A/N: Sorry for vanishing. I slept all day Monday and feel a bit better as a result; it gave me back some strength in my arms. Hopefully it lasts.
Doctor's got me on some medication for my cough/lungs, only problem is that said medication makes me sleepy/irritable.
Hello, hello~! Can anyone see this chapter?
Yes? No? Maybe so?
The site broke down a day or so back for everyone across the board; major crashes and everything; and it still seems to be happening intermittently. I might have to seriously consider stepping away and reassessing my path here. Every time a glitch happens -power outage or otherwise- on their end it throws everything I'v set up way out of wack. The stress isn't good for my heart or head, either. That's not a healthy setup for a writer, let alone someone of my age. I'm trying to stay positive, but its so very difficult. These constant breakdowns are testing my patience...
...but I remain. We'll see where this goes. I've started posting on other sites now as well.
In other news, updates for "One With Spirits", "Scarlet Vow" and "Omen of Change" are being pushed back, their slots being replaced with "Let Them Rot", "Upon My Name" and an unnamed Elden Ring story -Naruto as Morgott- that I'm contemplating. "Flame of Ambition," maybe? They'll still be updated, mind you, just not as quickly. They're just not as popular compared the rest. Heir of Dragons managed to claw its way out of that pit, and I'd like to think that they will, but I don't have much hope. Consort and Forget me Not may be ending soon as well, as reviews have dropped off. It all depends on feedback.
Take the World is likewise in limbo until it reaches 200. Its getting close now, but as its only a single pairing, its just not as popular.
That said, 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.
Hope this chapter makes you smile!
"Are you an Omen, or are you a King?
Weeell~? Which is it, then?
Make up your mind."
~?
Omen of Plots
"I see you've met Rya."
Naruto scratched the back of his head. "That obvious?"
Godwyn steeped his fingers atop his desk, leaned forward, and smiled at him. "You have a mark on your neck."
Heat speared up the back of his neck, turning his face a ruddy rose red. In that instant he found himself inordinately grateful he'd remembered to close the door behind him; because the resultant shout that followed filled his uncles chamber's and practically rattled the room.
"Where?!" He whirled, patting himself down frantically. "I swear I didn't feel her bite me!"
His uncle's grave countenance cracked in a smile. "I jest, nephew...
...jerk."
Godwyn's pale visage was simultaneously the soul of discretion and the very picture of a good uncle; one irked him, the other left him slightly suspicious. If he didn't know better, he would've sworn the older demigod was deliberately having him on. Perhaps this was just his way of getting his own back at him for Rykard spiriting him away the other day. Whatever the case, he genuinely seemed to have the very best intentions for the Lands Between and Omen alike. Whether those interests aligned with his own remained to be seen.
Be nice if he stopped laughing, too...
"If you're quite done teasing me...what do you need?"
"Straight to business, then?" the demigod hummed nodded his approval. "I can respect that. How do you feel about getting your hands dirty?"
He winced. That was a leap he wasn't prepared for. "You want me to kill someone?"
"What-no!" Godwyn's face flashed with horror and he shut him down just as quickly quickly. "Not at all, nay, nothing of the sort." he sank back into his seat, palming his face. "I misspoke. Forgive me. I merely meant you might be headed to some rather...unsavory places in my stead."
A blond brow arched his way. "More unsavory than a sewer?"
...point taken." his uncle winced hard enough for the both of them. "That was rather tactless of me, wasn't it? I merely meant to say there are areas you can go freely traverse where I cannot, questions you can ask that would be answered by many where mine wouldn't. Make no mistake, the Dungeater did not act alone. Someone was backing him using him...as some say I am you."
His eyebrow climbed higher still. "Your words, not mine."
"I know. "Godwyn granted him the gray, grave ghost of a smile. "Your life holds great value to me, dear nephew. You are not simply an asset, regardless of what many would have you think. You are family. We share the same blood and I will not let you come to harm while I have life left in me. But this fiend," His right hand squeezed into a fist and thumped the desk. "He clearly cares naught for the lives of his fellows or anyone else. The depths of his depravity truly knows no bounds."
