Posting this a bit early only because why not. Enjoy the episode.
Chapter 42: Not giving up!
("I didn't want to just forget about you, Sora. I couldn't.")
("Come on, Sora. We made it this far by sticking together. You can't go alone.")
("Take this. It's my lucky charm. Be sure to bring it back to me.")
("Don't ever forget. Wherever you go, I'm always with you.")
Sora's mind filled him with memories of what Kairi said to him before he finally awakened in an unknown area, noticing Beatrice looking hostile towards Elsa and Meili while also holding Subaru's arm. Sora gets his mind back to focus and begins to look around, feeling like he is back on the gummi ship. He gets up and asks Beatrice,
"What is going on?"
"Protecting Betty's Subaru from this threat, I suppose."
"Now come on little one, I'm not a threat anymore."
"I don't believe you!"
Sora looks at Subaru, seeing that he is unsure on how to deal with the situation since Beatrice is not only hostile towards both Elsa and Meili but also overprotective towards her Subaru. Now that she accepted the boy, she is Subaru's contracted spirit.
"You won't hurt Betty's Subaru!"
"Beatrice...they are our allies." Sora spoke which made everyone turn their attention towards the boy, seeing that he finally awakened from his slumber. Elsa smiled and went to pat Sora in the head which only infuriated Beatrice.
"How dare you! Side with these filth, I suppose! You dare side against Betty and Subaru?!"
"I'm not against anyone here Beatrice, you just have to have faith in people, even when it seems like they are a lost cause."
Sora says this while thinking about Cloud, Iago, and Maleficent. In the case of Maleficent, the two are still enemies yet she still chose to help them against the Organization in his second journey. In Cloud's case, he had been against the heroes because he was after something yet he eventually turned towards their side, the side of light because of their encounter and those from Radiant Garden.
And lastly on Iago's case, he was an enemy to the group but after the events of the first journey, he had a change of heart and although he had betrayed them once out of fear of Jafar, he still proved that someone bad could change for the better. This was enough to help him think that Elsa could have a chance at redemption, even if the chances are extremely slim. He looked at Beatrice with determination and continued to speak.
"I know that they have done bad things and you are right to distrust them but I have met people in my life that were once adversaries...that did bad things yet they had a chance to redeem themselves and fight for the light. Elsa has a chance to redeem herself too, even if it is slim she still can change for the better."
"...I suppose..." Beatrice looks at Sora with some annoyance and anger but she eventually calms down as she sees just how pure Sora's heart is. She sees that he wants to save everyone and how he sees the good in people like Elsa. This gave her a small smile since she knows that he probably would've been able to save her just like Subaru because it is how Sora is made, to save others. That smile faded as she just chose to hug Subaru, feeling comfort in his chest since she is now free from her contract. Sora looked around and asked,
"Where are we?"
"In a pocket dimension for now, I suppose."
"Well, think you can teleport us to Sanctuary?"
"Hmph. Of course I can, in fact."
Subaru and Sora both got their keyblades out, prepared for a battle yet Beatrice first asked if Subaru and her could get some privacy for a moment. Sora, Elsa, and Meili nodded and quickly gained some distance between them and both Subaru and Beatrice. As they were far away, Subaru looked at Beatrice and asked her, "Are you okay, Beako?"
"Yes, I just wanted to have a moment with Subaru, my Subaru."
Subaru for the first time in a while was taken aback from this which even caught Beatrice's attention.
"What?"
"Oh nothing, just kinda threw me off a loop since I've never heard you call my name before. It just feels so novel when you say my name, so. Can you do it again but sounding bashful?" "What!? You are actually mad, in fact! This is no time for buffoonery, I suppose!"
"Hehe alright, my bad." Subaru laughs it off since it was a silly request. Just as he was going to call the others in order to strategize, he hears Beatrice speak bashful.
"S-Subaru... there, I did it, in fact."
"Beako, you are adorable."
"—! I'm never saying it again, I suppose! I'll remember this for after we're done, in fact!"
Yells Beatrice, her face red as she swings her held hand in a huff. Subaru looks at her, charmed, while also signaling the others that they can return back. Sora, Elsa, and Meili noticed Subaru signaling to return, causing the three to make their way back towards Subaru and Beatrice. As the five of them reunite, Elsa starts off the conversation.
"My My, you two are quite close."
"This novice of a contractor is mine, foolish girl."
"Alright Alright, I'm not going to do anything."
"Elsa, what are we going to do?"
"Don't know yet, what are we going to do Sora my dear?"
