Author's Notes: With about a week to go before Finals exams, I'm setting myself up for the long haul. Papers to write, assignments to pass in, presentations to BS, etc. I'm pretty lucky to find time to go on and write this. It's a long chapter too! This should keep you guys satisfied till I get through my finals!
For now, wish me luck, and I hope you enjoy MPBT 13!
...
Prologue
The storehouse of the Padre Faura campus was a small and cramped space and was filled with a host of curious items. Old shelves held outdated academic journals written in Spanish or Latin and records of students and faculty staff that no longer studied or taught in the Ateneo de Manila, or were still alive, for that matter. Instruments like pianos, trumpets and guitars were scattered about as well, gathering dust as they sat unused for years.
This was the place Serafina and the rest of the girls would use as their new headquarters – the place they would call their home. There, they would have a roof over their heads and have decent meals two or three times a day if they're lucky.
Had the situation been different, they would even say that they were living under the protection of the Jesuit priests and nuns who selflessly took them in. However, as Puella Magi, it was really them who were protecting the people at the Padre Faura. As such, they decided to take turns standing watch at the entrance of the campus should a Witch manifest nearby or if one of Salvae's agents comes around looking for trouble.
In all regards, the Padre Faura campus was a far cry from the luxury the girls from the Edificio Gumamela were used to living under. The Maultier's storehouse of Salvae's Manila branch was much more grandiose than the storehouse they had been lent, but they could not complain. The place they had left behind was now Elise de Lamarliere's citadel – a citadel they plan to reclaim with force.
Once the girls finally settled down to the storehouse, they quickly got down to business – preparing to strike down Elise de Lamarliere. The girls all knew what they had to do. The only question now was how to carry it out.
Elise had a significantly large stockpile of Grief Seeds and a powerful army at her disposal, ready to protect her in a heartbeat. The remaining girls of the Manila Branch were numerous, as were the secretive Incognitas that Elise commanded. Without a doubt, the Incognitas would be called out to defend against the siege.
In stark contrast, the girls of the Padre Faura had a limited supply of Grief Seeds. Their numbers were small and most of them were inexperienced fighters, especially the Aspirants. Even Ligaya, talented as she was, felt as if her skills in combat were lacking. As it stood, only Audrey, Michi and Serafina were prepared to fight.
"Serafina, American." Michi then spoke, "The two of you have handled leading military units in the past, right?"
"We have, yeah." Audrey confirmed, "Why do you ask, Jap?"
"I want the two of you to work together." Michi replied, "Draft us a good battle plan. Help us overcome the enemy with strategic maneuver."
Audrey and Serafina then exchanged worried looks.
"I think we can do that, comrade." Serafina spoke hesitantly, "In all honesty, though, we don't have a lot to work with here. I don't know how long the Aspirants would last in an open battle."
"Don't worry about that." Michi shook her head, "Leave that to me – I'll train them into fighting form. Give me time, and I we will have a formidable army."
Michi then turned to Ligaya. "And I want you to help me Bb. De la Cruz."
"… Me?" Ligaya asked, surprised that Michi would ask for her assistance.
"The Aspirants listen to you and to the American." Michi explained, "You will be more help to me than you think."
The surprised look on Ligaya's face was slowly replaced by fascination. "Alright, I'll help you out Michi!"
Ligaya then smiled at the Aspirants. "We'll all do our best to get stronger, right girls?"
The girls cheered in unison, drawing a satisfied smile from Audrey. For a moment, that glint of confidence she had seen in Sgt. De la Cruz before a big battle flickered in Ligaya's eyes.
"Let's get to work then!" Audrey clapped her hands together. She and Serafina gathered some maps, papers and pens to start their planning while the rest of the girls went off with Michi and Ligaya to start their training.
"Heh." Serafina then chuckled, "Seems comrade Hideyoshi trusts you more than I thought she does."
"What are you trying to imply?" Audrey asked with a raised brow.
"Nothing at all, comrade Audrey." Serafina smiled, "Now let's get started on that plan. If we play our cards right, Elise won't even see it coming."
And so, preparations for the siege began.
Magia, Pacem, Bellum Terrarum
This Is Our Destiny
Act XXXVI – A Moment's Rest
Not too far from the Padre Faura campus was the famous Rizal Park, a large open space lined with trees and adorned with a monument in honor of Jose Rizal, the Philippines' national hero. As day turned to night, electrical lampposts flickered throughout the park and lit up its promenades.
In more peaceful times, these lights signaled the Manilenyos to come out to the park to enjoy the fine weather, chat about the day that had passed and to bid that day goodbye. As the Japanese-sponsored government felt that an American re-conquest of the Philippines became more and more of a reality, these lampposts now signified that the curfew would soon be in effect in the city. The Rizal Park would then become void of its casual visitors.
Empty and spacious, the Rizal Park was the perfect place for training. Every night, as the lampposts went on, the girls travelled together to the park. Serafina would shroud a portion of the park in her magic and Michi and Ligaya would begin training the Aspirants. As the Japanese girl and the Filipina sparred with the Aspirants and taught each other combat tactics, Audrey and Serafina looked on and developed their grand strategy. They would then return to the Padre Faura later once they called it a day, coming back in time for dinner.
As Audrey watched, she saw that Michi was truly giving her all to train the girls into fighting shape as she had promised. The Japanese girl would go out on a limb to teach the Aspirants her flavor of the art of war and to make sure that each and every girl learns it properly. All of them wanted to see Elise dethroned and punished for her crimes, but it was Michi who wanted this the most – and Audrey could see it.
At the end of the day, it was Michi who was the most tired of the group and yet, she made nothing of it. She did not ask for more food during their meals. She did not ask for longer breaks and woke up early almost religiously. She even fulfills her guard duty at the entrance of the campus on top of her training duties without complaint. She would sit on the flat-topped concrete balustrades and face the campus's entrance to watch the city of Manila vigilantly into the night.
"Doesn't she ever get tired?" Audrey muttered to herself, yawning as she went through her portion of the battle plan again. Her yawn bounced against the walls of the storehouse they had been lent.
"Comrade Hideyoshi is a really tough cookie, I'll give her that." Serafina rubbed her eyes before stretching in her seat. "In any case, we've done well tonight. The plan is almost finished."
"We'll have it done by tomorrow, for sure." Audrey agreed, "So, meeting adjourned?"
"Yeah. Sounds good." Serafina nodded, "You still have your guard-duty shift to fulfill after all – you have to go anyways."
"Ah, darn." Audrey sighed, scratching her face. "Who's out there right now?"
"Hmm…" Serafina checked her timepiece, "It would be comrade Hideyoshi. Go ahead and relieve her – I'm sure she could use some rest."
"Alright then." Audrey stretched a little bit as well. She then stood up and headed for the door. "I'm off."
The American stopped at the door and reached for the knob. Before she could touch the brass knob, though, the door opened and Ligaya entered the storehouse along with the other Aspirants who seemed tired. Michi worked them extra hard that evening, it seemed, and they were returning to rest. Ligaya, however, was still cheerful and positive.
"You guys are really starting to improve, you know." The Filipina praised, "If Michi didn't think you guys had a chance, she wouldn't be training us as intensely as she does! Have some more faith in yourselves!"
