Chapter Five: My dear, do you not love me? ( Part 3 ) Finale
"hmmm, so this is it I guess"
The pale raven-haired boy looked at the loot house with a gaze filled of disappointment
After all, today he had seen so many vibrant colors, he was hoping that the flow of surprises wouldn't end, but clearly he was misled, maybe his day would end in boredom after all
Subaru sighed
"why such the long face Subaru?"
The spirit floating beside him asked his question with a bright expression
"its not like you could understand"
He answered in a defeated tone
"di-did we do something to make you upset Subaru?"
The half-elf full of innocence butted her question in, the last thing she had wanted to do was make Puck's friend sad, he had seemed thrilled earlier, but once coming to enter the slums the boy beside her had turned to a disappointed mood. The best conclusion the silver haired maiden could conclude would be that Subaru had a past with the slums, and maybe that was his cause for reason, either way she would do her best to cheer him up.
"no its nothing Emilia-Tan, I shouldn't disappoint you, I know how bad it feels to be disappointed, so please don't take any concern over me. If I tried to explain it to you, you'd only be disappointed further so really its of no issue"
Looking back to the half-elven maiden, Subaru turned to a look of confusion
"Tan?"
The girl blurted out
"It's a expression of closeness from my home land- actually never mind, its best to drop it"
The boy sighed, just what was he saying
"well Subaru, I guess you could call me Puck-Tan"
The cat spirit now teasing the boy
"usuallllly that type of things just between a boy and a girl!"
Teasing back. From what Subaru could tell, Puck and his contractor held a relationship similar to that of Father and Daughter. So by teasing the great spirit in this way, it was sure to fluster the both of them
"Just what are you insisting by that Subaru?"
The great spirit of fire now asserting an aura of dread and a look as cold as the ice he could cast.
"I meant exactly what I said"
Subaru now with a cocky grin, the former contractor and spirit caught in a starring contest
"Jeez you both are being huge dunderheads"
The contested maiden interrupted the two with a giggle following afterwards
Both Puck and Subaru turned back to the half-elf both embarrassed by their antics
"But Emilia"
The boy now looked at the silver haired maiden with a look that would make any girl go red
(just what was he planning)
Puck thought to himself, he'd be ready to interrupt had Subaru make any rash decisions
Now his eyes full of resolve, the raven-haired boy was ready to confess one of his inner most thoughts
The silver-haired maiden give a slight blush to the boys sudden rash display
"nobody says dunderhead anymore"
A cocky smirk grew on his face
"really Subaru?!"
The great spirit punched him at the back of his head, a hint of coolness to it
"ow, ow, ow, was the necessary Puck?"
"was that whole act just now necessary?"
The spirit called out in rash but disappointed tone
As Emilia watched the two, she was full out bursting with laughter, she really had gotten to enjoy the twos dynamic. She was happy to have met Subaru
But as soon as the spirit and former contractor could come to realize the angelic laugh of their maiden they were interrupted by loud ramblings coming from the loot house
"oi, oi, oi, who in the Dragons name is causing all that ruckus"
"I see, so Felt stole somthin from ya's and you came ear' to gettem back?"
The old man serving the trio at the bar went by the name of Rom
In hindsight he was huge, he was a giant after all. Rom sported a hunched posture, with long white eyebrows, and a tattered vest, he was a bit intimidating but Emilia didn't let that get to her
"yep, that's right mister"
Puck replied in a cheerful tone
"ah, well, as luck would have it, Felt should be here in around an hour, so yer welcome to stay I guess"
The old man seemed genuine, he didn't act like the type that would take any quick actions, and Puck had struggled to find any malice in him. Emilia was set with her convections
"welll, we don't want to hurt anyone, so if you could ask you're partner to hand it over peacefully later, we'd applicate it"
Emilia asked the man in a genuine response
The old man sighed
"Just what is Felt getting herself into nowadays. She should know better then to mess with a spirits art user, and besides you three have the numbers"
The old man proceeded to shake his head with a look of disappointment
Emilia looked at the other two members of her group, Puck gave her a warm look, while Subaru had a small smile as he starred off into his drink
"looks like everything would turn out for the best afterall-"
"Rom who the hel-, wait?!, what the hell are you doin here lady?!"
As soon has the storm had settled another one had just picked up
"just how damn persistent are you, WAIT, how'd you even manage to know about this place, yet alone get here before me?!"
