Re: begining of Subaru as THE ARCHBISHOP OF PRIDE

Written by LiquidAngel

(a/n): Hello everyone. I'm back to present you chapter 3. I think this pace is a little bit slow because I researched lots of information and planned I estimate the story to be 40 chapters long... I'll start getting a bit faster. Just took a while to adjust the ending when I realised 'somethings' about The witch Pandora and about the '400 years'. I'll start giving some clues so that you can have fun gathering the information and guess what is the great secret behind the world of Re: zero. Oh, and one more thing. It will be a bit different than the original story, the authority will be a bit different. If you have ideas for the balance of the power, please p/m or leave a review. Now.. let's enjoy the story, shall we?

Chapter 3: Witches, Pride, and Subaru

Subaru couldn't do anything but look at his blood boil in horror. He could feel his skin melting and veins spring out of his body. He closed his eyes to prevent himself from seeing the gruesome scene.

Finally... I'm back

Subaru fell into the space of nothing.

"Rem... I'm scared... I'm so scared.."

Subaru sobbed for the last time in this loop and collasped on the floor.

Subaru died only to save the blue demon who told him that she loved him. Who pulled him out of dispair with the words of hope. She was there for him when he needed her. Now he should be there to save her. To become her hero. But... he wasn't there. He was standing on a quiet grss field where a cool breeze often blew across the land.

He didn't returned by death.

Rem. I need t "Why.. Rem.. I need to GO BACK! There is no time to waste like this Nononono-" He sank into the ground and sobbed like there was no tomorrow. He couldn't talk about the future with her, he couldn't smile with her. And the worst part is that he couldn't save her.

"What a pathetic behavior. Trespassing my tea time and screaming nosense."

An exotic voice echoed behind Subaru. It's words didn't feel like it was spoken by normal human. He felt goose bumps rising on his skin. He turned around to see a beautiful women with a silver hair. She wore a black dress that covered her entire body. She had a slender body that any women will die for. Subaru remembered the picture he saw in the Forbidden Library.

"Echidna..? Wha-" Subaru stammered as his face grew pale.

"Hmmm, so this is the reaction that a man shows when they recognize that I'm a witch... interesting." Echidna walked closer to Subaru who started to back away.

"Wi-witch?! What am I doing here? What did you do to me? I need to go back and save Rem!" Subaru blurted out when felt his nervousness peak when he saw a witch approaching him.

"Interesting. I'm the one who should ask you. What is you buisness? No one broke through my 'gate' without my permisson. Peculiar, interesting." Echidna backed away letting Subaru sigh in relief.

"Sit" She ordered as she conjured two chairs and a wooden coffee table.

"Wha-" Subaru tried to talk back but found his body moving to sit on the conjured chair.

"This is my world so you'd better do what I order you to do. Now talk. Why are you here?" Echina questioned him with great curiosity.

Subaru calmed down and inspected the drastic change of the situation. He killed himself and died, but was brought to this strange 'world' and met Echidna, who's dead 400 years ago. And now SHE is asking HIM why he is here. He laughed at the absurdity of the situation.

"Hey lady? I didn't wanted to be here. I just-"

"Yes, I know you killed yourself. Idiot. Couldn't save a maiden even when you have 'that' power?"

Subaru bounced out of the seat astonished.

"You... what did you said? Repeat it. Clearly."

"Hmpf, such a nerve to order a witch." Echidna said with a smirk on her face.

"Well, yes I'm fully aware of your 'power', and how useless you are without that."

Echidna's words pierced his heart like a dagger. However, she didn't stopped.

"Uselss idiot. You are too prideful with yourself that you overdo yourself with that power even if the task is too overwhelming for you. You feel pride when you undergo all the ordeal by yourself, don't you? You think that you are the only one that gets hurt? Your ignorance is disgusting." Echidna spat.

His heart was ripped apart by her words. No matter how much he wanted to deny, everything she said were true to Subaru. Thinking over again, he could state his actions with only one word. He was too 'Prideful'.

When he was thinking like this, he could feel his lips moved as if it had its own thoughts.

Yes, THAT is who NATSUKI SUBARU is. Happy that you now noticed how PIDEFUL you were.

Subaru was dumbfounded by his own lip's movement that he couldn't do anything while Echindna bolted up from her chairs

"Pride? How..?"

The so called 'Pride' answered back. Even though Subaru couldn't see his face, he could sense that 'He' was smiling.

Heh... been locked in the tree of the Great tree of Prugel... freed at last! Thanks to Subaru's suicide, I got the chance to split his personality so that he can accept me. How clever of me... aren't I?

