"Hm"
-Subaru's eyes narrowed in thought
he knew that Emilia may be right - he know that The eye for an eye retribution of violence always seemed a little too easy to be just and sometimes that only made it worse. As there were other ways; the hard work of reconciliation, forgiveness, and understanding could lead to true healing in many instances. It may not seem like enough at first glance but it often had deeper roots than simply striking back with equal force - much more lasting effects on those willing to do the soul-searching involved in finding peace after conflict ... BUT! He can't just settle for that because Subaru realized that true justice would be served on both sides as forgiveness comes only through understanding one another's suffering—and understanding could not come without first feeling real fear and pain themselves, because Mental anguish can resonate through time, just as much as physical pain - leaving scars of sorrow and despair and fear that can last longer than bruises and cuts, and so.
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"Ah!.."
Subaru's body tensed and his eyes flashed with a sinister gleam. He looked up at Reinhardt, a wicked smile tugging the corners of his mouth upward as he finshed formulating the plan that had been swirling in his mind for seconds now. As Subaru stared at his smiling face, he couldn't help but let out a chuckle; with it came an unmistakable message: Through Reinhardt, Subaru will demonstrate his strength in the clearest way possible.
――Now all I need is the right incentives to make him fight me seriously...and of course I know exactly where to start, he thought as he stared back at Emilia, his gaze full of apology but also a malicious glint is lurking in the depths of his black eyes. Unaware, as she carried on cheerfully chatting with Puck as if nothing was happening.
"Emilia-tan!" Subaru's voice, full of energy and joy, rang out in the Colosseum like a clarion call. Before Emilia could answer his call, Subaru moved with an incredible burst of speed that seemed to defy belief, then.
".HK!?"
Emilia felt a tight grip around her throat as she found herself suddenly lifted off the ground against her will. His surprisingly devastatingly powerful hand held firmly around her neck; not fully choking but restraining enough to make it impossible for Emilia to do more than feebly grasp at his wrist with both hands in an attempted escape from his vice-like hold.
"Sub-..h-k!!"
Emilia let out a soft, broken sob as she felt his grip around her neck tighten. Her eyes were wide with shock and betrayal, pain flickering in the depths of them. Tears brimmed at their edges, contagiously imploring him to release her from his grasp. Even in her fear, of daying.
— she couldn't stop herself from looking at him and asked a silent question: why was he doing this to her? There was something about the desperation of that look, the depth of vulnerability in those amethyst eyes begging for mercy, that seemed to speak words louder than any voice ever could.
- and of course Subaru can see that.
"I'm sorry, Emilia-tan," he said softly, "but this had to happen. And Puck!, I advise you not to do that; I'm holding Emilia-tan in my hands and if you attack me then she will be hurt too. Plus -" here he smirked slightly "-I am immune to all attacks so attacking me would be both useless and cruel to her."
" hk!!...You bastered!"
Subaru's eyes twinkled mischievously as they were gazing up at the figure of a small cat hovering suspended in the air while Dozens of sharp ice stones glittered around him like tiny stars.
"RELAESE HER NOW ".
Puck looked down at Subaru with a mixture of fear surprise, intense anger and terror in his eyes, But Subaru did not back down - his gaze was determined, but playful all the same. As he watched Puck closely, unafraid and ready for whatever might come next, and With each second that passed the tension seemed to rise, but not only puck was feeling that way.
"Oh my God, I can't believe what I'm seeing... Is this really the same boy from before?" The blond-haired knight said, with his hand over his mouth in shock. He had obviously been in the palace when the scandal happened.
"WE HAVE TO DO DO SOMETHING!!!...she is a candidate to ascend the throne, damn it" A young blue-haired knight about Subaru's age said as his hand on his sword trembled from fear and indecision.
"Damn it, I'm going to get out of here, I'm done with all this" An old man said, his head was as white as a mountain covered with snow, indicating his old age.
"I don't know what's wrong with you people... but wouldn't it be good if that girl died?" A handsome knight with long green hair said, trying to calm some of his terrified companions.
" WOULD YOU SHUT YOUR MOUTH, JARED? Do you know that if he hurts that girl, it would mean our death" A pink-haired knight said angrily, which nullified Jared's attempt to calm his companions down, and instead more panic and fear spread among them after they realized the intent of that monster.
"THIS IS NONSENSE," The bald knight shouted as he ran to the exit.
