Hey everyone how is 2021 going for you so far? Hopefully good. I'm going to give you guys a little update for the future before you read. It's a bit of bad news, but not too bad, just that the speed I write these will probably drop. Winter break is ending and I'll probably be focusing more on school than this story. I'll still update frequently. About twice a week will be my new rate of updates going forwards. Alright with the boring stuff out of the way enjoy the chapter. P.S I was listening to Long Shot while I wrote this and man, Long Shot is a fucking banger.
Subaru opened the door to reveal Emilia standing on the other side. Her eyes gazed towards the boy with concern. Dammit. Subaru thought as he forced a smile to form on his face.
"Hey Emilia-tan I'm doing great and I'll be out for dinner in a few minutes," Subaru said weaving an upbeat tone into his voice. Not convincing enough. Subaru raised his arm to give her a thumbs up.
All of this merely caused Emilia's look of concern to grow. Until she pushed a smile onto her face. "Well see you then Subaru," Emilia responded.
Subaru closed the door. He walked towards the bathroom to perfect his smile for the rest of the day. Meanwhile, Emilia began to walk towards the mansion dining room. Her smile dropped from her face as she walked.
The rest of the night transpired almost exactly the same as the last loop. Until Subaru arrived back in his room.
Subaru closed the door and walked towards the center of the room. He began to formulate a plan. Alright, my information is mostly trustable again time for a formal plan.
Step one Locks: Lock one: Save the children from the curse. Lock two: Save Rem from her oni form. Lock three: Stop Beako from killing herself. Lock four: Get Ram to trust me. Number two: All locks must be unlocked to consider the loop successful. Number three determine keys. Key one: Have either Puck or Beako break the curses. Key two: I need Ram to calm Rem down.
Key three: I don't know how to save Beako. My best bet is to try tomorrow night. That way Ram slightly trusts me. She might dispose of me if she sees me searching for the library right now. But what if I just never interact with Beako. Never mind that won't work I'll eventually stumble on the door. And I don't even know if I'm what causes it. Beako? Beako, why? Stop. Need to finish the plan.
Key four: Continue work at the mansion and avoid suspicion but still act normal. If I completely avoid all suspicion that is suspicious itself.
Step four assess the difficulty of attaining keys: Key one: easy. Key two: Hard to judge on current information Key three: Impossible to judge on the current information I have. Key four: easy.
Step five asses the number of loops needed: Unknown until I talk to Beako more.
Alright, that should be it. But, Memories flashed through Subaru's mind. They were memories of Subaru practicing magic. Memories of a voice calling out to him.
The spirit. Subaru realized that the spirit was absent from his plan. Why did it leave me there? Why did it say it wouldn't contract with me? Why? Never mind the spirit isn't necessary for the loop.
Subaru pushed the spirit from his mind, and he walked towards his bed. I need to be well-rested. Also, I need better timing going to Arlam. Subaru remembered forcing his body to sprint all the way from the mansion to the village. If I go to Arlam earlier then I'll be less fatigued.
With that wrinkle of Subaru's plan worked out he got himself in the perfect position and mindset to sleep. And then just like that Natsuki Subaru's mind retreated into the depths of sleep.
Natsuki Subaru was drowning again. But this time he knew that it wasn't just water it was the tears of the second trial. Knowing this did not ease Subaru's mind. He could hear the suffering of his friends. He could hear Emilia and Wilhelm standing over his corpse.
It's not real. Subaru thought in his mind. He used it as a mantra. Thinking it to himself over and over again. He didn't try and fight his way out of the pool, and he didn't try and calm his crying friends. Natsuki Subaru just sat at the bottom of the pool whispering to himself.
Subaru's eyes opened sluggishly. He felt tired. He closed his eyes and tried to go back to sleep. But when he closed his eyes all the images of the second trial were waiting for him. It isn't real! Subaru shouted to himself.
But Subaru didn't try and go to sleep after that. He looked to the clock it read: 4:45. I need to work today and gain Ram's trust. Subaru tried to get up, but his arms weren't listening to him. His conscious mind screamed to get up, but his subconscious denied him. Subaru's body did not try.
