Chapter 37

"Oh my god, you look so good in that sundress!" Emiri said as a blushing Ereshkigal stepped out of the changing room to show them the outfit that had been picked out for her.

"I know right?" Rika said excitedly. "I figured a light blue would match her hair perfectly."

"It does look good," Ereshkigal said bashfully. "I didn't think it would… but you two were right."

"Of course it does!" Emiri replied. "Rikki and I have awesome taste."

Ren simply smiled as they gushed over the Goddess, her own newly purchased outfit packed neatly in a bag. It was nice to have other people help pick out her outfits though for some reason Rika was always the first one to find something for her.

It was nice… that attention. But was Rika just putting in that effort for her or did she just do that with all her friends when Ren wasn't there to take her attention?

Ren didn't know. It would've been nice… to be someone special to Rika, but she didn't want to overstep either. Besides Rika was such a nice and active person, she had a lot of friends. Ren was perfectly fine with just being one of her many friends..

"You're wearing the gloves that Rikki gave you," Hinano sat beside Ren as Rika and Emiri continued to pick out outfits for Ereshkigal. "You know, she was a bit worried you wouldn't like them and didn't say anything to avoid hurting her."

"No," Ren replied as she cradled the gloves she wore. "I love them."

"That's great… but you know she has been picking out a lot of outfits recently. It probably costs a lot of money, you don't have to buy all of them."

"I like everything that Rika picks out for me!" Ren quickly replied. "She isn't forcing anything on me. She actually always makes sure to check the price… and tries to get my opinion on it."

Hinano stared at Ren for a bit before turning back to the others who were now starting to pick out hats to go with Ereshkigal's dress. Unlike the dress though there seemed to be some differing opinions on the hats.

"You know, Rika doesn't always read the situation…" Hinano commented. "Actually, she probably does but usually she just does whatever she feels like anyway."

"I never noticed that," Ren admitted. "Whenever I'm with her."

"Well, she always puts in effort around you," Hinano smirked. "And you suddenly have a lot to say when it's about her."

"…Huh?… Umm." Ren blushed and covered her mouth with her hands. "R-really?"

That was actually… really embarrassing. She wanted to be able to talk more but for it to come out like that.

"Nothing to worry about," Hinano said, still smirking. "It just means she's someone important enough to get you out of your box. If you can talk to others like you talk about Rika, I think you won't have any issues in the future."

"Uh… okay…" Ren put her hands on her waist and grabbed them. "I'll… try."

"Anyway," Hinano continued. "I'm glad that you feel that way. It's not just clothes, Rika was actually a bit worried that was going a bit too far."

"W-what?"

"She was worried that she was overstepping her bounds. Getting a bit too close than you were comfortable with."

Rika felt that way too?

"She isn't," Ren replied. "I… was worried… I was doing that to her."

"Maybe you should let her know then," Hinano suggested.

"I will…"

"Hey Renki!" Emiri shouted and pointed to a hat that had been placed on Ereshkigal's head. "What do you think?"

Ren couldn't help it. She giggled. That hat had to be the most ridiculous thing she'd ever seen. Oversized, oversaturated in orange and purple, and topped with all sorts of baubles. It was just something straight out of a circus and it was placed on a Goddess's head. A Goddess who was actually wearing that thing with a smug expression on her face, like it was the greatest thing she'd ever worn.

"Ooh," Rika grimaced as she turned back to Ereshkigal. "I think we just got an answer there."

Ereshkigal huffed and crossed her arms. "I'll have you know it looks great on my form. It was perfectly fashionable for my time."

"Your time?" Hinano raised an eye. "How old are you?"

"Uh…"

"Hinano! You don't ask a girl her age," Emiri replied.

Hinano frowned. "Didn't stop you from asking for mine."

"That's because you were tiny, like a squirrel! And in high school. How was I supposed to know if I didn't ask you."

"I thought I told you to stop saying that!" Hinano chastised Emiri.

"Does it… really look that bad?" Ereshkigal asked Rika.

"Yea, it kind of is," Rika replied. "Also, I'm pretty sure your skirt is backwards."

"Wait, what?"

Huh…

Ren simply watched as Rika took away the hat while Ereshkigal scrambled back into the fitting room.

Maybe Hinano was right. Maybe Rika wasn't always that considerate of others… apart from Ren.

Did that make her special?

"Woah-! Crazy! It's super crowded," Rika said to Emiri as they stood in line for the place they were going to eat at tonight.

The crowd was a bit overwhelming for Ren, but she could deal with it. Mostly by hovering next to Ereshkigal and grabbing onto her sleeve. Just being around the Goddess soothed Ren's nerves.

