A/N: Here we go.
Not feeling my best, or particularly right in the head at the moment, but I managed to muscle through and get this update out.
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.
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.No questions this time. Only story. Alright then, I've kept you long enough. Lets get back to it.
As stated, the little Greater Will definitely has Sothis energy -From Fire Emblem- she is an absolute gremlin and all of us are here for 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~!
"What can I say? I'm a guy who loves freedom and peace more than anything.
Aren't those two a bit counterproductive?
"Don't worry, you'll see."
~?
This Means War
"Must you rest on your laurels?"
Naruto buried his head into his pillow with a sigh.
He knew that voice, although he dearly, truly wished he didn't.
Much to his chagrin, the Greater Will had come to visit once again. He rolled over and scowled. The ceiling of his bedroom nowhere to be seen. Indeed, the sky full of stars? Strange; he hadn't fallen asleep on the balcony. He knew he hadn't. In fact, he distinctly remembered slinging Irving off his shoulder, then flinging himself into his own bed after a long day of experimentation.
"You did." the little goddess sounded almost cheeky. "I asked one my friends to liberate you from your quarters."
His eyes bulged. "...you what, now?"
Belatedly he realized he wasn't sprawled out on a bed at all, nor was it a pillow he was clutching at all, but a warm bundle of fur. One that was moving. Walking. Plodding relentlessly onward with dogged determination as it lumbered toward some unknown destination he didn't know. It was also terribly, horribly large, larger than any beast had any right to be. Realization broke like the dawn and he bolted upright with an oath, tumbling off its back like a madman. He struck the dirt and brandished his staff with intent.
Runebear!
The giant creature gave him an annoyed look, but made no move to attack. On the contrary, it laid down with an annoyed "whuff" of noise and promptly went to sleep.
"Do not be surprised." a faint shimmer of golden light manifested behind him. "Runebears are part and parcel of my domain. Halsin will not harm you."
It had a name?! No, no, don't focus on that.
He turned to face the Greater Will with an aggrieved look. "Really? Are you invading my dreams now? C'mon, lemme sleep."
"This is not a dream, and I will not!" The Goddess planted two tiny fists on her hips and glowered up at him, utterly failing to intimidate him in the least. "You've slept in long enough! Up with you! UP I SAY!" louder now as he didn't immediately respond. "There's work to be done! You haven't much time to prepare!"
He pivoted to face her with a sigh. "Time for what?"
"To ready yourself for what it is to come." she crossed both arms before her flat chest and nodded once, as though that somehow explained everything. "You have dallied quite long enough, oh blasphemous prankster. Thy reprieve shall soon come to an end, whether thou wish it or not.
Well that wasn't ominous at all...and it told him exactly nothing of what he needed to know.
He flung up his arms. "That's why you dragged me out of my bed at the crack of dawn?! To spout riddles at me?!"
She shrugged a slim shoulder. "I had thought to visit you in your dreams, but the spells of Raya Lucaria are quite powerful. I needed to spirit you away from there, first." she cast a hand to the sprawling expanse of Liurnia about them, grassy trails and trees as far as the eye could see. "So here we are."
"And what was so important that you had to kidnap me...?"
"Marika is coming to Raya Lucaria." The Greater Will planed a fist on on her hip. "As a matter of fact, she will be attending the upcoming ball. I trust you understand what this means, Rykard."
Naruto tilted his head, utterly flummoxed by her declaration. Why would his aunt come this far south just before winter. "Should I...?"
Her deadpan was legendary. "You cannot be serious."
"No, really, I am. Why's she coming here?"
"Insufferable little-fine!" The Greater Will stamped a foot, looking quite put out at him. "Be that way. I shan't tell you a thing."
Was it something he'd said...?"
"Okay...? But you still dragged me out of bed." he looked back to the misty spires of Raya Lucaria in the distance and scowled. "That's gonna be a long walk back."
"Halsin will carry you." she gestured at the sleepy Runebear. "Consider him yours, now. A token of my good faith, as it t'were."
The Runebear made an annoyed noise, but didn't otherwise protest.
Naruto stood his ground. "Not good enough."
"And if I told you where to find a dragon nearby?" The young goddess tilted her head, dark hair falling across a gleaming iris, but doing nothing to conceal her smile. "Would that make up for my past...indiscretions as you call them? You did express the desire to tame one of those before Radagon intervened...
