Chapter Text
The noise of screams woke up the raven-haired boy. The frigid stone beneath his cheek was a cruel reminder of his current situation. Bound hand and foot, Subaru tried to slowly get up, with no success. Not even the little time he had to sleep and escape from this ordeal allowed him to regain the energy of his exhausted body.
Not to mention, of course, the absolute mental exhaustion that had befallen him after the fateful events of the past few days.
Now seated, his back against the moist wall of that dark cell, Natsuki Subaru remembers the person who caused all this:
"Gluttony..."
Lye Batenkaitos, the Archbishop of Sin representing the sin of Gluttony. A detestable existence whose true motives Subaru and his companions still didn't know. That cruel creature who committed the sin of messing with Natsuki Subaru's loved ones a year ago, when he "ate" Rem's "Memories" and "Name," leaving her in a coma from which she has not been able to recover.
However, fate crossed paths for Natsuki Subaru and Lye Batenkaitos again, this time in the destroyed streets of the city of Priestella. The dark-haired boy could never imagine the consequences of that encounter. An encounter that lasted no more than a few moments and only had a brief exchange of words.
However, that encounter ended with Natsuki Subaru's "Name" devoured by the Authority of Gluttony.
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"What... What have you done?"
"Thanks for the meal... Natsuki Subaru... Hero of Priestella!"
"You're Gluttony, aren't you?"
Subaru, with anger in his gaze, stared intensely at the ragged child standing before him, awaiting an answer to his question.
"Sin Archbishop representing Gluttony, Lye Batenkaitos!"
The creature's response was followed by a bow. To any other person, such an act might have been completely strange, but to Subaru, the intentions of the monster were clear:
"Damn you! Give me Rem back! I'll kill you! I'll kill you!"
With a spine-chilling smile on his face and a gesture that could only be executed by someone with malicious intentions, the archbishop replied:
"Do it if you can, my hero!"
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The distant screams Subaru heard were the reason he had awakened. After all the tribulations he had gone through in this world, the unfortunate boy could easily fall sleep. Insomnia wasn't particularly an issue for his battered mental state. However, those screams, emanating from the neighboring cells, the cultists who had been unfortunate enough to be captured, echoed deeply in the ears of the now allegedly witch cultist.
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What am I going to do? What am I going to do?
Natsuki Subaru ran through the streets of Priestella. If what he had seen was true, it was possible that his "Name" had been "eaten." Not knowing how to proceed, Subaru Natsuki decided, as a first step, to distance himself from the shelter where they were going to discuss the aftermath of that battle. Subaru knew it was an important discussion, one in which they would have to assess the damages and take necessary steps to recover from the losses they had suffered. And Subaru was well aware that he himself was one of those losses. Right?
Could it be that I'm immune to the Authority of Gluttony? I can remember those who have been erased, like Rem, but...
The possibility that this ability didn't work in reverse, being that the world could retain Subaru's memories, tormented him, painting countless gloomy scenarios in his mind.
If my name was erased, then Emilia, Beako... Everything I've achieved... will all be lost?
After this, Subaru determined his course of action. Confirming whether he had truly lost his "Name" was crucial at this moment. If that wasn't the case, then everything would be fine, but if it were... Then Subaru would have no choice but to...
Julius?
Julius Jukulius, finest of knights. The fool with whom Subaru had no compatibility, walked through the dubris on the street near the frantic Subaru. Upon seeing him, Subaru came to an abrupt halt.
"Ju... Julius?"
Upon hearing this, the purple-haired knight turned around, looking at Subaru. His gaze, uncharacteristic of a knight, was filled with astonishment.
"You, by any chance, are you referring to me?"
"..."
Had it not been for his current predicament, Subaru could have launched a verbal assault on his comrade. However, given the circumstances, Julius' question left Subaru speechless. But what would come next would render Subaru immobile.
With no response forthcoming, the finest of knights drew his sword from its scabbard, and with his gaze fixed on the person before him, he sternly exclaimed:
"Who are you?"
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The raven-haired boy was laid on the ground defeated.
There is no way out of this, isn’t it? He thought. No matter how you can see this situation. It was grim from every angle. Aside from Return by Death, one of the most valuable resources available for the boy were his friends and colleagues, the ones who stood valiantly alongside him during their hardest times, the ones who -No matter what- Would always be by his side. However, how useless it was to think that way in this predicament. He knew he was weak, and he wasn’t anything near a genius, and with no one aiding him or waiting for his return outside of this cell, Subaru knew he was done for.
