A/N: Hands are still weak, and I'm not at my best, but still here and still writing.
Once more, Elden ring updates tend to be monthly/bi-monthly these days. Trying to spread the love around to other categories.
If this chapter gets enough reviews, I'll update Elden Ring next again.
With my fifteen year anniversary on this site finally here, I find myself reflecting on the little things in life. What was once a lazy pastime meant for me and a few friends really grew and evolved over time. There are days when I look back on the last fifteen years here and I wonder if anyone will remember me; if I made an impact, despite never making a single cent on any of these stories. Some days were happier than others, and some stories I enjoyed writing WAY too much; to the point where I'd stay up all night working on them.
And of course, there are times when I look to the future and wonder what will become of things when I'm gone.
Of course, I try not to dwell on the latter overmuch; I'm still alive and still writing. In an ideal world, I'd like to keep doing so for as long as I can. But old age is catching up to me and these days, the world is filled with so much madness and death. Seems like its everywhere these days. Even before that, so many friends and fellow writers I once knew are gone, now. Will I still be here in twenty years? Ten? Five? Its a chilling thought. But for now, I'm still here, still writing.
No questions this time. I think I've kept you waiting long enough.
As ever, I own no references, quotes, themes or memes. Not a wit or a one! Really, they're just tributes..
I'm just a humble author trying to make his way in this wild world, one word at a time.
Time and feedback will determine if this remains a story. Simple as that.
In other words...its up to YOU, the reader. Do let me know~!
Now, then. The tourney begins...
"BEGIN!"
~?
Have at Thee
Ranni had never heard something so loud in her life.
It began with a shout. A single rippling roar that both rang her ears and rattled her teeth-one others took up soon thereafter-a booming thunder that seemed to tear through the arena, through the Lands Between, even the very world itself; the cry of dozens stamping their feet, raising their weapons and declaring one singular intent for all livings beings to hear:
"I choose violence."
All hell broke loose soon thereafter-the arena dissolved into a maddened blur of flesh and sorcery and steel. Combatants grouped up to defend themselves, some having made alliances beforehand; others saw the chance to settle old grudges; still more were mad dogs lashing out anyone within arms reach, caring only for the glory of the prize; that single, limitless Wish offered by the Greater Will.
Against her better judgement she had come to watch the festivities, if only for the sake of distracting herself.
But here, this violence, these people debasing themselves for a so-called God. It disgusted her.
What was Godwyn thinking, fighting down there? 'Foolish big brother indeed...
She settled in to watch with a petulant pout.
(.0.0.0.)
Naruto laughed as a body hurtled overhead.
He caught the unfortunate bastard by the leg and whipped him into his fellows, dodged a spear, caught a shied, and brained a behemoth with it. That was what the arena had dissolved to; a mindless mass of violence and carnage. No quarter was asked and little was given.
Men and women were dropping like flies. Rykard had already taken out some, Radahn a score more.
And to think, this was just the Preliminaries. There would be proper matches after this mad melee. He could have laughed at it all; indeed a tiny part of him did, deep inside. As to the rest...well, he wouldn't be Godfrey's son if he didn't enjoy battle. He waded into the melee with a smile.
Time to have at it.
It didn't take long found his next foe; they wore the form of a burly knight clad in great, heavy armor bearing two curling horns around his chest and shoulders. This one even had two giant shields gripped in each hand. He spoke a language Naruto didn't understand and charged forward to face him like a bull. Respectable, but foolish. Mighty armor and braery did not a man make. You had to think smart.
Facing a demigod alone? Not smart. Nope.
A single uppercut lifted the great iron bull from his feet; another sent him rocketing into the stands. Onlookers yelped and scurried out the way.
Some plucky sod shouted and smashed a sword into his back when he wasn't looking.
It shattered against his shoulders.
Naruto quirked a brow over his shoulder at this would-be assassin. Some smith's son wearing crude iron armor. Looked hand-crafted. He took him in at a glance. Dark close-shaven hair and bright eyes, not a step past his sixteenth nameday, this one. Still, he was braver than most to actually attack him. He'd give him credit for that much. Sneaky, too. Most wouldn't dare attack a god with their back turned. That bespoke of desperation or madness, and this one seemed to have hits wits about him.
He tilted his head as the melee swirled around them. "What's your name, son?"
