A Pᴏʀᴛʀᴀɪᴛ ᴏғ Hᴇʟʟ

"Oh, Subaru," Satella whispered, listless enervation infusing her voice. "I wish we could have taken the short route out of here. I would prefer to be out of this damp, humid cave, and smelling the cold, crisp air of the forest presently."

If only it was that easy, Subaru thought ruefully, as he glanced at the steep and imposing cavern walls which descended from the shadows above. His eyes closed, letting a knowing smile grace his formerly expressionless features.

The half-elf turned to look at her partner, her head tilted curiously in wonder.

"It shouldn't be too much longer," Subaru stated matter-of-factly. "If we had any other choice in the matter, I wouldn't have led us down here in the first place. Besides, the spoils of such an adventure may prove to be worthwhile yet."

Satella giggled. "If you say so," she said behind a delicate smile.

Subaru's teeth flashed briefly in the darkness. "The quality time we are sharing together justifies this journey in any case."

Satella happened to agree, and she bowed her head. Then, a moment later, she relaxed into quiet contentment as she walked alongside her partner. The two had a profound connection, even if their current state forged a bond a tad bit more complicated than before. Satella felt at ease, and it certainly wasn't because of their current predicament. This comfort solely sourced from this one who accompanied her. 'Everything would be fine,' she reminded herself, forasmuch as her companion ne'er strayed from her hand.

She was, however, perturbed by how dependent Subaru was on the eldritch book sleeping soundly within the thin prison of his pocket.

"That seems to be quite the ponderous tome in your possession," Satella noted, as the light mood slipped away. "I've noticed you've been studying its pages quite intently as of late. I wonder what it is you find so interesting? 'Tis such a small thing… shouldn't you be at an end?"

Subaru looked at her in the corner of his eye. "Uh, well, you see… it has quite small lettering," he said, his tone making it obvious for Satella to tell he was lying.

"Small lettering?" she repeated, raising her eyebrow skeptically. "I surely hope you don't think I would believe such nonsense. I shan't, and to be fairly honest, I'm more than worried about that thing."

"There's nothing to worry about," Subaru replied quickly. "And I think you should mind your own business… and keep such unfounded worries to yourself." His eyes were straight-ahead as he uttered this, and steely.

It was callously said, and Satella felt lightheaded, his leaden words weighing down upon her mercilessly. They had been walking, hands adjoined, for what seemed like an eternity, but now, only one pair of footsteps could be heard as the weight in his hand disappeared. Her still gaze was fixed on the craggy ground, away from Subaru and the rest of the world. The uneven floor felt cold and distant, as were Subaru's words, and at once, she felt very alone just as if she were in Elior Forest all those years ago.

"I didn't believe you would ever speak such heartless words to me," Satella whispered harshly. "If you truly feel such a way, then please, let it be known."

Subaru, turning to face her, gasped. "Satella, I didn't mean that," he said breathlessly. "I don't know what came over me… I just lost control a little bit, that's all."

Satella chose to ignore his apology. She shook her head despondently. "That's an excuse most tiresome, Subaru. Such biting words are more devastating than the mighty jaws of a Wolgarm."

"Satella, you must understand," Subaru said, stepping toward her. "Those words, while spoken from my mouth, may not have been my own."

"Whose words were they then?" she asked sharply. "Was it the maddening sounds of that thing you hold so dear? Then, should I begin to wonder whom I am speaking to each time your voice escapes you? Why would I possibly tolerate—"

"Don't speak of it anymore!" he angrily said. Satella fell immediately into silence. Feeling his anger boil inside him until it came to a head, Subaru clenched his fists and turned away from her. His mind was a torrent of chaos, assailed by a voice unheard.

There was a silence about the room, until it was broken by the distressing sounds of a small whimper. With her head bowed, gentle streams of tears cascaded down Satella's cheeks. Her shoulders quivered as she bleated irregularly, and she wrapped her arms around her sides in a vain attempt to comfort herself.

Upon hearing her disconsolate state, Subaru returned his sight to Satella as she wept. Shame stretched across his face, and the ignominy of hurting the one closest to him stirred a debilitating sickness within his stomach. Thus, Subaru's voice was gentler when he spoke. "Satella, I'm so sorry for everything. I was too insensitive—uncaring, even. I just want you to know, I would never intentionally say something to hurt you!"

"Why did you then?!" Satella forced out amid a sob.

Subaru looked down at her as she met eyes with him. Her pained, tear-laden amethyst orbs under a furrowed brow looked up at him in turmoil. His knees felt weak, and it took every fiber of his being to prevent himself from buckling under the pressure of her stare.

"I have no excuse," he admitted somberly, his eyes locked with her own. "I just ask that you forgive me, and honor me with your love once more. Your love is all I desire in this world, Satella."

The ravenous shadows, eager to consume all light, had grown around them as the crystals dimmed. To outsiders, it'd appear as if the pair were locked away in their own world—a new dimension even, separate from all other trifles of the world. Drip. Drip. Drip. For a moment, the only audible sounds were of light, plopping sounds as water trickled endlessly from the stalactites unseen in the darkness. Then, a deep breath, as famished lungs filled with air.

"You desire my love," Satella breathed out. "Yet, 'tis something which is already within your grasp, is it not? Haven't I given myself to you in every way: body, mind, and soul? My dearest beloved, I am yours, in the most literal sense."

On the most rational level, Subaru could not comprehend this. No doubt it was clear she did love him as desired, but still, a nervousness harbored within him. It was as she said; she had given herself to him in every respect, and yet, she felt distant—aloof, even. Something separated them, like a thin translucent pain of glass, ever close yet unbreakable, containing a great distance in its invisibly minute form and yet he could still torturously see her all the while.

