Chapter 35: Belief and Hope
[Play Nezuko Run]
Through the woods, Kaoi zigs and zags through the trees.
[BAM!]
[BAM!]
[BAM!]
While Garfiel is punching every tree in his way.
Garfiel: RAAHHHHH! Get back here!
With a stomp, he sends rocks in Kaoi's directions. Destroying all the trees blocking him.
Kaoi: Fourth Form: Blooming Flame Undulation!
In a swing of his blade, he destroyed all of the rocks that was heading his way and when a large one came
Kaoi: Third Form: Blazing Universe
He cuts it in half. Looking up he sees Garfiel's closing in on him.
Garfiel: Finally stopped running. Ya bastard and yeh drawn yor blade.
Kaoi: Just thought a change of scenery was needed.
Garfiel: It doesn't matter where we are. I've been itching for dis fight ever since I met you.
Kaoi: Well then, I hope to meet your expectations.
With that the two charge at each other.
End OST
Meanwhile
While the battle rages on, we find the green merchant walking along a dirt path, thing about the night before.
Flashback
Otto: Um, Kaoi sir, wouldn't it be best for you to talk to Lady Emilia? You are her friend.
Kaoi: Because Otto, she needs to know that even though I'm still there for her even when I'm far away. That's why it's important for you to deliver this message.
Otto: If you say so…
Kaoi: Oh and please drop the titles, when you talk to her I want you to not think about your positions.
Otto: But-
Kaoi: Please, Otto. It is important to talk to her like she is not above you.
Otto: Hmmmmm…. Fine.
Kaoi: Thanks Otto.
Flashback End
Otto: Please… [gulp] Stay safe, Sir Kaoi.
Calming his nerves, the hapless merchant makes his way, through a dirt path, he finds his way to a clearing. He finds sitting at where the barrier would be, the runaway candidate sitting on the ground next to the blue-haired maid.
Otto: Hello there, Mi– Emilia. Rem…
Emilia didn't respond. It was only until her companion nudged her to respond.
Rem: Miss Emilia, Otto is here.
Emilia: ….why… are you here Otto…
Otto: Kaoi sent me here to deliver a message.
Emilia: Kaoi… he must be angry it he didn't come here to tell me…
Otto: I don't think that is the case. The last I saw of him he was pretty worried about you.
Emilia: If he was worried … then why did he break his promise!
Emilia cries as he buries her face into her legs and leans on Rem for support.
Otto: …."I'm sorry"
Emilia stops crying for a moment and looks up to Otto. The merchant then pulls out a piece of paper.
Otto: That's how his message starts. " I know how heartbroken you must be. Waking up to find me not there by you. How scared you are to feel abandoned. That was never my intention. I want you to understand that even though I am not with you at this moment. I am on your side."
While Emilia was listening, something strange was happening as she began to stop hearing Otto's voice and Kaoi's instead.
Kaoi: Emilia, you are a kind and wonderful person. You'll help anyone in need even when it shouldn't be your concern. You care for everyone's safety when they don't care about yours. You put yourself through torture by taking this trial over and over again for the sake of others. It's for those reasons why I'll never abandon you.
Soon a visage of her friend starts to appear.
Kaoi: That's why… that's why it is so frustrating that you deny that part of yourself. That you insist those actions are transactional, a way to repay someone else. That you put up these walls around you to shield yourself from everyone. Only letting one in, believing that they are the one person in the whole world you could trust. You did it with Puck and you did it with me. You probably are doing it with Rem without realizing it.
She imagines the disappointing look of her friend as he scolds her.
Kaoi: I can confidently say that I hate that part of you. Look Emi… there may have been a time when that was true but it has long passed. You think you are the source of everyone's problem and that you need to shoulder the weight of the world. However, when you do that, you can't see the other people trying to do the same… people that are like you…
Otto: "Please Emi, let those people in…."
Brought back to reality, Emilia sees Otto putting away the note. Noticing his change in demeanor.
Emilia:...Others that are like me? Don't be ridiculous!
