A/N: This isn't much I know, but its the best I can do in my current state.
Sorry for vanishing. I slept all day Monday and feel a bit better as a result; it gave me back some strength in my arms. Hopefully it lasts.
Doctor's got me on some medication for my cough/lungs, only problem is that said medication makes me irritable.
Hello, hello~! Can anyone see this chapter?
Yes? No? Maybe so?
The site broke down a day or so back for everyone across the board; major crashes and everything; and it still seems to be happening intermittently. I might have to seriously consider stepping away and reassessing my path here. Every time a glitch happens -power outage or otherwise- on their end it throws everything I'v set up way out of wack. The stress isn't good for my heart or head, either. That's not a healthy setup for a writer, let alone someone of my age. I'm trying to stay positive, but its so very difficult. These constant breakdowns are testing my patience...
...but I remain. We'll see where this goes. I've started posting on other sites now as well.
In other news, updates for "One With Spirits", "Scarlet Vow" and "Omen of Change" are being pushed back, their slots being replaced with "Let Them Rot", "Upon My Name" and an unnamed Elden Ring story -Naruto as Morgott- that I'm contemplating. "Flame of Ambition," maybe? They'll still be updated, mind you, just not as quickly. They're just not as popular compared the rest. Heir of Dragons managed to claw its way out of that pit, and I'd like to think that they will, but I don't have much hope. Consort and Forget me Not may be ending soon as well, as reviews have dropped off. It all depends on feedback.
Take the World is likewise in limbo; its fate will depend on the reception to the next chapter...which is going to be intense. But onto other matters.
With my fifteen year anniversary on this site finally here, I find myself reflecting on the little things in life. What was once a lazy pastime meant for me and a few friends really grew and evolved over time. There are days when I look back on the last fifteen years here and I wonder if anyone will remember me; if I made an impact, despite never making a single cent on any of these stories. Some days were happier than others, and some stories I enjoyed writing WAY too much; to the point where I'd stay up all night working on them.
And of course, there are times when I look to the future and wonder what will become of things when I'm gone.
Of course, I try not to dwell on the latter overmuch; I'm still alive and still writing. In an ideal world, I'd like to keep doing so for as long as I can. But old age is catching up to me and these days, the world is filled with so much madness and death. Feels like everyone's lost their minds sometimes. Even before that, so many friends and fellow writers I once knew are gone, now. Will I still be here in twenty years? Ten? Five? Its a chilling thought. But for now, I'm still here, still writing.
So here we go. The fate of this story depends on you, the reader. Your feedback determines the fate of this tale, and many others.
I'm just a humble author trying to make his way in this wild, wicked world, one word at a time.
Once more, I own no quotes, references, or memes. Not a wit or a one. NOT! A! THING!
They're all tributes to legends far greater than little 'ol me.
Hope this chapter makes you smile!
"You cannot save that woman. She's gone mad. Just look at her! She's attacking everyone in sight!"
"Don't tell me what I can and can't do. She needs saving, so I'm gonna do it.
Stop! Stop that! You can't befriend all your enemies!
...says who?"
~?
The Fire Within
"Why is it always fire with these people?!"
Lansseax and Fia shared a bemused glance between themselves.
"I mean really!" It was utterly lost on Tiche, who flung up her arms with an exasperated snarl. "First its that chaos witch, then Rykard, and now this crazy bitch! What's next?! A freaking fire giant?!"
Fia patted her back and began to massage her shoulders. "There, there, dear one. Let it all out."
She certainly did. "I mean, really! Is Godwyn trying to start a fire harem?!
Fia tilted her head. "Would Rykard be part of it by the logic?"
"NO! And not the point!
Lansseax sighed softly and ran a hand over her stomach.
"There there, little one," She cooed to the little life within her. Its going to be alright. Your father won't let us down. Have faith in him."A triumphant roar below put paid to those words, followed by a spatter of blood that struck her face. "Oh, my." she covered her mouth with one hand and licked her lips." That was vicious. I didn't realize he could be quite so brutal...
