A/N: Another week, another chapter. More clues on YN's situation will be uncovered! Big shoutout again to tobychevy for catching a few of last week's spelling errors.
Chapter 59: The Endless Eight – Part 5
Awakening, YN was suddenly jolted awake by the pain he felt in his arm.
YN: Agh!
Sitting up from his laying down position, he quickly assessed his surroundings, finding himself in some sort of cell, having been laid down on a cot.
YN: Where am I...?
?: You are in my dwelling.
Hearing an unfamiliar voice, YN's senses lit up, directing his vision to outside his cell where a man now stood.
Regally dressed in a black and deep purple suit, a tall man with pushed back, greying hair and equally colored sideburns and beard stood, looking down on YN. His sunken face and wrinkled forehead defined his older age.
Bowing, the man introduced himself.
Leo: My name is Leo the Merciful. And you? You are my hostage.
Behind the man appeared to be a magical laboratory of many arcane artifacts, stones, crystals, potions, books, etc.
Where the hell am I...
Quickly assessing and assuming his position, YN sat upright on the edge of the cot, holding his arm that still throbbed in pain.
YN: Odd that you could choose a simple helper to ransom off to a Royal Election Candidate. Why not just kidnap her instead?
Leo: Oh I happen to be under much different orders than you think. You are merely bait for the real prize.
Walking up to the cell, the man crossed his arms.
Leo: I was contracted to kill you, but I am betraying my client, as I can use you to catch a much more worthwhile prize.
Not enjoying the way this conversation was going, YN decided simply not to respond, but rather focus on finding a way to escape or signal his location to the others.
Concluding with a threat of booby traps outside, Leo left YN, saying he needed to work on a healing balm for his dislocated shoulder.
Damn this thing hurts...
Taking the sash around his waist of the Yukata, YN made a makeshift sling for his arm.
Before laying back down on the cot, he had attempted to look out the single barred window of his cell, only managing to tell he was several floors up and appeared to be outside the village.
I don't think that dragon took me far...
Wondering if Leo was some sort of shapeshifter, YN did his best to rest his mind and body, and await rescue from the others.
Leo: You've slumbered enough.
Giving two loud knocks on the bars, YN was awoken by the continued ring that reverberated through the iron. Looking out his barred window, it was clearly still night time.
At this point, he didn't know how long he'd been asleep.
Is it still the same night?
Leo: Now then, I've taken the responsibility of preparing an elixir that should relieve the pain.
Kneeling down, the middle aged man set a corked bottle inside YN's cell.
Giving the bottle a look of rejection, Leo anticipated YN's reaction.
Leo: Come now, for what reason would I lie? I used some valuable ingredients to make this... I'm not called the 'merciful' for nothing.
The more YN woke up, the more his arm continued to hurt.
It's definitely swelling... maybe I should...
Letting his pain get the better of him, he uncorked the liquid and drank it. Tasting like a sour mixture of vinegar and tea, he could feel an immediate warmth in his abdomen.
As the warmth spread out, it moved its main concentration point to his shoulder, relieving it of most of its pain. Walking back to his cot, YN laid himself out.
Looking out his window, the sky had just begun to get its first rays of light from beyond the horizon.
Leo: For best results, please stay conscious. Going back to sleep will hinder the elixir's effectiveness.
Turning to leave, the man exited down a set of stairs. Hearing a door open at the bottom of them, YN was alone once more.
YN: I want to sleep some more, but I also don't want the pain to come back.
Laying on his back in the cot, YN stared out the window, watching the sky become more and more lit up. Feeling his eyes get heavy, he blinked slowly a few times.
How much could a nap hurt...
Taking one final look, something blurry showed up in his drowsy vision.
Huh?
Sitting up, YN rubbed his eyes. But the blurry entity remained.
YN: That potion better not be making me see things...
There was something familiar about the blurry spec though... the small colors that were trapped inside its lines that blended in with the pink morning sky struck a resemblance YN couldn't quite pinpoint with his tired mind.
Rubbing his eyes more, a voice called to him.
?: It's rude to stare I suppose.
YN: Huh?
Hearing an even more familiar voice, this caused most of YN's senses to focus in as his curiosity was piqued.
Is that—
Beatrice: Betty said—, it's rude to stare.
Floating, perhaps several floors in the air, was Beatrice. Getting up, YN hobbled to the window with the bright sun coming over the horizon, making him squint his eyes.
YN: B-Beatrice? What are—
Beatrice: He's here, I suppose.
Cupping her hands around her mouth to project her voice, Beatrice angled herself downward and began to descend.
YN: Woah-Hey! Don't go? Where are you—!
Beatrice: Murak.
Out of his vision, Beatrice had uttered another word, one that perhaps was a spell of some kind.
Coming back into his vision from beyond the barred window, Beatrice held the hand of someone in tow, bringing them up.
As they emerged, the blue shade of her hair immediately let YN know who she was. With YN coming into her vision, it teared up and distorted his image behind the iron bars.
Rem: YN-kun!
Getting higher than the window, Rem leapt off Beatrice's hand, and landed on the window, holding the iron bars.
Surprised by her sudden movement, YN flinched with Rem getting so close so suddenly. She was back in her maid uniform now, as was Beatrice back into her normal dress. Sticking her hand through the bars, Rem softly caressed YN's face.
Rem: Rem was so worried. She thought she had lost her YN-kun.
Taking his unslung arm, he raised his hand to cover her own.
