V.

The atmosphere was as clear, with the howling of wind beneath and above them at the same time. Madoka's ears popped, but it was enough to shake her out of the strange vision from before. Trees and icy rocks tumbled downhill in the wake of Audrey's deadly magic spell. As she peered over the blasted stones, a clear view of a valley lay under a blanket of thin clouds, with its greens layered under a stretched cotton. Above her, the twisted sky returned to a blue sky with a sleepy sun hanging lazily in the sky. Surely, they had nothing to worry about the avalanche they caused since they were not going down there, right? She worried, but she heard breathing huff behind her and hurried and eager steps approach.

"Wow," Audrey exclaimed. The blue skies could not compare to the beauty of her eyes, even if those same eyes glowed with a burning fury when she blew up the side of this mountain a moment before. "You can see everything here, huh. There, that speck of brown is our next stop after... Don't look at me like that! It's a town! We'll be able to figure out what the heck we want to do in there."

Madoka squinted at the town. It did not seem to be set on fire.

"Furthermore," Audrey paced triumphantly, motioning to her chest. "I am no longer a level one support mage! Now, I am a level TWO support mage!"

"P-Please," Madoka begged. "Not another fireball."

"Fireball?" Audrey scoffed incredulously. "That wasn't a fireball, I merely ignited oxygen, added more and threw hydrogen in the mix before—"

"None of that, please!" Madoka snapped. "How did you even get that strong? You had one ring around your heart and now there's two— Oh, that's what a level up means."

Audrey spun and her "improved" core burst to life. The two bands were pure blue rings of magic but swirled with different colors, mystifying Madoka. Never once did they collide with each other, dancing in a perfect and precise rhythm. She wondered if they changed colors depending on her mood.

"I cultivated mana. Well, not cultivate, but that's the best term I could come up with," Audrey tried to explain. "It's kind of like, well, focusing your soul as a bubble and stuffing as much mana into it while trying to not make it pop. Okay, look, it's just really difficult to explain! Trust me!"

Madoka stared at her blankly.

"Don't judge me!" Audrey sighed. "This is worse than explaining my magic ring to those mages back in the day. They stared in awe. Apparently, my magic is unique to everyone. Isn't that cool? Hello? React or something!"

Madoka did not utter a word and only intensified her stare the best she could.

"I think I see a black hole whenever I absorb too much mana," Audrey pouted before continuing. "Like a huge soul trying to reach out and absorb my own soul. Gazing into it makes me feel like I'll die but that's a minor side effect of leveling up. I'm going to try and do it again!"

"Audrey Elise Dalion," Madoka warned her sternly.

"Eep! Okay, okay!" Audrey whined. "I won't do it unless I know I can survive. Speaking of surviving... This guy did not survive."

She took a molten and mottled talisman out of her bag. Madoka recognized the halo floating above it but it was now bent and missing half of itself.

"What did you do to it? D-Don't we need that?"

"I was told to use it as a sort of, fuel, for my magic core," Audrey shrugged. "Before you get on my case, Ares said it was okay! The talisman helped me get enough mana to make a breakthrough!"

"If that's what the kind god desires," Madoka supposed. She had no idea what Audrey truly meant. An idol used as a sacrifice to its own deity? The concept evaded her understandings.

Soon, the two were marching up mountain's stone path towards the Wind Serpent God's temple. The thought of that strange serpentine talisman came to her mind. Oh yeah, she remembered. That was the one Audrey was afraid to use. She realized the path they walked on were the rooftops of the Frost Queen's Hall. Dirt and exposed stone, she grumbled as she walked on. They trudged along for awhile and found shelter underneath a crag in the mountainside. The sun began to set like an incandescent giant crashing to sleep beyond the horizon. No thoughts of animals disturbed this holy mountain, Madoka observed silently while Audrey looked at the space. She stopped and channeled her storage portal, seemingly satisfied with their location.

"We'll rest here for tonight. Help me out okay? Or do you prefer your box?"

Madoka silently pulled the tent from the portal and quietly swept the dirty snow out with a broom. She was truly tired. The trip in the Hall of Pelé took a lot out of her.

"Hey, does that hurt?" Audrey blurted as she traced the rune on her arm. Her finger still felt warm to the touch through her cloak. "Lemme see, lemme see!"

Audrey grabbed Madoka's cloak and tried to roll it off but she shoved the former princess off effortlessly and scoffed.

"Nae waaah!" Audrey whined as she fell on her butt. "I wanna see it!"

"So impatient...!" Madoka tore her sleeve down and revealed the dangerous marking on her shoulder. "See?"

"Hmm," Audrey peeked at it from different angles. "We're matching. Kind of!"

She tore her own shirt down and revealed her own shoulder. A wriggling mark twitched her skin before retreating away. Madoka blushed at the sight of her skin.

"Get back here, you little!" Audrey slapped her back, unaware of the effect her skin's beauty had on Madoka. "When you were in your box, your shoulder started glowing like mad! This must be a gift from Ares."

"The Frost Queen gave it to me, not Ares," Madoka said. "She did not tell me what it does."

"Of course she didn't," Audrey waved her hands above her head in exasperation. "Why would a kind god do such a convenient thing for us mortals? Still, Madoka. This rune looks wicked. It's tough and blood red. It's so cool!"

"I-I thought red runes were bad," Madoka stammered. Audrey broke into laughter.

"Yeah! Bad as in bad-ass!" She laughed. "It's good to be a bad-ass!"

Madoka's head began to get dizzy from Audrey's contradictions so she did not press for an explanation and instead dove into the tent. Audrey muttered something but the maid already fell fast asleep.

She was in a dream world of that ineffable being. How arrogant, she thought. In the moment she beheld its mysterious presence, her words wilted on her tongue and the light of her own rationality slipping back into a forever-blemished darkness. Madoka struggled, feeling the creature's eyes shift their infinite gaze upon her, hearing its name, Conqueror. Tentacles grasped her legs, dragging her back into—

"Madoka," a soothing voice called for her. She felt warm hands tugging her feet. She felt sore.

"A bed," Madoka suddenly sprang up, nearly pulling apart the tent's thick leather. "I want a bed— oh, forgive me, Your Audrey. Er, Elise Audrey. High Audrey. Whatever."

"Good morning, sleepyhead," Audrey smiled. Madoka groaned. This was probably how Audrey felt most mornings. "How'd you sleep?"

"Terribly," Madoka answered. A hand stuck through the tent holding a plate of food.

"Come on out and eat!" Audrey said from outside. The smell of cooked meat enticed her, so she begrudgingly crawled out of the tent. It was more of the bear. Audrey stayed quiet for most of her meal before asking a question. "How are you holding up?"

"I am your servant," Madoka stated. But her lips quivered as she tried to put on a stoic face. Audrey's look pushed her to the brink of admission. She sank in her friend's gaze. "It's just that... Thing in the ice. I-I never thought I would be so close to gods. I'm so small and unworthy."

