A realm of absolute darkness,
A plethora of crystal shards floats throughout the empty space,
The Sea of Fragments.
"As I am the one versed with knowledge, heed my words well, mortal; it's useless. Everything is useless. Everything is meaningless. Everything is naught but pieces of a cruel game. Everything is already set in stone. That's why you should give up and submit to your fate. Resistance is futile." A haughty voice declared.
Stars illuminate the void,
Purple miasma encircled the crossroad of shadows,
A teary-eyed girl was sealed and trapped inside.
In a bloodstained wall, these very words were engraved,
"You WILL reach your desired ending someday."
The corpse of a boy lay dead on the ground.
His body was decorated with vicious wounds.
In his deathbed, his lifeless eyes remained open.
"So, don't you ever feel sad, don't you ever lose hope, don't you ever give up. Just like you gave me my happiness, you will soon find your own happiness. Please, I beg of you. Don't give up. Keep fighting... no matter what happens."
A weak voice managed to say.
The Intellectual Infiltrator I: Out of Nowhere, A Surprise Meeting
When Emilia's eyes opened, she finds herself in what could only be described as a magical world of white.
A sea of white.
The same white as snow,
The same white as porcelain,
The same white as the smooth strands of a certain witch's hair.
With the exception of the cerulean skies, everything in sight is painted in white.
To start, she's surrounded by a field of knee-length ethereal white grass. Then, surrounding the grasslands, a majestic forest stood gracefully. Needless to say, each aspect of the forest is colored white; the trees, the trunks, the branches, the leaves, the flowers, and even the ground and dirt appear to be snow-like.
It was simply… a magical world of white.
For the half-elf, the scenery feels surreal, if not beautiful. She had never seen a place like this before. Does it really make sense for a place like this to even exist? The question is, where is she? And what exactly is this place?
The last thing she remembered was laying down her bed to prepare herself for a good night of rest. Besides that, she can't remember anything else. Did something happen while she was indulging in her sleep?
In any event, if something did happen, what about her knight, Natsuki Subaru? And what of the other residents of Roswaal's mansion? Are they safe? Are they also in this world of white?
Despite the bewildering circumstances, her kindhearted nature can't help but worry for others first before herself.
As she continues thinking about her present situation, a breeze of wind brushes against her hair, making them dance along.
Then, deciding to search for the answer instead of waiting for one, she was about to saunter towards the snow-white forests when a condescending voice asked,
"Hmmmmmmmm? How is it? Do you like it? Does this place make you comfortable?"
The voice sounded familiar to the half-elf.
It sent a slight chill down her spine.
It's a voice she hasn't heard in a while.
Once she turned around to meet the owner of the voice, her assumption of whom the voice belonged to turn out to be correct.
Standing with her arms crossed in front of her in all her glory, dressed in an elegant black tunic with white outlines, which is different from her usual funerary getup, and along with her long and graceful white hair, is Echidna the Witch of Greed.
The witch's lips curled into a wry smile.
"E-Echidna?!"
Since the conclusion of the Sanctuary incident, she never thought she would ever see the witch again. Yet, here she is standing in front of her in this strange, strange but beautiful world.
The Sanctuary incident... it's been three months since its conclusion.
The current expression the half-elf wore certainly doesn't conceal her astonishment.
"What's with that moronic look? It looks like you're staring at a ghost," asked the witch with notable sarcasm. "Well, to be fair, now that I think about it… technically speaking, as someone who already died, as a wandering soul, do I count as a ghost?"
The stunned half-elf failed to enlighten the witch with a response.
"Or maybe, considering how much of an egotistic and arrogant rascal you are, is this your way of making a mockery of my death?"
"No! That's not it!" Emilia half-shouted to deny the witch's outrageous claim. "I would never mock something like that… not even you…"
In any case, it appears the Witch of Greed's demeanor towards her hasn't changed one bit… which means Emilia can expect countless harsh, abusive words hurled towards her.
Well, it's not like she hasn't gotten used to it. Somehow, it doesn't even feel that bad.
