A/N: EDIT: Went back and expanded a lot of scenes by popular demand! Do let me know what you think~!
This chapter wasn't ready earlier, so I delayed these past two days to give it some more polish.
Read this note, please. Big changes are coming to this site.
As of today, Omen of Change, Scarlet Vow, Forget Me Not, and One With Spirits are being moved back in the update rota. They'll still be updated mind, but monthly/weekly updates for them aren't guaranteed anymore. They're not all that popular compared to the rest, and yesterday served to further drive that point home.
Speaking of less-than-popular things...
I'll say it plain, if this email opt-in business with the Fanfiction site doesn't get resolved soon, I'm probably going to retire. The app helps for some, for others it doesn't. It HURTS to say that; but with this new system, reviews and readers have dropped to an all time low, authors are leaving the site in droves, and it feels like the end of an era.
If you're not already aware of it, ever since the 16th of November -more than two bloody months now!- you need to turn ON your email alerts in account settings-MAKE SURE YOU CLICK SAVE SETTINGS!-else you won't be notified when anyone updates. No alerts, no email, no nothing. Apparently that's a thing we all have to do every ninety days or so, now. Alas, not many are aware of it...which is a problem. As things stand this new "fix" as it were, has cut everyone's viewership/reviewers in half because most folks don't know about it. Authors are leaving/quitting because of this.
Sometimes opting in works. Sometimes it doesn't. Really depends. Hopefully the devs can fix tweak/update this system before everyone leaves.
Now for your questions, comments and concerns.
Q: Update schedule! Stop updating Elden Ring so damn much!
A: ...you do realize I've been updating other categories as well? Game of Thrones Tomorrow, Rwby later in the week, Genshin, Love Bites, A Smiling Monster, Choices of One, and the like.
Gotta mix things up. After all, I can't very well update Elden Ring every day now, can I? That wouldn't be fair to everyone else.
Q: How many chapters are left in this story?
A: Depends on feedback, I suppose. I want to tie everything into a neat bow come the end, and that means tying up every loose end.
Q: Aha! I know now! By proccess of elimination, that rune ring on Naruto's finger can only belong to *SPOILER* or perhaps *SPOILER* maybe even *SPOILER* if you were clever.
A: Shhhh! No spoilers! I'll have to redact that question heavily...
But for now, I'm still here, still writing. Hope you enjoy this, because now...we're nearing the endgame, but not quite there yet.
Alright, then. I've kept you long enough. As ever, I own no references, quotes, memes or themes. Not a wit or a one.
They're tributes to legends far greater than I. Chapter title is a pun again, for different reasons!
"You cut out her tongue and scarred her face.
Did you think she would forget that day?
Did you think she would fear you for it?
Did you think she would forgive you?
No? Let me ask you this, then.
...would you?"
~?
Lend a Hand
Millicent was not herself.
She could feel it even now; a sharp, persistent ache in her temples, one that seemed to grow more and more pronounced with each passing day. An itch she couldn't quite scratch. A whisper in her ear, the faint feeling of familiarity as she walked through these fields of gold. It was not the Rot that spoke to her, but something else. Something stranger. Whatever it might be it gnawed at her all the same -demanded her attention, yet for all her efforts she simply could not rid herself of it.
There was something important in Caelid. Calling to her. Something she'd forgotten, yet couldn't quite recall.
But this was not Caelid. There were far from that place of rot.
At long last, the Altus Plateau yawned before them and with it, the promise of their journey's end.
Millicent drank in the sight of it, seeking to distract herself as she stood upon the Erdtree Gazing Hills, admiring Leyndell in the distance and the great golden tree within, those fertile fields and deathly banners. A small part of her basked in it. She'd known the outcome was never in doubt; they were bound to reach this place sooner or later. Looking upon it- seeing the Erdtree this close in all its gilded glory!- filled her with a mournful sense of longing, as though she were traveling endlessly, searching for something -or perhaps someone? -that she knew no longer existed anymore. And yet still she searched.
Being here...hurt.
In Naruto's absence the Rot within her had begun to writhe again; it was all she could do to keep it under control.
Smarag had been bested days ago now. Like many other things, the outcome was inevitable. With so many arrayed against it, Greyroll's child submitted in short order. From there Naruto had returned to the Roundtable for something he wouldn't speak of, while the rest of their party had chosen to forge ahead and see what lay in wait. In the end they'd chosen make camp atop this hill and prepare for what was to come.
