The lone raven haired boy sat alone in an alleyway. The device he clutched dearly in his hands, he had stared at it for what seemed to be ages for him, he could not look away. His eyes were filled with desperation, any sign of hope inside his heart had long been squashed.
Subaru: "I could've…at least said goodbye."
The names of the people closest to him - Natsuki Naoko - Natsuki Kenichi - were plastered on the screen of that device. Subaru Natsuki stared at his phone and saw droplets of water fall onto it. Why?.
Subaru: "Am…I?"
He was crying, crying because he could not go home. He didn't feel this way not too long ago, he wasn't always homesick rather he'd actually been really excited to be here but…something had changed that.
Subaru: "I just…just want to leave this place…please."
Subaru held his quiet sobs to himself, alone in the alleyway. This world was cruel, it was unapologetic, it was tartarus.
Subaru: "They should've been here by now…what changed? Was it my pathetic display of weakness?"
Subaru thought of the three muggers, 'Tom Chin Kan'. Why hadn't they confronted him yet? He could only guess.
Subaru: "Is this my punishment? Is this what I deserve?"
The droplets of tears continued to stream down his face. He tried to reason with himself, 'Maybe I really did need this'. Being disemboweled, stabbed, beaten down again and again and again.
Subaru: "The punishment I deserve for being a pathetic shut-in, a guy who disappointed everyone he cared about, a guy who turned away from the world so he could find comfort, a guy so pathetic he can't even keep one promise?".
In his eyes he was truly the worst. He had done nothing of worth, he could not live up to his mom and dad's names, he was utterly a lone boy who had failed everyone he ever met, even the most beautiful, kind, and innocent girl of his dreams.
Subaru: "I really do deserve this."
Subaru had a quiet chuckle to himself as the tears from his eyes continued to splash against the floor. Someone had passed by him, he could not care. Who would care about the worthless being named Subaru Natsuki, who would?
Subaru: "I'm sorry…"
His voice at this point was so weak not even Subaru could hear it, his tears turned into a quick burst of anger.
Subaru: "I just want to go home! I just want to be in my bed, I just want to have mom, I just want to have dad! I just…want…to live."
In his fit of anger, laced with so many sobs one couldn't tell he was actually mad, he had smashed that phone in his hands against the wall. He could barely see, his vision too blurred by tears. When he opened his eyes something he could make out was the cracks, the cracks on his phone.
Subaru: "No…"
He couldn't see those names anymore, those names 'Naoko' and 'Kenichi' now lay only in his memories. He knows he will never see them again.
It had been Subaru's 44th loop in the capital, his first day in Lugnica.
Emilia: "Is something the matter?"
Subaru's ears were filled with a voice belonging to a silver bell…or a person whose voice chimes like one. Her.
Emilia: "Maybe…I could help you"
Emilia had been watching the raven haired boy cry to himself, in her eyes the boy was begging to go home, to be in bed, to see his mother and father again. In essence, he was lost.
Subaru: "S-...Sate-..."
Subaru did not have the strength to say her name, he feels weak, he is weak.
Emilia: "No, no! Don't be scared, I just look like her."
Emilia falsely recognized that the raven haired boy was scared of her because she looks like the witch, that's why he had been struggling to say her name. Subaru became confused at what she meant by that.
Emilia: "My name is Emilia…just Emilia, you don't have to be scared anymore, I can help you find mommy and daddy."
Subaru, even in his weak and tearful state, started to chuckle at what she just said.
Subaru: "So her name is Emilia…and she…she thinks I'm just a lost child? Is that how I look? She's right though…I am just a lost child who wants to see 'mommy and daddy' again."
Emilia walked closer to the raven haired boy and extended her hand, 'let me help you' was the only expression Subaru could see on her face.
Emilia: "Where do you think mommy and daddy are?"
Emilia had continued to speak to Subaru as if he was a child, to Emilia he really was from the way he looked and acted. Subaru took her hand, her warm and soft hand, a hand that made him feel like everything will get better-and got up.
Subaru: "I don't think…I'm ever going to see them again."
Subaru broke into a faint trace of tears again but–he felt someone's warmth, a hug. Emilia's hug.
Emilia: "Are they…"
Subaru noticed the sudden change of tone in her voice, like it had been hurt by him.
