A/N: Really not feeling well. Trying to push through.
Hopefully folks enjoy this update, brief though it might be.
I worked real hard to get this out before tonight's shift; now off to work I go...
I'm weary from work these days, but coming home after a long one to read feedback really make it worthwhile~!
As my fifteen year anniversary on this site draws ever near, 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. The recent earthquake in Turkey/Syria serves as a terrible example. 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.
Only a few questions to answer this time, and they're mostly the same ones:
Q: No more Elden Ring!
A: Why though? In all seriousness, this month was meant as a catch-up for Elden Ring, as it were. Everything's caught up.
Q: Update schedule?
A: Just A Shinobi, Dance of the Dread, Foxfire, Only One with Spirits -Slifer's manning that chapter- are coming along nicely. I wanted to update last Thursday but I was exhausted and collapsed. With that day of rest, I can keep going at this daily pace, and we'll get back to something other than Elden Ring in March. One Helluva Team is a MASSIVE chapter, as is Foxfire.
Once again, apologies for going dark like that *bows head*
Also got another Naruto/House of the Dragon crossover in the works at the behest/request of Adventreader221.
I'll be keeping it under wraps for now, don't want to spoil things.
Q: RWBY soon?
A: Yes indeed. The drafts have been sitting awhile, I just need to polish them up and post them. Sadly that takes time.
Q: Mama!Marika soon?
A: More like Grandmother!Marika, but hey, she's basically ageless, so I suppose its one and the same.
Q: Give us more on the Demigods!
A: Be assured, you're about to see them shine in this story. Godwyn especially. Fitting really, given that he was essentially meant to be Elden Ring's main character at one point. Hell, its all but stated in the lore. Everyone loved Godwyn, with Miquella coming as a close second.
Alright then, I've kept you long enough. Lets get back to it.
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.
There we go. Disclaimer over. Hope you enjoy~!
"The most terrifying force of death comes from the hands of men who just wanted to be left alone."
~?
Omen of Surface
Morgott refused to allow it.
In all honestly, Gdwyn would've been disappointed if his little brother let them go to the surface without a fight.
After all, it just wasn't any fun when everyone agreed with you from the get go; the true challenge lay in convincing them, persuading them that your idea was their idea to begin. He'd won many such allies this way, both with and without his sliver tongue.
Ah, but Morgott! Dear brother Morgott! So strong, so stubborn, so suspicious in all things.
Truly he had no ulterior motives toward the boy. Quite the contrary. He wished to protect him. Naruto was the key to everything whether he knew it or not; not only to exposing whomever was behind the Dung Eater's mad rampage, but to saving the Lands Between as they knew it.
For you see, he was the answer, he who the prophecy spoke of. Godwyn had read the texts in Crumbling Farum Azula, seen the murals in Nokron, deciphered the tablets strewn about Leyndell. An omen wearing a crown of horns -horns much like those of young Naruto-, would take the world. It was said he would marry the daughter of a serpent, that their descendants would be more numerous than the stars themselves, and while he didn't much understand that part of the prophecy, he could see the implications.
If he could but steer that prophecy toward salvation instead of destruction...
"Take him to the surface?! Never!" His dear sibling slashed an arm between them, snapping him back to reality. I will not allow it!"
"It has already been decided, brother of mine." Ah, dear Morgott. Stubborn to the end, every since they were children. He pitied him. "This is a courtesy, nothing more." "I have mother's blessing. It will be done. Worry not, it will only be for a short while."
The lie came to his lips all too easily. Mother didn't know of this, nor did he have any intention of returning his nephew to this festering pile of shit. She would be as surprised as the rest.
"Moe of your prattle." Morgott's stony countenance said otherwise. "You would take my boy-my only boy!- bring him the surface, and for what? Fame? Fortune? Family? What happens when you bring him back? I shall tell you!" he swept an arm between then, face darker than the storms of Stormveil itself. "He will rebel! It is already all I can do to keep him in check and you would unleash him upon the world?!"
Anger sparked in Godwyn's heart. He stomped it down and lifted his chin in smoldering defiance. "I would give an innocent child a taste of freedom."
"Innocent?!" Morgott barked a laugh. "The boy is far from innocent! He has been touched by the Formless Mother! She whispers to him of blood and wounds and death, yet you would unleash him upon the Lands Between even so!"
This wasn't solely about the boy. He could sense it. "You truly believe your kind belong down here, don't you?"
His dejected sibling nodded firmly. "I do."
"You do not."
"I do." Morgott reaffirmed his words with a growl. "Such is our lot in life. We deserve no less. And you...you speak of love and friendship. Illusions." he turned and hawked spit at his feet. "If you truly cared for me and Mohg you would have saved us long ago. But no. Father buries himself in battle to hide his guilt, Mother pretends to rule, and you, you play the part of the savior when you only wish for death.
His face fell. "It saddens me that you think such.
"It is the truth." Morgott drew his cane. "I will not let you take my son."
