A/N: Here we are, everyone! A nice long chapter. Thanks for sticking with me.
As stated in an earlier post, Scarlet Vow, Forget Me Not, and One With Spirits -Slifer and I should have the chapter for that next week- Omen of Change and Heir of Dragons have been moved back in the update rota due to lack of fan interest/feedback. They're not all that popular compared to the rest. They'll still be updating, but just not as quickly compared to the big guns.
At this point, only Dear Consort Eternal, Omen of Change, and One with Spirits remain to be updated this month. If I can keep updating daily, I'll have time for other stuff. I'm just so tired...
Foxfire needs some more time in the oven, though I already updated it this month -February-, I'm planning to update it again before the end of this month. If not then, early March. Already have several thousand words, and that's just the rough, unpolished draft. Its gonna be a long chapter.
In other news...
As my fifteen year anniversary on this site draws ever nearer -hard to believe its been that long- 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.
Once more, we're sticking with the "Embers" rule for this story, and others. Meaning folks don't like this, it won't be continued. If the story itself ain't popular/well-received...well, I won't be able to continue it. I'm working two jobs, holidays are here too, meaning 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.
No questions yet again. Gotta keep it interesting~!
Alright, I've kept you waiting long enough. Here we go. Hold onto your hats!
As ever, I own no references, quotes, memes or themes. Not a wit or a one. They're merely tributes to those far greater than I.
I'm just a humble author trying to make his way in this wild world, one word at a time.
"They went were?! When?! With who!? I'll kill her! I'll absolutely rip out her heart!
"Peace, sister. Let us see how this twist of fate plays out."
"And if they are harmed, brother of mine?!"
"Then all of Caelid will burn."
~Dragons.
Might and Rot
The air of Caelid rippled.
Like a stone dropped through a large pond, so too did the ripples spread, little by little, until finally an unlikely trio of figures appeared from within. Naruto emerged first, stumbling a little before catching himself on a nearby boulder then turning round to help Tomoe through behind him. Melina appeared last, face carved from stone.
"There." she began laconically. "I gave you my word. Here we are."
"...yeah." Naruto scarcely heard her. How could he, with the sight before him?
Melina had deposited them atop a high hill, and just as well she did; because he could see for miles ahead.
Caelid was beautiful. No, perhaps that wasn't quite the right word. Beauty implied loveliness. Fragility. And while this place, was undoubtedly lovely, there was a ruggedness beneath it all, a stoic savagery of a land wholly untamed by man. Sprawling fields framed by round hills and a towering forest filled with trees, it was raw nature incarnate. All of it lay framed in the ruddy red light of the setting sun, painting the horizon a flowing palette of colors across the sky. And yet...
"I don't see Radahn."
"You're not looking hard enough." Tomoe whispered behind, voice high with awe. "Turn around."
He completed his turn and came face to face with a sea of tents both behind and below them. More than he could possibly hope to count in a short span. Melina had been a woman of her word. All of them lay ringed round a massive single tent in a flowing circle. And there in the midst of them all...well. Two guesses as to who he saw entering it. First two didn't count.
"Well, I'm guessing the big tent belongs to our guy."
"Indeed!" His second bounced on the balls of her feet, grinning from ear to ear. "Shall we pay him a visit?"
"Suppose we should." he took a step forward. Paused now, as he remembered Melina. "What about you? Coming along?"
Melina dithered behind them, suddenly skittish. "I shall wait for you here. It would be best if I am not seen."
And didn't that set off all manner of alarms in his head? Why hesitate now? "Do they know you?"
She looked away. "Radahn does...not. Even so, I do not wish to be in his presence."
Naruto gave her a gimlet stare. Finally, the maiden faltered beneath it.
"As you wish, then." her shoulders slumped with a sigh. "I shall follow at a distance. But if it comes to combat, I will not engage him."
Of course not, the stubborn girl. "Not asking ya to-
Tomoe coughed into a fist and nudged him with an elbow, cutting their dialogue short. "Hate to interrupt, but we'd best hurry."
Naruto's brow furrowed. "Why?"
"See for yourself, young master." His second pointed to the east.
Baffled by her cryptic remark he followed her finger, looked well past the sea of tents and gasped.
There, out in the distance only some leagues distant, a dark scar crept across the land. It was like watching a moving shadow, one fouled the very earth itself to turn the sky a noxious black above. It was growing closer at at. Slowly but surely it inched toward Radahn's camp. The gears of his mind began to turn, trying to calculate it speed. At its current pace it would reach the tents below them in a matter of hours, if not less. But the question remained...
