Chapter I:
Blood Money
Natsuki Subaru's day was going poorly. The morning had started with him arriving at Conrad's forge, only for the old man to put him straight to work. A large order had come in the night before from the city watch, requesting several crates of spearheads. Normally, this wouldn't have been a problem—but they had paid double for a rush job. Apparently, a shipment from another smith had been stolen, and while Subaru suspected an inside tip-off, he knew better than to voice it.
"We've got work to do, son," Conrad had said gruffly. "It'll pay well, but we'll be at it till dusk today and through most of tomorrow. Needs to be done by midday sharp."
The hours that followed were grueling. Subaru hammered steel until his arms felt like lead and worked the bellows until his shirt clung to his sweat-soaked back. By the time Conrad finally called it a day, the sun had long since dipped below the horizon. Though Conrad was a fair boss and paid on time, he didn't tolerate slackers. Subaru found himself worked to the bone almost every day, but at least it was steady employment.
Someday, Subaru dreamed of opening his own smithy. His ambitions stretched far beyond becoming the next Conrad. The old man was skilled, but his work was limited to mundane contracts and nothing more. Subaru wanted more—he wanted to craft items people would talk about, admire, and covet.
On his way home, Subaru stopped by the market. Haggling with his favorite vendors, he managed to talk Kadomon into selling him four bruised appas for a single copper. They weren't the best of the lot, but they were cheap, and he didn't mind. He stuffed two into his pockets and wolfed down the others on the spot.
The walk back to the slums was a familiar one. Even as an apprentice, Subaru couldn't yet afford even the most modest accommodations in the city's bustling center. It wasn't a long hike, but the difference between the lively market and the dreary slums was stark.
"Subaru! Felt was looking for you," called Samuel, a sturdy man hauling a heavy beam over his shoulder.
"Thanks," Subaru replied with a wave. "Live strong."
"Live strong," Samuel echoed with a grin.
It didn't take long for Subaru to find Felt's shack. Poking his head inside, he was met with the sudden glint of steel—a dagger slicing through the air. He ducked instinctively, drawing his own blade in a flash and pressing it lightly against Felt's neck.
"You'll need to be faster than that, Felt," he said lazily, a smirk tugging at his lips.
"Damn it! I thought I had you this time!" Felt pouted, lowering her weapon. "So, how was work, big bro?"
Subaru sighed, pulling out the two remaining appas from his pocket and tossing them to her. "It was fine. Here."
"You didn't have to," she said, a faint blush dusting her cheeks as she plopped into a rickety chair and bit into the fruit.
"Uh-huh," Subaru muttered, rolling his eyes. She'd have probably chewed him out if he hadn't brought her anything.
It had been eight years since Subaru first arrived in the Kingdom of Lugunica. He could still vividly recall those bewildering first weeks. One moment, he'd been at the park with his parents; the next, he found himself alone in the heart of the bustling capital, surrounded by strangers and an unfamiliar world.
Those early days were a blur of confusion and desperation. If it hadn't been for Felt bringing him to Old Man Rom's Loot House, he didn't know what might have become of him. The giant had taken him in, offering shelter and a place to belong. Subaru spent the first few years working for Rom, helping around the shop and learning to navigate the rough world of the slums.
As time went on, Subaru began taking every odd job he could find to pull his weight and carve out a future for himself. It wasn't until he turned fifteen—an age considered the threshold of manhood in Lugunica—that he finally secured steady work at Conrad's forge. The job was grueling but dependable, offering him a path toward stability.
Over the years, Felt had become something like a little sister to him. She had a knack for getting herself—and by extension, Subaru—into all sorts of trouble. She was brash, stubborn, and more often than not, a pain in his neck. Yet, despite her antics, Subaru couldn't deny how much he owed her.
"So, I got a job," Felt announced.
"Really? Of the reputable kind, I hope," Subaru replied, though he doubted Felt would ever give up her life of thievery.
"Pfft, as if," Felt smirked, the grin widening. "Some noble wants me to swipe some jewelry from a silver-haired half-elf. The best part? I get to sell it to a buyer he's already lined up! What a sucker!"
"A silver-haired half-elf?" Subaru frowned, his tone uneasy. "That's the description people use for the Witch of Envy. This sounds like trouble to me."
"Oh, come on, you're being superstitious, big bro. Besides, it's worth it—I got ten silver upfront, and the buyer's supposed to hand over another ten holy coins when I deliver the goods!"
"Ten holy coins?" Subaru arched an eyebrow, skepticism etched on his face. "That's a massive payday. Doesn't it seem… I don't know, suspicious that the guy who hired you is letting you sell the thing?"
"You're always paranoid," Felt scoffed, waving off his concerns. "It's probably just some dumb vendetta or something. Nobles are weird like that, ya know?"
