A/N: Double update day is a go! Looking forward to your feedback!
Short chapter this time. I'm not pushing myself this week, lest I have another anxiety attack.
The spree begins. It was torture waiting this long. Seems I was right to pause and wait for the DLC after all. Now we can continue.
Just wanted to say, I appreciate you all! More feedback means faster updates! It's especially important, in these, trying times, with the main site notifications down. Every word counts and i appreciate you all! All these reviews really keep me inspired! Looking forward to hearing from you~!
Speaking of which, I finally bested the last boss on NG + 4 after many hours, I've beaten the DLC...and I am dead inside.
What. Was. THAT ENDING?! How am I to sleep after that! The DLC also forced me to change up a few story beats in several of my stories for Elden Ring, while, oddly enough, enhancing others. Runt of the Litter -Naruto reborn as Godrick- and Forget Me Not -Naruto reborn as Miquella- come to mind. To say nothing of the others. Slifer and I are preparing a story given Marika's official origins now, and it's going to be a doozy.
As ever, I own no references, quotes, themes or memes. They're tributes to legends far greater than little 'ol me.
I'm just a humble author trying to make his way in this wild world, one word at a time.
Time and feedback will determine if this remains a story. Simple as that.
In other words...its up to YOU, the reader. Do let me know~!
SPOILERS FOR SHADOWS OF THE ERDTREE AHEAD!
"...at long last, you are returned."
~Over Fallen Leaves.
To be Forgiven (Interlude)
Malenia awoke feeling delightfully, deliciously sore.
Realization crept back in with the dawn and belatedly as she lay there, sprawled across the sheers, she realized where she was. What they had done. What, exactly, happened. A fierce, fiery flush crept up the back of her neck and seeped into her cheeks. It seemed the needle had done its work. She could no longer feel it lodged between her ribs; which was alarming, but to be expected.
What had Milicent said? Miquella's needle would last an entire day at most? Then it had done its work well indeed.
But why was the bed empty?
She sat up, clutching the sheets to her bosom, searching for...ah. There he was.
Out the corner of her eye she caught sight of Naruto's red, blistered back as he tugged on his breeches and trousers. Her breath hitched once, then again now as he pivoted to tug on on a red tunic; she glimpsed a score of vivid luridly crimson marks on his chest. The Scarlet Rot was not so easily denied, it seemed. Guilt hitched in her heart despite her best efforts.
Of cours, she must've heled onto him while they slept. The pain must be intense...
"Did I hurt you?"
"Nah." He craned his neck her way, realizing she was awake. "It tickles."
"I scalded your back and chest!"
"Only a little, and I'll heal." he winked her way. "Don't worry, you were the little spoon."
Heat flooded her face. "Naruto!"
"What?" he laughed merrily, cheeks flushed. "I've wanted to use that line forever. And b'sides," he looked away, scratching his cheek. "It was nice."
Was it, now? Malenia preened a little, unable to speak, but guilt momentarily assuaged. He was her first, as she was his. Her first...everything. The thought made her squirm like some blushing maiden. Even if the Needle hadn't lasted all that long, to have a moment of intimacy amongst all this...it warmed her more than words.
...did you just giggle?"
She blinked quickly. "I know not what you mean."
He squinted her way. "I'm pretty sure you giggled just now."
"I made no such noise."
He grinned for a moment, then winced. "So...are you good?"
"Wonderful." She laid a hand back on the bed. "I really am sorry for hurting you.
"Don't be." her consort said beside her and dared to deliver a quick peck to her cheek, despite the pain it might've caused him. "Like I said, it was worth it. Although," he paused, touching a finger to his chin as though just now remembering something. "Miquella arrived while you were out. Said Morgott is guarding the Haligtree for us."
Malenia froze. "Where did she-
"Go?" Naruto finished. "She's talking to Radahn. Was pretty damn insistent about it...
Malenia winced a little.
Naruto noticed it. "You alright?"
...not entirely." She averted her eyes from his, feeling more than a little shamefaced. "When I came to Caelid I had another purpose, one I didn't reveal to you, plans that-
He pressed a firm finger to lips. "The past is the past.
"But I-
"Don't care. Its who you are now that matters." She tried again and he shushed her. "You're trying to be better now, right?"
And succeeding, somehow. "So you say...
