Chapter 12: Love that's Darker than a Shadow

He spat out the bits of gravel that was in his mouth, he had just left Echidna's tea party, though, who know's how long he's been in there in real-world time. He was hoping not too long since time is limited.

He gets up and walks through the hallway to get Emilia, but to his surprise, "Emilia's... not here?!" the spot beside him, which was supposed to be where a certain half-elf sat, was empty.

Instantly, his mind started to panic, "Could she have finished the trail... no, if she did, of course, she'd try to wake me up... maybe I couldn't get up because I was in the tea party?"

He got up and dashed up the stairs, the moonlight hitting his face, the wind breezing through his hair, it was calm, but no one was there.

"..."

Everything in front of him, was black, Garfiel, Ram, Beatrice, Lewes, Rem, Otto, none of them were waiting for him, none of them were there. All he could see were shadows, shadows that originated... from the tomb?

"Suuu..."

HIs eyes widened in fear when he heard a cold voice coming from behind him, it sent more than just shivers down his spine. He could feel the extreme pressure from the presence behind him, it was unlike anything he'd ever felt before, surpassing even the Witch of Greed's.

"Suuubaruu..."

He gulped and turned his head slowly, and all he could see was darkness, shadows in the shape of a person, a silhouette you could say. He couldn't comprehend the nature of the voice, it was morbid and had a sense of desperation. Was it a woman or a man? He couldn't tell, all he could describe it as was distortion.

"Ah..."

He was frozen in fear, he wanted to run for it but his body just won't respond to his pleading. The shadowy figure extended its arms towards Subaru, it was like death itself trying to grasp him, he could feel the danger, but he was stuck.

"Get outta there ya bastard!"

From an area that wasn't patched up in darkness and figure jumped out and tackled Subaru away from the shadow, they both rolled off to the side, instantly creating distance.

"Kha- G-Garfiel?"

He looked at the young blonde boy that had pushed him from imminent danger. "Oi, don't ya just god damn freeze like that!" He said while scowling at him.

"M-My bad... anyway, the hell's that thing?!"

Their gazes averted to the shadow that stared at them, it was just that, a big lump of shadows, they can only slightly see the purple outlines, but other than that, it was all just darkness, like a void.

"Tch, 'S what my amazin self's wanna know... the lil spirit girl's waiting, so hold on!" He grabs Subaru by the collar of his tracksuit and takes a huge leap of the ground, leaving a crater behind.

"Gha! Warn a guy will ya!"

He puts his left hand on his chest while the other on his shirt to stop the force from ripping off his neck, and he chanted "Murak". Noticeably, Garfiel seemed to go faster, was he really that heavy?

Garfiel's feet touched the ground and once again, his legs folded and he took another great leap. The shadow wasn't just watching idly, the crater was quickly engulfed in darkness as it pursued them.

Jump after jump, they finally reached what seems to be the remains of Sanctuary, broken down buildings lined up on a black plane with scraps of wood piling up unevenly on places. They landed on top of the roof of the Cathedral, a teary-eyed Beatrice came running up to them.

"SUBARU!"

"B-Beako!"

She clung onto his tracksuit, letting her tears flow through it, "You okay, I suppose?" She gave him a worrisome look, the looks she had before her deaths in the past timelines. This was a side Beatrice shows rarely, it was a pure look of worry. It shows just how important he was to her, he kneeled down to get on her level and took out the handkerchief Petra gave him to wipe her tears off.

"Hey, soon-to-be-knight, what do we do?"

"Right... well first of all, please don't tell me this is all that's left..." Silence, the two looked away, "So that 'thing' took em, huh...? Beako, what do you think that thing is?"

"Betty is unsure... though the blue haired one did notice... an excessive amount of Miasma before it came out of the tomb..."

"The tomb?!"

Everyone has been waiting in front of the tomb's entrance for about thirty minutes now, and there still doesn't seem to be any sign of anyone coming out. But suddenly, Rem sniffed the air, something was coming.

"Subaru-kun!?"

"What's wrong, I suppose?"

"Miasma... Subaru-kun is coming!"

They all brightened up when Rem said that, they looked down the stairs hopefully, but they say nothing.

"Wait..."

Something felt off, Beatrice could feel it, though there may be a trace of Miasma, Beatrice can't feel Subaru coming closer, whatever was coming, it definitely wasn't Subaru. Before she could think about it further, Rem went forward intending to get a better look.

"Rem! That's not Subaru, I suppose!"

Beatrice tried to go for her hand, but shadows suddenly started erupting from the entrance, Rem getting engulfed in it completely, it wasted no time as it gouged down on everyone else. Before Ram was taken, she shot out a blast of wind at Garfiel's direction, saving him from the shadows embrace.

