Chapter Six:
Good Byes, Thank Yous, and Forever.
Castle Of Dreams
"So this is it, huh?" Ren asks, a sad look in his eyes.
"Indeed it is, this is the end of our contract." Replies the Greedy Witch.
"Guess you won't be getting graced by my presence any longer, but if that's too much for you, I can always stop by the Sanctuary to visit." He jokes, lightening the mood.
"Sounds to me like you're the one who is going to miss this."
"Miss it? Never in a million years! The torture that was inflicted upon me will scar me for life. It also helps that I can finally dream actual dreams again." Making over dramatic hand motions, Ren sighs, a small smile appearing on his face, as he gazes into the Witch's black eyes. "But, Thank you for your help, Echidna. You were there when I needed someone the most."
"I merely did my part as per the contract."
"Really? Because I don't remember adding the condition for you to comfort me with a lap pillow, as nice as it was."
"You are correct, I did that of my own volition." He stares at her in incredulity. "What? Did you believe that I would start acting like a bumbling schoolgirl?"
"I, uhh…of course not. It's just…you know what? Nevermind." Sighing, he brushes it off. "Think I can ask you a favor?"
"Hoh? A favor?"
"Yeah, I'll pay you back, but I really need your help with something."
"Do tell. I, of course, will do whatever I can to help you."
"It's about Beatrice, I plan on creating a contract after this is done, but in order for me to do so, I'll need your help."
"Once you're done with the mother, you go after the daughter next? How shameless of you." Her teasing words made the young man blush.
"Don't say it like that! Either way, you and I both know how you failed as a parent. So this is a way for you to reconcile with your child."
"Yes, you made it very clear how much you dislike my way of parenting."
"You can barely call that parenting, so? Are you helping or not?"
"And how exactly am I supposed to help you? If you haven't forgotten, I am dead."
"Don't play stupid, her book. Write something, tell her to make a decision. In exchange, I will allow you unrestricted access to my memories, that means everything in here." He says, knocking his head with his knuckles.
"You sure know how to keep a lady interested, I see now, you had all of this planned out from the start didn't you?" A look of realization appears on her face.
"I have no clue as to what you're talking about…" Standing up from his chair, Ren starts getting closer to the Witch. Now, a couple inches away from each other, Ren leans in even closer, their faces nearly touching. "Come on, don't keep me waiting."
"H-How forward of you, wh-who would've thought my s-student would be s-so…" Derailed from her train of thought, their eyes met, his gray eyes staring into her black eyes.
This eye contact lasts for a few seconds longer, until Ren suddenly pulls back, chuckling at the sight of Echidna blushing like a lovestruck maiden. "Hehehe… The look on yo-" Ren is unable to finish his sentence as he is pulled down into an intimate kiss with the white haired beauty.
'W-What is- Is she?- There's no- My god…' Separating once the act is done, the one who is now a blushing bumbling mess is Ren.
"That was my payment for that favor. I do not require anything else." A satisfied grin on her face as she takes a sip from her Chidna Tea.
"Y-You…You're so…I don't even know what to say anymore."
"A thank you would suffice."
"Oh really? Well, Thank you so much Echidna, for violating my mouth with your tongue. Is that what you were looking for?"
"Yes, I suppose it is."
"God, You're one hell of a woman, you know that?" Tears start to form in his eyes as the feeling of waking up hits him.
"It is time then?"
"Yup, I guess this goodbye for now. But since you gave me your soul, I'm guessing you want me to resurrect you?" His body starts to fade now, his lower half disappearing quickly.
"I have faith, no, I know you can do it. You are my best student after all." At this statement, more tears start falling from fis face.
"I'll do it then, I will reunite you with Beatrice once more, just you wait!" He was gone, the last he'd visit for a long time.
"I shall hold you to it." The sound of glass shattering breaks her out of her emotional state. Not too far from her stood a being surrounded by darkness, in the shape of a human but not exactly human. "How rude, to come in here uninvited…
Satella."
Manor Kitchen
Ren Pov
Preparing some of my favorite desserts, I practice what I'm going to say when the time is right. "Have no fear! For I am here! …No, I'm not some superhero, and Beatrice isn't in danger so there's no point in doing anything that flashy…perhaps I should do it on th-"
"What are you mumbling about in here?" The very familiar haughty voice of Ram reaches my ears.
"Huh? Oh, Hey Ram, how ya' been?"
"My day has been great, but your unfortunate looks have only served to ruin my day."
"How harsh. Do you treat all guests like this, or am I just that unlucky to be the only one?"
"Hmph, The only unlucky one is Ram, the fact I have to look at you as you 'work out' is bad enough, but to speak with you as well? If it were not my job, I would ignore you completely." She certainly isn't holding back.
"Ouch, that one actually hurt. Wait! You watch me workout!? …I didn't know you felt that way about me, so sorry, but I think Rem is way cuter than you."
"I have no idea as to what you're speaking of, and keep your hands to yourself, cretin." Denying her previous statement, It's very obvious she's being dishonest by the small pink hue on her face.
