A/N: Tada~!
We've got a double update today!
This and Love Bites. Hope everyone enjoys 'em!
As my fifteen year anniversary on this site draws 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.
No questions this time. 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 to legends far greater than I, one and all~!
Finally, to clarify, Signora's real name is Rosalyne. Rather surprising, but hey, apparently its canon... *shrugs*
Also a Fire Emblem Reference. It fit well in this chapter, given the chant we saw last in the last one...
"Another chant? My, you're just full of surprises today aren't you...wait! Stop! Stop that right now!"
~?
Embrace the Dark
"Drop the kid and walk away. Right now. Do that, and I'll let you live."
Rosalyne -Signora!- could have scoffed at the Archon's impudence. She nearly did at that; the sheer arrogance of his statement all amused her to no end. His was a simple ultimatum meant to counter her before she could even state hers. A preemptive strike, as it were. Pity it was such ineffective one. Doubtless he thought he could intimidate her as he had Childe. Beat her down with sheer force of will. A lifetime ago he might've done just that. Now?
Not so.
"Tempting, but I shall decline." she flicked an errant look toward her fellow Harbinger, watching him scrape himself off the ground. Irrelevant. His part in this was done. He no longer mattered. "Allow me to offer you a counter-proposal. Surrender your gnosis, and I'll happily let the girl go."
Klee struggled in her grasp and shook her head.
"I'm sorry," Signora crooned, "Is that gag making it hard to breathe?"
"Butt out, will ya?!" At long last, Childe found his feet behind her, for all the good it did him. "I had things under control!"
"Hmm." Signora tutted at him, the little fool, not believing him for a moment. "You surely did. There was no need for me to step in at all...
He didn't budge. "You took his kid."
"So I did." She shrugged a shoulder callously. "What of it?"
He glared at her. The effect was somewhat lessened by his dirty, bruised face.
Signorna scoffed at the pitiful display. Weak. Soft. Childe always had too much heart to do what must be done. He hesitated at crucial moments. He showed mercy. He would never think to endanger a child; not when he had so many siblings to care fore himself. He had shackles of his own making and they limited him. But her? She would do what must be done. She would NOT hesitate. She would show NO mercy. She had no limits.
A small part of her wondered if Childe would test those limits now. With the Archon present, she might find herself pressed if he turned on her.
She'd left her back open after all. A single thrust of his polearm might do her grievous harm if he caught her unawares.
And yet still, she didn't dare look away from the Archon. "Do you have something to say?"
"..."
Surely he wouldn't betray her. To turn his coat now meant turning his back on the Tsaritsa, and his family in Snezhnaya. Childe might think himself noble in his own way-but he surely wasn't. At the end of the day, no matter his reservations, the boy was a good dog; one who wouldn't dare bite the hand of its master...if only for fear of what might befall his kin.
Sure enough, he tore his gaze from hers.
...I thought not. Run along now. There's work to be done."
"Yeah, run along, Childe." Naruto never took his eyes off her. "That's all you ever do."
Fury flashed across the younger harbinger's face. His spear flicked out...
.
..
...and severed the gag binding Klee's mouth. The little fire imp spat it out at once, gasping for air. "Thanks, mister!"
Signora's temper sparked. "Childe!"
"What?" a selfsame smile was his reward. "You said she was having trouble breathing. I was helping."
Naruto flicked a curious look his way.
...have fun you two."
His peace said, the battered harbinger leaned on his spear and limped away, dragging himself back to the city.
Signora seethed all the same. Insolent oaf. If she wasn't holding this blasted brat with both hands, she would have charred him to ash on the spot. But she didn't dare let go of Klee; not here, not now, not yet. She was no fool. To do so while he still held that Gnosis would mean her death. Yes, this changed nothing. So what if the girl could speak? It would only serve to further impart her peril.
"Hey, Klee." Naruto turned a wining smile on the child. "You good?"
The girl granted him a tiny, tremulous nod voice warbling a little. "M'scared...
"Don't worry, sweetie." his eyes crinkled in a smile. "I'll have you out in a jiffy. Now be a good girl and close your eyes. Don't open them until I tell you to, alright?"
She managed a watery smile. "And then Kaboom?
"Yes, Klee." his grin grew. "Kaboom."
That little fairy of his tilted her head. "Kaboom?!"
