Magical Girl Gunslinger

Chapter 21: Origin

[Lets look at your status menu first.]

STATUS

Name: Mai Kuroki

Alias: None

Level: 8

Points: 30Visit no(v)eLb(i)n.𝘤𝑜𝓂 for the best novel reading experience

Health: 65%

Mana: 300/300 (5/Min)

BASIC

Origin: [Hidden]

Aspect: [Hidden]

Class: Locked

Signature: Unawakened

STATISTICS

Strength: 10

Dexterity: 25

Vitality: 10

Agility: 25

Willpower: 30

Spirit: 1

40 Stat Points Available!

SKILLS

ABILITIES

AUGMENTS

Demonic Eye of the Sable Waif [MAX]

PERMISSIONS

VAULTS

GRIMOIRES

The box appeared in my vision, and I blinked as I ran my eyes over it. I twitched at the fact my health was at 65%. I hadnt bothered taking a close look at my HUD and had completely missed the fact it was so low. Selene had said my previous injuries had reduced my health maximum once already, and I was willing to bet the loss of my arm had reduced it yet again

I shook my head. Now wasnt the time to be falling back down that hole. I turned my focus to Selene, and her tails gave me a flick of acknowledgement.

[Now let us discuss Origins. It is, as the name might suggest, the reason one was chosen to be a Magical Girl. There are many specific circumstances, but they are divided into seven basic emotions or themes that the Magical Girl is said to be a representation of. Each of these Origins is also given a color that the Magical Girl is obligated to use as the primary color in their outfit. Magically speaking, your Origin determines what is called your Origin or color type bonus. These bonuses are extremely powerful, and could be compared to the racial bonuses of a video game. Because of this, it usually helps determine the combat role they take. Are you following so far?]

I nodded, and she continued.

[Good. The first Origin, and perhaps the most powerful, is Love. Love Magical Girls are represented by the color pink. Pinks have the desire to help others above all else, the epitome of self-sacrifice. The bonus they have is earning 25% more experience and points from all sources. Roughly 10% of all Guardians are pink, and they often take the role of the all-stars or all-rounders. While they may not be masters at any one area, they are exceptional in many, making them ideal for filling in any weakness while having none of their own.]

My eyes widened. That bonus seemed absurdly powerful. Sure, it didnt help them directly in combat, but they would be able to grow more powerful at a much quicker pace. Not only that, but they would be able to face weaker Anathema and still get decent experience and points from them if they wanted.

[I see you understand the implications,] Selene gave a flick of her tail. [Pink Magical Girls are some of the best simply because they get more rewards for the work they put in. They grow so quickly that they outpace their peers and often end up becoming team leaders simply due to the stat and point differences. Pinks also tend to be people with natural charisma, being friendly and compassionate as one would expect from a Magical Girl who represents love. They are, essentially, the ideal example of a Magical Girl.]

I nodded, wondering if Lily would fit that criteria. With how friendly and magnetic her personality was, I could see it.

[The second origin is Adventure, represented by the color red. This color represents those who constantly seek excitement and new challenges from thrills to fights. Reds have a permanent bonus to the effectiveness of their offensive spells, skills and weapons. It is a percentage bonus that grows as they level. Red Magical Girls tend to be passionate, excitable, loyal, and sometimes hot headed. About 20% of Guardians have this color, and they often take the role of the warrior. Whether they fight on the frontlines as a whirlwind or cast devastating spells from afar, they are unmatched in their destructive potential.]

That would make Reds the damage dealers, then, and the bonus was inclusive enough to make them equally dangerous as close or long range fighters.

[The third origin is Hope, represented by the color blue. This color represents those who wish to help others, hoping that anyone can be saved and inspiring hope through their caring actions. Blues have a permanent bonus to the effectiveness of their support spells, skills, and weapons. It is a percentage bonus that grows as they level. Blue Magical Girls tend to be smart, calm, caring, empathetic, and sometimes shy. About 20% of Guardians have this color, and they often take the role of healer. Using their support magic, they can buff their allies and debuff their enemies, all while healing any damage taken.]

Blue Magical Girls would definitely be more team oriented, then. Sure, their support bonus would work on themselves, but it seemed like it would be more effective to team them up with other Guardians.

[The fourth origin is Peace, represented by the color green. This color represents those who have a strong desire to protect others, who want normalcy and serenity above all else. Greens have a permanent bonus to the effectiveness of their defensive spells, skills, and weapons. It is a percentage bonus that grows as they level. Green Magical Girls tend to be determined, stoic, dauntless, and sometimes withdrawn. About 20% of people who become Guardians have this color, and they often take the role of defender. Whether fighting on the frontlines as an immovable rock or creating impenetrable shields from afar, they are the ones who protect themselves and comrades from any source of harm.]