Beatrice was able to create some distance by teleporting away a few away then proceeded to float in the air. She then started firing several Minya bolts at it, but the shadows extended forward and slashed at them as if they were nothing. One came straight for Beatrice, she put up a makeshift barrier but it got slammed but the shadow as if it were a whip.

She was plummeting down but Garfiel caught her just before she could make impact, "Hey spirit! Hold on, we're gettin outta here quick!"

"B-But Subaru!"

"We'll get em later!"

The pathway to Sanctuary was blocked out so they decided to make it around, through the forest. Garfiel jumped from branch to branch, with Beatrice close in his arms. He made one final leap and he went above the trees, he could see Sanctuary, but there was nothing left. The shadow had already reached it before they did, nothing but wrecked houses.

"Why... don't tell me... that god damn Witch is here! Now of all times!" He shouted as he glared down the directions the shadows originated from, "Ya askin us? Yer the one tha smells like her, so was hopin you got an idea or something?"

"Let's just cover some distance, for now, I suppose..."

"Good idea, Beako"

"Does my amazin self have to carry both of ya?"

"Nope, I'd rather not get dragged by the neck!"

He grabs a hold of Beatrice and jumps off, shouted, "Murak!", once he lifted his feet off the ground, the building started to crumble, prompting Garfiel to jump as well. Garfiel's jump was much faster than Subaru's but he makes it up for a higher altitude. They continued jumping, one building after another.

"Damn it... think of something, Subaru... you've got that 20th-century brain so use it..."

He looked around as he continued his escape, he even spun around to see his back as well, though nothing seemed to catch his sight, mostly because everything was engulfed in shadows. 'Shadows... shadows... how the hell do you beat shadows! Light...? Wait... yes that's it, Light!'

He desperately looks around for a light source and had succeeded, it was a lone torch in the edge of Sanctuary, it seems the shadows were struggling to get close. He was watching it so intently that he didn't see where he was going.

"S-Subaru!"

He crashed headfirst into a wooden wall, though he reflexively shielded Beatrice from the impact. They started falling down as the effects of Murak was wearing off.

"M-Minya!"

From under them, a purple platform appeared and Subaru landed, back-first onto it. He recovered from the impact quickly but noticed that the shadows were rising from the ground up to them, "Minya!" he jumped off and chanted again, in front of them, another platform appeared, then another, and another. He jumped across them, covering distance much quicker than before and had caught up with Garfiel who was waiting just outside the gate.

"Haah... Garfiel I got an idea" He said as he landed with Beatrice in his arms, trying to catch his breath. "You got some kinda light source we could use? Any kind's good, we just need it to get rid of those shadows and attack whatever that 'thing' is"

"Light... got it, this way!"

He ran out to the forest and Subaru followed close behind, the shadow now literally chasing after them. In the distance, though he could only faintly hear it, there was a voice, the shadow's voice, it was muffled out like last time, but it was saying something different.

"I love you..."

"I love you... I love you... I love you, I love you I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, love, love, love, love, love, love, you, you, you, you, you, only you! Subaru..."

"Talk about an obsession..."

"What is she mumbling about, I suppose..."

They kept on running for a few more minutes before, "Gah, w-what!" Subaru's foot started to sink into the shadows, it was like quicksand but slower.

"Damn it!"

He struggled to keep up with Garfiel but making him turn back to get him but, "No, just get light, it'll get rid of these shadows! Hopefully..."

"They're already here!"

He said while glaring at the shadowy figure which they identified as the Witch of Envy, "What do you..." Suddenly, several shadows leaped from the forest and landed near Garfiel, all looked identical, no difference what so ever.

"Your..."

"L-Lewes-san...?"

About twenty or so Lewes's appeared in front of them, though they all wore a white robe compared to Lewes's usual pale dark purple. They look so emotionless, like their dolls, maybe that's what they were, dolls...

"They're clones, I suppose..." Subaru turned his head to Beatrice, seeing her make a sour look, "This is what you've been doing to Betty's friend, Mother...?" Subaru heard her mutter this but decided that it wasn't the time to ask questions.

"Garfiel! Do something!" Noticing that he was sinking down to his knees, Garfiel rushed forward, so did the Lewes 'clones', he watched as one came straight for them, open it's arms wide and suddenly bursting to specks of light. It worked, Subaru and Beatrice were freed from the shadows and he dragged himself off the ground and went to safe grounds.

He turned back and say something that made his jaw drop, "G-Garfiel..." The young blonde was trembling, no, rather, he was shaking, as if trying to release something.

"GRAAAAAAH- !"

He let out a mighty roar and his body suddenly grew in size, his body was covered in luscious golden fur, accompanied with black stripes, he had just undergone, "Beastification..." Beatrice murmured to inform Subaru.

