Starting Life From Another Choice Than Zero

Chapter 5 - Revelations

"What?"

Perhaps it was the downright bizarreness of this unexpected encounter, or maybe it was because a small part of him still was under the more believable impression that it all could just be a dream, he had no idea. All he knew, was that he felt a sudden urge to laugh upon hearing Beatrice's words.

"Go back to my own world?" He said, half exasperated half amused. "What kind of weird plot from a storybook is that?"

He couldn't help himself, he chuckled.

The shock of finding himself back in the place he tried his absolute hardest to let go had subsided. All he can do now was laugh at the absurdity of the whole thing. Yet even now, as he continued giggling away like a damned lunatic, he found himself wanting. He never really considered going back, never spared a thought about his old life. All he ever did was move on, start anew in this fantasy world, and when that didn't work, he just moved on again.

Thinking about it now, he felt a longing to do so, to go back. This world has already showed him enough to last him a lifetime, in his case, multiple lifetimes, he has had enough of it.

"I want to go back." He muttered, his laughter slowing to a halt.

"I know you do." Said Beatrice, who was quiet all throughout his contemplation. "Why else would you have come to me, I suppose?"

Question after question lined themselves up at the tip of his tongue, but the one that came out first was, "What did I do with you?".

"You're not making much sense, I suppose." She snapped. "Do you mind explaining why you're lacking in items?"

Again he found himself in the same position he was with Kris. Can he risk telling her about his amnesia? Would the witch come after him if he uttered anything to her?

"Beatrice..." He said slowly, bracing himself. "I... lost my memories. I have no idea what has happened for the past four weeks. I have no idea what's going on, or what I've done."

The speed of which the words left his mouth was rapid, quick enough that it was over within moments. His eyes were shut tight, fists clenched beside him... But nothing happened, the witch hadn't silenced him .

There was silence. Staring at each other. And then...

"Well, that would complicate things, I suppose." Beatrice said unperturbed. "Honestly, almost nothing goes right with you."

Subaru was still basking in the pleasant shock of being able to speak to respond, but still managed a look that displayed his confusion.

"You'll want to know what's going on, I suppose?" Beatrice asked, placing the big book on the table beside her.

"Yes, everything. I want to know..." Suddenly, he thought of something. "Emilia! Ram! Rem! A-Are they alive? Are they here?"

Beatrice opened her mouth to respond, but stopped suddenly, and looked over Subaru's shoulder, her eyebrows furrowed.

Following her gaze, Subaru turned back and saw that a mahoganized set of double wooden doors had replaced the simple door he had entered from.

"Someone's coming." Beatrice whispered.

"Huh?"