A/N: Brief warning, a character is now entering the story who technically doesn't appear until Arc 5 (season 3 of the anime.) Though this story obviously differs heavily from canon and thus won't have spoilers from it for now, everything about said character is from canon. Just a heads up if you're afraid of spoiling a character you've never seen before!
Chapter Seventeen
A Fate in Chains
Ever since the campaigning for the Royal Selection began, The Royal Capital of Lugunica had slowly become more and more involved in the happenings, with many taking sides and expressing their beliefs about the candidate that they believed in most.
Many spots in the city featured large sign boards that became central points of discussions, featuring images, promises, and even propaganda slung towards one candidate or another, with every single one garnering some kind of hatred for one reason or another.
"She's a devil, a witch!"
"It's true, isn't it? That Kararagi girl was attacked?"
"Is this the best the country can look forward to? Foreigners and trouble-makers?!"
Little did those citizens know just how correct they truly were in some of their worries and assumptions, the darkness that lurked beneath the surface of the selection threatening to take hold if nothing was done about it.
A particular woman with long blonde hair stood amongst a crowd that was in the middle of a heated argument. She didn't care about what was happening around her, instead, her eyes were focused on a particular sketch of the candidate named Emilia, which had been scratched and marked up by a vandal, causing the uproar.
She bared her sharp teeth in frustration at seeing that face again. That girl– no, that witch– had done something to her brother and her Master, she was sure of it. It was only a matter of time before she got them embroiled into something that cannot be fixed.
Echidna…
Turning in a huff before she lost her nerves, the blonde pushed her way through the crowd, pulling her hood more over her head to conceal herself. After all, she couldn't be sure who might be lurking and watching, especially with how volatile the world was right now.
As soon as she reached the edge of the crowd, she froze, feeling eyes look upon her. Turning her head ever so slightly, she could see a particular man in the white garb of a Royal Knight gazing her way. Something about the white-and-red haired man sent a shiver up her spine, and she quickly retreated. The fact that he'd picked her out of the crowd was quite terrifying, and only reinforced her worries.
Putting her back to the wall of an alleyway, the blonde finally stopped after a while of briskly rushing through the streets, catching her breath.
I have to find him, she thought, remembering the haunting words that a certain pink-haired maid had told her, and the person she'd spoken of.
Natsuki Subaru…
Four Days Later….
The light dripping of water falling from the ceiling had already been deafened out by Subaru after a week straight of hearing it. At first, he'd wondered if it was there to drive him mad, but nobody would answer his questions about it nor did they seem interested in speaking to him at all.
Shifting his body a bit, the boy groaned, feeling the strain on his wrists from the iron cuffs that were chained multiple times to the stone wall behind him.
Being held in a position for this long, being unable to properly lay down, sit down, or stand, was hell at this point. Subaru couldn't imagine it being any worse, even though his first day here in the dungeon certainly had him imagining medieval torture methods from his world that would certainly be much, much worse.
He was fed, he was watered, but otherwise, Subaru was kept in silence.
The one saving grace the boy received was when the crazed Sword Saint had visited him three days into his stay. Reinhard van Astrea had expressed regrets that it had to be this way, and stated that Subaru was in the worst dungeon that the city had to offer, for only the most heinous of crimes.
Even the grating voice of that man would be music to Subaru's ears by now, however. He'd spent another 4 days since then in absolute harrowing silence, and by now his thoughts had become numb.
Drip.
Drip.
Drip.
Subaru raised his head, his vision blurry in the darkness of the cell. He wasn't sure why, but something made him look around at that moment, scanning the same things he'd seen for several days now.
"Hmm…?"
The thoughtful noise hadn't come from Subaru, but he could only imagine it was all in his head. That is, until somebody dropped down from above, landing expertly in front of him.
"This place is more dreary than I could have ever imagined," came a woman's soothing voice, along with a soft giggle. "It oddly reminds me of home, though.~"
The voice was one that Subaru recognized, but he wasn't exactly in the right state of mind to remember. He looked up towards the shadowy figure of the woman as she stood and approached, her hand reaching out to softly caress his face, violet eyes piercing through the darkness to stare at him.