And so dread and panic rippled through all over the colosseum, a wave of shock and terror hit every onlooker like an avalanche. Knights and candidates alike all bore witness to Natsuki Subaru's sudden and surprising actions: he who had previously stood up for Emilia the half-elf the same Natsuki Subaru, the same figure who had risen to her defense from the malicious slander of the nobels and knight's alike, at the cost of his dignity, now held her firmly around the neck like a vice while she floated vulnerable and helpless within his grip.
Some decided to escape with their lives, and some others sat motionless, gaping at Natsuki Subaru and his grip on Emilia.
"Don't worry Emilia-tan, this will all be over very, very soon~".
"S-subaru.. plea-HK!!!..."
his face was twisted with a wild joy as he tightened his hold around her neck even more - an act of utmost cruelty enacted without remorse or guilt -- instead there was an expression that seemed to indicate his enjoyment as she hovered helplessly in midair, unable even to struggle against him.
――This bastard.
While the great spirit of fire was also rendered immobile; hopelessly powerless watching unable to do a thing against this display of force, unable to do anything but stand by mutely watching his master and daughter endure such a cruelty.
"Heh~"
Subaru smirked wickedly as he surveyed the expressions of horror and shock on the faces of the knights and candidates. Reinhardt scowled, ready to pounce from above like a wild animal, but his movements were restrained by his fear that the royal candidate Emilia, would be put in any danger if he acted too rashly. Julius was similarly stymied from attacking due to this same fear - it seemed that nothing could move him while she was still Subaru's hostage her presence made them hesitant to act rashly lest she be harmed.
With a smug look, Subaru uttered quietly under his breath with "If this is how they react now…I can't wait for how they will react to what happens next." Subaru smirked, eyes cold and calculating. His gaze shifted from Reinhardt to Julius, each man standing tense in anticipation of his next move as Emilia was still restrained by his super-human grip.
" you are truly extraordinary and your capabilities unexpected O, Prince of lightning and thunder." Everyone was awestruck and aghast at the unfolding events, except for the Sun Princess whose admiration shone down on Subaru. She hadn't anticipated what would transpire, and uttered her surprise in a loud voice.
Her words cut through the dense atmosphere like a sharp blade, causing those around her to look up at her in stunned silence.
-She of course felt the collective gaze of the room upon her, so.
"In such a critical situation," she began coolly, "I think it is important to compliment that which we fear and find so intensely anxiety-inducing. That shows respect and understanding of our sense of danger rather than just running away from it in panic likefools." She stared around at them knowingly as if daring anyone present to challenge her assessment or suggest she was crazy for thinking this way.
But no one had the patience or energy to engage with her. The room was silent and tense as attention shifted towards the chaos outside.
-Not a single word was spoken, the atmosphere frozen in time. It seemed like years had passed and yet it was only a few fleeting seconds until...
"I will talk to him and find out about his intention".
The green-haired candidate spoke in a clear and powerful tone, her amber eyes scanning the faces of the group. as Anastasia simply nodded in acknowledgement while Priscilla shrugged indifferently before turning back to observe from the balcony, while Reinhardt...
" You may Come Crusch-sama, I will protect you while you talk to him".
Reinhardt said as he stood on the balcony's edge, a firm and determined expression on his face. He extended his hand to the green-haired candidate.
"Thank you Reinhardt-sama"
She flashed him a smile of Gratitude as she carefully took his hand, leading her forward with graceful steps towards the balcony edge. And With one last look at Reinhardt.
"it's now or never, everyone depends on me now."
Crush watched from the balcony as Natsuki Subaru stood below, his fingers pressed around Emilia's neck in a deathly grip. As She looked at him with fear-filled eyes, trembling and desperate for help. The sky was growing darker above them, and she felt an electric energy all around them. Even if she wanted to move from her spot on the balcony, it seemed that some invisible force was keeping her there.
"It's okay Crusch-sama you can do it"
"Hm?"
Reinhardt, his kind blue eyes set in a chiseled face, stood at her side with an encouraging smile. His steady presence gave Crusch the courage she was lacking moments before; though nervousness still lingered like fog over the lake on a cold morning, it had lessened - if only slightly - but enough to channel strength from within and release into words what she desperately needed to say.
"Thank you again Reinhardt-sama"
She smiled at him, gratefully then turned to Subaru. Her face became firm and determined as she prepared for whatever might come next. Her expression was like stone; resolute and unyielding yet gentle in its resolve. A softness tucked beneath the hard angles of her chin made it almost seem that even if life were to throw rocks at her, she would remain standing with determination etched on every line of her body, and so.
