A/N: ...my old computer's starting to break.

Of course it is, not like I don't have dozens of other expenses...

I'm done with this month. July's been nothing but pain and suffering for this old man.

I'm exhausted, but I'll rest once I've brought all my Elden Ring stories current. Only "The Golden Son" remains to be updated this month, then I can start updating everything else. Including some old favorites. Someone may have mentioned a certain Ruin DLC for a certain game, to say nothing of Father of Monsters and To Be Worthy...

But enough about them, you're here for Elden Ring~!

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 lost their minds sometimes. 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.

So here we go. The fate of this story depends on you, the reader. Your feedback determines the fate of this tale, and many others.

I'm just a humble author trying to make his way in this wild, wicked world, one word at a time.

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. Disclaimer over.

And may I say, holy crap, Loretta without her helmet is gorgeous~!

"Journal entry #7,

"I've started keeping a record of things around here, if only to keep my memories in check.

Gywnevere and Friede are still sniping at one another, though that's to be expected.

Radagon -Father- is acting strange. Need to keep an eye on things.

Probably nothing, might be Mother's pregnancy. She's close.

I hope its a boy this time. Always wanted a brother.

Ranni is...wait. Hold that thought."

~?

Shake the Stars

A tiny hand tugged at his sleeve.

"I wish to be held, brother. Pick me up at once."

Naruto gingerly closed his journal and looked down.

Sure enough he found his dear baby sister awaiting him there in the garden, clad in her dark carian robes, arms raised above her head. Those bright blue eyes were intent upon him, her long red hair seemingly catching fire in the early morning sun. His brow shot straight into his scarlet hair at the sight of her determined expression.

She hopped once as he looked on and stomped a foot, impatience made most clear. Heh. It was such a Ranni thing to do; the sight of her almost made him laugh. Almost...but not quite. He didn't laugh at her. No, nay, never. Anyone who said otherwise was a dirty liar. He was General Radahn. He who fought Great Godfrey to a standstill. He did not balk in the face of adversity. He surpassed it!

And he certainly didn't chuckle at the face his little sister was making.

Ranni, as he'd learned long ago, could be a rather demanding child. At five years old, she was a right terror to most of the castle staff, but for him, she was his still his little sister. Always would be, no matter what she said or did. He would happily battle the very heavens for her and wrestle the very gods.

That said, he could hardly cater to her every whim now, could he? He said as much now. "Aren't you getting a little too old for this, sister of mine?"

"Radaaaaahn!" Little Ranni raised both arms, her expression plaintive. "Up!"

.

..

...alright, he definitely laughed.

It was the simplest thing to reach down. He'd grown so terribly tall after all, and she was still so very small. He reached down with one hand, swept her up and gently hoisted her upright into his lap. The little redhead giggled girlishly, a rare sound indeed and one she only ever made in his presence. In a matter of moments her legs were swaying over his knee. She saw his journal and snatched it up to read. He let her, knowing any true attempts to dislodge her on his part would be met with tears and a piercing wail. Stubborn, clingy girl.

Besides, it wasn't as though Ranni could read. Not yet. Not properly. She had lessons for that...not that she enjoyed them overmuch.

"You're up awfully early." he ran a hand through her long red hair, drawing a pleased hum from her. "Is something wrong?"

She squirmed on his knee and looked up over her shoulder at him. "Mother and Father are fighting again."

His face closed down. "Are they? What about?"

...I do not know. They were loud."

They had been quarreling an awful lot lately. About the strangest things, too. Hopefully that would pass once the baby was born. Mother was already fit to pop; he had no doubt their new sibling would come into the world any day now. Ranni was rather delighted about that last bit. She would be a big sister at last and have someone to boss around. Not that she didn't already try-

"What does this word mean, Radahn?" his little sister pointed to a word in his journal, commanding his attention once ore.

Ah, she was looking at a page detailing a spell he was working on.

"It means gravity." Naruto smiled a little. "Can you say it?"

Her brow furrowed. "Gravy?"

"Gravity." He corrected.