YN: I'm right here. I'll always be right here.
With more tears forming in her eyes and no spare hand to wipe them, Rem shook her head and readied herself.
Rem: Stand back.
Letting go of YN, Rem grabbed on the center iron bars and pulled with all her might, bursting the rod out from the wood around it. Tossing it behind her, it hit the ground with a muffled thud. Pulling several more bars, Rem was finally in.
Jumping into the cell, Rem hugged YN with what felt like the same strength she had just pulled the bars with.
YN: I'm glad to see you too Rem but my arm—
Rem: Oh, yes!
Breaking from the hug, Rem pushed down on YN just enough to get him on his knees, with Rem following, joining him on the floor.
YN: Rem... Please be gentle...
Undoing the upper part of his loose Yukata from the lack of sash, Rem slid open the cloth from his chest, exposing his injured shoulder.
Putting both her hands on it, one over the other, Rem's palms began to glow blue, and a warmth poured over his injury. Sitting still for a few long moments, Rem removed her hands, and learned her face in, kissing where she had just healed.
YN: It's still a bit stiff, but it's a lot better.
Rem: Rem has stabilized the pain, but Beatrice-sama is going to need to finish, or a physician is going to have to manually set the bone. YN-kun should still keep it in his sling.
Leaning his head on Rem's forehead, YN thanked the maid.
YN: Thank you for saving me, Rem.
But as he said that, a rumble was heard downstairs.
Rem: Rem appreciates YN-kun's kind words, but right now, more are still at work trying to save him.
Standing, she extended a hand to help him up. Taking it, Rem led YN to the cell door, kicking it down with ease.
Rem: We need to assist Emilia-sama and the others.
Running through the laboratory of magical items, the two descended the stairs, the sound of fighting getting more intense the closer they got.
Opening the door, the first thing they bore witness to was Emilia throwing up an ice wall in front of them. Cracking the ice wall was several impacts of dark, fiery crystals, just like Beatrice's.
With the wall collapsing, across the room stood the tall, middle aged man YN had already dealt with.
YN: Leo!
Standing up right at being addressed, a smile grew across his sunken, bearded face.
Leo: I see the main prize has finally shown up. How nice of her to accompany us.
Floating forward, the small grey cat that was Emilia's contracted spirit made his displeasure known, with several ice spears forming around his body, his tiny little paws crossed like a concerned parent.
Puck: Your opponent is us. Threaten my Lia and nobody but me will put you down.
Leo: Ah, but now, we may put these hostilities to end.
Puck: Just what makes you think you have the right to walk away after hurling spell after spell of yin magic at my Lia? You've got a lot of nerve...
Looking at YN, Rem spoke softly.
Rem: Yin magic? So that Minya that Emilia-sama blocked was his...
YN: I thought it might have been Beatrice's...
Nodding in agreement with YN's observation, Leo brought the conversation back to Rem and YN.
Leo: I am willing to form a fully binding contract, letting everyone here go without any harm, and with my painful and slow death serving as a consequence, for only one thing in return—
Turning his gaze off Puck, Leo locked eyes with none other than Rem.
Leo: —Let me harvest the last surviving oni horn.
Popping his head up from behind an upturned table, Subaru was the first to call out from the shock everyone felt from this proposed deal.
Subaru: Like hell we'd agree to that!
Emilia: Subaru is right! No deal!
Leo: You are all free to bicker as you will, but what does the prize in question who I gathered a suitable bait for have to say in reply?
Rem: Rem will not negotiate, or trust the word of anyone who has sought to take the most precious thing in the world from her.
Leo: But I offer you a fully binding contract! There is a reason why I am referred to as 'Leo the Merciful' by my peers...
Shaking her head, Rem stood defiant.
Rem: You misunderstand Rem. Your death would not begin to be adequate repayment for everything you've already done.
Standing up straight, a scowl formed on Leo's face.
Leo: Then die. Minya!
Summoning forth several dark crystals, Leo launched them at Rem and YN.
While Rem had been caught off guard by being the subject of this proposed deal, YN had been gathering mana in his palm in case something like this happened.
YN: You first! Jiwald!
Sending out intense rays of heat, the white light met the dark crystals, melting them in an instant, but halting his own magic. Effectively, the two spells clashing had canceled each other out.
But from their dust, Leo charged ahead, the light of the morning sun catching the reflection of a blade in his hand. With that being YN's only indication he was even on the move, he had no time to react.
Moments before impact, YN heard the familiar sound of rusty chains to his flank where Rem was. Sending out her morningstar, Rem caused Leo to juke, buying YN enough time to move out of the way.
Going in for another stab at it, Leo pulled another trick.
Leo: Useless! Shamak!
?: El Shamak.
As Leo disappeared into an inky dark cloud, enveloping both YN and himself, another familiar voice from before called out the same spell as Leo.
Finding his senses jostled for a moment and opening his eyes, YN found himself in a dark void, with nothing visible.
Nothing except for Leo.
Running in near slow motion, he held his dagger against his side, ready and aiming straight to just beside YN.
Seeing his trajectory, YN knew he wasn't the target, but rather, Rem was.
Unsure of why he had the advantage in a spell Leo had just cast, it appeared as if YN was invisible to him, not the other way around like it had been.
Too close for a Jiwald, YN balled up mana in his hand regardless.
YN: I won't let you near Rem!
Enclosing his fist around a prospective Jiwald, YN used his one good arm to deliver a massive gut blow to Leo. Connecting, time seemed to speed up and the inky darkness subsided.
