A/N: Edit: I thought folks would be happy now that I'd upgraded this to M. Guess not...T_T
Even added some more stuff, not that anyone noticed...
HERE WE ARE! This story is now rated M.
Whether it remains as such depends on you, the reader.
And do read this note, would you kindly? Big changes are coming to this site.
I'll say it plain, if this email opt-in business with the Fanfiction site and its glitches doesn't get resolved soon, I'm probably going to retire.
The app helps for some, for others it doesn't.
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, and it feels like the end of an era.
If you're not already aware of it, ever since the 16th of November, you now have to turn ON your email alerts in account settings-MAKE SURE YOU CLICK SAVE SETTINGS!-else you won't be notified when anyone updates. No alerts, no email, no nothing. Apparently that's a thing we all have to do every ninety days or so, now. Alas, not many are aware of it...which is a problem. As things stand this new "fix" as it were, has cut everyone's viewership/reviewers in half because most folks don't know about it. Authors are leaving/quitting because of this.
Sometimes opting in works. Sometimes it doesn't. Really depends. Hopefully the devs can fix tweak/update this system before everyone leaves.
So here we go. The fate of this story depends on you, the reader. Your feedback determines the fate of this story, and all others.
Now for your questions, comments, and concerns! We'll keep it brief this time around:
Q: Update schedule?
A: In the interest of keeping things fair going forward, it'll be something like this...starting today, hopefully. A non Elden Ring update, then an Elden Ring story. Something along those lines. Seems fair. For instance! I updated Archon and Misadventures already, which means we get an Elden update today.
Hopefully this will allow me and Slifer to better focus on everything.
Q: Oh jeez, just how borked is the timeline?!
A: You'll see. As stated, some things remain the same, while others...well. This chapter really dives into it.
To be clear! The Shattering still happened in this story. Marika's still missing and chaos now reigns.
As to everything else...well. Read and see. Radahn certainly embodies Solaire in this story.
Q: Aha! Naruto called it a her! I smell a new daughteru in the form of the Frenzied Flame!
A: *zips lips*
Q: More romance! More smut! More lemons!
A: Patience...
As ever, I own no references, quotes, memes or themes. Nope, not me, no sirree! Not a wit or a one. They're merely tributes to those far greater than I.
Once more, this iteration of Naruto is not the one from "Grace". This be a different beast. He's a mystery.
One that will slowly unfold as the story progresses...
"Your struggles will avail you naught.
For you see. In the end.
ALL WILL BURN."
~?
Fourth Frenzy
Radahn.
Naruto found himself looking at general Radahn.
Except he wasn't now, was he? They were not the same person...were they?
When he'd first found Radahn so long ago, he'd been a raging madman blighted by years of rot and insanity, a mad dog he took no pleasure in putting down. But the current iteration of the infamous warrior here before him appeared happy and healthy, neither tall nor towering as the behemoth he knew and certainly not rotten, that much was true. Even his almighty vaunted Starscourge Greatswords were nowhere to be seen-although perhaps that too was a part of his disguise-and that smile of his was downright infectious.
He could feel Nepheli's awe too, but also her confusion as Radahn stepped into their personal space, offering a large hand.
"Might you be interested in a bit of jolly cooperation?" when he didn't budge initisally, a frown creased the demigod's tan face and his arm faltered a little, dipping but an inch. "Forgive me, I'm being terribly rude, aren't I?" the same arm came up to scratched the back of his head, casting them in his shadow. "Wherever are my manners? Would you do me the honor of knowing your names? Or at the very least, your purpose here?"
Nepheli bowed her head and murmured a greeting.
Despite his best efforts, Naruto found himself stepping forward to grasp that hand and give his own name. "I'm not your enemy."
Radahn boomed a rich laugh. "I should hope not! I dare say you'd make mincemeat of me!"
Naruto flinched, if only because he'd done just that last time.
Kurama commiserated. "Pity he wasn't like this when we met him the first time around. We would've gotten on well."
They really would have, wouldn't they?