Now that she has a moment to gather herself, she doesn't quite know what to make of the sudden appearance of the witch. The Witch of Greed didn't exactly leave a good impression on her and Subaru during the Sanctuary incident, to put it lightly. Although, unlike the latter whose goodwill towards the witch completely faltered during their final moments, she, on the other hand, doesn't dislike the witch. Somehow, she can't really dislike her for reasons she doesn't even know herself.
It's probably due to her kindhearted nature...
"W-what do you want? A-are you behind this? What is this place?" Despite her initial shock, she managed to bring forth the obvious questions.
"I will answer those," assured Echidna. "But first,"
With a snap of her fingers, a small roundtable with two cups of tea, and two chairs were summoned in the space between them.
"Sit."
She commanded using an authoritative tone that no one would dare refuse. Then, she proceeds to sit on one of the chairs before sending a sharp glare towards the hesitant half-elf.
"What are you waiting for?" She asked, observing the half-elf for any clues causing her hesitation. "Ah, but of course. She doesn't trust me. Understandably so. Kuku."
She mused to herself before turning back to the half-elf.
"Look, I despise you with all my being, and I would love nothing more than to see you torn apart into a million tiny pieces of skin, bone, and flesh."
Emilia was taken aback by the grotesque words of the witch. Although the witch sent a fair amount of insults and mockery in almost all their past interactions, this is the first time she entailed how she would like to see her die.
Her glimmering silver hair,
Drowned in a sea of blood,
Blended with her minced innards, bones, and skin.
A gasp escaped her mouth.
The disturbing imagery.
Unsettling. Scary.
"But for now, just this once, I won't bite. I'm only here for a 'little' talk. That is all," assured the witch.
"A… talk?"
The half-elf considered Echidna's words.
"I'm only here for a 'little' talk."
While she may be a naïve girl, she's not that naïve to believe the witch is only here for a 'little' talk without any wicked ulterior motive.
Echidna is, regardless whether it's self-proclaimed or not, the wicked Witch of Greed, after all.
Not to mention, she also keeps in mind what Subaru told her about Echidna. Although he left out plenty of important details, Subaru had told her about a certain precarious and mysterious contract the witch tried to trick him into accepting. Deceiving someone to bind them to a contract is something she would never accept, regardless of whatever that contract entailed. Furthermore, he also informed her of the cold and indifferent attitude Echidna displayed over Beatrice's tragic situation despite her involvement which led to that situation in the first place… along with some other transgressions.
She had rather been disappointed to learn of those. Although she knows Echidna's Greed isn't something to be underestimated, somehow, she expected better from her.
Regardless, she decided to play along for now.
"Very well…" She nodded, accepting the witch's invitation.
Thus, she occupied the empty chair.
"Well, why don't you make yourself comfortable?" Echidna gestured towards the cup of tea in front of Emilia. "Don't get me wrong, it's not that I want you to get comfortable. It's just that I have the obligation to be a delightful host for my guests, even if the guest is someone utterly repulsive."
Emilia pouted at the ill remark that was obviously intended to mock her, but she managed to ignore it. She has gotten quite adept at ignoring the witch's taunts and insults, if she says so herself, much to the witch's disappointment.
As previously stated, she's used to that treatment by now.
She gave the cup a look of extreme caution. She recalled Subaru telling her about the content of the tea Echidna tricked him into drinking. Upon remembering that, the half-elf can't help but feel perturbed. What if the cup contains the same content? Or even worse…
Echidna, seemingly knowing what's going through the half-elf's mind, frowned slightly and raised both arms in mid-air to express her innocence.
"I know what you're thinking. That boy told you about the stimulating treats I gave him, didn't he? In that case, I completely understand your concerns, but I can promise you I didn't put anything weird in that cup. And yes, while I do, indeed, agree that I'm someone who should be classified as 'untrustworthy,' let me assure you I always hold my promises. Besides…" Her lips twisted into a devious smirk. "Watching you try and become the King of Lugnica, only for you to fail in spectacular fashion, and as you then wallow in your misery and swallow your tears… that will be more beneficial to feeding my amusement than let's say, putting poison in that cup or something of the sort and ending your pathetic life right here and then."
