That Person
The Witch's Hand lowered him to a floor composed only of darkness, and he collapsed, unable to stand.
"S-sorry," he croaked as Satella glided over to him. She fell to her knees and put his head in her lap. "I'd love to give you a hug, but I'm not feeling so great."
"Rest, my love," she whispered. "You have been so brave."
He chuckled weakly. "I don't know, Ella." She smiled at the nickname from an age long past. "I was pretty terrified."
She delicately cradled his head in her arms. "Yet you still faced your challenges with your head held high. That's why you're brave."
"You always had too much faith in me," he muttered. They sat in companionable silence as the miasma caressed his soul, gently healing the damage. He leaned into her touch as he mused, "I think this is a new record for deaths in the mansion."
"Don't joke about that," she scolded. "Your life is important. Your life has value. Treat it with care."
He rolled his eyes dismissively. "I know, I know. I promised that I wouldn't treat my life as a commodity anymore, didn't I?"
She frowned at his flippant behavior. "You did," she said forcefully. "Now, 'tis time to act on your promise. You know how to overcome this challenge, so do it."
He winced at the uncomfortable truth. "She has every right to kill me," he said weakly.
They both knew he wasn't talking about his scent.
"'Twas not your fault," she insisted as she gazed sorrowfully at him. He was always making her sad, wasn't he? "You need to forgive yourself."
He laughed mirthlessly; they've had this argument enough times to know it would end in a standstill. Changing the subject, he asked, "What do I do about Elsa? Even if I do everything right in the mansion, she'll just come to kill me, and Invisible Providence won't work against her anymore."
She stroked his hair but said nothing.
He scowled. "Is this one of those, 'you can figure it out yourself' situations? It's not like I can burn down the mansion again," he pointed out. "To beat her, I'd need help from someone like…oh." His face flushed slightly. "That…wasn't actually that hard to figure out."
She gave him a fond smile. "You are smarter than you believe, my love."
"Maybe my old self was," he grumbled, "but I don't know about now."
"You are him. You are strong. You are smart." She leaned in and whispered in his ear. "I believe in you. I love you."
"That's not fair, Ella." His eyes began to water as he murmured, "You're gonna make me fall in love with you all over again."
Somehow, he didn't think she'd mind that.
For a time, they just enjoyed each other's company. They could almost pretend that things were like they used to be.
...But they weren't.
Her hands and voice shook with instability. The shadows caressed her skin, tempting her to fall into her Sin. She was no longer Satella, but a vessel for the Witch of Envy.
Her once warm body, bursting at the seams with life, was now frozen with the cold taste of death.
So, he did what he did best and ran from one problem to face another. "This loop has been tough," he admitted. "I figured the mansion would be pretty easy. I guess I forgot how much Rem hated me the first time around." He laughed bitterly. "If I didn't Return by Death to Emilia's arms every time, I would probably have gone crazy."
Realizing what he said, he winced. "Damn it, I'm sorry Ella."
But Satella was content. "'Tis okay," she said softly. "Emilia is good for you."
"How can you say that so calmly?" he asked incredulously. "We made a promise: 'Til death do us part.'"
"We did. Then…you died."
His breath hitched.
With devotion in her eyes, she told him, "I have known your love. We lived our lives together."
"Those lives were too damn short," he grumbled bitterly and was promptly ignored.
"You have a new life. A new you. A new love. Be with her."
"Damn it, Satella!" he yelled, but she was unfazed. "You're too damn selfless. You give, and you give, and you give until you're a shell of yourself. Why can't you fucking take for once?"
She placed a cold hand on his cheek. "Because I want to see you happy," she said softly. "I want to see you smile. You should love yourself, and love others. You are alive. Make the most of it. Be honest with what you want and follow your heart. Achieve your goals. Be the hero…you are meant to be."
