Puella Magi Rei ♥️ Magica: Afterglow

Chapter 20: "Illusions and Free Will"

Slash!

Booom!!

The sound of screams fills the air as buildings, one by one, began to light aflame, entire sections beginning to collapse as Tatsura steps down the debris-riddled road, flaming sword in hand as her eyes glowed a pure, white-blue heat. Her cloak has all but scorched away as her hair hovered in the endlessly wavering heat that surrounded her. Ryu could no longer ride along her shoulder, his paws and undercarriage having been scorched by being too close to her while in this state.

It had been days since Tatsura's transformation. Days that her power has been allowed to excel in uncontrolled strength. Days that Ryu has been manipulating her capabilities and bending them to fit his agenda.

Chaos.

By now, it was impossible to ignore that something horrible was happening in Mitakihara. Unable to see Tatsura directly due to the veil that normally separates magical girls and witches from humans, it is unclear what was going on. A natural disaster? Maybe the Earth's crust was shifting, causing gas lines to break. Was an impending Earthquake near? Or is this some kind of attack from another country? The Japan Self-Defense Forces have taken notice, and have begun to swarm the city, enforcing a strict curfew in all districts, trying to gain some kind of control over the mess that had begun to twist apart the peace of the city around them.

"There! I think I see something!"

Focusing on where a cascade of flames began barreling out from a building, the armed forces raised their rifles high, ready to shoot at the slightest drop of a pen. However, when a plume of scarlet flame rises from the ground, causing manhole covers to launch into the air like missiles, they are forced to back away.

"Have helicopters over this area immediately! If there is an armed force here, we will not let them leave the Ichiba District!"

"Now's your chance to wipe them out." Ryu whispered, his eyes beginning to glow, the dark circles under them becoming more and more prominent as Tatsura raised her sword, keeping a shaky grip. She did not move forward, she simply stood there, armed and ready.

"W-.. Well.. What are you waiting for?!" Ryu hissed, his eyes beginning to flicker as he stumbles around, his energy quickly beginning to leave him.

".. Help me.."

Ryu suddenly snapped back to reality, seeing Tatsura standing there, tears pouring from her eyes as she stood still, ready to strike.

"H.. Help me.. I can't.. Control..-" She whispered, the heat from her eyes beginning to dissipate, slowly.

"NO!" Ryu barked out, his eyes suddenly flaring to life as he dug his nails into the ground. "Carry out your orders!"

Tatsura winced, her eyes beginning to intensify once more as she raised her sword high, and darted forward, letting out a gut-wrenching shriek as she disappeared into the flames..

.. As more explosions began to erupt.