A/N: ...got delayed, sorry. Time for a new computer.
Hope you're ready, this is where the arc really kicks off.
Speaking of "off" I'm glad this month's finally over. Its been hectic as all hell.
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. Seems like its everywhere these days. 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. I think I've kept you waiting long enough.
As ever, I own no references, quotes, themes or memes. Not a wit or a one! Really, they're just tributes..
I'm just a humble author trying to make his way in this wild world, one word at a time.
Time and feedback will determine if this remains a story. Simple as that.
In other words...its up to YOU, the reader. Do let me know~!
"Now you see as I see. Now you know.
Come, son of Godfrey.
Meet your match."
~?
Rays of Gold
"A true warrior indeed!"
Lansseax found him the moment he returned to the balcony; Tiche wasn't far behind, and Fia closer still.
Bolder than both, the dragoness leaned in and nuzzled his cheek. "You were truly impressive out there. How many rounds will you fight in?
Naruto shrugged. "As many as I can."
Evidently it was the right answer; because her grin only grew. "As expected of my mate. You do your name credit."
He fended off an exuberant Lansseax with one arm as he all but fell back into his seat. "I didn't do much. The real fights will be starting soon."
"Would that I could be down there with you! Perhaps I should-"
Naruto's brow shot into his hair. He'd had a feeling she would try to pull something like this. Thankfully he'd come prepared.
"No, no, no." he poked her forehead. "Not happening. You have the baby to worry about."
"But I want to fiiiiight!"
Naruto looked past her. "Ladies?"
Tiche latched onto her left arm, even as Fia smooth claimed her right. Together, they wrestled her back into a seat beside him. She could've fought her way free from either. She didn't, if only for fear of hurting them. They used that against her, the clever girls, and had her trapped soon enough.
Fia's dulcet tones did all that work and more. "You need to rest."
Tiche seconded her. "What have we told you about overexerting yourself?"
His consort sank into her seat with a sigh."Feh! I suppose you're right...but I don't like it!"
Naruto left them to it, content to close his eyes and let his aches and pains wash away as his body healed.
In truth, he hadn't expected much of a fight in the first rounds, but he found himself pleasantly surprised. Artorias and Quelaag had given him much to think of, to say nothing of Radahn. He'd ordered all three brought to his quarters to be tended by his finest attendants. He'd have words with the trio once the bouts were over.
Still, with so many challengers -even demigods- invited from so many lands, he actually felt...excited. Granted, he felt a bit bad about beating Radahn the way he had, but it needed to be done. Best it was him and not someone else. At least this way Rykard might advance through to the next rounds. Hopefully. The grand melee had done much to thin out the horde of challengers, but many still remained. He expected another, smaller brawl would take place soon. He'd have to win that one too; before they progressed to the doubles rounds and the singles thereafter.
And so it fell to him once more.
He could do this. He would do this. He must do this.
After all...no one else could be trusted with the Greater Will's wish.
"Company." Kurama's sudden declaration snarled through his thoughts.
"That was well fought, godling." he heard the voice not a heartbeat later. Impeccable timing as ever.
His eyes creaked open and he looked up to find a young woman stood before their seats. Clad in a flowing black dress, she was a regal sort of beauty, a mourning veil drawn before her face. She drew it back as he looked on, revealing a pale face, her lips quirked in some sort of subtle smile, eyes red as blood contrasted by long flowing dark hair...
"And you are...?"
"Greetings, and a pleasure to meet thee, Lord Godwyn." she sketched a courtesy before them. "My name is Flora." raising her head she regarded him intently. "Might I have a moment of your time? I shall not be long."
Lansseax sat a little straighter in her seat. "You most certainly may NOT-
Tiche clamped a hand over her mouth to silence her. "Shhh!"
"By all means." Fia remained the epitome of grace.
Naruto recognized the unspoken plea for what it was. Tiche and Fia wanted him to talk with this newcomer. Why?
Baffled by their behavior he rose from his seat to tower over this strange "Flora" woman. Most outside his circle would have cowered. Not her. She granted him a demure nod, and led him to a darkened corner tucked off to the side behind the balcony. Whatever she wished to say, she clearly didn't intend to be overhead.
