What follows is an entirely nonprofit fan-based work of creative fiction. This story is a hybridization of Tappei Nagatsuki's light novels, the anime, a good chunk of my own work, and a few jokes from different parodies. Though, that probably won't last after the first few chapters as there is no abridged series of Re:Zero (right now) that covers more than the first few episodes. Anyway, I would love to hear your thoughts, so please leave your questions, comments, concerns, and criticisms in the comments. Now, please enjoy the story.

Chapter Two:

A Struggle Too Late

Everything was blurry for a moment, as clarity returned to his senses. The fact that it was daytime was what he noticed first.

"What's wrong, kid? You ok?"

"Huh?" That was all he could respond to the familiar-looking man. What the hell... just happened? He thought. Did I just- The man twisted his face in annoyance.

"Look," He held up what looked almost exactly like an apple. "I'm asking you what the hell you want to do? You started talkin' to me, an' then you just stared off into space. So what'll it be?" Subaru was confused. Didn't this just happen a while ago? Subaru looked at the man again.

"Didn't I tell you earlier? I'm hopelessly broke." He said. The man grabbed his collar.

"Then quit wasting my time. Get outta here!" He threw him back and away from his shop. He walked away and began to look at his surroundings, taking in all of their details.

*A/N: This is when the OST "Call of the Witch" plays for a few seconds. Use YouTube or any music playing app for a more immersive experience as you read.*

What the hell just happened? What's going on? He looked around and saw that everything was exactly as it had been when he arrived in this new world.

"It was night time just a few minutes ago, right?" He asked himself. He lifted his shirt and inspected his stomach. "The wound on my stomach is gone. And my tracksuit isn't even dirty at all." He ran everything he knew through his head. First, he was summoned to the world. Second, he went to the bridge where he got thrown off by the thief girl, Felt. Then he was in the alley where he was getting mugged, but Satella had- He clapped his hand to his forehead. "Oh my god, Satella! That's right. Puck said I had to look out for her, and I totally blew it! I gotta find my way back to that damn shop." He tore off, running toward the slums. While running, he thought that something had brought him back to square one.

* * * * * * *

Damn it, is this the right way!? He screamed in his head. Wait, this is the same alley as earlier... I wonder if the same guys are gonna- He tripped over a slightly raised stone in the ground and fell, rolling a few times. As he fell, though, a thought occurred to him. Wait a minute... He finally stopped when he hit his head on a step at the end of the alley.

"Ahhhhh..." He groaned to himself.

"Hey kid, what's got you in such a rush?" Said a familiar voice from the corner of the wall. That voice... Subaru turned to see a tall man in black clothes with long dark brown hair round the corner in front of him. There's no doubt; it's him. Seeing Subaru's staring at him with a hint of malice, the man asked a question.

"You ok? I saw you hit your head on that step." Subaru's eyes went to the man's belt. There was a sheath there with a small knife in it. Footsteps suddenly echoed throughout the alley. Subaru turned to see the same three thugs approach him. I'm startin' to really hate the feeling of déjà vu.

"Hey boss," Said the tall one in the middle. "Who's the kid? We just saw 'em run in here." Subaru grit his teeth as he stood up. These things've already happened. He looked at the thugs before him. They don't look so tough, now that I know who're the most significant threats... He smirked as he turned to the one by the wall. I can beat them easily. Before anyone could speak or react, Subaru had rammed his right fist into the boss' nose. As the boss stumbled backward and reached for his nose and knife with both hands, Subaru kicked the man hard in the stomach and forced him to the ground. Out of the corner of his eye, Subaru saw the others tense up.

"Hey, you can't do that!" Yelled the one in the middle, putting his hands behind his back. Oh no, you don't. Subaru was suddenly in front of him, picking the man up into the air a few inches with the force of his uppercut. The man landed on his back, groaning and dropped his blades beside him. Subaru quickly turned to the small boy, and roundhouse kicked him into the wall, knocking the wind out of him and forcing to his knees. With the momentum, Subaru turned to the last man. Subaru stepped back as he threw a right hook that carried him into a spin. The man swung his left arm as he turned, but Subaru ducked under it. When the man went for a right jab, Subaru grabbed his arm with both of his and held it as tight as he could. Then, he kicked him where the sun didn't shine with all his might and let go of his arm. Subaru backed up as the man collapsed against the wall.

"Never underestimate a truant kid with too much free time!" Yelled Subaru with a triumphant smile. "I make better use of it then you'd think! So don't mess with me. I'm in a hurry!"

* * * * * * *

By the time Subaru arrived in front of the loot house, the sun had already moved far across the sky, descending into the afternoon. Subaru had spent at least two hours running around the Capital, trying to find the slums before he had finally reached his destination. He panted as he made his way up the steps.

