting his answer, one he wasn't sure he could give yet. Tanith and Rya had gone to the Roundtable Hold. Something about books and spells. He didn't really get what they meant by that, but they weren't his to command. None of the were. They could do as they pleased. They weren't likely to encounter any real resistance there, not with Gideon gone. Corryn might puff up his chest and complain, but there was little he and Diallos could do with the Pact in place.
Maybe they'd make friends with Trish and Roderika. Hewg could always use more company, too.
For better or worse, their time in Liurnia was coming to an end; in truth he was almost sad to see it go. They'd made some good memories here. Now there were but a few loose ends to tie up and then they'd move on. Not to the Capital, not quite yet, but they'd still be heading north regardless.
Or maybe south? He had the feeling he was forgetting something down in Limgrave...
Someone tugged a this sleeve, drawing him back to reality.
He looked up. Didn't take much to guess who.
Sure enough, Rennala's gentle smile greeted him when he raised his gaze. "Might I have a word while we walk?"
"We're doing that right now, aren't we?"
She drew him a bit further ahead of Milicent and Latenna. He let her. "Feeling better are we?
Fire. Naruto's face was on fire, he just knew it." No idea what you mean...
"No?" she wagged a dark brow at him. "The two of you were quite loud last night. Do you have an heir on the way?"
...that last bit wasn't funny. Not tin the least. He shot her a dark glower and she winced.
"It was a jest. Come now, don't sulk. Such is not befitting of a lord."
He glared back. "Children are no joking matter."
Just the thought had his mind seizing up. He'd gladly rear any who came along mind you, that was his responsibility, but Milicent wasn't in any shape to have children. He didn't think she could. Even with him keeping her Scarlet Rot at bay on the daily, he doubted her womb was intact. It wasn't something either of them wanted to talk about.
"I've upset you." she bowed her head in naked contrition. "My apologies. I merely meant to bring about a bit of levity. Forgive me, my lord."
Heat hit his face for an altogether different reason. "I keep saying I ain't...ugh" he heaved a sigh and clapped a hand to his forehead. "You're not going to let this be, are you?"
"I am not, dear boy." Rennala huffed as she guided him around a shattered tree stump and for a moment he was granted a glimpse of the cold, stubborn queen she'd been in her youth. "You may be strong physically, but even the mightiest of minds can falter. Yours is a heavy burden to bear and If I have to see you bed every woman in the lands between just to retain a modicum of sanity, then so be it." he tried to protest and earned a flick to his forehead for it. "You would do well to take care of yourself...and consider your legacy.
The way she said that last bit...did she know something he didn't? No, no, he wasn't about to let her distract him now.
"You must've been seriously scary when you were younger...
"My, my!" she reared back and touched a hand to her cheek. "Whatever do you mean? I'm still quite young."
Naruto knew that look. He'd seen it before. His mind bleated. Danger, danger, danger! Reverse course at once! "Ain't sayin' you're old...
"Hmmhm." Rennala hummed, thumbed his face back to hers, and studied him for a moment. "I'll take your word for it." she kissed his forehead sweetly, drawing a startled sputter from Milicent behind them. "Ah, but we have company. We can resume this conversation at another time."
"Wha-
A startled yelp was his only warning. "Someone catch meeeeeeeeee!"
He sensed something -someone?- plummeting from high above.
Kurama heaved a sigh. "Best listen to her."
Naruto closed his eyes, opened his senses, took three steps back and raised his arms without thinking.
Just as well he did too; because a screaming Therolina fell out the clouds and landed in them not a heartbeat later. She flung her arms 'round his neck, holding on for dear life, still believing herself to be in freefall. He took a moment to glance her way; saw her once-pristine robes and face were covered in soot, her visage white as a sheet beneath.
The pun was low-hanging fruit, but he couldn't help himself. "Just dropping in?"
"Oh." She gave a startled blink, her cheeks turning a pretty shade of pink. "Well caught, my lord. I am in your debt once more."
"Where's Greyroll?" he set her down, idly aware of the disappointed noise she made. "Don't tell me she dropped you-
"I am here~!"
The grinning dragoness struck the ground like a fiery come from on high and punching the ground, wings flaring out behind her.
"Really?" Naruto quirked a brow at her. "A superhero landing? Ain't that hell on your knees?"
"Pardon?" She rose to her full towering height and tilted her head. "I always land like this. What, pray tell, is a superhero?"