Ligaya then noticed the American standing at the door. She greeted Audrey with a warm smile.
"Good evening, Audrey!"
"Good evening to you too, Ligaya." Audrey replied, "You're doing well as the Jap's assistant, it seems."
"Well, I guess I have the knack for being an assistant." Ligaya laughed. "Everyone has to do their part, right?"
"Yeah." Audrey nodded. The American then laid a hand on Ligaya's shoulder. "You're becoming stronger, Ligaya. That's good."
"Thanks." Ligaya smiled, "But I wouldn't have grown to be like this if it weren't for you, Audrey. You still are my mentor, after all."
"That's true, that's true." Audrey laughed. She then turned to the Aspirants at Ligaya's tail. "And you girls listen to Ligaya and follow Michi's orders, okay? That Jap knows what she's doing so do your best to learn from her – got it?"
"We will!" The Aspirants said, almost in unison.
Audrey bid the girls farewell and strolled off to the campus entrance. The American girl casually reached into her pockets to take out her box of matches and her tin of cigars. She took out a cigar and bit one, leaving her free to keep her tin and to light a match. She then found Michi perched up on her usual spot on the balustrades, facing the Manila cityscape.
Moonlight flowed down from the heavens, illuminating the edges of Michi's silhouette. From where Audrey stood, she saw the full figure of Michi. She was small girl, only a little bit taller than Ligaya but not by much. Her long, dark hair, fluttering in the evening breeze, was well-kept, straight as if they had been combed nightly. The sight made Audrey shrug as she went on over to the balustrades to replace Michi on guard duty.
"Come on, Jap. It's my turn to watch the front," is what Audrey would have wanted to say. However, as Audrey got closer, she saw Michi's head lulled forward a little bit. The Japanese girl had fallen asleep.
The American blinked, the lit match still in her hands. With a sigh, she blew on the match and put out the flame. She then pocketed her cigar and raised herself up to the balustrades to sit beside the sleeping Japanese girl.
"You know, Jap…" Audrey started, speaking her thoughts out softly, "Maybe I was wrong about you."
Audrey turned to Michi, hoping for some kind of reaction. There was none. She really had fallen asleep. Audrey stretched her arms and leaned back lightly to face the moon.
"You're much more thoughtful than you look." Audrey continued, comfortable in that peaceful scene, "You've been looking out for Ligaya and me all this time, but I just ranted about you being this and that. If you hadn't shown up in Mariveles, that goddamned Witch would have gotten me – and there'd be no one to look after Ligaya.
Even now, you're still watching over us and the rest of the girls. You're a much better guardian than I'd ever hope to be."
As Audrey spoke, a gentle breeze blew by and the Japanese girl shivered for a moment. Audrey saw this and sighed.
"Sheesh…" Audrey unbuttoned the jacket she wore and laid it gently over Michi's back. "You're going to catch a cold if you push yourself too hard, you know."
All of the sudden, Michi started to lean sideways towards Audrey. She rested her head on the American's shoulder, catching Audrey by surprise. A small, motherly smile then grew on Audrey's face and she rested her arm on Michi's shoulder to keep her from falling.
"You act all cool and tough around us, and you fight like a whirlwind for damn sure." Audrey patted Michi's back gently, "Puella Magi or not, you're still a young girl like the rest of us. You ought to take care of yourself too.
"After all, the only way we're going to win this battle is with your help, Jap." Audrey then looked up to the sky again with a hopeful gaze. "Or should I say, Michi."
Just like that, Audrey stood guard with Michi at the entrance till the early morning.
As the sun slowly started to rise, Ligaya de la Cruz came over to the balustrades as well to relieve Audrey and to call her over for breakfast. Instead, Ligaya found Audrey and Michi there at the outlook – both of them were asleep. Ligaya's footsteps reached Audrey's ears and the American quickly sat upright.
"Oh my…" Audrey gasped, "It's morning already? Did I…?"
Audrey's panic then caused the sleeping Japanese girl to finally stir.
"Morning, sleepyheads." Ligaya teased, "Breakfast will be served soon – and Serafina called a meeting too."
"Right…" Audrey rubbed her eyes, "We'll be there, Ligaya."
The Filipina girl nodded and trotted back to the storehouse to join the other girls for breakfast. Audrey gave a yawn and was about to lift herself off the balustrades when a small hand tugged at her sleeve.
"This is your jacket, right?" Michi asked, her tone a little shy. Audrey turned to Michi and nodded. The Japanese girl then gave Audrey a sly smile. "Thanks."
"Oh, you didn't really think that I actually hated you now, did you?" Audrey asked with a raised brow.
Audrey's remark drew a giggle from Michi and the two of them went on to the storehouse to join the others.
Act XXXVII – Poised to Strike
Michi and the girls of the Padre Faura sat in the storehouse for breakfast that morning, huddled together in a small circle. Hastily cooked hard-boiled eggs with salt and rice were served to them by the nuns, along with a small tray of surplus biscuits and flagons of water for good measure. They ate their rudimentary meal in silence then turned their attention to Audrey and Serafina. The two of them drew out their notes and maps and started to present their plans.
There were three pillars to Elise de Lamarliere's immediate defense, they would point out. These were the girls of the Gumamela Building, the Incognitas and the Japanese Army's Manila Garrison. Together, the three pillars would effectively protect the Gumamela Building from any and every attack. Elise would have eyes watching the entire city for them. If Elise's Puella Magi did not find them, the Japanese soldiers would. This balance of power, however, would not last for much longer.
Serafina set a small short-wave radio before everyone and turned it on, tuned in to illegal international broadcasts – secret secondary frequencies that Audrey remembered from her days in the USAFFE. The fears of the Japanese government were slowly but surely being realized. The United States Navy, their pride tattered by the surprise attack at Pearl Harbor, inched closer and closer to the Philippine Islands. Carriers ferrying countless squadrons of aircraft and transports carrying the troops and armor of the United States Army were poised to begin the Allied powers' Philippines Campaign.
Emboldened by this impending invasion, reports were coming left and right of resistance movements sprouting all over the country – most prominently, the Hukbalahap. From their jungle and mountain outposts, the guerillas started to raid Japanese motorized convoys and even minor Japanese encampments in the countryside. The rebel attacks had escalated to the point that the Japanese Army was forced to mobilize whole brigades to quell them.
"Look outside, girls." Serafina then said, pointing to one of the storehouse's windows. "The Japanese troops are pouring out of Manila by the truckload! At this rate, Elise won't be able to count on the Japanese Army to back her up before long."
"That takes care of her third pillar, then." Michi assumed. Serafina replied with a nod.
"On top of that," Audrey then added, "If we time our attack right – say, during a major American air raid – we'll have the element of surprise going for us."
"I'll also be able to use as many planes as I want then!" Ligaya cheerfully hummed. "Though I may have to stick to the new models – I doubt the US Air Force would still be using Peashooters."
"Indeed, comrade de la Cruz!" Serafina added, "And I've gotten hold of some of my old contacts –we might be able to count on a little extra help when we need it."
