AN: New chapter folks! And with that title refrence too! This time, "Survivalism" by Nine Inch Nails! Have a great day, and don't forget to watch Hereditary! Now, Enjoy!
Arc Two: A Dangerous Meeting
Chapter Five: Survivalism
It was now the next morning, and Subaru had been walking around the main square...now found himself being confronted by the guardian of the Sanctuary, Lewes. He didn't expect to see her, so suddenly, with some creeping concern that she might have figured out about his intrusion into the Cabin previously.
"What can I do for you, Lewes-san?"
He tried smiling but he felt it was useless, he could see the seriousness in those eyes of hers.
"...So, how can I, help?"
"Don' fib me, younglin'. Ya saw it, righ'? The crystal?"
"...Yeah, I did."
Lewes gripped her staff tightly, as if hugging out of worry.
"Su-boy, are you aware of wha' is goin' on aroun' here? Th' history?"
"Not at all, and in reality, I don't care."
"The sooner I free this place and get the hell out of here, the better."
Lewes narrowed her eyes to him, to which Subaru massaged his shoulders and squinted his eyes to her. Still, the pink haired small girl looked down to the floor, expressing exhaustion with this questioning.
"Su-boy, why are you so intent on freeing the Sanctuary?"
"Well…"
Subaru was able to see images of himself, back in the Trials. Countless versions of himself, dying trying to save the Sanctuary…
Eaten alive by something.
Swallowed by shadows.
Tossed to his death by a giant tiger.
He smiled thinking of them.
"I just wanna succeed where others have failed."
"Many have tried."
"Well, I promise you, I'll end things,this place will be able to step out into the world, trust me."
He gave her a warm smile, before he waved at her, leaving to his duties.
But as he did…Lewes froze when she heard a voice, much more harsher, whispering to itself.
"Cause, it's gonna happen."
A wide grin plastered on his face, still walking away from Lewes Meyer, the spirit could only wish for the best and hoped for a peaceful outcome to all this.
Subaru hopped into the air and hovered over the cabin where the crystal was. He saw that, now even more Lewes clones had begun guarding the place.
"Probably alerted because of the ones I killed. Hm, won't be easy."
He needed to find some way to pass the last Trial, but to also harness the power that would leak out once it was completed. At least, if he was going to complete the task he had to undertake, in order to insure his survival.
"I need help, but I just don't know who I'd ask, nor how they could be useful."
Subaru flew across the air...and noticed a certain carriage making its way to the out of the town.
"Wait a sec."
He landed right in front of it, and relaxed, once he instantly realized who exactly it was.
"Otto."
Otto meekly looked away, only to sigh and wave at him. That single wave and slightly pale look he had, hiding his true fear, gave the info Subaru needed. This young merchant got exactly what he had set out to acquire and had no intention of staying.
"Got everything you needed, then?"
"Uh, yes Natsuki-san. I have an official contract with Roswaal-sama, so now I have quite the pedigree as merchant."
"Well, good on you."
There was an awkward silence between the two, neither one moved or said a thing. Subaru sighed, making more blood float out of his mouth.
"I am glad you got what you wanted, Otto."
"...I appreciate that."
Once again, an awkward silence. Though now it was the green clothed merchant to start.
"Um, Listen."
"Hm?"
"Natsuki-san, I...I really did want to stay. I almost wanted to take some random offer of joining the camp."
"But?"
"...I feel like I wouldn't add much to this team. Even now, I feel overwhelmed by your presence alone. I don't think even now I could do much of any response or action, to help you out."
"...Probably not."
Otto made a hurt expression, hearing Subaru make such a mute remark, devoid of any emotion.
"Heh, well, I have a long journey ahead of me. I need to sign some contracts to get a shop going someday."
"Right, well good luck with that."
Otto whipped the reins and the dragon carriage moved around Subaru.
Time seemed to crawl to snail's pace as Otto turned his head to look at Subaru one last time.
"Do you think we could have been friends?"
"...I'm not sure really."
Otto gave a weak smile, as the white feather on his trademark green hat flew off and past Subaru. Time returned to normal and the carriage rode off, leaving Subaru to stand there, and he turned around watching as the carriage got farther and farther out of sight.
