A/N: EDIT: the site seems to be going down on and off again, which means this chapter is getting a little in the way of feedback. Hopefully it's fixed soon... it really hurts to write a chapter and receive mostly silence...T_T
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SPOILERS FOR SHADOWS OF THE ERDTREE AHEAD!
"I had such plans, once.
But now I see mine errors.
Very well. Let us see how this plays out...
~Over Fallen Leaves.
To be Acknowledged
"You look angry."
Malenia huffed, her gaze sharp as she gazed out across the tainted landscape of Caelid. "I am not angry."
Naruto snorted, walking up to her with his hands stuffed casually into his pockets. "See, ya say that, but you're scowling like a thunderstorm, sooo..." He grinned that infuriating grin of his, the one that never failed to chip away at her carefully cultivated composure. "Maybe it's Ranni, maybe it's the Rot, or maybe you're mad that Radahn's got all the kids hanging off him instead of you. But you're definitely angry."
How did he know about Ranni? He was a shinobi. And he had ears; he wasn't deaf, ya know.
Malenia looked away from him, jaw tightening as if to deny it. Her golden eyes flickered toward the horizon where the red dunes stretched endlessly, tainted by her past mistakes. Even now, she could see the tendrils of the Scarlet Rot stretching across the land, stubborn and unyielding despite all her efforts. Worse still, Ranni's sudden intrusion burned at the back of her mind. The witch had spoken as if she held all the cards, as if she alone could shape the future.
Naruto watched her quietly for a moment before plopping himself down on a nearby rock, his usual cheer tempered with something softer. "You know, it's okay to be mad. You don't have to carry all that guilt alone."
Her fingers clenched, the metal of her prosthetic hand creaking under the strain. "She dares to lecture me about staying away from the Erdtree and the Realm of Shadows. As though I would let her dictate the fate of this land."
"Sounds like she's scared," Naruto observed, leaning back lazily, clasping both hands behind his head. "Scared you're gonna do something big. And maybe she's right to be. You've got the strength to change things, Malenia. And you've got us—me, the girls, Nania…even Radahn. We're all in this together."
Her lips twitched at the mention of their daughters. She couldn't deny how much they had grown since Naruto entered their lives. Mary, Maureen, Amy, Polyanna, Milicent—all of them clung to him with an affection that warmed her frozen heart. And then there was little Nania, the miracle child born of the new Haligtree, her golden eyes always sparkling with curiosity and kindness.
"I suppose they do look to you as their father," she murmured.
Naruto grinned wider. "Damn right they do. And you're their mom. They need both of us to be strong."
She sighed, the tension easing from her shoulders just a little. "You make it sound so simple."
"It kinda is." He stood and dusted off his pants, offering her his hand. "Come on. Let's get to work. Caelid's not gonna heal itself."
Reluctantly, Malenia took his palm in her own, fingers threading through his. Her consort's warmth was comforting, steady, a beacon against the ever-present chill of her curse.
She would take what comfort she could in this wretched land, even if it was a momentary one.
As they descended from the ridge, their daughters came into view, laughing and playing around Radahn and Jerren. Radahn, once a mindless beast, now smiled with a warmth that seemed out of place on his rugged face. His nieces clambered over him, oblivious to his once-fearsome reputation.
The sight bemused her. Nania was very much a child, but Milicent and the others were women grown; how amusing it was, then, to see them act like the youths they were at heart.
"Papa! Mama!" Nania waved excitedly from Radahn's shoulder. "We're helping clean up!"
"Helping?" Naruto chuckled. "Looks more like you're climbing a mountain."
"Radahn is a mountain!" Mary declared with a giggle.
Radahn shook his head with a bemused expression. "I am no mountain."
"Yes, you are!" Maureen insisted, clinging to his arm with all the determination of a warrior scaling a peak. "You're big and strong and unmovable!"
Jerren groaned, rubbing his head where Polyanna had clambered up to tug on his beard. "I swear, if one more of you pulls on my whiskers, I'll..."
"You'll what?" Amy teased from her perch atop Radahn's other shoulder. "You're not gonna hurt us! Uncle Radahn would stop you!"
Radahn's laughter boomed through the dunes, a deep, hearty sound that seemed to shake the very earth. "Indeed, I would. Be gentle with him. He's old and cranky."
