Chapter II:

Redo

"Felt!" Subaru's eyes snapped open, his body jolting upright as he stared at the familiar roof of his shack. For a long moment, he sat frozen, his breath uneven, his heart racing. Was it a nightmare? Was that all it was?

The world around him seemed unchanged. The fire from the night before was now nothing more than a pile of warm ashes. His sweat-soaked clothes from the forge hung limply over the back of a chair, waiting to be cleaned. Everything was exactly as it had been the morning before he had seen... seen...

Subaru shuddered at the memory of Felt's lifeless body curled up in the corner of Rom's Loot House. The image lingered in his mind, sharp and gut-wrenching.

Swinging his legs over the side of the bed, Subaru stared out the small window. Was it really a dream? Or… something else?

Years ago, he had experienced something similar. He'd been climbing an abandoned building, had lost his footing, and—well, he couldn't remember what had happened next. The next thing he knew, he was standing in the doorway of Rom's Loot House. When Samuel and Eric had come asking him to play for the second time, he had refused, shaken and confused.

For years, Subaru convinced himself that the incident was just his mind playing tricks on him, a fabrication of stress or fear. But now… now he wasn't so sure.

Rising from the bed, Subaru dressed much as he had the day before. He splashed cold water on his face to chase away the lingering unease, fastened his belt, and secured his dagger. Stepping outside, he was met with the same sights and sounds of the slums as always. Yet, as he took in the familiar surroundings, a nauseating realization crept over him. I've seen all of this before.

Am I losing my mind? Subaru wondered, gripping the edge of the doorframe to steady himself. Forcing the unsettling thought aside, he made a decision. It was time to go to the forge and help Conrad—or at least, that's what he should have done. Instead, Subaru turned in the opposite direction, his steps quickening. He needed to find Felt.

When he reached her dwelling, Subaru poked his head inside, only to find it empty. His heart sank. Damn it. She's already gone.

Not wasting another moment, Subaru spun on his heel and sprinted toward Rom's Loot House. The streets blurred as he pushed his body to move faster, his chest tight with urgency.

Finally, he arrived. The familiar wooden door loomed before him, and he froze. His hand hovered over the surface, trembling. What if that crazy woman is already inside?

Swallowing hard, Subaru forced the fear down. His fist pounded on the door, each knock echoing in the stillness of the early morning. For a moment, there was silence. Then, faint shuffling sounds came from inside.

"For the rats?" a booming voice came from behind the door.

"Poison," Subaru replied quickly.

"For the White Whale?"

"Fish-hook."

"To the noble Dragon we are?"

"Shitbags! Open up, old man!" Subaru barked.

A moment later, the door creaked open to reveal the imposing figure of the bronze-skinned giant, Old Man Rom. His massive frame filled the doorway, and he looked down at Subaru with a raised brow. "What's got you in a mood, Subaru?"

"Felt. Have you seen her?" Subaru asked, stepping into the Loot House without waiting for an invitation.

"No, not today," Rom said, closing the door behind him. "She was by yesterday. Wanted me to mediate some goods she's planning to swipe. Why? Is Felt in some kind of trouble?"

"Yeah," Subaru said, pacing the room as his mind raced. "I think she's getting mixed up in some deep shit."

Rom frowned, crossing his thick arms over his chest. "Must be serious if it's enough to keep you from the forge. What makes you think she's gotten herself into something she can't handle?"

"I-it's hard to explain," Subaru said, rubbing the back of his head in frustration. How could he explain that he'd seen both of their dead bodies—or that he'd been killed himself? It sounded insane even to him. "Just… if she comes back, send her away. Don't let her go through with selling whatever it is she's swiping today. Whatever you do, don't let her meet the buyer. Promise me, old man."

Rom stared at him for a long moment, his sharp eyes searching Subaru's face. Finally, he sighed, his shoulders relaxing slightly. "Alright. I don't really understand what's going on, but you look rattled—and I know you care about Felt as much as I do. I'll make sure the deal doesn't go down. Can't say she'll be thrilled about it, though."

"Thanks, old man." Subaru let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding, feeling a small measure of relief. "I'm going to let Conrad know an emergency came up. Maybe I can find Felt in the city center before it's too late. When is she supposed to meet the buyer?"

"Just before sunset," Rom replied.

"Alright. If I can't find her, I'll be back here before then! Live strong!" Subaru gave Rom a quick nod of thanks before spinning on his heel and sprinting out the door.

Subaru wasted no time, weaving through the crowded streets as he sprinted toward the artisan district. His heart pounded in rhythm with his frantic steps. When he burst into Conrad's forge, the clang of hammer on metal rang through the air. The old smith looked up, already at work shaping a glowing white hunk of steel on the anvil.