"That's kinda up to Subaru. Subaru, what is the plan?"
Sora, Meili, and Elsa all three looked at Subaru, putting him on the spot while addressing that he is the leader of the group. Subaru took a moment to keep himself calmly before answering his master's question.
"The plan is simple, Master Sora and the two assassins will deal with Roswaal while Beako and I will take on the Great Rabbit."
Sora, Meili, Elsa, and Beatrice nodded at Subaru's plan, understanding that the situation they will be thrown in will be a tough one with Sora and his group dealing with Roswaal while Subaru and Beatrice together deal with the Great rabbit. Once everyone understood the plan, Beatrice quickly created a portal where they can head into Sanctuary. Before heading into the portal, Beatrice gave a glare at Elsa and Meili.
"If you two do so much as lift a finger against any of us, I will kill you on the spot, I suppose."
"My My, you are quite the hostile spirit, aren't you?"
"Hmph!"
Beatrice pouted while holding Subaru's arm tightly, afraid that the Bowel hunter or the Mabeast user will hurt her contractor.
While the group prepare to make their way into Sanctuary, Emilia starts the final trial being of a horrible future. She looked around to see a destroyed Lugnica around her with Subaru and Sora at near death while Emilia, Ram, Felt, Crusch, and Reinhard are dead on the ground.
"Master Sora...we failed..."
"We can still...save them...I think..."
"Sorry kiddo but you have failed this world."
Emilia looked at the direction of where the voice spoke alongside the two keyblade wielders, seeing Xigbar standing high and mighty. Subaru looked angrily at the man and tried to hurt him yet he was easily killed by him. Sora looked at Xigbar with extreme hatred as his apprentice fell while Emilia looked horrified seeing the person she cares for deeply.
"Wow, I had expected something from the boy trained by you, kiddo. This is very embarrassing for you, so called Keyblade Master."
"You..." Sora looked with angry eyes which shocked Emilia since she never believed that Sora could ever have a vengeful eyes the way she is seeing them right now. Sora's anger was strong enough to make him transform into his anti-form.
"Ha! Do you honestly think that you can defeat me with that form, kiddo?"
"..."
Sora did not respond to Xigbar's answer, all he did was look at Xigbar in a threatening manner which did give the Organization member a chill on his spin. There was a moment of silence before the Keyblade wielder charged at the Organization member. Xigbar noticed this and started to fire his weapon at the keyblade wielder yet none of his shoots were hitting. Sora was closing in but before he could hit Xigbar, Emilia was blinded by a light where a different future presented itself to her.
In this new future Emilia sees Sora disappearing as if he was a dying spirit in her hands while Xehanort and a mysterious figure were both standing in front of a large moon that was in the shape of a heart. Emilia looked at a version of her with a version of Garfiel and Reinhard, all three of them battle damaged.
"Why are you doing this?"
Reinhard spoke as he was concerned by the state Lugnica was in thanks to the battle against the Organization. Xehanort stood silent while the mysterious figure turned towards Reinhard to give him an answer.
"Sorry Sword Saint but this is much more fun, seeing that darkness will prevail and light expires."
"You won't get away with this, villain."
"Now that isn't nice to call someone a villain."
"Shut yer trap, asshole!"
"Okay, you have a foul mouth."
"Tsk." Garfiel looked hostile towards the mysterious figure, preparing himself to charge at him which got the mysterious figure's interest. He waited until both Garfiel and Reinhard attacked him together, surprising the mysterious figure that Reinhard joined Garfiel in attacking him. He smiled underneath his hood while swiping his hand through the air, sending both his opponents flying.
"If that's all you two can do, then I'm very disappointed. The Sword Saint himself and the shield of Sanctuary, easily taken down with one hit."
The Mysterious figure turns his attention towards Emilia, seeing that she is the last light standing. He turned towards Xehanort and commanded him to take her down, causing Xehanort to nod before pointing his keyblade directly at the girl. As he prepares to kill the Emilia from the vision with one dark beam, Subaru quickly shoves her out of the way. Both the Emilia taking the trial and the one from the vision shouted Subaru's name while he smiled before he was obliterated into oblivion.
"Why Subaru...?"
("Why...?")
Both Emilias were hurt by this with Emilia taking the trial holding her heart with pain, seeing someone she cares a lot for die in such a way in order for her to live. This caused her to see that maybe she is feeling something that is possibly love for Subaru. While thinking about this, she is blinded by another light which sends her to another version of future events.
