Chapter 63: So hope burns hotter, so despair runs deeper... IT IS LOVE!!!
『 The black-haired girl slept peacefully, serene and beautiful.
Like a sleeping princess from a fairytale.
"...Your reason is very strange," Homura said in a low voice, her head bowed.
"Since it's isolated from the outside world, then no one should accidentally wander into this barrier, right?"
She was referring to Mami Tomoe and the others.
"We adjusted that point," multiple Kyubeys said in unison.
"The isolation ability of the barrier is one-directional. While it repels external interference, it can draw victims inside through internal temptation."
"Only you, as a witch, can enter this world with the target you subconsciously desire. After limiting the conditions to this extent, if the Law of Cycles truly wishes to contact Homura Akemi, then..."
"At that time, it can only appear in this world in the form of a victim drawn into your barrier."
"By doing so, we Incubators can find the cause of the magical girls' disappearance, which has been a mystery until now, and observe it."
"In fact, within the barrier you created, there are characters that no longer exist in the real world, participating peculiarly."
"Even characters that no longer exist in the real world participate peculiarly," Kyubey shook its ears, rolling cutely.
There was just one point that puzzled them immensely: "A girl who doesn't exist in the possibilities of either the past or the future."
Homura's gaze towards Kyubey grew colder, but Kyubey didn't care in the slightest.
It continued to speak to itself.
"Even though she has no causal connection to this universe, she seamlessly blended into your world without any sense of incongruity."
That person was the existence named Madoka Kaname.
However, Kyubey did not need to search for her from the beginning.
"The one who saved us trouble is yourself, Homura Akemi," Kyubey said directly.
"Because you've been calling the Law of Cycles by the name Madoka Kaname for a long time."
"However, Madoka Kaname hasn't shown any behavior that indicates she can unleash unknown powers," Kyubey speculated.
"It seems the memory manipulation you, the barrier's owner, performed also worked on Madoka."
"She not only forgot her purpose of saving you but also seemingly her own power and true identity, leaving us with no way to proceed."
A Tower of Babel rose from the ground, and Homura Akemi stood atop the tower, her expression dark and unreadable.
"Madoka Kaname forgot she was a god, and Homura Akemi forgot she was a witch."
"Thus, we've been going around in meaningless circles with you for so long, but we ourselves intended to wait patiently."
"Since you've found the truth, the balance will finally be broken, won't it? Come, Homura Akemi—"
Kyubey gazed deeply at Homura Akemi.
"Plead for help from Madoka, and she will remember who she is and why she came here."
"...Incubators, what exactly is your purpose?" Her black hair fluttered, and Homura's eyes were devoid of any emotion. The shattered mirror foreshadowed the imminent rampage of the 583rd girl.
"Of course, it's to witness the Law of Cycles, which has been nothing but a hypothesis until now."
"...For what? You clearly said curiosity is irrational. You couldn't possibly have made such a grand spectacle just to confirm Madoka's existence."
Glass shattered, like the girl's heart. Endless rage erupted, and terrifying killing intent burst forth from Homura's eyes!
"You want to... control Madoka, don't you?!" Homura's furious and terrifying voice pierced through this world!
Endless chaos surged towards Kyubey! 』
『 .....』
〜Myriad Worlds livestream Chat〜
[ Kumoko (So I'm a Spider, So What?): "Damn it! This is where Homura was sealed and exploited by Kyubey before her witchification! Its purpose must be to recreate the despair energy Homura mentioned earlier!" ]
[ Lord El-Melloi II (Type-Moon): "No, it's more than that. Kyubey's purpose isn't just to collect energy. Their true goal, as Homura said, is to control a god!" ]
[ Lady Avalon (Type-Moon): "Once Kyubey's goal is achieved~, witches will reappear, and magical girls will return to the chain of despair, ultimately receiving no salvation~. Madoka's sacrifice will also become meaningless. That's what Homura can't tolerate~." ]
[ Dr. Clef (SCP): "Thus, all mysteries are solved. It's just something I truly believe no one expected. Kyubey, you not only controlled witches but even isolated the supreme existence, the Law of Cycles. I underestimated you, but... be careful not to play with fire~" ]
[ Anti-Spiral (Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann): "The birth and prosperity of a species take tens of thousands, or even countless, years and countless piles of bones to accumulate, but its disappearance takes only an instant. You are too bold." ]
[ Amon (Lord of Mysteries): "Life, you must fear the strong." ]
[ Kumoko (So I'm a Spider, So What?): "Damn it! Homura has awakened the Witch of the Other Side, and she looks incredibly powerful. Maybe she can finally take down Kyubey!" ]
[ Kyubey (Puella Magi Madoka Magica): "It's useless. Killing us is useless. All our consciousnesses are connected, and we ourselves are made of energy. Not only can you not kill us, but you can't even break the barrier we've set up." ]
[ Ruby (Type-Moon): "AAAAH! DAMN KYUBEY! You've completely destroyed the meaning of all magical girls' existence! YOU DESERVE TO DIE!!! NO ONE WILL BECOME MAGICAL GIRL BECAUSE OF YOU!!!" ]
[ .....]
