Chapter 30

Beta: Old man of the mountain/Darklord331

Naruto deadpanned.

"Snake heads." He knelt down to the ground, "Why snakes?"

'What's the matter?'

"Naruto has a bad history with snakes. Especially during his shinobi career when it started."

'Oh? I'm sure being spooked wasn't that bad.'

"Try being swallowed by a giant snake and having to bust your way out through the stomach."

'...'

'Guys, can we focus?'

Naruto summoned his new sword. The flaming blade was aimed at the hydra.

'Gwynevere, is there anything I need to know about this creature?'

'Aim for the heads, the body won't take as much damage. Once all the heads are gone then it should die.'

'Understood.'

Naruto started making his trek through the forest but the Hydra had turned its head to him. It noticed.

The head's risen up and then pushed forward. Releasing torrents of water from its mouth.

'Shit!'

The projectiles were aimed at him, he quickly rolled to the far left. He managed to force the blasts into the trees but they snapped under the power.

'Great, so it has long range attacks.'

'Getting close might be our best bet.'

'Not really looking to get eaten again.'

'You can avoid that if we time it just right.'

Naruto wished he had more long range options but seeing it charging up another attack. The water flew at him once more, leading to another role. But he was getting closer.

After a few more blast of water and rolling under the attacks he managed to make it into the water and was standing in front of the monster.

The creature released a low hiss and all the heads leaned up.

In a blur all the heads rushed to him and all in different directions.

But he managed to roll into the middle of two of the heads. Pulling the blade up he quickly slashed into the heads by spinning 360.

The blade sliced through the skins and soon the creature's heads fell off making the monster recoil in pain.

Looking up he saw that two of the heads were gone and now he had at least four more to go.

'Okay that is good progress, but I wonder, can I do this?'

Naruto saw the heads lurch forward again but the attack missed him again and he saw two heads lined up next to each other. Seeing the chance, he pushed his pyromancy into the blade and it started to glow bright red and orange. Then lifting the blade above his head he slammed it back down. The blade releases a thin cutting attack.

Two more heads flew off the body and it screamed in pain.

'Nice making progre-'

The attack started again and this time the remaining two heads rushed to Naruto. But he was ready and he sliced sideways releasing another blade of fire. This one cutting through the last two heads.

The creature roared as the final head died and its body turned into a giant pile of dust. Leaving behind some scales and a second item. Naruto managed to see where it dropped so walking up to the edge he picked t out of the water.

It was a broken locket, the damage from the water had deteriorated the interior of the necklace.

'Who does this belong to?' Naruto closed the locket and turned it around. He saw an unusual symbol on the back and he frowned.

'Naruto, that symbol.'

'What is it?'

'That is the marking of the pygmy the ones that didn't go to the Ringed City.'

'Wait there were some that didn't go?'

'Some saw through my father's attempts and told him they were going to stay in the Abyss. This angered him and he tried to curse them before they left. Luckily the leader of the group discovered this plan. So he was ready to get them out of the area before anything serious could happen.'

'So more trouble from Gwyn? I wonder why this is here though?'

'It might be tied to them being in this area when the fall of Oolacile. But I'm not sure.'

Naruto knew this was going to be a serious pain. Gwyn was just making enemies left and right and he didn't care who or how they were mad. Just that they were all on his term.

Turning his head he narrowed his eyes.

"A golem?"

"It would seem so."

Naruto shrugged his shoulder and walked into the cave. There the golem saw him and started to slowly rush at him. But with his fire he quickly slicked it from the distance.

"Easy."

'Naruto, be careful the weapon could fall apart faster with the way you are using it.'

'I know.'

Naruto had bought some materials at the blacksmith's place to do small fixes on his weapon to avoid it falling apart. Unlike most traditional stuff he found out that blacksmithing is easier with the usage of souls to repair the damages to the weapon. Naruto did feel it was kinda cheating to do this but he accepted this as necessary.

From the golem he saw a woman appear from the remains of the golem. But unlike the woman he saved in the Duke's archives he saw this one dressed more nobly. She had a long dress on with a crown with feather's on the side. She had olivelike skin and long white gloves to complete her outfit.

Naruto frowned; this was not what he expected. Yeah the last one did contain the knight but he never expected to see someone so noble looking Was she from a far off land? Was she someone of great importance or did she just happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time?

Walking over to the woman he touched her shoulders.

"Ma'am are you alright?"

The woman slowly groaned and looked up. Her eyes widened.

"Run."

"Huh?"

"Run before he finds you."

"Who?"

Naruto's eyes widened as she pushed Him away.