And this would be case, if the wheels of the destiny would keep running their normal course. However, Natsuki Subaru is pretty well known for be a sworn enemy of the so called “destiny”.
Natsuki Subaru had always been a sworn enemy of fate, determined to defy destiny's cruel hand. He refused to accept defeat, even in the darkest of moments.
Suddenly, a loud bang reverberated through the vicinity, wrenching Subaru from his thoughts. His eyes widened, and he stared at the source of the commotion. Something was happening upstairs, beyond his cell.
“What?... please, please not be those bastards…” Subaru muttered. Remembering those vile villains who took everything away from him made his heart ache and his blood boil. A dim light started to form in his tired eyes. It was anger.
“The witch cult! Damn these people!”
The riot only started to grow higher. Whatever fight would be happening up there, it was getting closer and closer. Subaru started to grow anxious. Just how many people were fighting? He wondered what was happening outside.
“Hurry up and restrain her!”
“She’s too strong!”
“Stop it! In the name of the knights of Lugunica, I order you to… ughk!”
Voices of knights and the clash of steel on steel pierced the air, signaling a fierce struggle. Subaru strained to hear, his heart pounding in anticipation. It wasn't long before a single, furious voice rose above the tumult.
“WHERE IS HE! WHERE IS SUBARU-KUN!”
It was a demonically angry voice. One that Subaru knew oh so well.
The sound of chains, a sound whom Subaru grew accustomed to long time before, started to get clearer. It only became clear after that same sound silenced the voice of one of the guards. The chains were part of a weapon that Subaru knew to well. Maybe a little to well. For some time, it was a sound that even made Subaru grew in anxiety, but with time he got used to it and it became a synonymous of the efforts of a reliable and friendly maid.
Soon, the noises outside started to succumb. It wasn’t even a minute where they fully stopped. The battle was over. And it was only the far cries of the witch cultists trapped alongside Subaru that could be heard in that prison.
But, in a matter of seconds after the battle was over, the silence was cut short with a huge bang. The heavily fortified door of Subaru’s prison was ejected from his position, and it flew until it crashed into the opposite wall, breaking the door in a thousand pieces. It was lucky that Subaru didn’t happen to stand in the trajectory of that projectile.
The shock made Subaru react, he closed his dried eyes and raised his hands, instinctively protecting his face. His body was thrown aback and the dust made him cough.
“EL HUMA!”
The chains that had bound him were shattered with a burst of magic. Subaru could finally move with freedom. It was a feeling that felt extremely similar to a situation that happened before, long time ago.
When he finally opened his eyes. A silhouette of a young woman with blue hair stood before his mangled body. A girl who Subaru missed so, so much. A girl who shouldn't be here. Yet here she was.
“Rem… is that you?”
“Subaru-Kun… It’s really you… I’m so sorry, I didn’t believe it at first but...”
The response of the blue haired girl was doubtful, she was panting due to all the previous fighting. It was clear that she was shocked to see the person that stood before her. In fact, both were clearly shocked to see each other. However, shock and surprise wasn’t the only feeling that both shared in that moment.
“Rem… I’m so happy… To see you again…”
“Subaru-kun…”
The blue eyes stared intensively to the boy’ current state. It was a pitiful view. The person Rem loved was currently in a sorry state. If what she heard was true, then he was not only defeated in body, but also in spirit, since he was betrayed by all those ungrateful people, that called themselves “friends”. They were not.
Rem was furious. Furious at this situation she got herself into. She was also at the brink of snapping. His now active horn was pleading to let herself go berserk and kill everyone. This thought was even more agravated thanks to the horrid stench of witch’ miasma that surrounded the garrison. However, the person in front of her was even more important than any of those wicked thoughts. He was her top priority.
“Subaru-kun… We have no time, I need to get you out!”
In a quick succession of events, Subaru soon felt himself elevate in the air. She picked him up, and gently cradled him in her arms, princess style.
As they moved, Subaru could feel the rush of wind around them, indicating Rem's incredible speed as she navigated the prison corridors. It didn't take long before the warmth of sunlight began to penetrate Subaru's skin. How long had he endured the cold darkness of that cell? He couldn't begin to fathom.
Nevertheless, Subaru’s imprisonment was now over.
After a few moments of adjusting to the new source of light, Subaru Natsuki gradually opened his eyes wide. He was now in a deserted alleyway. A glimpse of sunlight illuminated Rem’s face as she carefully released him from her arms, leaving him sitting in a box against the wall. Subaru then focused his complete attention on the girl beside him.
