Chapter 32
Beta: Old man of the mountain/Darklord331
Naruto sat down by the bond fire and repaired all his equipment. He had a tough battle with the Abysswalker, and he could feel his exhaustion hit him.
Of all the battles he had Artorias was the most demanding and he wasn't sure if he was good or lucky. Because if the woman hadn't appeared. He shuddered at Artorias being even stronger and faster than before. He estimated that his strength was easily on par with Lee during the Chunin Exams when he unlocked all his gates. Or five gates to be exact, but it wasn't enough to defeat Lee.
He was guessing, as if Lee was caught by any of those attacks then it would be a different story.
Naruto shook his head, no point in thinking of the past. Now he had to proceed through the city and hopefully reach this Manus.
But a pit formed in his stomach, if Artorias couldn't scratch the monster, then what were his chances?
'Shit now I'm doubting myself.'
'It is understandable, but Naruto remember, you defeated Artorias. You still had to land all of those blows for the ambush to work. I was your victory.'
True.
Naruto frowned, where was Kurama.
'Hey furball what are you doing?'
Kurama remained silent.
'Gwynevere can you tell me what he is doing?'
'Sorry even I can't see what he is doing, he seems to be messing with something in a corner of the mindscape.'
'Great, we'll let me know when he is done so I can yell at him. WE agreed that when we talked to each other we don't ignore the other's plight. Especially in the middle of a life and death situation.'
Gwynevere sweat dropped but nodded.
Naruto stood up from the bond fire and walked around the corner.
The once great city of Oolacile, it was in ruins. Or at least part way sinking into the ground.
'The Abyss is spreading fast.'
'Indeed, it is. Oolacile was never the same after the fall and father did nothing to help them.'
Naruto growled, 'He started this mess the least he could have done is help them.'
''He was too busy dealing with the mess related to his age of Fire, everyone else was just a pawn in finding a solution.'
Naruto never understood people like him. Yeah he knew guys like him, but this guy was on a whole new level.
He would estimate that maybe he was as bad as Danzo. but then again the man never purposely weakened his own people to suit his agenda. He did things to keep the village strong and functioning even if his own ideas were wrong. Or not favored would be accurate. But he would make sure the village was standing strong and no one dared to hurt it.
Everyone else around him? Yeah he would sacrifice them if it meant protecting the village.
But he never purposedly hurt his own people.
Lately he was thinking of his old home, and he was tired of it. But he couldn't help but notice some of the similarity of his land to this one and some of the horrors that could break the shinobi nation. Especially when facing the likes of the Abyss.
Looking at the city he couldn't imagine the fear that they were going through, the city sinking into the ground. Monsters appearing in droves and great threats appearing faster than they could put them down. All because they trusted one man when he claimed he was working for the betterment of everyone.
The people who were killed probably got off light, that is what Naruto imagined.
'Being forced into embracing the power around you? Yeah that probably was worse than death.'
Naruto took out his flame sword and began walking down the stairs. He heard some light giggling around the corner tightened his grip on the sword.
Reaching the bottom stare, he heard another deranged laugh and the rapid movement of feet.
One of the big head men quickly rushed him waving their arms wildly.
Naruto quickly swiped at the man but then he jumped into the air and landed behind him.
'Shit he is far more agile than I thought!'
The man quickly spun in a circle with his hands, but Naruto quickly ducked under the attack. Spinning on his heel, he slashed through the monster with one powerful attack.
But the monster flipped over his strike as he jumped off the ground and spun through the air. Naruto was impressed with his movements and aimed his sword backwards. Aiming the point of the blade at the monster.
The creature rushed his back but soon at a blast of flame through the tip of his sword. Making it shriek.
He fell to the ground but gagged when he slammed the blade into his chest, making him disappear in a blast of dust.
Naruto brought his blade back to his shoulder and walked down the stairs gain. This time he saw four more of those creatures, he knew they were going to be tougher as a group. One-on-one, he could cut them down but four-on-one? Yeah, they were a problem. Charging up his blade, he quickly aimed at the dark beings. He slashed sideways, cutting through two of the dark beings.
The other two dark figures rushed him and started rotating their arms.
Leaping into the air, they were coming down with both fists, but Naruto managed to cut them in half with a single strike. Thankfully, he was able to time their drop.
'Four down but what the hell is wrong with them? This is nothing like the undead curse.'
'I believe this might be a Sid effect of people who use the Abyss's power.'
'How so?'
'People that mess with the unknown can become something barely recognizable. In the case of the Abyss, we never knew what was lurking there or how it worked. Only certain beings can survive in these places, while others can't. In the case of this city's people and Gwyn's, they might have been given those things on their heads. To control them and make them more susceptible to their power. But in doing so, their minds were probably warped beyond comprehension.'