"Subaru.. I finally found you," she said, her free hand bringing something that glinted for a moment towards him. "I have a message from my adorable sister. So listen up, okay?"
Sister…
Subaru blinked, his mind starting to get going a bit. He tensed, looking into those eyes, everything starting to come back to him.
Elsa Granhiert. The assassin had somehow broken into the dungeon and had come to… To what? The answer should have been obvious to Subaru, but the fact that she had mentioned Meili, perhaps–
The knife slammed into Subaru's gut just when he thought that he'd gotten it all figured out again. He gasped, feeling the blade twist slowly, while Elsa leaned in close to his ear, her soft lips brushing lightly against it.
"She has regrets, but… Meili wanted you to not suffer anymore," she whispered. "And I couldn't stand her being so sad all the time.~"
Elsa ripped the knife back, and just as Subaru let out a muted yell of agony, she jammed the blade under his chin, straight up into his head.
Subaru died in an instant, his mind flashing with renewed memories of everything that had happened so far. Things he'd forgotten in the numbness and darkness of the past week, people he cared for, things he needed to do. It all slammed into him like a bright light, and in that singular moment upon his death, Subaru knew he couldn't rot away here forever.
…Then, as quickly as he had died, he returned to life.
Gasping and panting, Subaru lost his lunch on the ground before himself, struggling against the chains and looking around the dark room fearfully.
"Hmm? Is the food not to your liking? I can't say I'm surprised."
Subaru looked up, tensed, but saw that it was Reinhard van Astrea, the knight staring down at him with a strange look of amusement on his face. A torch had been placed nearby, illuminating the room and the knight.
Four…days ago…
Subaru coughed and spat, shaking his head, trying to clear the fog in his mind. He'd gone back to his third day in the dungeon. It wasn't enough, was it? By now, everything could have gone terribly.
No, that's not true, he thought, remembering Elsa's words. It seemed that, at the very least, Meili was fine. Maybe she'd found her sister to help, but that in itself held many issues. Dammit… I need to get the hell out of here!
"Well, this has all been… Interesting," Reinhard said, taking a step further back and doing his best not to look at the mess Subaru had made. "But I had only come due to the insistence of my lady. I will make sure that she knows you are fine and well–"
"Felt… right?"
The knight narrowed his eyes at the boy. "The future Empress of Lugunica, yes."
Subaru smiled a bit, unsure why since he didn't exactly feel happy in that moment. He remembered that feisty girl from his first day in this world, and wondered just how the hell she'd ended up in that sort of situation.
"I think I'd really.. Like to speak to her–"
"Out of the question. This is no such place for her," Reinhard scoffed.
"Wouldn't want her to be sad, right…?" Subaru looked up towards the man, the disgust on Reinhard's face apparent. "That I'm… suffering in here."
"That is quite the good point I suppose the smallest of lies for my lady's sake that you are doing quite well will be in order."
Subaru mentally kicked himself, and let out a desperate laugh. "You think she won't find out? The fact that you'd even think about lying to her means that you're not as high and mighty as you sa–"
His outburst was interrupted when Reinhard suddenly slammed his boot into his face, sending him back against the wall. In a daze, Subaru slumped forward as far as the chains would allow, before the knight grabbed his chin and made him look up at him.
"You would do well to bite that tongue off and simply die about now," the Sword Saint hissed.
"Y…You…"
"Hm?"
"You're… in my… puke…"
"Gah–!"
Reinhard let go and stumbled back, looking down to see that, indeed, he had stepped right into it. Angrily, the man began to try and scrape it onto the nearby wall, and Subaru let out a pitiful laugh at the sight of it.
"Say, has anyone else asked about me? Out there."
"Even if they did, you are in a deep and dark dungeon where scum like you belong, and nobody will ever hear you scream. You will be forgotten, Natsuki Subaru" the man said bitterly, stopping his antics and taking a deep breath, trying to compose himself.
Subaru knew he wasn't making good headway on getting out of place, but seeing the Sword Saint get so worked up was oddly rewarding in itself. Even if he rotted here for another four days and died at the hands of Elsa yet again, it might be worth it in the end.
After a few moments, a smile and a look of madness entered Reinhard's eyes as he looked to Subaru again.