Just as Subaru had described her, blonde hair and ruby eyes
Felt's head was spiraling with questions
She had made it to the loot house as planned, but what she wasn't expecting was for the owner of the insignia to get there before her. What drove her even more crazy was the fact that the owner was seemingly acting all chummy with Rom up ahead, if Rom had been the average day bum, she'd conclude that he had planned something all along
The young thief made sure to quickly make note of the room
To the front of the silver-haired girl was Rom, just behind the bar, nothing unusual. But to the girls right was a freaking spirit out of all things and to the furthest was-
"HEY WAIT A MINUTE!"
The girl now directing her furry towards a certain raven-haired boy
"You're the fuckin guy from before! The one that got his shit rocked?!"
Rom cringed at his granddaughter cussing
"Are you some frekin spy or something, how'd you know I'd be here!"
The boy smiled turning his face towards Felt
Least to say Subaru was glad, glad that the girl and her spirit beside him were so colorful and glad that the one cussing him out had potential. Just like the half-elf, Subaru didn't know the girl personally. Before he'd seen her early, she had no sign of color what so ever, but now she was practically beaming with spots, truly if luck existed it had smiled on him today
"H-HEY, don't get all cocky with me"
The blonde thief cried out
"Oh- uhm sorry I guess"
Subaru had quickly been pulled out of his sentimental like train of thought
"Someone better answer my question real quick or I swear"
The confused blonde moved to grip a small dagger, not unscathing the weapon but she could easily pull it out if need be
"Its simple really"
Subaru proceeded in a matter of fact tone
"I kind of read the emotions of the people around, and that kind of eventually led me here, plus you probably shouldn't doubt yourself, that only makes your feelings stronger and easier to track-"
Subaru was interrupted by a starry eyed Emilia
"Wait Subaru, you have a power like that?!"
Subaru shook his head
"well I mean, its not exactly a blessed technique but I can fo-"
Subaru was interrupted once again now by the blonde thief, who was making her way closer until she got arms distance from Subaru
"You bastard, your probably read my mind or somethin! Pervert!"
"eh?"
Subaru was dumbstruck, sure he had played on the girls emotions and the emotions of others, and sure he was a dense bastard who would use the feelings of others to get what he wanted, but one thing was for sure, Subaru Natsuki was not a pervert!
"Now listen here, my authority doesn't work like that at all, and even if I did, I would never use it to spy on little girls!"
Subaru responded with a heated defense
"Sure sure, that's what anyone would say, I see through your lies!"
The lion haired girl responded quickly
To the other three in the room, they couldn't help but laugh
Emilia felt pity on her new friend, but unless he could explain this power of his, what's to say he couldn't peak into the minds of other
Puck knew just how Subaru's authorities worked but choose not to interrupt, this was pay back for the stunt he pulled off with his precious daughter earlier
Rom just couldn't help but laugh himself senseless, he felt pity for the poor boy, of course, anyone who had fallen victim to Felts ruthless verbal assaults would take great pity on the boy in this situation. But Rom also laughed for Felt, his granddaughter was clueless here
"My my, my dear, you hurt my heart by talking to other girls in such a way, it makes me a tad~bit envious"
Immediately a cold chill had gone down everyone's spine
But looking back at it, Subaru was seemingly the most distressed, he knew that voice, he knew the disgusting women behind that voice, he knew just what a monster she was
"GET DOWN"
Subaru quickly shouted as he pulled Felt to the ground with him, Subaru's instincts were on point, a Kukri had been sent through the air at record speed towards where Felt would have been
"ah you are just as quick as ever my dear, how long has it been now~?"