He covered her hand with his. "Why?" he croaked. "Why are you being so nice to me when all of this is my fault?" He sat up; his strength fully returned. "Why aren't you screaming at me, condemning me for my crimes? I did this to you! It's my fault, so why don't you hate me?!"
Her frozen lips pressed themselves to his forehead as she held him close, whispering, "Because I love you."
He gripped her tight, drowning in her love as he reaffirmed his promise to her.
With that, he left the Citadel of Shadows. The memory of their encounter was wiped from his mind.
"I'm so glad you're okay. I was worried about you."
"Emilia…" Subaru whispered into her shoulder. "You got hurt."
He felt her nod. "I was, but Puck helped me before he ran out of mana." She held him tight as gratitude flowed through her. "If it weren't for you, I'd be dead. You saved me, Subaru."
He pulled back and looked into her eyes, feeling oddly at peace. He took her hand and placed it on his side, shivering as her warm, soft fingers felt his still-healing wound. He reached over to her side, where he knew her scar would be.
She looked at him curiously. "What are you…"
"We match," he stated. He hated the scars, he truly did, but right now, nothing could bring him down.
She looked at where he placed her hand. "I suppose we do," she acknowledged softly, "but what does that mean?"
"It means I didn't save you." She began to protest but he cut her off, saying, "We saved each other."
She tilted her head, confused. "But you took down Elsa," she pointed out. Guilt filled her gaze. "You saved me from her blade, twice."
"That's true," he admitted, "but do you really think I could have taken her down without your magic? All I did was surprise her."
"Yes, but—"
"We fought together, as a team. Don't sell yourself short. You are incredible, Emilia," he said earnestly, brushing his thumb over her scar. "You are strong and brave. I want you to realize that."
"I can try," she said at length, "but only if you believe in yourself, too."
"I'm sure I can do that with you by my side." He cupped her cheek, smiling as he felt her warm skin under his palm. "From now on, you won't have to fight alone. I want to stand beside you. I want to help you reach your goals, and I want your help in reaching mine. Let me be your ally, your teammate, your partner. I'm not the strongest, but I have the habit of coming out on top, in the end."
He grinned at her, filled with confidence. "Let me be your strength, Emilia."
She let out a choked laugh. "You're such a dummy, Subaru," she whispered affectionately, leaning into his touch. "You would do all that for someone you just met?"
His eyes glinted mischievously. "When I look at you, Emilia-tan, I feel like I've known you for years."
"'Tan?'" she asked, distracted by the unfamiliar word.
"It's a nickname. Means I like you."
She blushed furiously. "O-oh," she mumbled before her face shifted into a beaming smile. "I'd love to stand by your side, Subaru. I bet that we'll make a great team!"
Upon hearing that, Subaru dropped the serious act and did a victory dance around the room, Emilia laughing all the while.
Not long after, he found himself in the dining hall, being offered the same boon from Roswaal. "As compensation for heeelping Miss Emilia, I will offer you anything you desiiire."
The dining hall was silent, the occupants awaiting Subaru's answer. After about half a minute, Beatrice got fed up.
"Just spit it out, I suppose!" She crossed her arms. "Betty has things to do, in fact."
"Come on, Beako," he groaned. "I was going for a dramatic reveal."
"Dramatic reveals are interesting, I suppose," she deadpanned. "You could never hope to be anything but boring. Hmph!" A moment passed. "Wait a minute, what did you just call me, I wonder?!"
He stood up, ignoring her tirade. To Roswaal, he said, "All right Ros. I have two debts to cash in: one for getting Emilia's insignia, and the other for fighting off some lowlifes in her stead."
Roswaal raised an eyebrow. "My, how iiinteresting! Very weeell then, let's hear your demands."
"All right!" Subaru shot out of his seat and pointed his index finger straight up. "First and foremost, I'm going to help Emilia become queen!'
Emilia cast him a sideways glance. "Um, Subaru?" she began slowly. "That's nice and all, but that's less of a demand and more of another favor."
