Re: Zero: We Are Venom

Subaru and Venom trudged through the ruins of the flooded city. The streets were littered with debris, demonic corpses, and the occasional flickering light from submerged lampposts. Every step felt heavier than the last to find dead people corpses around, but the duo pressed on, searching for survivors.

Venom's massive form loomed over Subaru as he tore into the head of the final demonic creature, the sharp crunch echoing in the eerie silence. He devoured it with a predator's precision before standing upright, his tendrils retracting slightly as he addressed Subaru.

"Subaru," Venom said, his voice calmer now, almost... considerate, "it wasn't your fault. If this were your one-year-younger self, you'd already be drowning in despair." His sharp, toothy grin softened just enough to feel less predatory. "We know more now—more about our enemies, their tactics, and their plans. We're not the same as before."

Subaru froze in his mind, his head tilting slightly down as memories of his failures surged through his mind. His fists clenched tightly, trembling with a mix of anger and frustration.

"But this was truly pathetic of mine," Subaru muttered, his tone dripping with self-loathing. "I accomplished so little. Let's not forget—I've died at Sirius' hands three times already. Emilia was kidnapped by that weird pervert bastard. I let Beatrice fall into a coma, got toyed with by that bitch, and then—" His voice broke as he gestured to the wrecked city around them. "I let this happen. The city is flooded because I wasn't good enough!"

Venom shifted, his hulking form slowly shrinking as he retracted into Subaru's back. In an instant, Subaru appeared in his human form again, his legs steady beneath him, though he could still feel the slight buzz of power coursing through his veins from their symbiosis. Venom emerged over his shoulder, speaking with a tone that felt oddly introspective.

"Then," Venom began, his voice almost probing, "are you saying you'll still go forward after all this?"

Subaru paused, his hand tightening into a fist. He raised his head, his eyes gleaming with a mix of determination and defiance. "Even if this is pathetic of mine, I'm still going forward." His voice gained strength with each word. "More importantly, I have you now. If I compare this to the Witches' Trial... this is nothing." Subaru's lips curled into a faint smirk, his resolve evident. "Everything that happened here won't make me give up."

Venom chuckled deeply, his massive teeth flashing in a feral grin. "Hahaha! Yes, you are lucky to have me, Subaru."

Subaru turned his head slightly, meeting Venom's sharp eyes with his own fierce gaze. "No. I think you're lucky to have a host like me."

Venom paused for a moment, his grin widening as his voice dripped with amusement. "No, Subaru. You are lucky."

The two stared at each other in silence for a beat, the weight of their shared experiences settling between them. The wreckage of the city stretched endlessly, but it wasn't the silence that unnerved Subaru and Venom—it was the figures approaching them. Venom's sharp eyes narrowed as the familiar forms of Priscilla Barielle and Liliana Masquerade emerged from the shadows, their distinct presences unmistakable even in the chaotic surroundings.

"Well, well, well," Venom's deep voice rumbled, a hint of mischief lacing his tone. "Isn't it the Disney duo princesses? Guess we finally unlocked our isekai protagonist status to attract beauties!"

Subaru visibly cringed. "Venom, seriously?!"

Liliana froze, her eyes widening in horror as she caught sight of Venom attached to Subaru's body. Her shriek pierced the air, and she darted behind Priscilla for cover, trembling.

"Sir Natsuki! Something horrible is attached to you!" she wailed. "Ahhh, it's moving! It's alive!"

Venom puffed out his chest—well, as much as a symbiotic entity could—and announced with exaggerated pride, "I am a High Spirit! The Dark Spirit! The Great Venom of Darkness!"

Subaru groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Venom, that's way too edgy. Dial it down."

Priscilla's smug smile grew wider as she tilted her head ever so slightly, the ornate fan in her hand fluttering lazily. "Fufufu. A 'High Spirit,' you say? Such pretentiousness for a creature so ugly. You are no spirit, but a strange aberration. Nothing more."

For a brief moment, both Subaru and Venom froze, processing the backhanded insult.

