Re:Zero x Eminence in Shadow: The Star among the Shadows

Subaru POV:

I was born in a rich family, as a son of Baron Kagenou, an aristocrat who lived in the fields. My new family was known for having excellent "black knights" each generation. In this world, you use magic to boost your strength in swordsmanship.

You may be wondering, how do I know all about this and why I am so calm? Well, it took some time for me to calm down and process everything. Let's start from the beginning.

I was reincarnated and my new name was Barusu. Barusu Kagenou. I pray to the gods to strike those individuals who came up with such a name. Oh right, that was my new parents who came up with it, yikes.

There is nothing notable to talk about my new parents, just your usual aristocratic parents.

Despite being reborn, I kept my appearance from my old life, which surprised me. You would think that I would be excited to be reborn into an alternative world, right? And you would be right, I was. One part of me was really excited, was I destined to be reborn? To accomplish great things, to defeat a demon Lord of this world?

However, the second part of me was… rather upset and sad. I left my old life, which just started to improve. I acquired new friends, which didn't stay with me because I was making them laugh. No, they stayed and talked with me because of who I was. I was Natsuki Subaru for them. I mean, I am still Natsuki Subaru, but in this world I am Barusu Kagenou which means I am a completely different person with the same mind as Natsuki Subaru. Ugh… it's complicated. But it should be certainly clarified, that I am the only and only one the son of Natsuki Kenichi, and I will never forget that!

Anyway, I had 2 siblings. First was a sister, Claire Kagenou, who would always drag me to train swordsmanship with her. It was her who told me about the magic and all that black knight stuff.

The second one was… Cid… Cid Kagenou… He reminded me a bit of my ex-classmate, Minoru Kageno. The same physical appearance, the same look in his eyes, however it had a certain spark and fire in them now and the same bags under his eyes.

To prove my theory that he is reincarnated as well, since we both apparently died by a truck… I would occasionally murmur words in Japanese and English, to gain some sort of reaction from him. Either he purposely played dumb, or he wasn't actually the Minoru I know. One time I directly asked him if he was reincarnated, which he looked at me dumbfoundedly.

"Barusu! You are spacing out again! Keep your attention to a fight!" A young female voice yelled at me, as she striked me with her wooden sword, sending me flying back.

I landed on the ground with a thud, grunting in slight pain. Claire, noticing I was hurt, came rushing to me with a worried expression.

"I am so sorry, Barusu, I didn't mean striking too hard!" She said as she tightly hugged me.

"I-it is fine— Ouch! You are hugging too tightly!"

My sister Claire was sometimes an insufferable person, however I knew she was being like that for my sake, which I appreciated a lot.

Claire turned her attention to Cid, who was standing nearby the tree.

"So, how was it, Cid?"

Cid unenthusiastically clapped his hands with a neutral expression. "That was okay—" Claire dangerously narrowed her eyes, her gaze piercing him. It didn't take a while for Cid to understand the message.

His face lighted up, corners of his lips turned upwards and the clapping of his hands became louder and faster. "You are the strongest black knight, sis! I wish I was as strong as you!"

"You will be the next sparring partner for Barusu, but for now it should be enough for today. It doesn't mean that you should rest." Claire said as she helped me get up from the ground.

In terms of swordsmanship Cid was rather ordinary. Sloppy movements, slow reaction and bad footing. Not like I was any better than him, I was rather clumsy with a sword as well, but I tried my best.

Occasionally, I would take a whip out of my family's arsenal to train with it. It was rather a practical weapon. You can use it for mid-range attacks, unarm someone, tie someone or even use it to climb the buildings. In my past life I was already familiar with swordsmanship and I know how bothersome it is to become a professional sword wielder. And I find the whip cooler anyway.

I looked over to Cid and saw him walking towards our home. Since Claire was basically a prodigy child, it was a fact that she would become an heir of Kagenou's family, so I don't have to worry about having such a responsibility.

"Ey, Cid! Wait up for me!"

The days were mostly peaceful. We were training with swords and practicing magic everyday.

However one day, my body started feeling weird, really weird. And then I spotted them.

Black spots.

The possession.

I knew what it was and I knew what fate awaited for me. I heard the rumors about possession, which usually affect females. Slowly transforming their body into a blob of flesh. But in the case of males it's a lot different, they usually just explode. That thought terrified me.

Each day the feeling grew, making it painful. Was that it? Was I just supposed to explode from it? I didn't tell anyone because I was scared. Would my new parents abandon me, looking In disgust?

