SURPRISE. I was bored so I felt like doing my first update of the year. Happy new year and all of that jazz, before you ask I am cooking. Deep within the vault there are many stories still to be told.
And no I'm not dead.
In the wise words of Jacob Zuma- "IN the begingninng"
It had been 2 months.
Makima had started his training and the first thing she had Naruto do was fight her enslaved Daemons. These red-skinned slavering beasts were much smaller than those he had seen defending the castle but they were still easily a head taller than a normal human.
Naruto had been trapped in a secondary realm akin to that of a desert with minimal contact with the outside world, the only solace he had from the odd daemon incursion was Raijin. The Godling turned sacred gear had been beneficial in teaching Naruto some of his more basic abilities by far one of his favourites had been the lightning weapon creation. With it, he had created a multitude of wide-ranging weaponry as long as he could imagine it.
While Playful-Cloud was not his favourite weapon, he'd trained enough to be somewhat proficient in using the unusual weapons. Swords and heavy blunted weapons still remained among his favourites though, there was something about creating a hammer and cosplaying as the Norse thunder god that simply spoke to the young devil hybrid.
The teen was currently in his hybrid form, a long draconic tail covered in hardened yellow scales hung from his lower back, curling slightly around himself. He wore a pair of tattered hakama pants and his upper body was bare apart from some long slim scars which seemed to be disappearing incredibly slowly. He had worn a T-shirt but it had practically been reduced to ashes after the first engagement.
This was Makima's training regime and from what he had heard from the others it was similar across the board for all of them, fighting endless waves of slowly strengthening daemons till they reached what she wanted. And Makima made it clear what she wanted and Naruto was pretty sure that he was close.
At least he hoped so.
A sickening sound made itself known, Naruto groaned deeply. He knew that sound it was one that had been practically happening throughout his entire two months here. He turned around swiftly, lightning cackling in his palms knowing whatever came with that sound would not wait for him to turn before trying to cut him down.
And as he knew there was a cut in the reality of the realm, however rather than hundreds of lesser daemons pouring through the gap only four came through. Four of the biggest lesser Daemons Naruto had seen so far, the red-skinned beings were large and muscular standing almost two heads taller than even Naruto himself, two wielded twin axes while the other two wielded large broadswords, they encircled the young hybrid taking points on the four cardinal directions.
There was a certain madness to their eyes, they kept it contained but Naruto could practically smell their bloodlust. Each smelled like brimstone and blood, and heat seemed to pour off their weaponry.
To Naruto's immense surprise, Makima herself also exited the portal. Her long red hair was braided into her usual ponytail, however rather than her usual office attire she wore a form-fitting black dress with a furred vest over its top. Her eyes were still as piercing as ever however.
She walked past the four daemons, walking right up Naruto. She looked him up and down, her eyes scanning over both his physical aspects and what seemed to be his magical aspects.
"Good. You've gotten somewhat stronger. let's see, put that to the test aye?" She gave her usual smile.
"If you beat all four of these daemons, I will take you to find a familiar and you will get to leave this place for the next phase of your training."
Naruto didn't even have to think about that offer.
"I'll defeat these daemons in no time." Makima simply smiled as she headed towards the portal, saying nothing as she clicked her fingers.
Naruto weaved as a giant fist appeared where his head had been. He snapped an elbow towards the daemon's head but the beast avoided it, quickly stepping back out of his range and avoiding his counterattack.
Thunderclouds began to broil in the sunless realm, the black clouds began to roll and crackle. Multi-Coloured lightning crackled across their surfaces. Naruto looked at the four daemons who circled him in some curiosity and concern, he knew the weapons they wielded could easily reave through his dragon scales and kill him, so any hits he did take he'd have to ensure that he could respond in kind.
Naruto slowly shifted into a horse stance, his arms pointed directly at the ground as the thunderclouds pooled above him, a single massive pillar of lightning struck the teen illuminating the sunless realm. Naruto began to glow his body absorbing the extreme power from the clouds.
The daemons didn't let him continue, two out of the four rushed him one going in high whilst the other low each swinging their massive weapons towards the hybrid. Naruto launched himself up into the air weaving around the twin strikes and snapping off a thunderous kick to the daemon above him, the beast managed to cross its arms taking the brunt of the blow.
