A/N: There's a bit of a rant here, apologies. Not in the best mental space at the moment.
...well, I finally snapped at my boss today. It was bound to happen sooner or later, with all the work that kept getting foisted onto me.
Hopefully I still have a job tomorrow. I'm just so bloody tired of having to carry everyone there, and the second I don't...ugh.
Still coughing and dealing with aches and shakes. Suppose that comes with getting older as well.
Regardless, thanks to everyone for sticking with me through all these years.
Speaking of 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. All around the world, everyone seems to be losing their inds. 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~!
"It is not so simple. We are gods, boy. We must be better."
"Really? Alright, then I choose to be myself.
"That is not what I meant."
"Tough tits!"
~?
Just the Beginning
In the end the duel was called a draw.
It left something of a sour taste in Naruto's mouth given the circumstances; he didn't like losing on the best of days, but to settle for a stalemate? When he knew he might be able to win? When he'd begun to enjoy himself for the first tine in years? When he was finally getting into the swing of things? Needless to say he wasn't happy.
Least of all with Radagon at the moment.
"Son...did you truly spoke with the greater will in the Erdtree?"
"I did." Naruto kept his gaze facing forward, eye son the countryside as he urged his horse onward. "What of it?"
...what did it say to you?" he didn't miss the longing in his father's voice. Couldn't even blame him for it, really. He'd always been like this.
Tanith didn't say a word as she rode beside him, and in that he couldn't blame her, either. No doubt the young girl felt like a third wheel in this stilted conversation.
"..."
"Rykard, please." his sire begged. "This is important. What did it say?"
Many things, few of which he felt like saying.
"It called you an idiot, dad."
He physically felt Radagon wince at that biting remark, but he didn't give him the chance to retort. A quick crack of the reins spurred his horse forward, leaving him behind.
Irving hissed sympathetically on his shoulder.
Almost made him feel bad, it did. Almost as bad as being dragged to Leyndell against his will. Almost as bad as being forced to fight a goddess, and ALMOST as bad as getting roped into saving the world. That was worse. Much worse. He had no sympathy for Radagon at the moment; as far as he was concerned, the fault for this entire mess lay with his so-called father. He'd brought this upon himself.
Save the world or lose his carefree second life. A sour prize indeed.
With luck they would be home soon. He had much to dwell on and little of it was pleasant; at least the Greater Will wasn't going to be a problem...well, not as he thought it would be.
Save the world she said! Ha! His saving days were done. He just wanted to be happy.
Marika had been nothing if not pleasant toward their sudden departure. Downright gracious even. She hadn't seen any of his discussion with the Greater Will when she'd been sucked into the Erdtree with him, or if she had, she didn't seem remember any of it. She would've been happy to host them longer, but she must've realized he wanted to return home. And so after a curt discussion with Radagon -which he hadn't been privy to- they'd been given three horses and sent on their way with a promise to meet again.
"I'll be watching your progress with great interest, nephew."
Naruto shook his head to clear his thoughts.
Bit of a shame, that.
He'd been so eager to leave that hadn't had the chance to meet the rest of his family. Perhaps that was for the best. From what he'd heard of Great Godfrey, the First Elden Lord would've demanded a duel or some other contest of strength-no, no, no! Not dealing with that battle maniac!-while Godwyn the Golden was seldom in the capital these days.
Just as well; if he'd seen either of them he might've been tempted to prank them for his plight. And he would happily do so but...later. On his terms, and not theirs. Not that of his foolish father, with whom seemed to find himself more estranged with every day. With luck and a bit of hope, Radagon should've learned his lesson.
Right?
Surely, no?
...not bloody likely.
By the sage he needed to calm down. His temper was blazing red-hot and he needed to find a way to cool it before he did something foolish. Back home that would've meant a prank -or three!- but out here in the wilds of Liurnia, he lacked the materials for such. Which meant he had to shove his anger down, lock it in a box, and pray for his sanity. Staring at the countryside helped...a little. It made him think of home, of the chaos he could cause there, of warm embraces from his family. They'd made good time leaving Leyndel behind so far as he was concerned; but it would be another hour or so before they reached the academy.
