AN: Final chapter of Arc 4 before another intermission chapter, and then its Arc 5!
Title comes from Subaru's trusty power, as well as the OST from 2016's Doom! A few refrences sprinkled here and there in this one, keep your eyes sharp folks!
Anyways, let's keep this going then. Everyone, please, ENJOY.
Arc Four: A Time to Rise
Chapter 20: Return By Death, Rip & Tear
Felt ran alongside her companions, making sure to help out any civilians that were injured or trapped. But it was when they made it to a riverway, that the two children Lusbel and Tina, shrieked in terror.
When they all spun around to see, so did they.
Bodies were floating in the currents, the waters were dyed red with blood.
Further ahead, they saw a large wooden cargo boat actually atop of a crumbled house.
"How the hell is this happening?"
Felt looked to her left.
The wall that protected this city, was cut in half.
Felt looked to her right.
Many of the houses in the district were on fire.
Hell.
This was hell.
Reinhard balled a fist, seeing the destruction all around him. This senseless violence and loss of life, sickened him. Yet he had no time to dawdle, he then saw Sagittarius ran forward, get in a crouching position and had her staff aim. She fired, and killed a Witch Cultist that emerged from the rubble.
Reinhard paused as he watched the little Artificial Spirit then lob a bag of magic stones into a storm drain. Once it exploded, he could clearly hear the death groans of some Witch Cutlists.
Reinhard saw some crawling out of a nearby sewer entrance and he dashed at them, cutting their throats open with his own karate chops.
As he hurried back to be with the others...a red light flew over them.
He looked up...and made a face filled with stunned alarm. The red light landed in front of them.
"It can't be…"
Felt and the others turned around.
"...No way!"
Shocked to the core.
Reinhard fumbled his words, before he could muster them out.
"Grandfather?"
There stood Wilhelm Van Astrea, the newest Red Lantern.
The brown coloring of his sword sheaths and the chest guard strap changed to crimson red; so did the white of his gloves and shirt, same with the blue on his suit.
The emblem of the Red Lantern Corps was proudly on the right side of his chest, precisely on the strap.
The Red Lantern ring, proudly displayed on the ring finger of his left hand.
"Grandfather, you didn't-"
"-I have chosen a path that will help me avenge your grandmother."
He glanced down to the floor.
"I was a fool in thinking the choices I made would have changed anything. In the end, that stagnation in waiting and placing my faith onto others...led me down a path of failure. BUT NOW! Now, I have been given a chance at personal redemption! Even if I walk alongside the demons of this world, I know that I will no longer be the ne'er-do-well in this! I have seen the light."
He clenched his fist, gazing at the ring proudly adorning it.
"By turning that anger inward, I have seen the full utilization of this power. With this, I can finally find that purpose again! I can continue living!"
"No! Grandfather, that ring will damn you! It's already done it to Subaru, and you will be no exception."
"Yes...Yes, Natsuki Subaru-dono was the first. The first to perceive this power, and in the end, I will indeed endure the sins that he has. I will thank him...and…"
He then unsheathed his sword, while blood floated out of his mouth.
"I will give unto him my sword and my pledge of honor! I will join the Red Lantern Corps and participate in the Royal Selection as a vassal for Emilia-sama!"
"Wait, hold on-"
Wilhelm then sensed a sneak attack by a Witch Cultist and flew back at him, slicing his head clean off with his sword. He witnessed another one slip out of the shadows, and made a sword construct fly through his head.A Cultist dahsed down from a rooftop and pulled out a sword, stabbing him in the shoulder...but the blade never made it into his body, breaking apart on contact with his energy. Wilhelm then puked out his powerful blood, blasting through his neck and making a hole in the ground.
The Cultist fell down dead.
Reinhard stood there, stunned, just as Wilhelm nodded at him.
"I will speak with you again, Reinhard."
"NO! WAIT-"
Wilhelm flew away, covered in his red energy, leaving a streak of red light behind.
Reinhard could only hold his forehead, trying to understand what was happening.
The answer wasn't coming to him.
As he flew through the air, Wilhelm felt his ring beep so he concentrated. With that, a small hologram of Subaru's face lit up.
"Wilhelm?"
"Subaru-dono! It is as you see, your eyes do not deceive you. I have now been accepted into the Red Lantern Corps."
"I'm pretty surprised alright, but I'm glad we have you. Welcome aboard!"
Wilhelm nodded, flying over the smoke that was coming out of the crater where the meteor fell.
"Do you have orders for me, Subaru-do...No, Subaru-sama!"
"Hmmmm…"
Subaru really enjoyed being called such an honorific.
"Okay, concentrate on your ring and make a copy, we need to indoctrinate a few more members into the Corps. After that, use the ring to find me, and get involved in killing Lust! Kill any Cultists on the way!"
"Yes sir!"
Wilhelm concentrated, and sure enough it made a copy of his ring, which flew out, trying to find a host.
Seeing his moment, Wilhelm dashed down stomping on the head of an unsuspecting Witch Cultist. Two other ones panicked and tried to fight back, but Wilhelm used his sword to impale them both in the head, but saw one on the roof, so he aimed his ring and fired a beam, killing him.
Sensing more, he rocketed forward, floated around the corner of a building, before creating a large shield construct and crushing one more Cultist to death. Another one popped out of a cloud of debris, but Wilhelm flew his body around and created a pole axe construct which stabbed through his head, using only one hand.
Glancing cautiously around, he decided to continue, and flew to meet with Subaru at the City Hall.
"The things I've learned, the thing I've gained. I shall repay you...for allowing me to let my wife rest in peace, I shall use every bit of my body and soul, FOR THE RED LANTERN CORPS!"
Genau and Ovidius double teamed against Roy, attacking him from both sides. The trusty Wolgarm made a warhammer construct slam down, but Roy blocked it. Using his speed, he dashed behind Ovidius and stabbed him three times, but Ovidius touched his belt and the metia on it sent out a shockwave which knocked him back. As he flung back, Genau then decided to roar out.
"Revenga Art 2! SSSSSLIPKNOT!"
Genau was now covered in red armor construct with large needles littering it. He looked like a walking mass of red spikes.
He ran to Roy, getting close to him, but Roy realized that the needles were actually drills, making him struggle in keeping him away. But as Roy got his hand ready to launch a spell, the spikes...suddenly spun faster.
Ovidius had them get ready.
The spikes launched out still spinning rapidly. Two went through Roy's shoulders, while the rest flew out destroying too many buildings to comprehend, and traveling at least in a six miles radius, before they dissipated. Genau then got rid of his armor construct and ran forward, biting a stunned Roy in the chest, using his strength to rip off his skin and nipples.
"FUCK!"
Roy got ready to stomp on him, but Ovidius palm thrusted Roy right in the face, then he made his palm aim at his torn flesh. Now, he had a cube construct form on his palm, right on his enemy's chest.
