A/N: This really isn't a very long chapter is it? I'm sorry...T_T
I'm trying to beat back this -not sure what it is, virus, flu?- and keep updating...
Nearly done with Elden Ring for the month, once these last three -two now, Omen and Golden Son- are updated, we'll be getting back to the rest.
Blasted cough is driving my lungs mad, but I'm alive. and Foxfire, Father of Monsters, alongside several other stories are nearly ready.
If this makes it to 900 reviews by some miracle -hopefully- I'll do my best to ensure a weekly update of this as well.
Hello, hello~! Can anyone see this chapter?
Yes? No? Maybe so?
The site broke down a day or so back for everyone across the board; major crashes and everything; and it still seems to be happening intermittently. I might have to seriously consider stepping away and reassessing my path here. Every time a glitch happens -power outage or otherwise- on their end it throws everything I'v set up way out of wack. The stress isn't good for my heart or head, either. That's not a healthy setup for a writer, let alone someone of my age. I'm trying to stay positive, but its so very difficult. These constant breakdowns are testing my patience...
...but I remain. We'll see where this goes. I've started posting on other sites now as well.
In other news, updates for "One With Spirits", "Scarlet Vow" and "Omen of Change" are being pushed back, their slots being replaced with "Let Them Rot", "Upon My Name" and an unnamed Elden Ring story -Naruto as Morgott- that I'm contemplating. "Flame of Ambition," maybe? They'll still be updated, mind you, just not as quickly. They're just not as popular compared the rest. Heir of Dragons managed to claw its way out of that pit, and I'd like to think that they will, but I don't have much hope. Consort and Forget me Not may be ending soon as well, as reviews have dropped off. It all depends on feedback.
Take the World is likewise in limbo; we'll see if it reaches two hundred. If so, it'll be updated on the regular.
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, wicked world, one word at a time.
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.
Hope this chapter makes you smile!
"Dragons are proud creatures, often solitary, greedy by their very nature.
Rarely do they work together. But when they choose someone...
...there is no creature more loyal on this earth.
~Dragons.
Spread Your Wings
Malenia stumbled back to her camp, face red as a rose.
Unsteady steps carried her to her tent, then her bed, followed by her pillow.
She flung herself down on the former and buried her head in the latter to stifle a giddy noise.
Never in her life had she wanted something -someone!- so badly and never known until she received them. How strange it was! She'd never really had any interest in this sort of thing before. She'd never really bothered to indulge in the idea, the fantasy of it all. Her flank still stung from the spanking she'd received, and while it no longer rankled her very soul as it once had, it had also awoken something in her.
He'd proven than he could be kind, yes, but also stern, and unafraid to give her a good smack when she needed it.
Or perhaps it was better to say that he'd brought her back to her senses. Kept her from crossing certain lines.
Here was someone who wasn't afraid to tell her her no, to hold her back, to discipline her.
She'd never really been...disciplined before. By anyone, really. Miquella had only ever advised her, and even hadn't dared to tell her what to do Naruto had, without hesitation. She rather liked the feeling; liked it very much indeed. Was this a kink? It felt like a kink. Radahn was never going to let her live this down. Not now, and certainly not in the days to come.
Groaning into her pillow, she buried her face deeper into the fabric.
Only one thing for it, then. He would be hers.
She wondered where he was now...
That brave, foolish boy.
Doubtless he was running around saving others even now...
(.0.0.0.)
"I can explain~!"
Placidussax towered over Naruto in his dragon form; frankly he would've preferred the old man's human guise to this, at least that looked less scary. And this? Terror incarnate. Those were the only words he could conjure in the face of this. It certainly didn't help that he was flanked by Lansseax and Fortissax; all in all they made for a rather terrifying trio, their draconic visages reflecting nothing. Nothing at all.
"I'm sure you can, dear boy." The dragonlord's voice echoed in the open temple, yet held no hint of anger, none he could detect at any rate; somehow that made him ever more terrifying. "By all means."