I need to take on their suffering. Only I need to suffer. I need to take it on. I need to take on their suffering. Subaru pushed himself up trying to lift his body. It felt like he was trying to lift the Flugel Tree.
"Mmh," Subaru grunted as he forced his body off of the bed. Subaru forced his way towards the door to the rest of the mansion. He decided it wasn't worth it to try and make it to the bathroom to practice smiling.
By the time Subaru started his morning radio calisthenics it had become far easier to move his body, however it still felt like he had weights tied to his back.
"Shamac!" Subaru shaped his mana into a spell. Subaru stopped his practice and began to wait for the voice of the spirit.
"Wow. Hey mister you're pretty cool." The childlike voice of the spirit called to him.
"Why are you here?" Subaru questioned the spirit. But Subaru received no response. It seemed the spirit was already gone. Damn. The plan is perfectly fine without it. Subaru thought to himself. Alright time to get to work. Subaru had an odd feeling in his gut. The villagers need to trust me as well. I forgot about that.
Subaru began to walk towards Arlam village before his mind had finished thinking. When Subaru arrived there everything proceeded like normal he sat in the corner and then the kids came to attack him. However, one thing was different: he had to answer two of their questions, before he was allowed to leave, instead of one. The rest of tit went as normal Subaru walked away promised to see them tomorrow and waved to the children.
Subaru was greeted by Ram when he got back to the mansion.
"Come on Barusu we have work to do." That was a much shorter line this time. Is there a change I need to worry about? Subaru wondered. It's likely nothing. And if it is something I can always reset. Subaru decided. He ignored the images of the second trial that began to flash through his mind.
"There dinner is finished. Wanna test it Ram?" Subaru called to the pink-haired maid as he stepped back from the completed dish. Ram nodded to him and stepped over with a fork in hand.
She tasted it and her eyes widened. "Passable." She rated it. What kind of man are you Barusu to be this good at cooking so early in life. Ram continued to analyze him. "I'm going to go serve this. You are free to go you have finished your work for today, which was very surprising. I had not expected you to not be completely incompetent."
When Subaru heard this he forced a smile onto his face and waved to Ram. "Good night Ram." There that was better than the last loop.
"Go retreat to your perverted dreams Barusu," Ram responded. When the boy had left the kitchen Ram began to wonder. Why do you pretend to smile Barusu? Ram was too busy carrying the meal out to the dining room to realize that Subaru had left the kitchen door open.
Alright, this is the last door. Subaru thought as he gazed at the closed door to his bedroom. What is my plan for this? How do I answer? Do I tell her I'm they? Subaru thought back to the loop in the Sanctuary where he'd done that. Immediately after he told her that Beatrice had thanked him and then killed herself. No that isn't an option.
Telling her I don't know is also not an option. He remembered Roswal standing over him and releasing a four-color barrage of mana into his chest. I have to tell her I'm not they. But that probably won't be enough what do I do after that. I need to take on her suffering but how. Echidna, please. Please give me an answer.
STOP! I can figure it out I just need a few loops. The right words are there I just need to find them. I will have this conversation as many times as it takes. Subaru confirmed his resolve and stepped towards the door. I will take on your suffering Beako. Subaru grabbed the door handle and pushed it open.
A massive library of knowledge awaited Subaru on the other side. In the center of the great repository sat a single artificial spirit. Her eyes were filled with tears. "Are you Betty's they, I suppose."
"No, I'm not your they."
Beatrice's eyes narrowed as she raised her palm.
"Beako, wait I'm not your they, but-"
"Get. Out." A wall of wind sent Subaru flying out of the forbidden library. Subaru landed outside the door, and he stood up. Through the still-open door. Subaru stared at the crying spirit. Why hasn't she closed the door?
Subaru heard the doors around him begin to slam shut. Beatrice was using her mana to close the doors of the mansion. No, Beako. "Beako wait!" Subaru shouted out as he tried to dive into the doorway.
Beatrice didn't say anything. Instead, she just used wind magic to slam the door in front of the boy. Subaru just stared at the door. His expression was still cold, but it was no longer corpse-like. Beako? Please Beako. Please. Subaru couldn't think of anything to do so he just continued standing there.
Subaru didn't realize that his knees had given out and he was kneeling on the ground. Beako. Why Beako? Why are you so convinced that I'm they? Why? Why? Beako, why?