Subaru: "From where I am…it seems like I'm never going to be with them again, even while they still live…even if they long for my return…I don't think I'm ever going to be with them again."
Emilia felt a sharp sting in her heart, because she felt the same way. The ones she loved whilst still alive, were frozen.
Emilia: "It's going to be alright…I'm sure we can find a new life for you…isn't that right Puck?"
Emilia stepped away from Subaru for a moment and let out Puck.
Puck: "I'm sure we can Lia but…do you really think he's a boy? Seems more like a normal guy feeling homesick."
Puck had felt confused why his daughter thought of such a grown man as being a child, 'Maybe I'll have to teach her about this later'. He did feel pity for the boy though, the desperation in his voice told Puck that he really will never see his parents again.
Emilia: "Don't make jokes Puck…he's clearly hurt, he needs our help."
Help. Subaru's mind sunk into melancholy, 'Help' was something Subaru thought he'd never receive, he'd never deserve. Why would anyone help him? Why would anyone care?
Subaru: "But of course she would care, she would always care. That's just her nature. I may be falling in love all over again."
Puck: "You're right Lia…I can tell that he really needs our help."
Emilia smiled, her smile, it had instantly warmed Subaru's heart and removed any troubles he had felt.
Subaru: "But now there's the fact of the matter, saving her."
Subaru had been at death's gate many times now but he didn't matter, he had an infinite amount of lives to throw away now. She, though, had only one life, a life that Subaru must protect at all costs.
Subaru: "I promise you, I'm gonna save you."
Emilia: "I'm sorry to tell you this but I'm in a hurry right now, my insignia was stolen and I reaaally need to get it. I know that you don't have anywhere to go so…could you accompany me instead?"
Subaru was excited to hear that, to accompany her was the only thing he wanted to do in this world.
Emilia: "Could you tell me your name?"
Subaru smiled, he's happy to be by her side again, to be someone known by her.
Subaru: "My name…is Subaru Natsuki, I'm glad…that we met."
Emilia had a concerned look on her face as she analyzed the boy further. 'What's wrong with you?' was what Subaru thought she was thinking.
Emilia: "Your hands…they're clean and soft, you're built like someone who doesn't do manual labor, your clothes are so odd, you even hold a family name…are you a noble Subaru?"
Subaru: "I wish I was noble, I wish I started out in this world being like that but no…I'm just a normal boy…a Natsuki."
Puck: "Don't get too attached to the boy Lia, we need to find your insignia first."
Subaru: "Right, the insignia. I'm not the one that matters here."
Subaru could've said that in a sarcastic manner had the circumstance been any different but Puck was right. Subaru was worth less than the angel's insignia, 44 more times less.
Emilia: "Right…Subaru was it? You'll have to come with us now, sorry to entangle you in something that's my fault but be a good boy alright? You don't have to be scared anymore, ~I Promise~."
Subaru felt his hand being connected with hers. How could he react to someone so beautiful taking him like that? He felt no objections, only the beating of his heart got faster. Subaru felt happy, he felt content. If he could be with Emilia for the rest of his life, he wouldn't mind living in a world like this. The three left the scene of the alleyway…onto the loot house.
Subaru: "Your insignia was lost? I can rather feel how important it is to you."
Emilia: "Yes! It's really important so…I know you're just a lost boy that I'm helping…but please help me too, I need to find it."
Subaru: "and I needed to find you…thank you Emilia."
The two held their hands together whilst they walked down the street in search of that insignia, the sun shined brightly on the two and Subaru found that there was a person willing to help him after all.
Subaru overcame his pride.
Subaru: "If something expensive like your insignia was stolen then…maybe we could likely find it being sold somewhere like the Slums district. The people there really need the coin after all."
Emilia: "You're totally right! You're really smaaart aren't you Subaru?"
Subaru blushed at her kind words but deep down, he knew that wasn't the truth. He could never be smart, he'd only known that because he died getting that information. He was a tool that's only good for dying.
Subaru: "Even if those words are just to comfort a scared and lost child, I could not reject them. Thank you Emilia."
The two in hand headed for the direction of the slums, Subaru knew exactly what was coming so he hitched a plan.
Subaru: "Where we're going…it could be rather dangerous right? I say we call the guards for help, just in case."
Emilia glanced at the boy with shock, 'No way coward!' is what he thought she was thinking.