"Is this alright, Barusu?"
"...He didn't need to get involved any further. I-I really wish the best for the guy."
Turning around, Ram was there, as if to see off the green tailored merchant. Ram also watched it get smaller from her vision, the pink haired maid let out a low breath before she rubbed her hair.
"He could've been an ally."
"Maybe in another life."
Subaru flew into the air, leaving Ram to wonder what he meant. She figured it was just some figure of speech...
Garfiel was laying next to a tree, yet he opened his eyes when he felt something. He saw a red streak of light dash through the sky, making him furrow his brows.
"What are ya up ta, punk?"
Garfiel stretched a bit, before he leaped up to get some better visualization on where Subaru was headed. He only saw him land on a nearby rooftop and stand there with his hands in his pockets. So Garfiel landed atop of a tree that was still far enough away from Subaru.
"I'ma be waiting to see wha' yer gonna be pullin'. And when I do-"
His arms became much more thicker, furry and getting larger with claws forming.
"-You'll be dead, punk."
A day had passed, tension was high in the air. Nearly every villager was dreading it, the clear and present animosity Garfiel was exuberating against Subaru, was almost crushing.
Roswaal didn't mind it at all.
Ram was immensely wary of it.
Lewes prayed that the two would not come into conflict.
But…only time would tell, as both young men sought only the survival of their people, meaning...conflict was most likely, unavoidable.
The night came, as Subaru floated around the corner of another house to make ti to the Trial, he noticed immediately what was occuring.
"Snow?"
It had begun snowing.
Subaru let a small snowflake drop onto his hand, it melted. Subaru studied his surroundings which became whiter and windier, trying to figure out what was going on. And so, Subaru flew up into the air, and became irritated at what he witnessed.
The only area where snow was falling was within the Sanctuary. The surrounding landscape was free of it.
"Roswaal."
The only person who would have the power to trifle in such magic, was that person.
Subaru searched up and done, but he was neither in his cabin, nor the main building. The sight of his eyes shining with rage, frightened all the villagers.
"ROSWAAL! WHERE THE FUCK ARE YOU!?"
As the blizzard like weather got worse and worse; from the harsh torrent of snow and wind, came Roswaal and Ram.
"Were yoooou looking for me?"
"Roswaal, what the hell do you do?!"
"Hmmmm? I have nooooo idea-"
"-Bullshit!"
Subaru grabbed Roswaal with a chain construct and tossed him to the ground, Ram charged at him and flung Subaru to the ground.
"Barusu!"
"Leave me! I'll beat the information out of him!"
"I will not allow violence to befall Roswaal-sama!"
A spark lit up in Subaru's head, and even though he could hear his inner thoughts scream at him; Subaru sighed sadly.
"I'll apologize properly, in the next one."
"What are-"
Ram's head came clean off as Subaru sliced it off with a beam with his ring.
Roswaal silently shrieked as he saw Ram's head fall to the snow capped ground. Subaru crawled across the snow like a predatory lunatic and over to the still chained up Roswaal.
"Did you do this?! All for that stupid book of yours?!"
"You-You knew?"
"Of course I did! Don't look down on me, you fuck!"
Subaru made a gauntlet construct on his fist, and socked Roswaal across the face, making several teeth pop out and his nose twist.
Subaru grabbed him by his hair, letting blood float out his mouth and around his enraged face.
"The book told you to make it snow, right!?"
"Yes, of course."
"Why the fuck did you want Emilia, here?!"
"The writing told me so."
"Asshole!"
Subaru slapped him across the face, as the weather around them got worse.
"What else did you do?!"
"...The mansion."
"The mansion?"
Roswaal, smiled, his teeth still broken and his eyes still full of life; it was utterly hideous.
"You...should go check on it."
Subaru froze in place, as he came to a horrifying epiphany.
This was all test for him, and if there was something to be tested on, it was on his ability to protect Rem and Emilia.
"What did you do?"
"...A test."
"What did you do?"
"All to further your growth. You're not there yet."
"What did you do?"
"...Natsuki Subaru, you have no idea what you are capable of."
