A/N: EDIT: *Cringes from all the errors* They're fixed, now.

That's what I get for not feeling well.

But despite that, I pushed through to update today.

I've been doing a lot of double update days this month, and they're wearing on me.

Still here we are, giving Elden Ring a little more love before this month ends.

Scarlet Sky, Heir of Dragons, Omen of Change, Forget Me Not, and Scarlet Vow need more time in the oven. Silfer and I will be working on those five in May-June while the big guns get updated.

Until then there are other cateagories to work on.

My health has been...better. Between back and breathing problems I'm feeling the pains of being old.

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. Feels like everyone's lost their minds sometimes. 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.

So here we go. The fate of this story depends on you, the reader. Your feedback determines the fate of this tale, and many others.

Once more, I own no quotes, references, or memes. Not a wit or a one. NOT! A! THING!

They're all tributes to legends far greater than little 'ol me. Now then..

This will most likely remain a single pairing, but it may become a harem depending on feedback. It'll be a shorter story at that.

We'll keep the clarification up here for Naruto and Malenia's "children" since there are a LOT of names going around right now. Nania's really the only OC here. The rest actually exist in the game. First and foremost we have the adorable Nania and Millicent. Mary is the eldest, wielding her halo scythe with ease. Maureen comes second, with a heavy-treespear. Amy, would be third with her curved swords. Polyanna is, the youngest, having a dagger.

Now, then! let us continue...and see the fate of poor Morgott...

"Is this our first fight? Really? Over something like this?

~Over Fallen Leaves.

To be Embraced

"Is he dead?"

Nania nudged Morgott's body with a tiny toe.

The Omen King didn't budge. Didn't twitch. Didn't even breathe.

Naruto almost found himself smiling despite the macabre situation. Say what you would about her vigor, but his daughter didn't lack for courage. Perhaps that was because the Haligtree had made her the best of both words; she had his bravery and Malenia's resolve, his kindness but also her mother's strength. She was beloved by Millicent and her sisters. Woe betide anyone who tried to harm her, because if she didn't kill you first everyone ELSE would.

Eve now she didn't flinch in the face of death.

Malenia tutted softly. "Come away, child. You shouldn't see this."

"No." their little sapling turned grave eyes on her. "I have to. I want him here."

Malenia flashed him a puzzled look, one Millicent and the others shared. He offered them a shrug. They'd brought his body here to the Haligtree at her request. Demand, really. He didn't rightly understand why himself; though he had an inkling. Nania's last ditch cry -and his hand!-had prevented Malenia from taking Morgott's head to be sure, but she'd still struck the Omen King a fatal blow right through the chest. Make no mistake, he was dead as can be. His heart did not beat. He did not breathe. His once golden eyes glowed no longer.

As he looked on Nania set her right wrist to her mouth.

Then she bit down. Hard.

"Ow!"

She cried out despite herself, but didn't hesitate, pausing only to hold her now bleeding vein held it directly over Morgott's mouth.

Malenia jolted. "What're you doing?!"

Their child didn't look away. "Making things right. The tree told me too."

Her words were enough to still her mother. Malenia hesitated, dithering as a bit of red-gold blood welled forth and dripped down into Morgott's open mouth.

One drop.

Two, now.

Three followed.

A moment passed. Another now. Another.

Nania muttered something under her breath. It sounded like a chant. And then:

"Yeeeeaaaargh!"

It was like watching a man get electrocuted; one moment he lay dead at their feet, the next every fiber-every cell-of his being thrashed into motion. More than that, Morgott's body erupted in a column of unalloyed golden light, forcing everyone to look away. A wordless scream tor forth from his lips and they covered their ears in turn. He alone managed to squint into the storm of light for a moment; even then he had to look away for fear of going blind.

...and then it was done.

Without warning, the light cleared.

And they saw Morgott; an Omen no longer.

Oh, his skin still had that gray tinge to it, but his horns were gone; his swollen nose normal, tail having melted away. Tall and towering as ever the demigod sat up, the bloody tattered rags of his cloak barely preserving his modesty. He looked normal. Tall. Strong. Handsome, even. Every bit the warrior he'd been born as despite the curse of his birth.

Nania preened. "All better!"

Morgott looked down at his hands. "What is this...?"

"Godfrey." Malenia muttered. "He truly looks like his father now...

"I fixed you, Uncle Morgott!" Nania hopped in place. she smiled sweetly. "The tree told me to. You're welcome!"

Morgott stared at her for a long moment. "Art thou a goddess?"

Nania tilted her head, considering. "Maybe...?"

"You must be." he choked, running hands over his now de-horned face. "How else could you have done this?"

Naruto rolled his eyes. "A thank-you would be nice."

Morgott looked to him now, aghast. "You didn't let her behead me. Why?

