A/N: Still here, still writing, and a looong chapter despite the pain.
Alas, the new story, Scarlet Sky, didn't quite get the feedback Slifer and I were hoping for...T_T
But would you look at that, a two-week update for this story~! Early update, huzzah! Looking forward to chatting with you all after work~!
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~! This one will be brief, but its relatively important, so feel free to skip down to the title it if you wish.
Q: Update schedule?
A: New stories aside -must resist!- No Heroes Here, Practice Makes Perfect, A New Archon, and An Untraveled Road should be next. In theory. My muse wants to write new stories atm, so I'm having to wrestle her daily. Although, if I post an update AND a new story on the same day-no! Resist!
Let me put things in perspective with these TEN crossovers:
(1. Elden Ring Story) Scarlet Sky? Posted. (2. Elden Ring Story) No Strings On Me? Ready. (3. RWBY Story) Just a Little Fear? Nearly Ready. (4. RWBY Story) Do It Yourself? Very Nearly Ready. (5. Elden Ring Story) One With Spirits? Nearly Ready. (6. One Piece Story) Father of Monsters. Nearly Ready. (7. DOTA Dragon's Blood Story) Let Me In. Nearly Ready. (8. Dark Souls One through Three) A Golden Soul? Nearly Ready. (9. Invincible Story) Sowing the Seeds? Currently in Production. (10. How Not to Summon a Demon Lord Story) How Not to Summon a Shinobi? Currently In Production.
See what I mean?! My muse has gone bonkers! I have to hold back a little while longer; if I don't I'll go nuts!
Q: Don't you dare hold back! Give us a proper fight this time! No one shots!
A: You'll have your wish.
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, trying to make folks smile in these crazy times.
Quick reminder here; at this point in time, Fortissax hasn't been corrupted by Death. Ergo, his scales aren't black quite yet. They may never be...
"You think you know what rage is? What strength is? What pain is?
No, no, no. You don't. But that's okay.
I'm going to show you."
~The Golden Son.
Raging Dragons
"You're sure about this?"
"Eh." Naruto rolled his shoulders. "As sure as I've been about anything, I guess."
"This isn't a laughing matter! You won't be able to take these dragons by surprise!"
He didn't stop walking toward the light; rather, he couldn't. "I know."
"The entire bloody capital will be watching us out there!"
A smile touched the corner of his mouth. "I know."
"If we use our full power here-
"I know!" he bit off the last word with a jovial laugh. "Have a little faith in me, Kurama."
"Faith, he says! That's what worries me! The last time I had "faith" in you, ya blew a hole in Leyndell!"
"Hey! I was just testing a new spell."
"New spell, he says! That was a jutsu and you damn well know it!
His face dimpled at the reminder. "I wanted to see if I could do it."
"Do what, precisely? Kurama scowled. "Well?
...you'll see soon enough."
Despite his old friend's badgering. Naruto didn't stop smiling. Not from stress or fear, but quiet confidence.
This second life had made Kurama something of a worrier at times.
Fine by him. Someone had to.
Strange as it might sound-he was looking forward to this. No doubt little Ranni and the younger children thought he was marching to his death. Even Mohg and Morgott thought did; so much so that he'd been forced to take his little brothers aside and calm them before heading out.
Doubtlessly, this might seem the act of a doomed man. He knew better. He could sense the enemy host outside, waiting to meet him, an' while some of them were strong, few were worthy of notice. He had faced far worse threats than a horde of dragons, in the past and unless they were hiding another Gransax somewhere...? Well. He was the only one who'd really given him pause; the only one who made the ten tails made seem small by comparison. What were the rest compared to that?
He rolled his shoulders as he stepped out the gatehouse...and kept walking. Alone.
Armed with naught but Marika's Hammer in hand, he sallied forth to meet his destiny. Almost immediately he he was struck by the sight of the grand army beyond; not men or monsters, but dragons. A great many of them. Some filled the sky. Others crawled upon the ground, wretched wingless creatures dragging themselves forward on their bellies. Magma Wyrms. Pitiful creatures. Such was the fate of those who undertook Dragon Communion, they who feasted on dragon hearts, without preparing themselves.
But every scalebound creature was, to a one, looking his way.
A True Dragon stood at the head of host, far larger than the rest; his scales were a burnished gleaming grey. There was a woman standing beside him too, clad in white robes. Curious. Why would a stand with Dragons? It didn't make a lick of sense. He peered at her across the way, struggling to make sense of her. Perhaps sensing the weight of his regard, she raised her gaze.
Golden eyes met his, slitted like those of a cat.
So much anger. So much hate. Such rage. It hit him like a tidal wave, swamping him for a moment before he righted himself. Whomever this woman was, he'd clearly done something to wrong her. But how? They'd never met! He would've remembered eyes like that, hair the color of freshly fallen snow. By contrast, the dragon beside her was a rock, stern and immutable, reflecting nothing. He'd not seen that one before, either...so why...
