Chapter 33: The Witches' Teaparty

Kaoi said nothing as he glared at the smiling witch. He takes a deep breath before getting up and taking a seat.

Echidna: Allow me to explain the trial. Just like the first one, the second trial puts you in a world recreated from your memories. It's a thoroughly well-constructed unreality. However, an outside factor seems to have affected the second trial.

Kaoi: Me

Echidna: Which leads us to the second thing you want to know…

Kaoi: Who is Subaru Natsuki?

Echidna: Hmm… he was someone very dear to a mutual acquaintance of ours. Long ago he captured her heart and she captured his. The two have been infatuated with each other ever since. Even after four centuries in her imprisonment, she was able to give him a gift or at least that's what she had thought…

Kaoi: So this ability when I die…

Echidna: Was intended to be given to him and thus was the one supposed to meet that incompetent girl that day, to save the children from the wolgarm pack, to strategize the defeat of the White Whale and Sloth and finally was the one that was supposed to be sitting across from me right now.

Kaoi: Then where is he?

Echidna: Probably in own world. Such a shame too. I was really hoping to meet him again.

Kaoi: In his own world? Wait so you're telling me that my presence here was a-

Echidna: Complete accident. A shame to admit but not even I know why you came here instead of him.

Kaoi: Why did he leave then? If Satella and Subaru were that important to each other then why did he leave after imprisonment? How would he have come back after 400 years?

Echidna: Time works in strange ways between worlds. Though that is just my theory.

Kaoi: So… I was never intended to be here… I wasn't supposed to meet Emi, Ram, Beatrice, Otto, Garfiel or any of the others… I was supposed to be back home… So what was shown to me… Upper Moon Three.. Rengoku's death… did that all really happen?

Echidna: It is certainly possible what you saw did transpire. Without your involvement of course. It is certainly a high probability.

Kaoi: So then Rengoku-sama is most likely…

Echidna: I'm afraid so but remember what he said "Dry your eyes, and look ahead. You may feel like digging your heels in, but the flow of time waits for no one." I know that you have given all of your strength, physical and mental, to survive thus far. Not a single thing you've experienced on your way to this point has been a waste. You have arrived at this moment by doing everything in your power, at the risk of your own life. That's something you should be proud of.

Kaoi: Echidna, why are you saying these things? Why are you helping me?

Echidna looks away bashfully.

Echidna: I think it's a little mean to force a girl to spell that out for you.

She then turns back to Kaoi.

Echidna: Would you be willing to form a contract with me, Kaoi?

Kaoi: A contract?

Echidna: Yes, a formal contract with the Witch of Greed. Would you enter into one with me?

A contract with the Witch of Greed. Yes, only good could come from this

Kaoi: What would be the terms?

Echidna: It's very simple. From now on, whenever you run into an obstacle you can't overcome, when you feel you're being crushed by the weight of your mission, I will give you my support. I'm confident in the amount of knowledge I have. I should be able to come up with a way for you to deal with any problem. Above all, I can share in your Return by Death ability.

Kaoi: Well she has been useful so far. Without her knowledge I wouldn't know half the things I do know about the situation at Sanctuary. But… AH!

Kaoi didn't get to finish that question as an explosion of hearts and sparkles lands near them. With a familiar witch of wrath at the center.

Minerva: I'm gonna have to...

Kaoi: What!

Minerva: …put a stop to that contract.

Kaoi: Minerva!

Kaoi immediately stands up from his seat in shock and awe.

Minerva: I won't accept it!

Echidna: So you're after him, too? I suppose you're jealous.

Minerva: Stop teasing me! I'm outraged! I'm indignant! I'm absolutely boiling with anger!

Kaoi: How is she even here? Don't you have to swap places with the other witches to let them appear?

Minerva: That's a lie! She's a bad-natured jerk who plays mean tricks like that for no reason!

Echidna: Well, I didn't want to just keep popping witches into existence, and let one of them take you from me.

Minerva: Says the witch who hasn't even told you what parts of that contract… would be… bad… for you!

Minerva said as she creates a minor tremor with each stomp she makes.

Kaoi: Bad for me?

Echidna: She's talking about your payment for contracting with me. I think calling it a bad thing is a bit of an exaggeration, though.

Kaoi: Then what would the payment be?

Echidna: It's very simple. Everything you feel, everything you think, everything that remains in your heart, the future as you know it, anything you accomplish, all the potential within you, all the fruit of the unknown that is borne from your very existence… I want a taste of it.

Kaoi: What does that even-

?: Th-That's all true… B-But don't assume that she just t-told you everything...

Looking towards the new voice, Kaoi sees a pink haired woman in a pale yellow sweater and long green scarf.

Kaoi: Who are you?

