The only thing Subaru saw was darkness. The darkness around him enveloped him. An empty space to reside in. A quiet area to exist in.
Subaru felt very hot as the heat flamed inside of his gut. The burning sensation rooted deep inside with no signs of stopping. The heat bothered him, but he did nothing to react.
Across the area, Subaru saw many spirits illuminate a person. He squinted to gain a closer look at the mysterious being across from him to reveal Emilia.
Emilia was walking around, calling Subaru's name. Her shouts echoed around as every yell grew louder.
"Subaru? Subaru? -Baru?"
Subaru tried to yell out to Emilia. Nothing came out of his mouth.
Subaru tried to reach out to Emilia. Nothing moved from his arm.
Subaru tried to run towards Emilia, but his body could not move an inch.
All Subaru can do was watch. All he can watch was Emilia's body falling to the ground hard.
From Emilia's body, a huge beast resembling a cat grew in size. The monster was shrouded in darkness, but his eyes were shining towards Subaru's direction. An all too familiar figure was watching him. A figure signaling his death that has yet to come.
A wave of cold swept over Subaru, causing the heat to disappear instantly, but the cold overwhelmed him. He was shivering so much that he did not realize his body was covered in ice. He was so cold that his body began to crack. Multiple small parts fell out as if he was made of clay.
All Subaru can do was watch. All he can watch was his own demise unfold.
Another wave of cold swept over Subaru. It was stronger and made Subaru shiver down to his spine.
Subaru sprung up from his slumber, rubbing his arms to make the shivering stop. However, he realized the sensation was part of his dream.
Subaru looked around. He saw Reinhard sleeping across from him, the casket beneath him, and the scenery outside passing by him.
The events of last night were real. His summoning to a parallel world was real. The deaths he witnessed and experienced were real.
Subaru took a deep breath. Was he prepared for this world? He didn't know. Was he strong enough to live through the guilt? He didn't know.
Subaru watched the outside scenery in an effort to calm down. Nature helped with achieving peace, but all it did was make Subaru sleepy. Eventually, he would doze off dreamless.
"We will be taking a break in this town!"
The driver yelled, which woke up the two passengers in the back.
Reinhard rubbed his eyes and looked outside.
"It's morning?"
"Been traveling all night, sir. The ground dragon and I need a break. We will continue in an hour, so enjoy yourself in town."
"Keep the casket safe."
"Will do."
The driver gave a thumbs up and headed inside the wagon.
Reinhard walked towards Subaru, who was stretching due to the cramp wagon.
"Let's head to the town's bathhouse."
"Wait, a bathhouse?"
"You don't have any in your country?"
"I thought there was none here!"
Subaru and Reinhard went to the bathhouse together while Reinhard paid-for Subaru's admission.
The bathhouse was similar to the bathhouses in Japan but held a more traditional style concerning woodworks. However, the area to wash oneself sectioned off from a different room from the main bath area.
Subaru was excited for a chance to relax as he was tense from the look house and cramped from the wagon ride. He quickly stripped and washed thoroughly before getting into the pool of water. The water wasn't hot like a natural hot spring or one of the bathhouses back in Japan, but the temperature felt well regulated to chill in.
"Pretty empty today. Expected for this time of day."
A voice belonging to Reinhard walked inside the room and joined Subaru in the pool of water.
"The place gets really cramp once evening hits as people come to town for a pit stop or from work. We were lucky that we were traveling during the night. How's the bath?"
Subaru sunk deeper into the water as he felt his muscles relax. All effects of stress and muscle cramps were washed away by the soothing effects of the water.
"Feels great! Bathhouses never let down."
"Glad you enjoy it. Last night must have been stressful for you."
"Yah it was…"
Subaru's voice grew timid as he remembered his nightmare. He never wanted to go through something like that again.
Reinhard looked in Subaru's direction due to Subaru's change of tone. Possibly, picking Subaru's discomfort.
"I must admit, you look well-toned."
Subaru blushed a little after hearing the compliment.
"Well, I been swinging a wooden sword around for a while and worked out a bunch. Can't compare to you, though."
Subaru pointed towards Reinhard in defeat.
"Well, given my occupation, I'm expected of it. By any chance, are you a swordsman, Subaru? You practiced with a wooden sword and have the physical strength to back it. Not a far-fetched idea that you are one from your country."
Subaru shook his head.
"I don't have any combat experience, and I have been exercising in my spare time. Becoming a knight would be cool."
Reinhard chuckled at the statement.
"Would take many years to become one, but being exceptionally strong or in special circumstances would shorten the time. By the way, Subaru, is there anything you need once we get breakfast?"
Subaru rubbed the back of his head due to slight shame from leeching off from Reinhard's money. He didn't have any money that works.
"May I get some white and black yarn and needle to fix my clothes?"
"Sure, I'll buy some."
"Sorry about being broke."
Reinhard smiled at Subaru's humbleness. There was a fine line between pitying and friendship concerning Subaru.
"No worries, Subaru. I enjoy spending time with people when I'm off from duty. Money is the least of my problems."
Soon enough, the two would finish taking their bath and head off for breakfast.
Inside the tavern, while waiting for their orders to arrive, Subaru was sewing his clothes back together as Reinhard watched.
"You are talented with sewing, Subaru. The precision you exhibit is extraordinary."
