Re: Trinity
Arc 1: Devil's Beginning
Chapter 1: Re: Cracker & Murder Attempt
(Time unknown)
He was sitting at the top of tower. For a very long time …… He was sitting at the top of the Tower…… He was sitting at the top of the Pleiades Watchtower……
….
For far too long to stay sane….
….
For far too long to stay insane….
….
For far too long to stay awake….
….
For far too long to stay asleep….
….
One day certain group attempted to breech the barrier.
He was sitting at the top of the Pleiades Watchtower……
No…. Not just one day….
He was sitting at the top of the Pleiades Watchtower……
Many attempted to reach Pleiades Watchtower, across long centuries.
He was sitting at the top of the Pleiades Watchtower……
Many were poisoned by Miasma and killed each other in madness.
He was sitting at the top of the Pleiades Watchtower……
Many were dying while their own mind reached epitomes of craziness.
He was sitting at the top of the Pleiades Watchtower……
Many were killed by the hand of Witch Beast like Courtesan Bear, Hungry Horse King or Sand Earthworm.
He was sitting at the top of the Pleiades Watchtower……
Many were sniped out by needles of Yang Magic developed by one of friends, the Sage, and used by Apprentice of former, Shaula. In the end no one reached the Watchtower……
He was sitting at the top of the Pleiades Watchtower……
…. Until one certain fateful day.
He was sitting at the top of the Pleiades Watchtower……
After long centuries certain group managed to truly reach destination of many who decided take such journey.
He was sitting at the top of the Pleiades Watchtower……
In the dangerous timespan of sandstorm of Sand Time they managed to find the rift….
He was sitting at the top of the Pleiades Watchtower……
After they crossed Sand Time, the newest group of adventures surprisingly managed to avoid [Death] form sudden attack of Hell's Spine form Apprentice of Sage….
He was sitting at the top of the Pleiades Watchtower……
Seeing efforts of her attack, the space around group was warped and group was split into two parties….
He was sitting at the top of the Pleiades Watchtower……
One team was teleported directly into the Watchtower, the other soon were brought by Shaula to the same place as their companions.
He was sitting at the top of the Pleiades Watchtower……
After reunion, they quickly managed to pass first trial…..
He was sitting at the top of the Pleiades Watchtower……
Out of the group, only one has managed to pass second trial….
He was sitting at the top of the Pleiades Watchtower……
….
For far too long to stay sane….
….
For far too long to stay insane….
….
For far too long to stay awake….
….
For far too long to sta…..?
….
….
He remembered….
Flugel….Reid….Shaula….Farsale….
Satella….
His friends….
….
….
???: Oh nーー ~hk."
He turned his head around. He was …. At the Pleiades Watchtower!! This was Maia, the first floor, at top of that!!! This Watchtower was built for …. he did not remember.
???: Bloody……!
He turned his head once again. Is that …
Volcanica: What art thou doing.
???: Um……?
What have happed? Volcanica did not know but, one of his old friends seem to be struggling to achieve something. Maybe he should help her before she will do something to herself? She seems to be exhausted, not adding that she had bad habit to do rash, or sometimes reckless, decisions.
???: You're saying, something different from what you had been constantly repeating earlier!
Volcanica: ーーーー
Volcanica was confused. What does she mean by "constantly repeating earlier"?
???: Did you return to sanity? Then, can you talk about some stuff? Like about the『Trial』, or about changing the established rules of this watchtower, there's a lot of stuff I need to discuss……
Trial…? Volcanica was sure it was something important but…he could not remember.
???: Hey, please! Properly converse……
Volcanica: What were to happen should thou tumble. Should that perchance happen, I would be the one to accept reprimand…… Since, everyone bows before thee.
???: Volcanica……?
Volcanica: To where have Flugel and Reid gone? It would be lonesome for Shaula with not even any words of parting. Farsale too, would kick up such a racket.
It was sometimes truly troublesome for him. Flugel and Reid despite never agreeing on anything, they always went to journey together, leaving Shaula alone on Watchtower. Each time making Farsale angry for leavening a "young, lovely lady all alone in scary tower in place full of Demon Beasts". Although Shaula was more than capable to handle local fauna, she was always hugely saddened when those two lefts. She really loved Flugel a little bit too much.
???: Farsale, you mean, Farsale Lugnica? The king four hundred years ago?
Four hundred years ago…? Volcanica could feel that something was not right.
???: Then, could the woman's handprint be Shaula's……?
Handprints…?
???: Could it be, I…… have forgotten about something, aside from mother and everyone else from the forest?!
Pleiades Watchtower…Trial…Handprints…
The longer Volcanica thought about it, the more he understood that something was lacking in his memory. But why…? He could clearly remember most of his memories with them but, suddenly there is a void.
???: ……No, whatever circumstance may it be, that can't be the case. Though if Puck had been here, I could've somehow gotten to know if I had come here.
Volcanica: ーーWhat happened? Any worries?
