Chapter 21

"You're really going out there?"

Joselyn Chambers turned to face her husband. Regaining her memory had done nothing to diminish her love of him. All the traits that she fell in love with—his curiosity, kindheartedness, determination, and a sense of trust that couldn't be shaken—had sparked her interest so much because of who she had once been. Leaving him suddenly would be more cruel than anything she could imagine.

It had helped that she remained hidden from allies and enemies alike, with only a few aware that she had become a Heretic once more. Now, that was about to change, and both their lives would change drastically. Joselyn could understand her husband's hesitance.

"I can't trust anyone else to do this, Lincoln," Joselyn said. She continued to pack her final belongings in the bag which rested on their shared bed. "Not when Felicity is involved."

"I know, but . . ." He sighed. "I thought we sent her there to keep her away from all this."

Joselyn stopped packing for a moment to rest a hand on her husband's arm. "I know," she said. "I never would have expected these . . . Witches to be real. But the Seosten are involved. You know what that means."

"They're making a play," Lincoln said. "A big one."

That was why Joselyn loved her husband. After breaking the Bystander Effect on him, he had adjusted to magic marvelously, always helping Joselyn figure out what was the right move to make.

"Felicity almost died last night," Joselyn said, and she could feel Lincoln tense where her hand rested on him. "I know this will be announcing my existence to . . . everyone, but I can't hang back anymore. Not when the danger is this severe."

"I still think you shouldn't go alone," Lincoln said.

"Gabriel will stay put," Joselyn said, "and keep you safe. If this somehow ends up being a plot to lead me away from you, I won't take any chances."

"What about Gaia?" he asked, though he knew the answer.

Still, Joselyn said, "The Committee would notice any major moves. For now, she can only watch, and that's only because her daughter is there."

Lincoln shifted, pulling Joselyn into an embrace. She let him, and engaged in the kiss he initiated. It was almost a full minute before either of them spoke.

"Promise me you'll bring her back," Lincoln said. "I want to see my family together again. All of us, Tabbris included."

"Of course," Joselyn promised, then pulled Lincoln in for another kiss.

Everything was going to change. The peaceful years they had enjoyed together were coming to an end. Even so, Joselyn Chambers would face anything, make any sacrifice, if it was for her family.

Hold on, my Felicity.

I'm on my way.

"So." Carmentae waved her arms in front of her. She, Pace, and Homura were all standing, while Kyoko was content to lie on Flick's bed. Everyone else was in the other room. "Do you want revenge? I hurt you, so you should get the chance to hurt me. Though you should know that will be quite difficult with my new power."

"You—" Pace shook her head. "Lie—Carmentae, I don't want to hurt you. I saw your nightmares, remember? I just want to help you."

There was a moment of silence, before Carmentae snickered. "That's a clever ploy. Get close to me, then make betrayal hurt all the more, right? I didn't think you had it in you."

In response, Pace held out a hand. "Possess me. That will prove I'm not lying."

This time, the silence lasted far longer, as Carmentae process the request. She was—had been—was a Lie. No one dared to get close to one, much less be voluntarily possessed. Pace was supposed to shun her, to stay far away, to despise her mere existence like the rest of them.

Slowly, her hand shaking, Carmentae placed a finger on Pace's palm. The girl didn't flinch away. Instead, she met Carmentae's eyes, as if trying to display her sincerity through them.

Carmentae drew her hand away. Years of practice let her keep tears from forming in her eyes.

"Alright, then," Kyoko spoke for her. "So you wanna help her. How, exactly?"

"Well," Pace said. "At first, I thought we could continue as partners. That way I'd be sure to keep up with whatever the Magical Girls are fighting. I don't want to force anything, though, especially if you two work well together."

This had to be a joke. Pace wanted to work with Carmentae? No one ever wanted to work with a disgusting being like her. Kyoko was easy, because their alliance was one of convenience, each willing to use the other.

Is that true? If it were, Kyoko would have let you help earlier. That stupid girl. She almost—

Carmentae cut off her thoughts. Dammit, why did she care? Caring for others had been her weakness. Removing that part of her had been the best decision of her life. So why was she starting to undo it now?

"Y-you're making a mistake," Carmentae couldn't meet Pace's eyes. "I'll betray you all. I'll tell my people everything. I have more than enough reason to. Once I do, even she—"

"Would she?" Of all people, it was Homura who had spoken. Carmentae's gaze snapped her way.

"Even if you're 'cured,'" Homura continued, "those years of hate won't go away."

"What do you know?" Carmentae snapped. She summoned her weapons, making all but Homura tense.