Nor was this fear abated as he looked down at the stricken features painting her beautiful face. Even in sorrow, she was the most angelic thing he had ever laid eyes on. Captivated by her spell, he hadn't even realized he'd been holding his breath ever since they met eyes.

"Satella…" Subaru whispered, his voice short-winded.

"You are more precious to me than you could ever know," she said, her voice wavering. "I only ask for you to trust me, and to allow myself to step into your world. To accept my concern with confidence, knowing I worry only because of my love for you. You have showed me what it means; to love one another as I love you… and I mustn't let it escape my grasp."

Still, Subaru found himself unable to speak, almost choking when he stopped breathing once more. Finally, feeling himself going faint, he imperatively sucked in a few vital puffs of air, but it felt like tongues of flame instead. She had made such a powerful confession, it rendered something effortless as breathing a difficult task.

For a long moment, no one moved, and there was silence. Finally, Subaru, as if compelled by something, reached out and embraced Satella. It wasn't an embrace out of lust, or impulse, or any other base instinct resembling that of carnal desire. He embraced her simply out of the love beating as furiously as a drum within him.

"I would burn the world, just for you," he whispered earnestly into her pointy ear.

Every syllable tickled her, yet she did not feel it as the declaration held every thought of her mind captive. And yet, even though it could have been just an exaggeration, she knew he meant each word spoken. He would have done anything to be by her side, she could see that now. Even if she knew not what she was saying, she could feel her lips begin to move.

"I don't wish for the world to burn," said Satella. "I wish only for you to give it to me. And in that world, there will only be you and me, by ourselves, and with nobody else to bother us. That… is my dream. That… is my undying wish."

In a low voice, Subaru said, "Then it shall be done. With you and me together, let us make your wish a reality. The world will be ours; I promise you this. And one day, when all the battles and suffering have finally passed into memory, only you and I will remain."

Satella paused for a moment as her furrowed brow relaxed, and the gentle sheen blanketing her amethyst eyes returned. Carefully, she reached two steady hands—in almost a dreamlike slowness—to claim him. She drew closer what she had gripped, and found herself peering at their adjoined hands, melded together as if they were connected at the flesh.

"And we shall be as one?" she asked with a timid smile. She gave his hands a squeeze, but did not move any further. "And as one, my dream will finally come to pass."

Subaru could almost taste the longing in her words. Yet, he watched helplessly as she broke her grasp and walked past him; then, without a word, she turned her head to look at him amidst a pale light, his back turned to her. Even though she couldn't see it, she could feel the meaningful smile which graced his lips.

"We shall be as one," she heard him repeat. "The world will be yours, and we shall be as one."

Satella did not reply. Only, after a moment, did she accidently let loose a solitary tear which rolled solemnly down her right cheek. This time, however, it was a tear filled with joy, and even neglected as it plummeted to the cold floor of the cavern—long would it be until such feelings were forgotten.

He turned, and silence fell about the two as they yearnfully gazed at each other. Satella hesitated a moment longer; then, aware of his tacit plea to hear her voice once more, she walked up to him and reached her arms around his waist in an embrace. Gently, she nuzzled her cheek against his chest to hear the beating of his heart.

"Close your eyes," he heard Satella say. Even though she was against him, her voice sounded oddly distant, as if she had cast some spell on him to alter his senses. "Mana of Water… please, grant thy healing upon this suppliant soul," she whispered, as a low blue hue emanated from the palms of her hands. "Your heartbeat—it's so fast. Its eager sound, and its even pace excites me so, like the beating of a ceremonial, festive drum." She tightened her hold on him as she released a deep breath against his slim frame.

Subaru knew this feeling. It was her magic, the familiar warmth of it spreading across him, and with it, all the dull pains and soreness of his body began to fade. Soon, the pounding thump against his chest steadied, and his breathing slowed.

Lulled by her tender spell, he found himself relaxing into a dreamlike state. His eyes lidded once, twice, blinking open furiously to banish the impending sleep… then they closed.

He was floating through a turquoise blue sky, wind keen on his face. The crispness of the pine forest below him was heady, and yet, with such a uniqueness to it all, he knew not where he was. Mindlessly, he drifted downward, until he was amongst the immutable trees themselves. There, he hovered, passing through gentle streams and long-forgotten woodlands, until he found himself at an egress.

Flowing through the last remnants of greenery, he was now encircled by an arid and formless desert. In front of him, there soared a sprawling tower in the distance which reached into the heavens itself, and yet as he travelled along the dunes, never did he come closer to it—nor did the distance between them grow.

His eyes narrowed. Just over the horizon, a strange bright light blossomed, until he was swathed in it. He shielded himself as it blinded him.

And long after the world turned white, it finally faded.

Lowering his hands slowly from his face, Subaru's eyes widened. He found himself standing before a destitute, ancient shrine made of stone. Battered and beaten by sandstorms and other elements of the desert for half a millennium, whatever grand importance it might have once had was long since lost. Its entrance lay buried under a mountain of mutable sand, and it seemed to be nothing more than a crumpled ruin—an unwilling victim of the cruel passages of time. If such a place existed in the waking world, none breathing would've ever tread this forgone land.

Gently, he touched a steady palm to the crumbling stone, and as if beckoned, he heard a faraway, yet intimate bell chime within him:

"We shall be one, and as one, my dream will finally come to pass…"

And as the bell tolled repeatedly, he found himself lured back into the deep recesses of his mind.

Subaru's eyes flickered open once more.

Two wide, unblinking amethyst orbs gazed down at him. Her brow was furrowed and distressed, and as soon as she saw his own visage breathe life anew, her long dark lashes fluttered worryingly.

