A/N: Everytime I think I'm out, they pull me back in!
Alright, this time for sure! I've triple checked and Everything Elden has been updated this month. Now if my muse -and my cowriter!- would just calm down and let me get back to my other stories...
As ever, feedback really is the wind beneath my wings, and I wanted to thank you, one and all. Really, 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: Have the Elden Ring updates been moved back to monthly?
A: Still tentative on that. I'll need to collect more feedback before I make my decision.
Q: Can we see Marika be a mom already? I wanna see the other parents sit down and chat, too...
A: You'll have your wish and then some. We really getting into the dynamics now. I'm sure many anticipated her reaction, but well...
Really got into the mood this chapter. That's all I'll say.
Its a bloody joy playing Naruto and Marika off one another; the dialogue just flows so well!
As another note, made a minor mistake regarding Radagon's weapon in a preview of the last chapter. Marika wields a hammer. Radagon has his Golden Order Greatsword...which at this point in time, is still the Moonlight Greatsword. As he's still with Renala, he hasn't bastardized it for the Greater Will yet.
Hopefully he never will.
Q: So who's the big bad here? Is it the Greater Will? Ranni's still young, but she might not be able to enact her plans with Naruto around.
A: You'll never see it coming~!
Sorry, been playing too much Persona 5...
In any case, mum's the word on the big bad(s). It'll be a surprise.
Q: Why haven't we seen Godwyn in this story yet?
A: Because best boy is going around the Lands Between playing diplomat while Naruto and Marika wrangle the kids. And I have plans for him. Such plaaaaans~!
Q:...I'm sensing a content to see who the best dad is here...
A: Radagon remains best RadaDAD. Naruto's a close second in this chapter.
Read on to see what I mean.
Alright! I've kept you long enough! 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.
And as ever, in the words of Kaif....SPOILERS!
"Come now, this is our kingdom.
In time, we shall entrust everything to the next generation. But not yet.
No, our children still have much to learn and thus, it falls to us, as parents, to set an example...
~?
A Moment's Respite
"My darling girl got into a fight? And she won? Against one older than she?"
Naruto palmed his face and resisted the urge to slump in his throne. "You would focus down on that part...
"But of course!" Marika squirmed atop his lap with thinly veiled glee, long legs knocking against the back of his knees as she kicked out with a laugh. "HA! As expected of our daughter!"
He dutifully ignore the way her rear ground against him as she swayed in place. This close, and in that gossamer thin black gown, he could feel every bit of her pressing down on him. Did she know what she was doing? If she was tipsy again, then perhaps not...no, wait. A golden eye sought his over her shoulder, framing the ghost of a sly smile. She did! Foul temptress. Even when she was celebrating she found new ways to confound him.
Right on cue, Marika's moved her hips ever so subtly, drawing a grunt from him.
Cheeky little...! Two could play that game!
Kurama grumbled sullenly in his head and closed his eyes. "I swear, the two of you! Always trying to one up each other...wake me when this absurd courtship ritual is over."
Well, the old fox wasn't wrong. Naruto knew what Marika was doing. They'd done this dance for the last few years now; ever seeking to outdo one another; outlast one another, torment each other-all in the name of sweet sweet victory. Be it with words, actions, or even the occasional prank. Rare were their victories. The last time she'd gotten the better of him...well, that had led to Malenia and Miquella's birth. She wouldn't wring another from him that easily.
"Whatever is the matter, mine dear consort?" her voice was a faint whisper, tugging him back to reality with cloying sweetness. "Surely thou art not discomfited by such a...trivial act."
He grabbed her by the hips, drawing a gasp from her as his fingers dug into her waist. "Never."
"Nay, of course not." she grinned. "But do control yourself. We have guests."
Blast, he'd forgotten. They had an audience.
"Ahem." Rennala quirked a dark brow in their direction from her own chair, serene as ever despite their display. "I believe Ranni acquitted herself well in today's scuffle...
"I'm sure." Marika's smile was nothing short of sly as she looked toward her fellow queen. "Alay, alas. Not as well as my Malenia."
Radagon coughed into a fist from his seat beside her. "Sister."
"I'm not apologizing."
Naruto exhaled in a long suffering sigh. 'Why did I agree to this meeting again?'
"Your own fault for deciding to spawn~!"
They'd retired to the Elden Throne to talk, just the four of them. Five if one counted Kurama. It wasn't so much by choice as necessity; Marika wanted to hear all about Malenia's spat, which meant her other half found himself terribly interested in what provoked Ranni to instigate said fight. And thus it fell to him and Rennala to recount the whole sordid affair. Now, with the children left to flourish to their hearts content in the lower sanctuary, they were free to speak their minds in relative peace beneath the light of the Erdtree and the afternoon sun.