Emilia narrowed her eyes in response to the witch's admittance. She didn't have any doubt the witch would rather enjoy watching her failures than seeing her die in such an anti-climactic fashion at all. In other words, she's now certain nothing undesirable had been poured into her cup of tea. For all the wrong reasons.
And so, without any further hesitation, she grabs the cup's handle and takes a sip.
She takes a few moments to savor the taste.
Ringa (apple).
With hints of cinnamon and honey.
It's truly delicious.
Unable to help herself, she takes another sip.
And another.
And another.
And another.
Until the cup is empty.
"Did you make this? It's reeeally good," complimented Emilia.
"No." Echidna shook her head. "Why would I make anything decent for someone like you? I simply used a routine magic on a whim. Fortunately for you, it turned out well."
"Even so, thank you."
Emilia lets out her trademark kindhearted smile despite the outright denial, causing the witch to roll her eyes.
Now that she thought about it, she did wish to have a tea party with the witch someday. That was her parting words before she left Echidna's dream world in the Sanctuary. She doubted it would actually ever happen. But, right now… would this count as one?
"Soooo…" She started, taking in the beautiful scenery of the white world, while still savoring the delicious aftertaste of the tea. "Where are we? What exactly is this place, Echidna?" She reiterated her previous questions.
"You can say it's something akin to the dream world." Echidna began explaining.
"Dream…"
"Aren't dreams fascinating? You know, people everywhere have always pondered about them. Why do we dream? And what exactly are dreams? Are they memories of one's past? Recent experiences? Future? Regrets? Aspirations? Wishes? Desires? A combination of all of them? Or perhaps, could they even be the events of an alternate or parallel world? These are just some of the speculations that arise regarding dreams. But, in the case of the dream world, it's something like a product of one's imagination. Some may think of it as the maximum potential of something referred to as lucid dreaming, I suppose."
"Someone's imagination… huhh, so that's what this is." Emilia placed a finger against her chin, pondering over the witch's words. "That's interesting to know. Is this another one of your dream world, then? It's different from the greenery last time. But, how did I even end up here again?"
"Yes and no. Yes, because this is a product of my imagination. No, because we aren't lodging around in my dream anymore. You see, this isn't the same dream world as the one in the Sanctuary. Perhaps, it's more appropriate to say this is currently your dream? I mean, considering our little encounter is taking place inside your unconscious mind, after all."
"M-my dream world?! Inside my mind…" Emilia analyzed her surroundings again. "But how? I don't recall I've ever imagined something like this… and besides, how did you get here if that's the case?"
"You can think of it as myself invading your mind and controlling your dreams... manipulating what we're currently seeing right now. I intruded your mind after you drifted into unconsciousness. Or something like that. Kuku."
"E-EH?!"
Basically,
Assuming what Echidna said is true,
Her privacy was violated... just like that.
Emilia didn't know whether she should feel disturbed or amazed.
"Soooo… we're communicating through my dream that you seized without consent… is that what you're saying?"
"Ah, yes. I sort of hijacked your dream, I suppose."
"Hijacked?"
Emilia has no idea what the word means, nor does she think she heard it being used before.
But,
Echidna currently has the look of a mischievous child who got caught doing something naughty, while Emilia held a scornful gaze. Ironically, it's usually the other way around between these two.
Regardless,
"Uhm… I think it's really weird, and I don't reeeally get it, but I think it's amazing how you can do this, Echidna… I mean, eheheheh, how is that even possible? I thought your influence only extends as far as the Sanctuary."
Ultimately, she decided it's alright to be amazed while feeling disturbed all at the same time.
"I beg to differ. There's nothing amazing about this. Let me assure you that I am nothing more than a mere powerless witch who died a long time ago. This is simply one of the loopholes I discovered within the laws of this world after spending centuries as a wandering soul. Nothing more, nothing less. In any case, the how's, why's, and whatnots that led to this 'little' meeting of ours don't really matter, do they? As I've already established, I'm only here for a 'little' talk."
Echidna clearly wanted to divert the topic away. The information regarding how she was able to form a link with Emilia's mind isn't something for the half-elf to know.
