As Subaru and Rem arrive at the village, they immediately notice something is terribly wrong. The barrier, which should protect the village from the mabeasts in the forest, has disappeared. Parents, stricken with panic, search frantically for their missing children. Rem and Subaru exchange a worried glance, the exhaustion from their earlier fight evident in the fatigue weighing down their movements.
Subaru clenches his fists, frustration mixing with his fear. "We need to find them," he says, his voice steady despite the fatigue in his limbs. But he knows the truth: he's already pushed the Omnitrix to its limits. His alien forms won't last long in another battle.
Rem nods, her worry mirrored in her usually calm blue eyes. "Subaru-kun, we have to hurry."
With no time to waste, Subaru and Rem plunge into the forest, their hearts pounding with urgency. It doesn't take long to find the unconscious children. All around, mabeasts circle like predators, growling low and menacingly, closing in on their trapped prey.
Subaru's breath catches. There are too many of them, and he knows he doesn't have the strength to fend them off in his human form. He quickly activates the Omnitrix and transforms into Jetray, his body tingling as the alien form takes over. Gathering his remaining strength, he flies toward the children, swooping down to lift them out of harm's way one by one, while Rem covers him, fending off the mabeasts with precise strikes.
Together with Rem, they desperately gather the children, carrying them back toward the village as quickly as possible. The strain on Subaru's body, however, grows unbearable. He falters, his alien form flickering, threatening to collapse under the immense pressure.
As they reach the edge of the village, disaster strikes. A group of mabeasts leaps out from the shadows, their razor-sharp claws and teeth aiming straight for Rem. Without a second thought, Subaru pushes her out of harm's way. The beasts jaws tear into him, and he lets out a strangled cry. The Omnitrix deactivates, and Subaru's alien form vanishes, leaving him defenseless. Pain surges through his body as he crumples to the ground, darkness clouding his vision.
Before unconsciousness overtakes him, Subaru's last thought is a desperate wish to save everyone, even if it means sacrificing everything he has.
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Subaru's eyes slowly flutter open, the gentle glow of dawn filtering through the cracks in the wooden walls of a small, rustic hut. The warmth of thick blankets draped over him and the faint scent of herbs and freshly cut wood provide a fragile sense of comfort. As he takes in his surroundings, he notices the dull, persistent ache that runs through his battered body—a painful reminder of the desperate struggle against the mabeasts.
His gaze shifts to the side, and his breath catches at the sight of Emilia. She sits beside him, slumped over in a simple wooden chair, her silver hair spilling over her shoulders like strands of moonlight. Her hand rests lightly atop his. Even in sleep, her expression is marked by worry, her brow slightly furrowed.
Subaru watches her, his heart swelling with a bittersweet mix of gratitude and guilt, thinking how she must have stayed by his side through the long hours of the night. He remembers the fear in Rem's eyes when he had collapsed. A small, wavering smile forms on his lips.
With great care, Subaru carefully slips his hand out from under hers, wincing as his sore muscles and bruises make their presence known. He slowly pushes himself upright, every movement sending painful twinges through his body, but he grits his teeth and endures. Quietly, he swings his legs over the edge of the bed, pausing for a moment to regain his strength.
Stealing one last glance at Emilia's serene, sleeping form, Subaru feels a pang of determination mixed with protectiveness. He stands and tiptoes toward the door, pushing it open. A crisp morning breeze greets him, carrying with it the scent of dew and pine. He steps outside, shivering slightly as the cool air brushes his skin, and takes a deep breath. The village beyond is painted in the soft hues of dawn, a hopeful glow spreading over the quiet landscape.
Outside, a throng of villagers has gathered, their faces lighting up with relief and gratitude at the sight of Subaru. They swarm around him, voices bubbling with thanks and appreciation. "You saved our children!" one woman exclaims, thrusting a small woven basket of herbs into his hands. Others follow suit, offering him tokens of their gratitude—simple gifts like fresh bread, hand-knit scarves, and handmade trinkets.
Overwhelmed by their kindness, Subaru forces a smile, trying to mask the weight of his worries. The warmth of their appreciation wraps around him.
Amidst the crowd, he catches sight of a familiar figure standing under a nearby tree. Beatrice's usual arrogant demeanor is absent; instead, her expression is unusually somber. He excuses himself from the villagers and approaches her, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on him.
Beatrice lets out a heavy sigh, folding her arms with a pout. "You're a fool, I suppose," she states, but the usual sharpness of her words lacks its usual bite. "Your body is riddled with curses, far too many for even me to easily dispel. If this keeps up, you don't have much time left to live, in fact."