Oh.
Ohh?
Ohhh~!
Realization broke like the dawn, turning Naruto's smile sour. Gransax had claimed descendants. Begged, pleaded really, for him to spare them. Seemed they'd come to avenge their Father. Sure enough the ancient dragon craned its neck, seeing him at the last. He still couldn't understand the woman beside him, but that would be a matter for later. For now-
He stepped forward-only for a hand to yank him backward. Spun him 'round thrice as fast.
Warm lips crushed against his, stealing his breath away. He had half an instant to comprehend what -who!- had hold of him, to recognize Tiche, then she was pulling back, slipping out of his grasp despite his best effort to hold onto her. His handmaiden pulled away, grinning fretfully up at him with bruised lips. She darted in again, stealing another, lingering kiss.
"For luck, my lord."
She retreated to the gatehouse before he could think to catch her.
.
..
...that settled it. If he survived this, he'd have her screaming his name tonight. But for now he had to-
"Godwyn!" a voice had him craning his neck. "Be careful, brother!
"Don't get hurt!"
He turned back to the castle wall, mildly amused to find young Morgott and Mohg all but leaning over a nearby parapet to wave his way. Alecto hauled them backwards, chastising them even as they hollered their support. It did little to dim their enthusiasm. Now that he squinted he could see the others up there; Mom and dad, Radagon and his family, all the rest. Blast. They really were watching him.
...seems you have fans."
"Stay up there!" He called back to them. "I mean it! Don't you dare come down here!"
If his family got involved here, they'd run everything, and there'd be no chance of peace. He couldn't have that.
Once more hefted his borrowed weapon, knowing full well what Marika -Mom!- wanted him do to with it. She'd played him like a fiddle. Her hammer felt heavy in his hand, not with weight, but expectation. She wanted a slaughter; and with her hammer in hand, he could certainly massacre the host before him. It was far more powerful than any weapon in his arsenal. This was a Hammer unlike any other, empowered by the Greater Will itself. One could unmake the world with something like this. He had but to will it, and it would be so.
Heh.
Mom loved her spectacles.
Shame she wouldn't get her way today.
(.0.0.0.)
Ranni leaned over the parapet.
Her little face scrunched up in a scowl.
"What the devil does that oaf think he's doing?!"
(.0.0.0.)
Radahn heard the heavens rumble and looked to the sky. So many dragons.
And yet, Godwyn kept walking toward them, undaunted.
Realization dawned. "No, surely not...
(.0.0.0.)
Rykard watched his half-brother walk to his death.
How strange. That...that certainly wasn't the look of a doomed man.
Nay, far from it. Dead men didn't smile. He was planning something. But what...?
And why in blazes were Father and Mother smiling so? As if they knew something he didn't...?!
(.0.0.0.)
Morgott and Mohg watched their Brother approach the horde.
And in watching, their anxiety twisted ever tighter.
Godwyn would win. He had to. He must.
(.0.0.0.)
Godrey and Marika exchanged a long, lingering look.
They thought they knew what was to come.
They didn't. Not at all.
(.0.0.0.)
The demigod approached...
.
..
...surprising. Fortissax had not thought him the suicidal sort.
Against all odds, he'd come out to face them alone. Indeed, here he stalked out the gates to the city, unbowed. He could see the Golden Son in the distance, a faint shining speck approaching their position. He moved with no haste, for there was no need. Likewise, their army had no need of fortifications or walls or any such thing. Why would they? Their bodies were weapons after all; their scales tenfold shields, their teeth like swords, and claws, spears. Their tails could conjure earthquakes. Their wings a hurricane. And their breath...death, to say nothing of the lightning they commanded.
And yet for all that, Godwyn the Golden showed no fear.
"There he is." A furious growl had him craning his long neck to the left in mild alarm. "Let me at him! I'll tear his heart out!"
Fortissax swatted Lansseax with his tail to keep from doing something foolish. From rushing out to die a horrible death, most likely.
...peace, sister."
"With him?!" She glared golden daggers at him; he let her anger wash harmlessly off his back. "Never!"
The elder dragon heaved a sigh.
Lansseax was his kin, the last he had in this world. They'd hatched together, shared the same nest, their first meal, first words, first hunt, everything. But they did not share the rage; this mindless anger that now coursed through his sister's heart. Make no mistake, Fortissax mourned the passing of Gransax as he would any other lost wyrm, but Father's death had been of his own making. His sister refused to believe such-her anger blinded her to the truth. He would not see his sister go down this path. Wrath such as hers had spelled the end of many a dragon such as she.
...I will speak to him."
She cast him a baleful glare. "Foolishness. You intend to face him alone?"
"No." The clouds darkened above Leyndell, crimson sparks coursing across his body. "I intend to win."
