Battle Tendency
As Garfiel and Mimi reached the imposing capital building, their steps quickened with purpose. The city felt like it was on the edge of a knife, a thick tension in the air. Garfiel clenched his fists, determination blazing in his fierce green eyes. He was ready to tear into whoever dared stand in their way, especially if they were Witch Cult scum.
But as the two approached, a dark presence materialized ahead. From the shadows, two cloaked figures emerged. One was enormous, towering above them, with four muscular arms each holding a gleaming sword. The other was smaller and lithe, but something about their stance was unnervingly aggressive, almost feral. Both wore the mark of the Witch Cult.
Before Garfiel or Mimi could react, the larger figure lunged forward, four swords slicing through the air in a brutal assault. Garfiel threw himself in front of Mimi, barely deflecting the onslaught, his muscles straining under the force of each blow.
"Stay behind me, Mimi!" he barked, fangs bared. But even as he blocked one strike, the smaller figure darted forward with blinding speed, a whirlwind of violence. It was all Garfiel could do to hold his ground.
The fight raged on, the cultists pushing Garfiel and Mimi to their limits. Each clash felt more desperate than the last, their opponents relentless and unforgiving. Garfiel could feel himself tiring, his strength waning as the onslaught continued. They were outmatched.
"Run, Mimi!" he shouted, desperation lining his voice. But before they could retreat, a scream pierced the air. Garfiel whipped his head around to see Mimi, clutching her side, her face twisted in agony. Blood seeped between her fingers from a deep, brutal slash inflicted by the smaller robed figure.
Panic surged in Garfiel's chest, a sinking dread that nearly froze him. He grabbed Mimi, pulling her close as they stumbled back, trying to flee. But his heart raced, a thousand thoughts tearing through him. They wouldn't make it. They were done for.
And then, as if summoned by sheer will, a familiar figure appeared before them.
"Subaru…" Garfiel's voice cracked, a mixture of disbelief and desperation.
Subaru stood, his black hair tousled by the wind, his usual casual expression now replaced with something calm yet fierce. The dark-haired youth's gaze moved to Mimi's blood-stained side, his face hardening.
"You're alright, Garfiel. You're still here. And Mimi… she's gonna be alright too," Subaru said, his voice steady and sure, cutting through Garfiel's mounting panic. His words struck Garfiel, anchoring him, pulling him back from the edge.
"Subaru, I…" Garfiel's voice trembled as he fought to keep his composure. "I couldn't… They were… too strong…"
Subaru placed a firm hand on Garfiel's shoulder, meeting his gaze with unyielding resolve. "That's why I'm here. You did everything you could. You got her this far. Now, let me do the rest."
Garfiel stuttered, the words caught in his throat. Subaru looked at him, his eyes intense yet reassuring. Subaru asked, a quiet strength in his tone, "Garfiel, would you like me to save you?"
The question hung in the air, heavy with promise, with a weight that cut through Garfiel's despair. The boy who had always prided himself on his strength, who was always ready to fight, felt his defenses waver. This time, he was the one needing help.
A single nod was all he managed, his voice lost.
"A fine answer," Subaru replied, his voice low but full of conviction. His words seemed to carry a power that made even the cloaked figures falter. They took a step back, their previously relentless confidence wavering as they shifted closer to the shadowed entrance of the capital building, their postures tense and defensive.
"Take Mimi and get her to the best healer you can find," Subaru instructed Garfiel with a calm authority, not a trace of hesitation in his voice. He turned his gaze back toward the robed enemies, eyes narrowed and steady. "Don't get Anastasia pissed off at me. You've done your part, Garfiel. Now go."
Garfiel, still stunned by the intensity radiating from Subaru, swallowed hard and nodded. He glanced down at Mimi, who was barely conscious, her usually vibrant spirit dulled by pain. Without a second thought, he scooped her up gently, his grip firm yet careful as he turned and started to carry her to safety. But before he left, he looked back, a mix of awe and respect in his gaze as he watched Subaru step forward, facing the robed figures without a shred of fear.
"I'll handle things from here," Subaru said, his voice carrying across the space. The two cloaked figures shifted, clearly unnerved by the calm defiance in his stance.
With Garfiel retreating into the distance, Subaru took another step forward, eyes locked on his foes.
The atmosphere in the hotel was tense and buzzing with the urgency of crisis management. Anastasia Hoshin stood near the center of the room, her usual lighthearted demeanor gone, replaced with a grim intensity. By her side was Julius, his brow furrowed as they strategized, determined to bring order to the chaos erupting outside.
"If what that voice claimed was true, then we're dealin 'with the Sin Archbishop of Lust," Anastasia said, her tone edged with frustration and determination. "The Witch's Cult has taken the city, no doubt about it. Reports of robed figures attackin' civilians are piling up faster than we can respond. We need ta' make sure all civilians get to the shelters as quickly as possible."