Otto: huh!
Tears endlessly run down her face as she shouts at Otto.
Emilia: Who could feel what I felt for years! Ever since I was born, I have been nothing but a burden to those who cared about me. Causing them endless trouble, getting them injured or… or… or…
Rem: Lady Emilia…
Emilia: Kaoi doesn't want to deal with me anymore. That's why he said those things. Puck.. Kaoi.. they all selfishly left me-
Otto: Shut up!
Otto's outburst silences the crying half-elf.
Kaoi: Please, Otto. It is important to talk to her like she is not above you.
Otto: You… you… you have no idea what other people have been through! Who are you to say that they are not others who feel like you do?! Be real! You are not the only one who feels like they're being punished for existing! People like… like…
The green merchant plants his hand on his chest.
Otto: like me!
Emilia: what do you mean…?
Otto: For a long time I have struggled to cope with my Divine Protection. You want to sit here and complain about everyone abandoning you for not completing the trials. Try calling a swarm of zodda bugs and being called the Zodda Bug Bastard! Try using your powers to prove you did not have an affair with a noble's daughter only to lose the respect of the entire town. Yet after all that, my father, my mother, and my brothers… all of them… they all still try to help me through all that.
Emilia: ….but….that…
Rem: I believe he is right, Lady Emilia.
Emilia: Rem?
Looking next to her, Emilia sees Rem with tears threatening to leave her eyes. Clearly having been also affected by Kaoi's words.
Rem: Rem has also felt like a burden to those around her. To my parents, to Lord Roswaal, to Kaoi and probably to Ram… It was until Kaoi entered my life that for the first time I felt… I felt…
Rem's blue eye looks into Emilia's.
Rem: that it was okay for me to be alive.
She stood up and walked to Otto's side.
Otto: See Miss Emilia. We know what you have been through. So please, let us help and support you and intern please help us.
Otto reaches out to the sitting half-elf as does Rem.
Emilia sat there in disbelief. Disbelief that there could be anyone that can relate to her. Disbelief that after everything that has happened there are still those who would want to help her. However, deep within her heart, there exists a hope. A hope that those things are true and it is that small belief that allows her to take their hands.
Rem: Are you feeling alright, Lady Emilia?
Emilia: A bit better but before anything else I think I need to speak to Kaoi first.
Rem: I also believe that is for the best. Otto, can you please tell us where Kaoi is?
Otto: Oh! Well ummm… Kaoi is…
Before Otto could stall any longer, a loud roar was heard throughout the entire forest.
Rem: That was Garf!
Rem and Emilia looked to Otto for an explanation
Otto: Yeah, he and Kaoi are… having a chat.
A Few Moments Ago
[Play Garou vs 8 Heroes Theme]
We find our demon slayer a bit worn from a long arduous battle. Unfortunately, his opponent doesn't seem to be showing any signs of wear and tear.
Garfiel: How long do you think you can keep up? Had you gone in with the intent to kill, this fight would have been over.
Kaoi: For as long it would take for you to listen to me. Now answer me Garfiel, why don't you want the barrier to be released? Why stay trapped?
Garfiel: Like I need to tell you! You can ask the same questions again and again but I ain't answering to someone like you!
Kaoi: This is not good. We've been at this for hours and doesn't seem to be letting up anytime soon. Wait! Is that…
Garfiel: Just give up! You ain't gonna get me to spill.
Kaoi: Maybe…but…. She might.
The demon slayer couldn't help but let out a smirk.
Garfiel: Huh…[gasps]!
?: El Fula!
Garfiel: Cocky Bitch!
Garfiel turns around in time to use his earth magic to create a shield to protect himself from the incoming blades.
Kaoi: Ain't this a familiar situation.
?: Be quiet. You were just so pathetic, I couldn't watch.
Kaoi: Say what you want but I really do appreciate this.
The demon slayer said as he looked at his ally.
Garfiel: I knew you couldn't be trusted! Pink Rem!
Ram: It's Ram. Get it through that thick skull of yours, Garf.
