A Blissful Year, Act 6
Winter of Becoming part 2
V.
Madoka's boots crunched on snow and dirt. Trees toppled over and tumbled downhill in the wake of Audrey's deadly magic spell. She smelled fresh air for the first time in way too long. Below her lay a valley under a blanket of thin clouds, greens layered under a stretched cotton. Above her, the twisted sky returned to a blue sky with a sleepy sun hanging lazily in the sky.
She heard breathing huff behind her and hurried and eager steps approach her.
"Wow," Audrey said. The blue skies could not compare to the beauty of her eyes. "You can see everything here, huh. There, that speck of brown is our next stop after... Don't look at me like that! It's a town! We'll be able to figure out what the heck we want to do in there."
Madoka squinted at the town. It did not seem to be set on fire.
"Furthermore," Audrey said triumphantly. "I am no longer a level one support mage! Now, I am a level TWO support mage!"
"P-Please," Madoka begged. "Not another fireball."
"Fireball?" Audrey said incredulously. "That wasn't a fireball, I merely ignited oxygen, added more and threw hydrogen in the mix before—"
"None of that, please!" Madoka snapped. "How did you even get that strong? You had one ring around your heart and now there's two— Oh, that's what a level up means."
Audrey spun and her "improved" core burst to life. The two bands were pure blue rings of magic but swirled with different colors, mystifying Madoka. Never once did they collide with each other, dancing in a perfect and precise rhythm. She wondered if they changed colors depending on her mood.
"I cultivated mana. Well, not cultivate, but that's the best term I could come up with," Audrey tried to explain. "It's kind of like, well, focusing your soul as a bubble and stuffing as much mana into it while trying to not make it pop. Okay, look, it's just really difficult to explain! Trust me!"
Madoka stared at her blankly.
"Don't judge me!" Audrey sighed. "This is worse than explaining my magic ring to those mages back in the day. They stared in awe. Apparently, my magic is unique to everyone. Isn't that cool? Hello? React or something!"
Madoka did not utter a word and kept staring.
"I think I see a black hole whenever I absorb too much mana," Audrey pouted before continuing. "Like a huge soul trying to reach out and absorb my own soul. Gazing into it makes me feel like I'll die but that's a minor side effect of leveling up. I'm going to try and do it again!"
"Audrey Elise Dalion," Madoka said sternly.
"Eep! Okay, okay!" Audrey whined. "I won't do it unless I know I can survive. Speaking of surviving... This guy did not survive."
She took a molten and mottled talisman out of her bag. Madoka recognized the halo floating above it but it was now bent and missing half of itself.
"What did you do to it? D-Don't we need that?"
"I was told to use it as a sort of, fuel, for my magic core," Audrey shrugged. "Before you get on my case, Ares said it was okay! The talisman helped me get enough mana to make a breakthrough!"
"If that's what the kind god desires," Madoka supposed. She had no idea what Audrey truly meant. The two were marching up mountain's stone path towards the Wind Serpent God's temple. The thought of that strange serpentine talisman came to her mind. Oh yeah, she remembered. That was the one Audrey was afraid to use.
She realized the path they walked on were the rooftops of the Frost Queen's Hall. Dirt and exposed stone, she grumbled as she walked on. They trudged along for awhile and found shelter underneath a crag in the mountainside. The sun began to set like an incandescent giant crashing to sleep beyond the horizon. No thoughts of animals disturbed this holy mountain, Madoka observed silently while Audrey looked at the space. She stopped and channeled her storage portal, seemingly satisfied with their location.
"We'll rest here for tonight. Help me out okay? Or do you prefer your box?"
Madoka silently pulled the tent from the portal and quietly swept the dirty snow out with a broom. She was truly tired. The trip in the Hall of Pelé took a lot out of her.
"Hey, does that hurt?" Audrey blurted as she traced the rune on her arm. Her finger still felt warm to the touch through her cloak. "Lemme see, lemme see!"
Audrey grabbed Madoka's cloak and tried to roll it off but she shoved the former princess off effortlessly and scoffed.
"Nae waaah!" Audrey whined as she fell on her butt. "I wanna see it!"
"So impatient...!" Madoka tore her sleeve down and revealed the dangerous marking on her shoulder. "See?"
"Hmm," Audrey peeked at it from different angles. "We're matching. Kind of!"
She tore her own shirt down and revealed her own shoulder. A wriggling mark twitched her skin before retreating away. Madoka blushed at the sight of her skin.
"Get back here, you little!" Audrey slapped her back, unaware of the effect her skin's beauty had on Madoka. "When you were in your box, your shoulder started glowing like mad! This must be a gift from Ares."