"Don't ask me." He jerked his neck to the right, toward Nania. "Ask the kid." At the last second she'd cried in his head, begging for mercy, and now he knew why. "You were never loved by your family, were you? Or even the Erdtree." At the older man's flinch, he smiled. "You're in luck. Our Haligtree, that is to say our Erdtree is the only reason you're still alive. And we don't kill family unless we have to.

"But I attacked you! Your child-

-gave you a second chance, buster." he spoke over him. "Don't waste it. If you do, death will be a mercy. Now, I think you owe Millicent and the others an apology as well...?"

The quintet of redheads crowded in, made curious. Good.

Milicent approached first; and with her Mary, Maureen, Amy and Polyanna grew bold enough to

"Who are these...?"

"Those," Malenia said stiffly, "Are your nieces. Whom you nearly did harm to."

Morgott flinched. "The mistake was mine. I was blind-

"Do not speak to me."

Her peace said, the demigoddess turned and walked away, leaving them to it.

"My dear nieces," She didn't miss Morgott's words behind. "I am...sorry I attacked your home."

"S'okay." Nania lisped. "But you have to be good now, okay? No more being bad!"

"I...yes." he heard him rasp. Of course. I shall serve thee well, goddess."

"Yay! Group hug!"

Naruto didn't see what happened next. He didn't have to; there was no need. He already knew.

Still, he clapped a hand over his mouth to hide his smile as he followed Malenia.

Well, would you listen to that? Demigods could cry after all.


(.0.0.0.)


Malenia confronted him soon thereafter.

To his credit, Naruto didn't try to run away; he let her lead him to their chambers, closed the door behind him, locked it, and turned to face her. Bracing his back against the nearest wall and the bed beside it, he crossed both arms before his chest and stood his ground.

"Go on." his words were clipped. "Say it."

She didn't hesitate. "...you should have left me behead him."

"Really?" Naruto pinched the bridge of his nose. "Are we seriously having our first right right now? Over Morgott of all people?

Yes, they were. It galled her more than words, but here they were, having it out. "I suppose you think everyone deserves a second chance, don't you? That kind of thinking will get you killed! If you act as if every enemy has a chance at redemption-

"They don't."

She paused, taken aback. What?"

"Not everyone deserves a second chance," he rasped. "Sometimes you have to put mad dogs down. Mohg deserved what he got. If anyone else comes after us, they'll get theirs."

"Then why stop me from killing Morgott?"

Naruto made a frustrated noise and paced away from her. "Because he and I are the same."

"Nonsense." she scoffed, both alarmed and disgusted by the very notion. "You are not the same. You are nothing alike-

"We are!" his shout cut through her words, another hot knife severing her every argument. "I was abandoned when I was young, too. I was nothing. No one paid me any mind. I lashed out with pranks and tricks, got as loud as I coud, trying to make someone -anyone!- look at me for the longest time. Sure, I wasn't thrown into the sewers to rot, but it damn well felt like it. Don't you see?"

Malenia most assuredly did not, and so waved him on.

"Morgott...is someone I could've become." It almost In another life I might've been just like him. Maybe worse, even. Consumed by misery, pain and bitterness." he turned to her and she saw the pain in his eyes, the old shadows of his past clawing at him. "When I looked at him...I just couldn't. Maybe it'll come back to bite me in the ass, but I didn't have it in me."

"How very noble of you."

"Its not noble." he looked away with a rueful laugh. "If anything its selfish. In the world I'm building, no one will ever suffer like that again."

His words stirred Malenia's emotions, mangling her self control. Her throat went dry. It was a struggle to speak. "...it seems a dream."

"Can we not fight over this?" His words were almost a plea. "Please? I've lost enough friends and family. I can't lose you, too."

Her body betrayed her and she found herself stepping to him.

"You won't."

From there, she kissed him. Slowly at first, giving hit he chance to nullify the rot when she did, then quicker, showering him with kisses. Desire got the better of her as he reciprocated and she found herself clinging to him, dipping her head to deepen the kiss. If it weren't for her curses she would have jumped him long ago. She wanted to now. Gods, did she want to. More than anything. Would have, too, if it hadn't meant his certain death. Because this...this felt nice. Her body trembled in his arms and her skin ached, pining for his touch. She found herself taking hold of his hands, guiding them first to her hips, then her breasts, all too eager to be touched-

The Rot sang within her, eager for release. No! Not not! Malenia suppressed it with a wince.

Too late. She felt him smile against her lips. "...we should probably stop."

"Yes," she whispered back. We should."

She didn't let go of him.

Nor he her.

