Puella Magi Rei ♥️ Magica: Afterglow

Chapter 26: "A New State of Emergency"

"What?! What do you mean?- How could this have happened?.."

"I am not sure, nor do I know the reason at this time.. Though as of right now, this timeline has derailed off course and.. Who knows what could happen next." Homura explained, as she sat across from Gin in her living room. A massive pendulum slowly swung back and forth, as images of multiple different timelines flickered along the walls like floating portraits. "I have a feeling that the death of Kyouko Sakura is only the beginning. If we are to ensure our goals are met- You will need to keep a closer eye on Ami Fukushima, as I will have to with Madoka."

"But Kyouko would have been a powerful force against Walpurgisnacht.. Leaving her for dead might set us back." Gin pondered.

"I'm warning you now, Gin." Homura stood up, finishing her tea. "With the current state of things, I do not think rewinding time for the sake of Kyouko will do us any good. It is clear that the more and more we use our unique power, the more unstable the resulting timeline will be. Do we want to risk losing either Ami or Madoka? Or worse, what if a witch stronger than Walpurgisnacht emerges and levels not just Mitakihara, but the majority of Japan?" Homura stated, turning to view the timelines as they hovered about. ".. We'll have to play this carefully.. Only rewinding when it is dire."

"So what do we do about Ophelia?" Gin asked. ".. I've never witnessed Kyouko Sakura transform, I have no idea what to expect out of her."

"I have only witnessed Ophelia's emergence once. It seems so long ago.." Homura slowly sat down, pulling the memory down from the wall.

Madoka stood beside a trembling Kyouko, as Homura slowly approached the two of them. They were standing outside of Oktavia Von Seckendorff's fading barrier, a witch who Madoka and Kyouko had just confronted in a futile effort to try and bring Sayaka back from the fate that awaits all magical girls in the end.

".. Why.. Are you here." Kyouko glared at Homura.

"I got rid of the witch." Homura stated, running a hand through her hair.

"W-.. What?.." Madoka stared at Homura, tears welling in her eyes as Kyouko stepped in front of her, her fists clenched.

".. Hey.. D-Don't tell me.. Don't you dare even say it! Did you-?!.. Did you just kill Sayaka?!" Kyouko shouted.

Madoka turned to glance at Kyouko, before making eye contact with Homura once again. ".. N-No.. That can't-.. D-.. H-Homura, tell me it's not true!"

Homura took a deep breath, maintaining her stoic demeanor. ".. If you are referring to the witch that was once Sayaka Miki.. Then yes, I did indeed put an end to her life."

Madoka and Kyouko's eyes widened, as Oktavia's barrier completely dissipates, the signature that was left behind by Sayaka's witch now but a flickering essence in the sunny air.

"..B-Bastard.." Kyouko whispered, tears welling in her eyes.

"N-.. No.. No!" Madoka covered her eyes, as she began to cry out in sorrow.

"Nothing could have been done to save her.." Homura's eyes softened a bit, but only for a moment. "And besides, if you were to have fought her with how weakened your soul gem has already become.. You may have died as well." She stated, her eyes locked with Kyouko's.