A/N: Not my best work, but its the best I can do with the flu beating me down.
Trying to keep the daily updates going, but its getting more difficult. Probably going to sleep for the entire day after this...
Once more, we're sticking with the "Embers" rule for this little tale. Sad to say, but if folks don't like this, it won't be continued. Meaning that if the story itself ain't popular? Well, I'll lose the drive to continue it! 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.
Working nearly all hours of the day keep me absurdly busy, and I can't bring myself to write something folks don't like.
No questions this time, got a lot of ground to cover and a looooong chapter ahead! Here we go!
Alright, then, this old man has kept you long enough now! I'll let you enjoy the story.
As ever, I own no quotes, references, themes or memes. Not a wit or a one!
They're tributes to legends far greater than I~!
Biiiiig one right here.
"Our journey nears its climax. Will you stay with me still? Even until the end?
...ah. An answer most fitting. I expected no less.
"Shall we go, then?"
~?
Thy Bleeding Heart (Interlude)
Moonlight blue eyes opened with a start.
Because you see, Ranni felt it.
Everything.
Pale light shimmered over her skin as she lay sprawled out in her bed. She raised one of her hands. Felt the faint chill of the cold air in her chambers, her fingers flexing when she willed it. No longer were they the numb instrument of her will, but flesh and blood once more. Was this how it felt to have flesh? She'd long since forgotten the sensation. It...tingled. A pleased smile graced her pale features.
She touched a hand to her face. Felt it.
Four palms flitted across her body, inspecting herself furthr.
Hmm. Everything seemed to be in place, perhaps a bit better endowed than she remembered...but still so short!
To be fair, she'd gained at least an inch in terms of height, but in comparison to her former Empyrean flesh, she was woefully lacking. Naruto was yet taller than her, something he'd no doubt tease her about once she tracked him down. Still this was the form her subconscious had chosen. Her once flaming red locks were well and truly lost to her for good now; her gleaming golden eyes a thing of the past. She had divested herself of them in their entirety, chosen to remain in the guise of her mentor rather than regain that which she once lost.
And now, once again, she could feel.
She was not complete, not a goddess true, not yet, but she couldn't keep herself from smiling.
Smiling softly to herself rose from her bed and padded across the room toward the mirror beyond. The floor was deliciously cold beneath her bare feet; she reveled in the sensation, shedding her heavy robes and hat as she went. She found herself shivering a little despite it all. Even so, she admired herself in the mirror. Ah. Her right eye was still sealed for now. A small price to pay, she suppoed. Her hair was smooth, her skin supple, her power intact. On her terms, not those of the wretched two fingers.
It felt like coming home from a long journey.
...but where was Naruto?
She had hoped to wake and find him here.
Yet he was gone. Vanished without so much as a trace.
It baffled her, angered her, infuriated her in equal measure.
Where was he?! She wanted to hunt him down and pin him to a wall!
With a huff, she reached down, drawing her robes around her bare body. "Where the devil did he run off to this time...?"
(.0.0.0.)
"Come to pay an old smith a visit, have you?"
Naruto hummed a response as he plonked down beside Iiji. "More less."
The old troll didn't begrudge him that; his helmed head remained firmly focused on the task at hand. How someone so large could make human-sized tools he knew not; but Iiji did it masterfully. They might not be the sharpest blades, or even the fastest, but they would never falter. Even here in Raya Lucaria his skills didn't bend or break, even for a moment; he tended his forge well; relentlessly crafting blades by the dozens. Blades they would probably need in the coming days, if Rykard's words were true.
"War is coming, boy. Best be prepared."
The old snake had sent Tanith back to Volcano Manor to rally what remained of his forces while he convalesced from his wounds. He'd not heard from him since. Ranni would be fine when she woke up; there were things he needed to discuss with him while she wasn't around. Radahn was due to wake up any day now, and once he did, things would be set into motion.
No time like the present, then. "How good are you with that hammer of yours?
"Good enough." a low, bemused rumble pierced the troll's helm. "Would you like me to craft something for you?"
Kurama offered a rueful chuckle of his own. "Finally making your move, are you?"
He made his request. Iiji stilled for a moment, hearing him out. Considered his words, now.
...aye." he said at length. "I can do that. Did you have a certain stone in mind?"
Naruto offered one, hiding its color within the palm of his free hand.
Iiji accepted it with surprising dexterity, turning the gem over. Nimble fingers for an old man. He didn't drop it. Not once. Gingerly he pulled out a golden box, opened it, dropped the gem within, and set it aside atop a pile of white cloth for safekeeping. Only then did he turn to face him once more.
"A fine color." he said at the last. "I take it you've chosen the metal for the ring's band?
He reached into his satchel and withdrew the chosen item. "...I have."
