Split
Chapter 1 Test
Murder of Crows
Echidna sat on her chair as she silently went on sipping tea. Subaru sat opposite of her, hunched over after his emotional outburst due to confessing Return by Death. Echidna silently observed him, deciding that it would be best to leave him be as she watched every small movement he made as tears streaked down his cheeks. He didn't talk, didn't look at her, barely gave any sign of life. The only thing that reassured her that he was still alive was the slow rise and fall of his chest, silent breaths pulled in and out.
Echidna could only wonder what was going through his head currently, given that he just spilled the biggest secret of his life to her. She wanted to see; her curiosity would not allow her to sit by with just this.
Slowly, she leaned over towards him, wanting to see what was racing through his mind. Inch by inch, she moved her hand towards his head. It was her dreamworld wasn't it? Therefore, what was in it, she was allowed to do what she wanted with. Closer and closer, until her hand finally reached the top of his head.
She gently placed it down, finding no reaction from the young boy, as she ran her hand through his hair. She closed her eyes and ventured throughout, wanting to see, to know, to fulfill her greed. There was a small stream of water running down the void, like fresh snow melt running down the ditches and canals.
His thoughts ran rampart, water being added with each growing second the stream only growing more rapid. Echidna was fascinated, watching the water of his thoughts run in this void. Only then did she see, the lock placed at the origin of this rapid. She reached and reached before she was able to grasp it, her small hands were only able to grip the sides.
It was nothing special for a lock, with a standard metallic color and no distinct engravings. She was curious, she wanted to know what it was and what it was for, so she ventured deeper. She looked into the lock seeing nothing but the empty black space inside, waiting for a key to be put in. She looked and looked, but came up dry.
Dry
She needed to know, so she searched for the key, looking through the rapid as the surges of water pushed against her. Her frail frame was battered by the water, but she would not falter, as she slowly made her way, grasping at the bottom to find anything that she could grab.
Slowly, ever so slowly, she made her way down before she felt it. She grabbed and pulled it out, inspecting the object she found. It was part of a key, colored orange and contained the essence of Subaru from what she could tell. It felt warm as it cared for everything around it. This is definitely Subaru. She couldn't leave with only this, so she went back to searching.
After pain-staking effort, she found another, this time-colored red. This also contained the essence of Subaru, but this one was very different. It felt like it was brimming with insanity, leaving her hands hot as it was burning with sin. How very curious, this is also Subaru?
Again, she found another one, colored black. It felt cold in her hands, like it was not meant to be in others hands, the mere feeling of her touch against it made it give off an aura of murderous intent like it was wondering who dared touch it. Like a king who's only ally is himself.
She found another; this time white. It felt inferior, like it was only meant to be compared to the others. Subaru also felt inferior but this one feels inferior to himself...no...to what he thinks he could've been.
Another, which was pink. It was a disgusting piece filled to the brim with an incomparable lust. Its unlimited desire and insatiable confidence could only come from something given the silver platter. How unpleasant.
Second to last was one that was colored blue. It like familial warmth, like a mother bear to her cubs. At the same time, it felt like it was running away from something (or maybe left behind?) and kept its eyes only faced forward, never towards what it ran from. A curious specimen.
Finally, she found the final piece. It was purple, and was empty, waiting for something or someone to give it an order. This one didn't have a sense of self, like it would do anything to fulfill its role. This one is my favorite, but the only question I have is why I feel a part of myself on it?
She held each piece in her hand as she put them together. Each part is and is not Subaru at the same time. One by one they fit into against each other with no sign that they had ever been apart except for their coloration. She held the key in the palm of her hand, it reaching from the top of her wrist to the tip of her middle finger. She went back to the lock, placing the key into the keyhole. It gave no resistance, it was meant to be there, and she twisted.
Click.
The lock opened as she removed it from the base of the rapid. Much to her surprise, the water began to open up as a small room appeared. She entered the room, searching through the small space, finding nothing special about it.
It gave off an old cabin feel, the wood not quite in the best condition but smelling of lumber. An empty table sat to the side, showing signs of use as the top of it had many scratched and engravings on it. A chair sat tucked under the table, showing to same signs of use as the table, but when you sat down it would wobble from an uneven leg.
A singular candle illuminated the room with a bookshelf against the wall. It held only seven books, each matching a color from the key earlier. Each and every one of them held a name on the spine, naming a different sin. Pride, Wrath, Sloth, Lust, Greed, Gluttony, and finally Envy. Each book also matched the color of the key she pieced together.
