Wrath Chapter 2: Colors
Natsuki Subaru of the Wrath world had looked very pale, skinny boned and looking exhausted and yet still menacingly. He looked at his counterpart and heard what he had to say to him, leaving him confused at first since this has never happened nor has this kind of situation ever occurred to him. He looked at himself wearing some odd attire and yet he only had one word to say,
"Colors."
"Huh?" Subaru was confused at what the Purge King had said.
"Colors...those different variant of colors...but why?"
The two Natsuki Subarus were confused with the Purge king confused on his counterpart while Subaru was confused on what the Purge King meant by colors. The two stayed silent for a moment which didn't help since Otto was beginning to worry that things will go wrong if something isn't done.
He crossed his arms for a bit to think quickly, trying to find a way to keep the Purge King distracted while also not getting himself, Subaru, and Wilhelm killed prior to Reinhard arriving. He took a few seconds before finally coming up with an idea, one that might save their lives.
"Liege, why don't you discuss things with Natsuki Subaru. I think you two chatting without any of us here would allow you to get the answers you seek."
"Hm. You are right, merchant. Go along then, everyone in this room please leave. Well except you, Natsuki Subaru. I would like to have a chat with you."
Otto bowed before he and Wilhelm walked out of the room with The Purge King's servants also leaving. As everyone was heading out, Wilhelm whispered to Subaru's ear,
"Don't worry Subaru-dono, should trouble arise, I will be there to protect you."
"Thank you, Wilhelm."
Subaru nodded has he watched the old butler leave with his merchant friend. The Purge King looked at his furry friend and whispered to him,
"Stay in the shadows. Should something happen, you are responsible in protecting me."
"You got it, boss."
The Purge king's ally nodded at him before he saw him disappear in the shadows. As the room appeared to be empty, the two Subarus just looked at each other with the pair having many thoughts running in their mind. The Purge King looked at his counterpart's eyes for a moment, seeing that they are the same as his yet the big difference is the stress.
This Natsuki Subaru is not has stressed like me, not to mention how he looks a lot more healthy compared to him. Subaru looks at his counterpart and can tell that this one suffered a lot just by the look of his face. He looks guilt ridded and worn out, probably from the stress he is showing all over his face yet there is something else that he is not able to tell.
'That look he had towards me when he first saw me, it's as if there was hope...what is the deal with this version of me? For sure he isn't pure evil or a prick like Pride but he sure isn't good. Not after all the hell he had caused.'
Subaru was trying to figure it out, the only clue being the word "Colors" since the Purge King mentioned this. As the two were trying to figure their other self out, the silence was broken by Natsuki Subaru from a different world.
"We should probably start talking, otherwise we will both just be standing in a room all silently."
"Fair. Who are you really?"
"The name is Natsuki Subaru, I'm just...from a different world."
"Yeah, so am I but I'm asking who are you really? Deep down inside, what do you view yourself?"
"I view myself has someone who will do anything to protect Emilia-tan."
"Hm. Okay then, so you are familiar with Emilia-tan...but for how long?"
"Over a year to say the least."
"Hm."
Subaru wanted to remain friendly yet guarded just in case provoking the Purge King could lead to his death, knowing that he doesn't have Return By Death to rely on. The purge king looked at Subaru with a questionable look before concluding that his counterpart is telling him the truth and being truthful.
'If that is the case, then is this Natsuki Subaru is me but from where? He looks determined and healthy. If it was a year, I was winning over Cecilus...or more accurate, the emperor himself send him as a double agent. No, I was looking a bit dead compared to the me here. This doesn't make sense...wait.'
"Natsuki Subaru, can you...you know."
"Loop?"
"Okay, so you do know about that."
The two Subarus were silent for a moment before the room started to shake all of a sudden which caused the Purge King to snap his fingers. As he does this, his two guards come out of the shadows which causes Natsuki Subaru to be on his guard. The Purge King notices this and was going to comment on something until he saw his counterpart holding a whip.
"Hold on...is a whip your primary weapon?"
"Yeah, what about it?"
"...ptft!"
The Purge King for the first time in a long time had laughed. Not in any usual way that would be perceived as fake but a genuine happy laugh.
"Man, you are pathetic. Using a whip as a weapon."