"In any case," Radahn stepped past them to regard Godrick and Gostoc's fallen forms, "These two were right reprobates, you did well to slay them. Her majesty will be most pleased to be rid of such ilk."
Nepheli made a pleased noise at his side. "You honor us, my lord."
"Nonsense! The honor is all yours...
Naruto felt his thoughts turn inward as the two began to banter back and forth. Well, at least Godrick and Gostoc were just as foul in this strange second life as they were in the last. He chose not to correct Radahn on who killed whom. There were more pressing matters -questions!- at hand, thngs had to ask. "Earlier, you said you were the leader of an army. And which army would that be?"
Radahn moved back to them, still wearing that disarming grin. "Why, lady Rennala of course! My dear mother. She rules from-
-Raya Lucaria." Naruto finished hoarsely.
"Ah! So you have heard tell of her." He had. He'd helped Sellen slay her put the madwoman out of her misery once and for all. One of his many regrets. "That said, Limgrave is a foul and lawless place as you well know.
He did. He hadn't seen Roderika on the way up, either. That...concerned him. He hoped the timid little tuner hadn't come to harm.
"We of the Lakes do our best to maintain peace and order in the Lands Between, but our numbers are few." Radahn looked toward the setting sun and in doing so, he glimpsed a hint of something on the man's neck, an old wound or scar poorly healed. A scar most familiar. "We'd be happy to welcome stalwart heroes such as yourselves into our ranks. Unless you had more pressing matters with Lord Gideon?"
Gideon? No, no, that scheming bastard wasn't important this time around, whatever form he'd taken. His gaze flitted to the scar on Radahn's neck. "Where did you get that?"
"Ah, this?" The demigod touched a hand to it. "A parting gift from the madman Miquella and his consort Mohg. Think nothing of it."
Easy for him to say! Naruto nearly reeled back on his heels. It was only an ironclad sense of self control that kept him from doing so. Miquella? Mohg? That hadn't happened last time. Malenia was one thing, but Miquella had been a faceless entity trapped in a cocoon and Mohg...
"Welcome, honored guest, to the birthplace of our dynasty!"
Mohg had died. Hard. He and Melina saw to that. He remembered that much.
What had changed, then? Why were they active in this cycle? What in blazes was going on here?!
Even now his head was spinning. What about the other demigods? Morgott? Rykard? Malenia? Marika? Were Godfrey and Godwyn lurking around a corner somewhere, ready to surprise him? To say nothing of the more mortal friends he had made during his first go around. Life was cruel. He knew that much. Had come to accept it, even. But this...? This just wasn't fair...
"I...have questions."
"So it would seem!" Radahn beamed. And I will be happy to answer them, comrade! But let us away from this place." he pivoted and beckoned to the exit. "It isn't safe here. My companion is waiting near the secret passage just outside. An evening meal seems a poor way to repay thee for thy trouble, but it is the least we can do for now-
"I'm afraid I shall decline." Nepheli interrupted them with a bow of her head. "I must report to my father."
"And the Great Rune?"
"You already have yours, my lord." Nepheli quirked an eyebrow toward Gostoc's corpse. "I believe this one is ours by right of conquest."
Right, right. He'd forgotten about that, hadn't he? But did they really need it? Here? Now? Right this very second?
.
..
...he knew the answer.
Claiming Godrick's great rune under Radahn's watchful gaze would only draw attention to him; something he was very much trying to avoid in this cycle. Besides he didn't need Godrick's rune. There were others out there. Worst case scenario he could try and smash his way into to the Erdtree-or burn into it, if all else failed. A rune was power he didn't need. He'd more than enough...for now.
...you can have it, Nepheli."
The warrior woman rounded on him, eyes wide. "You're certain?"
"Yup. Go on." Sensing her hesitation, he waved her on. "You've earned it."
After a beat of hesitation, she knelt to claim her prize. A quick breath to steady herself and then-
"Hnngh!"