Across from her, Crusch Karsten, standing tall and unyielding, was focused, listening intently as she reviewed the plan with Wilhelm and Ferris. Wilhelm, with his sharp, unwavering gaze, nodded in agreement. Ferris looked tense, the weight of the situation clear on his face, but there was a fierce resolve in his eyes as he absorbed every word, ready to spring into action.
"The shelters will only hold so many," Wilhelm noted, his voice steady. "If they're scattered, we risk more casualties. We need to set up perimeter defenses around the areas we can hold and concentrate our forces."
"Right," Ferris added, his voice tight with urgency. "And those Cult members—if they're spread out all over the city, our best shot is keepin' civilians far from where they're operatin'. But we need people who can hold off the Cult long enough fer the evacuation."
At that moment, Ricardo entered the room with his usual swagger slightly dampened by the gravity of the situation. His usually relaxed expression was steeled with resolve as he took his place by Anastasia, flanked by Tivey and Hetaro, who looked both frightened and determined. Even the normally bubbly Hetaro had a furrowed brow, clinging close to his brother, while Tivey clutched his monocle as if for reassurance.
Ricardo put a reassuring hand on each of the twins' shoulders before stepping forward. "Ain't gonna lie, boss, things are bad out there. But me and the boys, we'll get people where they need to go. And if any of those cultists come sniffin' around, they'll have ta' deal with us."
Anastasia gave him a brief nod of approval. "Good. This is the situation we prepared fer. We ain't gonna let those cultists throw our city into ruin."
Julius chimed in, his voice firm and calm, "I'll take a team and set up an outpost near the main shelter. If we can organize some of the knights still in the city, we'll have a better chance of keeping the citizens safe while they evacuate."
"Excellent. We'll need all the help we can muster," Crusch replied. "We need to move fast if we're to keep casualties to a minimum."
As the discussion deepened, an unsettling realization took hold among the gathered leaders: some crucial figures were still unaccounted for. Concern flashed across everyone's faces as they attempted to piece together a timeline of events, noting each person's last known whereabouts and speculating on the dangers they might be facing.
The most troubling absence was that of Reinhard, the Sword Saint. Without him, the city lacked its most powerful defender, a figure who could easily turn the tide of this chaotic situation. Felt's absence alongside him only heightened their concerns. If Reinhard and Felt were missing, it meant they were likely occupied with something critical, or worse, in danger themselves. The room grew tense as the weight of this potential setback sank in.
Tivey and Hetaro, standing close to Ricardo, exchanged worried glances as they shifted uneasily. Even the ever-confident Anastasia seemed momentarily distracted, casting them a quick, reassuring nod. But she and Ricardo both knew the twins were anxious about Mimi's whereabouts. Despite her strength and resilience, the danger posed by the Witch's Cult was enough to worry even the most seasoned warriors.
It was Crusch who broke the silence, bringing up the name that had been lingering in everyone's mind. "Natsuki Subaru," she said steadily, casting a look across the room. Her words landed heavily, prompting a thoughtful, almost reluctant quiet from everyone present.
Anastasia sighed and spoke up. "He was last seen with Priscilla Barielle," she said, her tone guarded but direct. Crusch's gaze flickered with curiosity at the mention of Priscilla, a woman whose presence and power were undeniable. Wilhelm chimed in, voice steady but clearly thoughtful. "With those two together, strength shouldn't be an issue," he commented, though a hint of unease crept into his otherwise composed demeanor.
Wilhelm's mind briefly wandered back to Subaru's words from the other night—bold, confident, and strangely moving. It had been a long time since he had seen that kind of spirit in someone so young.
"So what, we wait here for everybody to come and rescue each other?" Ferris's voice was edged with frustration, his eyes flashing with a mixture of anger and fear for everyone scattered across the city.
"No," Julius replied, his tone calm but resolute. "We make our assault bold, once we properly regroup. We can't afford to be divided right now." He exchanged glances with Crusch and Wilhelm, both of whom nodded in agreement, sharing his determination to act decisively.
The group was strategizing further when, abruptly, a strangled gasp broke through the tense air. Hetaro and Tivey, standing close to each other, suddenly staggered, clutching their sides as blood seeped through their clothes. The two boys collapsed onto the floor, the dark red spreading from a deep, jagged wound on each of their bodies.
"Hetaro! Tivey!" Ricardo cried, rushing forward as the shock spread through the room. Anastasia's face paled, and even Julius momentarily froze, his eyes widening in horror.
Ferris reacted instantly, dropping to his knees beside them, his hands glowing as he summoned his healing magic. "D-Don't worry, it's gonna be okay," he said, though his voice wavered. "Hold on, just hold on. You're both safe here, alright?"
The room was frozen in a mixture of disbelief and fear as Ferris worked, his magic knitting the wounds closed, though the effort left him visibly strained. Crusch clenched her fists, her face tight with worry. The realization hit them all hard: Mimi, wherever she was, had been gravely injured—and her brothers had shared in her suffering due to the Divine Protection that bound the three of them together.
"Damn it," Ricardo muttered, voice rough with a mixture of anger and helplessness as he watched his younger siblings fight through their pain. Anastasia, regaining her composure, placed a hand on his shoulder, silently reassuring him while holding back her own fear.
