AN: Didn't go over this chapter with my usual "Beta Reader Hero", because of some personal situations, plus I'm behind on the chapters. But after the next chapter I will hopefully get back in touch with him. So any grammar screws up is on me. Enjoy!

ARC Five: Trials of the Sanctuary

Chapter 34: Wayward Son

Subaru continued his morning in the past, as they attempted to eat some peas, even though NO ONE in the family even liked them.

"So Mom, why on Earth would you cook us peas if not a single one of us likes them?"

"Wellllll, I thought that maybe if we ate a bunch of them, we'd begin to like them...or something like that."

Kenichi and Subaru could only sigh at the clueless woman standing before them.

The morning went on as Subaru felt something in the pit of his chest, when his father left to work and he was alone with his mother. He gazed at Naoko, who seemed to have sad pleading eyes with him. Subaru felt guilt, soul crushing guilt for making his mother look at him like that. Subaru could only run back to his room.

He was going to skip school again.

He could only stare at his clock, as it ticked away.

"Once it hits 8, I'll be late and there'll be no point in going…"

Subaru continued laying down on his bed, but the searing pain in his chest continued. Then voices he knew, reached out to him.

"-baru-kun."

"Subaru."

"Barusu."

"Annoyance, I suppose."

"...Subaru."

Subaru got out of bed and decided to venture out into the city. He walked around and saw the places he could remember from his past. The park, the local restaurants and of course the convenience store he was TOO familiar with.

Then, he met up with his father when he was heading back home.

"Hey son!"

"Hey Dad."

The two walked back home together as they began having a conversation. Kenichi eventually got curious about his son's personal life.

"So, is there a girl in your life?"

Subaru got quite red faced, but relented as he spoke about it.

"Well I...I have someone I like."

A silver brightness, was leading Natsuki Subaru by the hand.

"And there's also, someone who told me they loved me, even in spite of what I am."

A warm, sky-blue radiance, was tenderly pushing on Natsuki Subaru's back.

"What about friends?"

Further behind Subaru there were other people, a young man who seemed to have fiery red hair, a white haired swordsman, a violet haired rival, a jade haired leader and many others.

But it was a dark figure behind them, with pointed horns on his head that seemed to comfort him the most.

"Yeah, I got quite a few...including my new best friend."

"That's good to hear, I was always worried you'd up a loner surrounded by cats in his later years."

"It's not comforting to hear that at all!"

As Kenichi played around with Subaru, it finally hit Subaru...the moment he had been summoned to the Parallel World, where his two new stars existed, where his new friends hailed from and his hero was living in...he could never return.

His two parents would never know where their beloved son went, it was just the two of them and he had now brought them a new pain he could never remedy.

"I'm sorry...I'm so sorry...Forgive me..Please…"

"Subaru?"

"Despite all of that, I… I can't repay you for anything… I will, never get to see you again… I'm sorry. I'm sorry, I'm sorry…I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry!"

Kenichi hugged his weeping son, whose tears never stopped falling, which made him have a tender smile on his face.

"Geez, you can still be a pain in the ass son you know…"

The War of Gotham.

With the death of Black Mask years prior, and the destruction caused by the Blackest Night and The Court of Owls incident, the criminal underground had a vast power struggle for control of the city.

Alliances had been formed between those who were loyal to Two-Face and those loyal to Penguin.

In one particular battle, Scarecrow had his face ripped to shreds by Killer Croc under orders by Penguin. But he survived and was able to get his revenge by sneaking Fear Toxin into steak that was fed to Killer Croc. In his mad state, Killer Croc went on a rampage and ended up killing Killer Moth, several thugs and eventually disemboweling Penguin.

Scarecrow took pleasure in blasting a hole in the back of Killer Croc's head with a Desert Eagle handgun.

But those were not the only deaths…

Clock King.

Crazy Quilt.

David Cain.

Electrocutioner.

Firefly.

Great White Shark.

Professor Pyg.

Ventriloquist.

Man-Bat.

Countless thugs were also dead.

And many innocent civilians that were caught in the crossfire, also lost their lives.

In the end, Two-Face was victorious in the war...but an unforeseen third party had also run rampant.

