Hello, it's been quite a while since I last updated however, I wanted to ensure this chapter was as good as I could make it before finally sending it off. I am finally happy with how it turned out and hope you all enjoy it.
Thank you very much for the support and the interest with this story. I've had quite a few questions unfortunately a lot of them are spoilers, so I won't be able to answer them this time.
That being said if you ever want to personally talk to me on the story don't hesitate to ask me on discord: Gromble Whiskers#6954
With all that said please enjoy Re:Abyss- Chapter 4
Pain. That is all he felt, a flood of memories invaded his mind like a virus. Memories that were not his yet were, he screamed alongside a thousand other voices though it was drowned out by the continuous declarations of love made by the figure in shadows before him.
"I hate you," rage overcoming him he spoke the first words that came to mind.
The entity before him beheld him in her possessive gaze and soon after he felt his body engulfed in shadows and not too soon after the world.
"Wake up already I suppose," a familiar voice demanded. Beckoned from the realm of sleep, Bondrewd awoke to the familiar sight of Beatrice staring down at him, a pout already forming on her face. Reaching forward before she could speak more, Bondrewd patted her head gently. She looked as if she was preparing to complain before his affections ultimately won over.
"My apologies, Beako." Her disapproving look quickly melted away as she attempted to 'subtly' lean into his head pats. "Hm seeing as you are Betty's new contractor, Betty will allow you to use that new nickname."
After his awakening the rest of the day had followed the same path, from meeting Emilia and Puck to dining table. This time however, he planned to intervene at the opportune moment but for that he would have to be patient.
Two days in and his research continued Beatrice assisting him where she could though unlike the first loop wherein the two of them had worked continuously, this time Bondrewd took a break. With Beatrice clinging to his hand the two marched towards Emilia's room.
Elated to see her new friend Emilia had welcomed them into her room, much to Pucks slight disapproval though before he could complain more, he found himself within Beatrice's grasp.
"So, tell me Emilia, how have your studies come along?" He started off with simple small talk. Placing her finger to her cheek Emilia began to list some basic history of the world and the remaining countries that had escaped the Envious Witches wrath.
"Impressive, you have a good grasp on the history of this world, but that is in the past now we must learn from it and work towards the future."
Nodding her head in agreement Emilia thought to herself for a while, "My goal is to make a kingdom that is equal. So that a second Demi-Human war never happens." She spoke with passion.
"Certainly, a good start, but we must also look at other factors." Bondrewd commented. "Other factors?" She looked curious.
"Indeed, for example what was the state of poverty like back then. It is easy to learn from the most blatant problems. But if we do not uncover the underlying problems then change can never be truly achieved." His voice grew steadily louder, his own passion easily eclipsing Emilia's own.
"You think poverty caused the war?" She looked incredulous. Despite this she quickly looked to him awaiting his answer like a student ready to learn from their favourite teacher.
"If the upper class are predominantly humans and the lower class predominantly demi-humans then resentment will grow. And resentment will lead to conflict and conflict always inevitably results in war if unchecked."
Emilia held on to his every word comprehension growing on her, "So we rid the country of poverty and curb the bias towards humans." As if reading her mind Bondrewd finished her trail of thought, "Then your dream of equality can truly begin, people will be more accepting of change if we first show that change is good."
"Then what should be our first change?" Emilia asked in both curiosity and excitement.
"Education. Imagine a world where everyone knows how to use healing magic, or how to ward off witch beasts, a world where anyone can achieve anything with enough hard work, a world that does not cower in fear of the secrets because they already know the truth." His passion which had earlier soared as high as the Flugel Tree itself now glowed with the strength of the sun itself grabbing the attention of both Beatrice and Puck who looked to the two of them.
"He's completely genuine, from the start he's been nothing but truthful yet despite this; why can't I shake this feeling of dread whenever I look at you. Why does that smell so thickly cover you, just what are you Bondrewd?" Puck thought to himself conflicted, his eyes focused alongside his sister on the black clothed man, one a gaze of awe the other of unending nervousness.
