Collab with Archbishop-of-Crusch (the guy who obviously wrote the best parts of this story ;)
Re: Infinity
Chapter 1: Mutation
A black haired boy twists and dodges the seemingly innumerable shadow hands that only he can see. Furthermore, his allies Wilhelm and Felix are fighting the other witch cultists, slowly gaining the edge of the battle. Having taken care of the dangerous cultists called fingers serving as body substitutes for the vile Sin Archbishop of Sloth, Petelguese Romanee-Conti, jubilant feelings are in the air.
As Natsuki Subaru dodges another hand while the last finger of Petelguese is cackling maniacally, he signals to his trusty companion; The sword demon understands the motion and with quickness and dexterity closes the gap in between them and slashes their heads off. Signaling the end of this dreaded ordeal that has cost several loops to even succeed at this gruesome venture.
Finally smiling, Subaru's senpaku eyes gaze at the number one woman in his heart, the silver haired half-elf with gorgeous amethyst eyes, the one known as Emilia, just Emilia. They reunite alongside Ram, Wilhelm. Julius and Felix. All of them are sporting their own signs of a long and hard fought arduous battle.
Emilia is looking in surprise at how everyone has arrived and she swiftly bows down and with a voice akin a silver bell she says:
"Thank you soo much everyone, I'm reeeally happy with how things turned out, without your assistance I fear this would have turned into a grim fate indeed."
"Nonsense Emilia-Sama, if it weren't for your knight helping us with the subjugation of the white whale, I believe things wouldn't have ended the way they did." Replies back a stoic Wilhelm, having brief flashbacks of his deceased wife, and how they were finally able to avenge her.
"Defeat the w-whale? Subaru?" Asked the astonished half-elf.
"Wilhelm-san is right nyah, that was a tough battle indeed, compared to it this wasn't nearly as bad and we were able to subjugate that filthy horrible archbishop, good riddance I say!" A cute cat-eared demi-human answers as if spitting a mortal venom, his harsh words betraying his cutesy mannerisms.
"Lady Emilia this is all correct, thanks to Subaru-san, we were able to plan ahead and bring down two horrors that had been plaguing Lugunica for hundreds of years, this boy has deserved the right to call himself your knight."
"With his quick thinking, and fast adaptability the plans he laid down were instrumental in the demise of the Archbishop of Sloth and the white whale."
Here the most perfect of knights, Julius Juukulius straightened his flawless hair as he clasped with one gloved shoulder the shoulder of the person he is now close to considering his friend. Their feud in the capital seemingly has been let in the past as the two parties involved recognized it as a shameful event.
With an embarrassed sigh the said friend flings the gloved hand off his shoulder as he begrudgingly exclaims:
"Don't think we are buddies now mister perfect knight Julius, although thank you for your help, it was necessary since I couldn't really do a thing on my own." It was a sincere acknowledgment spoiled only by the fact it was barely audible.
Here dark memories take over the youth's mind at seeing his death to the Beast of The End, to seeing Rem get her body twisted and mangled beyond repair. He shivers but he feels a hand clasping his cheek and as he looks up he is startled by how close Emilia is:
"Subaru you dunderhead, I told you to stay at the capital didn't I!? Yet, thank you for coming here and saving us, and myself once more."
Here Emilia's smile brightens the boy's soul like a spotlight above megawatts; Which nearly blinds Subaru as he is happy, content, satisfied, that all of his efforts have finally paid off. Just when he is about to reply that he would do anything for his EMT, he feels a repulsive squirming deep inside his body.
A sickening sensation is felt throughout his body, one that makes him feel ill, like if a foreign entity has invaded his very being, filling out his body while getting rid of everything that makes Natsuki Subaru himself, his very soul feels threatened.
He quickly turns around and vomits bile due to not having eaten anything, Ia who was protecting him by Julius orders seems to get forcefully expelled from his body. Subaru starts thinking about what is going on but a dreadful feeling tells him to leave, to go to the forest, to run, run, run, RUN! get away, get away, GET AWAY! leave, leave, LEAVE!
