Heart To Hurt
Subaru and Beatrice made their way through the eerily silent streets, the faint sounds of chaos from distant parts of Pristella growing fainter with each step. Al's information had been clear—Emilia's last known location was at a hotel near the cathedral. But as they turned the final corner and approached the area, Subaru came to a halt, his eyes widening in shock.
The scene before them was something beyond comprehension.
The oppressive aura of crushing melancholy was palpable in the air, centered around a tall, lanky man with disheveled black hair and a hunched posture. His very presence seemed to sap the life from the surroundings, as if despair itself had taken human form. Subaru didn't recognize him, but the suffocating dread he emanated was unmistakable.
Beatrice's grip on Subaru's hand tightened as she whispered, "That's him, in fact… The Warlock of Melancholy, Hector."
Subaru's breath hitched. "That's Hector? The guy everyone's been losing their minds over?"
"Yes, I suppose," Beatrice replied, her voice low. "He's dangerous, Subaru. Do not take him lightly, in fact."
But it wasn't just Hector that held Subaru's attention. A second figure stood before him—a white-haired man clad in extravagant white robes. His bearing was full of arrogance, his posture upright and rigid. It was a face Subaru recognized all too well: Regulus Corneas, the Sin Archbishop of Greed.
"Regulus," Subaru muttered under his breath, his stomach twisting in disgust. Memories of their encounter on the Lifaus Highway came rushing back—the man's unnerving self-righteousness, his terrifying power, and the sheer disregard he had for anyone but himself.
Emilia lay on the ground behind Regulus, trembling and clearly shaken, her silver hair disheveled and her expression frozen in fear. Her hands were tied in front of her with glowing chains, her posture slumped as though every ounce of her strength had been drained.
"What the hell is this?" Subaru hissed, his heart pounding.
Before he could even process the situation, Regulus's voice rang out, loud and indignant, cutting through the heavy atmosphere. "How dare you infringe on my rights? Do you have any idea who I am?! I am Regulus Corneas, the head of this union! The foundation of everything righteous! And you… you have no right to interfere with my wives' comfort!"
Hector didn't move or react much, his head tilting slightly as if barely registering Regulus's rant. His hands were shoved into the pockets of his tattered coat, and his slouched posture conveyed irritation rather than intimidation. The aura of crushing despair around him seemed to intensify, bending the air like a suffocating weight.
Regulus stepped forward, his righteous indignation only growing. "You're a menace! A brute! Your actions are an affront to everything civilized! How dare you block my path, my rights, my will?! My wives and I—" He gestured dramatically to Emilia, as if including her in his so-called union, "—demand that you step aside immediately!"
Subaru gritted his teeth, his knuckles whitening as he clenched his fists. "That bastard," he muttered under his breath. "He's lumping Emilia into his 'wives'? What the hell is wrong with him?"
Beatrice tugged at Subaru's arm. "We need to be careful, Subaru. Regulus may be despicable, but he's not someone to underestimate, I suppose. And Hector… his mood determines everything, in fact. If he decides we're an annoyance, he won't hesitate to crush us."
Subaru's mind raced, trying to figure out how to approach the situation. Hector clearly wasn't threatened by Regulus—if anything, he looked bored. His gaze drifted lazily past the Archbishop as if Regulus were nothing more than a loud nuisance.
"You're… irritating," Hector finally muttered, his voice dragging with the weight of lethargy and disinterest. His words weren't loud, but they carried enough force to cut through Regulus's tirade.
Regulus froze mid-rant, his face twitching with barely contained fury. "Irritating? You think I'm irritating?!" His voice cracked with indignation, his body stiffening as his ego swelled to dangerous levels. "I am a man of principle! Of structure! You—"
Hector raised a hand, his fingers barely lifting from his coat pocket, and the oppressive aura around him grew heavier. Regulus stopped speaking, his breath hitching as the air itself seemed to thicken and weigh down on him.
"Enough," Hector said simply, his voice tinged with faint annoyance. "You're boring me. And your 'rights' mean nothing to me."
Regulus's face contorted in rage, and Subaru's heart raced as he saw the Archbishop's hand twitch. He's going to attack.
Subaru turned to Beatrice. "We need to get Emilia out of there. Now."
Beatrice nodded, her expression fierce. "I'll shield us from the worst of it, in fact. But you need to be ready."
As Regulus and Hector faced off, the sheer tension between their powers threatening to collapse the very space around them, Subaru and Beatrice prepared to make their move. They had one chance to save Emilia before the inevitable clash destroyed everything in its path.
Everything happened so fast it was almost impossible to process.
Regulus, his face twisted in fury, suddenly bent down, scooped a handful of dirt from the ground, and flung it toward Hector with a sharp flick of his wrist. What should have been a meaningless gesture became a devastating force—a jagged, world-splitting wave of destruction that tore through the very fabric of space. The air hummed with raw power as the attack surged forward, the ground trembling beneath its wake.
But Hector didn't flinch. With an air of utter disinterest, he raised one hand slightly, the motion almost lazy. The oppressive aura of his authority flared to life, a crushing, depressive force that distorted everything around him. The destructive wave collided with the unseen force, and to Regulus's shock, it didn't break through—instead, it was flattened, crushed into the ground beneath their feet with an ear-splitting crash. The earth buckled under the weight, fissures snaking outward as dust and debris exploded into the air.
Regulus stood frozen, his mouth hanging open in disbelief. "What?!" he bellowed, his voice cracking. "What did you do?! That… that's impossible! Nobody can stop me!"
Hector tilted his head, his dull, lifeless gaze fixed on Regulus. "Annoying," he muttered, his voice carrying a lethargic finality. "Your antics… are tiring."
Emilia, still on the ground, stared wide-eyed at the exchange, her body trembling. She had no idea what to do, her mind racing as she watched two incomprehensible forces clash. The ground beneath her felt unsteady, the air itself thick and suffocating under the weight of Hector's presence.
Subaru, however, moved.
For the first time, he reached deep into himself and called upon a power he had always feared, a power he had never dared to use before. The Authority of Sloth—Invisible Providence.
From Subaru's back, four black, phantom-like arms emerged, twisting and writhing like extensions of his will. They were invisible to everyone else, their presence existing only within the distortion of space itself. Beatrice, standing beside him, gasped faintly, sensing the shift in his aura.
The phantom arms shot forward with precision and speed, crossing the battlefield in an instant. They snaked around Emilia, wrapping her in an unseen grip before gently lifting her off the ground. She let out a small gasp, her silver hair fluttering in the air as she was pulled away from the center of the chaos.
"Subaru?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.
The phantom arms delivered her into Subaru's arms, and he held her tightly, his heart pounding. "I've got you," he said softly, his voice steady despite the storm of emotions within him. "You're safe now."
Emilia's wide amethyst eyes locked onto his, still shaken but slowly beginning to trust the warmth in his gaze. She didn't know how he had done it, but the relief of being out of harm's way was undeniable.
Meanwhile, the clash between Regulus and Hector escalated. Regulus recovered from his shock, his face twisting into a mask of rage. "You think you can dismiss me like that?!" he snarled. "I am the epitome of perfection! I define the world around me! You are nothing compared to me!"
He lunged forward, his movements unnaturally fast as he unleashed another attack, this time aiming directly at Hector. But Hector barely moved, his lethargic posture unchanged. The crushing weight of his authority intensified, the depressive force pressing down on everything around them. Regulus's movements slowed as if the air itself had turned to lead, his attacks losing their momentum before they could reach their target.
"You're loud," Hector muttered, his voice flat. "And fragile."
With a wave of his hand, the ground beneath Regulus buckled and collapsed, sending the Archbishop stumbling. Regulus let out a roar of fury, slamming his foot into the ground and generating a shockwave that radiated outward, shattering the earth and sending debris flying. Hector didn't flinch, the oppressive force of his authority holding firm.
Subaru, holding Emilia close, retreated to a safe distance, his phantom arms still active and ready to intervene if necessary. Beatrice floated beside him, her expression serious as she analyzed the scene.
"Hector's authority is absolute in its ability to suppress and crush, I suppose," she said quietly. "Regulus's power relies on absolute defense and precision, but it means nothing if he can't act freely, in fact."
Subaru nodded, his eyes darting between the two combatants. "But that doesn't mean Hector's unstoppable. There's got to be a limit to his authority."
As the two titanic forces continued their clash, it became clear that Hector wasn't fighting out of any sense of urgency—he was simply bored, swatting Regulus's attacks aside as if brushing away an insect. Regulus, meanwhile, grew more desperate, his arrogance cracking under the weight of his mounting frustration.
"Subaru," Emilia said softly, her voice pulling his attention. "What are we going to do? If they keep fighting like this, the whole area could be destroyed."
