Subaru Natsuki was feeling strange today.
What he found so strange was that he wasn't feeling any pain. His body wasn't crying out for help because of the pain from stab wounds, burns, or any other horrible injuries he had pushed down within the deepest corners of his mind. He wasn't tired and sleep-deprived as he usually would be every time he woke up in his prison cell.
In fact it was quite the opposite, Subaru was feeling rested. Very well-rested, it was almost as if he took a nap for 100 years on the softest pillow ever constructed that was on the finest bed.
Speaking of pillow, what was he laying on? It wasn't an actual pillow that was for sure, and it didn't feel like any other type of object or the stone wall of his prison, it had a soft,cool feeling that soothed any pain Subaru might have been feeling both mentally and psychically. It was strange, but Subaru didn't complain. He wanted to stay like this forever.
He needed this break, he deserved this break.
His mind has been awake for a good 3 minutes now,yet his eyes remain shut. No matter how many times he tried to open them. It was like his brain denied any attempt to signal his eyes to open, and see the world around him.
He was scared.
Scared that he would wake up and once again find himself alone in a dark, empty prison cell with only his splattered blood on the floor to keep him company. He was scared, he was going to meet the bloodthirsty, anger-filled eyes of a feline healer, who seemed to enjoy his screams for the pain to end.
He was scared to open his eyes and see a wooden sword smack across his head, forcing him through unbearable pain as it smashed against his fragile skull.
Scared when he opened his eyes. He would find himself back in a world that forgot about him. That forgot all that he's done and all that he's sacrificed, but he couldn't stay asleep forever. He knew that as much as he wanted to not wake up, he needed to face his situation and just hold out for a little while longer in a false hope his friends would remember and come get him one day.
Slowly but surely Natsuki Subaru opened his eyes.
What he saw when he was awake shocked him. He wasn't looking at a steel door or stone walls that he had grown used to seeing from his long stay in the prison. For the first time in months, Natsuki Subaru was seeing the sky.
The beautiful light blue sky that was surrounded with fluffy white clouds along with the golden yellow sun's rays shining down on him, filling his body with warmth. This was indeed a sight to see, it was almost as if it was paradise. Subaru could just watch the clouds silently move from side to side for eternity as the gentle breeze flew lightly across his face. The silence, the wind rustling against the grass, everything just screamed out peace and calm, seemingly forcing Subaru to stay flat on the ground no matter how much he wanted to get up. Though he didn't want to get up anyway, not after the months of standing up due to the chains bounding his body.
If Subaru was fated to lay down flat on his back on the soft grass with a divine pillow on the bottom of his head, he didn't mind. Actually... now that he was thinking about it...what pillow was Subaru laying on?
"Oh! You're awake. I'm so sorry beloved I didn't notice." A soft silverbell-like voice spoke from above Subaru.
Slowly , Subaru looked away from the sky, and looked at the person directly above him. He was wondering why he was getting some strange unnatural shade and now he could tell why.
Above him was a silver-haired half-elf, dressed head to toe in a black veil that looked like it was formed directly from shadows. Without a doubt, and his recent memory of his not-so-fun time at the sanctuary flooding back into his mind. Subaru knew that the person giving him a divine lap pillow was none other than the Witch of Envy herself Satella.
Normally any normal human being including Subaru himself in a former life would immediately get up and run away as fast they can. After all, they didn't want to be next to a monster that nearly destroyed the entire world and covered it with shadows. They wouldn't want to even be next to a person who created terrible monsters that have roamed the earth for 400 years such as the infamous white whale or the accursed great rabbit.
But Subaru was an exception. He didn't care about the preexisting stigma surrounding her. He was happy to see such a beautiful face when he woke up, and he was overjoyed to be anywhere besides that terrible hell called a prison cell.
Subaru looked at Satella deep in the eyes with such intensity it caused the witch to blush and turn her head away from her love. Even without directly putting his head against her chest, Subaru could hear her heart beating, almost loud enough to rattle the sky from his perspective at least but that made him happy. He was happy that somebody looked at him with such loving eyes, he was happy someone loved him so much just seeing him would cause their heart to beat so fast.
Happy that this person would not hurt him.
It was a very nice change of pace from the usual hate, disgust, more hate, more disgust, anger, more anger, and lastly can't forget about the bloodlust glares he got from his daily visitors of the prison cell. Subaru couldn't help but smile as he made himself even more comfortable on Satella's lap.
"Your lap is very soft. Tella-tan. No soft isn't even a word to describe it, it's simply divine!"
"Te-te-Tella-tan! My beloved you're going too fast, w-we just started talking I don't deserve a pet name yet." Satella blushed as she sputtered out her response,spoke with clear shock in her voice while blushing so hard, her face almost the same color as a ripe apple.
"Oh! YOUR SO CUTE WHEN YOUR FLUSTERED TELLA-TAN I COULD D-" Subaru stopped for a second, as he almost uttered out a word that resonated with him a little too personally.
Die-heh it was almost funny to Subaru how that simple word was worth literally multiple lifetimes. How many times has Subaru died up until now? More than 5, maybe more than 10? He lost track after his first time in the mansion.
Sensing her love's distress, Satella did the only thing she could do, something she always wanted to do for years; and gently rubbed her fingers through Subaru's hair. Just like her lap, they were so very soft and loving. Each string of hair seemingly made a path for her fingers as her hand simply glided across.
