Chapter 12
"We didn't go through all this just to stop now." Rem's voice was a bit distant as Itsuki's eyes opened only slightly just to shut again.
"That's all, I suppose." Beatrice said. "You can do as you like with him now."
After a few moments of silence, Rem spoke again.
"I swear. I'll save you."
Groaning as he opened his eyes, Itsuki slowly rubbed his forehead. Taking a glance around the room, he realized he didn't recognize where he was. Along with the unfamiliar room, Itsuki saw he was alone.
"Where the hell is everyone?" Itsuki thought as he slowly sat up, only to quickly lay back down as a sharp pain rushed through him. Wincing, Itsuki remembered what happened in the forest and with the mabeasts.
Looking at his arms, the clothes he wore were now torn in multiple spots with the scars of bite marks underneath the tears.
"They managed to save my life." Itsuki couldn't help but smile. "Even though, shouldn't someone be here?"
Pushing himself into a sitting position, Itsuki ignored the slight sting of pain that coarsed through his body, compelling him to lay back down. Swinging his legs off the bed, Itsuki stood up, and in doing so caused himself to get lightheaded.
Placing his hand on the bedside table to steady himself, Itsuki waited a few moments for the dizziness to wear off. After it faded, he spotted a desk with a mirror mounted atop it. Stumbling over to the desk, Itsuki placed both hands on top of it as he looked himself in the mirror.
His emerald eyes stared back at him, and his dark brown hair was ruffled and messy from having just awoken. Dark bags laid under his eyes, showing his exhaustion. Along with that, Itsuki noticed the peach fuzz of his facial hair began to show more prominently, lining his chin, upper lip and the sides of his face. His skin was a sickly pale, showing he wasn't at his healthiest.
Running his fingers through his hair, Itsuki managed to untangle a few locks, allowing his hair to flow downwards again. Covering his forehead and ending an inch above his eyes, Itsuki realized that the haircut Rem had previously given him was undone thanks to the looping.
"I look like shit." Itsuki said softly.
Feeling a slight ache in his side, Itsuki took a step away from the desk. Raising his shirt, Itsuki saw a few scars lining his torso. "With all this, I feel I should be dead."
"You almost were, I suppose." A voice startled Itsuki, almost causing him to fall to the floor.
"Damnit..." he growled as he held his head. "Beatrice, right?"
"You are correct, I suppose." Beatrice said. "You shouldn't be up. The silver haired half-elf would reprimand you for being on your feet."
"You mean Emilia?"
"Yes." Beatrice slowly blinked her eyes. "However, she is quite busy at the moment. I also come with news, I suppose."
"Good news?" Itsuki asked.
Beatrice slowly blinked. "You have approximately twelve hours before you die, I suppose."
"What?"
"When those mabeasts attacked you, they implanted the same curse that Subaru was affected by."
"Didn't you break that curse for him? Why can't you do the same here?" Itsuki asked.
"Because Subaru was affected by one curse, I suppose." Beatrice said. "With there being only one, undoing the curse is as simple as undoing a knot or bow. But because there are multiple curses implanted in you, those curses have combined in a large knot that can never be undone. You will most likely be dead before the end of the day, I suppose."
Itsuki ran a hand through his hair. "Is there no way to reverse this?"
"There is a theory, I suppose." Beatrice said.
"And that would be?"
"You see, mabeasts live off of other living creature's mana. When a curse activates, the mana from the victim is sucked from them, feeding the mabeast. If the mabeast were to perish, the meal would likely be cancelled as well, I suppose." Beatrice then turned her gaze to the window. "The blue haired maid is in the forest as we speak, trying to reverse the effect of the curse that has been placed upon you."
"What?!"
Suddenly, the door to the building was violently swung open. Looking to the door, Itsuki saw Ram for just a moment before she darted off. Behind her stood Subaru a few feet away.
"Ram wait!" Subaru shouted.
Rushing outside, Itsuki looked over to see Subaru held Ram by the arm to keep her from rushing into the forest.
"Let go of me, Barusu!" Ram growled. "I have to help my sister!"