"Sure, sure, whatever you say." Waving it off, I finally finished making my desserts. "Want a slice? It's Ice cream cake."
"Eye-scream? What a strange name."
"Ice cre- Know what? Nevermind, just eat it quickly, before it melts." Passing her a slice, I observe her reactions to my creation. Her first bite looks completely orgasmic, so do all of her other bites, the intense blush never disappearing even after she was done. "I think it's for the best that I don't give you any more slices, who knows what could happen."
My observation seems to snap her out of her strange state? …Yep, let's go with that. She grabs me by the collar of my dress shirt, as she whispers in my ear."You will not speak of this to anyone. Do you understand that?" Her whispered threat was laced with killing intent, it didn't help that she gave me an intense death stare.
"I'm not saying a word, but uhh, how are you going to explain this to Rem?"
"Huh? What are you-" There was Rem, at the doorway staring at both of us, and let's just say our current position was not painting that good of an image.
"Nee-sama? What are you doing with our Guest-sama?"
"Rem, We were just…"
"Allow me to explain, Ram. Rem, take a slice." She looks at me strangely, but doesn't decline the cake. She takes her first few bites, and wouldn't you know it, she starts blushing like mad. 'I'm not stupid enough to stay here, so good luck Ram!'
Running out the door, cake in hand, I start making my way towards the Library. 'Wait should I even give this to Betty? I don't want to go to jail just for making a cake! Stupid skill powers! Stop making things worse for me!'
Mansion Halls
"…Alright, this has to be it. No more running away, Betty." Opening the door, I am greeted by the sight of an empty Forbidden Library. "This isn't right…"
"To barge into a ladies room, how uncouth. I suppose." The Drill haired child appears from behind one of the many bookshelves.
"Ah, Ahem. Have no fear! For I am here!" Posing like a hero, I smile at the girl.
"You are starting to annoy Betty with your over-dramatics. Out with it. I suppose."
"I've come for your answer, Beatrice." My joking attitude dissipates as quickly as it came.
She pauses for a moment, but otherwise keeps her stone cold attitude. "Betty will not be taking your hand. She will wait for 'That Person' to come, like mother instructed. I do not need your saving." The lack of her signature 'I suppose' at the end confirms a sneaking suspicion of mine. 'She wants to be saved, but her attachment to Echidna is holding her back.'
"I see…then you leave me no choice, I made a promise to Echidna! I don't plan on breaking it either!" Ripping the Tome out of her hands, I opened it to the only page that wasn't blank. "Read it, Beatrice. I'm not leaving till you do."
Take His Hand, And He Shall Release You From An Eternal Stay Of Loneliness
Her eyes widen upon reading the text. "Then you are 'That Person'?"
"Allow me to reintroduce myself. Ahem! My name is Ren 'Maxwell' Fujimura! And according to Echidna, I am her best student yet! You asked if I was that person? Then, my answer remains the same. Grab onto my hand and that will change!" My hand still held out, I await her true answer.
"Will you be there with Betty?"
"I'll never leave."
"But you'll die, and Betty will live on."
"I'm not so sure about the dying part, but even if I do die, I'll make sure to make a really big impression on you, that the name Ren Fujimura will be imprinted on your mind forever."
"Then, will you hold Betty's Hand?"
"I will, and I'll never let go." This was the straw that broke the camel's back. I was now holding Beatrice in a tight embrace, I comforted her as she bawled her eyes out.
Once her crying is over, a screen pops up in front of me.
Contract Formed
View Conditions?
At the sight of the screen, I can't contain my happiness. Grabbing her by the waist, I raise her up and start spinning around. "Woohoo! I've got my own contracted spirit!"
"Wah! Put me down! I suppose!" She yells out in embarrassment.
"Nope! Not until you give me a big happy smile!" At this, she attempts at making a big smile, which resulted in a smug looking smile appearing instead. "Gah! Too smug! But also really endearing!"
"Put me down! I suppose!" Setting her down, I grab her by the hand and drag her out of the dreary library.
Walking around the mansion in search of my room, I start spitballing ideas. "We're going to be a dynamic duo! Your magic, and my…Magic? No that doesn't work…Oh! How about bad cop, good cop? I'll be bad cop, you can be good cop."
"Perhaps Betty should have thought her decision through." She sighs, but continues holding my hand.
Reaching my room, I close the door behind us. Sitting down at my desk, I turn to Beatrice. "Beatrice? I have something to tell you."
"What is it? I suppose."
"You might want to sit down for this, it might take a while."
Mansion Entrance
"To kidnap a child and attempt to escape? You truly are lower than scum."
Offended by Ram's little remark, Beatrice speaks up before I do. "You do not know anything about Betty's Contracter, so I'd suggest you not speak, Maid."
"There's no need for that Betty, Ram's a good girl, so she doesn't mean it." Patting Ram on the head, I give her a smug smirk at the embarrassing display.
"I'd suggest you remove your hand from my head, Guest-sama. What would Rem think?"