"It totally is since this buffet is the hottest topic around," Emiri replied to Rika. "This is my second visit, but even last time was cray-cray. Both then and now are super insane! Totally!"

"Oh my god! Totally!? I'm looking forward to the craziness!"

"Once we enter the restaurant our spirits are gonna soar crazy high!"

"I'm already burning with excitement and going to explode!"

"I super get it! You're crazy!"

"Are they speaking in another language or is that just me?" Ereshkigal asked Hinano.

Honestly, Ren was wondering that herself.

"I don't know," Hinano admitted before turning to Ren. "They're talking about a limited-time special winter buffet, right? Do you understand what they're saying? I keep hearing the words, crazy and explode."

"And insane," Ereshkigal commented.

"That too."

"….. Um… that… I'm s-sorry," Ren replied.

"Yeah, we're all at a loss here," Hinano concluded.

"Do we need to bring them to the hospital or something?" Ereshkigal asked. "You did hit Emiri's head pretty hard back there."

Hinano shook her head. "Emiri's got a tough head, though I've asked that question countless times already."

"I'm sure… they'll be fine… when they get… food," Ren replied. "It sounds… pretty… go-"

Death, despair, and regret. That was what caused Ren to swivel her head at that moment.

How? How could she forget? Just because she was having fun with Rika? She was going to spend time with them without letting them know about what could happen to them. That they could become Witches.

But… How could she tell them? Should she?

It wasn't long until everyone else there keyed into what she had sensed.

"You noticed that?" Hinano asked Ereshkigal who had also turned her head.

"Uh, yes," Ereshkigal replied.

Hinano looked at the Goddess's hands. "Are you like Ren?"

"… In a way."

"Should we go hunt it right now?" Emiri asked as she ran back to Hinano. "Aw, we're going to have to miss the buffet."

Rika was close behind though she looked worriedly at Ren.

"It's fine. Ereshkigal and Ren can hold our place in line," Hinano quickly took command. "I'd rather not get them involved with this."

Rika immediately looked relieved. "That's a good idea. And if we're held up they can just let other people through until we get back."

"W-wait!" Ren voiced her objections before Ereshkigal could. "I… we... want to come… also."

"It's dangerous," Hinano said.

"I know… but Eresh and I… we know spells… we can… fight. I want to… help."

Rika looked worried again as Hinano seemed to think over Ren's words.

"How well can you fight?" Hinano eventually asked Ereshkigal.

"Confidently," Ereshkigal replied. "We'd not stay behind and wait while you're all putting yourselves in danger."

Ren nodded and stood alongside the Goddess. They wouldn't just stay behind and wait. They needed to go with them.

"B-but," Rika began to stutter. It wasn't like her, she was usually so clear with her words. "Ren-"

"Ren is making this choice on her own," Hinano interrupted her. "They want to come and help us."

Rika glanced at Ren again before finally looking down in concession. "Okay."

"Let's go then." Hinano quickly led them toward the Witch.

Emiri pouted. "Too bad we're going to have to skip the buffet."

Ren had heard Rika describe Witches, she had Archer tell them where they came from, and had Ereshkigal help her understand why their existence was so terrible, but she had never seen one for herself. Never stepped into a labyrinth, until now.

It made her want to cry. She did cry. The corners of her eyes became wet.

"Ren," Rika looked at her, concerned. "Are you okay?"

Seeing Rika in her Magical Girl outfit, with her Soul Gem out for everyone to see, it made Ren want to cry even more. But she couldn't let herself break down. Not now at least.

"It's okay," Ren replied as she held her arms. "It's just… weird."

"Yea, labyrinths can be pretty weird…" Rika put a hand on her arm. "Just stick behind us. I know you and Ereshkigal want to fight, but it would make me feel better to know that you're safe."

Ren nodded. "I'll… be careful," she said only for her voice to be drowned out by several explosions nearby.

"Tighten the formation. These familiars are aggressive!" Hinano shouted as she took out vials from her lab coat and began throwing them at the enemy, which seemed to be some sort of strange collection of vines and metal wires.

"Okay," Rika shouted before taking out what looked like a handheld mirror. She opened it, pointed it at a small group, and shot several laser beams that sliced right through them.

I'll stay back for now, Ereshkigal remained in her casual clothes as she threw out a bone from her sleeve that struck a stray familiar in the center. They seem to have a handle on it. I'll intervene if it seems like they're in trouble.

Thank you.

Ren took out the cage that she had been hiding in her purse. The wraith, the leftover soul of a murderer still resided inside it waiting to be let loose. Maybe now was the time.