A gulp. "Harlow, m'lord."
"Care to try again, Harlow?" he turned, thumbing his chin. "I'll give you another go. Put your back into it this time."
The boy shook his head. He looked terrified; so much so that he couldn't help but take pity on the poor bastard. "What's your wish?
Harlow squirmed under his gaze. "I need to runes for my family, m'lord-
A half-naked man brained Naruto with a club while he was listening. He rolled his eyes, grabbed them by the face and launched them over his shoulder as one might an annoying monkey. Judging by the agonized shriek that followed, he'd thrown him into a runebear. Pity, but he struck first.
"You know how to use that hammer of yours?
A nod.
"Drop your weapon and yield. Do that I'll recommend you to Hugh. He's my personal smith, and he's been looking for an apprentice. You got a problem with Misbegottens?"
The boy ducked a thrown spear and shook his head.
"Good. Tell him I sent you. Anything that comes after is up to you. Now yield."
"Y-Yes, your lordship!" The poor boy dropped his shield as if it had scalded him. "I yield!
"Good lad." he patted his head and tuned away. "Now, who next-
An arrow whistled past his cheek, lazily evaded.
An archer? Here? In this melee? Unwise. Very unwise. What were they thinking?
He tracked the next shot and found them easily enough; his eyes settled upon a lightly armored albinauric woman sat astride a great grey wolf. She didn't flinch and fired three more -at once!- as he walked her way. She was quick; he'd give her that. So were her arrows. Magical, even little more than bursts of light. He caught each in his fist and crushed them without breaking his stride. Six more came. Six more were quenched.
Her eyes met his as he reached over his shoulder and drew the Bolt of Gransax. Red lightning sizzled across the lance's length.
He could kill her, he knew. One thrust, one throw, and he'd pierce her heart.
The fear in her gaze gave him pause. She was terrified of him.
It gave him pause. 'Is that how people see me...?'
Someone tackled him from the side, momentarily managing to drive him back a step. Desperate knuckles smashed into his face and turned his face to the right. No pain. Only a vague sensation of movement. He reacted accordingly, driving an elbow into their skull. They dropped with a groan.
"Latenna!" someone shouted a ways behind him. "You bloody fool! Get back here!"
He turned to find someone dragging the Albinauric Woman away. He hefted the Bolt of Gransax again.
Still, he could've killed her. By the look in her eyes, she knew he could. It would be so easy. She'd attacked him first. He had every right.
.
..
...there was no honor in this. She was no match for him; couldn't even fight back without that bow.
He lowered his arm. A look of confusion flashed across the young woman's pale face before she vanished into the melee.
A barbarian from the badlands lurched out the combatants, braying furiously. No mercy for this one. A backhand sent them sprawling to the dirt.
"That's not fair!" one of the lesser knights protested. "He's the Son of Marika! How are we supposed to fight something like that?!"
A golden hand closed around the back of their head. "You aren't. Sleep now."
Face met wall.
Knocking them out seemed a mercy now. He was hardly about to kill strangers he'd never met. Still that look of fear gnawed at him.
'I don't want to be feared. Am I really that terrifying?'
"You're a god to these people. What did you expect? Also, on your left.
"Godwyn the Golden!" A most unfamiliar voice hallooed at his back. No attack followed. "Face me!"
Naruto dropped his victim and turned to face the speaker. It was the knight in blue again, his tabbard stained with blood. A name struck him and he recalled it. Artorias. No smith's son or farmer's boy this. Here was a true warrior. He stomped forth to face him without fear, cloak swaying in the wind.
A blond brow rose. "You could've attacked when my back was turned...
"Nonsense." his foe scoffed. "Such craven behavior does not befit a knight."
"And you are...?"
"I am Artorias, proud warrior of Lordran!"
A wry grin touched the corner of his mouth. "If its a fight you want-
"Indeed I do!" The blue knight thrust his greatsword at him. "Words of your noble exploits have reached even distant Lordran. For the sake of my people, and my king, I shall defeat you!"
This one had spirit if nothing else. "You will try. He settled into a stance. "You'll certainly try...
Brave Artorias laughed. "May this battle be nobly fought!"
The ghost of a smile settled across his face. Seemed he had found a kindred spirit after all. "And to you as well."
Artorias somehow managed to salute him with that greatsword of his. "Have at thee!"
