Chapter Text
Endless strands of silver weaved around her head, descended and pooled into the bottom of her seat. She typed lightly on the keypad of the phone in her lap, each input precise and calm, obscuring an undercurrent of anxiety. In the grand scheme of things it hardly mattered, but they hadn’t talked in so long. What would she say?
https://wewhoremember.com
She pouted. Otto was always so over the top.
The screen went dark.
Had it-?
Of course it did. Despite his frivolities, Otto always pulled through.
The page loaded, and it prompted her with the question only she and a few others could ever have learned the answer to. It was a privilege they alone held.
Name the four kingdoms of our original world.
The author resisted the urge to roll their eyes.
A plain white text box appeared, awaiting her answer. She typed in each name carefully, slowly, as she drew on the comforting memories of a life she’d once lived.
LUGUNICA
KARARAGI
VOLLACHIA
GUSTEKO
She pressed the submit button at the bottom. Another short load time, another text box.
Enter your camp’s password.
Camp, she pondered, tilting her head up. The Royal Selection had ended long ago, and though Otto had always been diligent in reminding them of their political rivalry, they had long since exited the phase of rigid distinction and competition. Earlier that week she’d met up with him, She’d even written down their password on a little piece of paper, her small handwriting marking down the phrase.
It gave her reassurance, even if they didn’t need a reminder to know what it was.
Emilia-tan’s a major treasure!
Even if he wasn’t yet there to say them, those words instilled in her a renewed joy. Even when separated for years, she remembered the love he embedded in that phrase.
She pressed submit a final time, and the website gave way to a short 6 digit code for an external messaging app. She copied it quickly, knowing it would vanish in a few seconds. It was merely an extra security measure, though she wasn’t sure it was necessary. She pasted it into the app, and what loaded was a chatroom titled “The Emilia Camp”.
She was pensive, even if that had been their previous collective title, she wasn’t sure how she felt about herself being its namesake. She fidgeted in her seat, unsure of what she should say.
She decided on a short greeting.
6:53 AM
Witch of Frost: Hello?
Animal Whisperer: Ah, Emilia-sama. Good morning, I hope it wasn’t too confusing finding this.
The Greatest Maid: Ram believes you wouldn’t need to apologize if you simply gave us the code in person. The worthless merchant would do well to remain humble.
Animal Whisperer: It was for security reasons! Do you know how suspicious we would be if someone caught wind of this???
Gorgeous tiger: Nah, Ram’s gotcha there brotto. Ya said it yourself, ya wanted t’ be drama’ic.
The Greatest Maid: Ram is certain no one would believe a word said here to begin with.
Rem: Rem agrees with nee-sama, it would’ve been easier to deliver it to us yourself.
Animal Whisperer: Would anyone help me out here!?!
Quarter Tiger: I think it was a lovely puzzle, Otto-san.
Animal Whisperer: Thanks, Frederica-san…
Quarter Tiger: Though I agree with Garf, it was rather superfluous.
Animal Whisperer: Not you too!
Witch of Frost: Um, aren’t we getting off track?
The Greatest Maid: As you wish, Emilia-sama.
Rem: As you wish, Emilia-sama.
Gorgeous tiger: You two really are alike.
The Greatest Maid: Of course, you should all strive to reach the heights achieved by Ram.
Animal Whisperer: Emilia-sama is right, let’s get back on track.
Currently, we know four things.
1. We are now living presumably, granted its similarities to what we’ve seen, in the world Natsuki Subaru originated in.
2. We have retained our memories of our past life.
3. This world operates as described by Natsuki-san, without magic, divine protections, authorities, mabeasts, etc. We are all 100% human with no room for interpretation.
Gorgeous tiger: Whad’ya mean?!? Fought an ulgarm the otha day!
Animal Whisperer:
4. We do not know where some of the members of our camp are. These members include:
Meili.
Spica.
Shaula.
Roswaal.
Beatrice.
As well as Natsuki Subaru.
Gorgeous tiger: If we’re lucky the clown’ll stay that way.
Rem: Rem agrees.
The Greatest Maid: Barusu will pop up eventually. He worms in through the tiniest cracks, after all.
Witch of Frost: I reeeeeally hope he comes back soon. 15 years has been enough of a wait.