Made him proper curious it did. "Are you fighting in the tournament?"
"I hadn't thought to exert myself overmuch, but as my champion was bested in combat," she paused suddenly and looked down at the those milling about in the arena below. The second round would be underway sooner than expected. "It seems I shall have to champion my cause alone." her smile grew a little more. She granted him a sidelong glance, mirrored by a rueful grin. "I must admit, this has been a rather entertaining diversion. I find the gods of this realm rather pleasant, not at all like the kin I killed back home, an far less bloody. And to think I have devoted disciples here who worship me among the stars...
"What was your name again?"
"Flora." the woman repeated. "Of the Moon."
There was something about those last three words.
Flora met his gaze evenly. Intently. Something rippled behind those ruby red eyes, and as he looked on, she reached up and removed the veil completely from her head. Something fell away between them. Naruto sucked in a sharp breath and ran his tongue over his suddenly cold teeth as a nameless chill shot down his spine. She wasn't human. If he hadn't been sure before, he was now.
He didn't even think she was a demigod. No, she felt older. Ancient.
Wait. She couldn't be. It just wasn't possible.
Was she actually a goddess?
"What are you?"
"You know me." Flora grinned at him and for a moment that grin had no teeth at all, but became something of purest shadow. "I've been with you for awhile now, watching you from afar every night. Oh, yes. You know me."
Her hair really wasn't hair at all, he realized. What he'd initially assumed to be midnight tresses were actually eerie rippling tendrils of some sort, dare he say...tentacles? What were those? They looked alive, living in a way hair couldn't possibly be.
"You know me, though we've never met face to face until this very moment."
Her form shifted in his mind's eye for a split second, a brief sliver of a moment and became something horrific, gone now when he blinked.
He set his jaw in a scowl. "You still haven't answered my question."
"I am the Moon." she said simply, as though it were a matter of fact and she weren't some terrifying being from another realm entirely. "Not your Moon, but the Moon nonetheless." she tilted her head to regard him anew with intent, one divine being unto another. "Or its presence, I suppose. I have crossed the realms to claim the Wish, to see my ambitions realized." her cheeks dimpled in another smile. "I felt an introduction was at least deserved, from one god to the next, dear Godwyn."
Naruto grit his teeth. "That body isn't yours, is it?"
"So crude." Flora tutted. "My current form has its uses, I will admit," she made a show of pinching a pale arm, "It once belonged to an intrepid Hunter who sought to control me through...unconventional means. They paid the price for their folly. But I had not expected their flesh to be quite so cozy. Perhaps I should take a proper host more often." She leaned in and gave his hand a brisk pat, long fingers trailing across his. "Do entertain me when we finally meet on the battlefield, won't you? The Sun against the Moon. It shall be a battle for the ages."
He could hardly ignore a remark like that now, could he? "You might find yourself surprised."
She would be, given he was constantly holding himself back. If he ever stopped...
Flora tilted her head. "I like surprises."
"Trust me, you won't like this one."
He grin grew. "...I disagree.
She darted in and he realized her intentions too late.
Warm lips brushed his cheek, bringing with them the faint scent of...what was that? It was a strangely sweet, almost metallic smell? He couldn't quite quantify it and Flora drew back before he had a chance to ponder it yet further. When she made to withdraw caught her wrist before she could retreat further and held her fast.
Mistakes were made.
Physical contact only excited her.
"There it is." She smiled as her tongue flitted out, licking her lips. "That's precisely the spark I'm looking for." her hand came up to pat his face as she regarded him almost fondly. "Do try not to die before our match. I do so enjoy surprises, but death is so very boring."
Her peace said, she turned to mist in his grasp, leaving him clutching so much air.
Kurama heaved a sigh in his head. "...you just HAD to say something, didn't you. Now she'll never leave us be; not until she gets what she wants."
'And that is...?'
"I've seen her type before. She wants to fight you, f**k you, or fillet, possibly while banging your brains out. There's no accounting for crazy."
'But a goddess like her could be useful,' he reasoned thoughtfully. 'We ARE going up against a God ourselves, after all. The more allies we hae-
"Naruto, no! Bad Naruto! You've got enough crazy women after you! Don't add a goddess to the list!"
