A/N: Made my deadline! Still counts!
On that note, I...am taking some time away from work for the next week or so for the sake of my sanity.
However! I'll still update...despite the site breaking. Hopefully folks will see said updates despite the holidays.
Once more, I'll say it plain, if this email opt-in business with the site doesn't get resolved soon, I'm probably going to retire.
It HURTS to say that, but with this new system, reviews and readers have dropped to an all time low, authors are leaving the site in droves.
If you're not already aware of it, ever since the 16th of November, you now have to turn ON your email alerts in account settings -AND MAKE SURE YOU CLICK SAVE SETTINGS!- else you won't be notified when anyone updates. No alerts, no email, no nothing. Apparently that's a thing we all have to do every ninety days or so, now. Alas, not many are aware of it...which is a problem. As things stand this new "fix" as it were, has cut everyone's viewership/reviewers in half because most folks don't know about it.
Sometimes opting in works. Sometimes it doesn't. Really depends. Hopefully they fix this.
I hope the admins tweak/update this system. This sudden change is driving authors away in droves; because no one knows, since not all of us have Twitter, which means most aren't even aware; as a result, they think we're not updating, and they don't read or review...which makes us write even less...
So here we go. The fate of this story depends on you, the reader. Your feedback determines the fate of this story, and all others.
As ever, the Embers rule remains. Meaning, if folks don't enjoy this, I'll not continue it. Working two jobs leaves me with precious little time these days and I can't bear to write something no one likes. Moreover, I don't have the time to. So by all means, speak up! Every bit of feedback matters here! Truly, it does! That's no joke!
Now for your questions:
Q: Are Naruto and Ranni enemies in this? They certainly have a bad impression of one another...
A: Their dynamic is a blast to write~! To say nothing of Godwyn, its rare that he has such an active role...
Q: Update schedule?
A: Every day, but complicated. I'm updating Elden Ring, while also trying to get back to Genshin, RWBY, Arcane, the Boys, Demon Slayer and everything else. Slifer is working on "Witch", Ronin's out indefinitely due to health issues, which means the chapter for Remnants of Shinobi is delayed, while Dylan is working on a crossover with "So I'm a Spdier.
To be clear, we've also written a bunch of new crossover stories that I'm actively holding back on releasing. Those would be RWBY, One Piece, Kenobi (the Show) Dota: Dragons Blood, ANOTHER Genshin story, and the like.
Q:...just how powerful is Naruto in this?
A: Let us take a step back for a moment and consider just who's been teaching him. Morgott is ridiculously versatile in combat to the point of absurdity; the crazy bastard wields shortswords, longswords, broadswords, spears, warhammers, daggers, all conjured from light while flipping around like a madman.
And all of that training has been passed down to Naruto. Then we have the Formless Mother to consider, and Mohg's own instruction...
...an underdog he may very well be, but he's beaten everyone who ever underestimated him before...
Q:...what's to stop Naruto and Albedo making a break for the surface now?
A: Besides the barrier he can't get past yet? You'll see...
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 to legends far greater than I.
Hope you're ready, because the plot is about to thicken where you least expect it...
Also, we'll be sticking with the infamous "Omen" theme for chapter titles now.
Recall where we left off...we've got a Dung Eater to deal with.
Enjoy the quote~!
"We are not our failures. We are not who were. We must be better."
~An Infamous Scene.
Omen of Hope
"She's not overly fond of you, is she?"
'Nooo, ya think?' Naruto scoffed a little at the Formless Mother's remark and he ducked under a rusted gate. 'What could possibly have given it away? Was it sulking? I bet it was the sulking.'
"Sarcasm does not become you, my champion."
'Maybe not,' he felt the ghost of a smile touch his whiskered face as he led Ranni and Godwyn him through the sewers. Well, Albedo led this time. He followed her just this once, and the demigods with him. Nevertheless, he rolled one shoulder in a shrug. 'Payback does, though. In three, two, one...!'
"Aaargh!" Ranni yelped behind him as she smacked her head on the very same gate he'd avoided. "Blasted boy! Why didn't you warn me?!"
"But Aunt Ranni," he clasped both hands behind his head, feigning ignorance. "I thought demigods were invulnerable to all threats, physical or magical."
She glared golden daggers at him. "That is a myth and you bloody well know it!"
"Do I?" he touched a finger to his chin. "How could an ignorant Omen possibly know such things...?
"Boy!" Her pale face darkened thunderously. "If you won't hold your tongue, then I will gladly remove it for you!"
