A/N: Took a bit longer, but I wanted this chapter, and other chapters for other updates, to be a good one.
Amazing what a good bit of feedback can do for motivation? Downright miraculous.
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: Update schedule?!
A: Not giving it this time. You'll all be satisfied in the end, rest assured.
Q: (On another story) Where have you been?! I thought you died!
A: Bad leg, remember? Vanished for four days to polish up things and heal. Now, behold!
Q: You best be giving us a battle soon old man, before my heart gives out from anticipation!
A: Show some mercy to this old codger. You'll have your fight, with whom you least expect.
Q: Damnit, Seluvis! Don't go spilling the beans!
A: Naruto's fine with secrets, but this one he might not like...
Q: Can Ranni's family be saved?
A: Save would be the operative word. Can some be saved? Sure. Its possible. But do they deserve to be? Rykard's inviting folks to his "family" in the Volcano Manor. Radahn's a raging brute down in the Caelid Wilds, with barely a bit of wits left about him, yet still holding back the stars. Rennala's gone insane, rebirthing her followers over and over again until they're twisted shells of their former selves.
And we all know the fate that befalls Radagon, do we not? Who slays him? Cant remember.
Its on the tip of my tongue. Oh! That's right.
WE DO.
Q: Please, please, please don't let this push Naruto and Ranni apart. He'll understand, right! He has to understand!
A: Read and see. I'll not spoil it.
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~!
"There is a saying batted about the Lands Between. A phrase older even than I. The heart wants what the heart wants."
...is that why you and mother tried to kill each other before? When you first met?"
"Ha! T'was hardly that simple but I suppose it seemed such to many the time. Tell me, what does your heart desire, little Ranni? What do you seek from life, mine daughter? Surely there must be something you seek from this life. Thou art an Empyrean, after all. Please, tell me. I'll not speak a word of it. You have my word."
...promise you'll not tell? Nary a soul?"
"I swear on the Order."
"...!"
"Ah. A fine answer. I hope you'll find a fine partner someday, just as I found your mother...
~Young!Radagon and Little!Ranni (Past).
Thy Heart Burns
"You have a brother."
Ranni shifted restlessly in her chair atop her books, trying -and failing!- to quell the sudden pang of dread she experienced at Naruto's inquiry. It was no use. His glare pinned her. Rooted her where she sat. Worry writhed up in her heart, fracturing her calm; scattering her self control to the four winds. She knew that look well. It was the look of an angry man; one who could not be reasoned with, couldn't be dissuaded, nor distracted, nor diverted. And so she schooled her face into an impassive mask, lifted her chin, looked him straight in the eye, and spoke...
"Oh? Whatever brought this on?"
Naruto absolutely twitched.
If there had been a door to her chamber, he would've slammed it behind him.
Lacking such an amenity he bulled forward instead, nigh on storming into her personal space.
"A little bird told me." He wasn't done with her, yet. Not by a country mile. "You have two brothers," He loomed over her in her chair. "A mother and a father, too. Funny how you failed to mention that."
"I do not-
"Wish to speak of it?" he parroted the words back at her with a snarl. "I thought so. Or at least I thought I knew. Seems I was wrong! How could you leave them like that?!"
Ranni's world went cold, colder than the dark moon spell for which she was known. Because he knew. Naruto. Knew. The look in his eye said it all, both judged and despaired of her in equal measure. Her sole consolation was that he didn't seem to be damning her just yet. Mayhap that would come later.
Which begged the question; how did he know?
He'd not left the tower recently, and they'd had no visitors...that she knew of.
Blaidd would sooner die than speak of her past, while Iiji was loathe to even remember what transpired.
So then who? Who wanted to see her joy turn to ash in her mouth? Who would dare speak of such a thing, let alone stand to gain from said revelation; the looming rift that might form between her and Naruto as a result? The answer came to her quickly. Almost painfully so.
Seluvis.
Her temper was a slow thing to stir, but stir now it did, cold and cruel. That slimy snake! She'd make him him rue the day. But after. First she must make this right before affairs spiraled out of her control. Pivoting but a little in her seat, she steepled her four hands anew, fighting to keep the pain from her voice.
"How much did he tell you?"
"He told me enough." Naruto nearly bit off her words. "Is it true?"
Blast. Ranni's throat closed despite herself. "You must understand, I had no-
Twin fingers flicked her forehead, cutting her retort painfully short. "Is. It. True."