"You are quite interesting though, I must say. I would sully my blade just to kill you right here and now, but… It is as you say. I cannot do such a disservice to my lady."
With a small laugh, the knight shook his head and turned towards the iron door, grabbing the torch and knocking three times upon the metal. The door soon opened up and he took a step towards it, before pausing.
"Ah… I had wanted to merely visit and leave as quickly as possible, but since I am still here…" He reached into an inner pocket of his uniform, retrieving something there and tossing it back towards Subaru. "I was asked to give you this. If it ignites hope in your heart, it will be exciting to watch you fall once more into madness and despair again."
Reinhard van Astrea laughed as he left, the door being shut firm behind him. Now stuck in darkness once again, Subaru blinkedand tried to let his eyes adjust once more, thinking about what had just happened.
Last time, he didn't give me anything, he thought, staring down towards the floor. Was it because I just let him leave quickly?
Thankfully, whatever the knight had thrown hadn't ended up in the mess in front of Subaru. However, he couldn't exactly tell what it was, until it began to glow a faint blue. It appeared to be some kind of small blue crystal, and he scowled in annoyance at being unable to reach out and grab it.
"…This is what was to be expected, I suppose."
The voice was faint, but it made Subaru's heart pound in recognition. He hesitated, unsure whether his delusions were catching up with him.
"Beako..?"
"Hmph, Betty is glad that she was not completely forgotten—"
Subaru smiled, feeling tears in his eyes. He wasn't doomed after all, it seemed. The outside world still cared to reach out for him, after what felt like an eternity in chains. The memory of being killed by Elsa returned to him, the pain making his gut twist up in knots again.
"Thank you," he said, sobbing a bit, shaking his head, trying to fight away the pain.
"Are you.." Beatrice trailed off as Subaru tried and failed to compose himself. "Well, then just listen, I suppose. This is the only time we can communicate most likely—"
"We cannot save you, Subaru."
Subaru's eyes widened. He waited a few moments for a catch, but… There was none.
"The assault on the White Whale is postponed, but that knight, Julius, insists the honor of Miss Hoshin is at stake," she continued. "Betty does not understand the chivalrous act, but.. Regardless, this was our only means to find and tell you."
"Then.. is Anastasia..?"
"She is alive, but.. Subaru.." The spirit girl paused for a moment. "Betty… Still wants to help, and must ask if Subaru has any ideas, I suppose."
Subaru wished he could wipe his tears away, getting a bit frustrated as he blinked rapidly and tried to rack his brain around it all.
They can't save me? But.. everyone's okay, that means I just need someone who can make the trip to bust me out, right?
Reluctantly, he could only think of one person— the very woman who would have appeared regardless four days from now, likely after they lost hope of Subaru ever contacting them.
"Elsa Granhiert.. the Bowel Hunter," he began. "If Meili can find her and convince her to rescue me, there might be a shot. Just… a hunch
"That just sounds incredibly stupid, but I suppose that is your way."
"I bet you made a smug expression when you said that," Subaru said with a chuckle. "Hey… We have a lot to talk about, right? When I'm out of here."
"…I suppose."
"Then stay safe til then, alright? Tell everyone… I'm doing fine," he lied. "I've been working on meditating and this has uh.. helped a lot."
"Hmph… You really are a fool."
"But I bet you smiled just now."
The light in the small crystal began to dim, and Subaru opened his mouth to speak again, but instead watched the light fade and then dim out. Whatever magic had been used was either gone, or the connection was severed— either way, he felt a lot better now being able to get a message out there.
I have a means of escape, it'll just take time, he thought hopefully. Well, if it works.. But still. There's hope for Natsuki Subaru to escape yet again!
A cheep from nearby made Subaru look down, gasping in surprise when he saw a rat near his puke on the ground.
"Shoo, shoo," he said, trying to rattle his chains, but the beady eyed animal just stared at him. "Come on man, I wouldn't make for a tasty—"
Before his very eyes, the creature began to shift and change.
"—meal?"
What looked like dark sludge poured from the creature's body, a foul odor filling the room that nearly made Subaru double over again, as it began to grow and shift, rising higher and higher til it almost seemed to take a humanoid form.
