Chapter 34: A frozen bond
"What about the deal?" Sora asked with his calm manner slowly turning into one of caution. Subaru took note of this and quickly responded in hopes of not ending up fighting with his master.
"We might consider having to wake her up and before you get mad, hear me out."
Sora was silent for a moment, feeling a bit of anger in thinking about trusting the Organization yet he did wanted to give his apprentice and friend a chance to explain himself. He took a deep breath before saying, "...Okay."
"The problem we would have in the mansion is getting Rem out of there. The Organization could take a sleeping Rem much easier than one that is awake and with us."
"Subaru, we don't know what will happen if we wake her up before getting her name and memories back...it's too risky..."
Sora stood silent for a moment, wishing that he still was able to use the power of waking to wake Rem's sleeping heart yet he knows the risk that would come. Considering that he no longer has the power of waking with him, attempting to use it would lead to actual consequences. He turns to Subaru once he hears his apprentice say,
"I understand the risk but the moment they take away Rem and Petra, we will lose them for good maybe. We need to think this long term. If we have Rem awake, even without memories we will be there for her and try to help her remember her old self."
"..." Sora stood quiet while he listened to Subaru, noticing what he said and taking the moment to process it. He wants Rem awake but he fears that the risks of waking Rem up without her memories would lead her open to turn into a person she is not.
"There is just a lot of risks with this, such as the possibility of losing Rem for good. We also have to remember it is Organization XIII who wants to help us. All they do is cause trouble to others so I wouldn't doubt that they would do something to Rem."
"That is true, those bastards could do something to turn Rem against us just to hurt us..." Subaru thought to himself for a moment, recalling all the information he has from his deaths. He recalls something about guardians of light and princesses of light when he talked with one of the organization members. This caused him to turn towards Sora in order to ask him about the meaning of those concepts.
"Subaru, where did you hear this?"
"I heard it from the Organization assholes themselves, they mention Rem being a candidate."
"...so that's what he is planning...of course he is."
Sora now is aware of Xehanort's plan being to summon Kingdom Hearts again by gathering the princesses of hearts once again or finding him his guardians of light. The only problem he saw with Xehanort's plan is how he will get the seven princesses of heart. He thinks deeply about this until he realizes that he has been gathering guardians of light. Subaru being one of his first guardians since he is a keyblade wielder like himself. The second one being the Sword Saint himself since he is extremely powerful and a pure light user. The third can be considered Emilia since she also has a pure heart and can fight.
"Master Sora, are you alright?"
Sora had been thinking deeply into the possible guardians yet when Subaru asked if he was alright, his mind shifted from his thoughts to Subaru.
"Y-Yeah, sorry about that. Thanks to you, I think I know what Xehanort is up to now."
"Really?"
"Yes, he wants to gather another seven lights to face his thirteen darknesses. We need to destroy all of them before he finds the seven lights."
"How do you propose we do this, master?"
"You said that they will be in the mansion to get Rem and Petra out of there, right?"
"Yes."
"Well we will take out the organization members that are there. We need to prevent them from taking Rem and Petra. We also need to take out all of Xehanort's forces."
"That's why once we can get Garfiel on our side and Emilia to pass the trial, we will need you to take on the Organization members."
Sora crossed his arms and thought about what Subaru said, seeing that they need to take each situation once at a time. As he was thinking on what to say, Naoko opened Emilia's door to alert the two of her state.
"She is resting for now, I suggest we let her rest for a bit longer."
"Thanks mom but I think the first thing Master Sora and I will do is figure out why Puck isn't coming out."
"Just try to not wake her up my baby boy, a girl does need her sleep."
"Don't worry mom, Master Sora and I will be careful."
"Okay, I will be outside if you two need me."
Naoko allowed both Sora and Subaru to enter the room with caution in order to not wake the sleeping half-elf up. As they were walking towards Emilia, Subaru felt happy to see her sleeping peacefully yet he had to hit himself in order to not be too distracted by the sleeping Emilia. The two look at Emilia before they start to discuss some idea to get Puck out.
"Do you think we could try that trick you did when Petelguese was trying to possess me, Master Sora?"
"You mean entering Puck's heart? I mean it is possible with a person but with Puck might be a bit different since he is a spirit."
"Hmm, maybe we can try to enter the crystal then." Subaru says this while pointing his finger at the green crystal in the half-elf's chest. Having remembered that Puck goes into the crystal when he is resting, causing Subaru to conclude that Puck is inside the crystal and entering it might help them be able to reach the Great Spirit.
