Natsuki Subaru The Sage

Chapter 7

Unexpected Allies/ Dangerous Enemies

There are friends,

There is family,

And then there

Are friends that

Become family.

In the vast desert that is the Augria Sand Dunes, a pitched scream can be heard as well as cheerful feminine laughter. A black haired youth grips his hands on two handlebars as he tilts then slightly to the right, narrowly avoiding a huge earthworm that seemed to have razor sharp teeth everywhere.

Before he can inhale breath in his lungs and keep screaming, a loud and cheerful voice is heard:

"Hell Snipe!"

The earthworm explodes into countless pieces and some hit Natsuki Subaru in the face, as he gags and removes them his companion, Shaula laughs and says:

"I haven't had this much fun since the time Master and I played Guilty Gear!"

"Shaula I don't have time to listen to this, we have to… WAIT WATCH OUT!"

He swerved as he misses another worm and this time he drowns out Shaula's talks as he focuses on the terrain. That damn book promised him that adventure awaited and that this Quad would take him to the nearest village. Somehow, he regrets even trusting that sketchy ass book.

He glanced down and apparently the navigation system told him they were nearly there. Just when he breathed a sigh of relief, he felt the ground tremble as multiple earthworms all seemed to want to consume him to pieces.

"Ah FUCKK! This is not how I want to go out!" Shouts the panicked black haired boy as he analyzes his options. He thinks back to how Shaula was able to take care of those sick bears that consumed him while dying. He glances back and just sees the emerald eyed brunette smirk as she snaps her fingers, and many needles appear in her hand.

She jumps out of the quad and is suddenly high in the air as she launches more small projectiles with the force of artillery shells, decimating the worms. However, a dog like beast gets in front of the quad and tears it apart, flinging Subaru into the desert.

As he falls he gets a mouthful of sand in his mouth, he coughs and sputters as individual grains of sand are rubbed out of his eyes with his palm. He looks up and pales, as this Mabeast prepares to rip his throat to shreds.

Right as he closes his eyes and awaits death he hears in his head:

"Don't worry master I got this!"

A faint shimmering shield protects him from the Mabeasts chomp, yet his quasi spirit seems shaken and the barrier drops after just one attack. Subaru is bewildered as he hears a weak voice:

"Sorry master… I underestimated the attack and I can't help anymore, please try to live, I won't get exp if you aren't alive…"

And Aquarius disappears to regain its strength, leaving her bewildered contractor behind.

"Oi! You're just as useless as that goddess!" Shouts Subaru as he gets up and looks at the whip on his side. In desperation, he tries to use it and it just smacks him in the face. He falls down and rubs his reddened cheek, yet he nearly forgot about the current foe he has in front of him.

With a gulp he looks up and the beast lunges at him one more time, yet before he could be grisly eviscerated a figure appears in front of him. With her long hair tied into a scorpion braid she stops the beast that is five times their size with one hand.

She grins and cocks back her other gun like if it was a shotgun and yells:

"Too weak for this first class lady, TAKE THIS!"

And she punches the lion like creature in its head, rupturing its brain and sending it spiraling in the sky, where it becomes a distant speck in the landscape. She brushes off her hand and looks at Subaru, who's eyes widened in surprise. He thought to himself:

"Man, what type of shitty stats are these, the beast that the useless spirit and my own weak self-struggled against was sent flying like team rocket. Man I need to start studying magic asap."

She extends her hand and grasps Subaru's own, and lifts him from the ground with ease. She frowns at the destroyed quad and sighs:

"Man, we used to have a lot of fun on that master, we would go chasing and sniping Mabeasts left and right. It was a blast!" Her eyes shine as she recounts all the adventures that she used to have with her beloved master.

"Shaula, just call me Subaru, how can I be your master if I'm this weak?" Replies the black haired boy as he starts heading to the destroyed remnants of their transportation. After a while they secured everything, and he uses a special backpack he found while rummaging for clothes in the Pleiades tower that can surprisingly hold a lot of objects.

