Naruto's body felt invigorated as the effects of the beast Ella had brought washed over him. The transformation was subtle but powerful—his body became sturdier, more resilient, as though he could withstand any challenge. But the most surprising change was the appearance of the draconic wings sprouting from his back. They were massive, covered in sleek scales that shimmered faintly in the light, reminiscent of a true dragon's wings.
Curious, Naruto flapped them experimentally, and the sensation was unlike anything he had ever felt. The power of flight surged through him, lifting him off the ground with ease. He was momentarily thrown off balance by the sheer force of his wings, but quickly regained control, his instincts kicking in. His heart pounded with excitement, and a smile crept onto his face as he hovered in the air, realizing that flying was just the beginning.
Ella, who had been watching with amusement, flew gracefully beside him. Her own wings were more refined, the edges glowing faintly with an ethereal light. Her movements were smooth, and she turned her head to look at him with a teasing smile. "Let Ella help. Ella will show Naruto how to fly properly." Her voice was full of joy, and her playful tone made it clear that she enjoyed seeing him struggle and then improve.
Naruto chuckled, feeling the warmth of her support. "I will be in your care," he replied, and with that, he followed her lead. Ella's flight was effortless, every movement fluid as if she had been born with wings. She demonstrated the proper techniques, guiding Naruto through each turn, each flap, as they soared higher into the sky. The wind rushed past them, the cool air brushing against his skin, and the sensation of freedom filled him.
'Is this one of the benefits of the absorption?' Naruto thought to himself as he felt the bond with Ella grow stronger. The flight came naturally now, each movement becoming more instinctive. The sensation of the beast's essence within him was like a key unlocking his potential, allowing him to grasp new skills with surprising ease.
The training session didn't last long, no more than an hour, but it was more than enough. They were both flying gracefully, side by side, their wings beating in unison as they headed toward their destination—the center of the swamp.
But the closer they got, the more the air around them seemed to change. A strange tension settled in as the world around them grew darker, the clouds overhead thickening. The swamp that had once been a place of natural beauty was now shrouded in a sense of foreboding, as if something ancient and powerful was awakening.
Naruto's senses sharpened as the wind began to shift, and an eerie chill ran down his spine. He could feel it—a presence of madness, a storm of chaotic energy that had descended upon the swamp. It was the wind of death, a harbinger of destruction, and its influence was growing stronger by the second. The madness that had once been contained was now spilling into the world, and there was no telling what it would bring with it.
"This isn't good," Naruto muttered under his breath as he looked ahead, his eyes narrowing. He could already sense the danger looming on the horizon, but there was no turning back now. The chaos had arrived, and the time for action was drawing near.
Ella's expression grew serious as she flew closer to him. "We need to be careful, Naruto. The wind of death has come. It's not something to take lightly."
Naruto nodded, his body tensing as he braced himself for whatever lay ahead. "Let's move, then. We need to face it head-on."
With a powerful flap of his wings, Naruto pushed forward, flying toward the heart of the storm that awaited them in the swamp.
The swamp of the underworld stretched endlessly, its eerie, quiet gloom interrupted only by the towering presence of a simple hut. Hidden within the depths of the swamp, its dilapidated structure seemed almost out of place. Yet, the being that resided within it was anything but ordinary. His name was Damasen, and his reputation was feared by many, though few truly understood the weight of his existence. A red giant, cursed by the immortals, he had been exiled to the forsaken realm of Tartarus, where he was bound to an immortal enemy—a foe he could never defeat. Once known as the Bane of Ares, Damasen now found himself a mere shadow of his former self, his once proud purpose reduced to an endless, fruitless fight for survival.
Despite his desolate situation, Damasen went about his work with a calmness born from years of enduring the pain of his curse. He swung his mighty axe into the trunks of massive trees, feeling a fleeting sense of accomplishment with each chop. But that moment of peace was soon interrupted by an unfamiliar sound—the powerful flapping of wings that broke through the quiet swamp air.
