A/N: Hope you're ready for this chapter.
Nahida knocks it out the park here. She's a proper treat to write.
Really wish I could update this more often, but seeing as I don't play Genshin anymore -no space!- I have to research everything manually. The paaaaaiiiiin...
I'm also afraid Ronin might've passed away, or left the site due to his health issues; haven't heard hide nor hair from my 'ol co-writer in ages, now.
Speaking of leaving...
I'll say it plain, if this email opt-in business with the Fanfiction site doesn't get resolved, I'm probably going to retire.
The app helps for some, for others it doesn't.
It HURTS to say that; but with this new system, reviews and readers have dropped to an all time low, authors are leaving the site in droves, and it feels like the end of an era.
If you're not already aware of it, ever since the 16th of November, you now have to turn ON your email alerts in account settings-MAKE SURE YOU CLICK SAVE SETTINGS!-else you won't be notified when anyone updates. No alerts, no email, no nothing. Apparently that's a thing we all have to do every ninety days or so, now. Alas, not many are aware of it...which is a problem. As things stand this new "fix" as it were, has cut everyone's viewership/reviewers in half because most folks don't know about it. Authors are leaving/quitting because of this.
Sometimes opting in works. Sometimes it doesn't. Really depends. Hopefully the devs can fix tweak/update this system before everyone leaves.
So here we go. The fate of this story depends on you, the reader. Your feedback determines the fate of this story, and all others. I hate having to beg for feedback, but without it...well, it feels like I'm not making an impact.Alright, then. As ever, I own no references, quotes, memes or themes. Not a wit or a one. I'm just a humble author trying to make his way in this wild world, one word at a time.
Looking forward to chatting with you all when I get back from work~!
No questions this time, only the merry madness of this story.
Alright, then. I think I've kept you waiting long enough.
Hope you're ready; because this chapter's got a bit of everything in it!
As ever, I own nooooo references, quotes, memes or themes. Not a wit or a one. They're tributes, one and all~!
"What was once broken shall soon be reforged.
That which was shattered shall be restored.
Rejoice. The caged bird is free.
~?
Greater and Lesser
"Who are you?"
Such a simple question and yet it held a lifetime of expectation behind it. Naruto found himself stricken by the words, staring at this baffled, helpless child in her prison...and his tongue failed him.A lonely child on a swing. Now didn't that bring back some painful memories? Nasty ones. Not good ones. His brain rebooted and he stood there, balking.
Not so his instincts. They kicked in a second later.
Small child. Must protect. He wanted to hug her so damn hard. She burned in his senses like a tiny green star; the fragment of that which had once been so much greater. His gnosis must've known something he didn't; it began to hum in his chest, conjuring the striking image of a green-eyed woman with pale hair, not this helpless little waif before him. Somehow, he knew her name. Or rather, what she had once been.
"Greater lord Rukkhadevata. She who once was and still is."
Wasn't that a mouthful? Might be easier to think of her was Rukka-no, no, that was the Gnosis bleeding into his thoughts again. He shook his head to clear it.
"Umm...?"
"Sorry about that." Right, right, she'd asked him a question, hadn't she? A small, impish smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Nice to meetcha. I'm Naruto."
"I know." Her response startled him. I just wanted to confirm it. You're...new?" She phrased it as though it were a query, not a statement. "Very new." as he looked on she hopped off the swing and he watched it shimmer away into motes of green light behind her. "Not even a century to your name...
"Am I? Where are we?
"That's the question, isn't it?" Nahida touched a finger to her lips, considering the white void around them. "I'd say this is a dream, but not a dream...?"
"Mmm." His lips pursed in thought. "Had one of those already...
"You have haven't you?" Those ageless eyes met his for a long moment, saw the truth in them, narrowed now. "I suppose it shouldn't be a surprise. "Each and every Archon is connected, not only through their gnosis, but Irminsul itself."
The words went right over his head. "Irmin-what-now?"
"At least you should be, but...no." Alas, the little Archon paid him no heed, for her gaze widened just as suddenly. "There's no information on you at all. None, whatsoever." she paced away, then back again, and he had to fight down a smile at just how adorable she looked. The question that followed proved less so. "You're a descender, aren't you?
His brow furrowed. "Missy, you're throwin' a lotta words at me I don't understand...
"I'll say. She lost me at Irminsul."
Silence reigned supreme.
"Oh!" Nahida shattered it with a small gasp, looking behind him with childlike wonder. "That...that is a very large fox! Wherever did he come from?"
Naruto craned his neck to follow her. "...when did you get in here?"