'So driven insane.'
'By their standards? Yes.'
Naruto continued down the stairs and looked around the corner. Then he saw another one of the lanky arm creatures, but next to him was someone he hadn't seen before.
It had multiple red eyes just like the other, but it didn't have a fat head. His head was distorted to being tendrils that each connected to a gleaming red eye. The being had a makeshift staff in his hand and wearing what looked like a robe of darkness. The being had spikes out of his head, and he seemed to be a distorted-looking creature.
Walking around the corner Naruto noted that he detected him faster than the one with long arms did. It already held its staff in place and saw a dark black aura forming.
'Naruto, it's casting Abyss magic. You need to dodge!'
Naruto quickly rolled away from a dark orb. It moved with incredible speed and Naruto barely dodged under the attack.
The lanky-arm man rushed him, but he was able to counter him as he was now familiar with some of his movements. But the mage already had another attack ready, making him backstep from the long-arm one. But he ducked under the one firing the orb.
The second one leapt into the air, bringing his hands down in a double fist drop.
Naruto thrust his sword forward and impaled the being. He felt it scream in immense pain before being flung off the weapon. He was aiming for the magic caster, who already had another spell ready to fire.
He was hit by the being and collapsed on the spot.
Naruto channeled his blade and sent a vertical blade of flame at the two, killing them both.
Naruto had to admit that the magic caster one was going to be a real pain. He knew that more of them were going to appear and given their positions with the long-arm ones, they weren't going to give him much reprieve, especially when he went deeper into the city. Which meant he was going to have to watch his back more carefully.
Walking to the next staircase he was about to cross.
But then, he moved his head to the side to avoid an arrow flying by his head.
Turning around, he saw the masked man standing there from before.
"Color me impressed. You managed to survive the encounter with the monsters of the Abyss. I would say that it is a waste of time since they all perish anyway, but the fact that you are cutting through them with such ease is worth praise." Holding up his bow and his thrusting sword, he aimed it at Naruto.
"Why are you doing this?"
"It is obvious if you think about it. I told you, I'm a hunter,someone that enjoys hunting down those that get in his way. Those that prove greater matches than the usual rabble. Nothing excites me more than this."
The gleam behind his mask, Naruto saw, was growing.
No, it was more primal.
What was happening to this man?
"Ever since I was dragged to this land, I have wondered if I would ever leave. If I would ever see the blood-soaked street of Yharnim. Would I ever find the answers that I seek when hunting people and monsters." HE sighed, "I asked myself so many times, why did the Hunters stop? Why did we have to be sent away? What was the motive of people, WHY!" HE growled, "If only that bastard Ludwig weren't around I would have continued hunting people! I would have slain more creatures of the night! I could even be hunting the Great Ones."
Naruto didn't understand who this Ludwig was, but apparently, he held a grudge.
"Gerhman, that fool. He gave up thehunt just because the people he 'loved' were getting hurt. What a sentimental fool. Nothing more than trash."
"Caring about others isn't a weakness." Naruto narrowed his eyes, "It sounds like this hunter that you are complaining about has more honor than you."
"Honor? What are you, another saint? There is no such thing as honor when hunting monsters. All that matters is the result and the results speak for me! I'm the greatest hunter that the world has ever known! I have killed more of those filthy fish people than anyone, I have slain the monsters of the street, and even defeated my fellow hunters that soon became engulfed by the blood. I am the greatest, no one can match me!"
"I doubt that." Naruto had his weapon ready and already had a flaming ball in his off hand. "If you were really that good, you wouldn't feel the need to criticize others. You wouldn't need to tear people down just to suit your own beliefs."
"You damn brat. You just don't get it." Naruto could feel the sinister smile growing behind his mask, "But then again, neither did that woman at the coliseum."
Naruto's eyes widened.
"What did you do?"
"Oh, I only ended her lifeas she was in the way of my hunt." He put his finger on the trigger, "Now, enough talking; it is time for you to die. Proving once and for all, I'm the greatest hunter."
Naruto sighed, "I doubt it."
The bolt flew.
Naruto thrusted his flame orb, burning the bolt and flying to the man.
He quickly rolled out of the way of the attack.
Naruto was on him and slashed at his position.
But he jumped over his attack and kicked him with both feet. He didn't carry a lot of power in his body, but he did hurt with that blow.
He landed after doing a back flip, aiming the bow once more.
Naruto ducked under another bolt and threw another ball of fire, but he dodged out of the way of it, too.