Iiiji saw through him. "You intend to surprise our lady."
Naruto couldn't quite hide his smile. "Maybe?"
"Very well. Give me three day, and it will be ready."
Perfect." he bounded to his feet. "I'm thinking about heading to Nokron with Blaidd in the meantime.
...do you, now?" The smith's hammer stilled on the anvil. "While lady Ranni slumbers? I would not recommend it."
His brow furrowed, not quite comprehending. "Why?"
"She will be cross with you."
"I know. But I wanted to save her the trouble of-ow!" Iiji's hammer descended, swatting the back of his head. He yelped in surprise, not pain. "What was that for?!"
"For being foolish." Iiji returned to his smithing, but there could be no mistaking the bite behind his words. "You've come far, but you mustn't charge ahead now. Make no mistake, once you find the Finger-Slaying-Blade, there can be no going back. Lady Ranni loves you. She may be loathe to admit it at times, but if harm were to befall you, she would be heartbroken. Nor will the Two Fingers will not tolerate any further heresy from you."
Easy for him to say. "Then why have they ignored us so far?
"Have they?" that great helm tilted toward him. "Consider this from their point of view. As far as they care concerned, we've gathered three Great Runes here in the academy. A fine prize for a bold Tarnished. I would not be surprise if one made the attempt."
Naruto felt his eyes flash red. "They'll regret it."
"That they would, but as you well know, death means precious little in this lands...without the right tool.s" A shiver shook his wizened frame. "And there are worse things than death. Much worse." He touched one hand to his helmet, voice gone haunted behind his mirror helm. "I dare not remove this for fear that very thing, of them finding me. One of their agents is already among us, though he knows it not.
Silence stretched between them. He gave voice to it. "You're talking about Blaidd, aren't you?"
"You already suspect, then. Good." Iiji's wizened helm bobbed in acknowledgement. "That saves me the trouble of a lengthy explanation. Blaidd was created by the Two Fingers as a "shackle" of sort for Lady Ranni. When she rebels, when she seeks out the Fingers to slay them, he will turn on her. On us. On you."
A rare ember of anger sparked in him. "He won't. We both know he's better than that!"
"He may wish to be, but he cannot stop his destiny."
Blaidd was his friend, damnit. They'd fought together. Shed blood together. Even drank together. The idea of that stubborn old wolf turning on them -any of them!- proved utterly unfathomable for him. He planted his feet, crossed both arms over his armored chest, and shook his head.
"We make our own destiny, Iiji. I thought you knew that."
"His has already begun to unravel...which is why I have made preparations.
Realization dawned, ugly and appalling. "Is that why I haven't seen him for the last two days?"
"I cannot tell you."
Too bad. He would. "Now just hear me out, Iiji. There's no need to lock Blaidd away. I've got an idea."
"Do you, now?" he felt a flicker of concern stir in the old troll's withered chest.
His mirror helm tilted toward him.
"Tell me."
(.0.0.0.)
Ranni entered the library.
Swift footsteps carried her past mother. She Knelt before the chest.
Even then could feel Rennala's gaze searing into her back. Her quiet curiosity.
Fumbling fingers flailed at the lock. Turned the key. Eased it open with nary a creak of well oiled hinges. Sure enough, her ring awaited her within. She stared at it. Wavered. Did she dare? With her ring and this oath, she could begin her ascension. Could she? But the idea of simply slaying the Two Fingers and leaving him behind...that hurt even more.
Was she considering this? She was. The realization humbled her.
Once she would have scoffed at such, but now? They'd been through so much together it felt like only yesterday he'd first stumbled upon her tower. Chaos had come in his wake to be sure, but it was that very chaos that had propelled her to where she was now. Since then, her life had come full circle.
Now all that remained was Nokron...and the ascension to follow...if one were to ignore Naruto's feelings toward her imminent departure.
That was an argument forestalled for now, but not forsaken. They would come back to it one day and soon. They must, before things came to a head.
But before that, she must face the rest of her kin, and her sins.
Did she regret what had befallen Godwyn? Yes. Immeasurably. She could have persuaded the Black Knives to seek another, anyone else, yet she'd encouraged them to seek Marika's firstborn instead. Because in her heart of hearts, she could not bear the idea of sacrificing Radahn or Rykard on the altar of her ambition.
Weakness on her part. And was it to wrong to want freedom?
She'd seen what the Greater Will had done to Father. It had taken him, broken him, left him a shell of what he once was. He who had once bounced her on his knee as he told her grand stories and bedtimes, he who had bandaged her every scrape and bruise, he who held her close when her first falcon died, rendered a mere pawn by the Fingers.
She would not become that. She would never become that. She was no one's puppet!
The Black Knives would need to be dealt with as well. Their goals had aligned for a time, but no longer. They would surely object to her scheme.
