lChapter 1
Forlorn Past
"Your mind changes
Every time we talk
The peaceful moments
Vanish like the stallion's we once rode
However, sister, I share this drink
With you, and honor the brink
Of the feelings that separated us
From not recognizing the suspicious
Nature of the enemies
We will eviscerate,
So rest in peace sister
For we will become avengers
And everything will end in sorrow."
(400 years ago)
As the wind raged, dust stormed through the air. With each breath, exhaustion marched ever closer. He forced his eyes to open, yet all he could see was red.. His nostrils flared, and the scent of life made him queasy. His mouth agape, he gasped for breath as his body erratically spasmed from exhaustion. The smell of rust, the taste of iron, all culminating in the same thing.
Blood, sorrow, dread.
Nothing good would occur from these things.
He realized he came back from death, yet the checkpoint was messed up. It wasn't even a full five minutes since he had died. He coughs blood as his body is restored. He tried to breathe but his nose was still cluttered, he tried to scream but his vocal cords were damaged.
Slowly, he tugged his right arm hoping for a response... nothing. He switched to his left, he felt the fingers and could clench it into a fist. He still couldn't feel sensation from the torso down, but it could still move. With sheer instinct, he moved his still functioning arm, and wiped his face.
What once blocked his vision was now gone, his eyes readjusting themselves. It was a slow yet painful process as he tried to make sure he was living in this reality, and not the ones where he had so cruelly left behind.
The smell of oxidized metal still clung to his nose, he continued to wipe the grime, blood, and sweat from his face. As his eyes slowly grasped their surroundings, he saw his sleeve, covered in his own blood. His left palm shook as he looked to his right. There he saw the cause of its disability, twisted in ways that shouldn't be bent. Crippled in ways no human should be able to withstand. And yet, he could hardly feel any pain. Either it was due to sheer exhaustion or the lack of blood circulating it, he prayed that it would last a bit longer, for this was the final showdown.
Gazing back up, his ears now fully registering the noises around him. Fire crackling in the air. Distant cries and screams of the innocent, whose parents were lost and close ones killed. These horrible voices were amplified as he took in his scenery.
Each and every of those deaths were on him, each and every one of those cries pierced his soul as he closed his eyes and lamented. So many lives lost, so many fates ended, so many futures ruined by his inability to do better. However, he couldn't give up, he mustn't ever give up. A King would never leave their own people to tremble in fear, to cower under the cruelty that they inflict. With renewed determination and burning hatred, he widened his eyes once more and scanned the area.
Collapsed buildings, destroyed terrain, and bodies scattered across the battlefield. And standing in the middle of it all, was a platinum haired woman, gazing down at him from afar. How long has he been standing here? His mind still cluttered, he could only drag himself towards her. But…why is he doing that?
What is he doing? He shouldn't do this. This is a bad move. He knows what she's capable of, so the best option is to stay away. Right? Isn't that...the right option? Then why is he still moving forward...
Does it matter? For some reason, his mind felt clearer. His head is lighter than ever. Why is that? Why does he feel comfortable with this? Was this her doing? Maybe, but he doesn't hate it. Should he? He no longer knows. His mind could only follow one thing now. To keep walking towards her., With each step getting ever so closer, a voice rang into his ears.
"Subaru!" A shout, and with it, the world turned sideways. He fell to the ground, the earth itself clutching to his back like glue, probably from how much sweat he had exuded. As he processed what had occurred, he looked up towards the one that pushed him.
His eyes parted slightly at the person he was staring at, someone he thought to be dead just a few minutes ago.
Gazing to the sky, he saw a woman, her pearl hair flowing down to his face, tickling his chin as she shivered. She lightly trembles as she grasps his head and comforts him.
While trying to patch him up with basic first aid, wiping his face and covering his wounds in bandages with her shaking hands, doing what little she could to stop any bleeding he was suffering. Her worries for the boy were so much that she could not think of anything else, her consciousness blocking everything, even her own well being.
She was a mess, her body littered with cuts and bruises. Her cheeks covered in dirt and dried blood, while her eyes darted quickly around for help, for anyone to help, yet she realized they couldn't, they were incapacitated or dead. The battlefield is a sick parody of life, war always has casualties but this is too much.
