Arc Zero - Power in Another World
Chapter 0.1; Watchtower Departure
- Somewhere Underground -
Steps could be heard on a smooth stone floor.
Tip, tap, tip, tap, chink, clap, chink, clap.
Sounds of panting and heavy breathing could be heard from two mouths.
"Hah, heh, huh, hah."
"Huh, huh, heh, huh."
The two people running eventually stopped at a wall with the hallway continuing to the left. The ground was smooth light-brown with the walls being bricks of large, yellow stones. Some parts of the floor and walls had sand.
"Did we, hah, need to run, hah, so far?"
A high-pitched voice of a man had spoken, unsure of what they did was wise.
"We, hah, had to create some distance, hah, from where we were teleport-ed... Gulp, hah, in case he came along the same way."
A smooth yet rougher feminine voice replied to the young man, unsure of the outcome now.
"In that case, we-"
An alien noise was heard.
A portal had appeared before the two.
"That's..."
"Stand back, if you need to run, please run."
The man shook his head.
"You're not fighting him alone!"
The woman grimaced, letting out a sigh. She looked back at him with a warm smile.
"...Then let us be victorious."
Her smile had fallen, and from the portal stepped out a man, who was neither tall nor short. His hair was dishevelled with cuts on his clothing, and bloodied finger marks were on his wrists and neck, signs of a recent struggle.
The woman felt a pit in her stomach, glaring at the man before her.
"Those weren't there before. What did you do?"
The man blinked, tilted his head, and simply shrugged.
"I did what I had to do, otherwise..."
He took a step forward and grinned, showing his uneven teeth.
"I wouldn't have found either of you."
The woman gritted her sharp teeth, not hiding her hostility.
"You truly are the scum of the world, and this will be your end. I swear, in the name of-"
"Yeah, yeah, we'll see about that, Frederica."
The man turned his head to the left, to the woman's right and smiled.
"Otto."
The man beside the woman gulped and glared, clenching his hands into fists.
"Subaru Natsuki."
Subaru clasped his hands and sighed with satisfaction.
"After my many, many struggles of the mansion's residents..."
Departing his held hands to his front, two balls of flame swirled on his two palms facing up.
"This is going to be fun."
- Fourteen Deaths later -
Otto had tried everything he could against the monster that was Subaru Natsuki. His magic stone's explosions only made everything worse for him and Frederica, merely collapsing the surrounding area's exits. With fighting being the only option, Otto brought out his knife, ready to stab Subaru Natsuki. Unfortunately, his knife was redirected by Subaru onto Frederica, blood spilling onto her fair skin and maid dress. Otto was horrified at what he had done, the shock on his mind remained. Subaru was able to move in a way that made it nigh impossible to hurt him. If Otto and the others weren't attacked on such short notice, he would have had more time to make a plan with the others, Subaru definitely would have been killed then. His goal wasn't known then, but it didn't matter now, everyone was dead.
"Well now, you two certainly are putting up more of a fight, more than Beatrice did anyway."
The maid scowled, gritting her sharp teeth.
"I completely refuse to believe Lady Beatrice had a tough time dealing with you. So what did you do? What did you do to Lady Beatrice?"
"Simple, she had run out of mana, and trust me, that took me a very, very long time. After that..."
Subaru opened his hands and closed them repeatedly, smiling fondly.
"All I had to do was strangle that cute little neck of hers and choke the life out of her little body. Easy."
Subaru spread his arms open, smiling even wider.
"All the blood she made me drop, it was wonderful!"
The limit of Frederica Baumann had broke.
"There's... no hope for freaks like you... now, DIE!"
"Oh wow! Those words again? And this early too? I must've done a lot more here than last time."
Frederica had ignored his words and ripped off her dress, transforming into the form of a golden beast. As her appearance changed, her remaining maid dress had fallen onto the underground tunnel's dusty floor. Along with her two torn dresses, the knife Otto had used fell off of her back, causing a sharp clang onto the hard, stone floor.