Pride was red, Wrath was black, Sloth was blue, Lust was pink, Greed was purple, Gluttony was white, and Envy was orange.
Envy was the only book that sat open on the shelf, the others closed tightly. Echidna picked the book labeled 'Envy' off the shelf and placed it down on the table. Sitting in the chair and using the candle to illuminate the pages, she began reading through the contents.
She realized that the contents of the book matched exactly with Subaru's story, all that she knew about him, all that he'd gone through. No detail was spared, his deaths and experiences written in gratifying detail.
Keeping the book open, she glanced back to the shelf, each book hosted there holding their own story that has sat dormant up until now. Echidna would not stop herself as she could only stand up and reach out towards the books. They were right in front of her and her greed was telling her that she needed to read them. So, one by one, she grabbed each of them...
...and indulged in their contents.
Echidna was forced back to the tea party, her hand still rested on Subaru's head, not even moved a singular inch since she went into his mind. She wanted to go back in, figure out what more she could learn from him, before she noticed. Subaru was shaking violently under her hand, not making a singular noise as his body shook and trembled. Echidna leaned back into her seat, observing him as he shot back from his seat.
Of course, she was worried about him, as worried as she could be, because she didn't want to see such a valuable instrument go to waste.
He stood while placing his hands on his face, a fresh stream of tears running down his cheeks and onto the ground beneath him. He held his face so tightly like he was trying to keep it from falling off, believing that his hands were the only thing keeping it there. He fell to his knees in silent agony, his mouth trying to push out a scream but could only produce a silent wail. He withered on the ground, before his image started to blur, faint outlines of himself pushing outwards as to escape the body they were captured in.
At this point Echidna was going to have to intervene soon, maybe call in Minerva to try and help what was happening to him. She didn't though, her curiosity pushing her to remain in her seat and watch what unfolded before her.
The outlines in his skin pushed and pulled before they shot out, now leaving seven Subaru's lying on the ground. Each were the same but all different. Each wore a different set of clothes, a different set of eyes, but all had the same face, with the exception of one who had white hair.
Slowly, they began to rise as they held their heads from the experience of having different existences torn out. Echidna was surprised to say at the least, watching as not only one but seven Subaru's seemingly appeared before her. She kept quiet though, as she wanted to see what they would do, what their actions would be. All of them had gotten to their feet, except for one who wore a black robe and orange scarf, choosing to lay on the floor as getting up put too much work on his frail body.
They slowly regained their bearings, rubbing their eyes before noticing what was wrong in this picture. Time stood still for a moment as they all looked towards each other, not sure of what they were seeing. Seeing as they were all in some sort of shock, one wearing cultist robes decided to break the ice.
"Who the fuck are you?"
He said these words as they all stared in disbelief at each other, piecing together that they were all Subaru but all something far different. They looked at one another, one by one, trying to figure out which one of them brought them here.
"Who are you and why do you have my face?"
"I'd like to ask the same thing you dumb bitch"
"Oh, how pleasant how glorious! So, this is the peak I couldn't hope to reach!"
"Where are my wives? I should be running the kingdom right now!"
"Rem? Where are you honey!?"
The endless barrage of questions and comments filled the plains as Echidna could only look in awe as question upon question filled her head. One of the Subaru's who was dressed in a noble outfit and had a purple crystal around his neck quickly moved to her side, taking a seat at her tea party before downing her tea like he's done many times before.
She stared at him as he finished her tea without so much of a second thought. He looked back at her and just stared, as if he was waiting for her to tell him something. She decided that it would be best to leave him for now, turning her attention back to the others.
She watched and watched as she noticed one looking at her with some perverted gaze. He had small smile formed on his face as his perverted gaze ran up and down her figure. Whatever he was, she definitely wanted to stay at least ten feet away from him.
She noticed another Subaru watching her. He lay across the ground with his cold eyes putting chills down her spine. He looked at her, his gaze never backing down from hers. She must be the Witch of Greed then? She matches what I learned about her from the forbidden library and different sources in the merc business.
Some of the Subaru's kept arguing about which was the real one for what could've been seconds, minutes, hours, days, or years. The one in a black robe decided to just watch as he laid across the ground, with the one with white hair just staring in fascination. Finally, one had enough, one had finally reached the peak of his patience as he couldn't stand the nonsensical bickering anymore.