She wasn't doing much better than him, with crimson liquid staining more of her clothes, yet her determination to keep the boy alive for even just a little bit longer surpassed everything, pushing through the pain. Her crimson eyes stared deeply at his dark brown eyes, intense yet also soft. Her once beautiful face dirtied, ruined, and tiredness was clearly etched into her expression. She was so exhausted, but her loyalty towards him is stronger.
In spite of them only knowing each for a while, they have managed to form an incredible bond. An inseparable link that he wasn't sure to to feel glad or worried. Rem was the only one that he had ever allowed himself to be weak against. Beatrice is the only one he will ever allow to see him as the broken and scared kid that he was. And Emilia...he will never allow her to see this side of him, This fragile, weak and pathetic excuse of a King that was Natsuki Subaru. He could never let her see that. He'd rather loop one thousand times to not see a frown on his wife.
And yet, facing this woman, all of the walls that he had built. Every barrier that he so desperately withheld to prevent anyone from seeing further. All of it seemingly disappears when he is by her side, allowing himself to be true to his own feelings. This terrifies him, yet it gave him immense comfort. He was confused yet glad. He was scared yet happy. With those thoughts, he recalled her name with a whisper.
" Ai…...Aika?"
It was coarse, barely audible amongst the loud screams of the fire that was slowly engulfing the land. Yet as unfamiliar and small it was, the girl instantly realized his calling and responded.
"I'm here! I'm here Subaru! I'll always be here for you…" With her eyes threatening to water, Aika wearily says. He wanted to caress her cheek. He wanted to tell her that he was fine now. That she did amazing, that everything is going to be ok. But he couldn't. He couldn't lie to her, he couldn't put on his cheerful smile and wish everything was fine. They were both wrecked, battered, and nearly defeated. However, as long as they were conscious, there was a chance. His body was doing its absolute best to keep him awake right now, and he needed all the strength he could muster.
As the girl wipes away at her eyes, she gazes back at him.
"You were this close to being the dumbest person alive, you know that?" She yelled, her voice still on the verge of breaking. She was overjoyed to see him breathe, his body despite being in a bad shape, was still working. Those nightmare realities where she had seen him torn apart, slashed and cut open threatened to flood into her mind, throwing into a pit of despair. But it will not happen, for he is still alive. And she intends to keep it that way.
Natsuki Subaru, the current King consort of the Queen Emilia was shaking, was joyful that not another friend of his had perished towards untold misfortune. He simply said in a shaky voice:
"I-is that so?" Subaru uttered, his voice still barely above a whisper. He wanted to force out a joke, but his mouth failed him.
She breathed in deep, she was furious that she had left him in that state, however she had to take care of their allies, yet she couldn't help to reprimand him:
"Did your head get hit that hard? Yes, we were quite literally about to lose there. Now get up and fight Od dammit!" Without remorse, the woman named Aika pulled him up much to his discomfort. As they both slowly got to their knees before getting up fully, he turned his gaze back onto the person he was just walking towards a few moments ago, connecting the dots in his head. He gritted his teeth as he uttered:
"..Pandora.." He whispered, mind now somewhat present. How could he forget? After everything that she has caused and done, he felt disgusted that these things didn't come back to him sooner. Worse of all, he knew why it didn't.
That being's ability, using the brief time where his mind was cluttered and confused, attempted to control him. To bring him to her side, aiding her in the repulsive path that she laid out for him. A power that could warp both time and space to her whim, something that should never be possessed by anyone, and definitely not by her.
A being that truly and ruthlessly deserves the title of a Witch. She wasn't like the innocent Typhon whose word view was simply too black and white. She wasn't Daphne who was forced to consume anything in order to stave off her hunger.. Her smiles meant nothing. Her demeanor, threatening and her insanity overwhelming. How can he fight against this demi goddess? How could he hope to steal a moment to be able to truly cast her away and all her wickedness' from this world? However, he felt a rare surge of hope, in none of his loops had Aika rescued him from his solitary lament, she was here and that's what they needed, a chance, a narrow grasp of victory was present in front of him. He didn't know why this loop was different, but he fully intends to make this the final one.
