The devil's coffin
The wind swayed the grass, bringing a calm sound. The scent of the various types of flowers, although it was a mix, it was nice. The sky was clear. None of it to Homura corresponded with that word. "Suffering... What do you mean?"
"I felt." Nagisa said with a lost gaze. "It was so close, but at the same time was beyond the horizon."
Homura glanced at her children. They had stopped playing and stared toward them.
"It was something very familiar. I already felt it countless times." Nagisa looked at her own strained hands. Her eyes widened in complete awe. "Ahh... AAAHHHH!"
Homura stood before that, letting to fall her veil of flowers entirely. "Madoka...?"
"We have to go back!" Nagisa turned to Homura. "Something happened to the Law of Cycles!"
"Law of Cycles? I did not feel anything strange." Affirmed Homura.
"What I'm saying is serious!" Nagisa pleaded. "The Law may be in danger, but you have the power to protect it, Homura-chan."
"Back..." Homura looked at the wreath she was still holding. Her countenance was thoughtful, her silence allowed the sound of wind to manifest until her utter a simple word. "No."
"What..." Having uttered in one breath, Nagisa kept her lips parted.
"I asked. Remember?" Homura continued. "If we would be together forever."
"But I won't separate of you!" Nagisa replied.
"Exactly. It is to be just me and you..." The children approached Homura, standing behind her. "... or by chance this would be a problem?"
Nagisa contracted her forehead before that question. "No... but they may be in need of help now. We can return later!"
Homura shook her head. "I don't care what is happening. What is important is that you're here with me, Madoka."
"Homura-chan!" Nagisa exclaimed in anger. "I know y-you are not like that! Stop it! Stop!"
"You will not leave HERE!" With the cry of Homura, a strong gust of wind hit them.
Which threw Nagisa's hair back. The little girl backed away, cowering. "I..." Her expression was of great distress. "Then am I your prisoner?"
Homura diverts her gaze and put a hand to her temple, her lips quivered. "No... this is madness ... I can't..."
Nagisa noted the dolls capping their mouths, with the vain intention of hiding their silent laughter. The flowers at the foot of the dark-haired girl began to change their color to violet tones. "Homura-chan..."
"Enough." Homura reached for Nagisa, gesturing to stop. She took a deep breath. "I won't go through with this, you no longer have to pretend."
"What are you saying?" Nagisa was confused at first, but soon came to realization. "Ah... but I'm Madoka! I've shown so much, listen to your feelings."
"You deceived them! Just that..." Homura turns again to Nagisa. "I already know exactly what you are."
The flowery field transformed. The flowers at the feet of Nagisa were purple, but the girl did not notice because she was still mulling over what she had just heard. "So... you lied to me."
Homura remained silent.
That was enough to Nagisa understand. "She recovered, right? What did she tell you?"
"Oh... I see that your mask is falling." Homura said in a tone of sarcasm.
"No! I'm Madoka!" Nagisa back to beg. "She lied to you, poisoned you against me because she's a coward! Please!"
"She warned me that you would want to leave here and that's true." Homura threw her hair back, removing any trace that there was of the flowery veil. "You call her a liar and a coward to boot... you want me to believe that? Then call your familiars, witch."
"Huh...?" Nagisa frowned.
"I'm not talking to you, 'Madoka'." Homura said the name in a mocking way. "Charlotte or, as you prefer to call her, Nagisa, is part of you. You two are like a single person, was it not what you told me? I never prevented you to bring your familiars here, then do what I asked."
Nagisa held her breath, looking around in a troubled expression.
"You can't, right?" Homura tilted her head to the side, her eyes half closed. "You can have memories of Madoka, maybe even of that witch, but isn't either."
"No..." Nagisa said in crying tone. "I swear I didn't mean it, but she was suffering too much and a tragedy was about to happen. I had to take action. I'm sorry, Homura-chan, but I'm Madoka... listen to me..."
Homura was taken by a flash of violet light. When the light was gone, she was in her devilish black suit.
"No. No!" Nagisa gestured desperately. "Wait Homura-chan! Don't do this to me! Please..."
Homura pitched her wings of black feathers. "It's over. Stop pretending."
The dolls hit their sharp teeth in unison, while casting their pins.
Nagisa brought her hands to her head. "No... uuuuhhh... please..."
Homura snapped. "I said to stop to PRETEND!"
"I... can't stop what I'm not doing... uuuuhhh..." Nagisa's face twitched, her eyes sparkled with tears that were forming. She touched the red ribbons tied in her hair. It was like a spark to her unleash a new desperate plea. "Homura-chan... please... we spend all this time together... uuuhhh ... you're more than my friend... uuuhhh... I love you."
Homura shuddered. Gritting her teeth, she cried emphatically. "SHUT UP!"
Nagisa covered her face with her hands and began to cry. "Uuuuaaaaahhhhhh!"
Homura frowned, taken by confusion, her mouth open, she said in a sigh. "I told you to... stop pretending..."
"Uuuuuuaaaahhhhh!"
"Stop with that... stop!" Homura lowered her head, not wanting to see more of the little girl's gaping mouth. It was then that she noticed.
At the foot of Nagisa, the flowers received blackened drops in which they absorbed and thus they started to get dark.
"Aaahh! AAAhhh!"
Homura heard the lamentations of Nagisa, but it was not a cry. Turning to look at the face of the white-haired girl, her heart, which had passed through many tribulations, jumped.
A black viscous liquid was coming out of Nagisa's eyes. The veins of the face were black, forming a morbid tangle that contrasted with her pale skin. Startled, she looked at her hands, where both were also those with dark veins spreading. "Aaaahhh..." With a last gasp, of disappointment, her surprised expression had been replaced by melancholy. She then exchanged glances with the other girl.
Homura stood her chin and pursed her lips, keeping a strong and controlled breathing.
Before that expression, Nagisa gave a grim smile. "In the end we both become monsters, we could not help, could we?" So more of that black liquid fell from her eyes. "But I didn't want you to see me like this... uuhhh..."
Homura saw the veins of the legs of Nagisa darken, reaching her bare feet.
"If all had gone well, none of this needed to happen. We would not be here and you would not talk to me like that."
As if pumping from the feet of Nagisa, the grass and the flowers earned black appearance, replacing the violet, and spreading rapidly.
Large flocks of black birds left the nearby trees. When Homura realized, her children had already turned and were in a hasty escape.
Between sobs, Nagisa continued. "I'm sorry Homura-chan to have to be that way, but I'll show you I'm Madoka you love, regardless of what I have become." When finished talking, she stopped moving completely, like a statue, and fell back. Once the body touched the ground, the black flowers closed, forming buds. From them, started to came out small tentacles.