Naruto bum rushed him, but he quickly ducked under his swing. Almost impossibly low, before turning on his heel, and sweeping his legs out from underneath him.
Naruto grunted. He caught him well. Landing on his back, he saw him standing over him and aiming his crossbow at him.
"I was expecting so much more."
Naruto smiled, "Don't celebrate until you get the kill. Otherwise,"
He screamed in pain.
Falling over, he saw that his foot had been burned by the searing flame of the sword.
Naruto knew that this man was going to brag; he could just tell with his kind. So, he had positioned himself close enough to have his blade near his leg. Doing this, he would be able to burn through his ankle and take him off balance.
He jumped back to his feet, but he was limping on one foot.
Naruto reacted quickly and slashed at the other man's leg, but he jumped over his blade and crumpled to the ground. He was trying to get his balance under him, but Naruto was slowly closing the distance on him.
Aiming his crossbow, he fired a bolt, but Naruto blocked it.
The bolt just hit his blade and fell to the ground lifeless.
"No this can't be happening! I'm the greatest hunter!" He fired another bolt, but Naruto blocked it. He fired a third oneand thesame result. A fourth one and another failure.
Naruto was walking slowly deliberately.
He was waiting for it.
Naruto was a few feet from him.
He saw his sword thrown, coming for his head.
Blocking the blade, he could make out his movement.
This was his chance! He had thrown his sword, hoping this would lead to a block. Then he would aim his bolt at his feet, allowing him to cripple his movement and give him a chance to recover. Unlike the people in this land, he didn't need those stupid Estus flasks; he had the blood vials on him. He would drink one of those, and his body would heal his foot. He didn't know how it did that, but it worked, so he wasn't going to complain.
With this opening, he would press his attack with the bolt up close and have it gone through his body. Thus, leaving him crippled from the attack and giving him another chance to kill him. He shouldn't have been bragging a mistake on his part. but one he was going to fix starting now.
Jumping to his feet he pulled out one of the vials.
But found something crashing into his chest and his pain intensifying. More, he was feeling the burning sensation spread through his chest.
Naruto predicted that he was planning to use his weapon as a sacrifice. That way, when distracted, he would try to get back and heal while he was recovering and then do something to even the odds.
But he wasn't worried, as this strategy was pretty common practice, especially in the land of shinobi, where distractions were distractions in a fight.
So, he blocked and prepared a flaming Rasengan for when he leaped to his feet and was distracted.
Then he slammed the orb into his chest, sending it flying into the nearby wall andcrumpling to the ground.
Seeing his weapon fall to the ground, Naruto quickly kicked the crossbow away and walked to him. Plunging his sword into his chest and forcing him to scream in pain.
"N-no this isn't right. I'm the greatest."
"No, you someone that believed that, but in reality, you don't have the skill to back it up. You picked on people that barely fought back, didn't you? If you couldn't beat them in honor, you used whatever tactic that was necessary to win." Naruto sighed, "Something I can respect as I used to be in a similar line of work, sometimes honor is less important than staying alive. However, throwing away who you are as a person isn't something a true warrior would do. It is obvious you are consumed by something; maybe it is the blood in your veins, maybe it is the thrill of the unit, or maybe you never were sane. Either way, it doesn't matter as your great hunt ends here." Smiling, Naruto finished, "I will remember you for some time, but I don't think I will recall your name. Meaning you will fade from history."
Naruto pushed his blade in deeper, and the man gurgled in pain. Before slumping down and fading into nothing.
"How disappointing."
Naruto pulled his blade up and sighed. Wherever he was from, he dreaded seeing it any day. This Yharnim sounded like a messed-up place, but that was not here or now.
Naruto turned his attention back to the stairs case and began his trek down to the lower levels. He had seen two paths off to the side and got intrigued if there was anything interesting in it. So, he traversed the wooden planks and stairs, cutting down more of the dark beings on the way. Eventually, he reached a tower that he had to walk down to avoid more of the mages from before. Dodging their attacks and one that fired up closeand released a fog, wasn't easy, but he managed.
Eventually, there were three chests inside of a single tower. One was open so he guessed someone got here before him or it was always empty. They could have just thrown the chest out if that was the case.
But the other chest, it held a worn-out black book.
'Interesting.' Naruto opened it and was shocked to see ancient script that he couldn't read.
'Great.'
'This is great, Naruto. This is instructions on how to use the power of the Abyss.'
'Seriously? Why was it just sitting here?'
'I don't know, but we should hold onto it; this could be useful in the future.'
He shrugged if she said so. He would put the book in his dimensional space and trek back to the original staircase.
