Chapter 3: First Wind

The fresh autumn breeze, the dazzling sunlight streaming down below and the countless buildings I sailed passed through in the air. With the support of Alice-senpai behind my back, I charged straight into the head of the alligator monster made out of rock—

BOOM

I slammed with my full body under the Hollow’s head in an uppercut. It stumbled back from nearly crushing a bus under its feet; saving the few still inside and around the area who weren't able to escape.

‘Looks like I wasn't too late.’ I thought to myself. The Hollow had only caused minimal destruction so far, it must have only just emerged; smashing the concrete road and the few empty cars. No signs of any casualties.

I let out a sigh of relief, before preparing myself—striking a pose with my left index finger pointing, and with the most charismatic voice I could muster. “Light shines as brightly as hope! Magical Girl Starlight, will stop you here and now!”

“Woahh— is that really a magical girl!?” “Mommy look look!” “So that's a magical girl up close huh… she looks amazing.” “To be able to see a magical girl up close! I can finally die happy!!”

Loud voices and murmurs echoed around me, they quickly moved out of the way, some even waving at me as they ran.

Hearing those words of encouragement makes me feel giddy inside, like butterflies fluttering inside my stomach. I can't help but put on a big smile on my face.

“You can do it!!” “I'm cheering you on Starlight!” “I wish you best of luck Starlight!”

‘I think I nailed my appearance this time.’ Patting myself on the back, I gave a short wink to a passerby as they ran by; I stared the Hollow down with my full attention. Even lacking any form of depth perception in its eye socket, it turns to face towards me, no longer focusing on the surroundings around it.

“Haa—!” I let out a battlecry, brilliant golden light swirling into my wand and condense around it like a star as I charged in.

The Hollow swung its head towards me like a battling ram, not a growl from it—not because it can't, but it's nothing more than just a facsimile of an animal.

No one knows why it takes the form of animals nor why it sticks to it, causing mindless destruction. But one thing is for sure, I need to put an end to them before someone gets seriously hurt!

However, if someone were to ask me about it, it really does look like someone's first time making a cookie alligator. With all its weird disfigured looking paws and scales…

Not to be out done by the Hollow, I met its head-on strike with my wand against its rocky alligator head.

BOOM!

Tremors shook on the ground below reverberated around us, as our attack collided. Sending shockwaves around us, both the Hollow and me were knocked away from the force—sending us flying back.

‘Its Incrediblely tough.’ I thought to myself, I'll have to find or create a weak-point somewhere. It doesn't look like I can out-last and beat it in a battle of attrition like last time.

Softly gliding down towards the ground, my gaze remains focused on the Hollow, its jaw is marked with a small visible spider-web like dent across its surface—and I think it seems to be regenerating? No, mending itself.

In a pit of rage, the Hollow did a full-body turn, using its tail this time to swipe at me.

Just before the tail was able to hit me, I leaped up into the air as the Hollow lay waste to everything on the ground below with the sheer power of its tail.

Thankfully everyone has already evacuated from the immediate vicinity. Or else they would've been completely flattened like the various cars and buses littered on the street.

‘Its strength is terrifying too. I don't think I can last more than two hits from it.’ I frown, I'll have to finish this in one decisive strike before it could cause anymore destruction.

The Hollow repeatedly slams its full body on the ground as if in a fit of rage, it glares and charges right at me once again with its mouth wide open—attempting to snap at me.

I was able to dodge at the last moment, its jaw brushing past my hair—its movement faster than before. Keeping it in one place to prevent more destruction might not be a good idea anymore, if it's able to move that fast—I would be putting myself at a major disadvantage with no room to form a counterattack.

Hovering a few distance away, I calm my pounding heart while re-evaluating where I plan to strike within these few seconds of breathing room.

‘Maybe I could overturn it on its back?’ I thought to myself, Starlight—the wand—charged up and ready in hand. It’s a move that I’d imagined if I myself were a magical girl once, that would surely be the winning move. A technique against huge monstrous opponents like this one, I had always wondered why no one in Soaring Sky Sakura thought of immobilizing the big villains like this, so I’ll test that here and now!

With a makeshift plan in mind, I flew right up close to the Hollow. Baiting its attempts to lunge at me with its gaping maw that could devour a bus whole.

‘Closer… closer… And now!’

The hollow lunges with its full body leaping up into the air—if only for a brief moment as its jaw angled in a way to catch and devour its prey whole.