THE JOKER.

It was now the final night of fighting as Batman and Robin were in the Batwing, nearing Gotham Medical Center.

It was reported that Joker and Harley Quinn had taken the entire Hospital hostage and was releasing Joker Toxin inside the building.

"Damian, stay close and put your respirator mask on."

"Got it."

Batman leaped out of the Batwing alongside his teenage son Damian Wayne.

They landed on the roof and made their way down into the halls. All around them were the patients and staff, their dead bodies littering the halls and rooms of their only sanctuary. The corpses all had their eyes literally bulging out of their eye sockets, blood leaking out of their nose and mouth, which were making hideously contorted smiles.

"That bastard."

"Stay calm Robin, we need to find him, as well as any survivors!"

"...Knowing Joker, he hasn't left any."

Batman got slightly angry hearing that, but understood that could very well be the and Robin surveyed the entirety of the Hospital as they made their way through the green gas that filled the building.

It was then Batman heard something that shook his soul.

"OH….GOD…"

When Batman turned around he saw Robin looking at a glass window, he stepped closer to see what he was looking at.

"...No."

It was the Maternity Ward.

All of the babies were dead, their toothless mouths were forming hideous smiles and their young eyes bulged out to form nearly black colorless orbs.

Batman felt a fiery heat fill his chest as various emotions filled his heart.

One of them was unflinching fury.

Batman turned around to see Robin grit his teeth hard as blood seeped through his gums.

"Robin. We have to move."

"...Yeah."

Robin wiped the blood off his mouth as they heard the clock of a gun.

Batman and Robin leaped out of the way as the person unloaded the entire clip at them.

"Geez Bats, you can't do a lady a favor and hold still?"

Harley Quinn stepped out and began walking towards the two.

Robin threw a Batarang which exploded on Harley's hand. Ripping apart two of her fingers.

"Huh?! What the hell are you-"

Before she could finish, Robin sliced open her stomach with a scalpel he found on the ground. Her intestines flew out of her as she was kicked into the Maternity Ward, shattering the glass window.

"DAMIAN!"

Robin ignored his father and ran forward, Batman tried to give chase, but stopped when he heard Harley coughing.

Batman turned around and began to help Harley.

She was in horrible condition. Her intestines were all around the floor, glass was embedded all over her face and her left arm was a twisted mess.

"Harley, stay with me!"

"B...Bats...?"

Batman tried everything he could to try and save her, but the damage was far too severe.

"Hey Bats?"

"Don't talk, just relax and-"

"-You always were a nice guy huh?"

Batman looked down at Harley as his hands were covered in blood.

"I kinda wonda' what it would have been like had I met someone like you, ya know?"

Harley kept letting out painful coughs as her eyes started to become dim.

"Hey Bats?"

"Harleen?"

"...This…"

Tears streamed down her face as she looked up at him.

"This...this isn't fun anymore...I... I'm really scared…"

"Harley?"

A small raspy sound echoed through her throat as her eyes dimmed away. A small gurgle was heard from her chest, but then nothing.

Harley Quinn was dead.

Batman closed her eyes as he looked at his bloodied hands and put them to his face.

He then shook his head as he leaped through the broken glass and raced down the hallway.

He could hear gunfire and shattering glass ahead as he kept running. Then a grenade rolled in front of him, leaving him no choice but to jump into an adjacent room. He escaped the explosion in the knick of time as shrapnel flew down the hallway. He braved through the debris and smoke to finally hear maniacal laugher only feet away from him.

"...!"

"Hey Bats can you spare me a hand? GET IT?! HEHEHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Get it, cause' I got no hands!"

And it was true, the Joker in his black business suit, purple dress shirt and tie, was looking at Batman with both of his hands cut off from the wrist. His face was beaten black and blue, with only one eye actually open.

But he was still smiling as he always did.

Behind him was Robin, the shadows around his face, leaving only the whites of his masks eyes alite. He had blood trickling down his face and had Poker Cards embedded into his left shoulder.

"Robin stop!"

"Stop? You're asking me to stop?"

"This is not how...not how we do thin-"

"-THEN HOW DO WE DO THINGS?!"