"Yeah Yeah, let it all out."
The Purge King laughed for a bit before finally he regained his composure. Just as his composure had returned, he looked to see that behind Natsuki Subaru was a bright light. Wilhelm had managed to break through the door to get his world's Natsuki Subaru to safety.
As he manages this, Reinhard arrives once he manages to destroy his way into the throne room. The Purge king looked up with a bit of a none surprised look as he watched the Sword Saint looking at him. At first he had a serious facial expression before it change of one of genuine surprise.
"What is going on here, Subaru?"
"Which one?"
"He is speaking to me, Purge King. Reinhard, it is a little hard to tell you but let's just say that...this is the Subaru that you last saw at the loot house. I'm Natsuki Subaru from another world."
"Hm."
Reinhard was silent about this since this was information he wished to have known but since it isn't the time to dwell on it, he turned towards The Purge King.
"Purge King, I, Reinhard van Astrea, will stop you."
"Is that so? I have been preparing for this moment, Reinhard. Cecilus, you know what to do."
"Understood."
The one with known has Cecilus with a subdued peach-pink kimono with a purple mist-like pattern along its bottom, a bright-blue haori that rests over his kimono approached Reinhard. The two looked at each other for a moment before the Subaru from Reinhard's side looked at his counterpart.
"You know Reinhard is going to win, right?"
"...Halibel, come with me."
"Yes boss."
The Purge King and Halibel both started to leave the throne room. Seeing this caused Subaru and Wilhelm to both go after them. Before leaving, Wilhelm turned towards Reinhard and was going to give him a bit of advice but then he remembered what happened in Priestella. This prompted him to say nothing before leaving the Sword Saint to face one of the divine generals of Vollachia. As Wilhelm and Subaru chased after the Purge King and his ally, Otto was going to assist them yet he heard the Sword Saint tell him,
"Don't. Let them handle the Purge King. Go and see if you can find Emilia-sama."
"If you say so, Reinhard-san."
The merchant boy nodded before going off on his own, having a knife in the case he needs to defend himself.
While chasing the two, Subaru and Wilhelm both manage to speak about what they just learned regarding this world's Natsuki Subaru and the path he took.
"I do not wish to sound rude, Subaru-dono, but what happened? Why did the Subaru-dono of this world turned into a tyrant?"
"I...I do not know Wilhelm but I will get to the bottom of this. Can you tell me anything about the two people we just encountered?"
"One of them I recognize because of Crusch-sama and Felix. He is one of the divine generals of the kingdom of Vollachia. As for the other one, if what I heard was correct then he is the admirer of Kararagi. Halibel."
"Huh...how strong are they?"
"It is believed that the three people; the admirer, Blue Lightning, and the Mad Prince, are believe to be on par with the Sword Saint."
"Really...? Wow, I still have a lot to learn."
Subaru was surprised to hear this since that implies his counterpart has two people that can stand up against Reinhard. This made him understand how dire this situation is.
'This is much worse than the Sin Archbishop of Pride. At least with him, I knew what I was dealing with but here...I'm really out of my element.'
As Subaru was looking down, he snapped out of this when Wilhelm stopped himself and him from running as Wilhelm looks at their opponent. As the two looked forward, they see that Halibel is blocking their path. Wilhelm pulled out his sword and prepared for a fight while the wolf man just looked at them in a calm manner before saying,
"Now calm down. We don't have to fight, old gentleman. Look alike boss."
"Why are you here?"
"Boss told me to make sure you both don't get far. I don't want to fight ya both, especially an old gentleman since that would be completely unfair but I will if ya both don't turn back."
"Let me rephrase my question, why are you working for the Purge King?"
"Cause he is my boss."
"Okay, you are messing with me at this point."
"Man, can't take a joke. I have my reasons but all I will say is that I owe him...mind if I call ya Su-san?"
"Um...sure, I guess?" Subaru was confused by this yet Halibel was happy to hear.
"Thanks, boss won't let me call him by a nickname so as his counterpart, I shall call you Su-san."
"Okay but you do realize that we have to go through. I have to stop him."
"Ah so that's the issue Su-san, my boss would kill me if I let ya go through."
"That's...unfortunate, you seem like a fun guy to talk to and maybe have a drink with."
