[AN: This might be where the story flops; not sure if you all will like my usage of Pandora, but I think it's not too much of a reach. Feedback, either good or bad always appreciated]
A platinum hair girl makes her way to the location of a specific mansion home to a half-elf.
This is going bad. If it continues, the calamity will begin. Roswaal, you fool. Your obsession will be the reason you die.
Huh? Why does Roswaal want me to make a contract with Beatrice?
"Why do you want me to make a contract with Beatrice?"
Roswaal simply grinned at the question, "Beatriceee ~is veryyy~ lonely. She seems to have a particular interest in you. I think you will make a fine duo."
It's odd. He doesn't know why he's doing what he's doing, either. He's not lying. It's like he has no idea why he is doing it. Whatever is going on… It's off. But I'll play along.
"If she is open to the idea, then I have no reason to object."
Emilia and Puck are both staring at Roswaal like he went mad. What am I missing?
The small spirit appears in front of me.
"Hell is coming," she whispered in my ear.
What? More so, what the hell is going on? Based on her tone and actions when I first met her, I doubt she is attempting to do something evil. Roswaal also doesn't even understand why he is doing what he's doing… What the hell is going on?
I need to take control of this situation.
"Alright, Beatrice, let's make a contract. This will be fun, I don't see why Emilia gets to have a spirit, and I don't," I say with a playful laugh.
Beatrice's face seems neutral. Nothing noteworthy about that; however, I wonder why they're all acting so strange…
"For a contract to be formed, the spirit and the user must agree on the terms of the contract," Beatrice explains to me.
Terms? Well, it's a contract, so that makes sense.
"Okay, what terms do you want to do, Beatrice?"
Beatrice looked annoyed.
"It's your job to create the terms, and then if I have any objections, I will tell you until we agree."
I don't have any way to defuse this situation. Why does everything seem so off? Why does Roswaal keep checking that black book? Like a girl checking her phone, it's strange…
My only option here is to continue this contract. I have no space to argue or ask questions as I don't know how to voice them. They don't know the answers, either.
"Emilia, what terms did you do with Puck's contract?"
Emilia looks a bit embarrassed. Wonder why? None of this makes sense. All I know is something is off, very off.
"Subaru, my contract prevents me from telling you what the contract rules are," Emilia says
She's lying, but I don't care. A more significant issue is whatever the hell Roswaal is doing.
I don't know how to deal with this situation, as Roswaal doesn't seem to understand why he's even doing what he's doing. Who's controlling him?
"So, what do you want our contract to include?"
Fuck, what should I tell her? Something simple and primary works.
And if she's lonely, I should also add something to remedy that.
"Beatrice, the contract is as follows: You protect me, and I will protect you. In terms of freedom, you can do anything that doesn't contradict the first rule. You will be by my side at all times unless you either don't want to be, need to rest or replenish your energy, or if I need time by myself as well."
Beatrice looks happy at what I said. This is weird since I have no idea if that's what a contract between a spirit even means.
Beatrice jumps up to me, "I accept."
Well, that was easy.
Oh, wait, I should include this, so Beatrice doesn't turn into a Puck.
"Wait, one more thing, if you notice I am engaging in intermediacy or romantic desire with someone, you will not interfere or embarrass me."
Beatrice simply smiles, "That's fine."
Good.
"Just thought of that since I've seen how Puck acts. Perhaps Emilia should've included a passage similar within hers."
Puck just stared at me while Emilia blushed. I need commotion to happen quickly to figure out what is happening. Right now, all I'm doing is stalling.
"Beatrice, can I talk to you in code? Like a spirit language or something?"
Beatrice looks at me like I'm a fool.
"Now that I am as contracted as your spirit, you can speak to me telepathically. Imagine how you would speak to yourself but picture me within that landscape. If that explanation helps, I suppose."
Wait huh? Okay, picture a landscape.
'Beatrice?'
'That was quick. New spirit users usually take longer to learn how to communicate like this.'
'Great, your first task is to cause distraction or commotion within the room. Can you do that?' separate us from Roswaal and bring Emilia.'
'I won't ask why. But yes, that is a simple task.'
I look at Beatrice, and she says, "UI Shamak."