Though simple, this action was extremely relaxing for Subaru, and especially Satella. Oh how long has it been since her love let her play with his hair like this? She didn't know, nor did she care, she simply wanted to enjoy this moment.
"No one will reach you here, those who have hurt you won't be able to enter. Ever! My love," she declared, watching as Subaru's eyes widened in shock.
"Even Emilia-t... even Emilia, Beatrice, and the other members of my former camp?"
"No one, it's just me and you, and even if they do I will protect you," Satella said with a smile as she kept rubbing her hand across Subaru's hair.
Subaru didn't understand but her hands from his perspective at least had to be magical. Every time he was going to have a negative thought, or think about the former people who had abandoned and left him, one stroke of Tella's hand across his head erased all his worries.
"You're so kind, Tella-tan. I...never got to thank you, have I?"
"You don't need to thank me love, it was m-"
"No, I should thank you Tella-tan, for everything. Without you, I would've been dead on my first day, and I would never be able to...save my.. friends. And I repay you the first time I met you by treating you like a monster, thank you and sorry Tella-tan." Subaru finished off with a smile.
Satella's heart warmed up. no warmed up was a small way to describe it. Her heart was on fire,hHearing her love be thankful for the things she's done, even though the very things she's done have led to his suffering and horrible mentality, but it made her smile. In response she hugged Subaru's head, tears falling as she uttered one simple sentence.
"I'll never let you cry again, I'll love and cherish you with all my heart as I have for 400 years and as I will now until eternity."
At her declaration of love both stared at each, warm smiles on each of their faces as they basked in the calm scenery.
Subaru eventually stared back at the clear blue sky. After hearing her confession, he felt the reemergence of a peculiar feeling. A feeling he lost months ago when Emilia didn't even bother to come to see him, a feeling he felt when he first saw Emilia but Emilia never returned back. He knew what it was but he didn't know if these feelings were actually real or just because Satella freed him from his prison. Though deep inside his soul, he could tell that these strange feelings were real.
"Tella! did Baru wake up yet?"
The two heard a little girl's voice behind them. Shocked and embarrassed, Subaru quickly got off Satella's comfortable lap and tried to straighten himself out before turning to the source of the voice. Satella copied him while trying her best to hide the giant blush on her face.
In front of the pair was a little girl with ruby red eyes, and leafy green hair, she wore a white dress with blue stripes which matched her perfectly. She was also very small, her entire body height only reached Subaru's waist and it forced her to tilt her neck upwards to even look at the witch and the knight eye to eye. If Subaru didn't know any better, he thought the person in front of her was someone's little sister.
Luckily Subaru did know better, he knew that the person in front of him was the Witch of Pride. She may be small but she wasn't someone to mess with. Subaru knew she got her title for good reason and just seeing her made him unconsciously rub his right arm.
'Man thinking about it now, it didn't hurt but damn! Not being able to use my arm is weird, I semi-understand Al's pain now.'
"Typhon! You shouldn't sneak on people like that! I told you I was going to come soon when my love woke up! Why can't you be patient!"
Satella scolded the with with a flustered voice. Each word she spoke caused her face to glow redder and redder with embarrassment. The glow was so bright, not even the vale of shadows that covered her face. Unintentionally designed for this specific purpose couldn't hide the massive glow that was on her face.
"Tella. You've been gone for days now, I know Baru is a heavy sleeper but you're going to give your leg cramps if you keep letting him sleep on your lap without moving. Plus Baru is already awake. HI BARU NICE TO SEE YOU AGAIN!"
Typhon screamed out the last sentence, almost deafening Subaru with its surprising volume. Despite that, Subaru was able to digest each word Typhon spoke and when he did *Click* His face started to glow as red, as the jealous witch next to him.
"WAIT! I've been on that divine lap of yours for days! How long have I been asleep? Also, how can you stay in that position for days? Leg cramps are serious, you know! You know what, from now on, you are going to walk around for the rest of the day while I hold your hand whether you want to or not."
Subaru spoke breathlessly as he stared at Satella with a face mixed with gratefulness but also shock. Sure Subaru was very happy, he had the privilege, the honor of laying on Satella's lap ever since he's arrived, but damn! Days without her getting up? That was extremely unhealthy even for an all-powerful witch.
"I-I-I-I, Typhon!" Tella cried out for the aid of her fellow witch.
Typhon gave the witch of envy a small cheerful smile before turning to Subaru, completely ignoring the Witch of Envy's cry for help to make her situation a little less embarrassing.
"How are you feeling Baru, you've been asleep for so long we thought you died again."
Subaru's body froze, upon hearing the witch of pride saying "died again." He didn't understand, was she referring to returning by death? Of course, she thought it would make sense but returned by death has never sent him here before.
"Did you say die again?"
Typhon simply nodded.
"That doesn't make any sense, I should've returned by death. Back...back..." Subaru began to breathe heavily as the memories of all his time in the prison cell began returning back into his mind. The pain, the suffering, the evil glares, the humid air, the cold and dark walls. He felt as if he was reliving it all over again as his vision started to get blurry, as he tried to finish his sentence. His body felt cold as the air kept exiting out his lungs at a rapid rate, at this point he would have collapsed if it wasn't for a certain jealous Witch putting her arms around his neck and giving him a hug.