"The Frost Queen gave it to me, not Ares," Madoka said. "She did not tell me what it does."
"Of course she didn't," Audrey waved her hands above her head in exasperation. "Why would a kind god do such a convenient thing for us mortals? Still, Madoka. This rune looks wicked. It's tough and blood red. It's so cool!"
"I-I thought red runes were bad," Madoka stammered. Audrey broke into laughter.
"Yeah! Bad-ass!" She laughed. "It's good to be a bad-ass!"
Madoka's head began to get dizzy from Audrey's contradictions so she did not press for an explanation and instead dove into the tent. Audrey muttered something but the maid already fell fast asleep.
She was in a dream world of that ineffable being. How arrogant, she thought. In the moment she beheld its mysterious presence, her words wilted on her tongue and the light of her own rationality slipping back into a forever-blemished darkness. Madoka struggled, feeling the creature's eyes shift their infinite gaze upon her, hearing its name, Conqueror. It was dragging her back into—
"Madoka," a soothing voice called for her. She felt warm hands tugging her feet. She felt sore.
"A bed," Madoka suddenly sprang up, nearly pulling apart the tent's thick leather. "I want a bed— oh, forgive me, Your Audrey. Er, Elise Audrey. High Audrey. Whatever."
"Good morning, sleepyhead," Audrey smiled. Madoka groaned. This was probably how Audrey felt most mornings. "How'd you sleep?"
"Terribly," Madoka answered. A hand stuck through the tent holding a plate of food.
"Come on out and eat!" Audrey said from outside. The smell of cooked meat enticed Madoka, so she begrudgingly crawled out of the tent. It was more of the bear. Audrey stayed quiet for most of her meal before asking a question. "How are you holding up?"
"I am your servant," Madoka stated. But her lips quivered as she tried to put on a stoic face. Audrey's look pushed her to the brink of admission. She sank in her friend's gaze. "It's just that... Thing in the ice. I-I never thought I would be so close to gods. I'm so small and unworthy."
She trailed off. Audrey got up and stretched then paced under the starlight. Her blonde hair strands danced in the breeze. Perhaps in a year she will get to brush it, Madoka thought. If she survived this all.
"Our business is not to know all things, Madoka," Audrey said. "As rational creatures, we ought to govern our own selves and not be troubled over things that slip by."
Madoka grunted.
"Was that Locke? Maybe it was... Lovecraft?" Audrey mused. "Sometimes things are just absurd. Like that creature in the wall of ice, threatening to thrust you in a realm of powerlessness. Should you just give up? 'Cos you feel like you're too far in the deep end?"
Madoka simply sat back, listening to Audrey's pretty words and not really understanding them as usual.
"When I first gazed into the abyss while that talisman burned in my fist, I thought I was going to die. 'Really, what a let down,' I thought. I wanted to retreat into the darkness but suddenly I started thinking of home, of my past, of you. The woman of my dreams. Then I started fighting in the orbit and dropping my thoughts. You probably do that in battles. But, uh, it was a first time for me."
"You're always in your head, Audrey," Madoka chuckled. Something about Audrey saying she was the woman of her dreams took her far back before all of this.
"Sometimes we need a bigger light or a scary unknown that makes us remember what we can truly do with the stars and dreams we see, Madoka," Audrey squeezed her hand. Even though there were magical flames, her hands were more than enough to warm Madoka's own. "Sometimes being scared of the unknown is the best for making stuff up and forging your own path. Improvise!"
"Improvise?" Madoka was reminded of Lord Leopride's lesson on being unpredictable. He used that word a lot.
"It means being creative, making things up in a fight or in uncertain situations as you go," Audrey leaned in. She was so close! "Psst! If you wanna hear it from me, a level 2 support mage: Fighting fair is lame!"
"I think I finally found out what I truly feel," Madoka finally admitted with her voice low. "You are the most scariest thing I know of. More scarier than the beast below the ice."
"I'm not that ugly! I hope!" Audrey was about to complain but an unholy and intense roar echoed from above them. Madoka heard something like the flapping of a thousand wet bed sheets fluttering in a gale. Audrey's flame flickered to ashes as the air grew colder suddenly. She pointed over the cliff at something. She realized that she did not hear any thoughts from whatever or whoever made that roar.
Madoka gasped and pointed. The head of a massive flying beast ascending towards the top of the mountain. It had scales and a reptilian body with wings that stretched far into the night. Another roar shook the place as a storm began to form.
"W-What was that thing?" Audrey gasped as the raging storm began to expand straight to them. They quickly threw the tent in the portal and prepared for the storm.
