Chapter 5: To Breathe Again After Wrath
"You have gotta be fucking kidding me…" Subaru groaned.
"I agree," Julius nodded.
While the incident involving Frederica attacking Subaru due to the previous episode's contents, coupled with Beatrice's "reasons you suck" speech had subsided, everyone was still on the high of that, and now with this new information, no one was feeling well.
What if Subaru survived Rem's attack?
OR
What if Subaru refused to kill himself?
It was a lose-lose situation, everyone realized.
"All right… Al?"
"Sure thing, Bro."
Conditions: The Tumultuous Week, Loop Three
Conditions: The Tumultuous Week, Loop Four
"Of-fucking-course," the nasty-eyed knight swore to himself.
"Uh, Subaru?" Emilia asked. "What is this?"
"These… are probably some of my worst loops ever," he gestured towards the screen. "In one of them, I was… eh, taken care of by Rem and Ram when they thought I was a Cultist, and in the other, I jumped off a cliff to bring Rem back, as I've already explained in the first episode."
Rem and Ram in particular were… well, they weren't great. They still haven't forgiven themselves for the harm they brought to Subaru.
And now, it would seem that no matter what, they were gonna hate themselves even more after these episodes.
"Alright Bro, since you might have an idea of what's gonna happen, I say you pick." Al suggested, which everyone soon enough agreed with.
Subaru was then left with an impossible choice. While he was tempted to pick the first option as it meant Rem would survive and he would probably just manage to run away, he couldn't help but have this bad feeling about it, like something was telling him not to pick it.
On the other hand, if Subaru chose the one where he refused to kill himself, Rem would stay dead forever. No more resets to save her. Ram would likely continue to hate him, and who knows what would happen to Emilia. The only upside he could possibly think of is Beatrice still being contracted to him, but that's it…
"I don't know. I can't bring myself to choose," Subaru sighed at his inability to make a decision. Emilia laid a comforting hand on his shoulder, knowing this must be very difficult for him.
"Can… we choose the second one?" Surprisingly, it was Rem that spoke up. "I don't want to see myself hurting Subaru-kun again, so let's please choose the second option."
"Sissy…" Ram was concerned about her twin. She knew that the reveal that she killed Subaru twice hurt her very much, and as much as Ram didn't want to see a timeline where Rem was dead, she knew that the blue oni did not want to see herself as an antagonist to Subaru at all.
"Alright, second option it is."
As everyone was sitting back down on their seats, Otto felt his arm get grabbed while he was trying to head back to his seat next to Garfiel. He looked back, only to see Frederica. He could tell she was still ashamed of what she tried to do to Subaru earlier, and didn't want him to leave.
Sighing, he nodded, and sat next to her, while Petra and Meili sat on their laps.
What if Subaru refused to kill himself?
Conditions: The Tumultuous Week, Loop Four
Al clicked the remote again, and the lights dimmed and the screen came to life once again.
Ram sat in the dark, the view remained the same for over a year now.
Only when he returned did light appear in her room.
Chained as she was, her movements were limited.
"Wha' th' fuck is this…?" Garfiel whispered under his breath.
"Nee-sama?" Rem asked, slightly horrified.
Ram, along with everyone else, couldn't believe what they were seeing. On the screen, it showed… Ram, but different. Her hair was longer, and she wore a fancy Kararagian kimono. Despite that, however, she was chained up to the wall, and looked like she had not seen the sun in years. Or, more accurately, according to the narration, she hadn't seen the sun in over a year.
Then…
"Is that… Bro?" Mimi asked, scared.
"Subaru…?"
As he heard his mother squeak out his name, Subaru stared at his… counterpart. He wore a black kimono with an orange scarf, and he looked even worse than Ram. His skin was also pale, but he could also clearly see his bones beneath his skin. Not only that, but peeking out from under his scarf, were scars in the shape of hand prints.
It didn't take a genius to figure out why exactly Ram was chained to that wall.
He fed her personally, desperately gave her mana stone after mana stones to keep her alive.
Servants bathed her.
He always visited her.
Ram was tired, after a year only Barusu, no, Subaru greeted her.
Upon hearing that pink oni's narration, the Emilia Camp's hearts shattered.
Barusu. To the outside perspective, that was a demeaning nickname. But to Ram and Subaru, that was a sign of their sibling-like relationship. It showed that, even through all the teasing and harsh words, they trusted one another, and truly cared for each other as friends.
And now, it was gone, ruined by a single change in that reality.
She could clearly see how she ruined him.
Once a sunny young man now only a husk of a man was left.
In the year she's been locked away he now was known as a great inventor.
Having gathered an immense fortune.
And yet he was starting to go on the wrong way of the law.
Each time he returned now the scent of blood clung to him.
He'd somehow earned Admirer's loyalty and saved Banan.
Everyone had mixed reactions to Ram's narration.
Anastasia was impressed. Just like in the previous reality, this Subaru used his otherworldly knowledge to make himself a fortune, and in under a year. A part of her really wanted to tap into the potential of his mind, before Cursch would, like in the previous reality. However…
Everyone else was terrified. Subaru Natsuki had once again proven he was completely unpredictable, and no one was immune to that fear.
Emilia, Beatrice and Rem all heard Ram's narration, how Subaru was slowly losing himself, becoming a criminal, and a murderer, at that. Had Rem's death truly done that to him? Or was it something else?
Reinhard, however, along with his fellow knights and noblemen, were disturbed by the last line. Subaru had somehow gained the Admirer's loyalty? What had transpired in Banan?
"Uh… who's this Admirer guy?" Kenichi quickly asked.
Reinhard edieced to answer with, "Halibel the Admirer, also known as "the Eternal Playboy of Kararagi" is a wolf-like demi-human, and a shinobi, and one of the three people in the world who is my equal in strength and skill."
"Wait, really? Someone strong enough to challenge you, Rein? Who are the other two?" Subaru asked for confirmation.
"The 1st ranking Divine General of Vollachia, Cecilus Segmunt, also known as "the Blue Lightning", and the Mad Prince of Gusteko," Julius quickly responded.
"Wait, what about the Divine Dragon Volcanica, and the Great Sage, Shaula? They seem strong enough to match Rein in a battle."
"While it is true that they are living legends, they are not affiliated with any one nation," the Sword Saint explained. "I am affiliated to Lugnica, Halibel to Kararagi, Cecilus to Vollachia, and the Mad Prince to Gusteko. We are each in charge of keeping tabs on the others."
"Great, you're all being treated as nukes instead of people," Subaru groaned.
And yet that fool was intent on ruining himself further.
Each time he came he told her of his accomplishment.
Perhaps he was trying to mock her.
No, perhaps that fool was just lonely.
You have no idea how lonely I was, Subaru thought, as he heard the narration. The only people who truly knew how much he suffered were the Witches, and he couldn't exactly confide in them. Especially Echidna.
But now that everyone knows, hopefully, things will be different.
At least different enough to prevent a tragedy like this.
Lonely enough to confide in her.
The one who "killed" him.
Had she one year ago not jumped at that conclusion and tried to end him, would their tale ended differently she wondered.
Now with time, she knew that she had been foolish.
It was without a doubt Roswaal-sama's machination that caused Rem's death.
Everyone in the Emilia Camp, even Meili, all gave the clown the stink eye.
"Whaaaaat?"
"You know exactly what you did," Otto hissed at the clown.
Everyone else knew for certain that something was up with Roswaal and the Camp he was sponsoring. And that it was only a matter of time until they found out what.
And yet in her wrath, she set her eyes upon the innocent boy and ruined him.
Rem was dead.
Roswaal now hated.
Only Subaru was left.
He was her only reason to live.
She must atone.
That's why she needed to stop him now.
Before he was unsavable.
Ram's eyes widened at this. She was going to try to save Barusu? A part of her wanted to wave it off as some multiversal madness, especially since he left her sister to die. But another part of her knew that it was a situation out of his control, and that he could only take so much…
"Go, Ram nee-sama, go!" Petra cheered.
Opening Theme: Bursty Greedy Spider
Subaru is seen rising from the floor of the screen, as if time itself was reversing a fall, all while blood seems to be returning from a wound on his chest.