Naruto twisted into an axe kick, aiming to crush the other daemon's skull, missing by a slight margin as it lept back. This was only a split-second movement. It moved forward again, sweeping its large blade around in an arc that aimed to tear off his adversary's head.
Naruto stepped back as quickly as he could, caught only by the blade's edge, leaving a small, thin cut across his chest. He hissed at the slight cut, his annoyance pulsating as he grabbed the daemon's blade and snapped it. The lightning began to shape around him, taking a multitude of forms.
There were several main ones however, two large beasts rushed from the growing storm. Their eyes were red and hot with rage. Two giant lions made of lightning rushed at the daemons. One clamped its jaws down on one of the daemons, then it burst into a nova of lightning completely frying the beast.
It collapsed, practically turning to ash as it landed. the other daemons bellowed in furious rage at seeing their fellow get destroyed, they attacked as one, each one taking a different position as they assaulted Naruto.
He weaved and bobbed, avoiding the majority of their attacks.
This was gonna be a hell of a fight.
Outside of the void.
Denji watched the Portal, Naruto had been in there for almost an hour at this point. He'd seen Makima go in and come back with nary a word to anyone outside of it, Reze had been waiting earlier too but she'd left saying something about preparing food for a dumbass when he came back.
Denji didn't know how she could guess when he was meant to be coming back but he couldn't see how she'd know.
"Maybe it's a lady thing." he huffed as he took a seat. He felt way more at ease with his abilities now. Makima had forced her entire peerage into the training realms and it had not been fun, denji himself had fought hundreds if not thousands of weird booby demons.
It was all well and good when he could Gawk at them, but their crab claws and weird nipple mouths had thrown him completely off. He shuddered even thinking about it.
The Portal pulsed. And crackled, akin to a charge being passed through it.
"What the fuuuck?" Denji whispered slightly as the portal glowed a myriad of colours.
"He's finished" Denji practically leapt out of his skin as Makima spoke from her position behind where he had been seated. She stood with her arms crossed and a slight smile splayed across her face. Reze stood a little way behind her, she somehow held a massive bowl of food in her hands.
There was a creak, and then the portal shattered like an Egg, Naruto's body fell from it like a sack of flour. He hit the ground hard, an audible smack sound as his head rebounded from the cold tile.
All three stared at his limp body in slight concern. Reze was the first to react.
"Denji you absolute moron. Why didn't you catch him."
"How was I meant to catch him he just fell?" Denjis indignation was clear.
"You knew he was coming out you could have prepared, I did."
"You knew and you didn't tell me?"
"I THOUGHT YOU KNEW?"
Makima ignored the two morons arguing and approached her finest acquisition, her ringed eyes taking in more than just his physical condition she could practically smell the power that was coming from him in droves.
"We will go to the familiar forest as soon as he wak es up." she knelt next to the unconscious hybrid and cupped his head. She tapped his forehead lightly, and with a small pulse, it happened.
A gasp, then a cough. His eyes opened slightly, revealing the blue voids that had replaced his previous human pupils. The entire eyeball looked like a storm-wracked sky, she could see the small flecks of lightning that streaked through the orbs. His pupils had been replaced with a singular golden dot which stood out amongst the storm like a bright star.
"Still so beautiful as always," she murmured, her soft tone seemed to drag Naruto from the depths of unconsciousness.
"Lady…Lady Makima?" his voice was hoarse and scratchy.
"You passed my test, well done. Reze here has a gift here for you." she pointed behind her, drawing Naruto's thunderous yellow pupils to the ravenette.
She came over and knelt beside them, putting the bowl down near his head Reze spoonfed him the curry that she had prepared, with every bite he seemed to grow stronger to the point where he sat up, drawing the bowl to his head and practically swallowed the contents of the massive bowl. Then a second and a third, both of which shed somehow pulled from behind herself.
Denji looked at her in confusion, where the hell had she gotten those bowls from?
He shook off his confusion and looked back at his bro, he looked healthier now, stronger even,
"You good?"
Naruto looked up at him, his storm eyes meeting Denji's own a grin spread across his face.
"Oh, I've never felt better." There was a rumble in the back of his mind.
"Very good my boy. I couldn't contact you earlier but you have done well, unlocking further abilities although we need to touch up on some of them." Naruto nodded, his eyes glowing slightly as he spoke to Raijin.