"Damn, it took me forever to find this place... For a while there, I thought I wouldn't. Note to self: pay attention to surroundings at all times." He had spent most of his time with Satella during their search staring at her in awe of her beauty and coming to terms with being a not-so-typical Isekai protagonist. So, of course, he didn't remember much of his journey. He sat down and slumped against the wall to rest. He was practically dripping with sweat. Now then... *What the hell is up with today?* It's almost like I... Respawned or something. Wait... Did I? I distinctly remember my clothes being dirtier and a massive gash across my stomach. But that's obviously not there anymore. He looked down at his tracksuit. My tracksuit's still in perfect condition. And where the hell is Satella? Wait a second... If today is what I think it is, then... What's about to happen? I think I know what happens back in town, but I wasn't here this time of day. So where would Satella and Puck be right about now? He looked up at the sky and tried to guess what time it was. Maybe about two, two thirty-ish? He groaned to himself as he stood. Whatever happens, I have to find answers. I bet I'll find at least a few here. If nothing else, I'll know what happens.

"I won't turn back empty-handed." He said to himself, turning and knocking on the door. After a minute or two of waiting, no one came to the door. So he knocked again, louder. Still, though, no one answered. "Helloooo! Is anyone in there?" Wait a second, what if the killers are in there already? Subaru hesitantly backed up a step but knocked louder again. Then, the door was flung open, with an incredible amount of force. The door hit Subaru and threw him off of the porch onto the ground.

"Who the hell do you think you are, boy!? Tryin' to knock down my damn door 'cause you don't know the password." Looking down at him from the top of the steps was a giant, red-faced, bald older man. His ragged clothes covered his muscular and tall body. This guy has to be at least six or seven feet tall! His skin was deeply tanned, and his chest was covered in hair. Even his eyebrows were exceptionally long. In other words, it was a giant, very energetic-looking old geezer. The man's eyes narrowed. "I've never seen you before! Who told you about this place? Huh!?" In a blur, the man was at the foot of the steps with Subaru in his grasp being held up by his collar.

"Sir... Please put me down. My name is Subaru Natsuki. Pleased to meet you." He held out his hand.

* * * * * * *

The loot house was dark inside. The windows were high up at the top of the building just below the ceiling. There were a few tables here and there. And now that there weren't cadavers or sadistic killers every five feet, Subaru could actually walk in the place without falling.

The man eventually confirmed his identity as Old Man Roy while he and Subaru talked. In front of the counter, Subaru sat on a fixed chair meant for visitors and shifted uncomfortably. The chair was almost unbearable to sit in due to its lack of comfort in any way. He doubted people stayed sitting in them very long. The man drank as Subaru looked around him, thinking about the last time he was there. As I thought. The more he shifted and looked around, the more it caught the attention of Roy. Soon enough, Roy had grown frustrated with his actions.

This place doesn't have a single trace of what happened. Take that and the thugs from earlier obviously not recognizing me; it makes it almost seem as if I've traveled back in time. I wonder though-

"What're you actin' all fidgety for? You got a wedgie, or are your balls chafin'?" Asked the giant older man out of annoyance. Subaru blinked a few times before answering.

"Not that it's any of your business, but my boys're fine. Anyway, now's not the time for that."

"Look, kid, you're already interruptin' my evenin' booze." He raised his large mug to his lips and swallowed a few gulps of his drink. "Start talkin' nonsense an' I'll pass out."

"And if you keep drinking this hard while the sun's still up, you'll die young." Subaru paused and started to ask him another question, but stopped himself. Of course not. Do you see a corpse, Subaru? No. You don't. Roy grabbed a glass out from under the counter, looked at Subaru, and shook the bottle in his other hand side to side.

"Since you're here, did ya' want a drink?" Subaru dismissively raised his hand.

"No, thanks but, do you have any water?"

"Sorry, kid, we only have whiskey." Damn it. I'm really thirsty.

"Hey, old man, is there any chance you've seen a girl with long silver hair around here?" The bartender looked slightly confused in response.

"Long silver hair?" He shook his head. "Sorry, kid, I ain't seen anyone that fits that description. I'd remember if I did." All of this crap is super confusing. I would call it all a dream, but that pain was real. I'm startin' to suspect time travel but...

"So what exactly are you doin' here? You never managed to make that clear during our *riveting* conversation." Subaru was lost in thought for a moment and didn't hear the older man's question. He tapped his shoulder, his large hand nearly knocking him out of his chair.

"Hey!" He yelled as he regained his balance. "What?"

"Look, kid, did you come here to buy somethin' or interrogate me. I'm tryin' to run a business here."

"This place looks pretty abandoned. Do you even get any customers?" The older adult looked him dead in the eyes.

"Please buy somethin'. I haven't eaten in three days." Now's my chance.

"Well, is there any chance you have a small dark-colored triangular stone with a red jewel in the center?"

"I check everything that comes in an' out of this building. So I'm sure I don't." Subaru looked defeated. "But you're in luck. An associate o' mine should be here soon-ish with an item that fits that description." Subaru couldn't help but grin with excitement.

"That's great." Wait a second. "Would the person bringing it in happen to be a little girl named Felt?"

"Actually, ye- Wait. How do you know who took it?" Subaru couldn't help but strike a victory pose due to his overwhelming amount of joy. I'm beginning to piece together the puzzle now. I just need to be sure of a few more things. It's too early to conclude soon. He unintentionally ignored the older adult behind the counter. "Ah, whatever." Roy continued to himself. "So how much are you gonna offer for the little trinket anyway?" Subaru shook his head.

