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

Abyss Woods is an enigmatic forest shrouded in a dense, bluish-purple mist that is not only thick but also toxic and blocks out sunlight entirely. Its exact location remains a mystery, but legends suggest that anyone who ventures inside is doomed to never return. It has existed for centuries, hidden away from the rest of the world. 

Many people believe that Abyss Woods is cursed, and entering it is a recipe for disaster. Despite the risks, some knights and adventurers are drawn to the woods, hoping to uncover its secrets. But so far, no one has returned to claim that they've made it out alive.

In the depths of it, a man—a lone man was spotted wandering through the swirling mist. Clad in a dark slime bodysuit, which was adorned with orange accents. It was just a matter of the time before the man disappeared into the mist, leaving behind only faint echoes of his footsteps. Before the infinite mazes of the woods finally drew him insane—

"Rigel! Could you at least take care of your forest? It's the sixth time I am tripping over your stupid, twisted roots today!" A voice filled with frustration boomed through the forest, the owner of the voice was no one, but Subaru Kageno—or in his current circumstances, Lord Pleiades. 

'If only I could understand your problems. Just grow wings like mine and you wouldn't have to worry about the roots' A voice resonated in Subaru's mind, the Mist Dragon, Rigel—protector of the woods and the ancient city of Alexandria and Subaru's contractor. 

Subaru blinked, momentarily distracted from his conversation with Rigel. He looked down at his feet. 

'Wings, huh?' Subaru thought, a wry smile spreading across his face. 'You know, I've always thought about that. But if I grew wings, I'd just end up crashing into those trees all the time. Literally.'

'Perhaps if you focused less on complaining and more on your surroundings, you wouldn't be so prone to stumbling,' Rigel's voice carried both sage advice and a hint of teasing. 

'Oh, thank you for the wise advice, O Great Ri— AHHHH!' Subaru pitched forward as his foot caught on an unseen root, sending him tumbling forward and sprawling face-first into the damp underbrush. A low chuckle echoed in his mind. 

"Is there something amusing about this, Rigel?" Subaru groaned, trying to push himself up as he brushed mud from his dark slime bodysuit. 

'Oh, just a tiny bit,' the Mist Dragon replied with a mischief in his tone. 

As Subaru struggled to his feet, he couldn't help but shoot a glance around him, as if daring the trees to trip him up again. He grumbled under his breath as he kicked roots, "Stupid woods. Stupid roots. Stupid—" However, it was a mistake. 

"OUCH! OUCH! OUCH! What are these roots made of?! Steel?" Subaru yelped, clutching his foot and hopping on one leg as pain shot through him.

'Wood, obviously.' Rigel responded dryly, but the humor in his tone was unmistakable. 

"Very helpful, thank you, smartass!" Subaru shot back, still hopping awkwardly. He took a moment to regain his balance before letting out a deep sigh. 

"We have almost reached Alexandria, right?" asked, partly to himself and partly to the dragon in his mind. 

'Yes, but you might want to watch where you're—' Rigel began, but it was too late. Subaru, still distracted, had stumbled into another tangle of roots, but this time he managed to keep his footing. 

"Aha!" Subaru triumphantly exclaimed as he regained his balance. "See? I can handle this forest. Who needs wings when you've got skill?" However, as he turned around a branch of a tree hit his face with a sharp thwack, sending him stumbling backward. 

"OOOWWWW!" Subaru yelped, clutching at his face as he stumbled backward. "What the...?! Can't a guy get a break around here?!"

Rigel's laughter echoed in his mind, a deep, rumbling sound. 

"Okay, okay, I'll take it all back! Maybe I do need those wings!" Subaru declared, rubbing his nose, before proceeding moving forward, looking for any branches and roots in his way. 

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"Ah, finally! We arrived!" Before him lay the magnificent city of Alexandria, glimmering in the faint light filtering through the bluish-purple mist. The magnificent white castle soared majestically in the distance. 

"Wow, they really outdid themselves." he breathed, taken aback by the sheer beauty of it all. The architecture was both breathtaking and otherworldly. 

'See? Not so bad, is it?' Rigel's voice echoed. 