"This isn't just some scattered attack," Crusch said grimly, breaking the silence. "They're targeting everyone, no matter the cost."
In that moment, Julius's urgency sharpened into cold resolve. The time for planning was over—they had to reclaim the city and stop this bloodshed. His gaze swept the room, lingering on the most seasoned warriors among them. Ricardo, with his fierce loyalty; Wilhelm, carrying years of experience and unmatched skill; and Crusch, ever composed and ready to lead. Together, they could push back the cultists, break through the chaos, and restore order.
But before Julius could even voice the call to action, the doors burst open, and everyone's attention snapped to the figure stumbling through. Garfiel staggered into the room, breathless and trembling, his clothes torn and stained with blood. Cradled in his arms, almost unrecognizable beneath the bruises and blood, was Mimi, her small frame limp, her breathing faint and shallow.
The room went silent, the shock settling heavily over them as they took in the scene. Mimi, who was always so full of life, now lay battered and broken, barely holding on.
Garfiel's voice shook as he spoke, his usual bravado stripped away. "I-I tried. Tried to protect her, but they…they came outta nowhere." His face was a mixture of guilt and anger, and he looked down at Mimi, his fingers gently brushing her bloodied cheek. "She's hurt bad. Real bad…"
Ferris was at Garfiel's side in seconds, his hands glowing with the familiar aura of his healing magic as he examined Mimi's wounds. His face tightened with concentration, and he muttered urgently, "Stay with me, Mimi. Just stay with me."
Anastasia's expression, usually guarded and collected, broke slightly, a look of genuine anguish flashing across her face as she watched. Tivey and Hetaro, still weak from the shared wounds, clung to each other, their eyes fixed on their sister, terror and helplessness in their expressions.
Julius took a steadying breath, his gaze moving from Mimi's battered form to the warriors around him. "This is what they've done to our people," he said, his voice low and filled with restrained fury. "We can't wait any longer. We need to take the city back, to put an end to this."
Ricardo's fists clenched, his face a mask of grim determination as he nodded. "Ain't nobody gonna do this to my family and get away with it."
Wilhelm's gaze lingered on Mimi, his expression unreadable but intense, his jaw set with steely resolve. "We'll make them answer for this," he said softly, more to himself than to anyone else.
Crusch stepped forward, her voice steady and unwavering. "Then let's show them what it means to threaten Pristella. Together, we'll drive them out."
Julius nodded, his mind already racing as he formulated their plan of attack.
As Ferris took Mimi from Garfiel's trembling arms, the young warrior stood frozen, blood-streaked and wide-eyed, a mess of anger, guilt, and shock etched across his face. His hands, still stained with Mimi's blood, clenched into fists at his sides as he stared, lost, at her battered form. His chest heaved with the effort of holding himself together, but it was a battle he was quickly losing.
The entire room watched, a heavy silence settling as Garfiel's shoulders slumped, his defiant fire dimming, lost to the overwhelming guilt of failing to protect her.
In that silence, Wilhelm stepped forward, his presence calm but commanding. His own resolve had been newly steeled by Natsuki Subaru's determination, and he knew he had to pass that strength on to Garfiel now. Standing tall, he met Garfiel's haunted eyes with an unwavering gaze.
"Garfiel," Wilhelm said, his voice steady and piercing, "you're stronger than this." His words cut through the fog of despair clouding the boy's mind. "A warrior doesn't falter when faced with loss. He stands. He fights, for those who cannot."
Garfiel blinked, his eyes darting to Wilhelm, catching the fierce, resolute expression on the Sword Demon's face. "But I… I couldn't—" he choked out, his voice raw with shame.
Wilhelm didn't let him finish. "No one can save everyone, but you can honor those you couldn't protect by fighting for them." He glanced at Mimi, now lying in Ferris's care. "This fight isn't over, Garfiel. Not until you decide to give up—and I don't believe that's in you."
Ricardo, who had been watching with a mixture of anger and compassion, stepped up beside Wilhelm, nodding. "Kid, we've all been there. We lose people, and it tears ya up inside, but you gotta let that pain drive ya forward, not keep ya down. We got a battle ahead, and we're gonna need ya." He placed a heavy hand on Garfiel's shoulder. "Don't let 'em win by stayin' broken, got it?"
Slowly, the words sank in, a faint glimmer of resolve flickering in Garfiel's eyes as he looked from Wilhelm to Ricardo, seeing the belief they held in him. He took a deep, shaky breath, squaring his shoulders, some of his strength returning as he looked to Mimi, fighting for her life.
"Yer… yer right," he muttered, his voice growing steadier. "Ain't no way I'm lettin' this go." He clenched his fists, his golden eyes blazing with a renewed fire, and looked to Wilhelm and Ricardo. "I'm not gonna fail her again."
Wilhelm nodded, a faint smile of approval flickering across his weathered face.