"Gravy. I like gravy."

And just like that, he imagined gravy magic. Sensational.

Laughter tumbled out of him before he could hold it back. "Close enough."

Ranni beamed at her victory, shifted a little atop his knees, then turned a few pages more. "And this word?"

"Hrrm?" he leaned down. "Let me see-urk." His face burned a little as he glimpsed the contents within. That particular passage was dedicated to one of his outings with Gwynevere, and he wasn't about to say a word of that to her. "Well, that one's about Gwynevere." he said instead. "Our cousin. You remember her, don't you?"

Ranni's brow furrowed as she fumbled with the word. "Gwyne...Gewyna...Gwyn."

He fought down another laugh. "Gwynevere."

"But Gwyn is so much easier to say~!"

He bopped her nose. "Maybe, but she won't thank you for it. She doesn't even let me call her that."

Ranni made unhappy Ranni noises and pretended to ponder his words for a moment.

Without warning, her eyes lit up. "Are you going to marry her soon, brother?"

Naruto nearly choked on his own spit! "What gave you that idea?"

"Mother did." She didn't waver. "And why not? I always wanted a sister...

Fried would've spit sparks if she were standing here. Thankfully she was still sound asleep in the loft above. He didn't doubt for a moment that news of this would make its way back to her ears. He'd have to make it up to her later. She and Ranni had never quite gotten on, though not for lack of trying."

...but the more the merrier, I suppose."

Naruto felt his brow rise again. "Did mother say that as well?"

Ranni nodded. "She did. I believe the words she used were "lots of grandbabies" or something of that order."

Recognizing that minefield for what it was, Naruto wisely skirted around it. "You might have a sister after today, you know."

"No." His one-and-only-sister shook her head, sending her scarlet hair swaying. "I will not."

"What makes you say that?"

"Mother will have a boy." she huffed. "I have a feeling about this."

"Is that so?" he chortled in return. "If you say so. Here, lets teach you another word...

He wasn't sure how much time they spent there in the gardens together, him teaching Ranni words, her mangling them horribly, drawing laughter from them both. Eventually they made a game of it. For every word she managed to get correct, he promised to teach her some of his gravity magic. With that she rose to the challenge and actually managed three. That made three spells he'd have to teach her; he'd only just thought of several that would best suit her when-

"My lady?" a voice interjected against the backdrop of his thoughts. "My lady! There you are!"

Loretta rounded the bend at a brisk clip, helmet tucked under her arm, pale hair swaying, bright eyes intent on Ranni as she stalked their way.

"There you are!" She sounded positively harassed and certainly looked the part. "Your teacher has been looking for you. Your late for your lessons, young lady!"

Ranni winced. "I don't like my lessons. They're boring. This isn't."

Loretta sighed the sigh of one who'd had this argument many times before. "Be that as it may, it is important for you to learn."

Ranni settled in to sulk. "No."

"My lady-

"I said no!"

Loretta flicked a pleading look his way.

Naruto gave his sister a nudge. "Go on. I'll bring you a slice of cake from the kitchens once your done."

She looked back at him, half-convinced already. "...will it be chocolate?"

"Sure. But only if you behave. Run along, now."

Ranni hopped of his knees and scarpered.

Loretta tutted softly as she watched the princess scamper away. "You baby your sister too much, my lord."

Did he? He didn't think so. Ranni was a pure and precious, if a touch precocious child, and woe betide the hand that sought to harm her.

Life had, well, not quite settled down these last few years, the Lands Between were ever a chaotic place at the best of times, but he'd found a certain rhythm in things. It was, dare he say, peaceful. He didn't mind some conflict every now and again, but he'd earned a little downtime after all this.

But peace was boring. He found himself growing restless.

Kurama huffed. "Don't jinx it."

...fine, fine. I won't.'

"My lord?"

Right, right. Loretta. He'd forgotten about her. "Did you need something?"

Her expression said she did, and her words only confirmed it. "I was wondering if I might have a moment of your time...

