He fell, he fell so far and for so long, what he couldn't understand was why he was falling, why his wife clung so desperately too him, or why he was about to be devoured by the dragon of evil beforehand. Ultimately, Subaru lost, the sword demon stood alive, his kin kept their breath, and Melinda, oh poor, so foolish Melinda, who clung to his embrace as she displayed her final act of unyielding, pure, love. Subaru scoffed, he valued the women, for all her devotion and loyalty, but he'd never sacrifice himself for her, better yet, her sacrifice meant nothing, and he sighed, as this the situation had become utterly idiotic.
But this was it, deaths foresight, fates final embrace, who was he, Subaru, who had fought back against this word his entire life to finally fight against fate, it meant nothing to him at this point, all his suffering, all his struggles and triumphs, the good and the bad, the valor and the wicked, none of it mattered as he would die. He looked around too, it wasn't a remarkable death, one that came with great sacrifice on his part, no, Subaru was to be defeated because he was a villain in this story, one set to make others become the best possible version of themselves, and Afterall, who could blame them for overcoming Subaru, he was a rogue who caused suffering onto others, best be dead at the end. But who could understand Subaru? The mother that cursed him with his wicked disease since birth and left? Kurgan who devoted himself to Subaru and raised the boy as if he were his own? Or even perhaps Wilhelm, his greatest enemy, a man that proved himself over and over? None mattered. He'd be dragons' meat in not many seconds. That was all so very frustrating, the raven-youth didn't necessarily want to die, he had plans, ambitions even, so why? Why die at this moment? Was this fates play or his own? Who decided he'd die? Was there a greater story at play or did all come natural in a dreadful unorganized mess that was the od lagna? Death, death, death. That was what he got, he could struggle no more, but even so, as he was going to die, he wanted to do more, he wanted to be more, he wanted to last on and create a legacy remembered by all, so he sighed his final sigh, and grunted his final frustration, and he thought, ironically in his last moment of life, he thought of Wilhelm Trias, the 'sword demon', and Subaru, the proclaimed archbishop of Pride laughed, "Are you the hero?" and as time resumed, and fate played itself once more, Subaru had died.
Breath, a gasp deep, his heart racing, a slight pound in his head, and then, Ferris,
"Subaru?"
"Ferris?"
"You're alive!?" Ferris quickly moved towards Subaru, his demi-human eyes moving everywhere on anything that was the raven-haired enigma of Natsuki Subaru.
"I am, I guess…" Subaru replied in a hushed tone.
"But- how, did you? Did you cheat death? All I did was heal you, I thought you were dead on spot, we tried so many times, why, why only now?!" and the demi human was at a loss, attempting to part together all his knowledge as a healer, but to no avail, Natsuki Subaru proved once more, he in fact, was a singularity in this world.
"I guess I have a habit of cheating death" Subaru coughed, chuckling slightly as he raised himself, it hurt, his body hurt, he was sore, his blood felt cold, the headache grew, and his eyes tensed and squeezed, the nasty eyed boy had no idea where he had been, his ears only coming to full capacity once the raven youth sat up right.
"I knew it" a voice coughed, but sounded dire, in pain and struggling to keep focus, Julius Juulikus, the Knight of Knights called out to Subaru.
"Julius.. you're…"
"Alive, but what doesn't surprise me is you, Natsuki Subaru", it was only now, when Julius said his name did Subaru begin to remember everything, the Whale, Petelgeuse, Ley and Regulus, Pandora, and…
"Where's Roswall?!" Subaru raised his voice angrily
"Oh, the clown? Yeah, he's alive, but just barely, thowse maid of his are trying realllly harwrd to keep him alive" Ferris commented with a disappointed tone, suggesting that the half-cat healer knew of the magi's attempt on not just Subaru's life, but Julius' as well.
"And then were-" Subaru gawked around, they were in a carriage, a dragon carriage be that, and at top speed, without a driver known to Subaru, just Ferris and Julius glared to the raven youth, "Damn that guy" Subaru muttered under his breath.
"It's not known" ,
"What?" Subaru looked to the purple haired knight quickly,
"What I'm saying is that, besides Ferris, no other person knows the court mage attacked us"
"Wait?!" Subaru raised slightly, a sharp pain shooting up his spine, he quickly shuffled backwards and shook his head, "Why? He's a criminal that tried to murder me?!"