With those words, he vaulted forward with a merry laugh.
At first, Naruto -Godwyn!- didn't understand what he was trying to do. Why leap from that far away? He must know he had no chance of hitting him. So why the midair somersault...?
CLANG!
Stars burst before his vision and his head snapped down as the edge of that greatsword rang his head like a bell. He bit his tongue and Kurama snarled a particularly colorful imprecation in the back of his head. Anyone else would've had their theirs split open by the blow. It certainly left him with a searing migraine.
Because you see, he knew that move.
That was the Lion Claw, or at least a different version of it. Seemed some techniques weren't exclusive to the Lands Between after all.
"Good. He grunted and wiped a thin line of blood from the corner of his mouth. "Very good. Show me more."
Artorias didn't give him a moment to respond further; he rushed in to attack, weaving a web of steel around him. He was strong, but not particularly fast. With strength like that, he didn't need to be. Every swing spawned a shockwave, each block rattled his bones. But he couldn't make him bleed. For all his power and poise he couldn't pierce his skin.
He wouldn't win; no like this.
They collided in a storm of sword and spear.
The Brave Knight must've realized it too; because he abruptly changed tactics and bulled forward, using his shield like a battering ram to bowl him down...or so he'd intended until Naruto caught it with his free hand. Bare feet bit into hardened dirt as he bled momentum. Artorias saw his mistake too late. By the time he did, it was already over. Naruto wrested his shield aside and thrust the bolt of Gransax into his face, hollow point first. For a moment, just a moment, he could've sworn he saw bright eyes widen within the man's helm. His own narrowed in thinly veiled glee.
"Checkmate."
Red lightning sang.
And the heavens answered his call.
Artorias rocketed backwards in a steaming heap, struck a wall and cratered it with the sheer force of his impact. He seemed to hang there for a long moment, defying gravity, before his melted armor finally betrayed him at the last; dragged him down to the ground. He landed facefirst in the dirt and did not rise again.
The arena went silent.
"Ha!" Naruto heard Lanseax roar from the balcony. "I taught him that!"
Alas, said silence didn't last; inevitably someone threw a punch and the battles raged anew.
"Well fought." he regarded the still form of Artorias and bowed his head. "I'll remember your name."
There was no more time for anything more than that. He had battles to win, new opponents to seek, and a wish to prevent.
...wait."
The hairs on the back of his neck all rose as one. For a second he thought he heard someone else speaking with him; another voice that he'd hear in the far-flung future. He blinked and saw red hair where their was none; when he inhaled the sickly sweet scent of rot reached his nose.
He blinked and the vision vanished. Odd, that. What -or who?- had he seen just now?
Shaking it off, he looked back to where he'd left the defeated knight. Artorias had dragged himself upright onto one knee. Now he bowed his head, right arm drooping loosely at his side. It looked dislocated, if not outright broken. To the crowd above, it seemed he was surrendering. He was not. Even from here he could sense something rising in him. The Abysswalker planted his blade in the dirt, twisted the hilt, and set it ablaze with eerie black light. A low growl built in the back of the knight's throat as he raised his gaze.
Kurama blew out a sigh in his head. "Of course he'd have a second phase!"
'Second what now?!'
His question went unanswered.
"I can control it," he heard Artorias rasp on he dry breeze. "This time...this time will be different...
Control what?
A pair of plucky gladiators saw an opportunity and lunged at the wounded knight. He disemboweled one with a flick of his wrist and pounced on the other, nailing him to the ground with his greatsword. A low, shuddering breath fled from his helm in a cloud of hot steam. Releasing his blade, he reached up with his good hand and tore his sundered helm aside.
"I must win...I have to win...
In an instant a handsome face was revealed, framed by dark hair and bright silver eyes. That regal visage was only slightly marred by the black veins now pulsing across the left side of his face. With a grunt he reached up to his limp arm, seized it by the shoulder and-
POP!
Artorias howled in pain. Naruto winced at the awful noise that followed
Abandoning his melted shield, he braved his blade with both hands and dragged himself to his feet.
"I am Artorias the Abysswalker, Knight of Lord Gwyn." Bloodshot eyes glared at him, jaw set in a scowl. "I cannot lose here. Face me!"
The crowd howled their approval. They loved a good spectacle.
