8

Subaru woke up with a start.

He looked around.

[ That's an inn room, it looks like I'm still in Fusumi judging by the white sakura I can see from the window.] He noted.

The room he was given was a grand one with an impeccable view of Fusumi sakura trees.

Petals fluttered from the tree in a hypnotic pattern.

Subaru started to move only to wake up Beatrice.

" What is Betty's Subaru doing waking Betty like that I suppose." She mumbled.

Subaru looked at her feeling guilty.

" Sorry Beako, you can go back to sleep." He apologized.

It was indeed very early the sun was barely starting to show itself.

Beatrice turned toward Subaru upon seeing the look on his face she chose to wake up.

Subaru did not know it but his eyes showed his inner turmoil.

Fury, hatred along with a slight hint of madness shone within his slanted eyes.

This worried Beatrice who now could feel her contractor's emotion.

" What's wrong I suppose?" She asked worriedly.

Subaru looked at her silently before his shoulders started trembling.

" Beako I... I" he started.

Only for Beatrice to wrap her arms around him.

Slowly she rubbed circles on his back.

" Betty's Subaru is fine Betty is with him there is no need to fear whatever hurt you, we shall triumph over it," she declared full of confidence.

She had realized that Subaru must have returned by death.

Guilt weighed her yet she started to think more thoroughly.

Only a Campione or a God could have killed her contractor.

The two other Campione in the World were far away in others countries and were known to rarely leave their territory.

This meant that a God must have killed Subaru.

[ God or not Betty will not let her contractor die this time I suppose !] She thought, determined.

Subaru had calmed down while Beatrice was swearing violent retribution to the one who hurt her contractor.

[ I need to gather the others we need to prepare quickly. Still, it's nice staying like this.] Subaru thought with fondness.

Contracting Beatrice was turning to be the best decision of his life.

[ This time I'll protect them all!] He swore.

Beatrice and Subaru burned with determination.

Subaru found his companions in the inn dining room that they were given.

Being a Campione he was given a private dining room for him and his companions.

Otto had already left.

Melty, Zarestia, and Halibel were already seated.

Upon seeing the look on Subaru's face they all tensed.

Noticing his companions' apprehension, Subaru calmed down a bit.

He sat with Beatrice on his lap.

The Great Spirit was stone-faced yet her willpower could be felt.

It was like a flaming aura of fury was surrounding her.

They sat in silence until Subaru chose to speak up.

" A God will descend in the mountain surrounding Fusumi," Subaru announced, seriously.

Halibel and Zarestia tensed, Melty paled.

" A Goddess actually, she wields a Great bow and keeps talking about worthy prey. Any idea about who it could be?" He asked his companion.

Halibel fell deep in thought.

" That must be the Huntress of the West." He explained.

" She used to be worshipped widely by the tribe that inhabited the Great waste before Hoshin founded Kararagi."

Subaru looked at Halibel confused.

" After Hoshin founded Kararagi business and innovation were valued highly whereas in the past the main resource for the people of the waste was Hunting. She is still worshipped but she is no longer seen as a central figure."Halibel finished his explanation.

Subaru fell in thought.

" Perhaps her lack of worship made her rebel from her legend and descend" Subaru muttered.

Before adopting a determined face.

" No matter her reason, I must defeat her." He spoke sincerely.

[ She killed Melty and almost killed the others. I can't hold back.] He thought furiously.

The others had noticed his furry, only Beatrice knew the truth behind it.

The others assumed that the natural antagonism between God and Campione was at play.

" By the way how did you know this Su-san ?" Zarestia suddenly shimmed.

Subaru was startled at this.

Beatrice held his hand.

[ I can talk about Rbd now but would telling them the truth be for the best?] Subaru thought confused.

" I ... saw her in a vision; I was fighting her in the mountains." He answered at last while clenching his fist.

The memory of Melty's death still haunted him.

" She ambushed us when we went to see the geyser." He explained.

Everyone tensed at that, suddenly the hatred displayed by the Campione made sense.

Whatever happened must have been deadly.

After all, no one in this group except Subaru could match a God.

Under Subaru's order Halibel went to warn Fusumi authorities. Zarestia went with him.

Melty tried to use her Spirit Vision to gather more information about their enemy.

Her eyes were glazed; she was accessing the memory of the Void.

Beatrice looked deep in thought as she entered the Forbidden Library to gather books about the Goddess.

Subaru was pacing impatiently.

[ She is gonna attack us this afternoon, if I don't go to the mountain will she attack the city to find me?] Subaru thought worriedly.

While Subaru was panicking Melty woke up.

She breathed and then turned towards Subaru.

" The Huntress of the West stalks the dark in search of prey worthy of her attention."