It fired and stuck itself onto Roy's ripped open chest. His green eyes widened as-
"Revenga Art 2! Reflektor Cubes!"
The cube bursted and shot out as smaller cubes, then smaller and smaller, appearing as though it would go infinitely. The result was completely destroying Roy's body, leaving only a few teeth, his eye and a glob of flesh with hair. The cubes dissipated and the chunk of flesh fell to the ground.
Ovidius wiped his hands as Genau slurped up some of the blood, not wanting to get left behind, Ovidius did the same. Removing his metal helmet he scooped some up and swallowed it down.
"Ohhhh, perfect!"
"What?"
"I know how to create Ma-Beast."
"REALLY? Like the White Whale and sssstuff?!"
"No, the White Whale is quite hard, it'd take me up to my final days to even get it ready for creation...but Wolgarm, and Guiltylowe's and the like, well, that will a breeze."
Genau wagged his tail happily, excited at the prospect of having more Ma-Beast like him to move around with. With his drinking done, Ovidius put his metal helmet back on.
In the corner of their eyes, they could see the Hoshin Camp continue weeping over the corpse of Ricardo. Anastasia petting his long hair...
"Why? Why did you worry about me?"
Anastasia leaned over and hugged his head.
"Big dummy, I warned you not to get distracted."
Hetaro held his leader's hand, which had comforted him many times.
Tivey held the other, which patted him on the back many times in congratulatory praise.
Mimi…
"They did this…"
"Mimi?"
"Th-The Witch's Cult!"
Mimi filled with tears, glared up.
"The Witch's Cult, it's all their fault, they started this fight! Mimi and everyone were doing good! So Good! But they attacked! THEY KILLED RICARDO!"
She held her suit in pain, anguish and frustration.
"Mimi is gonna kill them all! All of them! Super dead!"
Mimi's face filled with sadness, mixed in with the pure wrath she felt towards the Witch's Cult. The anger of not being able to kill Roy herself and the frustration of not being strong enough to save her father figure.
It filled her heart with-
{Mimi Pearlbaton. You have great rage in your heart.}
Turning her head around, she saw that ever familiar red ring hovering next to her.
{YOU BELONG TO THE RED LANTERN CORPS.}
The ring attached itself to her tail, which in turn, made her hold her mouth. But it was too late, she puked out all the blood her little body held, a grisly sight to behold. Genau nodded proudly and Ovidius clapped his hands softly.
"Welcome to the team, kid."
Mimi let out a growl as blood floated out of her mouth.
Her white and and orange robe changed. Pure blood red with blacked linings, and the distinct insignia of the Red Lantern Corps were on both of her large sleeves.
"Wow~! This is crazy! SUPER CRAZY!"
The rest of her team were too stunned to say or do anything, as they saw her induction into the Corps.
Ovidius walked over, squatted down and...shook her hand, confusing her.
"Mimi Pearlbaton was it? I'd like to welcome you to the team."
"Huh? Really, I'm a Red Lantern now? Really~?"
"Yes Mimi, that means two things; firstly, you have the duty to help us destroy the Witch's Cult and all those who would become similar to them."
"Easy! Mimi is gonna help ya kill all of them! All! All! ALL OF THEM!"
"Hahaha, okay, okay. And lastly…"
He then pointed behind her, making her look back at her shocked teammates.
"Your friends there are now under our watchful protection."
"No way, my lady and brothers are gonna be protected by the Red Lantern Corps?"
"Of course! You being our newest member, we want to keep you comfortable, right Genau?"
Genau nodded in agreement.
Mimi scratched her head, but soon she ran back to her master and hugged her.
"Mimi will be right back, Mimi is gonna help them finish off the Witch's Cult!"
"Wait, but…"
Mimi then messed with her siblings hairs as she floated up into the air, retrieving her trusty staff with her rings power.
"You two get the lady out of here, we're finishing this in a jiffy~!"
She flew over, all the while setting her staff on her back. Now floating with the other two fellow Lanterns she was given her first order.
"Alright, Mimi-chan, if you could do us a favor?"
"Huh?"
"We need you to send a copy of your ring out, we need to recruit a few members."
"Ummmm, like this."
She glanced back at her tail, and the ring attached to it, quickly made a copy. It floated around as Mimi grinned.
"Wow! Easy peasy!"
"Very good Mimi-chan! Now we can find-"
The ring flew around her, then zipped around Ovidius and Genau, before flying away from them, sticking close to the ground.
It instantly found its host.
"Oh...Oh dear."
Her anger was stemmed from the unknown.
This place, unknown. She hated it.
These people, unknown. She was frustrated by it.
The world around her, unknown. It infuriated her to no end.
Even her own name was a mystery.
In the moment of a person losing their memories, one of two reactions would be expected.
Panic or Confusion.
So this was not normal.
This golden haired woman with lovely jade eyes, fumed with rage. She couldn't remember anything, recall a damn thing.
At this point, she would do anything to feel a shred of memory come to her, to belong somewhere. Her seething anger at not belonging anywhere, made her lust for companionship, family, friends, anything...so she would no longer be alone.
She looked up and saw...a red ring float over to her.
{Frederica. You have great rage in your heart. You belong to the Red Lantern Corps.}
"This is…"
"Well, I cannot believe you of all people would join us."
"Huh?"
Seeing the red tailored trio float over to her, she gazed down...and barfed out all of her blood. The ring latched onto her right finger.
Her clothes changed instantly, becoming a simple Red Lantern uniform, similar to an actual Red Lantern member named Skallox, covering her whole body up to her neck and hands. The insignia of the Corps on her chest, luckily for her, the suit was not at all revealing as one might assume, but her curves would still entice men nonetheless.
"Frederica, you've been given such a golden opportunity."
She glanced up and he reached his hand out for her...she grabbed it and got helped up.
"My name is Frederica?"
"Yes, it appears you had a bad run in with a Sin Archbishop when you...came to help us...and now all your memories are gone."
"So this is his fault."
"Yes, but we killed him. And the positive of all this, is we got a new member for our team."
She then rubbed her nose, noticing the red ring on her hand.
"I see...now, I belong somewhere?"
"Naturally, you're one of us now."
Genau started over and Mimi hopped over.
"Welcome to the Red Lantern Corp, SSSSSister Frederica."
"Got a big sis now! Yay!"
Frederica, though clearly winded by her transformation, nodded.
Then she grinned, blood floating out of her mouth.
"Please take care of me."
"Exactly!"
Genau wagged his tail, as he growled out his catchphrase.
Mimi dashed back to her allies and made a playful pose with her hands to her hips.
"Hmmm, sorry guys, I can't just leave ya here. So I'm gonna send ya back to the city near the big castle~!"