Witch of Lust - Carmilla

Carmilla: I-I'm Carmilla, th-the Witch of Lust. N-Nice to meet... you… E-Echidna-chan... isn't lying… But there's a lot... she's hiding from you.

Echidna: Don't bother listening to these two, Kaoi. Once you have formed a contract with me, I will, without fail, guide you to the future you desire.

?: This wouldn't be the promise you always precede with "In the end..." would it?

Turning around to another new voice, Kaoi sees a woman with purplish-red hair and black clothes lying on the ground. Kaoi had to pinch his nose as the woman has a surprisingly bad stench.

Witch of Sloth - Sekhmet

Kaoi: Now who are you?

Sekhmet: The Witch of Sloth, Sekhmet. Just letting you know my name, for the record and all. I'm only here as a watchdog to preserve the fairness of this place. But I will fulfill my obligation to her.

Then the little child that is Typhon appears out of nowhere.

Typhon: Oh, Aoi, you're here? Is everyone here now? That's unusual!

Next Daphne comes in on her coffin centipede.

Daphne: It's been a long time since we had a tea party. You should have invited me, too.

Kaoi: Why are they here?

Sekhmet: Isn't obvious?

Kaoi: Huh?

Sekhmet: It's the promise that's always preceded by "In the end..."

In the end.

What seemed to be so simple words can take on a terrifying meaning when said by the wrong person.

Kaoi: I see… Echidna while this contract sounds good at first. There has always been this thing about you whenever we talked…

Echidna: And what that may be Kaoi…

Kaoi: Your emotions or rather.. The lack thereof.

The demon slayer then looks straight into Echidna's soulless eyes.

Kaoi: Everytime we spoke, not once had I been able to discern any emotion from you. At first I thought it was an effect of being in this place. But with everyone here.

He quickly turns to Minerva.

Kaoi: I can feel her frustration!

Minerva: Hey!

He then turns to Typhon.

Kaoi: Her joy!

Typhon: Hello!

He then points to Sekhmet on the ground.

Kaoi: I can even feel how lazy she is.

Sekhmet:...eh.

The demon slayer declared with full confidence as he pointed at the greedy witch.

Kaoi: But with you, even now I can't feel anything from you. I can't in full conscience make a contract with someone so devoid of emotion.

Echidna: …[chuckles] Oh my is that all… if it's just me not showing my emotions.

Kaoi suddenly feels a chill as he witnesses Echidna's expression darken.

Echidna: That can be easily rectified.

Kaoi: ….. huh?

Suddenly some of the witches gasp as a huge cloud covers the sky. Echidna returns to her original expression

Minerva: She's here.

Carmilla: N-No! I have nothing to do with any of this!

Sekhmet: A really troublesome girl just showed up at a troubling time to start some trouble.

Daphne: Oh! I'm feeling very, very hungry

Looking behind him, Kaoi sees a familiar figure approaching the group.

Typhon: Hey! It's Tella! Long time no see!

Witch of Envy/Satella

Echidna: You made it past all those barriers to enter the castle of dreams? Talk about rude.

Kaoi: She's here. Of course she's here. Why is she here?

The shadowy figure doesn't respond as she only raises her hands.

Satella: For so long… For so very long… I have loved you… and no one else.

Kaoi: No, you haven't

Satella: I love you.

Kaoi: No, you don't.

Satella: I have loved only you for so, so long.

Kaoi: No! I'm not him! I'm not Subaru! I'm not the one who gave you love all those years ago! You need to see that!

Echidna: It's no use.

Kaoi: Huh?

Echidna: Her delusions are strong that to her you are nothing but her dear beloved.

Kaoi: That's great! Just fantastic! What can I do now ? Any advice would be useful right now! I've dealt with man-eating demons but love-sick witches are new to me!

But no one spoke. In fact, no one was doing anything. Looking around, Kaoi sees that the other witches were waiting. His instincts told him it wasn't just waiting but waiting for someone to make the first move.

Something is not right here if they were not before.

Minerva: Is…that you? The you that I know?

Satella ignored Wrath's question.

Kaoi: Everyone.. Mind filling me in on what exactly is going on here?

Typhon: Oh we're just waiting to see if that's Tella-Tella or Envy.

Kaoi: Tella-Tella? Or Envy? I don't understand. Is there another witch that I don't know about.

Minerva: Not exactly…

Kaoi: How not exactly.

Echidna: The world remembers Satella as the witch of envy but what was not recorded in history is that Satella had a type of personality disorder.

Kaoi: So like two minds, one body sort of type?

Echidna: No… when she absorbed her witch factor, it was incompatible and that caused the creation of the Witch personality within Satella… Although I don't see a difference.

Kaoi: Ok but what do we do now? I mean what does she want with me or I mean Subaru? Or whoever she or they think I am.