Shadows cover everything, and I feel like I can't feel anything. I'm in the Forbidden Library with Emilia when I open my eyes.
'Good, that worked very well.'
'Thank you.'
"What was that about?" A flying cat asked in both annoyance and confusion
"Intuition"
Everybody looked confused except for Beatrice. She trusts my judgment completely, which is good.
'Beatrice, is there any way that Roswaal can enter this place?'
'Well, if he opens every door within the mansion, yes, why?'
'Roswaal is trying to kill someone, more than likely Emilia.'
'Roswaal cannot fight two great spirits. If he planned to do that, he lost the moment you realized.'
Good. Now the question is why…
Oh shit, I should tell Emilia and Puck there staring at me like I'm insane.
"Let me explain. The events of that whole situation made little to no sense to me. Roswaal seemed like he didn't know why or what he was doing, almost like a soldier awaiting a command. The book he had he continued to check constantly the entire time I stalled. When the contract was created, I saw Roswaal's eyes moving. He was reading something. He then begins to approach Emilia's direction. My best guess is either he was attempting to kill her or me, more than likely her."
Everyone looked at me like I was insane when I finished. But I'm not… my mentor always told me never to second guess my intuition.
More importantly, I felt urgency, almost as if even if my power allowed me to return these people, it wouldn't work for some reason. Even if I'm wrong, this was the only correct decision.
"Subaru, why suggest something so terrible? It makes no sense why Roswaal would kill Emilia," Puck said.
'Beatrice, can you defend me while I try to figure out a motive'
'I suppose I'll prepare a spell in case Roswaal does enter the room.'
Good.
"Bubby, Subaru is not wrong. Though I cannot see why or what his motive may be, Subaru is likely correct in his assessment."
Emilia looked pale. I may be missing a puzzle piece that would contradict the motive. Regardless I saw bloodlust coming from Roswaal.
"Why do you trust Subaru without any reason or logic?" Puck said, staring at me
"Subaru has survived many things that should've resulted in his death simply by using observation and words. Emilia and yourself should know that fairly clearly."
This is bad. Why do I still feel I missed something… What would it be? Perhaps Roswaal was trying to kill one of the spirits? No doubt he intended to kill somebody, but the question is, who?
Emilia grabs my arm to make me pay attention, "Subaru, this is bad, very bad."
"Which part is bad?"
Emilia sighed, "If you're right, then no matter what happens, I can't run in the Royal Selection… I need a sponsor, and Roswaal is my sponsor. So regardless if you right then…."
Oh, so that's the issue. This issue will be easy to solve, depending on what is considered a sponsor.
"What is required for someone to be a sponsor?"
"Nobility, money basically. But the only person that would sponsor me in Lugina is Roswaal. Any other noble wouldn't… Due to my resemblance with Witch of Envy."
Okay, I need to calm her down to focus on accessing many unknown or unknown factors.
"Emilia, I will find someone. If the worst-case scenario happens and Roswaal can no longer be your sponsor, I will find another person. If you're doubting me now, then your dumb. More importantly, Beatrice, do you know anything about that book he had or what it does?"
Beatrice walks over to her stool and shows what looks like the same book. What the hell?
'Subaru, this is called the Tome of Wisdom. It was made by the mother and gives the owner commands that allow them to do specific actions to arrive at their ideal future.' There are only two copies ever made. One I have, and the other is the one you saw with Roswaal.
This adds a lot of things up. But why does she have one?
'Beatrice, why do you have one, and did it tell you anything today?'
'Mine hasn't told me anything for centuries, but today, it told me to make a contract with you.'
'Beatrice, that book is not a good thing. Unless I did an action, the book could not account for….' I'm glad we made this contract, but oddly, you and Roswaal are getting contradictory advice from the book.'
'Betty does not know anymore. In fact'
It is an impressive thing to create but cannot be completely accurate. I can likely connect many things to this book that predict the future based on cause and effect and the likelihood of events happening. The main question here would be, what is Roswaal's goal? If I can figure that out, I'd understand how doing what he's doing would let him obtain that goal…
That fool Subaru. How dare he disrespect the gift my teacher gave me. This is the fourteenth time he has gotten in my way.
Once the mercenaries arrive, fly to the capital and alert them of the situation.