Godwyn inhaled slowly. Held his breath for a long moment. Exhaled now. His doubts went with it.
...yes, you shall."
Godwyn hadn't wanted to use this. He truly hadn't. He reached into his robe and withdrew a metal shackle.
Morgott saw it and recoiled. "No. You wouldn't."
"I will." Godwyn smiled sadly. "I must. You leave me no choice."
Morgott turned to flee. Godwyn squeezed the shackle and all hell broke loose.
Golden chains burst from the ground and bound Morgott before he could hope to escape. Wrapping themselves 'round his arms and legs, they dragged him low to the ground despite his initials struggles, then lower still, all but smashing his face into the ground. Unable to muster the strength to rise or even reach for with his weapon, his little brother glowered at him hatefully.
"And now you show your true colors, Godwyn the Golden." he strained his neck and spat at his feet. "Godwyn the Cruel, they should call you."
The insult was a dagger, stabbing deep. Godwyn hardened his heart to it.
"You shall remain bound here until such a time as you change your mind, my brother." he clutched the shackle tight and stowed it within his robe once more. "The fate of the world is more important than your self-important delusions." Morgott howled at him, and he spoke over the subsequent shouting. "Worry not, you shan't die. I shall see that you are given food and water."
His peace said he turned and walked away, if only to hide his tears.
"Godwyn!" he heard Morgott rail against his bonds behind him. "Godwyn! Do not leave me like this! You mustn't!"
Shadows fell across his face as he waded into the dark. He kept walking.
"Godwyn, please! Brother! I beg of you!"
Morgott's shouts echoed in silence.
"GODWYN!"
(.0.0.0.)
"Coulda sworn I heard something just now...
Naruto craned his neck. He could've sworn he heard a shout just now. A wail of despair. Such were not uncommon down here in the underground, but that one sounded almost...familiar. He strained his senses for it once more, listening intently to the best of his efforts.
A harsh crack claimed his attention.
"Maul! Savage!" he whirled and shouted at a pair of horned brothers standing over another broken body. "How many times to I have to tell you?! Don't harass the newbloods like that! They need to be trained, not beaten within an inch of their lives!"
The shorter of the two shrugged. "What does not kill them will only make them stronger, my lord."
The Formless Mother hummed. "He has a point...
Blue eyes rolled in mild annoyance. "So you say. Is that one even alive?"
Savage kicked the corpse. It groaned. "He will live."
"Honestly, you two!" He flung up his arms. "Look, just ease up a little while Albedo and I are gone, yeah? I wanna come home to a pack of trained warriors, not a pile of corpses!"
Maul and Savage looked between one another. Nodded, now. The former bowed low. "As you wish, my master."
"And stop calling me that!"
His peace said, he stomped off to his chambers. Everything was awhirl-his mind even moreso. He'd had to meet with his lieutenants, give them orders before he left, make preparations for his absence; if only because he didn't know how long he'd be gone. There were things to pack, words to say, goodbyes to be made, he had to make sure Albedo didn't accidentally MAIM someone, not to mention-
A shadow fell over him. "Headed to the surface are we?"
Naruto looked back with a huff. "Uncle Mohg? Oh, and you brought Albedo.
"Indeed, I have. Worry not." Mohg laid a hand on each of their shoulders, a surprisingly gentle gesture for one so large. "I always knew this day would come. Sooner or later perhaps, but not this soon. I understand you'll be gone for quite some time?"
Albedo squirmed under his lone eye. "It is as you say...
For a moment, it looked like Mohg might say something. At length he shook his head.
"Then take care." he knelt and drew them into a brisk hug. "May the formless mother watch over and protect you both. I shall see you soon."
His second preened a little. "And to you as well."
Naruto made to pull away when he released Albedo, only to find himself pinned beneath Mohg's golden gaze.
"And a word of warning for you, my dear nephew." that lone orb held him fast. "Don't dig too deep when my Brother brings you to the surface. You might not like what you find." he leaned closer still now, words for his ears and his ears alone. "I know what they buried, what caravan awoke in the dark. Shadow and flame. Remember. And beware.
His next words were barely a whisper spoken on a thread of breath.
"All that glimmers is not gold."
(.0.0.0.)
Leyndell was just so...bright.
Its people, less so. For all its great gilded radiance men and women seemed to scorn his every step. Naruto ignored them, all too happy to see the light of day again. Above ground at long last; not some flimsy projection where he couldn't taste or feel, let alone barely see, but as a living being. It felt. Good. Freeing. Like he'd finally come home in this strange second life of his.
He'd almost forgotten what sunlight felt like. It was...warm. So much better than a projection...
Albedo looked even more lost than him; indeed the dark beauty clung tightly to his hand and glared heatedly at anyone who dared come near. He pitied anyone who tried to make friends with her. They'd be in for a rough time indeed. Still, he wasn't about to protest her clinginess here. Holding her hand kept his own from traveling.
