AN: Got up early to get this one done, hope everyone is at least interested! ENJOY.

ARC Ten: Return to Life

Chapter One Hundred and Two: Great Spirits

A few minutes passed after meeting with Meili, all of the Wolgarm sat beside the road alongside Shep, who would growl occasionally at them. The Uru-kai Lizard, the raptor like Ma Beast, rested by a collapsed tree. Meili spread out her arms as she rested on a albino Wolgarm that she seemed to take the most interest in.

"An albino Wolgarm huh?"

"Yup Shaula onee-san! I found a while back, it was about to get killed, but Typhon onee-chan saved it and brought it to me! So nice of her~!"

"This big guy was about to be killed?"

"Yeah, these skin colored Wolgarm don't live for too long in the wild, they stand out too much, so others in their species go after them as an easy target."

"Jeez, Ma-Beast are sooo vicious."

They all sighed as everyone was sitting in a circle, speaking with Meili.

"So~?! What are you all doing out here?"

"Well, we're going on a journey of sorts. We're planning to meet with Beatrice's colleagues."

"Whaa!? You mean you guys are going to see the other Great Spirits?!"

"Yeah, just for some info."

"Hmmmm."

She took a sip from her canteen as the Albino Wolgarm let out a small yawn.

"He's seems attached to you Meili-chan."

"Heh, I guess so Rem onee san, I got accustomed to him as well, even named him too!"

"Oh? And what's his name?"

"Hehe, Wilson."

Beatrice trembled a tad when she heard the name...but sighed as she felt it wasn't right to say anything to her, at least not with all these Ma-Beast around.

"Hey Meili, where are the others?"

"Hm? Oh, they should be behind me right now."

Sure enough from the brushes popped out Minerva, she yawned as she dusted herself off.

"Hahhhhh, well hi Minerva.."

"Huh? Sekhmet? What the! What's everyone doing out here?"

After a small rundown of what was occuring, she nodded her head.

"I see then. Well as long as you guys don't get hurt, then I'm more than fine with you all going."

"Thanks Minerva-san."

"...You're welcome, Emilia…"

It was the same as usual. For some odd reason, Minerva and Emilia's relationship was quite awkward, as if there was something Minerva knew that she didn't. Still, she was still friendly with her.

Even if…

"Well have you been doin well Subaru?"

"Oh yeah, same as usual, taking care of myself."

"Hehhhh, that's good to hear."

As the two laughed it off, Rem held Subaru's arm, and Petra sat in front of him, both were pouting. Even Emilia closed her eyes as she rested her head on his shoulder.

Minerva sighed as she shook her head.

"Relax, I'm just being friendly with him, nothing more."

"Huh?"

It left Subaru more than confused.

"Hey everyone! Typhon is here!"

Typhon made herself known as they saw her dragging a large leash with her.

"Um, Typhon-chan...what exactly do you have with you?"

"Oh! A new discovery! I call it the "Phroo Phroo"!"

"Uhhh...Phroo, Phroo?"

"Yeah Petra-ra! A Phroo Phroo."

Sure enough she pulled on the leash and out come the humongous creature she was mentioning...Subaru and Rem instantly recognized it.

"Subaru-kun, on our birthday several years ago, didn't you make a plush for Nee-sama like that?!"

"Y-Yeah...that's definitely an elephant!"

The elephant wagged its ears as it came out of the forest.

Typhon tilted her head though.

"What was that Subarun? Ele-phant? Do you know these things?"

"Well yeah, back in my world we had them. So please just call these by their normal names."

"But I come up with some really fun names! Like Flutter Birds or Creepy Slitherers!"

"And I'm still upset in what you called Hummingbirds and Constricted Pythons."

He sighed as Typhon stuck out her tongue in annoyance.

Minerva interjected.

"So if this is an elephant, what do you call the hairy ones that are being found in Guteko?"

"Hairy ones?"

