A/N: The mature version of this chapter is now up on A03 for those who wish to see it!

EDIT: well, it seems this chapter isn't all that popular. Do people not want to weekly updates for this? Really need to know what folks want here T_T

Site is also having issues with reviews and notifications.Do let me know if you can see this in the reviews! Appreciate you all~!

After many, many hours, I've beaten the DLC...and I am now dead inside. What. Was. THAT ENDING?! How am I to sleep after that?! What a gut punch! The DLC also screwed up a few story beats in several of my stories for Elden Ring, while, oddly enough, making some better. Runt of the Litter -Naruto reborn as Godrick- and Forget Me Not -Naruto reborn as Miquella- come to mind. To say nothing of my other stories.

As ever, I own no references, quotes, themes or memes. They're tributes to legends far greater than little 'ol me.

I'm just a humble author trying to make his way in this wild world, one word at a time.

Time and feedback will determine if this remains a story. Simple as that.

In other words...its up to YOU, the reader. Do let me know~!

And now...in the words of an infamous man...

Here...we...gooooo~!

"Let us commence!

~?

Name thy Bout

It wasn't every day a man got to fight Destined Death.

Truth be told, Naruto found himself rather looking forward to his bout with Maliketh and his black blade.

The festivities that precede said bout...

.

..

...somewhat less so.

More than half of Leyndell had turned out before the city square on this fine evening -the Elden Throne lacking both the means and method to seat so many eager souls- to see this grand little spectacle, from the lowest craftsman to the greatest of Erdtree Sentinels. Everyone expected a show, a dance, not some one-sided beating.

He was almost tempted to give them the latter; if only to disabuse them of the notion. He could hear Orin practically drooling on the sidelines, hoping he'd do just that.

Fights were rarely a spectacle back in the Badlands, and they were certainly not a dance. A duel was a duel, and often to the death at that, a war in which only the strongest could survive. In the tribe, leadership -and a crown!- was warranted with strength and strength alone. There was none of this...preening and pomposity. Then again, things had always been simpler when he styled himself as Hoarah Loux.

Axes and anger. Blood on bone. Strength and speed.

Try telling that to Marika; she did so love her showmanship.

Even now Queen-to-be approached the stage with arms raised, hammer held high in her right hand.

Performing a little spin, she let her dark dress flare out at her ankles, to which the crowed roared and began to stamp their feet.

She loved the attention. He could tell. She basked in it like the rays of gold from their fledgling Erdtree; shen she turned and flicked a saucy wink his way, the gladdened throng screamed her name. He rolled an eye and went with the act, remaining still as stone where he stood, hands perched on the haft of his ax.

"Good evening Lords and ladies of Leyndell!" Her voice resonated amongst the smallfolk, pitched perfectly to reach those both above and below; she hollered into her dread hammer as though it were some manner of mad microphone. "We are tonight's entertainment! AND ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?!"

A series of hoots and catcalls went up from some of the ruder, rowdier folk.

An eyebrow twitched. That was HIS woman they were making eyes at.

He stomped a foot down and the world shook.

All those jeers died an ugly death.

"Tonight!" Marika took it in stride, blast her, "Great Godfrey, first Elden Lord, shall face He Who bears the Black Blade, wielder of Destined Death itself, my Shadow...Maliketh!"

Silence choked the cheers in their throats and even Naruto winced a little despite himself.

For if Marika was loved and cherished by her people, then Maliketh was feared by them. As well he should be. One touch of his sword meant death for the lesser folk, even in this brave new era. Such a sword could harm even him and the Queen's Shadow knew it too; bloody bastard even took his sweet time lumbering up into the ring. He wasn't fooled for a moment: the queen's shadow was nearly fully healed; he would be quick as his namesake, quicker still perhaps.

But it seemed the Queen's Shadow could play to the crowd as well; while he looked on, the armored wolf raised his blade into the air and threw his head back with a mighty cry.

They ate it up, Lords and peasants alike.

Irked, he slammed his down, only for them to cheer for him in return.

"What vexwes thee?" Marika looked his way with a grin, voice momentarily muffled by the sheer din of the audience. "Art thou not amused my, dear consort eternal?"

He glowered at her. "...is this what you call entertainment?"

She leaned into him, lowering her voice for his sake. "They seem themselves in you. You are a champion unto them, a common man selected as Elden Lord. How can they not cheer?"

He blinked upon her, baffled and balked by what was clearly less than a half-truth. "I am no mere man. You of all people know that."