Satella's hug was just like her lap, complete and utter perfection. The shadows around Satella's veil slowly began wrapping itself around Subaru, giving him a shadow-like cloak that filled his body even more with warmth. Just as fast as Subaru began to panic, Subaru calmed down and let out a loud sigh of relief, before wrapping his arms around Satella, holding on to her tight. Holding on to her as if she was the last thing that was left protecting in the world, holding her as if she was the only thing keeping him from going insane.
Satella blushed at the sudden hug, she didn't know what she would expect but because of the not-so-great first interaction and the problems she and Envy had caused at the sanctuary. This was the last thing she expected Subaru to do but she didn't mind, it was welcoming, just feeling the warmth of her beloved was enough to make her smile and forget all the 400 years of pure isolation she had to suffer.
"I told you before, No one will hurt you here, I'll protect you," Satella reassured with a soft whisper.
"I... know... thank you."
Letting out a massive sigh, Subaru broke off from Satella's reassuring hug and turned back and faced Typhon with a soft smile that told her 'I'm ok.' The cloak of shadows that wrapped around him due to Satella's hug didn't disappear, it was attached to him. Forming a dark cape with a hood, it was almost similar to Satella's veil but matching Subaru's body type. Once it got comfortable and matched Subaru's body size it stopped shifting and simply stayed on, Not that Subaru wanted to take it off anyway he could feel Satella's love when his cape was around him and he wouldn't trade it for the world right now.
"Mmmm, Baru seems to be better now. You really know how to cheer him up, huh Tella." Typhon said as she turned to Satella and gave her a bright smile.
Satella simply blushed before sheepishly insisting to Typhon that it wasn't much and that she wouldn't really mind if it would help her beloved feel better. Typhon just simply couldn't help but roll her eyes a little bit at Tella's insistence. She always went to the extreme when it comes to Subaru Natsuki and this really wasn't any different besides that out of all the things she does and whispers about doing to Subaru under her breath when she makes it past the barriers from time to time, to talk to her and the other witches however this was pretty much tame.
Subaru couldn't help but sigh at his Tella-tan's personality, it reminded him so much of another silver-haired half-elf and Subaru couldn't tell if that was a good or a bad thing. So many things about Emilia and Satella were similar, from her voice, to her hair, to even the beauty of her eyes but the difference was that the roles between Subaru and Emilia were a bit reversed. Subaru ever since the first day he arrived in this cursed well filled with nothing but pain and misery, he had done everything for Emilia, protected her, died for her, and all he wanted in return was simple I love you or a real answer to the feeling deep within his chest. However, he never got that answer even with his declaration of love and the kiss at the sanctuary he never even got a simple, 'i don't know about my feelings let me think about it.' But now, it was Satella who has done everything for Subaru at the moment.
She sat for days protecting him while he slept, while not moving an inch as she gave him a lap pillow. Not to mention return by death, the source of all his pain but also the main reason he was even alive. All Subaru could wonder as he stared and smiled at the dark veil wearing half-elf was what he thought about her now truly, his heart was beating when he was next to her, her voice made him happy, even more than Emilia's. And even at the sanctuary, then he saw the Witch of Envy for the first time and flooded his world with shadows in one of the many failed loops that had occurred. His heart skipped a beat even when he was plagued by fear when he was facing off against the witch of envy herself. He never knew why and he always just chose to ignore it but for now, he would have to wonder what was going on.
Suddenly as Subaru began to get lost in his thoughts as Satella and Typhon kept on conversing they felt something echo throughout their entire bodies. It was like a small volt of electricity that one would feel when one slid down a metal slide or accidentally touched an open wire of a charger.
"Well that must be Dona, I was supposed to come to get you but it seems I forgot he-he." The green-haired loli said with an innocent laugh, as she walked up and grabbed Subaru by his sleeve.
"Come on, Come on, no time to waste. I don't want Dona to yell at me, you come to Tella!" Typhon exclaimed as she began to drag Subaru away.
Usually Subaru wouldn't get mad or shocked at a little girl pulling on his sleeve to drag him somewhere, after all, Petra and Beatrice used to do the same thing but the problem here was not because Subaru was being dragged away by the little girl. He was being DRAGGED away by the little girl. Usually, Subaru would just allow his body to go with the flow and at the same pace but Typhon seemed to literally be pulling him to the direction she wants him to. No matter how much he wanted to stop for a second or try pulling his arm back Typhon's grip just made any attempt helpless.
"How strong are you!?"
Subaru, who was now embarrassed yelled out as he kept on trying to stop the little girl from manhandling him with no effort at all. Subaru pleaded for her to stop for a moment and let him walk on his own for a bit because being dragged away without the ability to do anything by a little girl was just flat-out embarrassing. However, Typhon gave no response other than a cheeky smile. "
"I can't believe it, I'm getting dragged away by a loli."
While Subaru was being dragged away, Satella slowly followed and chuckled at Typhon and Subaru's childish antics. They seemed like real siblings to her, brother and sister always at each other's throats but caring for each other more than themselves. Their interaction was short but sweet but even so, they had an eternity to get along even further.
Rapidly the trio of Subaru, Typhon, Satella. Slowly began walking to what looked like a white rift in the middle of the grassy green planes. One by one they all entered and a bright light encased them as they walked through. Emerging on the other side, their vision was filled with a white void that made it impossible to even tell where they were even standing but luckily their vision began to clear up.