Alas, their arrival had not gone uncontested.
There had been a brief encounter with a vicious large white dragon wielding red lightning, one that flew on by after blitzing them.
Greyroll had given chase, swearing and spitting as though she knew the pale beast.
That was one day hence. And still no sign of her. Nor of Naruto.
She was beginning to fear they'd been forgotten.
"Oiiiiii!" A familiar voice pierced the maudlin melancholy of her thoughts. "Millicent! Sorry I'm late! Got you something!"
Milicent whirled, eyes bulging in the dim light. "My lord?!"
It was him! He'd seen better days to be sure, and his armor looked like it was in need of a good cleaning, but who was that with him...?
Trish, she recognized, even without her signature helm. The towering Tree Sentinel loomed large behind him. But there, slithering beside her...was that Rya?! She recognized her face clear as day to be sure, yet now the shy girl's lower half was that of some strange scarlet serpent.
.
..
...what had she missed?
"Trish, Rya." he smiled at them. "Go wake the others, will you? We've got work to do."
Millicent made to protest -they were resting after all- but saw the item in Naruto's grasp fully and her thoughts fizzled fully. "Is that an arm...?!"
"Yup." Naruto hefted a golden prosthetic prosthetic limb like some bloody trophy. "You have no idea what Patches and I went through to get this. We had to turn an entire keep upside down...so much poison...then Trish wanted to pick a fight with some thorny bastard, but hey," he offered the arm to her, grinning from ear to ear. "I saw this and thought you could use a hand."
Her eyes flitted up to meet his. "...that is a horrid pun, and I do not find it funny."
"No?" he grinned at her. "Then why are ya smiling?"
She was? Blast. "...my dearest Lord."
His grin grew. "Yeeeees?"
"Hush."
When he opened his mouth to say something else, Millicent moved in and silenced him with her lips. Kissing was, as she'd learned on that wild night, a good way to get one over on her Lord. He always clammed right up whenever she did it to him and he certainly did now. Her good arm rose to loop 'round his back and hold him close; the better to press herself flush against him. Perhaps she was a little to rough, biting his lip now as she drew away, but...well! She had missed him so very badly. It was his own fault really.
"Wow." this time his grin had a hint of a dumbstruck quality to it. "If that's the welcoming I get, maybe I should leave more often."
She gripped his waist and touched her forehead to his. "I would not recommend it. I'm quite cross with you right now."
"Gotta funny way of showing it...
Her hand squeezed his ribs. "What was that, my lord?"
"Nothing!" A rueful grin tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Well, whaddya say? Wanna try the arm on?"
Something in her warmed at his words. "I would like that very much, yes. Would you help me?"
He was more than happy to.
First they secured the harness to her stump; then with it, the prosthesis itself. It slotted in perfectly, almost as if were meant for her. From there she lifted her shoulder and forced her new limb to mimic her movements. It responded to her thoughts sure enough and her will, rusty perhaps, but proud still.
Naruto urged her on, gesturing to her sword. Not the shamshir she'd always carried with her now, but Moonveil, the blade she'd acquired in Caelid.
Drawing it felt...good. Complete. As if she were meant to have this arm, and not the one of flesh that she kept losing. This one moved with her will, and while she couldn't feel it as she did her trueborn limb, she new she'd never have to fear its loss. The metal was blessed and consecrated, sanctified by the purest of materials and made resistant to the Rot. Doubtless the latter was Miquella's handiwork, or perhaps St. Trina, that silent savior whom many had met, yet none knew. They were, the both of them, a mystery. Some said they were a boy. Others, a girl. Still more whispered Miquella and St. Trinna the same. Perhaps they were.
'Miquella always was a mystery, even to me...
The thought startled her. Miquella? What did she know of Miquella? Nothing. So why had she thought that just now? A tremor ran through her shoulders. No. Not again. She was herself. She had always been herself. No more, no less. Millicent. Nothing and no one else...
.
..
...wasn't she?
She had to be. She must. The alternative terrified her.
"Hey, ya got a bit of dirt on your face, there. Hold still a second...