Subaru tried to interject, "Hey, the world is full of mysteries, Priscilla. Venom is just one of them. Cut him some slack!"

Priscilla chuckled, her gaze sharp and cold as she snapped her fan shut. "Fufufu. Interesting, I suppose. But its face is so disgusting. It's no wonder a commoner like you would contract with such a thing. Keep it away from me—I will not have my presence sullied by such filth."

Venom growled, his toothy grin twisting into something far more sinister. "Yeah? We're still way cooler than the circus duo standing before us. If we had spare coins, we'd toss them your way to see you dance. Hahaha!"

Priscilla's smile faltered for a fraction of a second, her eyes narrowing dangerously as an icy chill seemed to emanate from her.

Subaru quickly stepped between them, raising his hands in a gesture of peace. "Whoa, whoa, whoa! Let's not make this any more serious than it needs to be. We've got bigger problems right now!" He turned to Priscilla, desperate to defuse the situation. "Priscilla, why are you even here? You don't strike me as someone who'd go out of their way to search for survivors."

Priscilla snapped her fan open again, gracefully hiding her mouth behind it. Her eyes gleamed with her usual haughty confidence. "I am here to execute the one responsible for this disgraceful flooding. A suitable punishment must be meted out for such an unforgivable act of defilement." She paused for dramatic effect before adding, "I also have another reason. I am searching for my retainer."

Liliana peeked out from behind Priscilla, still eyeing Venom warily. "I happened to stay close to her after you guys left the park. Then suddenly, the broadcast came on, and before I knew it—the entire city was underwater!" Her voice quivered with residual fear as she clutched her lute tightly.

Subaru and Venom stood silently as Liliana's words hung in the air. Subaru clenched his fists, his eyes narrowing. "So, what happened to Wilhelm, Crusch, and Garfiel? Are they safe?"

Liliana was the first to answer, her voice shaky but determined. "We don't know about all of them, Sir Natsuki, but most of the citizens were evacuated safely. That much, I can say for sure."

Priscilla, however, waved her fan dismissively. "Fufufu. A noble concern, I suppose. However, while the vermin scramble to survive, the self-proclaimed Archbishop of Lust has issued three new demands." Her gaze lingered smugly on Subaru and Venom's expressions. "Judging by your blank, foolish faces, I assume you know nothing of this."

Subaru stiffened. "Three new demands? What are they?"

Priscilla's smirk widened, enjoying their ignorance. "Yes. In addition to the so-called 'witch's bones' slumbering beneath this city, Lust demands the Book of Wisdom, the artificial spirit, and…" She paused dramatically, relishing the moment. "…the wedding of the silver-haired maiden."

Both Subaru and Venom froze, their expressions shifting from confusion to outright shock.

"Emilia!?" Subaru's voice cracked as the name escaped his lips.

Venom growled low in his throat, his black tendrils flickering dangerously. "We knew something was off…" His sharp, toothy grin returned as he glanced at Subaru. "So that's why they paused their attacks. The bastards were regrouping for this."

Priscilla chuckled mockingly. "Fufufu. What will you do now, peasant? Slink back into the shadows and cry?"

Subaru's shock turned into determination, his fists tightening at his sides. "Dammit! Again! But I'm not going to let them have their way this time!" He clenched his teeth, anger replacing his despair. "Bring it on!"

Before Priscilla could retort, a young girl suddenly rushed toward them, her face pale with terror. "Help me!" she cried, before diving behind Liliana.

Following close behind her, several grotesque demonic creatures emerged from the ruins, their bodies malformed and monstrous.

Venom reacted instantly. Subaru's hand transformed into a tendril of black symbiotic material, lashing out and slamming one of the creatures in a single strike. Its lifeless body collapsed to the ground with a wet thud.

Priscilla, unfazed, raised her fan to cover her mouth. "So, the peasant shows some spine. Perhaps you won't break so easily over such trivial matters?"