He looked to his side where the pearl haired woman stood. Knowing for sure that she's still here, he breathes a heavy sigh as he thanked whatever that is keeping him up right now, that he had someone to save him. Someone that shared the same burdens he had cast upon this world. Once upon a time, he thought of himself as a blight, a scourge to be extinguished. No more, will he allow that to happen. So he rubbed his head with his bleeding left forearm and told Aika:
"Thanks for that, Aika."
She looked at him. The King, the Monarch of Lugnica. The slayer of the Great Whale. he vanquisher of Sloth. The executioner of Greed and the overlord of the Gluttonies. There he stood, his figure bloodied and bruised, a miracle that he was still standing. But his eyes were flashing with sheer courage and hope, something that kept her to still believe that they could end this. Though she wished that he wouldn't waste so much energy thanking her.
"Don't mention it, you can thank me all you want after this is over. The strength that the Witch of Envy has given us is just about to run out now, so you better think of something smart. Or else this might just be our last chance to do something."
Exclaimed the exhausted girl, who is barely kneeling with one leg left. Her right leg, mutilated and crushed into nothing but a mush of flesh, with visible veins laying on top. His heart stinged as he saw it, silently blaming herself for letting this happen to her. As he remembered the cause of such an injury, he asked.. She couldn't properly stand anyways if she tried, this battle has already taken away what was needed for such an action from her. Remembering the reason for such an injury, he asked.
"Is he ok? J-"
"He'll live, I gave my right leg to make sure of that. Better give me a plan if you are good enough to worry about others. That pesky thing has been real patient with us, I don't like it one bit."
"Alright, then how long do we have left?" He continued to ask.
"Don't know, but I can hardly feel it anymore. At best we might have a few more minutes, maybe not even that." As she muttered, he recalled the last message given to them before the battle.
"I can only give you one chance, albeit a very small one. Please, my beloved, use it to the fullest, and save this world. Because you were always a he-"
The boy shook his head, stopping her words to go any further. No matter what, he can not look at himself like that. Not when there is still so many things left to do. Not when she is still alive.
He glanced around the desecrated area, trying to find his remaining allies, Aika did the same. He spots a few scattered about, some in better condition than others. But despite their injuries and their losses, he can feel their determination. Their hopes. Their dreams, all boiling to the breaking point. No matter what happens, they all intend to end everything at this moment.
He closed his eyes and dug deep into his soul. There he found the unpleasant void, slowly growing inside of his body. A dark orb was present, filled with an indescribable amount of hatred. But that hatred was weakening, quickly fading with every passing second, and with it, the only protection they have against the Witch of Vainglory.
Besides it were the Factors, all residing deep inside his very soul. Each of them wanting to reign supreme over the other, to establish a hierarchy. A Wrath barely contained, surging forward like tidal waves yet stopped by his determination. A strike to his Pride, his arrogance truly incapacitating what it meant to be a fair and just ruler. A hint of his Slothfulness, as he always wanted to run away and go back to his room, to let his parent's shelter him when the going gets tough. A splinter of Greed to not let others take what is his. A fathomless Gluttony to desire, to satisfy his familial cravings and his need for relationships. A Melancholic nature that reflected his past, the memories of a time long ago, filling him with regret and of his parents flashed through his mind.. A muted Lust that he suppressed, for he had forced himself to bury them away for the sake of the world. He was shocked at how it was all being contained, but none of them would work, not against her. With the timer slowly ticking down, he must end this fight.
Yet, he felt it, something new, something unexpected, a warm gentle energy seemed to envelop him, a serenity as if time itself was helping him process these multiple changes, and for the first time, he looked with hope and desperate longing, towards his and his friends, families, and nations future, a true happy ending.
However, despite the overwhelming odds that were stacked against them. The despair that was eating away at his soul and body, his head felt light. Something else was present, something far stronger than any of those negative feelings combined. Because of it, he was able to hold on no matter how dire everything was. That's right, hope.
As if she could feel what he felt, the platinum haired girl let out a smile. A smile far wider than any other. She was overjoyed, she was ecstatic. The thought of a boy still clinging onto faint hope. Their will and determination push them to go over their limits and do what can only be seen as miracles. Oh how wonderful. Oh how beautiful. She wanted it. She needs it. She needs him.. The Sword Saint was no longer there to stop her, and the boy's borrowed power was beginning to run out. All she needed to do was to simply stall, and victory would come to her.