Arriving back, he quickly pushed his way down to an empty space with a chest in the middle. Naruto examined the chest and felt something was off with it. Taking out his sword, he quickly stabbed it and found that it was a mimic. Rolling his eyes, he ignited the creature and killed it before it could stand.
Walking around the staircase, he encountered more dark figures, which he cut down now that he figured out their movements. But he faced a great obstacle, there was another mage standing on the far side. And he had only a small, narrow bridge to cover thedistance. Meaning that he had to time his dodges with absolute precision, or he was going to be sent plummeting to his doom. While he was trying to get down there he wasn't too interested in being hit by something that could kill him. Especially on an endless drop.
He dashed across the bridge, ducking and rolling through all the orbs. Luckily it was only three orbs before he reached him.
He got near the being and kicked him off the ledge sending him screaming into the pits below.
He would feel bad, but this was not the time, as he sensed another lanky arm figure approaching from behind.
Seeing him jump, he just took a step to the side.
He went over the edge.
Sighing, Naruto continued his journey into the nearby building where he impaled another one of the dark figures and flung him across the room.
Looking down below he saw one mage on a wooden platform, at least four or six of the long arm figures standing under him. Another mage standing at the staircase and waiting for someone to walk down with three other long arm figures standing there.
Knowing his situation he quickly positioned himself above and chucked a few bombs at the mage near the staircase and the long arm figures.
The mage went down after the first bomb was thrown, and the long-arm guys recognized his attack. So, they ran around the stairs and rushed him.
But he already had his plan in motion with them cut down with a single fire slash from his sword.
Turning down, he saw two more in the corners, so he dropped bombs onto them.
Walking down the stairs, he figured that the long arm figures would follow him, so he walked close enough for the men to see him. The mage saw him first and started flinging a dark orb, but he managed to roll out of the way of the attack. But the long arm figures rushed to him. He led them into the side down, where he did a vertical slash through the doorway. Killing all the long arm figures that were coming through.
Naruto smiled at his progress and ventured up the stairs, cleared a few spots, and managed to make his way to the outside.
Standing on top of a toppled building.
He looked to his right and saw the same pillar from before, marking it as a shortcut back to the bond fire up top.
Seeing his weapons a bit worn, and his gear damaged from his earlier bouts and tussles, he took the elevator up. After this, he wandered back to the bond fire and healed while fixing up his gear.
He turned to his previous spot and sighed.
That was going to be annoying.
He saw two of the mages standing on elevated staircases, meaning they would see him coming in a second.
He saw at least two of the lanky arm figures standing nearby.
But he knew there was movement as looking over the edges, two stood in the far back. probably there to ambush him. Just as he is passing by or being swarmed by the mages and the other two.
Naruto frowned,
'How am I going to do this?'
'Naruto, if you really try it, you could systematically wipe them out before getting close. Use a bow.'
'I don't know how to use a bow properly and I don't have the arrows needed to use them.'
'Then use the knives you have.'
Why didn't he think about that?
Pulling out the knives, Naruto got close enough to the edge that he was out of range of the mages but close enough to throw. He aimed at the one he could see on his far left and threw the blade. It buried into his chest, killing him instantly. The others immediately noticed this and rushed to Naruto. Rushing forward, Naruto managed to throw daggers into the three remaining lanky arm ones. but then he threw them at the mage, who quickly swiped it away. He was on their radar.
The figure gathered dark energy and fired an orb while the second followed.
Naruto knew this was the strategy. If he dodged one, the other would hit.
Taking his chances, he pushed forward, with the orb barely missing him and the second one firing, but he shifted to the left. The attack hit the nearby pillar, but he flung two knives.
The mages again blocked them but failed to register the second item following them.
Black bombs.
They hit, and they exploded on impact. Killing both mages in an instant.
"Easy." Naruto sighed. Who was he kidding? Those two took forever to figure outa way around.
Exiting the corridor and entering the main hall, he saw statues. All of them were wearing the same crown that Dusk was wearing and holding onto small branches.
'That is their catalyst.' She sighed. They are powerful tools, and unlike the sorcerers' catalyst, they are far more functional and easier to carry.'
Naruto nodded.
Magic was interesting, and he considered becoming more involved with it. But for now, he would focus on dealing with the people in front of him.
A weird figure appeared in the room, and itwas a makeshift sack of flesh. He carried a ball and chain on his body and lookedhunched over.
Naruto pitted the man and quickly aimed his flaming blade at him and sent a piercing blow.
The figure grunted from the pain but only fell to one knee.
Rushing forward, he pierced his stomach, killing him this time.
"Th-thank you."
Naruto closed his eyes and gave him a silent prayer.