Naruto disagreed. It looked the man was on his last legs.
Artorias pounced and proved him wrong.
Blocking was a mistake; pain rocketed down his wrist and Artorias took full advantage, raining down blow after heavy blow until he was forced to counter with his own.
He found himself laughing as they traded blows.
This guy could fight!
He'd thought the man had gone berserk but no, his fury was leashed, controlled, focused firmly on him and no other. Time after time that blazing greatsword swept in, trailing black light in its wake. Artorias was skilled with that blade of his and he knew how to use it. In terms of sheer swordsmanship, the man was better. Far better than he could ever hope to be in a fair fight. He felt a certain painful pride at that. But he wasn't here to fight like a swordsman.
He fought like a ninja. Like a fox. Like a god. In a word, like himself.
When that steaming sword whistled in at his face again he blocked it with one forearm, let it scrape across his skin, and caught it, trapping his against his right ribs. Artorias grunted in surprise and tried to yank his blade free. No use. He wouldn't let him go. No. Not now. Not this time.
"You fought well." he smiled at him. Lets do this again sometime."
The great knight scowled at him. "I can still fight!"
"No." He slammed a free fist into the knight's gut, folding him in half. "You can't."
The Abysswalker crumpled with a groan. Naruto reared back and slammed an elbow into the back of his head. The knight dropped like a sack of potatoes, but only for a moment. He tried to rise-he stomped down on his back to make sure that wouldn't happen. A quick kick to his head knocked him out. The eerie black light around him guttered out harmlessly.
All around him, warriors drew back.
For some reason their cowardice angered him. Here was a man who'd given his all, fought without hesitation, without fear. He'd been willing to sacrifice it all for the sake of victory. The worlds would have been lesser with his death. And so he'd spared him. But this lot...
"Is that all?!" He hoisted the Bolt of Gransax high. "Is this the only worthy challenger from beyond the Lands Between?!
"Careful what you wish for, lord of gold." a soft voice intoned behind him. "You just might find it."
Hot air seared the back of his neck. It was his only warning.
He flung himself forward as a column of flame immolated the space he'd been standing. The fires twisted like a snake and gave chase...until he raised his right hand and snuffed them out.
"Honor means something, even to my coven." That same voice hissed through the smock. "You would do well to remember those words."
He whirled and found himself facing the chaos witch he'd glimpsed before when Jerren made his introductions. Her dark robes were a touch more tattered since he'd seen her last, revealing tantalizing glimpses of pale skin and flowing curves through the torn fabric. A broken arrow shaft jutted from her left shoulder, but she paid it little heed. Her bright red eyes glared at him, framed by hair dark as night. She was, in a word, beautiful. Even her scowl did nothing to distract from it.
"You face a witch of fire." Fire sparked anew between her fingers. "You will not find me such an easy challenge as that fool knight."
Boos rose from the crowded stands above.
"Heretic!
"Foul witch!"
"Blasphemer!"
Quelaag clicked her tongue, tossed her head to the right, and flipped them off. "May the fires take you all as well!"
Well, this one had a tongue on her. Naruto hid a smile behind his hand, though he could see the insults wearing on her. Fire was considered a wicked thing in the Lands Between, but he didn't much mind it. What was the harm in a little flame? It would take much more than what this Witch had to burn the Erdtree...unfortunately.
And now she was glaring at him. "Are you going to insult me as well?"
For a moment, just a moment, he let his carefully constructed facade slip. "Nope."
The witch blinked. She blinked hard. "Pardon?"
"Means no." he dug a finger into is still-ringing ear. "I'm guessing fire isn't heretical where you're from.
"Nay. It is a precious, life-giving thing that saved us from an age of Dark, split between four souls...of which I am one." her eyes rose, blazing with flame. "Allow me to introduce myself once more. I am Quelaag, a witch of the chaos coven. I have been entrusted with the remnants of a Lord Soul like my mother and sisters before me." The fires grew fiercer around her as she spoke, the air more stifling. She almost seemed to levitate in place as she spoke, her pale toes brushing the arena floor while she rose. "Do not underestimate me. I have burned gods before."
An idea dawned in the back of his brain. Maybe...
"Naruto, no."
"But we need allies! Look how powerful she is!"
"She's a crazy fire witch who would sooner charbroil you than look at you!"