"Damn right!" Subaru shouted, his voice firm and unyielding. "We're going to regroup, kick these bastards out of the city, and end this once and for all!"

Venom surged over Subaru, their voices blending as one. "We are Venom!" Their transformed body towered over the battlefield as long tendrils erupted from their form, piercing through the demonic creatures and smashing their bodies against the ground with merciless force. One by one, the enemies fell, their lifeless forms scattered across the ruins.

Priscilla raised an eyebrow, her gaze steady. "A good show of resolve. Perhaps you're not as pathetic as I thought."

Venom turned toward Subaru, nodding in approval. "Not bad. But don't let it get to your head."

Meanwhile, Liliana knelt beside the unconscious girl, her face pale as she noticed a deep wound on the child's back. "Sir Natsuki! She's hurt!"

Subaru rushed over, his eyes darting to the injury. "I trained with Clint; I know some basic first aid. Let me—"

Venom interrupted, a dark tendril extending from Subaru's body. "Don't worry. I'll handle this." Without waiting for Subaru's approval, the tendril latched onto the girl's wound, glowing faintly. Within seconds, the injury was completely healed, the girl's breathing returning to normal.

Liliana and Priscilla stared in shock.

Liliana stammered, "That… That wasn't healing! That was… something else! No healer could match that speed!"

Venom's head emerged from Subaru's shoulder, leaning close to Liliana with a mischievous grin. "Didn't I say it before? I am the Great Venom of Darkness! Healing is nothing to me! Hahahaha!"

Priscilla flicked her fan open again, her expression unreadable. "Fufufu. Strange, indeed. But we have no time to waste on theatrics. Let us move on and I still have unfinished business to attend to."

With that, the group began moving forward, their resolve unwavering. The city was in shambles, but Subaru and Venom's determination burned brighter than ever.

As the group made their way through the ruins of the city, Priscilla let her eyes wander across the destruction. The smirk on her face was faint, but it didn't conceal her disdain. "I must admit, I was expecting more damage from these Archbishops. If they are truly as evil as the rumors claim…" She gestured toward the wreckage around them. "...then I find this lackluster performance disappointing."

Venom's head emerged from Subaru's shoulder, his sharp teeth gleaming in the dim light. "I think they're more focused on getting what they want than outright destroying the city. They've got a plan, and this mess is just the sideshow."

Priscilla raised an eyebrow, fanning herself lazily. "Fufufu. A rare moment of insight from such a hideous face. I must agree with you on that point."

Venom didn't miss a beat, leaning closer. "Thanks for the compliment, Oreo-face."

The two glared at each other, venomous smirks battling for dominance.

Subaru sighed, watching the exchange with growing exasperation. "Great, now both of you are roasting each other. I'm just gonna pretend I don't know you two crazy people."

---

They arrived at an underground shelter where Liliana carefully placed the unconscious girl among the other citizens. Subaru glanced around, noticing the unsettling silence that filled the room.

Venom's voice echoed in Subaru's mind. "Something's not right here. I can feel it in the air—something's messing with their minds. But lucky for you, you've got me. Whatever it is, we're immune."

Subaru's stomach dropped as realization struck. "No way… Is this Wrath's Authority?" he muttered.

Venom growled lowly. "I get it now. Sirius's Authority—it's not about understanding each other. It's forcing them into isolation. It's fear and despair in their purest forms, locking everyone in their own heads."

Subaru's eyes widened as the pieces fell into place. "She's making everyone turn on themselves. This whole situation… it's her doing."

"No wonder the Ego Queen over there isn't affected," Venom quipped mentally, his tone sarcastic.

Priscilla narrowed her eyes, sensing the jab. "What did you say?" she demanded, though she hadn't heard the words aloud.

Before Subaru could defuse the situation, chaos erupted among the citizens. Arguments turned into shouting matches, and soon after, fists began flying.

"No! Stop!" Subaru called out, but his voice was lost in the noise.