Garfiel furiously throws his vest to the ground.
Garfiel: Dat's enough!
His body glows with red as his muscles are brimming with rage. He morphs into his tiger form.
Garfiel: [Roars!]
Ram: What now, Bakaoi.
Kaoi: I had hoped that by wearing him down. He is more open to a dialogue. However…
Ram: Garf was always endlessly stubborn, that was your first mistake. Now let me handle him… [Focused Breathing]
Garfiel takes a swing at Ram with a mighty claw, she swiftly dodges and delivers a hard right hook of her own.
Ram: You don't remember Garf, but not once have you beaten me in a punch out.
The tiger tries again only for Ram to dodge and counter. She then starts unloading onto Garfiel punch after punch after punch. Knocking him to the ground. Ram gives the tiger man a smug look.
Ram: I'll have to admit you've gotten strong, Garf.
Garfiel gets back up, prepared to slash at Ram again.
[Shink!]
Kaoi intercepts with a slash to the yellow tiger's back.
Kaoi: Did you forget about me?
Garfiel: [Roars!]
Back with Emilia, Rem and Otto
Otto: Wait! Miss Emilia! Rem! Please!
The green merchant cried out as he struggled to keep up with the running half-elf and oni.
Emilia: We can't. We have to stop them from fighting!
Rem: I agree. While Kaoi will hold back, Garf will not. Not to mention his vast stamina.
Emilia: So that's why-
Garfiel: [Roars!]
[Crash!]
https/tokujensen/art/1112399457
The trio's conversation was soon interrupted as the great tiger crashed in front of their path. Swiping at his opponents that were leaping in the air.
Otto: Garfiel!
Emilia: Kaoi!
Rem: Ram?!
Shocked to see her sister participating in the fight, Rem quickly regains her composure and tackles Emilia and Otto out of the way of a falling tree.
Rem: Garfiel Stop!
Kaoi/Ram: Rem!
Garfiel: [Roars!]
The yellow tiger continued in his rampage, ignoring the pleas of the blue oni. Only stopping when a spiked steel ball was thrown across his path.
[End OST]
Rem: Garfiel Tinzel! You will stop what you are doing right this instant!
Rem's commanding voice somehow reaches the beastman as he takes a back step away from the blue maid.
Garfiel: [snarls]
Rem: Don't you dare you snarl at me! Now I demand that you turn back right now!
Garfiel still snarls at Rem but to the surprise of everyone listens to her demands. His body shrank and his yellow fur disappeared. Returning to his regular human form.
Kaoi: I should have her be with me from the beginning.
Garfiel: [heavy breathing] Rem, are you really standing with this suspicious guy?
Rem: I trust this man with my life. Now please Garf, put your trust in him.
Garfiel: Are you serious? What are you tryna pull?
Rem: Garf, if you won't tell Kaoi then tell me! What are you afraid of?
Garfiel: You think… I'm afraid?
Rem: I've known you for many years now, Garf. I know that whenever you make yourself big and scream as loud as you can. You're covering up for your fear.
Garfiel: Rem…
Ram: Bakaoi, I believe now is your chance.
Kaoi: Yeah, I think it is…
Stepping forward, Kaoi walked past Rem who tried to stop him but was held back by her sister.
Kaoi: Garfiel.
Garfiel: Huh?
Kaoi: Years ago, you accidentally took the first trial.
Garfiel: Shut … up…
Kaoi: During that trial, you witnessed the moment when your mother left you and your sister…
Garfiel: Shut up…
Kaoi: I'm sorry for dredging the past like this but Garfiel… do you hold a grudge against your mother?
Garfiel: Just shut up….
Kaoi: It must have felt really painful for her to leave you when you were young and then your sister left as well.
Garfiel backs away as Kaoi continues to walk forward.
Kaoi: Do you resent them? Resent the outside world that lured them away? Do you truly believe the only way to hide from the pain is to stay here?