Her hip brushed his in passing. "We both know, but they don't. Let the people have a little hope. Give them a show."

A show, she said. Bah! As though he were some prize stallion to be carpered about! "You were the one who set up this match in the first place."

"I did," she grinned up at him, "And I know you're looking forward to it.

"The fight, yes. This spectacle, no."

She dragged her nails down his chest seductively. "Then best him swiftly; do so, and I shall reward thee most handsomely. Be a dear and get their attention, won't you?"

...hrmph."

He raised his right hand, he flooded it with Kurama's chakra and conjured a tailed beast ball to his palm. From there, he fired it up into the air like a pseudo firework. The explosion that followed rattled the city to its very roots. Better yet, it drew Maliketh's attention. Heh. The old wolf didn't look quite so cocky anymore.

The people ate it up, crooning happily at his "spell", thinking it for show.

Not so Marika, the young queen turned gleaming eyes upon him, her smile shining like the elden stars. "Could you always do that?!"

Here at last, he couldn't help but preen a little. "Would you believe me if I said yes?"

"What shall it be?!" Marika pushed off his chest and flung up her arms, to the adulation of all. "To first blood or yield?!"

The crowd stomped their feet, the word of one soon taken up as a cry by the many. "Yield! Yield! YIELD!"

Kurama huffed in his head, and he agreed with him. She knew how to work a crowd.

"So shall it be!" his fiance stepped away, preening like a proud peacock. "Carve their fight into your hearts Sear it into your souls! BEHOLD!" So speaking, she flung up her hammer into the air and stepped back, letting her weapon arc into the sky. "When the hammer strikes the ground, the match begins! To the victor goes the spoils!"

Maliketh tensed opposite him. "This will be over in a moment, Godfrey."

He cracked a grin. "Promises, promises...

Down came the hammer, landing squarely between the two of them with a thunderous crash.

Maliketh lunged forward and bounded over without nary a sound, silent as death itself.

A pity. He would've enjoyed a bit more pre-fight banter before they began the bout.

Out came his ax, arcing upward to meet him in a broad one-handed sweep.

CLANG!

A sonorous sound filled Leyndell as their weapons collided, sparked, interlocked against one another. Maliketh realized his mistake a moment laterw he grinned, braved his ax with both hands and pushed him down, driving him to a knee, then another with naught but the Black Blade between them. From there, he pressed his advantage with gusto, forcing the old wolf to hold on for dear life, lest he be overcome.

Put on a show, Marika said. Fine. He could ham it up with the best of them when he wanted.

He forced his smile into a sneer and pitched his voice to carry, not just to the startled shadow pinned beneath him, but the howling audience baying for blood. "Is this all you can muster, Maliketh?!"

Destined Death glowed an ominous shade of red on black, burning with baleful light.

It was his only warning.

"...?!"

Instinct overpowered the need for a quick victory and he kicked backward out with his right foot, driving a boot into Maliketh's armored knee to bring him low while simultaneously flinging himself away from the torrent of slashes that filleted the space he'd stood. Credit where it was due, Maliketh recovered quickly, grabbed a nearby pillar, and vaulted forward howling down at his head-

Sparks flew as he parried the black blade with his ax and slashed upward, forcing the shadow into a clumsy tumble past him or risk lose an arm.

A savage grin split his face; the opening was too good to ignore.

"You are unwise to lower your defenses!"

Axes weren't made for jabbing. Not thrusting, nor ripostes.

No, at the end of the day, they were made for swings, smashes and slashes. They were a weapon of STRENGTH.

And he, pardon the pun, moved with Grace.

Armor shrieked and spat sparks as his axe came crashing down onto Maliketh's back. Caught unawares, the half-wolf slammed facefirst into the courtyard, banging his head within his helm. It likely saved his life, but he'd have a terrible headache come morning. He didn't bleed visibly, but his armor dented inward, heralding a great deal of pain as the mangled metal jutted against his ribs. He could've finished him there; could've delivered the coup de grace and split him in half with a second strike while he laid there prone.

But he didn't. This shadow, however irritating he'd been, was not an enemy. And so he let him rise.

He didn't miss the flash of approval from Marika. Good. He hoped she appreciated this.

...you move well," Maliketh rumbled, stumbling to his feet. "For a brute."

"This "brute" is about to stomp you into the ground, wolf...

They closed upon one another. Axe met blade, weapons crossed, tangled, and sprang apart. In short order, their bout became a storm of blows, a deadly devastating dirge, replete with stomps and kicks, flips and whirls, maneuvers that left the audience all but howling for more.