As Garfiel steadied himself, a flicker of memory cut through his anger and grief—a memory of the midnight boy, the one who had saved him, who'd stood unshaken and resolute when Garfiel himself had been brought low. Subaru. Natsuki Subaru.
The realization hit him like a punch to the gut, his mind racing as he thought of that nasty-eyed, stubborn fool. "He's fightin' them…" Garfiel whispered, his voice trembling with something between fear and admiration.
"Who?" Ricardo asked, catching the shift in Garfiel's expression.
"Natsuki Subaru," Garfiel replied, his voice gaining strength, a fierce determination lighting his eyes. "Nah, the great guy's all alone out there, fightin' those Witch Cult bastards."
A silence settled over the group as Garfiel's words sank in. The reality of Subaru's reckless courage—the sheer audacity of him, taking on the cultists alone—was enough to strike them all speechless.
Wilhelm gave a solemn nod, recognizing the boy's resilience. "Then let's not leave him alone for long."
Subaru darted forward, his movements a blur as he laughed, an almost wild, taunting edge in his voice. "You thought you could take me on? You really thought you were worthy of this fight?" His words were laced with mockery as he dodged an incoming slash from the four-armed cultist, weaving effortlessly through the wreckage.
The cultist snarled, bringing down two of his swords with brutal force, but Subaru was faster. He pivoted, sidestepping with a nimble twist, his nasty-eyed glare never leaving his enemies. In a sharp, fluid motion, Subaru gathered the ambient yin energy around him, his fingers dancing through the air as he cast a barrage of glowing, purple Minya crystals. They shot forward like projectiles, peppering the four-armed cultist, forcing him back as each shard shattered on impact, sending thin, purple sparks skittering across his armor.
Beside him, the petite, blade-wielding cultist hissed and lunged at Subaru with deadly speed. She aimed a precise slice at his throat, but Subaru anticipated her move, ducking low and countering with a swift sweep of his leg that knocked her back, buying him a few precious seconds.
"Hah!" Subaru laughed again, a manic gleam in his eyes as he faced the two cultists. "You're nothing but distractions!"
Realizing his Authority wasn't taking hold—[Stride's Eye] seemed unwilling to pierce the minds of these zealots—Subaru switched his approach. In a flash, he conjured a blade of purple energy, forged from pure yin magic, as a single powerful Minya crystal transformed into a weapon in his hand. He gripped it tightly, the blade humming with an eerie glow as he wielded it like a shinobi.
The four-armed cultist roared, thrusting his swords toward Subaru, each one aiming for a vital point. Subaru countered, his blade made of crystal parrying two strikes while he dodged the other two, twisting his body in impossible angles. With the rubble of the city surrounding him, he used it to his advantage, bouncing off chunks of stone and debris, leaping from surface to surface as he taunted them further.
"You're pathetic!" he sneered, sidestepping the petite cultist's blade just as it narrowly missed his shoulder. With a swift, practiced motion, Subaru brought his own blade down on her, sending her sprawling as his Minya sword caught the edge of her cloak, tearing it as she stumbled back.
His movements were ruthless, honed, each one a testament to the training he'd endured. With every dodge, strike, and leap, he held his ground against them, refusing to give them an inch.
Subaru gritted his teeth as he watched his two opponents, frustrated by their relentless regeneration and seeming inability to tire. The battle was dragging on, the cultists showing no signs of wearing down. They kept returning, wounds sealing themselves as fast as he inflicted them, leaving Subaru to scowl in irritation. The annoyance, however, was tempered by his growing confidence—he was adapting quickly, strategizing around the reality that he'd need to dismantle them entirely.
"I don't like to use this one often," he muttered under his breath, steeling himself as he gathered his energy for a devastating move. "It's draining and, frankly, doesn't fit my style." His eyes narrowed with determination as he prepared the unbeknownst attack, focusing his energy with precision.
But before he could unleash it, a familiar voice cut through the noise of the battlefield.
"Subaru!"
Subaru froze, recognizing the voice immediately. He turned, slightly lowering his makeshift crystal blade, and there, a short distance away, stood a group of his allies. Julius was at the front, his purple hair catching the sunlight as he looked on with that characteristic calm. Beside him, Wilhelm's gaze was piercing, his demeanor resolute, while Crusch stood tall, her presence as unwavering as ever. Garfiel's fierce golden eyes gleamed with excitement, and Ricardo's towering frame seemed ready for anything.
For a brief second, Subaru's focus wavered as the shock of seeing them hit him, and the petite cultist seized the opportunity to attack. Subaru reacted quickly, sidestepping her assault, but his gaze was still on his allies.
"Of course you show up now," he muttered to himself, suppressing a smirk as he met Julius's steady gaze. "And here I thought I'd have to finish these two on my own."
Julius called out to him, a hint of urgency in his voice. "Do you intend to hog all the glory, Subaru?" He smirked, drawing his sword and stepping forward.
Wilhelm's voice, deep and commanding, followed. "We're here to help, not to watch. Let's finish this battle together."
