Yahallo readers, just a little author's here.
This is my first published fanfic, yay! Also, English is not my first language, so any criticism is welcome.
I hope I can pull this off all the way to the end. Not sure how much time it will take me, but that's the fun part, right?
Ps:From now on, I should post new chapters every 2 weeks (1 week if I can manage it) and there should be no delays unless an emergency happens.
Anyway, enjoy this chapter and I'll see you guys in two weeks. Bye Bye
I do not own Re:zero and its characters.
Only some characters are from my creation.
'x' for thoughts
"x" for dialog
Re:zero - Steel Rose
Part 0: Infertile Soil
-'What a boring day'
Thought the young man while he rested in his bed. It was just another day. Wake up, shower, go to the company and later go back home only to do more work that he could not complete in his shift time - a nightmare.
-"Shit, I am too tired to play anything" he said, putting his phone aside and staring at the ceiling.
Since he had a good paying job, he wouldn't complain too much. It had been 4 years since he got the opportunity to work for one of the largest space exploration companies, SpaceW. This type of company was fairly new, as it was only 7 years ago that new fuel cell power engines were developed, making space travel so efficient that a new cold war began, a race to the mineral rich asteroids that lurked near Earth and Mars. Many people became rich from the new mining operations. What role did he play in this new horizon of opportunity? He was an Internship Nacional Code Engineer Launcher, or, as some called him, an I.N.C.E.L. He would search and create initiation programs for new and talented Code Engineers around the world.
-'I can't sleep too hu?' he thought, rubbing his red eyes.
He usually read a book or played something before falling asleep, but he couldn't look at a screen anymore. Music didn't work either. His anxiety grew as the minutes passed by. He kept thinking of something that would help him fall asleep. Usually, just falling on the bed would make him sleep in an instant.
-'I guess I'll have to do it the old way then' he thought, getting out of bed and walking through the apartment to a small closet in the back.
There, after searching through some old boxes, he found an old collection of light novels he had read before he went off to college. They would serve as a distraction from the uncertain future that kept him awake back then. He grabbed the first volume and cleared the front of dust, revealing the title.
Re:zero - Starting Life in Another World
A feeling of nostalgia filled him. He remembered how he had read the first volumes over and over again, just waiting for the next volume to launch. A warm smile spread across his face. He walked back to his bed and turned on the lamp beside it. On the first few pages were the colorful illustrations and characters: A scary looking Subaru and the beautiful half-elf Emilia. So many memories of cheering for Subaru, hoping that he could overcome the heavy burden of watching everyone around him die. The tense moments of the boy's suffering or even the worst moment of them all, the self-proclamation of knighthood on the castle. A shiver ran down the young man's spine just from thinking about it. Then he decided to just read rather than think more about that scene. It was one of the best nights he had in a long time, and after a few chapters he started to feel sleepy. Finishing the first volume he put it on his bedside table. His body was relaxed now, he closed his eyes and waited for his dreams to catch him.
-'Maybe I'll will read everything again' was his last thought as his consciousness faded.
.
.
.
- "I will grant your wish Suzuki, be free" Said a sad voice.
Part 1: Field of Red Roses
He felt a light breeze across his face and the bed was so soft and warm. It was so comfortable that he kept his eyes closed even though he was already awake. Slowly he remembered last night and the reading he had done.
'I definitely missed that feeling' he thought as he rubbed his face, 'I even woke up before the alarm clock'
It was a really sunny day; it took him a few seconds to adjust his view to the bright sun above him. Then the realization struck him, he lived in an apartment, besides, it had been 2 years since he could see the sun in the sky. He sat down and blinked a few times, now truly seeing the landscape before him. Huge fields of flowers with bright colors and a pleasant smell in the air; surrounding a crystal-clear lake and beyond the fields a dense forest. He looked down and noticed that he had been lying on red roses, beside him a backpack laid on the ground.
'Crap, I must have thorns everywhere'
He examined his body and didn't find any thorns or bruises, but he looked different. His hands were in good care, not full of corn from the constant typing, touching his shoulder he also didn't feel the Tendonitis. He was brand new. After feeling some relief, he plucked a rose from the ground and looked at it closely. It looked like a normal rose, except the stem had no thorns and looked incredibly detailed, like an ancient Roman column.
"Another lucid dream?" he whispered.
First, he pinched his arm, a routine check in his lucid dreams, and felt pain. After that, looking behind him there was a world, not just an empty void. The distrust of what was really happening didn't leave him, but it all felt real. Getting up, he walked near the lake and got his face close to the water. He was young again, really young, probably around 14 or 16 years old. His eyes were brown, his black hair was heavily trimmed, almost like and army soldier. He wore the same clothes from work: a petrol blue social shirt, black pants and black shoes.
'I really look out of place' he thought while analyzing himself through the water reflection
He went back to the roses and seat down on them again, letting all sink in for a moment. He clenched his fists and raised his head.
"A fucking Isekai!" he shouted with joy, 'And this must be my starting gear, suck it Subaru' he thought while opening the backpack.
It looked like inside where some survival gear: a matchbox, a survival book, rations, and a compass. On top of the backpack was a futon. On the sides were a machete and an electric lamp with some kind of mini solar panel. A very convenient kit. Inside there was also a letter with a red stamp keeping it closed, in the corner was written:
For Suzuki
Opening the letter, the following could be read:
Good morning, Suzuki
I know you have been going through trying times, especially in your home. This was a gift from me to you, a chance to start from zero in a place you hold dear in your heart. Do as you please and find the joy that was lost in your old world. I have given you a few things that might help you on your journey. You are truly blessed now, my dear Suzuki.
Farewell
Rimya
'Even got the pretty girl that summoned me' he thought jokingly, 'but why it feels like a goodbye?'