"That's…ambitious," Emilia took a second to answer, her mind trying to catch up with the sheer depth of Bondrewd's goals. "But I can't help but feel excited, let's work together and achieve this future at all costs." She spoke alike no longer so quietly, and her body did not fidget so slightly from nerves, she had the pose of not only someone determined to see their goal through but of a leader as well.
"Marvellous, I knew you would be the one. Together we shall uplift this world from the darkness and under your rule we will bring them to a golden era that will never end." He took a knee, "I may not be your knight but still I swear to you I will use any means necessary to bring this future you covet to fruition." He declared.
"You know promises are important to us spirit art users, so I'll hold you to it." Emilia smiled though she was somewhat embarrassed by Bondrewd's kneeling position. "Then I best get started," standing up Bondrewd made his way to her door Beatrice in tow. Just when he was about to leave however, he turned to her, placing his hand to where his ear would be if not for the helmet.
"Do you hear that?" Tilting her head at his sudden question Emilia cupped her ears trying to hear what sound Bondrewd could hear. "No, what is it?" She asked, alarmed.
"I believe it's the rumble of scientific triumph," Bondrewd spoke cheekily, a small chuckle breaking through his dark helmet before leaving the room; the last sound was of a small huff followed by giggling and finally calling him a dunderhead.
Wandering down the corridors Beatrice still in hand, Bondrewd finally spotted his target. The blue haired maid Rem, walking past her Rem gave him a pleasant smile and bow. "Surprising, it seems she's decided to trust me far faster than before." Bondrewd thought to himself.
"You maid girl stop right there I suppose," as he expected, Beatrice once close enough called out to Rem her face of great seriousness.
"Yes, Great spirit," Rem bowed her posture near perfect, but Bondrewd could pick up on the traces of nervousness she tried to hide. A skill he had picked up from their many decades together or was it centuries he thought to himself dismissively.
"You have traces of a curse on you, in fact. Betty will remove it unless her contractor wills otherwise," for a moment she left the question mid-air Rem freezing in place before nervously glancing towards the dark helmet man. "Please remove it with haste Beako," nodding to his answer Beatrice stepped forward, her palm outstretched towards Rem.
"Thank you," Rem bowed again, her still body and emotionless expression finally relaxing. Dark fog began emanating from her hand, curiously she brought the appendage up before turning it revealing a small scar.
"My, my it would seem whomever cursed you must have used some kind of proxy, a small animal such as a squirrel or dog." He allowed the worlds to hang in the air, observing with curiosity as Rems' face morphed into growing horror.
Clenching her fist, the dark smoke dissipated, "It is done, Betty will accept her due praise now, I suppose."
"The dog, the children are in danger!" Rem cried out.
"Gather the other residents, we may be under threat of an attack," Bondrewd commanded. Nodding her head Rem went off to gather the others.
"Marvellous, everything is going just as it needs to." Bondrewd thought to himself, not long after Rem returned followed by Ram and Emilia.
"And who exactly gave trash like you the authority to command both myself and Lady Emilia? Or to send my poor sister running across the mansion," growled Ram clearly. She had just been woken up and was in a rather foul mood.
"Do please forgive me Ram however this is greatly important," at his words Rem nodded her head clutching her sister's hands in her own. "He's right sissy someone cursed me, I'd be dead were it not for him and Lady Beatrice."
Hearing this Rams eyes narrowed her expression now one of complete seriousness. "Not only that but the one who inflicted this curse is likely the puppy the local village children found." Bondrewd added his words causing Emilia to gasp and Ram's eyes to narrow further.
"We need to get there as soon as possible and help them," Emilia following up on her own words immediately prepared herself to dash for the village were it not for Ram blocking her path. "No Lady Emilia, your safety is paramount, with Lord Roswaal gone, keeping you safe is my priority now."
"Roswaal is not here?" Bondrewd asked calmly, hoping to placate the current tension. Ram shook her head gravely.
