A/N: EDIT: This chapter glitched out! I'm so sorry! The ending got screwed up. Came back early to fix it...for all the good it did me.
Hardly any reviews, and some anonymous twit keeps tell me to retire. Can't we all just get along? T_T
Warning! This chapter has certain...themes.
You can find the mature version over on my A03 account.
Do you guys and gals want weekly updates? Kinda need to hear from you here, it determines my update schedule.
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. 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 lets get to your comments, questions and concerns! Feel free to skip these if you like, but I'll be sad...
Q: Update schedule? And will you ever get back to Game of Thrones?
A: Six days out of seven, usually. At present, I'm trying to circle back to updating "Serving a Schnee"..
As for GOT...that is a sensitive subject. Really got burned by that season finale, and I've only seen the first episode in House of Dragons.
One thing that has me scratching my head though; why do folks in Westeros make such dumb decisions? Don't even get me started on Season Eight...
I am "TRYING" to update Son of the Stag again. Its fighting me.
Q: Just how many friends is he going to make?! How big will his party get?! I mean, you offed Gideon, which surprised me, but still!
A: In a word...YES.
Q: Can't we just have a nice, relaxing chapter? Surely the heroes have earned some downtime, and while its nice to smash the demigod's smug faces in, I'm kinda worried about Naruto's mental health, ya know? We haven't seen him eat or rest since he got here.
A: Just because it hasn't been seen doesn't mean it didn't happen.
Q: The moment comes?
A: What moment? No idea what you mean~? *whistles innocently*
Alright then, this old man has kept you long enough! I'll let you enjoy this crazy little story.
As ever, I own no quotes references, themes or memes. Not a wit or a one! They're merely tributes to legends far greater than I.
Now then, I'll not keep you. Get ready to smile~! Quote's something someone suggested to me.
Kudos if you recognize it.
"You can change if you want to. But you don't have to. Its your choice.
In the end, you decide who you are.
Nobody can take that from ya."
~?
Make Merry
Naruto liked giving gifts.
Rya learned that lesson rather quickly during her time with the Tarnished.
Be it small trinkets or grand treasures, he seemed to genuinely delight in doting upon his party. And the manor was rife with loot.
With Rennala's -grandmother's!- return, it fell to them to clear out the Carian manor proper; rather, to prepare for what was to come. That meant scouring the grounds free of the unpleasant beasts that roosted there, taming the wolves that had gone feral in their lady's absence, and bringing the knights within to heel once more. Though she couldn't assist in such a task -she lacked both a weapon and the proper training- she could watch all the same.
His clones did good work, but Naruto himself cut through enemies like a scythe. It was all a bit heady, really.
She'd been happy enough to know she had a foster mother of sorts in Lady Tanith. The knowledge had heartened her in darker times. But to discover that she was the daughter of Lord Rykard himself? To know that divine blood coursed in her veins. That she had a Grandmother? And an Aunt?! Truly she felt blessed beyond measure.
She'd considered the Tarnished a champion before for his acts of kindness alone, but now he was all but a lord in her eyes. He'd given her the gift of a proper family. Never had she needed something so badly and never known until she received it. Yes, it was a bit sad to know that her Father had been a monster, but still! Family!
Which brought her to the present moment.
Rya tilted her head.
Tilted it some more, now.
Blinked down at the item in his hands. "Is this for me?"
Naruto's smile was the purest thing she'd ever seen as he offered it up to her. "Sure is!"
"Oh!" her eyes watered, stinging a little at the realization. "No one's ever given me such a gift before...
Certainly never one like this! It was a beautiful blade all things considered. Rya felt unworthy of it. An ancient treasure that hummed with power; a relic of an altogether bygone era; strength to make even the weakest of warriors mighty indeed. It called to her. She ached to hold it and make it hers.
"Rennala called it the Sword of Night and Flame." Once more, he offered it to her. "Found it while we were cleaning up. And you mentioned wanting a weapon, sooo...surprise?"
Rya lost control of her emotions and hiccuped a little. "I can really have this?"
