A/N: Sooo...still want weekly updates? Kinda need to know...
Once more, we're sticking with the "Embers" rule for this tale...and others. If folks don't like this, it won't be continued. Meaning that if the story itself ain't popular? POOF! Gone. Completely. I'm working two jobs with ever increasing hours so I barely have time to write; as such, I cannot afford to write something folks don't enjoy. So by all means, speak up! Your voice matters! As ever, reviews are the fuel that sustain me. Without them I cannot write a single word. Simple as that. Two jobs keep me absurdly busy, and I can't bring myself to write something folks don't like.
Now for thine questions, comments, and concerns. As ever, feel free to skip this if you like~!
Q:...is Melina gonna calm down anytime soon?
A: This story's about her character development just as much as Naruto's. More even, I'd say. Everyone's changing in their own little ways. And let us not forget Irina wandering around with that clone down in the Weeping Penninsula. A clone, who, might I say, is MORE than enough to clear out a certain castle full of unskilled Misbegotten.
Q: How many Outer Gods are aware of Naruto and co. at the this point?
A: A few. We've already seen the Lady of Rot via Milicent, but at the rate he's going, they're all going to notice sooner or later.
I will say this, though. I'm looking forward to writing the Formless Mother down the road. Now that I've got a handle on her personality, it promises to be entertaining as hell.
Mohg...not so much. Kill him. Kill him with fire. That is all.
Q: BOC WHEN?! Don't you dare hurt that poor little seamster!
A: In lieu of a long explanation...Boc now. I DID say we'd be going to Limgrave and Liurnia in this chapter.
Alright then, this old man has kept you long enough! I'll let you enjoy this sappy little story.
As ever, I own no quotes references, themes or memes. Not a wit or a one!
Now then, I'll not keep you. Get ready to smile~!
Minor verbatim for ingame dialogue.
"Don't you see? That oaf is gathering an army to himself. Without even trying!
You ask me if I fear dragons? Nay. The answer is no.
I do not fear dragons. I fear foxes."
~?
Here Be Dragons
"This is where you began your journey?"
"More or less." Naruto raised a hand to shade his eyes against the setting sun of Limgrave. "Feels like a lifetime ago, now."
"Longer still, for me." Milicent hummed softly to herself, wide eyes drinking in the sprawling countryside before them. "I had not thought to see such beauty again in my lifetime." Her golden eyes almost seemed to spark in the low light as she gripped the stump of her right arm, gazing out into the lake beyond. "Its magnificent."
He couldn't quite hide the chuckle that followed. "You get used to it."
"I should hope not, my lord." A small, fragile smile touched her pale face as she turned to face him. "The day such beauty no longer stirs me will truly be the day I die."
Heat speared through Naruto's face, sharper than any slap. It wasn't so much Milicent's words as the way she looked in that moment; the light of the sinking sun caught her unbound scarlet hair and set it afire in the low light, creating a fiery red halo around her head as she smiled. She'd never been more alive.
"Thank you," that smile deepened, dimpling her cheeks. "For showing me this place. I will remember this moment, always."
And yet for all her brave words, he could still sense the tangled knot of emotions deep within her. So much stress. So much anxiety. So much...fear. She longed for the return of her other arm but dreaded losing it again; wondered how much time she had left before the Rot returned, before her body began to degrade once more. Would the Rot take this moment from her too, as it had taken everything else?
Unbidden, he found himself silently reaching for her hand.
His fingers brushed hers and his sworn sword jolted in surprise; credit where it was due, she recovered with admirable speed. Fingers gripping his, she raised their interlocked hands and pressed them to her forehead. The gestured seemed to strengthen her; if only because he felt her emotions calm. She closed her eyes with a sigh, exhaling her fears with it.
"My lord...
Greyroll winged down behind them, and the moment died an ugly death.
"No sign of Agheel." she gave herself a mighty shake, wings folding against her back as her tail swayed side-to-side. "T'would seem my wayward child is most adept at hiding tonight." Those lively golden eyes narrowed upon seeing their interlocked hands. A faint smile played across her pale visage. "Well, well, thou art a bold one indeed to seek that which would be mine...
