A/N: And this is the pilot episode for the long-awaited Dark Souls/Naruto Cross. Rather short, but what did you expect from a pilot episode.

By the way, I apologize for any additional delay on any chapters ("God of Fertility" being an exception, because I'm only the publisher and an editor of that story). As of this chapter, my grandpa just passed a couple weeks ago, and this week is gonna be pretty busy. Today will have the cremation, tomorrow is the actual burial. The rest of the week is likely mostly catching up with the rest of my family.

I suppose this chapter being submitted pretty early is in his memory.

Anyway, your reviews will determine if this is worth going past the pilot episode stage, so do read and review, would you kindly?

…

[Unknown Location]

The landscape was covered in a sheet of gray as the winds howled in the distance. There were burned and molten buildings everywhere…scratch that, odd-looking burned buildings, some of which with spikes everywhere. Something sincerely felt wrong about the place, as Naruto gazed at the barren expanse, curious as to where he was. For some reason, the place felt -for lack of a better word- dead to him. Not the least of which being the large tower dominating the view, surrounded by broken pillars.

It looked like a snowy scene, given the amount of whitish gray that dominated the landscape. Oddly enough, the air was quite warm around here, which made Naruto wonder as to what he was standing in. He reached to the ground, and found that the texture of the substance was dry and slightly warm…like some kind of dust, or perhaps ash.

Still, the curiosity got the better of him as he walked through the ash-covered lands, watching as his path seemed to ascend the closer he got to the tower. More than once, Naruto dove for cover when he thought he'd seen tall men in heavy, black metal armor, brandishing big-ass swords and oversized shields while patrolling the grounds. Why those things ignored him, he had no idea; just that they were imposing figures with their comically upscaled swords complementing the demonic appearance of their horned helmets. They didn't even bother looking for him when he tried to hide from their sight at the last moment.

Feeling confident that they were likely ignoring him, Naruto stopped hiding and continued calmly, but cautiously. As he passed by one of them, he could almost feel their eyes on him from their helmets as they continued patrolling the area. Oddly enough, there didn't seem to be any malice in their staring; or much of anything at all. Strange, it's like they want me to go up there.

With the army of 'horn heads' behind him, Naruto found himself looking at a flight of stairs covered in ash. It was wide enough that there were more men in black armor and horned helmets standing in silent vigil along the way. None of them moved like their comrades behind him, but they were no less imposing with their ridiculously massive weapons. And unlike the patrollers down below, there was a wider variety in wargear between these warriors. Some wielded massive swords way larger than what anyone could use; others wielded what looked like an ancient naginata with a broader blade and a spike behind; there were also those that wielded double-bladed battle-axes with very big heads.

Why none of these dark warriors responded to him, he had no idea. And he just knew they saw him, because was a very strange feeling that they were watching him for some reason. Still, curiosity overrode whatever trepidation Naruto felt as he ascended the steps. Something about this place seemed to call out to him; beckoning him to explore the domain, straightforward as it seemed. There was only one way through this, and it was up the stairs.

The view that greeted him at the top…he had no words to describe it. There were a variety of weapons planted in a field of flowers. Mighty swords that called for the only the finest of warriors to use them; mountainous axes that could cleave a giant in twain; heavy hammers capable of smashing down walls and doors with equal ease; even long, ancient, ornate sticks, some of which with expensive-looking crystals at the top. And those were the more noticeable ones. Each weapon stood upright, as though each of them were a headstone for owners that were long dead in a graveyard of warriors.

To Naruto, it truly did look like a graveyard; every weapon in the ground was worn by time and battle, silently telling the tale of their owners. Hokage-jiji had told him that places like these demanded a lot of respect for the warriors that died. He was about to praying for the souls that these weapons belonged to when he noted something else in the distance. There was someone sitting on a rock in front of what looked like a sputtering campfire; they were dressed in such a way as to obscure their identity from a distance, the hooded robe making it hard to discern any features as it billowed in the ash-laden breeze.

As though they'd already noticed him, the figure turned to face Naruto. All he could see was the lower half of the stranger's face, as well as two trails of orange that spilled out from the hood; The rest was obscured in its shadows. There was nothing said, but he had a feeling that the person had just invited him to sit with them as they turned their attention back to the fire. Probably very lonely.

With his curiosity strengthened, Naruto walked closer. He'd wondered exactly what was going on in this dream he was having. One moment, he was in bed after dinner with the Ichiraku family after having saved two girls from bullies, the next he found himself in this strange, burnt-down place. As he closed in on the stranger, their identity was made even clearer. The shape underneath the robe was undeniably feminine; given what Naruto had taught himself about the female body, her curves were perfect enough to make her a pinup model at least…possibly even a centerfold. Under the armor and cloth, he could spot a modest bust to fit an athletic build.