Their journey was nearing its end, but there were still loose ends to prune before her ascension.
The Omen brothers, Morgott and Mohg, yet remained. As did the twin prodigies Miquella and Malenia. Godwyn's remains must be laid to rest in the depths. She'd not seen it, but she'd heard terrible things. It was a task she dreaded, an undertaking she hoped to leave for last.
There were strange rumors in the south as well.
Whispers of a great army abounded; of a force that sacked Limgrave and that put Godrick to the torch. Some said it was led by Great Godfrey himself. Nonsense, of course. He had been hounded from the Lands Between long ago. Why return now? Did he too, seek the Elden Ring?
Just thinking of it all made her head spin.
Still so much to attend to, and yet for all her schemes there had been no reprisal save the curious absence of Seluvis. Something was afoot there. It felt was though she were waiting for the other shoe to drop. It surely would soon. She had regained her flesh early, yes, but her ascension was not yet complete. For all her power she was not yet a goddess true. The Fingers would strike at her soon.
They must. If they didn't, they would risk certain doom. She would be ready. They would not find her wanting.
"Blast it all." she hissed at herself. "You've come this far. Don't hesitate!"
She grabbed the ring. It was cool in her fist. M-Maybe she could just keep it on her. For safekeeping, yes. She needn't say a thing-
"You've chosen him, haven't you...
Blast it all. She'd forgotten about mother. She was still watching. Was her madness an act even now? She locked the chest and stood stiffly, refusing to look, refusing to give her the satisfaction. Mother could prove nothing of what she'd done. Who would believe her? No one, certainly!
...I wonder what your children shall look like."
Oh, gods. Ranni felt her face begin to burn.
There was only one recourse. She fled in a rout.
Rennala's laughter hounded her all the way out the library.
(.0.0.0.)
"Hey, Ranni!"
Naruto found her.
Or perhaps she found him?
In the end, it didn't matter at all. Ranni rounded the corner, and quite suddenly, there he was, too close to dodge. Blue eyes bulged. Her own widened. Unable to stop herself in time, she smacked right into his chest and bounced off. He caught her of course; she had just enough time to conceal her ring in one of her many hands before he drew her close.
"What's that you got there?"
Her emotions, thinly leashed, sparked anew.
She stabbed a finger at him, drilling her finger into his chest. "You!"
"Me?"
"Yooouuu!" she stalked forward with a snarl, all but grabbing him by the arm. "Come with me! Now!"
Naruto didn't protest when she dragged him to her chambers.
He only laughed. Damn him.
Damn her bleeding heart.
A/N: Aaaaand scene. Short and sweet, more next time.
Now I need to sleep. I'm running on fumes and seeing double...
Well? What say you? Hope you're enjoying this, so by all means, lemme know!
Once more, we're sticking with the "Embers" rule for this little tale. Sad to say, but if folks don't like this, it won't be continued. Meaning that if the story itself ain't popular? Well, I'll love the drive to continue it! 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 remain far off, but still...
(Previews)
"Touch me."
He ran a finger along the back of her leftmost hand, trailing it up her arm to her shoulder. She shivered.
"You felt that?
She did. After going so long without, her body was admittedly...sensitive. Such would change in time but now...
...she surged upright.
An awful crash shook the room next door. Someone squawked. "He's awake!"
Ranni heaved a sigh. "But is he sane?"
One way to find out.
There's nowhere you can hide, Ranni. Put as much distance between you and the truth as you want...it changes nothing. Pretend to be everything you are not; witch, wife, mother, even...
...but there is one unavoidable truth you will never escape. You cannot change. You will always be...a monster."
"'Tis true, I know. But I am your monster no longer. After all, it takes one to know one.
Prepare yourself, wretched creature. I come for thee next."
"Thy reckoning is nigh."
Blood flew through the air.
Miquella is mine and mine alone! My dynasty shall reign supre-ack?!"
"Heed my words. I am Malenia, Blade of Miquella. And I have never known defeat.
Naruto smiled. It was not a nice smile. "You're about to. I brought friends."
The doorway shimmered behind him. "Hello...sister."
"Usurper! Smoldering with thy meager flame of ambition! You shall not pass!"
Footsteps resounded behind him.
...I already have. I'll just be taking a look at the tree now...
Morgott rounded on them. How had he gotten past?! In a frantic fit, he lunged at him!
"I've shown thee courtesy enough...
Naruto tore off the last of his damaged upper armor, leaving his torso bare. "Right back at you...
Ranni flung up her arms. "You are such boys!"
"Look, foul witch. Look upon your work. Look at what you have made.
She saw Godwyn's ruined, bloated corpse.
"No, I never wanted that 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, 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.
Looking forward to chatting with you all when I get back~! Have a great day~!
R&R~!