Informal invitation
Sunday. Paris. Night.
With 324 meters of height, the Eiffel Tower receives hundreds of visitors every day, but not like this one.
Balancing on the edge of the tower, Homura Akemi was waiting. The deafening wind was flapping violently in her hair, dress and dark wings. However, it was not able to get her off of her post.
Gradually they began to emerge. It first appeared in the air like a hologram, strange images that looked like the snowing of a television. It was known by the magical girls as miasma. From the miasma, materialized men wearing white robes covering the whole body. On their faces was only possible to distinguish the mouth, the rest was covered by the miasma. They came in many sizes, some were the same size of a person, others were bigger than buildings.
Demons.
Homura knew very well what she was witnessing. These creatures are one of the legacies of Madoka's fatidic wish. They replaced the witches as human's curse representatives. Parasites of emotions, they haunt and consume every value that humans have for life.
To be able to see and hurt them, were task of magical girls to hunt them every night. Compared with a witch, a demon was much weaker. But they were very dangerous because they attacked in bands. The demons used lasers from the tip of their fingers as weapons. A careless girl could be burned and cut into many pieces by bursts coming from all directions in an instant. Teamwork was essential and being thankful, for having survived another night, a norm.
But that is the past.
Homura extended her left hand and, after a violet glow, she was holding a black bow. With her right hand, she pulled the bow and an energy arrow appeared ready to be fired. Violet energy sparks leaving the arrow lit Homura's face.
By pointing the bow, not towards the demons that were below but to the sky. When she released the arrow, it flew so high that she could not distinguish its shine with the stars. Until a light explosion occurred and purple lines crossed the sky in all directions, forming an abstract drawing of a spider web.
From these lines started falling energy arrows. They persecuted and destroyed all the demons, wherever they were, without causing any damage to the city. They had no chance of reaction.
Precise. Lethal. Perfect.
The drawing was gradually disappearing in the sky as well as the bow in hand of Homura. She jumped from the tower and flew toward the ground. Unfortunately, the longest part of work would start now.
Homura flew at hyper speed through the streets of Paris, but left no vacuum, for at that moment she was immaterial. She was able to go through people and objects without any disorder and without anyone noticing. The goal was to collect the grief cubes that demons left behind. If they were not collected, demons would reborn from those cubes.
Where Homura passed, the nearby cubes vibrated and disintegrated. They leave a dark smoke that spiraled toward the top of her left hand and then was absorbed.
It was a boring job, but necessary to protect the world where Madoka exists. This weekend was very exhausting for Homura, because she had to make up for the lost time with Mami.
"Huh?"
Defying all laws of inertia, Homura stopped suddenly. She felt a growing grief nearby. New demons came or...
Homura approached an apartment window. She could hear the muffled sound of a cry. She saw through the window a dark room with a girl in a bed.
That was the origin of the grief. Could be a heartbroken story. Loss of a loved one or perhaps even of a pet. The cause was no matter but who that was suffering.
Homura could feel the magic of the magical girl who was crying in bed. Once this girl had sealed her fate when making the contract with Kyuubey, she would be fighting against demons until death or being taken by the Law of Cycles.
But that is the past.
Homura land her left hand on the window and focused. Again, black smoke began to emerge, but now from a ring that the girl on bed was wearing. Little by little, the smoke went through the glass and was absorbed by Homura. Little by little, the girl who was in bed calmed down and fell asleep.
"Rest. This fight is only mine now."
Homura left. She needed to finish the job soon, because there was less than an hour before sunrise in Mitakihara.
／人 ◕‿‿◕ 人＼
Monday. Mitakihara. Morning.
The first class of the day was physical education. A good way to start the week in school. However, this was not enough to reduce Nagisa concerns.
It was baseball practice. She was in a queue, along with their colleagues, waiting their turn to use the bat. In the grade where she was, there was still a mix of boys and girls in these classes. In the coming year it would change, as well as the use of the uniform that would become mandatory. All of this, thanks to puberty.