Even with his wounds, the black blade of Marika proved himself dangerously nimble. In such a limited setting as this, with his blood up, it was only a matter of time before he got the better of him. Sure enough he did; performing a sudden moulinet, pivoting to slap his axe aside and bring the black blade across his chest in a vicious twist.

The answer was simple, the solution obvious, he mustn't let that blade touch him. And so he flooded his skin with subtle chakra, burning gold.

Imagine his surprise when Maliketh cut right through it and his armor alike.

Kurama yowled in agony. For once, he shared it.

Pain! He'd almost forgotten what it felt like!

Naruto stepped back with a startled bark of laughter, cradling one hand against his chest, mildly surprised to find himself bleeding. He wasn't used to seeing this much of his own blood anymore. He feigned weaknees and dropped to a knee, leaning heavily against his axe. Sure enough, Maliketh struck again, forcing him to twist his head aside les the lose an eye. Another thin slice opened across his cheek, dark as night and thrice as painful.

Blast but those wounds stung.

The crowd went silent and dimly, he became aware of Marika's arm raised in the background with a shout. "First blood to Maliketh!"

"Yield." Said shadow dropped to all fours with a growl, leaning upon his bloody weapon. "The next strike will end your life."

Ohhhh how those words stung! He had no one to blame but himself for holding back. 'Underestimating me, are we...?'

He raised his gaze. "Is that what you think...?

Grinning, he flexed his chest muscles and the wound closed.

The queen's shadow bridled, utterly incredulous. "Impossible...!"

He titled his head as he finished regenerating. "You really have no idea what's possible...

Maybe he was playing it up a little but this was just so much FUN-careful. He was supposed to be Godfrey now, couldn't let Hoarah Loux come out to play. If he truly gave into his lust for battle, nothing would survive, but here and now, unleashing the beast within might prove dangerous for the old wolf...

.

..

...screw it.

Grinning, he cast his axe aside and absolutely ripped the ruined armor from his chest.

Orin squawked in dismay while Marika whistled wolfishly in the background.

He ignored their remarks, stood, and towered over Maliketh.

"I've given thee courtesy enough."

So speaking, he flung the remains of his vestments at him; when the hound slashed at it, he came barreling through the remains, grabbed him by the throat, and slammed him against a pillar. Once. Twice. Thrice. On the fourth the pillar shattered, crumbling down around him. He blinked the dust from his eyes and Destined Death lashed out at once, lopping his hand off at the wrist. Chiding himself for the slip, he pivoted as the hound danced away, took a brisk step forward in pursuit and-

STOMP.

The sudden shock wave that followed left old Maliketh off balance, only for a moment.

It was enough, no, more than enough to regrow his lost limb.

He stepped in and swung for the fences.

CRACK.

Truly, he would never forget the telltale sensation of a jaw buckling beneath his fist.

Sage knew he'd done this countless times back in the tribe. And now?

Maliketh went sprawling.

THUD.

Naruto gave For all his bark, the old dog didn't dare face him in a head on collision, if he could help it; which was wise of him, frankly. He favored glancing blows, sweeping strikes, darting in and out before he could bring his full strength to bear. Death by a thousand cuts, whittling him down through sheer attrition.

It was a sound strategy. Really it was. Except.

Naruto didn't care about strategy right now. He grinned and stepped in without fear, letting the black blade brush his beard; bringing the cold chill of death with it. Undaunted, he reached out, seized Maliketh by the upper wrist and squeezed, grinding the nerves of his wrist tightly together. Destined Death fell from his hands, and he seized it instantly, kicking back to freedom with his new prize.

It was heavy. Unnaurally so. The blade recoiled, refused, rejected him outright, howling indignantly. Release me! Let me go, let me go, LET ME GO!

So the Rune of Death was alive and well int his blade. So much for a new toy. He would've liked to wield it...no matter.

Hefting the deathly blade, he spun and launched it at Maliketh like a javelin.

The old wolf yelped-actually yelped!-and flung himself out of harms way as the blade skewered the space he'd been standing. Curious. Was he not immune to his own weapon? Thoughts for latter he supposed, right now he wanted to smash his face in!

He was still pondering just how to do that when the black wolf went on the attack again.

The black blade was powerful, downright deadly, but for all his speed, he needed a moment to bring it around. For a Warrior, a second in battle was the difference between life and death. In the time it took the black blade to recover, their bout came to an end. Destined Death came howling in at his chest, to which he shunted it off an armored bracer, reached in, grabbed Maliketh by the waist and-

With a cackle, he threw his body backwards and planted the Queen's Shadow in the ground as one might a turnip.

