This was something in my mind for some time now so you know what, screw everything and gamble the wrath of the community, or the community enjoys this torment. So here we are, hopefully this would be interesting enough. Criticisms are accepted. This is just a take based on the fanfic Re:Forgotten. What if Subaru died before they even returned back? And what if RBD was gone throughout this event? So here it is. I can already see some or majority of the comments seeing this as a piece of shit of a work.
Disclaimer: Based off of Re:Forgotten and in no ways I own that fanfic check it out for yourselves. This is just a spin-off.
It's been a month of pure torture and pain for Subaru. While the Emilia camp and Anastasia Camp went on and conquered the Pleiades Tower, Subaru was in his prison, tortured by Felix every single day, just to find a way to cure Crusch's state. Felix was bad enough but Julius joined in with the torture and to say the least, the boy's health was not faring better.
His body was badly broken, many wounds riddled throughout his body from torture, bones almost broken. He feels like he'll die any moment from now.
"Please... end this..." He thought as another day was on the horizon. Another day, another torture session. "Please... Free me..."
The door opens, Felix comes in. Furious at the supposed witch cultists, he demanded a cure. But everytime he claims he doesn't know, Felix fries his nerves, only to heal him, then do it again. And again. And again.
"You want to speak nyow?" Felix asks, his voice full of hatred and anger.
Subaru coughs blood. "No matter...*cough* how many times...*cough* you ask, I don't really know how to cure Crusch." He said. "Please... I am not a cultists..." He pleaded to the cat boy, his voice grew fainter as he pleaded for him to not be tortured. But Felix's spite said other wise. Felix walked up to the boy, holding an open wound, then he fries his nerves once more.
"AAAAAAAHHHHHH" Subaru screams in pure agony and pain. Then Felix heals him once more. And the whole process repeated.
"I don't want... anymore..." He thought once more. Felix was done with him for today, but now it was Julius' turn.
The door opens, Julius comes in, with a wooden sword.
"I suggest you speak on how to cure my condition." Julius demanded. Subaru, shook his head. At this point he wanted to die, he wanted this to end, he wanted it to be over. After all, it was the 100th time he experienced this loop. And he hasn't found a way to break through it, so he decided death was unavoidable.
Back to the Julius, he smacks Subaru with the weapon he has, Subaru went flying until he hits the wall so hard that it cracked.
"Speak now!" Julius demanded. He was not having it. He wanted answers. Yet he kept getting silence, no progress at all.
Then the torture proceeded. Throughout the remeaining time of the day. No rest, no breaks, no nothing. All pure torture.
It was night now, and this was the time Subaru's meal was given. Due to the harsh treatment, he greatly lost weight. Malnourished, the wind could probably knock down the boy. Well, his bones were somewhat visible, he still have fats, but not that much like he had before.
He was now begging some diety, some divine being, or someone out there to release him from this hellish loops. He wanted it to be over, he won't last until they would return. He wanted return by death to be gone. He wantedto be at peace, he wanted the pain to be gone. His devotion to Emilia wavers, and considers Satella as the only saviour he has from this hellish nightmare. She was the one to give him the curse, so maybe, just maybe, he'll be free to finally die.
"Please... Set me free..." He thought once more. Hoping someone to hear his cries, hoping someone would answer him. But everytime, he got silence as a response.
Hearing his cries and after seeing him die this way several times now, she was conflicted if she will remove the curse or not. She wanted him to live but Satella wanted Subaru to be laid to rest, he went through so much because of her love for him.
After some back and forth argument with her other self in the Garden of Shadows, she chose to stand up for herself, and did not cave in to Envy and with that, she tried to undo the curse from him. Even locked away in the seal, she still manages to affect Subaru
It was another night, it was just another normal night, Subaru would try to sleep, but the pain haunts him. Knowing that tomorrow morning was another torture session, another painful day. He always dreamt of the nightmare he experienced, the day everyone he cared and protected for so long, forgot him. Left him and even accused him being a cultist. It was hell. Nit only did it affect him psychologically, it affected him emotionally.
He loved Emilia, Beatrice, Rem and everyone else. He cared for them so much, he had sacrificed himself countless times just to save them. And this is the fate he was given. After all the suffering he went through, after giving up his life, and in the process his sanity, this is what he was given. It tore Subaru's world. He fell to the abyss, wanting nothing more than death to claim him, and bring him to eternal rest.
If this was his path, why should he continue? Why keep going when the thing you've been fighting for to protect, backstabs you? Betray you? Leaves you? Subaru denied reality with all his mind, heart and soul. But reality, is something you can't avoid forever. He felt more isolated than he is back home. He felt alone. When he needs someone to vent out to, no one was there, only a jealous witch, who hears his pleas and cries.
He had enough. He wanted to depart to eternal rest, to eternal slumber. Where no one will forget him, only himself was there, peacefully resting 'til the end of time. And answer his pleas she did.
