006: Shadows at the Gates

Hatred and an unnatural state of being—so easy to succumb to. Naruto knew hatred; he felt the Kyuubi's killing intent the very day he took his first breaths. The cost for him to live was the death of his parents and so many others.

'But the hate didn't stop there, did it,' Naruto thought as he floated in the remnants of the Kyuubi's old cage. His body was healing, and while he remained conscious in his own mind, he could only dwell on the past or focus on his team's recent arrest. The young man looked over to the remnants of the mangled gate that had contained his former burden, his mind drifting to the last time he saw his longest companion.

The gates were closed. After landing in the plane of Exandria, Naruto realized his chakra didn't react like it would in the Elemental Nations. His chakra was now the Kyuubi's chakra.

Naruto glanced around, observing the various pipes lining the walls, pulsating with his crimson energy. 'Even though it's his chakra now, I still can't manage to control that wrath.' Naruto stifled a mental chuckle, understanding the beast's last words to him.

'Hmph, maybe you will find the answer I could not.'

'What?' Naruto responded from his position outside of the seal.

'My power will come at a cost, brat! Will you figure out a way to soothe the rage I hold for your kind, or will I be reborn anew with you as my second coming and become a destroyer?' the Kyuubi roared behind the seal before it began to glow brighter and brighter as the beast clapped its hands together.

Naruto caught onto what the bijuu was talking about, and his eyes glossed over. 'You're not gonna make it, are you?' Naruto shouted at his literal oldest companion.

"Hmph, like you care, human." The nine-tailed chakra monster sneered before looking away from the blonde teenager. "The name's Kurama, kid, and see ya down the road."

Naruto, trapped in the void—a veritable eternal darkness—felt his body reacting to Kurama's power output. The shinobi's near-lifeless body radiated power, and as he lay in the void, the last drops of Kurama's chakra smashed into Naruto's, creating something no jinchuuriki had ever managed previously: 100 percent synergy.

That sudden burst of power ripped a new hole in the fabric of space-time as Naruto simply smashed through the void. Naruto snapped out of memory lane, 'If it wasn't for Kurama, I wouldn't have this chance.'

Flashes of Vox Machina appeared in the blonde's mind's eye. 'Pike, Vax, sorry I couldn't protect ya,' Naruto thought back to that last blast from the witch. 'And if I didn't get held up with that cursed mark user, I could have gotten to Vax sooner,' the blonde thought, frowning.

The injuries Grog sustained, along with Vex and Keyleth, came to the blonde's mind. 'They're battered and cut up, but those three are tough as hell,' Naruto thought before Vex flashed in his mind once again, a slow blush forming on his cheeks. 'Did she mean that?' Naruto pondered as he thought back to the thing she whispered into his ear on his birthday. "I can never tell what that girl is thinking."

Naruto then began thinking back even further to the women who had ever shown him any real affection.

Ayame flashed in the young warrior's mind. 'But that was more familial, she was always like a big sis to me.' The blonde held a soft smile before growling in annoyance. "I fucking miss ramen." The teen growled, 'Shit now I'm getting hungry.'

The world around the blonde began to shake, and the water he floated in began to stir. 'I guess I'm all healed up,' the blonde thought as his mind drifted to the reason his body needed a healer.

'The Briarwoods, Orochimaru possibly being in this world and alive, and then there is Percy. That smoke was like my fox cloak; is he this world's version of a jinchuuriki?' Naruto growled as the shaking continued to worsen. 'I need more information.'

The world around him fell away, and then there was light as Naruto's eyes opened and he sat up in a cot. The blonde felt a restriction, a weight that wasn't natural belonging on his person. He glanced down to find his hands cuffed.

"Oh, it's like that, huh," Naruto muttered to himself, glancing down at the familiar accessory from his youth—a pair of cuffs reminiscent of his prankster days. 'An old comfort,' he mused, before noticing three guards surrounding his bed, spears pointed directly at him.

"Easy, fellas," Naruto placated the visibly annoyed guards, their weapons trained on him. "Whatever Scanlan did to your wives or mothers has nothing to do with me."

The guards exchanged confused glances, only to turn back and find the blonde missing from his bed. In a brief moment of panic, they spotted Naruto with one foot already out the window.

"Sorry, gents, not a fan of hospitals. I'm just going to speak to the old man and clear up this misunderstanding," Naruto announced before flipping backward out of the window falling into darkness.

"Does he realize he's in Lady Allura's tower?" one guard exclaimed. "It's the second tallest building in Emon!"

"We should sound the alarm. Lady Kima wanted to speak to Uzumaki once he awoke," another guard suggested.

'Should we have led with that instead of the spears?' the third guard thought but dismissed it. "Why bother? The brat is paste now."

"WAAAHOOOOO!"

"What was that?" the first guard asked, recognizing the sound.

They rushed to the window at first struggling to see with a source of light to see Naruto swinging from a mystical chain, his bloodied clothes from earlier that night flapping in the wind, before crashing into a lower-level window.

'Was he laughing, he must be a mad man,' the guards all shared a unified thought.

"Sound the alarms! He's still under arrest as decreed by the sovereign. I'll inform Lady Kima and Lady Allura; they should be in the Master atrium," one guard ordered.

Naruto landed amidst a shower of glass and timber, quickly scanning the room for any signs of danger. His eyes fell upon shelves lined with vials and bottles filled with colorful liquids. 'Potions?' he thought with a grin. 'That makes my day a little easier.' Realizing he was no longer on the palace grounds, he wondered where his gear might be.