His confident grin did not waver. "Heh, any chance to look selfless and heroic in front of Emilia-tan is a boon for me."
At Roswaal's side, Rem and Ram whispered not-so-subtly to each other.
"Sister, sister, our guest is shameless in his affection."
"Rem, Rem, Miss Emilia should drop him like a steamed potato."
"Quiet, you two," Subaru barked as Emilia giggled into her hand.
He grimaced as he let the mood become serious. "I'll be honest: this next favor is a big one. I can understand if you don't want to do it—it's not exactly an easy task—but I believe it's in the best interests of everyone here, no, the entire kingdom."
Roswaal raised an eyebrow. "Oooh? Do tell."
This wasn't merely a way to survive this loop: it was something he needed to do anyway. He couldn't achieve his goals without it.
Subaru slapped his palms on the table and declared, "I'm going to take down the Witch's Cult, and I want your help."
Dead silence.
Roswaal regarded him critically. "Subaru Natsuki." His sing-song demeanor was completely absent. "Are you trying to tell us that you plan to take down an organization that has eluded every military force in Lugunica for centuries? It is said their leaders have terrible powers; abilities that are said to rival those of the Witches of old. These people—"
"Look, Ros," Subaru cut off. "We could banter about this all day, but the fact remains that I want them gone. They took everything from me." He clenched his fists, mourning those lost. "They took the ones I love and spat on their corpses. They murdered everyone in my village, and I just about lost my head, too. Don't even know how I'm sane."
Roswaal narrowed his eyes. "Forgive my callous response to such a tale, but how are you standing here today?"
Subaru shrugged, a faraway look in his eyes. Quietly, he said, "Sometimes, I stay up at night and wonder the same thing. Why am I here, and not bleeding out in that freezing hellscape? Why am I not stuck in that damn Tower, wandering with no memories? Honestly, I'm the least likely to have made it out, but here I am." He chuckled ruefully. "If it weren't for the kind words of a dear…friend, I would have run away long ago.
"But I'm here now," he said strongly. "I won't let them hurt any more people. I will continue my fight, and I can't do it alone." He bowed as low as he could. "Please, I ask you with all that I am, help me defeat them!"
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Rem looking at him thoughtfully, with perhaps a hint of admiration. Roswaal, on the other hand, had an unreadable expression. Subaru had no clue what he was thinking, and he didn't like it one bit.
He knew this was a risk. He knew he was asking for too much.
But right here, right now, this was what he wanted with his whole heart.
He needed to save her.
At his side, Emilia tentatively raised her hand. "We promised to help each other achieve our goals, so I'm in." She smiled, her resolve strengthening with every word. "What kind of friend would I be if I backed out now?"
"Wait, really? All right!" Subaru cheered, pumping his fist in the air. "With Emilia-tan on my side, victory is assured!"
She flushed, saying, "I wouldn't go that far, but it's hard not to be inspired when you give speeches like that."
Puck floated out of her hair. "Where Lia goes, I go. Let's see how those Cultists fare against a Great Spirit!"
Subaru grabbed Puck out of the air, spinning him around. "Hell yeah! The Fellowship of the Ring's got nothing on our kick-ass team!"
Beatrice sighed. "While I cannot leave the mansion, I will offer aid, I suppose. But only to make Bubby happy, in fact!"
Subaru let go of Puck and leaped over the table, tackling Beatrice in a crushing hug. "We got a drill loli?! We're unbeatable, I tell ya!"
"Let me down, I suppose!"
Roswaal laughed, his jester-like demeanor returning. "My, my, what a wooonderful display of unity! I most certainly did not foresee this." Subaru froze. Words like that tended to end his runs. "But with a display like thaaat, how could I nooot lend my aid?"
Subaru, who had just been blasted across the room by Beatrice, gaped at Roswaal. "Wait, seriously?"
"Of couuurse! Why wouldn't I?"
"N-no reason! No reason at all!"
Subaru looked to Rem and Ram, who were huddling up and whispering not-so-quietly.
