ARC Two: The Roswaal Mansion

Chapter Twelve: A New Day Ahead

There was a heavy anxiousness in the air at the Roswaal Mansion. Subaru and Rem had been gone for almost half an hour. The remaining residents were on high alert for anything to happen. They were waiting for Subaru and Rem to walk through the door with smiles, light wounds or even tired expressions.

Anything.

To make matters worse, Subaru was not picking up his comm link.

Batman had enough.

"This is taking too long, I'm going to check on them."

Ram interrupted him with an emotionless stare.

"No, we can't leave Emilia-sama by herself at this rate. Rem and Barusu should be more than enough for one magic user."

"Yeah...but what if it's more than that?"

"...I agree that could be a possibility. But this is still a delicate situation-."

"And if Subaru and Rem are in trouble, don't you think we should send one of us, to at least help?!"

"Are you saying my little sister can't handle this situation?!"

"Does it take her this long to win a fight?! What if she has to protect Subaru?! Did you ever think of that?!"

The two glared at each other, neither one backing.

But a soft voice stopped them from further argument.

"Batman-san. Ram."

Emilia looked downcast saying this, but not before putting on a brave face.

"Batman-san, please go! Check on Subaru and Rem."

"Emilia-sama! I don't think-!"

"I believe in Rem and Subaru. I'm hoping that they're okay, and maybe Subaru is just goofing around a bit too long in the village."

"..."

"But if I'm wrong, I want to be sure too."

She nodded at Batman and gave a slight bow to him.

"Please bring them back safely."

"Okay. Ram, take care of Emilia."

Realizing she could not beat the both of them, she simply sighed at this.

"Very well. I hope everything goes well."

"Alright, I'll be back as soon as possible."

"Batman!"

"Hmm?"

"If Barusu really is just goofing around, give him a good two kicks for Ram."

"...Sure thing."

Batman rushed out of the mansion, he used his grappling gun to dash between the trees and glide to his destination.

Emilia and Ram watched him go, not moving from their spot. Emilia looked at the direction he headed and whispered something.

"May the blessing of the spirits be with you all."

Batman dashed from tree to tree until he saw the village. He noticed immediately that torches lit up the night. He could something wasn't right. He landed on a roof of a house and could see people rushing in one direction. He jumped and landed safely on the ground, getting the attention of a young villager.

"Eeekkkk! Oh...it's just Batman-sama!"

"What's going on here?"

"Several children went missing in the forest. But Rem-sama and Subaru-sama were able to rescue them. But…"

"What? What happened?"

"Those two...were really injured when they came back."

"...WHERE ARE THEY NOW?"

"U-U-U-Up ahead in that house over there!"

He pointed to a house where several residents were gathered. He rushed over and was able to push through the crowd in order to enter.

There he saw Rem, covered in cuts and bruises with Subaru on a bed, in even worse shape.

Rem had tears in her eyes as she tried her best to heal him.

"Rem!"

Rem turned around with a surprised, yet still panicked expression.

"Batman-sama..."

"What happened?"

"The children, we found them...but one was missing. Subaru-kun went to fetch her...but the ma-beasts surrounded him, so Rem helped him. But Rem was foolish! So foolish! Rem lost control….and Subaru-kun saved her...Subaru-kun."

"..."

"Rem is so sorry. Rem is-"

Batman held her shoulder and gave her a slight nod.

"Wait here Rem. I'll be right back!"

"Batman-sama? Where are you going?"

"I'm going to get help. Stay with Subaru, I'm counting on you!"

"...Rem understands."

She held close to Subaru, healing him with what little mana she had.

Batman rushed through the trees as fast as he could. For the first time in a long time, he was in a panic. He could only see the image of Subaru, with countless bite-marks on him, torn flesh and his pained expression.

He saw in those images, the same expressions that his other friends went through.

Ones that could never come back.

He wouldn't let Subaru be another one he loses.

He made it to the mansion and slammed open the doors.

"EMILIA! RAM! WE NEED TO MOVE NOW!"

Emilia and Ram rushed down the hall and saw Batman's expression. They knew it was bad.

"Batman-san! What hap-?!"