Meanwhile, the guardian of the forbidden library sought her answer. Eventually, she found it. Her answer. The answer was she must release herself.
Beatrice used her door crossing to travel to the Sanctuary. It was there that Beatrice ended her life with Al Minya.
Sanctuary was turned into a wasteland by the massive outpouring of mana. The only part of Sanctuary that remained intact was the Citadel of Dreams.
The massive outpouring of mana also had another effect on the world.
Hunger they felt hunger. Insatiable, uncontainable, voracious, limitless, ravenous, unimaginable hunger. They must, must, must, must quench their hunger. They ate each other to do this. Then they multiplied and the process continued. Must eat. Must eat. It was the only thought in their minds. Must even eat ourselves. They felt something. Their heads stopped biting into their neighbors. They replenished their numbers to the maximum. That thing they felt. Mana, Mana, Mana, Mana. Food, food, food, food. Must, must must must must must must must eat. They turned in the direction of the mana and began to run. The outpouring of mana told them that a large amount of food was there. Enough that for a tiny amount of time maybe they would be sated.
All was consumed in its path.
The Great Rabbit was on the move towards Sanctuary.
Back in the mansion, Subaru was still kneeling in the same place. "What are you doing on the floor idiot Barusu?" Ram's voice shook him from his mind. Subaru just looked at the maid. Why am I here? I need to take on Beako's suffering. I need to find a way to take her suffering. "Get off of the floor Barusu," Ram commanded.
Subaru pushed himself up a look of determination was showing in his eyes. Beako. "Ram, can you wait here? Just for a few minutes." Subaru asked her. I will take on your suffering.
Ram just stared at the boy her eyebrows had risen slightly. She gave him a slight nod. What are you doing Barusu? Ram wondered. Her eyebrows rose even more as Subaru began running around opening every door he could find. Is he looking for Beatrice-sama? Is he an opportunist looking for the forbidden library? Barusu doesn't seem the type though. He had any reward he wanted and he chose a housekeeping job. You are an interesting man Barusu. Ram wondered as she watched Subaru open more doors. Why did you save my sister?
"Hey Ram," Subaru called to Ram as he arrived back in the hallway. Subaru strode over to the door that Ram stood next to. "You can go to sleep now I don't need you to watch the door anymore." Subaru forced an upbeat tone into his voice.
"I would like to stay for a few more minutes." Ram commented, "Idiot Barusu." Subaru just looked at her with his cold expression. He didn't acknowledge Ram further instead he reached for the door. He grabbed it and pulled the door open.
On the other side of the door was not Subaru's bedroom, but it almost certainly was not a library. It was a strange landscape. Subaru realized it wasn't really a landscape since the doorway was in the middle of a crater. The crater gave off a glassy purple sheen. Behind him Ram's eyes were wide.
"What happened to the library Barusu?" Ram asked him.
"I don't know." But I need to find out. Subaru began to step through the doorway attempting to pull the door closed behind him.
"Barusu wait!" Ram shouted. Dammit, he won't wait he's going to close the door. But we have no idea where it goes. Ram dove through the doorway right before Subaru could fully close it.
"Ram why did you follow me?" Ram you don't have to do this. What if you find something horrible here? Only I need to suffer.
"We do not know anything about where the door crossing has taken us Barusu. We need to go back to the mansion now. C'mon." Ram gestured for him to follow. She turned towards where the doorway was. When Ram saw the doorway her eyes widened. Her lips turned down into a frown. Her eyebrows rose.
There was no doorway.
Damn. Time to reset. Subaru slackened his jaw and pushed his tongue through his teeth. He began to bite down.
"Barusu?" It was Ram. I have to do it. I have to. I must take on their suffering. "Barusu?" Ram asked him again. Her head was tilted. I must. Subaru began to bite into his tongue. "Behold the unthinkable present." Fuck! Subaru tried to bite through his tongue but his jaw didn't listen to him. Damn. Well, it would be good to investigate a little, right?
Subaru returned his tongue to its normal position. "Barusu?" Ram asked him again.
"What is it, Ram?" Subaru finally responded to the maid.