Taking a cautious step forward, Naruto winced as he felt the sharp sting of glass shards underfoot. 'Shit!' he hissed, cursing his oversight in leaving his sandals behind during his escape. 'Kami dammit,' he muttered, glancing back at the potions. 'Jackpot.'

A few minutes later, the still handcuffed Naruto emerged from the storage room, a satisfied smile on his face, freshly healed and free of glass shards. "Now then, left or right…" he mused aloud, shrugging as he closed his eyes to focus on his yin nature. "Kagura Shingan," he whispered in his native tongue.

In an instant, his perception shifted to one of darkness, illuminated only by the life force of those within a 60-meter radius. Two small blue flames flickered on the floor beneath him. 'Don't recognize you, must be some apprentices or something,' Naruto thought, dismissing them as he focused on the upper floors.

Ignoring the guards scrambling from his previous room, he concentrated on two of the largest flares of power within his range. 'Was that Allura?' he wondered, homing in on the signature before sensing an insidious chakra oozing from the same room. 'Shit,' Naruto thought, his eyes snapping open. "9 floors up," he muttered, before taking off down the left corridor.

In a large open room, a body lay on a table, the man's form marred by several large gashes. His arm was missing, having been recovered from another part of the palace. Standing over the brutalised corpse was Allura Vysoren. 'A casualty of Vox Machina's brawl with the Briarwoods,' she thought, her brow furrowed. "Why do you feel so wrong?" she asked aloud, her voice tinged with unease.

The powerful mystic could sense a dark, corrupting influence emanating from the remains, yet she couldn't pinpoint the source. It was as if the very essence of the body was tainted beyond recognition.

"You're not the only one," came the voice of Kima, the paladin halfling, from where she leaned against the wall. Her instincts screamed for violence; something about the body felt profoundly off, urging her to smite its essence.

As Allura channelled her arcana to begin a spell, Kima's gaze flicked to the door. "Allura, we've got incoming."

"Hmm?" Allura hummed, releasing her hold on the spell to turn toward the door.

Moments later, the door burst open, revealing Naruto—bootless, chained, and cuffed. His entrance was as dramatic as ever, his presence a stark contrast to the sombre atmosphere of the room.

"Brat?" Kima exclaimed, surprised to see Naruto awake, instantly recognizing his bloody attire and distinctive whisker marks.

"Brat indeed," Naruto quipped, his voice steady. "Now, Allura, would you kindly back away from that dude?"

"This dude, as you put it, is dead," Allura replied, her voice tinged with scepticism.

Naruto didn't respond verbally. Instead, he whipped his arms forward, and an ethereal, glowing chain burst forth from one of his forearms. Both Allura's and Kima's eyes widened as the chain speared past Allura's face, blowing her hair out of the way. They turned to see a large white snake ensnared by Naruto's chain.

"What the hell!" Kima shouted, offering a quick prayer to Bahamut as she drew her Warhammer, ready to strike.

"That's definitely new, but there's only one person I know who loves snakes this much," Naruto remarked, his voice low.

"Naruto, do you recognise these works?" Allura asked, her eyes filled with concern.

Naruto stepped closer to the thrashing reptile, his expression neutral. "Back home, there was a man—a great warrior and an even greater scientist," he began. The snake, trapped in his chain, writhed as the black and gold links lost their golden hue, Naruto's eyes flickering between blue and red.

The creature hissed menacingly, and Allura cast a worried glance at Kima before returning her focus to Naruto.

"This man was banished from our village for conducting illegal and morally irresponsible experiments on our citizens. He sought to invent or discover true immortality," Naruto continued, his tone growing harsher. "Men, women, children—all those people suffered for your ambition." His voice dripped with venom as the snake burned from the corrosive aura emanating from the chain.

"Naruto, what is this thing?" Allura asked, eyeing the chained snake warily.

"When you examined the body, did you find anything strange?" Naruto inquired, his gaze never leaving the snake.

"Other than the wounds you left behind," Kima interjected.

Naruto rolled his eyes. "Something older than what I left him with."

"There was a black mark, or tattoo, at the base of his skull," Allura answered.

"Well, where I'm from, these marks are known as curse marks. My master compared them to impure natural energy, with a twist."

"What's the twist?" Kima asked, her brow furrowed with curiosity.

"This man wanted immortality. He used this energy to imprint his soul into the mark. While the user was empowered, it gave way to his influence, allowing him to cheat death by taking over the mark user's body," Naruto explained, his eyes narrowing at the snake. "This, though, is new. I've never seen a snake burst from the seal before."

Naruto traced the snake's body back to its origin at the base of Devon's skull. 'If it is you, I can only assume you've gained new abilities like me,' he thought as the snake hissed defiantly.

"I know what you are," Naruto said, his voice a low growl. "With your death, you'll let your master know I'm coming for him. We've got unfinished business to settle Parasite." He clenched his fist, and the chain tightened, tearing through the soul fragment with ease. The mark on Devon's head evaporated, leaving no trace.

"Man, you guys need a bingo book system or something," Naruto muttered, standing as the oppressive chakra dissipated.

"Naruto, what just happened?" Allura asked as he dismissed his mystic chain.

"I don't know," Naruto admitted, pausing. "Orochimaru—the name of the sick bastard. That snake was likely a soul fragment seeking a new host, and due to your magical abilities, it probably chose you, Allura." He paused at Kima's low growl. "I just killed that thing while letting the original know I'm coming for him."

Naruto turned back to the councilwomen his eyes cooling from scarlet back his natural blue. "Now that I've helped you, where are my friends and the rest of my gear?" he asked, standing to his full height just as two of the three guards from earlier burst into the room as belled alarms began to ring throughout the tower.