"Here we go again…"
Tales from the Multiverse
As the title faded, seven different Subarus are seen dancing around like idiots.
"Hey, look, it's the creepy version of Big Bro!" Felt pointed out.
"And of course he's dancing alongside Pride," Prisiclla deadpanned.
The next scenes are various still images, as the music and lyrics keep playing, starting with Zarestia and Halibel, then a shot of Kenichi and Naoko, followed by Theresia van Asterea in a realm of shadows, Reid Astrea relaxing with Volcanica, Vincent and Cecilus, a younger Emilia who is crying, an attacking Elsa and Meili, Fortuna and a sane Geuse defending Elior Forest, and an image of Shaula, tapping her foot.
"Al, quickly pause it," Julius commanded the helmeted knight.
"Roger, roger."
"All right, do you see the wolf human next to the white-haired woman?" Reinhard asked.
"Whaaaaat about him?" Roswaal asked, clearly not liking how everyone stared at him.
"THAT is Halibel the Admirer," the redhead quickly explained. "Okay, continue. Pause again."
"Who's the man with the blue hair?" Naoko asked.
"THAT is Cecilus Segmunt," the Sword Saint answered, receiving a couple of "ohs" from the audience. "All right, Al-san, you may resume with the viewing."
Then, the next scene is of the seven Subarus, all of them charging into battle, each of them showing their individuality, all lead by… the original.
The scenes become a light brown in color, as it's revealed that the camera is zooming out of Subaru's eye, revealing that he's bleeding and wounded, but still smiling with his classic maniacal smile, and ready to keep on fighting.
Episode 4:
To Breathe Again After Wrath
Subaru once again entered Ram's room to feed her and transfer mana to her.
"Barusu…" she rasped.
"Yes, nee-san, what's wrong?" he asked, while he stopped feeding her.
"You killed Rem. It was your fault and yet YOU?! By what right do you believe you can die when you have yet to atone?!" she hissed dangerously.
She needed him to believe her. Deep down she knew that those words of anger were directed towards herself.
Only in her hatred, he trusted.
That's why to save him she must hurt him first.
"Murdering at the drop of a coin will only have Kararagi blacklist you! For now, you are still unknown, but that won't remain the same!" she yelled, infuriated by the boy's act.
Upon hearing that, everyone was once again horrified at Subaru.
"Murder…?" Crusch trailed off.
"At the drop of a coin?" Wilhlem couldn't believe what he was hearing.
Bloodshed she cared little for she was an oni after all.
But the thoughtless way he was trying to end himself was ridiculous.
"If you must get rid of someone, do it in secret like everyone in this country does! Why do you think ninjas exist, stupid Barusu?!" she shouted at the end.
Subaru stood silent.
"Wow, the balls on you, Ram."
"Close your putrid mouth, Al."
"Yes, Princess."
"Heads up, it appears we're getting this next part from Natsuki-san's perspective."
His mind was glitching; he did not understand why Ram suddenly acted.
Was she going to betray him too? Was he doomed to remain in a world of black and white?
Was the pink that shone in front of him going to disappear?
No! No! He could not stand it.
Yet the hatred and fury in her eyes and tone abated his fear.
Ram was still Ram, pink remained in his view.
Hearing the narration, everyone gained a bit more insight into the mind of this Subaru.
"I don't understand. He's afraid… that Ram will no longer want to kill him…?" Emilia couldn't wrap her head around the idea. Why would Subaru be afraid of that? He should be happy, at the very least!
"I think… it's something different," Subaru gave his two cents, trying to get into the mind of his counterpart, "I think it has something to do with his weird colorblind-ness, and how Ram is the only color he can see."
As everyone looked at the screen, they believed that Subaru was on the right track. On screen, everything else was a shade of either black, white or gray. The only things that still had color when watching this Subaru's perspective were Subaru himself, and Ram.
That unending hatred still shone in her eyes.
"Only I can kill you!" She yelled at last panting her last force going in this shout.
"Nee-san..." Subaru muttered.
He understood now why she was scolding him.
She feared that he'd die before she could get her vengeance.
Understanding her rage and now relieved, he evaluated her words.
"No, that is NOT why you should feel relief!" Emilia shouted.
After deep thought, he chose to change his course of action seeing the wisdom in her words.
"I'll hide the track thoroughly… for now…" He replied thoughtfully.
"Oh? And why are you doing this Barusu? No matter what you do you will always be pathetic. Why don't you try to rule Kararagi first rather than slaughter those before you in a show of strength you don't possess?" She asked darkly deep down she was relieved that her words did reach the fool before her.
Subaru stared at her blankly.
He then took a coin from his pocket.
Heads, he'll become Kararagi Head consul.
Tails, he'll continue his current action.
He flipped the coin.
It landed on Heads.
History changed course.
"Holy shit, he really does choose everything at the flip of a coin," Subaru gasped. "Reminds me of Two-Face from the DC Comics…"
Subaru then recalled a quote from the Villain, "You either die a hero, or live long enough to see yourself become the villain." How does it apply to me, and yet, not at the same time?
In Banan people were celebrating their survival. The Admirer along with an unknown boy had saved them from certain death. The inhabitants of the city could only rejoice that those heroes had been able to stop the Great Disaster from its usual killing spree. Everyone was in a high mood.
After regaining her light ball, the Great Spirit had wasted no time returning to her abode.
"Oh, hey! We have a new player!" Ricardo pointed at the screen.
Upon hearing that, everyone focused on the new character on the screen. She had short white hair, with a streak of lime, and wore a white kimono. She was quite attractive, actually.
"Hey, wait a minute," Tivey spoke up. "Wasn't she next to Halibel in the intro?"
"Yer right Tivey!" the purple-haired merchant nodded. "Guess we're focusin' on her!"
As everyone watched this new mystery character, Beatrice narrowed her sight on the newcomer. A Great Spirit? Judging from the fact they're in Kararagi, then that means she's…
Yet she could not help but ponder on the ones who had helped her regain her power. The wolf demi-human, while strong, was nothing she had not seen in the past. She could easily blow away the ninja. No the one who had caught her attention was the one who led the charge against the thieving oni. The one who reeked of the Witch.
For some reason, he felt familiar to her. Had she met the human before? She had no recollection of the unusual boy.
No, had he met her in one of her murderous rage mood the boy would be dead.
Zarestia frowned, troubled.
every member of the Anastasia Camp screamed in shock, """""ZARESTIA?!"""""
"Why must you damage mine ears like that?" the Vollahcian Matriarch groaned.
"Yeah, why is that chick someone worth freaking out over?" Kenichi asked.
"No, ya don't understand!" Anastsia gasped. "One o' th' four Great Spirits 'n our world's th' Spirit o' Wind an' Murder, Zarestia, also known as th' Most Beautiful Shinigami! She's a compulsive murderer who predates th' Witch, an' entire cities are sent into a panic if she ever leaves 'er lair! In order for Natsuki-san ta survive an encounter wit' her…"
"Okay, okay, I get the idea," the Natsuki patriarch spoke. "She's basically a walking natural disaster, and my son has somehow caught her interest, got it."
Great, first the Witch Cult, then the Great Mabeast, then actual Witches, then Satella, now a murderous Great Spirt, Subaru goraned to himself. Why are so many dangerous beings just attracted to me?!
The answer? The raw Natsuki charm.
Why was she even focused on that frail boy?
He was weak.
She could tell right away. And yet somehow she found herself drawn to him.
Something in him called her. After carefully securing her light ball, not wishing for another thief to steal her power source, Zarestia left her bed in search of the intriguing boy.
Following the whisper of the wind, she sought the boy's name. Subaru that's what he was called. Carefully the spirit extended her ear to the winds. Waiting for the boy's name to be spoken.
After what seemed to be hours the spirit heard the name spoken out by a familiar voice.
That voice, it belongs to that mutt, she quickly dismissed the thought and made her way toward her prey.
"Tha's racist," Ricardo called out.
Priscilla wanted to make a crack about that, but she held her tongue. If she was being honest, she didn't want another one of Subaru's death glares directed at her.
