Author's Notes: Hello once again, everyone, and thank you for choosing to read my story! This is my first update of 2012, so I guess I should welcome you guys to the new year! Not much to say, really, other than the fact that I'm going back to university. I sure hope you guys enjoy this story as always - here's Episode 10!
...
It wasn't supposed to be like this.
Madoka Kaname was silent, her heart heavy… and awfully cold. The quiet shuffle of her feet resounded in an empty room. This was a room that had been so bright and warm… a room she looked forward to seeing. Now, it was filled with bitter memories.
An unfinished cup of tea sat cold on a coffee table. Madoka's tightly shut lips started to quiver.
Clamminess engulfed her from the tips of her fingers to her throat. She had been fighting back a sickness rising from her stomach. She felt so useless. Her hands were useless… and her words were useless, and empty. It disgusted her so.
If only she had fought, she thought. If only she had fought.
Tears started in her eyes, beads of water threatening to break loose. She couldn't stop them. Weak sobbing escaped her lips, followed by gasps… echoing in that empty room. Her face soured and her eyes stung. She buried her face in her hands and tears started dripping down to the polished wooden floor.
She felt so sick there in that apartment. Her head started to spin and her legs gave way, forcing her to sway sideways. Her hands flew from her face in a quick jerk, desperately groping for support – any support. They found the wall, but her weak arms grew numb and could not hold her. She stumbled backwards and fell on the floor.
The wall started to shimmer, awakened by Madoka's touch. The Mercator map of Mami Tomoe appeared on the wall, still focused on Mitakihara City. Madoka shuffled away from the wall, shocked at first but growing ever curious. She saw the entire town shaded in red, with two dots standing guard at the riverside – one yellow and one purple.
"Mami-san…"
Madoka's hand was shaky, but she reached for the screen a second time as if trying to grasp the two dots. Her hand reached the screen and a window blocked her. 'Password Required' it read. Madoka exhaled. Then, she turned away.
"Why didn't the two of you…"
A sniffle stopped her voice, gagging her. Madoka couldn't stand being in that apartment any longer. She gathered her strength and walked out of the room. Then, she closed the door behind her for the very last time.
Bathed in the afternoon sun, she walked away from the door with her head hanging low. Every step she took rang in her ears. Every flight of stairs downward felt like an eternity. The blinding afternoon light gave her no heat. The sliding glass doors of the apartment complex parted for her and she stepped out, deep in thought.
"Homura-chan… what are you doing here?"
"I…"
Homura was caught off guard. Madoka caught her momentary panic and Homura knew.
"You're putting too much blame on yourself, Madoka Kaname." Homura feinted, her voice as toneless as ever. "No one can blame you for anything."
The transfer student then looked at Madoka in the eye.
"I won't allow someone like that to exist."
Madoka's stance softened. She turned away from her classmate – Homura had succeeded.
"It seems you have accepted my advice."
Madoka looked puzzled for a moment, but she knew what advice Homura talked about. She managed a small nod. The transfer student, satisfied, turned around and made to depart. Madoka didn't know why but she followed the retreating Homura into the sunset. There were way too many questions in her heart – questions she wanted to ask Homura. However, she never seemed to have the strength to ask them…
"If… if only I had listened to you earlier."
"It wouldn't have changed the fate of Mami Tomoe." Homura's voice was unusually detached – detached yet almost tender. Madoka watched Homura's back, feeling her heart pound against her chest. "But… you were able to change your own fate. I'm glad I was able to save another life."
Madoka clenched her fists. She could feel the tears building up in her eyes again.
"In Mami's apartment… I saw a map focused on Mitakihara."
Homura stopped mid-step, forcing Madoka to stop as well.
"You and Mami-san were working together, weren't you?" Madoka continued, her emotions gaining momentum, "You were planning to fight Walpurgisnacht together, weren't you?"
"I won't deny that." Homura said plainly. "But frankly, she was starting to get in my way."
"How can you say that about a friend?" Madoka whimpered.
"Mami Tomoe is not my friend… I merely humored her – tolerated her… and after what you saw, I believe I was no friend in her eyes either."
Madoka was silenced. She couldn't argue with Homura anymore.
"What's going to happen now, then?" Madoka asked, her heart still confused, "What about… the work you've been doing with Mami-san?"
"What about it?"
"Will you be fine alone?"
"Solitude is nothing new to me." Homura turned around again, "I will manage."
The transfer student then started to walk again. Madoka's fists started to shake. This time, Madoka couldn't follow her anymore.
"Your defending of her must make Mami Tomoe happy." Homura said, not bothering to turn back, "You're a kind person, Madoka, but remember this – kindness can only bring you further grief."
