A/N: EDIT: Wasn't satisfied with this chapter, went back and improved it. Namely the two ending scenes.
Still, this chapter didn't get much in the way of feedback. A shame, but I tried.
We'll be moving it back in the update schedule, I suppose.
WARNING! M-rated story! Ye be warned! It really goes without saying, but this chapter's a raw one.
Ergo, it delves into just how dangerous Naruto has become, how much he fears the idea of losing his loved ones a second time.
With my fifteen year anniversary on this site finally here, I find myself reflecting on the little things in life. What was once a lazy pastime meant for me and a few friends really grew and evolved over time. There are days when I look back on the last fifteen years here and I wonder if anyone will remember me; if I made an impact, despite never making a single cent on any of these stories. Some days were happier than others, and some stories I enjoyed writing WAY too much; to the point where I'd stay up all night working on them.
And of course, there are times when I look to the future and wonder what will become of things when I'm gone.
Of course, I try not to dwell on the latter overmuch; I'm still alive and still writing. In an ideal world, I'd like to keep doing so for as long as I can. But old age is catching up to me and these days, the world is filled with so much madness and death. Feels like everyone's out for themselves, or just plain lost their minds. Even before that, so many friends and fellow writers I once knew are gone, now. Will I still be here in twenty years? Ten? Five? Its a chilling thought. But for now, I'm still here, still writing.
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...
"Memory is a wonderful thing, isn't it? Is it better to live in ignorance and forget one's pain?
Or is it better to remember and move forward? Even if it leads to madness?
Did you think me a fool?"
~Lord of Frenzy.
Seventh Frenzy
Sellen was settled.
The poor sorceress had cried herself to sleep, but she was settled at last.
.
..
...still, the damage was done. Naruto couldn't deny that.
"It wasn't your fault, kid."
'No? Sure feels like it...
Even now hours after the fact, Sellen's sobs still haunted him. It wasn't an easy thing to remember your past on a good day, let alone becoming a monstrous ball of flesh and stone. No amount of meditating with Hyetta had been able to quell that memory. She'd gone to sleep with Sellen, who in turn had latched onto her in said slumber, which left him damnably awake, alone with his thoughts as much as his demons. He couldn't bear to be near either of them right now.
In the end, he'd given up on sleep entirely and left the room to clear his head.
By some mercy Melina hadn't bothered him for some time now; he could sense her quiet curiosity as well as her questions, but she had yet to air any of them aloud.
He was still grateful for that, cruel as it might sound; if only because it gave him time to think. To plan for the future.
Even if he wasn't entirely certain what that future would be.
This world was all wrong, he knew that, but he couldn't deny that it was linked at least in some small way to the last. How else would Hyetta and Selen remember him? Memories or not, they couldn't linger in the Lakes for long, no matter how tempting it might be to stay here. Raya Lucaria was only ever meant to be a temporary respite, a brief stopover before they moved onward. But where to? What was his next move? He knew where he wanted to go in theory, but where should he go?
Kurama scoffed in his head. "Now who's being redundant? You know damn well where you intend to go."
Naruto paused, boots scuffing against the floor. He wasn't wrong, loathe as he was to admit it.
Caelid was calling him. He could feel it in his blood. In his very bones now.
That damn dirty tree would come later.
Part of him still hoped against hope that Milicent might still be there, waiting for him in that abandoned chapel. Maybe she was. Maybe she wasn't. Regardless, he couldn't quite purge the thought from his mind. If she was there, if she needed help, if she was in danger of dying again, he had to something.
He'd save her this time. He had to. He must. He wouldn't let her take that needle out. Not again. He didn't know how, but he couldn't push the thought from his mind.
"..."
One more night, he decided. They'd stay here a bit longer, give Sellen time to recover, and leave at next light.
Sellen would probably follow them. He'd resigned himself to that. It was his own fault after all. He needed to be more careful going forward; running around restoring old memories and reforging bonds might seem all well and good to some, but some of those weren't all pleasant. He dreaded ever doing the same to Boc and Blaidd, let alone Patches. There were others still who'd suffered unpleasant ends. He didn't even want to think about Fia. She'd all but destroyed herself willingly and the idea that she might do it AGAIN without realizing there was another way-
An old memory took him in its teeth and tore his thoughts to pieces; an ugly black thorn, ripping his heart open all over again.