She then aimed her ring and a blood portal opened up behind them, the twin brothers took her hint and grabbed Anastasia, even if it was clear she didn't want to go.
But Mimi had her ring levitate Ricardo's body, letting pass into the portal as well, a face filled with sorrow followed with this tender action.
Hoshin and the others found themselves in front of their living accommodations in the capital, and as the corpse floated to the ground, the Blood Portal closed.
Mimi wiped her face and turned around, ready to join her newest team into battle.
"Let's kill em' dead! Super dead~!"
"Before that, Sssssister Frederica…"
Frederica peeked over her shoulder as Genau floated over to her.
"We'll need you to sssend out another ring, just like Ssssister Mimi did."
"So we can induct another Red Lantern?"
"Yup...the lasssst one to be clear."
Those words seem to echo in her head, she understood that by doing this, their final member would be in their fold and that this team she had nothing but in this world, would be complete.
"Okay, give me a second."
Focusing on her ring, it made a copy and floated up. Once that happened it shot up like a firework and launched itself to the west, flying at top speed, making Genau tilt his head.
"Where do you think it isssss headed? Ssssso far away from the city in particular?"
"Mimi thinksssss it'ssss headed to her old home, Kararagi!"
"All the way there?"
Ovidius crossed his arms.
"Most of the Red Lantern rings sent ou,t have not gone further than a few miles. So for it to go this far…"
His light green eyes sharpened beneath those glass goggles of his.
"That is some pretty strong rage there."
Envious.
The world around her was nothing but to be a focus of her jealousy and hatred. That which was born since the earliest of her memories.
When she turned only four, without a name since then, she was sold by her single mother into slavery. Slavery was not unheard of in Kararagi, with only a few cities creating laws that protect individuals from such a fate. Yet she was not kidnapped, like most child slaves, no...she was betrayed by the only source of her love.
She was passed on from owner to owner, treated as an expendable worker, she knew nothing of a normal childhood.
At the age of puberty, when her body started to change...growing taller, hair shining more, chest developing, her master decided to make extra coins on her.
Hosting an event, he tried to sell off all his female slaves, hoping the money he would make would yield him better ones.
In the end, all of his slaves sold profitably, but an auction was held for this girl in particular.
Orange eyes.
Light green hair, with streaks of light blue and pink tips.
A chest to be lustful for, accompanying her developed curves.
An easy target.
Finally, she was sold to a man who offered the highest prize. This ugly, almost pig faced man with a body to match, had gotten an inheritance from his grandfather in his passing. So much money, but he was actually wise about. He lived in a normal house, ate normal meals and kept his expenses to their limit.
But this was something he had to purchase.
Someone, to keep him company.
Placing the slave collar on her neck, linked directly to his mana, meaning she could not be freed unless he either allowed it, or her heart stopped.
Only non existent mercy or death, would free this woman.
Used up for tedious chores, backbreaking pick ups and jobs that tore her muscles.
Her legs got bigger, she became more dependable.
So much so...that on her sixteenth birthday, he broke into her room and took away the last thing she held dear. Something she wanted to hold onto for the one she could fall in love with.
But it was stolen, the last of her pride and will, shattered that night.
Every week he would force himself on her, at least two to three times on a weekend.
Her eyes lost their glimmer and when she would go out on her errands, seeing all the happy families, affectionate couples and the innocent young playing...she hated them.
A surging envy filled her heart about what she wanted.
She did not have any of the things she desired.
Jealousy filled her mind when she looked out into the world, filled with the desire to feel genuine love again.
Even thinking of her mother, she never saw her face, just her body..with her face rubbed out with black crayon.
Her voice as she grew older would sound sweet, but also mature, a cute detail adding on to her physical allure.
Prime reasons for her master to take advantage of her.
Today was a day like any other, she sat on her bed.
She sat as there was no escape.
Her master would come and probably penetrate her body with that disgusting face of satisfaction.
Her body trembled out of the anger, sadness and disgust.
One day she would die normally, but she wondered if she could just kill herself.
She wanted a way out. She would do anything. Join anybody.
If they gave her the freedom to run under the big blue sky, she would do whatever they requested of her.
Peeking behind herself, she saw a red ring float behind her.
"HUH?!"
This woman panicked, as she put out her hand to hopefully block…
The ring attached to her ring finger…
{Unnamed. You have great rage in your heart. You belong to the Red Lantern Corps.}
Once it happened, she flung her head off the edge of the bed and puked out all her blood.
Such piercing pain, almost felt good.
Now, her ragged clothes given to her, changed into a Japanese happi, of crimson red with black lining. A black belt went around her waist, her back had the emblem of the Red Lantern Corps. Since it was short, one could see her strong legs which had only cute black shoes.
She then felt her neck...empty.
Looking down, she saw her slave collar had come off.
It did so, because her heart stopped, so the collar believed she had died and was finally also pulled out by the ring's power.
She smiled, almost giggling at the feeling surging in her body. Walking out the door of her room, she found her drunk master stumbling towards her. So she strutted to him seductively...not hearing his words whatsoever.
She noticed how he got excited by her seductive clothing...but his face twisted into fear when he saw her collar was gone.
But before he could run for it...she dashed at him and kissed him.
Lips pressed together, his eyes went wide went she used her tongue to open his mouth further.
Then he tried pushing her away, tears drowning out of his eyes.
She let him go; blood floating out of her mouth.
He held his throat as his mouth melted off.
Finally, his throat burned away, leaving him a shaking mess.
She then had a hammer construct fly down and smash his family jewels into pieces.
With that, she walked out the front door, leaving him to bleed to death.
Seeing the open afternoon sky, she spread her arms out wide.
And…
...began to cry.
She was free. Free to see the world...and hopefully...find-
"Hey, come in."
She heard a voice and glanced around in both directions.
No one.
"Hey, newest Corp member, come in."
She then looked at her ring and noticed it was beeping.
She focused on it and saw a holographic image of a helmet wearing man show up.
"Hello there, it seems our ring traveled far to meet with you."
"Wh-Who? Are you?"
"Hmmm...right, I am Ovidius Loman a fellow Red Lantern, and now so are you."
"Red? Lantern?"
"Yes, I would like to explain it to you in person, if that would preferable?"
"Well. Where are you?"
"Priestella, we're in the big final push against the Witch's Cult."
Her eyes went wide.
Even she had heard of the Witch's Cult and the horrible aura they imbued in this world. And yet to hear this group was battling them, in a last stand of all things, was commendable.
"But! How am I-"
"-Just fly."
"FLY?!"
"The ring will help you out, focus a bit of your anger and it'll help."
"Um, okay?"
"Great! See you in abit….as one of the Founding Members."
Confused greatly, but willing to give it a try, she focused and sure enough red energy surrounded her body and she began to float.
