A/N: ...sorry for the late update.
Had a heap of doctor tests done today, fasting tonight, bloodwork tomorrow. Fun stuff.
In other new, I'm starting physical therapy, which is going to eat even more into my free time. Greeaaat.
Over Fallen Leaves is coming nicely -the Mohg fight is an absolute monster and brutal as all hell- but I owed you an update today.
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? 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, and I can't bring myself to write something folks don't like.
As ever, I own no references, quotes, memes or themes. Not a wit or a one. They're merely tributes to those far greater than I.
Bear in mind! This shard is a path that was "pruned" by the Greater Will so to speak.
A fate that never came to be...or did it?
"There are as many paths as there are branches.
As many stories as their stars in the sky.
This is but one."
~?
Your Heart Shall Burn
They had arrived.
After all this time, all the lives lost, all the sacrifices made, they had arrived.
The forge of the fire giants. The kiln.
They had slain so many to stand here. Legions, legends, monsters, the very gods themselves.
And yet standing here, before her purpose, she felt...hollow, somehow.
...this is it, then?"
Melina heard the crunch of gravel behind her. Smiled, as her companion walked past her.
Naruto really did look striking with that eyepatch. It lent him an almost roguish air, one only mildly tempered by with Blaidd's armor. After all they'd been through she'd oft enjoyed teasing him about the patch. He'd lost it during a heated battle with the crazed wolf, the one wound he'd refused to heal. Said it made him look like a pirate. He'd once joked about wearing a captains hat and singing sea shanties, assuming they ever found a boat to ferry would take them out of this realm.
...but there would be no more teasing after today.
No talks of boats, or the future. No ponderings of smiles and rings, nor the children that might come after.
"I have long observed the Lands Between. This world is in dire need of repair...and death, indiscriminate." she turned to face him, felt the ominous air about him. Paused. "Are you prepared to commit a cardinal sin?"
He didn't answer verbally, but his head jerked in a stiff nod.
"Then let my hand rest upon you, for but a moment.
She reached for him. His hand flinched away.
"Melina...
She paused.
...please don't."
He knew. She wasn't sure how, only that he did. Pity stirred in her chest. He looked so miserable, that she couldn't help but go to him now, as she had then.
"I'm sorry." She drew him close and kissed him softly, lips lingering on his. Felt his arms tighten around her. "This is the only way."
...no." his lone eye gleamed at her, sparking with defiance. "You just think it is."
Must he be stubborn, even now? "I KNOW it is. You cannot simply
A fist struck her stomach.
Melina never saw it coming; the betrayal was so sharp, so sudden, that she had no way to prepare for it. Her goo eye bulged, mouth parting, lips working wordlessly. She crashed down to her knees, gasping for air, clutching at her ribs. He caught her and lowered her to the ground, kissed her forehead, and laid her down. She saw his boots enter her vision, heard him walk past her and away. A trembling hand reached out after him. She tried to grasp his ankle and failed.
"Why...?"
He smiled at her.
"You already know."
He stood before the flame. Spread his arms. Took a deep breath.
"It really was...a splendid journey." A faint plume of steam escaped his lips. "All the places we saw. All the people we met. Everyone we helped...even those we failed to save. All those little talks over the fire with you and Boc, and Alexander and Blaidd...Milicent...Rogier...
A lone tear rolled down his cheek.
"I had fun, you know?" his voice warbled a little, breaking at the last. "I wanted to go on a lot more journeys with you. I wanted you to see my world, the way I saw yours. And now you have to die?" his fists clenched at his sides, fingernails biting down to draw blood through his thin gloves. "Why? Who decided that? Screw that! To hell with it! If you have to burn to save this world...
He threw his head back and screamed at the Erdtree.
...no." the word escaped him in a snarl, he bit down, damn near choking on his anger. "I won't let it end that way!
Realization dawned. He wouldn't! He mustn't! This was her burden to bear! "No! You can't! You mustn't!"
Naruto turned to face her, his whiskered face writ with seething, silent wroth.
He spun away from her, body shimring seven shades of saffron.
Then he leaped into the roaring flames of the kiln.
And the Erdtree burned.
A/N: Could easily see Naruto doing this to burn the Erdtree. He's the self-sacrificing sort, after all.
Whether he lived or died...that remains to be seen.
Once more, we're sticking with the "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? 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, 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? And have some previews -potential blot bin things- that I'm working on.
Things that may or may not become stories in the far flung future.
(Previews)
Guess who?
"You lost too, kiddo?" he gazed out into the fog, struggling to make sense of it all. "Wonder where your mom and dad are...? What kind of parent leaves a crying kid at the foot of a tree?"
A tiny hand tugged at his sleeve. "...pa...
Naruto blinked. "Ha?"
She pointed at him, grinning. "Papa!"
Kurama absolutely howled with laughter in his head.
Naruto's head whipped around with an audible crack. "Pa...?! No, no, no. We are not doing this shit. I ain't your dad! I'm too young for that!"
Much to his chagirn, The child -toddler?- made pleading noise hopped up and down in place, slender little arms reaching for him, little dress flapping with every hop. Her intentions were all too clear.
"Oi!" he scowled. "Will you listen to me! I'm not-
She flinched and whimpered, one eye shining with tears. Idly he noted the other was sealed with a black mark of some sort...aaaaaand she was crying! Defcon five!
"Hey! Don't cry! Oh, jeez, alright, alright," he knelt and took the little brunette into his arms. "You're okay. What's your name...?
The little girl sniffled into his arms and nestled her head into his chest, seeking shelter. "M'lina...
"Melina, eh? That's a pretty name...shhh. You're alright. Lets find yer mama, eh?
What kind of mother abandoned a little girl like this?
It was so damn lonely on the throne...
A broken man threw his head back and laughed.
He kept laughing. Even as the world burned.
"But why...?"
He blew out a breath. Watched the sun creep down over the mountains.
"There are worse ways to die.
R&R~!