Prologue
"Huh…I'm alive?"
Theresia Van Asteria stood baffled, her jaw hanging open in disbelief at the extraordinary circumstance she found herself in while being stared at in shock and horror by three raggedy looking men she had never seen before.
She had died. It sounded hard to believe, but it was true. She was certain she had met her end trying to slay the White Whale and had perished for it.
Only now that no longer seemed to be the case. She had been pulled away from the icy grip of oblivion and now was now in a dirty alleyway looking dumbfounded.
Was this a trick or perhaps an illusion perhaps? She bit her lip, drawing blood and was surprised to feel a sensation.
She could taste. She could smell, and even touch. It was all there!
And…was that a heartbeat she felt?
She touched her chest much to the embarrassment of the men who either flushed or turned away while letting out a string of curses. How childish.
She listened carefully, ignoring all the idle threats that they were making and focused.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Her smile widened, in relief. 'Yep, diffidently a heartbeat.'
Her head bobbed in approval with a satisfied hum for good measure. There was no mistaking it now. She was alive, dressed up in her signature battle attire that was free of the scuffs and bruises that had once blemished it from her years of combat.
Even more surprising was the fact she felt younger. Her skin was vibrant and radiant and her body more nimble and agile compared to that of an older woman's nearing her fifties.
'How is this possible?' she wondered, marveling at the apparent second chance she had been given.
But before she could contemplate further there was a loud shout behind her.
"Hell yeah!" She heard a distinct male voice cry out with enthusiasm.
Theresia whirled, expecting to see an enemy only to be greeted to the sight of a raven-haired boy wearing the strangest set of clothing she had ever seen before jumping in the air with his fist thrusted out in excitement.
He was staring at her in wonder, and Theresia couldn't help but feel a small blush creep its way to cheeks at the way his eyes roamed her body.
'Stop it Theresia! He's underage!' She scolded herself weakly.
Then again so was she…
"This is awesome! I knew I'd get a cool power when I got summoned to this world!"
Theresia blinked. 'Power? Summoned? What was he talking about?'
She felt so lost right now.
While this was going on the three behind her were beginning to edge their way back. Realizing that they might be over their heads.
"Shit, just our luck. The kid's a mage!"
"But, he looked so weak! He seemed like the perfect score! Where the fuck did that girl come from?!"
"H-Hey guys, doesn't she look sort of familiar?"
The men went back and forth in hushed whispers as Theresia began to get impatient. She could see these people where up to no good and by the looks of it where trying to rob the innocent boy behind her.
Her expression turned dark, anger filled her eyes. This would not stand. She would not stand idly by as someone suffered.
"Is there a problem here? Why are you scoundrels attacking this young man?" She said sternly, crossing her arms over her chest. She wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt and only resorted to violence if necessary.
One of the men scowled. "Mind your business bitch!"
"Yeah, back off! Unless you want us to hurt that pretty face of yours!" The other feigned confidence.
The third man's eyes seemed to hold a hint of familiarity in them as if he was trying to discern her identity.
Theresia let out a sigh. 'Don't say I didn't warn you'.
She hated beating down on those that were weaker than her, but if left with no other choice she wouldn't hesitate to act.
She looked over her shoulder and smiled sweetly at the boy who had up to this point was enthralled by the turn of events that failed to pay attention to his surroundings. His gaze was only on her. How cute.
"You just sit tight kay, we'll talk after." She winked, enjoying the way he sputtered and turned red at her action.
Mama likes! Wait, no bad thoughts! Very bad thoughts!
She shook her head and made her way over to the three men who began to get into defensive positions. Lucky for them she hadn't been summoned with her sword. Reid had more than likely been pawned off to her successor and she didn't have any other weapon on her. Unfortunately, she was also an expert in hand to hand combat, even once going toe to toe with Wilhelm although the lovable goofball would deny it and swore he went easy on her and that she didn't kick his ass.
She totally did!
"Okay boys which one of you wants to take your spanking first." She said cheerfully, winding herself up for the butt kicking she was about to unleash.
"The hell you just say! I'll kill you – "One of the thugs started, only to have his nose broken by a swift punch to the face by Theresia, which sent him flying backwards into a nearby dumpster that dented on impact.
"Ton!"
"I warned you, didn't I? Now hold still and take your punishments!"
Thersia sing songed as she savagely descended on the screaming flaying men with delight while ignoring their pleas for mercy.
In the end they all fell to her mighty fists, and she didn't even scratch on her. Ha! She was impressed with herself, even after all these years she still had what it took to make grown men cry for their mothers. How exhilarating!
"That was amazing!" The raven-haired teen exclaimed, running up to her. He was a tall and slender lad with a meek look to him that couldn't help but adore,
"There's no need to thank me. A knight's job is to protect the weak and defend the innocent. It's all in a day's work." She boasted with her nose held high.
The boy slumped as the completely oblivious knight ripped apart his dignity.
"I must be weak if I had to rely on a little kid to save me."
How rude! She wasn't just some kid! She was a tiny murder machine and no one could tell her otherwise!
"If you must know, I'm actually a highly skilled knight, one of the best in fact!" She bragged, puffing her chest out proudly.
"Uh huh?" The boy said doubtfully.
"You don't believe me?" Theresia said with grit teeth and clenched fists. "Perhaps I should show you another example personally?"
The teen paled and shook his head frantically. "Let's not talk crazy! You'd snap me like a popsicle stick!"
Theresia tilted her head. "What's a popsicle and while we're at it who are you and were you the one who brought me here?"
'Back from death?' She thought, leaning closer with interest.
The boy nodded hesitantly, "Yeah, it's sort of a long story…"
Theresia shrugged and moved to sit on a nearby staircase as she patted the spot right next to her.
"I don't mind. I have all the time in the world." She smiled gently, glad that she genuinely meant it. "Now tell me who are you?"
The boy swallowed nervously before taking a deep breath and spilling his secret.
"My name is Subaru Natsuki and I come from another world!"
Boom!
I'm going to do something different and make our boy Barasu have a different route then what were used to seeing.
But don't worry there will still be lots of blood and gore for you nutjobs out there.