CHAPTER 3: SCARS AT THE BEGINNING OF HELL

The sun shines through the window as Subaru laid unconscious. Slowly, his eyes open. His parents are in the kitchen. Kenichi sits at the table with a mug and newspaper while Naoko is getting ready to cook. Subaru looks up at the ceiling.

"A familiar ceiling." He spoke before closing his eyes. "Let's get this day started." Subaru got out of bed. "I didn't even take off my tracksuit. How tired was I?" Subaru looked around at his familiar room. One thought came to his mind. A confirmation. It wasn't a dream. He smiled widely, but that smile slowly disappeared as the thought of his friends came to his mind.

How were his friends? If it wasn't for his vivid memories with them, he might've considered that the other world was a dream. He could never forget that pain. Everything he went through to save everyone. What if something was happening to them right now and he was just here enjoying time with his parents. It was a dark thought. One he didn't want to have.

He figured he couldn't do anything right now. He first needed to figure out just why he was suddenly brought back to Japan. As he pondered this question, he thought he should at least go to see his parents. He exited his bedroom and entered to kitchen. The house seemed better than the dark house it was when he first saw it after so long.

"Hi Subaru." Kenichi spoke with a wide smile. His eyes still showed a hint of hurt, showing that he still hasn't recovered completely. Naoko on the other hand, just watched Subaru with a pained expression for a moment before turning back to the stove she was at and continued cooking.

Subaru walked over to the table with a wide smile rivaling his father's as he says, "Hi dad." He then turned to smile at his mother as he said, "Good morning mom." His smile only hurt Naoko more. Subaru then sat at the kitchen table with his father.

As Naoko continued cooking, she spoke. "How about we do some catching up. You could tell us what you've been through." Naoko froze as she said this next line. "Why'd you vanish for a year?" This question also made Subaru freeze.

Kenichi froze as he moved his eyes to look at Subaru, waiting for his answer. Subaru didn't know what to do. He couldn't just say he was transported to another world. He'd sound crazy. How could he ever tell his parents the truth. Both of his parents just stared at him, awaiting an answer. A long moment of silence was what followed instead though.

His eyes twitched as he tried to think of an answer. Finally, he spoke, breaking the silence.

"I...I can't say."

Naoko quickly turned around and looked at Subaru with a pained expression. "Why not?" She questioned; her voice still broken.

Subaru jumped as Naoko spoke to him. He had a look of hurt as he looked at Naoko. Kenichi just watched from the side before placing his mug down.

"You do look a lot better." He spoke to his son, getting his attention.

"I do?" Subaru questioned. He then looked back at Naoko, who still looked hurt.

"I just want to know where my son has been for the past year. Don't I deserve to know?" Naoko spoke in her broken voice.

She really wanted answers. She felt as if it was the only way she'd have peace of mind. Her son has been missing for over a year and now that he's back, he's a completely different person. What exactly happened to him to change him like this? It was the one thing she wanted to know. It wasn't like she thought his change was bad. She just wanted to know what had changed him this way.

There was a moment of silence as Subaru looked down with a pained expression as he thought of what to say. Naoko then broken the silence.

"I...I saw those scars on your arm." She spoke with a broken and pained expression. "Why do you have scars?

Kenichi jumped as Naoko began raising her voice. He didn't even know about the scars on Subaru's arm. This also startled Subaru as well. He looked directly at Naoko with a painful expression as Naoko stared back with a tearful look and her hands bawled into fist, clenched tightly.

Subaru was still speechless. How could he tell them that he was transported to another world? Would they even believe him? Memories of the witch's trial flash through his mind. A reminder of just how good his parents were. He smiled with confidence as he remembered just all the good things that has happened to him. Meeting Emilia, meeting Rem, and many more things.

He took a deep breath before turning to him mother with a serious expression. "Fine. I'll tell you." Even if he couldn't tell them about Return by Death, he could still tell them about the other world.

After Naoko finished cooking, they all sat at the table. Kenichi and Naoko waited for Subaru to tell them where he has been for the past year. Something that made them tense was Subaru's intense expression. It was the most serious they've ever seen him. He looked directly at Naoko as he began to speak.

"Believe it or not. A year ago, I was...transported to another world."

Kenichi and Naoko froze as Subaru spoke. Was this a joke to him? All they want is to know what happened to him and where those scars on his arm came from. They deserve to know. This was their son. He wouldn't try to joke around at a time like this, right?

"Subaru." Kenichi spoke in a stern tone but was interrupted by Subaru, who continued to speak.