Nepheli slammed the Rune into her chest, just above her bosom. Credit where it was due, she only grunted once, wobbled a little, and rose on bent knee. He offered her his forearm and she clasped it immediately, using him as a pillar to haul herself upright to her feet. And if she came a bit closer than was necessary...well. He wasn't complaining.
"My thanks." her dark eyes met his, half-lidded with some emotion he couldn't quite quantify. "I shall see this reactivated at the Divine Tower forthwith."
"Of course, of course." Radahn chuckled into a fist, not once faltering at the sight. "You know where to find us afterward, my lady."
Her dark gaze flitted back to him. "...indeed I do."
A lingering touch to Naruto's arm, a brush of her hips against his, her lips on his cheek, and then she was gone; departing back the way they'd come. He'd time enough to watch her touch the site of grace near Godrick's corpse, then she was no more, vanishing in a swirl of golden splendor.
Radahn chortled softly at her departure. "You'll have your hands full with that one. Lord Gideon doesn't take kindly to those who woo his daughter."
Naruto nearly choked on his own spit. Gideon? An over-protective father in this lifetime? Would wonders never cease?
The cheery redhead only beamed. "A great rune would make a fine dowry, if nothing else. That might sway him."
...please tell me you're joking."
Radahn only hummed and sauntered away.
Naruto followed him on numb legs, praying he'd seen his fair share of surprises today.
His wishes went unanswered.
Life was cruel.
(.0.0.0.)
Sightless eyes squinted in the dark.
She could sense...a presence.
Someone familiar...
(.0.0.0.)
Life was terribly cruel indeed.
Because she was there. Waiting for them. Just outside.
"Begging your pardon good sir, but do you have any grapes?"
He shook off the vestige of memory, hissing at the past until it fell silent.
Naruto bit his tongue until it ached. He knew what fate awaited her if he answered. Did he dare...?
"Ah, there she is!" Radahn cried out suddenly behind him, snapping him back to the present moment. "We met on the road. T'was she who told me of the passage here." Naruto's heart skipped a beat as the merry general prattled on, blissfully unaware of his pain. "My friend," he gestured expansively, "Allow me to introduce Lady Hyetta."
His throat closed and his eyes blazed gold.
"Hello again, good general." she turned to face him, just as he remembered. Even her clothes were the same. "Pray tell, who is that with you? How very strange. I can almost see him...
Naruto made a frustrated noise, a hiss so soft he doubted anyone heard it.
Kurama did. "Calm down. She isn't the same Hyetta."
But she was! She had to be! He wanted to hug her so damned bad. Take her into his arms and apologize for all he'd done wrong, never ever let her go. Yet he couldn't...no matter how much he might wish to. It made his chest ache. Why did this world mock him? Why was she here in the exact same spot as before? Was it not enough to shove Melina and Ranni at him, to mock him with what could have been? Why?
The Frenzied Flame cooed inside him like a forgotten child. "Mother!"
Hah?! Where had that come from?! Granted, Hyetta had been the one to lead him to the flame back then, but he'd chosen it to save Melina. So why in blazes was it calling her that?!
"Mother, mother, mother!"
'Stop that, dangit!
"Good sir?"
He blinked alarmed to find Hyetta staring at him with, and shook his head. "...its nothing."
"My friend!" Radahn nudged him with an elbow. "I didn't realize you knew her! You certainly get around, don't you?"
Anger sparked into fury; wrath Naruto barely managed to quell before it sparked out of control. Not his fault. Not his fault. Radahn was just being his jolly, happy self. He didn't realize how much the words tore him apart. Surely the gregarious general never would've said them otherwise. He closed his eyes. Inhaled. Exhaled. A deep breath settled his spirits, if only just.
"We've never met." he looked away with a scowl.
"Have we?" Hyetta stared at him with her sightless eyes. "I've heard your voice before. I feel as though I know thee. Such a strange feeling...
Hope kindled
...you're mistaken."
"I don't believe so." she stepped to him. "Might I hold your hand for a moment?"
Another memory took him in its teeth. "Your hands are so rough, my lord."
His hesitation cost him. Her fingertips brushed his. The frenzied flame sparked in him, leaped between their fingers and did...something. He couldn't comprehend it.
