Chapter 9: Through the Ghost

The gang loaded up in Otto's carriage ready to roll out. The day was young, and the road was long. Naturally being maids, Rem and Ram asked to ride up front, but Otto told them to relax on the way home. So, they did. The twins settled back in the large wagon next to Subaru and Emilia. Rem was hugging his left arm and Emilia had his right. The sun was rising, and it was time to go.

Someone was quick to stop them before they left.

"Hey, Otto!" A voice came from the gate. The entire group looked back to see Crusch running them down.

Otto pulled the reigns back to stop the wagon and waited for Crusch to catch up. The green haired woman rushed up to the door panting. "I'm sorry I didn't meet you guys at the door. No one told me you were leaving, and I was studying. Felix came and got me a minute ago."

"That's all good. We didn't want to bother you." Subaru stepped out the door, much to Rem and Emilia's discontent. A hint of growing jealousy from both of their faces.

"Subaru Natsuki. You are a man that I owe my gratitude to. Seeing you off is something I should have done. So, I'll make it up to you." She stood up a bit and kissed his cheek.

Subaru blushed at the action and tried to keep from turning to look in the wagon. He heard some rustling from inside. Most likely, Ram was keeping Rem and Emilia from rampaging out. "W-What was that for?"

"Oh, nothing more than a thank you and good luck." Crusch giggled a bit. "Seriously, thank you. I know that you did all of this for her, but you helped me and Sir Wilhelm in the process. You can always consider me an ally and a friend."

"Thank you, Crusch." He began to start back to the wagon steps. "Oh, and we'll be sure to come by next time we're here."

"You better." The young war general smiled and waved as the carriage pulled out.

Subaru sat back on the seat and was immediately cuddled by both Emilia and Rem. Both were gripping his arms and pouting. It was going to be a long trip.

The day carried on being uneventful and by nightfall, they had made great amounts of progress. The group set up camp by the large tree that had been both a battle ground and a stage of confession not a week earlier. Subaru encouraged the girls to sleep in the wagon while he and Otto stayed outside with the ground dragons. Patrasche was more than happy to be his pillow. Even though Rem and Emilia protested, they eventually were too tired to really care.

As Subaru laid back onto Patrasche's shoulder, his mind was overcome with a vision. Where once was black was filled with green grassy fields and a bright blue sky. He turned around to find something he didn't expect, a table. At the table, sat a woman that appeared a little older than him. She had silver hair like Emilia, but had dark black eyes.

"Welcome, Subaru Natsuki. I was hoping that I could speak with you." The woman said.

"Okay." Although skeptical, he took a seat across from her. "So, what's this supposed to be? A dream? A vision?"

"Hmm. I would call it a vision, I guess. However, it's not your future."

"Alright. What's your deal? You obviously brought me here to talk."

"Indeed." She poured some more of what looked like tea in her cup. "You're a very capable person for the task I have for you. Smart to some degree and very enthusiastic."

Subaru eyed the white porcelain cup suspiciously. "What is this?"

"Not poison. You're welcome to drink it. Or not, it's up to you."

"Okay." Although he was a tad concerned, he took the chance and drank.

The silver haired woman clapped her hands. "Excellent, now that you have had some, we should be able to talk freely with no repercussions." She poured more into his cup. "My name is Echidna. The witch of greed."

That got Subaru's attention. "You just said 'Witch of Greed' didn't you?"

"Indeed."

He decided it was best to stay cool and collected right now. "Okay. You said you had a task for me. What is it?"

"Oh, straight to the point I see. Very well. There is someone that I need you to help." Echidna took a sip of her cup. "She is a great spirit, powerful too. I created her centuries ago to be a companion of sorts. She referred to me as mother, so it fit."

"A spirit? You created a spirit?" Subaru was astonished. He knew that Puck was a spirit, but to think that one of the witches created one.

"Yes. She has a hot temper at times. I tasked her to guard my knowledge collection before I was killed. I think she's still there."

"Can you not check on her?"