Subaru had the chain constructs break off and he flew into the air, leaving Roswaal there. The sorcerer crawled from his spot and grabbed Ram's head, hugging it, along with his book. He whispered softly to the both of them.
"It'll be alright. Next time, it'll be alright."
Subaru continued his flight, but he finally noticed, in his rage filled panic...
"Is the snow spreading over here?"
No, it was snowing everywhere.
"I don't think the spell would reach this far. What the hell is happening?!"
It was now that, Subaru recalled some of the other visions he saw within the Trial. The first time he died with Emilia, and of Reinhard wielding his sword against some giant beast.
"Oh. So it happened then."
He stopped his flight, lowering himself to meet eye to eye with a giant lion.
"Subaru."
"Puck, huh? I was too late."
Subaru weakly laughed, which the fully formed Puck somewhat did not appreciate.
"Do you know what this means?"
"...Emilia, Rem, they-"
"-Dead. Yes."
Subaru blew some air out, obviously holding back a weep.
"Who? How?"
"That assassin from the capital, she and an army of Ma-Beast showed up a while back."
"...Elsa, damn it."
Subaru felt the cold nearly take him, but focused his rage enough to make a aura around himself, just enough so he could not die.
"Puck, how long...ago...did they attack…?"
"An hour ago."
"Fuck...not much time…"
"Subaru, I will be fulfilling my contract, thus I will destroy the world."
"...A world without those two, is not worth it. Go ahead."
"...You've changed you know?"
"Comes, hahhhhh, with the….hahhh, territory."
"You'll die."
"Meh, I failed so, I, hahhhh, deserve it."
"..."
Puck's shining golden eyes lowered and closed.
"Emilia, will sleep with the rest of the world."
"...Reinhard...hahhh, won't let you...do this, easily."
"...I am aware of the Sword Saint's interference. I'll most likely die."
"...So long Puck."
Subaru began slowly flying backwards away from him. He had some desire to see Emilia and Rem one last time, but figuring the state of their bodies, he'd rather not. THe images of blood and their faces flashed across his mind, making him hurl out his own napalm-like blood. But he steeled himself and kept floating away.
"Where will you be going?"
"Somewhere I can release my anger, before I die."
"...Goodbye, Natsuki Subaru."
"Goodbye, Beast of the End."
Puck seemed saddened by his title, and watched as Subaru flew off to the Sanctuary. The lion's ears dropped as he laid there, possibly resting before he continued his duty of destruction, and allow the world to be frozen.
He still waited for his death to come.
Now making it to the disaster site of the Sanctuary, he saw that it was being overtaken by white rabbits.
"R-Rabbits?"
He saw that the main building in the square was on fire, showing that the villagers took suicide over the painful death of being eaten alive.
"Fuck."
He then saw Roswaal shambling away, weakened and tired.
Subaru got in front of him.
"Helloooo."
"Hi."
Roswaal then had his throat slit by a knife construct.
He fell to his knees only to be kicked in the face, falling back...and right into the path of the oncoming horde of rabbits.
"I figured you brought them here, so own up to it."
Subaru floated up as he watched Roswaal torn to pieces by the rabbits, yet he never showed an ounce of pain or agony in his vicious death. It pissed Subaru off. Sure enough, in the far distance, he could see Puck marching towards them, whether it was to finish off the Sanctuary, kill the rabbits or just end his own life, was unknown to him. A rabbit tried to launch itself at Subaru, but he stabbed it with a knife construct.
"What's the point?"
He flung it back to the ground, watching as the horde stampeded through the village...only for something to leap out at him from the violent snow storm around him.
"RAGGHHHHH!"
"...I guess it had to be you, huh?"
Garfiel punched Subaru through the chest.
The injury made Subaru lose his will and he fell back, onto the ground. He could see the shining glimmer in Garfiel's enraged, yet tear filled eyes. As his consciousness faded, he saw the young man slowly shatter into ice, melting as is.
Subaru smirked. Only to have his face eaten apart by a rabbit.
In a dark void, there was someone there. A figure of pure white, encased in shadows...long silver hair draped her face, as if she feared him, seeing it. He looked at it, gazed at it, was quietly enamored with it.
"Sorry."
