(A/N): This starts about half an hour after Subaru, Otto, and Garfiel left the Sanctuary to go to the mansion. Enjoy!

As Emilia began the third and final Trial, Ram knew that she also had a duty to uphold.

It was her duty to stop Roswaal from following the Gospel anymore. It was destroying him. It was like a fire that consumed his entire being and left no more than a husk of a man who had only one desire in his life. She was going to extinguish that fire and force him to live outside of his twisted fantasies. 

Because - even though it was absurd, even though it should have never happened - Ram had fallen in love with Roswaal. 

And now, the day has finally come for her to save him. Even if it meant destroying the only thing that he cared about, she was going to fulfill her wish to save him.

So now, she stood across from Roswaal at the core of the Sanctuary, where he was attempting to cast a wide-ranged spell that would envelop the Sanctuary in snow. He was no longer under the guise of being immobile. The magician was beginning the final stage of his plan.

"I suppose that it would be easy to get here if one used clairvoyance." Roswaal turned around, and disappointedly looked at Ram, who had indeed used her under-used clairvoyance to find him. "Did I not order you to wait for Emilia-sama?" The usual playful tone in his voice was gone, and was replaced by a serious one instead.

With her usual straight expression, Ram replied, "Yes, you did."

Anger rose in Roswaal's voice. "Then tell me. For what reason did you come here?"

"It's simple." Ram whipped out her wand, which she hadn't used in a very long time. "I've come to take you away from the Witch's delusions." She pointed her wand at Roswaal, demonstrating her resolve.

This ticked Roswaal off. "Delusions, eh? It has been years since you last pointed your wand at me, but it's a shame you did so here, and called them 'delusions...'"

With her wand still pointed at Roswaal, Ram replied, "I've always considered them as such. I just never said it out loud. Is it not obvious?"

This, for some reason, amused him. "Obvious...?" He chuckled lightly. "That word seems to have many meanings, but from your perspective, I suppose that your humiliating days spent yielding to me have been long. But I do have to say that I considered your behavior to be your way of demonstrating your devotion."

This behavior that Roswaal mentioned was about Ram's actions at the Sanctuary. She had assisted Subaru and Otto in defeating Garfiel and getting him to take the Trial, and Roswaal mistook that as her wanting to help him create an even more complex situation for Subaru.

"Beating up Garf served two purposes: to fulfill my goal, and to rectify his stupidity." Ram lowered her wand, as Roswaal also relaxed and seemed to stop casting the spell.

"I cannot deny that it all worked out in the end. Subaru-kun will naturally choose to walk a fine line in the final confrontation, if (Y/N) doesn't kill him or somebody else first."

When Roswaal mentioned you, Ram narrowed her eyes. "What does (Y/N) have to do with this?"

Roswaal smirked. "Do you not remember what I ordered him to do? He went to the mansion, so he will surely become an obstacle and create a situation in which Subaru-kun will have to sacrifice somebody! Will it be Garfiel? Will it be Beatrice? Maybe Otto! Whoever it is, Subaru-kun will have to choose between their life or his life. (Y/N) is the catalyst for this decision, and it will drive everything toward my goal!"

"No."

Ram's abrupt response confused Roswaal. "What do you mean, 'no'?"

"(Y/N) would never do something like that. He has matured, so he will definitely not make a choice as foolish as that one. He even promised me that he would not comply with your demand."

Roswaal started laughing when Ram said this. "Promise?! What foolishness! He has made a soul-binding vow with me! He cannot disobey my orders, and no promise will change that! Nothing can override a soul-binding vow! And you claim that he has matured, but I still see the confused little boy who does not understand the role that he plays in this world. (Y/N) is nothing but a tool, and he will act accordingly."

For some reason, this made Ram angry. "Do not speak so little of (Y/N). You may not see him as more than a tool, but he is becoming stronger and he is beginning to overcome his many faults. He has accomplished more than he has been given credit for, and he and Barusu make a good team. If there is one thing that they are good at, it is timing, and it will be that timing that will undo your schemes."

This left a tick mark on Roswaal's face. "Ram, it almost sounds like you hold feelings for (Y/N)!"