"Are you alright...?"
Naruto recoiled from it. From her, unable to bear the sound of her voice. 'Don't ask me that. Not with her voice. Please don't...
"Now, now!" Radahn, bless his simple soul, thrust himself between them and saved him from disaster. "I didn't bring him here for you to pester him, Hyetta." with deft hands he guided the blind maiden down to a stump and claimed one for himself before rummaging around in a worn knapsack. Naruto idly noted the pair of tents nearby and nearly scoffed. Radahn really had brought him right to his camp without so much as a care in the world, trusting he wouldn't do him wrong. Such trust was a rare thing indeed in the Lands Between. "You remember where our rations are, yes? We're to share our food with him before we make for Liurnia."
Naruto felt his face furrow. What was this now? "I didn't agree to travel with you."
Radahn quirked a brow. "Have you somewhere else to be?
...I suppose not." It was on his way, after all.
Just for a little while.
"Excellent!" Once more, that infectious smile flashed out at him. "But let us not speak of such dreary things. Come, eat! We have supplies aplenty!"
...forgive me," Hyetta stood suddenly, startling them both. "I'm feeling a bit tired. I believe I'll turn in early for the night, if that's quite alright...
Naruto's gaze flitted to her, wondering what could've brought about such a sudden change in mood. He didn't dare to hope. No, never hope. Hope was a poison. If he allowed him to hope, allowed himself to believe she might be his Hyetta, that she might remember something of what may-or-may-not have been a past life...no, he refused. Life was cruel. He couldn't allow himself to hope. Not yet.
Radahn remained oblivious to it all. "Can you find your way to the tent alone?"
Hyetta nodded stiffly and stumbled away, leaving them in silence.
Naruto tried not to watch her swaying hips. He failed utterly.
"Forgive her." Radahn rumbled. "She's been in a bit of a mood these past few days. I'll speak with her tomorrow."
"No need." Naruto. looked away with a sigh. "There's nothing to forgive."
"As you say, then~!"
Radahn really was a rather nice fellow. Turned out he was a dab hand at cooking, too. In a matter of minutes the two had a warm fire going, and a bit of freshly wrapped salted venison to warm their bellies. They are in comparative silence, neither saying a word. Time trickled by as the sun sank lower and lower in the sky.
"I'm sure you're wondering why I'm out here." Radahn's voice broke the silence. "Disguised like this, lurking in Limgrave."
...the thought had crossed my mind, yes."
The redhead offered a low rasp of a chuckle. "I suppose you could call it atonement, of a sort."
Naruto tore off another chunk of venison with his teeth. Radahn took his silence as an excuse to continue.
"The man you see before you is but a shell of what I once was." he took up a stray stick and used it to stir the fading fire. "I am a demigod in name only these days." Baleful eyes looked up to meet his, and for once, there was no mirth in his gaze. "When this madness began, I tried to bring order." the twig began to smolder and smoke in his grasp, consumed by the fire. He dropped it into the blaze and watched it burn, firelight casting dark shadows across his visage. "But I was hasty. Reckless. My men paid the price for my hubris upon the fields of Caelid. As did I."
Was he talking about Malenia? Naruto ached to ask him...but he couldn't, if only because it might make him aware of even more changes.
"Now, I count every day as a blessing and strive to make up for my mistakes in the Shattering. To atone. Be it plucking weeds like Godrick, holding back the stars for my family, even setting this wretched world to rights." Radahn must've seen his pensive expression; because he waved him down. "Worry not. I hardly intend to throw my life away. But I intend to atone all the same."
Naruto reached for more venison, only to realized he'd polished it off during the telling. "There's a story there; something you're not telling me...
"Another time, perhaps." And then, quite suddenly, the good general changed tact on him. "Would you mind taking first watch tonight?"
Radahn was such a jovial fellow, yet he sounded so tired in that instant. Naruto couldn't bring himself to refuse him. Reluctantly, he muttered an affirmative.