"It's Subaru! They were attacked by Ma-beasts, they made it out alive. But his wounds are really bad!"

Ram stood before them in a slightly worried manner.

"And Rem?"

"She's not as injured, so she's trying to heal Subaru. From what I know though, those bites still curse people! We need Beatrice and Puck for this!"

"Beatrice-sama and the Great Spirit?"

"Subaru and several children are definitely cursed. We need their help."

It was decided that Emilia and Batman would head back to heal Subaru and Rem of their physical wounds. Ram, Puck and Beatrice would join them as the Anti-Curse party.

The healing was arduous and lasted throughout the night.

Emilia held Subaru's hand during the entire healing process.

Rem could only stare at him with a worried expression as she herself was healed by Ram.

Ram helped Batman take care of the children.

Puck arrived later, and with Beatrice took care of the curses.

However…

"This boy has till' half-a-day until he dies."

Emilia, Rem and Batman could only give shocked expressions at this statement.

Batman was the first to respond.

"What the hell is this?! You said you got rid of the curses!"

"He was bitten by multiple beasts, thus he has multiple curses inside him, I suppose. With that, Betty was unable to fully rid him of the curses."

"Isn't that-?!"

Rem stood up and gave an angry look at her.

"Are you just going to give up? Isn't there something we can do?"

"Unless you get rid of all the ma-beasts that attacked him, then he has no hope, I suppose. Betty wouldn't recommend it, but that's your only option."

Batman punched a wall, causing a crack to form and the whole house shook.

Everyone was of course, surprised by this burst of anger.

"Damn it! This is exactly why I should have gone with him!"

He realized it too late, he couldn't stop those words from escaping from his mouth. He looked over at Rem, the person who was sent with him, looking quite saddened.

"Rem...I didn't mean…."

"No, no. Batman-sama is understandably worried about Subaru-kun. Rem knows you didn't mean it."

"Rem…"

"But…"

She glanced over at Subaru who was sound asleep on the bed. His hand held by a tired and nervous Emilia.

"I promise I will save you."

Rem left the house with Ram not far behind. Batman leaned on the wall he punched and only glanced at Subaru.

He eventually left the house and browsed around the village, he met with several of the citizens as they thanked him.

He recalled that he helped Emilia and Ram repair the barrier stones. When Wolgarm tried to attack them, he fought them off with a full vengeance. He even hoped some of them were the ones that attacked Subaru and Rem.

Luckily, he was able to drive them off and the barrier was fixed. He headed back to the mansion for a bit to retrieve some change of clothes for Subaru and more weaponry, just in case.

When he returned he noticed that the village was slowly returning to normal. He was glad to see this.

When he reached the center of the village, he saw Petra, Luka and Mild walking up to him.

"Ah Batman-san!"

"It's Batman-san!"

"Batman-san, hi!"

He smirked a bit, he was very glad to see the children were back to their usual spirited selves.

"Has Subaru woken up yet?"

Petra tilted her head a bit.

"I thought he left with Ram-chi already?"

Batman only stared at her and quickly turned his attention to the house they were staying at.

"Excuse me kids!"

He ran forward to the house and slammed open the doors.

He saw that Emilia was asleep and Puck and Beatrice were the only other ones there.

He furrowed his eyes at the sight before him.

"Where are the others?"

Puck floated over to him.

"Now please don't be mad, okay?"

"It depends on what you tell me."

"...okay. Betty you tell him."

Beatrice pouted a bit, but seeing as this was a request from her beloved Puck she told him.

"The maid and that boy have left to catch the blue haired one, who has left to the forest on her own, I suppose."

"...what…?!"

He threw the clothes on the ground and activated his comm link.

"Subaru?! Come in!"

He heard a bit of feedback and looked to the bed, he saw the comm link was left behind.

"Damn it, Subaru!"

Before he could leave, he looked at Emilia who was still sound asleep.

"Puck, Beatrice! Do not let her know about this! Keep her here at all cost!"

"Okay!"

"Sure, sure, I suppose."

Batman rushed out and looked towards the forest. He then pressed several buttons on his gauntlet.

From the distance he saw the Batwing heading towards the village. It descended a bit, then just hovered in the air a few feet from the ground. The villagers were shocked at the display before them.