Launching Leo across the room, he slammed into several bookcases and a wall. With YN's arm still extended, his arm was steaming, hot from the blow he just delivered as his other arm still remained in his sling.
Collapsing onto ruble, Leo grunted and complained.
Leo: I can understand you suddenly having a burst of strength by utilizing mana... but—
Shoving a board off his shoulder, Leo stomped to his feet once more.
Leo: —how were you able to see through Shamak?
?: With only such a basic understanding of it, you must only be a novice Yin magic user I suppose.
Stepping between YN and Leo, a pink dress and long yellow drill hair spirals fluttered in the breeze finding its way through the now destroyed section of wall.
Subaru: Beako!
Rem: Beatrice-sama! It's no safe for you to—
Beatrice: Silence.
Manifesting several black flaming crystals of her own, Beatrice continued.
Beatrice: This disgusting man shall be Betty's opponent. Any interjection will only be a distraction.
Leo: A battle of Yin magic? My... I don't think I've ever had the pleasure...
Conjuring his own crystals, Leo welcomed the challenge.
Leo: Now... Show me what you've got!
No more than a fraction of a second after that Leo launched his attack, Beatrice launched hers.
Grabbing Rem's hand, YN rushed her over towards Emila and Subaru, taking cover behind the table Subaru hid behind. Joining them, Emilia watched as Leo and Beatrice exchanged volley after volley of Minya.
Canceling each other out every time, both of them maneuvered around the room, trying to gain any advance they could.
With a few stray crystals impacting the table, Emilia brought up ice to reinforce it.
Emilia: I can only buy us so much time!
Subaru: Damn it! We can't get out!
As the clash of mana continued, YN put his back to the table, and held Rem in front of him, trying to fully cover her in case something managed to pierce the barrier.
After more continued blows, there was finally a break in the fighting. As the four behind the table poked their heads up from cover, the dust began to settle.
Closest to them was Beatrice, unharmed, but standing still. To the opposite of her though, stood Leo, also unharmed, but breathing heavily.
Leo: It appears we're at an impasse.
Beatrice: — — —
Leo: What a prodigy you must be. To be so young yet so talented.
Beatrice: You are a fool to assume so. Even at your age, Betty is many times older.
Somewhat surprised to hear that, Leo dumbfoundedly asked more questions.
Leo: 'Many times my age?'
Squinting his eyes, he continued.
Leo: You're not human... are you?
Beatrice: How kind of you to notice I suppose.
Grinning widely at the prospect, Leo stood back straight once more, and bowed.
Leo: Please forgive my rudeness. I am a fool for not noticing.
With only the tiniest indication of discomfort on her face at her opponent's sudden change in attitude, Beatreice remained silent.
Beatrice: — — —
Leo: If you will hear me, I will offer one more deal, a new deal, for a complete cease in hostilities.
Returning from his bow, he extended one hand, palm up, to Beatrice.
Leo: Under any consequences any of you would deem appropriate, I would let everyone here leave with no harm ever to further come from me, and that includes the oni, with her horn.
With everyone awaiting what the other part was, they knew that if he was willing to give up Rem's horn, the cause of this whole situation, this had to be something completely new.
Leo: I would only ask in return, a separate contract be formed. One between you, and myself.
Pointing to Beatrice, it became clear what his new intention was.
Leo: Together, we can unite our Yin magic, and further our understandings and skills of magic. Your goals shall become mine, as mine shall be yours.
Beatrice: — — —
Leo: One contract. For one lifetime. In exchange for everyone's safety. That would only be a blink of an eye for a spirit like you, correct?
Beatrice was silent in reply still. No one had a clue what she thought.
Puck: Betty.
Hearing her 'brother's' voice, Beatrice's attention snapped to.
Beatrice: Bubby is correct. After everything you've done, it cannot end peacefully I suppose.
Leo: Please, I urge you to reconsider—
Beatrice: No. Betty has lived, waiting, under Mother's orders for over four-hundred years for 'them.'
Tightening her small hands into fists, Beatrice finished her defiant rebuttal.
Beatrice: Even if you were 'them,' Betty would refuse your hand.
While no one but Puck understood what she meant by that, he was clearly moved.
Puck: Betty...
Taking a deep breath, Leo's scowl from before returned.
Leo: This is a rather unfortunate epilogue. I have no idea who your mother could be, being a spirit and all, but I can only wish she had raised you better. But I will change that.
Reaching into his robe, Leo pulled out a magenta glowing crystal orb.
Leo: I had attempted to be merciful, but you leave me with no other choice then to be greedy.
Subaru: What's that?! Your ace in the hole?
Leo: It's much more than that. It's a tool I have found that will let me ascertain my highest goals, right here, right now.
Beatrice: Foolish. You have nothing that can best Betty.
Leo: I won't need to. This will simply make you forget everything you know... Everything your mother ever taught you! Everything about your oni love affair! Everything about your stupid little cat! And everything about that half devil you're so fond of!
Raising the orb above his head, it glowed brightly. Suddenly, the area around his hand was enveloped into a hue of violet, like a bubble being blown up front the center of the orb.
Suddenly again, the bubble grew, this time covering most of Leo's toros.
Leo: It's useless! I will have the spirit as a contract, and the oni's horn for my research!
Growing again in the blink of an eye, the magenta now covered Leo entirely, it's diameter reaching into the wooden floorboards. With a maddening expression on his face, he called out once more.