With their supplies secure they both start trekking towards the faint outline of a city that appears in the distance. The destruction of the ATV at least happened close to their destination. Subaru gazes back at the tower that appears shimmering and makes sure that next time he is in this hell of a desert, he will be stronger.

(Scene Change)

"What do you mean this money isn't good?"

"It's what I said young man, we've never seen this type of currency before so I won't accept it."

Says a man wrapped in robes in one of the only bars in the town. Subaru grunts in annoyance yet he looks around, there are a couple of people sitting down in chairs. The bar is a nice term for what amounts to little more than an expanded shack, yet the windows were treated and the doors always closed to keep the infernal sand away.

He and Shaula had to dust them themselves off quite thoroughly to even enter, and he regrets not looking for googles in the watchtower.

Yet, he is finally around people that aren't a four hundred year old air head, and an aggressive flame haired asshole that pisses him off just thinking about their meeting. He recalls the words said to him as he got flung out of the second trial with just a flick to his forehead:

"Young fish, you have ta meet other people, become strong and gain allies. So that you can come back and give me a challenge, until then don't show your face around here."

He grits his teeth and sighs as he motions for Shaula to leave, yet right before he is about to go he hears the barkeep:

"I don't mean to burst your bubble, but if you have things to trade, then you may want to go to the main square. We got some merchants dropping off provisions and they trade with all kinds of objects."

Subaru looks at the merchant and offers a relieved smile as he thinks:

"At least the people here are decent. I shouldn't expect yen from Japan to work here after all, this is another world."

"Thanks mister, I'll come back if I'm able to trade some things and buy a meal!" Says Subaru as he signals to Shaula and they start walking out. Making sure to cloak themselves.

"Sure come back and you'll be a customer!" Shouts out the barkeep with a grin on his face. Very interested that these people, seem to have come from the Augria sand dunes instead of for them. He wonders to himself:

"Did he call his scantily dressed companion Shaula? Isn't that the name of… Nah, no way must be something like Shasta. Yep, that's what it is. And it's odd seeing people with those facial features that the boy has, his eyes nearly made me think I was getting mugged. Haha, getting old."

Subaru has his shoddy cloak on that offered some protection from the winds and sand that seems to get into everywhere. Making his body very itchy and uncomfortable. He's at least glad that he didn't really feel much influence from the miasma.

It is a good thing that when they came across this village called Milura that they met someone that asked if they had just come from the Augria Sand Dunes. He felt it wouldn't be wise to mention that, assuming the sage position is of some importance in the country. Furthermore, he didn't want to attract unnecessary attention to himself.

However that was already a difficult thing to do, considering the non-stop yapping he kept hearing by his side:

"Mast… Subaru we are finally out! Yes, sir this lady needs to explore every little thing of this town. I'll be back!"

Shaula energetically tells Subaru and she disappears after seeing some children playing with shiny trinkets. He shakes his head and continues to the main plaza, hoping to catch on eye of a merchant or two.

As he reaches the thoroughfare, he stumbles against someone and falls to the ground. He groans since he feels that he may have sprained his ankle. Yet a slender hand reaches to help him get up. He gratefully accepts it and notices that the hand that helped him up is bandaged. He chuckles at his clumsiness and says:

"Sorry about that, I've been distracted and wasn't paying attention. Are you ok?"

The person that helped him up just tilts their head curiously, which causes the boy to shiver unconsciously and take a step back, yet before he could open his mouth and ask a question, the individual he collided against responds:

"Oh no, please do not apologize. This was truly my fault, error, mistake. I should have been paying attention to the roads, yet I was just as distracted as yourself. You see, I was looking around and seeing how the villagers that live in this harsh location, keep carrying on and forge their own paths. Why, it is just exhilarating to witness, the joy, love, harmony, and tranquility that occurs throughout the populace. Forgive me, I tend to go off on tangents when admiring humanity. My name is Sirius, may I inquire as to yours?"