"Sure, they look like these ones...but I heard they don't have big ears and are covered in brown fur?"

"...?! The fuck, that's a woolly mammoth!"

"Mammoth huh? Kind of cute."

"That's besides the point, those things are extinct back in my old home!"

Beatrice took one last sip of her coffee...instant coffee...yet another thing found in this new world, which resulted in Subaru detailing in how to create it. With that, and a partnership with Anastasia, they created a side business that manufactured and shipped instant coffee, cola, mayonnaise, tartar sauce, pocky sticks and pop rocks; of which somehow was becoming a candy synonymous with New Years.

The "Hoshin-Natsuki Food Distribution Co." or HND Co for short.

"Ahem, well Betty can say that when this world was reformed again, some things from the other world carried over...seems there must have been a place where these Mammoths still existed, I suppose."

"Huhhhh…"

"Not to mention there is actually a floating island filled to the brim with strange creatures somewhere out there."

"That's freaking weird! Even for this world!"

"Betty would take it down, but one of the Great Spirits, Aja, has taken it under her wing, I suppose."

"Aja-san, sounds a bit possessive...almost as bad as Priscilla."

"Hmph, I suppose!"

They all smiled at her refusal to speak more on the matter.

"Dang, so thi' world is even mor' interestin' than before huh? Floatin' islands, new animals, and even brand new Grea' Spiri's!?"

"Mimi is super excited to see more on this journey!"

Mimi and Garfiel went close to the elephant and began petting it...eventually Garfiel named him Priest, though he had no idea why that name popped into his head.

And with reluctance, Typhon agreed to call the newly discovered species an 'Elephant'.

"Well, we're heading back into the capital to register this big guy into the registry, then we'll let hi back out into the wild. Subaru, take care of Emilia and the others okay?"

"Sure thing!"

"Okay, girls let's head on inside then!"

Both girls agreed and made their way to the capital. Meili would leave all of her Ma-Beast outside for her, except for Wilson, which she would ride inside the city. Though it freaked people out when they saw it, it never bothered her.

Minerva sighed as she knew it would be up to her to explain it to the knights.

Typhon petted Priest's snout as it made a noise of happiness.

Meili turned around at the carriage riding off.

"Good luck Petra, Subaru-nii san...everyone."

Just for a moment, in the back of the carriage...she could have sworn, to have seen a memory of an armored man sitting in the back. He looked at her...with half his helmet an orange color.

She rubbed her eyes and shook her head...only to see the carriage was now out of sight.

"Meili?"

"Oh, nothing Minerva. Let's...get going."

She turned to walk alongside the others...back to the capital and for a moment of relaxation, however long that would last.

Eventually, night fell and they had made quite the amount of progress. Still they had to rest for an early morning departure, in order to make it in time.

"Not to worry, tomorrow Betty will open a rift to get at Deacon Blues faster, I suppose."

"Wow, thanks Beatrice, you sure are amazing."

"Betty does enjoy the occasional praise once in a while, I suppose."

She blushed after being complemented by Frederica, making them laugh one last time in the day before they all went to sleep. However…

"S..Subaru…"

"Hm?"

"Hey, it's Emilia…"

Emilia entered his tent as she crawled over to him.

"What's up Emilia?"

"...Well, it's just...the three of us usually sleep in the same bed, so we thought we could just...um, you know."

"Oh...wait 'we'?"

Emilia glanced behind herself and they both saw Rem, she was embarrassed for sure, but smiled at him nonetheless. Subaru sighed and pulled up the covers.

"Hop in you two."

"Are you sure..what if Beatrice-"

"-It's okay, she's with Petra and Frederica in their tent. So…"

He gave a mischievous grin.

"It's just the three of us."

The two girls soon made their way and each took a place by his side. They nuzzled up next to him...before Rem began sniffing his hair.

"That kind of tickles Rem."

"Sorry, it's just, Rem is still getting used to Subaru-kun no longer...smelling like her."