"You were too late...why...? Why are you always too late, Naruto?"
He heaved a sigh and leaned against a nearby wall, burying his face in both hands. It may have muffled the exasperated noise he made, but it did nothing for his emotions. Anger rose in him once more and this time he found himself powerless against it. Why couldn't things be simple? If he'd just gone back in time properly he could have saved them all by now. But instead he was here, in this world that both was and was not his own and blast it all, he didn't know what to do...
No, wait, he told a lie. He wanted to punch something. Smash a hole in the wall. Shout. Scream.
The Flame prodded him. "Angry?"
"No, little ember." he lied in a rare lapse. "M'fine. Just gimme a second."
He felt the mental equivalent of a pause from the feisty fire housed within him. "Ember?"
Naruto focused on her voice, if only to distract himself. "Its a nickname. Sorry. Said it without thinking."
"Not upset. Good name...we Like it. Can we keep?"
"As you like." A rusty chuckle stole out of him. "I guess I'm naming you now...
She giggled much like a child would. It brought him some small semblance of peace, at least.
"There you are."
Footsteps had him looking up; he found a familiar knight in gleaming silver plate stomping his way.
Ah, Moongrum. He almost smiled at the pesky parrying ponce. "Did you need something?"
"Lady Rennala wishes to see you."
Balls. He'd forgotten about what she'd said earler. "Now's not really a good time."
The knight laid a hand on his sheathed sword and drew an inch of steel from within. "It was not a request."
Was...was that a threat? Did the old warrior actually think he himself intimidating? Adorable. He'd killed him easily in the last go around and could do so again now. It was almost tempting. A quick step in, a knife under the armpit and he would bleed out in a few minutes. No one would miss him. It would be simple. Easy. Clean even...but no, best to keep up appearances.
In the end, he plastered what he hoped was pleasant smile
...as you wish."
Her heard a faint nose of disgust from Melina in her astral from. "Go if you must. I shall return to your room. I have no desire to see your nightly proclivities.
Oh, if only she remembered. The thought soured his smile and his mood with it. Maybe it was best if he ignored her this once. "Your loss, then."
She scoffed. Get thee gone already!
(.0.0.0.)
That settled it!
Her Tarnished was a complete and utter oaf!
Melina watched him leave with a pensive sigh. Irascible fool.
He hadn't changed, even now-wait. What was this feeling gnawing beneath her breast once again? Why did it feel like she knew him somehow? They'd never met. He was nothing to her, just as she was to him. A simple partnership, a means to the end, nothing more, that was all he would ever be-
"Beloved."
Where had that thought come from?!
With neither word nor warning, a sudden headache struck, driving her down to her knees. Crippling pain seared through her skull.
She touched a hand to her nose. Sure enough it came away bloody again.
"What have you done to me...?"
(.0.0.0.)
Moongrum wasn't best pleased with him.
Naruto watched the knight as he all but stomped his way to Rennala's chambers, radiating displeasure every step of the way. Poor bastard. It would've been easy to taunt him, to goad the old man into action, but he liked to think he was better than that, even now at his lowest point.
.
..
...didn't mean he was about to talk to him, though. He was reckless, not stupid, and he knew this one even less than Rennala. Best not to set him off.
Kurama scoffed in his head. "Since when do you resist the urge to prank someone?"
A muscle jumped in his jaw. "Since everyone died."
...sorry. Just trying to lighten the mood."
'Don't be. Not your fault.'
The Frenzied Flame -Ember!- wisely remained silent in his chest.
At length they reached their destination, a rather large door that eclipsed all the rest. Moongrum knocked smartly on it, rapping his metal clad fist against it three times, once, then twice again in some strange pattern he didn't recognize. Each knock echoed hollow in the halls to produce a soft musical chime. Must be a spell of some sort.
A soft voice emanated from within, smooth as silk. "Yes?"
"I have brought the Tarnished my lady, as you asked."
"Very good, Moongrum. You may leave us."
The knight bridled. "My lady? I should-
"Leave us."