"Why thank you, Su-san. You are too kind."
"Yes...well, we will fight you."
"No Subaru-dono, I will."
"Wait, are you sure about that Wilhelm?"
"Yes."
Subaru wanted to argue with Wilhelm yet he knew that he would not be able to do anything against Halibel, especially if the claim that he is one of three that could stand up to Reinhard is true. He looked at Wilhelm for a moment before telling him,
"Please make it out safe."
"I will, Subaru-dono. You as well."
Subaru nodded and was prepared to make a run for it yet Halibel allowed him to pass. Subaru was thrown off by this, especially the friendly smile he gave yet he took his opportunity to run. As Subaru continued to chase his counterpart, Wilhelm lowered his guard since he wasn't expecting Halibel to be this kind.
"Pardon me good sir, but mind if I ask why did you let Subaru-dono pass by? Wouldn't the Purge King be mad about this?"
"Ah boss would assume that I'm facing someone. Besides, Su-san is actually quite nice. Maybe if all this blows away, I might even ask him for a drink if we all make it alive."
"Hm. That is rather kind of you."
"Yup. What's your name?"
"...my name is Wilhelm Trias, servant of Crusch-sama."
"Understood. I'll go easy on ya."
"Hm. Don't underestimate me, admirer."
Wilhelm started the fight just as he finished speaking, charging at Halibel before clashing with the wolf human's claws. As the two were in somewhat of a blade lock, Halibel continued to stay calm along with Wilhelm yet the old butler was a bit more tense, seeing that he is going to have to go all out if he wants to at the very least buy Subaru some time.
He continues to go on the offense while Halibel continues to deflect each attack without any problem using his claws and his fur while remaining in his calm gesture. Wilhelm noticed this, making him realize that he needs to really come up with a strategy if he wants a chance to win.
'This will not be easy but I will win, for Subaru-dono's sake.'
Subaru runs and runs all around the halls of the pleiades organization while also feeling the entire place shaking, knowing that this is because of Reinhard. Ignoring the violent shakes of the building, all he can think of is how far has his counterpart had fallen. Although he still seemed to have a little if not barely anything of sanity compared to the Sin Archbishop of Pride, he is still evil in his own right.
'What is the overall goal here? At least with the Sin Archbishop of Pride, it was all for Emilia-tan's sake to win the royal selections but here...what is the goal?'
As he was running, another set of memories started to pour into the boy, causing him to fall to the ground since the headache that comes with this was a bit more than he can resist.
("...Sorry. I didn't mean to threaten you. It's just that, these two people here. And these others present are all hired by me and follow me, but you're not like that are you? So then, how should I say it...I acted in a manner I was used to, sorry.")
("Let us have a nice partnership, Sigram-san. The details will be discussed with the person in charge later on...This was the best and wisest choice for you.")
("From now on, regarding this association, I will be in your care.")
("Tails.")
Subaru was on the ground, viewing an execution being made to someone with the name Sigrum. This damage caused Subaru to look angrily as he saw just how corrupt his counterpart is, similar to the Sin Archbishop of Pride Natsuki Subaru. He continued to receive a few more memories of the Purge King.
("The corpse, make it neat and bury it. And, an envoy is to be sent to their shop. Everything is to be confiscated, but if they follow along do not treat them poorly. If they refuse, then purge the family and burn the store. When the takeover ends, have them greet the next one in charge and follow their plan. With that, it will be decided whether to destroy them or not.")
("...Halibel-san, I do not want to kill you.")
'Because you can't, jackass.'
Subaru was slowly getting up, managing to resist the headaches and the memories being poured into him. Learning more on what the Purge King has done made him see that his counterpart is like the Sin Archbishop of Pride, an unredeemable bastard.
"I...I have to stop you...Purge King...and I have to get to...Emilia-tan!"
Subaru managed to break free before starting to run once again, having his whip in hand. As he was running for a bit, he manage to hear someone say,
"Natsuki-san! Wait up."
"Huh? Otto?"
Otto approached Subaru as he was slightly out of breath. The boy looked at the merchant for a bit before patting him on the back.
"What brings you here, Otto? I thought you were with Reinhard."
"Reinhard-san is fighting one of the Purge King's bodyguards...who are you really?"
"Huh? What are you—?"