In this vision of the future is one where Lugnica is destroyed yet there is nobody there, no dead bodies or anyone to speak with except for a version of Emilia and a very damaged Subaru. Emilia taking the trial looked saddened by this.
("Must the future be despair? Is there nothing but sorrow and suffering?")
Emilia thought of this as she is hesitant of the future she will bring by continuing down the path of becoming the next King of Lugnica. As her thoughts were on why the future is filled with despair, she watches as Emilia from the vision begins to speak.
"S-Subaru..."
"Don't...worry Emilia...I'll be okay..."
"Why...Why do you work so hard...why can't-"
"It's because I love you...Emilia-tan."
"But Subaru...I-"
Emilia was cut off when she heard a loud noise which got both her and Subaru's attention. They looked and saw Sora and Reinhard both doing their best against a much powerful looking Satella. Satella was attacking the two with her two thousand shadows, forcing the two warriors to rely on each other to avoid getting killed. As they continue to face off the powerful Witch of Envy, Emilia continues to take care of the dying Subaru.
"You...are such a dunderhead...but you are my dunderhead...please don't die..."
"Don't...worry about me...Emilia-tan...no matter what happens...I'll always be watching you."
Subaru says this before allowing death to take him, breaking both Emilias. As the Emilia from the horrible future cries for the loss of her friend, Emilia herself had her heart wounded by this. She fears of the future that might happen where it leads to everyone dying yet she is not afraid. It does hurt her seeing this but deep down she is confident that she can change the future to a better one and should she end up in one of this horrible future, then she will push through.
'I will save you all, no matter what.'
This thought proves more than enough for her deny the rejection of everything. Emilia's vision clears, and she realises that she is in a breezy meadow. A hillock with a white table. Emilia herself sits upon a white chair, unable to remember what happened only a few seconds ago but she does know that she is in a dream world. She waits around until someone speaks to the half-elf.
"It's been like this forever—haa—but why is it that these situations—huu—always wind up being my post—haa? I can't say I'm thrilled with it."
"..."
"Mm... an understandable reaction—haa—and the correct one—huu. The kid from before must've been a tad obtuse—haa."
Emilia stood silent and was positive that this woman in front of her could kill her within an instant. In order for her to stay alive, she stood silent. The woman noticed this and quickly commented on this.
"You don't need to be so wary—huu. I'm not looking to hurt you, or to get hurt haa. Since that'd be a drag—huu. But Echidna just doesn't want to see you so she—haa—forced me here."
"I-I see..."
Emilia was hesitant about this since she is still scared of the lady in front of her yet she forces herself to calm down. She takes a deep breath before speaking.
"You're here in Echidna's place... so you're also a witch?"
"—. I see—haa—so you're braver than I thought—huu. That you're not timid during the critical moments—haa—might be you taking after your mother—huu."
"You know about my Mother?"
"I can't tell you anything, but yes—haa."
Emilia took note of this and just nodded before asking in a respectful tone.
"What would you like me to call you?"
"It's nice when children don't throw tantrums—huu—I'd like Typhon to get a lesson from you—haa. My name's Sekhmet—huu. As you've guessed, I'm the Witch of Sloth—haa."
Sekhmet leans her body onto the table, looking up as she gives a faint smile. She continued to speak in her unique speaking pattern.
"I really couldn't—huu—care less about how our names as witches are treated in the present—haa—so that doesn't matter—huu. I just want to get this request done with—haa—and settle down into self-indulgent slumber—huu."
"Erm, if it's such a bother for you... could no one else have done it? Echidna doesn't have to be the one if she doesn't want to... but aren't there any other witches?"
"You're not going to—haa—get a conversation out of anyone else—huu. Minerva's the only one who could manage an actual conversation here—haa—and she can't show her face to you —huu—again."
"Again?"
"Don't—haa—worry about it—huu."
'Minerva…'
Emilia thought about the name for a moment, feeling a strong connection to it yet she wasn't sure. She thinks about it for a bit before she drops the thought, knowing that this is a mystery for later on.
"No sense talking about someone who isn't here—haa. Anyway, I'm just here to pass a message along from Echidna—huu. Then I'm leaving it up to you what ideas you come up with to end the Trial—haa. Pretty easy job for me—huu."
"Erm, thank you for your efforts...?"
"I'll pretend that worked—haa. Now, listen closely—huu. In the Third Trial—haa you would've seen the future—huu. Those futures are possibilities of what will happen—haa—in this future where you decide to overcome this tomb— huu."
"Possible futures."