Naruto thumbed some soot away from her cheek; his palm caressing her face. T'was a simple gesture, little more. Yet though it did not quiet the voice in her head, it soothed the rot in her veins and brought Millicent back to herself nevertheless. She looked to him longingly. Should she tell him? Her thoughts ran amok at the very notion and she found herself hesitant. Would he think less of her, if he knew she was going mad? Would he send her away? Or perhaps?
He cupped her cheek. "You alright?"
Millicent dithered. "I..."
"You have a new arm! How lovely!
"What's all this now...?"
"Oh, my!"
A sudden ruckus in the background interrupted her; evidently Trish and Rya had finally succeeded in rousing the others.
Rennala reached them first; Therolina and Latenna weren't far behind...nor was the latter's companion.
"Blech!" Naruto toppled backward as Latenna's wolf all but pounced on him, physically driving them apart in its haste to get at him. "Lobo, no! No licking!" he tried getting a hand up to shield his face, but the happy mutt refused to oblige him. "Yes, yes, I know you're happy to see me again but-hey! I told you to stop!"
Latenna's mount would have none of it.
Naruto sputtered. "Enough! Sit!"
Remarkably, the wolf obeyed.
"Great," Naruto leaned back, waving his hands heartily. "now I'm covered in drool...
Latenna hid a laugh behind her hand. "No, no, you look wonderful."
He scowled her way. "...you're mocking me, aren't you?"
Her smile never wavered. "Not at all, my lord."
"Children, the lot of you...
Rennala tutted and levered her staff at him; a rush of water shot forth to house him down. And if he sputtered all the more...well, no one complained.
Therolina stepped forth with a bemused smile a dry cloth to towel off his face and armor aike.
Millicent found herself bridling at the girl's impetuousness and moving to do the same...until Rennala snagged her by the elbow.
"A word, child."
Evidently a "word" entailed her being dragged aside while the others fussed over Naruto. She watched them with a fretful eye until Queen of the Full Moon tugged her behind one of the tents.
Silence reigned between them, and Millicent found herself squirming it.
She had spoken relatively little with the Lady Rennala since they'd met, but she knew her to have Naruto's best interests at heart. There could be no more loyal ally to their cause. Even if she disagreed with her...methods at the time. Millicent loved her lord. She made no secret of that. Likewise, she knew from a strategic standpoint that it was impossible for her alone to hold his heart.
He'd helped so many people after all; it was only natural that others would take an interest in him. And she was fine with that! Really, she was! But her heart still pined for his attention all the same. She was his Blade. It was her duty to protect him from all things. Even himself. She'd thought she had made peace with it; the idea that she would never bear his child, that she would forever watch others claim that glory.
And yet...!
Rennala looked at her for a long moment, as though sensing her innermost thoughts. "You are becoming her."
...her?" Milicent shook her head. "I am me. No one else."
"No?" the older woman took her by the chin. "I see the signs, even if you do not. You are a piece of her. You and your sisters alik. Take care going forward, lest you lost yourself completely." when she didn't answer her, the older woman gave her a little shake. "I wonder who you will be by the end. Will you still be Milicent? Or will you be...Malenia?"
Her blood ran cold even as the words rang with truth. "What would you have me do?"
The mothering look Rennala gave her, was almost painful. "Whatever you can. Fight. Cling to your sense of self. This is a battle you must endure."
Easy for her to say! She wasn't the one being-
"Alright, then!" Naruto's voice rang out, a hot knife cutting through the pall of her melancholy once more. "We've got a bit of backtracking to do! Anybody seen Greyroll...?"
Millicent shook her head and hastened after the lot of them.
She was still herself. Of that much, she was certain.
But for how much longer?
(.0.0.0.)
Trish was restless.
Naruto could see it in her eyes, hear it in the frantic beating of her heart, feel it in her uncertain footsteps as she followed him deeper and deeper into Liurnia. It was rare enough for her not to use her warhorse, rarer still for her to keep this close to him. More than that she was twitchy, like a child fearing a blow at any given moment.
.
..
...if that didn't speak ill of Seluvis and his deeds, he didn't know what could."
"You alright?"
She flicked him a gimlet stare.
...fair enough." he relented with a sigh. "We'll be there soon."
The silent sentinel grunted. Poor girl. When this was over, he was fixing that tongue of hers, whether she liked it or not!