He lumbered forward to battle and the ground quaked at his passing. The Golden Son mirrored his path, meeting him halfway to the gates. Fortissax looked down upon him, not with scorn, but idle curiosity. This close he could see the blue tunic and light armor he wore...that hammer in his hand. Marika's hammer. The same hammer that had felled their god long ago, and driven Lord Placidusax into hiding.
That her son held such a weapon today did not bode well.
"To whom do I speak?" the demigod's voice was calm and clear, betraying none of the tension he doubtlessly felt.
"You address Fortissax, eldest son of Gransax." he paused a moment, noting the flicker of recognition that flitted across the Demigod's face. "I take it you are Godwyn, then?"
...I am."
A demigod who spoke the truth? Honest and forthright. Respectable, unlike the rest of his ilk. Fortissax felt his respect for this fleshy creature climb another notch. This "Godwyn" didn't seem the bloodthirsty sort, nor that terrible monster their spies had painted him to be. He looked...tired. A man bearing a great burden.
Fortissax could empathize with that, if nothing else.
He granted him a grave nod. "It was good of you to face us here outside the city. I had no wish to destroy your home."
"Speak for yourself!" Lansseax snarled. "I'd sooner tear your precious capital down around your ears. Such is the least you deserve!"
Her words drew Godwyn's gaze was drawn her way. " And you are...?""
His sister absolutely hissed. "Vengeance!"
Forsissax rolled his eyes. "My twin, Lansseax."
She glowered at him. "Brother!"
"Really?" That seemed to impress the Golden Son. "Dragons can take on human form?"
"We can; when it pleases us."
A blond brow quirked. "Then why didn't Gransax?
"Why, you...!" Lansseax looked all of an inch from leaping at the demigod.
"Arrogance I suppose." Fortissax scowled his sibling into silence, swung his gaze back to the Golden Son, and stifled a sinuous sigh. "Father was proud. He overestimated himself...and underestimated you." he spread his wings wide and reared back, preparing himself for the clash to come. "I will not make the same mistake."
He half-expected the godling to leap at him. Instead he planted one fist on his hip. "You know, you attacked us first."
Lansseax practically spat sparks. "And what of it?"
Godwyn's brow grew stormy. "People died. Don't make light of that."
Wings burst from her human back. "I could say the same of thee! Do not make mock of our Father's demise, you filthy...!
"Hold!" Fortissax thrust himself between them before they could truly come to blows. "In all fairness, we had intended to challenge you and your kin directly. Not ambush the capital. Father was...hasty."
"Is that so?" Godwyn's gaze snapped to his and for a moment, just a moment, it felt as though a giant fox were glaring at him within those gleaming eyes. "That at least, I can understand." the fiery look in his eyes cooled as they stared one another down. "I'm sorry about your Father. Really, I am. But he didn't give me a choice. I'm giving you one now." he held out his free hand, startling them both. "Walk away. We don't have to do this."
How he wished he could. This demigod wasn't like the rest of his kin. He spoke with logic and reason. Nor did he disparage their losses.
A part of him wanted to do just that. To turn back his army and call for peace. But the moment he did, he'd be replaced. Worse, that would leave his sister alone. She'd never forgive him if he turned on her now. Dragons respected strength and blood. He feared they would see both today.
...I cannot."
Godwyn heaved a sigh, somehow understanding. "You really can't, can you?"
"Indeed!" Lansseax spat upon the ground. "You know nothing of what we dragons have suffered-
"Be quiet." those keen eyes pinned hers, cutting her off, rendering her words a startled squeak. "You think you know rage?" Strength? Pain? No. You don't. Not really." his voice roughened suddenly, abandoning the posh and pretense as one might an old cloak. "But that's okay. I'm gonna show ya."
Fortissax heaved a sigh.
It would come to battle after all, then. Very well. He was not his sister. He stood strongest in his true form, while his younger sibling derived more strength in her human guise. They were, each of them, in their prime; unlike their forefather's whose strength had begun to wane in his old age. They had spent their time well in Farum Azula, the days leading to this moment.
The Golden Son would not find them lacking.
A low rumble built in the back of his throat as the skies grew darker still.
Lansseax stepped back at the last, her point gained. Even then she never took her eyes off him.
"You're stronger than him." the Golden One acknowledged him with raised hammer. "I'll give you that. Do we have to fight?"
Fortissax recognized the plea for what it was.
...yes, we must." A pang of regret stabbed at his scales as he raised a claw. "I have no wish to kill you, but blood demands vengeance. Yet even so!" He reared back, looming large over him. "You would face me alone. Bold, for one of your kind."
The demigod's smile worried the dragon more than he cared to admit. "I've faced worse."
There was something about that smile. It had the weight of countless years behind it, more than he should have. Demigod or no, he was supposedly untested in battle before Gransax. Their spies had said as much. But they had also called him cruel. Bloodthirsty. A madman who lived only for battle. Clearly they'd been wrong on that front.
Godwyn -Naruto!- grinned yet further, startling him with the intensity of said smile. "Say, if I win this, we should be friends. How does that sound?"