"Keep hoping. Keep fighting. It will only make your guaranteed loss all the more wonderful. Your spirit falling into absolute despair as you gazed at me. I want you to wish that I will end you, to eliminate you from all this torment and pain. And when you do, I will gladly hold your chin and whisper...No."
She laughed, loud enough for her voice to be audible for those near her. A genuine laugh, something that she had long forgotten how it felt like. For it to resurface now, it indicated to her only one thing. This was it. This was what she had been looking for. What she had been yearning for all this time. She had finally found it. She had finally found him, and she would not let go.
A sense of dread flooded his tired mind, watching as the monster in front of him laughed. It was so real, so filled with emotions, so...pure. This only made her all the more detestable to him, grinding his teeth as he held onto his bloodlust, wanting nothing more than to cut down that disgusting being.
"Oh, my wonderful, truthfully and earnestly sweet child. All the pain you have gone through. All the loss you have experienced, it really has been tough on you, hasn't it? It is quite alright, for I will give you my hand, and soothe your soul and mind. I alone will give you comfort." Calming down from her manic laughter, she boldly states, her eyes fixated onto his.
The boy directed all his boiling rage into his dark brown eyes and glared at her. Despite having little strength to even stand properly, he gathered everything he had to spit towards the ground, before growling at her with the utmost intensity he could gather..
"Fuck. Off."
His near animalistic response shook Aika to the core. She never expected such a powerful tone coming from him, yet a grin was visible on her face.
And yet, faced with such animosity, the girl only let out another heartfelt laugh. His anger only excites her more. Such intensity. Such sincerity. It only made her desire him more. She wondered if she could even make the next time to be even more powerful, and so, determined to find out, she waved her hand and states.
"Natsuki Subaru and his friends were never here. This battle never happened."
As the command was emitted, his stomach churned. His very sense of self and being was pulled from under him, an expected attack that now matter how much he prepares himself for, it's sheer authority still seemed to muddle his brain and twisted mind, like an error that needed to be fixed. This was it, he knows this feeling. He abhors it, despises it, yet cannot but blame his own futility in besting the Witch at her own vainglorious nature. Even with the help of the power of Envy, it could only prevent the authority from going all the way, resetting just a little before the end of the kneeled in despair as he felt things starting to change, before feeling a hand placed firmly on his shoulder.
He gazed towards the source and saw Aika, her face staring at his. For this moment, her face was the enchanting. Her radiance, unbroken and unafraid.. Even while crippled, her demeanor can still make any Mabeast cower in fear. Brave as the lions from his homeland, and fierce as an alley cat, that had always been Aika.
He felt relief, as if a burden had been lifted off his shoulders. He chuckles, unsure of where all his previous rage went, but it didn't matter, for he has her. As he lightly held onto her hand placed on his shoulder, a small sting passed his mind. A voice called out, belonging to Aika, and only he could hear it.
Aika smiled at the boy's response, before commenting again, her tone feeling different than the last.
"Mmm, that's right, you aren't a King just yet, but you will be soon. And for that, learn to control your emotions. Never let rage consume you. I truly do believe that you can do it. That you will be the one to lead this country to a better tomorrow, Natsuki Subaru. And that tomorrow will start after today."
The boy listened, as slight confusion began to surge within him. What's going on? Why is she speaking in such a tone? As he wondered, his mind came to a single thought, as he realized what she might be implying.
"Aika, you're n-"
Yet, his voice went unheard, as Aika let go of his shoulders, falling down to her knees. Resting her hands on the ground, she shut her eyes as she channeled what's left of her strength and will power.. For what she is about to do, no matter the consequences, she will gladly accept it. Just before Pandora's authority could fully take its toll, she rang out her command.
"Broken Authority: Samsara Mandala."
As the girl beside him shouted, the world froze. Everything around him stopped, even the dust in the air. He could feel everything, yet nothing at the same time. But this only lasted less than a fraction of a second, as the world resumed its natural pace. And everything was still present.