Many of them were nervous at it. But when Batman got under it, they seemed to realize it belonged to him.

He then fired a grappling hook and jumped in. He looked down to see the children looking up at him in wonderment.

He gave them a thumbs up and a quick smile as the Batwing rose into the sky and blasted away.

Everyone in Irlham Village could only keep staring at the sky, while the children were cheering wildly at the incredible thing they had just seen.

For a while Batman searched the vicinity of the forest, trying to find any of them. In the distance, he saw large explosions of dust in a clearing next to a cliff.

As he got closer, he saw what was going on.

Subaru tossed Ram into the air, who was caught by Rem. Subaru charged forward to seemingly hit Rem...only to miss completely.

He decided to intervene.

He leapt down from the Batwing and landed next to Subaru.

"Batman-san!"

"Subaru eyes sharp!"

He tossed a Batarang at a nearby beast that stabbed into it's eye. He saw more advancing and tossed small pellets at them. They exploded on impact, killing them.

Then, the Earth beneath their feet exploded and both were sent flying into the air. Batman tried to grab Subaru but missed his chance as pieces of rubble headed towards him at high speed. He blocked it with his cape.

Subaru lunged down as he fell back to the Earth and with all his might he hit her on the head with a broken sword!

He looked fanatical, like a demon!

Subaru carried Rem in the dead of night, while Ram and Batman were fending off more Ulagarm.

Ram used her wind magic to cut through them, while Batman used a freeze gun he made long ago to shatter them to pieces. He surmised that the gun was running out of energy and that Ram was dangerously low on energy.

They hid in some bushes as Batman looked at his gauntlet. It was torn apart.

Earlier, when Ram was running next to him, a ma-beast rushed out of the bushes right next to her. Batman held out his arm to stop it, but it sunk it's teeth into his forearm. Though his flesh was not pierced, the circuitry inside it was completely damaged. After Batman broke it's neck and tossed it away, he looked at the damage done.

It was bad, the circuits to contact the Batwing were wrecked and the tracer near it was dislodged. He had no time to fix it and they were now too far away from the Batwing to get on it. He wanted to make a run back for it, but he saw everyone's state and knew he couldn't abandon them.

Rem awoke right after, confused why the three of them were there. Subaru explained that they were there to save her. She couldn't understand why Subaru of all people came to save her, she thought he would be mad at her for causing his life to be in danger. She couldn't comprehend it.

"Rem…"

"...Yes?"

"HEAD BUTT!"

A loud smacking sound sounded off as his forehead struck hers.

She looked in pain and utterly confused by what just happened.

"Are you an idiot? No, you are an idiot."

"Barusu. You split your forehead it's bleeding again."

"Subaru. Stop injuring yourself already."

Subaru turned to face them.

"Yeah, I'm an idiot too. But this little sister's an even bigger idiot! Listen, where I'm from, they say that 'Three women make a market.' Or wait, was it 'Three heads are better than one'?"

Subaru shook his head at this.

"ANYWAY. Don't think about it all by yourself and rely on the people around you!"

"...Subaru-kun…"

They soon realized an entire pack had surrounded them, they were sniffing the ground as they searched for them.

Subaru decided that since they were so close to the barrier, he needed to distract them for the others to escape. Batman was of course not happy about it.

"Ram, take Rem and get moving. Batman go with them."

"Subaru! What are you saying? I can help, we don't need you to-!"

"Bruce."

"..."

"Please go with them, you can protect them better than I can right now. Besides, you all don't even know my 'special plan' to take them out."

"Subaru…"

"Get going. I got this under control. I'll meet up with you guys in no time!"

Batman did not want to leave him, but he also saw that the girls were in bad shape, if he let Subaru and them go alone, they'd be done for. Especially since, he did note that the Wolgarm seemed to be drawn to Subaru. He wondered if this had something to do with the Witch's Scent.

Rem was utterly stunned by Subaru's foolhardy plan. She looked at him worryingly as she was placed on Ram's back.

"Subaru-kun, why are you going so far…?"

"Well.."

He simply raised a finger and smiled, before giving a gentle pat to Rem's head.