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"NATSUKI SUBARU" she said loudly, pausing for dramatic effect as all eyes in the Colosseum turned to her. The tension was palpable as she continued "I CAN'T BELIEVE WHAT I'M SEEING. ARE YOU REALLY GOING TO HURT THE SAME GIRL YOU SACRIFICED YOUR DIGNITY AND ALMOST YOUR LIFE JUST FOR? WAS EVERYTHING YOU SAID IN FRONT OF THE WISE MEN A LIE?" She stood tall as she addressed Subaru with a strong voice and an unwavering gaze.
Subaru, on the receiving end of her statement simply shrugged his shoulders in response "That wasn't a lie. In fact, I loved this girl."He said in a calm yet resounding voice, though there was an unmistakable tremor to it. Everyone's eyes widened with shock and surprise at his proclamation, none more so than Emilia whose disbelief was such that even the precarious situation of being suspended by her neck in mid-air could not contain her reaction. Before anyone could say anything "But now I don't really know how I feel about her."
"THEN WHY DO THI-!!"Crusch opened her mouth to try and speak again, but.
" SUBARU, FOR THE LAST TIME," he began in a voice loud and clear. He paused as more ice rocks formed around him in the air, creating an aura of sharpness and chill that silenced everyone's including crusch's. Puck's words hung in the air like cold stones suspended by sorcery-like power as he continued with finality: "Leave my daughter alone. I'm warning you." His words reverberated through the air, a stark warning that left everyone silent as He floated before subaru with an icy gaze A chill ran down everyone spines as Puck's power filled the colosseum and sharp ice rocks formed around him in the air. Everyone was transfixed by his authority; one moment of lucidity had been enough to enlighten them all even subaru was shoked for a moment – but only for a moment.
"I really didn't expect you to have such a strong aura," he said teasingly . "You must be stronger than you look - and please don't look at me with that hateful look because I'm complimenting you right now... Besides, we're not enemies, right?"
Puck's voice was cold as steel. "No, we became enemies the moment you decided to think about putting your hands on my daughter with the intention of harming her," he said slowly, his gaze never leaving subaru before him. "So now I advise you to put my daughter down and if you do that, I will forgive your mistake. But know this – if even one finger lands on her in a menacing way or intent - there is no going back from what's gonna happem-!!."
"Okay, as you wish~."
Subaru grinned as what he said surprised Puck and everyone around them. But the momentary respite was soon interrupted as a loud rumble of thunder filled the sky, drawing everyone's attention to Subaru. The energy in the air shifted from one of surprise to ominous fear, as all realised who had called forth such powerful forces.
"..S-ubaru...p-lease st-op..hk!."
Emilia looked into Subaru's eyes with tears streaming down her face, pleading desperately for mercy. The terror she felt was palpable in the air around them, and she could barely keep herself from trembling as she tried to bargain using every breath that left her lungs. As She new and like everyone else what's gonna happen next, but.
"I'm sorry Emilia, as I said before, you have to go, so"
BOOOOOOM
Suddenly, the sky above them erupted in unnatural lightning bolts. Red as burning embers, like a flash of blood on a white sheet, they swirled in menacing patterns and sent out blinding flares that illuminated the colosseum with an eerie red light. The audience gasped at this unearthly display of power and terror seemed to ripple through everyone there as they watched this strange spectacle continue to grow as the electric curtains cascaded across the heavens, gathering towards what at first appeared to be a concentrated center – until something else entirely coalesced into view Then came one final jolt.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!
an enormous bloody-red lightning bolt that descended from the heavens like a coiled snake and.
BOOOOOOM!!
struck directly at Emilia, Subaru, and puck lighting up every corner of the colosseum.
Everyone was overcome by fear and awe, covering their eyes to protect themselves from the red light emanating from the centre of the Colosseum. A shield of darkness covered up most of this strange and powerful sign, yet it seemed impossible to avoid looking at its glowing intensity. All but one gazed away in terror, not wanting even a glimpse.
"Fascinating!"
all except for her: the sun Princess Priscilla. As She viewed it with a captivating fascination - an enthralling sense of wonderment that could not be silenced by fear. Even in that moment where hysteria and terror were palpable, she embraced this mysterious sight without faltering or faultering - despite her instinct shouting otherwise.
And so the sinister red light that had bludgeoned its way through the air like a raging bull, painting everything in sight an unsettling shade of crimson and The raucous roar of the thunder, like a million voices in concert, had finally dissipated.This gave way to an eerie feeling that washed over the Colosseum as if a cold wind had suddenly passed through it, As if trying to shield their eyes from a great and terrible truth, those present opened them with trepidatious hesitance and regret.