More than thrilled, she focused her ring and using her fist to guide her, shooting up into the air.
Breaking past the clouds, she was enamored by the beauty of this sight.
Still, her focus came onto a purely murky dark area in the distance.
Thinking long and hard about it, she wondered if it was the right thing to do.
But looking at her ring, softly touching it, and closing her eyes.
She knew.
She flew to the area in question.
Because if these people were giving her a chance at freedom, she would do her best to return the favor. Like that, she thrusted herself into this conflict.
Looking up into the air, they saw this newest member, land a few feet away. The ladies were surprised by the beauty this woman had, which was on par with Frederica, while Ovidius noticed her strong looking legs and relished in the idea of having a more physical fighter on the team.
"You made it."
"Yes. I am here, Ovidius-san."
Bowing to them, it left all of them quite stunned.
"I wish to thank you for freeing me from the shackles of my previous life. I hope to work hard in payment for the freedom I have been given."
"Shackles?...Ah."
He then held his head, realizing the situation.
"I apologize beforehand. You were a slave, weren't you?"
"Correct."
An air of sympathy cemented itself in Mimi and Ovidius, while Frederica was somewhat sympathetic to her plight...Genau had no idea what a slave was, so he just tilted his head.
Mimi ran over hugging her leg, smiling up at her. For this woman with no name, the soft feeling of her hug and the warmness that smothered into her, was more than enough to make her happy.
"Still, a talking Ma-Beast over there? The world outside, sure is strange."
"Tell me about it, I can't get my head around humanssss, sssssometimes."
This little jab at humanity, did make this woman crack a small smile, which made Genau wag his tail.
Then...they heard something.
Subaru dodged a tentacle coming out of Lust's back, which he sliced apart with a knife construct. But before he could even inch himself closer, a jet black dragon came roaring at him. He turned his head to face it, but saw that something cut it's head clean off. Zipping around the descending corpse was a red light. Landing next to him was Wilhelm Van Astrea.
Subaru gave it a few seconds of thoughts, but when he saw the sharpness in his eyes, Subaru could feel something. A type of recollection of how he came close to feeling when he could find no help in defeating the Witch's Cult.
"Apologize to me."
"Huh…?"
"Before I fully accept you, apologize for that day, you know which one."
Wilhelm quickly got on one knee, bowing to him.
"Forgive me!"
"..."
"Forgive me for the mistreatment I gave you when you came to us! Me and my...master? Yes, master. Please forgive me for that which can never truly be taken back! With it, I hope to restart from the slothful idleness I subjected myself to! Please!"
His face scrunched up in pain, Subaru sighed, letting blood float out.
"Prove yourself, and I'll come to forgive you."
"I will! For you and Emilia-sama, I will lay down my life!"
"Excellent answer!"
Both of them dodged bees that Capella spat, before Wilhelm hurled out napalm blood at them, melting them into nothing.
"Wilhelm, distract her! I'm gonna comb the building for more Cultists!"
"Understood!"
He unsheathed his sword, but also made a construct of a rapier sword, crossing them together in an x shape.
"Leave this to me, Subaru-sama!"
Subaru flew around and through a window, breaking apart the glass, right into the burning structure.
Wilhelm stayed there, as Lust had her other arm grow into a monstrous claw, grow bird wings, two serpent tails and spider legs on her back.
"Hey, old shit! Got a reason to be getting in the way of the one you love and cherish most!?"
"NONSENSE! The one I truly loved has passed, you and your kind used her up and have now stood in the way of my new master! Tell me your name, so that I will remember what to put on your gravestone!"
"The name you should be groveling at, is Capella Emerada Lugnica! Get on your knees and start licking, savoring the ground purified by my feet!"
Sticking her tongue out in a crude manner, Wilhelm narrowed his eyes further.
"Now you make a mockery of the royal family? You will die, Lust!"
"Bring it on, make me feel good, as you should! Worthless festering bag of bad sperm!"
Wilhelm charged, as Capella used her claws to slice away, but Wilhelm made his swords collide with her strikes, making the roof give way.
Subaru flew through the flames and past the corpses of Cultists, civilians and giant flies.
He made it to a room with an apparatus that had gems on the side of it, with what appeared to be a microphone in the middle of the room. Seeing a fine moment, he decided to fly at it. Holding it tight and using his mana to activate it, he would beginning utilizing it, even as the fires were beginning to enter the room.
Tapping it, he started.
"Citizens of Priestella, listen well!"
His voice echoed throughout the city, in the shelters where the civilians were hiding, the streets where Reinhard and the others were rushing from, where his Red Lanterns were floating and where Wilhelm was in the air trading attacks with Capella.
"Right now, the city is under siege! Things look dire, and the Witch's Cult has overwhelmed the knights entrusted to protect you! The city is in complete disarray and destruction...BUT HAVE NO FEAR! We are here! We will destroy them! We will save this city! We will save you! Keep your wits about you! Survive! If you have the will, you will live!"
Then, it went quiet…
"Witch Cultists! A message for you!"
Now the rest of it, was for his enemy.
"Hear me! With blood and rage of crimson red! Ripped from a corpse so freshly dead! Together with our hellish hate! We will burn you all! THAT IS YOUR FATE!"
Subaru clutched the microphone tightly, snapping his teeth.
"Red Lanterns!"
Now, his final part.
"Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! KILL! KILL!"
Out of breath, he mustered his last declaration out into a yell!
"NO MERCY! NO SURVIVORS! KILL THEM ALL!"
Each and every one of them let out a roar, making almost a gallons worth of blood shoot out of their mouths, some raised an arm with their ring shinning, or simply pumped their chest in pride. Genau himself howled after his roar.
Reinhard made a face of panic, as he could hear the roars and the sound of the microphone dropping. Right after, he saw five red streaks of light blast into the air and separate in different directions.
And once again, the sounds of explosions erupted throughout the city.
Mimi blasted herself through a Cultists body, before using her staff to shoot out a pink ring of magic which made another blow up.
Genau created deer horn constructs which stabbed through two cultists, before back kicked another one and vomited blood on him.
Frederica kicked one's head clean off, before she made a construct of a brick and flung at one that was charging a fireball, smashing his skull.
Their unnamed member made rope constructs which snapped on them, squeezing until their eyes popped out.
Ovidius used his ring and fired multiple blasts out at the Cultists, killing several of them.
Subaru flew straight through the roof of the city hall, just as it collapsed from the fires. Gazing up he saw that Wilhelm was busy fighting Capella, so he decided to join him, but suddenly had to dodge incoming fireballs. On a roof, Cultists were lobbing them straight at him.
Subaru flew down to take them down, and soon found himself surrounded...by friends.
The rest of the Red Lanterns were flying with him, ready to finish off the Cultists.
With these Cultist, was a stern looking man with dark brown hair, a long cloak and jewelry around his neck.