Emilia: "I'd…I'd rather not…the guards would get scared by me, just like you did."
Subaru felt a tinge of anger, 'How could she say that!?'.
Subaru: "You're wrong Emilia, I wasn't scared of you. I would never be scared of you, why would I even? You're the most beautiful girl I've met, please know that."
Emilia felt a tingle in her heart but also confusion 'Why would he find me beautiful?'.
Emilia: "But…but I'm a half elf don't you see? I have silver hair, amethyst eyes, I…I look just like—"
Subaru: "I don't care, you are not her"
Emilia's heart melted at those words, something she'd been wanting to hear for a very long time. Someone who could finally recognize her as not being related to someone like the witch.
Emilia: "I…I don't under-...Subaru you are such a dunderhead!"
Subaru smiled, 'she's just the same'.
Subaru: "Yeah and who says dunderhead in this day and age?"
Subaru gave his brightest smile, brighter than when he realized he was summoned to a parallel world, brighter than the first time he had met Emilia. This may be the brightest smile he'll ever have…unless something wonderful happened between the two in the future. He hopes for that future. The sun shines brighter.
Puck: "Now I like someone who could make my daughter's heart feel warmer but do you really not feel any fear about her at all?"
Puck had wanted to make sure Subaru wasn't lying through his teeth just to get closer to his daughter.
Subaru: "I don't."
Puck felt surprised, Subaru's eyes… his face, his tone, his mind, his heart. They all agreed with that statement. He truly does not fear Lia.
Puck: "Not even a single lie…he really does like you Lia."
Emilia felt warmth when she looked at this boy. She had only met him ten minutes ago but…it felt as if she'd soon have someone who could really understand her. Those confusing feelings made Emilia's mind dizzy and she could not think about it any longer, the insignia must be retrieved but whilst walking towards the direction of the slums she noticed.
Emilia: "Subaru…that child over there, do you get the feeling that she's lost?"
Subaru looked at the sight of the little green haired girl, she wanted mommy and daddy just like him. Subaru loathed the amount of irony he's been feeling today.
Subaru: "You're right Emilia, she is lost. We should help her."
Emilia smiled at the way Subaru thought, 'The tingle got warmer'.
Subaru: "Don't have a worry Emilia, I'll help her!" Subaru Natsuki is on the case!
Something Subaru would've definitely said 43 loops ago for sure…just now, it's different.
Subaru: "Hey kid, were you separated from your mom?"
Plum: "Y-Yes…"
Subaru: "Well you don't have to worry anymore, me and this nice girl over there can help you find mom."
Plum looked in the direction of Emilia, she felt a bit scared but that got squashed by Subaru's warm and hopeful smile.
Plum: "Thank you sir!"
Subaru and Emilia held hands with Plum, Subaru had a faint remembrance of where Plum's mother would be so the whole ordeal was finished within a few minutes.
Subaru: "Don't you think we'd be a cute couple when we hold hands like this?"
Emilia felt a bit of surprise, she didn't know Subaru wanted to be that close to her, but that tingle in her heart could only get warmer by that question. Before Emilia could give the normal standard of denial to Subaru, Plum had found her mother.
Plum: "Mommy!"
Subaru stared with a hint of sadness and jealousy as Plum happily reunites with her mother.
Subaru: "So easily, so freely, why can't I feel that."
Emilia: "I'm so relieved, I knew you were a kind person Subaru."
Subaru: "You believe me as someone kind? Emilia, how do you know so well how to make my heart melt with joy."
Emilia: "Jeez it was just a compliment, do you act like that with every girl?"
Subaru didn't need to answer, Emilia would already know the correct answer. The tingle in her heart got warmer.
Subaru: "Come on Emilia, we need to notify the guards, it'll be just fine."
Now Emilia felt like the child, it was rather comforting though…having those who care about you be there by your side to help.
Emilia: "Fine…please be right Subaru"
The two had headed for the nearby guard's station. Perhaps Subaru did not have to feel any more stinging pain from his stomach.
Guard: "You're saying your insignia was stolen?"
Emilia: "Yes and…It's really important to me so please help us."
Guard: "I don't know…a half-witch like you is most likely someone dangerous."
Although Emilia is used to comments like these, Subaru's anger spiked, he was not taking that comment well.