He was well and truly furious with her now, for reasons she couldn't comprehend. Why? For her keeping secrets? He'd seemed fine with it when last they spoke. Why would he be so angry now? He, who had never poked her, never prodded her beyond her means -not truly- to now be incensed beyond measure; it baffled her beyond measure.
"Did you know? What happened to them? What they became?" her silence must've been answer enough; because he bridled. "How could you leave them like that?"
"..."
"I would have killed -killed!-," he tore at his hair," To have a huge family like yours, especially growing up." the naked pain in his eyes brought her up short. "All my life. I grew up with nothing. I came from nothing. To just have a single sibling...that would've meant the world to me. You had more! And you abandoned yours. I thought you understood!"
Ranni reared back, eye wide. Then she surged forward.
"I do understand!" She hopped down off her chair and glared up at him -blast his height!- as best her feeble frail body would allow. "I loved my family-nay!" something cracked in her body as she moved a tad too fast, but she paid it no heed. "I do love them!"
"Then why did you let them fall apart like that?!"
"What would you have me do?!" She grabbed a fistful of his hair and yanked his head down to hers. "Storm Volcano Manor and slay Rykard? With what army? We were but three before you came along. I cannot hope to face him. A single blow would surely shatter this body of mine and he would devour my soul. Is that what you want? Me to join his wretched family?"
Naruto recoiled, but she was too lost in her rage to care.
"And let us not forget dear brother Radahn!" Ranni cracked the verbal whip that was her tongue, relishing in his flinch, "The Great General Radahn! Foremost warrior of his generation, strongest of the demigods! As I am now, I'm naught but kindling compared to him!" She snapped her fingers, producing a hollow pop. "In his prime he brought Malenia herself low, laid her at death's door; he was a breath away from killing her!" He should have too, but for his blasted honor! "He would have too, if that petty creature hadn't unleashed her Rot! Even now mad as he is he, he remains the foremost warrior of his generation. He'd tear Blaidd and Iiji apart!"
His resolve was wavering. She no longer cared. "I didn't mean-
"And my mother?" She snapped her teeth at him when he made to speak, silencing him anew. "I confess my "death" played a small part in her current state, but she was broken long before my machinations took flight! I wish it were otherwise! T'was no fault of mine she fell to madness after Father-Radagon!- cast her aside for Queen Marika!"
Remarkably, he rallied and pulled away. "...I'm sorry. I didn't think this through; didn't consider yer feelings...
No! Nay! Never! She was well and truly in a rage now, lashing out at him, at her family at the world; at everything that had gone so terribly, horribly wrong.
"No! You never do!" She could no longer shed tears in this body, but here in this moment, she would if she could. "Blind, bloody fool!" her shoulders shook, hands balled up at her sides, itching to grab him again if only to slap him silly. "Thou art the biggest blond braggart I have ever had the displeasure of meeting...and I hath known more than a few!"
His eyes sparked but he held his tongue. She wished he wouldn't. She wanted him to shout and rage and rant with her.
Yet he couldn't even give her that, would he?
She grit her teeth to stifle a snarl but there could be no denying the ire that burned within her breast.
"Time and time again you'll charge ahead, and to hell with the consequences." a finger jabbed up at his chin, pricking his lip. "What if you die?! Or worse?! Become like them! I could not stand it!" something tore out of her and she wasn't sure if it was a gasp or a sob. "I wish I was the monster you thought I was. Perhaps then I could harden my heart to this!"
His face crumpled. "I don't think you're a monster...
"No?!" She whirled away, arms crossed before her chest. "Thy deeds say otherwise. Get out. I do not wish to speak to you anymore on this day."
Naruto hung his head...but didn't budge.
She couldn't bear it. She needed to be alone. Now.
"Art thou deaf?" she rounded on him. "I said out. Leave my presence at once."
"..."
"Ah." a cold pang of discord flowered anew within her heart. Had she broken him? "And who would you have me send to face mine family, then?" Still she drove the fell dagger of her words deep. "You? Are you truly that arrogant? You are a mortal. These are demigods. They would tear you limb from limb and cast your corpse for the crows!"
Still no response. Her temper slipped its leash. "Why do you stand there so? Have you gone deaf?"
Naruto didn't listen, of course. Why would he?! He never did! When he stepped forward she stepped back but he was just too blasted quick. Strong arms wrapped around Ranni's back, even as his chin came down around her shoulders. Her frail form creaked and she kicked out against him to avail. Blasted bastard held fast. Eventually her struggles lessened. Even if her temper didn't at first.
