A/N: EDIT: Made some tweaks.
Alas, it seems "Heir" didn't get much in the way of feedback. Such is Black Friday, I suppose.
Double update day! I've updated both this, and "Heir of Dragons". Hope folks enjoy them.
Hopefully folks notice, today being Black Friday and all.
Shorter than I'd like, but I've got a full day ahead of me in retail.
God of War vibes in this chapter are intentional.
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.
Once more, we're sticking with the "Embers" rule for this story, and others. Meaning folks don't like this, it won't be continued. If the story itself ain't popular/well-received...well, I won't be able to continue it. I'm working two jobs, holidays are here too, meaning 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.My back/leg pain is eating me alive...but I'm...still...here...
So by all means, speak up! Raise your voice! Make yourself heard! Your reviews matter! Really, they do!
No questions this time. Wouldn't do to spoil things. Nearly done with Elden Ring for the month, then its onto God of War.
Alright, I've kept you long enough. As ever, I own no quotes, references, themes, or memes. Not a wit or a one!
They're tributes to grand myths and legends far greater than I. Now, then...
Hope you're ready; because we've got some fun coming!
"You need discipline, boy. The Greater Will shall provide it."
"And you need to get that stick out your ass."
"Watch. Your. Tone."
~?
Respect is Earned (Interlude)
"You're falling behind, boy."
Naruto did not twitch as he followed Radagon down the road. Nope. Certainly not. No twitching here. He absolutely did not twitch. Anyone who said otherwise was a filthy heretic and deserving of a prank of three. He was the picture of calm, the very soul of discretion. Serene even, happy to be here, way out in the middle of nowhere. And if he considered slamming a rasengan into the man's back, then surely that was a coincidence. Yup. Definitely. No one could tell him otherwise.
"Boy!"
Irving absolutely hissed atop his shoulder.
"No," Naruto sighed at the snake. "Don't eat him. You'll get indigestion."
"Ssss?"
"No, not even a little."
Radagon grunted a warning.
Must not murder. Mom would be heartbroken. "Stick a sock in it already, old man...
"What was that?"
"Nothing." Shouldering his pack, he trekked on after the man he called father in this strange second life of his. "We're burning daylight. Lets keep going."
...as you say."
Traveling by foot sucked. It wasn't that Naruto -Rykard!- couldn't handle such. He could! He absolutely could. He'd been no stranger to long treks back in his shinobi days. But he shouldn't have to be doing this again. Bad enough that they had to walk all the way to Leyndell, but listening to Radagon call him "boy" over and over was driving him mad.
At least the animals out here were friendly.
A mighty bird wheeled high overhead with a pleasant scree. Naruto looked up, pleased to find he recognized the colors of said fowl. He placed two fingers to his lips to produce a lilting whistle, and received a cry in return. From there he held out an arm and sure enough, a feisty falcon came hurtling down onto his outstretched limb. Curved talons big into his padded sleeve. The pain centered him. He'd heal soon enough.
"There's a good girl, Freya." he stroked her plumage reverently. "How are we doing today?"
A pleasant chirrup was his answer. He delved into his pouch with his free hand.
"Here, I've got a bit of meat for you. Ya hungry-ow!" he laughed as her beak all but ripped it from his fingers. "I'll take that as a yes. Slim pickings today, eh?"
Her beak told him exactly what she thought of that.
Irving hissed at the newcomer, but the lady of the skies paid him little mind.
"Well?" Radagon paused ahead of them. "What does she say?" The falcon pointedly turned her head away from him and he growled. "Accursed bird."
"She's a good judge of character." Naruto stifled a smile behind one hand, then cocked an ear when his old friend chirped again. "There's a collapsed building and a gang of albinaurics up ahead. Wanna deal with them?"
"No."
Freya chirruped again.
"Oh." He perked up. "Seems the glintstone dragon's back by the lake, too. Maybe we could-
"No." Radagon growled a warning, deeper this time. "We do not have time to tame anymore of your...pets."