"By the Dragon, son, you're late!" Conrad barked, his scowl deepening. "Get your apron and gloves on—we've got a mountain of work to finish!"

"Conrad," Subaru said, his breath coming in ragged gasps. "I hate to do this, but my little sister is in trouble. I have to find her."

The old smith froze mid-swing, his hammer hovering in the air. He turned to Subaru, his scowl darkening. "Son… you must be joking. We're drowning in work, and you think now's the time to run off?"

Conrad studied him for a long, tense moment. Subaru's expression didn't waver. Finally, with a heavy sigh, the smith cursed under his breath. "Dragon preserve me… go. Before I change my mind."

"Thank you!" Subaru said, bowing his head in gratitude before spinning around and bolting out of the forge.

Subaru abandoned the bustling streets, opting instead for the rooftops. He knew Felt would be using the heights to spot her mark—it was her preferred vantage point. If he couldn't find her directly, he could at least keep an eye out for the silver-haired half-elf. If she was searching for Felt, spotting her might lead him to his sister-figure as well.

Jumping from rooftop to rooftop, Subaru scanned the sea of people below. It was like trying to find a needle in a haystack, but determination kept him moving. He was sure he could find one of them.

Hours passed, the relentless search wearing on him. Finally, Subaru perched on the edge of a rooftop, his chest heaving as he forced himself to stop and catch his breath. His stomach growled angrily, reminding him of how long it had been since he'd eaten. Damn it.

Leaping down to the street level, Subaru slicked his sweat-drenched hair back, frustration mounting. He'd been at it for hours, and his body was beginning to protest. Noticing he was near the market, Subaru decided to grab something to eat. He didn't want the distraction, but a short break might clear his head.

As he walked toward the market, a familiar voice reached his ears. "D-don't be afraid, little one. Where's your momma?"

Subaru's eyes snapped up. The silver-haired half-elf was kneeling down, speaking softly to a sniffling Plum, who looked just as lost as the day before. Subaru approached, and the little girl's face lit up when she saw him.

"S-Subaru!" Plum cried, running over and hugging one of his legs.

"Oh, are you two related?" the half-elf asked, tilting her head.

The image of her throat being slit in the Loot House flashed through Subaru's mind, vivid and horrifying. He forced the memory aside, willing himself to stay composed.

"N-no, just a friend," Subaru replied, reaching down to take Plum's hand.

"Oh, I see. Well, if you can get her home, I'll leave you two alone," she said, smiling warmly at the girl, who quickly hid behind Subaru's leg. "Out of curiosity, though—have you seen a girl with golden hair and a red scarf?"

Subaru's stomach dropped. So, Felt's already stolen it. He frowned, debating how to respond. "I might have some information," he said cautiously, gripping Plum's hand tighter. "But I need to take Plum back to her father first."

"Really?!" The half-elf blinked, surprised at her apparent stroke of luck. "Okay, but don't run off. I'm not in the mood to chase anyone else today!"

Taking Plum by the hand, Subaru began the walk to her father's fruit stand. His mind churned as he considered how best to navigate the situation. The events of the night—last night? tonight?—weighed heavily on him. One thought stood out: the woman who had killed Felt and Rom had likely not been targeting them specifically.

It made sense. People like them didn't draw that kind of attention. But a silver-haired half-elf who bore a striking resemblance to the legendary Witch of Envy? That was an entirely different matter. Plenty of individuals would have motive to harm her.

"Daddy!" Plum's voice broke through his thoughts as she wriggled free of his grip and dashed into her father's waiting arms.

"What are you doing here, little one? You're supposed to be with your mom," Kadomon said, scooping her up effortlessly. His stern expression softened as he looked at his daughter. Then his gaze shifted to Subaru. "What's this about?"

"S-Subaru found me," Plum sniffled. "I lost Momma."

"That so?" Kadomon's eyes flicked to the silver-haired girl standing a few steps behind Subaru, and his frown deepened. "Well, thank you, young man. And this is…?"

"An acquaintance," Subaru said quickly, cutting off any questions.

Kadomon's brow furrowed, but he nodded. "Alright then." He reached behind his stall and pulled out a handful of appas. "Here, take these—no charge."

That's different, Subaru thought, but he accepted the four pristine appas without comment. "Thanks. And as for you—" he turned to Plum, his tone firm—"don't go running off again, okay?"

"Okay," Plum said with a sniffle, hugging her father tightly.

Subaru handed one of the appas to the half-elf, stuffed two more into his pockets, and began eating the fourth. He gestured up the street with a nod. "Come with me," he said, setting off at a brisk pace.

The half-elf followed closely, her steps light but purposeful. Subaru could feel her eyes on him, studying him as though trying to piece him together. "You said you knew something," she pressed after a moment.