In his mind the thoughts that were overshadowing anything else screamed violently LEAVE, LEAVE, GO, GO, GO, anywhere but near, close, stay next to the woman he loves and the friends he made. He cannot remain in their presence, like a blight on the world, so is he compared to their dazzling light.
He pivots and runs in the forest without explaining himself, for he has no time, no words can escape his burning throat, he needs to leave, and so he does. Everyone is baffled but Juulius engages in pursuit first while barking orders:
"Lady Emilia, Wilhelm, Ia is startled and it seems some unknown entity forcibly expelled her, I'm going to go check on Natsuki, Felix come with me! The rest stay behind to protect the villagers. Something feels off, this may be a last ditch attack by Sloth somehow, we must remain vigilant!"
With those parting words both Julius and a worried Felix sprint after the fleeing boy, Emilia's danger senses are off the charts and despite the perfect knight's warning and the Sword Demon trying to reassure her to remain behind. She cannot let her only friend face these burdens alone, so with swiftness she follows pursuit as well.
No one notices that in the air there is a platinum haired young girl, with nary but a tablecloth covering her seemingly nude body, she is looking into a heavy black book and her smile curls as she begins one of her hidden plans. She utters:
"Well, well, Natsuki Subaru, let's see how valuable you shall turn out to be." With a smirk she snaps her fingers and a black box with an unknown crest is seen, she smiles as she slowly follows all interested parties in the pursuit of the black haired boy who is fighting with all his might to remain himself, and not anyone else.
As if sharing her anticipation the eerie box she held dear in her arms as if it was a newborn, squirmed slightly further adding to the creepy atmosphere around its carrier.
(Scene Change)
Natsuki Subaru is on his knees in a small clearing clutching his chest as he is barely suppressing his screams; he now knows what's wrong, he feels the madness taking over his mind as he fights with Petelguese in his crumbling mind:
"Follower of love, believer of love, love, love, just let her love fill you, CONSUME YOU! For you are too slothful. You lack diligence, perseverance, ambition, for all of your fake virtues you are just a carrier of sin, are you not? Stop fighting, this is sheer madness, just accept and embrace her love, love, LOOOOOVE. AGH, THE BRAIN TREMBLES."
"Shut your mouth! I killed you once, I'll do it again you green haired freak, get out, get out, get out, get the HELL OUT OF MY BODY!"
Resisting the possession from such a powerful entity was taking its toll on Subaru's body, he was sweating heavily, his eyes bloodshot but the worst part were the unnatural spasms slowly increasing in frequency. He could not truly prevent his body from being overtaken, but Subaru being the stubborn youth he always was would not simply let go of himself without a proper fight,
As the mental struggle continues between both parties trying to assert dominance in each other's minds, a faint clapping is heard. For once, Petelguese stops trying to assume control, leaving Natsuki Subaru some much needed breathing room.
His body is still convulsing due to the immense pain his brain has been through, as an unnatural darkness takes over his surroundings, nevertheless right in front of his eyes he sees a platinum haired… child? Gently clapping as if she was a beacon of light in an endless night.
She stops slowly and reveals a black box in the palm of her hand, she smiles as she approaches the boy. He has a bad feeling over how eerie everything has become, how the presence of life is no longer felt anywhere near them.
"Natsuki Subaru, is it? Slayer of the white whale, and you nearly vanquished Sloth, his love wasn't nearly as strong as your devotion, correct?" She inquires without a care in the world, as if she doesn't care whether he responds or not, merely looking at Subaru as if he is a shiny trinket that caught her fancy.
Here he struggles but is able to briefly compose himself as he speaks:
"Wh… who the hell are you?!" His eyes flash in trepidation for he feels nothing but danger being next to this girl, other entities of this world have already shown him how seemingly innocent girls like Beatrice can be hiding immense power behind their seemingly harmless appearance.
She smiles at this question, she tilts her head and cheerily responds:
"How rude of myself to not offer the proper introductions of course, I am the witch of vainglory, Pandora. And I am ever so curious about how you radiate her love, are you perhaps him? No, this line of questioning won't lead me anywhere.
I have a gift for you, Natsuki Subaru, one you cannot refuse, so please accept this small token of my appreciation, for I look forward to your future accomplishments."
