Easily the longest chapter so far. Hope you guys enjoy it.
Original: 6,202 words.
Edited: 7,487 words.
"No! No, Mother!"
The sounds of Emilia's tearful cries were overheard. Those who saw her in that state would likely find themselves with a broken heart at the sight of it.
"Please, Emilia," Fortuna begged." I'll be right back, so just…"
Fortuna's words were cut off when Emilia started to cry out in denial, refusing to believe her aunt's words.
"No! You can't! You have the same look on your face as Geuse did! Don't leave me! Don't leave me behind! I won't lie or break my promises anymore! I'll be good! I'll be a good girl!"
The child's mournful tears desperately pleaded with the older elf, begging her to stay. She was the only blood relative that Emilia had left, after all.
It was something only a child could do when she did not want to lose anyone else. Especially during times when your happy life was shattered in a matter of hours.
Fortuna embraced the young half-elf girl, comforting her the best she could while trying to hold back her own tears as well.
"Emilia…" she began. "Emilia… Emilia… Emilia…"
The sight was unbearable for anyone who knew the two well enough, especially those who were very close to them.
"Fortuna-san!"
"Fortuna-sama!"
The voice of the human boy – who had come to the elven village of Elior Forest nearly three months ago – accompanied the Elf, Archi, as they ran towards the pair.
Noticing the two, Fortuna wiped off her tears, stood up, and immediately regained her leader-like tone. "Archi, Subaru," she said sharply. "Are the villagers safe?"
Momentarily surprised, the blonde elf and the human boy shook their heads to clear their surprise before giving their grave report.
"Things are not looking good, Fortuna-san. Even with Kuro's help, there is no way we could stop it."
"As Subaru said, the news is not good. The men are fighting the people who arrived with the bishop. If we stay in the forest, we'll eventually be found. They're after…"
"The seal, right?" she asked Archi, closing her eyes as she realized the Cult's 一 Radical Faction's 一 objective. "How did they find out about it?"
Recent memories of the intruders began flashing in Fortuna's mind, and her expression grew wrathful as she remembered the intruders appearances.
"Even that woman…" she murmured, pausing for a moment before she continued. "Fine. I'll be right there."
"No, we will fight," Archi declared. "You must take Emilia and leave the forest!"
"Yeah, Fortuna-san!" The young human boy joined in. "I can fight too! I have Kuro with me as well! We'll all fight as best we can, giving you two time to escape!"
As if to prove his word, the Quasi Yin Spirit appeared to answer the call of its Contractor. The intent in Subaru's eyes determined that he would do what he could to help. Even though the prospect of him dying suddenly came to mind. Slightly scaring him but otherwise hid it well.
"And what happens if I run away now!? If they get their hands on the seal, the world will end this time!"
Subaru and Archi were taken aback by Fortuna's tone. The seriousness thereof was enough to make them go silent at her words.
"I'm sorry you had to go through all this to protect us. And even you, Subaru."
"Please don't say that! Who would show such disdain for a family member!?"
"Yeah, Fortuna-san! Don't say that, please!"
The two begged at the silver-haired woman, wanting her to stop.
The older elf simply closed her eyes and responded, "I'm sorry."
She then turned to her niece. "Emilia…" she began. "I have to go and fulfill a very important duty to protect everyone, so I have to leave for a little while, all right?"
"No, Mother! I… I…"
Before she could say more, Fortuna responded.
"Please do as I say. I want you to leave this forest with Archi and Subaru."
Emilia, shaking her head as if trying to deny such a response. With the thought she could bear to have at the idea of leaving the only mother figure she had.
The silver-haired elf stood, and turned to the two. Her gaze staring at the human boy and the blonde elf. As if requesting them to do as she says.
"Fortuna-sama… I—"
"Archi…"
Fortuna cut off her fellow elf's words, to which she began to say of her own.
"It's a bit early, but I'm entrusting you with the mission of the forest dwellers. Please take both Emilia and Subaru away from here. This world isn't easy to live in, but I know there's hope. I'm sure of it."
"I can't!" Archi refused. Trying to find reason and another way from this. "I must stay with everyone until—"
"Take them both." She cut off Archi's words once more. Giving her selfish request. "Please. Emilia's the beloved daughter of my brother, his wife, and myself. While Subaru is only a child, a human at that, but I cannot simply accept him to stay here and help us. He is important to me and to Emilia as well."
Her words struck Subaru's heart. Hearing Fortuna's genuine concern hit him hard.