"I'd have avoided transforming if I were you. In this very tunnel, some things are just a little weird here. For one, you sorta lose yourself, rendering that time with Clind pretty, useless."
Subaru emphasized 'pretty' and put his hand on his hip, swaying the other hand as he started explaining.
"This tunnel is kinda special now that I think about it, you'd lose yourself in here even if you didn't transform! And now, you'll remain a mad beast, even if you went back to your human form! Haha! You must've been desperate, huh?"
Lose myself? What does he... It's... So hard to... think...
Frederica shook her head and went straight for...
What's... Happening...?
Frederica growled, baring her fangs, let out a mighty roar, and ran straight for what was in front of her. The man in front of her smirked and disrupted her movements via a stone step of earth magic. The stone was launched upward, pushing Frederica onto a newly formed spike of earth magic. Subaru tossed her onto the earth magic's spike with wind magic, reverting to her human form nearly instantly.
"Frederica!"
Otto couldn't get over the fact that he had stabbed Frederica, and because of his shock and hesitation, Frederica was now impaled on the ground, bleeding and out of her mind.
Why did I hesitate? Why? Why? Why?
Otto glared at Subaru with pure rage.
"You, you bastard! Die!"
Otto threw his knife at Subaru and brought out another knife, one laced with poison.
"Not even you could survive this!"
Subaru simply caught the thrown knife and tossed it to the side, opting to fight Otto hand-to-hand.
Otto swiped and slashed desperately, hoping to get one cut.
Just one little cut should do it, come on!
Subaru had simply hit Otto in certain spots, making Otto buckle his knees.
"H-Huh?!"
Before he knew it, Subaru had taken the knife and stabbed him in the abdomen. Otto felt heat slowly building up everywhere in his body, starting with the stab wound's location, his torso.
"Ack, agh... Hak!"
Otto had prepared this very blade for Subaru Natsuki, a blade meant to make his last few moments of life as painful as possible. Now Otto was the one dying a painful, vain, pointless death.
"Now then, Otto, sleep, fall asleep along with little Frederica."
Otto was carefully rotated by Subaru and was impaled onto the spike. Now face-to-face with Frederica's wide eyes. Otto felt a pain different from the poison, a pain in his chest, in his heart.
Frederica... She has no idea where she is or what's happening...
Otto began to tear up.
"I'm- Ack... So sorry, F- cough, Frederica- ACK!"
Otto coughed and spat blood onto Frederica's fair skin, she simply closed her eyes from the blood and opened them back up again. Her eyes had stabbed Otto's heart even deeper, his heart panged with guilt, with regret.
"It's... All... A-all my fault... Ack... I'm s-sorry, I'm sor-"
Before Otto could finish his tearful words, Frederica put her finger on his lip and smiled. It was barely noticeable from his tear-filled eyes, but Frederica had slowly lifted her hand to Otto's face.
"It's... okay, Otto... None of... this... is your fault."
Frederica caressed his face, giving him her caring gaze.
"It's his... Don't ever... Blame yourself, for what he... did..."
Otto was about to say something, but his heart shattered from her next words.
"Live... please..."
Frederica held on to voice her final request, for her little brother's friend, for the kind merchant. She could no longer hold on, her flame faltered, and her flame had gone out.
Frederica's hand fell from Otto's face. Otto looked on in horror and despair, seeing her lively eyes become lifeless.
There was no hope for Otto, he was poisoned, he was impaled onto a spike and his killer was standing nearby. Supposedly enjoying the show. He could hear him giving a light round of applause.
...I'm sorry, Frederica, I couldn't fulfill your last request...
Otto felt his life fading away fast. He could only muster his remaining strength to close Frederica's once beautiful, lively eyes. This was Otto's final task; respect the life of Frederica and put her to sleep, forever.
...