As if on cue, Rem's sickly sweet voice reaches my ears. "Guest-sama? What is it you're doing with Nee-sama?" Do you ever get that feeling of deja vu? Because I do.
"Oh, Rem! There's no need to be jealous, there's enough head pats for everyone." Removing my hand from Ram's silky soft hair, I start to pat the more beautiful sister.
It doesn't take long for her to melt under my touch. 'She's kind of like a dog, show them a tiny bit of affection and they'll be happy for days.' I look back at Ram with an even bigger smug grin.
"That is enough! The only one who deserves head pats is Betty! In fact." Beatrice says, pulling my hand off of Rem and putting it on her own head.
"That's a bit unfair Betty, what about Emilia? I don't want anyone to feel left out."
"Don't worry Betty, I won't take your head pats away from you." The angelic voice of Emilia reassures Beatrice.
"Who said you could call Betty by that name? Know your place, girl." I give her a look which she notices but otherwise say nothing else. "Hmph!"
'Guess she's not changing in a single day.' Turning back to Emilia. "I apologize for Beatrice's behavior, she'll get better with time…probably."
"I'm sure she will, but do you really have to go?" The depressed look she gave me nearly breaks my heart.
"H-Hey, there's no need to look so glum. I'm not dying, so there's no point in being sad. I plan on coming back, so keep a room for me and Beatrice, would you?"
"Yes, of course I will."
"I just noticed, but where's Ros?"
"Ignoring your blatant disrespect of Roswaal-sama, Roswaal-sama is currently on his way to a meeting in the capital. He has been informed of your leaving." Must be for the Selection, but it's probably for the best I don't get involved with it.
"I see…so this is goodbye. I'll be seeing you, Ram, Emilia." I don't give a goodbye to Rem, since she's the one who's driving us to the Capital.
"You better keep your hands to yourself, Pervert. If there's even a single hair missing from my sister's head, you're dead." The red haired maid threatens the same scary look in her eyes from before in the kitchen.
"Wasn't planning on it, but you could at least say goodbye…"
"Don't mind her Ren. Come back soon, O-Okay? …Umm, did I say it right?" I chuckle at her attempt at using words not yet developed in this world.
"Yeah, you did. Not to repeat myself but, bye for now, Emilia." Saying my final farewell to the princess, I get into the carriage with my newly contracted spirit.
Unknown Location
Pov Change - 3rd Person
"I can't wait for a new tasty meal, tsu~" Says a tattered and dirty child, blades attached to their forearms.
"Tch!" A white noble looking young man clicks his tongue, but otherwise says nothing else. 'That damn Pandora, calling me out here while I was being attended to by my wives. Who the hell does she think she is?! This a violation of my rights! I would make her beg for my forgiveness if she were here, but that damn Authority of hers would just make any apology dissappear. She's lucky to even speak to a "Perfect Being" like me, and yet she dares command me?! One of these days, I will make her beg for all these violations on my righ-!'
A loud screech cuts off the Archbishop's thoughts. Looking towards the insignificant being that dared violate his rights, he is met with a greater annoyance than the child next to him.
The White Whale.
To Be Continued…
Oh? What's this? Greed, Gluttony and the whale? RIP Ren, Rem, and Beatrice.
I do wonder what will happen…If nothing else they'll beat them with the power of friendship and love. Pfft! Yeah right! They're so screwed it's not even funny.
Unless…Ren has a trump card? Of course he does, but will it be enough? And who's to say Sloth, Lust, Other Gluttony, or Wrath won't appear?
Also a few lighthearted interactions between Rem, Ram, and Ren. For those of you who don't know, that scene was mostly a reference to Food Wars and it's ridiculous scenes.
For now? We celebrate at the union of Ren and Betty! Yay!
Contract with Beatrice (Artificial Spirit)
Conditions
-You cannot form a contract contract with other Spirits(Re:Zero)
-Beatrice cannot regenerate her Mana(MP) on her own
-Beatrice cannot use Mana(MP) in the atmosphere
-Beatrice must drain Mana(MP) from The Player in order to regenerate her Mana(MP)
Skills
(These cannot be used if not in contact with Beatrice)
UL Minya - Lvl Max - 1000 Damage, 20 damage every second over the next 120 seconds - Costs 10 MP per shard - Allows use of El Minya and Minya
Al Shamak - Lvl Max - Costs 5000 MP or more… - Allows the use of UL, El and No prefix variants
Door Crossing - Lvl Max
Murak - Lvl Max - Reduces Effects of Gravity - Costs 20 MP
EL Vita - Lvl Max - Amplifies the Effects of Gravity - Costs 30 MP - Allows the use of No Prefix variant
Healing Magic - Lvl Max * - Healing of the highest grade, can restore lost organs.
Mana Drain - Lvl Max - Allows the user to drain Mana (MP) from a target - Costs 0 MP
It will later make sense as to why I specify Spirits from Re:Zero
As of now, though? That's all! Buh-Bye!