The Maid and Her Princess

IV.

As if in response to Madoka's declaration, the Witch screamed again. Even from this great distance, that wretched noise managed to sound as if the creature was standing right in front of her. Was it originally this size? The pulsing mass stretched on into eternity, even larger than the Guardian. The purple mist surrounding Her body began to organize into small clusters, blotting the clouds and the earth. It was obvious that they were soon going to head straight to Madoka. This is it! She immediately took flight, her wings carrying her effortlessly without even a jolt of resistance binding her chest. A faint golden barrier manifested in front of her, reminding her that the familiar power of her Crystal was there all along.

Magnolia itself did not even seem to weigh anything within her hands. Something inside of her, besides the glowing white Aura coating her skin, had completely transformed the Knotting magic within her. It was not weak by any means, but rather, seemingly a declaration. She was not only going to find her Princess's whereabouts or stop the Witch; she was also declaring war upon the darkness itself. Was this improved power brought to her because she established the Link?

The tiny crystal dots appeared like a volley of arrows from the distance at first, but as Madoka surged forth they grew to a meteor storm of building sized rocks; each crashing into each other as they were flung by Her dark magic. The closest one to her, a crystal the size of a castle wall, flew at her head as if it was daring her to keep going.

Madoka raised her axe above her and swung mightily. A strike. A crash, like glass being shattered a thousand times around her head. Blinding colorful shards of blues, golds, purples and browns showered against the thin magic between her. Magnolia continued its devouring blaze, laying claim to the thought-shards with its trustworthy hunger. The maid gazed through the mess she caused, catching another glimpse of a second volley.

Bring it. Onward, onward! Her wings propel her forward. If Tomorrow is going to happen for her, she only needs to fly closer to that billowing shadow. That Witch, Her screams, all are but a mess that need to be cleaned. Magnolia claims another one the size of a tower, then another the size of a castle, then— her world flips upside down and back around again. Agony leeched onto her chest and the wind she had ignored in her flight stung her cheek. The air she gulped down wreaked havoc on her insides as it was forced out of her. A voice taunts her and for some reason Elise's face expands into her vision. She wants to tell Her Highness that now is not the time to visit her, but that would be rude.

Heh, even careening in the air with a lurching stomach and dire consequences at stake she still must uphold her duty to Princess Fiara.

"Are you sure you can handle this?" She asked the red haired girl. Madoka shook her head. No, she certainly cannot handle everything on her own.

Wind slapped her out of it, and she found herself flying shakily and low towards the earth, like a wounded dragonfly skimming along dirty swamp waters. Stockades and broken catapults were smashed aside as she struggled to recover from her collision with one of those big shards, but through it all; a rising sense of determination carved itself along the small little scars those thought-shards had delivered to her. Miraculously, Magnolia maintained itself and entwined its heavy blade with the golden and purple aura once again.

"Throw me," it seemed to whisper to her. So, Madoka hurled it skyward with all her might. She trusted her weapons. Especially the ones she made herself. Or she had finally lost her mind. The fake Princess Elise's voice came once more to her, trapping her in visions of the Palace.

"Aren't you tired of burning yourself alive?" She mocked the maid. "Just to keep an imposter warm?"

Madoka glared at the fake princess defiantly and rushed to beat her with her fists. It was one thing for someone to insult her, but Audrey? The one she is set to serve forever? No. Who's the fake one here, Witch? Before she could strangle the imposter with her own hands, it shook violently. Its jaw detached from its chin like shattered glass and its eyes erupted with billowing black smog. The vision all around her cracked and Madoka burst through it in a tail spin.

"You can send your twisted shards to me all you want," Madoka growled, dodging around another bolt of magic. "But you're trapped with me and not the other way around."

The axe glinted in the false sunlight, against the crimson streaked sky like a beacon of hope. Madoka focused her wings and somehow renewed her courage to follow after it. Kind gods, get back here! I made you, she thought. Boss would kill me if I lost you!

The flight that followed after she gave chase made the air shimmer. No, that was the new trail of Knotting magic that bothered the corners of her vision everywhere she went. Except, instead of the golden chains that bound themselves to whatever they seemed to desire; these strands were glowing white as those flowers, soaring with her like faithful disciples. Well, if they were hers, then she would make use of them. Clean up the mess in front of me, she ordered the newly arrived strands of pure light. I have an axe to chase after and an Audrey to retrieve.

The spears of white lanced ahead of her with blinding speed. The explosion that followed was quite satisfactory to Madoka, but she did not have time to gloat as the sparks rained against her shield. A tendril of black roots moved from who knows where to intercept her. Yet, before it could snap at her with its fangs and nasty limbs like a reptile's lunge; something extraordinary warped the space ahead of her.