With a snap of her fingers she is in front of a kneeling Subaru who struggles to get away, the terror in his eyes and the confusion in his face were apparent, yet she merely ignore his reactions and shakes her head as she continues speaking:
"I wish you luck, Natsuki Subaru for I wonder about the uncertainty your future holds, here Subaru, accept my... love." The last word had a vile tone of mockery behind it, she knew well who she was mocking with such a warped and one sided version of love.
Pandora opens the black box, truly resembling her namesake as it seems to contain all of the world's evil's being let loose by a young inquisitive maiden. The boy cursed his luck for from all of the mythological prophecies he wished to witness when he daydreamed about being sent to a parallel fantasy world, he had to be present on one of the worst.
A foul looking sphere surrounded by a heavy miasma is all that the boy sees before it levitates aiming to touch his chest and melt with him, Subaru black's out completely only to suddenly convulse violently on cold ground still covered by this unnatural darkness.
While Pandora has eyes full of desire and some kind of warped lustful expression upon the reactions of the boy she quickly snaps her head around as a cascade of shadow hands eviscerate her from existence.
A voice like a twisted whisper came from the dark mass of sprawling hands that were even darker than the blackness around him "He is mine, mine, mine, mine, mine, disappear, leave, die, die, die, die…"
She appears moments later, unfazedby her own demise as she narrows her eyes unimpressed. Pandora speaks in a slightly annoyed tone:
"Hoo, you are truly envious aren't you, Satella. A tasty and delectable morsel like this boy shouldn't have been kept hidden from me, how dare yo-."
She stops speaking as multiple black tendrils shred her to nothingness once again, it did not matter how many times the cruel shadow-like hands tore the girl apart, ripped her limbs off like a small girl playing with dolls, grabbed her by the foot and smashed her body against the floor, grabbed her head with enough force to crack it like a watermelon, shoved themselves through her mouth ripping her from inside out. After each death the next would be more cruel and gruesome yet Pandora kept coming back with the same displeased expression.
It did not matter how she died or how many times, she would be ripped to shreds only for her to reappear seconds later, her face slightly paler. Eventually even the madened entity controlling the tendrils understood the futility of her approach, choosing to simply stare at her opponent, while they were both about to engage in discussions or continue their combat is unknown, as suddenly they both hear the rustling of the trees. Indicating that Subaru companions are nearby.
The madman in his mind finally regaining his presence was now panicking as a thousand questions filled his soul with dread and confusion. Why was this boy so beloved while he gave his best to live a life of diligence for her love, why was this slothful boy so loved by the witch and above all WHY WAS SATELLA AND PANDORA FIGHTING FOR THIS BOY WHEN HE WAS THE ONE YEARNING FOR HER LOVE THE MOST!
They both gaze at the boy, then lock their gazes with each other as they both seem to fade away bringing his surroundings back to its normalcy.
"Subaru-san, Natsuki-kyun!" Two voices are overheard as they find the target of their pursuit on the ground, twitching and convulsing. As they approach they see him get up just fine.
Their relief is short lived however, as they feel this isn't their Subaru. Julius unsheathes his sword and points it towards who he assumes is his friend:
"Natsuki? Is that you? Answer us please, just earlier we were all relieved at having slain Sloth, why are you acting like this?" Inquires the skeptical purple haired knight as his eyes are looking all over the face of his friend, yet failing to see any recognition is hurting his very soul. That combined with the startled fire spirit who was rudely ejected from Subaru's body makes his fears worsen.
[Not Natsuki Subaru] opens its eyes and giggles, laughs, erupts in raucous laughter at the sheer sensation it is to feel such a wonderful body, after many, many years it has finally found it's perfect host. Not even paying attention to the sword scratching at his cheek; with glee it turns around and announces its presence:
"It's been so long since I have found a body that is so, so, so, SOO, compatible with her love. I'm practically sprinkled in this love, adorned in it, bathed in it, such diligence to remain standing when the previous host of this body was so slothful.
Ahhh, where were we? Ah, yes introductions, a very important requisite in becoming acquainted with one another, to further understand the love we may all share, the passion that dictates our ever living, breathing, joyful, exuberant moments. Now then shall we?"