Not now, anyway.
"Okay, if you say so..." Emilia conceded.
Then, she smiled brightly.
"Whatever the case may be, I really like this place. It's sooo beautiful, you know. The white. I like it a lot. Sooo, if anything... thank you for showing me this beautiful 'dream'... I think."
"The white?"
"Yes. It's such a pure and delicate color. And despite its innocent nature, it also maintains unrivaled beauty, class, and grace."
"Hohhh?"
The witch's hallow black eyes closed upon hearing the half-elf's compliments. Her lips slowly curved into a deep frown.
"White, huh? Don't be ridiculous. Its purity and innocence are meant to be easily sullied and corrupted without resistance. What's so beautiful about it? It's weak. Frail. Feeble. Unlike the gleaming silver, there's nothing beautiful about the color white, Emilia…" She muttered quietly to herself.
The half-elf failed to hear her curious musings.
…
After a few minutes of awkward silence, while Emilia continues gazing at the scenery in wonder, the witch calls for her attention.
"Anyway, it's about time we get to the main point."
"Ah, that's right. There's that liiiiittle something you wanted to talk about, right?"
"Yes. It concerns that boy, Natsuki Subaru."
"Subaru?!" Emilia exclaimed her surprise.
At first, she expected Echidna to talk about either the Trials, the result of the Trials, the liberation of the Sanctuary, the burning down of her library, or perhaps, even about Beatrice and Roswaal. Well, she also wouldn't have been surprised if the witch just wanted to continue insulting her, stating how foolish and naïve her goals are. And how much she hates her, of course.
However, Subaru being the topic of Echidna's discussion was one of the last things she expected.
Naturally, she knows about the brief history between the two after Subaru told her the details of the tea parties. So, they do have that connection even when things didn't work out between them in the end. But what could Echidna possibly want?
Is she still going after Subaru despite his refusal of that mysterious contract?
"Uhm… what about Subaru?"
"First things first. You have to keep in mind that what I'm about to tell you is something of great importance."
"Ehhh? How important?"
"It's really~ important. I just can't overstate how important it is! Ahhh~, you can even say it's life-changing information. Nothing will ever feel the same once you learn of it."
The half-elf's eyes widened in surprise, taking the witch's bait.
"It's that important?!"
"Hm. Hm. That's right." Echidna nodded a couple of times with a smug smile. "My point is, you do know well not to tell anyone else, right? Not even Natsuki Subaru. No, especially not Natsuki Subaru. Kuku. This is something we should keep between us. Call it 'girls' secret', if you will."
"Sooo… there's something reeeally important she wants to talk about Subaru, but she forbids me from telling it to anyone else… especially Subaru. What is she up to? There's probably a trick to all of this…" Emilia thought to herself, attempting to find a hint about the witch's intention.
"Uhm, Echidna. If you don't mind me asking, is there a reason why I can't tell anyone?"
"It's for your own benefit. Actually, it's for your own safety." Echidna smiled menacingly. "You know, if a certain witch finds out you know about this particular little information, your life will be endangered. You'll die. She will kill you... mercilessly. So, you see, it will be reeeally bad if you do that~."
Emilia let out a gasp, unnerved by Echidna's words.
Although the witch didn't drop a name, Emilia has a hunch who she's referring to.
However, what does The Witch has to do with this? Especially concerning Subaru. She's quite surprised The Witch was even alluded to by Echidna in the first place.
"Again, please don't misunderstand my intention. I'm only warning you because as I've already stated, I don't want you to die in such an anti-climactic manner. It's not because I care about your wellbeing or anything. That would really be an utter embarrassment for me if you think like that. I just want to see your failures before you meet a dramatic end. That's all there is to it. Now, do we come to an understanding?"
"O-okay, I understand. I promise I won't say a word to anyone about this!"
Echidna acknowledges her promise with a nod.
Afterward, her expression turns serious.
"Well, then. With that out of the way, let me ask you; do you believe it's possible for an individual to return back to a certain point in time by dying?"
"Ehh?"