Milicent tugged her hand from his, breaking the spell completely. "That was a rather short flight, lady dragon."
"Perhaps." Greyroll granted them a toothy grin. "I would have continued yet longer, but I didn't wish to frighten the little mouse anymore than I already head. I fear he's reached his limit." She lowered her arms and a tiny form scampered out of her grasp, clutching at the ground for dear life. "After all he did so dearly wish to fly...
"Never again...urp...I feel sick...
Naruto's gaze was drawn to the smallest member of their merry band. "You alright there, Boc? Looking a little pale, there."
"J-Just fine, m'lord." the demihuman stumbled out, looking positively green. "I think I'll lay here for awhile...ah." he gasped a little when Milicent knelt beside him and began to stroke his back in slow, tender circles. "Many thanks, my lady, that helps...
Greyroll grinned. "You did well to survive your first flight, little mouse. I might make a dragon of thee yet."
The poor lad whimpered. "No thank you, ma'am...
They'd stumbled upon the friendly little seamster some hours ago; a demihuman cursed into tree, of all things. Friendly little fellow. He'd been friendlier still since they'd found and fetched his sowing kit from that wretched cave. Many a skull had been cracked there. Still he remained remarkably pure despite the hardships he'd suffered, and that was a rare quality in the Lands Between. Such a precious bean deserved protection. Greyroll had taken a liking to him-
Wait.
A thought occurred to him just then.
"Wasn't Therolina with you? Pretty sure you were carrying her, too..
Greyroll looked away a little too quickly. "The stubborn girl wished to investigate the lake. Something about retrieving Runes for you."
His brow furrowed. "You didn't drop her, did you?"
She looked the other way. "Not at all."
"Grey."
"I didn't!" she huffed beneath his stoic stare, a rare flicker of flame escaping her lips in thinly veiled agitation. "'Tis no fault of mine if the foolish girl wishes to prove her worth! She promised to return by sundown! Send one of your clones if you worry for her so! Or would you rather I order Ekzykes after her?
...no. Leave him be."
Ekzykes the Purified -the young seemed to enjoy his new title- was resting back in Caelid with Jerren and the rest of the Redmane knights; as much as they might've enjoyed a leisurely ride on the wyrm's back, he needed his wrest. Greyroll could always call him if need be. Still...
He clapped a hand to his forehead. "I told that silly girl I didn't need the Runes...
Honestly, she'd been acting strange ever since he refused to go to the capital. He wasn't certain why. Was she angry with him? Did she want to prove herself while Melina hid away? It could've been any number of things, really, but he didn't think her the treacherous sort. He could sense her emotions only a league away, a dutiful presence filled with dogged determination. A frown creased his face. Therolina really did want to help, but this was dangerous, certainly for one with her limited skill-set.
"We could use those runes...
He scoffed. 'Why? We're strong enough already.'
"Says the man who grafted two Great Runes onto his body. How many more do you plan to claim? Two? Three? Four? Five?"
...fair enough.' Fine. If Therolina she really wanted to help that badly, he wouldn't deny her.
"Begging your pardon, m'lord?" Boc's voice plucked at his ear before he could dwell on it. "But why are we here?" When he didn't answer right away the little demihuman cowered. "I'm sorry, I know its not my place to ask such things...
He saw no reason to lie. "Huntin dragons. Don't suppose you saw any before we found you?"
"D-D-Dragons?!" the poor seamster squeaked. "The large kind?!"
Greyroll grinned. "Smaller than me, but larger than thee~!"
Milicent shot her a scathing look. "Don't be crass."
"Pah! You coddle the little mouse, let him be...
Naruto let his thoughts turn inward as the duo squabbled.
As per Greyroll's request, they'd come back to Limbrage. in search of dragons. Fire Dragon Agheel and Glintstone Dragon Smarag, to be precise. Supposedly the former was hiding somewhere around the lakes, while the latter lurked in Liurna, the next stop on their grand journey. One that seemed more and more likely, given that Agheel hadn't shown himself all day.