"EVERYBODY SHUT THE HELL UP"
Natsuki Subaru, well the one that was originally there, screamed these words at the top of his lungs. Catching everybody's attention, the plains quieted down as each looked over to the one who spoke. Having caught all of their attention, he needed to take control of the situation before it went back to what it was before.
[Envybaru]"We're getting nowhere just arguing among each other, so let's do introductions first, deal? My name is Natsuki Subaru"
Each of them took note of how he called himself Natsuki Subaru, the same name that almost all of them bore. One could only look at him in wonder as he wanted to know just who was Natsuki Subaru. One wearing what looked to be Witch Cult robes perked up at this opportunity, before placing himself in a standing bow.
[Pridebaru]"Archbishop of the Witch Cult representing Pride, Natsuki Subaru"
The pure glee and insanity that filled his voice was enough to put anyone on edge, but the mere mention of being an Archbishop was nothing but disgusting to them. Pridebaru straightened himself out of the bow while staring at them all with an insane smile stretched across his entire face. Envybaru considered trying to kill him right there and then, but restrained himself because of what little information he had. He didn't know what this person's authority was and didn't want to risk being killed in the dream realm.
[Lustbaru]"I'll go next, my name is Natsuki Subaru, current ruler of Lugnica. And I must say that the maiden over there is looking very pretty. Why don't you join my harem darling?"
Looking at him with a glare, Envybaru was very tempted to slug him right there and then. He unfortunately was beat to it when a Subaru dressed in a noble outfit sat up and walked over to him, before he nailed him across the temple. Greedbaru normally wouldn't have done anything like this but being that way to Echidna wasn't allowed.
Pain spiked across the temple of each Subaru as they held their heads. The one who punched him barely noticed, the one who was punched was crying on the ground, the Archbishop only smiled wider, the one laying on the ground looked at him with a murderous glare as he reached into his pocket for something that wasn't there, only to stop halfway as he noticed something. There are signs of bruising on his head, but none of the others. So, the feeling of pain is connected but not what injury we sustain? The one in a blue kamino rubbed his temple, Envybaru just let the pain subside with the final white-haired Subaru rubbing his head in wonder.
Were their feelings of pain connected? But they don't seem to share the same emotions or thoughts. Echidna needed to know more. The Subaru who punched thine bitch winced at the notion of causing pain to those around him but maintained his composure. He looked towards all of them and cleaned his knuckles off.
[Greedbaru]"Natsuki Subaru"
Nothing more, nothing less as he bowed his head before moving away from the pervert and back to Echidna's side. Envybaru looked towards Echidna with a questioning look, deducing that she was the one who probably brought them all here. He didn't know her goal, but considering how she helped him so far, this should be something he could trust her on right?
Each Subaru could only look at the hunched over pervert in shame as he held his head like his skull got caved in. His pitiful whimpers rolled over the hills like air over water. After that fiasco, a new one spoke up. He wore a blue kamino with his air tied back into a bun.
[Slothbaru]"My name is Natsuki Subaru, husband of Rem and the father of two"
Envybaru could only look at him in shock as this revelation was dropped on him. Bit by bit, he started to piece together who each of they were. They are all me, but a different timeline. He decided to keep this piece of information to himself, thinking that it would be better for this to be told later. Wrathbaru could only give an audible snort as he heard her name again, wondering how she was still alive. Slothbaru shot him a glare only to be returned with an even more terrifying one.
[Wrathbaru]"I am Natsuki Subaru, the Purge King"
That name just radiated trouble as he spoke, so all decided to keep their mouth sewn. They all stared at the last one who hadn't gone yet. He fumbled under their gazes as he cursed himself for not being able to keep calm. Not like Natsuki Subaru could. He shifted his hands against each other as he stood under their gazes.
[GluttonyBaru]"My name is Subaru"
Many took note of how he addressed himself but decided not to push him any further. With all their introductions done, Echidna decided that it was the best time to start speaking. Their previous introductions had gotten them nowhere except telling just a bit about each person.
[Echidna]"This is very curious indeed, but we're going to need a way of addressing you guys separately."
All Subaru's took this into consideration before another wave of 'I'm Subaru' washed over them. As it settled down, Echidna decided to take this topic by the reins.
[Echidna]"While you all have the same names, I was able to read each of your books, giving me a relatively simple way of addressing each of you."
Given this new solution, the Subaru's agree with this conclusion and Echidna starts naming off what they were going to be referred as.
Envy- He wore a tracksuit and was also the original one.
Greed- He wore a noble outfit and a necklace with a purple crystal. He was well built from constant work.
