A/N: Still not feeling my best, but I'm trying to push through. Hopefully I can bounce back quickly.

Now that I've finally laid the prologue as it were, I don't need to hold back anymore!

Well, hopefully. Throat/Leg/back is driving me crazy and therapy huuuuurts.

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.

Only a few questions this time around. Feel free to skip through these if you like:

Q: Timeskip?!

A: Not quite. Everyone wanted to see the aftermath. I'll say this now, Lansseax took this chapter and ran away with it. She was a blast to write~!

Q: Update schedule?

A: Bit of a tossup with my health at the moment. I'll try to keep things daily.

Q: ...so one a scale of one to ten, how loyal is Lansseax to Naruto, now?

A: Kurama downloaded Naruto's entire LIFE into her head. Without our boy's consent, but the fact remains. She lived it. She is, quite possibly, the most loyal ally he has at the moment, bar none. She knows who he is, and who he was. I suppose there's a certain sense of irony about it all; the one person who once-hated him more than anything else, just jumped his bones. Of course, it helps that he's also bested her in combat. In short? He flipped ALL her switches.

Q: Bolt! Of! Granssax! Where be it! You promised it would appear as a weapon in this story!

A: I did. And I'm a man of my word. The corpse of Granssax is still in Leyndell. So too, is his massive weapon.

If Naruto used such a thing against the dragons, what essentially amounts to the wyrm's soul, they would've gone berserk. That's an unforgivable sin right there. Fortissax and Lansseax and all the dragons would've come for him at once.

But he didn't now, did he? And you're about to see why.

Q: Fia WHEN?!

A: Fia soon! She'll arrive eventually...

Alright, I've kept you long enough. Lets pick up where we left off, eh?

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.

"Do you see, Godfrey?! See how our son slays her! Listen to her cries of fear! He is a true warrior!

"Marika, dear, those aren't cries of fear...

"Mama, why are they wrestling?

"Radagon! Stop laughing!"

"What are they doing?!"

~?

Lay the Dragon

In hindsight, perhaps it was too much to hope his family wouldn't notice their little...exercise.

Of course they noticed. How could they not? Naruto knew what he'd done. He'd banged a dragon girl in full view of his family. At a distance perhaps, and they surely hadn't seen the whole of it, but Lansseax was terribly loud when she wanted to be and he'd been far too...distracted to care about her delighted cries at the time. He was certain everyone witnessed enough from the gates. He'd heard some laugh and others gasp, while still more remained baffled by it all. No doubt the children would be asking questions once he made it back to the capital proper.

Oh gods, he could just imagine the twins now:

"Brother, why were you wrestling that lady?"

"Did you win? It rather looked like you did."

"Yes!" Kurama howled with laughter in the back of his head, all but beside himself with laughter. "He certainly did! That's one way to slay your opponent! Ha!"

'Quiet, you!' he somehow tamped down on the initial surge of panic, the very same he had hidden from Lansseax, and resisted the urge to rise from where he lay in the mud. 'This is all your fault! If you hadn't shown her everything, we wouldn't be in this bloody mess!'

"I saw an easy solution, and I took it." the rejoinder proved as swift as it was brutal. "I make no apologies. You were already showing her your memories. I merely...expedited the process."

"And now she knows everything.' he sighed as he stared at the sky. "This complicates things...

"I disagree. You've secured yourself a loyal follower. See for yourself...

"Hrrmm...?" Lansseax rolled over to drape a slender arm across his bare chest. "Naruto?" Bleary golden eyes blinked up at him. Widened in confusion. Narrowed in realization as she remembered where they where. What they had done. A proud, if sleepy smile bloomed across her face. Much to his chagrin, she nuzzled his neck."Good," she all but purred the words into him. "It wasn't a dream." How long have you been awake?"

...couple of minutes now." he frowned as her words caught up to him. "Told you not to call me that."

"In public, you said." she raised her gaze to grin at him, taking wicked pleasure in the contradiction. "Which we are not." her tail twined around his right leg, idly tickling his toes as she nipped at his neck. "We are a goodly distance from the walls. Marika herself could not hear us from here."