I kept my eyes from flicking to Error Machina. With that description, it made sense he was working at Guardian Command to coordinate Magical Girls, though I wasnt sure exactly how well he could utilize his spells or his other bonuses from behind a computer.

[The fifth origin is Wish, represented by the color yellow. This color represents those who hold a wish inside them, a dream they hold on a pedestal but cannot obtain, and they seek to give others a chance to reach their own wish. Yellows have a two part bonus, the first being that they often have a very unique Signature Magic that often breaks the rules of what should be possible with magic in general. The second bonus is that in exchange for becoming a Magical Guardian, they have their wish granted.]

I blinked.

What?

[It has to be a wish within reason, and some things are forbidden, of course,] Selene quickly amended, her tails swishing in something like amusement. [No bringing back the dead, no making somebody fall in love with them, no destroying reality by turning back time, that sort of thing. Also, if their wish would naturally be fulfilled by becoming a Magical Girl, then they can keep their wish to use later. On that note, one thing that should never be done is asking a Yellow what they used their wish on. It is considered highly taboo.]

I nodded in understanding. Whatever they used their wish on would have to be something highly personal, especially if it was something powerful enough to help make them a Magical Girl candidate. Asking for them to reveal that would be beyond just being a little rude.

Selene seemed pleased with my quick acceptance, and so she continued.

[Yellows tend to have hyper or quirky personalities, be generally mischievous, fun loving, and sometimes have a poor sense of boundaries. About 20% of Guardians have this color, and they often take the role of rogue. Due to their unpredictable Signature Magics, they have no single defined combat type, instead specializing in unusual tactics that compliment their Signature.]

That made sense. If all of them had widely diverse Signatures, it made more sense for them to be specialists rather than a more standardized role.

[The sixth origin is Dream, represented by the color white. This color represents those who dream of becoming a Magical Girl and everything it pertains to, especially giving others the chance to achieve their own dreams in peace. A White Magical Girl has a 50% experience bonus. They tend to have a full, unpredictable gambit of personalities. About 7% of Guardians have this color, and they often take the role of an ace or master in their chosen field. Because they have such a high experience bonus but no point bonus, they become hyper-specialized and masters of their chosen path.]

Selene stopped, and I held my breath. So far, none of the colors had really seemed to represent me. I assumed the personalities werent set in stone, but even then none of their reasons for being chosen as a Magical Girl lined up neatly with my own. Which only meant

[What I am about to tell you is something you should keep to yourself,] Selene said, her voice serious. [The reasons will become obvious, but just know, only Magical Girls of your Origin get the full and truthful explanation. You are free to give this explanation to anyone you wish, but others of your Origin would take it poorly. Those who heard the explanation might have an equally unfavorable response for a variety of reasons that will soon be made clear. Do you understand?]

I nodded, the tension building inside me as Selene took a deep breath.

[The final origin is Dark, represented by the color black. This color represents those who have experienced such darkness in their lives that the Anathema are pale in comparison. Whether it be pain, despair, sadness, or a myriad of other emotions, Dark Magical Girls have no one unifying emotion, just a theme. Dark Magical Girls have experienced suffering, and in that suffering, have survived. They are chosen not because they wanted to escape their circumstances, but because they instead learned to live despite the shadows. Another interesting point is that every Dark Magical Girl is chosen partially because even though they faced horrors, they had no particular desire to become a Magical Girl until it was offered. This is mostly due to the fact that Dark Magical Girls never even realized it was an option, thinking themselves unworthy. The truth, however, is that their experiences make them uniquely capable to stare down the worst of the Anathema and fight without faltering. That is why they are chosen.]

I flinched, taking in shallow, quick breaths as Selene turned her head slightly away from me. I wanted to shake my head, to tell her she was wrong, that my life wasnt like that. Sure, things werent what I wanted, but there were reasons for that, and I had made my peace with those reasons. Maybe things were dark, but they werent the worst. It was just how things were. I barely fit into that description, and even then, it was only from someone elses point of view.

Right.

I wasnt like that.

Things werent that bad.

Other people just didnt understand.

A dozen more reassurances ran through my mind, and I found myself breathing quicker and quicker. Before I could start hyperventilating, Selene gave a sharp flick of her tails, and my mind instantly cleared, the thoughts disappearing like fog before a strong wind. It was an alien sensation, almost like someone had snapped their fingers directly inside my brain. My attention snapped away from my spiraling thoughts and back to Selene.