"Well we can't just stay here, if I am to be a future ruler I can't just cower back whilst the people under my rule die least of all children!" Emilia exclaimed her eyes alight with anger and determination.
"Marvellous resolve Mili," Bondrewd praised, genuinely proud to see Emilia stand up for what she believes in. "I would suggest we bring Emilia with us, that way if there are any attempts to attack the mansion, we can catch them out of their element."
"And if they intended to lure us out?" Ram questioned scathingly. "I highly doubt they intended to fight us all together. Going in a group will stop any chance of them picking us off one by one." Bondrewd reasoned.
At his logic Ram couldn't help but sigh, "It disgusts me that I am even considering your ridiculous idea." At this Emilia coughed loudly gaining the attention of the room.
"That destination is no longer yours to consider because I'm ordering you to protect me while I investigate this issue at the village." She commanded her gaze boring deep into Ram's own.
Shocked by her sudden declaration Ram opened and closed her mouth carefully considering her next words. Eventually she opted to give off a sigh, "Fine I suppose it would only be natural you would seek out my protection over this walking pile of trash." She smirked, gesturing towards Bondrewd.
"My how cruel, forgive me. I would normally wallow in shame at such harsh words, but I believe we must make haste if we are to save those children." Emilia nodded her head in agreement, the rest of the room tensing themselves for what's to come.
Outwardly Bondrewd was the normal embodiment of calm but inwardly he could not help but cheer for joy. "Spectacular Emilia has started to grasp the meaning behind leadership and commanding others. She'll be ready soon." He excitedly thought his plans well underway. For he knew better than anyone that unless they were willing to tress through the deepest shadows of darkness, the dawn will never come.
Emilia's darkness was her memories. She knew little of her past and what she could remember she shunned, all perpetuated by the Great spirit Puck who called himself her father. If Emilia was to progress and become her own, then her final challenge must present itself soon.
"I know you'll succeed; you are stronger than you know Emilia even if some would try to hide you from that fact." Bondrewd thought with admiration, he had seen Emilia at her best and he had seen her at her worst. She was fragile now but under the right guidance she could become a strong ruler indeed one worthy of leading the new world when his work was finally done.
The village was to say least hectic; the panicked cries of villagers filled the air creating an atmosphere of dread. Upon seeing the group one of the villagers ran over. "The children they've gone missing." Gasping for breath he looked to the group with a tiny slither of hope in his eyes.
Breaking away from the group Bondrewd made his way to the pathway, embedded in the dirt beyond the fence was footprints leading within the dark woods. "The barrier! It's been disrupted." Rem pointed towards one of pyroxene crystals, this one unlike the others did not glow with mystical power. A sure sign that the barrier had indeed been breached.
"I assume it's this barrier you speak of that wards of witch beasts?" Rem nodded to his question. Emilia steps forward her presence causing the villager to flinch back anger flashing in his eyes.
"I'm the one who put up that barrier, I did not feel it fail and witch beasts are incapable of even touching them." She looked wary every now and then, glancing at the villager who continued to regard her coldly.
"Which means there has been some form of human intervention which means this was indeed planned as opposed to a wild attack." Bondrewd revealed. "That settles it then, Beatrice would you be a dear and accompany me." Nodding her head to his request Beatrice allowed Bondrewd with only some protest to lift her over the fence.
"We are coming with you." Emilia called out vaulting the fence alongside Rem and Ram. To this Bondrewd simply nodded his head before the group made their way into the woods.
Following the tracks so closely it didn't take them long to find the group of children, piled on a hill. Quickly the group made their way over Emilia and Beatrice using their healing magic to both ease and remove the curses that covered the children's bodies.
"We'll begin moving them back immediately," Rem commented before being interrupted by the sound of groaning, one of the children, a young girl with reddish brown hair, began to stir. Making his way over, Bondrewd gently comforted the small girl. "Easy now, will get you back to safety," his soothing voice seemed to calm her temporarily before her cyan blue eyes opened. With clear desperation she spoke up her voice raspy, "T-they took her one is still…" Finally, she succumbed to her exhaustion.