Emilia stood silent on this, having seen many where everyone is killed and she is left alone yet she still desired to push forward despite it leading down a horrible future. Sekhmet set her right hand down on the table and continued to speak regarding the third trial.
"There's a chance they'll all happen—haa—and a chance none'll happen—huu. Though, considering Echidna's personality—haa—even I can tell that the futures you saw weren't the nicest ones—huu."
Emilia took note of this and could see that Sekhmet views Echidna as a mean witch, though she didn't realise that Sekhmet views Echidna far worse. She does ponder on what the other witches think of Echidna yet she leaves those thoughts as she knows they are not relevant to the conversation. Sekhmet continues, "The future splits into infinite pathways, and so derives possibilities—haa. But the futures you saw were all seeds thick with tragedy—huu. After they sprout and bud, what blossoms will come of them...? Haa. Are you prepared to wilfully walk a path of poison blooms that may leave everyone unhappy...? Huu."
Emilia could recall the possible futures with all of the people she cares about having been hurt by the path she is going through. Emilia gazes earnestly at Sekhmet, something the Witch of Sloth took notice in.
"...I'm pretty sure that I already gave you the question, haa."
"Huh, what? That was the question? I answer that, and the TRIAL ends?"
"That's what it'd be—huu. ...Though, considering your goal, you could say that the Trial was over the instant that you managed to get here—haa."
"Worlds that end tragically for everybody. No, I'm not prepared to see those at all."
Emilia rethinks all of the pain she has seen both in the present time and the possible futures, making her heart hurt.
"These are futures where everyone might meet a sad end. In the dark world before this, I saw a lot of them. Where everyone was crying, suffering, angry. I don't know the details of what happened, but I don't want to see a future like that."
"...But, I can assure that if you continue on the path you're on—huu—it's highly likely for such things to happen—haa. Is that going to make you flee? Huu."
"No. That's going to make me face it."
Sekhmet narrows her eyes as Emilia shakes her head and puffs out her chest. The overwhelming pressure threatens to consume her, but Emilia's spirit will not yield. If she comes close to losing heart, memories of her mother and father support her. If she comes close to giving up, she has someone who will encourage her to keep going.
"We'll sprint so fast we dodge the sad futures. But if that isn't going to work, we'll ride our momentum to soar over them. If people fall in the jump, we'll put in our all and pull them back up. And if we keep doing this, we'll wipe away every single tear."
"You sure sound confident for being so reckless—haa. When you merely talk about ideals and what's convenient for you, you'll break the instant that you slip up—huu. You don't think that'll happen? Haa."
"If I were alone, it might but I'm not."
There was a moment of silence before Sekhmet started to laugh.
"Pff, khaah... haah, hahahaha! Ahh, yes! So that's it! Yes, that's it, that's definitely it, of course you'd give that answer now! Ahhh, hilarious!"
"Is it really that funny?" Emilia asked with a confused facial expression.
"It's an absolute riot to me—haa. Okay? Huu. So, Echidna, right—haa. She's this terrible wacko even after her death—huu—who enjoys watching the TRIAL's challengers agonize over their pasts and presents and futures alone—haa. The idea that her plans would be destroyed, and like this... ahh, it's hilarious—huu."
Sekhmet laughs uproariously, taking pained breaths while speaking with cheer.
"The Trial presumes that you're taking it alone—haa—and you answer it by saying that you won't face your challenges alone—huu. —If Echidna heard this, she'd moan sour grapes all day, all while looking dead serious—haa."
"Oh. So that's the reply I could've got...Hmm, I sooo want to see that expression on her too."
"She's a terrible loser, so I doubt she'd let you see her looking like that—huu. That's a privilege reserved for us dream-dwellers—haa."
"So unfair."
Emilia pouts which just makes Sekhmet's expression more gleeful.
"Though, in exchange for that, I'll bestow you with your Trial results—haa. As you'd expect, there's nothing to complain about—in fact, you pass with a gold star—huu."
"Should it really be that simple?" Emilia asked, feeling a bit disappointed in this.
"Did you want a more oblique answer, or some dramatic spiel—haa? Apologies, but you'd be wrong to expect something like that from me—huu. I'm the supervisor right now, and my word goes—huu. ...The Trial's over without any issue—haa."
With a deep breath, Sekhmet snaps her fingers. She fails to get a sound on the first attempt or the second, but on the third try finally manages a click and a breeze gusts from behind Emilia. Emilia glances behind her, her silver hair swaying, to find that a door has appeared at the bottom of the hill. It doesn't look like it leads anywhere, but Emilia intuitively knows that this door is the dream world's exit.