Not liking what she saw, Homura took off for safety. She witnessed the tentacles coalescing to each other, getting thicker.
Then came the tremor.
Accompanied by a loud roar, the earth opened to reveal the monstrosity that had formed in its domain. A huge black mass rose like a mountain into the sky.
Until the blue and black clashed.
Homura watched the sky ripping on impact. Cracks spread over it like a huge spider web. Below her the tentacles earned size and were moving ever closer to her.
Then, as if someone had triggered a switch, the colors changed suddenly offering their places to more gray tones and the movements frozen.
Not affected by such event, Homura kept looking up, to the part of the sky where the mountain had drilled.
From the hole in the sky came a shower of white feathers. They descended gently, innocent, completely opposite to the chaos and destruction that was being established.
Homura reached out and grabbed one of them. At that moment she realized that on the other hand she was still holding the wreath, now only with violet flowers. She looked yet again to that dark wall in front of her and then down.
In one of the ephemeral spaces between the tentacles, lay a hand on white strands of hair.
Homura brought the crown of flowers closer, feeling its perfume, and then casted toward where Nagisa was. For now, however, the flowers did not reach there, since the crown froze in midair, acquiring the same dead tones of the space around it.
With nothing else to do, Homura flew into the sky, looking for a crack big enough. Once found, she slipped to the other side, where then she came across a vast desert.
Leaving behind a wall of black brick, base of a titanic hourglass-shaped tower, Homura continued her flight to a series of rocky mountains that was on the horizon.
Landing on the edge of a cliff, she gazed at the desolate landscape of gray dunes that separated her from the place where she stayed for so long. The tower was more damaged than she imagined, with several tentacles coming out of the walls as if they were branches of a large tree.
She then raised her hand and examined the feather of pure white between her fingers.
".etnaicsirtS soaC lI"
That voice, so familiar as disturbing, caught the attention of Homura. On top of a stone was a black salamander, the movements on its tail proving that it was not part of which had been paralyzed.
"Is that you, witch." Homura said coolly.
".lla ta egnahc ton did ehS" The salamander went down the rock where it was.
"No..." Homura lowered her head slightly, returning to pay attention to the feather.
The salamander reached the feet of the girl. ".nekorb saw emit fo wolf ehT"
Homura continued to respond mechanically. "She tried to escape."
"?noitacav ruoy saw woH" The salamander had already begun to climb her legs.
"That was a sarcasm?"
".uoy htiw denrael I"
"You're quite talkative... I see that you got some bad habits and forgot what is your place." Homura looked at the salamander going up her belly. "Report me about Madoka and the Law of Cycles. You went there with her?"
".seY"
"How was Madoka feeling?"
The salamander reached the left shoulder of Homura. ".sah ehs gnignol eht edih ton nac ehS"
Homura closed her eyes and take a deep breath. "I knew it."
".slrig eht ot pleh gnireffo yppah eb ot yaw wen a dnuof ehS .enola ton si ehs ,revewoH"
"Hmmm..." Homura brooded about what she had just heard, before returning to open her eyes. "And how is she now?"
".enif si ehS" The salamander crept up her neck, disappearing beneath those long black hair.
"Really?" Homura frowned. "Well, I heard that the Law of Cycles is in danger."
".esur a saw taht wonk ,uoy dlot ohw reh saw ti fI ?gniylpmi uoy era tahW"
"Certainly..."
".reverof ti peek ton nac uoY"
Realizing that the subject had changed to something more pertinent at the moment, Homura observed the top of her left hand. Surging through it, her violet soul gem within the black crown had acquired certain corruption at its base.
".elbativenI"
It was not necessary to say, she knew. Homura looked back at the white feather in her other hand, while her black bow was taking shape.
".gnihtyreve esU"
Nor does this. Examining her target, the monstrosity that was about to bring great destruction, Homura dropped the feather and prepared an energy arrow.
The feather swayed in its gentle descent. During this time, a violet flame ignited at the top of the bow. Homura felt between her fingers the energy accumulating in the arrow, becoming unstable.
Everything had a limit.
For the feather was the ground. Once it hit, the colors returned to their vibrant hues, bathed by the shimmering violet sky. At the same time, the ground quake at the fury occurring kilometers away.
The top of the tower did not even come crashing down because the abomination lifted and shattered it. The creature gained height rapidly, only to be barred by the crystallized sky.
Homura witnessed the black mountain then pulse. Tentacles left the peak and spread close to the surface of the sky, which began to crack.
"!toohS"
Homura looked down and turned her face before releasing the arrow. She did not even see when the energy shot penetrated deep into the black mass, but could not escape the blinding light that followed.
Like a sun, the explosion consumed a good portion of the mountain of tentacles. What escaped from the instant disintegration burned to the light.
When sphere of energy was losing strength, dissipating, Homura looked back to where she had fired. Under the violet flames, the few remaining tentacles struggled and disappeared among the ruins of the tower.
"!epacse reh tel tsomla uoY !?gniod uoy era tahW"
"She won't escape yet..." Homura said as she adjusted her fringe. "... because she wants me."
"...saw taht wonk oslA"
"Insufficient." Homura prepared a new arrow and pointed against the dunes of the desert below. Shooting, the arrow sank into the sand, which rose in a large explosion.
Then, from the ground, came out several tentacles that began to crawl through the rocky escarpment.
Homura took off and flew away, but looking back, she saw that the chaotic mass of tentacles was managing to follow her. She then used her bow to shoot an arrow forward to where she was flying.
The arrow blossomed, forming a tangle of violets lines in midair, like a big spider web.
Once Homura crossed the web, from the lines arrows were fired, intercepting the tentacles pursuing her.
".won regnorts era uoY"
"She is too." Homura started to reduce the flight altitude. "And until find out how much, it's better to use hit and run tactics. Let's find a place to hide."
Suddenly, large tentacles sprouted from the sands toward the flying girl. Homura avoided easily, but the truth is that the tentacles did not aim her.
".ykS"
Homura looked at what was left behind. The tentacles had shocked with the violet crystal surface, creating new cracks. Firing again and again with her bow, she dispatched the threat in a series of explosions.
".tuo hctaW"
Homura noticed the shadow forming on her. In a quick dive to one side, she dodged the big tentacle who tried to grab her while she was busy.
More tentacles emerged from the sands, forming a true black forest.
"I can't underestimate her." Homura fled at high speed, crossing over a ridge and down in a desert valley, flying close to the dunes.
".srailimaF"
"They will be useless, even to distract her." Homura felt the air hitting her face hard, her hair fluttered. "What's that?" Looking back, she realized she was creating a vacuum that raised sand columns wherever she went.