Natsuki Subaru is surprised at the words that came out of this persons mouth. He takes a moment to compose himself and study this rather queer person. He notices that the bandaged hands are clasped together in dark robes, their posture is straight.

He seems to think about the voice, and while slightly androgynous comes to the realization that the person is a woman. He feels embarrassed at staring at her face, yet he sees her eyes seem kind. He coughs once and replies:

"Excuse me, That's a great way of thinking, I wish more people thought like that. My name is Natsuki Subaru, and it's my first time in this village. Once again I apologize for stumbling in your way."

Sirius tilts her head again and what seems like a mirthful chuckle is heard as she concludes the conversation:

"Natsuki Subaru, what an interesting name. Never before have I heard that name, yet it seems that you possess a good heart. A person that cares for others, is one to be admired. I salute you Natsuki Subaru, and wish that your path in life shines brighter than the night stars. Now, I must be on my way, yet I am sure we will cross paths soon. I would like to call you my friend, can we be friends Natsuki Subaru?"

Without a moment of hesitation Subaru responded:

'Of course we can Sirius, I feel like we've known each other for years, what a strange feeling." He wonders in his head how he seems to have grown to know Sirius so well. It's an odd feeling but before he can think anymore, she continues:

It is my honor to be friends with you Natsuki Subaru. I shall treasure this meeting deeply. Don't forget that this land is filled with individuals of all walks of life, the nuances in the paths when two strangers cross can be filled with many variances. I dearly hope you succeed in your endeavors, until next time."

Sirius departs and Subaru is left feeling a pang of loss, as if his best friend left. An unshakeable feeling spreads throughout his heart at the brief memory of encountering her. However, he isn't allowed to ponder it for long as a bright blue light floats around his head and talks to him in his mind:

"Hey master, I'm back one hundred and ten percent. Glad to see you got out of that messy encounter in one piece!"

"Really Aqua? You show up now after being gone for nearly half a day? What happened to you anyway, you proclaim to be a spirit that can help yet at the first attack you disappear?" Questions Subaru as he keeps walking while Aqua floats around him and replies:

"Hey mister, I'll let you know I can't do much yet until my next evolution alright. The most I can do is heal some scrapes and bruises maybe. I can sing songs too!"

"What do you mean your next evolution? And songs? Maybe during a campfire, and they better not be weird!" Complains the black haired boy, yet his interest was piqued as he wants to learn more about this mystical world he finds himself in.

Aqua seems to have brightened up if her dear master seems happy, she struggles to recall some innate knowledge and shares it with her contractor:

"Well at first the voices of my brethren were loud and we all lived in harmony, that's when I was a minor spirit. Yet when I first saw you when you were injured, it seemed being next to you helped to push my growth into a quasi-spirit. Now the next evolution is to Full spirit I believe. Hehe, I can't wait to be one but it's going to take a long time by my own. That's why hanging out with you helps me grow, and when I grow I can be of more use to you master!"

Subaru is thinking of what he just learned from Aquarius and is happy knowing that if she got stronger, it could help him as well. When he is about to compliment his spirit he hears a grumbling voice:

"Man, this provision run has netted me with zero customers, I was hoping at least someone would want to buy my wares, but I guess today isn't my lucky day. The only good thing was taking Sirius here, she paid quite well. Sigh, what am I going to do now."

Subaru turns around and sees a grey haired young man sighing at his apparent misfortunes. He is dressed in a green merchant uniform, and seems to already be drinking out of a bottle. He decides to just skirt around and find another vendor when the man he is trying to ignore looks at him and thinks:

"This guy is dressed for the desert yet he looks like a potential traveler to the watchtower, if he is than that means he is loaded. I can't miss this chance!"

"Excuse me sir, can I interest you in some wares? I have a nice collection of-."