She already got one too many of those.
Subaru remained alone in his room; he had sent Admirer away after dealing with some business. His revolutionary ideas were to kill for. And that's what people kept trying to do.
Which did not help the boy's growing paranoia. All he could see was gray. Gone was the colorful world he had once admired. His deaths, the numerous betrayals left him disillusioned.
He should kill them before they kill him.
Such was the way of this disgusting world.
He wanted to go back.
Would his parents have colors?
As the Cast watched as the on-screen Subaru sent out Halibel, only to realize that Halibel didn't have any colors. His purple kimono and golden kiseru were colorless. They slowly realized that he didn't trust even someone like Halibel, his literal bodyguard.
"We are seeing things from Subaru-kun's perspective," Roswaal said.
Everyone gulped at the realization, as they watched Subaru's inner monologue eat away at him. It seemed that life in their world had made Subaru so paranoid, that he believed that killing others before they had a chance to strike was an acceptable philosophy.
And, from what they learned about how they treated their Subaru in past lives, his fears weren't unfounded. Almost all of them were responsible, directly or indirectly, intentionally or not, for one of his deaths, and until he told them, they would have no idea why.
Both Naoko and Kenichi frowned at that thought. Was this Subaru's life so terrifying that he wouldn't even be able to trust them? Judging from his monologue, yes, actually.
Once again sleep evaded him as he tossed helplessly in his bed. Nightmares were his constant companions. The blue oni and the red oni haunted him. One in his dream the other in his waking moment.
Cold sweat dripped down his spine as he remembered the past.
He died.
Again and again.
His musings were interrupted by the sound of the window opening.
From the windowsill, a white figure stepped in. Donned with a white and black kimono the Great Disaster stepped in the room.
"I'm guessing she's here to murder me?"
"Tha' would be a fair assessment, Natsuki-kun…" Anasatsia spoke.
Heh, I guess even I'm not immune to Zarestia's murder boner.
Subaru recognized her immediately he had dealt with her the month before. He stiffened in fear, he was going to die. A bitter smile appeared on his face as he contemplated the inevitable.
Well, she's going to kill me anyway. No need to commit suicide. Still… He opened his eyes admiring the woman before him.
"You have such beautiful colors..." he muttered unconsciously.
Green and yellow only a strand of her hair and her eyes were colored.
At least she would not lose many colors if she became a liar, he mused sardonically.
Everyone frowned when they saw Subaru smile and prepare himself for death so casually, only to look in amazement, as they saw… that the Great Spirit of Murder had colors.
"But… if this is from Subaru's perspective…"
"That means he trusts Zarestia!" Otto realized, finishing Petra's sentence.
"But why?" Rem asked. "Why does Subaru-kun trust her?!"
"He trusts Ram, doesn't he?" Al asked.
Rem looked down in sadness, but accepted the logic.
"Why don't thou fear me? When thou seem to fear everything in this world ?" The Great Spirit tilted her head in confusion.
She slowly approached him, trying to not spook him. She had once heard humans talk about how to approach a scared child. As ridiculous as it is for her to follow human advice she did so not willing to lose her chance.
"Fear?" Subaru muttered, feeling almost amused.
An ugly smile appeared on his face as he chuckled; his peals of laughter were full of despair.
"Of course I'm scared," he said bitterly, remembering how fear had been ruling his life for a while now.
"But no matter what I do, I can't stop you," He concluded, his eyes furrowed in disgust. He was pathetically weak and he would die for it again.
Well not in this loop at least. In the next one I'll stop her. Subaru closed his eyes; resigned. He waited patiently for his end to come.
Everyone tensed up, and got ready to watch Subaru's death.
So far, the only things they had seen were flashbacks of Subaru dying to Elsa and Pride getting ice-speared by Emilia. A majority of the Cast was prepared to see Subaru's head get sliced clean off by a blade of wind, if the legends of Zarestia were anything to go off of.
Children held on to one another, as couples held each other's hands.
Subaru felt the phantom pain of a sliced throat, as he braced himself for…
Yet minutes passed and nothing happened.
Subaru frowned in annoyance.
"Well?" He asked irritatedly if that spirit wanted to kill him couldn't she do it more quickly.
Zarestia tilted her head in kind.
"I won't kill you," She said bluntly.
""WHAT?!""
Spoke too soon, Subaru realized.
Everyone, especially the native Kararagians, were amazed by what they heard.
The Great Spirit of Murder didn't want to murder.
"Bu'... it's… Zarestia…" the purple-haired merchant muttered. She looked like she witnessed someone divide zero by zero, or wear socks with sandals: It just didn't happen.
Why not hurt Cap'n, though? Garfiel wondered.
"Hah?! Why are you here then?!" Subaru asked befuddled.
"I don't know," Zarestia frowned slightly trying to understand why she cared about the one before her.
"Hold the fuck up, "cared"? In what context?!"
"I agree, Subaru," Julius frowned. "This could provide useful information.
Meanwhile, Al began slamming his hand on the seat in front of him and yelling at the top of his lungs, "HOW. MANY. WOMEN. DO. YOU. END. UP. WITH?!"
"Yeah, I'm starting ta sense a pattern, too," Garfiel said, as he looked up at the screen once more. "Holy shit, I knew she was hot, bu' seeing 'er up close like dat? Damn!"
"Down, Garf," Ram commanded the blond demi-human.
Subaru squinted at her skeptically.
Before he gave up and turned his head towards the window admiring the stars. If he was going to die he'd prefer going down while gazing at the stars.
"You feel familiar…" The Shinigami muttered to herself. She kept gazing at the distracted boy intently.
"Oh! You feel like death. That's why you are so familiar! " Zarestia exclaimed happily, proud to have found an answer. She smiled brightly at the bewildered boy.
"Death..." Subaru muttered tiredly.
Heh, how fitting, he thought self-deprecatingly.
Everyone in the Theater cringed at Subaru's inner thoughts.
"Yeah, that's totally on the nose."
Emilia and Rem simply held Subaru tighter in response.
Satisfied by her findings, Zarestia left the room with no fanfare.
Subaru looked at the now-closed window before gazing at the ceiling doubtfully.
Was I dreaming? he thought the next morning as he had managed to fall into a dreamless sleep.
"Perhaps it's more accurate to say a nightmare, nyah."
"That does seem appropriate, Felix," Wilehlm nodded along.
My money's on a wet dream, Al, Ricardo and Garfiel all thought.
Ugh, men.
Blood spilled on the ground, a corpse fell on the ground with a resounding sound. Subaru Natsuki grimaced painfully using his sleeve to cover his nose. A single slice that's all Admirer needed to end the assassin who had killed him the loop before.
He heaved out, he wanted to puck but his stomach was empty. He could feel the bile rising in his throat.
Halibel appeared next to him, looking worried at his state.
"Why did you kill him?" a light voice cut through the silence.
"He tried to kill me for my knowledge," Subaru replied bluntly, looking away from the corpse with disgust. He knew that voice but did not think that she would come back.
As Petra looked away from the corpse, Naoko held Kenichi tighter. They hated the fact that Subaru had to kill people regularly to save his own life in this timeline, and much like him, they wished they could look away. However, they held strong, and kept watching.
Anastasia and Priscilla felt their stomachs sink. Sure, they had to deal with assassins before, but one of them never saw the corpse, and the other had a much higher tolerance to blood given her Vollachian heritage. But seeing Subaru try to do it was… wrong.
What does Zarestia want with him now? Julius wondered, hearing her voice.
Halibel immediately put himself between the Shinigami and Subaru.
"The mutt is loyal. I'll give him that," she said haughtily.
Subaru opened his eyes in confusion.
"Loyal?" He tilted his head feeling lost, the corpse and his previous death forgotten.
"Ahh, forget it, what do you want, Zarestia?" Subaru asked befuddled, trying to divine why the Great Spirit would come back.
"I wanted to see you, " she said bluntly, looking down on him.
"CAP'N, YOU SMOOTH MOTHAFUCKA!"
SMACK!
"DAMMIT, RAM!"
"We aren't in a shoujo manga so stop with the weird sentences!" Subaru exclaimed in shock, his eyes twitching violently.