Wrath- He wore a black robe with an orange scarf around his neck. He looked much frailer than the others.
Pride- He wore Witch Cultist robes and had a sheath for a knife wrapped around his thigh.
Sloth- He wore a blue kamino, his hair tied back and looked like he worked around the house often.
Lust- He wore Royal clothes, his skin looking smooth from the absence of work or trial.
Gluttony- He wore what looked to be travelers clothing, his hair being white separating him from the others.
Given their new titles to refer to each other as, they seemed satisfied with the result. All was well before the imaginary plain they were in started to flicker and blur, leaving all Subaru's on edge.
[Echidna]"It seems like time is up, while I would love to learn more about this, time has unfortunately run out"
The room seemed to be consumed by a screen of white, leaving the Subaru's to shield their eye's. The last thing they could see before they were completely engulfed was Echidna's smile.
[Echidna]"Good luck Subaru, she's not going to take kindly to this"
The room was consumed and Subaru(s) were sent back to the inside of the grave, their conscience re-entering their body. At first, everything felt normal for Envy, like he was in his own body and the other versions of him were just some strange illusions. Then the pain set in, his mind screaming as multiple people fought for control over his body. He lay on the ground, putting his hands over his ears as he fought to keep the multiple voices out. His legs sprawled against the ground as others tried to gain control, making his muscles spasm. Little by little, he slowly began to understand the screaming in his head, words forming from different minds.
[Pride]"This is my body! Let me control it so I can see Emilia again!"
[Wrath]"You dare try and suppress me? This is what is rightfully mine and all of you need to be under me"
[Sloth]"Where's Rem? Where is she!?"
[Lust]"Lemme see where the beauties are!"
[Greed]"Where's Echidna? Please tell me what to do please Echidna."
[Envy]"Shut up shut up shut up shut UP SHUT UP SHUT UP!!!"
He? writhed on the ground as he? fought for dominance. Slowly, he? was able to stand again, the other voices becoming quieter and quieter. While the others were still trying to gain power, Envy was still the original owner of this body. With every painstaking step, Envy slowly made his way out of the grave, searching for someone, anyone to help him. But nobody came, the only thing greeting him outside was the moonlight reflecting off the sea of shadows in front of him. Subaru didn't have the strength to run, to yell, to fight back as a hooded figure slowly emerged from the shadows. She approached him, both physical and unseen hands moving towards him as she repeated only one phrase.
[Witch of Envy]"I love you"
Hundreds to thousands of times she repeated the same phrase, her arms gently embracing him as he she whispered her sweet love into his ear. They could do nothing as the shadows wrapped around them, consuming them, throwing them into a limbo of love. She held them and they didn't have the strength to do anything but be still and let her love. After what seemed like eons, her breath hitched as she found something wrong in him, no... something wrong in them. She tried to separate them but they were already to melded together, the ingredients had already been mixed and all she could do was serve it as well as she could. So, she pondered, on how to fix this. They were in a constant struggle for control, so she set restrictions. Once one was chosen to be the controller, they could not take over the body unless the controller allows it or gives up control. Furthermore, after each death, control will be handed over to a different Subaru, with no Subaru able to have control two times in a row unless everyone agrees to let them have control.
Feeling satisfied with her decisions, the Witch of Envy made one last decision. The current state of the Subaru's is unstable and they don't know how to coordinate with each other. So, I will send them back.
To when they first arrived.
They shadow's that swallowed them whole seemed to meld together as they spiraled around them. What was once a realm of shadows could only be seen as a screen of black now, before a large purple clock appeared before them. They could only start at it, as the second hand came to a halt before moving backwards faster and faster. The minute hand followed suit with the hour hand shortly after before each hand was spinning backwards so fast that you could no longer see them. Once more the world bent as the clock disappeared and the shadows were expelled.
The light was blinding, the sounds of conversation piercing their ears and the smell of the capital streets racing through their nose. The body stood still as it could only block the light of the sun and stare blankly at its surroundings. While the body seemed vacant the mind was having an argument.
The Subaru's stood in a circle around each other, none of them speaking, only taking in the sight of when they first arrived here.
Envy would have been happy about being able to see this place again, to be anywhere but the sanctuary, but he was distraught over the notion that he had to start over. He tried to look at the light of the new card he was given. Now he was able to fix some things he regretted in the past, but the fact that every relationship he built was now gone weighted heavily on him.