Everyone that was present felt it. A singular moment in time where nothing moved. But before they could even understand what had occurred, the consequences and effects were already done.
Pandora, who throughout this whole fight, always kept a smile on her, the fight seemingly going her way, flipped. Her expression was replaced with genuine shock, with that disturbing smile gone, replaced with a widened mouth, her ability failed. She yelled in confusion:
"This isn't possible, this isn't real… Erase! I command so it shall be brought forth! Why isn't it working?"
A brilliant lotus flower emerged from the air underneath Pandora as a clock materialized behind her. The hour hand seemingly stopped moving backwards by the lotus petal, a visualization of its ability to intervene with her Witch Factor. To see her power be denied, it left her in a daze, unable to fathom what had occurred, yet that was all that the boy needed.
Using what little strength he could gather, the boy pushed forward. This was the moment he needed to make it count. If not, then everything that they have fought for and everyone that had died for this very moment would be pointless. All this bloodshed, all this heartbreak, all this pain….it will end here.
"Subaru!"
As he ran towards the enemy, another voice called out to him. And a moment later, he felt a weight on his left shoulder, yet it wasn't as heavy as he had anticipated. Next to his ear, the beloved spirit raised her hands, and with it, a black rift was opened.
"Good luck, in fact. Give us the happy ending you want!"
He jumped, embracing himself for the other side. Recalling something, he reached his still working left arm to his right. As he did, the ground came into his view and standing on it was the still visibly surprised girl, staring to the other side where he originally was.
There was a pause as their eyes met, yet the gears of Fate and Fortune had already started to collide. No, they were clashing this whole time. This was simply the crescendo that will decide the winner.
She snapped towards the boy but it was already too late. He lifted his arm, and plunged it forward to the witches' belly. With a single strike, he pierced right through the girl's stomach, her face still holding a shocked expression.
Pandora thought to herself, her body sending signals to her head, alerting her every sense.
"This is...pain? This is...reality? Have I really been bested? By him? By this child? By this toy? No….Natsuki Subaru."
Holding onto the broken blade, given to him by a man whose hair burned brighter than the sun, he drilled it further into her, severing her intestines and plunging it upwards till he hit and cut her heart gruesomely, he didn't want to leave anything to chance, this moment was too critical. This will end here. It must, or all is lost.
"….Gahh.. Haaaa.. Hahaha…. I lost… Yet.. I'll never.. give up.. my dream." With a breath, the girl coughed, spilling the ground with her blood. This time however, with the crimson color spreading through her cloth, she felt it. "…Natsuki Subaru…"
And yet, despite clearly piercing her heart, the girl's arms began to move.. His stomach dropped, a look of pure fear surfaced on his face. Did she use her authority?! He questions himself as he turns his head back to find Aika, her face planted into the ground. And in a few seconds, her body began to crack, her clothes broke and her hair shattered. The pieces fell and just as quickly disappeared, not leaving a speck of dust left. And just like that, the girl named Aika was no longer there.
The ability was too much for her, and she paid the price. However A voice was heard:
"King! Do it or regret it all… do not give into this weakness.. you're A KING!... Worry about your population.. don't waste time worrying about someone as broken as myself… I'll be back… I hope."
With those last words she faded away into nothingness, yet Subaru couldn't even mourn her, he had to take care of what was in front of him, or all would indeed be destroyed if Pandora had the slightest ability to come back from those wounds.
He didn't understand, what just happened? Was she a spirit? But that wouldn't make sense. Yet why? Why why why why why? Why is this happening?!
"Goodbye, Subaru. May we meet again...hopefully soon."
"Aika?!"
Hearing her voice inside of him, he desperately yelled. Yet all he got was pure silence, as his link cut. He felt it, their connection, their bond, gone forever. He silently weeps, unable to even properly say his final farewells to the girl who he truly felt comforted by. This was simply not the time for it.
Turning his body to look behind himself, he could no longer feel the yellow haired spirits' presencespirits presence, leaving him stranded with no more mana and strength. Still, he pushed on, for what little he could do. He had always achieved miraculous feats even with such a weak body and damaged gate, yet he would succeed. He must, or all is lost. Even Aika's sacrifice.
