Chapter II

Cardinal

The moist dull air clogged his nostrils. His angry hazel eyes desperately tried to see through the darkness. A sudden flash of light buzzed through his pupils, struggling against the sudden contrast of light.

A familiar box filled with moving images that shouldn't exist in this world plastered itself across the never-ending hallway, with several duplicates all broadcasting the same image. "H-how…" His stupor cut short as a very familiar figure crossed itself through the television screens.

"Maaaaan~ You have no idea how difficult it was summoning some TV screens from Japan. Especially when dear old silver-haired lady witch-sama has this weird vendetta against our home world. Or maybe she's just clingy, I don't know. I've only spoken to her once, and most of the time it was just incoherent blabber on her part."

"This...the butterfly effect was true?!….." A silent 'fuck!' escaped the victim's lips out of frustration. "FUCK!"

The one in the screen tilted his head, confused. No, more like he didn't understand the man's outburst.

"Well, my new authority has a hell of a lot more restrictions than wretched whore Pandora's. Unlike her, I have to follow a strict set of guidelines to make my reality. Since you and I share an ability, I can't afford to kill you randomly. No. That's not how it works."

The trapped young man gazed over his surroundings, and realized this place was designed after a game he had played a long time ago. An 'Indiana Jones' video-game on the original Xbox."Oh God…."

"Yep. It's a death course, you guessed it." He twirled his fingers, "This place is blocked from Satella's complete influence. If you die here, you die for good. But because of this stupid authority, in order for her influence to stay completely blocked, I also have to play the obstacle course. I have to 'put myself' into the story. Tis the fate of the talentless." He shrugged, and smiled.

"Why in the Hell are you blabbering your weakness to me?" The sage asked.

"Because I won't lose to you," The archbishop answered. A wicked smile crossed his face, "Better not die too quickly."

[]

3 Months Before….

Sweat dripped from Subaru's forehead. His breathing grew ragged, but his body accustomed and continued. Garfiel smirked as he watched his captain jump through the obstacles with relative ease.

"Man, Cap'n, you've gotten bett'r. Back then, you were LIKE A BABY CHICK BURNING IN THE BLAZING HOT SUN." He chuckled, revealing his pointy teeth.

"How about putting it in a cuter way?! That just makes me feel bad for the poor chicken!"

"Tsk!"

"Don't act like Ram!" Subaru parried. In the corner of his eye, he saw a small blonde girl with ridiculous drills for hair. Her reddish dress carried itself proudly through the well-cut grass. A refreshing wind passed through them like water in a desert.

As he did a backflip, a blue-haired maid accompanied by a smaller, blonde maid scurried to his side. "Ah, Rem, Petra. Yo. What's up?"

The two maids smiled, and Rem spoke up, "Emilia-sama wants you to accompany her to the Capital. The preparations for the final Royal Selection are almost complete."

"It's almost over, huh? Can't believe we managed to get this far. It's like a breath of fresh air," His eyes moved toward the horizon, seeing something unseen. It was as if he was there, but wasn't there. As if any moment, Natsuki Subaru would disappear. Rem frowned slightly, worried. At times, she'd catch him gazing off to places unknown. His hometown? Maybe.

"Don't worry, Subaru!" Petra misunderstood his solemn look for nervousness, "Everything will be alright! You're the hero that destroyed the witch's cult!"

"Haha," He chuckled, "I couldn't have done it without you guys, though."

[]

"U-ughhh…" Incoherent gurgles escaped his throat. Choking on his own blood, the boy's damaged black jacket was stained in red-hot liquid, slowly growing colder as it dried and stuck to his skin. "W-where…."

He was fatally injured. Parts of his body were covered in lacerations and stab wounds. He had no idea how he was still alive. He pulled his face to the concrete, and pushed his hands against the slippery floor, covered in a pool of his own blood. He fell flat on his face, nearly drowning on his own blood.

"Ahhh…." An unfamiliar childish voice reached his ears, albeit just barely. "Whaaaaat a paaaaaaiiiiiin." The dying man just barely managed to open his eyes, and noticed a young boy covered in black robes staring down on him.