Subaru paused, mulling it over. The whole thing felt a little off, but nobles did have a penchant for spending absurd amounts of money on frivolous schemes. Maybe this was no different.
"You're at least letting Rom act as your fence, right?" Subaru asked, concern still lingering in his voice.
"No shit," Felt replied with a scoff. "You think I'd trust anyone else with that kind of coinage?"
"Just trying to put my mind at ease," Subaru said, ruffling her hair with a smirk. "You're going to leave us all behind once you get paid, I suppose?"
"Well, who would want to stay here?" Felt frowned.
"Rom?" Subaru pointed out.
"That's just because he doesn't trust people. Besides, it's not like I'm going to forget about you all!" Felt stuck out her tongue.
"Uh-huh," Subaru muttered, shaking his head. "Well, just be safe. Live strong."
"Live strong," Felt replied with a grin as Subaru headed back to his dwelling.
Subaru's home was a modest one-room shack nestled between two similarly built stone structures. The cramped space consisted of a small hearth, a rickety table, and a straw bed. It wasn't much, but it served its purpose.
Setting a pot on the hearth, Subaru got to work preparing his dinner. He boiled a simple vegetable stew and paired it with some stale bread for dipping. After half an hour, he sat down to his meal. It wasn't fancy—he would have killed for some meat—but such luxuries were reserved for special occasions.
Despite the hardships, Subaru had a goal. With his current pay, he calculated he'd be able to leave the slums in a few years. While Felt might have chosen the life of a thief, Subaru was committed to carving out a future through hard, honest work. Besides, he lacked the sleight of hand needed to make a living stealing.
After finishing his meal, Subaru lay back on his straw bed, watching the fire smolder into faint embers. The warmth of the hearth lulled him into a peaceful sleep.
The next morning began like every other. Subaru woke early, splashed his face with cold water, and donned fresh clothes. Strapping on his belt and dagger, he stepped outside and locked the sturdy wooden door to his shack before starting his morning walk to the artisan district.
"You're here. Good," Conrad said gruffly when Subaru arrived at the forge. The old smith was already hard at work. "Give me another solid day's work, and you might even get out of here before dusk. Step to it, son."
Without hesitation, Subaru tied on his apron and gloves, taking his place at the furnace. Feeding the fire and hammering metal, he worked diligently alongside Conrad.
The rush order consumed most of the day, demanding their full attention. By mid-afternoon, their combined effort paid off, and the job was complete. Satisfied with the progress, Conrad allowed Subaru to leave early after they finished the necessary preparations for the following day.
On his way back, Subaru heard the faint sound of crying. Looking up, he spotted a familiar green-haired figure sitting by the side of the road. "Plum, what are you doing?" he asked, approaching the sniffling little girl, who looked around nervously.
Startled, Plum looked up with teary eyes. "S-Subaru?" she sniffled.
"Did you lose your mom again?" Subaru asked, crouching down.
Plum sniffled harder, nodding her head.
"Come on. Your dad's just up the road," Subaru said gently, taking her small hand in his. Together, they headed toward Kadomon's fruit stand.
"Will Momma be mad?" Plum asked, her voice trembling.
"Relieved, more like," Subaru chuckled. "But you've got to stop wandering off. Uncle Subaru won't always be around to bail you out!"
When they arrived, Kadomon was visibly relieved to see his daughter safe. "Plum!" he exclaimed, scooping her up in a bear hug. He turned to Subaru with a grateful nod. "Thanks, kid. You've done me a real favor."
The fruit vendor, clearly appreciative, offered Subaru a deal—appas for only a single copper. However, after a huffy glare from Plum, Kadomon grudgingly handed Subaru four flawless appas free of charge.
"Thanks again, Kadomon. And you—" Subaru gave Plum a pointed look—"no more running off, okay?"
Plum pouted, but Subaru just ruffled her hair and went on his way.
Crossing down through the streets, Subaru munched on two of the fresh appas, savoring their crisp sweetness. He stuffed the remaining two into his pockets, already imagining sharing them with Felt. If her latest job paid off, it might be one of the last times she'd rely on him for snacks.
By the time Subaru entered the slums, the dim light of evening had begun to cast long shadows. Deciding to stop by the Loot House to see how Felt's job had gone, he made his way through the familiar alleys.
As he crossed a small creek, Subaru suddenly stopped in his tracks. Standing on the opposite bank was a striking figure—a silver-haired girl looking around with a determined expression. Subaru's heart skipped a beat. She wasn't just any half-elf. She matched the stories perfectly.
She looked like Satella.
A shiver ran down Subaru's spine at the thought of the name. He turned quickly, but not quickly enough. Their eyes locked for a fraction of a second—a fraction too long. The girl's gaze sharpened, and before Subaru could slip away, she started marching toward him with purpose.
"You there! Excuse me!" she called out.