Rem: Subaru-kun will appear today. I’ve ensured we enrolled in the high school he attended. He’ll certainly be there.
Quarter Tiger: It is a little bit creepy that you remember that, Rem-san.
The Greatest Maid: Hah! Just admit Rem has a memory that far surpasses your own.
Rem: I also tracked down where he lives, he’s our age and rather close to the school. His parents and home seem consistent with what he’s told us of his old life.
ALL: …
Animal Whisperer: I’m fairly certain that’s some order of illegal, Rem-san.
Gorgeous tiger: That is a little weird, Rem…
Rem: I confirmed I wasn’t violating any laws before I did it. Subaru-kun wouldn’t like it if Rem stalked him, after all.
Witch of Frost: Even so, that still seems impolite, somehow…
The Greatest Maid: That aside, we can discuss this in further detail in a few hours. The opening ceremony should not take very long, and we should all be in the same class. You DID arrange for that, right, merchant?
Animal Whisperer: Stop calling me merchant, you know that isn’t true anymore. I got Anastasia to pull some favors so we’d all be in the same class. It’s almost scary how fast she works.
Gorgeous tiger: What do ya owe ‘er?
Animal Whisperer: She said “don’t worry about it” and winked, but that’s frankly rather unsettling.
Gorgeous tiger: Good luck, brotto.
The Greatest Maid: Let's hope your hubris catches up with you.
Animal Whisperer: Thank y- wait a minute.
Quarter Tiger: I shall see you all then.
Emilia turned the phone off, its screen turning to black once more. The first day was upon them, and she wanted to make a good impression. The uniform was rather simple: White top with a blue bottom. It was quite loose in its demands, but that simply meant there was more room for expression in individual appearance.
She slipped into a crisp white long sleeve and a deep blue ruffled skirt, dark stockings popping out like dregs of the night. She pulled over a dark purple knitted sweater, colored to match the amethyst eyes that gazed back at her in the mirror. She paced in front of it, fiddling with her flower hair piece and bangs – they had to be just right. She shivered. Was it anticipation? Anxiety? Glee? She couldn’t figure out which one she was feeling. She hauled a grey backpack over her shoulder, and tightly laced on a pair of white boots with purple soles. She’d have worn dress shoes, but she wanted to go the extra mile to make sure he’d recognize her. Finally, she turned to Puck, the grey cat that rested peacefully on the bed, seemingly oblivious to the world around him. She gave him a quick pat, then turned and darted down the steps to the first floor.
“I’m leaving!” she yelled out, rushing through the hallway and to the door.
“Don’t be so hasty, you’ll trip.” replied a woman at a small table by the door. She was lounging in a chair, sipping a cup of coff- no. Coffee. That’s what it was called now, though the naming scheme still felt quite odd. Her short hair mimicked Emilia’s in color, glimmering in the light.
“Yes, mother Fortuna…” she mumbled back, pouting. She’d gotten ahead of herself again.
A giggle followed her. “It’s fine, just be careful. You wouldn’t want your perfect day ruined by a fall~” she teased, turning back to Emilia, nesting her chin in her hand.
“Goodbye!” Emilia exclaimed, quietly shutting the door behind her. She undid the black metal gate to her house, cooled by the winds of approaching Autumn, and closed it behind her. Though she wanted to run straight to school, Fortuna’s words echoed true in her ear, and she carefully, painstakingly walked very calmly as she made her way there. The breeze did well to soothe her, but even as she trekked she couldn’t help but glance this way and that, searching for him, even despite the hundreds of times she’d been mistaken in believing someone else was him.
It really was just as he’d described it. Hundreds of similar houses aligned in rows and columns, gardens neatly tended to, the petals of the flowers drying and fading in color. Telephone and electrical poles towered along the sidewalk, vertical disparities of metal and wires connecting thousands of square miles, bringing an everpresent light that abated the natural darkness of night and kept loved ones in touch regardless of distance. Bright lights adorned convenience stores around the clock, reminiscent of the one he’d visited that night. The paved cobblestones and hustle and bustle of the streets that she was used to were replaced instead with smooth pavement and organized traffic. Birds chirped absentmindedly in a language she never understood, though she was always assured it was rather mundane.