Signora felt her plans coming unraveled with each passing moment. Did he not understand his situation? Why wasn't he afraid? She had the girl captive; a girl, who by all rights, he was fond of. He wouldn't dare risk harm to her. Any movement on his part would be met by swift and immediate violence. In truth she had no real desire to harm a child, but needs must, and she would do whatever it took to achieve her goals. Yes, she held all the cards here. Her. Not him!
So why, why, WHY was he smiling?!
"We'll even get some smores after this," Naruto prattled on, "How does that sound-
"Enough!" Signora slashed a hand through the air to silence him. "Stop that! I am in charge here!"
The New Archon's smile didn't reach his eyes. "Do you feel in charge?"
"Enough!" she gripped the girl tighter, pressing a cold finger to her neck. "Make your choice. The gnosis or the girl. Now. I haven't all day."
Naruto's grin didn't waver for an instant.
Paimon balked. "No! You can't!"
"Hush. Stay out of this."
His arms rose and tugged off his jacket, then the shirt beneath, exposing his bare chest to her wanting eyes. Hmm. Not unattractive. A shame they were enemies. Shucking the garment aside he spread his arms, planted his feet, and stood his ground. His intent was obvious and she found herself smiling at the sight. This. This was a true, proper archon. She couldn't wait to take his power for herself. She could sense his Gnosis even, power incarnate humming just beneath the surface. The Tsaritsa would so pleased with her.
"Well?" The blond tilted his head. "What're you waiting for? I'm right here."
Signora took one step forward. Another now. Three, bringing herself within striking distance. Her right hand twitched. Yet still he made no move to attack. Did he think her blind? No, surely not. Either he was truly just that arrogant or he'd simply given into her demands like a good little monkey. The latter was more likely, or so she told herself.
"What's wrong?" he grinned down at her, looming large. "You want my Gnosis? Go right ahead. Take it. Take it all."
Enough of this provocation! She tossed Klee aside and lunged forward.
Her hand stabbed into his chest, burying itself to the wrist.
Naruto grunted in quiet pain.
Yes! Victory was hers!
She felt the Gnosis within him waiting for her. All she need do was reach out and claim it for herself. wrapped her fingers around it, intent to tear it free in an instant. Triumph blazed through her, warm, hot and heady. With its absence he would be powerless and...
.
..
...wait one blood minute! What the hell was this?!
Signora tugged on the Anemon Gnosis. Once. Twice. Thrice now. Nothing happened. It didn't budge. Not an inch. Not eve an iota of movement. Baffled, she planted her free hand against his chest for leverage, arched her back and yanked, only to achieve a similar result. Sweat beaded upon her brow. Why?! Why wasn't it working?! What madness was this?! It was like trying to move a pillar, not a chess piece!
A dark voice laughed at her. "Did you really think it would be that easy?"
Five firm fingers latched onto her hair and yanked. Hard.
"Gotcha, bitch."
Clenched knuckles slammed into Signora's face with impossible speed. She didn't even see them; but oh, by the ice, she felt them. Felt her nose twist, crack, bend all the way to the left as her cheek dented inward and her jaw popped. Momentum had its say, ripping her from his grasp a heartbeat later.
And then there was pain.
Her world shattered with a scream of agony as she hit the ground, reflexively curling inward on herself as she clutched at her face.
"How dare you!" Blood sluiced down her chin. "Do you have any idea who I am?!"
"Didn't ask," A boot collided with her ribs, folding her in half to launch her across the blasted plain once more. "Don't care," Another stomp struck her from on high, blasting the breath from her lungs and all but spearing her into the dirt. Another crater was born as he ground his boot into her stomach. "Go screw yourself."
Rosalyne shrieked and flung a wave of ice in his face, forcing him to block or risk frostbite. The moment he did, she tumbled free.
The girl! she scrambled over the lip of the crater, spitting blood, trying to grasp at the last straws of her plan. Take the girl! She needed a hostage again...
A golden flicker of light blitzed past, swept her legs, snatched up Klee, and raced toward the city of Mondstadt. Signora blinked and instantly found the Archon standing before again, now with the girl nowhere to be seen. Impossible. No one should be able to move that fast...!
Her eyes settled on that wretched little fairy of his, left unattended. If she could reach her...!
Paimon balked. "Naruto! Heeeelp~!"
Something hard slammed into Signora's back, forcing her face into the mud.
"Don't. Touch. The kid."
"W-Wait!" Signora held up a hand to forestall another attack. "Lets be reasonable about this!"
"I am reasonable." Naruto advanced upon her with a smile. It did not reach his eyes. "I'm going to slowly and reasonably make you wish you were never born." he began to crack his knuckles slowly, one by one, the sound grinding against her ears. "Starting right now. Hope you've got a good dental plan...
