A/N: Hey, thanks for sticking around. Just wanted to say that to everyone.
My health has been...better. Between back and breathing problems I'm feeling the pains of being old. I still refuse to take those bloody muscle relaxers. Not a chance.
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.
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~!
"I had not thought you a betting man, Godrick."
"Are you kidding? I've gambled on worse odds before and won.
But ask yourself this. Now that you've seen me, now that you know what I'm capable of, do you really want to bet against me? Its your choice...
~All the Smoke.
Make a Bet
It took Naruto the better part of three days to convince the tiny tree spirit that he was not, in fact, her mother.
Nor was he her father for that matter!
So passed a fourth day.
Unfortunately, his explanations did nothing to prevet the little one from following him around like a lost duckling. Far from it! Wherever he went in Stormveil, this child would inevitably follow in his wake; ever watching, always waiting, constantly trying to hold his hand...as though she were afraid he would up and abandon her the moment she took her eyes off him.
Be it from meetings, to the sparring hall, whenever he held court down in the lower towns, even sleeping in the same room as him, she had to be by his side. He didn't have the heart to push her away. The servants found her adorable. And she was; if only because she seldom said anything and he didn't rightly know what to do with her.
He couldn't cast her out of Stormveil -where would she even go?- and besides, he didn't even have a name for her either. He couldn't simply call her Tree, either, that would be rude. In the end he took the easy way out, settling for something that sounded somewhat like the girl's namesake.
Theresa.
Little lass seemed happy enough with his choice; having a name made her somewhat less clingy, if only just.
It made her start clinging to others, too.
Maria and Yorshka were of no help at all on that front; his right-hand and his Shadow were soon smitten with Stormveil's newest guest and took every chance to pamper her. Alexander was a lost cause as well. The warrior jar had taken to insisting that Theresa call him "Uncle Alexander". The little one was all too happy to oblige. By some mercy or miracle, she'd run off somewhere with him today, no doubt riding him round the castle.
Just as well; there were other problems to which he must attend.
Case in point, he was dealing with one at this very moment.
"..."
"Hmm." he glanced at the wall, touched a hand to his head, and scratched another mark there with a piece of charcoal, higher than the rest. "It happened again...
Shaking his head, he stalked across the room to his writing desk and recorded his findings once more.
Another inch.
You see, he was growing. Rather quickly at that, nearly an inch a day, sometimes more. He'd finally hit his growth spurt. At least it didn't come as a surprise; since that he'd escaped from Leyndell -he couldn't regard his "exile" as anything but- and the constant abuse he suffered, it was only natural that his body would flourish. He was going to be taaall at this rate. Add in his training regiment with the muscle he was building and...well, he scarcely recognized himself these days.
If this continued, he might have to see his way to hiring a mage and hiding his true appearance behind an illusion.
After all, it wouldn't do for the rest of the Lands Between to know what he truly was...
...yet.
"Look on the bright side. You'll be able to use that ax soon."
Naruto winced, recalling the ghastly golden abomination Hewg had forged for him. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?"
Kurama's laughter wasn't at all feigned. "What can I say? Its not every day I get to see you squirm like this. Its almost refreshing. If I didn't know better I'd say you were terrified of little Theresa.
He was! He had no idea how to be a parent!
The fox's laughter redoubled.
"Bah!" he flung up his arms and threw himself into his chair to sort through his letters. "You're no help at all."
His personal correspondence offered little reprieve from the stress of ruling today. He found a mocking letter from Rykard and an inquiry from Radagon asking after his health. The former, he tossed in the burning hearth, the latter he kept to finish reading later. Besides those, there were yet more pleas for aid; talk of a dragon in the lake, ghosts haunting the hills -nope, nope, noooope! Not having that!- and stranger still, word of a wayward Crucible Knight that only appeared at, well...night.
He answered them as best he could and wrote out replies with brisk dispatch. Many ravens were sent that day, urged out his window with weighty replies attached to their legs.
So much to see, so much to do, so much to say! Running a castle-town was hard!
He might be touched by Destined Death, but his concerns lay with his people, his kin, his comrades.
There was also the matter of that thing below Stormveil. No one was allowed beneath the keep, not with that horrid face growing down there. He didn't know what it was, or why it resembled Godwyn, but it was nothing good. Touching it seemed a bad idea...but he'd have to go back down there and deal with it soon. Couldn't keep it quarantined forever.