Archi, as well, couldn't stop his tears because of it. The burden he has to carry will be heavy to bear. And he knew he'll have to be one responsible for it.
"It's not fair. You know I can't refuse when you tell me that."
Covering his face with his hands, Archi couldn't control his emotions anymore. He couldn't remain composed at the request Fortuna placed on him.
"I'm sorry." Fortuna apologized to him. "We're unfair, but please forgive us."
Turning from the crying Archi to her niece. With Emilia's expression which can be described as disbelief at what Fortuna said to the blonde elf.
"Emilia…"
"No!" Emilia grabbed her Aunt's waist without hesitation "I'm staying! I want to stay with you! Please! Please! I don't… I don't want to be alone!"
Seeing her niece broken down in tears, she gave the young half-elf her reassuring words.
"You will never be alone."
She hugged the child, embracing her the same she always did so many times. So many times that she lost count of. Even the months and years she stayed with her, Fortuna never did let her down.
"I will always be right there with you. In the memories that come forth when you close your eyes… In dreams, where you hug yourself and feel warm… In the echoes you hear when you shout into the sky… I will always be with you. I'm with you forever and ever."
"You're lying… you're lying!" Emilia cried in denial. Not believing Mother Fortuna's words. "You're a liar, Mother!"
Breaking down in tears once more, the half-elf cried, and cried and cried with all her heart. Unwilling to accept the fact that she will be separated from her.
"Emilia, I promise."
Stopping herself momentarily, Emilia looked at Fortuna, seeing her offering her hand. A gesture that can mean one thing.
With reluctance, the Half-Elf placed her hand over Fortuna's.
With that, a promise was about to be made. Forging an everlasting covenant.
"You and I will always be together. I'll promise you that right now."
"Really? You'll stay with me?"
"Yes, really. More than anyone, Emilia… Lia… I love you more than anyone else in this world."
Broken once again in tears, Emilia cried with all her heart. Tears freely spilled from her eyes; her sobbing cries heard throughout the near vicinity.
This heart-wrenching moment was unbearable to watch.
The boy, Natsuki Subaru, watching all unfold silently this entire time; deeply moved by the love the two expressed. And he himself found himself in tears at the sight thereof.
Such motherly love. The boy could only stare at the two while the tears continued to flow from his eyes.
It was unfair to see those two getting by this. He hated how everything went from a normal peaceful life to this catastrophic change of events.
He loved them. He wanted to see those two happy. He wanted them to be together like the peaceful and good days he enjoyed with them.
He clenched his fist. He swore that he'll protect Emilia no matter what. He'll promise that whatever happens, he will be there for her.
Subaru's eyes widen一
"Mother Fortuna…" Emilia cried. "I love you too, Mother. I love you!"
Holding her niece's face with both her hands, Fortuna told her once more.
"Lia, I love you."
Kissing her cheeks and her head. Fortuna made it sure she was giving Emilia her last love as a final farewell.
"I love you, Emilia."
For with that, this emotional moment was abruptly made.
"Emilia! Fortuna-san! Look out!"
The boy's abrupt, loud voice was heard.
Feeling the hands, the small hands that worked around the village, pushed both the "Mother" and her child to the side.
Natsuki Subaru pushed them away with all his might.
For a moment, Subaru's sudden actions did not make sense. Both Fortuna and Emilia were unable to register what he meant by that.
Until it was too late.
A mass of darkness fell down from the sky. Its malevolence can be felt, with hair-raising and bone-chilling effect. It dropped as sudden as though if it were lightning.
Its intended target was neither the Half-Elf child nor the Elven woman nor was it the blond-haired Elf Archi.
No, it was—
"AGGGHHH!"
A cry was heard.
The cry was loud, his agony felt through the ears closest to him. Their hearts breaking at his painful screams.
Swirling and swirling. The dark mass wrapped around its target. Entangling him with its malevolent dark hold.
Joyfully, happily, blithely, buoyantly, jubilantly.
This expression. This feeling. The dark mass felt it.
It had found someone worthy of its being. Someone capable of using it to its TRUE potential.
The ones seeing this unnatural phenomena stared at the estranged sight before them. Swirling in and in, a whirlpool of malevolent darkness pouring in while the agonized cries of Natsuki Subaru was painfully heard vividly to the ears of those who are close to the boy.
"SUBARU!"
Emilia called out to her human friend in an extremely horrified expression plastered on her face. Her eyes filled with disbelief one thought was not possible. Unconsciously spilling her tears at the sight thereof.