Liliana stepped forward, closing her eyes as she brought her lute to her chest. Her voice rang out in a hauntingly beautiful melody that seemed to pierce through the tension. It wasn't just music—it resonated deep within the hearts of the affected citizens. Slowly, their aggression faded, their eyes softening as Liliana's song brought them back to their senses.

Venom spoke in Subaru's mind again. "I can feel it. Her music—it's restoring them. Whatever Wrath's Authority did, she's undoing it."

Subaru's lips curled into a determined smile. "Looks like Liliana and Priscilla can handle the citizens. That means we can shift our focus to the main problem."

"You got it," Venom replied. "No more distractions. Time to kick some Archbishop butt."

As Subaru prepared to leave, Liliana called out, her voice hesitant. "Sir Natsuki, are you going already?"

He nodded. "Yeah, I'm heading back to the Muse Company to regroup with the others. What about you?"

"I still have matters to take care of here," Priscilla interjected, flipping her fan open.

Subaru smiled faintly. "I see. Thanks for the help, both of you. Let's meet again once this mess is sorted out."

Without waiting for a response, Subaru and Venom turned and left the shelter, their steps firm with purpose.

As Subaru and Venom pressed forward, dispatching demonic creatures with every step, a figure suddenly dropped from above, landing in front of them with a flourish.

"Who are you, monster?" Julius declared, his sword drawn, eyes sharp as he prepared to strike.

Venom, still half-formed on Subaru's body, cocked his head. "Well, look at this, Subaru. We've got a sidekick in a Nintendo protagonist cosplay! Haha!"

Before Julius could respond, Venom receded, revealing Subaru's face.

"Whoa, chill! Julius, it's me—Subaru!"

Julius hesitated, his sword lowering slightly. "Subaru? Are you unharmed? Is it really you? But…" His gaze shifted to Venom. "What is this strange creature attached to you? Is it some sort of demon spirit?"

Venom surged out again, his sharp-toothed grin almost splitting his face. "Says the guy with the YE YE ASS HAIRCUT! Do you want to get your white neon-colored butt handed to you by me, you REJECT-O-HAHAAH!"

"Venom! Stop it!" Subaru shouted, waving his hands. "Julius! He's not a demon or anything like that. He's… uh, my contracted spirit. A weird, over-the-top, trash-talking one, but he's with me!"

Venom puffed up proudly. "I am the High Spirit! The Dark Spirit! The Great Venom of Darkness! Remember that, ye haircut knight!"

Julius blinked, his expression betraying a mix of confusion and disbelief.

"Look," Subaru interjected quickly, "the world is full of mysteries, okay? And Venom is just… one of those mysteries."

Julius finally sheathed his sword, nodding reluctantly. "I see. It's… nice to meet you, Venom. Thank you for helping Subaru. Just to be sure, your mind is clear, right? You know your name and place of birth?"

Subaru crossed his arms. "Natsuki Subaru, from Japan. You've heard this before!"

"A country I've never heard of… I guess you are Subaru then" Julius replied, eyeing Subaru skeptically before turning to Venom. "Well, if Subaru vouches for you, I'll trust you—for now."

Venom smirked, nodding enthusiastically. "Good choice, fancy knight. You'll love me. I'm everyone's favorite nightmare protector!"

Julius shifted the topic. "It's good to see you alive, Subaru. But what about you? Are you uninjured?"

"I'm fine. What about everyone else?" Subaru asked urgently. "What about Beatrice? What about the injured people at Muse Company?"

Julius's expression softened. "Calm down. The city hall raid group all made it out alive, thankfully. However…" His face darkened. "Muse Company was attacked."

Subaru's heart sank, his face contorted in horror. "What? What happened to the people there? Are Beatrice and the others okay?"

"Subaru," Julius reassured, "we relocated the survivors to the city hall. It's become our new base of operations. Beatrice and the others are safe."

Venom and Subaru both let out a collective breath of relief.

"Wait, wait, wait," Venom said, his voice booming. "Did you just say we've got city hall back?!"

"Yes," Julius confirmed. "Let's go and meet everyone"