Subaru gazed at the distant inn, the warm glow of its windows promising a comfortable respite from their journey. "Tia, we need some money."
"What currency do they use here again? Gold?" Tia asked, her fingers dancing in intricate patterns as she began weaving together elements to form shimmering gold coins.
Priscilla's eyes widened with fascination. "Tia, what else can you create?"
"Well, I could've made us another Nature Mansion like the one we lived in back in Karagai, but unfortunately, I can't use magic to create furniture and such," Tia sighed. "Other than that, though, I can make most things."
Halibel chuckled, his ears flicking with amusement. "It sure is nice not to have to worry about money." The group approached the entrance to the inn, the sound of laughter and the lively conversation growing louder with each step.
As they entered the inn's lobby, Subaru smiled at the receptionist and held out a bag filled with enough gold coins to purchase a luxurious mansion within the empire. "I'll take the finest room you have."
The brown-haired older woman grabbed the bag, her eyes widening as she inspected the gleaming coins. "What the? You can stay in the residential empress suite for as long as you'd like."
Priscilla studied Subaru's demeanor, clearly impressed. "You seem quite confident here."
"Lesson number two of being a shinobi," Subaru recited with a small, proud grin. "Always remain calm and collected."
The group was escorted to the residential empress suite, a lavish space typically reserved for high-class guests or even the emperor. Situated at the very top of the inn, the suite boasted a spacious kitchen and bathroom. The opulent decor and grand scale of the room reminded Subaru of Roswaal's mansion, only condensed into a lavish hotel suite.
Subaru attempted to use True Sense on Reinhard as he felt guilty and the look on Reinhard's face he feared that something may have happened to Felt. When he tried he felt the effects of over usage of the authority. It was a pain he could only compare to thousands of needles digging into your brain far worse than any death he could feel as the pain didn't stop for a few minutes. Subaru clenched his head as he breathed calmly until the pain faded.
"Ya needa break. This place got a balcony," Halibel suggested as Subaru nodded. The two went to sit on the edge of the balcony.
When Subaru first met Halibel one of the first things he learned to deal with mental trauma was meditation. He wished someone told him this before as it worked well for his mind and body. The two sat silently with their eyes closed as the moonlight illuminated their presence. Halibel was the first person that Subaru met since he started his new life and he considered his family as he both welcomed him and helped him find a way to deal with his prior trauma in a healthy way. The herbs that Halibel smoked Subaru also adopted as the herbs had medicinal properties calming the nerves and the mind of the user.
As the two mediated, Priscilla finished showering and now was arguing with Tia, "What do you mean I can't share a room with him?"
"I don't want to sleep alone. Subaru was the person that saved me from so many years of isolation, and I'm his contracted spirit, so I need to be with him to protect him." Tia explained.
Priscilla thought about Tia's words. She seemed like a beautiful woman, and she wondered if this was what jealousy felt like, "Why don't we both share a room with him? I didn't get to finish what I wanted to talk to him about before."
"Why not?" Tia sensing her emotions, gave a teasing smirk, "I'm confused why you'd be jealous, but it's funny."
Priscilla sighed as she now felt completely exposed. She hid behind her act all her life, and her luck never failed her. She had multiple husbands, never loving any of them, and after seeing Subaru's entire life, it was a strange sensation. She didn't know what it was, but she liked it, and being who she truly was and now in Vollachia, where she grew up, was such a sudden change. Only a day ago, she was isolated and alone; the next day, she was surrounded by people and someone she wanted.
She walked towards the balcony and saw the two figures sitting atop the wooden fence surrounding the outside area. Staring at the two, who seemed to be not moving a muscle sitting perfectly still.
"I needed that." Subaru, the two opened their eyes simultaneously as exactly one hour passed. Subaru took out his kiseru and took a puff.
Halibel smiled, "Ya know, I have no idea why nobody ever told you to meditate. But I'm glad I was able to teach ya since it seems to be working well for ya."