Subaru glanced at her, determination flickering in his gaze. "We'll figure something out. First, we need to get you out of here. Then, we deal with those two."
The storm of power raged on, but Subaru knew one thing for certain—this was only the beginning.
The tension in the air was suffocating as the battle between Hector and Regulus escalated. The oppressive force of Hector's authority seemed to bend the very fabric of the battlefield, the crushing weight pressing down on everything around him. Regulus, despite his frenzied attacks and blustering arrogance, remained unharmed—his abilities placing him outside the bounds of conventional physical laws.
But Hector wasn't one to be impressed.
With a lazy flick of his wrist, Hector's authority surged, the ground beneath Regulus buckling as an invisible force slammed into him. Regulus was thrown into the air, then smashed into the ground with a deafening crash. The earth cracked and crumbled beneath him, yet the man emerged unscathed, brushing dust off his pristine white robes with an infuriatingly smug expression.
"You… dare to lay a hand on me?" Regulus snarled, his tone equal parts indignation and disbelief. "Do you have any idea who you're dealing with? I am perfect! Invincible! Your pathetic tricks mean nothing to me!"
Hector didn't respond. Instead, he raised his hand again, and the crushing force slammed Regulus into the ground a second time, the impact sending shockwaves rippling through the earth. The white-haired man bounced back up like a ragdoll, landing on his feet without a scratch.
"You think this is a game?!" Regulus bellowed, his face contorted in rage. "You're infringing on my rights! My autonomy! My wives depend on me to maintain order, and you're—"
A third slam cut him off, the ground trembling violently as Hector's authority bore down on him. Still, Regulus rose, unharmed and livid, his tirade uninterrupted.
"You're nothing but a brute! A savage! A monster who has no respect for—"
The fourth slam came with such force that the ground beneath Regulus caved in, forming a small crater. Dust and debris filled the air, obscuring the scene for a moment. When the dust settled, Regulus stood in the center of the crater, pristine as ever, his robes untouched, his fury growing with every second.
Hector's expression didn't change, his disinterest continuous. His hunched posture and heavy-lidded eyes gave the impression that he was barely paying attention. His gaze drifted lazily across the battlefield, and then his head tilted slightly, as if noticing something—or the absence of something—for the first time.
The oppressive aura of his authority lessened slightly as his focus shifted.
"The girl," he muttered, his voice dragging with lethargy. "She's gone."
Subaru, hidden behind cover with Emilia and Beatrice, felt a shiver run down his spine at Hector's words. The Warlock of Melancholy's mood dictated his actions, and the faint flicker of boredom in his tone was far more dangerous than his crushing authority.
Hector lowered his hand, his attention waning. "No point," he mumbled, almost to himself. "You're noisy. And pointless."
His disinterest sent Regulus into a full-blown tantrum. The Archbishop's face twisted with outrage, his voice rising to a shrill pitch. "Pointless?! Me? You dare call me pointless?! I am Regulus Corneas! The embodiment of perfection! The cornerstone of justice! You will show me the respect I am owed!"
Hector didn't react. His gaze wandered away from Regulus, scanning the area with mild curiosity. His oppressive aura began to fade, the weight lifting as his apathy grew.
Regulus, enraged by the dismissal, stomped forward. "Don't you ignore me! I am speaking to you! Look at me when I—"
But Hector didn't look. Instead, he let out a low sigh, his tone one of utter exhaustion. "You're still talking? You're worse than the raaain~." His eyes shifted briefly toward Regulus, the faintest flicker of annoyance crossing his face. "Go away."
Regulus's fury boiled over, his presence growing more erratic as he continued his tirade. Subaru, watching the exchange from his hiding spot, exchanged a tense glance with Beatrice.
"He's losing interest," Beatrice whispered, her grip on Subaru's sleeve tightening. "That means he might leave, I suppose. But Regulus won't let it end peacefully."
Subaru nodded, his mind racing. If Hector left, that would take one colossal threat out of the equation, but Regulus's unpredictable nature made him just as dangerous. And with Emilia still vulnerable, the situation was far from resolved.
The standoff continued, the balance of power teetering precariously as the Warlock of Melancholy's indifference clashed with the Archbishop of Greed's unrelenting arrogance. Each moment felt like a ticking time bomb, the tension rising as the fate of Emilia—and perhaps Pristella—hung in the balance.
Hector let out a long, drawn-out sigh, his hunched posture drooping even further as his fingers lazily flicked at the air. "This is so… tiresome," he muttered, his tone dripping with disinterest. "You're all noise and no meaning. Let's… finish this."
Without warning, the crushing force of his authority surged again, the weight bearing down on the earth itself. Regulus's furious rant was abruptly silenced as the ground beneath him crumbled with a thunderous roar. A concentrated burst of Hector's authority sent the Sin Archbishop of Greed flying downward, his body piercing through the ground like a meteor. The resulting shockwave shook the area, sending debris scattering as a deep, jagged chasm formed where Regulus once stood.
The dust settled, and for a moment, there was nothing but silence.
From the darkness below, Regulus's incredulous voice echoed faintly, laced with outrage. "What… what is this?! How dare you… How dare you do this to me?!"
Hector didn't even look at the hole he'd created, his attention already wandering. His lethargic gaze swept across the battlefield, his oppressive aura pulling back just slightly. His voice, drawn out and languid, rolled over the area like a slow tide.
"Ohhh, you're all still here, aren't youuu?" he said, dragging the words in a sing-song rhythm, his lips curving into a faint, lazy smirk. "Hidingggg… skittering around like little rats. You knowww… even she couldn't hide from me forever. Not even dear, clever… Echidnaaaa."
The name hit like a bolt of lightning. Emilia gasped, her hand flying to her mouth, her amethyst eyes wide with shock. Beatrice flinched beside her, her grip on Subaru's sleeve tightening painfully. Both of them wore matching expressions of unease, their usual composure cracking under the weight of the name.
"Echidna?" Subaru muttered under his breath, glancing at Beatrice. "You mean… the Witch of Greed?"
Beatrice didn't respond immediately, her gaze locked on Hector as if any distraction might invite disaster. Her voice, when it came, was a strained whisper. "She… was my mother, I suppose. The one who created me. But that doesn't matter right now, in fact. Hector… he's dangerous."
Subaru swallowed hard, his heart pounding. He didn't fully understand the connection between Beatrice, Emilia, and this Echidna figure, but the reaction of his companions told him all he needed to know. Hector wasn't just dangerous—he was someone tied to ancient, forbidden truths.
The oppressive weight of Hector's authority shifted again, and the rubble behind which they were hiding suddenly groaned, the crushing force splintering it into fragments. The sound was deafening as the debris crumbled to reveal them.
"Aaaahhhh," Hector drawled, his voice lilting with feigned surprise and mock delight as he tilted his head lazily to one side. His tone circled and stretched his words, each syllable dripping with playfulness that felt as sharp as a blade. "Fooooound youuuu."
His dull, tired eyes locked onto Subaru, Emilia, and Beatrice, his lips curving into the faintest hint of a smirk. He raised a hand lazily, as if waving to an old friend. "Hidingggg doesn't suuuuuit youuuu… Not you, not dear, sweet little Beatrice… and certainly not the half-elf, ooooh noooo."
Subaru stepped forward instinctively, placing himself between Hector and the others, his body tense. "What do you want from us?" he demanded, trying to keep his voice steady despite the crushing pressure of Hector's presence.
Hector's expression didn't change, his posture still slouched, but there was a faint glint of curiosity in his eyes. "Whaaaat do I want? Mmmm… What an interesting question. Do you even knooow, I wonderrrr? Or are you just as loooost as you seemmmm?"
Subaru's fists clenched, but before he could respond, Hector took a slow, deliberate step forward, his oppressive aura rolling over them like a suffocating tide.
Hector's lazy gaze lingered on Subaru, his expression unreadable but his oppressive aura settling ever so slightly, as though his attention had sharpened just a fraction. His dull eyes widened faintly, as if some flicker of recognition crossed his mind. Then, in a soft, slow murmur, a single word escaped his lips:
"Flugel…"
The name hung in the air, drawing confusion from Subaru, Beatrice, and Emilia alike. Subaru furrowed his brows. "Flugel? Who the hell is—"
Hector raised a finger, wagging it in slow, deliberate arcs. "Nooooo," he drawled, almost teasingly, "not quiiite, butttt… close." A long sigh followed, his shoulders sagging further as though the effort of speaking exhausted him.
Subaru narrowed his eyes. "What are you even talking about? I don't know any 'Flugel,' and I sure as hell don't know you."
