Infinite Journey: Dark Souls

It's unclear to whom Homura shouted this. Without knowing the recipient, what's certain is that she can't hold on much longer—while the Ashes have managed to withstand the curse with the power of the embers, she still needs to ensure several magical girls aren't corrupted. Thankfully, she doesn't need to worry about a certain mist, allowing her to embrace yet another "Akatsuki Homura" while ensuring her own safety.

The turbid and the golden-white clashed, the curse and the sand fought against each other.

All of this happened after Ribbon Flame cried out that request, and now she watches this scene with tears in her eyes.

The braids wrapped around her body slowly loosened.

"Sometimes, earnestly calling out a request is also a way of using your own strength to solve a problem."

This time, the cool voice wasn't transmitted through telepathy, but directly into her ear. Along with the voice came a hand gently stroking her long hair.

"Even though I shouted that request, I could only watch them fight."

"If you hadn't shouted that plea, you might not even have had the chance to watch them fight—calling for help is the last resort for survival, and it shouldn't be associated with anything negative."

Ashfire came to her side. This was the second time she had seen "Akatsuki Homura," whom she considered an intruder. Her expressionless face was exactly the same as when they first met, when she said, "There are no longer any human parts in this circle." However, Ribbon Homura no longer felt any hostility towards her.

"So I can just watch?"

"Of course not, you still need to reclaim your magic yourself."

The cool voice seemed to have a hint of gentleness in its illusion. Ribbon Flame widened her eyes but couldn't see any softness on her other self's face. The voice remained cool, and before she could even ask a question, a serious tone was already evident in her words.

"Do you know who that guy who admitted to being a demon is?"

"I...I'm not quite sure."

"She is also Homura Akemi."

"What--!"

The seriousness was merely a prelude to the current topic. Upon being told the truth, Ribbon Homura was even more shocked than hearing that she herself was to reclaim her magical power. Her mind, already reeling from countless ups and downs, was nearly shutting down; she simply couldn't understand how Akemi Homura had reappeared. And this Akemi Homura seemed to be an enemy of the others she had met?

"Remember when I told you that 'Madoka was imprisoned by a certain Homura Akemi?' The culprit is right in front of you right now. She is the one who has stepped to the forefront of all of us Homura Akemis and become a demon who can even imprison gods—Homura."

"She...imprisoned Yuan...why?"

"I don't have time to go into the details with you. What you should be focusing on now is why she appeared in your world in the first place."

Her malfunctioning brain was easily guided by Ashflame. This former captain, whom Ashflame longed to see again, met the gazes of her former subordinates who were also looking at her. When her eyes returned, they held a hint of worry and urgency. She quickened her pace, revealing the truth that was needed from her to be there.

"The reason is simple: your connection with her began after that longbow appeared."

Longbow? Upon hearing this keyword, Ribbon Flame turned towards the battlefield. Her former weapon came into view, but with its murky bow arm and the way the arrows collided with the golden and white blades, she couldn't recognize it at all.

The turbid waters moved with ease, while the golden and white waters gradually lost their edge.

"Among the known Homura Akemi, you are the only one who is certain to walk on her path. You are ahead of us. Having personally witnessed Madoka become a god, you possess a power that none of the other Homura Akemis have—and now it seems that this power is the seed that will become a demon. It is the miracle created by 'the longing between you and Madoka for each other's unforgettable memories'."

Wings woven from murky feathers expanded, and cool words were spoken in her ear.

She replayed the promise she made to Madoka, pondering how this wish, so different from her own desire to become a magical girl, had brought her and other Homura Akemis. Yes, in a way, having truly lost Madoka, she was more certain of her own feelings than any other Homura Akemi.

Homura Akemi never just wanted to save Madoka; she wanted to stay with Madoka forever.

"It seems you've figured it out... Even if you're unwilling, you have to admit that you and that demon have gone much further than we have. That's right, this power is the seed of becoming a demon, and it's only natural that it would be connected to the Flame Demon who has become a demon. Perhaps you've been under her surveillance since you came into this world."

PS: Yunxi: 744486102 Thanks to readers 【全人类灵魂之诗】【Eizi】【雪女与死鱼眼男】【书客2912076111】 for their monthly tickets~

PS1: Well, although so many readers are still voting for this book, I, the author, have some bad news to announce. This book might have to end abruptly. Yes, I can't continue writing. As you may have noticed, my writing quality has plummeted since the Kara no Kyoukai arc ended. I was truly exhausted of inspiration to even finish the Warcraft arc. Therefore, this book will temporarily end when this volume is completed, and I will then begin preparing for a new book.

PS2: As for the unfinished parts of this book, they may be filled in at some point.

PS3: I'll make an announcement when the new book is released, and I hope you all will support me!

