Chapter XXIII:
Enter
Subaru was trapped.
No matter how long he sat on that weathered stump, racking his brain, there was no way out. His thoughts ran in frantic circles, desperate for an escape. Every time he even considered forcing a reset—letting himself fall into danger or death—the burning would begin. A creeping heat beneath his skin, like fire crawling through his veins. If he lingered on the idea too long, the pain hit him full force, merciless and crippling.
Roswaal had turned him into a puppet. A dog on a leash.
All it would take was another command, and Subaru knew—he knew—he'd obey. Not out of choice, but because the magic anchoring the contract would make sure of it. He wanted to believe he could resist it, that he could endure the agony and break free by force of will alone.
But he couldn't.
I get it now…
This is what Reinhard feared. If Roswaal had ordered me to spy on Felt… I would've done it. No matter how much I hated it.
He sat hunched over, defeated, fists clenched tightly in his lap. Every time he tried to form a plan, to pull together his thoughts into something coherent, that phantom pain began to rise again—just enough to remind him of his place.
"Subaru…"
He looked up, startled, and saw Rem approaching, her expression gentle but shadowed with concern.
"Are you sure you're alright?" she asked softly.
"I'm fine," he lied without hesitation. "Really. I just… fell. Like Roswaal said."
Rem didn't look convinced. Her gaze lingered on him, searching for something in his expression. But after a beat, she nodded anyway.
"I'm… just worried," she admitted.
Subaru stood, trying to appear steadier than he felt. "Worried about what?"
"There's tension in the air," she said, eyes drifting toward the village in the distance. "Lady Emilia seems under a lot of stress. She's been looking at her gem constantly… like she's expecting something. Or afraid."
"Puck's been quiet lately," Subaru muttered. That wasn't a good sign. Puck disappearing meant something was wrong—deeply wrong. And Roswaal... Roswaal wouldn't leave anything to chance. If his original plan fell apart, he'd pivot to the next. And Subaru couldn't shake the feeling that Felt or Emilia might be next.
His hand curled into a fist, knuckles pale.
"Rem…" he said at last, voice low but firm. "Do me a favor."
"Anything!" Rem said quickly, without hesitation.
To think… this is the same woman who killed Rom and me in another life. And now she'd do anything for me. The thought twisted something in Subaru's chest—grief, guilt, gratitude, he wasn't sure which was stronger.
"I need you to keep a close eye on Emilia," he said, voice steady despite the ache inside. Flam and Garassis could keep Felt safe for now—but Emilia had no one else. No one she could truly rely on.
"What about you?" Rem asked, concern flickering in her eyes.
"I can take care of myself," Subaru replied with a weak smile, the words hollow in his mouth.
I'm already screwed, Rem… I'm just trying to limit the damage now.
"I think Emilia's going to attempt the trial tonight," he added, his chest tightening the moment the words left his mouth. The moment he acknowledged it, the magical contract flared—gripping him like an invisible vice, the compulsion to take the trial gnawing at his insides.
"I need to go prepare for that," he forced out.
Rem didn't question him further. She simply nodded. "I'll find Lady Emilia… and stay with her."
"Thanks, Rem. Really." He meant it more than she could know.
"Be careful, Subaru…" she said gently, then turned and walked away.
"You seem tense," Felt said, eyeing Subaru carefully.
"A little," he admitted, the knot in his gut refusing to loosen. He'd already explained the situation with Garfiel to her, but the moment he so much as thought about telling her the truth about Roswaal, that creeping, fiery pain clawed its way up his spine.
Now they stood outside the stone temple where the trial was to be held. Villagers mingled with the half-bloods who were acting as their jailers, all gathered to watch Emilia's attempt. Subaru caught Garfiel glaring at him from the edge of the crowd, arms crossed, jaw tight.
"So Emilia just walks in there and… what? Fights something?" Felt frowned at the temple.
"No idea how it works," Subaru said with a sigh. "I doubt it's some mythical beast, though. From what I've seen, it's worse than that. If you're not qualified, it hurts. Bad. Roswaal tried it himself and look what happened to him."
"Well, that's reassuring," Felt muttered, folding her arms.
"I still need to go have words with that Roswaal guy. We're not leaving until I break you out of this stupid contract," she added firmly.
"You shouldn't talk to Roswaal," Subaru said, his voice suddenly cold.
"Pardon?" Felt blinked.
"I'll handle it," he said with a strained smile, trying to sound casual. "No need for you to get involved. You'd probably just make things worse."
"How so?!" she snapped, clearly offended.
"You're… rather brash," he said, dodging the real reason.
If he touches Felt… if he even looks at her wrong…
The familiar burn began to crawl up his back again, silencing the rest of the thought before it could take shape.
"I'm ready," Emilia said as she stepped forward. She had been silent for a long while, quietly communing with the lesser spirits. Now, standing at the base of the stone steps, her voice carried a calm resolve.
"You'll do fine, Lady Emilia," Rem said with an encouraging nod.
"Let's get this over with," Garfiel muttered, arms crossed, watching intently.
Subaru forced a smile. "Go get 'em."
Nodding once, Emilia began her ascent up the weathered temple steps. As she approached the entrance, the ancient stone glowed with a soft, aqua-blue light. A quiet murmur rippled through the crowd of half-bloods watching nearby—relief, hope, and anticipation all mingling in the air.
"She's been accepted for the trial," Garfiel smirked, clearly pleased with himself.
Then it happened.
You will take the trial.
The command echoed in Subaru's mind like a chime struck too close to the bone. His body moved before he could think—one step, then another, his feet carrying him forward against his will.
Everything blurred. The voices around him became distant, muffled like he was underwater. Someone called out his name. Another hand grabbed his arm as the glow of the temple faded out.
"Shamak," Subaru muttered reflexively.
The grip released instantly, followed by a startled gasp. The world kept spinning around him, but the glow of the temple returned—bright, pulsing.
You will take the trial.
You will take the trial.
You will…
Subaru blinked. The glow ahead dimmed—and lying before him was Emilia.
Motionless.
The next thing he knew, the world was gone.
Only darkness remained.