Subaru's eyes opened as he felt his body tremble. He got up from the frozen ground looking in every direction. He could feel his heartbeat increase as he slowly got a sense of his surroundings. Was that a dream? What was that? What was that? He looked at his hands, which were shaking, and started to recall the words he had heard.

Why? Why would you want me to forget you?

Why would you want to be replaced or change my memories of you… why?

You didn't answer me… why did you leave? I just want to know if you don't care about me or move on with your life. Just tell me what happened.

Subaru couldn't shed a tear but felt a sensation he couldn't describe. No matter what he did, it would backfire. If he were to stay, it would hurt them. If he left, it would hurt them. His existence itself was the cause of suffering. He wanted to do the right thing but didn't even know what that was anymore. What if his dream was right and Emilia was suffering? What was the point of everything he's done if it was? He felt like a parasite requiring the need of others to stay sane, like a disease that infected everyone that had the misfortune of caring for him. He wanted the world to forget about him completely. He could die now. He could finally die forever and leave. To have a happy life with Emilia? What fantasy was he living in? He'd only cause them pain and suffering.

Subaru mumbled, "Was that just a dream? Why did it feel so real? Why did I want it to be real… it's pathetic. Clinging to a past that I already chose to leave. But why make me now have to question if that dream had any accuracy or if I'm just trying to find an excuse to continue my old life? My old life was nothing more than a lie… everything was fake. My power was fake. My memories were fake. Is this hell? Will I ever achieve anything even if I give up everything?"

"Ddraig?"

Subaru heard no response as his mind repeated the same words.

Why? Why would you want me to forget you?

Why would you want to be replaced or change my memories of you… why?

You didn't answer me… why did you leave? I just want to know if you don't care about me or move on with your life. Just tell me what happened.

Subaru couldn't move. He felt as if he was paralyzed. He felt guilt, hatred, vengeance, and despair as the voice of Emilia continued to echo in his mind. He'd close his ears but couldn't move, and Ddraig wasn't responding.

Why? Why would you want me to forget you?

Why would you want to be replaced or change my memories of you… why?

You didn't answer me… why did you leave? I just want to know if you don't care about me or move on with your life. Just tell me what happened.

Emilia stared at Subaru sleeping, conflicted about what to do. She didn't know if she had made the right choice anymore, and being back in Elior Forest only worsened her mood. She would become King to save the elves, and now she's running away? Was anything she said really how she felt, or was it just her excuse to run away, not being able to be a leader or handle anything without Subaru's help? She stared at Subaru again as she stood up with contradicting thoughts in her head. She had no way to save the elves if she didn't win, which was her responsibility that she swore to herself to do. She didn't value even her life above that duty she must do as she was the one that caused it. Emilia walked towards Subaru to say goodbye as she felt shame acting so reliant and pity. He did say he intended for her to forget about his existence, didn't he? As she approached Subaru, she noticed he was trembling as he slept.

"Subaru?"

She got no response as Subaru's breathing began to increase, and his body trembled to the point of shaking their hut. Emilia saw a small green circle appear on Subaru's hand.

"Subaru is having a negative response to the vainglory witch factor."

Emilia asked, "What does that mean?"

Emilia heard a voice that commanded authority and froze.

"The previous holder of this witch factor had the power to alter reality and memories within a domain. Subaru used her power after he killed her by trapping her in torment until she died. By using the power of the previous holders, ill will manifests and corrupts the authority. I'm keeping him stable and finding a way to remove the witch factor."

"Wait, what? Why are you telling me this…."

"You're interaction with my host yesterday was not natural. Subaru may not have noticed it, but the vainglory witch factor was already starting to corrupt him. You seem intent on leaving, and I do not care either way, but make your decision."

"It wasn't… I'm selfish, I know. But it would be cruel if I just left…."

"I don't care how you feel or what motivation you had. I'm trying to protect my host. His visions are directly related to you, and if he wakes up and begins to doubt if he's in another false reality, your indecision and requiring others' help may break him further. That is the birth of a broken dragon whom Subaru has already nearly become."

Emilia froze, "What visions related to me?"

Ddraig formed a holographic image in an attempt to make Emilia leave. Emilia watched as Subaru was frozen and heard her voice of herself.

Why? Why would you want me to forget you?

Why would you want to be replaced or change my memories of you… why?

You didn't answer me… why did you leave? I just want to know if you don't care about me or move on with your life. Just tell me what happened.

Emilia flinched at the holographic screen so that she could hear the thoughts of Subaru. But they weren't thoughts, only repetitive emotions or phrases. Self-hatred, vengeance, guilt, and despair as she heard Subaru's thoughts.

