Chapter 24: Dubious Meetings
Echidna: My name is Echidna but that's not my title. So perhaps you'd know me better as the Witch of Greed.
As Kaoi looks up at the woman atop the hill. He makes a quick go at his sword. Only to find it not there.
Echidna: Ah! Ah! Ah! You naughty boy.
The strange woman said as she wag her finger at Kaoi.
Kaoi: tsk!
Echidna: It hurts to see you look so alarmed by me. I'm still a tender young maiden, you know.
Kaoi: Well telling someone that you're a witch in this world is a good way to make them alarmed.
Echidna: Well, that is a fair point. [giggles]
Kaoi: … so how did you get me here anyway? Seconds ago I was in some ruins but now I'm here.
Echidna: You weren't physically moved if that is what you're asking? You were merely invited to my tea party.
Kaoi: Tea party?
Echidna: Indeed. It's a witch's tea party. So are you going to stand there forever? Why don't you at least sit down before the tea gets cold?
Beckoning Kaoi to come, he reluctantly moves up the hill. Taking a seat across from the host. He grabs his cup, looks at it for a bit, and then took a sip.
Kaoi: ah…
Echidna: Aw… and I was so looking forward to hearing you yell "Tasty!"
Kaoi: Well it's a little bland for my taste. What exactly is this flavor? Wait! How did-
Echidna: It's something that's produced here. To put it bluntly, it's a body fluid of mine.
Just like that Kaoi freezes in place. A million thoughts go through his head but most of them are repeating.
Kaoi: Please don't let it be urine! Please don't let it be urine! Please don't let it be urine!
Kaoi: … can you elaborate on that? Please?!
Echidna: [Laughter] Oh relax. It's just my saliva.
Kaoi: Still an awful thing to serve your guest.
Echidna: I just make do with what I have here.
Kaoi: and just what is "here" exactly?
Echidna: The Castle of Dreams, it's a special space outside of the physical reality. Like I said before you have not been moved physically. It's just your conscience that has moved.
Kaoi: and why did you pull me here?
Echidna: You came in here of your own accord. If you want to go back, I'll send you back... But are you sure that's what you want?
Kaoi: What do you mean?
Echidna: An opportunity to talk to the Witch of Greed is not something that just anyone, other than you, can earn. The only requirement to have a dialogue is for both of us to exist. So let's remove the unnecessary things.
Soon the grassy plains transform into a cosmic void. Kaoi couldn't believe what he is seeing.
Kaoi: What the hell?
Echidna: All we need is our words. Let me affirm all the desires, the curiosities, the greed, that you seek to satisfy with answers. Now, what would you like to ask me?
As she starts speaking, the cosmic clouds took a form of a girl with hair tied into two tails.
Echidna: About the Witch of Gluttony, Daphne, who created beasts that defied the will of God to save the world from starvation?
Next, it shifts to a woman wearing a long scarf.
Echidna: About the Witch of Lust, Carmilla, who granted emotions to non-human beings in an attempt to fill the world with love?
Then, the clouds took the shape of a woman with a ponytail.
Echidna: About the Witch of Wrath, Minerva, who struck people to heal them as she lamented the state of her war-torn world?
A woman with a single glowing eye took shape next.
Echidna: About the Witch of Sloth, Sekhmet, who drove a dragon past the great waterfall just for a chance to rest?
A child dancing without a care.
Echidna: About the Witch of Pride, Typhon, who, out of youthful innocence and cruelty, judged criminals one after another? The Witch of Greed, Echidna, the embodiment of the thirst for knowledge, who has done things she regrets even in the realm of death, all in pursuit of all types of knowledge? Or… The Witch of Envy, who kill all the other witches and used them as sustenance while she made the whole world her enemy. The most detestable of them all?
As Echidna talked about the Witch of Envy. Several visions played in Kaoi's head but he focus his resolved and kept calm.
Suddenly they were back in the grassy field.
Echidna: You are an interesting individual. You manage to keep calm even after all that.
Kaoi: It wouldn't do me well otherwi-[gagging]
Suddenly Kaoi felt something wrong in his body as he clutches his stomach.
