A/N: Thanks for sticking with me.
Foxfire is coming along nicely, but still needs some more time in the oven. Runt of the Litter and a few RWBY stories should be next, time and health permitting. I want to wait and see how the new season shakes out this month before I begin updating those in earnest.
Speaking of time...
As my fifteen year anniversary on this site draws near, 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. The recent earthquake in Turkey/Syria serves as a terrible example. 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.
No questions this time around.
No questions this time. Only story. Alright then, I've kept you long enough. Lets get back to it.
Once more, I own no quotes, references, or memes. Not a wit or a one. NOT! A! THING!
They're all tributes to legends far greater than little 'ol me.
There we go. Disclaimer over. Hope you enjoy~!
Eminence in Shadow vibes are strooong here.
"I expected more from you, boy! Is this all you can muster?! Surely you can do better!"
...that does it. Call me "boy" one more time. See what happens."
"Struck a nerve, have I? As you wish, then. B~o~y~!"
CLONK!
~?
Hammer Down
...how am I gonna get outta this one?"
Naruto's question echoed in the bedroom, slipped through the morning sunlight, and fled out the window into the city below. He wished he could do the same. In all honesty there was a part of him that longed to do just that; leap out the window, race through the streets of Leyndell streets and run back Raya Lucaria at full speed.
Wouldn't that be a lark?
But no, his window was warded; anyone could come and go as they pleased, but any attempt to pass-and-or-break said ward would bring the guards down on his head, and while he could outrun them -and quite possibly Radagon if he got a head start- he knew he wouldn't be able to outrun Rennala's disappointment. She'd been so bloody hopeful when she sent the two of them on their journey; if he returned without him, it would break her heart...
.
..
...or would it?
He risked a glance over his shoulder, or rather, to his bed.
If he came back with Tanith in tow, his mother might well forget her worries.
He'd awoken this morning to find the poor girl in his bed, clinging to him for dear life. In all fairness, he'd been prepared for just such an eventuality. Expertly extricating himself with all the skill of a proud prankster, he'd swapped himself out with a pillow and left his new fried to it. She hadn't stirred. Not once. Not even a little.
"Huh. Heavy sleeper." He crouched down and poked her cheek now, delighting in the little noise of annoyance she made. "Mom's gonna like you."
A sleepy grumble was his reward. He stood and paced back to the window, leaving her to it.
Marika wanted to "challenge" him today, which was worrying enough in its own right he was being perfectly honest with himself, but at least she'd had the decency to wait until the next morning. Radagon would be coming by to collect them for breakfast soon, and after...well. He knew what was expected of him. Now if he could just find some way to get out of this without revealing himself OR meeting the Greater Will, that'd be great. Still it begged the question. How...?
"Skreee!"
He looked toward the window and spied a familiar shape winging his way with intent. An arm rose on instinct alone. Clawed talons sank into his padded sleeve as his Falcon tucked her wings in, a small fish clutched tight in her beak. She looked smug; well, smug as a bird could be. Seemed she'd done good hunting.
"Hey, Freya...
She tilted her head and looked at him. Looked to Tanith still clinging to that pillow, still in his bed. Back to him, now.
Staaaaaaare.
"This ain't what it looks like."
Her glare both judged and damned him in equal measure.
"Oh, shoo!" He waved a hand at her. "I didn't do a damn thing. Eat your fish.
She made a tittering noise and released his arm, fluttering to the other side of the room with her prize. Irving hissed at her from his coiled bed.
Naruto short the pair a bleak look, shook his head and thumbed his chin. Tanith at least, he could understand. But what to do about Marika? This was meant to be his lazy, carefree, easygoing, "I'm doing whatever the hell I want" life. He wasn't interested in saving the world; because as far as he was concerned, this world didn't need saving yet. A few pranks here, a bit of blasphemy there, maybe found the odd cult if he felt like it. Yet here he was in the very heart of Leyndell, expected to face Marika's challenge.
...this really was going to suck, wasn't it?
The door opened behind him with an ominous creak.
"Wake your friend." Radagon's hand settled upon his shoulder and gripped tight. "It is time."
(.0.0.0.)
