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

'Just like I imagined the dragons in my dreams, they're amazing.' Subaru thought to himself.

"Everyone—" Subaru didn't get to finish his sentence before the Mist Dragon's piercing gaze locked onto him. Without warning the dragon roared so loudly that it echoed their everyone's ears, the ground trembling beneath them.

Purple energy started to form around its mouth, the purple orb quickly gaining in size. Subaru knew what was coming next.

"Watch out!" Subaru shouted, his eyes wide with fear.

In an instant the dragon breathed out purple, a wave of magic that could obliterate anyone in its path.

Subaru dropped to the side, trying to dodge the blast while directing the group. "To the sides!" he yelled.

Delta and Zeta moved immediately, going in opposite directions. Gamma and Eta followed, jumping to Subaru's left while Alpha and Epsilon went right.

The purple breath hit the ground where Subaru had just been, exploding in a cloud of violet smoke and magic that erupted around. The force of the blast shook the ground, destroying and sending dirt flying everywhere.

As the smoke cleared Subaru checked on the group's positions, breathing a sigh of relief to see everyone had dodged the attack.

"That's a warm welcome," Subaru panted, brushing dirt off his slime suit. "Everyone good?"

"We are." Alpha replied, getting back to her feet.

Delta was pumped and growled, "Let Delta at it! Delta can take it down!"

"Delta! Wait!" Subaru yelled but it was too late, Delta charged forward and got ready to attack with her claws.

As she closed in, the dragon turned its attention to her, its eyes filled with curiosity and irritation. Then, the dragon began casting another magic attack, the same purple breath but this time directly aimed at her.

No time to dodge, Delta's reflexes kicked in. She rolled to the side just as the blast hit the ground where she had been.

A massive explosion erupted, sending a shockwave that knocked Delta off her feet. She tumbled through the air, landing hard against a tree, destroying it under her weight.

"Delta!" Subaru shouted, panic rising in his voice.

However, Delta wasn't done. She sprang once again at the dragon with fierce determination and unmatched speed. Dragon regarded her with something akin amusement in his eyes before latching at her with its claws.

Delta barely manages to dodge it, jumping over the attacks, twisting her body in mid-air.

"Nice try!" Delta shouted, taunting the dragon as she circled around it. The Mist Dragon, now more irritated than amused, swung its tail toward her, but Delta was quick, leaping over it with.

Subaru watched with anxiety and panic in his mind as he saw devastating attacks of the Mist Dragon before being pulled back to reality by Alpha.

"Lord Pleiades!" Alpha called out, worry creeping into her voice as she observed the chaos unfolding.

"Right!" Subaru responded, trying to keep a cool head despite the tension, he looked over the Shadow, where he stood observing the battle. "Everyone! Here is a plan! We will be using dragon's size to our advantage! Delta, keep the dragon's attention on you! Alpha, Beta, Epsilon and Zeta ready your strongest attacks, on my command attack it! Gamma and Eta provide support!"

Everyone in the group nodded, waiting for Subaru's command.

"And I will be…" 'Right, I am useless here, I can't do anything to help them in any way.' Subaru silently cursed his helplessness, clenching his fists in frustration. He could see Alpha watching him, the slight shift in her eyes and the way her ears perked up telling him that she knew what he was thinking.

"You are not useless." Alpha firmly stated, locking her eyes on his.

Subaru looked at her, a look of surprise and guilt on his face. He quickly shook those thoughts away, before returning his attention to the battle.

Delta continued to avoid the dragon's attacks, keeping its attention sorely on her. Despite the danger, she was grinning at the prospect of fighting such a powerful enemy.

Subaru, seeing an opportunity to attack, yelled. "Now!"

Immediately, Alpha, Beta, Epsilon and Zeta lunged at the Mist Dragon. Beta, Epsilon and Zeta were attacking the right and the left side of the dragon. Despite its size, the dragon managed to dodge and block all their attacks with an ease.

However, Alpha aimed high, jumping high from the ground, aiming at its neck—intending to cut it off. Huge amount of a man was gathered in her sword, one single strike. The air cracked with energy as she descended with her sword glowing blue.

'This is it!' Subaru thought. But to his dismay, her strike wasn't strong enough to penetrate the dragon's tough scales, leaving only a small scratch on it. The Mist Dragon turned its gaze toward Alpha, its eyes narrowing in annoyance as it let out a low rumble, alike to chuckle.

