Epilogue
The night brought the fury of a storm to a village. The flashes of lightning ruled above the artificial lights, but it was a modest kingdom, as were few, only those in the lamp posts.
No window of the houses had any illumination, it was like everything was abandoned. If it were true, then no one would warn about the mass of mud that came from the forest trees that surrounded the place.
Fueled by heavy rain, as well as branches and fallen logs, the mud gained volume and rose. Arms and legs, stuck together, sprang up from the slimy hill and its top opened a circular hole.
The monstrosity was approaching the houses when suddenly, a lightning came from the sky and struck it, shortly followed by another. A continuous glow bathed the ambient and the windows of the houses vibrated incessantly at the sound of thunder.
It writhed. Its arms and legs of mud disconnected and melted before reaching the ground. The trunks burst and a cloud of vapor formed.
The lightning only ceased when, from the monster hole, there was a eruption of water. The mud mountain collapsed and was gradually being washed away by the incessant raindrops.
Not far away from there, on the roof of a house, a shadow watched everything. A cape and hood camouflaged both its silhouette as any movements, looking like a gloomy statue.
Very different from the small white creature who was at its side. Rain dripped on his thin fur that kept perfectly dry. His red eyes blinked to remove the water only when it hampered his vision. [Excellent performance. You defeated the witch in 2.67 seconds, beating your old mark by two tenths.]
Gin answered with a muffled voice, "Today the storm is strong." It jumped from the roof to where the pile of mud was. Among the branches and trunks, she searched for the object until find it.
It was a black globe, where in its equator had several juxtaposed metal rings. Her thumb, covered in rubber, stroked the ring which decorated the tip on top of the grief seed.
The creature soon came, walking on a log. [It would be better remove these debris.]
"Yes." Gin cast the seed toward the creature, who promptly opened the hole in its back to receive it.
She started the work, picking up the branches and flinging to the forest with the great force her magic allowed. Still, pulling the trunks was something that could take the entire night.
[Gin, there is more.]
Especially when the work was interrupted. New mud monsters came from the forest, gaining size.
Gin joined hands and made her yellow gem shine.
However, another glow appeared, this in the sky. The clouds were momentarily bathed in pink light and the rain gained the company of energy arrows. They fell on the monsters, blasting them.
The woman was stunned, watching the light diminish and then a girl landing where the seeds were.
She had pink hair, tied with red ribbons. Her clothes were also predominantly pink, with a skirt that resembled a large flower. Her red shoes with heels, tied on long white socks, completed the look of a ballerina from a children's play.
Gin approached cautiously, seeing that the girl was carrying a bow. Although it looked more like a twig with a flower, the power shown before left no doubt about the threat.
The girl turned and widened her pink eyes. "Ah... Another magical girl..."
Gin stopped and remained silent.
"This territory is yours?" The girl bowed. "Forgive me. I saw these monsters threatening the village and didn't pay attention."
"Why did you come here?" Gin asked coldly.
"I was traveling, but this storm started and I came to seek shelter. Then I felt a presence of a witch." The girl was still leaning.
"Traveling?" Gin raised an eyebrow. "By foot and alone?"
"This isn't a problem for a magical girl." The girl smiled slightly. "And, actually, I have a friend waiting for me."
"'Friend'..."
The girl rose, saying, "I don't want to create problems. You can have all the seeds, they're yours."
The woman moved her gaze.
To a direction from which the girl knew well what it meant. "Oh... sorry again," she said, as she made her bow disappear.
Gin glanced at her while she went to collect the seeds.
The pink magical girl stood with hands together, waiting, until the woman approached her, offering a seed.
"Thanks for protecting this place."
The girl accepted it with a shy smile.
"After we'll talk more. Watch out, other witches may appear." With this cue, Gin returned to her cleanup work. She picked up a log and began to lift it. Suddenly, it was lighter.
White and delicate gloves were the holding the other end.
"I don't need help with this," said Gin.
"But... But I didn't do anything while I watch you work..." The girl asked, "please!"