Naruto chuckled at the looks both Kima, and Allura sent his way. 'Oh yeah I ran away, forgot about that.' "Whoops."

Under the oppressive darkness that enveloped Whitestone, sickly yellow serpentine eyes narrowed in slight annoyance as the sycophants of the Briarwoods' chosen bickered about how to handle the growing rebellion. Orochimaru, standing apart from the squabbling group, felt a familiar sensation—a disruption in one of his marks.

'Hmm?' he mused, sensing the dispersal of a mark on one of his experiments. The words echoed in his mind: "With your death, you'll let your master know I'm coming for him. We've got unfinished business to settle Parasite."

A low, sinister chuckle escaped his lips, drawing the attention of his peers, though none were his equals.

"What's so funny, snake?" a stout, thumb-like man questioned, his voice tinged with irritation.

"Care to share with the class, Orochimaru?" another chimed in, their curiosity piqued.

Orochimaru paid them no mind, his thoughts consumed by the revelation. 'Marvellous, so you did survive as well,' he thought, excitement coursing through his veins. 'Naruto-kun, come and find me, why don't you?'

He turned away from the table, walking over to a large glass window that offered a view of the dying Sun Tree and the broken city below. 'Lickspittles, each and every one of them,' Orochimaru thought, glancing back at the men with disdain. 'Men with their tongues shoved so far up Delilah's and Sylas's taint, they can't even tell when they're being played by the Briarwoods.'

"Our gracious hosts will be returning soon," Orochimaru began. "Once they have arrived we should reconvene this meeting." The snakes grinned at his slight reflection in the glass window ignoring the gasp from Anders. "I'm sure the Briarwood's have found something interesting. In the meantime, I've got experiments to run."

With that one of the last of a dying breed left the room heading toward his laboratory. "Perhaps Naruto-kun would like meet some more of my works," the pale skinned man idled out loud as his footsteps echoed the lavish halls of Whitestone castle.

Back at Greyskull Keep, the new home of Vox Machina, the troupe found themselves under house arrest, their weapons being confiscated by the guards. Scanlan was in the midst of a heated argument with the guards over the seizure of his beloved lute, his voice rising in protest.

Pike, meanwhile, was focused on calming Grog, who was on the verge of violence due to the rough treatment by the guards. Her soothing words and steady presence were the only things keeping him from lashing out.

Outside, Trinket growled, tied to the large tree just beyond the keep's front doors, clearly displeased with the situation. Keyleth and Vax stood off to the side, observing the scene as Scanlan continued to bicker with the guard captain.

On the other side of the hall, Percy stood alone, deeply lost in thought about the night's earlier events. The weight of recent decisions and their consequences weighed heavily on him.

Vex'ahlia also stood apart, her thoughts consumed by the orange-obsessed member of their dysfunctional family. 'There was so much blood,' she reflected, recalling the sight of her brother, Grog, and Naruto. Despite Pike's healing, she could still see the bloody clothes in her mind's eye. 'I've never seen Naruto not stand back up,' she thought, a pang of guilt piercing her heart for leaving him with Allura. But Allura had promised to heal him and return him safely to the keep.

"I hate relying on others," Vex whispered to herself, frustration bubbling up as she stomped further into the keep, annoyed by the waiting and the ongoing drama. The last words she heard before she ventured deeper within.

"You have the run of your keep, I'm sure you will find something to entertain yourselves." The guard captain said his tone rich and smug before the front doors were shut with a click.

Outside the city of Emon, Naruto stood with his hands bound in wooden block-shaped cuffs, a frown etched on his face as he stared at the cage sitting in the wagon before him. A slow breeze carried the salty scent of the sea, adding to his frustration.

"So let me get this straight, Vox Machina is under house arrest pending an inquiry of some kind?" Naruto asked, turning to Allura and Kima as four guards made final preparations.

"I feared Uriel's reaction was rash, considering what was explained to us. This was the best I could do on the spot," Allura explained, a hint of regret in her voice.

Naruto hummed thoughtfully, his eyes catching sight of his weapons loaded onto the wagon alongside the cage. He focused on the axe handle sticking out of an unclosed chest. With a quick twitch of his fingers, he summoned his Leviathan axe back to his hand.

The axe spun out of the box, rotating like a reverse buzzsaw, startling the guards and causing them to drop the chest. Naruto's weapons clattered onto the ground.

As the axe found its way into Naruto's cuffed hands, two guards aimed their spears at him. "Drop it!" they demanded in unison.

Naruto stood tall, glaring at the men. "I'm an Uzumaki; weapons are a part of my religion," he growled, tucking the axe into his sash before looking toward Allura and Kima.

"He can keep hold of his weapon," Allura said, raising her hand to stop the guards' protests. "The realm still owes them a great debt. Be sure to remember that."

The guards clamped their mouths shut, scowling as they moved to open the cage.

"Sorry for that, Naruto," Allura said.

"I don't like it, but I'll play the scoundrel," Naruto replied with a smirk, stepping past the guards into the caged transport.

"Come on! Clean up that mess!" Kima shouted at the guards still on the ground.

As Naruto reached the cage door, the guard who had argued against him holding the axe sneered, "One wrong move, brat, and I'll take you down."

Naruto arched an eyebrow, stepping into the guard's space. "Yeah, you sure about that?" he challenged.

"You're just an up jumped cutthroat, you & your cronies are just Emon's flavour of the month, and it seems your 15 minutes of fame are over, runt." The guard whispered, with a cruel grin.

The guard's smirk vanished as Naruto closed his eyes, a serene smile playing on his lips. In a swift, fluid motion, he stepped forward, closing the distance by mere inches before delivering a powerful headbutt. The impact was immediate and brutal, with a sickening crunch as blood sprayed from the guard's crushed cartilage, sending him sprawling onto his backside.