"It seems one is still missing; I'll go look for her. Emilia, Beatrice continue healing the children." He commanded.
"Absolutely not, I suppose!" Beatrice shouted with indignation. Seeking to calm her Bondrewd placed his hand on her head softly stroking her soft hair, "Do not worry for me Beako, I will return safe and sound I promise as your contractor."
"Do not worry Great spirit I will accompany Bondrewd." Standing up Rem walked beside Bondrewd. With a long-suffering sigh Beatrice relented but not before giving Rem one last withering glare, "Keep Betty's contractor safe, I suppose." She warned. Rem nodded in response.
"And you keep dear Rem safe even if you have to be a meat shield." Ram warned Bondrewd her voice was as equally on edge as Beatrice's. With the two equally threatened both Rem and Bondrewd made their way further into the woods.
Ahead of them unconscious was another young girl, with braided blue hair and a simple dress. To Rem she was a poor child who had it not been for their intervention would have been the first of many to be consumed by the witch beasts. Bondrewd on the other hand knew what she was doing. Using the children as bait including herself. He praised her ingenuity in getting what she wants. "How marvellous, you will make a most useful ally, Meli Portroute." He thought to himself with giddy excitement.
Before they could approach, they heard a growling, turning to the sound a beast eerily similar to a dog approached; though this beast was far bigger and covered in bone-like protrusions.
With reflexes and strength deceptive of one of her builds Rem pulled out her chained morning star before launching it, crushing the beast in a shower of blood and guts. Rem's short victory was quickly diminished however, when from the brush emerged a dozen more beasts only to be followed by a dozen more. Completely surrounded, Rem readied her morning star as Bondrewd scooped up Meli into his arms.
"There are more than last time." Bondrewd noted gently frisking Meli without her or Rem's notice. Finally, he felt the outline of what appeared to be some kind of dagger. "Ah so that's your plan. Perhaps I can make use of this, thank you Meli you are truly a good child." He thought gratefully gently patting her head; barely perceptible to the eye her face scrunched up in disgust a testament to her acting that she was able to keep her composure even while in the hands of her older sister figures killer.
"There!" Rem pointed towards a small gap in the beast's encirclement, quickly the two ran Rem killing any witch beats that got too close. Despite this for all her skill, for every ten witch beasts she kills one slips through her guard and over the course of their escape Rem had become progressively more and more injured.
Hearing a quiet groan Bondrewd looked down to the now squirming child. "She'll strike now." Bondrewd thought. As if reading his mind Meli struck plunging her knife within his shoulder, the combination of his armour and thickened skin meant the strike wouldn't even leave a bruise but knowing of the opportunity presented to him Bondrewd allowed himself to trip, falling to the ground. Rem went to go help but as if responding to the girls anger the witch beasts descended into a feral frenzy.
Straddling him Meli held the knife high ready to use all her strength to plunge it into the masked man's slightly exposed throat. "This is for Elsa!" She screamed using all her body's strength to bring down the knife.
Only to be blown off by a pulse of magic followed by a childish voice, "Get off him, I suppose!" Allowing Meli to fall unconscious proved to be a deadly mistake as the witch beasts seemed to grow even more vicious. They savaged the temporarily distracted Rem each bite coating her with deadly curses.
"Rem!" As expected of any older sibling Ram jumped into the fray, her potent wind magic shredding the beasts to pieces. But with sheer numbers the beasts eventually overcame Ram's short burst of power, in terms of raw power Ram ranked the highest amongst the residents of the mansion unfortunately she was also the quickest to run out of mana. She was powerful against single foes unfortunate that this was a battle of sheer numbers. Desperately she shielded her sister using her own body, punching and kicking where she could.
"We have to help them!" Emilia shouted alarmed at the sight of the two readying her magic, alongside Beatrice used her healing magic checking for any form of injury on Bondrewd's person all while glaring at the still form of Meli.
