Chapter 49: The truth! A horrifying truth across all worlds! The beast Kyubey! Is this what a Magical Girl is?!!
『 "Ahwu——", the doll opened its huge mouth, ready to devour Homura Akemi.
But strangely, Homura Akemi's figure managed to dodge every time!
Each time the witch swallowed, it was only the spot Homura Akemi had just left, and a "bang" explosion bloomed in the witch's mouth.
Compared to her battle with Mami Tomoe, Homura Akemi appeared to be much more relaxed.
In the end, the witch didn't even get a chance to touch Homura Akemi before being directly engulfed by a terrifying explosion!
Looking at the trembling Madoka and Sayaka, Homura Akemi coldly stared at the two, "You two just got your lives back."
"Engrave this scene well in your minds."
The Soul Gem turned pitch black, and blood-red mud slowly dripped—True Mami-chan. 』
『 .....』
〜Myriad Worlds livestream Chat〜
[ Shirai Kuroko (A Certain Magical Index): "Could it be that Homura Akemi's ability is spatial movement?! But there doesn't seem to be any spatial fluctuation?" ]
[ Shanks (One Piece): "It's not martial arts either; this girl's physical prowess clearly isn't that high." ]
[ Najenda (Akame Ga Kill): "Could it be some mysterious item that allows for rapid movement?" ]
[ Dio Brando (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure): "Could it be... no, impossible, this is a unique ability!" ]
[ Kurumi Tokisaki (Date A Live): "Didn't you guess it already~ But the ability doesn't seem very strong, can it only be used for a short time?" ]
[ Yoshikage Kira (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure): "And what's with the explosions? Could it be that those stepping stones... were already touched by Killer Queen?!" ]
[ Tohsaka Rin (Type-Moon): "By the way, what was Homura Akemi's wish in the first place?" ]
[ .....]
〜A Certain Magical Index World〜
Outside the Windowless Building
Musujime Awaki shook her head. Although it was fast movement, it looked like teleportation, but there were no spatial fluctuations.
For espers like them who control space, every movement requires precise determination of space and position, and their minds undergo terrifying calculations.
"It's just as unscientific as an original ability user."
An original ability user refers to someone born with an ability. If she were also an original ability user...
As if she thought of something, Musujime Awaki's face turned pale. She had been careless once and walled herself in...
—
『 The two survivors finally recovered from their fear. The belated pain made them kneel on the ground, whimpering in agony.
Mami-senpai... died.
Even the strong and reliable Mami-senpai died so easily... Mami-senpai's passing dealt a huge blow to both of them.
Madoka felt that not becoming a Magical Girl had failed Mami-senpai's hopes.
She was a weakling from beginning to end...
The moment she left Mami-senpai's house, Madoka saw Homura's figure.
"You're blaming yourself too much, Madoka Kaname," Homura Akemi said softly.
"No one can blame you. If anyone does..."
"I won't allow it."
On the way, Madoka blamed herself, thinking that if she had listened to Homura earlier, Mami-senpai might not have...
But Homura shook her head. Mami Tomoe's fate was already sealed and unchangeable. However, Madoka's fate had changed, which was what she had hoped for. 』
『 .....』
〜Myriad Worlds livestream Chat〜
[ Reimu Hakurei (Touhou): "Eh? This doesn't look like an enemy at all, does it? Homura's attitude towards Madoka seems... a little too protective?" ]
[ Lady Avalon (Type-Moon): "Although it's a bit disrespectful to the deceased Mami-chan, I'm currently shipping Madoka and Homura as a couple~" ]
[ Mami Tomoe (Puella Magi Madoka Magica): "Hey, hey! I'm not dead yet! That's something that will happen in the future." ]
[ Fubuki (One Punch Man): "Come to think of it, Homura Akemi hasn't done anything to betray Madoka, has she?" ]
[ Jiraiya (Naruto): "Also, what is the 'fate' Homura Akemi spoke of? Could it be that she saw Mami Tomoe's fate before and wanted to stop it? Can Homura Akemi predict the future like the Toad Sage?" ]
[ Jinbe (One Piece): "Can predicting the future really be done? Even the Yonko's first mate can only predict a few seconds into the future, right?" ]
[ Lord El-Melloi II (Type-Moon): "Of course it's real. The highest-grade Mystic Eyes in our world, EX-ranked Clairvoyance, can even penetrate the past, present, and future!" ]
[ Mobius (Ultraman): "Then if she knew the future, why couldn't she just tell Mami Tomoe directly?" ]
[ .....]
〜MCU World〜
"Cause and effect, how can they be easily changed?"
Ancient One shook her head.
There's an old saying in the East: "Heaven's secrets must not be revealed." Some things, even if Homura Akemi knew them beforehand, would be too difficult to change.
Good and evil, there will be retribution.
All things have their reasons; all causes have their effects. Though the world is ever-changing and impermanent, all things ultimately return to one.
—
『 Things like Mami-senpai's incident, Homura Akemi had seen too many times to count. In such cases, not even a corpse would be left.
After death, no one would discover it, no one would remember it, and eventually, they would completely disappear from this world as missing persons.
This was the end for Magical Girls.