CHOMP

But its attempt to bite me was foiled by my last second ditch—in a blink of an eye, I swiftly flew my way under the Hollow while it's still airborne and swung while shouting at the top of my lungs. “Flower Sign—Starstream Flowing Strike!!”

BOOM—!!

Delivering a devastating uppercut right under its neck, the Hollow was launched skyward, rolling backwards then slammed itself hard—face first into the ground.

The concrete road ruptured violently, carpeting dust and debris everywhere in a dense fog of rubble, the pavement around the area caved inwards with a massive crack that looks like a spiderweb; the Hollow, now on its back and seemingly motionless—stunned.

I halved a sigh of exhaustion with a smile of relief on my face. ‘I did it! I knew that would work. Although, that took more out of me than I expected.’ I only have a few seconds before it gets its bearings again or worse, adapts to it. I need to quickly remove its core before that happens.

Hollow’s regenerative and adaptive capabilities are no joke.

Determined, I fly to the top of its rocky belly and crouch down to place my hand on its abdomen; using something similar to echo location, I'll search for its core. Which is like the heart but for the Hollow—by finding the densest point in its body, where magic is concentrated and circulating through the most. If I can pinpoint just exactly where it is, I can destroy it.

And… There it is! Found it! Around the left side of its head, specifically the back interior of its left eye, a pulsing mana core registers to my senses to the palm of my hand.

Wasting not a moment, I quickly ran up to the front of the Hollow, preparing Starlight for another around, right at the spot I marked mentally in my head. The surface around it may be especially thick due to concentration of mana, making it extremely tough to break through but with the rest of my mana—I’ll have more than enough strength to break it!

Just before I make contact—

CLANG!

“Do you think Hollows dream of volcanic sheep?" A soft feminine voice echoes in the distance behind me.

“Huh?” my thoughts came to a complete halt, stunned. Who would even dare to enter such a dangerous situation happening right now? Let alone be close enough to be in hearing range? And there's also the thing where something collided with Starlight that threw me off and made me falter—a projectile?

“If they were capable of sapience, would they think to question things like morality and ethics? Would they consider the wreckage they amassed to be wrong or something along the lines of necessity? Or would they stay in their capricious nature as they are?”

In my shock, I turned around to come face to face with a strange woman standing alone.

Intimidating. And also two heads taller than me, with an outfit not dissimilar to those western superhero comics that gives off creepy vibes.

“Hmm. Looks like I’m rather early to the limelight,” She looks up to the sky, surveying for something. “Probably not for long though, unfortunately.” Before turning towards me.

“Hello sweetheart.” She flashes me a bright smirk. Amber eyes greet me as I stare away her, she has silky long hair falling down below her shoulders with a bang mane of hair long enough to hide her left eye.

She stands tall with a face that would’ve been beautiful if not for her presence being menacing and dreadful. Shrouded in a black cloak without a hood that covers her completely, my heart beats rapidly, something in me feels strange about her that’s rather off putting but I don’t know what.

“Who are you?” I asked tensely, countless thoughts cycling continuously, running on how, what, and why such a person is… Did she just call me sweetheart? 

…A small blush tint my cheeks.

‘I don't even know her…’

I stood cautiously, my eyes trailing the figure as I squeezed Starlight’s handle tight—prepared if things were to turn ugly. And whatever words she's saying, I could make little to no sense of it. And with the way she’s pacing back and forth—I think it's more than talking to just me, could she be talking to herself?

I mean, Hollows are just monsters that threaten the lives of all. What could be more to it?

If they were intelligent? I shudder at the thought, I have a feeling nothing good will happen from it, nor do I think that them having feelings would make things better, if Soaring Sky Sakura has anything to say about this.

Actually maybe if we change them fundamentally, maybe we can then—

‘Nevermind that!’ I cut off that thought to myself, refocusing on the figure now in front of me.

In a fancy tight black dress with a very long cape coat layered over it, stretching all the way to her knees, with furry accents fixed on the shoulders. It looks like a fur collar coat with some latex get-up mixed into it. A strange pattern of gold clockwork embroidered all over it accented to the left side of the coat, with golden trims outlined the edges.

She stood unmoving, her hair fluttering freely in the wind. Her smug grin remains still like etched on stone—never leaving from her face. Sending me dozens of warning signs that this person is not just creepy but very dangerous as well, not only because of her smile alone.