Subaru walked in silence, his thoughts swirling. He could send her on a wild goose chase, keep her far away from Felt—and maybe out of danger. But the woman who had killed Felt and Rom might still be hunting her. If Subaru misdirected her, he might inadvertently send her straight into harm's way.

Finally, he made his decision.

"The girl you're looking for is named Felt," Subaru said at last, his tone even.

The half-elf stopped in her tracks, her amethyst eyes narrowing suspiciously. "So, you know her?" she asked, her voice laced with icy mistrust.

Subaru felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. He leapt back instinctively just as a blast of cold air surged toward him, forcing him further into the alleyway.

"Hold on—"

"You're working with her, aren't you?" she accused sharply, conjuring several ice missiles that hovered menacingly in the air around her.

"No, I'm not a thief! Just listen to me, will you?" Subaru barked, raising his hands in a gesture of surrender.

"Lia, maybe we should hear him out," a disembodied voice interjected. A moment later, a fuzzy, grey-haired cat materialized beside the half-elf, floating lazily in the air.

"Puck?" the woman—apparently named Lia—said in surprise, her icy demeanor softening slightly.

"A spirit?" Subaru asked, his eyebrows rising in astonishment.

"Oh, hi there! I'm Puck, nice to meet you!" the fuzzy cat-spirit greeted warmly, flashing a disarming smile. "Now, if you could introduce yourself, I'm sure we can all get along. And if not, well…" Puck's tone remained cheerful, but the undertone carried a subtle warning.

"I'm Subaru," he said quickly, eager to avoid further misunderstanding. "And I take it you're Puck… and Lia is your name?"

The half-elf shot Puck an annoyed look, as though he'd breached some unspoken protocol. "It's Emilia, actually. Only close friends are allowed to call me Lia."

"Emilia… got it," Subaru nodded, filing the name away. "Well, you were the girl my sister targeted. Well, Felt's not really my sister—more like someone I grew up with… sort of. The point is, whatever she stole from you is going to get her in a world of trouble, so I want to make sure you get it back."

Emilia looked at him for a long moment before glancing at her spirit companion.

"I don't sense any malice in him," Puck shrugged, his floating form twisting lazily in the air.

"Say I believe you," Emilia said cautiously, her gaze returning to Subaru. "Can you lead me to where your sister—or whatever she is—ran off to?"

"Of course," Subaru replied quickly, raising his hands in reassurance. "But on the condition that you promise not to harm her or report this to the authorities. She's a good person, really. Life in the slums isn't… exactly rosy."

Emilia studied him, her expression a mixture of suspicion and curiosity. After a pause, she nodded. "Okay, I promise, as long as I get back what was taken from me."

Subaru relaxed visibly, the tension in his shoulders easing. "Alright, follow me."

Leading Emilia into the slums felt wrong on so many levels. Subaru couldn't ignore the looks she attracted. The silver-haired half-elf was an anomaly here, and it didn't help that her appearance carried such ominous associations. Half-elves were seen as trouble, and those with silver hair? They drew whispers of fear and mistrust, their resemblance to the Witch of Envy enough to invite danger. Subaru had heard rumors of the Witch Cult targeting women who even faintly resembled the Witch, and it made his skin crawl.

He glanced back at Emilia, his thoughts lingering on the crazed woman who had killed them in another timeline. Could she be connected to the cult? The idea made him uneasy, but there were too many unknowns for him to even begin piecing it together. What he did know was that dealing with the assassin—or anything like her—was far beyond his capabilities.

As they entered deeper into the slums, Subaru caught a few wary glances from the locals. He was familiar enough with this area to avoid outright hostility, but Emilia was clearly an outsider. Her presence alone could draw trouble if they lingered too long.

"You mentioned your sister was in trouble?" Emilia asked, her voice cutting through the silence. Her tone was cautious but steady. "Who exactly is after her, besides me?"

Subaru sighed, glancing back at her. "I don't know who they are, but whoever's lined up to buy whatever she took from you? They're bad news. Real bad. If it's who I think it is, she's in way over her head."

As Felt's hideout came into view, Subaru slowed to a stop. The ramshackle building was as unassuming as ever, blending seamlessly into the squalor of its surroundings. He turned to Emilia, gesturing for her to hold back.

"Why don't you wait here?" he suggested. "Let me talk to her first. If I just show up with her mark, she's liable to freak out and bolt."

Emilia frowned, crossing her arms. "You're sure she won't just run off anyway?"

"She won't," Subaru said, though he wasn't entirely sure. "Trust me. This'll go smoother if I handle it."

After a moment of hesitation, Emilia nodded. "Fine. I'll stay here. But don't make me regret this."

