3

So before we begin let me just start off and say I'm just updating rapidly to get through Arc 1. Arc 2 and beyond will take some more careful planning on my part so updates will slow down then. So for now enjoy the chapter 3.

"Well it seems like we came at the wrong time." Echidna said as they appeared in the area. The first thing they noted was that Subaru was actually busy helping Emilia and the cat spirit look around for thief. It made sense given that if he appeared to know the thief's location right away it would be suspicious. Realizing he was still preoccupied with the elf girl the witches decided to wait for them to finish whatever it was they were doing. The witches decided that for the time being they could look around and see just how much things have changed in the past 400 years since they were all alive or in Satella's case, not sealed away.

Echidna had already started glancing around for any libraries to visit; while they may not be as large as any of hers they most likely would have more update information to help her better understand this world. Surprisingly Typhon had actually chosen to accompany her when the little girl realized that the other two weren't exactly doing anything fun and that she couldn't check on the sins of the people around her. When the other two witches eventually went out of view, Minerva and Satella were the only ones left within the area. After making sure the others were sufficiently out of earshot the Witch of Wrath turned her attention to Satella. "We need to talk." She told the half elf as she pulled her into a more secluded spot. She didn't need to but it was a force of habit.

"What about?" Satella asked as she kept her focus on her beloved.

"Many things." Minerva said as she followed Satella's gaze. "I had called out Subaru for his aggression against you back at the tea party because he had hurt your feelings but I was being biased back then." She told the half elf. "It's true that I detest violence, I hate people who harm others including themselves and I few those who attempt suicide as cowards for even thinking such a thing is okay when there are people who will miss them….but." Minerva's voice trailed off as she turned Satella to face her. "I detest the people who force them into a situation of hopelessness and despair even more. Who make them think that death is the only answer?" She told the Witch of Envy. "I'm not blaming you for wanting to save him….but what you did to him has hurt him more mentally and emotionally than any physical wound ever could." Minerva said. "The injuries our body sustains are fleeting…they can heal easily whether it be with time or magic but mental scars…those can last forever and no amount magic can properly heal them." Minerva explained. "This trauma is what keeps some people from living truly happy lives." She told Satella.

"I never intended for this to happen to him." Satella whispered.

"I know you didn't…but that doesn't change the fact that it did." Minerva said. "The hardest thing for me…when I was alive was meeting people like that. I can heal all wounds at the cost of causing a disaster…but you can still recover from that. A broken building can be rebuilt easily but broken people not so much."

"Why are you telling me this?" Satella asked.

"You want to know why. Okay I'll tell you. I want to know if you can keep Envy in check." Minerva said simply. "If Envy gets lose, she'll try to claim Subaru through some very aggressive methods. She already tried once before and it ended with him committing suicide to escape her embrace." Minerva said. "So can you assure me that this sort of thing won't happen again?"

"I…I don't know." Satella answered. "Before I properly reunited with him…it was difficult being apart. I was able to see him as he lived his life here. I saw the good and the bad. I especially saw those moments when he was getting close to Emilia and Rem and I could just feel myself slipping. Yet back at the ruins….I was able to slowly regain control of myself when I met him. I don't remember if it was me who gave him Return By Death or if it was Envy…all I recall is that we didn't want to lose him and we didn't want him sharing his gift with others, hence why we held his heart whenever he tried to speak about but then….we saw…I saw….how much our gift had broken him. He was on the verge of being lost forever with the death of mind and I just knew I had to step in. When Envy realized Subaru could be lost forever with the death of his own mind…she gave me back control. She's been quite for a while but I don't think I can leave him now and not run the risk of her taking over again." Satella said. "If you're left alone with your own thoughts for too long…you start assuming the worse and when those thoughts start plague your mind….you know what can happen next." Satella explained.

"Very well." Minerva said. "So long as you are a certain about this then I'll trust you." The Witch of Wrath told her friend with a smile. It had needed to be said. Envy/Satella was the most dangerous of all the Witches, so they needed to be sure things were under control. With the exception of Typhon, almost all the others wouldn't bother with Envy so long as she left them alone. The last thing they needed was Envy showing up and making things worse causing Subaru to revoke their contract and if no one else was going to say anything then she would.

Minerva glanced back Emilia and Subaru noticing how they looked like they were taking break from all the searching. "It looks like they're finished so let's go." Minerva said as she walked over to the human.

"Minerva." Satella called out to her fellow witch. Minerva stopped in her tracks as she listened to her friend. "Thanks for explaining everything."

"Don't thank me…just make sure there is one less suicidal person in this world and we'll be even." Minerva said as they walked back. Echidna and Typhon were also returning although while Typhon was smiling happily, Echidna wore a big frown as she seemed to be grasping her right arm.

