He's drowning.
The water made its way to his mouth, his nose, his throat, his lungs. Rendering him incapable of breathing.
He's freezing.
The cold flowing water slowly and slowly took away his warmth. Struggle as he may, the current only pulled him down further and further.
He's suffering.
His bruises and wounds, new and old, ached at the touch of the icy-dark waters. His new found hope slowly slipped away, as despair took hold.
'Is this it?' he thought, wondering if all those times wasted on that cell will return anew.
He flailed, reached, kicked and even screamed.
'Am I going to fail again?' another thought, as his past mistakes, mishaps and failures, in his mind run amok.
He struggled, to live, to be free.
Yet.
His strength, determination and his will, all left him as he plunged deeper, and deeper.
He moved, slower and slower, until he ceased.
It was over, not only is his consciousness fading, but he has already given up. What's the point?
Yet when he prepared himself to wake up on that all familiar cell, he felt warmth.
On his palm, this warmth caressed his hand that he still held out. With gentle grip, the warmth tightened around the hand.
Another hand perhaps? Who's hand?
He didn't care nor even have the time to ponder, as the hand pulled him up.
Higher and higher and higher, until he saw everything getting brighter. Within sight, he saw the feminine hand holding his.
He wanted to see who's hand was it, yet his body finally decided to shut it's consciousness, understandable as his very being is so close to death.
Eyelids slowly closing, he let himself relax, leaving everything to his saviour.
.
.
.
"I Love You."
...
...
...
Eyes aflutter, Natsuki Subaru started to wake up.
What will greet him? Cobblestone and metal bars? The banks of a river?
No.
"*Cough! Cough!* 4th day of Login Rewards ." he muttered hoarsely, throat still sore from coughing in his sleep perhaps.
He gritted his teeth and covered his face with his right arm. A pointless way of hiding his tears as he realized that he didn't die from drowning.
The boat he rode last night capsized as it flipped and left him behind.
He tried not to sob, but the itch in his throat that made him cough forced that sob out.
There he was, crying/sobbing/coughing on an unfamiliar bed. Not a cry of pain or sadness, but a joyous one that made him smile.
"I see you're awake." A man's voice called out.
Subaru got startled and turned his head towards the source, but his unconfirmed Login Reward panel obstructed his view.
Subaru took a breath, then focused his Cross Hair on the "OK" box.
Once cleared, the man's figure was revealed.
Brown shirt, black vest, leather pants and boots. He has a short brown hair and a wild beard. His stature was on the lean side and his expression told Subaru that he's rudely just staring at the man.
"Ya mute or something?" The man asked with an eyebrow raised.
"...ah, sorry sir. I-I um, how did I get here?" Subaru wanted to know a lot of things, but settled on simply this.
The man blinked at his question, before putting a grin.
"Hah! You're in luck kid! Had you not been spotted, you could have been mabeast food. You're in Prama, a humble village near the borders between Kararagi and Vollachia. Our hunting group found you in the banks. Heavily wounded and lungs full of water." The man's voice boomed throughout the room.
Subaru froze for a second, if this place is still close to Kararagi or inside it, then he has to move further away.
"Prama? Am I in Kararagi? Sorry sir but, I'm kinda new here." Subaru said, cringing at the low tone of his voice.
When was the last time he spoke again? Six months ago.
The man raised an eyebrow, his eyes stared at Subaru with suspicion. A notion that Subaru noticed, hence he had to make up a story to let the man know that he won't last long in this place.
"Please sir, I have to go back to the Watergate City, I'm pretty sure my friends are searching for me." While the last part was technically true as he referred to Felix and Julius, he almost shown disdain from even mentioning the two as his "friends".
Luckily, the man seemed to buy it, as his eyes widened in making some sort of a connection.
"So that's why you were in the banks in the first place, how did you even get swept by the current?" The man curiously asked.
"Uh... Hehe, I thought I could get some fishes at night. I got so exited I forgot to bring a lantern with me. So I way sailing in my small boat without a light." Subaru said sheepishly.
Again, it was true that he did go to the river on a small boat, and he does feel stupid for not getting some sort of a light.
If there's one more thing Subaru learned from his time in the prison, it was to notice small things.
Felix and Julius's every gesture and facial expressions, he almost understood how some people express themselves without giving it out.
So imagine his surprise when the man's eyes widened, not in just in realization, but a certain amount of fear as well.
Why he reacted like that? Subaru needed to know.
"O-Oh... I see... Must have been a bad experience. Anyways, I need to inform our water mage, it was thanks to her that your wounds have been healed. Rest for now." The man turned to go...when..
"Um, h-how long have I been here sir?" Subaru stared intently at the man.
He cannot risk it, if there's any chance even that word already got out that an Archbishop has escaped prison, he has to leave.
While he is thankful that he was saved, he cannot, under any circumstances, go back to that prison again.
"Huh, about fi-no only a day. That's right, I'm surprised you uh.. recovered so fast. But take it easy for now. I'll go ahead." With that, the man left.
'I don't feel like it's only a day. As I thought, I'm not surprised if all of Kararagi has already learned of my escape.' Subaru thought.
"He didn't even introduce himself." Subaru said before materializing a small HV then drinking it.
His HP and SP has been low the entire conversation. And once it was restored, he stood up and equipped his suit.