And What they saw was still more horrendous than what came before as it left them trembling with fear and revulsion.
"Oh my God," the green-haired candidate exclaimed in shock, her eyes wide with horror. Anastasia shared the same feeling of dread; her stomach seemed to drop and freeze as she watched. Every muscle tensed at once and a cold chill ran through her body. She was rooted to the spot, unable to look away from what had just occurred.
-for in the middle of this, grand colosseum.
In the center of destruction, Natsuki Subaru stood with Emilia held tightly by her neck. Smoke transparently swirled around them like a veil as it rose from deep cracks in the earth beneath their feet; although such details were trivial for now at present. As All that mattered was that he was still holding Emilia by her neck. Or rather her charred bone structure Its surface was baked into an eerie blackness and seemed to ripple with heat even though all other life had been consumed in the lightning strike that hit her.
Subaru clenched his jaw and spoke in a low voice, full of sadness, His words left his lips slowly, each one filled with remorse. "I don't know if the apology that's on my lips can make up for what I've done, but forgive me nonetheless. Too much has occurred to ever undo it now; in this moment, I cannot even bring myself to forgive myself. But so it must be – goodbyes are too often spoken in times such as these, and with a heavy heart Emilia-Tan ... please fade away into memories past..hk!.." in the end he blinked back tears as he said, his words heavy with sadness and regret, "It's all my fault- I'm sorry. So very sorry." And then He looked at the skeletal remains before him – that had been a living girl only minutes ago –and With trembling hands, he curled them around the charred neck until it crumbled away into dust and scattered in the air His grip then loosened and he opened up his hand to reveal a charred skeletal remains; little by little they disintegrated in the air until all that remained was a light dusting of ash resting at the tips of Subaru's fingers like memories from long-ago dreams…
"SUBARU WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!?"
Subaru's jaw locked tight as he heard the familiar strong, elegant voice.
――your too late Reinhardt, he thought as He refused to look at the voice owner instead he turned to look at Julius who was still on a state of disbelief.
"Well Julius you will be next".
"Wha!?"
Subaru blinked and suddenly he was standing in front of Julius and Felix, who were pale with surprise. Their expressions switched instantly from confusion to shock as they realized what had just happened; Subaru had teleported from one place to another in the blink of an eye. They both stared at him wide-eyed and open-mouthed while Subaru smiled slightly back at them still teary eyed.
"I'm so really sorry for what I'm about to do to you, Julius"
But the moment of surprise passed quickly and was replaced by an emergency look in Julius's eyes, as he waved a sword at Subaru's neck. Instinctively.
"Eh?"
But Subaru was faster, as if in instinct, his hand shooting out faster than the eye could follow. With a firm grip, he clamped onto Julius's wrist and seized control of it like iron tongs. The power behind the movement was so great that no matter how hard Julius tried to wrestle free from Subaru's grasp he could not loosen his hold as if an invisible force was holding them there. In less than an instant, without giving him time to make any counter move or launch any significant resistance; Subaru had snatched away what little edge in battle that Julius had manufactured for.
"NO!! I Wont give...UP!!"
Still Julius wildly tugged and twisted his wrists in a frantic effort to break loose from Subaru's clench, but the Boy's grip held steadfast as if it were made of iron. It was like his wrists were locked in place by a force much stronger than that of mere human strength, something more than supernatural or magical that he could not escape no matter how hard he fought against it - like trying to move one's hands through dry cement.
So in the end Julius saw that he had no other choice and, with a sense of resignation, turned to Felix for the last time. His voice was low and deliberate as he said
"Run now."
Felix's heart raced as his friend's words of warning sunk in. He was hesitant at first, questioning if this truly was the only option before him, one that felt so foreign yet warranted. He knew he must take a leap of faith for the betterment of himself and run away from what seemed like an inevitable death so.
"Iam so...s-sorry"
And With a swift breath to steady his nerves and steel himself against fear, Felix took off - feet pounding into dirt with each powerful stride as he ran away from the inevitable death for just a few meters until.
"AHAHAAAAAAAG-K!!.."
Felix's heart stopped as Julius' piercing screams of agony filled the air. They seemed to reach into his very soul and he froze in place, unable to move or look away. He slowly turned around, trepidatious of what he might find. And.
"HK!!"