Fortuna could only stare at it. Horror and disbelief present. With Archi being on the same boat as her. An unbelievable and unthinkable sight was unfolding in front of them.
They continued to stare at it while hearing the agony that was present in Subaru's cries were increasing to the point that they held their breath for an indefinite time until—
Until it suddenly vanished.
No remnants nor substance was left of the dark mass. Eerily, the malevolent aura remained for a very few, tense moments.
After that few moments had passed, it was gone. There wasn't a trace that could felt from it.
At the same time, Natsuki Subaru fell to the earth with an abnormally loud thud in the silence that surrounded them.
Like a puppet whose strings had been cut off.
"SUBARU!"
Emilia cried out to the boy, running towards him with no concern of her safety.
"What happened!?" the horrified tone of the previously crying girl was heard. Attempting to shake her unconscious friend awake but to no avail. Scaring the girl at his current unconscious state. "What happened to Subaru!?"
"I don't know, Emilia."
Fortuna could only say those words. Unable to comprehend as to what just happened to the boy. And the black mass she saw that was absorbed by Subaru.
Feeling time was wasting for each second they stood. Fortuna called out to the shocked blonde Elf.
"Archi!" Said elf was snapped out of his daze. "Take Emilia and Subaru now! We have no time left! Go!"
Unable to refute her orders, and after seeing the unbelievable happen, Archi simply nodded and grabbed both Emilia and the unconscious Subaru in both of his arms without warning, and ran as fast he possibly could. Whilst carrying the weight of two children as he made his way out of the forest.
Fortuna ran towards the opposite direction. Towards the direction where Geuse and the two intruders were last seen.
While dashing at full speed, Fortuna made one final thought before resolving herself to help the man she loved.
What exactly had just happened?
Earlier…
"Hey, that was pretty admirable. But who gave you the permission to let them get away? That's a violation of my actions and authority, isn't it?"
The white-haired man, Regulus Corneas, Sin Archbishop of Greed, spoke to Geuse. Questioning him of the actions that he declared to be a "violation" of his rights.
He knew the man was a hypocrite that every sentence he made contradicted on what he said.
"Say what you will." Geuse told him. "If it means risking my very existence, I cannot allow the two of you to get past this point!"
After his bold declaration to the intruders, one being a Witch of unfathomable power, he pulled out a strange, small box out of his cloak. As if to show them his resolve.
Confusedly, Regulus reacted to it in shock. Not expecting that the spirit possessed human was going to use the power. The antithesis of the world. An Authority born from a Witch Factor of Sin.
"Wait, you're not gonna…"
"I don't have the knowledge to adapt to this." He said while holding it as hard as he can. "For that reason, I have done nothing but hold it since I was entrusted with it. But it was meant for a moment such as this!"
Although, he was supposed to give this to a person who is compatible with the power of a Witch Factor of Sloth. A person who could wield without giving in to the insanity-induced side effect of those who are not compatible with said power.
It was a power that those beings, who were called Devils (Warlocks) and Witches, can wield with unfathomable power. An unfathomable power that defies the will of the World itself.
Like the Witch of Vanity before him.
"Bishop Betelgeuse Romanee-Conti… Have a good journey."
Spoken by the Witch herself, the one that held Supreme Command over the Witch's Cult, to the green-haired Bishop and Leader of the Cult's Moderate Faction. The Spirit who knows what had truly happened during the Great Calamity.
With his resolve reinforced, Geuse, referred to by the Vain Witch as Betelgeuse, opened the box. Revealing the power that was beyond this World.
Squirming inside, waiting for someone to claim it. It was the unnatural force only few can take and control it for themselves.
"Please… forgive me… Flugel-sama!"
Raising the box and about to force it to take as its host.
However, the unexpected had happened.
When he raised it to claim it, the Witch Factor, representing Sloth, suddenly flew out of the box at great speeds. Leaving nothing behind as it flew away from the Witch, the Sin Archbishop of Greed, and the Bishop. Surprising the two intruders and including Betelgeuse as well.
"!?"
"…"
With the Witch Factor flown farther than the human can see. It was clear what it all meant.
The Witch Factor has chosen a compatible host. A host that can use it worthily of its power.
In the silence that veiled over the three, with the sudden shock and confusion that a Witch Factor of all things was willing to leave outside its box and immediately found a worthy host.
Regulus spoke, breaking the silence to what was essentially a "violation" of his right to be heard.