Both Felix as well as Julius are now on high alert, ever fearful that the worst they suspected has happened, that their dear friend has been possessed. Their fears will be confirmed shortly as their friend? Speaks with a slight bow:
"Representing the Witch Cult, Sin Archbishop of Sloth, Petelguese Romanee Conti!"
His neck twists in an unnatural angle that sickens both royal knights and they look at each other while debating on what to do. Yet a weird sight occurs before them as the former body of Natsuki Subaru is twitching and bending as if it was some kind of puppet.
Then his movements stop completely, suddenly interrupting the bizarre show of horrors ahead as a primal cry is heard:
"Damn you, you bastard! My body isn't on the market to rent, so get the hell out NOW!"
"No, no, no, this shouldn't be happening, how can you resist my proof of LOVE! Your slothful nature cannot overcome my diligence! Absurd, IMPOSSIBLE! How are you resisting now out of all moments?!"
"This is my body, I'll be damned if anyone takes it over without a struggle." Shouts back the determined youth, he momentarily assumes control and looks at the startled Julius and Felix.
Julius steps forward in surprise, somehow his quasi spirits recognizing that he is the real Natsuki Subaru, he speaks:
"Natsuki, is that you? Did Sloth possess you?"
Here we see the black haired boy smile yet his face twitches in convulsions as he grasps his head and tries to keep screaming. Felix hurries to him and tries to heal any wounds he may have caused to himself yet Subaru smile grows painful as he intones:
"Hey Felix, Julius, this is a rather rude favor but I must ask. Can you please kill me?"
(Scene Change)
"WHAT? Have you gone mad? Don't give up now, you haven't even properly reconciled with lady Emilia yet, we can find another way there must be one!" Desperate to deny the situation ahead of his eyes the purple haired knight tried to reason with his new found friend.
"Ple-ase, I… can't."
Pleaded the desperate boy as his body once again spasmed out of control, his face changing from multiple expressions. The spirit possessing him was screaming incomprehensible things in his mind, something was wrong.
The cat boy took a step forward with a dark glint in his eyes.
"You can hate me for that Subaru-kyun."
"FELIX WAIT"
Screamed Julius as the demi-human reached the black-haired boy with a fast hand movement.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH"
Both the host and the possessing spirit screamed in unison, their mana has been viciously twisted in their body, it now felt like poison was burning through their veins.
"NO, NO, NO, JUST WHEN I FOUND THE PERFECT BODY, WHY? WHAT'S GOING ON? AAAAAAAARGH!"
"SHUT UP! LOOK WHAT YOU'VE DONE, YOU RUINED EVERYTHING!"
Both minds battled not just for control anymore, but against the rising feeling that came deep from their core, the pain from their dying body was nothing compared to the pain burning their very souls.
"Felix, what have you done?"
Asked the knight with an astonished expression.
"That was what Subaru-kyun wanted, it's better than losing your body to a sin archbishop." Stated the cat boy as if trying to convince himself more than his fellow knight.
Hanging his head low to avoid showing his disgruntled expression, Julius made his decision. He could not let his friend carry all that dark burden.
"Please forgive my weakness, this will surely haunt me for the rest of my life."
Watching his friend spasm madly in all directions because of what seemed to be unbearable pain Julius unsheathed his sword and positioned himself above the body of the suffering boy.
Julius brought his sword down with clear mastery for a decisive strike in order to end the boy's pain offering him the mercy of a quick death, then.
"SUBARU!"
Screamed the half-elf accompanied by the old swordsman turned butler, both incredulous on what they were witnessing.
SLASH
Unfortunately their intervention was not enough to prevent the attack from continuing but their sudden appearance made the startled purple haired knight miss the artery he was aiming for, preventing the boy from dying immediately and cursing him with a painful slow death instead.
From the red pool of his own blood Subaru could barely see what was going on, but he quickly understood the situation when ice shards started flying around and the sound of steel against steel echoed in his ears.
"That's… no- what it... like!"
"ENOU… TRAI… AND LIARS!"
The boy who could not hear his surroundings properly was desperate to get up and calm everyone down, but he was not able to speak because half of his throat was cut open and blood was spilling out like a torn hose.