Slowly the white light faded and in front of the trio was a hill covered head to toe in the grass, it was of decent size but the walk on top wouldn't be any trouble and it was just short enough for the trio to see what was on top of the hill. From Subaru's memory, he remembered this place everywhere, it was when he first met the witch of greed known as Echidna. The surroundings look Similar but on top of the hill was completely different. If memory serves him right, Echidna always sat on top of the hill with a fancy small round that had two chairs on it. One chair has an umbrella protecting it from the sun's rays and Echidna would always be sitting on top of it but this time on top of the hill was different.
Actually, the entire area was different. it wasn't sunny, and hot as the first time Subaru came to the witches' tea party, this time it was dark with the moon shining brightly up from its comfortable spot in the sky. Glistening a beautiful silver light to every inch of the area they were in, not only that but on top of the hill wasn't a round table like the last time Subaru visited. Instead, it was a long rectangular table with 8 chairs being neatly placed evenly, 3 on the left side, 3 on the other, as well as two chairs sitting on one end of the table and one at the other.
Only 5 of the chairs were filled with mysterious figures that Subaru couldn't exactly see from the distance he was at currently but he had a decent idea on who could be sitting at all these tables.
Slowly the trio made their way up the hill, the moon shining brightly and its silver light following them with each step they took. it was almost as if it was its way of welcoming the trio to its domain. And before the trio knew it, they already reached the top of the hill and there they stood in front of the rectangular table, filled to the firm with food, water, and sweets.
just looking at everything made Subaru very hungry, after all, what did he have to eat other than half-eaten tasteless white soup, that he was forced fed every 1 week, so no one couldn't blame him if he instinctively took a handful of the surplus of food on the table. And that's exactly what he did before anyone could even blink. Subaru was grabbing everything in front of him. Which merely consisted of what cake, some candy with fancy colored wrapping, and most shockingly a jelly donut.
"So good!" Subaru screamed out as he shoved all the mouth, sloppily chewing his food as he took a cup of water and downed it all down. Unknown to Subaru a few people at the table were looking at him as if he was a strange alien lifeform.
"That's no way to interact in front of several maiden Natsuki Subaru." An elegant voice called out to him at the edge of the table, as Subaru could feel the sheer disappointment or creeped outlooks coming straight in front of him. The looks were like lasers, it burned through Subaru's pride and he cursed himself for allowing his hunger to get the best of him, you would think after all his knightly training he would be decent enough to sit down and greet the other 5 witches that were right in front of him.
"Subarun seems very hungry, let him eat, and maybe when he's big enough he'll let me get a bite." A witch bound by a black and purple casket that looked similar to one of an iron maiden. Said aloud as her mouth began to drool with saliva, even though her eyes were covered by a black cloth. Subaru couldn't help like she was staring at him with a look of a starved animal that hasn't eaten in days. Even though he couldn't see her eyes, the sheer hungry aura around her forced Subaru to back off. The way she acted, talked, and the rest of her personality almost reminds him of one of her creations, the great rabbit.
Cute on the outside, Calm when luring you into a false sense of peace, but will get all excited the second they see a chance to bite off a chunk of your skin.
"Ni-Nice to see you too Daph," Subaru said timidly as he took to the left trying his best to avoid the hungry loli witch but in an attempt to get away from one witch accidentally bumping into a blonde-haired witch.
"LEARN SOME BOUNDARIES!"
The witch said aloud as a loud WACK could be heard echoing throughout the table and before anyone could even notice Subaru was already flat on the ground. Usually going by the sound the sheer force of the punch admitted. One would expect Subaru to be knocked out right where he laid but no, he got up as if nothing happened. In fact, he got up as if he was just refreshed and brand new. For a witch that had the ability of wrath, Subaru was shocked for her ability not even being able to hurt people. She could heal him and everyone backed up in seconds, her healing ability not only rivals but surpasses the greatest healer in the king.
"Sorry!" I don't even know if I should thank you, or keep apologizing." Subaru muttered as he gently rubbed his already healed cheek. He paused for a moment and gave a long pause of silence as he began wondering exactly what he should do. On one hand, it was his fault for bumping into the witch and he deserved to be put in a coma (not really) but on the other hand, she did make him feel psychically better than he already was so Subaru decided his best course of action was to do both.
He gently bowed his head and began in one breath.
"Thank you for healing my cheek and sorry for bumping into min-min."
"Min-min?" the witch tilted her head in confusion.
"It's a pet name Minvera," Subaru replied back with a smile.
"Hey, that's not fair Baru I didn't get a pet name!"
"I would give you one but your name is hard to come up with one... let's see..."
Thus began a 6 minute straight of Subaru just going through different kinds of pet names for Typhon. He really couldn't think of anything, Ty?, Phony, Phon-Phon, Typhy? Subaru considered himself a master when giving out pet names but Typhon's name was very hard to turn into a cute and original pet name. So Having no idea on what to do, Subaru just kept spitting out pet names at the green-haired loli until he found one that stuck with him or Typhon found one she really liked.
"Pho?"
"No, I don't like the sound of it."
"Pho-Pho"
"That's just Pho but twice Baru! Come on with something better, or I'll rip your arm off again!"
"OK! How abo-"
"Can *yawn*... you both be quiet, I'm getting a headache just by hearing you ramble."
A witch with purple vibrant hair that was so long it covered her right eye, finally spoke out ending the raven-haired knight and Green-haired loli's seemingly endless interaction that was trying to figure out a pet name. She was slumped down on her chair and barely kept her open before she slowly fell back to sleep after only getting a few seconds of silence. It was rude to sleep when guests were over, and especially with her hair nearly covering the area around her which got some of her hair got on the food but no one was gonna try waking her up. Even if they did the second they gave her some peace, she would just go back to sleep, she was called the witch of sloth for a reason.