He grinned right back. "You're welcome to try and take it, WITCH-
"Now, now," Godwyn interposed himself between the two of them with a limpid smile and drew the angry witch aside before they could come to blows. "Perhaps we should take a breather. We've been walking for some time, no? Let us take a breather and collect ourselves...
"I'll collect his tongue!"
Strong arms guided her away. "Now, now, sister. Be at peace...
Naruto let them go with a rueful sigh and planted his back against a wall to compose himself.
Demigods. Down here. Rubbing elbows with lowly Omens, forced to rely on them as guides. Still made him laugh a little.
And if Ranni didn't like him? Too bad an' tough tits. He didn't give a flying fig for what she thought of him, Albedo, or anyone else. No wait, he told a lie. On the contrary, he took some small spiteful pleasure in her disgust an constant complains as much as her discomfort. Even now he could hear her complaints echoing off the walls. Doubtlessly she was using a spell to try and conceal them, but she failed to realize just how thin magic truly was in the depths. He saw right through her pitiful veil; indeed, he heard every word.
As such, he found himself privy to a rather interesting argument:
...was a mistake. We shouldn't be here. The boy is a fool and the girl isn't much better."
"You will not speak that way to Family."
"Godwyn, I know you favor him, but...ugh, this smell! Had I known we would be walking in this filth, I would've sent Rykard in my stead. He is far better suited to extracting information than I."
"Nonsense. This requires a delicate touch. There is no one I trust more in this matter."
"Your words humble me, brother, but I fail to see why we need-
"He's seen through your spell, sister. Haven't you noticed?"
Ranni absolutely hissed and said no more.
Naruto hummed and thumbed his chin.
Awww, madam-fussy-britches wasn't used to the dirt or the sludge or the muck. Too bad. So sad.
In hindsight, he knew he wasn't being fair to Ranni. Really, he did. But after her callous words. He just couldn't bring himself to care overmuch for what she thought of him. A part of him should be excited; and he was, in a sense. This was his aunt. He had an aunt! Family! Even if she was an absolute bitch. And another uncle! Why had Morgott -Dad!- never told him? Did Mohg know? Had he kept it a secret, too?
...nah, Uncle Mohg was alright. He wouldn't do something like that. Even now, he was keeping Morgott's eye off them.
.
..
...he didn't want to consider what said distraction might cost him.
"Not much." The Formless Mother answered with a hum. "He offered him good wine last night. I believe they're both still sleeping it off."
Ha! Speaking of family, Godwyn really wasn't half bad himself. Felt like he was trying too hard sometimes, but oddly enough that endeared the man to him. Reminded him of who he'd been in his first life, before this one had hardened him. Always eager to please, wanting everyone to get along, ever seeking peace. And he still did. He just wasn't about to put up with an uppity witch in need of a good spanking.
"Lord Naruto?"
Albedo's voice drew him out of his maudlin thoughts. He looked back to find her leaning against him; those bright golden eyes looking to him once more. She'd latched onto his elbow when he wasn't looking and threaded an arm through his; the better to keep him from getting away. Clingy, clingy girl. But he didn't mind. She'd always been like this, even when they were little.
A blond brow rose. "What's wrong?"
Her gaze strayed back to the demigods. "Can we trust them?"
Godwyn, maybe. Jury was still out on Ranni. He settled for a shrug. "If they're using us, we're doing the same of them."
This was their chance to prove themselves while Morgott wasn't looking; their deeds here today might well go a long way to establishing a rapport between them and the demigods. They could build upon that foundation in the future. But for now they needed the lay the stones.
"Though I do wonder...surely you knew of this Dung Eater. Why not deal with him yourself, then?
Naruto winced. Had he known something like THAT was down here, he would've dealt with them. Personally. The sewers were dangerous enough without soul-cursing lunatics running about. Of course, Albedo would never believe that he had missed a madman like this; even if she did, it was a lapse on his part. It would shake her worldview of him. That might well break her fragile psyche altogether. He disliked the idea of deceiving her, but it was for her own good.
...I had hoped to give you a chance to test against a powerful opponent."
Her wings beat once behind her. "As expected of my lord!"
Godwyn's voice rang out behind them. "Have you calmed your mind?"
Naruto grunted noncommittally. "I'm calm enough."
Ranni huffed and looked away.
"Excellent." Godwyn gestured to Albedo. "Shall we go, then?"
Her wings drooped with a sigh. "Very well. If memory serves, its not far now...