"Here, I'll make it easy for you." Her merry Champion stepped forth and thrust the sheathed weapon into her hands. "Hold it like this." When she made to draw away his hands closed around hers, forcing her to grasp the blade or risk dropping it entirely. "See? Its simple. Watch."
Hands still over hers, he bid her to draw the blade. Its sheathe vanished in a mote of blue dust.
Rya could feel the blade's satisfaction.
It was pleased with her.
"Pretty cool, right?" Naruto beamed at her, blissfully ignorant of the link she'd just formed. "It does that. Even gave it a few test swings. Watch." he pushed in a little closer, body brushing against hers as he guided her into a stance. "Hold it like this, give it a thrust, and-
Rya felt a tug on her mana reserves -already substantial- and a night comet flashed out, blazing forth in a roaring beam of green-on-blue. She gasped a little, but Naruto didn't give her time to marvel at it. He was already nudging her into another stance. Hands on hers, he bid her to raise the blade, swing it out in a sweep and-
"Fire!" This time, Rya couldn't quite conceal her excitement as a flash of orange flame flared in the air. Her back straightened, abandoning its customary hunch. "Oh! That's delightful!"
"See?" Naruto stepped away and serpent that she was at heart, Rya found herself missing his warmth almost immediately. "Its simple. Even a rookie can do it."
He was right. Rya felt she could use this blade. Perhaps even master it. Anxiety crept up on her a moment later.
...even so, I don't think I deserve-ah!"
"Stop that." he booped her nose, drawing a yelp from her. "I'm giving you the sword. Its yours." he stressed the last word. "Keep it. You really need to be more confident, ya know?"
Her eyes flitted up to his. "Confident, you say...
A harsh crash rattled the manor and had them both jumping apart.
"Oi!" Naruto rounded on the clones responsible for it, fist raised. "Be careful with that wall! You trying to bring this place down?!"
"Sorry boss!"
"For the love of-look," his gaze swung back to her. "You can keep the sword. Really. Its yours. You deserve it. Now I've gotta go wrangle these guys. You good?"
Rya dared a tentative nod.
"Great. Lemme know if you need anything else."
His peace said, she watched him stomp away with a wistful look.
He'd already done so much for her. Moreover, he was kind to her. He'd seen her true for and barely batted an eyelash.
All the more reason to master her shapeshifting, then. And now, perhaps the art of the blade.
She wanted to be of use to him, and she was of none in either form.
Perhaps if she could find a way to combine the two...?
What was the saying? Best of both worlds?
Yes, she rather liked that idea.
(.0.0.0.)
Ranni was glaring at him again.
She was really going all in on it this time; Naruto could feel her lone eye trying to burn a black hole between his shoulders while he scarfed down his food. Didn't do a thing to him, of course. He'd suffered far worse glares than the ire of some surly witch. Yet still she kept at it; trying to cow him with sheer willpower. He'd give her points for effort if nothing else. She'd been at it for the better part of two hours now, and still not a single word on her part.
Did she really think she was scary?
If so, he pitied her-truly. He'd fought with gods and cosmic horrors. By contrast, this? This was adorable.
"Don't tease her." Kurama jabbed him. "She has a reason to sulk."
Naruto considered it...
.
.
...nah. He was definitely going to tease her. Just couldn't help himself.
With their triumph an uneasy peace of sorts had fallen over the Carian manor. He'd taken full advantage. Despite the sound spanking she'd delivered unto her daughter, Rennala was over the moon -pun intended!- to know that Ranni still lived; even in a reduced state. She'd offered him a reward. He'd asked for a feast. After the hell they'd been through, the party had gladly accepted.
The rest, as they say, was history.
It had taken the better part of a day to clear the entire manor of its monsters and deactivated the defenses, but the remaining servants -few in number though they were- remained steadfast towards Rennala. So loyal in fact, they were all too happy to obey their mistress's command. A small army of shadow clones only helped hastened their efforts.
Now some hours later, the result was a somewhat rustic meal at a round table that could have easily seated twenty, but settled for less than half that number.
He'd long since lost track of the dishes that the cooks swept out. Lamb, pork, chicken, goose, gravy so rich it practically melted in your mouth, to say nothing of the drink. Wine was actually pretty good with steak. Really, really good. Sweet, too. Who knew?