He knew not all were in agreement with their current goals; there had been some pushback on Therolina's part when he explained their retreat; she'd wanted to push ahead, to see the Erdtree and finish their journey. Even now the finger Maiden kept casting ruefu glances toward the distant oak. Likewise, Latenna hadn't much liked the idea of returning to the Lakes at that. Her people had been slaughtered here, leaving only the maddened dregs of the second generation Albinaurics behind.
Even poor Rya had confused some confusion as to their current goal.
Rennala and Millicent alone had held their tongues.
Honestly all this arguing, made him miss-
"Do you hear that?"
An ear twitched.
He did hear something, a distant rushing noise, like an oncoming blast of wind, close now, closer, closest...
"Thereyouare~!"
Greyroll winged down from the heavens with sound and aplomb, all but crashing into him at speed. He barely had time to register her presence before she swept him up with a merry laugh and held him close, all but crushing him within her embrace. In her glee she spoke all too quickly -far too quickly for him to comprehend-words a happy babble as she nuzzled her cheek against his. She inhaled deeply. Paused. Her euphoric smile lasted all of an instant longer, then became a scowl as she tested the air again. Whatever scent she caught turned her eyes to amber slits and:
"Why must everyone bed you before me?!"
Hardly the response Naruto expected upon his return to Liurnia, but there it was. His tongue failed him for a moment. "Ha?"
"Do no think to fool me." she set him down and jabbed a scaled finger against his chest. "I can smell the deathbed companion on your, clear as day! I will have answers! When did she seduce thee?!"
Rennala clapped her hands and made a pleased noise. "Oh, my! Why didn't you tell me?"
Naruto tried to retort something to that effect; instead he barked a startled laugh of his own as Greyroll got ahold of his arms hoisted him up again. "Hey! That tickles!"
"Mwah~!"
Evidently it was the wrong thing to say; because the mother of dragons absolutely hissed and smashed her lips against his. She was rougher about it this time than the last; her tongue plundered his ruthlessly, taking no prisoners, the full of her body pressing up against him, only to withdraw thrice as fast before he could even think to mount some semblance of defense.
.
..
...oh. Oh, dear. He'd almost forgotten how good of a kisser she was.
"There!" She drew back and licked her bruised lips. "I believe that makes my intentions clear. Again! You WILL be my mate. This is a battle not even the Greater Will can save you from. Certainly not some sneaky wench who never leaves her chambers!
Rya coughed into a fist. "I would have you put him down, my lady."
Greyroll most assuredly did not, but she did lean past him to get a better look at the lamia girl.
"And what do we have here?" she eyed her crossly. "You look most familiar, yet you did not possess such a form the last time we met.
...I have embraced my heritage and found my place." Rya smiled toothily in return, flashing her fangs. Oh, she had those now. Barely visible, but notable all the same. Somehow the sight of them only made her smile all the more endearing. "Now, would you kindly put him down?"
"Oho~?" Greyroll loomed large over her with intent. "Have you, now?"
"I have." Rya lifted her chin to meet the dragon's dry stare. "He is my Champion."
Naruto found himself blinking. He was? He really hadn't done all that much for her. He'd just been kind. Was that really all it took to win her favor? Still, those were fighting words if he ever heard them.
"I'm afraid you're a bit late to the party on that front." Latenna, bless her simple soul, didn't let it come to that. "He has helped each of us in equal measure. Isn't that right Millicent?"
"Hmm?" The redhead looked up, still fiddling with her new arm. "I'm sorry, did you say something?"
...nevermind her. Do you see now?" Latenna preened. "She knows her position is secure. She doesn't feel threatened at all. The two of you would be wise to take notice."
...fair enough." Greyroll let him go with a huff. "What do you intend to do now?"
Naruto reluctantly brought her up to speed.
"You wish to deal with the treacherous sorcerer?" Greyroll's grin told him he'd walked right into another trap. "Very well. I have a wayward daughter to reclaim near the Lady Ranni's tower in any case. Adula has been hiding from me, the naughty girl."
"I must protest!"
All eyes turned toward the lone dissenter.
Therolina, silent until this very moment, timidly lowered her hand.
"Ser Seluvis is a good and decent man," she quailed under their gaze, but refused to hold her tongue any longer. "He helped me when I was at my lowest point. It was his guidance that steered me to Caelid. Were it not for him, we never would have met. I cannot bring myself to believe the charges you levy against him.