"Mediation allowed me to forgive myself. I'm still tormented by the lives I affected but I doubt that even if my identity was never erased, I'd still be in that same mindset of self-deprecation." Subaru replied as Halibel was the only person who knew everything about him. He was also the only person who could help him with far more than a positive speech or affection but rather techniques and methods to both forgive and transcend into who he was now.
Halibel mentioned, "We should take a break here before going to Guestko. If ya don't need it I sure as hell do. That would've been a long fight if Reinhard weren't defending us."
"More like Tia destroying half of the entire nation." Subaru laughed with a hint of worry, "But Reinhard, I feel terrible for. I can't use True Sense on him to see if Felt is fine until I rest a few more days, but I want to help him if I can. He's carrying the burden of delaying the calamity of Lugunica on his shoulders."
Halibel put his hand on Subaru's shoulder, "Ya was carrying the burden of three nations' calamities on ya shoulder. You already stopped two from happening if anything, you and Reinhard probably got a similar mind."
"That's true. Maybe when the conflict is over, I can teach him what you taught me. Reinhard definitely needs mediation and maybe some herbs if they work the same they did on me," Subaru said as he turned his head, seeing Priscilla, "Don't think you we're eavesdropping. We both sensed your presence. Everyone is open with each other in the Forgotten Stars."
"Forgotten Stars, eh? We ever gon change that?" Halibel asked, considering now more people are aware of Subaru's existence.
Subaru rested his chin on his hand, "If it all works out in the end, perhaps." Subaru stood up, balancing perfectly on the wooden plank he was previously sitting on as he hopped down, "It's getting late, and I think Cilla wants to talk to me. Sleep well, Halibel."
Subaru walked towards his room as Priscilla commented, "Cilla?"
"It's a nickname. Don't like it?"
She hummed, "Cilla— that'll be acceptable."
Subaru took a shower removing his robe to be cleaned with an elemental washing machine by Tia the next morning. He looked in the mirror, observing his physique. He wore a necklace that Tia made him which had four amulets representing the elements Tia regained. Under his robe, he wore dark pants that have a slightly loose fit, allowing for ease of movement. After his shower, he couldn't help but smile at his efforts paying off. He didn't care about having a muscular, slim build but rather how he achieved it, which was indirectly Halibel's help that allowed him to accept his mind and his body.
When he walked out, Priscilla looked at him. Subaru explained teasingly, "I suppose I should start dressing more 'properly' now."
"Hmmm, I'm going to get something," Priscella responded, leaving the room.
Tia asked, "Why is she so weird? You're just wearing normal clothing."
"Perhaps in Kararagi, it would be considered normal. Well, to be fair, I have no idea how she would sleep in her normal clothing either." Subaru replied as he lay down on the luxurious bed.
"She seemed so confused about me sharing a bed with you. I don't understand enough etiquette I guess."
As Tia spoke, a thought emerged in Subaru's mind, "Tia do you know anything that would cause someone to be in a suspended animation state?"
"Suspended animation?"
"Sounds exactly like I said. They're alive but in an endless slumber. They don't age either."
"I hate humans sometimes. The only idea that comes to mind is a failed soul-based magical spell or one done on purpose to put her soul in a state between leaving the body and staying."
"Can you heal it?"
"Yeah, but who is it? That was the last thing I thought you'd ask."
Subaru pleaded, "Tia can you fly to the Astrea mansion and heal Reinhard's mother? When I used True Sense on Heinkel, I could see who Louanna was, and she would definitely help Reinhard."
"Flying there, finding a way to reverse it, and flying back. I can, and I despise those who use soul-based magic." Tia agreed as she thought about the human's thousands of years ago before magic was known, trying ancient forms of magic that used sacrifices and souls to create disgusting spells.
"Thank you. I doubt you'll be able to enter it easily, but if Reinhard does remember me, then tell him I sent you to help."