"To hear you speak of my children so fondly, that is pretty disgusting.~"
Retching and tearing up, Subaru looked on in horror as a slender arm reached out from the sludge, a soft hand touching his face. He winced, remembering Elsa doing the same.
"Children..?" Subaru was tempted to bite that hand in a premeditated attack, but he suddenly realized something.
It's.. her..?
Meili had warned him about their 'Mother', the leader of the Assassin Organization who could mysteriously change herself and others. Seeing it now, Subaru wasn't surprised by how scared the girl had been.
From the sludge, the face and body of a young, slender girl emerged, with blonde hair and red eyes. She held an uncanny resemblance to someone else he knew, though it was a bit hazy since he hadn't seen her in a long while now.
"Felt..?"
The girl cackled. "What an idiot! You should see your face right about now, so ugly and desperate!~"
Looking closer, it clearly was not that girl's appearance, but the resemblance was certainly there. He moved away from her touch, but she suddenly grabbed his hair and leaned in close, staring at him with a mischievous grin.
"When the gospel said to come to this boring place, I expected to find a new worshiper to grovel at my feet," she spat. "But I just found a pathetic man who looks like he wants to soil himself!"
Subaru felt something in his body, and he gasped, trying to look down at himself but being pulled to look at the girl again.
"I guess that would acceptable, but then you dare be so casual with my children? Scoff!"
"Did… did you just say 'scoff'?"
"And what if I did?" There was another weird feeling in Subaru's body, and he felt himself from the torso down go numb. "You should have already begged me for a taste, begged me to be under my foot, and yet you still look so ugly!"
The girl finally let go of him, and Subaru slumped back, finally able to look down at himself.
…And the horrors that awaited him were beyond his comprehension.
"W.. wha.. whagghh…"
His voice turning to a garble, Subaru coughed up a mouthful of something green and disgusting, his vision going hazy.
"That's right! I alone deserve all the love and attention in the world, anyone else can just… get stomped out!" Those last words were spat angrily by the girl.
Subaru's body from the neck down had been transformed into a grotesque form reminiscent of an insect. It was disgusting, twitchy, oozy… His mind couldn't even comprehend what was happening, everything inside of him feeling wrong.
"Stomped out like the insects they are," she said, followed by a giggle. "By I, Capella, Sin Archbishop of Lust.~"
…Then, Subaru's head was stomped in repeatedly, before it exploded against the wall.
"Well, this has all been interesting… Hm? Are you.. having an attack or something?"
Subaru felt numb. The words of Reinhard van Astrea sounded distant to him, as his eyes went wide and searched desperately around the room. He looked, and looked, trying to find a sign of her, of that.. thing that had killed him.
Capella… Sin… Lust… Capella… Capella…
His mind was filled with that name, of the implications, of the imminent and awful danger that awaited him. He couldn't see her anywhere, but could she be a fly on the wall somewhere, impossible to see? There was no way to tell.
A… fly…
Subaru threw up, much to the disdain of the Sword Saint. The man looked down at Subaru with disgust as the boy sobbed and hurled, shaking his head and turning away.
"That is quite the overreaction, this place is awful but you aren't being fed trash or anything," the man said with a sigh.
Subaru didn't let up, dry heaving and staring at the mess on the ground. He tried to forget it all, but it was impossible.
"Are you truly suffering so much?"
Those words from the Sword Saint gave Subaru pause, almost echoing what Ram had asked him on his first day in Lugunica. He looked up, drooling from mouth and nose, eyes wide with terror, and gazed at the man.
"…Yes…"
Taking a moment to think, Reinhard eventually reached into his jacket and produced the blue gem. He took a reluctant step towards Subaru and the mess he made, holding it out.
"I was told—"
"Break it! Destroy it!"
Surprised by Subaru's seemingly unprompted outburst, the man looked down at the gemstone in his hand.
"I've seen that look before. Madness driven from desperation," he said with a grin, nodding approvingly. "Well Subaru, whatever is going on in that crazy mind of yours, I may need to see you again sometime. I have just the cure for it."
Closing his hand around the crystal, Reinhard easily destroyed it, leaving just tiny shards of blue dust remaining. He dropped it onto the stone floor and retrieved the torch from beside the door.
"Try not to kill yourself before then."