[The bonus Dark Magical Girls start with is threefold and intertwined,] Selene began slowly, making sure she had my full attention before continuing. [First, they begin with a completely Unique Grimoire, a powerful type of magic built solely for them. Secondly, their Signature Magic is also much more powerful than a normal Magical Girls and often has a dark spin on it. Finally, their Grimoire, Signature, and the bonus provided by their Aspect are all linked together by some underlying theme and power, giving a Dark Magical Girl a naturally synergistic set of abilities that are not only powerful, but completely unique and therefore unpredictable. About 3% of Guardians have this color, and they take the role of the trump card. Dark Magical Girls are unparalleled in single combat due to the unique twists provided by their starting bonuses, and are often relied on as boss killers and duelists. As for their common personality traits]

Selene sighed, her tails twisting together nervously.

[The truth is that they run a full gambit, but other Magical Girls often categorize them as antisocial, quiet, loners, and unstable. There are a lot of rumors regarding Dark Magical Girls. Many have realized that Dark Magical Girls tend to have something troubling them, something that occasionally causes them to snap. Combining Dark Magical Girls unpredictable personalities with the power they wield, many think they are simply ticking time bombs. Bombs that are uniquely capable of hurting other Magical Girls.]

What? I looked up in confusion.

[Mai, other Magical Girls are simply told Dark Magical Girls represent the emotion of Courage, to face darkness without wavering. In a way, this is the truth, but it is not the entirety of it. Just becoming a Magical Girl doesnt rescue someone from their circumstances. They still have to find a way to deal with it on their own. Worse, the abilities Dark Magical Girls have make them great at defeating boss-type Anathema, but that isnt the only thing they are designed for. Think of it like this: Dark Magical Girls are built to face lone creatures with a range of powerful abilities and magic. Does that description match anything else you can think of?]

The bottom of my stomach dropped out, eyes widening.

Magical Girls, I thought to Selene. Were Anti-Magical Girls.

[Yes although it is not the main design of your powers, it is not lost on the more experienced Magical Girls just how dangerous a Dark Magical Girl could be. If you take into account that there is a stigma of Dark Magical Girls being emotionally unstable with troubled pasts while also possessing unnatural magics]

But doesnt the contract we made prevent us from abusing our powers? I asked my mind racing. I didnt know why, but I was desperate to find a reason Selene might be wrong.

[The question then becomes what constitutes abuse. How far is too far for one who is defending humanity? The contract Guardians make prevents the most heinous of actions, but even then, the rule can sometimes be twisted to prevent automatic punishment. The Zenith believe Well, defeating the Anathema is their top priority, and it takes a lot to convince them to punish a Guardian and deprive humanity of a hyper-capable warrior. In the end, it often comes to the community of Magical Girls to keep each other in line. In the most extreme cases, force may be necessary, in which case Well, it only makes sense to contact a Dark Magical Girl to help the authorities.]

I see I thought to her, a deep, sinking feeling settling into my belly.

[It doesnt help that some Dark Magical Girls have lashed out, either. It has led to people saying things such as, Dark Magical Girls are unstable. You cant trust them. They only care about themselves. Theyre crazy and will attack you without warning. Those are just some of the less colorful rumors, but all it takes for some people to believe in them is the slightest bit of confirmation by a Dark Magical Girl having a bad day. And if one rumor is true, then]

I looked down at the floor, forcing myself to think things through slowly.

So. I was a Dark Magical Girl, an outcast even among Magical Girls. I was chosen not because I was anything special or heroic like other Magical Girls, I was just picked because of what Id gone through. I suppose none of the information was too surprising, especially not how people would react to me. People already thought I was weird, so this was just more of the same, really. I could deal with that. Actually, it might even be easier this way. I wouldnt have known how to handle suddenly being popular.

Yeah It would be fine. I wasnt sure why I felt so crestfallen, or why my heart felt tight, but everything would be fine.

[Anyway, its not like all Magical Girls see Dark Magical Girls this way,] Selene hurriedly added. [Yes, theres a negative stigma, but due to the positive nature of Magical Girls, most are able to look past the rumors. Just be aware that some might be hesitant or even outright hostile. Oh, and the public isnt aware of any of this! To them, Dark Magical Girls are simply another type of Guardian who happen to dress in black. In fact, many people love Dark Magical Girls due to their rarity and mysterious demeanors. So while the Magical Girl community might view you with negative connotations, you have nothing to fear from civilians.]

Oh. Some of the tightness in my chest disappeared. Now that Selene mentioned it, Id never heard anything bad about Dark Magical Girls before. Though, to be fair, Id been so uninterested and separated from anything Guardian related that I didnt know much of anything about them.

Thats not too bad then, I guess. I shrugged.

