Sluggishly, the knight of the margrave moved through the luxurious mansion's hall. His goal was the room of one of the camp's internal and unofficial workers, Halibel, the strongest fighter in the City States, better known as the [Admirer]. In the eyes of the public, he had retreated from his job, after a fight with a rogue great spirit which almost cost his life. Instead, Halibel, like Elsa, concerned himself with the rather questionable work of the camp.
Subaru once again was amazed at the amount of wealth Roswaal must have spent on this grand estate. Japanese architecture seamlessly replaced the Europeanstyle of building, the woodwork just as extravagant as the gold, marble, and indigo building style.
As he crossed the last few hallways, he noticed how tired he actually was. Even on a day like this, with rather light work, he discerned his aching feet, his dry throat, and his tired mind. At this moment Subaru desired nothing more than his comfortable bed, alongside his Beako, the low sounds of burning wood, and another dreamless night. However, fate disallowed him to rest or fix his mind, as a small child rounded the corner.
Faster than the [Blue Lighting], said child attached himself to his leg, her tiny limbs wrapping themselves around the lower portion of it, akin to a comical prison chain. Louis, the child in question, gave off animalistic noises while her large blue eyes stared into his. Her gaze contained an air of stupidity, much to Subaru's annoyance, while her golden hair flooded the entire floor. The pottery white skin, in almost the same color as the walls, reflected the sunlight into his eyes, providing Subaru with another reason to hate her. On a positive note, the dress that normally was stained with dirt and mud appeared to be crystal clear.
Slowly her tiny arms reached on his stomach, as she crawled upwards.
Subaru: "Don't think I'll let you off the hook, Sin Archbishop!"
Louis pulled herself upwards, resting her tiny head on his chest while closing her big round eyes.
Subaru: "If you ever step out of line, I'll make sure you suffer more than you did in the tower!"
Opening her eyes, Louis faced him with widened eyes, before letting out a child-like giggle.
Louis: "Dada."
Subaru let out a deep sigh before picking her up and holding her in his arm, waiting for Rem to come to pick her up. However, in the back of his mind, he couldn't stop Elsa's offer from reappearing. What if all of this was just an act? What if Louis wanted to eat Rem's memories when he wasn't looking? But he couldn't let Elsa kill Louis. It would end his slowly mending relationship with Rem.
Subaru: "Speak of the devil and he shall appear…"
As if waiting for his command, the Oni rounded the same corner coming face to face with Subaru and Louis. The latter meanwhile eyed her father with big round eyes, slowly clapping her hands together when he finished speaking.
Rem: "Stop, Louis. Your father doesn't have time now."
The father part carried an underlying tone of disgust, Subaru having done nothing in her eyes that would qualify him as a father, as he continued to scream at his daughter like a madman. In her eyes, he shouldn't watch over a child, so as fast as she could, she tried to pick up Louis. However, the child clutched herself to Subaru, her tiny fingers collecting all the strength that Louis could muster, as she dug her hands into his arm. For a second Rem was stunned as to why the child didn't want to leave her father behind, but soon she grasped the now exhausted Louis from him.
Ever since their return from the tower, their relationship has been in a weird spot. Louis would stay attached to him, calling him her father. Subaru immensely disliked the fact that she became so clingy. However, his ideology shifted a bit. He no longer felt the desire to kill her, but every time she was around Rem he became restless. One of the Gluttony abomination's "murdered" his Rem, a fact he had a difficult time accepting. "His Rem", the Rem that always believed in him, the Rem that loved him so dearly, was dead. Another evidence for Subaru's failure as a "Hero".
The relationship between the Oni sisters was quickly rebuilt, as both of them came to terms with their nearly identical look and Oni blood that tied them together. Soon, Ram would teach her little sister again, this time without causing an inferiority complex for her. Since then, Rem picked up as a maid under Roswaal again, being grateful for the job that allowed her to care for both Louis and herself. One of the downsides of the Oni sisters bonding presented itself far later. Rem had picked up Ram's sharp tongue, although she used it exclusively on Subaru.
Right now her glance pierced the man in question, a sneer of disgust amplifying her disapproval. On her arms rested Louis, who struggled against Rem, trying to reunite with her father.
Rem: "Would it hurt you to be a little bit nicer to her, Sir Natsuki?! Maybe scream less like a madman at her?!"
Subaru: "Rem, I..."
But Rem didn't allow him to finish as she turned on her heels, removing Louis from the Situation before it escalated.
Ever since their falling out, she referred to him as Sir Natsuki, a name that would be expected of her as a maid, which left Subaru's heart even more wounded than previously.
Lacking the time to mourn, Subaru moved on with his usual duties, finally entering the den of Halibel.
