A/N: Would you look at that? Weekly updates!
Amazing what a little feedback can do, eh? Downright miraculous.
I'll be Aiming for a double update today since I'm working a massive shift for most of it; this and Shards of the Shattering. You won't be disappointed.
EDIT: And there we go! Double update achieved! Back to work I go! Looking forward to chatting with you all when I get back later tonight!
Hopefully there won't be too many trolls or flamers. Really can't wait to hear what you all think of this~!
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 -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.
Now for your questions, comments, and concerns.
Q: Do you have a pa treon, perchance?
A: Nope, and I'm not sure I ever will. I don't get paid for requests. Well, unless you count reviews. I love chatting with others. Knowing that I make others happy, lift their spirits, give them a little light in these dark days...well. That's payment enough for me.
Q: Are Ranni and Melina...?
A: It possible. Melina does says she's burned and bodiless. Funny thing, that happened to Ranni's corpse. We never get a concrete answer.
Q: More Elden Ring stuff! Please!
A: Don't tempt me. I'm already creating a plot bin for my Elden Ring stuff; it was either that, or create TEN new stories. Seriously, I'd end up flooding the Elden Ring section, and nobody wants that.
Even if I really DO wanna write a story set before the Shattering, filled with courtly intrigue with Naruto and the Demigods-NO! Resist!
Q: Any chance we can see other characters from other stories here?
A: To quote Ranni? NAY. No cameos here. Even the references/occasional quote are thin on the ground.
Q: Will we see the Tarnished (Player Character) in this?
A: You will see "A" version of the Tarnished in this story. Perhaps not "THE" Tarnished we all know and love, but still. There's so many builds out there! I've been invaded by so many lads and ladies with SO many different weapons. I've gone for a bit of an all rounder myself, can finally use the dragon communion attacks now. Frost breath OP! My favorite will remain the Greatsword. Full upgraded and with Lion's Claw, that thing seems to be the the strongest weapon in the game in terms of pure strength.
It also beats the pants of the new "bugged" Malenia. Seriously, screw her new heal function when she MISSES you. Soloing her has been hard as hell...
Q: Oi! Lemons when!
A: ...you do realize Ranni's still in a puppet body. As said before, slow burn. She's hard as hell to win over in the game; not only do you have to go through a long questline, kill MULTIPLE demigods to even catch her eye, and beat that bastard Astel, but you get an amazingly powerful weapon for it. Worth it, I say.
Alright then, this old man has kept you long enough! I'll let you enjoy this sappy little story.
As ever, I own no quotes references, themes or memes. Not a wit or a one!
Now then, I'll not keep you waiting any longer. Get ready to smile~!
"Thou art an absolutely insufferable oaf!"
"Ooomph. Really didn't hold back there. Anything else to say?"
...and I care for thee a great deal. Do not die. I will brook no disobedience in this matter.
~?
Hold Thy Tongue
"Maybe...no, no, no. That won't work. Unless?"
Naruto was muttering to himself again.
It was driving Ranni mad.
He'd been like this for several days now, hunched over a crude table he'd crafted, nearly to the exclusion of all else. Ordinarily such wouldn't have bothered her overmuch; she had much to do, the city of Nokron need be found, and she could scarcely spend every waking moment observing his comings and goings. But his refusal to let anyone near; nor allow her to see what he was working on?
That aroused her curiosity, and it, unlike her fragile body, was not something so easily put abed.
Even now the Witch found herself pursing her lips as she considered the taut plane of his back before her; stern shoulders hunched over the table as he scribbled something down in a book. His poor vest had fallen to rags at long last, leaving him clad in little more than the mesh undershirt beneath until they could find him proper armor. The cold didn't seem to bother him anyway; not down here in his study. He was much, much, much too preoccupied to give it even the slightest iota of attention. Among other things.
...hmm."
Ranni tilted her head to the right. Then tilted it some more. He really didn't notice her.
"Aha!" Naruto grunted suddenly and jotted something down. "That one's a keeper. Might use that later...
And if her gaze lingered when he wasn't looking...well, who was to know? A soul she still might be, and her body no longer of flesh, but Ranni found she could find things pleasing to the eye. The way the faint light of the candles set fire dancing off his skin. That sort of thing. Purely in the aesthetic sense, of course. To suggest otherwise was treason.
"Might need some advice." his words had her ear perking up, if only for a moment. "Could probably ask her...