His gaze flicked to Fortissax, still laid out cold in the dirt.. "Your brother might take offense."

"He will not." she huffed, looking mildly put out. "I know you spared him. If anything, he'll be pleased we haven't killed one another."

Naruto flicked a glance to the slumbering dragon. Fortissax seemed content enough. The lingering vestiges of Lansseax's army hovered nearby, uncertain of their fate and unwilling to approach him. He could move him of course; even take him from them, but doing so might be seen as rude. In the end, he relented with a sigh.

...then we should probably stop lying in the mud and wake him up."

"As you wish." Lansseax rose with fluid grace, glanced about to find her robes, then sashayed her way to where she'd left them. "You bested me in combat. I shall heed your commands." She did so with sinuous slowness, granting him a long lingering look at her backside, even ran a hand down her flank for good measure.

He frowned a little at her curious turn of phrase. "You're being awfully compliant all of a sudden..."

"I now know you as no other being can." she glanced over her shoulder, golden eyes gleaming in the waning light of the Erdtree, full lips quirking in a faint smile. "I know your hopes. Your dreams. Ambitions. Having seen all this, how can I not help you?" nimble fingers tugged her robe on, taking her sweet time with the buttons over her bare breasts. "I know what you enjoy, my dear Godwyn." her eyes went lidded. "Just as I enjoyed you very, very much."

...she has you there."

A sharp bark of laughter burst from him even as he blushed. "Are all dragons this forward?"

"Some, but not all. We are an exceedingly blunt race." Her grin grew, taking on a lascivious edge. "I am simply more honest than most of my kin." keen eyes flitted to his neck. "Speaking of which!"

Quick as can be, Lansseax pivoted on one heel, darted back in, and nipped his shoulder. Naru`to felt sharp teeth sink into his flesh. Not deep, but enough to leave a mark all the same. A blond brow quirked in confusion. It didn't so much hurt as it did sting. Nevertheless, he felt a faint flare of red lightning as something sizzled against his shoulder.

"What was that for...?"

"Purpose." the dragoness drew away to survey her handiwork, idly licking a bead of blood from her lips as she did so. "I care not who you take to your bed, but I will not be so easily forgotten." he didn't miss the way she preened when she said that. "With this, all show know such-I am yours, and you are mine. This shall signify our bond, and with it, the end of our war."

He had to say it. "There are others I'm fond of, ya know...

"I am well aware." she tapped a finger to her forehead. "I saw this "Tiche" and "Alecto" of yours." a pale hand reached up to pat his cheek. "'Tis no matter for me if you have an open heart. But they do not know you as I do."

...you're going to be smug about this, aren't you?"

"I am." she crossed both arms beneath her bosom. It did fascinating things to her chest. "Is that a problem?"

He paused. Considered. shrugged. Bedding someone he cared about for the good of the realm? Win-win as far was he was concerned.

"Seems a small price to pay. And that mark doesn't look half bad...

Naruto glanced down at his collarbone and found himself frowning at the coiled insignia Lansseax left behind. It resembled a winged creature with many heads curling in itself-no, not a beast, a dragon, albeit one he'd never seen before. What kind of wyrm had more than one head? He poked it with one finger; only to find that the blood hand already blackened and dried, leaving behind some mad blend between ink and a scar. There was no pain, only a faint tingling sensation.

"Well, I always wanted a tattoo...

"I am aware." Lansseax tugged back her robe, exposing the pale expanse of her shoulder and collarbone to his wanting eyes. "Now do me."

Naruto couldn't quite hide his smile. "...pretty sure I already did."

"Hmm." she hummed out a laugh. "You're a witty one. I like that. Still, this is our way. Mates mark one another. I chose to brand you with the sigil of our Lord. You may do the same unto me as you please. Be it a tree or some other erstwhile mark, I care not, so long as you make one."

A blond brow rose. "With my teeth?"

She grinned at him, undaunted. "Or your hands."

He looked past her. Down, now. "...your tail is wagging."

"Forgive me. I've never had a mate before. This is all terribly new and exciting." Her forthright response drew a laugh from him and a scowl from her in return. "Do not mock me!"