She trekked throughout the neighborhoods, the cold air seeping into her lungs as she calmed her heartbeat. She paused at the train tracks. His image, tearfully bidding an unheard goodbye to the only family he could touch, filled her vision.
She kept going, navigating streets she had yet to learn the name of, singlemindedly driving her to her destination, step by step.
The building before her stood almost imposingly, at a size comparable to the smaller manor she had, for a long time, called home. The trees that stood at the sides of the main path were losing their leaves, the pieces of their life fallen to the ground and littered across the grass. A cement wall blockaded much of the streetside view, large metal gates swung open, silently threatening those without the right to be there. She steeled herself, and turned the corner inside the walls.
The crunch of leaves under her feet were a steady reminder that she was moving, even as she felt as though her heart was freezing in her chest. She would see him soon. Fifteen years was a long time, and that was only to speak of their time on Earth. Irrationalities whispered inside her head. How long had it been since they’d died? What if his passion had cooled? What if he didn’t love her anymore? What if he’d already found someone else? She brushed those worries away. Even across hundreds of deaths he’d remained steadfast in his feelings. She held faith in him.
Amidst the crowd surrounding the main door, she noted many of the others. Garfiel and Frederica accompanied each other, as did Rem and Ram, the pairs of yellow and red with blue betraying their identities. It didn’t look like Otto was there yet, but she figured he was wrapping up some sort of business, he’d always been quite busy, even on his days off. She’d have to warn him to give himself a break. She spotted more familiar faces, allies and rivals of other camps. It appeared the knights’ loyalty persisted across lifetimes, as she found them besides the ladies they’d sworn themselves to.
Felix stood hesitantly behind Crush, his light brown hair wavering in the wind as she stood tall and proud, a long green ponytail swaying confidently. Anastasia and Julius were easy to find, their lilac hair standing out amongst the crowd, Anastasia’s tall white hat poking out amongst the sea of heads. Reinhard stood firm, arm linked firmly to Felt as she desperately tried to pull away. It seemed he had been blessed with strength regardless of the world he found himself in. She giggled.
She didn’t see him, but despite her climbing heartbeat, she figured she’d find him soon enough. A few more minutes were fine.
The doors finally opened, and she watched on as the students flowed in her gaze tracing the crowd as they passed, but as if a universal constant, she couldn’t find him.
…she was starting to get worried.
When the last of the crowd had dissipated inside, she sighed. She’d have to wait a bit longer. Though she might have been used to it, that didn’t make it any less painful. Was this how he had felt? She reluctantly began to walk in.
She heard a yelp.
She turned to her left, repositioning the angle of her head. She turned to look back at the school, but it could wait, just like she had.
“Curiosity killed the cat!” He'd scolded her once before, but she couldn’t suppress that investigative urge.
She walked silently along the path, coming to a darker alley between the surrounding fence and the left wing of the building.
She turned the corner.
The noises got louder, snippets of conversations reaching her ear.
“He- come- pain-” her ears perked up at the last word. She accelerated, her walk speeding into a jog and then a run.
That day in the capital, in Lugunica.
The day she met him for the first time, the real first time, before they had known anything about each other. The first life he lived.
She was reminded of that third time. The alley, those monsters, a careless knife against matters of great importance, a man collapsed and left to die in pain without having done anything to deserve it.
She rounded the corner, the asphalt revealing its age as she approached –worn and cracked– the smell of trash lingering in the air. She turned the final corner into a small clearing behind the building. Someone was scrambling backwards on the ground, slowly pursued by three thugs, their backs turned to her.
“Any chance you’ll let me go?” a familiar voice squeaked out.
“Not happening, stay still if you don’t want to get hurt.” An unfamiliar voice responded quickly. The sound of cracking joints rang throughout the small space.
Emilia wasn’t a half-elf anymore, no such thing existed; but as the case with Reinhardt, she had retained an abnormal amount of physical strength.
Even if it had been a long time, her body still remembered the motions, combat engraved in her muscle memory. She didn’t have ice magic anymore, but there were… more than adequate methods to compensate.
“METAL BRAND ARTS!” she cried, picking a crowbar off the ground. The edge of the discarded tool caught the hood of the first thug on the left, she threw him into the fence: it dented slightly. The other two hardly had time to register their fallen comrade. She slammed her leg downwards against the second one into the ground, and finished the third with a quick jab to the solar plexus with the butt of the bar.