He was fit as only a proper warrior could be; not overly-muscled like some brutes she'd seen, but neither could he be called lean, either. His was a proper balance; the sort one might expect from one accustomed to little armor and light movements. Even in his mania he moved with catlike grace. Was he even aware of how dangerous he appeared? His posture hunched, eyes shadowed, the faintest smile plucking those whiskered cheeks, dimpling down into lips she could imagine crushing against her own-
Treachery! Ranni reared back with a start, eye wide. Where had that thought come from?!
She could not. She would not. She must not. That way lay only pain.
Incensed, anger got the better of her.
...what art thou doing?"
Lights flared.
"Ranni?!" Naruto yelped and pivoted in place, knocking the table aside; nearly cutting a circle in the floor of her tower as he whirled to face her, such was his speed. "Nothing! Not a thing! Nope!"
She beheld the panic burning in his eyes sure as day; if that weren't enough, she'd seen him hide something behind his back just now. It wasn't her doll, thank the stars. She didn't know what she'd do if she found him playing about with that. No, she'd glimpsed a flash of ink and some parchment just now. Was he writing something? He'd mentioned a "she" earlier. What manner of plot was this?
"Is that what I think it is?"
He dug his heels in. "Depends."
The ghost of a scowl touched her face. "On?"
Naruto squared his shoulders. "On what you think it is."
Oho? He was going to be like that, was he? Well, two could play this game.
Her left foot began to tap against the ground. "Cease this foolishness at once, Naruto."
He lifted his chin in mulish defiance and didn't budge. "No idea what you're talking about, Ranni.
She huffed angrily at him. "Naruto."
He smiled right back. "Ranni!"
Once more, an impasse stretched between the two of them. Ranni crossed all four arms before her bosom. This time she was determined to be the victor. No tricks or traps would save him this time. He might be strong, but she had the patience of eternity; if he thought to outlast her, he would be sorely disappointed.
"Look!" Naruto stabbed a finger behind her. "Its Blaidd!"
Against her better judgement, Ranni heeded his words and spun. There was no sign of her loyal stepbrother to be found. Not a jot. Naturally when she looked back, Naruto was nowhere to be seen either. The fiendish fox had taken his chance and scarpered. All that remained of him were a few faint motes of golden light, fading laughter...and the book he'd been scribbling in?
Ranni looked left. Ranni looked right. Nary a soul in sight. Had he forgotten it in his haste?
Her brow furrowed as she approached the worn leather tome as a sheet of vellum. A wave of her hand flipped it open. Blank pages, fluttered past her vision. That didn't make a lick of sense. She'd seen him writing in the bloody thing, so where-aha! She snatched at one, stopping at a random place and held it up in the magelight. Her reward was great; he'd written on the back of the pages, the better to hide his work. This was no mere journal. Nay, not quite. She squinted to decipher the atrocious handwriting.
"How to cheer up the moody blue girl."
Her spirit stilled. What was this?
A series of wild entries were scrawled across the page, written in a rough hand.
"Tickle her, maybe? Nah, won't work. Body's a puppet."
He'd best not or she'd curse him.
"Does she like food? Can she even eat as she is now? Ask Ijji."
Her hand flicked out, turning to another page.
"From what Blaidd's told me, she's had a rough time of it. Try jokes, maybe? Does she like jokes? Maybe find her family? She's gotta have some in this world, even if she won't talk about 'em...
Here good eye widened as she continued to peruse his notes. This...this was not a diary at all. On and on it went as her eye roved down the page, a comprehensive list not of sordid schemes as she'd feared -dreaded!- but something else entirely. An odd feeling welled up in her soul; she couldn't bear to look anymore, and so she closed the tome and clutched it to her breast. Had she been capable of blushing her pale blue face would have been rose red. Fool of a boy. He was looking for ways to help her, actively and passively alike.
How...very sweet.
She hugged the book tighter still, overcome with a rare pang of emotion. He truly wasn't the fool he seemed to be; and yet she found herself taken in by this silly sentiment all the same.
Ranni the Witch did not giggle. No matter what some might say.
She would miss moments such as these, when their time of parting came.
Her breath hitched at the thought. This...this was for the best. He would understand. Eventually. Once she told him. Once she explained it to him. There were things she must do alone. This was her fate. Her destiny. Once Nokron was uncovered and the Finger Slayer Blade found, her journey would begin. Down the dark path of the Empyrean would she go at long last, to change the world...alone. For alone she must be, if her scheme was to succeed. It was better this way. The others would be safe from the Fingers and their assassins, until her work was done.
Why, then? Why did her heart hurt so, thinking of leaving them? Him.
She mustn't get attached. She'd told herself this.
And yet...
"Aha!" Blaidd's voice jolted her back to reality as he came up the stairs. "There you are, Ranni...?"