"Alright, I should be back in an hour. I'll telepathically tell you what happens." Tia said as she began to walk out, heading for the balcony to fly to the Astrea mansion.
Subaru lay back down, hoping that his plan would work. He would tell Reinhard who did cause it, but he felt some things are better not known than known.
"The closet here had clothing already prepared for whoever arrives. What do you think?" Priscilla asked.
Subaru raised his head, seeing her in a red nightgown, "It looks good. I'm guessing you're not going to adopt the Kararagi robes that me and Halibel wear?"
Priscilla lay down next to Subaru, "Robe? I think it looks better on you three than me. Though since I am now probably a runaway candidate, it may be better to disguise myself more."
"Soon, we will find out if the Sword Saint is on our side or not. I sent Tia to go cure his mother if Reinhard allows it." Subaru replied, now making eye contact with her.
"Cure Heinkel's wife?" She responded in surprise as she remembered Heinkel's despair, and curing his wife after he died didn't sound right to her.
"Cure Reinhard's mother. If he is aware or immune to the effects of what's happening in the Kingdom, then he has a burden as great as mine without the help of someone like Halibel. If I can help him indirectly, that would be best. Heinkel would want that as well."
Priscilla sighed with a slight blush as she wanted to help Heinkel too. She never would've admitted it, but his story was saddening. She wanted to test or see, "Subaru, we never got to finish what we were talking about before. Tell me, how do you view love?
"That word has been used in so many ways to me it lost its value." Subaru thought back to what he told Tia, "Love is like a flower that is beautiful and eventually fades. Once it fades, the more a person feels that love, the more hatred or vengeance that love can turn into."
She considered his response about to respond when she thought about the love he had for Emilia. He left that but didn't choose either of the options, he said, but she knew from his memories he had a near-insane amount of emotion for her.
"How do you fit into that category?"
"Assuming a certain Witch isn't gaslighting me further than myself and Aldebaran, we're sage candidates. Whatever Pandora did, swap places with Aldebaran and me. The love I held was not mine for her or Satella." Subaru said, finishing with a more shallow tone. Reflecting back on how he betrayed the laws of his fate or, rather, his mind being influenced by the concept.
Priscilla didn't understand what most of what he said meant, but she did understand his last sentence and the look in his eyes. She grew closer to him, "I don't understand how, after learning that you became what I see now. The way you described love as a flower—"
He saw her eyes tearing, "I became who I am now because of what I've done. If not for Halibel, I'd be dead or worse. If not for Tia I'd never have learned to accept and forget." he admitted, "Cilla you're right when you said before about me offering for you to come with me. It was a test I did on myself to see if my future could have love or not."
"Why me?"
"You're strong mentally and the only person I could imagine who could even handle learning from my past and being able to have a healthy relationship with me. That's one thing you shouldn't ever change. Halibel could handle it because he is a shinobi, and Tia could because she has her own terrible past." Subaru smiled, wiping a tear off her face, "You are the only person I'd trust enough to have something that has no lies or secrets. Ever since I met Halibel, I was done hiding my past and embraced it instead like a trial I completed."
Priscilla's face was red as her tears faded, and she only smiled now, wanting to tell him, "I had so many husbands and never loved anyone like this before. In a way, the meaning of love was used so many times for me that it lost meaning too. I saw all your memories, and now I– think I really do love you. But the flower is just blooming. I want to enjoy it with you also after everything is over."
"How about this," he said as he pecked her lips, "Enjoy it while we can. I have already died a thousand times, and it's better to pray for the best and prepare for the worse. I didn't even know showing my life to you would cause this. honestly, it feels like we skipped too much. Let's form our own memories together."
Priscilla nodded, burying her head in Subaru's chest, "I'd like that."
'Reinhard remembers you. I could cure Louanna, and as you guessed, it worked well. Reinhard seems happy.'