He perked up, but remained wary. "What price would I have to pay for such knowledge?"
"All I ask is that you use said beast to put your fool of a father in his place."
"And what place is that?"
"I thought it obvious." Her eyes blazed like blue balefire. "Face down in the mud, begging for my forgiveness. He believes he understands my creed, my ideals, my wishes, but he knows naught. Not a jot!" she stomped a foot furiously. "In his bumbling and fumbling he makes me seem a fool before the other Outer Gods! They circle the Lands Between like vultures over a corpse not yet dead, waiting for any sign of weakness. No more!" A pale hand slashed through the air, trailing golden light in its wake. "I will tolerate their mockery no longer, just as I will coddle his failures no longer.
Naruto quirked a brow. "...you're a vicious little goddess, aint'cha?"
"Only to my enemies," The Greater Will hummed her retort. "Which you are not, nor will you ever be."
He crossed both arms before his chest and planed his feet. "Despite the fact that I question and tease you relentlessly."
"Questions are good." she prodded his chest with one finger. "Questions breed intelligence, and with it, wisdom, then in time...faith. What Radagon clings to is blind dogma and righteous arrogance, ever seeking an enemy to smash. He pretends to understand the whims of a goddess, when he is but a man. But you!" her hand flitted up, cupping his chin. "You are more than the sum of your parts; so much more. You've simply yet to realize the full breadth of your potential. But you will." her hand fell, even as her voice rose. "After all, you are my Chosen." Those words thrummed through the air, rife with power. "Never forget that.
Without warning, she stepped back.
"Now, then." her gaze raked him up and down, "I believe you have a dragon to woo."
...you mean tame, right?"
The Greater Will smiled beatifically.
Despite himself, Naruto felt a shiver shoot down his spine.
Well, well, well. She could be a scary little thing when she waned. Note to self, don't piss her off...
(.0.0.0.)
The interloper drew near once more.
Glintstone Dragon Adula caught the demigod's scent long before she saw him; persistent little creature though he was. The faint smell of smoke and magic -of fire and brimstone- preceded the hunter's arrival. Indeed, it clung to him like a second skin, a heady scent that made her eyes narrow and her nostrils flare. He would not give up the hunt.
Twice now she had taken flight to evade him today, and twice he'd given chase.
Her patience had run its course hours ago.
There would not be a third time.
She could see him coming over the rise now; this one did not run headlong into her lair, nor did he flee as a skittish rabbit might. Rather he loped across the lakes like some dangerous carnivore, uncaring as he strode through shallow water to reach her perch. He knew where she was, too; she could see those keen golden eyes fixed upon the rocky outcrop she'd chosen this morning. The sun felt quite nice on her dark scales, and she was in no hurry to move.
She was a dragon, damnit, and if the demigod wanted her, he'd damn well have to work for her.
"Huh." He paused, looking up at her. "You're not Smarag."
No, no she was not. She was far larger than her little sister, her scales shinier, and her command of magic far superior. She might not be the truest of dragons unlike her ancient kin, but she was a wyrm all the same and she was in no mood to entertain guests. Least of all one that seemed to think
She clicked her jaw and a bolt of blue glintstone sizzled through the air to scorch the ground at his feet.
The message was clear.
No closer.
Far from being frightened, her attack only seemed to excite the young demigod. He whistled her way. "You can use spells?! That's amazing! I had no idea!"
Adula lifted her head and preened as only a wyrm could. Yes, she was rather fantastic, wasn't she?
"Say," he began apropos of nothing, "While we're on the subject, you're strong, right?"
Adula snorted at that, a plume of blue smoke rising from her nostrils. She was no match for Mother of course, but she liked to think was the strongest of her children. Borealis and Ekzykes had nothing on her. Agheel was little more than a brute. Greyll was but a child, just like Smarag. She was the greatest of Greyroll's children and anyone who said otherwise would feel her flames.
She was smart. She was singular. She was superior!
"I thought so." Rykard took her retort for what it was. "You wanna help me with a little something I've been working on?"
Adula cocked her head, but did not speak. This demigod would have to earn that most esteemed privilege. Besides, she felt she'd conveyed her intent well enough with gestures.
"I get it. What's in for you, right?" he clapped his hands. "Well, I'm glad you asked!" those tan palms rubbed together, producing a stray spark between them. "A chance to get your own back at Radagon, for starters...