"Don't tell me you're drunk already...
He wasn't sure. Tipsy, maybe. He'd been drinking a bit and felt pleasantly happy.
Was this why Tsunade drank all the time? Looking back, he could understand the appeal.
Kurama snorted, a sound that came with experience. "Keep going and you won't be saying that come morning...
Bah! What did he know?! Everyone else had certainly taken well to the festivities. He could see a faintly amused Latenna swapping stories with Rya at the end of the table. Tanith lingered away from the lot of them; Melina had driven her into a corner when he wasn't looking. She seemed to be having harsh words with Rykard's former consort. Judging by Tanith's strained expression, it wasn't a pleasant argument. The gentleman in him was almost tempted to sweep in and rescue her. The prankster, howeve.r..
...Meh. Tanith could stand to be chewed out. She'd live.
By contrast, Rennala had drawn Milicent aside near the entrance. Each had a flagon in hand and their conversation seemed a lively one judging by the way the latter was waving her arm about. Her face looked redder than her hair. He had a bit of a bad feeling about that. Still, it was a heartwarming scene all things considered. Now they just needed to track down Therolina and the dragons; then they'd have a grand feast of things.
"...!"
"Persistent girl."
Ranni was STILL glaring at him.
Silly child. Didn't she knew when to give up? Honestly, it was like having a little sister.
"Sooo~?" Naruto took a great big bite of chicken, guzzled some more wine to wash it down, then finally deigned to grin her way. "Did you want something?" When she continued to stare, his grin grew. "You're mad at me, ain'tcha? I could see why you'd be angry at your mom and all, but I really didn't do anything...
Ranni made an angry noise, but didn't defy him. She wasn't about to sling any spells, not with Rennala present, but she was wary towards him still. He supposed she had that right, given what she'd been through. They'd upended her life after all. They barely knew one another. Small wonder she gave him the cold shoulder. He wouldn't be surprised if he got the silent treatment for the rest of the night.
"Dost thou intend to wed my mother?"
Which was precisely why her question floored him!
Naruto's head snapped to the side as he choked on his drink, thumped his chest, and swallowed the rest. "Oi! That was good wine you made me waste!"
"'Tis a simple question, tarnished." she rolled her shoulders in a shrug. "You have a great any runes about you. I thought it pertinent."
Pertinent, she said. Nosy witch! He wasn't asking about her love life! His face flushed. "She kinda jumped me first...
"After you killed my brother." It wasn't a question.
Shame hit like a brick. "Yea. Sorry about that."
"You needn't be."
"Still am."
In truth, he felt more than a little guilty for all the lives he'd taken. Some like Gideon, deserved to die, but even so killing wasn't something he took pride in. He would remember each life he took. No matter how small. He still felt he could've saved Radahn. In a perfect world he might have even found a way to rescue Rykard; thereby bringing him back from what he'd become. This could've been a grand family reunion.
...suppose that's a pipe dream, ain't it?'
That's right. The Lands Between were far from perfect. He'd have to be content with those lives he'd saved.
Across the table, Milicent squawked in response to something Rennala said. The Queen laughed.
His eyes were drawn to her once more. She really did look good with her hair down...
"Cease thy staring." Ranni swatted his knee, sensing his mood. "From the way mother tells it, you did all you could for my kin. We both know Rykad was a monster, and Radahn was beyond help. 'Tis no fault of yours that you slew them."
...nice of you to say."
Ranni gazed upon him for a long moment, trying to gain the measure of him. At length she sighed. "If you truly insist on this nonsense of atonement...
The rune on his finger brightened almost imperceptibly. Naruto curled his hand, hiding it from the snow witch.
"I'm all ears..."
(.0.0.0.)
Irina was all ears.
Really t'was all she could be given her blindness.
For once, she was almost grateful for her lack of sight.
"Godrick?! I don't wanna hear about Godrick! Godrick is dead!" Because you see, her Knight was angry. Irina knew it by the agitated tapping of his foot, the bitter bite of his voice as he railed at father. "Take your daughter and go to the Roundtable right now or SO HELP ME I WILL SHAVE YOU BALD!"