[Im glad you understand,] Selene sighed, obviously relieved. [Now, I know how much you value your privacy, and the explanation about how Dark Magical Girls are chosen gives others a very personal insight. That is why other Guardians are given a more simplistic explanation. It is a policy meant to protect the privacy of Dark Magical Girls, and it is an unspoken rule among them not to tell anyone else the truth.]

I nodded in understanding. Sure, there might be rumors that there was something wrong with Dark Magical Girls, but outright telling other Guardians? I mean, Guardians were chosen based on the fact they were supposed to help people. If other Magical Girls learned for a fact that every Dark Magical Girl had either gone through or was going through some kind of darkness, some kind of disturbing personal issue

It was easy to see why that would just be inviting trouble. Every Magical Girl would rush to find out what was wrong, trying to figure out what the Dark Magical Girl was coping with, and then they would try to solve it. Every Dark Magical Girl would suddenly have to worry about every Guardian they met trying to fix their problems, inserting themselves and trying to play hero.

I shook my head. No. It was abundantly clear why the truth was hidden, even if it still led to rumors. I knew I personally wanted nobody interfering in my personal life. It was mine, not theirs, and they had no right to judge or mess with it just because they saw things differently. I didnt want their help.

Besides I didnt need it.

Okay, I understand why you kept this part from me I thought back to Selene. Its a lot. A little frustrating and distracting. But it doesnt explain a few things like my Astral Shift or-

[Were almost there. The last thing I wanted to explain before I show you your unredacted Status was your Aspect. If Origin is the reason a person became a Magical Girl, the Aspect is meant to express what part of that Origin they express. For example, Red Magical Girls have the Origin of Adventure, so their Aspect might be Speed, Fighting, Exploration, or some other Aspect that could be associated with that emotion. As I explained earlier in the day, your Aspect gives you a unique bonus at certain milestone levels, and it is what gives you your unique Augment. Now, because Dark Magical Girls have an Origin that is a theme of various emotions, your Aspect is instead the exact emotion that best represents your darkness. With that explained, here is your unredacted Basic section.]

BASIC

Origin: Dark

Aspect: Loneliness

Class: Locked

Signature: Unawakened

I felt a serrated dagger cut my heart open.

That wasnt

That

No.

I blinked the box away, and turned back to Selene. I didnt want to think about it. Not right now. Not when there were more important things to worry about.

Okay, so what else? I quickly asked aloud, and Error blinked, turning his attention back to me.

Selene looked at me for a long time before giving what felt like a sigh.

[So, with the knowledge of your Origin in mind and the stigma around it-] Selene started, pausing as Error raised a hand.

Look, he said, his tone clipped. I just want to say, I know the rumors about Dark Magical Girls arent the whole truth, and I think I have a pretty good idea of whats really going on, but none of that matters to me. Ive seen plenty of Guardians of every color, and let me tell you, it doesnt matter. Were all just people. We all have our problems and bad eggs, and stereotyping is definitely not the answer. What matters is what we do, and let me say, youve already been more of a Magical Girl in these few hours than most are in their lifetime. Youve done good, khai. Better than anyone else could have in your position.

My cheeks warmed, and I looked away. I wasnt sure how to respond to him or the fluttery heat in my chest other than just nod.

[Yes You really have done amazingly. Especially considering youve managed all of this without your Astral Shift.]

I looked up as Selenes tone changed. Id heard her worried or nervous before, but even then her tone was always calm, a constant and almost ethereal quality to it. Now, though, it turned into an outright snarl, and it sent a shiver down my spine.

Your Astral Shift Error spat the words out, but even his venom didnt hold a candle to Selenes. Im curious. Im sure your Familiar told you that your Astral Shift is the stereotypical transformation sequence. Bright lights and magical effects envelop you, and then poof, youre wearing your Magical Girl costume. Im also sure your Familiar told you without your Astral Shift, you only get a portion of the bonuses provided by your stats. She also probably danced around telling you the exact percentage you retain, am I right? Did you even consider it?

I I closed my mouth, then shook my head. No. I always just assumed it was low

[I did not wish to upset you, and knowing the truth wouldnt have changed anything.] Selene looked down with something like shame in her posture.

No, it wouldnt have, Error agreed. So, what percentage of your stats do you think you were gaining?

I thought about it for a moment. I really had never considered it, but subconsciously

Maybe fifty percent? I tried. But now Im thinking less

The corners of Errors lips lifted in the parody of a smile.

Ten percent.

I stared at Error. Then I looked at Selene, and she nodded.

You might as well not have had any bonuses considering your low level, Error growled, and I closed my eyes.