‘I don't see her hands.’ I noted with a frown. Probably hidden inside the coat. I hope it isn't a magic gun but with how cliche this situation is going, it might not be far distant thought.

She looks like a villain by all counts. Like some kind of a final boss that appears before the climatic showdown in a superhero show with the way she's carrying herself, her appearance. She's even monologuing too!

And if anything from Lovelight Precure has taught me about this exact situation, it's best to delay for help or come up with a different plan against such a threat!

“To conceive thoughts, means having the desire to hold onto something; it could be survival, it could be a concept, a goal, an ideal, even materialistic.” She ignores my question and begins pacing around, her eyes wandering off somewhere I can't see; seemingly unconcerned with my cautious reaction as she turns to stare at me.

“And in desire, they can be considered living. And all that's living have the right to exist; for there exist no rules, laws, that dictate or contradict so; which means the same dictates for Hollows. Thus what difference would it make when they reach the maturity of humans?”

Her steps light, as if taking a stroll as she makes her way toward me; not in a straightforward way but in a strange roundabout way. Approaching in by taking a detour of a left curve instead of a straight line ahead.

And I respond by moving in the opposite direction, to try and get some distance—further away from her. I don't know what she's doing and I have a bad feeling that I do not want her to get close at all. It's like she's playing with me as we circled around each other, not at all bothered—content to continue monologuing in this weird situation.

"If that were so, wouldn't you be required to do wrong or even immoral no matter where you go? It is the tragic necessity that defines the basic condition of life—to be required to violate and destroy the identity of others for the sake of yours.”

“For the fate and safety of others that depends solely on you—than to say… the one deemed as a monster that’s merely unfortunate surviving. It is the ultimate shadow, the hypocrisy of creation. How tragic. How comedical; this is the systemic curse at work, the curse that feeds on all life. Everywhere that holds life.”

“What are you talking about and where are you going with this?” I ask. Hollow becoming like humans? Is that even possible? From where she's going with this, my gut and mind is telling me that something is about to happen.

Just what is it? I couldn't tell even if every part of me was screaming that we have to stop whatever she's doing.

‘No wait! I really don't have time for this!’ I shook, almost completely forgotten about the Hollow we're on top of right now, I have to destroy it's core now!

When I realised this fact, the grinning woman ahead of me now stood exactly where the core is located.

‘Damn it! I should have noticed it earlier, so that's why she was doing that.' I chided myself.

Before I could make an attempt to stop her, a hand shot out of her coat and immediately plunged into the skull of the Hollow—digging through it with her bare hand.

“W-What?” I exclaim. That's harder than steel and she just easily dug through it like sand?

‘That strength is terrifying.’ I shudder. I absolutely do not want to engage in close quarters combat with her, she would crush me in half easily!

Retrieving the core as if a simple matter, the woman’s gaze now meets me eye to eye. Showing it off the core—gleaming green in color, in her hand in full view—almost as if she's teasing me with it. She settles both the core and hand back into her coat.

“That should save you the worry of it getting back up.” She spoke, this time directly at me, all the while that smile on her face not once fading from her.

“...” I say nothing, I don't even know what to say. I'm too terrified. If it comes down to it, the thought of fighting her makes my mind blank. If that was her casual strength and not her even taking this seriously…

There's no way I can stand a chance against her.

“That expression tells me, you are afraid.” For a moment there, if I had so much as blinked—I wouldn't have seen her smile falter right then and there; her arrogant villainy demeanor twitching into something… sad maybe even nostalgic? Before reverting back to a serene smug as if what had happened was only an illusion.

What was that about?

“The lonely child standing on the ocean’s surface—taking the first step into peering into its depth.” She smiles sadly, condescendingly pitying me. “Worry not about the spoils, I’ll hold it with reverence. No harm would beget from it. Not of yet.” Her smirk returns, more scarier this time.

I flinch at the first few words she said, my grip tightens in agitation. ‘Her words are too cryptic. I don’t understand half of what she’s saying! Whatever, I just need to focus on destroying that core, but how?’ I won’t let her get away with it, who knows what they might be planning with it. 

Yet dread fills me as the enemy in front of me is that of a mountain, an enormous force of nature that I, only a teenage girl, have no way of overcoming even becoming a magical girl.

“Here I stand alone, deigned as to offer you a chance. Land a strike on me. And I might relinquish the prize back; and the city remains untouched.” Her left arm opens wide as if inviting. Clearly opening herself up for me to strike.