Subaru eyes widened as he didn't want Louanna to be used as a puppet. Activating True Sense, he used it on her continuing through the pain as he felt his brain getting electrocuted. He used it to show her the accurate past and present so it couldn't be altered. He didn't even realize he showed her all of Reinhard's life by using it to show Louanna a past to present of Reinhard since he couldn't think of anyone else to choose.
"This ability is painful." Subaru said as Priscilla saw him clench his head.
Subaru took a puff of the herbs and felt the pain fade slightly. His eyes got blurry as he collapsed on the bed.
"Reinhard, my son… I'm sorry for not being there for you." Louanna said as she saw Reinhard's entire life to the present. Louanna was a strong-willed woman, and even after seeing her son's past, she wouldn't let that stop her from helping him.
Felt smiled, knowing Reinhard's sadness after losing his father, "That Tia lady just came from nowhere and saved ya mom, Rein."
"Mother, I'm sorry," he said as she finished talking with Felt and the other members of her camp.
Louanna smiled, "Reinhard, my son… I love you. I'm so happy I can see you again, and I know your father would want nothing more than this. I want to give you something I never had the chance to."
Louanna carefully opened one of her treasured jewelry armoires, searching for a special necklace she had been saving for Reinhard when he grew older. She pushed aside various trinkets and keepsakes until her eyes finally touched the cherished piece. The necklace was an exquisite golden chain. At the center of the necklace hung a red amulet pendant. The amulet was made from a rich, deep red gemstone. The gem was encased in a gold frame.
Reinhard looked as Louanna put the necklace around his neck, seeing the reflection of his face from the amulet, "Mother, I– thank you."
"I love you, sunshine. I'm so happy to see you." She said, hugging him and shedding tears of happiness.
Tia prepared to leave, noticing Subaru sent a single telepathic message, "Reinhard, she's safe from any outside control. Felt should be as well. I have to go."
Reinhard nodded as he continued. He sat down with his mother, talking about everything. Louanna already knew most of it due to the authority, but it made it easier to talk to her son about it since he wouldn't open up otherwise. They talked for a few hours, and she knew that repairing what had happened to him would take much longer than that, but she would do anything to help him.
Reinhard understood the gesture. Subaru knew his burden just as he knew his. But he never thought he'd go this far to help him. He didn't even believe he could be helped.
The next morning passed as Subaru woke up feeling only a slight headache than the previous night. He opened his eyes and saw he had both Tia and Priscilla cuddling him. He assumed that Priscilla learned that Tia wants affection in the way spirits do. Not love romantically but an affectionate close connection. Like Beatrice, he found it less weird since Tia didn't demand it since she never had any doubt in him.
Getting out of bed, he put on his robe and went to the balcony where Halibel already was.
"Someone's coming. Probably Cecilus Segmunt. I sense no malice, but it seems your prediction was right."
Subaru sighed, "I'm weakened right now. But out of most possibilities, Cecilus doesn't attack."
The moment he said those words, he heard, "I see you know me."
The two looked to see the man wearing clothing similar to their own. Subaru smiled, "Tell Vincent Vollachia the great disaster has been stopped before it can begin."
"What is your name? I'm curious why the strongest in Karagai are within an Inn in Vollachia."
Subaru now had a decent idea of why Cecilus nor Reinhard could be affected by Pandora, "My name is Subaru. I assume you didn't come to attack, but it seems my way of getting your attention worked."
"I am merely a performer. My guidance was my own." Cecilus laughed, "But what you said is strange. Perhaps I'll invite myself in, and we can chat."
Cecilus sat down on a couch in the living area as he saw a face he somewhat remembered and another he didn't. Subaru sat beside him as Celsius was surprised by his lack of care and claims.
"Priscilla and Tia," Subaru said, pointing toward the direction of the two.
Cecilus stared at Priscilla, "You look familiar. But Subaru, what is the yoyo on this? You mentioned his excellency's name. I assume you called upon me to assist you."
