It was a bright, sunny day in Lugunica's capital. The cerulean sky stretched in every direction, largely unlittered by clouds, the common folk on the street walked about their daily business, as usual, and, atop one of the many buildings in the better-off part of town, ran the form of a young, blonde girl.
Step. Step. Step.
Her red eyes widened in surprise at the situation she found herself in.
Step. Step. St-
Completely unprepared to be suddenly mid-dash upon the rooftops, her foot caught on one of the tiles and she plummeted to the ground face-first.
Felt: OH FU-
Mere centimeters from impact, she felt someone catch her.
?: Are you alright, Felt-sama?
She glanced up with a scowl to find a familiar red-haired knight looking down at her with an incredibly polite smile.
Pinching his cheeks, Subaru took a cautious step from his place before the familiar Appa Man.
Subaru: So this isn't a dream?
He lifted his plastic bag in one hand and snapped open his long-lost flip phone in the other. Noting the exact time, day, and battery percentage, along with the notable absence of his favorite maid, he came to a conclusion.
Subaru: From Zero, then. But…
The feeling of burning. Silver hair caked in red.
His eyes widened as he realised a grim truth.
Subaru: Emilia!
He turned to the direction of the slums where he knew tragedy would strike and began to sprint at full speed, panic filling his expression.
She's too much of an angel not to head straight there.
A beautiful silver-haired girl stopped dead in her tracks in the middle of the street, blinking several times.
Emilia: What's…?
She glanced left, right, up, and down, realizing where she was and noting that every other person had also ceased their movement.
?: It's because they're confused, Lia. I can sense great surprise and shock in every direction.
At the voice, she reached for the green crystal on her chest, a cautious smile forming on her face.
Emilia: PUCK!
Before her, a series of lights clumped together and took physical form: that of a small, grey cat. He casually waved at her, beaming with his usual happy energy.
Puck: Yo!
Emilia reached out to the spirit with shaking hands and brought him into a tight hug, tears forming in her eyes. He relaxed in her embrace and held her tight in return.
Emilia: Puck…
After a moment, she released her father-figure and looked at him with confusion.
Emilia: But what's happening? How are you here? Are we…
Having calmed slightly, she felt something that had been absent for a full year now.
Emilia: Are we contracted again?
The spirit nodded at her as she began to get lost in thinking out loud.
Emilia: But how? What about the terms of it? My memories? I-
The spirit's jovial attitude dampened a bit as he adopted a more serious expression, cutting her off.
Puck: Lia.
She focused her attention on him and away from her conjecture.
Puck: I'm not sure how or why but it seems that, from what I can see, we - or rather seemingly everyone - has been sent back to the day you got your insignia stolen.
He gestured to the unmoving and mumbling crowd in the street.
Puck: And… it seems that our contract naturally adapted to accommodate your changed mental state.
He said these words with an oddly regretful tone but she did not notice, being too engrossed in their contents. She was elated at this news. After a full year, she and Puck were back together again! But something about what he said bothered her…
Emilia: The day I got my insignia stolen…
Her eyes widened as she frantically looked around, searching for a moment, before filling with panic and turning back to Puck.
Emilia: W-Where's Subaru?
Subaru ran as fast as he could through the streets of rapidly dwindling condition, panting heavily. As the brick turned to dirt, he could feel the relative weakness of his body as compared to after his full year of parkour training.
Why. Didn't. I. Work. Out. More.
On top of that, he had noticed several other things during his panicked sprint towards the slums.
First, he could no longer feel his contract with his Beako. He had instinctively tried to pull on it as soon as he realised that Emilia was in danger, but was unable to.
Second, his entire body had been reset, scars and blackened arm included.
And Third, he could no longer use Cor Leonis. In fact, he didn't feel the creeping sensation that Invisible Providence brought either. He didn't give it too much thought at the time, but he no longer possessed the authorities of Sloth and Greed. On the bright side, he noticed his gate was restored. It felt like the difference between a cracked, loose tooth and a healthy one and he couldn't believe he survived like that for as long as he did.