However as the time was flowing, I felt something within my body or my soul, something was fighting against it. Since this new feeling, I started having quite vivid dreams.

A dream about an elf in black, surrounded by the shadows and darkness. How she would endlessly proclaim her love to me, while I was bathing in her shadows. It was surreal. Surely it was. But it was calming, being loved and cared for. My anxiety slowly dissipated and shortly after the black spots magically disappeared. From now on, I rarely had such vivid dreams.

"Yo, Cid. What's your plans now?" I asked, catching up to him.

"Hmmm… I dunno, probably going to sleep in my room now."

"Sleep? At this time? Come on! There is at least one thing you want to do before going to bed, right?"

"No, I am good." With that being said, Cid quickly entered the room, locking the door behind him, stopping all possibilities of me trying to persuade him to do something.

I sighed. It wasn't too surprising, no. He was always like that for some reason. Trying to divert attention from him to someone or something else and then just stay in the shadows.

I wondered, what was the reason? Was it because of Claire? Because she is a prodigy child and he is feeling inferior? My new parents would often compare him to Claire, so he is probably feeling incomplete? Just like I used to…

I shook my head. No. I am not letting him down like that. I am not letting anyone experience that I have experienced in my old life. That path is filled with nothing but despair and loneliness. I will help him overcome this, that's what brothers should do right? Right now he should be asleep, so I will talk to him in the evening…

With those thoughts, I went back Into my own room and descended Into decrypting ancient books, which I found in our family's libraries.

It was late evening. I was standing in front of the Cid's room. I was mentally preparing myself for that's about to happen. I know that Cid was definitely seeking help, for a hand to grab, to lean on someone. I could not let him become a shut-in, Isolated from the outside world, that fate is terrible.

I knew for a fact that it will be difficult and will forever change the relationship between the two of us. But I was determined to be there and help him in any way I could. I took a deep breath, steadying myself before knocking on the door.

"Hey, Cid? Are you asleep?" I waited for a response but to no avail, was he sleeping all day now?

I gently opened the door, peeking inside through the hole. I couldn't properly see in the dark, but I managed to spot a figure sleeping on the bed under the blanket. As quietly as possible, I entered the room, closing the door behind me and approached the bed. However, I spotted a book on his table. Curiosity got the best of me and I decided to read it. My eyes widened as I saw the language of written text. It was Japanese.

I was right. Cid is Actually Minoru, but who was he lying about this? I approached the bed again, now demanding the answers.

That's odd… I have a weird feeling about this. Is this actually Cid? I gently shook the bump, which was supposed to be Cid.

"Cid?" I whispered, before pulling off the blanket.

It took me a few seconds to process what I saw. It was a pillow. Double pillow under the blanket.

"What the hell?" I involuntarily exclaimed.

I quickly scanned the room, trying to determine his location and noticed an opened window. I looked outside and there was nothing but a forest and fresh footsteps.

"I have Deja vu…"

I closed the window, before quickly storming out of the room, not before giving a last glance around it. Then I quietly approached my room, taking the whip and a sword out of it, just in case. Before going back into Cid's room and using the same window to follow him.

As I made my way through the forest, I started considering various scenarios. Was he kidnapped? This part of the forest was known for having a bandit camp in it, but for what reason would the kidnap Cid? To demand money from our family? But it doesn't make sense, there is only 1 print of footsteps, meaning only 1 person was venturing through the forest.

Maybe he is taking a walk? But why at such a time, didn't he know that bandits were located in this forest? Why didn't he warn anyone about this? However, considering he was Minoru, I had a very bad feeling about this.

However, I would receive my answer soon as I approached the bandit camp, hearing the screaming and yelling of the said bandits.

Cid POV:

"Yahoo! Hand over the loot, scumbags!" I shriek in the middle of their banquet.

"Wh-who the hell is this small kid?!"

I mean, I'm only ten years old. Like, duh. It's only natural that I'm short.

"You heard me! Now hand over all of your goodies!" I shout, punting the rude man

across the room for calling me small.

The other thieves finally draw their weapons.

"Hey, keep it up, and we ain't gonna hold back, you bra—…!"

"Take that!" I exclaim as I slice through his neck, severing his head from his

shoulders mid sentence.

Yup, that's correct. You see, my sword has a unique characteristic: it's made of slime, so it can easily be drawn from my bodysuit whenever the need arises. Not only that, but it's been modified with a bunch of useful features and capabilities.