Julius struggling helplessly in Subaru's iron grip, his body held immobile against its captor. Subaru laughed cruelly, taking delight in the terror he was causing as he unleashed his horrific power down upon him. Yellow thunderbolts crackled through both of Subaru's arms and were conveyed straight to Julius, who screamed out desperately from the sheer force of it all. Smoke rose up from every inch of his burning body which became more and more disfigured by each passing second; a sight so horrifying that it caused fear to course through those who watched.
"N-no t-his can't be.."
Felix felt helplessness wash over him. He knew that if he went there, his friend's sacrifice would be useless. All he could do was to Desperately, search with his eyes for the only person who might be able to help – someone powerful enough to end this nightmare – but.
"No this is not real this can't be real this is hk!..."
Felix's last hope was obliterated when he saw the person he had been searching for, stuck in a cage of blue powerful lightning bolts. Reinhardt grabbed hold of the bars of lightning and began to wrench them apart with all his strength, desperation radiating from every pore as his body writhed and strained against the unyielding energy made bars. With each tug and twist new burns deepened on his skin; yet still, no matter how hard Reinhardt worked or how determinedly he clung to those bars, they refused to give way, but nevertheless seeing his friends in danger he hurled himself against them again and again with each new effort leaving him more singed by its electricity than before. Yet no matter how many times persevered, each attempt only proved unsuccessful as there seemed to be no possible logic that could break through such strength and power.
"Hk!..This is hopeless "
Felix felt his heart sink, as if he had been thrown into a deep pit. He knew that there was no escape from the monster before them. No matter how hard they fought, it would be futile in the face of such overwhelming power. The strongest knight or even the Great Spirit Fire could not do anything against him - and what chance did Felix have? He bowed his head in defeat and silently accepted that this battle was over; all he could do now was surrender to an inevitable fate.
"FELIX!!"
"Hmm?"
But suddenly a voice like none other, warm and strong, carried on the wind. It was more than familiar; it was a voice that he never tired of hearing—the one belonging to her. This time however, there an urgency to the tone; his name called out in desperation And so naturally he turned around just to catch sight of.
"C-crusch-sama?"
He can see his lady Crush sprinting through the crowd, her eyes locked on him. She had a firm and desperate face, set in determination and fear. She dodged past those who stumbled as they ran the opposite direction, dodging outstretched arms hoping to grab onto her for support. The screams of terror echoed around her as she broke free from the mass into an open patch of ground where Felix stood facing towards her.
" please Wake-up felix We have to get out of here right now, it's not safe anymore here"
despair and defeat was written all over his face. As he remained motionless; a statue of despair and defeat. Laying her hands upon him firmly she looked deep into his eyes with concern urging him to wake up from this dark slumber and surrender himself to hope again.
"Please Felix, we have to leave here now before that monster comes and kills us too, so please wake up... please... don't give up."
He was broken somehow – overwhelmed- yet still she stood before him in an effort to save what could still be salvaged.
"FELIX PLEAS!!..."
She was desperate to get away from that monsters terror that had been unleashed on them, her eyes wide and liquid with fear but unlike him she is still determined.
――Crusch-sama?, he thought.
Felix had never seen her like this before; only on the rarest of occasions could he remember seeing such a face. It almost broke his heart to see his lady Crusch the most courageous and determined in such turmoil. He wanted more than anything to give in and answer her plea for escape.
"..."
but where would they go? He saw that the monster that killed Julius was fast, much faster than either of them; if they ran he feared he would still catch up quickly. Fear froze Felix's feet as his mind raced frantically searching for a plan… "Please run away!"
"hk!.."
He suddenly remembered the words of his friend who had just died, his brother in arm. His friend who had sacrificed himself for his chance of survival though it was small and uncertain. In that moment Felix knew what he must do.
"N-No.."
his resolve crystallized within him like ice hardening at its core in springtime's first chill. If he hesitated now, it would be an insult to everything his fallen friend stood for - an affront not only to memory, but also his courage and honour itself, and only that, also.
"Crusch-sama" he murmured lowly as His sorrow-filled eyes rested on his beloved lady Crusch, her features illuminated by the flashes of lightning that slashed through the darkness of the ashy filled air around them. Through his weepy vision, he saw a glint in her expression as she frantically and desperately tried to help him. A strange wave of delight surged through him like an electric shock as he realized how much this woman cared and valued him more than herself--even in such a desperate time.
BoooooooM!
But despite it all, reality set in with abrupt finality; there was no time left for pleasantries or lingering glances--they had to run or face certain death.
"FELIX FELIX PLEAS WE HA--!"
"Don't worry, crush-sama, I'm fine now: he finally responded after washing away all the fear and despair he had been feeling only moments ago.