It was obviously another Sin Archbishop. So Subaru flew faster and faster, making sure to try and-
A loud bell like sound.
Something happened.
Was it a sound?
No more like a feeling.
Everyone, including the Red Lanterns felt it.
The Witch Cultists, including their Sin Archbishops.
Reinhard.
The civilians.
Emilia.
Puck.
Beatrice.
Ezzo Cadner.
Roswaal.
The Sage Council.
Halibel.
Cecilus.
The Crazed Prince of Gusteko.
The Dragon, Volcanica.
A brown haired woman at the top of a tower in the desert.
Subaru turned his head...and dwarfing the world….was a giant white tree.
At least seven times the size of the world they themselves lived in, a single branch could hold this entire world.
Even Capella was stunned by another fact; sound was gone. Not even their breaths or thoughts could be heard. The skies completely white, as if there was no longer color in this universe.
Everything seemed to be unreal, it was making all of them nerve wracked.
Just as they tried to figure out what was happening...a giant appeared. Next to the tree, a giant in blue, steel and gold armor; eyes burning spheres of light.
Using his ring...Subaru got only one holographic message from his ring.
Two words.
"Anti. Monitor."
This Anti-Monitor raised his fists into the air as a mass of people flew at him, making him break apart, still no sounds.
His fragments hit the tree, and it began shattering like the most fragile of glass. Still not a peep from it.
And as the pieces evaporated...a funny thing happened.
Natsuki Subaru.
Capella Emerada Lugnica.
Louis Arneb, the final Sin Archbishop of Gluttony.
Aldebaran.
A platinum haired woman, known as Pandora.
A oddly dressed man, named Hector.
And a dark shadow, with snow white hair.
They all had tears escape their eyes.
For Subaru, the reason was undeniably simple.
The crippling loss.
The loss of something that was his greatest gift in this world.
Without having to hear his thoughts, he knew what had happened.
As the scenery was beginning to change into a flash of light , and sound slowly coming back. He weeped silently to himself, like the death of that which ached his soul.
"It's gone…"
….
….
….
.
.
.
.
.
Return By Death.
.
.
.
.
.
Was no more.
All their Authorities, Gospels, the Dragon Stone itself...all these things vital to so many. In the fraction of a second, in a paradox of time and space...had ceased to exist.
Subaru turned his head in that world of white and saw Unseen Hands, a swarm of them reaching out to him...only for each one to pop into nothing when they got close to him. Finally, a silver haired woman, looking like a twin sister to Emilia cried, screamed, begged, weeped and growled at him. He could not make out what she was saying, until she began to crack like glass.
"I LOVE YOU!"
She broke apart, leaving nothing behind. The bright white colors around him, took his consciousness.
Opening his eyes, the grey smokey skies welcomed him.
With it, he shook his head, finding himself laying on the roof. He scratched his cheeks, and glanced around, finding the others on the same roof, including...his target.
"YOU!"
The Sin Archbishop launched a fireball at him, only to miss completely and Subaru missed his punch.
Both of them still groggy about what just happened.
Even the others had a hard time landing their hits, the strain from the extraordinary incident still messing with them.
But with a quick snap of his neck muscles, Subaru roared out and saw Capella, fly away.
The Sin Archbishop of Lust, still had one enlarged clawed hand, a large tail and black wings. Her panicked, frenzied state was evident.
"I can't change back! Fuck! Why?! What happened?! What happened to my Authority?!"
Subaru was about to pursue, but he was hit in the back by a fireball. He peered back and saw a lone Cultist, so he screamed in rage and thrusted his body at him, tackling him to the ground.
Using his fists he began beating the Cultist to death.
The Sin Archbishop also began escaping…
"GET HIM! DON'T LET HIM GET AWAY!"
Genau tackled him off and they both crash landed atop of a carriage, breaking it apart.
Gluttony made an attempt to ready his fist, but Wilhelm stabbed him in the back with a dagger construct. He flip kicked him away.
With the other Cultists killed by Mimi and Frederica, they turned their attention to the streets below.
In fact, they all were, including Subaru, who was focused on Gluttony, believing that the Witch's Scent would help guide him to Capella later.
Definitely, blind to his rage.
Now they were pummeling on him, attacking him from all sides, every part of him. Wilhelm grabbed one arm, Frederica another. Ovidius got close and so did the others, Subaru instead got him in a chokehold from behind.
"Rip him apart!"
Their eyes turning blood red.
"RIP AND TEAR! RIP AND TEAR HIM APART! UNTIL THERE IS NOTHING LEFT!"
And like that, they did.
Genau bit off his fingers.
Mimi tore open his abdomen, yanking out his lower intestines.
Frederica pulled off his left arm.
Ovidius ripped out his eyes.
Wilhelm sliced off his remaining arm.
Subaru bit off his ear.
The new woman, getting into the frenzy, ripped off his skin around his neck.
This continued. On and on, the sounds of gurgles, snaps, wet splashes and torn fabrics echoed in that silent city.
Reinhard and his team, the reinforcement knights, the citizens stumbling out of the shelters...gathered to see the death, the spectacle.
Subaru, with all his might, yanked off his head, with some of it still attached to the spine and with a wet snap, had the spine in his hand. The head of the Sin Archbishop touched the ground as blood seeped down.
The rest of his body was quickly torn to smaller pieces by Mimi and Genau.
Taking an exhausted breath, Subaru pulled up the spine, making the head flop around.
"...Heh…"
Then with his blood soaked teeth clicking.
"Heh, hehehehehehe…"
He laughed.
"Ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
He swung around the spine, as if it were a simple toy.
"All of you! Look! Behold! Gaze at us! The future is here!"
He then held the head up to the sky.
Each of the Red Lanterns did, allowing blood to float out of their mouths.
"The future has arrived and it is paved in blood! The path is one built upon the flesh of the guilty! Though they may not know it, we shall come for them! Now powered by the truth of rage, we are here! Going nowhere! The Red Lantern Corps, shall take this world and lead it to justice! The finality! The Future is NOW!"
Blood spraying everywhere, they all stood there. Even Reinhard looked at this spectacle in complete terror, Felt was frozen stiff, having a hard time trying to process it. Lusbel and Tina just stared on...unable to truly grasp the brutal scene before them.
The knights trembled at this all.
Liliana arrived and held her chest, nearly crying at the bloody sight.
The citizens, silently mumbling as they continued to watch.
Subaru looked around, before swinging the spine around...before smashing the head of his enemy onto the ground, popping it open like a pumpkin. He kneeled down and drank some of the blood. With that, he wiped his lips and flew into the air, twirling elegantly as he did.
Once high enough, he peered down and smiled, putting his hands to his waist.
"We did it. We saved the day."
What he was looking at, was a completely destroyed Priestella.
