WARNING - DO NOT READ UNLESS YOU'VE READ UNTIL CHAPTER 70 ARC 7 OF THE RE:ZERO WEB NOVEL
There was an eerie silence that befell the gladiator island, quite uncommon considering the bright rays of sunlight that spread throughout the area, which would normally be an indication of a noisy morning. The nauseating scent of iron wafted through the air bestowing an ominous feeling of dread that would certainly crush the weak-hearted.
In the middle of a pitch of grass adorned with crimson blades, a scary-eyed child of about ten years old could be seen slammed against a wall with his neck wrapped by the hands of a bright orange haired soldier. What probably should be deserving of more attention were the several bodies that littered the vicinity, but neither the soldier nor the youth seemed to give them any of their attention.
Subaru - "Heh. I guess I never introduced myself did I?"
Todd - "Huh? What are you on about? I said pick. Die to time, knife or poison."
The man's crisp voice resonated through the quiet field with a cold merciless tone. It was a sharp voice laced with malice, and devoid of any hesitation or apprehension. Paired with those calculating emerald eyes, the voice and gaze of the man had the power to pierce one's very soul. Yet, the youth seemed unfazed by this. After taking a deep breath to prepare himself for what is to come, Subaru raised his head and looked Todd right in the eyes.
Subaru flashed a wide toothy grin and mustered all the strength in his body to weakly raise his arm and point to his chest. In a horse dry voice he proclaimed
Subaru - "I'm Natsuki Subaru. Son of Natsuki Kenichi. I will kill you Todd and claim my third victory. You would do well to remember me, although I don't think that would be poss-"
Before Subaru could even finish his bold, unreasonable, futile declaration, a choking warmth wrapped around his neck squeezing down the air in his throat and silencing him.
It wasn't the first time he had to experience such a feeling but he always wished it would be his last. It was a feeling one could never get used to. He could feel his skin pale and dry up, along with the mind shattering, incessantly agonizing pain that came along with it. His blood vessels seemed to squirm along his burning skin, his heart beating so loud it was thrumming a harsh ringing beat into his brain. It was too loud for him to even notice that the beat was ever so slowly, yet surely weakening. He was sure that if he still retained part of his soul, he would let out a bloodcurdling scream that would evoke sympathy in even the cruelest of beings.
His head jerked down sloppily, releasing puddles of blood in bouts of dry coughs. He could feel the pool of cold sweat running down his back and he unconsciously clenched his fists that were on his sides to ease the pain. The taste of iron and bile invaded his senses as he desperately tried to force the contents of his stomach back to where they belong.
As he pressed every fiber of his being to not give into the comfort promised from sleep, his consciousness flickered into and out of the depths of his mind. He would not succumb to the heavy feeling brought about by sloth. He decided that so, so very long ago.
'Ah. So it was from the knife this time.'
Well, it was probably the least painful option he thought. He would know from experience after all.
The lunatic had swiftly drawn his sharpened knife with a quick slash to the boy's neck. It was a movement so refined that even an amateur observer could admire its beauty, a movement so quick that Subaru had no time to even have one of those cliché life flashing before your eyes moments - not like he would have one at this point anyways.
It was an experienced movement with a slash of optimal power and technique that did not want to extend pain, but rather eliminate the threat in front of it. Subaru could not see his face, but he was sure he was making a discontent expression, probably unhappy that he had to resort to dirtying his knife.
'Jeez, what a psycho. Well, I guess I've got no right to comment. After all -'
Blood leaked down his throat and he dropped to his knees. Slowly and cruelly, the cold embrace of death graced his body, draining his life force away.
As he lay against the cold hard ground, a dry chuckle escaped his lips. So weak and devoid of life it failed to reach Todd's ears. But it was not weakness that this frail voice entailed, for -
'Even in death after death, I will find a way to end you'
- For it was entailed with unending, unwavering, determination possessed by a boy who has been living in the very depths of hell for as long as he can remember.
And unknown to many, it was this very resolve that made this entity not unlike a true reaper of death, a being that warranted the fear of Od Laguna itself.
Known to death and known to life, born from the admiration of his father and expectations placed on him, was a monster in the body of a child.
For the umpteenth time Natsuki Subaru raised his head to defy fate with his very own hands.