"I'm not, I'm not." he held up a hand to stave her off. "Really...

And he wasn't. If anything he found her forthright behavior so very...refreshing. Lansseax wasn't afraid to say what she wanted, and to hell with the consequences. If she had a problem with something, she was damn well going to let him know. Maybe Kurama was right after all. She might make the perfect ally for is plans going forward. And if she wanted him to mark her that badly...

...hold still.

In the end, only one symbol came to mind.

Naruto bit his thumb and pressed a bloody palm to the side of her neck. Chakra flared. Lansseax winced a little, tiny mewling noises fleeing from her lips while he worked. Even then she didn't complain-stood still as stone until he finished his tasking. The very instant he completed her gaze whipped down.

"A spiral...?" she grinned at it the red mark he'd etched into her flesh, understanding dawning. "Ah!" she couldn't keep her tail from swaying, rather reminding him of an eager puppy. "The symbol of your clan. Hmm!" her gaze snapped up, eyes agleam. "I like this. A most fitting mark indeed."

...whatever you say, Lan."

She blinked, momentarily nonplussed. "Lan?"

He shrugged in return. "Lansseax is a bit of a mouthful."

"Lan, then." His partner brightened. "I will accept such a nickname." Lansseax cast a glance back at the scattered remnants of her army. Most had fled. "Hmm. They might be a problem. I should make certain Greyroll and the others don't get any ideas...

"Who?"

"None of your concern." her smile returned. "They are our problem to deal with. Not yours."

Fair enogh. Tiche wouldn't be happy with him regardless of the outcome. Alecto was...well, Alecto. Her mother probably wouldn't give a damn. They would know full well what he'd done, what he'd allowed, and consented to. He'd be facing the music one way or another. Best get it over with now, while the memory of his strength was still fresh in their minds.

So it was that Godwyn the Golden went out to face the Dragons...

...and returned with a mate on his arm.

It was only the beginning.

(.0.0.0.)

Tiche wasn't best pleased.

Naruto expected it of course, only a fool wouldn't, but even so, seeing it was another matter.

He found her waiting for them just past the gatehouse. In all fairness he had thought she would be angry with him. That she would rant and rave and rage in a right fury. But she did not of those things. She glared bloody gold daggers alright, yet not at him. Her gaze swept right over him -noting each and every injury- and fixed squarely upon Lansseax.

At length, she spoke. "Thou hath some nerve liazard, taking that which is mine."

"Is he, little girl?" Lan hummed a little and held to his arm. "Lord Godwyn is an adult. "I have faced him in battle and seen the truth of him. Have you?"

Tiche looked to him, face carved from stone. "My lord! This woman cannot be trusted. We must cast her out while we have the chance!"

"On the contrary." Lansseax lifted her chin with a sly smile. "I can be trusted. Which is more than I can say of you, she-who-reeks-of-death."

All the blood drained from Tiche's face. "How do you...?"

"It matters not." the dragon's smile said otherwise. "An ancient dragon defends her mate to the death. Our word is our bond, and I have given him mine."

Naruto winced, knowing what was to come. Even a blind man could see it.

"M-Mate?!" Sure enough, Tiche all but staggered. "That's...I, no." she shook her head, took a deep breath, and comported herself. "You lie!"

"I do not." Lansseax reached up and swept some hair from her neck, revealing the fiery sigil even now shimmering sigil near her collarbone. "Do yo see see now? I have already marked him as mine, just as he has me." Tiche seemed to wilt with each word. "And through him, our alliance with the Erdtree is cemented. Never shall we rise against the Greater Will, unless my Mate wills it. 'Tis a small price to pay for peace, is it not?"

Tiche sought his gaze, hoping, begging for him to refute such. Naruto knew he couldn't; not without destabilizing the alliance he'd just formed. In the end, he settled for a sigh. "Its a a long story...

Lansseax all but preened. "Do you understand now, child? If you do, I'd be willing to share him with you."

She went for her curved dagger. "Uppity lizard! I'll not stand by and let you mock me!"