Continuing onward, Naruto managed to make it through the rest of the ruins without trouble. He had to call up an elevator, only to be greeted by one of the long-arm enemies. But he didn't hesitate to kick him off the edge.
Sending him plummeting to his death. Naruto rolled his eyes,
"Should have been ready to attack the minute he got up here."
Naruto stepped onto the platform and was taken to the prison cells, which were perhaps a dungeon. Naruto walked through the building and came across a nearby bond fire.
Touching the bond fire, he was able to light it but peering in the vast area in front of him, he knew it,
"I have reached the Abyss."
'Not quite. This is just the ruins of Oolacile still and a cave that isconnected to them. We still have a bit to go before reaching the Abyss. Trust me you will notice the difference when we get there.'
Naruto groaned.
Treading through the dark was not his preferred method, but without Quelaag here to light his way, he was kind of limited, so he just paid attention to the glowing rocks around him. They seemed to indicate where he was safe and the locations that wouldn't pose danger to him.
Naruto went to the left and after hugging the wall for a bit arrived at a group of glowing eye figures. He knew that it was more of the men from before, so he quickly pulled out his weapon and fired a powerful cutting attack at the group. He managed to cut down most of them, but the wizard was safe, and he started firing balls of dark energy into the darkness. But Naruto countered it, rolling under his attack and sending a piercing blast instead.
After killing him, Naruto continued down the cavern walls into the darkness. After a while, he managed to make a few sharp turns and arrive at another intersection point. There, he continued downward and arrived at a bigger area.
He felt something off about this spot and continued moving forward, only to fall through the floor.
'What the hell?' Looking up, he saw a white cat standing before him covered in a white fog. He frowned and chased the cat. Following it through the cavern, Naruto noticed ark figures floating in the air appearing.
"I'm guessing those are ghosts?" When he was younger, he was terrified of ghosts, but he had grown more accustomed to the idea of encountering the man after the war, so he didn't really fear them as much. Yeah, the fear was there still, but he could handle them if he had the right means to deal with them.
'No, they are aspects of Humanity. Be careful, Naruto. While they are slow and passive, they can still hurt you if they pass through you.'
Naruto cut down the one that got close and then cut down another. A smaller one appeared, and it too was cut down.
Naruto felt bad as he felt these figures weren't evil in the traditional sense. But if they were coming to hurt him, the last thing he wanted was to let them get in range.
The white cat stood by a wall, and Naruto knew it was trying to tell him something very important.
Walking up to the wall, he touched it, making it disappear. The cat stood there with a grin on its face before vanishing for the last time.
Walking into the hidden cavern, Naruto noted a wolf lying on the ground surrounded by the dark figures from before. The wolf's entire body was covered in a bright light.
'Sif! Naruto, you must save her.'
'Artorias's wolf?' Naruto felt bad for the dog; it was waiting for her master to return, but he was never coming back. It was all his fault, but he couldn't let those thoughts stop him.
Quickly Naruto downed all the spirits with vertical strikes and powerful blows. Eventually, reaching the wolf.
The barrier around her disappeared and she whined.
"I'm sorry, girl. Artorias isn't coming back. He didn't make it." The creature whined more and started pushing her nose into this leg. Naruto started to tear up, feeling the dog's pain. Knowing that someone they looked up to and loved wasn't returning was one of the worst feelings in the world.
Naruto patted her a few times and then put his head on her forehead,
"Artorias will always be with you. I promise, and if you ever need anything, I will be there too."
The wolf looked up at him. Staring into his eyes. As if to gauge his honesty, then it licked his face. Naruto smiled and patted her a few times before taking the shield from the wolf. Pulling out a bone, he put it into her mouth,
"Take this, it is a bone that will take you unto the nearest bond fire. Go there, head to the surface, I'll join you in a bit."
The wolf whined, showing its fangs. Ready to fight with her new friend.
"Listen to me, Artorias didn't give up everything to save you just for you to throw it away. Got it? He wanted you to live because you meant that much to him."
Sif whined.
"I know it is hard to believe me after everything that has happened. But trust me, I will return after defeating Manus, and I will always be by your side. I know this doesn't mean much by are out there in the world where I'm from. If that is the case I will find you again and I will take you with me from now on."
Sif nodded her head and was reluctant when she activated the bone and disappeared.
After seeing her off and activating the nearby elevator, Naruto continued walking deeper into the darkness. IT wasn't as bad as the Tomb of the Giants, but it was still damn dark.
He cut down another mage, more of the shadow ghost figures, and traversed the more precarious situations.
But after some perseverance, he managed to make it to the fog door. There, he looked at the door with fear and trepidation. Was he ready for this? could he tackle a being so powerful that even Gwyn never dared to fight him? Someone who was able to lead the Pygmy in opposition to the others. He was worried; this was not going to be an easy fight, and without Artorias here, that meant victory was solely on him.