He grit his teeth and ran even faster than before, his whole body aching, as he crossed a familiar bridge.
I swear, I will save you.
Walking calmly in the middle of the slums, a scantily dressed woman came to a sudden halt. Her eyes widened with shock but her expression filled with utter elation and pleasure. She reached up to feel her neck.
Healed.
She took notice of her surroundings and the sun in the sky, realising her situation almost instantly. She knew this day, this place, and this mission.
No, reset.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw several slum-goers discussing in confused mutters, inspecting their surroundings.
It seems everyone's back.
The ecstasy she had felt fighting her brutal battle with the Sanctuary's Shield subsided as the implications of this odd reality set in and more of the events leading up to her true death came back to her. A barrage of emotions overwhelmed her in waves. First, she felt utter confusion.
How am I alive? How is everyone back to this day? Everyone back to this day…
Second, she felt an intense concern as the image of a blue-haired girl entered her mind.
Where's Meili?
She turned to sprint away in the direction of a distant inn, still calm and collected.
I have to make sure she's safe before-
Just as she was taking her first step, a third wave hit and she froze in place.
A raging inferno. Every door opened, rooms packed with flames. Her target just ahead. Chasing. Chasing. Chasing.
She was filled with determination, hatred, and bloodlust. The look of a concerned sister vanished and she adopted a sadistic grin.
An explosion ripping her apart. The cold embrace of true death.
Elsa: Ah~
She about-faced and dashed off towards her original destination with a renewed vigor, her eyes now crazed and all logic fading from her thoughts. She had only one goal: to kill her target.
Emilia was lightly panting as she sped through the winding streets of the slums. She'd arrive at the loot house shortly, the journey only taking about a minute or two at her top speed, but she didn't have a moment to waste. Subaru could already be there for all she knew.
Puck: Lia…
She slowed her dash and turned to the spirit floating beside her.
Puck: The terms of our new contract are easier on you and stricter on me. I can only stay out for about two hours a day now, I think. And considering I'd have been out since the morning already…
She noticed his worried tone and moved to give him words of comfort, still speeding ahead.
Emilia: It's alright, Puck. Huff Huff. I've gotten reeaaally strong since we last talked. I can take care of myself just fine!
He looked at her intently for a moment before letting out a defeated sigh.
Puck: Just be careful, alright. Remember, you can always squeeze me out in a pinch!
With that, he glowed for a moment before disappearing into the air, leaving the half-elf alone as the loot house drew nearer and nearer.
Arriving at the door, she took a few seconds to catch her breath and cautiously knocked, receiving no response and instilling her with a strong sense of anxiety.
Felt-chan answered me last time…
She hesitantly reached out for the handle but noticed her hand was shaking slightly. She took a deep breath and let out a long sigh, relaxing herself.
It's what Subaru would do.
She shook off her reluctance and firmly grasped it, pushing the door open and stepping in.
Oddly enough, the interior of the loot house was quite dark despite the sun's place high in the sky.
But how? It was well lit until dusk last time…
Her eyes started to adjust to the light and her nose caught a metallic scent in the air. She looked down to see the white of her shoes were dyed red by the pool of liquid she was stepping in.
Is that…?
In an instant, she brought forth as many lesser spirits as she could, casting a dull light upon the darkened room and causing the blood to glisten. Her eyes followed its trail to the nearby counter. There layed a slumped over large, tall man, the liquid gushing from his midsection.
Emilia: Rom-san!
She stepped forward into the dimly lit room, sending the lesser spirits ahead to heal the injured old man.
But, in her shock, she let her guard down for just a moment. And a moment was all that the Bowel Hunter needed.
Emilia looked down to see that the red that stained her shoes had spread upwards.
Burning. Pain.