...why not? It wasn't as though he had anything better to do today. Gwynevere was back in the capital this week. Preparing, she'd said. For what, he didn't know, but she refused to let him see her until she was done with it. Whatever it might be. May as well keep himself occupied in the interim.

"By all means."

The knight gulped. "If it isn't too much trouble-

"No, no." he waved her down. "Its no trouble at all."

She practically sagged with relief. "I had hoped we might discuss matters of the realm." When he didn't interrupt, she continued apace. With the queen so disposed at the moment and Lord Radagon occupied with more...martial matters," a sour twist of her lips followed, "Raya Lucaria looks to your for leadership...

He new an unspoken plea when he heard one. "Is there something that needs doing?"

"Yes!" She all but exploded. "The guards need their orders, provisions need to be sent down to the gate town, and we have an emissary from Stormveil due to arrive next week! Yet no one has given us so much as a single command this week!" she'd never bee one to wring her hands, but he could tell she wanted to. "We need direction, and we need it now!"

Were Mother and Father truly that distracted?

That was...concerning. Still, he'd been taught such things.

The orders were simple enough. He gave them, made her memorize them, and that was that. From there, Loretta summoned another guard and sent them off as a runner to deliver said orders. In less than an hour things were sorted as best they could be, with instructions to come to him for further needs.

"Well," he said apropos of nothing, "Is there anything else? I was looking to try other schools of magic today...

"I can help with that!" Loretta all but blurted out the words, betraying her panic. "In fact, I'd be happy to! You needn't carry all these burdens alone, my lord. As captain of the guard is my duty, nay, my privilege to assist you in these trying times." Ohhh, dear. She was building up to something. He didn't think he was going to like it.

He did not.

"...which is why I hesitate to broach this subject, but there is something else I must tell you."

"Speak."

Loretta took a deep breath and obeyed. "Your father... has been seen leaving the castle grounds late at night."

Something nagged at him. Naruto shoved it down. "What of it? Where he goes is not my concern. He can do as he pleases."

He frowned. "But he does not return until dawn!"

"And you know this how?"

"I kept watch." she withstood his scrutiny without flinching. "It is my duty. When I asked him, he said there was no need for concern. And yet he smelled of perfume. Do you not think it odd?"

He did, but he'd heard of stranger things and said as much.

"I have also heard him...speaking of her."

His brow furrowed. "Of who?"

"Queen Marika." Loretta looked left and right, as though afraid the very mention of her name would summon the queen herself. "Lord Radagon speaks most strangely of her to the servants. I do not mean to sow ill news where there is none to be had, but I think he may be having an-

"No." he held up a hand. "Don't say it out loud. Words had power and he didn't want to speak them; didn't want to think about it. "Tell no one of this. I'll ask the next time I see him."

She bowed her head in absolute deference. "As you will, my lord."

"Now then, you mentioned spells?"

"Indeed!" Loretta perked up, eager -grateful even- for a change in topic, flinging herself into it with gusto. "I couldn't help but notice you favor the bow in addition to your blades. As luck would have it, I happen to know a powerful greatbow spell you would find most useful. With your talents, I'm sure you'd master it in no time."

He would indeed. It would help him save some arrows. "And what would you like in return?"

The captain of his guard squeaked. "Me?"

He flashed her what he hoped was a charming smile. "I'm in your debt Loretta, and I pay my debts. Ask something of me, anything at all, and I'll give you it to you."

That wasn't arrogance on his part, but simple fact. He'd grown strong. There was very little he couldn't do these days.

Loretta made happy Loretta noises. "Anything I want?"

He granted her a small smile. "So long as its within my power to grant."

The albinauric woman perked up. "Then perhaps we could go for a ride by the lake...?

(.0.0.0.)

"She did what?!"

Gwynevere scowled from her mirror, tan face writ with exasperation.

"Did I stutter?" Friede hid a small behind her hand as she faced the looking glass. "It would appear the Albinauric Woman has gotten a leg up on us, as it were."

"Was that meant to be a joke?" Despite the distance separating them, she could see Gywnevere's scowl clear as day. "If so, t'was in poor taste."