Naruto smirked as he stepped into the cage. "Fucking asshole," he muttered, taking a seat.

Kima facepalmed. "Play the scoundrel, he says," she muttered, rolling her eyes at Allura.

"What? He plays it well, don't you think?" Allura giggled, turning on her heel to head back toward the city.

Kima followed, casting a glance back as the cart pulled away at the sound of the guard cracking the reins.

Under the full moon's glow, Greyskull Keep stood silent, its courtyard bathed in silvery light as an overcast rolled in from the west. Inside, the atmosphere was far from serene. The guards, enforcing a strict house arrest, were confiscating weapons and even kitchen utensils.

"Awe, you can't take the cutlery away! What if we get hungry?" Scanlan protested as a guard swept the utensils from the kitchen.

"Eat a damn sandwich!" the guard retorted, slamming the kitchen door and locking Scanlan and the twins inside.

"Hey! I don't take orders from you, asshole!" Scanlan shouted, though his resolve quickly waned. "Fine, I'll make a sandwich. But not because he told me to," he grumbled, turning to the task at hand.

While the bard muttered to himself, Vax signalled his twin over to the window. "I shouldn't have listened to Percy; he's out of his mind," Vex'ahlia complained, her face in her hands as she followed.

"It's fine. Whenever you get worked up, you make bad decisions," Vax teased with a chuckle.

"What do you mean by that?" Vex asked, crossing her arms defensively.

"Oh, nothing, sister," Vax replied, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Percy has definitely complicated things."

"There is a way to make our situation simpler," Vex suggested, looking out the window. "You and I have escaped from worse."

"Syngorn, huh?"

"Hmm," Vex hummed thoughtfully. "The guards might catch the group, but not you and me."

"True."

"We could?"

Vax'ildan pulled out a dagger, spinning it deftly between his fingers. "Then why aren't we?"

Vex'ahlia met her brother's gaze, a silent understanding passing between them. Her attention shifted to Scanlan, who was struggling with his sandwich. A whisker of a smirk crossed her lips before a sound caught her ear.

'Are those horses?' she wondered, turning back to the window to peer into the night, searching for any sign of movement.

A few minutes passed before the sound of keys jingled on the other side of the kitchen door. The door swung open, revealing a guard with a bloodied face from a freshly broken nose, and Naruto, still in his clothes from earlier that night, standing there handcuffed.

Naruto raised his arms with a mischievous grin as the guard scowled at him while unlocking the cuffs. The blonde began rolling his wrists, relishing the feeling returning to his hands. "See ya around," Naruto taunted as he stepped into the room, letting the door slam behind him. He looked up at three of his companions, his eyes twinkling with barely contained excitement.

"Miss me?" he said with a smirk, his voice a mixture of bravado and genuine affection.

"Welcome back to the land of the living," Vax greeted warmly, stepping forward to fist bump the blonde. "Thanks for the save earlier."

"No problem, Briarwood looked like an ass anyway," Naruto waved off with a smile, though his eyes betrayed a hint of concern. "But glad you're okay," he paused, a playful glint in his eye. "You're not turning into a vampire, are ya?"

Vax chuckled, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. "Ha, nah, still got a reflection. Think we're good."

"Whiskers, you're back!" Scanlan exclaimed between bites of his sandwich, crumbs flying as he spoke. "We've got some shit to catch you up on."

"Well, finish your food first, then tell me," Naruto said, his gaze drifting over to Vex'ahlia, who hadn't moved from the windowsill or looked in his direction. The air between them seemed to crackle with unspoken tension.

Vax, catching the younger man's gaze, tactfully walked over to the gnome to examine the mustard-covered pages of Delilah's creepy grimoire. Naruto, gathering his courage, approached Vex'ahlia.

"Hey," Naruto started, his voice softer than usual.

"Welcome back," Vex'ahlia said stiffly, still facing the window, her back rigid.

'Glad to see you're not hurt,' was what the ranger wanted to say, but the words caught in her throat.

"Good to be back," he answered simply, though his heart raced with unspoken gratitude.

'Thank you for checking up on me after the fight,' Naruto thought, wishing he could voice his appreciation.

"Did Allura fill you in?" Vex asked, her voice betraying a hint of concern despite her efforts to remain aloof.

'Did the witch hurt you?' she wondered silently, her fists clenching at her sides.

"About the house arrest? Yeah, and the old man losing the plot." Naruto stepped forward, bolder now, and gently took hold of the ranger's arm, turning her to face him.

'Those guards didn't lay a hand on you, did they?' he thought, his eyes searching her face for any sign of mistreatment.

Hazel met cerulean for the first time since the battle and the black powder wafting off Percy. What felt like an eternity passed before the she-elf suddenly found the floor very interesting.

"We think the Briarwoods have him under a charm," Vex said, breaking eye contact and finding anything else in the room more fascinating than the blonde before her.

"Well, this just got a thousand times more interesting," Naruto said, quirking an eyebrow as he stepped closer, silently urging her to meet his gaze again. "Tell me more."

The two stared at each other once more, hazel getting lost in cerulean, a world of unspoken words passing between them.

Their moment was interrupted by Scanlan's sudden coughing fit as he choked down the last bite of his sandwich. The pair snapped out of their trance, glancing towards Scanlan and Vax, who seemed oblivious to the charged moment. Naruto stepped back, coughing into his fist to hide his embarrassment. As the moment passed, Vex'ahlia and Naruto shared a knowing glance and a soft chuckle before joining the bard and rogue to catch up on the events Percy had revealed before they were split up under lock and key.