Their duel would be held before the Thrones beneath the Erdtree.
Irritated though he was by today's spectacle, Naruto could respect the splendor of it all, if not the chill in the air. At such close proximity the Erdtree loomed large over the world to cast them into its shadow. From here he could see its dappled golden bark, weathered and cracked by time; yet still brimming with life untold. A few stray leaves fluttered to the ground to warn of the coming winter, and if one were to squint, they could see the mountaintops of the giants in the distance.
This was a place of ancient history, where the world had been made and where, someday, it would be unmade.
...I do not like this place. We're too close."
'I know.' He nudged the sullen presence within him. 'Just bear with it awhile longer.'
Marika walked three paces opposite him and hefted her hammer, claiming his attention once more. "Shall we begin?"
"Whenever you're ready." Naruto mirrored the motion; if only to avoid being caught unawares by any sudden movement.
...this was going to hurt.
No matter his skill level, the fact remained that as Rykard, he currently had the body of a child. There were limits to his reach, his weight, and the staying power he could put behind his blows. Under normal circumstances he compensated with raw chakra or his wits, even his tools. But against the sheer might of a godly avatar, aunt or no, something told him Marika wouldn't be giving him much in the way of a handicap. Or maybe she would and they could talk this over like calm, reasonable people...
.
..
...who was he kidding?
"Which would you prefer, nephew of mine?" his aunt's smile was brighter than the sun, pure in its singular desire for the bout to come. "First blood or knockout"? She bounded on her heels, uncaring of what the sight did to her bountiful breasts "Either is fine with me! Should you somehow manage to hit me, I might just grant you a gift!"
She really didn't care about anything else, did she? Bloody tomboy. First blood sounded like an easy way out...the only problem being he would look the fool and lose instantly for it. If this was meant to be an unwinnable fight, if he was going to lose no matter what, then damnit, he was going to lose with style.
...Knockout."
Her eyes went wild. "Bold choice."
Yeeeaaah, he was going to regret this decision, wasn't he?
"Fight, my lord!" Tanith cheered him on from the sidelines. "Do your best!"
"How adorable," Marika cooed, touching one hand to her face. "You have an admirer. A shame I'll have to disappoint her...
Wuh-oh. He didn't like the sound of that.
"You see," his aunt prattled on, "I am utterly incapable of holding myself back during combat." she planted one fist upon her hip, and cracked her neck, forcing a rare shudder from him. "Neverthless, I shall try to restrain myself just this once. I will use only physical attacks. You, however, are free to use any tricks or traps you want. All is fair game, as they say."
Radagon looked on with silent stoicism. Not a word to be said. No encouragement. Nothing at all. Why had he expected anything at all? His temper sparked and he shoved it down again.
"Pay him no mind." surprisingly, his aunt saved him from an outburst. "My dear brother wouldn't know a good time it if smacked him in the sack."
Naruto barked a laugh, entirely unprepared for her words. "Maybe you're not so bad after all."
Radagon rumbled angrily. Tanith squeaked.
"I could say the same of you. I admit, I've been looking forward to this." Marika leaned forward, taking a low stance, one hand scraping the floor, hammer hoisted high as she fell into a pointed crouch. "Ever since I heard of your exploits, I wished to test myself against you. Now, then...the stage is set." Her poise reminded him of a lioness, ready to pounce. "Let us begin!"
Her hammer filled his vision. No time to think. Only move.
Mjolnir rocketed up of its own accord, physically dragging his arm up just to make it in time. Blue met gold. Hammer greeted hammer. The ensuing clash of their weapons rattled the world -and Naruto's teeth!- physically sending the both of them stumbling back-if only for a moment.
For a second, Naruto could've sworn he saw a light. He blinked it away with a scowl and found his footing once more.
Marika looked as surprised as he felt; then that surprise became something far more dangerous.
She wound up for a second swing, grinning ear to ear. "That's the way!"
Naruto ducked it and immediately swept at her legs, only to meet empty air. A shadow fell over him. He knew better than to look up. A quick hop backwards saved his life; Marika's hammer came crashing down less than a heartbeat later, splitting the earth where he'd stood not a moment before. Somehow she took that momentum and channeled it outward, using it to launch herself headlong at him like an arrow from a bow. Down her hammer went, nearly splitting his skull, missing by the narrowest of margins.
