*
Instantly, the black spikes rotate at imperceptible speeds with a soft whirling hum. The inevitable proliferation of currency, distribution of political power, war, human concepts are imaginary yet made real. That is the purpose of magic, the essence of mystics. To create what is not meant to be, to bring results while denying the process.
Cold sweat drenched Aluemia's back as she fire those black spirals. She's seen it countless times that she might get sick of it, however she's relying on that reproducibility, her magic that always seemed to crash into the enemy and leave holes in their body. If it failed, it failed. It's like wielding a gun to kill, but if the enemy has bullet proof body armour, there's not much she can do.
Living in such a way is a gamble, but a magical girl has nothing but their magic to their name. To deny that would leave her with nothing.
"You guys have friends... Family waiting for you. Why would you stake your lives on me." (Aluemia)
She spoke as she executed another vampire. The other two were serving their roles well, Baron slammed her blade into their limbs, while Ernesti grappled and tossed them away from Aluemia. There's no doubt, their strength and speed had reached C grade after countless fights with the vampires. They were already on the verge of breaking through, the mass amount of enemies only expedited it.
***
"Guh! Hagh!! Uwaaaa" (Aluemia)
This was way back then. How long had the three been together?
"Did you get picked on, transfer student?" (Ernesti)
Back then they weren't in the same classes.
"Uhn.... They said... My hair colour was ugly. It's a shade of blonde closer to brown. They insult my pedigree... I couldn't say anything back. " (Aluemia)
"But you did want to say something, right? Did it get stuck in your throat~? " (Ernesti)
Aluemia, fresh from the frustration stood up in a flash. Her right hand pulled Ernesti's collar closer. She hated to be mocked, but even now she was considering if she should punch the stranger before her. She might get into trouble with the principal. As for her parents... They were gone from the start. Her hair colour is all she had left of them. Ernesti observed in silence, before putting on her signature smug.
"So? You gonna do it? You've been squeezing your knuckles dry for some time now." (Ernesti)
She exhales deeply before letting go. She mulls for a few seconds but does not hesitate.
"I'm sorry. That was my fault, so please drop it." (Aluemia)
"..." (Ernesti)
The bob cut black haired girl looked displeased, compared to before it felt like her smug aura got completely wiped out. She also chews on her thoughts, what was her purpose in instigating Aluemia? She figures there must be intention, purpose, under all that facade.
"Tch! Thought my eyes were good and you'd snap. In this age you can't punch first. Layers." (Ernesti)
She was an uncivilised beast looking for a fight. Aluemia shudders thinking what it would have devolved into.
***
She grabs a vampire coming towards her by the head. Black spirals materialise in her palm and fire like matchlocks. Wind pressure and heat explode out of that vampire's mangled face flesh. It collapses onto the road, the street littered with their corpses. It gave the very image of unsanitaryness, that disease could be borne at any moment.
"Damn, it'd be useful if any one of us could use fire magic..." (Baron)
They naturally couldn't handle the heavy onslaught of vampires. Their role was to be decoy, to keep moving backwards. There are no alleys or walls that aren't houses in the residential zone, so thankfully they wouldn't corner themselves as if it were a maze where corners could be wandered into. They simply fight and retreat, fight and retreat.
" It's been an hour, surely that's enough time..." (Baron)
Her arms grew numb from swinging the sword too much. Cutting through flesh, deflecting hits, facing the resistance of whatever she cut down, it was like weighing lead on her arms. Ernesti's wrists have long gone numb, now she powers through by twisting her hips and throwing her entire elbow.
"Let's run! We can't sustain this any longer. 3...2...1!!"(Aluemia)
They break into runs, the wind rushing past their heated cheeks the mental strain of using magic had already begun to encroach on their physical health. Bodies drenched in sweat and aching.
" They're catching up! " (Baron)
"Just a bit more...! It's only less than 10 kilometres away..." (Aluemia)
Their progress slowed to a crawl as enemies skitter from who knows where, cutting off their routes. They've defeated a tenth of the vampire forces, the heavenly king's missile vaporised roughly half of them. That is still roughly 8-900 of them remaining, a disastrous number to face.
"S... Surrounded." (Ernesti)
"Alue, you're stronger. You should make a run for it while we cut a path." (Baron)
"Noooooo...!!" (Aluemia)
Her shriek toar through the evening wind like a clear bell, a resounding chime bearing full power into the ears of the audience.
"If you guys died... There wouldn't be any point living! If you're staying, then I'm staying! " (Aluemia)
In some ways, the other 2 were really saved by Aluemia, the first and most senior magical girl. Aluemia was scared of being lonely, so she struggled and she tried her best. She began with a respectful tone, keeping her distance, but after a long time together they knew that she really craved close ties. As their saviour, she was never really their equal from the start. Even if she cursed and cried all day, whined about how weak she was, they always believed she was the strongest, the chosen.
They couldn't let themselves be the reason she died. That would go against everything Baron and Ernesti stood for. They're magical girls, so at least let them save their saviour. The exact same thought ran through their heads, wishing upon the faint stars peaking through the clouds. Unlike commercial zones, there isn't much light pollution in the residential zones. Most people grew up being able to witness the stars. They weren't anything to write home about, not when they're so commonplace. It's hard to understand that in ancient literature, most of the earth had light pollution. It was seemingly the opposite now.
At least grant this wish. If Aluemia refused to leave. Then grant the power to defeat all the vampires that are left. Other than the commander level vampires, they mostly stood at the bottom of C grade, just within reach for these magical girls to defeat in a party. Without all 3 of them, they would have long been done in. Now though, they're surrounded. That little tactical advantage rendered null, no amount of teamwork could surmount this.