Naruto flashed her a quelling look. "Let her be."

His handmaiden whimpered. "But my lord!"

"Ha! Know your place, you lowly-ah!" Lansseax's triumphant cry became a startled squeal when he tweaked her rear. "What was that for?!"

"You're being rude." he did it again when she made to protest. "Stop that. We're all allies here."

She huffed. "I was merely reminding your handmaiden of her place...

"Her place is at my side. Just like you."

"You're going to sweep this under the rug, then? Just like that?" Tiche made a noise caught somewhere between a sigh and a snarl. "That's so like you, my lord...

"Well done!" A low, booming laugh cut through the tension like a serrated knife. "Well done indeed!"

Naruto tugged both Tiche and Lanssseax back.

Just as well he did; because Godfrey came crashing down from on high not a moment later, kicking up a might cloud of dust. Old man really did enjoy his landings. Had he really leaped all the way down form the walls-no, stupid question. Of course he had, stubborn geezer that he was. The aging Elden Lord righted himself with a boisterous laugh, wearing a grin bordering on manic.

Oh, dear. Naruto knew that look of excitement far too well. 'Please don't start a brawl here...

"My son! If I had not seen it with mine own eyes, I would not have believed it. Ha!" He had half an instant to realize both Tiche and Lansseax had stepped aside; by then it was too late; his lord father stormed forward and hauled him into a crushing embrace. "How well you fought! Never have I been more proud!"

"I'd be prouder if I could breathe!"

Godfrey let him go with a merry chuckle; true to form, Lansseax saw her moment and pounced like the dragon she was. "Your offspring was a worthy foe."

"Oh?" Godfrey's gaze shifted to the dragon woman. "You were his opponent, then?"

"I was." She met his gaze evenly. "Now I am his mate."

Tiche made a distressed noise. "That's contested!"

Godfrey guffawed openly. "Is that so...?"

"Indeed."

A beat of silence stretched between the two of them. Serrosh rumbled ominously on Godfrey's shoulder. Lansseax folded both wings against her back and met his stare evenly. Neither budged. Naruto heaved a sigh. There could be no intervening in a contest like this and he knew it. Any attempt on his part to influence either of them would only end in disaster. One of them had to break the stalemate first.

Eventually, one did.

Godfrey stepped forward and offered a muscular forearm to Lansseax. "Well met, young dragon."

She grinned, stepping forth to to shake his hand. "And to you as well, Elden Lord."

Tiched flung her hands with a howl. "You're polite to him, but not me?!"

"He is a warrior, little dagger. You skulk in the dark."

"Why you...?!"

"Come, son." Godfrey intervened before the duo could claw one another's eyes out. "Your mother will want to speak with you...to say nothing of your new...companion."

Naruto groaned and resisted the urge to plug his ears with both hands. "Suppose that's to be expected."

"There is no need." A faint shimmer of light heralded her arrival, and Radagon with her. "I've heard more than enough."

Tiche sputtered and knelt, all but pressing her head into the floor. "My lady!"

Marika didn't look very ladylike at the moment Naruto thought; she looked all of an instant from laughing herself silly when she finally materialized. He supposed she had good reason to, given what she must've seen. She looked about ready to fall on her arse from sheer mirth alone!

"Well, well, well." her smile was nothing short of triumphant. "My son returns victorious." keen eyes strayed to Lansseax, and her grin only grew. "Perhaps I should let you conduct negotiations from now on, Godwyn!"

Kurama chortled softly. "Not a bad idea, that...

Heat seared up the back of Naruto's neck in a starburst of embarrassment. Surely Marika wasn't suggesting...?! "Mother, no."

"Mother, yes!" she laughed over him. "You've finally begun to build yourself a harem! I'm so proud!"

"Harem...?!" The word lodged in his throat.

Tiche groaned into the floor.

"Begging your pardon," Lansseax coughed into a fist, claiming their attention once more. "I wish to see mine Father's corpse."

Radagon frowned. "Let you into the capital? How can we be certain of your loyalty?"

She scoffed at him. "I am loyal to Godwyn, not you, lean hound."