That said, it felt strange returning to Limgrave after all this time. As if he'd taken three steps forward, then a step back, that sorta thing, you know?
He didn't much like it-least of all the way nearly every enemy fled before him. In their Lord's absence, the soldiers of Godrick were all but routed; most fled at the sight of him, the few knights who put up a fight were summarily trounced by his companions. He suspected he had the oaf's Great Rune to thank for that; even now it pulsed in his chest, a steady beat to match the heat hammering from his right arm. Radahn's Rune still burned there, a pleasant cherry red that kept the coming chill of the night from creeping into his bones.
The last time he'd been here, he'd had an entirely different party at his back.
Trish had been with him them; now she was convalescing from the last of her wounds back in the Round Table. Melina meanwhile remained hidden in her astral form, refusing to show her face after their last spat...and the fierce kiss she'd given him. Roderika was off learning what it meant to be a Spirit Tuner from Hewg; likewise, he was loathe to interrupt her lessons.
Nepheli...well, sage knew where she'd run off to after they'd dealt with Godrick. He had a feeling they'd meet again soon.
In their place he found himself accompanied by others; by Milicent, Therolina, and Greyroll...the latter of whom was even now giving him a sidelong glance when she thought he wasn't looking.
Ohhh was she a'looking!
Naruto blew out a sigh and kept his eyes firmly facing forward, refusing to give the dragoness the satisfaction she sought. If he looked at her now, she'd make it her mission to nail him to the wall again...and he just might let her in his current mood. Though he'd managed to fend her off back in the Hold, she'd made it clear that she wouldn't be denied for long.
Sooner or later, he would have to choose.
This was new for him. Choosing, and the attention. He wasn't used to folk being...interested in him, not like that. Milicent had been the first to express any real interest, he wasn't right sure about Melina, and now he had a bloody dragon after him. To say nothing of any other entanglements that might arise in the future. Whatever was a shinobi to do?
"Answer them? Clear the air?"
'How?!' he flailed mentally at Kurama. "I think the world of 'em! I don't wanna hurt anyone...
Really, he didn't! Milicent had struck him from the first-he'd saved her life, she'd sworn herself to his service in return and repaid the favor thrice over since. No doubt she would keep repaying it, despite any objections he raised for her sake. Until she found her way. Until the Rot was cleansed from her once and for all.
By contrast, Melina was a flighyt one, her motives her own. Still, she'd given him good guidance, even if he hadn't listened to half of it. He wanted to understand her. Make things right with her...and ferret out the secrets she clung to so desperately. He knew she was hiding something from him, something terrible, but he feared prying might well break her in two.
Greyroll...well. She was another beast. He'd thought he understood her initially...that he had the measure of the stubborn dragonness who initially refused to so much a give him the time of day. Not at all; he'd gone and impressed her, and now she seemed determined to have him one way or another
Fia, Roderika, Nepheli, the list went on without end. He cared about them dearly; each had helped him on his journey in their own way. Even Therolina, new to their party though she was, had wriggled her way into his heart before he realized it; this lost little soul searching for belonging in a world gone mad. All of them, each unique in their own ways, each holding a piece of his heart. The idea of choosing a paramour from among the ladies threatened to break him; in part because he knew little of love himself.
'You're telling me to choose one over the other.' his throat clogged at the thought. 'I can't.'
"Oi. I never said you had to choose one.
A thunderbolt of realization struck.
Oh.
Ohh.
Ohhh!
'How would that even work?! I don't know the first thing about romance! Let alone a...you know!'
"But you are interested. If not, you would've rebuffed Greyroll much more harshly back at the Hold."
He was. It was flattering to actually have someone think of him like that...even if he didn't know how to properly respond yet. There was a part of him that longed to; a dark instinct that Milicent had inadvertently awoken with her first kiss. It had grown louder after Fia embraced him the second time. Howled at him when a furious Melina kissed him hard enough to draw blood. Even now, it gnawed at him, one urging him to just give in and partake. He didn't know what to do with it. So he'd shoved into a box in the back of his head...for now.