Ten percent Everything Id done, I assumed I was doing it with at least a slight edge to my physical abilities. Every calculaction I made, every reassurance Id given myself, and the whole time, Id been working with a 10% bonus of what I should have. Considering I was still low leveled, Error was right. I might as well not have had any bonus at all.

I swallowed down the bile in my throat. I wasnt upset at Selene, because telling me would have just built up my fear and despair. No, I was just upset that I didnt have access to my full stats.

So my fights should have been easier, I cleared my throat. But-

Thats not all, Error said, and I looked up in surprise. Your Astral Shift gives you more than just stats. It gives you protection. Have you ever seen footage of a Magical Girl fighting and they get thrown through a wall or take what should have been a nasty hit only to come out unscathed? Thats part of your Astral Shift. It gives something like an invisible shield, absorbing a good portion of the damage that should be dealt to you. Its always active, protecting your entire body from harm. Thats why Magical Girls can go into battle in skirts and frills instead of armor.

[The shield is commonly referred to as your Aura,] Selene added, [and to put it in perspective of how powerful it can be even at lower levels If you had your Aura, the Corpse Blossom would not have done enough damage to warrant cutting off your own arm. At most, you would have had bruises, maybe a broken bone at worst.]

I stared at the two of them, shock turning me numb.

A shield?

I should have had a shield?

I should have still had my arm?

I dont understand, I choked out, trying to fight the wetness coming to my eyes. Why this I could have why? Why didnt I have access to my Astral Shift? Why did all this?

Im sorry, khai, Error said softly. But its because of the same stuff your Familiar just told you all about. Its because youre a Dark Magical Girl, and the stupid fucking clowns in charge decided to make the Zenith impose a new rule. A lot of the politicians have bought into all the rumors about Dark Magical Girls, and so they decided to make it so no new Dark Magical Girl could use their Astral Shift without first meeting another Guardian in person and getting their permission.

A wave of vertigo hit me, and I put my hand against the desk, leaning over it as the sensation washed through me. I closed my eyes, my head pounding as their words nailed themselves through my skull.

[The official reasoning,] Selene said, [is that its a measure to prevent potentially unstable candidates from immediately going and abusing the massive amounts of power they are granted. There was an incident, you see, where a Dark Magical Girls first act after becoming a Guardian was to do something terrible. Ever since, all Dark Magical Girls have to receive in-person permission from another Guardian before they use their first Astral Shift. This is a human rule, and although the Zenith argued against it, they believed it would be inappropriate to go against the wishes of humanitys chosen representatives.]

The numbness inside vanished, leaving behind a cold hollowness as my ears started to ring.

All of this, the shield generator failing, the shelter activating its emergency shield, and now the lack of something that would have helped me fight, that would have protected me.

It.

Was.

All.

People.

Bitterness bubbled up and overflowed in me, a sudden fountain bursting from somewhere deep within. I almost started laughing. It had been, what, seven hours? In seven hours, people had managed to put my life in danger three separate times. If the shield never went down, I would have made it to the shelter. If the shelter never had its emergency shield up, I would have been able to get inside safely and not risk my life to save them. If I had my Astral Shift, I would have been so much safer during my fights and wouldnt have lost my arm.

But no. Instead, I was half of a Magical Girl missing half of an arm, and now the only way I could save hundreds of lives was to forfeit my own. All because of people. But wasnt it always? I shouldnt have even been surprised. Maybe it was what I deserved, and this was just karmic balance finally swinging the executioners axe.

My head felt like it was spinning out of control. For the first time in a long time, anger boiled inside me. I had done nothing to these people. I was already trying so hard to do the right things, and this was still how it turned out.

And the worst part? The worst part was that none of what Id just learned really mattered! It was all just context at this point, but none of it changed what needed to be done. There was still a shelter out there running out of energy, and in that shelter were a lot of people, people I knew, and a single person I really, really cared about.

I didnt have a choice about what I did next, because there was only one path I could live with.

Even if it was the path that ended with me dead.

The sound of electricity crackling to life pulled me from my thoughts, and I opened my eyes to see small, jagged arcs of electricity bursting to life around my hand, the energy violet with a black core. It snapped between my fingers where my hand was pressed against the desk, the dark lightning flashing out of existence as shock rolled through me.

Im sorry, Error suddenly said, making me jump and lift my head back to the screen. I know it doesnt help, but I am. A lot of Guardians warned the councils that they were making a mistake, that something bad might happen. I dont think anybody imagined something as bad as this, but here we are.

I blinked a few times, glancing between him and Selene. Error must not have seen the lightning due to the camera angle, but Selene was staring at my hand, her tails all frozen stiff. She slowly looked up at me, and after a moment, her tails returned to gently swaying back and forth.