What was going-

A dark portal opened behind her. What the hell?

A dark appendage reached out of the portal. He had some kind of opening and closing things on his palm. The arm was hairy and it seemed to be something more like a giant misshapen hand.

The woman was grabbed in a second and dragged into the portal.

'Oh shit is this the disturbance?'

No time to process, Naruto jumped to his feet ready for another attack.

Which did happen but the arm twisted around his sword swing and grabbed him from above. Before twirling in the air and dragging him through the portal.

Lost Izalith

The Witch had just finished off the last of the demons that were posing a risk to all that passed through.

The Centipede demon had lunged at them the minute they appeared. Probably recognizing them as the person that took the ring from it multiple times. Given the creature was a thief she decided to get the ring back.

Killing the monster was easy as her pyromancy more than did enough damage to cover the distance between them. Naruto also managed to kill other demons that charged them.

It would seem they couldn't even recognize their ruler anymore or her children. So, they had to be dealt with.

Walking through what is now the darkened area, she took in the sight of her home. most of the demons around her main home were gone. The lava that once flowed through the area was dried up, and there was barely any noise. Just the echoing sound of their footsteps on the ground. The branches were still there, surprisingly but given that they were made from her magic, probably not that surprising.

The Witch walked up to the main building and opened up a secret area next to where her 'boss room' was located.

It was a fine room compared to the rest of the temple; made of the finest silk. A fine bed in the middle of the room, some furniture in different corners, and a small table next to the bed. She had many pleasant items throughout the room including fragments of her old weapons that she used to use. On top of that some more tomes about the pyromancy she had completed over the years.

While her daughters could claim they were the teachers of the basic pryomancy taught to the swamp people, she never taught them everything she knew.

Something the girls somewhat resented as it would have helped. But she didn't trust anyone at the time. Anyone could have been used by Gwyn and stole information from her. Hell, she was sure that Nito would have done the same if he didn't care so little about everyone.

Seth was obsessed with his crystal studies and the Four Lords were studying the Abyss. Something that Gwyn was fully aware of but didn't do anything until the Night Wraith started popping up everywhere.

Then he just flooded the city.

Honestly, the man never trusted a single person in his life and the only one he did turned his back on him. She often wondered what happened to his eldest son, but then again if he was smart he was far away. While powerful he was nowhere near as strong as his father in his youth. Or I guess, as much of youth as his later years of life as an immortal god.

Sighing, she packed up all of her tomes and grabbed a few weapons from her personal safe. She would never return to this places other fewer people that knew the better. She held out her hand and burned down the room.

Why was she doing this?

Because of the memories. She could recall all the male suitors she had in her youth. The ones that only sought her power and she only needed for creating her daughters. Her son being the most precious of them all. While she never had 'love' for any of her suitors, she did care enough about them. Enough that she would give them special privileges like the Fire Sage. Something she never revealed to her daughters. However, as time passed he started to change, and he grew arrogant. That is the reason she no longer met with him in intimacy.

The Witch could only watch as all the memories of this room burned away and she turned to her frowning daughters. She smiled at them and quickly hugged all three.

They were all that was left of her family. And she would do anything to keep them safe now.

That's why she gave up the Lord Soul. It was more trouble than it was worth, something she didn't hold value in. And seeing what Gwyn did for his own and how far he was going for his prophecy of continuing his age, she wanted nothing to do with it. This age brought pain and suffering in the end, so it was time for the chapter to end and a new one to begin.

Releasing her daughter she stated,

"Now let's go find Naruto. I think it is high time that two of you apologize for the misunderstanding."

Quelana huffed while Quetiva looked embarrassed.

Quelaag rolled her eyes, her sisters were such prudes. It was true she was flashy, but in her mind it was fine. After all, she was just showing off what she had.

Though looking at her mother's chest she did feel envious. She wished Naruto looked at her the same way.

Maybe, nah she would worry about it later.

Quetiva was the youngest of the sisters, so they knew she was reserved. But Quelana, she had been around long enough she didn't need to be so reserved. BUt givne she was still a virgin, that probably played into it.

Naruto never looked at them with lust and treated them like regular people, in her eyes that was more important. Most worshipped them or treated them with disdain for creating the demons. He just looked at them and saw people in trouble and wanted to help.

But she had been too busy with her mother recently so she would fix that when she saw him.

Little did anyone know, it would be some time before they see him again.

Fire Link

"What do you mean you lost it?"

Frampt was staring down his younger brother. Ever since Kars showed up demanding to know where the chosen one was, he had been questioning his brother. Especially since he knew he had the ring of Artorias and was supposed to give it to Sif for safe keeping. Only for it to sacrifice itself in fighting Naruto and then he would use the ring and traverse the Abyss.

