A/N: Still sick, still writing.

The Golden Son is nearly ready, going to be a long chapter over 4,000 words maybe more, but it needs a bit more time today.

Unless you want a rushed mess of course, but no one wants that. Now then, I'll see you all in a few hours.

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. 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~!

"Have you heard of him? The Lord of Blood. He who helps the helpless? Blessed be his name...

~?

Bloody Priest

They cast him into the sewer.

That was his first painful memory of his second life; being hurtled into the dark. Him and his twin brother both. He caught himself with one hand, squinting with one eye into the gloom. When he tried to stand, tried to claw his way to his feet, someone kicked his knee and sent him stumbling forward.

"I am...sorry, Mohg." a man's voice rumbled in his ears. "This is for the best."

Morgott whimpered. He'd always been the soft one. Not him. He wouldn't show them his tears.

"I am not. I cannot believe I birthed such wretched creatures." someone spat at his head. "Begone and do not return."

Naruto blew out a sigh. "Sorry, can't keep that promise.

A hammer based the back of his head, driving a horn into his eye.

He took it with a smile. Always a smile.

The door slammed behind him.

Naruto smiled in the dark.

(.0.0.0.)

Irina tugged a this sleeve.

"My lord?" her blind, sightless eyes sought his. "Wake up, please. Were you dreaming again?"

The bloody titan before her opened his good eye with a sigh. "Just remember the past. Where I came from."

"Morgott is waiting for you...

"Yes, I suppose he is." he levered himself up on his trident, and stood it. It was not a staff as he was used to, but it would do. "Where is he?"

His handmaiden bowed her head, ever the picture of decorum. "Near the entrance to the sewers."

Ah. So he'd heard of the madness above as well. The Elden Ring had been broken. "And what Malenia? Did she respond to my offer for aid?"

"She has. Her letter awaits you in the foyer."

Good, good. Time would tell if he agreed to help him restore order...or fought him.

"Well, " he sighed, "Lets not keep them waiting, hmm?"

Blood ran thicker than water after all.

A/N: Aaand scene. A story that's both pre-and-current Shattering.

There we be. Naruto as Mohg. Now I absolutely have to rest. I'm exhausted.

Sooooo, 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 like others.

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~!