A look of surprise envelops the half-elf's face.
It's a strange question, to say the least.
But somehow...
It doesn't feel that strange.
Somehow, she gets the feeling that "returning back in time by dying" happened several times already. Not necessarily by her, but someone close to her...
"Ahh, let us refer to such phenomenon as [Return by Death]."
Return by Death.
Return by Death..
Return by Death...
ReTUrN.
bY.
DEaTh.
And with those very words, "Return by Death," a notable shift in the atmosphere begins to take place. All of the sudden, the cerulean skies darkened, and they were replaced by a sea of pitch black. It was followed by the trickling of scarlet liquid throughout the white world. The pure whiteness of the grass, flowers, trees, and ground are now tainted with the color of blood.
It feels like the world suddenly started breaking down. If one is to imagine a 'tranquil' apocalypse from taking place, it would probably look something like this.
In any case, it's hard to tell whether the sudden change of scenery was due to the nature of the dream world, the malevolent imagination of the witch, or even the !uNsTaBLe! mind of Emilia herself.
But something vital resonated within Emilia upon hearing the term "Return by Death."
"Return by Death. REtuRn bY dEAtH. rEtURn bY dEatH. RETurN By DeAtH. deAth. DEatH. deAth. DeaTH. deaTH. deAth. DEatH. dEaTH. DEath. deAtH. deAth. DEAth. DEaTh. deATH. deAtH." She uttered the words silently...
Over and over again...
Unfortunately, she can't quite figure out where she heard those very words before. Or, has she even heard them in the first place?
Maybe it's all a product of her delusion…
DeLUsiOn. deLUsioN. DeLUsION. deLUsiON. deLuSION. DeLuSiOn. dELUsiOn.
She doesn't quite know what's happening anymore...
She does feel weird and fuzzy...
Maybe her vision is becoming a bit blurry...
Something in her heart feels weird...
The rate of her beating heart increases...
Growing louder by the second...
~~Dok, DOK! Dok, DOK! Dok, DOK! Dok, DOK! Dok, DOK! Dok, DOK! Dok, DOK! Dok, DOK! Dok, DOK! Dok,DOK!~~
It ached...
Too much pain radiated from her heart...
But...
She knows...
For whatever mysterious reason...
That somewhere out there...
There's a looo~nely girl trapped inside the shadows...
A girl she REPLACED!
However, at this moment...
A black crescent-shaped grin appeared on Echidna's face who now appears to be a white shadow.
Amidst the pitch-black skies,
Amidst the white surface of the land that was tainted with scarlet,
Amidst the black and white backdrop with a little bit of scarlet,
With her crazed smile in front of Emilia,
The Witch of Greed appears to be a terrifying monster.
THE MONSTER OF KNOWLEDGE
"That boy, Natsuki Subaru, is suffering from a truly intriguing phenomenon known as [Return by Death]. Ahhh~, yes, that's right. He can return by death," Echidna finally revealed.
Emilia grinned wildly as she stood up from her chair and began to twirl all over the place in joy, speaking in a song-like tone.
"SUbAru~. SUbaRu~. suBarU~. suuu~BarU. SuBAruu~. suBAA~rU."
"MY~."
"LOVELY~."
"SUUU~BAAA~RUUU~."
"REtuRn bY dEAtH. rEtURn bY dEatH. RETurN By DeAtH."
"deAth. DEatH. deAth. DeaTH. deaTH. deAth. DEatH. dEaTH. DEath. deAtH. deAth. DEAth. DEaTh. deATH. deAtH. deAth. DEatH. deAth. DeaTH. deaTH. deAth. DEatH. dEaTH. DEath. deAtH. deAth. DEAth. DEaTh. deATH. deAtH. deAth. DEatH. deAth. DeaTH. deaTH. deAth. DEatH. dEaTH. DEath. deAtH. deAth. DEAth. DEaTh. deATH. deAtH."
"Ah hA ha HA hA HA ha Ha hA HA ha hA ha HA Ha ha HA ha HA hA ha HA hA Ha ha"
Emilia's vision fades into black as she loses consciousness within her already unconscious mind.