Moongrum drew himself up with an indignant sputter. He looked like he might refuse...right until he stomped away, back radiating disapproval.
"My apologies." The door creaked open to admit him. "You, my good sir, may enter."
Naruto shrugged one shoulder and slipped inside.
Rennala's bedchambers were surprisingly humble for a Carian Queen. Granted, her bed was quite large and that was a rather impressive potion desk tucked away in the right corner, but she wasn't using either. Instead she'd claimed a space for herself on a rather long lounging sofa, the better to face him as he entered. She wore none of her royal robes tonight; just a blue gown cut sinfully short near her thighs. A pair of tall wine glasses lay on a table before her, with a dark blue bottle planted beside them.
He could feel her watching. Watching him, more like.
Rennala smiled as he entered. "Thank you for meeting with me at this hour."
"..."
"Come in, come in. She beckoned him inside with a gesture. "I'm hardly going to bite...well, not unless you want me to."
She glanced at the door and it glided shut behind him. He didn't miss the faint click of a lock that followed. Well, no getting back that way without force.
"Please," she gestured to the chair opposite her. "Have a seat."
Reluctantly, he complied. Inwardly, his mind whirled.
Who was this woman and what had she done with the real Rennala?! Granted, he'd hardly interacted with her in his first life, but this...he almost didn't know how to respond He might have called it a trap, but he didn't feel so much as an iota of ill intent from her. Had she really invited him here just to drink...?
Rennala plucked up the bottle, uncorked it with a flick of her wrist, and leaned forward to pour, incidentally granting him a prime view of her bosom. "How are you finding the academy?"
"Whuzzat?" He faltered for a moment, then recovered. "Well enough, I guess."
"Yet you do not plan to stay." It was neither question nor condemnation. She offered him a glass, and took up her own.
Naruto considered deflecting, then thought better of it. A white lie wouldn't help him here. Best to be frank. And what was a little wine? He'd hardly get drunk off a glass. He waited until she drank, then did the same. The wine was surprisingly sweet. Fruity, even. He forced himself to drink in small sips rather than guzzle it all down like a brute. Impressions were everything.
"I'm leaving in the morning."
"As I thought." Renala set her glass down with a small sigh. "You have your own quest, just as we have ours. Where will you go?
"Caelid. The word rolled off his tongue before he could think to stop himself. "I have urgent business there."
"I see." she drank again. "My dear boy Radahn has expressed a desire that way as well. Would you be opposed to joining him?
Very much so!
But he didn't want to say it. Not to her; not to a mother looking out for her only sane child. Rykard was probably still a serpent in this timeline, and Ranni...well. That almost went without saying didn't it? Ranni was Ranni. Her plan had been foolish from the start. Age of Stars indeed! Sure, lets fuck off into the sky and leave the Lands Between to rot without their Gods. What could possibly go wrong? By that logic, Radahn was practically a saint, if a marginally misguided one.
I'm afraid I'm not looking for a fight." he took another drink to quell the bitter taste in his mouth.
"I do not blame you." Rennala bobbed her head. "Malenia is a fearsome foe, even in her reduced state. You are wise to be wary of her."
"Reduced?"
The queen tittered. "A slip of the tongue, dear boy. Think naught of it. More wine?"
Naruto looked down...he'd drained his glass. When had that happened?
"Sure." he shrugged. "I'll have more."
"A man after my own heart~!" she was all too happy to pour.
Together, they drank once more. Her eyes never left him. Not even for a moment.
"Its really a shame what happened to her." Rennala twirled her wrist, idly swirling her wine in its glass. "Malenia was never quite right after Miquella's betrayal, you see." she paused to drink, then continued. "The poor girl took it to heart; when in truth it wasn't her fault at all. Her brother was always a bad seed. Too much of Marika's blood in him. I knew he was rotten from the first."
Well, that was news.
Was Malenia an ally in this world? Or an enemy? Another, more troubling thought nagged at him. Had she bloomed at all? If she hadn't-no, no, no. She must've. A sudden pang of dread struck him and he drank again to fortify himself. Milicent must exist. She must. If he'd screwed something up, accidentally wiped her from existence...
