A/N: Finally got around to updating this. Work is grinding me down, and I'm exhausted.
Speaking of which, its time to head out for another shift. Looking forward to chatting with you all when I get back~!
Feels good getting back to Elden Ring again. Well that, and smacking around Godfrey/Lansseax/Fortissax for rookies in online play... Proper cathartic. Worry not, I've got updates for the Boys, Genshin, Demon Slayer, and Arcane in the works.
Once more, we're sticking with the "Embers" rule for this story, and others...
Meaning, if folks don't like this, it won't be continued. If the story itself ain't popular? Well, I won't be able to continue it, sad as that may sound. 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.
Now for your questions, comments, and concerns. Feel free to skip this bit if you like~!
Q: We gonna get some Mama Marika up in here? Lore says Godwyn was her favorite son, but we've seldom seen them interact since the first chapter.
A: I could go into a long-winded explanation, but that would take too much time. Long story short, I've been saving it.
Q: When we gonna see Naruto found that alliance against the Erdtree?
A: *zips lips*
Q: Please don't jump ahead to the Shattering! Its too early!
A: No worries, there's still much fun to be had after Gransax.
Q: More Godfrey!
A: Careful what you wish for~!
Q: Don't forget the bolt of Gransax!
A: I won't. Its one of my favorite weapons ingame.
Alright, I've kept you long enough. As ever, I own no references, quotes, memes or themes. Not a wit or a one. They're merely tributes. I'm just a humble author trying to make his way in this wild world, one word at a time.
Put some much-needed humor in this chapte, so I hope you enjoy it~!
As ever, in the words of the great Kaif...
...SPOILERS!
"You killed a dragon, my boy. Now you must face the consequences.
What willst thou do? Make peace with them? Slay them?
Be assured, thy decision here shall shape history."
~Godfrey, the First Elden Lord.
Seal Your Rage
Farum Azula trembled with the mournful cries of dragons.
Great flocks of them took to the skies to make their fury known; to honor their fallen comrade in a distant land. For Great Gransax, descended of the greatest Dragonlord Placidusax, had been felled in battle. Flame bathed the sky as they sang their deathly dirge to the heavens, turning the clouds a molten shade of angry amber. Still the swarm screamed their all encompassing fury to their long-lost-god. Burial was not their way. Never had been. They were eternal; unlike their lesser cousins, they could not fall to old age. Death in battle was the only reliable way.
And there would be another battle soon. Very soon indeed, if one Dragon had anything to say about it.
Lansseax watched the fiery spectacle from her perch with hate in her heart. It twisted around her thoughts like a gnarled root, pervading her very being. She longed to take wing and join her kin, to shed this flimsy human guise and vent her frustrations with them until she was spent.
But no. Her rage would not be spent here. It must be unleashed elsewhere.
Gransax was their sire, the closest thing they'd had to a parent.
And now he was gone.
She would take her kindred, go to Leyndell, and finish what Father started. Tear down the royal capital around Marika's ears in his name. Until such a day came she would lock her fury away, bind it down, stifle the raging fire burning deep her breast. But only until that day. Not a moment longer.
...careful, sister of mine. Your thoughts betray thee."
Lansseax gnashed her teeth. "Be silent."
"I will not. This is foolishness.
Fortissax knew no such rage; or if he did, he kept it hidden. Blasted brother. He always seemed so damnably calm. Even now he lay upon the stones, sunning his great bulk, four wings sprawled out with nary a care in the world. His long neck craned toward the skybound dirge of their kin, regarding it with vague interest. He should be furious. Angry! Raging! How could he not see?!
...father fell of his own folly." the low baritone of his voice pierced the gloom of her thoughts. "In his haste, he sought only glory and did not wish to wait for us. Perhaps, had he done so, he might still be alive."
Her brow furrowed. "You would speak treason, brother...?"
"I speak sense." he didn't deign to bite the verbal bait she'd set for him. "Even the strongest of us can fall in battle."
"A fluke." Lansseax scoffed back, burying her anger beneath a thin veneer of scorn. "No doubt Marika's ilk fell upon him in great numbers. Such is not weakness, not strength..
"Not so." his voice rumbled. "My spies saw it themselves. He fought Great Godfrey indeed, but t'was his son who slew him in single combat. A demigod."
She creaked an eye open. "His name?"
...Godwyn."
Pah! Descended of the golden lineage no doubt.
Gransax had always been so confident. Arrogant, even for a dragon. He believe his power, size -and weapon likewise- would ever prevail in the face of adversity. Still, he was their kin. Blood must repay blood. Son of Great Godfrey or no, this Godwyn would pay. If was strong then he would be able to fend them off. If not...Leyndell would burn, and she would reap a bloody vengeance.
So would it be.
Lansseax bared her fangs at the sky.
She would show them the wrath of dragons.