"Just now." Sure enough, Kurama's crimson bulk loomed behind him in the void, chin perched upon towering paws. He didn't look best pleased. "Tried to find you and that damn gnosis yanked me in." a plume of steam escaped his maw. "Don't look at me. Didn't ask to be here."
"And our body?"
"On autopilot most likely." his old friend rolled a massive shoulder. "Probably still kicking Childe around."
"You needn't worry." Nahida chirped. "Time moves slowly here. An hour in this place amounts to only a moment on the outside. That said," she scooted a little closer, reaching a tiny hand out toward Kurama. "May I...?"
Naruto knew what she was after and turned away with a snort, trying to hide his laughter. He did not succeed. Kurama must've realized too; because eyed Nahida warily, but otherwise made no move to shy away from the petite Archon. A massive crimson iris rolled down to regard her. She didn't flinch. He felt a flicker of approval from the old fox, followed by what might've been the ghost of a smile. His partner would've denied it to the day he died, but he saw it all the same.
...you may."
Nahida needed no further encouragement; she all but scampered forward in her haste to reach Kurama. Small palms ran a hand over a towering paw, and then, still not satisfied, she stepped forward and to bury herself against his warm fur. In a matter of moments she'd all but snuggled herself against him. "So warm...so soft...
Kurama made a pleased noise. "Of course I'm warm, girl-I have to be. I'd freeze in this fool's stomach otherwise!"
Naruto squawked. "Oi!
A minute passed. Another, now. Nahida showed no signs of budging.
"Ahem!" Kurama coughed, a sound that rattled the ground and their teeth alike. "That's quite enough!"
"My apologies." Nahida pulled away with a pleased sigh. "I lost sight of myself for a moment, there. Its been an eternity since I've had proper human contact. I've been locked away for a terribly long time."
Naruto flinched. "Sorry, we didn't mean-
"No need for apologies." she rounded on him with a small, sad little smile. "Your gnosis must be resonating." she considered him, clasping both hands behind her back as she swayed in place. "How curious. You really are "newer" compared to me." A dazzling smile lit up her young face. "I suppose that makes me your senior, doesn't it?"
A wry smile escaped him. He hadn't known what to think of her before, despite what his Gnosis might say to him.
Now? He found himself growing rather fond of this quirky girl. Still she seemed so alone...
"Isn't there anything we can do for you?"
...I'm afraid not." Nahida tented her fingers and spread them apart, revealing a cradle of green light. "This space is only temporary; connected by our Gnosis, it cannot exist for more than a few minutes. You can't reach me through it anymore than I can reach you.
Something hardened in his chest. It felt like a strange hybrid of anger and grief. "Who decided that?"
...pardon?" she tilted her head and he resisted the urge to hold her tight and never let her go. "You can say whatever you like, but I'm afraid this is the truth. You can't help me. Its alright, really. Compared to the other Archons, I'm not all that strong-
Blast it, he couldn't resist!
"Stop putting yourself down like that!" Quick as a flash he knelt and drew Nahida into his arms. The small Archon stiffened but he didn't dare let go, fearing she might bolt. "You've got a friend in me, ya hear? I don't care whether you're strong or weak!"
She quivered in his arms. "You shouldn't speak so carelessly..."
"Ain't nothing careless about it." he held her tighter. "You'll always have me.
"I don't understand." Her voice warbled a little. "Why? We've only just met. You don't owe me anything...
"Do I need a reason to help someone?"
"Might as well give up, runt." he couldn't see Kurama from this angle, but he could hear the smile in his voice. "Once the brat makes up his mind, nothing in the world can change it."
"You really are something. Dendro and Anemo, hmm?" she sniffled once and buried her head into his shoulder. If there were tears, he pretended not to see that. "I...I think I like the sound of that. I haven't had a proper friend in quite awhile." she took a deep breath, rallied, and looked up at him once more. "but I must caution you; you need to hold onto your Gnosis, lest someone try to take it-
"Only one taking this back is that bard bastard."
A quick blink. "You mean Barbatos?"
"Bard. Bastard."
She laughed. "You really are quite the character, aren't you?"
He couldn't help but join her, grinning as he let her go. "Right back at ya! Ya've got a funny way of talking!"
"I can't help it!" The very moment he released her Nahida rounded on him, hands clasped beneath her chin, eyes so bright they almost seemed to glow in the void. "This is all so much and so very... fascinating! I've been the youngest Archon for...well...forever! And now, I'm not!" even her enthusiasm proved catching. "And to have a friend atop all this...!