Rennala rescued him for his ruinous thoughts. "From one warrior to another, might I beg a favor from thee? I know you do not wish to travel with him to Caelid, but you'll be nearby, won't you?" At his nod she barreled on, taking the initiative from him. "My son wishes to retake Redmane castle and correct his mistakes. Should you see him in need of aid, please help him."
"...I will."
How could he say no to a request like that? Radahn was such a jolly fellow; he hadn't enjoyed killing him the first time; he could hardly betray him for the sake of convenience now, could he? Besides, this was Radahn she was talking about. He might not be quite the giant he once knew, but the man was still an absolute unit. It took a point blank explosion of Scarlet Rot to put him down last time. He'd be fine, surely.
Rennala squirmed where she sat. Her cheeks were flushed. It made her look surprisingly girlish. "Another thing I had wished to ask thee...
The conversation was going better than he thought. He took another drink and allowed it. "Ask away."
"From whence didst thou acquire that blade on your back?"
Damnit.
Naruto winced and reflexively touched a hand to the wrapped form of the Dark Moon Greatsword between his shoulders. He'd been so distracted by all the chaos with Selen that he'd inadvertently brought it with him. It was humming softly beneath the bandages, humming at its touch.
...it was given to me." his tongue betrayed him. What in blazes? he hadn't meant to say that!
"I should hope so," her smile became a touch flinty, "For that blade once belonged to my dearest daughter. Was it she who gave it to thee?"
He wanted to say no. To keep his secrets. Lie. Once more, his mouth mutinied. "Yes."
The wine, he realized. She'd put something in the wine. Clever girl.
"Too clever." Kurama grumbled his agreement. "We didn't even notice.
'Can't you burn it out of our bloodstream or something?!'
"Trying! You drank a lot. She isn't helping."
The Flame giggled drunkenly in his head.
"Ah." Rennala seemed to come to a conclusion he couldn't quite comprehend. "So that is what thou are." There was a sad, strange understanding when she looked at him now, a misery etched into her pale countenance, one he couldn't quite quantify. "Worry not. I shall not begrudge thee thy secrets. We all have things we do not wish to speak of, events we would rather not remember, lonely paths best left forgotten."
He didn't dare speak. Was he really getting away scott-free here?
"And speaking of journeys, should you encounter a certain traitorous, red-haired bastard named Radagon," her voice gained a bitter bite that hadn't been there prior. "Wouldst thou kindly do me a favor and-
"Kill him dead?"
"Exactly that!" she clapped her hands together with a smile that could outshine the moon itself. "Beat him, bash him in the head, geld him, flay the very skin from his bones. Make him rue the day he was born. I would be very grateful if you were to do this for me; why, in fact, I just might show you that gratitude in advance.
Abruptly, she stood and shed her robe in a shower of blue light.
Pale white skin shone in the full moonlight, glistening in the night. His throat wen dry at the sight of her, clad in little more than her undergarments. Huh. Black lace. Who knew?
In a single stride Rennala crossed the table and planted herself in his lap. From there she spread her legs, all but planting herself in place.
Bold, too. He knew she was trying to get a rise out of him.
"Curious." Rennala tilted her head further when he didn't touch her. The motion did fascinating things to her hair; narrowly concealing the swell of her generous bosom. "I thought you would be easier to sway than this. Yet you remain strong. Why is that?"
"What can I say?" he grit his teeth at her, refusing to rise to the baited hook she dangled before him. "I'm stubborn."
"You are, aren't you?" an odd note lilted in her voice. "Do you not find me attractive?"
...I do." Bloody blasted truth serum!
The queen hummed. "Then why do you not embrace me?"
"Because I don't know you."
"You could." She started to touch him. "We could get to know one another very well indeed...
His hands twitched, but he kept them at his sides.
"Impressive." Just as quickly, Rennala stopped. "Most impressive. Only a man with an iron will like yours would be able to resist." she kissed his forehead, drawing another shiver from him. "So loyal. So dedicated. You're a rare breed; you'd move mountains to save those you love, commit the darkest of deeds. How many have you killed already for the sake of that goal?
..I don't know what you mean."
"Yes, you do." Rennala pinched his cheek as a mother might a naughty child's "Your hands are soaked with blood, innocent and otherwise. Answer my question."