"Must you be so uncouth-ack?! Why did you punch me?!"
Irina tugged at her father's sleeve, bringing him up short. "You'd best listen. He sounds rather cross."
"CROSS?!" Naruto's clone growled, and although Irina couldn't see his face, he sounded every bit of it. "HE is! HE just cleared out an entire castle and HE smells like a fucking fishery! While your own men tried to kill me, mind you!" she imagined those words and the sardonic smile they must've brought. "And what the hell am I supposed to do with this big sword?!"
She could feel Father winced. "You could always keep it...?"
Irina heard a finger jam into his skull so hard it practically sought brain matter.
"You. Be. Quiet. One more word out of ya and I'm hitting you with a thousand years of death."
Some base instinct sealed his mouth shut. Irina stifled a small smile into her palm. Her Knight could be so crass sometimes...
She hoped, wherever he was, that original was having a better time of things.
(.0.0.0.)
"You fancy him."
Milicent stared studiously into her wine.
"I haven't the foggiest idea what you mean, my lady."
Her reflection gazed back at her, the very picture of innocence. It did naught to conceal the treacherous thoughts swirling within her head. Fancy him? Rennala didn't know the half of it. Nevertheless, she mustn't look up. To do so now meant defeat. Rennala was baiting her. She knew it. They both did. Ranni's mother had been at it for the better part of an hour now, though Milicent knew not why. Persistent didn't even begin to describe her in this moment.
"No~?" She didn't need to see Rennala's face to know what the older woman was getting at. "Was it my imagination, then? Did you not claim to be his Bade?"
"I am!" Her head snapped up, golden eyes ablaze to meet her gaze. "I owe him my life!"
Mistakes were made. Rennala wore a merry grin. "Just as I thought, then."
Milicent's courage guttered out, a candle in the wind. She downed her wine to fortify it. No dice. Rennala looked like the cat that caught the canary.
"Come," the Queen of the Full Moon looped an arm around her shoulders and steered her toward the entrance. "Let us speak in private."
Gods above she had a tight grip!
In short order Rennala ushered her to the southern edge of the chamber, well away from prying eyes and ears. Another tankard was forced into her hand to replace the one she'd drained. Milicent glared golden daggers at her but Ranni's mother had reared three demigods; she remained utterly unaffected.
Rennala leaned close, her voice a harsh whisper.
"I've already spoken with the warrior woman, and I shall tell you what I told her. If you wish to claim him, do so before its too late. There are others that would seek him."
Milicent's eyes raked over the table to seek out the others. Latenna kept glancing Naruto's way, and Rya with her. To say nothing of Tanith. Melina might even have a claim on him, though she'd vanished to parts unknown once more. Even that witch Fia had already embraced her Lord twice. Milicent found herself suddenly and intensely grateful that the deathbed companion yet remained confined in the Roundtable Hold. Were she now, she might well take advantage of her Lord's inebriated state.
Milicent watched him.
Naruto seemed happy enough as he bantered with Ranni, blissfully unaware of their attention. It let her watch him all the more.
Firelight from the hearth splayed across his face as he waved his arms about, dancing across the great runes carved into his body. His time spent in the Lands Between had not been remiss; she could see the lean, corded muscles bunching beneath his tunic. Her mouth went dry. She was toxic to anyone but him; to be near her overlong guaranteed that their eventual death by Rot. But he endured it. Kept it suppressed. He alone could be by her side without fear of death. She'd dared a tentative kiss with him before, but looking upon him now...
Blasted matchmaker!
"And what do you gain from this?
A shrug. "His happiness. It is the least he deserves."
Her brow furrowed. "Yet you yourself are trying to win his heart."
"I am." she made no secret of it. "What of it? I've seen the way you and...others, look at him. I am not so foolish to think I can keep him to myself."
Milicent tore her gaze away. Rennala pinched her arm, drawing her back.