Subaru approached the shack and pushed the creaky door open, peeking inside. Felt was sprawled on her straw bed, a casual smirk spreading across her face as she looked up. "Hey, big bro, you're off early!" she teased, sitting up slightly.

"Yeah," Subaru replied, leaning against the doorway. His tone was firm but measured. "Listen, I got some intel about your buyer. Word is they're tied to the Witch Cult."

Felt's smirk vanished instantly. She jumped to her feet, her eyes narrowing. "The Witch Cult? Who told you that?"

"It doesn't matter," Subaru said, brushing off the question. His voice carried an edge of urgency. "What matters is this whole deal is bad news. And while you might be pissed at me…" He hesitated for a moment before dropping the bombshell. "I found your mark. She's waiting outside so you can hand back whatever you swiped."

"You what?!" Felt's face twisted in a mix of anger and disbelief. She stepped toward him, her voice rising. "Subaru, you idiot! Why the hell would you do something like that?!"

caught himself and took a deep breath, reigning in his temper. "Listen, we're family. I'm looking out for you. The best thing you can do is just give back whatever you took. Put this whole mess behind us and move on. There will be other marks—ones that don't come with this kind of risk. This one isn't worth it, no matter how much the pay is."

Felt's face twisted in anger, her fists clenched. "Easy for you to say! You've got a good career ahead of you as an apprentice. In a few years, you'll leave this place, find some woman, and probably forget all about us!"

"Hey, that's not true!" Subaru shot back, his voice rising. "And don't act like you don't want to get out of this place just as much as anyone else does."

"Oh, maybe I will get out!" Felt shouted, her voice dripping with venom. "And maybe you're just jealous because I'm the one doing it! Well, I won't let you hold me back!"

Her sudden declaration caught Subaru off guard, and he barely had time to react as she tensed, her eyes darting toward the cracked window by her bed. Before he could move, Felt lunged, diving through the opening with the nimbleness of someone who'd done it countless times before.

"Shit!" Subaru hissed, rushing to the window. He braced himself on the frame, scanning the outside for her. Without hesitation, he hoisted himself out, landing in the dirt with a thud.

Emilia, who had been waiting outside, must have seen Felt dive out the window because she was giving chase too. Subaru groaned inwardly. This is not ideal.

He knew he needed to stop Felt—no matter the cost. Even if she ended up hating him, it was better than watching her get killed. Opening his gate, Subaru channeled mana to enhance his speed, quickly closing the distance between them. Felt, however, was no slouch. She was quick and had the advantage of knowing the winding paths of the slums better than anyone. Subaru just hoped Emilia wouldn't do anything rash.

"Stop!" Emilia's voice rang out, firm and commanding. Subaru's eyes widened as she leapt into the air with surprising grace, landing directly in Felt's path. The young thief skidded to a halt, her crimson eyes darting between Subaru behind her and Emilia blocking the way forward. She was cornered.

"Traitor!" Felt spat, glaring daggers at Subaru. "I won't just give it back. I grabbed it fair and square!"

Emilia's expression was calm but stern, her amethyst eyes unwavering. "Theft is wrong," she said, her voice steady. "While I might have been able to overlook it if it were something trivial, I cannot let you get away with what you took." She raised a hand, and several ice missiles materialized around her, shimmering with cold menace.

Felt's hand shot back to the hilt of her dagger, her body tense as she prepared for a fight.

"Stop it, both of you!" Subaru shouted, stepping closer and instinctively reaching for his weapon. "Felt, just give it back! Please, I don't—"

"What's this now?"

Subaru's heart nearly stopped at the sound of the voice. A chill ran down his spine as he turned toward an alleyway to his left. Emerging from the shadows was a woman, her unsettlingly calm demeanor and cruel smile unmistakable.

He recognized her instantly.

Their murderer.

A/N: Wow, this seems to be have grabbed a good amount of attention so far! I will get anthoer chapter out ASAP, but no date is on the books. Review time!

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RegulusCetus: Ah so just like canon he does not know what's going on at first.

Correct! I mean, he was only a child.

KayLAC2: Looks interesting, I wonder how this will change canon events

It will take big departures, however, most of the important events revolve around Emilia. Without Subaru, she would probably die, also Roswaal is a thing.

Franz Myers: It's an interesting idea, I would have liked to see how Subaru's bond with Felt and Rom that some flashbacks can't fix. I'm curious what position Subaru will end up having after arc 1. I'll be following your fic.

Yeah, spending ages going over how and why would be interesting, but it would be slow. Thanks for the follow!

Sageofchaos: hope to see more.

Here is more.

The Silent Line: Hope to see more! Subaru teaming with Felt is an underrated premise.

Always liked Felt as a character, like the idea of them being close rather than "fish out of water" Subaru.

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Thanks for the reviews! Leave your feedback, and I will do my best to reply to your comments!