…
"I didn't think you'd return, after what happened yesterday."
A little white creature wagged his tail as he stretched from his perch atop a sofa in the white expanse of Homura's apartment. His round, red eyes fell on the doorway. Homura, still dressed in her school uniform, watched the creature with a guarded glare. She stepped through the threshold and paid Kyuubey no particular attention. The creature tilted his head a little.
"Do you not feel shock? Regret? Or… what do you humans call it… guilt?"
"No. I do not."
"Even after what happened?"
"It was inevitable – and I have lost nothing important. She chose her path and I chose mine."
"I see. This is an interesting development." Kyuubey blinked, "You're starting to see the light."
"What…?"
"You wish to continue our tale, do you not?" Kyuubey yawned, "That is all you desire."
"Get on with it, then."
…
.
...
Act XXVI - The Burden of Truth
Night fell over the ruins of Sangley Point, Cavite as stars sparkled in the dark blue sky. Clouds of grey rolled in from over the nearby Manila Bay heralded by the rumbling of thunder.
"Rain." Michi Hideyoshi said with her eyes turned skywards. "How appropriate."
Raindrops started to fall from the heavens, caressing Michi's bloodied face. Audrey, Ligaya and Serafina stood beside her, all of them still wearing their Puella Magi attire which were torn, ripped and stained in blood and soot. The bodies of twenty girls, maimed, burned and dismembered were strewn awkwardly around them, black shawls still hanging over their shoulders. Then, there were two Grief Seeds that stuck out from the ground beside a lifeless Aspirant whose open eyes were blank.
"Esperanza…" Ligaya hobbled forward weakly towards the seeds and her dead friend. She knelt then groveled before the seeds, closing her friend's eyes. "It can't be…"
Lightning illuminated the base, casting eerie shadows over the field of corpses. The rain picked up in strength. Blood and dirt started to wash off the girls' faces and off the corpses.
"Comrade Hideyoshi…" Serafina began slowly, her arms folding as she looked over the carnage. "What you said earlier… this is…?"
"Yes." Michi closed her eyes, listening to the pitter-patter of rain. "This is the fate of Puella Magi. We either die in battle… or succumb to despair and become Witches."
"Either way we're doomed." Audrey turned to Michi, her ranger's hat casting a shadow over her eyes. "Is that what you're trying to say, Jap?"
"That would depend on you, American." Michi's voice rang clear against the rain. "What do you think of the state we are all in? Have we been blessed, or have we been cursed?"
"With fates like this, how can you call it anything but a curse?" Audrey demanded to know. "Kyuubey never told us a thing! We… we sold our souls to the devil!"
Ligaya couldn't say a word, her tears mixing in with the rain.
"I fear that that is indeed the case." Michi agreed, "Every single Puella Magi in this world has been tricked and cursed, but we do not exist without reason."
The Japanese girl walked over to where Ligaya knelt. Ligaya watched as Michi picked up the two Grief Seeds on the ground.
"We still have our roles to play."
Michi pocketed the Grief Seeds then faced Audrey.
"Who else is there to fight the Witches? The nations of the world have armies raised and have fielded sophisticated weapons, but they cannot fight an enemy they do not see. They cannot fight an enemy they do not know of… will never know of. We Puella Magi have the duty to fight these Witches."
Michi then clenched her fist.
"This does not, however, justify Kyuubey's trickeries… or the atrocities of Salvae, Terrae Magicae. We must act - the sooner the better."
She turned her eyes skywards then heard strong, howling winds – harbinger of a coming typhoon.
"Come, we must take shelter. I know a cave we can hide in."
Michi led the girls to Parañaque, halfway between Cavite and Manila through increasingly torrential rains and howling winds. A small cave bored through the basalt innards of a small hill tucked in deep jungle greeted them.
The girls scampered on into the cave then returned to their normal forms. Their drenched costumes disappeared in flashes of light, replaced by their dry everyday clothing. Remains of a campfire could be seen at the center of the cave, ashes of an old flame piled up within.
Hidden behind a few rocks, firewood was neatly stacked along with boxes of matches and newspapers – newspapers barely a week old. The Japanese girl retrieved some wood and the oldest newspaper for tinder then set them in the campfire site. She lit the newspapers with a match, illuminating the face of an influential Filipino lawyer, whose name was clearly printed on the headlines.
"The future President of the Second Philippine Republic – Jose P. Laurel"
The fire spread through the newspaper quickly and consumed the man's face, slowly igniting the firewood over it. Michi then asked her guests to take a seat around the growing fire. They obliged and sat together.