"Now what are you—"
"El Dona!"
What happened?
Natsuki Subaru thought as he felt himself floating in a seemingly dark void. Unable to see yet feel the darkness at the same time. This weightless experience was nauseating and yet comforting at the same time.
The last he could remember was pushing Emilia and Fortuna away from the dark mass he managed to spot earlier. Though, he did it out of instinct, without any regard of his own safety, he managed to protect them from it. Which was a good move on his part, especially when it felt so painful, he thought could've died.
Now that I mentioned it, what is this… strange stuff squirming inside me?
Subconsciously, he reached out to the squirming being.
Not knowing what it is and why is it there. But Subaru could tell it was happy. Why it was happy, he did not know.
Confused at this, he wanted to know.
Why are you... so happy that you're inside of me?
Unable, or not wanting, to speak a single word or phrase. It squirmed even more, but almost as if it was telling Subaru that it belonged to him. Belonged to the person it so chose to be. Belonged to someone worthy of its power.
Vaguely, Subaru understood its happiness, but still confused as to why at the same time. Even wondering why it chose him of all people. He knew he wasn't someone special. Just a human boy from another world that came to Elior Forest by some unknown means.
It did not matter to him, at least on the safe side of things. He was glad that nothing was wrong with him at the moment… at least for now.
The young boy continued to float weightless in this dark void for the next several minutes. Trying to communicate the strange thing inside him to spark a conversation with but to no avail.
The silence was not something Subaru was used to. Having lived a city in Japan, there was a lot of things that can happen at nighttime. Even when he first came to this world, he expected several things that would happen in the usual nighttime silence the Elven dwellers of Elior Forest enjoyed. And he came to love that silence since Emilia found him wandering aimlessly in the forest.
But to think that he, Natsuki Subaru, would find himself in this dark void and ended up being bored to death due to the endless silence it gave. Wasn't something he ever thought would happen to him.
"Why? Why did this happen? Because I broke my promise and left my room?"
Emilia… is that you?
Subaru tried to speak but found himself that he couldn't. Suddenly coming to a conclusion that he was unconscious physically, but mentally awake. Aware of what he was hearing, but unable to see what is going on.
"No! it's not your fault at all! It's no one's fault!"
Archi-nii… are we running away like Fortuna told us to?
Subaru could only think at the moment. Unable to speak at this current moment, the boy with the nasty stare can deduce that Archi was carrying both him and Emilia away from danger. Running as fast as he can to escape from the bad guys.
"Then why? Why do we have to leave? Should I have stayed locked in my room forever? Then no one would leave, Subaru wouldn't have that evil black thing come inside him, and everyone could stay together?"
Shock.
The boy was shocked at her words.
Did she actually think of that?
Subaru never knew the story how Emilia snuck out the Princess Room by means he did not know. But Subaru knew the implications as to what Emilia felt right now.
She was blaming herself for everything that had happened today.
Gritting his teeth, unknowingly did the same physically but those from outside the void did not notice it. He knew exactly what it all meant.
"You're wrong, Emilia!"
Go tell her that, Archi-nii!
"Was I bad? Is that why everyone hates me, and I end up alone?"
No! it isn't like that, Emilia! You have me, Fortuna-san, and Archi-nii, right!?
"No! That's not true, Emilia! No one hates you! Everything in this world exists to bless you!"
Not wanting to stay in this dark void any longer, Subaru attempts to muster up the strength to break out this seemingly dark prison of his. As a result, he found himself being pulled back by the dark void. As if he belonged to the darkness.
Struggling, had he done this earlier, he would've had given up. But he knew he couldn't stop yet. He had a job that must be done!
To help them.
To help her.
WAKE UP!
With vigor and with sheer willpower. Subaru forced himself to break these bonds that bind him in this dark void. Mustering every ounce of strength he could gather.
The squirming being, seeing its chosen host doing his best. His constant diligence to break open this prison that trapped him. It impressed the Witch Factor.
Joyfully, happily, blithely, buoyantly, jubilantly.
If the Witch Factor representing the sin of Sloth had a face, it would have smiled at the effort its chosen host was attempting to do. Even grinning to the point that it chose the right host.
An action one could not even expect that a Witch Factor representing Sloth would do. It gave the boy the very means he could use to escape this void. Giving him an Unseen Hand to push him to the boundaries back to consciousness.
With that, with Subaru not knowing the final push made by the Sloth Witch Factor to help him break out the dark void. Subaru was soon brought back to reality without a moment's hesitation.
