A/N: Feels good to get back into the swing of things!
Feedback really is the wind beneath my wings, and I wanted to thank you, one and all.
None of this would be possible without you. Once more, we're sticking with the "Embers" rule for this 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.
Now for your questions, comments and concerns. We'll keep it brief to avoid spoilers and other things.
Q: Please don't let Naruto be whipped by Marika. He ain't about that life, and he's nobody's heel!
A: Whipped? By her? You do realize who we're talking about, right?
Q: More Elden stuff when!?
A: Weekly updates, remember? That said, the request with Naruto being reborn as Miquella, Malenia's brother, is REALLY starting to gnaw at me.
Even got a title for it. Forget Me Not...
Nay! Resiiiiiist!
Q: So how crazy will this be?
A: Yes. Much Chaos. Much intrigue. Much wow.
Q: So who's around at this point in time?
A: Read and see for thyself~!
Q: What's the pairing? Can Naruto save the world? I mean, he's tangled with gods, but there are a LOT of gods in Elden Ring.
A: Tis a secret and yes, there certainly are, aren't there? Hard to keep track of them all. Greater Will aside, there's an Outer God of Blood, one of Rot, another for the Moon, one Placidusax served...so many gods!
Q: So will we see younger versions of the demigods and such, seeing as this is before the war? And WILL the Shattering happen at all?
A: *zips lips* It may sound old, but I'm afraid you'll have to read and see.
As ever, I own no references, quotes, memes or themes. Not a wit or a one.
I'm just a humble author trying to make his way in this wild world, one word at a time.
Lastly, I'm aware this is Ranni's line, but it still applies to the world of Elden Ring as a whole.
And in the words of Kaif...
...SPOILERS!
"Wait, wait, wait. Run that last bit by me again, would ya kindly?
You threw WHO in the sewers?! Let him out!
It is not a sin to be born into this world!"
~?
An Omen of Change
"I cannot control him, brother!"
Radagon did not smile at Marika's plight. No. Nay. Never. He didn't take the slightest bit of amusement in watching his "sister" rant and rave like the little girl she no longer was. Nor did he enjoy watching her stamp and stomp about her chambers as she flung things to and fro. He certainly didn't chuckle as she swore and spat all manner of unqueenly profanities. Anyone who said otherwise was a filthy heretic.
.
..
...alright. Perhaps he did find this amusing. Maybe. A tad. Just a touch.
When one lived in a world without Destined Death, moments such as these broke up the monotony of an otherwise endless existence. For if Marika's mischief was held legendary; so too was her temper. Could one blame him then for enjoying himself thus? He'd not seen his other half act like a person for an age now; indeed, when was the last time he'd seen the other half of his soul like this, hair down, throwing a tantrum? Not since the Greater Will first descended upon the world and named them Empyrean.
Radagon knew the true reasons for Marika's woes, of course. She was not used to being defied, let alone treated like a normal human being.
T'was only natural that he knew such. They were of one soul after all, two bodies, two minds, yet one. Few secrets were kept from one another. Once upon a time they had been something...more. They were both wild back then, even known to lay with one another on occasion. But those days were long past. He had come to call and give advice as requested, but he would not take a place as her Consort. That moment was lost. His place was with Renala and their children. No other. His dear darling sister would have to find her own way in this.
He winced but a little as Marika snarled at an unlucky servant, sending the poor girl scurrying from the room.
Poor lass. He'd have to apologize to that one, later. Perhaps a bit of jewelry and a few runes to raise her spirits. Wouldn't do for the Lands Between to think his sister mad.
"Why does this ail thee?" he raised his voice at the last, capturing his twin's attention. "Thy current Consort seems a good sort."
Marika rounded on him with a hiss. "He is no Consort at all!"
"And yet you have named him such."
The queen whined. Adorable.
Radagon had heard tell of this young man long before he'd come back to the capital. Godwyn spoke well of him in his letters. This "Naruto" fellow was doing good work in the realm; running about righting wrongs, forging friendships and alliances wherever he went. Even the dragons loved him. Which in turn begged the question: why was his sister so cross?
A cry was his only warning.
Radagon's body moved on instinct, feet shifting ever so slightly. A stone tablet whirled past his head, struck a wall, and shattered there like so much glass. He quirked a brow. Marika glowered right back, left hand still extended, utterly out of sorts. Chest heaving, hair in disarray, she glared golden daggers at him.
"He," she straightened, then swallowed once to comport herself, "He does whatever he wishes! I have no power over him!"
Ah. And now they came to the meat of the matter. "'Tis a good thing, is it not?"
She hefted another tablet with intent. "Explain thyself, brother of mine."
"He treats thee like a mortal, does he not? When was the last time someone did such?"
In all days to come, Radagon would remember the look of utter disbelief on his sibling's face. It was a look he knew all too well. He'd worn the very same once...before Rennala. Before a mere mortal, a mistress of magic, fought him to a standstill on those blasted fields outside the academy. He had been humbled that day. Humbled...and utterly stricken.
