*
"So- How did it go?" (Edward)
"... How did what go...?" (Faramicia)
"You got invited away to talk to Sariel! Why'd you come back looking listless!" (Heng Ji)
"Oh... It was about business. It wasn't anything interesting." (Faramicia)
"Oh! Oh! Did you get to carry out a hit on someone?" (Heng Ji)
"Rather grim business you thought of... Haha!" (Faramicia)
He smiled thoughtfully to himself as he finished packing the last of his belongings. There wasn't much items, he also remembered that they were heading out to eat together. When he turned around, Sariel was long gone.
Off at the bottom of the building, Sariel was pondering. How would she find Aura? They mostly met out of coincidence, and when they fought Traces. Would messaging her be secure? She couldn't send over anything explicit, the global network definitely had 'Eterna' flagged in their communication systems. There's no question that the government has that much oversight on telecommunications, it's how they nip the bud on terrorist attacks and prevent other insurgent forces from converging into a sizable threat.
Communication is key to war, and surveillance was the strongest tool when the government already controls the planet. The governing body would naturally be exponentially larger and full of bloat hiring for civil servants. That time they found Eterna in the central government building... Was only because Eterna had been there to deliberately wait on them. Now that she's likely gone into hiding, it'd be near impossible to find her. Realistically, she could hide in another galaxy and there would be nothing they could do to her from earth.
"... I'll just text her." (Sariel)
Aura: What's up?
I have something to tell you
Aura: Alright
"So what did you want to tell me?" (Aura)
They ended up in front of Aura's home, conspicuously standing outside rather than heading in. It was still early afternoon, the vast azure skies stood overhead without a single cloud to besmirch the spotless expanse. The air was warm, her thoughts were stirring much like before. She feels so much more lively in front of Aura, her body tenses up slightly and her breathing becomes a conscious act. Does her appearance inspire battle?
"The government is rebelling. I... Will likely end up recruiting magical girls to form a resistance..." (Sariel)
She cranes her neck gently, silently observing Aura's reaction. A calm stillness extends over her complexion. Perhaps Aura's appearance does instill the will to fight, strange as it was, the air of battle was still the most comforting treatment to her.
"... This will devolve into a war, won't it. Will my parents be in danger?" (Aura)
"... I can't guarantee anything. This will be the first for me, and hopefully the last." (Sariel)
Will she retire as a magical girl after this conflict? Definitely not, but she'd dedicate herself to bringing Lastia and Arin back. Perhaps she would search the world for a possibility of necromancy. She hadn't thought much about her future before, it was endlessly daunting, even so her resolve was also infinitely firm. Nothing should stand in her way, because she'll tear anything down.
"And if I refuse...?" (Aura)
Sariel inches out a slight grin as she turned from looking at the ground to Aura's face. When did she start facing the ground? Right after asking her question? Even she felt a little pressure from asking the unreasonable. At the same time... She was a little relief, so she couldn't help but smile.
" Then I would be glad. At least you wouldn't be in danger." (Sariel)
Maybe it was her ego getting to her head, as the so called strongest magical girl of this era. Adding one more person to the billions she had to protect made not a single difference. Rather the difference she sought in this decision was probably between Aura having safety or risking her life for battle. Was that why she felt relief? Did the idea of others baring their neck out scare her into preferring to fight on her own?
What happened with Cherry and Erida... What happened with Lastia and Arin, has it begun to haunt her?
"Sariel...?" (Aura)
Fished out of her thoughts, she returns her gaze to the younger girl in front of her. A junior by a year, a completely different individual. Just becoming friends doesn't mean they will die because of her, Erida and Cherry did not die, they simply drifted apart. Separating and dying is different, lumping them up as 'all my friends will eventually be gone because of me' is too foolish.
"You're right. You also have to think of your parents who will worry about you just as you do for them.
I guess I'm an unfilial child huh?" (Sariel)
"That's not true. Our positions aren't they? You are the one who bears the sin of being stronger, an unreasonable responsibility had been laid upon you. It's just that..." (Aura)
"I do it because I'm a magical girl. The question of this being a burden simply never came, at least not from me. Alright see you in school tomorrow." (Sariel)
Aura's expression blanked for a moment with an unhinged jaw, then she raised her voice shaky with puzzlement.
" Huh?! You're coming tomorrow too? I thought you were setting off for war right now! " (Aura)
Sariel stared at her with an incredulous look as if she was stupid.
"You think I can do everything in one day? I might as solve all the world's problems in one go!" (Sariel)
She chuckled as she left with a wave without turning back. At least it was in the middle of the afternoon, maybe when she reached home she could finish her homework.
" What's gonna be dinner for tonight? " (Sariel)
She lived with her parents too, it was just Lastia and Arin that did not. It wasn't uncommon to hear stories of students living separately from their working parents, however, they definitely weren't the overwhelming majority. She was excited to see what her mum would cook up. Hopefully, she could preserve her daily life just like this. How would the war take shape? Could she still go to school? Could she still hang out with her friends without worrying for their safety?
Being the 'strongest' meant that she had to fight. She never felt that sort of responsibility before until Aura mentioned it, did Lastia or Arin feel this pressure back then? How confident were they in preserving their daily lives? Suddenly, she wasn't so sure she had the strength to do it. This uncertainty was new to her. Back then their enemies were Traces, everytime an 'Event' would occur or the damage was reversible in some way, the world was on their side.
This was a challenge unique to herself. To face against the world itself. Alice placed her faith in her, Faramicia had the resolve to fight on a dime. Could she meet their expectations? Could she meet her own?