"Whaaat a paaain. Such Aceeddiiaaa, dying in my way. What happpeennnns if your gunky blood staaaaaiiiins my boots, huh? Hoooow would you recompensate if your scent stiiiiicks to my robes?"

"Hec…." He coughed, blood spilling out, "-ctor…."

[]

"What a hideous expression, I suppose," A small twin-tailed girl pouted, her butterfly-eyes furrowed in irritation, clearly contrasting against her adorable appearance. "Quit worrying so much over the little details, Subaru."

He chuckled nervously, "Ahhh….You noticed?" Subaru ruffled his own hair.

"Of course. You're Betty's partner, I suppose. There's nothing I can't see about you."

Faking a snarl, Subaru ruffled Beatrice's hair, annoying her as he nearly undid the twin drills she desperately shielded from him. He pushed her bangs down, blocking her eyesight.

A sullen expression gazed into empty space, drowned in resignation, unnoticed by the female spirit.

He ventured off towards the Grand Palace, carrying the blonde spirit on his back. With forced energy, Subaru charged to see Emilia.

[]

A large sigh escaped Garfiel's lips, as he ventured next to the blue-haired maid. "Man, what's up with Cap'n?" He placed his hand on his hips, clicking his tongue, visibly annoyed by Subaru's performance. His captain appeared desperate and overeager during training. Granted, the black-haired man improved his fighting and parkour abilities, but Subaru became more and more desperate the more he improved.

As if he was running out of time somehow.

"I don't know…" Rem responded, "But...the witch's scent is increasing at a rapid rate. It's alarming….But Beatrice-sama and I have made a promise not to tell Subaru-kun, however...I'm certain he's aware of it somehow."

"Shit…."

[]

Natsuki Subaru was revered as the man who destroyed the Witch's cult. His intellect and prowess greatly aided the country, defeating every single Archbishop, and undoing the damage they've caused.

He cured those transformed by Lust. He brought back those eaten by Gluttony. He saved a hundred wives from Greed's clutches. He destroyed the possessive spirit of Sloth. He severed the emotional link between Wrath and the innocent.

But his accomplishments hadn't ended there. He was also responsible for destroying the White Whale, sealing the Sizeable Hare, and killing the Great Snake. In three short years, he's done the impossible.

They revered him as the third generation Sage, respected and more accomplished than his predecessors.

But how would they feel if they learned that Natsuki Subaru, the third generation Sage, had directly borrowed power from Satella, the Jealous Witch herself? How would they feel if they knew she had a special place in his heart? A place he couldn't afford anyone to see?

Would they continue to revere him? Look up to him?

How would Emilia feel, knowing Subaru had been in direct cahoots with the one person who caused her so much suffering?

"Subaru!" A sweet bell-like voice called out to him. A pair of amethyst eyes focused on him, smiling. She pouted a little, "You were almost late. What if the final Royal Selection started without you?"

Behind her was a familiar green-haired merchant, who was well-known for his timid personality. "Seriously, Natsuki-san! It wouldn't have gone well if you arrived late! It's unprofessional!"

"Ahh haha, sorry, sorry. I'm here now. I was just training a litt-"

"He was daydreaming, I suppose." Beatrice interrupted him rudely.

"Oy! You aren't supposed to tell them that!"

[]

A silver-haired girl widened her eyes in shock. By wandering the capital streets of Lugnica, she saw a glimpse of her enemy, driven by an expensive carriage. Next to him was a little girl she recognized - Beatrice.

They hadn't noticed her, but she was frozen in shock.

Pride. Pride was here. Pride was alive and well, and close to one of her allies.

"Subaru….Pride…."

Clenching her fist, she moved forward.

CHAPTER END

AUTHOR NOTES

This was more of an exposition chapter than anything else. Still trying to get the hang of this story. Sorry for the wait, but a lot of stuff came up. Moving apartments and college study can really stress me out.

I also caught a bit of writer's block, honestly.

Nevertheless, hope you enjoyed the chapter!