"I'm broke beyond compare. I've got not a single bit of money at all." Roy was shocked by this boy's confidence.

"If you can't repurchase it, then surely you have something worth money. Right?" He looked at the bag of items Subaru had set on the bar.

"That's exactly the case." He reached into his pocket and pulled out his cell phone. He held it out to Roy. "What you're looking at now is a powerful magic item. It's called a 'cell phone.'" A 'cell phone' hm? Roy thought. What an odd name for a Metia. "This particular object holds the power to capture and freeze a moment in time." Subaru continued. It was a compact-size, white and grey colored, thinly modeled flip phone. As Roy looked on in amazement at this mysterious object he had never seen before, Subaru flipped it open, quickly moved his thumb, and a bright light flashed, illuminating the interior of the building.

Along with the flash, a loud shutter sound rang out. Roy fell back behind the counter. Subaru couldn't help but laugh at such an exaggerated reaction. The older man, however, was mad.

"What's the hell, kid!? You tryin' to kill me!?"

"Hey, wait a second! Just calm down." Subaru showed him the screen of his phone.

"That's my face... But... How did you do that?"

"Like I said, this thing can freeze a moment in time and store it away. That's exactly what I just did."

"This is really... Hmm..." Roy looked intensely at the phone. Subaru grinned, emboldened by the fact that the older adult seemed more interested in the phone than he expected. This's great. I can trade my phone for Satella's insignia, and then find her and return it. But then what? "This thing's a Metia, right?"

"Huh? A Metia?" Roy nodded.

"They're objects that you use to do Magic without opening up a gate as most Magic users do. If you don't know what this thing is, then my best guess is that it's a Metia." So magic items are called 'Metia'? I guess the name fits pretty well. Roy put the phone back on the counter. "Well kid, this is my first-time dealin' with one of these. I don't think I can put an exact price on it. It would probably be high, though." Roy rubbed his chin as he looked up at Subaru. "This Metia here would probably sell for more than the little trinket you're lookin' for. So why're you after it?"

"I wanna pay a friend of mine back. She helped me out not too long ago, but we got separated." Roy realized something as Subaru began to describe Satella. This kid's tryin' to return the thing Felt stole. The person he's talkin' about is the one he asked me about earlier. I almost wish we didn't already have buyers lined up for it.

"So you're tryin' to return the thing to the person that helped you. How noble of you." Roy looked at the boy with determination radiating off of him. "So whaddya' got in the bag?"

* * * * * * *

Felt ran as fast as she could, but it seemed the man with dark clothes and his companions were somehow able to keep pace with her. What the *hell* is going on? She thought. This was supposed to be *easy!* The man in black and gray jumped up onto the wall she was running on.

"Blessed be, kid." Felt yelped in surprise as she looked back and saw him running just two steps behind her. "Listen, I *really* need you to give that back." Felt glanced back at him.

"Yeah, right, just give it a rest!"

"You act like I can do that! You stole something important. Just give it back, and you won't get hurt, I promise." She glanced down to her left and saw the silver-haired girl and maid that ran after them on the small side street that ran parallel to the wall. They were only a few feet behind the man who would've been next to her if the wall was any wider. Damn. She looked up and noticed that the wall would soon end right next to a large building.

"No way!" She yelled as she jumped up onto the wall and ran parallel to the ground up the building's wall. The man also jumped up after her. This guy's unreal! He's just as agile as I am. What a nuisance! He vaulted over the edge of the wall and landed just in front of her. She slid under him, but he grabbed her arm and pulled her back. He held her up into the air as the maid and girl with silver hair called up to him.

"Arden! Did you catch her?" He reached to pin her feet.

"Fret not ladies, for I-" Felt kicked him where the sun didn't shine, causing him to drop her and fall to his knees. Well, I'm not holding back next time. He thought as she landed gracefully on her feet and sprinted away.

* * * * * * *

After having gotten through the first round of negotiations, Subaru spent his time waiting for Felt chatting with the old man and sharing the food he had in his bag.

"Kid, these things're delicious! I don't know a lot about you, but you're a strange guy. First, it was your clothes. Now it's your great food."

"Hey, wait, goddamnit! I said you could have *half, not *all* of them!" Subaru grumbled to himself as he put the empty wrappers of junk food he had back in the plastic bag. He looked up at the windows to see where the sun was. It's already sunset! He thought. Where the hell *is* this kid? As Subaru stood up, a knock was heard at the door. Subaru looked at Roy as he moved to open it. Instead, however, he stopped and yelled at it.

"Password!" He yelled. A small feminine voice answered from outside.

"Roy, *this* is why we don't have customers." Roy nodded his head and opened the door.

*A/N: For a more immersive experience while reading, use YouTube or any music playing app to play the OST "Fantasy Clap."*

Felt had semi-long golden blonde hair that went to her shoulder blades. From the side of her mouth peeked a mischievous canine tooth. Her eyes were a crimson red. She wasn't very tall, about five feet Subaru figured. The clothes she was wearing seemed easy to move in, but they were in tatters. There was a knife with a yellowish handle in a sheath on the back of her hip tied to a belt she wore.