The woman lowered her head, a deep breath hidden beneath the cloth covering her nose. Then she started walking. "We have to throw it between the trees."
The girl nodded, smiling. "Right!"
With the two working together, the cleaning process accelerated.
While carrying a bundle of twigs, the girl looked at the grief seed that was on the wet ground, the place where she had left. "That's weird, right? All these monsters leaving the same seed behind..."
"So you noticed," the woman said, as she pushed a large rock brought by the mud. "I've seen other witches and isn't like that. However, there're numerous witches around the world, this may just be less common."
"Kyuubey must know something."
The creature, which remained distant until then, raised his ears with the sudden comment. [Me? In fact, I have never seen anything like it.] He came closer, his static gaze examining the young magical girl. [It is something quite peculiar, but it is the nature of witches being so.]
"Indeed..." Gin finished collecting the last debris.
The rain waned and then stopped.
To the joy of the girl. "Good..."
"You were lucky." The woman came to her. "The storms here are usually longer."
"Really?" The girl held her skirt, heavy for being so wet. "Ehhh... I hope I have been helpful..."
Gin watched the other pulling one of her small pigtails, making a trickle of water fall from it. The skin close to the pink soul gem of the girl, which was attached to a red ribbon around her neck, was full of goosebumps. "You... You can spend the rest of this night at my home. Well... there's your friend..."
"Oh! It's nothing urgent." The girl glanced at Kyuubey. "I would like to stay, if that isn't a problem."
The creature stopped moving his tail and tilted his head.
Gin frowned. "I'm inviting you."
"Oh... right, wehihi..." The girl scratched her head as she laughed.
A laugh so childish that compelled Gin to start walking, speaking in a serious and rapid tone, "It shouldn't appear more witches. Follow me and don't forget your seed."
"O-Okay." Obeying the order, she ran to pick up the object and reach the woman.
The two walked along the main street, with Kyuubey leading.
The cloak and hood of Gin flashed in yellow tones until they disappeared and make way for the priestess garments. "Your friend... Is she a magical girl too?"
"Yes!" The soggy magical dress of the girl also evaporated. She now wore a white sweatshirt with pictures of pink cats, accompanied by a light pastel yellow skirt that reached her knees. The socks were white and short, her boots were still red, but were simpler, the same could be said of the ties that bound her hair. "But I wouldn't say she's a 'girl'."
"No?"
The girl shook head, reinforcing what claimed. "She must have your age, I think."
"I understand." Gin smiled slightly. "You think I'm too old?"
"No, just an adult," she replied.
The priestess asked, "How old are you?"
"Fifteen." The girl's eyes reflected the light of the posts, but really looked like they shone. "I did recently. It was something simple but super cool. I was with my family and my best friend."
"Good..." Gin nodded. "Treasure well those moments."
"I will."
They reached the stone staircase, Kyuubey was already climbing the first steps.
Gin spoke again, "I know your age, but not your name."
"Hihi, it's true." The girl brought her hand to her chest. "I'm Madoka Kaname."
Kyuubey immediately stopped and turned. [Madoka...]
"What?" asked Gin, somewhat surprised, "you know her?"
[No.] The creature returned to climb the stairs. [Just I thought I had heard wrong.]
The woman frowned and blinked.
"Kyuubey is sometimes strange, isn't it?" Madoka commented.
"Yes... after all he's not human..." Gin started to climb the stairs, calling the girl. "I'm Gin Nakayama, sorry for not saying before."
"No problem! Nakayama-san." She smiled.
They arrived at the top and passed through the gate of the shrine. Across the courtyard, Madoka noted animal sounds and that the sliding door of the building had an opening, through which could be seen movements.
Gin had noticed too. "It's all right! Soon will dawn, wait until then."
The door closed.
"I think they saw you," said Gin, while she walked along a path between the trees, "come, before I have to introduce you. It's not time for that."
Madoka continued to follow. "Are those the people of the village?"
"Yes, everyone is inside." The priestess admired her ring. "It's a sacred place which I will not allow any witch desecrate it."