This time, the prophetess didn't deign to hide her smile. "My apologies. It was not my intent to offend."

Godfrey's daughter huffed and tore her gaze away in a petulant pout, arms crossed before her bountiful bosom, sunlight shining across the copious curls of her long hair. Proper useful devices these, allowing for long range communication even between distant Leyndell and Raya Lucaria. Truly they were a marvel. A pity they were yet so few in number -the art of their craft having been long since lost during the War of the Erdtree- but they served her purposes well enough.

Ah, but back to the angry princess before her.

"Now, now," Friede tutted, "Do not begrudge little Loretta for taking the initiative; she clearly needs all the help she can get."

"You won't interfere?"

She shrugged one shoulder. "I see no need. She is doomed to fail regardless. And you have sworn not to meddle in my own efforts. Our truce persists. May the best woman win, as they say."

...you won't."

"Won't I?" She tilted her head, dark hair falling over her burned face. "I know what you're preparing for over there. I'm sure our dear Radahn will be most surprised when you-

Gwynevere yelped to cut her off then made a keening noise and her face gone a delightful shade of red. "How did you know about that?! I've not told anyone! Not a soul!"

"I have my ways, my dear." Friede looked down and made a show of inspecting her hand. "I believe there's something of a betting pool running these days."

"Of...?

"Of long before you snap and pounce on our prince. I have quite the stake in it, I'll have you know."

Gwynevere sputtered anew. "You're so wicked...

"Wicked?" Friede blinked, made momentarily indignant by the word. "I prefer the term pragmatic. I merely wish to protect him." she let her hand fall to stroke the scythe that was never far from her side. "That man would go to unfathomable lengths for those he deems precious. He would even fight the very stars."

Gwynevere sighed. "He's mad. Absolutely mad. You cannot conquer the stars!

Friede smiled softly. "...I believe he can."

(.0.0.0.)

They met up at the stables.

Loretta was already astride her own steed by the time Naruto found her. She granted him a brisk wave, one he returned as he found his own dark destrier, a fine warhorse nearly as large as he was tall. He greeted them, apple in hand as he swung the door open and led them out.

The mighty horse snapped it up in a single bite.

He grinned. "Good boy, Leonard."

"Radahn?" Loretta did a double-take. "Is that Leonard?

His steed nosed his chest, drawing a low laugh from him. "Indeed he is."

"How?!" she balked as she watched him saddle his old friend. "When last I saw him, he was a scrawny little thing. How could he grow so quickly?!"

Naruto feigned a shrug as he swung himself into the saddle, towering over her and her horse both. "I helped him."

Her mouth worked wordlessly for the longest time.

Adorable.

He could have told her the why and how; that he'd used chakra to grant him more strength and speed, the better to aid in his growth spurt, but honestly, where was the fun in that? Let Loretta wonder awhile. It would be far more amusing to see what mad ideas Loretta's mind cooked up in the interim. But until then...?

"Shall we begin?"

Naruto could feel the questions in Loretta's gaze. Frankly he was amazed she managed to hold them in. She looked fit to burst with curiosity.

Together they rode out of the grounds at leisurely pace. The guards didn't dare to question them; their reputation preceded them.

Liurnia of the Lakes lived up to its name, as did the great bodies of water that so defined its name.

They rode on the shoreline, taking a long meandering path from Raya Lucaria out into the countryside. None challenged them and rightfully so; even without an escort the two of them were to be feared. Banditry had been all but eradicated from Liurnia long before their time.

Simply put, no one here was foolish enough -or suicidal enough- to even

That wasn't to say the world was silent of course. Not at all. Birds whirled their way through the sky, chirping to one another as they went. Turtles plodded sluggishly through the marsh, a stray startled hare bounded by into the brush as they rode past. He even glimpsed a dragon wheeling in the distance, too far to truly see then it was gone, passing over the mountains...

Loretta sighed softly, distracting him from the majesty of nature.

"This is nice...

.

..

...Naruto waited for the other shoe to drop.