Batman was taken aback by Robins outburst, the young man gritted his teeth at him.

"I never understood that about you! I could look past putting the same criminal away over and over again, only for us to capture them again and again. Common criminals, robbers, Mr. Freeze, Mad Hatter or even Man-Bat...maybe I could understand…"

"...I wan-"

"-BUT WHY THE HELL IS HE ALLOWED TO LIVE?!"

Robin grabbed Joker by his hair, Joker snickered a bit by the action.

"A little rough, but I hear some real weirdos like that sort of thing."

"BE QUIET."

Robin leered at Batman as he clearly could not contain his rage.

"How could you ignore his sins so blindly and stupidly?! Disregarding the entire graveyards he's filled, the thousands who have suffered, the friends he's crippled...the children he's made orphans?!"

In a way, Batman seemed most conflicted by the last comment Robin had made.

"After all that...you did nothing! You just allowed this EVIL, DEATH WORSHIPPING, PILE OF SHIT TO KEEP ON LIVING! Well I've had it!"

"You don't understand…"

"No I do...you can't cross the line right or you can't come back from the other side if you do, is that it?"

"Listen to me!"

"No...I'm done listening."

Robin looked down at the Joker who was giggling away and back at Bruce, who he could tell was getting a Batarang ready.

"You are my father and I love you."

"...!"

"But you have lost my respect."

Before Batman could do anything Damian pulled out his usual sword and whispered one last last thing to the arch-rival.

"Here's something to smile about."

He sliced Joker's mouth open from ear to ear, making the hideous wound look like a smile.

"G...gooood...one...ha….ha...haaaaa…"

Joker fell the ground as Batman flung his Batarang at Robin. Robin charged at Batman with his sword and swung several times at his father. Batman used his forearm blades to block, but didn't expect a piercing attack from Damian...the sword erupted with a large burst of flames as it hit directly above Batman's heart.

It was obviously based on Azrael's fire sword, which Damian made behind Bruce's back.

Batman flew back as he clutched his chest wound. He looked up at Damian who removed his face mask and threw it on the ground.

The young man looked down at his father with sorrowful eyes, showing that he had no intention of continuing the fight.

"Bruce...I wished it never came to this."

"...You can still stop this."

"No, no I can't. You don't have to worry, that line is something you were never meant to cross."

"...Damian."

Damian gave a faint smile to his father as he sheathed his sword and turned around, away from his father.

"I will cross that line and I will not look back...The Heretic of your morals….GOODBYE."

Damian turned away as a red glimmer of light shined in his eyes.

Batman watched on as Damian walked away from sight, leaving him alone with Joker's corpse.

Batman was watching the scene from his past unfold, as his ethereal-like body was unable to do a thing. He looked at his past self sit there clutching his chest and felt absolute guilt for all of it.

He knew Damian continued his vengeful path as the vigilante The Heretic, and that he would accidentally kill Tim Drake and would eventually use the League of Assassins as an army after Talia and Ra's deaths.

So he knew what he had to do.

He rushed past his past self and ran down the halls, he kept running and running as he finally caught up with Damian.

"Damian! I'm sorry! I-"

Batman held back his emotions as he clenched his hands into tight fists.

"I'm so sorry! I should have done something. I shouldn't taught you better. I should've tried to understand your frustrations….I...I shouldn't have let you go. I'm sorry son."

Batman looked at Damian...and he could've sworn he was turning to look at him. Damian put on a guilted smile as he turned around and moved away again.

"DAMIAN!"

Batman reached his hand out as he rushed back to him. Only for the world around him to shatter away like glass.

The event Bruce had seen...was something that happened only one year prior to being transported to the other world.

Subaru was leaving his home with his school outfit, intending to fulfill his promise to make his last day in the past as wish fulfilling for his parents as he could.

Naoko walked him out home as they chatted a bit.

"So your father told me how you have some lady friends. Is that right?"

"Um, well, I um…"

"Ahahaha. Awww, my adorable son is finally experiencing the complexities of love huh?"

"Ehehe, letting two stars guide you is pretty tricky you know?"

"Well, for me, you and your father are my stars."

Subaru smiled at his mother's comment.