Madoka cried in pain.
She had... Mami-senpai had always protected this city, always fought for everyone, yet her end was so tragic.
Under the setting sun, their shadows stretched longer and longer.
"It's too lonely, no one even noticed," Madoka choked out.
"It's through such contracts that we gain this power. We fight not for others, but for our own wishes."
"Even if no one notices, even if we are forgotten, there's nothing that can be done," Homura lowered her gaze, her eyes seemingly holding infinite depth.
"I won't forget Mami-senpai's matter!" Madoka wiped her tears, determinedly.
"Never!"
"...Is that so?" Homura's voice grew even deeper.
"Just thinking that makes Mami Tomoe happy."
The city's skyscrapers were shrouded in the afterglow of the setting sun. At the end of light and shadow, Homura murmured, "So happy it's enviable."
For some reason, Madoka's heart suddenly ached. Seeing Homura's forlorn appearance, Madoka couldn't help but call out, "Homura too!"
"I won't forget Homura either! I will never forget the kindness you showed by saving me yesterday!"
Homura Akemi clenched her fists. Under the afterglow of the setting sun, she seemed to radiate a clear light and unknown secrets.
"You are too kind; this will only bring greater sorrow." 』
『 .....』
〜Myriad Worlds livestream Chat〜
[ Kiana (Honkai: Impact Third): "What are they talking about? It suddenly got so strange. Is it because Mami-senpai's death was too sad?" ]
[ Bronya (Honkai: Impact Third): "Kiana, the idiot, don't talk nonsense." ]
[ Himeko Murata (Honkai: Impact Third): "It seems this child is hiding something in her heart." ]
[ Irisviel Von Einzbern (Type-Moon): "This child looks so sad... What did she go through to become like this?" ]
[ Akainu (One Piece): "Nonsensical, utterly boring!" ]
[ .....]
〜Type-Moon World, Fourth Holy Grail War Worldline〜
Einzbern Castle
"Saber, what do you think that child went through?"
Irisviel covered her chest, worried.
"Perhaps she's seen too much death,"
Artoria said silently, then added,
"Time washes everything away. Their time is still long; perhaps things will get better later."
"Is that so..."
Irisviel nodded vaguely.
—
『 Sayaka's crush was a boy named Kyosuke Kamijo. He was once a prodigy violinist, but one day he got into a car accident, permanently damaging his arm and making him unable to play the violin again.
Sayaka would visit him whenever she had time, often chatting with him to relieve his boredom, and would bring him CDs.
At first, Kyosuke was happy, but when he clearly realized that he had become a cripple, his emotions spiraled out of control!
Kyosuke Kamijo smashed the CD with a punch, blood splattering, but it couldn't compare to the sorrow in his heart.
"My hand won't move anymore. Unless there's magic and miracles, it's impossible to heal!"
"—They exist!" Sayaka affirmed loudly.
"Miracles and magic both exist!!!"
The breeze swayed the curtains, and the afterglow of the setting sun fell on the faces of the girl and boy, and... Kyubey, who had appeared at some point. 』
『 .....』
〜Myriad Worlds livestream Chat〜
[ Darius Ainsworth (Type-Moon): "It's just like Pandora's Box, appearing when people are at their most vulnerable and desperate." ]
[ Tang Keke (Love Live): "Hahahaha, that's right! Miracles and hope exist! When I find the legendary Rainbow Sea, everyone gets a Rainbow Gem!" ]
[ Misaka Mikoto (A Certain Magical Index): "Arm injury? In our world, a visit to Gekota Doctor might fix it." ]
[ Heavenly Canceller (A Certain Magical Index):"That's right." ]
[ .....]
『 "Homura, we could have become friends if we just talked properly. Why did you argue with Mami-senpai?" Madoka said distractedly on the way back from Homura.
But just then, Madoka suddenly discovered that her good friend Hitomi Shizuki was being controlled by a witch and was about to become the witch's meal!
Seeing this, Madoka chased after her without hesitation. Under the witch's control, everyone seemed to have gone mad!
Even Madoka was dragged into the witch's barrier, falling into endless chaos and void!
Sharp laughter, distorted chaos, as if to tear Madoka apart!
Just at this critical moment, Sayaka arrived in time, dressed in a blue magical girl uniform, wielding a long sword, and shattered the witch with lightning speed!
Madoka was first stunned when she saw Sayaka become a Magical Girl, then filled with gratitude.
Her empty heart was filled, and Sayaka's heart was flooded with something called justice.
From then on, Sayaka constantly upheld justice and adhered to her beliefs, becoming an ally of justice!
Meanwhile, Kyosuke Kamijo, who was asleep, woke up. Under the moonlight, he swung his arm, his eyes filled with disbelief and ecstasy.