"Well than enough standing around, you've done plenty of that when you were in Luginica. Sit down Subaru Natsuki, and you too... bitch"
Echidna muttered the last part under her breath, as she tried to actively not make eye contact with The Witch of Envy. Out of everyone attending this little party of hers. She hated her here, but what could she do? She can't banish her, fight her, or even keep her out for long with the many barriers that covered the castle of dreams. As much as she hated it, she was powerless to stop Satella from being here. And with Subaru, the only man who could fill her endless greed, trying to prevent her from being even six feet away from Subaru would be a death sentence.
Subaru looked at the Witch of Greed and simply smiled as he took the nearest seat at the edge of the table and got a good view of everyone at the table, including the Witch of Greed herself. Satella grabbed a seat next to her love, wanting to be as close as humanly possible while trying to not make her love uncomfortable after all. He DESERVED all the comfort in the world, and those who saw his journey would know how true that was.
Typhon followed up by taking the second nearest seat next to Subaru which was the one after the witch of envy. And with that all the seats were filled, the Witches of Sin and the lolimancer knight of Luginica were all gathered in one place.
"My-My, I got to say I am impressed." Echinda began talking, her clam and joyful-like tone mixed strangely together, forcing everyone's attention to her. Some squinting their eyes and being on guard because of the habit the witch of greed has for manipulating people emotionally. After all, she almost got Subaru to sign a contract with her and who knows how much it would've already messed with the boy's mental health more than it was ruined at the time, and even more so now.
"What's impressive Edna?" Subaru asked curiously as he stretched out his hand to slowly take a plate of strawberries and what looked like cheesecake, but more calmly and respectfully this time.
"Well, I thought you would be an emotional mess when you arrived back here. However, you seemed to be completely recovered and in such a short amount of time. Was all you truly needed was sleep? or was the food good enough on its own."
Echidna asked curiously as she took a sip of her...actually looking at the teacup, Subaru really couldn't tell if that was her body fluid she made him drink unknowingly like last time or was actual tea. He may never know and to be honest, he kinda didn't want to find out.
Subaru paused for a second as he slowly began wondering himself at the witch's question, right now he should feel broken and defeated but when he woke up and saw Satella, when he woke up in her love, and every time she hugged him. it was like all the pain was gone from his body, he himself didn't know but luckily a green-haired loli answered every greedy curiosity of the witch of greed's question.
"It was the lap pillow Tella gave him." The witch of pride said with a smile, as she turned to a blushing red Satella.
"A...lap pillow?"
"Yes! A lap pillow!"
"I see a lap pillow. How interesting, you really are something else Subaru. To think someone would recover from great trauma by sleeping on someone's lap"
Subaru himself was blushing, why was every time he got a lap pillow from a silvered-haired half-elf, the entire world had to know?
"I-it, wasn't just a lap pillow, Tella-tan was helping me out and I couldn't have recovered without her. Also, lap pillows are not how I always recover emotionally!" Subaru embarrassingly began shaking, while he slowly put some of the cheesecake in his mouth.
"Plus, just being here helps me relax. But something has been bothering me still..." Subaru began to mutter, tracking the attention of all the witches on the table. Waiting to figure out what's on the poor soul's mind.
Slowly he raised his head and turned towards Satella and a Typhon. The pain was clear in his eyes, as his heart began beating faster. He opened his mouth but no words came out. He knew the answer to the question he would ask but he wanted to make sure, he never did forget what Typhon said to him on his short but important interaction with the witch of pride.
"Am...I really dead?"
Silence fell over the table, uneasiness echoed throughout the witches of sin, as they tried to find the best way to tell Subaru the truth. They needed a way to let him down easily and face the reality of his situation. He has died and returned by death so many times, just the thought of dying permanently was completely foreign to him and because of his stupid kind heart. The worst-case scenario was him freaking out, and demanding to be sent back to the prison just to make sure everyone he cared about was ok.
They should know, their short interaction with the young man back at the sanctuary and especially Typhon who saw him have a near mental breakdown. Internally, all the witches were freaking out. All but two, a purple-haired witch fast asleep unaware of the world around her at the current moment, and a white-haired witch who was slowly putting down her teacup.
"Yes, you have died, Natsuki Subaru. Permanently I might add."
The witch of greed said with a calm and gentle smile that was at the same time strangely calming and creepy to everyone who gazed upon it. Even her fellow witches who have been with her, for hundreds of years couldn't help but be creeped out by this. At her response, Subaru slumped down on his chair, his hand over his face as he slowly began to process the words of the witch of greed. Did he really die? No return by death? But that was a good thing right? It was what he always wanted, to die and just be at peace with his life once and for all.
But, was this truly what he wanted. Images of his...friends began to fill his mind. Julius, the greatest of knights and the most annoying pain in his ass but someone he could consider a friend. But as he began to think about him his mind slowly began wrapping and what was in place of the smiling elegant knight was an angry expression on his face, and blood on the wooden sword he was carrying. The same thing began to happen when he tried to think of people from his past life, the spirit of the forbidden library and little sister's image was replaced with nothing but a disgusted look in her eyes, as she stared coldly at his dying body.