'If I'm correct about this, then one thing is for certain, Puck is going to get a harsh talk for forcing us to take care of Emilia. Not that I'm complaining but things wouldn't have gone the way they have if he was around.'
Subaru starts to think of the failed loops, knowing that Puck being there could've changed the outcome of many problems he encountered. He also remembers his previous loop on how broken Emilia got because of the trial, blaming himself and Puck for it since they both left her to fend for herself. Not wanting that to happen again, Subaru summons his keyblade and points it directly at the crystal without hesitation. Sora notices this and quickly grabs his apprentice's arm while saying in a low voice,
"What are you doing?"
"Trust me Master, I know what I'm doing."
Sora looked at Subaru with some hesitation for a moment before nodding at him, having faith that Subaru knows what he is doing. As the starlight keyblade begins to glow a ball of light on the tip of the weapon, it eventually fires a beam of light directly at the green crystal in Emilia's chest. As the light beam hit the crystal, the crystal itself began to glow with both Subaru and Sora glowing for a moment before they disappeared into the crystal itself.
The two woke up and for a moment everything seemed off until they looked at the floor to see that they are in the station of waking once again yet this time they are in Puck's heart since he has a large picture of himself with a few circles only having Beatrice and Emilia. As the two look around, a light appears between the two, gathering together to form Puck.
"Wow, I wasn't expecting you two to literally enter my crystal. I'm impressed."
"Puck you asshole, Emilia's been looking for you only-"
Before Subaru could finish, he gets whacked in the head by Sora for having used foul language towards Puck. Subaru grabs his head in pain while Puck giggles a little before speaking to the two keyblade wielders.
"Hehe I'm sorry about that. I know it was selfish of me to have putten such a burden on you two after what happened to the blue-haired girl."
"It's fine Puck."
"Is it Master Sora? We literally have so many goddamn problems only for this little jerk to be unavailable when the time came for help."
"Subaru, I get that you are mad but right now it is our best chance to talk to Puck, thanks to your instincts. Don't waste it on being angry."
Subaru heard what Sora said and quickly calmed down for a moment, knowing that he can't waste time since he still needs to beat Roswaal on the bet. He took a couple of deep breaths before managing to calm down. He looks at Puck and quickly gets the conversation started by saying,
"Why can't you come out? I have a feeling that you are not coming out because you don't want to."
"Right now for me materialising in the outside world is impossible."
"Is there some circumstances or reasons on why you are not able to come outside?"
"Yes Sora, though it is a first for a human like you two to even enter the crystal."
"It was a hunch so the fact that it even worked surprised me but Master Sora and I are in a time limit and we can't let this one-in-a-million chance get away."
"One thing we can guarantee for you Puck is that Subaru and I are making sure Emilia is safe during the time limit we were given."
"I really was right to expect things from you two. Though that it frustrates me to think I have to entrust Lia to someone other than myself is the truth."
"Well if you want, Master Sora and I can communicate what you're thinking to Emilia, if you want."
There was a pause for a moment, Subaru had asked this in good faith since he knows what happens to Emilia should she feel alone since Puck is not able to get out. Puck gave Subaru a look but not one of malice but one of appreciation before he looked down with some disappointment.
"You better not. If she learns that I communicated with someone who wasn't her, in the worst case scenario, Lia's mind could break."
Subaru and Sora were caught off guard by this, both curious on what Puck meant by that. Sora was the one to ask the Great Spirit what he meant by that only to get an answer with Puck saying,
"Using either of you as an intermediary to convey my words to Lia means she'll find out that I'm not really sleeping in the crystal. For a Lia who is keeping me from exiting, and not allowing me to interact with anyone, her realising that I'm not actually silenced is liable to destroy her yet-precarious mental equilibrium."
"Wait a second. Do you realize what you said just now? That it's Emilia, that it's no one other than Emilia, who is stopping you from going outside, that's what you're saying."
"..."
"Sealing your mouth shut, what do you mean with that? When Emilia's calling for you, crying for your help, wailing and in tears...how can you! It's not me, it's not Master Sora, not anyone else, but your name she calls when she's worn out! And how can you...!"
"...Ah, right. There's no one more frustrated at the fact that Lia won't rely first on you than you, Subaru."