It's voice was recognizable, but he didn't know why.
"I am...so sorry…"
He wanted to be with it, but he couldn't.
He knew this, but still yearned for such a thing.
No matter the case, Subaru coud sense one singular thing in it's loiving voice.
FEAR.
"Subaru...I love...you...but…"
"Something...is happening...I...AM SCARED."
The void broke apart; Subaru lost sight of the strange woman.
"Is this alright, Barusu?"
Subaru snapped out of his trance, looking behind himself to see a stern faced Ram.
He now realized, he had indeed died and was back with Ram seeing Otto leave them. He contemplated a bit of what was to happen, until Ram pestered him again.
"Barusu, did you hear me?"
"Yeah, sorry...just a bit tired still from the day before."
"...Well, do get some rest, we'll need you to speed things up when taking the Trials."
"Right."
Ram nodded and made her way back to her master, not noticing the vicious scowl plastered on Subaru's face.
"I got a day to get everything done. I have to kill Elsa and the Ma-Beasts, free the Sanctuary so the villagers can get out in time, stop Roswaal, and get that stupid Gospel away from him...but I can't do this all alone, not to mention Garfield is being an ass and will obviously intervene. Shit, not to mention all the Lewes clones. Damn. Damn, hahhhh, how can I do this all by myself?"
Subaru rubbed his hair, then thought of one thing.
"Hang on."
A person who could become an ally, if he pulled his cards right.
"Beatrice."
The Mansion was quiet. Rem tended to her tasks as dusted off some cupboards. Sighing silently to herself, she had one person in her mind, hoping he was doing quite alright. Evn going as far as to hope he was getting along with Garfiel.
Then she sniffed the air and could tell who was coming.
"Ah!"
She smiled happily of seeing her beloved hero. Yet, when he arrived, she was almost...disappointed.
He was floating down, still covered in the red aura he had.
"...Rem wishes...No, Rem cannot say something, so selfish."
Her misgivings about 'that' aside, she hurried outside and gave a delighted bow to Subaru.
"Welcome back, Subaru-kun!"
"Hey there. Listen Rem, I won't be here for long. There's some things I need to do."
"At the Sanctuary? How is everyone over there?"
"Fine, busy with a few tasks here and there, but nothing too serious. I promise."
Subaru sighed and patted her head as he would before this all started, making the blue hair maid, blush in joy.
"Is everything alright, Rem?"
"Yes, everything is just fine."
"Emilia?"
"Busy studying for the Royal Selection. Rem has helped her with anything she needs."
"Great, thanks for that."
Subaru and Rem began making their way inside.
"May Rem ask what you are here to do?"
"I came to talk to Beatrice."
"Oh? What for?"
"A really vital mission, is all I can say."
"Very well, if my hero says so."
As they opened the main door, Rem made a quick glance at Subaru's right hand. Seeing it still there, she made a soft, yet melancholic breath.
Rem left to continue her duties and Subaru wandered the halls. He took several minutes, but eventually he found the door.
Opening it, there was Beatrice in her usual spot.
"What can Betty do for you now, I suppose? Red Lantern?"
"...Easy."
Closing the door behind him, Subaru slowly walked over to her and sat on the floor across from her. Even she was unprepared for this and gave him a confused expression.
"I am here for you."
"Oh? And what would a blood drenched person like you want with Betty, I suppose?"
"...Give me your Book."
"Betty is currently in the middle of reading it, you can have it when I finish it, I suppose."
"No, the OTHER BOOK. You know which one, the same one Roswaal has."
Beatrice froze in terror and flung the book at Subaru, it missed, and flopped to the ground.
"How? How do you know that?!"
"I just do."
"D-Did Roswaal tell you-"
"-Nah, I found out while taking the Trials."
"You took the Trials, I suppose? Impossible. Impossible. IMPOSSIBLE, I SUPPOSE!"
Beatrice gripped her hair and shut her eyes, not wanting to learn anymore than this. But Subaru pressed on.
"You know what this means, don't you?"
"Lies. Liar, I suppose! You don't know anything!"
"I do. I know your mother, a certain witch, asked you to guard this place for the arrival of a certain person. And for four hundred years, you have been waiting for them to arrive, but no one has shown up. Have they?"