"Not even a scratch?" Alpha exclaimed, her expression shifting from determination to surprise.

"Get back—" Before he could finish, the Mist Dragon unleashed a furious roar, before flapping its wings, lifting off the ground to the sky.

'This isn't funny… isn't funny at all!' Subaru thought as he watched the dragon being unharmed by their assaults.

The Mist Dragon's eyes latched at Subaru once again and with the last flap of its wings, dove downwards, aiming its sharp claws at him. Subaru's heart dropped at the sight, he barely managed to roll to the side, feeling the rush of wind passing by him.

The speed of assault caused a shockwave that sent Subaru tumbling across the ground. He gasped for breath, the impact knocking the wind out of him, and struggled to regain his footing.

"Subaru!" Alpha lost her composure for a moment, her voice laced with anxiety as she rushed to his side.

"I'm fine!" he lied, forcing himself to stand and shake off the dirt. He glanced around, noting everyone's position and their fatigue.

"Everyone retreat! We have to think of something else!" Subaru shouted, gaining the attention of everyone. 'Dammit! What is Cid doing when you need him the most?!'

The Dragon's gaze hasn't left Subaru, but as Subaru was processing what to do next, the dragon suddenly started erupting the Mist from its body, fully covering itself until it disappeared from their sight.

'What is this?' Subaru asked no one but himself, as all of them started looking around in search of the Dragon.

"Stay alert!" Subaru commanded, sensing the change in the atmosphere.

"Where did it go?" Gamma murmured, looking around into the mist that now enveloped the field.

"Don't let your guard down!" Alpha added, her hand gripping her sword tightly, scanning the area with sharp eyes.

"Delta, can you sense it?" Subaru asked, glancing at therianthrope wolf.

Delta sniffed the air, before replying "It's close! Delta can feel its presence, but Delta can't see it!"

Suddenly, the Dragon appeared above them launching down with an incredible speed, landing with a thunderous crash, sending shockwaves that knocked everyone off their feet.

Subaru quickly scrambled to regain his balance, forcing himself upright, quickly focusing his attention on the dragon, however there was nothing left but a mist in place of the crash.

The Dragon reappeared once again, but this time Subaru wasn't prepared. It lunged at him with its claws, aiming to tear him into pieces. Subaru's heart dropped, embracing himself.

However he found himself tackled to the ground by Alpha, rolling to the side, as he felt the wind rush past him.

"Stay down!" Alpha shouted, her body shielding him as the dragon's claws barely missed them and instead struck the ground.

Subaru tried to catch his breath, his heart racing as he lay on the ground. "What are you doing?" he gasped, his voice filled with panic. "You could hurt yourself!"

"I'd rather die than see you being killed!" Alphan snapped back, her voice filled with fierce determination and concern. "I can't afford to— We can't afford to lose you!"

Subaru's eyes widened at her words, it made him feel guilty and grateful. "Alpha, you—"

Before he could finish his sentence, the Dragon reappeared once again in the sky, menacingly staring Subaru down.

'Why does it keep its attention on me?' Subaru mused as he was looking around.

He could see the fatigue and injuries getting caught up to his comrades and If any longer of these assaults, all of them might be as good as dead. He needed to think, and think fast.

Suddenly, he came up with a plan. A stupid and risky plan but it might work.

"Alpha, you take charge. I am going to act as bait, use this time to regroup everyone and attack the dragon." Subaru shouted with a newfound determination.

"What? You can't be serious!" Alpha exclaimed, her eyes widening in disbelief. "You can't just act as bait! You're putting yourself in too much danger! We can't afford to lose you here!" Alpha protested, fear and anger filled her voice.

"If I can get the Mist Dragon to focus on me, you all will have a chance to regroup and hit it with everything you have. We can't let it keep targeting anyone else." He paused, locking eyes with Alpha. "I need you to trust me."

"Subaru, I—" she started, her voice trembling.

"Do you trust me?" Subaru interrupted. "All of you are strong enough to defeat it, I believe in you."

"Fine. Just… promise me you'll be careful." Alpha took a deep breath, nodding slowly

"I promise," Subaru replied, thankful to her. "Now, let's do this!"