"Oh..."
Kyuubey came before them in front of the house.
"We'll have time to rest a little," Gin told him.
The creature nodded. [Thanks to this girl.]
"Yes..."
Madoka scratched her neck. "Eeehhh... I'll be embarrassed if you keep thanking me..."
[I will leave now.]
"Sure, have a good night," Gin replied.
As Madoka, with more joy, "Yes! Good night."
Kyuubey stared at the girl for a few moments before starting to run toward the dark woods and disappear.
"Okay." Gin turned her attention to Madoka. "My house is quite spacious but simple. I don't know how much comfort you're used to."
"Ah! I'm so tired I'd sleep right here in the outside! Wehihi."
"Hah, I wouldn't if I were you." Gin smiled. "You might want to use the bathroom, I'll show the way. We woke up early here in the village, but I feel it's not a problem. You should want to leave soon to meet your friend, right? I will prepare something to eat, so you... don't..."
Madoka had a big smile on her serene face.
"What's it?"
"Oh... No biggie, just..." The pinkette put her hand over her mouth and looked away. "I should not say, it's foolish of me."
Gin shrugged. "Just say."
"It's just that seeing you like this, it doesn't seem that you're the magic girl I just met." Madoka slightly lowered her head, staring at the other. "I was a bit intimidated..."
Gin closed her eyes and smiled again. "It's the clothes, isn't it?" Then she looked at the sky. "They're useful for the rain, but it had to be black? It could be green, here is a forest."
Madoka remarked, "Or maybe yellow to match your eyes."
"This! Yellow would be a good color." Gin sighed. "Unfortunately, we have no control about our magical uniforms we have acquired."
Grimacing, Madoka nudged her chin. "Yeah..."
"I think it's better to rest." Gin gestured toward the entrance. "We can return to talk when the day comes."
/人◕‿‿◕人\
Under the song of birds, Madoka opened her eyes and saw that the room where she rested was much brighter. She stood up and packed up the duvet. She adjusted her wrinkled clothes and took her red ties before going to the bathroom.
The mirror reflection revealed that her hair was messy, though she felt she had not stayed much time lying down. She arranged them as she could with her hands before attaching them with her ties and then washed her face.
More alert, she heard the sound of someone sweeping. She walked through the house toward it until she reached the veranda.
Gin was using a straw broom to remove the leaves and branches on the stone pavement. Soon she noticed her observer. "Uh... Woke up early."
"I thought I was more tired. I couldn't really sleep," said Madoka.
Gin walked to the veranda, where she left the broom. "This is normal when under an unfamiliar ceiling."
Madoka looked toward the shrine. "And how are the others?"
"They're returning to the village. Everyone is well." The priestess went to the entrance.
"They know you're a magical girl?"
"No, but they believe in the supernatural. That's enough." Gin walked down the corridor to where Madoka was. "I had left rice to cook, should be ready. Let's eat?"
At the table, the two were eating a simple breakfast of rice, fish and vegetables.
But the visitor was not complaining one bit. "Amazing. This rice..."
"It's blessed. The pride of our village." Using her wooden sticks, Gin brought a piece of cucumber to the mouth.
"You always lived here?" Madoka inquired.
The priestess shook her head, denying, and finished chewing before saying, "But most of my life, yes."
"Hmm..." Madoka nodded. "You made the contract here then, you must be a very experienced magical girl."
"Yes, I am." Gin smiled. "How many witches have you had to deal already?"
"How many?!" The girl raised her eyebrows and pouted. "I have no idea, I have lost count a long time ago."
The woman's expression froze. "Seriously? There have been so many already?"
"Is this a problem?"
"No, just..." Gin lowered her head. "I think I made the same mistake."
Madoka was still with a confused expression.
The other muttered, "I-I had the impression that you were more inexperienced."
"Impression?" Madoka smiled. "Ah... wehihi... it's because of my magical girl clothes."
"No."
The smile faded.