???: Ah, um, I'm alright. Thank you for worrying. Thank you, but……
Volcanica: If something is the matter then speak up. If it is thy distress then I shalt take it away ーーSatella.
ーーReferred to as such, she inhaled.
For some reason, her reaction to her own name was odd. As if she did not expect to be called by such name. Her own name.
???: Why, would you speak to the『Witch of Envy』, with kindness?
Witch…of Envy?
He remembered … not all … but that for sure. The birth of a dank entity … out of decision of one of his friends and Witch Factor …… of Envy . It rampaged and wreaked havoc all across the world of Od Lagna … their home … It's name was …
Volcanica: ーー『Witch of Envy』.
It must to be stopped. At all costs it must to be stopped. It's starvation for love was too great for any beining of this world to comprehend or withstand.
??? : ーー ~hk."
If he is to stop her or at least slow her down, he have to fight with all his might. There is no time to loose…He attacked. He used his technic to swoll and burst open the space itself. And his target dogged his attack by jumping backwards.
???: But, since everything is being managed, that may mean I rea~lly can pull it off.
Volcanica: ーーSatella.
He spread his wings ones again, to fight the half-elf standing before him.
???: ーーIcicle Line.
The half-elf standing before him created white haze which glaciated the world in white. Making sound, what were slowly generated were arms of ice. ーーMaking them pull out lances as they stood on the floor, slowly turning them around, she faced him. It was … Water Magic? No…It was Fire Magic used in different than usual way. But… If he remembered correctly, Satella used Yin Magic… No matter. His old friend, who has become terrible entity was standing before Him. The only thing he could feel is sadness, bitterness and determination to do what must be done.
Volcanica: Satella, yes, Satella. We must stop thee who hast been reduced to the『Witch of Envy』.
???: ……Were you close friends?
Volcanica: That day, I should not have hesitated. That day, had I not hesitated, everyone would haveーー.
He took deep breath and with his Dragon Breath, he scorched the world with bright, hostile light.
???: ーーSubaru, Beatrice, Ram, Rem, Meili, Patrasche-chan, Echidna, Julius, Anastasia-san!!
Volcanica: ーー『Witch of Envy』, Satella!!
???: ーーNo, that's wrong. I am the『Witch of Glaciation』of the great forest of Elior, Emilia.
Emilia: Even if just my name, properly remember it, okay!
Emilia: ーーFor everyone, to get along!!
As Emilia answered Volcanica's question, she passed the third 『Trial』of Pleiades Watchtower.
Emilia: Yes! I did it! Now, all I must do is to leave Shaula to Subaru, but… this dundun likes to overdo himself. It would be better if I go…!
Ram: …… Emilia-sama.
As Emilia almost dashes to help with Crimson Scorpion, Ram reminds Emilia of her existence. Oni God was currently
Ram: Although, I do congratulate you on your achievement, do recommend not associates your retainers when they might need your help.
Emilia: I'm sorry Ram but, … now that rules has changed, everyone should be fine. But Subaru sometimes is really worrisome because of his bad habits…
Ram: Don't worry Emilia-sama. Barusu will do his work running around without sense, not getting in way of anyone besides that useless Sage.
Emilia smiled. She, as well as Ram, trusted that black-haired boy will save Shaula from Watchtower's Rules. Although Emilia would like to make sure Subaru does not do anything unnecessary, she could not abandon Ram in state where she could barely stand on her own.
Emilia: Ram… I will carry you to Green Room and check if they need any help with Shaula, okay?
Ram: I'm not asking for anything more.
He was sitting at the top of the Pleiades Watchtower……
After has occurred, Volcanica regressed back to his former catatonic state.
He was sitting at the top of the Pleiades Watchtower……
Once again he was in state where all he could do is to continuously repeat his phrase of trial and defend himself subconsciously if attacked.
He was sitting at the top of the Pleiades Watchtower……
Most of newcomers were already regrouped and wounded ones were in place named by them as Green Room.
He was sitting at the top of the Pleiades Watchtower……
The unharmed ones came before him.
He was sitting at the top of the Pleiades Watchtower……
They were talking between each other.
He was sitting at the top of the Pleiades Watchtower……
Three humans, two unnatural spirits and one half-elf.
He was sitting at the top of the Pleiades Watchtower……
Those who remained in Green Room were two onis, earth dragon and huma…
No…
Not just human…
Not just any human…
While he was definitely human, his existence caused Volcanica to feel something, no ordinary human could make him feel. What Volcanica felt was immense dread, great enough to partially awake him from his Alzheimer-like state. This amount of dread was comparable only with dread he felt when Witch of Envy freely roamed on World. But… unlike Her… this boy emitted smell of multiple Sins, in far purer form than anyone…
On top of that…
This boy…
This… Sinner…
He…
He has more than just Witch Factors……
Volcanica did not know how it was possible…
But, Divine Dragon was sure of one thing…
He must be destroyed…
Because Volcanica once already met someone with power of multiple Sins, Divine Dragon knew that he must be destroyed…
Those are the thoughts Volcanica had. Even in his catatonic miserable state, this certan sensation inflicted this kind of fear in Divine Dragon himself. Volcanica prepared his Dragon Breath to annihilate his target on spot.