"Oh...yeah, that would've happened wouldn't it…"

Rem saw how her comment made him a little conflicted on the matter, so she took her chance and kissed him passionately. Feeling a little left out, Emilia went over and began licking Subaru's neck, making him moan in Rem's mouth.

Subaru made his move and began playing with her ears, she slightly growled from the feeling. Rem's lips parted from his, so he began kissing Emilia, cupping her cheeks, before sitting up and removing his pajamas. Rem and Emilia removed their nightgowns, making Subaru blush and look away.

"What's wrong Subaru?"

"Is something wrong with us, how we look?"

He rubbed the back of his head, as it was clear that from ear to ear his face was bright red.

"No, um...see I always feel like it's crime to be with two gorgeous gals like you two."

"So I feel overwhelmed by you two...super s-sexy."

They both gulped, before they smiled seductively at him and pulled him down...while they were meant to get some sleep early to wake up in tip top shape...it wasn't until late into the night that they would actually to do so.

Garfiel was asleep as Mimi had her head atop of his. While it looked uncomfortable, their relationship reached a level where they were comfortable in that kind of position. A couple unlike any other.

Sekhmet was sleep next to Sarah in their own tent.

Even if Sekhmet's unusually long hair was almost ensnaring her poor bunk mate.

"Yes...It's...heavy…"

Sarah mumbled this in her sleep...clearly uncomfortable.

Beatrice was atop the carriage as Petra was inside, asleep with Frederica. She sighed as she looked up a the bright stars in the night sky, as well as the two moons high above. Recalling the Star Gazing party Subaru held in the original mansion...or a later event in which Subaru explained the stories of the stars names and their accompanying legends, found high up in the vastness of space. Or even when Batman went over the different planets he knew of from his world, simply astounding everyone in the camp...even if Annerose was defiant to believe such a thing.

Beatrice smiled at the memory…

Still...she could still sense it.

Looking out to the darkness of the forest. The eeriness of it...and the small noises accompanying it…

She knew.

"I wonder who is following us, I suppose?"

As the group continued on their journey, Garfiel stuck his head out of the window and looked over at Subaru who was at the reins.

"Ya okay, Boss?"

"...Yeah, just peachy…"

Though the bags under his eyes were evident, this was not the case.

Inside the carriage Sarah yawned a bit as she noticed her friends…

"Yes, Emilia, Rem...are you two alright?"

The two ladies gave tired smiles as they had bags under their eyes…

"Sure sure, we're totally fine. Not exhausted in theeeee slightest."

"Yes, Rem and Emilia are completely well."

Sarah scratched her cheek as she wasn't convinced.

Petra frowned…

"I lost my chance yesterday, to get closer to Subaru...this time, I'll work hard on it!"

She nodded with confidence, making Frederica laugh nervously.

Beatrice then cracked her neck as she stood up in the passenger seat.

"Alright Subaru, it's time that we moved things along, I suppose."

"Oh, so you're doing it now?"

"Of course, now inform everyone of what is to occur."

Subaru did so and everyone braced themselves.

Beatrice took in a deep breath and spoke an incantation, quickly the space around them bent and the halo on her back shrunk considerably. As the space bended, so did the colors and streams of light. But as quickly as it occurred...they were through the rift and up ahead they could see the tall blueish mountain they knew as Deacon Blues.

Deacon Blues was a special mountain as it was named after an explorer who assured everyone that he and his group of seven adventurers would conquer the tall mountain in a manner of one month...it was two weeks into it that they ran out of food and water...after that they were beset by rogue Ma-Beasts which made them get stuck up the top of the mountain, with no way down. Eventually they resorted to cannibalism with their deceased colleagues, only to get sick from it...Deacon was the last survivor and actually made it down the mountain and to a nearby village, Midas.

However as he tried to recuperate after letting officials know of what had happened...he choked on a piece of celery and died.