Gin searched for the words. "Your behavior... You don't seem to have concerns or fears, even being a magical girl."
Madoka nodded. "I see. I know well that witches have horrifying appearances, but I'm already used to it. You're also, aren't you? You can sleep and smile."
"No, that's not it." Gin looked at the girl's eyes.
She tilted her head, now curious.
"I can even smile, because I live in an isolated village," the priestess continued, "you meet other magical girls, you know how they are."
"Ehhh..." Madoka scratched her temple. "I don't know what you mean by that."
"You must have witnessed terrible things they have committed. That's what happens when you give the power to immature and irresponsible people. Corruption in their hearts, before contained only in their fantasies, spreads to everything around!" Gin said in a tone even more serious, "it's amazing that you're not like them or that you haven't shaken by this reality. If you aren't really naive, then you only could be an exception."
"I'm not an exception," Madoka said firmly and promptly, "Yes, I saw magical girls do bad things, but there are many, many, who seek to bring miracles for the good of the world. They remain what they always were: people."
Gin looked away and sighed. "People..."
"Could it be?"
But the question of the girl draw her attention back.
"Maybe you don't want other magical girls to approach you for fear of what they can do, and your black cape and the hidden face are reflections of it."
The woman slid her finger on the ring, feeling the runes on it. "You're going too far in your assumptions, child."
"It's an assumption, yes, but I don't think it's exaggerated," Madoka said, "I believe our garments are our identities, though not always we realize what we really are."
Gin returned to smile, but it was more sarcastic than genuine. "Not only experienced, but wise too?"
"Wehihihiii..." After a long laugh, Madoka took a deep breath and sighed. "I'm not sure if I'm wise, but I think I learned a few things from this whole business of miracles and curses." Then she took her pot of rice. "I better finish eating before it gets cold."
The other nodded, still digesting the latest claims. She was now more certain that the girl knew something about the origin of witches, even more that the apparent innocence in her voice hid certain maturity.
After finishing with the pot of rice, Madoka turned to speak. "If you don't believe me, then you need to see with your own eyes."
"What...?"
"The world of magical girls."
Gin put her wooden sticks on the table and pondered for a moment before declaring, "I can't. I need to stay here and protect the village."
"Witches attack this village so often?" The girl raised her eyebrows. "In that case I can call other magical girls to help."
The priestess widened her eyes and stammered, "O-Other magical girls?"
"Yes! I have many friends, they have good heart." She winked, smiling. "They can guard the village while you were away."
The woman crossed her arms and shivered. "I... I don't need help, that's my responsibility."
Madoka's smile faded.
Gin stood up. "You'd better go."
Madoka closed her eyes and nodded. "Yes..." She then got up. "Thank you for the food. If you change your mind..."
Gin glared at her.
"Well... Can I come back to visit your village? During the day, at a better time..."
The priestess replied, "All right. Just don't bring a group of magical girls."
"Okay!" Madoka pointed to the table. "Can I help you with that?"
The woman shook her head. "No, I clean it. Go get ready to leave."
"Right."
After going to the bathroom, Madoka returned to the room and saw that everything was tidy.
Gin was waiting for her, with folded hands. "Haven't you forgotten anything?"
The girl reached into a pocket of her sweatshirt and pulled a grief seed. "No."
"Good, follow me."
The two left the house. The day was hot, with a few clouds in the sky. The light accentuated the colors of the vegetation.
It was a beautiful day, but Madoka missed something. "I haven't seen Kyuubey."
"True, I haven't seen him too," said Gin, "but I think it's still early, we went to bed late."
"Uh-huh..."
They walked down the stone pavement to the shrine, where an old lady was taking care of the large garden.
Catching the sight of the two, Nariko stopped what she was doing with an air of surprise
"Good morning!" Madoka waved.
"Good morning..." Nariko walked slowly, looking at Gin. "So it's true. Some people said they had seen someone with you at night. I didn't believe, but..."
"She appeared in the village near the end of the storm," said Gin, "I offered my home as a shelter."