...My lord?" A soft voice intruded upon his dark thoughts. "Are you alright?"
He flicked a glance to his left, mildly surprised to find Tanith's horse keeping up with him.
With a sigh, he tugged back on the reins and let his own slow. "M'fine.
She'd been curiously silent on the ride home. He supposed she had a right to be; given all she'd endured. Poor girl was nervous, terrified of meeting his mother. He didn't see why, Rennalla would be delighted to meet her. Radahn and Ranni likely less so, but he was sure he could convince them. Sellen...that might be a bit difficult but still...
Something screamed in the distance, shattering his thoughts like so much glass.
Not someone. This cry wasn't human. He'd heard it before.
Naruto perked up, looking toward the looming lakes.
Tanith tensed at his side. "That sounds like a...
...dragon." he finished with a grin.
Her eyes met his. He saw the fear in them but also the curiosity; an unspoken question as to what he would do. Naruto didn't answer with words. He cracked the reins and spurred his mount forward. Tanith followed him without hesitation. Radagon shouted a rebuke behind him, but as always, he paid him little heed. The scream echoed again, just over the rise...
There it was.
He saw the Dragon near the lakes, a great dark grey gorgeous beast locked in battle with an angry runebear. But not for long. As he looked on it snapped forward, biting the beast in twine at the waist. Even as its prey toppled the wyrm screamed, bathing the bear in brilliant blue fire. Its kill secured, it raised its bloodied muzzle to the starry skies and howled its victory. In doing so, he saw the blue stones carved across its body.
Not just any dragon, but a Glintstone dragon. He'd heard legends of this beast, the great Glintstone Dragon Smarag.
He had to have it-to tame it. Here was the challenge he'd been looking for!
"Stay here." he motioned woodenly to Tanith. Dismounting his horse, he strode forward vaulted a nearby fence with a cackle. "I CALL DIBS!"
"Boy!" Radagon sounded closer now, which made him run all the harder. "You are not taming a dragon!"
"Try and stop me, old man!"
A hand seized him by his shoulder and reeled him back. "Cease this foolishness at once!"
Too little, too late. Smarag saw them. This close Naruto could see its muzzle peeling back, exposing its teeth. He tried to squirm free of his father but Radagon held fast...until he drove both elbows backwards into his ribs with vicious force. Marika's brother folded with a wheeze and he left him there, wasted and gasping for air behind him.
Scrambling forward, Naruto held up both hands before the wounded beast.
For wounded it was.
This close he could see its injuries in their entirety.
The runebear had died, but it had died hard, raking its claws across the dragon's snout and jaw. Oh, those looked bloody...small wonder it was angry?
Smarag hissed at him.
"Easy, now." he soothed.
Closing his eyes for but a moment, he laid a hand against its snout and pushed a bit of his chakra into it, willing the wounds to close. It made a noise of surprise and tilted its head to regard him. Its eye was larger than he was.
Its jaws parted.
"That's right." he grinned up at it. "I'm not going to hurt you."
He was still speaking when Radagon raised his right hand and blasted the beast with a bolt of golden light.
Smarag rounded on him with a roar and took wing. He felt its anger. Its betrayal. Hurt.
Naruto found himself reaching out after it. He wounded on Radagon with a snarl.
"Why did you do that?!"
"It was about to incinerate you." His stony father didn't flinch. "That was for the best."
No. He hadn't sensed any intent to attack. Radagon was wrong. He was always wrong, but too arrogant to see it.
Naruto twitched. "The best? You think you know what's best, do you?"
"Of course I do, boy. I'm your father."