"Subaru, are feeling well?" Satella whispered on bated breath. She brushed the bangs from his eyes and stroked the side of his face lovingly, as she continued. "You fell limp in my arms under the palm of my healing magic. It's a possibility you are susceptible to water mana…"

"Ah, there's no need for worry," Subaru said, sitting up from her lap. "Whenever someone's mana sloshes around in my body like that, it makes me feel dizzy. Maybe I just fell unconscious this time?"

"I see," said Satella a moment later, as her hands travelled to his forehead. "You feel hot, and that's unusual given the decreasing temperature of this cave. Are you sure you're well enough to travel?"

Subaru was silent, all his thoughts distracted by the soft touch of her palm against his skin. With gentility, she traced along his cheek and jaw from his temples, until it rested still against his neck, where she continued to feel his body heat. Unlike her counterpart, she brooded silently, her thoughts plagued with both concern and anxiety.

"There shouldn't be any issue," he said briefly. "However, if it keeps you touching me like this, perhaps I feel sick, after all."

Satella's cheeks puffed out and she let out an angry huff of air. "Subaru, this is no time to jest," she chided impatiently. "In case you didn't already notice, when I touched you before, I felt small tears within your gate—which is why I began to heal you as I did. Have you been using magic lately?"

Subaru swallowed. She had felt such damage within him so easily? he asked himself. "You could sense such a thing just by touching me?" he then said, astonishment laden in his voice. "Well, if you must know, I had used some manner of magic earlier, before you returned to me. It was brief, but it was the first time I used such a form of power…"

Satella's eyes narrowed. "Was it your Authority?" she asked curiously.

Uncannily to the point—impressive, even—but he could tell she was grasping at straws even if she hit her mark. He stood and smiled at her. "It was an Authority, and yet that is not what affected my gate. Recently, there has been an outpouring of dark mana through my gate—what normal people call 'Witch's Scent'. Perhaps my gate was not used to harnessing so much of it at once, and that's what damaged it. It coincides with our meeting last night, so it's all I can come up with."

Satella was silent a moment as she pressed her forefinger to her mouth in thought. Then, her eyes opened wide, revealing an epiphany. "Our reunion coincides with the growing power…" she started, before snapping her fingers together triumphantly. "Are you suggesting our proximity to one another determines your ability to channel this reservoir of 'Witch's Scent' within you?"

"Precisely!" he approved.

"But what if we are separated? Would there be any consequences?"

Subaru thought a moment, and then said, "I don't know for sure, but I'm guessing that would be the case. As you stand next to me right now, I can feel the darkened mana swell inside me, charmed by your presence. It's distracting, almost; its potency threatening to overwhelm every other sensation of my body."

Satella stepped in front of him, hands firmly on her hips. "You speak of it like you speak of our love," she said with asperity, while trying to keep a straight face. "So, which is it? Are you interested in me for my love, or just the power you have gained from me?"

"That's not what I meant at all," Subaru hurriedly said, raising his hands in defense, before an adoring smile graced his lips. "If anything, the love you have honored me with has empowered me to do things beyond my capability. Your love strengthens my will… hardens my resolve… and gives me the focus to do what must be done. There isn't a second in a day which goes by when I don't think of your love, Satella."

Her agitated demeanor relaxed as she swooned from his words. "Oh, Subaru, you are sooo romantic," Satella said, amorous adulation imbuing every syllable. "When you speak such words to my ears… I feel like I'm going to faint. Please, catch me…" She closed her eyes, and with a faint sigh, she playfully fell toward him.

And as she fell, Subaru, not one to let his most cherished lover fall unceremoniously to the hardened floor, caught her. Falling into his embrace, she let another sigh escape her lips—this time full and heavy—as she released the burden of all her stresses into the air. Subaru's hand snaked around her and burrowed itself into the thick tufts of her silver hair, and he craned her head gently, so they were facing each other. A colorless, yet vivacious gaze looked down upon devoted lavender eyes under long dark lashes.

"I haven't known you to act so fun like that before," Subaru whispered as he closed the gap between them. "Not that I'm complaining or anything like that. In fact, I really do enjoy this playful side of you."

Satella felt goosebumps spread across her skin as his hot breath splashed against her face. She tried to think of a response, something witty or enticing, yet no words came to her. He had enthralled her with his words, and the butterflies within her stomach proved this to be so. She could feel her body temperature rising, the bloodied flush of her cheeks spreading across her alabaster skin unrestrained. Her fingertips felt sticky, and her mouth dry as unspoken words came to her and went like the passing winds of Elior.

She closed her eyes… then, she heard a familiar distorted whisper.

His lips were coming closer. She abruptly turned her head to the side, enough to where his kiss contacted her cheek instead of her quivering and wanting lips. As quickly as it came, his lips departed her skin, which had become noticeably cool to the touch.

Subaru had observed the physical changes of her body, and so carefully, he let her down. His keen eyes above a concerning frown were prodding her for an explanation, but she gave him none.

"I thought you wanted a kiss," he said. "But you know… I can tell a lot about you just by careful observation. You seem to be uneasy, so what's gotten you so anxious?"

She did not lie to him. "The book inside your robe… It spoke to me once more."

There was a faint hint of amusement in his voice. "Oh, and what did it tell you?" He turned to her and gazed at her the same as he always did, yet there was something unnerving in his eyes.

"It shared nothing worth repeating in words," Satella replied with a bite in her tone. "It speaks in incomprehensible riddles and trick speech, so one may never hope to understand its meaning."

Subaru stood in silence for a moment, before Satella saw him reach into the crevice of his robe. Her eyes narrowed as he gazed expressionlessly back at her.

"That's interesting," he said absently. "Because… I can certainly comprehend its wisdom. If you ask it the right questions, you might find it has… much insight to offer." Inside his robe, his fingertips brushed lovingly over the leather spine of the book as he uttered this.