"Hey, you stupid Dragon! You don't look so almighty there, up in the sky! You look more like a small fly! Better keep up with me as I am labeled as the most annoying person you have ever met!" Subaru shouted up at the Mist Dragon, taunting him.

The Dragon's curiosity pitiqued at his taunt, its eyes slightly narrowing at him seeing he run into the forest. It hovered for a moment, momentarily investing itself in Subaru's antics, as if thinkinf whether to be insulted or amused, before following him into the woods.

As Subaru sprinted down the forest, he could hear the flapping wings behind him, following his leads.

"Faster, faster!" he muttered to himself, with branches hitting his bodyand trying not to trip over the thick roots that cluttered the ground. Behind him, he could hear the flapping of the dragon's wings.

As he ducked behind a large boulder, he caught his breath to think. He recalled the terrain. There was a clearing not far ahead—a perfect spot for an ambush. If he could make a break for it and draw the dragon into that open space, that could give everyone a chance to regroup and prepare their strongest attacks.

"Just a little further," he whispered to himself, his breath coming in short gasps. "The clearing is ahead."

Suddenly, Subaru stumbled over a root jutting from the ground, and he felt himself falling forward. With a grunt, he hit the ground hard, rolling before quickly standing up.

"Shit… I have to—" He was interrupted by a gust of wind passing above him. The dragon descended above and landed on the ground just in front of him.

'I can't use my magic spell now, I have to have him weakened.'

Subaru stumbled backwards, falling on his butt. "Uh... hi there!" Subaru stammered, attempting to keep the panic and fear from his voice. He scrambled backward. "I just wanted to have a chat."

Rather than attacking, the Mist Dragon regarded him with a tilt of its head, seemingly intrigued by the audacity of the little human before it. In that brief moment, Subaru realized he had the dragon's attention.

"Just to clarify. I'm not here to pick a fight. You know, it's all about communication these days." Subaru continued, trying to maintain a sense of calm in the face of death. "What do you say we settle this over a nice cup of tea instead?"

The Mist Dragon blinked, its fierce demeanor briefly replaced by confusion. Before it erupted into something that could be considered into a laughter.

Subaru blinked in surprise, taken aback by the sudden change in atmosphere. The Mist Dragon's massive body shook with every rumble of laughter.

"See?" Subaru continued, gaining a little confidence from its reaction. "No need for all this violence! I mean, we could really just sit down and, I don't know, share some stories. You've probably got some pretty epic tales about flying and living for thousands of years, right?"

The Mist Dragon's laughter subsided, replaced by an intense gaze that drilled into Subaru's very essence.

"Okay, okay," he said, waving his hands. "How about I share a tale of my adventures? Something to lighten the mood!"

He began to recount the ridiculous series of events that led him and his organization to this very moment: the encounters with bandits, the odd encounters, and the bizarre situations he had somehow managed to survive. He embellished some stories, making them more ludicrous, to keep the dragon entertained.

To his surprise, the dragon seemed genuinely entertained. Its eyes sparkled with what looked like amusement, and it tilted its head, almost like it was enjoying an odd form of entertainment.

"Your presence brings curiosity, little one," the Mist Dragon remarked, its voice almost calming. "But it has also brought danger. My territory is sacred, and I do not take kindly to intruders."

Subaru's form trembled as the Dragon's deep voice resonated through the woods. "I get it! It thought we could come to an understanding and find a way to coexist. I mean, you're a magnificent creature, and I'm just a… well, a human who's probably more annoying than dangerous." Subaru chuckled nervously, trying to maintain the dragon's interest.

"You think yourself insignificant, but your audacity intrigues me." The Mist Dragon's brow furrowed, and it leaned closer to Subaru, its eyes narrowing. "You dare to treat this encounter as an opportunity for bonding rather than conflict?"

Subaru nodded eagerly, sensing he might be able to defuse the situation. "Exactly! I mean, look at me! I'm just a simple guy trying to make my way in the world. And I wouldn't want to get on your bad side!"

For a moment, the Mist Dragon remained silent, allowing the weight of its past to linger in his mind. "Many have sought to conquer these lands, underestimating the bond I have with it. Humans often come in search of power or resources, unaware of the harmony that exists."

"Exactly!" Subaru exclaimed. "Instead of conflict, what if I could help you guard your territory? I have friends who could help keep those who would invade at bay, and in exchange, you could give us a place we could stay in. We could build an alliance that benefits us both!"