Hector tilted his head, his lazy smirk returning. "Don't youuu?" he mused, his voice lilting with feigned curiosity. "Mmmm, but I digresssss. You're not what I thought you'd beee. A shame… or perhaaaaps, not."
Beatrice, gripping Subaru's hand tightly, looked up at him with urgency. "Subaru, don't let him confuse you, I suppose! Whatever he thinks he knows, it doesn't matter, in fact."
Hector's gaze shifted lazily toward Beatrice, his smirk deepening. "Ahhh, little Beatrice… always the loyal one, aren't youuuu?"
The mention of Echidna made both Beatrice and Emilia flinch. Emilia's trembling grew more pronounced, her wide amethyst eyes darting between Hector and Subaru. Beatrice's grip tightened further, her voice trembling with suppressed emotion.
Subaru's eyes darted between them, trying to piece the puzzle together. "Alright, enough of this cryptic crap. What do you want?" he snapped, stepping forward slightly. "Why are you even here?"
Hector's gaze turned to Emilia, and for the first time, there was a flicker of genuine interest in his otherwise lethargic expression. "The half-elf," he murmured, his words slow and deliberate. "I came for herrr. She's the one I want, I suppose."
Subaru immediately moved to block his line of sight to Emilia, his voice hardening. "Yeah, well, you're not getting her. So you might as well turn around and go back to wherever you crawled out of."
Hector tilted his head, considering Subaru's words for a long moment. "Mmmm, stubborn, aren't youuu? Just like him. But nooo, I don't think I will, in fact."
Subaru scoffed, his frustration boiling over. "You're not even taking this seriously, are you? Look, if you know what's good for you, you'll give back Reinhard and walk away."
At the mention of Reinhard, Hector's smirk twitched, his expression briefly tightening before slipping back into indifference. "Ahhh, the Sword Saint… A noble tool, but nothing more, I suppose. Why do you care? He's hardly yours to command."
"He's a friend," Subaru shot back, his voice firm. "And I'm not letting you use him like some kind of puppet."
Hector let out a low, drawn-out chuckle, the sound dripping with amusement and disdain. "Bold worrrds, little Pride. But you don't seem to understaaand… I have no qualms with youuu. You're not my concern, noooo. But if I could destroy the remnants of that accursed spirit…" His gaze flickered briefly to Beatrice. "I wouldn't mindddd."
Subaru stepped closer, his fists clenched. "You'd better think twice about trying anything, because these two?" He gestured to Beatrice and Emilia. "They're not going anywhere. And if you want a fight, I'm happy to give you one."
Hector tilted his head back, letting out a long, weary sigh. "Ahhhh, you childrennn… always so quick to throw yourselvesss into the fire. But if you insiiiist…"
The oppressive weight of his authority began to creep forward again, rolling over the group like a suffocating tide. Beatrice stepped forward, her small frame brimming with magical energy, ready to defend Subaru and Emilia.
The standoff hung in the air, every second feeling like an eternity as Subaru prepared for the fight of his life.
The tension in the air was shattered as a deafening explosion of dirt and rubble erupted from the ground far behind Hector. Regulus, the Sin Archbishop of Greed, burst out of the earth, his pristine white robes untouched despite the chaos around him. His face twisted into a mask of pure rage, veins bulging on his forehead as he glared at Hector.
"How dare you?!" Regulus bellowed, his voice echoing with unrestrained fury. "How dare you try to humiliate me like that?! You think you can throw me underground and walk away? I am perfection! I am invincible! I define what's right!"
Hector turned slightly, his usual lethargic posture straightening ever so slightly as he lazily glanced back at Regulus. For a moment, his crushing authority eased, the suffocating pressure receding just enough to give Subaru and the others a chance to breathe.
"Mmmm, you again," Hector murmured, his tone flat and uninterested. "Still so noisy, I suppose. Haven't youuu learned yet?"
Regulus lunged forward, his movements sharp and precise. The air around him distorted as he unleashed a devastating attack, his abilities bending reality itself as he aimed for Hector. But the Warlock of Melancholy barely raised his hand, his crushing authority forming an invisible barrier that stopped Regulus's assault mid-air, sending ripples of force outward.
"You'll regret underestimating me!" Regulus snarled, his frustration mounting as he continued his relentless assault.
Hector sighed, his tone exasperated as he blocked each attack effortlessly. "Ahhhh, you're still tryingggg. So… tiringggg."
The clash between the two forces drew Hector's full attention, his focus now solely on neutralizing Regulus's erratic onslaught. The suffocating aura around Subaru, Emilia, and Beatrice faded further as Hector's crushing authority centered entirely on his opponent.
Subaru didn't waste a second. His eyes darted to Beatrice and Emilia, his voice low but urgent. "This is our chance. We're leaving. Now."
Beatrice's gaze flickered between Subaru and the battle, hesitation clear in her expression. "Subaru, are you sure, I suppose? Hector—he's not done, in fact."
"That's exactly why we're running," Subaru replied, grabbing Emilia's hand and pulling her to her feet. "We need to get out of here before they notice. You two aren't staying in this fight, no matter what."
Emilia, still shaken, nodded weakly, trusting Subaru's urgency. "Okay… but what about you?" she whispered.
Subaru gave her a small, reassuring smile. "I'll figure something out. But first, I need to get you both somewhere safe."
With Regulus's enraged attacks keeping Hector occupied, Subaru led the group in a hurried retreat, weaving through the shattered streets and rubble-strewn alleys of Pristella. His heart pounded in his chest as he kept one eye on the path ahead and the other on the sky, half-expecting one of the combatants to turn their attention back to them at any moment.
Beatrice floated beside him, her small hand gripping his tightly. "Subaru, if you're thinking of doing something reckless after this, you'd better tell me now, I suppose."
"I'm always reckless," Subaru replied with a weak chuckle, his voice tinged with tension. "But I'm not dragging you and Emilia into this mess. If anyone's gonna be stupid enough to deal with those two, it's me."
Beatrice frowned but didn't argue, her protective instincts battling against her trust in Subaru's resolve. Emilia stumbled slightly, but Subaru steadied her, his determination unshaken.
As they put distance between themselves and the battle, the sound of Regulus's ranting and Hector's crushing retorts faded into the background. For now, they had escaped the immediate danger—but Subaru knew that this reprieve wouldn't last long.
Once they reached a secure location, he would need to regroup, plan, and figure out how to confront two of the most dangerous beings he'd ever encountered. But for now, his focus was clear: protect Emilia and Beatrice at all costs.
The trek back to the capital building was grueling, every step weighed down by the lingering pressure of what Subaru and the others had narrowly escaped. His mind raced, replaying the scene with Hector and Regulus, trying to make sense of the sheer impossibility of what he'd witnessed. When they finally arrived, Subaru practically stumbled into the main chamber, where Anastasia and the others were waiting.
Anastasia stood from her makeshift seat, her sharp gaze immediately locking onto Subaru, Emilia, and Beatrice. The tension in the room thickened as the trio entered, their exhaustion and unease palpable.
"Yer back," Anastasia said, her Kararagi accent slipping through in her urgency. "But lookin' at ya, I'd say it wasn't without trouble."
Subaru gently helped Emilia to a nearby chair, her trembling hands clutching the edges of her cloak. Beatrice floated beside her, her usual composure cracked, her grip on Subaru's sleeve hesitant before she finally released it.
"Trouble's putting it lightly," Subaru muttered, wiping the sweat from his brow. He turned to Anastasia, his tone heavy. "We ran into Hector—the Warlock of Melancholy—and Regulus, the Sin Archbishop of Greed."
The room fell silent, the weight of his words settling like a heavy fog. Anastasia's usual sharp demeanor flickered with unease, and Garfiel, standing near the corner, clenched his fists.
"Hector and Regulus?" Anastasia repeated, her voice carrying disbelief. "Ya mean ta tell me ya faced two of 'em and made it back alive? That's… somethin', Natsuki-san."
"Barely made it back," Subaru corrected, his voice grim. "Regulus wasn't even the biggest problem. Hector…" He trailed off, his expression tightening. "Hector wasn't fighting us. He was bored."
Anastasia frowned, her gaze narrowing. "Bored? Ya mean he didn't care 'bout takin' ya out?"
Subaru nodded, his hands tightening into fists. "Not even a little. He was there for Emilia. Said as much himself. If it weren't for Regulus picking a fight with him, I don't think we'd have gotten away."
Emilia flinched slightly at the mention of her name, her voice soft but trembling. "He… he wanted me. I don't know why. But the way he looked at me…" She shuddered, her hands wrapping around herself.
Beatrice floated closer to Emilia, placing a reassuring hand on her arm. "Hector's not one to act without reason, I suppose. But his reasons are rarely anything short of disastrous, in fact."