Of one mind, they laid down on the bed. The mattress protested softly beneath their combined weight, but didn't break. Was this what the humans called cuddling? Malenia found herself fond of it. Most mocked her for her height, but Naruto cared not a jot. He let her arms, bot false and flesh, wrap around him. In return he reached up and removed her helm, setting it aside on a nearby table with great care. Golden eyes met blue. She dove forward, not to kiss him, but to press her forehead to his.

"What now?"

"We clearly can't leave the Greater Will be if its going to send armies after us." he muttered into the sheets. "We just can't. Its too risky."

Her hand traced his face. "And I still wish to face Radahn."

Naruto shifted, turning to face her with a decidedly grim look. "Malenia, no."

"Malenia, yes!" she glowered at him in return, refusing to be swayed. "It is on the way-

"Nice try!" He booped her nose with one finger, drawing a startled noise from her. "I can read a map ya know! it is entirely out of the way!"

She looked away with a pout. "This is something I must do...with or without you."

...you're really set on this, aren't you?"

She nodded. Her dreams had grown dark of late. She could not, in good conscience, leave her half-brother to suffer for her sins any longer..

Naruto sighed. "If we're considering this we can't bring the girls with us." Malenia made a noise caught somewhere between a snarl and a sigh. His became a laugh. "Hey, hey! "Did you just growl at me?!

A rare laugh burst from her lips, light and lilting. "Not at you, beloved. At the idea of leaving them alone."

They were her children, after all. They may not have sprang forth from her bosom but they shared her blood. She had brought them into this world, in one manner of other. Little Nania was the best of her and Naruto, but she wouldn't trade Milicent or any of the others for the world.

"You know, I don't like leaving them either." Her words drew a small smile to his face. "Maybe there's a way to bring them with us, safely...

"Yes, that!" Malenia grabbed at his arms, pleased that they were of one mind on the matter. "I'm sure we can find a way."

They sat in comfortable silence for what. She wished it would it last forever.

"You know," Naruto sighed apropos of nothing, "I never really thought I'd ever become a father."

She scooted a little closer to him, hips brushing his. "Nor I a mother.

He laughed. "And all without...you know."

Malenia's face flamed redder than her hair. She still had yet to experience that sweet pleasure, but she hoped for it still. One day she would be cured of this infernal Rot, or, barring that, at least have some semblance of control over it without needing Naruto's constant intervention. And when that day came...

Well! Best not think about it now. She'd nearly lost herself a moment ago. Such thoughts were to terribly distracting...

...yes." She thanked her lucky stars every day for him, for the love and light he'd brought into her life. "We must protect them."

"On that we agree."

Here it was. An opening. This was her chance to push the envelope and tell him her plans for the realm. For once, she did. "No one else will stand for the Lands Between. I see that now. Something must be done, lest our enemies come to us. And they may not be turned as Morgott was."

His head bobbed. "I agree...and I've got an idea."

Odd, that he was agreeing rather readily all of a sudden. "What did you have in mind?"

"A few things," he began to count off the fingers of his good hand, "None of them good for the Greater Will. How fast and far can you fly with those wings of yours?"

Malenia blinked at him. She blinked hard. "You wish me to bloom?!" she nearly reared back out of his arms. Here?! Now?!

"Not in the tree." his words soothed the ragged balm of her nerves. "Above it." He poked a finger toward the window. "In the clouds. We'll have you bloom up there where you can't harm anything."

"And how would we accomplish such a thing?"

"Do you trust me?" he asked.

"Implicitly."

"Great. He told her his plan. "Here's what we'll do...

It was remarkably blunt, but then again, so was he in all things.

...That's actually quite clever." she dared to take his hands in hers again. "And dangerous. But I fail to see why you'd need me to bloom at all-

Her intended gave her the answer to that too, though mercifully it was far shorter. "I think we should go on a god hunt. Clear out the rest of the bad guys, ya know?"

Panic mounted in Malenia. He wanted to leave the tree. Granted, so did she, if only for a time, but this sounded like a more permanent arrangement. Her heart hitched painfully at the thought. Objectively she could see why he wanted to strike now; Mohg was dead. Morgott turned to their side. Miquella would wake any day now. She would...deal with what remained of Radahn, one way or another. Truly, the path to Leyndell was clear. Once they uprooted Marika's false Erdtree and supplanted it with their own, they could usher in a new age.

Who yet remained to oppose them?

Rennala? A broken shell of a woman locked away in Raya Lucaria.

Rykard? The fool lingered in Volcano Manor, feasting on Tarnished. He would need to be dealt with.

Ranni? Her sweet, treacherous sister came to mind, though she knew not where her she was hiding these days.

The was the curious matter of that odd deathroot blight creeping through the lands -though she knew not the cause- which need be investigated. And speaking of unknowns, the Tarnished would resist any who tried to keep them from becoming Elden Lord, of course. And last but not least, of the Frenzied Flame lurking in the dark depths of the capital. That must be quelled once and for all, lest a madman seize it.