"I am sure you all have many questions." Michi said, taking a deep breath. She stood before the three girls, her shadow cast against the walls of the cave "Ask them as you please. I will answer to the best of my ability."
Audrey exhaled, breaking her silence since Sangley Point. She bit her lip then started asking the many questions that hounded her mind. Her tone was frenzied, aghast and dismayed. Serafina too joined her, voicing out her grievances and her concerns with a disillusioned voice. Michi answered the both of them, telling them everything she knew. All the while, Ligaya stayed silent, looking at the steel-cased Soul Gem she held in her hands in contemplation.
Before long, the cave fell silent. Audrey and Serafina had run out of questions. They had run out of complaints. Michi knew this and cleared her throat.
"The Incubators never meant to make any of this known to us." Michi leaned back against the walls of the cave, crushing her shadow behind her. "Many Puella Magi have died unaware of this truth. Many more are dying and continue to die, innocent. There was no way for them to know. Not from the Incubators… not from Salvae. Definitely not from Salvae."
The Japanese girl turned to the Ukrainian across the fireplace.
"In your tenure with this organization, has anybody told you anything?"
"I've been told many things… but not about the Witches, no." Serafina said, her eyes staring into the fire, "I've been told that our organization upholds the welfare of Puella Magi – that we Puella Magi were incorruptible and the models of society. How was I to know that we were rotten in the core?"
"The same's true for me and Ligaya." Audrey added, finding her tin of cigars. She took one out and lit it in the flickering fire. "All we knew about Witches was that they were the enemy. Nothing more, nothing less."
Audrey then offered her tin to Serafina. She weakly refused.
"I see." Michi peeled herself off from the cave walls. "And I assume they accept any and every Puella Magi they come across into the organization?"
"Not only that." Serafina shook her head, "They encouraged them to join – even those who have only been involved."
Serafina turned to the Filipina seated beside Audrey and sighed.
"Comrade de la Cruz is a point in case."
Ligaya heard her name and frowned bitterly.
"This isn't what dad would have wanted for me."
"It's okay…" Audrey held Ligaya close to her to comfort her, "We're all on the same boat here. We've been played for fools… first, by that goddamned marshmallow. Now, Salvae."
Ligaya buried her face into Audrey tightly, sniffling and sobbing. Michi closed her eyes and shook her head.
"This is the reality we face." Michi said, feeling the Grief Seeds clink together in her pocket, "It cannot be ignored any longer."
The Japanese girl stepped forward, catching the attention of the three girls, snapping them from their somber silence. Michi continued.
"Every day, girls are tricked into becoming Puella Magi. Every day, these new Puella Magi are blinded by Salvae's lies. This must come to an end."
"I agree with you, comrade." Serafina finally said, "I totally agree with you, but… how will you end it?"
"Those who deserve to die will die by my blade." Michi said coldly, "There is no other way."
"You plan to kill them all?" Audrey asked, her eyes narrowing.
"If it comes down to that, then yes." Michi turned to Serafina. "Tell me – how many Puella Magi will I have to fight? Hundreds?"
"Thousands." Serafina corrected, "Maybe tens of thousands…"
Michi gritted her teeth – she had greatly underestimated Salvae's size.
"Not all of them will fight." Ligaya suddenly said, "Not every girl in Salvae's ranks are bad people… tell them the truth, and maybe they will listen to us."
The Filipina managed a tearful smile.
"I mean… look at me, Audrey and Serafina. There are many girls who will want to fight for their lives back – I can feel it in my heart."
"Fight for our lives back…?" Audrey mumbled to herself. Then, she too couldn't help but smile. It sounded like something her late father Nicanor would say to his troops. It gave the American a little bit of courage. "Ligaya's right. Our souls have been turned into rocks, but we still have hearts. Girls will still listen, as long as we're sincere."
"And what if Salvae starts to take up arms against us?" Serafina asked, her tone still cautious.
"They never will have the chance to do so." Michi replied with a reassuring voice, "By the time they do… and if ever they do, the bulk of Salvae's armies will be fighting on our side. We will then be able to pick out the perpetrators, one by one."
"You know, the great poet-comrade Tolstoy once said – 'we lost because we said we lost.'" Serafina managed a tiny smile, "Moping around and whining isn't going to help anyone – count me in."
"That's good to know." Michi said. Then, for the first time, the Japanese girl gave a small, shy smile. "I'm glad to have you here with me."
The rain and the winds outside the cave finally started to calm down – the storm had passed. Michi found a bucket filled with sand nearby and poured its contents over the campfire, killing the flame…
"The fates of countless Puella Magi are resting on our shoulders." Michi said, setting the bucket aside, "Let's give them the justice… no, the lives they deserve."