Ignoring his hunger and thirst, Subaru activated his Cloaking, and planned his next step.
...
...
"Are you certain Gima?" An elderly voice asked the man who checked Subaru.
"Yes, I'm pretty sure! I mean he said it himself! He came from Priestella on a boat, also he matches the description with his hair and nasty eyes!" Gima flailed as he explained.
Him and the old man, along with a few adults of the village were discussing what to do with their stranded "guest".
"Village chief, what do you think we do?" A villager with a beany asked.
"I suggest we eliminate him in his sleep while he thinks we're good hosts." An elder with a fit physique said, crossing his arms.
"Are you insane? Remember that he is a Sin Archbishop. They are said to have unfathomable powers. And are we even sure he truly is one of those monster?" Said a blue haired woman in her mid 40's.
"What is- no. What do you think about the boy, Ermita?" The fit elder turned to her then asked.
The woman, now named Ermita, leaned over from her chair, resting both elbows on the table.
"When I found him, he was naught but a mere lamb on the verge of death. And do remember that I'm the one who healed him. Though what I found about him is something that I never thought I would see on someone." Ermita took a deep breath as the others waited.
"That boy, if there's a word I can define what his body has been through, "torture" would be a fit." Ermita said sternly.
There was silence, not one spoke at the implications.
"He experienced being burned, inside and out, beaten badly and starved. How I know this? It was because I can tell what damage was healed, and whoever healed him is far better in water magic than I do."
"...It makes sense now. He truly is the escaped Archbishop." The village chief spoke up.
All eyes trained on him, awaiting for an explanation.
"I've lived long enough to know what captured enemies go through, especially if they're from an infamous group." The village chief said
The fit elder, connecting the dots, looked at Ermita and smirked.
"He was tortured inside of the prison and managed to escape via the river. And you put the entire village in jeopardy by-"
"With all due respect." An androgynous voice called out from the door, cutting the fit elder from speaking.
Ermita however, sighed at her student.
"I think everyone would do the same. None of us even knew that an Archbishop has escaped his prison until two days ago. Me and teacher only found a frail boy in that river bank, anyone with a heart will help." Ermita's student leveled her glare at the fit elder.
"Corin, this is a meeting for adults. Not a place for children like you." Despite the village chief's harsh tone, Corin didn't show any sign of being affected.
"Forgive me village chief, but I do come with important information." Corin said.
"Well then hurry up and inform us already if it is so important." The fit elder muttered in annoyance.
"Tsk. The Sin Archbishop escaped."
...
...
...
Subaru trekked the forest, though still slow in his travel as his low stamina made him rest a little often.
One thing he has noticed was his SP, it's bar stayed at 30%. He concluded that it was his stamina bar and it doesn't get restored when he's too weakened. Or probably because he was hungry.
But he needed to add distance from the village. If he wants to take a breather, then he has to make sure that no one was on his trail.
He kept his eyes on his surroundings, for any person or mabeasts or even something to eat, berries, etc.
His plan for now, is to find a safe place to rest. Then look for any information or sign about the Vollachian border.
If there's one thing that can be sure of, was that the search party cannot risk going to enemy territories. Though there was an uncertainty, a question if he'll be much safer on Vollachia or be on even more danger.
But he can't back down, especially now that he has weapons and a cheat system.
The truth is, he wanted a wolgarms or weaker Mabeasts to appear. Because being a fugitive, the longer he ran away, the more appealing the idea of leveling up becomes.
He needs strength and more weapons, the two things he has to have to survive and thrive in this cruel world.
He also, if possible, wants to go back home.
Not in Lugunica, not in Miload Castle, but on Earth, on Japan, on the home he and his parents lived in.
On his time in that cell, memories of his parents are the only one that kept him intact.
"I will go home, and if I can't. Then I'll-"
"-start again, from zero!"
Subaru stopped, as the memory played itself over and over again.
Of a certain blue haired maid.
"Hgk! R-Rem..."
How could he have forgotten? The one who truly gave her all for him, was still asleep.
No one was going to take care of her forever. And Subaru doubts that Ram has the patience to keep tabs with stranger.
"I-hgk! Rem, I..."
Subaru took a knee, his eyes shadowed and his face showing signs of struggle.
After a broad amount of silence, he stood up. Already accepting what he has to do.
For that one person.
"Wait for me Rem, your hero is going to save you."
...
...
"Are you sure about this Corin?" Ermita turned to her disciple.
Said disciple nodded in response before replying.
"I just can't take it when he finds everything he can to use against you. And this time, I am willing to bet that he already spread rumors about you defending the Archbishop."
Ermita sighed and shook her head.
"That is why I was chosen." Ermita said.
"Huh?" Corin uttered.
"One must know, when it comes to hunting, you must keep your emotions in check. Think logically, keep you focus on what is important and tread lightly. Those who are on the village failed to do so, even you." Ermita calmly said.
"But I-"
"That is why, you must come back alive. You are the only one whom I see has the potential to carry our village's tradition." Ermita held her chest.
Corin noticed this and stayed silent.
She knew very damn well what that accessory on her teacher meant to her.
"I understand. I will not fail." Corin said, as she quipped the bow on her back.
Ermita nodded before sending off Corin, patting her back 4 times.
A sign to bring fruitful bounties.