"Nanamo no. You can't just up and decide you want to become an Adventurer." Naruko groaned as she pinched the bridge of her nose.
Nanamo looked up from the forms she was filling out "Says who? Momodi said that as long as I pass some basic fitness checks I should be fine." She said as she handed the now filled out paperwork to the proprietress of the Quicksand.
Naruko gave her a flat look "The one who is actually an experienced Adventurer and knows you aren't up to it. You know, me." She said as she plucked the paperwork out of Momodi's hands and read through them.
Name: Nanamo Ul' Namo
Sex: F
Age: 22
Height: 3'0
Country of Origin: Thanalan
City/Town/Village/Hamlet: Ul'dah
Reason for joining: I wish to improve myself for the betterment of my people, as well as to help my fellow leaders of the Eorzean Alliance.
Level of fitness: Not ready
Enrollment status: Approved
Official enlistment: Pending
"Momodi you can't honestly think this is a good idea." Naruko said as she read through the enrollment forms.
Momodi rolled her eyes and took back the papers "Of course not. But might I remind you she is the Sultana. I'd be foolish to say no." She said with a smile.
"Besides, with the recent changes to the Guild she'll be assigned mentor until she is deemed fit for solo adventuring. Though I doubt she will go traipsing about without you though." Momodi's smile slowly became more smug "And seeing as I am not so cruel to separate such a lovely couple, I've assigned you as her mentor!" She finished with a shit eating grin.
Naruko slammed her head on the counter as Nanamo cheered. Gods this was going to be interesting to explain to the others.
Later
"Excuse me, but what?"
Naruko sighed "Nanamo convinced Momodi to allow her to join the Guild… in other words She is now a partially registered Adventurer now."
The leaders of the Alliance plus the Scions representative looked at Naruko with mixed looks of shock and accusation.
"Hey don't look at me like that. I was against it." Naruko said indignantly while Nanamo sat in her seat visibly shaking in excitement.
"Your Grace is this… truly wise?" Kan-E-Senna spoke.
"Not at all!" Nanamo said with a massive grin "I'll be honest I have no clue what I'm doing, but seeing as the Guild is forcing Naruko to mentor me it'll be great."
The others gave Naruko an accusatory look "Like I said, I tried to stop her...but she-"
"I doubt she could have genuinely forced you lass." Raubahn said with a snort. One would think he would be concerned with Nanamo making such a rash decision. But he knew that Naruko wouldn't let any harm come to her.
"Indeed, if anything it would be more likely that you encouraged her to do so." Alphinuad chimed in.
"Perhaps Her Grace threatened to have her sleep on the couch." Merlwyb said gaining a few chuckles from the others.
Naruko rolled her eyes. At least they didn't know why she buckled so-
"I actually threatened to withhold sex from her for a month."
The room went silent.
*Bang*
Well except for the sound of Naruko slamming her head into the table… repeatedly.
Aymeric however thought it was quite funny "Ahaha, quite the joke Your Grace. I see you do so enjoy teasing our dear friend."
Nanamo gave Aymeric a small smile "Oh I wasn't joking dear Lord Commander. I did indeed tell Naruko that she wouldn't be getting any month if she didn't agree to it."
And with that the chamber went silent… again.
"Nanamo please." A muffled plea came from Naruko.
"Anyway I need to go get ready. See you in half an hour dear." Nanamo kissed Naruko on the side of her head and merrily made her way out of the Fragrant Chamber.
With a groan Naruko sat up. "Gods, this is going to be terrible!"
"Has anyone else noticed that ever since she awoke from her poisoning, Her Grace has been far more confident in her actions?" Kan-E said as they watched the Lalafell woman practically sprint out of the room.
Raubahn nodded in agreement "Indeed. It's as if Her Grace has been reinvigorated by some outside...source." a look of realisation appeared on the Flame General's face. Shortly after the others soon came to the same realisation and looked at Naruko.
"Naruko...has she.." Raubahn tentatively began, as if dreading the response.
Naruko let out a tired sigh "Yeah… she has." She said looking down, her hands clenched in frustration.
The Next day
So after the rather awkward conversation with the Alliance leaders Naruko set out to plan how she would mentor Nanamo.
It would be simple in theory… and by that she meant she was going to take her to the Hall of the Novice. That way Nanamo would be able to learn the basics and get a decent set of equipment.
Except things didn't... exactly go to plan.