(.0.0.0.)
"Lo and behold! My son, Godwyn! Slayer of dragons! No greater victory could there be than this!"
Naruto -Godwyn!- exhaled slowly in a long suffering sigh. "Really, this isn't necessary...
Queen Marika thrust her chalice into the air. "Three cheers for my son! Hip-hip!"
"HOORAY!" Cries went up from the grand banquet table.
"Louder! I can't hear any of thee! Hip-hip...?"
Godfrey slammed a fist down. "Hooray!
Mother grinned. "Once more, now!"
"HOORAY!"
Naruto felt his face begin to burn beneath the undue attention, cheeks flushing a deep cherry red. In that moment he wanted nothing more than to sink into his seat and hide under the table. Maybe then they'd let him be...no, he knew better, just as he knew he shouldn't be mad at them. It wasn't their fault really. They were proud of him -all of them!- and simply wished to show their appreciation for his mighty deeds. In all fairness, he'd expected a bit of fanfare after felling Gransax. Maybe a kind word here, a bit of awe there. Perhaps the odd gift or two...
.
..
...this...was a bit more than he'd expected.
A mighty feast had been thrown in his honor; even now the very capital itself heaved in the throes of a great celebration.
Radagon himself had come down from Liurnia in honor of his triumph, bringing his wife and children with him. He'd counted three of them thus far, the eldest, Rykard, nearly of an age with him, followed by a stout fellow who must be Radahn, and a little girl with bright eyes and fiery red hair. That one couldn't be anyone but Ranni. He knew well Marika's-mom's!-secret; that she and Radagon were of one soul, albeit separate bodies. That meant these children technically weren't his cousins all, but rather half-siblings, likely demigods in blood, if not necessarily name.
At least little Morgott and Mohg seemed happier for the company.
Now that he'd gotten around to mending the Omen Twin's horns, they looked more like the children they truly were, both inside and out. Such happy little lads they were. Made him feel proper pleased. Unfortunately, he couldn't show any of that either, lest he reveal his hand in it. He was the Golden Son, ever calm, ever in control. The pinnacle of poise...even when everyone was celebrating his accomplishments.
"As well they should." Kurama hummed in his head. "Look at us! We're big godsdamned heroes!"
...don't tell me you're drunk already."
"Alright. I won't."
"Oi!"
He stifled a sigh behind one palm and accepted a flute of wine from a passing serving girl. Maybe the old fox was right. They were entirely too sober for this. Tiche flashed him a bemused look from where she stood behind his chair, but didn't question him as she drank. He felt her lean in and deliver a swift kiss to the side of his head. Warm lips brushed his ear.
"Stay strong a little longer, my lord." her voice was a naked whisper against his outer lobe. "We need only linger until they're too drunk to notice our absence."
...easy for you say." he hissed back. "You're not the one getting tugged every which way."
"Perhaps." he felt her smile against his ear. "But if anyone deserves it, 'tis thee."
Mean. A rueful smile tugged at his lips. "I'll remember this treachery."
His words made Tiche flinch for some reason. She masked it by kissing his ear; that, at least drew a smile from him, and peals of raucous laughter from Godfrey -dad!- and the more rowdy guests among them. Naturally, that meant Alecto had to swoop in from the other side and stake her claim as well, which in turn had Tiche chasing her mother away.
Marika took the chance to reach around and ruffle his hair while they were they were distracted.
"See how they fight over thee, my child?" he looked back and found her smiling at him, every bit the indulgent parent. "Does it not entertain you?"
Naruto looked back in time to see Tiche stomp a foot, fling up her hands. Distantly he heard holler something, but the words were lost in the chaos of revelry. Probably nothing good, judging by the thunderous expression she wore. Yet for all that, Alecto bore her daughter's wrath as only a mother could; smiling all the while...until Tiche gave her hindquarters a good smack and made her jump.
He looked back with a sigh. "I'm hardly trying to start a harem...
"Harem, you say?" The Eternal Queen smiled into her wine, drawing a scowl from him. "A fine idea. You are my son. Scion of the Golden Lineage and now, slayer of dragons. I would expect no less." already she spoke as if it would be. "Your descendants shall be more numerous than the stars themselves, your conquests many."
"Indeed!" Godfrey clapped his back with a mighty hand, nearly blasting the air from his lungs. ""As expected of my son! You hold little back, both on and off the field of battle. And what a battle yesterday was! Shall we shall spar on the morrow, my boy?" he didn't miss the edge in his words now, the keen smile of one warrior to another. "What say you?" Serosh could only suppress so much of his hunger for battle. I'm anxious to see how you've improved."
"I, as well." Marika laid her goblet down with lazy grace. "If thou art strong enough to slay a beast such as Gransax singlehandedly, ye must have come far indeed...
"Urk."