"Me? Ally with you?" What manner of madness was this? Not a servant, not a slave, but a friend?! "Surely you jest."
"Nope." the about-face startled him. "Not just you, I'm talking about all dragonkind. Whaddya say?"
He could feel Lansseax glaring at him. Might as well play the part.
"And if I triumph, I will take your head...though I shall take no pleasure in it.
"Acceptable terms."
"You don't lack for spirit, it seems." He conjured a scarlet spear of purest lightning to each claw and reared back. "Come, then! To battle! They shall sing of this day!"
Godwyn hefted his hammer in salute and turned it in the air like some grand key fitting into a lock. "...I will do what I must."
Fortissax rumbled a mournful laugh in response. "You will try, son of Marika."
Silence stretched between them. Neither moved. Not a muscle.
Godwyn's right foot shifted a centimetre to the left. An inch, now. Fortissax mirrored the motion, which caused the demigod to move yet further. Soon enough they were circling one another. Watching. Waiting for the right moment to strike. He watched the young god, and the god watched him, neither willing to make the first move.
High above them, the clouds finally surrendered their bounty.
Plink.
It began with a single dewdrop against Fortissaxs' snout. He flicked a gaze to the skies, trusting that Godwyn wouldn't be so dishonorable as to strike when he wasn't looking. Three drops now. This was no natural storm, and his spirits soared for all of a moment only to sink in the next. Five. Was this a sign from his long-departed god? Seven. Something else, perhaps; did lord Placidusax favor him; did he truly have to kill this man...?
Nine.
As he pondered this sudden change, the weather churned on, worsening with each passing moment. In no time at all the grey-laden skies erupted and rain fell freely, delivering a heavy downpour that churned the ground to mud at their feet. Lightning crackled through the grief stricken sky and still their circling grew tighter, closer...closest...!
.
..
...there!
Fortissax struck at the very first sign of movement; sweeping his spears outward in a single decapitating flourish to meet Godwyn's reckless charge head on. Rather than retreat as any sane individual should, the demigod braved his hammer with both hands, stood his ground...and blocked.
Actually blocked!
With nothing more than that hammer!
As if it were a bloody shield of some sort! Madness!
Mud and first sprayed upward as the impact tore apart the plains. Scarlet sparks scrawled across the earth and up the walls of Leyndell, drawing cries of surprise from those looking on. Fortissax barely noticed. He was too busy balking at the determined demigod beneath him. He hadn't budged an inch. Not a single meter. Lightning sizzled up and down the length of his arms, yet still he held fast despite it all, no, in spite of it.
...by the winds, what are you?"
Godwyn raised his gaze, uncaring of the mud on his robes, nor the rain ruining his hair...and grinned. "I'm your friend."
The hammer rocketed upward, shattering his spears into shards of scarlet light in the downpour. He swept forward in a blue-gold streak and struck with an overhanded smash. Fortissax parried the first blow with a claw; grimaced when it it knocked his arm back, and tried to intercept the second. Mistakes were made. Dark-grey metal filled his vision. Thunder crashed overhead. Godwyn's hammer roared with it. Golden light swept up and smote the dragon hard in the temple, ripping him from his feet slammed into his skull to catapult him backward into the unprepared army.
Many a wyrm scattered before his fall, but the damage was done. Their forces fell back, startled by the sudden savagery.
Fortissax was still righting himself with Godwyn crashed into him like a falling star. His hammer crashed down, scattering blood and water alike. A fang flew through the air. He grit his teeth against the pain and screamed a cloud of napalm point black in his face. Dragonfire could not be so easily doused by rain, even a downpour such as this.
He wasn't surprised when the madman crashed through it to clobber him again.
This one fought like a dragon!
They raged back and forth like titans of old; ranging, fight, striking without thought for anything but battle. Fortissax soon found himself at something of a crossroad as that hammer splintered his scales time and time again. He couldn't kill this man; not alone, and certainly not easily. He was no long sure he even wanted to end him. But he must try, for honor demanded it. To give anything less than his all would be a disgrace-not just unto him, but the very memory of his forefather. And yet he found himself beginning to respect this creature.
In another life, they might have been friends.
They collided with a roar. He swept back, only to realize Godwyn had vanished in the rain.
"Blast!"
Strong hands snagged the tip of his tail. It was his only warning before he found himself whipped down into the dirt. Back. Forth. Back again. Slam. Slam! Slam! His world spun as he crashed down into the mud, leaving a decidedly dragon shaped impression behind. His fore glared down at him in the rain-no, not a glare he realized, he was smiling.
"Puny dragon~!
Fortissax surged up, wrapped his tail around Gody's body and inflicted the same indignity unto him. He smashed the demigod down with a snaggle-toothed grin.
"Puny god!" He laughed back.
Pain blossomed in his prehensile limb and he immediately regretted those words.