Among sound of a strike or another, Nagisa brooded memories of recent events. Especially the recent decision of Mami. The two had not talked more on this subject over the weekend. Nagisa would not prevent it, but she wanted Mami to give up the idea of having a conversation with Homura.
Even deep in thought, Nagisa noticed a beige object spinning and coming toward her. In an act of reflex, she ducked.
"OUCH!" The bat had hit the colleague who was right behind her.
Nagisa looked back and saw the colleague crouching, her hands on her head. Looking to comfort, Nagisa put her hand on the girl's head. Then she felt something wet.
Nagisa's eyes widened to see that her palm was painted with a red viscous liquid.
"Uuuuaaahh! I'm going to die! I'll die!" Her colleague despaired with all that blood dripping.
"Get back! All of you!" The teacher came running to help the bleeding girl.
Obeying, Nagisa pulled away and observe her other colleagues. Some were scared, pale, others thought something was funny about the girl's reaction and were whispering together.
The teacher examined the injured girl. "Um... A big cut in the eyebrow. May need a stitch, but you'll be fine. I'll take you to the infirmary." The teacher said as calmly as he could.
After helping the girl to get up, the teacher addressed the students. "It was an accident! It happens. Now I want you all pack up the equipment. Class is over for today."
There were some protests from students, but most had no interest in class and they saw the opportunity to have some free time.
"Momoe..." The teacher looked at the bloody hand of Nagisa. "Go wash that off."
Nagisa just nodded and ran.
A bathroom in the school building would be the best option. Since it was class time, they were empty and she could avoid questions about the blood.
She went into the bathroom. Facing the sink and the mirror, Nagisa looked back at her hand. The blood was already drying and darkening, but the sweet aroma still fresh.
That brought her mother's memories, her curse. Becoming a witch does not necessarily mean to become evil, but to give control to a mixture of pain and desire. The paradigms change, the senses are subverted.
Just maybe compassion, understanding and patience, symbolized by the peaceful face of Madoka, can bring a witch back to sanity. But the abyss is always near...
When Nagisa licked the blood, the intense flavor of guava invaded her mouth. This was one of the coverages that her mother used on cheesecakes. Nagisa felt ecstatic to imagine the two seated at the table, sharing it.
Voices. Door opening. Someone was breaking that magical moment. Wanting to take satisfaction, Nagisa looked at the invaders. They were two girls, a year or two younger than her, who were distracted in a conversation.
However, when looking at Nagisa, the girls widened their eyes and screamed in terror. "KKKYYYYAAAHHHH!"
"GGRRRAAAAUUUURRRR!" Nagisa cried, surprised at the reaction of the two.
The two ran out of the bathroom. "AAHHH! MONSTER! They do exist!"
Monster?! No...
Nagisa was puzzled by that and turned to the mirror afraid of what would follow.
The reflection was not lying to Nagisa. Her white face, the yellow circles, the big purple mouth and multicolored eyes. The witch image of Charlotte was there, her image.
No. No! I faltered...
Desperate, Nagisa turned on the tap to wash. However, when throwing water on her face, she was hit by a pair of wet brown cloths.
NO! NO!
This wasn't cloth, it was her hand. Nagisa felt her body shrink and, with effort, she threw herself on the sink counter.
I can't turn here. I have to get out. Madoka! Save me!
Nagisa closed her eyes and tried to imagine the time she was taken. The moment Madoka appeared in a flash of pink light. Hope that illuminates a land of griefs.
A light cleared her mind, images emerged and grew sharper. They were memories of her with Mami and Homura...? Yes, a shy girl wearing braids and glasses, which looked weak but had the heart of a lion and devotion without limits.
Nagisa returned to open her eyes and saw that her hands were back to normal. The reflection in the mirror said she was a common girl of eleven-year-old with orange irises. The only unusual thing is that she was on the counter...
"Whoaa!" Nagisa fell on her ass.
Even if the fall had been painful, she was relieved. She went off the bathroom and glanced out in the hallway. Those girls would call someone for sure and she needed to be far away at this time. Fortunately, the corridor was still empty and Nagisa could run away.
