Puella Magi Madoka Magica : Rebirth

Chapter 30 : Vengeance / Revenge

To be unable to look your foe in the face was probably one of the hardest things to do in battle. Tera had to keep her sight locked on to either side of Bellatosa's head to avoid looking into those paralysing black orbs. It resulted in poorly-aimed attacks and a lot of stumbling and faltering. But the tiger was not about to be bested. Already ripped in many places by whirling axes, Tera was out of breath and feeling weak in the knees, but she would not give up.

She rushed the Witch once again, panting for air and feeling the after-effects of the kicks she received from Rikka setting in. Her internal organs were badly bashed up by the bluenette's assault, and every move she made caused a painful wince which she bore wordlessly. As she ran past Bellatosa for the umpteenth time, her claws shot out and grabbed at the Witch's maimed leg, yanking her off balance using her momentum. With a howl of dismay, the monster toppled down, face-first, tossing her axes away to prevent impaling herself upon them.

Tera skidded to a halt, smearing her own blood all over the floor. Looking back, she watched Bella prop herself up on bony elbows, growling as she snapped her head back and glared. Tera quickly looked away, cursing as a jolt of electricity ran down her body. She leapt up and was about to jump on top of the Witch's back, but Bella was fast. For a beast that size, she moved with surprising speed. She turned over and shot out her hind legs, catching Tera squarely in her already-sore midriff. The Puella Magi was sent skidding across the checkered floor, her skin squealing red-hot from the friction and lacerating her wounds. Yelping in pain, Tera forced herself to stand up, her mind racing as she sought to recall the many fights that she had gone through with this Hyena Witch. What did she do then to defeat her? How the hell did she even defeat her?

Bellatosa advanced upon Tera, brandishing her blue-black axes above her malformed head. "Grrroooaaagrr!" Roaring like a wave crashing upon the tideline, she threw her full weight forwards, onto Tera, seeking to cleave her in half with the glittering weapons.

Speed saved Tera's life. Dropping into a crouch, she rolled out of the way. The two blades smashed into the floor, splintering the tiles. Wrenching them out with bloodthirsty madness, the hyena turned to Tera, hunched over and slobbering as she aimed for the next blow.

Crash!

The axe flew straight at Tera's head, but she sidestepped it just in time. It sank into the walls behind her. The second one came in quick succession, buzzing like an angry wasp. Hard pressed, Tera ducked it and broke into a strained sprint, fiery claws stretched to both sides. "You won't get me, you fudgin' dog!" she screamed, bulling into the Witch's squishy abdomen.

Living flesh collided with dead flesh as Tera sent the two of them falling to the floor. Bella shrieked and snapped at the girl with her jaws, craning her neck, but Tera was well beyond reach. Swiftly, she acted, plunging her claws deep into the Witch's chest, beside the gaping hole. She was about to tear it apart when Bella heaved upwards with a mighty surge of power and threw her off, bellowing her wrath. The Magi fell hard on her backside. The Hyena's claws went to her injury, touching the ripped flesh gingerly. She snarled, backing away from Tera.

"Oho, scared of me now, are ya?" taunted the Puella Magi, rubbing at her sore behind. "Backin' away like a big pup, hah! Not so fierce now, are ye?" She swayed up to her feet, flexing her dangerous claws.

Snarling through blackened gums, the Witch let loose an ungodly, piercing yell. Tera grimaced at the shout, remarking humourlessly, "That was pretty unladylike, ya know? Beautiful flotsam like you shouldn't go around screaming your head off."

Not to be outdone by the chatty, bleeding Magi, Bellatosa shook her body with a growl, sending out a cloud of old fur. She smiled wolfishly, licking her yellowish fangs with a dark-red tongue.