Halibel looked between the Great Spirit and his lord with a confused face before the situation dawned on him.
Somehow Subaru Natsuki had attracted the Most Beautiful Shinigami's attention.
"But I didn't even do anything…" Subaru grumbled.
Rem, Echidna, and Satella… I'm starting to sense a pattern I don't like…
Elsewhere within the Theater, maids and Royal Candidates alike stole glances towards the black-haired knight, all while glaring at the on-screen Great Spirit.
"That's mayo," Subaru said as he ate his mayo-covered fish.
"Huh" Zarestia looked at him in disgust.
"Try it before discarding mayo. It is the greatest food in the world," Subaru defended his beloved mayo with as much zeal as he could. Which was very little as he barely slept and ate in months.
"Yeah, we can kinda see your bones and eye bags, pal."
"Oh, I guess that would happen to anyone who suffers from the complete paranoia that he could die at any moment," Subaru answered to Al.
It was at that moment that Emilia and Rem decided to give Subaru a physical examination.
In the end, the Great Spirit conceded and tried the mayo. She did like it which she would never admit out loud. Meanwhile, Subaru looked at her smugly. Mayo can win over even the Shinigami as expected.
"You have a great Spiritual affinity," Zarestia exclaimed thoughtfully while Subaru was reading through a few documents. The Pleiades association was now becoming a true giant on the market and more people tried to kill him for it.
"BACK OFF, HE'S MINE, IN FACT!" Beatrice hissed. First, it was that Fire Spirit that burned down Lugnica, then, it was the Yin Spirit that contracted the female version of her contractor, and now Zarestia wanted him, too. The blonde Spirit could only take so much.
"Beako! I already said I wasn't gonna leave you!" Subaru reassured his Spirit.
But you might… the little girl thought to herself, as she held her contractor even tighter.
"Okay." He blinked slowly before discarding the thought it didn't matter to him. Once in what felt like an eternity ago he would have rejoiced believing that he could gain a power-up. Now he did not care.
"Hey don't ignore me Su-san !" Zarestia exclaimed miffed.
"Su-san?" He looked at her septically.
She huffed and looked away.
"Yes we are now friends," She started her explanation with cheers.
"Hah! Who is your friend?" Subaru exclaimed in surprise.
"So giving each other nicknames is normal!" she pointed out tried to hide her embarrassment.
"Holy shit, she's a tsundere," Subaru realized.
"A what?" Tivey asked.
"A character with a personality who is initially very harsh before gradually showing a warmer, friendlier side over time," Beatrice answered in her contractor's place.
"Just like you or Ram, Beako."
"Slander! Betty always had the personality of the sun!"
"There's no way she's a tsundere," Al said, before thinking, Tsunderes are always short and flat-chested to exude their cuteness. Zarestia over there is tall and heavily packing –
"Al, are you thinking of something perverted?" Priscilla asked.
"Possibly."
"Then stop thinking."
The helmeted knight gave a sigh, "…Yes, Princess."
Subaru's face turned into a deadpan.
"Heh..." He sighed.
"Then Tia," He muttered irritatedly, his brow furrowed. The faster he got rid of her the sooner he could finish his work.
"Tia?! Who gave you the right to address me in such a way?!" she yelled a blush appearing on her face.
"You did," Subaru looked at her with dead judging eyes.
"Well now Tia, let me finish my paperwork," he finished dryly all but kicking out the pouting Spirit.
He had work to do.
"So… she's basically Ram-san?" Otto asked.
"Yeah, Ram's a textbook example of a tsundere," Subaru nodded.
"I can hear you two idiots."
""Sorry.""
"Incoming scene change," Frederica pointed out, making everyone prepare.
Subaru woke up screaming, the sound of chains, feeling his limbs being torn away. It was too much for the boy. He was suffocating, clawing at his throat.
He couldn't breathe.
He was dying again.
It hurt. It hurts. It hurts.
I don't want to die.
PLEASE someone, anyone… help me.
"He's having a nightmare," Crusch realized.
Meili held Petra tighter as they watched from Frederica's, as Ricardo held Mimi and Tivey. The flashbacks they were watching were far more graphic than the ones from the first episode, as they showed Subaru's head getting crushed and his throat getting sliced open.
Emilia was on the verge of crying as she listened to the on-screen Subaru beg.
In the back, Roswaal looked away in shame, as he bit his lip.
"S-someone's waking him up," Otto pointed out.
Hands covered his own and stopped his frantic scratching.
"Calm down!"
He could hear someone calling him.
Who was it?
"Don't worry Su-san, I'll kill anyone that'll hurt you! I'm your friend so I'll kill them."
"Right, friends," Al said, before quickly whooping out, "WITH BENEFITS!"
"DUDE!"
"Oh, come on, she was literally sleeping with him!"
"NOT IN THE WAY YOU WERE INSINUATING!"
"Not the time, you two," Frederica hissed.
Both Japanese idiots settled down, and looked back at the screen.
Subaru could feel the bloodthirst of the one holding him. And yet it felt reassuring. He breathed again.
Slowly.
In and out.
Subaru opened his eyes to see Zarestia looking at him worriedly as she held him tightly.
"Su-san!" she yelled in relief seeing light appear in his eyes.
"I am fine..." He wheezed without realizing it. He did not want to worry her. Why he did not know.
Zarestia frowned, she had heard his screams and had burst into his room in fear. Only to find the boy thrashing in his sleep. She had tried to calm him down only for him to yell in pain.
"It hurts... My leg! Where is my leg?!" he yelled in his haze.
Zarestia bit her lips in worry before taking a deep breath to calm herself. When I'll catch those bastards the one who tortured my friend I'll make them regret ever coming to life, she swore in her heart to destroy those low lives.
Both Rem and Ram looked down in shame upon hearing that. Even after knowing Subaru forgave them, it still hurt.
Still, she focused on the shivering boy next to her.
"They cut my limbs too..." she muttered slowly.
"..."
"When I was young I didn't understand, maybe now I do..."
"..."
"If I destroyed those they loved then perhaps it had been normal for them to try to kill me…"
"..."
"Still I wished for someone to tell me the truth ..."
"..."
"Didn't I deserve to know?"
"..."
"I trusted them… that's why it hurts."
The Cast was silent as they heard Zarestia confided herself to Subaru. None of them knew about her past. They all assumed that she was a force of nature, a being beyond all comprehension that couldn't be reasoned with, just like the Witch of Envy.
Subaru could relate to Zarestia, in a lot of ways. One, both of them knew the pain of losing limbs, and two, he knew people like her. Those who were deemed as "monsters" by the world, only for people like Subaru to get close to them, and see how truly human they were.
Beatrice herself wondered how Zarestia was able to survive having her limbs cut off, or even regrowing new ones. She figured that as an artificial Spirit, she couldn't do that. That, or due to Zarestia's age, she had more power than her, so such a thing wouldn't be too troublesome.
Others, like Roswaal and Al, could understand that their cruel world could twist people like Tia into beings that others fear, simply due to how ancient they were, or due to some misunderstanding, or just by being slightly different than the others.
And for once, several people began to feel sad for the Great Spirit of Murder. Another victim of the almost eternal cycle of hatred.
"That's why my pride as the Most Beautiful Shinigami urges me to only kill those who deserve it..."
"..."
Subaru snorted, remembering the Spirit's numerous slaughters throughout history. He had out of curiosity tried to learn more about her.
Subaru watched silently pondering.
"Don't do unto others what you don't want to be done unto you, heh," he said to no one, faintly he could hear his mother's voice. His gentle mother, the one he had taken for granted, was chiding him."
"Live an honest life, my little star. Kindness will be answered in turn by kindness..."
Mom… Subaru winced at the voice. Stealing a quick glance behind him, he saw that his parents were fixated on the screen. A small part of him felt relief that they were still there, even if they saw their worthless son go down the path of villainy once more.
Naoko's heart hurt when she saw the flashback. A small part of her in the back of her head wondered if she failed as a mother, to have not one, but two versions of her precious child become monsters.
No, she assured herself. They made their choices, as did my own.