"Splendid." the general reached down to clap his shoulder. "I'll see you in four hours time. Don't let the fire burn out. There are worse things than wolves about at night...
A beast howled in the distance, an awful warbling thing that ended in a rasping gurgle.
Naruto grimaced. "I'll be on my guard."
"That's all I ask, friend." Radahn clasped his arm. "May you never falter. Wake me if you see anything."
So speaking, the good general took his leave and crawled into his tent.
Just like that, Naruto found himself alone once more, with nothing but Kurama and the Flame for company.
The silence haunted him.
What did the Flame have to do with all this? Maybe it was connected between lifetimes times. Maybe it was fate finally taking pity on him again, as it had with Kale. Maybe it was just luck. The chances of stumbling into a revitalized Radahn were slim, but the idea that Hyetta might yet recognize him, remember him...that was almost too good to be true.
"Ha! The refrain of the eternally lucky."
Lucky? Him? He'd lost everyone and everything the first time around and burned the Erdtree in a fit of apoplectic rage. Now this past that both was-and-wasn't the past continued to torment him at every turn. He could've accepted things if nothing was the same; if he'd landed in another universe, another reality. But he hadn't! Some things were the same here, and others weren't. The contrast tormented him. He ached and he didn't know how to make it stop.
The Frenzied Flame nudged him again.
Naruto sighed. "What is it now?"
"Look."
A golden swirl of fire sang in his open palm hand, manifesting in the telltale shape of a blade. He watched it warily. Frowned now as it took on a familiar shape. Haunted blue eyes drank it in. If this was its way of trying to comfort him, then it left much to be desired. He'd left all his weapons behind in his last life. He knew he had.
And yet.
...now how did this follow me?"
The frenzied flame sang in his chest. "Promise. Kept it safe."
Miraculous little flame. He didn't know why he was surprised by its wonders anymore.
"So you did. I remember this weapon." he hoisted it high, watching it gleam in the moonlight. "Hello, old friend."
The dark moonlight greatsword shone sadly in his grasp, a miserable reminder of a pact once made with Ranni, a promise left unkept. He closed his eyes and touched his head to its cool surface with a long-suffering sigh. The peerless metal brought him some meager measure of peace. It would do for now. Couldn't let anyone see this though, much less Hyetta...
.
..
...still, holding the blade brought back memories of happier times. Even if he couldn't let anyone see his guiding moonlight.
'Don't suppose you can hide this again?'
The Flame preened. "Can. Why?"
...wait a second."
He reached down into his pouch, fiddling with it for a moment. Eventually he came up with a roll of grey cloth. A gift from a certain seamster, one he'd not had use for...until now. Slowly, painstakingly, he began to wrap it around the blade, once, then twice, moving in slow, steady loops when haste proved lacking. Fabric parted easily in his grasp, moreso when he wrapped it around the blade. It was slow work, but In a matter of minutes he had the dull gleam concealed completely, buried to the hilt.
There.
He closed his eyes and returned the weapon to the Flame to be summoned later. Using a bound sword might draw attention, but better that than folks seeing him wielding a weapon that belonged to Carian royalty. He had to keep himself -and this blade!- under wraps for now. By the log that was an awful joke...
"Mother!"
Naruto bridled, eyes still closed. 'Stop that, damnit. She's not your mother. And I'm not in the mood-
Warm hands closed around his face, cutting him short.
Oh. She had been trying to warn him, hadn't she?
The flame preened. "Told you."
"Just as you give me everything," a familiar voice crooned in his ears, "So too shall I give you my all. Until I am naught but ash."
His eyes snapped open. Those words. He'd heard them before.
"Hyetta?"
When had she left her tent...?
"Hello again, my dear lord of frenzy." His maiden knelt before him, stared at him, unseeing, yet seeing him again all the same. "It seems you're not rid of me just yet." A lone tear rolled down her cheek. "How I've missed you...
His mouth opened. Closed. Opened again. "I...you...how...?!"