His sister was not. Though they were one and the same, his experiences were not hers.
Marika had grown proud in his absence, with naught but the Greater Will to whisper in her ear. Sometimes he wondered if the Lands Between would not be better off without the Elden Beast and its ilk. Things had been so much simpler before the Erdtree had come to these lands, and the Elden Ring with it. Such thoughts were heresy of course, and best kept to oneself.
"You could be carrying his child even now." he laughed a little at the jest. "Best not to strain thyself overmuch."
Marika uttered another whine noise, made to to whip a pillow at his head. Paused. Gasped.
"T'was a joke, sister of mine."
"Not that!" She tore at her hair. "I just remembered! That lout went into the sewers yesterday!"
Radagon blinked for all of a moment. Realization dawned. Oh, dear.
That might be a problem. Whatever could he want down there?
The ground shook underfoot. Marika whined anew.
"Now do you see?!"
(.0.0.0.)
Godwyn the Golden smiled as the capital shook beneath his feet.
Seemed the Consort had found his objective.
"I'll see you soon, brothers."
(.0.0.0.)
Morgott lived in filth.
He wore filth, ate filth, was filth.
Such was the way of life, or rather, his life.
He had no say in the matter, regardless how he might wish otherwise. T'was a cruel cosmic joke. He and Mohg, two twins born of the Golden Lineage, meant for greatness...only to be consigned to this miserable existence by an accident of birth. Damned day after day to live down in the dark, with naught but rotten rejects for company. Omens they called them. Accursed. Unworthy of seeing the light of day.
Life was a cruel joke.
Mohg might delight in the darker depths of the the shunning grounds, reveling in his curse, but he did not. He longed for the surface, to one day walk past the silent seal Queen Marika -Mother!- had erected and see the light of day. To be welcomed by the Erdtree and given the grace he had been denied at birth. It was this wish that sustained him, in his darker moments. A fever dream. Brittle like the crude facsimile cane he wielded.
Brittle like all his hopes and dreams.
"Excuse me." someone tapped his shoulder, rousing him from them.
Morgott paid him no need and kept his eyes closed, thoughts gone inward as he faced the wall. He wished nothing more than to sleep. For in sleeping he could dream, and in his dreams at least, he would be far from this forsaken pit of filth. Yes. Sleep. That was all he wished for. To just sleep and slip away.
"Um, hello?" the voice came on again, tugging him back from his sweet escape. "You alright there, buddy? I just need a second."
His brow twitched. Nay, do not rise to the bait. Only madmen and monsters lurked here.
"...leave me be, whoever thou art."
"Well, I would, buuuut I'm kinda looking for someone, and you're the first person who hasn't attacked me down here." he paused for a breath, then barreled on. "I'm looking for a man named Morgott."
Curious.
An eye creaked open under his horns. "...I am Morgott."
"Aha!" A triumphant cry filled his chamber, rattling the walls and ceiling alike. "Finally found you!"
So be it. If this fool would not leave him be, he'd just have to drive him off. Perhaps then he could sleep. Morgott rolled over and clamored to his feet slowly, looming over his guest. His height alone was usually enough to drive would-be challengers away. If not, then his cursed blade would oft do the rest.
"I will give thee one chance to leave," he intoned, reaching for his cane. "You would do well to avail yourself of it."
"Nope!"
He found himself somewhat irritated to find a pair of bright blue eyes blinking up at him. Set within a whiskered faced framed by tawny blond hair
"Nice to meet you," the young man chirruped. I'm Naruto!" as he looked on aghast, the man thrust a hand his way. "I've heard an awful lot about ya. You're a hard man to find! I've been turning this place inside out for nearly a day now!"
Morgott paused. What was this fool doing here in the shunning grounds? He spoke as if he knew him, but...no. Surely not. To even entertain the thought threatened to shatter him completely. A perfectly healthy stranger down in the depths might mean an end to his suffering at last. In the end his tongue betrayed him, as his body often did.
"Why have you come here?"
"I'm here to take you back to the surface, of course." The blond braggart said such as though t'were obvious. "Why else would I be here?"
Morgott reared back. What nonsense was this? Take him to the surface?
A pang of awful longing kicked at the Omen's chest. He shoved it down. "I cannot go. My place is here."
Only death awaited him if he ventured past the Seal. Assuming he could even make it past. Mother's magic was a potent thing indeed. Mohg had tried once. Once. Never again. Should they make it past such, they would face the wrath of the Golden Order itself. They'd be slaughtered.
"Oi." the blond's face darkened. "What kind of attitude is that? Don't tell me you want to stay down here?"
Indignation burned in the omen's chest like a furious flame. "Of course I don't, you twit! But what choice do I have?! Such is mine fate!"
...fate?"