The den of Halibel was built based upon the building style of Hoshin of the Wastes, greatly resembling traditional Japanese buildings. Sporadically, furniture was placed inside the room, a small plain wooden table occupying the middle of the room. Four white cushions surrounded the table, offering a place to sit in an informal setting. In the far corner of the room, two small bonsais were allowed to grow at a slow pace. A circular window provided a clear view into the small Japanesestyle garden, which lay just behind the meeting hall of the assassin.
Light fog clogged the room itself, emerging from a golden kiseru that rested in the hand of a wolf. The owner of the pipe, revealed themselves to be none other than Halibel. His long black fur-clad in a disheveled black-purple kimono. His two eyes appeared to be akin to slits, softened once they caught a glimpse of the visitor before him. Instinctively, he simmered down, the aura changing from alerted to one of relaxation in mere seconds. With an inviting gesture, the demi-human invited Subaru to sit with him.
Subaru: "Hal-san, open a window or something!"
A few coughs escaped the lungs of the youth as the collected smoke forcefully entered his lungs, blocking them from receiving fresh air a second time today. The two plants were unable to filter enough of the room's poor air, almost leading to Subaru suffocating from the pollution.
Halibel merely complied, opening the large window and letting the fresh winter breeze flood the room. Seconds later, Subaru began to shiver again, his current knight robe being unsuited for the cold winter air.
Halibel: "Su-san, what brings you here today?"
Halibel stopped smoking on his pipe, putting it on a small holder on the table while reaching for a large teapot, in which hot water boiled. Soon the smell inside the room shifted from the pollution of the pipe to whatever fresh tea Halibel prepared for the too. Methodically, the wolf poured both Subaru and himself some of it, into rather unusually wooden bowls. Subaru's gloved hands embraced the cup, letting its warmth fill his limbs and the delicate, sweet taste sate his mouth.
With his free hand, he reached for the list he had carried with himself for the whole day, doing his best to keep it from getting damaged by the blood and tears.
Subaru: "Elsa told me to give you this list. She is also pissed, that you steal all her credit for her hard work."
Halibel: "That kid with her glory and recognition. Tsk."
A disapproving sound left Halibel's throat, before taking a small sip of the tea. The piece of paper exchanged hands, Halibel examining each and every name on it before eyeing the end of the list a bit dumbfounded.
Halibel: "It seems I still have some work to do rather sooner than later."
However, Subaru wasn't paying attention at that point rather staring at the former while one of many questions lingered in his mind.
Halibel: "Su-san, you look lost. What's the matter?"
Subaru pulled away from his mind, took a moment to collect himself.
Subaru: "Can I ask you something?"
Halibel: "Sure."
Subaru: "Why do you help me? Why would you go to such lengths to help me for such an irrelevant point? Why would you leave anything behind for such a small favor?"
Halibel finished gulping down his tea, leaving an unnecessary long pause in between his words. His hand found his jaw, carefully rubbing his fur underneath it as if he was in deep thought.
Halibel: "I don't understand what you mean. You helped me take care of that business. Remember even if it's unlike her, she still counts as one of the great four. It's only natural that I repay the favor."
Subaru: "No, Hal-san, this can't be true. Even if I wouldn't have been there, you still could have won. You didn't need to overcome her, I'm sure of it. I even asked her. She confirmed, to me that…"
Halibel: "No, you are wrong."
Subaru: "Eh!?"
Subaru failed to understand what Halibel meant. He inquired about this very question by the only individual he sought for endless knowledge. Echidna reaffirmed that Halibel would have most likely survived against both the thief of the light sphere and a weakened Zarestia.
Silence filled the room for a bit before Halibel spoke again.
Halibel: "That's the truth, Su-san. I couldn't have done it without you. As one of the last members of my species I carry the pride of my entire race, so I repay the favor, Su."
Subaru's mind clogged for the second time on that day, a thought evolved that Subaru himself could neither recognize or understand. Subaru only viewed himself as someone that couldn't help everyone in their fullest capacity. The thought of himself being useful enough, to be the key to solve a problem. This very thought remained an incomprehensible mystery for Natsuki Subaru.
With great haste, Subaru Natsuki vaulted up each of the stairs in the never ending spiral mass, trying to escape the inevitable. Subaru sped up, concentrating to trip over and succumb to the painful experience of failing to death in this tower, yet again.
Meanwhile, sounds of battle reached his ear, the clashing of metal and wood audible. Grunts from Garfield drowning amidst the audible clashes of the two sides. Thrilled screams from Elsa mixed with the casting of shadow magic from Beako. Overpowering all of this was the cracking of Ice, which fused with the inhuman laughter of the monster guarding the second trial, Reid Astrea. The only reason why Subaru was allowed to challenge the third trial was because of the knowledge of Beako. For whatever reason, mentioning Tosca and his will allowed Subaru to pass the second trial in Emilia's place.