“Rem, Am I dreaming? How are you here? Did… Did they defeat Gluttony?”
"Subaru-kun," Rem began, her voice carrying a hint of uncertainty. "I'm sorry; Rem is nearly as clueless as Subaru-kun at this moment." She paused briefly. "But as for your question, I'm afraid that's not the case."
“But how can you be awake? I missed you… You… you, are you truly Rem, right?”
That was a question that Subaru was afraid to ask. He remembered during the sanctuary ordeal, the witch who called herself “Carmilla” holding the title of “Lust” used her wicked authority to appear as Rem for Subaru. Then, during the events of the siege of Priestella, the archbishop holding the title of “Lust” Capella Emerada Lugnica, also used her power to mimic Emilia, Subaru Natsuki’s former liege. So, the possibility of this current event being a witch cult ploy was not a far-fetched notion.
But even if that were to be the case, Subaru was tired. If that were truly the case, then he could just die here and now. He could just give up. He could just be free from everything and he could let himself go.
“Rem… I finally snapped, didn't I?”
“NO!”
“…?!”
Subaru's eyes widened at the denial.
At this moment. Subaru realized the truth. In that moment, Subaru understood. It was impossible to replicate the depth of emotion he saw in Rem's eyes. The concern, the love, the compassion—no one else could mimic such a profound connection.
“Subaru-Kun… you are my hero.” replied the girl solemnly. “I would never abandon my hero. Never.”
“…”
“That’s why I am here… We are here. To rescue you.”
“Wait… We? You are not alone in this?” Replied Subaru, dumbfounded. “There are more people that can remember me?”
“Rem is not sure how to answer that. Rem thinks that the Authority of Gluttony has affected everyone. Rem made sure of that before we planned your rescue.” Rem explained, her frustration apparent. “But Rem is not alone, Subaru-Kun. In fact. Rem’s partner in crime is just waiting for us not so far from here.”
“Who is it? Who’s helping you? Is it Julius? Did that bastard finally made the connections?”
Julius, in fact, was another victim of Gluttony. Subaru knew that too well. He was the first person that Subaru encountered after having his own name eaten, and even if their first interaction had been tense, they had grown close since they both shared the same predicament. Hell, you could say that they both were getting along well. However, they didn’t know how much they had in common until it was too late for them to understand each other:
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“Please, allow me get this straight. So, you happened to be Emilia-sama knight. Right… Natsuki Subaru-dono?”
“Yeah, that’s it. Just like you ARE Anastasia’s knight, Julius. I guess we both got into this stupid situation.”
"It seems so. But I'm still puzzled. How come you can remember me? I'm certain I've been forgotten by my allies."
"Well," Subaru grimaced, "I have my suspicions, but I can't give you an answer for that. I'm just special, you know?" Subaru grinned, and Julius sighed in response.
Even if it was only one person, and even if that person wasn't someone Julius could recognize, the knight finally felt a sense of relief. Subaru, on the other hand, remained far from relieved. But having a companion alongside him who shared the same predicament helped him curb his self-destructive thoughts.
"It seems you're telling the truth. I still have my doubts, but there's nothing to suggest otherwise, Subaru-dono. However, it's hard for me to imagine Emilia-sama having a knight. And... My apologies, but your mannerisms don't give me the impression of a knight."
“Hey, bastard!” Replied the raven-haired boy, annoyed. “I think we are already past that, haven't we?. Damn, so I really have to start over with you, huh? You know, finest of knights, I still hate you… Just a little.”
Subaru's words hardly reflected the comportment of a knight, but given their prior familiarity, he could understand what kind of bond they once shared.
"I'm very sorry, Subaru-dono. It might appear that you could have been someone I could recall as a friend," said Julius, a tinge of nostalgia in his tone. "I wonder how many battles, how many memories you and I shared"
“Yeah. We actually defeated that Petelgeuse’s bastard together. But you can’t remember that, though.”
Julius eyes widened.
“Is that so?... I can remember very clearly how I defeated that Sin Archbishop, having someone alongside me in that battle seems something extremely hard to convey. If that is true, then-.”
“It is, you jerk! Even if I didn’t actually attack him directly, though…”
“My apologies, if that is the way you remember, then Gluttony’s authority is something far too dangerous.”
“Yes, it is. And that bastard must pay for what he had done to Rem… For what he had done to us, too… Wait.” Subaru Subaru's expression shifted as realization struck. “Why are you saying it’s hard for Emilia-tan having a knight?”