Marika howled her approval. "Did he just suplex him?!"

Was that what they called it these days?

Dauntless, he reached down and griped Malekith by the scruff of the neck.

"Yield." he threw the wolf's words back at him with a sneer. "Or I crush your throat."

"Never!" The old wolf wore a pained grimace as he clawed at him. "I am not beaten yet, you arrogant barbarian-ack?!" He squeezed his windpipe, rendering his words a wheeze. "You wouldn't...!"

A baleful grin put paid to his words. "Wouldn't what...?"

The crowd had gone deathly silent around them, but he didn't care. Why shouldn't he end this? The strong thrived, the weak died. Malekith's defeat was proof enough of his weakness. Therefore, he should just perish like the rest. Perish, perish, die and be dead just like Radagon should be-

"That's enough!" Marika's voice cut through the haze of bloodlust. "Godfrey is the Victor!"

Sense swam back into focus, bringing reality with it. He blinked once.

"Oi, brat." Kurama's voice was tense. "You won. Let him go."

Reluctantly, he did as his old friend bade.

Maliketh snarled." I can still-

Marika smacked her shadow upside the helmet, drawing a dog-like yelp from him. "If this continues the two of you will surely kill one another. I've no use for a disobedient shadow, nor a brute who knows no restraint." she turned a brief, baleful gaze upon them with pointed intent and crossed both arms before her bountiful bosom. "Thankfully it seems the two of you are neither."

"You heard her. Seems I'll have to help you watch that temper of yours."

On that at least, he and Kurama agreed. It was the first time he'd nearly lost control in ages. How unseemly.

Suitably chastised, Naruto turned to face the crowd. They hooted, their faith him restored.

Marika sashayed his way, hips swaying, and he drew her into his arms. She laid a hand on his chest and those cries redoubled. If there was one thing they loved more than a show it was romance.

"There you have it!" She raised a fist for the crowd, many of whom were even now chanting their names. "People of Leyndell, you have your champion! Now feast and make merry! Tonight, thine meal shall be provided at the expense of the crowd!"

He quirked a brow at her.

"What?" she huffed and leaned into them. "Let the smallfolk fill their bellies tonight. They deserve it. Every day cannot be a battle. We will have those aplenty soon enough. And children, I suspect," she muttered under her breath, turning her head aside. "Gods, you could grind meat on those abs...

Right, his upper torso was still bare, wasn't it? Still, he hadn't quite heard what she said just now. "What was that?"

"Nothing!" She chirruped with faux innocence. "Come, let us leave Maliketh to his rest. We shall have a celebration of our own."

Hmm. He rather liked the sound of that.

Radagon met the two of them upon the stairs leading upward, wearing a face like thunder.

Marika brushed past him without so much as a passing glance.

Would that he were so lucky on that front.

...do not rest on your laurels for long, aspiring elden lord." he growled under his breath, shouldering him aside. "I shall show you up yet."

A lifetime ago "Naruto" would've risen to his bait, all angry spit and condemnation. As great Godfrey, he merely blinked once. "Do you crave my approval that much, lord Radagon?

The man sputtered furiously. "You will see!"

"Is that so?" He scoffed, unimpressed. "I have seen nothing but failure form you so far. Run along, little mouse."

The Champion tensed, and for a moment he wondered if they would come to blows. His blood was still up after the Maliketh fight, the warrior within not so easily silenced. He wasn't above divesting him of an arm to teach him a lesson or two. Surely he'd grow it back.

Alas, it was not to be.

"Do get that stick out your ass brother mine." Marika materialized between the two of them and separated them with a smile. "It's hardly becoming."

"As is your wanton lust over this man." came the immediately bitter rejoinder. "It sickens me how you shame yourself over him."

"Its called marriage, Radagon." she siad." Perhaps you should try it sometime. Having a paramor soothes the soul."

Her brother bridled. "Never! I shall not subscribe to such weakness!"

"Have it your own way, then...

Radagon stalked off.

Marika tutted after the rambunctious redhead. "You shouldn't goad him. He has his pride."

"Does he now?"

"But of course." She made a show of inspecting her fingernails. "He is a part of me, after all. But enough of your word games. Come!" she grabbed him by the wrist and he let her, allowing her to tug him up the stairs once more. "Tonight we shall make merry, but tomorrow we have an army to prepare and a conquest to assemble!"