Desperate for a distraction he let his gaze wander.
It settled upon a large statue carved from white stone, representing a beautiful woman in a flowing gown, the sun at her back. Her blank eyes seemed to stare into his very soul, as though some nameless, ageless being were watching him within the stone. A shiver shot down his spine.
"Huh." he murmured to himself. "Nice statue."
Ranni rolled her eyes. "Nice, he says. How uncouth you can be...
"That is your grandmother." Godwyn chortled softly. "Queen Marika, the Eternal. You'll meet her soon."
Grandmother?! He had one of those, too?!
...perhaps even Godfrey if my Lord Father deigns to grace the capital with his presence."
"Unlikely." Ranni retorted waspishly. "Last I heard he was squatting in Limgrave."
Naruto blinked. Huh. He'd never really had grandparents before, not in the truest sense of the word. Jiraiya and Tsunade came to mind, not that he'd ever admit it...
A man clad in dark blue robes awaited them at the main gate. Naruto took him in at a glance. Red of hair, with a beard and a fearsome scowl to match, he could have been related to Ranni for all he knew. He must have heard them coming; because he rounded on them when they were but a stone's
"Sister!"
Ranni recoiled, somewhat taken aback by his presence. "Rykard?!"
Oooof cooouuurse they were related. Just his luck.
"And what we here?" Serpentine golden eyes raked over him and Albedo. "Omens? Curious. Father won't be happy to see them."
Godwyn hummed. "This one's our nephew, actually.
"Is he now? A grim smile touched that stern countenance. "Curious. Mother will be happy to know if nothing else."
Ranni scowled. "Marika is not our mother."
"She is, sister. Father is her other half, which also makes us blood of her blood. You simply refuse to see it. No matter." he turned, waving absently. "Come along, nephew. The queen will want to see you and your...
...consort." Albedo chimed, clutching at Naruto's elbow.
Rykard barked a laugh, a surprisingly pleasant sound. "Consort, then! Come along, children. There's much to do, and I would have us do it before the Queen becomes aware of this...excursion."
Ranni huffed.
Naruto heaved a sigh. Rykard, at least, seemed friendly. More than he could say for Ranni...
(.0.0.0.)
Marika was...not as he expected.
He'd been prepared to face some haughty bitch on a throne, some wicked wench with an ego to match.
This was not that. They found the Eternal Queen sprawled in her chambers half-naked, lazing in her bed with a book and cup of wine. She blew a stray strand of golden hair out her eyes and paid them no need, none at all, none whatsoever. An absolute giant of a man lay beside her, his back to them, snoring softly. Neither took notice of their little quintet at first, even when they entered the chamber.
Godwyn dropped to a knee ahead of them. "I have returned, mother."
"Have you, now?" the bored woman didn't look up from her book. "What news?"
"The dung eater is dead."
"Excellent." here at last she looked up, pinning them beneath her golden gaze. "And who is this you have brought into my chambers?"
Godwyn stood with a flourish and swept an arm back, revealing them to her. "Your grandson, son of Morgott, and his lady consort."
"Pardon?" Marika leaned back. Blinked. Blinked hard. "I'm a grandmother? Why was I not told of this?"
Her gaze locked onto Naruto. Saw the truth. Swept now to the man still slumbering beside her.
"Godfrey, wake up." she slapped the man's chest. "We have visitors."
The behemoth grunted. Rolled over, blinking. "Whuzzat?"
"And you, my dear, have a grandson."
...pardon?"
"I said you have a grandson." the ghost of a smile touched the queen's lips. "Morgott has a whelp. Which makes you a grandfather. Are you going to lay there all day, or will you greet your blood?"
The result was immediate. He absolutely blurred.
Naruto found himself pinned in an instant.
Wuh-oh.
"HA! I'm a grandfather!"
"Yes, yes you are andowowowomyriiiiiibs!
The large man -Godfrey!- surged to his feet and swept Naruto into his arms with a mighty laugh. "THIS IS WONDERFUL! I must tell everyone!"
A/N: Kudos if you get the reference at the end. I wasn't subtle.
Marika doing Marika things. Godwyn lays down the law, and we move ever onward.
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? Well, it will remain, but it won't progress. 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)
Albedo sat beside him. Her land came to rest over his. "What happens now?"
...you have a daughter?
"I do." Rykard preened. "She's nearly of an age with you. Would you care to meet her?"
Albedo bridled behind him.
"Control that boy. He intrudes upon things he does not understand."
He does so on my bidding."
"You overreach yourself, Godwyn...
Rennala tutted softly, running the comb through his messy tresses. "Dear boy, you simply must take care of your hair."
"How are you so nice? Ranni's such a...a...
"Brat?"
"That!"
"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.EDIT: Hey, you made it! Hope you enjoyed this chapter, it was a blast to write.
Looking forward to chatting with you all when I get back from work~!
Seriously, writing only to receive silence hurts. It hurts alot.
Tired,
~Nz.
R&R~!