Droplets Cast to the Sea

I won't forgive, I can't forget

Oh my, this chapter fought me tooth and nail the whole way down, hopefully, the long wait was worth it though, I tried my best.

I give my most heartfelt thanks to TranslatorError and Suffaru41 for helping me write this chapter and beta'ing, without them and their constant support this would never have happened and it wouldn't be half as spicy as it is. Additional thanks to Turacoverdin and idkwhyipost for helping me bounce ideas around. All of these people are genuinely amazing and incredibly kind and are writers I admire.

*『Subaru』has been changed to [Subaru] as it was format breaking and chapter 1 has gone through some minor revision

"—That's enough." A familiar voice rang out resolutely, like silver bells chiming in the breeze, causing [Subaru] to stir. 'Emilia... so my assumptions were correct.' His brain unhelpfully noted. 'Run, please... I don't want to see you die, not again.' It was a hopeless wish. Emilia would never ever back down, it just wasn't in her nature. Throwing herself against adversity time and time again for the sake of others, completely ignoring her own well-being. Her stubbornness was something he admired, but sometimes he just wished she would put herself first.

Deadly skewers of ice struck the still moving mabeast with unquestionable accuracy, embedding themselves firmly into its side. A guttural, ear-piercing shriek erupted from the mabeast as it listed and swayed, tripping over its own feet and harshly flinging [Subaru] into the hardened ground.

[Subaru] let out a small, pitiful, whine, grimacing at his harsh awakening. Precious, fleeting seconds passed as his eyes refocused. Perhaps, even if just for a moment, [Subaru] looked vulnerable, almost innocent. As if the atrocities he had committed had been forgotten and spite that he had held so close dimmed. He just looked... sad and lost. 'It's not fair, why- why does he, he doesn- shouldn't have the right.'

"Ghau... what, was..." [Subaru] groaned, confusion flickering across his ashen features, concealing the brief lapse of his facade. His left arm protruded at an odd angle that undoubtedly had to be painful, but he gave no indication that he noticed, instead observing what had become of the fearsome mabeast.

Impaled with several jagged pikes of ice, and limping, the mabeast struggled to rise to its feet. Even as ichor gushed down its side, a once pristine coat speckled with a forest of crimson, and splintered bones peeked out revealing toned muscle barely clinging onto what could hardly be called flesh. The shredded tapestry of fur, skin, and ice was more a liquid that bubbled and twitched erratically, every wild beat of its heart reflected upon the desecrated surface. While its legs trembled in exertion, it still steadied itself. Subaru could only watch in sheer disbelief as the mabeast wrangled its own mangled flesh into an aggressive posture; rearing up to charge at the obscured figure of Emilia. Bloody and battered, kicking and struggling all the way down, out of pride, loyalty, or a mixture of both.

The fearsome beast seemed intent to fight to its last.

With a roar that could rival one of the great mabeasts, and in its damaged glory, it charged, unsightly paw raised, ready for a singular strike with power and fortitude that could level buildings easier than a knife to butter.

Suddenly the mabeast came to a shuddering halt. Flecks of blood and other assorted viscera splattered, bathing the area in a scarlet. A singular spear of ice had stopped the beast in its tracks, entering through its massive, broad maw and once again piercing it through the chest. A gossamer sheath of white crept through the mabeast from where it had been struck, letting out little crackles and whistles. A horrid sound that could be described as not quite a gurgle or hiss screeched out as the hungry frost met gaping open wounds, sizzling upon contact. Agony and fear filled the poor beasts' eyes, as the ice crept inwards slowly to its core.