"And yet he drugged Triss and carved out her tongue." Rennala's voice was pure steel. "How do you explain that happenstance, child?"
The Finger Maiden wilted. "I...cannot deny the cruelty of such an act, but perhaps there is more than meets the eye-
Triss went for her halberd.
"Oi, oi!" Naruto wrestled her arm down before she could shed blood. "None of that! She's not calling you a liar!"
"My lord, please, think this through." Therolina tried to rally, and so sought a different avenue of attack. "A large party would surely be noticed.
"Then take a small one." Latenna made an irritated noise. "I've no desire to deal with that loathsome sorcerer, however. My arrows would be all but useless against him in any case."
That begged another question. "Then what will you do?"
"Worry not," Her smile reassured him. "Lobo and I shall return to the Roundtable to convalesce and speak with Nepheli. A conversation between the two of us has been much overdue."
Aaaaand the worry came rushing right back again! Those two were up to something, something that promised to be a headache in the future, but her intentions didn't seem malicious. Surely she wasn't going to...no, best not think about that right now. He'd work himself up into a frenzy again. Focus on the here and now. Worrying about the future would only hamper him.
"Will you be safe?"
"Your concern for me is noted, but quite unnecessary." came her answering hum. "Rest assured, I've become quite capable since you restored my legs. Still...
She stepped to him. He tensed a heartbeat too late. Something warm and soft alighted upon his right cheek, little more than the faintest brush.
"There." Latenna leaned away, face gone rosy. "Let that be a signal of my intent. I shan't fall behind."
Greyroll flung up her arms. "And another contender emerges! Will there be no end of them?!"
...might I beg a bit of leave as well?" Of all people to say those words, he'd not expected to hear them from Millicent. She granted him a wan smile even as he balked at her. "I am your blade in all things," one hand rose to clutch fitfully at her new arm, "And I would not depart without your leave, but...
"Sure." He realized what she was after a moment later. "Take some time. Get used to that new arm of yours."
"That is not why I wish to-nevermind." she bit down on the last word. "By your leave, then."
There was something in her eyes just then, a hind of sadness, of sorrow. But why?
Latenna nudged her with an elbow. "Shall we?"
The pair exchanged a glance and nodded. Then, as one, they knelt before the shard of grace. Before their very eyes world rippled and they vanished, returning to the safety and succor of the hold. Naruto watched them go and did his best to shake off the faint sense of unease their departure brought upon him. Those two were up to something...but what?
Greyroll heaved a sigh into the silence that followed. "I too have no interest in that madman, but I will deal with Adula."
"Very well." Rennala hummed a little in return. "Then I suppose it falls to me to distract Iiji and young Blaidd." Naruto quirked a brow at her curious turn of phrase. Did she not know Ranni's wolven protector was missing? Yet another matter to deal with among many. "You will need to speak with Ranni." The Queen continued apace. "Seluvis is a master of magic; doubtless he knows you are coming for him now, and will have concealed himself. Only she likely knows where that leech is at any given time."
Naruto pulled a face. It was true. He couldn't sense that wretched worm...at the moment.
Talking with Ranni meant being pestered about Nokron and the finger-slaying blade again. He wasn't looking forward to that.
"And me, my Champion?" Rya raised a tentative hand. "What would you have me do?"
What indeed? She'd come this far, and she claimed to be stronger...
"What's the harm? If she wants to prove herself, let her."
...fine. He turned to face her fully. "You can join me and Tirss, but be careful.
Rya smiled, gladdened by his words." As you command, my champion."
"And will ya stop calling me that?!"
She looped her arm in his. "That, I cannot do."
In the end, theirs would be a small party after all. Him, Triss, Rya, and Therolina.
Greyroll and Rennala would provide a much-needed distraction in their own way, and he trusted them to their own devices.
They reached Ranni's Rise within the hour.
And so it began.
(.0.0.0.)
Zorayas was ascendant.
Like a snake she had shed her old skin -her old self!- and been reborn anew. The quiet cowardly Rya was evanescing, soon she would be swept aside and the new her would be triumphant. There was nothing she desired more than to leave her weakness behind; indeed, she was well on her way to doing just that. because at the end of the day He trusted her.
Her champion trusted her to follow him into battle.
Tainted blood ran through her veins, but now she felt no shame in it; for you see, she understood. Her heritage didn't make her any more a monster than the eclectic members of their band. This new power was hers to master and master it she would, the better to be of use to her beloved champion. This sorcerer would not lay a hand on him. So she swore.