"So.. Prugel was it. Never saw anyone strong enough to lock 'The Great Spirit PRIDE' in my life." While Echidna chatted with 'Pride' like two friends reunited after a long term, Subaru was screaming in his head. He needed explanation.

Pride recognized this.

Oh.. sorry subaru. It seems that I have some responsibility as I have dragged you here without asking your opinion. But understand me. I'm freed after 400 years. Those damn years made me impatiant! Now that we are bond to the soul, I assure you that you can fire out any question that you have!

Echidna, who was angry that the attention was diverted from her to Subaru, slumped down in the chair and watched without saying a word.

Any question? Pride asked as if he were a show host.

'Fir-first of all, who are you?'

Ah...never introduced my self. I am the ARCHBISHOP OF PRIDE, vacant for 400 years as Prugel the sage locked me up in that damn tree. Thanks to you, the tree was torn down. And for the finishing touch, that fire-gems blew the entire root, freeing me entirely. I'm bond to you for the reason that I don't know(maybe just because you are the one who freed me.), and now I live inside you like a second personality.

"What? Get out of me! This body alone is still too cramped even for me to live. I don't have any available space for you do to occupy."

I'm afraid that I can't do that. I'm not a spirit like Petelgiuse the Sloth, nor a soul that wants to take over your body. I'm the personality that was split when you aborbed the witch gene of Pride in the explosion of the tree. I'm a mere spirit who took place in the other personality that was made.

'What's the difference? If you need a body to share, go find someone else! Not me!"

Nope, I can't. Besides, how can you shoo away the other side of you? I know all of your secret as we share the same soul-that is Natsuki Subaru. I know what you usually did at night time reading manga. You-

'Shut up! I give in. Thank you for making me into a dual personality. It feels disgusting. Now why did you dragged me here?'

AH! The MAIN PART~. First thing is first. I need to inform you that no matter how hard you try, you cannot return to the timeline where Rem is 'alive'.

'Don't pull my leg. I'm serious' Subaru stated and act cool but honestly, he was feeling a bit nervous.

It happens that I'm also serious. I can 'sense' that the 'checkpoint' is updated. I don't exactly know when... but I'm sure you cannot go back. If you doubt me, you see for yourself afterwords. Now, time to tell you why I dragged you here. Let's say Typhone, the one who created me is looking for you ever since I became free. She is-

Subaru lost his words. Pride's words didn't reached his ears.

He cannot go back. He cannot save Rem this time.

Rem is gone..

Rem is gone...

Rem is.. GONE FOREVER.

He insisted that Pride was talking nonsense but he somehow knew he was telling the truth. His mind began to break down by the weight of reality. But it didn't last long because Pride said-

-BUT, I bet she has something that will allow you to save Rem as well as the others that you love. Isn't it tempting? You have nothing to lose. Come-on! Typhone's waiting.

Subaru couldn't ignore the suggestion.

"Hey. who's Typhone? It doesn't ring any bell." Subaru asked, curious about 'Typhone' that Pride was asking.

Hey. It is obv-

Pride started to talk but was interupted by Echidna, who was bored to death watching the two(but one body) talk to each other.

"It is a friend of mine. She is the witch of Pride. Really Subaru. Never studied about the witch beside me? Hmm I wonder why you only know about me."

She glared into Subaru's eyes and added-

"But not bad. Haven't been this excited ever since I died. I want to know more about you Natsuki Subaru..."

She gave him a small seductive stare and stood up.

"Chatting's over. TYPHONE! PRIDE IS HERE!" The witched called the other so casually as if it was there daily routine. From her call, a little kid-like figure appeared in thin air.

Typhone looked young. She was a cute girl with dark-green hair and a crimson red eyes. She was waring a white dress that looked like a wedding dress. Her skin was brown as if it was tanned.

"Dna-chan! Dna-chan! Pride is here? Pride is here? Where is he? Hya~~ its been 400 years! Where is he? Where is he?"

Watching a girl who looked like she was less than 11 years old, Subaru metally group her in the catagory of [Loli]along with Beatrice. Typhone looked around and found Subaru and tackled him into a hug.

"KYAAA! Pride-kun! Hmmm~ I wanted to see you so much!" Typhone squealed as she suffocated Subaru.

Kept you waiting didn't I? That damn Prugel locked me up... well that was part of our deal anyway.

Typhone suddenly ended the hug and looked into Subaru's face.

