AN: Welcome back everyone! Yesterday was mine and Carmilla, the Witch of Lust's Birthdays; so I got drunk! Ahem. Anyways, here is the next chapter! The title comes from the "Disturbed" song of the same name! And next chapter will close out Arc 2, and then lead to the next one, so stay tuned!
Without further stalling, please, ENJOY!
Arc Two: A Dangerous Meeting
Chapter Seven: Conflict
The scent of victory filled Natsuki Subaru's lungs.
Subaru was now out of the Tomb, having fulfilled his desired outcome of freeing the Sanctuary.
However, as Subaru saw the pillar of light several yards ahead of him, informing him of the success of his last plan, he took a glance back at the Tomb that gave him so much trouble.
He sighed, blood floating out of his mouth...and fired a combined blast of blood and a ring beam to destroy it. From the rubble, he could see the glass coffin, still intact. Feeling just a tinge of graciousness, he turned around and left it be. Even the dead deserved to rest.
Subaru flew through the air and to the area where the pillar of light was, below him all of the Sanctuary's residents were running the opposite direction. As the citizens made it to the main entrance of the village, a young man pointed to different direction and shrieked.
They faced the direction he pointed to, and sure enough, they all saw the destroyed Tomb in the far distance. Everyone began to panic, some believing that they would now all be trapped there with their assailants. However, a young woman decided to test out the waters, and took careful steps forward, everyone begging her to come back. But the girl shut her eyes and ran forward, scared of what was happening...then she and all the others noticed it.
She had gotten quite far. Then too far. Until, it was evident what had happened.
The barrier was gone.
As the girl turned around, giving all of them, an expression of wild disbelief; everyone ran out following her. Everyone was evacuating the Sanctuary.
It was that sight, of all the people he knew, running for their lives, abandoning the home they always knew...it made Garfiel land softly in the tree lines along the dirt road to the village. He turned his head and saw the pillar of light, and Subaru flying down to its origin point.
"Ya did this…"
Looking back again, he saw all of them running. He had half a mind to drag them all back home...but that would wait. He knew they all had never been outside of the Sanctuary, and so had no idea of where to go. So, at this point, they would wait by the side of the road and hope for the best. He promised himself…
"When I finish killin' these bastards, I'll drag y'all back here; back ta safety."
He gritted his teeth, and jumped forward, intending to defeat these...invaders.
Beatrice and Genau held their ground, as the blue furred cat floated down and began strolling to them.
"Answer us."
At first, she was once again shell shocked that an animal began talking...but took a breath when she came to the conclusion of what they were.
"You...you are Red Lanterns, I suppose?"
"Of course. We are. Who are you?"
"...Betty is Beatrice, the Great Spirit. And this Wolgarm here, is Genau, I suppose."
As Genau nodded, both new arrivals saw the Wolgarm and raised their brows. The tall one walked forward as he smiled.
"What's this now? A new Red Lantern I knew nothing about?"
He scratched his chin as he took a look down at Beatrice.
"Yet you still have not answered us child."
"Betty is not a child, remember that, I suppose! And the reason I brought you here, was because it was a request from my partner."
"Partner?"
Jus then, they all peered up and caught the sight of Subaru floating down to meet them. Beatrice sighed happily, as Genau wagged his tail.
Subaru landed down and put out his arms wide, smiling.
"Thank you Beatrice, as thanks, how about a hug?"
"...I'm only doing this to indulge in your need for affection, I suppose."
She ran over and jumped into his arms, all the while, his eyesight never left the two other Red Lanterns, with Atrocitus tilting his head.
"Boy, are also a Red Lantern then?"
"Yes sir, I became one a few days ago."
"...I see, and why have you brought us here?..."
"Well, first let me introduce myself."
Subaru gently let Beatrice get down and gave a thumbs up to his 'guests'.
"The name's Natsuki Subaru, I'm a Red Lantern. And I believe you already met these two."
"Very well. I am Atrocitus! Leader of the Red Lanterns! I created the very Ring you and Genau wear right now."
He then motioned his hand to the purring cat.
"This is Dex-Starr! He is the most Vengeful Cat in all the Universe."
"Prrrr…"
"Now tell us why you have brought us here, or there shall be blood spilled!"
Subaru scratched his eyebrow as he smiled at them.
"Well as you can tell this is not your world, right?"
"Yes, looks more like another planet, but I cannot sense any other Red Lanterns but yourselves here, nor any of the other Corps."
"This is an entirely different one. You see, I came from another world before this one, getting dragged here by something. Then, after some time and at some point, I was given this ring."
"You were filled with rage?"
"You have no idea, Atrocitus-san."
Atrocitus clenched a fist, but kept a neutral smile on his face. BEatrice meanwhile was simplyu stunned in hearing that there worlds beyond her own, and that her parnter was actually from another realm of existence...she wanted to know more, but she felt she could ask him later. Genau simply yawned. Proceeding to lick his teeth. The conversation continued..
"And your revenge is complete then?"
"Not at all, there are still sooooo many people in this world that need to die, it would take a while."
"Hahaha, yes. I can sense the burning rage inside you, Natsuki Subaru."
"Then you understand. Now, the reason I brought you here was two fold."
"A two part idea, let's hear it then."
"Firstly, I brought you here to inform me what this ring is and anything else that I would need to know about."
Atrocitus and Dex-Starr glanced at each other for a moment, before they nodded and turned their attention back.
"I can do that. And second?"
"I have a situation right now I could really use help with, if you have the time?"
"...That depends, Natsuki Subaru...what exactly is it?"
"...I need to kill some bad people."
"Then I would more than willing to help."
Dex-Starr flew over and sat on Atrocitus' shoulder, meowing much like a normal cat would.
"And so would Dex-Starr."
"Thanks, I appreciate it."
"It is the purpose of a Red Lantern to spill the blood of the guilty. And these people, do they deserve to die?"
"Oh man, even our boiling blood is too merciful of a death for them."
"Excellent to hear."
"Here, let me give you the rundown of what I think you two should go up against."
Subaru made his ring glow for a bit, and then so did his. Atrocitus took a look at it, and it created a hologram of Elsa.
"This woman?"
"Elsa Granhiert, the Bowel Hunter."
"Bowel Hunter? What an exuberant name."
"Well it fits her, she's obsessed with slicing people open and looking at their organs."
"How vile of her. I wish to tear her apart and burn her to a crisp."
"Have at it, she's yours."
As Subaru eerily smiled, Dex-Starr got a bit impatient.
"Ah, right right. Dex-Starr, here's for you."
Dex-Starr's ring showed the images of the Wolgarm.
"An army of them are heading there as well, have at it."
"Yess."
"Thanks again."
"Where is the place?"
"Here's the coordinates."
Both their rings glowed and Atrocitus chuckled, blood floating out of his mouth.
"Then in the meanwhile, what shall the rest of you do?"