Lost in his own agony from being the cause of his friends fighting Subaru was not paying attention to the mumblings of the madman in his interior.
"Betrayed, lost, fooled, forgotten, aaaah the love, love, LOVE! That foul WITCH has tainted the love Satella gave me with her abominable, disgusting, vile disgrace she calls her love! Betrayed me just so she could meddle with this boy factor." Rambled the distraught madman.
"I won't forget this! I-"
"OH SHUT UP, can't you die quietly? I will drag you to hell with me you bastard, and there is no love where you're going."
So with these last words both the boy and the disturbed spirit met their end.
(Scene Change)
A groan was heard as a boy woke up. A dark haired boy with honey brown eyes was laying on the cobblestone road. Various different Demi Humans approached him for assistance, yet he subconsciously waved them off. He got up and straightened his tracksuit as he narrowed his eyes and observed where he was.
He wasn't in his last loop where it was by Flugels tree. He recognized the obtuse roads and narrow pathways. He gulped as he desperately thought:
"Am I in the capital again? But why? My loops had already been updated a long time ago. Don't tell me? Do I have to relive all of this again?" The boy completely lost in his thoughts had such a horrified expression on his face that some of the passersby were just there frozen looking at some random kid losing his shit.
"Well if that's the case I can at least correct some minor errors I committed in the past." In classical Subaru fashion he recomposed himself and accepted his grim fate, just like the boy always did, he set his pain aside and did his best to focus on something else.
As Natsuki Subaru thought of these things he suddenly felt hot, not from the sun but from another outside source. He started sweating and looked around and noticed other individuals as well where ruffling their collars at the sudden heat wave.
Then a sudden scream was heard, it did not seem to be close, but the sheer terror in the voice was enough to completely silence everyone in the area.
Yet before anyone could react a genuine inferno engulfed his area, nay the whole city as flames danced and sparkled while showing their true nature. He was so confused as he thought again:
"What is this? There was never a fire during the beginning of my isekai?"
And as he was suffering alongside other people that started screaming and running away a soft body shielded him and he turned around and was astonished.
For in front of him was the woman of his nightmares, Elsa Grienheart. The very same individual that caused him numerous deaths. And as she smirked and used her cloak to shield him from the roaring blaze she spoke:
"Ara, Subaru-sama what're you doing here, hmm? You should be with your flame spirit instead of the streets. We all know how excited she gets, Fufufu."
As his mind was starting to break down and contend on what happened, they both heard another voice:
"Eyy Elsa, why are you acting all lovey dovey with someone else?"
Elsa hurriedly released Subaru and bowed slightly to the man coming towards them, alongside a purple haired girl and a very familiar clown. The purple haired girl shouted:
"AYO! What's my older sis doing over here? Weren't you supposed to suppress the knights?"
Before anyone could comment, Subaru's eyes widened at the unexpected company. He could see Roswall alongside Ram, yet the pink-haired girl seemed to have completely lifeless eyes. However, his breath stopped at the person leading the group analyzing him in the same way as he was doing.
A black cloak was on the shoulders of the young man, and maniacal eyes followed it as they inspected their new target. With a grin, the Archbishop of Pride opened up his mouth and spoke:
"Hooo, who the fuck are you? I didn't realize I had a twin until now I suppose, kek this will be nice to use in case I need a body double."
Natsuki Subaru's eyes widened at his doppelganger and he cursed as he thought:
"Where the fuck am I?"
Author's Notes:
Kek this is a collab with Archbishop-of-Crusch, author of Awaited Return. It's been in the plans for months but here we finally are. So to explain
Pandora implemented a WF into Subaru that directly interfered with his RBD authority. So kek be ready for a wild ride since the rest is spoilers. Hope y'all enjoy!
BETTER AUTHOR NOTES
Yeah I had to go over all this text and do my best to add into it without derailing the whole thing…
Why you ask? Well because Otey decided to speed run this shit without letting me beta it, looking at you otey… looking at you!
Kek. This was fantastic.
Chapter 2 we should focus more on Pride and flashbacks of his memories. Also, we need to add some more to Pandora versus Satella fight and her being sealed. Let's go to DMS.
FAIR ENOUGH