The Witch Factor of Sloth, should it have an expression of itself, laughed and grinned the day it chose the right Host to inhabit within.
How joyfully, blithely, happily, jubilantly, and buoyantly was it proud of his true worthy host.
Snapping his eyes open instantly, the young Natsuki Subaru almost immediately realized that he was lying on the ground. Noticing Emilia wasn't too far off from him along with Archi as well.
Having enough strength for him to push himself from the ground, after months of training and performing spell drills had managed to help him for this very situation that allowed him to get up from the ground.
Subaru then immediately noticed something bad was happened on Archi's foot. As if something was decaying it at alarming speeds that the boy could've thought it was the work of a Curse itself.
"Th-The Black Serpent? The crucible of disease… the plague-bearing mabeast?
The human boy widened his eyes at Archi's recognition of this slime-looking creature. One of the Three Great Calamities? Here? In Elior Forest?
He heard stories of these cataclysmic creatures of destruction from Braun during of the usual nights he asked him to tell about before going to sleep. These Great Mabeasts are essentially known throughout the world as the very equivalent of a natural disaster that these unstoppable monsters made themselves to be 300 years ago since the Great Calamity that brought so much destruction to the world. It's legacy continuing on to this day.
In the next moment, Subaru heard Archi calling out a spell he only heard it a few times from him.
"Fula!"
Without hesitation, an invisible wind blade cut cleanly through Archi's leg like hot knife through butter. Blood unnervingly gone out like a fountain that almost made Subaru puke out of it in disgust at the sight.
Unflinchingly, Archi made another spell from a different element without a second to waste. The expression of his face hiding the pain he was experiencing after cutting off his own leg.
"Huma!"
Ice formed around the missing limb. Freezing the blood from going out of his body, naturally preventing himself from suffering blood loss as a result of this. The cool sensation of the ice temporarily numbed the excruciating pain.
"Cool…"
That was the only thing Subaru managed to utter the first time since he came out of the dark void. His respect for Archi grew that he did what he had to do. Even losing a foot did not deter him from doing what was absolutely necessary.
"Archi?"
Emilia called out to the blonde elf. Concern was evident on her childish face.
"It's nothing. I'm fine. Everything is… fine."
It was as clear as day that everything is not fine. As seen when Subaru noticed Archi had broken out a cold sweat because of the pain he is currently experiencing. Noticing the decaying effect was still spreading even after he cut off his leg.
Seeing this, Subaru instantly called him out.
"No you're not!"
With Subaru's loud voice, it alarmed both Archi and Emilia that the third person of the group is finally awake.
"Subaru, you're—"
"Don't talk! Let me see that!"
Like Fortuna from earlier, Subaru cut off Archi's words as he went towards the frozen stump of his leg. And what Subaru saw made him seethe in anger and fear.
"The Black Serpent's venom is spreading." Subaru said mostly to himself. "I can't do this alone. Kuro! I need your help!"
The human Spirit Arts user called out to his contracted Spirit. With Kuro appearing at the same moment Subaru called out to it.
"Kuro let's do this. Like we've done those morning drills. Three, two, Minya!"
Casting a spell that the two people of the group did not recognize. A purple crystallization was formed on the Black Serpent's venom that was spreading through Archi's leg. Surprisingly able to stop said venom much to the surprise of Archi, who did not know such a spell existed in the first place. Even his limited knowledge of Yin Magic didn't prepare him to witness Subaru's execution of the spell.
"Subaru, what was that? What kind of spell did you and Kuro used?"
"Can we ask the questions later, Archi-nii!? We have a Great Mabeast in front of us and I don't wanna get ourselves killed by it! Now, can you make an ice foot, Archi-nii!?"
Archi looked at Subaru in momentary shock, but managed to nod as he casted "Huma" and made a prosthetic foot made out of ice.
"Kuro!" Subaru called his Quasi Yin Spirit, while preparing for their grand escape from the Great Mabeast. "Initiate Distraction Maneuver Number One, Atomic Smoke Bomb! We need the time we can get to get out of this place, hurry!"
Answering its Contractor's orders, Kuro flew at blinding speed at the Black Serpent. Releasing a large cloud of black smoke as it reached just above the plague-bearing mabeast. Using a large area-of-effect Shamak spell to do so. Separating its awareness from the world around it.