She did not reply for a long time, afraid to speak back. Subaru, who might as well have been staring into darkness, just stood wordlessly as he toyed with the book inside the confines of his robe. After some time, his hand left the barrier of his robe and returned to his side once more.

Glancing over to her out of the corner of his eye, he said, "There isn't much else to say other than I simply need your trust. I'm not sure how many times we're going to go over this, but there's nothing to fear from the book. If it were any threat to you or myself, I would have thrown it away or destroyed it by now, believe me."

She opened her mouth, but no words came out. She didn't know what to say. Having pled with him many times over already, nothing she said was effective.

But then, she saw Subaru was smiling. It was a frightening smile, and that strangeness in his eye from before had returned as he looked at her. He called, "Come, Satella. We should really be getting on our way. I think you and I are both tired from being in this cave, and it's time for us to depart."

Satella let out a small sigh in resignation. "Yes, I think you're right," she whispered. Hearing his voice, she felt genuinely uneasy. There was a peculiarity to him now which she could not comprehend. It was probably that book again, but she could never know for sure.

He reached an outstretched hand to her. She looked down, viewing her own hands as they lay helplessly by her side. Returning her gaze to her partner's grey eyes, she slowly reached up and took his left with her right. Their hands clasped together as one, and she retook her place by his side once more. Subaru smiled a seemingly sincere smile, and then the two made their way in the only direction left to them.

As the two walked along the darkened corridor, there was a strong silence between them. It wasn't their usual peaceful quietude they were well known for. This stillness was one which felt uncomfortable—awkward, even—as if they had just met each other the day before. Such lack of familiarity was extremely distressing to Satella, even if Subaru had seemingly paid no heed to it at all.

And the faint words of evil which reverberated in her mind did nothing to quell such distresses.

Listening to the gospel's dulcet call over and over in her head as they trudged through the shadows, Satella felt her sanity slipping. The images it presented her: of death, destruction, and what appeared to be the end times—disturbed her beyond the uncertainty of the great unknowns.

In its vision, she saw the sprawling Lugnican capital, reduced to nothing but a wasteland of rubble and ruin. Torn dragon banners the color of blood billowed in the wind; charred corpses dotted the avenues formerly teeming with life; amidst the devastation, an unmistakable blade adorned with a dragon's wings jutted out from the debris—its owner long since perished. A blur of scenery, and she saw Elior Forest—her home, alight in a torrent of flame; the Tree of Prayers lying stricken against the scorched ground, felled by forces unknown; an enormous wooden door which stood tall by means of magic, lay open, its inscrutable contents exposed. At the very edges of the world, The Great Waterfall's everlasting waters, which had flowed endlessly since time immemorial, stood still as if it never had been there at all. A moon the color of blood hung terrifyingly over the dead kingdom in the sky, its size immeasurable as if it had consumed the light itself in order to grow to such scale. And at the end of it all, only shadows stretched across the land.

She searched within her heart and she knew, with enormous grief, this very well could be the future if they stayed their path. Yet even so, and most terribly of all, she knew there was naught be done to change it. If the book did speak the accurate, immutable future, it was a horror-stricken one, petrifying and appalling to behold.

All her life, especially on those nights where she slept alone through her younger years, she had dreamt of peace. No such visions of horror plagued her as these did, even as her long-forgotten memories returned to her without a moment's warning. They, too, paled in comparison to such incomprehensible horrors, even if they threatened to bring tears to her eyes from just simple recollection.

At some point, she found herself numbed to the world, and she walked aimlessly next to her lover—the only reason for her existence in this world. She feared the living pages of the gospel within his possession, and yet, she could not find the power within herself to challenge him in any meaningful way. She couldn't risk losing him, and if such a thing came to pass, she would have preferred to pass into the next world, instead of bearing the pain and suffering of a loss unbearable.

In her mind, she wept quietly, though on the outside she betrayed no emotion other than a furrowed brow and a frown. She wept silently, because in her womanly heart, she wished for nothing more than a peaceful happiness with the one whom she loved. Yet, assailed by forces ambivalent, she found herself spiraling toward an ending uncertain, save for the agony and torment they might endure together.

That was a terrible thought, indeed. Eventually, as she mulled over it for an unknown amount of time, she worked her way back into the world of the present. A protective arm outstretched itself across her chest, stopping her in her tracks.

"There's something in the shadows," Subaru warned.

Having just returning from her delirium, she scarcely understood his words. With weary eyes did she peer into the darkness. She saw nothing. "I can't see anything, Subaru," she whispered quietly to him. "Are you sure there is something hiding amidst the dark?"

Wordlessly, he reached with his right hand to his left side, around where one's sword might lay in a scabbard—yet there was nothing there. Before Satella assumed he'd realize that fact in embarrassment, the shadows surrounding them coalesced into the palm of his hand, before settling down in sword form, darker than the night itself.

Holding the sheathed blade in his left hand, he squinted at the darkness. "You better show yourself," he threatened the nothingness. "Only a rat hides itself amongst the darkness."

Beckoned by his words, an enshrouded figure stepped out from the pitch-black of the cavern. With careful steps did the cultist make its way to them, until it found itself amidst the light of the dwindling lagmite crystals.

Subaru recognized this new cultist. It presented an odd presence, and it only confirmed his fears that they were being followed. This one had led the unfortunate duo who captured him and brought him to this place. It was the leader of this sect, no doubt, and just like he murdered the other two, he would make sure this one felt the wrath of his new power as well.

Barring introductions, the genderless foe reached up slowly, forcing Subaru to place his fingers on his blade's handle, gripping the saya furiously—ready to draw forth its power at a moment's notice. And yet, the figure did nothing more than reach for their hood and remove it unceremoniously.