"Release me at once!" she could not cry. "This very instant." It still hurt. "Now!"
He did not, the silly fool. "I'll make it right, Ranni."
"You will not! You cannot!"
"I CAN!" His head butted against hers, and she realized his eyes had gone red. A blink and it was gone. "Just you watch!"
"You cannot save them. There is no known means to reverse the Scarlet Rot, nor to undo what...Rykard has become. To say nothing of mother." she bit her lip to stifle a pitiful noise. "They are shells of their former selves. You cannot save them. Abandon this fool quest."
"Wanna bet?" His hand swept up under her chin. Steel blue eyes blazed at her. "Believe in me. Just you wait. I'll drag them back."
It was foolish to even hope. Yet a small part of her dared. "And if you cannot?"
A tiny, sad smile bloomed across those whiskered cheeks.
"Then I'll put 'em to rest. Least I can do."
His peace said, he released her, butted his head against hers one last time, and walked away. Nary another word nor goodbye was uttered. He just told her to wait and marched out. The gall! She wanted to spit, to storm after him, slap him upside the head and shout at him besides.
"Do not die!" Her voice betrayed her, echoing after his fading footfalls. "I will brook no disobedience in this matter!"
"Right, right." he waved without looking back as he descended the stairs. "Just stay here. I'll Have a surprise for ya, one way or another.
Something wet ran down her cheek.
Oh. The realization broke Ranni. Her body could not cry. She knew this in her heart.
But her soul could.
Ranni felt her knees hit the ground.
And if she shed a single tear...no one saw.
(.0.0.0.)
Blaidd was waiting for him when he left the Rise.
In hindsight Naruto wasn't surprised. They hadn't been quiet.
Try as he might, he couldn't help but feel proud about that last bit.
Arguing with her...had not gone as intended. Still it had given him focus. Clarity. Ranni wasn't the villain Seluvis had painted her as. Sneaky sorcerer. He'd pay for that. He had a goal in mind now, vague though it was, if not necessarily a destination. But first, he could feel her Shadow watching him, waiting for an answer.
"How much of that did you hear?"
"Enough." the wily half wolf pushed himself off a crumbling wall. "Wouldn't be surprised if Queen Marika herself heard that ruckus."
"Spare me." Naruto felt his face burn at the reminder but pressed on, pushing past him. "If you're here to try and talk some sense into me, don't bother." he stooped down, grabbed his back, slung it over his shoulder, and kept walking. "Already got enough of that from Ranni...
"I know." much to his surprise her shadow fell into step with him seamlessly. Sorry you have to find out this way."
"Its fine."
No. No, it wasn't. Not in the least. Damn Seluvis. Had he know this would happen? He wanted to smack the old mage. Probably would, once he was done here.
"She's been hurting all this time." he looked out into the mists instead, pondering his next move. "Why haven't you and Iiji done anything?"
Blaidd fell silent. But only for a moment.
"We have, as best we can." when he finally spoke he sounded even more chagrined than he felt. "I've got a strong sword arm, but I can't face an army on my own. And the old smith isn't what he used to be. Seluvis wouldn't dare stick his neck out for fear of a Witch Hunter lopping it off. You know his kind.
Note to self. Lead a Hunter to him.
"You can't expect me to stand by and do nothing."
"Know that, too." a fist cuffed his shoulder. "That's why I'm going with you."
A spark of confused irritation kindled deep within his chest. "I don't even know where I'm going...
"Perfect." he received a lupine grin in exchange. "All the more reason to need a guide."
Naruto stopped short. "Which is closer?"
Blaidd, bless his simple soul, cottoned on almost immediately."
"That would be Lady Rennala, without a doubt." Only, and here he looked away, scratching at his snout, "She's not in her right mind at the moment."
"So I've been told. Tell me more about her.
"She's locked away in the academy, rebirthing her followers over and over.
His right ear twitched, intrigue rearing its pleasant head. "Rebirth? The heck is that? A jutsu or something...?"
"S'what it sounds like, I reckon." Blaidd gave a halfhearted shrug of his own. "Supposedly its imperfect; that, or there's a missing component. Lady Ranni didn't seem to know, an' I didn't care to ask at the time." Craning his neck back, he spared the tower a glance. I could go up there and ask-
A crash came from the upper level, followed by a frustrated shout.
Both men winced.