"But I must confess I had another reason for asking you here."

He had a feeling what. "By all means, speak your mind. There's no one to hear us out here."

"..."

Loretta didn't for the longest time. She held her tongue and they rode on in silence. Anxiety gnawed at her.

"Last summer, she began slowly, "You healed Lady Ranni of a most terrible cought, did you not?"

"I did." he nodded. "What of it?"

Silence descended anew.

"If you can heal others, would you be wiling to heal my legs?" She sounded very, very small as she said it. "Might you consider it?"

"I thought you could walk under your own power...?"

She flushed and looked away. "For a short while a day, yes, but my legs are fading. Such is the fate that await all Albinaurics." she cast a glance to her armored knees. Soon I shan't be able to walk at all. I'll have to ride a horse to get anywhere. And then soon thereafter...I will die."

Fire flared in his chest. Die? She didn't have his permission to die. Certainly not from something he could fix. "No."

That drew a blink from her. "My lord?"

Seizing the reigns of her horse, he drew her closer to him. "You don't have my permission to die. Your promised to serve me and my family, didn't you?"

Her pale face darkened. "Yes, of course. But I-

-will be healed." he declared, . "I'll see to it myself. We'll face the future together. Am

A poor choice of words perhaps, but looking back it was an excellent one. It gave her hope. And changed her path.

Loretta blinked at him twice, a decidedly startled-yet-hopeful look in her bright, glistening eyes. "I think...I would like that very much."

She reached across the reigns to tough his hand. Her fingers looped in his, dwarfed by his massive palm. She drew it to her lips and kissed it.

"I won't let you down." her eyes met his, glistening with dew. "I shall stand by your side." she bowed her head but a little, yet her gaze never left his. "From this day until my last day...if you'll have me?"

His heart thumped oddly in his chest.

Was that a proposal?

The heavens erupted above them.

Naruto rounded on the sound, eyes wide.

And well that he did; because something fell out the sky high above, a fiery comet of blazing death hurtled down from the very stars themselves. Growing larger with each passing moment, it showed no signs of stopping. It soared past, plummeted through the clouds and came crashing down into the nearby lake. It struck the shimmering surface to skid into the shallows, bleeding shadow and flame as it went, then sank down the depths.

Loretta dared a nervous laugh. "Well, that was quite a falling star! Should we have made a wish?"

Naruto flung up a hand.

Something stirred in the depths.

Bony hands grasped at the water, drawing something upright in blatant defiance of gravity...

.

..

...and he saw.

It was a ghastly thing; a mad cross between a human skeleton and some sort of crazed beastly insect; body forged of countless spheres and bearings just as many arms. Ghastly pincers set in a humanoid skull clacked at empty air, a single giant eye gazing out at the world from its skull. Its wings beat the air, its tail stabbed at the dirt for balance as it righted itself on those eerie, bony limbs. It loped their way with an almost lazy gait, taking in its surroundings with that hideous blue orb.

Leonard whinnied angrily beneath him, made restless by the sight of such an abominations.

The strange insect heard it and rounded on them, jaws clacking furiously.

Naruto winced at the wash of negative emotions that followed.

Hate.

Malice.

Destruction.

KillcrushdestroyexterminateANNIHILATE-

Here was a creature who cared naught for negotiations. Only pain and suffering, the utter annihilation of all life that was not "it" and its kind.

It took one look at them and roared, a ghastly sound that bent time and space.

Loretta doubled over, clutching at her bleeding ears. "What is that?!"

A monster from the stars.

He did not know its name, but the world would.

They gazed upon Astel, Naturalborn of the Void. First of Many.

Naruto knew he should've felt fear, anxiety, distress at the very least. But he didn't. While this "thing" clearly wished him and Loretta ill, the was a distinct lack of negativity on his part.