Echidna: Oh, that took less time than I thought. People who are compatible really do adapt quickly.
Kaoi: …the… tea…
Echidna: Right you are! I used the Envy Witch Factor on it to strengthen your resistance. Now you and I can talk at leisure. So... what would you like to ask me?
As soon as Kaoi felt better, he asks Echidna
Kaoi: What do you want with me?
Echidna: Please don't get the wrong idea. I didn't make you drink that tea with the intention of doing anything bad. In fact, I find your existence quite desirable. I'm a bit embarrassed, really.
Kaoi: What?
Echidna: In these past few days, you kill the one who possessed the Sloth Witch Factor, correct? When he died, the Witch Factor chose you as its new dwelling. That's also why you were able to enter this graveyard unharmed.
Kaoi: Graveyard? Do you mean the ruins that I was at is your grave?
Echidna: My my do you pick up on things quickly. Yes. This is the Witch's Graveyard, where my soul is held, prisoner... The Sanctuary.
Kaoi: So I have arrived there, already.
Echidna: That's right. Just as you wanted, the Sanctuary is outside the ruins. So, what else would you like to ask of me?
Kaoi: What do you mean?
Echidna: I'm the Witch of Greed. Powerful people from around the world have come to me in search of my knowledge. You're the first one in years to reach me. So I ask again, what would you like to ask of me?
As much as Kaoi would immediately like to start asking questions about the many mysteries of this world. He needed to get one thing straight.
Kaoi: What do you want from me?
Echidna: [hums]
Kaoi: I somehow doubt that you have been just waiting to answer someone's questions without compensation. So what is your price?
Echidna: What I desire from you is a vow. You will tell no one of what has transpired at this tea party. That is my condition.
Kaoi: ...fine, if that is it then I vow as a demon slayer, that I will tell no one outside of us what transpired at this tea party.
Echidna: Good.
Kaoi: Now with my first question, what can you tell me of a man named Flugel?
Echidna could only smirk.
Scene Change
Arriving at the foot of some ruins, Otto stops the carriage to let out a sigh.
Otto: What have I gotten myself into?
Ram: Uh…
Otto: Miss Ram! Are you okay?
Ram: I'm fine, I just needed to take a nap that's all.
Otto: A nap? I thought something might have happened to you!
Ram: Quit your incessant whining. Now tell me what happened.
Otto: Well after you and Miss Emilia passed out. Kaoi was nowhere to be found. I had Raiju follow his scent and she brought us here.
Ram: Well done, Raiju.
Raiju: [coos]
Ram: If Kaoi is here then we bet-
?: Well, well, well. Look at wat we got here!
Turning their heads to the source of the new voice. The two see a muscular boy that bears an uncanny resemblance to Frederica.
Ram: Garf…
Otto: Garf? Wait! is this Garfiel?!
Garfiel: Dat's right. Da name's Garfiel and I never seen you two here before.
Otto: Wait! This is just a big misunderstanding!
Garfiel: So you're not trying to sneak in here with that poor excuse of a Rem imposter!
Otto: Imposter?
Feeling the familiar feeling of fear, Otto slowly turns his head towards Ram.
Ram: …Garf. Mind explaining what do you mean by that statement just now?
Garfiel: It's Garfiel! And you know wat I mean Rem Imposter. You may look similar to Rem but her hair is blue and your hair is on the wrong side! Most of all…
The stranger then proceeds to perform a groping motion over his chest.
Garfiel: She has bigger breasts [laughter] you must feel stupid now!
Otto: Uhh….
Ram said nothing as she slowly walked toward Garfiel.
Garfiel: [Laughter] … Huh! Wat! Do you want to fight me? Go ah-
He didn't finish that sentence as a speeding fist collides with his face.
[Sounds of punching and Garfiel's screams]
The following scene was removed for excessive violence.
Scene Change
Back at the Tea Party.
Echidna: Ah Flugel. Now that is a name I haven't heard in a long time. As you of all people should know he was a very interesting man.
Kaoi: [gulp] What I know is that he wrote his name on a tree in katakana.