"A dragon," Madoka simply said as she started to pull out her axe but realized it would be impossible to get close to it. The flapping of its massive wings were returning. "A-Amazing."
"D-Don't suppose it will let us go, right?" Audrey said.
"Nope," Madoka said. The massive beast hovered over the hillside where they were headed. Its eyes glowed yellow as it seemed to beckon them to it. "Did you get any rest, Audrey?"
"Eh," Audrey chuckled nervously as the two observed the beast. It was much larger than the bear. Madoka caught a glimpse of a brutal tail and sharp claws before it became cloaked in green wind magic and dark clouds. "D-Don't hate me, but... Yeah, I slept when you dove into the tent."
"Dude," Madoka muttered. The dragon unleashed its roar as an invitation to its trial.
Wind slashed trees and boulders, cutting Madoka's cheek. Audrey covered her face as the air currents only worsened. At this rate, they would get blown off the mountain! They barely made it behind a nearby boulder that withstood the dragon's attack. She swore to herself and wiped the blood off her cheek.
"Well. Got any bright ideas?" She asked Audrey. The creature was flying and launching wind attacks at whatever it wanted.
"Yeah, sure," Audrey complained. "Have we tried running yet? No way we'll defeat a dragon!"
"Come on," Madoka cracked her knuckles. The dragon roared and emitted a shock wave of wind and snow. Debris pelted the rock they hid behind. "Let's put your pretty words to the test!"
"That's not what I...!" Audrey shook her head and sighed. Madoka looked at her intently and then Audrey swore. "Fine! Let's do this. Can you hear its thoughts?"
Madoka shook her head no.
"Great. Well it's a big target but what if I make it mad by hurting it?"
"Then let's make it angrier," Madoka said darkly, curling her hair back as the wind grew worse.
The large beast was closing in on them. At least it was kind enough to warn them with its noisiness. As it swooped low it slashed at them, narrowly missing the boulder it swiped at. How did it miss? She wondered. Was it blind? Suddenly, the boulder sliced in two perfect halves. Kind gods, Madoka groaned. It was rather obvious they would not survive a single hit from it but now it was clear as the moonlight.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Audrey was losing her footing in the storm winds. Madoka pulled her back down and stared up at it. Both girls leaned into the winds and managed to stay upright. They were eventually able to huddle behind a mound of ice.
"Gimme a bow," Madoka said. She has chased many things out of the kitchen in the Estate, including birds. She knew how inconvenient a flying animal was and wished for something long ranged to get rid of the pesky ones. Just picture the dragon as a... large bird, right? What am I doing? She snapped out of it.
"Do you think you could shoot it down with that?" Audrey said, looking skeptically at Madoka as she prepared her weapons.
"No," Madoka said. "But that's where your magic helps."
Audrey contemplated for a moment but the dragon did not wait for them to formulate a plan. Madoka's spine tingled as she sensed an incoming attack.
"Let's get going!" Madoka pulled Audrey. A beam of green wind tore through the mountainside from the dragon's maw, letting loose a high pitched scream. The ice they ran from burst into pieces from the pressurized blast. The wind helped them skip along in its current and they skidded to a halt after the beam magic ceased its barrage.
Audrey channeled intense blue flames from her hand and released it towards the dragon. For a second, the two watched the projectiles fly towards the raging beast but instead the storm vaporized the flames.
"You gotta be kiddin' me," Audrey groaned over the wind. Madoka caught a glimpse of something shining within Audrey's bag.
"Your bag, Audrey!" Madoka pointed at it.
"What?" Audrey mouthed, before checking her bag. The bag shuddered violently in the wind but it had to be a talisman. The wind shimmered all around them as she took the glowing serpentine talisman out. This feeling and overwhelming killing intent, Madoka focused on her surroundings. The dragon was charging another attack but where could they run?
They were out in the wide open! Simple trees would not stop an attack that can split mountain boulders. Audrey looked at the talisman incredulously.
"Really? Okay, then!" She spoke to it.
"What are you doing, Audrey?"
"I-I'm going to use the talisman. Stay with me!" Audrey shouted. "I just have to time this—"
The dragon released another deadly beam of magic on their position. Madoka supported Audrey's back as the Wind magic came crashing towards them. A low humming sounded as the talisman started to glow like the twin moons. Traces of white strand gathered in Audrey's hands, constructing an aura just in time to Madoka's relief. The blast of wind split apart and threatened to break through the shield.
Her eardrums thundered heavily, but Madoka dug her heels in and nocked an arrow. Twenty three arrows remained in her quiver. She must make them count. She stepped out from behind Audrey and let an arrow fly through the talisman's aura. To her surprise, Wind magic surrounded the arrow as it passed through it. The empowered arrow screamed into a tree and destroyed a chunk of ice with ease. It actually pierced the storm and flew?