[Ill explain later,] Selene whispered into my head. [Its just a small, largely unimportant side effect of your strong emotions. First, we deal with this.]

I swallowed, looking back down at my hand. For some reason, the weirdly colored electricity seemed familiar, though it felt like Id seen it in a different shape before. When I tried to remember what exactly I was thinking of, it only made my head begin to pound with the beginnings of a headache.

I gave up trying to recall, instead giving Selene a small nod before turning my attention back to Error. Whatever those sparks were about, the explanation could wait until later. The anger that had been in me was gone now, wiped away by the surprise of seeing the electrical arcs. In the angers place was an empty but steadfast numbness. Id felt it a few times before, a powerful resignation that what was about to happen had to, and so I would face it.

Because I simply didnt have any other choice.

Thank you, for telling me the truth, I said quietly. But it doesnt change the fact that people are going to die, and Im the only one that can help them.

No, Error shook his head, a sickened, solemn look on his face. No, I guess it really doesnt.

Then Ill do it. Ill go to the shield station, begin the restart sequence, fight off the Anathema for five minutes, and then give the final initiation command.

As I said the words out loud, the emptiness inside me began to fill back up. Mostly, it was anxiety digging a razor back into the center of my heart, but to my surprise, there was a flicker of defiance in there too. Everyone seemed to think this was a suicide mission for me, but so what? So what if everyone else seemed to be working against me? This was the right thing to do. I was going to go and save lives. If there was ever something to give my life for, wasnt this it?

Wasnt this what it meant to be a Magical Girl?

What youre doing, Error cleared his throat, looking away, the System has a name for it. When it hands out quests, theres an estimated difficulty attached. Easy, medium, hard, that sort of thing. But occasionally, there is a need to do something to save lives, even if it means the Guardian might not make it out alive. For that, theres a special name.

He turned back to me, meeting my eyes.

Its called a Death Wish, and it is the duty of any Guardian to hear out the last wishes or requests from the one attempting the mission. Within reason, Guardian Command will try to fulfill your last wishes. I want you to know that the System has just given me a quest to hear out your Death Wish, making this official. So, if there is anything you want or any messages to pass on to family and friends, now is the time to tell me.

My throat felt suddenly tight, and I took a moment to take in a deep breath. By the end of my exhale, I knew what I wanted.

Theres a girl named Lily Parker in my grade, I began quietly. I want her to know what I did, and I want her to know I always appreciated her going out of her way to be my friend. I know it probably wasnt easy, but it meant a lot to me. Tell her thank you, and Im sorry. Um if theres any way you can look out for her she wants to become a Magical Soldier. She told me its a really tough selection process, but-

Done, Error said with a nod. Ill personally make sure that she gets the appropriate scholarships and the best training opportunities. Ill purchase her magitech equipment myself if I have to. That is, of course, if you dont want to try to make her a Magical Girl.

What? I blinked in surprise.

Its your Death Wish, Error said gently. There is a lot you can ask for. If you want, you can request the Zenith to take a serious look at her as a candidate. If she fits the mental profile and is physically compatible with receiving a Soul Gem, shell become one. To the Zenith, its a reasonable request that if they have to lose a Magical Girl, another might as well be nominated.

Oh Then yes, Id like that.

It was easy to imagine Lily as a Magical Girl. She talked about it a few times, usually in a joking manner, but there was always something in her eyes when she did. A spark of longing and excitement. It was the same look she got when she told me she wanted to be a Magical Soldier, to become someone who could protect people and make a difference. Knowing I could help her fulfill those dreams sent a flutter of happiness through my stomach.

Alright, then, Error nodded, She is officially nominated. If she cant become one for some reason, then well go with the previous plan.

Thank you, I replied, my shoulders loosening a little. Lily had done so much for me, and now I would finally be able to pay her back. I was sure she would be sad I was gone but she had a lot of other friends, and a loving family. She was too caring, so it might take awhile, but she would be okay.

An awkward silence stretched between us, Error eventually clearing his throat.

What else?

I hesitated for a second, before shaking my head.

Thats it.

Error stared at me, and I looked down to the ground, unease and anxiety bubbling up in me.

No other messages? he asked, his voice subdued. To family or anybody else?

I shook my head, ignoring the pounding in my chest. I didnt want him to ask, to pry further, even if there was one other thing I should ask for. Helping her was the one thing I wanted, and there was nobody else. Just her.

There was a moment of quiet before Error cleared his throat.

Alright, Error whispered. Ill make sure its done. I swear it on my Soul Gem. Ill also look out for her, no matter what path she ends up on. I promise.

Thank you, I said, a wave of relief washing through me.