"Hang on a moment and think!" Subaru shouted. "How are you even going to find Rem?"
"I'll use my clairvoyance." Ram replied. "Now, release my arm!"
"Clairvoyance? How is that going to-"
"Ask about it later, Subaru." Itsuki told him. "Right now, we have more urgent matters."
"Itsuki's right!" Ram said. "The longer we stand here, the more likely Rem is going to die in that forest. Now let me go!"
"Look, if we're going to head into that forest, we'll need weapons." Subaru said.
"I don't need weapons. I can use wind magic to cut them down." Ram replied. "But if you two need, then borrow two swords from the villagers!" Ram yanked her arm free and pointed to the center of the village.
Minutes later
Walking behind Subaru and Ram, Itsuki was having a much harder time keeping up. Using the sword he borrowed as a cane, Itsuki was slightly hunched over, his body still aching.
"Itsuki," Ram said as she turned to face him. "I must ask that you pick up the pace."
Itsuki had his left hand covering one of the many scars left over by the mabeasts. In his palm was a blue orb he cast to heal himself.
"You are still in pain." Ram said matter-of-factly.
"I was cursed by multiple mabeasts." Itsuki said as he stood up straight. "Wouldn't that be a bit expected?"
"Hmph. Still, I must ask that we hurry. I don't want Rem to fight alone any longer than neccesary."
Holding his sword by the scabbard, Itsuki nodded. After using his water magic to heal himself, Itsuki's body still ached but only slightly now.
"I'm good. Let's go." Itsuki said, having been rejuvenated.
Before they moved on, Ram stopped Itsuki and Subaru.
"I am going to use my clairvoyance. Give me a moment." Ram said.
Closing her eyes, Ram tilted her head to the sky.
"Itsuki, Barusu, something is watching us." Ram said. Opening her eyes, she pointed to the creature. "Up there."
"Hu-" turning around, one of the mabeasts pounced at Subaru, only for a gust of wind to slice through the beast.
Looking to Ram, she had her hand outstretched.
"Get ready. More are coming." Ram said.
Casting more wind magic, Ram cut down another mabeast as it rushed towards the trio. As a third quickly approached, Itsuki drew his sword and impaled the beast through its open maw.
"Impressive, Itsuki." Ram said before turning around and beginning to move on.
"Hey, Ram." Itsuki said, getting her attention as the three walked. "Since Rem is a demon, that would make you one too, yeah?"
"Yes." Ram said in her usual monotone. "Although I do not see why that is a concern at the moment."
"I was curious, does that mean you have a horn as well?" Itsuki asked. "When the three of us were attacked before, I noticed Rem had a horn and she seemed to become quite a bit more powerful once it appeared. Would that mean you'd get that power buff if you used yours? Y'know, in case we end up in a sticky situation?"
"Unfortunately, unlike Rem, I am hornless." Ram replied.
"Were you born without one or something?" Subaru asked.
"No." Ram said. "Long ago, after getting into a little trouble, I lost the only one I had. Since that point in time, I've relied on Rem for everything."
Once Ram was finished, Itsuki couldn't help but feel a bit upset at himself for bringing it up.
"I shouldn't have asked." Itsuki said. "I'm sorry."
"Why's that?" Ram asked.
"Well, asking about something so personal probably brought up memories you'd rather forget. It was insensitive of me to ask."
"Back then was one matter. But now that things have calmed down, there are things I've gained and lives I've saved by losing my horn." Ram replied. "I'm sure Rem doesn't feel the same way I do about it, though."
"Huh?"
"Originally, members of the demon race had two horns. But when twins are born, those horns are split with each child only having one." Ram explained. "So twins are detested and it's customary to dispose of them immediately after birth. But Rem and I were allowed to live. A demon's horns awakens its demon instincts and allow it to devour mana, significantly heightening its ferocity and combat ability. But if one is reckless, the recoil will leave them battered." Ram paused as the three continued walking. "I don't want to see Rem like that."
"Are you feeling worried because you care for her?" Subaru asked.