She sat in front of a bonfire with a sword stuck into it a pile of ash. It had a double-edged blade that twisted and glowed as it tapered towards the tip, with a cruciform guard and a grip long enough to accommodate a two-handed grip. At the bottom of the grip was a ring pommel that gave the hint that it was made from a single piece of metal, giving him the impression of a glorified fire poker.

"You have questions," the woman noted, her attention still on the bonfire as Naruto took a seat next to her, "I can tell from the way you look at me that you have many of them. Don't be afraid to ask; but keep in mind that you won't be here for long."

There were quite a few questions on Naruto's mind, but only one stood out: "What is this place?"

"We are in your mind," she answered, "why such a sad place is in your heart, I have no idea; just that sometimes this mindscape exists, and I was placed here."

"Who are you?"

"One whose duty it is to ensure the flame of this place does not die out," explained the woman, "I suppose you can call me the Fire Keeper here. In ages past, the fire of the First Flame required the sacrifice of a chosen soul to make sure there was still hope in the world by linking the fire; even if it was for a little longer. Starting with Gwyn, the Lord of Sunlight, the 'Age of Fire' would drive away the Dark for a time. Now? This place resides in your soul…I don't know why."

Naruto was not satisfied with his answer, but it would suffice. His attention was immediately turned to the massive blade dug into the bonfire. He wasn't as big a weapons nut like Tenten, but even he thought the thing looked too ceremonial to be a practical weapon. "What's that thing?"

The 'Fire Keeper' smiled lightly. "That, I can tell you. The Firelink Sword was a weapon used by a great warrior made of the souls of all the people who linked the fire, prolonging their respective Ages of Fire. Because this warrior had so many souls in them, he could use their skills to the fullest. Praying to the gods to heal himself, breathing a toxic mist, as well as knowledge to use whatever weapon was on hand. Whatever weapon that warrior felt like wielding, be it a sword or a spear, the Firelink Sword would transform to fit that style. You wouldn't be able to wield it as you are now."

"Why's it in the fire?"

"At one point, it was part of a magic spell that would not only heal and protect against the Dark, it could also take you places. So long as there was a magic bonfire you lit up in that area, you could go there in an instant from any bonfire. Now it looks like it's here simply to heal and protect you. Do not ask me why; I've yet to learn the reason myself."

Naruto decided to leave it at that; he was not going to stay here too long. "So what happens now?"

"Now? You no longer have any time," the Fire Keeper said matter-of-factly, "However, before you leave, I suppose it's only fitting that I give you a welcoming gift for even coming here." She stood up and walked in front of Naruto. There was a regal swagger in her walk, almost demanding him to show her respect as befitting of a Daimyō or something. "Get down on one knee before me."

Were it not for his curiosity, Naruto would have undoubtedly told her where to shove that order. Still, he brought himself down to one knee. Something told him that bowing his head was also a good idea. As he waited for the Fire-Keeper to do her thing, Naruto felt fingers gently placed on the back of his head. "Embrace the gift."

Before he could ponder what she meant, Naruto felt his head throb. Images began to flood his vision: mighty weapons slashing, piercing, and even smashing foes; a purple miasma obstructing vision while choking the life out of any fool that wandered through it; a large sword made of pure energy, passing through anyone that came to close; a miraculous golden light that had the power to heal all wounds with a prayer. Each vision seemed to belong to a different person, telling him many tales of how they all lived and died.

Through it all, the most prominent thing he had seen were images of a large, bearded old man, staring sadly at him. The musculature that Naruto could see under fine clothing from a different land had told him that this man was not to be trifled with. He reminded him a lot of Hokage-jiji, in that he looked like he earned that crown on his head through years of blood, sweat, and tears; and was still more than strong enough to keep it there. Come to think of it, he was so big and strong that he wouldn't have any trouble beating down the old Hokage.

In the old man's hands was a flame that gently burned in the space between his palms. Naruto could not help but feel bad for the man; the sad look on his face tugged at his heart. He reached out, about to touch the flame when he was returned back to the graveyard, with the Fire Keeper in front of him. "Use the power granted to you wisely," she said, "when you are ready to learn more, just dream of this place…of the Kiln of the First Flame. You can always find me here."

Naruto wondered what she meant. A glance at his hands revealed that he was starting to fade away. Any words he would have uttered were cut off as he disappeared into nothingness.

The Fire Keeper looked wistfully into the distance. "Father, it seems there is much potential in him. Only time will tell if he carries the will of the first Lord of Cinder to make it all right again…or if he shall merely be the core of the next Soul of Cinder."

A gentle smile graced her features as another thought had occurred to her. "Either way, I am certain that with such promise in him. Whether he will usher in a new Age of Fire, or the Age of Darkness it would be interesting to see where his choices will take him…"

…

A/N: And here we have it, the first chapter of "Cinders".

There is a poll going on for what starting class Naruto will be. To be honest, I believe Naruto would be an appalling assassin (the class better fits Sasuke), which is why I challenge you voters to pick a different class aside from Assassin for Naruto's starting class.

Anyway, do review would you kindly?