Was she? That was no flame of Frenzy, she commanded. These flames were red, and they were something...else. Change. Heat. Life. For was that not the true essence of Chaos? The irony wasn't lost on him. "You must really want that wish, huh...?"
She scowled. "I need it to save my world and my sister. What need have you of it, godling?"
He shrugged. "None, really."
Her composure cracked again. "Eh?"
Heh. It really was worth breaking his cover if only for the look of complete and utter consternation she now wore. "I said I don't need it. I'm here to fight. Nothing more, nothing less.
A slow scarlet flush overtook Quelaag's pale face. Her mouth worked wordlessly for a moment, trying to find the words and failing before she finally rallied. "Why you utter oaf-
"But if your wish is that important, I could champion it for you." He looked back to where Artorias lay, even now being carried away. "How's that sound? You and that Artorias fell are both from Lordran, right?" When she nodded, his grin grew. "Then that'll be my wish, when I win." the more he thought of it, the more he liked the idea. "I'll save your world."
"You assume you can beat meeeeeeep?!"
Quelaag was still speaking when he seized her by the wounded shoulder, spun, and levered her into an arena wall. A faint squeak of surprise -and a fair bit of blood- burst from her lips as he smashed her against the cold unyielding stone. Her sword went flying, torn our of her hands. But she didn't fall. Her hands snapped up, flames in hand, forcing him to catch her by the wrists or be burned alive. Even then she didn't yield. She rammed her knee into his groin, to which he grunted did the same to her drove his own into her torso, eliciting an angry hiss from the witch.
"Fall, you fool!" She scratched and clawed and spat at him. "Why won't you fall?! What the devil are you?!"
He grinned at her. "Ya know you're not far off the mark there-ow! Did you just bite me?!"
Much like Artorias, a few hits weren't nearly enough to finish Queelaag. He felt the temperature spike around them. She intended to blast them both, the crazy vixen. That, or summon something from the flames; neither of which particularly appealed to him at the moment. He could already feel his palms beginning to smolder just by holding her.
"No, no, no!" He slammed her down again, breaking her concentration. "No second phase for you! Go to sleep!"
"What in blazes is a second phase?!"
"Something you're not using!" he headbutted her, sending her reeling into a quick one-two-three punch. "You! Sleep! Now!"
And sleep she did; Quelaag slumped in a dazed heap, stunned to the floor. She garbled something at him before she fell. Naruto paid little mind to it. He was more focused on his hands, rather, the burns she'd left there. Waving them a little he grumbled softly and willed the wounds to close.
There was strength beyond the Lands Between. Good. He'd need the strength for his revolution.
"Alright, good things come in three, so where's my next opponent...?
His gaze locked with a grinning old man wielding a scythe across the arena. A one-armed wold crashed into him before he could so much as take a tep, driving him away.
"Tch." he clicked his tongue. "Stealing my prey."
He found Fortissax fighting in human form nearby, raging what appeared to a blindfolded woman of some sort alongside that sword-saint fellow Jerren had mentioned. Neither helped one another. It was a mad three way fight that looked like it could go any way at any time. They were fighting hard. So was he for that matter. Might be he shouldn't get involved.
Everywhere he looked he saw less and less combatants. The preliminaries were wrapping up, it seemed. He was almost sad to see the mad melee go. The rounds that followed would be far more structured with doubles and single rounds, and he very much doubted he'd find himself a proper opponent between now and then-
A shadow fell over him. Trailed now by an aggravated roar.
Naruto didn't bother to hide his grin.
"Finally...
He stepped to one side and let his would-be attacker crash down into every dirt. Dust and smoke sprayed upward, briefly binding him...and revealing a familiar face sprawled in the muck. He nudged them with one foot and rolled the poor bastard onto his back.
"Rykard?" He squinted down at him. "Were'nt you fighting Radahn?"
"I was." The future lord of blasphemy coughed and struggled up onto an elbow. "Bastard broke my ribs. He's stronger than I thought..."
Naruto needn't look far for Radahn; the man towered head and shoulders above most combatants. Likewise it wasn't hard from him to find them.
"So this is where you fell." He lumbered forward like the lion he professed to be at heart, idly stomping on a fallen warrior as he went. The giant general hesitated when he saw him. "Godwyn. My fight is with Rykard." he stopped just short of the latter, unwilling to engage him. "I have no quarrel with you, brother.
