4

'It hurts…'

The only thoughts that Diavolo could muster; the pain which followed him from the blood stained streets of Venice.

He could hardly move; he was being extorted in some sort of steel cage, and couldn't focus on anything besides the unbearable pain of his possibly broken spine and neck.

Even now; blood was pooling up beneath him. He moaned in agony. How could he be brought to such lows?

Using the little strength he still had upon awakening; he looked around. There wasn't much; the steel bars which had surrounded him, the enormous lizard carrier creatures, some knights controlling them, and the red haired man who dispatched him moments ago following the carriage. He couldn't help but lock eyes with him.

Rage…. It was something Diavolo just couldn't let go. It was something that followed him like a bad omen. He was always controlled by it; willed by it. It always brought him misery, the pain he feels now, even his own defeat.

His brows contorted his bloodied face and eyes into a furious expression, targeted towards the man who defeated him moments ago.

Reinhard, was it?

What a pathetic excuse of a man.

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The Emperor's Takeover : Chapter 4, True Beginnings

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Subaru ran as fast as he could; eventually making his way back to the slums.

This time; he would have to find felt as fast as he possibly could, maybe if he could reason with her, he could save all of them!

Selling his cell phone worked pretty well last time; it was worth a shot.

However; whilst these thoughts brewed in his mind; he accidentally bumped into a terrifyingly familiar presence.

"Oh My! I'm terribly sorry about that, are you ok?" The towering woman said almost innocently.

"Yeah i'm fine, despite what you'd think i'm actually pretty toug-" He then realized, this was no ordinary stranger.

Elsa… she's going to kill him again! And now Diavolo isn't here to ward her off!

Sweat dropped instantly, as his heart rate increased exponentially.

Flashbacks filled his mind, of the various times she had made her various incisions within him and the others. He couldn't help but recoil in fear at her sight holding his side.

She giggled characteristically

"Don't worry, I won't do anything to you. You are very scared aren't you?"

"I am not scared….. W-What could have possibly given you that idea?" he lied out of his teeth, this damn woman…

"Your scent of course…"

Of course… His scent…. Because nothing makes sense in this damn world…

"I can smell fear; and you are angry and frightened right now; are you not? At me specifically?"

She began to smile, licking her lips.

The intensity rose… he was going to die again, wasn't he? He prepared himself mentally… until…

"It's fine, I don't feel like starting a commotion over this. Though I am curious…"

She began to walk past him.

"That's note a very nice thing to say… you wouldn't want to waste that beauty by being so scary…" He said nervously.

She stopped, getting close to his face.

"Oh very good, conceal your hostility and you'll be even better…" She smiled placing her hand on his covering his stomach.

Subaru felt his heart race; as she began to actually leave now.

"Well, i'm sure we'll meet again."

Subaru sighed heavily in relief…

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Diavolo breathed heavily in his prison…. being brought before some kind of castle.

Finally beginning to regain his senses, he noticed he had a pair of steel cuffs fitted onto his arms, and worse yet, they had seemed to be cursed somehow; some sort of magic in this world he hadn't been able to account for maybe? It had felt like his hands were completely unusable.

Of course, he had also tried to use King Crimson several times… but…

'King Crimson…' He thought to himself, silently activating his stand.

It manifested, somewhat lacking color due to Diavolo's lack of strength, as he looked around.

He contemplated… King Crimson is likely not strong enough to cut through steel, especially in this state… and to make things more grim, Reinhard is watching his every move, even if he managed to cut the steel on the cage he would still have to deal with him somehow. And how would he even fight in these cuffs? Judging by how effortlessly he was dealt with last time; he knows he stands no chance now.

This was his predicament.

Reinhard walked up to the cage as the carriage had stopped.

Somehow; what little fear that Diavolo still managed to conjure after all the years of torture was still creeping up on him when he saw that face.

Why was HE, so scared?

Was it because he lost? Was it because he was somehow weaker than someone else?

Was he…. Beneath this man?

The man simply gave him a disapproving look. As he had ordered for the cage to be opened.

Was this his chance? No… he couldn't possibly escape… he knew what would happen if he tried….