He was riling her up good and proper..
(.0.0.0.)
"Now that's more like it!"
Naruto boomed a laugh and blocked Emma's blazing blade, only to grunt in surprise at the sheer strength behind it. Her sword crashed into the bolt of Gransax and made his beloved weapon creak ominously. Another such parry sent heat shooting up his arms. His eyes widened in mild surprise. Then she was upon him, raining down blow after devastating blow like an absolute berserker. Blocking her only warped his weapon further, forcing him to abandon the very concept and sway out of her way...right into a fiery heel. She got him good, clipped his head, hurtling him away.
"Well, that's new." He skidded back and righted himself with a grunt. "Have you been holding back on me? Naughty!"
Emma lunged after him, fangs flashing. Well, well! She hadn't had those before.
He got a rather nice view of them when caught her by the throat.
But as entertaining as this is, a little fire won't stop me-
She reared back and bit deep into his arm.
He hissed and threw her backward.
Emma crashed into a gladiator and both went down in a tumble. Her foe took exception to that...while they were still alive. Less so when as she set him on fire and tore his burning body in half. His companions didn't last long; she tore through them like a bloody blender slashing and snarling and spitting.
"Kill you all!" she howled at him. "Kill you! KILL!"
"Honestly," A soft, sensual sigh echoed behind him as he watched the carnage unfold. "It seems you have a skill for provoking others." Sure enough Flora laid her chin on his shoulder, eldritch hair swaying behind her. "Do something about your little pet, would you kindly? Preferably before she kills all my prey."
He flickered her an annoyed glance. "Why not you?"
"Because," she smiled, and for a wild moment he very existence seemed to blur, "Revealing my true form here without proper precautions would drive every mortal mad." a hand took him by the cheek, steering his face to hers. "I see the look in your eyes. You cannot save that woman. She's gone mad. Just look at her. She's attacking everyone in sight. Such is the fate of all who have fallen to Shura."
He looked back to Emma, body wreathed in flames. Was it just him, or did she seem taller than before...? No, she was, her once pale skin was turning an ashen shade of grey. And where those horns on her head...?
Whatever the case, whatever she was becoming, whatever the reason, she was clearly a danger to everyone here. It would be a mercy to kill her as she was now. Everyone here would thank him for it. And yet he sensed such profound misery in her such sorrow that made his heart ache. Something was eating her from the inside out, consuming her very soul. For every second those flames blazed higher, he could hear her mind wailing in agony.
This wasn't a transformation she'd chosen willingly, was it?"
"Don't tell me what I can and can't do." he shrugged the moon goddess off. "She needs saving, so I'm gonna do it."
She scowled at him. "There you go again! You cannot befriend all your enemies!
He scowled her in return, meeting her gaze. "I've befriended you, haven't I?"
She laughed at that. "Not yet, you haven't. Oh, and behind you.
Emma slammed into his back and tackled him to the floor.
The Bolt of Granssax was torn from his grasp; it went flying, stabbing into the ground yards away. Naruto tracked it with a bloodshot eye, considered retrieving it, then thought better. Best to let it rest for now. Instead he stifled a frown as he dodged back from the burning blade that even now sought his life. What on earth was happening here? He liked to think he'd been fair with Emma during their fight, gentle even. He could have easily slaughtered her before she went berserk; yet he chose to show mercy as a good god would. She'd gone mad instead.
Because of him.
He was responsible for this.
Which meant it fell to him to end it.
He swayed aside as a great swathe of flame sprang from her sword, only to grimace now when it incinerated a score of competitors. She didn't even pause to watch them fall; the moment he looked away she was on him again, forcing him to backhand her just to get some distance. She recoiled with a yelp and he struck her again, three times now, forcing her on the backfoot.
"Will you calm down?! This isn't you!"
Emma touched a hand to her cheek and blinked at him.
For a moment, just a moment, he thought he glimpsed a glimmer of sanity in those feverish red eyes.