"So Subaru, your dad also tells me that you have a new best friend right?"

"...Yeah."

"And how is he? Does he go to your school?"

"No...I met him outside. He's actually older than me."

"How old?"

"Um...college age?"

"Ohhhhh, I see."

"Yeah, he's a really cool guy, pretty serious at times, but he cares so much about people. He's a good person."

"..."

"I...want to be that kind of man. A person who does everything he can for his friends and even total strangers."

Naoko was completely stunned by Subaru speaking so highly of a person. She could see he looked up to him.

"So your father has competition huh?"

"I live Dad a ton and I still look up to him. Buuuuuut, this guy is taller than Dad and is so strong Mom, it's ridiculous!"

"Really now?"

"Yeah...some bad things happened to him when he was young, so he made sure he would be able to protect others around him, so that they couldn't face the same past as him."

"He sounds like a very good man."

"Yup."

Naoko put up a cheerful smile as she looked at Subaru as he began to walk away. But as he was about to walk away, he turned around and gave Naoko one last hug.

"I wish I could start this all over."

"Subaru…"

Naoko cupped her dear sons face as she looked at him as tender as ever.

"What's important isn't the beginning. It's the end."

She smiled and nodded at Subaru. Subaru quietly agreed and waved his mother goodbye, with small tear droplets forming in the corner of his eyes.

Subaru made it to his classroom and found no one inside, even though he was so late.

"Ah, I see you have arrived finally! In all that time spent facing your past, have you learned anything?"

Subaru looked at the woman in front of him and instantly recognized her, though he saw she was in a schoolgirls uniform.

"You're...Echidna right?"

"Yes, I am afraid our deal from last time is still in effect, so you only remembered me when seeing me."

"Oh okay, so what's with the outfit?"

"Ah, I wanted to know what I looked like in it. After learning you and your friend came from parallel worlds, I wanted to see the fashion and how I looked in it."

"Sure I gue-"

Subaru stopped everything as he looked at Echidna. He couldn't help but hear what she uttered.

"Wait, my friend? Batman is here?!"

"Yes, it seems that he forced his way into the Tomb. It was surprising! He had no qualifications. but he caused an error of sorts so he was able to take the Trials."

"And..?"

"Much like you, he passed."

"…..Ahhhh, thank goodness."

"Still..."

Echidna looked at Subaru with quite the serious expression.

"That does not mean he is physically alright, he has intruded on the grave and his physical body is being harmed even as we speak."

Subaru quickly realized that his friend probably came in running after him and was being hurt because of it.

"One last thing before I go, this entire Trial..?"

"Well it is mostly viewing through your memories and seeing the past that needs to be conquered. And to face one's past, and come to some kind of answer about that past. If they are afraid of finding the answer, loathing it, or are hesitating and at their wit's end, then the Trials could never be overcome. However, if they could either accept their past, or if they could deny it completely and sever themselves from it, then I would see them off with my praises. That, is the first of the Trials."

"..."

"Ah sorry about that, I seem to have gone a bit overboard on that one."

Subaru shook his head letting the Witch know he didn't mind at all, but had a question.

"So this world here?"

" Aah, that's right. This is a fabricated world created based on your memories, meant to be an extremely faithful reconstruction of reality. Which means, of course...your real parents still have no idea where you are or what you are doing, and must be worrying to no end about their son, who had simply disappeared."

"..."

"It was just too ideal, and too convenient...don't you think?"

"Don't belittle my parents, Witch."

Echidna seemed astonished at what Subaru said at this point, as Subaru put up a proud smile. He placed his hands on a desk as he faced Echidna head on.

"I've already told them all of my answers. And my Mom and Dad both received it. I've told them everything that I was never able to say, and they told me to give it my best, and then wished me a safe journey."

"Their voices, their smiles, everything from those moments shattered my imaginations. My parents, are not some empty casks that can be filled with my fantasies. Don't you underestimate them!"

Echidna seemed to shake her head as if slightly accepting defeat as she congratulated Subaru on successfully passing the first trial. He began to disappear from the fantasy as he looked at Echidna one last time...and bowed his head.