Marika was certainly speaking hers!
Bathed in the resplendent light of the towering oak, she simply couldn't keep the smile from her face. She radiated satisfaction as she lounged in his lap. Another sign that she was in a supremely good mood; she'd rarely do such in public. One might even say that she was the smug. Even now the Eternal Queen was grinning fit to burst as she traded barbs with Renala.
"My little girl's first scrap! I'm so proud!" Oh gods, there she went, gushing over their again. "Do you think she'll use a hammer someday?" there was a decidedly starry glint in her eyes; one that said her mind had strayed terribly far away from them. "Perhaps I can convince her to take that up instead of the sword...
"I'd call it more a brawl than a real fight," Radagon allowed, "But that's the long and short of it, I'd say."
"I'd expect no less from my daughter." Maika preened. "She takes after me, you know."
"Your temper, more like." Naruto chimed.
'Tis all one and the same to me, dear one." his fellow blond puffed out her chest. "She shares my prowess for combat, my hunger for battle."
Goodness, she really was just full of openings today, wasn't she? "If you call spitting and scratching battle."
That drew a small smile from Rennala...less so Marika.
"Is that so?" she batted long lashes at him with singular menace. "Thou did not complain overmuch when I scratched-
"Nonono!" Naruto clamped a hand over her mouth, muffling her words. He felt her grin against his fingers. "We are not sharing pillow talk here-ow! Did...did you just bite me?!" She was still grinning when he took his hand away, the cheeky minx. "Whatever you're thinking, don't say it!"
Rennala giggled into her palm; a soft, drawn out hum echoing into the air. "For all thine squabbles, t'would seem the two of you are well and truly in love."
Both blonds balked. "With her?!/With him?!"
"Is it such a bad thing?" the Carian queen smiled indulgently. "My lord Radagon and I were once much same. We met on the field of battle, the most bitter of enemies." her head came to rest upon his shoulder. "Yet look at us now."
Radagon rumbled a laugh and laid a hand over hers. "Quite so."
Marika huffed, looking away to sulk. "'Tis hardly the same...
Naruto opened his mouth to protest. Closed it. Squinted at the duo before them. Rennala's retort rang true, but another man's married was hardly something he wanted to get into.
...In any case, I'm sorry about Melania."
"And likewise, I offer my apologies for Ranni." Radagon nodded and accepted the olive branch for what it was. "She's usually not so ill-behaved...
Renala touched a hand to his shoulder. "You didn't do anything wrong, my dear. The fault is hers, not yours...
He favored her with a lingering look, but subsided beneath her stare. "As my lady says."
"I do so say." she smiled. "My lord would do well to listen."
Now it was Naruto's turn to chuckle. Radagon and Marika were of the same soul...one he'd not had chance to meet until today. Which was why he found himself absolutely flummoxed by the bastard; because he wasn't one at all! Rather than reflect the other half of his shared soul, he was downright reasonable. Perfectly pleasant even.
"That said," Radagon rumbled on, "Did our daughters really expect us to fight?"
Naruto shrugged. In truth, he'd not given their squabbling much thought. "Kids will be kids...even if Marika does act like one, sometimes...
Rennala giggled.
Marika scowled golden daggers at her. "Wach thy tongue. Thou would not be so smug if ye had to deal with this attitude every day!"
"Perhaps we should give them what they want, then." This came from Radagon, surprising the lot of them. "It might go a long way to easing tensions between the children."
Naruto found himself rearing back. "What, swap wives for a day?"
"Nay!" A booming laugh. "Nay, though I expect it would be amusing-ow!" his laughter redoubled when Renala pinched his arm. "A jest, my love!" he continued to chortle as she tweaked his skin. "T'was merely a jest. No, I was considering their idea of a duel."
Silence reigned supreme.
Naruto's brow shot into his hair. "Bad idea, even for you."
"Hold a moment," Marika sat a little straighter in his lap. "That sounds like a grand plan."
Rennala hid a laugh behind her palm. "For once we agree. Though the outcome surely isn't in question."
"Indeed." The Eternal Queen made a pleased noise. "Mine dear consort would surely trounce thine husband without effort."
There it was, the gauntlet flung down. "Dear Marika, I'm afraid thy brain is addled. My lord Radagon would be the victor in such a bout."
"Nay, 'tis thee who fails to see thine own folly...
Sparks flew between them. Naruto cast Radagon a long suffering look over their heads. "You're can't be serious."
"I'm quite serious." Radagon leaned forward in his throne to regard, eyes alight. "Marika has led me to believe thou art a capable warrior." a hand fell to the greatsword at his side, that moonlight blade gleaming bright as his fingers wrapped around its hilt. "I have been curious to test your mettle for some time now." as he looked on the man rose fully, towering over him. "What say ye?"