Interesting… It cost me 1000 holy coins to hire this group. I wonder how Subaru will survive this.
Do not open any doors yourself. Wait for the mercenaries, and once you confirm Emilia is dead, continue.
This is incredible. My teacher's gift has never given me such detailed instructions. What will you do now, Subaru? You ruined this timeline, and the only way to fix it is to remove that half-elf garbage from my plans. No matter how many loops you try, I wonder if you'll find a way to win this.
Think, think, think…
I can't do this, I have nothing to go on…
I will have to wait and see what happens. That's the only way to gain any new information.
'Beatrice, can you sense when doors are being opened within the mansions?'
'Yes, if a room's door is opened, I cannot use my door-crossing to move the Forbidden Library to that space. So, we will have a warning, I suppose'
Well, that's good, now we wait. Unless Roswaal suddenly changes heart, something should happen soon.
It's almost as if I want something to happen… Craving violence and chaos… But I can't gamble this as now Emilia's life is on the line and Beatrice's. If I have to see more people die due to ignorance, I don't know what I'll do.
Thinking back on everything I've learned about this world, Witches, Pandora, I need help to think of any logic or reasoning behind what Roswaal is doing.
I need to learn more Beatrice already told me everything, though. I feel useless.
"Subaru, how long are we going to wait here?" Puck asked still not convinced by anything I'd said
"If you'd prefer to go, ask Roswaal yourself to be my guest. Right now, I can only wait for more information to appear. I can't do anything with the knowledge I have currently…."
Emilia seems to just be lost in thought. That fucking clown, the moment I laid eyes on him, I knew something was wrong with him.
Ten minutes pass without any door cross.
'Subaru, this requires a lot of mana to monitor the doors. How much longer do you need me to do this?'
I can't ask for much longer. Everyone seems to think I'm acting irrationally.
'One more minute'
If they all die and I can't reverse it, I'll know who to blame… myself.
'Subaru, multiple doors are being opened fairly quickly.'
What the fuck? On the last minute?
"Alright, Puck, prepare for god knows what."
Beatrice coughs, "Subaru was correct. Multiple doors on multiple sides of the mansion are being opened quickly. We have about thirty seconds at best to prepare."
Multiple people? Perhaps that girl who attacked Emilia when we first came here worked for Roswaal. But we have two great spirits, so Roswaal would hire people capable of winning this fight. I find it hard to believe that he would fail to account for that…
The door opens, the same one as before.
"Amazing, truly amazing, two spirits to kill. I wonder how your bowels will look beautifully spread out" The woman's voice introduces the room.
'She can see regeneration from an attack from Reinhard, use a spell that cannot be countered by regeneration, even if the attack is lethal, she can return'
'This will drain me of a lot of mana, I suppose'
"Al Shamak," Beatrice yells out, and suddenly I watch shadows engulf Elsa's body.
She disappeared…
'Beatrice, how many of those can you use?'
'Once, I just did. Why?'
We're fucked. Multiple sides of the door unless Puck can do something about whoever is next to come, we're done. If the reset point is fixed where I can't do anything to stop this, then… I'll just continue to die repeatedly. This is bad.
Fuck it all. Whoever it is, I can at least stall.
Moments pass, and to everyone's surprise, "My, my, you killed my best assassin."
Who the fuck are these people?
"My name is Capella Sin, Archbishop of Lust."
Well, thanks for the information fucking, idiot.
"Capella, since you introduced yourself, I assume you intend to kill us. Am I mistaken?" I ask with a tone of coldness. The tone I'd use when speaking to rapists in prison.
"Yes, boy, you are correct," Capella responded.
I should do the simplest trick in the book. This woman doesn't seem that smart, but she's likely powerful if Roswaal sent only her and Elsa to take us out.
I walk towards her showing no fear, "Are you aware of who your client is? I will make an offer you will be interested in, so I'd restrain from killing me before hearing me out."
The woman laughed, "Boy, you have no fear. Perhaps if your offer is something worth more than 1000 holy coins, I would consider it."
I concentrated on what I would bargain with, attempting to think of something non-related to money that would have infinitely more value until I heard, "You dare harm, Lia."
Fool.
