Hope you guys enjoy.
Disclaimer: I don't own WHDAAA. It belongs to Reactionist. Everything original found in this fic belongs to the Author.
Emilia let out a sigh.
After watching all of Subaru's journey in Arc 3, she, and the rest of the viewers, mainly the other camps and the members of her camp too, all agreed it was a rough sitting.
Subaru's journey had been hard, and there were scenes she knew it played exactly that had happened before, but it pained her to see her knight gone through to so many deaths, even to the point that he nearly gave up.
Thankfully, he was able to get back up to his feet and did no one thought was possible.
Subjugation of the White Whale, and the Hunt of the Witch Cult was thought to be impossible in the eyes of many. Especially when considering the White Whale itself was one of the Three Great Mabeast that brought so much destruction to the world for the past four centuries.
As for Sloth, it pained to see her father figure turned into a madman all because of a certain Platinum-haired Witch and the hatred over said Witch sparked in her heart.
She could never forgive her, not when she was the one who caused her to lose everything in Elior Forest.
Before she could continue on with her thoughts, the voice of a certain individual from a different Camp spoke.
"The next Arc should show what happened to Crusch and Rem, right?"
The blonde-haired child with crimson red eyes, Felt, the leader of the Felt Camp, said out loud. Curious as to what had happened after the ambiguous "Who's Rem" comment. But they are all aware of what is to come.
If Emilia could recall correctly, the events of Sanctuary should be the next of their viewing and they faced several challenges in that same location alone.
The Great Rabbit, the Attack on the Mathers Mansion, and the Three Trials of the Sanctuary itself were all contenders but they all happened simultaneously.
She would've believed that Subaru hadn't died there but it was obviously enough, after seeing all what had transpired in the previous viewings, that he did. And there was too much for him to face and figure out alone. The Half-Elf hoped he died less painful deaths.
Unknown to her, and the rest of the viewers by extension, he died brutally and painfully. Both mentally and physically.
"Oh, it will. However, I think it's time for you to pay the toll."
An unfamiliar voice spoke. Alerting the audience the presence they hadn't sensed until now.
Turning their heads to face the source of the voice, some preparing for immediate combat while some looked in shock.
But, all they saw was nothing, not a single trace. And some could've swore they heard it from behind them when they first heard of the voice.
"I'm right here, fools."
The voice said in a mocking tone, as if taunting all of the five Camps. Insulting their capabilities to trace and spot the individual.
They turned back and saw a figure holding a certain someone by the throat. Some even gasped at the recognition of the individual whose throat had been held by the unknown "intruder's" hand.
"Subaru/dono/sama/kun!"
They all cried in unison, with the most affected by the Emilia Camp themselves.
Garfiel immediately sprinted recklessly towards Subaru and the unknown individual, attempting to save his "Boss"(or Cap'n but whatever) from the man, based on the assumption from how deep the voice sounded.
However, he was far too late. Far too late for everyone, in fact.
In an instant, in a span of less than a time needed for the most powerful and fastest individual could ever react, suddenly turned Subaru's appearance from a healthy, unconscious young man into something that could only described literally as a "Bag of Bones".
But Garfiel didn't notice it, not everyone did. It happened so sudden, with no time to process it in their minds.
The young half-blood (Quarter Demihuman) felt a kick to the gut from the individual, sending the Strongest Shield of the Emilia Camp flying back to where he came from. With his older sister managing to catch the boy in time.
It was only then that they noticed Natsuki Subaru's state.
Widening their eyes in absolute shock, they couldn't what they are seeing much less accept what had happened to the boy who suffered so much death.
Then, in a sudden, merciless act of brutality, the unknown individual crushed the "Bag of Bones'" throat, instantly turning Natsuki Subaru's body to dust.
After this, the unknown individual let the five Camps process what had transpired for a brief moment, with "him" looking at his hands. Moving it in a way as if "he" was "testing" how his body worked.
During this time, the five Camps couldn't believe their eyes on what they are seeing.
It happened so fast they couldn't even react, much less understand what was happening right now.
One thing for certain, is that Natsuki Subaru died.