"Pride-kun? You look just like 400 years ago! Well-well-well. You are a spirit so you won't grow old... but seeing you brings back memories. Hyaa... If I can come out and play with you... " Typhone's head hung low when she acknowledged that she was dead.

"Umm.. Typhone, you are? I'm in kinda hurry so can you please get to the point?" Subaru interupted. He had no time for this small chat. He didn't care if this loli was close to Pride or what-so-ever.

Typhone recognized the difference of the voice and greets Subaru, ignoring his suggestion.

"Kyaaa~ you must be Subaru-kun! Oh~ you never changed! Still working hard aren't you? Well. good to see you two in one shape, in many means." Typhone blurted things Subaru never understood. He silently wondered if all witches are like this. Typhone than recognized that she was forgetting the main point, at last.

"Oy! I have something to give yo- No... both of you." Typhone said while rummaging her pockets.

"It must be somewhere here... AH! found it." Typhone exclaimed as she pulls out a silver dagger. Suddenly she cuts her own palm without hesitation. No blood came out. Only a glimpse of light could be seen in the wounds.

"Now the most important part. Kneel, Subaru. I will begin the ritual." Typhone said

"Nonono! Wait! All of a sudden, you guys just dragged me here and says that you will start a ritual? Hahaha if you are pulling a joke, you are doing it damn well!" Subaru exclaimed and tried to get out of this weird situation. He hoped that Echidna will say 'Duh.. he noticed! Prank is over guys' but she didn't budged. Subaru started to get nervous.

Nothing to worry about. It's the power that I told you. Do as she says.

Pride pleaded him. Subaru who was too confused thay he just stood there hoping that someone will come and tell him what this was about.

[Kneel. Natsuki Subaru.]

Her words were all that it took. He knelt against his will. Now Typhone and Subaru's eye level matched.

"In the name of Typhone Benecia, I inherit the power of myself to you."

Blinding light projected itself from Typhone's small brown hand. It covered Subaru's body. Beside its warm color, it felt like a freezing wind of mid-winter. His face grimaced while he gritted his teeth and waited for the cold wind to pass.

"By the hands of Prugel, with the power of Typhus, you will achieve the goal that no other can do.

Make an oath with the ones you love.

Engrave them

Keep them

Achieve them no matter what it cost

The oath grows within you

Have pride in yourself and have pride in the oaths that you will make"

The light disappeared once she stopped the chant. She hopped around Subaru inspecting him quickly.

"It is over! Hyaaa! That was wonderful." Typhone exclaimed.

Subaru wanted to quibble over what was wonderful but his face didn't respond. In fact, His whole body began to collapse.

"Hyaaaaaa! Guess it was too much for a mere human to endure. Surprising that he didn't exploded..." Typhone said.

Subaru sighed hearing Typhone discussing him exploding with such a casual tone. He started to loose consciousness. Pride's voice boomed in the air as if it was spoken from a loud speaker.

Well... Typhone, I think this is our farewell.

"Hyaa... so fast. I'll be looking forward to see you~" Typhone waved her hand, jumping up and down.

Echidna, on the other side, was drinking her tea with no attention toward the Pride-Subaru. She just shot a glimpse to a boy who interupted her tea time.

'Damn witches... I hate them.' Subaru thought and finally surrendered to the endless void.

"PHWOOO-ha. (inhale)(exhale). phew... that was on horrible nightmare." Subaru said as he opened his eyes. He was standing in the kitchen.

Well, I won't call it a nightmare- rather I will call it a reality.

Pride's voice boomed in his head. Realising that the incident before wasn't a dream, Subaru let out a heavy sigh.

'Gotta get used to this feeling shouldn't I?'

Mmm? I thought you are already used to me?

'How can I? No one can be used to a voice that rings inside his head. Especially when that voice is spoken by a idiot who claims that he is another me!'

Mmm? Amusing to see oneself call himself an idiot. I am you after all... heheheh

'GAA! So frustrating...'

Now that the matter is settled, did you noticed we returned by death?

'Now that you mention that... I think the checkpoint updated itself... right before I killed my self. DAMN IT!'

Subaru started to laugh like a maniac.

"HAHAHAHA... what a hopeless situation is this... what a HOPELESS DUMB SITUATION IS THIS! HAHAHAHAHA"

Hearing his laugh, Emilia and Wilhelm came into a kitchen to see what's wrong. They found Subaru laughing like a madman. Apart from his laughing, his eyes conjured countless tears that traced from is eyes that traveled across his cheeks and fell at the chin.