Damasen turned sharply, his eyes narrowing as he saw two figures soaring toward him—one a striking harpy with vibrant, feathered wings, and the other a strange, unknown creature with an aura that reeked of power. His instincts screamed at him to be cautious. Every creature he had encountered in the swamp had either been terrified of him or eager to challenge his might. These two, however, felt different. The strange energy they radiated made Damasen hesitate.
"Who are they?" Damasen mused silently, his grip tightening around his Drakon Bone lance as he prepared himself for a potential conflict. Though the pair didn't exude any obvious hostility, their mere presence had him on edge.
Naruto and Ella landed gracefully before Damasen, their eyes meeting his. Ella's expression was unreadable—her cold stare fixed on Damasen as she stood beside Naruto. Her body language radiated quiet hostility, but she didn't make any move to attack.
Naruto, on the other hand, was all smiles and warmth, his voice friendly and sincere. "I'm happy that you didn't attack, Damasen. My name is Naruto, and I'm here to help you."
Damasen eyed them both with caution. His gaze flickered between them, wary of their intentions. "Help me? And how do you plan to do that?"
Naruto didn't hesitate. "I'm the Champion of Gaia. I can end your immortal foe."
Damasen's eyes widened slightly at those words. His thoughts raced. Champion of Gaia? He had heard of Gaia—an entity of immense power, but had never encountered someone claiming to be her champion. With a slight frown, Damasen hesitated before responding. "What do you want from me? And how do you intend to help?"
Naruto didn't waste time with vague promises. "I need your help to deal with some Titans guarding the gates. I don't have enough power to handle both of them alone."
Damasen studied him for a moment, considering the situation. Naruto's sincerity was clear in his voice, but his offer was bold. Damasen, though reluctant to get involved in the affairs of others, knew better than to ignore a potential ally in a world as dangerous as this one.
"What are your intentions, then?" Damasen asked cautiously. "Are you working with the Olympians?"
"No," Naruto replied without hesitation. "I plan to kill them all and bring peace to this world. They've had their time. It's time for them to die."
Damasen's expression darkened. The notion of someone seeking the destruction of the Olympians wasn't something he had considered before. He had been a foe of Ares, but killing entire pantheons was something else entirely. "Why should I trust you? You could be no different from the ones you claim to oppose."
Naruto, sensing Damasen's wariness, answered with a calm sincerity that resonated deep within. "Isn't it better than what has happened so far? At least you know I'm supported by Gaia, and I'm unlikely to cause harm to those who don't deserve it. But what good have the Olympians really done? If you want, I'll show you my memories. You can judge me for yourself."
Ella, still standing beside Naruto, glared at Damasen. Her fiery eyes conveyed a clear message—don't cross Naruto, or else. Damasen wisely avoided her gaze, not willing to test her temper.
Naruto raised his hand, extending it toward Damasen. Without warning, Damasen felt the pressure of Naruto's palm on his face. His eyes widened as an overwhelming torrent of memories flooded his mind—Naruto's experiences, emotions, and inner struggles rushing through him in an instant. Every significant event, every moment of doubt, pain, and triumph was laid bare for Damasen to see.
For what seemed like an eternity, Damasen saw the world through Naruto's eyes. He understood the weight of Naruto's journey, the sacrifices he had made, and the countless battles he had fought—not out of malice, but out of necessity. Damasen could feel the empathy Naruto held for others, even those who had wronged him. The raw honesty and openness Naruto displayed touched something deep within him.
"His story…" Damasen murmured softly, processing what he had just experienced. "He is a lot like me—forced into violence, yet seeking peace."
He pulled away from Naruto's palm and fell silent, lost in his thoughts for a while. The realization weighed heavily on him, but ultimately, Damasen made up his mind.
"I'll help you," Damasen said, his voice steady. "But if you stray from your path, we will be enemies."
Naruto's face lit up with a genuine smile. "No problem. I'd prefer that too—it'll keep me on the right track."