I watched as the spirit sent an attack on the women. She simply smiled at the spirit like a kitten playing with a mouse.
Capella laughed, "You're dumb. Instead of waiting for this boy's offer, you come and attack. Unfortunately, you'll die now, great spirit."
I watched as the now part dragon Capella slammed the spirit to the wall. She continued to do so until the small shield of ice protecting Puck was destroyed.
"NOW DIE, GREAT SPIRIT," Capella laughed.
Everyone in the room was frozen. I had no idea what she would do after this, but attacking her would be pointless.
"Lia, I love you" was the last word I heard before the spirit formed into mana with many shades and colors and vanished.
Capella looked back at me. She stared at me in the eyes like she was testing me.
"Your interesting, very interesting. Your eyes show no fear. They don't show anything at all. It's like a void. Luckily for you, I have no direct orders to kill you. My target is the half-elf so you can relax," Capella whispered into my ear.
I knew it was it. I couldn't do anything. All I could do was wait…
I watched her turn around and slam Emilia into the wall as she did to Puck.
"Emilia, I'm sorry."
Something was off, though when I looked closely at her, I almost felt like, something had changed. I wasn't sure what, but something was affecting my perception.
Capella finished pounding Emilia into the wall, many times more than needed to kill her.
I stared at Capella wondering if she saw what I saw, "What the fuck is going on?"
I couldn't stop myself from saying it out loud. Before my eyes, the person I thought was Emilia was Roswaal, and Emilia was in another location.
Capella was shaking. Whatever force was here was beyond comprehension.
For some reason, I wasn't shaking.
It's almost as if I craved chaos. Maybe I did.
A platinum-haired woman appeared behind Capella.
"Die," the women said in the gentlest tone, and Capella disappeared. Whatever was happening was beyond my comprehension, yet I still needed to know why… why did she help?
Pandora. Is this her? Is this her doing? I haven't seen an ability like that ever used except by her.
"Is it really you?" I asked her, almost questioning my vision.
She didn't make eye contact with me. She was staring at Subaru.
"ANSWER ME" I demanded
I know I can't win… I'm still too weak.
Puck is dead. Is Roswaal dead?
What is happening?
I just want to kill her…
"DIE" I yelled beginning to freeze the room.
"Emilia, stop. You'll kill Subaru," Beatrice yelled.
Subaru? Who cares… if he dies if I can kill her then.
If I can kill her who cares if Subaru-
Why can't I say it?
I just want her to die. I just want her to wither away and die.
But I can't move?
"Emilia, this is the woman that you seek vengeance on?" the voice of Subaru sounded like, but all I heard was die.
I just wanted her to die.
I JUST WANT HER TO DIE!
"If you seek vengeance, kill her with your own two hands, don't freeze us all," the voice of Subaru again, but that was okay.
As long as I kill her even with my own two hands, it's okay. I'll make her suffer. I'LL MAKE HER PAY.
I walked towards her slowly until I stopped. Subaru walked in front of her. Why?
"If your vengeance has already overtaken you, then there is no hope. You can rip me apart easily and try to kill the person behind me. The only question is, will you?" Subaru stared into my eyes.
His eyes were void of anything. Emptiness. No fear is to be found.
I'll kill him… I'll kill him too.
I formed an icicle in my hand and plunged it into Subaru's stomach. If I pressed any further he would die. But he didn't fall.
"Even if you kill me right now, Emilia, I won't blame nor curse you. I love you," Subaru said as his blood flowed on my skin.
Stop.
Make it stop.
I can't do this. Not after…
I can't do this.
'Even if you kill me right now, Emilia, I won't blame nor curse you. I love you'
'Even if you kill me right now, Emilia, I won't blame nor curse you. I love you'
'Even if you kill me right now, Emilia, I won't blame nor curse you. I love you'
I can't kill you, Subaru, not after you say that…
I'm crying just like last time.
If Subaru doesn't get help, then he'll die regardless.
'Even if you kill me right now, Emilia, I won't blame nor curse you. I love you
My heartfelt ice-cold moments ago. What foolish words, but I can't stop hearing them ring. My vengeance it's fading.
I want her dead, but…
'Even if you kill me right now, Emilia, I won't blame nor curse you. I love you'
I can't take this.