〜A Certain Magical Index World〜
The safest city—Academy City
"Aaaah! That infuriating Kyubey! It's driving me absolutely crazy!"
The Railgun Quartet was indignant, denouncing Kyubey, while only Saten Ruiko remained silent.
The girl seemed to be approaching some truth, muttering, "Tower of Babel... an ancient human tower to approach God..."
This was a tower born within Homura's barrier. Kyubey's purpose was to contact or even control God, so what about Homura...?
Vaguely, Ruiko felt as if she had discovered something incredible.
—
『 Viewers of Myriad Worlds 』
Though angry, everyone had to agree with what Kyubey said.
The Witch of the Other Side, born from Homura Akemi, was indeed powerful, but its power was at most comparable to the Salvation Witch that Madoka awakened when she was corrupted. Perhaps it could cleanse the surface, but to Kyubey, it was utterly insignificant.
A species capable of contemplating the continuation of the universe is something 99% of existences cannot contend with, and furthermore, Kyubey has never used any weapons until now.
But merely existing as a wish-granting machine isn't that enough to be terrifying?
This is a dead end...
Even if Homura unleashed her full power, she couldn't change Kyubey's scheme, and Kyubey only needed to wait for the right moment to guide the Law of Cycles to retrieve Homura Akemi. Then they could... truly glimpse the power of a god!
The only possibility now is...
The current Madoka, perhaps, as the Law of Cycles itself, can change everything in the end!
.....
『 Facing the enraged Homura, Kyubey dodged continuously but remained unperturbed.
"I don't deny this is our ultimate goal, although the journey will be arduous. For us, this phenomenon was completely a mystery before."
"After all, there's no way to start when you can't even confirm something's existence."
"You won't give up so easily," Homura's voice permeated the world.
"Indeed. If we can observe, we can interfere. If we can interfere, we can control. I believe that one day, our research will completely conquer the Law of Cycles," Kyubey affirmed. 』
『 .....』
〜Three-Body Problem World〜
To observe is to interfere, to interfere is to control—
Is this the truth of a god-level civilization? Could it be that the Incubator species evolved step by step into a supreme species in this way?
The inhabitants listened as if to a sacred text, engraving it in their hearts.
—
〜SCP Foundation World〜
"Interfere, observe, control?"
Why does that sound familiar? A group of D-class personnel exchanged glances.
—
『 Blood overflowed from the sky, turning into pillars of blood that devoured the earth.
Homura Akemi's eyes turned bloodshot. She actively summoned curses to fully witchify herself, wanting to commit suicide to protect Madoka's secret.
She never wanted this kind of happiness!
One white Homura after another emerged from the ground, beckoning for something, but as countless curses turned into bloody tears falling from the sky, the white Homuras on the ground, reaching out for Madoka's salvation, were smashed to pieces.
"You actually actively summoned curses! What are you doing! There won't be enough time to purify them!" Kyubey's voice carried a hint of urgency.
"Do you know what it means to die in this isolation field! It means you will be destroyed without even the Law of Cycles perceiving it, and no one will ever be able to save your soul from despair!"
"You will forever lose the chance to reunite with Madoka Kaname!"
"—Shut up!!!" Gray-white flames burned out, and a giant skull roared!
Bloody tears devoured countless Homuras from parallel worlds who longed for salvation, and Homura finally saw her despair—
Homura woke up with a start, and beside her, Madoka stood strangely on a chair, tilting backward. Homura tried to grab her, but the moment Madoka fell, she turned into a puddle of blood.
To reunite with the long-awaited person was the happiness Homura had always yearned for. Yet, when this happiness was within reach, she had to give it up.
Torment, struggle, pain, doubt, despair—fate always tortured her...!
Again and again, watching the people she cared about leave, after countless despairs, endless self-blame, and regret burned Homura's heart like fire.
But to protect Madoka's secret, to prevent her witchified self from seeking help from Madoka.
With her sanity still intact, she willingly bound her hands, sealed her mouth and nose with needle and thread, and cut off her own head—
That tragic and desperate figure walked in a circle.
Constantly, constantly, execution after execution, over and over again—
"Only radiance and regret remain in my memories—"
"This is... my despair."
Splat—Homura personally closed the door to embracing Madoka.
"Madoka, thank you for coming to this place to pick me up. I couldn't say goodbye in the end..."
"I'm sorry."
The wreath of spider lilies woven on her head further represented her never-to-be-seen love with Madoka.
For Madoka, she willingly walked towards her end! 』
『 .....』
〜Myriad Worlds livestream Chat〜
[ Madoka Kaname (Puella Magi Madoka Magica): "Enough... It's enough! Homura, I WILL SAVE YOU NO MATTER WHAT!!!" ]
[ Tezcatlipoca (Type-Moon): "The Witch of the Other Side, I see. An existence that can never touch the Far Shore, punishing herself over and over again to erase the sins in her heart?" ]
[ Tohsaka Rin (Type-Moon): "Too much despair... my heart is trembling." ]
[ Nami (One Piece): "Homura is so pitiful! What can be done to save her?!" ]
[ Quetzalcoatl (Type-Moon): "Never give up hope, Homura! Big sis believes in you!" ]
[ Illyasviel Von Einzbern ⦍Magical Girl⦎ (Type-Moon): "That's right! Magical girls have infinite possibilities! (Was told by Ruby)" ]
[ .....]