Milicent raised her good arm. "I'd like to know as well."
"And I." Latenna fixed him with a baffled look.
Rennala thumbed her chin. "I suppose its a different version of a hero...
.
..
...
Silence reigned supreme.
Naruto palmed his face again, hiding a rueful smile behind his palm. "That...is a lot to unpack. I'll tell you later."
Therolina stabbed a furious finger at Greyroll, sparing him further explanation. "You dropped me!"
The mother of dragons shrugged one shoulder indifferently. "You were heavy."
"Why you...?!"
Naruto bulled between them before they could come to blows again. "What about Agheel...? Is he...?"
"Confirming prey in Limgrave." Greyroll grinned at him secretive as ever. "An annoying little bald man tried to fleece us only a few hours ago. He ran for the hills once he realized what we were. Would you like me to send for him?"
Bald man...? No. Their party was large enough for now. "Please don't."
"That's grand." she sashayed closer, tail swaying.
Then she saw Rennala.
"Curious." Greyroll gave her a sidelong look. Tilted her head. Walked around her now. "Its not every day I meet someone so terribly...tall. You seem familiar. Hmm." She hummed at the last, thumbing her chin. "How strange it is to find someone taller than me. I feel almost petite without using the full breadth of my power." Right, right, he'd seen her grow against Radahn, hadn't he? Wait, why isn't she getting angry? Dragons truly were impossible to understand sometimes. Maybe she'd slot quite nicely back into their little group.
Greyroll tapped her foot. Sniffed once. Twice. Thrice now.
Slitted eyes narrowed. Her gaze LOCKED on Milicent like a heat seeking jutsu, drawing a flinch from the shorter woman. "T'would seem thou hast been most busy since I saw thee last...
Naruto threw his own shrug back her. "Yup. Pretty much."
"So cruel you are to me, mate of mine." She growled a little under a breath, though her eyes never left Milicent's. Not for a moment. "I made my claim first, yet this little minx snuck into your bed before me. I'm hurt." she wasn't, he could tell that much without even sensing her emotions; enough to know she was building up to something. He absently rubbed the mark on his neck. She saw it. The low growl that followed only confirmed his concern. "I'm half tempted to take a blood payment for such a thing, but you wouldn't allow that now, would you?"
He lifted his chin in defiance. "No. I wouldn't."
"Excellent." her pleased purr suggested he'd walked right into her trap somewhere. "Then I shall take recompense from you at a later date. Loudly. Vigorously.
A curious choice of words. "Okay...? What do you want? Training? More food?
Her grin doomed him. "Hmm...A few children would suffice."
Naruto choked on his spit. "Dragon say what now?!"
Milicent went redder than her hair.
Latenna's head dipped low.
"Goodness, me. Rennala's laughter cut through the tension, sharper than any blade. "What a forceful one this is...I take this is the Greyroll you spoke of?"
"Indeed." Greyroll puffed out her chest, prideful dragon that she was. "I am she. And who are...oh." her tail flicked once, wings curling against her back. "Oh, dear."
She clearly hadn't been expecting Rennala, but she recognized her ably enough. Strange. Why would she?
Rennala's smile was all teeth. "Hello, little dragon. You've grown since I saw you last...
Greyroll squeaked. Actually squeaked. Naruto took a tiny bit of pleasure in that; the way her eyes grew wide for a moment, the way in which she faltered, the way she stepped back, her mouth agape. She concealed it all too quickly, but he didn't fail to notice it. He sensed another story there; on she suppressed all too quickly.
"You came her for a reason, didn't you?" Rennala waved a hand, sparing her the indignity.
"I...yes!" Greyroll grasped at the change of subject like a lifeline. "Quite so! Shall we go, then?
Naruto quirked a brow.
"Why, to fight my child of course. That is why I sought you out. I've found her~!"
(.0.0.0.)
Glintstone Dragon Smarag was not happy to see them.
She certainly didn't seem so; not by the ruckus he was kicking up in the distance.
Greyroll thumbed her chin. "I do not understand. This one has ever been a good child. Why bite rocks like that...
"Why?!" Naruto flung up his arms. "He's got crystals growing out his skull! If you think for one second he's sane with those in his head-
The dragoness coughed heartily into a pale fist. "She, actually."
...eh?" he rounded on her. "Thought that thing was a boy."
Greyroll grinned. "So do most. Shall we, then?"