She turned her attention to the kid on the ground, staring at him as if he was a trick of the light. The same ruffled spiky hair fit his face, his eyes were the same brand of intimidating and creepy, yet doused in the kindness she remembered so fondly. He wore a white long sleeve covered in a light black rainjacket, neat (well, not so neat anymore) blue slacks leading to a pair of black sneakers. A set of headphones rested against his neck, in his signature colors of black and orange.
“Crumbled like a house of cards…” he muttered in wonder. He glanced upwards, and Emilia’s silver hair and amethyst eyes eclipsed all else in sight.
“Emilia.” he blurted out reflexively.
He hardly had time to register his savior before she dove at him, embracing him with such affection and strength he was stunned into silence, pinned to the ground. Tears streamed down her face and onto his coat.
“Huh?” he asked impulsively.
She’d acted without warning, her heart and joy soaring into the heavens like Icarus…
And collapsing into the depths of the ocean below. His tone was foreign to her. He’d said her name impulsively, but it held no tone of recognition. He knew, at least on some instinctual level that he knew her, but it carried no weight. None of the love that he had loaded onto her name every time he spoke it. It was hollow, the honorific she’d so desperately wanted to hear dissipated into the void.
But that was fine. As he’d once said, even if they didn’t remember, even if they couldn’t remember, he would do so for them.
It was their turn to bear that burden.
She hugged him tighter, the tears petering away.
“I’m sorry. Just a little longer, oh–kay Subaru?” she whispered, her voice small and resigned.
Subaru didn’t know how to respond. He’d been picked out early as a target for robbery on the first day, and was dragged into the school’s back alley by three thugs to be mugged. He’d always had pretty rotten luck, but this was a new low for him.
Yet in a fortunate turn of events, an angel had descended from the heavens themselves, someone he called out for but could not recall, affection he recognized but that he did not understand oozing from her embrace. A name he expelled on instinct, practiced and smooth on his tongue as if he’d said it thousands of times before for someone he had no distinct memory of.
He hadn’t even panicked, acknowledgement of intent on a level baser than thought for a…stranger? That didn’t feel right. His thoughts and emotions jumbled together, into a disorienting array of joy, surprise, anxiety, heartache…
And love for a person who had appeared for the first time in front of him.
He hesitated for a moment, before wrapping his arms around her and holding her tight as she pushed out the last of her sobs.
She knew him, she understood him. Even if he couldn’t remember now, she knew he’d never change. They’d get his memories back.
They would protect him, so that he didn’t have to suffer alone ever again. So that he could live the life he was supposed to before he was torn away from it, alongside the people he had grown to love in their last lives.
She had an idea.
“I saved you, right?” she asked hesitantly. Subaru did a double take, curiosity emerging forth.
“Yeah? I wouldn’t have had any lunch money or teeth left if you didn’t come to my rescue.”
“So then, naturally, I should receive an award for my efforts?” He was wondering where she was going with this. He chuckled.
“If I’m able to fulfill your wish, sure.”
“I want one thing, and one thing only.” He was feeling a little nervous. She’d just beat the shit out of three people in a few seconds, what did she have planned for him?
A brief eternity passed.
“Would you tell me your name?” She asked. Silence blanketed them as if the very idea of sound had been seized, before–
He laughed. A hearty laugh from the soul, the tension evaporated with the simplicity of her request. What did he have to worry about? She’d just saved him, hugged him like he was a dream she wanted to hold on to, and asked him for something he would have given regardless of what she’d done for him. He wiped away a tear.
“Subaru. Natsuki Subaru. You’re a little strange, you know that?” he said back, finally. She nodded, a little surprised at his response. He recentered himself.
…
“And yours?” he whispered, though he was sure he knew the answer.
She choked slightly.
“Emilia. Just Emilia.” she said, softly nostalgic.
“...Thank you, Emilia-tan, for saving me.” he replied, gratitude and delicacy bleeding into his voice.
Her eyes widened, her cheeks flushed, and she smiled, truly smiled with all the joy she could feel at that moment, nestling herself in the crook of his neck.
And with that declaration, for a moment, all was right with their world.