The horror of her words sends a chill down Subaru's spine, and his mind goes blank for a moment. The reality sinks in, and he thinks back to his ability to "Return by Death," convinced that this is just another loop he'll have to endure.
"Oh, you don't look too much bothered by it, I suppose." Beatrice huffs, crossing her arms defiantly. "Me and bubby are the ones who came to save you, and you're thanking those villagers for their little trinkets? You should be thanking me, who healed your sorry self!"
Subaru raises an eyebrow, skepticism painted across his face. "You and Puck? He's been lounging around, not saving anyone!"
"Excuse me?!" Beatrice exclaims, her cheeks puffing up in indignation. "I healed you, you ungrateful boy! If I hadn't worked my magic, you'd be a pile of—"
"Okay, okay, I get it!" Subaru interrupts, a nervous laugh escaping him. "You're like my personal nurse or something."
"Personal nurse? How dare you reduce my greatness to mere nursing!" Beatrice exclaims, throwing her hands up in frustration. "I'm a powerful spirit, not some—"
"Okay, okay! Powerful spirit, got it!" he cuts in again, trying to defuse the tension.
"Wait, wait, wait!" he sputters, panic rising within him. He hasn't seen Rem since he woke up, and a spark of fear ignites in him. He looks at Beatrice, his voice tight with worry. "Where's Rem?"
Beatrice's expression softens slightly, a hint of sadness flickering in her eyes. "That foolish girl went back into the forest, I suppose. To eliminate the mabeasts and… save you."
"Rem went back? Alone?" Subaru's heart races as anxiety grips him. "She can't handle those mabeasts by herself!"
Subaru's heart pounds in his chest, and he's about to run off when he senses a presence nearby. Ram steps forward, her pink eyes blazing with fury. "That idiot sister of mine… how dare she put her life on the line like that!" she snaps. But beneath the anger, there's a tremor of fear.
Subaru doesn't waste another moment. He grabs Ram's hand. "We need to find her. Now."
The two of them rush into the forest, desperation giving Subaru strength. It doesn't take long to find Rem using Ram's clairvoyance, but the sight of Rem makes Subaru's blood run cold. She's transformed, her one-horned demon form fully unleashed. She's covered in blood, her expression wild and lost to the frenzy. Her eyes lock onto Subaru, and a wave of raw power crashes over them.
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As Subaru steps deeper into the chaotic fray, the atmosphere shifts dramatically. The air thickens with tension, and a battle cry rings out as Rem and the mabeasts suddenly cease their fight, all eyes turning to him. Rem's expression is wild, a fierce determination etched into her features as she charges forward, flail swinging with deadly intent. The Witch's miasma clings to Subaru, dark and suffocating, igniting her berserk rage like a flame to kindling.
Panic surges within him as he realizes he has mere moments to react. With a desperate shout, he activates the Omnitrix, transforming into Humungousaur just in time to absorb the force of her blow. The ground shakes beneath him as her flail crashes against his massive form, but the weight of his new body steadies him. He roars back, his voice a rumble that echoes through the forest.
"Barusu!" Ram's voice cuts through the chaos, sharp and commanding. He catches sight of her amidst the swirling shadows of the mabeasts, wielding her wind magic with precision, slicing through the thick underbrush and sending enemies sprawling. "Strike her horn! It's the only way to bring her back!"
Subaru's heart sinks at the thought of hurting Rem. He hesitates, but deep down, he knows there's no other choice. This is a fight for her, for her sanity, and perhaps for her very life.
With a deep breath, Subaru steels himself. Gritting his teeth, he channels his strength into a powerful swing, his massive fist arcing through the air and crashing down toward her horn. The impact reverberates through him, forcing Rem into the ground. A shocked expression flits across her face, eyes wide in disbelief as her demon form collapses under the weight of the blow, and she falls limp, unconscious.
Time seems to slow as Subaru's heart plummets. He rushes forward, his hands trembling as he catches her limp body, cradling her against him. "Rem! No, no, no…" His voice cracks, desperation filling his tone as he gazes down at her serene face, her breathing shallow but steady.
Ram reaches them, her anger replaced with a deep concern. "We need to get her out of here right now!" she urges, her voice steady but edged with urgency. Without a second thought, they begin to retreat, but the forest is a living nightmare. The mabeasts, enraged and relentless, are hot on their heels, their growls rising in a frenzied chorus of bloodlust.
"Barusu, keep moving!" Ram shouts, her magic swirling around her as she deflects the nearest mabeast with a gust of wind. She fights valiantly by his side, but their time is limited. With every step, the mabeasts close the distance, their eyes gleaming with hunger.
Subaru can feel the weight of Rem in his arms, the fragile warmth of her body fueling his resolve. "I won't let them take you," he vows.