Julius sighed, "I didn't peak the right amount of consciousness till Ferris here healed me, you see… I…" Julius trailed, he couldn't bring himself to speak, he grew a slightly flustered expression and continuously looked downward.
Ferris sighed, and then shook his head, "What this idiot's trying to say Subaru is that he rushed over to heal you before he told anyone, some real self-righteous idiot, rushing to save others before himself!"
"Ferris, I-" Julius shook his head, his face in a pure beat red, "No that's not what I was intending to do!"
"You can say that but I'll nevew bewive you~", The blue laughed, and the spirit knight could only look down leftwards in shame, an embarrassing look once more.
Subaru began to smile, it was a warming scene, and the fact that Julius, the knight of knights of all people, a person who Subaru hadn't gotten along with, came to the raven youths aid, saving his life, this proved to Subaru that the world was good, even if others didn't particularly plan on showing it, just like with Rem, others could be changed and saved.
"So then" Subaru clasped his hands together, "I'm not going to ask for the specifics of anything else, I just need to know… What happens when we get to the capital?"
"You're unstable" Ferris glared at Subaru.
"What?" the nasty eyed boy replied, a confused tone.
"What happens doesn't matter right now, you need rest" Ferris repeated a solemn tone,
"But- I-"
Ferris shook his head, his cat ears slightly crutching down, "I personally will oversee your recovery, after everything, you're an idiot Subaru"
"Ferris…" Subaru looked sheepishly downward,
"But you're a hero" and the healer smiled, Subaru clutched his hand on his leg at those words and held back a tear, ever since coming to this world, that's all he wanted, to be called a hero, to be treated a hero, he sighed in a relieved tone and looked back to a smiling Ferris.
"Nyow, get some rest, We'll be in the capital in no twime"
It was the warm rays of a setting sun that awoke Natsuki Subaru, lightly and gently across his face, the raven youth slowly began open in his eyes. He was calm, his posture was relaxed, and he laid on a bed, a comfortable, soft bed, with pillows to support his weary head, Subaru rose slightly and began to look around, "I don't know this roof."
"I wouldn't expect you too"
To the left of Subaru, an old man, a long beard in white, and a wise gaze. The man had the slender form that would come with age but said form suggested he was well sophisticated. He had a warm aura and gave off a heartfelt smile.
"You are?" Subaru recalled seeing this man before,
"Milkotov McMahon, Prime Minister of Lugnica and speaking head of the Sage council" the man announced, a smile aided his warm tone.
"…" Subaru shook his head downwards and developed a smile, "You're the geezer from before, aren't you?"
"If you're speaking about the selection ceremony, you'd be correct Natsuki Subaru" Miklotov replied,
Subaru sighed once more, then he laughed, "Ah, really made myself look like an idiot back then, sorry about that" the Japanese teen raised his right arm to the back of his head and rubbed his raven hair, an awkward expression on his face.
Miklotov shook his head, "We understood your reason to anger Natsuki Subaru, but such things are in the past, it'd be wiser if we were to move forward"
Subaru nodded, "Right"
A pause in the atmosphere,
"So where am I?" Subaru inquired as he sat along his current white laced bed,
"The capital, but to be more specific, the Astrea residence"
"The Astrea residence, as in Reinhard's?" the nasty eyed boy raised an eye as he began to look around,
"That is correct, this manor is one of the many houses in which the Astrea family owns and is the sword saint's personal residence currently"
"So then Reinhard must be around" Subaru began to smile, but then frowned, as he remembered his last interaction with the fiery Saint, and the fending off of his kind armed gesture.
"I'm afraid that is wrong" Miklotov spoke, and Subaru's eyes widened, "The Sword Saint is not here right now, he is in Flanders"
"So it was Wilhelm then, who took me here?"
"No" Milkotov kept up,
"Then uh... Why am I here?"
Miklotov paused before he continued, the man in age looked behind before back towards Subaru, "It was Heinkel Astrea, the Deputy Commander of the knights of Lugnica that offered his residence to house yourself"
"Heinkel Astrea…" the otherworldly boy trailed off, "He's…."
Miklotov rose a brow, "The son of the previous Sword Saint and father to the current?"