"You mean... once I go through that door, the Trial's over?"
"That's the one—haa. Congratulations—huu. In the four hundred years—haa—since this tomb was made and Echidna's Trials came into operation, nobody had defeated these Trials—huu. Well, not that there was an abundance of challengers in the first place—haa."
"...Yeah. Not many people have been to Sanctuary, and meeting the requirement to get trapped in Sanctuary is actually surprisingly tough."
"There's that too, but... well, it doesn't really matter—huu. It's all over anyway—haa."
Sekhmet looks at Emilia and could see that she doesn't seem satisfied. For Emilia, she doesn't feel like she has achieved anything just yet.
"You don't look like you agree with it—huu."
"Erm, well I am kinda bothered. Sooo just kinda bothered."
"Echidna doesn't present problems that can't be solved—haa. It's incorrect to say that's the whole of it, but that's basically the whole of it—huu."
Emilia nods reluctantly in a show of agreement. Sekhmet glances at her, examining her, before giving a small wave of her hand on the table.
"Once you exit—haa—that door behind you, it's goodbye to this dream castle—huu. Which also means that's the end of the Trial—haa. And that you're qualified to enter the room—huu—in the back of the Trial chamber—haa."
"Open the door. Mm, right. And go in there... what's in there?"
"The mechanism that keeps the tomb functioning is—huu. Once it's stopped—haa—Sanctuary's duties will come to their end—huu. You'll know how to stop it once you go in—haa."
"I stop the tomb's functions, and Sanctuary's duties end. So the barrier disappears."
Sekhmet nodded and had a little chat with Emilia before the half-elf made her way towards the door, preparing to free the Sanctuary. Thanks to Subaru and her other friends, she was able to beat the trial. She returns back to the trial room in the real world and begins to enter the final room to free The Sanctuary.
As Emilia is going to free The Sanctuary, Ram and Roswaal both continue their fight with Roswaal summoning a large amount of fireballs at his maid yet all of those fireballs were deflected off by the two dream eaters. As the dream eaters were able to push off any of Roswaal's attacks, he quickly got close to them and using his martial arts skills he landed a few blows.
Ram quickly used some of her wind abilities to prevent Roswaal from finishing off either dream eater. As Ram along with the two dream eaters were able to keep Roswaal back, he quickly gained his distance from the three opponents while casting magic to make the Sanctuary snow. Ram attempted to stop him with Al Huma yet he was fast enough to cast snow. As he casted snow, he quickly dodged a couple of attacks from the dream eaters before speaking to Ram.
"Whaaaat did you expect to do here, my treacherous maid? To stooooop me from casting snow?"
"I know what I'm doing, Roswaal-sama."
"You speak wiiiith respect buuuut you betray the contract between us."
"...I have not defied the terms of our contract. Should the world proceed on a course differing from the gospel, I will adhere not to your words, but to my own heart. The contract... should I have disobeyed it, then I would not have escaped unharmed." Ram spoke with confidence which caught Roswaal's attention while he was on the defense from the two dream eaters attacking him.
"Thaaaaaaaat is what I'm referring to. Considering that you have not been punished for disobeying the contract in this situation... your soul believes without the slightest of doubt that you are adhering to the contract. And I must find that a terribly unfortunate judgement."
"What might you mean?"
"It's simple. —The gospel's writ has not diverged yet. The contract between you and I truly reaches its terminus further from now, in the future."
"Is that so? Because at this moment Emilia-sama should be beating the trial and Barusu with Sora-sama have left the Sanctuary."
"No matter what you may believe, the contract remains unchanged. Until she overcomes the tomb's Trials, nothing has diverged from the writ that Natsuki Subaru will liberate Sanctuary. And even should she not bring snowfall, no deviation will come to the writ provided that I bring snowfall."
"You may appeal to the terms of the contract, but I also act in equal compliance. And so we sit upon parallels. The time has not come yet for you to enact your revenge."
Roswaal quickly summons all of his elemental magic abilities before giving it everything he can to take down the dream eaters, confident in his abilities that this should take them out. The two dream eaters notice this and quickly were able to dodge the attack with Ram providing cover for them. Using the last of the Ethers given to her by Sora, she regains her strength and quickly sends another air attack to counter one of Roswaal's fire magic. Roswaal was impressed by how she was able to still hold her own for so very long. He smiles before continuing to speak towards his maid,
"You are still subject to the terms of your employment. You have acted impertinently as my servant and so face punishment. If you had truly believed that the world diverged from the gospel, then all you had to do was wait for two more days. I would have presented myself to you without resistance. ...Hastiness serves well for nothing."