The Mist Dragon deeply considered this option, however, before he could answer he was attacked from all of his sides. The Mist Dragon suddenly tensed, before his attention snapped from Subaru to the attackers.

The dragon's eyes blazed with fury as it registered the sudden intrusion of Subaru's companions, who had taken advantage of the distraction to launch a combined assault.

"Wait!" he shouted, raising his hands to signal the others. "Stop! I was just—"

But they didn't hear his pleas. They charged forward, determined to protect him and attack the Mist Dragon who had already injured them once.

"Lord Pleiades!" Alpha called out with fierce determination as she leaped forward, sword drawn, ready to engage the dragon. The others followed suit.

"Listen to me!" Subaru pleaded, heart sinking as he watched. "The Mist Dragon isn't just some beast! It's—"

"Enough of this!" the Mist Dragon interrupted, its patience wearing thin. The Dragon flapped its wings, quickly ascending to the sky. The Mist Dragon channeled and charged a powerful magical attack, which fired in a scattered fashion, in multiple powerful, super-fast magical bursts.

Everyone managed to dodge the attack, except for Epsilon.

Subaru watched in horror as a projectile was launched straight at her, without giving her time to react.

"Epsilon!" Subaru kicked her out of the way, absorbing the whole attack on his body.

His body was thrown to the ground like a ragdoll, hitting multiple trees and destroying its trunks in the process. Pain and agony enveloped him as he laid there breathless and motionless.

"—uru!" He heard a distressed female voice, forcing himself to open his eyes. He lifted his arms up to see what remained of them—burned muscles, exposed bones beneath charred skin. The fingers or lack of absence of them. His whole torso was burning, blood furiously bleeding from it. He winced at the pain that shot through him with each movement.

"Suba— Please! Stay awake!"

'It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. IT HURTS. IT HURTS… It doesn't… Hurt?'

Subaru blinked, trying to understand the weird sensation he was feeling before looking at his arms again.

The pulsating red energy and flesh covered his arms as they were slowly healing or rather restoring his missing limbs. By a bone. By a muscle. By a nerve. Slowly.

"H-huh?" Subaru muttered in confusion. As limbs and his injuries slowly healed themselves, before he stopped feeling any pain.

He slowly stood up with Alpha helping him. "I am fine… I think so…" He said as he gazed forward. He saw the same Dragon now staring him down, in possible betrayal in his eyes as it charged another magic attack in his mouth.

Alpha got in front of Subaru, shielding him from the attack, however it wasn't necessary now.

The Dragon sent its breath towards them, before it was dissipated by a figure in a black cloak. "So that's the effect for absorbing the curses, hm?"

"Lord Shadow!" Almost all of them, Seven Shades exclaimed, their voices filled with hope.

"Shadow… You bastard…" Subaru said tiredly, as he stared at him. "Just finish this…"

Shadow in response just smirked, before turning his attention to the dragon, locking his gaze on it. "Alright then… Playtime is over."

It was the first time Subaru witnessed Cid using his magic. The surge of his magic made the atmosphere around them turn into blueish purple radiant light,as dozens of purple strains wrapped around Shadow, like some vessels connected to him. "Let's see if you stand a chance of an incomplete version of my almighty attack…"

The Dragon, sensing the change in the atmosphere and the power of the black figure in front of it, charged one of its most powerful attacks. It charged a powerful magical attack from its chest, which after a few seconds exploded, its range quickly gaining in size, destroying every matter or not.

Shadow pointed the sword at the dragon, its purple energy wrapped his slime sword. "I… AM… INCOMPLETE ATOMIC…"

A moment later, the dragon's magic blast collided with Shadow's own. A shockwave erupted upon impact, scattering the mist around them. The ground trembled beneath them as the two forces collided.

The sight was breathtaking. The clash of magical might filled the forest with a brilliant tapestry of light and color, in a blinding flash of purple light.

Subaru watched in a daze, hardly able to comprehend the magnitude of the scene unfolding before him. He could see Alpha's expression, the way her eyes sparkled with hope, as Shadow took control of the battlefield.

However, Shadow's magic proved to be more powerful, overwhelming the dragon's blast and heavily injuring it in the process. The Dragon roared for the last time today before it lay still on the ground.

"Did we do it?" Alpha said, staring at the unmoving dragon on the ground.