"Why…?"
Softly spoke, the voice of Petra Leyte was the first to utter the words amidst the shocked and stunned groups known as the five Royal Camps. Which said groups could do nothing but let the young girl speak to the unknown individual, whose overall appearance shrouded by his silhouette.
It was unknown how he managed to evade their sense, grabbing Subaru without them noticing, and most importantly, killing the boy without much of a second thought.
It was brutal, merciless even. Especially without letting them to do anything about it.
After a few seconds of silence, the unknown individual spoke.
"'Why?' I've simply taken what is needed to be taken. To put it simply, the toll has been paid."
He said factually, with nothing to suggest that what he did was morally correct.
"What do you mean by that?" asked one of the Anastasia Camp members, Mimi Pearlbaton. Not exactly understood what had happened but she was scared enough that in her mind it was very, very bad.
"Hoh? You really don't know? As expected, you lot are truly ignorant fools. And for that, I will not tell you."
There it was again, the condescending and mocking tone. The intent was insulting, they didn't know anything about him and what he said.
The part where he won't tell them infuriated some, with the minority being hurt by his words while the others glared at him.
"But, one thing for certain that I can tell you ignorant fools, is that I killed Natsuki Subaru Spiritually."
He emphasized "Spiritually" to a degree that he was stating that killing Subaru "Spiritually" was a big deal.
But they could not understand what he exactly meant by that. For all they know, it might be related to—
"You destroyed his soul?"
Beatrice asked the unknown individual, her voice quivering but it was subtle enough to not be noticed by the others but it was felt by them to varying degrees.
"Yes." Was the unknown individual's simple response.
But that response sent shockwaves to their cores. That alone was powerful enough to break some of the lesser-willed spirits.
Then, he explained.
"There are two types of Death that an individual can experience. The most common being Temporal Death and the other being Spiritual Death."
He explained, letting them process the information for a couple of seconds before he continued.
"Temporal Death is the death of the physical body. Whether you died of natural causes like sickness and old age or unnaturally like frozen to death and murdered by one of your comrades. That, is Temporal Death, the death of the physical body of the living."
He said in a way that was simple to understand and the parts he said like frozen to death and murdered by your comrades' hands hit them hard. Especially toward the Knight of Knights.
If anything else, it would seem the unknown individual was referring to one of Subaru's deaths.
"However…"
Snapping their thoughts back to the individual, as if he intentionally said in a way that they wouldn't be allowed to think deeply into what he said.
"Spiritual Death, on the other hand, is the death of the soul. And it is the worst death an individual could ever experience."
"W-What?"
In a stuttered fit, no one could've thought it was possible that such a concept existed. No, not existed, but a concept was made from.
For them, after death, their souls would be cleansed by Od Laguna and reborn as a new individual. And it was a concept that existed long before they were even born.
With that in mind, something like the death of a soul was foreign to them. Although they knew something like that wasn't nearly impossible, as it was theorized during the Great Calamity 400 years ago.
But, what he said about the soul bugged them.
Then, the unknown individual spoke:
"Tell me, do you know which type of Death is the main catalyst for your friend, Natsuki Subaru, to be able to use Return by Death?"
He asked out of the blue, catching them off guard. And it was a question they never thought he would say, especially what they know of the individual.
"It's… Temporal Death, isn't it?"
Anastasia Hoshin answered, garnering the attention of the rest of the group at her.
As if grinning at this, with his silhouette still covering his true appearance, the unknown individual chuckled. It was at this point that Anastasia's answer was spot on.
"Yes. With him being subjected with his many Temporal Deaths, Natsuki Subaru can use Return by Death infinitely so long his deaths are Temporal."
He explained, with some of the more intellectual members of their respective camps being slightly awed by this.
Then, he continued with another question.
"Then, do you know which type of Death that can nullify Return by Death?"
The room suddenly grew cold. With the question itself bringing in a new realization between the two types of Death.
The unknown individual darkly chuckled at this as he begins to say to them condescendingly. Giving them no time for a breathing room.
"I thought so. It would seem that you lot are beginning to realize the implications of what I said earlier."