Clearly. Anyone willing to use that vicious villain to enact their schemes needed to be put down, and hard. But it begged the question. "I still don't see what you want me to do...
Godwyn tapped the divot in his desk, idly tracing it with one finger as though it held the secrets of creation. "The Dungeater's patron will doubtless have realized his failure by now; they've likely gone to ground. But there have been whispers of someone trying to pawn off a powerful artifact. They will try again, of that much we can be certain." here at last, he raised his gaze. "Which his why I will be appointing you my personal hand in this matter. You will speak with my authority in all things."
He perked up at that. "Like your Shadow, then?"
"Ha!" Godwyn barked a wry laugh as sharp as it was poignant. "You might well receive one if the Marika convinces the Two Fingers to deem you Empyrean, but no." something sad flashed across his face. "My shadow died defending me when I was very young. It is...something I would rather not speak of. Come here." he drew out a map from his desk and beckoned; to which Naruto found himself reluctantly obeying, crossing to his side. His uncle indicated a circle drawn in red in. "Your destination will be down in the lower city, or more aptly, a brothel known as the Goddess' Embrace." his face flushed and Godwyn must've seen it, because that wan smile of his returned. "Do try not to sample the wares while on duty. Although," and here his eyes did sparkle, "If you see fit to give Godfrey a great-grandchild or two, I'm sure he'd be most pleased."
An elbow sank into his side.
Godwyn accepted it with a good-natured grunt and barreled on. "In all seriousness, I will warn you once again, nephew; you may have spent most your days down in the sewers, but Leyndell, for all its supposed finery, is a beast apart. Thou shalt never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. You must be cautious.
"I will be. Who or what am I looking for?"
"Whom." Godwyn tapped the red circle. "I have two agents there stationed in the Embrace already, but they are...blunt instruments at best and not suited for delicate work. They last reported having seen the Dungeater there and have been silent ever since."
He had a bad feeling about this. "How blunt we talkin' about here?"
"Very blunt." A rueful smile tugged at the corner of the older man's mouth. "You will know them by the names of Fort and Lan." There was something about those names just now; and then Godwyn dropped the other shoe. "And yes before you ask, they're short for Fortissax and Lansseax.
Even he knew those names. "You have two disguised dragons -ancient dragons!- poking about in the lower city?!"
"Yes."
"And you didn't think hat was a bad idea?"
Godwyn tilted his head. "No?"
"Well, it is!"
For crying out loud! No wonder they hadn't caught the Dungeater's patron yet! When all you have is a hammer, every problem starts looking like a nail. It was easy to think of light that way, tempting even. He spoke from experience on that front. Sure it might feel nice to throw one's wight around, but it defeated the purpose more often than not. Sometimes you could solve problems by talking things out, or just offering someone their heart's desire. Two dragons in a brothel didn't sound like his idea of a good time...
"All the more reason for you to hurry then."
He twitched. "You're some kinda asshole sometimes, you know that?"
Godwyn shrugged. "If I appear so, then I apologize. One makes do with the allies one has. I wish you luck in this endeavor."
(.0.0.0.)
...and that's the long and short of it.
"Well done, dearest nephew." Mohg's spectral image considered him, bathed in red light. "You seem to be settling in nicely...
Naruto palmed his face. "Against my better judgement...how are things down there?
"Feral and Savage are training up the newbloods, per your instructions."
"Any deaths?"
"None to speak of."
A blond brow rose. "Explain."
The aging omen tapped his trident against the floor and preened a little. "Maul has been strict with his brothers and I have seen to them personally. While it goes against my principles, I am quite capable of healing as well as harming. Nothing short of death will keep this lot down. Several of them have already crafted their sabers of blood-light and sworn allegiance to the Formless Mother.