These words caused Subaru to pause for a moment, causing him to get angry since with that one statement change the topic on him. Subaru does wish to be Emilia's number one, especially the day when he becomes powerful to protect her yet he will never reach that for a long time. What makes him even more mad is the fact that Emilia's number one is not able to help Emilia when she needs it.
"So, what? You're saying that Emilia breaking as she challenges the TRIAL, declining alone in suffering, smiling in tears as she remembers her sad past, all of it and everything, is a lie and a goddamn performance? —As if I could believe that!"
"Subaru, you need to calm down." Sora said in a calm tone yet his apprentice continued to talk with anger building up once again.
"That couldn't happen... Nevermind constantly lying to trick everyone around her, she gets crushed by guilt just over a tiny little lie. That's the type of girl Emilia is..."
"Subaru, calm down. I'm not speaking bad of Lia like your worst-case imaginations say. Now just calm down."
"Worst-case imaginations? What worst-case imaginations. Asshole, stop peeping into my head! That stuff and this stuff have nothing to do with each other. Even saying for instance that something does happen, I would never think of Emilia-"
"NATSUKI SUBARU!" Both Sora and Puck spoke in unison, both with their voices very strongly. This caused Subaru to calm down for a moment since he noticed that he was letting his emotions get the better of him.
"Are you calmed down?" Puck asks.
"Sorry about that, I was spaced out for a bit."
"It's not really that often that I raise my voice. But when it's Lia...or for scolding a disobedient kid, then I can get loud."
"Disobedient kid, thanks."
"You really need to learn to control your anger, Subaru."
"I will Master Sora, I guess the stress of everything that is going on is getting to me again."
"Aside from that, honestly said, I'm pretty thankful of both your presence, with how emotional you get over Lia. You're surely giving Lia more than a little strength by her perspective, too."
"..."
"I mean there is also Subaru's parents who are helping Emilia."
"Really? I'm surprised to hear of this. Maybe Lia could get some motherly love from an experienced mother though I'm unsure how I feel of having a father figure trying to take my place."
"Now hey! My parents are helping Emilia, not trying to replace you Puck!"
"Haha I know, I'm just teasing though from what I can hear, they did talk with Lia about how you admired your father a lot."
"...damn it."
"It's not a bad thing Subaru but besides that, no one has stepped this far into Lia's trust like yours and Sora. Even Roswaal, who brought Lia out of the forest for her connection to the Selection, has gone without touching her ingrained, deeper nature. Though considering that thing's foals are in doing something by putting Lia on the throne, and so concerned with something unrelated, I suppose it's not that surprising."
"Hold on, you know what Roswaal's goals are?"
"To follow the gospel, right? In that respect, he's perhaps a lot like Betty. Having things written, and having nothing written. Similar but different, is perhaps how to say it."
Sora was unsure on what to think of this while Subaru was more than annoyed by this since he had to learn this information on loops where everyone is dead. He suspects that Puck didn't inform Emilia of this, which makes sense since she would be very hesitant to trust someone like Roswaal with a gospel yet he disliked how Puck kept it all to himself. At the very least he should've alerted Sora since he probably could've done something against Roswaal.
"It's unrelated to Emilia, so you took no initiative to act... then."
"If there were anything I could do for Betty, then I would. And as for Roswaal... being that Lia's tied up in it, have to do something about it."
"Well thanks for that Puck because Roswaal's stupid book has him hired to kill Beako and all the people in the mansion while he is forcing me to trample over Emilia's will, which would obviously make you mad."
"You are right, I am mad." Puck said as he was holding his anger at what he heard, harboring hatred for Roswaal. Sora noticed this and quickly wanted to change the subject before either Subaru or Puck explode with anger.
"Let's not get side track but to put your mind at ease Puck, Subaru and I will save Beatrice and those in the mansion. We are also going to help Emilia beat the trials since we believe in her but one thing is we need to know, what do you mean by Emilia's keeping you from going outside?"
"It's by Lia's will that I'm not going outside but...it isn't that Lia's keeping me from going outside, while thinking to block me from going outside."
"...wait what?"
"Sorry Puck, Master Sora and I don't exactly understand what you are saying."
"Sorry about that, it's tricky to explain. That Lia is seeking my help, and calling to the crystal, and can't hear my voice, all are entirely true. That she's scared of being alone, and trembling without her support is also fact. But. Her unconscious is rejecting my materialization and our mutual communication. Her heart's front and back ends are in disagreement, is maybe how to say it."