‘Just what is she playing at now? The way that things are going… Are pretty predictable turns of events that I'm familiar with from watching my many magical girl shows, yet not really at the same time.’ She’s definitely toying with me. Which is the only thing I’m sure about, but what could her aim be? Testing what kind of magical girl I am? Could she be trying to find out my identity? Waiting for someone while trapping me? Or could she be using me as bait for someone?

Anxiety chokes me with dread, thoughts running rampant with no clear idea on what to do. Running away isn’t an option if what she said was true. She’s definitely strong enough to destroy this City if she uses her magical abilities. I may not have seen them but, it's better for me to stay cautious if her casual display of strength is anything to go by.

But not against the GPC. The authorities responsible for handling and dealing with anything and everything related to the supernatural—like me and the woman with the half covered face. The only chance I can make it out of this, If I can delay or distract her somehow and keep her here long enough that I might be able to turn this around when they arrive to help and get her.

Even as I think of a way to win, her ominous stare is giving me seconds thoughts, could the GPC be able to stop her? I can’t say for sure in my mind now if she has already planned for something like that.

Her eyes were locked onto mine, completely ignoring our surroundings as though everything else is insignificant, content with slowly observing my figure from up to down.

A sense of unease sends shivers down my spine with how she smirks to herself.

Extremely creepy.

If she was in a poster of why you shouldn’t interact with strangers, she'd be perfect for it.

Before my thoughts could continue to spiral again, she spoke up just as the silence had dragged on for more than a few seconds. “If you wish not to come to me, then I shall come towards you.”

My body instantly tenses up, my grip of the haft of Starlight tightens causing the wand to pulse like a heartbeat. Sweat streams down from my face, with each long and heavy breath I take reminds me of the small trembling from fear. But even so, I’ll have to face the villain in front of me head on with everything I have!

With a slow and deliberate move, her hand shot out of her coat again and this time she rushes at me with frightening speed—closing the distance in an instant; her mane of hair flutters wildly behind her like an alarm of impending doom should I not immediately respond.

Bam!

At that moment, something else started to happen as well. A sound like a gunshot.

Surprised and spooked by the sudden noise, I was unable to immediately react to the incoming swipe of her hand in time, so instead I instinctively used Starlight to block it.

Bum-ba-bum-bum~

Hand meets wand. A knife-hand strike collides with Starlight, the impact was heavy—my wand bending slightly from the force that leaves my arms throbbing and the rest of my body in tremors. The woman, not at all fazed by the interaction, follows up with a kick to my right abdomen.

‘It feels like I'm blocking a truck! Just how strong is she!?’ My body is still in shock, unable to counter the kick—rhythmic sounds all the while are being played in the background, ringing loudly in my ears. Making it hard to concentrate.

“Ugh!” I was knocked back by a few steps, with Starlight still in hand, I didn’t drop it like last time. The kick didn’t hurt as much as I’d expected. When she said she’s going easy on me, I suspect she’s going way too easy on me…

Toot-tooot-toot~!

“Is that… music?” I utter, completely dumbfounded, as that was the first thing that came to mind as I was getting my bearings. ‘Who could possibly be playing music at a time like this!?’ I can clearly hear Drums and Trumpets and some other instruments I don’t know the name of being played but where from?

This whole thing is just too strange and things keep happening that’s completely out of my mind!
‘I mean the music clearly sounds like a battle theme so I can’t say it's completely inappropriate?’ I tried to reason with myself.

‘No wait, why am I even trying to reason with this!? This is too frustrating!’ I shake my head.

All the while this is happening, the most troubling thing is the woman is no longer making a move. She’s just standing there… observing me with amusement with that irritating smirk on her face.

Bum-Pa-Bom-Bom-Pa-Bom-Pah~

“I quite like this theme, indeed. Does pushes one’s adrenaline, wouldn't you say?” She asks.

“Is the music part of your power?” I clutch myself cautiously, my breath and exhaustion not as heavy as before. It’s a good thing she spends most of the time monologuing, I hope I can buy more time from it.

Her smirk grows wider. “Wrong question. The beginning of an overture, now what does it mean? What does it do?”

Bum-Pa-Bom-Bom-Pa-Bom-Pah~

In a blink, without giving even a moment for me to think, she disappears from where she stands and reappears right in front of me, her form moving like a blur—my eyes barely able to keep track, her hand swiping down at me from above this time.