He watched Smarag flew away across the mountains, growing smaller with each passing moment. Damn. Damnit. Damn him. All that work undone. He'd have to try even harder now, assuming the dragon ever came this way again. A once in a lifetime opportunity wasted. It would take months, if not years to regain the beast's trust; because now it wouldn't want to go anywhere near humans or demigods. All because his so-called "Father" thought he knew best.
"You...
His world went red.
"YOU KNOW NOTHING! YOU ALWAYS RUIN EVERYTHING!"
He snapped his fingers. Mjolnir slammed into his fist. He swung for the fences.
Radagon didn't even have time to defend himself. His eyes widened. Nothing more. Then it was over. The hammer caught him clean on the chin and knocked him clean off his feet. His body collapsed into the mud like some broken puppet with its strings cut wholly and utterly, stunned by the blow.
To his credit, he recovered quickly, tried to defend himself.
Naruto didn't let him; he on his chest and brought his weapon crashing down. Once, twice, thrice more, beating his guard down with relentless vigor. Finally he broke through his guard and struck the final blow with fiery dispatch, snapping Radagon's head to the side. He didn't stop. No. He kept swinging until he hammered the man into unconsciousness.
Naruto hesitated, contemplating a fifth blow, of killing him right there; of never letting him wake up.
...even now, he couldn't do it. Because he was family.
He left him there, lying in the marsh.
(.0.0.0.)
Lord Rykard was furious.
Tanith could feel it in her bones.
She quietly prayed for a way to help her new patron.
And then it came to her. Of course. It was all so simple!
He needed a friend. Someone who would stand by his side through thick and thin.
In that moment, as she watched her savior stalk away, she resolved to be there for him. Always.
(.0.0.0.)
"You're home early, Rykard." Rennala looked up from her desk as he slipped into her chambers. "Where is your father?"
"Sleeping." he grumbled. "A few hours away from here. In the mud."
His mother smiled sadly. "Didst though have another fight?"
...yes." No, no, no. Naruto didn't want to talk about the old man right now. He didn't even want to think about him. Stepping aside, he took Tanith by the hand and nudged her forward. "He'll live. But there's someone I wanna show ya...
"Oh?" Rennala perked up, a gimlet gleam in her eyes as she gazed at his companion. "And who might this one be?"
Naruto gave Tanith another nudge. 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.
Rennal bolted to her feet. Circled the desk. And then.
"My sweet summer child! Come here!"
Tanith absolutely squeaked as the Queen of the Full Moon hauled her into a warm embrace.
She was still cooing over her when door opened behind them.
"Mother?" A familiar voice chimed. "Have you seen-oh." Ranni paused as she entered the room. "There you are." her bright eyes found Tanith at the last. "And is this churl?"
Tanith lifted her chin, still gripped in Rennala's arms. "Begging your pardon my lady, but I do not NEED your approval. Only your mothers."
"Which she has!" Rennala cooed happily, squeezing her tight. "This girl has steel in her spine!"
"So it seems." Ranni hummed. "I approve of her."
Naruto sighed. "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!"
Tanith squeaked.
Heat speared through Naruto's face.
"She ain't my wife, damnit! We're still kids!"
This...this was his life now. This was his proper family.
Radagon? Who the hell was Radagon?
He didn't want him.
Didn't need him.
A/N: Aaaaand scene.
Well? Should this little ficlet remain 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)
Sellen tapped a foot.
Naruto shrugged. "What? I didn't do anything wrong?"
"I am no suggesting you did, my apprentice. But this latest prank...
"Blessed be the lord of blasphemy, champion of the forgotten and the accursed. Long may he reign...
Tanith took a deep breath. And then. "There's something I'd like to show you...
Marika had begun writing letters to him. That was a good thing, surely?
Must you rest on your laurels?"
"Are you invading my dreams now? C'mon, lemme sleep."
"I will not!" The Greater Will planted two tiny fists on her hips. "You've slept in long enough! Up with you! UP I SAY! There's work to be done!"
"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?"
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~!