Wilhelm, who had been standing quietly near the window, finally spoke, his tone formal but laced with concern. "And Regulus? How did he react to Hector?"
Subaru exhaled, shaking his head. "Like a spoiled kid who didn't get his way. He kept ranting about rights, his wives, and how perfect he is. Typical Regulus garbage."
"Wait, ya know this Greed bastard?" Garfiel asked, his brows furrowing.
"Had the misfortune of running into him before," Subaru admitted. "Trust me, he's as bad as he sounds."
Ferris, sitting cross-legged on a nearby bench, tilted his head. "So ya had two of the worst monsters in the city, one of 'em after our precious Emilia-tan, an' ya just… walked away?"
"Ran away," Subaru corrected bluntly. "I wasn't about to stick around and see how that fight ended. I needed to get Emilia and Beatrice out of there before anything else."
Anastasia crossed her arms, her expression thoughtful. "Smart move, all things considered. If Hector's as bad as ya make him out ta be, then we need ta be thinkin' long-term. We can't afford ta go at 'im blind."
Subaru nodded, his exhaustion evident. "Long-term's all well and good, but we don't have much time. Regulus is erratic, and Hector's… well, he's Hector. If we don't figure out their goals soon, this city's done for."
The conversation stretched on as Subaru recounted the details of their escape. Each piece of information only deepened the group's unease. Anastasia, sharp as ever, pieced together potential strategies while Garfiel bristled with frustration, clearly wanting to jump into action.
Wilhelm remained stoic, though his concern was evident in the small furrows of his brow.
Finally, Anastasia turned her attention to Subaru. "Yer gonna need rest, Natsuki-san. Yer barely holdin' together as it is. But let's get one thing straight: If Hector's after Emilia, we need ta make sure she's guarded at all times. No exceptions."
Subaru glanced at Emilia, her pale face filled with unease, and then at Beatrice, who gave him a small nod of reassurance. "Agreed. But I'm not sitting this out. Whatever's coming next, I'll be ready."
The group exchanged tense glances, their collective resolve hardening. The situation was dire, but with Subaru's determination and the rest of the group preparing for the inevitable confrontation, hope still flickered amidst the chaos. For now, though, they had to regroup, plan, and prepare for the battles ahead.
Subaru stood in the center of the room, his expression uncharacteristically serious. His voice, firm and resolute, cut through the murmurs of tension as he made his decision. "Beatrice will stay with Emilia," he said, leaving no room for debate. "She's the best protection Emilia could have right now."
Beatrice's eyes widened in disbelief, and she immediately floated closer, her small hands gripping Subaru's sleeve. "What are you saying, Subaru?! You need me with you, I suppose! How can I protect you if I'm not there, in fact?"
Subaru placed a hand on her shoulder, his gaze steady but soft. "Beako, I need you here. Emilia needs you more than I do. If Hector—or anyone else—comes after her again, you're the only one I trust to stop them."
Beatrice's grip tightened, her lips quivering slightly, but she didn't argue further. She knew the weight of Subaru's words, even if they filled her with unease. "Fine," she said finally, her voice quiet but tinged with reluctant acceptance. "But you'd better not get yourself killed, I suppose."
Subaru gave her a faint smile. "I'll do my best."
Anastasia cleared her throat, drawing the group's attention. "If we're gonna make this work, we need ta split up strategically. These Archbishops—Greed, Lust, and Wrath—plus the Warlock of Melancholy… They're all controllin' their towers, right? That means we need ta keep 'em occupied. If they decide ta flood the city again, it's over."
Subaru nodded. "Exactly. We need to send strong fighters to each tower, people who can hold their own against those maniacs long enough to keep them distracted."
The room murmured in agreement, but Garfiel crossed his arms, his expression suspicious. "And what about you, Captain? Where are ya gonna be?"
Subaru's tone didn't falter. "I'll face Greed and Melancholy."
The declaration sent a ripple of shock through the group. Garfiel's jaw dropped, and he immediately stepped forward. "What?! Are ya insane?! Yer plannin' on takin' both o' them on by yerself? That's suicide!"
Anastasia raised an eyebrow, her sharp gaze fixed on Subaru. "Natsuki-san, that's a tall order, even for someone as reckless as you. Are ya sure about this?"
Subaru's determination didn't waver. "It's not about whether or not I'm sure. It's about what's necessary. If I don't keep those two occupied, no one else stands a chance against them. I've already faced Regulus once, and I've seen enough of Hector to know how dangerous he is. I have to do this."
The room erupted into protests. Garfiel was the loudest, slamming his fist against a table. "Dammit, Captain! This ain't somethin' ya gotta do alone! Let me come with ya!"
"No," Subaru said firmly. "Garfiel, you're strong, but I need you elsewhere. You're our best bet at holding back the other Cultists and keeping the city safe. That's where you're needed."
"But—!" Garfiel started, but Subaru cut him off with a sharp look.
"No buts," Subaru said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "This is my decision, and I need you to trust me."
The room fell silent, the weight of Subaru's words settling over everyone. Julius stepped forward, his expression measured. "If this is truly your decision, Subaru, then I will not argue against it. But know that we will be here to support you in any way we can."
Anastasia leaned back, crossing her arms as she studied him. "Yer a bold one, I'll give ya that. But don't think for a second ya can pull this off alone. Luck or not, ya better come back in one piece."
Wilhelm nodded solemnly. "You have chosen a difficult path, but your resolve is commendable. Do not let it falter."
Subaru's gaze swept over the group, each of them processing his decision in their own way. Emilia's eyes were wide with concern, but she didn't speak, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. Beatrice floated silently beside her, her expression unreadable but her presence steady.
Finally, Garfiel stepped forward, his teeth bared in frustration. "Fine," he growled, his voice low. "If yer gonna be that stubborn, I'll let it go. But ya better not make me regret it, Captain. I'll keep the rest o' these bastards off yer back."
Subaru grinned faintly, the tension in his face easing for a moment. "I wouldn't expect anything less."
As the group made their final preparations, each of them offered Subaru words of encouragement—or warnings not to die. The weight of the task ahead was immense, but Subaru's resolve remained unshaken. With a final nod, he turned to leave, ready to face the titans of the battlefield and do whatever it took to protect the city—and the people—he cared about.
As Subaru moved through the eerily silent streets, the weight of the situation pressed heavily on him. Every step closer to the fourth control tower tightened the knot in his stomach, but he pushed forward, determined to face whatever lay ahead.
The faint sound of a cry reached his ears, carried on the wind like a ghostly whisper. Subaru stopped, tilting his head upward. High above, a tiny white object soared through the sky, its form indistinct against the dim light of the horizon.
"A bird?" he muttered to himself, narrowing his eyes in an attempt to focus. It was too small and far away to make out, and Subaru shook his head, redirecting his attention. "No time for distractions."
He refocused, his thoughts briefly flickering to Halibel's advice on the value of surprise and concealment. The man's words echoed in his mind: "Strike before they notice. Remain hidden until it's time to act." It wasn't Subaru's usual style, but something about the notion lingered with him, nagging at the edges of his thoughts.
He paused, standing still for a moment as he let his instincts guide him. The silence around him was unnerving, broken only by the faint rustling of the wind. And then, without warning, he felt it—a subtle, crushing weight pressing down on him.
His breath hitched, and his body tensed. Slowly, he turned his head.
Hector was standing just a few steps away.
The Warlock of Melancholy's slouched posture and disheveled appearance betrayed none of the terrifying power Subaru knew he possessed. His dull, half-lidded eyes regarded Subaru with mild curiosity, his expression as lifeless as ever. One hand was shoved into the pocket of his tattered coat, while the other hung limply at his side.
"Ahhh," Hector drawled, his voice slow and exasperated, as though the mere act of speaking was an effort. "You againnn… little Pride. Fancy meeting you here, I supposssse."
Subaru's heart pounded in his chest, but he forced himself to stay calm. "Yeah, fancy that," he replied, trying to keep his voice steady. "What, are you following me now?"
Hector tilted his head, his disinterest palpable. "Following youuu? Nooo… that would imply you're interestingggg." His gaze flicked over Subaru lazily, as if assessing him. "But here you are. A curiousss… coincidence, I suppose."
Subaru swallowed hard, his mind racing for a plan. Hector's oppressive aura hadn't fully settled yet, but the subtle weight in the air made it clear that the Warlock wasn't in a particularly charitable mood.
"Let me guess," Subaru said, his tone biting. "You're here to mess with me because you're bored?"