"Sorry I took such a long time, old man." She said with a friendly tone. "I had a few... *Persistent* people on my trail. Fortunately, I finally managed to lose 'em not too long ago." As Felt's eyes fell on Subaru sitting at a table toward the far corner, her triumphant smile vanished. "And who the hell are you?" Without waiting for Roy to respond, she rounded on him. "I said I was bringing something in that was important. I-"

"I know what you said, Felt, but this kid's here about that thing you're gonna sell." Roy's answer only made Felt even more suspicious. By the way she was unconsciously drawing her hand close too her chest, it appeared that was where she was holding Satella's insignia.

"It's like the old man said," Subaru interjected. "I'm here about the insignia you 'acquired' today."

"Yeah, the kid's got an offer that ain't too bad." He looked at Subaru. "Right, boy?" Subaru looked at Felt and held up his cell phone. Felt gestured him over to the bar, so he stood and followed her. They both sat down across from each other at a table just in front of the bar.

"So you're here to negotiate, huh?" Wow, straight to the point just like that.

"Yeah. My business is with the little trinket you picked up not long ago." Felt raised her eyebrows and her level of caution. I don't like this. She thought. He knows about what I stole, *and* the fact that *I* stole it. Subaru smirked a bit. "So yeah, I *am* here to negotiate for it." Felt scowled at Subaru and tried to read him.

"Roy." She said shortly. Roy nodded and grabbed a bottle from beneath the bar.

"Here ya' go, your favorite whiskey." He said as he poured a small glass of the slightly cloudy liquid. She grabbed the glass and took a drink.

"This's just water."

"We've... Fallen on hard times."

"You said earlier that all you had was whiskey!" Subaru raised his voice slightly.

"I say lotta things, kid." Felt cleared her throat to get the attention back to her.

"Sooo... About the item you're trying to get?" Subaru nodded.

"Right."

"How much're you offering?"

"Before I say, is there any chance I can maybe see it?"

"Sure thing." Reaching into her pocket, she took out the insignia and placed it on the table. So this's what I've been looking for? He thought as he looked at it, matching every detail he could to Satella's description. It was a triangular dark-colored stone about the size of his palm. What stood out the most, though, was the gilded, intricate design of a winged Dragon. In its open mouth was a sparkling red jewel about half the size of an American dime. Felt snapped her fingers, ripping him from his daze. He nodded his head.

"Yeah. I'm sure this is what I'm looking for." He motioned to pick up the insignia, but Felt swiped it first.

"Get your *frail* hands away from that." She said with an evil sneer. Why the hell does everyone comment on my hands? "Let me give you fair warning. There's another client coming in soon who's also interested in it." Oh great.

"If you say they're coming in soon, do you know when they'll be here?"

"No idea." She sat up straight. "Anyway, how much are you offering for it?"

"Nothing in terms of money, but what I *do* have is this." He held up his cell phone and flipped it open. Before she could respond, however, a bright white light flashed, and a loud shutter sound went off several times. Roy laughed to himself as Felt rubbed her eyes. She was agitated.

"What the hell!? You trying to kill me or something!?" Subaru showed her the screen of his phone.

"This is a Metia called a cell phone. It has the power to capture and store moments in time. In exchange for the insignia, you can have this Metia." Having played his best card right away, Subaru had pushed the negotiations in his favor.

"Interesting. Roy, how much do you think this thing's worth?" This kid's only interested in money.

"Well, I can't say exactly how much it would go for. But I do think the Metia could go for a lot more than that little stone you have, Felt. There's definitely money to be made with this trade." The little girl seemed pleased that the item got Roy's words of approval. I'm going to overcharge this thing for every bit it's worth. Thought Felt.

"The client offered up ten blessed gold coins." Said Felt. Blessed gold coins? Thought Subaru. What the hell are they? Noticing Subaru's confusion, Roy explained.

"If I were to sell the trinket, I could get as much as five gold coins."

"So, they're already paying twice the amount it's worth?" Roy shook his head as Felt fiddled with the object in her hands.

"*Blessed* gold coins are made of blessed gold. It's rarer and is obviously more expensive. It's about two gold coins for every *one* blessed gold coin. Ya' get it?" Subaru nodded.

"So, they're paying four times as much?"

"Yeah, but your Metia's way more valuable than the little stone you're lookin' to buy. Frankly, the two're on completely different levels of value."

"I see." Subaru didn't understand the general cost of goods in this world; he had thought that gold coins were the most valuable currency. The fact that his cell phone's worth was measured in a currency even higher than that, and not just one or two but twenty coins, took him by surprise. Felt, who had been listening intently despite being occupied, finally chimed in.

"So if I can get more than twenty blessed gold coins for your Metia, then I won't sell it to 'em. But we'll have to wait until they get here to find out." Subaru nodded again.

"Judging by the fact that you're here with it instead of somewhere else, you're gonna meet the other buyer here. Aren't you?"