Kurama summed it up quite nicely. Naruto waved down another serving girl, snatched a goblet of wine off her tray, and downed it in a single gulp. It fortified his courage and chased away the brief pang of dread lingering in is wake. He didn't fear a sight. The old man still hit hard after all these years; usually he could foist him off with an excuse, even throw a different opponent at him or somesuch. But if Mom was asking, and she clearly was...he couldn't refuse. Doing so would only make them wonder why, and with wondering came questions. He couldn't afford that.
So he managed a selfsame smile and a shrug. "If that's what you want...sure."
"Excellent!" Marika clapped her hands. "What say we make a tourney of it? T'would be amusing, no?"
Godfrey grinned, already warming to the idea. "So shall it be! We shall have warriors come from from far and wide!"
"Very well." Her point finally gained, the Queen stood with a pleased hum. "I shall speak with Rennala and Radagon, then. Perhaps they know of capable combatants that might yet prove...challenging." she paused, kissed both their cheeks, and pulled them into a crushing hug. "Pray, look forward to it. Now I must away. Do try not to cause too much damage in mine absence.
Naruto watched her depart with a sigh.
"I'm surrounded by battle maniacs, I swear." he palmed his face, trying not to slur the words. "Why'd my second life have to be so crazy...
"Battle is battle, no matter the life, my son."
Naruto palmed his face, cursing himself for the wine as much as the slip. "...how much of that did you hear, exactly?"
Godfrey leaned back in his throne and rumbled out another laugh; it was a deep, throaty sound he seldom heard these days. "Enough. But it matters naught."
"Eh?"
"You are my son, Godwyn." a large hand came down on his shoulder, surprisingly gentle for one so large. "Whatever you were in another life, whoever you were before, it means little to me. You were born into this world from your mother's womb. I raised thee...and soon," he paused, swallowed, then comported himself once more. "I may not see thee for some time. It is good to see that you have become strong."
The dread came back, and it took root in his heart. "Hey...you're starting to scare me. You're acting like your leaving."
"Remember my son, I am proud of thee." the hand came away as Godfrey climbed to his feet. I always will be.
"Oi!" he hissed under his breath. "Knock it off! Stop acting like this! I mean it! What's going on?"
"Trust in thine mother." Godfrey wouldn't tell him. "Marika has a plan."
His lord father departed with those words, leaving him to stew.
Left to his own devices, Naruto resigned himself to the madness as the festivities dragged on, and drowned his doubts in drink. It wasn't that he didn't enjoy spending time with his new family-he did. There was nothing he enjoyed more in this strange second life of his. He simply regretted not being able to spare Gransax. Stubborn old wyrm. He'd been set in his ways until the very last moment
"I...will not be the last...my children will come. Please, spare them...
He would honor his last request.
All this praise was nice and all, maybe even well deserved some might say, but the capital seemed awfully eager to fritter their time away and forger all that had transpired only a few short days go. Could he truly blame them for that? If he'd seen a beast like Gransax and been as powerless as they, he'd be in a hurry to forget, too.
But what had Godfrey meant? Leaving soon? Where? And to what end? Would he be going on a journey, or...?
Someone tugged at his sleeve. "Didst thou truly slay a dragon?"
Naruto looked down, blinking the haze from his eyes. It took a couple of tries, deep into his cups as he was, but eventually he found Radagon's youngest staring up at him. What was her name again...aha! Ranni. She certainly looked like her father's daughter with her pale skin, golden eyes, and that long, crimson hair. He squinted at the little girl gazing up at him. This was his half-sister? Huh. He'd always wanted one of those. Still, she was so small!
"I did." His tongue betrayed him. "Well, aren't you just the cutest little thing."
Ranni kicked his shin. "I am not little!"
"Compared to me, you are."
Radahn chuckled a few seats over. "He has you there, little sister."
Rann squeaked. "Brother! Whose side art thou on?!
Rykard laughed from his own chair. "Not yours, certainly."
Emboldened by her distraction, Naruto dared to forge onward. "You really should be nicer to them, little Ranni...
The child stomped her foot. "I am not little! Cease thy prattling."
Snrk. Naruto bit his lip to stifle his laughter. He knew she'd never forgive him if he snickered now.
He was still smirking when the explosion hit.
Windows shattered with neither word nor warning, showering everyone in razor shards of glass. Children cried out and ducked away under the table, even as the adults moved to shield them from this unexpected attack. It didn't end there. Even as Naruto surged to his feet he felt the ground quake; a mighty tremor flinging tables upright, food an' wine with them.
"What in the world...?"
"BRING HIM OUT!" A voice like thunder rose over it all, rattling the very sky outside. "Bring out the man who has slain our forefather! Do so now, or dragonfire shall char your precious capital to ash!"
Silence reigned supreme. But only for a moment.
Marika tutted and made for the exit, hammer in hand. "So rude. Perhaps I should smite them...?"