"Please be quiet."
Her voice faltered, she wanted to cry, but had no intentions of doing it.
Subaru saw the weakness within her, and pressed forward.
"Now, you have someone here, me. I will be-"
"-Don't say it!"
"I will be your 'They'."
She looked at him, droplets of tears falling to the ground.
"But...I would have to be number one in your heart."
"That's not possible."
"...Betty had a feeling-"
"Because no one can."
She seemed utterly shocked by his statement.
"Beatrice, I am a Red Lantern. My goal right now is to protect everyone here, after that it's much more, expansive."
"Expansive?"
"Yes, I want to save this entire world."
His eyes sharpened.
"I want to destroy the Witch's Cult. Kill all the assassins from Gusteko and make the world a better place. Whether it results in the deaths of hundred, or thousands; that blood will pave the way in a peaceful existence for everyone. For Emilia, and Rem, Petra, Ram...and you."
"Beatrice, I need your help. Once this is over, once all this is done. I will nullify our contract, you will be free and do whatever you want. Stay here, leave, whatever you desire."
"Betty...wants to…"
"Please help me. I cannot do this without you, by my side."
"Betty…"
Subaru saw her wavering mind, so he did the only thing he could, in order to seal the deal. He got up and moved over to her, she flinched seeing him so close.
"No...don't…"
"Beatrice."
He leaned over and wiped away her tears, she sniffled and sobbed as he did this. Only to have him kiss her on the forehead, pulling her into a gentle hug.
"You don't have to suffer anymore, I'm here, I have finally arrived. Your waiting is over."
"But...you'll die one day."
"Who knows how long that'll be?"
"But, Betty will miss you…"
"...The future isn't set in stone, please understand this. Beatrice, choose."
"...Betty…"
She then pulled herself away form the hug and looked into Subaru's eyes.
A bright, yet pained smile crept onto her face.
"Betty chooses...to accept."
"Thank you."
Beatrice smiled endearingly at him, hoping for the best, all the while...missing the chance to see Subaru's victorious looking smile.
"Here, you said you wanted this, correct?"
"The book."
Beatrice handed over her Gospel, Subaru opened it and found it was empty. No words, not even symbols to look at. He glanced at Beatrice, she was making a hurt emotion as she held her shoulders.
"This hurt you right?"
"..."
A simple nod from her, answered his question.
"Then I know what do."
He tossed it into the air and spat a spray of his blood. The book bursted into flames and became nothing but ashes.
"Why would-"
"-We'll decide the future from now on. Not some book, got it?"
"I suppose, you're right."
Subaru patted her on the head and they made their way out, but-
"Do not forget...um, S-Subaru...right, Subaru, I suppose. This library is yours now, all its contents and secrets belong to you."
"Well, we'll worry about that when the time comes. Right now, we have a few more steps to take care of."
Now out of the library, Subaru and his new contracted spirit Beatrice looked at the empty hallway.
"Late afternoon...I don't have much time."
"There is danger afoot, I suppose?"
"Yeah, the Sanctuary and this mansion are in danger. So we're going to need more help."
"Who would we ask for help? The maid or the your crush-"
"-NO."
Beatrice was shocked by the harshness in his tone, but he sighed as blood floated out of his mouth.
"No, I don't want them getting involved."
"Right, sorry, I suppose."
"It's fine Beatrice. But I might have an idea."
Subaru pointed his right fist forward as his other hand patted bEatrice softly on her head. He concentrated, then with low growl he punched the air and a dark hole opened in the space in front of them, covered in a ring of blood.
"A portal?!"
"A wormhole, through that did take a bunch of energy out of it."
"Amazing, I suppose. To think this is something being done without magic. Where does this lead to, I suppose?"
"Just outside of the Sanctuary, we'll need to find out if this other plan will work."
"And that would be?"
"Yup, this."
Subaru focused, clenched his teeth, growled a bit as veins began expanding on his face, and soon his ring glowed and with a small spark of light. Another ring had come out.
"Another ring?!"
"Yeah, I can only do this once, I considered using this ring to amplify my other ring, but...I figure I can just going to find another."