"Sister, sister, it appears our guest has a death wish."
"Rem, Rem, he's dragging us down with him. How terribly inconsiderate."
"Come now, you two," chided Roswaal. "We would love to haaave you join our merry band."
"Yes, Lord Roswaal. I would be happy to assist Subaru in his endeavors."
"Yes, Lord Roswaal. I will do as you say as long as we can use Barusu as bait."
Subaru flinched. "Was that last part really necessary?!"
Emilia clapped her hands together. "I know this is supposed to be a serious matter, but I can't help feeling excited. What's our first step?"
The room quieted. Subaru, who had been trying—and failing—to catch Beatrice in a hug, scratched his cheek. "I'll admit, I haven't thought that far ahead. I kinda thought I'd be assassinated on the spot."
Roswaal eyed him critically. "Now, why wooould that happen?"
"N-no reason! No reason at all, Ros! Heh, heh…"
Emilia crossed her arms with a huff. "Very well, then," she said disappointedly. "Lord Roswaal, what do you recommend?"
"Hmm." The Margrave steepled his fingers in front of his face. "I suppooose we need to decide on a name for our merry band."
"Shadow Guild," Subaru suggested.
"No."
"Come on!" Subaru whined. "Battle Party?
Nervously, Emilia muttered, "Um, I'm not sure that's a good fit."
"All right, all right," he said, stroking his chin in thought. "How about the Fellowship of the Witch?"
Ram glared at him. "That would be extremely counterproductive, Barusu."
"…Subaru and Friends?"
Roswaal hid a chuckle behind his hand. "Absoluuutely not."
Puck chimed in, "Instead of a separate effort, why don't we just make this part of the Emilia Camp? We want to put her on the throne, and taking down the Witch's Cult will definitely increase her popularity."
"I have no proooblem with that. All in agreement?"
The occupants of the room nodded, although Subaru grumbled about how his names were way cooler.
"Now that thaaat's settled, we just have one last thing before we maaake some plans." Roswaal snapped his fingers and Ram slid to his side. "Ram, dear, please outfit Subaru with regalia."
She bowed deeply. "Yes, Lord Roswaal. Come, Barusu. You will look ridiculous, but I will not disobey a direct order from Lord Roswaal."
Subaru was completely lost. "Wait, hold on a sec. Regalia?" he asked. "Like, a uniform? Why the hell am I getting that?"
Roswaal looked at Subaru strangely. "Of cooourse. You don't expect to be knighted in those strange clothes, do you?"
His jaw dropped. That wasn't supposed to happen for, like, three months. "A knight?" he stammered. "But why? I just got here!"
"Not only did you save Miss Emilia from a deadly assassin, but you're declaaaring war on the Witch's Cult. Did you reeeally think I'd make you something like a butler?"
'I mean, yeah, kinda.'
"You will act as Miss Emilia's peeersonal knight," Roswaal ordered. "Unleeess, of course, either of you have any objections?"
Emilia beamed. "I quite like this arrangement. In fact, I was going to recommend it myself." Turning to Subaru, she asked, "Are you okay with it?"
"Of course, I am!" he declared, desperate to save face. "I said I'd always stand by your side, and I never break my promises."
Puck flew in front of Subaru's face, baring his fangs. "Sounds like you're trying to get awfully close to my daughter," he said dangerously. "Is there something I should know, Subaru?"
Subaru, being the idiot that he was, grinned. "Yup. You should know that Emilia-tan is absolutely gorgeous!"
Looking back on it, that was a really easy way to get knocked out by a Great Spirit.
That night, he lounged back in a chair, lazily calling out, "Hey, Beako?"
"What," she deadpanned.
"Know any spells to make a uniform less stuffy?"
Grouchily, she told him, "If I did, I wouldn't tell you, I suppose."
It was late at night, and Subaru was researching in the Forbidden Library. The Emilia Camp had tried to plan their first moves against the Witch's Cult, but they quickly hit a roadblock.