First Interlude
Elise de Lamarliere looked out the window of her room in the Gumamela Building, watching the moon peek out from behind the distant clouds. Serafina Larivenko stood behind her. The Ukrainian girl's face was straight and her lips moved, talking about what had happened in Cavite. Seafina spoke clearly, but Elise barely heard a word she said. Her mind was somewhere else.
"This isn't the best news, comrade, I know." Serafina then said, folding her arms, "But you understand the situation more than anyone else – it's your branch that's under attack."
Elise didn't reply, so Serafina continued.
"Might I suggest an order for new weapons for Manila? Those killers are more organized than I first thought."
"You don't have to make my decisions for me." Elise suddenly silenced her guest, turning around to face her. "I know what I have to do."
"Fair enough." Serafina groaned.
"I will make an announcement tomorrow at breakfast." Elise continued, "Then I will hold a small remembrance service for the girls we lost."
"Please do." Serafina spoke again, "The girls of this branch would appreciate that. They deserve to know the truth, after all."
As Serafina spoke these words, Elise's eyes met with hers to search for even the slightest hint of discomfort. Serafina stayed calm under the steel glare and stared right back at Elise. The French girl saw nothing.
"I'll take my leave then." Serafina prepared to leave.
"Wait a minute."
Serafina stopped and turned around to face Elise, wondering why she was halted. Her left hand gently stroked on the stock of the PPSh-41 submachine gun that hung from her shoulders.
"About the killers you encountered in Cavite earlier today... how many were there?"
"Twenty – and one of them was especially strong." Serafina said plainly, "A girl in a blue kimono."
Elise's eyes widened. The description sounded familiar to her.
"You, Ms. Burnham and Bb. De la Cruz killed her too?"
"We did what we had to do, Elise."
Once again, there was silence. Elise's composure quickly returned.
"Thank you for your report, Serafina. And please extend my thanks to Ms. Burnham and Bb. de la Cruz. You three have gone over and beyond the call of duty today." Elise turned back to the window, "Now if you'll excuse me, I need some time to think. This loss weighs heavily on a Carissima's heart."
Serafina silently snorted. Somehow, she felt as if Elise felt no remorse at all.
She showed herself out of the room then closed the door gently behind her, leaving the Carissima alone to stare at the moonlight. Finally out of earshot, Serafina sighed in relief.
"How did it go?" Audrey asked with a whisper. She and Ligaya had been waiting for Serafina at the doorway of the Carissima's room. The two of them watched her with great anticipation.
"She bought our 'story'." Serafina said, pulling the two girls with her away from Elise's door, "Now, we can proceed with our plan."
Act XXVII - Pax Mortis
Breakfast at the Gumamela Building the next morning was a somber ordeal.
That morning, Elise told the girls in the dining hall about what happened in Cavite and the girls listened with heavy hearts. Her announcement was faithful to Serafina's falsified report from the night before. False as the report may have been, it still bore fragments of truth – girls from the Manila Branch were attacked and were killed. It didn't matter who truly did the killing, or why. Those details wouldn't bring the dead back to life.
Curtains were drawn over the large windows of the dining hall and candles were lit for an impromptu ceremony. Audrey, Ligaya, Serafina and all the other girls each held on to a candle and shared a moment of silence. Some girls wept while the others whispered prayers to the Christian God or to Allah. The rest simply tried to remember their meetings with the deceased, moments they now held close in their hearts.
The girls then blew their candles and the curtains were parted, letting sunlight fill the room once more. Everyday life in the Gumamela Building resumed.
Audrey patted Ligaya and Serafina's shoulders then led them to their usual table. At that table sat the circle of Aspirants Audrey and Ligaya had befriended during their training. They were all still saddened from the morning ceremony, but still managed to welcome the girls warmly. The three girls sat and were served their breakfast – steamed rice with fried bangus milkfish, kangkong water spinach and pickled carrot and turnips called atchara.
Everyone dug into their food, though not as enthusiastically as they normally would.
As the girls ate, Kyuubey strolled through the room and towards the table of Carissima Elise. Serafina watched the creature wag its tail as it walked and the smile it never seemed to discard. Bitter feelings welled up inside her. The nonchalance of the creature made the Ukrainian want to scream and rage.
"Serafina." Audrey shook her head, "Not here."
"I know..." Serafina groaned. The creature passed her by unscathed.
Kyuubey stopped before the Carissima's table and drew Elise's attention. There was a silent exchange between them. Moments later, the Carissima stood up and prepared to leave. Two Zealots, her old bodyguard and a new one, accompanied her to the door while Kyuubey followed them. They disappeared into the threshold and the dining room doors closed behind them.