She trailed off. Audrey got up and stretched then paced under the starlight. Her blonde hair strands danced in the breeze. Perhaps in a year she will get to brush it, Madoka thought. If she survived this all.

"Our business is not to know all things, Madoka," Audrey looked up at the moons. "As rational creatures, we ought to govern our own selves and not be troubled over things that slip by."

Madoka grunted, feeling that the tone of her voice was supposed to comfort her.

"Was that Locke? Maybe it was... Lovecraft?" Audrey mused. "Sometimes things are just absurd. Like that creature in the wall of ice, threatening to thrust you in a realm of powerlessness. Should you just give up? 'Cos you feel like you're too far in the deep end?"

Madoka simply sat back, listening to Audrey's pretty words and not really understanding them as usual.

"When I first gazed into the abyss while that talisman burned in my fist, I thought I was going to die. 'Really, what a let down,' I thought. I wanted to retreat into the darkness but suddenly I started thinking of home, of my past, of you. The woman of my dreams. Then I started fighting in the orbit and dropping my thoughts. You probably do that in battles. But, uh, it was a first time for me."

"You're always in your head, Audrey," Madoka chuckled. Something about Audrey saying she was the woman of her dreams took her far back before all of this.

"Sometimes we need a bigger light or a scary unknown that makes us remember what we can truly do with the stars and dreams we see, Madoka," Audrey squeezed her hand. Even though there were magical flames, her hands were more than enough to warm Madoka's own. "Sometimes being scared of the unknown is the best for making stuff up and forging your own path. Improvise!"

"Improvise?" Madoka was reminded of Lord Leopride's lesson on being unpredictable. He used that word a lot.

"It means being creative, making things up in a fight or in uncertain situations as you go," Audrey leaned in. She was so close! "Psst! If you wanna hear it from me, a level 2 support mage: Fighting fair is lame!"

"I think I finally found out what I truly feel," Madoka finally admitted with her voice low. "You are the most scariest thing I know of. More scarier than the beast below the ice."

"I'm not that ugly! I hope!" Audrey was about to complain but an unholy and intense roar echoed from above them. Madoka heard something like the flapping of a thousand wet bed sheets fluttering in a gale. Audrey's flame flickered to ashes as the air grew colder suddenly. She pointed over the cliff at something. She realized that she did not hear any thoughts from whatever or whoever made that roar.

Madoka gasped and pointed. The head of a massive flying beast burst out the fog towards the top of the mountain. It had scales and a reptilian body with wings that stretched far into the night. Another roar shook the place as a storm began to form.

"W-What was that thing?" Audrey gasped as the raging storm began to expand straight to them. They quickly threw the tent in the portal and prepared for the storm. The two could feel static brush their skin, as the beast was clearly getting closer.

"A dragon," Madoka simply said as she started to pull out her axe but realized it would be impossible to get close to it. "A-Amazing."

"D-Don't suppose it will let us go, right?" Audrey said.

"Nope," Madoka said. The massive beast hovered over the hillside where they were headed. Its eyes glowed yellow as it seemed to beckon them to it. "Did you get any rest, Audrey?"

"Eh," Audrey chuckled nervously as the two observed the beast. It was much larger than the bear. Madoka caught a glimpse of a brutal tail and sharp claws before it became cloaked in green wind magic and dark clouds. "D-Don't hate me, but... Yeah, I slept when you dove into the tent."

"Dude," Madoka muttered. The dragon unleashed its roar as an invitation to its trial.

"You're gonna 'dude' me right now?" Audrey complained, but suddenly was cut off by a strong blast. "Of course, the damn dungeon was missing a boss fight!"

Wind slashed trees and boulders, cutting Madoka's cheek. Audrey covered her face as the air currents only worsened. At this rate, they would get blown off the mountain! They barely made it behind a nearby boulder that withstood the dragon's attack. She swore to herself and wiped the blood off her cheek.

"Well. Got any bright ideas?" She asked Audrey. The creature was flying and launching wind attacks at whatever it wanted.

"Yeah, sure," Audrey complained. "Have we tried running yet? No way we'll defeat a dragon!"

"Come on," Madoka cracked her knuckles. The dragon roared and emitted a shock wave of wind and snow. Debris pelted the rock they hid behind. "Let's put your pretty words to the test!"

"That's not what I...!" Audrey shook her head and sighed. Madoka looked at her intently and then Audrey swore. "Fine! Let's do this. Can you hear its thoughts?"

Madoka shook her head no.

"Great. Well it's a big target but what if I make it mad by hurting it?"

"Then let's make it angrier," Madoka spoke darkly, curling her hair back as the wind grew worse.

The large beast closed on them with a roar. At least it was kind enough to warn them with its noisiness, giving them the chance to duck. As it swooped low it slashed at them, narrowly missing the boulder it swiped at. Her ears could not register if it made contact with the stone. Did it miss? How did it miss? She wondered. Was it blind? Suddenly, the boulder sliced in two perfect halves. Kind gods, Madoka groaned. It was rather obvious they would not survive a single hit from it but now it was clear as the moonlight. She felt a tug in the snow. Audrey!

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Audrey was losing her footing in the storm winds. Madoka pulled her back down and stared up at it. Both girls leaned into the winds and managed to stay upright. They were eventually able to huddle behind another mound of ice.

"Gimme a bow," Madoka said. She has chased many things out of the kitchen in the Estate, including birds. She knew how inconvenient a flying animal was and wished for something long ranged to get rid of the pesky ones. Just picture the dragon as a... large bird, right? What am I doing? She snapped out of it.

"Do you think you could shoot it down with that?" Audrey said, looking skeptically at Madoka as she prepared her weapons. She found it hard to track the beast within the foggy storm.

"No," Madoka said. "But that's where your magic helps, level two support mage."

Audrey contemplated for a moment but the dragon did not wait for them to formulate a plan. Madoka's spine tingled as she sensed an incoming attack, with static zigzagging up her arms and stinging her skin.

"Let's get going!" Madoka pulled Audrey. A beam of green wind tore through the mountainside from the dragon's maw, letting loose a high pitched scream. The ice they ran from burst into pieces from the pressurized blast. The wind helped them skip along in its current and they skidded to a halt after the beam magic ceased its barrage. "Finally. Attack!"

Audrey channeled intense blue flames from her hand and released it towards the dragon. For a second, the two watched the projectile fly towards the raging beast but instead the storm vaporized the flames.

"You gotta be kiddin' me," Audrey groaned over the wind. Madoka caught a glimpse of something shining within Audrey's bag.

"Your bag, Audrey!" Madoka pointed at it.

"What?" Audrey mouthed, before checking her bag. The bag shuddered violently in the wind but it had to be a talisman. The wind shimmered all around them as she took the glowing serpentine talisman out. This feeling and overwhelming killing intent, Madoka focused on her surroundings. The dragon was charging another attack but where could they run?