"It seems you have it all planned out now, huh?" Michi smiled wryly, turning to Audrey.
"You told us to make a plan. We made a plan." Audrey replied with pride. "So what do you think?"
"It's good – sound and solid." Michi nodded in approval, "I have no qualms with it… but…"
All of the sudden, there was a commotion outside at the courtyard of the campus. Armed Japanese men arrived at the gates of the Padre Faura and, despite the pleas of the priests and the nuns, started to comb through the campus at their pleasure.
"Kempeitai." Michi whispered, turning off the short-wave radio "Military police – we need to hide."
"On it." Serafina whispered back. The Ukrainian waved her hand and a blanket of magic filled the storehouse. Just as the Japanese military policemen kicked open the door, the girls disappeared from sight. The girls held their breaths as the Japanese men swept around the storehouse.
"Nani mo nai. (Nothing here)" One of the men then said, taking one last look at the room before shaking his head. "Ikimashou. (Let's go.)"
The military policemen rallied together outside then started to leave the campus, but not before threatening the people with leering glares. Everyone at the Padre Faura knew that they would be back – that was a certainty. If the kempeitai would return in a fouler mood, the girls didn't want to think of what they might be compelled to do.
"Tch…" Serafina shook her head, waving away her magic veil, "This'll be a double-edged sword then, huh."
She then looked at her maroon Soul Gem, darkened ever so slightly by that one encounter. A serious look grew on the Ukrainian girl's face. "If this is how it's going to be, we're going to have to act soon. I can only hide us like this so many times before we run out of Grief Seeds."
"Then we shall act soon." Michi spoke determinedly, handing Serafina one of their treasured Grief Seeds. "The playing field is as even as it will ever be. We need to take decisive action. Once the girls are all ready, and once your reinforcements arrive, we will time our attack with the first American air raid we can catch. Until then, continue to hide us."
"Understood, comrade." Serafina nodded. "And when the time comes, we'll give Elise a performance she will never forget."
First Interlude
Halfway around the world, at the wharf of the San Francisco Naval Shipyard, Lorelei Sankt sat by herself in silence. With her shoes and socks at her side, she waded in the water and looked out to the Pacific Ocean – or at least what she could make out of it. The thick San Francisco fog that wafted around did not allow her to see far, but she still looked on.
In the Magni Domina's hands was a telegraph barely two days old. It was a telegraph from Manila – a telegraph from Elise. Unlike the many lighthearted messages and telegraphs they had exchanged throughout their friendship, this telegraph was a call for help.
"The killers have consolidated their strength. They are preparing for war as we speak… and I firmly believe that the Gumamela Building will be their first target."
The Magni Domina didn't like messages like these – she never did. Messages like these made her worry about her friend. The two of them had been separated by war once. Though the circumstances were different now, Lorelei was not intent on losing touch with Elise again.
"Audrey Burnham and Ligaya de la Cruz…" Lorelei then muttered to herself, remembering their faces and their voices in her mind. "Dear Serafina and that good-hearted interpreter too…"
Lorelei's lips formed a frown. "The girl in the blue kimono…"
That blue kimono Michi wore and the murderous air the Japanese girl had around her when she fought in Japan flashed in Lorelei's head. The Magni Domina shook her head.
It was then that she remembered something that Serafina had told her once in the past – a curious thought the Ukrainian had when they met in the ruins of the Stalingrad Branch, the branch that was picked apart by the killers.
"Do you suppose that Elise knows something about the killings she refuses to tell you?"
Abhorred by the thought, Lorelei gave her a firm reply.
"Elise would never hide anything from me! Please, do not doubt her like this."
That was the last time Serafina and Lorelei spoke about the matter. Looking back at it now, Lorelei would have wanted to ask why Serafina would have thought such a thing. Now, with the way things stood, the chances of her asking Serafina that question were gone.
Footsteps coming from behind her reached then Lorelei's ears, prompting her to raise herself up to the wharf and turn around. Three girls stood before the Magni Domina, the Carissimas of the most prominent branches of Salvae in North America.
"Carissima de la Ciudad de Mexico," said the first girl, "listo para accion!"
"Carissima de la ville de Quebec," announced the second, "prêt pour l'action!"
"Carissima of the city of San Francisco," the last girl declared, "ready for your orders, Magni Domina."
The three girls then each gave Lorelei stiff salutes. Lorelei returned the gesture, though not as zealously as the three girls.
"How many girls will we have on this expedition?" Lorelei asked.
"About a hundred and fifty." The San Franciscan said, "Surely, we have the strength to crush these killers once and for all."
"Hopefully…" Lorelei's mind started to wander off. The three Carissimas looked at each other. None of them expected such an airy response.
"Excusez moi, Magni Domina." The Quebecer then came forward, "Are you feeling alright?"
"Si, mi jefe." The Carissima of Mexico agreed, hints of worry in her tone as well. "You seem out of it today."
The Magni Domina lowered her head for a moment in thought. No matter what she did, she found no reason for people like Audrey, Ligaya and Serafina to choose to fight Salvae. Even the secretive Michi, the girl in the blue kimono, fought to protect her in Japan. If she did choose to carry on with her Philippine Expedition, she may very well have to cross blades with these girls. The very thought of that sent chills up her spine. However, if she chooses not to go, her friend's life may be in danger.
"Sorry." Lorelei then said, picking up her socks and shoes. "It's just that my feet are a little bit cold."
Once her feet were dry, she slipped into her shoes and spoke in a decisive tone.
"I'm ready to go. Elise needs our help – we can't delay any further."
Should they cross blades in Manila, Lorelei thought, so be it. This was a battle she would have to fight – but would she make it in time?
Second Interlude
It was a few minutes to 8PM in the evening at the fourth floor of the Edificio Gumamela. Under the light of a small electric lamp, the Carissima peacefully went through her paperwork with a businesslike air about her. At her side stood the white queen chess piece, vigilantly watching the Carissima as she worked. With the white queen at her side, the Carissima felt at peace.
"You will be back in Manila soon, won't you Lorelei?" Elise thought as she saw the piece in the corner of her eye."It's only a matter of time."
Her mind then wandered away from her stack of papers and the Carissima sank into her chair with a satisfied smile. As she sat, the evening din of the city of Manila gave way to the clear ringing of the bells of the Manila Cathedral. Elise closed her eyes and let the sound of the bells fill her ears, counting each and every strike. It had become a habit of hers to count the strikes of the cathedral bells – they reminded her that time was passing, moving ever forward.
However, the 8PM bells sounded off. The first six tolls were clear and pleasant, but the seventh sounded muffled somewhat. Strangely enough, the eighth strike never even came. Just as Elise realized the oddity, her small table lamp flickered for a moment before turning dark and letting the moonlight take its place.
It was a brownout. Elise shook her head with distaste. She promptly reached for the telephone unit perched atop her desk and picked up the receiver. Elise put her finger on the dial and readied herself to give her contacts in the local power company a piece of her mind. As she set the receiver to her ear, though, Elise's heart skipped a beat. There was no dial tone. Elise's eyes narrowed.