With that, the Sword Saint left, seeming a bit pleased with how things had gone. Subaru, meanwhile, stared down at the blue crystal fragments on the floor.
I'm… sorry, Beako..
Based on his first time surviving til Elsa entered the fray, Subaru could only hope that not communicating via the crystal and never mentioning Meili or Elsa would keep Capella at bay. After all, what use was he as a crazed, defeated guy locked in chains?
Still, he had time. Despite how dreadful he felt in that moment, Subaru grinned a disgusting grin, feeling that he could overcome any struggle thrown his way in that moment.
Send em all… The entire Witch Cult… I'll win every… time…
The Next Day…
There was a quick flourish of a blade, and the blonde woman's hood was sliced cleanly from her cloak.
Surprised by the sudden attack, she spun to see the knight that had gazed at her earlier approaching, sword in hand, and a wry smile on his face.
"Apologies, I wished to get a look at you," he spoke nonchalantly. "I am Reinhard van Astrea, and you are…?"
The woman was taken aback by the situation. First the man spots her, then he attacks her without her catching a whiff of him at all. This man was indeed quite dangerous, but that made it all the more clear how she should act.
"Frederica Baumann, servant of Lord Roswaal L. Mathers," she spoke formally, bowing towards the knight.
"Ah, as I expected. I could sus out one of that man's servants from a mile away, though I expected one of his others," Reinhard said, putting a hand to his chin in thought.
"I had retired from my duties at one point, and have only recently returned to assist the mansion," Frederica explained as she rose again, speaking as properly as she could despite her feelings.
Reinhard nodded. "I hear your master lives a life of luxury, so that makes sense. What does not, is that he dare make any appearances here after what he did during the ceremony."
The venom in his tone made Frederica tense. This man… Reinhard van Astrea… Something in his eyes looked dangerous, like he envied a battle to break out, to slay her where she stood. She knew not of his title or who he truly was, so she could only be cautious.
"I am.. reluctantly, not here under my Master's orders," she insisted. "It is a personal matter instead."
"Personal, you say? I would love to hear it."
Frederica scowled a bit, the knight making it clear he wouldn't leave her alone.
Just what happened here to make the entire house a target? She thought bitterly.
"Natsuki Subaru.. Have you heard of him?"
Reinhard's smile fell in an instant. "Unfortunately."
"I need to find him, it is of the utmost importance," Frederica said, taking a step forward when she saw recognition in Reinhard's expression. "It may have dire implications for not only my family, but for my Master, Lady Emilia, and Lady Hoshin—"
Frederica stopped as the man's blade was at her throat in an instant. Her fingers twitched and she nearly retaliated, but her formality helped her to not do such a stupid and risky move.
"That.. Subaru. Everyone wishes to speak of him," Reinhard said bitterly. "That sort of vainglory would drive anyone mad."
The man lowered his blade and sheathed it, combing a hand through his red hair that was striped with white, turning away from Frederica.
The sight of the maddened Subaru flashed in the Sword Saint's mind. He chuckled darkly, knowing he would not have said anything to this servant of Roswaal's, if not for that incredibly wonderful look in Subaru's eyes that he wished to nurture.
"I can take you to him," he said, smiling back over his shoulder at Frederica. "For a quick chat."
"Really? I mean.. That would be most gracious of you," Frederica corrected herself, bowing. However, the man began to walk on without waiting for her. "…Sir?"
"Come along. I do hope you do not regret this, however," Reinhard said with a laugh.
Confused, Frederica followed a few steps behind, warily watching every move the man made, unsure whether he could be trusted.
However, there didn't seem to be any better options. After all, she believed that the longer she waited, the more devious schemes the Witch of Greed could force her brother Garfiel or her master Roswaal to enact.
I will do whatever I must, Frederica thought, flexing her right hand, shaping it in and out of a beast's claw, eyes narrowed as she gazed at the back of Reinhard's head, readying herself for anything.
To save you.
To Be Continued
Next Chapter: Beasts of Gold and White
(Subaru Death Count: 10)
A/N: Uh oh, best girl alert! (Not Capella, freaks.)
Hope you're all enjoying the insanity and are ready for a wild ride as always! Reviews always help me know how the story is going~