"It's nothing much. Been doing this for a long time since I practiced a lot of craftsmanship in my spare time."
"What kind of objects can you make?"
"Mainly minor objects, but I can make dolls. Kids love them."
A waitress stopped by the table with their food, placed the dishes on the table, and promptly left. The food sitting on the table were sandwiches that Reinhard ordered for both of them.
"Better finish sewing your clothes before the sandwiches get cold. I ordered the toasted bread variant."
Reinhard started eating as Subaru tried to finish up his sewing.
"A time limit like that can't stop me!"
Reinhard laughed softly and smiled as if he was warming up to Subaru.
"After breakfast is over, we should be going back on the road again."
"How far away is the Mathers' mansion?"
"About one more night and half a day. Also, don't forget to wash your hands."
Subaru was about to reach out for his sandwich after he finished sewing.
"Guess the smell of the food went into my head."
Subaru and Reinhard ate their breakfast as they waited for their driver to get ready.
The two sat in silence as they traveled in the wagon. However, Reinhard broke the silence.
"Where are you from exactly? For strange clothes and mannerisms, I can't pinpoint your home country."
"I'm from a small island nation to the east."
If this world lacked international relationships, most people should accept it as the cliche foretold.
"There's no nation east of here. According to our map, Lugnica is the furthest easternmost nation there is. I would like to know the truth."
Subaru was stunned. His only card for his background was defeated so easily. This world was far more advanced than he hoped.
"Reinhard, I don't know how I landed here, and I don't know where I am."
"A lost wanderer with amnesia?"
"Something like that."
"I'll accept that then. You don't look harmful, so I won't inquire further."
Subaru sighed in relief. He didn't have to explain his strange circumstances in detail as Reinhard was an understanding man.
"Would you mind telling me about this world's history and countries, Reinhard?
"Sure, Subaru. A great way to pass the time."
Reinhard started his long history lesson to Subaru about the four great nations and their histories, the Witch of Envy, and the dangers of the witch cult. Subaru tried to absorb all of the information, but most details did not register like he was in a normal history class back in Japan. However, the story of the Witch of Envy interested him to great lengths. He felt an unknown sense of connection with her, but he didn't know what to feel about it as a sense of unease washed all over Subaru.
After a long trip, Subaru and Reinhard stopped in another town to book rooms in an inn. Subaru was delighted to finally rest in a bed after sleeping in a cramped wagon. Unlike the wagon, he can stretch his limbs out fully and have the comfort of soft material under him. However, Subaru felt too rested to sleep during the night, so he took the time to think.
There was something Subaru put off into the back of his mind. As he became swept along the dramatic courses of events, he did not question his ability to respawn by death. He wasn't sure how he received it or when someone granted him the ability.
Subaru's ability felt so unnatural to him as the death's pain sensation dropped in strength when he came back as if nothing happened to him. He still felt the pain when he was killed, but the transition between death and life sucked the pain away. However, the pain lingered around for a while, reminding him of his death as if his brain hasn't registered the sudden change of life. He could not imagine anything more painful would lead to a lasting effect on him.
Subaru considered the strengths of his ability. He could come back from the dead, but for how many times? How long he had to wait for a respawn? He could not tell how long his first revive took him as it was still dark outside but long enough for Elsa to disappear. His second revive occurred when Reinhard found him.
Subaru's mind wondered about the potential flaws of his ability. He could not talk about how his deaths due to his ability to holding him back, but there was a possibility of someone witnessing his death and return. How would it work if the witness mentions it while he could not? If they talk about it, does this ability mess with them as it did with him? To what extent does this power control? His mind was filled with uncertainty.
What about his killers? Reinhard mentioned that Elsa was behind the assassination attempts, so if Subaru ever met Elsa again, what would happen? He was not certain if Elsa would recognize him, but given a chance they would meet again, she would certainly kill him again. However, will he permanently die if his killer killed him twice? Can he be killed twice by the same person? His mind was a mess with all of the questions and uncertain possibilities.
Subaru stopped thinking as his mind could not take it. He arrived in a new world, and this is his chance to shape himself into a new person. A new opportunity to amend his past mistakes. He shouldn't worry about his deaths as they don't affect his well-being. He could get past any certain death while fulfilling anything he wanted. At last, he found his protagonist status.
Despite the positive outlook on Subaru's ability, a sense of dread still lingered behind. He still experiences the pain that came with death. The heat of the pain. The cold of the pain. All forms of pain consumed him in his death. He did not want to feel that again. His body and mind could not handle it.
However, there was another layer of pain dug deep inside of him. The mental pain of losing someone while knowing you live on. He lost Emilia, who was so kind to him at the start. He lost her smile that captivated him. He lost his future with Emilia. A wave of sadness washed over him with the knowledge that he could face another situation like Emilia.
He shook his head to get rid of the thought. His head was hurting from thinking about his respawn by death. This ability was a headache to think about, and he wanted no part of it any longer.
Subaru shut his eyes and tried to sleep. He would fall into a deep slumber as he rid his mind of any thought. A peaceful sleep in this quiet inn.
A/N: A wholesomeish chapter? What's this? Some simple slice of life moments before the storm comes. Also, I seen concerns of the possible plot hole about this version of RbD, but I'll try to work around it.