"Make it stop. I hate myself. I hate this world. I have nobody. I can die now. I want to die."

The screen began to fade into the red gauntlet as Emilia's mind was lost. She wondered if that was the worst reality for him. Did she mean so much to him that's his worse nightmare? Can I die now? Did that mean he was living for her? Have nobody? Even if she left, he'd have people… around, right? Why did I even come if this would happen if I did? I should've stayed at Roswaal's mansion and been his doll-like before. But Roswaal was already acting strange, like he had lost all hope of something. She could still win and save the elves, and Subaru would be fine, right?

"Why are you standing there, not moving? Make a decision to leave or don't, but you still don't seem to know what you're doing or why."

Emilia stared at the emerald light and spoke in a shallow voice, "I.. have to save the elves, and the only way is to become the King."

"Then leave. If that is your motivation, why are you here?"

Emilia trembled at the question, "I don't want to hurt him more…."

"The only reason I'm helping Subaru or caring for his livelihood is I saw his memories which most humans or even supernatural beings could not tolerate. He's been killed countless times and somehow isn't insane. He was tortured and forgotten by everyone, yet he still had the mental strength not to become a broken dragon. Yet you cannot understand my simple demand. Make up your mind and choose to leave or stay. If you want to say goodbye, that won't do anything to help."

Emilia was lost in thought at what she had just heard, "Died countless times? Tortured?"

"It is not my job nor my decision to elaborate further. From all the memories I've seen from him, you seem to be a naive brat that depends solely on others to survive. Subaru may become a broken dragon regardless, but his affection for you is that I cannot understand. He should have dragon's pride now and neglect those feelings for you as they are both unjustified and disrespectful to his title of the Red Dragon Emperor."

Emilia couldn't respond. She has always been used to being treated poorly based on her appearance, resembling Satella's. But to be called out for every insecurity and even things she didn't know she had was something that had never happened to her. Someone would be by her side, whether it was Puck or… Subaru. Emilia began to shed tears as she recalled the past year and how she had never told Subaru anything. Never responded to his feelings for her after he gave her time to think. She only thought she was a burden, but why was Subaru's worse reality being that she left? Why was this dragon voice telling her to leave if that was true? Maybe they could just talk it out? Killed countless times and tortured? Wants to die and has nobody? Her face was covered with tears as she failed to make a decision. She didn't know what that meant or how he'd even died countless times.

"Make it stop. I hate myself. I hate this world. I have nobody. I can die now. I want to die."

Emilia stared at Subaru, who seemed stable but still trembling. She didn't know what a broken dragon meant but could assume it was not good. Emilia slowly walked towards the bed that Subaru and herself shared the previous night, still unsure of her feelings. She reached out to touch his face, but her hand started shaking when it got close to him.

Emilia sobbed, "I'm… so sorry, Subaru. I'm sorry for being reliant on you and hurting you."

"I both feel sorrow and disgust for who my host has loved his entire time in this world."

"I… made my decision." Emilia counited, "I'm going to leave."

Emilia looked at the raven-haired boy she met that changed her life as a few tear drops reached his face. She felt terrible, worse than she's ever felt before, but her life's purpose was something she couldn't abandon for anyone. She slowly walked towards the door of the hut feeling more sadness and guilt as she took each step. She was moments away from opening the door when she heard the voice speak again.

"Partner, your stable. The effects of boosting the authorities you possess and using them affect you. When you had slept, your body responded negatively to the vainglory witch factor. Whatever you saw was not a dream but the authority itself trying to corrupt you. The witch factor of greed did not have this effect, so I can only assume you're incompatible with the vainglory authority."

Subaru's eyes opened to the voice of Ddraig as he slowly began to understand what Ddraig said. He looked at his hands which were trembling still, and he moved his body trying to get up, but it was painful. He could only compare what he just went through to the Divine Protection of Torture but without his greed authority helping him. It was pure emotional torture, and it worked. He had no idea how much time, or if time even functioned in whatever reality he was just in, but his mind was still lost. He looked around the hut and saw Emilia with her hand on the door and tears on her face.

"Subaru, I'm sorr-y."

Subaru was about to respond when he heard her voice echo.

Why? Why would you want me to forget you?

Why would you want to be replaced or change my memories of you… why?

You didn't answer me… why did you leave? I just want to know if you don't care about me or move on with your life. Just tell me what happened.

Subaru could move freely now as he thought of ending his life but would rather wait for Emilia to leave to do it. He fell back on the bed not shedding any tears but a dead emotionless face. Emilia turned around and walked towards Subaru as her unease grew to a point she didn't know she could feel.

"Subaru? Plea-se respond to me."

