A/N: Aches and the shakes are worse today. Still here, still writing.
Well, that tears it.
I had planned to update Whistle of Death today, I'm Still Here, and Golden Son alongside Doctor of Demons. Alas, folks have been complaining about chapter length as of late. Especially yesterday with Hearts of Stone and A Dragon's Fox. Nevermind that Claws of a Lion was over 10K+ words. Fine. Sure. I get the message.
There will be no other update today. I repeat, no updates. I'll save them for later, make them even LONGER and polish them up some more.
With my fifteen year anniversary on this site finally near, 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. The recent earthquake in Turkey/Syria serves as a terrible example. 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.
This is a rough draft. Time and feedback will determine if tales like this, "A Long While" and "Defying Death" becomes a proper story.
In other words...its up to YOU, the reader. Do let me know~!
"Upon name as Godfrey, the first Elden Lord...!
~?
The First
Naruto opened his eyes. Tilted his head. Blinked, now. Clenched his new hands into fists.
Reincarnation usually had a funny way of biting him in the arse. Viciously, even. But this? As far as rebirths went, this one wasn't half bad. Even as an infant, he could feel the strength in him. He was awake; he was aware and he knew all that was transpiring around him. Only a few minutes old and already he knew exactly what he wanted
Kurama agreed, evidently; because he heard his laughter. "This body will do...
(.0.0.0.)
There were times when Marika wondered about her husband-to-be.
Oh yes, she still intended to wed and bed the man before her, that much hadn't changed. Such was required of her; not only to produce heirs -she'd always wanted to be a mother- but to better shore up the Golden Order that was to be. These days the Greater Will wasn't the only power in the land. The Lands Between were wild, and it fell unto the two of them to tame them. There were giants to defeat, Storm Lords to conquer, dragons ranging across the the Land. Any one of them might tear down the fledgling Erdtree growing in the capital.
And so.
The answer was simple.
They must tear their enemies out, root and stem.
She was a goddess tried and true, but even she couldn't defeat so many enemies alone. Not even with Maliketh at her side.
That was where he came in. Well, him and his tribe. They had been the first to welcome her to the Lands Between. She had no allies save them, presently. In time that would change. She would have knights and warriors and scholars and priests aplenty. Her Golden Order would surpass all, and the Elden Ring with it. In time she would defy death itself.
A lion carcass landed at her feet.
Marika sighed. "Very funny husband of mine."
A low laugh answered her. "We're not married yet."
"Not yet," she allowed, as he began to skin the beast. Golden eyes met blue. "But soon. It will come to pass. I have foreseen it."
...hmm." he went back to gutting the creature.
Marika pouted. "Do not ignore me!"
"I'm not ignoring you." his voice hummed pleasantly in her ears. "I'm preparing dinner.
She tilted her head. "By tearing that creature apart?"
...have you ever prepared a meal in your life?"
The goddess blinked. "No?"
"Then today you shall learn."
He could be like that at times.
No matter, she found him ruggedly attractive. Even if he couldn't seem to settle on a name.
Indeed, the towering warrior had gone by many names since she'd met him. First there had been Naruto. Then came Hoarah Loux. These days he called himself Godfrey. He always chuckled when he said that, as though it were some great grand joke she didn't understand. Three times he'd named himself. She wondered if this one would stick. He was strong, of that there could be no doubt; nor was there any need to bind a lion to his back to restrain himself, for he already had a fox there. Even now, the beast stared at her.
"Might as well let him be." it rumbled. "You could stand to watch and learn a few things."
She sulked.
...as you say, Kurama."
Pacing to the fire, she sat beside her intended's knee, knelt, and traced a bicep with one hand, humming softly to herself.
She would gladly make him this man the Elden Lord when the time came.
He would do.
A/N: Aaand scene. A story that's pre-Golden Order.
There we be. Naruto as Godfrey. Now I need to rest. I'm exhausted.
Do you want this to be a story? Yes? No? Maybe so? Make yourselves heard!
Really need to hear from you guys and gals here; if not this will simply remain a Shard.
Once more, we're sticking with the "Embers" rule for this particular tidbit, and others. If folks don't like this, it won't be continued. Meaning that if the story itself ain't popular? POOF! Gone. Completely. 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, as such, 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? And have some previews -potential blot bin things- that I'm working on.
References ahoy~! And ideas for new stories. Hopefully this will sate my muse for the time being.
(Previews)
"Hey. What did the fist say to the face?
...fine. I'll bite. What did it say?
HELLO!"
"Aaargh! That was my nose!"
"I saw him first, sister."
Malenia pursed her lips. "That is quite unfair. I cannot see at all. Regardless, I spoke to him first."
Naruto sighed as he found himself tugged left. Then right.
Two redheads arguing over little 'ol him.
Mom woulda laughed her arse off.
"Guess this is my life now...
"TOGETHA-
A boot struck Rykard's head. "You stop that right now!"
R&R~!