Just then, a distant explosion rocked the ground, sending a shockwave through the air. Damasen's eyes shot to the horizon, his senses on high alert. The presence of an immense power surged in the distance.
"What was that?" Damasen asked, surprised by the sudden disturbance.
"I can feel three forces in combat," Naruto murmured, his eyes narrowing. "Let's check it out."
With a powerful flap of his wings, Naruto took to the skies, his gaze locked on the source of the commotion. "I'll look into it."
"I'm coming along," Damasen said, his massive frame already in motion. He broke into a run, powerful strides propelling him forward, his immense strength allowing him to catch up quickly.
Ella followed closely behind, her eyes scanning the surroundings, her wings fluttering with controlled grace.
Meanwhile, far to the north, in the heart of the swamp, chaos reigned. The Drakon, a mighty creature of immense power, had come into contact with the wind of death—a malevolent force that sought to destroy everything in its path. Medusa, her body covered in golden scales and drenched in golden blood, was locked in a desperate battle with the force of nature itself. Her immortality and regeneration, once her greatest assets, seemed to be failing against the overwhelming power of the wind of death.
"I can't die. I have to achieve my goal… I won't be stopped!" Medusa roared, her voice filled with frustration as she lashed out once again. Despite the pain and the damage to her body, she fought with everything she had, determined not to let this force defeat her. But even as she healed, the chaos continued to spread, and the battle raged on.
The forces were aligning, and it seemed the swamp was about to see a conflict unlike any before.
As Naruto soared through the oppressive winds, his mind raced with thoughts of his past encounters. Alice? Could it really be her? The Wind of Death howled, erasing everything it touched. It was a force of destruction unlike any other—vile, corrupt, and filled with the maddening whispers of a primordial entity. But despite the overwhelming chaos, Naruto felt something familiar in the storm—a connection he couldn't ignore.
His heart pounded, as the realization slowly dawned upon him. It's Alice. But why does she seem to want to destroy me? He could see her—though her form was distorted by the madness of the storm, there was no mistaking the aura that radiated from her. Despite her response, it was unmistakably her, and Naruto could feel the tug in his soul. But the Wind of Death had corrupted her, turning her into something that sought to kill him on sight. He couldn't afford to lose control now, no matter how painful it was to see his friend in such a state.
Determined, Naruto activated the power he had dubbed Nature Lord, a manifestation of the purest force of nature under his command. His body overflowed with raw power as the green glow of nature suffused his eyes. There was a faint trace of red and black around the edges of his gaze, representing the struggle within him—the rage and madness that threatened to overwhelm him.
I can control this. I must control it. Naruto struggled to keep his mind focused as the pull of the Wind of Death tempted him to embrace its chaotic nature. It whispered to him, urging him to surrender, to become one with it. The promise of power, of an end to loneliness, was enticing. But Naruto resisted, his will stronger than the forces trying to drag him under.
With a deep breath, Naruto focused his energy. The wind howled around him, fierce and relentless, but it couldn't stand against the power of nature that Naruto now commanded. Slowly, the Wind of Death began to bend to his will, its volume shrinking into a manageable size. Naruto absorbed the wind into himself, sealing it away in a way similar to how he had once sealed Kurama's power. The storm dissipated, and in its place, a peaceful calm settled over the swamp.
I did it. A sense of triumph surged through Naruto. For once, he had found a way to seal something without causing harm—something he had always struggled with. But there was no time to celebrate. The chaos had left its mark, and he quickly turned to the Drakon that had once been a terrible foe to Medusa. Its weakening struggles were futile as Naruto stepped forward and tore into its form, absorbing its essence with one swift motion.
The beast's struggles were futile, its once-mighty strength gone as it succumbed to the sheer power Naruto now wielded. As Naruto consumed its essence, his body underwent a startling transformation. Scales began to cover his skin, dark emerald in color, and horns sprouted from his head. His hands turned into sharp, clawed appendages, and when he exhaled, a burst of poisonous fire shot from his mouth. Naruto stared at his changed form, feeling a mixture of awe and unease.