Subaru's smirk widened, his nasty eyes gleaming. "Fine by me," he replied, his voice filled with defiant confidence.
As the group tightened their formation, an eerie, guttural laugh echoed through the city square—a twisted "kekekeke" that made the ground beneath them tremble. The rumbling intensified, and from the ruins of the half-destroyed capital building, a massive, black-scaled dragon emerged. Its body was as grotesque as it was powerful, jagged scales glinting ominously in the broken sunlight, and violet eyes that burned with a venomous gleam. A twisted, sinister smile stretched across its draconic face, an unnatural expression of malice.
The dragon's voice rolled out like thunder, its contemptuous tone sharp and biting. "Baseless meat… worms beneath my feet." Her gaze swept over the group, her sneer deepening with every glance. "Is this what the world calls resistance? Pathetic."
Her eyes fell on Subaru, narrowing with something resembling disdain. "Pride. No matter which sack of flesh bears that thorn, it's always the same—an irritant, nothing more." The dragon's violet gaze pulsed as she focused on him, clearly unimpressed yet irked, as if he were a mere gnat who had pestered her once too often.
Subaru's jaw tightened, his nasty eyes glaring defiantly back at the dragon, feeling the weight of her disdain and the scorn in her words.
The towering black dragon shifted her gaze across the group, her twisted smile widening with a sneer. "This lovely lady is none other than Capella Emeralda Lugnica, the absolute pinnacle of existence. I'm a creature of beauty and perfection beyond anything your pitiful eyes have seen. And you…" She cast her scornful, violet gaze across them, one by one.
Her eyes landed on Garfiel first, a low chuckle reverberating in her throat. "A lost little kitten, aren't we? So out of place, clinging to some sad idea of strength."
She turned to Wilhelm next, her voice dripping with false pity. "And you… a sad, old soul. How quaint—still fighting despite all that's been taken from you. Are you truly that empty inside?"
Finally, her eyes fell on Subaru. A glimmer of contempt sparked in her gaze, her lip curling as if at some foul smell. "And you, Pride. No matter the stench, no matter which fool clings to that thorn of yours, you all die just the same. Your suffering is inevitable."
Subaru squared his shoulders, refusing to back down under her sneering gaze. "You're really wrecking my whole image of dragons here," he said with a half-smirk. "Aren't you supposed to be terrifying? Where's the realism? You know… a proper dragon, scary as hell, not just irritating."
Capella's eyes narrowed, her sneer faltering as a spark of genuine anger flashed across her face. "How utterly beneath me, Pride. The fact that I even acknowledge your miserable existence is more than you deserve!" She whipped her tail in annoyance, the air vibrating with her fury.
"Kekeke… If I so choose, I'll end you all in the blink of an eye. But not yet. Not yet." With that, she reared back, wings unfurling as she cast one last look of contempt over the group, her derisive laughter echoing through the square before she vanished into the sky, leaving the group in tense silence.
As Capella vanished slwoly behind that of a great pillar, her laughter fading but her taunt lingering, murmurs rippled through the group. "Pride…?" Crusch muttered under her breath, a trace of concern in her voice. Some began to piece things together, whispering about the titles of the Witch Cult's leaders, each named after a deadly sin. The association formed quickly, sparking confusion and speculation—could Subaru himself be one of the Sin Archbishops?
Garfiel's face twisted in uncertainty as he looked at the black-haired boy. "Ya don't suppose…?"
But there was no time to unpack it, not with the battle resuming in full force. They couldn't afford to question Subaru's loyalties now; he was here, fighting at their side, and that was what mattered. Wilhelm, however, had a harder time dismissing the implications, his gaze flickering as he processed the conflicting image of the young man in front of him.
Just then, the two cloaked figures moved in again, breaking their brief standoff. The four-armed figure charged, swinging its blades in deadly arcs, while the smaller figure dashed forward, aiming swift, precise strikes at the group. The air crackled with tension as everyone fell into place, their confusion and suspicions put on hold as they focused on the immediate threat.
Subaru, feeling the weight of the scrutiny but undeterred, called out, "Speculate later—let's take these two down first!"
With that, they plunged back into the fray, each member prepared to give everything they had in this relentless battle.
The battle raged fiercely, with blades clashing and sparks flying as the group held their ground against the cloaked assailants. Each strike pushed them to the edge of their limits, but no one backed down. Subaru's sharp gaze assessed the scene, noting how well the others were holding their own.
Turning toward the group, he raised his voice over the chaos. "I'm going further in. This Sin Archbishop is making a mess of the city, and I plan to deal with it directly!"
Between strikes, Crusch looked over, her green eyes flashing. "We're in no position to argue. Do what you must, Subaru." She fended off a blow with a determined slash, creating a quick opening. "But we'll join you. I'd like to see this dealt with, and quickly."
Julius, parrying an incoming attack, added with his usual composure, "I'll come as well, Subaru. Taking down a Sin Archbishop isn't something you should do alone, even with your talents."