Was she? Flora didn't seem overly antagonistic toward him. Curious, yes, obsessed, quite possibly, but an enemy? He couldn't say for certain without fighting her himself. Whatever -whomever!- Flora was, she clearly wasn't from the Lands Between. The Greater Will had invited or otherwise summoned many to this tourney. Was it any wonder its machinations caught the eye of a Goddess Beyond the Fog? It might be amusing to aim her at the Elden Beast, if only to see how much damage she could do...
In the end, he shrugged and resolved to make his decision later.
Lansseax was waiting for him with a thunderous scowl when he returned. "I don't like her."
Yup. Saw that coming. Naruto sank into his seat with a sigh. "You don't like anyone who threatens me."
"No, you don't understand. I do NOT like her." she turned a scowl upon him. "She smells of blood and beasts, of despair and death. What did she say to you?"
Tiche and Fia crowded in on either side of them, eager to listen.
Honesty was the best policy. "She wants to fight me."
"Hmm." Fia leaned back with a smile. "Fight, or...
...fight?" Tiche finished suggestively.
"I'm not entirely sure...?"
Lan's golden gaze went slitted. "I see...well, if she thinks to usurp my place and that of my child-to-be, she shall have to fight me to the death!"
Heh. She always got cute when she was huffy. He patted her hand. "No one is taking your place, Lansseax."
"Indeed she is not!" Her smile proved decidedly dangerous. "Wouldn't you agree, little Ranni?"
"Do not involve me in this madness!"
Naruto craned his neck back, alarmed to both recognize the voice and find a familiar shock of red hair sitting behind them. "Ranni? When did you get here?"
Fia's smirk looked downright deadly. "This little culver came looking for you while you were distracted with your new...friend."
"Oh, yes." Tiche tittered falsely. "You were quite...occupied by her charms. We didn't want to bother, you understand."
Lansseax didn't say anything. She didn't have to. She simply crossed one long leg over the other and smiled.
...yikes. They weren't going to let this go, were they? He'd make it up to them tonight.
But when he looked to Ranni, he found his little half-sister looking positively aggrieved. Something was clearly bothering her, but what-
"Why are they letting people die down there?"
Everyone's smile died ugly death.
"Oh, dear."
"She's upset, isn't she?"
"We'll...just give the two of you some privacy."
Together, Tiche and Fia helped Lansseax up and departed.
"Well?" Ranni glared pale daggers his way, dragging a sigh from him. "Why do you allow this slaughter?"
He'd made an effort to limit casualties, but others had not. She was right. He could see the bodies being carted away by wheelbarrows below. There were more than he wished to see. Many of them had been good men and women; people with hopes and dreams and ambitions, all that they would never see realized. Most of them hadn't even been warriors but poor powerless pawns armed with whatever they had to hand, desperate folk lured by the promise of a better future and a Wish, one that could set everything right for them. Instead, were caught in a game they couldn't hope to win.
Life wasn't fair, was it? He'd be sure to fix that when he ascended.
"I'm not letting anyone die." he said at last. "As a matter of fact, I wasn't the one who thought of it." he looked away with the sigh. "Blame the Greater Will. It roped these people in, not me."
She scowled at him. "If the Golden Order would commit such atrocities, then it needs to change!"
"And what do you intend to do? March up there and face down the Great Will yourself?"
She lifted his chin. "If I must."
Proud, defiant, willful girl, ready to take on the world. Rykard would kill him if he let her try.
"As entertaining as that would be," he patted her head, "This ain't the way, little Ranni. Best not to draw its attention right now. We'll deal with it.
She squirmed out from under his hand.
"Deal with it, will you? Is that why you and Rykard are skulking about?" She glowered at him when he didn't answer. "I thought so. I will NOT be bound to that thing, Godwyn!"
On that front, they agreed. He didn't want her shackled to the Two Fingers either. He feared for what it might do to her and Blaidd. Radahn was fervently loyal to the Golden Order, and Radagon with him. By that same measure, Maliketh was loyal to Mother who...well, he still wasn't certain what Marika's schemes were. She likely favored the Golden Order...didn't she?