"Even if it didn't really happen, and my words didn't really reach those two, I was able to say the things I wanted to say thanks to you. Even if it was because of your crappy-gossip-deprived curiosity, I was able to see the people I thought I would never see again, and say my goodbyes. So thank you."

Echidna looked at Subaru with eyes that were indicative of being threatened.

"...You're a human I can't understand at all, it's very fascinating. It's almost frightening, in fact."

"Hehe, if you think I'm scary, you should be careful around Batman-san."

"As you leave I will say one thing…"

"Hm?"

"You must not allow that man to enter the Tomb again, if he does the error may not happen again. And should that occur, he will most likely be attacked."

As Subaru began to disappear, Subaru shook his head cheerfully as he looked back one last time at Echidna.

"You have a very bad habit of underestimating people."

Subaru then faded away from the fantasy world around him.

"Hmmmm...quite interesting."

Echidna got up from her chair as Sekhmet and five other shadows were standing behind her.

"A young man ensnared by Satella, and the other who has seen the Algol. This is going to be oh so...interesting!"

Echidna blushed madly at the sheer thought of it all.

Subaru woke up on the floor still inside of the Tomb, he began to hear Emilia whimper and cry so he began moving to her. He grabbed her as she trembled into his arms.

"It's okay Emilia...I'm here."

"I didn't recognize...any of it….I don't know!"

Subaru could tell Emilia was doing really bad and had no choice but to carry her out. He picked her up bridal style and carried her off, but just at the entrance he saw a familiar figure.

"Batman?"

"...Subaru."

Subaru could tell that Batman seemed exhausted and was struggling to stand.

"Let's get out of here and quick."

"Y-yeah…"

The three of them made it out of the Tomb, but as Subaru was behind him...he saw Batman fall down the steps and land hard on the ground.

"Batman?!"

Everyone rushed over to take a look at him. Garfiel clicked his tongue as he looked back up.

"Damn idiot! Th' hell was he thinkin'?! He could have died!"

Subaru frowned as he heard Garfiel insult him.

"Shut up! He was worried about us is all! Any one of us would have done the same thing!"

Garfiel seemed upset about Subaru's yelling, but moved back when Batman raised his body up. Otto quickly helped him up.

"Easy Batman-dono, don't try to get up so fast."

"I'm fine, where is Subaru and Emilia?!"

"Look, they're right there."

Batman turned to see a worried Subaru holding onto a frightened Emilia.

"Thank goodness."

The group made their way to Emilia's housing...unaware of Garfiel staring at the backs of Batman and Subaru, with a menacing look.

The next morning, after letting Emilia rest and Batman get his nourishment, they all discussed what had happened.

"So it looks like me and Batman passed the first Trial."

Everyone in the room stared wide eyed at the two, Batman ignoring them as he continued snacking on some carrots.

"...I don't understand?"

Otto raised his hand to make himself known.

"I thought Garfiel said that only those with qualifications could take the Trials? How did you two do it?"

"Obviously we're the main protagonists of this story, so we get all the perks."

"And my role in this story of yours?"

"...An expendable side character."

"Oh my gosh, what sort of unlucky role is that?"

Subaru pulled out a thumbs up as he smiled at Otto.

"The role fate has given you since the moment we met!"

"Wah! Fate is such a harsh infallible mistress!"

"You said it."

Subaru made mocking gesture at Otto as he continued complaining. Roswaal was silent as he was staring at Garfiel as if he was disappointed in his inability of preventing Batman's actions.

Emilia seemed confused about the whole situation as Batman interjected.

"Frankly speaking, I don't think that in my case it means anything. I felt terrible stepping out, probably a sign in of itself that I cannot go back and take any other Trials."

"Yeah, other than my well...incident, I felt I still had some energy left."

"Then from what we can tell, the only ones here who can take the Trials are Emilia and Subaru. But if the information is correct the Tomb was made only for a half-human to complete."

"So…?"

"So that means we have to make sure Emilia passes the Trials, I'm worried that Subaru would be next for the Tomb to attack. Seeing that he is a regular human."

"Oh….right."

Subaru put a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"We freed the prisoners right? So you can take your time and complete it. We know you can."

Emilia grasped her chest with a worried look, but she turned back to Subaru and smiled.