The First of the Demigods remained all smiles. "By all means, lead on. I would like to ask you something in the interim while we walk. Would you tell me more of the master you serve...?"
Well, that was one way to earn Albedo respect. "Happily~!"
She walked ahead and Godwyn went with her; wasn't hard to guess why.
"..."
Yup. Ranni was behind him alright, following at a distance and all but refusing to look at him. Seemed 'ol Godwyn wanted him to make up with her. Pity it wasn't going to work. She had proven herself a pompous princess thus far and little more; capable only of passing on her arrogance. She would never change at this rate.
Down they went through the depths, a labyrinthine maze of pipes and corridors without end. Naruto felt his apprehension rising as they neared their destination. He rarely went this deep anymore; no doubt their guests would've been long lost without them. Just how deep had the Dung Eater gone?
He knew what lay in the deepest depths of this place. Mohg had warmed him. Shadow and flame...
...you are quiet." Ranni's voice intruded upon the solace of his thoughts like a blanket of cold snow. "Have you nothing to say?"
Well, well. Color him surprised. He hadn't thought she would speak; but kept walking regardless. "Nothing to talk about."
"The omen girl." his "aunt" said, apropos of nothing. "She is powerful. How did you win her loyalty?"
He glanced over his shoulder. "She has a name, ya know."
"Albedo, then." she waved a hand dismissively, impatient for answers. "How did you do it?"
Anger sparked in his heart again. Naruto stomped it down.
"By being kind." He retorted. "Something you clearly know very little about."
"Is that why you insult me so? Ranni took the barb in stride. "I am kind to those I know, Omen. I know thee not."
"It would behoove her to try." The Formless Mother mirrored her contempt. "This wench knows not whim she trifles with. I could snuff her out like a candle in the wind."
Ranni might well disagree if she knew he was working with an Outer Goddess.
"Then try." he snapped back.
"That is what I am doing now, you oaf!" she snapped waspishly. "Godywn claims you are family. That is the only reason I am making an attempt in the first place! I did not know you even existed before today! None of us did, save Godwyn!"
'Us...?' Still, if this was what she called an attempt, he wasn't impressed. "Then try harder."
"Enough of this farce!" Ranni grabbed at his arm, reeling him back before he could outpace her with surprising strength for one of her stature. "Am I the only one to see through your performance; this charade of yours? Is it possible so many could be so stupid, for so long?"
Naruto flicked a glance past her. Albedo and Godwyn were well ahead of them, consumed in conversation with one another. They were unlikely to hear him.
Fine.
No more games.
A rueful smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "...there are times when I have trouble believing it myself."
"Then why bother?!" Ranni hissed back. "Why perpetuate this farce? You're no mastermind, no grand strategist. Despite what Godwyn and your...follower may think." she glanced ahead at them, "You're a creature of instinct, one whose luck has brought him this far, yes, but luck has its limits and-why are you laughing at me?!"
"Because," How could he not? For one who saw so much, the Witch was remarkably blind. "You actually think I have an ulterior motive."
"Everyone does! You are no different-
Naruto grabbed her by the hair and yanked, cutting her off yelp with a hand over her mouth. Their foreheads met as he glowered at her.
"So many omens down here in the depths." he hissed the words. "Each wanting to be the loudest. The strongest. The smartest. Then one by one, they. All. Die. Do you understand?" he yanked harder on her hair, forcing her to look at him with wide eyes. "I don't want to be the loudest, the strongest, and I'm certainly not the smartest." it was the truth. He wasn't the best. Far from it. "I just want to stay alive, and keep those I care about alive, safe, and happy. And if that means letting folks think I'm some omnipotent Omen of an overlord, then so be it. So long as my friends and family get out of this dump. So go ahead. Tell your brother. Tell them aaaaall about the weakling you think I am."
He leaned closer, lips brushing her ear.
"No one will believe you."
His peace said, he let Ranni go. The wich stumbled away, tried to speak, thought better of it when he growled, then raced ahead to join Albedo and Godwyn.
Leave it to the latter to notice. Perceptive bastard.
Rather than stay out of it like a sensible Demigod, Godwyn fell back to match his pace.
"You provoke her needlessly." His smile never wavered, even now as they walked, but it seemed sad, somehow. "Do you not have enough enemies already?"
Was this what it felt like to have another uncle? Naruto wasn't entirely sure he liked it. "She started that mess-
"Perhaps," his new uncle allowed, "But you and I are of the Golden Lineage. We must be better."
A blow brow rose. "Aren't you and Ranni siblings?