Now, the ring seemed to be lost and the only person that would know is standing before him.

Like Kars, he took on a human form and was bowing to his brother. As the eldest he did pay respect to him but he never was one to be subservient.

But this situation required firm grip.

"I lost it. While traveling in my human form I had lost track of what was going on around me and was knocked off balance by a monster."

"Impossible, there is nothing in this land we can't contend with your trying to hide something."

"I'm not, something attacked me from behind and I lost the ring. I tried summoning it back but the ring had Kars enchantment on it so only he would be able to summon it. So flowing down the river, I lost sight of the ring and by the time I could reach Kars it was too late. However, in the sense of things that also means we can continue the game for a little while longer."

"That isn't to important. The Age of Fire either continues or ends, we must determine it without being active in it. Our roles were to put the pieces in place, not control them."

The younger sibling nodded.

"I realized my mistake." He looked up, "But maybe this is a good thing as we might have less to worry about. Given that Manus is already acting on his own."

"Indeed. Maybe there is silver lining in this situation." He sighed, "Still you did do something to alter the game so you have to be penalized someway."

He huffed, great.

"I'm ordering you to apologize to Kars and then I want you to deal with that creature that was summoned recently. I believe it was last sighted at the Duke's Archives."

"Alright then." He stood up and vanished while Frampt sighed.

Manus being active was predictable given the nature of that situation but losing the ring was unacceptable. however, if this was meant to happen in some manner or another, does that mean there is another way into the Abyss without the ring? It would make sense as the ring did appear in their possession after the events of Manus, but wait, did this mean that other things that were in motion? Things that were changing how the game was going?

No it had to be related to the human that was here. He was the key to everything changing. The fate of the sisters, the fate of the witch, the fate of Gwyndolyn, and now the fate of the ring. Is it possible that he was having a parallel effect?

Hm, this bared investigating and he was just waiting for him to come back. Turning himself back into a human, he wandered away from Fire Link.

There was someone he needed to talk to.

Sanctuary Garden

Naruto groaned, that was one hell of a trip. His head was still spinning from everything he went through. The hand didn't hide its intentions and was quickly coming after him.

But he couldn't remember anything beyond being dragged through the portal. He was sitting by a bond fire though, that was good. Plus the area he was in wasn't flooded with monsters or anything dangerous.

Sitting up he closed his eyes,

'Kurama, Gwynevere you still there?'

"Yeah kid just trying to make heads and tails of our situation."

'It would seem we were brought to a new location.'

"Yeah." Naruto touched the bondfire and it lit up. Smiling he tried to activate the Lord Vessel but he was shocked.

'Why can't I warp?'

"Maybe this one is cut off?"

'Impossible all the bond fires are connected. It doesn't matter which one it is, all of them have deep rooted connections.'

"So why is this one cut off?"

'I'm afraid I don't know the answer. But maybe a little exploration will help us get our bearings?'

Naruto sighed, better than nothing. But he did hold his weapon to the bond fire and had the souls repair the weapon. While this was a cheap trick that he learned while in the capital, it was still very useful to him.

So he didn't learn the actual craft and was cheapening the process, sue him.

Naruto walked down the hall of the bond fire and noticed a fog door.

'Really? This early?' He had seen fog doors opened up quickly but most of them to block his passage to the next area or to signify something powerful was waiting for him on the other side. But this door couldn't be more than twenty feet away.

Pushing passed the fog, he saw a bright bolt rushing towards him, he quickly rolled out of the way of the attack.

Looking up he was surprised with what he saw.

It was a white lion like creature with bull like horns, a scropion tail, and wings.

Red eyes that were solely focused on him and already releasing another blast of lightning.

'Great, this thing doesn't want to get close.'

"Then we should make this a range fight."

'That would be the case but his attacks are faster than mine with the sword. So that would be difficult.'

Naruto saw the lion leap into the air and flap his wings.

The creature made a straight dash for him and he was forced to roll away from his attack. Naruto stood upright and brought his sword to his shoulder.

'Okay now there is an opening.' Naruto charged up the blade and focused the power at the tip. Then thrusted the weapon forward. releasing a stream of fire energy.

However, the beast quickly noticed this and jumped out of the way of the attack and fired lightning from the sky.

Naruto rolled forward to avoid the strike but barely missed dodging his swipe at his head. Naruto ducked on the lion and aimed the blade into his stomach.

It jumped away and when Naruto pursued the tail swung. Naruto noticed the tip and quickly pushed away from him. Gathering the energy into the blade he thrusted it forward again.