Roswaal shakes his head in lamentation before continuing to speak.
"Although I do undeeeeeerstand your desire to destroy me as sooooooon as conceivably possible."
"...So you truly do understand nothing."
"...?"
"There is no meaning in having you should it be after the contract is fulfilled. After you've been destroyed, there is no meaning at all."
"Whaaaat are you talking about?" Roswaal asks in a curious tone while the two throw everything they got at each other. Ram starts noticing how stubborn his master can be about her true feelings.
"After all the interactions, after all of that contact, you still haven't realized how the other party feels. I have been by your side...because of the contract."
"Yes, indeed you have. In that smoldering village, you and I formed a contract of vassalage. I still remember how, even without your horn, your eyes blazed wet with fury. And so I sealed that away through the contract, and redirected your vehemence into loyalty. Although, I did believe that a day like this would someday come..."
"You're right. You were right. I wished to murder you. But you stole that opportunity from me, and I proceeded to spend my days in the mansion with this inexplicable loyalty... and..."
"Unfettered from the contract, you have today determined to sate your desire for rev—"
"Roswaal-sama, I am in love with you."
"...What?" Roswaal was dumbfounded by this, unsure on what Ram said was exactly what he heard. Ram noticed this and would smile at his dumbfoundedness yet in this situation, she remained in her serious facial expression.
"I wound up falling in love with you. That is why there is no purpose in attaining you once you are broken. That is not the Roswaal-sama who I desire."
Roswaal couldn't believe what he was hearing, this did not make any sense to him which made him question whether Ram was mocking him only for her to respond that she was being serious. Roswaal didn't believe her and was so dumbfounded by this which made him angry since he believed she was trying to shake him up mentally. He asked her about her revenge only for Ram to respond that she fell in love with him over time.
"...You're contradicting yourself. No matter what your feelings are—no, doubly so presuming that they're exactly what you stated—I don't understand why you are challenging me now. If the gospel diverges, then I lose my purpose in life and mentally suffer. You are aware of this, so why!"
"Because this is the moment. Barusu, Sora-sama, Emilia-sama, Garf... now that all of them have brought your heart close to wavering, I face my single and only moment of opportunity."
There was a pause for a moment before Ram rushed Roswaal, which he tells her that it is useless, causing him to use a few fire elements on his maid with Ram using the two dream eaters to protect her. The two dream eaters used Fira and Blizzard to counter the magician's attacks, giving Ram a chance to swipe the gospel from Roswaal without him noticing.
"Do you think these two..." Roswaal pauses himself for a moment as he realizes that Ram snatched his gospel from him. He quickly tries to break through the two dream eaters to reach Ram by using a powerful green fireball with Ram stating,
"To me...this is the root of all evil."
Roswaal attempts to stop Ram from doing anything to his precious book, the only thing that reminds him of his teacher. Ram waited for a moment before telling her dream eaters to move out of the way. Roswaal noticed this and saw as Ram is using his own attack to destroy his gospel. He tried doing something yet he was surprise attack by the Aura Lion dream eater. He was sent flying into a tree where he witnessed his own gospel explode in the middle of the air.
"...Now finally."
Ram said as she smiled since now Roswaal no longer can be bound by the gospel which only angered the magician. He got up and no longer held back any of his strength, allowing him to punch both dream eaters hard enough to send the two flying away, giving him an opening to throw a fireball directly at Ram's direction out of rage. Just as the fireball was about to pierce through Ram's petite frame, she could feel that someone managed to deflect off Roswaal's attack.
"Uh..." Ram looked and saw that Sora was right in front of her, having returned from the trip to the mansion. Both Roswaal and Ram called out Sora's name with Ram being surprised while Roswaal was filled with rage and anger, blaming the keyblade wielder for how things have been going on this loop of events. Sora looked at Ram and smiled before looking at Roswaal, prepared to face him.
"Good to see that you are still standing, Ram. I'm glad actually. Now allow me to face Roswaal myself, go assist Emilia and the others in dealing with the Great Rabbit."
"Wait Sora, I can't-"
"Don't worry Ram, I won't hurt him as long as he doesn't do anything harsh."
"...Okay Sora, I trust you."