Something about her words tugged at him.
"Forever?" A bead of sweat ran down his brow. "When you say forever, exactly how long do you mean...?"
Nahida giggled. "Oh just five hundred years, give or take. I'm really quite young."
"Five hundred...!? "The words left him in a wheeze.
"She forgets." His gnosis sang again inside his mind. "She who once was. She who was someone more. She who must be restored-
"Won't you tell me more about yourself?" Nahida's inquiry cut through the dialogue. "Where you're from perhaps, or what you did to land yourself here? Forgive my curiosity; I haven't spoken to anyone like this in a terribly long time...
A grimace tugged at the corner of his mouth. Kurama mirrored it in stoic silence. "..."
But really, what did they have to lose? "Sure, why not? Might wanna sit for a bit.
Nahida plonked down on Kurama's paw, rapt with attention.
Naruto told her his story. Nahida listened like a good little student-ironic, given how much older and more knowledgeable she was compared to him. She didn't ask a single question. Not once.
And once he finished...
"Fascinating!" That really was her favorite word, wasn't it? "You really are from another world, aren't you? You've spent so little time here in Teyvat, yet you've already met four Archons! First Anemo, then Geo, that dream with Cryo, and now me!" she clapped her hands and beamed over them. "I dare say you'll encounter the other three soon enough at this rate."
Great. More gods. "Is...that a good thing?"
"Well," Nahida thumbed her chin. "There's no harm in telling you. They're all much older than me and while I don't know much of the current Pyro archon, Hydro is a bit...eccentric." she looked away with a wry grimace for reasons he didn't quite understand. "To say nothing of Electro. You'll understand when you meet her."
"That doesn't fill me with confidence.
"It shouldn't." Her gaze cut back to him. "Inazuma has closed its borders to the rest of the world for quite some time. Not even I know what the Raiden Shogun's up to. But, but, but!" She hastened to ammend at his bleak look, "You're strong. Quite possibly one of the strongest beings on Teyvat right now. I'm sure you can handle anything she throws at you!"
A blond brow rose. "You hesitated there."
She looked away. "Maybe a little. I'm just having a hard time believing you're so strong without unlocking the full power of your gnosis...
...pardon?"
"Here." she beckoned him forward; once hew was close enough, she laid a hand on his chest. "I'm sure you've had a little help from Morax, but I'll speed it along." lively green eyes fluttered shut. "Let the wind speak to you, Naruto. Open your heart to it, as you have others, and you'll reach heights you couldn't even dream of."
He felt something lurch in his chest...then nothing. "I don't feel any different?"
Nahida pouted. "That's strange. It should have done something...
"Don't worry about it." he patted her head. "The future doesn't concern me and I don't give a damn about eternity. You're the one I'm worried about right now, ya know.
That got a blink from her. "Me?"
"Yes, you." he flicked her forehead. "Earlier you said you were locked away."
Now it was Nahida's turn to grimace, shying under his gaze. "Yes, well, its a bit of a long story...
"I told you mine." Naruto planted his feet. "Care to tell me yours? Like you said, we've got time here."
"Are you certain?" She blanched. "Mine isn't a pleasant tale to tell. You may not fight it all that enjoyable...
"That's for me to judge." He plonked down beside her and folded his legs beneath him. "I'm not going anywhere. My body can look after itself for awhile. But before that," when Nahida made a questioning noise, he reached around, plucked her from her perch atop Kurama's paw, and planted her in his lap. She squeaked in surprise. He ignored it. "Tell me how to get to Sumeru."
She looked up at him, Gnosis pulsing softly in her chest. "What do you intend to do with such knowledge?"
"How about this," he held out his pinky finger, "I'll tell you after you finish your story. Sound fair?"
The Dendro Archon heaved a sigh and hooked hers with his. "...as you wish."
Nahida was an Archon of her word. Her tale proved somewhat shorter than his, surprising giving her age. Or perhaps she simply had less to tell given how isolated she'd become. Regardless, she was right; it wasn't an enjoyable tale. Not at all. Nope. Not in the least. But he'd asked for it and so he listened, fists clenching at her sides. She told him of the moment of her "birth" and all that followed, how she'd sought to help her people even as she was sealed away, all but forgotten, neglected...abandoned...
By the end, he was seething.
Obliterate. Exterminate. Annihilate.
"Grand Sage Azar. Alright." His head bobbed in a slow nod. "I'll be sure to remember that name when I go to Sumeru."
Nahida squinted a little. "When? Not if?"