Yes, there was still much to do. But with Naruto, she could attend to those matters in a manner of days. It wouldn't take long, surely...

.

..

...wait.

An ugly thorn of memory caught at Malenia's heart. She'd forgotten someone. There was the still matter of Naruto's...friend. She'd heard neither hide nor hair of this "Sasuke" for some time now, but he must be out there somewhere in the Lands Between. She would've known if a man like that died. So long as they lingered here, the chances of stumbling into him were nonexistent. But if they left...if her beloved encountered him, he might wish to go home.

No...no. She couldn't let that happen.

And so he had to die. If she ever saw this "Sasuke", she would slay him, sure as sin. Naruto would understand, surely. He had to. She would make him. And she leaned back, hiding her the tempest of her thoughts behind an anxious smile. "That might be unwise. I have no idea how the great runes would react with my body...

Naruto missed her point, the silly, lovable boy. "They could help stabilize it."

She frowned. "I do not wish to bring about an age of Rot."

You won't. He took her hand, her real hand, in his his. Do you trust me?

"Of course I do. I love you. "The words burst out of her before she could think to barrel on. "Um...! That is to say...

Blushing she barreled on, not giving him a a chance to answer, too terrified of what it might be. "Where shall we go first?"

The faint pitter-patter of feet saved her from further embarrassment.

Milicent barreled through the door.

"Mother! Miquella is awake!""


(.0.0.0.)


Malenia ran.

She all but vaulted the steps, taking them three at a time to reach her brother's cocoon.

Distantly she was aware of Naruto running with her, but only in the vaguest sense.

Nania was already there before them, all but bouncing on her feet.

Didn't take much to see why.

Someone stood before it, tall and slender, their back to her. Perhaps that was a mercy; because they were naked as a newborn. But no newborn was this. She recognized that golden-white hair, but little else. Her mind all but fizzled at the sight of what should have been her brother...and yet Miquella was not as she knew. What on earth was that body...?

"Brother...?"

The stranger turned to face her fully, revealing golden eyes and a small smile. Their voice was music itself. "Good morning, sister."

Malenia absolutely choked. Behind her, Naruto took one look at Miquella and fell over laughing.

Nania clapped her hands. "Pretty!"

A/N: Miquella next chapter...and we get to see what 'ol Miquella has become.

You might be surprised. I certainly was when the idea was floated to me.

Didn't see that coming, did you?

Well? Should this remain a story? Yay or nay, what say you? Not much else to say this time 'round. Reviews keep me writing, and without them, my inspiration falls flat. Ever bit of feedback helps. Pain hurts. Pain hurts a loooot. But silence from readers and reviewers? That hurts even more. As ever, reviews keep this old man alive during these dark and crazy times. I ain't joking.

Seriously, we're all locked away anyways these days, feedback is all that sustains me.

So in the Immortal Words of Atlas... Review...Would You Kindly?

May the make you smile~!

SPOILERS! SPOILERS! SPOILERS!

PLOT DETAILS AHOY!

YE BE WARNED!

Read at your own risk!

Mostly the same here. Didn't want to spoil the next arc.

(Previews)

I can't believe I'm even considering this.

Malenia delivered a quick kiss to his cheek. It is for the best.

"You say that now...

Together, their little family approached Radahn's castle.

Movement on the walls. A man in a bearded mask leaped down to confront them.

"You have some nerve coming here, witch...

Malenia smiled softly. Sadly.

"Hello, Jerren...


...to what do I owe this visit, Sister?"

Ranni raised her hands. "I would have words with you."

"Bold words, coming from the witch who begot this madness in the first place." She clicked her tongue. "Oh, yes. I know about the night of Black Knives. You were its architect...

Ranni's gaze cooled. "Then you know of what I am capable. I would ask you to stay out of my way."

"You come here, into my home, and threaten me?"

"Not a threat, sister. A warning. I wish no more death between us. Has there not been enough?"


Radahn raised his head, swords in hand, to loom over them.

"Oh, bugger, you didn't say he was that big...

All hell broke loose.


"WARRIOR!"

"Oi, oi, oi! Its too damn early for this!


Malenia took a deep, shuddering breath.

Then she rounded on Naruto.

He balked. "Uh-oh."

She stepped in and drove her lips against his with furious passion, all but crushing him against the bed. Her bosom pressed into his chest. Wings bloomed behind her back, sending rotten butterflies flitting through the air in a storm of noise. She paid them no heed; there was no need, because he was holding her, returning her affection with slow, gentle sincerity. It was too much. She lost herself.

A hand flitted out, tearing his shirt away...

EDIT: Hey, you made it! Thanks for reading!

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? Well, it won't be continued. 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.

Looking forward to hearing from you all when I get back from work~!

R&R~!