Day 47 Chapter 25
- Location
- Around here
You feel a cold breeze blowing through the skeleton of the buildings around you, feeling the harshness of cold air force its way into your lungs, and your eyes shoot open. You can see the sun, just barely poking its rays above the cover of grey clouds passing over your head. You can see the sun. It's the first of May, two-thousand-eleven, and for the first time in all your many lives you can see the sun rising on this morning. You've won.
So, why are you still alive? You felt the last flames of your Soul Gem burn out as you loosed the arrow which felled Walpurgisnacht, so why are you alive, right now, and not drowning in despair as a witch stronger than the one you gave your life to vanquish?
"You're lucky you still had that Grief Fruit lying around. Otherwise, you'd have been a goner." You know that voice. Feeling strength return to you, you sit upright, turning your head to the side to see Archer crouched just off to your left, draining the corruption from your Soul Gem with the massive Grief Fruit of Elsa Maria at his feet. He smiles for you, saying "Looks like you won. I'm so proud of you."
Your voice returns to you next, and though your throat is sore you manage to choke out a single word. "Archer..."
Silently, Archer nods as you speak to him. "It's unfortunate, but I don't think I'll be sticking around for very long." As your father speaks, you notice that his body isn't entirely solid; much like the other servants of your team, he's vanishing. "I'm going to have to take a rain check on the whole 'family' thing we were both hoping for." You knew that would be the case the moment you saw him vanish the previous time; but seeing him here now, you had hoped that maybe...
A sound escapes Archer's mouth, but whether it's a single laugh, or a single sob, you don't think you could say. For all you know, it could be both. "What's with that?" you ask. "This is hardly the time to be laughing."
"Sorry," Archer says, leaning in close, pulling you in for a hug with his big, strong arms. "I know now's not the time to be laughing, but I guess I couldn't help myself." What? "That face you made just now, reminded me of a face Rin made at me, once. She and I were being forced to part ways after a difficult battle, too; and I guess the similarities must have gotten to me."
You nestle yourself into Archer's fatherly embrace, saying to him "Make another pact with me. You can do that, right? That way... That way you won't have to leave me like this."
"You know, it's funny, but Rin asked me the same thing, too, back then." Archer breaks from his embrace of you, and his eyes meet yours. "Sorry, but I can't. As much as I'd love to stick around, I'm afraid that just isn't in the cards for me. Using Excalibur is... Fatal, for me, is the easiest way to put it. There's nothing you could have done to save me at that point."
"Then why'd you do it?"
"Because we needed to put damage on Walpurgisnacht, and that was the best I could do to pave the way for you and the others to win."
"But... What will happen to you now?" You ask your father that question, but in your heart you're afraid you already know the answer. "What will happen to our family? To Minako, to Kirika, to me? We'll all miss you, but you'll be..." He'll just be forced to go back to the unending cycle of violence that broke him once before.
"I'll be right here," Archer says, tapping a finger to his heart. "Even when you can't see me, I'll always be right here, as long as you remember me." In the cold breeze blowing through the ruined city, Archer's hair is tossed about, making him look like the boy from your dreams. "I always was a bit hopeless when it came to romance, so please make sure to apolgise to Minako for me. Kirika too. I know she'll be upset at me for making her mom cry."
"Archer..." you say, as you force back your tears. "Yeah, I know. I'll be sure they get the message."
Archer smiles, pulling you into one last embrace as his body fades away. "I'll see you again, Homura; I promise you. So, just be patient for a little while." You arms fall through the place where your father had once been, catching on your chest. You hold yourself, because Archer isn't there to hold you anymore, and your tears are finally free to fall.
You don't know for how long you stay like that, crouched over, crying to yourself in the heart of a ruined city, before your allies find the strength to approach you. "Akemi-san..." Tomoe-san's voice is soft, hesitating, and she places a hand on your shoulder. You hear the sound of rubble shifting, and your eyes are drawn towards the ocean of black under which the part of the city where the school and Tomoe-san's apartment once were. You spot the top of a massive Grief Seed, easily the size of a two-story building, just before it sinks under the surface of the black-stained water. "We did it, Akemi-san; we won."
The entire southern edge of the city is in ruins, and as you crane your head over the ruins you can see that much of the city is partially underwater, especially the parts closest to the river banks. You can't imagine the economic damage that's been done to the city; to say nothing of the human toll that Walpurgisnacht's passing has taken. You've won; but what did that victory cost you?