Subaru considered brushing her off and walking away, but something about her made him hesitate. Before he realized it, she was standing directly in front of him.
"You," she said, her voice steady but urgent. "Have you seen a girl? She has golden hair and wears a red scarf. Please, I need to find her."
Subaru's heart sank. She was looking for Felt. Of course she was.
He had known from the moment he saw her that she must be Felt's mark. The silver-haired girl's demeanor matched the description of someone on a mission. Subaru considered telling her off. By now, Felt would have sold whatever she had taken, and if she hadn't, the last thing Subaru would do was help a stranger get one over on family.
"No, I can't say I have," Subaru lied, his tone steady. "Sorry."
The silver-haired girl studied him for a long moment, her gaze almost piercing. For a second, Subaru thought she might be trying to read him. At last, she nodded. "Okay, thank you," she said softly before turning and heading deeper into the slums.
Subaru watched her retreating figure, a strange unease twisting in his gut. He felt a pang of guilt for lying to her, though he couldn't quite place why. He didn't owe her anything, and she was Felt's mark, after all. Still, there was something about her presence that lingered, something that tugged at him.
Shaking off the feeling, Subaru took a sharp right turn, opting for a longer route to Rom's Loot House. He didn't want to risk the half-elf trailing him. Glancing over his shoulder as he walked, he carefully scanned his surroundings. Once he was satisfied that he hadn't been followed, he continued on his way.
By the time he arrived at Rom's Loot House, the sun was dipping below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and purple. The thick wooden doors loomed in front of him, and the barred windows were dark—too dark. Subaru frowned. Something wasn't right.
Rom wasn't the type to skulk around his place without light, especially not at this hour.
His hand instinctively went to the dagger at his belt as he pushed the door. To his surprise, it swung open easily. Subaru froze, his unease deepening. The interior was cloaked in shadow, the faint light of the dying day barely penetrating the gloom.
This is wrong, Subaru thought, pulling his knife free. The old man never left the door unlocked. Especially not at night.
For a moment, Subaru hesitated. He could leave, and come back in the morning when it was safer to investigate. But the thought of something happening to Rom—or worse, to Felt—drove him forward.
Taking a step back, Subaru surveyed the building. Going in through the front door felt reckless. Rom's windows were all barred, save for one—the second-floor window where the bars were loose. Subaru had discovered that weakness years ago, though he'd only ever exploited it to swipe Felt some milk or a sweet roll.
Steeling himself, Subaru opened his gate, letting mana course through his muscles, and vaulted onto the roof, landing as quietly as he could manage. He crept toward the second-floor window, pulling out his dagger and using its butt to knock loose the rusted bars. Slowly and carefully, he pushed the window open and slipped inside.
The second floor was just as dark as the first, the air heavy with stillness. Not a single candle had been lit.
Subaru crouched low, his dagger at the ready. His instincts screamed that something was very, very wrong.
Scowling, Subaru edged slowly along the wall, keeping to the shadows until he reached the railing overlooking the bar below. His eyes gradually adjusted to the dim light. What he saw made his breath catch in his throat.
The room was a mess. A table lay shattered into splinters, and not far from the wreckage...
Subaru's stomach lurched, and his heart sank. Slumped over on the floor, face down in a pool of blood, was Rom. The sight turned Subaru's veins to ice, and the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end.
R-Rom?! His thoughts screamed. He wanted to vomit, but an even darker, more urgent fear gripped him. Where is Felt?!
His mind raced. He wanted to rush down the stairs, to check if Felt was safe, but before he could act, the front door creaked open further. To his shock, the silver-haired half-elf from earlier stepped inside. Subaru's heart clenched. Someone must have pointed her here.
No, no, get out of here! he thought, his body tensing as if willing the words to reach her. But he stayed silent. If whoever—or whatever—had taken out Rom was still nearby, yelling would only make him a target.
Out of the corner of his eye, a flash of steel caught Subaru's attention. Before he could think, he was moving. Sparks flew as his dagger collided with a blade, deflecting a slash aimed straight at the half-elf's back.
"Run!" Subaru barked, blocking a second strike with everything he had.
The adrenaline coursing through him drowned out his fear. He wasn't the Sword Saint by any stretch, but his years spent surviving alongside Felt had taught him how to fight. Between the two of them, Subaru had always been the better fighter.
"W-what?" the half-elf stammered, wheeling around in shock.
"Oh? A new dance partner?" purred a feminine voice, syrupy and unsettling.
Subaru's movements became frantic as he dodged and parried a relentless flurry of slashes, each one meant to gut him where he stood. His arms ached from the effort, but his resolve held. Just as he began to falter, several shimmering ice missiles whizzed past him, aimed at the shadowy attacker.
The figure leapt back, giving Subaru a chance to catch his breath. He dropped into a defensive stance, sweat dripping down his brow.