"Hmmm..." After nodding, Nariko smiled at the girl. "What's your name, my angel?"
"Madoka Kaname." The girl bowed.
The old lady nodded again. "I'm Nariko Terada, but everyone here calls me by Nariko."
"Ah! You can call me Madoka."
"Madoka-san? Sure," said Nariko. "Gin treated you well?"
Madoka was a little surprised by the question. "Yes of course!"
"Good! You know, she may have been in a bad mood, especially when things get out of routine, but she's a person of good heart."
The priestess rolled her eyes at the comment.
"Oh... I know she has." Madoka smiled broadly. "Do you know her for a long time?"
"Oh yes!" Nariko gestured with her hand at the height of her waist. "Since she was this size."
Gin said to the girl, "If you start to listen to her stories, you'll leave only next year."
"Gin! Don't be like that." Nariko spoke again with Madoka. "See? That's what I was talking about."
"It's because you're treating me like a child," affirmed the priestess.
"As if you didn't like."
"Wehihi."
The smiling face of the old lady gave way to something more serious. "And you already going to leave... So tell me young lady, why you arrived alone in the village at that time?"
The daylight faded with the sun being covered by a cloud.
The sudden change of subject, for that subject, took Madoka by surprise. "Ah... well... I..."
"She was going to visit a friend and was traveling by bus," Gin intervened, "She made a mistake and leave it on the wrong place. She tried to continue by foot, but came this storm. It was fortunate that she found our village."
"Yes," Madoka agreed. [I didn't need that, I had thought of something, but thanks.]
[Just be careful with what you will say.] Gin continued, "I wrung her clothes well to dry up fast. Good that we had sun."
"She had no other clothes?" Nariko was confused. "You got off the bus without your belongings? O-Or did you leave on the road?"
"Huuuh?! None of that." Madoka gestured. "I visit this friend often. I have some of my stuff there. Hehe..."
"She managed to contact her friend, who is coming to get her. That's why she's leaving now." The priestess met the girl's eyes and both smiled slightly.
Nariko rubbed her neck thoughtfully. "That doesn't seem right, someone so young traveling alone. You're not trying to run away from home, are you?"
"No!" Madoka shook her head. "I love my family, I have their permission."
"Times have changed, Nariko," Gin commented.
The sun reappeared and seemed to glow more to compensate for its absence.
"You talk as if I never had your age." Nariko was looking at the wrinkled and blemished skin of her hands. "Whether it yesterday or today, when we're young we have some silly ideas."
"There's nothing silly here." Gin turned to Madoka. "Come on, I'll walk you to the bridge."
"Ah! No need." The girl started to walk backward to the stairs.
"Are you sure?" Nariko became even more worried.
"I don't want to bother anymore," said the girl. "I must meet with my friend on the way."
"But if you don't find her, don't hesitate to come back." Gin smiled.
"Sure!" Madoka waved. "Nakayama-san. Nariko-san. Goodbye and thank you for everything!"
Nariko replied with the same gesture. "Bye Madoka-san, take care."
"That was nothing." The priestess bowed. "Goodbye and have a good day."
The girl exchanged glances one last time with the two before descending the stairs and walk through the village. People were already in their business, with some or other being distracted by her presence.
She took the road that left the village and soon the stone floor became dirt. with mud puddles slowly drying in the sun. It would be a long walk, with the sounds of her steps being accompanied by the forest's ones at her sides.
Until a continuous and distinguishable sound was getting louder.
Madoka reached the wooden bridge over the tranquil stream. She stopped and looked back.
A light breeze dropped some leaves that fell on the desert road.
"You can stop following me," said the pink-haired girl, "no one is watching."
The branch of a tree shook and a white creature of long tail landed on the middle of the road.
"You knew my name." Madoka smiled. "You must remember."
[Yes.] Kyuubey confirmed. [You are the leader of those two girls.]
"Leader?" She frowned. "I think you're mistaken."
[Possibly, but I am quite sure that you are responsible for my master to be awake again.]
She closed her eyes and smiled. "Yes."