"I was transported to this fantasy-like world. It took some getting used to, but I made friends. Friends who actually care about me. Friends I actually care for." His serious expression slowly turned to one of happiness as he began to smile. There were a lot of scary moments." Subaru started to recall of the terrible things he experienced and times he cried or break down as he looked down with a fond smile. "But my friends were there and that's how I kept moving forward." He then looked up at Naoko and smiled. "I really love my friends."

Naoko and Kenichi were left speechless. Was their son really telling the truth? Was he really transported to another world? Who were these friends he mentioned? Were they the ones that made this change to him? Many thoughts raced across their minds as they didn't know whether to believe this or not. Naoko still had one question though.

"Why are there scars on your arm?" Her voice sounded tired.

Subaru looked down at his hand as he thought of what to say. His face had an expression of hurt. Subaru then turned his head to the right, avoiding eye contact as he spoke.

"Like I said. There were a lot of scary moments, but I'm fine."

Kenichi immediately replied, "Did someone do that to you?"

Naoko was shaken. She couldn't imagine someone wanting to hurt her son. She started to become angry at the thought of someone hurting her son.

Subaru once again avoided eye contact as he said, "No, no one did this. You really don't have to worry about me. I'm fine now." He then turned to look at Kenichi with a smile as he said, "Oh, I also found a girl that I like. There is also this other girl who says she loves me." He then quickly turned away as his cheeks turned red. "I really care about both of them. They are both more amazing than I ever could be."

Kenichi's eyes widened before looking down with a thoughtful expression, contemplating whether to believe Subaru's story about being taken to another world.

Subaru then had a thought. Now that he's back home, could the witch even reach him? Every time he spoke about Return by Death, the witch would always come to grab his heart. But what about now? It was a scary thought. If it went wrong, the witch could kill his parents. But he needed to know if the witch could even reach him now. He took a deep breath before standing up, startling Naoko and Kenichi at his fast movements.

Kenichi and Naoko both looked up at Subaru. "There's something else I want to tell you." Subaru spoke as he had a nervous expression. He really hoped this went nothing bad will happen. Subaru was shaking as he took another deep breath and gripped his tracksuit around his chest.

(BEGINNING OF EDIT)

"I... I can retu-" Time froze.

Naoko and Kenichi just stared with confused expression. Suddenly, Subaru feels something squeeze his heart.

Time unfreezes.

Subaru gasps and breathes heavily as he begins to sweat.

"Subaru?" Naoko speaks as she rushes over to Subaru.

What happened? Why did Subaru suddenly start gasping? Naoko had no idea that Subaru just challenged the witch by trying to tell them the truth. Kenichi also stood up as he was shocked by Subaru suddenly gasping.

"Subaru!" Kenichi shouted as he moved closer to Subaru.

As Naoko and Kenichi were trying to check on Subaru, Subaru was caught up in his own thoughts.

Can I really... not even tell them? His hand moves to grip his arm tightly as he began to shake. Even after coming home, the Witch of Envy won't even let him speak to his parents. Why? There's no denying it. It was real. My friends... are they... in danger?

Naoko and Kenichi just looked at each other with worried expressions as they wonder what happened to their son.

(END OF THIS EDIT)

Outside the Roswaal Mansion

Fredrica still stood outside with Garfiel and Otto. They heard Petra's scream but still couldn't enter the Mansion due to the barrier. Petra's scream completely shook them, even Garfiel.

"Petra." Fredrica whispered with a broken voice as if she was going to cry.

"Do you think she'll come back out?" Otto spoke toward Fredrica.

Garfiel immediately interrupted as he said, "Don' worry. That girl'll figure out what's happenin' and come back. Once this barrier breaks, I'll beat whoever did s'

Inside the Roswaal Manion

Emilia was still hugging Petra as Ram and Rem held each other. Meanwhile Beatrice was trying to figure out what they saw with a hand on her head and one on her stomach. It was completely crazy to think that Subaru experienced that as well, although she knew about his habit to self-harm from something she didn't know about. Everyone here knew that Subaru was experiencing something they couldn't see, but death? It was crazy.

Petra was still freaking out. Her eyes moving rapidly as one question repeated in her mind. Why? That was all she wanted to know. It felt like an eternity has passed since they woke up and the pain still wouldn't leave her mind. It was driving her mad. Eventually, Petra noticed that her stomach was fine, and she calmed down. Her breathing was still heavy as she griped the maid dress at her stomach.

"Are you all right, Petra?" Emilia spoke, looking at the young girl with a saddened expression.