He had to play along for now. He just had to…

He stepped out the cage, limping due to his fractures and open wounds. Of course they wouldn't want him to be fully healed.

He panted, but didn't want to give any sort of sign of defeat to Reinhard. As he glared at him with his most horrifying expression. This was the same expression that made the few members of Passione who saw his face crumble into insanity.

Even this didn't phase Reinhard. Must be a blessing; right?

Diavolo couldn't help but notice he was blocked in a formation by several guards including Reinhard, it was clearly a precaution. It made sense. He was dangerous to them.

If there was any sort of hope Diavolo had; it was the hope that no one knew of how his stand functioned; that was still his grace, his element of surprise.

A crowd of people began to arise, looking cautiously and sending glares at Diavolo as he could barley stand on his feet.

'I'll get my revenge… all of you will grovel beneath me…' he thought to himself; his bangs covering his face as he looked down in disgust. This is nothing; he's lived through hell.

"You'd best get moving, your trial is about to commence." Reinhard gave a cold stare to Diavolo; making sure to let it be known he wasn't getting any second chances.

"Trial?" His voice was cold and desolate.

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Subaru eventually stumbled upon a poorly made tent; it reassured him that he was in the slums of Lagunica with it's poor design.

'Someone actually lives here?' he wondered to himself staring into the tent.

'Am I even sure that Elsa woman hasn't killed everyone already?' a grim idea crossed his mind.

He made his way into the tent; the stench was pretty overbearing and the clutter was unsightly.

"What are you doing messing around in someone's house?" A high pitched voice called out to the boy.

He turned; his eyes filled with surprise to see the same blonde haired girl who was fighting against Elsa with him lives ago.

His expression softened a tad; she was still alive, that was relieving.

"Sorry to disappoint ya' but there's nothing worth stealing in there, Screw off!" She raised her blade at him being sure to show her disapprovement.

'Crap! I must look like a thief, huh?'

"W-Wait! I'm not a thief! I promise!" Subaru pleaded, but he was soon cut off almost literally by her blade.

"Shut it! No excuses!" She slashed at him repeatedly.

He dodged surprisingly well; managing to narrowly avoid getting stabbed. Maybe those encounters with Elsa raised his level?!

"Hold on! We don't have to fight! We need to act fast before it gets dark!" Backed into a post; his life flashed as her blade was lodged in the wooden beam behind him.

"You need to leave before it gets dark." She gave him a scornful look; attempting to unlodge her blade.

A flurry of slashes had ensued; as Subaru kept dodging like an athlete.

After several close calls; and a destroyed tent, Subaru finally yelled out,

"HEAR ME OUT FELT!"

She paused looking at him with a puzzled expression now.

"I CAME HERE ON BUSINESS DAMNIT!" He yelled out again.

"You know my name? Do you need me to steal something then? You shoulda said that first!"

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Diavolo limped into a set of spiraling staircases and hallways. His environment was best described as medieval, as everywhere he looked there appeared to be marble coated environments with red and black matts draped on the floors and walls.

This certainly looked like a courtroom; but he already knew not to trust everything he sees from his encounters with Reinhard and Subaru.

"I need some of you to watch this exit; make sure no one can get in or out from this way." Reinhard's voice boomed as some of the many guards deviated to follow his orders.

"I've never seen Reinhard so serious before…" One of the guards muttered,

"Yeah; this guy must be a serious threat." Another pitched in,

'That's right; know your place.' Diavolo smirked even in this dire situation.

They had reached a set of tall wooden doors, and Reinhard stepped forwards to open them. Inside was a court, with more of the same patterns Diavolo had seen from the entrance.

In front of him stood a series of gigantic wooden podiums, as a council of men had looked down at him from atop them; they all had different seats of power it had seemed.

Most of it was pretty typical from what would be seen in a court room from Earth, that was something Diavolo could at-least remark.

The highest seated councilman spoke up first;

"Astrea? What brings you to our court?"

Suddenly Reinhard decided to speak up; as he gained the attention of everyone in the room.

"Please forgive my sudden arrival, councilmen." Reinhard bowed,

The men had nodded at this.