Drawing upon something within herself, something she didn't even know she had, Ren forced her Authority onto her Wraith. "Fight for me, and you can pass on."

She popped the cage open and the Wraith flew out and into the slowly decomposing body of the familiar. What was once falling apart suddenly picked itself together, started glowing an eerie white light, and then started jumping and tearing apart familiar after familiar. Thankfully the Magical Girls realized it was different and didn't attack it, though they did look back at Ren in confusion.

Ren was honestly confused herself, but it worked. And having it take over a familiar's body was better than a skeleton or a corpse. As much as she loved Ereshkigal, she couldn't quite get used to the Goddess's preferred aesthetic.

"Cool! You can control familiars?" Emiri asked.

"Something… like that…" Ren replied. "Only once… though."

"Is it safe?" Rika asked.

"Yes…"

"Even if it isn't, we can probably handle it," Hinano watched as the possessed familiar started lifting another familiar into the air and… began violently strangling it, somehow. Which was weird considering both were basically just a large mass of vines and wire.

I'm starting to think the Wraith I lent you might've been a bit too violent…

Yea...

Well, it's not strangling you. So, excellent work.

"We should probably keep going," Hinano said as she cleared a path forward. The wraith continued to follow them, though thankfully at a respectable distance as Ren had commanded it.

Eventually after clearing out the familiars, they arrived at a giant metal door that seemed to lead to the room where the Witch laid. Emiri gave it a shove and it opened with an almost cartoonish creak.

Past it though was nothing. Just walls and floors. The room was completely empty.

"Don't see it anywhere," Hinano replied as the Magical Girls were the first to enter and scan the room.

"Maybe it ran away already?" Emiri suggested as Ereshkigal walked in. Ren walked in last once everyone had made sure that it was safe to enter.

"If it did then the labyrinth would've disappeared by now."

"This is weird. Maybe it-" Rika turned around and her eyes widened in shock. "Ren behind you!"

"What?" Ren was suddenly covered by a large shadow. She turned her head and realized the door had broken itself off its hinges, turned its flat surface into spikes, and had thrown itself at her. The spikes expanded as the door fell, rapidly making their way toward her.

Time seemed to slow as the spikes slowly inched their ways toward her. She was calm… she wasn't afraid. In the end there was nothing she could do. She simply closed her eyes and hoped. Hoped that she would be saved, hoped that she could spend more time with Rika and Ereshkigal. If that didn't happen, then she at least hoped it would be painless.

*Clang*

The sound of metal against metal filled Ren's ears. She opened her eyes and saw herself looking at the back of the familiar black dress of a Goddess.

"She's my grapevine! You don't get to hurt her!" Ereshkigal shouted as she forced the metal abomination back with a single shove.

The door, no Witch, suddenly reconstructed itself. Metal and wire folded upon themselves, wires let loose bright lights, until it finally took its true form. An amalgamation of metal wire and steel in the form of a raging white and blue wolf.

Ereshkigal didn't move a single inch as it howled at her. She simply raised her lance and began spinning it in the air. "O crimson light of the Underworld…!" The Goddess stabbed the lance into the ground. "Bury my foe!"

A multitude of cages emerged violently from the ground, tearing apart the Witch's legs and causing it to tumble forward. It tried to scramble back up on the remains of its legs, snap at the Goddess with its fangs, and when failing proceeded to strike at her with a bolt of electricity.

Ereshkigal took it in stride as she slowly, yet furiously stepped forward. Until she was just inches away from its head.

"Find peace in the Underworld."

With a single swing of her lance, she tore its head apart. Bisected it, crushed and scattered those parts that then impacted violently against a nearby wall.

Despite her appearance, the Goddess had incredible Strength. A rank, as Kyoko called it. This was the first time that Ren had seen her utilize it fully though.

I know Spirits, Apparitions, and Wraiths, but these Witches… they can actually hurt you. Even with me here. I didn't realize because… I was having so much fun. Ereshkigal bowed her head and turned away from the fading Witch. Maybe it would've been better if I had just imprisoned you in the Underworld with me.

… Ereshkigal?

The Goddess refused to answer. Ren turned around to find the Magical Girls staring. All except one who had already enveloped Ren in her arms before she had noticed her approach.

"Ren! Are you okay!?" Rika shouted frantically.

"I'm… fine," Ren replied.

Rika gasped. "You're bleeding."

Ren looked down at her calf and finally noticed the gash along it. It was only until now that she had realized that the pain had finally started to register. "Ow," she said as Rika helped her onto the floor to get a good look at it.

"Can you help her?" Ereshkigal asked. "There isn't… much I can do to aid the living."