Her was rewarded by a happy squeal in his head. "Yay! New devotees! My congregation grows!"
Naruto hid a smile behind his hand. "You dropped the royal act for a second there."
"Did I? Dear disciple, I know not what you mean...
Cagey girl.
He clasped both hands behind his back, straightened up steeled his heart and asked the question he'd been dying to know, yet dreading all the same. "...how's dad?"
Mohg winced but a little. "Your father is...indisposed at the moment.
"Uncle."
"What would you have me say?" Mohg rolled a bony shoulder. Y"ou know he did not wish you to go to the surface. Godwyn spoke with him. They quarreled. To tell you any more would only wound you. As your favorite uncle I wish to spare you that pain."
Alright, he recognized a warning when he hear oned. Maybe he was better of not knowing some things. Ignorance was bliss after all. "Do you think Godwyn has our best interests at heart?"
"Hmm." The one-eyed omen stroked his horned chin. "In the time that Morgott and I knew him, Godwyn has ever believed in himself at the very least."
"That doesn't answer my question."
"He isn't the sort to act with malice toward another if that's your concern." Mohg leaned forward, one spectral hand clasped before his face in a stage whispers. "Far from it, he believes all are equal in life, just as they are death. Just ask his consort, Fia. Odd woman, that one. I've never seen someone so devoted to the concept of dying as much as her...
That was news to him. "Godwyn has a consort?
Moh blanched. "I've already said too much. Trust in the Formless Mother. She won't lead you astray."
His brow twitched." Uncle, she is literally a masochist who gets off on punishing people-
She spluttered incoherently in his head. "You take that back!"
"Am I wrong...?"
"Weeeell...
"Eh, relatively astray then." his old uncle sighed, utterly missing their byplay; though perhaps that was for the best given the Formless Mother's nature. "Stay safe nephew, and do let me know how things progress." His head bowed once more, hiding the hint of a fanged smile therein. "Be assured, I shall take good care of your father in the interim. Perhaps when you meet again he might be in a better mood to receive you."
"Oi, that sounds kinda ominous-
"Fare thee well!" He cut the connection before he could finish.
Naruto slumped with a sigh. Alright, time to sing for his supper. But first...
(.0.0.0.)
He paused just before the door leading to Albedo's room and gathered his courage.
Right, then. he could do this. Just come out and say it:
"Hey, I'm going to a brothel. Wanna come?"
Because that would work so well. He wasn't sure if she'd be amused or outraged. Both? No, there was no point in delaying. If he tried to sneak out alone he knew Albedo would absolutely throw a fit; whereas if he told her his intentions, she'd probably sulk but insist on tagging along, if only to protect his purity.
Drawing himself up, he Nothing ventured, nothing gained!
Steeling himself, he grasped the handle and swung the door pen.
He found her within, back to him. Rya sat beside her, braiding Albedo's hair.
That was something of a miracle in and of itself; not only that she was here in Leyndell, but the fact that Albedo hadn't tried to skin her alive yet. She didn't let anyone touch her hair. Rarely him, even. That she'd let Rya near hers...well. That was surprising...and hopefully a good omen. That said, her hair shone today. She'd threaded it in the style of Marika, with a silver tiara nestled against her raven-black locks, the better to show her forehead and highlight her curved horns. He felt his heart hitch a little. She looked lovely, dare he say beau-
Rya looked up, saw him, then gasped. So much for his moment of reflection. "Cousin!"
His eyes widened. "Wuh-oh."
"Saaaal...
...uuuuu...
...TATIONS!"
She launched herself at him at full speed. There was nothing else for it; he pivoted at the last second, caught the excitable girl by her waist, whirled around, and spun her down to safety. The moment he did she latched onto him and nuzzled her head against his chest, humming happily under her breath. If he didn't know better he could've sworn she was hissing happily. Sure it was his imagination. He didn't have much time to dwell upon that; because she was looking to him again now, eyes sparkling.