"Half siblings." Marika's firstborn chortled softly as they rounded another bend. "Our family tree is...complicated, for those who know the truth. You would find it more baffling still if you met Radahn and Rykard, to say nothing of Father himself."
His right ear twitched. "I have a Grandfather?"
"Careful, now." The Formless Mother tutted softly in his head. "Blood isn't always thicker than water. You of all people know that...
"And a grandmother." Godwyn settled a guiding hand on his shoulder, gently steering him after Albedo and Ranni. "I suspect Mother would find your bluntness most refreshing."
"But that means Rani's still my aunt...?"
"Indeed she is." he paused to watch her rapidly retreating backside. "I would ask that you forgive her. Little Ranni is...not adept at showing her emotions, but she can be quite kind once you get to know her. You would not think her such a cold witch if you saw her playing with Blaidd and Iiji."
Hard to imagine this angry witch ever being anything other than surly. "Maybe I don't want to know her.
Godwyn sighed. "That is your choice, but I would ask that you reconsider. She hasn't much time left-
"Brother!" Ranni cried up ahead. "We've found him."
For the first time since he'd met him, Godwyn stopped smiling. "Where?"
"This way." Albedo led them to a filth-encrusted ladder. "His cell is just past here. I already cleared out all the plants and traps here during my first encounter with the creature." she tilted her head to look up it, peering into the darkness beyond. "He's still up there. Hiding like a rat, licking his wounds." A small, dark smile graced her otherwise beautiful face. "I can smell him...and someone else. Curious...
Ranni gagged at the sight of the dirty ladder. "I shan't be touching that!"
Albedo scoffed. "Then jump, witch."
Without so much as a passing glance the winged Omen did just that, hurtling upward into the shadows. Godwyn granted them a nod, kicked his way up, and vanished soon thereafter. Ranni cast a despairing glance after them and made no move to climb or otherwise ascend. She inched forward, then shrank back at the last second, unwilling to dirty her hands.
"Problem?"
...my talents tend toward the magical, not so much the physical." she mumbled.
In the end, Naruto took pity on his so-called Aunt. "Fine, I'll help you. Just this once. Up you go!"
"Wait, wait, what are you doing?!" Ranni yelped as he swept her up into his arms like a princess. "I didn't ask you to carry meeeee?!"
Words piqued into a shriek as they rocketed upward.
"Unhand me!"
He did so almost absently, ignoring her protests about sullied honor and never being able to marry. Albedo and Godwyn were up ahead, just round the bend. He could hear raised voices with them and among them a man's muttering, dark depraved ravings. The sound of it made him shiver.
"Curse them, a curse upon them all...
He rounded the bend...
.
..
...and saw. Albedo hadn't been gentle with the Dung Eater. He knew she hadn't. But he didn't think she would've been this vicious. His face was a bruised mess, one eye torn clean out, his left ear a red ruin, hair a lank an' foul mess. He hadn't been handsome before, but without his helm he was truly an ugly creature, bashing his head against the wall, wailing like the lunatic he was.
The Formless Mother hissed. "Beware. This...thing is no longer a man. The spirits wail around him."
There was something-someone!-in the cell behind him, but he didn't have time to see that or them; because His uncle stepped out of the shadows.
"Dungeater!" Godwyn's voice pierced the gloom in a singular shout, bringing an end to the madman's rant. "In the name of Queen Marika the Eternal, you are under arrest for crimes most foul! Surrender yourself to the Erdtree's judgement and you may yet be shown mercy-
His arm snapped up, lazily swatting aside a foul incantation.
Albedo tutted. "Or you can perish here, by our hands. Would you rather I take your other eye...?"
"Ha!" the battered thing that that had once been a man rounded on them, slavering, no, grinning through broken teeth. "Now the demigods themselves hunt me! I'm honored!" His good eye rolled fitfully in his head as he laughed. "Well, I shall not abandon it, I shan't! Never! I earned it, I did. And you!" A festering finger stabbed Naruto's way. "I see you, boy. We see you. Cities burn in your eyes. The Lands will burn when you rise.
Ranni sighed. "Surrender-
The man lunged at them with a yowl, dirty fingers grasping for their faces.
"A pox on you all! "I will never yield, never, not ever, you hear?! The curse is unending!"
A/N: Fight next chapter. We'll see if Dung Eater's put down like a mad dog...and what became of him.
Well? Should this be a story? Yay or nay? Your input determine's this story's fate~!
Once more, we're sticking with the now infamous "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?
Here, have some previews.