The bowel hunter took her stance, she couldn't allow her love to escape her after all this time
As everyone readied in reply, Rom had grabbed his club, and Emilia and Puck had prepared a barrage of ice crystals, but one certain raven-haired boy was fuming
Getting up Subaru looked at Elsa with a look of disgust
"Disgusting, Irritating, Obsessed, Obnoxious, Overly-Attached"
Elsa gave her loved one a look of disappointment, even if he hated her she couldn't compose the feelings she felt for him, seeing his face alone brought butterfly's to her stomach
Subaru gave the bowel hunter a mean glare while moving forward, this time he would kill her
"My dear, do you not love me? After all we've been through, after you so solemnly stole my heart as a young girl. Do you plan on leaving me with cold bittersweet memories"
Subaru replied in a cold tone
"I lost all feelings for you after the incident in Priestella, to throw away your color like that-"
The bowel hunter frowned at her precious Subaru's lack of joy for her, she had understood his two sided view of the world, and his obsession with colors, but to think he'd be this cold, the situation alarmed the Gusteko assassin quite a bit
"You treat me in such a harsh way, but I was following my feelings as you said, I even went as far as to make Mother angry"
"Elsa, that's not what I meant, when I said for you to choose your own destiny I didn't mean for you to follow some primitive instinct bullshit"
Subaru came off as pleading, but he would attempt to control his anger, maybe he should just resort to his Melchanholy
"But my dear, its hard to understand you, often you contradict yourself, of course I have no problem in correcting you, as that should be my duty, but to see you now, like this, it truly tears at my heart"
Elsa was able to respond just as quickly
"Maybe its impossible for some people to understand"
Subaru sighed in a disappointed tone, unnaturally changing his mood
To three of the of the other four of the room, they had been left out of their conversation, the two had seemingly been caught in their own world
Emilia looked to Puck, expecting to see the same amount of confusion as she had, but the look Puck had as he stared off at the conversation said it all, Puck knew, he knew the two figure's past, he knew Subaru's feelings, and he knew just what Subaru was going to do
Puck couldn't blame the boy, he was entirely in the right, for as much as Puck hadn't cared about most humans, for once Puck was glad Subaru would take justice even if it was due to Subaru's own selfishness, he full heartedly supported the boy
Elsa sporting two of her iconic black blades kept her distance, she knew the threat Subaru posed, as long as he stood at the forefront she could never hit him
This would be not a battle of adrenaline but one of strategy and long range, a fight horribly suited for the Bowel Hunters style
Subaru studied his former peer, he could put a thought to what she was thinking
"long range"
he let the thought slip quietly under his breath
Subaru felt the power ready for when need be
activating the first ability of his authority, one focused on pure destruction
Absolute Desolation
Elsa made her move, to the left she ran just outside of Subarus field of view, that bastard would attempt to override him from the side, but Subaru had other plans, quickly running towards her, a tactic had it been anyone else would have considerd mad, but Subaru was different and Elsa knew this
"My, my, running back to me, I can feel you're passion, but save it for aftewards~"
"Revolting, Refutable, Rabid, Rampant, Reckless"
While in the state of his authority Subaru could only conceive his inner most thoughts
"Oh how you injure me my love~"
The sadistic Bowel Hunter teased the boy
Back in the sidelines, Emilia was at a loss, she wanted to help the boy but her spirit solemnly refused, stating
"He may not look like it, but Subaru's one of the strongest there'll ever be, no way he'll loose to that crazy women"
Taking her spirits words heavily she looked back to Subaru with a concerned look
The bowel Hunter moved frantically, attempting to get a slash at her Oh so close lover, but she knew she'd never hit him, despite his weak aura, and small demeanor, by no accounts was he weak, if either Bowel Hunter or Sin Archbishop were to slip up the other would surely loose
But Elsa couldn't find a hit, even if she through a blade at him he'd just bring it down, perhaps the battle was horribly one sided, but it wouldn't hurt to try
Elsa moving quickly along the top of the loot house launching two knives towards her beloved Subaru
But Subaru's authority would not allow him to get hurt, followed by an unnatural base drop, and cracking of the wooden floor below, said knives were shattered on impact along Subaru's authority
"Truly truly lovely my dear, you've mastered your abilities just as I knew you would, and hopefully this time without a lack of casualties~"
The raven-haired boy looked back at her full of disgust
"Why even bother"
But that was it, for all Elsa knew it was over, she never thought he would he'd be willing to expand his cursed abilities this far, truly it was magnificent
Subaru Natsuki was far enough away to expand his authority by three meters
Elsa felt it, simultaneously every bone in the Bowel Hunters body cracked and broke, but this wasn't her end, even her beloved did not know of her cursed powers, but Elsa's heart was full of content
Looking back at the face of the boy she had fallen so deeply in love with, she remembered the day he saved her, the day he showed her the world beyond Mothers love, the day Natsuki Subaru stole Elsa Granhiert's heart
The bowel hunter smiled one last time before loosing all states of consciousness
Looking back at it, Felt was ashamed, the very boy she left in an alley way to get beat up, a stranger mind you, had just saved her life, he wasn't obligated too, and if anything she was the one that should be coddling up to him
First she had left him behind, then she had stolen an important item to one of his companions, and now she was out hear getting her ass saved, she felt useless
But what the ruby eyed thief saw next was nothing but natural, quickly and efficiently the women known as the bowel hunter, one she had assed to be a threat was easily defeated, in the blink of an eye, the black figured women had quickly been reduced to a pile of smashed blood and bones covered by debris of wood and glass, along with her, half of the loot house
Subaru now regaining his composure had swiftly used his authority
Damn it all, he felt sad, why is it fair for him to feel this way, that women brought pain to his heart, she had made him cry, hurt, Melancholic. Yet looking at her remains he couldn't help but cry, maybe deep down she was the same girl who had saved him from that piece of trash known as Lust, but why, why would she be like this then, why would she have betrayed him. Subaru remembered something at that moment, people were trash, that must be it, she had lost her color and was therefore no better then most people, so of course this would happen, of course this would be her fate, Subaru couldn't cry if there was no one left to cry over. With Subaru's distorted view he found comfort, even if pain nagged at his heart, this was fate at its finest, there was no reason to feel sad or Melancholy, fate had decided and brought Subaru to its best outcome, he had no control over fate so he'd let it go, Natsuki Subaru was a slave to fate just as anyone else
(AOT REFRENCE BOYS)
He was… Crying?