They were out in the wide open! Simple trees would not stop an attack that can split mountain boulders. Audrey looked at the talisman incredulously.

"Really? Okay, then!" She spoke to it.

"What are you doing, Audrey?"

"I-I'm going to use the talisman. Stay with me!" Audrey shouted. "I just have to time this—"

The dragon released another deadly beam of magic on their position. Madoka supported Audrey's back as the Wind magic came crashing towards them. A low humming sounded as the talisman started to glow like the twin moons. Traces of white strands gathered around Audrey's hands and then expanded outward, constructing an aura just in time. A shield? Madoka was flooded with a small moment of relief. The blast of wind split apart and threatened to break through the shield.

Her eardrums thundered heavily, but Madoka dug her heels in and nocked an arrow. Twenty three arrows remained in her quiver. She must make them count. She stepped out from behind Audrey and let an arrow fly through the talisman's aura. To her surprise, Wind magic surrounded the arrow as it passed through it. The empowered arrow screamed into a tree and destroyed a chunk of ice with ease. It actually pierced the storm and flew?

"Hey, I need a little help here!" Audrey screamed as the beam attack from the dragon converged on them. Madoka put her back on Audrey's, but the force from the attack was pushing them dangerously close towards the edge of the cliff side.

I will be the pillar of support which she can lean against! Madoka thought defiantly as she prepared another arrow. Releasing it after the dragon made it reel back into the night heavens.

"Do you think you can use wind magic to aid my arrows?" She called out above the wind. She pulled Audrey before she could answer to another ice chunk. The wind seemed to be freezing different spots for them to hide behind.

"I think this talisman can do that," Audrey shouted back, adjusting her cloak and hood. "Y-Your face!"

"Don't worry about my face!" Madoka protested but after seeing her friend's concern she scoffed. "Worry for it after, okay? No doubt it's going for another attack."

The two struggled to stand in the blistering storm but they knew the dragon was on the move again. This meager shield will have to do, but Audrey's presence was enough for her to remain focused. The princess said not a word and she realized that the trust was mutual.

Madoka scanned for a clear view of the beast and caught its magnificent form push aside the clouds above the treeline. Its silver scales reflected snow and moonlight, coated with a green shimmering aura. The creature reeled back, and was preparing to attack them again! She looked at the princess, and the two nodded silently. Audrey held up her talisman and used more of her magic. Dagger sharp rocks pelted the wind shield it manifested, brought on by the mere movement of the dragon's presence. Madoka swatted them off of herself. She will repay that trust!

Madoka looked to the swaying of trees caused by this jeopardous storm and could track the wind currents. If she aimed into them, she could arc the shot into the dragon.

"You are what stands between us and the summit," she gritted her teeth and prepared another arrow. "Go back to fairy tale stories, where you belong!"

As if it heard her, the creature charged at them, wrapped in its green aura. She took aim and fired the arrow through the talisman's shield a distance away from where the dragon was headed. A sharp hiss struck her ear as the arrow launched. She realized it became infused with the talisman's wind magic! The arrow followed what she predicted, curving in the wind and connecting with her target!

"Take another! And another!" Madoka growled, launching more arrows. The creature squealed. Through its green aura, the silver scales on its back were stained with molten blood. Good, although she was surprised that she was able to do damage to the beast. There was no time to think about such things between dodging and warding off debris. She was lucky Audrey was able to keep up with her with a surprising amount of strength! Madoka felt the quiver once more for an arrow, only to realize that the one she held was the last one. She had to make this last one count. The dragon became an easier target, and its flight patterns have slowed from erratic paths.

Violent shaking was heard in the air as it flew high above. In the brief moment before it returned with another beam of magic, Madoka caught a sight of Audrey's double magic core. It was flickering with one of the bands fading completely. Every moment counted as both girls braced for the impact. Magic collided against magic in a violent tempest. The light from the explosion blinded her. The dragon's final breath attack was much more intense! An enormous crater took them off their balance but the shield remained.

"Madoka do something!" Audrey screamed. Blood and dirt from the wind slashing her skin showed, and the horror settled upon her skin. "I can't hold it for too long!"

Forget the wings, she growled. Its head seemed especially armored, but she could see its maw was exposed from launching the devastating attack. Adjust for the wind, Madoka breathed in her first and second Cherish technique. Just as she fired, something collided violently into her side.

"Audrey!" Madoka screamed as the impact caused her to lose balance and her world became disoriented as she flung into the storm.

Madoka groped for anything to hold onto. She grit her teeth and crashed through several trees. She had already done this before with the bear! If she could groan, she would. The ice was covering her arms quickly, but she managed to plunge her axe into the ground. She dangled and flapped about like a sail in a hurricane from hanging onto her axe. She cannot let go, even if her arm was shattered to pieces! The winds were dying down, dropping Madoka to the ground as if she was released carelessly by a giant hand. She could not move anything, but she still struggled to stand defiantly to the dragon that dare threaten her princess. Wait. Where was she?

A heavy boot and a ragged Audrey stepped in front of her. She survived! The core of her magic was glowing crimson red. Was it the killing intent propelling the magical rings' blazing malice? Or was it a case of her running out of energy and being desperate? Madoka watched her friend channel into the shield once more. She scanned the landscape, a once snow-laden and peaceful mountainside untouched by anyone now carved to pieces by magic attack. There in the center of a crater lay the dragon. It was squealing in pain as blood and wind pulsed out in streams from the many arrows that stuck put from its side. The final arrow was lodged in its eye, but its others locked in at them.

"It's health has got to be pretty low by now," Audrey breathed as the shield flickered into nonexistence. "I'm going to--"

The beast screamed and its wings burst into light. It launched into a desperate flight for one final desperate measure as it prepared to crash into them. Madoka got up. She was certain her arm was broken but she did not care. It was preparing to charge and she knew Audrey and her shield was not coming back.

"You're hurt, Madoka!" Audrey screamed. "What are you doing? We gotta move!"

"I... Am..." Madoka uttered those words as she pulled her axe out of the ground with her offhand. "Improvising!"

She shoved a screaming Audrey out of the way, ignoring the cracking in her broken arm. The beast careened and shrieked at the girl who dared to stand against it. Madoka swung her axe and as soon as she made contact with the oncoming beast's wing her world went black.

"Madoka!" A voice echoed out. Madoka felt like she blinked, but the view of Audrey's dirty face crouched over her. She could see her own blood paint the snow in splotches stretched across the snow in certain spots. She must have bounced multiple times off of the ground from taking that dragon attack. Audrey sat next to her, the Six Armed Talisman in her hand. "Heal my reckless friend please!"

"S-Sorry," Madoka mumbled. They were alive!

"You animal!" Audrey cried. "Wasn't it you that said you have your heart leaping out with worry for me? You could have died!"