Subaru: "Why would she be someone dangerous!? What the hell is wrong with you, how dare you, how fucking dare you!"
Puck: "My daughter is not someone dangerous, however I could be someone dangerous if you chose to be our enemy."
The guard felt the sudden hostility radiating from the two men, he'd clearly said something wrong. The sudden appearance of the great spirit dubbed 'The Beast of The End' however shook him to his core.
Guard: "You're! You're right…we'll help you find your insignia, you don't have to worry."
Subaru felt a sigh of relief, a relief that this hell will end, that he could finally be with Emilia for more than one day.
Subaru: "Word of advice though, a thief most likely belonging to the slums had stolen it and that insignia is considerably valuable if sold so I've got a pre~tty good picture of where it'd be sold. That being 'Old Man Roms' loot house."
The guard groaned at the mention of Rom, he has a feeling he'd know the trouble that giant will pose to them.
Guard: "that giant Rom? I'll notify one of our knights on duty then."
The guard had gone up and left to ask his lackeys to signal a knight to accompany them at once. Subaru could only hear small points of their conversation.
Guard: "Yeah? Mmhm, get Julius here."
The time between the three had gone by, they'd been waiting for that knight for a while. Subaru fears they'd show up too late with Elsa already gone or worse, waiting for them in the shadows. That's when the trio noticed the newcomer.
Julius: "Sorry for appearing so late, allow me to introduce myself. I am Julius Juukulius, finest of knights."
Emilia felt a burst of happiness, not only did help arrive but the help itself was a rather powerful knight! Subaru thought his mannerisms were slightly annoying but reassuring, if he was the 'finest of knights' he could definitely take down Elsa.
Subaru: "Finally some real backup! Let's get going Julius, we don't have a moment to spare."
Emilia smiled at the raven haired boy's comment. That weird sensation had returned.
Emilia: "He really cares about me that much…the tingle in my heart is getting stronger, what's happening to me?"
The four began to approach the place known as Rom's loot house. Emilia's insignia will be retrieved. Subaru was excited, this could be his final loop in the capital, this could be it.
Subaru initiated by giving a knock on the door. He was given a question.
Rom: "For a rat."
Subaru: "Open up."
Rom stayed silent for a few seconds. Clearly this boy didn't have a clue.
Rom: "For a whale."
Subaru: "I don't care."
Both Subaru and Rom felt irritated.
Rom: "For a noble dragon lord."
Julius: "That's enough."
Rom sounded like he had a hint of surprise at the voice he'd heard, one of a knight. The door was hastily opened
Rom: "What does a knight like you got business doing here?"
Julius: "It's clear from your hostile tone that you don't take knights like me well is it not? Could it be perhaps because you deal in criminal activities?"
Rom: "Shut your trap knight, I'll ask again, what's someone like you got business doing here?"
Julius: "If you'd care to look behind me you could see that these two..err three civilians have come here on their own volition to retrieve something of theirs that was most likely stolen to be taken and sold here."
Rom's eyes narrowed
Rom: "and what might that item be?"
Emilia: "It's an insignia, it's about this big and it has a jewel in the middle."
Rom: "Sorry lady, don't get anything like that in my possession, you've got the wrong man."
Subaru frowned at his words, he was clearly trying to get out of the encounterment with the law. Felt should be coming back soon, that's when Subaru turned around and noticed a thieving blonde girl trying to sneak by them.
Subaru: "Julius, that's the thief!"
Julius quickly turned around and apprehended Felt.
Rom: "Damnit Felt, you should've been more quiet."
Julius turned his head around with a wide smirk.
Julius: "So you admit to being part of the plot to steal this lady's insignia?"
Rom: "Ah damnit it to pieces, Felt…just give him the insignia."
Felt's heart sank. She knows what'll happen next, their subsequent arrest and the dream she tirelessly worked for would be quashed. If one like Emilia would be paying close attention to her face, they would be able to tell she was on the verge of crying.
Felt: "Fine…I'm…I'm sorry that I got you in trouble Old Man Rom, just take it."
Subaru knew what her fate would be and frankly he didn't care. She was the person that dragged Emilia and himself into this hell, she utterly deserved this in his eyes. However–
Emilia: "Julius…I know it would be wrong of me to say this but could you give that girl another chance?"
Julius: "Emilia, she is a criminal."