"Because you were the first girl I ever went on a date with, I'm not so cruel that I can just turn my back on you."

Subaru gave a quick smile and salute to all of them before dashing and whispering something. At that moment, the Witch's Scent grew and all the nearby ma-beast chased after him.

Batman and Ram, whiled she was carrying her sister, made a run for it. They had made it a few feet before encountering several strangling beasts. Batman threw several Batarangs at them, all of them exploded. But from the smoke, a surviving ma-beast jumped out at him. He pulled out the freeze gun to stop it. It froze it, but he soon realized that it was now out of energy. He placed it back in the holster as he continued to run.

Just then he heard a mighty roar behind them. He turned his head around, along with Rem, they saw a Wolgarm that was gigantic compared to the others, facing off against Subaru.

"NO!"

Batman prepared to throw Batarangs at it, but two ma-beast attacked him from the sides. He was forced to use them in self-defense. He then saw Rem begin to cry behind him.

"ONEE-CHAN!"

Rem fell out of Ram's grasp as she looked towards Subaru.

"SUBARU-KUN!"

Batman had no choice. He didn't care if he broke his whole hand doing this, he had to save him.

No one else close to him, was going to die.

He raised a finger pointing it at the head of the Juggernaut beast ahead of him.

"JIWALD!"

The beam fired out...only for the beast to move as it lunged at Subaru, completely missing his head.

He tried to fire again, with his left hand instead, but an Wolgarm jumped in front of him at the worst time.

"JIWALD!"

The beam hit the ma-beast directly in the face blasting most of it's body away.

"OH GOD, SUBARU!"

The Juggernaut beast lunged at the young man, who stood there with nothing but a broken sword and a dislocated right arm.

But…

"-SHAMAAAAAK!"

A black cloud of smoke enveloped the area Subaru was at. Batman realized the situation was dire, but he saw a ma-beast heading for him and he grappled it to the ground. He then grabbed its neck and snapped it in half.

He looked over to see Subaru. roll out of the cloud...but seconds later the Juggernaut stomped his paw on him. It moved it's mouth dangerously close to the pinned Subaru, but Subaru noticed the sword he used earlier, still stuck to it's neck. He grabbed it as he carefully aimed.

"Go to hell why don't you-?!"

He stabbed it on it's tongue. The beast roared and flung Subaru away, as it flinched in pain.

Subaru stood again as he aimed the sword at it.

"Come on you piece shit! Come here and get some more!"

Subaru and the Juggernaut stared each other down. Both were ready for just a single spark to set them off and continue the battle.

Batman pulled out some Batarangs and prepared to toss them at the Juggernaut...but then-!

"UL GOA!"

Fire rained down from the sky, engulfing the Juggernaut and many of the nearby ma-beast.

Subaru and Batman could only stare at the display of power. They then saw Roswaal float down from the sky.

"Ahaaa! Who would have thooought that a mere Shamak, used chiefly for smokescreens, could be employed with this much impaaact?"

Batman and Subaru let loose. Subaru fell to the floor and Batman placed his Batarangs back into his Utility Belt.

"You're super late to the party Roz-chi!"

"Hmph. For once I completely agree with Subaru, you took too long."

"Wait! You don't always agree with me? What's with the trust issues here?!"

The group gathered again near the scene of the battle.

Rem suddenly rushed to Subaru and they both collapsed to the ground.

"Subaru-kun!"

"Ow! Rem, cut it out! My body's all banged up here…"

"You're alive. You're still alive. Subaru-kun, Subaru-kun...Subaru-kun!"

"Oh man...not this...again…."

Subaru drifted away into unconsciousness.

Batman and Roswaal moved forward to the forest.

"Ohhhh, do you stiiil have the energy for this, Batman-san?"

"To take care of these things? Yes. We're not leaving until we eliminate all of them."

"Yes, I must thank you and Subaru-kun quite earnestly. At the very least, rest assured I shall help you eliminate all which threatens him."

"...Let's go."

The two imposing figures walked into the forest. An aura of power encircling the both of them.

In a world of shadow, Subaru saw a figure. The figure was in the shape of a woman. For the briefest of moments he wanted to be swallowed by the shadow and become one with it. When that feeling stopped, he felt something from behind him pull him away from the figure. He trembled.