"I do say!" He kissed her and desire sparked in her anew. "There's no point in telling me it now. You already apologized to Radahn."
He kissed her again. Gods, it made her squirm. She wanted him to pin her down again, lock her arms above her head and-gods!
"You shouldn't," she moaned a little, rubbing her bare thighs together. "The needles worn off. I might melt your face."
Her paramor leaned away, rubbing his numbed lips between two fingers. "...so worth it."
...Miquella better hurry up and make a proper needle. She wanted a cure! Now!
A startled shout arose from the courtyard, capturing their attention.
"Seems she found Radahn." Naruto blew out a bemused sigh. "I hope they're happy."
This time, Malenia managed to suppress her wince.
Ah, those two. Radahn would certainly be shocked by Miquella's new form and her new...assets.
Well, she had already played her part in that mad menagerie, and Caelid had paid the price, but no more. They were more than welcome to sort out their feelings among themselves. Who knew? Radahn might be more inclined toward her twin now. He'd ever had a thing for blond women.
Which left them to their order. This era was...what exactly? Was it hers? Malenia didn't know.
Miquella seemed content to let her be happy, and she was GLAD to be happy, make no mistake, but she couldn't help but wonder what her twin was planning.
Perhaps Miquella had chosen to embrace the era she and Naruto were working towards? She couldn't say. That frightened her.
The idea of Miquella discarding everything...it was anathema to her.
She would put Caelid to rights, no matter what miscreant stood in her way. She owed the Lands Between that much. After...she would see what came after. She would not sacrifice her girls anymore than she wished to see Miquella fall to pieces.
But those were matters for later.
Naruto leaned back suddenly, commanding her attention. "You heading down? Jerren's cooking breakfast. He makes some mean waffles."
She glanced past him. "I'll join you shortly."
"Great!"
A quick kiss -he seemed bolder about that now that they'd finally laid with one another-and he was gone, racing down the stairs to look after their girls. Malenia watched him go, waited a moment more, and began the long labor of dressing herself. A minute passed. Another, now. Yet a third.
The air shimmered behind her.
.
..
... I knew it.'
She'd been lurking all this time.
Her senses were sharper than they'd ever been, she'd not been wrong.
Donning her helm, she turned to face the intruder. "...to what do I owe this visit, Sister?"
Ranni raised her hands to stave off an imminent assault; one she wouldn't survive. "I would have words with you."
How frail she looked in that puppet body of hers. How she longed to shatter her once and for all. It was tempting. Might she cross the distance between them in time? What would happen if she lopped that one-eyed head from her shoulders? Would she die? Or would her spirit merely pass on and possess another body.
Must not kill. Naruto may have ignored Ranni, but he surely wouldn't dismiss that kind of racket. He would ask questions, questions she wasn't prepared for.
Damn her...
"Bold words, coming from the witch who begot this madness in the first place." She clicked her tongue at the cheeky churl. "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 your brother's own home, and threaten me?"
"Not a threat, sister." Her sibling held up one hand. "A warning. I wish no more death between us. Has there not been enough?"
She lifted her chin. "And what warning might that be?"
Ranni considered her for a moment.
"Keep away from the Realm of Shadows and the Erdtree. I have plans for them."
Bold of her to say such.
"I shall only say this once. I have found a champion of mine own, one well beyond yours. Do not test me in this, sister. Leave Caelid. Stay away. Keep to your tree. Do not usurp this age for yourself." her face closed down, a bitter chil overtaking her azure visage. "Heed my words, or I shall unleash horrors best left shackled."
Her blood ran colder than the Dark Moon her so-called sister claimed to serve.
"You dare?"
Ranni scoffed. "I do. Because I must. Fare thee well, sister. May we never meet again."
Malenia snarled and whipped a pot at the space she occupied.
It passed through her sister's spectral form, banishing it.
Damn her. Damn her and her mad machinations.
"I won't let you ruin this for me...
A/N: There we go.
That said, would you like weekly updates for this story? Do let me know~!
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.
Just wanted to thank everyone for their heartfelt support. Covid has...given me a lot to think about.
There are times when I look to the future and wonder what will become of things, of this site, 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 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)
"Speak, and I will listen."
Gowry grinned. "All part of the plan...
"WARRIOR!"
"Oi, oi, oi! Its too damn early for this!
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~!