The Witch's Labyrinth is small, consisting of just a single hall that offers a clear, unobstructed view of the entire space.
Inside stand two adult-sized dolls- enlarged versions of the ones she had seen earlier- both flanking a black cocoon that pulses faintly like a beating heart.
"Sayaka, the Witch is gestating inside that cocoon."
Oddly yet unsurprisingly, Kyubey followed her into the labyrinth.
It glanced at the cocoon, then back at her, and uttered two words calmly:
"Destroy it."
Though the blue-haired girl felt something was off, she didn't think too much about it-
"Watch this!"
The newly created Magical Girl leapt forward. She extended her hand and slashed her sword toward that black cocoon.
-Just as she did that, the two nearby puppets suddenly sprang to life and attacked her.
Having already anticipated this, she dodged to the side and swiftly slashed at the encroaching puppets-
SLASHHH
In an instant, they were hacked into pieces with her sword.
"That was pretty easy."
THUD
THUD
Sayaka flourished her sword as her feet touched the ground. A look of triumph bloomed on her face as the defenders dropped to the ground in fragments.
"So I guess you are next, then?"
She turned her head, gazing at the pulsating cocoon. Despite her mission, Sayaka felt a flicker of curiosity about how Witches are formed.
But she knows now is not the time. She has one thing she must do!
Sayaka readied her sword, taking aim at the target in front of her.
"Victory is mine!"
With all her strength concentrated into her arms, she slashed down.
SLASHHHHHHH
The black Witch's cocoon was instantly split in two.
Sayaka sheathed her weapon and looked toward the split-open cocoon.
"Is that-!"
Her expression suddenly shifted to one of horror.
"A-a person?!"
What is revealed inside the cocoon is a young girl. She is sliced in two, her face pale and twisted in terror.
"H-how is this possible?"
Panic washed over Sayaka, and her knees trembled.
Her mind spun, and her thoughts froze.
She believed she killed a Witch- so why did it suddenly turn into a human being?
"K-y-u-b-e-y!"
The blue-haired girl gritted her teeth, her face pale as she shouted.
"You're there, aren't you?" Her pupils dilated as she looked around this Witch barrier. "What is going on?! Come out and say something!"
'Lost' is not enough to describe how she's feeling at this moment.
In this situation, Sayaka can only call out to Kyubey; she feels that since Kyubey brought her here, it must know what is happening.
However, Kyubey- who had been conversing with her just moments ago- had vanished without a trace. She didn't even notice when this creature left
"Why is this happening ..."
Sayaka murmured to herself and bit her lip.
Confronted with the sight of the girl's body left behind after the Witch's barrier dissipated, she sank helplessly to her knees.
Her eyes stared blankly at the ground, her heart filled with confusion and a sense of powerlessness.
…
..
.
"Sayaka, what's been going on with you lately?"
Madoka and Sayaka visited Mami Tomoe's home again that day. While sitting on the sofa, Madoka took the opportunity to voice the doubt that had been weighing on her mind for some time now.
"You always seem so distracted, and you don't look too well, either."
Faced with Madoka's concern, Sayaka simply picked up her teacup and pretended to sip her black tea.
"It's nothing; I've just been a bit tired lately."
Attempting to mask her expression with the teacup, she forced herself to reply calmly,
For the past few nights, she had been dreaming of the girl she had cut in two, and every time, she would wake up from her dreams... rousing with a start, unable to sleep for the rest of the night.
Naturally, this left her in poor condition. Tired, exhausted, and mentally unwell. Her emotions have been on a spiral lately, and she can barely function in daily life.
Yet, she dares not tell Madoka and her other friends about it; she fears that they will look at her with strange eyes.
"I see..."
Madoka bit her lip as Sayaka refused to say anything. Though worried, she decided not to press the issue further.
"By the way, Mami-senpai, have you seen Kyubey lately?"
The blue-haired girl hasn't seen Kyubey for days. The main reason she has come to Mami's home today is precisely to find this creature and get a clear explanation of what happened that day.
"Kyubey?"
At the mention of the cat that made them magical girls, the blond-haired girl blinked.
"I haven't seen it these past few days either." She shook her head. "Is there something you need it for?"
Mami didn't think much of Sayaka's question; she only assumed that it was because the blue-haired girl needed advice or just wanted to appreciate Kyubey's cuteness.
"I have a few questions I want to ask."
After a moment's thought, Sayaka honestly revealed her intentions.
"Questions? You could ask me too, you know?" Mami pointed at herself and smiled. "After all, when it comes to being a Magical Girl, I am your senior."
She then patted her chest, looking extremely confident.
And it's true; along with the time she has been a magical girl and the vast experience she has accumulated, she's also good at teaching. Though her disciple left because of a disagreement, this doesn't diminish her skills.
"So... Mami-senpai, do you know how Witches are formed?" Sayaka pursed her lips and asked with hesitation. "Like, the specific details- what is the process?"
Expectation bloomed in her heart. What she really wants is simply a definitive answer from someone else- something that will allow her to convince herself.
"Well... I'm not entirely sure about that myself."