"Yup." he patted her head, ignoring her rising flush as he rubbed her scalp. "Need to have a word with your so-called sages. Personal-like."
Some of his intent must've bled through his tone, because Nahida squeaked anew and wriggled around in his lap to face him. "Naruto, no. You can't!"
"Naruto, yes." his hands came down on her shoulders, rooting her in place, preventing her escape. "Can, am, and gonna. I just wanna talk to 'em. Loudly. Repeatedly. With Kurama. They locked you away for five hundred years; seems to me they deserve at least double that as punishment...
"That's the same as killing them!"
"Who said anything about killing?" said fox rumbled above them. "Death is release. Release implies mercy. They will be shown none."
Her pale brow furrowed. "You promise you won't kill them?"
Naruto bit back a smirk. There were worse things than death. Much worse.
"They won't die under my watch~!" he sang back. "Though they might wish they had."
Nahida made to argue, saw his expression, and shook her head with a helpless shrug. "There's really no stopping you two, is there?"
"Nope!" still smiling, he drew her in for a quick hug. "We'll get you out of here...and restore you. I swear."
His gnosis pulsed happily, radiating approval. Yes!
Nahida didn't radiate approval so much as cnfusion. "Restore me?"
She really didn't remember who she once was, did she? Well, he'd fix that!
"Don't worry." He held her tight. "I'll explain it in person. Soon."
A lone tear ran down her cheek. "...is that a promise?"
His heart hitched. "I never go back on my word.
Little arms squeezed him with fragile strength.
"Before you go, I just wanted to say-
Their world shattered like glass.
(.0.0.0.)
"Watch out!"
Reality lurched back with a start.
Naruto heard Paimon's cry. Looked down. Found a pair of familiar Hydro daggers buried in his gut. Far from horror he felt only mild exasperation. Was that supposed to kill him? Really the angle was all wrong and those puny blades weren't anywhere near sharp enough. He should've aimed for the head. Or the chest, at least. Instead the transformed harbinger he'd gone for a painful injury.
Bit of a disappointment, really.
Childe grinned at him behind his mask, unaware of what he'd just done. "I'm sorry. Did I break your concentration?
Anger sparked. Naruto rolled his eyes to quell it and failed. Because the Harbinger had done just that. Bastard interrupted him before he could say goodbye to Nahida; before he could impart a few last words of comfort to her. Shame on him for hurting that precious bean.
"Well, say somethin-bwargh?!"
His words pitched into a grunt as a hand closed around his masked visage and squeezed. Hoisted him off the ground now. Clawed fingers grasped at his hand to no avail; his grip couldn't be broken despite the disparity in their height and he brought his foe to heel in an instant.
...congratulations." Naruto rasped, uncaring of the hoarse tenor in his own voice. "You did break my concentration. Now I'll break you."
Golden knuckles surged upright and struck Childe's chin. The harbinger hurtled out his grasp -out of the city!- with a strangled yelp. Not good enough. Naruto leaped after him caught him in midair, seized him by the face and smashed his forehead against his as they hurtled across the sky. Once. Twice. Thrice.
"I'm not from around here, pal." he grinned down into Foul Legacy's cracked mask, leering at the terrified Harbinger within as the clouds rushed by. "Y'see, where I come from we've got a little something called payback. Didn't used to believe in that sorta thing" his smile didn't waver, even when Childe drove a clenched fist into the side of his face. "But now I do! Eye for an eye." he laughed at the feeble effort. Tooth for a tooth! Pain for pain! As you're about to learn!"
He was still laughing when they struck the ground at speed.
The plains of Mondstadt erupted in column of fiery wind.
And the storm roared its triumph.
(.0.0.0.)
CRASH!
Dvalin looked out the window, craning her neck towards the rising plume of napalm.
"Nope." she yanked the shutters shut and dove into her bed. "Not messing about with any of that nonsense!
(.0.0.0.)
He was losing.
Once upon a time, the realization would have thrilled Childe. To meet a foe outside the Harbingers, to find a proper rival against which he could test himself; there was nothing he'd wanted more than to find such a person, no matter who they might be. Someone he might even come to call friend, in due time. A true foe. The ultimate contest. Life was the prize, and death the punishment.
Now it terrified lose here meant death. Death meant the end of everything.
He'd never see Teucer again. None of his siblings. His family.
He didn't want to die.
With that awful thought clawing at his mind, Childe shrugged off the ash and stumbled to his feet. Distantly he became aware of his surroundings, of his crumbling armor and mask, of everything. What had once been a verdant plain was now a blasted crater miles wide and just as deep, scoured by fire and hazy wind. It would remain a scar upon this verdant green land for the rest of its days.