"Let it be." Godfrey rumbled a laugh. "She has fire in her."

Naruto hid a smile behind his hand. They had no idea. Lansseax had sided with him, but she was no slouch in combat. She might not win if it came to a fight, but Radagon almost certainly wouldn't emerge unscathed. He found himself tempted to allow it, if only out of sheer curiosity.

A sudden commotion out on the plains drew their ears.

Lansseax beamed, golden eyes agleam with light.

"Perfect timing. My brother just woke up."

(.0.0.0.)

The body of Granssax had not been moved.

Not by choice of course; it was simply impossible to displace him at the moment. Left where it lay, the great corpse hung draped over many a building in the capital, yet to decay despite the passing days. Perhaps it never would. Ancient Dragons were eternal and his corpse might well remain such unless the knights found a way to carve it into pieces and cart it off piece by bloody piece. No weapon had been able to pierce his scales as of yet; if it weren't for the vicious tear in his skull, one might believe Granssax was simply asleep; dreaming sweet dreams, not lingering in the cold embrace of death.

Naruto felt a pang of pity at the reminder. 'Rest well. I'll keep my promise.'

A pained sigh echoed beside him. "...that is indeed our father."

...I really am sorry it ended this way."

"Think naught of it. 'Tis fine.

Fortissax -weary though he was from their battle- had reluctantly taken on human guise to enter the city alongside him and Lansseax. He seemed a better sight at it than his sister. He hid his draconic features well. But for his gleaming eyes and silver hair, one might have mistaken him for a human beneath the navy robes he wore. Or perhaps Lan simply chose to expose her dragon features. Who could say?

She certainly seemed to enjoy showing off her wings and tail, her horns and claws, to anyone who would watch.

Knights looked on in awe as the trio approached the fallen wyrm. Citizens scarpered. Most made way.

Most, but not all.

A dark-robed woman stood near the corpse, among others. Naruto quirked a brow at her. She seemed to be directing them in...prayer? Were they praying to the dead dragon? Who was she? Another mourner, perhaps? It might've made sense, were it not for utter tranquility he sensed from her. Said emotion morphed into excitement as they drew near. She turned to face him fully and he saw hers was hidden by a thin veil; hinting at the facade beneath without revealing the true visage within.

"Beautiful, isn't he?" her voice was the sweetest of honey. "Even in death he remains unspoiled. Worry not, I have let none disturb his corpse."

Lansseax granted her a nod, and Fortissax with her. "You have our thanks."

Naruto frowned at the newcomer. "And you are...?"

The lad in black knelt before him.

"I have journeyed across the sea to find you, Lord of Gold." as he looked on she tugged back the veil, revealing an unfamiliar face. A human face, framed by soft features and golden hair. "I am Fia, deathbed companion, and I ask naught but to be your humble servant."

Polite, this one. "...well met. You have my thanks as well for watching over Granssax."

"Death comes for us all, my lord." she bowed her head. "We should respect it."

A curious turn of phrase, but he didn't dwell on her words; rather Fia didn't given him the chance. Even now she raised her gaze to meet his once more.

"Begging your pardon my lord, but I must ask once again. Will you take me into your service?" Lansseax scoffed and she barreled on. "I have not come without proper tribute, of course. Lionel, if you would?"

She waved a hand and a rather rotund fellow in circular armor stepped forth, bearing a cloth parcel in hand. He hefted it to him with head bowed.

Curiosity got the better of Naruto and he peeled back the cloth quickly. In short order he found himself staring a sheathed sword,a blade of simple make, bearing a red hiltwrap alongside a hilt of unalloyed gold. On a whim he unsheathed it...and shivered at what he found there. Ebony steel gleamed back at him, and so to did his reflection, shimmering softly in the light. No, that wasn't quite it. The weapon itself seemed to devour light, as if it were some sort of void...

The sword slammed back into its sheathe with an audible click, taking the ominous feeling with it. Back the cloth went. "Where did you find this...?

"It hails from my homeland." Fia met his gaze and sketched a curtsy. "I give it to you freely, for the battles to come. May it serve you well."