She had removed his curse, she hoped that once he dies, he may be put to rest. As for the journey in the afterlife, she and the rest of the witches will accompany him. It was ideal, it was perfect. Death is nothing to fear anymore, no need to worry, no need to fear something. Its just you, and the rest you deserved. He deserved.
Once the sun rose up, the boy's eyes were closed, forever. He died during his sleep due to blood lost and constant frying of his nerves, and he drowned in his own blood. They were never fully healed all the way. Streaks of blood came from his re-opened wounds, making a pool beneath him. No one noticed the passing of the man until it was far too late.
He never experienced the dark void, he never experienced the dark claws grabbing him. He was met with a beautiful field of green and flowers. He thought he was hallucinating, but over the hill, he saw the witches gathered in a tea party.
"Oh? So you finally arrived, Subaru Natsuki." Echidna was the first to greet him, with her usual smile.
"Baru!" Typhon greeted with pure energy and joy. She ran up to him and observes his damaged soul.
"Are you alright Baru?" She asks.
"I-I'm fine.." He replied. He looks at his arms, and cracks can be seen. He didn't bother.
"You better not die here too mister!" Minerva yelled as she rushed to the boy, punching him several times. Once the punching was done, the cracks were now gone.
"Th-Thanks for that." Subaru thanks her, to which minerva replied withan angry pout as she looks away.
"Say what you will, but aren't I suppose to be back out there?" Subaru asks in confusion to the witch of greed.
"Let's just say the whore removed your curse." Echidna replied.
'She removed Return by Death from me? But why?' He thought.
"We can clearly hear your thoughts now that you're with us." Echidna said as she smirks.
"Y-You do!?"
"S-Satella heard your pleas and cries after the past month. S-So she wanted you to be f-finally laid to rest." Carmillia answers, her usual nervousness never changed.
"And that's why...*yawn*... you're with us now." Sekhmet added.
He can't believe it, no more death? No more pain? He was finally free. But he wished it was someone else other than the witches that he was with.
"So are you just gonna sit there and not join us?" Echidna asked the boy who was deep in his thoughts. And with that, not questioning it anymore, he joins the witches with their tea party. Finally. Rest.
"Tella will be here any moment now." Typhon said. And as she said that, Satella did walk up to them.
Having tears in her eyes, she is finally with her beloved. She wished for such a day would come, but the back story of it all was emotionally heart shattering for her.
It was finally time. For her to be with her beloved.
It was evening after the Emilia Camp and Anastasia Camp conquered the Pleiades Tower, they were about to go home, but something had struck them...
They left someone behind...
Someone important, someone valuable, someone they too cared for and loved.
Subaru Natsuki was the person they had forgotten.
"N-No..." Said the great spirit Beatrice as she now remembers what she has done to the person they had forgotten. "What have I done I wonder...?" Full with dread and fear. Horror and dismay. The little spirit is breaking down.
"Why are you like that Beako?" Emilia asks her supposed contract spirit.
"W-Where is Subaru...?" She asks Emilia.
Emilia thought of the name for a moment, and as she remembers, her eyes widen in horror. She left the boy who had done so much for her behind.
Ram and Rem witnessing this asks. "Is there a problem Emilia-sama?"
"We need to make haste! We need to get back to the Capital now!" She demanded. It was still night so they might arrive by dawn.
Ram, now remembering Barusu and what had happened, obeyed and with that, they began their race against time. A race they had already lost from the start.
"Huuh. Agh." Subaru was finding it now difficult to breathe. As his lung injuries flared up, and wounds opened once again, he began drowning on his own blood. But his blood was not only going into his lungs, his blood was already leaking out of his body.
"Huuuuu" He tried to speak, but his weakened state prevented him. He already had experienced this for the hundredth time, he was getting used to it.
"Aahh" He utters as he tried to sit up, but he can't. He just laid there, on the floor. Pools of blood formed beneath him.
He knows his end will come so he smiled for the short break from life, for he knew he would return to suffer once more.
"T-Thank... You..." Were his last words before he departed to the after life, never witnessing the sunshine again, never to see them again. Blood now flowing out of his mouth.
And with that, the whites of his eyes disappeared as so did his life. Eyes shut, never to open once more. He was finally laid to eternal rest.
It was now morning, the Emilia camp arrived at the prison where Subaru was held captive. But, for some reason he was moved to the Kasten's Manor.
Unbeknownst to them, as soon as Felix and Julius remembered who was the boy they tortured, they rushed to the boy's room, only for them to widen their eyes in shock and horror. His body laid there, motionless, eyes closed, and a pool of blood beneath him.
"No..." Julius utters, as Felix rush to Subaru's corpse, trying to heal what he can and probably saving this boy's life.