Radagon chortled softly. "It was not you they called for, dear sister.
"Perhaps." The ghost of a smile touched her pale face. "Perhaps not. But I can hardly let such a challenge go ignored now, can I? My son can rest. I shall slay those foolish lizards myself."
Naruto's head kissed the table. "Why meeeee?"
He looked up, realizing his folly a moment later. Damnit. Marika was making for the door. If those really were dragons outside, she'd wipe them out. He'd promised...!
Blast him and his bleeding heart.
"No, no, no!" He interposed himself between his mother and the door quickly, realized his error, and hastened to correct his speak. "Erm...I mean...such conflict is beneath you." thrusting an arm between her and the door drew a scowl to her lips, but still he barreled on. "Why don't you let me handle this, mother of mine?"
"Mother of mine! Ha! Funny words!"
"Quiet, you drunken furball! Now ain't the time!"
Marika quirked a brow. "That eager for glory, are thee?"
Naruto stood his ground, refusing to falter. To do so now would damn him.
"Here." surprisingly, she hefted her hammer to him. "May it serve you well in battle." Her peace said, she slalomed her way past him, haphazardly weaving her way toward the exit. "Well? What ails thee, my son? Do you not wish to prove yourself once more under mine eyes? Go. Fight. We shall watch ye."
Naruto looked to the hammer he'd been given.
Back to Marika. Back to the hammer now.
Every eye in the room fixed upon him.
Watching. Waiting for an answer.
...did she just play me?"
A/N: Needed to work in the setup to the fight. Don't you worry, next chapter brings the brawl.
Of course, that's only if you want this to be a story? Yes? No? Maybe so? Make yourselves heard!
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 that I'm working on.
(Previews)
The demigod came out to face them.
.
..
...surprising.
Fortissax had not thought him the suicidal sort.
Yet here he stood before the gates to the city, unbowed.
He reared back, looming large over him. "You would face me alone? Bold, even for one of your kind."
The demigod's smile worried the dragon more than he cared to admit. "I've faced worse."
"You don't lack for spirit, it seems." He conjured a scarlet spear to his claw. "Come, then! To battle!"
Lansseax watched her brother fight.. He would lose. It was to be expected. He was weaker than she. He didn't have enough hate.
"I want to offer you peace."
She blinked. Once. Twice. Thrice. On the third, her golden eyes narrowed to dangerous slits.
"Peace?!" laughter burst out of her human lips, a harsh, bitter bark that drew a frown from the golden god before her. "Between our kind?! No. Nay. Never. Your depredations will not be tolerated."
"Alright." he took her remark in stride, damn him. "What will it take to convince you?"
He wanted to play that way, did he? So be it.
"Lop off your right arm." she hissed. "Then I'll give you peace."
Godwyn -Naruto!- shrugged and raised his blade. "A small price to pay."
Surely he would flinch. He was not a Dragon. He lacked strength. Resolve and-
She grabbed his wrist as the weapon fell. "What are you doing?! T'was a jest! A jest!"
His grin said otherwise. He'd been prepared to do it; would do it still if she let him go. It was the straw that broke the camel's back. That arrogant...self-sacrifcing, utter bastard... She launched herself at him, claws bared.
"Make a fool of me, will ye?!"
"And you are...?"
The woman in black knelt before him.
"I have journeyed far to find you, Lord of Gold...
She tackled him, driving him back, all but mounting him in her haste to get at him.
Rykard considered his half-brother for a long moment. "Some might call this blasphemy, brother."
Godwyn continued to pace, eyes blazing. "Its the right thing to do, that's what this is. I won't put innocents to the torch to satisfy some twiggy-tree-god."
Tanith concealed a laugh behind her palm. Rykard nearly shared his consort's mirth. Twiggy-tree-god? How the Elden Beast would seethe to be called such.
Godwyn's often-silent Fia concealed a giggle between her fingers. "You certainly don't lack for imagination, my lord...
...on that, we are in agreement." his visions had shown him much. He'd seen into the heart of the Erdtree. He knew what lay within...and the lie perpetuated by the Elden Ring itself. "I know naught what the Greater Will intends for Ranni, but if the Two Fingers think they can claim my sister like some cattle...
"We're in agreement, then." Godwyn turned to face him, naked relief writ across his face. "We can't tell Radahn about this."
"Certainly. He's a good lad, but far too loyal to the Order. He won't understand."
An impish smile spread across Godwyn's face. "But we do, don't we?"
She couldn't decide.
Tiche gripped her knife tight.
"Should he live? Or should he die?"
The question was tearing her apart.
Clap.
They froze.
Clap. Claaap.
"No. How...?!"
Clap. Clap. Clap.
He stepped out of the shadows, still smiling, still clapping.
"You know what they say; what's dead may never die. Unfortunately for you, I've died before...
R&R~!