"You can't influence Emilia on your end?"
"That's a bit tricky, Sora. The back end's imposing force is stronger than the front end. I bet that if I could get to the front end, it'd be big trouble for Lia mentally."
"Do you have any guesses on what trouble it'd be for her? Like something where if you came out, it'd cause something inconvenient for Emilia..."
"But don't you both already know?" Puck spoke in a teasing tone of voice with a moment of silence coming right after. Subaru lowered his eyes.
"It's just speculation."
"Yup, that's good. Now let's have us a listen. I did say, yes? That I'm expecting things from you two."
Subaru and Sora were both continuing to think this through, figuring out why Emilia would be unconsciously stopping Puck from appearing. After a moment, Subaru spoke,
"If you're there, then Emilia..."
"...will have to accept some inconvenient part of her past. That's why Emilia's unconsciously keeping you from interfering." Sora spoke as he puzzled everything together with Subaru also having concluded the same thing. Puck was silent for a moment before showing how impressed he was at the two.
"Incredible, both of you. That's a better answer than what I expected."
"You can compliment Master Sora and I but seriously it doesn't make me happy at all, at least me."
"I mean give yourself some credit, we did solved the problem but now it's to figure out the solution."
"It's honest praise that you managed to reach this conclusion, the two of you. With the little information you both had to solve it together. You both make an amazing Master and Student duo. Also you both seem to understand Lia's heart well."
Puck smiled for a moment at the sleeping Emilia he can feel, happy that she is sleeping well while Sora and Subaru were thinking on how accurate the recreation of the past was to the real past that is giving Emilia such trouble. Echidna had explained to Subaru on his last visit how the trail generally worked. It would assemble information that even Subaru himself didn't consciously remember out of his memories, and use that to craft an elaborate, counterfeit world. She had said that his goodbye to his parents was not real, and only his own self-satisfaction. These thought caused Subaru to eventually continue the conversation by saying,
"The pasts aren't necessarily faithful to what actually happened. It draws from the guy challenging's mental scenery, and other requirements, to be reconstructed in a shape fitting for the trial." Subaru spoke with confidence, knowing that Echidna would do this. "The past Emilia's seeing has correct and incorrect parts. The difference is... you know something that will definitively differ from her past. And so Emilia's unconsciously rejecting any attempts at calling you out."
"...You have to wonder. If I'm around, Lia will see the correct, legitimate past. Why could Lia's true heart be rejecting me, while knowing that?" Puck asked in curiosity to what Subaru was saying, to which the boy nodded. Subaru was hesitant when asking this since speaking any more could reveal the truth of Emilia's past. Puck sighed for a moment before beginning to speak on Subaru's question.
"The true events which Lia would rather forget are even more hopeless than the false events she is witnessing."
Sora and Subaru stood silent for a moment as they heard this, completely shocked that the false events appearing for Emilia are not worse than the true past of hers. Sora looked at Puck and asked,
"You know what Emilia actually saw?"
"Sorry Sora but I don't know what one either. It was after the forest was frozen over that I met Lia. So I don't know what it is about my presence that she's afraid of. I don't know what it is about me that influences Lia's past."
This was the missing piece in solving the puzzle that is getting Emilia to pass the trial, the fact that Emilia is shown a different past and her true past every time she takes the Trial and she desires for the false past to be the real one. Because of this and not presenting an answer for the legitimate past, she will not be able to beat the Trial. If this continues, she will shatter and become the broken minded Emilia that he encountered the previous loop.
"What do we do...?" Subaru asked, wanting to know what Sora and himself can do to save Emilia to which Puck answered with.
"I don't know."
"I want to help Emilia-tan...I want to be her strength."
"I also wish to help Emilia, my friend."
"It's the same for me. I exist only for her sake. If I can't help her, then there's no reason for me to exist."
"I want to support her in what she wants to do, I want to stand at her said."
"..."
There were all silent to Subaru's words, both Puck and Sora knew just how much Subaru cares about Emilia. Puck thought for a moment before speaking in a determinate tone of voice,
"Subaru, Sora, there is one possibility to help Emilia."
"Possibility?" Subaru asked in a curious question.
"It's a method I definitely would not have considered on my own, and plainly said even now I'm strongly adverse to it. This proposal I figured I would've never stand, even if I did think of it."
"What are you going to do?" Sora asked with some concern in his voice.