"You said you made a projection of yourself in me," Homura said, "but there's more to it than that, isn't there. That power isn't normal for your people. It's a part of your wish."

Carmentae stayed silent.

"You put a piece of your soul in mine, didn't you?"

Kyoko and Pace gasped.

"Yes," Carmentae said.

Homura nodded. "I've been getting your memories from it." More than anything, the fact that Carmentae didn't kill Homura on the spot after learning that proved she had changed. "I know what you want more than anything. I have . . . similar feelings."

Hearing that, Carmentae dropped her weapons. Memories of Homura's life ran alongside hers. How could she even consider killing Homura, when Madoka had to be saved?

Madoka . . .

She wasn't like Momma, was she?

"Tell me, Carmentae," Homura said. "Do you truly desire your mother's approval? Is that more important than anything you can do here? Is it worth giving up your freedom for? Because if you think they'll ever loosen their hold on you, you're mistaken. They'll shower you with praise, only to whisper about what you've become behind your back. We Magical Girls are no more than tools to them, are we not?"

Every word dug further into Carmentae's heart. She tried to remember the love she felt for her mother, and every memory was replaced with one of torture. Of painful spells and tools used to force Lies to eject from a host, a tactic that had failed. Of Lies learning to not cry out, only for the seemingly lack of pain to make her mother more irritated.

No, Momma wasn't like Madoka. She was nothing like Madoka. Homura's love had been met with an outstretched hand. Momma had . . . never loved Carmentae.

Was Homura right? Would she still be hated if she went back, even though she was cured and had her mother's power? Would she be seen as a person, or a weapon to use? To be molded by Kushiel.

And if Carmentae was anything other than an exact replica of what her mother wished for, she would be forever scorned.

"What do you propose?" Carmentae asked.

Homura smirked. "Help me end the time loop. Then, we can work to protect Mitakihara from the Seosten empire."

Carmentae frowned. "What are you talking about?

"This city is lacking in development," Homura said. "At least from a magical perspective. You can make it grow, running all magical business in this area. Alters and Magical Girls alike would come here when they need to safe place for a time. That will give you allies, and eventually a force that can defend against Seosten meddling."

"Why should I care about any of that?" Carmentae asked. "I'm looking out for myself, you know? Even you shouldn't care about anyone but Madoka."

"That's why," Homura said. "I know Madoka will be able to live a full, peaceful life in this city if we fortify it properly. I would use my remaining days to help you start it up. As for you, you can develop a protection for yourself, to make sure your people won't force your return to them."

Gain so much power that it's not worth the resources to challenge me. Like the alliance in Las Vegas.

"This all sounds nice in theory," Carmentae said. "But starting an empire of my own isn't so simple."

"I'm working on possibilities," Homura said. "First, we must stop Walpurgisnacht."

That, she could agree with. The Seosten wanted to destroy everything Homura had worked for—to make the suffering of so many children be for nothing. Carmentae would not let that stand. She wasn't so sure about all the protector stuff, but this, at least, she would face with no doubts.

"Hold on a minute," Kyoko piped up. "What was that about a time loop?" Pace nodded in agreement.

Oh, right. Maybe they should explain that first. Though before that . . .

"I'll tell you," Carmentae said. "If you promise to not be so stupid again."

"Wha?" Kyoko asked. "What are you talking about?"

"You should have let me help!" Carmentae yelled. "We should have fought as partners!"

"As . . . partners?"

"Yeah, I know, you 'work alone.' Well, I know as well as you do that you do so out of convenience. So accept my fucking help! Got it?"

Kyoko nodded, eyes wide, and Carmentae realized she had gotten close to the other girl's face, leaning over her and snarling. She drew herself back.

"Good. Now let's talk about the time loop."

"What do you think they're talking about in there?"

The silence from Sayaka wasn't promising. Even so, Flick was the only one currently capable of watching over the younger girl. Mami was unconscious on the couch, and Pace, Kyoko, Homura, and Carmentae were in her bedroom. Pace had wanted a private conversation with Carmentae, and Kyoko and Homura had reasons for joining in. Which left the three of them on their own.

Madoka would be getting out of school soon. Assuming she received Flick's text, she would be able to help Sayaka. They were best friends after all. For now, it was up to Flick. She had pulled up chairs for Sayaka and her to sit in, right next to each other and facing Mami's sleeping form.

"Hey, Sayaka," she said. "Want to take tonight off? After all that's happened, we should rest a little, maybe play some games together."

Sayaka glared at her. "Every second we waste, Witches are eating people. You can sit around all you like, but I won't let them live."