"It was quite a fight. I honestly thought they were going to kill me at some point."
"That's because they would've. Their weapons would shatter your soul had they actually stabbed you. But well done." Makima's cool as ice tone betrayed her words.
Naruto's eyes bugged as he lightly touched the scar across his chest.
"So, what would have happened?"
"You would've died an excruciating death and Raijin would've been freed from his bond to you. But it didn't happen, so it doesn't matter. "
There was a pregnant pause before she continued.
"We'll be going to the familiar realm tomorrow. Usually, we'd have to make an appointment with that insufferable fool of a caretaker, but I know a little trodden path into the realm." Her eyes glowed ominously as she spoke.
"Oh. And before I forget my sisters will be accompanying us."
Naruto turned to face her with a question drawn across his face. "I thought you were the last of your clan?" The question was an honest one.
"My siblings were too young to come into the light. Fami, Asa and Nayuta. They are peculiar." The soft smile she had as she said their names was a small show of humanity from the usually cold woman.
Denji shuddered at the call of the names. Naruto side eyed him. "Asa is a bit of a weirdo alright. I'm 90% sure she's on the spectrum."
"We're 90% sure you're on the spectrum too so it's fine." Naruto almost choked at the burn.
"Reze come on, I'm not on the spectrum. You've met Asa you know what she's like" Reze just hummed as Naruto chuckled at his dispense.
It was going be a long night for Denji.
THE VERY NEXT MORNING
Naruto woke up with a start. His body hurt all over and somehow even his soul ached.
It felt like he had been in a full body workout for months. Which incidentally he had been doing. Naruto stretched lightly walking around his room as he prepared himself for the day.
Slipping into some tracksuit bottoms and a black fitted wife beater he moved to open his door. Only to find a grinning horned blonde behind the door.
Before he could move to close it she jammed herself into the opening.
"YES, IT IS I. POWER BOW BEFORE MY GREATNESS PISSANT."
There was a small shout from down the hall "Power, shut the fuck up! Some of us are still trying to sleep you dumbass!" Denji was loud and clear.
"What do you want, Power?"
"Lady Makima-"she shivered, saying the woman's name, "sent me to tell you to prepare for the day. We'll be leaving soon." she ate as she spoke, Naruto didn't know where she had gotten that chicken leg from, but he didn't care.
"Thanks Power, how are we meant to be getting to the Realm?"
Power simply grinned as she began to walk away, "You'll see soon enough." And with that she left.
Naruto shook his head at the back of the weirdo, turned back inside and began to get ready.
After a quick moment of dressing and a quick breakfast he was outside with Power a newly awakened Denji and Reze. Kobeni sat on top of Naruto's shoulders taking her usual perch amongst the group.
They awaited their King piece, and it only took a couple of moments before a thick tar like smear appeared. It seemed to float in the air a couple feet from the ground. Naruto almost took a defensive position but seeing how calm the rest were he somewhat stood down.
There was a sound of wet ripping, almost akin to a body being torn in half. The visceral sheering sound of a ribcage being torn open. The tar black smear opened wider into a rent, almost as if some diseased blade had cut through and infected the very reality. Then it opened revealing Makima and four other people.
The first was the most striking, a tall gaunt figure covered by a large shadowy cloak. With every movement Naruto would see slight bits of ebony armour. A jagged amethyst black blade sat on its back a wide ornate golden hilt.
As it stepped through the apparent portal, Naruto could see the controlled and precise movements as if the being had practised every motion a thousand times. Yet his draconic instincts could smell and feel the Primeval ferality that oozed from the shrouded warrior.
As if he were a beast that was barely chained. Its head swayed from side to side scanning the environment before finally stepping aside, revealing the King and her apparent siblings.
They couldn't have looked more different, but one thing almost united the four of them.
The piercing ringed eyes which seemed to glow in the ethereal blackness of the void portal. The only one who didn't have these markers was the tall dark haired one.
Makima was the first one through, her long red hair once again braided into a ponytail. She smiled softly at her peerage. Her eyes glowing softly as she spread one of her arms.
"For your benefit Naruto I shall introduce my siblings. The short one that is now by your right leg is Nayuta, she has similar abilities to my own and is my youngest sister." Naruto's eyes snapped down as Makima spoke.