"It is of no issue, the Astrea family has an esteemed reputation of humble and fortuitous actions. We trust whatever you inquire will be of the utmost importance." The councilman clarified.

"Thank you councilmen." He stood, getting into a more pronounced stance.

"I have come to bring forth the trial of this individual before you." He moved aside to reveal Diavolo; still hardly conscious.

The councilmen looked unimpressed,

"What is the meaning of this?" The man continued.

"Forgive me yet again councilmen, to be frank, I bring this man before you as I fear he is a great threat to Lagunica and its people."

Many within the room gasped at this; it was unbelievable that Reinhard of all people would make such a comment.

"Such an accusation is…" Another councilman spoke up but quickly stopped.

"Allow me to explain if you will." Reinhard paused.

"Whenever you are ready…Astrea."

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Now in the familiar loothouse, without all the blood thankfully, Subaru continued to push his 'metia' to the giant man.

"So… This is a metia?" He examined the cell phone.

"Yup; it's pretty delicate too so be careful. Think along the lines of, if it breaks there's no do-overs!" Subaru chimed in,

"I'm impressed; there's no doubt this is worth at-least 10… no 20 holy coins." He analyzed the phone evene further.

"Alright then! Negotiations are complete then? I suppose i'll just take my money and buy us some drinks!" Subaru began to march towards to door.

"Wait just a second…" The girl stopped him in his tracks.

"...Why are you in a such a hurry anyway?"

"Y-You know life doesn't last forever does it?" He didn't lie necessarily.

"I don't give a damn about any of that; why do you even want this insignia anyway? It looks a-lot more valuable than that metia is anyway-"

"S-Stop thinking like that! He clearly said that the Metia was worth 20 holy coins so lets just sell it for that!" He continued

"Els- I mean the woman who asked for it can't raise higher than that either!" He was running out of ideas at this point.

"How do you even know that?" She stared at him.

'Shit! I really shouldn't know that at this point!' He panicked internally.

"So are you with them then?" She pressed on.

He awkwardly looked around as he tried to think of a way out of this.

"P-Please Felt!" He begged.

"Begging won't help you here. I acknowledge you as a negotiating party but it wouldn't be fair if I didn't hear both sides." She sighed.

"I'm going to return it to it's owner." He announced bowing his head.

…

"He doesn't seem to be lyin' felt." Rom chipped in.

"He's obviously joking around; if you gonna lie then try harder! I'm not getting fooled." She yelled out.

A sudden knocking interrupted the entire scene.

Subaru's eyes widened.

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Diavolo stood in front of the court; as all eyes were now on him. Reinhard just finished explaining his crimes and possible threat to the kingdom. It was his turn to tell his side of the story.

He couldn't get any words out at the time; as several people within the stands of the court had yelled at him out of trust for Reinhard's word. He was already scum to this entire kingdom; whatever he said now would just be wind in the air.

"I DEMAND ORDER!" The court was silenced when the man councilman spoke up.

He cleared his throat, "I see no reason to hold a trial any further. There are no records of this man within our kingdom; and eye-witness accounts verify his actions which took place at that alleyway. And; as he is deemed such a threat by one of Lagunica's most loyal protectors, then there is no point in allowing him to have the potential for causing our kingdom any more catastrophe then what was already done."

"After careful consideration and discussion; the council has ruled that immediate execution is the correct course of punishment for his crimes." He finished speaking, as guards had positioned behind Diavolo.

The courtroom had become somewhat mellow; as not many people seemed to disagree with this ruling.

Diavolo chuckled a little; was all of this for nothing after all? What would even happen if he died now?

His chuckle faded. If he died, would he have to relive all of that suffering again? Would he have to go back into that darkness he could hardly escape? Would he have to lose himself yet again?

Maybe; all of this was just a cruel game after all.

"Defendant; have you anything to say for yourself?" The councilman had a stoic expression.

Diavolo stood silently; looking down at the floor, he was on the verge of passing out from exhaustion.

If the kingdom wouldn't kill him, his wounds would.

Nothing pissed him off more than this; the feeling of anger which boiled within him due to his failures which seemed to be shoved in his face.

It was as if no matter what he did; it would lead to more and more pain.