This made Ram even angrier. "If that is your conclusion, then I am even more convinced. You cannot clearly think about anything that isn't written in that book. Speaking of which, you have it now, don't you?"

Ram stared at Roswaal, and he stared back. "In the place designated for the final showdown, at the stage when you take action yourself, there is no way you don't have the Gospel that you rely on above all else."

Roswaal looked up and closed his eyes. "I have never once forgotten the one and only vow that we have exchanged."

Ram recited said vow. "Those who wield the sword should die by the sword. Those who use magic should die by magic. And those who give themselves to fire should die by fire."

Finishing the statement, Roswaal said, "And those who ask favors of a demon should die by that demon. Whatever one relies on should be the thing that brings about their death. And now the time has come. Now that I have lost that which I desired, I offer myself to you. If you don't mind that I am but an empty husk, you may do as you please with me. That was our vow."

"Whether I let you live or kill you is up to me," Ram added, even though just about anyone could tell that she didn't want to kill him.

Egging her on, Roswaal said, "You can finally achieve your retribution." He reached inside of his outfit, and pulled out his Gospel. "After all... You had no choice but to swear loyalty against your will to one of the men who destroyed your homeland, and live with him. Although you had to do it after losing your horn and your ability to maintain your form, suffering of this degree is very rare."

There were a few things wrong about that statement, but Roswaal was so twisted that he couldn't see anything wrong with his train of thought.

"There is only one pawn as useful as you. Which is why it is such a shame... Your decision was the slightest bit... premature."

Roswaal's face lost any jest that was left in it, and what was left was a terrifying glare. "It is impressive that you created a situation in which I had to carry the Gospel. You should have overlooked this last step toward the action I was planning to take. That alone is true shame!"

Roswaal lifted his arms, and the previously dull crystal that had been behind him the entire time began to glow. Inside of this crystal was a pink-haired girl who could be identified as Ryuzu Meyer. Not one of the clones that everyone had met, but the original girl. "This is the precious young girl who offered her own life to save her friend by becoming the Sanctuary's core. But my objective does not involve her."

Ram put the puzzle pieces together. "You intend to use this magic crystal to cast great magic?"

"Great enough to change the weather!" Roswaal replied. "In accordance with the Gospel, I will make snow fall in the Sanctuary. In order to use that magic, I require tremendous focus and a highly delicate use of mana. If I had been engaged in that, you most definitely could have shot me with your magic."

This statement did not sit well with Ram. "There would have been no meaning in that." 

"And there is meaning in forcing me into capitulation when I am in my best condition? Or did you simply want to destroy me as soon as possible?"

Ram shook her head. "No. You truly don't understand anything at all. I won't allow your wish to come true. Being offered a husk of you after your wish was realized would mean nothing. Receiving you in a broken state would not satisfy me."

Roswaal sarcastically gasped. "How greedy of you! But do you believe you can defeat me now?"

"No, I'm sure I can't. My understanding of your power is only second to your teacher's."

Roswaal narrowed his eyes in a questioning glance. "Then how, exactly, do you intend to achieve your goal?" He put his Gospel away, and summoned balls of magic into both of his outstretched hands.

Ram gripped her wand. "I cannot win alone. That much is clear, so..." She pulled something from her maid uniform, and displayed it to Roswaal. 

It was a blue crystal. To be precise, it was the blue crystal that held a certain fire spirit.

"If it's two against one, I guess we have the advantage?" Puck's voice rang out from inside of the crystal. He didn't materialize in front of Emilia since their contract was broken, but Ram was able to obtain the Great Spirit's help.

Roswaal gasped when he heard this voice, and he began to lose his cool. "So this is why you agreed to Subaru-kun's plan?!"

Ram pointed her wand at Roswaal once again. "I told you, Roswaal-sama." For the first time in the conversation, Ram smiled. "I'm going to take you away from that Witch's delusions!"

Puck materialized next to her, and playfully introduced himself. "And I'm just a passing stray spirit. Well, time to pick up where we left off before!"

Puck was referring to the time that he and Roswaal had fought a battle that changed several borders. That battle had no clear winner, but this one couldn't afford to have an ambiguous outcome.

Magic swelled around Roswaal, and he shouted, "Come!"