The healing restored her arm and she noticed something peculiar. The rune was burning on her shoulder in a fiery red glow. Come to think of it... did it help her in battle?

"What do you have to say for yourself?" Audrey fake scolded her maid. They were near the edge of the cliff side, but there was not a dragon in sight. The Hall of the Frost Queen had scars of destroyed rock and ice tracing along its slopes from their battle, and Madoka felt a little guilty for ruining Pelé's home.

"Aaaaaa I'm sorry!" Madoka apologized as the former princess grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her. Why does she feel a sense of déjà vu?

A loud stomping noise came from below them. The two looked at each other and groaned. That damn dragon survived as well!

"There!" Madoka pointed, but she was too weak to hold up her arm. A one winged dragon was pulling itself back onto the cliff side, screeching and howling. It was a bloody mess, a remnant from its former glory. Seeing its desecrated state filled Madoka with an odd sense of dread and pride at the same time.

"Let me get this, okay?" Audrey assured the maid. The core flickered around her heart, but Madoka had no choice but to allow her to. As the dragon's bloody maw was preparing another magic attack, Audrey herself was charging two azure fire spells in both palms of her hand as well. "Eat this, you stupid lizard!"

"It's a dragon," Madoka muttered, but shielded her eyes because she knew what would happen next. The two fireballs launched much quicker than the dragon's own wind magic, splitting the beams in half and created a brilliant explosion.

Audrey dove on top of Madoka as the blast of her magic continued its onslaught. A grunt escaped her, but Audrey still was quite warm to the touch as she held on watching the outline of the large one winged dragon fall down into the depths below in the midst of the explosion.

"Whew..." Audrey breathed as she attempted to roll off Madoka, but she tugged her back onto her chest. "M-Madoka?"

"We did it?" She whispered.

"We did it," Audrey whispered back excitedly. "We. Are. Dragonslay—"

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

The ground immediately started to rumble as something more violent pulled up viciously from below.

VI.

"It looks like it ain't dead yet," Audrey said as she got up.

The two both sighed collectively. Madoka barely had time to retrieve her axe before a familiar and terrifying feeling overwhelmed her senses. Audrey felt it as well this time, tensing up. Madoka was running thin on weaponry. She realized the bow she had was shattered and the axe looked like it was on the verge of breaking after cleaving that wing.

"Say," Madoka mused as they attempted to scramble away from the pulling sensation. The pressure was beginning to overwhelm the entire cliff side.

"Huh?"

"Nevermind," Madoka said. Obviously she cut the beast's wing off but getting it in the storage portal seemed like an ordeal.

"I already stored the wing, Madoka," Audrey sighed. She could read her thoughts like an open book.

"Really?" Madoka asked. Her excitement was cut short by a large cracking sound. The two looked at each other. "Uh oh."

The ground quaked and began to descend towards whatever was causing that terrifying pressure. The two tried to scramble up the falling cliff but it was too late. Madoka slid downward and saw a gaping violet and black portal hovering in the depths where the dragon fell. Was it summoning that?

"Madoka!" Audrey screamed. Madoka felt herself being absorbed into the portal. She held tightly onto the cliff side but it was useless. The crack further up shattered and the girls plummeted down to the portal.

This feeling...! Madoka realized that she felt this way falling into the Conqueror's eye. Was the dragon pulling them into itself? Wind and ice splashed her face and she gritted her teeth. They were going to find out soon, she thought as a wave of nausea overtook her and her vision streamed into blackness.

No, she refused to shutdown now.

Though, she felt like she was being forced through a tight tunnel. Her persistence struggled as whatever had its pull on the maid released shortly after. Madoka crashed on solid ground. Something sent prickles on her skin, making her sit up. Wild grass? No snow? She glanced around, unsure of this unknown territory she was forced into. Everything was covered in an ominous lurid light.

It was only when she glanced to the sky that she noticed it. The sun itself was black, glowing with a malevolent purple that cast its sinister light over the land in this world. No sign of the dragon or whatever summoned that portal anywhere near her. There were ruins of destroyed castle walls near her but even closer someone lay face first in the dirt.

"Audrey!" Madoka crawled over. The ominous glow shadowed over everything, flickering with pale white flashes as the black sun through its weight on everyone. She pushed the body over and screamed. A skull faced her, crumbling to dust under the atmosphere's oppressive aura.

"Here!" Audrey's voice called out. Madoka shuddered after she peaked at more skeletons lying in what appeared to be a field between the castle ruins. "Hurry!"

She did not have to hear Audrey's urges twice. Madoka found her huddling in what appeared to be a sunken rampart. Weapons were strewn about on the ground but they did not seem suitable for use at first glance. How horribly untidy of whoever left them there! People can trip over those things!

"W-Where are we?" Madoka shook out of her compulsiveness, and was about ask again but Audrey pointed out an opening.

"Beats me," Audrey shrugged. "Some kind of magic shenanigans is happening in this place. Gravity's all twisted up at the edge over there. You see that?"

Madoka followed her finger out to what appeared to be a battlefield engulfed by the awful purple and black light of the "sun." As Madoka looked around she could see the land become twisted and distorted at its borders. Trees, rocks and even some of the castles threatened to collapse into the depths. However; they did not sink below into whatever void was beyond, but instead began to float off into the heavens. This place was evil. The hateful sun simply floated in the sky and beckoned the destroyed terrain into its maw.

"I guess the dragon put us in its own dimension," Audrey stated, but smacked her forehead. "What the hell am I even saying?"

"Dimension?"

"A subspace, of sorts. I read a lot about these things in science fiction novels," Audrey sighed and simply resigned herself. "Like a cupboard that no one else can use, or the storage talisman for example—"

Something moved in the middle of the battlefield, shaking off weapons and skeletons. The night sky as a storm began to swell with wisps of shadows wrapping around the floating structures and ruins. Madoka found it difficult to concentrate, but she recognized the creature. It was the dragon!

A sudden connection in her memories stirred. When she met the Frost Queen, she ended up in a strange realm like this one. Could this be something similar? She had to cast the guessing aside when the roar of the beast shook the ruins they crouched behind. It was in agony, squealing and writhing but still Madoka could not hear its thoughts. She has never come across such an unsightly creature, nor could ever dream of doing anything that could harm it, and yet here she was.

"Jesus," Audrey muttered, breaking the silence. "Just how big is this dragon's health bar? It's only got one wing now!"

"Then let's tear the other one off," Madoka growled, drawing her axe and inspecting it. The blade looked like it had little life left.

"What are you," her friend was suddenly shocked by Madoka's determined declaration. "Some kind of war machine? Battle junkie?"

"Can you use magic still?" she asked, undeterred by her comments. Audrey's core flickered like a dying candle. It was barely able to illuminate anything in front of her.

"Not really," Audrey sighed. "I-I'll see what I can do."

"Be careful," Madoka did not want to know what would happen if those magic circles broke completely. One of Audrey's explosions came to her mind and the thought made her shudder.