Rom wasn't the type to put his nose into the pasts of other, he himself personally knew the type of pain that could be hidden
But the kid in front of him was crying over the death of some deranged serial killer, of course the old mans gonna take interest in the situation, anyone would
Rom looked around, in front of him, the half-elf who had accompanied the boy had a look of utter concern, wasn't the type of look that suggested the two were close, but rather that of a distressed mother wanting to protect a child
As for the cat spirit, even Rom bein the giant that he was couldn't shake the feeling of dread emittin off the thing. No malice, but it was a cold glare full of hatred, The old man realized that pushin the spirit for conversation wasn't the best idea at the moment
Finally Rom had his sights on Felt, noticing his granddaughters posture and look, Felt was starry eyed over the boy, Rom couldn't blame er, but it had made him uncomfortable. The last thing the giant wanted was for his Felt to go off and fall in love with some stranger, never to see her again. But Rom quickly dismissed the idea, no way Felt's fallen for anyone, she's just lookin at her saviour, not some boy who would take her heart
Looking back to his "establishment" he had quickly come to realize that half of it was missin, now of course he was grateful that the boy had saved em all, but havin half a shop aint the best look for business, wither he decided to repair it or not was a decision for later. Rom would be the first one to call out to the boy
Stepping forward Rom called out to the kid
"eh, uh, Im not usually good at this type of thing, but I just wanted to thank ya"
The raven-haired boy turned his look to Rom, as if the boy just came to a sudden realization
"it was- it was no problem…"
The boy muttered quietly
Rom bowed his head slightly, he hated that the boy was so quiet when receiving praise, he should acknowledge some recognition when its given
"no seriously kid, without ya I'd probably loose my granddaughter over here, I couldn't even imagine a thing like that"
Rom's voice was full of sincerity, he didn't know why, but he had began to choke up
As Rom spoke, Felt had quickly been brought back to reality, Felt was heavily in-debted to the people, the least she could do was thank and apologize to her raven-haired saviour
"H-hes right ya know"
Felt now bowing in the slightest
"With out you big bro, that psycho bitch probably would have killed me, so I really have to hand it to ya"
The girl raised her voice slightly, taken a breath in
"If you need anythin from us, just say it and we'll do what we can"
Subaru looked at the grandfather and granddaughter, their gazes were the same as the one he had given to Emilia, they truly looked at him, a worthless, selfish man with admiration
Subaru sighed
"There's nothing I could ask for really"
Felts eyes seemed to give a look of defiance
"but seriously mister, I know where dirty pour, but ya saved our lives, so if theres any-"
"actually there isss something"
The Ruby eyed thief quickly looked over to a fourth voice, it was that of the angelic half-elf
Both Felt and Subaru knew what she was going to ask for
"Umm, if you could return my insignia, I'd greatly appreciate it, while Im not the one who saved you, this is kinda another matter, I don't want to be rude, but its very important"
Felt nodded
"sorry big sis, I should have realized sooner"
The thief pulled out the insignia, her gloves still on, tossing said insignia back to its owner
Emilia nodded and thanked the girl
Subaru sighed looking back at the two, but he developed a slight smile, the thief girl and her big ol grandfather had color, people who Subaru shouldn't loose track of, speaking of loosing track, Subaru had realized one key missing aspect in his life
"actually now that I think about it, you guys wouldn't happen to have a place I could stay?"
Felt quickly turned her head in embarrassment well Rom processed his words for a few seconds
"You want…"
"to stay… "
"with us?"