"Why does the Purge King look like you?! Are you working for him?!"
"Hell no! I would never betray Emilia-tan!"
"Then why do you two look alike?!"
"Because I'm from another world, Otto!"
"What do you mean by that?"
"Hey!"
Both Otto and Subaru turned towards the voice that spoke to them, causing the two to turn from their conversation to one of the Purge King's mercenaries. Both Otto and Subaru knew that they were in trouble since more mercenaries were starting to appear. Subaru would normally be okay since he could rely on Return By Death as his last option but since he doesn't have that ability, he needs to fight for his life.
"Otto, mind if I ask what you are doing here?"
"Reinhard-san told me to look for Emilia-sama."
"Then shall we survive this together and look for Emilia-tan, together."
Otto paused himself to look at Subaru, seeing the confidence and friendly nature he has in him. This gave Otto some determination to fight. He pulled out his knife with Subaru having his whip ready for a fight, both of them determined to get out of this alive.
As the mercenaries charge at the pair, the two charge towards them with Subaru starting the fight by using his whip to do some damage to the closest mercenaries' face. This distracted the mercenary long enough for Otto to stab him in the chest before punching him in the jaw hard enough to knocked him out. As he succeeded in this, two mercenaries started to swing their blades towards the merchant, forcing him to dodge the attacks while Subaru waited for the perfect moment to attack.
As he was going to attack, he felt something sharp about to pierce his head, causing him to quickly duck which coincidentally caused him to dodge the attack. As both Otto and Subaru were starting to get overwhelmed, the two accepted that they were going to die due to how outmatched and outnumbered the two were. Subaru looked at the mercenary close to him for a moment before he smiled, knowing that his only option was to use Invisible Providence.
Just as this was going to happen, something caused the mercenary to be send flying towards another mercenary that was going to kill Otto. The two boys looked to see that a couple of knights still in their merchant disguises. The one leading this was Frederica with Petra standing behind her.
"Frederica?"
"You should be more careful, Subaru-sama."
"Why are you here?"
"Frederica-neesama wanted to check on you...also I wanted to check on you."
"Yes, we worried that something wrong had happened."
"W-Well, it is good to see you two once again...I assume that you are keeping Petra safe."
"Yes, you do not need to worry, Subaru-sama."
Subaru was not thrilled that Petra was there with them, in the Purge King's stronghold, but he was still happy to see her. The knights went to take on the mercenaries, causing a large battle to be created. Otto was able to keep his distance to recover his strength while Subaru was able to get back on his feet thanks to the help of Frederica and Petra. As he was back on his feet, Frederica asked the boy,
"What happened here? Where is the Purge King?"
"...about that, we bumped into the Natsuki Subaru of this world."
"Wait, another Subaru?" Petra said with a surprised voice. Subaru and Frederica both looked at her for a moment, both smiling at Petra before Subaru's smile faded away.
"The Natsuki Subaru of this world...he is the purge king..."
"What?"
"No way! That can't be possible! Subaru-sama is a good person. Why would Subaru-sama of this world be a bad person? There is no way!"
"Petra-chan, please calm down."
"...I'm sorry, Frederica-neesama."
"It's okay little one."
Frederica patted the little maid's head for a moment before turning her attention back to Subaru.
"Are you sure that this world's Natsuki Subaru is the Purge King?"
"Yes, he...is far gone at this point. If you just saw him, you could tell that he isn't right both physically and mentally."
"That is...I'm sorry Subaru-sama."
"It's alright...right now I need you to protect Petra and to help Otto in finding Emilia-tan from this world."
"Wh-what will you be doing, Subaru-sama?" Petra said in a nervous and concerned tone.
"Don't worry Petra, I'll be alright. I'm going to stop the Purge King."
"Are you sure that you should go on your own to face...yourself?"
"Hm. I probably should have a few knights with me but other than that, I'll be alright."
"Just try to be safe, Subaru-sama."
"I will!"
Subaru says this as he gives a thumbs up to Frederica and Petra. The two maids smile at this before they watch as Emilia's knight goes to recruit a few knights to join him in going after the Purge King. As Subaru and three knights followed him to go after the Purge King, Frederica and Petra approach Otto to check up on him.
"Is Otto-san okay?"