Hector let out a low sigh, his shoulders slumping further. "Boredom isss… part of it, I suppose. But nooo, little Pride, you're not my focus. You're barely a speck, in fact." His gaze sharpened slightly, though his tone remained languid. "But you do have a way of… getting in the wayyy."
Subaru clenched his fists, his confidence bolstered by a surge of defiance. "If you're looking for another fight, I'm not going to back down."
Hector's smirk was faint, almost imperceptible. "A fighttt? With youuu? Mmmm, I think notttt. You're not worth it." He sighed again, his tone dripping with apathy. "But… I'm curiouuuus, I suppose. Why keep runninggg? Why keep fightinggg? You must know how pointless it is."
Subaru's eyes narrowed, his resolve hardening. "Pointless or not, it's what I do. I don't care how strong you are or how bored you get—I'm not going to let you win."
Hector tilted his head back slightly, his laugh low and hollow. "Ahhh, that fireee… how fleeting it issss. Well then, little Pride…" His tone shifted, the oppressive weight of his aura creeping closer. "Shall we see how long it lasts?"
Subaru's breath hitched as he prepared himself, every muscle in his body tensing. There was no turning back now.
Hector sighed, a long, drawn-out exhalation that seemed to carry the weight of his lethargic presence. The oppressive aura around him receded slightly, and for a moment, the Warlock of Melancholy appeared almost... tired.
"I have nooo… interest in fighting you, little Pride," Hector began, his tone slow and deliberate, each word rolling off his tongue with exasperation. "I'm not here for youuu or your… little entourage. My purpose here is simple, I suppose."
Subaru frowned, his curiosity piqued despite himself. "Simple, huh? You'll forgive me if I find that hard to believe. People like you don't do 'simple.'"
Hector's lips twitched into the faintest of smirks. "People… like meee? Mmm, presumptuous, aren't youuuu? I'm here… to finish what should've been done long ago, in fact. To finally… end the Witch of Greed."
Subaru's eyes widened at the mention of Echidna, the name still unfamiliar and mysterious to him despite Beatrice's previous comments. He glanced at Hector warily. "Echidna? The Witch of Greed? What does she have to do with this?"
Hector raised a hand lazily, his fingers twitching as though dismissing the question before he actually answered. "Your precioussss little half-elf… she's carrying a piece of her, I suppose. A contract, you could call it… though I'd call it something else entirelyyyy."
Subaru stiffened, glancing back in the direction of the capital building. "You mean Emilia? What are you talking about?"
"Emiliaaaaa…" Hector drawled, his voice dragging like a stone through gravel. "She's contracted to Echidnaaa, the Witch of Greed. That crystal of hers… the one that holds the Witch's lingering soul…" He tilted his head, his disinterest melting into faint disgust. "It's… repulsive."
Subaru's brow furrowed as he tried to piece together what Hector was saying. "Wait, Echidna's soul? Are you saying that Emilia's crystal—"
"Is a tether," Hector interrupted, his tone sharp for the first time. "A bridge… to that insufferable witch's remnants. And youuu should know… that contract is a stain. A theft. She stole something precioussss."
"What are you talking about?" Subaru demanded. "What did Echidna steal?"
Hector sighed, his disinterest returning, though his voice carried a faint edge of irritation. "Minerva's child… that's what Echidna stole. A moment of impulsive greed, I suppose… but one that disgusts me stillll."
Subaru blinked, his confusion deepening. "Who the hell is Minerva? And what does that have to do with Emilia?"
Hector waved his hand lazily, as though brushing the question aside. "You wouldn't understaaaand. It's not about you, little Pride. It's about that crystal… that contract. I won't kill the girl—she's irrelevant. But the crystal? It must be destroyed."
Subaru's fists clenched. "You can't just decide something like that! If that crystal's connected to Emilia's powers or her spirit arts, then breaking it—"
"Would sever the Witch of Greed's grip," Hector interrupted, his tone final. "That's all that matters. I don't care about the consequences for your half-elf, I suppose. That's your problem."
Subaru's mind raced as he tried to process Hector's words. He still didn't fully understand who Echidna was or why this contract was such a big deal, but Hector's calm, almost rational demeanor threw him off. It wasn't what he expected from someone with an authority.
Subaru's heart raced as the crushing aura began to creep forward again, the weight brushing against his resolve. Something about Hector felt different from every other authority-wielder Subaru had encountered. He wasn't unhinged or erratic—his reasoning, though cruel and detached, was clear and almost unsettlingly rational. That clarity made him more dangerous than any raving lunatic.
Hector sighed again, his posture sagging as though bored of the exchange. "But perhaps… I don't need to, I suppose. Your presence here changes things… If you're around, the girl will be fine. No need for me to intervene."
Subaru blinked, caught off guard by the sudden shift. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Hector waved his hand lazily. "Your Pride… it binds you, doesn't it? As long as you're here, I suppose… the girl and her crystal are safe enough. A nuisance to me, but… acceptable."
Subaru stared at him, shocked. He had faced monsters, zealots, and madmen, all of them impossible to reason with. But Hector, for all his apathy, seemed to carry a strange logic. It wasn't something Subaru expected—and it wasn't something he trusted.
"You're… surprisingly reasonable for someone who just crushed Regulus into the ground," Subaru said cautiously.
Hector chuckled, a low, hollow sound. "Reasonable? Perhaps. Or maybe… I'm just too tired to care, I suppose. Either way… this isn't about youuu."
Subaru's fists tightened, but he didn't move. He couldn't afford to provoke Hector—not yet. For now, he needed to gather more information and find a way to stop the Warlock without risking Emilia or the city.
Hector's gaze sharpened slightly, the oppressive weight of his authority returning just enough to send a chill through the air. "But if you stand in my wayyyy… well… then we'll seeee how 'reasonable' I can be."
Subaru's breath hitched as he squared his stance, the weight of the confrontation settling heavily on his shoulders. Hector wasn't someone he could bluff, and yet, he couldn't back down. The stakes were too high.
The tension between Subaru and Hector crackled in the air as Subaru's thoughts raced, trying to anticipate the Warlock's next move. The oppressive weight of Hector's authority still hung faintly, a constant reminder of the gulf in power between them. Then, Subaru, unable to hold back his frustration, raised the question that had been gnawing at him.
"And what about Regulus?" Subaru asked, his voice tinged with anger. "Where the hell did he go?"
Hector tilted his head, his dull eyes narrowing slightly in faint amusement. "Regulusss… the noisy one? Ohhh, I threw him into the sky, I suppose. He was… annoyinggg."
Subaru blinked, his mouth opening in disbelief before closing again. He stared at Hector as though trying to process what he had just heard. "You threw him into the sky? Like, you just… chucked him into orbit or something?"
Hector sighed, the sound dragging with exhaustion. "He needed… a timeout, I suppose. Noisy thingsss… they're tiring, aren't they?"
Subaru shook his head, exasperated. "You're unbelievable. What's wrong with you people? You fight each other, throw people into the air, and act like it's normal!"
"Because it isss," Hector replied, his smirk faint but present. "For me, at least. For him? Mmmm, I doubt ittt."
Subaru clenched his fists, his anger bubbling up as another thought came to him. "And Reinhard? What about him? You're using his body like a puppet, like he's just some tool for you to mess around with. Do you even understand what you've done? Do you have any idea how many people care about him?"
Hector's smirk disappeared, replaced by a neutral expression as his gaze turned toward Subaru. "The Sword Saint…" he began, his voice slower than before. "A noble tool, I suppose. But nothing more than a tool. He serves my purpose now… until I'm finished."
"That's not a goddamn answer!" Subaru snapped, stepping forward, his frustration spilling over. "What purpose? Why are you even doing this? If you don't even care about Reinhard, why use him like this?"
Hector tilted his head, his expression unchanging. "The Sword Saint… is convenient, I suppose. A tool strong enough to cut through anythinggg… but no more than that. Once I've destroyed Echidnaaa… and her legacccy… there will be no value in keeping him, I suppose."
Subaru's teeth ground together, the cold dismissal cutting deeper than he expected. "You think you can just 'release' him after everything you've done? Like it's nothing? You've stolen his body, turned him into—into this! And you think you can just walk away once you're 'done'?"
"Yes," Hector replied simply, his tone calm and final. "Because it'sss the truth, I suppose. When the Witch of Greed is no more… when her remnants are scattered and her lies undone… the Sword Saint will mean nothing to me."
Subaru's hands shook at his sides as he tried to contain his fury. "You don't even get it, do you? Reinhard isn't some thing you can just use and discard. He's a person, dammit—a person with people who care about him!"
Hector sighed again, his shoulders slumping. "And yet… you stand here, arguinggg with me, when you should be runninggg. Foolish, isn't it?"