"I will need both your help in doing cleanup afterwards."
"Wait Puck, it feels like you're going to say something insane."
"I didn't think at all that'd I'd be relying on someone else so intensely, either. But, well...I think that you both would stake your lives, assuming it was for Lia's sake."
"Wait Puck, what are you-"
"Tomorrow morning, I will make Lia break the contract. Should the relationship between myself and Lia terminate, then I'm sure that when she cries, you both will comfort her."
Subaru and Sora were shocked by this, knowing how important contracts are to the contractor and the spirit. Sora asked why would happen to Puck only for him to explain that the only people he trusts to watch over Emilia are the two keyblade wielders.
"You two can help her when I'm gone."
"What will happen to you? Will you be erased?"
"No, not exactly Subaru. I'll just go back to being the small existence I was, before I contracted Lia. Somewhere with a deep connection to me... probably, it'll be Elior Forest. I'll go to sleep inside something there as my anchor, waiting for the time I'm awoken."
"Awoken...meaning?" Sora asked.
"By Lia, of course. —This is where the contract between me and her ends. But if a time comes where she needs to make a new contract, and she's going to choose a spirit partner... I know she'll choose me again. That's what I believe." Puck spoke with a cherry tone, he had no doubt that Emilia would choose him once again.
"Don't worry Puck, Subaru and I will be able to protect Emilia in your stead."
"Thank you Sora. I know it's hard when you already have to deal with the blue-haired girl's condition but I trust you two will help my daughter out."
Sora and Subaru both smiled at Puck as he gave him a thumbs up. Just as the two were about to return back to the real world, Subaru turned towards Puck to ask,
"Are you open to considering a proposal from me?"
"A proposal?"
"Yeah, a proposal. Don't worry. I'm same as you, acting while thinking to secure a future which'll be good for Emilia."
Puck took a moment to think before nodding at Subaru.
"There's some things I wanna ask, and things I wanna test once I've asked them. Emilia could wake up and we are about to leave this world so let's keep this short."
Sora and Subaru both return back to the normal world after Subaru discussed his proposal to Puck. As they return, they both look at Emilia and see that she is suffering. Having had permission by Puck and with some insistence from Subaru himself, Sora sends a dream eater to help Emilia with her nightmare before the two keyblade wielders left outside, knowing that they also need to rest.
In Emilia's nightmare, she was replaying her horrible memories she saw in the trial, seeing that everyone was demonizing her as the Witch of Frozen Forest. As she was having all of this horrible moments, she eventually noticed the Necho Cat dream eater.
"Huh? What are you doing here? You are not part of..."
The Emilia in the dream world paused for a moment, realizing that this is a dream eater by the way it was designed. This caused her to figure out it was a dream and she was tempted to wake up and give Sora a scolding for sending a dream eater despite telling him that she would be fine back when they were waiting for Subaru to finish the trial. Before she could leave, the Necho Cat approached Emilia and rubs its head on her legs, wanting to be pet. Emilia tried to resist but the cuteness was too much and she gave in. She kneeled down and started to pet the little dream eater.
"I'm only doing this because it's a dream. Puck would be sooo jealous if he found out about this."
Emilia felt joy petting the Necho Cat, feeling an odd warmth yet one she welcomed while thinking about how she will tell Sora to not do this without her consent on the matter. She was strong yet she did enjoy his assistance. As she thought about this, she started to think if Subaru put him up to it.
'Subaru, you dunderhead.'
She now suspects Subaru to be behind this and quickly pouts for a moment before smiling, always happy when Subaru is thinking of her.
("I love you, Emilia. I want to be your strength.")
Those words came across Emilia's mind, making her look around to see the same place Subaru had confessed his love for her. This made her heart feel something she was unsure yet before she could process anything in her dream mind, she managed to wake up. As she woke up, she looked around and began to think about what she saw in her dream. She looked to her left side and saw the dream eater from her dream. She smiled and petted it once more before thinking about everything that transpired.
"In the end, nothing progressed...I'm useless..."
"Don't say that."
Emilia yelped when she heard Naoko's voice, not expecting her to be watching over her. She turned towards Subaru's mother to ask her, "Were you there all day?"
"Yes but it was alright. Once Sora was able to have that dream eater help you with your nightmares, he assured me you would be fine."
"Did...Subaru told him to do it?"
"I think he did. Knowing my baby boy, he would probably want you to sleep better."