Subaru spoke with no emotion, "Are you real? What is this hell I was sent to."

"It's real I'm real." Emilia wept, "Plea-se don't hurt yourse-lf over me."

Subaru wanted to die but she needed to leave, "Emilia you can leave it's fine. I'll be alright don't worry about me."

"I don't wan-t to lose you. Can we talk? No lyin-g just be hone-st."

"I'm being honest I'm fine. You have to become King right? Don't waste your time worrying about me I'm doing great."

"How can you say that?" Emilia moved her hand to touch him but trembled.

"See. I'm just a burden to you anyways. I don't deserve love or happiness. If there is a god he can't save me and probably hates me."

Emilia broke after hearing his words, "Yo-u do de-ser-ve lo-ve and happ-iness."

"You regret coming here I can see it. So leave I don't care. Emilia, I hate you."

Emilia knew everything he was saying was to get her to leave. He wasn't aware that she knew of the reality he just experienced so was trying to get her to leave saying whatever was required. But he deserves love and happiness. Emilia couldn't leave him like this it felt like daggers being thrown into her heart and soul. She had no idea what to say but remembered the words the dragon's voice said. Make a decision. She needed to make one or else everything will be lost. She thought of the idea of leaving and Subaru being gone or dead and couldn't think of a future where she even wanted to live. Even if she needed to help the elves she wouldn't be able to. But she wanted to help Subaru more than that even if it meant she was a terrible person.

Emilia held Subaru's hand without trembling she spoke with some confidence, "I won't leave. I can't leave. Subaru YOU are the one that saved me. Yesterday I was so dependent on you and reliant. You wanted me to forget of you and I don't hold anything against you. PLEASE just don't die. If you die I'll kill myse-lf."

Subaru questioned, "What about your goals and dreams? Why am I needed to be around for you to fulfill them? You are strong and have the courage to do it on your own."

Emilia wiped the tears off her face as she stared into Subaru's eyes, "My goal is to save you from becoming broken."

"Don't pity me. I don't care if I become broken. I don't care if I die. So stop about me."

Emilia leaned in closer to Subaru, "I don't pity you. I pity myself for being such a terrible person. Can we please just talk? Stop doing this act or wanting to die… I don't know if I can keep this up before I break too."

Subaru thought about the words Emilia said. His mind was still filled with negative emotions but something changed. Yesterday was almost a blur compared to the time he spent in that hell reality where those words repeated in his mind. He could tell Emilia was being her normal self and not what he saw when he or Puck was gone. He knew she wouldn't stop caring or leave no matter what he said. Does he even want her to leave?

"We can talk… I'm sure you have a lot of questions."

Emilia formed a small smile, "Welll this might be the wrong time to say this but… I do love you. Not like yesterday when I was desperate for someone to rely on. Even if you do decide to leave right now and I never see you again, I will love you."

Subaru made eye contact and could see she meant what she said, "What happened? What changed you so much?"

Emilia frowned, "Many things. I thought about the past and how you were always there for me. But now I don't need you to be there for me like before. If at the end of this, you still choose to die… I'll end my own life. Not as a threat or way to force you but my life would be over anyways. You have someone and that person loves you." Emilia fell down right on top of Subaru, "I can't keep this up… just don't."

Subaru felt the warmth of Emilia's body as he felt tear drops fall on his face. He stared at her amethyst eyes and glowing face not sure what to do. He needed to respond if Emilia could put this much effort into helping him he should be able to do the same.

He stroked his hand through her hair, "I hope this is real. I really do. I've never felt so much pain before and I don't know what I would've done."

Emilia laid her head on Subaru's chest, "I've never felt this much pain either. I just want to know why I was so important to you. How me leaving would've been the worst possible reality for you."

Subaru blinked, "How did you know?"

"Partner you were very close to becoming a broken dragon. I had to both stabilize you and teach your love interest a few things. I cannot say I am proud of being a Heavenly Dragon to have to do such a thing. But you turn into a broken dragon would've been a worse outcome. So I showed her what you were seeing."

Subaru was annoyed but Ddraig did do the right thing. Emilia couldn't have grown this much without a dragon yelling at her anyway. He felt the warmth radiating from Emilia's body and felt a sense of relief. The endless voice stopped and he felt almost insane for how quickly he changed his own plan of ending his life.

"Thank you Ddraig."

"Partner I will warn you your future training will be a nightmare far worse than you just experienced for what I had to do. Dragon's have pride and was pathetic." The emerald light dissipated.

[AN: Short chapter but hah the Emilia from before was yandere. Who would've known? Pandora's authority being toxic is something that just feels right anyway. What should the two do next as Emilia is now a missing candidate? ]