With quick nods exchanged, they coordinated their movements, carving a path through the robed attackers as they prepared to follow Subaru. Subaru, seeing the commitment in their eyes, didn't argue—he just grinned. "Alright, then. Let's go give these Witch Cult fanatics something to remember."
With the others continuing to hold the front, Subaru, Crusch, and Julius surged forward, weaving through the chaotic streets toward the heart of the city where the Archbishop's influence was strongest. This was a fight none of them intended to lose.
As the group ascended the narrow, winding staircase of the tower, they suddenly found their path blocked. Before them stood a man with an unsettlingly wide grin, his eyes gleaming with a ravenous delight. Dressed in dark, flowing robes, he spread his arms theatrically, looking upon them with a twisted excitement.
"Ahhh, what an absolute delight!" he crooned, voice dripping with malice. "My name is Roy Alphard, Sin Archbishop of Gluttony! And you three… you're more than meals—you're gourmet! Delicious, exquisite offerings I've been craving." He licked his lips, eyeing each of them as though savoring a feast only he could see.
Subaru's expression shifted, his gaze hardening as he focused on some invisible point beyond Roy. For a moment, he seemed to be listening intently, his jaw set in steely resolve. After a long pause, he gave a barely perceptible nod, as if in silent agreement with a voice only he could hear.
"Listen carefully. No names," he warned, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Julius gave a firm nod, acknowledging the unspoken understanding. "Got it."
Just as they readied themselves for a potential clash, Julius stepped forward, his posture confident. "You two should go on ahead," he said, not looking back. "This one is my battle to handle. Don't let him slow you down."
Subaru glanced at Julius, a trace of concern flickering in his eyes, but he knew they didn't have the luxury to argue. "Fine. Just make it out in one piece," he muttered, meeting Julius's gaze for a second longer.
Crusch exchanged a brief, resolute look with Julius, then nodded, signaling to Subaru as they both prepared to press on. With a final glance over his shoulder, Subaru turned, moving forward with Crusch by his side, leaving Julius to face the grinning figure behind them.
As Subaru and Crusch entered the open square, their eyes locked onto the device used for city announcements, perched ominously above them like a silent overseer. Off to the side, they spotted a small, fragile child tied up, his face streaked with tears and dirt—Lusbel. Before Subaru could even move, a massive shadow loomed to their left, blocking out the faint light that spilled into the space. The immense dragon from before stood towering over them, its dark violet eyes gleaming with a sickening intelligence, the twisted grin still etched across its scaled face.
Without hesitation, Crusch unleashed the power of her Divine Protection of Wind Indication, her figure surging with swift, controlled movement as she struck at the dragon with a blade of green-tinted energy. The mighty beast staggered backward, momentarily caught off guard as the force of the divine protection pierced through its defenses, leaving a deep scratch along its scaled hide.
Seizing the opportunity, Subaru rushed to the child, his fingers fumbling to undo the tight bonds around Lusbel's frail wrists. As Crusch quickly joined him at his side, scanning the area for any lurking threats, a strange, unsettling noise reached Subaru's ears. A faint buzzing, like the hum of distant machinery, became increasingly louder. His heartbeat quickened as he glanced over his shoulder toward an adjacent door, slightly ajar, where the sound originated.
Buzz... Buzz... BUZZ!
The buzzing grew heavier, thickening the air around Subaru as an oppressive tension tightened in his chest. He hesitated at the door, a sense of dread flooding over him. Slowly, he reached for the handle, its chill biting into his fingers. Bracing himself, Subaru pulled the door open—and froze.
Packed within the dark, damp room were grotesque, human-sized flies, their massive, translucent wings vibrating with a haunting, rhythmic hum. The creatures towered, their large, faceted eyes gleaming with a sickly sheen as they all turned toward him, their countless lenses reflecting his own stunned expression. Rows of quivering, twitching limbs dripped with moisture from the room's humidity, adding to the sense of decay that permeated the air.
Subaru's breath hitched as he took in the scene, the buzzing now overwhelming, pulsing in his ears as if alive and crawling through his skull. Each monstrous fly seemed to embody some twisted mockery of humanity, standing motionless but ready, their thin, insectoid legs shifting slightly in anticipation, as though waiting for a command. The room, damp and filled with an unbearable stench of rot, closed in on him, each monstrous figure appearing to lean closer, a united mass of unnatural horror fixed solely on him.
Subaru shut the door with a heavy slam, his heart pounding wildly as the oppressive buzz faded into silence. Just as he steadied himself, a chilling, mocking laugh broke through the tension, pulling his attention back to the room. Capella Emeralda Lugnica stood there, her presence twisted and unsettling. Her short blonde hair framed her face in a way that might have been striking if not for her skanky attire and the unnatural grotesqueness she exuded. A fleshy, insectoid tail twitched behind her, and one of her arms had transformed into a thick, lion's paw, claws sharp and ready to tear.