"Is that so?" he cracked his neck. "Too bad. I do."
Radahn was a good fellow, if a tad simple. He followed Radaon because he believed his Father's path to be the right one. It wasn't. H also had a reason to fight now. He was rather curious about these other worlds, these realms beyond the Lands Betweeen. And above all he didn't want Radahn, still a slave to the Golden Order, to get that wish. Who knew what he might to with it?
No, he knew exactly what Radahn would do with a wish. He'd use it to benefit the Golden Order, to tighten the Greater Will's stranglehold on the Lands Between.
He couldn't have that. Even if the man was his half-brother.
And so he raised the bolt of Gransax.
Radahn mirrored him with his Starscourged Greatswords. "You would defy the Golden Order?"
"Nope." he hefted his weapon and took aim wit intent. "Just you. Ready yourself."
Radahn winced. "...for what its worth, I AM sorry about Godfrey's exile."
Poor choice of words. His eyes blazed. "Don't be. It'll be over soon."
"On that we agree."
Radahn was quick for a general, far faster than any his size had any right to be. Doubtless he had his gravity magic to thank for that. It wasn't enough. Naruto swayed under the first blade with a breezy sigh, letting that brittle black metal sweep harmlessly past. Other combatants were not so fortunate. One such swing struck down half dozen unlucky enemies who couldn't get out of the way in time. They were all mowed down as one, rendered little more than red stains upon his blade.
His lips pursed in a thin line at the site. "Watch where you swing that thing!"
Rykard's brother paid him little heed; in came the second blade forcing him to leap away or risk meeting the same fate. He alighted upon its edge, raced down its length, reared back and-
"RAH!"
Clenched knuckles barreled into Radahn's knightly visage, shattering his helmet and sending him spinning to the dirt.
Rykard barked a laugh behind him. "How does it feel, brother?!"
...be silent." Radahn dragged himself to his feet and spat out a tooth. "I've far from finished."
Naruto beckoned. Radahn, rounded on him with a snarl, blades a molten bur.
They never reached their target.
(.0.0.0.)
What madness was this?!
Radahn strained, strained with all his might, bringing every inch of his strength to bear...
.
..
...all for naught.
His elder brother stood firm, the Bolt of Gransax planted in the ground at his feet, both hands easily holding his Startscourge Greatswords back. It shouldn't be possible; he was no slouch in the realm of combat, he knew, but to simply stop him barehanded in such a manner...there could be no greater shame.
Madness. Madness and sorcery.
Godwyn flung the blades up, breaking the deadlock.
Then he reared back, seized his weapin and struck. The Bolt of Gransax howled for blood.
Radahan parried the first thrust, deflect the second, and even managed to block the third with a sharp twist of his thigh, though it sent him grinding backward. Godwyn didn't relent. Not even for a moment. Even as he fell back the First of the Demigods gave chase. A fourth thrust hammered through his guard. The fifth drew blood.
The sixth shattered his swords and brought him to his knees.
He stumbled, balking at his now ruined hilts, his beloved weapons reduced to so much scrap metal. Never before had they broken in battle. Yet here he stood, clutching his doom. He barely had time to comprehend it all, let alone blink. Godwyn was already winding up again, his face carved from steel. Radahn tensed, trying to defend himself against the final thrust he knew was coming.
It came, but not at all in the form he expected.
Twisted dragon steel touched his jugular.
"Yield."
Radahn flinched despite himself. Shame curdled in his gut. He was no match for him. He knew it. He'd always suspected, but here and now, facing the might of Marika's eldest, the gap between them was clear. No, not just a gap, or a gulf or even a canyon-it was an abyss. He had no hope of ever crossing it. And yet...
Radahn lifted his chin, stepped back and raised his broken weapons. "I cannot. I need that wish, more than you could possibly know."
He needed it. To set things right between their families. To amend his shame. He must.
Godwyn growled. "You and your stubborn pride...!
"You have your own, do you not, brother?"
It was the wrong thing to say.
Radahn lunged at him.
Godwyn snarled.
