Chapter 1
StopItHurtsStopItHurtsStopItHurtsStopItHurtsStopItHurtsStopItHurtsStopItHurtsStopIt
These were Subaru's thoughts as he drifted into insanity.
?: What are you thinking?!
Subaru: "⎯hk"
A voice. It pushed him away. Drove him into a corner.
?: You... you, would never move Betty's heart, in fact. Hate you. I hate you. —I hate you!
Subaru: "That's right. You hate me. It's my fault, isn't it.
Another sound echoed in his mind.
?: Your bald-faced lies can only take you so far, when the witch's smell lies so thickly upon you!
Why?
He feverishly droned on.
Subaru: "ahah, it's pointless. All I ever did was cause you pain. "
?: I owe you so many debts, Subaru. So I'll repay them all now. And we'll end this... You know… I had hopes for you.
Subaru: "This is, unmistakably, my fault."
He had failed, threw away so many chances with the power he had.
Subaru: "-Hhg, ghu"
⎯Forced to witness past realities, Subaru embraced the cold floor. He remembered clearly, the worlds he had once used as no more than a checkpoint condemned his carelessness. Were they real? Did those worlds remain? It was painful regardless. Seeing the pained expressions of the ones he loved as he could only watch sank his spirit and tore his heart to pieces. His body felt light. The numbness of his arms and legs were apparent. His cranium seemed glued to the ground as a wave of vertigo hit him, striking him with a sense of asphyxiation. Drowned in despair, he lay defeated as slowly his consciousness faded.
Emilia strolled around the Sanctuary, to find some inspiration, or perhaps an escape from her duties. She wandered aimlessly as heads turned away from her. Of course they shunned her. She didn't do her job, and on top of that, she was a half elf with semblance to the witch.
The luminescence in her lavender eyes had faded. She had failed the trial. More than once. And it hurt more each time. Lonely. Emilia hadn't felt like this since her days in Elior Forest. Perhaps it was worse. Pack didn't show. Subaru left somewhere, leaving and trusting fully in her ability to complete the trial. So she had to do good and pass the trial before they came back. She seeked validation. She believed that if she met his expectations he would come save her, like always. And so⎯
?: "Ahem. Emilia-sama."
Emilia: "huh? ..oh Ram! This is.. um.. I was.."
Ram: "Yes. Ram spent half the night looking for Emilia-sama. Thanks to Barusu insisting that I make sure you are well rested before attempting the trial. You can praise me later.
Emilia: "Sorry. I must have worried you soooo much. You can go, I'll come back shortly.
Ram: "Ram will be waiting upon Emilia sama's return"
The maid bowed, leaving without a sound.
Emilia peered at the illuminating pale moon with fervor, as she turned back towards the tomb, nervously grasping at the green crystal on her chest.
Emilia hesitated before shaking her worries off and stepped towards the tomb. This was mandatory. Emilia would have to face her past one way or another and free the Sanctuary. Even if it was difficult, she would persevere and everything would go back to normal. Subaru would return safely and⎯
Emilia: "⎯ah"
The next scene betrayed all her expectations. Upon entering the room, all her thoughts directed towards the figure in front of her. The familiar person who lured her in with his endearing words and agreed with her existence.
As her amethyst eyes reflected the sight before her, Emilia remembered the time after she attempted the trial. How broken she felt, seemingly tied down to a nightmare. How lost she was, calling out for the spirit that no longer showed. Then recalled the boy who looked showered in grief. The boy who cried and worried for her. After comforting him, he even promised his support.
The very same was sleeping on the ground surrounded by dried fluids. But why? Why would he escape to the tomb, looking this way? Being familiar with this state herself, Emilia deduced the trial had caused Subaru to be like this. Recalling her inquiry:
Emilia: "Subaru, did you maybe... inside, with the TRIAL too..."
But Subaru claimed otherwise. Placed in tunnel vision by her desperation to avoid him finding out about her past, she hadn't noticed. So then⎯
Emilia: "⎯iar."
She continues despondently.
Emilia: "Subaru, you liar."
Like a disappointed mother approaching her child. Emilia rushed towards her fallen friend, and trembled as she reached a finger to him.
Emilia: "Su.. baru?"