Ah, that wretched redhead who had so senselessly struck her little sister. Smarag had come crying back to the Family, wailing at her wound. She would forever bear a lurid red scar on her face for that, both in human form and that of her true body. Many a dragon had sworn vengeance against Lady Rennala's husband that day.
Oh, yes, Marika's other half would pay for such a slight, though he knew not the hour, nor the day. It was tempting to try and devour his son that stood before her but she stilled the azure fire in her throat; if only because she knew the son would put far more of a fight then his father. It was known, after all.
Her blood sang at the prospect of battle regardless, even if he didn't have his snake with him at the moment.
Rykard must've seen her expression; because he was quick to counter. "Not enough? Let me sweeten the deal. I can compliment you further if you like?"
Adula huffed and shook her head, tail swaying lazily behind her.
"No? Alright, then." He slung off his pack and dumped it at her feet. "Go ahead." he stepped back and beckoned. My gift to you. Take a look."
Adula leaned off her rocky perch, reached down, and delicately dug a claw into the sake, tipping it over. It tore at her touch and...oh. Oh, my, my. Oh, my, my, MY. That was quite a bit of gold and runes besides. Dozens, no, hundreds of them, perhaps even thousands. Hmhmhm. Perhaps he'd earned the right to speak with her!
"I'm listening...
Rykard guffawed. "You can talk, too?!"
Adula brought her snout down to glare at him. "When the mood suits me."
She wasn't quite prepared for his grin. "Well, I don't know why I expected anything else. I always knew dragons were fantastic creatures."
"By all means, praise me more." Fire built in the back of her throat. "But flattery will not save you."
His grin grew despite the heat. "Is it flattery if its the truth?"
...hmph." The fire fizzled between her teeth. "Clever little insect. You make a fair point. Ahem!" She coughed to rally herself. "This is fine and fitting tribute for one such as I, but one sack will not be enough to sway me. It shall buy thee thy life, and nothing more."
Dragons were known for their greed, and while he'd certainly swayed her for a moment there, the fact remained. If he thought something like this would be enough to buy her allegiance he had another thing coming. She was a strong, proud dragon; no mere beast to be tamed, she, and the promises of riches would have to be great indeed to win her allegiance.
Rykard grinned. "So the quality isn't so much in question as the quality. Good to know."
Adula tilted her head. "What are you plotting now...?"
He tapped the soil with his staff.
At his command, a yawning orange portal opened wide behind him and a dozen such bags tumbled through, bursting with golden runes.
Adula gulped and sucked in a line of drool. "Better, but still not enough. It would take a grand fortune indeed to sway me."
Rykard's smile split his face. "Sound like a wager. Lets bet on it."
His staff tapped down again, producing a musical chime.
A dozen more bags of run-bearing-gold fell forth.
Adula squeaked. "You cannot simply bribe-
Even more tumbled out the gate, an avalanche of gold piling at her feet. It kept coming for what felt like a solid minute, the shiny clink of coins rattling together, sweet music to her ears. Adula whimpered at the sight of it all, longing to pounce on the ever-growing pile. She found herself inching forward regardless. Was it all real? It looked real...
"Wherever did you get so much?!"
Radagon's son smirked. He had her and they both knew it. "Melted down a few gold effigies of my old man and smelted coins out of 'em."
"That's all well and good, but how-
"Also learned how to transmute stone into iron, and iron into gold." he continued apace, eyeing her side-on with that blasted grin of his, knowing the effect he was having on her. "I've got a lot of it. Interested?"
Very much so! She could practically swim in that much gold in her human form. Pride left her clinging to the scraps of her dignity, refusing to give in so easily. "And...the runes?
He shrugged with the ease one who'd done this many times before. "Rune farm using golems. Small beans. I could show you how, if ya like...?"
That tore it. The last tenuous thread of her self control snapped.
Adula dove off the rock and launched herself at Rykard.
Her body shed mass as she fell, scales shimmering into healthy pink skin, horn receding, wings shrinking down into her back. By the time she struck him she'd adopted human form once once more, her hair dark as night, eyes a deep gold, wisps of blue fire flickering from her scaled fingertips. The change also left her naked as the day she was born, but she didn't care much for that at the moment.