"Do you have any idea where we are?" Ram finally was able to ask her question. She gestured to the crater that they were in, and its glassy sheen. "Because I will admit I don't know."
"I don't know either," Subaru responded. Probably Sanctuary given what Roswal told me last loop.
Ram looked up to the sky. She began to hold her chin with her hand Subaru could tell she was coming up with a plan. After a few moments, her eyes took on a determined look.
"Alright, Barusu I have a plan." Ram began to explain, "We will search the immediate area for danger, and then we will sleep. In the morning we can fully investigate the area." That's a pretty simple plan. Subaru commented in his mind.
With that plan in their minds, the two climbed out of the crater. They set off in opposite directions and began to search. Subaru's eyes searched the surrounding area. No forest. What kind of spell did Beako use? Subaru felt his feet lose grip on the ground. What the hell? Subaru barely had enough time to catch himself. The glassy floor cut into his hands.
It was only now that Subaru fully analyzed the ground. It was all purple glass. As far as Subaru could see in the light of the moon was just purple glass. What kind of spell did this? It looks like a nuclear test site. Subaru thought back to the weapons of his world.
Finished with his search Subaru returned to the edge of the crater. Ram isn't here yet. Subaru noticed. He sat down on the glass and began to examine his hands. I should end the loop. "Behold the unthinkable present." Dammit. I should wait for more information. Subaru postponed his decision.
Subaru also decided that in the meantime it would be a good idea to stop the bleeding in his hands. "There done," Subaru whispered as he finished using cloth from his shirt to wrap his hands.
"Barusu did you find anything?" Ram's question startled the boy.
"No just more glass," Subaru answered.
"Good. I found a forest in my direction, so we will investigate there tomorrow morning." Ram told the boy.
"I will also be taking the first watch for tonight. I will wake you when I get tired Barusu." Ram explained.
No, I should suffer the sleep deprivation "I can take first wa-"
"Barusu. Go to sleep." Ram's voice was stern and commanding.
Subaru didn't object further he just laid down on the glassy surface of the ground. Subaru pushed his mind into a mindset for sleep, and his mind fled into the depths of sleep.
Ram watched the boy easily fall to sleep. So you can sleep outside without a pillow or a blanket on a floor made of glass. What happened to you Barusu?
Ram turned her gaze from the boy to the surrounding area, and she watched. Multiple times over the course of the next two hours Ram tried to activate her clairvoyance. She pushed her mind out to find any other creatures on her wavelength. She pushed and searched. Nothing. Ram lamented to herself. There were no animals nearby for her to use her clairvoyance on.
The next three hours passed without interruption. She just scanned the area found nothing, scanned the area found nothing. And repeat, for three hours. She was ready to continue this repetition until she heard something. It was a quiet whisper.
"It wasn't real. It wasn't real." Ram looked over to the source of the whisper only for her to realize that it was Subaru. Is he awake? Ram's eyes searched his body. Her eyes reached his face. No, he's asleep. It's probably a nightmare. What are you denying Barusu?
Ram focused back on the surrounding area. Only for her to realize she couldn't focus while she listened to Subaru have a nightmare. Should I wake him up and have him watch. No, if he has nightmares like this all the time then he needs sleep. Besides I'm not that tired.
Subaru began to convulse slightly. Ram's lips turned downwards into a scowl. "Dammit Barusu," Ram whispered as she reached over and held his hand in hers. Ram's scowl deepened further when the boy began to grip her hand as if he was holding onto life. "I'm only doing this once Barusu." She whispered to him again.
Ram's scowl lightened as the boy began to quiet down. She looked down at him clinging to her hand. He looks dead. She commented in her mind. But I guess it's better than convulsing.
Ram turned her gaze back to the surrounding landscape. She slid into focus, and for the rest of the night, Ram watched without interruption.
And for Subaru Ram's hand interlocked into his gave him a night of peaceful sleep.
But outside the Sanctuary the night was not completely peaceful.
They were hungry. They ate everything in their path everything that could sate them. They chewed through the forest. Anything that could fly was able to escape. Everything that couldn't fly was devoured, consumed, and eaten. They continued towards that great source of mana. Towards that meal that might finally sate them.
The great rabbit drew ever closer to Sanctuary.