Naruto frowned. "Isn't it the other way around...?"

"Semantics!" She flounced ahead of him with a pout. "Keep talking like that and you'll be sleeping on the couch!"

Surely she was having him on, there. "We sleep in separate beds, Marika."

She huffed, looking more human than ever before. "That changes tonight! I can hardly let that sorceress steal a march on me when I'm not looking now, can I? Your firstborn shall be with me, not her!"

The byplay soared right over his head, to which he squinted. "Why are we talking about Rennala and firstborns?"

She refused to elaborate and began playing with her braid instead. "Why indeed...?"

Such a wild, boisterous girl. He couldn't tell if she was putting an act on for him or He lumbered after her with a roll of the eyes. "As you command, my queen...

"Indeed I am! She tossed her head, slapping his chest with her golden braid. "And do not forget it!"

He caught her wrist before she could retreat, and spun her into his chest "Hrrm...

She balked and gazed up at him boldly. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Honesty was the best policy with someone like her. "My blood is still up."

"Is it now? Her gaze became lidded. "Shall I grant you succor?"

Cheeky minx. She was being coy. Cute, but he always preferred the direct method back in the tribe.

Rather than retort, he swept her off her feet and up into his arms.

Marika spluttered in unexpected delight, throwing both arms around his neck to hold on for dear life. Eyes wide, and cheeks flushed she gazed upon him in disbelief,"Godfrey?!"

He placed a chaste kiss upon her forehead, causing her to sputter as she hadn't in an age.

"Unfair!" She whined at him, kicking her legs in the air to no avail. "You can't just sweep me off my feet like that! 'Tis I who do the swooping and the sweeping! Not you!"

He laughed and bounded toward their bedchamber, carrying her in his arms.

Their future was looking bright.

(.0.0.0.)

Rellana's future was looking grim.

For you see, her dear sister had written to her again.

In truth, she didn't rightly know how Rennala was getting messages here to the Realm of Shadows, but she couldn't couldn't fault her big sister for her persistence.

Less so the contents of her letters.

A barbarian had bested her? Her dear older sister?

Just thinking of it left her furious. No doubt he sought to strip her maidenhood from her, among other things.

This would not stand. No one could harm Rennala! She would have her vengeance upon him!

Surely Messmer wouldn't miss her for a few weeks...

.

..

...Bah. Who was she kidding? Marika's broody offspring wouldn't know she was gone. She doubted he would care. He hadn't given her the time of day in ages; they hardly spoke to one another anymore. Surely he would't notice if she slipped out. And even if he did, what? It wasn't as though he could stop her. He didn't care. Not for anyone, or anything these days, such was his despair. There were ways to slip out of the Shadows for a time, though they often proved costly. She was not bound by a curse, such as he was, but it would take an effort to break free of this place, her very utmost.

Nay an' no matter! She had a barbarian to trounce, and her sister's honor to avenge! No cost was too great!

In hindsight, the foolish little sister shoud've stayed away; but because she didn't...

The Lands Between changed anew.

A/N: And the sister, you say?

Aye, and the sister. Away we goooo~!

Waiting for the DLC really helped out my plans!

Would you like weekly updates? Do let me know~!

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, as such, 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?

(Previews)

The heavens rumbled.

Crimson lightning crossed the sky.

The battle with the dragons was nigh; it would prove the first of many.

Rennala clutched a letter to her chest and flushed. "Damnable man...

"GODFREY! OFFER THY HEAD!"

You found a what?

Marika gestured expansively.

The young Fire Giant regarded him with wide, glassy eyes, her lower lip quivering.

Naruto-Godfrey!-blanched at the sight for he knew it well. "Oh, dear. Easy there, lets just calm down-

She threw her head back and began bawling.

"Can you kill something that big?"

"I'd prefer to talk with it, first...

Gransax loomed before the capital. Before him.

Naruto -Godfrey!- raised a hand and waved. "Mind putting that Bolt of yours down?

Naruto blew out an angry breath. Enough of this. "Orin!"

His disciple perked up like an eager puppy. "Yes?"

He pointed at their enemies. "KILL!"

She dove on them with a cackle.

"As my lord commands~!"

"Father, look!"

Godwyn really was a golden child.

Naruto heaved a small, bemused sigh as he watched his son conjure up a fresh gale. "Thatta boy...

"No. We won't be sending our sons to the sewers. Morgott and Mohg will stay. Right here. With us."

EDIT: Hope this made you smile, and have a great day!

Warm regards,

~Nz.

R ~!