Petra looked up at the silver-haired girl with a dead look in her eyes. It was clear that her innocence was truly gone. Her face showed a broken smile as she spoke. "I'm fine now."

Emilia still looked worried as she gripped the green jewel around her neck. There was a moment of silence as no one knew what to say. Rem broke this silence.

"W-What was that?"

No one answered. No one even knew what they saw. Emilia's face showed pain as Beatrice showed worried. Petra was still rubbing her stomach as her body shook. Ram and Rem still hugged each other as Ram's serious facade was shattered as she looked hurt. Rem was more worried for her sister than she was for herself. All she could do to bring her sister comfort was to hug her tighter.

Not a single word was spoken for what felt like forever as everyone just sat on the floor, wondering what they saw. This was a moment of peace as their feeling of pain was gone. Everyone sighed a breath of relief that was immediately broken as they felt reality shifting once again. This time, they heard a voice.

"I love you."

Petra was the first to collapse, startling Emilia. "Petra." She shouted before she felt all the strength in her body suddenly drain. She felt weak, collapsing on the ground.

"Ms. Emilia." Ram shouted as she reached her head outwards before she started to feel weak.

"Sissy." Rem shouted as she held her sister's weak body. Suddenly, she started to feel the same as they both collapsed on the floor. They were all unconscious, leaving Beatrice awake. Not long until she started feeling the same. She tried her hardest to not fall asleep, but it was futile as her eyes closed and she fell back.

They all open their eyes to a blurry image. It was a burly man who was holding out some red sphere towards them.

"What's the matter, boy? You look like you've seen a ghost." The man spoke, his voice sounding distance.

They were all confused as to what they were looking at. Last time, the felt their stomach cut open and fear of death. But now they were in front of a strange man with their vision blurred.

"What?" Subaru's voice spoke as they felt their mouths moving to sound out the words and their arm move up towards their ear.

Their vision slowly cleared up as the man said, "I asked you about the appa. The appa! Do you even have any money." The man started shaking the red sphere, which seemed to be an appa, in front of them.

Their mouths moved again to say, "What?" Again, only Subaru's voice came out. They couldn't even control their mouths and bodies as they felt their other hand move up to their other ear. They felt confusion and somehow, their pain was gone. It never crossed their minds even though it was all they could think about just before this.

The man in front of them then spoke again. "Don't 'what?' me! The app! Are you buying it or not?"

"Oh... No, like I said, I'm broke beyond compare."

The man lowered his hand with the app as he said, "The hell? If you're just browsing, then move along." The man waved his hand in front of them in a shooing motion.

"I run a business here. I don't have time for window-shoppers."

Their bodies moved as they were shown around the capital. Their confusion matched Subaru's. It was nighttime just a little while ago. So why is it suddenly day. They still felt sick from not being able to control any aspect of their body, instead they were forced to move, talk, and feel things they would never truly feel or do on their own. Because of their last time, they already knew they were looking through Subaru's view. But they were still unsure about the validity of what they were seeing. They couldn't believe that Subaru had actually died only to be back at this fruit stand. No... They didn't want to believe that someone they cared about so much would have ever experienced such horrific things.

As they stood in the middle of the street, their view shifted downwards to Subaru's feet as they felt his hand grip his tracksuit and lift it up to reveal that his stomach was alright. No wounds visible.

"The wound on my belly is gone." Subaru spoke. A thought then flashed through all of their minds.

The scene of Emilia's body falling beside them. They wanted to flinch of the memory but were unable to thanks to them only seeing things through what seems like Subaru's view.

Their view turned upwards to look straight as Subaru spoke. "Oh, right! Satella!" Emilia wanted to flinch at the mention of Satella. One thing that caught everyone's attention was that he was mentioning things that they saw last time, which means this was a continuation of what happened last time. But he died last time. They felt his pain as he struggled to live. So how was he suddenly here? The didn't have time to dwell on this as they felt their bodies pick up the pace and run down the street of the capital.

Suddenly, they were running through an alley before noticing three figures coming from the other side. Their bodies stopped as the smallest one spoke.

"Hey, why do you look so spooked?"

The one in the middle then spoke. "If you don't wanna get hurt, cough up whatever you've got."

Subaru was spooked, which made everyone watching this through his view feel the same. The more the experienced, the more they felt sick.

Once again, their mouths moved on their own. "You guys... Did you see I was alone and decided to get revenge?"

The one in the middle was the one that responded. "Huh? What are you talking about?"

The smallest one followed up with, "Are you nuts?"

