Homura walks the veranda, unable to bear the stifling gloom inside. Above, huge old trees hang with strange moss, sinister, like something from a witch's labyrinth. They cast the decaying underbrush in shadow.

Mila leans beside the doorway, under the awning, watching the sky. The wind picks up, and with it the sound of rustling leaves. Soon, it darkens, and small raindrops start to fall. Homura, heedless, steps down onto the decrepit lawn, wandering over to old ruins. Gravestones. The stones, perhaps hundreds of years old, are too worn down to read, but a faint magical aura remains, similar to the black magic protecting Mila.

A lone light flickers, visible in one of the windows, keeping watch in Madoka's room. Suddenly unable to bear the silence and her own racing thoughts, Homura walks over to Mila. She stops before the awning, letting the rain run down her hair and darken her magical clothes.

"What is this place?"

Mila remains silent, as if she didn't hear. The sounds of wind and rain and falling leaves and distant thunder fill the gap. The drizzle turns into a proper shower, and Homura steps in under the awning, close in next to Mila. Their warm breath mingles in the damp air, their bodies almost touching. Mila turns her head, rigid and uneasy, and slips away, opening the door. Homura follows her inside, silent.

Mila lights a lantern. They step through the house, avoiding puddles forming as rain drips down through the decaying roof. Floorboards creak, drops drip, and outside a full-blown storm attacks the world with faceless chaotic rage. At times the enter house seems to shake and shudder, but the heavy foundation keeps it grounded. The wind whistles high-pitched through broken patches in the window panes.

Mila finally reaches a heavy door of oak deep in the belly of the house and puts down her lantern. Then, she takes hold of Homura's wrist, her grip unyielding.

"Beyond this door, you mustn't stray. I'll guide you all the way."

She unlocks the door with a key of black magic, then pushes it open. It creaks and yawns, as if tired from centuries of mistreatment by many masters. Mila picks up her lantern and steps over the threshold.

They descend a dark stone stairway, passing deep nooks and side passages in which Homura catches glimpses of strange objects, old books and statues and all manner of odd apparatus. The deeper they go, the more extensive these catacombs become. At times distant water trickles through secrete passages, but otherwise the silence turns oppressive and unearthly, far different from the constant drone of Mitakihara. To Homura, it feels like another world entirely.

Eventually they emerge into a cylindrical room with walls covered in strange carvings, depicting creatures as strange and varied as witches. One shows a group of humans devoured by a beast with five twisting tongues, its jaws wide, its teeth elongated and grotesque. The humans appeared resigned to their fate, lining up and solemnly waiting their turn. Another shows four young girls kneeling before a bizarre centipede-like creature covered in strange dark bumps. A second centipede latches onto one of the girl's ankles and seems to be sucking the life from her; she appears unnaturally aged compared to her youthful companions who stare on in pious indifference.

"Are these witches?" Homura asks, confused by the images. "Or familiars?"

"...There's far more to magic than you know, Homura Akemi. Truths hidden in the depths of history accessible to someone like my mistress, someone able to traverse the four dimensions. Truths even the Incubators do not know." Mila's eyes seem to glow as she speaks, as if possessed with a strange fervor, a demonic passion. "This place- here my mistress found the Gateway, a path to powers greater than any the Incubators could provide. Here lies the final key to delivering Madoka Kaname from her cruel fate."

Circling the horrific carvings along the wall, shuddering, Homura feels a vague dread. To save Madoka- but at what cost?

Oh, why did I come here? It seems my trials are not over after all, not so long as Madoka exists in this world. And not while I have strength left to fight.