"Not interested, sorry wish you luck next time!" Replies Subaru as he keeps walking, yet this merchant isn't one to let a big fish get away from him and strikes back:

"I can also provide a trip back to the capital if your incursion into the Pleiades watchtower fails!"

Subaru hesitates, and this is when the merchant pounces:

"My name is Otto Suwen, and I wouldn't mind waiting as long as you have the coin. If I can't interest you in that then I'll give up." He sighs and purposefully seems to be walking away when he hears:

"Wait! I don't have money but I have this."

Otto turns around with an expression that's about to deny whatever he can be presented with when his eyes alight in passion. Right in front of his eyes was a perfect sculpture of a short haired tabby cat, the likeliness was uncanny, and it reminded him of the cat that he used to converse with using his divine protection, so many years ago, the one that got away.

Subaru cursed since he thinks that he grabbed some anime figurines from his backpack, and not this weird cat statue that accidentally fell in the backpack when he was raiding the Otaku Dreamland.

The book screamed at him to leave his collection intact, yet he had put on headphones and was listening to Hiroyuki Sawano. He didn't hear a thing the Flugel book had yelled and had nabbed a bunch of collectibles to see if he could sell them.

Right when he is about to try for another one Otto grabs the cat figurine and responds:

"The deal is done, I'll wait here for a week, no a month in exchange for this amazing sculpture!"

Subaru looks at Otto weirdly and sighs, apparently this world has nothing but weirdos and says:

"My name is Natsuki Subaru, and I'm not going to the Pleiades watchtower, I want a trip back to the capital, some money for food and lodging for the night, and to depart tomorrow."

Otto just hurriedly nods his head and pulls out some holy coins and gives them to the wide eyed Subaru as he finishes saying:

"Absolutely! I'll rest in my caravan and I shall see you tomorrow Natsuki-san!"

He rushes back to the caravan with eyes full of love, which weird Subaru out but he locks eyes with what seems like a big lizard by Otto's caravan. He sees that it is looking at him. For some reason he feels a strange feeling of yearning and he approaches and pats the lizards head:

"You look pretty scary, but you're a gentle one aren't you."

"Kyaah." Shouts the lizard which nudges her head against his palm, which makes Subaru chuckle and he shouts out to Otto who is still looking at that figurine:

"Oi. Whats the lizard's name?"

Otto snaps his head out of his reverie and replies:

"Her name is Patrasche, and it seems she's taking a liking to you. How odd, I've only been able to talk with her due to my Divine Protection, she is supposed to be delivered to the Karsten estate. And it's a long journey ahead of us, about three weeks. So it's good you are getting acquainted."

Right when Subaru is about to leave he feels a weight on his arms and glances sideways. A certain Scorpio gal had latched onto his arm fiercely and with stars in her eyes starts explaining:

"Subaru! The ankle biters dragged this first class lady all around town, and I have sand in my mouth, ptoey." She spits on the ground in a very unladylike manner and grimaces. She decides to plunge ahead and keep talking:

"I saw this bandaged women and kept my distance, she gave me the creeps for some reason, anyhow who is this ground dragon? I'll let you know that master is mine ok, so keep your distance!"

Patrasche and Shaula seem to have sparks fly in the air as they gaze at each other in challenge. Subaru sighs for the millionth time and introduces her to Otto:

"Otto, this is Shaula, she is my companion and will be accompanying me to the capital."

He glances at her and the name sparks a thought in his head as he chuckles and says:

"What an interesting name, that's how the Sage is called after all. It would be quite an honor for the sage to be accompanying myself, right Natsuki-San?"

Shaula took this moment to interject:

"I'm not the sage, that's suba-."

She gets interrupted as Subaru clamps a hand on her mouth, which muffles her voice. He just laughs and hopes that Otto doesn't tie two and two together. Right at this moment their stomachs rumbled, and he glances at Shaula who looked sheepish. He remembers he still hasn't eaten anything and that's he barely even been a full day and half in this world. Otto decides to speak then:

"Let's all go eat Natsuki-san, after all I'll be taking care of the both of you until the capital, so it won't due good to have my name besmirched."