Garfiel his brother and partner in crime had the same look but mixed with anger and blood lust as well. After all, even if he didn't see his face when he first got imprisoned he could tell he would be just as disgusted as everyone else. Rem, the only good and not twisted image but she was asleep and permanently, Subaru knew only he remembered Rem and he was the only one who had the drive to save the blue-haired oni and the second holder of his heart. But without him alive and being there, what could he do?
Felix then entered his mind but unlike all the others. He wasn't happy with Subaru and then his image was twisted, no. Subaru knew Felix hated him from the first time he stepped foot in Crusch's manor. He knew Felix saw him as nothing but a disgusting man and immature man whose only purpose in life was to take, take, and do nothing for others around him while being weak and powerless. Maybe that's why he looked like, He was the one who was having the most fun with Subaru's punishment. After all., what's better to get revenge on someone you hate than hurting him. He should know, the death of Sloth, a man who has ruined his life, made him happy. Just thinking about Sloth's final moments brought great joy to his heart. So the image of Felix being disgusted and happy at the same time at his fallen body was not a surprise.
Lastly, what hurt him the most was the image of an angry Emilia staring down at him when he was dying. The former love of his life, staring down at him while magic was swirling around her as if she was going to blast Subaru with all her might. Before she walked away with Beatrice holding her hand as if she was the actual contractor of the great spirit and not the man who risked her life and freed her from her prison.
One by one these images came and went and Subaru began to think about it. Maybe it was better he was dead, after all, that would make anyone happier than an accused Witch cultist with a scent of the witch rivaling an Archbishop was killed. That would make everyone happy right? He could see all the camps and people out on the streets, screaming with joy as his body was being buried, while being spit and pissed at his coffin. Everyone was happy in his mind, everyone was happy without him, everyone was happier that he was dead and gone.
"Maybe...It's better that I'm dead." Subaru muttered silently but the only person who could hear him was Satella. Though they never contracted, because of her giving him return by death, she was always bound to him and she could hear and feel what he was thinking and saying. She felt sad in her heart that her beloved would think this way, she promised herself when he got here. He would be happy, and safe and she intended on keeping that promise. Slowly she moved her hand and touched his soft cheeks.
"Be-beloved" Satella began to stutter while she spoke, but no matter how she tried to continue it was like something was keeping her from speaking. Maybe it was the fact that she didn't know how to comfort him besides a hug and lap pillow. Maybe she could tell him she loves him, and promise him again she would be protected but her mind was racing trying to think of a better option.
"S-Subaru."
Another voice cried out, this time it didn't belong to any of the witches who had spoken before, this time the voice belonged to a timid and low quiet voice. One so faint, if it wasn't for the overwhelming silence at the table, and the fact no wind was emitting from the castle of dreams helped out as well. If ever there was the slightest sound that had occurred when she spoke, she wouldn't have been heard. Slowly everyone turned their attention to the pink haired Witch of lust.
"I-I. Know you might be sad but...I don't mean to be rude...but this is a good thing." the Witch of Lust stammered.
Curiously, Subaru stared at her. Not in anger but he seemed sad, not able to understand what she meant.
"You
"You've been through months of hell, yet you won't accept your death and be free from the pain. And for what? I don't need the ability to read minds to know what you're thinking. I hate it when
you're right, Echidna." Minerva spat out with a mixture of anger and strong amounts of disappointment.
"Well, it's not my fault that I know Subaru's greedy personality. We are talking about the same man who was about to carry the burden of the Witch's of Envy's daughter and needed the witches to show him how to value his own life. Truly a foolish man."
Echidna followed with a smile and a loud sigh.
'Interesting as always. Natsuki Subaru.'
The witch of greed thought to herself as she took another sip of her...tea? Oh, how she regrets not forming a contract with Subaru at that moment because of the interference of her fellow witches. Just watching this man, walk, talk, act. Was entertaining and filled her endless greed, just him being here makes her want to have him for herself yet she knew she couldn't do that. Especially not under the ever so watchful eye of a oh so jealous witch.
"What do you mean? I'm not a fool!" Subaru countered back, deep inside he knew he was, but because of Ram's constant teasing and from everyone. It was second nature to combat an insult.
"Baru. You're a good person, but you're too good of a person for your own good."
"Typhon is right beloved, you care so much about other people's happiness. Even though they've put you through so much pain, please. I know what you want in your heart. You want to go back. you want to make sure they're ok but you deserve happiness as well. They never deserved you."
' I don't deserve you.'
Satella said with a smile as she kept rubbing her hand on Subaru's cheek. Doing everything in her power to make him feel better was the least she could do after all. She was the one who killed him and sent him here. She was the one who caused him so much distress but even so, even knowing that the witch of envy herself was the reason for him having to go through all the pain and suffering and letting him suffer for months as well. He still thanked her, he still allowed her hand the privilege of touching his scarred cheek and for that, she needed to repay.
Subaru meanwhile was staring at all the witches in shock. As much as he hated it, As much as he wanted to snap back to not only defend his actions but also defend his former friends' actions and say he was the one who didn't deserve them. He couldn't they all had a point, he shed blood, sweat, and tears for his friends and he was repaid with nothing but disdain and was branded a witch cultist. He should be angry at them and agree with the witches fully, but... he couldn't do something deep inside him. His kind, selfless nature just wouldn't allow him to be agreed with the people he once considered friends, After all, it was gluttony's fault his friend's memories got erased, but it wasn't gluttony who forced him to be locked away in the prison cell never to see the sunrise again.
