*
There was an immense crater in zone 2b, at its centre nothing could be seen. Rather, it's because everything that gets closed inevitably dies from radiation. It's like an invisible forcefield of death. Thankfully humanity checked their equipment for radiation before sending any expedition parties to their death. The magical girls of neighbouring zones have immediately gone into standby, ready to give their lives. Anything that could wipe out a city this fast... No one was sure if anybody could suppress this threat.
If the inorganic computer like voice that gave the warning was part of the world's systems, then its unprecedented appearance simply signaled the end. Before this, every threat was containable. The warning was like an ugly mark that displayed a deviation from the norm, a power level of danger yet unseen. At the time when The Observer appeared, at least the magical girls could contend with it when they teamed up and cut it at its energy source, leaving a husk for Lastia to finish off.
A prototype of Yggdrasil's simulation was then formed on its own by taking in eldritch energy, it was an energy currency on a higher plane compared to magical energy. The Observer has an abundance of it, and due to {Feed}'s nature, it was ruthlessly robbed by Lastia. The prototype calculated a future where no one but the observer died and used the eldritch energy to replace reality with it.
It sounded fancy, but it was as primitive as a 3d printer. The blood and gore of the corpses were sent back to their bodies, blood was made to circulate, and their 'souls' were returned into their bodies. Everything that was lost has been returned, and the eldritch energy was fully expended.
At this point it was clear, this calamity was another enemy. So-
"Arin, is this another heavenly king? A being that has evolved beyond a Remnant, a Fragment?" (Lastia)
She looked at Lastia with a strong gaze. Her brows furrowed and her cheeks were raised with her revealed clenching teeth. Conflict tormented her to the point it was visible on her visage.
"... Correct... But it is stronger than expected. This... Warning, I didn't expect it to occur." (Arin)
She has prior knowledge of the 4 heavenly kings. Why? It was a glaring bit of trivia staring down at Last, but she ignored it. She didn't care. In the end, Arin would fight by her side, that was enough. She didn't need to know every little secret, at least that was what she wanted to hope for and respect. Sariel was still terrified, huddling near the ground. Having seen the destruction first hand, it was enough to break her heart and squeeze out all hope.
Lastia steps forward, not before a loud slap resounds in the air around them. The impact of flesh upon flesh comes from below, despite her crippling fear, Sariel has grabbed Lastia's departing wrist with her own fingers. It catches Arin attention, prompting her to look on in bewilderment, but she doesn't make another move. Sariel wasn't a threat, she was... Just a friend.
"Sariel..." (Lastia)
Words didn't have to be exchanged, they both knew what either of them wanted to say, their goals and motivations. For Lastia who has less than 24 hours to enjoy life, she couldn't help but want to leave behind a better world for the next Lastia to enjoy. That has always been her wish, and nothing else. It just so happens that as time went on, despite the hindering from the curse, she still manages to have more precious things added to this world of hers that she wanted to protect.
So isn't it obvious? That she has to go. She wouldn't permit it any other way, she will guide her destiny towards here no matter what. If destiny was already predetermined to come this way, then she will not flinch when her time comes. This was simply the way the world worked, the way her wishes manifested in reality. They draw her away from her dreams, and she sets off without hesitation. Those nightmares could never hurt her while she was awake, after all.
"I... Do it... For me. I can't lose you, I have nothing else... I...
I was so scared of being betrayed, I thought I was fine with being lonely for the rest of my life. That was... Until I met you during this year.
It's only been slightly under 2 months, but I could never go back... To those times with not a single bit of warmth!!! " (Sariel)
Her A rank aura flares up. In terms of magical girl grades, she was only C. It was the same as Lastia if she weren't enhanced by Pandora, and still falls short of Arin's A when she isn't holding back. Lastia frowns, hearing every single word enunciated clearly by Sariel. She was still of sound mind, but she was acting quite off. Sariel hasn't lost her composure, but she was undoubtedly swallowed by fear of potential danger.
No... Since she saw the threat itself, the danger isn't a potential. Sariel was certain that her friends would die even though they were that much stronger than her. After all, who could stand up to an entity that effortlessly cleared a city? It would take an A grade everything they had in themselves to clear a city, and it usually wouldn't take only a single attack. These were... Vague measurements by the amount of magic a person contained.
"... It's okay. In the worse case, we'll retreat and regroup. Trust us. If not... Trust me. I'll protect everyone." (Arin)
Unexpectedly, it was Arin who declared that no one would get killed. No one was oblivious here, Arin was hiding a great secret, yet she was the one to beg for trust. It didn't seem so efficient, Lastia should be the one to beg to earn Sariel's trust better. As such, Sariel couldn't react immediately. She was stunned, not expecting Arin to even eke out a single bit of passion.
"Are you saying... You're strong enough to take on that thing alone?" (Sariel)
Super satellite class? Was that even a thing in the previous era? This tinge of skepticism was evident on Sariel's face, because of what she's seen she even doubts the unknown power Arin has. She doesn't know it was due to her knowledge and experience of the previous era that gave Arin strength, but all the same she will doubt what she didn't understand.
"... Let's go. We can't afford to stall any longer." (Lastia)
She looks away, unable to face Sariel.