"Yeah, yeah," Audrey scrutinized her. "I'm useless again but I promise—"

"That's not what I was thinking," Madoka snapped. "We got to get arrows or a way closer."

Another roar shook the ground, tearing the ruins apart. Weapons from ancient racks cluttered on the ground. They dove into the haze and crouched behind more weapon racks and piles of skeletons. They were probably soldiers and meals for that beast, she studied it. She prayed to the kind gods that it did not spot them yet.

Madoka noticed some of the weapons around them had faint traces of golden chains surrounding their blades. The weapons without any golden aura crumbled and wore rust, having lost their purpose ages ago. History lay in ruins here, she thought as she inspected one of the glowing blades with her hand. The end of an empire or something, she recalled the Frost Queen said that phrase awhile ago. The blade fit comfortably in her hand, and more strands of golden light swirled around it.

Luckily, the blade did not shock her, but she knew it had little life left. These odd manifestations of power made Madoka uneasy. Perhaps she could use magic all along, but she hoped it was the magic of these items that called to her instead. She scooped several swords up and strapped them underneath her cloak. Audrey evidently did not see the properties of these weapons but did not question her maid.

These will do, she thought as she strode by Audrey.

"I-I'll give it my best shot!"

Madoka could hear Audrey chasing after her. If she could not see any glowing arrows, she would have to get close and personal with that mighty beast. The view of its massive body writhing in anguish was darkened by the evil sun. She brought a finger to her lips and silenced Audrey as they snaked between piles of armor and destroyed buildings. Was the beast throwing a tantrum? Its odd behavior enthralled them for a moment, but it was preoccupied enough for them to get closer. They began to sneak behind it, but suddenly it stopped its roaring, twisting its neck towards their direction. A loud crash of metal broke Madoka's concentration. She turned and saw Audrey awkwardly standing over a pile of clanking armor. It was obvious that she kicked it over by accident. Two glowing yellow eyes pierced through the haze in their direction. The master of this dungeon had discovered them.

Madoka groaned.

"Uh, whoopsie," Audrey stammered starkly. "Run!"

Instead of using magic, the beast lunged a baleful claw at them. Madoka leapt away and Audrey pulled the serpentine talisman out. The claw tore through the air, leaving a spray of purple, ominous sparks. Stumbling over piles of debris, she turned and witness a large series of explosions blaze in a trail from the dragon's swipe. The magic engulfed Audrey's glowing shield.

"Audrey!"

The dragon began to charge at them again, but its target was Madoka. She growled and dove out the way as the creature crashed over ruins of walls and piles of skeletons. The commotion and the sound of hissing air shook her heart. She felt a perilous terror creep on her, but forced it away by following her Cherish breathing and training. While the beast was slow and weakened from their previous battle, she knew she could not stay for long. Those sparks were growing in intensity and her gut told her that they were ready to explode.

Madoka was running out of room to run.

"You stay away from her, you bully!" Audrey's voice called out. Madoka could recognize the ethreal tone of her voice calling out magic. She knew she had to regroup quickly or else she would get swept up in both the dragon's volatile swipes and Audrey's needlessly large explosive spell.

Kind gods, she thought desperately as she scanned for a way out. It was too late. She watched as Audrey released a jet of blue flames aimed at the dragon. Madoka heard a deafening combination of roaring and rumbling. Shielding her eyes with a fluttering sleeve, Madoka dove to the ground. Her teeth rattled as the magic battle continued. The spells intensified, but to her surprise the dragon blocked Audrey's spells with its claws and more of the strange sparks released from its swiping. She was blinded by the colorful detonation of many spells so she crept behind the dragon. She could not help but feel like she was the useless one in this fight.

"Hey, Mad!" Audrey yelled out for her from somewhere behind all the explosions. "Get up on the hydra's back, Madoka!"

"Mad?" Madoka recovered, the sheer shock of the embarrassing nickname taking her out of her head. "H-Hydra?"

It was not like Audrey could hear her embarrassment, but the massive beast was now facing her friend. Madoka unsheathed one of the swords from her cloak. It was time to test these ancient weapons out and protect her friend! The dragon's tail was swishing erratically like a loose string from a mop, but she did not have the time to wait for an opening.

She leapt and felt the force of the tail's strength beat into her chest as she latched on. This must have been the most violent hill she has ever traversed! The beast was too preoccupied with Audrey's magic to notice her. She might as well be an insect on her adversary's back. The beast's armored scales threatened to slice her if she held on wrong for even a moment. The length of its tail must have been as long as one of the Estate's hallways! The creature noticed her and began to try and shake her off, but Madoka's grip was strong. She's grappled with Audrey long before a dragon, she could not be thrown off so easily!

She straddled a gap of scales on its spine and roared.

"This is it!" Madoka raised the glowing sword above her head and plunged its blade between a weak spot with as much strength as she could muster. The sword punctured flesh but shattered at the tip. A low, moan of pain emitted from the dragon and it shook violently. The rune on her shoulder began to burn, enraging her. "And another!"

Madoka stabbed again using another sword, until a bloody bouquet of golden blades stuck out from the same spot.

"Rah!" the dragon's voice gurgled, breaking Madoka's concentration. It was speaking? It sounded almost like pained speech but the shaking was too much. Her grip lost control, and she felt the wind and ominous sparks scraping her skin as she plummeted under the ominous sky. Was a kind god watching them? No, it can't be, Madoka spun through the air, but the voice continued. The ground was getting perilously closer! "Gra....vi..."

"Madoka!" She heard Audrey shout from below her. She was not trying to catch her, was she? Madoka thought, but realized Audrey was warning her. She turned her head and saw the dragon's claws crashing down on her like a falling tower. "Go!"

"Go?" Madoka asked herself, certain she was going to die. "Go where?"

A gust of green magical wind blasted against Madoka. Kind gods, she groaned as the magic collided against her body. The claw narrowly missed Madoka as she was slammed by Audrey's spell. The princess saved her! She heard a pained speech again, certain that it was the dragon.

"Be mine, O Gravity!" Roared a deep, male voice. The impact of its meteoric claw crushed the ground, leaving a powdered mess of ancient armor and rocks. Madoka twisted her view as she processed that the dragon was speaking. Something was shimmering in the center of its back from where she stabbed it. "Hng!"

"Audrey!" She called out weakly. Audrey was not amidst that crater. The ground was glowing as a spell circle expanded outward from the crater. Confusion terrorized Madoka. What was it casting?

It was still chanting in a language that overpowered Madoka's ears, but she saw the effects of the spell happen as the spell circle reached where Madoka floated. Floated? Madoka realized that her descent ceased and she was engulfed in a disorienting weightlessness. The magic covered the whole grassy plains, and the view of the place greeted her. The dragon's domain seemed to be a island trapped in a void. Her stomach began to churn as she rose higher and higher.