"Hhmm?" Bondrewd's cold response struck her, as if struck by a slab of ice. She flinched back for a second looking down at him with visible shock. "Striking now could prove fatal to the twins, we first have to lure the beasts of them." He looked up at her then down as he stood himself up. Manoeuvring herself to stand beside him Emilia looked towards the current onslaught, her face twisted into clear anxiety. "How? We need to help them somehow."
"You've got something planned, haven't you?" Puck asked though it was more a statement, it was the only possible solution he could think of to explain Bondrewd's composure. Using his empathic abilities, he had observed Bondrewd where he could these last three days and similar to now, he sensed nothing but utter calmness. Even after nearly being stabbed, even while staring down a horde of witch beasts he sensed…nothing. No fear, no despair, no anger or betrayal. It was like the man was always in his element no matter what he never lost control. To have such a man near his precious Lia was both comforting and reassuring. Afterall he'd proven to be a capable fighter willing and able to protect Lia, but his motivations were vague, his demeanour unreadable, his presence enough to make the previously unshakable Roswaal nervous, and his scent so heavily inlaid with that of calamitous Witch of Envy. Yet he'd managed to gain Lia's trust and had kindled a genuine friendship with her, her first friendship. Removing him as of now would only make her sad, as such he would simply sit back and observe him. For now.
With the attention of two great spirits and one-half elf all on him Bondrewd prepared himself for a reunion, a reunion to one whom he had not spoken too for untold decades perhaps even centuries Honestly at this point Bondrewd's own perception of time had been rather skewered, so long he had lived at this point that he struggled to differentiate between hours and days, days and months and so on.
"Why yes actually, for you see I can Return by-…" The world grew dark, time stalling to a halt, and before Bondrewd shadows writhed and wiggled forming together into a swirling mass of shadows.
"Love me…only me…forever and ever."
A voice so very similar to Emilia's own echoed out, though this one was different. As if corrupted each word was italicised with possessive purpose. A figure shrouded in darkness slivered out of the abyss, any distinguishable features were completely hidden by the seemingly sentient tendrils that coiled and whirled with wantoned desire.
With no indication of fear Bondrewd held his hand out towards the figure. Eagerly she grasped it with her own. "You are the only one." Bondrewd spoke though his tone held no love. Despite this she gasped her own tone filled with happiness, though that was quickly spoiled. Shattered by Bondrewd's scathing voice, for once his calm mask slipped and for a brief moment, he shared with her a glimpse of his true thoughts.
"You are the only one that I can bring myself to truly hate." His words were harsh, enough to make anyone double back. To this the Witch only giggled, after all if he was the only one, he was willing to share his hatred with then that must mean he trusts her and if she is the only one, he trusts then that must mean he loves her. Her ethereal arms phased through his own and she shoved her body into his, her lips ghosting over his mask right where she knew his lips were.
"Satella, I wonder. When I have stricken you free of your envy, how will you see me?" She paused momentarily; her purple eyes previously hidden peered at him with sorrow. Tears traced down her face. He wiped them away with care, her body now flush with his own. "I'll set you free soon Satella, our promise still stands." Her form began to fade, colour gradually returning to the world. Now free from the clutches of time the witch beasts turned to him, their eyes filled with an unending hunger. Quickly they abandoned the two sisters in favour for their new target this proved to be their fatal undoing. In a flash Puck summoned his considerable power freezing the beast's solid near instantly. With the current threat dealt with the group ran over to the two fatally injured maids.
Their bodies were littered with bite marks so much so that even their demonic heritage could not heal them. Using her magic Beatrice inspected them, "They won't last long, I suppose. Their bodies have been inflicted with too many curses to be removed."
The twins hugged each other tight hearing this unfortunate news, Ram holding Rem close to her chest. "But the witch beasts are dead, shouldn't the curse have been lifted?" Emilia asked, hoping to find a solution to this nightmarish reality.