"Haah, you two may have killed me many, many times, but that? Phew, that was a little sad to watch. I guess I can forgive you two for stabbing me, blowing me up, poisoning me, and clawing me to death. Maybe... Sure, why not? You're forgiven! ...Great, anyway!"
Subaru walked over to the lifeless bodies and admired his work. With a deep sigh of admiration, he absorbed their souls.
"Alright, let's see... We have Frederica's ability to transform... And let's see, Otto's Divine Blessing."
Subaru gave out a sigh and chuckled.
"Enhancing your shock with magic did me wonders, although it took a lot out of me. Maybe, maybe I'm lucky your protector was so easy."
Subaru crouched onto the stone floor with one knee and admired something dear to him.
Subaru smiled, his heart pumping the very thing he fell in love with.
Blood. It is much more beautiful than I could ever anticipate. Sorry, Emilia, but you were no match for my one true love.
Subaru turned around and stopped. Looking back at the two bodies one last time, he sighed in ecstasy.
He walked away from the bodies and created a portal, walking into it and leaving the two behind.
- In the Augria Sand Dunes -
He had teleport-ed outside of the tower and forced the sand to let him through. After moving through the many mabeasts without issue due to a certain blessing, he reached the tower.
"Alright, let's read some books, and create a new artificial blessing."
As he walked toward the stairs, a woman with brown hair landed in the center of the stairs. She got up like it was nothing and beamed, her eyes radiating excitement, enhancing her beauty.
"Master!"
The woman ran toward Subaru and hugged him as much as she could, enjoying the feeling of their forms merging.
Subaru smiled at the display of affection.
"Shaula."
You might be a close second, maybe.
- Present -
Subaru had trouble bearing his surroundings, he was feeling tired.
Where the hell am I?
Subaru rubbed his eyes and saw a familiar, albeit changing library. Surrounding him were bags and two backpacks.
Subaru blinked.
"Now... Why am I back here? What happened, what... Wait a minute, breathe."
Subaru took a deep breath in, and a long breath out.
Focus.
He was focused.
It seems Return By Death changed its checkpoint. But I'm nowhere near the outskirt of the village or its local ruins. I've been sent back to the tower. Specifically, around two days before we left. This is new... Return By Death has never sent me back before a checkpoint. I'd say... this is unprecedented. Yes, I'd say that.
Subaru sighed and stood from the chair. He had prepared some bags for a "camping trip" with Shaula. At least, that's what she thought it was. Even after explaining to her many times what the trip was for, she didn't seem to change her stance. Her excitement for something couldn't be contained, nor broken with reason. In the end, he could only list the main goal as a mere activity...
I don't understand why she plays dumb with some of this. On some trips, she's fine with it being a killing spree, but on other killing sprees... No matter what I say, she's dead convinced I'm merely planning a small trip. This is no small trip though...
This very trip would be life-changing for Subaru.
"Reinhard. I got the bastard, didn't I? I killed him, right? That had to be me."
Subaru thought for a moment.
"He seemed... scared. I don't think he was acting scared... But it'd make sense too, he has to know of his blessings. He does, he even told me once upon a time. Haah, my ambition back then was quite small... Anyway, back to the fear..."
Subaru crossed his arms and thought for a bit, tilting his head.
I didn't just see fear in his eyes, he seemed genuinely scared. Or at least, shocked. Unless I'm imagining things... Damn it, I didn't have time to verify this with Return By Death. No, I did, it just sent me back two whole days!
Subaru blinked.
Wait! I was sent back two whole days! It's nothing new with certain loops spanning a week in real-time, spanning longer with Return By Death. But this? I was sent before a checkpoint! I can use this!
...
I've already succeeded though. I've seen him bleed, I've killed him, isn't that enough?
The flame
...No, the way he was brought back... That's MY thing! Isn't it?! No lowly being should possess a power similar in nature to mine! Only I could Return By Death! Me! He will not be getting away with this! Reinhard will not...! Could... Could he be a genius? Could he have used his knowledge of his blessing to trick me into lowering my guard? I didn't even see how he got up other than faltering flames when he struck me down! Coward! Yes! He's a coward! Stupid, lowly, snivelling, COWARD!