Should he just give up?

….

No, such an action is not fit for an emperor.

In a moment of triumph Diavolo looked up at the council mustering up as much fury as he could,

"My fate is already decided."

He grinned making sure to look directly at the council the entire time; a shiver going down their spines at the strange remark as he was taken back through the doors with the watch of Reinhard.

"Thank you for your time." Reinhard bowed.

To the people of the courtroom, this seemed like a dramatic form of acceptance; but it meant alot more than that.

Fate was always something ruled in the court of the crimson king. That wasn't about to change thanks to a few wrong turns.

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"Don't open that door!" Subaru pleaded sweating profusely

The girl looked back confused,

"If you open that door; she'll kill us!" He gulped.

Ignoring him; she opened the door anyway.

Subaru prepared himself for the worst; as he couldn't help but close his eyes in fear.

However; to his amazement a familiar white dressed elf stepped up,

"Kill you? I wouldn't ever do that." She clarified stepping into the loothouse fully.

'Why is she here though? The sun is still out!' Subaru reflected

"You just don't give up do you!?" Felt fumed,

"I'm afraid I can't give up on this, return my insignia now and I won't hurt anyone." Green crystals had manifested around her as she prepared for battle.

"Let's go!" Felt prepared,

"Felt; I don't have a good feeling about this girl; she's not a typical magic user." Rom interjected

"What are ya' talking about Old Man Rom? Giving up so early?!" Felt pouted at this.

"You; you're an elf aren't you?" Rom directed his voice to the caster.

"I'm only a half elf." She answered still holding the crystals in stasis.

"Wait, a half elf with silver hair… you wouldn't happen to be-" Felt recoiled,

"It's just how I look unfortunately; it causes me plenty of issues." She quickly corrected.

Subaru just looked back and forth between the two unsure how to proceed.

"So it was just a set-up huh?! I knew it from the moment you said you were going to return it." Felt called him out of his daze.

"Wait… so you aren't with her?" The girl was even more confused.

Subaru chuckled to himself; reminiscing on the fact this girl didn't change.

"Heh, I guess the jig is up then. Go ahead and just return that insignia." He put on a confidant suede.

"And, Sa- I mean you go ahead and get out of here; don't let anyone steal that insignia again." He finished.

"You're being nice for some reason…" The girl tilted her head.

"Yeah it makes no damn sense!" Felt yelled at him

Subaru glanced over at the girl; as adrenaline quickly filled him,

"PUCK, SHIELD HER!" He yelled out moments before a blade impacted the girl's neck.

She was protected by a sudden barrier; as the late Elsa revealed herself from the shadows.

Puck appeared on the girls shoulder; commenting on Subaru's speed.

'She's already here! Doppio can't help us this time…. Shit what should I do?!' Subaru began to think through various routes he could take; he couldn't think for long.

"That's a spirit huh? I've always wanted to split one open." She licked her lips.

"What's going on here?!" Felt looked at the figure in shock.

"We're not going to negotiate now, the original owner is here after all…."

"...The plan's changed; i'm just going to have to cut all of you open." She smiled without any sort of regret.

"Your such a bitch! How could you pick on a little kid like that, huh?!" Subaru interjected, yapping for a good few minutes about living life to the fullest.

"... And that's a wrap. Time bought!" Subaru clapped his hands as Puck credited his performance.

A volley of crystals had formed behind the spirit; as they were sent at bottle-neck speeds at the assassin.

An impressive battle commenced; as Subaru, Felt, and Rom watched from the side-lines.

This was something he was all too familiar with from the last loop; he still managed to remember that she could reattach her limbs at will, like some kind of zombie.

After a few more attacks; the assassins foot had been caught, trapping them in place.

"Oh dear; i've been played." She stared at her foot perplexed.

A incredible spike of crystals was launched in her direction; but she narrowly rolled just out of the impact, Losing a piece of her foot.

"That sure was close. I almost thought I would die." The shadows of her bangs concealing her face in a menacing way.

"I can't stay any longer… call me if you must…" The spirit disappeared relaying this message to the girl.

"Leaving so soon?" She titled her head somewhat disappointed, as she had cut a piece of the crystal spike to use as a replacement for her missing piece of foot.