And maybe, someday, he would open his hear to her as he had the others. Together they would dethrone the very gods.
Rya rather liked the sound of that. It sounded...grand.
Yes, she liked it very much indeed.
(.0.0.0.)
"A pleasure to see thee again, Tarnished. Have you given thought to my offer? Time is of the essence."
Naruto blew out a sigh as he stood before Ranni once more. He supposed it was too much to hope she wouldn't try to press him into her service the moment she laid eye on him again. Under any other circumstance he might've entertained her offer, but now there were greater things to do than entertain her whims. Perhaps later, once this dark deed was done. Until then...
He took a deep breath to steady himself and stalked forward, cutting the distance between them. "I need a word with that sorcerer of yours."
Ranni blinked, taken aback by his sudden declaration. "Seluvis? Whatever for? He is useful to me. I would know what you intend."
Naruto didn't give her the chance to recover. "I just wanna talk to him. Loudly. Repeatedly. With my fists."
"Be that as it may, I cannot allow you to kill him for no reason-
He drew himself up, towering over her. "He hurt a comrade of mine. Wasn't asking."
Ranni held her tongue.
Enough! He had neither the time nor the patience for this. He could spend hours fining that slimy snake himself -and he would, one way or another!- or he could make things simple. He knew what Ranni wanted. His loyalty. He wasn't about to give that to someone he barely knew, but it was all too easy to make a counteroffer of his own.
...if I promised to get that blasted blade for you," and here he watched her eye widen "Would you tell me where he is?"
She perked up, fingers tenting before her. "I would have your word. Swear to me you will do this."
He lifted his chin to look down on her."You of all people know I never break my promises."
Silence reigned between them a moment more. And then:
Ranni proved herself a pragmatist at the last.
She sold Seluvis out in an instant.
(.0.0.0.)
Something was wrong.
Mohg could feel it in his bones as he walked. There had been a shift in the air, a change in his palace, though what he knew naught. An awakening? Now? After all these years? Was his dynasty finally nigh? He almost didn't dare to hope. For so long Miquella had remained silent in the cocoon, inert and unmoving. His faith remained firm, but there were times when he began to wonder.
Yet now he felt hope!
Leaning heavily on his trident he plodded forward, lurching up the the short stairwell that would lead him to his prize. To his dearest Miquella-no, not Miquella, not anymore, but Mohgwyn. They would be reborn anew and the world would usher in a new era.
Mad albinaurics waited in the shadows, watching with reverence as the hand in the cocoon twitched. Moved. Levered itself upright.
Mohg whirled, lone eye bulging wide. "Mohgwyn...?!"
Something sucked it back in.
White light burst forth.
Mohg stared into it without fear. Yes! Triumph! He would be the one to have it all. Not Morgott, not Malenia, not even that meddlesome interloper he'd heard of. They would all bow to him. The Erdtree would be his and the Elden Ring with it. His dynasty began now! At last the light faded and he looked upon...
.
..
...what."
A single, flat rasp fled from his fanged face.
Miquella had been reborn as planned, yes, but this...
.
..
...t'was not a man but a woman.
She was beauty incarnate, perfection reborn in a singular vessel, neither eternally young nor wretchedly old. She was perfection, bearing a striking resemblance to her mother, Marika. The barest wisp of cloth covered her hips, preserving her modesty. Fair of face was she, her hair a shade of gold so pale as to nearly be white, long enough to conceal the generous swell of her breasts from lustful eyes. But her eyes...they were red.
The color of blood.
In that, Mohg took some small comfort. Surely he'd succeeded. If this was to be Mohgwyn's new form, then he found it pleasing enough. It didn't matter what Miquella looked like so long as he -now she- knew to serve him. She looked left. She looked right. Saw him, She smiled at him now, a pure and radiant thing that caused his old heart to hitch. He'd finally done it. Victory was at hand!
"Dearest Miquella...
Her hand caressed his face...and seized his throat.
"Urk?!"
"No." her voice was the sweetest of poison; soft yet deadly. "Not yours. NEVER YOURS." Mohg gagged and tried to summon a spell only for her to crush his windpipe. With her free hand she ripped the trident from his grasp an brandished it in her own with a vicious hiss. "Did you think I had forgotten, fiend?" He had all of an instant to comprehend her intent; then his very weapon found itself wedged in his chest, piercing his heart.