"Your flame spoke to me." she granted the ghost of a smile. "Have you nothing else to say? Truly 'tis a rare thing to see you stricken silent." She stroked his cheek in quiet, tentative circles. "Did you...miss me, perhaps?"
It really was her.
In hindsight, Naruto really couldn't be blamed for what happened next, not with his emotions running this high. Clearly Frenzied Flame had done something again.
Was it when they touched fingers-no. He didn't care what. Not here. Not now. Miss her?! He'd missed her like hell!
He grabbed Hyetta by the waist. Yanked her in. Kissed her. Hard.
Much to his relief she made a startled-then-pleased noise against his mouth and planted herself in his lap, one hand briefly rising to twine against his hair before drifting lower, yanking at his trousers, parting her dress, hitching the garment to better get at him. He had just time enough to glimpse her pale thighs; then she braced both hands against his chest and shoved. He went down with a startled laugh, to stunned to do anything else. In a matter of moments she was atop him once more, tugging off the last of her dress, ripping his tunic away entirely.
He rolled, pinning her beneath him; in turn she latched onto his neck, dragging him down, all but pulling him atop her.
"Take me, my lord." the words escaped her on a thread of breath. "Now. Just like you did that night."
He tried to speak. Say something. Anything. Hyetta wouldn't have it.
She surged up, capturing his lips with hers once more.
They made rough, wild love that night.
A/N: Aaaand scene.
Really need to hear from you on this; should this stay M-rated or not?
Once more, we're sticking with the "Embers" rule for this particular 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.
Aaaand there we go. As ever, reviews keep me alive. Without them, I cannot write. So...in the Immortal Words of Atlas...
...Review...Would You Kindly? T_T
Here have your previews, wild though they are.
As ever:
WARNING! WARNING! WARNING!
READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!
SPOILERS AHEAD!
(Previews)
She kissed his cheek. "That was kind of you. My thanks."
"That was...lovely." Slick with sweat and spent, she curled against him and laid a hand on his bare scarred chest. The wound there seemed to pulse with life; indeed, it was almost warm to the touch. "But I must ask, did the Flame truly inflict such an injury on you?"
...its fine, now. Nice and calm, really."
If only he could say the same for his troubled heart.
Melina took a deep breath to steel herself. "I admit, I've been testing you."
If this is about the Roundtable Hold, it can wait. I wanna check on something.
Her eyes widened. "How did you know-
"I'm not as dense as you think.
He nudged past her,
A flash of red hair shifted in his peripherals. It didn't belong to Radahn.
"Nope." Naruto shook his head and kept walking. "Not dealing with whoever that is."
Couldn't be Ranni, not when she was holding sway over that puppet body. Which meant it could only be one of three people...none of whom he wanted to meet right now.
It also presented another, unlikely possibility.
This could be someone new.
"Do you see now how fruitless this is?!" they spun with a flourish, driving their weapon deep into his unprotected chest. "The future will not change! Now die! Die and-
Clenched fingers closed hand closed around their wrist, around the blade even now impaling him. Blue eyes snapped open, smoldering with golden flame.
He gripped them by the arm and dragged them in to whisper. A single word caressed their ears.
"GOTCHA~!"
Melina tutted softly and walked away from him. "Strange as ever, I see."
She paused. Strange as ever? Why had she said that...?
And why did her head hurt?
Her good eye narrowed. "Pray tell, where did you get acquire that blade?"
"Wouldn't you like to know?"
On a whim, he touched the bloody medallion beneath his chest. There was something he needed to be certain of.
Another way to confirm his theory.
"I'll be right back...
She yelped and jolted as he slapped her flank. Rounded on him now, clutching her hindquarters. "What was that for?!"
"Told you not to dwell on bad thoughts."
"Good sir, I must protest!"
"Chaos?" he rasped the word. "No, this ain't a flame of chaos any longer. This is purification."
His victim died screaming.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"No reason. Regrets. Maybe a few. But don't worry."
The sword sang in his grasp. A headless body hit the floor.
The last thing they saw was his smiling face. "You won't have to worry about anything at all; not anymore...
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~! Have a great day~!
R&R~!