Your shield lays discarded on the ground, and you go to pick it up. As your fingers wrap around the edge, carefully, so as not to accidentally reset time, it falls apart in your grasp. The intricate pieces of clockwork making up the time manipulators fall to the ground, leaving only a bare disc of metal in your hand. This is the last timeline. You don't want to leave it among the rubble, fearful that the wrong person might pick it up and discover what hides inside, so you take it with you, forcing it to disappear along with the rest of your battle costume as you and your allies change back into your regular clothes.
Not a moment too soon.
Your phone vibrates in your pocket; it's Madoka. Without wasting a moment, you answer. "Homura-chan?"
"I'm here, Madoka," you say, breathing deeply as your greatest fears are dashed against the white cliffs of hope. Walpurgisnacht is defeated, and Madoka is safe. You fall on your knees, silently thanking every deity you can think of for keeping Madoka safe. You're finally free. "I'm here."
"Are you okay? You sound like you're crying."
"I am," you reply, reaching up to wipe away the tears dotting the corners of your eyes. "I... I'm just glad to know that you're alright."
"Mhm, me too. I just got cell reception back a little while ago, and I wanted to make sure you were alright. Mama say the storm's passed now, and I just heard somebody say the shelter notice had been lifted."
"I'll be right there," you say, making for the direction of the shelter without even thinking the command for your legs to move. "I... I know I said it last night, but... I love you, Madoka. I'm so glad you're a part of my life."
You don't know if your teammates are following you to the shelter, or if they're going off their own separate ways. It doesn't matter. Right now, there's only one thing on your mind. Your every thought is a blur, and your eyes barely register your surroundings as you walk, each step bringing you closer to the goal you've finally achieved after countless lifetimes.
"I'm over here, Homura-chan!"
You put your phone away as your vision is blinded by the radiant light that is Kaname Madoka. Her smile as the rising sun is caught by her figure is the brightest thing you've ever seen, brighter even than the brilliant rainbow your love for her allowed you to unleash. Wordlessly, you race towards her, and the two of you meet in a warm embrace. "I did it, Madoka," you say to her, as you stare into her sparkling pink eyes. "I won."
"I know, Homura-chan," Madoka says. It's all either of you can say to each other, here in this moment where words no longer matter. You and Madoka will have a lifetime together to share your words; for now, you're content just to share this moment with her. You lean in, and your lips meet hers.
A single kiss never tasted so sweet.
So, why are you still alive? You felt the last flames of your Soul Gem burn out as you loosed the arrow which felled Walpurgisnacht, so why are you alive, right now, and not drowning in despair as a witch stronger than the one you gave your life to vanquish?
"You're lucky you still had that Grief Fruit lying around. Otherwise, you'd have been a goner." You know that voice. Feeling strength return to you, you sit upright, turning your head to the side to see Archer crouched just off to your left, draining the corruption from your Soul Gem with the massive Grief Fruit of Elsa Maria at his feet. He smiles for you, saying "Looks like you won. I'm so proud of you."
Your voice returns to you next, and though your throat is sore you manage to choke out a single word. "Archer..."
Silently, Archer nods as you speak to him. "It's unfortunate, but I don't think I'll be sticking around for very long." As your father speaks, you notice that his body isn't entirely solid; much like the other servants of your team, he's vanishing. "I'm going to have to take a rain check on the whole 'family' thing we were both hoping for." You knew that would be the case the moment you saw him vanish the previous time; but seeing him here now, you had hoped that maybe...
A sound escapes Archer's mouth, but whether it's a single laugh, or a single sob, you don't think you could say. For all you know, it could be both. "What's with that?" you ask. "This is hardly the time to be laughing."
"Sorry," Archer says, leaning in close, pulling you in for a hug with his big, strong arms. "I know now's not the time to be laughing, but I guess I couldn't help myself." What? "That face you made just now, reminded me of a face Rin made at me, once. She and I were being forced to part ways after a difficult battle, too; and I guess the similarities must have gotten to me."
You nestle yourself into Archer's fatherly embrace, saying to him "Make another pact with me. You can do that, right? That way... That way you won't have to leave me like this."
"You know, it's funny, but Rin asked me the same thing, too, back then." Archer breaks from his embrace of you, and his eyes meet yours. "Sorry, but I can't. As much as I'd love to stick around, I'm afraid that just isn't in the cards for me. Using Excalibur is... Fatal, for me, is the easiest way to put it. There's nothing you could have done to save me at that point."