To her dismay, the dragon's body shook, before it slowly stood on its legs.

"That's enough now! Star's Retribution!" Subaru chanted his own magic spell. From the ground, blueish purple chains tightly enveloped the dragon's body, ensuring the lack of mobility for it. The Dragon tried to cast another magic, to free itself but for some reason it couldn't.

"That's not an ordinary chain, the chains make your mana in the body go crazy, chaotically spreading through your body and mind, leaving you no possibility of using the mana. It works really well with foes with huge mana capacity, like you. I mean, it works for everyone as well."

Shadow's brow furrowed. "Makes mana go crazy you say? May I ask you to cast such a spell on me sometimes, I want to test something?" He whispered to me.

"Uh, sure?" I said as I started approaching the dragon.

Subaru slowly approached the Mist Dragon, whose eyes were filled with a mixture of pain and bewilderment. "Now, let's have a chat, shall we?" Subaru said, trying to keep his voice steady. "I think we got off on the wrong foot. Or… uh, you know, claws…"

"You say to "settle this over a nice cup of tea", but Instead of plunging a night on my back, human?" The Dragon's voice resonated.

"That was a huge misunderstanding and miscommunication! They thought you were hostile, they didn't know that you were up to negotiating!" Subaru retorted.

"As a part of my oath, I hereby announce Shadow and Pleiades to use my sacred place — Alexandria as they wish so, for defeating me in a fight."

"Eh?" Subaru muttered. "Just like that?"

"That's a part of my oath, it cannot be broken."

The Seven shades finally lowered their guard, lowering down their slime swords.

"I can't believe it! The legendary ancient city! Alexandria for us to see and live in!" Beta exclaimed enthusiastically.

"It surely took a lot…" Epsilon tiredly sighed.

"However, as for you, I have another arrangement, human." the voice resonated in Subaru's mind

"Ha?" Subaru ooked around, trying to see someone calling him.

"I am speaking telepathically, human."

"Lord Pleiades?"

"It's nothing, I thought I heard someone."

"Is that you? The Dragon?"

"Indeed, as I said you piqued my interest, human."

"Is that why you were always targeting me?" Subaru thought, almost annoyed.

"No, you emanated a scent which was unpleasant to me, human."

"What are you saying?"

"I am saying that you smell like shit." Subaru could bet that he heard the Dragon's chuckling and his smirk.

"What! I wash myself daily!" Subaru quickly sniffed himself.

"That's not what I was talking about, human. Anyway, I'd like you to form a pact or rather a spiritual contract with me."

"Hah? Spiritual contract?" Subaru asked confused.

"A contract that binds your soul with mine, granting you a portion of my power, allowing you to communicate with me whenever you wish and the ability to summon me." The Dragon finished explaining.

"But why me? I am just a human…Weak one to be more specific…"

"The reasons are quite simple. I find you curious and entertaining, human."

"Am I just entertainment for you?" Subaru paused. "That's it, nothing more?"

"Nothing more, human."

Subaru pondered for a bit. "Alright, how do we make this contract?"

"First you shall tell me your name, human."

"Subaru… Subaru Kagenou."

"Repeat after me now, I, The Mist Dragon, protector of the city Alexandria, hereby announce Subaru Kagenou, the human, as a spiritual partner for life, until one of our souls gets destroyed."

"Okay…" Subaru shifted his weight. "I, Subaru Kagenou, the human, hereby announce The Mist Dragon, protector of the city Alexandria, as a spiritual partner for life, until one of our souls gets destroyed."

Suddenly, Subaru felt a deep connection, a bond forming in its soul. A warm feeling spread through his body as he made a contract that would change his life forever.

"As a part of our contract, you shall give me a name, hence we, dragons, don't have one."

"I see… Then, I shall name you as… Rigel. How does it sound?"

"Pretty plausible, although it could be better."

"I literally named you after a star, alright?!"

The chains around the dragon weakened and then slowly disappeared.

"Lord Pleiades? Is something the matter, you've been staring at the dragon for a few minutes now?" Subaru's thoughts were interrupted by a young female voice, Alpha.

"Oh, heya. I just… uh… I formed a spiritual contract with the Mist Dragon—I mean Rigel, that's his name now."

Everyone's eyes widened processing what Subaru just said.

"Eh?" Cid could only muster