“Well… Emilia-sama has been acting so… off this past year that it’s really hard for me to think she would get along with someone other than the Great Spirit-sama she’s contracted with”.
“What? I really don’t understand this, Julius, what are you talking about, did something happened to Emilia? Is Puck still with her? But she was doing okay all this time! What do you mean with “off” Julius, answer me!”
The last statement left Subaru feeling anxious. How could the past change? How can Puck still be contracted with Emilia? What happened to her? numerous questions raced in the boy’s mind and grabbing Julius by the shoulders would hardly answer one of them.
“I’m afraid I can’t answer those questions, Subaru-dono. But it seems you are mistaken about one important detail. The great spirit Puck-sama is not the one I was referring to. I’m ignorant about the reasons but Puck-sama is not contracted with Emilia-sama anymore. However, Emilia-sama formed a contract with Beatrice-sama, the great spirit of the forbidden library, last year.”
Subaru heart raced. ‘What is he talking about? Didn’t Beako and I…’
“What? … This is no joke. Julius, Beako was contracted with me, not with Emilia…”
“Is that so?” Julius eyes narrowed, looking at the black-haired boy. “Then that could explain why I feel a spirit contract within your od. I also happen to have a contract with spirits, too.” Julius's expression turned grim, indicating that this topic was painful for him as well. "I can only empathize with your loss."
“Are you telling me I still have my contract with Beako?” Subaru’s face lit up with hope. “Then that can mean she could still remember me… right?
“My apologies for giving you false hope, Subaru-dono, it seems my words were misleading” Julius said, bowing slightly to Subaru. "But even if my contracted spirits still follow me and maintain their connection, they cannot recognize me. I can only assume it's the same for you and Great Spirit-sama.
“I see…” Subaru was brought by his knees. Defeated. “Beako… you really forgot everything about me. I’m sorry for being so useless…”
Julius was unable to express anything. He could completely understand Subaru’s lament. It was the same for him as well. But if it was the same, then there was some light that could actually rise Subaru’s hopes, too.
"Subaru-dono, I believe that Great Spirit-sama might be able to comprehend your situation. If you speak to her, she might..." Julius's words were cut off abruptly.
"Look out!" Julius shouted as he quickly grabbed Subaru and leaped backward, narrowly saving him from a barrage of purple magic shards that had been aimed directly at the boy who knelt on the ground.
"Huh? … Hkk!"
It only took a moment for Subaru to realize what had happened. Someone had just attempted to kill him with a powerful Minya attack. The experience Subaru had with that spell allowed him to understand the lethality of such a barrage. Whoever had cast it wanted him dead. Unfortunately, there were only a handful of people Subaru knew who were capable of casting such spell. In fact, there was only one person Subaru could think of.
“Answer me.”
And that person was now standing before the two knights, radiating anger and disgust, her bloodlust palpable, and her mana bursting out of her body.
"Answer me, in fact" she demanded.
She was furious, like Subaru had never seen her before.
"Answer me. NOW!"
Subaru found himself at a loss for words.
“Why are you interfering with Betty’s contractor, Why is Betty’s Emilia link stole by the likes of you, With Cultist!”
In front of Natsuki Subaru, Beatrice, the great spirit of the forbidden library, asked questions that had no answer to give.
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“Julius…” muttered the girl, her anger evident. “Rem doesn’t know that person whereabouts, and even if Rem knew, she would never let him get near Subaru-kun. Never”
Why is Rem so angry when I mentioned Julius, is there something that I don’t know between them? Is she still mad at him for our mock battle? Wait, she remembers Julius, too?
Subaru realized that Rem was able to remember Julius, just how was she able to do that? Nothing in this situation made sense.
“Then” Subaru said “Who is that person, who’s helping us, Rem?”
“Well… That actually would be me” A voiced resonated near them in the alleyway. It was a voice that Subaru knew well. But it was also a voice Subaru was never expected to hear. Just what is happening now? If nothing made sense before, now everything went nuts.
“What? Just what is happening…”
“Natsuki Subaru, you are looking pretty bad, you know?” The voice continued. “But don’t worry, I’m here to help you, You and I will fix this. I even bring Rem to this nonsense.”
“How, how can this even be possible…”
The voice, now visible through the alleyway, was using a ragged green open jacket with a black shirt, an orange scarf embraced his neck and a black hooded cloak that concealed his face.
“I can give you a simple answer.” He took off his cloak, revealing his face. “Multiverse.”
“Huh, well that explains everything, right?” Subaru deadpanned.