"Then why'd you do it?"
"Because we needed to put damage on Walpurgisnacht, and that was the best I could do to pave the way for you and the others to win."
"But... What will happen to you now?" You ask your father that question, but in your heart you're afraid you already know the answer. "What will happen to our family? To Minako, to Kirika, to me? We'll all miss you, but you'll be..." He'll just be forced to go back to the unending cycle of violence that broke him once before.
"I'll be right here," Archer says, tapping a finger to his heart. "Even when you can't see me, I'll always be right here, as long as you remember me." In the cold breeze blowing through the ruined city, Archer's hair is tossed about, making him look like the boy from your dreams. "I always was a bit hopeless when it came to romance, so please make sure to apolgise to Minako for me. Kirika too. I know she'll be upset at me for making her mom cry."
"Archer..." you say, as you force back your tears. "Yeah, I know. I'll be sure they get the message."
Archer smiles, pulling you into one last embrace as his body fades away. "I'll see you again, Homura; I promise you. So, just be patient for a little while." You arms fall through the place where your father had once been, catching on your chest. You hold yourself, because Archer isn't there to hold you anymore, and your tears are finally free to fall.
You don't know for how long you stay like that, crouched over, crying to yourself in the heart of a ruined city, before your allies find the strength to approach you. "Akemi-san..." Tomoe-san's voice is soft, hesitating, and she places a hand on your shoulder. You hear the sound of rubble shifting, and your eyes are drawn towards the ocean of black under which the part of the city where the school and Tomoe-san's apartment once were. You spot the top of a massive Grief Seed, easily the size of a two-story building, just before it sinks under the surface of the black-stained water. "We did it, Akemi-san; we won."
The entire southern edge of the city is in ruins, and as you crane your head over the ruins you can see that much of the city is partially underwater, especially the parts closest to the river banks. You can't imagine the economic damage that's been done to the city; to say nothing of the human toll that Walpurgisnacht's passing has taken. You've won; but what did that victory cost you?
Your shield lays discarded on the ground, and you go to pick it up. As your fingers wrap around the edge, carefully, so as not to accidentally reset time, it falls apart in your grasp. The intricate pieces of clockwork making up the time manipulators fall to the ground, leaving only a bare disc of metal in your hand. This is the last timeline. You don't want to leave it among the rubble, fearful that the wrong person might pick it up and discover what hides inside, so you take it with you, forcing it to disappear along with the rest of your battle costume as you and your allies change back into your regular clothes.
Not a moment too soon.
Your phone vibrates in your pocket; it's Madoka. Without wasting a moment, you answer. "Homura-chan?"
"I'm here, Madoka," you say, breathing deeply as your greatest fears are dashed against the white cliffs of hope. Walpurgisnacht is defeated, and Madoka is safe. You fall on your knees, silently thanking every deity you can think of for keeping Madoka safe. You're finally free. "I'm here."
"Are you okay? You sound like you're crying."
"I am," you reply, reaching up to wipe away the tears dotting the corners of your eyes. "I... I'm just glad to know that you're alright."
"Mhm, me too. I just got cell reception back a little while ago, and I wanted to make sure you were alright. Mama say the storm's passed now, and I just heard somebody say the shelter notice had been lifted."
"I'll be right there," you say, making for the direction of the shelter without even thinking the command for your legs to move. "I... I know I said it last night, but... I love you, Madoka. I'm so glad you're a part of my life."
You don't know if your teammates are following you to the shelter, or if they're going off their own separate ways. It doesn't matter. Right now, there's only one thing on your mind. Your every thought is a blur, and your eyes barely register your surroundings as you walk, each step bringing you closer to the goal you've finally achieved after countless lifetimes.
"I'm over here, Homura-chan!"
You put your phone away as your vision is blinded by the radiant light that is Kaname Madoka. Her smile as the rising sun is caught by her figure is the brightest thing you've ever seen, brighter even than the brilliant rainbow your love for her allowed you to unleash. Wordlessly, you race towards her, and the two of you meet in a warm embrace. "I did it, Madoka," you say to her, as you stare into her sparkling pink eyes. "I won."
"I know, Homura-chan," Madoka says. It's all either of you can say to each other, here in this moment where words no longer matter. You and Madoka will have a lifetime together to share your words; for now, you're content just to share this moment with her. You lean in, and your lips meet hers.
A single kiss never tasted so sweet.
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