He began to scream for it, but just as the world in front of him crumbled, he heard one last thing.

"-ve you."

The world fell apart.

That morning, Batman had returned to the mansion. He returned from fixing his gauntlet and putting new cartridges in his Freeze Gun.

While he had the parts to fix the gauntlet a plenty, he used up the last of the ice cartridges. He began to worry about his situation…

During the return back from the forest, he finally asked something from Roswaal.

"Roswaal."

'Hmmmm, yes?"

"Roswaal, do you know the existence of other worlds?"

"...No, not that I caaaan say."

"No one has been to another world then?"

"There has beeeen no such thing written down. Not even in my Forbidden Archive, have I seen a book even talking aboooout such an outrageous thing."

"...I see…"

"If there was, I'm sure Od Laguna would intervene."

"Od Laguna?"

"The force that puts order in the world. Where all mana comes from. It is said that should someone use prohibited arts, their souls will beeee taken by it."

"Great, an all benevolent god huh? Just what I needed."

"I wouldn't go far as to call it that, but it is assuredly powerful."

"Well...that puts a bump on this road."

"...Can I ask whyyyy you are asking?"

"...Curiositys sake."

The two seemed to ignore the last conversation and simply talked plesantires.

Batman mentioned several magic users that he knew; Zatana, Dr. Fate, Constantine, Etrigan and several others.

Roswaal was impressed with the strange fellows he knew.

Batman had reached the halls and saw Rem walking towards him. She put on a cheerful smile.

"Good morning Batman-sama!"

"Morning' Rem."

"Are you well, you're not injured are you?"

"No, I feel just fine. And you?"

"Rem is feeling quite better thank you."

"And Subaru?"

"Subaru-kun?"

She looked down a bit, giving a shy expression. But she looked back up with a sparkling smile.

"He's doing wonderfully."

"Oh...I see."

Rem bowed politely and began to walk away, but turned quickly back.

"Um, Batman-sama!"

"Yes?"

"H-how long have you known Subaru-kun?"

"Not too long I'd say. Why?"

"Rem, just wants to...um, well…"

"..."

"Rem wants to know what he likes to eat. If Rem knows, she can cook it for him, for special occasions, like his birthday, or his favorite holiday or even his favorite week of the year!"

"O-okay...well, he seems to like just about anything you can cook. So I don't think you have a problem there-"

"He...he said he likes my cooking?"

"Yeah, he said your cooking is the best he's ever had. Or something along those lines."

"Really? Hee Hee."

Rem gave a bright warm smile, her cheeks blushing a full red radiance.

"Alright! I'll get to work and put extra effort for today's meal! Thank you Batman-sama!"

"You're welcome?"

Rem bowed once again and proceeded to walk away, humming a little tune as she did. Her smile never faltering.

Batman took off his mask, rubbing his forehead, as he peered out the window. Looking out into the bright morning sky.

Batman had figured it out.

"Oh my god."

Rem was now in love with Subaru.

"This guy has a tough future ahead of him."

Batman sighed as he walked down the halls, heading to Subaru's room. He was intending on giving him a massive scolding for his reckless actions.

But to also praise his bravery in the face of danger.

Batman continued walking, the light of the sun hitting his back.

The Residents of the Roswaal Mansion, had been freed from those accursed days. Subaru had gotten his wish.

A new day ahead, had finally arrived.

On the outskirts of the forest, a hysterical woman had been used to lure several Wolgarm into a cage. The Wolgarm feasted on her flesh, when the last one entered the cage, it slammed shut.

The Ma-beast roared and bit at the bars, only for the cage to be dragged away by a dragon carriage.

Inside a man was filling some jugs with some strange liquid.

"Now just a few more components needed for the grand experiment."

The horrid man looked down the road he was at. At the bottom of the trail we was moving across, was a small town. A truly serene little place. A small windmill sat on a small lake and flowers blanketed it's front gates.

"But first, a couple trial runs are in order."

Scarecrow leered at the village and it's people, before letting out a hideous cackle.

The day had begun anew, for both the forces of good...and evil.