A battle had commenced yet again; this time in higher favor of Elsa.

"We can't keep sitting around and watchin'." Rom commented

"Yeah I know; hey, if your gonna run now would be the time." She looked over at Subaru.

'I can't run from this even if I want to.' Subaru sighed, there was too much on the line.

Rom leaped in with his club, attempting to help out the girl in her battle.

However; he was quickly dispatched by Elsa's overwhelming strength, as a blade was sent flying towards his neck.

"Not happening!" Felt threw her blade in a counter; but it wasn't enough as her blade was sent directly at Rom's neck instead upon impacting with Elsa's, paralyzing him.

"ROM!" She cried out holding back tears.

'Please don't tell me I have to die again…..' Subaru began to fear the worst.

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'I'll get my revenge….' Diavolo thought to himself, as his hands were still bound and he now had his body locked into a mechanism. It was like a guillotine with extra steps.

How would he even get his revenge anymore?

He didn't even know where he was now, he stopped keeping track after they left; it wasn't a level of the court or anything, it was dark and damp wherever he was. And It smelled of corpses.

His vision was hazy; he could hardly stay awake at this point, his entire body was shutting down due to his loss of blood.

'I….can't….give up…' He kept his eyes open barley, as guards had walked over with long axes on each of his sides, holding them under his neck.

"By order of the council of Lagunica's kingdom; you are to be executed for your actions. Do you have any remaining words?" A man reading a scroll said in front of him.

"Fuck you…." Diavolo coughed up a large splatter of blood directly into the face of the man reading the scroll who wiped it off with disgust.

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As Elsa prepared to slash at Felt, Subaru jumped towards her saving her from a fatal blow, she had continued her battle with the mage as if nothing changed.

"L-Listen Felt; i'll give you an opening to run and escape." Subaru panted, deciding to go out heroically,

"Y-Your telling me to run?!" She cried out

"Yes! Your young; so you should live." Subaru stood, looking at the club Rom held earlier.

"Weren't you cowering moments ago?" She asked

"The situation has changed; I'm not going to give up." He ran over to pick up the club.

He used his strength to slam the club towards Elsa; who effortlessly dodged, leaving enough time for Felt to run out.

She tried to launch a blade towards Felt's direction, but Subaru halted it with his foot before it could do any damage.

He was launched directly into a wall hitting the floor and staring directly into Elsa's now furious eyes.

"Looks like someone got away…" Subaru panted heavily with a smile of his face.

"I am irritated now." She was still keeping up her calm demeanor.

"Don't forget about me…" The girl in her white dress still held out her hands ready to fire more crystals.

"I'm getting quite tired of this game." The assassin sighed.

"Look, if you have any other trump cards now is the time to use them." Subaru replied to the girl.

"I have one but… I have to be the last one standing to use it." She looked down somewhat sad.

"And I wouldn't want to use that with you here; especially when you're trying so hard.."

These words resonated with Subaru; as he stood filled with determination and adrenaline.

"I'm going to get a happy ending!" Subaru held the club with one hand in Elsa's direction with a confident look.

Quickly; a fight ensued between the two, but Subaru was no match for the assassin. She effortlessly disarmed him and prepared to end his life.

"DAMN IT!" Subaru yelled out falling to the ground, looking over at the girl again.

"Sorry… about everything." The girl looked at Subaru with compassionate eyes, as she began to glow bright.

"Interesting… it seems you can still entertain me after all!" Elsa licked her lips looking at the girl.

Subaru stared depressed; as it was clear that this wasn't an outcome he was going to be pleased with.

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He can't use king crimson anymore, he's too weak now, and the cuffs make it impossible to move his arms. This is the end, at-least he went out on his own terms.

He chuckled as the man furiously ordered for his execution unable to get the stains of blood out of his face.

The guards raised their blades as they prepared to promptly end his life.

'This is kind of nostalgic' Diavolo thought in his last moments,

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"NO!" Subaru yelled out holding a hand out towards the girl; as an uncountable amount of shards were launched in all directions; killing him instantaneously…

Before he even knew it…

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CHOP

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He died.