A bare foot stomped down on his head and he found a familiar grinning face filling the left side of his vision. Godwyn grinned at him, wet hair plastered to his pale face, bright charcoal blue eyes gleaming with life. For all his injures he looked...strangely happy, a sentiment he shared.
"What say we call it here?" the demigod hummed, voice barely audible over the downpour. "I think we both know how this is gonna end."
...he had an inkling, yes.
Fortissax closed his eyes with a low rumble...and slammed his skull into the grinning god.
Godwyn's head snapped back. Scowled. He delivered the same unto him tenfold, blackening his scales with the impact.
"I cannot stop." he lumbered upright, swaying a litte. "Not so long as I have strength left in my body. Neither can you, I suspect."
"I see." His face darkened, teeth gone sharp, eyes gleaming red. Wait. Red? Oh, dear. This boded poorly. "You wanna see lightning." Baleful scarlet flames flickered at the edges of his eyes, spitting steam in the downpour. "I'll show ya lightning."
And the rain stopped.
The droplets physically ceased to move in the air, suspended by an invisible hand. Fortissax touched one such quivering drop with a claw. It rippled ominously.
Something bright passed through the clouds overhead.
Something far larger than him.
"For what its worth," Godwyn grinned, still holding one hand upright. "I hope this doesn't kill you. Really, I'm trying not to, for your old man's sake." He tilted his head a little, grin taking on a maddened edge. "That said, I'm not above knocking you out."
A blazing blue beast burst from the clouds. Too fast! Too close!
The world vanished with an unholy thunderclap.
It was the last thing Fortissax heard.
(.0.0.0.)
Rain fell freely once more.
Naruto took a moment to bask in the dying downpour; his body ached, hurt as it hadn't in a long time. But it was a pleasant sort of ache all things considered. He'd be terribly sore come morning, even so he considered it well worth it. Head tilted back, he ran both hands through his hair, letting the water wash away the blood and grime from his body.
It also helped to mask the scent of scorched scales.
...think he's still alive?"
He hoped so.
With his control released, the bulk of storm began to abate, sweeping away to the south. What remained was little more than a pleasant gentle drizzle against his exposed shoulders. He let it fall for a few moments more, his breaths evening out, wounds closing as he flooded them with chakra. Only then did he dare look at his grim handiwork.
Against all odds, Fortissax was still in one piece.
Thoroughly dazed, his scales burned black in places, and wholly out of sorts, but alive still, sprawled out in a smoking crater as large as he was tall. He supposed that spoke to the strength of dragons. What remained of his army didn't dare come closer. Not after a display like that. Only the truly suicidal or foolish would try to attack him now. None made the attempt. Not even Lansseax. He could feel her fear from here. Unfortunate, but it would suffice. He took the opportunity for what it was and descended into the basin he'd carved to finish what he'd started.
"You alright down there?"
A low groan rumbled in his ears. "What was that...?"
His lips quirked, unable to hide the smiling blooming. Heh. Sturdy bastard.
"An old trick." Sasuke would be rolling in his grave if he knew he'd commandeered one of his techniques like this. "How are you feeling?"
"Urgh." Fortissax rolled over with a growl. Well, he tried. He succeeded only in twisting his vast bulk to face him. "Like death warmed over. How did you do that? That blue lightning...it eclipsed my own." He wasn't about to answer that, and in the end, he didn't have to; for he barreled on. "You were the one who summoned this storm, weren't you?"
Kurama cocked a brow. "He catches on quickly, this one."
...I was." No point saying otherwise, now. He'd prepared for this awhile ago.
An angry rasp escaped Fortissax's closed jaws. "You had me in checkmate this entire time."
Lying would only make him feel worse. "I did."
"Then why fight me at all?!" Slitted eyes glared at him. "Why not strike me down from the first?!"
He knelt and laid a hand to those scarred scales. "Because I wanted to save you."
"Why?!"
A shrug. "Gransax asked me to before he died."
Fotissax didn't question it.
...what are you?"
"Just a man." For a moment Naruto considered telling him who he really was. But no, not yet. That was a trump card he'd cling to a little while longer. "Might tell you someday. But you're done. This battle's over."
To his credit, Fortissax tried rise. He failed, of course. His legs buckled beneath him, his wings failed to find purchase, and he flopped right back into the mud. Sparks fizzled fitfully at his claws, but he lacked the strength to summon anything resembling lightning. In the end, he slumped back to the ground.
"So it t'would seem." He muttered into the muck. "I admit defeat."
Pride blazed in his chest. "Don't forget our bargain."
"I shan't forget." a large eye swiveled to face him. "I am a dragon of my word."
This time he couldn't help but preen. It was so nice to meet someone who actually held to their end of a bargain for once.
Naruto released a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "Great! That just leaves your sister, and we'll have this all wrapped in time for dinner."
"Wait!" A battered wing barred his path. "Don't...!"