"Yeah, negotiations'll take place right here." She reached over and tapped the bar. "If a little thing like me dealt with anyone shady, I'd be screwed if they tried to cheat me. But with Old Man Roy here, they'd think twice." A *little* thing like her? I mean, she is pretty small and thin, but I doubt she's helpless.

"Hey, Felt?"

"Hm?"

"You look familiar. I'm pretty sure I've seen you someplace before. Is there any chance you remember me?" The girl looked at him and studied his face.

"Ya' know what? I d-" The sound of a semi-loud knock on the door interrupted her. When no one moved for a few moments, the knock came again.

"Felt, didn't you tell 'em about the special knock?" Asked Roy.

"Oh crap, I didn't! That's probably for me." Felt stood and walked over to the door. Subaru looked at Roy as he went into the back of the cellar and returned with a massive club. It was about the length of a wooden kendo sword, and it was made out of wood. Sticking out of the tip were a group of sharp points. I bet a clean hit with that thing could hospitalize someone.

"Are you really ok with letting her use you like this?"

"It ain't like we just met or somethin'. I've known Blondie since she was a little kid, so I try to look out for her whenever I can." A club seemed to fit the six-foot-tall, muscular older man. "In this place, people're likely to kill and hurt each other just to survive every day. Most people band together to protect each other, but Felt ain't cut out for that. That's why I gotta look out for her." I'm getting the vibe these two were brought together by some tragedy or something. They're like family.

Just then, Felt returned with a tall man and woman behind her. The man seemed to be a little taller than Subaru. His semi-long auburn hair went down to his ears, and his white coat went down to just above his ankles. His pantlegs produced a slightly audible folding sound with his every step as his heavy boots knocked on the floor. His sleeves covered his hands, but Subaru saw the fingerless gloves he wore. The man's skin was slightly pale, yet youthful-looking. He can't be much older than me. Nineteen or twenty maybe. It made his bright indigo eyes stand out the most. He didn't seem dangerous. Though, neither did his associate. She was a beautiful woman, just a few inches shorter than the man. She can't be any older than her early twenties maybe. The air around her was incredibly calm. What stood out in the darkness of the cellar, though, was the almost sickly whiteness of her skin. Her black coat had an open front, showing that the clothes she wore underneath were equally as dark, and fit tightly to her skin. While she was reasonably thin, she definitely had curves where they should be. To anyone looking at her, you couldn't help but think her attractive. Her long black hair was like Subaru's, which seemed to be incredibly rare in this world. It was tied back in a braid that could've reached all the way to her hips if she wasn't twisting the tip around her fingers. Is she nervous or something? Subaru, having minimal real experience with women even in his own world, grew incredibly nervous at the sight of her. He looked back at the man. His eyelids seemed to be heavy as the man lazily walked over to a curved couch in the back corner of the loot house and dropped himself on it, yawning semi-loudly as he stretched his arms up.

"Please don't mind him. He's just drained from our long journey." Said the woman as she took a seat across from Subaru. From the corner, the man raised his left hand.

"The name's Norwood." He said with a smile before falling flat on the couch. Felt took the seat at the table to the right of Subaru.

"And my name is Elza." The woman finished as the man dropped his arm. She glanced at Subaru and Roy. Their voices sound familiar. Wait, could they be- "My, with so many people here waiting for us, I feel like I've disappointed you." Felt pointed to Roy behind the counter.

"With this guy, it's the wisdom of the weak. I can't let myself get cheated." She flicked her wrist at Subaru. "And that one, he's come to negotiate as well."

* * * * * * *

*A/N: In the anime, this is when the OST "Night Plot" begins. Use YouTube or any music playing app while reading for a more immersive experience.*

Elza took a drink of the milk Roy had poured for her just a moment ago and licked the liquid on her upper lip off slowly. "I see now. I think I understand the situation." She said. Elza seemed to give off an air of eroticism in every move she made. While Felt had been explaining the situation to her, she had turned her glance several times to Subaru. Every time her dark purple eyes landed on him, it made him so flustered he could hardly handle himself.

"So yeah, you two'll be bidding against each other." Said Felt.

"So you've offered up a Metia, right?" Elza said to Subaru.

"That's right." He pulled out his cell phone and pointed it at the woman across from him. He flipped it open. "Wanna see how it works?"

"Sure." With a flash of light and an annoying shutter sound, he took a picture of her. Upon showing her the screen, she raised her eyebrows slightly. "My, how interesting."

"It captures and stores a moment in time." Said Roy.

"Hmm. Norwood?" The young man in the corner stood, walked over to the table, and produced a small brown leather bag from the inside of his coat. As he set it down, Subaru could hear the sound of heavy metal objects clanging together. Elza dumped the contents onto the table, and several shining golden coins tumbled across it. "The truth is, our employer gave us quite a few extra... Incentives for you to go through with this deal. I'm afraid that I don't know if you'll be satisfied with only *twenty* blessed gold coins." That Metia seems like at the right time, it could prove invaluable. Thought Elza as Roy counted the coins to make sure she hadn't counted wrong.