Garfiel: No you're …. What do you know…
Kaoi: I know nothing. Not unless you tell me. If you hold hated in your for your mother then that is your right but don't keep everyone trapped here for your-
Garfiel: You're wrong!
Kaoi: huh?
Garfiel: I… I…
Kaoi: Please Garfiel, tell us the truth.
Garfiel struggles as he looks at Kaoi with a solemn expression
Garfiel: I wanted… my mom to… be happy. We were in the way of her happiness. Weren't we?!
He then cries into his hands.
Garfiel: It only makes sense! If you're carryin' baggage like that, what's wrong with dumpin' it somewhere?! Mom left so she could find happiness! So I'm not holdin' anything against her!
Rem: Garfiel…
Garfiel: But... I saw it. I saw it in the graveyard… Right after Mom left here, there was a landslide and she died! Why? Didn't she leave here so she could find happiness? Didn't she leave us behind so she could find happiness?!
Tears started escaping from the tiger's eyes.
If she abandoned us only to die before she could find happiness… What are we supposed to do? I wanted Mom to be happy. I wanted her to make me believe our sadness and loneliness served the purpose of helping her find happiness! I wanted her to make me hate her!
Everyone present couldn't help but feel sympathy for the self-loathing beastman. He truly believed that he had to be abandoned for his mother to find happiness.
Kaoi:...
Garfiel: I'm not lettin' you get to the outside world. Things changing ain't gonna make everyone happy. For a lot of us, nothing's ever gonna get better!
His body once again starts brimming with red energy.
Garfiel: I'm gonna protect them. I'm gonna protect everything and everyone within my reach. I will become a barrier! A real barrier that separates the inside from the outside!
Kaoi: Garfiel…
The demon slayer said his name as a warning. However, Garfiel was not heeding.
Garfiel: The Sanctuary, the people here, the old hag... I'll protect them all! No one can do it but me! [Raors]
He completes his transformation with a ferocious roar.
Rem: Garfiel!
Rem tried to run towards the two but was being held back.
Ram: He won't listen to you. Not now.
Rem: But Ram I-
Rem: Trust Bakaoi. Look sister.
Rem: Huh?
To the surprise of everyone, Kaoi stands there in front of Garfiel unperturbed.
Ram: He knows what he is doing.
Emilia: Kaoi…
Kaoi: I guess we'll do this the hard way! Emilia!
Emilia: Huh!
Unexpectedly Kaoi threw his sheathed sword at Emilia who barley's catches hit. He then makes a run for Garfiel. The great tiger takes one swipe at him but he dodges. Kaoi stabs Garfiel's gigantic arm with something hidden within his fist.
A bright blue light then shines blinding everyone. When everyone's vision returned to them, they were met with the unexpected sight of Garfiel returned to his human form with a blue crystal lodged in his arm.
Garfiel: Wh-What just..
After falling down to his knees, the crystal lodged in his arm falls off.
Garfiel: Is this... my sister's? Damn it, why…
Kaoi: Let's just say it was a cat finally returning a favor.
The crystal glows as if there is something inside of it saying it has paid the favor for saving his daughter.
Kaoi: Now listen up , Garfiel. Whether you like it or not. Sanctuary will be freed and we will leave for the outside world.
Garfiel: Who asked you to do that?! Who said you could?! This place doesn't need to change!
Kaoi: Regardless of what you or anyone else does. Change will happen. Don't you see Garfiel, everyone here had had a change that was forced upon their lives and were helpless to do anything about it.
Whether it was your home burning, falsely accused of a crime, everybody forgetting you or the death of those close to you, what matters…
Kaoi: What matters is what we do after it. We can stay stagnant like you. Trying to keep everything the same or you can be like us. Rising above and finding strength with each other. Setting your heart ablaze!
Garfiel: There had to be… a better way for you to say that!
Garfiel goes in for a punch only for it to be blocked when Kaoi holds his arms in an x-cross guard. He is shocked to see Kaoi is still standing despite the force of the punch.
Kaoi: You know Garfiel. There's something I find not right with your story.