"When Bubby froze those beasts solid, their survival instincts kicked in, I suppose. As such they consumed as much mana as possible in order to muster enough energy to escape." Her words cut through Emilia's last embers of hope like a hot knife through butter.
"There is a way." Drawing all the attention to himself including the weakened sisters, "Using one of my tricks I can shift the curses to another. Unfortunately, this power only works on people who consider me an ally, only one of you can inherit the full power of the beast's curse." When he finished Rem slowly lifted her head ready to make the sacrifice only for Ram to speak up her voice echoing with the all-powerful voice of the Oni-God and the fierce protectiveness of an elder sister. "Save Rem!" She commanded.
"Why is she trying to save me? I'm the failure, the reason why she lost her horn. This is what I was born to do to atone for my mistake of being born." Rem thought, the curses having long drained her of any energy to speak. She was stuck, an observer forced to watch as her sister who had throughout her entire life made up for her failures now make the ultimate sacrifice all to keep her pathetic younger sister alive.
Bondrewd approached before kneeling down to them, placing his palm on each of their stomachs. Ram leaned her head down tilting it so that she could gaze into her sisters' eyes. To Rems' shock her expression was one of both serene acceptance and love. "I'll be fine, I want to do this for you Rem. You matter more to me than anyone else in this world." Ram spoke through their shared synesthesia.
"Love. It is a truly incredible power." Bondrewd whispered so low only the Oni's could hear, his voice was filled with admiration and for a moment Rem swore she detected regret. Then her vision darkened her final thoughts of her sister and her own self-hatred, "I can't even stay awake for my sister's final moments."
Such selfless sacrifice made in an instance. To Bondrewd there was no greater display of love. For a moment he allowed himself to remember.
"Papa!" A young girl, with white hair and crimson eyes launched into his midsection her green clothes mixing into his black. "Good evening Prushka." She giggled, "Say Papa can we see it again, can we go to our special spot." She gave him the puppy stare, a skill unique to all children apparently. "Myaa." Quick to aid its master, Meinya, Prushkas's pet meinastilim popped its head from under her hat giving him the same puppy stare.
"Oh, but is it not past your bedtime?" He asked teasingly. Prushka's face fell before she suddenly felt herself hoisted into the air and onto Bondrewd's shoulders. "Come seeing as that nag Gueria is out on a mission why don't we break a few rules." Bondrewd whispered teasingly Prushka giggling alongside him.
The trek was slow, and great care was required in order to avoid the strains of the fifth layer but eventually they found their special spot. An overhang in the many crevices dotted amongst the Sea of Corpses. For a moment the two stood in silence watching the ever-moving form of Ido Front.
"Papa, when will you let me go on an adventure with you?" Prushka asked shyly, her fingers gently toying with his helmet. Tapping into one of his relics, Bondrewd observed through the eyes of someone else. Another of his adopted children, though he doubted they would share the same sentiment. They were preparing he saw; with their new friends they were nearly ready. Ready to face the Sea of Corpses. Truly he hoped Nanachi would agree to stay with him, it could get awfully lonely and they made for a most adorable assistant. Carefully he took Prushka off his shoulders placing her on the ground before kneeling down to eye level. "Soon Prushka, soon." He soothed her eyes lighting up in excitement, she wrapped her arms around him hugging him tight. "I love you Papa." He wrapped his own arms around her, "And I love you too Prushka."
He stared down at the dying form of Ram before kneeling down. He activated his power once again, placing both of his hands on her. "W-what are you doing," Ram asked, his face pale. "Saving you, I'll share the burden as well. You'll be rendered comatose, but it'll give me time to truly save you."
"What about you?" The others approached Emilia kneeling right beside him. "Unlike you I will be conscious, but my mana will be drained ever so slightly though it'll grow more in time. Simply put I will be putting both of our lives on the line." His answer shocked all present. "You can't be serious, I suppose!" Beatrice moved hoping to stop Bondrewd before he hurt himself more. "It is too late, the damage is already done." He interrupted her. Beatrice felt herself rooted in place, feeling utterly useless as her contractor put his own life in danger to save the twins.