Subaru nonchalantly used his thumb to point at his two partners.
"I'm sending these two to go deal with a certain troublesome sorcerer."
"And you?"
"I need to take on some punk who'll become a nuisance. But…"
He took a look at his own ring and sighed.
"I don't have that much energy left."
"Then take this."
Atrocitus reached into a pocket dimension and yanked out a large, lantern like object.
"Recharge with this."
"What is it?"
"It's a Red Lantern Battery. They recharge your rings greatly. But since there is little connection to the Main Battery Core, they will be needed to recharge another way…"
"And that would be?"
"Blood and rage."
"...Trust me when I say, there is plenty to be found in this world."
Atrocitus held out the battery and both Subaru and Genau pointed their rings at it, a crimson glow came off the battery and now both individuals had their rings at super charge. Atrocitus handed over the Battery.
"Take it, I have more back in my universe."
"Sure, that's a big help!"
Subaru took the Lantern Battery and placed it into a dimensional rift with his ring.
"Genau, if you need to recharge it, ask me and I'll get it for you."
"Okay."
Subaru then put on a grave face…
"Atrocitus, I have one more favor to ask for you."
"You ask for much Natsuki Subaru, will you return the favor?"
"Definitely."
"...Name it."
"Let me drink your blood."
"Ha...Granted."
Atrocitus and even Dex-Starr, hurled out some blood and Subaru and Genau were splashed across the face with it. The ground beneath their feet burned, but they did not. Gulping it down, Subaru and Genau roared out loudly as the new skills and knowledge Atrocitus and Dex-Starr had within them.
Subaru felt complete. He felt he could take on the world at this point.
Just then, a loud crashing sound, shook them back to their senses. They all looked and saw that through a newly formed crater, stepped out a golden haired young man.
"Garfiel, what a pleasant surprise!"
"Shut it asshole!"
He looked at the pillar of light, the tall red man and his cat, to the destroyed cabin. He saw all this, and could hear in his mind...a cracking sound.
"Bringin' more of yer people to my home? My home?! I ain' gonna le' ya ruin my Sanctuary!"
"Well I beat the Trials, so it's not some prison for these citizen anymore now, is it? You saw them all running off right?"
"Shut it."
"Locking up all these people, even when imminent disaster could arise. Talk about selfish. A selfish little brat."
"Shut it."
"Did something happen to you, to make you so scared of the outside world? Hiding yourself away from the world around you, yet being such a brat, you didn't want to be alone...so you imprisoned these people with you, much like Roswaal. You both are suuuuch scumbags."
"SHUT IT!"
"Tell me Garfiel, even without the barrier you could freely leave. So why didn't you?"
"...Shut it."
"Tell me Garfiel, you loved Ram, but never fought to go after her, doesn't that make you a bit of a coward?"
"SHUT IT."
"Garfiel...did someone ask, to take you with them?"
"...Uh!"
"And you refused, didn't you?...Heh, what a self-righteous, coward."
"YOU DON' KNOW SHIT!"
Garfiel leaped forward, absolute bloodlust in his eyes, as Subaru created, a baseball construct, with nails imbedded at the top. He also flew forward, and both their strikes clashed, a crater forming under their feet and making any nearby windows shatter.
"Artocitus-san! Everyone! Go! This is my fight! You all have yours!"
"...Hm."
"GOOOOOO!"
"Remember Natsuki Subaru! Any who stand in the way of a Red Lantern must perish!"
"GOT IT!
Artocitus and Dex-Starr growled as they both flew up to the air and made a beeline for their site for battle.
Beatrice wrapped her arms around Genau's neck.
"Genau! Let's go, I suppose!"
Genau let out a gravely roar as he flew up into the air, taking Beatrice with him.
"NO!"
"Worry about yourself, Strongest Shield!"
Subaru created a whip construct and whacked Garfiel across the face, cutting open his cheek, Garfiel countered with a punch across his cheek, sending him flying through another house. Subaru floated out of the rubble, making two axe constructs, one for each hand. Garfiel snarled at him…
For a moment, there was some realization in Subaru's heart that...this boy was not evil. He was merely defending his own birthplace, the way he thought was best. Deep in his figurative heart, Subaru wondered…
"Could we have been friends?"
But...much like Otto, that was another world. That somewhere in this stream of worlds, these two became good friends, maybe like siblings. Respecting each other, protecting one another, fighting together. Being best friends...But not here.
Here, there was nothing of such comradery, only hatred.
Subaru tossed out those feelings, roaring as blood streamed out of his mouth, Garfiel howled at him in response. And the two charged at each other.
The night sky continued to have the stars that gregariously filled them, shine bright. Yet, this was no peaceful time.
Rem backflipped, launching her Morningstar downward, but missing her target. Landing in front of Emilia, they were in the halls of the mansion. Though it was nighttime, they were both wide awake, especially when an intruder was there.
"You are so cute, I bet your bowels, will be the utmost of health. Like a fine peice of art."
"Enough rambling, assassin!"
Rem aimed her palms forward, as her horn began to form out.
"HUMA!"
Ice spears shot out, only for Elsa to effortlessly slice them to pieces. She ran across the wall and dodged another strike from the Morningstar, and then more ice spears by Emilia, were also avoided. She kicked off the wall and almost made it to Rem, who stomped the ground, using the pieces of tiles and carpet to give her some room. Emilia made another ice projectile, but missed and Elsa backflipped, before tossing needles out at them. Rem used her chains to block them, but one made it through and stabbed her shoulder.
"Agh!"
"Rem!"
"Rem is alright! Emilia-sama, quickly ru-"
The walls behind them broke apart and out stepped a Wapig Ma-Beast. A large mouthed creature, that Subaru would instantly recognize as a monstrous version of a Hippo. Next to it, more Ma-Beast came marching in. Atop the Hippo was a small dark blue hair colored child, whom Rem recognized in an instant.
"YOU!?"
"Ah, Rem-onee san! Long time no see! Sorry we had to meet again like this, but work is work, right?"
Meili smiled at them, as an innocent child would, but she was anything but.
Countless Ma-Beast of different varieties also crept around the halls. Large rats with bat like wings, cobras attached to each other, and a raptor like creature snarled, growled or salivated at the sight of Emilia and Rem.
Both ladies braced themselves, just as Elsa was charging at them at dazzling speed.
But nothing of that would occur.
A loud crashing boom destroyed the walls nearby, behind Elsa. She stopped her momentum, sensing something wrong in such an entrance. Everyone froze as they waited to see the dust settle. Rem focused her eyes, seeing a red aura begin emanating from the dust…
"Subaru-kun!"
"Rem, is it really Subaru!?"
"Y-"
She took a sniff of the air, only to quickly figure out the truth of the matter.
"Th-That isn't Subaru-kun."
"Are you sure?"
"No mistaking it Emilia-sama. Rem would recognize Subaru-kun's scent anywhere in the world. It's not him."