Leo: You cannot run! It's better you submit yourself now!
With Leo on the side of the room he was on, there was no place for the six to retreat to as the orb's light grew to encompass most of the room at this point.
Closing in, and with him and Emilia being the closest, Subaru shoved Emilia away just as the light grew once more, encompassing him.
Emilia: Subaru!
Beatrice: No—!
Holding his head, there appeared to be no immediate injuries to him.
Subaru: Wha... Huh?
YN: Subaru! Are you okay! I-Is that light just a bluff?
Subaru: Bluff? What's a bluff? And who… Who are you?
Hearing Subaru's confused words, the words "forget" echoed in everyone's minds, as said by Leo.
Puck: He really did mean— Lia!
With nowhere to run, Emilia threw up an ice shield for her, Rem, and Puck between Leo and the advancing light.
Seeing Beatrice still standing in shock at the situation and what had just happened to Subaru, YN ran behind the ice shield and towards the despondent drill haired girl.
YN: Beatrice!
Using his one good arm, he scooped her up, just missing the violet light.
Jarring Beatrice to attention, she finally came to her senses.
Beatrice: No! That wall isn't enough to—
Before she could speak, the light encompassed Rem, Emilia, and Puck.
Beatrice: Bubby!
Wasting no time, Beatrice took command and backed her and YN to the wall. With no place left to run, her mind was dashing with ideas of what she should do.
As they awaited another growth of violet, a sudden cold began to swirl in the room, coming from where Emilia had set up her wall.
Beatrice: This magic is... No! Bubby!
Completely out of options and with the violet aura set to expand again, surely enveloping YN and her, Beatrice made a rash decision. Grabbing YN's hand, she uttered one final spell, using all the mana she had left.
Looking YN in the eyes, Beatrice spoke.
Beatrice: Al Shamak.
As the pitch black nothingness enveloped them, so did the violet light. Giving YN a terrible headache, only made worse by the weightlessness he felt, his mind felt like a shaken snow globe.
?: YN! Snap out of it I suppose!
Echoing all around him was a familiar voice, calling his name.
Beatrice: YN! You need to focus and hold Betty's hand!
Beatrice... That's right...
?: Focus, I suppose! After Al Shamak is over we need to take down Leo—
YN: 'Al Shamak?' What? Who's Leo...? I kind of remember but... It's all coming and going...
Who am I talking to again?
?: No... No!
Feeling shoulders being grabbed and shook, the familiar voice became louder and more panicked.
Beatrice: Tell Betty! Tell Betty right now that you remember the younger maid sister! You have to remember her!
Younger maid sister... Who?
YN: That... kind of sounds familiar...
Beatrice: Yes! What's her name? Think. She has blue hair...
Doing his best to recall a girl with blue hair, a certain hue of blue came to mind. As he pictured it, he felt a calmness. Thinking that meant he was on the right track, YN asked for more info.
YN: What... What was her name—?
Before he could finish, the feeling of weightlessness was gone, and in its place was an immense cold. Feeling like the sensation was delayed since many of his fingers already felt frozen, the darkness around him also gave way to a dead white expanse filled with hard hitting flakes of snow.
As the howling wind filled his ears, he was unsure why he now found himself in the middle of a blizzard.
?: No! No...
As the owner of the familiar voice let go of him, she fell into the snow, defeated.
But despite the cold and confusion, a strong desire was ignited in YN the longer he pictured the hue of blue in his mind.
YN: Hey, hey!
Shaking the little drill haired girl as she sat on her knees in the rising snow, YN demanded an answer.
YN: What was her name? That girl's name?! What was it?!
Looking up at him, she began to fade away. Not from the increasing snow storm, but becoming transparent herself.
Beatrice: Her name... is Rem.
Having expanded her remaining mana from the use of her spell, Beatrice faded from existence, leaving behind no trace of herself other than the imprint she had in the snow, and even that was rapidly filling in.
While simultaneously understanding and not having a clue what was going on, YN clutched his head in pain as it seemed his mind bounced around many thoughts and memories that felt as if they had no proper place to belong.
While this troubled YN, one thought kept him warm long enough for frozen tears to begin to run down his face.
YN: Rem...
Trying his hardest to picture a maid with blue hair named Rem, everything seemed to piece together besides her face.
Dropping to his knees in the cold, he cried more.
He cried, and cried and cried.
For he could not remember her face.
He could remember someone named that. But he could not remember their face, or who she was.
Falling to his side, the cold began to overwhelm him and creep into this bones as the snow piled up around him.
His last conscious thoughts were spent trying his hardest to recall who Rem was.
Feeling the pain on his shoulder go numb from the cold, there was one last warm spec on his body. Right on that same shoulder.
Barely being able to reach up to feel it, it was in the shape of two lips, and it's warmth came from the kindness and compassion it's giver had entrusted it when she had kissed the injury.
As YN died, his last dying thoughts were of her.
As he died, YN remembered Rem.
Lifting the glass to his mouth, YN expected to feel the nice, refreshing taste of the water Rem had set out for him, but as the cold liquid reached his tongue, it sent an immense shiver down his body.
I-I'm—! I'm so cold!
Not wanting to choke on water, YN breathed in heavily through his nose. At first he smelled what he thought was stee or iron, but it quickly went away. And for a brief second, what little water from the glass that had entered into his mouth, tasted of blood, like he had a cut in his mouth.