"Don't run away, now!" Her voice piqued in a merry giggle as she tore her weapon free. "This won't be any fun if you don't fight back!"
His knee rocketed up at her chin. She swayed away with a dancer's grace and swung back with a crushing overhand smash. No time to avoid. He had no choice but to meet it head on. Their hammers clashed a second time, burning the world white. In that instant he saw something. Golden light, no, light in the shape of a throne. And there, seated upon it...
"Focus, boy!" Clenched knuckles barreled into his face, snapping his head to the side and sending him spinning to the floor in a heap. "Don't space out on me now!"
He flung up a magma hex, to slow her. She barreled right through it and drove her heel into his ribs. He tumbled past the thrones and hit the steps leading into the Erdtree.
Radagon sighed at the last. "Enough of this farce. This is unwise, sister."
Naruto sat up and rubbed his jaw, spitting blood. Unwise?! That was all he had to say?!
"Come now," Marika tutted, "I hardly intend to kill the boy. Think of it as a learning experience." She swept in again, forcing him to tumble away or be crushed. "Defend yourself, Nephew!"
He rolled to feet, turned his head and spat out a bloody tooth. It would regrow in an hour. Didn't make it hurt any less. Mjolnir seethed in his grasp, aching for action. He was more than happy to grant its demand. Braving the hammer with both hands, he leaped in.
CLANG!
For once, Marika didn't deign to dodge. Hammer met hammer and the world cried out. Again he glimpsed the strange throne of light in his mind's eye. There was something -someone?- seated atop it. Why? Was he seeing this? He ignored the vision and wound back for a third strike. Marika met him with a grin. Their subsequent clash forced him down to a knee.
"I expected more from you, boy!" Marika leaned over him, eyes alight as she pushed down, overpowering him with gusto. "Is this all you can muster?! Surely you can do better!"
A muscle jumped in his jaw. "Don't call me that."
"Make me stop, then."
...that does it." he closed his eyes. Orange dusted the edges of his eyelids. Call me "boy" one more time. See what happens."
"Struck a nerve, have I?" she cooed at him, heedless of the danger. "As you wish, then. B~o~y~!"
...have it your way."
Naruto was still smiling when he dropped Mjolnir.
Unprepared for the sudden release Marika hurtled past him. He let her go, snatched up his hammer as she whirled to face him and-
CLONK!
Marika's startled yelp was music to his ears. The satisfying clang that followed when his hammer met her face and knocked her flat on her arse? Even moreso.
Silence fell over the arena.
Tanith broke it with a pleased gasp.
"You threw it!" Marika righted herself with a gasp, rubbing the welt he'd left upon her forehead. "You actually threw your weapon at me?! Who does that?!"
"I do." He snapped his fingers and the hammer rocketed back into his open palm in a blaze of blue. "You want me to try?! Fine!" his dominant arm swept back, eyes blazing blue as he watched the goddess climb to her feet. "I'll put the hammer down!"
"Rykard!" Radagon boomed a warning! "Wait just a moment!"
"Nope!" he lunged at his aunt. "HAMMER DOWN!"
Marika barely got her hammer up in time.
He smashed Mjolnir into it.
Hammers clashed.
For the first time since he'd met her, his aunt stopped smiling. But only for a moment. Then it returned tenfold. She could've kicked him away. Punched him. Countered with a spell of some sort. But she didn't. She chose not to. When he wound back for another swing, so did she. She wanted this clash...and so did he.
They went mad.
Again and again they struck, again and AGAIN their weapons collided. They whaled on one another with reckless abandon, smashing their hammers together, uncaring of the commotion they made. Each time they clashed that strange indistinct figure on that throne of light became that much clearer in Naruto's mind's eye. More distinct now. Real enough to see. To touch.
Finally, they stirred.
"Blast it all, must you be so noisy?! I'm trying to sleep! BE SILENT!"
A swarm of golden light swept down from the Erdtree's branches, swept him and Marika and hauled them backward into the tree.