Of course, their group was not without its own allies. Even if he couldn't convince Ranni to join them yet.
In their corner they had Tiche and Alecto -he assumed- alongside Lansseax and Fortissax, to say nothing of Rykard and Tanith. In Godfrey's absence, the Crucible Knights answered to him. Morgott and Mohg were likewise loyal to him alone. One couldn't forget Fia, of course, to say nothing of his more...erstwhile allies at present. But the Golden Order had allies of its own.
Everyone was taking sides, and he feared what was to come. Dark days were ahead.
"Evens so, you can't just go around killing everyone who upsets you."
She scoffed. "Would you rather I seduce them like you do?"
"One time!" he flung up his arms. "I did it one time!"
"T'was more than once!" he didn't miss the smile on his half-sibling's face. "And you've been doing it again! Shall I count them?"
...please, don't."
A horn bleated from the stands above.
Naruto sighed. His reprieve was over. "I suppose that's my cue. Promise you won't do anything crazy while I'm down there."
Ranni hung her head, hiding beneath her hat.
...I promise, Godwyn."
(.0.0.0.)
The time was at hand.
Long had they watched, long had they waited. No longer!
Now was their time, now was their moment, their chance to bring the mighty low.
And they would. They would show them all.
(.0.0.0.)
"Let the second round commence!"
Naruto leaped down into the arena once more to raucous applause, cheers he listened to with only half an ear. He wasn't fooled by the numbers that awaited him this time around. There were far less than last time, but that was only because the chaff had been cut away. Those who remained were warriors, through and through. They knew what was at stake; those here were not powerless paupers but stern soldiers, all willing to die for their dreams; for that Wish.
Sure enough he glimpsed Flora standing off by the wayside, pretty as a picture. She saw him and smiled...but shook her head.
No, her smile seemed to say. We will have our battle, but not this day.
Fair. He wasn't here for her.
He craned his neck back and watched Marika rise from her throne to address them.
"Fifty stand before me." her voice rang out, clear as a bell. "By this end, twenty five shall remain." She swept an arm outward, hammer in hand. "Fight or fall!"
.
..
...
Nothing happened.
No surprise there, honestly.
None wanted to be the first to make the first move, and in doing so make themselves a target.
Someone had to play the villain.
Might as well be him.
Naruto shrugged, hefted the Bolt of Gransax in his right hand, and chose a target at random. His gaze settled upon a great mountain of a man clad in heavy armor, wielding an equally large sword. A bolt of red lightning burst from his lance and struck the unfortunate fellow in the chest to sent him tumbling into the air, arse over elbows. Spectators scattered from the stands as crashed down among them. His groan was swallowed up by their cheers.
One down.
All eyes fell upon him. He beckoned. "Next."
Just like that, the innate madness of battle took hold.
The strong struck the strong and everything descended into chaos.
"You who consort with dragons!" A voice broke through the fog of war. "Face me!"
He pivoted with a wry grin. "Consort? I do an awful lot more than that...
In all fairness, he wasn't expecting the golden armor. At least it looked gold. He couldn't see the man's face behind that leonine helm -although that was a very nice plume of red hair atop it- but he looked like he knew how to use that spear of his. Somehow, he had the distinct feeling the man was mad at him.
"I am Ornstein, Knight of Gwyn and Dragon Slayer!" the man thrust his weapon his way. "Prepare yourself for the king's justice!"
Ahhh, so he was one of those, then.
But the "Dragons are wicked, wretched creatures. They are the enemy of all life and change!"
"Justice? Hey, now. Maybe dragons are mindless monsters where you come from,." he shrugged one shoulder. "But not here. Lansseax has a temper, sure, but she's fun, and a real spitfire between the sheets."
The righteous knight absolutely sputtered in sheer disbelief. "You lay with her?!"
He scoffed. "I love her, you dolt. I wanna start a family with her. How else-
A shadow fell over him.
Ornstein swore. "Smough, no!"
Smough, yes. The armored giant struck down at him without mercy...
.
..
...for all the good it did him.
Naruto looked back over his shoulder. "Do you mind? I wasn't done lecturin' him."