"What in blazes is that...?"
"Malenia." He didn't miss the mournful note piquing Melna's voice. "How far you have fallen." Wind swept up, carrying a sickly sweet scent ahead of the advancing host causing her to gag and cover her mouth. "She does not wish to rot, yet she does all the same. Such is her curse."
That was putting it mildly. Naruto wrinkled his nose and waved a hand before his face. He could see the trees and grass decaying from here. They might yet recover in time, but if Malenia lingered overlong she'd rot the very land itself. Those living on it would fall soon thereafter. He felt some semblance of pity for her before to be sure, but this...?
This was death and he wanted no part of it. Could he even get closed to her as she was now...?
"Why come here?" He flung up his arms. "The erdtree is the other way!"
"I do not know what she seeks." Melina shook her head. "Regardless she is the greater threat here. You would do well to speak with Radahn first. Perhaps if you warn him you might earn some gratitude."
"That's our intent." Tomoe puffed out her chest. "Stay close to me, young master. I'll protect you with my life.
"Oi," he flicked her forehead. "I can look after myself ya know."
She grinned, flashing her fangs. "Of that I have no doubt, but even so Placidussax would never forgive me if something happened to you."
She was right on that account, wasn't she? The sooner they finished here, the sooner they could get home.
And maybe, just maybe, his fellow Dragons wouldn't notice their absence.
"Fiiiine...
(.0.0.0.)
Down the hill they went.
Doubtless the sentries saw their approach, but none challenged them, even when they were well within sight of the perimeter. Naruto glimpsed scouts scurrying between tents, heard the frantic barking of orders, smelled the faint scent of roast goose burning from countless fires. More than that he could sense the fear in the air; the palpable tension of the coming battle, the dread of young men who didn't wish to die and old soldiers who knew their end was at hand. And still not a soul faced them.
Nine feet now. Six. Three. Nearly close enough to touch.
Only then did the guards perk up.
"Halt!" the tallest of them stamped his halberd down, fracturing the earth underfoot. "This is the camp of Lord Radahn. What do you seek here?"
He spread his arms wide. "I've come to negotiate~!"
"With what?!"
His grin grew. "Friendship and lightning...if necessary."
"Oi, now!" The guard raised their halberd. "I don't see any lightning."
Tomoe slapped her face. "You had to say it, didn't you?"
THOOM.
Said guard recoiled with a yelp as a scintillating scarlet streak crashed down from the sky and struck his metal clad form. His smoldering body struck the soil, twitching. From there he coughed and sputtered, rolling onto his back with a groan. A dry breeze blew through the camp.
"Oops." Naruto winced, the very picture of innocence. "That was meant to miss. You're alive, right?"
The guard garbled a string of curses. He'd live. His pride was another matter.
"Great!" the whiskered warrior beamed. "Anymore questions?"
The heavens answered.
And the world...
.
..
...skipped.
Reality came back to in fits and spurts. Naruto found himself down on his hands and knees, coughing harshly in the smoke. Wait, why were his ears ringing...? He touched a hand to the side of his head, alarmed to find it bloody. Realization dawned a moment later as a shadow loomed large over him; large enough to blot out the setting sun.
"Assassins, are you?!" a deep voice growled somewhere above him. "Well, you'll not have me as you had my sister! Have at thee!"
Damn. He hadn't though Radahn would respond that quickly. Did he think he was under attack...?
"Now wait just a second!" Naruto flung up a hand. "That was an accident! Hold on!"
"I shall not!"
His blades were a storm, forcing them apart. Tomoe surged forward to defend him, for all the good it did; a massive sword crashed into her and sent her flying into the camp. Tents upended. Men and women flew through the air like dolls of straw. He barely had time to glance her away -time enough to harden his skin and summon his scales- before the general was upon him.
Everything dissolved into a frenzied blur.
Fast didn't even begin to describe the barrage of blades that followed-nor the mad dance he undertook to evade them. Radahn was faster than fast, his speed bellying savage strength. He could see where the blows would land but with the sheer power behind them, he didn't dare parry for fear of having an arm torn clear off. It was just a matter of waiting until-
There!
He saw an opening as the general struck down with an overhanded smash with both blades. The ground burst, spraying dirt and dust in every direction. He stomped down on the leftmost blade then kicked out with his free leg, striking the general's wrist. Radahn didn't let go of his blades, but his grip did slacken for a moment. It gave him time to step in, race up the man's massive arm aaaand-
"CALM DOWN!"