"Then learn." Kurama gave him a hard, mental jab. "Unless you want to go around breaking hearts with that thick head of yours.'
'Hey!' he winced, wounded by the words. 'I'm not that dense...am I?'
...you really are. Try keeping an open mind going forward. You might be surprise.
And so it was with cheeks aflush that he had their small band make camp for the night on a hill overlooking the lake.
It wasn't that difficult; even with one arm Milicent was skilled and she had both Boc and him to help her erect the tents. Greyroll even deigned to both make a and light fire-pit; thereby saving Naruto the exasperating and somewhat humiliating task of using flint and tinder. A brace of rabbits were summarily caught and left to roast over the fire in short order with a bit of rowa fruit, leaving them to warm themselves by the open flame.
"Are you alright, my lord?"
The world snapped back and Naruto forced himself to focus. Greyroll was gnawing happily on a half-cooked rabbit, while Boc was busy mending his coat. But Milicent...she was looking right at him
He tugged at his collar, remembering the marks Greyroll had left there as her eyes slid his way. "More or less. Just thinking."
Still he felt her keen eyes on him; rather the tiny discolored bruises on his neck. "Did someone attack you?"
No doubt it looked as though some ferocious beast had mauled his throat.
"Guess you could say that."
"Indeed." Greyroll sashayed past, eyes gleaming in the gloom. hummed a laugh ahead of them. "There was a great deal of attacking, little mouse."
Quite a bit indeed, before he'd managed to pry her away.
Milicent tilted her head. Blinked. Comprehension dawned in her eyes and her face flamed to match her hair. "...oh."
Anger sparked in his chest. "Hey! Don't call her a mouse. She ain't one."
...you're right. my apologies." she dipped her head, surprising him with her diffidence. "A mere mouse could not hope to do battle with Radahn and survive. Little bud, then." a knowing smile touched her full lips when she raised her head again. "She is yet to bloom, after all."
Milicent clutched the stump of her arm with a shiver. He wished she'd let him restore it.
"Yes, of course." she muttered softly to herself. "You're much stronger than I, a far more capable ally than a mere cripple. Why would he want anything to do with one such as me...
"Hey! I never said-
"What foolishness is this? You admit defeat so easily!" He half-expected Greyroll to laugh, revel in her victory. Her scowl caught him unawares instead, as did the words that followed. "I thought you intended to make him your mate." a hand flicked down, catching her by the chin. "Would you surrender him to me over a few words?!" she gave her a hard shake. "Where is the strength you showed against Radahn?! Well?! If you want him then fight for him! Claim him!"
Milicent squeaked, eyes flicking to and fro in search of an escape.. "I...that's not...
Naruto burst to his feet, not at all liking where this was going. "That's enough. Let her go."
She rounded on him, still gripping Milicent's face. "You would defend such weakness? I thought better of you."
"There's nothing weak in what she's doing!" he snared her by the wrist, forcing her arm back. "Now, stop! You're hurting her."
"Bah!" Greyroll complie with a scoff, face carved from stone. "You understand nothing! Neither of you! Call me when you've made up your minds...and found your spines!"
Her wings lashed at the ground buffeting them with a windstorm as she took wing, rocketing into the clouds. Milicent glared after her rapidly retreating form, massaging her aching chin. When the mother of dragons didn't return after a minute, she dared to speak at last. "Whatever came over her...?"
"She wasn't trying to insult ya, you know." Naruto plonked back down beside her. "I'm sure of it."
Her eyes sought his. "Then what didst she mean?"
"Look, dragons go for strength," he raised his hands to fend off her anger, but it never came. "Seems I went and proved myself to her without realizing it. She's been after me ever since. She hates doubt and weakness as much as anything. I think..." his face began to burn as he looked away, "She was expecting you to challenge her. When you didn't, that pissed her off."
"Oh." another blink. "Yes, well. That makes proper sense now, doesn't it?"
He could just imagine her thoughts now. Her lord was strong. In her eyes there could be no one stronger. Greyroll was right to recognize such. To respect.
The rattled redhead frowned. "Yet clearly she cares for you.