Puck created dozens of ice shards, and Ram activated her magic. "As you wish!"

The impact from the first collision of magic created a shock wave that could be felt by people who were on the other side of the Sanctuary.

A few minutes later

Explosions of fire barraged the Sanctuary, and both Ram and Puck ran through the trees, avoiding all of the perilous spells.

Right as a fireball was heading toward Ram, Puck intervened and created an ice shield in front of the two of them. "Are you all right? Being reckless is bad for you, y'know."

Ram focused on the figure that was slowly making his way towards them. "There is no need for concern. Thanks to you, Great Spirit, at least I'm able to fight."

Roswaal appeared from a dust cloud that had only shown the outline of his body. "I was correct to bring you outside." More fireballs appeared in his palms. "I can't have that place - specifically, that magic crystal - destroyed. Of course, you should still be able to achieve your goal. Will you not attempt to do so?"

Ram was panting as she replied, "You mean I should ask the Great Spirit to stall you, and use that opening?" She smiled, as if that was a terrible idea. "You jest. Even if I do, my wish will never be fulfilled."

Roswaal looked intrigued by Ram's words. "That said, things will get even worse if we continue." He gestured to the many fires that were burning around them. "You did strike terror in me, but not even a Great Spirit is perfect."

"Oh?" Puck said. "I have to commend you for your meticulousness." His expression suddenly flipped into a very aggressive one. "But I have to end this fight before Lia gets hurt.."

When Roswaal didn't reply, Puck continued. "Oh yeah, I just happened to remember some things, and you know what? You're going to make Betty very sad."

Roswaal fell into a fit of rage. "Ah, so you regained your memories from before your contract with Emilia-sama!? Is that so!? Ul Goa!"

When Roswaal chanted the incantation, Puck began to cast his own magic. A gentle blue light covered his body as he began to grow. "What a childish way to react just because I hit the bulls-eye!"

Ice met fire, and Ram was blinded by the wind that was created from the impact of these spells.

Realizing that this was her opportunity to attack, she pointed her wand where Roswaal should have been standing, and chanted, "El Ful-"

"Too late."

Roswaal appeared right in front of her, and used his palm to strike her midsection. Ram went flying, and Roswaal retreated as Puck sent shards of ice toward him.

Ram winced in pain, and held her stomach as she stayed on the ground. 

Seeing this, Puck came closer to her. "If you don't get up now, the next one will hit you, and you'll lose."

Even though the wind was still knocked out of her, Ram replied, "You make it sound so simple..."

"I am disappointed in you, Ram," Roswaal's voice reached her as another explosion destroyed all of the ice that Puck had fired at him. "I wanted your wish to come true. I wanted you to exact revenge for your brethren and find happiness."

Ram gritted her teeth in anger, and attempted to pick herself off of the ground.

"Ram...?" Roswaal asked. He didn't know why she only showed anger after what he just said.

"After repeating it so many times... After touching upon it so many times... You still haven't realized my true intentions." Ram was able to bring one leg up, and she continued to struggle. "I only wish I was just a demon burning with hatred in her wish to avenge her brethren."

Even though she was obviously in pain, Ram stood up. "If I were only out for revenge, my heart would not hurt so." She put a hand up to her chest, and Roswaal was really confused. "But..."

Ram finally looked him in the eye, and Roswaal's face contorted into one of anger and confusion. Because in her eyes were tears. 

Not tears of anger or pain but tears of joy.

Ram was happy that she was finally able to say these words.

"I love you."

"...?" Roswaal just stared at her as if he did not believe what he just heard.

"Is something wrong?" Ram asked. She knew what she said, and she wanted Roswaal to accept it.

"Wrong?" Roswaal asked. His whole body tensed up, and he balled his fists. "Are you making fun of me? After all this?"

Ram didn't falter. "I only said what I truly feel."

Roswaal could not accept Ram's words, and his confusion fueled his anger. "I know that can't be true!" He pointed his finger at her accusingly. "How can you love me? How dare you say that?! I am the one you hate! I am the man who caused the destruction of your homeland! I know you hated me so much that you wanted to kill me!"