Red lightning sang suddenly in his palm, louder and more powerful than ever before. The sheer force of it blasted Radahn back, forcing him to abord his charge. And well he did. A spear of purest scarlet was called forth into Godwyn's palm, so large that it dragged him up into the air. The blond's eyes blazed a molten shade of dark gold not unlike those of an ancient dragon. Still larger the lightning grew twisting on itself. the shape of a singular spear.
"Last chance! Yield!"
Radahn had nowhere to run. They both knew it. And yet his pride persisted. "I cannot! Strike me down if you dare!"
His brother raised his bolt and brought the giant thunderbolt crackling down less than an inch from his face.
For a moment, Radahn almost dared to hope...until Godwyn slammed his fist down upon it.
His ears rang as the arena went white. He felt pain. His body burning! Agony...!
It was too much for Radhan. He blacked out.
...and so ended the preliminaries.
A/N: Aye, that was the Placidusaax nuke near the end. Worry not, Radahn lives. He'll just be sore come morning.
Aaaand there we go.
So, what say you? Should this continue?
Once more, we're sticking with the "Embers" rule for this story, and others. Meaning folks don't like this, it won't be continued. If the story itself ain't popular/well-received...well, I won't be able to continue it. I'm working two jobs, holidays are here too, meaning I barely have time to write; as such, I cannot afford to write something folks don't enjoy.
So by all means, speak up! Your voice matters! Make yourself heard! As ever, reviews are the fuel that sustain me. Without them I cannot write a single word. Simple as that. Working nearly all hours of the day keep me absurdly busy, and I can't bring myself to write something folks don't like.
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~!
Previews are mostly the same, don't want to spoil things.
(Previews)
A true warrior indeed!"
Fia found him the moment he returned to the balcony; Tiche wasn't far behind, and Lansseax closer still.
She nuzled his cheek. "You were truly a dragon out there. How many rounds will you fight in?
"As many as I can."
"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."
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."
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...
He should be dead.
Why?! Why wasn't he dead?!
...I know your kind. You never learn...unless you're made to learn."
As they looked on aghast, Godwyn dragged himself up onto one knee. A hand rose. Tore his bloody robe away.
"Very well." he exhaled slowly, a low burst of steam leaving his lips. They couldn't see his eyes, not with him hanging his head like that. "I've given thee courtesy enough...
His back glowed gold. Then a monster burst forth.
"Then we're all in agreement, then? All of us?"
He turned to face those sitting at the table. They were many.
Some might call this treason. Perhaps it was-no, it almost certainly was.
A dragon fell from the sky.
It meant he would die.
Ranni shook her head furiously, red hair swaying side to side. "No, no, no! I can't...!"
"PUSH!"
A dragon's roar split the air.
"Its over...What should I do now...they'll follow me...
Footsteps echoed, deep in the dark. "You'd be right about that."
They rounded with a yelp. Paused. Laughed now, when the saw the state of him.
"Look at you! Godwyn the golden! Wounded and bloody! What can you possibly do in that state?!" More laughter. "Ha! That's what you get for protecting others! Weakling!"
Low laughter filled the sewers. "If you actually believe those words, you're pitiful. Honestly, you deserve a hug. If my last life, I woulda given you one...
Their smile died an ugly death. "...what?"
"Its true I'm not in the best shape at the moment." The first of the demigods pushed himself upright, uncaring of his mangled arm. "I can't even feel my right side anymore. "However." He lifted his head and ran a bloody hand through his long hair. "Just because I'm a little weaker, doesn't make you stronger now, does it?"
He stepped forward. They flinched. He saw it. Grinned.
"Sorry. There's only one ways to proceed from here onwards." two steps now. "Cuddle up, tremble in fear...AND RUN."
"R-Run?"
"That's right. Run away. And never return." he paused. Considering. "Or you could try and kill me now. Who knows. You might even succeed...
EDIT: Hey, you made it! Thanks for reading!
Once more, we're sticking with the "Embers" rule for this story, and others. Meaning, if folks don't like this, it WILL remain onsite-but it won't be continued. I'm working two jobs with no end in sight and I barely have time to write; as such, I cannot afford to write something folks don't enjoy.
So by all means, speak up! Your voice matters! Make yourself heard! As ever, reviews are the fuel that sustain me. Without them I cannot write a single word. Simple as that. Working nearly all hours of the day keep me absurdly busy, and I can't bring myself to write something folks don't like.
Looking forward to chatting with you all when I get back from work~!
R&R~!