Emilia and Rem focused on the cloud of debris, only to see a pair of glowing yellow eyes staring back at them. Walking forward, they saw the figure step out. Along with a cat also moving forward, yawning as it did. At first they were insistent that this was another enemy they needed to face off against, but it was Emilia who noticed it right away.
"R-Rem...look…"
"Huh?"
"His chest."
Rem's eyes widened when she saw the symbol on his chest, and even glanced down at the cat, and saw the uniform it was wearing.
"R-Red Lanterns?"
Atrocitus saw this reactions and couldn't help but chuckle.
"This girl understands quite well then. Yes, I am Atrocitus! Leader of the Red Lanterns! I have come by the request of another fellow Red Lantern."
"Subaru-kun?! How is he?!"
"Well enough woman, but I have not coming bearing news. I HAVE COME TO SPILL BLOOD!"
Atrocitus stared daggers at Elsa, who began beaming in excitement.
"Oh my! I didn't expect another dance partner to show up so soon! It is a wonderful, a lovely night like this, comes only ever so often."
Saying this like a girl who found a simple dance partner, she spun her blade around in hand, as Atrocitus raised a fist to her.
"You are Elsa Granhiert, is that correct?"
'Indeed, you are correct, Atrocitus, was it? It is ever so lovely to be acquainted. Tell me, do you take care of your bowels?"
"Go ahead and check, my blood will boil you to nothing, assassin."
Both opponents smirked as they stared each other down. Dex-Starr growled a bit, so Atrocitus leaned down to pet him.
"Dex-Starr, go forth and rip apart everything but those two girls right there. Spill blood, gnaw flesh and allow your rage to bring justice to all!"
Dex-Starr nodded and dashed forward, like a very cute, ordinary cat would. However, as he passed by Emilia and Rem, time slowed to a crawl as both ladies saw the ever so familiar ring latched onto his tail, giving them a clear picture on what Dex-Starr could be capable of.
As the cat, almost excitedly so, made his way to the other side of the hall, Elsa got in a pouncing position, ready to strike against Atrocitus.
"Shall we begin, Atrocitus?"
"No, let us end this, Bowel Hunter."
THe assassin smiled as she kicked off the ground hurtling towards the Red Lantern.
As for Dex-Starr, the cat smiled as all of the Ma-Beast charged at him.
Roswaal had two books, one he held close to his chest, the other was on the ground, open. It was a magic spell that he intended to use, to create the necessary magic that would entail his victory for the writings within his Book of Wisdom. He relished in it, as Ram stood by, unable to do a thing. So, as Roswaal began to wet his lip and ready the spell, it bursted into pieces by a red beam.
"WHAT?!"
"ROSWAAL-SAMA!"
Up above them, they both saw...Beatrice and Genau floating above them. Soon they descended, a good distance away from them. Ram flinched when she saw the Wolgarm snarl at the two, it's ring glowing brightly.
"Beatrice, yooooou are out of the library. Isn't that just-"
"-You should know what this means, I suppose."
"...I do. Soooooo Subaru-kun ended up being your dearly beloved 'They' then?"
"HE would not be my first choice in the matter, I suppose. But he is what was destined to me, so I accept it."
"...Why are you not with him?"
Both of their eyes narrowed at each other.
"Because Subaru sent me and Genau, to end whatever it was you were planning. Though from the looks of it...the book Genau destroyed, you were about to perform a powerful spell."
"...That would beeee the case. By the way, is that a Wolgarm…?"
"Genau is the second Red Lantern in this world besides Subaru, I suppose. Genau, you shouldn't remain quiet, say something, I suppose. Betty cannot keep speaking on your behalf."
Genau sighed, just as he looked over at a confused pair of people he had never seen before...but was informed they had to stopped, thus making him show no leniency towards showing them respect.
"Hey."
Roswaal held his breath and Ram silently gasped, both of them couldn't believe the Wolgarm, a mere Ma-Beast, was actually talking. Beatrice took a triumphant pose as she pointed at Genau.
"Behold, Roswaal! This is the power of the Red Ring, it is something of a miracle device, from across time and space, I suppose!"
"Time and space? Whaaaaat do you mean?"
"Just now, when Subaru completed the Trials, he had us use the mana that made up the barrier and heighten the strength of my dimension magic...thus piercing into, another world...and the birthplace of these Red Rings, I suppose!"
"Ah!"
"Even now, two other Red Lanterns are here, sent to the Mansion to defeat the enemies surely arriving at this very moment! Meanwhile Subaru will take care of that fanged nuisance, I suppose!"
Ram came to realize the meaning behind those words and turned her head towards the Sanctuary, and sure enough she could hear the booms of battle and large plumes of smoke and dust rise high above, the pillar of light still there.
"GARFIEL!"
She tried to make a run for it, but she found herself stopped by a red construct of a large spiked tail, so she leaped back to Roswaal's side and glared over at Genau.
"No bothering, Sssssubaru."
"Filthy mongrel!"
"Making me mad, is, a bad idea."
Roswall narrowed his eyes further as he stared at Beatrice.
"What else are you two here for?"
"Simple, Subaru has engraved into Betty's soul a lesson."
"Huh?"
"That...that we all have to forge our destiny in any way we can, without destroying ourselves. And so, he destroyed my Book. And told Betty, specifically...one thing."
Roswaal was trembling, suspecting what Beatrice was going to say. Beatrice made a devious smile for him, to see.
"...We should get rid of your book as well."
He held his book in a frantic craze, as if his own child was about to be stripped away from him, foaming at the mouth and screaming out like a madman.
"TOUCH THIS AND I'LL SNUFF OUT YOUR LIFE!"
"Oh poor Roswaal, your bravado doesn't frighten Betty in the slightest, I suppose. You are a calf compared to the Leader of the Red Lanterns, I suppose. Truly, Betty has never seen such a force of intimidation."
"Enough talk! Leave or I will force my magic upon you!"
"...Betty is unable to do that, I suppose."
Roswaal put his book in his chest pocket and raised his palms at her, several orbs of light, each representing a different class of magic, shined brightly. Ram got her wand ready, standing by her master's side. Betty put out her palm and several Minya spears hovered around her. And Genau had praying mantis arm constructs shape ion front of him.
Beatrice silently blew out some air, as Roswaal launched several fireballs at them.
Elsa launched herself straight at Atrocitus, ready to slice open his stomach and release what she hoped were at least interesting organs all over the floor. And her blade broke upon impact.
"Wh-"
Atrocitus meekly waved his hand and a sword construct stabbed through her side, he gripped the sheath, and with a vicious spin tossed her through a wall. It was all such great speed, one would have to wonder what had just occurred.
Atrocitus looked at the humongous pile of rubble and sneered.
"Get up."