Pursing his lips, YN had for some reason imagined they should be chapped from some sort of cold... but it was such a warm day out?
Trying to get his bearings, he felt a small cascade of emotions and out of place memories all filter into his immediate memory, scattered and unindexed. Setting the glass back down on the table with a loud *clang*, YN wrestled with his own current emotional state.
?: YN? Oh, there you are.
With his eyes still shut, he recognized the voice, but for some reason, something told him he shouldn't be hearing it.
Walking around where YN sat, the silver haired half elf sat down next to him. Upon seeing her physically now, a vision of a large ball of ice came to mind with her at the center of it, along with Rem and Subaru.
Feeling this painful memory, YN clutched his head in agony.
Emilia: YN! Are you alright? Were you in the sun for too long?
YN: In the sun? No... I was in the snow...
Putting a hand to her chest, Emilia was confused as to what YN was saying.
Emilia: I— I don't know what to do...
Seeing much confusion in his eyes, pain almost, Emilia wanted nothing more than to help him.
Should I go fetch Rem? I want to be the one who can help for a change... but that's selfish, especially when I don't know what to do.
Swallowing a lump in her throat, Emilia spoke her suggestion.
Emilia: I can go get Rem...
Lifting his head up, the word "Rem" echoed in his mind.
I... I need to talk to— No, I need to see Rem.
For some unspeakable and unshakable reason, YN needed to make sure Rem was okay. He needed to see her unharmed. He needed to make sure she was not in harm's way.
But most importantly…
He needed to see her face.
Standing up, Emilia did so as well, lightly grabbing a loose part of YN's work shirt.
Emilia: You shouldn't stand! Especially so quickly. You should rest and wait, I'll go get Rem and—
YN: No—! Er... No thank you, Emilia-sama.
Rounding the couch, YN walked to the hallway, catching himself on the entry way as he did, his knees weak from the shock he was still experiencing.
Where would she be...
Taking a few steps into the hallway, past the next door down, towards the end of the long hallway, someone else stepped out, much like had.
At the distance she was down the hallway, he could easily hide her body with his thumb in his vision, the familiar and reassuring hue of blue that was her hair let YN know he had found her.
Locking eyes with her, she did the same, as they both stopped. They were so close, yet so far away from each other.
YN: Rem...
Saying her name under his breath, with such deep emotion attached to it, the maid managed to hear it, and immediately began speed walking towards him, her heels clacking hard against the mansion floor as she tried to reach him in a walk as fast as she could.
Doing the same, YN walked as fast as he could as well towards her. Getting closer the little details of her got clearer.
Her azure eyes, the purple hair clip she wore, the little white flowers on her head band, the way her dress swayed with each step, the little blush marks on each of her cheeks, her bangs swinging left and right, even the slight bounce to her chest as she approached was apparent.
Reaching each other in the middle, the two stopped. Where YN had relief of worry in his eyes, Rem's remained.
Silent as they stared at each other, Rem seemed to be analyzing YN much more than he had to her, yet she only peered into his eyes, as if looking for something in specific.
Breaking the silence, Rem spoke her worries.
Rem: It happened, didn't it?
Unsure of what she meant, it was clear they both knew something wasn't right, yet they had different ideas of what that meant.
YN: D-Did what happen?
Silent for a moment more, Rem spoke up with intrepidation on her voice.
Rem: YN-kun... wouldn't lie to Rem, correct?
Wanting to squash any questioning Rem felt in her heart right now, YN stiffened his back, and knew he needed to speak with tactfulness.
YN: Never. But I think something did happen.
Seeing some relief in her eyes, Rem seemed to relax a bit before responding.
Rem: Rem can smell it.
Knowing what "it" was, YN knew what Rem was asking him now.
YN: I'm... not sure what happened... My head— no, my memories are a little jumbled up right now... and it happened so suddenly...
Rem: It's not something that was so painful YN-kun doesn't want to remember it, right?
Shaking his head, YN tried to explain.
YN: No, I don't think it's that... It's more like—
Hearing someone new step out into the hallway, behind YN, from where he came, he knew who it was without even having to look.
Seeing a sliver of Rem's maid dress behind YN, Emilia held a hand to her chest, gazing at his back, knowing he had heard her.
Emilia wanted to help. She still felt like she owed it to him for all he had done at the Capitol, and for his defense during the mabeast fiasco.
Feeling her eyes on his back, YN sighed, as he knew all Emilia wanted to do was help, but circumstances wouldn't allow that here. There was simply too much of a risk.
Lowering his voice, YN regrouped his thoughts to Rem.
YN: Rem, I think we need to move somewhere... more private.
Knowing exactly why, Rem nodded, thankful that YN was willing to talk to her and explain like he always did.
Taking his hand, Rem led YN down the opposite end of the hallway, away from Emilia. Rounding the next corner, YN couldn't bring himself to look at Emilia at the other end.
With a heavy emotion in her heart, Emilia's hand slowly ran down the wall next to her, and she dropped the hand she held at her chest to her side. She was once more unable to offer YN any help.
I'd only get in the way...
As Rem pulled YN along, another snippet of a memory made its way into his mind.
Rem had many times pulled him along like this when they needed to go somewhere. That's just how Rem was. Rem knew YN trusted her to lead him wherever, and YN trusted her that she'd never lead him somewhere he didn't need to, or didn't want to be.
That's why Rem never had to explain where they were going. The two had so much trust it wasn't necessarily. That's how they operated.