Freya flared her wings with an angry scree and an old ember of something stirred in Naruto's chest. It almost felt like anger. "They're not pets, they're friends. And why not now? Might be fun-
"You do not need a dragon." Radagon turned his back on him and resumed their long walk. "We are not here for fun. We have a task to which we must attend."
...fine. Maybe next time."
Radagon's sole reply was an angry grunt.
Naruto sighed, flung up his arm and let Freya wheel away. He didn't miss the way she followed from afar. Hopefully she'd try to make a nest in Radagon's hair again.
The academy of Raya Lucaria had long since fallen into the distance behind them now, to be replaced by the looming peaks of Liurnia. In the distance Mt. Gelmir loomed, and with it the comfortable heat and humidity he'd learned to loathe here in his second life. Maybe he should build a manor there, someday, when he was older. A little home away from home. Its natural defenses might be useful.
That wasn't to say he was unprepared of course.
Irving aside, he'd forged several useful tools during his tenure as Rykard; gifts and weapons that might help him out in a pinch. He'd even managed to bring a few with him today. A magical hammer powered by lightning, blessed/cursed with a hex so powerful that he alone could lift it. A cloak that led him blend in with his very surroundings. And of course, his personal favorite, the proverbial ace up his sleeve, a spell so spectacular he only ever used it in emergencies...
...don't forget me, please."
"No worries." he didn't miss their sullen tone and so gave the presence inside him a mental pat. "I've not forgotten about you. Fourth one's the charm, you know."
A pause. "Isn't it supposed to be the third?"
He scoffed. "Semantics. C'mon, you know I love ya."
A deeply contented hum shook the depths of his mind.
Of course he wasn't about to let them out just yet. Not unless it came to a fight. That said, none of his trinkets would be enough to help him get away from Radagon. He was agile to be sure, but the old man was watching him like a hawk and had been ever since they'd left. He expected him to bolt and he'd probably taken countermeasures against just such an eventuality. He wouldn't be able to outrun him without revealing the full breadth of his power, and that was something he wasn't keen to do.
Even now he could feel his "father" eyeing him. It irked his very soul.
This was supposed to be a good second life; an easy, carefree journey filled with pranks, merriment, and a relentless drive for knowledge to better fuel his pranks. Little was expected of him and likewise, he expected little of this world. Now here he was, far from home, dealing with the one person he couldn't cajole, bribe, or otherwise tolerate.
"You are angry with me." Radagon's inquiry was not a true question; yet phrased in such a way that it couldn't help but instill doubt in him nevertheless. He hated it. "Why? Have I done something to offend you?"
Naruto nearly missed a step. "You cannot be that dense."
...I know not of which you speak. I only wish to ensure we have a safe journey. Yet you are angry."
Angry? Try furious. Naruto ground his teeth. He knew bait when he heard it. But it was such low-hanging bait, too...
"Yes." he kept his eyes fixed firmly on the road before them. It was a long one. "I'm angry. Can we not do this right now?"
"You need not walk ahead of me-
He growled. "I know the way! Lets go."
The sooner they made it to Leyndell, the better. Maybe he could fob off an excuse and trick the Greater Will; not that he had any choice in the matter with Radagon watching him. If he failed he'd have a lot of explaining to do. And if that failed...well. He'd fought gods before. It wasn't something he was keen on doing a third time, but needs must.
A hand grabbed his shoulder, shattering his maudlin reverie to haul him back with a yelp.
"You will LISTEN to me and not speak a word." In an instant he found himself spun around to face Radagon's grave golden eyes. "I am your father - and you, boy, are not yourself." His voice was thunder incarnate. "You are too quick to temper." he tried to pull away, only for the redhead to reel him back in. "You are rash, insubordinate and out of control! This will not stand. You will honor your mother's request and abandon this blasphemous path of pranks and chaos you have chosen. It is not too late."
Naruto let the words wash over him. Fine. Seemed they were doing this after all. Rennala wasn't around to hear this.