The lion leaped into the air and Naruto created a horizontal swing.

The creature's eyes widened and it juried to lift itself up higher.

It managed to avoid most of the attack but it screamed in pain.

Showing that its tail was missing, most the tip and some smaller fragments connecting it.

Naruto growled, he managed to remove one thing but he still had a lot of issue going forward.

'As long as it flies out of the way of my attacks I can't get close to him. But getting behind him should be safer now.'

'Naruto be careful where you stand, the water amplifies his attacks and makes part of the water dangerous for a short time.'

Great, another hazard he had to account for.

The creature released a powerful roar and its eyes started glowing a brighter shade of red. It brought its wings up and flapped them forward. Releasing a torrent of wind that was picking up the water and sending it out.

Luckily for him, the attack missed as he was out of range of the move, but he still had more tricks up his sleeve.

Watching it take flight Naruto knew he had to do something about those wings. IF he didn't have those he would probably have to come closer but he wasn't sure that was the best option. As hitting his wings would be harder than hitting his tail. But if he could take enough off, then the creature would struggle.

Sighing, he quickly charged up the sword again and this time released a downward slash making it shifts its body. Flying to the right he saw it was closing in on the ground so he charged up a weaker attack and thrusted it forward making the creature's eyes widen.

The blast hit it in the side, knocking it over.

Now or never.

Naruto rushed at the lion as it was trying to stand back up, seeing Naruto quickly approaching it tried to move quicker.

Naruto was within striking range.

Then the beast flapped its wings and took off.

Only to come crashing back down.

It released a pained groan and looked slightly behind it, wings damaged by a powerful slash.

'Perfect.' Naruto smirked, he knew that the creature was running out of options. Flying away was no longer in its arsenal so now it was all up close.

The beast stood up, opening its mouth, and gathered the lighting in its mouth. Naruto was sure this wasn't good for him and he didn't want to deal with a heavy attack. So, rushing forward again he powered up his sword and thrusted it into the beasts chest.

A roar went out, its lighting disappearing from its mouth. But the creature screamed even more when Naruto channeled more of his pyromancy into teh blade. Creating a powerful flaming beam to punch through the other side of the beast.

A final roar left its mouth and the creature collapsed backwards, leaving nothing but dust behind.

Naruto sighed and put his blade on his shoulder.

"Well that was annoying."

'I can't believe it, you killed one of the Sanctuary Guardians!'

'Um, is that a bad thing?'

'No, what I mean is, that it shouldn't be here. The creatures have long since been extinct since the fall of Oolacile.'

Huh?

If that was the case, then how the hell did he find one in this place? Wait,

'Gwynevere you said the went extinct right, around the time of Oolacile's fall? Wasn't that like a hundred years ago?'

'By our standards yes, 150 years ago to be precise. Thanks, to the power of our souls and the undead curse we were able to survive for longer periods of time.'

Being killed was a thing, but old age? Not really only the Pygmy aged to the point of dying of age. Most that contained the undead curse never died until they were turned into monsters. Even then their death wasn't permanent.

'So, only people who have not turned hollow or undead can die permanently?'

'Yes. but that still doesn't explain what is going on.'

'Is it possible that portal we were dragged through, it put us back in time?'

"Huh?" Kurama was confused. "Are you saying we somehow time traveled?"

'But that's impossible.'

"Compared to everything else that happens in this land and the fact that Nito was able to control armies of skeletons and dragons were flying in the sky. On top of that controlling lighting, fire, and conjuring demons, all of that is reasonable. But Time travel is too much for this?"

Gwynevere blushed in embarrassment. She could see this point.

'Plus this isn't the first time I have time traveled or met alternate realties.'

'Really?'

"I'll explain some other time." Naruto sighed, "But that does explain our bond fire situation. Since ware in the past that means the bond fires in the other locations probably aren't there or not lit. Which means even with the Lord Vessel we can't return to a point that doesn't exist."

"On top of that we were dragged here by that thing too."

Naruto frowned, he forgot about that. It could be the main reason why they couldn't but if that was the case, does this mean they had to defeat whatever it was to get out of this? He wasn't sure but he would have to find someone in the area to find out where they were.

Walking out of the arena Naruto arrived at another bond fire and lit it.

"Oh my more guests have appeared."

Naruto jumped out of his skin and turned around frantically.

"Whose-"

"Over here young one."

Naruto turned to the direction of the voice and saw a mushroom with eyes moving around.

'Talking Mushrooms, okay now I have seen everything.'

"Did we get hit with that poison from the monster?"