Thus, the mountain was named Deacon Blues after the adventurer who ironically became known as the 'Buffoon Explorer', a small monument rests at the bottom of the mountain. The only legacy he left behind...

Eventually they made it to the end of the mountain...near the sight they were dreading.

"Isn' thi'?"

"Yes, Garfiel...this is what's left of Midas, the village."

"No fuckin' way…"

Smoldered.

Burnt to the ground.

This was all that was left of the village, even the forests nearby were burnt away. Large footprints could be found all over the ground, easily twice the size of a regular human being.

"Then this was…"

"Correct Frederica, this was the Inflamed Barghest, I suppose."

"But…"

As they had searched the area earlier...they couldn't understand one thing…

"Where are the corpses?"

"None, the Barghest likes to eat burnt victims, blackened, I suppose. Truly a beast through and through."

Petra closed her eyes in displeasure over the thought of it, Subaru held her close. Rem looked over the devastation left behind and couldn't help but shed a tear over it.

Shaula reached down and saw a necklace with something embroidered into it...but when she picked it up it bursted and became ashes. She let out a small sad sigh.

"Come then, let's leave."

"...Let us do something first Beatrice."

"Alright, Subaru...but don't take too long."

Soon they made a small plaque adorned in flowers, all for the victims of the Barghest attack. They all did a small prayer, while Emilia sang an elvish song, meant to help guide spirits back to the next world.

Afterwards they made their way to the base of the mountain.

Once they reached it, they saw a small patch of land...that was immaculate.

Green grass, bright colorful flowers, and on the side of the mountain, a waterfall was poured into a pond that had bright colorful fish swimming in the waters.

It was like the sight one would see in a fairy tale. Butterflies danced around them, and a Flutter Bird hovered around Frederica, then at Emilia and Rem, before flying off. The little bird made everyone smile. Beatrice motioned them to come closer

"Stay close…"

Garfiel hugged Mimi close to him, carrying her off the ground.

"Beatrice-"

"-One of them is already here."

Suddenly, they felt the earth shake beneath their feet and a large booming sound, nearly break open their eardrums.

They held their ears as-

"GROOOOOAAARRRRRR!"

"Noisy as usual, I suppose."

Beatrice made a sour face as she looked behind them, as they turned around, they could see magma rising several miles away. Then they heard, and felt, stomping.

Something quite big was coming.

Each step sent shivers down their spines.

One by one, they prepared for the worst…

Then the trees ahead of them broke apart...as they encountered their first Great Spirit.

"GROOOOOARRRR! GRRRRAGGHHHHH! ROOOOAR!"

"Stop scaring my guests, already…!"

In front of them was a giant lizard...no...a dinosaur. Subaru recognized it as what one would call a Spinosaurus. It was jet black with shining lime green eyes. It had marking on it's rib area, the same color as it's eyes, the coloring even could be found in it's back spinal fin. This beast also had lime green teeth, claws and talons. At the end of its tail were lime green spikes. On its neck, it had marking like spirals that were the same color as his fangs and such. This monstrosity was at least 15 meters in length.

Intimidating was an understatement for this being.

"Hahhhh, well shit, if it isn't Beatrice…"

"It's been a while, I suppose."

It's voice was booming and low, even if it did not move it's outh much at all. Beatrice brushed her hair tails as she glanced up at her colleague.

"Still, usually you're not known for being so punctual."

"I found some fucking extra time to spend. Nothing more."

"...Ah,my manners."

She held Subaru's hand.

"This is Natsuki Subaru, my contracted partner."

"Hmmmm...so this is him."

He growled as he got his face closer and observed him up and down.

"Hmmm...greetings then Natsuki Subaru. I am Gustav, the Great Spirit of the South. I dictate over the earth and the lands that our feet touch upon. Fuckin' right?"

"Y-Yeah for sure. It's a pleasure Great Spirit."

Everyone quickly bowed to him, mostly out of fear.