"Captain Jarrett!" The sudden call pierced the air, causing Naruto's head to snap up. His keen senses, honed from years of shinobi training, immediately detected a shift in the atmosphere.

"Something's going on outside," Naruto said, his voice low and urgent. He stood swiftly, moving with fluid grace towards the windowsill where he and Vex had stood earlier. The blonde's eyes narrowed as he scanned the grounds below, taking in the scene with practiced efficiency.

"Vex'ahlia," Naruto began, his tone laced with concern, "Trinket's not normally scared around people, right?" His gaze remained fixed on the unusual activity unfolding in the courtyard.

Vex's reaction was immediate and fierce. "If those fuckers harmed my Trinket, there will be hell to pay," she snarled, her protective instincts flaring as she joined Naruto at the window. Her eyes locked onto a guard approaching her beloved companion.

What happened next defied explanation. In a blink, the guard simply vanished, seemingly swallowed by the trees. Naruto and Vex's jaws dropped in unison, their minds struggling to process the impossible scene.

"Erm?" For once, Naruto found himself at a loss for words, his usual quick wit failing him in the face of such an inexplicable event.

"You saw that, right?" Vex asked, her voice a mix of disbelief and growing alarm.

Naruto nodded slowly, his eyes still fixed on the spot where the guard had disappeared. "You mean the guard who was there one second and then—blink—he's gone, poofed out of existence?" He paused, swallowing hard. "Yeah, I saw that."

"Don't freak out on me now, blondie," Vex challenged, a grin playing at her lips despite the tension in her eyes. Her attempt at levity was a thin veil over her own growing unease.

Naruto's response was surprisingly candid. "As long as they're not ghosts or spectres, I'll be all good," he admitted, a hint of vulnerability in his voice. "I hate ghosts, and I manage to come to the one world where they actually exist," he muttered, his words tinged with irony.

Their exchange was cut short by more cries from the courtyard, each shout adding to the growing sense of dread.

The locked kitchen doors exploded open as Grog burst through, Pike at his side, her holy symbol glowing faintly in the dimness.

"Everybody up!" the goliath roared, his voice echoing through the keep. "Creepy shit incoming!"

Naruto chuckled, a wry smile playing on his lips.

"What's so funny?" Vax asked, eyebrow arched in curiosity.

"Only this level of shit could happen to us in one night," Naruto replied, his voice a mix of amusement and resignation.

"Ain't that the truth," Vax responded, a grim smile on his face as they all rushed out of the room.

As they sprinted down the corridor, Pike and Grog exchanged nods with Naruto, a silent acknowledgment of the danger ahead. Rounding a corner, they collided with Keyleth and Percy, who had apparently escaped their own confinement.

"What's happening?" Keyleth gasped, her eyes wide with panic.

"Where are the guards?" Percy demanded, his hand instinctively reaching for a weapon that wasn't there.

"Not doing their jobs very well," Naruto quipped, his annoyance at his recent treatment evident in his tone.

Vex'ahlia, ever the peacekeeper, interjected with a teasing lilt, "Now, now, let's not be catty, darling. Learn from Percy's poor example." She winked at both men, adding, "A time and a place."

Percy looked away, a slight blush colouring his cheeks, while Naruto felt his own face warm. 'Right, time and place,' he thought, mentally shaking himself. 'Get your head in the game, Naruto.'

Their moment of levity was shattered as the main doors burst open, three guards stumbling in, terror etched on their faces.

"What did you do?!" Captain Jarett bellowed, bracing the door shut behind him.

Scanlan, indignant, shouted back, "Don't look at me! All I did was make a hoagie!"

"Five of my men are dead," Jarett growled, advancing on the group. "If you didn't kill them, then who did?"

Naruto's eyes narrowed, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper, "I'll give you three guesses, and I can guaran-fucking-tee you'll get it in one after this clue." As if on cue, a bone-chilling breeze swept through the room, extinguishing every candle.

"You all hear the whispering voices, right?" Grog asked, his usual bravado tinged with unease.

'It's fucking ghosts, isn't it,' Naruto thought, mentally cursing every deity he could think of for this twist of fate.

The whispers grew louder, seeming to come from everywhere and nowhere at once. Scanlan took a step back, fear gripping his heart. "Uh..."

Naruto's eyes darted around, scanning the darkness. "Something's definitely moving in here," he muttered, catching glimpses of movement through the walls.

Vax's voice cut through the tension, "Chancing a guess, it was them." He pointed to the rafters above, where ghoulish figures with glowing ethereal orbs for eyes perched, their tattered rags barely clinging to their spectral forms.

With a blood-curdling scream, they attacked. The first ghoul phased through a guard's armour, its claws sinking deep before dragging the unfortunate soul along the ceiling, black ooze leaking from every orifice as her skin began to decompose.

Naruto's axe flew instinctively, only to pass harmlessly through the creature and embed itself in the stonework, ice spreading from the impact. "Ah, shit," he cursed, realizing the futility of physical attacks.

As chaos erupted around them, Scanlan was tackled, the grimoire flying from his hands. Vex'ahlia, ever quick, snatched it up. "They're after the book!" she shouted, tossing it to Keyleth before a ghoul speared her, necrotic energy bursting from the impact.

"Vex!" Naruto cried, dashing towards her as Keyleth transformed into a jackalope, the book clenched in her teeth as she bounded away.

Skidding to a stop beside the fallen ranger, Naruto attempted a roundhouse kick at the ghoul's skull, only for his foot to pass through harmlessly. "Ah, crapbaskets!" he cursed, stumbling back.