Ram nodded at Sora before making her way towards the graveyard, knowing that there is where everyone is located. As Ram left, Sora quickly used his two potions to heal the two dream eaters to allow them to help Ram. The two dream eaters quickly caught up to Ram once they were healed, making the red haired maid happy to see them by her side.
'You two will be my pets from now on.' Ram thought to herself, officially making the two her pets while Sora and Roswaal both looked at each other with serious facial expressions on their faces.
"So, what are youuu doing here?"
"We managed to save everyone from the assassins in the mansion, Roswaal. Now give up, you won't win."
"Is thaaaaat soo? Honestly, you are quiiiiite the troublesome."
"Why?"
"Because...you are the reason this is all happening and I won't let you get away with this."
Roswaal spoke without his accent and in a threatening manner, showing just how mad he was to the keyblade wielder before charging at him, starting their duel. Sora was surprised by this and quickly used Kingdom Key to block off most of Roswaal's physical attacks yet he was caught off guard when the magician used a surprise kick to the gut, sending him flying a few feet with his gut area hurting a bit.
"You reaaaaally are going to pay for your interference."
"I won't lose here, Roswaal. Subaru is depending on me. My friends are depending on me."
"You're frieeeends? Why do you belieeeeve in them? They doooooon't give you real streeeength."
Sora paused for a moment, having remembered this exact conversation with Elsa back in the first week in the Roswaal Manor. He took a moment to think about this before holding his hand on his chest and smiling, which did catch Roswaal's attention.
"Why aaaaare you smiling?"
"Sorry, I just remembered something regarding that question. Elsa had once asked me this back when the children went missing, about the power my friends give me. They motivate me to keep going forward...something similar to how you keep pushing forward for Echidna."
"..." Roswaal stood silent by this which is something Sora noticed. The Keyblade Wielder continued to speak,
"I know it seems like a pointless concept to gain strength from friends but they really are what keep me from giving up. My friends are what give me the strength to push forward. After all, I managed to gain Elsa and Meili as an ally."
"You did what?" Roswaal lost his accent as he was dumbfounded by the words he heard from the keyblade wielder. Hearing that the assassin he paid to kill Beatrice is now allied with Sora and Subaru was just too much for him next to hearing that Ram loves him.
"This...this makes no sense...how did he pull this off?"
"Who? Subaru?"
"Yes! How did he pull it off?! He should've been broken, angry, motivated, focused! How the actual fuck did he do all of this?!"
Roswaal's anger was great which caused the battle between the Margrave and the Keyblade Wielder. Sora quickly deflected a couple of Roswaal's green and blue fireballs, forcing Sora to use Reflega to block the attacks. Once the barrier broke, Sora prepared to deflect off an attack yet was surprise attack by Roswaal's gut kick once again. As Sora was sent flying back once again, he quickly managed to recover quick enough to push himself towards Roswaal's direction, prepared to go on the offensive.
'Don't worry Subaru, I'll keep Roswaal busy. The rest is up to you.'
While Sora was holding his own against Roswaal, Emilia left the tomb feeling complete as she managed to shut down the thing that was keeping Sanctuary locked. Once outside, she told the villagers that she freed the Sanctuary which many of them were happy to hear since they can finally leave. Before she could celebrate, she noticed that it was snowing which was something Subaru had warned her about, meaning that the Great Rabbit is bound to arrive. As she was going to say something, Ram with her two dream eaters arrived.
"Ram, where were you?"
"I was dealing with Roswaal-sama until Sora-sama arrived."
"Wait, Sora is here? Then that means-"
"That we have returned, like promised Emilia-tan."
Emilia looked at the direction where Subaru spoke and had the biggest smile in her face, feeling extremely happy to see him alive and well. She charges at the boy and gives him a hug which makes Subaru's face turn beet red while Beatrice looks at Emilia with jealousy.
"E-Emilia...um..."
Emilia stayed like this for a moment, somehow starting to feel the emotion of love that she was learning from Naoko. Being this close to the boy and feeling this warmth made her extremely happy. Just as she was going to tell Subaru that she feels the same that Subaru feels for her only for Beatrice to get in between the two. Emilia was confused by this as Beatrice was hugging Subaru tightly.
"This is Betty's Subaru, in fact!"
"What?"
"Emilia, um so I'm in a contract with Beatrice now...that was how I got her to leave the mansion while it was burning to the ground."
"Wait, what?"
"Barusu, please tell me I did not just hear that."
Ram approached the group as she overheard Subaru saying that the mansion was burning, which only made Subaru be afraid of Ram. As Ram was prepared to beat Subaru for hearing that the mansion burned down, they heard a voice from a person they did not expect.