Subaru didn't know what to do, he didn't know what to think. He needed to be alone, he didn't like the loving but worried looks from Satella, he didn't like how the witches of sin were just looking at him with pity. He knew they care but they shouldn't waste their time on him, someone as weak and pathetic as him They shouldn't see him like this. So he did the only thing his mind could think of at the time, he got him and left the table.
Quickly walking away as fast as he could to catch his breath, he could hear the worried screams from Satella and Typhon telling him to come back but he needed to have time for himself for a while. His walk then quickly turned into a run as the distance between him and the table increased steadily.
Subaru knew the castle of dreams was just an illusion and there really wasn't anywhere he could go, but it was just big enough for him to be out of sight from the witches of sin. While Subaru was running away, the witches were split on how to feel about the situation of the spiky raven haired boy.
Typhon and Satella were worried and wanted to help, Minvera was just disappointed with how the boy reacted to them just telling the truth. Carmilla was just sad, and Echidna had a look of pure interest and curiosity, the way he acts the way he thinks it fills her greed, and as long as he was here, the future seemed bright for the witch of greed. Well, it would be if a certain bitch of Envy weren't in the way.
"I shouldn't have removed return by death, I shouldn't have even brought him here. Why do I always ruin his life?"
Satella began to mutter under her breath as tears began to fall from her beautiful amethyst-colored eyes. No matter how much she tried to resist the urge to cry and have a mental breakdown, tears were flowing at a rapid rate, staining the sheets on the table. All the witches save for Echidna, could do nothing but look at the witch of envy with pity, sure sometimes her obsession with Subaru (especially when her other side came out) was strange and creeped them out, they still cared for Satella. At the end of the day, she was like a little girl trying her best to help the person she loves but because both of them have their own problems. It was difficult for them to help the two of them, but that doesn't mean they could help each other.
Typhon thought back on when she stumbled upon Subaru and Satella interacting with one another. They were happy, calm and it looked like all their troubles were magically thrown away by death just talking to each other and giving them comfort. Not only that but when Satella told Subaru to love himself more, it actually got through to the raven-haired fool more than any of the other witches of sin could. So Typhon decided to take a risk, trauma attracts trauma, and sometimes both sharing their trauma and talking it out could work. Plus, if it didn't work The witches of sin had an eternity to help this foolish hero.
"Tella, talk to Baru." Typhon said sternly as she looked at the still running Subaru. "What? Typhon...I can't.I hurt him eno-" "No, you didn't. You only did what you thought was right. Return by death was a safety measure if anything happens to Baru. It wasn't your fault, he had such terrible friends." "Typhon...is right."Carmelia timidly agreed to the green-haired loli. "B-"
"When Baru, was laying on your lap. I saw it in his eyes, he didn't look scared or disgusted by you. In fact he only looked embarrassed when he jumped up Tella, Idk what happened before then but Baru didn't seem scared. It looked like you helped him... it also looked like he helped you... you seemed happier when you were with him and not love crazy as last time."
Typhon declared as she kept on staring at the witch of envy. Her eyes gave off a glance of pure determination as if telling Satella herself 'if you don't get up and talk to him I will drag you directly to him myself.'
Satella paused for a moment of silence, she remembered the short but loving interaction she had with her beloved. He called her cute, he thanked her for all the suffering she had caused because of her return by death and most importantly of all. Typhon was right, he did seem happier when he was with her and she was a lot happier when she was with him. At that moment she remembered the promise she made to the only man who owned her heart.
'I"ll never let you cry again, I'll love and cherish you with all my heart as I have for 400 years and as I will now until eternity.'
"Are you going to stand around or get going, Witch of Envy?"
Echidna's voice reluctantly called out, as much as she wanted to reference talking to the half-elf. She was the only one at the moment who could bring Subaru back to his senses. Not only that but seeing how quickly Subaru would rebound would also be interesting. After all, one conversation from Echidna in a loop reignited his resolve to the point he was willing to die over and over just for the pain to stop.
It would be interesting to see if just one conversation from Envy would fully recover him mentally, maybe he will be more determined, happy or who knows beg Satella to somehow send him back to that prison cell trying to hold out hope that his friends would one day remember him again.
Satella was shocked at the very least to hear Echidna speak, the witch of greed didn't like her and she knew that all too well. But for her to get moving without insulting her by calling her a slut or a bitch for once was a surprise but a welcome one to be sure. Satella got up and took one last look at all the witches in front of him, all of them giving them a glare that told her to get going before Subaru does something stupid. She simply nodded and turned her head to the direction Subaru ran to and began sprinting after her beloved who now needed her as much as she needed him for the past 400 years of isolation with only the witches of sin from time to time as her only company. This time she will not fail him, not again and not ever.
Running, running, running, running, and more running. That was all Subaru was doing after it has been confirmed that he was dead, dead for good. No checkpoints, no return by death, and most importantly of all no way of ever going back to that prison cell. He should be happy, this is what he wanted after all. He wanted to be free from the suffering, the pain, the agony he has experienced for months and he got his exact wish. So why? why was he so sad? why was he so disappointed? Why was he trying so hard to find a way out of the castle of dreams? No matter how hard Subaru's mind tries telling him it's a good thing he's dead, No matter how much his inner soul rejoiced! Of being free, he couldn't help but feel disappointed in himself.