But this memory, it let YN know exactly where they were going, despite having to go a round about way to get there to avoid crossing Emilia or potentially anyone else.
YN: We're going to the utility closet, aren't we? The one with the vases.
Stoping, Rem turned with a worried expression back on her face.
Rem: Yes... Does—
With a small tear forming in her eye, Rem continued.
Rem: Does YN-kun know that from... another loop?
Shaking his head, YN denied it.
YN: I—, I just don't know. That's what we need to speak about.
Relieved that he at least knew that it worried her, Rem went to continue walking, but when she pulled YN's hand, she felt resistance.
Turning around, Rem questioned why YN had stopped.
Rem: YN-kun—
Cutting her off, YN threw both of his arms around her, holding and hugging her tightly in the empty hallway. Resting his head on her soft blue hair, he looked down and kissed it, trying to bury his face and enjoy the flowery aroma that lingered in it.
Muffled as her face was held against his chest, Rem spoke.
Rem (muffled): Is YN-kun certain nothing bad happened? Why the sudden—
YN: I'm still not sure, but I felt like I really needed to do this.
Bringing her hands up under his arms, Rem pulled back, returning the hug she felt.
Separating after a few moments, the two smiled at each other with watery eyes. Doing so, the hug they shared played a big part in removing any negative emotions either of them felt.
Rem: Let's hurry, we might have a lot to discuss.
Nodding, YN let himself be guided onward.
Sitting on the floor with his back to the storage cabinet in the corner of the utility closet, it was Rem who had thought maybe YN should sit while he explains.
Sitting across his lap, Rem had her back to the adjacent wall, holding YN's hands on her apron.
Rem: —and these memories just randomly came to YN-kun? Only a few moments before he sought out Rem?
YN: Yeah... And that's about when you smelled the Witch's scent too?
Rem: Yes. Subaru-kun also smelled of it but did not act differently. You were the only one to do so...
YN: I have no clue then, honestly. I don't remember there being a loop of any sort. Just a sudden flash and flood of these... memories I don't remember having.
Rem: 'Memories he doesn't remember having.'
Putting a hand to her chin and looking down at her lap, Rem returned her gaze to YN.
Rem: Can YN-kun describe any of these memories?
Shaking his head, it hurt to try and recall them.
YN: I can... sort of. They're really hazy, and I don't really understand what's going on in them. You're in them, Subaru is, Emilia too. Even Beatrice. But—
Rem: What is it?
YN: I have two pretty clear memories... Both of you, but in what's called a kimono.
Rem: 'Kim-oh-no'?
YN: I'd try and show you on my phone but I don't have it on me. But to roughly describe it, they're elaborate, long dresses worn for special occasions. They're from my old world, and specifically, they're from Subaru's homeland.
Blushing with a soft smile, Rem teased YN.
Rem: Perhaps it was just YN-kun wanting his Rem in one of those.
Gently squeezing her hand tighter, YN agreed.
YN: I think you'd look really cute and beautiful in one, but I don't think that was the reason I had so many more sudden memories.
Rem: Does YN-kun remember any of the others?
Looking up at the dusty, dimly lit ceiling of the utility closet, YN did his best to recall the vague memories.
YN: I had only a few... mostly involving you. Any others and it's kinda hard to recall...
Putting a hand to his head, YN struggled more with the memories that didn't involve Rem. Seeing he was struggling, Rem brought his hand back down into her lap.
Rem: Let's start with the easy ones then.
YN: Okay... Well, the first two I can easily recall are you stepping out of a dressing room. I don't know where, but you looked beautiful each time.
Describing each dress to her, Rem couldn't imagine herself wearing such an elaborate outfit.
Rem: Rem would like her YN-kun to see her in them though. But, what else do you remember?
YN: Hmmm, I did have one memory where this demi-human warrior lady was trying to have her way with me...
Rem: O-Oh. Rem didn't expect YN-kun to be into—
YN: N-Not like that! It was very unpleasant!
Shaking in denial, he then moved to scratching the back of his head, YN knew he should have explained better.
YN: She was being very uhhh... forceful, let's say. But you came to help. The emotions I can associate with it was intimidation, but followed by relief when you showed up.
Rem: Rem is very glad she was able to help her YN-kun.
With Rem at thought, neither of them really expected any of these to have been real happenings. To them both, at this juncture, these were only figments of YN's imagination.
YN: Funny enough, I actually have another one where we were at a cafe of sorts...
Rem: Was it like a date?
YN: I think... But it was weird, the waitress almost didn't let me in because I wasn't a demi-human.
Giving YN a weak look, Rem rubbed her thumb on the back of YN's hand as she continued to hold it in her lap.
Rem: YN-kun... Rem is sorry, but there are places that are like that still...
Not entirely bothered by it like Rem might think he might be, YN was more surprised he had a piece of knowledge he wouldn't have otherwise guessed existed.
YN: That's a strange coincidence I'd have a memory of stuff I didn't realize I knew...
Rem: Are there any more clear ones? Any that don't involve Rem?
YN: I made a promise to Nee-sama to keep you safe, but I have no idea what the context on that one was...
Somewhat alarmed having heard that, Rem simply ended up interpreting it as Ram being protective of her like she always was.
Rem: Are there any others? Even if they seem insignificant, they might yield some clues as to what all these memories are from.
YN: Uhh, just one, but it's just you and me sitting, driving a ground dragon carriage. It was cute though, you were sitting on my lap and—
Rem: We were driving a ground dragon carriage?