Garfiel: Wat!
Kaoi: You say that your mom abandoned you because you were in the way of her happiness but isn't that your assumption?!
Garfiel: Shut up!
He goes in for another punch but Kaoi dodges.
Kaoi: Then tell me! In your trial, has your mother ever scowled at her children? Looked so relieved that she was free of them?! Tell me!
Garfiel: Shut up! Shut Up! SHUT UP!
Punch after punch he threw however they were getting sloppier and sloppier. He can't be right. His mother had to deep down despise him. But for some reason…
Kaoi: You can't! Can you?!
Kaoi closes in as he easily dodges another punch.
[Play Mugen Train M25]
Kaoi: So stop thinking that way!
He tightens his fist.
Kaoi: Stop insulting her memory!
Kaoi delivers a hard uppercut. Sending Garfiel flying, his thoughts as he lands on the ground is that of a woman with long yellow hair smiling at him.
Kaoi: [heavy breathing] It's over…
Otto: Sir Kaoi! He's getting back up!
Kaoi: huh?!
Kaoi looks up to see Garfiel standing back on his feet.
Kaoi: I have to give you credit. Your stamina is something to be admired.
Garfiel: As long as... I don't break... I can still..
Kaoi: Just stop.
Garfiel: No… This is... the end of it! No one else will ever—
Whatever Garfiel had to say, he never finished as he was soon headbutted by a the charging earth dragon that is Raiju. Sending him to the ground for the last time.
Raiju: [Roars] https/watch?v=fi-SOt3vgRo
Kaoi: He had been itching to do that to him for a while hasn't he?
Otto: Eversince he first met him.
Kaoi: That Garfiel is what finding strength in others feels like.
The fallen warriors struggle to respond.
Garfiel: Again... there had to be… a better way... to say that.
Kaoi: Ummm… Alone, weak… Together, strong…?
Garfiel: I guess nobody can lift a quain stone alone…
Those were the last words of the tiger before he went to sleep.
Rem: Garfiel!
Rem shakes away from her sister in order to give aid.
Kaoi: We should probably take him somewhere he can recover without interruption.
Otto: I guess we can take him back to the ruins.
Kaoi: Good idea. Rem, help me get him on Raiju.
Rem: Ok.
The two laid Garfiel's body on Raiju's saddle.
Kaoi: Hey Rem.
Rem: Yes?
Kaoi: Thank you, for looking after Emilia.
Rem: Anything for my friend but I believe it is time for you to take over.
Kaoi: I guess it is.
The sun sets as the group makes their way towards the Witch's Graveyard. Emilia and Kaoi hang in the back a bit far from the rest.
Kaoi: Hey Emi. It's been one hell of a day. Hasn't it?
Emilia: …Kaoi…
Kaoi: Yes?
Emilia: Before anything else happens. There is something I have to tell you.
Kaoi: I'm listening.
Emilia: Since Puck left, my memories have been slowly coming back. Sights in my mind that I don't recognize… Conversations I don't remember… More and more of them keep coming back. I thought I remembered everything all this time,
Silent tears stream down her face.
Emilia: But I went and forgot them, as if they never existed. When all the memories come back, what's going to happen to me? Is this me... really me? I forgot so many important things. I even forgot about Mother.
Kaoi: …No matter what, Emilia. Whatever memories you regained. It won't change that I'm going to be there for you and so are they.
Emilia: Huh?
Kaoi: Look at them, they are here not because they are trapped but they believe in you. So no matter what happens you won't find yourself alone. We'll be there. You'll be fine once you've found it.
Emilia: Found what?
Kaoi: Your drive to continue living despite all the hardships you face. Just like the ideals and faith of my master has kept me running forward. you'll find your most precious feeling, the one that makes you able to blow away all the anxieties and do the same.
Emilia: My most... precious feeling… I wonder if it's among all these memories I've been getting back. My most precious feeling…
Kaoi: I'm sure it is. Your reason to keep walking is there.
With that, they have arrived at the graveyard.