"Your employer, huh? So you and him were hired to get this little thing?" Asked Felt, holding up the insignia. Norwood nodded.

"That's right." He said as he reached up behind his head and scratched his neck. "Perhaps rather obviously, our employer's the one that wants it." He turned to Subaru with a friendly look in his eyes. "Any chance you're in the same line of work?" Subaru raised his right hand and waved it in denial.

"Oh, no. I'm just trying too..." He trailed off as he noticed Roy nod to Felt and give him a serious look as if to say 'Don't do it.' Instead, Roy answered for him.

"The boy's a bit of a collector. He likes little trinkets like the one you're all here for." He turned to Subaru and noticed his nervousness as he looked at the neat stacks Roy had sorted the coins into. "Don't worry, kid, that Metia o' yours is worth *at least* twenty blessed gold coins. Which means it's worth more than that." Felt looked at Elza.

"Sorry, but it looks like the favor here falls to this broke kid with the frail hands." She said, smirking mischievously at Subaru. Di-Did I just win? Subaru let out a cry of excitement and stood up. Elza sighed and began to bag up the coins.

*A/N: For a clearly superior experience while reading, use YouTube or any music playing app to listen to the OST "Death Ballet."*

"Well, that ends that I guess." She said in a somewhat deep, frozen sort of voice as Norwood clenched his right hand into a fist. 'I was right!' was the last thought Subaru had before Norwood lashed the back of his right hand across Subaru's face, sending him flying out of his chair and into a table on the far side of the loot house. Felt reached for her knife as Roy reached for the club on the bar's counter. Noticing this, Elza reached behind her back and under her coat. Norwood grabbed the table and sent himself across it, kicking the club out of Roy's hand with his right foot just an inch before it would've hit Elza. He twisted his hips and rammed his left foot into Roy's stomach, forcing him away as he rolled across the table again. Felt's knife flashed in the air as she thrust it toward Elza. In one fluid motion from both hands, Norwood caught her wrist with his right and took the knife away with his left, throwing it toward Subaru but missing his head by barely an inch. He sent Felt flying away toward the far side of the building with a kick. As they locked eyes, his partner nodded. In an instant, he was by the door, closing it tightly. The next second, he was walking back toward the couch he had been napping on earlier. Without stopping, he bent over, picked up a broken glass, and set it on a table. Subaru was dazed for a moment before opening his eyes and succumbing to the growing fear that had been gnawing at him for several seconds. I knew it!

"These guys are the ones who killed me... There's no doubt about it." Subaru said quietly to himself. He turned and saw a large knife, not two inches from the side of his face. Beyond it was the barely conscious Felt slumped up against the large overturned table with bits of a broken chair underneath her. Looking across the building, Subaru saw Elza draw something from behind her back. He squinted to get a better look at it. It was, to Subaru's vast weapon knowledge, a kukri blade. Easily a foot long, the blade bent inward as it extended from the handle. Due to the tip's weight, it was often used as an ax to decapitate enemies or prey. Just looking at it, it wasn't hard for Subaru to imagine the season's vicious brutality. Despite drawing such a weapon, Elza had a completely calm and serene smile on her face. And it was aimed at Subaru.

"Rrrragh!" Old Man Roy let out a roar as he swung the club in his grasp downward. It came barreling toward her head, cutting through the air like the older man was swinging a twig. It slammed loudly against the foot of the cellar, leaving a small crater in its wake. I think I just felt the whole building shake! As the club flew upward, several items flew in all directions from the shock the series of impacts produced.

"This is my first fight to the death with a Giant." Said Elza as she spun and crouched against the wall.

"Keep talking an' I'll turn you into mincemeat then feed you to the rats!" He yelled back. The building seemed to shake with every blow Roy unleashed onto the woman that hit the floor as she jumped too and fro, leaping onto tables or anywhere but where Roy's club would be in the next instant. She jumped up onto a table but jumped as Roy swung his club at it. The table was reduced to flying timbers before the force of Roy's strike. Her movements are unnatural. Thought Subaru as fear began to retake hold of him. Then he felt something grab his right arm. It was Felt using it to steady herself as she rose. This girl's not normal. Thought Felt. Her moves are freaky, but Roy's stronger physically. If only she'd stay still! She turned to Subaru, and upon seeing his eyes full of fear, the dazed Felt reassured him of victory.

"Don't worry, Old Man Roy's got this!" She yelled.

"Take that!" Roy yelled as he kicked over a table. It split in half and splintered from the kick's force, and for an instant, Elza, who was obviously on the other side, was hidden behind its fragments with her line of sight cut off. Roy swung the club down with all of his might. If that connects, it'll-

"*ROY!*" Felt's distraught scream shook the air. Then Subaru's wide eyes focused on the object spinning in the air. It was Roy's arm, still gripping his club tightly. Severed at the shoulder, it flew through the air toward a wall, trailing and spraying blood all the while. The entire room was showered with blood. Even Subaru and Felt were not exempt from it. On the other side of the loot house, Norwood stood and began to walk toward the door. Felt screamed again. If this is it... Roy thought.