No, the crimson on her own stomach did not come from the ground. Her hands shook as she reached to touch her belly, finding it sliced open, the feeling of her own entrails greatly disturbing her.
From a spot only a meter or two away, Emilia heard a noise that sounded both animalistic and human, akin to a moan of pleasure but far more twisted. It immediately brought her on edge.
?: Ah~
The sound of the familiar yet deranged voice ringing out from the darkness snapped Emilia out of her shocked trance. She replied with her shaking voice reinforced with as much determination as she could muster through the pain.
Emilia: E-Elsa.
Instantly realizing the gravity of the situation, Emilia stood tall despite her injury and shot a flurry of icy weaponry in her opponent's direction. As the assassin expertly dodged them, the half-elf focused her magic and calmed her breathing as much as she could. She then sent forward a wave of frost that froze Elsa solid in an instant, her momentum tipping her over and shattering her.
But, after hearing Garfiel's boastful account of his battle in the burning mansion a dozen times, she knew this wasn't even close to over. After the flash-frozen assassin shattered to pieces, Emilia got to work encasing each shard of her in a hard, fifteen centimeter wide casing of ice. Then, for good measure, she raised a massive three meter thick wall between Elsa and herself before finally succumbing to her injuries.
Emilia: Hrk.
The pain and blood loss began to catch up to her and her strong stance faltered. As she collapsed to the ground, she redirected the lesser spirits around Rom to heal herself, but it was too little too late. She was rapidly losing consciousness.
The wall of ice broke open and a figure marched through, uninjured and dawning a sadistic smile.
Elsa: Oh, what fine bowels you have. I'm so glad I got to see them this time around~
Emilia paid no mind to the assassin that now loomed over her and muttered something in her dying breath, the image of a smiling black-haired boy filling her mind.
Emilia: Su… baru…
Subaru could see the loot house in the distance when he felt the temperature drop and his heart along with it.
Subaru: No…
He came to a grinding halt as the whole building crumbled away and the massive form of the Beast of The End appeared, bringing a hellish blizzard along with it.
Subaru: Damn it…
He took a deep breath and calmly walked towards certain death when…
?: I am sorry for your loss, Subaru.
He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see Reinhard scowling at the not-so-distant Great Spirit of Fire. Panic began to fill him.
Subaru: Wait, this isn't-
Puck: Reinhard, Subaru,
The spirit's now deepened voice rang out with a sense of great authority, cutting Subaru off.
Puck: We have all failed my daughter. But I, most of all, allowed her to die.
The icy storm that once only surrounded the now-destroyed loot house quickly spread outwards and engulfed a large section of the slums.
Puck: Now, in accordance with our contract, I will destroy the world.
Rather than in the spiteful, hateful tone Subaru had heard Puck say these words in the past, they were spoken with a heavy regret attached to them. It almost seemed like he was on the verge of tears and that fact brought Subaru an unexpected thought.
No, Puck, I'm the one who's sorry. I'm the one who did this to you. I'm the one to blame for her death, your death, all their suffering.
The gale furiously blew at the pair of knights when the taller of two spoke.
Reinhard: I am sorry for my inability to protect Emilia-sama.
He drew the Dragon Sword Reid from his waist. It was a rare occurrence indeed and he was saddened at its necessity.
Reinhard: Great Spirit-sama, Subaru, if you want someone to hate, please hate me.
He brought the majestic, glowing blade before him and stood in front of the speechless Subaru, his stance strong and his will iron-clad.
Puck: I can not hate you, either of you, anymore. Lia was so much happier in your care than mine.
Reinhard lifted the Dragon Sword, preparing to strike.
Puck: My only regret is that I did not give her to you sooner…
The blade sliced through the air and produced a brilliant glow.
Puck: Natsuki Subaru.
In a blinding flash of light, the Sword Saint prevented the ending of the world as they knew it.