...guess she does." he blew out a sigh. "She's just got a weird way of showing it."
Must be a dragon thing. Maybe she was the outlier.
Her hand cupped his cheek. "I care for you as well my lord. I would not see you come to harm."
She leaned into him, seeking warmth from the cold. He let her. Felt kinda nice. Was it really so wrong to enjoy it?
...I'm not gonna run away from this." he spoke into the silence, staring into the crackling flames. "I just don't know how to deal with it."
Milicent laid her head against his chest. He was sure she heard it skip a beat "You are my lord. I am your blade, you sword. Do with me what you will."
His temper slipped its leash. He choked it to death. "Don't talk like that. You're not a sword-
"But I am." her ardent words stilled him, as much as the devotion behind them. "You misunderstand. I knew nothing before you came into my life." she dared to reach up and grip his shoulder with her good hand. "All of my memories were gone, eaten away by the rot. Now they have begun to return, and whenever I close my eyes I find you there. At the center. You are always in my thoughts."
"..." His heart kicked against his chest.
Golden eyes flicked up to meet his, half-lidded with desire.
"Allow me to express that once more...and please forgive my presumptuousness again."
Milicent leaned up from where she laid against him, pivoted, and delivered a chaste kiss to his lips. It was a brief, fleeting thing; even then it nearly burned his world white. She pulled away, eyes holding a frail, tentative warmth. When he didn't immediately respond she touched his face and kissed him yet again, stronger this time, lips lingering over his own, bringing with it the faint scent of her. She smelled of wildflowers and cherries, and there beneath it all, a faint, sickly sweet smell...
It was too much.
Naruto's control slipped and his arms committed bloody mutiny; he found himself looping an arm around her waist to draw her into a crushing kiss. She noticed at once, made a pleased noise, and pressed herself against him, all but sitting in his lap. By the sage, she was soft. Warm, too. He wanted to hold her forever. He held her for what felt like an eternity, until finally, he had to break for air.
Mercifully, Milicent didn't test his limits a fourth time.
"Earlier, you said you would aid me." she shifted against him, head to chest, facing the fire. "Would you hold to your words, even now? I must go north." she said after a long moment. "I feel as though something is calling me there. Someone perhaps, or-wait." she looked past the flames. Frowned. "What's that? I see a light...
Naruto turned to follow her gaze. Frowned.
There was a burning beacon out on the lake. It hadn't been lit before.
Someone was running away from it, waving their arms frantically, shouting. He recognized the pale robes at a glance.
"Therolina...?"
...gon!" she cried out, tripped, and clamored upright, running for her life.
"She's shouting something." he sat up, not quite comprehending why she was running, much. "What in the world...?
"DRAGON!"
Realization dawned. Bugger.
As though summoned by those very words, Greyroll came crashing back down. She struck the earth a yard away with neither word nor warning, bloodied from head to toe and gasping for air. One of her wings had been torn clean off, but it was growing back even as he looked on. Much to his chagrin, she tilted her head towards the night sky, slitted eyes sliding shut. He heard her inhale deeply...and then.
She screamed, a low, ululating sound that rang through the night. Something screamed back.
A distant dark shape came crashing through the clouds and arrowed toward the beacon Therolina fled from. The poor souls worshiping it never stood a chance. One moment were still gazing toward the sky, arms raised in supplication, utterly unaware of the doom hurtling their way. They continued to pray, until their very last moment.
In the next...they were so much red mist.
This new dragon was a fair sight larger than young Ekzykes. Healthier, too, with none of the wicked rot that had plagued his lesser kin. Not as large as Greyroll's natural state or Kurama, but in a different league all the same. Dark russet scales glimmered in the dying light of the beacon as he craned back his neck and stood on his hind legs. He looked too and fro, searching for his prey. A deep voice boomed with fiery thunder.
"Show yourself!" each word was an explosion, leaving their ears ringing. "Who dares challenge Agheel?!"
"I dare!"
His head snapped toward them. Naruto swore softly.