"Audrey!" Madoka called. Floating debris and skeletons passed by her as she searched for the girl.

"Oh, so that wasn't you," Audrey's voice called out. She was distracted in a time like this? Madoka sighed. "I was, like, that voice was way too deep to be Madoka."

"Do you really think my voice is that—"

Before the two could bicker as they floated above the calamity below, the dragon started to hum. Audrey glanced upward at the evil sun above them which was getting closer. But Madoka noticed the dragon had a ring of raging magic around what she assumed was its heart. Another feeling tightened her throat. It was getting harder to breathe! Madoka gulped in air. Audrey was trying to propel herself with her legs like she was swimming in the air, mouthing something at Madoka.

She made some odd gestures but threw an exasperated look at Madoka's confused expression.

"Just do whatever," Madoka mouthed back. Audrey pointed at the axe and made a throwing motion at the dragon. The dragon was not giving them any time and the spell circle was glowing more intensely by the second. She wanted her to throw her axe at the dragon. Got it, Madoka guessed but it was too difficult to move. A sickening crunch distracted her, and horror filled her as she saw the debris above them stretching infinitely into the black sun. Heat pushed on her face, and she saw Audrey's core flared even brighter. Oh no, Madoka groaned. Before she could protest, a gust of rushing Wind magic struck her body.

This again! Madoka flung straight towards the dragon. That princess...! That spell hurt even more than the previous one! As she began to plummet she realized she could use the axe to cut down the dragon! How brilliant, she wanted to complain but Audrey's spell did not let up. She must have used everything in that spell! Madoka crunched her teeth and raised her axe above her head.

"You were a formidable opponent. Therefore, I will pay you back for all the trouble you caused us!" Madoka spun in the air using Audrey's winds. She closed her eyes and roared as she descended upon the dragon like a falling star, but her axe caught flesh and the sickening sound of cutting wormed itself in her ears. She aimed for the head.

The resistance caught Madoka and she lost her grip. She closed her eyes expecting the worse the ground had to offer and shielded her face for the incoming pain. The humming cacophony from the spell circle faded.

"Gust!" Audrey called from above. Madoka felt the wind burst upward against her face, catching her like a net before she tumbled onto the dirt.

She spat out dirt and rolled over to see what she had done to the dragon. The wing was gone and the axe was embedded in the beast's neck. It twitched and the beast gurgled out fountains of dark red blood and purple sparks blasted out of its wounds. Madoka had to crawl back quickly to avoid its death throes. Its inhalations became desperate and ragged as it thrashed the dirt and the sparks. After some time the grim spectacle slowed to a halt as the dragon raised one clawed limb skyward to the abyssal sun.

"Madoka!" Audrey landed in a gust of her own magic and rushed to Madoka. All she could do is point at the dragon. It stood upright on its once mighty hind legs reaching skyward with its front claw. There was something more noticeable than the axe hanging out its wing. An ominous feeling twisted her mind as she noticed a magic ring around the center of its chest, glowing prominently like Audrey's own core.

The whole beast began to make a sickening, crumbling sound. Madoka drew the last glowing sword she took from the ground and Audrey leapt behind her readying her core. The corpse shook before bursting into harmless light, raining wisp-like feathers upon the grass. Madoka instinctively covered Audrey and prepared for whatever sinister thing it planned next. Its wing and claws were left falling off the earth's edge. Only an odd shape lay motionless in the pools of blood.

"Is that a person?" Audrey suddenly gasped and started running over to it.

"W-wait!" Madoka turned in anticipation and saw a small figure falling from where the dragon's head used to be. Both girls approached the small being nervously, never once did they let their guard down. The person was definitely like the Frost Queen but appeared to be a small boy with pointed ears and scaly arms sprawled out in a crater created by the missing dragon's death. He was clad in a gossamer yet regal attire and covered in gruesome wounds. Those wounds Madoka herself inflicted.

"An elf?" Audrey kicked the boy over. It was Madoka's turn to gasp. She realized the boy must have been the dragon, covered with wounds, blood and burns. A magic ring slowly spun around his heart, matching its dying beat.

He opened his yellow eyes but they fogging over but Madoka put her blade to his throat. Instead of resisting, the boy whispered something Madoka could not understand.

"Sister? Mother?" Audrey suddenly responded incredulously. "Don't guilt trip me, YOU'RE the one who tried to kill us first."

A small smile revealed his fangs as he said something else. Audrey looked ghastly as the boy continued speaking. Madoka wondered since he was capable of speaking like the Frost Queen she could not read his thoughts, like other people like her. She felt her throat compact itself with guilt, for this whole time they were killing a young dragon and nearly lost their lives in the process.

"Audrey?" Madoka asked but the boy began to cough up blood as his body twisted hideously. Instinctively, she moved to stab the boy but the sun emitted a scream. A sinister black beam through him from the sky and forced the two to leap back.

Audrey said nothing as the boy was enveloped in the pale light melting until he was nothing but massive bones. Madoka could see the outline of something falling to the ground with the bones as they made a cluttered mess. The light faded. Audrey suddenly broke the silence with a mixture of disbelief and excitement.

"We're uh... dragon slayers?" She said quietly. Madoka stood shocked. "I-I'll explain what it said later, but we gotta go get those things. Woo!"

Loot? Madoka wondered as she followed her friend to where the boy died. There was an ominous, swirling mass writhing in an endless pit behind where its body was. Audrey paid it no mind as she excitedly scooped the dragon bones into the portal. Madoka caught the sight of a shimmering, exotic glow amidst the bones as she helped. It was a pitch black sphere, perfectly round with a glowing purple aura to it. Madoka had to pick it up with both hands.

"That's its heart," Audrey said. "C-Careful, it's heavy!"

"Heart?" Madoka put it in the portal. "I'm guessing the dragon told you that."

"Precisely, my friend!" Audrey dragged the last bone in the portal and sealed it shut. "Now then. We can rest for a second."

Madoka hated this place, but since the princess wanted to sit for a moment she simply relaxed. Audrey's skin was covered in dirt, but the odd light obscured most of the blemishes. Their clothes were ragged, she worried. The realm was peaceful, save for the ominous purple light beam piercing the evil sun from beneath the island. Oh, and the dark sky polluted with floating ruins. She held in a sigh, and tried to think positive while they rested for awhile. At least there was nothing trying to kill them anymore here. A question came to her mind, but she knew she was not going to like the answer.

"How do we get out of here?"

"Oh," Audrey put a hand to her chin in thought. She guided Madoka to the edge of the island they were on, where a massive and ominous portal sat below. She gulped but Audrey was unfazed. "Over here! LEEEROYYYY!"

Her voice echoed as she leapt off the side of the island directly into the portal. Madoka sighed and gulped. Kind gods, she had enough of falling from these recent days and hoped this would be the last time for awhile.

With a final breath, she leapt.

VII.

There was wind.