The biggest one then spoke. "Don't worry about it. Just leave everything you've got on the ground, and we'll let you go."

Subaru replies, "Okay, fine. Everything I've got huh?"

They felt their bodies bend over to place the bag Subaru was holding on the ground as their mouths moved to say, "I'm in a hurry, so I don't even care."

None of them could do a thing. As Emilia and Rem tried to figure out what was going on, Beatrice was more worried that her contractor was surrendering to these petty thieves. Ram and Petra were more curious as to what was going to happen next. They didn't know whether to believe that Subaru experienced this or not.

Their emotions were once again manipulated as the smallest of the thieves began to get too full of himself as he said, "Now act like a dog. Get on all fours and howl, 'Help Me!'" They felt anger as their eyes opened and shifted upwards to look at the thieves.

Their mouths moved to shout, "Don't get cocky, bastard!" Their bodies moved so fast as they sent an uppercut to hit the thief in the middle with a shout. Their bodies then moved to kick the smallest into the brick wall on the sides of the alley, cracking the wall. Their view turned to look at the biggest thief before suddenly, they were in front of the loot house.

It was still brought outside as they felt their mouths moving to repeat the same phrase. "Don't freak out... Don't freak out... Don't freak out." They felt their bodies move closer to the door of the loot house as they felt fear. They then heard Subaru's voice throughout their head. It was really unsettling to hear his voice in their heads.

Am I stupid? After coming this far, I can't just leave without answers!

They felt Subaru's hand move to knock on the loot house. "Is anyone there?" Subaru spoke. His hand then moved to bang on the door of the loot house harder as he says, "Someone... Someone's in there, right?"

The door to the loot house then opened as a voice said, "Shut yer trap." The ground shook as the source of this voice walked closer and eventually come into view. It was the giant they saw dead last time... but how? Suddenly, they were inside the loot house with the giant standing in front of them before being back outside. This time, they were sitting on the steps. A person appeared in front of them. It was a young girl with blonde hair.

Subaru's voice immediately spoke. "Felt?" Emilia recognized who it was she saw in front of her, but she couldn't saw a word as the girl replied to Subaru's voice.

"You know me?"

Subaru raised his hands as he replies, "Of course I do! I've been waiting for you!"

"What for?" The girl replied.

Everyone was confused by this just as much as Subaru. They were sure that they saw each other last time. It was a memory that flashed in front of them as Subaru was being robbed the first time. None of them truly understood what was happening, but they didn't have a choice. It wasn't like they could do anything when the only body they could feel was Subaru's and they couldn't even control their bodies or anything else. They were completely helpless as they were forced to look through what appeared to be Subaru's view.

Subaru responds, "Wait, are you saying you don't remember me?"

Next thing they saw, they were in the loot house with Felt sitting beside them and Old Man Rom standing in front of them. These were too jarring as it felt there was many things that they didn't see.

"I have no money." Subaru spoke as he closed his eyes.

Felt got mad as she shouted, "Then we have nothing to discuss!"

They felt their left arm moving and their hand point upwards as their mouths moved to speak in Subaru's voice. "Tsk, tsk, tsk. I don't have money, but I have things worth money."

They could feel their eyes open as Subaru's hand moved to grab something from his pocket. It was a device.

"What I have here is a magical device that can stop time for everyone, everywhere. A 'cell phone'!

While Emilia, Ram, and Petra didn't understand, Beatrice knew exactly what he was talking about as she was told by Subaru that many people used this to talk to people. Rem on the other hand, only recognized the device from when Subaru defeated the white whale.

Subaru held the device outwards as he smiled with Felt and Old Man Rom obviously confused. Felt leans forward as she asks, "What's that?" Old Man Rom also leaned forward as he says, "Never seen one of those before."

As they leaned forward, curious, Subaru flipped the device open and started clicking buttons. He aimed the device towards the two people before him as he says, "Take this! Nine shots per second: Continuous shots!" The device was showing the two in front of Subaru which mad everyone feel strange before the device started flashing a bright light towards Felt and Rom.

Felt and Rom are obviously disoriented by this as they try to block the light. Next thing they knew, they were looking towards the door of the loot house as Felt stood in front of them. Another person seemed to be entering. It was a woman wearing all black with black hair and eyes to match. She also had a long black cloak. Emilia immediately realized who it was. It was Elsa.

"Over here. Care to sit down?" Felt spoke, signaling to the woman in black.

The woman replied, saying, "There seem to be several outsiders here."

Felt held her hands behind her head with a smile as she says, "Well, I'd be in trouble if you bilked me." She turned her head to look at Rom as she continues. "We weakling have our own brand of smarts."