"Hey guys – can you meet us later at the Maultiers' warehouse?" Audrey leaned on the table, facing the Aspirants they sat with, "There's something we need to talk about."
The young Aspirants looked at each other for a moment then nodded. Once everyone had finished their meals, Audrey, Serafina and Ligaya led the Aspirants to the warehouse.
"Halt." A voice stopped the large group in the hallway to the warehouse. A Zealot sat at the guard post watching the warehouse's door and looked at the girls with a raised brow, "What is your business here?"
"These girls wanted me to issue them some new guns." Serafina spoke confidently, "Comrades Audrey and Ligaya are here to help me."
"You aren't a Maultier anymore, Carissima Serafina." The Zealot argued, panicking a little in the presence of her new superior. "Please leave that duty to the Maultier for the month."
"But I'm still a Puella Magi who wants to help the others in any way I can." Serafina argued back, "I'll give you the transaction transcripts myself afterwards if that's what you're worried about."
The Zealot scratched her face then gave a defeated sigh. She took out the logbook then gestured to the door and let them pass.
"You have thirty minutes, Carissima Serafina." The Zealot said as she scribbled down the names of the girls, "Carissima Elise doesn't want people staying in the warehouse for too long."
"Let's not waste any more time, then." Serafina ushered the girls to the door and opened it for them. "Come on."
Thirty minutes was more than enough time. The girls stepped into the warehouse and Serafina locked the door behind them. She pulled up some empty crates for the girls to sit on then took out her Soul Gem. With a wave of her hand, maroon light filled the room and covered the walls, doors and windows which shimmered for a moment.
"Great." Serafina brought her hands together with a pleasant smile, "Now, let's get down to business."
Audrey, Ligaya and Serafina then told the group of Aspirants what really happened in Cavite - about the Witches and about the killers. The Aspirants weren't any more receptive than the three were when they first learned the truth, but they too were eventually convinced. All the while, the Zealot guarding the warehouse tried to listen in from behind the door. She could hear nothing. She just shrugged and returned to her post.
Minutes later, the warehouse door opened again and the Aspirants walked out with new M1 Garand rifles and Thompson submachine guns in tow. Serafina and her assistants walked out too, giving the Zealot a receipt that accounted for the newly issued guns. The Zealot never suspected a thing.
Audrey, Serafina, Ligaya and their closest friends wasted no time and started talking to the girls of the branch. They spoke to those who lent an ear and to those with open minds – to those who can keep their lips sealed and those brave enough to even think about defying Elise and her loyal Puella Magi. Sadly, there were not many girls who fit these descriptions.
Ligaya was right. The aspirants of the Manila branch would listen to the truth. She did not anticipate, however, how the girls responded to this truth.
'Salvae has provided for us all these years. Where shall we go without it?'
'Carissima Elise is a powerful Puella Magi – you've seen her fight, haven't you Ligaya, Audrey?'
'That Elise has the local Japanese government in her pockets! You'll have the kempeitai watching your every move too!'
'Are you even sure you guys are thinking straight? Puella Magi become Witches? Really?'
'If we start trouble here, the other branches are going to send their armies to stomp us out!'
There were many reasons why they refused to join. However, one thing was clear – they were afraid. For the sake of Audrey, Ligaya and Serafina, the girls who refused promised to never speak to anyone else about what they were planning to do. In return, they wanted nothing to do with the plan.
Only a handful of brave souls agreed to fight Salvae when the time comes. The rest wished to keep living in their delusion of peace.
"This is the hour of fulfillment of the supreme aspiration of our people for centuries. It is but fitting that we... dedicate a prayer of thanksgiving to those who paid the full price of blood and treasure for the freedom which we have now achieved. Rest at long last in your hallowed graves, immortal heroes of the Filipino race! The long night of vigil is ended. You have not died in vain. The spirit of Mactan, of Balintawak, of Bagumbayan, of Malolos, and of Bataan lives again!"
Inaugural Speech of Jose P. Laurel – October 14, 1943
Act XXVIII - A Change In Plan
The walled city-district of Intramuros was always an awe-inspiring sight for Serafina. Its tall walls of sturdy black stone that towered many feet above her, the large wooden gates of the entrances guarded the broad entrances and the impressions of the royal seals of Spain brought a smile to her face. As beautiful as the more modern districts of Manila were, Serafina honestly thought that Intramuros was the icing on the cake. To her, Intramuros was the heart of Manila. Many people to this day would agree.