Anticipating the moment, I quickly sprang to the right—and by the skin of my teeth, feeling the wind glaze pass the spot of where I was.

She smirks, another one now headed towards me—diagonally. After shifting away to evade the second, she continues her relentless assault, trailing after me. Having to desperately dodge to the left by shoving myself forward, I predicted the kick that came afterwards and managed to parry it away without giving ground.

‘Now’s my chance!’

Having her close in on me—almost face to face, I put Starlight to use as it pluses with a brilliant light and in that moment I swung at her, aiming for right where it’ll be impossible for her to dodge—the abdomen.

Unfortunately, even if I was so sure of it, it didn’t land.

“What, having a hard time landing a hit?” She taunts, barely an annoyance. As she easily skirts around my attack, treating my horizontal strike like how a ballerina would dance around in a play. And her stupid smug grin is down-right infuriating!

I put magic into defense—my arms becoming much steadier and tougher, more than enough to improve my chances in handling the recoil and assault.

“You’re wide open~”

Another lunge of the hand coming straight at me, I dive to the right to evade, rolling away from her as much as possible as she hits empty air.

Once I got up and found my footing again, I charged up another mana blast in Starlight—prepared and pulsing to be released. The woman patiently watched before zooming after me.

And I was ready for her.

Going on the offensive for once, I swung at her, half-committing my strike—fully expecting, predicting for her to dodge my feint. Which will be the chance for my real strike!

Swoosh!

She bends with unnatural grace, as I expected. Starlight went past her as she wiggled to the side avoiding the attack like a slippery snake. Using a mana burst loaded inside my wand, the build up of condensed magic energy detonates; resulting in a propelling explosive force that changes the trajectory of Starlight with an incredible increase of speed. The feint that I predicted she dodges, now sets up an opening where Starlight comes in an explosive redirection—coming towards her in an instant.

But even then, she moves flawlessly. To any bystander, it'll look as if I'm moving as fast as a blur. However the woman shows not a single sign that she's struggling, as I struggle with how much mana I'm burning away just to desperately land a hit.

Right, left, downward, right again, center—the fight continues down on the ground as I desperately try to land a hit on her, she flaunts dramatically every time she dodges—treating this as nothing more than a performance. The mana burst that I've used conservatively to make my attacks stronger and faster—barely making a difference in this fight.

Narrowingly avoiding the hand-chop to my abdomen that would’ve snapped me in half; I don't know long has passed but at one point I tried flying away, but it didn't seem to work either, she’s way too fast—she easily caught up to me with in a single leap as I was about to get away and delivered a kick to my back that sent me falling—toppling face first to the ground; the hollow’s corpse long forgotten and crumpled as the one sided unfair beatdown continued.

Ta-Tar-Ta-Tar-Bam~

“Ugh…” I groaned. My body is completely sore, all I could do was go on the defensive and dodge her attacks as my fatigue gets worse—barely able to fight back let alone land a hit. Worst of all, to my despair she had only used a single hand and leg this entire time, that alone dowsed my spirit quickly. 

'She's still even remotely tired!’

Still, for some reason, the adrenaline within me is still going strong and I get the feeling that I can block attacks better and parry them easier; all the while the music in the background is still playing, is it due to its influence? It really isn’t helping my situation in any way at first with me getting beaten up… But I can’t help but think a little part of me does like its jam and beats.

“A rather intriguing fight style, your stance is something you thought of yourself, no? Sound in theory but it's lacking in practicality. Relying on your opponent to make the first move is wise for those new to combat, but it’ll only get you so far.” She comments.

She started pacing around me again. “Perspective, environment, stance and foothold, so many variables yet so little time. Most make due with it, but for your case, there’s another factor… Why don’t you give it a try? I’ll give you a hint. Your wand.”

“...” My wand—Starlight? Does she mean how I use my wand?

“Magical girls, they are children of nature’s blessing incarnate—having the ability to surpass and enact changes that would otherwise be impossible; be it their strength, perception, and magic that can create localized fields or even mess with luck with probability manipulation.”

“It is commonly known that they possess multitudes of talents, abilities and skills, so that begs the question—what is yours?” Her eyes regarded me expectedly, like a judge reviewing the court—waiting to give a final verdict.