"Cecilus, can you find Vincent?" Subaru asked directly.
Cecilus narrowed his eyes at Subaru, "Find? Of course, I could, but why would you ask such a question?"
Subaru sighed, "Let's play a game. If you can find Vincent and deliver a message to him, then the entire Empire will change when you do so. If I'm wrong, then you can kill me. I need your help, and if you have any doubts, I'll bet my life on it."
Cecilus pondered, "Your life holds little meaning to me. But it does sound like a fun game. What will happen if the Empire changes?"
"You can join me to go somewhere where you can fight Reid Astrea, and by then, you will achieve the Heavenly Sword," Subaru said as Celsius began to take what he heard seriously.
"Heavenly Sword? I see you do know what I desire most. What exactly do you want his excellency to be aware of?" Cecilus questioned as Subaru's answer would decide if he lived or died.
"Tell him that the great disaster he feared has been prevented." Subaru activated True Sense to the smallest degree to show Cecilus the future where he didn't kill Sphinx. He also showed the future of going to the tower and him fighting Reid Astrea, "This is my authority. It is not an illusion but two versions of the future. Vincent is hiding as he believes his death will cause calamity, but it has been stopped before it can begin. The events that will follow you will achieve the Heavenly Sword."
Cecilus grew a massive smile, "Subaru, I must say your offer to me to fight Reid Astrea is something I could've never considered. Defeating Reinhard is one thing, but defeating the only one with the title would be magnificent. I will travel the Empire until I find Vincent and deliver your message. Then we will embark on the journey to that tower."
Cecilus was overflowing with energy. He bolted out of the room through the balcony at lightning speed, beginning his search to find his excellency Vincent Vollachia.
Halibel laughed, "Well, it seems things are comin' together well."
"I'm so confused. Subaru, what is your goal?" Priscilla asked.
After everything that's happened, Subaru thought of something that he imagined Echidna would stage: "We will unite all four nations. Kill Pandora and end the cycle of the Sage and Envy."
Tia knew how humans were, and the idea of uniting four very different countries sounded impossible, "Subaru, that sounds near impossible to do."
"Uniting simply means peace. After Vincent arrives, Karagai and Vollcanica will already have a peace agreement. Guestko is a mystery as I know nobody to use True Sense on from that nation, but Pandora will not make her move for at least two years." Subaru explained.
Halibel said, "You said before that the idea of peace for all is impossible. What makes you think that will change?"
"A common enemy will unite all four nations. If Echidna betrays me, I have another plan, leading to far more bloodshed."
The wind in the room moved quickly as Cecilus returned, "Subaru, you did do me a great favor. His Excellency instructed me to allow you and your group freedom to do as you please within the empire. As for myself, I shall go to this tower you speak of to fight Reid Astrea."
"Be wary, as there is a barrier called Sand Time. There will be another group going there that can break it, so wait until they arrive. If you leave now, it'll either be four hours before you spot them or one month before they come." Subaru expressed, "You will not be able to break Sand Time without them but be wary as they may attempt to stop you from entering."
"This whoha knowledge I'd never believe if his excellency didn't confirm it. Either way, I cannot miss a chance to fight Reid Astrea myself. I will be going. Toolde does." Cecilus laughed as he dashed out of the balcony once more.
Priscella asked, "Subaru, how long ago did you plan this?"
"It's a lot to explain. I'm sending Cecilus to go screw with Aldreban and Emilia's camp in simple terms." Subaru replied as he thought of how Al would react when Reid chose to fight seriously against Cecilus. He knew both would survive, but his goal was the remaining Gluttony to eat Emilia's memories.
Next chapter Chaosflame and Vincent return
This chapter was mainly to sort of grow the relationships between everyone in the 'Forgotten Stars'
Make sure to comment if you want to see Emilia's Camp POV of Cecilus pulling up.
Also yeah this is head cannon fic obv so if you don't like head cannon in fics then don't read it