"Huh?" Subaru muttered.

Beatrice returned from the Library carrying multiple books.

" Why is Betty's Subaru looking like this, I suppose ?" She asked, amused by her contractor antics.

Subaru was surprised not by Melty's words but by the tone she used.

" Sorry, sorry you just sounded like you were telling me a video game prophecy or something."Subaru apologized.

"" Video game? "" The nun and the Great spirit asked bewildered.

" It's a game from my hometown," Subaru explained.

Both still looked confused.

" Forget it, Betty has found the book we need."

" Oh there is really everything in your Library, Beako is an amazing super Librarian !" Subaru praised the loli.

Beatrice blushed, a pleased smile appeared on her face.

" Subaru's Betty is right I suppose." She replied.

Beatrice then took a book from the pile she had gathered, opening it she pointed at a passage.

" The Goddess has a shrine in the mountain of Fusumi that's why she descended there," Beatrice explained.

" I see, " Subaru answered grimly.

" Since she is the Huntress she must possess an authority that allows her to hide in addition to her bow I suppose."

" I was hiding my presence and she still found me she must have an authority that allows her to discern people nature or something." Subaru's mind was going a mile a minute.

" Hum. She also possesses an authority to create traps from what I saw." Melty added while twirling her finger.

[ So she has her bow, the ability to hide and render people hiding from her useless, she can also trap people. No wonder she ambushed us like that, that's her specialty.] Subaru thought irritated.

" Well now let's plan," Subaru spoke up.

The preparation had been made.

Alone in the mountain, Subaru made way toward the one he swore to slay.

This time he made sure that the other would be safe.

He did not wish to see anyone else die.

Reminiscing what his plan was, Subaru took a deep breath.

And released his hold on Death Shroud.

Immediately he could feel the air charging with power.

His power filled the clearing where he had been attacked the first time.

" Come out, I know you are there!" Subaru shouted.

The Goddess appeared, her honor would not let her ignore such a challenge.

" Godslayer thy arrogance shall be thy downfall!" She declared proudly.

" Right back at you!" Subaru yelled back.

He quickly unleashed his magic.

" Al Minya!"

The entire space between him and the Goddess was filled with crystals.

In less than a second said crystals attacked the Goddess.

Said Goddess readied her bow and matched each crystal with an arrow.

Meanwhile, Subaru activated Death Shroud and hid part of the crystal.

Upon the authority activation, numerous crystals disappeared from view, though Subaru could still feel them.

The Huntress did not notice such an act since the crystals were far too numerous.

Tired of this she readied her bow once again and released an arrow that destroyed the whole clearing where they were fighting.

Subaru had anticipated her action and had deployed a barrier before this happened.

The barrier held mostly.

Subaru only received a few scratches.

" I thought hunting needed patience. '' He taunted his opponent.

" This one doesn't need to use such a thing faced against one as weak as you God slayer." The Goddess huffed.

" Use your authority Godslayer !" She bellowed in irritation.

" Well if you ask so kindly" He replied while preparing to activate Death's dominion.

The Goddess zoomed on him.

Subaru recited his aria.

" I am the ruler of death by my will all before me shall perish by my power all that lives shall die"

At the last second, the Goddess reared back her instinct warning her of her death.

Death dominion was activated; a black mist concentrated in an orb that attacked the Goddess.

Her arm touched by the smoke started to dissipate in one move the Goddess cut off her arm and reared back.

" A terrifying power indeed thou must have slain a powerful God a shame that this Huntress instinct is more honed than thou thought." She told him sincerely.

" Thou are a new Godslayer thy authority has already been used thou shall die her!" She declared.

A Hunting knife appeared in her hand; she could no longer use her bow having lost her arm.

She made way toward a silent and unmoving Subaru.

[ Not now soon ] He thought with anticipation.

The knife was raised.

Crystals impaled the Goddess.

" How ?" She asked, confused her breath halted.

" I hid these at the beginning of our fight," Subaru answered.

The Goddess blinked and then started to laugh.

Subaru frowned and readied himself to fight to believe that his surprise attack was not enough.

" Thou have decided to trap this Goddess the Huntress of the West. Thou are truly a fool!" She told him amused.

Her face got more somber.

" And yet thy foolishness has led you to victory. This one has lost. How curious." She continued more soberly.

" What is thy name?" She asked seriously.

" I am Natsuki Subaru !" He replied just as seriously.

" Very well take this one authority till we fight again Godslayer"

The Goddess faded from view.

A golden orb entered Subaru's body.

The third Campione had triumphed.

Subaru returned to Fusumi; people parted ways upon seeing him.