He'd caught the massive hammer before it could flatten him, stopping it short against an open palm lazily raised behind his back. Baffled, the large man made an angry noise as he strained in vain to move his weapon. No such luck. It was almost sad. This one had no style or substance or form, he was just a killer who used brute strength to squash all in his path. Here was someone who knew only how to kill, who cared only to kill, who had no goodness or light or even life in him.
He couldn't entertain him like Ornstein might either. So to that end...
...why waste time on him?
Naruto dropped the hammer, let it crash harmlessly past.
Smough's weapon struck the earth, spraying dust and dirt in every direction.
The Bolt of Gransax pierced the haze and ran him through in a rousing bolt of red death.
It was a good blow, the red lightning blasting a clean hole in Smough's lower torso before fizzling out against the outer wall. Momentum came crashing down and reality reasserted itself. Metal shattered. Flesh parted like paper, leaving only a gaping hole behind. The mighty man dropped his hammer and toppled backward with a dismayed gurgle, dead before he hit the ground. Blood pooled beneath his back, his legs twitched once, then he lay still.
Ornstein gasped and rushed to his side. "No!"
Naruto stifled a pang of regret. He'd been merciful against the innocent. These were warriors. They knew what they were getting into.
It still didn't make Ornstein's cries any less pleasant.
The Lion Knight laid a hand on his fallen comrade's stomach to mourn hm. "You killed him in cold blood."
Hard to feel pity for a man who'd nearly squashed him flat. "He would've done the same to me and you know it."
...I cannot deny that. Still, I shall avenge his death."
A smile bloomed on his lips. "You will try, Ornstein. You'll definitely try."
The man's lance thundered in at his face with tremendous speed.
Rather than give ground he swayed to the left.
Right.
Now left.
Right yet again.
Ornstein dove in for a body blow, only to be meet by an open palm, his weapon diverted harmlessly to the side like some errant child's stick. Time and again he nudged him past, turning his attacks into harmless rushes that only made him seem all the more foolish for his bravado.
The knight didn't like that. Not one bit.
"Take this seriously!"
"Why?" He danced back with a smile as the spear sought his bare feet. "Its no fun if we go all out from the beginning, don't you agree?"
Ornstein's spear filled his vision. He dropped the Bolt of Gransax and caught the lance between both hands, whirled, then kicked the bolt of Gransax into his chest. Gwyn's knight rocketed backward, but the weapon didn't pierce him as he intended, and succeeded only in denting his arm.
They glared at one another, clutching each other's weapons.
Naruto offed
"Trade?"
Still smiling, he tossed the man's spear back to him.
Ornstein hesitated for a moment, then the Bolt of Gransax whistled through the air.
Naruto reached for it all the same, knowing full well what was coming, what would happen once he caught it-
Yup. The very second his fingers closed around the lance, Ornstein was on him, seemingly striking seven places at once, such was his speed. He parried them all and countered with seven of his own. Thrusts, lunges, parries and ripostes. Their world dissolved into a frenzied blur of attacks. Steel skittered off steel as sparks flew, and when he saw an opening, he took it. An angry rasengan thundered into the knight's side and launched him across the arena. His back kissed one of the barrier walls and birthed a crater, wedging him there.
It SHOULD have knocked him silly, knocked him out.
It neither of those things. He wasn't even there for a moment before he began tearing himself free from the confines of his crude prison. Impressive. He was sturdier than he thought.
A grin flashed across his face. "Don't dissappoint me, Ornstein!
Movement danced in his peripherals.
Naruto glimpsed it as little more than a shadow, a mottled blur racing through the melee towards him.
It was enough; more than enough.
His body twisted.
A dagger of darkest knight whistled past, carrying a cloaked figure with it, arm outstretched to stab. Time unfolded slowly for him. Rather than kill them, he raised his free hand and drove the point of elbow down into the offending arm, smashing into their limb where the bones were weakest. A shrill shriek of pain reached him as they tumbled away. He stomped after them and they clamored to their feet crawling backwards like some mad drunken crab.
"...your time is nearly at an end, Lord of Gold! You have not seen the last of us!"