Subaru froze, his breath catching. Hector's tone hadn't shifted, but there was a subtle edge to his words that sent a chill down Subaru's spine.
The Warlock's apathy was terrifying, a stark contrast to the unpredictable chaos of the Sin Archbishops. Hector didn't act out of rage or insanity; he moved with cold, detached purpose—and that made him far more dangerous.
But Subaru's resolve didn't waver. He stepped forward, his fists clenched, his voice firm. "I don't care what your 'purpose' is or how tired you are. I'm not letting you keep using people like this, and I'm not letting you anywhere near Emilia."
Hector's faint smirk returned, and his head tilted as though he were amused by Subaru's defiance. "Ahhh… little Pride… always so determined to stand in the way, I suppose. If only it mattered…"
The weight of Hector's authority surged slightly, a reminder of the imbalance between them. Subaru's heart pounded, but he held his ground. The Warlock's dismissive words stung, but they only strengthened his resolve. He couldn't let this man's cold logic dictate the fate of the people he cared about.
Subaru's gaze hardened as he stared down Hector, his anger bubbling beneath the surface. His voice cut through the tension like a blade, filled with defiance and determination.
"If you're going to use Reinhard's body, then I'm not holding back. You wanted me to run? Too bad. You're going to see exactly what I can do."
Hector's dull eyes blinked slowly, his faint smirk returning. "Ahhh, bold words, little Pride… but words are all they are, I suppose. Show me what you think you can do."
Without hesitation, Subaru launched forward, his body coursing with adrenaline. A surge of Yin magic coiled around his hand like an ethereal mist as he hurled a burst of dark energy toward Hector. At the same time, four long, black phantom arms materialized from his back—his [Invisible Providence] Authority—reaching out to grab the Warlock.
The Yin magic hit first, the swirling energy closing in on Hector with precision. But before it could reach him, it was dragged aside, veering away as if an unseen force had grabbed hold of it. The phantom arms followed, their path curving unnaturally as they, too, were pulled off course.
Hector tilted his head, his smirk widening faintly. "Mmmm… Sekhmet's authority, or Flugel's? Lame, either way. You should've brought something more… amusing, I suppose."
Subaru gritted his teeth, frustration mounting as his attacks failed to connect. "What the hell is this?!" he spat, stepping back to reassess. "You've got some kind of invisible shield, don't you?"
Hector raised a hand lazily, as if swatting at a fly. "Not a shield, little Pride… A field, I suppose. Everything bends away from me… because it knows its place, I suppose. And youuuu… are no different."
Subaru clenched his fists, the phantom arms flexing behind him as he prepared another assault. "We'll see about that!"
He lunged again, unleashing a barrage of attacks. The phantom arms lashed out, striking with precision and speed, while bursts of Yin magic shot forward in calculated intervals. But no matter how he adjusted his strategy, the result was always the same. Each attack was dragged off course, veering away from Hector's slouched figure as if repelled by an invisible force.
Hector watched the display with a mix of boredom and mild amusement, his hands still tucked into the pockets of Reinhard's coat. "Ahhh, is this all, I wonderrr? You're not even trying to make it interestinggg, I suppose."
Subaru's breathing grew heavier as frustration set in. The gap between their abilities was staggering, and Hector wasn't even moving. It was as if the Warlock was untouchable, surrounded by an impenetrable wall of despair.
"Damn it!" Subaru growled, trying to think of a way to break through. "You can't just stand there forever!"
Hector sighed, his voice carrying a faint note of disappointment. "Foreverrr… nooo. But long enough, I suppose. Are you tired yet should we set time aside to rest?"
Before Subaru could respond, the weight of Hector's authority surged, the crushing pressure of gravity descending upon him like an invisible hammer. Subaru's legs buckled, his body forced downward as if the air itself had become a vice.
"What—" Subaru gasped, struggling to lift his head. The force pinned him against the ground, his limbs refusing to obey as though an unseen hand held him in place.
Hector stepped forward slowly, his movements deliberate and unhurried. "Ahhh, there it issss… that look on your face. The look of someone who thought they mattered, I suppose. And now… you see how little you do, in fact."
Subaru gritted his teeth, straining against the pressure. The phantom arms of his Authority twitched, reaching out to push himself free, but even they were dragged down, their movements sluggish and ineffective under the weight of Hector's field.
"You're… underestimating me," Subaru spat, his voice trembling with effort. "You think I'm just going to roll over? You don't know me."
Hector tilted his head, his faint smirk returning. "Ahhh, but I dooo. I know enough, I suppose. You're nothing… and yet you keep tryinggg. Admirable… but pointless."
Subaru's vision blurred slightly as the crushing force intensified, pinning him further into the ground. His body ached, his energy waning as he fought against the relentless weight.
But even as his strength faltered, a spark of defiance remained. His mind raced, searching for a way out—a weakness, an opening, anything. He wasn't about to give up. Not now. Not ever.
"I'm… not done yet!" Subaru growled, his determination blazing through the despair.
Hector's expression remained unchanged, though a faint flicker of intrigue passed through his dull eyes. "Ahhh… perhaps you'll surprise me yet, Pride. Let's see… how much more you can take, I suppose."
The tension between Subaru and Hector was shattered by a faint, distant yelling that grew louder and louder. Both turned their attention skyward, where a small, white dot hurtled toward the earth, spinning wildly.
"What the—?" Subaru managed to gasp, his body still pinned to the ground by Hector's crushing authority.
With a deafening crash, Regulus Corneas slammed into the ground face-first, the impact sending shockwaves through the street and kicking up a cloud of dust and debris. When the dust settled, Regulus stood in the middle of the crater, his pristine white robes somehow untouched despite the chaos. His hair was slightly disheveled, and his expression was one of pure, unbridled rage.
"HOW DARE YOU?!" Regulus roared, his voice echoing through the broken streets. "Who do you think you are, throwing me into the sky like some kind of—of object?! I am not a toy! I am a man of principle, of dignity! You will pay for this insult!"
Subaru, still struggling against Hector's authority, blinked in disbelief. "Of course. Of course, this guy shows up now."
Hector tilted his head lazily, his smirk faint. "Ahhh, you're back, I suppose. That was… quicker than expected."
Regulus stomped forward, his movements sharp and filled with indignation. "You think you can just treat me like this?! I am Regulus Corneas, the Sin Archbishop of Greed! The embodiment of perfection! And you… you are nothing but a disrespectful wretch!"
His furious gaze suddenly snapped to Subaru, who had managed to push himself slightly off the ground. Regulus's eyes narrowed, his expression twisting with accusation. "And YOU! You have the audacity to kidnap one of my wives?! To hide her from me?! How dare you?!"
Subaru froze for a moment, dumbfounded. "Kidnap your wife? What the hell are you talking about?!"
"Don't play dumb with me!" Regulus snarled, pointing an accusatory finger. "You think I wouldn't notice? My wife has been stolen from me, and you're the one behind it! Give her back, or face the consequences!"
Subaru's eye twitched, his irritation mounting. "Kidnap your wife? That's rich coming from you! You don't even know who you're talking to, do you?"
The tension snapped as Regulus lunged forward, his movements unnaturally fast and precise. Subaru rolled to the side just in time, the ground where he had been pinned shattering beneath Regulus's strike.
Regaining his footing, Subaru's phantom arms of [Invisible Providence] lashed out, forcing Regulus to get hit.
Hector, still standing off to the side, let out a long, drawn-out sigh. "Mmmm… noisy again, I suppose. And now you're fighting each other. How predictable."
Regulus spun toward Hector, his face red with rage. "YOU! You are the one who dared to throw me into the sky! Do you think you can simply brush me aside like that? I demand respect, acknowledgment, apologies! You—"
Hector raised a hand lazily, and the crushing force of his authority surged once more. Regulus's words were cut off as the ground beneath him buckled and twisted, the force threatening to swallow him whole. But Regulus's ability kicked in, shielding him from the physical effects of Hector's attack.
"Annoyinggg…" Hector muttered, his tone dripping with disdain. "And loud. Always… so loud, I suppose."
Subaru, using the distraction to his advantage, fired a burst of Yin magic toward Hector. The dark energy twisted in the air, drawn away by Hector's gravitational field, but the attack served its purpose, forcing the Warlock to glance in Subaru's direction.
"A three-way fight nowww… how exhausting, I suppose," Hector muttered, his smirk faint as his lethargic gaze swept over the two combatants.
Subaru squared his stance, his phantom arms flexing as he prepared for the chaos. "This isn't how I wanted this to go," he muttered to himself, "but if these two lunatics are going to fight, I might as well make the most of it."