"Nevermind."
Naruto prodded him. "There's something else you're not telling me."
"Not by choice, my friend." for the first time since he'd met him, Ranni's shadow shook. Physically shuddered, as he'd never shivered before. "I've seen the things in that room, through the looking glass." Another tremor, now. "She's got a gaggle of giggling girls dragging themselves across the floor, biting at your ankles. The room itself is a trap. Anyone who enters doesn't emerge again. They become one of those...things."
"But she's not actively trying to harm people, is she?" Naruto posited. "She just...defends herself from intruders?"
"For the most part, yes."
"Which would you say is the most dangerous?" he had to know, else he'd never be able to live with himself. "To themselves, or others? Who should be dealt with first?"
"Radan's trapped in Caelid last I heard," before his very eyes, a finger pointed to the east," While old Rykard's hiding in Mt. Gelmir; near the Volcano Manor, supposedly." now that lone digit swept toward the west. "Both are clear across the kingdom in any case, and in different directions at that. What's your plan? I know that look. Got something up your sleeve, do you?"
Maybe. A mad plan, but just mad enough to work. Naruto told him.
"Aha! Then the way ahead is pleasingly simple!" Blaidd smacked a fist into an open palm. "We fight our way through, with fang and claw."
The ghost of a smile touched his face. "We're doing this then? Here? Now?"
"Nothing less for my sister." The old wolf puffed out his chest.
They shook on it.
"For Lady Ranni, then.
Naruto laughed and clapped his shoulder.
"For that silly blue girl who can't be honest with herself."
"Oi, now!' Surely she's not that bad."
Naruto quirked a lone eyebrow.
Blaidd demurred with a sigh.
"Aye, maybe she is...
(.0.0.0.)
Ranni peered at them from her broken window.
And as she did, a frown with her face.
What were they plotting?
One of them -Naruto!- raised a fist into the air. He didn't turn to face her, nor could she quite hear his words from here, but the gesture stuck with her. A stray breeze blew across the rise, ruffling his unruly blond hair. He kept his fist in the air a moment longer and spoke again. The winds carried his words to her.
...we're off."
Her soul skipped a beat. "Take care."
Her tongue, loosened by emotion, betrayed her utterly, and the words escaped her.
She knew at once that he had heard her; if only because his shoulders stiffened. Whiskered cheeks dimpled and even from here, she knew he must be smiling. Ranni's shattered soul seared at having been caught out and she ducked back in. Take care?! She was no housewife to send them off, no mere mewling Maiden to wish them well!
The Witch buried her head in all four of her hands.
Blast.
Blast it.
Blast it all.
He'd best come back safe.
The last she saw of them, they marched into the mists.
(.0.0.0.)
To be a knight was to hold honor above all.
Honor to one's house, honor to one's lord or lady, and honor to one's self.
Such vows could not be forskaen, even unto death; indeed, as Tarnished they transcended it.
Which made it somewhat flabbergasting for Moongrum, Carian Knight, when he found himself face to face with his own demise. Such was no unexpected of course; as the last line of defense for Lady Rennala, it fell to him to ward off any assassins, or would-be visitors; few indeed were those who made it past him.
And yet here he found himself, sprawled out like a helpless recruit in the muck, beaten and battered from head to toe.
"Sorry about this," a young, drawling voice echoed over him. "Take a little nap for a bit, would ya?"
A fist descended and he fell into the sweet embrace of slumber.
Forgive me, my lady...I've failed...
(.0.0.0.)
The doors parted.
Rennala paid them little heed at first.
Why should she? She had no fond thoughts for doors.
Doors were meant for closing, not opening. Tight and shut and locked they were and meant to be, nothing more.
My, that was an odd thought, wasn't it? She'd been having an awful lot of those as of late.
These days she dwelt on little beyond such, her precious sweetings and the golden egg entrusted to her by her beloved. Dear, sweet Radagon. Foul, treacherous Radagon! He who had forsaken her for that witch Marika, cast her aside as if she were nothing, no one, no She hated him. She loved him. She no longer wished to see him. She yearned for him.
She had been better than this once...before. She knew she shouldn't be this way, her thoughts in tatters, but it was so very hard to think these days...
Ah, but the doors were opening still, and the noise was such that she could no longer ignore it. Her thoughts were, it not entirely dispelled, shoved aside for the moment. Those doors were not meant to open. And yet they had. Which mean...betrayal. Moongrum had turned his blade on her at last, like all the rest, hadn't he? How else could one slip past him so soon after the last?