The root turned ashen, its black spire decolorizing into countless white granules flaking off into the wind. It groaned, as if it was in pain, as its once writhing structure grew rigid. No time. She braced for impact. The branch of charred and corrupted flesh parted like wet sandstone, eventually crumbling in broken clumps flicking everywhere around her. She was the mighty claw who swiped through its weak pillar, though the path was arduous. Calcification, Audrey called this. Was she the reason why it suddenly turned to bony dust? The axe!

Its enticing savagery had already carved through more shards blasting towards her. The screams were louder now, but she was still faster than the wind; no sound nor complaint will stop her from setting the Witch straight. Madoka caught up to the axe, amazed at the strength she somehow exerted on it. Wind whipped her hair, as she witnessed the sheer size of the Witch. It was clearly larger than the Guardian, so how did She manage to fit inside of it? The corrupted goddess's head was the size of a mountain, staring down at her like one of the massive celestial planets that floated above her when she spoke to the Messenger. Its body stretched infinitely, coiled into itself as if it could not fit inside the Uracksheegal's space and was darker than the night. Hundreds of limbs larger than the roots outside were prepared to swing at her.

Countless years of evil etched onto every part of You, Madoka swooped to a stop to regain her bearings and to spot anywhere she could strike. How much pain are You in? Where is the real You inside all of that darkness?

A section of its impossibly long body ruptured, then a tendril lunged at her with devastating speed. It was too quick! Madoka's body felt like it broke into a million pieces that very instant. Force pushed against her head as she cut through the air. The familiar glint of Magnolia cascading ahead of her made her snap out of her reeling. She was ascending faster than it, for once, and knew she would catch it.

"So what?" She howled, letting the desperation and anger surge within her caved in chest. It was only one hit and I'm like this? Audrey… I might be coming for you soon. Or I will join with you in the roots.

Right as their paths intersected, Madoka snatched the flying axe and managed to stabilize her once more. The blinking beacons that dotted the Uracksheegal's stomach and skin were much closer and she could see the Witch looking up at her. She finally got to really study the eldritch creature. The gargantuan face had its mouth open, but even as it seemed to be speaking; its movements were too slow. Its face was that of a withered woman's countenance, except wooden like those corrupted Fiara soldiers and had only dark pits for eyes. Magnolia trembled in her hand and a humming sensation welled up inside her chest. Not out of fear, but anticipation for its true victim.

The Witch's roar was so powerful that Madoka lost her hearing and also kept her blowing away even higher, preventing her from free falling back down. Its mouth became an abyssal crater, whose caldera was about to blow from. Energy raked her skin as the static discharge coursed along her body, like blisters cracking open all over. She raised her hand, then plunged it into her chest. The wind blasting out of the Witch's maw ceased, allowing her to fall at the right moment. More mist frothed from its gaping jaws, ready to erupt into a powerful blast.

The Crystal burned inside her chest and resisted this time with even more ferocity than what Madoka expected. Is now the time to be annoying? She tapped her storage portal and chucked the hungry axe inside as the descent punched her already broken stomach. This predicament was quite strange to her. Even though something powerful shattered her bones to dust, she could still feel herself… healing? She imagined it was due to strange atmosphere of this supposed Leyline.

The fact that she was moving only proved that she could defy the Witch over and over. She defied herself too, in turn. In the end, she was the one with wings on her back facing a world ending monstrosity with only an axe. Therefore, Madoka plunged both her fists into her chest's Core, and out came the right tool she had in mind to flatten that stupid mouth of that Witch. Soon, the shadowy form of its massive form became eclipsed by something larger looming above them. The weapon she summoned thundered like a war horn, sliding out of her chest with pure defiant power. It was a huge stick at first, but then grew a massive bowl that dwarfed the Witch's ugly face. This will be the meteor that will break Her, Madoka admired its simplicity.

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A giant skillet like this? It will do quite nicely, Madoka swung it down, taking herself afterwards with its momentum like a falling star. To her surprise and maybe a little bit of stupidity on the Witch's end, it remained still and launched its misty breath attack. The pan ignored any protest the eldritch creature could offer. The impact's clang from the golden skillet smashing rotten flesh resounded over the entire valley like a glorious concert, even shaking the forests high up on the plains above.

She was not finished and nor was her axe. There was still its body she had to destroy and she was hurling straight into it. Magnolia came out more violently than the Crystal did, making her shudder. She swung savagely, again and again. Chop, chop. The axe chewed through the blackened flesh, tossing fragments and broken roots aside like they were dirty rags. She was carving a path through, aiming to sever a segment of the now howling Witch's body off of it. Finally, crimson light shined at the end of her smashing spree.

Madoka landed on her feet as the Crystal filtered itself back inside her, looking up at the twisted spire that stretched into the clouds. The path she sliced through appeared to be a thin, yet burning scar along a third of the tower, then; it widened more and more into an expanse as the fires snapped the halves like a chopped tree. She had done the same attack to the Witch and Her Guardian, has she not? It erupted into silver light and a series of fiery explosions.