He chuckled at the sight.

"Crap. Good manners, I'd say."

"Yes, Betty has taught him well."

"Well, the others should be arriving soon-"

His speech was cut off as a fire tornado shot down from the sky. Everyone covered their faces from the intense heat and overpowering wind bursts.

It quickly died down.

"She is always a bit too explosive, kind of pisses me the fuck off."

"Easy Gutav…and please watch the language..."

Emerging from cloud of dust, was a gorgeous woman. Her exquisite silver eyes complemented her maroon colored hair cut to be asymmetrical, her left side being quite long. It flowed down all the way to past her shoulder, while her right was short, barely passing her ear.

She wore a gorgeous white furisode, ordained in red markings of clouds. Being her back were red colored peacock feathers. She had a pink waist belt covered in white gems, on her hands were rings colored in various shades of red. She also had an actual Peacock accompanying her.

"My oh my, Gustav-kun is on time? This Summit might be quite the game changing event isn't it?"

"Keh, cut the shit already."

"My oh my, such a thing to say…"

The arriving spirit then glanced over and saw Subaru...suddenly she was right in front of him, pulling out a red and white fan pressing it under his cheek.

"Oh...my oh my...who is this handsome young man?"

"Um, Natsuki Subaru…"

"Uhuhuhu, well tell me Subaru-kun...would you like to contract with me?"

"HUH?"

"My oh my. Come on now, being contracted with me will be worthwhile, won't it?"

She pressed her chest against him, making feel her breasts...noting they were the same size as Emilia's making him blush.

Rem tried to intervene.

"Um, excuse me Great Spirit...but-"

"-AND WHAT DO YOU WANT GIRL?"

"Huh?"

"Don't interrupt my fun."

She shot a sharp glare at Rem, before she pointed her fan at her and twirled it around.

Suddenly Rem fell to the ground and held her neck...Emilia rushed to her side.

"REM! What's wrong?!"

"B...Br…"

"Huh?!"

"C-Can't...B...Breathe…"

Her eyes became watery as she felt all the air in her body escaping her. Garfiel set Mimi down as she prepared to fight. The Great Spirit narrowed her eyes at Garfiel, the Peacock she had with her, squawking at him, as if it too was ready to battle.

Subaru grabbed his magic helmet. He would die to protect-

"Enough, I suppose!"

Several Minya spears fired past the Great Spirit and destroyed a nearby boulder, then a crack in the earth appeared, just next to her. She looked over and saw Beatrice and Gustav ready for combat.

"Leave Betty's friends alone, I suppose!"

"Cut the fucking bullshit and let them be...or will you be fighting both of us?"

The Great Spirit sighed as she returned Rem's air to her and moved away from Subaru.

"Oh my oh my…! I was just having a bit of fun you two."

"Oh shut it, the fucking blue haired gasping girl tells a different damn story."

"Tsk."

She stood back before giving a small nod.

"I am Aja. The Great Spirit of the West. I control the flames and wind, thus the very weather of this world is mine to command. Excellent to meet you all."

"Now Subaru dear...if you ever get bored with Beatrice, please, come and find me...I'm always in the mood for a fun playmate."

She hid her mouth with her fan as Subaru hugged Rem.

Beatrice and Gutsav lowered their stances as they saw Aja had calmed down.

"Betty does get a little tired of that teasing, possessive attitude of yours Aja, I suppose."

"Hehehe, My oh my! Beatrice really does care for these people, is such a thing okay for a Great Spirit?"

"It is. Betty has experienced many things with these people, so I care for them greatly, I suppose. As opposed to you who plays around with humans and claims territory for themselves."

"Heh, it's part of my charm."

Gustav mumbled obscenities directed towards her.

Aja sat on her Peacock as she began to wait for the remaining two Great Spirits...sure enough the pond behind them all made a small bell like sound, and emerging from it...was the next Great Spirit.

