Chapter Text
Subaru paused to mull over the information Ram had shared with him, taking his time to make sure he fully understood, and definitely not to catch his breath from traversing the uneven ground of the forest.
C’mon Subaru, who’s ever heard of a hero unable to even make it to the boss battle?
“Is that so? Okay I think I understand.”
Breathing out slowly, his eyes closed as he mentally tallied his current equipment and party member.
A +1 sharpness sword, a heavily nerfed demon girl, and thanks to his social link, a bocco fruit that could restore his MP at what was sure to be the most critical moment.
…Well it could be worse.
Of course he hadn’t completely recovered from his battle last night, and with this whole forest around them, and the large number of Mabeasts within, it was unlikely they were going to stumble across Rem easily.
Then again…
“And I’ve got an idea now, so don’t worry, we’ll bring back Rem safe.”
If my idea’s right, they’re sure to come, they’ll be drawn here by my attempt to tell her about Return by Death.
“Listen Ram the thing is I can Return by Death and that…” He blinked, furrowing his brows. “t-that means… I-I…” He tried to swallow but his mouth was dry. “I… I can… Return by Death…”
His hand shot up to his mouth, tightly squeezing it shut, his eyes widening in complete panic. He had definitely said it. He had said it twice. He- He had-
Where was the pain? The overwhelming feeling of terror? The hand, where was the hand, why wasn’t it here yet, why hadn’t it grabbed his heart, when was it coming, from where was it coming fromwherefromwherewherewasithewasreadysowhere-
Oh there was the pain. Finally.
But compared to before-
He looked down, whycouldhemoveheshouldnotbeabletomove- to the hand clutching his chest. To his hand. That was… It was his hand.
No shadows.
He-
He could- He could say-
“Return… by… Death…” He whimpered, his hand falling from his mouth.
“What are you rambling about Barusu?” Ram said from above him, her voice frantic, “The wind and the animals, and this overwhelming smell of beasts too! What did you do?!”
Above him? Raising his eyes from his chest, whereisitwherewherewhenwherewhywon’tit- he looked up to see Ram defending his fallen form, her gaze locked onto the surrounding tree line.
Oh. He was on the floor. That would probably explain why his knees were hurting so badly, the floor was littered with rocks.
He swallowed.
“I-I made a wager, but I think I might have misread my cards…”
He could say it he could say it he couldhecouldhecouldhecould-
“Barusu!” Ram prompted urgently, “As incredible as this Ram is, even I would surely struggle to save my adorable little Sister without your pitiful assistance!”
“R-Right!” Subaru stuttered. “Rem. We need to save Rem. Rem can’t die. Ram can’t die. Emilia can’t-“ He cut himself off, fumbling for his sword that had fallen to his side when he’d dropped. Twice it slipped out of his trembling fingers, but on the third, he managed it, raising himself up onto shaking legs and extending his sword to mimic one of his old kendo stances.
Already the area was littered with Mabeast corpses, a testament to the extreme wind magic Ram had boasted about earlier.
Good to know wind magic could carve up Mabeasts just as well it did Humans.
Right. Inhale Right. Exhale Rem needed him, she couldn’t die, there was no way she was going to die, and before he could help her-
He violently shook his head, finally shaking off his fear at the same time.
“Ram, I’m up!”
“I can see that already! Idiot Barusu!” Ram scolded, her breathing somewhat laboured already. “Try to contribute more than- Fula!” She yelled hastily when a group of beasts pounced.
So much for talking being a free action.
The attack was strong, with three of the beasts falling in pieces because of it. The last however, whether a consequence of the rushed incantation or the beast’s position escaped with only a front paw severed.
With a wordless shout he leaped forward, managing to pierce the neck of the wounded beast, tearing his sword free again to dart back towards Ram as the corpse fell to the ground.
From the corner of his eye he noticed Ram’s head turning towards him slightly. He matched the motion, allowing them to make eye contact briefly before they span back to watch the forest.
He had always been told of his scary looking eyes, but in that moment he was sure the sharpness he could see within Ram’s put his to shame.
“Barusu!” Ram prompted, her hands raised towards the attackers.
“Right!” He returned, stabbing forward when he could, “I’ve been coated in the Witch’s Scent! With the way these beasts are coming at us there’s no way Rem could miss us!” He said triumphantly, noting Ram’s alarmed look at the mention of The Witch.
“She better!” Ram exhaled with a shaky smirk, “Else when all this is over I’ll truly make you suffer for giving me all this extra work!”
He scoffed, “Oh like you weren’t going to make me suffer anyway!”
“Hah!”
After a couple more rounds of fighting, there was finally a momentary reprieve from the attack. Subaru took the moment to wipe his brow only to let out a yelp when his other arm was taken in a grip that was just slightly too hard to be purely to get his attention.
He spun round, meeting Ram’s eyes once more, now swimming with far too many emotions for him to identify. She blinked and they were gone, replaced solely with determination.
“And you will be telling me everything about what that was when we get back too.”
Subaru let out a sigh, his hand raising to his chest once more. He rubbed it softly, before his mouth curled up in a tiny smile.
“You can count on it.”