He'd written a brief letter to Rennala asking about such, but he didn't hold out hope for much of a reply. Radagon's betrayal had wounded her deeply, body and soul. Then she had lost Ranni atop that, her only daughter - a daughter who may or may not be dead, as he found the timing of her "demise" far too suspicious- while her remaining children were loyal to the Golden Order, which she wholeheartedly despised.
Imagine his surprise then, when he opened another letter now and saw the seal of Raya Lucaria.
Odd. Had he missed this one? May as well see what she wanted.
Five terse words awaited him within.
"Why should I trust thee?"
Well, well, well.
There was only one response worth giving, and when he did something, he did it all the way.
Raya Lucaria and Stormveil weren't far apart. A quick raven could ferry replies between them in less than a day.
"Because we've both been betrayed by your husband and Marika. Because we're outcasts. But most importantly, because I think Ranni might still be alive. And I'm the only one willing to look for her." he couldn't quite hide his smile as he penned the last bit, an intentional provocation both to prick her pride and draw out a response. "What say you to that, my queen?"
In a matter of minutes he had another raven wheeling away out the window and thought no more of it. He had other letters to write, more dispatches to dictate...
.
..
...imagine his surprise then, when that very same raven came back within an hour, bearing not a message, but a tiny mirror clutched within its claws.
Well, tiny was a relative term. Blasted thing was larger than his fist!
He took it from the weary corvid -poor thing must've flown far and fast- and set it down, took a book to prop it up then considered it for a long moment. It was a simple thing, not glittering with the gold of the Order, but a gleaming silver inlaid with sapphires at the rim. His own puzzled reflection started back at him, looking just as confused as he felt.
Closer inspect revealed a little note tucked under the inlay.
Touch me.
Because that wasn't suggestive at all...
"Alright," he muttered, stroking it with a finger. "Now what are you and what do you do...?
It flared to life at his touch, a pale blue light overtaking his reflection before rippling out like so much water. He leaned closer, squinting at it, only to find the darkness of a moonless night. Without warning it cleared away and he found himself face to with a weary woman who couldn't be anyone other than Ranni's mother. And in an instant he understood.
Ohhh, so this was one of those communication mirrors he'd heard so much about.
Naruto winced despite himself. It was his first time ever seeing her up close, and she didn't make the best impression. Rennala looked awful. Dark circles rimmed her red eyes, suggesting she'd been crying, and recently at that in her sleepless nights. Her long crown had been cast aside to reveal dirty black hair in desperate need of a wash, her clothing rumpled and filthy. Was that...blood on her robes? He hoped not. A large amber egg lay in her lap, nestled upon one knee and protected in her arm. She scowled down upon it, looking like she wanted to shatter the damn thing...until she noticed his gaze.
Her bright eyes narrowed upon him at once. "Speak, little Godrick. And be quick about it. What do you know of my daughter?
"Many things." he hedged, not willing to show his hand just yet. "I'd like to ask a favor of you, first."
"What do you want?"
"An alliance between Stormveil and Raya Lucaria would be nice." he watched her eyes widen a little as he said the words. Hmm. So her mind wasn't completely gone. Not yet. "A pact of nonaggression and a promise to aid one another in trying times to come."
"Is that all?" she practically tripped over the words in her haste to get them out. "Done! I have lost one child too many already! Now explain how it is that you believe Ranni lives!"
Alright, then. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
And so he spoke.
(.0.0.0.)
It proved...a stimulating conversation.
By the end of it, Rennala had much to think about.
And with those thoughts, an ember of hope was kindled.
She wanted to hope. She wanted to believe that somehow, her daughter lived.
Her crimes mattered not, her form mattered naught, so long as little Ranni yet survived.
For if she lived, if she had found freedom from the Golden Order...
Ah, the sweet poison of hope!
Did she dare drink it?
(.0.0.0.)
It was too much to hope Stormveil would be left to her own devices after that conversation.
In hindsight, it should've been rather obvious; they were thriving. Others weren't.
More than that, their communication with Raya Lucaria had been noticed.
Naruto supposed that was his own mistake. He'd been reckless. Hasty.
And so it was that Praetor Rykard came to call the very next day.
"Godrick" received him in the throne room, perched upon the grand chair of Stormveil, out in the open air, the better to see the storm wreathing the castle. Even so, he was careful not to make any sudden moves. Doing so might well break the carefully crafted illusion layered upon him. After all it wouldn't do so show his hand here...
.
..
...and besides, it would make the moment he did move all the more amusing.