He charged front hacking away at the shadows that tried to come from him, it wasn't very effective as it only slowed him down, that's when the Lewes clones came from behind, exploding into light as they made contact with the shadows, effectively dispersing them.

He used the chance to draw nearer, the shadows also went after him, "Only... only... Subaru..." it muttered over and over again. Another Lewes came and exploded, then another, and another, until none were left... but he didn't need another one, the figure was just in front of him.

Garfiel raised his right hand, which have grown to at least three times its original size and packed with claws sharper than knives, he started to swing down, but shadows protruded directly from the figure, but from underneath him, one last Lewes clone went between them, one he prepared for this moment.

It exploded, removing the shadows in front of him, the light was blinding but it didn't affect him, his bloodlust wouldn't allow it to. He swung his right arm down at the figure, the speed was fast enough that they heard it whistle as it went down, the sharp claws that would cut in an instant were heading straight towards it, it's impossible to dodge now, there's no chance.

"Grah..."

A grunt was heard and the piercing of flesh was heard, but nothing more, no impact, no screeching, it was like a clean assassination, but the one who did it was not Garfiel.

"G..."

His body filled littered with dark spikes, blood spilling from the tears in his flesh, his hand was simply sliced off, the hit never came, he's dead. The shadows proceeded to rip him up, limb by limb, until there was nothing but a pile of flesh and bones on the ground, slowly sinking into the shadows.

"No..."

"S-Sub... Subaru..."

The shadowy figure continued to move forward, approaching Subaru, Beatrice came in front of him and summoned a barrier but it was quickly torn down by the shadows, another went and slammed her away, "Beako!" He catches her before she hits the ground, sending him back from the impact.

"Beako, are you alright!"

"It... hurts... but Betty is fine, I suppose... more importantly..."

She points to the shadows, they advanced closer, they were cornered, "Why did we run in the forest, damn it!" He struggled to get up, the shadows had already grabbed his feet and were going to wrap around his legs.

"I love you..."

"Shut up..."

"I love you..."

"Just... Shut up!"

"I love you..."

"JUST GOD DAMN, SHUT UP!"

Even when he screams at the top of his voice, the shadow just kept on repeating it's "I love you", this was insane on a whole nother level, even surpassing Betelgeuese's own.

"Well, I don't love you!"

"I love you, only you'd do, I love you, love you, so love, so love, sooo much love, all, love for you, because I love you, I love you!"

Even if he rejects it, it still won't make it stop, the shadows kept on wrapping his legs, he lifted Beatrice up to his chest to avoid her from being taken as well. They were also slowly sinking down inside. What happens if he falls in, will he ever get out, will he die? If this is truly the Witch, would she let him die?

"Subaru..."

"Damn it..."

He cursed himself when he heard Beatrice's voice, fear-filled and maybe regret as well. They were slowly sinking down, he could kill himself here, with Minya, but he didn't have the guts to do it, he couldn't kill himself, not in front of Beatrice, no matter the circumstances. But suddenly, the shadows dispersed, he was released from their vice grip and he quickly stepped back.

They looked around to see what could have done it, but they found nothing. But he felt something on his left leg, something warm, a bright light was emanating from his pocket. He reached inside and found the handkerchief that Petra had given him, and he had presumably given it to Echidna... wait...

"You knew about this didn't you..." He said in a quiet yet fierce voice, "You god damn knew about this didn't you! Echidna!" He screamed out her name, he could mentally see her giggling at him with a smirk, he wishes he could punch her right now.

"..."

After he screamed that, the constant mutterings of "I love you" had ceased. The shadow just lays there motionlessly, was the topic of other witches sensitive or was it due to the shock of Subaru's new weapon.

"You don't like it when I talk about the others do you..."

"I love you, I love you..."

"Totally unfazed..."

He felt the handkerchief slowly forming into a dagger, albeit there were many creases. He didn't want to look at it directly as it was pretty bright. More shadows go for him but he cut them apart with his cloth dagger. He advanced forward and so did the shadows.

"I love you..."

"I didn't ask for your love!"

He kept rejecting it as he slashed away at the ongoing shadows.

"I love you..."

"Not gonna happen!"

The number of shadows increased but it didn't deter him, he just kept on slashing.

"I love you..."

"Just...

"Subaru-kun..."

"Gah-"

He stopped his slashing, but the shadows kept on coming from him, though they were careful. His eyes widened as he stared at the figure, was it out of fear, for intimidation, or anger?

"Who in hell gave you permission to call me that!"

He sprung forward, slashing at the shadows mercilessly.

"I love-"

"No one can call me that and tell me they love me! No one but one person!"

Some of the shadows were able to make it past the blade and attached onto his shoulders and knees but he the cloth dagger just glowed brighter. He doesn't know what Echidna did to it, but it sure was helping, he aimed the dagger straight at the shadows head.