With a sly smirk, she turned her gaze to Crusch's unconscious form sprawled at her feet. Without a hint of hesitation, Capella pressed her heel into Crusch's chest, tilting her head in mockery. "Oh, look at this one," she sneered, nudging Crusch with her foot. "Such a charming, beautiful shell she has. It's almost laughable how much you humans worship these outward forms."
Capella's eyes shifted to Subaru, cold and mocking, her smirk widening. "Tell me, Pride, would you care for this woman here if she were scarred? Or deformed?" She twisted her features in disgust. "You meats, with your love that vanishes as soon as beauty fades—it's pathetic."
She took a step forward, her lion's paw scraping the floor as she prowled around him, her tail flicking. "Would you still find her 'precious' if she were a maggot squirming in dirt? Hah! Of course not. You're all slaves to what's pleasing to the eye, nothing more." She spat the words, her tone turning from disdain to contempt.
Capella's voice oozed with twisted delight as she paced in front of Subaru, her movements predatory and deliberate. "Love, lust, beauty—ha! It's all just so deliciously shallow. All of you humans, so desperate for connection, for adoration, and yet you only grasp for it in what you see on the outside." She sneered, flicking her blonde hair and stretching her arms out as though to flaunt herself. "Everything you desire, everything you worship, rests in these pathetic shells. It's laughable, really. You all build these fragile hierarchies based on nothing but outward appeal."
She looked down at herself, smiling in smug satisfaction. "But look at this lovely lady right here, at the pinnacle of it all. You think you understand power? Worth? But worth is about form—about being whatever catches the eye, whatever garners attention." She lifted her lion-like arm, flexing her claws as her tail curled behind her. "This world, this hierarchy, belongs to this lovely lady because it is her that is beauty itself. It is her that can transform into anything of desire, and that alone puts me leagues above all this meat!"
Capella's gaze narrowed as she turned her attention back to Subaru, her grin morphing into a scornful smirk. "But you, Pride, cling to this foolish notion that your strength is anything but an illusion. Your pride amounts to nothing," she laughed, shaking her head. "You think you're special, just because you've managed to survive by sheer chance. It's pathetic, really."
She leaned in close, her voice dropping into a mocking whisper. "Oh, you're cheerful enough—much more pleasant to look at than that sickly old fool who held Pride's mantle last, that decrepit wretch. At least now, Pride is a bit easier on the eyes." She laughed, straightening up, her voice a dark melody of derision.
Capella raised a delicate, clawed hand to her ear in mock attentiveness, her lips twisting into a sly, sadistic smile as she leaned closer to Subaru.
"Whaaaaaat was thaaaat?" she drawled, her voice oozing with feigned innocence, as though every syllable was a taunt designed to get under his skin. "Did I touch a nerve, dear?" With a careless chuckle, she stepped harder onto Crusch's chest, pressing her heel with callous disregard for the wounded woman beneath her. "Is it envy that stirs in you, hmm? Is that why you're glaring at me with those nasty, hateful eyes?" She tilted her head, her smile widening. "Or is it something even more tragic? Some deeper, darker feeling gnawing away at that pitiful heart of yours?"
Subaru's fists clenched as he kept his gaze fixed on the ground, trembling with a rage he couldn't fully contain. He didn't flinch, didn't yield, though the boiling fury within him was enough to make his voice tremble with restraint. "All you archbishops are the same. Twisted, pathetic creatures—every single one of you."
Capella's expression twisted in a blend of amusement and mock offense. She tapped her chin thoughtfully, glancing between Subaru and Crusch with a sickeningly sweet smile. "Oh, my poor Pride, so quick to judge!" she sang, laughing. "We're all so unique in our brilliance, and yet you think us the same? How disappointingly shallow. But that's what I'd expect from someone so… small." Capella's mocking voice filled the room, her words laced with derision as she leaned toward Subaru, a twisted grin stretching across her face. "Do you not love this lovely lady?" she sneered. "I can be whatever you adore, Pride." With a dark glint in her eyes, she began to shift her form, her authority allowing her to morph into a series of different figures, each one torn violently apart before transforming into the next. First Emilia, her silver hair cascading as she wore a familiar, innocent expression; then Priscilla, regal and taunting, her gaze filled with haughty disdain; and finally Crusch, lying beneath her once again, as Capella laughed with a newfound fervor.c"Even better than before!" she announced with twisted glee, stepping over her own grotesque transformations. "Isn't that what all you male creatures crave, fight for, and base your lives on? These primitive instincts, these...animalistic tendencies. In the end, there's nothing that separates the maggots from humans except intelligence, and even that's debatable, wouldn't you say?"
She paused, letting her words hang in the air, her tone laced with scorn as her gaze traveled over Subaru's rigid form. "Form is all that matters, after all," she continued. "And you, Pride—you've got so much form already. But are you really so different from the rest of the meat that crawls on this earth?"
Subaru's expression darkened, every word fuelling his rage further. But he held his ground, face resolute, staring back at the twisted creature with unflinching resolve, refusing to yield to her vile provocations.