Destiny Sixty-Six: The seed of a demon—will it hatch into a demon itself or another demon?

"The Flame Demon couldn't appear in the world before because that power was still within you and was restrained by you. It wasn't until your magic was absorbed by the magical beast that this power became independent. She first resided in the body of a magical beast that mimicked a circle, and only now has she broken through that doll's shell and appeared before us."

The murky wings grew larger with the explanation of the ash flames, though still smaller than the demonic flames behind her. Yet, their murky color was already beginning to rival the blackness that covered the earth. The embers of the ash flickered like candlelight within them, and even the witch on this shore and the golden-white sword light gradually became no match for them.

"However, your power is still your power. Her existence in this world is merely a bridge to the Silver Garden built by your power. Once you regain control of your power, you will be able to destroy the bridge that brought her to this world and completely banish her from your world."

Whoosh—! The outer shell of the monster shattered completely, and a girl wearing a long dress woven from murky feathers, identical in appearance to all the Homura Akemis present, appeared before the golden-white blade. She smiled, her eyes, framed by deep black rims, smiling. It seemed to be mocking the manipulated Ribbon Homura, and also seemed to be satirizing the insignificance of the ashes.

With a flapping of wings, the golden and white blades, defying the laws of mechanics, suddenly plummeted towards the braid.

The murky arrows followed closely, crashing into the black curse. Unwittingly, Zhi swung her sword, causing her inner fire to clash with the demonic power. It was clear that she was finding it increasingly difficult to maintain the wide-open gaze of her demonic eyes; her blade, which could cut at will, was completely unable to sever the murky colors.

The battle reached a critical point, and the demonic beast Flame, which was being entangled by the Witch of This Shore, stretched out more braids to wrap around Little Flame.

"Now, will you accept my help and reclaim your power, just as you just loudly prayed?"

After explaining, Ashflame laid out all the truth before Ribbonflame and asked the question mentioned above.

Does the ribbon flame have any other options?

Forced into a corner, she knew the truth, but that couldn't change her situation.

Moreover, if the demons over there really imprisoned Madoka, that would be something that Homura Akemi would find intolerable!

What should I do?

A coldness returned to her face, and now, as she looked into the eyes of Ashflame, it was as if she were looking in a mirror.

Calm, rational, and ruthless in achieving their goals. This is the image reflected on every side of the mirror.

"Take your bow back."

"Is that all?"

"Ash and I will do the rest; you just need to grab that bow."

"I understand."

The people on one side of the mirror and the people on the other side simultaneously reached out to the mirror. The dividing line called the mirror did not exist in the first place, and the two palms, which were only slightly different, naturally clasped together.

The deep purple flames burned from one side to the other.

The next moment, the flames vanished abruptly. On the battlefield, Homura casually swung her sword. The golden-white blade no longer struck the murky arrows; she risked a clumsy dodge to force the demon to defend against the attack with her longbow. The demon smiled and raised the longbow, the strike disappearing into the murky light. In the next instant, Homura's other hand gripped the bow.

Time rewound, allowing the three Homura Akemis to exchange glances at this moment.

"Ha, you, now that I am ashes, have finally decided to jump out."

"Demon, it's been a long time."

A cool voice greeted another cool voice. Then, in the next instant, the murky and deep purple parts parted to the sides, pulling at their respective "selves" and beginning a struggle.

Ribbon Flame gripped her longbow tightly, refusing to let go even as Ash Flame, who was helping her, and Flame Demon, who was resisting her, pulled at it. Having lost her magic, she felt the constant threat of death surrounding her; the annihilating inner fires and demonic power, if they were to splash even a tiny bit onto her, could reduce her to ashes.

Moreover, being pulled by two forces, she could break in two at any moment.

In that instant, the tense situation escalated to a fever pitch.

"Damn it! Don't underestimate me!"

Enduring the excruciating pain of her body being torn apart, and also enduring the threat of the clash of forces, the ribbon flame slowly, bit by bit, pulled the flower-branch-like longbow away from the murky colors.

The murky wings scattered, then suddenly converged upon the ashes and the magical girl.

The demon's authority to alter the rules of the universe slowly seeped from the Silver Garden into the wings, an inexplicable pressure exerted on the deep purple heartfire in an unseen and unfathomable form. It felt as if a black hole had been thrown beside the ribbon flame and the ash flame, compressing everything towards the center of the wings' encirclement. It nearly extinguished the flame, nearly tore the ribbon flame to shreds.

"Demon, your enemy is not just 'yourself'!"