Without another time to waste, Subaru immediately helped Archi stand up; holding his right arm while Emilia, who had been sitting there before, manage to shook of her daze and immediately held Archi's other arm without any questions asked .
"Can you run?" Subaru asked the blonde elf. To which Archi simply nodded as he began to stand on his own two feet.
"Good. Kuro will distract it while we make our escape. Let's go!"
With that, the three began dashing through the path of flowers that will lead them out of the forest. Leading them toward the exit outside of Elior Forest.
During this time, after running for a good few minutes with the mindset of not looking back whenever possible, Emilia, looking at Subaru, was concerned as to what had happened earlier with the "evil black thing" coming inside of her human friend.
Although he looked physically fine, the Half-Elf wasn't sure what was going on inside of the boy's head.
What is he thinking right now? Why is he desperate? How was he taking all of this?
The reason of her concern over all of the questions circulating in her mind was simple, this was one of the very rare few times she had seen him looked so seriously. Because most of the time he looked so happy, always smiling, and she liked that expression of the boy made each time they played and studied with each other's written characters of their respective homelands.
But now, he had taken a very serious look. As if he had no longer the time to be the person she had come to love the most. Which scared Emilia, thinking she had lost someone dear on the same day.
She loathed the current situation that had suddenly befall in this once happy life of hers. She felt the blame should be on her after everything that had happened so far.
It's all my fault. If I hadn't left my room and stay locked in there, this wouldn't have happened. It's all my fault.
Emilia thought as she ran without falling back behind Archi and Subaru. Blaming herself for the bad things to occur in just a single day.
Tears threatening to spill from her eyes for the umpteenth time. Her current emotions barely contained to all of the things that happened in the span of only a few short hours.
All because she had broken her promise and left the room on that fateful day.
Unknown to her, Subaru was thinking as to how the intruders managed to find the village, let alone know the seal as well.
He heard from Emilia where the seal was and what it looked like, she even drew him of it. But she didn't tell him how did she discovered it in the first place.
Although he, himself, didn't go and find the seal just for curiosity's sake during one of his many opportunities to go to such a location. Because, if he had done that, he only have broken one of the conditions Fortuna told him and promised to keep. Which he kept his promise for the last three months.
Even so, he heard bits from the silver-haired Elf that should the seal were to be open then the world will surely end.
Subaru knew, from his time of playing video games before he was transported to this world, that breaking seals is always a bad thing. Even someone like him knew it was bad news if that were to happen.
The question was, how did they manage to find it in the first place? And why were they after it?
The idea of the Fairies, the Half-Elf's nickname given to the Lesser Spirits, guiding her to said seal was brought to mind. And it sounded very plausible and very likely given that he saw her play with them despite calling the very thing they despised of.
But the thought of the Lesser Spirits working for the enemy suddenly came to his mind.
That's impossible. Subaru thought shaking his head off of the estranged thought. How would the Lesser Spirits help the enemy if they weren't Spirit Arts users or at least having an affinity of being one? It doesn't make any sense to begin with. Unless...
Even if one of them were a Spirits Arts users, they could at least use one Spirit. Even two or more are extremely rare in this world, at least that was what Braun had told him two months ago when he wanted to know more about Spirit Arts users.
He remembered the appearance of the intruders told by Kuro earlier.
One was a petite woman with platinum hair and the other was a man with white hair.
Based on Kuro's observation, it would seem Geuse knew of the two for a very long time. As for how long, he did not know. But what Kuro saw how capable they are, definitely showed that they're an actual threat. A threat they mustn't underestimate at all costs.
However…
"Emilia."
Subaru called the Half-Elf girl, with said girl turning her head to face her friend. Looking at the boy's serious expression.
"Tell me, Emilia. How did you get out of the Princess Room in the first place?"
Archi looked at the human boy, surprised to see him ask that question to Emilia in a grim time such as this.
"Subaru why are—"
"Not now, Archi-nii! This is very important!"
The boy cut off the blonde elf's words before he could say more. Glaring at Archi to show how serious the question was. With said Elf taken aback at the seriousness the human boy made. Which was a rare expression he had seen on the boy since the day he came to know him.
Emilia was scared at how serious Subaru currently was. And she didn't like it. Not one single bit.
"I'll ask you again, Emilia. How did you get out of the Princess Room?"
Emilia hesitated. Not wanting to answer.
She was scared. She was confused. She did not know what was going on. She didn't want to.
"Answer me! Emilia!"
With his loud voice and forceful words. The tone he used Emilia did not like at all.