".deeps gnisol era eW"
"Yes..." Homura conjured up her gem and examined. "It's getting dark quickly."
".luos ruoy ot detcennoc si ecalp sihT"
"So if that thing spreads..."
".yltcaxE"
"So we have to make every second count." Homura rose again and stood in midair.
A sea of tentacles emerged on the horizon. The glowing violet sky was being stained by the tar in its relentless advance.
Without delay, Homura prepared a new arrow while an aura formed behind her. Once shot, the arrow was divided into two and then each one divided again and again...
The surface of the black sea lit before the swarm of arrows that fell upon it.
Homura remained impassive, contemplating her destructive power, such was the irony. If she had such power before, the insurmountable obstacle that she had for so long would cease to exist in an instant, the story would be different.
Now, that same power seemed to be nothing.
Some tentacles continued their advance, being protected by others who sacrificed themselves in the face of the devastating hail. Once they have a clear path, the tentacles darted toward the girl with wings.
Homura prepared several energy arrows. "I see now that I would have no chance of destroying it."
".etats taht ni dniheb reh evael ot lufniap os gnieb nevE"
Firing all the arrows at once, Homura cut the tentacles. Handfuls of black goo flew in all directions, in which she dodged effortlessly.
However, from a black ooze that passed close to her, smaller tentacles came out and attacked.
Homura only realized it when they grabbed her weapon and broke it in several parts.
".woB"
"I don't need." With the energy arrows in her hand, Homura fused them together to form a spear, in which she launched against the great black mass that was ever closer, forming a large explosion.
More showers of black ooze, but not from the explosion, as Homura soon found, but the sky above her. The day, as well as could be said, was turning into night. Seeing no choice, the girl with long black hair was seen again on the run.
".timil ruoy ta era uoY"
"I'm not and if what you has to offer are these comments, so you're more helpful being silent."
".gniW"
Much to the disgust of Homura, the witch did not become quiet, yet she could not ignore what she had heard. Craning her neck, she soon discovered what it meant. The frame of one of her wings was stained with that black viscous liquid. The stain was growing and moving toward her bare back. Not wanting to find out what would happen if it reached her body, Homura brought the wing closer and then, with one hand taken by a purple aura, she cut it off.
Physics, laws she has challenged and defeated many times, but she already knew full well that the time comes where they charge for it dearly. Perhaps was not been so disastrous as it could be, since it was sand instead of rock, but the fall of Homura was not smooth. Although she was not seriously injured, she had difficulty getting out of the hole formed with the impact.
"!os od ot evah llits uoy ecnahc ylno ruoy ma I !akodaM tcetorp ot tnaw I"
"Don't make me laugh, witch. You know as well as I do that it's impossible..." Homura was kneeling in front of the darkness around her. The tentacles, as if they had noticed that their prey was now helpless, did not advance. The girl saw the black mass surrounding her on all sides, the violet light of sky being extinguished between the cracks of the living wall.
However, it did spark something inside Homura. "How I was foolish."
"?hsilooF"
"If she wants me so much..." Raising her left hand at eye level, Homura conjured the crown-shaped gem. Despite being darkened, the girl still shone it, illuminating the black dome. "... so I will give myself entirely."
".rewop ruoy fo tnetxe eht dneherpmoc ton od uoY !oN"
"I have to believe I can take her with me!" The gem shone even more brightly. "Come on, come on!" But, like a candle, brightness flickered before ceasing. "No... no!" Even more defeated, Homura got on all fours, her fingers sinking into the sand as the gem was getting back into her hand. "... I must break it."
".ytinrete lla rof reffus dluow akodaM"
Homura could no longer see anything, just could feel the cooler air and... something approaching. "I hate you."
".emas eht yas I"
"Even failing again. Even before the end, why..." Homura stood. "... I can not stop?"
".su ot raed si niaP"
"It's what makes us believe that we're still alive." Homura stared at the abyss, the same that stared at her. "Madoka..."
".yrroS"
Clenching her fists. "I see you in hell, witch." Homura advanced against the oblivion.
／人◕‿‿◕人＼
When the truth was revealed
In a world without future
You were not there
Words were lost
Between rain and tears
Lamentations
Leave behind
We already crossed
The gates of paradise
.
In the reflection of a window
Saw you and me
Ignorant to time
Petals that blend
On a new tomorrow
Hopes
Leave behind
We already crossed
The gates of paradise
"Homura-chan!"
She felt cold drops fall on her face and the hard surface of the ground beneath her back.
"Please! Don't leave me..."
Then she felt the warmth of a hand on her cheek, it was enough to her allow light to come to her eyes. She saw before her was a blur, with a distinct pink color, which fell on her.
"Homura-chan! Homura-chan! Oh... Homura-chan... I thought I'd lost you forever."
Her body heated entirely with that so familiar hug. "Ma... doka?"
The blur moved away. "Ah... You need that, right? It's very broken."
Feeling the object being placed on her face, the world Homura saw was cracked, but now sharper. Her heart jumped when she came across Madoka kneeling in her pink dress, with some parts in yellow and white. Her skirt with ruffles which remembered the petals of a beautiful flower and, of course, her pompous red ribbons that bound her hair. The magical girl costume she wore was torn and bloodstained, but more importantly, the pink soul gem attached to the ribbon around her neck, still shone strongly.
She soon found that this also apply to hew own costume. Her tight white shirt of formal and straight design, with a black and gray collar, with a simple lilac bow tied on it, reminded much a school uniform. The shirt sleeves were long, but not as much as the black sleeve coming out underneath. She was wearing a gray short skirt with white edges, but her legs were not exposed, since she also wore a black pantyhose with a pattern of violet diamond shapes on the side of it, it was long enough to cover up her boot perfectly.
On her left forearm was her trusty shield, ultimate symbol of her wish. Just beyond, at the top of her hand, her soul gem, a violet diamond with a golden frame. Homura saw a black essence being transferred from the gem to an object that Madoka held close to it. A grief seed, with gear shaped metallic adornments.
"Can you see?" Madoka asked, somewhat apprehensive.
"Yes..." Homura squinted, trying to remember. "W-What happened..."
"We did it!" Madoka said, more excited. "The great witch was defeated!"
Homura looked at the cloudy sky, raindrops fell and went down through the lens of her glasses. Looking around, she realized, from the pieces of scattered chairs and desks, that they should be in what had once been a floor of an office. The building was more one of many that have been devastated in the downtown of Mitakihara. However, she no longer heard the malignant laugh of the witch that haunted her in her nightmares. "H-How..."
[Madoka destroyed the witch in her last attack, demonstrating a potential beyond expectations.]
The two magical girls turned and saw Kyuubey on a pile of rubble.