Clenched knuckles barreled into Radahn's face, snapping his head to the side. Gravity and sheer momentum did the rest; rendering his visage intimate with the earth. Trying to hold him down would've been futile; this was no weak Godrick but a true demigod in his prime. He wasn't foolish enough to provoke him any more than need be.
"Are ya done?!" Naruto alighted beside him, glaring at the general. "We came in peace! I didn't mean to fry your guy!"
Radahn rose with a grunt, brushing dirt from his long crimson mane. "And why should I believe that?!"
"You know that's a fair point-not what I meant!" Gravity inverted and his words piqued into a yelp as he found himself yanked off his feet into the demigod's grasp. "Will you just calm down and listen?!" He could've ended the fight then and there. Scream napalm in his face. Stabbed him clean through the eye. Mortally wounded him, even. He chose not to. "I'm not an assassin! I just wanted to ask you a few questions!
Radahn's face loomed close to his. "You expect me to believe that when you scarcely look human?"
Wuh-oh. He could feel his ribs starting to creak...!
"Oi! Just because I've got a few scales on my face...I'm still human!" He growled back. "Can we just talk this out?! I don't wanna hurt ya! If anything here to warn you!"
"Warn me of what?"
"You have an army on your doorstep." He grinned through bloody teeth. "Might wanna get on that."
"Malenia?" Radahn's brow furrowed in a frown. "The scouts have reported no such sightings. She should be days out."
"She is not." Tomoe alighted behind them, looking no worse for the wear despite her short-lived flight. "Why not see for yourself?"
"You're still alive?" Radahn rounded on her. "You should be dead."
"Dragons do not die so easily, m'lord.
"Take a look for yourself!" Naruto slapped his fist to keep himself from being crushed. "She's on the other side of that big hill back there. Just a few miles out."
"Very well. And you shall join me."
"Wait, wait waaaaaiiiirgh?!"
Radahn leaped upward.
Naruto felt the air sucked clean out of his lungs and his ears pop as the general rocketed away, high, high into the clouds with him still well in hand. His eyes watered and he couldn't see a thing. He closed them instead, if only to prevent pain. Radahn had no such luxury or perhaps he was made of sturdier stock; because he heard the general sigh angrily in response to something he must have glimpsed. At this height it was impossible to miss the dark host marching on them.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" Radahn rumbled.
"Whuzzat now?" It was hard to speak at this altitude, let alone breathe. He felt so terribly dizzy. "What is?"
"The Lands Between." came the hoarse reply. "One can see everything from up here. Come, open your eyes. They won't burst."
Naruto creaked his gaze open. His eyes watered still, but now he found he could see through them.
If the view from Caelid's hill had been good, this was grand. He could vaguely see the dark shroud of Malenia's army approaching, but they were eclipsed by the sheer majesty of the world below them. Everything seemed so...small from up here. Even the Erdrtree was reduced to little more than a golden twig at such a height. The sight stole his breath away.
"This is the land that I am sworn to protect." Radahn said. "In the absence of decency and order, the burden of protecting the people falls to me. You would do well to remember that."
Blinking the stinging tears from his eyes, Nartuo managed a nod. "Don't doubt that for a second, big guy...
By contrast to their violent ascent, Radahn's landing was almost gentle. He barely felt it until
"T'would seem you speak true, dragon. I owe you a debt."
"Told ya~!" Naruto beamed. "Now would you kindly stop crushin' me, buddy...?"
Radahn released him with a mumbled apology. "What now, then?"
Yes! Progress! "Mind if we use your tent~?"
(.0.0.0.)
Radahn's tent was...surprisingly humble, all things considered.
Naruto had expected many things from the Great General Radahn, but to find his quarters bare of all but the most basic necessities beggared belief. Spartan and humble, it contained little in the way of furnishings, and what few remained were only the sort a warrior might use. A weapons rack lay off to one side, and it was here that Radahn laid his Starscourge Greatswords. He paced past a large war chest and led them to the table, which they soon realized wasn't a table at all, but a carved map of the Lands Between.
Tomoe whistled softly. "Nice place...
Naruto silenced her with an elbow to the ribs.
"What was that for?! It was a compliment, young master!"
"I have little time for frivolities." Radahn tugged his helmet free and set it atop the table. From there he stabbed a finger forth into the carved table. "My half sister, Malenia, advances upon Caelid with her foul army. We knew this, but she is far closer than we first anticipated. Rot writhes in her wake. Will you help me?"