Time Skip - Night
Garfiel: uhhhhhh….
The waking warrior slowly regains his consciousness. He finds himself looking up at a certain blue-haired maid.
Rem: Garf, are you awake?
Garfiel: Yeah... I'm awake.
He is then kicked off Rem by the stoic sister.
Ram: Then get off Rem already.
Rem: Ram!
Garfiel quickly gets up.
Garfiel: You ain't got a shred of niceness in you, is there?
Ram: When there's someone worth being nice to, I can be nice.
Garfiel: And I'm not worth that, huh?
Rem: Ram, you shouldn't go that far.
Ram: Hmph! Garf, you're too stupid. It's no use trying to think.
Garfiel: Huh?
Ram: From now on, fight with an empty head and don't think about anything. For Rem, and for Miss Emilia, too.
Rem: Well I wouldn't put it like that. Ram is right, Garf.
Garfiel: Buh— Don't be dumb! I admit that I lost! But admitting and surrendering are two different things! I could pick up where I left off right—
Ram: Stop yammering! You lost, Garf, you purrfect loser. How long must you carry on in front of the woman you love before you're satisfied?
Rem: Ram? What do you mean by that?
A blush appears on Garfiel's face before shaking his head.
Garfiel: I accept that I lost, but I don't accept that I was wrong! That's right! I don't think I was in the wrong! So I can't make some half-assed attempt to—
Ram: If you don't want it to stop at half-assed, you just need to prove that you're not standing still.
Garfiel: Huh?
Ram: The trial… Can you change, or are you going to be a little cowering child stuck in one place forever? Find out with your own eyes.
Garfiel: Please, Garf.
Garfiel: …Pink Rem.
Ram: It's Ram.
Garfiel: We've must have been pretty close cause I felt ready to listen to ya.
Ram: I have no idea what you're talking about, Garf but you look as if you've made up your mind.
Rem: You'll be fine, Garf. No matter what happens, I'll be here to comfort you.
Garfiel: Rem…
Rem: We're old friends after all.
Ram: Sister, don't offer yourself to men so easily.
The blue maid gets quickly embarrassed by the teasing of her sister.
Rem: Ram! That's not what I mean-
Garfiel: I think dats the first time Rem called us friends. Rem, dat guy really changed you…
Kaoi: Well look who finally got up.
Garfiel: Huh?
Rem, Ram and Garfiel turn their heads to the approaching demon slayer. Before Garfiel could say anything, Kaoi reached out and offered him the tiger's discarded vest.
Kaoi: Thought I would come back and get this for you.
Garfiel could only stare at the vest in his hands as he remembered the slayer's words from earlier.
Kaoi: …or you can be like us. Rising above and finding strength with each other. Setting your heart ablaze!
Garfiel: …
He takes his vest, puts it back on and walks towards the temple. The building glowing blue as he approaches. His steps echo through the hall as he makes his way towards the main room. He hesitates at the door but he opens it. Entering the room of the Witch's trials.
Garfiel: First, you must confront your own past.
Sometime Later
While Garfiel finds out the truth of what happened all those years ago, the group were greeted by the arrival of Ryuzu Shima and Bilma.
Emilia: So... Is Miss Shima, Miss Ryuzu's older sister, or her younger sister?
Kaoi: I think it's more like a twin situation but that's just my idea.
Suddenly the glow from the temple died down and everyone saw Garfiel walking out.
Bilma: Young Gar.
Both Ryuzu clones run towards him as Garfiel jumped down the stairs to meet them.
Shima: Y-Young Gar…
Bilma: You see, I... We…
Garfiel: Don't make that face, old hags. It don't suit ya. Sorry I worried you.
Rem approaches behind the clones.
Rem: Garf, how did it go?
Garfiel: Well, I can't say I really got any results you can see out of it. But... I do think I got some closure.
For when Garfiel took the trial, he saw the truth that his mother left in pursuit of his father. She left the Sanctuary for her family's sake.