"Hey, I need a little help here!" Audrey screamed as the beam attack from the dragon continued its convergence on them. Madoka put her back on Audrey's and noticed they were dangerously edging closer towards the cliff side.
I will be the pillar of support which she can lean against! Madoka thought defiantly as she prepared another arrow. Releasing it after the dragon made it reel back into the night heavens.
"Do you think you can use wind magic to aid my arrows?" Madoka called out above the wind. She pulled Audrey before she could answer to another ice chunk. The wind seemed to be freezing different spots for them to hide behind.
"I think this talisman can do that," Audrey shouted back, adjusting her cloak and hood. "Y-Your face!"
"Don't worry about my face!" Madoka protested but after seeing her friend's concern she scoffed. "Worry for it after, okay? No doubt it's recharging for another attack."
The two struggled to stand in the blistering storm but they knew the dragon was on the move again. Audrey said not a word and she felt her friend's trust.
Madoka scanned for a clear view of the beast. Its silver scales reflected snow and moonlight, coated with a green shimmering aura, revealed themselves in the night. Audrey held up her talisman and used more of her magic. Dagger sharp rocks pelted the wind shield it manifested, brought on by mere movement of the dragon's presence. She will repay that trust, she swore.
"Shoot its wings," Audrey said. "Maybe that'll help."
Madoka looked to the swaying of trees caused by this jeopardous storm. If she aimed into the wind she could arc the shot into the dragon.
"You are what stands between us and the summit," she gritted her teeth and prepared another arrow. "Go back to fairy tale stories, where you belong!"
She watched the released arrow become infused as it passed through the talisman's wind magic. It accelerated and must have hit the beast. She missed its wings but the beast felt the pain.
"Take another!" Madoka growled, launching more arrows. Between dodging and warding off debris using Audrey's serpentine talisman, Madoka realized she was running low on arrows. She had to make this last one count. The dragon was also bloody and its flight patterns were erratic.
Violent shaking was heard in the air as it flew high above. In the brief moment before it returned with another beam of magic, Madoka caught a sight of Audrey's double magic core. It was flickering with one of the bands fading completely. Every moment counted as both girls braced for the impact. Magic collided against magic in a violent tempest. The light from the explosion blinded Madoka. The dragon's final breath attack was much more intense! An enormous crater took them off their balance but the shield remained.
"Madoka do something!" Audrey shouted. Blood and dirt from the wind slashing her skin showed. "I can't hold it for too long!"
Madoka decided to forget about the wings. Its head seemed especially armored, but the glowing green magic launching from its maw made it too easy to aim for. Adjust for the wind, Madoka breathed in her first and second Cherish technique. Just as she fired, a tree branch slammed into her from the side. Madoka screamed as the impact caused her to lose balance and her world became disoriented as she flung in the storm.
Madoka groped for anything to hold onto. She swore and plunged her axe into the ground. She dangled and flapped about like a sail in a hurricane from hanging onto her axe, but she could see the wind magic infused arrow hit its mark through the fog. She heard the snap in her arm as it locked unnaturally in the brutal winds. Madoka grimaced yet she knew all that mattered is that Audrey was safe. Wait, where was she?
A heavy boot and a ragged Audrey stepped in front of her. The core of her magic was glowing crimson red. Was it the killing intent propelling the magical rings' blazing malice? Or was it a case of her running out of energy and being desperate? Madoka watched her friend channel into the shield once more. She could hear the dragon squealing in pain as blood and wind pulsed out in streams from the many arrows that stuck put from its side. The final arrow was lodged in its eye.
Its flight wobbled and it began to launch a crashing attack on the girls in one final desperate measure. Madoka got up. She was certain her arm was broken but she did not care. It was preparing to charge and she knew Audrey and her shield could not withstand an attack.
"You're hurt, Madoka!" Audrey screamed. "What are you doing?"
"I... Am..." Madoka uttered those words as she pulled her axe out with her offhand. "Improvising!"
She shoved a screaming Audrey out of the way, ignoring the cracking in her broken arm. The beast careened and shrieked at the girl who dared to stand against it. Madoka swung her axe and as soon as she made contact with the oncoming beast's wing her world went black.
"Madoka!" Madoka heard a voice echoing out. She awoke and saw Audrey crouched over her. She could see her own blood paint the snow in splotches. She must have bounced multiple times off of the ground from taking that dragon attack. Audrey sat next to her, the Six Armed Talisman in her hand. "Heal my reckless friend please!"