Elsa jumped out of the debris, having another knife in hand, but she was bleeding all over badly. She sliced away at dazzling speed, but Atrocitus guarded them with his forearms, before she tried to use a hidden blade to finish him off. She smiled as she aimed the blade at his face; just for Atrocitus to bite down on the blade and shatter it into pieces. Before she could react, Atrocitus released a frightening overhand punch and forced her into the ground, before stomping in her ribs. A horrible crunching sound could be heard, just before the entire floor broke apart and the windows all broke apart. She freed herself from the crater and his foot, but was unable to dodge a haymaker punch to the face, completely tearing the flesh on her cheek. He then followed it up with a hammer fist, that nearly made her fall back to the ground. But she reacted quickly reaching behind him and once again trying to stab him in the back, but he relished in it.
"Getting angry? Good, I feed on that rage of yours."
Elsa said nothing but grunted as she pierced into nothing-
"THIS IS-"
The blade once again broke, as the red aura around Atrocitus shined brighter, he swung around and backhanded her, but reached out and grabbed her foot, before she flew away. He slammed her to the ground, and again, again and again. Then he slammed her into a wall, before bringing her leg close and biting down on it. She moaned at the attack and tossed more needles at him, with enough speed to rival bullets, but they broke apart on impact.
So sucked in her blood, before using his hand and teeth to pull in opposite directions...before he completely tore off her leg. She flew back, rolling to the ground before getting herself back up. She growled at her opponent.
Never in her entire life had she been so humiliated in battle. While there were instances of her being forced to retreat or even losing a fight...the humiliation, sheer and utter embarrassment of being toyed with, made her absolutely furious. And that was yet another mistake on her part.
"Your rage towards me is pure, Elsa. You could have been a fine Red Lantern with it, but after tasting your blood, I do not see the full potential. Sadly, you have been sentenced to die. So come and die, let your blood boil in your final moments."
"No, I'll kill you."
She winked at Meili, who nodded as several Rat Bats carried over a weapon. A large sword, white. She caught it and smiled elegantly at Atrocitus. She used insane speed to zip all over the halls several times, before she finally got the sword above his head-
"Compared to a speedster, you are mere fodder."
He moved his nightmarish face to face her, his eyes glowing more strikingly, as he opened his mouth.
"BURN!"
A humongous stream of his blood hurled out of his mouth and melted through the sword and destroyed her shoulder, essentially making her arm fall off. He then grabbed her face and squeezed. She kicked at him, but it was all fruitless. Atrocitus snarled happily at her.
"I respect your will to survive, Bowel Hunter, but you are to be punished for your crimes."
"MPFH!"
Her eyes glimmered with anger and hatred towards the inhuman being in front of her. But he kept up that hideous smile of his, just as he made a forearm blade construct and stabbed her abdomen. She spat out some blood as Atrocitus relished in her suffering.
"The guilty are to be punished! And you are permeating in the stench of evil, thus it falls upon me to hand down the justice your victims deserve!"
He then sliced her open, her guts spilling out onto the floor, just for Atrocitus to stomp them to mush. She looked down at the sight...and blushed.
Atrocitus was for the first time in many years, disgusted.
"There is no helping someone like you, Bowel Hunter. Die."
He shifted his hand to instead choke her neck, making Elsa painfully smile at the man, who was going to-
"GROAAARRR!"
Atrocitus hurled out more of his fiery blood at her face, engulfing it in flames, before tossing her body to the corner of a wall, yet undamaged. Her body shifted around, her mouth made clicking sounds as the flames smothered her entire head. Hair fell out, skin began to char and boils formed then popped on her cheeks; until her head was simply flames.
Atrocitus then hurled out an even heavier stream of blood, completely engulfing her body. It burned and melted, until there was nothing left of the woman known as Elsa Granhiert.
The Bowel Hunter of Gusteko, was no more.
Atrocitus raised his fist into the air, his red ring shining brightly as it made a construct of the emblem of the Red Lanterns above him.
"With blood and rage of crimson red, Ripped from a corpse so freshly dead, Together with our hellish hate, We'll burn you all-that is your fate!"
He uttered the oath as Emilia and Rem stood there, simply too enthralled to move. The woman they had earlier were unable to fight fully with, was completely defeated by this Red Lantern. But what frightened Rem herself was, the oath he yelled. If that was the oath they pledged as Red Lanterns...she secretly wanted it all to stop.
Meili, who was not at all paying attention to the battle down the hall was looking at the cat with delight.
"What a cutie~!"
"Meow."
"Awww, I wish I didn't have to kill you. But~! We have a job to do, and we can't have anyone, even a precious little thing like you get in the way."
"Purr."
"Go ahead and eat everyone~!"
The Ma-Beast charged, with a Wolgarm reaching first its mouth opened wide, ready to bite down on the mere feline-
"DIE."
Dex-Starr created spear constructs out of thin air and stabbed through the Wolgarms in front of him. The Rat Bats flinched when they saw this, Dex-Starr noticed their hesitation and flew up and bit into each of them at frightening speed. Dex-Starr then walked along the walls and hissed at Melie, making her tremble uncontrollably.
"G-Get him already~!"
The Raptor Ma-Beast leapt forward trying to slice Dex-Starr apart with his claws, but Dex-Starr leaped out at him and created a longsword constructs...decapitating the Raptor easily.
The two bodied cobra also tried to attack, but Dex-Starr jumped to the side, aiming the ring on his tail at them before firing two shots, blasting apart their heads, killing it.
Once again, the cat simply strutted along, now many of the remaining Ma-Beast were simply too afraid to fight it and actually began taking steps back. But they all stopped when they heard the stomping, they all cleared a path as the true trump card for Meili's pets came forward. A huge dark monster with the head of a lion, the body of a horse and a snake like tail.
The Guiltylowe. Black King of the Forest.
A species of Ma-Beast known for being one of the most powerful the world had to offer, and now it was stepping forward, ready to tear apart the small animal in front of it.
Both Dex-Starr and the Guiltylowe growled at each other.
"Ueah! Get him! Kill that little thing~!"
Meili was now assured total victory against the strange cat. Soi she clapped and cheered for it. And with that, the two opponents stared for just a single second, before a spark in their minds went off and they charged at one another.
Both of them swiped at each other with their paws, both strikes colliding...but the Gulitylowe's eyes widened when it saw that its hand was completely torn apart. Dex-Starr smiled with such ecstasy as he showed off the claw construct he made on his paw. The Guiltylowe roared out in a rage, and struck down with it's massive snake like tail at rapid speed, but no strike hit Dex-Starr, instead, he went to the side and fired a red beam from his ring. The attack shot through its side and made the black lion shriek in pain. Before he used his massive strength to slam his paws to the ground, trying to crush Dex-Starr, he was already on his back. Using his claws he sliced and ripped away at him, the lion screamed in a confused panic. It fumbled and jumped around, slamming itself onto the walls trying to get the cat off of him.