The Carissima stood up from her chair and looked out of the window and was shocked by what she saw. The other buildings of at the Calle Escolta had lost power as well, but the streetlights of the other streets still shone bright. What made matters worse was that Elise could see the people of Manila in a frenzied panic, running for their dear lives, but Elise could not hear their cries.
"Carissima!" One of Elise's Zealots rushed into the room with a gas lamp in hand, "The sirens haven't gone off in the city yet, but there's going to be an American air raid tonight!"
"I doubt that." Elise said, her eyes still watching the people of Manila. Many of them covered their ears as they ran while the rest pointed up to the sky in fear. "The air raid sirens have already gone off. It's just that we can't hear them."
The Zealot scratched her face in confusion. "So, should we get the girls to go down to the basement and take shelter?"
"No." Elise said with a stern voice, turning around to face the Zealot. "Get the girls ready for battle and light the candles in the halls. The rebels will be making their move. Tonight."
"Tonight…?" The Zealot then gasped, realizing the full breadth of the situation they were in. "Dios mio! I'll get them ready right away!"
Hurriedly, the Zealot rushed out of the room and blurted out orders in Filipino then in English, lighting the candles as she passed them by. The now candle-lit halls of the Gumamela Building were soon filled with the sound of footsteps of girls mobilizing to their battle formation. Soul Gems of a multitude of colors reflected the candlelight as the girls swiftly organized their defense.
In the midst of this chaos, though, Kyuubey just walked on through the halls at his usual carefree pace. Without a care in the world, the little white creature entered Elise's room and sat down leisurely.
"So it has begun, huh." Kyuubey spoke with intrigue in his voice, drawing Elise's ire. "Do you believe you are ready?"
"I have just finished giving orders to my Incognitas." Elise spoke evasively, finding herself an oil lamp and some candles to light. "We would outnumber them four-to-one."
Elise then pointed up to Manila's night sky where squadrons of American carrier aircraft loomed in the horizon.
"Lorelei arrived with the US Pacific Fleet at Leyte only two days ago." Elise added, "If the American planes can reach this far, then Lorelei and her army would be close by. The rebels' offensive is doomed to fail."
Kyuubey blinked at Elise's words and wagged his tail. "Just like your efforts to overcome the…"
"No." Elise growled at the creature, "I will succeed. I will win this battle and I will overcome your curse! I'll…!"
As Elise was speaking, she was interrupted when the Gumamela Building was rocked by an explosion. It was a 105mm howitzer shell – the type fired by the highest caliber gun she had given to Audrey Burnham in blueprints. Now, it was going to be used against her.
The first explosion was followed by a salvo of five or six more, striking the building in rapid succession. Elise held onto her desk to keep her balance, but her eyes bulged in shock. The white queen piece she treasured had tipped onto its side and was about to roll off the table. The Carissima dove down to the ground and barely caught the falling piece in her hand.
"I see." Kyuubey then said, "It seems the things you value have not changed."
"And they never will." Elise rose back up to her feet, "No matter what, I will see this through to the end."
She pocketed the chess piece and drew out her lilac Soul Gem, surrounding herself in bright, lilac light.
"After all… this is all for her sake… and she doesn't have to know."
Act XXXVIII – Battle of the Calle Escolta
Fragments of fiery stone and charred wood fell from the façade of the Edificio Gumamela and onto the empty sidewalk of the Calle Escolta. The Gumamela's sturdy double doors that had been fortified by one of the most modern mechanism of bars and steel screens lay in smoldering ruin. The 105mm howitzer shells proved too strong for the doors to withstand.
Smoke rose from the barrels of a line 105mm howitzer guns that promptly disappeared in a flash of amber light. A certain American girl, sporting her cavalry coat and ranger's hat, held on to her golden scarf that waved in the evening Manila wind. Behind her was a young Filipina girl, wearing her collared olive-green shirt, mechanic's overalls and puffy light-green skirt, and six other girls clad in their magical attires.
The Filipina held an M1 Garand firmly in her hands while the rest held onto Thompson submachine guns and Sturmgewerhr 44 assault rifles that reflected the moonlight. Every gun the girls had each bore a similar accessory – a thin red ribbon tied to their stocks, their sign of defiance.
Startled by Audrey's first salvo of howitzer fire, the defenders of the Gumamela Building rushed to garrison their building posthaste. By the windows and on the roof, the defenders took their positions and a line of girls promptly replaced the doors Audrey had just destroyed. The Zealots of the Gumamela wore stoic faces, prepared to push back the rebels should they dare to take another step forward. The defending Aspirants, however, were more hesitant. Though their weapons, both magical and conventional, were all drawn, they did not seem to want to fire at the girls they had once called their sisters-in-magic – girls they had once seen as their friends.
The armed girls standing behind Audrey and Ligaya shared this reluctance, but their hearts were much, much more stout. Ligaya laid a hand on Audrey's shoulder, drawing a determined nod from the American. Audrey picked up an M1918A2 Browning Automatic Rifle that sat at her side, a red ribbon also tied to its stock, and held it firmly lest it should fall. She then took a deep breath and roared her orders.
"Forward… March!"
With that command, Audrey and Ligaya slowly marched forward and the girls behind them followed in two tight columns. Their eyes were set on the Gumamela Building and its defenders, but did not shoot. Strangely enough, neither did the defenders, much to the distraught of the Zealots.
It was an indescribable moment for both sides. Different as their hopes were, it was a moment of parity and maybe even understanding between them. The girls marching forward through the Calle Escolta held out a lingering, yet fleeting hope that the girls of the Gumamela would somehow lay down their arms and let them through. The junior defenders, on the other hand, wished for the same and that the rebels would come and join them in the Manila branch of Salvae again.
Both sides knew the folly of these hopes. As black smoke wafted up from the smoldering doors, one thing was certain – the die has been cast. The only question now was when it would fall.
Step after step, inch after inch, the distance between them grew closer and the tension rose to fever pitch. Who would be the first to break this deadlock? Neither the rebels nor the Aspirant defenders knew. The Zealots who watched the advance from the rooftop, however, knew that it would be soon.
As Audrey and company advanced through the Calle Escolta, they passed by the intersection of the Escolta and Burke roads. The thunderous sounds of running feet reached Audrey's ears. The American girl turned her head to its source. Her brow quickly furrowed.
Girls in magical attire came rushing towards Audrey's formation from the Burke road, every girl wearing that ominous black shawl Audrey had grown to despise. It was an ambush.
Her eyes turned back to the Gumamela Building and saw the Zealots voicing out their orders to the Aspirants, albeit angrily. The first shots from the Gumamela rang through and struck at the road beneath the girls' feet. The moment of parity that had existed between them was over.
"There's no turning back now." Audrey growled. "Ligaya! Cover, please!"
"Roger!" Ligaya waved her hand and a blinding flash of olive green light coalesced in front of her and Audrey. When the light subsided, the most modern tank in the service of the United States Army appeared – the M26 Pershing. It's 704 horsepower Continental engine hummed huskily and its 90mm M3 gun was trained at the Gumamela Building – the powerful machine she had finally been able to master drew a smile on Ligaya's face.