“...I don’t know.” I feel another chill, one much more uncomfortable. I know she’s trying to lead me to something but I can’t help but feel this uncomfortable unease, like something is poking me and I can do nothing about it. ‘I only just became a magical girl yesterday, why did I have to go against someone like her!’ I mourn, hands still sore and throbbing from the collision.

She smirks. “Bespoken shall be, that I will be your first demonstration,” flaunting with a twirl, her left hand reaching out to grab something from empty space.

“All things are impermanent; like the dreams of butterflies, extinguished afore spring’s breeze. (諸行無常 梦蝶夢滅)”

In an instant, like some form of parlor trick that left me mesmerize; a fancy parasol made out of light appears right before my eyes, entirely black in color with golden frills of three layers spaced on top one another on the canopy, complimenting alongside with the embroidery of clockwork gears interlocking one another on the entire base.

‘I really like the design.’ I thought absently.

Holding onto its hilt, she swings it around on her hand—performing cartwheels.

‘Wait. Was that last part Chinese?’ Too entranced, I was only able to process whatever she said after a short moment. ‘I really don’t know what is going on anymore.’ I say that for the third time now in the safety of my mind. 

She points the closed umbrella at me, aiming right at the centre of my chest, just like how a gun would. “Now then, show me what you got sweetie~”

Bam! Bum-ba-bum-bum

A small bright purple orb begins to form at the tip. Immediately alarm bells start going off in my head.

‘Dodge!!’

I forcefully dive to the side, just in time as a caplet shaped beam of light fires off and leaves behind not a crater but a piercing hole where I stood before. A hole deep enough that I couldn't see the end of it even with the sun glaring down on us.

‘Getting hit by that is seriously bad news!’

Another orb of light is already beginning to form on the tip of her parasol and aiming directly at me. The grin on her face is almost comically demonic, her posture arrogant—not moving from her spot. I immediately began to run.

Circling around her, a shot of condensed magical energy went past my head, narrowingly missing the tips of my hair. Jumping, twisting and a whole lot of luck—I manage to evade every shot at the last second. The firing doesn’t seem to be slowing down, in fact it's getting faster! 

‘Think! How am I supposed to get out of this situation? What can I use!?’

She hasn’t moved from her position, but I don’t think it's possible to get close to her, so the only option I have is range.

Range. ‘Contrary to what people might expect, this wand doesn’t have any spell that shoots! And I don’t know how I am supposed to change it into something that shoots either!’

“W-Woah!” pivoting to my right, I manage to twist away another beam of light that might otherwise bore a hole into my left leg.

‘Wait. Maybe I'm getting this all wrong.’ The first time I tried to change form—which is basically switching between different powers, like in Lovelight Precure—during my first fight nothing happened. So I had to rely on my current form, which is fighting at close range. And I didn’t have the time to properly test my powers to see what they could do.

And from whatever that woman said, what could my magical speciality be? I can’t really do anything besides charging up Starlight and smacking enemies with it. And if what she says is true then, maybe I haven’t been able to use my full power or am I missing something?

Bam! Bam Bam Bam Ta~!

‘Instead of my entire form, maybe just my wand?’ With that thought in mind, I imagine a weapon that can shoot just like that parasol… I put it to the test and—

“Woah… Was it really that simple?” I remark with awe, looking down at the new and different weapon my wand instantly transformed into in a flick of a flash. A parasol, similar to the one the woman is holding. Did I manage to copy her weapon?

Its straight wooden handle is smooth yet old to the touch, with sakura flowers blooming on it; the outer canopy is colored in pale white with a pink ribbon bow tie in the middle holding it in place. At the edge of the canopy, similar looking three layers of frills encircle the parasol but in pink; accompanied with sunlight yellow embroidery not of clockwork gears, but instead flowers of sakura. And most importantly, a colourless jewel shaped heart with intricate sakura carvings fixed on the exact spot where you’d open the parasol.

The symbol of me becoming a magical girl.

‘It's… Beautiful.’ As I hold Starlight in its new form in my hands reverently, Inspecting to its smallest detail. No more words could ever think to describe how exactly I would've imagined what an umbrella of my ideal design would be like if it were to come to life.

“What a wonderful surprise. Replication or is it something much for?” While I was admiring Starlight’s new form in the heat of the moment, the woman’s menacing grin now splits across her face, not at all diminishing. No longer shooting at me but a sense of dread fills my heart as her eyes still regard me with amusement, not at all wary or threatened at what I’ve done. She doesn’t seem to take offense to it either.