Serafina walked by the walled city pushing a small cart covered in cloth. The cart was filled to the brim and its contents poked out from underneath the cloth. There were a lot of people out on the streets of Manila that day, and anyone who saw Serafina and her cart would have been suspicious of what was inside. The small veil of illusion magic that surrounded Serafina, however, spared her from those suspicious eyes and she walked on calmly, appreciating the walls she had always loved.
She found her way to the entrance to the military compound called Fort Santiago and simply strolled in, unnoticed by the Japanese sentries posted at the gates. Once she was through the gates, Serafina turned left and walked along a cobblestone path alongside the inner walls. Her cart rattled as she pushed it through the cobblestone and she struggled to keep its contents from spilling over. After a minute or so, she reached an old section of the wall hidden in the shadow of Fort Santiago's large Officers' Quarters.
The wall section seemed to have gone under renovation a few years in the past, but the renovation was never finished – halted, perhaps, when the Japanese attack started years ago. Large shrubs that had been cleared for the renovation were starting to grow again and cover the unfinished wall, so the Japanese soldiers never found it. It made Serafina smirk.
"You hide in the most peculiar places, comrade Hideyoshi." Serafina whispered to the shrub. "I came here with some goods."
The sound of stone being pushed aside reached Serafina's ears, followed by a small grunt. The shrub that covered the wall parted to the sides and Michi Hideyoshi walked out to meet her guest.
"You're early, Serafina." Michi then spoke, inviting Serafina into her hideout, "Please just leave the weapons here like always."
"Alright." Serafina scanned the area for Japanese troops then traced a circle in the air with her finger. Maroon light surrounded the area for a moment before dissipating quietly. She then started unloading the guns and the boxes of ammunition into a corner of Michi's hideout.
"I can help out if you want." Michi said, pointing to the still stuffed cart. Serafina smiled.
"I'd appreciate that, thanks."
Michi then started picking up the rifles and stacked them neatly beside the ammunition. Together, the girls unloaded the cart quickly. Once they were done, Serafina waved her hand and the sphere of magic she had drawn was dispelled.
"Thank you for coming out here to deliver these." Michi gave Serafina a low bow. "I'll be relying on your help as always."
The Japanese girl then straightened her back. "I hope the recruitment is going well. We will be ready to strike soon, will we not?"
Michi's words left a sour taste in Serafina's mouth.
"About that, comrade… I was hoping we could talk about that plan of ours."
Michi's mild excitement faded in an instant. She could tell from Serafina's voice that something was amiss. Serafina wanted to say something, but the sound of boots against stone rumbled in the distance making her brow crumple.
"We can't talk about this here." Serafina said, holding out her hand. "Comrades Audrey and Ligaya and our recruits are out in town – we should discuss these matters together."
The Japanese girl sighed then turned around to pull the stones back to cover the entrance. She then combed the shrubs inwards to cover the unfinished wall section. Serafina took Michi's hand and hid the both of them in her magic veil. The Japanese soldiers marched on by, not noticing the girls or the unfinished wall. The two girls then went on their way too, slipping out through the Fort Santiago gate masked in Serafina's magic.
Walking through the Manila crowds, Serafina and Michi were silent. Serafina's cart rattled and shook and its sounds filled their ears. Had they been alone, the girls would have started their discussion right there and then on the street. However, they were not alone. They were in the company of people who could not see them and would never understand them. Then, there were those who would, perhaps, attack them if they were seen or heard together – Zealots out on patrol and military policemen of the kempeitai. Neither of them wanted to try their luck.
The girls reached the banks of the Pasig River then followed a road that ran alongside it. Keeping their silence, the girl followed the road until they found the Jones Bridge where there was a small, bustling palengke marketplace that was filled with people. Underneath the shade of the market stalls, Audrey and Ligaya were among them, along with seven other Aspirants.
The crowd finally started to thin and Serafina quietly dispelled her magic and the two girls approached. Audrey folded her arms as she puffed on a cigarette, as if amused to see the Japanese girl again. Ligaya, on the other hand, wore a bright smile. She was glad Michi was fine.
"Wait a second…" Michi held Serafina back mid-stride, "Is it really alright for us to all meet like this?"
"Don't be so uptight, Jap. The shopkeepers in this marketplace are all close acquaintances of mine from before the war." Audrey explained, casually resting her back against one of the stalls, "In this area, at least, we're sure the walls have no ears. We're safe here."
"I see." Michi felt an ounce of relief. Her eyes then turned to the Aspirants gathered there with them. "So these are the recruits."