Shock flashed across Rykard's handsome visage. Surprise slowed him. Just a touch. Just a hair. "What the hell?!"
It was enough. Adula pounced on him as a cat might a mouse, driving him to the ground.
"Teach me your waaaays!"
(.0.0.0.)
Radagon watched the scene from afar and shook his head in despair.
Blasted boy. Truly, he disgraced himself more every year.
Surely there must be a way to make him see...
(.0.0.0.)
"Am I beautiful?"
Tanith felt she was. After all, she scarcely recognized herself in the mirror at this very moment. Gone was the panicked, half-starving wretch Rykard had rescued back in the Altus plateau. In her place stood a maiden true, nearly a woman grown. Her figure was everything she dreamed it would be, her lively amber eyes sparkled in the mirror, her dark hair was long and lustrous, spilling down her shoulders. She held a gown of bold scarlet on sapphire to her full bosom and pivoted, bare shoulders peeking above it as she turned to admire herself.
Lady Rennala was most kind to give her this gown. The dressmaker had been thorough and resized it to fit her. She couldn't wait to try it on.
Her body twisted left, then right, considering herself anew. Anxiety flashed across her face. Was she pretty enough to win him?
She wanted to believe she was; that she could capture her Lord Rykard's heart as he had hers.
Surely she could do this. Tomorrow would be her chance. Her time, her moment, after all these years. She would be the belle of ball; all eyes would be on her...and his were the only one she wanted to win. A little giddy giggle fled from her lips and her confidence surged with it. Yes! She could do this. She need only be brave and swift and-
"You fancy him."
"...?!" Tanith whirled with a yelp, clutching the dress to her chest for modesty's sake. "Sellen?!"
"Oh, do relax." Rykard's mentor pushed herself off the wall and waved her down. "We're both girls, here. Its nothing I haven't seen before."
Tanith scowled bloody red daggers at the older woman as she entered her room, heart still aflutter, pulse pounding in her ears. "Why are you here?"
"To get the measure of you, once and for all." The mage regarded her intently, bright eyes half-lidded. It was strangely disconcerting, seeing her without her glintstone crown concealing her face. "And to warn you as well. Take care, little dancer." a finger tapped her forehead as she strode past. "Though you follow your heart, you are on the verge of being swept up into things you do not understand."
"Why tell me this?
A shrug. "Call it compassion."
"You're not compassionate at all. You're a witch." Realization dawned. "You care for him as well, don't you?
"Bah!" Sellen made an annoyed noise and looked away with a grimace. "Against my better judgement. I'm here to caution you for his sake, as much as your own. Did you know I taught boy most of the spells he knows? But it was he who took my teachings and made them extraordinary."
Her brow furrowed. "I'm afraid I don't follow...
"You will." she beckoned her to sit, and so she did, still clutching the dress to her bare body like a shield. "Rykard is royalty, however much he might deny it. The blood of a demigod flows through his veins. He can take as many wives or consorts as he wishes. But know this. He has the eye of queen Marika herself."
Something in her quailed. "Isn't she his aunt?"
"Technically." Tanith teetered on her feet at the words, though Sellen didn't seem to notice." Gods are strange creatures and I do not pretend to understand them for even a moment. Rumor has it that she will be present at the upcoming ball. It took a great amount of effort on my part to learn that, though I lost a spy in the process."
"Why would she come here?"
Sellen's smile was all teeth. "Why indeed? Now you're asking the right questions, my apprentice."
Now it was her turn to huff. "Since when did I become your apprentice?"
"You always have been." A dark brow rose. "From the moment you started asking after my spells to defend yourself. Unless you no longer wish to learn...?"
Panic bolted through her breast. "Nevermind, nevermind! I take it back!"
"Wise of you." a patronizing pat to the had drew a dark scowl, also summarily ignored. "Ask yourself this: why would the most powerful woman in the Lands Between travel so far south at this time of year, let alone to Raya Lucaria? What possible purpose could she have?"
Tanith considered her words for a moment, then tilted her head. "She wants something."
"No." Sellen held up a finger. "Someone. Our beloved "queen" no longer has a consort, as you well know. Yet she travels here so soon after exiling Godfrey."
