Matsui took a last look around the ravaged stadium. The horrors seared into her mind. As the first hints of dawn touched the sky, she turned to follow her companions toward whatever uncertainties still awaited them out in the city.

Their steps faltered as haunting laughter rang out, sending chills down Matsui's spine. Squinting up at the source, she made out a dark figure descending rapidly from above. Her grip tightened on her staff as magic swirled to meet whatever fresh threat approached.

The being's features crystallized as she drifted closer. It appeared to be a teenage girl garbed in a tattered sailor uniform, black as midnight. But where her head should rest, only a hollow flaming skull wreathed in hypnotic violet light. Matsui's chest constricted - this could only be one entity.

Touching down, the nightmarish girl greeted them in an eerily cheerful tone. "Why hello there, Dorki! I see you made some new friends." She gave a theatrical bow, skull tilting grotesquely. "I'm Revena. Charmed to finally meet."

"She looks like some kinda messed up Ghost Rider-Sailor Moon crossover cosplay," Reira muttered uneasily. Matsui certainly found the juxtaposition deeply unsettling. This sweet voice emanated from a soulless abomination.

Dorki stepped forward, fur bristling strangely. "Revena… I knew you would come soon." His usually detached tone now bore an edge that Matsui couldn't decipher. But the familiarity hinted at a disturbing past between them.

Delighted by Dorki's presence, Revena circled them, bone feet clicking on concrete. "I sensed intriguing new energies in my domain. So I simply had to come to greet their source." She stopped before Matsui, empty sockets studying her intently. "We're going to have such fun, you and I..."

Swallowing her unease, Matsui met that chilling gaze. "Why are you doing this? Spreading such suffering helps no one." She had to understand what fractured reasoning motivated such senseless evil.

Revena paused before replying. "Life breeds suffering. I aim only to cleanse that cancer from the multiverse and bring peace." Her tone was calmly philosophical as if discussing the weather rather than planetary genocide.

"By murdering countless innocent people?" Jayla spoke up angrily. "You're just a delusional murderer!" Reira laid a warning hand on her friend's arm but watched Revena, poised to strike.

The flaming skull tilted as Revena sighed. "Oh child, your eyes remain clouded. But perhaps in time, you will see truth as I have." With that chilling sentiment, her skeletal hand tightened around the scythe's shaft. "But for now… let's play."

Her cloak billowed around her as mystical energy gathered within the weapon's crystal blade. The air hummed with power that raised the fine hairs on Matsui's nape. This foe was far beyond any they had yet faced. But the apocalyptic clock ticked down relentlessly. Here and now, failure meant the end of everything.

Linking hands with her stalwart friends, Matsui ignited her magic to meet the rising dark. She silently prayed their wavering lights could withstand this. But she knew in her heart this glimpse of their formidable foe heralded only the beginning of their greatest trial yet to come. Gripping her staff, Matsui steeled herself for the horrors ahead. At least they would face them together.

Matsui gripped her staff tighter, ice crystals already crawling across her fists. The moment Revena finished uttering her chilling promise to "play," Matsui gave the signal to attack. As one, the girls charged the flaming specter, elements erupting.

With preternatural speed, Revena darted backward, evading the blistering onslaught with ease. Jayla's lightning merely scorched the concrete where the ghoul had stood seconds prior. Snarling in frustration, Reira unleashed a cyclone of fire. But again their foe spun away, bone feet never still.

Landing atop a collapsed barricade, Revena waved a mocking finger. "Now, now, you'll have to be quicker than that!" Her taunting laughter echoed across the empty stands, fueling the girls' fury. How could they touch someone moving faster than sight?

Changing tactics, they fanned out to attack from all sides, hoping to catch Revena off guard between them. But it was like grasping at plumes of inky smoke - the dark magical girl slipped through their talented net again and again, giggling all the while.

"Hold still, damn you!" Reira screamed hoarsely, sweat beading her grime-streaked face. But their efforts only seemed to amuse their tormentor more than she blinked rapidly around them, Corps de Ballet of death and deceit.

Without warning, violet flames erupted at key points, cutting off avenues of pursuit. Matsui stumbled back, skin blistering beneath cracking armor from the intense inferno's aura alone. They were being expertly herded now, corralled together for the slaughter.

Jayla reacted quickly, trying to absorb the ghostly fire's energy into her lightning staff. But the unearthly heat repelled her magic in a blinding flare, sending the girl skidding back with a cry.