Cutting off YN, Rem seemed rather interested in this memory for some reason, her voice getting an air of seriousness in it.
YN: Huh? Yeah... We were in a valley with tons of wild flowers everywhere... That's about it though...
With her expression growing more serious, Rem replied.
Rem: YN-kun, do you know what's happening later today?
YN: Today?
Giving her a puzzled look, YN hadn't a clue what Rem might be getting at.
Rem: No one said anything? Not Emilia-sama or Subaru-kun?
Still unsure of what Rem was talking about, YN inquired further.
YN: No... What's going on?
Rem: Part of why Rem wanted to talk to YN-kun earlier was to inform that everyone but Roswaal-sama and Nee-sama would be departing tonight.
With this news being a surprise to him, his eyes opened wide.
YN: Departing? To where?
Rem: Emilia-sama was invited to a festival near the Kararagi border to be the guest of honor, and Roswaal-sama thought it would be a good idea for her to announce her Royal candidacy there.
YN: But what does that have to do with anything?
Rem: YN-kun, we'll have to travel by ground dragon and on the way there... we'll be heading through a valley that's supposed to be blooming with flowers this time of year...
Blinking twice at Rem said, YN slowly put the two ideas together.
YN: Rem... You don't think that—
Rem: Rem is beginning to. Somehow, YN-kun saw things that were going to happen, and all these memories came into being as soon as Rem smelled the Witch's scent...
Swallowing a lump in his throat, YN began to wonder if Rem finding out about Return By Death had limited his ability to retain memories from it.
Rem: But YN-kun always remembers what happens... Why would it be different this time?
YN: I have no idea... Did you check on Subaru after you smelled it?
Nodding, Rem confirmed.
Rem: Yes, Rem checked on him, but he didn't seem like anything was bothering him.
YN: Normally he's pretty upset or nervous right after a Return... It's even stranger. I seem to remember some things, but if he's acting like nothing happened, that means he doesn't have any memories of what might have occurred…
Rem: Rem thought as much too... This is indeed troubling.
Holding Rem's hand tighter, YN tried brainstorming any solutions.
YN: Well, what do we do?
Giving him a weak look, Rem hesitated before saying what she said next.
Rem: Since it appears to be a problem with YN-kun's memories... maybe Rem should see if Beatrice-sama will let her look into them again.
Surprised by her idea, it was smart, but YN was worried since what happened last time.
YN: Rem, wasn't that extremely hard on you? I have to honor my promise with Ram to not let you push yourself too hard—
Rem: It's not too hard!
Cutting him off, Rem made her courage apparent.
Rem: Rem will endure it because it's important for both of us to find out. Rem wants to help her YN-kun as much as she can.
Leaning in, Rem rested her forehead against YN's own, smiling as she did.
Rem: Besides, Rem knows everything about YN-kun now. No matter what she sees, Rem knows her YN-kun always has Rem in his thoughts and considerations. She will never doubt him, no matter what she may see.
YN: Rem...
Hugging the maid on his lap, the two shared a moment of trust between them.
YN: ... I guess it's fine then... But if we're leaving this evening, won't we be limited on time?
Rem: Don't worry, Rem will work hard to make up for it.
A little upset at the notion that Rem was going to have to work double time for what felt like his expense, YN reluctantly agreed.
Beatrice: Betty is going to have to decline the younger-maid-sister's request, I suppose.
Having spent maybe longer than they'd have liked trying to find Beatrice's Forbidden Library, Rem and YN had both approached the drill haired girl inside and asked her their request.
Beatrice: —Especially for such a request.
Nervously lying through her teeth, Rem did her best to try to convince the spirit before her.
Rem: But Beatrice-sama, Rem just needs to see where YN-kun lost the key to the mansion's front door before we have to leave—
Beatrice: —Betty is even less interested in helping when the younger maid sister attempts to lie as badly as she does.
Rem & YN: —Hk!
While finding the door, YN had suggested needing a cover story for asking Beatrice for her help in this matter. With Rem agreeing, she hastily fabricated a story that YN had misplaced the mansion's front door key while working. But, Rem's execution of the ruse was lackluster in this setting, ending with the Great Spirit seeing right through her.
Putting a fist to her cheek, Beatrice leaned on the chair arm as she further inquired as to their real reasoning.
Beatrice: Now, Betty can tell there is urgency in needing to view his memories, but for what reasons would the younger maid sister need to see them, I suppose?
Rem: — — —
Looking down at Beatrice's words, Rem remained silent.
Beatrice: Would it have anything to do with the fact the groundskeeper reeks of the Witch at this moment?
Rem: —Hk!
While she had been unaware of it, Rem hadn't realized that Beatrice could smell it like she could.
Being verbally defeated again, Rem was becoming increasingly nervous as her honor and stature as a maid to someone who was supposed to be a superior was taking blow after blow.
Beatrice: Has the younger maid sister finally grown suspicious of the anomaly again with the renewal of the Witch's miasma?
Rem: Never!
Defiant, Rem would not stand to have her loyalty to YN questioned. Clenching her teeth, Rem held her tongue from saying anything else.
Beatrice: Is this another one of your bald faced lies?
Rem: Rem won't ever doubt her YN-kun again! She learned that the first time she did this!
Beatrice: Then you wouldn't be here asking to peer into his mind once more, would you? Betty seems to recall the younger maid sister was entirely unable to touch him upon exiting his memories the first time.