"You're indoctrinating another Red Lantern, I suppose?"
The little spirit couldn't hold her abject concern in the idea, of having yet another one like Subaru storming around, but still, she knew it would help him.
"Then let's see."
The ring flew out and through the hole and soon Subaru took her hand, making the spirit adorably blush.
"Let's go."
"Yes, I suppose."
They both rushed through the portal and it closed behind them. Netiehr of them noticed Emilia and Puck there, having watched the whole thing.
"Lia?"
"Puck, why…?"
She held her chest and her eyes cowering, staring at that very spot where those two vanished.
"Why do I...feel scared?"
Not out of the portal Subaru carried Beatrice as they flew in the air. They followed the ring as it careened through the forests outside of the Sanctuary. It did sharp turns, maneuvered around a tree and over a boulder, finally coming to a stop.
The two landed safely and looked at what the ring was floating to.
"Well, I'll be damned. Really, how ironic."
"Then, this is it, I suppose?"
The two were watching as the ring spoke.
{...You have great rage in your heart. You belong to the Red Lantern Corps.}
The ring attached itself to the end of its tail.
The injured albino Wolgarm growled at the two, as it laid next to the tree. Only to roar out in pain as it puked out all of the blood in its system, before a uniform covered it's body. A Red Lantern uniform…
The Wolgarm roared out as it faced Subaru and Beatrice.
This beast was born into a cruel world. It hungered everyday, near the point of starvation, all of its food nearly hunted down to nothing by its fellow brethren. Yet, it was those fellow 'brethren' that constantly tried to kill him. He was quick, agile and always found a way to avoid them, but there were days where it was unavoidable.
He fought, bled and yelled to survive. His survivalism possibly being the strongest in this entire forest. Since the day he opened his eyes, he had no choice but to do so.
But now, after surviving a mauling and beating by other fellow beasts, he was able to escape them. The beast felt weak, and hungry.
So hungry.
Starved.
Stomach aching and head hurting.
He wanted to survive, it was key.
Now, as he laid there, licking his wounds, he saw a strange red light shine in front of him...and with it, arrived small human child, and a red colored man, one who had the "stench".
It was the smell, that all, including himself, instinctively knew to get away from, and if that meant attacking him, it was probable.
Yet, he had nowhere to go and figured, that he was going to die. Yet when this strange ring, latched onto his tail...things turned out differently.
"Subaru, are you sure this is a good idea, I suppose!? It looks like it's going to attack us!"
"With those injuries still on it's body? Doubt it."
The Wolgarm fumbled around, before tripping and laying down on the ground, panting and drooling.
"Beatrice, heal him."
"Are you insane?! These things can smell the Witch's Scent, I suppose. The moment I heal it, it'll attack you. Plus, he might get Betty's dress dirty, I suppose!"
"I have an idea, please just do it."
Beatrice humphed, puffed up her cheeks and got close to it, but behind it, near the tail, so that it would not bite her, the beast still growled at her.
"Got a lot of rage in you, huh?"
"Grrr…"
"I suspect those injuries were from the other Wolgarm, huh? I hear that Wolgarm that look different from the others, are attacked, so ones with skin conditions like yours and injured ones are killed for sustenance. Hell, that's why you guys won't have babies, cause you'd eat them."
"Hrrr.."
"Here, drink."
Subaru sliced open the back of his forearm and blood gushed out.
"Subaru! What are you-"
"-Just heal it when this is over."
He put his arm above the Wolgarm's face and the beast graciously drank the blood being poured into its mouth.
"So starved and hungry, must have made you angry, right?"
"...!"
The Wolgarm had it's shining red eye stare up at Subaru.
"But that's the past; now you have a calling, to burn evil and injustice to a crisp. I gave you this ring, so in essence I saved your life, you owe me everything. Besides-"
Subaru stopped the blood pouring into the mouth, and smiled down at the Wolgarm.
"-If you join me, I promise you will never go hungry again."
"...!?"
Beatrice finished up the healing and rushed over to Subaru, beginning his own healing.
The Wolgarm got up on all fours and looked up at the two of them. With Beatrice cautious, Subaru only smirked at it.