Oleg and Engvall remained silent sentinels beside him as ever, but he could sense a hint of restless unease from the banished knights as they stood guard. Engvall hadn't let go of his spear since he had seen Rykard, while Oleg kept checking his blades, ready to draw them if need be.
The less said of Maria and Yorshka the better. They looked livid. Little Theresa stood nestled behind them, clinging to the latter's skirt while a watchful Alexander loomed over them all.
It was humbling, to know they were willing to stand with him even now.
Rykard was much as he remembered; a bit taller perhaps, older, a little thinner in the face with a bristling red beard, but beneath that he remained every bit the bully he'd been before. A great pity, that. He'd hoped time and distance might've mellowed the man with his marriage. Not so, evidently.
"Hello, little Godrick." his voice had an odd rasp to it that hadn't existed prior. "Its been some time. Still clinging to life, I see?"
"Hello, Rykard." he replied with a smile that he no longer felt, if he ever had. "You look well."
"Of course I do. Power suits me. Would that I could say the same of thee.
Naruto twitched. He mustn't kill him permanently. He absolutely mustn't, no matter how much he might wish to. Whatever his flaws, this was Rennala's son. She would be terribly upset if he died. That didn't preclude a beating, however. If it came to a fight he'd be sure to leave her precious "baby boy" alive...well, mostly. Still, to attack him without provocation would make him seem the villain.
"What brings you here?"
Rather than retort, Rykard looked to Theresa and cocked a scarlet brow. "Had a whelp already, have you?"
Naruto's smile became a touch more strained. He wrestled his temper down. "...in a sense."
Radagon's son scoffed. "Where is the mother? She looks nothing like you."
"Don't be rude to papa!"
Lovely. He'd need another three days to break Theresa of that habit again."
"I suppose it doesn't matter," Rykard prattled on in his grand, posturing way. "You asked why I have come, and so I shall answer. You've done well for yourself. Nevertheless you owe fealty to the Golden Order. As such, I've come for tribute.
Maria tilted her head. "What manner of tribute?"
Rykard's smile was an ugly thing indeed.
He wasn't going to like this, was he?
"This year's harvest for starters," he began to count down off the fingers of his right hand. "All the runes you've accumulated, your subjects, that warrior jar over yonder, and of course, her." he turned golden eyes upon a startle Theresa. "If she is your heir, the Queen will want to see her.
"Kill, more like."
"Your words, not mine, nephew."
Yorshka hissed. "You man to beggar us?!"
"Hmmhmm," Naruto feigned a smile. Funny you should mention tribute; because you owe me a few years of PAIN.
Rykard blinked, confused. Maria and Yorshka were shying away from him. Why? He didn't understand. He looked back to Oleg and Engvall, who had also stepped away. He was STILL looking that way when a spark of light moved in his peripherals.
A golden axe dented older demigod's face, creating a rather humorous expression...right until momentum caught up with Rykard and launched him into the courtyard.
"What was it you called me?
Naruto stood. The illusion shattered.
"Little Godrick?" he rumbled the words. "Runt of the litter."
His shadow loomed large over Rykard, casting him in his shadow.
"Whose the runt now...?"
(.0.0.0.)
This could not be.
It must not be.
It just couldn't be!
He was being battered about left right and center, not by a warrior, but a whelp! Him! Praetor Rykard! Chief Inquisitior and enforcer of the Golden Order! He was superior! Godrick was inferior. For a goodly portion of his life he had picked on this weakling of a whelp without fear of reprisal. And yet!
He!
Was!
LOSING!
It didn't make a lick of sense! Where was this power coming from?! Had it always been there, lurking just under the surface? Had he been humoring them all this time? Had they been made fools of?! No! It couldn't be that one, it just couldn't! Pride slammed back into place, walling off common sense once more. Surely not!
Nothing worked!
Magma hexes splashed harmlessly against his chest and he kept coming. He swung his sword and it shattered to golden shards on his skin.
"What are you?!" he railed at him, to no avail. "What in Order's name are you?! You blithering braggart! I'll have your head for this!
"...really?" Godrick blinked once, pausing to heft his axe. "Excuse me?" His voice, so pleasant most of the time, thrummed now with subtle menace. "Surely you didn't just insult me in my own home. Even you're not that stupid.
Rykard scowled, not quite comprehending...until his leg snapped.
"Art thou happy now? Art thou pleased? Art thou...enough. I'm tired of talking like this." he wiped a bloody hand through his hair, staining it red. "No more games." Godrick inhaled deeply through his nose, drinking in the fumes. And then he smiled. Daddy's not here to protect you this time, Rykard. Be a man and take your lumps.