Subaru woke to the light of the rising sun. What happened? Did Ram forget to wake me up? Did she fall asleep? Subaru's eyes searched for Ram. They found her immediately. She was sitting right next to Subaru her eyes open. She was still awake and watching.
"Ram why didn't you wake me up to switch off?"
"I did not grow tired so there was no need. Also, I did not trust your ability to watch." Ram explained. "Now that you are awake let's go investigate the forest."
Subaru nodded and stood up. Subaru's eyes widened slightly. He didn't feel tired and heavy. Thinking about it there weren't really any nightmares.
Ram who had already begun walking looked back at Subaru. "We don't have any time to waste Barusu. C'mon." She gestured for Subaru to follow her. Subaru didn't respond instead he followed Ram towards the forest.
The two grew closer to the forest. They walked along mostly in silence, aside from the crunching of glass as they walked, the two were too busy analyzing the forest ahead of them. Both soon noticed that the trees had been turned into the same glassy purple.
Both continued walking now beneath the shadows of the trees. Ram's eyes were darting across the forest trying to take in every detail. This breed of trees is most common in Lugunica. So we likely aren't out of the country. Ram's eyes saw an odd marking on the trunk of one of the trees. What is that mark? It looked like a mark created by claws. Her eyes moved back to in front of her. There was something in front of her, and it wasn't a tree. It looked like a person. The person was male. They looked familiar to Ram. Is tha-
Ram froze as she realized who it was. Her eyes were wide. Her mouth was trying to move but no words formed. She recognized the boy. He had pursued her romantically for as long as she'd known him. "Garfiel." The word finally formed. It came out as a low whisper barely noticeable.
Ram's hands curled into fists. Her eyes narrowed. Deadly blades of wind began to surround her. "I know where we are Barusu." She told the boy.
Subaru merely gazed at the maid with his cold eyes. "We are going to find who did this. Come with me Barusu."
Ram moved forward continuing towards the rest of the Sanctuary. Subaru followed her. I need to see if anything here can help me stop Beako from doing this.
The boy and the maid continued to walk through the forest until they arrived at the village. Every part of the village was turned into the same purple glass. Ram's mana caused many of the buildings to shatter as they passed through it.
Ram led Subaru through the village towards the last part of the Sanctuary Ram could think to visit. Ram was leading Subaru to the grave of Echidna.
When they arrived at the building both Ram and Subaru's eyes widened. The castle was intact. Just the same normal stone. Echidna? Subaru thought as he stared at the castle.
"Dammit!" Ram yelled. She had walked all the way through the Sanctuary and there was nothing no one to get revenge on. Ram's mana began to return to her body. The blades of wind that had surrounded her disappeared.
Subaru was too busy staring at the castle to notice Ram. Echidna? Why? Why? Why did you break the contract? Subaru's knees slammed into the crystalline terrain. They had given out. Echidna? Subaru kept asking that question in his mind.
Ram stood there filled with disappointment. Her face was empty. What do I do? Ram kept asking herself that question in her mind.
Both individuals had retreated into their own minds. Ram eventually fell to her knees just like Subaru. Hours passed like that. Neither noticed as the sun began to set. Though both did notice the sounds that the evening brought.
They both heard the sound of squealing. Ram and Subaru returned back to reality. Ram's eyes narrowed her mana readied. Subaru's eyes were wide. That sounds familiar.
"Barusu do you know what that sound is?" Ram turned to the boy. Her eyes widened at the sight of Subaru. He was holding his head in his hands.
Inside of Subaru's mind, he was remembering. He remembered those squeals. He remembered the biting, ripping, gnashing, tearing, and the death that came with them.
"It's the great rabbit," Subaru whispered.
Ram's eyes widened. Her mana grew stronger. Her face contorting in pain. I can only release the first three shackles. If I release more I'll die. Ram thought as she entered her oni form.
"Barusu you hide in that castle." Ram pointed to Echidna's tomb. "It will hurt since you don't have trial rights, but the rabbit likely won't follow you. I will distract it." Ram spoke. Subaru noticed that her voice was shaking slightly.