"It's true." Madoka looked back at Homura. "But alone, I don't think I would have a chance."
[You are right Madoka.] Kyuubey agreed.[The ability to manipulate time of Homura to the favor of you was a big difference.]
"Thanks Kyuubey but... but..." Homura returned to exchange glances with Madoka. "I don't remember having been so helpful."
"Don't say that, Homura-chan." Madoka shook her head. "You gave your best. We all did."
Homura looked down, but came to show a shy smile at that statement, but it was the same statement that made to wide her eyes, remembering something. "And... and Tomoe-san?"
Madoka changed her expression to a sad countenance, and again shook her head.
"Oh... hmmm..." Homura felt her eyes water and started to lower her head, but hands prevented her from doing so.
"Homura-chan! Remember what she said. Being magical girls means putting our lives at risk."
Homura gaped at the determined look that Madoka showed.
She continued. "It's like she wanted it to be, fighting for good. We are her legacy, we can not falter."
Homura took a deep breath and held the crying before nodding in agreement.
"Come on, I'll help you get up."
Homura stood next to Madoka, then she was able to see better the extent of the destruction. "D-Does... a lot of people died?"
"Many went to shelters, as well as my family. They should be fine, the witch didn't reach there." Madoka said as she watched Homura moving away from her, heading toward the edge of the destroyed building. "I said I was going to the bathroom with a classmate, maybe they even haven't come to search for me yet."
Kyuubey intruded into the conversation. [After what I witnessed here, I am sure you two will be excellent substitutes for Mami, especially you Madoka.]
"Me?"
[Yes, you has an unusual power for your nature.]
"Well... that's good, right? I... I have to be strong now, for Mami-san, Homura-chan, mother, father, Takkun..." Madoka put a hand to her chest. "Sayaka-chan, Hitomi-chan and everyone in school and... and everyone in this city so devastated." Then she felt the object she was carrying. "Ah... will you want this seed?"
[This is not a seed of a mere witch, but a legend. You should be able to purify your gems completely a few more times yet.]
Madoka almost smiled at that.
But that smile would not last. [However, you should prepare. So much destruction and suffering soon will attract many witches here.]
"Oh no!"
[I can scout the area and warn you if I find something.]
"Do it!" Madoka squeezed hard the grief seed she carried. "And thank you again."
While the conversation between Madoka and the creature unfolded, Homura was already lost in thoughts. Tomoe-san... even if you accepted death, Could I not have prevented too?
She felt the weight of her wet long braids. What am I thinking? I can not even protect myself...
Removing the excess water on her glasses, Homura examined the extent of the city's destruction. Madoka is proving strong as ever, but she must be suffering inside. At least she is alive. My wish... was realized. Then she turned her attention to her shield. Should I tell her? She was always curious about my wish, but...
She felt the cold metal with the slide of her fingers and then gritted her teeth.
No... She will hate me for not having warned her. She would want to save Mami... want to take the risk. Homura shuddered. How I am horrible... How I...
Her thoughts silenced, soon to be replaced by another. My shield. Homura passed the sleeve of her uniform in her glasses to be sure of what she was seeing. Why the lids are closed?
Using her magic, Homura made the apparatus come to life, making the lids open. Within each of the glass compartments contained certain amount of an exotic violet sand. Should not be like that, but... but... how do I know that?
With her rapid breathing, taken by those concerns, the magical girl with glasses looked at the rubble around her, confused, until something caught her attention.
Near the remains of a desk there was a broken vase, and it contained some red spider lilies.
Homura felt the rain was colder... or was her blood? She shivered and swallowed hard. Why I called Madoka by her first name? And she did not even notice...
"Homura-chan, we have..."
Again the shield received the magic of its owner and then spun, silencing Madoka and the world. Even rain was not spared, as well as the colors.
Now the world belonged to the cowards, for those who fear the inexorable tomorrow. Homura now had the time she needed in her world to consult her memories of past events. However everything was confused, in flashes of images that stuck out in her mind, she could recognize the great witch, Walpurgisnatch, but she struggled against it alone, there was no Mami or even Madoka.
Even more frightened, Homura hardly noticed that she had placed her right hand inside the dark internal part of her shield. Old habits. Old? Why do I feel this?
In the endless void within her shield, she groped for anything that would satisfy her questions. What her fingers found was a non-slip handle. When she pulled out what was there, Homura gaped.
It was a Remington model 870, a pump action shotgun. A weapon with effective stopping power even against medium sized targets, if they do not have any armor or carapace. It is also useful to burst windows and doors, so commonly found in witch barriers.
It was her voice that echoed in her mind with that information, but Homura did not understand why or the fact of having such weapon with her. Only should have homemade bombs...
By adjusting her glasses with her left hand to better observe the gun, Homura had been taken by a new epiphany. She removed it from her face and focused her gaze on the gem on her hand, which shone brightly.
Everything was now clearer.
"This is... wrong." Babbling with a colder, more familiar voice, Homura clung to what she could remember. She dropped the glasses, leaving it frozen in the air and time, and turned around.
Kyuubey was no longer there, only Madoka, frozen in time in faded, dead colors.
In agile movements, almost instinctive, Homura unlocked and sought to ensure that the gun was loaded. Walking toward the other girl, the drops of rain that were standing in the way returned to gain movement and slided on the skin as they came into contact.
Being a step away from Madoka, Homura stopped. The pink-haired girl was gaping in the midst of what was going to say, her static look ignorant at what was happening just before her.
The girl with long black braids took a deep breath and pressed the safety mechanism button behind the trigger.
This is not right.
She pointed the shotgun directly against the soul gem next to the neck of Madoka. Nothing made sense anymore.
But if I'm wrong?
The barrel of the gun trembled, it seemed heavier. Had she gone mad? Lost something?
I sure lost a lot, so much I have left behind...
Homura could no longer look at that face in front of her.
So many times I have done that I do not believe more in dreams.
She took a deep breath again and again and gritted her teeth, her finger near the trigger.
Until the barrel was held and pulled to the side.
Homura was dumbfounded.
Madoka moved, the vivid colors in her horrified expression. "Homura-chan! What are you doing?!" She pulled again, ripping the gun from the hands of the other girl.
Homura just stepped back, without saying a word.
Madoka looked at the gun she was holding. "What are you doing..." And then flung it away. The weapon spun two times in the air before stopping, but soon the world returned to move and the strength of the magical girl was revealed when the shotgun entered into the neighboring building by one of the broken windows.
"How..." That was the first word that Homura managed to utter.
Madoka looked away. "Homura-chan..."
"How is that possible?" Homura turned her attention to her shield and her gem. "Unless..."
Madoka closed her eyes and wrists.