"It's deep," Hinano replied as she kneeled down and took a closer look. The diminutive Magical Girl ripped off pieces of Ren's skirt in order to get a clear look at the wound.

Ren whimpered as Hinano examined and tested it carefully.

"Got bits of metal debris scattered throughout it and burrowing even deeper," Hinano commented. The labyrinth faded and a Grief Seed fell, though that was all ignored in favor of Ren's wound. Thankfully there was no one around to see them. "Avoided the artery there thankfully. She's not in danger of bleeding out if we work quickly."

"Alright let's get started then!" Emiri approached with glowing hands only to be stopped by Hinano.

"No," Hinano held her hand out. "We need to remove the metal before we close the wound."

"How are we going to do that?" Rika asked.

"Ren, please sniff this." Hinano held a vial out.

"What… is it?" Ren asked as she smelled the concoction.

She blinked and suddenly she found herself in a bedroom she had never been in before. The walls were a light pink, the carpet a bright red, and clothes were hung and scattered across the room. This place should've been foreign to her, yet somehow smelled almost familiar. The smell was comforting to her actually, strangely enough.

Not comforting enough though to hide Ren's complete bewilderment at the situation. No amount of comforting smelling could get rid of that.

Ren sat up and felt a light stinging in her leg. She moved the blanket and noticed the thick bandages across her calf. That and the oversized T-shirt that she now wore as sleepwear.

"Ren…"

Ren turned around to find Rika sitting nearby.

Rika smiled, one that was both grateful and concerned. "Are you ok? Is your leg hurting you?"

"A… little bit," Ren admitted as she looked around the room. "Where am I?"

"My house was the closest, so we brought you here-"

Wait. Rika's… house. Then this room, that familiar smell.

"And let you use my room while you healed."

Ren's face turned crimson as she quickly covered herself with the blanket.

Rika's room!? That meant the entire time she had been smelling-… and Rika had been watching. Wait, putting the blanket over her head just made it worse!

Ren threw the blanket back down and tried to avoid looking at Rika. "Um… I'm sorry…"

"There's nothing to apologize for. I'm fine with you being in my room… I actually wanted to invite you here for dinner at one point." Rika chuckled. "This wasn't how I'd imagine you finally getting a chance to visit my place."

Ren's heart nearly skipped a beat. Rika had actually wanted her to come over to her house? Maybe even meet her family?

Ren looked up at Rika, who actually seemed a bit embarrassed. Her eyes were pointed to the ground and she was holding her own hands carefully.

"It's nice…" Ren eventually replied. "Um… how did I… get here?"

"Oh," Rika immediately took advantage of that change in topic. "Well that potion Hinano had you smell was actually an-"

"An Anesthetic," Hinano opened the door and entered the room. "A strong one at that. Had to keep you down since removing the metal from your leg was going to hurt." They sat down next to them as Ereshkigal and Emiri entered the room. "Eresh told me you were awake and I was well inclined to believe her due to your connection."

"… Connection?" Ren looked down at her hands and realized that they were bare. The red marks on the back of her hand were visible for everyone to see.

"Eresh explained the gist of things to us while you were unconscious," Rika said.

It was necessary, Ereshkigal said.

Ren looked away, ashamed. She was supposed to have been the one to tell them, to tell her. The fact that Ereshkigal had to be the one to give them answers while she had been unconscious... "I'm… sorry… for keeping this… secret."

"No!" Rika replied. "You don't need to be sorry about this or anything… I know you have a hard time speaking."

But… still…

"It's fine," Emiri commented cheerfully. "Eresh was having a hard time explaining it to us too! It's really crazy to think we were dressing up a Goddess!"

"I thought that I had read that name somewhere," Hinano commented. "Didn't expect it to be a deity of Babylonian myth. I should've stopped being surprised after Archer though, whatever he is."

"I honestly have little idea myself," Ereshkigal admitted. "He keeps his identity well to himself."

Well, as much as Ren regretted it, it still worked out in the end. "How long… was I sleeping?"

"Just a few hours," Hinano replied. "It's late though, you should probably let your parents know that you're staying over with a friend."

"W-what?"

"We're doing our best with magic, but healing humans is harder than other Magical Girls. There's still work to be done and you shouldn't be moving around that much. Also, I don't think you'd want your parents to see those bandages there."

That made sense, but it meant that she'd be… that she'd be… "I'm… staying in… Rika's house… for the night?"

"It's fine," Rika replied. "My parents are out and… I always wanted to have a sleepover with you I guess."

"Me too!" Emiri said. "We could totally make this a slumber party an-"

"We need to go home," Hinano interrupted Emiri. "We can't just invite ourselves unexpectedly and crowd the place for the night. Besides, Ren needs some actual peace if she's going to recover."