And would be successful in his mission…
Only if certan Witch did not love this Sinner…
Before Volcanica sensed this Sinner, Witch of Envy was already in move. As her Shadow moved closer to the Green Room, it caused reaction with it's spirit. And Witch enveloped Sinner within her Shadow.
But neither Dragon or Witch managed to obtain either of their objective. All because both interviewed in each other's actions. Sinner was neither dead nor reunited with Witch. What awaited the one, who gain the attention of two the most powerful creatures of this World, was far greater that either could plan for him.
Volcanica: I am Volcanica. In accordance with the ancient covenant, I ask the will of thee who hath reached the top of the tower. Step forth through the first floor, almighty petitioner.
That was the last thing Subaru heard before he lost consciousness. When he heard this voice, the next moment he saw a fantastic yet fierce blue light raining down directly from above, devouring darkness which surrounded him.
And then…
Everything changed…
Subaru: I'm your hero. I've missed you.
Rem: ……Ha?
In certain parallel world, in middle of certain place where numerous flowers bloomed…
A newly reunited couple standing all alone, starring each other in eyes, one finally awake from cursed slumber, other declaring his feelings to his (second) maiden of his heart.
Rem: ……Ah… um…
Her lips moved, as if mulling over what he'd spoken of moments ago.
As he watched, the boy――Natsuki Subaru nodded vigorously.
Subaru: Yes , exactly, that's exactly it…Yeah …… it will be a long story to tell…
Sitting atop an open meadow, caressed gently by a wandering breeze was a boy, and in his embrace, a girl.
The boy had black hair, and his eyes sharp as the edge of a dagger, with the whites being quite pronounced, known as sanpakugan, eyes that made his face to appear in a permanent scowl, a glare rumoured to be all that is needed to kill a man. However, at that moment, his lips curved up ever so softly, and the corners of those eyes were wet. It took all he had to not break into a complete bawl.
It was a naturally expected outcome, of course.
He'd waited for this very moment for so long. The memories of each day he passed in wait, in grief, none would allow him to look away for even the briefest of moments from the girl in front of him. And now he was all alone with…
???: Ah-! Ooh-!
Or rather not so alone…
Besides the two, who woken up first, there was also third person who, just like Rem, in many ways walked first time after a very long dream. Long, blond hair and white dress. She was the third Gluttony-Louis Arneb. Subaru remembered that as he grabbed both Rem and Louis, all of them were swallowed by Satella's shadow. It seem that because Subaru was holding both of the girls, all of them were transported to this place together. It seem as if Fate and World itself decided to mock Subaru's every effort he would attempt to make, no matter how hard or how many times he tries. No matter how hard he tries, everything around him decides to make every challenge he tries to overcome even harder than ever before.
It took every inch of determination and resolve to not act violently to the revelation of Louis being with them. But what he surely cannot do is to lose his guard as Sin Archbishop of Gluttony is sitting right next to him.
The boy had black hair, and his eyes sharp as the edge of a dagger, with the whites being quite pronounced, known as sanpakugan, eyes that made his face to appear in a permanent scowl, a glare rumoured to be all that is needed to kill a man. However, at that moment, his lips curved up ever so softly, and the corners of those eyes were wet. It took all he had to not break into a complete bawl.
It was a naturally expected outcome, of course.
He'd waited for this very moment for so long. The memories of each day he passed in wait, in grief, none would allow him to look away for even the briefest of moments from the girl in front of him. And now he was all alone with…
???: Ah-! Ooh-!
Or rather not so alone…
Besides the two, who woken up first, there was also third person who, just like Rem, in many ways walked first time after a very long dream. Long, blond hair and white dress. She was the third Gluttony-Louis Arneb. Subaru remembered that as he grabbed both Rem and Louis, all of them were swallowed by Satella's shadow. It seem that because Subaru was holding both of the girls, all of them were transported to this place together. It seem as if Fate and World itself decided to mock Subaru's every effort he would attempt to make, no matter how hard or how many times he tries. No matter how hard he tries, everything around him decides to make every challenge he tries to overcome even harder than ever before.
It took every inch of determination and resolve to not act violently to the revelation of Louis being with them. But what he surely cannot do is to lose his guard as Sin Archbishop of Gluttony is sitting right next to him. So he focused his entire attention and leftover mental strength on her…
Until…
… he felt a warm, humid air around his ankle.
As he looked to see what caused such sensation, for moment he truly regretted that he took such action. It was big animal with nose, head and entire body covered by numerous flower which roots went deeply into flesh and sucked blood for the sake of their flourishing.
It was a Demon Beast known as Courtesan Bear. If this creature was here…
That means…
The place where they were right now was…
… the flowery field right in the middle of Augria Sand Dunes, surrounded by nothing but the worst kinds of Demon Beast this World could offer….