The massive panic mad ehim accidnetally crush and stomp Ma-Beast that were too close to the fight, and suddenly, a red glow could be seen on his back. Dex-Starr had his mouth and eyes shine red, and he spewed out napalm blood onto the back of the Guiltylowe's neck. Making the beast yell out in pain. It was so confused. Why was he being so humiliated? How was this small weak creature completely dominating him? Did he miscalculated something? Did his master? He feared nothing, besides Elsa, no one, nothing. But for the first time in his life, the Black King of the Forest...felt the fear of possible death inch into his heart.
And as it tried to do anything, it looked back...and the last thing it saw was that cats eyes, deep red like the fires of hell, it's mouth, crimson red like a fountain of blood.
Then, Dex-Starr vomited out his blood through the back of the lion's head and burned it into nothing. The monstrous creature's body fell forward, the upper half of his head, completely gone...only a trail of smoke on his tongue left.
Dex-Starr got off his back and made his way forward, creating twin sword constructs and cutting through the retreating Ma-Beast, until there was only Meili and the Hippo Ma-Beast she rode in on, left.
"No. No~! That's not even possible!"
Dex-Starr ran forward at full speed as his eyes were still glowing red.
"S-Stupid cat! Why don't you just die-"
"-NEVER!"
Meili finally felt her sanity begin to slip as soon as she heard those words come out of the cat's mouth, watching as the Cat was nearly a few feet from her.
"Guilty are to be punished! Bad! Bad! You will die! All evil will burn!"
"Quick! We have to-!"
Dex-Starr leaped forward...right into the hippo's mouth, and then it snapped shut.
"Ha...Ha...Haha.."
Meili breathed in an out as she saw the cat leap to it's death.
"HA! Serves you right~! You were just a stupid-"
The top of the hippo's head burst into a crimson mess of blood and flesh, and out came Dex-Starr. The hippo's body simply stood there, unable to even fall over…
"Care to call me that, again?"
Meili was quickly panicking, she looked ahead and saw that, the other Red Lantern had his fist raised in the air with a fire not far from him. Evn her young mind knew what this meant.
"Wait."
"There is no wait. Only now."
Dex-Starr jumped forward, using his normal claws to slice at Meili, she felt the striking pain across her chest and fell off the Wapig. When she impacted the ground, she hit it awkwardly and dislocated her shoulder.
"UWAHHHH!"
"Feel that pain?"
Dex-Starr floated down to be next to a crying Meili.
"Have you not thought about the people you killed? No guilt? This fear. This pain. Is what they felt. Little girl. You are guilty."
Dex-Starr placed his paw on Meili's head. This single action made her fall into a panic attack, she began weeping and convulsing, fearing the bright yellow eyes staring down at her.
"Help me, please. Elsa. Momma. Someone. Please help me."
"No one is helping you."
Dex-Starr said this, as his eyes had a red glimmer spark in his eyes.
Emilia was looking over at Dex-Starr, as she was still in the middle of the hall with Rem. She trembled, she twiddled her fingers in her hair, never had she seen such fear on such a small child's eyes. But what scare her more, was the sight of the ring on the cat's tail. Similar to the one Subaru currently ahd...she dreamed the question in her head, but it was that much important.
She wondered, in that silent hall filled wiht corpses.
"Could Subaru...end up like that?"
…
"Or has he already? And...it's too late?"
Roswaal launched his fireballs and an air slice, only for Beatrice to create a barrier around herself and blocked them, the impacts destroying the ground around her.
Ram waved her wand around.
"EL FULA!"
She launched wind strikes out at him, but Genau maneuvered around them with quick precision, pieces of the ground breaking into the air. Genau fired a beam from the ring on his tail, of which Ram quickly hopped out of the way. Only to barely notice the vine constructs underneath her leg which ensnared her leg...which then grew large thorns.
"AUGHH!"
"GROAR!"
Genau then bit down on the end of the vines and yanked with all his might pulling Ram forward. She was flung towards him, but she stomped her foot down and made a small hole in the ground, stopping her momentum...only for Genau to fly and drop her kick her in the stomach. Ram then fired another wind slice out at him, only for Genau o vomit out a heavy stream of his boiling blood, smashing through the wind and hitting Ram in her face.
"GUAHHHH!"
"RAGHHH!"
Ram screamed out in pain as she held her face with one hand, all the while pointing her wand out and having a horn stick out of her forehead.
"AL FULA!"
The gigantic wind blast shot, leveling the forest in front of her. Trees flew high into the air and dust shot out into the air, boulders crashed landed on top of bushes. Ram growled in pain, gritting her teeth as steam escaped the right side of her face, concealing the extent of her injuries.
Yet, there was no time for such a thing as healing it or getting out of the vines. The vines disappeared.
She looked with her free eye. And felt the nerve wrenching pain on her side.
Genau made a horn construct atop the one he already had...and impaled Ram through her sides. She couldn't even make a single sound as Genau flew up into the air, with her still stuck. He then spun in the air, around and around until he stopped his momentum and flung Ram off his horn and into the ground, caving it in. He then shot down stomping the ground and making Ram fling up from her crater. He created a giant construct of a moose horns that tackled Ram into a tree, which broke in half on impact. She fell, and so did the tree...right atop her legs, breaking them.
She couldn't even scream or shriek, or anything. She was unconscious, mostly out of shock.
Genau roared out to the sky, as if yelling to the heavens and all who could hear...he would not lose. Blood flowed out of his mouth, the red aura circulated around him and his ring glew radiantly.
"RAM!"
"Don't turn your attention away from a lady, I suppose!"
Roswaal put out a barrier and blocked a shockwave attack, he then flew up in the air and made a powerful blue fireball in his hands. He tossed it at Beatrice, who split the attack in half with purple spear spell.
Roswaal landed next to her and kicked an earth spike at her, she tilted her head away...only to eat a kick to the cheek. Roswaal twirled in the air and shot down a powerful fire blast, but Beatrice floated away and clapped her hands together, making two black voids next to her. She grunted and the orbs shot out, Roswaal flying away while they chased him. Unable to reach him, they exploded into white light. Blinded for a moment he flew up in the air and made an electrical obr over his head, several times his own size...only for Beatrice to be behind him.
"Hiya, I suppose!"
She kicked him in the back, making lose control of the spell and it was flung into a nearby cliffside, obliterating it. Roswaal made more swirls of fire around him as he quickly turned around...and a red beam hit him in the chest.
"GAHHH!"
"BARK!"
Genau flew up and made Ram horn constructs that tackled him away, but only to disoriant him enough to reach over and tear up his shirt, making the book fall out.
"NOOOOO!"
Roswaal made a whip made entirely of magic, and tried to reach out for it...only to see a purple spear stab it.
"AH!"
It exploded, destroying the book into countless pieces...the rest of them were burned away by Genau's projectile blood.
"My path. My goals."
"They can be in a different way, Roswaal."
"...All of you will pay."