Mami smiled sheepishly with embarrassment; she didn't expect to be stumped by Sayaka right after making such a bold claim.
"So even Mami-senpai doesn't know?"
Sayaka felt a twinge of disappointment. However, she also felt relief.
"Sayaka, why do you want to know this?"
The blondie looked at the blue-haired girl in curiosity.
Madoka also did so. Of course, as the only non-magical girl, she mostly kept silent and let the two converse.
"Oh, I was just curious, that's all."
Sayaka said stiffly, avoiding eye contact.
"I see…" Mami frowned at the blue-haired girl's weird behavior, but she shook her head and didn't ask further. "Well, I'll ask Kyubey for you next time I run into him."
"Mm, thanks, Mami-senpai."
Sayaka forced a smile.
…
After confirming that Kyubey wasn't around, she stayed for a little while longer before making an excuse to leave.
…
..
.
Back home, Sayaka flopped backward onto her bed and covered her eyes with her arm.
Lost in the storm of her own thoughts, she didn't notice Kyubey emerging silently from the shadows.
Gazing at Sayaka's Soul Gem- which had grown slightly murky- it spoke:
"Sayaka, I heard you were looking for me?"
The blue-haired girl's body recoiled, her lying position flinching.
"Kyubey?!" Her head snapped towards it. She lightly jumped, then stood up tensely. "You finally showed up! You'd better explain this to me right now!"
Sayaka glared at Kyubey; if not for this creature, she wouldn't be so conflicted these past few days!
"What do you want to ask?"
Faced with Sayaka's questioning, Kyubey showed no trace of panic. It only continued to gaze at her with those emotionless red eyes.
"Was…" The blue-haired girl paused with a gulp, her ignited courage suddenly dissipating, "...That thing the other day really a Witch?"
"Yes, without a doubt."
She gulped, relaxing ever so slightly.
"Then why did it turn into a little girl at the end?"
Having received the answer she sought, Sayaka let out a breath of relief before pressing on with her doubt.
"Because..."
Kyubey paused for a moment before continuing:
"Witches are transformed from humans." Its eerily red eyes glowed ever so slightly. "Or to be precise, they are the product of a Magical Girl's transformation after succumbing to despair."
"What?!"
Sayaka's pupils contracted sharply; she stared at Kyubey in utter disbelief.
Her body trembled. Kyubey was standing at the threshold where light met shadow, and its once-cute appearance now, almost imperceptibly, began to take on a sinister, terrifying air.
"You mean... I…I will turn into a Witch t-too?!"
She pointed at herself, her hand shaking.
"That's right."
A simple nod, a simple agreement. Yet to Sayaka-
"You're lying!"
The white-haired creature's voice echoed in Sayaka's mind like a thunderclap. Dizziness crept in, and her vision spun.
"You liar!"
She clenched her fists and stumbled backward. Her heartbeat accelerated and echoed in her ears.
"I am not lying to you, Sayaka."
Its calm voice continued, unchanged by her emotional changes.
"I quit being a Magical Girl!" She threw her hand forward, rage burning in her eyes. "Turn me back!"
After being deceived and knowing her fate is so hopeless, Sayaka doesn't even know what to feel-
"Once a contract is signed, it cannot be undone. Sayaka, once a Magical Girl, always a Magical Girl!"
"You bastard!"
Tears welled in her eyes. Gritting her teeth, Sayaka instantly transformed into her Magical Girl form, summoned her weapon, and slashed Kyubey in two with a single stroke.
-But another exact replica of Kyubey instantly revived. After enlarging its mouth and devouring its own corpse, it spoke to the now-transformed Magical Girl again:
"Turning into a Witch is the destiny of a Magical Girl; why do you resist it?"
"Die!"
The only response it got was a slash that once again cleaved it in two.
"It's useless. Even if you try to run from it, this is the truth."
It sprang out from existence once again, devouring its dissected corpse.
"Get lost! You vile creature!"
Sayaka killed Kyubey over and over again; yet Kyubey revived each time, continuing to speak to her in a calm, even tone.
…
Finally, Sayaka could take no more; she broke down completely.
"Waaah... I don't want to become a Witch!" Sayaka covered her face with her hands. "I don't want to become a monster. I don't want to kill anyone... I didn't kill anyone..."
She wailed and wailed. Tears spilled through her fingers, dripping onto the floor and the bed.
"Sayaka, why are you so sad?" Kyubey tilted its head. "Just think about it: if becoming a witch is inevitable, then what does it matter if you kill a few people? Why not simply accept your fate?"
It spoke to her in a seductive, coaxing tone.
"I..."
Sayaka choked back a sob, unable to speak further. Her mind was a mess, and she couldn't even think of something to argue back.
And so, her Soul Gem- gradually turning black- revealed the state of her heart.
Neither the girl nor the creature spoke; only the sound of the blue-haired girl's soft sobbing remained.
But just as her Soul Gem was on the verge of turning completely black, a hand suddenly appeared and rested on her shoulder-
"Sayaka, stop crying."
...
..
.
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