The girls all nodded and introduced themselves to Michi with great respect. They all knew what this Japanese girl had done for them – they all wished they could have lent a hand sooner. However, they also knew that their numbers were far from spectacular.
"We did our best, Michi." Ligaya apologized a little weakly, "But a lot of the girls are afraid…"
"That, and Elise has been doing some PR with the new Second Philippine Republic and local military commanders." Audrey added, "The Japs are setting up guard posts in the streets near the Gumemela Building as we speak…"
"Are you sure you girls haven't been found out?" Michi quickly asked,
"If we were found out, Elise could have killed all of us in our sleep." Serafina argued, "There must be something else she's afraid of… but what?"
There was a moment of thoughtful silence, but no one could give an answer. Whatever it was that Elise was starting to fear, her defenses grew stronger by the minute. The girls had all planned a grand siege of the Gumamela Building and fighting the girls who were loyal to Elise and, of course, Elise herself. As the days passed, their chances of success thinned. To strike at and destroy the Manila Branch became more and more synonymous with suicide, let alone attacking the entire bulk of Salvae, Terrae Magicae.
"Which is why we need a change of plans." Audrey hummed confidently, breaking Michi's somber pondering.
"What do you mean?" Michi asked,
"There's still a way for us to bring this organization to its knees." Audrey said confidently, "All we need to do is strike at its head."
"You mean…"
"Our focus should be to eliminate Lorelei Sankt." Audrey continued, "The rest of Salvae will follow.
Have you ever seen a chicken beheaded? It'll run around in shock, flapping its wings and whatnot but to no avail. It'll eventually fall under its own weight and collapse. The same is true for Salve, I believe."
"And how exactly do you plan to eliminate her?"
The American then reached for a newspaper from a nearby stall and handed it to Michi.
"Lorelei Sankt is heading to Tokyo this November for the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere or whatnot meeting with a delegation of German observers." Audrey explained, "Serafina said that Lorelei was looking for a girl to be her Japanese-English interpreter. Serafina then told Lorelei that she knew someone who fit the bill perfectly - you."
"Me?"
"Yes, you." Serafina nodded, "At this meeting, Lady Lorelei Sankt will be at her most vulnerable. Japan has no branch of Salvae, after all, so her security detail will be thin. It'll take days for reinforcements of any sort to come to her aid. Audrey, Ligaya and the girls here, meanwhile, will try to keep Elise in the dark. By the time she finds out, the deed is done."
"One more girl to kill, then." Michi looked at her small hands, still bearing scars from her old wounds. She closed her eyes and saw a field of dead villagers scattered in a vast rice paddy. Then, she saw an old Japanese house and a cherry blossom tree beside it set ablaze. She opened her eyes and clenched her fist. "I'll do it."
"No, we'll do it - together." Ligaya corrected, "We all have a stake in this after all – so does every single Puella Magi in our world today. Also… aren't we friends?"
"Friends…?"
"Yes, friends." Ligaya nodded. "You've been doing everything for the other Puella Magi on your own for the longest time… I'm really thankful and all of us are too!"
Audrey and Serafina nodded to Ligaya's words and the Aspirants with them all wore bright faces. The Japanese girl grew a little bit flushed.
"Michi, all of us here will be at your side wherever you go. No matter how far apart fate will bring us, we will always be together."
Ligaya then smiled,
"You will never be alone again."
To Be Continued
Episode 11 Preview
I can still remember it,
It was dream she and I had hoped to achieve.
To create a sanctuary for Puella Magi
In a world that doesn't know we exist.
To play chess against death itself.
I wonder if we can still win,
The game of kings and queens.
-Lorelei Sankt-
Magia, Pacem, Bellum Terrarum
I Don't Want To Be Alone
Prologue
Evening fog crawled through the stone promenade of Mitakihara Central Park. Moths fluttered around the light of the streetlamps and the large park fountain sprayed water skywards evenly, forming a thin veil of misty water. Mami Tomoe walked down the promenade with cautious steps. Then, she heard a voice come from behind her.
"Don't you understand? You're trying to get these ordinary people involved in this dangerous game."
Mami knew who it was. She was familiar with that voice – very familiar. Mami turned around and spoke.
"They were chosen by Kyuubey – they're already involved."
"You're starting to guide them to become Puella Magi again." Homura started to glare.
"Is there any particular reason for me not to?" Mami asked sharply, "Does it have something to do with what you've seen – what Kyuubey has shown you?"
"There are some things you do not need to know, Mami." Homura replied plainly, "This is for your own sake."
Homura's words struck at Mami like daggers, cutting into a wound that had yet to heal. Mami's fortitude started to falter as her heart ached.