Echidna: The written language of Japan if I'm not mistaken.
Kaoi: How?
Echidna: I know a lot of things, Kaoi. Especially when it comes to men from another world.
Kaoi: So you knew him? You knew he was from another world?
Echidna: Oh the information he held in his brain was spectacular. I regret not getting him to divulge it all before my untimely death. Too bad we didn't interact much, but he always preferred her company.
Kaoi: I see…
Echidna: Then he just had to play sage. Be the hero. For the sake of Love.
The Witch of Greed exclaims almost mockingly.
Kaoi: Play sage? Wait! As in the very same sage that sealed Satella 400 years ago!
Echidna: Yep!
Kaoi: Any more people from another world that I should know about?
Echidna: Nope! Just you, Flugel, and that bore of a boy with the helm.
Kaoi: The helm? You mean Al? Now that's another thing. How do you seem to know a lot of things about me?
Echidna: I… may have taken a peek into your memories.
Kaoi: What!
Echidna: Come now. I told you I am willing to do whatever it takes for knowledge.
Kaoi: I think I had enough. Thanks for inviting me but I have to go back to my friends. So do I just leave or…
Echidna: I'll just send you away back to your body. Along with a souvenir.
Kaoi: Souvenir?
Echidna: I will grant you the right to face the trial of the Sanctuary.
Kaoi: Trial?
As Echidna puts her hand on his chest, she says
Echidna: You may not understand now, but once you learn where it is, you will realize its worth. I have great expectations for you, Demon Slayer.
With that, she raises her hand and licks it.
Kaoi: You really are a witch. I can see why people are so unnerved of Satella if this is what you're like.
Echidna: [giggles] It's just so happened that I am a very, very evil magic user.
Kaoi was about to leave the conversation like that until something Echidna said earlier had finally hit him.
…taken a peek into your memories.
Kaoi: Wait!
With a tap of the forehead, Kaoi finds himself on the floor of the ruins. He slowly gets up very confused.
Kaoi: Did I pass out… What happened…?
Suddenly Kaoi felt a surge of pain and fear. Someone was hurt and it seems pretty bad.
Kaoi: Otto!
Kaoi dashes back to where he came from and sees the entrance. As he exits the ruins he bears witness to Ram standing over a blonde boy on the ground, who is covered in bruises, and Otto shaking in his seat.
Blonde Boy: Uhh…
Ram: Hopefully that will teach you manners, Garf. Ah! Bakaoi, I see that you decided to rejoin the group, pick this sorry boy up and carry him to the carriage. We're close to The Sanctuary.
With that, she left to enter the carriage with the sleeping Emilia. Leaving Kaoi dumbfounded.
Kaoi: I'm sorry but who's this?
Time-Skip
Thankfully, Otto explained to him what had transpired, albeit after he had calmed down. Kaoi stared at the unconscious boy that he propped up next to him.
Kaoi: So Ram…
Ram: Yes.
Kaoi: How do you know Garfiel? You seem pretty familiar with him.
Ram: Getting jealous now, Bakaoi?
Kaoi: Ram, please. I'm just trying to figure out how much gluttony changes things.
Ram: … Roswaal use to take me to Sanctuary. It was there I first met Garf when we were children and he developed a crush on me but like everything else, gluttony seems to have erased that.
Kaoi: I see. Did he and Rem ever meet? He seems to know her considering he called you her imposter.
Ram: Garfiel never leaves Sanctuary and there would be few times Rem would come with us so they interacted very little.
Kaoi: So in this new rewritten history, they had a lot more interactions.
Ram: That seems to be the case. Roswaal must have taken Rem there instead of me.
Kaoi: That's another thing.
Rummaging through his pockets, Kaoi brings out the blue stone pendant
Kaoi: When Frederica gave Emi this you told me to beware of it and later it teleported me outside those ruins.
Ram: …
Kaoi: The pendant wasn't needed to cross the barrier, was it?
Ram: …
Kaoi: Ram, please. If there is something big going on I need to know.
Slowly waking up, Emilia comes to the sight of Kaoi, Ram, and a new passenger.