Jerren grumbled, but even he couldn't suppress a smile. "Cranky, am I? I'm not the one who needs a nap after every battle."
Naruto grinned at the sight of his daughters swarming the two warriors. "Told ya. They're having a blast."
Malenia couldn't help but smile at the sight. These moments were precious, fleeting. They reminded her of what she fought for—a future free of the Rot's curse, a future where her family could thrive.
As they moved through the dunes, Naruto reached out and traced his fingers over one of the infected trees, his chakra flaring briefly. The twisted bark shuddered under his touch before beginning to mend, the deep crimson fading into a healthier hue. "See? Progress."
Malenia nodded, though her thoughts drifted elsewhere. Her hand brushed the small pouch at her hip, where the ring lay hidden. She had kept it for so long, a symbol of her hopes and fears. Perhaps it was time to give it to him. He had stood by her through everything, never wavering, never doubting her. He deserved to know how deeply she cared.
Before she could dwell on it further, a familiar voice called out.
"Brother?"
Miquella's voice rang through the ruins of Radahn's castle as she approached, manifesting in a swirl of golden light. Her new form radiated grace and confidence, golden hair gleaming in the sunlight beneath her pale white gown. Radahn turned at the sound of her footsteps, his weathered face lighting up with recognition.
"Miquella?"
Malenia winced despite herself.
To think her reborn twin would actually dare to come here after everything was said and done.
Morgott wouldn't be pleased watching over the Haligtree by himself, but needs must, she supposed...
Even as she looked on, Miquella nodded, a gentle smile on her lips. "Or Saint Trina, if you prefer. It seems I've become both."
Radahn frowned, his gaze searching hers. "Are you truly my brother? Or has Trina taken your place?"
Miquella smiled enigmatically, tilting her head. "Who can say? Perhaps I've always been both. Perhaps Trina was simply another facet of who I am. But does it matter? I am here now, and I've come to speak with you."
Radahn's brows knitted together. "Speak of what?"
"Of the future." Miquella sat beside him, her gaze distant. "We once believed the Golden Order could be restored, that we could mend the broken world with our own hands. But I see now that the path we chose was flawed. The Greater Will has failed us."
Radahn's jaw clenched. "And what do you propose instead?"
"A new age," Miquella said softly, hands clasped before herself. "One shaped not by gods, but by people. By those who understand the value of life and the cost of sacrifice. Naruto is proof of that. He has no divine lineage, no grand destiny—yet he stands beside Malenia, healing what we once destroyed. He is the future."
Naruto chuckled and scratched the back of his head. "Aw, shucks...
Radahn mulled over her words, his expression unreadable. "And what of Ranni? She plots in the shadows. She will not surrender her ambitions so easily."
Miquella chuckled, a sound both sweet and sorrowful. "Ranni is a creature of secrets and schemes. But even she can be swayed… if given the right incentive."
Radahn's gaze sharpened. "And if she refuses?"
Miquella stood, her golden cloak billowing in the breeze. "Then we shall deal with her as we must. For now, let us focus on healing Caelid. The time for confrontation will come soon enough."
As she walked away, Radahn called after her. "Miquella!"
She paused, glancing over her shoulder. "Yes, brother?"
Radahn's eyes narrowed. "Are you truly certain of this path?"
Miquella's smile was serene, her voice light as air. "Who can say?"
With a graceful sway of her hips, she disappeared into the castle, leaving Radahn to ponder her words.
(.0.0.0.)
In a distant, shadowed chamber, Ranni stood before a tall, cloaked figure.
The room was dark, the air thick with the scent of old magic and secrets best left unspoken.
"The pieces are in motion," she murmured, her voice like a whisper on the wind. "Malenia moves to heal Caelid, Miquella dances between light and shadow, and the fox stands at their side."
The cloaked figure stepped closer, their features obscured. "And what of you, witch? What do you seek?"
Ranni's single visible eye gleamed with cold determination. "I seek an end to the gods' dominion. The age of stars must rise—a world unbound by fate or divine will."
The figure chuckled, a low, rumbling sound. "Then we are aligned. But beware. The fox is cunning, and the blade of Malenia is sharp."
"I am well aware," Ranni scoffed softly. "And I have no intention of underestimating them. Neither do you, I trust."