"How can it be?" Mami was unsatisfied, shaking her head. She started to have trouble chaining words together. "How can it be for my sake when you're keeping me in the dark?"
"You don't understand..."
"How do you expect me to understand? I've been sharing with you everything I know. I've been planning the defense of Mitakihara with you. I've stopped bringing Kaname-san and Miki-san to Witch hunts because you asked me to..."
Mami then sniffed and her voice finally broke,
"I opened my door to you! I made tea for you! I baked pastries and cake for you... pastries and cake you never seemed to finish."
"The investigation takes precedence over snacks – so do the duties of Puella Magi."
"Is that so?" Mami had expected that sort of answer. "Then wouldn't it be helpful to have Kaname-san and Miki-san become Puella Magi?"
"No. They would cause problems." Homura countered. "Particularly, Madoka Kaname."
A spark of confidence flashed on Mami's face. She had found an opening.
"I see what this is all about. You've noticed her talent too, huh?"
"I absolutely can't let her make the contract." Homura spoke firmly at the mention of Madoka.
"But that decision is for her to make." Mami argued back, "If I have no right to influence her decision then neither do you, Homura."
Homura's face darkened. Mami smirked.
"I don't want to fight you…" Homura brushed her hand through her hair
"Then please try not to meet with me again." Mami gave her ultimatum. "Let tonight be the last time we speak to try and settle things."
The golden haired girl turned around and started to walk away, the curls of her hair bouncing on her shoulders. Homura watched Mami disappear into the fog and was unmoved by Mami's declaration. Mami, on the other hand, felt bitter in her stomach. Her own words seemed to hurt her more than she had wanted. She did not understand why.
The only one thing on Mami's mind after that night – she wanted to show Homura that she was strong. The very next day, she would have a chance to prove it.
A sleeping Witch started to manifest at the outer wall of the Mitakihara General Hospital. As the barrier was starting to form, Mami met Homura again. Mami remembered her ultimatum well and made sure to make good on her promise. She did not give Homura a chance to react.
Chains shot out from the floor and the ceiling and bound the unprepared Homura in mid-air. Madoka, who had accompanied Mami into the barrier, was shocked but she could only watch.
"Y-you fool! This isn't the time for this…!." Homura warned, struggling helplessly in Mami's chains. "This Witch is different from the previous ones
"Be a good girl and I'll release you when we get back." Mami said. She then turned to Madoka. "Let's go, Kaname-san."
"O-okay." Madoka hesitantly followed Mami.
"Mami…" Homura suddenly called out to her through telepathy, "Remember Mariveles… the Sungka Witch's-"
Mami did not listen to her. Instead, she chose to tighten Homura's chains to quiet her. She couldn't stand to hear Homura's voice any longer. Every moment she thought of Homura, her resolve grew weaker. She did not want to be weak. There were still people who needed her to be strong… Madoka looked up to her and so did Sayaka. She didn't want to let them down.
Mami transformed into her magical form and laid waste to the Witch's minions with barrages from her many rifles. Knowing that Madoka and Sayaka rooted for her made her body light and she fought to a happy rhythm - she felt like she could not be stopped. A small pink doll then appeared. It was the Witch of the barrier; Charlotte. Unimpressed, Mami just continued her assault and unloaded bullets into the doll. She then held onto one of her rifles tightly and it suddenly started to change shape. It became a field artillery piece aimed at a pink doll held in place by yellow ribbons. With a vigorous voice, she declared,
"Tiro Finale!"
Mami didn't need Homura anymore, she told herself. She could stand on her own and fight her own fights. She could make new friends and enjoy life on her own terms. Madoka and Sayaka was more company than she could have wished for – friends she never dreamed she would have. However, that bitter pain she felt still tugged at her heart.
"Mami!" Madoka suddenly cried, "Look out!"
Awakened from her daze, Mami's eyes shot upwards. The pink doll she had just shot regurgitated a large worm-like beast with crazed, colorful and hungry eyes and a large mouth. Its jaws were lined with ranks of sharp, sharp teeth. Cold sweat ran down Mami's brow and the yellow-haired girl froze where she stood.
In those few seconds she looked at the creature in the eye, time seemed to slow down and she came to a realization. Indeed, she was happy to have Madoka and Sayaka as her friends… but there was still a hole in her heart. She finally understood that bitter pain that had gnawed at her very soul.
They have had exchanged cold words in the past. The time they had spent together was short. However, a certain transfer student held a special place in Mami Tomoe's heart. Her only regret was not realizing this sooner.
"Forgive me, Homura. We could have been… such great friends."
A sharp pain tore through her neck. Then, there was darkness.
…