Its the least I can do, Error murmured. I If youre going to restart the generator, all I ask is that you dont begin restarting it until theres only twenty minutes left before the third floor shelter loses power. Im going to do everything I can to find other Magical Girls who might be able to help you. Its a long shot, especially considering Command wont want to divert resources, but I can at least try.

I nodded, looking back up at him and taking in a shuddering breath.

I understand, I shifted my weight from one foot to another. Um about the actual plan. Do you have a map of the top floor? I need to hold out for five minutes, and if you have any advice

Right. Ill pull up a map. Why dont you bring in the officers so we can inform them of whats going on.

Nodding, I went to the door, thinking about Errors demeanor on the way. When I first met him, he was full of life and energy. It kind of reminded me of how Lily acted when she was hyper. Now, though, he seemed tired. There was no humor in his voice, no teasing. It made sense, given the circumstances, but I wondered how many times hed done something similar to this to look so haunted.

I shook the thought from my head as I opened the door, gesturing for the two officers to come in. They followed me back to the console at the end of the room where the display now held a map of the top floor, a small box in the corner of the screen relegated to showing Error.

Officers, Error said, his voice crisp. This is a map of the top floor. As you can see, the central area is a large, circular room with a dome of glass above it. This is where the shielding station is held. Mostly, the area is a garden of sorts with benches, statues, art pieces, and a few informational displays scattered about. There are four entrances from the outer ring of stores and offices into the central room, and each has a security door that can be closed. These doors are heavy duty, made of six inches of a silverite alloy. From the shielding station, you can close those doors, but-

Excuse me, Ji-woo interrupted. Im sorry, but if were talking about this, then

Im going, I said quietly.

Ji-woo snapped around to look at me, and I looked away.

I have to, I quickly added. Nobody else can.

Ji-woo stared at me for a long moment before finally shaking her head, looking back to the screen.

Then Im going too.

I looked up at her with wide eyes, and she gave me a smile.

The plan is to hold out for five minutes, right? The more people there defending, the better the chances. Besides, after the five minutes have passed, well have to escape by breaking through the Anathema. If I go with-

No.

The word came from me with more force than I expected, but I didnt flinch as I stared at Ji-woo with wide eyes. My heart was racing as I thought of Ji-woo coming with me. The woman whod brought me hot chocolate, whod talked to me nicely and hadnt tried to pry. If she came with No.

Its okay, Ji-woo said. We can-

No, I said again. I go alone. Nobody else dies.

Well make it out together, Ji-woo assured me, pointing to a portion of the map. Those are elevators right there. Once the five minutes are up, we can make a run for it and take the elevators down a few levels. Well emergency stop it between floors and wait for rescue. The Anathema shouldnt bother us because theyll all be rushing to fan out again after clumping into one spot, and the elevators are reinforced. I doubt any of the tougher ones will take the time to pry them open.

I glanced back at the map, thinking her plan over. Considering I didnt have any alternatives, it seemed reasonable. I didnt think it would improve my chances that much, but it at least gave me a small chance of surviving. But

Ill do that, then. Alone.

I understand youre worried, Ji-woo said gently, but you know Im right. The more of us that go, the better, and-

No! I shouted, panic and anger flashing through me. I have to do this, alone! I wont let anybody else die because of me! Not again!

There was a stunned silence in the room, and it took me a second to realize what I said. Horror washed through me, and I felt my cheeks beginning to turn red with embarrassment and shame. I turned from them, looking down at the desk.

I, um I meant I stuttered, eyes flicking to the map. I cant I cant do this knowing somebody might die. I just cant.

Its okay, Error assured me. I understand.

I looked up in surprise to see Error giving me a nod. He turned to look at Ji-woo, his jaw set and eyes steel.

Officer, as a Magical Guardian, I am giving you and every other officer in your shelter a direct order to not go with my khai or attempt to follow her.

Ji-woos eyes widened, but before she could say anything, Error held up a hand.

She is a new Magical Girl, and above all else, a person, Error said, his voice turning soft. If she were to make it out while you didnt, how could she live with herself knowing you sacrificed yourself? She hasnt had any experience in this war and hasn't lost anyone fighting at her side yet. If you really do care for her, then respect her wishes. Believe me, your presence there would only marginally improve the odds, and even then Its not enough to justify losing another person.

Ji-woo looked like someone had punched her in the gut. Her face twisted, and she looked away. Error stared at her for a moment, eyes flicking to Sergeant OMalley who merely gave him a nod, his face set in emotionless stone. Error returned the motion before shifting his attention back to me.