Rykard raised a hand to defend himself.
Godrick broke it backwards.
He screamed.
(.0.0.0.)
It wasn't even fun, by the end.
Rykard starting crying after he broke his arms, followed by his legs. His face, he saved for last. No point using the ax there. He beat him bloody, leaving him a fat lip, a broken nose and two black eyes besides. No inch of him was spared. Finally, he passed out from the pain.
Even in sleep he hated that uggly face. wanted to kill him, but he couldn't. It would ruin his fledgling alliance with Raya Lucaria, not to mention Rennala. He would have spare him this once.
He heard a strange noise then, it almost sounded like drums, but that was absurd; there was no army near here, none that he'd seen or sensed.
So where was it coming from? Under his feet?
No, so where-above!
A shadow plummeted from the sky. Naruto recognized its shape far too late.
Someone roared a warning behind him. "DRAGON!"
A massive missile of scales and death rocketed out of the clouds and shot straight down...at him.
Oi, oi, oi! He kicked Rykard's uncsonscious aside and
He flung up a hand to defend himself. Pull up already ya big bastard!
The beast most assuredly did not; he had time to glimpse the pain in its scaly visage before the world went white. Contrary to what some might think, it actually took a fair bit of strength to stop an ancient dragon in its tracks; especially one that had fallen from such a height. The ground buckled beneath them, then he whirled and tossed him aside.
The beast landed with a thunderous boom, blasting everyone backward as it righted itself on four wings, nearly flattering everyone...everyone, save him.
Its scales were blackened its body twisted. Its very soul reeked of Destined Death.
"You," it rasped, "Descendant of Godwyn...I would have words."
Wait. He'd heard of a dragon like this. He knew its name.
Naruto tilted his head. "Fortissax...?"
A/N: Aaaand scene. Didn't see that coming, did you?
We're not done with Rykard. Oh, no. His punishment must be more...severe.
Well, what say you? Should this remain a story or not? It'll likely be rated M with Mature themes, lemons, character death, and the like.
Once more, we're sticking with the "Embers" rule for this particular story, 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, and 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.
Things that may or may not become stories in the far flung future.
Previews are mos the same, don't want to spoil things.
But ohhh these battles are a' coming...
(Previews)
Guess who?
She jumped him.
A sharp mind. I would expect no less from a scion of Godwyn. And without grafting at that
! Naruto turned up his nose at the word. Grafting was a vile practice, and one he had no desire to indulge in. Easy paths to power were always the most dangerous.
I have need of your skills, little Godrick.
The sky shattered. There could be no other description. One moment the world was whole, then with a single hammer stoke.
The Shattering began.
...stop throwing concubines at me, Gostoc!"
"A lord must have heirs, sire. You are no exception."
"I understand that, but seven is way too many! I'd be happy with three!"
"You're weak, boy. Though thou art a descendant of Godwyn and Godfrey. You'll never measure up to them."
Young Godrick -Naruto!- swept a hand through his silver hair. "I do so love being underestimated."
That smile worried her.
"You have a choice, my lords. Surrender, or death. No Erdtree burial, no revival.
Only destined death.
What will it be?
The army prepared to march.
"Lord Godrick!" A servant swept the tent flap aside. "Lady Malenia has made contact! She wishes you to meet her on the field of battle alone! Failure to comply will see the city put to the torch!"
"A challenge?" the giant stood slowly in the shadows, sun glinting off his bare, broad chest. "Alright. Fetch my ax."
His servant paused, not quite comprehending. "My lord? Surely you don't intend to meet her demands?
"Of course I do." Bright eyes burned bright in the gloom, one sapphire, the other scarlet. "Don't you know its rude to keep family waiting?"
"What is this?!
Not so fun when the shoe's on the other foot now, is it?
You once told me to lick your boots. I'll take a page out of your book. I command thee...KNEEL."
"What's wrong? Naruto snarled and Morgott grunted as a boot stomped down on his throat, pinning him in place. "You were talking a good game a second ago." A golden ax swept down, shimmering in the light of the sun. "Then I blew your legs off." The giant reached down. Squeezed. "What was that you called me, old man...? I believe it was something along the lines of being a Runt? Well, now...
"THE ERDTREE IS MINE."
EDIT: Hey, you made it! Thanks for reading! Hope you have a great day!
Looking forward to chatting with you all when I get back from work~!
R&R~!