"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" He lets out a scream, tightening his grip at the same time. But it was not enough, the girl slowly spoke, her lips spreading into that smile again. Was it still not enough?
"…was never he-" Before she could finish however, blood sprayed across his face. Yet he did not falter, as he glanced at what caused it.
Next to him, a purple haired individual stood, their blade sliced across the girl's neck. Using this opportunity, Subaru switched his stance, driving the sword upward, and proceeded to cut open the monster's face. Her throat destroyed, her commands unable to be uttered, she took the brunt of it all. Her face froze in shock and surprise, she stared into him for one last time, with a forlorn expression and sad eyes, before dissipating into dust, leaving nothing behind.
The blade hanging in the air dropped as he released his grasp. As the broken sword dropped, he fell to his knees. His breathing hitched, his eyes fluttered. He wasn't sure if he should believe anything right now, despite wanting to. For all he could know, this could be another of Pandora's tricks, putting him into a state of relief. Yet as time flew by for what felt like years, nothing changed.
He could feel his breathing, his ears ringing, the smell of dust and blood filled his nostrils. He was alive, and he was here. This wasn't an illusion, he is now sure of it. Uncertain if he should laugh or cry yet, he turned to the others, only for his mind to fill in the missing memory. The memory of someone that was once sitting beside him.
"A-Ai-" His sentence was left unfinished, as his voice cracked and broke. His lungs gasping for air, seemingly freed from confinement. Was he holding his breath this whole time? He couldn't recall. This battle has been nothing but deceit of the highest order. But he didn't ponder it for long, as he tried his best to crawl towards the woman. Yet , he couldn't, for there was nothing left to crawl to. He wanted to cry, he wanted to scratch his eyes out to release even a drop of tear, but his exhaustion left no room for such ability.
His eyes blurry, his feet unsteady, he inevitably tripped. Yet he did not fall, as someone was there to catch him. A person in a white robe with mud and blood was all he could see, as he could not lift his head to observe their face.
Slowly, he reached towards where Aika had laid while she casted the spell that tipped the battle to his victory, trying to grasp a shred of clothing, a broken weapon, anything that would tell him that his friend, someone that he truly could connect with in every level, that she was there. That she existed. But all he could find was a memory, hours before the battle started.
Aika, Subaru, Emilia and a mysterious orange haired woman were looking at the map where their battle would take place. As they discussed tactics Aika seemingly smiled in contentment and boldly declared:
"I'll lead alongside our King, we have a trick up our sleeves to use against that vile witch." Aika bodly spoke, her legs crossed with her right hand holding a glass of wine. Subaru stared fondly at her, while Emilia could only look at her with worry.
'But what about you, won't you be in a lot of danger, you dummy/" The half-elf protested.
Aika chuckled as she kept drinking her wine and declared with confidence.
"Just trust me Emi, I'll make it out of this, and I'll make sure to get your husband out of there as well. We are going to get our happy ending no matter what!"
As that frozen moment of time ended, he closed his eyes, gritting his teeth. For once, he could finally understand how it felt like to Emilia. How it must have felt like to be lied to.
"So, I guess we are the same, Aika, we are both liars at the end… How it fucking hurts.'
He grunt and growled, yet his tears won't come out. All he could do was yelped, lamenting the loss of a friend. Of a sister in arms, as his consciousness fades away..
With that, the battle concluded. A war that only lasted days, yet felt like every single generation of every family came together to witness this battle. This short but decisive confrontation. What accompanied it…was the sound of the distant wind, acting as the sound of the war coming to an end.
(The Story begins 400 years from now, into a brand new future, behold Zero Legacy.)
(AN: Samsara is the realm of reincarnation in Buddhist terms, Mandala is involved with resurrection and time itself)
AN: this is the Story of a future nation and all the turmoil it brings. It will be sad, Wonderful, have romance, and tragedy, and especially suffering. Without my betas u couldn't have done this at all! Thank you Legendarysalad author of sage and crow, thank you AWZ author of SCOS and goated overload fic, thank you to my numerous other bets. And most of all, thank you Sub! For sticking with me and letting this Collab have a dream. Stick around and find out how much a world can change after a happy ending!