"I... remember..." The girl's violet eyes flashed. "This... is not a dream." In a conclusion that mixed disgust and fury, Homura made her gem on top of her hand to shine and aimed against Madoka.
At least that was her intention.
Homura first felt a grab in her shins and then a pull. "Aaahh!" Falling back, she soon discovered that her own shadow had betrayed her, where black tentacles emerged. She thought to use her shield to cut them, but her wrists were already being held by more tentacles. Lying in the form of cross, she could no longer do anything else.
The rain stopped.
"You're right. This is not a dream." Madoka looked back at Homura and smiled slightly. "When you created this beautiful place of green prairies, never was for you, isn't it Homura-chan?"
The fallen girl only gulped as an answer.
"No... It would never be your paradise." Madoka continued, looking around. "Now this one is, a cruel place and full of afflictions, but where personal dedication is rewarded." She then looked at the grief seed that was balancing on the palm of her hand. "I gave my best to build it, because today I have not yet achieved a genuine smile from you, but..." Sadly, she observed the seed to melt, turning into a puddle of tar that was being absorbed, disappearing under the white fabric of her glove. "I still failed."
"Stop..." Homura began to struggle furiously. "Stop pretending already! I know that you're her curse!"
"Curse?!" Madoka made a slight withdrawal with her head in surprise. "That's how she refers to me? Is that what you feel?"
Homura stopped, panting.
"Did she tell you?" Madoka raised her eyebrows. "That she's a witch?"
"I know..." Homura said, turning her head to the side.
Madoka gasped. "So... h-how she convinced you?!" Aware that this question could not have an answer from the other, she mused. "Is it because she presented herself like that?"
In a glance, Homura saw that the body and clothes of Madoka had darkened, going completely black as coal, except the hair and the gem that continued with their original color. It was no longer possible to distinguish her eyes, nose and mouth. The clothes melted and joined to the body, revealing the curves of the girl.
Homura's eyes widened. "What?!"
The gem shone brightly, first in pink tone, but soon gave way to white. Her hair, once short, lengthened up.
It was the last thing Homura could see before the burst of light blind her. "Gnn!" When the light faded, she opened her eyes slowly, fighting her fears.
Madoka was in a divine dress of pure white. Large extensions of the universe were revealed beneath her long skirt. Her pompous red ribbons were now white too, but her eyes were still pink, until her closed them. "Like that?" She inquired, showing her golden irises when opened.
"No... NOOOO!" Homura cried from the bottom of her lungs.
"It's true... that's not really the way you would like to see me." The long pink locks of hair curled around the body of Madoka, covering her completely. Then they unfolded, decreasing in length until her hair returned to its original cut, with modest red laces holding it. Madoka was now in her school uniform, with pink eyes being followed by an expression of compassion.
"No..." Homura closed her eyes, shaking her head.
Before that reaction, Madoka was once again dismayed. She sighed. "She at least said she loved you?"
"What did you say..." Homura murmured.
"No..." Madoka concluded confidently. "She just left you again."
Gritting her teeth, Homura snapped. "Don't you dare to put me against her!"
"I don't want the worst for her!" Madoka said at the same tone and then calmed down. "She calls me a curse, but she's a curse to herself."
Homura slightly raised her head, staring at the other girl.
"She's so weak, Homura-chan, that I have even shame of her. She hides in fear, knowing how fragile is her wish. The Incubator almost swept over her." Madoka held out both hands toward Homura. "And you managed to do it."
The fallen girl looked down.
"Without my strength, she will submit again to anyone who try. Separating from me, she condemned herself. I need to save her."
"Your strength?" Homura looked at the tentacles that held her. "What else comes with it? You're nothing but a monstrosity that took the form her to confuse mind and heart."
"No... you're wrong. You..." Madoka put a hand to her mouth and turned her head suddenly, shutting her eyes tightly.
Homura did not grasp that reaction.
Until Madoka turned to her again, her eyes watery and red. She took a deep breath before speaking again. "I see all of our moments together, including where we were more ignorant. Wehi... hi..."
"You can have her memories..."
"They're much more than memories. Are emotions, feelings." Madoka replied. "But... it always ended with us separating. In many of them I did not see how it happened, because I was unconscious, dead so to speak. In others, however..."
Homura listened intently in a serious countenance.
"I was between clouds, but it wasn't heaven. I saw you below, a tiny spot between ruins. I wanted to say everything was fine... bringing my hand up to you, but not even the words reached. It was like a raging whirlpool, a wild magic. I could only watch that small point to give its back, carrying with it a burden for me." Madoka put her hands to her chest and gasped slowly. "Dozens and dozens of times you did it for me. I know that now and never, ever, I'll be afraid to say I love you."
Homura swallowed again when she felt the first tear down her cheeks, tears that she could not remove with her hands.
Madoka looked up and smiled. "That I never told you. You know, when my mother gave birth to Takkun, I began to imagine... How would be having a sister? Not young like Takkun, someone my age. Even I thought about a twin!"
Homura shook her head slowly.
"I had dreams about it, but you surpassed them all."
"You will never be Madoka."
The girl standing shuddered with the dry affirmation of the other.
"You can not be her. I know about your familiars, the demons. Madoka would never accept such evil they bring..."
"Angels."
"What?" Homura was startled by the interruption of Madoka.
"They're angels. Guardians and keepers of the Law of Cycles."
Homura exasperated. "No way!"
"Didn't she tell you?!" Madoka frowned. "How could she be so cruel..."
"Stop fooling me!"
Madoka ignored the appeals of Homura and continued. "You know where the magical girls go when they are taken and what happens to them as well. Nagisa-chan told you."
Somewhat surprised by that statement, Homura took a while to answer. "Yes, she told me that there were witches."
"Not only witches, but their barriers, contained within an even greater one."
"Contained within a barrier of a witch?" Homura digested the information. "You mean..."
"Yes, mine." Madoka confirmed. "Now tell me. How a barrier could have the strength to endure countless others which of course would challenge its stability?"
Homura not said a word. Not needed, as her troubled expression revealed that she understood.
"The function of angels is to purify. Although they are not gems, the souls of the living beings carry the same corruption. They absorb such negative force, like how happens when the magical girls use then." Madoka lifted one of her hands at eye level and between her fingers a black goo emerged and solidified, forming a cube. "Incubator takes this energy for to support the universe, but the concept of the Law of Cycles is part of it too and it is natural that the energy from these cubes, from my familiars, feed their origin."
"No..."
"When I made my wish, I was determined to not care about what I would become, but I never imagined that this would be the price to be paid. She... may be the symbol that everyone wants to see, but I'm the true savior."
"NO! You must be lying!" Homura writhed in complete terror. "You MUST!"