"Honor her?" His hackles rose as he slapped the hand away. "I honor her every damn day. Which is more than I can say for you!"
Radagon recoiled. "...what?"
"You're never home!" here at last his voice broke; he couldn't quite keep the bite out of his words; rather, he didn't want to anymore. "You're always off in the capital, kissing Marika's feet." a swell of bitter laughter rose up out of him. "I can count the times I saw you in the last three years on one hand!" For once, he didn't hold his vitriol back. "And when do deign to grace us with your presence, your own family, you pretend I don't even exist. No, no, you'd rather focus on Radagon and Ranni. Your firstborn and your precious Empyrean. And why wouldn't ya? I'm the third son. The failure. Why would you possibly care about me?"
To his credit, Radagon tried to rally. Naruto didn't give him the chance.
"Fa...no, Radagon...just what's going on in that empty head of yours?" his lips curled in a sneering as he advanced on him, growling now when his so-called sire took a step backward. "Did it ever occur to you, just once, in the tiny amoeba that passes for your brain, that I might dislike you for a reason? There's a reason I kept pranking you, ya know. But you failed to see it. Even now, you can't see the forest for the trees."
Radagon opened his mouth. Tried to speak, to refute him somehow. "Son-
Irving flashed his fangs and hissed him into silence.
"You heard him! Quiet!" Naruto stabbed a finger against his father's armored chest, denting the metal there. "I! Am! Talking! And you?" he gave him a hard shove, sending him stumbling back. "You don't understand me. Of course you don't." bitter laughter tumbled out of him. "How could you, when you never even tried?" he scoffed. "You're not even a half-decent father, so why on earth would I respect you?" quick as a flash he settled his full hand on his chest and pushed, thrusting him away. "Respect is like trust. You've broken my trust with this little pilgrimage of yours. As if I'd want to see your so-called God! Ha!"
His peace said, he stalked ahead of him once more.
It was too much to hope Radagon would let him have the last word, but at least he didn't try to grab him again. "This discussion is far from over."
"Is it?" he bit back. "I think we wrapped it up quite nicely."
...I do not hate you, son. Whatever you may think of me, I would have you know this."
"I don't hate you, either, dad." He shouldered his pack and looked away, face hidden in shadow. "I just don't CARE. I stopped caring what you thought of me a long time ago."
Radagon flinched. Good. Let it fester.
"...!"
A shrill scream pierced the rolling cliffs ahead.
"Why do you do this to me, fate?" Naruto palmed his face. "Can't I just enjoy my life in peace?
For the first time in all the years since he'd been reborn, he raised his staff and stomped toward trouble, not away from it. After a moment pause Radagon himself followed.
He would pretend he hadn't heard that last part just now.
Probably for the best.
(.0.0.0.)
Her carriage was under attack.
She didn't know why; only that it was; she knew it by the first scream, the splash of blood that darkened the window, the dying gurgle of a guard caught unawares. That was the catalyst; steel was drawn and battle made with both axe and blade. Such an awful ruckus it was. Her first instinct was to cry out herself; to lift the window flap and peer outside. Somehow she suppressed it and did the smart thing instead; tucking herself inward to hide under her seat.
Why was this happening? Her guards were few and her resources poorer. She was a stranger in this land, unknown to all but the one she'd been sold unto. What possible motive could anyone have to attack her?
Judging by that last gurgle her "owner" was quite dead. Someone grasped her carriage door, fiddled with the handle now-
A boy's triumphant shout echoed outside. At least she assumed it was such given what she heard:
"MAMA SAID KNOCK YOU OUT!"
.
..
...what.
Apparently her "attackers" agreed; because the awful racket outside paused, if only for a moment.
"Well, well!" a rough, braying voice sneered at someone. "Ain't often you scholarly-types leave the academy. Hand over yet valuables and we'll let ya live."
A man's voice answered, deep and resonant. "No."