"Well I can't deny that, and I'm starving, let's go Shaula, see you later Patrasche!"

With another cry of joy from Patrasche and an excited Shaula they all head to the inn, where they enjoy a raucous dinner. Otto quickly turns red faced after several mugs of beer, and Shaula nearly ate half of the stock that the innkeeper had. With a smile on his face, Subaru nurses a warm glass of milk and starts thinking that this adventuring isn't too bad.

Despite his initial death and the knowledge he is weak, he has met some interesting people and can't wait to see the capital of the nation he is in. Afterwards he takes a drunken and passed out Otto and dumps him on a bed.

He fends off Shaula's attempts to sneak in his room while claiming that a maiden like herself needs to take care of her master, and he just rolls his eyes as he shut his door. With a content expression he closes his eyes and prepares for tomorrow.

(Scene Change)

Subaru, Shaula, and Otto are all packed up and ready to depart the town when they find a crowd gathered around the main square. Curious, the three of them venture forwards and despite the multitude of people, they are able to gain access to the front quite easily.

In the middle of the square is Sirius, who is holding a man by the neck, who has been gagged and is on his knees. At first Subaru, Otto, and Shaula want to intervene, yet two villagers stop them and whisper:

"Wait, let her explain, you'll see. Sirius is always right."

A chill rose through Subaru as he looked at who just yesterday he considered a friend, and wonders why he doesn't feel like that any longer. As if a veil has been lifted from his head he is about to open his mouth when Sirius interrupts:

"Thank you all for coming on such short notice, this is supposed to be a joyful day, one filled with happiness, tranquility and the mundane of everyday life. We are all friends, are we not?"

Suddenly Subaru and Otto didn't seem to find it menacing that Sirius had someone at her mercy, after all isn't everyone gathered a friend? The discomforting feeling they had felt vanished and acceptance rushed to fill the vacuum. Shaula apparently thought this was strange, yet she decides to keep watching as Sirius continues:

"Why, I was just walking this morning, saying good morning to my fellow friends, purchasing a loaf of bread from Anise, when this gentleman at his knees wanted my pocket money. I graciously understand who difficult times are, isn't that what friends are for? To help each other in times of need? To see what can be done to alleviate the concerns of our companions of all walks of life? I dare say that the very act of compassion, is to be human and to selflessly encourage everyone to aid those less fortunate. Yet, what happened during this occurrence? A knife was pointed at me, and it demanded more."

Gasps are heard throughout the crowd, and anger starts swelling around Subaru and Otto, cries of fury are heard"

"Hey you fucker, you can't demand more than someone can give!"

"Greedy people shouldn't be allowed to exist!"

"He deserves to be killed!"

Subaru looked around and while he felt it was justified, he couldn't help a nagging feeling that things were getting a bit too emotional for a mere robbery. He stepped up and shouted:

"Sirius, my friend I understand your feelings. He should apologize and be sent to jail, like the scum he is. He should have his hands cut off, and his heart plunged out while we scream in jo-!"

He covered his mouth in shock as he frantically thought:

"What the fuck! I didn't mean to say that. What is wrong with me, I'm not a violent person. but for some reason, I'm getting increasingly angry at that man. HOW DARE HE STEAL FROM MY FRIEND SIRIUS! He needs to die!"

While Subaru is struggling with his increasingly murderous emotions, the crowd bristles and wants nothing more than to tear this person limb from limb. Shaula's eyes grew intense as she looks at the man who is crying and his gag comes off as he shouts:

"I didn't steal from her anything! I just asked if she could spare some coins, I don't even own a knife!"

The gag is shuffled back in his mouth as the crowd takes a step forward yet, Sirius raises her hand and silences descends once more. She searches in his pockets and pulls out a knife and throws it on the ground. She continues while her voice contains the same passive and melodious tone:

"Dear me, it's not right to lie, however this is alright. Friends, I have been wronged and I demand justice, the evidence is in plain sight, the deed almost done. I am gathered around the closest people to me, and I ask, may I carry out my justice?"