With the last jump, Subaru landed in front of the third trial which looked even more terrifying than the last one. An enormous blue dragon, almost ten times the size of Subaru stared back at him. Shine blue scales that gleamed like jewels blinded him. Its giant claws ended in black, rocklike claws that could tear buildings apart. Two milky white horns stuck out the end of its head, forming a ring in the center. Golden eyes, filled with knowledge and wisdom, studied Subaru. The mere sight of the creature put Subaru in an awe-like state, the pressure of which almost disallowed him to breathe in its presence.
?: "Thou, who hath reached the top of the tower. Step forth through the first floor, almighty petitioner."
As if commanded, Subaru stepped forward into the arena-like structure of the third trial. White columns filled the roof of the [Pleiades Watchtower] forming a ring around it. The giant creature seemed to guard a single white column in the middle of it, imprinted by six different hands, which appeared oddly familiar.
Volcanica: "I am Volcanica. In accordance with the ancient covenant, I ask the will of thee who hath reached the summit."
Subaru: "Divine my ass! You look like an endboss out of doom!"
His voice couldn't have been louder than a whisper, but Volcanica turned its head to him in an unreadable expression.
Volcanica: "Thou, the petitioner might be Flugel?"
Subaru: "Eh?!"
First the supposed [Sage, Shaula] and now the [Divine Dragon, Volcanica]. Why did everyone confuse Natsuki Subaru, for Flugel? How could ever amass such strength, to beat the Witch of Envy? How could he have thrown away Shaula's life so carelessly? No, Nastuki Subaru was not Flugel.
Subaru: "How could I ever hope to beat someone like Satella? How could I ever hope to tame someone like Reid Astrea? How could I ever be smart enough to form a covenant with the highest of dragons? How could I ever be vile enough to leave my pupil behind, leaving her to rot in the desert for 400 years? Why does everyone confuse me for Flugel? How could I ever be as strong and vile as him?"
The last part was yelled with confusion as streams of tears rolled down his face. Although Volcanica looked fully unimpressed, almost disappointed.
Volcanica: "Since thou art not Flugel, mineself shall act in accordance with the ancient covenant."
Before Subaru's brain registered what happened, it was already too late. With merely a quick breath, Subaru noticed bluish-white light reach him. It felt as if his skin was melting, as the holy flames of the dragon reached him. He could feel his eternal organs shrink, before composting, acting as fuel to the fire. His neck started to shrink, strangling him in the process, as the flames robbed him of the oxygen he needed to breathe. At the same time, an indescribable pain pulled at his brain and soul. Subaru sensed as if someone unscrewed the cork from a body, with his head acting as a replacement for the cork. Screams couldn't escape his throat, as even his teeth burned in a charcoal matter. It felt endless, although the flames killed him in mere seconds, leaving nothing but the dust of Subaru Natsuki.
With a loud scream, Subaru shot upwards. He found himself inside his bed, drenched in sweat. Apparently, this night wasn't as kind as the last one, disallowing him to get proper rest. Instead, it punished him by plaguing him with the insufferable nightmares of his own death again.
A chilling sensation dispersed from his forehead, cooling each of his limbs as he fell backward onto the bed. From the corners of his eye, he discerned Beako, a blue light illuminating the room. Unlike yesterday, today she wore the puck nightwear that Subaru sewed for her. Both of her arms were busy healing him, the fresh wounds and old scars on his arms persisted against her limited mana supply.
Subaru: "Be~ako…"
His voice sounded hoarse and weak, Subaru attempting to fight against Beatrice's efforts to put him back to sleep.
Beatrice: "You had another nightmare, I suppose."
Beatrice: "Don't fight it, in fact. It makes Betty sad enough to see you this way. Betty will watch over Betty's Subaru the whole night, since tomorrow is an important day."
Beako was right, tomorrow they would be sent off to the domain of the Baroness Noppen again. The dinner ended with no real conclusion, the parties involved agreed to discuss their further plans in the morning. Subaru recalled that he still had to consolidate Echidona about any knowledge. Halibel still had to work down his list of "business partners", Shaula would reclaim more books and Tia remained disinterested to be sent off. Furthermore, Emilia had to attend a formal event in the south of the domain in the near future, which left their lines severely thinned.
Another wave of water magic reached his brain, his mind no longer capable of resting Beako's efforts. Sending Subaru into a slumber at least.
Beatrice: "That's right, I suppose. Sleep, in fact."
Seconds before his mind blacked out, he could feel his spirit interlock fingers with him.
And so the rest of the night concluded as Subaru and Beatrice peacefully slept on this frozen day under the protective gaze of the seven sisters.
AN:
Thanks for reading the end of the prologue for Shattered Glass.
Next time, the story will continue at another place since the introduction part is over now.
Thank you for all the comments or reviews.