Emiri mulled over Hinano's words before looking at Ren and Rika. "Ah, you're right. We should probably give them privacy then."

What did she mean by that?

Unfortunately, Ren couldn't figure it out by the time that Hinano and Emiri had left the house. She also had to cope with the fact that she was staying at Rika's house for the night. It was going to be the first time ever that she stayed at a friend's house so she had absolutely no idea what to do.

Just try to be comfortable. That's what's going to make Rika happy.

Comfortable… comfortable would be taking a long walk in the middle of the night so that she could go process her thoughts and the events of the day. Unfortunately, Ren's leg prevented that, and she was also certain that Rika wouldn't be so keen on her walking out alone at this time.

"Well," Rika finally broke the awkward silence now that they were alone, "I have a spare futon so you and Eresh can share a-"

"I should use the futon," Ereshkigal said. "We shouldn't kick our host out of their bed and there'll be more room if it's you instead of me."

"Well, I guess you two are pretty tall," Rika conceded. "Compared to me at least. I am pretty short."

"I think… you're perfect… like you are," Ren replied. She wasn't sure why she had to say that, and felt deathly embarrassed for doing so, but she felt like it had to be said.

"Oh, geez," Rika blushed and looked away. "You're so nice Ren. Anyway, the bath's ready for you Eresh and I'm gonna go check on Ren's clothes in the wash. Just shout if you guys need anything alright?"

Ren was finally left alone in the room once they left. Well not truly alone. Ereshkigal was almost always available to talk with.

I thought you didn't need to sleep?

I don't. But I can still enjoy a good nap… also someone has to occupy the futon so that Rika will use her bed.

Ren shook her head even though no one was there to see it. I don't want to force her… if it makes her uncomfortable.

She cares about you more than you realize, you have nothing to be afraid of. I'm not the only one that's figured that out. Just… trust in your friends.

Ren looked down at bed. She was still getting used to having friends. If this was what she needed to do… Okay… How's the bath?

Very nice. We should go to a hot spring if we ever have the chance.

Talking to Ereshkigal was always easy and the convenience of communication that a mental conversation had made it so that she was able to continue making small talk with Ereshkigal for some time. It was nice… having someone to confide in. Even as the Goddess finished with her bath and stepped back into the room wearing a loose nightgown, they still continued to talk.

It wasn't until Rika stepped into the room again that Ren finally stopped, her mind going blank at the sight.

Rika was wearing a set of pink pajamas that seemed to fit her perfectly. Her hair was let loose, free from the ribbons she usually wore, and the skin on her face and arms was still a bit pink from her bath.

It was the first time Ren had ever seen her like this. Without the fancy clothes, accessories, or light makeup she applied to her face to brighten her skin and lips. This was just her in its purest form.

And she was beautiful.

"You're going to make me embarrassed if you keep staring at me like that," Rika said.

"S-sorry," Ren quickly looked away. She tried to turn to Ereshkigal for support only to realize that the Goddess had chosen to sleep at that moment. Or pretend to at least.

"We should get to sleep then, don't want to wake up Eresh," Rika commented.

"Y-yea…" Ren carefully scooted over so that there would be room for Rika on the bed.

Rika turned the lights off, stepped over Ereshkigal, and carefully got into bed. "Do you need more space for your leg?"

"No… it's good," Ren replied as she could feel Rika shifting on her side of the bed.

"Thank you… for having me today," Ren whispered.

"You're welcome," Rika replied. "It's nice to have you here… I love spending time with you."

"I… do too."

Ren remained silent after that. So that Rika could sleep, until the sounds of her breathing slowed and she drifted off into slumber. Rika's breathing and the very warmth of her body, everything about her… it brought peace and happiness to Ren.

It was different from being with Ereshkigal. It was only because of how close she was with the Goddess, that she realized that there was something different with how she felt with Rika. The solace of Rika's presence that came with nervousness, the joy of meeting that came with the anxiousness of waiting for when they could spend that time together again.

Ren wanted her… to be with her more than anything else. It didn't make her a bad person at all to feel this way, to want her to herself, … because she had found that truly precious something in front of her. That thing, that person, that embodied all the beauty that she wished to see in this world.

Ren moved her hand forward. Brushing Rika's hair slightly, but nothing more than that. To do so would betray the girl's trust. Even then though she could not help the words that came out of her mouth. A light whisper that could only be heard by no one but herself, her voice finally expressing the full extent of her feelings in that moment.

"I love you."

Once again, thanks to everyone in the ANAI discord for helping me out with my writing.

And also I greatly appreciate Toyu who has been a beta reader for my recent chapters.