"Tell me, how many more lives will he take before he breaks? A dozens? A hundred? Thousands, perhaps?" the severity of her statement left Milicent simmering. "Don't make that face. He's been holding back. Restraining himself. You know that as well as I. Such restraint is admirable, but misguided." She tutted softly, turning her gaze back to him. "It shan't last much longer. The wheel of fate has begun to move at long last, and whether he knows it or not, he is meant for greatness...
Her shoulders stiffened. "What do you mean by that?"
"Four great runes." Rennala ignored her wholeheartedly, still gazing upon Naruto. "I expect he shall have nine before it is done. Will he be able to endure, I wonder? Or will he break, as so many others have before him.
"Nine...?" Eight at least, Milicent could account for. She listed the demigods in her mind. But then who was the last?
Rennala answered her unspoken question.
"Little Ranni cast aside her Great Rune long ago, but she did not destroy it. Doubtless she still knows where it is. He shall need it, by the end. She will be loathe to tell him, of course." a merry titter fled from her lips as the two of them watched him flick the girl's forehead. His actions drew a fearsome scowl from the Empyrean. "You see? My daughter is the stubborn sort. She may forgive yet but she will never, ever forget," she sighed softly, laying one hand to her cheek. "I suspect she will be the hardest for him to win over...if he hasn't gone mad by then."
Milicent stilled. The words rung in her head. "I won't let him break."
"No?" Rennala grinned like a proud parent. "Then what are you going to do about it, little bud?"
Milicent took a long drink from her flagon. Another now, to fortify herself.
Liquid courage in hand, she sallied forth.
(.0.0.0.)
"I am in need of a capable warrior."
Naruto arched a blond brow, but waved Ranni on. "You already have Blaidd."
"He is missing."
"Then go find him."
"I cannot." the cold witch took a moment to steady herself before speaking. "He is beyond my sight, and I dare not make the journey alone."
Why where they dancing around this? "Then get off your pretty blue arse and start looking. Pretty sure Iiji could lend a hand."
Ranni seethed. "All my hate, Tarnished. You have it. Why are you still here then, if not to help?!"
"Well, I was just doing your mom a favor. She called it a boon, or something...
She scowled. "Then you shall do me in return as recompense!
Another blond brow rose t join the first. Ranni wilted under it. "...I phrased that poorly, didn't I?"
"Yes. Yes, you did."
"Nevertheless, I am in need of-
"Why are the two of you sulking over here?" Milicent appeared between them, startling them apart. "Come! Make merry!"
Ranni recoiled, warding one hand over her face. Naruto's gaze zeroed in on Milicent while she did. He noted her flushed cheeks. The wine on her breath. The half-lidded look in her golden eyes. No. Surely not. She always seemed so rigid. So composed. So stoic...
...are...are you drunk?"
Milicent laughed. "Nonsense, m'lord. I'm just fine~!"
"Riiiiiight. She really isn't. Someone's a happy drunk...
-mind if I borrow him for a moment? Here. I'll give you this in exchange~!"
Naruto came back to himself just in time; time to find Milicent with an arm around him. In the same instant she all but thrust her half-empty tankard into Ranni's lap, forcing the witch to catch it with all four hands or risk spilling the brew all over her robes. In the moment it took her to do so, his Blade had him up and out of his seat, dragging him away before the winter witch could so much as squawk. Tipsy as he was, Naruto snickered a little at her plight and baffled by Milicent's brash behavior, let her tug him along, toward a door, then out the hall.
He didn't miss the smile Rennala sent his way as they departed.
"Any idea where you're taking me?"
"To a room." Milicent lisped a little, swaying to the side. "Need to talk. Important things."
...yup, she was definitely drunk.
Milicent brought him to a room alright. Large and expansive -and freshly cleaned!- it was filled with clutter like much of the manor. This one flowed out into a balcony. He could see the stars without, the full moon peeking its head out behind the clouds like some clever voyeur. Milicent didn't give him time to appreciate the irony.
"S'not fair." with only that word for warning, she released his arm and pivoted to round on him. "Not fair...not fair at all!"
A blond brow rose. "What isn't?"