"You're not worth any new tricks, Witch," Madoka growled with a hint of satisfaction in her work. Then the screaming began anew. A voice sounded over the chaos, one that did not belong to either Her or the maid.

「Warning. Holy One, a breach of the Corruption closing in on the hull has been detected. The Servant of the Red String is attempting to escape into Pnaumen's Baseline Domain.」

It is fleeing! She did not know what the other words meant, but Madoka was the hunter now! The half that she destroyed had seemingly frozen into a powdery white statue of itself, but she caught the glimpse of the Witch's surviving massive form slithering away in the sky. Madoka growled, dug her heels into the dirt and took off into a new flight.

You do not get to escape what you have done to everyone in this forsaken place! Wind whipped her hair as the exposed spine dipped beneath the cloud. Madoka raised her axe and threw it like before.

You do not get to turn your back on me! Magnolia shimmered into a blazing comet once again, sinking into its target. Roots manifested like whips out of the trail of mist it was leaving behind. She barged through them like they were nothing, ignoring the pain they brought. Madoka saw massive ribbon-like wings protruding out from its back now. It seemed the Witch had changed its forms just to run.

Wherever the hull is— You will not get to escape and ruin anyone's Eyes! The Witch howled in pain as Magnolia burrowed itself into Her flesh. Even though the axe was small, it was enough to slow it down just in time for Madoka to land on its back. Tendrils wriggled beneath her boots and more sprouted from its flesh, but they were easy targets for her axe to sweep through.

The red sky surrounded her everywhere she looked. Black exposed flesh lay ahead like a dark and dirty hallway, with those tree sized roots awaiting to devour her. Magnolia's handle slid out with a sickening juicy noise, back into Madoka's grip. Each dashing moment was arduous, tangling with her legs and stabbing into her flesh. The axe was faithful to her, so she must reach the Witch's head and sever that. In her mind, she imagined that would be quite inconvenient to lose from such a sprawling gigantic body like this. Through the mess of tightly knitted roots, she saw a faint golden light. But Magnolia was in her hands, shimmering as ever. What could that be?

Change of course, she skidded underneath a swinging root, but not before noticing the path of devastation she was causing in her wake. Even now, the monster's backside was turning into white ash as she ran. This power of hers, she must wait until this is done. The glowing golden light called to her. Could it be..?

"Audrey!" Madoka caught up to it. An unwanted tentacle slapped at her, but she pulled the Crystal out into a barrier.

The Princess was embedded into the dark vine, pain twisting her pale face. Worse, she was beginning to be eaten by the root like the other bodies.

"No, no, no!" Madoka clawed at the root desperately. Only the obvious choice remained: She would cut this part of the Witch off and figure out a way to free Audrey later. "Hang in there."

Madoka's voice unconsciously grew softer when she glanced down at the fallen girl, but the Witch's body shook. The creature was preparing to shake her off itself! She struck decisively. One fell swoop. Magnolia feasted once again and the monstrous spine groaned under her strength. Her feet began to slip as the flesh sundered. Black and purple mist sprayed out against her, making her sputter. As the severed flesh began to fall, she was swept upward by the struggling wing— the distance between the maid and her princess grew once again.

She hurled Magnolia downward, with more magical white spears following it afterwards. The bigger the target, the easier it was to cause some real damage. Madoka figured she could destroy as much as she could of the fleeing monster as she fell. The screams that followed from her attack reeked of pain as the demonic monster twisted in agony. It has lost its flight! The black roots holding Audrey captive fell like a meteor, but shrank to the size of a small stone as it plunged further away. Soon, both Madoka and the Witch were falling down with her. Dirt covered her vision.

Madoka felt her fight escaping her as she spat out gasps of air and blood. She struggled to look up from where she crashed, but snapping bones forced her to collapse again. The Crystal's barrier was gone and those powerful weighty wings faded away. No! She lifted her chin to see the aftermath, fighting against the pain that raked against her face. The huge body blotted the red sky out. Then, she saw it. The bludgeoned, hollowed out mountain sized face rested sideways against some fallen castle walls and crushed hills of bones. It looked almost like a giant Sovos's face. Had it not been the clammy black corruption and the obvious damage she inflicted upon it, the Witch would have been lovely like Her original appearance. Kind goddess Gechick, she attempted to push herself up despite the pain.

The shockwave's wind shoved debris and thought-shards all around Madoka as she stubbornly persisted. As more crystals stabbed into her face, she dislodged into unconsciousness. The last thing she saw was the chunk of the Witch's body that Audrey was encased in.

Madoke awoke standing, bewildered. A bell rang in the distance, signifying the end of school. School…? She had been playing truant again. For whatever reason, none of the buzzing rattled her brain and everything she knew about this dream seemed normal— as if she had always been here. Someone stopped beside her. Elise. She suddenly felt wary around her. Could this be a trick?