"I knew it!"
Naoko giggled a little by Emilia's reaction to this. She approached her and patted her in the back before asking if the dream eater helped which Emilia nodded.
"Puck..." Emilia held the green crystal that was the proof of Puck's presence.
"That is the spirit my baby boy and his master told me about. He is your father, right?"
"Yes, he is the best. He took care of me."
"That's good. You had someone to help you out."
"Um...Naoko-sama..."
"Please, you call me mother."
"U-um, are you sure...?" Emilia was hesitant about this since she was embarrassed to call Subaru's mother well mother since that would imply that she is close to Subaru, making her face turn red the more she thought about it. Naoko noticed this and giggled again at how embarrassed Emilia was before continuing their conversation.
"You know, he has changed since he was taken from our home."
"H-How so?"
"I wished I had done more for him but he was so broken. As we told you, he really admired his father but because of that, he tried to be like him but a little too much. He eventually gave in to depression and was feeling all alone. The fact that you were able to bring the true Natsuki Subaru out makes me happy."
"I-I don't know...I mean I wanted to help him is all..."
"And that help is what saved my baby boy. Thank you."
Emilia smiled to herself as she began to think back on everything the two have done throughout their journey. She had always been with Subaru from the very beginning and had seen him grow from a boy who really was lazy and had no sights on anything to someone who will lay their life for the ones he cares for deeply. All because she chose to save him, a choice she would always look back and smile. She looked at her green crystal to once again try to summon Puck yet she noticed something, a crack ruptured down its face.
"Wh...What? Wait...what's...?"
Emilia put her hand on the inexplicably cracked jewel, causing her to panic which also caused Naoko to panic since she didn't know what was going on.
"N-No..no don't...wait...please hold on...come on, Puck, hold on..."
"Emilia-san, what is going on?"
"If this keeps going, then Puck will...!"
Emilia was panicking since the more the crystal cracks, the more her contract with him will break. She looked at Subaru's mother and had remembered that since she is from another world, she might not understand at all what is going on. She wanted to explain to Naoko what was the problem exactly yet her mind was more focused on trying to fix the jewel yet the fragment crack was starting to reach the entire jewel.
"Come on Puck...you're just...you're just kidding, right?"
Emilia was trying to cling to hope yet the reality she was trying to deny came to pass with the gemstone in her hands losing its shape and now being nothing more than green grains of dust. Naoko was there to try to comfort the half-elf.
"Everything will be okay, Emilia."
"N-No, this can't...this can't be happening...I-I mean, Puck he, when we first met he...said we're f-family...that I wouldn't be alone anymore..."
"Emilia..." Naoko was shocked to hear this since it reminded her of Subaru's situation back in Japan when he would lock himself out from everybody. Having failed once, she vowed to herself that she would help Emilia, for Subaru's sake.
"Parents sometimes do crazy things for their children."
"...huh?" Emilia had noticed this and it caused her to be curious about what Naoko wanted to tell her despite how she is still freaking out. Naoko was relieved that she managed to gain her attention, causing her to continue to speak.
"We sometimes do actions to help our children...Kenichi and I failed in helping our son by lack of action but your father, he may have left you for a reason. Besides, us parents are always keeping an eye on our children so regardless how far away you might be from your father, he is still watching over you."
"...But...he promised...he promised to never leave me alone...!"
"A parent knows how important a promise is but they also know that their safety is much more valuable and would rather break a promise if it means saving their child."
Those words caused Emilia to pause, she values promises more than anything and she does harbor disdain when promises are broken but hearing a perspective from a parent caused her to think as best as she could about what is going on with Puck. Although she knows Puck wouldn't do something without a good reason, seeing that her last affiliated family leaving her is what's hurting her the most. She wanted to cry but because Naoko is around, she doesn't want to seem weak, especially when she views her as the one who saved Subaru. Naoko took notice of this and quickly told Emilia,
"You don't have to act tough, you are human after all. You and Subaru are the same on this."
Emilia smiled when she heard that, somehow finding herself with a smile when Subaru's mother mentioned that both Subaru and herself share the same problem yet those words were the last ones to break her tough act.
"Dad...!"
Emilia began to cry with Naoko being by her side to comfort.
As Naoko was comforting Emilia, Sora and Subaru were both spying on Garfiel as they suspected that he had some sort of base of operations. While they were following Garfiel, Otto and Kenichi both managed to find the two keyblade wielders.