"You're the same guy from earlier," the half-elf accused, her tone sharp but tinged with confusion.
"We can save introductions for later!" Subaru snapped, panting as he kept his focus on the attacker.
"How cute—a lovers' quarrel," the figure cooed, stepping into the faint light.
Subaru's eyes narrowed. The woman was unusually tall, with long, flowing black hair and a smirk that sent chills down his spine. She wore a revealing black dress that left little to the imagination, and in her hand, she twirled a wicked-looking purple kukri blade as though it were a toy.
"Where is Felt?!" Subaru barked, gripping his dagger tighter, his voice laced with equal parts fury and desperation.
"Her insides were so wonderful!" the woman crooned, a twisted grin spreading across her face.
Subaru froze, his breath catching in his throat. The world seemed to stop. His mind refused to process what he was seeing. Felt—his little sister in all but blood—lay lifeless, her bright spark extinguished.
Everything went numb. His body felt weightless, like he was floating in a void. But as quickly as the numbness came, it was replaced by a blinding, searing rage. His vision turned red, and a guttural scream tore from his throat as he launched himself at the woman.
Steel clashed, the sound ringing out in the dark room. The half-elf, quick on her feet, sent a barrage of ice missiles hurtling toward the attacker. But Subaru barely registered them. All he could feel was his fury. He wanted blood. He wanted revenge.
The woman's blade met his dagger in a flurry of sparks, her movements fluid and practiced. Subaru's strikes were wild, driven by pure emotion rather than technique. He didn't care. He didn't even notice the first cut that sliced across his arm or the second that grazed his side. The pain was meaningless.
More slashes came, each leaving its mark on his flesh, but Subaru pressed forward, his rage drowning out everything else. He didn't care if it killed him. All he wanted was to make her pay.
Subaru's slash caught nothing but air as the woman leapt into the air with startling agility, blitzing toward the half-elf. Instinct kicked in, and Subaru hurled his dagger with all his might. "Don't you dare ignore me!" he roared.
With a casual kick, the woman deflected the blade, sending it hurtling back toward him. Subaru reacted quickly, kicking up one of Rom's wooden stools to block the returning dagger. The blade embedded itself in the stool with a dull thunk.
When Subaru looked back, the half-elf had seized the moment. Her ice magic coiled around the attacker's leg, freezing her in place.
Not one to waste an opportunity, Subaru ripped his dagger free from the stool and charged, pouring everything he had into the attack. Rage and desperation propelled him forward, his focus singular: kill her.
But just as he closed the distance, the woman did the unthinkable. With a sickening rip, she tore the skin off her own calf, freeing her leg from the ice. The grotesque act caught Subaru off guard, leaving him overextended.
Before he could recover, her blade found its mark.
A searing, splitting pain tore through his gut. Subaru staggered back, the world spinning as he tumbled to the ground. His hands instinctively clutched at his stomach, only to feel warm, sticky blood pouring from the wound.
No, no, no, no… Subaru's mind screamed as his vision blurred. His body felt heavy, his strength fading fast. She needs to die. I-I can't…
Through the haze of pain, Subaru's eyes widened in horror as he saw the half-elf's neck split open in a clean, brutal slash. Crimson blood sprayed across the room, painting the dim light in a macabre hue. She crumpled to the floor near him, her lifeless eyes meeting his for a brief, haunting moment.
"Poor dance patterns," the woman said with a smirk, her voice dripping with mockery. "But such lovely insides."
Subaru's head lolled to the side, his fading gaze settling on the corner where Felt's lifeless body lay. The sight of her, so still and so small, was the last thing he saw before his body went limp and the darkness consumed him.
A/N: Replaced a few paragraphs to make it flow better with the new prologue. Thanks!
While I'm here I will reply to reviews (minus spam bots):
RegulusCetus: "Neat Start!"
Thanks! I think it's funny too. Kudos for being the first person to review by the way!
JaroNNess: "This must be interesting! Good luck with your writing!"
Thank you! With two projects in the fire, I will need it! The good news is I'm having fun and have more free time.
Cromatics: "Amazing! I really like the concept. Maybe you could post it on AO3?"
Never had an Ao3 account, might consider opening one and cross-posting. We'll see.
AngryWY: "Very fun start and interesting idea, but if I had a critique, it would be that we don't see the bond between Subaru and Felt bloom. Because of this, Subaru's anger at Elsa felt like a bit too much.
Other than that, awesome start and immediately captivating. Especially looking forward to the interactions between Subaru and Emilia."
Comment wins the day, added an entire prologue just for you! Hope you enjoyed that chapter. As for Emilia, her camp will be heavily featured in this story, as most of the drama unfolds around her.
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Thanks for the reviews! The next chapter is in the works. See you all soon!