...what?"
A boot smashed into her face. Broken teeth whistled through the air and her scream went with it. Not satisfied, He caught her by the hair and yanked her back in. A forceful fist smashed into the veil covering her right eye, shattering her black crown with it. Pain sent her slumping back, only for him to reel her back in as one would a fish on their hook. She tried to speak. He didn't give her the chance. No words were spoken by him. None given. Jab. Hook. Uppercut. He beat the tar out of her, left right and center, uncaring for his targets, for the blood staining his knuckles, nor his face.
Once. Twice. Thrice. She heard the meaty thwack, every blow an assault to her pride as much as her face.
Frantically she flung wave upon wave of ice at him; to no avail. The beating persisted, even as frozen crystals crept across the length of his arms.
It was too much. Only a minute in and she snapped. "ENOUGH!"
Fire flashed forth as she released her delusion at long last; with its passing her body becoming liquid fire once more. In a instant she transformed, gaining mass and height where there had been none before. Pain coursed through her, but it was pain of her own making and with it the Crimson Witch of Flame lived anew. Power surged through her; strength she used to break his grip and blast him back.
A grunt of surprise was her only reward.
Not enough. Not nearly enough. Not possibly enough!
She needed to hear him scream. He had to beg for mercy, cry out her name. Only then would she end his pain.
"I have lived for five hundred years! You are an ant compared to me!" Tongues of hungry fire sprang forth at her command, capturing his legs, holding him fast. "I will not be slain by the likes of you! Ha!" she sneered as he struggled against the flames. "What will you do now, fool?!"
Naruto hung his head, blond hair shading his eyes from view. The ghost of a smile touched his face.
"Embrace the wind you once called a home. Gaze upon a icy white throne...
His hand rose again, and the wind wailed with it, gathering around him in currents of jade light. Signora didn't recognize the words that followed; for it was different from what she'd heard against Childe. Less of a chant and more a song, these syllables flowed faster than before. Smoother and sharper, louder now, a fire flowing to rival the one that still smoldered between her breasts. Dozens of voices spoke with them and she knew the for Archon past; for his eyes were a deep and verdant green.
"Another chant?" she raised a hand. "My, you're just full of surprises today aren't you?
"...A legacy of lies. A familiar reprise..."
The fire went out in her heart.
"Sing with us a song of hurricanes and fate." Naruto head snapped up and she saw them, emerald veins pulsing from his chest, leading up to his neck, seething in his eyes. "The burning pillar cracks beneath its weight."
Rosalyne Her. He was talking to her, or rather, his Gnosis was. It was singing a song-a dirge to her death.
"Death breaks through the day. Hard as a stone...
"I will not allow it!"
She lunged at him, grasping for his gnosis with all her might. Last time had been a fluke surely; she'd not brought all her might to bear.
Her hand passed right through him. Empty air was her reward, then his hand found her throat. He leaned in.
Warm lips brushed her ear, like a long lost lover's caress. "Lost in the void, all alone."
All the world went silent, as though they'd entered the eye of a storm.
Rosalyne's world inverted.
Her good eye blinked, not quite comprehending how she'd gotten here, or where the Archon had gone. Where even was here? She looked around and found only blue skies surrounded by looming clouds. Where was the ground? All she saw was an endless expanse of blue and white...no, there below it, so far as to be rendered a speck...shades of green and brown. Grey stone. Was that the city of Mondstadt?!
Oh.
Oh, no.
No, no, no.
Realization broke like the dawn. She'd fall! No, she was falling!
"I wouldn't be worried about that...
Wind lashed at Rosalyne's back, tearing a deep furrow between her shoulders, drawing an agonized cry from her lips. She pivoted and found only the wind around her. Horror broke. This wasn't the eye of the storm at all; but its center. Another blade of wind raked across her chest. A third took her left ear. On and on they came, faster and faster, a vortex of windo tearing into her with reckless abandon. There was naught she could do to defend herself. How did one fight the wind? You didn't. You either embraced it...
...or you fell.
And fall Rosalyne did. By some manner of blackest mercy, the impact didn't kill her. She wished it had. Battered and bleeding from countless wounds, death would've been a mercy. Down an ear and an arm now, it was all she could do to drag herself away and pray for the sweet release of death.
Today, the gods were not merciful.
Naruto landed atop her back. Nudged her hips with a boot, rolling her over.