(.0.0.0.)
Reality reasserted itself in a rush of gold.
Naruto lowered an arm with an annoyed grumble, squinting against the light. His vision cleared slowly-not enough to see completely, but enough to perceive his surroundings all the same. He immediately wished it hadn't; because he had an awful inkling of where he'd just wound up, and it was nowhere good. He found himself stood upon a sea of water, peering into the light.
Pillars of yellow bark surrounded him on every side, pulsing with life.
Something rose from the depths behind him.
The one thing he'd wanted to avoid.
Against his better judgement he pivoted in place to turn around. Looked up now and found himself squinted up at a torrent of golden radiance. It resolved itself into the shape of a one-eyed beast glittering with teeming stars. Eldritch wings stretched forth from its back as it leaned forward to regard him, bearing its mighty bulk on two arms forged from starlight itself.
"Rykard." its deep, booming voice assaulted his very eardrums. "Son of Radagon. Blasphemer most foul. I would speak with thee."
He almost laughed. This? THIS was the thing he'd feared?
Sure, he could sense its power, but also its weakness. It was hiding something.
"That's nice." he dug a finger into his ear. "But you're too damn loud. Mind lowering the volume a bit?"
"...?"
"Are ya deaf?" he jabbed a finger into his chest. "Lower. Your. Voice!"
The beast reared back with its long neck. "You do not fear me?"
"Why should I?
"I am the Elden Beast!"
"You really aren't." he grinned. "Drop the disguise. You're not fooling anyone, least of all me."
"Blast it all!"
As he looked on the golden stars resolved themselves into a vaguely humanoid form. Smaller now. The beast shattered and took on the guise of...a young girl? More a child really, nearly of an age with him. Clad in a gown of purest gold, she huffed and flared at him. Her eyes were the stars in the sky, her hair a glossy curtain cut from midnight itself, gold and shimmering one moment, the darkest of ebony the next.
"There." she planted two tiny fists upon her nonexistent hips. "I've assumed my proper form. You should feel grateful."
Naruto felt a bead of sweat run down his brow. "You're a child."
"'Tis not my fault I am slow to mature!" she stomped her foot. "I was but a girl when I ascended! This body is hundreds of years old!"
...and still you act like a brat.' he mused.
"You were thinking something rude just now, weren't you?!"
"No, no, perish the thought." he replied with droll wit. "I am in awe of you greatness.
She kicked his shin, drawing a pained laugh from him.
"Bah! This is why I don't show my true likeness to anyone save Marika. You mortal never understand. But you, hmm." she paused, circled him once, and poked his stomach, drawing a startled yelp from him. "You're quite different. You defy me at every twist and turn, doing as you please, when you please, and to whom you please." Another poke, now, jabbing his back. "You speak frankly, when most would tremble with fear. I cannot remember the last time someone displayed such defiance in my presence. Is that why Radagon had the notion to bring you to me, I wonder?"
He scowled at her. "...you knew?"
"I am a goddess." a tiny grin bloomed on the girl's face. "A loyal leal hound Radagon may be, but he, like so many others, mistakes my intent...
Another poke followed. Naruto whirled and bit her finger for it.
"You prove my point even now." Far from being offended, the Greater Will's grin only grew. She considered her bleeding finger, watching gold light drip from it. "It is...difficult to convey my whims in astral form, yet if I do not wear such a guise I will not be respected, least of all taken seriously. Do you see now? How very vexing this world of mine is...?"
A blond brow rose. "Yours?"
"Yes, mine! This entire world is mine!" she rounded on him with a pout. "I saw it first, I claimed it first, t'was I who sent the Elden Beast, and first raised humanity out of the muck! If my siblings think they can wrest it from my hands, smash the board and start over...!
His eyebrow climbed higher still. "Start over?!
"Nothing you need worry about for a few decades or so." she waved a hand dismissively and yawned soon thereafter. "Although, perhaps...hmm. Your kind will live longer than that, won't they? Perhaps I was too quick to judge you...I daresay you could stand up to them...
He eyed her warily. "No. Whatever you're after, I'm not interested."