They had absolutely no idea where any of the Cultists were hidden.
Sure, they had a vague idea of where some of them might be, but accessing them was an entirely separate issue.
After all that hullabaloo, they couldn't take any immediate action. Go figure. But hey, at least he was Emilia's knight earlier than expected. Even better, they were way closer than they were during his first time at the mansion. It wasn't as close as they once were, but it was more than he could have hoped for.
To absolutely no one's surprise, when faced with the option of thinking about his mission or cute girls, Subaru ended up choosing the latter.
"Hey, Beako?" Subaru called out. At her silence, he tried again. "Hello? Can you hear me?"
She scrunched her fingers around her book and scathingly retorted, "Yes, I can hear you, I suppose!"
"Great, thanks."
A pause. "Did you need anything from me, I wonder?"
"Nah, just felt like talking," he said dismissively.
"Betty has no interest in talking with you," she said drily.
"Aw, c'mon Beako!" he teased. "A cute girl like you shouldn't be so cruel."
"Save your flirting for the brat, I suppose," she snapped.
"EMT is not a brat!" he whined. "And I'm not flirting with you. Tsundere lolis aren't my thing."
"Those words don't even mean anything!" she shouted as she stomped her feet.
He laughed and leaned back in his chair. It was seriously comfy. It looked like wood and it felt like wood, but he was far more relaxed than if he were sitting in a normal, wooden chair.
"Must be some of Echidna's magic," he muttered.
Beatrice sat ramrod straight but didn't turn around. "What did you just say?"
"Huh? I dunno, just mumbling to myself."
He blinked and found himself in front of Beatrice. He smirked. "You know, if you wanted to see me—"
"Quiet, I suppose," she growled. "I need you to answer my questions."
"I can't answer your questions if I'm quiet," he whined. "That's just unfair, Beako."
"Now is not the time for jokes, I suppose!" she yelled. "How do you know Mother?"
He blinked in confusion. Then, a shadow crossed over his face as he realized something.
Beatrice was still alone.
He smiled sadly. "Echidna was really cruel to you, wasn't she?"
"That's not true!" she cried. Her magic lifted him into the air, and he knew he was helpless before her. "Mother was always kind to Betty, in fact!"
"Then why are you still waiting for 'That Person?'" He felt an intense pressure on his chest but continued relentlessly. "I've met her, you know. She talked about you. She told me that 'That Person' doesn't exist."
She clenched her fists, but her denials became weaker. "Y-you're lying, I suppose!"
His eyes softened. "She messed with your emotions to see how you'd react. She wanted to see if you'd choose someone despite her knowing that no one was coming. She did it all in the pursuit of knowledge, even though she knew it would hurt you."
"S-stop it," she whimpered, her hold on him slipping.
"I understand what you're going through," he soothed. "Echidna hurt me, too, along with people I care about. Love her or hate her, you need to accept that it's in her nature to manipulate and hurt others for the sake of knowledge. She's said it herself: her greed is uncontrollable and insatiable."
She dropped him unceremoniously to the floor, glaring at him as he steadied himself. Shakily, she ground out, "I've waited for four hundred years, and you have the gall to tell me that it was all pointless, I suppose?"
He wrapped her in a tight hug, ignoring her pitiful attempts at resistance. "It wasn't pointless," he soothed. "I'm here now. I can't be 'That Person' in the sense you expected, but I can take care of the library, and…I can take care of you, too."
Her breath hitched. "Take care of Betty," she murmured as if she had never thought that was an option.
"I want to form a contract with you, Beatrice. I want to take care of you and free you from this place. I want to be 'Your Person.'" He gently squeezed her arms and pulled back. "I know this is a lot of information, so I'll give you some time to think about it."
She nodded, not able to muster up the energy for a retort. He wouldn't press her.
"If you need me, you know where to find me. I'll see you later…Beatrice."