And it was exile, make no mistake. Godfrey and many a Tarnished who served under him had been cast from the Lands Between into the Badlands beyond. Everyone knew of his banishment, though none knew the reason why. Perhaps he'd done something displease her. Perhaps he'd upset the Greater Will. Perhaps there was some greater scheme at work. None of that mattered. After all, who could Marika possibly...oh.
A pit opened in her stomach.
No. No, surely she couldn't be that cruel...!
"Rykard." She forced herself to swallow and choke down a trembling breath. "She wants Rykard."
"Perhaps." A shrug of Sellen's shoulder was the reward for her deduction.
Tanith heard her own voice rose in a hysteric wail. "Perhaps?!"
"Calm yourself." Sellen tweaked her arm, pinching until the pain centered her and calmed down. "No one said she will declare him her consort tomorrow. Nothing is certain. She may be here for Radagon, though I find the latter unlikely. They've been on the outs as of late. Radahn is also a possibility...
"Do you truly believe that?"
"I believe many things." Sellen sat beside her and considered the floor for a Long moment; she could almost see that brilliant mind of hers hard at work, the gears turning, her thoughts churning. "Marika is a woman of mystery; one I admittedly know little of. Sometimes she does the unexpected just to spite someone. Her strength is spoken of in great legends, but there are rumors of her kindness as well. You yourself said she fought Rykard once before, no?"
Tanith trembled a little. "Yes. I believe their battled ended in a draw when the Erdtree intervened."
Her mentor tutted softly. "One does simply come to a draw with the living avatar of a goddess. In all likelihood, she has a vested interest in Rykard. This may simply be her way of sizing him up. Even knowing this, will you still pursue him?"
Tanith winced and looked away. "I...owe my life to him. That and so much more."
Sellen smiled. "You still haven't answered my question.
What could she possibly say to that?!
It was bad enough that she had direct competition in the form of Sellen herself, but now a living goddess? How could one possibly compete with that? What was next, a dragon girl or something?! Everywhere she looked more challengers seemed to appear. There would likely be yet more. Logic would dictate she move on and find another paramour. It would take time, but sh could do it. She was a beautiful young woman, the apple of Raya Lucaria's eye. Surely she could find love elsewhere. She'd politely turned down several proposals already.
And yet:
The heart wants what the heart wants.
Hers hitched when she thought of her Rykard with something else.
"I love him. The words tore out of her in a rush. He means the world to me, no matter what anyone else might say.
Sellen regarded her keenly. "Would you stand with him, no matter what might come?
...yes."
"Even if Queen Marika herself should lay claim to him?"
Her voice trembled a little. "Even then."
"And you're not afraid?"
"I'm terrified, really." she laughed shakily. "But I've made my decision."
"Good." Sellen smiled at that; it was a schemers's smile, and it promised nothing good for their enemies. "Then allow me to offer you an accord, weak and powerless though you are."
Tanith whined a little at the reminder. "Don't say it like that. I'm getting better...
"You are indeed making great strides in the field of magic," her mentor allowed, "But magic alone will not be enough. No, for this, you will need something...more."
As she looked on aghast, the sly sorceress delved a hand into her satchel. She came up with an large translucent jar, and within said jar...
.
..
...
"W-Wh-What is that?"
Whatever it was, it was alive. Alive and beating.
"This?" Sellen tittered softly and held up the item in question. "This is a dragon's heart. Fresh from Caelid, and modified by yours truly." She brandished it before her as one might a weapon...and perhaps it was one. "This will grant you power, but take care." Tanith heard the words but couldn't bring herself to look away. "Consume too many in their natural state, and you may be consumed yourself in turn. We wouldn't want you to end up like one of those wretched Magma Wyrms now, would we?"
Tanith shivered. "How did you get this...?"
"Radahn owes me a few...favors." Sellen's reply was decidedly evasive. "He was kind enough to kill several lesser dragons for me and bring them back for me to study. This heart is but the first. You shouldn't experience any ill effects from eating it, at least. Well, aside from glowing eyes, but that's more a boon now, isn't it?"
She could feel it calling to her."And if I eat this," she gulped, "I'll be stronger...?"
"Oh, yes." Sellen preened. "Quite so. Immeasurably.
Tanith's hand twitched towards it.
"However!" Sellen snatched it back before she could grab the jar. "As I said before, caution is warranted. One heart is harmless enough, but three? Six? Nine? We are treading new ground here, you and I. Do not put the cart before the horse, as it were. If I allow you to consume this, you must promise to aid me in my own endeavors."