Marika's gaze snapped to his. "He accepts, of course."
He nearly refused out of spite as much as principle. Why fight him? He had nothing to prove; his strength was every bit as potent now as it had been when he'd first fallen into the Lands Between. Maybe even more-after all, he'd kept up his training. That said, he'd never really fought Marika -or Radagon!- in a no holds barred brawl before. He'd never felt the need to do so. Why throw his weight around? Only a bully did such. Sure the children might like a spectacle, but...
"We would hold back of course." Mistaking his silence for reluctance, Radagon prodded him anew. "Wouldn't do to destroy the capital."
"No, it wouldn't...
Renala flung up her arms. "You are such boys!"
Naruto blew out a breath and ran a hand through his hair.
"...fine. Where we gonna do this? Here? Seems as good a place as any...?"
(.0.0.0.)
"Have you apologized to Ranni yet, dear sister?"
...I didn't do anything wrong."
Miquella sighed. "Sister."
Stubborn to the last, the redhead folded both arms before her chest and looked away with an angry huff, refusing to meet his gaze or otherwise engage him. She held that position like a statue; only turning her head when he tried to step into her line of sight. Silence stretched between them and still, she uttered not a word.
"Malenia, please."
"No." she bit her lip, blue eyes fixed on the wall.
"Sulking will only make matters worse." he laid an arm on his twin's shoulder, trying to steer her back toward Morgott and the others. "She's your sister, you know." Only a few more steps now. "At the end of the family is all we have-
Her heels bit down, denying him. "I said no!"
Miquella exhaled slowly, released her, and folded all his irritation down into a neat little box. He took said box and buried it, buried it deep; locked it away in the back of his mind where it couldn't bother him. Malenia might have inherited mother's temper, but he had gained other gifts in her stead. He'd inherited Father's patience and love for life, coupled with Mother's boundless determination. Truly, the best of both worlds.
Yet why did he always to be the reasonable one?
Why must he always play the mediator when everyone else sought discord? Sometimes he wanted nothing more than to-nay. Breathe. Calm down. He was calm. His mind was a placid lake, the very picture of serenity. He wouldn't sink to such childish behavior...
.
..
...even if he was a child himself. Pah! Girls were confusing.
Taking a deep breath, the little blond closed his eyes and inhaled. Drew on the natural energy in the air. Let it flow through him. Strengthen him. Center him. Calm him. Father's teachings prevailed as always. When next he opened his eyes, they burned brighter than ever before.
"Malenia."
She flinched a little.
He tapped his foot. "Look at me."
Reluctantly, his sister complied. Angry tears burned in her eyes. "...she insulted me. Made me feel small. I hate her."
Ah. And now they came to the meat of the matter.
Miquella understood Malenia's feelings of inferiority far too well. They were the youngest of the demigods, after all. Godwyn stood as Eldest, followed by Morgott and Mogh. Even Ranni and Radahn outpaced them by a few years, with Rykard as a close second. Their position could hardly be called secure. Empyreans though they were, they'd not even received their shadows yet; though perhaps Father was to blame for that. Regardless, any slight against them, no matter how small, was often taken personally, even if it wasn't meant as such.
"Did you not think she might feel the same of thee?"
Her eyes sought his.
...explain."
"This is undoubtedly her first time visiting the capital proper; likely leaving home at that." he swept an arm back to where Ranni sat in the corner, alternating between scowling furiously at the floor, everyone else, and the wolven lad dutifully perched beside her. "She and Blaidd must be reeling." No response? Fair enough. "I'll have you know I got along with Radahn." he continued slowly, choosing his words with infinite care. "He was quite nice after I assured him I meant no harm...
Malenia glared at him. "Traitor."
He granted her a thin smile. Her resolve was crumbling. "Never. You know I'd not betray thee. Still, they're blood of our blood."
That got a rise out of her. "They're not our siblings!"
"They are." he didn't waver. "Mother and Radagon are one and the same soul. Any children of his are half-brothers and half-sisters of ours. You know this. Imagine how you would feel in her shoes, if you were to visit the Carian Manor by yourself."
Her eyes softened; she looked away when he smiled. "...I'll think about it."
Miquella released a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding, shoulders slumping in relief. "That's all I ask."
In truth, Radahn perfectly pleasant; a bit loud perhaps, but he meant well. He'd struck up a conversation with Morgott and Mohg over there by one of the balconis; neither of the horned boys had been able to get away from him hence. Anyone who could get along with the Omen Twins was a right friendly fellow in his book. He'd reserve judgement on Rykard for the time being until he met him; apparently that one was home with the manor maids recovering from a cold or somesuch. Surely he could not be more difficult than Ranni...?