"S-Sorry," Madoka mumbled. They were alive!
"You animal!" Audrey cried. "Wasn't it you that said you have your heart leaping out with worry for me? You could have died!"
The healing restored her arm and she noticed something peculiar. The rune was burning on her shoulder in a fiery red glow. Come to think of it... did it help her in battle?
"What do you have to say for yourself?" Audrey fake scolded her maid.
"Aaaaaa I'm sorry!" Madoka apologized as the former princess grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her. Why does she feel a sense of déjà vu?
A loud stomping noise came from the trees below them. That damn dragon survived as well!
"There!" Madoka pointed, but she was too weak to hold up her arm. A one winged dragon was holding onto the cliff side, screeching and howling.
"Let me get this, okay?" Audrey assured the maid. The core flickered around her heart, but Madoka had no choice but to allow her to. As the dragon's bloody maw was preparing another magic attack, Audrey herself was charging two azure fire spells in both palms of her hand as well. "Eat this, you stupid lizard!"
"It's a dragon," Madoka muttered but shielded her eyes because she knew what would happen next. The two fireballs launched much quicker than the dragon's own wind magic, splitting the beams in half and created a brilliant explosion.
Audrey dove on top of Madoka as the blast of her magic continued its onslaught. Madoka realized Audrey still was quite warm to the touch as she held on watching the outline of the large one winged dragon fall down into the depths below in the midst of the explosion.
"Whew..." Audrey breathed as she attempted to roll off Madoka but she held her there tightly. "M-Madoka?"
"We did it?" She whispered.
"We did it," Audrey whispered back excitedly. "We. Are. Dragonslay—"
The ground immediately started to rumble as something more violent pulled up viciously from below.
VI.
"It looks like it ain't dead yet," Audrey said as she got up.
The two both sighed collectively. Madoka barely had time to retrieve her axe before a familiar and terrifying feeling overwhelmed her senses. Audrey felt it as well this time, tensing up. Madoka was running thin on weaponry. She realized the bow she had was shattered and the axe looked like it was on the verge of breaking after cleaving that wing.
"Say," Madoka mused as they attempted to scramble away from the pulling sensation. The pressure was beginning to overwhelm the entire cliff side.
"Huh?"
"Nevermind," Madoka said. Obviously she cut the beast's wing off but getting it in the storage portal seemed like an ordeal.
"I already stored the wing, Madoka," Audrey sighed. She could read her thoughts like an open book.
"Really?" Madoka asked. Her excitement was cut short by a large cracking sound. The two looked at each other. "Uh oh."
The ground quaked and began to descend towards whatever was causing that terrifying pressure. The two tried to scramble up the falling cliff but it was too late. Madoka slid downward and saw a gaping violet and black portal hovering in the depths where the dragon fell. Was it summoning that?
"Madoka!" Audrey screamed. Madoka felt herself being absorbed into the portal. She held tightly onto the cliff side but it was useless. The crack further up shattered and the girls plummeted down to the portal.
This feeling...! Madoka realized that she felt this way falling into the Conqueror's eye. Was the dragon pulling them into itself? Wind and ice splashed her face and she gritted her teeth. They were going to find out soon, she thought as a wave of nausea overtook her and her vision streamed into blackness.
No, she refused to shutdown now.
Though, she felt like she was being forced through a tight tunnel. Her persistence struggled as whatever had its pull on the maid released shortly after. Madoka crashed on solid ground. Something sent prickles on her skin, making her sit up. Wild grass? She glanced around, unsure of this unknown territory she was forced into.
It was only when she glanced to the sky that she noticed it. The sun itself was black, glowing with a malevolent purple that cast its sinister light over the land in this world. No sign of the dragon or whatever summoned that portal anywhere near her. There were ruins of destroyed castle walls near her but even closer someone lay face first in the dirt.
"Audrey!" Madoka crawled over. The ominous glow shadowed over everything, flickering with pale white flashes as the black sun through its weight on everyone. She pushed the body over and screamed. A skull faced her, crumbling to dust under the atmosphere's oppressive aura.
"Here!" Audrey's voice called out. Madoka shuddered after she peaked at more skeletons lying in what appeared to be a field between the castle ruins. "Hurry!"
She did not have to hear Audrey's urges twice. Madoka found her huddling in a sunken rampart. Weapons were strewn about on the ground but they did not seem suitable for use at first glance.
"W-Where are we?" Madoka asked but Audrey pointed out an opening.
"Beats me," Audrey shrugged. "Some kind of magic shenanigans is happening in this place. Gravity's all twisted up at the edge over there. You see that?"