"There you at, you two!"
"Dad, keep your voice down. We don't want Garfiel to know we are here."
"Right Right, my bad."
"Anyway...Subaru-san, Sora-san, we manage to alert the villagers."
"What did they think?"
"Don't worry Subaru-san, they understand the situation and are waiting for when they can act and help you both out."
"That's good, did you get a chance to talk with Ram?"
"Well about that..."
"You really have some never, Barusu."
Subaru and Sora looked right behind Kenichi and Otto to see Ram with a slightly angered look on her face. Sora was ready to summon his keyblade yet Subaru stopped him as he had faith that Ram wouldn't do anything to the four of them. Sora noticed this and nodded at his apprentice before allowing him to talk to the red-haired maid.
"Ram, good to see you are alive and well this morning."
"Flattery will get you nowhere dog."
"Now that's just rude."
"How stupid do you think you are? You left Emilia by herself with your mother while you made some bet with Roswaal-sama knowing that he is in no position to be active."
"Fair enough but I need your assistance."
"In what?!"
"Helping me take out that damn book! He will use it to kill us all if the contents in that damn book go different! The last thing we need is you dying of all people."
"Hmpt! Baseless accusations! As if Roswaal-sama would do such a thing!"
"He will and you know it, don't you think he would try to set everything up to match the content of his gospel. What do you think would happen should the future he desires change?"
"I-"
"Really think about it, Ram! You are not stupid so really think about what would happen to Roswaal if his gospel and the events going on are completely different!"
Ram looked angry at Subaru yet what he said was something that did got her attention, having remembered the contract between herself and Roswaal. As she was thinking about it, they were all startled when they heard a new person speak with anger in their voice.
"What da fuck yall doin here?!"
"Garfiel! You startled us."
"And? The hell are ya doing here, keyblade wielder?!"
"We are just arguing with Ram about Roswaal."
"Let me hear this."
"Wait why?"
"Because I hate that man's guts! If you all are fighting about how Roswaal sucks ass then I'm all in for this conversation."
Although this is not what Sora and Subaru wanted regarding Garfiel siding with them, this is a first step forward. Subaru and Sora nodded and before they could say anything, Ram looked at Garfiel with anger in her eyes.
"Garf, this doesn't concern you at all! Now go back to your room!"
"I'm not a kid!"
"It does concern Garfiel because this has to do with Sanctuary." Sora spoke which did surprise Garfiel for two reasons. One is the fact that Sora is standing up for him despite the fact that he doesn't trust the keyblade wielder himself. The second reason is because the fact that the sanctuary could be in trouble is what also caught his attention. He turns towards Subaru to ask him,
"Yo, what the hell does ya master mean?"
"Barusu, don't you dare!" Ram spoke with anger towards Subaru, alerting him that he should keep his mouth shut about the deal between himself and Roswaal. Before Subaru could say anything, Sora grabbed Garfiel and casted Stopza to stop time around the two. As everyone but Sora, Garfiel, and even Subaru stopped in place, Garfiel was freaking out for a moment since he didn't know what was going on while Sora was surprised that Subaru was immune to time attacks.
"Da fuck is goin on?!"
"I stopped time for now just to allow us to speak without being interrupted."
"What the hell do ya want to talk about?!"
"We just want to talk about what is going on because it does relate to Sanctuary's safety." Subaru spoke as he wanted to join in on the conversation. Garfiel took notice of this and quickly grabbed Subaru's jacket while saying to him,
"What the fuck's that bastard's up to?!"
"Let's just say that I am bound by a contract to make sure Emilia passes the trial or else Roswaal will make Sanctuary snow."
"Snow? Da fuck will that do?" Garfiel is confused by this since why would Roswaal want to make the Sanctuary have snow considering that it's the least threatening thing he has ever heard. Sora noticed this and quickly decided to add the crucial problem with Roswaal doing this.
"The problem is that would bring in the Great Rabbit."
"..." Garfiel had a moment to think on everything he just heard, having his anger increasing within each second until he tried to head towards Roswaal place. Sora and Subaru both noticed this and quickly got in his way.
"What are you doing?"
"Get outta my way!"
"No, attacking Roswaal will only get yourself killed!"
"Ha! I can take em!"
"No you can't...I don't want you to die!" Subaru yelled at Garfiel, having flashbacks of Roswaal killing him and Ram back in the previous loop. Garfiel noticed this and quickly started to respond to what Subaru said,
"Why do ya care?! I don't trust any'f ya!"