Puck burst out laughing, loosing any cold look he had before
"Subaru you're just full of surprises aren't cha"
Continuing to laugh everyone had their eyes on Subaru
"WELL, I mean, coming to the conclusion, for the past few years I've been flat out broke not a hope in the world, so I mean of course if someone's gonna offer my anything, Im going to take them up on a nice warm bed"
Even Felt at this point began to laugh, alongside the giggles of Emilia, and slight smile of Rom
"Big bros certainly something alright"
Everyone's mood was significantly higher, the bowel hunter becoming an after thought
"well big bro, I'd offer it in a heart beat but my place's is too small, and the loot house here is well-"
Looking at the gaping whole that was once the front side of the loot house Felt shook her head
The two slum dwellers came to reality, it seemed that the pair were in an even more dire situation then Subaru
"if you don't mind I can offer you residence at the manor"
Emilia quickly interrupted the three, sensing the downward trend in the mood
"Oh, Emilia-tan, I wouldn't want to bother you"
Subaru butted back in an embarrassed response
The amethyst eyed maiden shook her head
"Don't be silly Subaru, it's the least I can, after all that you've done for me, I can't help but offer my help"
"This girl"
Subaru muttered under his breath
"Just how admirable can you be Emilia-Tan!"
The raven-haired boy shouted in admiration
Emilia gave him an innocent smile
She was happy that he was happy
Subaru looked back to Felt and Rom, his voice weary
"Will you two… be alright?"
Of course Felt was disappointed, but regardless she'd give a fiery response
"Of course we'll be good big bro, aftera-"
"Actually I got something to ask ya"
Felt was interrupted by no other then Rom
"hey wait a sec-"
Rom proceeded carelessly
"I know this sounds bad, considering were the ones in debt to ya, but if you could, I really need somethin and you folks are the only ones capable of helpin right now"
Subaru looked at Rom with determined eyes, even if he had to take on a burden of Rom's, even if it should be the other way around, who was he to tell someone with color no?
"Rom…"
Felt looked to her grandfather, confused by his sudden fowardness
"please, please take care of Felt till I can"
"HUH"
Felt shouted out
"The hell do ya mean by that"
Rom looked at his granddaughter with dismissive eyes
"Felt, the loot house is down, it'll take me at least three months to make 'nough profit to repair it. How are ya supposed to make a livin if we cant sell anythin"
"Rom"
"so please felt, jus listen ta me here, I promise I wont leave ya or anythin"
"Rom"
"Felt"
"Rom"
"Felt?"
"Rom.."
"Felt?"
"ROM YOU'RE SUCH AN IDIOT YOU KNOW THAT!"
The blonde full of furry slapped the side of her grandfather, clearly annoyed by his words
"but-"
The girl quickly changed her tone
"But if that's what you thinks best, then who am I deny ya"
Felt looked to Subaru and then Emilia
Subaru gave a warm smile while Emilia an affirmative nod,
To Emilia it looks like she'd have two guests at the manor, but surely Roswell would understand
"Im such a burden"
The girl with ruby eyes stated under her breath
"Its alright, Im sure Ros-chi wont mind at all"
Felt not expecting anyone at all looked to the cat spirit who had an encouraging gaze
"well Im still not going to forgive you, as long as you got my daughters support, theres nothing to worry about"
The cat spirit gave the thief a thumbs up with his sincerest smile
"y-yeah"
Felt responded with a slight smile
Subaru looked at the scene with warm eyes, he felt happy, this was a feeling other then his Melancholy, a feeling brought by the people who he needed to follow, to cherish, and protect. Subaru would do his best to ensur-
(As for our covenant Archbishop Natsuki, I am here to scold you for so recklessly using you're authority, well its no particularly wonderful feeling, I have to do it once again to ensure you survive)
The voice only Subaru could hear, it was the voice of a girl not even God would dare to touch, the voice of the one who could be described as his greatest enemy, the great puppeteer, it was the voice of Vanity
(Please do not hate me for this)
Natsuki Subaru fell to his knees, as the black blur of unconsciousness begin to take over his body, he looked one last time to the admirable girl he had met today
"damn she's so pretty with all those vibrant colors y'know"
Authors note:
Arc 1 is finnally done
The stories kind of everywhere right now, so sorry bout that, I just have so many different ideas all coming at me at once its almost frustrating lol. Either way I hope you could enjoy the first arc of the story, it really was my first peep into the world of Rezero fanfiction but I think I had a solid landing. All said, I really enjoyed writing the story and I'll try to get to Arc 2 as soon as possible, albeit I have school soon, so expect less frequent uploads lmao.
Anyways hope this story took up you're interest, if you need me for anything or want to share you're thoughts be sure to post a review below, I always enjoy reacting to you're guy's responses!