"You have forgotten yourself." Greyroll started down the rise, eyes blazing. "How far you have fallen, that you would strike your own mother...
"I have done no such thing." the fire dragon snorted and moved to meet her, expelling a thin plume of steam with every step. "My mother rots in the Caelid wilds."
Greyroll absolutely hissed. "You ungrateful little...! If I could transform, you would see the error of your ways-
Naruto edged forward, grabbed her by the shoulder, and hauled her back.
"Lemme try."
A giant pupil fixated upon him. "Brave little mouse. But bravery means naught to me. I will bend no knee to thee."
"Not askin' ya to." His mouth curled in a small smile. "This only ends one way."
The beast scoffed. "With your charred corpse in my jaws?"
"Nope." he inhaled deeply, pulling natural energy from the air, letting his eyes blaze gold. "With you on my side. So why don't we skip the brawl and just talk this out like-
A wing slammed forward at his head. He caught it and slapped it back, sending the fire wyrm reeling.
Agheel jolt back, snorting harshly. "What manner of sorcery is this?!"
"No sorcery here. Tell you what." he crossed both arms across his armored chest. "I won't even use Kurama for this. Just my hands and...
His gaze swept over his companions and settled on Therolina, who'd circled around to join them at last. She wanted a chance to prove herself? Alright.
...her spells."
Credit where it was due, the maiden reacted quickly and scrambled to his side. One hand touched his back, fingers splayed; with the other raised, she whispered a rapid incantation. A golden sigil bloomed over their heads as she took one hand away and thrust it into the air. The moment she did, he felt the ache leave his bones, his mental exhaustion siphoned away and replaced with raw vigor.
She didn't stop there.
Another spell went up, bringing with it a startling surge of strength-no, not a spell, he realized. Something was flowing into him from her palm; kissing his back to lance through his body. A gentle sort of warmth enfolded him and he felt his eyes widen. Godrick and Radahn's runes burned ever brighter on his body, baffling him yet further. Agheel snorted, but made no move to intervene, proud dragon that he was.
Therolina took the opportunity to lean closer, all but pressing herself against his back. "Does this please you, my lord?"
...what the hell are you doing?"
She smiled tentatively. "Merely turning your runes to strength."
It was then that Naruto finally understood.
He'd collected thousands of runes during his journey thus, not knowing how to use them. Not caring to.
Therolina wasn't able to reach them all, fledgling maiden that she was, but she found enough...and those that she touched ignited, burning in his blood. It felt wonderful. Strength surged through him, adding to his already expansive prowess. Could Melina do this? Why hadn't she?! He felt like he could leap into the clouds, vault mountains, tear down the moon itself!
Agheel scoffed, wholly unware of what had just transpired. "A little mouse and his maiden. Hardly a worthy meal of one such as I."
"Well, I am fighting a mighty dragon after all," Naruto grinned, appealing to the wyrm's pride. "I need all the help I can get."
Boc blinked. "But m'lord, can't you just-
Greyroll clamped a hand over the demihuman's mouth and hid a laugh behind her palm with the other. Milicent looked on with a rare smile.
Sure enough, the sarcasm went right over Agheel's horned head. "Very well, then! To battle!"
Naruto planted his feet and beckoned. "You first."
The dragon lunged!
(.0.0.0.)
This was madness!
Melina nearly burst from cover when Agheel lunged; nearly leaped forward and shoved Naruto aside from those gaping jaws. Fear and self-loathing that held her back, kept her hidden in astral form for a second too long, a moment too late, a sliver of eternity that seemed to stretch on, dragging onto eternity. She saw that mighty maw open wide, ready to bite. Bad enough that fledgling maiden turned some of his runes to strength -her task, and no others!- thus leaving her feeling even more inadequate than before, but now this?!
'Dodge!' she hissed at him, willing him to move, to do something, anything at all. 'Move aside!'
Naruto did no such thing. Instead he turned, looking at her. Right at her.
He just...smiled.