My vision is blurry… "I love you too, Subaru"
I watched as Emilia collapsed onto the ground. I already told Beatrice to not move an inch.
That was close. But it's odd.
If the positions were reversed… would I have stopped?
Theoretical and moral arguments can wait. I currently have a person I need to talk to, not to mention a wound that will kill me if not healed within five minutes or less.
'Beatrice, if I collapse, heal me, but I hope I can last longer. I need to know a few things.'
'I suppose'
Amazing. This spirit is truly amazing. Like me, she has no fear or is good at hiding it.
"Pandora, I assume that's who you are?" I turn around at the figure standing before me.
She smiles, "Yes, I am. Did Emilia tell you?"
I simply nod, "I don't have much time with this wound, so-"
Is the wound gone?
Pandora smiles, "I healed it for you."
Authority over not just the perception of reality but reality itself. It would be hopeless to ever try to kill her but this entire situation changes many things…
Pandora stares at me, trying to find the non-existent soul within my eyes.
"Pandora, I'm not going to ask why or what motives you have because it's fairly pointless. I know nothing about this world, but I want to know why you seem fond of staring at me."
She smiled, "I've never met anyone in many centuries of living with eyes void of fear. As you might imagine, it's fascinating to witness."
I wonder why she saved us. It's a pointless question, but I may as well, considering Roswaal's death will be a problem.
I stared directly back into her eyes, white eyes, but I could see she had a soul hidden away within her, "I can only guess that Roswaal made a horrible choice today, and that's how this situation came to be?"
Her expression changed. Previously it was a fake smile, but now it was sincere, "You are very fascinating. Not only is your intuition spot on, but the fact you stopped Emilia from trying to kill me is beyond my comprehension. But yes, you're correct in your assumption."
Compared to an inescapable death loop, this outcome isn't bad.
A being with control over the concept of reality, I shouldn't but want to test her.
I smile, "Well, I have a new job to complete, finding a new sponsor for Emilia. But compared to the alternative… thank you for saving us, Pandora."
She hugged me? That wasn't what I expected at all…
"Nobody had ever thanked me before," she said, exiting the short hug.
She wasn't lying, normally, I would doubt such a statement, but she was telling the truth.
Is there anything else I need to ask? Ask her if she knows about the great waterfall.
Waste of time. Not to mention the concept of returning to that jail cell is stupidity. I have nothing left from my old world I miss. Everything I miss is already dead.
"Your name was Subaru, correct?" the woman asks, she appears to be leaving soon.
"Correct, and before you leave, I assume that your role in this world is far different than what Emilia thinks?" I spoke, even to a being as powerful as her. I wanted to know more.
Or perhaps I wanted to cause something…
She simply nodded, "Take care of Emilia," and vanished.
What is wrong with me?
Am I human? Do any of my actions mean anything?
Is it all fake? But if it was fake, I would know… wouldn't I?
I turn around and stare at the unconscious Emilia. She was out cold, most likely from loss of mana or shock. I pick her up from the ground and rest her next to me.
Do I really care for her?
I remember that man telling me years ago, 'You are no human. You are a demon.'
The man who saw my true nature was the only person who ever had…
Yet I can't deny this feeling, perhaps since we both are cursed in our own ways.
I could let myself love again, or was I already before?
I'm certain that if anyone takes this girl away from me, I will show them a demon.
Ok, this chapter was very fun to write. Assuming the story stays the same, the next one will be a challenge.
No idea who to replace Roswaal with as Emilia's sponsor, but it was worth killing him off for this chapter.
For anyone wondering the following questions, I'm guessing I'll get asked:
Why are Subaru and Emilia so close this early? They're both broken from the start, so it's a lot easier to fall in love with someone who is open to them.
(Emilia is also smarter and has no memories sealed)
Why is Subaru smart? Picture a blend of Yuichi and a tiny bit of Lelouch, and you get this Subaru. (For anybody that wants' normal Subaru, this isn't the fanfic for you)
Why is Pandora here? I used her correctly. It's hard to use her in fanfics as, most of the time, it's an easy narrative tool, but I'm trying to show suffering without using RBD, so this is what I came up with.
Also, let me know if you like my POV swapping or if it's hard to read.