Pride was ecstatic being back in the capital, ready to make an even better, more perfect plan to tear Reinhard down. He could not hide his excitement as giggles of insanity came out from behind his smile. Yes, he would need to reestablish connections with Elsa and the Witch Cult but he already knew how to do all these things. Now he just had to act on this.
Wrath could only stare at all the merchants that talked on the street, all the business that he had torn down stand once again. That was no matter, he would reign once again. He would be someone that no one would stand against and he would have the most powerful under his thumb. All the liars of this world wouldn't be able to escape him and he would make sure that he would get his princess back.
Sloth couldn't bother with their wants or needs, he just wanted to be back with his family, to see Rem again. He would be her hero again and they would run away, back to home where they would live apart from the insanity of Lugnica once again.
Greed couldn't tell what to do. No matter how many times he tried, how many times he reached out, he couldn't hear Echidna. His crystal was heavy, the feeling of emptiness filling it with a weight he couldn't lift. He was without answer and he had no way to know what questions he was facing. He needed to know, had they suffered because of him? Only he needed to suffer. Only he needed to go through that pain.
Gluttony was furiously trying to see every last detail of what the others were doing. He needed to know, needed to see Natsuki Subaru. He wanted to see every last thing that made up Natsuki Subaru so he could see how much worse he was compared to them.
Lust was ready to get back in action and bone every single last one of the girls again. He would give them the love they so desperately needed and give this kingdom its ruler and his harem.
All of them were trapped in their own mind before returning back to the situation. They needed to decide the most crucial matter right now.
Who gets control first?
No words would be given as each soul dived for the body, determined to be the one in control. They pushed and pulled against each other, the only ones not participating being Wrath and Greed. Wrath had decided that it would be better to observe first before taking action while Greed didn't have any reason to move, the fact of not having Echidna to tell him, leaving him frozen. Wrath made sure to take note of his behavior. A hand gripped on Lust's shoulder and threw him backwards, pain arcing across each of their backs and shoulders. Wrath took note of another piece of information. Unlike in Echidna's dream world, we still share the same pain, but I don't see any signs of injury on anybody. Gluttony was only participating to get a closer look at Natsuki Subaru, wanting to see every bit.
Sloth, Pride, and Envy were the last ones trying to take control of the body, ignoring the pain as their souls reached for the body, before a singular voice rang out.
[Wrath]"I vote for Envy."
Everybody quickly stopped what they were doing as the numeral of one appeared over Envy's head. The appearance of this number left the others in a confused state, before they remembered what it was. One of the rules the Witch put in. All versions could vote for who was in control. Wrath could only let out a sly grin as he remembered this from there encounter with the Witch. He put his thoughts aside as he turned his attention to Greed.
[Wrath]"Greed, vote for Envy. If you do, then Pride won't take control, and that will help everybody around us. You don't want the others to stay in pain, do you?"
Wrath was no fool, as he had observed Greed to be someone who couldn't stand seeing others in pain, no matter how small. Given the possibility of someone like Pride being in control and the absence of Echidna to give him direction, the choice was made.
[Greed]"I vote for Envy."
The count went up as another vote was cast. Envy was grateful for their vote but was wary over Wrath. Was he trying to manipulate him, or was he just tired of this farce? His kingly demeaner and the look in his eyes led Envy to not be able to decide. Pride retaliated, voting for himself as Sloth followed suit. Gluttony could only watch this scene in silence, not sure of what to do. He cursed himself silently. If only I was able to make good decisions like Natsuki Subaru.
[Lust]"Fine! Fine! I don't care anymore; I vote for Envy just stop getting hit!"
Envy now had the winning vote, as he felt his soul begin to mend with the body. Pride was in a outrage, with Sloth just glaring at Envy quietly. He didn't like Envy one bit, the feeling he got from him reminded him of what he was before he left with Rem.
Before he ran away.
Envy began testing his body, making sure everything was in working order. He could still hear the others talking in the back of his head, but their stray conversations didn't affect him too much.
He started to run towards an all too familiar alleyway, ready to meet some friendly faces.
He wouldn't lose anyone this time.
A lone man sat in his office, staring at a black book. He watched with amazement as many of the contents that were previously there specifying what a lone boy would do was totally changed. He was distraught only for a moment before he saw the words reform on the page, showing that the ability had remained. His ability to make the future his was still present, so he would continue following the Gospel's will. The only words that put him on edge were how the book referred to him. He was no longer 'Natsuki Subaru' but referred to as a group.
They.
He was curious, but he would wait for him to arrive, ready to meet 'they' and fulfill his long-desired wish.