"What happened to you two?" Satella asked curiously. "Did you find the library?"

"No." Echidna grumbled.

"Me and Chidna played catch." Typhon cheered. Minerva and Satella cast a confused glance at the Greedy witch.

"She ripped my arm off and ran away." Echidna said. Okay that made more sense. "I can see now why Sekhmet got so good with Unseen Hands." Echidna mumbled. Satella and Minerva did their best to try and stifle a laugh at the situation much to Typhon's confusion and Echidna's dismay.

"You know…you've been helping us for so long and I didn't even ask your name." Puck told Subaru. The trio had been standing atop a stair case overlooking the city, when it had dawned on she didn't know his name. The witches had already informed him of the situation with Apollo with Satella noting how he should be the one to decide who fights with the Demon best. Unfortunately for Subaru he wasn't too well versed with the different Authorities so he no clear idea who should work with the beast and instead decided to leave the decision to the witches.

"Oh….right." Subaru said as he cleared his throat. He then performed one of his signature poses.. "I am Natsuki Subaru and I am completely broke and totally clueless but you can always count on me."

"If you really are proud of being broke then you really are clueless." Puck teased.

"What do you actually see in him?" Echidna asked Satella who was actually smiling and clapping at the introduction with Typhon, not at all bothered by the lack of progress they made on Apollo.

"That's a secret."

"Okay so allow me to introduce myself. I'm Puck. It's nice to meet you." The spirit cat said as he leapt into Subaru's hand.

"Like wise." Subaru said. "So what about you; what's your name?" He asked Emilia.

"Oh…well…I'm..." Emilia hesitated as she looked over the boy. "I'm Satella. No last name, just Satella." She explained unaware that the real Satella was actually standing right next to her.

"Oh." Subaru remarked. "That's actually a pretty a cute name." he said. "A cute name for a cute girl, that sounds about a right." He added, causing both Emilia and the real Satella to blush.

"Well you can say what you want about his poses but I'll give him credit where it's due he knows how to compliment a girl." Echidna said.

"You sound like you know from experience." Minerva noted.

"During one of my tests, I recreate a substantial amount of his world. I took the liberty of recreating an outfit from his memories that I saw some girls were wearing." Echidna explained noticing Minerva raising an eyebrow. "Don't give me that look, I was curious." She defended. "Either way I had a replica of the outfit and despite making him face a challenge where he should have hated me for teasing him with his parents the first thing he did was tell me I look good in it."

"I wouldn't be celebrating if I were you." Minerva stated as she glance at Satella who was giving both Emilia and Echidna some dirty looks.

"Relax it was only out curiosity. Subaru himself has already stated he feels no attraction to me at all." Echidna said.

"You're damn right I don't." Subaru said mentally catching them off guard before he focused back on Puck and Emilia.

"You have horrible taste." The cat spirit said. This time though Subaru noticed something. While he had always assumed Puck was referring to him, the cat had actually been facing Emilia. So he had most likely been referring to her choice in using Satella as an alias.

"Well Satella it looks like we reached a dead end." Subaru noted. He watched how Emilia was still in disbelief at how he used the name so casually. Honestly it was a really was a pretty name and while it wasn't Emilia's he would admit that it did belong to a really pretty girl….he was still think loud. Satella was now looking a bright red as both Minerva and Typhon laughed her while Echidna passed her a smug look.

"Not so funny now is it." He heard Echidna say as she laughed at Satella's embarrassment.

Subaru casted a glance over the slums; making sure he got a good look at the location. "Hey Satella." He said once more. "Do you think the thief would fled over there?" He said as he pointed the slums. "If they stole it then they probably have a rough life, so they would probably live in an under developed or poor community." He noted.

"That's…actually a good point." Emilia noted.

"Well then let's go check it out." Subaru said as he hurriedly grabbed Emilia by the wrist leaving the witches and Puck to just stare as the two went down.

"Well that happened" Minerva noted. "Satella?"

"I'm okay." Satella responded calmly.

"Baru seems scared." Typhon noted. "Like he's afraid of something." The little girl added.

"Afraid?" Minerva asked.

"Shoot." Satella cursed. "He's worried about Elsa." She realized.

"She's the bowel hunter right?" Echidna asked.

Satella nodded. "She killed him the first two times he came here. The third time she tried to kill him, the Sword Saint intervene but that was only because Subaru had met him back in the alley." She explained.

"So he most likely wouldn't be coming this time." Echidna realized. "Well it looks like Apollo will get his chance at redemption after all." She said nonchalantly. "Still he really is out of it if he forgot that important detail."

"A lot has happened since then." Satella defended. "Let's meet back up with the others and see if we can figure out who's going to help Apollo. I sincerely hope we make the right choice."

"Don't worry I'm sure we will." Echidna said as they returned to Natsuki's residence.