Naruto bit his tongue until he tasted blood. Though he mastered his body, his tongue turned treacherous once more. "More than I remember."
"Good boy." She kissed him full on the mouth, biting his lips as she withdrew. "That wasn't so difficult now, was it? Now then-
Enough of this!
His muscles tensed and he bucked; kicking backward off the couch at speed, propelling himself out from under her without laying a finger on her. Rennala crashed to the floor with a yelp as he burst to his feet.
He was still rising when a blue glyph burst beneath his boots.
Even slowed by the wine as he was, he managed to dodge it, tumbling aside on sheer instinct. A second was there to greet him. He smashed a fist down, shattering the delicate sorcery into harmless shards of mana. From there he lurched upright and lunged for the door.
The moment his hand closed around the knob, ready to wrench it open, he froze.
Or rather, his body did.
Everything froze, every cell clamping down in singular agony. Blue eyes bulged. He broke free a second later, only for a fourth glyph to catch him, followed by a fifth and a sixth.
"My, my." Rennala sighed from the floor, lowering her arm at last. "I'd nearly forgotten just how quick you were. You nearly escaped."
...this won't hold me." he had to force the words out through grit teeth.
"I don't expect it to." She rose gracefully, summoning her robes once more. "One year," she hummed. "It took an entire years worth of mana, saved and stored, to hold you in place for a minute. That, and a wine distilled from the very blood of the gods." she circled past him, but he couldn't follow her with his eyes, not frozen as he was. "I expect you'll break out quite soon and try to kill me. But a minute is all I need.
"...!"
"Is it love or lust that drives you, I wonder?" He felt her lips brushed the outer lobe of his ear. "I suppose I have my answer now." She laughed a little, and it was a sharp bitter thing indeed. "Know this; if it were the latter, if you had laid lustful hand upon me and tried to bed me, I would've taken them off at the wrist. Just as you took off my head."
She knew. Of course she did. But how did she know? Or perhaps she simply remembered? But he hadn't made her remember...!
"Confused? Good." she chuckled again. "You should know better than to cross a sorcerer, boy...
What could he say to that?
"There it is. That's the look. You think I'm mad. I wish I was. Unfortunately for your, I'm quite sane this time around. You might say I'm the only sane one left now. And what of you?" she smiled at him with a look of pure venom. "How much did you lose in that world to make you this way; make you this desperate? You slaughtered your enemies. Perhaps I should hurt you as you did me and mine? I could take those two maidens of yours. Break them. Torment them. Reduce them to quivering wrecks. Sellen helped you kill me, as I recall. Perhaps I ought to turn her into that hideous mass of glintstone again...?
"Don't you dare!
"Did you know she was with child when that happened?" The words were a knife in his heart. "Such a shame...
A strangled snarl tore out of his throat. The spell fractured around him.
"Or I could kill you here and now." Her words chilled the fire in him, if only for a moment. "Would you reset, I wonder? Or would this world end with your death?
"I said stop!" His eyes blazed with golden fire. "If you lay so much as a finger on them...!
"There it is," she was suddenly in his face, eyes wide, grinning from ear to ear. "The anger, the hate. If I hurt them, I expect you'll burn me alive, consequences be damned. Worry not." she patted his head, baffling him all the more. "I mean them no harm. I merely wished to satisfy my curiosity."
The spell cracked further. He managed to lurch at her. Rennala danced back out of the way with a merry giggle.
"In truth," she prattled on, "If you didn't have my daughter's blade, I would've killed you the moment I laid eye on you, consequences be damned. Even in the last world, little Ranni must've loved you dearly to have given you that. I am not so much a monster to deny her that small joy. However...
"Hang in there! I've nearly got it!"
Quick as can be, she sauntered back his way. Warm lips pressed against his once more.
"Hmm". He felt her smile against his mouth. "That does feel rather nice. I may want you after all, if only to make her squirm and force her hand...
"...!"
"Live a little longer, bearer of the Flame." she cooed at him. "And keep my son safe. If he dies, I shall hunt thee wherever you go...