But, she managed to respond to his question.
"It was a Fairy, Subaru!" Emilia nearly shouted as she answered. "A Fairy showed me a hidden passage out of my room!"
"Does that Fairy looked exactly like the dozens you played which you called them as Fairies as well?"
"Yes!" she answered with no hesitation but desperation can be heard in her voice.
"Then they tricked you!"
Emilia widened her eyes, a betrayed look plastered on her already frightened face.
"They tricked you in getting out of your room!" Subaru told her the very harsh truth that he even himself feared it was. "They tricked you to go where the seal was! They tricked you that they were your friends!"
"NO! THAT'S NOT TRUE!"
Shaking her head violently, wanting to deny what Subaru told her.
She refused to believe it. She refused that the fairies tricked her.
"I know that too, Emilia." Subaru said. The Half-Elf looked at him in shock before he explained. "At first, it was just a coincidence and I thought that it could be easily ignored. But I noticed that whenever you call them Fairies they didn't respond violently. Back when I first met Kuro and called him a Fairy, he didn't take nicely to what I said."
"What do you mean by that, Subaru? What are you trying to say!?"
"It's because Spirits don't like being called Fairies! It's a bad word to call them that, and Kuro showed it!"
Realization creeped in Emilia's mind. Subaru's words rang with the truth in her ears.
"And because of that." Subaru slightly looked away from the girl he liked. "They're from the enemy. What else would they not respond calling them what they don't like to be called? Those Lesser Spirits, the ones you called as Fairies, they belong to the enemy! And they were the ones that led those intruders to the forest in the first place!"
"Damn it!" Archi cursed, who had been listening to the two from the start, now knowing the answer of the question that he and Fortuna struggled to know. The truth that had been discovered by the boy.
"That's why!" A fiery determination flared in Subaru's eyes. "We need to get out of here! Away from the forest! Away from the village! And most importantly—"
He grabbed Emilia's hand, looking at her with most reassuring expression that he can give her.
"—away from the seal like what you promised with Fortuna-san. With me and Archi coming along with you."
The boy gave her a smile. A smile she knew that he was going to keep that promise. A promise she knew he was going to keep.
"I just want to say one more thing, Emilia. It's not your fault. It wasn't even your fault that black thing dropped from the sky and hit me. It wasn't your fault that everyone had to leave. It wasn't your fault that you left the Princess Room from that day. Besides, if you hadn't, I wouldn't have met you, Fortuna-san, Archi-nii, Braun-sensei, Kuro, and the other villagers all those months ago. I would've had gotten myself lost in the forest if I hadn't found you hiding under the bush from me."
Memories flashing back when he first met Emilia. The time he spent learning magic from Braun. The nights they spent learning with their respective language together. The moments he shared with the villagers and Fortuna herself.
It was the best and happiest times since he first came to this world. It was those happy moments, whom he cherished the most. He will always remember it. And he will not leave those unforgettable memories behind.
"That's way, it isn't your fault, Emilia. I promise you; it wasn't your fault that caused all of this."
The Half-Elf girl looked at the boy, who had become one of the closest person she had other than Mother Fortuna, Geuse, and Archi.
Tears starting to fall, freely spilling from her eyes. Not from the fear, not from the negative thoughts that formed inside her mind.
No, it was tears of joy that Subaru, who became one of the most important people in her life, had told her and reassured that the things that happened today wasn't her fault.
"Thank you, Subaru."
The Half-Elf girl told him while the tears continued to flow from her eyes. Giving her utmost gratitude to the human boy who have given her the things she never knew she wanted.
"Your welcome, Emilia."
He gave her one more smile before the sounds of falling trees was soon heard in their ears.
"The Black Serpent!" Archi called out in notice. "It managed to catch up with us!"
"Then we will keep it at bay. Kuro! Initiate Defensive Maneuver, Sword and Shield!"
The Quasi Spirit of Yin appeared as soon as its contractor had called. Immediately conjuring purple crystals, firing at the speeding Great Mabeast.
With immaculate aiming and accuracy, the purple crystals, made by the Minya spell, hit its intended target. Purple crystallization forming where Kuro shot its intended target.
But the Black Serpent was relentless. Being the most troublesome and intelligent of the Three Great Calamities, it dodged and shot black tendrils, filled with its cursed venom, at three with the accuracy of a master marksman.
Fortunately, the Defensive Maneuver, Sword and Shield, wasn't only about firing Minya spells at the mabeast.
