Work Text:
Arc I
“The spirit daughter”
As the day was bright and the birds flew overhead, Subaru was walking down the road heading towards Priestella, concealing himself by wearing a hood and a mask. He wasn't in his usual outfit as he wore a simple traveling outfit he got a while back.
“Just got to make it to priestella, then I can get to kararagi and start over” the boy murmured to himself. As he continued to walk along the road he heard a carriage in the distance as he briefly stopped and looked back.
‘hmm maybe I can ask for a ride, priestella is only a few hours away and I do need a break’ just then a small whitish blue orb flew next to his head glowing bright as little sparks illuminated around her. “Xami I appreciate that you're being wary, but it's okay, we haven't been in trouble for a while and I'm just gonna ask for a ride.” The spirit’s spark then calmed down as she did a little spin around Subaru’s head before vanishing.
Soon after the carriage was near as Subaru waved a hello from his hand as the carriage stopped. “Hey there stranger, need anything?” The driver asked as Subaru took off his hood, but now his mask. “I just need a ride to priestella, I've been on foot for months.”
“well sure thing but, its gamma cost ya” taking out a small pouch, Subaru took some coins out. “Will this be enough?”
“Yeah that should do it, pleasure doing business with your…uh” Subaru got in the back and sat down. “Names Atlas” Subaru replied as the driver nodded and took off, with Subaru closing his eyes for some sleep.
……….
“Please! You have to believe me! I'm not an archbishop!!” Subaru pleaded as he was chained in a dungeon cell whilst dark silhouettes stood just outside. One for them then began to walk inside the cell, slowly bringing it's arms out to touch Subaru.
“No no no no no no no!!!” Crawling further to the wall, Subaru had fear in his eyes as they locked onto the dark arm. “Please no! I'm innocent! I'm Emilia's knight, I'm telling the tru-!!”.
Subaru then felt a touch in his shoulders as he quickly awoke hyperventilating as he jumped back in fear and panic. “Woah! Easy there Atlas, I just woke you up to let you know we're in priestella”.
“W-were in priestella?” Subaru finally calmed down as Xami manifested and rubbed herself on his cheek. “Thanks Xami.” Subaru gave a small smile to the spirit as she glowed brighter.
“Huh, I've never seen that type of spirit before?” The driver took a closer look at the spirit as Xami began to spark as she flew to put herself in front of Subaru. “It's okay Xami, he didn't do anything…….. it was just another nightmare”.
“That spirit you got there…… it doesn't look like any other spirits I've seen, and its element is also one I've never seen, how'd you get it?” Asked the puzzled man as Xami flew to be next to Subaru. “Well she came to me during a difficult time in my life and helped me, and I also don't really know how she came to be either, all I know is she's my lovable spirit!” Subaru exclaimed, smiling behind his mask as Xami glowed bright and began to spark as she flew all around him.
“Well that's nice to have a lovable bond with your spirits” Subaru’s smile slightly faltered at what the man had said as images of a small blonde spirit flashed to his mind before letting out an exhale. His eyes behind the mask dropped to that of reminiscing old times while also carrying some heartbreak.
“Well……I guess this is where part, thank you for the ride” Getting off the carriage Subaru nodded a thanks to the man and waved off as he began to walk through the city. ‘So this is Priestella huh? It's very nice, reminds me of that one city in Europe, Venice they called it?’.
After a few hours of walking through the city, taking in the views, architecture, and food, he booked himself into an inn as he went to his room and laid down on his bed as Xami appeared and sat on top of his forehead. “We've got a busy day tomorrow, we need a way to get more money, not to mention resources for our trip. But once we get to kararagi and find a place to stay, I can finally start over, and have a new life with you” the spirit then glowed bright as Subaru began to fall asleep.
……….
“Come here my little Beako!” Subaru said, grabbing Beatrice and Held her close. “Stop treating Betty like a child! In fact!” She playfully pouted. After a while of Bonding, Subaru left Beatrice with the rest of the camp for the night as he headed outside for some fresh air. “This day has been amazing! Getting Emilia-tan to blush, me and Beako making more memories together, and Ram not berating me as much-” just as he said that a loud boom sound came from the inside mansion, quickly turning his face back to mansion, he had wondered what was that about and if it's a possible attack.
Rushing back inside and running through the halls he eventually found what the boom came from as taking a look, he saw a small part of the mansion had been blown up. As 8 witch cultist had entered inside, with their weapons ready.
‘No no no! This is bad, I need to find the others! Who knows how many cultist are here!’ Just as he finishes his thoughts another figure enters. “I do hope that this place has some good food, I heard plenty of potential good meals are here~”
‘is…..is that gluttony? It definitely is! That's the same bastard who ate Rem’s name and memories!!’
Subaru then woke up in a cold sweat as Xami quickly flew up and laid herself on his neck. “Thanks again Xami…….. you’re a great spirit, I don't think I ever deserved you, I'm just a usele-” Subaru then got a slight shock in his neck as he reflectively placed a hand on the place he got shocked. Xami then glowed bright and began to spark as she was in front of Subaru’s face only a few steps away. “Hehe sorry, Xami this is like the 6th time this month huh” Subaru said as the spirit’s spark stopped as she did a spin around his head.
End of Prologue