"Keep moving!" Audrey then cried, urging her formation onwards. Ligaya's tank slowly rolled forward, deflecting anything and everything that struck its tough hull and turret, and the girls followed behind it. "Remember girls, conserve your magic! Stick to your guns!"
Protected by the tank, the girls turned their attention to the Incognitas rushing from the Burke and open-fired.
The Incognitas were pounded by a wall of accurate lead that struck down two or three of their number and injured many more. Despite this, the Incognitas started to close in on the girls as they approached the intersection. Before the Incognitas could get anywhere near, though, the rooftop of a small two-story building was illuminated by flashes of gunfire. The crack of rifles echoed in the intersection and Incognitas fell. The girls who had come in to ambush Audrey and company soon realized that they themselves had run into an ambush.
Atop that two-story building, four girls armed with Mosin Nagant rifles fitted with bipods and telescopic sights who rained rifle rounds onto the Incognitas mercilessly. These were the remnants of the devastated Stalingrad Branch – the allies Serafina had called to aid them.
"We'll hold these Incognitas down here." One of the Russian magi then told Audrey, "You go on ahead and press onward, comrade!"
The girl then gave Audrey a casual salute that Audrey returned. Two of the Russians then hopped off the building, one with a Cossack blade and the other with a war-hammer, and started crushing the Incognitas' vanguard. The other two girls kept shooting their rifles, picking away at the Incognitas one by one. Thus, the girls of the Padre Faura pressed forward.
From the rooftop of the Gumamela Building, the Zealots watched the tank come closer and closer to the front doors. So far, nothing they or the other defenders did to stop the tank and the girls behind it have been futile. All of the sudden, the tank stopped moving forward and aimed its 90mm gun up to the rooftop. The Zealots promptly took cover as a 90mm high-explosive shell blasted the roof. Audrey and the rest of the girls behind the tank also had their guns trained on the rooftop and were shooting at the girls stationed there. They ignored the girls at the windows, and even those defending the wrecked front door.
What were these rebels planning to do? As a second 90mm shell struck the rooftop, the Zealots didn't have the slightest clue. They just lay down on the ground, hoping not to get hit by stray bullets, debris or yet another tank shell. Their cluelessness and guessing would not last long, though.
The deafening roar of a four-engine aircraft rang in their ears. The Zealots turned their eyes to the sky and saw the most unwelcome sight – a B-17G Flying Fortress flying low, headed straight for the Edificio Gumamela. Without a doubt, this was a plane commanded by the rebel Ligaya de la Cruz.
"They're going to bomb us!" The Zealot shouted, almost in a panic. "Take cover!"
With hands over their heads, the girls in the rooftop curled up and hid under anything that could protect them. Louder and louder, the four engines of the Flying Fortress grew. Heavy bombs would start to fall at any given moment, their ominous whistles sealing the girls' doom. No whistling would reach their ears that evening. Even as the plane passed over head, no bombs fell to strike them down.
Instead, as the girls opened their eyes, the Flying Fortress fizzled into green light. Two figures leaped out of this bright light; a certain Ukrainian girl in her Equestrian-Grenadier outfit and the legendary Japanese magi – the girl in the blue kimono. They landed gracefully on the rooftop and quickly summoned their weapons, their blades shining in the moonlight.
"Larivenko, you traitor!" One of the Zealots then howled, "You're a Carissima – how dare you turn your blade against us?"
"Well, I should be asking you the same question, 'comrade'." Serafina said, pointing her rapier at the Zealot's face, "How dare you slaughter the Aspirants like mere cattle?"
"So, what now?" The Zealot challenged desperately, "You're going to kill each and every girl in the Gumamela?"
"No, we would rather not." Michi then spoke, her naginata firmly in her hands. "If you wish to walk away from this conflict, you are free to do so. Otherwise, stay out of our way."
As Michi said this, the Aspirants on the rooftop dispelled their weapons and threw away their guns. The Japanese girl stepped aside and let the Aspirants flee. Now, only the Zealots were left on the roof but they made no move for the stairwell. They stood up from where they lay and took steeled stances.
"We are loyal to the end." The eldest Zealot then spoke, "We will not let you lay a hand on Elise de Lamarliere."
"Very well, then." Michi said as she and Serafina faced off against the Zealots, "We will have no regrets."
A flurry of precise slashes and whirling swipes ran through the Zealots who were cut down like grass. Their blood splattered in lines and pooled on the rooftop and fragments of their broken Soul Gems scattered into the air.
"Now then." Serafina then turned to Michi, "Let's find that Elise and end this."
Third Interlude
In the room of Elise de Lamarliere, two Zealots stood before the Carissma, telling her how their girls were faring in battle. As the Zealots spoke, Elise sat before her chessboard and listened to every excruciating detail the Zealots would tell her. The Carissima would move the pieces, both the black and the white, on the board, depicting the clashes as they occurred in succession. Once the Zealots finished, the Carissima firmly gave her orders.
"Hold the line for now." Elise said, still moving the pieces around the board. "Keep them pinned down at the Calle Escolta and don't let them near the front doors. We just need to last until our Lady Lorelei Sankt arrives."
"B-but that tank...!" One of the Zealots argued
"I will handle that tank." Elise reassured, "Let me just iron out the details and I will join you at the front."
"Yes, Carissima!"
The two Zealots took their leave and rushed back to their posts with the Carissima's orders. Left alone in the room, Elise continued the chess game she played against herself. One move after another, the attackers and defenders danced in that ballet of war. Ground was given and ground was gained – both sides drew and lost blood. However, only one side can be victorious in war.
Roars of the four engines of the B-17G Flying Fortress that flew low over the Gumamela Building rattled in Elise's ears but no bombs fell and struck at the roof. Elise's eyes then bulged in realization. In her game, it was the attacker's turn and the attacker would deal her defense that very same, fateful move that set her life into motion.
With a shaky hand, Elise reached over the table, picked up the white queen and brought it over to her. The white queen knocked down a pawn and landed on a square where she was protected by the white bishop, rook and knight – a square right next to the black king. The large image of Delacroix's Liberty Leading the People on the wall opposite to her then loomed down on Elise. Elise sat in her chair in silence, her head lowered as she pondered about the consequences of that game.
Then, Elise's body tensed up and the Carissima was struck by a coughing fit. The girl covered her mouth with the back of her hand, listening to her strained coughs fill her room. Elise opened her eyes and was distraught. There was blood on her hands.
Her vision blurred as torrents of pain tormented her chest. The unearthly beings resembling humans started appearing in her room, wandering around aimlessly. The Carissima promptly drew her Soul Gem. Once again, it was on the verge of shattering.
"No… not like this…" Elise struggled to breathe, the pain in her chest growing sharp.
She reached for a Grief Seed in her pocket and cleansed her gem of as much corruption as the Grief Seed could take, but it was not enough. The second Grief Seed was followed by a third – then a fourth. The Carissima went through the Grief Seeds in her satchel quickly, and it was only by the eighth seed that her gem was finally clean. The pain subsided and Elise finally breathed easy. The visions too disappeared – but one foreign entity remained; the Incubator.
"Ah, so that's how it is." The airy voice of Kyuubey, wagging its tail as it watched Elise's episode. "Your efforts to contain the Taint were flawed, I know – but to be flawed to this extent. Interesting."