"Naturally."
Such arrogance; still, she supposed that was why they'd allied with one another.
"Can you kill him?"
She wasn't quite sure why she asked the question; what it was that spurred her to speak so. Call it instinct, concern, perhaps even a smidgen of fear. How long had it been since she'd felt such? Not since she'd first been named Empyrean all those years ago. Not since she saw that thing. Not since she realized her life was a life.
This...was a different sort of fear. It was most unpleasant. She wanted it -and the source!- slain swiftly as possible.
Another chuckle reverberated through her chambers, soft, yet bittersweet. "It would bring me no joy, but I will do what I must for the sake of my goal."
"Our goal," she corrected him sternly. "Remember the agreement.
"We remain allies. "He granted her a nod. "For now."
His peace said, he turned to depart.
"Hold!"
Paused, now, at her plea.
Ranni stepped to him, idly touching one of her four hands to his.
"Do not think I have not noticed thy deeds as of late." with her third hand, she reached up -why did he have to be so blasted tall?!-and stroked the shadows of his cheek, while the second came up to caress his chest and with the third she secured his remaining limb, daring to be so bold as to hold both his hands. "You have accomplished much in my service. It is my hope that you will rise to greater heights still."
He scoffed, but didn't tug his hands from hers. "Flattery will get you nowhere."
Hrrrmph. He could be so cold sometimes. But she understood him.
"Perhaps a token of mine affection, then."
Standing on the very tips of her toes -accursed short body!- she leaned up and pressed her cold lips to his.
Here at last, his eyes widened, a rare hint of emotion breaking through his stony facade. It was gone in an instant, whisked away behind his stoic face, but she'd seen it. When she stepped back he didn't reach for her, but his hands did twitch; his footing shifting ever so slightly as he contemplated giving chase. That was proof enough of his affections for her.
She could imagine it now, him pushing her against a wall, her legs hooking around his waist, fingers digging into her lips as he kissed her lips hard enough to bruise, one hand lifting back the folds of her dress...
A most pleasant prospect indeed.
"You're daydreaming, witch."
Meep.
Her doll body lacked the capacity to flush, but her soul seared with scorching embarassment. She huffed and deflected it with a hasty pivot. "I know not what thou mean. Once I have regained my proper form, I shall see thee suitably rewarded. Now, be off with you!"
He grunted once and vanished in a swirl of smoke.
As the figure faded into the shadows behind her, Ranni turned to gaze out a window, her mind already spinning new plots and schemes.
The game was far from over—and she intended to win. Her precocious sister would not seize Marika's remains, nor the Elden Ring.
"Let them think they have the upper hand," she whispered to herself. "In the end, all will bow to the stars...
A/N: There we go.
That said, would you like weekly updates for this story? Do let me know~!
Well? Should this remain a story? Yay or nay, what say you? Not much else to say this time 'round. Reviews keep me writing, and without them, my inspiration falls flat. Ever bit of feedback helps. Pain hurts. Pain hurts a loooot. But silence from readers and reviewers? That hurts even more. As ever, reviews keep this old man alive during these dark and crazy times. I ain't joking.
Just wanted to thank everyone for their heartfelt support. Covid has...given me a lot to think about.
There are times when I look to the future and wonder what will become of things, of this site, when I'm gone.
Of course, I try not to dwell on the latter overmuch; I'm still alive and still writing. In an ideal world, I'd like to keep doing so for as long as I can. But old age is catching up to me and these days, the world is filled with so much madness and death. Feels like everyone's lost their minds sometimes. Even before that, so many friends and fellow writers I once knew are gone, now. Will I still be here in twenty years? Ten? Five? Its a chilling thought. But for now, I'm still here, still writing.
So in the Immortal Words of Atlas... Review...Would You Kindly?
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SPOILERS! SPOILERS! SPOILERS!
PLOT DETAILS AHOY!
YE BE WARNED!
Read at your own risk!
Mostly the same here. Didn't want to spoil the next arc.
(Previews)
"Speak, and I will listen."
Gowry grinned. "All part of the plan...
"WARRIOR!"
"Oi, oi, oi! Its too damn early for this!
EDIT: Hey, you made it! Thanks for reading!
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? Well, it won't be continued. 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.
Looking forward to hearing from you all when I get back from work~!
R ~!