As the hood fell solemnly to the floor, long, transparent platinum hair flowed just below her waist. A beautiful face was unveiled, and on that visage was the playful smile of one who toyed with life itself. Upon revealing herself, she brought before her both of her palms together, her wide smile growing even further, eager to reveal some great secret to them. Noticing the dumbfounded faces of her two guests, she decided she would speak first.

"You two look surprised," she said without hesitation. "My apologies, I would have revealed myself earlier, but for the life of me, I just couldn't bring myself to interrupt you two. I am so relieved you both are getting along so well."

Satella narrowed her eyes in wide shock. "Why—"

"Why am I here?" she interrupted her, and if it were possible, her smile grew wider. "Such a question is one you asked me a hundred years ago. Unlike before, I believe you already know the answer to this question, if you search deep enough." As if disturbed by her own words, the girl silently admonished herself and bowed her head in respect. "My Lady, please forgive me—I was impolite just then, as I had a momentary lapse in judgement. I forgot just who I was speaking to, so please, acquiesce this one trespass and allow my deepest apologies."

In speaking her regrets, the beautiful girl was careful to avoid the eye of the wordless Satella, paying no attention to Subaru as he lay in wait. Keen to his darkened presence, she raised her head and saw him out the corner of her eye, as he stood there, silently seething, and ready to strike.

Turning her emotionless gaze to Subaru, she smiled once more and gestured to him. "Your transformation has been most impressive," she praised, with a real sense of sincerity laden in her voice. "You are coming along quite nicely, and for that, I can only be so proud. It warms my old heart to see such progress in an individual."

Her voice chilled him, and with a prickling of hairs on his neck and a shiver all but controllable, Subaru gritted his teeth and might as well have snarled at their newfound intruder. "Keep your poisonous words to yourself," he spat with a venom unseen. "If you have anything meaningful to say, save it for when you're drawing the last of your breaths."

The platinum-haired girl smiled wide. "Such hostilities are unbecoming of a freshly inducted Archbishop," she taunted him. "You have undertaken the covenant, have you not? If that is the case, allow me to grant you the warmest of welcomes into our dark society."

"Archbishop?" queried Subaru very softly. For a moment, there was silence anew, and then a deep breath. "I don't know who you are, or who you think I am, but you won't find myself bound to your pitiful little cult of losers. If you orchestrated this wretched event, then you have my thanks, but that's the extent of it. Sorry to disappoint you, but I'll take what's mine and move on."

The girl was silent but smiling all the while—an unnerving one, like it was an aching poison all its own. Just the mere sight of it made beads of sweat trickle down the side of his head. He wanted nothing more than to cut her down without mercy, right here and now—just to be done with it.

She finally broke her silence. "Oh, come now, that's no way to talk," she complained. "Your words are unsightly considering your vaunted lineage, and for that, I must accost you in the politest way. I implore you to pay attention to your words from now on; they might just have an impact on future events."

Subaru shook his head. "I really don't care about any of that. I'm taking Satella, and we're going to be on our way."

"Oh, is that so?" she whispered wondrously. "I am so happy you two have finally found your peace. I trust you two will find your way, as all has been foretold already. Please, don't let me bother you." A smile both wicked and evil graced her lips, the first sincere emotion on her visage to reveal itself.

Subaru let a wild smile of his own paint his features. "You're too polite," he said.

A hissing sound; a thin blade whizzing through the air, it's shrill call the only warning of its impending strike. Then, light filled the cavern as the shadows themselves were sucked into a whirlpool extending from the edge of the sword. From shoulder to hip, the ephemeral shadows passed through her body so quickly it could have been said it never happened at all. The girl's perfect flesh, the color of ivory and without blemish, split at almost a cellular level as she disintegrated, until nothing was left.

With a twirl of his weapon, he sheathed his blade and rest it at his side. The shadows he borrowed from their surroundings to conjure such a strike returned to their former state, and they found themselves basked in darkness once more.

Breathing deeply the damp air of the cavern, Subaru relaxed his shoulders and closed his eyes. He then turned to Satella, who appeared to be quivering out of fear. Her frightened expression captured his immediate attention.

"Su-Subaru…" she stuttered, trepidation pervading his own name. "Pandora… she…" Whatever she wished to share with him never came, as a figure in the darkness banished the sounds of her voice.

A wide smile, and a casual flick of long platinum hair. "That wasn't very polite," she had said. "Didn't your mother teach you basic etiquette when receiving a guest?" It was the voice of someone who was clearly very much alive.

In that chimerical scene, with everything dyed pure black, the beautiful girl stood, now wearing nothing but a single piece of cloth. Gone was her cultist robe, and she displayed her otherworldly beauty in the simplest way possible; unabashed and undeterred from her near nudity.

Slowly, Subaru lowered his weapon to his left side, and he eyed her carefully. "What trickery is this?" he said, low and cold. "I saw your body vanish, taken to hell by the shadows themselves—and yet, you stand there as if nothing had happened."

If it were even possible, Pandora smiled wider. "Confused? It's expected, but not unwelcome. I hope, in time, you will see the futility in using any manner of attack against myself. Even though my own feeble strength is lacking, therein is not where my power lies. I had prayed you would relax your temper and allow us a cordial conversation, but perhaps my prayers went unanswered."

"Cordial?" Subaru said calmly. "Was it cordial to conceal oneself in the shadows, before snatching someone away without warning? Your underlings cast a spell upon me so diabolical, I wished for nothing but death as it took hold of me. I was locked away in darkness and left without so much as a word of explanation or as to why, and I found myself on the edge of insanity. If not for the company of my dearest, I would have cast myself off the cliff before you returned—yet you ask for peace…?!"

There was something terrible in Pandora's face. "It was by careful design," she said then in an unnaturally disconnected voice. "As the Witch of Vanity, I hold the esteemed duty to search out those with the rare honor to bear a Witch Factor. In this case, you hold two: the first one being Sloth, received upon the death of the previous Archbishop who held it. The second one is more curious, and as the sole recipient of this gift, I hereby confer upon thee the coveted seat of Envy, one which has never before been established."