In blinding speeds, Kuro intercepted each and every tendrils the Black Serpent shot at the group while returning fire with the same accuracy as it had before. Giving it the Shield that protects its user and the Sword that struck any attacker that dared harm its user.
If Kuro had been a Lesser Spirit during this time, then things would've had been much grimmer and more hopeless than it would.
However, Kuro was currently a Quasi Spirit, a significantly stronger Spirit than its Lesser Spirit kin. And it was because of that, the Distraction and Defensive Maneuvers that Subaru taught it since the Yin Spirit first evolved and during the spell drills they did all those months ago had made it possible to begin with. It was due to the significant boost in power that helped them in their time of need.
The stalemate lasted for a few minutes, with neither the Quasi Spirit nor the Black Serpent lowering their attacks since it first engaged in deadly combat. Instead, it intensified with each shot. With Subaru, Emilia, and Archi continuing running for their lives from the Great Mabeast chasing them. The Black Serpent aggressively attempting to kill them with its venom.
But, something happened.
A few hundred meters away from the current location the trio was, a black hole was formed. A rift that showed the darkness within it.
To be exact, it was a portal of some sort with the appearance of a dark hole.
Subaru, who had been running along with the Half-Elf and the full Elf, noticed the portal as soon as his eyes managed to see it.
"What is that!?"
Archi exclaimed at the sight of the black hole. With Emilia having a frightened look on her face as soon as she noticed it as well
Natsuki Subaru did not know what it is nor why it was there.
But, he felt that it was safe to go through it. That it would lead somewhere to safety.
He wasn't sure why he felt it was safe there nor why his instincts are telling to jump through it.
With the Black Serpent gaining in, increasing its attacks with each second passed. Subaru immediately made his decision.
"We jump."
The two looked at Subaru in disbelief. Unable to understand why he made that decision.
"I know what I'm doing. Trust me. Please…"
Archi contemplated it for a bit, but he nodded. With Emilia doing the same.
The blonde elf looked at his leg, noticing the crystalized form of his leg was starting to show signs that it was wearing of.
Not that the decaying effect was anything of concern, since the spell Subaru used had removed such effects.
Rather, it was his ice foot was breaking off.
Archi grunted, quiet enough for both Emilia and Subaru to not noticed it. Internally swearing that his Ice foot didn't last what it intended to be.
Without wasting another second, Archi made his decision.
"We're almost there! We can make it!"
The black portal was in sight, only about 20 meters away. The goal is in reach. The path of their escape now clear.
After closing in, Subaru and Emilia felt something grabbed their clothes from behind.
Turning their heads at Archi, looking at him confusedly before they realized too late as to what he was about to do.
"Goodbye. Emilia. Subaru."
Lifting them both from the ground. Archi used all of his strength, giving a roar before throwing both Subaru and Emilia. Hurling them towards the black portal when they were only a few meters away from it.
The force Archi used to throw the two children was enough for them to hurl through the air while the two gave a horrified look at the Elf. With said Elf smiling at them.
To their horror they heartbreakingly watched their brother figure about to be struck by the Black Serpent's venomous tendrils.
Time seem to slow down, with both children pleading from their hearts that Archi, who they consider their brother, would live.
They begged and begged. Pleading whatever deity that could hear them. Praying what they could do to save him.
A wall of shadow appeared behind the blond Elf.
Not able to register what was occurring behind him, Archi felt something grabbed. An invisible force, like an unseen hand, thrown him at the portal with force that surpassed his own strength that he used on the Half-Elf girl and the Human boy.
At the corner of Subaru's eye, he saw a figure of a person in the distance.
In that split second, he saw a black hooded cloak with a white masking covering the face, the stranger's outstretched hand was covered in black leather gloves.
Before Subaru knew who it was, the portal swallowed him, Emilia, and Archi. With Kuro soon followed. Narrowly avoiding a tragedy that should have happened.
And cut!
Finally, it is done. The chapter, not the fic.
Alright. so the Elior Forest arc is done and now we shall move on to our next destination!
What destination you may ask? Well... it requires me to discuss(Read: Negotiate) with the Author of Frozen Restart... for reasons!
Anyways, hope you guys enjoy this fic. If you do, be sure to press the fav and follow button and be sure to leave a review!
Edited: [You guys didn't expect that change, huh. There's more to come. Hope you guys enjoy. Now where's Helheim?]
That is all, gabrielchiong11, also known as user Mamon Ramon from reddit, and see you guys soon.