〜Puella Magi Madoka Magica World〜
The girl's lips were bitten raw at some point. Madoka Kaname's fists were clenched white, her eyes trembling as she looked at the witch on the screen.
That Homura... was too despairing!
Making Homura so sad... what had she done?!
"No matter... no matter what, I WILL SAVE HOMURA!!!"
—
〜Boardtop World Disboard, Present Timeline〜
"Shiro, did the magical girls lose?"
"No, Nii-chan."
"Oh?"
Sora looked at Shiro with a grave expression.
"In a game, facing a powerful enemy, to win, you must use every piece you can. Nii-chan taught me that,"
Shiro said softly.
"Hahahaha, that's right! The key players haven't appeared yet!"
—
『 Watching Homura Akemi continuously self-destruct, Kyubey, not wanting the experiment to fail, actively sought help from Madoka.
It attempted to awaken Madoka's memories to save the witchified Homura Akemi.
But Bebe, with an angry face, immediately exposed the truth of the incident and transformed into a witch, shattering the familiars before her.
"What are you...?!" Kyubey said, lost in thought.
Bebe and Sayaka didn't hide anything. They were indeed messengers of the Law of Cycles, those who had received salvation, those who had escaped the causality of the world.
And Kyubey, overly focused on Homura Akemi, had allowed the two to escape its surveillance.
After some discussion, everyone decided to break Kyubey's barrier field before Homura Akemi completely perished, allowing the Law of Cycles to retrieve the Homura who needed salvation.
Gazing at the gradually shattering field, Homura, not yet fully witchified due to the isolation field's effect, let out her final wail, "No... no!"
She constantly pleaded with Madoka and the others to stop, because if she remained alive, Madoka would be in danger.
But no matter how Homura pleaded, how she sealed off her heart, as the barrier gradually tore apart, the sealed world opened a window.
"No, Homura, didn't I tell you not to isolate yourself? Never give up."
The defilement receded. When she saw Madoka's hands, scarred from saving countless people, the girl couldn't help but grasp them.
"As long as you're by my side."
At this moment, Homura Akemi found salvation—
As Madoka and Homura clasped hands, brilliant light bloomed, and the chaos and distortion vanished!
"Homura, are you scared?" Madoka asked softly.
"I won't hesitate anymore."
The next moment, the dark world was pierced by a giant arrow. Countless Kyubeys outside looked up at this scene.
The Law of Cycles unfolded—
Arrow-like beams of light, like a torrential rain, enveloped the entire world!
All the Kyubeys vanished in an instant!
While destroying Kyubey, the Law of Cycles also manifested at this moment. Now, all that remained was for the witchified Homura Akemi to be retrieved by Madoka. 』
『 .....』
『 Viewers of Myriad Worlds 』
What a rush!!!
Blasting Kyubey, even if it didn't completely kill that wretched thing, was incredibly satisfying to watch!
And... Homura finally found salvation!
At this moment, it would be a lie to say no one was shocked. The God of Cycles, Madoka Kaname, the Witch of the Other Side, Homura Akemi, every magical girl's story was so impactful, and the causality within was even more startling.
Now, it was finally coming to an end!
Everyone had known this would be the outcome, so when this scene arrived, there wasn't much surprise.
Next, they just had to wait for Madoka to pick...
The next moment, everyone's expressions suddenly turned strange, eerie, and trembled with horror!
That was... that was!!!
.....
『 "Sorry to keep you waiting, you've worked so hard until today, haven't you? Come, let's go," the God of Cycles said gently, her golden eyes radiating brilliant divinity.
"Madoka..." Homura murmured.
"Come, let's go, we'll be together forever from now on."
"Ah, yes... I've waited for this moment for a long time," Homura suddenly grabbed the god's hands, her face enveloped in immense darkness.
Her once mottled Soul Gem now became as black as an abyss!
"I finally caught you!" Homura smiled eerily.
A color more despairing than any curse, at this moment, devoured space, time, the world, the universe, and ultimately even swallowed a god!!!
What was that! What was that vibrant black!
Desire, obsession, regret... no, no!
" More fervent than hope, deeper than despair... IT WAS LOVE!! " 』
『 .....』
『 Viewers of Myriad Worlds 』
Everyone in the Myriad Worlds stared, eyes wide with disbelief, at the scene before them!
EVERYONE HAD BEEN FOOLED BY HOMURA AKEMI!!! SHE WAS THE ONE WHO WANTED TO CONTROL GOD!!!
A bone-chilling coldness shot from the soles of their feet straight to their scalps. The endless chill made everyone's hair stand on end, goosebumps erupting!
At this moment, everyone realized a truth: magical girls... were terrifying to this extent!
.....