Then that fanged maw closed around her Tarnished and he vanished from view as those great gaping jaws caught him. Agheel's body plowed forward to kick up a mighty cloud of dust, a mighty impact that threw Therolina to safety even as her Tarnished was swallowed whole. Melina's heart leaped into her throat and she choked off a sob. That was it. He was dead, then. All her work and sorrow for nothing...
.
..
...why wasn't there any blood?
All at once the smoke cleared, defying her expectation.
Naruto stood fast within, holding the dragon's jaws apart with his bare hands. He looked up, strengthened his stance, and took a step forward.
"My turn."
With a roar he reared up, gripping the dragon by its head, lifted him clear off the ground with naught but his bare hands...and brought him crashing down. Agheel howled his rage and bathed him in napalm in recompense for his temerity. Too little, too late. The blond took it head on, still shimmering in the odd aura Therolina had given him.
His mouth twisted in a wide, toothy grin. "Is that all?"
Agheel's tail whipped out over his head, seeking to smash his prey down while he stood still. Rather than retreat, the whiskered warrior released the beast's jaws and opened his arms wide. The towering tail that was once meant to smite him found itself caught instead, held tight against his chest. Agheel had all of a mere moment to realize his folly, then he found himself yanked backward and spun about.
Once.
Twice.
Thrice, now.
On the third revolution Naruto finally let go and flung him away into the air.
Greyroll's kin howled in surprise as he righted himself in the air. Flame flickered behind his jaws. "You dare?!"
He was still howling when Naruto appeared on his back. Alighting between the wyrm's shoulders, he raised an arm high. A keening azure sphere hissed in his open palm. With each passing moment it grew larger, casting the dragon in its shadow. Agheel saw it and bellowed his rage, trying to roll, to no avail. The blond held tight, feeding more and more power to the snarling spiraling with each moment.
"Dishonorable human! You said you wouldn't use any spells!"
"Wrong!" came the answering cry. "I said I'd only use my hands!"
With a laugh, Naruto brought it crashing down and so too did the dragon crumple to the ground.
Agheel...did not have a good time after that, Melina found.
He had a very bad time indeed.
A/N: Here be dragons indeed. Unfortunately for them, here be Naruto. We'll reach Liurnia next chapter. Let the good times roooolll~!
Well? Did you like this story? Yes? No? Maybe? Speak out! Make yourselves heard! Your voice matters~!
Once more, we're sticking with the "Embers" rule for this story.
If folks don't like this, it won't be continued. Meaning that if the story itself ain't popular? POOF! Gone. Completely. I'm working two jobs during the holidays so I barely have time to write; as such, I cannot afford to write something folks don't enjoy. So by all means, speak up! Your voice matters! Make yourself heard! As ever, reviews are the fuel that sustain me. Without them I cannot write a single word. Simple as that.
Next chapter title: Long Live the Queen. *whistles innocently* gee, I wonder who that is...?
So in the Immortal Words of Atlas....Review, Wouldst Thou Kindly?
And have some previews. Some are quite off, but still...
(Previews)
Renala raised her head.
Those were her son's swords on the golden warrior's back.
A lone tear rolled from her left eye, touched her cheek, ran down her chin. Radahn, her baby boy...
The Crucible Knight crashed down to a knee.
"Uh...Trish? Care to translate?"
Of course I'm gonna help 'em." he began to count off on his fingers. Hewg, Blaidd, Alexander, Rogier, and the ever surly D- well, they were his friends. Each had their own goals, their own quests. he wanted to help them out, ya know?
"You have sisters?"
Milicent blinked. "I do...?"
A knife slammed into his gut.
Naruto looked down. Up at them. Down again.
...I'm sorry, was that supposed to do something?"
Clenched knuckles roared up. His attacker rocketed into the air.
Yura jerked backward, eyes bulging beneath his iron hat. "What the devil are you?
"Easy, now. I'm a friend. Lets just talk. No need for swords to come out.
"You're no bloody finger, that's for certain...
The voices were calling to her again. "North...you must go north...she awaits thee...
Milicent shook her head.
"Not yet."
A faint shimmer of light in the night heralded her presence.
Naruto didn't look up from the campfire.
"Finally done hiding, are you?"
R&R~!