Battles to come? Suspicion reared its ugly head. What did she know...?

"I thank you," he jammed it into his belt, forcing a smile -and the words!- to his lips. "I will use it with honor."

Her smile was pure as can be. "That is all I ask. Use it, and me, as you see fit."

...I will." What else could he say? It would be rude to turn her away, and she'd just gifted him an incredibly powerful weapon.

Lansseax hummed. "Everyone seems to be swearing themselves to you today. Should I be jealous, beloved?"

Naruto shook his head. "...we'll talk later. Lansseax, put your old man to rest already."

"Not the words I'd use, but...as you wish."

Lansseax stepped to the massive corpse, and Fortissax with her. She laid her hand upon their sir'es weapon. Her brother touched a pale palm to a massive limb. Silence rose. Stretched on into eternity. And then, he heard it. A strange, nameless tune rose in the air. Workers paused to listen to it. Fia's faithful cast awed looks his way, not quite comprehending what they were witnessing, but struck by its majesty all the same.

Singing, he realized.

They were singing. Not a dirge, but a eulogy, bidding farewell to their kin.

Before his very eyes, Granssax began to dissolve. His weapon and body shimmered gold as they shrank, forming something smaller, yet greater than before. A twisted golden spear spiraling in on itself. Collapsing inward, it compressed itself from the size of a tower to that of a long lance; one that even now settled in Lansseax's open was that...

.

..

...no, he knew what it was, didn't he? He gazed upon a Remembrance.

"Our war with you is at an end, great Godwyn." Lansseax stood before him and offered him the spear. "Long Live the Golden Son. Long may he reign."

His fingers twitched toward the spear. Paused. Accepted it now, with a solemn nod. It fit perfectly in his grasp. Felt good. Right. He hoisted the Bolt of Grannsax high, tip piercing the sky. Power coursed through him and a massive crimson bolt coursed through the weapon to barrel upward, roaring into the clouds.

Lansseax dropped to a knee, took his right hand in hers, and kissed it. "Long may you reign, my beloved."

Fortissax joined her in kneeling a moment later. "Long may you reign, my friend.

Fia knelt with a graceful sweep. "Long may you reign, my lord."

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 here, have some previews I've been pecking away at.

As ever, a warning to one and all. Spoilers, spoilers, and SPOILERS~!

So many references. Firsts one's a tribute to Resident Evil.

(Previews)

"I'm talking about reforms, here. We could draw the albinaurics and the misbegotten into the fold. Hugh would be a great help there, to say nothing of the sirens and the trolls."

Marika shook her head. "It will all come to naught in the end, Godwyn. Let it be."

His brow darkened. "I will not."

The ringleader laughed. "...did you really think I would be foolish enough to face you alone, Godwyn? I already told you. I brought friends. And you...you've made enemies."

Naruto exhaled slowly. Shrugged off his cloak. The navy garment fell to the ground, exposing his bare chest.

The Bolt of Granssax spat scarlet sparks in his grasp, eager for action.

Azure eyes shimmered into cold crimson.

"You should have brought more."

Time passed, as all things do.

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.

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?!"

"You will not touch them!"

"I don't know why I'm surprised. Truly, the arrogance of a god knows no bounds."

"Its not arrogance if I'm right. Why don't we sit down and talk things out?"

...very well."

"Wait, that actually worked?" Naruto almost laughed. "Usually I have to knock some sense into someone before they listen!"

A pale brow rose. "Would you rather we fight to the death, then?"

"No, no! By all means! Sit! Got some ideas to run by ya...

His guest complied.

"Godwyn, no!"

"Godwyen, yes! Or maybe. Haven't decided yet.

Well?" his fist cracked out, snapping their neck with a single blow. "How does it feel? To be utterly helpless? Not able to to a damn thing about it?" a knife slammed into his shoulder, he ripped it free, slashed the owner's throat with it, then whirled and flung it into another's eye. The assassin dropped with a wordless rasp and he stomped over their corpse to face the rest. "Fools! How do you think SHE felt when you ganged up on her in the rain and she had no way out? Well now it's your turn. I hope you enjoy it."

R&R~!