"Right" Subaru clasped his hands together with a stupid smile, "Rein's dad, I knew that"
Miklotov raised a brow before shaking his head,
"So then, why the Astrea manor, beside it being offered and everything, couldn't I have gone to the Karsten domain, or even back with Julius?"
Miklotov raised his hand to cusp his chin, "Both Ms. Karsten and Ms. Hoshin were quite persistent on getting you to their respective territories, but it was by the wishes of your lord that you be housed on neutral grounds"
"My Lord?" Subaru's eyes widened as the grip he held on to his bed sheets tightened,
Miklotov raised an eye, "Yes, Lord Roswall Matthers, your current employer?"
"The bastard lives!" Subaru waved his arms upwards, "How many times do I have to say I'm not under the clowns tyranny anymore?!"
Miklotov kept a curious gaze, "You've left the Matthers, Natsuki Subaru?"
"I have" Subaru calmed and looked to the Prime Minister with a sturdy gaze, keeping himself in check and prodding off a newfound confidence.
"And for your support of the Emilia faction?" Miklotov kept up,
"I withdrawal", replied a seriously toned Subaru.
Miklotov caressed his beard and sighed, "I see, then Natsuki Subaru, we have many things to discuss, but I will make it as brief as possible"
He was rich apparently,
He was hailed as a hero now,
He was a highly requested official amongst the nobles of Lugnica,
He'd earned the favor of many,
And finally… He was to attend court with little to no representation.
"You're kidding, I don't even get a lawyer?!" Subaru raised in disbelief
Miklotov sighed, "Your case is simple and easy, answer truthfully and if you are what you claim, you shall face no complications"
"That's-" Subaru paused, "Rigged?"
"Rigged?" Miklotov tilted his head,
"Ah forget it, it's a form of speech from my home country" waving his hand off the raven-haired youth grew a slight frown but proceeded to shake his head.
"Your home country…" Miklotov went silent before he continued, "Natsuki Subaru, you wouldn't happen to be from Kararagi?"
"No" Subaru replied blankly.
To his surprise Miklotov kept a studious gaze while continuously caressing his under chin, "Then just where do you come from?"
Subaru… smiled, "If I tell you, you have to keep it a secret"
"A secret?" the man in his twilight years broadened his gaze and raised his posture,
"Yeah, it's the type of secret where if the wrong people find out, I might be in big trouble" The nasty eyed boy replied in a prideful tone, a confident expression.
"I understand, do tell then"
"I, Natsuki Subaru, come from a land far beyond the great cascade"
Miklotov froze, "Is that right?"
"Yep" Subaru put his arms together, "Pretty incredible for the people here, but back were I come from it's almost a common trope for the youth to wonder off into other lands full of magic and beasts"
"Subaru, you're..."
Subaru smiled, "Just know I'm not the only one, you'd be surprised to learn that there was even another man with the same heritage as me at the selection ceremony"
"There was… but who?" Miklotov, who was beginning to act irrational, a mood he hadn't had in such a long time, practically sparking at Subaru's statement, the gears in his aged head began to turn, and he gave off a studious yet semi shocked expression as he observed the nasty eyed raven youth at the Sageman's front.
"I can't tell you, don't want to throw my bro under the bus ya know? Or I guess by Lugunican terms, under the carriage"
"Subaru…" Miklotov could only stare to the otherworldly boy in utter and complete fascination, Afterall, anyone with an intellect and respect for knowledge would be utterly taken aback by this raven boy.
"Alright enough!" a voice, a brash voice that came from the doorway entered the room, its speaker, imposing. He had rough short red hair, a stubble beard, piercing blue eyes, and skin akin to Reinhard's. He wore a brown shoulder pads and cloak, and wore somewhat harsh clothing, Natsuki Subaru could only conclude this to be the host of the mansion, Heinkel Astea.
"Heinkel?" Miklotov turned around
Right on the target, Subaru mused to himself.
"Yeah yeah, you've had your time with him old man" Heinkel spoke bitterly, a crude tone in his voice
"But did you not just hear what Natsuki Subaru was saying?" Miklotov spoke up, getting off his chair and raising is slender form to face Heinkel who stood, arms crossed.
"I did, and that's why I gotta talk to the kid", the Deputy Commander kept a displeased tone, one that suggested he wasn't to fond of the councilmen before him.