"Well?"
The Wolgarm...seemed to nod.
"Feeling better?"
The Wolgarm, opened its mouth.
"YESSSS."
Beatrice was stunned beyond belief, hearing a mindless animal, like a Wolgarm, actually speak. Its voice, sounded barely human at all, and would probably make children cry, hell, ven adults would probably tear up in terror. The Wolgarm wagged its tail and sighed, blood floating out of the corners of his fangs.
"We gotta name you, can't just call you 'something' or 'it', let's see...how about Patrasche?"
"Blegh."
"Huh? No good? I really liked that one."
Beatrice tried her hands at christening the animal a name.
"How about, Frederick? A noble name indeed, I suppose?"
She puffed up her chest in a prideful manner-
"Urgh."
"WHAT? You uncoy mutt!"
-Only for her stature to falter and for her to begin being upset with the Wolgarm, who could only look away annoyed.
"Hmmm...Razor?"
"Uh...nuh."
"No good, either? Not even Kamehameha?"
"...Huh?"
"Um, sorry about that."
Beatrice pointed at it, once again with exuberant energy.
"Very well, from now on, you are Dolphus, I suppose!"
"Yuck."
"You little…"
She gripped a shaking fist at the Wolgarm, who closed its eyes and shook its head.
"Maybe something Germanic, those words always sound cool to mel, let's try that. I only know four words though from some movie my father watched, and I don't recall what they mean."
"Try and not assume no one would know what they actually define as here, I suppose."
Subaru scratched his chin, then began his process of elimination.
"Gut?"
The Wolgarm shook his head.
"Um, Arzt?"
Again, he shook his head.
"Nein?"
He stook out his tongue and refused the name.
"Last one, um, how about...Genau?"
That one made the Wolgarm perk up it's ears, and wag it's tail enthusiastically.
"Okay, that settles it."
Subaru pointed at him and smiled, almost aggressively.
"You are now the Red Lantern, Genau!"
Genau let out a loud roaring howl into the air, as the world was now given it's second Red Lantern.
"Frederick would have been a better name, I suppose. Hmph!"
Waiting by the tree, Subaru watched as Beatrice was poking a praying mantis with a stick out of curiosity, the sight should have given him joy, but his mind was racing. As the praying mantis flew away Beatrice tossed the stick away and smiled at the sky, she felt more alive than ever before.
Sure enough, Genau returned, covered in blood.
"Did you enjoy it?"
"Yesss."
His gravely, growling voice gave the response Subaru needed, the Wolgarm that had injured Genau, were dead and devoured by him. Subaru eagerly clapped his hands together as Beatrice and Genau hudled next to him.
"We know the plans, right?"
The two nodded.
"If this works out, everything will go our way, no one gets in the way of us, saving this world...and killing those who deserve it."
While Beatrice, weakly nodded, Genau nodded with agusto.
"Then, let's beat the future to a pulp."
Subaru, Beatrice and Genau walked forward, the sun, slowly descending behind them, as they were ready for the battle to save the Sanctuary, and the Roswaal Mansion, from utter disaster.
Subaru looked at his ring and grinned.
"I will win."
Garfiel furrowed his brows as he stood atop the outer walls of the Sanctuary.
"Wha' are ya up to? Bastard."
Echidna fiddled with her fingers, happily expecting Subaru to show up.
"Hurry, I want to learn everything from you…"
She licked her lips.
"Down to the last drop."
Roswaal gripped his Book like one would a child. Ram wiped his cheeks with a wet towel, a solemn expression on her face.
Elsa was fixing her hair, a blade held her teeth, as she strutted alongside several Ma-Beast. Atop one that was essentially a gigantic Hippopotamus, Meili, a cute blue haired girl in a dark dress uniform, pointed forward and kicked up her legs. Like a child would.
Beatrice brushed her hair, as magic energy flowed around her.
Genau growled sinisterly, as his red aura flared up.
And Subaru smirked, blood seeping out of his mouth.
"Let's end this, once and for all."
To Be Continued...
AN: What's this? A reference to the song, "Genau" by KMFDM (one of my fav bands)?! ...Yeah, sure. Anyways, until next time!