"Tough guy, eh? Then we'll be taking your heads insteadsohgodwhatisthathammer?!"
"Its called karma!" the boy's jovial laugh rose over their shrill screams. "You'll get used to it~!"
The rough voice died an ugly death. More blood spattered the carriage. Curiosity won out at last and the girl found herself peeking out from her hiding place. Just as well she did too; because door swept open and she beheld a boy with flaming red hair and whiskered cheeks. Merry gold-blue eyes gleamed back at her, silhouetted by the sun.
She did not believe in love at first sight. Such was nonsense, fanciful tales from her homeland. Yet now...
"There you are." he offered her a hand. "You're alright, now. Just let the boss handle this."
Her heart kicked against her chest. "...boss?"
She craned her neck and found another boy with red hair just like the first wading through her attackers, hammer in one hand, staff in another, an angry serpent hissing atop his shoulders. Her mind balked at the sight. What manner of sorcery was this? How could anyone be in two places at once? Was she seeing double? Had she gone mad?
Whoever he was, the boy moved with serpentine grace; that strange hammer of his seemed to sing with a life of its own. Wherever he flung it, the short weapon sought out his enemies, mowing men and women down like so much wheat in a streak of silvery steel and blur lightning. A snap of his fingers sent it racing back to him, time after time.
"That's ten, now!" he craned his neck back to grin at someone How many do you have?!"
"Its not a competition, boy!"
"Feels like it!"
Belatedly she glimpsed a man nearby, a tall pale behemoth who also wore scarlet locks. A great blue moonsword sang in his hands, cleaving his foes in twine wherever he went. Even in such a daze, she couldn't help but admire his physique...and notice the similarities between them. Father and son, perhaps?
"Kill the run!" A bandit brayed! "Kill the boy with the snake!"
"Snake, am I?" The shorter of the two raised a hand. "Funny thing about snakes. They're more than they appear. Irving? Wanna do the honors?"
The tiny serpent perked up on his shoulder.
And he gave the command.
"EAT."
Not a small snake! Not small at all. Because you see it was suddenly quite large, larger than anything she'd ever seen. It shadow dwarfed them all. A serpent who could swallow the very world. Such was her thought as she beheld the bulk of the beast. Spurred on by its masters command the mighty serpent swept forward at the remaining bandits, maw gaping wide. Some tried to flee. They did not succeed. The girl looked away, unable to bear the sight of what followed. There was no mercy. In a matter of minutes it was done.
Distantly, she heard the man grunt. "...well done, boy."
The "boy" didn't pay any attention to his father at all. He dispelled his doppelganger, gaze was fixed firmly on her.
"You're alright now." The younger redhead turned to face her fully, eyes aglow. "Any injuries?"
"I...no." she hiccuped a little, the horror of what she'd seen slowly trickling back.
She knew how she must look to them; a young girl with a round face, framed by long, flowing dark hair. Her eyes were a piercing, molten shade of amber. Unnatural, yet prized in distant lands. Such was the reason she'd been sent forth from her homeland by her parents; sold off to the highest of bidders. But now that lord was death with his retinue and the guards with him...
.
..
...what was she to do?
Her heart fluttered anew at his smile.
Oh, dear. She'd forgotten her manners.
She sketched a quick curtsy. "...I thank thee."
The boy quirked a brow. "And who might you be?"
She bowed, low and deep at the waist. "Tanith, my lord...
"Tanith, eh?" the boy thumbed his chin. "That's a foreign name. You can call my Rykard." that charming smile flashed out again, warm as a volcano. "Nice ta meetcha." he slammed his hammer into his belt and jerked a thumb over his shoulder. "The broody bastard over there is m'dad, Radagon...
The tall man snarled and stabbed his blade down into a wounded bandit's back, finishing them off.
"Eh, don't mind him. He's a broody bastard."
A shadow fell over them.
"Whoops!" Rykard grinned. "Almost forgot about my best friend...