No matter. She would defend herself to the last, broken though she was.
Her sweetings were already moving to engage the intruder, dragging themselves across the floor in their haste to welcome to him. She could not see his face within the dark hood he wore, but she heard the noise he gave when he saw her "children", a grunt of confusion, and dare she say, disgust...?
"Hush little culver." she hummed softly to herself. "I'll soon birth thee anew, a sweeting, fresh and pure...
Gloved fingers peeled back his hood, exposing his face. "Sorry, m'afraid I'll have to pass."
Thought trailed off as she laid eye on the warrior. This...blond boy who had just walked right past her sweetings, heedless of them nipping at his heels. He saw her. He looked up at her now, peered past her golden shield, with eyes of molten gold. Those eyes. The look in them, gentle yet strong.
"You're Ranni's mom, aint'cha?"
There was a grim countenance about him, and a staid boldness that she recognized.
He reminded her of...him.
Radagon.
Lacking in stature perhaps, and not a hint of those flowing red locks, but the eyes, oh the eyes. They were gold. Just like her beloved. Her mind flinched aside at the thought.
"I'm here to ask ya about this whole Rebirth thing you've got going on." he called up to her. "Would you mind answering a few questions?"
Curiosity dawned with Rennala's ravaged mind, bringing with it a rare moment of lucidity. "You wish to be reborn after all, then?"
"No, no," he waved both hands emphatically. "Not me. I'm here to ask for another. How does it work?" his eyes settled upon her egg. "Got something to do with that, does it?"
Too clever by half, this one. Alas, her moment of clarity faded, taking that sliver of sanity with it.
"Come," she crooned, beckoning unto him. "Let me show thee...
"Don't bother." a low, familiar voice intoned, a bitter blade to cut through her thoughts like a knife. "She's lost her mind. You'll have to snap her out of it."
"Oi!" the blond rounded on him. "I can handle this, Blaidd. There's no need to fight her...
Her gaze fixed on him, and a flicker of her old self stirred. Blaidd. Half wolf. Failure. Unable to protect that which she valued above all else...
He let her die that night, the voices crooned in her head, dark in their dirge. Kill him. Avenger her. Avenge Ranni...
Yes...yes, she must avenge her dearest daughter. Such trespass could not go unpunished. There would be no rebirth for him. Only suffering. Only pain. Only torment. And there at the end of it all, an ignoble end for such a worthless failure of a servant.
"Blaidd...
The half wolf stiffened. "Aye?"
"You failed my daughter...you let her perish...
He didn't rise to the bait. "I've no idea what you're on about."
Her shield fractured. "Lies...there must be recompense...for your temerity...
"Wait!" The boy stepped up beside him, distracting her, if only for a moment. "Just hold on for a second and let me explain! Ranni ain't dead! She's alive!"
Rennala's world ground to a halt.
What trickery was this? Her daughter? Ranni? Alive?
Hope flowered in her heart, only to wither and die a moment later.
Another crack etched itself in her protective shield...and her mind. An ugly feeling rose within her. How cruel. Betrayal after betrayal, heaped upon lies and falsehoods. All had forsaken her, save her sweet, sweetings. And now this boy...this knave...came here, lying with his forked tongue? Was that his game? To try and stir hope in her, fleeting though it might be, only to tear it away from her? It hurt. It hurt, it hurt, it hurt! She hurt as she hadn't hurt since Radagon's betrayal, since Ranni's death, since Rykard's blasphemy, since Radahn's descent into madness...so much pain...pain...and now this...?!
She raised her gaze from the egg, still cradled against her breast, eyes smoldering. "You lie...
"I really don't?" How could he smile so, when he spoke wickedness? "If you hear me out, I'm sure we can come to an understanding."
Another fracture. Another break. Her fingers tightened round Radagon's egg, scratching the surface. Why must he persist in such spiteful slander?
"Do not defile my daughter with your falsehoods!" she ground her teeth, strangling a snarl. "Let her rest in peace!"
"Oi! I ain't lying! Look," he reached into his pocket, "I've got a doll of her right here. She can communicate through this. Here! Listen!"
He offered it unto her, but it was silent in his grasp. His face paled. "Ranni?! A little help?! Mind saying something?!" still he blanched. Shaking the doll availed him naught. "Don't tell me she took another nap?! Of all the time to fall asleep...!"