No only I have to suffer. Only me. "I'm not leaving you here Ram." Ram looked at him. Her lips turned into a slight hint of a smile. The rabbits grew louder. They could see the rabbits begin to appear on one side of the forest.
The rabbits began to draw towards them. "Barusu," Ram began, "I have a piece of advice for you if you make it out of this alive. Everyone can tell that your smile is fake. Don't force yourself to smile Barusu."
"Ram I told you I'm not leaving." Only I need to suffer. Only, me. Only. Me.
The rabbits were closing in they were only a few seconds away now.
"You seem to think that's you had a choice in this matter Barusu." Ram admonished him, "You never had a choice in being saved. After all, you saved Rem from losing everything she loved." Ram offered him a slight smile. She bowed her head, "Thank you Barusu, for saving my sister."
Ram sent Subaru flying with a blast of wind magic. His body careened towards the castle. Subaru landed on his back. "Ram!" Subaru shouted. He watched the scene unfold in front of him too shocked to kill himself.
Ram was surrounded by the rabbits. Now, this makes us even Barusu. Ram thought. The rabbits began to try and jump onto her legs. But they were ripped apart. Ram's mana was destroying any rabbit that got too close to her. She destroyed the first wave of rabbits. Then the next and the next and the next. Ram began to slowly walk away from where Subaru lay. The rabbits ignored him they were being drawn to the massive amount of mana Ram was releasing.
The rabbits continued to be massacred. It was an awe inspiring sight. Deadly blades of wind killing every rabbit that touched them. The blood and fur of the rabbits circling in a cyclone of red and white. It was a radiant pillar of mana that wrought death to each rabbit that touched it.
And in the center of it all stood Ram. Her face contorted in anger and disgust. Her eyes narrow and nimble darting around keeping track of each rabbit. Her hair was blowing in the wind. In the center of her forehead was a glowing pink stump where Ram's horn had once stood.
This was a glimpse at the radiance of the Oni God.
Ram stood like that for a full minute. She felt intense pain. She felt intense annoyance. She felt anger at the rabbits for their sickening hunger. Disgusting beasts. Ram thought as she brought death to the rabbits.
Something itched at the back of ram's mind. It was a horrible thought that she did not want to acknowledge. As the rabbits began to get closer and closer to her Ram was forced to think that thought she had been avoiding.
I'm at my limit. The pain is too great. My oni form won't last five more seconds. Without the oni form, I'll run out of mana immediately. I'm going to die. Ram realized. With that realization, Ram thought her last true thought. Goodbye Rem.
Ram's oni form gave out. The pain subsided. She kept up the tornado of wind for as long as she could. Drawing in as much mana as she could using just her gate. This brought Ram a new pain. It was the pain of her gate drawing more mana than it should.
Ram felt her gate stretching. Her pain grew more intense. She felt her gate begin to crack. Felt it tearing.
And finally, she felt her gate collapse.
The wind that kept the rabbits at bay stopped.
Ram's protection was gone.
Please, no.
Ram felt an intense fear rise in her chest. "I don't wanna die!" The oni god shouted. The rabbits pounced towards her. She felt the rabbits land on her legs. Then she felt them begin to bite into her legs. Immense pain exploded in Ram's mind. Ram's body collapsed to the ground. Her eyes darted around to the rabbits that surrounded her. The rabbits jumped forward and began covering her body. Then they began to devour her.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Ram's screams resounded across the Sanctuary as the rabbits bit into her. Ram could feel their teeth ripping her. The rabbits were stripping the skin from her body. Next, the rabbits bit into her muscles. She felt it as each individual muscle fiber was torn out. Rabbits sought out Ram's face to sate their hunger. Once there they sought the warmth of Ram's mouth. Eight rabbits tore at her lips to get into her mouth. More rabbits were consuming other parts of Ram's face. Twelve rabbits were tearing her eyes apart in two excruciating games of six-way tug of war. Ten rabbits fought over Ram's ears. On the sides of Ram's face, four rabbits burrowed into her mouth through her cheeks.
The rabbits that had been able to rip their way into Ram's mouth began to devour her gums. However, the rabbits knew that teeth were less filling so the rabbits ignored them for now. So the rabbits merely avoided Ram's teeth instead they ate around them. When the gums that held Ram's teeth were consumed the uprooted teeth began to tumble their way into Ram's screaming throat. Her screams were muffled as she choked on her own blood and teeth.