Felix, denying his failings, told Julius to help him transport the boy to Crusch's Manor. Julius agrees and once they arrived, several other healers helped Felix to try and save the boy
Several seconds gone by, then minutes, then some hours passed. The deed was done, the boy was now gone. Never to set sight on those he loved, never to walk among them. Subaru Natsuki has been laid to rest.
Crusch knew too well that Emilia's relationship with Subaru was so close. Oh how would she break out to her that her beloved knight has passed?
She though of reasons and how to speak to the half elf about the situation. She pondered as she entered the room where the body of the boy lies. It too pained her that the man she fought with died just like that. Death by betreyal.
There he was, the boy laid on the bed, white cloth covering his entire form. Never to walk among them again.
"Natsuki Subaru..." Crusch utters as she holds the cloth that covers the boy.
"I'd never thought fate would so cruel to you." She added, sadness and pity can be clearly sensed from her tone.
*Knock* *Knock*
Someone was at the door.
"May I come in Crusch-sama?" The voice belongs to Wilhelm.
"Yes, come in." Crusch utters.
"Sorry for intruding Crusch-sama, but they've arrived." Wilhelm said.
Now baring a grim look, she gathers her composure. Either she will be the bearer of bad news, or someone else has to do it.
Both healer and greatest of knights are now in a separate room, contemplating on what they've done for the month or so. They had reduced their 'friend' into a lifeless meat bag.
When they first saw the boy's lifeless form, he wore a smile, a smile that showed he accepted his fate, and that he was relieved. Their jaws hung down. Felix tearing up at what he had caused, other than saving lives, he took one himself. He took his ally's life, his friend's life. The greatest among knights, Julius, held his head, his form shaking. Oh how would they explain themselves to the half-elf candidate. Their hope from escaping this predicament.
Both couldn't utter a single word from the traumatic sight they saw, and that they themselves were the reason for this poor boy's demise.
"Good morning Crusch-sama." Emilia greeted the military duchess, who seems to be off put. As if she was the same Crusch after gluttony ate her memories.
Crusch did not respond as she fell deeper on her thoughts. How would she deliver the news? How would she even speak to Emilia?
"Are you alright Crusch?" Emilia broke the silence.
"Oh, sorry for my rude behavior. Good morning to you too Emilia-sama." Crusch said then he bows, some sweat now dripping down.
"Is there something wrong I suppose?" Beatrice took notice of the sweating duchess.
"N-Nothing's wrong. It's just hot today..." Crusch stutters.
"Hm, I can tell that you are lying." Puck butts in. This made Crusch sweat more.
"If I may intrude, I suggest we take you to his room." Wilhelm intervenes, to which everyone nodded along.
'Why was she lying?' Emilia thought. 'Anyways, I'm reeeeaaaallly a dunderhead now, I should apologize to Subaru.'
'Hm?' Puck butts in her thought. 'If I remember correctly, you said something like "It's better to hear a thank instead of a million apologies." right?' he said.
'Hmph! shush Puck.'
Julius and Felix gathered their courage, and went in the boy's room. There they saw him. Peacefully sleeping, for eternity. They couldn't hold it in for much longer, then they shed tears.
But as they cried on they heard footsteps coming their way, so they composed themselves and prepared themselves for soon things to come. The door opens, Wilhelm enters first, then Crusch, then their guest.
Beatrice's mood dropped. At the sight, she instantly fell to the ground on her knees. This what she's done to her contractor. Ever since that day she accused him for being a witch cultist, this was now the outcome of her actions. Her contractor, was now sleeping forever. Tears found their way out of her as she wails on the ground.
Emilia's thoughts were stopped. Her mind then proceeds to play some memories of her knight being so happy. 'E.M.T!' She heard his voice in her mind as she plays these memories.
'Emilia-tan!'
'Tell me your name'
'Thank you for helping me'
'I love you!'
Emilia took a step forward only-
To trip by a rock, and Subaru helping her regain her balance. They then walked on to-
His death bed, sobs now coming out from the half-elf, she stops mid way there only for-
Subaru giving her a crown made of flowers, she was overjoyed-
She continued on walking, and when she's beside him, she fell on her knees. She then proceeds to cry on him.
"Wake up... Please..." She utters in between her sobs.
She then proceeds to stand up and then began shaking his corpse.
"Subaru wake up!" Wake up!" She said as she shakes him
"Wake up... Wake up..." Her cries slowly going silent.
Then the world stopped, except for Emilia and Beatrice. What is happening? Why...? Why are shadows rising...? And... What's happening?
And cut! That's it for today. This was all based on the lingering thought in the deepest depths of my mind. If you all want another chapter, alright then, if you think this is trash alright then. It's my first fanfic, in this website at least... Anyways, for now this is the chapter we got. If you want a continuation, I'll make it happen if the community doesn't think this is an absolute piece of shit of a work.