Madoka hurled through a slipstream of cold purples and dark blues. Her vision swirled with colors not quite correct, crammed through a lens of a small tunnel. Like a telescope with dazzling, translucent shards instead of focusing mirrors and lenses. Her cheeks were licked by turbulent air. Every inch of her body tried to separate into different categories of parts as she shook through the flight.

Bone from flesh.

Solids from squishy liquids.

Flesh from nerves.

Eyes from dark and light.

The twin moons gazing inward and outward in a spectacle of flashing and twinkling.

And memories rushing alongside her matching her fall. Those were all she was left with in the brief flight in the odd light. If the princess was on the other side of this godless place Madoka made it a priority to give her a piece of her mind when she got out, of each category. As the alien pull withdrew its grasp on her body, daylight patiently waited for her to crash through this bizarre aperture.

She slew a dragon in a realm not cut from the same cloth of her reality. The palace was her reality, but it was now replaced by months of snow and tough wind's blades whirled around her like splinters from smashed wood. Madoka was sure she crashed through several trees too. Her velocity was not slowed this time by wind nor spell. The pain meant nothing but it arrived quicker than her eyes could catch even a glimpse of snow.

Dirt and layers of snow slushed out beneath her bulk as her face met the ground.

"Shi—" Madoka groaned. She did not bother rolling over to check her surroundings.

Everything hurt and she was tired of everything. Was this how Audrey felt about this world?

"Madoka?" Footsteps crunched hurriedly towards her.

Speak of the devil, Madoka did not bother responding. Her concern was the payment from what she put the maid through. Technically, it's your fault, I wanted to run! Audrey's voice rang in her head. You're such a battle junkie! Sometimes the long amount of time Madoka has spent with her allowed her to predict what the princess was thinking or what she would say. That deep connection with Audrey disturbed Madoka a little.

"Please, no!" Audrey's hands felt Madoka. They were still warm, like comforting warmth like a campfire instead of a painful flame that leaves scars. She felt herself being flipped over. "Gods, no. Madoka?"

Madoka just looked up at Audrey and beheld her gaze beneath the sun and trees. When she moved to get her healing talisman Madoka forced her arms to grab the girl in for a long embrace. She found herself weeping. She had no idea why and at the same time many reasons to. There are a lot of things that can take these moments away from her for all of eternity.

Audrey did not say anything and remained there. The soft moan of the winds carried the both of them into night.

"Okay," Audrey said, finally moving off of Madoka. "Can you stand?"

Madoka's bones cracked when she moved them but she could get up. Audrey studied her movements and gave a satisfied look. She still felt embarrassed that someone of Audrey's status cared for her. Perhaps she will never get rid of that feeling.

"We seem to be in the same spot we were before we fell into that weird place," Audrey said looking around. "We'll get some rest here if its safe. Bet that dragon scared everything away for now."

"That dragon is dead, right?" Madoka breathed. "N-No more of that for now."

"Yes, Madoka," Audrey said. "You got us out of that situation yet again and I hit you with my—"

"It is good," Madoka interrupted her. "Your magic saved me. Who or what was that boy?"

Audrey was busy pulling the tent out when she stopped to think.

"That was the dragon's human form," she said. "I guess. Maybe the dragon was its alternate form. He called me his mother. Or sister. Or something like that. Could you believe that?"

"That sounds..." Madoka's voice trailed off into silence. The implications of Audrey being a mother was scary enough for her to shake in her boots from fear.

"I wonder why its magic worked like mine," Audrey looked down to where her heart was. "And why I could understand what it was saying. Perhaps there's dragon blood in me or something."

"Y-You, a dragon?" Madoka stuttered. The former princess looked herself over and shrugged.

"I dunno," she said. "I don't feel dragon-y. Dragonic? Draconic? Whatever. Do I look like one?"

"No," Madoka replied quickly. Audrey clicked her tongue in frustration. "W-Why do I get the feeling that you wanted to be a dragon?"

"It'd be cool! I could, like, fly and stuff!" Audrey twirled the tent's post upright and plunged it into the ground. Madoka rolled her eyes. Stuff according to Audrey sounded nefarious to her. "Speaking of dragons... We still have to get to the top of this mountain."

"I know, I know," Madoka said, but her tone was laced with protest. They had fallen lower but at least there was no dragon after them. "What do we plan on doing with the bones and its heart?"

"No clue," Audrey admitted. "Perhaps we can sell them for some money! The heart's mine though. Need it for cultivation."

"Didn't you say that was dangerous?"

"Yeah! But that's the fun part!"

Madoka failed to see how any of this was fun. The more Audrey explained anything the more she wanted to get the hell off this mountain. It gave them enough trouble.

"I keep saying this, but believe me," Audrey said with a sigh. She stared up at the peak of the mountain. "That's what stands between us and getting out of here and ending the tutorial zone— I mean, uh, rejoining society."

As Madoka slept alone in her thoughts she could not decide which was scarier. Society amongst commoners or the idea of Audrey being a commoner. Perhaps it was the simple times of having duties set before her that made her complacent in her life. She rolled over and groaned. She liked being simple. What was wrong with that? She would pass out moments later dreaming about how good a dragon wing's meat would taste.

The next day, they got to walking.

"Say, Madoka," Audrey said. Boots crunched on snow. Fog and clouds overlooked the mountainside with an uncaring gaze, splitting between the peaks like lovers letting go of each other. Madoka's thoughts were elsewhere. "I've been thinking."

"You're always thinking," Madoka mumbled but straightened her voice out proper before Audrey could ask her to repeat herself. "Of what?"

"Magic, for lack of a better term, well," Audrey said, obviously processing her thoughts. "Never existed in my old world."

"Really," Madoka mused. It never really existed in her own world as well. Those gifted in the arcane usually did not end up as slaves. Or perhaps could find a better life anyways.

"People of this world must be higher beings," Audrey peered up through the trees. Madoka followed her gaze, only to realize that the clouds were gray and getting closer and closer with each step. "Being able to see magic, use it, even comprehend a fraction of it has got to count for something."

"It sure is amazing," Madoka guessed. She did not know where Audrey was going with her thoughts.

"I'm sure you don't think you have mana," Audrey ducked under a branch. "But I think you have a different form of those mana strand thingies. Just waiting, around the corner."

"Why do you think that?" Madoka asked. "Why do you want me to use the arcane?"

"I guess it's just important for me," Audrey looked away. "Sorry for being selfish. I think you have many cool abilities that are magic on their own. They don't really need to have a certain form or mana strand. They just are. Like, the animal whisperer thing. Or your killing intent thing you mentioned during one of our fights. That always made me curious."

"Curious?"

Audrey turned to Madoka and stood there with her eyes closed. A massive pulse of negative emotions burst from Audrey, making her flinch. Had Madoka not seen that coming, she probably would have cowered. She clutched her head as birds overhead scattered. The emotions faded a second later, but the blade was white hot. The scar would last, even if the ignorant princess could not see it.