Some are the same.
And as ever.
WARNING! WARNING! WARNING!
READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!
HERE BE SPOILERS!
(Preview)
"Oi! Lemme outta here! Bastard had me locked up!"
Naruto found himself staring at...
.
..
...a short blue man?
"Thanks for savin' my bacon back there." They drew themselves up with a grunt. "Sorry to say that old swords of yers is wrecked beyond fixin', though. You need a proper weapon, ya sonuvabitch!"
Naruto couldn't quite hide his smile as he stowed his ruined tool. "And you would know this how?"
"Weapons are my life's work.
"You're an unconventional weaponsmith, aren't you? Bit of a foul-mouth too."
"Bah!" came the grunt. "I ain'ts like my brother. Says it the ways I sees it."
"You have a brother?"
"Eh," a blue hand waved in dismissal. "Sindri's a squeamish little bugger. Don't much like touchin dirty shite. S'why I'm down here rummagin' around for materials, not him."
"What is this?" Albedo sniffed, then leaned back from the forge and its acrid smoke. "Some kind of...dwarf?"
"Aye, I'm a dwarf yer ladyship." the short man squinted at her." Ya ain't never seen one before?"
Her wings twitched happily. "Lady?"
Aaand just like that, the surly old dwarf won her over.
"Well, yer definitely one of the prettier Omens down here." his gaze swept back to Naruto. You want me to fix ya up a weapon or not?!"
"Brok, was it?" He offered him his and with a rueful smile. "...alright. I'd like that very much."
"Got anything in mind?"
He paused. Considered. "I would prefer an ax. If you could enchant it with frost, that'd be great."
"Great! I've got just the thing. You two sit tight. And don't go makin 'pig eyes at my spot here, I saw it first!"
Naruto guffawed outright, finding himself fond of the dwarf already. "Don't suppose you could craft us some armor while you're at it...?"
"Depends." Brok grinned. "Got anything to trade?"
He opened his cloak on one side. The dwarf whistled. "Well ain't that a hoot...?"
Godwyn coughed forecefully behind him. "A moment, nephew?"
Naruto pivoted.
His uncle offered him a hand.
"Would you like to see the surface?"
"Take him to the surface?! Morgott bridled. "I will not allow it!"
"I have mother's blessing. It will be done. Worry not, it will only be for a short while."
Leyndell was just so...bright.
Its people, less so. Men and women scorned his every step.
"Control that boy. He intrudes upon things he does not understand."
Nice statue.
"That is your grandmother. Queen Marika, the Eternal. You'll meet her soon.
"Why are you crying? This is your doing. You said it yourself; you'd rather feel pain yourself than inflict it. You choose to be neutral.
But you know what happens when you play both sides?
In the end, everybody loses.
This is the result. You've learned a lesson few seem to grasp. Sometimes, to protect one thing, you need to have the resolve to let go of another. You're not weak. Break your chains. Even if your decision is wrong, its your decision. You started this, after all."
I'm not wrong. What's wrong is this messed up world! And I'm gonna fix it.
"Maul! Savage! How many times to I have to tell you?! Don't harass the newbloods!"
"Don't dig too deep, lad. You might not like what you find down there in the shunning grounds."
I know what the caravan awoke in the dark.
Shadow and flame."
So this is what sunlight feels like. So much better than a projection...
She sat beside him. Her land came to rest over his. "What happens now?"
Once again, I'll say it plain, if this email opt-in business with the site doesn't get resolved soon, I'm probably going to retire.
It HURTS to say that, but with this new system, reviews and readers have dropped to an all time low, authors are leaving the site in droves.
If you're not already aware of it, ever since the 16th of November, you now have to turn ON your email alerts in account settings -AND MAKE SURE YOU CLICK SAVE SETTINGS!- else you won't be notified when anyone updates. No alerts, no email, no nothing. Apparently that's a thing we all have to do every ninety days or so, now. Alas, not many are aware of it...which is a problem. As things stand this new "fix" as it were, has cut everyone's viewership/reviewers in half because most folks don't know about it.
Sometimes opting in works. Sometimes it doesn't. Really depends.
As ever, the Embers rule remains. Meaning, if folks don't enjoy this, I'll not continue it. Working two jobs leaves me with precious little time these days and I can't bear to write something no one likes. Moreover, I don't have the time to. So by all means, speak up! Every bit of feedback matters here! Truly, it does! That's no joke!
Seriously, writing only to receive silence hurts. It hurts alot.
Tired,
~Nz.
R&R~!