"HEEEEELP MEEEEEE!"
Naruko stared at the scene playing out in front of her with an exasperated look. Next to her were the trainer's from the Hall who had similar looks.
"WHY ARE YOU JUST STANDING THERE! IT'S GONNA EAT MEEEEEE!" Nanamo screamed as she ran away from a particularly angry Dodo.
This played out for a few minutes as Nanamo ran in circles to try and escape the 'vicious' bird.
"Should.. should we help her?" The supposed Master of Magick said as she watched Nanamo trip on a rock allowing the Dodo to peck and scratch at her.
With a sigh Naruko made her way over to the fallen Sultana who was now trying to cover her face to avoid it being pecked at by the Dodo. With a swift kick the rotund bird was sent flying and Her Grace saved.
"You ok love?" Naruko asked as she went to help Nanamo up.
However instead Nanamo chose to instead try to sand up on her own "I.. I'm fine Naruko.. just a little bit disoriented." She said as she shakily stood on her feet. Her attire now dirtied and torn in a few parts.
"Well let's go inside and get that cut looked at. Last thing we need is it getting infected."
Cut? What cut? Bringing her hand up to her face she felt something wet, and upon further investigation she discovered she was bleeding.
Suddenly Nanamo became very aware of the small gash across her cheek "Ow ow ow! Why is it burning!?" She shouted as her hand shot back up to the wound.
"Probably because Dodo talons are filthy. C'mon let's get it looked at." Naruko said as she led Nanamo back to the Hall.
However, unknown to them off to the distance there was a peculiar duo was watching them.
"This oddly reminds me of when we first met." The smaller of the two said nostalgically as they watched Nanamo try to convince Naruko to carry her back.
The taller one let out a laugh "Indeed.. except I remember it being the other way around."
"You're lucky I happened upon when I did my love. Or else you likely would have bled out." The smaller one said with a sad smile. The larger one gently took the smaller one's hand into his own "Aye that's true…" he said as they watched Naruko and Nanamo walk hand in hand towards the Hall.
"Ardbert… is what we are doing truly right?"
Ardbert gently squeezed Lamitt's hand "I don't know… but what choice do why have?" Looking down at his lover he saw that tears had begun to slide down her cheeks.
"W-when I look at them I.. it feels as if I am looking in a m-mirror… as.. as if I am looking at us… and it hurts. Why does it hurt so much?" Lamitt said as she broke down crying.
Ardbert knelt down and pulled the smaller woman into a tight embrace allowing her to cry into his shoulder. Luckily neither of them were in their battle gear as they had needed repairs, and instead were dressed in some clothes they bought from the local market.
As Lamitt cried into his shoulder Ardbert was struck with doubt 'We… we are doing the right thing… we caused the Flood and it is our responsibility to set things right.' he thought. However Lamitt's anguished sobs cut through his thoughts 'Then why does it feel as if we are about to damn everything? Why do I feel this pain in my breast when I look at them…' a few errant tears gently slid down his cheek.
They had to… what other choice was there? In their rush to save their world that had doomed it. And so they took the hooded man's deal, they would travel between realms to The Source and slay their singular counterpart in this world… they would kill a woman who only wished to help people and cause a calamity to save their own world.
They had to… they had to…..
Looking back up towards where Naruko was Ardbert's eyes widened "Shit."
Staring back at him was Nanamo who was clutching the staff she had tightly with a look of fear in her eyes. Next to her were the Masters of the Hall who gazed at Him and Lamitt intensely while also occasionally looking around themselves. Their stance showed that they were ready to leap into combat if need be.
"Shit.. we need to… Where is the Warrior of Light?" Ardbert whispered as he noticed the Hero of Eorzea was nowhere to be seen. However before he could thin on it he felt a sharp pinch on his shoulder "Lamitt, your nails." he said as Lamitt's fingers dug into his unarmored shoulder.
"A-a-a-ardbert… S-s-she's right b-behind us." Lamitt said, absolutely terrified.
Eyes widening, Ardbert swung around and placed Lamitt behind himself.
And true enough there she was, the Warrior of Light. The Saviour of Eorzea and Slayer of God's.. Naruko Uzumaki. She just stood there unmoving, staring into his very soul.
'Damn it..this is bad.' Ardbert thought as he examined Naruko. Unlike Him and Lamitt she was armed. And by that he meant she had a massive fucking sword on her back.