He trailed off, no doubt seeing her clutching the book to her bosom.
Ranni's head snapped up with a hiss. "You saw nothing."
Blaidd marched right back round. "Not a thing!"
Ranni glared at the space he'd occupied until she heard the clank of the lift receding downward. So too did her thoughts turn inward.
Naruto deserved a proper reward...wait. What was that last note, scribbled on the cover?
"If she won't smile, just make her squeal. More pranks?"
Her smile died an ugly death.
"Naruto!"
(.0.0.0.)
Naruto heard the shout and knew she'd seen his notes.
His face drained of all color. "She found the book, didn't she...?"
Iiji's face remained inscrutable behind his helm as he hammered out a new set of knives. "Indeed she did...
(...Time Marches Onward...)
"Armor?"
...that is indeed what I have given thee, yes."
"I get it," Naruto held up the dark blue and black leather, regarding the bits of steel interposed within. "But really? This is for me?"
Ranni preened but a little as he considered it. "I designed it mineself."
Well, the design had been hers, but Iiji had done the smithing, the mending, and the making. She'd not tell Naruto that. He'd never let her live it down. It was a fine piece of work if she said so herself, and she did. Rather reminiscent of the armor worn by the Black Knives, yet designed for a male body, it was forged of a darker blue, almost navy, even.
It beat seeing him stumbling around in those rags all day.
His voice warbled a little. "No one's ever given me armor before...I'm kinda touched. And hey, its light armor, too! I can move in this! I'm gonna put in on right now!"
Her eyes widened as he ripped off his shirt. "Oh...my...
Sense reasserted itself a moment later.
"Don't do that here! Out!"
(.0.0.0.)
A flustered Ranni was an adorable Ranni.
For Naruto, there was no greater truth in this world; he'd taken his shirt off as a joke; but even so, he didn't expect her to start slinging so quickly after he'd received his new armor. Ranni had taken one look at him and practically chased him out of her chamber before could fully finish undressing himself. Why? Was she shy? It wasn't anything she'd not seen before.
...you truly are a dense one, aren't you?
"Hey! I'm not that bad! Look, we'll finished getting dressed and go back up, no problem.
"Enjoying your new armor, are we?" a nasally voice intoned ahead of him as he tugged on the greaves. "You would be impressed by something so meager as this."
Naruto knew that voice...and wished he didn't.
Just like that, he good mood turned to so much as in his mouth. Leave it to a certain snake to stick his head where he wasn't wanted. No, calling this man a snake would've been an insult to Orochimaru. At least the snake Sanin had managed to -somewhat!- turn over a new leaf come the end of things. Ah, but Perceptor Seluvis?
Monstrous didn't even begin to describe the emotions he felt from him.
He thought that mask and gaudy hat hid his face; in truth his emotions were all too easy to read. Utterly unrepentant in every way, he reveled in chaos and pain, harming others...and worse. He'd no proof to act upon, but theill feeling around him persisted. Ranni said he had his uses and perhaps the man did, but that didn't mean he had to like him. And he didn't. Bastard was always plotting something.
"Whaddya want, bastard?" he pivoted, giving him the blackest look he could muster. "I'm not running another errand for you. Not after last time.
"No need, the man sniffed. "I've found an able assistant in your absence. Unlike you, they do not balk."
Enough with the platitudes. "Out. With. It."
"Down to brass tacks, then?" the man's mask hid his sneer, though his words didn't. "Very well. Stop wasting our Lady's time." he bulled on with a scoff, "Bad enough that she lavishes attention on that senile old giant and that beguiled hound of hers, but you? he has no need of a worthless stray like you." still he sniped back. "You are a blunt instrument, little more. I thought perhaps you might yet have your uses, but you'd since proven me wrong."
Naruto stepped to him. He knew that tone. He loathed it. "Because I wouldn't give that girl your potion."
The little man didn't waver. "You do not have the stomach required for this path."
...Let me eat him."
"Kurama, no. You'll get indigestion."
"Just one bite. That's all I ask. A little off the top."
He almost found himself temped. "That would be his head, ya know."
"Precisely."
"You do realize she has no use for you," Seluvis continued to twist the knife as he stood there, seething. "You are a court jester, little more. She will tire of you before long...as she has others."
Fine. He wanted a war of words? He hadn't been idle while he was here.
"Funny, coming from the guy who reminds me of Orochimaru."
The mage stilled. "...whatever does that mean?"
"It means I don't trust ya." he grabbed the preceptor by his shirt. "You step one foot outta line, and the foot comes off.