A sinister, crazed smile appeared on Roswaal's face as creepily turned to stare at them.
"I will not leeeeeet you get away with this. I will buuuuurn you all to cinder."
Genau growled at him, as blood foamed out his mouth.
"Bring it on. Ssssssorceror.'
Roswaal fired two different condensed shot of air with a speck of fire within them, though they missed, they impacted the ground with insane force, leveling parts of the forest. Genau made it behind him, but missed a chance to stab him, when he turned and fired twenty rapid fire wind slices. He dodged it but struck his side by whipping him with thorny vine constructs. Roswaal gritted his teeth when he fel chunks of his flesh and skin ripped away.
Beatrice flew under him and twired in the air, firing small electric balls at him, of which he created a barrier that blocked the hits. He then felt something stab his thigh and saw red spikes stabbing into him, which dissipated.
"Damn beast!"
"Bleed, Ssssssorceror!"
Genau flew around the area and close to the top of trees, avoiding fire blasts. Roswaal looked up and saw countless purple spears above him, aiming down. Beatrice was above him as well and she sighed as motioned her hand downward, causing all the spears to rain down at Roswaal. Roswaal motioned his hands together and made three barriers around himself.
The spears rained down into the untouched parts of the forest, eviscerating trees and making holes into the ground.
Beatrice panted as she saw the damage...only to have an enraged Roswaal appear behind her. She turned to see him make a chopping motion with his hands.
"SSSSISTER BEATRICE!"
"GENAU!"
Genau appeared out of nowhere and used a spiked shoulder pad construct to tackle Roswaal in the back, stopping his attack. Roswaal turned to face him, only to eat a kick of his own by Beatrice. He flung back and readied to concentrate more mana; he then saw a purple spear barrel towards his face, he simply tilted his head. But; Genau chased after the spear, much like a dog playing fetch, he roared and a opened up a small blood wormhole, the spear went through...and ended up hitting Roswaal in the left shoulder.
His stared at it in an insane expression, surprised to see it back so soon. Beatrice then looked at him, sorrowfully.
"Roswaal, Betty has appreciated all that you have done for me, I suppose. But, I will not let you stand in Subaru's way."
"BEA-"
The spear self-destructed, destroying his left shoulder and making his left arm fall to the earth below. Genau flew down and caught it in his mouth, chewing and munching down on it, sucking in the blood graciously.
"Mmmmmm, reward for work."
He swallowed the arm whole, with thanks to his powerful blood seeping out of his mouth. Roswaal used fire magic to cauterize the wound...only to hear something behind him.
"Genau if you would, I suppose."
He turned around to see Beatrice wielding a giant hammer construct, which she raised over her head with both hands...then swung down and hit Roswaal on the head. He felt his consciousness fade as he uttered his last words.
"Sensei...I…"
He fell to the earth, but was caught by chain constructs by Genau, who landed on the ground. But gave up and just chucked him to the ground. Beatrice elegantly landed not far behind.
"Then, Sssssister Beatrice, is this all?"
"Yes, with this, Subaru's wishes came to pass, I suppose."
"And you?"
"...The Obsession with our beloved Echidna corrupted us both. So in a way, we've been freed, I suppose."
"I know, you have. But, what about these, two?"
"...When they awake we'll know, I suppose."
"And if they...are bad?"
"...I think you know how that would end."
Genau nodded and growled at the defeated Roswaal.
"We tie them up?"
"Yes, now...let's meet with Subaru, I suppose. Let's head back to the mansion."
She said this, as the sun was finally rising gracing them this sight as almost a heavenly decree of victory.
Earlier in the night…
"URYAHH!"
"HAHHHH!"
Subaru had his sword construct collide with Garfiel's punches, as they continued their battle in the abandoned Sanctuary, dust flying in the air as a result of their brawl.
Garfiel leaped into the air and aimed a diving kick at Subaru who jumped back and made a giant mechanical fist construct. It punched Garfiel across the face, making him spit blood. Garfiel hooked him across the cheek, of which Subaru Subaru responded by making a normal hammer construct hit him across the face. Garfiel kneed Subaru in the stomach, making Subaru smile as he hurled his napalm like blood at his face.
"AUGHHHH!"
"Piece of shit!"
Subaru used the fact that Garfiel covered his face in pain, and proceeded to Sucker punch him while wearing brass knuckle constructs. He hit him with the same fist again and again. Before bringing back the hammer construct and using the hooked end to tear off the skin on his right cheek. Garfiel headbutted Subaru and bit him in the shoulder. Subaru grunted in pain but then once again smiled, even if half of his face completely swollen. He made himself fly and had himself collide with the walls of the Sanctuary. Then at high speed flew through the houses, forcing Garfiel to let go. Subaru flew up, but saw Garfiel...launch an entire house at him. So SUbaru shot through the house and came face to face with a leaping Garfiel.
Subaru's face was a mess.
His face covered in blood, nothing but mucus mixed with blood escaping his nose and the left side of face completely swollen.
Garfiel's face a mess.
His entire face was suffering from third degree burns, his right cheek was missing skin and he missing a tooth.
Subaru smiled eerily at him, his eyes glowing...much like a certain OTHER person.
Garfiel snarled at him, the glimmer in his eyes shining…
They collided in the air, creating a massive shockwave.
While both were free falling, Garfiel landed two punches on Subaru, but Subaru created a construct of a compact chainsaw and aimed it at the boy's face. Though it did not tear all the way into his flesh it cut him up badly. So...Subaru began hitting with the chainsaw like a blunt object, howling as he did. Garfiel slapped it away-just as they crashed into another house.
Both grunted at they slowly got up.
"I'ma kill you."
"You could have lived, all you had to do was stay out of the way...but I guess...you're just a kid who thinks he's the shit, right?"
"Fuck you."
"Right back...at you."
Garfiel spun in the air, landing a kick on Subaru's shoulder, but Subaru floated downard and fired beam straight at Garfiel's left buttock...the angle of which made the beam shoot through it and out through his left genital.
"FUUUUCCCKKK!"
"Eat shit Garfiel!"
Subaru made a baseball bat construct and hit him in the back of the head. Again and again he hit him, trying to break open his head. Even as he laid there on the ground he swung away..until he saw that Garfiel was getting bigger.
He flew out a window, just as the house broke apart. Out emerged a giant bipedal tiger, wearing the same pants as Garfiel.
"So you can transform, huh?"
Garfiel charged and tried slicing away at him, but SUbaru slid under him, between his legs and used his trusty chainsaw construct to cut off Garfiel's tail. The huge beast roared in pain. It turned at rapid speed and tried crush Subaru with his paw but Subaru….he made…
"GROOOAAR!"
"MURWAAAH!"
A White Whale Construct.