Once the light from the attack subsided, Reinhard sheathed his blade once more and gazed out to the former site of the slums. In its place, a massive field of flowers a square kilometer in area now lay. It was beautifully sad and sadly beautiful to the knight. The sight reminded him of the previous Sword Saint.
Is this how you felt, Grandmother?
A gentle breeze flowed through the field and brushed the flowers slightly, reminiscent of the garden in the Astrea estate.
Is this what it means to be a hero?
Behind him, the now kneeling Subaru reached into his pocket with shaking hands. He took his phone out and snapped it in half, creating a rather sharp, plastic edge. He recalled his promise to love himself and his vow to value his own life more.
I'm sorry, Satella.
He brought it to his throat and shoved it backwards but… it wouldn't budge.
Reinhard: Subaru, please, there's more to life than-
Subaru: Reinhard.
Subaru raised his head, the makeshift blade still held close to his throat. His dull yet determined amber eyes met Reinhard's saddened blue ones.
Subaru: Let me die.
The red haired man frowned deeply, deeper than Subaru had ever seen. It only strengthened his determination to cut the loop, to reset and take on his pain.
Reinhard: I-
The hand he had holding Subaru's shook for a moment before Reinhard calmed himself, averting his gaze.
Reinhard: I can't.
I can't lose you too, kill you too.
Subaru gave his friend a tired smile and relaxed his body.
Subaru: Too bad.
After a moment, red liquid began to pour from Subaru's lips as he fell forward into Reinhard's grasp.
Reinhard: No, no, no…
The Sword Saint opened his friend's mouth to find rapidly pooling blood and a bitten-off tongue.
Reinhard: Subaru…
Reinhard was shocked but knew he didn't have a moment to waste. He lifted Subaru's body into a bridal carry and ran at top speed to a healer, the only healer he knew could help him.
Felix was having a rather odd day. One second it was Tuesday and the next it was a year before Tuesday. He'd been sitting at a desk and getting his bearings for a full few minutes when his wall burst open and a figure strolled through.
It was his good friend Reinhard van Astrea. He was covered in blood and holding in his arms his less good friend Natsuki Subaru, who seemed to be bleeding out.
In an instant, Reinhard cleared Felix's desk and placed Subaru's body atop it. Without a word, the greatest healer in Lugunica's face shifted from surprised to concerned as he began treating his mortally wounded patient. He let out a single word as he worked, a mixed look of disgust and sadness on his face.
Felix: How…
With a deep regret clear in his voice, the red haired man replied.
Reinhard: Emilia-sama is dead.
The healer said nothing in return, as he was too engrossed in his work, but his look of disdain worsened before it was overwhelmed by sadness.
On one hand, Felix despised suicide and any who would attempt it. It was a cowardly act and one only the weakest men would commit… but Natsuki Subaru was a man he had come to somewhat respect, despite his weakness, and was anything but a coward.
If the same happened to Crusch-sama, would I…?
He dismissed the thought from his mind and redoubled his efforts to save his friend.
For a silent minute, only interrupted by the occasional sputter from Subaru's dying form, Felix desperately tried healing his patient but it wasn't working fast enough.
Felix: I can't… I can't save him…
Reinhard looked on as the demihuman tried and failed to heal their friend. He clenched his fists to the point where he stained his white gloves with blood.
Reinhard: I'm sorry, Subaru. I'm sorry that I lacked so much that even you couldn't make up for it.
After several agonizing minutes on the desk turned operating table, Natsuki Subaru lost his life, the Sword Saint's tears littering his corpse.
Author's Note: Special thanks to Syra (writer of "Stars that form the future") and LordPurifex (writer of "Divine Protections? No, just pure luck!") for their input and help editing this chapter. LordPurifex especially helped out with a crash course on Elsa's character.
And, as usual, thanks to Ben/NatsukiEmilia (writer of "Re:Incarnated" and "Pride's Slothful Greed") for making this possible to begin with.