Under the moonlight, Homura Akemi, standing on a streetlamp, took everything in. 』
『 .....』
〜Myriad Worlds livestream Chat〜
[ Lady Avalon (Type-Moon): "Upholding justice?! Isn't that kind of idiotic 'ally of justice' still around these days?! Oh, sorry, Emiya family, I misspoke, ehe~~" (Winks and makes a heart shape)]
[ Kiritsugu Emiya (Type-Moon): "..." ]
[ Reimu Hakurei (Touhou): "Indeed, Sayaka finally became a Magical Girl. It seems that the boy named Kyosuke Kamijo also recovered because of Sayaka's wish." ]
[ Melusine (Type-Moon): "To use a wish for such a thing, humans truly are such weak and pathetic creatures." ]
[ Kumoko (So I'm a Spider, So What?): "Eh, it feels like a legendary love-struck person? Willing to go to great lengths for the one they love, even losing their sanity." ]
[ Esdeath (Akame Ga Kill): "Love-struck? That's truly terrifying." ]
[ Mami Tomoe (Puella Magi Madoka Magica): "Her weapon is a sword, so she's a close-range fighter? It seems Sayaka's ability is body enhancement and combat intuition." ]
[ .....]
『 Viewers of Myriad Worlds 』
Everyone began to lose a bit of interest.
They now had a general understanding of this world: witches, magical girls, and Kyubey.
Kyubey grants magical girls powers, and they fight witches.
They fight continuously, die continuously, and then new magical girls are sought.
So, is Kyubey the miracle that protects this world?
Also, when will Madoka Kaname make a contract with Kyubey and become a Magical Girl?
Looking at that girl who only cried, hesitated, and was weak, everyone unconsciously felt a hint of aversion.
Compared to the strong, reliable, and sometimes unpredictable Mami-senpai, the cool, mysterious, and somewhat chuunibyou Homura Akemi, and Sayaka, who could transform into an ally of justice for love.
Was Madoka Kaname's existence perhaps too ordinary?
She almost seemed to have no presence.
For a moment, everyone found the bland development somewhat uninteresting, but to uncover the secret of Madoka Kaname's power, they continued to watch the screen intently.
.....
『 Constantly hunting witches, her heart filled with justice—
The Magical Girl named Sayaka Miki rampaged, slaughtering witches and familiars.
However, this overly righteous behavior encroached upon the interests of other Magical Girls. Grief Seeds are indispensable for restoring Soul Gems.
Sayaka's actions displeased Kyoko Sakura, who had come from the neighboring city to fill Mami's vacancy.
Familiars can evolve into witches by absorbing negative emotions. Sayaka killing them like this, besides depleting her magic, offered no benefits.
The two fought a great battle. Against the experienced Kyoko, Sayaka was clearly no match. Fortunately, Homura Akemi intervened in time to stop them.
That night, Sayaka placed her Soul Gem next to a Grief Seed.
The black, ominous substance was immediately absorbed by the Grief Seed.
"If it absorbs any more impurity, a witch might hatch. Give it to me~" Kyubey reminded, then placed the Grief Seed into a red pattern on its back!
It seemed to contain space; with a flash, the Grief Seed disappeared.
"This is my mission too," Kyubey wagged its tail, looking adorable.
Sayaka looked at the Soul Gem in her hand, somewhat puzzled. "Kyubey, is it really important to keep this clean?"
Kyubey didn't answer. Instead, it changed the subject, asking about the strength of Magical Girls.
—However, the root of Sayaka and Kyoko's conflict remained unresolved.
One day, Kyoko confronted Sayaka again and bluntly stated, "The karma you bear for wishing for someone else is not something you can carry alone."
She also constantly mocked, saying that if Sayaka truly wanted that man, she should just use magic to break his limbs and lock him in a basement forever.
These words immediately enraged Sayaka, and the two immediately prepared to fight!
Meanwhile, Madoka, at home, suddenly heard Kyubey's call, "Madoka, Sayaka is in danger!"
Just as the two were about to fight, Madoka arrived in time, and to prevent them from arguing, she actually threw her Soul Gem away, landing it on a delivery truck!
Homura Akemi's pupils constricted, and her figure vanished. Sayaka, meanwhile, collapsed as if dead!
"It's strange to throw your friend away," Kyubey asked, puzzled.
"Hey! What's going on?! Why did she suddenly die?!" Madoka and Kyoko were too shocked to speak.
"Hey! What's going on?!" Kyoko's gaze sharply turned to Kyubey.
"Kyubey, quickly save Sayaka!" Madoka sobbed, blaming herself.
"Madoka, that's not Sayaka. It's just an empty shell. Didn't you just throw Sayaka away?" Kyubey tilted its head and asked.
"...What are you talking about, Kyubey?" Madoka's scalp suddenly tingled, and she looked at Kyubey in disbelief.
As the two expressed their agitation and confusion, Kyubey slowly explained.
The so-called Soul Gem was never just a source of magic. The moment they made a contract with Kyubey, the Soul Gem became their true body, and their physical body was merely an empty shell.
Once the two were separated by more than 200 meters, the Magical Girl would immediately die. 』
『 .....』
『 Viewers of Myriad Worlds 』
A chilling, eerie sensation shot straight from their feet to the top of their heads!
Everyone's scalps tingled, and their bodies felt as if they had fallen into an ice cave.
The sudden information shocked them speechless!
This... this is a Magical Girl?!!!
From the moment the contract began, they became mere puppets?!!
A corner of this world was slowly being unveiled—a loss—.
.....