Half of it completely flooded, sections of it falling into the lake.
Most of it was covered in smoke and sut.
The riverways dyed red.
Within a month, the damage left the city too dangerous to live in. The Kingdom would then order an evacuation, abandoning the Watergate City. Those that survived this battle, would find themselves homesick, but glad to be alive.
Somewhat…
Results of the Witch Cult/Red Lantern War:
Civilian Casualties: 65,000
Witch Cultists Casualties: 416 (Including 5 Sin Archbishops)
Knight Casualties: 212
Red Lantern Casualties: 0
Results: Extermination of the Witch's Cult, Destruction of Priestella, Victory for the Red Lantern Corps and acquisition of Priestella as a test site for Ovidius Loman.
"Subaru-sama."
"Hey Wilhelm."
Subaru was on a rooftop watching as several divisions of the Kingdom's military had now come pouring into the city, trying to aid wherever they could.
He stretched his neck, before cracking his knuckles and turning to face Wilhelm.
"What's up?"
"It is it the matter of our final member."
"Oh?"
Just like that, the unnamed woman flew down to meet with them. Though she seemed brave in the night, she seemed quite cautious as of now. Subaru rubbed his shut eye, still swollen from his previous fight.
"So you're the new girl."
"Um, yes."
"What's your name?"
"...UM….I don't have one."
Both Subaru and Wilhelm let out sympathetic gasps, both of them realizing just how unfortunate this girl was.
"I see…"
"Well, I feel as though it's my responsibility to take you in."
"Take me? In?"
"Yeah, I don't know what you're living accommodations are, but I was hoping you'd come with us. We have a huge mansion with the best maids around, so it should be fine."
"Oh...that'd be nice."
She then timidly smiled.
"I'll accept your offer. Subaru was it?"
"Sure, now about your name."
Subaru rubbed his chin, gazing at her face. Of course this made her uncomfortable, but she noticed his eye and was interested.
"You hair, different colors, like...a rainbow."
"Rain? Bow?"
"Do you not know what a rainbow is?"
He then made a construct hologram of one, even if it was completely red. Instantly she was excited by it.
"Oh! Those things that show up after it rains. I was never told what they were called."
"Oh, man. Sorry."
"No. It's okay."
He walked over startling her, but when he reached out, she shut her eyes.
Only to feel a warm pleasure on the top of her head. Glancing up, she saw Subaru patting her head.
"You've risen through all your hardship to get to this point. You should be proud."
"I…"
A memory of her faceless mother patting her head flashed across her mind, making her tear up. It was the last happy memory she had with her.
With her smile, Subaru decided.
Creating constructs of japanese kanji, they floated there.
They were: 虹の上昇
"Rainbow, Rising. In this case, Niji no josho."
"...!"
"Your name is now, Nijino Josho."
Happy tears streamed down her cheeks, as she made a big bashful smile.
Wilhelm nodded as this woman was given not only her reason to live on, but an existence as a human being.
While Subaru and Wilhelm were chatting with Nijino, Ovidius was sitting on a chair in the middle of the street. Liliana was sitting on his lap.
"Did things have to go this far?"
"Well, I do wish we could have avoided all this damage. Still, we were fighting Sin Archbishops so it was unavoidable."
"Sure, but I was worried you know?"
"Were you now?"
She nodded as she rested her head on his chest.
"You guys put yourselves in these situations, you'd be easily scaring the people who care about you."
"Care about us, huh?"
"Yeah."
He then patted her head, letting her relax. A violinist leaned on a destroyed wall and began playing a sorrowful tune.
Knights were pulling bodies out of rubble, one knight carried the body of small girl, she was alive but unconscious.
Civilians were on the sidewalk, crying and loudly weeping the loss of their loved ones. One old man cried as his grandchildren held him up, seeing the sight of his home which passed along through seven generations have a boat crushed on top of it, was too much for him.
Genau sniffed the ground and peeked over a crumbled wall. He found nothing, upsetting him.
"Hey Nau Nau! Did you find anything~?"
"No Sssssister Mimi. There is no way to completely find her scent."
Mimi made a sour face as she scratched her tail.
"So we can't find Lust? That's soooo dumb~!"
"Yeah, but no worriessss, we'll find her eventually."
"Then we kill her! Flesh and bones all gone~!"
"Exactly!"
The two of them playfully shoved each other, before they flew up and away from the site. Just below them, the black dragon that Wilhelm killed was being moved away by carriages. Unknown to them, this was Garek Thompson transformed by Capella.
With his dragon body being converted to create magic items by Ovidius, this would ensure it...the complete destruction of the Thompson clan.
Reinhard aided a civilian by allowing him to lean on his shoulder, the poor man's legs bent, crushed by debris. He handed him to a fellow knight as a carriage full of injured people left.
Sighing, he caught sight of something, trying to make sure he knew it accurately he dashed to it. Sure enough, it was accurate.
"F-Ferris?"
Ferris turned his head, curled up in a ball next to a wall.
"Do you know me?"
"Y-Yes, we're friends."
"Friends huh?"
Reinhard realized then and there, the unfortunate fate that befell his longtime ally. And with even Reinhard's recollection of Felix's master murky, he figured that his poor friend was now without his memories and home.
So he reached out his hand.
"Felix, please come with me."
"Go with you?"
"Of course, I can't bear to watch you like this anymore. I will help you, if not, then I can make you at least comfortable."
His cat ears twitched for a second, and his body hesitated in reaching his arm out, for a moment...but finally he gave a pained smile.
He took his hand.
In a carriage leaving to the capital, there were families looking back at the smoldering city that was once their fair city.
At the very end, a hooded figure hugging a bag of money sat there. Muttering to, herself, this woman could only plan and strategize. She knew that as of now, she did not have the power. If she had tried to attack them, they'd overpower her, like an ant taking on a wolf...she'd be torn to pieces.
But that would not stop her, the bright determination in her eyes, the strong will in her very core, would not yield.
"...Natsuki Subaru…."
Crusch Karsten, would one day, have her revenge.
Buried under rubble, Mikata Muse was begging for help, but his cries were heard by no one. On top of him, the roof that had collapsed on top of him. And he himself was covered in blood, bits of flesh and someone's bone stabbed into his cheek.
That was because he was surrounded by dead bodies, the employees who worked with and under him. The smell drained his energy, the smoke was messing with his eyes and now his mind was slowly beginning to break.
With the sound of breaking rocks and glass, the rubble was moved off of him, with a red light.
Frederica had the ring toss the rubble aside and gandered at him.
"Well? You're free to go."
Mikata kneeled up and gazed around, seeing the hellish broken landscape ahead, he began to cry. Frederica sighed as she brushed her hair, blood flowing out of her mouth.