Emilia: Kaoi…Ram…. Who is that?
Kaoi: Oh! Emi, you're awake! Well, this is Garfiel. The one Frederica told us about.
Emilia: Why is he like that?
Kaoi: Well…
Ram: He was taught that he should think for a moment before spewing whatever stupid words come to his head.
Kaoi: … yeah what she said.
Emilia: Well, he shouldn't be like this when we arrive at Sanctuary. Here let me heal him.
Ram: Your kindness knows no bounds, Lady Emilia.
Time-Skip
Shortly after Emilia healed Garfiel, he woke up and tried to pick a fight. Thankfully Ram's beating seem to put the fear of god in him and he calmed down after she glared at him. Kaoi then makes introductions and explains the situation to him. He apologizes to Ram for how he called her an imposter.
Garfiel: I can believe you're Rem's twin. You hit as hard as her.
Ram: No doubt, to discipline you.
Kaoi: Well, as long as we can put this behind us we're okay.
Garfiel: grrr…..
For some reason, Kaoi can sense hostility towards him from Garfiel.
Kaoi: It's similar to when I first met Rem. I'll deal with him later.
Emilia: So what happened with the crystal Frederica gave us? Why did I pass out and Kaoi got teleported?
Ram: It's because of the barrier.
Kaoi: The barrier?
Ram explains that the barrier has a certain effect on people of mixed blood. Thus Sanctuary is a place where demi-humans of mixed blood live.
Otto: Everyone, we're here.
Time-Skip
The village was not the best to look at and the same could be said of the residents. Who seemed to be scared of the newcomers. Otto looked nervously around until he come across a maid. A maid that bears a striking resemblance to one of his passengers. With Garfiel's descriptions from before, Otto can tell that this is the Roswaal maid, Rem.
Rem: Hello good sir, may I please ask as to your intentions?
Otto: Just bringing some important people to you.
As Otto said that, Emilia and Garfiel emerge from the carriage.
Emilia: Rem!
Rem: Miss Emilia, I see you met Garf. Allow me to apologize on his behalf for any trouble he may have caused you.
Garfiel: Now why do you got to do me like that, Rem!
As Kaoi was about to leave, he notices Ram not making any actions to move.
Kaoi: She's very nervous about meeting Rem.
Despite her refusal to answer his crucial questions. Kaoi couldn't help but feel sympathy for the pink maid.
Kaoi: Hey! Rem can you help me put the carriage in the stable? There's something I would like to speak to you about in private.
From Ram in the carriage to the group outside looked at Kaoi with confusion.
Kaoi: Otto, I'm going to need you to take my place with meeting Roswaal. Can you catch me up with everything after I'm done?
While confused for the moment, the group realizes what Kaoi intends to do. Garfiel gave a small glare to Kaoi.
Otto: Uh… Yes Kaoi sir.
Kaoi: Good, Rem?
Rem: Alright, Garf I entrust our guests to you.
Garfiel: You can count on me, Rem!
While the group is led by Garfiel to Roswaal, Rem takes the reins of the carriage and makes their way to the stables.
Time-Skip
Rem: Okay Kaoi, what is it that you needed to talk to me about?
Kaoi: It's just I think I deliver this news in private. Rem, what can you tell me of your memory of the first week I spent in the mansion?
Rem: I don't understand.
Kaoi: Please this is important, Rem.
Rem: Okay… Well, you had been asleep for three days. When you woke up, you requested to be employed in the mansion and thus I became your guide. Next, I tried to kill you but you were able to defeat me and I was put on house arrest. Then the Wolgarm incident happened and you single-handedly save all of the children by killing the Wolgarm.
Kaoi: So there was no one else there? No one to save me from your attack? No one to help me with the Wolgarms? I did it by myself?
Rem: I don't recall such a person … Kaoi, what is this about?
Kaoi: It's just like what Emi said when I asked these questions.
Kaoi: Well there is someone who did all those things with me. There was an incident with the Archbishop of Gluttony. This person's name was eaten and now it seems like no one in the world besides me can remember her.
Rem: I see… and is this person in the carriage
Kaoi: Yes, the thing is that I wanted to ease you in since she happens to be a very important person to you.