The spell broke and Naruto's temper went with it; he dove at her. Rennala wasn't ready for him; even as she tried to disengage he drove a fist into her stomach and slammed her into a wall. Mortar cracked against her back as she gasped in surprise. Quite literally at that; a single punch was all it took to knock the wind out of her. Not so smug and superior now, was she?
Not enough. He wasn't satisfied.
"I killed you back then out of mercy. I used to have so much mercy, you know. Not anymore." He leaned in, hissing into her ear, uncaring of her terrified expression. "If you ever, and I mean EVER threaten me and mine again, or pull another stunt like this, I'll kill you a second time. And a third. And a fourth. However many it takes to put you down and keep you down. And if that doesn't work, I'll turn to torture. There are worse things than death. Horrors you haven't even experienced. But I have." his fingers dug bit into her gut, stifling a spell before she could conjure it. "And I'll show you them. Every last one. Do you understand?"
Rennala choked wordlessly, trying and failing to find words that wouldn't come.
He didn't relent and drove his fist deeper. "I can't hear you."
"Y...e..s...!"
"Good girl." He dropped her and let her slump to the floor, leaving her to retch for air. "Don't forget."
Rennala struggled up onto one arm. No doubt she was preparing some other clever retort. He kicked the limb out from under her and left her sprawled on the floor. He wanted to kill her. He wanted to kill her so badly it made his chest ache. The Flame rose in him, reluctant, but willing to act all the same. He could feel the fire flickering at his fingertips...
...but no. He was better than this.
Her pained gasps rang in his ears as he stalked away. He closed his heart to them and kept walking.
Yup, that settled it.
Time to leave.
(.0.0.0.)
Sellen was awake when he returned. Awake and absolutely furious.
She took one look at him. Merely a glance.
And she knew.
"What did that wretched witch say to thee?"
"..." Naruto didn't answer as he sat beside her. Of course not. He'd been rattled by someone or something. Likely someone. And she knew who.
Rennala. Damn her. Damn her to the darkest pit. And damn Hyetta for going off on another one of her walks. Had she known Naruto was returning and sought to give them time together? Her timing was most suspicious. All the more reason to stay the course she supposed. She'd certainly never attempt that ritual with Azur and Lusat's bodies now, assuming she ever found them. Not knowing what she knew now. Ah, but Naruto was still looking at her. She had already lost both herself and her child that day.
Time tor rectify that mistake.
She stepped to him and kissed him fiercely, determined to drive the pain from his eyes.
"Whatever she said to you, do not think of it." she broke for air and reached up to cup his face in her hands. "I will make you forget."
She owed him that much at least.
"Sellen-
Her robe smacked him in the face; it took him a full moment to realized she'd thrown her clothes at him.
"I remember enough." She pushed him down, straddled his hips and summarily, smothered his protest with her lips. "Stop talking, beloved. Or better yet," She grinned down at him, eyes dancing with sadness and sorrow, but also mirth. "Say you missed me." she ground her hips against his. "Tell me how happy you are to see me."
He laughed. "You first."
"Of course I'm happy to see you again.
Sellen pouted and kissed him fiercely, trying to drive the darker memories away. She succeeded, if only because he didn't initially respond. Not right away. But eventually he did. He returned her kisses and began to move against her, with her now. He tried to speak. To say something as he they ravaged one another.
"What happened before...I'm sorry." he choked a little on the words. "For all of it.
"Be silent!" she hissed. "You have nothing to apologize for and I will tolerate no protest from thee!"
Words were the last thing she wanted right now.
She tore at his armor and he helped her out of her undergarments. In a matter of moments they were both as naked as the say they were born. She remembered this too, a moment not unlike this own when she first discovered the pleasure of the flesh with him. He'd awoken it again, that carnal desire. She refused to stop, not until she had her fill.
"You did this to me!" she hissed between kisses. "You ruined me! You will take responsibility for this!"
Naruto blinked at that, terribly startled. "Wait, were you really-
"Yes!" she snarled at him. "And I shall be again!"
In a matter of moments they found a familiar rhythm; he began to respond to her, as her body did his. Their minds remembered, even if their bodies didn't. This was all Sellen needed to remember. Not the pain, not the sadness and sorrow, nor the bittersweet moments before they doomed themselves to a dark fate. Just him and her, the feeling of his body against hers, skin to skin. Nothing but pleasure as she rode him unto oblivion. His hands on her hips, urging her onward, her lips clashing with his.