As Subaru's gaze was swept over various buildings, something drew his attention. In the middle of the city stood 2 marvelous statues. First statue was Cid's one, but in his Shadow persona. And the second statue was… 

"IS THAT ME?!" Subaru could hardly believe his eyes as he took in the intricately detailed statue that stood in the heart of Alexandria. It was unmistakably a likeness of him, carved with every detail of his dark slime bodysuit and the orange accents that adorned his suit. 

"Is that really me?" Subaru broke the stunned silence, his voice tinged with both awe and bewilderment. "Why is there a statue of me here?!"

The sound of Rigel's chuckling echoed in his mind once more. 'You're getting a bit too curious, "Lord Pleiades".'

Subaru shook his head, clearing his thoughts. 'No, no, it's just... I don't understand.' Why was there a statue of him in the middle of Alexandria? He didn't do anything worthy of such honor, did he? Cid was the main reason for the creation of the Shadow Garden after all. Subaru was the weakest among them , always relying on the strength of his companions and friends. 

"Maybe there's a mistake," Subaru pondered aloud, taking cautious steps toward the statue. "I mean, I haven't done anything significant. Cid is —he's the one who did most of the stuff. What could I possibly have done to deserve this honor?"

'Perhaps you underestimate the impact you've had, even if you perceive yourself as weak,' Rigel offered thoughtfully. 'Strength comes in many forms, Subaru. It isn't always about raw power. Sometimes, it's about determination, loyalty, and the hearts you inspire.'

Subaru paused at Rigel's words, contemplating them. "Inspiration? All I do is follow everyone around and get into trouble."

'You forget the times you stood up for your friends, the moments when your courage sparked something in others,' Rigel reminded him. 

Subaru was silent for a moment, processing Rigel's words. 

'Oh, hey! Look! That's me!' Rigel interrupted, suddenly excited. 

Subaru blinked back into the present and stared at his statue again. Rigel was right. On the statue's right shoulder was a smaller statue of a dragon—not just any dragon, but an unmistakable representation of Rigel himself, his wings partially unfurled as if ready to take flight. The detail was astounding, capturing every scale and curl. 

"Okay, I'll admit, that's kind of cool," Subaru said with a chuckle, taking a step closer to the statue. 

'This statue certainly catches in all my glory, doesn't it?' Rigel added, a hint of pride in his tone. 'Although I would prefer it if I was bigger…'

"Of course you would—"

"Recruiter! Are you slacking off during the training session?" A commanding voice broke through the city. Subaru turned to see a figure striding toward him. 

She was a Dark Elf with platinum hair and piercing golden eyes. Her attire consisted of a slime bodysuit tailored into a military dress uniform, featuring baggy sleeves that taper from the shoulders to the wrists, secured by a single belt at the waist. Her trousers are a sleek black design accented with gold trims, and high-heeled boots adorned with gold edges. To complete her look, she wears an officer's cap and has a jacket casually draped over her shoulders.

Upon approaching him, her eyes widened in recognition as she straightened up and saluted him. "Lord Pleiades! It's a pleasure to finally meet you in person!"

Subaru blinked in surprise, momentarily speechless. "Uh, thank you? But you really don't need to salute me. I'm not—"

"Of course we do!" she asserted, a fire igniting in her golden gaze. 

Subaru stood frozen, unsure of how to respond to the Dark Elf's formal greeting. The Dark Elf's enthusiasm and dedication to protocol made Subaru uncomfortable, but he tried to be polite. 

"Uh, it's fine I suppose," Subaru said hesitantly, "But, uh, who are you?"

"I am serving as the organization's drill instructor in charge of training new recruiters, Lambda at your service!"

"Lambda?" Subaru repeated. " Well, it's nice to meet you as well!" Subaru tried to match the mood and smiled. 

Lambda's posture relaxed a little, her eyes sparkling with admiration. "Thank you, Lord Pleiades. Your arrival is… unexpected but pleasurable in a way."

"Glad to hear I am not being a nuisance." Subaru replied. 

"Not at all! Though I must ask, is there a reason for your sudden arrival?" Lambda asked, her expression shifting to one of curiosity mixed with professionalism. 

"Well, I just wanted to see how others are doing"

"The Council of Seven Shadows is currently away on a mission. Should I inform them of your arrival when they return?" asked, tilting her head slightly. 