／人 ◕‿‿◕ 人＼
The bell rang for lunch.
As usual, the first to leave the classroom would be Kyouko Sakura. She ran just for that. 'Would be', because today was different, who came out first was Sayaka Miki.
Should I consider...?
With her hand resting under her chin, Homura Akemi watched through the glass. Both girls were running down the hallway. This was forbidden in school but Kyouko becomes a famous delinquent, who had spent so many times in detention so far that this mild behavior is ignored.
She did the same. The two should be competing, as usual. If it was not race, was arm wrestling or a video game. None of that mattered, provided they do not stay in her way.
Homura had already stored her school material. She was just waiting for another girl to leave. One who sat in the middle of the room, pink hair and pigtails, one on each side of the head with red ties.
Keeping a safe distance, Homura always followed Madoka Kaname during lunch. Usually Madoka went to the school canteen and ate what she brought from home. Fortunately, in this case, today was not different.
Madoka stopped on the middle of hallway.
Did she notice me? Homura leaned against a wall and watched other people passing in the hallway, trying to disguise. Then she turned to look at Madoka.
Madoka was reading something silently at the school's board. These boards contain numerous posters of events, festivals and announcements of school clubs.
Homura notices that Madoka was moving her lips. Maybe she was spelling something. Then she could know what had captured the interest of Madoka, for she had some practice with lip reading.
During the time loops, back when she tried to prevent Madoka from making the contract, Homura began acting alone. With binoculars, she followed and watched Mami, Sayaka and Madoka. With practice, she began to 'hear' conversations with her eyes.
Checking her skills, Homura tried to decipher the words that Madoka was pronouncing.
"..ella Magi.."
A chill ran the spine of Homura.
"..Holy Quin.."
Homura, nimbly, stood behind Madoka. What was on the wall made her dry swallow. It was a poster made by hand and very colorful, with large letters saying:
PUELLA MAGI CLUB! HOLY QUINTET!
Not wasting a second, Homura went to the board and ripped the poster.
"Ah! Homura?!" Madoka said, startled.
Homura held Madoka by the shoulders and stared into her eyes. In the midst of pink, it seemed there had not arisen any traces of golden color.
"Huh? H-Homura?"
Homura released Madoka, but she was still tense. "Kaname-san, please..." Her face was trembling, holding a pained expression. "...call me Akemi-san."
"Ah..um..'sorry'..ah...sorry!"* Madoka scratched her head and gave a waning smile. "I still have some western customs, that was an oversight."
Homura breathed deeply. "It's okay Kaname-san, you have plenty of time to adapt."
Madoka gave a more legitimate smile. "I'll try!" But then she got embarrassed, her face a little flushed. "Um..Ho-Akemi-san..why were you holding me?"
Homura tilted her head to the left, swaying the earring. "I saw you standing in the hallway. I called you, but you didn't answer. Looked like you're in a trance. I wanted to check if you're okay."
"Ah! Was I?" The Madoka face lit up. "I'm an airhead sometimes. Wehihi. Hey. What is that?" Madoka pointed to the sheet that Homura held.
"This?" Homura kneaded the poster more. "It's a fake ad that someone put on the board."
"Is it? Who would do such a thing?" Madoka was intrigued.
"Doesn't matter. What really matters is that you take caution, Kaname-san. You may hear fancy and fantastic stories out there. Don't believe in them." Homura said in a serious tone, almost threatening.
"Wow Akemi-san!" Madoka stared at her feet. "You sound like my parents talking."
"They are right." Homura back down the hall. "Bye Kaname-san."
"Wait!" Madoka reached out.
Homura stopped and turned her head.
"Look." Madoka took a big pot from the inside of her bag. "My father has prepared this thinking I have the same size of him. Wehihi. I don't think I can eat all this alone. Do you want to have lunch with me?"
Homura gave a smile. "I appreciate the invitation..." It disappeared quickly. "But I have an appointment now." She began to walk again.
"A commitment? I understand..." Madoka saddened. "You're a busy and responsible person, Akemi-san. A very important one. I want to be like that one day."