"Of course! It's true that she's much stronger than I am, but that doesn't mean that I'm not concerned for her safety!" Ram said. "No matter what we're told to do, she always does it far better. But in the end, I'm still her older sister. And I'm not ever wavering from that position."
"Makes me wish my siblings were as caring towards me as Ram is to Rem." Itsuki thought to himself. "A true familiar bond."
"That so?" Subaru said as he closed his eyes, a grin crossing his lips. "Okay, I think I understand. And I've got an idea now. Don't worry, we'll bring Rem back safe."
"What're you planning?" Itsuki asked.
"That's simple." Subaru said as he turned to face Itsuki. "I'm going to tell Ram about Return by Dea-"
Instantly, the birds in the trees all squawked at once as the wind picked up and Subaru clutched his chest in pain.
Drawing his sword on instinct, Itsuki began scanning the trees.
"Subaru, the hell are you doing man?"
"I made a wager that seems to have paid off but it brought quite a bit of pain with it too." Subaru said while groaning with each word.
"What did you do, Barusu? The wind is erratic and I smell beasts approaching. A large number of them. And on top of that, we haven't found Rem yet!" Ram said.
"Well, don't worry about that." Subaru said while Itsuki scanned the treeline. "I feel our path will cross with hers pretty soon."
"What makes you so sure?" Ram asked.
"Because," Subaru drew his sword as he began to scan the trees as well. "I've been covered in the Witches' scent!"
"Huh?!"
"Rem's goal in to hunt down all the mabeasts, right?" Subaru asked. "They'll all be drawn to the Witches' scent and make their way straight for me. Then Rem will follow those hellhounds toward us."
Seeing countless mabeasts emerge from the bushes, Itsuki gripped his sword with both hands, holding it in an attack pose.
"I'm gonna have to rely on you to do most of the fighting, Ram." Subaru said.
"When this is over, take an adjective look at what you just said, until you wish you were dead!" Ram shouted as she used wind magic to cut down the first mabeast.
Slashing through one of the mabeasts as it pounced, Itsuki quickly followed it up by piercing another through its neck as it tried the same attack. With Ram using spell after spell to protect the trio, she soon collapsed due to exhaustion.
"You gotta be kidding!" Subaru said. Dropping his sheath, Subaru picked the girl up, carring her under his arm as he retreated further into the forest. Seeing Subaru take off, Itsuki slashed another mabeast before turning around to follow.
"This is what I get for believing you when you said you could fight!" Subaru shouted.
"Well, I was fighting, wasn't I?" Ram asked, still barely conscious. "The problem was my strength didn't hold out as long as I thought it would."
"Damnit!" Subaru shouted as he jumped down what looked to be a small slope, however, he quickly realized it was actually an inclined cliff side.
Having jumped with him, Itsuki, Subaru and Ram all slid down the side of the cliff.
"Damn it AAAAAAALLLL!" Subaru shouted as he stabbed his sword into the cliff, ceasing their slide. With Subaru and Ram hanging off a long drop, Itsuki tried to jab his sword into the slope as well, however he wouldn't stop sliding.
Just as he fell over the edge, Itsuki dropped his sword and reached out to grab Subaru's leg, instantly causing Subaru's sword to snap in half and drop all three of them.
As Itsuki and Subaru yelled while falling, Ram extended her arm.
"El Fura!"
With a burst of wind, the three were launched upwards right before they hit the ground. Falling back down, Subaru landed on his feet, quickly turning around to catch Ram as Itsuki was sent rolling across the ground.
"Fuck..!" Holding his side as it ached, Itsuki got up. Seeing his own sword lying beside him, Itsuki picked it up as more mabeasts emerged from the woods in front of the trio.
"Subaru!" Itsuki shouted his name, getting his attention.
Looking towards the group of mabeasts, Subaru grit his teeth.
"Damn it all!" He growled. Looking at Ram, he saw she was unconscious with a line of blood flowing down her nose to her chin. "Ram?" No respone from the girl. "You can't be serious! Damnit!"