"Why?" Ram couldn't understand it. This stranger, who both she and Rem had held in contempt, was willing to go so far for them it just didn't make sense.
Of course, Bondrewd knew the answer, after all the last couple events had gone just as he had wanted them too. Naturally he could not tell that truth so instead he would have to give a different answer, this answer would require him to take great care as Puck would most likely be capable of picking up on any blatant lies. "Because I want to help you, I don't believe you deserve to die here." Strangely he felt himself put more emotion than intended, of course he believed in what he said. He never liked killing people or forcing people to do things they didn't want to. He only ever did so when necessary. This was necessary, he needed this to happen. "I will do what I must." He stood up watching the sun rise above the treetops. A new day, a new dawn, yet Bondrewd felt no warmth, only the same chilly air of the Abyss.
It had been a couple days since the incident. In this time Meli had been moved to the mansion's dungeon, her only visitor being Emilia who had taken to looking after the young girl's needs. Ram had been locked within her own private quarters; her needs taken care of by Rem. Rem herself had been completely silent for the last two days.
Currently Bondrewd was on his way to Roswaal's office having been summoned earlier. He had decided to leave Beatrice behind to continue the research they had both started. He knocked on the door, only entering one he was invited in.
The man who sat before him was certainly the Margrave, with his heterochromia eyes, blue hair and his usual jester outfit. However, something was off. He did not wear his usual makeup and his greeting was without his usual strange manner of speaking.
"It is nice to see you Bondrewd, I hope you have recovered well." He started small, his mind racing a mile a minute. This was after all unknown territory; the Tome had predicted that the boy would use his power to save everyone. It was why he was so confident utilising his maids the way he did. Yet Bondrewd had not chosen to redo and now Ram laid in a coma she may never wake from again.
"The pleasure is mine, and yes my recovery was nice and smooth." Bondrewd's answer was polite and straight to the point, his voice giving none of his inner thoughts away. It was just as he had predicted, Ram's current state had thrown Roswaal into disarray. Ironic really that Roswaal had so readily handed him his only weakness. Now it was time to make his move and snip this battle of wits in the bud right now.
"Are you surprised, perhaps angry to know that for all its aid these past four hundred years your precious Tome of Wisdom would fail right when it mattered most?" His question was met with sudden hostility; Roswaal quickly stood up a snarl across his face.
"Ah, ah. Let's not do something rash here, should you kill me then poor Rams life will be forfeit."
"Then you'll redo, and you'll do it properly!" Roswaal shouted his face too Bondrewd was like that of a petulant child angry not to get his own way.
"It is true, I will redo. But should I believe my life is in danger then I will simply leave." Quickly Roswaal responded, desperate to gain some form of control back. "Then I will kill them Emilia, Beatrice!"
"And what will that accomplish?" His voice was cold not in anger but in its sheer indifference, so much so that Roswaal himself felt his voice catch. For a moment he glimpsed something as if the exposure to Bondrewd's eldritch presence had finally glimpsed him a look under Bondrewd's mask. Not his helmet, a different kind of mask one crafted over a course of time likely too high for Roswaal to comprehend. And what he saw shook him. "Y-you don't care," he finished lamely, all semblance of power now lost.
"On the contrary I care a lot; they are very important to me. However, there are four other candidates, one of whom I already have a positive relation with and spirits are rather plentiful. Though I admit losing a specimen like dear Beako would be a blow."
His hand twitched, a nervous spasm he had not felt in over four hundred years. "I have nothing, no hold, no control." He thought despaired. "What do you want?" He asked defeated.
"All I want is for us to work together, I have great plans for this world and your considerable wealth, influence and power will be great assets in attaining this future. Of course, I will awaken Ram in due time, and I am not against saving dear Echidna." His voice was that of a parent chiding a child though Roswaal did not know his age he could sense it, the air of ancients hung tightly around Bondrewd.