Flick winced. "I know how you feel, but you won't be able to fight if you run yourself into the ground. You need to keep yourself healthy, both your body and soul."

A thought occurred to her.

"Sayaka, can I see your soul gem?"

Sayaka folded her arms, leaning slightly away. "Why?"

"We all used up magic earlier," Flick said. "We should clean our soul gems." She reached for the cocoon grief seed in her pocket.

"Don't bother," Sayaka said while Flick was still fishing for it. "I'm fine."

"Just in case." Flick pulled it out. "Please, Sayaka."

The other girl was silent, but from her posture, she clearly had no intention of reaching for the grief seed.

"Why won't you look out for yourself?" Flick asked.

"Why should I?" Sayaka demanded. "I'm a monster, aren't I?"

"Sayaka . . ." When Flick reached for her, she pulled away. "You're not a monster. Remember? It's our actions that define us."

"And?" Sayaka rose to her feet. "My final actions will be killing people! Nothing will make that right!"

Standing, Flick left her arms at her sides. "That doesn't have to be the end. We can survive, Sayaka."

"And get stronger in the process?" Sayaka challenged. "I was made into a Magical Girl, then a werewolf. What else will happen to me? Will I get enough power that I'm unstoppable as a Witch? Maybe it's better to transform now and get it over with."

It no longer mattered that her soul gem was in its ring form, with Sayaka keeping it covered. Following her words, Flick could feel the despair pouring out of it in waves. An overwhelming amount, almost as staggering as Mami's had been at the end of her fight.

Sayaka's eyes widened at the same time as Flick's own.

"Sayaka—" Flick began.

"You can't become a Witch," a voice interrupted. Flick spun around, seeing Mami sitting on the couch.

"Mami!" Flick blurted. "You're awake!"

"I am." She sighed. "I hurt you all, didn't I?" You still saved me?"

"Kyoko did," Flick said. "I brought you back."

While Mami processed that, Flick focused on Sayaka once more. "See?" she asked. "We can keep going."

"You sure?" Sayaka asked. "Mami probably still wants to kill us."

"I . . ." Mami clenched her hands. "I'm sorry. I still feel that I must stop you all from becoming Witches, but . . . I didn't mean to make you all suffer so much. Sayaka, please don't let yourself become a Witch."

Sayaka turned away from them both. "What does it matter? This world is filled with evil, right? Witches at least have the excuse of losing their minds. There are more people out there who hurt others just to get what they want. It's impossible to deal with all of them." Her voice came out choked. "What have I even been trying to protect this whole time?"

"What about Madoka?" Flick asked. "Fight for her, if no one else."

"Madoka?" Sayaka snorted. "She's more than powerful enough to fight for us all. She just chooses to let us do all the dirty work."

"You don't mean that," Flick said.

"Yes I do!" Sayaka whirled around, putting her face, contorted with anger, near Flick's. "Madoka was the one who found Kyubey! She's the one who made drawings of how she would look as a Magical Girl. She's the one who hasn't had to fight! And none of you are better, encouraging her to get close to this life when she won't decide! You'll even let her be near murderers."

Flick tried to reach out and touch Sayaka, but the girl recoiled. The tension in her was clear as day, even as she turned to the door.

"Sayaka, wait!" Flick called out, but it did nothing, as Sayaka ran past a startled Madoka who had just arrived, then onto the street.

"This is why," Mami whispered. "This is why I should have killed her."

Flick shook her head. "Give me a chance, Mami. If I bring Sayaka back, if I prove not everything is hopeless, will you work with us again? Will you let us try our hardest to survive?"

"I . . . don't know," Mami admitted. "I don't know if I can." Before she could say more, Madoka rushed into the house, forcing Mami into an embrace.

"Mami!" Madoka cried. "I was so worried!"

The door to Flick's bedroom opened, as the others exited her room. The sight of a missing Sayaka, and an emotional Madoka hugging a stiff Mami, must have caught them off guard.

"What happened?" Homura asked.

"Sayaka is close to turning," Flick said. "I'll stop her, though. I promise. Can all of you look after Mami until then?"

"I need that many guards, now?" Mami asked. "I suppose I deserve it."

There was so much Flick wanted to say to Mami, but there was no time. Before anything else, she had to help Sayaka.

"I'll come with you," Homura said. "If Sayaka Miki turns into a Witch, you'll need help killing her."

Flick shook her head. "Let me go alone. I think I can get her to talk if I do. Anyone else would scare her off."

Homura frowned. "Are you sure?"

"Yes," Flick said. "I just hope I can get to her in time."

Otherwise, Mami would be proven right all along, and Flick would lose a friend to despair.