Rem: Okay.
Kaoi: Good, good, good, Okay Ram, you can come out now.
Slowly the carriage doors open and out comes the pink maid. Rem stumbles back a bit.
Rem: Kaoi, who is she and why does she look like me?
Ram: Rem…
Kaoi: It's okay, it's okay, this is Ram, and the reason she looks like you is because… she's your twin sister.
Rem: Twin… sister…
Backing away from the two, she places a hand on her head. She started to feel lightheaded.
Ram: Yes Rem, you may not remember me but we grew up together in the village. We work together as maids for Master Roswaal and… Rem?
Kaoi: Rem?
Ram: … Sister?
The pair takes notice of the wobbling maid. Together they witness her tumble down to the ground.
Kaoi/Ram: REM?!
Scene Change
After her fall, Kaoi was quick to get her to Emilia to check on her. Fortunately, she had only experienced a dizzy spell and was able to recover quickly after resting on a bed.
Rem: I'm so terribly sorry for my fall, Kaoi.
Kaoi: Don't blame yourself, Rem. No one knew what was going to happen when you met Ram.
Rem: Yes…Ram… where is she?
Kaoi: She's outside. She seemed a bit shaken up after what happened.
Rem: Can you tell her to come in? I would like to talk to her myself.
Kaoi: Sure, I have to go meet up with Roswaal anyway.
Rem: Thank you, Kaoi.
Kaoi: No problem, Rem.
After exiting the door, Kaoi looks to his left to the pink-haired maid standing next to him.
Kaoi: She ask for you.
Ram: I've heard….
Kaoi:...everything is going to be okay Ram. It may not be perfect but at the very least she knows you are her sister. I have to get going now. See you later
As Kaoi leaves for the house Roswaal is in, Ram stands at the door.
Ram:... I wouldn't be so sure, Bakaoi.
Taking a deep breath, Ram opens the door. Inside she sees Rem sitting on a bed drinking a cup of water.
Rem: Oh, hello again! I'm terribly sorry about passing out earlier. I don't know what came over me.
Ram: It's fine…
Rem: I can't believe how much you look like me. If Kaoi didn't tell me I would not have believed it.
Rem then gets up and pulls Ram in for a hug.
Ram: Rem?!
Rem: I'm sorry, it just makes me so happy that there is another oni like me and it's my sister no less.
Ram is stunned by the actions her sister is making towards in her mind was a total stranger a few moments ago.
Rem: For a long time I felt so lonely. That I was the last of us to survive. It enrages me that I am not able to remember you.
Ram: [sniffling]
Rem: Ram…
It was then that the pink oni reciprocates the hug as she lets loose all of her emotions that she has been holding back. Her twin could only give a comforting smile and softly says
Rem: It's okay. I'm sure Kaoi will help you as will I. Those wicked cultists will pay for what they did you. I can promise you that, Ram.
Ram: Thank you, Rem…[sniffles] Thank you…
Scene Change
It was quite a shock to see Roswaal in bandages, but it made sense after the caught up in the situation. Apparently, Sanctuary is actually the Witch's Graveyard and it's Mather's family's responsibility to look after it for Echidna, the Witch of Greed. For some reason hearing, that name made Kaoi feel uneasy. Oh and also everyone in Sanctuary is trapped.
It turns out the barrier keeps every one of mixed blood from leaving. The barrier could only be dispelled after the Graveyard's Trial or the villagers can't leave. It's how Roswaal got injured as the graveyard rejected him when he tried to take the trial as he isn't of mixed blood. Garfiel then demands Emilia take on the trial and she accepted.
Kaoi then explained to everyone what happened with Rem.
Garfiel then goes up to Kaoi's face.
Garfiel: Wat are you pulling here, you bastard!
Kaoi: Nothing! Look I'm upset about this as you are but right now there's nothing we could do!
Garfiel: Grrr…
Garfiel then leaves the house in frustration.
Roswaal: My, my, how terrifying the effects of gluttony can be.
Kaoi: Yeah about that, I know that you have no memories of Ram-
[Knocking]
Otto opens the door to see Ram.