The woman starts walking closer as she says, "I know this older fellow, but who's the young man?"

Felt put her hands down as she says, "This guy's your rival. He's the other person negotiating with me."

Suddenly, they were sitting down at a table with Elsa sitting in front of them and Felt sitting beside them. Rom continued standing behind the bar.

"And how much did the young man bid?" Elsa spoke.

Emilia wanted to move and get away from her as fast as she could, yet she couldn't. After all, she couldn't even feel her own body. She could only feel as if she was in Subaru's body. It felt weird. Especially since she was surprisingly calm. Everyone else felt the same about the situation. Despite their state when they woke up last time, they were surprisingly calm.

They felt Subaru's left hand move to his pocket as he spoke. "I'm putting up this metia." His hand started pressing button on it as he says, "It's a rare item, probably the only one of its kind in this world."

The light of the phone flashed at Elsa before he turns it around, showing a photo of Elsa as he says, "That muscleman tells me it's worth no less than twenty holy coins."

Elsa replies, "A metia." She closes her eyes for a second before opening them and saying, "As it happens, the client sent me with some extra funds. Just so I'd be prepared to sweeten the deal."

Subaru then says, "The client... So you were asked to fetch it, too?"

Suddenly, they were standing with a feeling of happiness as Elsa also stood in front of them. She looked at Subaru as she asks, "By the way... What do you intend to do with that insignia?"

It was a jolting change to go from sitting to standing in an instant and made them all feel sick. Petra was starting to get scared as she finally recognized the woman in black. It was the girl that attacked the mansion a year ago. Despite knowing that she was feeling scared, she asl felt happiness. It was like she wasn't allowed to be scared in this moment.

Subaru didn't hesitate in responding as he said, "Oh, I'm going to find its owner and return it to her." They could feel their whole body shake as those words finished leaving his mouth as Felt and Rom both looked at him with worried looks.

It was like time stood still before Elsa said, "So... You're with them, then." Her head tilted downwards, putting a shadow over her eyes.

Suddenly, they felt someone grab around their waist as they fell back, landing on the floor. Their view turned to look back at who grabbed them. It was Felt.

"Wh-What?" Their mouths moved to speak in Subaru's voice. Felt immediately replied, "Do you want to die?"

They were forced to look up to where they were a moment ago to see a black, curved blade being held by the woman in black with it stretched out to her left, showing she had swung it.

"Oh, my. You dodged my strike." Elsa spoke in a cold tone.

Upon seeing the blade, a feeling of fear seeped into them beyond anything they've ever felt. Elsa's smile then turned to a frown as her eyes shifted to look to her left. Their view was turned to see what she was seeing only to see Rom holding his giant club. He lunges toward her, swinging his club downwards toward Elsa.

They felt their bodies move along with Subaru as he and Felt move to the side to watch. Rom swings his club toward Elsa again, but she dodges, flying into the sky as she mocks Rom.

"This is my first battle to the death with a giant." She lands on a table.

"Quiet, little girl! I'll grind you up and feed you to the rats!" Rom shouts before lunging toward Elsa.

Rom stays on the offensive, attacking Elsa as she dodges or blocks each attack with Rom's club destroying tables and crates.

"This is bad." Subaru spoke from behind Felt.

"Don't worry. There's no way Old Man Rom will lose." Felt replied, fear still seeping deeper into them as they watch this fight unfold.

"Take this!" Rom shouts as he swings his club downwards toward Elsa.

Elsa spins around before swinging her blade upwards, cutting Rom's right arm clean off.

"Old Man Rom!" Felt shouts as all Emilia, Ram, Rem, Beatrice, and Petra could feel was fear as blood spurted from Rom's arm, the blood almost reaching them.

Rom stays on his feet as he takes a step back. He clenches his left fist as he looks at Elsa with hatred. He then rushes towards her as he says, "I can at least take you with me."

As Rom gets closer, Elsa appeared to pull something else out as she says, "I forgot to say..." Whatever Elsa pulled out stabbed Rom in the throat, making him choke on blood as she says, "Thank you for the milk." Rom coughs up blood before falling back with his back against a crate.

Elsa then holds up what appears to be a broken glass with blood on it as she says, "I'll return this." She then bends down to place the glass on the ground with a sinister smile.

An aura of rage started emanating from Felt as she spoke up.

"You bitch... How dare you?" Felt stands up as she speaks.

Elsa turns to her with a smile as she says, "Oh? It seems you have more courage than your from there. But if you resist, you may very well get hurt."