"My, my, quite the aggressive thing she's made you." a hand batted his palm away. "I didn't think you'd come to care for a doll."
"She is not a doll!" anger slipped its leash at last and he reared back with a hiss. "She's a person! Unlike you! You're a monster! How do you even live with yourself?!
Seluvis went still. "Be that as it may, I am far too useful for her to cast aside."
"Oh?" Naruto returned his sneer with a far more fearsome one, head pushing against his. "And what have you done lately, eh? Blade keeps Ranni safe, I make her happy, Iiji provides good counsel as well as repairing our weapons. Hell, the three of us will probably find Nokron long before you do. But you? All you've done is cower in your tower. So the question you need to ask yourself is this? What good are you?"
The man balked, and his point made, the blond whirled away, stalking off before the Perceptor could hope to get a word it.
He wasn't quite quick enough. The sly sorceror caught him at the door.
"You do realize she will die if things continue as they are."
Naruto froze.
"I speak of Lady Ranni, of course." Seluvis practically oozed smugness as he pivoted to face him. "How long will that body last? How long can she keep her soul shackled to that feeble doll before it fades entirely?" When he didn't reply, the madman tittered softly. "If you truly wish to grant her the destiny she desires, to free her from the shackles of her fate, then you must kill General Radahn and release the stars. Only then will you be able to find that which she seeks."
"You want me to kill a man on your word alone?" Naruto scoffed, not believing him for a moment. "You're lying."
"I am many things, but a liar is not one of them." a scroll bounced off his chest. "My associate Sellen will confirm everything I just told you. Seek her out if you don't believe me."
"I ain't killing anyone." An angry blue eye gleamed over his shoulder as he wrestled his temper down. Mustn't rise to the bait. "Thanks for the tip. I'll look into it-
"Or perhaps you could simply ask Lady Ranni." There was something in Seluvis' voice now. "After all, the dear General is her beloved brother."
Naruto knew the sorcerer was trying to sow doubt in his heart. Even so, his world went cold. "...what?"
"Oh? The slimy snake smirked, reeling him in. "My, my. Didn't she tell you? It must have slipped her mind. Since our fair lady seems to have forgotten, perhaps I should also tell you of Praetor Rykard, or poor, poor Renala...
A/N: Seluvis, no! Bad Seluvis! Stop being a prick-oh, who am I kidding? He'll get his.
Did you know Ranni and Blaidd used to play games with one another as children? Iiji, too! Who knew?!
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, Would You Kindly?
And have some previews.
Granted, some are far off, but still...
(Previews)
"Seluvis, Seluvis, Seluvis." a shadow fell over him. "What's this potion I found? And who the hell is Pidia?"
A bead of sweat ran down the man's brow. "I haven't the foggiest idea."
"See, I thought you'd say that. Blaidd? BITE."
"Mother..."
...you can't talk, can you?"
The Tarnished shouldered their sword and shrugged.
"Ah. Vow of silence, then? You faith builds always were a bit wonky......
"Hello, Melina. Still seeking a champion, are we?"
"Ranni." The kindling maiden reared back. "Why have you come?"
"Can we not simply have discourse for the sake of discourse? I would offer you an accord but-
"Nay!" A hand cracked out, seeking her cheek, only to be caught at the wrist. You don't get to say those words!"
"Whyever not, sister?"
"Do you hear me!" Naruto roared at the crazed shell of a man, still perched on his chest. "I'm talking about Ranni! Your sister!" a headbutt blooded the goliath's nose and stunned him. "Remember, damnit! Just stop holding back the stars! Do it for her!"
...Ra...nni...?"
Radahn went still as stone, all fight leaving his body as he sprawled on the dunes. He barely even breathed. Naruto winced. He'd take it after that flurry of blows. Say what you would, but demigods hit hard!
"Yes! There we go." he blew out a sigh, relieved a this victory. "Now lets just talk about this. There's gotta be a way to fix ya. Just let me think!"
"RANNI!"
A sudden surge of gravity magic ripped Naruto into the air. He was still airborne when a falling star smote him from the night sky and drilled him into the ruined land.
"Bugger." Blaidd winced from where he lay. "He's definitely dead this time. There's just no way he could..."
A trembling fist arose from the crater, bearing a middle fingered salute.
"Radahnyouabsolutesonuvabitch!"
...survive?
Ranni's brow shot into her hair, and so too did she leap from her chair. "That wound! Sit down at once!"
"I'm fine," he tried to laugh it off to no avail. "You should see the other guy-
Her eye was cold at ice. "Sit. Down."
Naruto sat.
R&R~!