"How have you been?!"
He patted her head. "You literally just saw me the other day."
"So I did!" She touched a hand to her cheek and beamed up at him. "Its only been a day but it feels like forever! Months, even!"
...that settled it. He had to marry this adorable, ditzy girl, too. Nothing else would do.
Where are we going?"
"A puzzled frown writ his face. "We?
"Well," Rya rambled, "Father said its dangerous to go alone, and that I should accompany you. So I teleported here, but then Lady Albedo found me and said she feared for your chastity, so I just had to do her hair and make it look pretty you see, because she looked so sad-
He snapped his fingers. "Rya, focus."
"Right, right." she grinned up at him. "So? Were are we going?"
"Again with the we, oi?!
"Don't take fault with her, my lord." Albedo drew herself up, the very picture of deadly poise once more. "I was the one who brought the matter to her attention. Really, the nerve of that Godwyn, demanding you visit a brothel-
"Wait just a second-
-without me!" she flung up her arms with a huff. "Did he not realize those foul harlots would try to woo you?!"
Naruto's brow shot into his hair. He hadn't mentioned the brothel yet, much less broached the subject. In an instant, everything clicked into place.
His brow slammed back down. "You were spying on me, weren't you?"
They must've used a scrying spell, the clever girls.
Albedo didn't deign to deny it.
Rya simply smiled at him.
"Shall we go?"
A/N: You're not ready for the brothel bit.
Its going to be a blast to write, and surprising as well.
Deeeeefinitely gonna need Slifer's help with that chapter...assuming this gets another one. We're hoping for 900 reviews, but that seems so unlikely...
Should this remain a story? Yay or nay! Really need to hear back from you all on this, every bit of feedback helps, seeing as this story isn't as popular as the rest.
Once more, we're sticking with the now infamous "Embers" rule for this particular story, and others. If folks don't like this, it won't be continued. Meaning that if the story itself ain't popular? Well, it will remain, but it won't progress. 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 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.
Aaaand there we go. As ever, reviews keep me alive. Without them, I cannot write. So...in the Immortal Words of Atlas...
...Review...Would You Kindly?
Here, have some previews.
Some are the same.
And as ever.
WARNING! WARNING! WARNING!
READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!
HERE BE SPOILERS!
(Preview)
Oh, look at him. He's proper handsome for an omen."
Albedo absolutely hissed. "May I kill her?"
"No!"
"Aren't the three of you a lovely couple?"
Now it was Albedo's turn to sputter.
Rya tilted her head. "Couple?"
Minemineminemine!
Naruto had time enough to blink before someone barreled into his side.
What does she have that I don't?"
He frowned. "Are you...jealous?"
"I-I most assuredly not!
"You definitely are."
A blade whistled down at his head. He caught it with one hand and reeled his attacker in. "Hello, there! Is there a particular reason you're trying to kill me?"
"Wretched Omen! Die!"
"Hmm, hmm." Naruto thumbed his chin and. "You make a good point. Allow me to offer my rebuttal."
CRUNCH.
A pleasure to meet you.
He didn't trust this Gideon guy. Not one bit.
"Why are you crying? This is your doing. You said it yourself; you'd rather feel pain yourself than inflict it. You choose to be neutral.
But you know what happens when you play both sides?
In the end, everybody loses.
This is the result. You've learned a lesson few seem to grasp. Sometimes, to protect one thing, you need to have the resolve to let go of another. You're not weak. Break your chains. Even if your decision is wrong, its your decision. You started this, after all."
I'm not wrong. What's wrong is this messed up world! And I'm gonna fix it.
EDIT: Hey, you made it! Hope you enjoyed this chapter, it was a blast to write.
Looking forward to chatting with you all when I get back from work~!
Seriously, writing only to receive silence hurts. It hurts alot.
Tired,
~Nz.
R&R~!