Disclaimer: I, Star Shatterer, own nothing of the "Naruto" or "Elder Scrolls" universes as they belong to Kishimoto and Bethesda respectively.

-Priory of the Nine-

Thinking back, if Naruto had to say there was any way to describe an out of body experience, he would say there was none better an example than what had happened when he met the single most influential being in his life. Standing an untold amount of distance above the very building he just entered, seeing the forest spanning for miles around him, the village and the great monument far off in the distance, should have been a very frightening experience. It would have been too, were it not for the man standing in front of him, as if nothing was out of the ordinary and standing on thin air was normal for him. The man was nearly transparent however, and Naruto thought back to the old stories of vengeful spirits eating the souls of the young children who ventured into the forest, and did the first thing that came to mind.

"Gack! D-don't eat me! It wasn't me! I didn't touch the sword, and the old man was passed out when I got there, p-please just don't eat me!"

… This is of course Naruto, and in true prankster spirit denied to the very ground he wished he standing on that he did anything wrong.

The man, however, just stood there, staring at young Naruto as if he were insane. Suddenly, and much to Naruto's chagrin, the specter started moving towards him. As the man stood no more than two feet away, he spoke in a voice that demanded nothing but respect.

"So... you are the Next? For ages I have waited for one to answer my call, to take up the mantle of the red diamond and pledge themselves to the Eight and One. Yet I expected not one as young as you. Can a mere child handle the responsibility that comes with the relics?" he said as he began circling the boy, "What made the gods choose you I wonder? You hold a fire burning in your eyes, a little scrawny but room to grow, and a pure soul to boot! Yes, I can see great things in your future child... great things indeed."

Now at this point Naruto was getting frustrated with this being in front of him. It was talking about him like it knew him, calling him child, he had a name! He was Naruto Uzumaki dammit! Of course he had to let this guy know that so he could get the respect he deserved.

"Shut up! Don't talk about me as if you know me! My name it Naruto Uzumaki, future Hokage of Konoha! I have no idea what you are talking about but I bet I can do anything you throw at me, so bring it on!"

The man stopped moving at this and turned to Naruto, who suddenly realized that this thing still hadn't said it wouldn't eat him yet, grew very frightened by the mans expression. Then the last thing Naruto expected happened.

"Bwahahah! Such spirit! I can see now why they chose you. Tell me young Naruto, would you be willing to accept a quest issued by the very Gods themselves? A journey across the land to recover the armor and weapons of the Divine Crusader, a task that has not been accomplished since the death of the Last? Are you willing to rebuild the illustrious order of knights and fight against evil in it's sickest form, see things no mere mortal has the will to see? Are you willing to toss all that you know away and embrace the life of a servitude to the Nine? Will you become my heir, and take the name of Pelinal Whitestrake?"

This caused Naruto to pause. If what this man was saying is true, he would have to give up on his dream of becoming Hokage and being the greatest ninja that ever lived. The feelings he had when this man spoke, however, seemed right to him, like this was what he was born for. So with the conviction brought about by the thoughts of what he could be he looked to the man and spoke in a voice so sincere it surprised even him.

"I will, I promise to take whatever this quest or whatever your talking about and finish it! I will become the best of the best and beat the crap out of evil because I'm Naruto Uzumaki, and I never go back on my word!"

As he said this, the world started distorting and he felt himself falling. A voice struck out, calling to him as he began to lose conciousness.

"Then as I was asked so long ago I have but one final question. Naruto Uzumaki, are you a worthy knight?"

Sorry about the wait here, I tend to procrastinate to much for even my liking. A short one to last you until my next update, whenever that is.

-Star Shatterer