"Relax." He reached up and tugged the injured membrane down. "I won't kill her. You have my word."
Fortissax frowned his way, not quite comprehending. "You would give it so freely?"
"What can I say? I'm a man of my word, too. That said...
He hefted his hammer.
Forissax understood in an instant.
...make it look convincing, at the least."
(.0.0.0.)
He was coming for her.
Lansseax could see him now, stepping past her brother's battered body. She'd hoped Fortissax might win; feared he wouldn't, then known it after that third clash. It was to be expected. He was weaker than she. He didn't have enough hate. He fought with honor and pride and other foolish emotions. They would avail him naught.
There it was! The final blow struck, that hammer smiting her twin low in the jaw to chip his scales.
With his victory the storm finally died. Sunlight speared through the clouds and sunbeams falling upon him from the Erdtree itself; as though that wretched oak were celebrating his victory. Yet for all that, she didn't feel Fortissax diminish in the least. Even in slumber her brother clung to life tenaciously. Nor did Godwyn make any effort to finish him. He left him lying there in the dirt, climbed out the crater-and walked her way. What was he playing at? Why show mercy now, when he'd given none before?!
She hissed, drew herself up as much as her human form would allow. She would be no easy prey!
"Have you come for me, then?" she bridled at him, flashing her fangs. "Here to finish what you started?!"
"I'm not here to kill you." he flung the hammer down at her feet, startling her instead. "I want to offer you peace."
Lansseax blinked. Once. Twice. Thrice. On the third, her golden eyes narrowed to dangerous slits. Comprehension dawned and with it, came a fresh surge of indignation. Fire flicked behind her teeth. How dare he. How DARE he! To offer such after what he'd done! First he'd slain father, now he'd humiliated her brother, and he dared to offer her his hand as if she were some...some prize to be won...!
White robes fluttered as her palm cracked out. Godywn's face snapped to the side. It was like slapping stone. Her knuckles ached.
Bastard turned the other cheek. She slapped him again. Still, he didn't fight back.
Her hand wound up for a third blow. Paused.
"Peace?!" laughter burst out of her human lips, a harsh, bitter bark that drew a frown from the golden god before her as much as the slap she'd delivered him. "Between our kind?! No! Nay! Never! Your depredations will not be tolerated!"
"Alright." he turned his head back and took her remark in stride, damn him. "What will it take to convince you?"
Arrogant arse. He wanted to play that way, did he? So be it.
"Lop off your right arm." she hissed at hm. "Then I'll give you peace."
Godwyn shrugged and raised his right arm. "A small price to pay. Do you have a blade?"
Ha! He thought to make her hesitate. She would do no such thing. In short order, a cragblade was conjured from lightning and pressed into his hand. He hefted it, nodded once, and raised his blade. Dragged a boulder over. Set his arm against it. Lansseax watched him like a hawk all the while. Surely he would flinch. He was not a Dragon. He lacked strength. Resolve. Pride. He would hesitate at the last, and she would know the true measure of this man who claimed to be a god.
Godwyn closed his eyes. Straightened his back. Grit his teeth.
The crablade crashed down without a sound.
Blood flew through the air.
Lansseax scowled, infuriated to find her own bloody fingers wrapped around the blade's naked edge. She'd stopped it short at the last second. A moment more and he would've lost a limb. Honor wouldn't let her stand by while a worthy foe maimed himself. No matter how angry she might be.
Godwyn blinked back at her, confusion writ across his handsome visage.
"Art thou insane?!" she wrenched the blade up and away. "You'd truly lop off your own arm to appease me?!
"Are you sure?" he set it to his arm again, drawing an outraged scowl from her. "Its no bother to me. An arm is a small price to pay for peace. I can live without it."
"T'was a jest!" she hissed, anxious to cover up the slip. A jest!"
The demigod's 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-sacrificing, utter bastard...! Was he trying to mock her? It had to be that. Must be. No manner of madman would maim himself just to secure a truce!
She launched herself at him, claws bared. "Make a fool of me, will ye?!"
He caught her by the wrist. It did nothing to stop her momentum. She crashed into him and slammed him back into the mud. Her free hand descended in a clenched fist, bloodying his nose. Once. Twice. Thrice. Upon the fourth he finally sighed and bucked, flinging her off him. She caught herself in the air with her wings, face burning.
"I won't kill you."
Lansseax lunged, conjuring a scarlet glaive to her hand. "Then you will die!"
Godwyn didn't even try to stop her; not at first, not until it became clear that she was trying to maim him. Her claws rent the air mere inches from his eyes as he evaded her with ease. Time and time again her tail failed to sweep his legs. Her wings were a hurricane, buffeting him with gale force winds that did absolutely jack all. What was this?! She was far stronger in her human form that Fortissax was in his true guise. She knew she was. She was fresh, while he was winded. Strong, when he should've been weak. So why...?!
Her weapon slammed into an open palm. He squeezed, shattering it. "You can't hit me."