Subaru pondered for a moment, scratching his chin. "I guess if you think it's necessary, but I really didn't come here with any specific agenda. I was just curious about what's been happening in Alexandria."

"Understood. Number 33! Number 34! Number 35!" Lambda shouted, her voice echoing through the city. A moment later, three recruits, clad in similar slime bodysuits, jogged up to her, their expressions a mixture of confusion, respect and slight fear.

"Yes, Instructor Lambda?" the trio replied in unison, halting before her. 

"These are our recruits," Lambda explained, her gaze shifting to Subaru. "They've been training hard under my watchful eye."

Wide-eyed and slightly trembling, the recruits turned their attention to Subaru, who felt as though he was being placed under a spotlight. 

It took them a few moments to collect the dots to gather their thoughts and realize who he was, before in unison dropping to one knee and bowing their heads. 

"L-Lord Pleiades! It's a h-honor to meet you!" An elf with dark blue hair and blue eyes exclaimed, her voice wavering slightly. 

"We heard so many things about you!" Another elf with golden hair added, her brown eyes wide with admiration. 

"It's an honor to be in your presence, Lord Pleiades!" The third elf with dark red hair and orange eyes replied. 

"Yeah, uh, it's nice to meet you too," Subaru said, waving a hand awkwardly in an attempt to ease the tension. "You can, um, get up. No need for all that." 

The recruits hesitated for a moment but then obediently rose to their feet, their faces a mix of anticipation and admiration.

"Are numbers like… Your code names or something?" Subaru asked. 

"Each new member is given numbers in the order they were recruited. Their former identity is being discarded in the process." Lambda explained, her tone serious yet respectful. "It symbolizes their rebirth into the ranks of the Shadow Garden. They start fresh—ready to serve."

"Right..." Subaru nodded thoughtfully, glancing at the recruits, who seemed eager yet nervous. "So, um, can I call you by your names instead? I mean, I don't see any reason to keep using numbers."

"You have a kind heart, Lord Pleiades. However, it is customary to address them by their numbers. It fosters discipline."

"But I think it's also important to give them recognition for who they are. They're people, not just numbers," he insisted, his voice firm yet gentle. 

The recruits exchanged glances, showing a glimmer of hope in their eyes. Being named by someone, like Lord Pleiades himself felt like an accomplishment. 

"Your orders are absolute, my Lord" ," Lambda said, her expression softening as she regarded Subaru. "If you wish for them to be addressed by the names, then so be it." 

The recruits' faces lit up with joy at Subaru's words, and the tension in the air dissipated. 

"So, let's introduce ourselves?" Subaru added. 

"L-Lord Pleiades… It would be an honor if you gave us a name." the dark blue-haired elf stammered, her voice trembling with a mix of excitement and anxiety. 

"Oh, alright then… Let's see…" Subaru's gaze fell on a beautiful night sky and he couldn't help but think of the stars—so bright yet so distant to reach. 

He turned to the dark blue-haired elf, her nervousness visible as her eyes sparkled with hope. "You'll be Lyra! Just like the Lyra constellation, which is often associated with music and harmony. I bet you have a beautiful voice, right?"

The elf blinked back her surprise and nodded vigorously, overwhelmed with happiness. "Thank you, Lord Pleiades! Lyra it is!"

He turned to the golden-haired elf, who was waiting for her turn in anticipation. "You know what? You'll be named after a star that symbolizes loyalty and friendship. How about… Vega?"

"Vega… I love it! Thank you, Lord Pleiades!" the golden-haired elf exclaimed, her eyes shining with excitement as she beamed at Subaru. 

Lastly, Subaru turned to the dark red-haired elf with orange eyes, who seemed a bit reserved compared to the others. "And for you, let's see… How about… Antares? It's a beautiful red star, strong and enduring. Plus, it has some pretty cool lore behind it."

The red-haired elf's eyes widened, and she nodded eagerly. "Antares… Thank you, my Lord!"

"Lyra, Vega and Antares! You guys are a stellar squad now!" Subaru added with a hint of pride in his tone. 

Subaru felt an unexpected warmth fill him as he watched the trio of recruits beam with joy. Each of them glowed with renewed confidence. 