It would be after today, that with the trauma of what he experienced, this man would lock himself inside his home, refusing to come out and only conducting his businesses there. Afraid of the rapidly changing world...and he would begin screaming uncontrollably, should anyone mention 'them' to him.
At the capital, people were already whispering about it. The news of the battle in Priestella reached the whole of the country like wildfire.
As people were going about their business, a single pink haired woman stood on a fountain, in along shabby cloak.
"Everyone! Listen! Listen well to this!"
With most of the people there having their attention drawn to her, she continued.
"The battle has occurred! In the city of Priestella, the Witch's Cult has received a devastating blow! Five Sin Archbishops and hundreds of their members, have been brought to justice!"
She pointed to the castle, far off in the distance.
"Yet it was not our council who did it! No! It was not our dignified knights! No! Nor was it the Sword Saint! NO! It was those who have been chosen by Od Laguna, the will of the world! Given the crimson power of rage and destined to purify this world through the fires coursing through their blood!"
The citizens, all began to understand.
"My name is Linnea Helena! A year ago, my shop was under constant harassment by a band of criminals! The council and knights did nothing to help me, even with their powers and status! In the end, with no money, I was forced to give them something in return!"
Lifting up her shirt, they could see the ghastly sight. Her torso was scarred with burn marks and fresh scars.
"They used me, hurt me and forced me to pleasure them! I was mortified, lost the will to live! I knew they would not be brought to justice...UNTIL THAT DAY!"
She pointed up to the sky.
"The warriors clad in the wonderful light of blood red, came to this world! Blessing us all! They eventually hunted this group down to the last member, bringing them to justice! Because that is what they are, are they not?! They have defeated the White Whale, brought divine punishment against the false Dragon Maiden, shattered criminal circles and now have beaten the vile Cult! Are they not the chosen ones, we need?!"
"...Yeah…" and more agreement, "She-She's right!"
Soon more and more people began to agreeing with her, pure frenzy engulfing the crowd.
"They say the Dragon Maidens will bring prosperity to our kingdom! I say no! They instead will bring it to us, NO?!"
"YES!"
"They say the dragon will protect this country?! But where is he now?! Has it not been these select chosen who have protected us?!"
"Y-Yes!"
"Who can we trust?!"
"THEM!"
"SHALL THEY PROTECT US ALL?!"
"YES!"
"What then...WHAT IS THE COLOR OF OUR DESTINED HEROES?!"
"CRIMSON RED!"
"WHY SHALL EVIL AND THE CORRUPTED BE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE BY THEIR HELLISH HATE?!"
"FATE! FATE! FATE FATE!"
"...Tell me, men, women and children of our beloved motherland! Who in the end, are the ones that shall save this kingdom?! TELL ME!"
And in a loud thunderous applause, with all their arms raised, they yelled, screamed, cried and applauded in acrazed spectacle.
"RED LANTERNS! RED LANTERN CORPS! RED LANTERNS! RED LANTERN CORPS!"
"Let us learn the truth of rage, so that one day, we too may be chosen! COME WITH ME! WE SHALL PRAISE THEM WITH ALL OUR STRENGTH! HAIL! HAIL THE RED LANTERN CORPS!"
"HAIL! HAIL! HAIL! HAIL! HAIL! HAIL! HAIL! HAIL! HAIL!"
Everyone, from human to demi-human, market clerks, elderly, children and even some stationed knights were cheering the success of their newfound heroes.
Others watched on in terror, some saw them as heretics and some parents were worried about what this could mean for the future.
The council became quickly aware of this, making several of their senior members worried this could bring descent.
"Imagine it, this could spark a civil war!"
"I think not, as long as the Red Lantern Corps is by Emilia, I don't think they'd go so far."
"And if Natsuki Subaru changed his mind, sees us as a threat to the country? We'd have to have the Royal Knights including Reinhard fight them. Their strength all together could easily match the Sword Saint."
"Should it ever come to that, then we'll deal with it. For now, doing something to them, could actually spark a civil backlash, which could be the spark necessary for war."
The head leader, looked out the window of their meeting room.
"We have to wait and see what happens."
His eyes grew wide, concerned.
Seven red streaks of light flew across the sky.
Emilia got up from her chair and headed out of the room. Once in the hallway, she saw Rem right there, dusting some vases.
"Hey Rem."
"Emilia-sama, good day."
They stood there in awkward silence, before Emilia leaned her back on the wall. She brushed her short hair and smiled a bit.
"It's been stressful for us all, hasn't it?"
"Yes, so much has happened in such a small amount of time."
"...How is your sister?"
"Nee-sama is with Roswaal-sama, she is still angry."
"...I want to believe that the stress is getting to her, but I really don't want to assume things on her behalf."
Rem nodded, rubbing her gloved hand.
"Rem wants everyone to get along."
"I'm sure once Subaru comes back, he'll figure out a way to make it happen."
"Yes, Subaru-kun is amazing like that."
Rem blushed, but also noticed Emilia smiled, her cheeks turning a little pink.
"Emilia-sama…"
"Yes?"
"Rem needs to know."
She stared into her eyes. Blue and violet staring back at each other.
"Do you-"
"-OH! Look, he's back!"
Rem quickly turned around and saw that she was correct. Outside Subaru was touching down to the ground, shrouded in a red energy.
They both happily rushed out, Beatrice not far behind. Then, it seemed it was playful race to see who would get to him first.
Roswaal walked hand in hand with Ram, who had bags under her eyes.
"Are you well enough to seeeee him dear?"
"Naturally, I can keep my composure well enough."
Roswaal nodded happily and they made their way outside.
In the end, it was Beatrice who won and gave Subaru a big hug. Both Rem and Emilia pouted but relented and also side hugged Subaru.
After pleasantries were done...it was Ram who started.
"And how did it go?"
"Well, we were able to kill Five Sin Archbishops, but sadly one got away. Other than that, we exterminated most of them."
Ram, Roswaal, Puck, Beatrice were completely shocked by the news. All of them knew this would raise their status and with their commitment to Emilai, her stae in the Selection was higher than ever.
Emilia and Rem were not surprised and very proud that Subaru accomplished his goal.
Sagittarius hopped over behind Subaru and stood next to Roswaal.
"Sooooo, everything went better than expected?"
"Oh...more than okay."
With a devious smile, Subaru let them know...as the rest of the Red Lantern Corps floated down quickly, landing behind him.
Ram's eyes practically shrunk into nothing, as her worst fear had come to light. Roswaal was anxious, knowing full well that he was now completely forbidden from forming anymore machinations.
Rem and Emilia were stunned, especially now that their hope of freeing Subaru, was now finally stomped out.
Genau hurried over and licked Beatrice's face.
"Bwah! You reek of blood, I suppose!"
"Well duh, I wassss in a big fight."
"Regardless, it is good to see you safe and sound."