Raising her head up, Rem sharply looked at Beatrice before looking at YN much more softly, as if awaiting some sort of judgment.
Beatrice: Tell Betty, what sort of honeyed words did he slither into your ears after he woke up to change how you perceived his memories?
Still regretting her original suspicions of YN and how she had acted upon them, especially in cases where her actions had dire, and sometimes lethal consequences for YN, Rem felt a rage build up inside her.
Rem: Beatrice-sama has no idea what that was about! —And no idea what Rem saw!
YN: Rem.
Seeing Beatrice was getting Rem to play right into her hand and lose her cool, YN placed a hand on her exposed shoulder, calming her down as she looked over to him with worry.
Giving the blue haired girl that held his heart a look of understanding, YN silently let Rem know he knew her true feelings during the events that unfolded before he woke up from having his memories looked at. He let Rem know he trusted her, no matter how anyone would try and spin the way her actions looked.
With Rem regaining her composure, YN next turned to Beatrice.
YN: Beatrice-sama. I know it's a lot to ask, but it would really help us if you would allow Rem to view my memories one more time. I'll even offer all the mana I have as payment. And when it fully restores, I'll give you that too.
Rem: YN-kun! That might injure your gate!
Silent before responding, Beatrice shook her head.
Beatrice: It's no longer an issue of payment or initial reasoning I suppose. It's a matter of integrity.
Unsure of what she meant by this to YN, Rem seemed troubled by it.
YN: I'm sorry, I don't follow what you mean.
Shutting the book she held on her lap with a loud *clap*, she elaborated.
Beatrice: It means Betty might have to have a word with Roswaal over this. If one of his most trusted and esteemed maids is unwilling to take potential threats seriously, Betty will speak up, if only since a threat to the mansion is also a threat to her Library.
Rem: B-Beatrice-sama!
YN: — — —
While Rem was offended by the idea of having her position diminished in front of Roswaal, YN could easily see her through her bluff.
That's not like her at all. She despises Roswaal far too much to go to such lengths. She'd just as soon stay holed up inside here if there was a tangible threat, besides, she's too confident in her abilities of magic to think of something like this as a threat.
Beginning to see maybe what Beatrice was implying, YN offered what he thought she was waiting for.
YN: Beatrice-sama. Is there not a compromise we can reach?
Seeing her little butterfly pattern eyes turn over to him, she gave him a brief look of acknowledgement, as if he had said the exact right thing.
Beatrice: There may be.
Hoping down off her chair, Beatrice set the book she held off onto a pile next to her and walked up closer to YN and Rem.
Beatrice: In the interest of time, ability, and motives, Betty can offer only one solution.
With Rem looking to YN in hope, she awaited the spirit's conclusion.
Beatrice: —In exchange for not further inquiring about the younger maid sister's integrity, Betty would like to peer into your memories in her place.
Hearing her ultimatum, both YN and Rem were shocked to hear it.
Beatrice looking back? I don't know if that's a good idea...
As YN knew he needed a solution, he argued with himself "At what cost?" Speaking up suddenly, Rem nervously asked for clarification.
Rem: Beatrice-sama is only able to look back close to a month, isn't she? That's at least how long back Rem could...
Beatrice: Correct. However, since time is limited before everyone departs, Betty will only be looking back a few days.
Even if the last Return By Death was more than a month ago, me and Rem have still talked about it since then. Shit, we might have to deny her.
Looking at Rem, YN knew she also thought the same thing.
Beatrice: Betty will overlook and skip any personal moments that involve just you two however since she doesn't wish to see anything of that nature and what dirty things humans do together. As well as it being a waste of time since you two were together in that time.
With Rem slightly blushing at the idea in embarrassment, YN stayed more serious, seeing this condition as entirely favorable.
If she overlooks those times, she won't hear about anything related to Return By Death then... And the last time me and Subaru had a discussion on it, was more than a few days ago now...
It was a gamble, but it was one he'd have to take to resolve these worries he and Rem both had.
YN: Fair enough.
Beatrice: Good. We'll begin immediately. Lay down on the floor.
Pushing back the surrounding books and furniture with her magic, Beatrice cleared a wide area.
Getting down on the floor, YN was ready to lie down until—
Rem: Allow Rem.
Also kneeling downward, Rem positioned herself behind YN, and guided his head down onto her lap.
YN: O-Oh. Thank you, Rem.
Giving a weak smile to him based on what was about to happen, Rem had at least made sure YN would be comfortable for it on a lap pillow of hers.
Sitting down, opposite of Rem, Beatrice concentrated on her magic. As a small gust seemed to grow around them, the drill haired girl gave her final instruction.
Beatrice: Now, this magic revolves around the subject consenting to show the viewer all the memories they are willing to. If Betty is denied any, she will assume you are being unhonest in your dealings I suppose.
YN: So that would be like breaking our deal, huh? Okay. I understand.
Beatrice: Good. Now then, please fall asleep.
YN: Huh?! What? How?! I can't just—
As YN's head rested on Rem's lap, she began gently running her fingers through his hair, and unknown to YN, this had been for a reason.
Giving a nod to Beatrice, Rem placed her fingers on either side of YN's head, just above his ears. Whispering, Rem's soft and calming voice filled his last few moments of consciousness.
Rem: YN-kun, please let Rem handle that for you.
Feeling Rem pour her magic through her finger tips, YN fell asleep on her lap pillow, allowing Beatrice to peer into his memories, as agreed.