Death! This was death! And yet still she spoke!
"Every indignity you visited upon me, I shall repay tenfold." her eyes flashed as she pushed him down to the ground, all but impaling him. "But worry not. I shall seat the Throne." she gave the trident a wrench and a fresh spasm of pain rocked his body, sending him into wretched spasms of agony. "I suppose I should be grateful to thee, brother. You who forced me to be reborn. To take this form. To gain this power. My curse is broken now. I am made whole once and for all."
Her eyes narrowed.
"Allow me to...thank you."
Her hand tightened on Mohg's throat and his world dissolved into a red slurry of pain.
A/N: Didn't see that coming, did you?
Mohg...what have you unleashed. What indeed?
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If folks don't like this, it won't be continued. Meaning that if the story itself ain't popular? It will remain, but it won't be continued! Gone. Completely. I'm working two jobs to keep the lights on, as such 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...
Mind you, most of these previews are the same.
Wouldn't do to spoil what's coming up.
Vote for what you want to see!
And as ever:
WARNING! WARNING! WARNING!
SPOILERS LAY AHEAD!
YE BE WARNED!
(Previews)
"BURN THEM ALL!"
They found him easily enough.
Too easily some might say, for perceptor made no effort to hide.
Perhaps he knew the jig was up.
He knew no shame, or perhaps he was simply past it now. Now that his perversions were discovered he clearly felt no need to dance around the issue.
"Master Seluvis, please, expain yourself. What is the meaning of this?
"Ahh, yes, the gir. She would have made a fine puppet. A pity she didn't take my potion."
Therolina recoiled. "Fiend!"
And who are you to judge me? You do not understand the brilliance of my work. No, how could you?"
This was meant to happen he realized; this wouldn't end without blood being spilled, his or theirs.
"Don't." Naruto warned.
His words fell on deaf ears.
Seluvis barked a word and the puppets sprang to life around them.
Rya whirled into action like her namesake, caught one in her coils and crushed them.
Everyone went mad.
"Such a motley crew you've assembled."
He didn't miss the way Greyroll avoided looking at her. "What's with the two of you?"
Rennala tittered a little. "I suppose you could say she owes me a debt. She fears I will air said debt to your ears."
Curiosity reared its head. "There has to be more to it than that.
"There is." a note of mirth danced through her voice. "I once knew her when she was quite small." she mimed a gesture for emphasis, "Would you believe there was a time when she barely came up to mine knee?"
Naruto bit his lip to hide a snort. "No way.
"Indeed." she countered. "This was before my children, mind you. She was quite feisty, even back then. I had to put her in her place several times.
"Wait, but that implies...
"Death has little hold in the Lands Between at the moment." Rennala rallied him with her smile. "So long as one does not lose oneself or fall in battle, it is possible to live for a terribly long time, as many of us have.
...how old are you exactly?"
Rennala's smile never wavered. "How old do you think I am?"
Nope! Not going there! He wasn't touching that subject with a ten foot pole.
"I'm guessing you dealt with Adula. Who's that behind you?"
Greyroll preened like the proud mother she was. "Come now, child. Don't hide behind me. Say hello.
Naruto's jaw clicked open and stayed open as he balked at her. Oh. This one could take human shape, like her mother...
Naruto turned a weather eye on Granssax's corpse. "I wonder...
"Flee, you idiot!"
"Pillagers! Emboldened by the flame of ambition!"
"I wish us to travel together for a time." Melina spoke softly, her voice a low drawl. "You and I. Alone. For one last journey."
"Take care of our sister."
He drew forth a needle from the muck of Caelid. "Well, that's certainly something...
"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."
"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!"
"...I've finally hit my limit, boss. Take care of her, will ya?"
Naruto frowned at his exhausted shadow clone. "Take care of who?"
"Its not like I'm dying. My experiences, my memories, my emotions will live on in you."
"Oi!" he grabed him by the arm "You're starting to worry me! Just what did you get up to while I was gone."
His doppelganger didn't answer. His eyes had already gone dull.
He crumbled in his grasp and turned to so much smoke.
And the very moment he did..memories rushed in.
Naruto felt his lips move.
"Irina...?"
"Heed my words...
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~!