"I care about the lives that were lost because of it!" Madoka exalted. "So that must change... and then death will not mean anything."
"Of course not." Homura said. "When everyone is dead and nothing remains of the universe, you'll be sure of that."
"What are you saying?! She said that to you too?" Madoka made a disgusted expression. "Why would she lie like that? Instigate such hatred... I don't recognize me..." She pondered for a moment, until her eyes grew. "Or she didn't lie... is that she doesn't know. She could not see, not with my eyes."
"What you mean?"
Madoka returned to direct the word to Homura, even with some excitement. "She and I can be in all places and eons at same time, but we are separated more than ever. She can not understand what I'm doing."
Homura gritted her teeth. "She understood perfectly what you want to do, which is to destroy everything."
Madoka shook her head in denial. "I learned this in biology class, you should be in the hospital at this time..." Under the angry look of Homura, she continued. "When a tree falls and dies amid a forest, it offers its space and sunlight to another tree to grow, and nourish this new tree with what was left of its defective body that languished. Homura-chan, I now know, this universe is doomed."
"The entropy." Homura commented.
"No, although that Kyuubey is only delaying the inevitable, that's not what I mean. I saw many things, good and bad."
Homura noted that Madoka was now with a lost gaze.
"But the bad ones... they are... too much."
Homura then heard the sound of automatic weapons. She turned her face and saw a family, a mother with two young children, who had just be shot by two soldiers. Then, like the wind, a magical girl appeared. She carried a large blade with saw and her dress was composed of several tangled mantles of blue, yellow and white color. On her right cheek lay a gem white as her hair, shaped like a fish.
Homura heard the men shouting words that she did not know, before they are torn apart by the furious girl's advances. With her mantles dyed red, she turned her attention to the fallen family. She dropped her sword and fell before it.
Homura could not understand what was being said, but did recognize a cry.
The girl leaned over the woman's body and closed her eyes. The gem, white before, was completely black until the moment it flashed one last time before disappearing, just like the girl.
However, other bodies remained there, receiving a visit from flies and other insects, until everything began to melt and coalesce, forming a pool of tar that had been absorbed, disappearing under the ground.
"Misfortunes. They just change their name and form while plaguing us for generations." Madoka caught the attention of Homura to look into another direction.
There was another girl, thin and black skin, hair and eyes green. She did not wear many clothes, but the dark green gem in her left hand gave no doubts of what she was. Before her was a vast crops completely withered .
Homura witnessed the magical girl to shine the gem in her hand, revitalizing the plants. Finally, they were big and healthy. The girl smiled at what was done, but soon faded and she fell to the ground. Her darkened gem dropped from her hands before disappearing along with her.
"You see? Homura-chan."
Homura answered Madoka. "This is sacrifice. This is a example of surrendering everything for something you believe in, few have the courage to do this, but..."
A strong hum muffled out Homura's words before she could finish. The girl's eyes widened when she saw a swarm of locusts to reach and devour the entire crop.
"You see? What is the point? Why? Homura-chan..."
Homura turned again to Madoka and saw the girl standing hitting her own chest.
"Why your heart? Why this befell you?"
"Maybe..." Homura thought for a moment before speaking again. "Maybe because I deserve it."
"And the others who have the same problem? They deserve too?"
Homura returned to wide her eyes.
"I've seen so much." Madoka lowered her head. "And in the meantime, that question would be inevitable to make: have I done the right thing?" then she clenched her fists. "And the answer to that question was what really separated us."
Homura saw Madoka lift her arms and make a gesture as if to open a curtain.
And so it happened.
The clouds parted, opening a hole in the sky, where it was the ultimate symbol of the Law.
"'Eternal Feminine'..." Homura stammered.
Suddenly, Madoka lifted her head as much she could, arching her body. She stared at the huge symbol as her breathing had become short and quick. "She resigned, she surrendered to fate. She threw away all her humanity for her purpose, even in the face of misery around her!"
Homura felt the earth tremble. Her spine shivered.
Madoka looked back at the girl on the ground with a serene expression. "And you know why?"
"Hope." Said Homura.
Madoka reacted with a smile at the sudden response. "If there is something that has always followed the misfortunes, was that feeling."
Homura narrowed her eyes. "The Madoka I know believe in miracles."
"They do exist, but are we doing them!" Said Madoka. "I saw many believe in a tomorrow, one in which they could not witness... but I witnessed and say that nothing has changed. Hope keeps and motivates us, but are the actions that define the future. Of course, when powerless, we can only inebriate in it, as we await the end of our insignificant lives." She gritted her teeth and hugged herself, bending her body to the ground. "But this is not the case!"
Homura just continued to listen, tired. Her arms and legs numb and stuck.
"The wish had been done, but the potential I still carry with me. But this part of me that doubts of her own power still wait inert for tomorrow as well as those many..." Madoka expressed all her sorrow in a plea to the other girl. "Homura-chan, we can change that."
"What... do you want?" Asked Homura suspiciously.
"Help me to shape the rules of this universe in ruins!" Madoka touched her chest that glowed with intense pink light. Her hair stood up, pushed by the immense magic contained therein. "And for those we can't, then we'll destroy them!"
"And then we'll all be under your yoke." Homura added.
The brightness and magic extinguished. Madoka shook her head. "No, no. Each life is unique, the angels showed me, and I'll never disrespect that."
Homura frowned. "What you said?!"
"In the past, present and future, the angels were faithful in their mission. They collected for me, along with the emotions, the memories of all. No one was left behind." Madoka smiled broadly. "With the power given to us, then, we can bring everyone back to life."
Homura stammered. "That's... not possible..."
"But each life is unique, with their needs, dreams and ambitions so conflicting. To survive and get along in this cruel world, the competition was the only answer that we found and adapted." Madoka continued. "You were right Homura-chan. So the only way I could respect everyone is offering a universe for each."
"What!?"
Madoka opened her hands and arms, a gust of wind swayed her school uniform and her hair along with her red ties. "See what I could do with what I just have at hand now. With you, we can much more. Each person will have their world to find their genuine happiness, without anyone else getting hurt because of it."
Homura was really tired of it all. "This is pure insanity!"
"Insanity is doing nothing!" Madoka raised her voice. "It's know this... rottenness and accept that father, mother, Takkun, all relatives and friends, as well as future generations of them, living in the midst of it." She then pointed to the sky, to the symbol. "She accepted! Because, for her, without suffering would be meaningless to have hope for salvation."
"Madoka!"
Madoka heeded the call of Homura in a happy sigh.
Homura noted the reaction and averted gaze. Was it an oversight? Or genuinely had come from the bottom of her heart? These were not the most important questions at this time. "Do you... think this is right? Do you think this is really the answer for that question?"