A feeling of sadness struck him, even not knowing who Rimya was. He was truly grateful to have this opportunity.
"I won't let you down Rimya" he said with a smile, putting the letter back in his backpack.
He grabbed the backpack and took another moment to appreciate the landscape before him. With a deep breath and full of confidence, he made the decision to fully live the Isekai dream.
.
.
.
He was completely lost. Beyond the flower-fields the deep forest seemed to have no end. The green flora amazed him, tall trees and bushes everywhere. Birds were singing and some small rodents were crossing the trees, it was nature in its full glory. It was magnificent, despite the fact that there was no sign of civilization anywhere. After two hours of walking, hunger and fatigue were already setting in, he wasn't used to walking so much, so he took a short break. An old log lying on the ground seemed like a good place to rest. It was a bit moldy and had some mushrooms on the sides, but it seemed comfy enough for a little rest. He put his belongings on the side of the log and made a big stretch to loosen his muscles. Searching in the backpack he grabbed a thermal bottle and a pack of dried meat. The tea in the bottle was warm, a pleasant drink for such a nice day. He ripped open the meat bag and started to eat some.
'Too salty' it wasn't the best, but it was not the worst either 'I hope this doesn't become a Man vs Wild'
For some reason he began to feel uneasy, suddenly a chill ran down his spine, someone was watching him in the darkness of the forest. He put his hand in the machete as the menacing aura drew closer, turning his head to see what was coming. Red eyes hovered over his body as if ready to strike a fatal blow. Someone looking briefly would think it was just a scary dog, but Suzuki's sharp eyes could see its true nature: a large wolf-like creature with brown and black fur, protruding razor-sharp fangs, a row of spikes jutting out of the back and a single spike like horn on the snout. The wolfish creature began to approach, growling louder with each step. Cold sweat dripped from the Suzuki's face. The creature speeds up and begins to run. It shortens the distance and jumps aiming at his throat. He reacts and swings the machete at the creature, but in his desperation, only the side of the blade hits the creature, deviating him from his vital point by inches, pushing him onto his back and into the mud, the machete escaped from his hands and fell amidst the mud.
The creature gets back to its feet, snoring and opening its mouth showing a tongue that looks like a spear, and soon leaps again for a bite. In a single motion he raised his left arm to take the bite and swings his right with full force, aiming at the creature's nose. He feels the bones of his hand cracking with the force of the impact, but unfortunately the horn-like spike on the creature's snout keeps it from being broken, instead it ends up with a deep gash in the middle, blood running down its face and into its eyes. He presses the attack and raises his left arm to strike, when the creature lunges at him, he stumbles and falls onto his back, rolling on the mud unexcitedly and dodging the blow from the horn that would pierce his torso with ease. He reaches for the machete with his right hand, feeling his broken fingers pulse and some blood drip from them. The creature keeps its momentum and continues the chase. He stands up and raises his arms, ready for a full vertical strike. The beast notices this and speeds up, giving him no time or range to attack, but that was the creature's last mistake. With the creature in the air and ready to bite him in the jugular, he pulls his knee up and delivers a hard blow to the beast's chin, dislocating its jaw. As soon as the creature falls on its back, he thrusts forward.
"Die you fucking Maju!" he screamed with all his might.
Delivering a devastating cut to the beast's belly. Bones crack and flesh tears as the machete goes deeper, severing the internal organs. The creature twitched a little before stopping, gurgling.
His clothes were painted red, blood dripping from his hands. Feeling his knees almost giving out, panting heavily as he put his hands on his thighs, vomit threatening to come out of his mouth. Dazed, he took a seat next to the dead beast. It was the first time he had seen so much gore. With a trembling hand, he picked up the now muddy tea bottle and took a sip, his throat resisting letting the liquid in.
'I didn't think a machete blow would leave such a mess' he thought, glancing at the corpse out of the corner of his eye as his stomach churned once more.
This was supposed to be more pleasant, or at least someone would have helped him, were the thoughts running through Suzuki's mind. On the other hand, this was the world of Re:zero. The only certain thing was that in this world, horror was the common theme. Doubt paired upon the young man's mind, was he truly blessed now?
Once again, he sensed something approaching, a creature with hunting intentions closing in on him. Another one of these majus would mean the end of the journey. He stood up with the machete in his hand, his vision blackened a bit by the sudden movement.
'I won't be so lucky this time' he remembered Al, Priscilla's knight, "I don't want to end up like him" he said in a low deep voice, trying to strengthen his body for the fight.
A humanoid figure rose from the forest, it was still too far away, only its silhouette could be seen. It slowly came closer. Suzuki felt the hunting aura starting to fade. He felt the tense atmosphere loosen and lowered his machete. Upon getting closer, the figure moved a little faster.
"Hey, are you all right?" the woman said in a concerned voice.
As she got closer, Suzuki could see her clearly now. A tall woman with black hair in a ponytail, a bow in her hand and leather armor. When she saw the machete on the boy's hand, she paused for a moment. The boy was covered in blood and the Maju lay dead on his side. She began to walk again.
"Stop!" shouted Suzuki, raising the machete again, "What do you want?"
Again, she froze in place. "Hey, calm down, I don't want to hurt you," she showed her hands and continued, "I was hunting Majus and one got away from me, I chased him. He was fast, so I lagged behind a bit.
Suzuki could sense that the woman didn't want a fight.
"What is your name? I'm Olympia, a hunter"
"My name is... My name is Prion" he said, lowering his machete for good.
"Listen, you look very hurt, I can help you, is that all right with you?"
Sensing the woman's good intentions, he felt relieved, too relieved. In an instant everything began to go black as he relaxed and the adrenaline began to fade.
"Hey, care-"
The next moment his face hit the bloody mud.