Re:Zero FF Beatrice Heart Crossing

Chapter 4: In Lieu of a Dream

Dark fog blocked Subaru's vision as he tried to walk. It was as if his legs were bound with heavy weights, yet he trudged forward. He couldn't remember how he arrived at this place, or where he came from. He raised his hands to rub his eyes and realized he couldn't see his hands. Where his fingers should have been he found only more fog. As panic slowly set in, a light cut through the fog and the image of a girl came into focus. The light illuminated the area, but it was not a place Subaru recognized. As his vision stabilized, Subaru immediately recognized the girl. The silver haired half elf could only be Emilia.

Subaru: "E-emilia?"

Emilia: "Why, Subaru?"

Subaru: "I-"

As Subaru began to speak, he heard a loud crack followed by a sharp pain in his head as all the memories he had forgotten flowed into him. He remembered the Imagine Castle and that his friends were frozen in time. He began to feel a tremendous surge of guilt like his heart was being plucked from his chest. Emilia broke eye contact with Subaru as she began to weep.

Emilia: "I thought you loved me... you liar."

Subaru: "Emilia, no, that's not... I'm...I'm sorry."

Tears streamed down Subaru's face as he tried to reach out for Emilia. As his hands got close enough to touch her, she spoke.

Emilia: "I don't forgive you. I hate you."

Emilia's eyes darkened as she spat out the words. Subaru continued to try to grab her as she turned to leave. As his fingers brushed her she appeared to burst into particles of light. She dissolved back into the darkness of the fog as Subaru looked on in horror. His mind scrambled as he tried to replay the events. Before he could open his mouth to try to scream, he was interrupted.

???: "Subaru."

Subaru turned to look at the voice and collapsed to his knees at what he saw. The maid that everyone had forgotten met his gaze. It was Rem; she stared at Subaru with cold blue eyes that pierced him from behind her bangs. He started to cry tears of joy and crawl towards her. She met his enthusiasm with icy words.

Rem: "You left me behind, Subaru. I supported you no matter what and you abandoned me."

Subaru: "Rem, I... I... that's not true..."

Rem: "I've died for you time and time again. It meant nothing. I mean nothing."

Subaru: "Rem that's not-"

Rem: "I MEAN NOTHING!!!"

Subaru was shocked by Rem's scream. The maid froze in front of Subaru and in the next moment she collapsed forward. Subaru scrambled to catch her in his arms, but upon touching her she burst into light just as Emilia had. Subaru fell to his side and curled his legs in as he rambled to himself through sobs.

Subaru: "I didn't forget...I didn't forget..."

In that instant, he felt himself start to lose consciousness. As his mind faded he heard a small voice calling his name. The voice became louder and louder as Subaru began to awaken. He gasped as he jolted awake to the familiar feel of his futon. As he opened his eyes he saw Beatrice's worried face looking over him. She was kneeling next to him on the floor and had her hands tightly gripped around one of his. He used his free hand to rub his face and found that his cheeks were tear stained.

Beatrice: "H-here, use Betty's handkerchief, I suppose."

Subaru: "..."

Subaru took the small handkerchief from her and wiped his face without making a sound. He could tell from the light shining through the windows that it was morning. As his gaze turned to Beatrice, he felt a strange pain run through his heart.