It faded as she dove on him and slashed down, narrowly missing him by the merest of margins. Whatever fell strength she drew upon it was making her stronger, if not necessarily smarter. Her swings were wild now, her stance full of holes. For all her ferocity he was still faster than her, able to outmaneuver her now that the shock of her initial savagery had worn off. Emma wanted him to get close, wanted him to lower his guard down, the better to slash and cut and kill.
He denied her.
What was once a mad melee dissolved into a battle of He chose his moments wisely, weaving between her frenzied slashes. The heat never bothered him anyway. He rattled her with body shots, barreling his clenched fists and hardened knuckles into her blazing body until she buckled. Even then she came at him, swearing like a sailor.
Another swipe, another evasion, another counter that left her spitting blood. "C'mon now, don't make me put you down."
Emma gripped her face and staggered, slurring her words. "Kill you...kill...me! KILL ME!"
With her scream the fires flared, pushing him away.
"Alright." It was that infernal fire around her that had to go before it consumed her utterly...if it hadn't already.
"I'm sorry." He drew an arm back, fingers forming a point. "This might be a bit embarrassing...for you.
The fire thickened itself around her; she threw herself at him with a feral snarl.
Only one shot at this. One opportunity. If he wasn't careful he might snuff out her very soul. His gaze shifted to her left arm. He could sense the concentrated flames there, the seething wrath, the rage, the hate. That was the heart of it all. He let her come close until he could feel the heat of her breath on his face, the telltale tickle of her sword about to cut him open.
Any second now...aha! There!
His hand flashed gold. Blood flew through the air.
Taught fingers tore the flame off her...and what remained of her ratty kimono with it. Cries went up from the crowd. He ignored them, focusing on the malevolent mass gripped in his hand.
"So this is what makes someone fall to Shura." He squeezed the angry ball of hateful fire. "Scram."
It buckled in his grasp, smothered into harmless ash. Didn't even tickle him at all.
Kurama hummed his approval. "Good riddance. Now what of her...?
Naruto looked down. Emma crumpled at his feet, naked as the day she was born, clutching the ruined remnants of her shoulder. He'd torn her arm clean off, taking the flames with it. A small price to pay for her life. Really, he hadn't meant to tear off her clothes, but they'd been so infused with fire he simply hadn't a choice...and he didn't much like the way she was looking at him.
"What have you done...?
He hummed happily. "What's it look like.
She tried to stand, only for her legs to buckle. "My arm...
A brief flash of shame filled him. "Sorry about that, it was the only wya. I'll craft you a new one.
He looked up to the stands and whistled. Tiche squawked angrily but threw a red cloak down. He caught it and flung it over Emma for modesty's sake.
"I...I can't lose here." even then she struggled to stand, struggled to wield her blade with one arm. "My world. She swayed before him, reminding him of a drunkard at last call. "I have to save my world...
That seems to be something of a recurring theme here." he granted her a smile. "Work with me, and I promise you'll get what you want. Everyone will. But until then...
His fist found her solar plexus.
"Sleep."
She buried her head in his shoulder and collapsed with a gasp. The very moment she did, the harsh clang of a bell rang over the arena. He knew what it heralded, what it meant. The grand melee was over at last. Of what had once been hundreds, only two dozen remained. Now came the proper preliminaries, and all the chaos to come.
Naruto smiled.
Let the fools seek his head.
His wish was well within sight; he would save them all.
A/N: Aaaand there we go.
So, what say you? Should this continue?
Feedback is essential to all things, especially the Elden Ring stories.
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)
Alright," he considered his defeated foes. "I brought you all here for a reason. Lets talk."
This was the moment.
"Now! Attack him!"
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.
Such a ritual would undoubtedly grand her the freedom she so sought...but it meant he would die.
Ranni shook her head furiously, red hair swaying side to side. "No, no, no! I can't...!"
Do you hate them?
How could he hate the twins? Miquella and Malenia were his half-siblings and 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...
"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~!