"You!" She stabbed a finger against his chest. Rot flared and sizzled harmlessly upon his skin. "I'm your blade." another poke, another tickle. "But you keep trying to protect me! Distance yourself from me! It should be the other way around! Unfair!"
Naruto tried not to laugh.
He really, truly did.
He failed.
Milicent puffed out her cheeks. "What's so funny?!"
"Nothing!" he amended quickly when it looked like she might actually cry. "I just didn't expect to see this side of you. And you're not useless." he laid a hand on her shoulder when it looked like she might argue. "Not at all. You could probably whip my ass in a sword fight."
She perked up. "Truly?"
"Yup." he said. "I'm only able to use these big swords thanks to Radahn's rune. Beyond that, I'm awful when it comes to swordplay."
"Hmm." her face closed down for a moment, considering, trying to muster her words. "Would you be...averse to lessons?"
"Not at all." He took his hand from her shoulder, smiling a little she dared to scoot closer. "I'll be in your care."
...you...you need me, then?" closer still now. Her lone arm flitted out, grabbing at his hand. "I'm useful?"
"Don't talk like that." He let her and ran his thumb over her palm. "You're not a tool." she seemed to shiver a little beneath the weight of his words. "You matter." Another shiver had her hanging her head for reasons he didn't quite comprehend. "Don't ever let yourself think otherwise, alright? You're special to me."
Kurama guffawed. "You've done it now...
Naruto frowned. "Done what?"
The fox only laughed.
For you see, Milicent had raised her gaze. Her hand had tightened around his, not painfully, but firm nonetheless, her fingers daring to thread through his. A dark spark of something flashed in her eyes as he looked on. He frowned at it. Was the rot surfacing again? If so he might need to-
Milicent pounced.
Her lips struck his as she all but mounted him, driving him back to the bed. She kissed him roughly, as she hadn't before; teeth clicking painfully against his.
Something sparked in Naruto's chest; perhaps it was the wine. Maybe it was the stress. Perhaps he'd simply brown tired of holding back. Regardless, he found himself returning her affections as he hadn't had the chance before. Her legs tangled with his as they went down. She tried to hold him -pin him!- with one arm, cursed at her lack of balance, and kissed him again. Her tongue tangled with his, Scarlet Rot leaving a faint tingling tough on his lips. Kurama's chakra burned the feeling away; even as she dove on him anew.
Her fingers tore at his tunic, leaving tingling numbness in their wake. His hand found her jacket. Yanked.
In their fumbling she looped an arm around his neck. In turn, he got ahold of the leather cord holding her hair back.
He tugged it free.
Scarlet tresses tumbled loose, flowing down Millicent's back and shoulders in a crimson tide. Naruto found himself momentarily taken aback by the beauty of it. She really had been growing it out all this time. Golden eyes met his, half-lidded, chest heaving, bosom exposed. Motes of moonlight blue light danced across her skin, exposing her wanting body to him, scars and all.
A coy, if inebriated smile graced her lips. She leaned back, covering her breasts with a slender arm. "Do you approve, my lord? Am I not your Blade?"
Naruto knew what she wanted to hear from him, if not necessarily why. "...you are."
Milicent made a pleased noise that bordered on a possessive growl.
Pushed him down. Climbed onto him, atop him, now.
He gulped. "You alright, there?"
"But of course, my lord." Her eyes absolutely flashed, glowing in the low light like twin suns set ablaze. She kissed him again and leaned forward, gazing down at him, grinning with half-crazed lust. "Why wouldn't I be?" a second kiss stilled his protests. "I'm here, with you. There is no where else I'd rather be."
In that instant Naruto could've sworn he saw something over her shoulder; as though an afterimage of someone else briefly overlapped her very being. Someone tall. A woman with red hair and one arm, so like her, yet someone he'd never once laid eye upon. He blinked and the eerie afterimage vanished, leaving him to wonder if he'd merely imagined it in the first place.
A muted voice sprang to his mind, stemming from his rune-ring. "She is becoming Her. You will have to slay her before the end."
He shoved it away, appalled. No, no, no. Milicent was Milicent. No one else...
.
..
...wait, why was she looking at him like that? Oh. Ohh. Ohhh, dear.