Pushing past the fog door, he saw pitch black.
Looking around he couldn't understand where Manus would be or how he was supposed to get dow-
A dark hand grabbed him and yanked him to the floor below. After being roughly deposited on the ground, Naruto saw the arm retract.
Standing therewas something out of his worst nightmares. It was a large dark figure with a curved horn structure on his face. It had multiple red eyes just glowing in the darkness, a large axe-like weapon in its off hand. A giant hand with fur and darkness flowing on his other hand. The being was taller than most of the normal monsters he had seen, and it had two deep crimson eyes peering from beneath the curved horn. Sharp teeth glistened in its mouth, and it had fur to cover most of its body. With a long lizard-like tail coming out of his tailbone.
This was Manus, the Father of the Abyss, a monster who is said to be without equals.
Naruto readied his blade, charging up the flames.
Inside his mindscape, he was smirking. Kurama had finally figured it out, and he was ready to test it out.
Looking up, he saw Naruto confronting a powerful monster and frowned. His timing couldn't be any closer. It looked like the biggest battle of their lives outside of Kaguya and Juubi was about to commence.
Naruto quickly rushed the monster and swung his blade wide.
Manus brought his axe down and cut the attack before it could reach him. Then, it released a roar and jumped into the air, bringing down its axe.
Naruto rolled to his left and dodged the impact of the attack.
Naruto quickly turned on his heels and swung at his side. Managing to cut him a bit, but Manus barely registered the attack.
Instead, it swiped to his right and sent Naruto flying backward.
He coughed up some blood.
'Shit, he hits harder than Artorias.'
He should have expected that but still with a small swing.
Manus released another roar and, this time rushed to him with his other arm lifted to the side. Naruto saw the wide sweep coming and quickly rolled into his chest.
But his back was hit, and he was lifted into the air.
'W-,'
Another massive blow to his back sent him face-first into the floor.
Manus released a roar again, gripping Naruto and flung him across the cavern. Naruto bounced off the floor hard and felt his shoulder dislocate.
'Fuck! he played me.'
Naruto should have guessed Manus would change up his attack pattern, which is why he had to be second in this fight.
But that wasn't working out as well, given that itmeant he was at his mercy when it came to attacks.
Manus roared and rushed to Naruto again, this time lifting his axe hand into the air and holding it in aswinging position.
Naruto saw this, quickly regaining his foot he powered up his blade and fired a straight blast of flame into Manus.
The creature grunted a bit but didn't falter in his attack, reaching him in second and swinging his weapon.
Naruto managed to move to his left and dodge the attack, but he was met with the closed fist of his larger hand, sending him flying into the air.
Then smacked by the back end of his axe and then finished off with a grab and slam.
Naruto groaned from the pain. Was thiswhat Artorias went through? Shit, he did not like his odds anymore.
But he would persist, so he channeled his pyromancy into the palm of the dark being, but it didn't resist. He just lifted him into the air again, this time extending his arm even further and swinging him around wildly before slamming him down on the ground, this time a few feet from him.
Naruto groaned at the pain but started to scream after he was dragged across the floor in his grip. Naruto was flung into the air, and Manus jumped up and brought down the full weight of his weapon. Sending him falling to the ground with a thud.
The explosion that rocked the cavern kicked up a bit of dust.
But this was an opening.
Naruto, during falling down, had shifted his body slightly in the air. Avoiding the full weight of his attack and managing to make it to the side. However, the axe blows still managed to break a rib or two. Only because he felt the initial blow.
However, thanks to the dust, he charged up the sword again and this time aimed for here his head was.
Manus felt something coming to him, but he couldn't tell what it was.
But seeing a bright light approaching him, he thought it was lighting, but then he felt the heat. He realized he was wrong; it was pyromancy, and before he could move, the attack hit him.
It didn't hurt as much as he thought it would, but the attack still landed, leaving him a bit more irritated than before.
Another blast of flames appeared through the smoke, this time coming vertically. Then another horizontally, followed by another horizontal attack and a vertical attack.
Manus didn't have time to lift his weapon to block them, and all of them seared his fur and flesh. He grimaced in pain and pushed into the dust cloud. Looking to end this.
Naruto was in the air, and he had a bright red and orange orb twisting in his hand.
"Rasengan!"
The orb clashed with Manus's face.
The twisting and rotating power was burning into his skin.
Manus opened his mouth, and a dark orb formed. Naruto's eyes widened, but he pushed more power into his attack.