And explain he did, telling them loud and long at length what he -they!- had done. It was tale in the telling; one that spanned more than an hour as his family listened in stoic silence. None said a word. No questions, no arguments, no outbursts of emotions. They just...stared at him, listening intently as he wrapped it all up, put a neat little bow on it, and presented Radahn's Great Rune to them.
Placidusax accepted it with all the reverence it was due. "I'm not angry with you, just disappointed."
Ouch. There were no harsher words a grandfather could possibly give his grandson.
"Although I must admit, I am impressed as well."
Naruto dared to look up. "You are...?"
"Indeed." his twin heads considered him. "I did not foresee such an outcome. To think that you would talk two demigods down...
Shame flooded his face. That had been more anger than empathy on his part, he wasn't sure entirely sure could pull that off successfully again. "Please don't remind me; I don't wanna talk about it."
"And you, Tomoe." Placidusax looked to her, "I expected better of you. Was the lure of a battle truly so enticing as to overpower even your common sense?
His partner raised a finger and tried to rally. "To be fair, we did get a great rune and Malenia swore to give us hers.
Placidussax looked back to him. "And you believe her?"
...he did, against all odds. She'd seemed sincere. "Malenia will keep her word."
Unfortunately, the Dragonlord wasn't so easily convinced. "And all this transpired because you were prodded by this girl."
He leaned forward, necks craning to regard Melina, hands and legs bound behind her, sat on her knees beside them. The shackles prevented her from simply dissolving into astral form and fleeing. Even if they hadn't, the sight of three angry dragons seemed to horrify her even more than them. He sensed a story there...
But though she quivered under his golden gaze, she still rallied. "I bid thee greetings, Dragonlord."
The weary old wyrm rumbled in surprise. "Well, you know your manners if nothing else. What is your name?"
"I am Melina." She looked to him and Tomoe, silently beseeching them for aid. "I offered your kin an accord and made them several times stronger for it."
See? her words practically rang with an almost desperate undercurrent, imploringly. I'm useful. Please don't let him eat me.
Fortissax lifted his head. "Did you, now" I was under the assumption that only a finger maiden could do such.
Melina bit her lip and faltered for a brief moment. "...I am one."
"Then why do you smell like a demigod?"
Tomoe squawked. Naruto sputtered.
All eyes fell upon her anew.
Her lips sealed shut.
"Hmhmhm." Placidussax rumbled a laugh. "Nothing to say now, do we? Very well. We have ways of making you talk."
Lansseax levered herself off the ground, eyes gleaming. "Give her to me. I'll make her sing like a canary."
"Patience," Fortisssax cautioned. "We've nothing to gain by torturing her and everything to lose."
The matriarch growled. "I'd rather eat her. She endangered my babies."
"Technically they're not YOUR children, dear sister-
She snarled him into silence. "My! Babies!"
Naruto winced tenfold and forced a laugh he didn't feel; she was one protective mama. "Can't we just lest bygones be bygones? I mean, everything turned out alright, didn't it? Nobody got hurt."
"But only just." Placidussax swiveled, regarding him intently. "And you all but obliterated the Mountaintop of the Giants. Their kiln is barely standing."
Melina granted him a rather cross look for that, though he didn't understand why.
He scratched the back of his head. "Sorry about that...?"
"Sorry," he says. Placidusax palmed one of his many heads with a claw. "I should be angry with you...
Naruto fought down another flinch. "M'sorry...
...but I'm also rather proud." his grandsire's words had him looking up again. "When did you learn that spell of mine?"
He preened a little. "Oh, that? Lots of watching and lots of practicing. I can only do it three times a day, though. After that it just blows up in my face."
That drew a low rumble of laughter from his family.
"I supposed that limit will expand as you master it." the fond look vanished from his scaly visage, replaced by an expression of purest steel. "Nevertheless, the two of you deliberately disobeyed us. For that, you must be punished.
Naruto and Tomoe shared a miserable look. 'Here it comes...
"After consulting amongst ourselves, we have decided." Placidusax looked to Melina. "You will be responsible for her. Any crimes she commits will be on your heads. Do you understand?"