'Teacher,' Roswaal thought, remembering her form. Oh, how he wished she was here though he was beginning to believe even she wouldn't be able to tame this particular foe. He sat silent for a second before slumping in his seat gesturing with his hand towards the door. "Go."
Bondrewd took his leave; the last he heard was of the creaking door before he was engulfed in silence, his last thoughts of the deal he had unwittingly signed. For a long time, he had thought himself a monster, with knowledge of the future and near absolute power to save and kill who he liked. But next to Bondrewd a man who not only knew the future but could actively change it on a whim and who treated lives as if they were mere pieces on a chess board, he was just a pup yapping in woeful ignorance at the slew of corpses Bondrewd would likely leave behind before his "work" is done.
Walking down the corridors, Bondrewd was surprised to see Rem waiting for him. "Can we talk?" She asked her voice croaky from overuse and her eyes puffy. "Of course." Bondrewd gestured to one of the empty rooms, entering with Rem quickly in tow. "How are you feeling?" She couldn't stop the tears from shedding at his words.
"Why! Why save me, I-I'm useless. Sissy she could do so much more she deserves so much more!" She exclaimed tears running down in droves. "You are not useless, you are a kind and sweet girl, a diligent maid and a fearsome fighter." He hugged her; Rem was quick to hug him back burying her face into his chest.
"B-but you never saw her with her horn. She could have done so much more." Her voice, once just of sadness, was now filled with self-hatred. "Perhaps but she doesn't. Whatever may have happened to result in that no longer matters. I don't know what Ram was like with a horn. The only thing I am sure of is that regardless if she is horned or not, she loves you unconditionally and would have made that same sacrifice either way."
"But I'm only a burden. I've always been weak. Always relying on sissy for everything, my life is worthless. Y-you should have given me the curse and not troubled yourself. My death it's the only way I can atone, it's all I can give." She gripped him hard, his armour creaking ever so slightly under the strain of her demonic strength.
"Life is filled with curses and blessings; in all my life this is one fact I can say with certainty. A curse comes and goes nearly every day, it could be trivial, a bad wake up or something major like the death of a loved one. But a blessing is rare, unique and worth protecting at all costs." He allowed himself to remember Mitty's great sacrifice for Nanachi followed by Prushka's sacrifice for both himself and Riko. Rem gasped and Bondrewd knew she had realised it as well.
"That's right Rem your birth your very existence was a blessing in of itself so much so that Ram was willing to sacrifice her own life to preserve it." He reached into his overcoat, retrieving his most prized relic. He held it out for her to take, "This represents my greatest sacrifice." She opened her hands to see a whistle, it was shaped like two clawed hands grasping each other and seemed to have been carved from bone. She looked up confused only for Bondrewd to put both of his hands on her shoulders.
"I swear to do the utmost I can to save Ram, until then you must hold onto that whistle. And in return you must do something for me." She nodded her head ready to accept any demand. "You must treasure your life more." She looked up at him in wonder before giggling. She wiped her tears away before smiling up at him brightly. "Then it's a promise."
Afterwards Bondrewd escorted Rem back to her room opening her door she prepared to enter before giving Bondrewd one last hug. He hugged her in return feeling her familiar body press up against him. After a few seconds she finally let go, reaching up and unclipping one of her hair clips before holding it out for Bondrewd to take.
"Here you hold onto this to make sure I keep my promise as well." She beamed as he took it from her hand. "Goodnight Rem." She gave one last smile before closing her door.
He felt something wet slide down his cheek, startled he brought his hand to his mask hovering over just where his right eye would be. Gently he caressed down his helmet, lifting it slightly to wipe under it. He brought his gloved hand out to inspect. Dry not a sign of moisture whatsoever. "I suppose that kind of life isn't for me anymore." He spoke sombrely walking away from the light let in by the nearby window and into the shadowy halls of the mansion.