A Random in Re:Zero

Loop 682 - Part 47

"Holy shit." I muttered.

"What is that?!" Betty didn't recognize the entity either.

"I have no fucking idea!" I started flying away from that thing, but I wasn't getting away from it at all, as if physics had stopped working.

To make matters worse, the entity hurled the mini-sun at us like a beach ball. I immediately recalled the scene of Bardock being engulfed by Frieza's supernova. If that fireball came any closer, Betty and I would surely die.

Then I remembered I now had a convenient portal-opening weapon. I quickly summoned the Yin sword in my hand and opened a dimensional rift, stepping into it with Betty just before the fire engulfed us.

***

When we reached the other side, we fell and rolled on the ground. My heart was pounding wildly, as if my body still hadn't realized the danger had passed.

"What the hell was that?"

I had the uneasy feeling that I'd seen that creature before. Even though the place seemed familiar, I couldn't remember anything about it.

"Master Leandro! Miss Beatrice!"

I heard Frederica's voice and realized she had returned. I was right where I had opened the previous portal: in the middle of the mansion's ruins.

"So I just need to think of a place to open a portal that takes me there. Well, I guess it won't work with places I haven't visited before."

That increased my suspicions. I had been in that place and had seen that entity. I was very curious and wanted to unravel that mystery, but it wasn't a good time for introspection.

It wasn't just Frederica: everyone had come here. They probably followed me when I started looking for Betty.

"How is this possible?" Frederica was very surprised to see her in my arms. "I thought she was..."

"It's complicated." I repeated my excuse to postpone any explanation. "I'm going to the Sanctuary with Betty. You two stay in town in the meantime. That goes for both of you, too."

My index finger pointed at Elsa and Meili, who both shrugged and did not reply.

"Okay, let's get this over with!" I prepared to open a dimensional rift, but my legs gave way and I fell to my knees, my hands on the ground as nausea washed over me.

Everything was happening so fast and I felt like I was going to faint from all the effort I had made, but I still couldn't rest.

Betty squeezed my hand, observing my appearance with concern. Exhaustion must have taken its toll on my face.

"Leandro... Are you okay?"

"Yes... We're almost there. We just have to deal with the Big Rabbit..."

After taking a few seconds to gather my strength again, I swung the Yin sword once more, creating a new portal to the witch's graveyard.

Now, I walked through the dimensional rift and arrived at a place quite different from what I remembered. The Sanctuary was covered in snow, just as I had expected. I could also sense the Great Rabbit's miasma in the surrounding area.

"Damn, I hope I'm not too late."

According to the plan, everyone was to take refuge inside Echidna's tomb. I flew swiftly with my authority, and when I arrived at the location, I smiled with relief.

"They're here."

The Great Rabbit looked like a vast, raging white tide. Its bloodshot eyes shone like tiny rubies.