Minerva: If you want to know the answers then ask her yourself.

Kaoi: Kinda tried that before and I ended up stabbing myself in the neck. "Thank you", Echidna.

Echidna: [chuckles] you're welcome.

With a frustrated sigh, the witch of wrath walks closer to Kaoi with sincere eyes.

Minerva: Look, that girl, if she is indeed our friend here. Then she has come a long way to meet you even if you aren't him. So be a man and talk to her directly.

Kaoi: [sigh] Fine…

[ Play The Past's Destination ]

Steering himself for the worst, Kaoi began approaching Satella. Step by step until they were face to face.

Kaoi: woah!

What was once an impenetrable veil of darkness began to fade. Despite seeing her face once before. Now in a calm environment he can properly take in what he is seeing.

Sure he heard the Envy was once a half-elf with amethyst eye and silver hair. It is shocking how similar her face is to Emilia. However, it is not what is causing Kaoi to be in such awe that he doesn't react when she reaches out to his face.

No, it is what he feels from her emotions.

Satella?/Envy?: ..I have love, always love you. You and you alone.

What seemed to be the mad ravings of a lunatic now sounds like the sweet whisper of love.

Love. is that what this is? He can feel her blissful joy for being with her love. The longing she had that has lasted for centuries. The relief from the loneliness that has plagued her.

And she is giving it to the wrong person. Now matter how happy she may feel. The truth of the matter is that he is not here and if those tear streams are of any indication, deep down she knows that.

Despite taking no action on his part, Kaoi couldn't help but feel a little guilty. With a heavy heart, Kaoi speaks.

Kaoi: Hello Satella or Envy, my name is Kaoi of no family name and it's nice to meet you.

Satella?/Envy?: ….

Kaoi: [sighs] ok, you've stopped talking. Hopefully this means that you are listening.

Kaoi: Well first of all I guess I would like to ask you about Subaru.

All the witches look at Kaoi with intrigue.

Kaoi: I only know from what Echidna told me. Seeing that you seemed to be the person closest to him. So what was he to you? What kind of man was her to make you feel such emotions? Why do you love him so much?

Satella?/Envy?: I love you/him…

Kaoi was soon taken aback as at the moment she said you, it was as if she also said him at the same time. Even she seemed to have noticed as she stopped looking at him.

Satella?/Envy?: Because you/he… gave me light. Because you/he took my hand, and you/he taught me about the world outside. Because… when I trembled on lonely nights, you/he never stopped holding my hand. Because when I felt lonely, he/you kissed me and said that I wasn't alone. He/you gave me so many things… That's why I love him/you. Because he/you… he gave me everything.

After that Witch looks back at Kaoi's face and the warm emotions that were there before disappeared.

Kaoi: Well he sounds like an amazing person. I'm sorry that you had to force yourself to see him in me…

Satella?: I just wanted to see him again. Even if it was just for one last is why I wanted to give him this power… to protect and keep him alive…

Kaoi: Well I'm sure he would've appreciated it. As am I for being able to protect and keep alive the people that I have grown to care about.

The demon slayer then turned to the other witches.

Kaoi: and thank you all for keeping my head on straight. Even if your methods were a little unorthodox.

Minerva: Hmph! You're welcome.

Typhon: It was a lot of fun, Aoi!

Camilla: I'm…glad to be of service.

Sekhmet: …

Daphne: Well I couldn't have you lose your mind. Not after you made some big boasts.

Echidna: Then can I ask you to reconsider my offer? If I lend you my assistance, you can be assured that you will arrive at a future in which you save those you want to save. If you don't know what you should do, would you extend your hand to me? I will take you to the future you desire, without fail.

She then extends her hand towards Kaoi.

Echidna: You can single handedly save everyone like your Master Rengoku. You have my word.

Kaoi: … Echidna… If I were to take that hand… It would be the biggest disrespect to his memory…

Echidna: Hmmm…

Kaoi: Because the truth of the matter is that he didn't save those passengers alone. He took on the mission of protecting them while the slaying of that Lower Moon was left to those two. It was only when Akaza showed up that he went at it alone. He shouldered the heaviest burden, not all of it and I need to do the same. I am no longer just a mere demon slayer. I am a Hashira. I have been for a long time and I will do everything in my power to exceed his expectations. I'm sorry Echidna but I do not like you and we can never see eye to eye.

Echidna: …that poor, stupid Garfiel fears the outside world. To free him from his circumstances, you'd have to break that spell.

Kaoi: What?

Echidna: Oh, I'm just being a sore, meddling loser. I don't want you thinking all the other witches were good at heart, but only Echidna was evil to the very end. It's still true that I am a girl, and that I'm fond of you, after all.

With that Echidna walks away. The demon slayer turns back to Satella

Kaoi: I know. I may not be him but I will do my best in his place. You have my word.