"Like you don't intend to kill me either way, you psychopath." Felt replied as she wiped the sides of her face. They could see that there was blood on her face. It wasn't hard to figure out where it came from.

Even though Emilia and Rem wanted to move, they were only filled with intense fear. No matter how hard they tried to move, not a single muscle listened to them. Beatrice only really worried about her contractor. She already knew that she was watching through his point of view, and she knew how physically weak he was and that he didn't stand a chance against Elsa. She wanted his body that she was in to move and run away from the situation.

Ram was utterly disgusted by what she was witnessing, and like Rem and Emilia, wanted to do something, but she couldn't even feel her own body. Unlike the others, she didn't have any enhanced fear from herself. It was only fear from whatever was forcing them to see this. Petra was the most scared as she already knew how scary Elsa was, but this was more than she'd ever seen. Even if she wasn't forced to feel fear through whatever force was manipulating their emotions, she'd still be utterly terrified. She didn't even want to think of the possibility that Subaru, a person she loves, would ever go through something like this. He's smart. He wouldn't have died to someone like Elsa. He was the one behind her defeat after all. Despite her fear, she was unable to look away, close her eyes, or run in any compacity. She was stuck, forced to watch this terror play out in front of her.

Felt showed a hateful expression as Elsa began twirling her blade. "If you move around, my hands might slip. I'm quite rough at handling blades you see."

Felt turned around to face them with a smile as she says, "Sorry you got caught up in this."

Their mouths moved to speak, but only one word came out. "I." Felt gripped the dagger on her hip before moving at insane speeds that made her look like a blur.

Felt started rushing around Elsa at sonic speeds as Elsa spoke. "Divine protection of wind."

Felt then unsheathed her dagger as she swung it down toward Elsa, but Elsa just dodges. It was like she didn't even lose track of her.

"How wonderful. I can see you are loved by this world. I envy you." Elsa spoke before quickly spinning and cutting Felt down the middle of her body.

Blood splattered all over the loot house as Felt slowly fell to the ground with her eyes closed and a tear falling down her face. Everyone was shocked as they witnessed such a seen. Despite what was happening, they couldn't move their body one bit. As they were stuck there staring at the scene before them, Elsa began speaking.

"The old man and the girl have fallen, yet you aren't moving. Have you given up?"

"Huh? Natsuki-Kun is missing?" A woman with purple hair and fox scarf spoke in an interested tone while holding a piece of paper.

A purple-haired knight stood behind her, his eyes looking at her with interest as well. What did she mean by "Subaru is missing?"

Anastasia's eyes continued looking at the paper until something else caught her attention. "Crusch left the capital?" She threw the paper onto the desk as she leans back with her eyes closed. "She probably left to see Natsuki-Kun since he's missing."

Julius, standing behind her, didn't know what to think. How could Subaru just disappear. Anastasia turns her head to look at Julius. "What do ya think Julius-Kun? Think this 's a coincidence?"

Julius just stared at his lady with his hands behind his back as he thought to himself. He then looked away with his eyes closed. He sighed before opening his eyes and looking straight ahead. "I don't believe this is. I do not believe that Subaru is the kind of person to vanish without leaving some kind of not assuring he is okay as to not worry those he cares for."

Anastasia smiles at Julius' response. "What'd ya say to paying a visit to the Roswaal domain. See what's happenin' for ourselves."

Julius responds with a bow to his lady. He looks up as his hand touches the sword on his side. Where are you, Natsuki Subaru? You wouldn't just disappear out of the blue, would you? Julius thought to himself.

Outside the Roswaal Mansion

Fredrica, Otto, and Garfiel continue waiting. Well, Garfiel became impatient. He kept throwing punches to the barrier, hoping for one of them to break it. But the barrier doesn't even crack.

"That's enough Garf. You aren't going to break the barrier." Otto spoke out.

Garfiel was exhausted from how many punches he had thrown. He clenched his teeth in frustration. All he's done to build himself up as a shield, only to fail to help the people he wants to help. He couldn't even make it through this barrier. How was he going to protect anyone. It made him furious. He felt powerless. Despite Otto telling him to stop, he continued on. Punch after punch, hoping for one of them to make it through. A chance to prove that he's the best damn shield the world has ever seen.

Fredrica paid no attention to her brother as she held her hands together near her chest with a worried look as Petra hasn't returned. She started getting more and more scared for Petra's safety. Otto took his hat off and placed it over his chest with a worried expression. He couldn't understand anything that was happening. Where did this barrier come from? Why did it allow Petra through when everyone else is blocked. If only he could figure out the specifics of this barrier and how it decides who to let through.