"Then you can hear him as of now"
"No, it's a matter of my household, I need to talk to him alone", Heinkel sighed rashly, "I know you're the damn Prime Minister, but this is nonetheless, my property, don't make me kick you out"
"Kick me out?!" the Sagemen grew an offended tone, "Just remember who you are Deputy Commander"
The angry looking Astrea snorted, "I know perfectly who I am, now scram"
"You-" Miklotov threw his arms to his sides, "Just know, such audacity will not be rewarded"
The Father of the sword saint smiled crookedly, "Oh, I know just all about karma"
Miklotov began to walk backwards slightly, only to turn and head to the rooms exit, he gave one last look to Natsuki Subaru before shaking his head and leaving.
"…"
A pause
"So," the Deputy Commander would be the one to start the conversation, "You're a friend of my sons?"
"Ye-yeah, I have good relations with him I'd say", the raven youth scratched the side of his cheek, looking down and then back to stare Heinkel in the eyes.
"So then what you said is true, you kid, are from another world?" the man seemingly spoke in an amazed tone, looking to Subaru somberly.
"Yeah, but it's nothing really that wild, at least by this world's standards, everything's so much more, laid back?"
"Right" Heinkel moved to the side of the room, backwards towards his right, a closet right beside the entrance and then opening it, from the closet, Heinkel pulled out a black cloak, and then moved back to Subaru, "I'm going to talk to you about a few things, but before that, we need to go somewhere"
"We?" Subaru raised a brow, confused by the commander's sudden lead in the conversation,
"Well you're all patched up now, made sure that cat would so his job, but I need something, and I think Natsuki Subaru, you might be the man to help me"
The nasty eyes of Natsuki Subaru widened, "You need something from me?"
"Yeah", Heinkel sighed, "You're from beyond the cascade, not only have you done some pretty damn amazing things, but you probably have the knowledge that's beyond ours in compare, honestly, I'm not one to start asking questions, but I need to know just one thing from you, Natsuki Subaru"
Subaru looked to the man, who now had a softer and more relaxed tone, Subaru knew, as anyone would, that Heinkel Astrea was going to ask the raven youth for a large favor, it was in human nature Afterall, to submit yourself when begging, when needing, to open and put on a slightly weak façade.
"Natsuki Subaru, can you save my wife?"
Somber words hit the raven youth, who nodded and smiled, "Sure"
At the mansion of the Karsten domain, a lone Valkyrie stood utterly perplexed.
The sun was setting on Crusch Karsten, from the balcony of her homestead. Gazing to the clouds, the young Valkyrie had too many questions, about the whale, about the witch cult and why they choose to attack, and specifically, the source of all her confusion and fatigue, Natsuki Subaru. An enigma, a singularity, a paradox ridden with riddles and intertwining half lies and truths, a boy who spoke in fools' tongue just a night before, but come a new morning, the nasty eyed boy had all the confidence of a king. "This boy", Crusch hushed out as she gazed to the setting sun, "Who are you Natsuki Subaru, where did you come from?", was he a liar, did he lie before at the selection ceremony, to the Duchess and her camp, to all camps in general? If so, why? Why hide your power Subaru? Was it perhaps a test? A strategy of some sorts? And now that you've revealed this power, what do you plan on doing? Will you still serve the half-elf? Just what Natsuki Subaru, just what is your destiny?
Then what, what happened, the duchess recalled: The merchant boy and she ran, they ran back to the tree, right after the Matthers arrived, the duo in green heard fire and water, wind and earth, and the situation was dire. Once regrouped with her camp and that of Hoshins, they set off towards the battlefield, but they didn't meet the witch cult, no, they met the knight of knights, struggling to stay alive, while he healed Natsuki Subaru off all people, going as far as to sacrifice what little mana he had left, and the Matthers? He too barely clung onto life, only for his maids to carry the jester like lord away. As for the cult of the witch? Only one remained, and he was dying, he lived, but he had almost died, and now, the Sin Archbishop of Gluttony faces a prison, far to the south of the Capital. Crusch sighed, but wasn't that it, didn't Natsuki Subaru die? Didn't Natsuki Subaru die while Ferris attempted to heal him, onwards to the capital, so why, why did Natsuki Subaru come back, Crusch knew Ferris was a talented healer, the best in Lugnica, so then why? Why, when Ferris pronounced Natsuki Subaru to be dead, why did he come back? This boy- no this man, nothing made sense, none of it, as stated, Natsuki Subaru was an enigma, an enigma that had to be unfolded, an enigma that she had to learn about, that boy hid dark secrets, and Crusch Karsten wouldn't rest till she could uncover all that made Natsuki Subaru a singularity.