"I'm gonna take you with me!!" He yelled, throwing himself forward. As the fragments of the table fell to the ground, Elza was behind it, still holding the position of her swing's follow-through. Her body leaned forward, right arm extended—her left hand behind her, reaching out. As Norwood walked forward, he batted his hand against the broken glass he had picked up earlier, sending it straight into Elza's waiting hand. Before an instant even passed, Elza rammed the broken glass deep into Roy's throat, stopping his advance.

"You really should invest in more sturdy dining ware." She said. Roy gurgled, and blood frothed from his mouth. Roy fell forward, making Elza move to the side. As his body hit the floor, the light in his eyes vanished, his body convulsed, and the older adult's life was drug away even though it still clung desperately to his body. She twirled her kukri around her hand and pointed it at Felt, paralyzed in fear as she stood just to the right of Subaru and in front of him just enough so he couldn't see her face. She grit her teeth tightly.

"You bitch." She said clearly with hatred shining brightly from her blood-red eyes. "You killed him. He was my only family, and you killed him. As penance," She looked Elza dead in the eyes, hatred shining brightly in her own. "I'll take your life." Goddamnit. Thought Subaru. I feel so helpless like this, but I feel like if I move, I'll die. She dashed forward, blurring before Subaru's eyes as though a gale had blown through the building. Just when he completely lost sight of her, he saw Elza's body twist to the left.

"The Divine Protection of Wind Riding. Oh, how wonderful." Said Elza, just before turning to Felt and spinning her knife around her finger. An arc surged forward, and the blonde child fell backward through the air. When she hit the floor, blood spewed from her like a fountain with every beat of her heart. On the ground, she didn't move another inch. Within a few seconds, the flow of her blood lost its pressure. He wanted to move. To help. Something! But Elza still stood there, freezing him in place by the sheer terror she instilled in him. His body rejected his pleas, as it had for the past several seconds. They felt like separate eternities for the fearful boy. She's... She's...

*A/N: In the anime, this is when the OST "Rondo of Love and Darkness" begins. Use YouTube or any music playing app for a clearly superior experience while reading.*

"The old man and the girl have fallen, but what of you? Are you just going to stay there and wait to die like some wounded animal?" Subaru couldn't help but shiver. Then he looked at Norwood, but what stole his attention immediately was the fact that the door was sailing through the air. There was a tall young man in the doorway wearing a black robe with short sleeves over what seemed like a solid gray sleeveless shirt. But Subaru didn't get a clear look at him before Norwood landed a hard right hook that sent him flying toward the wall about six or so feet to Subaru's left. There were people behind him too, Norwood turned and snapped his fingers at them, sending the two flying away off of the porch. The second he turned back, the other man was there. He rammed his fist into Norwood's stomach, lifting him an inch or two before moving toward Elza. Before he could finish his second step, Norwood grabbed his arm and slammed him into the wall next to him. That was when a memory flashed through Subaru's mind. A memory of a bloody body in a wall, dripping blood. That's the same guy! But- He couldn't finish his thought as Elza launched herself at him, kukri pointing toward his heart. Before he even knew what he was doing, Subaru grabbed the knife from next to his head and rolled to the right. He stood quickly, realizing that Elza had missed. He realized now that there was an uncontrollable anger building inside him. As the man in black and gray traded blows with Norwood on the far side of the building, Subaru stood quaking with rage. The people she had killed with little resistance, and with no hesitation, were people that grown somewhat important to Subaru in the short time he had known them. Yet this woman, before him, standing up and drawing her knife back from the tabletop where its blade was buried, had slaughtered them with no provocation whatsoever. People like this have always pissed me off. People that don't know the value of life... It's absolutely unforgivable. He looked at her and locked eyes.

"As long as I can breathe, I'll fight you with everything I have." Said Subaru.

"Which isn't much, considering..." Said Elza, looking down to Subaru's lower stomach. Subaru followed her line of sight. In those few seconds he looked away from her, she shot forward with her knife extended. Subaru looked back just as she was about to sink her knife into his stomach. But then, she threw herself backward. He looked to his right and saw a short straight-bladed sword with a square guard embedded into the wall on his right. Wait what? How did... He grit his teeth and tightened his grip on Felt's knife then held it out before him. Elza rose too her feet and twirled the knife in her hand. "Norwood, do get a handle on him, will you?" She asked. Then Subaru glanced to his left and realized where the sword had come from. The guy that broke the door threw it at her to save me. But... He didn't have a sword a minute ago.

"What's wrong? Aren't you gonna-" He coughed up blood and staggered back. What the hell!? He looked at Elza again, then at her hands. Ohhhhhh nooooo... Why are there *two* knives? He looked at his lower stomach again. Shit... She got me... There were tears in his eyes. I don't want to die...

"I believe it's time for me to send you to meet the Angels." She said, suddenly behind him. She brought down her kukri, the blade sinking deep into Subaru's shoulder and continuing its extended cut diagonally down his back too just above his left hip. He winced forward, but she kicked him down. Once he was on the ground, his head was looking to the left toward Norwood's fight. It was clearly a stalemate with the man matching him blow for blow. Please... Please help me... He pleaded over and over in his head. Then, as if in response to his silent prayers, the man looked at him. His cyan eyes meeting Subaru's for an instant before moving to Elza. He clenched his teeth in what seemed like anger as his eyes went wide.