Flashbacks of her burning village flashed through Ram's mind, but that didn't matter. "That was true at first, but not now." She cupped both of her hands right where her heart was. "What's true now is... I love you."

"Who would believe in such a cheap emotion?! (Y/N) fell in love with you after you showed him a little bit of kindness! Love is nothing but a lie! What happened of your revenge?! Did you not swear on the souls of your brethren to achieve it?!" Roswaal was spitting as he yelled now, but Ram remained calm.

"I do feel as if I wronged my brethren. But I cannot help that I love you. I will prioritize my own feelings over those of the dead." She took her hands off her chest, and yelled, "Great Spirit!"

Puck floated in-between Ram and Roswaal. "You got it! Next to my beloved daughter, it's girls in love that I'll always side with!"

A small blizzard suddenly appeared, and Roswaal covered his face with his arm. When the snow dissipated, he was met with the sight of countless ice crystals coming up from the ground and surrounding him.

He could see Ram's reflection off of all of them, which made it much more difficult to discern her location. 

"Petty tricks!" he exclaimed. He extended his arms and blasted the ice with fire.

While he was trying to hit Ram's reflection, a shadow grew over him. One thing was going through his mind.

Puck turned into the Beast of the End, and he was about to die.

"Where are you looking?" An ominous voice came from above, and he slowly moved his head up.

He gasped when he saw Puck's form. It was just him, but a lot bigger. The cat just trolled him. 

"Surprise! I just got bigger, that's all!" Puck said as he shot huge chunks of ice towards the magician.

Roswaal destroyed the ice by physically hitting it, and he fired a huge ray of fire at Puck. Or what seemed to be Puck, because the enormous figure vanished as soon as he shot the spell at it.

Roswaal stopped his spell and looked at his surroundings. The most obvious thing was the fire that was now burning everywhere, but there were also a few ice shards still present.

He heard a clink from behind him, and his eyes widened. As Roswaal turned around, he saw Ram using all of the mana in her body to materialize her horn, and she was already upon him.

Her hands could be classified as claws at this point, and Roswaal prepared to strike her as soon as she struck him.

The thing is, she never hit him. 

Roswaal examined his body, but there were no wounds on his figure. Ram, on the other hand, was on her knees a short distance away from him, and she was spitting blood.

It was when Roswaal saw what she was holding that he understood what Ram just did. 

"That's-!"

Ram was holding onto his Gospel, but she was barely conscious. "As far as I'm concerned... this is the root of all evil." She raised the book, and Roswaal experienced flashbacks of his time with Echidna. She was the world to him, and this book was the key to reuniting with her once again.

"NOOOOO!" He screamed as he ran towards Ram. If that book was destroyed, he would have no aim in his life. There would be no purpose left for him to fulfill. This book was his entire world.

Ram weakly smiled as she tossed the book into the flames that Roswaal had conjured himself.

He looked at the falling book with hopelessness. It was over. He had lost. Ram had achieved her goal.

Ram, on the other hand, was at peace. "Now... at last..."

"Al Goa!"

Blinded by rage, Roswaal blasted Ram's body away with fire. She was the reason that he would no longer know what to do. He no longer had a plan. He didn't know what to do with his life anymore. Everything was useless. He couldn't be reunited with the one who saved him. His teacher was lost to him, and it was all Ram's fault.

It didn't even matter that the spell was complete, and that snow would fall on the Sanctuary. 

Back to Emilia

Emilia had just finished her third and final Trial, which ended in a very peculiar way. When she found herself at Echidna's Tea Party, Echidna was not there. Instead, she found an unnamed Witch.

This Witch had golden hair, and even cried when Emilia explained her thoughts. And at the end, she hugged Emilia and promised to make Echidna sit at a Tea Party with her, maybe even bring all of the other Witches as well.

When she exited the Trial, she was met with the sight of a woman who was supposed to be Echidna. She was in a coffin, and there were complex... things that surrounded it.

But this woman... she looked nothing like the Echidna that Emilia knew. This woman was older, and had a wiser look about her. 

Though this was confusing, Emilia did what she was there to do. She shattered the complicated spell, and it dissipated, breaking what created the barrier that surrounded the Sanctuary.

Now she stood outside, where it was snowing.

"Why is it