"Y-Yes, I'm alright Frederica-san. Thank you for saving Natsuki-san and me."
"Yes, now shall we go and find Emilia-sama?"
"...I don't mean to sound disrespectful but is it wise for you two to join me? It could be dangerous."
"Oh Otto, always looking out for us."
"Don't worry about us, I'll keep Petra-chan safe and I'll make sure you don't get yourself into anymore trouble."
"A-Alright."
Otto says this since he could feel that trying to go on his own isn't an option. Otto, Frederica, and Petra go off on a separate hallway from the one Subaru went, in hopes of finding Emilia.
Subaru and the three knights that he recruited run down the hallway that is presumed the location where the Purge King is. While the four of them were running, they had a little chat with one of the knights saying,
"How did the Purge King got away? Wasn't Reinhard there?"
"Yeah but that bastard had someone called the Blue Lightning and the Admirer."
"Huh? So Vollachia is behind this!"
One of the knights spoke out, with rage in his voice. Although Subaru is not sure if what he claims is true, all he knows is that the threats he will be dealing with are much tougher.
"I don't know about that but one thing is for sure, we are taking down the Purge King!"
The knights cheer to this, agreeing that this is the end for the Purge King. They run a couple more minutes before a couple of mercenaries stopped them on their tracks by getting in their way.
"This is your only warning, get out of our way."
"Like hell we are. You are outnumbered here. Surrender and we might make your deaths less painful."
"That's not going to happen."
Subaru got out his whip while the three knights got their swords. The two groups looked at each other for a moment before attacking each other. While the fight was in favor of the knights, one of them knew that these mercenaries are only there to give the Purge King enough time to escape.
"Hey kid! Continue on without us, we will take care of the rest."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah, don't worry about us."
"...okay."
Subaru nodded at the knight and continued to go after the Purge King, wanting to stop this in the first loop while also wanting to get answers on what truly happened in this world. As he ran for a little bit longer on his own, he was eventually tackled down.
"So, you are the only one standing in my way...other me."
"hk!"
The Purge King had managed to pin Subaru to the ground while having a knife on his neck.
'Shit! He's got me cornered!'
"Is there any last words, other me?"
"Why?"
"Why what?"
"Why did you became the Purge King?"
"It's not like it matters now, I'll—"
"You do realize that I can still loop, right?"
The Purge King paused to himself and observed the boy closely, seeing that his counterpart still had colors.
"So, you aren't lying. Hm. That does pose a problem for the two of—"
Before The Purge King could finish his sentence, he felt something powerful piercing his heart with Natsuki Subaru feeling blood dripping to him.
"Subaru?"
"Ugh...what is..."
The two Subarus try to see who it was that had fatally injured the Purge King yet it was too late. The Purge King's lifeless body had fallen on top of his counterpart. With little time remaining he knew that the loop is about to reset. He tried to get up to see who killed him yet the only glimpse he was able to see was a long blonde hair. As the world had reset, Subaru thought to himself,
'Now that I'm aware of what I'm up against, I'll do better in the next loop.'
With this thought in mind, he was sent back alongside his counterpart. As the two Natsuki Subarus reset, the Purge King noticed that his surroundings were in the throne room of his once again. He looked at Cecilus and at Halibel, both of them having their usual chat. He looked at his chest for a moment before looking at his two henchmen.
'Other Natsuki Subaru, you have been honest with me so far. I wonder how long it will take before you also have your colors fade away.'
This was a thought in his mind, knowing that his counterpart is not only different than him regarding in looks but from the way he acted.
'If you and I are one in the same then...what was your change? Did you actually committed suicide to save that maid's life?'
This was a thought since prior to those horrible loops of betrayal, he was determined and carefree while now he is a bit harsh and stressed out. This definitely was something that he not only needed to confirm but also learn of another path he probably could've taken.
'Had I died back then...could I have fixed everything?'
There was a bit of hesitation in the boy's thoughts but he pushed them away. He needed to focus, to prepare for the attack that is to come. He got up his seat which caused the conversation between Halibel and Cecilus to stop. The two turned towards him and waited for his orders. He noticed this, causing him to tilt his head a little while asking the two,
"Answer me this, are you two ready for a fight with the Sword Saint Reinhard van Astrea?"