His heart thudded in his chest as he sat straight in his saddle. A wide grin tore across his face. He gazed upon this horror from the stars and felt only glee. Here was a foe that deserved to die, that demanded death, and death he would gladly give. His Starscourge Greatswords escaped their sheathes in a low rasp; the crests within burning with baleful light, eager to smash this new foe. Nor was he alone in this. Leonard tensed beneath him, eager to ride into battle. He could hear Loretta was recovering behind him, righting herself atop her own steed, brandishing her weapon

The beast before them hesitated, baffled by such bravery. Only a little, just a jot really.

It was enough. More than enough, really.

They fell upon it with a will.

A/N: Battle next time? Or aftermath? Your choice.

Really need to hear back from you on this. It means a lot.

I have drafts already written up for both but I'd prefer to hear what you think.

Better get to holding back the heavens there, Naruto/Radahn. We've got invaders from the stars! Hope you enjoyed this chapter~!

Once more, we're sticking with the "Embers" rule for this story, and others. If folks don't like this, it will remain...but it won't be continued. Meaning that if the story itself ain't popular, it will fall further and further back in the update schedule. 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 my lifeblood. Without them, I cannot write.

So In the Immortal Words of Atlas...

...Revieeeeew, Would You Kindly?

They keeps an old man alive.

And enjoy the previews.

As ever:

POTENTIAL PLOT DETAILS AHOY!

SPOILERS! SPOILERS!

YE BE WARNED!

Some are very far off, mind you.

Obvious references are obvious, of course~!

Someone requested the first preview, and I acquiesced. Guess who~!

(Previews)

He heard something.

"...a song of conquest and fate..."

"You have a lovely voice, you know. Why not use it more often?"

She nearly jumped clear out of her dark robe; because she knew that voice! Panic! Fear! Why was he here?!

"My lord Radahn!?" she spun to face him, cheeks burning pink. "You mustn't sneak up on me like that! You nearly scared the life out of me!

"I wasn't sneaking." he grinned back at her, utterly unfazed by her anger. "I've been here for the last five minutes. I even tried calling out to you."

Has she truly been that distracted? "Did you...hear me singing?"

A rueful grin tugged at the corner of his mouth as he leaned forward settled his weight upon his swords, even now buried in the courtyard. "Saw you dancing, too."

Oh gods, she wanted to die! She wanted to sink into the floor and never be seen again! Would her humiliation never end?! "Please don't tell Lady Friede...

"To be fair, I was training at the other end of the yard." the demigod rumbled a laugh when she groaned. "You just didn't notice me."

The handmaiden buried her face into her hands and prayed for the Greater Will to take her. Alas, it did not.

"I've seen you around the castle a time or two. You're one of Friede's servants. What's your name?"

"Another one?!"

Friede seemed amused.

"I swear, if you told me you saw this coming...

She smiled softly. "The girl is an oddity, one I encountered during my travels before we met. May she serve you well."

Time passed.

...where do you think you're going, old man?"

"I have a duty, son. It must be done."

"Duty, is it? I have a duty, too...

WHAM!

...its called dragging you back to Mom."

"You cannot stop me, or what is to come. Marika is more powerful than either of us."

"Your faith in her is misplaced. As is your faith in the Golden Order."

"You would speak such blasphemy to me?!

"Blasphemy, is it?" Radagon looked on aghast as his son raised his arms. "Poor choice of words." Black flame smoldered within the younger man's palms, danced up his arms, writhing across the seals carved there. One by one they smoldered away and his eldest began to glow gold. "I see only one blasphemer here and it ain't me...

"You DARE-

Burning knuckles slammed into his chin, hurtling him away into the sky. Massive hands closed around either side of his head as he flew. Radahn's scowling face sneered at him, inches from his own. Radagon felt his skull creak beneath those giant palms but still, his son didn't let up. "Time to pay your dues, father of mine!"

They hit the mountain a moment later.

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, I'll discontinue it soon thereafter. I'm working two jobs -holidays are upon us!- with no days ogg so I barely have time to write; what little I do is either before or after work, or occasionally on break.

As such, I cannot afford to write something folks don't enjoy. So by all means, speak up! Your voice matters! Make yourself heard!

Looking forward to chatting with you all when I get back!

R&R~!