[You must be of the same nature of those two.] The creature's red eyes were seeking answers. [You are not a magical girl. Could you be a witch? This does not make any sense.]
"I'm someone who knows what you and she are," Madoka replied, "but you can tell me how?"
[I do not have an accurate and complete information, since I was born from her wish.] Kyuubey stretched, rising his tail. [I can only trust on my hypothesis. My master, Gin Nakayama became a magical girl to defeat a witch.]
"And she failed?"
Kyuubey shook his head, denying. [She succeeded, but during the fight the dam broke and the village was flooded.]
Madoka looked at where the road curved. "The village..."
[From what I know, Gin prepared for years for this moment. She would never accept it, guilt consumed her.]
"And she became a witch."
The creature lowered his ears with the complement of the girl. [Here lies a dilemma. My master wished, as a magical girl, she would never be defeated. If we consider that it applies to her curse...]
"She..." Madoka, stupefied, was slow to speak, "denied her own curse?"
[Twisted it. That is my guess.] Kyuubey looked at the sky. [The power of her wish rebuilt this barrier to keep her essence from the truth. She can not go against it.]
"You're wrong," she said, putting her hand to her chest, "It's possible, I know it is."
[For you, maybe. Gin does not have that strength.]
"She's like us."
Kyuubey returned to look at the girl.
"I turned her, with these hands." Madoka smiled. "One day Nakayama-san may want to know, want to leave the village."
[I love my master.] The creature put one paw forward, his tail stopped, his fur bristling. [I will protect her so that it will never happen.]
Madoka took the seed from her pocket and looked at it. Then cast to the creature.
Kyuubey opened the hole in his back and received it.
Without another word, the girl turned and started to cross the bridge. The hollow sound of wood could be heard at every step and the breeze swung her short locks of hair.
The road at the other side of the bridge reflected the daylight with increasing strength the more she approached. Until it came to the point of blinding.
The breeze became a wind that pulled her hair and they gained length. Her body and clothes became a black amalgam.
The light enveloped her and gained substance, becoming divine garments of light colors. Her skin returned to its previous tones, but her eyes opened in glinting gold.
The world around her was another. An infinite white populated by floating chairs.
"How is she?"
Madoka turned and saw a woman carrying a staff with a large ring at its tip. Her purple hair swayed as if it had life and her gaze of vivid blue was pure anxiety.
"Izumi-san," spoke Madoka, "she's fine. If it were not for what you told me and my friends who brought her, I'd never knew of her existence. I had no idea that this could happen, but I now know why."
Izumi lowered her head and exhaled. "Can... Can I see her?"
"I fear not."
The woman pursed her lips. "She hates me..."
"She didn't mention you." Madoka looked at a point in the infinity. "She just isn't ready for the truth. She should not remember everything. At the moment, she is living as a magical girl and priestess."
"Priestess...?!" Izumi gasped and fell slowly, leaning on her staff.
Leaving Madoka worried. "Izumi-san?"
"For her not being here, I thought I had been able to prevent her from becoming a magical girl... HOW I WAS AN IDIOT!" The woman began to cry. "I doomed her..."
Mud tears sullied the whiteness of the place.
"Izumi-san!"
Behind the woman, miasma clouds rose with pale men wearing white robes inside.
Madoka gestured for the demons did nothing and she approached Izumi. She crouched and lifted the woman's face, covered in mud. "Don't say that. She does not hate you."
"How can you be so sure?"
"You were also a magical girl and priestess, she living as one is no accident. You saved her life, wasn't it?" Madoka hugged her, staining her dress with mud. "Her barrier has a lot of love and kindness, as few have. She's safe here and one day you two will meet. Believe!"
Izumi left the staff and leaned against her, depositing all her grief and guilt over the pure fabric.
At that moment, the eyes of Madoka reflected fate and fate reflected Madoka, with all the precedents that opened.
For her work there were many bricks. Numerous as the chairs that surrounded the two.
Adrift in a miraculous ocean of curses.