A curious change came over the blond, then. His face closed down. That once sunny smile slipped away, bleeding into a curiously blank expression, one that was soon hidden as he hung his head. And yet he did not shout at him. He did not rant. Nor did he rage at what he'd been told. Instead he merely raised his right hand. Morgott looked on, baffled, as the blond curled the fingers of that hand into a fist. Slowly, almost ponderously, he swung that arm back, leaving it parallel to his chest.
Then he moved.
Clenched knuckles struck a filth-encrusted wall at speed and everything shook.
There could be no other word for it. One moment he stood before him; in the next, the underground rattled and Morgott found himself driven to a knee.
"I am so sick of people going on about fate and destiny around here." the words escaped his unlikely ally in a raspy growl. "You're a freak?" blue eyes blazed down at him. "Who said that? You have to live here? Who decided that?" a stern finger stabbed outward, jabbing him hard twice in the chest. "You decide such things! It ain't a sin to be born into this world!" he raised that clenched fist. "No matter what anyone might say!"
"Bold words." Morgott climbed to his feet. "But what would you know of such things?"
Naruto smiled at the caustic retort. Not a sly, scheming smile like Mohg would make or even a happy one at that. T'was a small, sad, miserable little smirk, a bitter grin that told of pain not unlike his own. Impossible, of course. None had suffered such as he. To pretend otherwise was blasphemy at best, heresy at worst.
"More than you know."
Any doubts he might've had were stripped away by that response. There was truth in those words. A familiar pain, long healed, but not truly erased. Suffering like that marks a man; just as it had marked this one. He stood there, eyes narrow, stance stern, refusing to yield.
Still, he sought to rally. "The Golden Order dictates-
"Bugger the order!" the blond barked, bringing him up short. "I've smacked a god down before and I ain't above doing it again."
It was too much to hope for. Morgott didn't want to hope. Hoping hurt.
Hoping meant there was a chance things could change; hoping meant that inevitable let down would sting all the more.
But that curious feeling in his chest yet persisted. He didn't know what to make of it. "Did...did Mother truly send you down here?"
"Weeelll," he looked away, scratching at a whiskered cheek. "I mighta come down here and broken the seal myself, but don't worry!" His smile didn't waver, even as he smacked a fist into an open palm. "It'll all work out! I'm sure of it!"
...and if it doesn't?"
"Then I'll make it work." The way he said it, so very simple, so straightforward, shook him. "Don't worry. I've got this."
"And mine brother?"
"Ehhh," Naruto made a face. "Not sure about him. You, though?" he kicked his way upright to lean against a wall. "You're alright. A little bitter maybe, kinda misguided, but I've worked with worse. So! We're going topside right now; once I've got you sorted, I'll come back down here for your brother. Sound good? Great!"
"You...foolish whelp." Morgott tried to rally. One last time. "You cannot simply declare-
"Can!" A hand latched onto his wrist. "Am! Have! I deny your denial!"
Then he dragged him into the light.
A/N: Welcome to the surface, Morgott. Lets see if we can't do something about that awful fate of yours.
Mohg...may be another matter.
Once more, we're sticking with the "Embers" rule for this particular story, and others.
If folks don't like this, it won't be continued. Meaning that if the story itself ain't popular? POOF! Gone. Completely. I'm working two jobs -might need a third soon!- so I barely have time to write; as such, I cannot afford to write something folks don't enjoy. So by all means, speak up! Your voice matters! Make yourself heard! As ever, reviews are the fuel that sustain me. Without them I cannot write a single word. Simple as that. Working nearly all hours of the day keep me absurdly busy, and I can't bring myself to write something folks don't like.
Aaaand there we go. As ever, reviews keep me alive. Without them, I cannot write. So...in the Immortal Words of Atlas...
...Review...Would You Kindly? And have some previews~!
Far flung though some may still be.
Once again, SPOILERS AHOY!
Seriously, ye be warned~!
(Previews)
"Hast thou lost thy head?!"
"Nope. Now scoot. I've got things to fix.
"Nay! This is madness! Insanity! I shan't let you gallivant about and...he's gone."
She climbed atop him. "Would you like to be a Father?"
Naruto's throat closed.
"Malenia!"
The little redhead squeaked and hid both arms behind her back. "Yes, father?"
Naruto knew that look. "What have you got there?"
She didn't budge. Not a jot.
"Is that paint?"
...no?"
"Wait, where's your brother?"
Miquella fell out a nearby tree, spattered in blue dye.
Realization dawned. Blue eyes widened.
"I'm so proud!"
"See, Morgott? Ya make a good big brother."
"Eh, let the kids play with one another. Builds bonds."
"Mama!" Ranni cried! "Melania pulled my hair!"
Naruto sniggered.
...that's my son."
His eyes blazed red.
"You!" Wham! "Do not!" Crack! "TOUCH MY BOY!"
R&R~!