"T-That was quite terrible of you," Madoka breathed. "Can we please just keep walking?"

"S-Sorry," Audrey muttered. "No one besides you can tell intentions like that. You're, like, a super empath. You're not sensing emotions and willpower, you're pulling them to you and feeling them."

"Please," Madoka repeated herself firmly. "No more tests on me."

Audrey motioned to say something but instead turned and said nothing. Madoka hoped she got the message through her. Her "gifts" were no one's to mess with, she determined. She did not even want them in the first place.

"It was a shitty thing of me to do," Audrey finally admitted, halting. They found themselves at the base of ancient stones and steps. From the angle they stood at, the stairs looked like they led straight to the heavens and the stars. "I won't do that again."

"Good," Madoka said. The word was hollow, however, for she did not believe her this time.

"The ruins are up this staircase," Audrey finally said, taking out the glowing serpentine talisman. "Then I can find out what this god really wants from me."

"Then let's get to it," Madoka grumbled. Audrey was inconsiderate, her actions were impulsive and sprang up like the mist. Just because she realized she was being who she always was it was always too late.

Even after her apologies, Madoka still felt the cold dampness settle on her skin with that uneasy feeling until enough time washed it away. And when it came back again, the mist stung her skin even worse. She began to wonder if she resented her princess. Was she upset with Audrey being who she was or was she simply lost in her own foggy and idealized perception of her princess? How could she judge such a person who has lost everything? Twice, no less. One for each life as odd as that seemed. She suddenly hated herself for feeling selfish and not wanting Audrey to test things on her.

It was her, Madoka remembered. She has not lost eveything because Audrey was still around dragging her everywhere. Her steps overpowered her thoughts, pushing her mind back into silence. For a simple maid, Madoka knew she was doing a lot of thinking, and that was dangerous for slaves. They were climbing quite high up. The clouds were below her and yet Madoka could breathe just fine. After walking enough, something nearly stopped her from walking. The princess halted, and it was evident that the same familiar and unwelcome feeling swelled and threatened to burst upon the both of them. Her hair raised and her spine tingled as she reached for a weapon, only to feel her hip instead. Silently, Audrey continued. Madoka forced her steps to follow, and the ruins rested before them. They were made of a pure and smooth material, humming as the two got closer. The clouds were beneath them, with the stormy atmosphere above them blocking the sun above them. There was a lot of room here, she looked around. If only there was not a dangerous and alien structure beckoning them to come closer. Not a single snowflake disturbed any of its surfaces, despite the weather raging around them. Could any normal person stand tall upon this place?

Audrey said nothing but channeled her storage portal.

"Containment Magic: Box!" she declared. At once, the hexagonal portal manifested and out popped a box on the ground. Satisfied, she scooted it next to one of the altar's pillars. "It's looking like this being and I are going to have a long conversation. Maybe I should get a couple of scratching posts or something..."

Madoka instantly dove into the box and began to watch Audrey approach the pillar. To her surprise, the former princess climbed on the altar unharmed but her knees shook in nervousness. Those strange symbols became illuminated as they activated. The world around them grew dark as the symbols expanded in a massive dome all around them with the princess at the eye of the storm. She watched in horror as black smog burst from the cloud blanket beneath them and surrounded Audrey!

Just what was happening in there? Madoka struggled to move out of the box, only to realize she was rooted in place by a magical force brought on by the ruins.

The clouds swirled violently but somehow, Madoka knew it was most likely Audrey's doing. That girl...! Madoka sighed and loafed in the box. It never wavered against the winds' howling above her. She would purr if she knew what that sounded like out of fear or for comfort.

Lightning flashed within the smog and a magical hum bellowed beneath it all. A faint shape began to raise above the altar through the scar of white clouds and jagged streaks of harsh blues. It was a pitch-black, ringed sphere. It was the dragon's heart! Curiosity struck Madoka, but she still had to sit on the sidelines and pray that Audrey was safe. The stormy weather and black smog blotted the mountain, and she could no longer see any daylight anywhere. The rumbling and chaotic noise seemed to be originated inside of the altar. Was a battle taking place inside of that sphere? A rumble forced her to rest back inside the box. She peeked through the cracks of the box as a blast of magic pierced through the magical barrier, then another, and then another! A loud clang and shattering noise screamed as the smog started to dissipate, the black sphere crackled and burst with lightning and the storm instantly cleared. Did Audrey win if she was in a fight with that god? The alien feeling was gone or perhaps Madoka was getting used to it, but she did not want to look over the box until she felt the sun on her skin. A glowing orb she knew all too well stood at the center of the ruin's center platform. Not a single rune or symbol rang out into the horizon and even the winds were peaceful. Her breath was clear as well, but fogged as her lungs puffed in and out more air.

"Audrey?" Madoka leapt out of her box. She yearned to know if her friend was alive.

Audrey stood there silently, her serpentine talisman crumbling to pure dust in her fist, not turning to greet her maid. The core was the second thing Madoka noticed, with the familiar two bands and an additional two glowing orbs running around their neon elliptical paths. As the barrier faded, Madoka saw something drip off from Audrey's arms and hand.

Blood.

Madoka rushed to her friend, feeling the solid and metallic flooring clank beneath her ragged boots. The ruins did not react to her presence. Audrey was breathing heavily. She inspected her friend all over, unsure what to do. Her face was covered in blood and Madoka was covered in worry. Unlike her princess, she could not use a talisman to heal her.

"W-What happened to you?"

"I'm fine," Audrey breathed, but spat out blood.

"No, you are certainly not!" Madoka sat her friend down. For a moment she caught a glimpse of the wide world before her. Everything was as clear as day as far as she could see. The Palace of Pelé was frozen, shining through the translucent ice granted by the sun. Madoka was surprised to see that the palace made up almost all of the Hall of the Frost Queen. All buried in ice, with exposed chunks completely shattered by the damage caused by their battle with the dragon.

Beyond it, diaphanous sands of a sprawling desert lay towards the south, temple-laden jungles reached to the west alongside unfettered grassy plains, and beyond that a volcano on an island far away surrounded by an azure ocean. Madoka's head swam. The world was truly getting bigger. She shook out of it.

"H-How can I help you?"

"It's fine," Audrey's core flickered. "Just give me a moment, okay?"

That did not make her maid feel any better about the situation, so she tore her cloak apart and wrapped bits around her friend's head and shoulders. Small wounds on her forehead. Are these slash marks on her arms? What happened in that fog?

"I leveled up," Audrey said with a slight wheeze, gesturing at her core. Madoka saw nothing but blood soaking through her cloak. "The dragon God, he..."

The girl fell silent, Madoka realized she passed out. Her body was still warm, a trait she gained when she encountered Ares.

"Oh, Audrey," She sighed. She knew she must get her fallen princess to safety or their journey would be in peril. She looked down the steps.

It was a long way down and even further after that into the woods.