Number one. It can elongate.

"Take that! And that! And that!" I extend my sword and slay all the filthy thieves in the vicinity.

I shape and stretch out the slime, contorting it into a whip-like form, with edges as razor-sharp as a sword. Though it's my first time using it, there's a hint of nervousness in my heart. Nonetheless, I can already envision its versatility and how it could prove to be a valuable asset.

"And that! And that! And…huh?"

I notice the room has gone all silent as I get a little too carried away with

slashing and slicing around me.

Wait, is there only one guy left?

"Wh-who are you…?"

"Eh, I guess you'll be my guinea pig for function number two."

"Th-the hell do you mean…?!"

"To break it down, you look stronger than the rest of them. I'm assuming you're like their boss or something, right? Your chances of winning are squat, but if you let me practice on you, I bet you'll live for, like, two extra minutes.

Good luck."

"S-stop playing, you brat! In the capital, I'm the—…!"

"Hey, you. Skip the speech and come at me."

"Die, dammit!" booms the Boss (or whatever) as he closes the distance between us, taking his sweet old time to swing at me, and I obviously…don't budge.

His sword plunges straight into my chest, and I'm thrown to the ground on impact.

"Ha-ha! That's what you get for messin' with me! I've mastered the Royal Bushin method, and… Wh-what?!"

"Ta-daa! …You couldn't even scratch me."

I rise to my feet as if nothing happened, and wow, I couldn't be happier with my suit's defenses! I mean, these weak-as-shit attacks can't even touch me.

"I've heard it seems to be all the rage in the capital. Show me."

"Damn you!" swears the Boss as he strikes me.

Yeah. No sweat. As he swings his sword with all his might, I don't even ready mine, sidestepping and ducking to dodge him, no problem.

The Royal Bushin method, was it? I could get into their ways of wielding the sword.

I mean, it's not every day you get to see someone fighting over something other than spirituality, old-fashioned standards, or personal beliefs in this world. This was a fight motivated by logic. I can see it from his clumsy set of attacks.

In the length of a second, a small step forward.

I see him calculate his next strike and take creative approaches. That said, his

attacks leave a lot to be desired, and in the next free moment, I step just out of

his range.

"Wh-why…why can't I hit you?!"

"I mean, you're weaker than my old man. Though I guess you're stronger than my sister and much stronger than my brother. Not that it means anything. And I bet she'll whoop your butt in another year, or my brother under certain conditions."

"You little shiiiiiiiiiiit!" he screeches, frantically bashing his sword in my direction.

I parry his advances before kicking him lightly in the shin—snapping my leg forward quickly as though on reflex.

"Gwah, ah! Why…?" the Boss whimpers, curling into a fetal position and clutching his leg.

Blood drips from his shin and pools on the ground.

It's a cheap trick, you know. I have a blade as sharp as an ice pick sticking out from my toes.

The second handy-dandy feature of the slime sword is that I can wield my blade from wherever and whenever I want. I thought this tactic showed the most potential. All I have to do is get in front of the enemy and slash him with the sword in my shoe, since lower-body attacks are hard to block. I parry hits, lock blades, and give my opponent a kick. It's nothing flashy, but it gets the job done.

"I guess we're through."

"W-wait…!"

"You didn't even last two minutes," I note before kicking the Boss in the chin with the blade on my foot.

Death by impalement.

He twitches as I roll him to the side and rummage through his loot.

"Artwork? I can't sell that. Hard pass on food. Come on. Where are the cash,jewels, and precious metals? Gimme, gimme, gimme."

There are several carriages' worth of spoils. And many dead merchants.

I whisper to the corpses, "I've avenged you. Now you can rest, knowing your

treasures will be put to good use. I hope you make it to heaven."

I gather my haul and pray in silence. I'm guessing I found about five million

zeni. One zeni is more or less equal to one Japanese yen. All this will help fund

my activities as a shadowbroker. You know, the world would be a much better

place if it were overrun by criminals. Oh, how I wish life were like a video game

and I could encounter enemies by walking down the street.

"Please wreak more havoc in your next life," I say to the Boss, giving him a

thumbs-up, when I notice…something past my fingertip.

"Is that…a cage?"

It looks sturdy and pretty big.

"Did they have slaves? Eh, hard pass on anything I can't trade for cash."

But what if there's something valuable inside? I lift its cover.

"Well, this is…unexpected."