Manus's face started to burn more, but the attack didn't amount to anything. Naruto soon saw the dark energy exploding out of the mouth of the Pygmy lord.
Naruto was sent flying backwards, and his entire body shook from the impact of the blast. He couldn't believe such a monster existed in this land—something out of this world and beyond his comprehension.
He heard from others how powerful he was, but he didn't think it was to this extent.
Artorias, Smough and Ornstein, Nito, Priscilla, even the possessed with. None of them were this strong.
Landing on the ground in a crumpled heap, Naruto coughed up blood. He took out some of his estrus and drank it, which helped to heal his bodya bit.
But he could still feel the pain through his body. Manus was getting the better of him. His fire attacks were barely registering to him, and he seemed to be able to tank most of them. Rasnegan wasa perfect example of that. Maybe if he attacked his flesh instead, he would have more success.
When he got back up, he was slammed with the palm once more and sent flying. Naruto bounced off the ground and barely had time to get up when Manus was on him. He stomped onto his back and then kicked him into the air. Naruto formed another Rasengan and had a thought forming in his head.
Maybe if he could replicate that,he would stand a chance.
Manus swung the side of his axe again, but this time, Naruto met him halfway with his Rasengan already in rotation. The blow created flames and sparks that were making the air hotter than before. Naruto focused on the orb and started thinking about the principle of his most powerful move. Back when he was a shinobi it was his equalizer. The thing that he could do that would turn the tide of any battle. But he didn't know how to make it work with fire.
Working on the process, Naruto was sent flying backward by the force of the axe. While he was able to hold him back for a few seconds, it wasn't enough.
Landing on the ground, he formed another one, and this time, he started thinking about the rotation and adding something extra to it. Thinking of the blades, he started imagining the flames doing the same the oxygen in the air and creating a lesser pyromancy to carry the denser body.
Manus extends his arm for another grab, but Naruto manages to roll away from it before going back to focusing on his attack.
He needed a bit more timebutwasn't sure he would get it. This fight was too chaotic, andhe didn't have time to address the second part of the move.
If he had this practiced then it be one thing, but he was literally creating a move in mid-fight.
"Naruto focused the flames harder, make them rotate quicker!"
He wanted to snap at the fox for being silent for so long, but he didn't have the time.
If he made it out, he would then give the fox the riot act.
Making the lesser flames, he focused on them spinning faster, the faster, and the faster. Soon, the speed was almost on par with his old move.
Luckily, he still remembered how the move worked; just creating a new element with it was harder than expected.
Manus didn't know what he was planning with that flaming orb with blades, but he was sure that wouldn't matter in the end. He would just tank the damage like normal, and then he would finish him off. This fight was pointless, and since that knight failed to stop him, that meant he was free to destroy the city. Then he would go and hunt down Gwyn and make sure he paid for his sins!
Naruto smiled,
"Got it."
Naruto returned to the father of the Abyss, and he saw it lifting its axe once more.
Naruto lifted his and up and shouted,
"This is my ace! Feel the burning passion that burns in this flame! Flaming RasenShurinken!"
The orb left his hand and flew through the sky, spinning quickly as it approached Manus. The creature growled at the attack. He would deal with it and then end this!
Swinging his axe, the blow met the flaming blade, but he noticed a strong pushback. The attack was rotating even through his axe! What did this mean? He was confused by the continued dot push against him, and he struggled to hold him back.
Manus released a roar and started to gather some of the dark energy around him, but the attack continued to push against him. He couldn't fathom it. How was he doing this? Not a minute ago, his attacks barely hurt him, but now, he was causing him grief. It isn't right!
The attack continued to push deeper and deeper, to the point that his axe was growing hot from the concentrated heat. He grimaced slightly at the pain and knew the minute he dropped his weapon; the attack would hit him.
But no matter how powerful you are, the pain eventually reaches the brain. That is why when Manus's grip on his weapon stopped, the attack pushed into Manus, and now he was hit directly with the blast.
A large explosion engulfed the area, and Naruto had to cover his eyes as the dust was immense. The power of the attack shook the cavern, and some of the dark fragments wandering the halls looked around for the source of the explosion.
The city shook from the blow, and even those who were further away could sense it.
Naruto's attack had finally connected.
The smoke slowly disappeared, and Naruto peered into the black to see if Maus was down or at least critically injured.
He hoped for at least the later, as this would make the battle a bit more even.
The smoke finally cleared, and a dark aura was growing in the darkness. Naruto saw that it was swirling, and the pressure was growing with every second that passed.
Naruto couldn't believe it. Standing there was Manus, and while he had some wear on his body, he was barely fazed by the attack.