She snapped at him. "Then what do you call this?!"
His lips thinned. "Pity."
Her eyes flashed. Mockery. Mock, mock, mock. Was that all he knew?! How she loathed it. His soft words, his sad smiles, the pity in his eyes. He acted as though he stood above her, as though the moral high ground were his to claim. Not hers. He was strong. Undoubtedly so, and she was beginning to find herself...conflicted. Dragons prized strength above all, rivaled only by their bonds for family. And he was so very strong. It didn't just anger her, it burned. Boiled in her blood like the Frenzied Flame itself.
Her free fist swung up at his face.
He caught it with it ease. A knee rocketed up and slammed into her chin. Her jaw snapped shut with an awful click but rather than pursue he released his grip on her hands. Momentum did the rest, dragging her across the mud in an undignified heap. Laughter rose from the walls of Leyndell and her face burned anew. She was being made a fool of, both before the capital and her army. Damn him...!
"Your mind isn't clear." his voice called to her as she struggled upright. "You may be stronger in that body, but you can't focus."
He wanted her to transform did he? Never! "I can focus on killing you!"
"You can," he swayed back, evading a conjured spear of red light even as he nodded once. "But anger makes for poor coordination. You can barely think straight."
Lies! Falsehoods! He was using a spell of some sort! She charged again.
A hand rose to meet her. "Enough."
Bands of golden light snapped around her body, binding her limbs to her sides. Her wings snapped shut behind her, turning her feral lunge into a skidding lurch that left her sprawled on the ground. His hand closed around her face, ripped her upright, and slammed her into the ground. She blinked between his fingers, eyes wide.
"Gransax begged me to spare you." the glowing god glowered down at her. "But if you're going to be a witch about this...
Her body went still. She could respect strength. But what he'd done...!
"Lies!" She tore free and slashed her claws across his face. He turned with the blow, lessening it at the last. "I'll not believe you!"
"Look at my memories, then." he spread his arms wide, letting her scramble backwards. "Dragons can do that, can't they? Go ahead. I'll let you."
"You swear?"
His grin didn't falter. "On the log."
...why would he swear by a log-no, nevermind that. The fool! This was her chance. She stepped in and grabbed him by the face, frowning only a little when he made no move to resist, or otherwise escape her. He was not wrong about what he'd said. Dragons had ever been sensitive to the matter of memories. If she could not harm him physically, she would destroy his mind, his very thoughts-
Her own blanked as the world went white.
"You want to see his memories?" A low voice like thunder shook her thoughts. "Alright. Look away. Lets see how much you can take!"
It began with a boy on a swing.
Who was this? This wasn't Godwyn at all, but a little lade in orange and blue...yet those eyes. They had the same eyes.
Lansseax shoved the memory. Another hit her. Another. Another now...
She saw. Gods above. She saw it all. Too much. Too much. The demigod's mind was an open book to her, nothing hidden, and she found herself unable to filter it lal unwillingly drawn into the pages of his life. Each word. Every sentence. Paragraph. Chapter. It was not simply seen, she would have preferred if it were, but engraved into her mind. Godwyn's past -every ersatz emotion!- was carved into her very soul, a hot iron to the very grey matter of her mind. She didn't experience those memories. She lived it. From the moment on that sad, lonely little swing, through trial and tribulations, through loss and pain, fire and death and death again until...
.
..
...now at last saw Godywn, whom she'd begun to realize wasn't Godwyn at all. He'd had a life before this. A different name. No. Stop. She didn't want to see this. She didn't want to live his life! She wanted to hate him! As was her right! As she should! Yet she couldn't. She wanted to. She tried to cling to it and failed miserably. Still the torrent of memories -emotions!- assaulted her. His second life spared no detail, all leading up to the very instant he'd heard the final plea of Gransax...
"Please. Spare them."
...and beyond. To his fight with Fortissax, to this very moment.
Lansseax broke the connection and stumbled away. Touched a hand to her face. Tears? Why was she crying...?
She'd lost Father. But he...he had lost so much more. His life, his happiness, his very world...! How did he function? How was he sane?! And yet for all he'd suffered, he felt no hate. No rage. No malice. What little anger there was, he overcame. It made her own rage seem small, somehow. If she'd suffered even a third of what he'd
He didn't even hate her. Not at all. Even after all she'd done.
"Naruto." her tongue committed bloody mutiny on her. "Your real name is Naruto."
"Got it in one." his smile seemed more genuine for it, if a little chagrined. "Didn't mean for you to see back that far, but what's done is done, I guess."
She rounded on him with a hiss. "How do you exist?! How are you still sane?! What are you?!"
He flashed her a small, sad, self-depreciating smile. "...you know the answer."