Subaru eyed her expressionlessly. Understanding next to nothing, unnerved by her sheer reverence of such a bestowal, Subaru found himself wondering just why he had been destined to go down such a path as this. It could be said it were his destiny, one written by forces unknown and enacted by those around him, and yet, he wished only to control his own fate. Truthfully, he wanted power, welcomed it with open arms even, but at what cost? Was he now sacrificing his humanity? How far could he go down this path, just to ascertain his future with the one whom he desired love and love alone?

In an instant, he made his decision.

"I accept your seat," he gasped out, almost unknowingly before continuing. "I will play your games for now, but mark my words… you will not control me. I will go my own way, and find my own destiny, whether that end be a paradise or a death at the edges of a blade..." His shoulders hunched as if he were in great pain. His knees quivered, pressed under a great amount of weight, yet his voice was still as steel. "And if any of you get in my way, I will cut you down without mercy. If anyone else challenges me, I will make them wish they had never found the nerve to step in front of me."

Pandora just smiled at him, pleased with his words. She could feel his emotions, his anger as he quietly seethed in front of her. It was visible in his rigid, twisting stance; the grit of his teeth; the uneven rise and fall of his chest as he breathed irregularly; the clenching of his fists as they stayed his side.

Without speaking, Pandora pressed the palms of her hands together once more. "I would never ask for anything else," she said serenely. "I entrust you with the most revered duty of safeguarding Lady Satella. This obligation, I am no doubt sure you will undertake without question and execute to the best of your ability." As she said this, she nodded respectfully to Satella, who otherwise betrayed no emotion. "Whilst her retainer, and as the one whom has been blessed with her love, you will enact this sacred duty."

"Yeah, whatever you say," Subaru said curtly. "Just stay out of my way."

"Love. Such a marvelous thing…" Pandora murmured with an expression of undulated ecstasy. "I sincerely wish you two all the best in your travels." Suddenly, she appeared to be getting shorter, before it became apparent she was morphing into the shadows below her feet.

Subaru gestured to her with an outstretched hand. "Wait, before you go… I have questions."

Pandora smiled in the darkness. "The answers to your questions will no doubt come in time. For now, find your path by way of the Oracle."

"The Oracle? You mean the gospel?"

She did not respond to that question. She just nodded her head respectfully and said, "Lady Satella… Archbishop Natsuki Subaru… I bid thee a warm farewell."

"Pandora!" he cried, but it was too late.

A few moments later, the beautiful girl had completely vanished from sight, leaving the two lovers alone in the cavern once more. Subaru, undeterred from what had happened, stepped over to Satella and wrapped his arms possessively around her. He could tell she was shaken from what had just occurred, though he knew not why.

"You two have some history, don't you?" he murmured into her pointy ear. "I'm not going to pry or anything, but I do wonder just how far back you two go."

"We have indeed met before," Satella whispered softly. "It was a short encounter, and I scantily remember the details with any level of vividness." She let out a small moan as she could feel his lips brush over her.

"I see," Subaru whispered as he gently kissed her ear. "Let's forget about that and move on. We should be close to the exit of the cave now. We've been travelling upwards for hours, and I suspect this route will lead out to the side of the mountain."

Satella, blushing furiously from the close contact, said, "I'm ready t-to make our leave. But why d-do y-you always have to make m-me feel like this?" Her stutter was a symptom of his playful foreplay upon her. He was growing bolder in his advances by the hour, she felt.

Subaru looked at her with sultry eyes under a relaxed brow. "I just enjoy being close to you like this. As of late, I feel our connection to one another has grown to such a point there's little I can do to prevent myself from touching you." He gave her one small peck on the cheek before departing from her.

"I understand…" she said breathlessly. "…And I don't mind it, but there's a time and place for everything, Subaru." Noticing her unkemptness, she fixed her disheveled hair and let out a small sigh.

The amusement of Subaru's advances fell to the wayside, and she suddenly found herself left alone in the darkness. Gazing into the distance, she saw he was walking away from her to a direction unknown. Letting out a small gasp, she started off in a light jog to catch up to him, before she noticed something peculiar glimmering amongst the gloom.

She narrowed her inquisitive eyes at the small, verdant green shine jutting out from the walls of the chasm. It had a peculiar illuminance to it, different from all the rest of the cave she had seen thus far. It was surrounded by numerous, larger crystals, entrapping it in what appeared to be a circle. Unlike the other crystals, this one was embedded in rock. Reaching down to brush her fingers over the contours of its diamond-like shape, she suddenly realized its core had a striking resemblance to her previously owned Pyroxene mana crystal.

Her amethyst eyes widened. Touching the tips of her fingers to it, she hastily whispered an incantation. The icy mana began to pool from her fingertips into the bottom of the crystal itself, freezing it at the base. She kept pouring her mana into it, until it cracked at the bottom where it met the rock and shattered into small fragments.

The pure portion, now freed from its earthly grasp, met the palm of her hand before it was pocketed into the confines of her robe. She smiled to herself… and then, hearing soft footsteps approach her, she abruptly turned around.

"Satella?"

Subaru's gaze was steady on her face. He must have noticed she had strayed from his side, so he came to check on her, before finding her crouched amongst the crystals.

She gave him a shy smile, and then poked him in the chest. "I was just getting one last look at the crystals," she said teasingly. "I know we may not ever return here, so I decided to myself: I should enjoy their beauty while I can!" She gave him another one of her best cute smiles, which undoubtedly put him at ease.

A moment later, Subaru began to laugh. It was a genuine, infectious laugh. Her expression softened as she saw the peaceful features of his face contort happily.