Multiple rabbits began to chase the blood that was falling through Ram's throat. Quenching their thirst with her blood. And sating their hunger with the muscles of Ram's esophagus.
Ram's screams lost their power. She didn't have a throat to form screams anymore.
Rabbits from the outside of her body tunneled through Ram's muscles into her. They were trying to get to the warmth of Ram's internal organs, and to whatever food was left in Ram's stomach. Rabbits gnashed their way into Ram's stomach. Her stomach acid began to melt her insides as it was released. Many rabbits quenched their thirst with this acid.
When the warmth of Ram's internal organs had been exhausted the rabbits sought out the warmth of Ram's bone marrow. Ram could hear the shattering of teeth as the rabbits cracked open her bones.
Once the warmth of Ram's bones had been subsumed the rabbits grew desperate for more to sate their hunger. Rabbits began to make their way towards Ram's skull. After all the brain was right there. All they had to do was remove the skull. Ram's skull was shattered by hundreds of Rabbits breaking it apart from all sides.
Hundreds more rabbits burst through Ram's shattered skull. They raced to chew through Ram's brain.
And with the consumption of her brain Ram was finally released from hell.
While Ram was being eaten her mind was being broken, shattered, crushed, and ground into dust.
As the pain progressed and heightened Ram's mind screamed. Most of it at least. A small part of Ram began to try and bargain with the world. Please I'll do anything please stop this pain. Please. Please. Please. Please. Please. Please. Please. Please. Please. Please. Please. Please. Please. Please. Please. Please. Please. Please.
I'll do anything. Anything. Anything. Anything. Anything. Anything. Anything. Anything. Anything. Anything. Anything. Anything. Anything. Anything.
Please just do it to someone else. Ram's broken mind tried to trade places with someone. Do it to someone else, anyone else.
Do it to Puck not me.
Do it to Beatrice not me.
Do it to Emilia not me.
Do it to Barusu not me.
Do it to Roswal not me.
Do it to anyone but me.
Anyone
Anyone
Anyone
Anyone
Do it to anyone but me.
The rabbits began to bite into Ram's scalp.
Do it to anyone else.
The rabbits began to crack Ram's skull.
Do it to Rem not me.
The rabbits began to consume Ram's brain.
Subaru watched in horror as Ram was devoured. I need to end the loop. Subaru stood. His shoes made an odd sound. It was a sound they made when they rubbed on stone. The citadel of dreams. Subaru fully realized where he was. Ram. I'm sorry, but I need answers.
Subaru began to run into the tomb towards the trial room. Echidna I need to know why. I need to know. Subaru could still hear Ram's screams. Ram. I will take on your suffering in the next loop.
Dammit, she's not inviting me to a tea party. Subaru realized as he ran deeper into the castle.
Subaru arrived in the trial room. He felt his mind begin to flee reality. A tea party finally.
"FIRST YOU MUST FACE YOUR PAST." The words spoken with Subaru's own voice drilled into his mind. No, I need a tea party, not this. No, no, no, no, no, no.
Subaru felt his body collapse. The last thing he saw was the castle begin to glow.
Subaru sat on a bench outside of the Roswal mansion. He was watching a fight. The fight was between the shield of the Sanctuary and the Sword Saint. Both men fought with deep frowns on their faces. Subaru could tell that they were holding back tears.
Subaru's eyes searched around his surroundings. Ram and Petra were standing to Subaru's right they were watching the fight. Ram's face looked bored. Petra looked just like Garfiel and Reinhardt. Like tears hid behind her eyes, ready to form at any moment.
Subaru's gaze shifted to his left where Emilia sat nuzzled against him. Her hair was short and it was styled similarly to Rem's.
Subaru realized where he was and began to hold his head in his hands. "No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no." Subaru began to rock back and forth.
Subaru didn't realize it but the fight had stopped. Emilia stood up and looked down at him with a concerned look in her eyes. Subaru could feel the temperature begin to drop due to her mana. Reinhardt put his hand on the grip of the dragon sword.
"Please calm down Emilia-sama." Reinhardt beseeched her.