So this is the price of consuming so many creatures without Gaia's guidance… Naruto mused, noting how different he felt. His human form was gone, replaced by something far more primal.
Turning toward Medusa, who had been watching him with caution, Naruto smiled softly and spoke gently. "You must be Medusa. It's nice to meet you. I'm a friend of your sisters."
Medusa studied him carefully, noting the way he held himself. Though she could feel the dangerous power radiating off him, she also sensed no malice. But her trust wasn't easily earned, especially not after everything she had been through. Her own curses made her wary of others.
"Is that so?" she asked, her voice tinged with suspicion as she backed away slightly, still unsure of his intentions. "How can I be certain of that?"
Naruto chuckled lightly, his voice warm and reassuring. "Don't worry. I'm not here to hurt you. I just want to help you end Poseidon and Athena. I promised your sisters I would help if we crossed paths."
As Naruto approached, he extended his hands toward Medusa, his energy flowing through her body. The warmth of his power seeped into her, healing the wounds she had sustained in the battle with the Wind of Death. The pain eased as the raging madness within her slowly began to dissipate, leaving her feeling more at peace than she had in a long time. The weariness and exhaustion that had been overwhelming her began to fade, and Medusa felt herself grow lighter.
She hesitated for a moment, her mind racing with conflicting thoughts. "I don't know what to make of you yet," she admitted, her voice quieter now, softer. "But thank you."
"You're welcome," Naruto replied, his expression softening as he studied her. "Do you feel better now?"
Medusa nodded slowly, the tension in her shoulders easing as the healing energy continued to flow through her. She felt more like herself, the curse's influence on her mind weakening with each passing moment. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, she could think clearly again.
"I do," she murmured, her voice almost a whisper. "I feel better, a lot better."
Naruto smiled at her, his gaze gentle but unwavering. "I'm glad to hear that. Now, will you join me? I could use someone like you on my side."
Medusa considered his offer carefully. From what she had seen of him, Naruto was not someone who made idle promises. He seemed sincere, and there was a power in his words that suggested he could be trusted. But she also knew how dangerous it could be to put her faith in someone—especially in someone whose true intentions she couldn't yet read.
"I agree," she said, her voice firm as she made her decision. "But are you confident enough to get out of here? Without the help of the Titans, using the gate could drive you mad."
Naruto's expression remained confident, though there was a shadow of understanding in his eyes. "It won't affect me. What's worse than the madness of Nature itself? I've endured it. I can handle it."
Medusa nodded slowly, her eyes glancing toward Ella, who was standing off to the side with a watchful gaze. I'll need to be careful around her, Medusa thought. The tension between them was palpable, but she didn't let it deter her.
"Then it's settled," Damasen's voice broke through the quiet. He had been observing the exchange, his towering figure standing behind Naruto. "You've made another friend, Naruto. Is she worthy of your trust?"
Naruto smiled and nodded. "She's good. You already know I can't be deceived by evil intentions."
Medusa felt a weight lift from her shoulders at his words. He really can see through me, she thought, feeling a sense of relief. There would be no need for deception. With Naruto, honesty was her only option.
The conversation turned to more practical matters, as Naruto considered the next steps in their journey. Medusa's gaze shifted, her thoughts lingering on her curse and the path she now walked. But for the first time in a long while, she felt a sense of hope—a hope that, perhaps, there was a way out of the torment that had defined her existence for so long.
"What will you do with me once the enemies are killed?" Medusa asked, a note of curiosity in her voice.
Naruto's answer was nonchalant, though his words held a certain finality. "I'll cure you of your curse. And I'll ask you not to harm innocents. If you do, I will have to kill you."
Medusa nodded, relieved that it was a reasonable condition. She didn't want to harm anyone, not anymore. It had always been a reaction to the curse, the madness that consumed her. But now, with Naruto's help, she might just be able to find peace.
She felt a small glimmer of hope—a chance for a future free from her curse. And for the first time in years, she wasn't facing it alone.