The ghoul turned, its hollow eyes fixed on Naruto. "I need an adult," he quipped, barely dodging as it lunged at him.

As more ghouls converged on him, Naruto's mind raced. 'You've got to be kidding me,' he thought, glancing back to see Pike tending to Vex. 'Good, but also not good.' His eyes darted to Keyleth, now surrounded by three ghouls deeper in the keep.

With a grace born of years of training, Naruto leapt, flipped, and rolled, narrowly avoiding spectral claws and necrotic energy. As a ghoulish face phased through the floor beneath him, he reacted on pure instinct, contorting his body in mid-air to avoid its grasp.

Landing in a crouch, Naruto's mind whirled with possibilities. Physical attacks were useless, but there had to be a way to fight back. As he dodged another swipe, a plan began to form. Naruto summoned an adamantine chain the black chain growing from his for arm he shot the chain out his arm out like a dart whipping through the air the construct lashed out at the three ghouls cornering Keyleth.

The chain hit crashed into the closest of the trio, but there was feedback as dark magic fought to push the chains away.

Keyleth used the ghoul's distraction as a chance to dash on by.

The chain and ghoul clash caused a miniature explosion that pushed some of the ghouls away.

"Fall back!" Pike cried out.

The blond retracted the contact back into his body. 'That was dark arcana.' The blonde thought on the feedback from his chain making some kind of contact with ghoul. 'But at least I can slow em down now.' Naruto thought as he glanced to the side to see only one more guard remaining as Grog grabbed a wounded Scanlan and made a run for it with the others.

Vox Machina and Captain Jarett retreated to one of the larger studies in the keep.

"The one room with light in," Naruto thanked before started checking over the group.

Scanlan started to cough "Aww that sucked."

The party were panting for breath mainly due to two reasons one their adrenaline had all been spiked since they came under attack and the fact that they hadn't fully recovered from the Briarwoods encounter earlier.

"We need a way to fight them."

Captain Jarret looked her Vax's way. "No use in you being unarmed anymore." And throw a sheathed sword toward Vax and a crossbow to Vex'ahlia and a pouch of bolts.

"Ah trigger? Ew."

"Really your complaining?" Naruto said while arching his brow.

"I'm a purist" Vex answered with a shrug "And a lady has got to have standards," she bantered back as she looked down the crossbows sight.

Scanlan with his head in Pike's lap sat up slightly looking like he was on deaths door. "Really wish I had my lute right now."

Jarret hissed as he faced the bard. "I thought you said it wasn't a weapon?"

"Obvious lie, jackass."

"Not that any of these will do fuck all." Vax interrupted as he glanced at the sword in his hand.

Keyleth suddenly spat out black liquid grabbing the parties attention as she was lifted into the air her body twitching as more necrotic like poison burst from her eyes and nose. The book temporarily forgotten before the druid was dropped by a screeching ghoul peeling out of the wall behind her.

"Keyleth!" Percy shouted after as the girl landed on her knees.

And like that dozens of ghouls drove into the room, and Vox Machina continued to fight for their lives, but all of their attacks were phasing through nothing while a simple touch left the mortals weakened.

"Enough!" Naruto shouted ignoring the black necrotic sludge pouring out of his face as he summoned his adamantine chain. "While these may not be able to kill you outright." Naruto began spinning the chain, like it was a whip. "I can make it hurt." The blonde finished his peace as he sent forth a chain at a ghoul who had Percy pinned against the wall.

The chain was glowing crimson compared to its normal golden hue and lick the crack of a whip the chain point smacked the ghoul away freeing Percy from its deadly touch.

"You can hit em? Not fair," Grog said as he struggled to his feet from where he was dropped, wiping the sludge from his face.

"Yeah but they ain't staying down." Naruto said as he eyed the one he whipped away just reform.

Pike crashed down next to Vex and Scanlan, her eyes wide with panic. "I can't see shit!"

"You're not missing much!" Naruto cried, his chain whipping through the air with viper-like speed. It pierced the bookcase where a ghoul had been moments before, cracks and splinters along the wood from the strike.

Captain Jarett, agreeing with the halfling's assessment, knelt and fumbled with flint, desperately trying to ignite his torch. The sudden flare of light momentarily blinded Naruto, forcing him to shield his eyes.

"It's the light!" Pike exclaimed, realization dawning on her face.

Scanlan, his voice weak but sarcastic as ever, quipped, "It'd be a real great time to make some more."

"It hurts them!" Naruto shouted from across the room, his mind racing. "Percy, you got a few pouches of black powder? I have an idea."

Percy, the rightful heir of Whitestone, nodded grimly. He reached into his pocket and tossed three small pouches of black powder to Naruto. 'What's the harm? It's not like my firearm would be of much use here,' he thought.

Naruto caught the pouches mid-leap, landing beside the guard captain who was swinging his torch wildly, keeping the ghouls at bay. "Close your eyes!" Naruto warned, his palms filling with black powder.

With a swift motion, he threw the powder into the faces of three charging ghouls. As the last speck left his fingertips, Naruto channelled his chakra, igniting the powder. A deafening explosion rocked the room, accompanied by a blinding flash that sent the ghouls reeling back, their ethereal forms scorched.

Off to the side, Pike clutched her amulet, her palm outstretched as divine light flickered erratically. "I can't," she muttered, struggling to summon her power.

"Pike?" Vax questioned, fear evident in his voice.

"I said I can't!" she shouted, silencing the half-elf with the raw emotion in her voice.

Suddenly, the torch's light sputtered and died. In the ensuing darkness, Naruto shoved the captain aside as a ghoul's claw phased through him, lifting him into the air. The blonde spewed more of the necrotic poison, his body wracked with pain.