Subaru slammed his balled fist onto the floor, growling and heaving large breaths.
Damn it! I'll go exactly as I did last time! I have to counter whatever flame brought him back!
As he was getting ready for another outburst in his mind, a certain scorpion chick came into the library.
"Master! Are you finished?"
Subaru looked up at the woman before him.
Shaula... She's quite the beauty. If my heart wasn't stolen by the drops of mortal blood, surely, she'd be number one. Probably, maybe... Perhaps.
The scarcely dressed lady had approached Subaru, giving him a closer look. Her dark brown hair had a rhythm to its bounce, giving the illusion of a dancing scorpion tail. Her green eyes had a look of a masterfully cut gem, brilliant with the red markings on her surrounding her pupils.
"Yes, yes, I was just... Finishing up my plans for this trip."
She flashed him a grin and a thumbs up.
"Neat-o, Master!"
He could swear there was something behind her eyes, behind that smile.
We've got work to do. If he can come back... I'll need to do... Whatever I did to Reinhard that one loop.
- One day later -
Trut, trut, trut.
He could hear the four legs, running toward him.
Trut, trut, trut, leap.
With a leap and a growl, the mabeast had launched itself toward its target.
The target smirked.
"Invisible Providence."
All of a sudden, the mabeast was held up into the air, dangling, struggling to breathe.
"Mabeast number forty, Shaula? You wanna do the honours?"
"Yes, of course! Thank you, Master! Ahem... Hasta la vista! Hell's Snipe!"
With that, the mabeast was no more than a headless dog. Behind the dog was a needle against a charred tree.
"This is so much fun! Hunting with Master is the greatest! No mercy! Yep!"
With her arms crossed, she smiled at the results. Turning her head, she smiled wider at the sight of her Master.
"Did Shaula do a good job? Did she? Did she?!"
"Bwah, why are you even talking in third person? Jeez. But yes, you did a great job, Shaula."
Shaula's smile couldn't get any wider as she blushed.
"Aw come on, Master. Are you trying to seduce Shaula? Are ya? I won't allow you! Nope!"
Subaru only shook his head and walked back to where they were camping.
"I bet Master had the perfect plan to take down that meanie! Yep!"
"I do, it'll be difficult, especially when said person is loved by the world."
"Yeah..."
"Is something wrong?"
This is new.
"No, nothing's wrong, I'm just a little bothered, hehe..."
"Doesn't that mean something's wrong then?"
"Potato, tomato! I'm just a little bothered, Master! Hmph!"
"Okay... What's bothering you?
"Master..."
"Yes, Shaula?"
What is this? Why is she acting like this?
"It's... You."
Subaru blinked.
"Me?"
"Yeah... You're... starting to smell less."
"Huh? You mean my scent is disappearing?"
Shaula looked remorseful for pointing this out;
"Master... You're not gonna disappear again, are you?"
Subaru felt something akin to a pit in his stomach when he heard her words, her tone.
"I-I mean, don't get me wrong, Master! I'd gladly wait for eternity for you! But..."
Subaru simply looked into her eyes, tears were welling up.
"I've waited for you for so long, and you're back now. I don't... Want these times to end, Master."
Subaru had listened to her words, they were... Pained, but understanding.
"So... If you could help it! Please, Master..."
She stepped toward Subaru and beamed with tears in her eyes.
"Please, stay a little longer."
Subaru was confused, he made no implication that he was gonna leave soon.
Still, things are going differently, maybe something minor made her like this. The last time we hunted in this forest, she simply went on and on about how much fun she was having. Now though, in this new loop...
Subaru had made his decision.
"Shaula."
Shaula looked into her Master's eyes, into Subaru's eyes.
"I promise, I won't be leaving you anytime soon."