"Stellar squad, hm…" Lambda, observing the scene with an approving nod, finally smiled. "You truly possess the ability to inspire, Lord Pleiades. Your presence has a strong effect on the people around you."

"Really? I just thought I was trying to help…" Subaru chuckled, feeling his cheeks warm. 

Just then, Lyra, Vega, and Antares stepped forward, their expressions a mix of eagerness and trepidation. 

"Lord Pleiades, is there… is there anything we can do for you?" Vega asked, her golden eyes bright with anticipation.

"Oh? Well, I am curious about your training, how does it go?" Subaru asked with curiosity laced in his tone. 

Lambda's voice turned serious as he started explaining. "Training consists of various exercises to enhance agility, combat skills, and teamwork. The morning starts with a physical training session, and we have obstacle courses designed to test the recruits' agility and speed. Later on, we have a mock battle simulation to enhance their combat skills."

"Does your morning include radio calisthenics?" Subaru asked. 

"Radio calisthenics?" Lambda echoed, her brow furrowing in confusion. "I'm not entirely sure what that is…"

Subaru couldn't help but chuckle at Lambda's puzzled expression. "You know, it's like a group exercise where everyone follows along to music or instructions from a radio. It helps warm up the body and is quite energizing! It's a lot of fun!"

"Like here, follow my lead!" Subaru demonstrated a few simple stretches, bending his arms over his head and touching his toes. Lyra, Vega, and Antares watched him with wide eyes, trying to imitate his movements.

"Come on! It's easy! Just follow my rhythm!" Subaru encouraged, his voice light and playful. 

The recruits began to join in, albeit awkwardly at first. Lyra was the quickest to catch on, fluidly mimicking Subaru's motions, while Vega and Antares stumbled a bit, laughter escaping their lips amidst the missteps.

Lambda watched, her expression a mixture of astonishment and amusement. "You must be joking," she said, trying to suppress her smile. "This is what you consider training?"

"Absolutely!" Subaru replied, undeterred. With an exaggerated bounce, he raised his arms over his head, then brought them down in a synchronized motion. "One, two, three! Swing those arms! Now, touch your toes!"

The recruits followed suit, their demeanor transforming into joyful chaos. Even Lambda found herself caught up in the infectious energy, a grin slowly spreading on her face as she observed the unlikely exercise session unfold.

"Okay! Now let's get a little crazy! Jumping jacks!" Subaru shouted, leaping into the air with a loud whoop. "One, two, three!"

The recruits fumbled together, their movements awkward yet earnest, but the more they laughed the more in sync they became. 

"And now from the bottom of your lungs! Scream! 'Victory!'" Subaru exclaimed as he stretched his arms up. 

"VIC-TO-RY!" The recruits shouted in unison, their voices ringing out through the streets of Alexandria. 

Lambda stood back, arms crossed but a smile breaking through her previously stoic demeanor. "This isn't exactly traditional training, but I must admit—this is quite refreshing," 

"Strength isn't just about being able to swing a sword—it's also about morale and connection!" Subaru added. 

"Lord Pleiades! This is amazing!" Lyra said breathlessly, her earlier shyness was nowhere to find. 

Antares, who had been quiet, couldn't help but let out a giggle. "This is fun! I never thought training could feel like this!" she admitted, a grin breaking across her face.

"Can we do this everyday from now on?" Vega asked, as she was catching her breath. 

Subaru beamed as he saw the recruits' faces light up with enthusiasm. "Of course! We can make this a regular part of your training!"

Lambda, who has finally composed herself, stepped forward. "Perhaps we could incorporate some of these… ahem, 'radio calisthenics' exercises into the regimen."

Subaru nodded his head. "Mhm, and—" The sun began rising above the sky as the sunlight reached the city Alexandria. 

"Oh man, I have to go now or else I will be late." He turned his attention to them. "Alright everyone! You all did amazing today!"

"Lord Pleiades, will we see you again soon?" Lyra asked, her eyes shining with hope.

"Absolutely! I'll swing by to check on you," Subaru promised, a smile on his face. 

"See ya!" With that, Subaru waved goodbye and began to make his way out of the city, feeling a lightness in his heart.

"What a wild day… or night?"