"You're so silly, you know that?" Subaru eked out through his chortling. "If you really want a lasting memory of this damnable place, you should take one of them with you."

Satella, seeing the joyous features on his face, threw herself upon him and snaked her arm around his own, pressing her face against his shoulder lovingly. He reciprocated the romantic motion with a light kiss of his own upon her forehead.

"There's no need," she said again, after a moment of silence. "I've spent enough time here… so let's take our leave."

"If you say so," he replied through a gentle smile. He began walking, forcing her to fall in stride with him.

As they walked along the dwindling expanse of the corridor, Subaru could hear a gentle hum emanating from the lips of his partner. The gentle tune of it relaxed him so, and his contentment grew every second. Satella, noticing the softening complexion of his face, hummed further, loving each and every moment she made him feel at peace. There, they accompanied one another, together in a comfortable embrace which spoke louder than any audible word.

Later yet, when the telling lagmite crystals which graced the walls began to dwindle, and the natural light pouring in from moon filled the cavern, they found themselves upon their destination.

And as Subaru, born anew, took his first steps outside the cavern, the glowing moon above threatened to blind him with its powerful glow. As his eyes adjusted to the well-lit night sky, he took a breath deeper than he ever had before. It cleared his headache and heightened his perceptions as new sensations returned to him. He deeply breathed in the crispness of the pines, the smell of the mountainous air… and the smell of cooking?

A haunting thread of sound, just audible over the slopes of the mountain, wrested Subaru's attention away from the new world's scents. Pulling Satella along with him, he crouched and sauntered over to the precipice overlooking a wide-open area. Well-scorched, and riddled with enshrouded bodies alike, its appearance told of the legendary tales of battle and strife.

In any case, they had no time to linger in one place like this.

"What's the best way to get out of here?" Subaru said, as he peered over the mountainside cliff. "I'm not sure what happened here, but I don't want us getting caught just as soon as we broke free of this place."

Satella nodded, and then pointed downward. "If we make our way to where the clearing is, there is a pathway we can take back into the forest where we should be safe under the cover of night." Subaru could tell she had travelled these pathways before, so he would let her do the leading.

"That sounds like a plan!" Subaru snapped, and he readied himself to vault over the edge of the cliff.

There was little option, really. Other than traversing down the jagged, vertical cliffs of the mountain, the pathway in front of them was the only real option. Subaru balanced himself and held Satella's hand firm as they made their way down the cliff, and soon, they entered the battlefield itself. Carefully, they stepped over forgotten corpses, bloody gore and armaments alike. The baleful smell of death singed the sensitive hairs of Subaru's nose as they quietly made their way across the clearing. In mere moments, they were on the dwindling edges of the forest, and with a couple steps, they found themselves enshrouded under the safe protection of the trees.

It was early morning, of course, and the cool breeze of the chilly night made Subaru shiver. The wispy winds ruffled all the feathers of the peaceful forest, and a small measure of peace washed over his being as he welcomed the breathing world back into his life. He looked over to his partner who walked quietly beside him. Her silver, shoulder length hair shone with radiance in the moon-lit view, and other than the signs of sleep gracing the undercurrents of her tired eyes, she seemed completely at peace.

Subaru also knew, by the expressionless look on her face, his new partner had become surer of herself than ever before. Carefully, he reached a finger or two within the confines of his robe and brushed his fingers over the dark leather-bound book within his pocket. He felt the warmth of its touch spread across him, calling out to him to release it from its jail. It called to him, yearning for someone to turn its mysterious pages once more. It was lonely, he knew, and he was the only person who could give it comfort.

It had been sometime since he had wandered its pages. What had changed? What had stayed the same? He felt the pangs of curiosity beckon him to delve deep into its mutable words once more, and yet, he did nothing more than touch it. He knew its presence affected his lover deeply, and until she could completely comprehend its unearthly foresight, he would not release it from its prison so near her company.

And his new authority—not those shadowy hands which bore the identity of such a power channeled by the previous Archbishop of Sloth—caused him to strain his mind in order to comprehend its ability. Much alike the gospel which rest within his grasp, it had given him such an ability akin to foresight. It was a gentle step, a brief glimpse into a future which might not come to pass at all. It was shockingly lifelike, so real—indeed, he knew not whether it was a dream or a waking memory. And yet, when he read his gospel within that waking nightmare, it spoke of the untimely end which befell his lover. When he had awoken anew, he made the snap decision to alter the aforementioned events by plunging themselves into the chasm of old, and the books' pages had seemingly rewritten themselves to a new future all of its own. He knew not how it activated, and yet an ability of its ilk required a name.

The Authority needed a name befitting of such divinity, he thought. The power to see a potential future… to feel it, taste it, even… and to have that future in the palm of his hand and change it at a second's notice. Surely enough, it wasn't as powerful as Return by Death by any stretch of the imagination. And yet, it had a separate qualitative uniqueness on its own right.

Thus, the Authority of Envy would be forever known by the name of, "Divine Presage…"

He had never expected to have the honor of wielding the power of his lover once again. He'd expected it forever gone, and himself locked in this world as nothing but a powerless individual. And yet, she had returned to him, and bathed himself in her love. It was unexpected, unanticipated, unpredicted, unplanned, uncalled for, serendipitous, sudden, abrupt, surprising, startling, astonishing, extraordinary. He ran a great many words through his mind to describe such events—yet found nothing worthy enough to attribute it. And within the love she had bestowed upon him, he had garnered a power unforeseen by all, except apparently one. He would dwell upon that mysterious girl later. In fact—

"—Subaru!"

