"Well, boy? You want an appa?"

Once again, I found myself in the same spot. I had returned by death. My hands instinctively moved down to my stomach. The gaping hole that I felt just moments ago was not there.

My breath hitches as I remember my final moments. I cover my mouth as I become nauseous. I could never get used to the feeling of dying.

"Boy, are you okay? Are you allergic?"

My mind was a mess and I felt sick.

"I-I'm fine… Don't mind me…" I tell the shopkeeper as I slowly shuffle away.

This place was insane. My eyes dart around wildly.

Wasn't this supposed to be a fun adventure in another world?!

I gasp as a phantom pain shoots through my body, clutching my chest. Shit. There's got to be a way to survive. I can't keep dying like this.

I attempt to recall the landmarks I saw around me. The appa seller was behind me, a darkened alleyway to my right…

In the first couple of loops, I was just collateral damage. I had no idea what was going on. I woke up with not a clue of how I died.

Then, I attempted to run away. That was no good. The event happens too quickly for me to get far enough away from my save point.

In my latest attempts, I was killed by getting too close. The damage only got more intense as time went on.

It was a fresh loop. Now was the best opportunity to see what the hell causes all this.

Against my best judgement, I made my way towards the source of the upcoming calamity.

A while later, a loud boom sounded and the ground shook beneath me. The temperature drops. Right on time. It was only a couple of blocks away. A cacophony of frightened shrieks ring throughout the town square and people start to run.

I could do nothing as I watched them scramble to safety. I felt guilt well up within me. Hardly any would survive.

The wind picks up and it feels like I'm walking through a blizzard. Ice and snow slice my face while my fingers start to go numb. I shield my eyes with my arms so I don't go blind like a previous loop.

Just a glimpse…

I want to know what causes this…

I march onward and feel my blood freeze within my veins. I start shivering. I slowly wade through the now knee-deep snow as I near the eye of the storm.

It was beginning to become unbearable.

Just a few more steps…

In the distance, I hear a sharp, ear-piercing shriek of swords(?) clashing. People were fighting in this snowstorm?! I saw two figures blur past each other, trading blows.

"Where is it?!" I hear one figure demand.

"Ara, ara. I am afraid that I cannot disclose that information to you. You will die here, and your beautiful bowels… what colour will they be? A silver-haired half-elf… How wonderful…"

"Puck! Kill her!" One figure pointed at the other.

The temperature dropped once again, and the wild snow coalesces into large, floating icicles.

My eyes widened. That's what pierced me in the last loop! I watched the icicles launch forward, the battle hidden by the erratic sleet veiling my vision.

My joints were freezing up and I could barely move now. My vision was fading; I'll be dead within the minute. The sounds of clashing were becoming faint.

A silver-haired half-elf.

I'll remember it.

I was correct. Walking around the city was much different to how I'd imagine it.

Puck had taught me some magic to conceal my appearance, but I didn't think it was too necessary. It was quite fun watching the reactions of people going by.

"Excuse me, miss," a voice calls out to me. I turn around and see two people standing in front of me. One, a tall knight with red hair, the other adorned with angry eyes and strange clothes.

"That's the one." The black-haired boy pointed at me.

"Hm? What do you want? I'm taking a leisurely stroll. Have I done something wrong?" A scared pedestrian must've reported me. "Surely my appearance shouldn't warrant arrest?"

"My apologies, but this boy seemed to bring up a few concerns about your…"

"She's dangerous, Reinhard! She can freeze the entire city in minutes!" The other one hollers. How did this boy know about my magic? I hadn't met him before.

My eyes narrow and my voice takes on a dark tone.

"Where did you come across such ridiculous information? Do not mistake me for the Witch of Envy."

Reinhard inclines his head.

"Again, I am very sorry, but I must confirm his words. Such a claim cannot be left uninvestigated. If you would allow it, would you please place your hand in my palm? A divine blessing will ascertain your objective here today." He held out his hand.

I sigh. I wasn't here to do anything bad, so I guess there's no harm in it. I peek at the boy behind Reinhard, and he looked anxious. Most people just avoided eye contact and shuffled away, but this boy was shaking like a leaf.

"Before I do so," I turn to the black-haired boy, "you still haven't told me where you got your information from."

"A-Ah, so… there's this thing… I'm not- I can't-" A jumbled mess of words spewed from his mouth. I held my palm to my mouth to hide my snickering.

"You would trust the words of somebody like him? How pathetic." It seemed the boy made a lucky guess at my magic affinity, then claimed that I was going to destroy the city. I stared at the boy.

"You're the worst kind of person. When I'm king, if you were part of my court, you'd be the first kind of person I'd get rid of."

Reinhard's eyes widened.

"King, miss?"

A smirk crosses my face and I reach into my pocket.

"Yes. I am a Dragon Maiden," I flash the glowing insignia at him. Immediately, the knight's attitude changes. He kneels and places his fist over his chest.

"Oh, please forgive my mistake. I had no id-"

"Shhh." I place my index finger on his lips. I could barely hide my smile. Yes. This was the power I was seeking. Authority over others. This was what I was looking for.

"I am not so petty as to punish you for such a small transgression. As a king, one must constantly balance the two sides of justice and forgiveness. There was no issue in how you handled the situation." The knight seems like a useful pawn. He has a divine blessing. If I play nice now, I can reap the rewards later.

The boy's jaw dropped.

"But, but she's going t-"

"Silence! Subaru, you are disrespecting…"

"Emilia. Just Emilia, for now." Emilia Lugnica would be my future name, of course. I smile as I watch the other boy kneel in submission.

This didn't make any sense. My initial impression of her was that of a monster that going to destroy the city and kill tens of hundreds. Like a preview of an endgame boss showing up in a cutscene.

What was this?

Royalty? Or some sort of candidate? Did I get the wrong silver-haired half-elf? She was the only one in the vicinity I'd found throughout my most recent loops. I didn't have time for this. The fight would begin soon. I needed to stop it.

I must look like an idiot. I decide to kneel as well. I looked down at the pavement in embarrassment.

"I'm sorry. I must have the wrong person." I murmur.

A bluster of wind passes by and silence fills the air.

I look back up to see an enraged face on Emilia. In her outstretched hand, the golden badge was gone, an icicle now formed in its place. I feel a shiver run down my back.

"What."

AN: Some Subaru POV in this chapter. He's already died several times, and really doesn't want to again. But, this is Re:Zero; What can you do? I tried to make their introductions to each other flow as organically as possible, how'd I do? Thanks for reading. Please leave a review!