The weight fell from his shoulders. That...that was a good thing, right? Realy, they'd gotten off easily, hadn't they...?
His grandsire leaned forward intently. "Do. You. Understand?"
"Y-yessir!'
"We won't run off again!"
"See to it that you don't. Now, then, little gloam-eyed queen." Placidusax pivoted with remarkable speed for one so large, pinning Melina, beneath his gaze even as his words drew a hiss from her. "That's right. We know exactly what you are, or rather, what you used to be. Since you seem so keen on seeking out the Great Runes of the Demigods, you shall aid us in finding them."
Her lips pursed into a thin line."I suppose I don't have much of a say in the matter now, do I?"
"You do not. Or would you rather be fed to Lansseax?"
The white dragon leaned in, fangs flashing. "Please say yes, little demigod."
The "finger maiden" tilted her chin up and assumed a defiant expression. "You shan't find me such easy prey."
Naruto watched her intently. That couldn't be it, surely. Gramps was't that foolish; he knew the other claw was about to drop, as it were.
"Then again," Sure enough, Placidusax only smiled with grandfatherly patience. "Maliketh currently dwells here in Farum Azula. I'm sure he'd love to meet the wicked little whelp he failed to slay."
Melina squeaked, face gone pale with fear. "Perhaps cooperation would be in our best interests after all."
Fortissax snorted. "Yours, more like. Tell us the location of the rest of your kin."
Her lips parted-
"And do not say Morgott." Placidusax interjected. "We know full well where that loveless louse lingers in Leyndell."
Poor Melina. She squirmed in place like a naughty child and glared at the cracked floor. "Rykard currently dwells within the Volcano Manor. That said, I may know the location of Miquella...
"Do tell.
She gulped once, then gathered herself. "I have heard rumors of his whereabouts; he is concealed in a cocoon underground, guarded by a horned demon. I do not know the exact location, only what I have heard."
A clawed finger prodded her. "And?"
"And I shall endeavor to learn more?" she phrased it as a desperate question.
"Yes, you will. At least we know of Mohg and Miquella, then." Placidussax heaved a sigh. "No matter, this knowledge aids us." he craned his necks back regarding them once more. "But I think it is much too soon to send the two of you out again. You've both earned a chance to rest, despite your little...indiscretion."
"But first." Lansseax shimmered down into human form and swept both arms forward with a smile, revealing a wrapped parcel in her hands. "A gift!"
Fortissax sighed, ever the stern uncle. "He's being punished, sister."
"Bag! We were going to give it to him anyway!"
She flung the tarp away, revealing it.
Naruto's eyes widened and he felt his heart skip a beat. "Is that what I think it is?
"It is~!" Lansseax nudged his side. "Happy birthday, son."
They actually remembered...
A/N: Aaaand scene.
Daaaaaww bit of a slower chapter, hope it made you smile!
If you're an Elden Ring fan, you already know what the gift is. If not...you'll see next chapter.
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, which are mostly the same.
We're keeping it light this time to avoid spoilers.
But just in case! SPOILERS AHOY!
(Previews)
"LET ME OUT!"
"No." Naruto palmed his face. "Not yet."
"You're mad! I won't allow it!"
...wasn't askin', Tomoe...
She grabbed him by the face and kissed him.
"TOGETHA!"
"Hey, is it blasphemy if I let the fox eat the snake...? He's getting hungry.
Rykard whimpered.
"Ah, there you are. I've been waiting for some time."
Malenia was waiting for them, a pack slung over her shoulder. She'd cast aside her helmet, revealing piercing golden eyes and a most inquisitive expression. She looked...younger without her armor. Still terribly tall, but more at peace than she'd been since he had seen her last, and all the healthier for it.
She saw him looking and smiled, a small subtle thing that made his heart race.
"Here. My Great Rune, as promised. I no longer have need of it."
"Shall we go?"
Lansseax tittered. "She is smitten. How amusing."
"How can you tell?"
She preened. "A mother always knows!
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~!