"Kill him, Kill him, Kill him, KILL HIM, KIIILL HIM!"

The crowd chants, bloodlust having descended from the crowd and red could be seen in everyone's eyes. Both Otto and Subaru felt the same hatred and wanted him dead, yet Shaula grabs his arm and shouts over the increasing crescendo of the crowd:

"Subaru, we have to go, I've been smelling that lady and she reeks in a bad way. She's an enemy!"

Subaru's eyes gain some light and the murderous fog rescinds from his eyes. He struggles with himself and turns to Sirius and shouts:

(Don't Kill him!)

Yet what comes out is:

"KILL HIM SIRIUS!"

Sirius tilts her head in Subaru's direction and concludes her speech:

"My friend Natsuki Subaru has given me his approval, this inflates my heart with peace and tranquility. Ahh, how rude of myself, I forgot to introduce myself completely to my friends. Sin Archbishop of the witch cult, representing Wrath. Sirius Romanee-Conti! And I am thankful for my friends for allowing justice to be delivered."

Chains came out of her robes and they tightened around his neck, yet a voice was heard as a brilliance shone around Shaula:

"You're lying! I sense you aren't a good person and that man at your feet is innocent, let this first class lady take care of you, HELL'S SNIPE!"

Several streaks from Shaula's strongest spell hit Sirius and she didn't have the time to react to the formidable speed of the artillery, and she falls down to the ground with her heart gone and her brain turned to mush.

"You see that Subaru, I did a good job didn't I? I want some headpa-!"

She stops speaking as her eyes widen in horror, she hadn't realized it yet but everyone around her crumbled to the ground, flesh blood and organs lay scattered at her feet. Her hand goes to her mouth as the crowd that surrounded her seems to have suffered the same lethal injuries that Sirius had.

While trembling she frantically looks around and her eyes freeze at a familiar cloak. She rushes forward and lets out a startled cry as she sinks to her knees and tears fall from her eye. She cradles the remains of her master, who's brain matter is on the floor and heart disintegrated while shouting:

"PLEASE DON'T LEAVE ME AGAIN, please, please, please, don't go Subaru. Don't leave me to this emptiness. Why did I wait four hundred years for just to have you go in a day after finally reuniting. Pleasseeee…."

Her hot tears fell on the cheeks of Natsuki Subaru as his life force faded and his breathing stopped. Leaving behind a trembling scorpion girl who had lost the person she most values after finally meeting them again.

(Scene Change)

"AGHHHHHHHHH!"

A raging shout is heard throughout the night of an inn as a black haired boy yells in agony. He checks his head for the brain matter that had leaked and gasps, he checks his heart and finds a strong steady beat. As his head falls back down on the pillow and tears fall from his eyes. He convulses in pain and his whole psyche seems ready to implode and launch him into insanity. Shaula bursts in worried for her master he looks at her and thinks:

"I… died again….."

Author's notes:

Alright sorry for the long wait hehe, here ya go. Damn I thought his chap was going to be 3k max but I kept at it surprisingly. It was hard getting back into it after such a long time but I hope y'all enjoy it.

If things aren't similar to canon then it's cause they won't be, I love writing my AU's and this is a major one as well. Anyway, see y'all next chapter.

Also apparently Otto really loved a cat, like it's in a SS or something I learned it from a friend, so I made a play with that and hope it was funny for the one that got that reference. Also yes Subaru stole a bunch of anime figurines and other stuff that will be fun to talk about, it will be interesting.

Also I don't apologize for how the fic may seem silly at times, I'm glad to my readers but I won't be changing my style. I'll have references here and there but nothing that takes too much from it.

Aquarius is gonna be poggers to write and will provide a lot of comedic release, it will be interesting when she evolves to a great spirit.