Chapter Text
Subaru stepped back from the altar, gazing at the three lavender scented candles he had set up. The altar was set up and all that was left was to conduct the ritual. He couldn't help but take a shaky breath, because this ritual was targeted at a hidden existence.
For weeks Subaru has been having strange dreams. Of course, to a monster who excels in revelations, strange dreams are normal and expected; however, what made these dreams so nerve racking was that they depicted a three-line honorific name, not belonging to one of the orthodox gods.
Even the most novice mysticism enthusiasts know earning the attention of a hidden existence was paramount to death, much less Subaru who had studied the field of mysticism for years. He had immediately thought of ways to save himself. Paying for an exorcism at a beyonder gathering, researching the entity the honorific name belonged to, and seeking guidance through divination; however, the dreams persisted after the exorcism, he couldn't find any entity that resembled the one haunting him, and strangely all of Subaru's divinations claimed he wasn't in any danger whatsoever.
As a mysticism enthusiast and beyonder who specializes in revelations, divination is Subaru's strongest skill. So, when all his attempts revealed that he wasn't in danger and in fact should pray to the hidden existence, he decided to give in and hold the ritual.
Of course, Subaru wasn't blindly listening to his divinations either. Following the dreams was simply the safest thing to do. If his divinations were being misled and the entity was nefarious, then it has already shown the ability to manipulate his divinations and dreams repeatedly. It is highly probable that the entity could kill also kill Subaru instantly without any effort if it so chooses. Subaru was alive because the entity wanted him alive, which meant it was best to comply with it and do what it wants.
The other reason Subaru dared to attempt the ritual was because of the Fool, one of the orthodox gods. As a mysticism enthusiast Subaru knew that a few years before the Fool was recognized as an orthodox deity, 'His' honorific name was passed around in beyonder circles and was referred to as an evil god. The fact 'He' now possesses an official church proves that not all hidden existences are malicious. Instead of being haunted by an evil god, this might actually be his fortuitous encounter!
Taking a deep breath and entering cogitation to calm himself, Subaru used him spirituality to ignite the three candles, before lowering his head, eyes closed, and praying in Ancient Hermes.
"You are the shadow who eclipsed the world."
"You are the immortal maiden of eternal beauty."
"You are the witch who embodies love and envy."
"I pray for you to notice."
"I pray for your attention."
"I pray for your loving favor."
Subaru waited with his head bowed for some reaction or response, yet he felt nothing.
Did I do it wrong? But that was the ritual the dream depicted...
Raising his head, Subaru attempted to open his eyes to inspect the altar for any changes; however, as soon as his eyes cracked open his eyes were blinded by a bright light.
"What the...", blinking a few times to adjust to the brightness, he took in the view in front of him.
He was in the middle of a busy street filled with medieval architecture, people walking along with bright hair and... animal features?
Subaru wondered if he had been dragged into some kind of dream, yet his intuition told him this was very real.
Tumbling a coin across his fingers, Subaru flicked it into the air, before catching it in his palm and looking at the result.
"Where the hell am I?"