A Random in Re:Zero

Loop 6 - Part 36

That thought drove him to despair. He didn't want to see his companions die before his eyes. His heart tightened in fear, and he suddenly knew what to do. It was dangerous, not to mention potentially ruining the loop even if he saved Rem and Ram, but it was the only option that didn't involve dying or letting the sisters die.

"Anything is better than letting them die. I'll be no better than Roswaal if I don't do everything I can to move forward."

The darkness faded, and time returned to normal. Then, a large amount of miasma was released from within Leandro, who reached out and easily stopped Garfiel's attack.

"Garf!?"

"Be careful, sister!"

The sisters quickly backed away from the enormous golden tiger and assumed battle stances. But Garfiel wasn't interested in them.

"ROOOOAAAAAARRRRR!"

Apparently recovered from his wounds and exhaustion, Garfiel charged toward Leandro with renewed energy. However, the outcome of this action was radically different from the previous ones.

There was a faint hum, similar to a crack or the rumble of thunder. A second later, Garfiel's body was brutally smashed against the ground, blood spurting out.

The twins gasped. Garfiel had fallen in a single motion.

The relief was short-lived, as Rem shuddered at the unprecedented intensity of the witch's scent. The miasma was so concentrated that it surpassed the time Leandro had used it as bait to lure the White Whale. A dark energy was visible floating around the dark-haired man.

Even Ram realized something was wrong. Surprisingly, Leandro started laughing and stomped on Garfiel's head.

"What now, kitty? I thought you were going to break all my bones. Isn't that what you said? Come on, I'm right here!"

But the great tiger no longer moved. With a sneer, Leandro pointed at him and curled his fingers. As a result, Garfiel's body began to clench, and his bones creaked, ready to break from the pressure.

"Don't tell me that's all. I'm still not satisfied!"

But before he could go any further, Leandro was interrupted by a gust of wind that cut a slash across his cheek.

"Leandoor, that's enough!" Ram scolded him. "At this rate, you're going to kill him!"

He slowly turned toward her. His face had an expression of hatred and contempt.

"Did you just attack me from behind, you fucking whore?"

Ram jumped. He had never spoken to her like that.

"You...! How dare you-!?"

She couldn't continue. An invisible force paralyzed her completely, preventing her from doing anything. Leandro pulled her toward him with a gesture and grabbed her face with his hand.

"Uppity bitches like you need to learn a few life lessons."

Ram moaned in pain as Leandro cut her cheek with just a fingertip. He smiled and licked the wound, tasting the girl's blood.

"Your personality disgusts me, but I have to admit you're very pretty. Maybe I should make you mine."

Those words froze the pink-haired girl's blood. With the power he was wielding and his new attitude, Leandro seemed capable of carrying out that idea. Ram had the impression that the black-haired man's power at that moment rivaled Roswaal's.

Or even surpassed it.

"Let go of my sister!" Rem appeared behind him, trying to hit the back of his head to stun him.

However, Rem's hand remained suspended in the air, without touching Leandro's body.

"You too? Do you want to keep playing with me?" Leandro turned to the blue-haired girl. "I know your type. They like a lot of attention and will do everything to get it. They manipulate you, make you believe they like you, but all they want is for you to look at them, to think about them, to adore them."

"What are you...?"

"You're not fooling anyone, Rem. You tried to use me to make yourself feel better, to forget how miserable you are. I feel sorry for you."

Rem felt her chest wrenched as Leandro vilified her, using her weakness to hurt her in the cruelest way, destroying her pride and confidence. Her eyes filled with tears and she began to sob. Seeing this, Leandro smiled sadistically.

"Really? Do women only know how to cry when they're out of arguments? Well, now that I have you two in my hands, I think I could have a little fun... Huh?"

Leandro's smile faded when he noticed his eyes and nose were bleeding.

"Ah, shit, that's true. I overdid it again."

Due to the burden the authority placed on his brain, his eyes rolled back and he lost consciousness.