He hadn't seen them move, so how did this child get so close to him so quickly? The child stared up at him. Her ringed eyes stared up at him in pure curiosity.
"You look like a dragon." Naruto looked down at her, his confusion very evident from the get go.
"Thanks…. I guess? How did you get down here so fast?"
"I walked." Naruto blinked at that and shrugged, he'd seen weirder things. He also didn't flinch when he felt the smaller girl hold his hand.
He looked up meeting the hot pink eyes of Makimas other sister, a serene look lay across her face as she looked at him. A slight wave and a smile was all she gave.
"That is Fami." There wasn't anything else added. Naruto nodded his head to her and looked at the final member of Makima's family who was currently bugging the hell out of Denji.
"Leave me alone."
"No."
"Go back to your cousins."
"No."
Makima interrupted their small one sided argument. "And that is my cousin, Asa. You'll learn more about her later. She cares dearly for Denji as you can tell."
"I really wish she didn't."
Asa ignored the boys gripes and looked at Naruto, her dark brown eyes seemed to dismiss him almost immediately.
"He looks stupid."
"Says the one hung onto that dumbass." Naruto's retort caught her off guard and she started to redden, her eyes flickering slightly.
"What did you say you muscle brained Eegit!"
"Enough-" the simple word from the second eldest silenced any retort either he or Asa were about to spit forth, he couldn't tell exactly what it was but something small deep within told him to stay silent.
He felt Nayuta grip his hand tighter and he relaxed, Asa soon followed suit huffing and gripping Denji's arm even tighter.
Fami stared at Naruto for a small moment, her eyes flickering as she looked over him.
"Are you hungry"
Naruto was about to answer- "Fami. Do not." Makima' Makima's soft rebuke summoned the second eldest's attention.
Her eyes met Makima's as she looked at her sister with intrigue. Makima said nothing a passive smile her only expression.
"Now that we're acquainted with each other," she began "When you enter the portal you shall be taken to the area of the forest that it deems you worthy of going to. Once you get your familiar it will either bring you back here or to another realm if you're extra special." Her tone brokered no argument as she stepped aside.
"Now if you will. you can all enter together but you will not see each other after you leave the portal. I will be waiting here for you once you come back." Naruto nodded and Nayuta let go of his hand as he, Denji,Kobeni and Reze entered the portal together.
10 minutes later
eyes snapped open; Naruto coughed as an immense pressure was finally relieved from his chest. upon entering the portal everything had gone black, then the feeling of fallen had occurred and his ears had popped, then he appeared here.
At the bottom of a massive mountain. He stood, scanning the horizon around him and taking note of the carnage that seemed to have been brought to this place.
Massive temples and signs of worship littered the area, all of which had been destroyed beyond recognition, bright runes littered the area glowing with the light of a hidden storm.
Naruto looked around, his eyes adjusting to the light and his confusion was evident.
"Where am I?"
"This is the realm of the lightning beasts. An almost divine realm that is somewhat separate from the realm of the familiars." Naruto felt Raijin speak from within.
He seemed much stronger and louder than usual.
Naruto looked up, the skies were broiling and irritable, what seemed to be streams of lighting zipped across them, branching out and cackling as they made their way across the skies.
"Do not stare too long child. Those beings within the clouds do not take kindly to wanderers. You understand what you must do yes?"
As Raijin spoke Naruto swore, he saw one of the lightning branches stare down. Cold fizzing blue eyes that disappeared as soon as they had appeared.
"Yeah, I suppose I gotta climb this mountain." Raijin growled in agreement.
"To the highest of peaks, upon the mountain there will be a grand plateau, this is where you will be tested by the greatest of my servants. However this time I shall offer a slight bit of aid to climb this beast." As Raijin spoke Naruto felt the telltale signs of a transformation flooding his body.
He doubled over, groaning as he began to grow. Taller, wider. His muscle mass increased by almost triple as his arms and legs lengthened. After about a moment of groaning and cursing Naruto gingerly stood wobbling as he got used to his newfound body.
He looked over himself, his skin had darkened, and his fingers ended in sharpened claws, he felt the sheer physical strength that coursed through every muscle in his body. It almost overwhelmed him.