Homura kept walking. "Kaname-san. You are important as is."
While Homura rounded the corner of the hallway, Madoka sought to decipher those last words.
／人 ◕‿‿◕ 人＼
The fourth floor of the school was where the clubs' rooms were. Unlike the classrooms, the walls were made of masonry. The idea was to not reveal in advance, for those who passed the hallway, projects that the clubs were doing for the festivals.
Room 405. Homura mentally read the fine print that were at that poster that she had torn. She checked the other boards and did not find anything else similar. That was the only one.
Sayaka was the prime suspect, especially with her unusual behavior today. But those words written in the poster indicated someone else.
Here.
Homura was in front of room 405 door. It might not be anyone in the room. Could be just a waste of time. But her senses indicated otherwise.
I feel a source of magic. Seems weak, distant.
Magical girls are able to camouflage their magic. This was important when hunting witches or demons, because they are able to sense it. However, this requires experience.
That was all that Homura needed to know who was waiting. She opened the door and ran into a room with few objects. There were some bags and pots accumulated in a corner of the room.
On the other side of the room stood a girl sitting next to a small table against the wall. The nearby window was open and a breeze that came out swings her big blond curls.
"Tomoe-san." Homura said with little enthusiasm.
"Akemi-san." Mami returned.
Homura entered the room and locked the door. "I'm really surprised you've recovered your memories so fast."
"Really? Huhu." Mami smiled. "I was also surprised. So I made this poster. I thought this would be a very discreet method to get your attention..."
Homura's eyes narrowed. "Are you sure? If that was the intent, you were very unsuccessful."
"Oh!" Mami put her hand over her mouth. "I'm sorry if it caused you any inconvenience. I just wish you would not have found out about my recovery by yourself."
Homura started across the room slowly, looking around suspiciously. "Are you telling me that you're surrendering? I thank you then, this saves me time."
"That's what I want to talk about." Mami said.
Homura stopped halfway.
"I'm doing this to show that I'm not your enemy, Akemi-san." Mami said in a calm tone. "There's no need to mess with my memories."
For a moment, only the sound of the breeze coming through the window was possible to hear.
Homura raised her eyebrows. "Don't confuse gratitude with trust, Mami Tomoe."
"There is nothing..."
"No." Homura interrupted Mami and returned to approach.
Mami was disappointed with that response. "So before you do... what you have to do... I wanted to talk."
Homura was already next to the table, she raised even more her eyebrows. "You still want to give me advice?"
"Please!" Mami started begging. "If not for friendship, at least on behalf of the companionship."
Homura grimaced in confusion.
"For the days we fought together against the demons. Please! Sit." Mami made a gesture pointing to the chair across the table.
Homura looked the chair, closed her eyes and sighed. "Okay."
Seeing that Homura had pulled the chair and sat, Mami felt more relieved. She put her hands on the table. "Thanks Akemi-san. I..."
Like an attack of a snake, Homura held Mami's wrists firmly.
"A-Akemi-san?"
Homura smiled. "Why the surprise? On behalf of the companionship, I answered to your request. Fufu." Looking at Mami's hands, she continued. "Remember? This is how I held Madoka and became what I am today. Creating this world..."
Homura's face gained serious traits and her eyes grew when she saw Mami ring. She had been taken by a moment of epiphany.
The magic source doesn't seem to be far because it's weaker. It's because it really isn't here!
"Oh!" Mami's surprised expression changed to a simple smile. "You found out this time. I see that you learn fast."
The arms of Mami turned into bonds that snaked and coiled around Homura's arms.
"I didn't want to, but you've left me with no other choice." Those were the last words of Mami before her body broke apart in a jumble of colorful ties.
Homura tried to escape, but her arms were being pulled. She ended up falling to the ground before the numerous ties wrapped her completely, leaving only her head untouched.
On the floor, Homura observed a yellow ribbon, once invisible, arise. It was connected to her and went outside, through the open window. Then she felt herself being pulled and, without even trying to react, carried out.
*The first 'sorry' was really spoken in English.
Next chapter: A farewell