Madoka followed her finger out to what appeared to be a battlefield engulfed by the lurid purple and black light of the "sun." As Madoka looked around she could see the land become twisted and distorted at its borders. Trees, rocks and even some of the castles threatened to collapse into the depths. However; they did not sink below into whatever void was beyond it but instead they floated off into the heavens like they were falling upward. This place was evil. The hateful sun simply floated in the sky and beckoned the destroyed terrain into its maw.
"I guess the dragon put us in its own dimension," Audrey said.
"Dimension?"
"A subspace, of sorts. I read a lot about these things in science fiction novels," Audrey said. "Like a cupboard that no one else can use, or the storage talisman for example—"
Something moved in the middle of the battlefield, shaking off weapons and skeletons. The night sky as a storm began to swell with wisps of shadows wrapping around the floating structures and ruins. Madoka found it difficult to concentrate, but she recognized the creature in the center was the dragon.
Madoka made a sudden connection in her memories. When she met the Frost Queen, she ended up in a strange realm like this one. Could this be something similar? She had to cast the guessing aside when the roar of the beast shook the ruins they crouched behind. It was in agony, squealing and writhing but still Madoka could not hear its thoughts. She has never come across such an unsightly creature, nor could ever dream of doing anything that could harm it.
"Jesus," Audrey muttered, breaking the silence. "Just how big is this dragon's health bar? It's only got one wing now!"
"Then let's tear the other one off," Madoka growled, drawing her axe and inspecting it. The blade looked like it had little life left.
"What are you," her friend was suddenly shocked by Madoka's determined declaration. "Some kind of war machine? Battle junkie?"
"Can you use magic still?" Madoka asked, undeterred by her comments. Audrey's core flickered like a dying candle. It was barely able to illuminate anything in front of her.
"Not really," Audrey sighed. "I-I'll see what I can do."
"Be careful," Madoka did not want to know what would happen if those magic circles broke completely. One of Audrey's explosions came to her mind and the thought made her shudder.
"Yeah, yeah," Audrey scrutinized her. "I'm useless again but I promise—"
"That's not what I was thinking," Madoka snapped. "We got to get arrows or a way closer."
Another roar shook the ground, tearing the ruins apart. Weapons from ancient racks cluttered on the ground. They dove into the haze and crouched behind more weapon racks and piles of skeletons. They were probably soldiers and meals for that beast, Madoka hoped it did not spot them.
Madoka noticed some of the weapons around them had faint traces of golden chains surrounding their blades. The weapons without any golden aura crumbled and wore rust, having lost their purpose ages ago. History lay in ruins here, she thought as she inspected one of the glowing blades with her hand.
It did not shock her but she knew it could carry its weight in battle, if not temporarily. These odd manifestations of power made Madoka uneasy. Perhaps she could use magic all along. Or maybe the magic of these items and chains called to her. She scooped several swords up and strapped them underneath her cloak. Audrey evidently did not see the properties of these weapons but did not question her maid.
These will do, she thought as she strode by Audrey.
"I-I'll give it my best shot!"
Madoka could hear Audrey chasing after her. If she could not see any glowing arrows, she would have to get close and personal with that mighty beast. The view of its massive body writhing in anguish was darkened by the evil sun. She brought a finger to her lips and silenced Audrey as they snaked between piles of armor and destroyed buildings.
They began to sneak behind it but suddenly it stopped its roaring, twisting its neck towards their direction. A loud crash of metal broke Madoka's concentration. She turned and saw Audrey awkwardly standing over a pile of clanking armor. It was obvious that she kicked it over by accident. Two glowing yellow eyes pierced through the haze in their direction. The master of this dungeon had discovered them.
Madoka groaned.
"Uh," Audrey said starkly. "Run!"
Instead of using magic, the beast lunged a baleful claw at them. Madoka leapt away and Audrey pulled the serpentine talisman out. The claw tore through the air, leaving a spray of purple, ominous sparks. Stumbling over piles of debris, she turned and witness a large series of explosions blaze in a trail from the dragon's swipe. The magic engulfed Audrey's glowing shield.
"Audrey!"
The dragon swiped again but its target was Madoka. She growled and prepared for an opening. Only the sound of hissing air and her heartbeat matched the perilous terror of the dragon's brutal eyes and swift movements. She scrambled and dodged, noting that while the beast was slow and weakened from their previous battle she could not stay for long. Those sparks were growing in intensity and ready to burst.
Madoka was running out of room to run.
"You stay away from her, you bully!" Audrey's voice called out. Madoka could recognize the ethreal tone of her voice calling out magic. She knew she had to regroup quickly or get swept up in both the dragon's volatile swipes and Audrey's needlessly large explosive spell.