"Thank you Subaru. Yeah, I'll do my best."

"That's my E.M.T.!"

Emilia chuckled at this, but unknown to them, Batman was watching over the group with tired eyes.

It was then that Ram stepped forward to him and put a hand on his shoulder, he tensed up which caused her to let go of him. He looked down at her and lowered his gaze from her.

"Batman-san, are you alright?"

"Hm? Yeah, it's just the Trial was a lot to take in."

"What did you see?"

"...My son."

Everyone looked back at Batman in utter surprise, making Otto having to ask what everyone else had on their minds.

"Y-you have a son?"

"...Yes his name is Damian."

"...So you saw your son-"

"-I saw the day he betrayed me."

Otto held his breath as Batman put a hand to his chest.

"Subaru you've seen the burn scar on my chest correct?"

"Um, yeah…"

"...That was from my own son."

Subaru swallowed his breath as he had just realized the tragedy of it all.

The man standing before him, lost his parents, many of his friends, his lover and now...his own son.

Unlike himself, Batman could never go back and change things from their unfortunate outcomes. He was forced to move forward with them and carry the scars with him, regardless of how much they hurt.

It was a literal endless flow of battles. Sure, there were victories, but there was always brutal loses around the corner, waiting to drag him down through despair.

But Batman was a hero. He was the kind of man who never let the despair overtake him, he would find a way out of it and keep walking the path he had chosen.

Subaru couldn't help but look at Batman with a heartfelt expression.

And walked over to him.

"I'm sorry."

"...It's okay, I've learned to accept it is all."

Emilia walked over and put a hand on Batman's shoulder, looking quite concerned for him.

"I feel so weak, I know you've had such a...sad past, but you've faced it head on and decided to move onward, I want to have the same strength as you and Subaru."

Emilia made a determined expression as she clasped her hands together. Everyone stared at the new determination Emilia cast upon herself.

Subaru smiled and nodded his head, putting up a thumbs up for her.

"I know you can do this Emilia-tan, I know how strong you can be."

"...T-thank you..."

Emilia blushed a bit as she heard his words.

Batman cracked his knuckles and began to head out first.

"Hey."

Though he stopped as Garfiel went over to him.

"I dunno what yer plannin' here, but don't get me or th' others involved. Or else."

Batman seemed confused by his threat, but he ignored it and walked away, speaking as he left.

"The only thing I'm planning here is the liberation of the Sanctuary and getting Emilia and the others home."

"...!"

"You'd do well being part of the solution, instead of the problem."

Batman finally walked out the door.

Garfiel gritted his teeth as he stared at Batman's back.

"...The Sanctuary doesn't need you or those brats…"

Garfiel closed the door behind him as he stared at the wooden floor beneath him…

"I'll be the one to protect my own home."

The day had gone by with everyone preparing for the night and Emilia's trial.

When the time came and Emilia took her Trial...she came running out crying into Subaru's arms.

She had failed once again.

Subaru helped her to bed as she peacefully rested.

"Subaru...could you hold my hand? It'll help me fall asleep."

"Sure Emilia, anything you want."

Subaru held her hand as she began to relax, Subaru went further and gently brushed her hair with his free hand.

She let out a quiet gasp….but smiled as she drifted into a slumber.

Subaru exited the room and saw Batman leaning on a wall with his arms crossed.

"How is she?"

"Asleep...but, she's really shook up."

Batman and Subaru pondered on what in the world they could do to help Emilia.

Both of them hated seeing her in so much turmoil over her past. It was decided that more information was needed in order to get things straight.

Tomorrow Subaru would speak with Lewes, and Batman would continue investigating the Sanctuary.

It was the next morning and Subaru walked around town with Batman, letting their half elf friend rest for the day.

The townsfolk seemed to warm up to Subaru very well, but seemed to be still cautious of Batman.

"Batman-san I'll go see Lewes now."

"Alright, keep your comm link on, just in case either of us finds anything."

The two went their separate ways.

Subaru was able to learn more about Garfiel and Frederica. Their mother, Reala Thompson, was a woman who dealt a harsh life. Captured long ago, she was passed around as a sex slave from one group then to another. But it was the second group where she met her eventual husband Garek. They lived together for a time, until he had left.