Naruto grimaced. He'd been warned to stay away from Malenia. But to actively fight her...? Could he?
"Aid me, and I will gladly yield my Great Rune to you." the general declared. "Caelid is all I care about now."
Just like that?! Naruto and Tomoe exchanged a long, lingering look. "A tempting offer."
Radahn wasn't yet finished with them. "I will even cede Malenia's Great Rune to you upon her defeat."
"Well, well!" Had Tomoe a tail, it would've been wagging. As things stood, she all but swayed in place. "Aren't you a smooth talker?"
"Am I?" The general scratched the back of his head. "I like to think I am honest, little more...
Naruto frowned. "I'd like to talk with her, first."
Radahn was silent for a long moment. At length, he nodded.
"If you think you can convince her to lay down her arms, by all means. I would welcome the chance to avoid bloodshed.
(.0.0.0.)
Someone was in her tent.
Malenia knew it the moment she stepped inside; though her chambers had been left undisturbed she felt a change in the air all the same. It seemed...darker somehow. The shadows longer, the light dimmer as the sullen sun crept lower and lower across the horizon. She could hear naught, see naught differently, yet this strange nameless dread persisted still.
Her head craned left. Right, now.
"Show yourself." she spoke softly into the sordid silence. "Or I shall tear this tent asunder."
Someone started clapping. "Quick on the draw, eh? Tall, too. Real tall...you're not half as scary as I thought you'd be."
Her jaw clenched. "This is your last chance. Reveal yourself at once!"
"Now before you panic," A stranger stepped out the shadows at her flank. "I just wanna talk. Can we do that? There's no need for violence."
Malenia moved.
In an instant she was upon him. Her prosthetic arm clicked as her long blade came up under his chin, tickling his throat. She took him at a glance. Blond hair. Blue eyes. Whiskered cheeks...and remnants of scales on his forehead and neck. He served the dragons, then. Curious...and concerning. She had though their kind well withdrawn from the world after Godwyn's death.
T'would seem she was wrong. Would they too, stand in her way?
...well," came the boy's hum, "Suppose that's what I get for sneakin' in like this. Can't we all just get along?"
Even then, he didn't move. Not once. Through her dim vision, Malenia glimpsed the ghost of a smile dimpling whiskered cheeks.
"Hey, hey." pearly white teeth flashed, as he kept his hands raised. "We've both got something we don't wanna unleash." his head tilted just so, allowing her consecrated blade to slice into his throat. "So!" A bead of blood welled out from his jugular as he reached up to grasp the blade and still his smile only grew. "How's about you keep your monster in its cage," yet more blood welled up between his clenched fingers as scarlet slits stared back at her, "And I'll do the same for mine, eh?"
She blinked at him beneath her helm. "Do you not fear death?"
"There are worse things than death, miss demigoddess." he smiled sadly, red eyes creasing. "Much worse."
"You will address me by my name and nothing else." She lowered her arm and her blade with it. "...what do you want?"
"To be honest?" he rubbed his neck, allowing the wound there to mend, "Your Great Rune would be nice an' all, Malenia," and oh how she bridled at that casual use of her name, "But I kinda wanna hear your side of the story here before I make my decision."
"Lies. You serve Radahn."
"Nope." he smacked his lips, producing an audible pop. "I serve my family. There's a difference."
"A paw of the beasts, then." She stepped to the left and her erstwhile guest mirrored her with a long-suffering sigh. "That makes you no friend of mine."
"Look," he sighed, "I'm not here to fight." It didn't stop her. Before long she was circling him, or was he circling her? Malenia could no longer tell. Who was the true predator here, and who was the prey? "We could if you like, and hey, you'd probably win, but I won't make it easy." he tapped a finger to his chin, uncaring of the bright red blood he streaked there. "And you gotta ask yourself, do ya really wanna waste your strength on someone like me with Radahn getting ready to march on you?"
Damn him. He must've alerted her half-brother. Honorable oaf that he was, he'd be racing right here.
Radahn had ruined everything-worse her accursed sibling didn't even realize it. Not just by holding back the stars, but with his indefatigable honor. He wouldn't listen to her. He would stand his ground and fight to his last breath; because he believed his cause to be right. Just, even. And so he must die.