Nothing ventured, nothing gained, then. He cracked his knuckles and waded in. Milicent rushed after him, with Latenna and Therolina close behind. Distantly, he heard Greyroll and Rennala follow. They devoured the distance quickly. For a moment he almost dared to think it would be easy. Simple even. Maybe this dragon was just crazy, not insane?
...it was not to be. Smarag saw them a moment later.
She screamed. Blue fire flared in the air.
Once more unto the breach.
A/N: Battle and possible lemons next chapter.
Well? Did you like this story? Yes? No? Maybe? Speak up! Make yourselves heard! Your voice matters~! Silence hurts worse than any flame.
Once more, we're sticking with the "Embers" rule for this story.
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 during the holidays 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.
So in the Immortal Words of Atlas....Review, Wouldst Thou Kindly?
And have some previews. Some are quite off, but still...
(Previews)
"You are becoming her."
...no." Milicent shook her head. "I am me. No one else."
"No? I see the signs, even if you do not. You are a piece of her. You and your sisters. I wonder who you will be by the end. Will you still be Milicent? Or will you be...Malenia?"
"Dynasty, oh dynasty, yes, my dynasty is soon to come...
"...I've finally hit my limit, boss. Take care of her, will ya?"
Naruto frowned at his exhausted shadow clone. "Take care of who?"
"Its not like I'm dying. My experiences, my memories, my emotions will live on in you."
"Oi!" he grabed him by the arm "You're starting to worry me! Just what did you get up to while I was gone."
His doppelganger didn't answer. His eyes had already gone dull.
He crumbled in his grasp and turned to so much smoke.
And the very moment he did..memories rushed in.
Naruto felt his lips move.
"Irina...?"
"Blech! Lobo, no! No licking! Yes, yes, I know you're happy to have a pack again but-hey! I told you to stop!"
Latenna's mount would have none of it.
Naruto sputtered. "Enough! Sit!"
The wolf obeyed.
"Tanith. We need to talk."
Latenna hid a laugh behind her hand. "No, no, you look wonderful."
...you're mocking me, aren't you?"
Fia bowed her head. "It is good to see you again. How fares your health?"
She didn't miss the new Great Runes.
Oh. Oh, that felt very nice indeed...
"Hey, there's a grace here, too! I wonder if...
He touched it and unbidden the image of a golden plain sprung to his mind.
The warm rune-ring on his finger sang, striking a low harmony with the Great Runes embedded in his body.
Without warning the world lurched around him, shifting in whorls of myriad gold on black. A faint sense of nausea shot up his throat. He choked it down.
Please. A voice begged. Help me...
Everything went dark.
"What have you done now?!" It was to that oh-so-familiar, exasperated cry that he returned to the roundtable.
"OI! I wasn't gone that long!"
Patches raised both hands to ward him off. "Nice fox, goood fox, please don't eat me...
Morgott creaked an eye open. Was he being ignored? Nay, surely not. The Tarnished had to come this way sooner or later.....didn't he?
Somewhere in her tomb, Sellen sneezed.
"Oi! Got you something!"
Milicent turned to face him. Paused. "Is that an arm...?!"
Naruto hefted the prosthetic limb like some bloody trophy. "You have no idea what Patches and I went through to get this...so much poison...
"We'll rest here."
A faint shimmer behind him told a different story. "Finally done hiding, are you?"
Melina was silent for a long moment. "This is not the place of my death."
And didn't that just sting? Well, screw that! He wasn't going to let her die. Even if it killed him.
Then she sat beside him. Her head came to rest against his bloody shoulder. As he looked on, her good eye closed.
"The enemy you face is no base foe. You will need all the strength you can muster." she offered her hand once more. "Shall I turn your runes to strength?"
He blew out a small, irritated sigh. "Do it."
His world burst into light. And through it, he heard her voice. "I wish to tell you a story."
By chance or fate, they stumbled upon a melancholy fellow known as Thops...
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, I never wanted this...I tried...I tried so hard...
"I'm sorry I was gone for so long, my champion." Rya spread her arms, standing straight and proud and tall as she hadn't before. "Well...how do I look?"
Naruto's jaw clicked open. His tongue betrayed him"...beautiful."
Rya squeaked. "You truly think so...?"
EDIT: Hey, you made it! Thanks for reading!
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.
Silence...silence only hurts.
Looking forward to chatting with you all when I get back from work~!
R&R~!