'No you two. This isn't too out of the ordinary. Mushroom people do exist in this land but they aren't really talkative or tied to a single place.'

"Okay."

What more could he say?

Walking over to the talking fungus he smiled,

"Hello my name is Naruto it is great to meet you."

The woman laughed,

"I know you are confused young one. Let me guess, you came out of a portal in the middle of nowhere, being grabbed by a giant limb?"

"How did you-"

"Oh, someone else had the same experience. They were, less chatty and friendly than you. So, they took off the minute I didn't tell them how to get back."

"I see. I'm guessing you can't tell me how to return to my own time line?"

"I'm afraid it is not that simple. You are currently in the time line where Oolacile is under siege by the Abyss."

Naruto's eyes widened.

'No way.'

"That means-"

'WE are 150 years in the past!'

Naruto couldn't believe it. The time everyone was talking about, the great trial of Artorias and conquering the Abyss and becoming the Abyss Walker, it was all here.

"It would seem you are familiar with this time period no?"

"Um, yeah, I guess you could say I know about what happens here." Naruto's eyes widened, "Wait has Artorias appeared yet?"

"Why yes he did. He passed through here quite some time ago, heading off to halt the movement of the Abyss. In reality, I had doubts the poor boy can do it with that wolf companion of his but small hope is better than no hope." The mushroom sighed, "Though I haven't heard much from his departure and the Abyss is still going, so that tells me might have failed in his mission."

'But he was the open that conquered the Abyss! How could he have failed? Where did he go if he failed?'

"Then I guess the ruler of the abyss was awakened by something, I mean no one just attacks a city without a reason."

"Dear Dusk doesn't know this and I would like to keep it that way." She whispered, "It was Gwyn's fault."

"How so?"

"You see, Gwyn came through the city a few years ago looking for something. Then he would send his people to a nearby cave and have them explore it. Stating that something down there might help in his pursuits of continuing his reign. At first no one bothered to stop them and even helped. But the more he delved into it the worse it became. More of the Abyss started coming through the city, creatures started appearing, and people were losing their minds to the horrors of the dark. But it couldn't be stopped and Dusk was kept out of the loop in fear of what she would do. Because denying Gwyn was never a good idea."

"I heard." Nito, The Witch, and his own children and best friend were examples of this.

"A few days ago, something changed. The people that went down to explore the Abyss, they never came back up. But more of the monsters started to appear and people felt the Abyss growing and soon it submerged most of the lower parts of the city. Even sinking some of the buildings and bleeding into areas around the town. We thought that they unearthed something that they shouldn't and that is when we heard it, a primal roar that was released from the darkest hole in the Abyss. Creating a powerful shockwave and causing the ground to shake." The mushroom shook for a second, "Manus had been awakened."

Manus?

"The one that rules the Abyss and the father of those that live down there. He was one of the oldest beings in existence and is said to be a warrior that served during the war against the Ancient Dragons. Even pointing out that he was one of the few Pygmy that defied Gwyn and took his people away from his domain. Some even believe he is the holder of the original Dark Soul, which would explain his overwhelming power."

"Yeah but the Lord Souls are stronger aren't they?"

"By themselves in the beginning they were, but over time the Dark Soul has now become the strongest. As the longer it bathed in the Abyss and the more fragments that sorted to form from it, the more its power grew. Over time it surpassed even Gwyn's Lord Soul and even his spear of sunlight wouldn't be able to stop the Dark Soul." The mushroom shook her body, "But never the less, the important thing is that Dusk the ruler is now in the hands of Manus in the Abyss. I wish to implore you to save her, seek Artorias if you must but please end this darkness over our kingdom."

Naruto nodded and agreed to the terms. He was sure that fighting this Manus figure would be tough but he was confident that he could find a way. Plus if he finds the knight the battle should be slightly easier.

Naruto settled by the bond fire and repaired his equipment and soon looked to the distance and prepared for the great battles ahead of him.

In the Abyss, a single woman was shuddering in fear, forever trapped in a nightmare like state.

A dark being covered over her, dark red eyes glowing in the darkness, and a terrifying visage towering above all. But the creature didn't look at the woman with anger, but pity.

It gently reached out one of its arms and touched her and she shivered once more.

The being frowned at this and turned back waiting for another to dare challenge him.

He was Manus, The Father of the Abyss and the one true Pygmy, he wouldn't shudder form a challenge.

"Come for me, Gwyn, so I can end your age once and for all."

The necklace now was wrapped around the neck of the giant beast and if one were to look at the locket it had the markings on the cover.

Oolacile.

Chapter End