He struck out at their face, only for his fist to pass through black smoke. It pooled around his wrist and vanished, leaving him to glare in their wake. They were gone. Whatever spell the assassin -and he must assume it was one- had used to get away it must've carried them far from here, well out of his reach. They hadn't even left their weapon behind. He supposed that would've been too convenient.
"Doesn't matter. We can sense them now. Whomever they were, they won't escape us a second time."
"Are you well?"
He rounded on Ornstein to find the man limping his way. "Got some nerve askin' me that...
Ornstein raised his hand for peace. "I had no part in that foul act. Whomever they were, they were not with me."
"You could've stabbed me in the back while I was distracted, ya know."
"I could." the man lifted his chin and started him down, resolute behind his helm. "And I would've lived with the shame until my dying day."
This "Anor Londo" really did raise honorable knights. Fair enough. Maybe there were good people beyond the Fog.
But he'd run out of patience; that ambush just now had soured his mood. "Lets finish this, Ornstein."
"Indeed." the battered knight forced himself This shall be my final gambit."
Before his very eyes, vaunted dragonslayer seemed to swell-no the man was actually growing taller; his body crackling with raw power as he gained height and mass that simply hadn't been there before. In no time at all he towered over them all. Had he absorbed that strength from Smough, saving it for this last instant? There was no time to ask. Ornstein readied his spear and he could only do the same.
There were no words.
No anger. Only movement.
One strike. One stood. One fell now, clutching their side.
Ornstein stumbled, his armor shattered as his form shrank, returning to his normal size. Blood pooled in rivulets at his feet. He dropped to a knee, helmet shattered, one eye visible as he balked down at his wound.
"T'was nobly fought," he rasped out. "Lord Gwyn, forgive me. I am...so...sorry...
Naruto caught his wrist as he fell. Discreetly, he pressed a healing palm to the knight's ravaged side, mending his wounds.
"Don't be sorry. He patted his side, wincing at the bloody trench there. "You did well. This wound will scar."
Bloody magical weapons. Lansseax would be furious, but he'd enjoyed the brawl.
Pain snarled up his back.
He stumbled, briefly alarmed and annoyed.
There was a sword in his chest-no, jutting out from it.
"...!"
Instinct took over as he threw himself forward before his attacker could twist the blade in the wound and finish him. His mind assessed the situation in an instant. Not a fatal wound; a few more inches to the left and it well might've been. It was his own fault for lowering his guard. Which begged the question:
Who had the stones to stab him in the back?
Whirling, he found himself facing a tall samurai clad in a loose blue robe, bearing an impressive black helmet upon his head. Its gold crest glittered in the light of the arena. His eyes did not. One was scarred shut, the other fixed firmly upon him, bearded face wrought in a singular scowl. Said scowl deepened as his wounds began to be bleed. Good. It matched his own.
"You've got some nerve...!"
"I am Isshin of Ashina...and I apologize for wounding you in such an unseemly manner." the samurai sounded truly ashamed of himself, as though he'd cast aside something truly irreplaceable. Clutching a long black sword in his left hand, he took up a ready stance. "I do not ask for your forgiveness, for I shall never forgive myself." his good eye narrowed, upon him, burning bright. "But I must triumph here today. For the sake of my beloved country."
Naruto ran a hand across his wound, wincing a little as he breathed. Inhaling hurt more than he cared to admit.
The injury wasn't a large one, but it would take time to heal, and he'd struck a lung.
"Didn't think you were the sort to try a sneak attack...
"In the heat of battle, there is no honor." Isshin stood tall, brandishing his wicked black blade and, conjuring a lance unto the other. He didn't miss the lightning crackling across both. "Only victory. Hesitation is defeat."
Wise words...though not wise enough. Not by any means. "Well said...
Setting Ornstein down, he pivoted on one heel.
...but you should've aimed for my head."
"I tried." the man smiled. "I missed."
"Pity." he raised his right hand.
Lightning met lightning.
And the world sang.
A/N: Reeeaaally shouldn't have gone for the cheap shot, Isshin.
We all know our boy doesn't respect those.
Battle or aftermath? What say you?
I've prepared a draft for either, but I'd prefer to know what you, the reader, would like to see.
Aaaand there we go.
So, what say you? Should this continue?