Subaru didn't realize it but all the members of the Emilia camp were standing in a semi-circle around Subaru.
"Are you ok Subaru-sama?" Ram and Petra asked him at the same time. Why does Ram act nice to me?
"Subaru?" It was Reinhardt. He looked so sad when Felt left. But it was necessary.
"Subaaaaru?" It was Emilia she was looking at him. Her eyes held a look of need. Like she needed Subaru to talk to her. Like she needed Subaru otherwise she'd die. She couldn't finish the trials. It was necessary for me to do them instead.
"Natsuki Subaru you better g't 'p." It was Garfiel. He oozed an air of malice. It was the only way to protect him from the great rabbit.
"Subaru-sama?" Frederica had appeared in the crowd.
"Suuuuuuubaru-kun?" It was Roswal. I needed to work with Roswal. He was right. I needed to strengthen my resolve.
"Subaru-kun." It was Rem up and awake. She looked like she was about to cry as she gazed at Subaru. Rem, why did you kill me? Why did you betray me?
Subaru heard the sound of crying. It was Beatrice she had appeared in the crowd. It was necessary. I needed to do it. I needed to drag her out of the library.
"Natsuki-san?" It was Otto. Why? Why did you leave? Otto, why?
The sound of crying began to grow louder. All of the people that surrounded Subaru began to cry. All except Roswal. Roswal's smile only widened.
Subaru looked at all of them crying. They fell to their knees and stared up at him.
"WHY?" Their voices slammed into Subaru.
"IT WAS NECESARRY!" Subaru screamed back.
The entire landscape turned into tears. Subaru fell and began to drown.
Subaru heard his own voice in his mind. "FIRST TRIAL OF THE SANCTUARY ATTEMPTED, RESULT: FAILURE."
Subaru heard the soft ping of a cup of tea being set down onto a saucer.
Subaru heard another voice. "My, how interesting." It was a feminine voice full of curiosity.
"ECHIDNA!" Subaru screamed.
Subaru opened his eyes. It was necessary. His eyes began to dart around the trial room. It was necessary. The blue light was beginning to fade. It was necessary. Subaru pushed himself up and began to walk through the darkness of the tomb. He forced his body to walk towards the exit. Why? Why? It was necessary. Why were you all crying?
Subaru trudged down the steps of the tomb. He walked forward eyes empty face expressionless. Subaru returned to reality when he noticed the remains of Ram's uniform. Ram. It had so many bite marks in it. I'm sorry. Most of the uniform had been eaten. I should have killed myself and ended the timeline. Subaru noticed the pink hairs sprinkled around the chewed up collar of the uniform. Ram please. Please forgive me.
Subaru slackened his jaws and pushed his tongue through. Subaru began to bite into his tongue. Ram's screams echoed in his mind. Ram. I'm sorry. Subaru bit further into his tongue.
Subaru stopped when he saw something wriggling around in Ram's uniform. Oh, I guess I don't have to kill myself.
Subaru saw the rabbit begin to hop its way towards him. Held in the rabbit's jaws was one of Ram's teeth. Ram's screams continued to echo through his mind. Ram, I'm sorry.
Subaru's knees gave out. "Ram. I'm sorry." Subaru whispered as the rabbits began to multiply.
Subaru just watched as a mass of white began to cover the crystalline terrain. "Ram. Please forgive me."
Subaru whispered with a cold expression as the rabbits began to close in on him.
Subaru didn't feel fear as the rabbits began to climb on him. And he barely noticed when the rabbits began to chew into him. Ram, I'm sorry.
Subaru felt a slight pain as the rabbits ate their way through his skin and into his muscles. Ram. Please. Please, Ram.
"Mmm." Subaru groaned in pain when the rabbits began to crack his skull open. Ram, please. Please forgive me.
Subaru knew the rabbits were opening their mouths readying to consume his brain. "Don't force yourself to smile Barusu." Subaru heard Ram's words in his mind. And he felt the rabbits biting into his brain.
Natsuki Subaru's life ended once more.
I think I have a new record for the darkest chapter. If that was too dark for any of you then I promise this is as bad as it gets, for this arc. Anyway see you guys in a few days. P.S. Sorry if some of those sentences were a bit clunky.