Kaoi: Now that you've completed the first trail. Do you feel like doing-
Garfiel: Nah, that ain't my job.
Emilia: That's right. It's my job. Don't just go and give it away.
Kaoi: [laughs] Ok. I won't
Garfiel then awkwardly put his hand to scratch his head.
Garfiel: Yeah, uh… I also wanna say… I think the reason I finally accepted the trial was probably because of you. Thanks.
Kaoi: It was no problem.
Ram: I was a problem, Bakaoi.
Kaoi: Not now, Ram.
Garfiel: Listen up!
The tiger shouts while pointing a finger at Kaoi.
Garfiel: I realize I lost! But if you guys liberate this place and the old hags suffer for it, I won't go easy on ya!
Kaoi: I wouldn't expect you to. You have my word that I will ensure everyone's safety.
Garfiel then lets out a wide sharp smile.
Garfiel: Dat's what I expect from ya, Boss!
He pats Kaoi's shoulders hard before letting him go.
Kaoi: Boss?
Emilia: His face was so red!
Kaoi: I guess I don't mind him calling me that.
Ram: I bet you feel as if you've gained a new brother. You're older than he is, so be lenient.
Kaoi: Hmph!... don't worry I'll look after him like my own flesh and blood. Wait did you say younger?
Ram: Garf is only turning fourteen this year.
Kaoi: And he's that strong already!
After everything calms down, Emilia stands at the entrance.
Kaoi: I hope you're not getting cold feet.
Emilia: No. If I stay here too long, my resolve will waver.
Kaoi: That's good.
Emilia: Kaoi… There's something I want to ask of you…
Kaoi: Huh?
Emilia: But it can wait. So when the trial and everything else is taken care of, let's talk it over... okay?
Kaoi: …okay.
Emilia take her fist steps into the temple and the building glows once again. The half-elf turns for a moment.
Emilia: I'll be going now and I'm setting my heart ablaze!
With that joyful talk, Emilia makes her way down the hall. Garfiel walks up to Kaoi.
Garfiel: "Setting your heart ablaze" that is one helluva phrase you know dat? Where did ya get it?
Kaoi smiles as he reminisces of the man with flaming hair.
Kaoi: It was a saying that my boss, The Flame Hashira would often say.
Garfiel: The Flame Hashira. He must really be something he was the boss of my boss. [laughs]
Kaoi: Yeah he was… Rengoku-sama, even though you are gone, your spirit still lives to inspire even to those that are worlds away. Thank you, Master…
Author's Note
Wow, that was a long chapter. Although I suppose that would be appropriate after a long hiatus. Chapter 33 was a rewrite and Chapter 34 I had done during senior year of college. This was the actual first new chapter I had written for this year. I hope you guys really enjoyed it. Let me know what you think of the art. It's this new thing I'm trying art with a artstyle that would allow me to release these chapters in a timely manner.
A reminder that all of my art you can find at my deviant art.
Just to let you all know I'm going to be cliff-noting the next few segments seeing that it is backstory for Re:Zero and I would just be typing a subpar novelization. If you're reading this fanfic then you probably already know the story. I mean who would read a fanfic before knowing the original source material.
[laughs in irony]
Next up is actually going to be the new opening for this half of the arc.
That is all I have to say for now, feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments and have a good day.
Post Credit Scene:
Emilia now finds herself in the middle of a forest. With a certain guest leaning on a tree with her arms crossed.
Echidna: Hi there. I certainly have had a lot of visitors lately. Awfully bold of you to stroll in here. Even I'm surprised. You loose woman, who clings to the first person to comfort you when you're sobbing in despair… You shameless fool, who keeps soiling the world that is mine alone… Well, why don't you say something… witch's daughter?
Emilia paid no heed to the insults thrown at her as she simply makes a fist and puts it on her chest over her heart.
Emilia: My name is simply Emilia! I am the Frozen Witch, born in Elior Forest!
She then lets out a smile.
Emilia: I won't give in to the malice of a fellow witch. I'm quite an insufferable woman, after all!