In the Streets of Flanders, a Kings candidate and her Knight were frantic.
"Big bro did what?!" shouted an utterly surprised Felt as the Sword Saint relayed the news, that indeed, Natsuki Subaru had slain the White Whale, "I don't believe it!"
Reinhard, equally as confused kept his eyes wide and his tone surprised, "It's not a lie, indeed, Subaru has killed the whale"
"That can't be right, there's no way Rein, I mean, I know big bros the type of guy to do something stupid, but there's no way he pulled that off?"
Reinhard could only shake his head, "The wind didn't blow, Subaru killed the whale, in… one punch might I add"
Felts jaw dropped, "How then, no who, when- ughhh!" Felt put her petit hands to her head, she shook said head violently, then looking back to Reinhard, now shifting to raise her right arm fully towards her saintly knight, "That's it then Rein, where going to go see big bro this instant!"
Reinhard nodded his head whit a slight smile, "Then we shall be off"
In the domain of Barielle, it's Matriarch scoffed.
"So the cur could finally act upon himself" Priscilla Barielle, the Matriarch to the house of Barielle, as suggested by her name, sat upon a throne like chair as she took in the results of the whale subjugation.
"Don't know how bro pulled it, but I heard it was one hell of a show", Al, the knight of the Matriarch, relayed as he pumped up his fists in awe of his earthly brother.
"Hmph" the Vollachian princess kept a stuck-up look, "It will only be so long until that mess of a boy comes to serve me Aldebaran, remember that"
"Yeah yeah, whatever you say princess", the Matriarch's knight replied in a sarcastic tone, as his mood was spoiled.
Priscilla raised her eyes disgustingly, "Was that a hint of disrespect I heard from you, dog?"
Al shook his head embarrassingly, "It's nothing"
"Right", the bratty women of status calmed a bit, and relaxed, "Al, tell me all that you know of Natsuki Subaru"
The man with one arm raised his eyes from behind his helmet, "You want me to tell you everything princess?"
"Everything", the fiery women replied in a stern tone
"Y-yeah of course", Al shook his head, and began to recall the 'conversations' the former gladiator had with his nasty-eyed brother, all which happened to fast.
Finally, sat alone a mauve haired merchant.
Anastasia shook her head, and then sighed, Julius had to heal, he was beaten, badly, "The witch cult really did that huh?" the merchant queen spoke to herself. Anastasia sat on a short coach as she look ed out towards the setting sun, she sighed once more and then turned around to observe the entrance to the neatly decorated room she'd been calling her home, at least for now.
"Natsuki Subaru", that was right, a boy who defied his fate and fought on his own.
The young merchant, to wither it was her lost disarray, or ambitions based in greed, couldn't help but fascinate over the nasty eyed boy, in fact, being the type to strive no matter what, she had begun to admire the boy.
"You fought hard didn'tcha" and indeed, from her reports, Natsuki Subaru had fought, he fought the whale and the witch cult, when all denied him, the camps that casted the nasty-eyed boy away, and told him to grow up. Anastasia herself, who was suitable to a negative reputation at the point had also partaken in the use of that boy, and that was right, two of the three camps Natsuki Subaru went to had used him, to their advantage and without further consideration, he was 'an easy and stupid pray' right? So, it was only natural for the black-haired boy to fight back, to prove himself when no one else believed in him. Subaru sought to defy his fate, and so he did.
The merchant queen sighed once more, then smiling, alone, with her emerald like eyes she made a vow none else would hear, "Natsuki Subaru, I'm gonna learn everythin' about cha, and then I'm gonna take ya fer myself", Afterall, the amethyst girl would be an idiot to let such a valuable resource go, and in knowing he was still a supposed idiot, one that only sought power because he was weak, she'd use him, of course, to the boys benefit slightly, as he would rain in a great name under her camp.