"This game isn't over yet." Elise growled at Kyuubey. The Carissima summoned an array of great-swords that struck into the floor around her and drew one from out of the ground. "I just need a little more time."
Act XXXIX – Graceful Blades
"Alright, they made it!" Ligaya cheered happily, leaning against the rear plate of her M26 Pershing as she pushed a new clip into her Garand. The Filipina then hailed their friends on the rooftop, "How are things going up there?"
"We cleared the rooftop, comrades." Serafina replied confidently, "They'll be reconsolidating their defense to compensate – now's your chance. They keep the Grief Seeds in the Maultiers' storehouse – take it and cut off their supplies!"
"That's what I like to hear." Audrey joined, happy with this turn of events, "We're ready to go down here."
"Serafina and I are prepared as well." Michi then added, "I wish you well in your battles."
"You take care of yourself too, Michi." Audrey said appreciatively, "Now go teach that Elise a lesson."
"Definitely." Michi replied, her determination solid in her tone. "Her reign of terror ends tonight."
The girls severed their mental links and Audrey turned to Ligaya and the Aspirants.
"Alright girls! Time to use our magic!" The American grinned, "… Go!"
At Audrey's command, the girls slung their guns on their shoulders and called forth their weapons en masse. Swords of all different shapes and sizes appeared in the Aspirants' hands. Olive green light filled the streets, calling forth two more Pershing tanks as two dozen 105mm howitzer guns slammed to the ground.
"We're breaking through to the Maultiers' warehouse!" Audrey cried, "It's now or never!"
Ligaya's tank guns and Audrey's howitzers fired in unison, bathing the Gumamela Building in bright, fiery light. The defenders were pushed back by the blast and but picked themselves up as fast as they could. Black soot and crumbling debris clouded the defenders' vision for a moment. Once it all cleared, the girls charged forward fearlessly atop the three Pershing tanks. The distance between them was closed and the battle was joined.
"We ought to go now too." Serafina then said, opening the door to the rooftop's stairwell, "Let's not let their efforts go to waste."
Michi nodded and the two of them rushed down the stairwell, holding onto the rails as the blast after blast rocked the building. They reached the fourth floor, its decorations in disarray. Paintings had fallen from their nails on the walls and statues lay shattered on the floor, fallen from their pedestals. The glass chandeliers of the halls, the symbol of the Gumamela Building's grandeur, were smashed on the marble, their beauty reduced to nothing more than broken glass.
"Elise's room is this way." Serafina said, guiding Michi through the now chaotic fourth floor hallway, "Never thought I'd see the day."
Through the shimmering fragments that lined their path, Michi and Serafina crossed the halls. They reached the middle of the hall and found themselves standing before the grand door to Elise's room. With their weapons in hand, the two girls opened the door and stepped into the room side by side.
"I've been expecting you." Elise's voice rang clear through her room, "The traitor and the murderer."
The silhouette of the Carissima, illuminated by the moonlight and the candle wick of a gas lamp, appeared standing at the middle of the room. Seven swords stuck out from the ground as the Carissima held on to an eighth. Clad in her brilliant steel-plate armor, her eyes glared at her two visitors and watched their every move.
"For the sake of every Puella Magi in the world, we're here to take your life." Serafina said, slashing her sword through the air. "Lay down your arms and we'll make your death quick and painless."
"Ah, what luxury it is to be a fool."Elise whispered, almost imperceptibly, "What I would give to be as innocent as you."
The girls did not reply, choosing instead to take a few cautious steps forward. Serafina followed suit, her rapier raised should Elise make a sudden move. Slowly, Michi and Serafina parted to the sides, encircling Elise from a distance.
"Tell me something." Michi then spoke, the blade of her naginata pointed at Elise, "What compelled you to do the things you have done: to slaughter Puella Magi like sheep, to maintain an army of wolves and vultures to pick at their remains, to what end?"
With a slight hop forward, the Japanese girl lunged forward and thrust her naginata forward to test the Carissima's defense. Elise reacted quickly and parried the strike with her great sword, catching the naginata blade by the hilt. The Carissima then shoved her sword with a grunt, forcing Michi to retreat. Michi furrowed her brow – Elise was much stronger and more skilled than she had expected her to be. This would not be an easy battle for them.
"To what end, you ask." Elise then said, impressed by Michi's initiative, "Have you ever heard of the Taint of the Dreadnaught?"
"… Taint?" Michi repeated. She remembered Lorelei mention a Dreadnaught Witch to her in Japan, but nothing about a taint.
"Yes, the taint." Elise confirmed, tightening her grip on her sword, "It is the Incubators' damned curse to perpetuate the war between Puella Magi and the Witches. It is the curse responsible for the manifestation of Dreadnaught Witches."
"There haven't been any Dreadnaught Witch attacks since 1916." Michi then said, watching Elise with great concentration, looking for even the slightest weakness in her stance. "Lorelei Sankt said so."
"And that would be because of Salvae, Terrae Magicae." Elise replied, "The organization's purpose is to rally the Puella Magi of the world to fight against the Dreadnaught Witches should they attack again. In reality, though this organization has prevented the manifestation of the Dreadnaughts – suppressed the Taint from which they are born."
"Lies!" Serafina then cried, "You only think about collecting Grief Seeds and killing off the weaker Puella Magi. How in the hell could you be preventing the Dreadnaughts from being born that way?"
The Ukrainian then quickly ran forward, hoping to slash at the Carissima. Elise, however, easily parried Serafina's attack and swiped back at her – missing Serafina by an inch. The blades of the two girls clashed, sending off sparks of lilac and maroon as they traded a flurry of slashes.
"Damn it!" The Ukrainian cursed. Serafina's swordplay was ages behind that of Elise – that much became painfully clear to Serafina as she lost ground and as the sword-dance she had started now played to Elise's beat rather than hers.
Michi dashed forward to try and strike at the distracted Elise, but the Carissima was more than prepared to defend herself. Picking up a second sword from the floor, she blocked the swings of both girls and shoved them back one at a time. Even at a two-on-one, Michi and Serafina found themselves at the disadvantage. Elise could swing the heavy great-swords with such skill and ease that she could protect herself from virtually any angle. Michi and Serafina thus decided to step back and keep their distance again, waiting for another chance to strike.
"Well, then…" Michi spoke, taking a cautious step forward, "How exactly have you suppressed this taint you speak of?"
"It's simple." Elise then said, "Keep the Puella Magi infected with the Taint from manifesting – this Puella Magi is none other than Lorelei Sankt. Only I am aware of this fact – Lorelei and the other Carissimas know nothing."
Serafina gasped in disbelief, but Michi's eyes stayed focused on Elise. The Carissima just sighed and continued to speak.
"Since that fateful day in 1916, Lorelei Sankt has carried the Taint of the Dreadnaught within her Soul Gem. As the Puella Magi who had defeated the previous Dreadnaught, she has become the Dreadnaught's successor."