It tackled Garfiel through the town, destroying many of the homes in the way, until he was tackled out of the walls of the Sanctuary and out into the forest outside. The construct broke apart, the tiger shook its head, noticing...Subaru was behind him. Chains wrapped around his neck and began choking him, Subaru was holding on to the chains with one hand while making a ice pick construct with another. He stabbed and stabbed away, as the tiger panicked and began crashing into any nearby tree to shake Subaru off.
"You fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Die! Die! Die! JUST FUCKING DIE ALREADY!"
"GROOOAARRR!"
With each stab Subaru voiced his frustration, and with each moment Subaru picked up the pace of his stabbing. Garfiel jumped back to land on his back, so Subaru finally got off, just as the entire rock floor caved in under his sudden drop. Subaru flew in front of him, vomiting more of his scorching hot blood. The tiger swiped him away, making him slam through twelve trees before getting up, spitting blood onto the ground.
The tiger rose up, it's body clearly burnt, steam escaping. It's eyes went white, possibly out of the sheer pain it was feeling. Seeing his chance, Subaru aimed his ring at it, and began firing several beams at it. The beast recoiled in pain as the beams shot through him, but he still would not fall.
So the tiger charged straight at Subaru.
"So...your intelligence goes down with that...transformation."
"GROOOARR!"
"...Lucky."
He grinned sadistically as he aimed his ring behind himself...opening a blood wormhole. RIght as Garfiel was about to reach him, Subaru jumped back forcing the tiger to follow him.
The tiger went through, only for his eyes to return to their green form, and his iris to shrink. As the tiger, in a low intellect state could see the danger it was in.
He was high above, in the skies above the Sanctuary, in a free fall.
Time slowed down.
Garfiel looked at Subaru, who was frowning at him.
"You said you were amazing right, like you could do anything...right?"
"So then, by all means…"
Subaru smiled innocently, sticking his tongue.
"Fly you bastard."
"NATSUKI SUBARUUUUUUU-!"
For just a moment, Garfiel showed his intelligence, but it was for naught. as he began plummeting back to the earth. Time resuming normally.
Subaru floated there for a few seconds, watching as the giant tiger flew through a cloud and out of sight.
He scratched his uninjured cheek and then wiped some of the chunks of blood off his face.
"...Should probably check then."
SUbaru flew down through the cloud and saw Garfiel was ahead of him, still falling...so Subaru shot him with more red beams.
"Gotta soften him up a bit."
The shots made their mark and Garfiel had holes all over his body.
"AAAAAANNNND, we're done."
Garfiel crashed to the ground just outside of the Sanctuary, making trees shake and the ground forced to make a giant crater. Subaru floated through the cloud of debris and over to see Garfiel, returned to his original form, with all his injuries..but still not dead.
"You got guts, and I respect that."
"Shut...it…"
Subaru walked into the crater and right next to a clearly paralyzed Garfiel. He squatted down next to him, looking into the young man's eyes.
"..."
"...Are ya happy? Ya took my home, ruined their livin' and set us up!"
"Not really, you can always rebuild, now anyone can come and go as they please...and frankly I never tried to fully trick you guys."
"Fuck up! Hahhhhh, I, promise ya one thin'."
"Hm?"
Garfiel struggled, but he moved his head to face Subaru.
"One day, I'll kill ya."
"...See right there, I wish you never said that."
"Huh?"
"...Well."
Subaru's eyes went dull as they reflected Garfiel, like a reflection of the soul.
"If you hadn't...I would have let you live."
Subaru stabbed Garfiel in the head with a knife construct.
There, on the x shaped scar Garfiel had, was a knife. Red in color. As if, fate has destined this young man to have his life struck down by that very spot.
Garfiel's eyes went dark...never to shine again.
.
.
.
.
Garfiel Tinsel, Strongest Shield of the Sanctuary, was dead.
Subaru yanked out the knife construct and made it dissipate. Hearing rsutling in the bushes he smiled.
"My backup huh?"
The clones of Lewes Meyer stood there...then bowed to him.
"So, what? When I beat the Trials, I got control over you?"
The clones nodded in response.
"Okay…"
Subaru made the knife construct again and cut open Garfiel's neck, making blood spray out of him like fountain, Subaru opened his mouth wide and allowed into his throat. Swallowing chunks of it, he moved away and coughed.
"Mn, okay...ah, I know martial arts now."
Subaru tested this, by doing several chops and kicks, nodding after he was done.
"Thank you Garfiel Tinsel...in the end, your death wasn't in vain."
He then looked to the clones, and seemed to get ready to float up in the air.
"Two of you take his corpse back to the town, the rest of you, make sure the citizens are safe. That's all."
The clones nodded, two of them grabbed Garfiel and dragged him away, while the rest ran off to find the villagers.
Subaru, took a deep breath and flew up into the air...leaving only the crater and a small pool of blood behind. As the sun began gracing the world.
At the mansion, Atrocitus was watching Dex-Starr stroll towards him as he...spared Meili. Not out of mercy, but out of regard to his new ally named Natsuki Subaru. If someone would decide her fate, it would be him.
"Good cat."
"Prrrrr."
Atrocitus proceeded to pet the cat, all while being stared at by Emilia and Rem, still frozen by the display of power.
"Who are you? Rem must know."
"...I am Atrocitus and this is Dex-Starr; we are Red Lanterns!"
"Red Lanterns. The same as Subaru-kun?"
"Oh, Natsuki Subaru? Yes, he is a fellow Red Lantern as well."
"Do you...Do you know what the Red Ring is?"
"Ha! Do I know it? Of course…"
He showed his hand to her, showing off his giant clawed hand, which was as red as the blood drenching the halls. But also the ring on his hand, grinning with a bit malice hidden in it.
"I created the rings."
"...YOU CREATED THEM?"
He nodded to her loud muttering. Emilia, feeling as if she had to say something, stepped forward.
"Why did it pick Subaru?"
"He felt great rage is all. And that rage qualified him to receive this ring and learn the true power of anger."
"But…"
"Indeed, I wonder how a Red Ring came to this world."
"Wait, so...what do you mean another world?"
"As I said, I am from another world, much like that boy is."
"Hold on, I don't understand."
"What is there to understand, girl? I and Dex-Starr are simply from another universe."
"I-I don't understand! You are confusing me!"
Emilia held her head, almost not wanting to hear anymore, she felt she would go insane by hearing a single thing more.
Rem stood there, also wishing to hear no more, as she had hoped that either the being in front of her was insane or….or...he was wrong about something. Anything.
Just then, Beatrice and Genau floated into the room, with a chained up Roswaal and Ram in tow.
"ROSWAAL-SAMA! NEE-SAMA!"
"Quiet already, Betty is in no mood to hear your screeching, I suppose."
Rem ran over to check on them, but almost came to a stop when she saw Genau. The white furred Wolgarm simply sat there, much like a normal dog would, awaiting his master's return. Rem saw the uniform he wearing, shaking her head at the sight, but going to check on her sister. She and Roswaal were in bad shape, so she glared with all her might at Genau, which only made the Wolgarm yawn in response.