Kaoi: Ram! How did things go with Rem?
Ram: It went well. Master Roswaal, it's a pleasure to be in your graces once again.
Roswaal: The pleasures all mine, Ram. Everyone if you wouldn't mind I would like to speak to Ram in private.
Kaoi: Alright, we have to inform the villagers anyway.
Emilia: Kaoi's right.
Otto: I should go too.
After everyone had left, it was just Ram and Roswaal in the room.
Roswaal: It was about time you arrived, Ram.
Although Ram wasn't sure what to expect when she would finally be face to face with her aster
Ram: You were expecting me, Master?
Roswaal: Oh Ram, you of all people should know…
The man in bandages chuckles as pulls out a large black book from under his covers.
Roswaal: … I am expecting a lot of things.
Time-skip Night Time
[Play Memento by Nonoc]
Everyone is standing outside the graveyard as Emilia communes with the lesser spirits around the area.
Kaoi: Got enough support from the spirits?
Emilia: Yeah. Everything's fine.
Kaoi: It's going to be fine. We'll be right outside.
Emilia: Thank you, Kaoi.
As Emilia approaches, the ruins give a blue glow.
Garfiel: That light means she's been approved as a qualified challenger in the trial.
Emilia: This is it.
The half-elf makes her way inside the graveyard.
Kaoi: Tell me something.
Garfiel: Huh.
Kaoi: If you're essentially trapped here and the only way is a mixed-blood to take the trial. Then why didn't you take them?
Garfiel looks away from Kaoi.
Garfiel: If I could, I would, damn it.
Kaoi raises an eyebrow at this but his curiosity would be cut short as the graveyard's light suddenly went out.
Ram: Gasps!
Rem: What happened?
Kaoi: Garfiel!
Garfiel: The light's not supposed to go out as long as the trial's going on...
Kaoi: Emi!
Kaoi then makes a dash toward the graveyard.
Ram: Bakaoi, wait!
Rem: Wait Kaoi!
The maids try to stop him but as he gets closer, the graveyard gave off the same blue glow as it did for Emilia.
Kaoi: Don't worry Emi, I'm coming!
Running inside Kaoi pushes a door open. Inside the room he sees Emilia lying on the floor.
[End Song]
Kaoi: Emi!
He began to lose vision and hears a voice. His voice
Kaoi: First, you need to face your own past.
Like that Kaoi passes out.
As he opens his eyes, Kaoi removes his covers revealing his bandaged body and he gets up. Leaving the room he was in, Kaoi makes his way into the dining room he came across a young girl wearing an aikido gi. Her skin is the same dark color as Kaoi's with similar shoulder-lenght hair color. Which fades into a green color when reaching the tips.
Picture: https/tokujensen/art/Rozu-Sister-to-Kaoi-925440129
?: You're up too early.
Kaoi: Come on, you know today is the day I take off these.
?: I'm still your caretaker, now go back to bed while Senjuro finishes breakfast.
Kaoi: Now is that any way to speak to your older brother, Rozu.
Whew! What an chapter write.
I hope you enjoy the chapter and feel free to voice your thoughts in the comments.
Omake:
Garfiel: Ram may have gotten me before I can get to you but she's not here to stop me. Now fight me!
Kaoi: [sighs] This again. Look I'm not going to fight you.
Garfiel: I don't care!
Kaoi: Author?
TokuJensen: I got you.
TokuJensen then pulls up a cellphone to make a call.
TokuJensen: Okay he should be here any moment.
Garfiel: Who da hell you tal- Ah!
Garfiel is suddenly pounced by a shirtless man wearing a boar's mask.
Inosuke: Do not fear, Lord Inosuke is here!
Garfiel: Get off me, you damn bastard!
Inosuke: No way. I was told that you challenged me for supremacy for the mountain and I am here to defend my title as king! Now come at me!
Garfiel: Fine you crazy bastard! If it's a fight you want, it's one you get!
The two then begin to scuffle inside a cloud of dust.
Kaoi: [sighs] Come back next time for Chapter 25: Family.