"See, he strikes me as a good guy," still they circled one another, but now that circle was coming to a close. "Honorable. Decent. But I'm not. Unlike him, I'm willing to do whatever it takes to win." he pivoted abruptly and she did the same too late, realizing just how close he was. "I have miles to go and promises to keep. I get the feeling you're the same-
The Rot in her writhed at his words. Her sword slashed out. He caught it with a grunt, bloodying his hand once more.
"I cannot abandon my path." she bulled forward and pushed him back against the table, pinning him there, all but looming over him. "Do not ask me to!"
"I'm not." the interloper shook his head slowly, setting his blond bangs swaying as he gazed up at her. "But I am warning you. Push this and you'll have a three way fight on your hands.
Did he think she feared such odds? She had never known defeat, and she would not today. "You underestimate me, dragonling."
Now it was his turn to scoff. "And YOU underestimate just how far I'm willing to go for my family...so!"
He brought his hands together and quite suddenly Malenia found herself straddling smoke.
"Wha...?!"
She heard his footsteps behind her and tensed, expecting an attack. It never came.
"Why don't we resolve this amicably like adults and just talk for once in our lives?" Naruto stepped forward and offered her a palm, smiling like the pure boy he was. "C'mon, shake my hand. What do you have to loose?"
Her jaw clenched anew. "Time."
"Please." He saw right through her at once. "Radahn isn't going to rally his troops until I leave your camp. He gave me his word, and he's the kind to keep it, to say nothing of Tomoe." a finger wagged her way. "We have all the time in the world and you know it. What're you afraid of?"
Malenia scowled down at his outstretched fingers. "I do not trust you."
He shrugged. "Ain't asking for yer trust. Just a few words.
Her scowl deepened. "My tale spans more than a few."
...and?" Naruto tilted his head. The motion reminding her of a fox she'd once encountered when she was very small. It had been a bold, fearless little creature too, staring at her without fear before darting back into the brush from whence it came. She'd only seen it once and never again. How odd that she should think of it now...
She shook herself from her maudlin thoughts. "You will begin to rot if you linger overlong in my presence."
"That's my choice to make, then." Another step left him well within striking distance as gazed up at her. "Won't you shake my hand?"
Malenia's natural arm twitched. Her fingers clenched. Curled into a fist now. "Its too late. Whatever you are planning, I cannot go back. Only forward."
"Who decided that? You? Well, I'm denying your denial!" he thrust a finger into her stomach with such force that Malenia found herself jolting backwards, startled by his sudden impropriety. Not because she was ticklish. No. Nay. Never. Not a jot, no matter what anyone reading this might think of her. She'd slaughter anyone who said otherwise.
"Fine." Naruto rolled his eyes. "If you won't meet me halfway, I'll just meet you all the way."
Before she could think to stop him, he reached out and took her hand. Not the false prosthesis but her natural limb, rotten and pitted though it was. She saw the flash of pain in his eyes as he touched her -as the Scarlet Rot within her gnawed at him- but he did not flinch. Instead he turned and stalked toward a pair of chairs in the corner of her tent. She could have broken his arm. Slaughtered him seven ways to Sunday. And she felt as weak and powerless now as she did whenever Miquella held her hand.
For the first time in years, Malenia let herself be led.
A/N: But will there be peace between these two, or battle?
We're about to Fight Fire with Gasoline here. Yup. Like the song by Self Deception. Might use it for the next chapter. Real damn catchy.
Well? Should this remain a story? Yay or nay? Your feedback matters! That's no joke. Reviews keep me writing.
Once more, we're sticking with the "Embers" rule for this particular story, and others. If folks don't like this, it will remain, but won't be continued. Meaning that if the story itself ain't popular...well, I'll not be able to continue it. I'm working two jobs -taking on 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.
We're keeping it light this time to avoid spoilers.
But just in case! SPOILERS AHOY!
(Previews)
...I need you to stop holding back the stars, big guy."
Radahn's smile vanished. He loomed over him. "You ask much. Too much."
"You can't fight fire with gasoline, boy."
"Says who?"
"I admit, I am impressed. I did not foresee such an outcome."
"Quiet. I don't wanna talk about it.
"LET ME OUT!"
"No." Naruto palmed his face. "Not yet."
"You're mad! I won't allow it!"
...wasn't askin', Tomoe...
BURN THEM ALL!"
EDIT: Hey, you made it!
Once more, we're sticking with the "Embers" rule for this story, and others. Meaning folks don't like this, it won't be continued. If the story itself ain't popular/well-received...well, I won't be able to continue it. I'm working two jobs -taking on 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 chatting with you all when I get back from work!
Hope you all have a great day~!
R&R~!