"I couldn't save Rem. Hehehehe I couldn't save anybody. Kyhahahahaha, Echidna was right. I'm freakin' useless. He smirked and dropped his head with guilt. He could have saved her if he was a bit more cautious. He was so prideful of his knowledge that he underestimated the witch's cult.

"Subaru? What are you talking about?" Worried at the sight of her Subaru in despair, Emilia tried to speak to him.

"Subaru-duno..." Wilhelm can see the drastic change of his eyes within a minute. His eyes that was calming black was now gleaming with insane light and swirled with a hurricane of emotion. He looked as if he experienced something beyond death. Wilhelm doubted if there would be such things. He never knew what Subaru has gone through.

"Subaru? Sh~ its okay~ its okay~. I'm here for you. Sh~" Emilia hugged him and patted his head to comfort Subaru. In Emilia's embrace, Subaru rested his tired soul and cried like a baby.

"Hehehe.. Subaru? You look like a stubborn baby~... not that I hate it.." Emilia placed Subaru's head on her lap.

Subaru cried and cried until he fell asleep. Wilhelm conclueded that all this ruckuss was because of Rem.

"Emilia-sama. Sorry for your trouble. If we knights were capable enough to protect Rem and Crush-sama, you wouldn't have to go through this... My opology for our knights' mistake." Wilhelm bowed down and laid his sword.

"No, it's okay Wilhelm-san. Thank you for your consideration. I hope we find a way for both Rem and Crush."

Emilia said while playing with Subaru's hair. It was a habbit she obtained during the two days with Subaru, while Ram thought that it looked like a girl patting a monkey at the zoo. Wilhelm looked at Subaru one last time before he bowed down.

"Thank you Emilia-sama. With your permission, Crush-sama and I should better get going."

"You may leave, Wilhelm-san. I hope for the best of you."

With Emilia's last words of goodbye, Wilhelm left the mansion with sleeping Felix and confused Crush.

"Subaru... things are going a bit strange..." Emilia muttured as she looked at Subaru's sleeping face.

(a/n) : That's it! Tried my best to make this chapter fluent and easy. A sudden change must have been confusing though.. but this chapter is undispensible. I wrote 3 versions of this chapter and I think this witch root is the best. Please wite review or p/m so that I can hear your opinion. The chapter isn't over! I will list the ability Subaru gained.

(I should call it the authority of the Archbishop of Pride...)

Subaru's state : duel pesonality - The Archbishop of Pride/Natsuki Subaru

Explanation of Typhone's chant.

By the hands of Prugel, with the power of Typhus, you will achieve the goal that no other can do.

Make an oath with the ones you love.

Engrave them

Keep them

Achieve them no matter what it cost

The oath grows within you

First of all, Typhus means Pride in Latin. It is a name of the Archbishop of Pride, but I will use Pride in the story.

Now, the other lines in the chant indicates the authority of Pride

Make an oath with the ones you love : [Bond of Oath]

-Pride is one of the Three great spirit in re:zero. This means he can make a 'contract' like normal spirit. But this [Bond of Oath] is tad a bit different. This is contract of soul which means that the soul is unbreakable and onesided. Subaru uses is Od to make this contract and plant his soul in the heart of the subject. This unlocks his ability whenever the subject is near.

Engrave them : [Engravement]

-Simple passive ability. He cannot forget the fact that he made a contract with the subject. This also enables him to sense whether the subject is near.

Keep them (this is to make a rythem. Its meaning is same with "Engrave them")

Achieve them no matter what it cost : [Ignorance]

-This is the main ability of Pride. When active, [Ignorance] disables any obstacles of his actions to a certain degree. For example, when Subaru fights for Emilia with Elsa, he could ignore the attack from Elsa. It will be blocked or strike leaving no wound. The drawback of this ability is that it could be activated for only a short time cause it requires immense chunk of Od.

The oath grows within you : [Evolve]

-This is what makes Pride an over power archbishop. This makes the abilities above evolve. It calculates the weakness of Pride and evolves the right ability to a right degree. Moreover, it consider Pride's habit and evolves the ability Pride uses often. [Evolve] changes the ability that suits best for the oath. For example, if Subaru is always late for Emilia when bad things happens to her, [Bond of Oath] evolves and the authority to teleport to Emilia is added.

HAAAA it was freakin' hard to remake all the authorities. Gha... I'm exhausted, I suppose.

(a/n) : Well it is now the end of the chapters. I let out a lot~ of paste bait of the story. Heheheh... Please leave a review, p/m, if you have any advices or question. I'm free so feel free! Good bye for now. I hope you enjoyed my chapter 3.