At the critical moment, the golden-white blade flashed once more. This time, the blade mark was no longer a straight zigzag, but rather, following the unintentional shift of the weaver, it circled one of the demon's wings several times, dragging it roughly. The murky feathers, like a poorly bundled haystack, scattered in a flurry. The balance of the demon's power was disrupted, and her body swayed. Taking advantage of the sudden drop in pressure, Ashflame pulled the ribbon flame backward with a sharp jerk.

"Trying to take what I got? No way!"

But it couldn't be moved!

The Flame Demon drew his longbow with one hand and grasped the arm of the Ribbon Flame with the other.

The deep purple flames protecting her were instantly shattered by the turbidity, and the aura of death spread throughout her body from the point where her hands touched.

"Hurry up! Faster! I can't hold on any longer!"

To make matters worse, another voice, far from cold, cried out. Beneath them, the two witches, locked in a stalemate, were gradually deciding the victor. The purple sand could not withstand the black encroachment. As Little Flame cried out, the braids of the demonic beast Flame had already wrapped around the cloak of the Witch of the Other Shore, and the blackness was visibly spreading to the hourglass on her chest.

The ashes, struggling against the curse with their embers, were anxious but helpless. Only a fleshy monster, its braids billowing and shrouded in crimson mist, charged towards the two entangled witches.

Once Zhi confirmed that Sand had finally made its move, he ignored Little Flame and slashed straight at the Flame Demon's hand that was holding the ribbon flame.

"Go away!"

The unintentional strike was intercepted by the suddenly unfurled, intact wings. A golden-white blade mark landed on the wings, and another clump of murky feathers was about to fall. But the purple flames burning on the ribbon flames had already been forced away by the murky energy. The ribbon flames, from its arm to its chest, had turned a murky, uniform color, on the verge of collapsing and vanishing into nothingness.

"I've already told you, no matter which one of you you are, don't underestimate me!"

As death entered its countdown, Ribbon Flame, hovering at the Gates of the Underworld, suddenly screamed and struggled. Ignoring the hand held by the Flame Demon, she instead bit down hard on the demon's hand gripping the longbow, grinding her teeth fiercely. A mere bite, devoid of magic, could hardly harm a demon. However, the longbow beneath the murky surface glowed with a purple light, and the demon released its grip as if burned.

"how is this possible?"

The seed, which shares the same origin as demons and can evolve into a demon, rejected the Flame Demon.

A burst of purple light erupted, and the ribbon flames yanked the longbow out of the murky water.

"Don't even think about leaving!"

"You can have this arm!"

One hand was flung away, while the other still held onto the ribbon flame. The Flame Demon tried to pull the ribbon flame back with a forceful pull. Unfortunately, the arm, corrupted by the murky energy, was already brittle, and the ribbon flame, after releasing its grip, tore off the hand it was holding.

Debris flew everywhere, and the severed arm turned to ashes in the devil's palm.

Having regained her power, her purple magical radiance and the purple flames of Ashflame resonated with each other.

Destiny Sixty-Seven: The end of the demon in this world, but not the complete end of the demon.

Purple hues overflowed, and the turbidity dissipated. The longbow, freed from the turbidity, swayed like a flower branch. Unfortunately, its current owner had lost an arm. Would it lose the chance to draw its bow and shoot an arrow immediately? The answer was no. The Ribbon Flame, having just regained its power, would not be willing to remain aloof and watch the ashes complete the final act.

Ashflame released her, and as soon as he turned around, a Barrett anti-material sniper rifle was already locked onto the Flame Demon over there.

The demon's murky wings, already scattered after being struck twice by the weaver, had lost their connection to this world and were unable to even regenerate. Even so, the scattered, murky feathers continued to gather, churning into a murky black sphere. It felt as if a huge hole had been punched in a canvas, unleashing a power far beyond the comprehension of this world.

Barrett pulled the trigger. The bullet, compressed with his inner fire, carried the power of a time-splitting mechanism.

If time were to stop at this moment, it would signify the demise of things, because it would not continue into the next moment.

The manipulation of time is a power that this world can comprehend, yet it is a power that disrupts the world. The power was compressed into the magazine, the trigger was pulled, and the deep purple light shot into the murky black sphere with an inconspicuous trajectory.

And so, in that instant when Ribbon Flame bit the bowstring with her teeth, a power beyond the comprehension of this world and a power capable of disrupting this world collided. The longbow was drawn. Ribbon Flame, with only one arm, held the bow with that arm, her arm span level with her shoulder, bit the bowstring, and turned to pull back. The bow was not fully drawn, but the dense purple magic made up for the shortfall.

The murky black sphere and the ammunition of the Heartfire annihilated. The surging ripples seemed to shake not only the air but also the most fundamental spacetime of the world. The ripples spread out, and the ribbon flame was within the affected area. She felt no impact on her body, but her entire vision was shaking. Under these circumstances, the purple arrow she had condensed finally left the bowstring.