The fight exploded into chaos. Regulus lunged at Hector with blinding speed, his strikes precise and devastating, but each attack was repelled by the Warlock's gravitational field, veering off course before they could connect. Subaru used the opening to attack Regulus, his [Invisible Providence] arms lashing out to grab him, but Regulus's defenses made him untouchable.
"I will not tolerate this disrespect!" Regulus roared, his attacks wild as he split his attention between the two enemies. "Both of you are beneath me! I will not stand for this injustice!"
"Ahhh, injustice, you say?" Hector drawled, sidestepping another of Regulus's blows. "You're… insufferable, I suppose."
Subaru, caught between the two titanic forces, gritted his teeth. "This is a disaster," he muttered. "But if I can keep them focused on each other…"
He launched another attack, his phantom arms striking at Regulus from multiple angles, forcing the Sin Archbishop to split his attention further. Regulus growled in frustration, his composure cracking as the battlefield descended into utter chaos. All the while, Hector remained calm, his authority bending the environment around him effortlessly as he deflected both Subaru's and Regulus's attacks with minimal effort.
The battle continued, a chaotic dance of conflicting abilities and clashing personalities, with Subaru struggling to hold his own amidst the storm. Yet, despite the overwhelming odds, his resolve burned brightly. He would find a way to outwit them both—no matter how impossible it seemed.
The tension in the air was unbearable, every sound of destruction around Subaru a grim reminder of the stakes. Regulus's furious strikes tore through the streets, and Hector's gravitational field twisted the environment like a child crumpling paper. Each second dragged the city of Pristella closer to ruin, and Subaru knew something had to change—immediately.
He drew a shaky breath, his thoughts racing as he recalled a desperate experiment he had attempted months ago with Beatrice's guidance. A forbidden spell, something they had theorized but never truly mastered. A specialized form of Yin magic, not meant to conceal or suppress, but to separate. To isolate.
His heart pounded. I've only done this once, and Beatrice stabilized it last time. Without her… this could fail. But if I don't, Pristella's done.
The decision was made. He clenched his fists and summoned the tendrils of Yin magic within him, the dark energy swirling and coiling as he began shaping it. The air around him grew cold, the shadows deepening unnaturally as the magic pulsed and expanded.
Subaru's voice cut through the chaos, firm and resolute. "If you want to destroy each other, fine. But you're not doing it here."
Regulus paused mid-assault, turning toward Subaru with a scowl. "What nonsense are you babbling about now? Do you even understand the—"
He never finished. Subaru slammed his hands together, the energy around him erupting into a vortex of shadow and distortion. The ground beneath them trembled violently, and the light around them seemed to flicker and dim as the spell began taking shape. The vortex expanded, twisting the air and earth into an unnatural spiral.
Hector, standing still amidst the chaos, shifted slightly, his gaze focused on Subaru for the first time. His expression remained unreadable, his presence an unmovable weight in the growing storm. He didn't interfere, only watched with an almost curious stillness.
Subaru gritted his teeth as the strain of the magic coursed through his body. "You want a battlefield?" he growled, his voice filled with defiance. "Fine. Let's see how you like this."
The vortex surged, engulfing the area in a wave of shadow. The familiar streets of Pristella shattered like glass, replaced by an endless, dark expanse. The world itself seemed to fragment, splitting away until only a void remained—an empty, featureless space that stretched infinitely in every direction.
Subaru stumbled as the spell completed, his breathing ragged and his body trembling. "This…" he muttered under his breath, his voice steady despite the exhaustion. "This is the Eternal Coffin. Your new playground. You wanted destruction? You're not taking the city with you."
Regulus spun in place, his movements frantic as he took in the emptiness around him. "What is this?!" he bellowed, his voice cracking with frustration. "Where have you taken me?! You dare—dare—to kidnap me, me, and force me into this... this mockery of a battlefield?!"
Subaru ignored him, his focus shifting briefly to Hector. The Warlock hadn't moved, his posture unchanged as his gaze swept across the void. His silence was unsettling, the weight of his presence suffocating even in the absence of words.
Regulus turned on Subaru, his fury blazing. "You insignificant pest! Do you have any idea who you're dealing with?! Return me at once, or I'll—"
"Shut up," Subaru snapped, his phantom arms of [Invisible Providence] twitching as they re-formed behind him, ready for battle. "This is where we settle this. No city, no people, no distractions. Just the three of us."
Regulus snarled, his hands clenching into fists. "You think you can dictate the terms of this fight? You'll regret this, you impudent—"
Subaru raised a hand, cutting him off. "Keep talking if it makes you feel better. It won't change the fact that you're stuck here until I decide otherwise."
The battle resumed in the newly formed Eternal Coffin, the void trembling under the force of their clashes. Regulus's relentless attacks and Hector's oppressive authority pushed Subaru to his limits as he fought to hold his ground. The stakes were higher than ever, but Subaru's resolve burned brighter than the darkness around him.
This was his battlefield now, and he wouldn't let them destroy anything—or anyone—else.
As the battle raged within the void of the Eternal Coffin, the air grew heavier with each clash. Regulus's erratic attacks struck with precision and ferocity, but Hector's lethargic yet overwhelming authority deflected them effortlessly, bending the void itself to his will. Subaru struggled to keep his focus, dodging and weaving through the chaos while trying to understand the dynamic between his two adversaries.
It was when Hector raised a hand again, his crushing gravitational force surging toward Regulus, that something shifted.
Regulus lunged forward, his movements as sharp and precise as ever, but Hector's authority struck with devastating impact. For the first time, the unthinkable happened: Regulus was crushed to the ground, his body slamming into the dark void with a sickening thud. The ground beneath him buckled, a jagged crater forming where he landed.
Subaru froze mid-step, his eyes widening in disbelief. "What…?"
Regulus groaned, his pristine white robes dirtied for the first time, his face twisted in shock and rage. "You… you dare?! This—this isn't possible! I am perfect! I am untouchable! Nothing—nothing—can harm me!"
Hector paused briefly, tilting his head as if considering the unexpected result. His expression didn't change much, but there was a faint flicker of curiosity in his otherwise dull gaze. He didn't speak, his silence heavier than any words he could have uttered.
Subaru's mind raced as he watched the scene unfold. "Wait a second… Something's different. Hector actually hurt him. But how?"
Regulus staggered to his feet, his posture still haughty despite the clear pain etched on his face. His hands trembled as he brushed himself off, his voice trembling with indignation. "This… this is a mistake! A fluke! My Authority is absolute! My defenses are… are…"
His words trailed off as Hector's crushing aura surged again, forcing Regulus to stumble backward, barely keeping his footing. The Sin Archbishop's usual bravado cracked further, replaced by a flicker of genuine fear.
Subaru narrowed his eyes, his thoughts clicking into place. "It's the connection," he muttered under his breath. "Regulus's invulnerability relies on something—a tether to the world, maybe? His Authority makes him untouchable in the real world, but here…" Subaru's lips curled into a small, grim smile. "In this pocket dimension, his rules don't apply the same way."
Subaru felt a surge of relief despite the chaos. If Regulus's so-called perfection could be disrupted here, it meant there was one less unstoppable monster to worry about. "Looks like the Eternal Coffin has some perks after all," he muttered to himself.
Regulus's fury reignited as he lunged toward Hector again, his strikes growing wilder and more desperate. "I will not be humiliated by you! By anyone! Do you hear me?!"
Hector didn't respond, his silence as crushing as his authority. With another wave of his hand, Regulus was sent sprawling again, his body slamming into the ground with enough force to crack the dark, featureless expanse of the pocket dimension.
Subaru took a cautious step back, his phantom arms flexing as he prepared for his next move. While he wasn't naive enough to think Regulus was out of the fight, the cracks in the Archbishop's composure were enough to give him hope.
"This might actually work," Subaru muttered, determination flashing in his eyes. "One less psycho to deal with. Now it's just about surviving the rest of this mess."
The battle continued, the dynamic shifting as Regulus's invulnerability faltered within the confines of the Eternal Coffin. Subaru couldn't afford to let his guard down, but for the first time, the odds seemed just a little less impossible.
The chaos within the Eternal Coffin intensified as Hector, with his languid movements and overwhelming authority, turned his attention fully to Regulus. Subaru watched as the Warlock of Melancholy seemed to toy with the Sin Archbishop, tossing him around like a ragdoll. Each motion of Hector's hand sent Regulus sprawling, his once-pristine form battered and stained from impacts that shattered the void's featureless expanse.
Regulus's screams of indignation filled the air. "You insolent wretch! How dare you treat me like this?! I am Regulus Corneas, the embodiment of perfection, and you—!"