Emilia: "I know but someone like her…doesn't deserve to be thrown in a place like jail."
Subaru felt shocked by Emilia's words, he was caught up so much in his own problems that he forgot the character of Emilia, her naturally kind attitude. It reminded him that he was wrong.
Subaru: "Stupid me, of course Emilia knows better than me."
Before that thinking process could further though, Subaru instantly recognized the dark figure behind the two.
Subaru: "Julius look out!"
Julius instantaneously dodged the impending attack from Elsa and let go of Felt's arm.
Julius: "We'll talk about that later, for now we've got an emergency to deal with!"
Elsa: "Oh my, you've managed to dodge my strike."
Elsa gave a smack of her lips, she wanted Julius and that troublesome raven haired boy dead.
Julius: "Julius Juukulius, The Spirit Knight."
Elsa: "Elsa Granhiert, The Bowel Hunter."
The duel between the two had commenced. Rom ran into his shack to retrieve his club, Emilia awakened Puck from her crystal, Felt prepared herself for battle, and Subaru stared. Subaru stared at the 'Bowel Hunter' with intense hatred. It was her, it was her that he was stuck here, in this hell. Subaru despised her and even if he had nothing on him to strike her with, he'd gladly use his fists, legs, and bones to harm her.
Puck: "Say goodnight!"
Puck striked the surprised Elsa with multiple ice spikes, however she soon recovered from that fate.
Subaru: "What the hell is she, immortal!?"
Elsa: "You may think of me like that, I wonder how interesting it'd be to disembowel you!"
Elsa ignored her current affair with Julius and had gone straight for Subaru's bowels. Elsa had slashed but her strike had hit Emilia's shield instead.
Subaru: "Nice save!" 2nd time you've saved me.
Julius quickly got in the way of Elsa again and forced Elsa back into a duel.
Rom: "Get that bitch you damn knight!"
Julius: "I'd ask you to refrain from using such language in front of young girls."
Elsa: "Oh my, oh my! What a fun experience it is to fight with you, I truly wonder how colorful the bowels of the Spirit Knight would be!"
As Elsa yelled in her sadistic joy her blade aimed for Julius' right arm. Julius had attempted to deflect her strike with his sword but she soon changed the direction of her strike and landed a blow on Julius' left bicep.
Julius: "Dammit! The rumors are true, you're quite the opponent however I am not called the Spirit Knight for nothing! Ia, Alo!
Julius summoned his fire and wind spirit to assist him in battle.
Julius: "Al Goa!"
The massive firestorm directly hit Elsa, causing her to be launched into Rom's loot house where upon impact half of the building collapsed on itself.
Rom: "My house!"
Julius: "Sorry for the damage I've caused, I'll be sure to have it repaired."
The entirety of the team had felt relief over the enemy they had defeated, Subaru especially did. Subaru was ecstatic, the woman who caused him so much pain was finally defeated, and all he needed….
Subaru: "Was Emilia's help….I…"
Before Subaru could finish his monologue he heard the sound of planks moving. In that instant he saw Elsa slash her blade right at Emilia.
Subaru: "NOOO!"
Subaru launched himself in front of Emilia, directly receiving the blow of Elsa's blade but in turn letting Emilia be unharmed.
Emilia: "Subaru!"
Elsa: "That boy got in my way again."
As Elsa escapes from the scene, not wishing to die against Julius, Subaru feels the world around him getting darker. He felt this before, many times. The burning sensation had considerably gotten less painful to bear. In his darkening vision he sees Emilia's face.
Subaru: "Don't cry…please don't cry…It's okay…I'll stay alive…I'll…"
The vision of Subaru completely darkens, Subaru hated this. He was so close to victory, he had finally saved Emilia but a certain feeling of content raised in his heart.
Subaru: "So long as she's still alive…I don't care if I die."
The thoughts crumble, Subaru falls unconscious.
When Subaru wakes up, his eyes meet something else.
Subaru: "I don't recognize this ceiling…wait…I."
Subaru immediately gets up and looks at his surroundings, this was not the appa stand.
Subaru: "I lived! I finally lived!"
Subaru's heart jumped with joy. The hell he experienced was finally over, he had saved Emilia…more like Emilia had saved him.
Subaru could live, live another day with Emilia. For this he was the happiest man in the world.