Still he held to hope. They were family, after all. At the end of the day, family was all you had-
The faint sound of approaching footsteps caused his ears to perk up. His senses, still bridling with Sage chakra alerted him at once; he felt a familiar warmth approaching their position; like distant sunlight from afar. As such he was well aware of Father's presence long before he appeared on the upper terrace above.
"Ahem!"
Judging by the yelp, Radahn and the twins hadn't heard him coming. No surprise. Father's penchant for pranks was legendary in Lyndell. They were lucky he hadn't hit them with something more inventive.
As ever, he felt
"Good, you're all still here." The Second Elden Lord grinned down at them, arms slung around a sullen Morgott and Mohg. "We've got a treat for you kids...despite the fact that some of you misbehaved."
Ranni and Melania wilted with a whine.
With a wave he turned, leaving them to follow. "C'mon up to the Elden Throne."
The children looked among themselves, trying to decide. Then they scarpered after him.
(.0.0.0.)
A blond squared off against a redhead.
Malenia looked on, rapt with attention as Naruto and Radagon faced one another before the thrones. Perhaps that wasn't the right word. They circled one another. Stalked each other in slow, predatory strides. Everyone knew the Second Elden Lord was powerful. Of that there could be no doubt. But...he was facing a true god, or at least a piece of one. This would be no easy battle and in truth, she bore Uncle Radagon no ill will. Still, she wanted to see her Father to win, if only to silence Ranni.
They'd all been brought up here to watch, and in truth she found herself grateful for it.
She'd expected a spanking, or a telling off at the least; she was sure the latter would be coming latter. But for now? This was everything she'd wanted to see and more. Father rarely fought these days; not for real, never with a real weapon. The best she'd ever seen him use was the odd stick when he was teaching her, maybe a log or two when he got inventive.
Now his ringed staff was out; the sight had her squirming in Mother's lap, eager for the duel to begin. "When will they start?"
Marika laughed, a low contralto of glee ringing through the air. "That eager, are we?"
"Yes!"
Ranni tutted from her perch atop Rennala's knee. "Thou art too eager, churl. This will be a crushing defeat."
Her mother swatted her on the nose. "Do not speak to thy sister that way, little Ranni."
"But whyyyy? She's mean!"
Malenia hissed and twitched her way, but Mother's arms held her fast.
"Patience, dear girl." she soothed. "Watch and see."
Radagon hefted his sword in a stoic salute. Naruto raised his staff and mirrored the motion. "What'll it be? First blood, or yield?"
Marika's other half smiled and took a stance, hammer raised high in his right hand. "I'd prefer the latter."
Naruto chuckled. Malenia saw it, then. A glimmer of something in the eyes of her sire. "Same."
Maliketh stepped back sharply and brought his left arm down. "YOU MAY BEGIN!"
For an awful moment, neither seemed to hear him. They stood stone still.
And then:
Naruto and Radagon blurred as one. Red met gold. Wind blasted out as their weapons collided. Once. Twice. Thrice. The very earth quivered underfoot with each strike. Moonlight sang with gold and chakra answered it in kind; what followed couldn't be called a brawl; it was too graceful, too elegant, too fast to be anything else but a dance. They raged across the plaza in rapid waltz full of ripostes and parries, and ringing weapons, never in once place for a moment, ever moving, ever striking as only gods could.
It was in that moment that Malenia knew. She wanted to be just like them when she grew up, to truly master the art of her blade.
Heart in her throat, she hollered her encouragement at the top of her lungs.
"Win, Father! WIN!"
A/N: Absolute brawl next chapter! And timeskips, among other things.
Aaaaand cutting it there. See you next week, hopefully~!
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)
...wait."
That was the only warning they received.
Then she was among them, her blade a whirl of red death.
LET CHAOS TAKE THE WORLD!
"There will be Rot...oh yes...there will be such Rot, the likes of which this land has never seen...
"Please! Put the hammer down!"
Marika snarled, wild with rage. "You want me to put the hammer down?! FINE!"
Her arm whipped up. Golden light howled through the air, forming a facsimile of the Elden Ring above.
Then she brought it crashing down.
Naruto's head snapped up. "Well, damn, I can see that from here...wonder who pissed her off?"
"Ladies and gentlemen, your queen is a tomboy...
She gave him a wicked grin.
"Not with that cake, she ain't!"
"My apologies for burdening you with this...but I fear I might die soon. No," the demigod paced away, shaking his head. "I will. I'm certain of it. I have seen a vision of my end; what is to come and what follows. I cannot prevent it; indeed, I'm not certain I should. For this world to change, sacrifice is needed. And the Golden Order is flawed.
Malenia pursed her lips. "Godwyn, what are you talking about...?"
Strong hands grasped hers. "Do be kind to little Godrick...
R&R~!