With all these souls I've absorbed, I'm assuming it's expanded my life span. I hope it did... What God had a time limit?
"M-Master."
The two had embraced, solidifying his resolve to keep his promise.
After all, eventually... There would be no one left to kill, right?
- Later that night -
Initially, Subaru and Shaula had settled for sleeping on the ground for most of their travels. However, Subaru eventually decided an improvement to their travel situation was needed, thus he bought a tent and travelling equipment for both him and Shaula.
"Ah! These sleeping bags are so much better than dirt and grass! Yep!"
Subaru wasn't sure where the concept of sleeping bags came from, but he was glad this world figured it out.
"You bet, this will give us the proper rest we need for tomorrow."
Shaula looked toward the tent's ceiling with a thoughtful look.
"What are you thinking about?"
"Oh, nothing! I was just thinking about the future."
"The future?"
"Yeah, after... tomorrow?"
"The day after tomorrow?"
Shaula blinked.
"Wow! Master is so smart! Yep! So wise!"
Subaru sighed and motioned her to continue.
"Right! It's just... Will tomorrow be here? After we wake up?"
...What?
"...Huh?"
"I normally don't think of these things, Master, but today's been weird."
"I suppose I get what you mean. Today's been a little different than what I expected."
"Hm, that's weird. Master's usually right about a lot of things! Is today the day...?"
"No, it isn't."
"Wah, Master! C'mon, just confess your love to mee!"
Shaula put hers together to squeeze her chest and winked.
"I'll even let you fondle them! Master, please!"
"You always resort to that, haah... Jeez, Shaula."
Shaula had already expected that kind of response and promptly snuggled into her sleeping bag.
"Goodnight, Master."
"Goodnight, Shaula."
...Quietly, Shaula whispered with her heart.
"I love you, Master..."
Subaru heard her silent voice and replied in kind quietness.
"I know."
- Sleep -
...
...
...
"-ou've nev- ...-tter de- ...-han these!"
...
...
...
"-ome now, an- ...-ice of o- ...-nds today!"
...
...
...
"-ommy! Loo- ...-range man! Look!"
"Come now, sweety, we shouldn't be pointing at strangers, remember?"
"Yes, mommy."
The two figures left, leaving only the man in the middle of the busy streets.
"Wha... Where... Where am I...?"
The warm air with a gentle, cool breeze felt by his skin and nose. The bright, shining sun and blues skies, the many buildings along with stands, stores, and stops for carriages. He...
"What is this?"
He tried to rack his brain, trying to remember what this was to him.
He couldn't remember, but he had a good idea of when and where he was.
"I've been... Sent back... Two years?"
He wanted to look into some memories, but before he could, he saw a demi-human. A lizard man with bags in his hands.
He looked... like an average guy.
Let's test out our two years' worth of abilities on these guys, starting with him.
- Capital of Lugnica, Second Life -
AN: I initially worked on Chapter 1 on a whim. I had no plans to continue this, but I decided to write more anyway. So rather than write new chapters right away, I tried mapping out the story as best as I could. I've got two arcs I'd like to see come to life, but those will be far into the story, near the end. I don't have much to say, but I'll be answering the reviews left on the prologue. I won't do this too often, but maybe I will. Maybe.
"Yo this is interesting as shit."
Thanks, I'm glad you found it interesting.
"well good thing Subaru did not kill shaula I love that girl"
You didn't even capitalize Shaula... but yes, she's good. I can't wait to see her in the anime.
"ok this is very interesting but i don't think reinhard would be hurt by hell's sniper"
You're right, nothing could really hurt Reinhard. ...But I won't say why it did. Also *Hell's Snipe.
"Is this Gluttony IF?"
Nope, but I did use Gluttony IF as a reference for the prologue.
"Cool, reminds me of the ideas I had of mix of Subaru and dust sans"
No idea what that is, but you should write it!
"This is pretty good! Can't wait to read the next one!"
Yet you did wait, thank you for your patience.