"Now then," Her voice cold as ice "Tell me this Warriors of Darkness, what schemes are you up to now hmm? Perhaps you plan to hit me where it hurts and harm Nanamo?" She accuses.
"N-no." Ardbert said shakily. Gods this woman was a monster. She hadn't even drawn her blade, and yet he was shaking like a hare before a wolf.
"Good...good." With that Naruko walked past them and back down the hill "Just know that if you even dare to lay a finger on her," Naruko stopped and looked at the duo "I will kill you. Slowly." She said coldly.
A moment passed as she glared at the two of them before her eyes shifted to the shivering Lalafell and then back to Ardbert. Closing her eyes Naruko took a deep breath and then slowly exhaled. The oppressive aura around her dissipating slightly.
"I'd leave now if I were you Ardbert." She said quietly as she turned and stared at the duo. Looking at Lamitt she frowned slightly "And I'd advise your companion to have a shower or something.. it'll be embarrassing for the both of you if you met up with the rest of your party with her reeking of piss." With that she left.
Looking down, Ardbert saw that Lamitt was shaking like a leaf and at her feet was a small puddle.
Wordlessly he gently picked her up and gathered his aether to teleport them back to Limsa Lominsa. 'Are we truly strong enough to fight her?' Ardbert thought has he watched Naruko descend the cliffside hill 'Gods help us.' with that they were gone.
Later
A few hours had passed and the sun had set. However as they got ready for bed Nanamo couldn't help but feel worried.
"Are you sure they are gone?" Nanamo asked. Naruko let out another sigh "Yes Nanamo, they are gone. Besides.. they weren't even armed."
Nanamo let out a sigh of relief as she leaned against Naruko. "Why do you think the two of them were here?" She asked tiredly.
"No clue." Naruko shrugged. "Hmm.."
Nanamo looked up at her girlfriend "What's the matter?" She asked only for her to look at Naruko questionally when she gently rubbed her thumb along her cheek.
"The cut healed up nicely.. though it's gonna leave a scar." Naruko said as she gently rubbed the pink line of skin near Nanamo's eye. Nanamo smiled "At least I somewhat look the part now hmm." She said before kissing Naruko softly.
"Hmm yes.. truly vicious. All you need to do now is talk like an adventure and you'd be set."
This caused Nanamo to get a small smirk "Oh really?"
"Mhmm.. give it a week or two… how long did you have off again?" Nanamo let's out a dejected sigh "Two weeks." She grumbled out before burying her face into Naruko's bosom.
Naruko let out a sigh as she pulled the smaller woman closer. "That gives us just enough time to put you through the basics.."
To be honest, despite her previous disagreement with this Naruko was keen on teaching Nanamo how to defend herself…
Thal knows she'll need this knowledge in the days to come…
Bet you guys never saw this coming.
Ok then let me explain the whole part with Ardbert and Lamitt and why Naruko terrified them, because I have a feeling I'm gonna get shit for it.
It's simple.
First off they aren't armed whereas Naruko was.
Second, They were on their own. Them happening upon Naruko and Nanamo was by pure coincidence.
Third, They know Naruko could kill them if they got singled out, which they did. Ardbert and his group aren't dumb. And seeing as she is the only Warrior of Light in the Source they are under the assumption that her strength outweighs theirs… which isn't exactly wrong canonically. Do they know that pretty much all of them need to fight her if they wish to succeed and even then Naruko would put up a significant fight. For example, during their first meeting she wasn't just standing around like an idiot. Thancred didn't have to jump in to save her.
And lastly, she was in full protection mode. After what happened to Nanamo she gets a touch protective of her when something or someone she sees as a major threat is near her. And no the Dodo wasn't a massive threat.
So I hope that clears that up… though I wonder if you guys caught the two major story hints I threw in. They are kinda important so tell me if you saw them because they will tie into later plot points.
Also, the 'class' Nanamo is unspecified she is going to train in a few before settling on one (I already know what, and no it's not in the game… yet.)
Now then...here we are again.
Now before you all murder me let me explain. I have been having really, really bad writer's block with my other stories.. and while I hate to do this… I'm putting them on hold for now.
No this doesn't mean they are in hiatus or that I have lost interest… it just means I am stuck in a slump right now, and writing this surprisingly helps. So don't worry, I will try to have another chapter for both of my other stories out by mid-late November to December at the latest.
So that's it, leave a review if you want and remember to stay safe people.