She did, didn't she? He was trapped, locked in a role he didn't want, a family he hadn't asked for, yet came to love all the same, and trying to make the best of it. He was not the Demigod she thought he was. He'd even gone so far as to research ways of bringing old Gransax -Father!- back to life for their sake, though said research hadn't borne fruit. Every kill, every life he took was a burden upon already heavy shoulders. He had tried so hard to spare Fortissax, knowing it would only earn him more hatred from her.
"Why show me all that?"
"To be fair, I only wanted you to see this life." His mouth quirked in a sheepish grin. "Guess Kurama thought otherwise; that you'd understand. We've both lost people. We each have things we want to protect." A beat of silence speared between them. He offered her his hammer. "If you want to kill me here and now, I'll let you. Just leave my family alone...and please don't tell them my real name.
Her fingers twitched toward it.
His defenses were down. It would only take a single swing. She should kill him! For honor! Vengeance!
Lansseax ripped the hammer from his grasp. Hefted it high. Godwyn didn't budge. He awaited his end with open eyes.
Do it! A dark voice hissed in her ear. Kill him, and I shall grant you power!
Her arm began to tremble. She had to do it! She must...
.
..
...she couldn't do it.
Weak! A disgrace to all dragons!
Perhaps she was. Nevertheless the hammer fell from her grasp an struck the ground.
"I...cannot." the last of her anger melted away. Something new rose in its place; an all-consuming instinct she'd suppressed the moment he'd overpowered er. "Not in good conscience, not after what I've seen, witnessed, endure in your mind. Nevertheless, for killing Gransax, you owe all of dragonkind a debt."
He watched her intently, serious as stone. "I suppose so."
Lansseax felt heat spear up the back of her neck. C-Calm. She must remain calm. So what if she'd seen his memories? Lived his life -lives!- twice over? She was in control here. Not him!
"Nay! There is nothing to "suppose" at all! 'Tis is no question! You owe our kind a great debt indeed!" she cursed herself for the sputter as much as the burning sensation, the haze overtaking her thoughts. If she could not revenge herself upon him, she would see herself satisfied another way. "And I shall see ye repay it." If he noticed the gleam in her eyes, he didn't say anything. She touched a hand to her chest. Took a deep breath, and said the words. "Wouldst thou care to commune with me then, dear Godwyn-no, Naruto...?"
His brow furrowed. "By eating dragon hearts? Sorry, I'm not the sort to...
Lannseax dropped her robe.
It pooled at her feet.
...oh."
She tackled Naruto to the ground, all but mounting him.
A/N: Aaaaand scene.
Still 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.
As ever, a warning. Spoilers, spoilers, and SPOILERS~!
(Previews)
Marika was laughing herself silly when he finally found her. He supposed he had reason to.
"Perhaps I should let you conduct negotiations from now on!"
Heat speared up the back of his neck. "Mom!"
...why did you leave her?"
"C'mon, Tiche. Don't sulk."
Time passed, as all things do.
She leaped into his arms.
"They were innocent! And they just...killed them!
"I know it hurts." his chin came down over her shoulder, breath a hoarse whisper. "I know you wanna scream...
"I...you...!
She wailed into his shoulder.
"If the Golden Order would commit such atrocities, then it needs to change!"
"I agree," he patted her head, "but this ain't the way, little Ranni.
She squirmed out from under his hand.
"Is that why you and Rykard are skulking about?" She glowered at him when he didn't answer. "I thought so. I will NOT be bound to that thing, Godwyn!"
He agreed on that front. He didn't want her being bound to the Two Fingers either. He feared for what it might do to her and Blaidd. Radahn was fervently loyal to the Golden Order, and Radagon with him. By that same measure, Maliketh was loyal to Marika who...well, he still wasn't certain what her schemes were. She likely favored the Golden Order...didn't she?
Of course, their group was not without its own allies. Even if he couldn't convince Ranni to join them yet.
In their corner they had Tiche and Alecto -he assumed- alongside Lansseax and Fortissax, to say nothing of Rykard and Tanith. In Godfrey's absence, the Crucible Knights answered to him. Morgott and Mohg were likewise loyal to him alone. One couldn't forget Fia, of course, to say nothing of his more...erstwhile allies at present. As for the twins...well, Miquella and Malenia were still much too young to know their true loyalties. Not even three years old and the poor tykes had their own illnesses to grapple with.
Everyone was taking sides, and he feared what was to come. Dark days were ahead.
"Evens so, you can't just go around killing everyone who upsets you."
She scoffed. "Would you rather I seduce them like you do?"
"One time!" he flung up his arms. "I did it one time!"
"T'was more than once!" he didn't miss the smile on his half-sibling's face. "Shall I count them?"
...please, don't."
"What's going on?"
Rykard rounded on him. He looked absolutely harassed. "I have a daughter!"
"With Tanith?"
His lips formed a thin line. "Would you believe me if I said yes?"
Naruto's jaw clicked open. Closed. Frowned, now. "Wait. Does that make me an uncle?"
"That's the part you focus on?!"
"Do you trust me, Lord Godwyn?"
R&R~!