"I had much time to reach this conclusion and you're my greatest proof that we must act." Madoka reached out. "Homura-chan, you can also find happiness. In that beautiful garden you've built or even here, amid the destruction, you and me fighting together. I won't even remember what had been done, because I also want to be happy and would be not possible after what I saw."
"But what are the guarantees?" Homura asked. "How can you be so sure that you will reach such utopia?"
The smile plastered on Madoka decreased in size. "If it fails, simply try again."
"And if you fail again?" Homura looked up. "You know through what I did! I have also tried to save everyone once and never managed to do it. In the end, I could not even keep our promise."
Madoka's smile vanished. "Don't say that what you did was in vain. The past you experienced so many times opened the possibility of a new future. This is the last step that we need to give, even if we have to do it more than once."
"No. We could have great potential, but it's not infinite. Perhaps she did not understand your intent, but what she saw is actually the end result of what you're trying to do." Homura said in appeal tone. "Madoka, give up while you can! Don't risk everything for the impossible!"
"If someone tells me that it's wrong to hope, I'll tell them they're wrong every time." Madoka was convict in her words, ending with a slight smile. "However, this will be the last time we'll need to feel it."
Homura, seeing the determination of the other one, just leaned her head to the ground.
Madoka sighed. "I understand why I can't convince you. Your wish was the only purpose left in your life. All this anguish that you carry you wear like a second skin, unable to feel joy. In such situation, how could you give value to what needs to be done?"
"Do you understand?" Homura looked at Madoka by the corner of her eye. "If you can't save me from it, then how do you think you'll get what you crave?"
"But Homura-chan..." Madoka slightly diverted her gaze. "... I have not tried yet."
Homura was curious about the statement and followed to where Madoka was looking.
The tentacles were gone, but she was still unable to feel her hand, which had its veins completely blackened. Homura's eyes widened and promptly looked at her other hand, that was in a similar situation. It was then that she realized that this loss of sensation was spreading through her arm, and also went up by her legs.
But it was not only that was going up there.
The heart and breathing of Homura accelerated when she saw Madoka crawling on her body. In the face of all this, she questioned. "I-Is this how you love me?"
Madoka stopped and frowned, accompanied by a smile. "Wehihi. Now Homura-chan! We aren't ignorant anymore..."
When she returned to crawl, Homura tried to speak again, but without success. She could not feel anything in her torso, just knew she was still breathing by the air coming into her nostrils. However, she also found that her breathing was slow, calm, totally inconsistent with the fear she was feeling.
"Your heart was beating fast." Madoka stroked the face of the fallen girl. "Fear not, Homura-chan. Even though I need to explore the depths of your soul, you will not suffer."
Homura turned away.
"Or maybe that's your fear of being happy."
Homura already felt her neck numb when her head suddenly turned against her will. She came across the face of Madoka on her, the pink pigtails hanging with gravity, casting a shadow on that serene visage.
"You deserve something you have lost long ago. Something you would not find there, where there is only hopes whitewashing disappointments."
The chin and lips were no longer in possession of Homura, she just felt the skin stretch, familiar feeling when the mouth opens. Her mind tingled and melted while her restless gaze registered those pink narrowed eyes getting closer to hers.
While her ears recorded the acute singing of a melody.
This caught the attention of Homura for a music box on the nightstand. The ballerina of plastic swirled on the box at the whim of the musical notes, like the small gears which were in sight behind a glass panel.
Homura closed the box, stopping the music. That was a melody to calm, but her heart seemed to be beating faster and faster. She took a deep breath as she looked around the closed bedroom, partially illuminated by a ray of light from a small opening between the curtains.
It should be the anxiety speaking louder. It could not be different, considering what she was holding in her hand. She could feel with her fingers the paper quality of that envelope with a diamond-shaped violet seal with golden edges.
The long wait was finally over.
Swinging her long flowing hair and her white nightgown, Homura crossed the room toward a doll house.
It was not a any doll house, it was so big that Homura was only a little taller than it. However, despite all available space therein, there was only a single resident.
"Ai, come see this!" Homura opened a window and stuck her arm inside. Nimbly she pulled out a doll, but lacked dexterity. "Oh no!"
The doll wore a black dress that contrasted with her skin of white wax. Her blue eyes and mouth were with peeling paint, but still showed a contentment expression, despite the fact of being bald.
"Sorry! I was so reckless..." Homura put the doll on the roof of the house and searched the rooms with her hand until she found what she sought. She then put on the doll a black hat with small blue strands of hair glued in it. "Done! No longer need to cry, Ai." She took the doll and showed the envelope. "Especially since I come with good news! You see this seal? It's from the ballet company of which I told you. Here is the result of the test that I did there. If I'm approved, I can train with them and maybe even become already part of a presentation!"
Homura turned the doll toward her.
"Ah! Of course! Of course! Ai... I know I would only be an extra. To be the principal, I have to push myself much more!"
With the letter and the doll in hand, Homura sat on the bed. "Actually, I don't even know if I was approved." She adjusted the doll to sit beside her. "Yes! I said I had done well but had so much more beautiful and talented girls there..."
The doll has fallen to the side.
"O-Ok Ai! I won't keep torturing myself! No need to repeat." Homura adjusted her glasses and removed the seal, being careful not to tear the envelope. From it she pulled a calligraphed letter and began to read, taking advantage of the beam of light.
Candidate Homura Akemi,
We are honored to inform you that, according to the evaluation in the categories of balance, musicality, spin, jump and elasticity, you was approved...
Homura could not help but to smile and let her eyes run faster on the text.
... as the final stage of selection, the candidate must appear at the place indicated for medical evaluation...
"Oh yes... there's that..." Homura left the letter on the bed and picked up the doll. "But that's nothing. The hardest part is over!" She fell back, full of excitement, holding the doll just above her. "I did it, Ai! You must be so proud..."
Thanks to gravity, the doll's head tilted.
"Huh! What is it?" Homura was apprehensive. "Yes, after I pass the medical examination, I'll have to move from there. Isn't that what you wanted?"
Homura moved the doll head to look into her eyes.
"Hahaha! Don't be silly Ai! I would never forget you, by the way I'll take you with me!" She brought the doll closer to her. "I promise... no one, no one really, will take away this happiness from us." She closed her eyes and kissed it.
When she opened them again, Madoka was moving away, holding between her lips a gem with an ebony crown-shaped frame. The pink haired girl lifted her head and swallowed the gem, letting the object to slowly descend through her throat. After she got off, kneeling beside the lying girl. "Homura-chan, how do you feel now?"
Homura rose, getting to her knees in front of Madoka. She then examined the black veins in her own hands and then passed them on her face that was in a similar appearance.