"A succession of Witches…" Michi's thoughts escaped her lips. "When the Dreadnaught falls…"
"A Puella Magi is destined to take its place." Elise nodded tartly, finishing Michi's sentence. "Lorelei was on the brink of manifesting right there in the Somme – but I was able to save her. I made a wish to save her. I made a wish to let Puella Magi lend each other's strengths, to fortify each other against the taint and to become more powerful…"
"… That's Soul Gem binding." Serafina suddenly realized, "I know the ritual made our gems stronger, somewhat, but… if you wished for something like that then… then…"
"You too now carry the Taint, Carissima Serafina."Elise then said, disdainfully reminding the Ukrainian of the title she threw away. "That is the caveat of the strength we, the Puella Magi of Salvae, enjoy. We are powerful, but we live under the shadow of Lorelei's curse. We all share in Lorelei's burden – the burden that Lorelei doesn't know she carries."
Sweat dripped down Serafina's face and her heart started to pound. Her steeling stance withered away as she came to a realization. The way her strength strangely failed her during her trip to Japan – it all made sense to her now. As the Ukrainian wrestled with the emotions welling up inside her, Elise launched her blades at Serafina.
The Ukrainian quickly snapped out of her daze and dodged the first sword and was barely able to parry the second. Then, Elise picked up a new sword from the floor and charged towards the sluggish Serafina. With a powerful swing of her great-sword, Elise disarmed Serafina with great force and followed through with a sweeping slash that cut deep into Serafina's torso and threw the Ukrainian girl on her back.
Screaming in pain, the Ukrainian rolled to the side, cradling her wound, blood spreading through her Equestrian-Grenadier outfit in a long, deep line.
"Serafina!" Michi cried. The Japanese girl sprinted and put herself in between Serafina and Elise. With a furious look in her eyes, Michi glared at Elise and growled. "Don't come any closer!"
Elise raised her sword to the level of her eyes, pondering on whether or not to proceed. She chose the latter, stepping back two paces to restore their distance with a confident look in her eyes. The tables had turned; the odds were once again in her favor.
Lying down in pain on the ground, Serafina laid her hand on the deep wound on her torso. Warm maroon light bathed the wound and allowed it to seal. The pain of Elise's strike, though, still stung and the Ukrainian girl found herself unable to stand.
"Serafina." Elise then called out, drawing a glare from the Ukrainian, "Take out your Soul Gem."
The Ukrainian turned to Michi who gestured Serafina that she would protect her. Begrudgingly, Serafina did as she was told. She reached for the small sickle-shaped gem that adorned her bandolier and detached it to take a look at it. She was shocked by what she saw.
Tendrils of dark, dark corruption swirled around in the gem, flanked by grandiose statues falling from their pedestals. The Ukrainian had just cleansed her gem right before they landed on the rooftop, but she was already halfway to her limit.
"See how quickly your Soul Gem gets corrupted now." Elise then said, "As does mine."
Elise showed the girls the back of her hand where a lilac fleur-de-lis stuck out from her skin. The lilac gem too bore dark corruption, but the tendrils swarmed through the fleur-de-lis violently, hungrily consuming the lilac light within. The French Carissima ran a Grief Seed through the gem to cleanse it of as much corruption as the seed could hold, but it was not enough. The bulk of the darkness still remained.
"Not even a half an hour has passed in battle, and yet my Soul Gem cries out from grief." Elise said, running a second and third seed by her gem. Serafina could not believe her eyes.
"Why are you showing us this?" Michi asked, watching Elise hide her gem again.
"I just wanted to let you know how dire our situation truly is." Elise then said, emphatically swinging her sword in the air, "The corruption we carry for Lorelei's sake does alleviate Lorelei's burden… but that does not stop it from growing within us too. As our strength grows exponentially, so does the magic we expend with every strike."
The Carissima then started to shake in desperation, taking staggered breaths as the words came to her mouth. "It has come to the point that, even just preserving my existence drains my gem by so much!"
Elise picked up another blade and dashed forward again to swing her two great-swords at Michi. The girls traded strikes, slashes, stabs and lunges, at a lightning-fast pace. Serafina could barely see the two girls' blades as they struck each other in the air. Though their skills in combat were at par with each other, Elise's furious strength broke the stalemate and proved too much for Michi.
With a powerful backhand blow, Elise broke Michi's defense, splitting the Japanese girl's naginata in two. Elise then followed through and struck Michi with the blunt of her sword, launching the Japanese girl into the recovering Serafina. The two girls crashed into each other, numbed by the impact. Serafina groaned in agony, stuck to the floor again, while Michi somehow picked herself up but her legs wobbled shakily as she stood. The blow Elise had dealt to her was much too strong. The Japanese girl was in no position to defend herself, or even Serafina for that matter. All that was left for them was for Elise to hand them their defeat with the edge of her blade.
"Look at me, traitor and murderer." Elise then said, her tone almost pleading. "My body is unscathed, but my soul has been consumed in darkness. There are times when I wonder – am I still a Puella Magi? Or have I already become a Witch?"
The odd, unearthly beings that wandered through Elise's room started to appear again and new paintings appeared around on the crumbling walls. The floor beneath them, cracked and broken by their skirmishes and the bombardment beneath them became new.
The Carissima took out Grief Seeds to cleanse her gem yet again. The beings were dispelled, but the decorations remained – starkly contrasting the now war-torn building.
"My wish brought great hope… but equal parts of despair." Elise sobbed, dropping the spent seeds on the marble floor with numerous, small, glassy dings. "I went on and became a Puella Magi, hoping to save Lorelei Sankt… but in the end, I can barely do anything save myself. All I can do… it to keep on fighting… and Lorelei will not have to know."
"Fighting for who?" Michi then asked, finally regaining control of her legs, "Tell me, Elise de Lamarliere, who are you fighting for?"
Michi extended her hand and summoned a new naginata with a flash of turquoise blue light.
"You hide the truth from the one you are trying to protect, performing heinous crimes in her name without her knowing." Michi growled, holding her naginata down in a ready stance, "You are not fighting for Lorelei Sankt… you're fighting for yourself!"
Elise took a hesitant step back, unsure, for once, of what to say.
"I too have lived for myself in the past… fighting for myself, harboring strength for myself – only for myself. I too have traveled, searching for meaning in this cold, uncaring world… and I found it." Michi continued, images of Ligaya, Serafina and Audrey and the time they shared together appearing in her mind." I too have found those I would give my life to protect."
Michi then glared at Elise standing before her.
"You and I both fight for those we hold dear…" Michi spoke, "But, you lost your way. You cower in fear, thinking of only yourself. You slew girls mercilessly for Lorelei's sake, but kept it a secret from her… that's why you decided to stay in the Philippines, half a world away from Lorelei."
From the look of guilt on Elise's face, Michi knew her guess was spot on.
"It's true then." Michi said with finality, disgust welling up in the Japanese girl's eyes. "This is despicable. The merciless killings, the cowardice… all despicable. For this reason, I cannot forgive you."
The Japanese girl then dashed forward to strike at Elise. The Carissima raised her two blades to defend herself, but sharp pains struck her chest. Explosions from below rocked the floor beneath them and Elise lost her footing. The two swords she carried dropped to the floor and she found herself falling for a split second. She grabbed onto a new blade to regain her balance and tried to lift it up from the floor. The pain ravaged Elise yet again, robbing the Carissima of her strength. She could not lift up the sword.