It felt like she was making a deal with the devil. Perhaps she was. "And what are those...?"
Sellen set the jar in her lap with a pleased hum.
Tanith followed it, hypnotized.
"There are few things that can challenge a god," her mentor was all too happy to elaborate. "A dragon is one of them. I am looking into my own manner of ascension, a different path than yours, but I do not wish to lose my way and become a monster myself. When the time comes, I will require your aid to make certain that doesn't happen. And in return I shall endeavor to ensure that you remain human...insomuch as you desire. When you ascend, you can choose to be as human or draconic as you wish.
Her words broke the spell, if only for a moment. Tanith looked to her, alarmed. "You're talking about making ourselves gods. Gods! How is that even possible?"
Sellen slung an arm around her shoulder. "Fortune favors the brave, my apprentice. Marika herself was once as we were, a mortal grasping for power...
Tanith looked back to the jar.
...or you can stay as you are and let her take Rykard, uncontested." Sellen's words were a hammer blow, shattering the last of her resistance.
Tanith took the jar and opened it.
The heart fell into her hands, darkly pulsing with primordial power. Tanith cradled it with both palms and brought it to her lips. She shouldn't. Really, she knew she shouldn't. This might make her a monster or worse. She knew all to well the tales of those who had consumed dragon hearts and became cursed, doomed to crawl upon their bellies and wretched wyrms. She had naught but Sellen's words that she would be able to prevent such an event; that eating a dragon's heart would allow her to stand beside Lord Rykard. But if she stayed as she was...no!
She lunged forward and sank her teeth into the heart before she could lose her nerve.
The taste was...not as bad as she thought. Somehow, that made it even worse
Blood flooded her mouth as she took a great big bloody bite out of it.
Another.
Then another.
Followed by another, and a fourth still. She swallowed each one.
If it was for the sake of her beloved Lord Rykard..
...if it meant she could be with him forever...
...she would devour the very gods.
A/N: Tanith, honey, no. That's not a path you wanna go down.
Same to you, Sellen! Bad! Bad sorceress! No forbidden experiments for you!
Finally, because I know someone will ask! Adula's human appearance strongly resembles that of Azula.
Yes, that one. Really, it fits. Blue flames, and her name's only one letter off. 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 faster updates and much more merry madness to come.
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)
Marika arrived at the Ball with all the fanfare one might expect of a queen.
"Hello~!" she was all smiles, of course. "Its been some time, nephew. You look well~!"
"Is this really necessary?"
Yes!" Ranni jabbed him Now hold still.
Naruto heaved the sigh of the damned. Fine, but if that needle pricks me again, you'll be dyed orange.
Promises, promises, brother.
He didn't like the idea of an outfit like this at the best of times, but this irked him right and proper. It better be worth it. The prank would, at the very least.
Radagon -not his father, never his father- would be stricken speechless, and him?
He would be laughing for years to come.
But for his plan to reach fruition, he would have to play the part...for now. He heard the rumble of a dragon in the distancce. He smiled, ever so slightly. Soon.
There's more to the outfit?!"
A flowing robe atop
"Oh nonono." he blanched at the gaudy outfit before him. "I'm not wearing that; I'm definitely not going to some silly ball-
Ranni was ready for him; he was still speaking when she whirled in a swirl of silk.
"Radahn!" she cried. Brother, grab him! Quickly! Before he bolts!"
Giant hands closed around his shoulders and held fast.
"Sorry, little brother. This is for the best.
"Treachery!"
...why is HE here."
Radagon's pale countenance darkened. "Son, I had thought we might talk-
"Sorry," a hand wave, cutting him off. "Don't have a father. Must be in another castle, because he's certainly not here."
He saw Tanith in her gown, long dark hair spilling over her shoulders. His jaw clicked open.
"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 tell you...might we retire to the balcony?"
"IS THAT A DRAGON?!"
"Enough! You're nothing but the second son. You will inherit no lands, nor father any children. If you continue to act this way, you shall die as you lived, Rykard, FORGOTTEN-
They were still speaking 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?"
His temper sparked.
They saw it, of course. "Rykard, no!"
Too little, too late. "RYKARD YEEEEESSSSSSS!"
He threw back his head with a roar and the world burst into flame.
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~!