"N-" Was all he managed before Norwood rammed his fist into the man's cheek, throwing him into the wall behind him as it cracked from the force of the impact. Damn... Is this it? Is this the end of Subaru Natsuki? I don't want to die... Elza rolled Subaru over onto his back, so his stomach faced the ceiling.

"I'm going to watch you bleed boy." She said as she put pressure on his stomach to force more blood out of him. It was a deep cut, at least two inches into him and six inches across his stomach. "Making quick cuts like this one are my specialty," Subaru growled through gritted teeth. Elza lifted her foot and stomped on his face, breaking his nose and several of his front teeth simultaneously. He coughed up blood again onto his chin and collar. His body in pain, his consciousness struggled to resist the urge to fade away. "Ah, your insides have such a nice color to them." This girl's crazy... With shaking fingertips, he weekly moved his right hand toward Elza's foot. She stomped on his stomach again. "Does it hurt? Are you sad? Can you feel the urge to die?" She knelt next to him and grabbed Felt's knife that had fallen unused at Subaru's side when Elza had cut his back. She stabbed into his stomach and continued to filet him open. The pain was overwhelming. Through every cut, her eyes never left Subaru's not even for an instant. Her eyes were filled with ecstasy. She was in utter and complete bliss, taking his life as slowly and painfully as she was. His lip trembled as tears fell down his face. I'm scared... This can't be it... Can it? He had lost his sight, the blood loss taking its toll finally. He could barely hear. He couldn't smell. He could only feel the pain his body was in as he grew colder. With the last ounces of strength he had, he managed a thought and a hit. The thought, 'Damn it,' and to lift his left hand to Elza's face, the back of his hand gently hitting her left cheek. She smiled devilishly as his consciousness slipped away despite its best efforts. With that, Subaru Natsuki's life withered away as he gave his last breath.

There was a slight pause for a moment. Then...

Light flooded his eyes as they snapped open wide.

*A/N: In the anime, this is when the first ending begins. You know what to do for a better experience.*

"Hey kid, are you ok?" Subaru blinked several times for his vision to focus. When it finally did, there was the all too familiar face of Kadomon in front of him with ripe red fruit in his hand. Then he felt as if something hit him. His head snapped up; eyes wild looking every direction for danger as fear overtook him. His breathing was rapid, harsh, and ragged, taking in deep breaths and only letting half the breath out before gulping in more. He knew exactly where he was. Kadomon was before him, holding an appa and asking him if he wanted it. But Subaru couldn't bring himself to answer him. Overcome With dizziness and nausea, he collapsed on the spot.

* * * * * * *

Subaru felt a cold rush of water on his face, ripping him back to reality. As he opened his eyes, he realized- it's not sunset anymore... Subaru looked just in front of him and saw Kadomon with an empty glass and an appa before him.

"That woke ya' up. Look, just forget about the money. Here." He moved the appa toward Subaru and set the empty glass down on the ground, exchanging it for another full one next too it. Subaru accepted them both, taking a swig of water and a bite of the appa.

"Thank you, sir." He said.

"No problem." Said Kadomon as he stood up. "Let me know when you wanna run off, alright?" Subaru nodded. That's definitely the same guy. Then, as he looked to his right down the road, as his heart filled heaviness at the thoughts running through his head, he saw her. A semi-tall girl with silver hair wearing a white robe that swayed with her every step. Satella. She was flanked by a blue-haired girl in a maid's uniform and a tall young man wearing black and gray, his dark hair the same color as Subaru's but fading to gray at the tips. I... I... No way... Before he even knew what he was doing, he was running toward them.

"Hey, wait up! Please!" He called. All of their steps seemed to barely slow down for a fraction of a second, before resuming their pace. "Satella!" That was when they all stopped in their tracks. When Subaru got close enough, the man whirled around and picked him up by his collar while gritting his teeth.

"What the *hell* do you think you're doing? Huh? Calling just any Half-Elf that name. You should be ashamed of yourself." Wait what?

"The Witch of Envy's name is considered a curse. Saying it out loud is the most taboo thing anyone could possibly do." Said the maid with hostile eyes and a sharp voice seemingly capable of cutting into Subaru.

"How dare you address our lady by that wretched name? I should kill you right now." Subaru said nothing, yet looked at the one he had addressed incorrectly. Is her name not Satella? He stared into her hostile and angry eyes, yet she tapped the man's shoulder.

"If he promises never to show his face again, let him go." She said. The young man's fierce glare burned itself into Subaru's memory, never for him to forget.

Surprise.

Thank you for reading.

Please leave a review.

A/N: There weren't really any jokes this chapter, though I did quote The Boiis abridged parody of Re:Zero, Re:Zero Abridged - Episode 1,

in order to save time or bridge gaps.*

Until the next Chapter or Update,

Hellbeast115