I’m pretty sure she expected or wanted this to happen. It does not make it any better that she’s still not taking this seriously at all—just playing with me. ‘Ugh…! This is driving me crazy!’ It doesn't help that the music is getting more intense, strangely though I feel it doesn't ruin my concentration but instead I feel like I can focus better, assess better, Her moves are faster than my eyes can ever track but—I think I can go against her! I know my chances are slim, I know I can't ever really beat her…

I just know I have to hit her once, only once! It's not that I know I can or cannot do it, I HAVE to do it!

I can't risk anyone getting hurt in the city, I just have to power it through and make it possible!

That's what any Lovelight Precures would've done; that's what any magical girl would've done; to protect everyone’s happiness, I have to win!

Even if I'm terrified, tired and out of options, I want to become like the magical girls of my ideals and dreams! I will chase those dreams until the end!

Bam-bum-Bam-Bam!

I put some distance between us, and like what she had done, I put my mana into Starlight; it pulses in a brilliant golden glow with the light gathering at the end tip—a familiar orb forms, shining a bright yellow hue.

I point Starlight towards her; she stands completely unfazed. She didn’t make a move. Her parasol rested face down by her side, using it as a cane rather than something to shoot me with. What is she planning this time?

She gestures with her other hand, beckoning me with a smug expression.

‘Looks like she wants me to shoot her? This HAS to be a trick.’ Could it be that she’s planning for me to use up all my mana? I think I have about 30 percent or so left… Or is it some kind of test? With the strange way she’s acting now, it’s almost like she wanted to figure out something. I really do not want to play right into her hand if that’s the case. At the same time… This is only chance at landing a hit on her.

Even if I did land a hit on her, will she actually keep her word? She had been messing with me from the start, so there’s no reason for me to trust her at all. She probably found some way for her words to mean something else, like those “Why yes I did say that, but I didn’t mean this.” part where they don’t tell the whole truth and everyone pays the price.

‘Ugh, this is just too complicated! Fine, I'll fire with everyone I got! If worse comes to worst, I’ll have to do as much as possible to stall for time for the GPC to arrive.’

Sweat drips down my forehead, my legs tremble slightly from exhaustion, I really should start exercising from tomorrow onwards. Holding the parasol by the handle with both my hands, I let my concentration focus almost entirely on condensing all mana into Starlight—fueling it, while keeping an eye on the woman.

“Haa—!! Flower Sign, Blossomic Shine!” I shout with all my might, the orb at the end tip of Starlight blazing brightly as a star, eagerly waiting to unleash its light—and in that moment I let it rip and fire it off with a loud shockwave that made me recoil back a few steps, almost tripping.

The woman—who had been patiently waiting for the past few seconds—smiles, as a large concentrated torrent beam of light the size of a basketball rushes towards her.

The ray of light was blinding enough that I could barely see what’s happening, only making out that when the blast was about to hit her, the woman held out her right hand.

‘Is she planning to tank it head on with just her hand!?’

She didn't so much as flinch when it hit her, contrary to what I expected, she didn't take the hit straight on, something even more ridiculous happened. The light begins collapsing into her outstretched palm, like a vacuum sucking up air.

‘She’s absorbing my attack.’ Despairingly, as I honestly expected something like this to happen, draining my final ditch effort like that was not one of them and has me feeling quite incredibly bitter.

The light completely fades, consumed away until not a speck remains.

“Quite potent for its strength. More than enough to vaporize those Quake level foes.” She remarks, pondering to herself than to me; the music in the background tuning down almost like its fading.

Quake level? The ranking system that classifies threats, and she’s saying I can handle the lowest tier with Blossomic Shine alone?

From what I learnt, there are five tiers that categorize threads by how much damage or how big they can potentially cause to not just us humans, but the environment as well; ranging from lowest to highest starting from: Quake of the alleyside, Plague of the village, and so on; the last being Star of the city.

But it's more common to use the short form of its category like Quake or Star instead, and those assigned as a Star means the rarest and most dangerous threat a city or nation could face. If I remember correctly, only two such big threats were ever announced in the last five years or so. In Japan anyway. I hope that none of them will appear any time soon, handling something on the level like Godzilla or Zetton is far too terrifying and way above me to even begin to imagine.