Pressing their gambit relentlessly, the girls struck out whenever Revena's form flickered into existence, seeking to land any glancing blow that could slow her down. But she continued dancing gracefully between their futile attacks, the reservation fading.

A well-placed burst of flames finally knocked Reira off her feet with a pained wheeze. Before Matsui could react, spectral claws raked down Jayla's face, laying her cheek open to the bone. As Matsui whirled desperately between her wounded friends, icy horror gripped her heart - she now faced the devil alone.

With reckless abandon, Matsui battered the drifting phantom with relentless icy strikes, shrieking in desperation. But Revena simply leaned out of reach, exhaling. "Guess we're down to the runt. What a shame."

Ignoring her tormentor's jibes, Matsui solely focused on anticipating where Revena's inky form would materialize next. She had to time the arc of frost perfectly... there!

But even as lethal crystals shot toward their target, Revena vanished as if never there, solidifying once more atop the stadium lights. "Nice try, but you're just too slow!" She mockingly tapped the scythe blade as Matsui fell gasping to her knees, finally depleted.

In the next instant, Revena appeared before her, skull angled curiously. "You posed the most challenge, but in the end..." She trailed off, driving the scythe down in one fluid strike.

Stolen story; please report.

Blinding pain cleaved through Matsui's gut as the world inverted crazily. She was only distantly aware of hitting the ground, crimson rapidly staining the torn fabric. Somewhere far away, her friends cried out through the static filling her fading consciousness.

Matsui struggled to cling to awareness, but icy darkness beckoned irresistibly. With tremendous effort, she forced her head up, meeting the empty black holes boring down into her. Revena's sigh came muffled, as if underwater.

"What a pity. I'd hoped for more entertainment..." The demonic visage flickered as Revena turned away. Rage pierced Matsui's haze at being reduced to a mere plaything for the creature's amusement. But oblivion's embrace proved too strong, drawing Matsui into merciful nothingness.

Yet just before the last traces of light left her, Matsui witnessed a last glimpse. Dorki, back arched and fur bristling violently, sailed screeching straight at Revena's throat. Cracks splintered the impassive skull face looming over Matsui. Then darkness claimed her fully, their thin hopes utterly extinguished.

*****

Cold. The chill embracing Matsui's body slowly breached the void, dragging her reluctant consciousness back toward waking pain. She groaned, unwilling to open her eyes yet and face whatever agonies awaited her. Maybe if she just sank back into comforting darkness…

"Matsui." Dorki's gentle voice pierced through the fog enveloping her mind. She felt a soft paw touch her cheek. "You must awaken. The danger has passed, for now."

With tremendous effort, Matsui forced her eyelids apart, wincing against even the dim lighting. Blurry shapes gradually resolved into classroom posters and chipped paint on walls. She was indoors, lying atop a pile of dirty gym mats.

Turning her head sent spikes of pain radiating down her spine. Matsui grimaced, waiting for the fresh wave of agony to ebb. Dorki's worried face swam into view overhead. "Thank goodness. I was able to heal you, but the process took much time."

As her senses sharpened, Matsui noticed labored breathing nearby. She carefully angled to see Reira and Jayla sprawled against the wall, eyes closed and faces visibly bruised even in the low light. They appeared utterly exhausted, but alive.

"What...happened?" Matsui rasped through her raw throat. Her memories ended after blinding pain from Revena's scythe blow. She glanced down, expecting a gaping wound, but her torso appeared intact. Dorki's magic had saved her from certain death once again.

"After you fell, I created a diversion allowing your comrades to carry you to safety," Dorki explained, pacing in agitation. "We retreated here, beyond Revena's perception. You have been healing for a few hours."

As her thoughts cleared, the reality of their defeat crashed down on Matsui once more. She turned away, feeling tears threaten to spill over. "It doesn't matter. We never even hurt her, and the bombing..." Sobs choked off her despairing words. After everything, had they still lost in the end?

Dorki's soft paws brushed her cheek. "Do not abandon hope. You survived the battle, so you still live to find a way." His voice echoed with uncharacteristic urgency. "Where life persists, so to do possibilities."

Nearby, Reira let out a caustic laugh that quickly turned to coughing. "Who cares if we're alive when that demon bitch could still snuff us out anytime? We're useless against her!" Her outburst ended with a frustrated growl as she punched the floor.