"Don't worry, it will pass."
"Madoka... I..." Homura did not utter another word before she felt herself being hugged.
"You no longer need to hold it, Homura-chan. I'm with you."
"Thank you... thank you..." The dark eyes of Homura watered. "I feel it... only Madoka would make me feel this way."
"Know that if I make someone strong as you cry, it will be only of happiness, for I love you." Madoka rubbed Homura's head. "Come on, hug me tightly."
Despite the request, Homura moved away.
"Homura-...chan?"
Homura lowered her head. "That was her plan. She used me to keep you imprisoned there, forever if possible."
"I know."
"But she should know that you could escape." Homura burst in words. "If she decides to fight, if she..."
Madoka silenced Homura putting a finger on her black lips. "No, it's over."
"Huh...?"
"I recovered the fragment that was with you, I'm now connected, I'm one again." Madoka continued. "As you know very well Homura-chan, there's no turning back, but we can still rebuild what we lost."
The two girls intertwined their fingers.
"Together, there is no force that can deny our dreams."
Homura cracked a smile.
Madoka also. "Let's go." However, as the two stood up, her smile faded into a pained expression. "Guuuh!"
"Madoka?"
"Hnnnnggg!" Madoka grabbed her throat and screamed. "GNNNAAAHHH!"
"Madoka!" Desperate, Homura attempted in vain to hold the spasms of the other girl.
"Ugk... guk... unn..." Madoka's cheeks swelled and, arching forward, she threw up a jet of tar. With relief, Madoka examined the puddle formed on the floor and there was: with a final struggle of its paws, the black salamander expired.
At that very moment, she heard the sound of a thud.
Madoka then saw Homura fallen, limp, like a puppet that had its strings cut. "Homura-chan? Homura-chan?!" She reached down and tried to revive her. "Homura-chan!"
Black drops fell on the lifeless face with dark veins of the fallen girl.
"Homura-chan..." Madoka contorted her face in grief, rubbing to remove the fillet of black ooze that ran down at the side of her mouth. She turned to where was the salamander and did not find it more. In its place was a black globe with metal adornments which referred to an hourglass plus a pin at its base, on top of the globe is a cube balanced on one of its corners, recalling the shape of a diamond.
Madoka went to the grief seed and let it balancing on the palm of her hand. "I wasn't strong enough yet..."
She glared at the great symbol of the Law that was in the sky. "Why... why did you do that? Throwing away the wish... this would be an act of despair? Then you don't deserve it anymore." Then she returned her attention to the seed.
"When I retrieve the last fragment that is missing, I will return to get you."
She gave a long kiss on the object and placed it carefully on the floor.
Under a flash of intense pink light, Madoka again was wearing her magical girl uniform, with bow in hand. Determined, she aimed toward the symbol and a powerful bolt of energy formed. "Enough of hope, it is time to make our dreams come true."
She released and the arrow flew with speed, followed close behind by a legion of black tentacles.
／人◕‿‿◕人＼
Oriko was approaching more of the large prism, staring at Madoka that was inside.
Just behind, Kyuubey accompanied her. [What happened... is it your work?]
"Just ensuring success." Oriko stopped. "Right? Incubator..."
[It would be the same case for the fact that you have one of our bodies?]
Oriko was concise. "Correct."
[Hmmm...] Kyuubey took the front of the girl. [But Yuma do not know it.]
Oriko remained silent, not looking at the creature.
[Emotions.] Kyuubey sat, swaying his tail. [Humans not only can live with it, but also use them as tools in a very peculiar way.]
"For example..."
[The way you manipulate Yuma for so long. We would never get such control, except in experiments with suppression of will, but it is unfortunately very costly...] Kyuubey wagged their ears. [The closest we could get on the subject of emotion was with the design of this carbon-based body, based on animals adapted to your planet who live close with your species.]
"If you thought that this would stir my curiosity about your nature, you are very mistaken." Oriko smiled. "Just as you are mistaken about everything else."
[Mistaken? No. I would be mistaken if I was wrongly convinced of the result, but I was just raising a hypothesis.]
"A... hypothesis?" Oriko looked at Kyuubey.
But the voice that came to her mind indicated that the speaker was now another Kyuubey coming from behind. [Oriko, I know that among your kind, you have an understanding of above average ability. Where there is a hypothesis, there may be others.]
"Like..."
[You may not be as competent as appears to be but that Yuma is allowing this.]
Oriko held her breath.
The two Kyuubeys dangled their head to the same side and blinked their eyes synchronously. [And I see that you come to a similar conclusion.]
"Proceed..."
[The most likely reason for her to do this would be the emotion that is linked to her wish.]
"'The power to protect those I love.'" Oriko repeated the little girl's words.
[The concept of such a feeling is beyond our comprehension. However, the logic of the sentence is quite trivial.]
"What are you talking about?" Oriko noted that more Kyuubeys approached.
[What would happen if she became incapable of exercising 'love'?]
Oriko then pondered. "In this case her wish would be impossible, even after having done so. Incubator, what would happen to her?"
The voices of Kyuubeys mixed, but the message was clear. [A soul gem is filled with the blessing of the wish. As well as something that is full can be empty or something hot can be cold, its absence leaves a vacant space to its opposite.]
Oriko pursed her lips in front of all those glowing red eyes around her.
[Something similar would happen to you, no?]
"But it will not happen." Oriko was emphatic.
[Well... regarding prediction, I can not compete with you.]
"Where was going with this?" Oriko questioned angrily.
[Just want to warn that your cooperation is valuable and, if all goes well, we can help you about Yuma so she does not suffer such fate.]
Oriko raised an eyebrow. "Ensuring success, is it not?"
[Exac...] The voices suddenly stopped. The Kyuubeys turned toward the prism.
"You must be feeling right now." Said Oriko.
[It was supposed to happen like this?]
"Perfectly..." Oriko confirmed as she watched the small prism that orbited the big got dark. Even she have seen so many times, her heart always tightened at that time.
The small prism broken and a dark abomination of tentacles formed with the essence that exuded from it.
All this was being seen by the many eyes present. [So this is the entity that we waited for, it is really unique.]
"And also lethal." Oriko drew attention. "Incubator, it is better to stay away from it if possible. This thing seems... to have certain hate about you. We do not want unnecessary problems."
[Right. I should assume that where you are is safe enough.] The Kyuubeys who were not connected to the black globe above the large prism moved to stand behind Oriko.
"I see we are getting along..." Oriko witnessed the black creature cling to the prism where Madoka was unconscious and then she looked away, more precisely to an empty spot in the middle of the gallery.
She wet her lips with the tip of her tongue and nodded in a greeting sign. "Hello."
Next chapter: No future