Kind gods, she thought desperately as she scanned for a way out. It was too late. Madoka heard a deafening combination of roaring and rumbling but she was blinded by the colorful detonation of many spells. Shielding her eyes with a fluttering sleeve, Madoka dove to the ground. Teeth rattling and soul shaking, she could not help but feel like she was the useless one in this fight.
"Hey, Mad!" Audrey yelled out for her. Somewhere behind the explosion. "Get up on the hydra's back, Madoka!"
"Mad?" Madoka recovered, the sheer shock of the embarrassing nickname taking her out of her head. "H-Hydra?"
It was not like Audrey could hear her embarrassment, but the massive beast was now facing her friend. Madoka unsheathed one of the swords from her cloak. It was time to test these ancient weapons out and protect her friend. The dragon's tail was swiping erratically, but she did not have the time to wait for an opening.
She leapt and felt the force of the tail's strength beat into her chest as she latched on. This must have been the most violent hill she has ever traversed! The beast was preoccupied with Audrey's magic to notice her. She might as well be an insect on her adversary's back. The beast's armored scales threatened to slice her if she held on wrong. The length of its tail was as long as one of the Estate's hallways but Madoka eventually grappled her way onto the back.
It did not take long for the dragon's wing and brute shoulders to make it difficult to hang on, so she straddled a gap of scales on its spine.
"This is it!" Madoka raised the glowing sword above her head and drove between a weak spot with as much strength as she could muster. The sword punctured flesh but shattered at the tip. A low, moan of pain emitted from the dragon and it shook violently. "And another!"
Madoka stabbed again using another sword.
"Rah!" the dragon's voice broke Madoka's concentration. It sounded almost like pained speech but the shaking was too much. Madoka felt the wind and ominous sparks scraping her skin as she plummeted under the ominous sky. It was uttering something, Madoka was certain as she prepared for a tough landing. "Gra....vi..."
"Madoka!" She heard Audrey shout from below her. She was not trying to catch her, was she? Madoka thought, but realized Audrey was warning her. She turned her head and saw the dragon's tower sized claws crashing down on her like a wave. "Go!"
"Go?" Madoka asked herself, certain she was going to die. "Go where?"
A gust of green magical wind blasted against Madoka. Kind gods, she groaned as the magic collided against her body. The claw narrowly missed Madoka as she was slammed by Audrey's spell. It still hurt but she was still alive!
"Be mine, O Gravity!" Roared a deep, male voice. The impact of its meteoric claw crushed the ground, leaving a powdered mess of ancient armor and rocks. Madoka twisted her view as she realized the dragon was speaking. Something was shimmering in the center of its back from where she stabbed it. "Hng!"
"Audrey!" She called out weakly. Audrey was not amidst that crater. The ground was glowing as a spell circle expanded outward from the crater. Confusion terrorized Madoka. What was it casting?
It was still chanting in a language that overpowered Madoka's ears, but she saw the effects of the spell happen as the spell circle reached where Madoka floated. Floated? Madoka realized that her descent ceased and she was engulfed in a disorienting weightlessness. A glowing circle floated up nearby.
"Audrey!" Madoka called. She was struggling to orientate herself for a better view of the shrinking ground.
"Oh, so that wasn't you," Audrey's voice called out. She was distracted in a time like this? Madoka sighed. "I was, like, that voice was way too deep to be Madoka."
"Do you really think my voice is that—"
Before the two could bicker as they floated above the calamity below, the dragon started to hum. Audrey glanced upward at the evil sun above them which was getting closer. But Madoka noticed the dragon had a ring of aging magic around what she assumed was its heart. Another feeling tightened her throat. It was getting harder to breathe! Madoka gulped in air. Audrey was trying to propel herself with her legs like she was swimming in the air, mouthing something at Madoka.
She made some odd gestures but threw an exasperated look at Madoka's confused expression.
"Just do whatever," Madoka mouthed back. Audrey pointed at the axe and made a throwing motion at the dragon. The dragon was not giving them any time and the spell circle was glowing more intensely by the second. She wanted her to throw her axe at the dragon. Got it, Madoka guessed but it was difficult to even move. The black sun was pulling them closer. Audrey's core flared even brighter and a gust of rushing Wind magic struck Madoka.
This again! Madoka flung straight towards the dragon. That princess...! Then she realized she had enough momentum to move in this strange magic spell. As she began to plummet she realized she would not be able to throw the axe. Audrey's spell did not let up. She was channeling everything she had, Madoka thought.