Subaru stared at Capella for a long, tense moment, the rage in his eyes gradually giving way to a mocking calm. He let out a slow, disdainful chuckle as if savouring the absurdity of her twisted philosophy. "You know... I think I'll kill you now," he said, his tone casual, almost bored.
Capella blinked, thrown off guard by his sudden shift in demeanor. For a moment, she looked genuinely confused, scoffing in disbelief as she sneered, "You? Killme? You really are delusional, Pride. What do you think you can—"
Before she could finish, Subaru's fist collided with her, cutting off her words in a thunderous impact. Capella was sent flying backward, smashing through debris as she tumbled, her laughter dying in shock. She finally skidded to a stop, momentarily stunned as she pulled herself up, visibly rattled.
Subaru stood tall, a sharp glint in his eyes as he watched her, resolute and unshaken. "I'm done listening to your drivel."
Capella's looked over the battlefield, a chaotic scene marked by shattered stone and twisted metal. Broken fragments of the city's architecture littered the ground, dust swirling in the air, illuminated by the scattered rays of sunlight piercing through cracks in the surrounding walls. Subaru stood across from her, unyielding, his dark eyes burning with a focused intensity, the very picture of defiance.
Capella's gaze then dropped to her arm where Subaru's fist had connected moments before. She watched, unperturbed, as her flesh began to disintegrate, crumbling into fine, turquoise crystal that trailed away on a breeze as though her body were rejecting itself.
Her face remained calm, expression untouched by fear or worry. "Such an unpleasant little inconvenience," she muttered, her voice almost bored as her skin continued to dissolve, flaking off to reveal bone beneath. But she raised her remaining hand, fingers curling as she activated her authority with a flicker of satisfaction. Her disintegrating arm pulsed with dark energy, then reformed, flesh winding back over the bone, blood surging back to restore her skin, fully healing the wound as if nothing had happened.
Subaru clenched his jaw, a frown darkening his face as he watched her. "So, that's how it is…" he muttered, frustrated but still resolute.
Subaru narrowed his eyes, frustration etched deep into his face. "[Stride's Eye] or [Break-point] not working on ya?" he muttered, teeth gritted, glancing at his own hands as if they'd somehow betrayed him. "Figures. Of all people, my Authority's gonna let me down when it actually matters." His voice rose, anger simmering beneath each word. "Is it my Authority that just doesn't seem to want to work against the very people I took it for?!"
Capella laughed, a sneering chuckle that echoed through the empty halls. Her eyes glinted with cruel amusement as she watched the raven-haired youth wrestle with his own doubt. "Aw, little Pride, struggling with yer own gifts? What a shame," she purred, her tone dripping with mock sympathy. "Isn't it adorable when the mighty fall short?" She snickered, delighting in his frustration, like a cat toying with a cornered mouse.
Subaru held her gaze, his expression hardening as he inhaled sharply. Then, to her surprise, he let out a long, resigned sigh, his shoulders dropping as his arms fell limply to his sides. His head hung forward, casting his face in shadow. "You're right," he murmured, voice low and edged with a tone she hadn't expected.
Capella blinked, confusion flickering across her face. She raised an eyebrow, the sneer faltering slightly. "What's this? Admitting defeat already?"
A pause settled over them, thick and tense. The raven youth stood still, silent, as if he were mulling over some final thought.
Capella's amusement twisted into a frown as she eyed the raven-haired boy standing motionless before her. His once-intense glare had softened, and his entire demeanor seemed… vacant. She cocked her head, one eyebrow arched in irritation. "What's the matter, Pride?" she sneered. "Losing your nerve? Or maybe that so-called Authority's finally taken its toll on ya?"
She took a step forward, an irksome grin tugging at her lips. But as she approached, a shiver skittered down her spine. Subaru—no, something within Subaru—had shifted. His once-familiar eyes now gleamed with an eerie, archaic light, dark as an endless night sky and somehow infinitely colder. The very air around him seemed to shift, thickening with an ominous weight, pressing down upon her with a presence far beyond his youthful frame.
Capella faltered, her smirk dying as an unsettling sensation washed over her—a presence that was alien, archaic, and wholly terrifying. And then he lifted his head, meeting her gaze with a look that chilled her to the core. The boy's usual fierce resolve had transformed into something far darker and more malicious, a depth of pride so monumental it threatened to consume everything around it.
Stride Vollachia had taken control.
Authors Note:
How was that? Suspenseful? I figured I might aswell treat the readers of the fic with three chapters today. I got them all complete a week ago but i've been delaying the release, storyboarding and seeing if the work makes sense. Any other comments or concerns are welcome. Tune in within the next few days (Hopefully) to catch up with where the stories at.
I'm also considering starting a discord, I'm aware about the reactionist one but I'm not really active in it considering I joined three days ago lol. But either way mine would be focused moreso on some of the work i'm into and would generally be themed around Re:zero. But other fandoms and my own potential series would be upcoming aswell.
Full disclosure though, I got two diffrent pen names across A03 and , but chapters will always release at the same time. I do tend to be more active on A03 though just due to it being more lively? Not sure. Hope you enjoyed though!