All she could do was watch as Michi ran towards her, the edge of the naginata she held trained at her chest. Torrents of excruciating pain filled every inch of Elise's body as she howled in pain. The blade pierced through her armor and tore through her all the way to her back. Elise struggled, feeling the naginata and the hole it carved through her body. Deathly coldness then started to chill her bones – it was a lethal blow, but she did not want to die. Not yet.
The Japanese girl only less than a meter away from her became nothing more than a blur as her eyesight started to fade. Gritting her teeth, the Carissima grabbed onto the wooden pole that separated her and Michi and pulled on it, letting the naginata cut deeper into her. Each stinging sensation threatened to paralyze her, but Elise carried on – using what remained of her wavering strength to bring herself closer to Michi.
"What… what are you…?" Michi demanded, shocked as she watched Elise painstakingly close the distance between them. Blood soiled the blade of her naginata and the wooden pole was laminated in crimson sheen… and yet, Elise struggled onwards, her wincing eyes belying the pain.
The French Carissima then reached Michi and laid her hands on the Japanese girl's shoulders almost gently.
"… Your name…" Elise spoke, her clear voice now nothing more than a raspy whisper. "T-tell me… your name…"
Elise's eyes stared straight into Michi's. The fiery anger that had filled the Carissima's eyes had long since waned. Now, her eyes were weak and teary, begging Michi to speak.
"Michi Hideyoshi." The Japanese girl spoke, doing her best to not let her voice shake.
"I see…" Elise then said, a hint of defeated mellowness in her tone as she translated the Japanese name to English. "… the sacred path… b-beneath the tree, huh?"
The Carissima then grimaced, feeling the pangs of cold death surround her. Blood snaked down Elise's armor and ran down the pole of Michi's naginata. Elise's blood met Michi's small hand, staining her palm and knuckles crimson. The blood was barely warm now.
Struggling to take a breath, Elise faced Michi again, desperation now filling her voice.
"I… will not ask for your forgiveness… for I…. for I know you will not give it to me, even if I asked." Elise spoke, her mouth leaking a small stream of blood, "You are right… I have fought for myself… dragged innocents into a l-lifetime of f-f-fighting... But know that I did what I have done… so that we may all live to see a new day… it's not too late, not yet…"
Elise then grabbed onto Michi's shoulders tightly.
"So please… I beg of you… don't let this sacrifice go in vain… S-stop this c-c-cycle."
Elise's knees gave way. Michi's bloodstained hand loosened its grip on her naginata and the hardwood pole fell heavily to the chessboard floor. Michi knelt beside her foe and laid her down to the ground.
"… Lorelei." Elise's faint voice was barely audible, "P-please… don't let Lorelei…"
Elise turned away from Michi and tears started to fall from her cheeks.
"Lorelei…"
…
…
Epilogue
The first floor of the Gumamela Building was in complete disarray. The defenders lay injured everywhere in her grand halls, along with the occasional body strewn out on the floor. Some hid in fear with their weapons held close to their hearts. A young Aspirant defender sat on the floor in the main hallway with her back against the ruined wooden walls. Shrapnel from Audrey and Ligaya's barrage of blasts had pierced her legs and rendered her immobile, sitting in her spot in fear as the sound of fighting started to subside.
Footsteps then filled the hallway, growing louder and louder. The Aspirant quivered in fear, wondering what the rebels would do to her. A familiar pair of girls grew in the distance, walking through the hallway with guns in their hands – Audrey and Ligaya. The Filipina walked with her M1 Garand while the American pointed her M1918A2 BAR forward as they swept the halls. They then came across that young Aspirant defender lying helpless in the hallway.
"Please!" She cried, pleading desperately in Filipino, "Don't kill me!"
"Don't worry." Ligaya replied in a reassuring tone, "We're not here to kill you. Sorry for scaring you like that."
"This battle will be over soon." Audrey then said, handing the Aspirant defender a Grief Seed. "We have the Storehouse, and we pretty much control the building now… all that's left is for Elise to…"
As Audrey spoke, the Aspirant suddenly shrieked in pain.
"Quick, Ligaya!" Audrey then cried, "Heal her leg!"
"I-it's not my leg…" The Aspirant gasped. "M-my… my gem!"
The young Aspirant defender took out her Soul Gem and saw it crumbling before her eyes, orange fragments spilling down to the floor. Ligaya desperately tried to hold the Soul Gem together with her hands, trying to run the Grief Seed by it to maybe repair it, but to no avail. In a few seconds' time, the Aspirant defender was cold, her blank eyes stared unfocused into the distance.
"Ms. Burnham!" One of the Aspirants of the Padre Faura called out from another part of the first floor, "The defenders! Their gems are shattering… all of them!"
"What the hell?" Audrey cursed, closing the Aspirant defender's eyes as gently as she could.
"And Ms. Burnham!" The Aspirant added again, "Outside! A lot of Puella Magi are assembled outside – more than a hundred of them!"
"That's Salvae's army!" Audrey cried, "Get the girls ready to fight again!"
Audrey and Ligaya nodded to each other and ran together to the wrecked front doors of the Gumamela Building. Just as they were about to summon their tanks and artillery, a lone figure dashed through the doorways, a figure in dazzling white.
"… Lady Lorelei!" Ligaya recognized her.
The Magni Domina saw the two girls, but ignored them. She ran past the two of them and rushed up the staircases. She was headed for the fourth floor.
"Audrey!" Ligaya then cried, "We need to catch Lady Lorelei. If we talk to her and tell her everything, we could get her to call off the attack."
"Good thinking," Audrey agreed, "but what about the defense?"
"We'll handle it from here, comrades." The Russian magi then said, joining the Aspirants of the Padre Faura, "Now go and chase down Lady Lorelei. We're counting on you."
With that, Audrey and Ligaya ran up the staircase after Lorelei Sankt all the way to the fourth floor. They found her, stepping inside the room of Elise de Lamarliere. Tears formed in her eyes and a weak, cracked voice escaped her lips.
"… Elise!"
To Be Continued
…
Episode 14 Preview:
In her classroom at the Mitakihara Middle School, Madoka Kaname sat in her desk alone. Lunch break had just passed, but the lectures of her teachers and the whispers of her classmates were nothing more than an incomprehensible din to her. Her eyes then wandered off to the empty desk of Sayaka Miki nearby, drawing a worried frown on her face.
Her best friend had been absent from school for a while now. Sayaka was not at home whenever Madoka tried to visit her at her home. The last time Madoka saw her friend was when she ran away into the rainy night. Madoka searched for her. She tried, but she could not find her. The words that Sayaka spoke to her haunted her in her waking moments… and in her dreams, she saw horrible things.
"Manila…" Madoka muttered, remembering the name of the city she had dreamt of. The young girl furrowed her brow, trying to make sense of the visions she had – and why she was seeing them.
Madoka shook her head; her efforts were fruitless, reminding herself that her friend was still missing. The visions would not help Madoka find her.
"Sayaka-chan…" Madoka then whispered to herself.
"It wasn't supposed to be like this."
…