Much to Tanith's her great dismay the serpent from before still loomed large overhead, heartily chewing on the last of the bandits. Having shed its orange-black scales, the mighty pale beast made a rumbling noise, low and deep in its throat, a cry that rattled her very bones where she stood. Then it looked to her. Its tongue flitted out in a sibilant hiss. Tanith squeaked. Moreso when it lowered its great head to stare at her. By the gods. Even its eye was thrice the size of her body!
"That would be Irving." Rykard hummed, heedless of her fear. "Well, he's also known by another name in this form...
Closer the Serpent game, regarding her with a low rumble.
Tanith raised her hands and gulped. "N-Nice snake, good snake, please don't devour me...
It did not such thing. As she looked on aghast the great serpent pressed its snout to her upturned palms and rumbled again. The devouring serpent almost sounded like it was...purring? Eh? Could snakes purr? She wasn't about to ask this one. She didn't dare. She absolutely did not dare. Still it pressed closer. A warm puff of air hit her face, lofting her dark hair about her face like a fell halo.
An ancient presence brushed her mind in that instant, bringing with it one word. "Acceptable."
...was that a good thing?"
Rykard laughed. "Well, would you look at that. He likes you. Guess that speaks well for your character. Go on. Give his chin a scratch. He'll shrink back down in a minute or two."
Tanith managed a tremulous nod and patted Irving's scales. Rykard made a pleased noise. What manner of madness had she stumbled into?!
How little she knew. She'd just met her future husband.
A/N: Enter Rykard's waifu~!
And "Irving" is a familiar face, it seems~!
Bit of a serious chapter this time around, hope you enjoyed.
The God of War vibes/references are STRONG with this chapter; rather fitting, given who we're working with.
Well? Should this little ficlet be a story? Yay or nay!
If this story is voted into the "yay" category, I can promise much more merry madness to come.
And romance of course, can't forget that. Gotta bring little Rya into the world somehow now, don't we?!
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? POOF! Gone. Completely. 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 matter! Make yourself heard! As ever, reviews are the fuel that sustains me. Without them, I cannot write a single word. Simple as that.
So by all means, speak up! Raise your voice! Make yourself heard! Your reviews matter!
So in the Immortal Words of Atlas...
...Review Would You Kindly?
And enjoy some previews!
Potential ones at that.
As ever:
WARNING! WARNING! WARNING!
SPOILERS AWAIT THEE!
BEWARE~!
(Previews)
"We cannot take her with us."
Naruto planted his feet. "We will, and that's final.
"You're quite rude for a father!" Tanith, as Radagon soon learned, could give just as good as she got. "Have you no shame?"
...no."
"I thought not! Rude brute!"
She was no fighter. Nope. Not yet. That much was certain.
But ohhh, could she sass with the best of them.
And if she made his son smile in such a way...
...perhaps that was all to the good.
"That's a beautiful falcon. May I see her?"
Careful. Freya's got a sharp beak...
She did indeed, and she wasn't afraid to use it.
Naruto reached to his belt and drew forth...
Tanith blinked. "That is a most strange hammer...
"Blessed be the lord of blasphemy, champion of the forgotten and the accursed. Long may he reign...
They were still laughing when clenched knuckles barreled into their face.
Their body hurtled into the air and struck a mountain.
Needless to say, they did not survive.
We are gods, boy. We must be better."
"Really, then I choose to be myself.
Marika's smile alarmed him. "I see you also wield a hammer. I'm rather known for that myself...do you know how to use that thing, dear boy?"
A rare trickle of concern bled into Naruto's thoughts.
Weeell. This might bode poorly for him.
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? Well...I won't be able to continue it.
I'm working two jobs with ever-increasing hours and the holidays are right around the corner; 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 matter! Make yourself heard! As ever, reviews are the fuel that sustains me. Without them, I cannot write a single word. Simple as that.
So by all means, speak up! Raise your voice! Make yourself heard! Your reviews matter! Really, they do!
Looking forward to chatting with you all when I get back from work!
R&R~!