Yeah he didn't perfect the move so there might be some room for improvement, but it should have done more than this.
What could he do now?
Manus released a primal roar that shook the cavern, the city, and the nearby forest.
He rushed at Naruto, grimaced, and pulled out the flaming blade, only to see it shattered by Manus's next attack.
'What the-,'
Naruto was picked up by the large hand and flung in the air. Manus quickly released the full power of a mouth blast. Making Naruto scream from the pain and fall limply down to the ground. But the lord of the Dark wasn't done yet. Jumping into the air once more, he grabbed him with his now free hand and threw him to the earth before stomping on him. Lifting his hand up, he slammed it into his body. Then, picking him up with his smaller, he threw him into the air with the larger hand smacking him around. Blow by blow the attacks intensified, and he was juggled without mercy.
Manus ended the barrage by forming another orb of darkness in his mouth and blasting him away.
Falling to the ground in a heap Naruto's body was racked in pain. he could barely move, let alone thinking about drinking his Estus flask. His fingers barely twitched, but he was praying that Manus would stop attacking him if he thought he was dead. But considering most beings turn to dust, he doubts it.
'Fuck, I can't do anything.'
'Naruto, you have to get up!'
'I wish I could.' Looking up slightly he saw Manus approaching him, stalking him. 'Gwynevere, I'm sorry, I won't be able to keep my promise. I'm sorry to everyone that I failed.' Flashes of the sisters, Quelaag, the witch, Gwyndolyn, Solaire, Laurentius, Sasuke, his family, his mentor, and Priscilla. 'I guess this is the end.'
"It isn't." Kurama growled, "Don't you dare give up Naruto; while you were busy hacking away at those monsters, I was working on something for us. I'm not going to let this monster get away with this. You hear me!"
A dark aura started permeating off Kurama, and Gwynevere was shocked.
He was harnessing the power of the Abyss.
Manus started to lift his hand up, but then a shiver went down his spine. Impossible there was nothing in this world that could affect him. He was the lord of this domain, but for some reason, he felt a presence. One like himself but, different. It wasn't stronger, but something that was making him hesitates.
Never mind he brought his hand down to crush the boy.
An explosion ripped through the cave. manus was sent flying backwards and forced to pick up his weapon again. Staring at the dust, he was shocked to see the boy, barely alive before, now standing there. His injuries closing, the damage being undone, and his exhaustion fading away.
Naruto's eyes were closed, but when he opened, they were dark red.
"Hello familiar feeling."
Gwynevere was shocked,
Naruto was using the power of the Abyss, and Kurama was able to control it.
This fight wasn't over yet!
Manus growled; it would seem this child might be more trouble than he originally thought.
Present
The child who helps Naruto against the witch was sitting on a cliffside side, overlooking the spot where the hydra used to be. He had a feeling Naruto was tangling with the past and was learning the true nature of time travel. Something that even he didn't fully fathom. But the most important rule was in place; nothing you do changes anything in the present. If you are to time travel in the past and affect events, then that means you were always meant to do that.
Sighing, he looked behind him and saw a dark-robed figure.
"Hello Frampt, is it? I think that is what you call yourself these days."
"Indeed, I must say it is rare to see you actively taking part in things. Especially with everything that is unfolding under your watch."
He waved his hand, "Don't worry about it so much. Things are unfolding as I have seen it. In time things will reset and I will watch a new champion emerge. But I'm guessing you are here to ask if I interfered in this little game that you brothers are doing?" He waved his hand, "For the boy I admit that was my fault. One of my subordinates found him and said he was perfect. I didn't have a chance to really respond, but they just assumed I was okay with it." He said "So the undead that was supposed to take part in this, I guess they were removed from this timeline. But oh well, it happens."
"And the ring going missing?"
"Not my fault. I don't know where the thing is, but if I had to guess, with Naruto being in this land now, it might have been lost as it was necessary for the timeline to maintain itself." He laughed, "The universe is a funny place, nothing is ever clear or set in stone. But over time, we learn that things happen because it is required." turning to the snake man, "Is that all you needed, Frampt?"
"No, I wanted to know if you are going to continue interfering?"
"Rest assured, I have remained neutral unless necessary. Since the boy has impressed me, I think I'll keep him around a bit longer. Who knows, you might come to like him, too."
"We shall see, but since none of the rules are broken and you were just dealing with another person who was interfering in our affairs, I won't make a fuss. I just ask you to keep to your side."
"Of course," Frampt disappeared after this, and the child sighed.
"What arrogant children, oh well, show me what you really are worth Naruto."
In far off land a woman with golden hair hung by a makeshift cross serving as her prison.
"Come soon my Consort."
Chapter End