I'm not sure how to describe it, but this cage holds…a mound of rotting flesh. I

can kinda tell it's human maybe, but no clue as to its age or gender.

But it's alive. Wait, it might even be conscious. I peer into the cage, and the flesh jolts all of a sudden.

However, my thoughts were interrupted by a familiar male voiced.

"C-cid? I-is that you?" The male voice was quite shaky. How did I miss him? Was I too distracted to find gold coins? I turned around to quickly finish the remaining thief off, however I met someone unexpected. Natsuki Subaru, or rather now Barusu Kagenou, my brother.

"I thought the event where the main character finds out the brother's real identity would be much later…" I quietly murmured under my breath. Damn it, I wasn't prepared for that event. I could do a much better performance or an entrance. For example, scenario number 347! A brother in disguise saves the main character as he was being attacked by a demon Lord, leaving him flabbergasted and in awe, thinking "Who the hell is this guy?!" or "That guy is so cool!"

Judging by his pale like-ghost face, it's probably his first time seeing this much blood and corpses. Damn, sorry for that.

I didn't want to reveal that I was Isekaid as well, as it would ruin the plot, I should probably do or say something to divert the suspicion—

"No, I have a better question. Are you Minoru Kageno?"

Why can't he just give up on that? He is so persistent damn it.

"I have no information regarding these 2 said individuals."

"Don't lie to me! I saw your little diary written in Japanese! About your plan becoming the eminence in shadow or whatever it means! "

Shit. I can't defend this.

"Okay, okay, you got me on that one," I replied with a sigh. "So yeah, I had this whole plan to become the eminence in shadow, and I documented it in a diary. But honestly, you have to admit, it was a pretty brilliant plan, right? Not many people can say they've thought about becoming a shadowy figure with a mysterious persona, who would pull the strings from the shadows."

Subaru's eyes widened before he facepalmed. "Wait… I get it… You are chuunibyou… But why go this far killing those bandits?"

"I avenged the merchants." I replied nonchalantly before turning my attention back to the cage with a mound of rotting flesh.

I've heard of the Church executing these creatures. I think they're called the

"possessed." They're born as normal humans until their flesh rots out of nowhere, fated for death. But the Church goes out of its way to purchase them,executing them in the name of purification. They claim they're exorcizing

demons, but they're really just murdering the sick. But the ignorant masses applaud and praise them for keeping peace on earth. It's just as you'd expect from the Middle Ages. What a friggin' downer.

I bet I'd get more zeni than this entire load of spoils if I were to sell this to the Church, but that's pointless to say since I can't sell it.

Well, I guess I should put it out of its misery.

I stick my slime sword into the cage…when I notice something else.

Namely, this mound of flesh contains an abundance of magic. I've been

training my magic since childhood, but this surpasses mine—it's honestly beastly. And this…

"Is this wavelength…the effects of a magical overload?"

I guess a magical overload must be the reason this turned into a pile of flesh. I've suffered its effects firsthand before. If I hadn't gotten it under control back then, I might've ended up suffering the same fate or worse.

I know magic has certain effects on the body, which I felt all too well that a fateful day. I could sense its potential to raise my tolerance for magic and allow me to handle more of it, but it would be too dangerous to induce a magical

overload. I'd tossed the idea.

But if I were to hypothetically conduct experiments on a product of this phenomenon…I can get closer to being a shadow commander without any risks.

"I can use this… To experiment" I say as I reach out to the flesh and infuse it with magic. However, I was interrupted by Subaru as he wielded his whip and lashed out at me, wrapping it around my arm in a swift and calculated movement.

That was impressive. Since when did he learn how to use a whip? And with such precision.

"What do you think you are doing? That's an innocent soul!"

I blinked at him. "I found this a better method than to experiment on my body."

He stared at me with his jaw hanging. "Experimenting on yourself… Are you crazy? Didn't you say something about magic overload? Can't you stabilize it?"

"But that would mean I have to find someone or something else to experiment on…"

"Stabilize it or I will tell Claire that you have been slacking off."

"On my way! Let's bring this pile of flesh somewhere else, more private."

Subaru POV:

It's been a few days since the revelation and our attempts to stabilize the magic overload in the possessed body. I decided not to tell anyone about his night's activities, as long as he is not harming innocents.

His goal. To become the eminence in shadow. I can't say that it doesn't bother me. After his revelation, I've been thinking about it during these days. His childish dream. He had already become considerably strong, and I have a feeling like he won't stop on that.