However, it feels great to be evaluated so highly—to be able to take out Quake level enemies easily if I shoot them from a range; and quite daunting that there are tougher enemies definitely in the future like those in the Plague or higher category, especially the woman standing in front of me.

She is probably—no, definitely is a Nightmare level threat.

Zzzzzz—

The sounds of helicopters flying overhead could be heard, along with shouts of both civilians and authorities alike; trying to barricade the surrounding area and keep those noisy to see up close and reporters alike from getting too close.

Looks like the GPC has finally arrived. I breathe a massive sigh of relief, I can feel my body is going to collapse at any moment.

The woman’s expression barely changes, not all troubled or bothered—as if expecting this to happen sooner or later.

Then she continues monologuing as if it's a normal routine, scanning overhead as the helicopters get closer. “Shame. I am found wanting if there are more tricks to be laid bare, but it looks like we'll have to settle it for now.”

My hand wobbles as I use Starlight as a clutch, the music has faded almost completely now I absently noted. What does she plan on doing now?

“Even if it was merely voluntarily, you have landed a hit on me. Indeed. In which case, I shall concede for now.” She turns away, leaving her back facing me.

Before she could run away, I quickly gave a shout. “Wait! Just who are you and what exactly do you plan to do?” I noticed that she had never once actually talked or explained who she is, a complete mystery that speaks vague and cryptic words. Which clearly means there’s more to her than meets the eye, like those jaw-dropping twists you’d see when the villain does their reveals.

She turns her head over her shoulder, giving me one more final look before turning away. “Names are certainly important. They’re given to those who would recognize and bond once more. Thus, if the privilege presents itself, you may have the luxury of knowing my call.”

I frown.

She smirks. “As for what I plan to do? Well, that's for you to ponder, and for me to know.”

With that said, in a blink of an eye she became a blur that zooms away and disappears into somewhere in the city—never to be seen as if she were a momentary illusion.

‘…There was no way I could’ve won, I never had a chance to begin with if that’s how fast she is.’ I groan mentally.

“Attention. This is the Global Peaceable Consortium, Magical Girl Starlight you are advised to come with us to the GPC’s Headquarters of the Japanese Branch for—”

At that moment, Alice’s words come to mind. “...Whatever you do, don’t get caught by the GPC. It won’t end well."

I don't have time to question or decide whether her words are suspicious or not. Even so, she’s my friend now. So I would like to think she’s trustworthy and telling me this for a good reason. Now I need to find somewhere to hide before I pass out.

My only hope and chance of getting out of this without revealing my identity is Alice. And I trust that Alice will be able to help get me out of there and to somewhere safe where my transformation becomes undone when I pass out again.

With a heavy breath, I imagine Starlight in my mind to disappear, willing it in sparkles of fireworks to vanish away, and then leaping into the air as quickly as I can with all my strength—flying straight towards where Alice was.

Even with my starting jump that crossed over two blocks; flying high enough that I went past the helicopters; the buildings wouldn’t be able to block me at this altitude. Still, it's not close enough to reach where Alice is. ‘I think I’m almost there… just a dozen buildings away from there?’

My body slackens; vision blurring, darkens and narrowing, my speed is slowing down already and I’m dropping in altitude. 

My transformation is flickering in and out, my dress looks seamless but I can tell it's fading away  like a mirage but not to the point of being transparent, like a light bulb about to go out.

A few more blocks of building pass by, barely paying attention to any of them with my sole focus being the exact direction where I’d left Alice.

Flying over quickly shortens the distance considerably… in the short few seconds…

But it's still… Not enough…

I’m only…

half way there…

…Oh no. I’m quite close to hitting the— 

Just before I plummet into a building, something wraps around me tightly, putting a halt to my crashing descent.

‘This sensation…’ As I was about to pass out, I could tell there were two pairs of hands—enveloping me in a full bear hug.

I jerk in a panic, struggling all the while until my eyes lay on someone familiar who caught me. We tumble into the ground, rolling together like clay mixing together dizzily; the girl grunted with effort to use the force to stand back up, her shoes resisting with friction against the force of the impact.

The girl with raven black hair, and very tired brown eyes yet with an intense unwavering focus, holding a constant stoic expression as sweat dribbles down her forehead, breathing heavily. 

Alice.

Holding—carrying me like an oversized bundle, my drifting mind meets her eye to eye and I can’t help but think as my mind turns black—

‘…I’m so glad to… see you.’