Since he had come to his world this saying proved itself to be obsolete. His kindness had cost him his life.
But looking at the beautiful woman next to him he couldn't help to think that maybe; maybe this time his kindness would not be repaid in blood.
"Do you really need the blue something?" Zarestia exclaimed miffed.
Everyone looked at each other confused.
"I'm sorry… the blue what?" Subaru asked, stunned.
"I believe that she's trying to say the Blue Lightning," Reinhard surmised. "As in, Cecilus."
"How would she not know his name? He sounds quite powerful," Naoko wondered.
"Maybe she's extremely self-centered," Otto suggested. "After all, Natsuki-san and Hal-san are the only people who she didn't kill during their first meeting."
Subaru sighed.
"People are trying to kill me even more now since I killed too much," he smiled sarcastically. All he had killed were slavers, rapists, the scum of the scum. Yet people wished for his death even more now.
How ironic it had been a Shinigami that had directed him toward a more righteous path. And yet he was still being hunted.
Well, he had covered his traces well enough still people believed him, justly so, to be the perpetrator.
He refocused on the pouting spirit.
"Tia," Subaru sighed tiredly.
"Stop pouting, you're ruining your beautiful face," he said as a matter of fact.
"Beautiful...?" She muttered blushing a little.
"Well yes, I'm not blind, " Subaru replied bluntly.
"OHHH!"
"HE GOT ANOTHA ONE! CAP'N GOT ANOTHA ONE!"
"ALL HAIL THE HAREM KING!"
"SHUT UP! ALL OF YOU!"
He turned his head away focusing on the paper he held within his hands.
The Purge King that's what they called him now. The one who will purge the injustice of the world.
Hah, how funny! He thought with a nasty smile.
Still, he wanted the Blue Lightning. Someone rivaling Reinhard would be nice to have in his pocket.
Now, what would the first-ranked Divine General want?
"'The Purge King'?" Ram repeated.
"Yep," Subaru summed up. "I officially have a supervillain name."
"But he already has Halibel and Zarestia, how much more could he want?" Felt asked.
"Felt-sama, I believe that he's trying to make a show of force, something along the lines of saying that he's basically untouchable" Reinhard explained. "And besides, just because Halibel can rival me in strength, does not mean that he would win in a one-on-one fight."
"Yeah, I guess that makes sense."
"Aight, anyone here who thinks he'll recruit Cecilus, raise yer hand."
Nearly everyone raised their hand at Anastaisa's obvious sucker's bet.
A few days later Subaru Natsuki woke up in a cold sweat.
After dying again.
No matter how many times it happened he could not get used to it.
Getting used to death... That was something the insane boy knew to be impossible even a fool like himself knew better.
Breath in out, He choked desperately trying to regain his breath.
It had not been his death that had shaken him so much.
No.
It had been hers and his.
He had watched powerless as Cecilus Segmunt had tried to cut him down only for Halibel to be felled.
"Oh, shit, guess we were wrong," Kenichi whispered.
He has heard Zarestia scream of fury feeling the wind carrying him away. Only for a sword swing to silence the wind.
He had died.
And so had they.
Subaru Natsuki held his head within his hand tightly, his hands blanched from the pressure.
In out. In out. In out. In out.
Suddenly Subaru blinked before looking up. He needed to make less noise or else. Zarestia would come.
And yet, yet.
He felt like screaming.
No, he needed to scream now.
Since when did death shake him so much?
"HAHAHAHAHA!" he laughed out loud in despair.
"Has he finally broken?" Priscilla asked aloud.
"No," Subaru said. "It would take a lot more than that to make me break."
Everyone shuddered at the idea of something capable of breaking the resident immortal, but then, Petra exclaimed in a mix of joy and excitement, "Look! Look at Hal-san!"
Everyone looked towards the screen, and they saw something amazing.
The Purge King was looking at Halibel the Admirer… in color.
When did Halibel gain colors?
Since when did he hold Zarestia in such high esteem?
He had been avoiding Ram for months now. He no longer needed to see her red. As surrounded by colors he was.
Ah, I have something to lose after all, he thought sadly.
I don't want to...
I don't want to die...
But I…
I don't want them to die...
Never.
"Just like with Pride," Priscilla muttered.
"I'm sorry, what was that, Priscilla-sama?"
Looking around, the strawberry blonde noticed that the Sword Saint had accidentally called her out. Quickly she said, "Oh, mine divine self simply noticed that, despite that boy's villainous deeds, he does have people he truly cherishes, just like his Archbishop self."
"Speaking of Archbishops…" Al chimed in.
When the Witch Cult came knocking down eventually they were met by a Shinigami, a man who defied death and a dangerous ninja.
After the first collision, the Cult wisely avoided them except for Sirius who wished to avenge her beloved husband.
Zarestia threw her in space with a hum.
"The trash is finally taken out!" The proud Spirit exclaimed happily.
Subaru sweatdropped at the scene.
"Well, at least it was fast..." he sighed deeply.
Everyone quickly tensed as they saw the flashback involving the Witch Cult.
"Yet another Sin Archbishop…" Rem growled.
"Which one is Sirius?" Subaru wondered.
"Well, Pride and Sloth have already been slain, and we already know who Greed and Gluttony are," Crusch analyzed. "So the only options are Wrath and Lust…"
"Sirius is Wrath."
Everyone looked toward the blue-haired assassin sitting on Frederica's lap.
"Meili-chan, how did you know that?" Petra asked.
"Because I know who Lust is," she said, quietly.
Everyone wanted to ask her more questions, but the look on her face spoke volumes. They decided not to bother her, and to resume with the viewing.
"Well, Su-san is right, we can rest now..." Halibel exclaimed cheerfully, taking out his pipe for a smoke.
"I want sake!" Zarestia said with stars shining in her eyes.
"You drink too much," Subaru felt his right eye twitch remembering the bill he had to pay last time the spirit wished for a drink.
"A good way to celebrate our victory," Halibel mused out.
Subaru turned toward him feeling exasperated.
"Correction. Both of you drink too much," he looked at the sky wondering why he was friends with those two.
"Well, technically, you hired one of them as a bodyguard, and the other came into your window at night," Al said. "I'm pretty sure that's how y'all became friends."
"...With benefits?" Garfiel snickered.
"Timing, Garf," Otto groaned. "You need good timing, or the joke falls flat."
"Hey, Mom, I can laugh now while thinking of tomorrow… Would you be happy for me despite knowing what I have done…?"
Subaru Natsuki spared a thought for his parents before celebrating their victory with his friends.
The future was uncertain but at least he was no longer alone.
A small smile came across the parents of Subaru Natsuki. Despite the slip-ups, this version of their son was becoming a better person. He wasn't too far gone, like Pride was.
But even then, Pride found people he could love, just like Priscilla said.
It seemed that there would always be someone who saved a small shred of their son's humanity. Someone who could stop him from becoming a monster of pure evil.
There would always be someone who helped him remain… human.
A month later she was still in her cell.
Though it was now better furnished.
Subaru remembered that she needed a bed.
She was still chained.
But no longer motionless.
She could now move. The chain tying her was longer.
Wonderful, Ram thought to herself. I'm now more of a pet to him, rather than a prisoner. Still, it's at least better than having my perfect self chained to a wall everyday.
Her display of anger showed Subaru that she wasn't going to die before ending him.
Thus he was no longer fearing that she'd take her own life.
Another change he now spoke more to her.
Showing her his advancement in the impossible goal she set for him.
She didn't believe he could accomplish it.
Barusu was a helpless boy to her.
And yet now she wondered if he could rule Kararagi. In one month he used his previous acts to make himself more popular.
Ballads of his achievement were sung.
Somehow he contracted Zarestia or so it was said.
"It's alright, Beako, I'll never leave you," Subaru assured his contracted Spirit and or little sister figure. In response, the blonde girl snuggled closer to her contractor and or older brother figure.
They thought him to be a hero.
She knew better.
Perhaps he could have been one before the event of one year ago.
Now she wondered how long her words could keep him going.
"Is this some sick codependency?" Felix whispered to Julius.
"I'm not sure… perhaps some sort of warped love?"