Echidna shook her head. "Unfortunately, it's not as easy as I wish it was. I wish I could see her daily but being trapped in this world limits what I can really do."

Subaru paused a moment and thought. "Then how are we talking?"

"The witch of Envy, Satella, gave you some of her power at some point that I don't know. In doing so, that has allowed you to visit this place." She stirred her tea cup before moving to pour more into his.

"Hmmm. I assume that this spirit has not received such power."

"No. Although I love her like a daughter, she wasn't ready." The witch of greed stared into his eyes a moment. "It would appear you've met her before."

Ok, now he was confused. The only spirit he'd ever met was Puck. Other than that, he didn't know of any, but maybe… "Wait. Beatrice?"

"Ah, so you do know her."

"Yea, she's in the forbidden library at Roswaal's mansion. She can be rude and snarky too."

"She always was a troublemaker." Echidna giggled a bit.

"So, your task involves her?"

Once again, Echidna shook her head. "No, Subaru. She is your task."

That was a strange request indeed. Subaru had never had much contact with Betty, yet here Echidna was trying to get him to help her. "Alright. What do I need to do?"

"I need you to be her friend."

"That's easier said then done. She's very against me. I can somehow find the entrance to her library without trying. Needless to say, it annoys her."

"That's why you're perfect for the job Subaru. Being able to find her door means you have her affinity, something only one person has." Echinda stood and began to pace around. "You see, I had her guard that place with a contract. She can never leave for long periods of time without meeting 'that person'. Not to say that you are 'that person', but it's been four hundred years. I think it's time that she moved on."

He sat back for a moment and truly thought things through. "So, you want me to go to her and claim to be 'that person'?"

"No." She moved to where she stood behind him. "I want you to convince her to leave regardless of whether or not you're worthy of being 'that person'. She has a book in her possession, one I gave her. It should be blank from beginning to end. The idea was for her to write her own destiny, but if she stayed there then she thinks that it's a prophecy book like the one I gave a friend back when I was still alive. If that's the case, getting her out will be a challenge. She can be stubborn too. That being said, she is a great master of Yin magic. I sense that same capability in you. Perhaps she could teach you."

"That makes more sense. She's very good a picking out a lie. I think I know the book you mean. Black scary looking, always in her lap? Yeah, that's it. And you said that she can teach me magic? I like that idea." Subaru also stood and stared at the witch. "Ya know, for being the Witch of Greed, this is an awfully selfless thing to do."

"I just can't stand to know that she has been there for so long holding onto that stupid contract. It would make me feel a lot better if you got her out." Echidna took his hand. "One last thing. If you want to remember our little chat as well as your task…" She got really close to his ear. "…I need a bit of payment."

"And there it is. What could the witch of greed possibly want from a guy like me?"

"Truly, I never have met a man like you. To say you intrigue me is an understatement. I can see why Satella has taken an interest in you as well. Although, I have a little more restraint than the witch of Envy does. A simple kiss should suffice."

Subaru at first was against the idea, but if this was to help Betty, he would do it. "Fine. I accept your terms."

"Oh goody." Echinda placed her hand on his head. "You will remember everything from this conversation and the task set before you. In return…" She quickly reached up and kissed him before he could react. "… one kiss as promised."

"So, how do I get out of here?" A portal opened up behind him and showed an image of the campfire.

"Simple, that portal takes you back."

"What if I want to come back?"

"Also simple. Just feel it in your heart. You don't have to claim anything out loud or anything like that. Just think, 'Echidna, I desire knowledge.' That should be able to open the gate in your mind to bring you here."

Subaru stared at the gate, then back at her. "You are truly a mystery Echidna, Witch of Greed. I might just have to come back and figure you out another time."

"I'll be here. Take care of her Subaru."

"I will. I promise." With that, he entered the gate.

Subaru awoke with a start to see that the sun was beginning to rise. Patrasche was right where he had left her. As was Otto and the girls in the wagon. Before long, the group was all awake and packed up. It would be another half a day before they reached the mansion.