He chuckled darkly once more. Bringing in the hopeless realization that their friend, the one they loved, was truly—
"Hm?"
The silhouette figure of the unknown individual tilted his head as if confused. Though what he was confused of, no one knows.
"Y-You!"
Gritting her teeth, her anger shown on her face. The Blue Oni couldn't believe what she was hearing right now.
This man. This monster!
"I'LL KILL YOU!"
With a wrathful roar, the Blue Oni, Rem, tried to immediately summon her signature weapon and activating her Horn. Attempting to kill the unknown individual after he killed her beloved Subaru-kun "Spiritually".
At least, that was supposed to happen.
Unable to feel her weapon on her hand, or rather, unable to call upon it. As well as the power of her Demon Form. This left Rem in a confused and stunned state.
Without warning, she felt a kick connecting her right face. Thus sending her flying away from the group.
"Rem!"
Ram called out to her little sister, concerned for her safety and enraged at the unknown individual.
Without warning, the same way as her sister, she felt a fist pummeling behind her head with a force strong enough that when her body hits the floor she was already unconscious.
"Two Onis down. The rest of you, stand down."
He, I daresay, demanded the rest with in a very commanding tone. One that demanded absolute respect.
"There ain't no chance in hell yer gettin' away fer this!"
Garfiel declared, with the intent not backing down without a fight. Rebelling the unknown individual's order.
With a scoff, the unknown individual responded.
"What are you to going to do about it? Not with the band you lot have right now."
"Wha—!? What is this!?"
Garfiel panicked, and the rest soon followed.
They all noticed an iron arm band on their left arm. It was thin, as though it was enough for a strong person with superhuman strength to break it easily as though it was paper.
However…
"What'd ya do me?"
The Strongest Shield exclaimed at the individual, feeling far weaker than he should've had been.
If they could see the individual's face, he would've been smiling at this.
"It's a Restraint Band. As the name implies, it was to weaken and restrain you ignorant fools. It also meant specifically for those with strong physical abilities, magic prowess, and Divine Protections. Basically, all of you lot."
He explained in a taunting manner. One that made Garfiel more and more angry at the unknown individual whose figure is still hidden by the silhouette.
"Why—"
Before he could finish, the unknown individual simply slapped him. But it was strong enough to knock him unconscious.
"Dare to defy me and you'll face the Slap. That's what you get, fool."
After saying that to the unconscious boy, he turned to the others.
"Seeing that most of you people want a piece of me, I suggest you all stand down. With the Restraint Band attached to your arms, all of you are powerless before me. Especially you, Sword Saint."
He directed his stern voice at Reinhard, who was clenching his fist at the unknown individual. Never feeling more powerless than before.
With the Emilia Camp lost Garf and their two Onis at the unknown individual, leaving them unconscious.
They were wary at him, especially Roswaal and Beatrice, both with knowledge of 400 years ago was not aware that such a device, called Restraint Band by the individual, could've existed. And by their experience with Echidna's experiments, they are aware that there were prototypes of similar properties. But nowhere compared to the ones the unknown individual placed on them.
In fact, it was far superior to the prototypes Echidna made.
"Why?"
The Half-Elf uttered, garnering the attention of the individual who began noticing her rising anger directed at him.
"Why are you doing all of this? Why!?"
She wanted to know. She wanted to know this person, no, monster was doing all of this.
First, he appeared out of nowhere, which she first thought he came at peace. But no, he did not.
Second, he destroyed Subaru's soul. His soul. And after that explanation about Temporal and Spiritual Death, she came to a realization that the one she came to love after learning what he had gone through was gone. Possibly erased.
The final straw that he placed these Restraint Bands at them. For what? She wanted to know.
Instead of the answer she wanted, the unknown individual responded.
"Only the man with the necessary requirements shall he free you—"
"What?"
"—Only he can do so. But to do so, you must gain the trust he lost so long ago—"
"I don't know what you're saying!" exclaimed Felt. She, like the rest, was confused as to what the individual had said. Not one bit made any sense.