With nowhere else to go, they eventually found refuge with Roswaal and were allowed to live in the Sanctuary.

However, one day Reala left the Sanctuary and had Lewes take care of a young Frederica and Garfiel in her place.

"..."

"Don't feel too bad about it Su-boi. She was someone who had thing she had ta' do. And I know tha' girl loved her kids."

"Yeah…"

As Subaru began to leave Lewes had one last thing she had to say.

"Be mindful though Su-boi."

"What do you mean?"

"There are those who'd rather not have the Sanctuary be freed at all."

Subaru was now on his way to the meeting spot with Batman, when he had received a connection on his comm link.

"Subaru, come in!?"

"Yeah, it's me. Anything?"

"Well, I found some sort of secret cell they have here, probably for trouble makers...but…"

"But?"

"Something about it was fishy, then I got caught by Lewes and she threw me out-"

"-Wait! Stop right there!"

Subaru took a few breaths as he heard something that didn't make any sense.

"I...I was talking to her a few minutes ago."

"-What?!"

"We were at her place, we were even having tea and everything!"

"No...something suspicious is going on here. Let's meet up right now!"

Subaru rushed to their meeting spot near the watering well and saw Batman standing there pondering the situation. When Subaru met with him he discussed what he learned everything he needed to know about Garfiel.

Batman seemed to understand a bit about why Garfiel cared so much about the Sanctuary, but not on the reasoning why he was always so defensive about it.

Both of them wondered how on Earth, was Lewes speaking with both of them at the same time.

"Wait, maybe it some magic spell or something."

"Doubt it, I haven't seen a spell in any of the books I read that talks about cloning. There is some sort of logical explanation for all this."

"Hmmmm…"

They both decided to ponder it later and make their way to Emilia, to prepare her for the next Trial that night.

Once again, Emilia failed and ran into Subaru's arms. Everyone around was saddened by the results, but it was Batman who scared everyone by his actions….

...He started walking towards the Tomb.

Garfiel jumped in front of Batman and made a enraged face towards him.

"Back off!"

"Garfiel, I want to see if I can observe the Tomb more closely. Maybe we can learn something from it!"

"I don't care! I don't want ya' anywhere near it!"

"Garfiel please! We need to help Emilia."

"Th' princess just needs more time, we got all the time in the-"

"-That's bull Garfiel! I'm afraid of what all this is going to do to her mind!"

Garfiel thought for a second...but shook his head waved his hand at Batman, as if brushing off a pest.

"Th' princess is just fine. She can handle it! She can take th' damn Trials as many time as she wants!"

"...Wait. How do you know that?"

"...!"

Garfiel's eyes widened as he heard this, making Subaru also question him.

"You do seem to know a lot about the Tomb, so why is that?!"

"I...just-"

"-Don't you dare give excuses about this!"

Garfiel walked past Batman and then moved past Subaru as he sneered at the both of them.

"That's it for the night. Everybody go home."

"Hey! We're not done here-"

"-I SAID GET TH' FUCK OUTTA HERE!"

Subaru and Otto flinched hearing the outburst from Garfiel, Lewes looked at him with a concerned motherly expression, while Batman narrowed his eyes at the young man.

"...Just go."

Garfiel pointed back to the village. Everyone then began making their way to the village, leaving him alone with his own solitary thoughts.

It was now the early morning, with the sun barely out and Subaru was fast asleep in his bed...only to be woken up by Batman, who shook the young man violently.

"Subaru! Wake up!"

"WUH?! HUH?! WHO?! I DIDN'T DO IT!"

Subaru calmed down as he rubbed his eyes and yawned.

"Huh? Bruce-san? What is it?"

"Subaru, I checked with the Mansion sensors I laid out-"

"-wait, you had sensors in the Mansion?"

"Before we left, I installed them in a few select areas all over the Mansion! Including, that secret doorway!"

"The one in Roswaal's study?!"

"Yes...Subaru…"

"...What?"

"It just went off. Someone is breaking into the Mansion."

Another obstacle appeared as the liberation of the Sanctuary had stalled...