I started as he was pouring mana into the possessed, trying to stabilize it. He told me that he would teach me his way if he learned how to stabilize it. I was growing a bit impatient.

"Can I try it? Maybe it would work for me."

Cid looked at me. "Sure, go ahead. I've tried almost everything, if it doesn't work I'll use it to experiment on."

I gave him a look, indicating that it's not going to happen before approaching the blob of flesh. Its single blue eye was staring at me, like it was conscious and knew what we were trying to do.

Honestly, I don't know what I am supposed to do now. I just said it because I was running out of patience. So I just placed my hand on the blobwell and closed my eyes.

I felt something resonating deep in my body. A feeling which I felt when I was possessed as well. A rather calming feeling. And it seems like it affected the blob as well. I felt hairs brushing my face, I opened my eyes and saw the result of my work. A naked blonde elf.

I caught her in my arms so she wouldn't fall.

I am not sure how I did it, but it worked? Maybe it's one of my hidden abilities? To cure the possessed?

"Yo, Cid. It worked— Cid?" I looked over at him and saw him sitting on the wooden container, waiting expectantly.

"What are you doi—" I was interrupted by a sudden movement in my arms, the elf was being awakened.

"I see you have awakened, young elf." Cid said as he was gazing at the elf.

She slowly opened her eyes, frankly looking at her herself

"What? How— How did this happen?"

"The curse that has been plaguing your body has been lifted by my brother, you are now free."

"Uh. Yeah, you don't have to thank me. That's not a big deal!"

"The curse… has been lifted?"

She looked at me with gratitude, slightly flushed cheeks, as her arms desperately grasped my shirt.

"What curse? Who did this?"

"I don't kn—" Before I could say anything, I was Interrupted by Cid.

"It was a curse that was casted upon the descendants of the Three Legendary Heroes."

What? What the hell is he talking about? I saw him repeatedly blinking at me, but the elf seemed to not notice this gesture, as her attention was fully focused on his words.

He took out a fairy tale book from the wooden box. He was flipping through the pages until he stopped.

"The fairy tale recorded in these scriptures about three heroes who defeated the demon, Diablos and saved the world."

What he is saying… Is this actually true?

"And the one behind this…" His eyes were scanning the room in the search of something.

Oh, I see it now. He is making it up, giving in to his chuunibyou fantasies.

"The mastermind is… i think it's too soon for you to know, you are not prepared—"

"I don't care!" she exclaimed. "Tell me who did this to me!"

"Oh, I see… in that case we will tell you…" His eyes were scanning the room yet again until he found something. "The cult of Diablos. Their goal is to resurrect the demon Diablos, they have existed for quite a long time."

I can't believe this. I feel bad for lying to a poor elf, she just doesn't know what she is getting into, I was ready now to spill the beans.

"And it is our mission to stop the cult from accomplishing their goal."

Cid said as he released his magic aura.

"My name is stylish… No, sorry. My name is Shadow. He who lurks in shadows to hunt the shadows."

He looked at me for a moment before continuing. "And this is… Pleiades. The star which lights the path of the shadows."

My jaw dropped hearing his words. He is dragging me into his pit. I was too shocked to object to his words.

"Shadow… Pleiades…"

"The path we walk isn't an easy one, are you ready? Descendant of the Hero?"

The elf was silent for a moment before speaking up.

"When I was possessed, I lost everything. My life, family and friends. My only future was to rot as a pile of flesh. But you saved me." She was looking at me with gratitude, devotion and a hint of something else.

"So if it is what you wish, I will give you life and I will punish the guilty with death."

"Very well." Cid replied as black slime covered both of us, giving us a new slime outfit.

"We may have to go against powerful leaders and stuff like that…"

"I don't care. I will not show any mercy to those who stand in our way."

"That's the spirit!"

"We need to find other descendants of the Heroes to expand our forces and take them under our protection." She said intently stark g at Cid.

"Yeah… R-right."

"As we expand our forces, we will need to strengthen our base of operations. We will need to collect the funds to that end."

"Yeah, but in moderation… Alright then, for a base we will be using this abandoned town until we find something more suitable. Collecting funds will have to be put on hold for now. We must be trained in order to face the cultists."

Cid looked over at me and then back at the elf.

"And the name of our organization will be… Shadow Garden. As for your name, it will be Alpha, the first member of the Shadow garden. Now come, there is much to discuss"

Slowly, I finally regained my composure and realized that just happened. It seems like I was involuntarily subjected into a secret organization…