"My My Subaru, you have a way with women, don't you?"
Ram, Emilia, and the others around all turn to see that the voice came from Elsa Grainhert, the bowel hunter. They all instantly got their guard up, ready to fight with Elsa which made her smile as she always enjoys this reaction from people yet Subaru got in between the two.
"Are you stupid, Barusu? Get out of the way."
"Look I know this seems bad, well really it is, but Sora allied with her. She is now our ally to help deal with the Great Rabbit."
Ram and Emilia were both hesitant by this with Beatrice backing Subaru's claims of Elsa and Meili being their allies. Ram was extremely hesitant by this while Emilia trusted Subaru and Sora's judgement while still being somewhat hesitant in having Elsa by their side. The last time the two crossed paths, she attempted to kill them all in the loot house. Before they could do something about the Great Rabbit that is approaching, Emilia approached Elsa to question her.
"Are you sure we can trust you?"
"I know that in the past I have tried to kill you and maybe I want to see what a half-elf's entrails look like but as I promised Sora Dear, I would behave on my best behavior."
"Okay." Emilia said after observing closely at Elsa's way of speaking, making her have some confidence that the Bowel hunter won't betray them. Before anything else could be said, Meili quickly pulled on Elsa's arm before pointing at a direction which caught everyone's attention.
"Elsa, everyone, I think the bunnies are here."
"I see, good work Meili."
"Thanks Elsa!"
"Hmm well we need to get the villagers out of here."
"We sure do..." Subaru thought as he heard what Ram said, trying to figure out what they can do but then he had an idea. He quickly asked Elsa if she could run into the tomb to check on something which she did though she was very hesitant on the boy's request. Elsa entered the tomb with incredible speed before leaving the tomb, confused on why he asked for this request. As she returned, she asked Subaru what was with the strange request which Subaru answered by telling all of the villagers to enter the tomb.
"Wait Subaru, is it safe?"
"Don't worry Emilia, since Elsa went in and nothing happened, that means that it is safe for the villagers to go in. Besides we don't have long before the great rabbit attacks us."
Emilia nods and quickly with the help of Meili and Ryuzu gets the villagers into the tomb safely while Elsa, Beatrice, Ram, and Subaru get themselves ready to confront the great rabbit. Subaru starts to think to himself, 'Can we really pull it off this time? I mean it is surprising that this loop has Elsa and Meili on our side yet...can I break this loop?'
Beatrice looked at Subaru and could see that something was bothering her contractor, which caused her to hold the boy's hand in hopes of comforting him. Subaru noticed this and was unsure on how to respond yet he was thrown off when Beatrice spoke words of encouragement to him.
"Don't you worry, Betty will protect you in fact."
"Hehe...the fact that a little girl is comforting me is cute...but so pathetic of me..."
"It's not pathetic to rely on Betty, in fact."
Subaru smiled and quickly patted Beatrice in the head which made her face turn red and pout while she secretly enjoyed it. They waited until Emilia joined them before they prepared to face the great rabbit approaching them. As the all stood side by side, Ram turned towards Subaru to ask him, "What is your plan, Barusu?"
"Well um I didn't think this far ahead, all I know is that we need to hold off the Great Rabbit long enough for Sora to join us or find a way to kill them all in one attack. They multiply indefinitely with just one so if we want to do something, we would need to eliminate all of them at the same time."
"My, this sounds a bit impossible...this is worth siding with Sora Dear."
Ram, Emilia, Meili, Beatrice, and Subaru looked at Elsa with a bit of a confused facial expression before returning their focus back to the threat right in front of them. Subaru turns towards Beatrice to see if she is ready.
"Think you can handle fighting The Great Rabbit?"
"I am moments post-contract. The opponent is one of the great witch beast triumvirates. We are unprepared and conditions are poor. My contractor is a novice. I haven't participated in battle in four hundred years."
"And?"
"I could ask for no handicap finer, I suppose."
Subaru smiled before looking at the group and leading the charge against the Great Rabbit.
To clarify a few things:
1. Ram does love Roswaal and is aware of what he is doing ain't right, which is why she wanted to destroy the gospel since it is the root of all evil for Roswaal.
2. For those curious, Subaru with Beatrice is much stronger than KH1 Sora but weaker than KH 2 Sora.
3. The final trial from what I read from the web novel is that it has to do with the future. Also the anime and the light novel have Minerva talking to Emilia compared to the web novel that has Sekhmet, so there are going to be differences.