"Because trying to do anything to Roswaal will get you killed and we still need to save Frederica!"
"What?!"
"Roswaal hired an assassin to kill everyone in the mansion! Ram's forgotten twin sister! An innocent little girl! My knight friends! And your sister!"
"..." Garfiel was taken aback from this, seeing the pain in Subaru's eyes when he said this, knowing now that the boy is being very serious. He crossed his arms and angrily responded,
"So what? She wanted to go to the outside world, it's her dumbass fault she will get killed but I can make Roswaal the bastard stop all of this, now let me through!"
"Garfiel, why are you so afraid of the outside world?"
"Huh?" Garfiel paused himself as Sora asked him this question, leaving him surprised for a moment before getting hostile towards him.
"Non of your damn business!"
"It is because we can't beat Roswaal and those who will kill your sister if we don't work together."
"I don't care."
"Why don't you?"
"Shut up!"
"No."
"I Said Shut Up!"
Garfiel tried to attack Sora yet the keyblade wielder was able to easily deflect off the attack before pointing his kingdom key at the blonde boy.
"I know you don't trust me and it hurts because I don't want us to be enemies but we can't help the Sanctuary if you don't at the very least give us a little bit of trust."
"Master Sora is right, after all you are someone I wish to fight side by side in the future."
"Huh? Why?" Garfiel asked with a hostile tone yet also a bit of curiosity in it, knowing that both himself and Subaru have only interacted a few times. Subaru looked at Garfiel and bowed to him to show his respects while saying,
"I'm not strong like Master Sora which is why I am being trained by him to eventually get strong enough to protect Emilia-tan. I wish to protect everyone like you do, which is why I want to befriend someone who can also help me reach that future."
"Wha.." Garfiel is silent for a moment, trying to think of why would Subaru want to be friends with him, why is he being nice.
'Why the fuck is he actin like this?! This's not how the outside is...No! It is filled with horrible people!'
Garfiel was completely confused by Subaru's kindness and quickly starts to pull his hair while saying to the boy,
"Why the fuck should I trust ya?! There's miasma oozin' out of every pore in your body!"
"Yes because the witch has it out for me...if you don't want to trust me then fine but trust Master Sora. He legit is the embodiment of a pure heart."
"..." Garfiel paused himself for a moment before asking Sora to take out the time barrier, needing his time to think on everything he just heard. Sora nodded and quickly pulled his keyblade above his head to take out the time barrier. As it goes down, Ram and the others were confused about what happened and quickly turn towards Ram's back to see the three standing there. Garfiel began to leave with Ram asking what had happened. Sora looked at Ram and responded with,
"Don't worry, Garfiel will be fine. We just chatted a bit. Anyway, just think about the question Ram." Sora turned his attention towards Otto and Kenichi, "Otto, Subaru's father, we should continue the plan."
"Alright Sora-san. Let's go Kenichi-san, we have a job to do."
"Way ahead of you, Suwen-san."
Otto and Kenichi both make their way towards the village's location while Sora and Subaru nod at each other and quickly split up. Ram noticed this and quickly grabbed Subaru's arm to ask what are they up to.
"Why? So you can report it to Roswaal?"
"Don't you dare show me disrespect, dog!"
"I'm not, it's an actual question but since I have faith in you too, I'm going to check on a few things around the Sanctuary before going back to check on Emilia while Master Sora continues the original plan without me."
"Barusu. Why do you believe you will succeed? Roswaal-sama is much more cunning than you and will beat you with that gospel of his. What makes you think that you can stop his gospel?"
"Because like Master Sora says, my friends are my power. They will help me get all of you, including you and that clown you follow to the future where we can all stand side by side."
Ram had no words to say when she heard Subaru's desire being a future where they can all be standing side by side. Although the boy is nowhere near as important to her as Roswaal, Emilia, and even Sora, she did find some form of care for him. She wanted to tell him that he was an idiot but couldn't as he started to leave the woods. Natsuki Subaru, the temporary knight and keyblade wielder, is determined to make sure this is the loop they all make it out alive.
Author's note:
1. I'm going to be posting once a week from here on out.
2. I'm using some information from the light novel and web novel so when the anime picks up, events would be different though this is me trying to be original and creative.
3. Thanks for those who have been reading this long, I will do my best to keep you all entertained with this fanfic.