The Maid and Her Princess

Don't Hold Back! (part 4)

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. Princess Elise's voice comes once more to her.

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

Madoka glared at the princess defiantly. 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? Elise's fists clenched before her. Then her jaw detached from her chin and her eyes burst with billowing black smog.