A beautiful dark cyan colored haired woman, who opened her eyes to reveal white eyes...the rest of her sclera was black...even so it did not detract from her beauty. She wore an overly large navy blue fur coat, way too big for her size...whether she wore something underneath it, was a mystery.

The spirit's hair was made into chingon style. With a golden hairpin on the side. She had blue eyeliners as well...then she opened her mouth.

"Hello…"

"AH!"

She had vicious long fangs, even more fearsome than Frederica's or Garfiels...however, Beatrice blocked her view of their shocked reactions and whispered to them.

"Don't make negative reactions towards her teeth, I suppose. She's sensitive about it...do it and she'll kill you."

"O-Okay…"

The spirit noticed their actions and took pity on them, putting a warm white blue scarf over her mouth and spoke with her voice that almost sounded like a harp being played, it was so elegant.

"Here, that should be fine."

"Be at ease guests...I am not intolerable like Aja, nor am I foul mouthed like Gutsav...or even grumpy like Beatrice."

The three spirits in question made sour expressions towards their ally. She simply...laughed...sort of…

"Ha….Ha...Haha...funny."

"Hahhhh, was that, even a laugh, huuuuu?"

Sekhmet questioned it before everyone nodded in agreement. The spirit then bowed it's head slightly.

"Greetings to you all, I am Vasilisa. I am the Great Spirit of the North. I control the waters of this world and govern the Great Waterfall."

"Hey there, I'm-"

"-No need, I was watching you all in the pond, no need to introduce yourself, Natsuki Subaru."

She then noticed how he looked away from her.

"Is something the matter?"

"N-No, it's just...next to Beako here, you're a really cute spirit…"

"...W...hahh..UH...Oh…"

She seemed to blush intensely hearing this...before she nodded happily. Looking down at Beatrice.

"He is a kind man."

"Betty knows how to pick them, I suppose."

Now the four Great Spirits gathered in a circle, waiting for the last one to show up. The others in the group watched on in curiosity as they had no idea what this fina spirit would be like.

"I hope he's cool like Gutav!"

Garfiel loudly hoped for, making Gustav groan.

"I hope they are as pretty as Vasilisa-sama."

Petra had hoped for this, making Vasilisa cover her face with her scarf, hiding her bright red face.

"Rem is hoping this one is nicer than Aja-sama."

Aja frowned a bit, before turning away her head and sticking out her tongue.

"Whatever the case, my Beako won't lose to it."

Beatrice smiled at Subaru's comment...then Petra noticed it.

"Look everyone...flowers...they're growing right under my feet!"

Everyone looked down and saw countless flowers and weeds sprouting underneath their feet. Soon the pond began bubbling a bit as something was making its way out of it.

Gutav growled expectantly.

"So he finally made it, the fucking bastard."

Sure enough Beatrice walked over to the edge of the pond, she crossed her arms as the being slowly emerged from the water.

A being not normal in the slightest. A being made of what appeared to be plant matter, with horns made of wood adorning it and massive wings made of leaves and vegetation helping it up into the air. He hovered for a bit before it landed next to Beatrice.

This spirit was easily eight to nine feet tall and his red eyes were quite the frightful thing to witness. It then spoke…

"Hello there Beatrice, Great Spirit of the East."

His rough, strong voice accompanied his strong stature immensely.

"Yes it has been quite a while, Great Spirit of the Center, I suppose…But..."

She then looked up at him, with the sun shining behind his back, she could only smile…

"It's good to see you again; SWAMP THING."

Beatrice the Noble Goddess.

Gutav the Jawed King of the Earth.

Aja the Enigmatic Lord of the Skies.

Vasilisa the Baroness of Purity.

And...

Swamp Thing, the Green Guardian

Were all gathered.

And with this...the Summit was to begin.

The Five Great Spirits were now assembled, and their meeting would bring about either the next steps in their far reaching journey...or something else entirely.

AN: Yup, he's here too...