He wasn't strong like Garfiel and Fredrica. This was the only thing he could do. But is there even a barrier spell like this? None of this made any sense. But no matter how impossible it seemed to figure out this barrier, he needed to. He had to figure out how to get pass this barrier. He will find a way through this barrier.

Emilia, Rem, Ram, Beatrice, and Petra were all still looking through Subaru's view as Elsa had just killed Rom and Felt. They felt their bodies moving to stand up as their mouths moved to speak in Subaru's voice. "D-Damn it." Their whole body were shaking as they stared at Elsa with her pure black blade in her hand.

"Ah, you finally stood up. It's less fun since you took so long, but still, not bad." Elsa spoke with a smile.

All of their emotions were manipulated to feel not only fear, but anger. And before they knew it, they felt their bodies move to run towards Elsa. They could feel their movements were sluggish as their right hand was held back in a fist.

Emilia was trying to fight against this all she could, wanting to run away. Rem felt the same way, not wanting for her hero to be hurt by this woman in black. Beatrice wanted nothing more than to kill the woman in front of her for what she did to her contractor in the attack on the mansion. Petra felt like shaking despite not being allowed to do so. Ram was felt with even more disgust for the woman in front of her and really wanted to put her in her place.

As their view got closer to Elsa, their minds were filled with thoughts to attack Elsa, but the attack was futile as she quickly spun, hitting Subaru with her elbow before kicking him to the ground.

Now on the ground, they didn't know what else to do. They hated this feeling. This feeling of weakness. This feeling of hopelessness. This feeling of despair.

"But it's no use. I can see you're a novice, and your movements are rough." Elsa began walking closer as she said, "You have no divine protections or techniques. I had hoped to squeeze wisdom out of you, but you lack that, too."

They all had this sudden hatred. Despite this not being their own emotions, they hated being mocked in the sense that Elsa was the one doing this. They could feel Subaru's hand touching his stomach from the pain of being kicked. This was more pain from any kick they've ever experienced.

They could feel the struggle of trying to get up as Subaru said, "Shut up! I do have my pride!"

A hand was over their mouth. They could feel him bleeding from his face as he sat up on his knees, holding his stomach and mouth. He removed his hand from his mouth as he continued speaking. "After you've put me through all this..."

"I do acknowledge that you have extraordinary determination. If only you could have done that sooner." Elsa turns toward Felt as she continued. "Things might have gone differently for these two."

Elsa turns back toward them with a sadistic smile before she licks her lip, sending a shiver down their spines.

Suddenly, an image flashed through their minds. It was of last time when they stumbled upon the old man's corpse and their stomachs were cut open. A memory they didn't want to remember.

"I think it's time to end this." Elsa spoke, staring toward them. Slowly she begins walking towards them as she says, "I'll send you to meet the angels."

They felt their bodies moving to stand up. As Elsa is walking toward them, they feel their bodies move to a fighting stance. It didn't take long before Elsa was rushing toward them. They all tried with all their might to move out of the way, but their body wouldn't move. Fear seeped deeper and deeper until it was all they felt.

Elsa raises her arm back, holding her blade before swinging it toward Subaru's body. A whistling sound can be heard as it moves through the air, as they still struggle with all their might to move. Eventually, their bodies move as Subaru jumps back, barely dodging the blade before quickly spinning around and kicking Elsa back, also kicking up dust.

Everyone felt relief as they could feel Subaru's leg make contact with Elsa. "As... I certainly felt that one." Elsa spoke in a sadistic tone with red cheeks. All they could do was stare at Elsa with hatred. They then felt as if they had just realized something. Slowly, they looked down to notice blood on the tracksuit they were wearing. Subaru's stomach had been cut open and they could feel the pain as Subaru's hands moved to cover his stomach.

"Are you surprised?" Elsa spoke as the pain continued, driving them insane. "I opened your belly when we passed by one another." She turned her head to look at her blade as she said, "This is one thing I excel at."

They felt all of their strength leave their body as Subaru collapsed, still holding his stomach. They could feel his blood spilling onto the floor as the sound of footsteps got closer, stopping as if they were right in front of them. It was Elsa. She crouched down and touched the bloodied tracksuit to get a better look the wound on Subaru's stomach.

"As I thought... Your guts have such a lovely color." Elsa spoke with a wide smile and red cheeks.