Hearing the sound of chains echoing, Subaru and Itsuki looked skywards to see Rem leap over the cliff side, landing in front of them.
"Rem!" Subaru breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank God you're alive!"
"Eheh..." Rem had a slight grin on her face. Pulling her arm back, she prepared to attack.
Seeing her targets weren't the mabeasts but instead Subaru and Itsuki themselves, Itsuki quickly rushed to Subaru.
"Get down!" Tackling him and Ram to the ground, Itsuki managed to get all three of them out of the way of Rem's morningstar as it was swung.
"You're kidding! She can turn into a demon but she can't control it?!" Subaru shouted.
Pushing himself off of Subaru and Ram, Itsuki moved himself away from them as to not make it easy for Rem to kill all three at the same time.
"Hey, Rem!" Itsuki shouted. "It's us! Don't you recognize-" Itsuki had to quickly lay on his back to dodge another of Rem's attacks. Once Rem pulled her morningstar back, Itsuki got to his feet, however he still remained crouched down, ready to jump, roll or dive out of the way of another attack if need be. "I think I prefer you without the horn!" Itsuki shouted. "At least that Rem is decent enough to let me finish talking before trying to take my head off!"
Getting distracted by the mabeasts, Rem took her focus off Itsuki and Subaru to kill the creatures. Swinging her morningstar while performing acrobatic stunts, Rem killed the beasts with both ease and style.
Suddenly, the ground beneath one of the mabeasts exploded, sending the creature airborn and right towards Rem. Biting down on her arm, Rem used its momentum to shove the mabeast into the ground. Pulling her fist back, she punched it hard enough to instantly kill it.
Getting knocked down immediately after the kill by another mabeast, Itsuki realized Rem, even though she was powerful, was going to be outnumbered in a second. Breaking another mabeast's neck, she was knocked back once more, but this time she was closer to her morningstar which she quickly picked back up.
"I gotta do something!" Itsuki said as he took a deep breath. "Hey, Rem, I know you got this! After all, I've experienced death by you first ha-!"
Once more, time felt as though it slowed to a halt. Engulfed by black smoke, the same pair of arms as before reached out from the darkness and towards Itsuki. Reaching into his chest, Itsuki felt the fingers wrap around his heart once more before squeezing.
Coughing as time resumed, Itsuki fell to one knee, placing his hand into the dirt to keep himself from falling over.
Seeing the mabeasts, along with Rem, turn their attention to Itsuki.
"Thought so." Itsuki smirked. "Glad to see Subaru's trick works for me as well. That's bound to come in handy." He said before coughing.
With Rem irritated by the smell coating Itsuki, and the mabeasts focused on the smell, Rem easily killed them in groups now instead of one by one.
"Hey, Itsuki!" Subaru shouted. Looking over, Itsuki saw Subaru a few feet away, still carrying Ram. "Ram says a good solid hit to her horn will snap her out of it! On my signal, hit Rem's horn with your sword!"
"What?!" Itsuki shouted. "What signal?!"
Subaru suddenly began running towards the mabeasts. "THIIIIS...OOOONE!" he shouted as he threw Ram towards her sister.
Without questioning it, Itsuki began sprinting towards Rem as she dropped her morningstar to catch Ram.
Once close enough, Itsuki slashed at Rem's horn, only for her to step out of the way. Having missed his attack, Itsuki stared directly ahead of himself, his eyes wide. Looking back, Itsuki saw Rem prepare to kill him with magic.
"Hey, Rem, I ever tell you that I can Return by-!" Subaru suddenly began coughing, drawing Rem's attention away from Itsuki.
"He's given me another chance!" Itsuki thought. "If I fuck this up, I won't get another!"
Turning around while kicking up dirt in the process, Itsuki raised his sword above his head once again.
"Smile Rem!" Itsuki shouted, getting her attention. "You look better..." swinging his sword, Itsuki aimed for her horn. "WHEN YOU SMILE!"
The sound of Itsuki's sword hitting Rem's horn echoed throughout the forest.
End of chapter 12