"I sure hope nyot!"
Subaru visited Ram today again he now spoke to her many times a day.
Complaining and explaining what he accomplished to reach the impossible goal she set for him.
Each time, a stare of disgust greeted him.
Insult and words of derision were his answers.
Each time he left her room relieved.
Ram couldn't help but be disgusted. Not at Subaru, but at herself. Disgusted that she could've made Barusu be fucking relieved to hear her insult him, and not in a masochistic way. No, it was paranoia. Paranoia that she would change. That she would no longer want to kill him. That he could no longer trust her.
Truly, we oni live up to our names as demons…
Meanwhile, on the other side of the Theater, a helmeted knight was thinking of something completely different. This is a sex thing, isn't it…?
He'd somehow become a hero in these people's minds.
How laughable one year ago he would have been overjoyed at the prospect.
Yet his throne was built on mounts of his own corpse.
With the money and spies he now possessed, he died less and less.
His revolutionary invention gave him an edge in the competition.
Competitions he made sure to cull in secret when they tried to put him down.
"That's how the mafia works."
"Subaru, NO," his mother gasped, looking horrified.
"What's a ma-phia?" Petra asked
"Something where the secret ingredient is crime," Kenichi struck gold with another dad joke.
"KENICHI!"
Ram was right for all its peace. Kararagi's business world was a dark and bloody one.
There was a reason why ninjas thrived in this country after all.
Assassination, sabotage, spying were the norm here.
"Don't forget the ninjas," Mimi smiled. "Ninjas are essential in Kararagi."
"And the kimonos," Tivey added.
Al merely shook his head. Hoshin, you damn plagiarist…
With Admirer and Zarestia he did not need to fear them.
Zarestia, perhaps in her loneliness, chose to visit him often.
Having tasted death many times he was indifferent to her.
He feared her, in the beginning, having died to her clone many to earn enough information to save Banan.
"I'm sorry, a CLONE?" Subaru asked, trying to make sure he heard that right.
"Do you think this is the catastrophe mentioned earlier in the episode?" Crucsh asked.
"To be honest, I'm not sure," the black-haired knight groaned. "A lot of these episodes are lacking some major context. I'm kinda half-expecting the next episode to drop us in the ruins of some city, or in a dungeon, or a shouting match, or even in the middle of a sex scene, and we'll have to figure out what's going on while running around like a bunch of headless chickens."
"I want to disagree with that notion… but I really can't."
Yet she did not kill him.
She was thankful to him for returning her light ball.
And he used these feelings to use her reputation and power.
He discovered the affinity he held for Spirit arts.
He thus contracted her knowing that Spirits didn't break their oath.
"How dare she! To think that pathetic excuse of a Spirit would contract Betty's Subaru! Unacceptable, in fact!" Beatrice wasn't happy at all. This is the third episode where Subaru contracted a Spirit other than her! In a row! It was infuriating!
What's next?! Betty's Subaru contracting Bubby?! Mother, perhaps?! Or OD FORBID, SATELLA?! WHY NOT GET ALL THE WITCHES IN THE NEXT GO, HUH?!
Somewhere out in the void, the Warden gave a sickening laugh.
Having the wind listen to his enemy was a perfect way to gather information.
Thanks to her and Halibel he was many steps ahead of his competitor and that was without using return by death.
He was making great headway gathering support from all the great cities of Kararagi.
Only Hoshin trading company was a thorn in his side, one he needed to destroy.
"I don't like where this is going," Julius sighed.
"Here we go again…" the purple-haired merchant grumbled.
Through Zarestia he learned that Anastasia Hoshin's Gate was deficient; only the Great Spirit pretending to be a scarf kept her alive.
Though according to Zarestia that Spirit was a fake whatever that meant.
She was thoroughly disgusted by its existence, thus convincing her to kill the pretender in secret was easy.
Any time now Hoshin would slowly wither.
Only a Great Spirit could save her.
And once more, everyone now knows how to kill me, the merchant princess thought to herself, exasperated. Including the jackass who has an infinite amount of redos, never-ending determination, and nothing to lose. Well… not that he would do it… right?
It was at that moment Anastasia decided to schmooze Natsuki as much as possible.
And he had access to one.
Should he save her?
Heads, he would leave her to die.
Tails, he would save her.
The coin was flipped.
It landed on Heads.
Well she's over, he thought dismissively.
"Great, dead in not one, but in TWO universes, just great," Anastasia groaned.
"For what it's worth, I… never considered the idea in this one?"
"Gee, how generous," the merchant smiled at the nasty-eyed teenager.
He wondered what his parents would think of him now.
Still, at least he did not murder without purpose.
"Not ANYMORE, that is," Al pointed out.
"I'm pretty sure murdering someone over a coin toss has purpose, Al-san."
The helmeted knight looked over to Otto. "I mean, yeah, it has the purpose of claiming Bro, or striking fear into the hearts of his enemies, but I was thinking of something less… superficial."
"Ah, I see."
Such thought quickly filtered into his mind.
Only for a more pressing matter to take its place.
Now other colors other than pink occupied his vision.
Gold, yellow, and a small dash of green appeared.
Did he trust Halibel and Zarestia?
Could he trust them?
He felt uneasy he chose to visit Ram to occupy himself.
Anything to get him away from these feelings.
"Oh, look! It's a miracle! He's learning how to be human!"
"Fuck off, Al."
Barusu looks better, she thought happily in the confine of her mind.
He no longer looked like he'd die of starvation.
He was still thin.
But now without realizing it he started to trust those around him a bit more.
Enough to eat the lunch prepared by the old lady he saved who deeply respected him.
Enough to drink what he received from Halibel.
Many were glad that Subaru was beginning to look better than before. Hopefully, he could continue this process.
"And just think, this is all thanks to that emotional support oni of yours."
"Care to repeat yourself, bucket head…?" Ram growled.
"Try me bitch." Al said with no hesitation and visible contempt. The pink haired oni looked about ready to jump out of her seat and rip the knight's head off, but luckily, Subaru intervened.
"Alright guys, no need to fight. Let's just chill the eff out and keep watching."
The one-armed knight grumbled in agreement, but now the Cast had one more thing to wonder:
What does Al have against Ram?
By choosing a kinder path he was surrounded in turn by kindness.
Kindness that he did not think existed in this world.
Now he also slept more, next to her.
The first time he slept next to Ram he was surprised.
He felt refreshed.
He had asked her why she did not kill him then.
"Why should I kill you now Barusu, when I can kill you when you finally fail?" she sneered.
"Aww, you do care!"
"Lies and slander." Ram lied as naturally as she breathed.
He now slept at least once a day next to her.
He removed her chains.
He now knew that she'd wait to kill him.
Still, he wondered how long it'd take before she'd betray his trust again.
For now pink filled his vision.
"You know, it's kinda funny: When you're wearing rose-colored glasses, all the red flags just look like flags," Subaru said to himself.
Ram was happy now Barusu was no longer a walking corpse.
He still wasn't the boy she met so long ago.
But now light slowly started to fill his eyes.
She knew that he trusted the Great Spirit and the ninja who followed him.
He was the mayor of Banan now.
In two years perhaps he'd finally become the Head Consul of Kararagi after proving his skill in administration.
Damn, that's impressive! Anastasia admired Subaru's work ethic.
"Vote Natsuki, 2024!" Al laughed out loud.
He already showed amazing administrative prowess.
Now she wondered if that means she was no longer needed.
Hatred still burned in her heart.
But this hatred was turned against her.
Had she not lost her horn she could have saved Rem.
Ram couldn't help but feel frustrated at how… limited she felt. Despite losing what was essentially a part of herself, she didn't regret losing it to save Rem's life from the damned Cult. She had searched for ways to regenerate her horn, but nothing came up.
According to Roswaal, the old Witch of Wrath, Minerva, would've undoubtedly been able to regrow Ram's horn, but her power was in the hands of the Sin Archbishop of Wrath, and could no longer heal injuries.
Just then, a thought occurred to her. She turned to Subaru, and wondered something. Could Barusu gain the Authority of Wrath, or another Authority, to help me regrow my horn?