Hse scratched behind his ear, making him wag his tail.
Mimi then hopped over and patted him as well.
"Who-Who are you?! Why are you petting Betty's Genau so leisurely, I suppose?!"
"I'm Mimi! I'm a Red Lantern too now~! So I'll be visiting you once in a while to play and eat cookies, right?"
"Absurd! First Genau and now Betty's sweets?! This will have to be dealt with accordingly, I suppose!"
Mimi laughed off a peeved Beatrice, as Genau was in heaven having his head massaged.
Ovidius laughed at the sight as he patted Subaru on the shoulder.
"I've got to show the new guys around, make sure they know protocols and such."
"Okay, be back by dinner, please."
"Naturally."
Wilhelm then did a humble bow.
"Wilhelm-san?! You're a Red Lantern too?"
"Correct Emilia-sama, not only that but as of this moment, I pledge my sword to your camp."
"What happened to your master?"
"Disappeared during the fighting, I don't know more than that."
"Isee, well, um...welcome aboard."
Emilia smiled at him, making him nod proudly, before he continued to follow Ovidius.
Rem nearly fell over when she saw…
"Frederica-onee sama?!"
"Hm? Do I know you?"
"It's Rem! Your maid student! Why are you a Red Lantern?!"
"It just sort of happened. I woke up in that city and suddenly got the ring."
"You...lost your memories?"
"Appears that way. Well, if I knew you before, I guess we'll have to get along again won't we?"
Rem shook her hand, but was both completely heartbroken and frightened.
Heartbroken that the Frederica she knew and loved was essentially gone forever…
But frightened, as she wondered why Frederica ended up in that battlefield in the first place…
Though she ignored it, it was obvious Ram didn't.
Frederica shook hands with Ram, noticing the troubled look on her face.
"You kay, Ram-san?"
"Yes, I am alright. Thank you, Frederica."
"It's okay."
She patted her on the shoulder and hurried to catch up to the others.
Ram clenched her fist, as a single tear formed on her eye, the same one with burned scars around it.
Subaru then got hugged from behind.
"Oh, Nijino."
"Subaru, I need to ask. Who? Who are these girls?"
"Emilia and Rem are their names, two of the most important girls in my life."
Nijino glanced at the both of them, until she snickered.
"Pfft! Uglies."
"UWHAT?!"
A tug of war resulted as Nijino on one side and Emilia with Rem on the other pulled on Subaru.
"We've known Subaru-kun far longer than you! Don't be so clingy to him!"
"I am a Red Lantern like him! He'd be better with me! Than two bimbos like you!"
"B-BIMBOS?!"
With both Emilia and Rem upset, and Nijino childishly sticking her tongue out at them, things looked dire. Subaru tried to calm the situation...but when he tried to call for help, Mimi, Beatrice and Genau already were walking away.
"Genau, help me!"
Genau turned his head...then his stomach growled and then turned back around.
"I'm hungry."
"YOU DAMN GLUTTON, DON'T WALK AWAAAAAAY!"
His scream echoed throughout the territory, leaving him unable to escape.
Later that night, with Beatrice sitting on his lap, Njino by his side and Rem leaning on him, everyone else sat on a couch. He had called a meeting.
"First things first, let's congratulate our newest members for joining us today."
Everyone clapped, all but Ram, who had a face indicative of absolute stress. Roswaal glanced at her, somberly whispering to himself.
"Ram…"
She had a strand of white hair.
Rem clapped along, but with her arms wrapped around Subaru's, with Nijino glaring at the maid.
"But there is one thing I think we should all discuss. Puck, Beako, Roswaal you felt it right?"
"Of course Subaru! I almost blasted out of Lia when I felt! Like something vital broke apart…"
"The Algol Tree."
The three in question held their breaths.
"You...Can't be serious, caaaan you?"
"I am, oh I am. During my Trials in the Sanctuary, that name popped up a bunch of times. I know of the significance of that thing, and what losing it means."
"What do you mean losing it-"
"-It's been destroyed. I don't know how or why it happened, but we saw some weird giant that my ring identified as, um, 'Anti-Monitor', I think? Anyways, he was probably behind it, but he seemed to get destroyed in the process."
Roswaal's world spun into chaos as he began to break into a cold sweat, Puck eyes widened and Beatrice gripped her scarf.
"Which has to do with the fact that I've had to seen all the worlds that have or no longer exist."
"S-Subaru, what do you mean, worlds?"
"Emilia...the truth is…"
He then laid his eyes upon his camp members, his Red Lanterns and throughout his field of vision, remembering the crying silver haired woman...just thinking of it made him tear up. Still, he wiped his eyes clean and clenched his hands into fists.
"I am from a parallel universe."
"Universe?"
"Originally, I came from an entire world that had no magic, no monsters, no knights, nothing like what I see around me."
'That's um, ridiculous? Come on, be serious."
"I AM."
Emilia sensed the dire notes in his voice and noticed his nervousness in what he had to say next. The most important.
"Okay, adding on to that, I have to tell you about that."
His eyes, reflected their visages...his memories flooding back to him.
"Something called, Return by Death."
And with the end of his words, another year would pass.
In a quaint dining room, surrounding by completely luxurious vases, paintings and more. He took a sip of his wine.
"They did a number on Priestella."
"My lord, if there is something to be said of this...is that Lugnica is even more of a threat than ever before!"
"Hm?"
"This Red Lantern Corps power is mind-numbingly ridiculous. We've had guards on the border describing them flying past the clouds, and possibly to the moon!"
"That is trouble."
Placing his cup of wine down, his scratched his chin. This handsome young man with black hair, almond shaped eyes, pale skin and dressed in a plain suit sat there. His eyes sharp, with a power to fill one with dread.
"And our friends?"
"Sir, we have received replies from the Council of Kararagi and the Prince of Gusteko. They have agreed to an alliance, should things go the way we have described."
"Then it's nothing to worry about. With our Cecilus and their Halibel and the Prince himself, I'm not too worried."
"True, each of them has issues with that Corps. Kararagi is angry at them for constant attacks in their country, against Witch Cultists and criminal organizations. And Gusteko is nervous about them secretly making contact with revolutionary sympathizers. All eyes are glued to them."
"Well now…"
He then stared down at the red viscous wine.
"I want to avoid conflict, it causes trouble financially and socially...but those Lanterns have been constantly breaching our border agreements with Lugnica, bringing their fights closer to our nations. So an appropriate action must occur, right?"
He stared at his vassal.
Both nodding.
Vincent Vollachia, the 77th Emperor of Vollachia, surmising the situation between the Kingdoms and the Red Lantern Corps.
"Let's keep an eye on them, shall we?"
TO BE CONTINUED.
AN: Next chapter may take a while, have to figure what stays, goes or what gets hinted at. Until then, see ya!