Indeed, the doll said not a word, and with each moment of its silence, Rennala seethed anew.
More ticks! And now he thought to deceive her with a fascimile?!
"I wont have another whiff of thy rotten breath!"
Her shield shattered around her, shards of golden glass falling to the floor like so much rain. Trembling feet alighted upon the cold, unfeeling ground, standing for the first time in an age. And with it her fury, it all came rushing back. For so long she had lain in her grief, wallowed in as a wretch would. She'd not fought or resisted, nor raised a hand against anyone, save for self defense. Even as her husband forsook her, her family abandoned her, children perished one by one. As the academy turned against her and shuttered her away, not a once had she willingly sought to harm a single solitary soul.
But even the mad have their limits. Rennala had just reached hers.
They thought her mad, did they?! She would show them mad!
She was no god, not a demigod, even. But she was a mistress of magic, a warrior, despite her mortality.
Once upon a time she had waged war against Radagon himself, and fought a deity to a standstill. She had stood tall against a god. And this boy dared...?!
Drawing herself up to her full, towering height, she conjured her staff to her right hand and loomed large over this whelp of a boy, with his unfaithful hound. Was it wrong that she took some small petty pleasure in the way their eyes widened, nor the silence that followed? Perhaps. But she cared not a jot for their thoughts.
All around her, the very room shifted, a pearly white moon rising behind her as the floor became so much water.
This was her world. Her domain, her power returned to her, if only for these few fleeting minutes.
"I am Queen Rennala of the Full Moon," she intoned solemnly, "And I have had enough!"
"Yuuuup," the blond boy drawled the word out, stretching the syllable into absurdity. "You're definitely Ranni's mom." he kept speaking the fool, heedless of his own peril. "That's her look, through and through. Damn you really are tall...
Rennala absolutely hissed. "Enough of thy unbearable breath!"
A comet of purest light struck the blond braggart in the chest and hurled him away. His body skipped across the shallow waters, smoking and spitting so much steam. Without bothering to ascertain his fate, she rounded on her daughters stoic shadow. Credit where it was due, Blaidd did not waver. Nor did he draw his sword. He stared his death in the eye and seemed to welcome it wholeheartedly. More fool he, too! His end would be a swift one. Even if he didn't deserve such.
"And for for thee, disloyal dog." she raised her scepter with a sneer. "Join mine daughter in destined death!"
Someone tugged her sleeve.
Rennala whirled in place.
"Sorry about this."
Something struck her in the stomach, staggering her. She doubled over with a gasp. Folded over the clenched knuckles even now protruding into her torso. But only for a moment. Her hand cracked out, batting the blond aside. A spellbot winged out after him and was summarily slapped aside. Then another. Another still. Each casually deflected with a single hand. As someone had once done before him.
Hatred boiled into mindless frothing fury, red overtaking her vision.
Rennala raised her scepter with a shriek.
And the battle was joined.
A/N: Seemed a good stopping point. Until next time!
Really tried to reflect the madness of Rennala here. Hopefully, I succeeded.
Its stated canon that she was a force to be reckoned with in her prime; this MORTAL woman fought the dreaded Radagon to a standstill, seduced him, and got three kids off him, essentially making him a househusband until Marika called him back to the capital!
Rennala's damn tall, too...poor Ranni.
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)
Surrender the Witch and her Great Rune. The Two Fingers will it.
...I've got one finger for you right here. Care to see it?"
His opponent twitched.
Blaidd tossed his head from side to side. "I'd never betray lady Ranni."
"I know you won't, big guy. C'mon. Lets finish the fight."
"Collecting Great Runes, are we?"
"Maybe. I've got an idea...
Seluvis sneered. "Insolent fool. You'll see. They'll all see...
Ranni sat in his lap.
Naruto went still as stone.
"Ranni? Why are you looking at me like that...?"
"Not another word." She leaned forward before her heart could fail her and took his face between two of her hands. Her forehead kissed his. "Be still...
"Wake up, you slimy bastard! I know you're in there!"
...very well. You! Join the serpent king as famillllyyyyy!" And so the abomination spoke; his low, rasping voice filling the chamber. "Togetha, we shall devour...the very gods!"
A spear clanked down against the volcanic floor.
"How's about you fuuuuuuuck right off!"
"Come for the festival, have you?"
Naruto tugged down his hood. "Something like that...
There was a sword in his chest.
"Well." He coughed blood. "That's gonna leave a mark."
R&R~!