All the city of Fusumi had felt the fight between the Godslayer and the Huntress.

[ Aah that still hurt a bit] Subaru complained.

He had numerous bruises, scratches littered his body, he was tired.

[ At least this time no one died, not even me.] Subaru thought more happily.

As he limped back Zarestia barged in the street.

She quickly reached Subaru. She watched him intently.

" Oh Tia, what are you...!?" Subaru asked and was interrupted by Zarestia grabbing him and carrying him bridal style.

Subaru blushed deep red and sputtered.

" Don't worry Su-san ! I'll get you to a healer quickly" Zarestia declared.

" I'm fiiiiiiiine!?" Subaru yelled while Zarestia carried him at top speed.

The people of Fusumi looked on, too shocked by this spectacle to move.

After looking at one another they shook their heads and returned to their lives.

Subaru had reached his room at an impressive time thanks to Zarestia. She had put him down at his request when they had reached the inn due to him not wishing to be more embarrassed.

Zarestia did not understand from where steamed Subaru's embarrassment.

His face was still deep red.

Beatrice upon seeing her contractor jumped on him and hugged him tightly

" Subaru !" She had yelled in happiness.

" Betty's Subaru should not leave his partner behind !" she told him seriously, upon seeing him wince she started to heal him.

Her contract with him being soulbond, allowed her to bypass the Campione magic resistance and heal him directly.

Subaru had learned this in the past when they had been experimenting with magic.

He had been overjoyed that he did not need to kiss someone to be healed.

[That would have been awkward as hell] Subaru thought while his wounds were being healed he breathed a sigh his wound had been bothering him more than he had shown despite them being benign.

The fight and the stress had exhausted him.

Melty breathed a sigh of relief along with Otto and Halibel.

Otto had returned from his market analysis only to be met with dire news.

A Goddess had descended and Natsuki Subaru went to confront her alone.

He had spent the whole afternoon pacing nervously fearing for the worst.

Seeing his friend alive had removed an important weight from his shoulder.

Halibel had also been worried he had wished to follow Subaru in battle along with the two Great spirits.

Yet despite their demands, the Godslayer did not bulge and refused their help.

This had frustrated them.

To see him safe and sound was truly relieving.

Subaru slept.

Once again he found himself in a place surrounded by mist.

" Mama is happy that you choose to visit!" An energetic voice resounded in the space.

[ Mama wait? There is only one person I know that calls herself like that.] Subaru shrugged.

" Haha-ue!"

The All giving woman smiled happily hearing his reply.

" Wait, did I die again?!" He realized.

" No, you did not die, my son. You have triumphed over the Huntress of the West, an impressive feat." She praised her son.

Subaru breathed a sigh of relief.

" Wait, why am I here then?" He muttered.

" You received a new authority that allowed me to contact you " the purple-haired Goddess explained.

" Oh? So each time I kill a God I get to meet you?" Subaru asked his head tilted.

" Indeed!" The All giving woman smiled.

" Not a bad bonus at all!" Subaru replied.

The Goddess happily hummed then adopted a more serious complexion.

Upon seeing this Subaru unconsciously straightened up.

" Trouble is brewing in the east," She told him.

" Wait the east, that's Lugnica !" Subaru exclaimed.

" Is a God going to descend ?" He asked; worried for the friend he left there.

" No, not for now at last. It is the root of sins movement you should be worried about." She explained.

" The Root of sins? A God?" He asked unsurely.

" A Fallen Goddess" she corrected.

" Wait what?"

" This Goddess has lost most of her power. She is verging on the point to become a Divine ancestor yet she is a cunning one. Be wary of her movement, my son."

Subaru gulped and nodded.

" I will," He answered with determination.

Seeing this the All giving woman smiled.

Around them, space started to shudder.

Subaru was waking up.

" Good luck my son till we meet again"

In the Mathers territory in a place called Sanctuary.

Rem prayed.

They had been trapped for two weeks now.

Emilia could not complete the trials yet she was the only one who qualified for them.

This led to unrest among the population.

People were divided between those who wished for the liberation of the Sanctuary and those who wished to stay trapped.

Rations were running out.

Fights were breaking out.

Rem prayed for her hero.

The letter she had sent must have reached him now she thought.

Subaru was still resting when a Messenger sought him.

A letter addressed to him from Lugnica now sat in his hand.

Upon reading it his face darkened.

The Great Spirit who sat in his lap had her face darken at the news.

Subaru looked up from his letter and addressed his companions.

" We are returning to Lugnica" He commanded his tone leaving no room for objection.

His fists were clenched.

[ I'm coming to help. Hold on Rem!] Subaru thought burning with determination.

His companion did not comment and prepared themselves for their imminent departure.