From what the Mage told her, Authorities defied the very laws of nature and reality, and could be shaped to achieve the desires of their wielders. The black haired knight already had two Authorities, Sloth and whatever Sin Return by Death was, if Subaru could gain an Authority that would allow him to regenerate body parts of others…
No, don't get your hopes up. Just something to think about for later, Ram mentally noted, making sure to speak to Subaru about it later.
Had she not made that pact with Roswaal she could have intervened.
It was her stupidity that destroyed them both.
She atoned in the way she could.
But the absence of her twin weighed on her soul.
She wished for release.
How long before she could see her sister again? She wondered.
Subaru had noticed her depression despite trying to hide it from him.
He took her outside to visit the mansion he resides in to visit the city he now ruled.
Like the "date" he boasted to Emilia-sama before.
SHIT, Subaru cringed at the narration.
Suddenly, he felt a hand clamp down on his shoulder.
"Cap'n, Imma be honest wit' ya: If wha' I think is happenin', is happenin'… it better not be."
"Garfiel, please sit down, and leave Subaru alone. NOW," Emilia demanded, and Garfiel knew better than to upset the half-elf, so he did what he was told.
He showed her what he constructed.
She was greeted respectfully by all.
Rumors of her existence were kept quiet in Subaru's compound.
Most believed her to be his lover.
"EWWW!" Ram was flat out disgusted. While she didn't hate Subaru at all, contrary to her insults, she saw Subaru as a brother figure. Also, he definitely wasn't her type.
Subaru couldn't help but agree. He saw Ram more of a sister than a romantic interest, and she was nowhere near as appealing as Rem.
Speaking of the blue oni, she knew that Subaru and her sister were never going to be a thing ever, so she was glad this would never come to pass.
A sickly lady who could not leave her room.
They were not entirely wrong.
All she had left was to atone.
Or so she thought.
The warm hand who led her in the garden made her hesitate.
She met the Great Spirit of Wind during her exploration, a childish beautiful woman with whom she quickly became friends.
The silent ninja whose loyalty was unshakable often followed Subaru and with whom she could share peaceful time in silence.
The servants who she already met in the past greeted her warmly.
Thus she wondered if she had more left to live than she thought.
Subaru held her hand gently the whole time.
As the narration kept going, plenty of people tried to make the situation they were currently in slightly more tolerable. A lot of the Cast tried to make it seem like they were happy to see that Ram was seeing new people, but everyone, and especially the members of the Emilia Camp, couldn't keep up the charade. It was getting worse and worse by the minute.
"I hate this," Subaru groaned.
"That makes two of us, Barusu."
When was it that I wanted more than her hatred? Subaru wondered.
Then again hatred and love are only separated by a thin line, he concluded.
"Nope, mm-mm, nope, nah, nope, fuck that shit."
"This is another Elsa situation, isn't it?" Frederica asked the cursing Subaru.
"Why is it that the Otto one was the best option of the three?" he groaned, all while the blonde maid gripped the green merchant's arm even tighter.
He realized that Ram's hatred was fading not so long ago.
Her eyes started to be lackluster.
He feared them, she started to look like him.
Thus he took her outside, it was his first date with her.
One he believed to be a success judging by the smile on her face.
One he did not see for years.
Could he hope for more?
"Barusu…"
"I know."
Ram and Subaru started to meet more often than not outside her room.
She now freely moved around the Japanese-styled mansion.
She had noticed that all the residents sang praises of Subaru.
He was smart enough to only let those loyal or grateful to him work here
Such things he evaluated through experience, and his friend helped.
Yes, he considered Zarestia and Halibel his friends.
Still, now Ram greeted him every day.
He fell asleep next to her and woke up to her.
"Oh please… tell me we didn't do it…" Subaru was begging the Warden that he didn't do the nasty with Ram.
Ram was silently hoping for the same thing.
The resident of the mansion rejoiced believing that their Lord's wife had recovered.
Both started to look at each other longer than necessary.
Their hands sought one another.
Slowly a smile lit their face each time they met.
Both were weighed down by the past and drowned for it.
Yet in each other's arms, they found peace at least.
"I don't like where this is going," Subaru gulped.
"For once, Barusu, I agree with you," Ram said, nervous.
After a year, Subaru Natsuki was now the Head Consul of Kararagi.
He was a cautious man but not a paranoid one.
He was surrounded by those he trusted.
He was also now a happily married man.
Thanks to the woman next to him who made him into a hero.
Ram was standing next to her husband at his inauguration, pride filled her.
""NOOOO!"" Ram and Subaru simultaneously yelled in frustration and disappointment.
And for the second time since coming to this Theater, Subaru felt his balls get metaphorically kicked. With his luck, he'd probably see another one of his future spawn during the ending.
She was truly overjoyed by the way one Subaru Natsuki exceeded her expectations
He'd done the impossible.
And caught her heart on the way.
The despair-filled words she had addressed to him saved both of them that day.
Rem's absence truly weighed her yet now alongside her husband and the few friends she held close to her heart she could look forwards to the future.
So that when she dies, she'll greet her sister with tales of a world she loved and hated in turn.
As the lights came back up in the Theater, everyone began screaming again.
"WHAT KIND OF FUCKED-UP LOVE STORY IS THIS?!"
"CAP'N, HOW COULD YA DO DIS TO MA AMAZIN' SELF?!"
"I DON'T WANT RAM! YOU CAN HAVE HER!"
"NO ONE WILL "HAVE ME", BARUSU!"
"OH, TELL THAT TO ROSWAAL!"
"EVERYONE, QUIET!" Beatrice screamed, silencing everyone. "Good. I suppose this is as good a time as any for a break. Four episodes in, and this has already become an ordeal."
"You are correct on that, Beatrice-sama," Reinhard nodded. "Learning that Subaru is not only an immortal time-traveler from another world, but that he's also a Sin Archbishop, a woman selling toys, a father, a husband to two different women, contracted to a murderous Great Spirt, and the best friend of the Admirer, all while not being all of those things, is mind-boggling."
"Still better than Twilight," Al helpfully added.
"All right, it's settled," Subaru announced. "We're gonna have a one hour break. Everyone go to the bathroom, grab some food, scream into a pillow after all of the horrifying existential shit you've seen, because let's face it, that's a very probable situation. Just, try to do something relaxing, and for the love of all that is holy, don't antagonize everyone else, okay?"
After hearing a chorus of "yes", various members of the Cast went out of the Theater, either lounging about in their personal rooms, or hanging out in some common rooms. Subaru, however, was making a direct beeline for a lone girl sitting in the front row by herself.
"Meili-chan."
The blue-haired assassin looked up from her seat, to see the nasty-eyed knight looking down at her. Before she could even say anything, he got onto his knees and faced the ground.
"I want to apologize," Subaru said, doing a dogeza. "While Elsa's death is still something I don't regret, the fact that I, along with the rest of the Emilia Camp, have been treating you like a murderer, rather than a girl. And I want to make amends for that."
The little girl was quiet for a moment, before asking, "What do you care?"
"The others may have not been paying attention, but I saw you shifted at the mention of this "Mama" character," Subaru said, as he watched the blue-haired girl flinch. "Not only that, but your silence during our discussion of which Sin Archbishop Sirius is after helping us figure out that she's Wrath can only lead me to one conclusion… Lust and Mama are the same person."
"..."
"You and Elsa worked for the Sin Archbishop of Lust."
"So, that's it?" she said, cynically. "You want me to help you kill Mama?"
"No," the black-haired knight stated. "I'm going to kill her, regardless. She and the rest of the Cult are a threat, but I refuse to put you in harm's way."
That last part surprised the little girl. "What? Why?"
"Why? Meili, you're a kid! You should be playing in the dirt, doing chores you don't like to do, gossiping with Petra about what boy you like, not assassinating people using Mabeasts! I want you to be free, to be happy! To… to live a life without being afraid of her."
While Meili may have been silent, her eyes were beginning to water.
"I know that you hate me. You think I'm responsible for Elsa's death. She was probably the only person who cared about you, and I took that away from you. But, seeing the Sin Archbishop of Pride's reality, seeing how happy you were in that reality, free of her… Meili, I want that for you. I want you to grow up happy, to see my own kids, to be an aunt to them, to live a happy life!"