She quickened her pace atop him, pushing down on his bare chest with both hands, unable to contain the cry that fled from her lips.
Gods, she forgotten how good it felt. It was bliss. Utter bliss. One of his hands moved to her breasts and she groaned softly, arching her neck back. "My love...!"
Yes. Love. This was the man she loved. Now and forever.
Sellen's world shattered into white and she quivered atop him once more, spent, before falling atop him, into his arms. He clung to her, and she him, each unwilling to let go of the other. Sleep was merciful. It came quickly as she nuzzled her head into his neck. She prayed for sweet dreams. And if those dreams became dark...
Let his enemies come, one and all.
She would tear them asunder.
Every. Last. One.
A/N: Aaaand scene.
Hope you enjoyed this chapter!
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.
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.
If folks don't like this, it won't be continued. Meaning that if the story itself ain't popular? Well...it won't continue! 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.
I hate begging for feedback, but its genuinely all that keeps me going at times.
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)
"You'll be Elden Lord yet."
Papa!"
Naruto wheezed. "Pa...?!"
Caelid was both better and worse than he expected it to be.
"What the actual hell."
He vaguely remembered there being dragons here, but this...was not one of those dragon. Nope. Not at all. He certainly didn't remember one talking!
"Right, then. I'll just leave you to it-
"Wait!"
Gotcha. He paused, smiling in the shadows, feigning ignorance. "Hmmm? What is it? I've got a castle to conquer."
"P-Perhaps I shall deign to allow your assistance." the wyrm raised a wrecked wing and considered him with her good eye, tattered tail twitching painfully behind her. "As you can clearly see, I've landed myself in a bit of a bind after that tussle with Ekzykes. If I lay here to rest, the rot will surely overtake me as it has others." When he didn't answer she barreled on. "I must return to Lady Ranni and make my report, but I cannot do so in this form. Might you spare a few runes?
...Ranni? Color him interested. Still, he wasn't about to let her off that easily. Not after the tongue lashing she'd given him a minute ago.
"You seemed just fine earlier." he thumbed his chin. "I believe the words, I need no mortal aid were used."
The dragonling made a pitiful noise akin to a squeak, but didn't speak.
Naruto's grin grew. "Say please, and I might consider it."
She whimpered. "Please, I beg of thee! Heeelp~!"
"Good girl." He laid a golden hand on her head. "You gotta name?"
"...Adula."
"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~!"
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...
"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...
"Is this all you can do? I am not impressed-
Naruto's head snapped up, eyes bleeding tongues of flame. Open palms swept forth, latching onto either side of their face.
A single word pierced the gloom. "BURN."
Fire flashed. The scent of charred flesh fill the air
His foe toppled back with a yowl, clutching at their ruined visage.
"What chaos is this?! What have you done?!"
"Chaos?" he rasped the word. "No, this ain't a flame of chaos any longer. This is purification."
He grabbed them again. His victim died screaming.
She tilted her head and granted him a soft smile, golden eyes crinkling softly in the firelight. "Hello, my lord."
Three little words. And they broke him. Shattered him utterly.
"No." he stepped back. "No, no, no. You can't be here. You're not real."
"Not real? Did you hit your head? You look awful." She tutted softly and cupped his cheek with both hands. "See? You're running a fever. Come down and have a rest."
He didn't move. He didn't dare. "This is a dream."
"Is it?" her smile didn't waver. "They say you can't feel pain in a dream...shall we test that?
She grabbed his arm and tweaked the skin there between her thumb and forefinger.
Pain seared through him, hard enough to make him hiss.
"Ow, ow, ow! I'm fairly certainly this qualifies as spousal abuse.
She muffled his lips with hers and plundered his mouth with her tongue.
His brain fizzled.
"And what of that?" she drew away with a smile.
...it really was her. If this was a dream, he never wanted to wake up.
EDIT: She isn't who you think she is. I wonder if you'll be able to guess...?
Hey, you made it! Thanks for sticking around~!
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~!