...where'd he go?'
No sign of that blasted blond. Yet he felt the reapers scythe at his throat nevertheless. Naruto was here somewhere, watching, waiting, while he was on his last legs. Even now the act of standing threatened to sap the last of his strength. The Foul Legacy transformation wasn't something to use lightly, and not for long. If he didn't end this soon...
A rattling cough shook his chest, forcing him to cover his mouth. His hand came away red.
"Well, that's not good...
"I hope you're happy, Fatui!" As though summoned by that very remark, the Anemo Archon appeared on his flank, utterly unscathed. He walked through the fading fire and the flames without a care in the world. That irritating little fairy of his floated behind him at a distance. Childe ignored her. Because the Archon was still smiling, the crazed smile of someone who'd been pushed too far, too fast, too hard. "You've done it now...
"What in blazes are you?!" he cursed himself for the warble in his voice even as he said the words. "You're more than an Archon!"
"Its as you say." his head bobbed. "I am the Anemo Archon. Whether I like it or not. Unfortunately for you, wind has always been my natural element. "And now...?"
A hand rose. High above their heads, dark clouds rushed in the sky turned black. The gnosis burned green in his chest.
"Let me show you my secret weapon." when he spoke, another voice resonated with him.
And so he began.
"...I am the freedom of the Sky...
Childe scoffed. "What is that, a chant? Don't think it'll stop me from...from...?"
...Wind is my body and clouds are my blood...
Around him the world rippled wind whipping across the grass, tearing through the heavens.
Paimon clasped her hands. "Oh, jeez! Paimon isn't prepared for something like this!
Childe agreed! What was that? What the hell was he making?!
...I have withstood over a thousands storms!" Naruto's head snapped up, blue eyes glowing a deep emerald, speaking with more than once voice. "Unknown to fear! Nor known to despair!"
No! "Stop! Stop that right now!"
"My shoulders carry the weight of countless dreams!"
Child lunged with a desperate cry, grasping for his Gnosis. Naruto pivoted, dodged his grasping hand, and kicked them away, never pausing in his chant.
"Yet these hands wish only to heal." the Gnosis sang in his chest, a burning beacon filling the world with light. "So I declare...!
A lance of ice exploded against his back, staggering him. Naruto whipped around with a scowl...and froze.
"Now, now," a hated voice cooed behind him. "Lets not do anything we might regret...
Childe turned, followed his gaze, and found himself stiffening as well.
Heels clicked against the smoldering ashes.
Her. Of course it was her.
Opportunistic bitch...
...after all, we wouldn't want to scar the children now, would we?"
A girl struggled in the newcomer's grasp, bound and gagged. Childe took her in at a glance. Red eyes. White hair. Crimson outfit. She meant nothing to him.
Not so Naruto; for made a strangled noise. "Klee?!"
"Ah, so you do know her. Good." Signora stroked the poor child's trembling face, smiling like the serpent she was at heart. "Why don't we just talk this out like adults...?"
A/N: Sweet, sweet catharsis.
Aaaand little miss arrogant shows herself at last, with a captive Klee in tow. This can only end well, surely.
Once more, the Embers rule remains. If folks don't like this story? Well...I'll not continue it. That's no joke, folks. I'm so busy these days; basically, I don't have time off. Not anymore. My free time is limited and as such, I can't afford to focus on something folks don't like. Reviews keep me writing in these times, and keep the daily updates flowing. Silence...silence only hurts. I hate having to beg for feedback, but without it...well, it feels like I'm not making an impact.
Right then, as ever, Reviews are love, Reviews are Life.
Reviews keep me safe from any and all strife.
So in the immortal words of Atlas...
...revieeeeew, would You Kindly?
Enjoy these humble previews.
Far though some are.
As ever:
WARNING! WARNING! WARNING!
READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!
SPOILERS AHEAD!
(Preview)
"Make your choice. The gnosis or the girl. Make your choice. I haven't all day."
...I know where I'm headed next.
The sage choked in his grasp. "Why are you doing this...?!"
Baleful blue eyes met his. "Why, you ask?"
He squeezed, fingers biting down.
"YOU KNOW WHY. There are some things a man just cant stand. Did you enjoy bullying that child? I hope so. Because now? Its your turn."
Your heart is a weakness. Its nauseating-ack?!
"One more word outta you brat and I swear I'll take you over my knee and spank ya raw!"
~Nz.