"The only person I'll allow, is RE-"

It was about a centimeter before the blade was going to plunge into its targets head but he stopped midway and dropped the dagger, and it fell to the ground. The figures head was clearly visible, and it was none other than...

"E-Emilia...!"

Her eyes were closed, though it seems like they were experiencing pain, her face scrunched up in anguish, similar to when she was taking the trial. The Witch must've taken control of her body when he talked about Return by Death during the tea party. Since she couldn't break through Echidna's dreamscape, she couldn't bring the usual punishment, so instead, she decided for a more cruel one.

He was momentarily stunned but recovered quickly and went to grab her out from the shadow but they slammed him back. He landed back to where he dropped Beatrice off, luckily the shadows were aiming for him so it left Beatrice unharmed, except for that one time they slammed her back.

"Subaru... what... what will Betty do... Betty can still do something!"

She said to him, her eyes, her voice, so full of desperation, she was scared, terrorized, this is what death does to you, and to think Subaru has survived this more than once.

"Betty doesn't want to lose Subaru!" She screamed as she clutched his tracksuit, clearly crying, "Not when Betty was having so much fun... Betty doesn't want it to end! Not like this!" The pain of hearing her cries were too much, he thought back on what Echidna has said 'USe one life solely for gathering information, and another for implementing', if he did that, this is all he'd end up with, other people dying, he can't stand it, not when it's this painful.

The shadow, who was occupied with swallowing the bright cloth dagger, was now right in front of them, they couldn't move, they were already locked in position, there's no way out of this.

'I can't do it, not in front of her...'

There was no other choice, being engulfed by the shadows 'might' kill him, but it's not guaranteed so this is the only way.

'I'm sorry...'

He takes a deep breath, preparing himself, "Beako... hold on tight..." she didn't stop crying, she only held on tighter, he didn't want to see her face not when he's doing this.

"El...

The shadows rose up, intending to defend the body from any attack, though it was unnecessary.

"Minya..."

Around thirty to forty purple spears rained down on them, boring wholes everywhere across they're bodies, Subaru could only hear the tearing of flesh and a slight whimper from the girl on him, even that small whimper, it was like a huge rock to the chest.

He laid there, quickly losing consciousness, he could see light coming from under him, he didn't want to see it, he never wants to see it ever again. Then everything went black and he died...

A/N

...

[Subaru]: The hell with that scene man! I mean it was well written and all but...

[ReviewR524]: Watashi wa Beti no yō ni kanojo no tame no kyarakutā no kaihatsu ga sukidesu!

[Subaru]: What's with the Japanese, the rest can't understand ya know...

[ReviewR524]: I said, "I like Betty so character development for her"

[Betty]: Betty didn't like being that honest, I suppose, besides, what's the point in character development if it doesn't move on to the next loop, I wonder?

[ReviewR524]: OH...I have... no idea...

[Subaru]: So you did that for no reason!?

[ReviewR524]: Daijōbu, not everything needs reasons, Subaru-san!

[ReviewR524]: Besides, it was a touching scene wasn't it?

[Subaru&Betty]: Hmmm... was it... I suppose?

...

A well-written chapter if I do say so myself. Originally, it was gonna go like, "Betty will sacrifice herself so Subaru should run" but then I couldn't put the "Betty doesn't want to die cause Betty wants to be with you" stuff.

Touchy stuff and all but let's end it quickly, I'm getting tired. Upload speed is halved cuz of my mock examinations. Hope you understand... (Before that, try guess who's saying the last line in this chapter...)

Now just a few words to reach 4k ! "love you Subaru... she said, the voice was one filled with feelings for the person, but her rejects them, even though, she continues, I love you Subaru... still he rejects, but it doesn't change the feelings, she will always, love you... Subaru..."

Warlock Alternate Ending

He held onto her hand as she wept onto his shirt, he was going to do it, it was too painful to bear, "El... Minya" several Minya spears, totaling up to around thirty to forty appeared above them, he chanted the spell quietly so Beatrice wouldn't be able to hear him.

"Betty doesn't want to lose Subaru!" Hearing her voice, he hesitated, he lost concentration and the spears dissipated. His heart hurt so much, hearing her frail voice, the voice of a desperate child, the voice of the same child he promised to be with.

"I'll put an end to your suffering!", that's what he said, just a week ago, and here he is, making her suffer more, he's already failed twice, and he's going to fail again.

"I don't want to lose you guys too... not anymore..." He held onto her, he's already gone past his limits, he can't move his body to do the right thing, all he can do is hold onto her, was it due to their contract, or is it just him...

The shadows kept on sucking them deeper, it was already too late now, if this doesn't work, he doesn't know what will. The shadow has to kill him, he wouldn't forgive himself if it doesn't...

"I love you..." Was the last thing he heard...