A hoarse scream, and yet it chimed beautifully like a bell as always. His thoughts interrupted, Subaru looked up from his hazy introspection as his eyes befell four Kingdom Knights sitting around a cozy campfire roasting a flank of meat. They had been obscured by thick brush and shrubbery, and in a cruel fate, they stumbled upon them incidentally. So that's where the cooking smell came from, he thought darkly.

One man stood, drawing his blade. Three others followed suit.

Either way, something bad was about to happen. And he suddenly he realized why they were so hostile. The frightened voices of young knights filled the air:

"A silver-haired half-witch?!"
"They don the robes of the Witch Cult!"
"Where's Commander Melahau and the others?!"
"They haven't returned from the caverns yet!"

Their panicked and fragmented sentences ceased as they stared wordlessly at their newfound foes. Sure enough, Satella had forgone her magical cloak, and her presence was exposed for all to see. Their choice of clothing didn't improve matters, either.

Without warning, a crossbow bolt, shot out of panic, buried itself deep in the shoulder of an astonished Subaru. He recoiled, falling backwards, and yelped in pain.

Satella, feeling a hatred swell within her, raised an outstretched palm in the direction of the assailant. A brief whisper of an incantation spoken in desperation, and then a silver spear of ice propelled by magic whistled through the night sky. It pierced one of the knights in his chest, blowing him into the darkness behind as he let out an ear-piercing scream.

"Thaler!" cried one of the knights.

She turned away briefly as she realized what she had done. The emotion, the hatred within her was so raw, she committed the act without a second thought. Her sorrowful eyes briefly turned to Subaru who lay on the ground, pierced by an arrow and dazed. He was struggling to stand back up.

There was a swooshing sound through the air as a blade fell against a protective barrier in front of Satella. Two knights had charged at her, but only one blade had connected the brittle ice-shield as the other comically missed. Erected without an incantation, it broke apart into pieces—a testament to its weakness.

As the shattered fragments were sent into all directions, Satella quickly pressed two soft palms against the assailing knight, her smaller body sliding into his personal space unhindered, and in an instant, two chilly explosions drilled against him, sending him flying backward with a caved-in chest and spurting blood into the night sky. The other knight, recovering from his miss and building up his nerve, swung diagonally from above, and the blade passed harmlessly by her, colliding with dirt. She chanted furiously, outstretching a hand—

And the world went dark for Satella.

Her spinning body soared through the air after it was smacked by a powerful spell conjured from the earth. Unbeknownst to her, as she fended off the knights in defense of her lover, one of them had gone unnoticed, preparing a long incantation to strike at the opportune moment. And it struck true; a wall of malformed rock wrest from the earth itself, colliding against her head in the most violent way possible.

The half-elf's body splashed against a sturdy tree, and she fell to the ground lifeless.

"That'll teach that bitch!" the knight roared triumphantly.

Subaru, who had finally gotten his wits about him, looked up at the knights with a blazing flash of hatred. With the arrow sticking out of his shoulder near the collarbone, he stared them down with furious, grey eyes.

And as if his gaze itself could kill, the knight who had cast the spell turned into a bloody mist in a single instant. Lumps of flesh splattered across the scenery as forces unknown tore the knight to pieces, limb from limb, bones from flesh, exposing his internal organs to the calm night air—before those, too, disintegrated.

The one curiously still-living knight turned on his heel and disappeared into the woods, running for his life. A coward he was, an alive coward he remained. He knew better than to face such an enemy.

That left only one remaining knight standing his way, heavily injured.

Knowing he wouldn't last long lying down on the ground, said knight cried out in a fury and attempted to raise his blade desperately. Yet, he found himself unable to move. The knight flailed his arms around as he hopelessly tried to break free from what invisible forces held him still, aggravating his thoracic injuries. Then, suddenly, his body was lifted off the ground, controlled by vile magic as he floated aimlessly, screaming at the top of his lungs until his voice grew hoarse and the blood he blew from his mouth dried up. Then, he was flung sideways, and felt immeasurable pressures from both sides.

With a horrid scream, the middle of his body snapped around a thick tree like a twig. His upper body bent one direction, and his lower extremities the other. He was, quite simply, split in half against the tree when the invisible force never abated, stretching his already-mangled corpse until the color of crimson spilt down the rugged bark, and no more could be spent. And, just moments later, the two pieces of the body fell discarded to the dirt.

The screams of help from the escaping deserter suddenly stopped, too, as Subaru expended the slightest of energy to ensure no one would disturb their moment again.

Subaru didn't speak, nor did he pay attention or derive pleasure from the carnage. In a trance, he raced over to the motionless body of his love. Kneeling next to her, he cradled her bloodied head in the crook of his arm. Her eyes were lidded, yet she still drew breath. Sighing deeply to himself, Subaru reached his arms underneath her legs, picking her up in his arms. Tired as he was, due to his newfound strength, she was light as a feather.

He grimaced to himself as he observed her unconscious visage. His frown deepened as he saw just how deep the gash was in the side of her head, though relatively little blood was flowing. His inaction had led to her getting grievously injured, and he couldn't forgive himself for it. He hesitated simply because he did not wish to fight with the Kingdom Knights. Even a supposed Archbishop as he was, he did not view them as an enemy, and yet, donning the unmistakable robes of a cult member, the knights instinctually struck at them.

With the arrow still sticking out of him, he took a shaky step down into the gnarled woods. He didn't know where they were going, but all he knew is he wanted to get away from here, and fast. The twisted world felt familiar to him, as he walked with the half-elf cradled unknowingly in his arms. It's how this journey began, he thought. And with every step, he remembered what he had sworn to his soul just a month ago, as he trudged aimlessly through the frozen wastes of the Sanctuary. The words, spoken a number of times, were well known to him:

"I will save you… I promise," he whispered under a labored breath.

And as he disappeared into the darkness with his lover… his obsession, and the only reason for his existence, he reaffirmed that oath once more.