"—Even then, to gain his trust, one must attempt to prevent the impending calamity that is yet to come—"
"Huh?"
"—For that to happen shall he, the Chosen Forsaken One, the Unwilling Left Hand, be convinced to free you all by the Bands ye have in your arms—"
"What the!?"
Multiple cracks began appearing throughout the room. Threatening to destroy everything around them.
With the Restraint Bands attached on their arms, they couldn't use any of their magic nor their Divine Protections. Even their physical prowess is weakened to the point they aren't strong like their previous selves before the Bands attached to them.
"—Prepare ye, for the grim future is at hand—"
The cracks widened, sucking the other Camps away from each other.
The Priscilla Camp was absorbed at the cracks below them. Falling down from where they stood.
"—Whether ye have your Names and Memories restored, they all shall be lost in Time—"
The Crusch Camp, along with an unconscious Rem, was absorbed by the cracks on their left side.
"—The power ye have will no longer be of use to you—"
The Felt Camp was absorbed by the cracks above them. With the image of the Dragon Sword Reid being separated from Reinhard's belt.
"—A Merchant's cunning may not be enough to save what you have lost—"
The Anastasia Camp, along with Otto, were gone at the same time as the Crusch Camp.
"—With knowledge of the Past long gone, may ye be able to seek what you have lost—"
Roswaal and Beatrice did what they could but was soon overpowered as they disappeared at the same time.
"—With Blood of different forefathers shall ye discover what thine legacy shall foretold in Time—"
Frederica did her best to hold on to the unconscious Garfiel and Ram. As a result they fell to an opened crack below them.
Now, this left Emilia alone. With no one. Not even Puck was there for her.
Tears starting falling from her eyes. Never has she felt more useless than before.
Everyone she considered her friends were gone. All of them being absorbed by the cracks. With no trace of them left.
She was the last one standing.
"—You, with the Blood of the Witch, are the key in restoring the trust the man once had—"
What is he saying?
Throughout the whole ordeal, even with everyone gone except herself, she couldn't understand what the individual had said. Not one bit."
"—Prepare ye for the trials to come! The grim future is at hand!"
Before long, a crack appeared behind Emilia. Absorbing her the moment it appeared.
But, before she lost herself to the darkness, she heard the voice of the mysterious individual once more.
"May he be himself once more. Fare thee well, Half-Elf Emilia. The Sage needs you, after all. And before I forget, I am called the Lord of Helheim. Remember that."
That was the last she heard before she was swallowed up the darkness.
And cut!
Hello everyone. This is the Author speaking, and how well are you people?
Welcome to a new fic, a completely original WHDAAA spinoff everyone wanted! *clap* *clap* *clap*
Seeing that everyone is tired of react fics, I, myself, have decided to do things no one thought of.
Now, for all who are concerned, the setting is completely different. Far different than the usual methods the Authors of this communities had tried before. But mine is unique… probably.
For a special guest let's give it to hand to Mr. Lord of Helheim!
Lord of Helheim: Thank you all. I appreciate the warm welcome you gave me Fa— I mean, Lord Creator. And everyone reading this.
Me: It's alright. After all the roles I gave you lately, it was a job of an Errand Boy… Sorry about that. It must've been frustrating.
Lord of Helheim: Well… it's true that it is frustrating, Lord Creator. But, as your Creation, it is expected for me to follow your orders. Whether I like it or not.
Me: *Sigh* Please don't be like Beatrice… please. Given that I gave you a job by holding off the Witch of Envy at my react fic, WSHLTWTETA (Watching Subaru Has Literally the Worst Time Ever the Anime) it must be exhausting that you had face her for over few months since I last updated that fic, right?
Lord of Helheim: Yes… I'm sure there are others interested as to what happened. Especially when they're wondering when's the next update.
Me: I'm still not in the mood for that.
Lord of Helheim: Oh… I apologize for that.
Me: Thank you. Let's go on with what we have on hand.
Lord of Helheim: Very well.
Me/Lord of Helheim: See you all next chapter!
This is written by gabrielchiong11, also known as user Mamon Ramon from Reddit.