Matsui sat up despite protesting muscles. As much as she wanted to collapse in hopelessness, Dorki's faith ignited a tiny spark inside her once more. "He's right. We have to keep trying, no matter how impossible it seems." Jayla just stared at the floor silently.

"For now, simply rest and heal." Dorki's tone allowed no argument. "When strength returns, we shall formulate a new strategy together." He curled up nearby, ruby eyes gently watchful.

Releasing a shuddering breath, Matsui allowed her body to go limp again. Dorki's words rang, but felt hollow in her heart. How could they devise any tactic to challenge an evil goddess? Still, she had to cling to that fragile hope.

Shifting closer to her friends, Matsui slipped her hands into theirs, drawing palpable comfort from that simple contact. Together, they had walked through hell already. Now they faced the deepest pit conceivable. But even as ultimate darkness threatened to consume them, their shared light still shone, however faintly. And she would fan that fragile flame with her last breath.

"By the way, Revena said you were her old master," said Reira, glaring at Dorki. "How about you spill the beans and tell us the truth.”

With a sigh, Dorki told them the truth about Revena. "It is true I was her mentor who gave her power. However, she was also a victim of bullying and abuse from her parents. I do not know the reason for her suffering, even though I chose her to become the guardian of her world. Instead of using the power for good, she murdered her parents and her bullies at school. Before she could kill some more… I ended her life, but it wasn't enough to stop her. She became a monster… And I was the one who created her…"

Matsui leaned back against the classroom wall, trying to process the revelation Dorki had just unloaded about his hidden history with Revena. The creature paced nearby, ears drooped in uncharacteristic distress as he awaited their reaction.

Finally breaking the tense silence, Matsui asked, "So you turned her into a magical girl, knowing she was already unstable from bullying and abuse?" She tried keeping the accusatory note from her voice, but failed.

Dorki's tail twitched uncomfortably. "I did not perceive her trauma would cause such catastrophic fury. My species does not experience emotions as you do." His too-calm tone only raised Matsui's ire.

"But you knew she was hurting, and given immense power anyway!" Reira joined in angrily. "Then you just killed her like some rabid dog when she snapped?"

"It was a mercy to end her suffering once she devolved into..." Dorki trailed off with a conflicted shudder. "All I hoped was to prevent greater loss of innocent life by removing the threat."

Jayla slammed a fist against the floor. "Mercy? Don't give us that crap! You twisted her into a freakin' monster!" Sparks flew from her quivering hands as outrage broke past exhaustion.

"Enough!" Dorki's uncharacteristic shout silenced their building fury. He bowed his head, radiating deep remorse. "You speak rightly. I failed Revena in life… and death." Lifting solemn eyes, he faced them fully. "Her blood stains my paws eternally. I cannot change the horrors I ignorantly unleashed."

Matsui reignited her icy magic, glaring down at him coldly. "Then why the hell should we trust anything you say or do now?" All his earlier guidance rang hollow after such callous deception. She had believed in him, only to be betrayed.

But instead of excuses, Dorki simply sat back on his haunches, accepting the justified rage directed his way. "You should not," he admitted quietly. "I am not the noble guide you hoped for. Only a flawed being seeking atonement in my limited way."

He met each girl's gaze. "When Revena returned, twisted by darkness, I knew this was my cross to bear. If I can prevent the loss of more bright souls like yourselves, perhaps I will finally find redemption." Sincerity and sadness weighed his words.

Matsui's fury slowly dissipates, leaving only weariness behind. However misguided Dork's past actions had been, he seemed committed now to steering others from that same destructive path, whatever the personal cost. They shared that resolve in common if nothing else.

Finally responding, she kept her voice level and firm. "We can never condone what you did to that girl. But we still need your help now." Reira and Jayla looked uncertain but held their tongues. "When this is over...we'll see where we stand."

Dorki bowed his head. "That is all I ask. My singular purpose is still preserving the balance between light and darkness across all dimensions." He lifted his gaze once more, eyes gleaming. "And I believe the three of you embody the very light this world requires, banishing the shadows."

A heavy silence lingered after this solemn exchange. In her heart, Matsui grieved for the trauma and loss that had twisted two well-intentioned souls down such violent paths. But dwelling on past sins would not save future lives. Dorki was right about one thing - grief and anger could wait until their mission was complete.

For now, she would cling to faith in her friends beside her, drawing strength from their unbroken bonds. And maybe, just maybe, they would prove capable of redeeming not just a world, but a wayward spirit who had given up all hope of redemption long ago.