"There." he leaned back, considering her. "Now you're as ugly on the outside as you are on the inside."
Damn him. She would heal from this eventually. She knew she would. She just needed time
"It didn't have to be this way, you know." the Archon shook his head, bemoaning her plight. "We could've talked this out, ya know."
Rosalyne seethed up at him, desperate to remain defiant in her last moments. "I never asked for redemption. Never!"
"Good." Wind keened in Naruto's palm. "You're not getting it. Rasenshuriken!"
"Wait, wait, wait!" Fear broke through the wall of her resolve at the last and much to her chagrin, Rosalyne flung up a hand to hold him off. She didn't want to die here! She couldn't! She mustn't! There was still so much more she wanted to achieve! "It was nothing personal!" she quavered, painfully aware of the wind-filled sphere only inches from her chest. "This was my task! My duty! My mission, for the good of the world! Don't you see?!" his face went thunderous and she cursed herself for the whimper that followed. "That gnosis will only bring you misery! It will make you one of them! Just like her!"
"I am me." Naruto scowled at her without fear. "No one else."
His palm swung down, jutsu snarling in his hand.
The pain that followed went beyond words.
When the darkness came, it promised Rosalyne a release from that pain. From the heat, from the wind, from the agony tearing at her flesh It offered her the sweetest slumber; an escape, an emergency exit, as it t'were. She had but to give in. Stop fighting. Let her mind go, fall to the depths and cease caring for her plight, for the world, for anything at all. Forget about the Gnois. Forget about Signora. Forget everything. Oblivion was her only recourse and she yielded it gladly. Anything to stop the pain.
Rosalyne embraced the dark.
A/N: Aaaand scene.
Wonder if she lived...? Or went insane?
I'm curious to see if anyone got that Fire Emblem reference...
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)
...what did you do to her? Is she even alive? If so, I think you broke her."
A blond brow rose. "And your point is...?
"Yikes, your scary."
Rosaria hit the ground in a heap. "What was that?! What the devil are you?!"
Golden eyes considered her. "Order."
And the sky answered.
Jeanne bowed her head. "I...overreacted. For that, I wish to apologize."
Shenhe latched onto his arm. Latched hard, and turned a fearsome pout upon him.
...you're not letting go, are you?"
"No. No, I am not."
"Are you certain you won't go to Liyue?"
Lumine squinted at him. Naruto squinted back. Grinned now.
"Did we just become best friends?"
Knock.
As one, the sages stilled.
Knock. Knock.
And still the tapping persisted.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Finally the door creaked open. Merry blue eyes beamed at them, framed by blond hair. "Here's payback~!"
Naruto flicked her forehead. "You're acting like a child."
The Archon recoiled with a yelp, clutching her stung brow. "Excuse me?!"
"Losing your loved ones...yeah, that hurts, I know. It makes you want to scream at the world. I can understand that. But this?" He swept a hand up, indicating the desolate landscape around them. "This isn't the answer. I know it hurts. I know you want to hide away from it all. Yet
"And what would you know of it?"
"More than you could possibly imagine."
How dare he...! "You cannot even BEGIN to imagine what I have lost."
"You're right." his nod startled her. "I can't. But you don't know me, either. So why don't we sit down and talk this out like adults." those piercing blue eyes glimmered green, glancing to her weapon. "We've got plenty of time in here. Or we could fight." he planted his feet and strengthened his stance, ready to move at the slightest provocation. "Kill each other again and again until death finally sticks for one of us. Is that what you want?
"..."
"Neither, then? Fine. Be a coward. Think about it. You know where to find me when you're ready to talk."
His peace said, he turned his back on her.
"You would walk away from me...?"
A continent away, Venti winced. "Oh, dear. I heard that from here. He's really angry...
"Paimon objects!"
A blond brow quirked. "TO what?"
The little imp huffed. "To leaving without seconds!"
"Alright, alright." he reached over to tousle her hair. "Another helping it is.
Her happy cry healed his soul.
"Heee~!"
Blood spattered his face.
His victim laughed. "There he is. There's the monster. You can be surprisingly...heartless...when push comes to shove...
They died in his arms, still laughing.
...why are you in a tree?"
"Dunno. Why are you dancing where no one can see?"
Ayaka felt heat spear through her face. "You are...a very strange man."
"Lady, you don't know the half of it.
EDIT: Hey, thanks for making it!
As my fifteen year anniversary on this site draws 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.
Looking forward to chatting with you all when I get back from work tonight~!
~Nz.