Milicent pounced again. This time there was no escape.
The night descended into a carnal haze.
A/N: Aaaaand scene.
Drunk!Milicent is certainly amusing to write...and that ominous bit at the end there, had a purpose.
Confused? I'll clarify it here and now; in first build of the game, Milicent was originally intended to BE Malenia. Even in the current build she carries her will inside her. Her thoughts. Her purpose, the one she cast aside when she fought Radahn; one she wanted to return to her.
...we all know how that ended. Hopefully she'll have a kinder fate this tie.
Well? Did you like this story? Yes? No? Maybe? Speak up! Make yourselves heard! Your voice matters~! Silence hurts worse than any flame.
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.
So in the Immortal Words of Atlas....Review, Wouldst Thou Kindly?
And have some previews. Some are quite off, but still...
(Previews)
Fia bowed her head. "It is good to see you again. How fares your health?"
She didn't miss the new Great Runes.
Oh. Oh, that very nice indeed...
"Hey, there's a grace here, too! I wonder if...
He touched it and unbidden the image of a golden plain sprung to his mind.
The warm rune-ring on his finger sang, striking a low harmony with the Great Runes embedded in his body.
Without warning the world lurched around him, shifting in whorls of myriad gold on black. A faint sense of nausea shot up his throat. He choked it down.
Please. A voice begged. Help me...
Everything went dark.
"What have you done now?!" It was to that oh-so-familiar, exasperated cry that he returned to the roundtable.
"OI! I wasn't gone that long!"
Greyroll tapped her foot. "T'would seem you have been most busy since I saw thee last...
"Yup. Pretty much."
"So blunt!"
She hadn't expected Rennala.
Naruto took a tiny bit of pleasure in that; the way her eyes grew wide for a moment, her mouth agape.
"Hmm." Greyroll hummed, thumbing her chin. "How strange it is to find someone taller than me. I feel almost petite without using my power." Right, right, he'd seen her grow against Radahn, hadn't he? Wait, why isn't she getting angry? "she
Dragons truly were impossible to understand sometimes. Still, she'd integrated into their party relatively quickly.
She slotted quite nicely back into their little group.
Glintstone Dragon Smarag was not happy to see them.
Greyroll thumbed her chin. "I do not understand. This one has ever been a good child.
"He's got crystals growing out his skull! If you think for one second she's sane after that-
"She, actually."
...eh? I thought that thing was a boy."
"So do most."
Latenna hid a laugh behind her hand. "No, no, you look wonderful."
...you're mocking me, aren't you?"
Patches raised both hands to ward him off. "Nice fox, goood fox, please don't eat me...
Morgott creaked an eye open. Was he being ignored? Nay, surely not. The Tarnished had to come this way sooner or later...
.
..
...didn't he?
Somewhere in her tomb, Sellen sneezed.
"Oi! Got you something!"
Milicent turned to face him. Paused. "Is that an arm...?!"
Naruto hefted the prosthetic limb like some bloody trophy. "You have no idea what Patches and I went through to get this...so much poison...
"We'll rest here."
A faint shimmer behind him told a different story.
"Finally done hiding, are you?"
Melina was silent for a long moment.
"This is not the place of my death."
And didn't that just sting? Well, screw that! He wasn't going to let her die. Even if it killed him.
Then she sat beside him. Her head came to rest against his bloody shoulder. As he looked on, her good eye closed.
"The enemy you face is no base foe. You will need all the strength you can muster." she offered her hand once more. "Shall I turn your runes to strength?"
He blew out a small, irritated sigh. "Do it."
His world burst into light.
And through it, he heard her voice.
"I wish to tell you a story."
EDIT: Hey, you made it! Thanks for reading!
Once more, we're sticking with the "Embers" rule for this story, and others. If folks don't like this, it won't be continued. Meaning that if the story itself ain't popular? Well, it won't be continued. I'm working two jobs -might need a third soon!- 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. Working nearly all hours of the day keep me absurdly busy, and I can't bring myself to write something folks don't like.
Silence...silence only hurts.
Looking forward to chatting with you all when I get back from work~!
R&R~!