Under a table, Keyleth sat shaking, fear overwhelming her. Percy fell beside her, fighting off another ghoul. "Keyleth," he gasped, choking on bile, "It's time. Prove yourself."

Keyleth closed her eyes, placing her palms together. 'Hot and bright,' she repeated like a mantra, her druid magic taking shape. As she opened her eyes, a miniature sun blazed between her palms. With a war cry that would make Grog proud, she stood and banished the darkness.

The ghouls screamed in agony as their robes ignited and their putrid flesh burned. They dropped their prey, desperately trying to retreat, but found themselves unable to phase through the walls.

Naruto watched as one ghoul frantically smashed its face against the wooden door, only to be silenced by a crossbow bolt through its skull. The creature slumped forward, then slowly turned to face its attacker.

'It's lodged in,' Naruto realized, his eyes widening. He glanced at Vox Machina, seeing the same realization dawn on their faces. 'We can hit them back,' the thought echoed through the party.

"Now!" Vex roared as Keyleth maintained her miniature sun.

What followed was a brutal, cathartic display of violence. Vax leapt onto a ghoul, repeatedly stabbing it with savage precision. Naruto unleashed a barrage of punches, his fists burying deep into spectral skulls. His chain lashed out, impaling a ghoul trying to escape through the roof and slamming it into the stone floor.

Percy, usually calm and collected, roared with unleashed fury as he smashed a ghoul against pillars and walls before stomping it into paste. Vex and Captain Jarett worked in tandem, pinning a ghoul against the door before Vex drove a sword deep into its heart.

As Vax rolled away from his fallen foe, Grog rose with a thunderous roar. He ripped a ceiling fixture free and brought it down on the last ghoul with earth-shattering force, obliterating its head in a spray of spectral gore.

The room fell silent save for the heavy breathing of Vox Machina and the crackling of Keyleth's magical sun. They stood amidst the carnage, battered and shaken, but alive and victorious.

Keyleth's radiant power finally flickered out, plunging the room back into darkness. The ghouls, having sustained too much damage, began to fade away, their tormented souls dying for a second time. The air filled with their final, haunting wails as they dissipated into wisps of spectral energy.

The druid collapsed to her knees, her breath coming in ragged gasps. The exertion of channelling such powerful magic had taken its toll, leaving her drained and shaking.

A heavy silence fell over the room as Vox Machina and the remaining guards took a moment to process what had just transpired. The acrid smell of burnt ectoplasm mingled with the metallic tang of blood, creating a nauseating miasma.

Captain Jarett, his face etched with a mixture of grief and determination, broke the silence. "Where did those foul things come from?" he demanded, his voice hoarse.

"Seriously?" Naruto asked, incredulity lacing his tone. He gestured to the destruction around them, his eyes narrowed. "After all this, you're still doubting us?"

Keyleth, still struggling to catch her breath, spoke up as Percy helped her to her feet. "We told you… The Briarwoods," she managed, her voice weak but resolute.

Percy's eyes darted nervously towards the windows, his posture tense. "And they'll no doubt send more. We can't stay," he said, his voice carrying an edge of urgency.

The guard captain moved to block the exit, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. Naruto, reading the man's body language, stepped forward. "Don't try it, man," he warned, his voice low and dangerous.

"Don't make us fight you too," Percy added, a note of remorse in his voice. The unspoken threat hung in the air, tension crackling between them.

Jarett's eyes swept over the group, taking in their battered but determined faces. "You intend to stop those who did this to my men?" he asked, his voice tight with barely contained emotion.

"You have my word," Percy responded, his tone filled with unwavering resolve.

The captain hesitated for a long moment, internal conflict clear on his face. Finally, he sheathed his sword and stepped aside, pushing the door open. "Then go," he said, his voice gruff. "Your weapons are outside by the bear."

As Vox Machina filed past him, Jarett added, "Give them hell."

Naruto paused as he passed the captain, offering a nod of respect. "You ain't too bad," he said, a hint of a smirk playing on his lips. "For a guard," he added, the snarky comment lacking any real heat.

Jarett's lips twitched in a ghost of a smile. "Just wish me luck in trying to explain all this," he said, gesturing to the destruction and the bodies of his fallen comrades.

As they reached the hallway, Naruto's stomach let out an audible growl. "I don't know about you, but I'm grabbing utensils back and making some goddamned food. Vax and I ate nothing at the banquet," he announced. The sound of multiple stomachs rumbling in agreement, including Jarett's, filled the air.

"To the kitchen it is, then," Naruto declared, summoning his axe back to his grasp with a flourish. As he led the way, the rest of Vox Machina fell in behind him, a mix of exhaustion and determination on their faces.

The following morning, as the first rays of dawn crept over Emon, Percy crept down from his room, a travel bag slung over his shoulder. His footsteps echoed softly in the quiet halls of Greyskull Keep as he approached the imposing wooden doors.

"Ahem." Naruto's voice cut through the silence, causing Percy to freeze mid-step.

"No goodbye?" Vex added, her voice a mixture of hurt and accusation.

Percy's shoulders slumped as he turned to face his companions. "I'm going to Whitestone," he said, his voice heavy with resignation.

Naruto's eyes narrowed, sensing the defeat in Percy's tone. "Not with that attitude, you're not," he said firmly, only to be interrupted by a sharp jab to his arm. "Ow! What the hell, Keyleth?"

Ignoring Naruto's complaints, Keyleth stepped forward, her eyes blazing with determination. "And so are we, Percy. If we can take down Sylas, that charm on Uriel should fade."