Memories of where she was before dissipated the moment warm sunlight peaked through the sakura trees. A few pretty pink petals chased each other in circles as the wind carried them gently, bringing a peaceful and meditative atmosphere around. Then, excited stomping and conversations pulsed from the school's steps. Elise and her remained quiet and still under the shade of a particularly beautiful sakura tree while people passed by them as if they were rocks in a stream, talking about their weekend plans, academics and their futures.

"It's me, Madoka," Elise said softly. Madoka could see her clearly now. Her human form was marvelous, a perfectly symmetrical combination of innocent big eyes and gentle features. The kind of face to get lost into silence while listening to her. "And you're back."

"Who," Madoka found herself able to talk and move. She raised her hand and opened her palm. She could move, but she did not. Just then, an orange winged butterfly landed on it for a brief rest. The two watched it quietly. Its antennae probed curiously on the lines of her skin, before it took flight again. Madoka continued. "Who am I?"

"Your name here is unimportant," Elise knew exactly who Madoka was asking for. "And she will be in my care, just like Audrey is in yours." She winked. A playful wink, a reminder that she is thriving in this human world. "But you— You're more aware now. Less in a daze than the last time we met."

Madoka found herself nodding, the cool green lawn and pavement bobbing in her view. Elise was dazzling in the pink dappled light, making her blush simply by peeking at her.

"Apologies for taking time away from her," Madoka clutched the hems of her pleated skirt furtively. An ethereal laugh came from Elise's soft lips. The attraction to Her Highness stirred her heart even more, whether it was whoever's body she currently occupied or a genuine one from Madoka's soul. This change was too abrupt, exhilarating, but made her feel homesick. Madoka had never questioned why she felt this way towards either Audrey, Eena or now Elise. Perhaps, it was simply because she was close to them or just the person she was. What was she doing? There seemed to be something more pressing to her. She nearly jumped when she noticed that Princess Fiara was watching her the whole time quietly. As another group of students passed by them, Madoka had something on her mind. "What do you call yourself here in this strange world?"

Elise raised her eyes in contemplation, unsure if she should say her name or not to Madoka.

"I go by Kim Jiyoo here," she admitted, sheepishly. The shyness caught her off guard compared to the name. Jiyoo, she pronounced it in her head. "The English name is still Audrey, but I have grown used to whatever names they call me."

A bitterness settled at the end of her explanation. Those bullies, Madoka felt her hand tighten into a fist. A shadow fell upon them as the sky began to plunge into darkness. Students and even the cherry blossoms stopped mid-motion. Kim Jiyoo looked upward, but despite the dream's imminent collapse, she still seemed at peace. Madoka reached out and gripped her soft hand on her own, surprising herself. The Princess did not pull away.

"The Link has been established, Madoka," Kim Jiyoo murmured. "Things are about to become more… complicated for you. And her."

"I know," Madoka sighed. She did not know what the newly established Link truly meant for her.

"Live on," she squeezed her hand. "You will see beyond Pnaumen and even Audrey's Earth, perhaps, you will see even more worlds in the future. You probably already have."

"Will I see you again?" Madoka nearly pleaded. A massive portal revealing the universe's splendor tore apart the sky like a ripped white dress revealing bruises beneath. Princess Fiara looked uncertain for a moment, hurting her heart, but waved.

"One day, but it will take time, Madoka. Don't forget. If you feel lost, look up."

Another portal opened right in front of Madoka that very instant, beckoning to her as the world around them swirled into purples, pinks and blues. When she could no longer see Elise, she reluctantly stepped through.

Madoka's pretty student shoe instantly transformed into a roughspun boot, crunching on scarred lands. She realized she did not even have time to wake up and was already in the middle of the battlefield she had long since desired to leave. The Witch's husk of a body towered above her and stretched endlessly in any direction she looked. She turned to inspect herself. She was fine, somehow. Not even the ache caused by crash landing on the earth from way up there was there. Did she… win?

Rumbling under her feet seemed to disagree. A sharp tearing noise cracked nearby. The corpse of the Witch was opening from the inside! Something, or someone was coming out of it, threatening to fall on a severed chunk beneath it.

"Audrey?" Madoka rushed to stop the thing from falling upon it, but it was too late. A slender figure, soaked and dripping from the dead monster's black ooze, swooped down on Audrey's prison. Sinister killing intent came from the new stranger, as it rose to its feet. The dark liquid that dripped from it suddenly coalesced and wrapped around its body like a dress. Through it all, Madoka groaned. Her boot dragged into something hard and shiny. Magnolia was at her side all along. She even fumed furiously, brandishing the blade with a gleam in her violet eye. What was going on? Just how many lives does this boss have?