Subaru's voice once again spoke inside their heads. It hurts... It hurts... it hurts... it hurts... His voice spoke inside their heads, making it so they could only focu on the sound of his voice and the pain they were feeling. They could feel Subaru's head move to look at Elsa.

Elsa began to speak as Subaru's voice also spoke inside their heads.

"Does it hurt? Are you suffering?"

It... doesn't hurt?

"In pain? Sad? Do you want to die?"

Subaru coughed up blood as his voice said, "Die?"

Elsa's voice started to fade as Subaru's voice continued speaking inside their heads, driving them mentally lower.

Am I dead? Am I still alive? When will I die? When will I die?

Elsa continued mocking as she said, "Slowly... Slowly... Slowly... Slowly..."

I'm scared... I'm scared... It was what they were all thinking as Subaru's voice overtook their minds.

The two of them repeated over and over.

"Yes, you're slowly losing body heat."

I'm gonna die! I'm gonna die! I'm gonna die!

Tears started flowing down Subaru face as everything they saw previously flashed through their minds. I'm gonna die!

"You're slowly growing colder." Elsa spoke, still looking over Subaru.

One final thing was said from Subaru's voice in their head, Oh... I'm dead. Darkness and silence.

Suddenly, they heard a familiar voice.

"What's the matter boy? You look like you've seen a ghost."

In front of them was the same man at the appa stand. Their vision cleared up more as the man said, "Boy? You okay?"

They felt drained as Subaru started wombling. "I have no idea what's going on anymore..." Their eyes closed as Subaru passed out.

Their eyes opened as they felt a sudden splash of water on their face. They were forced to turn to their left to see the man from the fruit vendor standing over them.

"Are you alright boy?" The man asked. "Here, forget about the money. Just take these." He held out an appa and bottle of water towards Subaru.

Subaru's hands slowly reached for the appa and water bottle before a certain someone comes into view. A girl with silver hair. It was like time slowed down as the girl walked past.

"Hey... Wait." Subaru spoke as they were forced up off the stairs, tripping as Subaru tried to run. He gets back up and runs out into the middle of the street as he says, "Wait! P-Please, wait."

As they were forced to run in Subaru's body after the half-elf, Subaru yelled out something that shocked them. "Wait! Satella!"

The half-elf stopped as they felt out of breath. As they were coming to a stop, Subaru said, "Please don't ignore me. My dying and not doing what you said were my fault!" He finally came to a stop to catch his breath as he said, "But I was desperate! I went back to the loot house after that, but I couldn't find you...

They felt a sense of calm as Subaru stood straight up as he said, "I'm sorry for only thinking about myself. But I'm glad you're okay, Satella."

The half-elf then quickly turned around with a hateful look.

Emilia then saw as herself spoke towards her. "What are you thinking?" This line sent confusion into them. It still felt weird for their emotions to be manipulated to this degree. They were once again reminded how helpless they were.

"I don't know who you are." The half-elf spoke. "But don't call me by the name of the Witch of Envy. What are you thinking?" Their feeling felt not their own. It was utterly disgusting.

Suddenly, they were back in the mansion, back in their own bodies. Emilia sat up quickly, wondering what she had just been through. Those memories... They were starting to feel less like something fabricated and more real. Suddenly, she heard the sound of someone coughing. She turned to find the source. It was Petra. She was on her hands and knees, throwing up.

Even if she didn't feel like that while experiencing whatever it was she saw, the moment she returned to her own body, she couldn't help but throw up as the disgusting things she saw such as someone having their arm cut off and two people dying, as well as the feeling of having her stomach cut open a second time. She felt disgusted and horrified.

"Sister?" Rem spoke, getting Emilia's attention. Rem was speaking to her sister who seemed to be hyperventilating with a hand over her stomach. Emilia then though of another person. Beatrice. She looked over to Beatrice who seemed to be doing better than the rest. Her eyes showed more hatred than fear. It was clear that she didn't see these images as just fabricated, but as something that really happened to Subaru.

She always knew that Subaru was going through something she couldn't see. He had a habit of self-harm, not to mention all the weirdness surrounding his mood swings. He could be perfectly fine and suddenly space out or start screaming. She thought a hundred percent that these were real memories of Subaru and so, she held more hatred than pain or fear. She had no care for the people she saw get murdered, she only cared about her contractor's wellbeing. Someone who was still missing with no clues to find him.

Petra was shaking as she threw up more. As Emilia sat in the middle, suddenly, she started to feel sick. She raised a hand to her mouth as her expression changed to one of pain. She felt drained. Behind her hand, she said,

"I feel sick."