There must've been a way for him to achieve his happy ending, maybe he should have killed himself the first time he was put in the prison cell. Maybe if he did that, he could've stopped gluttony and his friends would've to look at him as if he was such a monster, his friends wouldn't have abandoned and left him for dead. All Subaru could do was ponder his options as he kept on running, and running until at last his legs gave out and he fell onto the ground. The grass was soft enough to catch his fall. Allow him to feel no pain whatsoever while giving some comfort as if he was laying down on a bed.
The grass was so comfortable even though Subaru wanted to get back up and start running and avoid his own thoughts he couldn't no matter how hard he tried. All Subaru could do was lay down on the grass and rest. His thoughts finally caught up with him, all the negative thoughts telling him he was useless and his friends are happy that he ended up dead. His thoughts of Julius, Felix, and all the members of his camp looking at him with complete disgust and accusing him of being something he hates, a witch cultist. It infested and began infecting his mind, already lowering down his self-worth deeper than the Mariana Trench back in his homeworld. Alone with nothing but himself and his thoughts, blue tears began streaming down his smooth cheeks steadily before slowly beginning to speed up until Subaru was nothing but a crying mess. There Natsuki Subaru sat alone, under the light of the illusionary Silvermoon.
Unknown to Subaru in the distance, a silver-haired half-elf could be seen slowly approaching him. Her steps made no sound and only left a small trail of shadows as the distance between her and Subaru closed in what seemed like an instant. There he was, right in front of the witch of Envy was the love of her life, and the person she wants to be with for the rest of eternity. Seeing him cry just broke her jealous heart into millions of tiny pieces, though it had been like that ever since she first saw her love being killed by the people he wanted to protect back at the first few loops at the mansion.
She hated him crying, a man with such a good heart deserves eternal happiness not broken down in tears because of her and the mistakes of other people who did nothing except hurt him, but that would all change starting today. Satella vowed Subaru Natsuki will never cry again, and she will make good on that promise no matter how long it took.
Slowly the witch of envy sat down beside her beloved and for a moment, nothing was said. Not a single word was exchanged and the only thing that could be heard was the muffled crying of the raven-haired knight besides the witch herself. Funny, she was ready to have this deep conversation with Subaru and make him feel better but now that she was right there. She couldn't do anything, she couldn't say anything. Every time she tried to speak nothing besides her breath escaped her mouth, what should she say? Well, she couldn't sit around here for the rest of eternity until Subaru finally cried himself out. So the witch did the only thing she could think of.
Without any hesitation, Satella grabbed Subaru's head and placed it firmly on her lap. At first, Subaru was shocked and tried his best to lift his head back up but Satella wouldn't let that happen, and kept a firm grip on Subaru's head and forced it to stay on her lap until the knight couldn't do anything except accept it.
"T-Tella-tan let me-"
"It's been rough hasn't it, my love," Satella whispered into his sensitive ears.
Subaru stopped mid-sentence at the words of the witch of envy. It was the same question another half-elf asks him when he was dealing with a lot of stress back then. Memories of that fateful day in the mansion that helped Subaru overcome his struggle and pushed him forward after nearly overworking himself to death. As Subaru thought back and remembered all the good times he has spent with the memories of his former camp. Tears began to build up until like water from a broken damn began to flow out at such a rapid rate it would be only comparable to a waterfall.
"It has been rough. I suffered, I cried, I died but it seemed like no one understood me Tella-tan!" Subaru began to cry out as the witch of envy simply smiled, and played with her beloved's hair to help him calm down and release his emotions even more.
"I...loved them. I care for them, I have died for them but it doesn't matter anymore! They left me, allow me to suffer and I hate that. I am supposed to hate them but I can't! I want them to be happy. I really want them to live a good life, but why am I always the one to SUFFER!? Why am I always the one who has to die and pretend everything is fine when sometimes I feel like BURNING EVERYTHING DOWN!?...maybe I don't deserve happiness."
Subaru finally finished as his salty tears finally ceased and what was left was a broken kid, laying on the wet lap of a fair silver-haired maiden. Satella listened to every single word her love said and took a deep long breath. Before turning his teared covered face and making sure his eyes met hers, the world was entirely still for a moment as they too stared at each other for a second that felt like an eternity
"It really has been rough for you my love. You did everything you could, your heart's too big for your own good you dummy. Of course, you deserve happiness. You're not alone anymore, I'm here now and I understand. You don't have to face these nightmares by yourself anymore. Every day from now until the rest of eternity, I will stand by your side and be there with you. Not once will I ever leave your side."
Satella proclaimed proudly as her face itched ever so closely to Subarus'. Before either of the two even knew it, Satella's face was right on top of Subarus. They could feel each other's breaths on their own lips as it was so close they looked like they were almost touching. Their eyes were so close to one another, the world around them was completely blocked off and they could only see each other as the moon's light shined peacefully over them. Subaru didn't know why, but it was as if instinct he wanted to close the distance and felt the witch's lips on his own but even so he was able to resist what his body so desperately wanted. No, it was what his soul needed but he was still denying it because he simply believed he was unworthy of the witch's love.
"I love you Natsuki Subaru, and from now on my love I am yours and...you are mine."
Slowly the lips of Satella, the witch of envy, and Subaru Natsuki, former knight of the half-elf royale candidate Emilia, connected. Both not flinching and both not moving as they fully accepted one another's love and for a while, they stayed that way. Not daring to be moved from one another's company and loving warmth.
Even after the kiss long ended.