Hector raised his hand lazily, cutting off Regulus's rant mid-sentence with another crushing wave of gravity. The Sin Archbishop slammed into the ground again, the force enough to leave deep cracks beneath him. Regulus groaned, his arrogance flickering under the weight of Hector's absolute dominance.
Subaru, standing at a distance, could only watch in stunned silence. "He's tossing him around like a kid with a tantrum," he muttered, sweat dripping down his brow. "And Regulus is actually getting hurt."
Hector tilted his head, his disinterest returning as he observed Regulus struggling to stand once more. With a final wave of his hand, Hector flung the Archbishop to the side, sending him skidding across the void like discarded trash. Regulus's form disappeared into the distance, his furious screams echoing faintly before fading into silence.
Subaru's relief was short-lived. Hector's dull gaze shifted slowly toward him, the weight of his attention like a hammer to the chest. Subaru froze as the Warlock took a step forward, his crushing aura closing in like an invisible tide.
"Oh, crap—" Subaru barely had time to react before Hector's authority surged. The gravitational force slammed into him, pinning him flat against the ground. His phantom arms flickered and twisted erratically, the magic fighting against the oppressive field that surrounded him.
Subaru gasped, his chest heaving as he struggled to push himself up. "Damn it—! I wasn't ready—!"
Hector didn't speak, his silence heavier than the crushing force holding Subaru down. The boy's limbs trembled as he tried to summon another spell, but the Yin magic coiled within him sputtered and failed to take shape. Every attempt to gather his strength was dragged away by Hector's field, leaving him helpless.
"This is bad," Subaru muttered through clenched teeth, his vision blurring slightly from the strain. "He's not even breaking a sweat, and I'm already—!"
Hector raised his hand again, and the pressure increased. Subaru's body pressed harder against the ground, his arms shaking as he fought to keep himself conscious. The phantom arms of [Invisible Providence] twitched uselessly, unable to gain any traction under the crushing weight.
"Not like this…" Subaru thought, gritting his teeth as desperation surged within him. "I can't go down like this. I've come too far—there has to be a way—!"
But Hector's silence was merciless, and the Warlock showed no sign of relenting. Subaru's mind raced as he searched for a way to turn the tide, knowing that any moment of hesitation could be his last.
The Eternal Coffin quaked violently, the dark, featureless void splitting apart as cracks of light bled through the fractures. Subaru gasped, the oppressive weight of Hector's authority still pinning him to the ground. The world around them shattered further with each tremor, the once-sealed battlefield now unraveling and giving way to the real world beyond.
Hector tilted his head, the faintest glint of amusement flickering in his dull eyes as the final crack split the void wide open. The warm light of Pristella flooded in, illuminating the three figures now exposed amidst the ruins of the city.
"Hmmm," Hector murmured softly, his voice tinged with faint amusement as he watched the remnants of the Eternal Coffin collapse entirely. His gaze shifted to Subaru, who struggled to catch his breath on the fractured ground. "Ahhhh… Flugel…"
Subaru's body tensed, the name jolting through him like an electric current. "Flugel again? What the hell are you talking about?! I'm not—"
"Ahhh, nooo," Hector corrected himself, his tone dragging as though the words were a burden. "Not quite Flugel… but you are… quite the nuisance, I suppose."
His gaze sharpened slightly, and a faint smirk curled at the edges of his lips. "A nasty… Harbinger of Pride. That's what you are, I suppose."
Subaru's eyes widened at the label, his mind racing. "Harbinger of Pride? What the hell does that mean?"
Hector didn't answer. Instead, he raised his hand lazily, the suffocating weight of his authority returning with brutal intensity. Subaru's body was yanked upward, as if the air itself had betrayed him, before he was hurled to the side like a discarded toy. His back slammed into the crumbled remnants of a building, the impact forcing a pained cry from his lips.
"Guh—!" Subaru gasped, clutching his side as pain radiated through his body. He struggled to push himself up, but the crushing aura surged again, pinning him against the rubble.
Hector took a slow, deliberate step forward, his disinterest palpable even as he loomed over Subaru's trembling form. "You… make such a mess, I suppose," Hector drawled, his voice carrying a faint edge of annoyance. "But I think… you've done enough."
With a flick of his wrist, the crushing force shifted, and Subaru screamed as the pressure concentrated on his chest, pinning him against the jagged stone beneath him. His vision blurred, his limbs trembling under the unbearable weight.
"Ahhhh… fragile, aren't you?" Hector muttered, his tone almost curious. "Not like him… but still… you endure. Fascinating, I suppose."
Subaru coughed violently, blood splattering onto the ground as his strength waned. His mind raced, panic surging through him as he realized just how precarious his situation had become. "Not… done yet…" he choked out, his voice barely a whisper.
Hector tilted his head, his faint smirk returning. "Mmmm, we'll see, won't we?"
The Warlock of Melancholy stepped back slightly, the crushing aura easing just enough to leave Subaru gasping for air. But the reprieve was brief, and Hector's silence carried an ominous weight. For Subaru, the fight was far from over—if he could survive it.
Hector sighed, his faint smirk fading as disinterest took over. With a lazy flick of his hand, the crushing force of his authority slammed Subaru into the ground one final time. The impact sent a sickening crack through the air, Subaru's body convulsing as pain exploded across every nerve.
"Your organs… are crushed," Hector began, his voice dragging in slow, deliberate tones. "Your bones… are broken. Your skin… is pierced. And your heart… is splintered." His dull gaze lingered on Subaru for a moment, as if evaluating whether to finish him off. But then, with a low sigh, Hector turned away, his shoulders slouched. "Mmmm… enough of this, I suppose," he murmured, his voice twisting and circling on itself as he began walking away. "All that remains now… is Greed… and her little spirit. Yes… that's all, I suppose…"
Subaru lay in the rubble, his chest heaving with shallow, ragged breaths. His vision blurred, and every inch of his body screamed in agony. Blood trickled down his face, pooling beneath him as he fought to stay conscious. Hector's towering figure disappeared into the distance, the Warlock's authority finally receding with his departure. The weight lifted, but the damage had been done.
Subaru tried to move, his body trembling violently as pain lanced through his limbs. I'm… still alive, he thought, his mind hazy. Barely… but alive.
His gaze shifted, catching sight of a figure lying motionless nearby. Regulus. The Sin Archbishop of Greed was sprawled across the flooded remnants of the street, his pristine white robes now stained with dirt and blood. Shallow breaths escaped his lips, his chest rising and falling weakly. The once-arrogant Archbishop was now a broken shell, his defenses shattered, his Authority inert.
Subaru clenched his teeth, forcing his battered body to move. Every movement sent waves of agony through him, but he pushed through, dragging himself across the debris-strewn ground. His hands clawed against the jagged rubble, his nails cracking as he struggled to reach Regulus.
This is it, Subaru thought, his vision swimming. He's defenseless… finally vulnerable. I can't let this chance slip away.
With an agonized groan, Subaru hoisted himself over Regulus, his trembling hands reaching for the Archbishop's throat. Regulus's eyes fluttered open weakly, his gaze unfocused. His mouth opened as if to speak, but no words came out. His mind was scrambled, his body unable to respond to the threat looming over him.
Subaru's hands tightened around Regulus's neck, his fingers digging into the soft flesh. "This is for all the people you've hurt," he growled, his voice trembling with pain and fury. "All the lives you've destroyed. For Emilia… for everyone!"
Regulus's body jerked weakly, his shallow breaths becoming strained as Subaru's grip tightened. The once-invincible Archbishop could do nothing to fight back, his Authority failing him in his broken state. The puddles of water around them rippled as Regulus's movements grew weaker, his breaths coming in short, ragged gasps.
Subaru's entire body trembled, his muscles screaming in protest as he poured every ounce of strength into his hands. Tears blurred his vision as a mix of rage, pain, and exhaustion overwhelmed him. "You don't… get to live after everything you've done," he spat, his voice cracking.
Regulus's body convulsed one final time before going still, his shallow breaths fading into silence. Subaru held his grip for a few moments longer, his body trembling uncontrollably. Finally, his hands fell away, and he collapsed beside the lifeless Archbishop, his chest heaving as the reality of what he had done settled in.
The city was quiet now, save for the faint sound of water dripping from the ruins. Subaru lay there, his body battered and broken, his vision darkening as his strength gave out. The fight was over—for now. But the cost of survival weighed heavily on him as he drifted into unconsciousness, surrounded by the remnants of a shattered battlefield.
Auhtors Note:
Let me know what ya thought of this chapter, I tired doing something new by adding a lil' sketch there, though my art skills are mid at best lol. Big chapter today, a three way fight between some of the strongest characters in the verse so far.
We're actually not even half way through the story yet though to clear up everything, hope ya guys enjoy though. Let me know if anything was off, either way take care!