"But… I killed you!"
"Yeah, and so did Rem, and I still love her! So did Julius, and while I still think he's a bit of a pompous ass, I don't hate him!" Subaru exclaimed. "This power I have, Meili, yes, it's awful, and it hurts to use, but I've used it for the better. Because of it, I've been able to make so many friends, and find a place where I belong, and I want that for you, too!"
Looking up at him, with tears in her eyes, she saw his smile. His genuine smile.
"So, please, Meili… help me give you the happy ending you deserve."
THUD!
In an instant, the blue-haired girl rushed into the nasty-eyed boy's chest, and began to cry. All while saying, "Okay, Onii-chan. I'll tell you everything. Just, please… save me…"
"Don't worry, Meili," he said, holding the crying child tightly. "I will."
He would make sure that Meili lived a long and happy life. Just like he would with Emilia, just like with Rem, with Beatrice, Ram, Petra, Grafeil, Otto, all of his friends and family. He would make sure they all lived long and happy lives. After all…
"I swear on my life."
Author's Note: Alright, I'm gonna be honest with you guys; I went in over my head with this. Alright, it was a given that I am writing twice as much as usual, but for a frame of reference, I started posting "The Otherworldly Sage" when I finished, like, the fifteenth chapter. So, yeah, I'm already out of chapters. This is the official end of Wave One!
I'm gonna be writing the next wave for the next month, and I'll be back on November 3rd! I'm not abandoning this! I'm just preparing for the next wave during all of October. I'll be trying to improve my writing and make the story generally better.
So, this is an official announcement: Both versions of "Re: Tales from the Multiverse" will be back on November 3rd! Hope you can all be patient for the second wave!
The original stories were called "To Breathe again after wrath" and "Bond woven by Death", both of them written by mayachen. The links are s/13906451/1/To-Breath-again-after-wrath and s/14010094/1/Bond-woven-by-Death, while the ArchiveofOurOwn links are /works/31357091 and /works/35917105. And now, the comments.
Strong John: Thanks for the compliments. For this, your wish has been granted.
Fana4tiik: I think that when it comes down to the love stories of the Re:Zero world, it's usually one of these three things: Shallow lust, anime logic, or just plain insanity. As for the ending of the Pride If, I didn't change it, considering it was a fic based on the Pride If. That's all I really have to say on that topic. (Couldn't agree more, Erna. -Infinite)
The Darkness Writhes: You can thank the dynamic between the female Subaru and Otto to the original author. Yeah, the whole thing with Frederica going ape was supposed to be funny, but it fell flat for a lot of people. And you're actually right with one of your guesses for this story. I'm going to keep this up, indeed!
Iseepandas: Thanks for the praise. Hope you liked this chapter.
BobbySlasher: I actually never read the Mimagu story, so I can't write about it. (I've heard of it, mostly. -Infinite)
RandomGuest: Considering that there is no fic based on "Into the Spiderverse" (yet), the seven main Subarus aren't going to meet each other. Besides, I have other plans, heh.
Guest: Beatrice is sensing a pattern that she doesn't like here, in fact. (Betty does not like having other Spirits contracting her contractor, in fact. -Infinite)
5queso: Technically speaking, yes. And it's pretty funny seeing more of Subaru's insecurities that make everyone even more confused when he goes evil yet again. He's just so complex! Glad you liked this chapter, hope that you enjoyed this one, too. ("The gayest non-gay story"?! PFFFTT AHAHHAHAHAAHHAAAAAA! -Infinite)
Pembaca Sampah: Yeah, a lot of people said that Frederic was pretty out of character, and I can see that. While I won't change it, I will try to write better in the future.
Chuck B. Winanaki: A lot of these Subarus will see Emilia die, Fembaru isn't special. And I'm making sure Fembaru never meets the canon Cast. I have to admit, though, that your predictions for this chapter were way too big. But glad that you find this fantastic!
Grifith Moses: Your wish has been granted, Subaru marries Ram.
tiny taru: Well, you got something close to the Wrath If? That good?
Re-lax isekai: Cliffhanger's over!
Re-king 93: Awesome comment.
zard 428: I will not have anyone react to "Prophecy of the Star", actually.
Deathenglegamers 1144: Glad you loved the last chapter, dude. And speaking of love, the seeds of love have been planted! And yes, we were referencing "Cracking Heart" in Beatrice's little rant. And yes, while this is a multiverse, I will not be showing literally everything and anything. The Warden has enough standards to make sure some things get censored. Get your mind out of the gutter. (Sorry, we ain't doing any of the more steamy fics. We must keep young and innocent eyes and ears just that, so no IBM. Blood, suffering, and death? Yeah, it's Re:Zero. They deal with that on the daily. -Infinite)
calderoneric758: Your chapter is in another story.
BigSmokeYeet: Yeah, I know a lot of people have a lot of issues. The whole Frederica thing was supposed to be played for laughs, but I see that not everyone wants that. And as for the rest of the issues, I will try to improve over the coming month. But at the end of the day, this is my story, and I write what I want. No one can really dictate that.
Jpx0999: I did try to add all of the Ifs (at least in fanfic form), but not all of them could make the cut. And while this is not the actual Wrath If, a bunch of the dudes do get to make some jokes based on Subaru's ability to attract women.
KillermanTheGOAT VS Unknown P: Please see my Toad reference two comments up.
Raider 301: This is a multiverse, not an omniverse.
guestius maximus: I have no idea what's going on, bro. And as for your second commnet, what's with the broken English? Is it an act? And if so, why? (Infinite had a stroke reading this comment and f*cking died. -Infinite's AI assistant)
FakeA: I'm assuming this is related to the previous deleted comment?
Gomy_el_camaleon: I honestly don't know about any rom-coms featuring Reinahrd and Fembaru, unless "Prideful Cinderella" counts. But I'm glad that you liked it, regardless.
Dragonheart Of Ireland (RepublicChe): Happy to help you find what you were looking for! Glad you find my story awesome! Here's the next chapter, hope you liked it!
Squishy_The_Lucky_Devil: Yes, that is some delicious irony!
Don tico: I never considered doing any reactions for Nageku due to how long it is.
kokiwheeze: Plot twist! They're not reacting to the Lust If, they're in it! (Wait what?... Oh… Oh no… -Infinite)
King_maximilian_412: Here's the more you couldn't wait for! And as for the second comment about reacting to that one specific fic, I can do you seven times better!
TaliaAppiah: I'm sorry, were those even words?
Wolfx88: Glad to see that so many things bring a smile to your face. Cheers!
Idiotwriter: Turns out, writing two fics at the same time is pretty tiring, so I'll be taking a break in November. But thanks for the high praise, it keeps me going!
TiredExistence: Your PTSD wish has been granted in the sister chapter. Have fun.
IseeixAtalanta77: I already responded to the first half of this in the other chapter. Go there for that. And as for the idea of having the Cast react to the triple-crossover fic I helped write, there's already a reaction fic for that, no need for a second one. (Yeah, we already did that, or rather… doing it… They've already reacted to it. -Infinite)
Slythera: Amazing compliment! Here's the next chapter!
Supbruh!: You already know the answer to this one.
Jetvac_Jesse: If I find a fic like the one you want, I'll try to figure out how to add it in.
ArcRayREI: A lot of people weren't actually expecting Subaru x Otto. It was a surprise to be sure, but a welcome one. Hope you enjoyed this variation of the Wrath If!
firestarter09: Glad you love the story, I shall keep on writing!
And that's a wrap! A special thanks to Infinite the Celestain for helping me in making this story, and for being an all-around great guy! If you want to join my Discord server, the link is /u23PTjYM. You can chat with others, post memes and fan art, and I'll drop by with announcements and chat with you all every now and then! If you want to add me as a friend, my username is Ernalore#8663! If you want to read more, check out my other stories! Thanks for reading, and we'll see you all in November!
- Ernalore
Next time:
What if Subaru contracted the Divine Dragon?
OR
What if Subaru was adopted by the Astrea family?