"Therefore, I will pay you back for all the trouble you caused us!" Madoka spun in the air using Audrey's boosting winds. She closed her eyes as she descended upon the dragon like a falling star, but her axe caught flesh and the sickening sound of cutting wormed itself in her ears. She aimed for the head.
The resistance caught Madoka and she lost her grip. She closed her eyes expecting the worse the ground had to offer and shielded her face for the incoming pain. The humming cacophony from the spell circle faded.
"Gust!" Audrey called from above. Madoka felt the wind burst upward against her face, catching her like a net before she tumbled onto the dirt.
She spat out dirt and rolled over to see what she had done to the dragon. The wing was gone and the axe was embedded in the beast's neck. It twitched and the beast gurgled out fountains of dark green blood and purple sparks blasted out of its wounds. Madoka had to crawl back quickly to avoid its death throes. Its inhalations became desperate and ragged as it thrashed the dirt and the sparks. After some time the grim spectacle slowed to a halt as the dragon raised one clawed limb skyward to the abyssal sun.
"Madoka!" Audrey landed in a gust of her own magic and rushed to Madoka. All she could do is point at the dragon. It stood upright on its once mighty hind legs reaching skyward with its front claw. More noticeable than the axe hanging out its wing was that magic ring around the center of its chest, glowing prominently like Audrey's own core.
The whole beast began to make a sickening, crumbling sound. Madoka drew the last glowing sword she took from the ground and Audrey leapt behind her readying her core. The corpse shook before bursting into harmless light, raining wisp-like feathers upon the grass. Madoka instinctively covered Audrey and prepared for whatever sinister thing it planned next.
"Is that a person?" Audrey suddenly gasped.
Madoka turned in anticipation and saw a small figure falling from where the dragon's head used to be. Both girls approached the small being nervously, never once did they let their guard down. The person was definitely like the Frost Queen but appeared to be a small boy with pointed ears and scaly arms lay face down in a crater of the missing dragon's making. He was clad in a gossamer yet regal attire and covered in gruesome wounds. Wounds Madoka herself inflicted.
"An elf?" Audrey kicked the boy over. It was Madoka's turn to gasp as she realized the boy must have been the dragon, covered with wounds, green blood and burned. The frame before her fared no better. A magic ring slowly spun around his heart, matching its dying beat.
He opened his yellow eyes but they fogging over but Madoka put her blade to his throat. Instead of resisting, the boy whispered something Madoka could not understand.
"Sister? Mother?" Audrey suddenly responded incredulously. "Don't guilt trip me, YOU'RE the one who tried to kill us first."
A small smile revealed his fangs as he said something else. Audrey looked ghastly as the boy continued speaking. Madoka wondered since he was capable of speaking like the Frost Queen she could not read his thoughts. Like other people. She felt her throat compact itself with guilt, for this whole time they were killing a young dragon and nearly lost their lives.
"Audrey?" Madoka asked but the boy began to cough up blood as his body twisted hideously. Instinctively, she moved to stab the boy but the sun emitted a scream. A sinister black beam through him from the sky and forced the two to leap back.
Audrey said nothing as the boy was enveloped in the pale light melting until he was nothing but massive bones. Madoka could see the outline of something falling to the ground with the bones as they made a cluttered mess. The light faded. Audrey suddenly broke the silence with a mixture of disbelief and excitement.
"We're uh... dragon slayers?" She said quietly. Madoka stood shocked. "I-I'll explain what it said later, but we gotta go get those things. Woo!"
Loot? Madoka wondered as she followed her friend to where the boy died. There was an ominous, swirling mass writhing in an endless pit behind where its body was. Audrey paid it no mind as she excitedly scooped the dragon bones into the portal. Madoka caught the sight of a shimmering, exotic glow amidst the bones as she helped. It was a pitch black sphere, perfectly round with a glowing purple aura to it. Madoka had to pick it up with both hands.
"That's its heart," Audrey said. "C-Careful, it's heavy!"
"Heart?" Madoka put it in the portal. "I'm guessing the dragon told you that."
"Precisely, my friend!" Audrey tossed the last bone in the portal and sealed it shut. "Now then."
The realm was peaceful, save for the ominous purple light, evil sun and the dark sky polluted with floating ruins. There was nothing trying to kill them anymore here. A question came to her mind, but she knew she was not going to like the answer.
"How do we get out of here?"
"Oh," Audrey put a hand to her chin in thought. She guided Madoka to the edge of the pit, where that massive and ominous portal sat below. She gulped but Audrey was unfazed. "Over here! LEEEROYYYY!"
Her voice echoed as she leapt into the portal. Madoka sighed and gulped. She had enough of falling from these recent days and hoped this would be the last time for awhile.