"This is a replication of my form. It will allow you to handle the storms and low oxygen while you climb the mountain. And before you ask, no. you cannot fly up the mountain. You would simply fly on forever." Raijin's voice rang louder than ever as Naruto began his long climb.
With the Oni body it was almost too easy. his claws found purchase no matter where they landed allowing him to tear up the mountain side. As he got higher the storm seemed to grow more vicious, the clouds turning from a broiling sea to a raging typhoon, the wind wished to drag him from the mountain while the lightning wished to strike him down.
The lightning sprites seemed to be watching him as he climbed, they floated around the mountain side, never truly revealing anything but their eyes.
But Naruto continued to climb, trying his best to ignore the spirits, it felt like he had been climbing for hours, yet the Mountain still went on. It was only after what felt like another hour of climbing did Naruto finally breach the massive grey tumultuous barrier that separated the realm of the Dragon ogres from the realm of their prey.
As Naruto climbed further and further the sounds of Combat and drunken growls of cheering could be heard. The voices were deep, almost akin to the sounds of rolling thunder or a crashing avalanche. After a couple more minutes of climbing he finally reached his destination.
The upper height of the mountain fell away onto a massive plateau upon the plateau Naruto with his enhanced body and eyes saw the bones of thousands of not millions. The bones were littered amongst the mass hills which formed bumps along the plain. Some were the bones of humanoids whilst others were of long dead titanic beasts.
Then he saw them.
Even at their shortest they were easily 3 times as tall as the tallest man. Monstrous beings that cackled with magic and the sheer tempest of the storm. Their upper halves were the closest thing to a giant man, broad barrel chests covered in thick black plates of ragged armour. Some wielded weapons whilst others drank from enormous flagons, waves of the blood-coloured liquid covered their upper bodies.
Their lower bodies differed however, four heavily scaled and muscled legs held up their immense frames their legs alone were easily taller than any man. Tails that ended in horrific spikes flicked the air ending in whiplash like cracks whenever they struck the air.
As Naruto shrunk down to his more humanoid form, they began to notice him, taking their glowing ethereal eyes from the two that fought amongst them.
"Intruder! who dares enter the realms of the ancient ones. The Gods of the Mountains and Storms, The Children of Krakanrak greatest of the Shartak." The voice that spoke physically shifted the mountain, almost throwing Naruto from his feet there and then.
The Language was ancient and seemed to almost bend the air and storms to its will, the clouds above began to swirl harder, the lightning sprites within running as they realised who was drawing up their Insidious power.
The ground shook as something massive approached, a shadow spread over the Dragon ogres as they parted, some bowed their heads whilst others knelt. The shadow seemed to command respect with its sheer presence. Naruto felt his heartbeat frantically as whatever approached did so with the power of the storm on full display.
The thick smell of ozone practically replaced the air as the sharp pangs of static rolled across the ground, Naruto's eyes widened as he felt both Raijin and his draconic nature react to the massive beast that approached.
The Behemoth stared down at him, it easily towered above anything else on the plateau akin to a monolith. Thick black armour chased with thick burnished gold that seemed to almost glow evilly in the low light. Three great horns protruded from its armoured head each as sharp as a great blade. A thick beard sprouted from its lower jaw framing the deep jagged maw that was its mouth.
It hefted with almost no effort on its part a truly monumental Warhammer that could've easily crushed a building or two with a single mighty swing. The beast leaned down and sniffed Naruto, its eyes filled with the sheer ferocity of a storm. It leaned back as it stared him down.
"State your business here, Spawn of Shaytan." Its voice vibrated the very air as Naruto prepared himself to say what Raijin had told him.
"I am the Dragon of the storms, carrier of the great drums of your master. And I am here to gain your Fealty." The silence that followed Naruto's declaration could've chilled the very mountain itself.
The beast threw back its head and laughed, its kin followed suit shaking the very world they stood on. Then in a movement that was so unnaturally fast it almost caught Naruto off-guard the behemoth slammed its hammer into the ground next to the half dragon.
"I Kholek, devourer of Suns. Reckoner of Praag, Breaker of Fafnir accept your challenge."
LE END
Yeah Naruto might be a bit messed up. But his hunt for a familiar or more continues next time on dragon ball Z
In this house we hate the rule of embers and praise Neptune.
BYE