He extends a hand towards her to which she takes. The world around them cracking like glass. The world and the other witches disappear into the void.

Satella: Then in his place… please… one day, you must come… to kill me.

Kaoi: If that is your wish then I swear to you I will do my best to fulfill it.

[ End OST ]

Scene Change

When Kaoi came to consciousness, the first thing he felt was a ground dragon's tongue licking his face.

Kaoi: Raiju?

Otto: You're awake?

Looking up he sees Otto and the fact that he is now outside the ruins.

Kaoi: Otto? What happened? How did I get out?

Otto: Raiju dragged you. He started thrashing around, I was afraid he hurt Frufroo and the moment I released him from the carriage...

Kaoi: Wow, so he managed to do it. You're a brave one aren't you. Sorry for worrying you like that.

He turns to his faithful ground dragon and pets his head.

Niko: [coos]

Otto: Well you did accept him when no one else did. It's no wonder he did something so risky.

Kaoi: It's no wonder huh?…Otto.

Otto: Yes?

Kaoi: Why are you here?

Otto: I followed Rai-

Kaoi: No, I mean why are you here in Sanctuary.

Otto: I don't understand?

Kaoi: You've initially come here looking to improve your business by making connections with Roswaal. However, then the stuff with the trials and Sanctuary come up. I just don't see a reason why a merchant like yourself would stick around when there's so much tension. It's not like we're friends. So tell me Otto, why are you here?

Otto:... I don't really know myself. But if I had to answer it would be you.

Kaoi: Huh?

Otto: When I was kidnapped by the witchcult. I was saved by a mercenary group assaulting the cult. One of them told me that I should thank the leader of the attack. Then I was taken hostage to be brought back to the camp and that is when I met you. That day made me gain an understanding of my purpose and reason for living. I wouldn't have that if it weren't for you and I wanted to repay you in some way I can. Even when the situation got bad as it is.

Kaoi: Well Otto, what if I told you that things will get worse. Will you still want to help even at the cost of your life?

Otto: Well I wouldn't know about that but if everyone is in danger then I want to help in any way possible.

The demon slayer touches the merchant's shoulder.

Kaoi: …you have a good heart and never let anyone take that away.

Otto: Thank you, Kaoi Sir.

Kaoi: … Roswaal hired assassins to attack the mansion and has an incoming threat heading towards Sanctuary.

Otto: What!

The green merchant stands shocked at the sudden bombshell dropped on him.

Kaoi: Oh! And this should go without saying but you have to keep this a secret or I might just have to kill you.

Otto: Kill me!

Kaoi: [chuckles] Kidding. I'm kidding about that last part. Everything else is very much true.

Otto: MR. KAOI!

The Next Morning

[Slam!]

Kaoi: Roswaal!

The margrave is stunned for a moment before listening to what the demon slayer has to say.

Kaoi: I propose a wager with our wishes on the line!

Author Notes

There we go. I feel much more proud of this revision. Adding stuff like Kaoi mentions not sensing motions from Echidna and the rewrite of his conversation with Satella.

From my going forward chapter I would like to introduce you all to Raiju, the original earth dragon I have created for Kaoi that will be replacing Patrache in the upcoming rewrite/revision of Arc3. Mainly because Patrache is Subaru's earth dragon. Raiju is an earth dragon that was bred for illegal cage fighting. He was recovered by Crusch's men that broke out when Kaoi was picking his earth dragon and then bonded to him.

So far I have this preliminary art of him and I am looking forward to making a better one of him.

Post Credit:

Back at the castle of dreams a little while after Kaoi's departure, we see Echidna back at her table and sipping her tea when she notices she still has one guest left.

Echidna: What do you want now, Daphne?

Daphne: You didn't tell him.

Echidna: Whatever do you mean? I've told him all that he wants to know.

Daphne: No you didn't. You did not tell him about the mouth that feasted upon him in the first death.

Echidna: Oh… those things. I had honestly forgotten about them. It wasn't until his second trial that I had been reminded of their existence. Kind of surprised you remembered them.

Daphne: Of course I remembered them, I remember all the mouths that indulge in their gluttony.

Echidna: Is that so…

As Daphne disappears, Echidna forms an unusual flower in her hand, that of a blue spider lily.

Meanwhile

Deep in the woods of the Sanctuary, a lone figure is joined by another.

1:So you decided to join me.

2: Well I had to come, especially after what you've told me. Two visits to the Witch's trials is that right?

1: That is indeed correct.

The newly arrived figure steps from the shadows:

2: Well, well, swordsman…

The moonlight shines upon his golden hair as he eyes widen with glee and a smile that shows off his fangs.

https/tokujensen/art/1111426188

2: You've become a very interesting person.

To Be Continued…