Feedback is essential to all things, especially the Elden Ring stories.
Once more, we're sticking with the "Embers" rule for this story, and others. Meaning folks don't like this, it won't be continued. If the story itself ain't popular/well-received...well, I won't be able to continue it. I'm working two jobs, holidays are here too, meaning 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.
As ever, reviews keep me alive. Without them, I cannot write. So...in the Immortal Words of Atlas...
...Review...Would You Kindly? And here, have some previews I've been pecking away at.
As ever, a warning to one and all. Spoilers, spoilers, and SPOILERS~!
Previews are mostly the same, don't want to spoil things.
First one is condensed for a reason!
(Previews)
The battles you can't win are the most important to fight. Most would not have understood. My lands may be stolen, my seat usurped, my friends seized by treacherous hands. But there is one thing I'll always keep. My pride. My belief in power to keep standing the power to keep fighting. The power of my heart! MY! POWER! Uhand me! sure thing. KNEEL. You're strong. I won't deny That. It takes bravery to spit in the face of your executioner. You? You won't kill me. You can't! I've surrendered. You're a good guy, a hero- CRUNCH. Not anymore. You found your answers. I've fond mine.
The ringleader laughed. "...did you really think I would be foolish enough to face you alone, Godwyn? I already told you. I brought friends. And you...you've made enemies."
Naruto exhaled slowly. Shrugged off his cloak. The navy garment fell to the ground, exposing his bare chest.
The Bolt of Granssax spat scarlet sparks in his grasp, eager for action.
Azure eyes shimmered into cold crimson.
"You should have brought more."
Clap.
They froze.
Clap. Claaap.
"No. How...?!"
Clap. Clap. Clap.
He stepped out of the shadows, still smiling, still clapping.
"You know what they say; what's dead may never die. Unfortunately for you, I've died before...
He should be dead.
Why?! Why wasn't he dead?!
...I know your kind. You never learn...unless you're made to learn."
As they looked on aghast, Godwyn dragged himself up onto one knee. A hand rose. Tore his bloody robe away.
"Very well." he exhaled slowly, a low burst of steam leaving his lips. They couldn't see his eyes, not with him hanging his head like that. "I've given thee courtesy enough...
His back glowed gold. Then a monster burst forth.
"Then we're all in agreement, then? All of us?"
He turned to face those sitting at the table. They were many.
Some might call this treason. Perhaps it was-no, it almost certainly was.
Such a ritual would undoubtedly grand her the freedom she so sought...but it meant he would die.
Ranni shook her head furiously, red hair swaying side to side. "No, no, no! I can't...!"
Do you hate them?
How could he hate the twins? Miquella and Malenia were his half-siblings and still much too young to know their true loyalties. Not even three years old and the poor tykes had their own illnesses to grapple with...
"Its over...What should I do now...they'll follow me...
Footsteps echoed, deep in the dark. "You'd be right about that."
They rounded with a yelp. Paused. Laughed now, when the saw the state of him.
"Look at you! Godwyn the golden! Wounded and bloody! What can you possibly do in that state?!" More laughter. "Ha! That's what you get for protecting others! Weakling!"
Low laughter filled the sewers. "If you actually believe those words, you're pitiful. Honestly, you deserve a hug. If my last life, I woulda given you one...
Their smile died an ugly death. "...what?"
"Its true I'm not in the best shape at the moment." The first of the demigods pushed himself upright, uncaring of his mangled arm. "I can't even feel my right side anymore. "However." He lifted his head and ran a bloody hand through his long hair. "Just because I'm a little weaker, doesn't make you stronger now, does it?"
He stepped forward. They flinched. He saw it. Grinned.
"Sorry. There's only one ways to proceed from here onwards." two steps now. "Cuddle up, tremble in fear...AND RUN."
"R-Run?"
"That's right. Run away. And never return." he paused. Considering. "Or you could try and kill me now. Who knows. You might even succeed...
EDIT: Hey, you made it! Thanks for reading!
Once more, we're sticking with the "Embers" rule for this story, and others. Meaning, if folks don't like this, it WILL remain onsite-but it won't be continued. I'm working two jobs with no end in sight and 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 when I get back from work~!
R&R~!