"Of course not." she turned that grin on him. "You wish to use this second life as you see fit."
His very blood ran cold. Lie. Deflect. Deny! "No idea what you mean. You must be getting senile in your old age."
"Hmhmm." The Greater Will hummed. "I may be small, but I see many things." she stepped to him and laid a hand on his chest. "Blaspheme me all you like. I still require a champion. Marika's purpose is to keep the Erdtree rooted. She serves her purpose. No, I need another agent, a defender." an adorable little yawn parted her lips. "Blast, I'm so sleepy. Communicating in this form always saps me of my strength. Enough of this. I shall coddle you no longer. Back you go."
"Now wait just a second!" Naruto slapped her hand aside, eyes sparking, temper flaring at the last. "I didn't agree to anything!"
"You will." The Greater Will thrust out an arm. "You must help me, if you wish your carefree life to continue. "
He didn't like what that implied. "Oi! Clear our your ears! I said no! I'm not gonna fight for you-
"Let us speak again when the chance presents itself, blasphemer."
She gave him a push. The world blurred.
A/N: Greater Will is meant to give one Sothis vibes in this story. She's the youngest of the Outer Gods, trying to cling onto what's hers, and wholly out of her depth.
...also, yikes. If Naruto isn't careful Marika might end up choosing HIM instead of Radagon a few decades from now...
Well? Should this little ficlet be a story? Yay or nay!
If this story is voted into the "yay" category, I can promise much more merry madness to come.
And romance of course, can't forget that. Gotta bring little Rya into the world somehow now, don't we?!
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. It will remain, but it simply won't progress further. I'm working two jobs with ever-increasing hours 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 matter! Make yourself heard! As ever, reviews are the fuel that sustains me. Without them, I cannot write a single word. Simple as that.
So by all means, speak up! Raise your voice! Make yourself heard! Your reviews matter!
So in the Immortal Words of Atlas...
...Review Would You Kindly?
And enjoy some previews!
Potential ones at that.
As ever:
WARNING! WARNING! WARNING!
SPOILERS AWAIT THEE!
BEWARE~!
(Previews)
You spoke with the greater will?! What did it say?!"
"That you're an idiot, dad."
Radagon winced.
"Oh?" Rennala perked up, a gimlet gleam in her eyes as she gazed at his companion. "And who might this one be?"
Naruto ushered Tanith forward. The girl gulped once, bowed her head, and sketched a clumsy curtsy.
...a pleasure to meet thee, lady Rennala." she dared a tremulous smile. "My name is Tanith."
Naruto counted the seconds. Three, two, one-yup, there it was.
"My sweet summer child! Come here!"
Tanith lifted her chin. "Begging your pardon my lady, but I do not NEED your approval.
Ranni hummed. "I approve of her."
"Of course you would...
"What's this now?" Radahn's head poked around the corner. Saw them. Then he grinned. "Oho? Little brother! You took a wife before me! I'm so proud!"
"She ain't my wife, damnit! We're still kids!"
"Is that a dragon?!"
Rykard vaulted the fence with a cackle. "I CALL DIBS!"
"Boy! You are not taming a dragon!"
"Try and stop me, old man!"
"Blessed be the lord of blasphemy, champion of the forgotten and the accursed. Long may he reign...
"You're nothing but the second son. You will inherit no lands, nor father any children. You shall die as you lived, Rykard, FORGOTTEN-
They were still laughing when clenched knuckles barreled into their face.
Their body hurtled into the air and struck a mountain.
Needless to say, they did not survive.
Naruto lowered his bloody fist.
"Who else wants a go?"
Radagon rumbled a sigh. "We are gods, boy. We must be better."
"Really? Alright, then I choose to be myself.
"That is not what I meant."
"Tough."
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...I won't be able to continue it.
I'm working two jobs, trying to make ends meet these days; 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 matter! Make yourself heard! As ever, reviews are the fuel that sustains me. Without them, I cannot write a single word. Simple as that.
So by all means, speak up! Raise your voice! Make yourself heard! Your reviews matter! Really, they do!
Looking forward to chatting with you all when I get back from work!
R&R~!