Beatrice went next to her ally.
"Be calm maid, Betty also aided in the injuries these two sustained."
"Why?! Why would Beatrice-sama do this?"
"All for Betty's partner...Subaru."
Genau perked up his ears and Rem sniffed the air, both looked up and saw Subaru floating down. Atrocitus smiled deciously, as did Dex-Starr.
Upon the sight of Subaru and his injuries, both Rem and EMilia ran to check on him. Roswaal and Ram came to, and proceeded to gaze around, trying to find out where they were.
"Subaru-kun! What happened?! Who did this to you?!"
"Nothing to worry about. I took care of it, easy."
Subaru gave one of his usual smiles, calming Rem only slightly, as she came to sudden conclusion.
"Subaru-kun...Rem saw Garfiel here, earlier. What does that mean?"
"...Hm."
"Please, tell Rem. What happened?"
"I took care of it."
"Subaru-kun...what happened?"
"...I TOOK CARE OF IT."
Rem...began to tear up.
"Garf?"
"...He was in the way."
Rem fell to her knees-
"BARUSU! WHAT DID YOU DO?!"
-Ram's scream echoed throughout the room as Subaru looked over, seeing her also tear up as she stared daggers at him.
"WHAT DID YOU DO?!"
"...I got him to let me, free the Sanctuary."
"HE WOULDN'T BE SO WILLING!"
"I know."
Finally, Ram also came to see what he did. And began to weep as she hid her face from him.
Roswaal was too crazed to even register what was going on…
At the village, Lewes came to, and shook her head. She felt rattled by the previous battle, but also noticed it, her surroundings.
The village was destroyed and the pillar of light shined straight up into the air.
She then stumbled around all throughout the Sanctuary, but found no one around...she made it to the center of the Sanctuary and saw several villagers
"We've been freed?"
She shook her head again, but in denial.
But as she reached closer to where the majority of the citizens were gathered, she began hearing it.
The loud weeping.
The howlings of grief.
The screams of sadness.
She pushed through the crowd and finally made it to see….her entire life fall apart.
"No...Garf?"
Her beloved grandson.
"Garf? What are ya doin?"
A person she promised to protect.
"Garf? Hey get up."
One of two souls she came to love, more than her own life.
"PLEASE! GET UP!"
Here, he laid there, covered in blood and almost guarded by two of her clones.
"GARF. Garf. Garf."
Now, all her life choices faded into this, breaking into nothing. As if the world punished her for her mere existence-
"GARFIEL!"
She ran to the corpse and hugged it tightly. Several women amongst the group when to hug Lewes as she continued to cry uncontrollably.
"MY BABY! MY BABY! MY LIL' BOY! UWAGGGGHHHH! UWAAHHHHH!"
The older citizens who knew Garfiel for all his life began to cry.
The young ones who grew up with him, also began to cry.
The children who looked up to him, could only begin to cry.
The tragedy of the Sanctuary seeped into their hearts.
Meili tried to crawl away from this perilous situation near her. She was fearful for her own life...hoping she would be spared-
"Where do think you are going?"
She flinched as turned her sight to another direction and there, was Dex-Starr sitting near her.
Subaru floated over and stared her down.
"You...the one I saved at Irlham."
"Lies. She is a spy. She brought dumb animals here."
"Oh? Thanks for letting me know, Dex-Starr-san."
Subaru squatted down next to her and stared deep into her eyes. She trembled, seeing the utter disdain he had for her, so she began pleading.
"C-Come on now~. You wouldn't kill a kid would you?"
"..."
"I mean, I could do a whole lot for you. I can do so much! So~!"
"..."
"P-Please."
"...Alright, stand up."
He reached out and helped her to her feet, she began to smile, thinking that now she was truly saved. He patted her on the head, seemingly to calm her down. Shifting himself so she was in front of him.
"I still need to learn more."
"Wh-"
He made a fist, quickly aimed his ring and fired, the beam shot through the top of her head and out her abdomen. She then fell forward and died.
Rem fell to her knees seeing the cruelty being shown to her, all the while Atrocitus clapped away at the sight.
"Good. Good. You are learning to use your anger to decide your actions."
"...Hey Atrocitus-san...how do I...do it?"
"...Ah, you wish to use Blood Magic?"
"Yeah, I learned about the knowledge of it, when I drank your blood."
"...I usually don't teach it to anyone."
Yet, he smiled.
"But I see potential within you, so I will allow this to occur."
He went over and squatted down next to Meili's corpse.
"Get close to her"
"Right."
"Now spill more of her blood."
He did as told and made a knife construct, ripping open her back and forcing blood out, drenching the floor in it.
"Now focus, pray to the universe and draw the symbol of our rage into the pool before you."
Subaru did all the steps and then, red smoke shot out of the blood and enveloped Subaru.
Rem couldn't even call out to him as she was still shell-shocked by everything she was witnessing.
As the smoke covered his sights, Subaru clenched his fists and focused.
There he saw it.
.
.
.
.
It was himself and Genau, in a city he did not recognize, all of it was on fire. There was a river...no, a waterway. As he raised his fist, his ring shined brightly...and Genau raised his tail, the ring latched on began to shine as well.
Behind them, within the pillar of smoke and fire...shined five more red lights.
.
.
.
.
The red smoke cleared up, and Subaru was seen, smiling.
"I usually fight against fate...but if that is what is going to happen, then well. How can I not want that outcome."
"So I can assume you saw a favorable vision within the Blood Prophecy?"
"Yeah...so all I have to do to see the future is sacrifice someone guilty?"
"That is correct."
"Nothing to worry about then."
Subaru got up and looked at halls, grinning as he did.
"Then I did it."
"Seeing as your goals are achieved, what is it you'll be doing now?"
"What else? Beatrice, how long can these two stay before that pillar closes?"
Beatrice who busy petting Genau answered.
"No more than five days, I suppose. That would be my best guess."
"Okay."
He then turned back to Atrocitus and bowed to him.
"Would you mind staying for a few days? I would love nothing more than learn all I can about these rings!"
"...Are there guilty people here for us to kill?"
"Too many."
"...THEN A FEW DAYS OF VACATION WOULD NEVER HURT."
Atrocitus and Subaru smiled at each other, shaking hands, as if a covenant was formed between two worlds. Dex-Starr and Genau nodded happily in the alliance. Beatrice leaned against the wall ,closing her eyes to the entire affair.
Rem and Emilia were frozen in confusion, grief and fear.
For the first time in their lives...they feared the future.
The Sage Council was deliberating on the matter at hand and their leader came to a agreement.
"Very well, this council agrees on the conclusion reached?"
The rest of them agreed, and soon, rubbed his long white beard.
"Let us meet with this, Natsuki Subaru."
In the halls, was Wilhelm...eavesdropping on the entire conversation, all the while forming a fist.
To Be Continued...