Now. The elevators are a good idea. Heres what I propose: you close all the security doors except for one, and even that one you only leave it partially open. The Anathema might try to get through the other ones at first, but when they realize theres an opening, theyll naturally funnel that way instead of breaking down the doors. It will give you a good chokepoint to hold. Additionally, I know its taboo to ask, but considering the circumstances I was wondering if you could tell me your fighting style and stats so I can give some advice on how you should approach this fight. I promise on my Soul Gem not to share this information and to sign a Geas after these Usurpations as extra insurance.

I glanced at Selene, and she simply gave me a nod of assent. I suppose it didnt really matter if Error knew, not with how we were expecting this to end, but it was nice he was trying to make me feel better.

[Reveal the basic parts of your special Augment as well,] Selene suddenly added. [It will give some context into your proficiency with guns.]

Im level eight, ten strength and vitality, thirty willpower, one spirit, twenty-five dexterity and agility. Forty Stat Points to spend, thirty normal points. I use a nine-millimeter handgun and part of my Aspect bonus gives me a HUD with a targeting reticle. I have a first-aid, kinetic handguns, and enhanced clothing vault.

He raised his eyebrows letting out a small chuckle, the corner of his mouth raising the slightest bit.

Well, that explains some things. A gun user, huh? Rare, and Im sure it wont make people happy considering youre already a Dark Magical Girl, but in this case, it works out very well. Youll be able to shoot them as they squeeze through the doors. But with one arm to reload

Selene can slot in my magazines, I quickly added, feeling an idea beginning to form in my head. She handed me them during the fight with the Arachnomantis, but this could work, too. It might be slower and more awkward, though.

Id imagine so, Error nodded. Regardless, its the best option. Alright, my advice? Dump your Stat Points evenly into agility and dexterity. Its only a small bonus, but better than the alternatives. So long as your Familiar focuses on dodging if she gets noticed, you wont have to worry about remanifesting her. As for your other points, which we call Gate Points by the way, you dont have many. However, I expect the central room containing the shielding station will have some Anathema to clear out. Probably not many, but it should give enough to buy you some ammunition, first-aid, and protective clothes. Dont expect those clothes to defend against much, but theyre certainly better than nothing.

[I agree with the assessment,] Selenes tails flicked. [We already have some protective clothes we can reuse, though a quick wash might be in order.]

Good. Now, after the five minutes are up, I would open the security door opposite of the one you left open. Hopefully, all the Anathema will have been drawn to the other side, and you can make a run to the elevators. Other than that Im not sure I have anything to add.

I bit on my lip, thinking over the plan as everyone else seemed to fall into a contemplative silence. The plan was actually decent, but

How high level are the Anathema Im going to be fighting? I asked, and Error winced.

At the start? Im guessing fairly low levels. Id guess the max would be around low twenties, if the Arachnomantis was any sort of indication. The higher level ones have spread out towards the perimeter and are trying to break through our containment, so theyll have to run the entire way and probably wont make it, but theyre around level 100 with pockets of even higher. In the five minutes the Anathema will have to get to the shield generator, Im guessing maybe the level fifties will get there?

I nodded, unfazed. Theyd said from the beginning this was a suicide mission, and Id refused to let any hope kindle inside me. The plan wasnt really to help me escape, it was to keep me alive for five minutes so I could give the final confirmation command. Anything else was well, hopeful wishes, I suppose.

Okay. If it gets bad, Ill have Selene close all the doors to make sure I can at least get the shielding station activated.

Errors jaw clenched tight, and he dipped his head in acknowledgement. I thought about it some more, thinking what else I could add to the idea. I would have a door with a small opening to fire at the Anathema as they came through. With the door open, it would probably be easier for them to smash open further for their bigger variants, and I was sure I would be fighting around the shield station in a running sort of fight, like when Id cleared out the first floors main area to get to the shelter

Two ideas bloomed to life, and I looked up at Error sharply.

You said I should wait until there were only twenty minutes left to start the process, I glanced at Selene. How much time does the shelter have left before it runs out of power?

[One hour, two minutes,] Selene responded.

So I had about forty minutes to get up to the top floor and clear the Anathema in the shielding stations room. Call it a generous ten minutes to sneak there, five to fight what few might be in the room that could work.

Twenty minutes, I said, looking back at Error. At exactly twenty minutes left, Ill start the process. Ill get other supplies on the way.

What were you thinking? Error asked.

Alcohol, I told him. And points from whatever low level and lone Anathema I can shoot.

He gave me an inquisitive look, his eyebrow quirking upwards.

Okay? Setting aside the alcohol for a moment, what were you thinking of spending your points on?

My lips quivered slightly as a memory sparked equal parts warmth and longing in my heart.

Guns, I told him. Lots of guns.