"And we can clear our names," Scanlan chimed in, clutching Delilah's grimoire to his chest like a lifeline. A mischievous grin spread across his face as he added, "Honestly, I wouldn't last in prison with this face. Look at me, I'm a snack."

Vex approached Percy, her steps deliberate. She stopped in front of him, poking him in the chest with each word. "Percy, we're all with you, but no more secrets, all right?"

Percy's gaze dropped to the floor, a mix of shame and gratitude washing over his features. "Understood, and… thank you," he said softly. He looked up, meeting each of their eyes in turn, a genuine smile breaking through his usual stoic facade. "All of you."

"It's what we do, Percival," Naruto said, waving off the gratitude as he adjusted the collar of his jacket, finally back in his usual attire. "By the way, I'm borrowing some black powder."

"Don't just decide things on your own!" Percy exclaimed, a hint of his old self shining through.

Naruto grinned, clapping Percy on the shoulder as he walked past. "And that's the broody Percy we all know and love."

As they pushed open the heavy doors, the crisp morning air greeted them. The twins rushed over to Trinket, who was still tied to the large tree outside. Vex knelt beside her companion, burying her face in his fur.

"We'll be back soon, buddy," she murmured, her voice thick with emotion. "It's safer for you here, especially with all these undead we've been dealing with."

Captain Jarett approached, handing Scanlan his lute with a small, grateful smile. The bard cradled the instrument like a long-lost child, his eyes sparkling with joy.

After the twins said their goodbyes, Naruto stepped up to pet the grizzly. Trinket rumbled contentedly at the attention.

"Yeah, yeah, I'll keep an eye on them both," Naruto assured the bear, his voice low and conspiratorial. He gave Trinket one last scratch behind the ears before joining the rest of the party.

As Vox Machina gathered at the gate, ready to set out, there was a palpable sense of anticipation in the air. They exchanged glances, each member silently acknowledging the dangers that lay ahead. But there was also determination, a shared resolve to face whatever challenges Whitestone might hold.

Percy took a deep breath, squaring his shoulders as he looked at his companions. "Well then," he said, his voice steadier than before, "shall we?"

With nods of agreement, Vox Machina stepped out into the crisp morning light, leaving the safety of Greyskull Keep behind. The sound of seven sets of footsteps echoed in the quiet air.

'Wait, seven?' Naruto's brow furrowed as he glanced back, spotting Pike standing motionless in the shadow of the keep, her face a mask of uncertainty.

"We should do a supply run," Vax suggested, breaking the silence. "Gilmore's, perhaps?"

Vex rolled her eyes, a hint of amusement in her voice. "Not without me to negotiate, you're not. The last time you did that, you came back with a poem."

"Hey, it's not my fault," Vax defended, a slight blush colouring his cheeks.

Their banter was cut short by Pike's voice, soft but resolute. "I'm not coming."

The words hung in the air, freezing the party in their tracks. Grog turned slowly, his face a mixture of confusion and concern. "Wh…What do you mean?"

Pike's eyes glistened with unshed tears as she looked up at her towering friend. "I can't hear the Everlight… My prayers don't reach Sarenrae anymore." She paused, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's like you said, Grog. I think I need to tell her I'm sorry. Properly, at a temple."

Grog crouched beside her, his massive form dwarfing the halfling. "Well, I'll come with you," he offered, his voice uncharacteristically gentle. "Like old times, just you and me?"

Pike placed a small hand on Grog's much larger one. "I have to do this alone, buddy," she said softly. "And they need you."

Grog glanced back at the rest of Vox Machina, who watched the scene with a mix of concern and respect. He turned back to Pike, his voice thick with emotion. "But what if I need you?"

Pike's composure finally broke as she threw her arms around Grog, tears streaming down her face. "You can always talk to me," she whispered fiercely. "Even when I'm not there, you'll feel me there with you."

After a long moment, Pike released Grog and walked over to Keyleth. "You're their light now," she said, her voice filled with trust and expectation.

Keyleth nodded solemnly, determination filling her eyes as she gently guided Grog back to the group.

Pike turned to Naruto last, her nervousness palpable. Naruto, sensing her discomfort, offered a small smile. "Do what you gotta do and tell me when you come back," he said softly.

The blonde reached into his pouch, pulling out a small handkerchief adorned with cartoon toads. He carefully wrapped one of his kunai in it before handing it to Pike. "Here, it's not much, but if you need to defend yourself…"

Pike wiped her tears away, accepting the gift with a grateful smile. "Thanks, and stay safe," she said, pulling Naruto into a tight hug. "Keep an eye on the big guy for me," she whispered.

"Got it," Naruto promised, his voice low and sincere.

As the group began to walk away, a heavy silence fell over them. Grog turned back one last time, his eyes lingering on his best friend's diminishing form. Scanlan waved goodbye from afar, his usual jovial demeanour subdued.

Naruto noticed the forlorn look on Scanlan's face and placed a comforting hand on the gnome's shoulder. "She'll see it soon enough," he said softly, offering a kind smile.

As they continued their journey towards Emon, the absence of Pike's presence weighed heavily on them all. Yet there was also a sense of purpose, a shared determination to face the challenges ahead and return stronger, not just for themselves, but for Pike as well.

The End

A.N

We back again!

Next chapter were will be journeying to whitestone and meeting a friend along the way.

Orochimaru's official intro

Not much else to say

I do have a question though.

Naruto is currently a fighter/monk (not changing)

echo knight and way of the open palm

if I want to add other skills from monk specialisms such as the way of Kensei or Sun soul i'm in two minds about sticking to monks only learning one way or potentially homebrew my own way of and make more Naruto centric for the levels but we shall see.

so let me know what y'all think.

Stay Chilling Y'all