Chapter 51: The Final Battle Against Demon Queen Eien no Shi — Part 02

The smoke was still clearing. The atmosphere was a terrifying calm—panic-stricken silence—and a faint heat. We didn’t know if Ranma’s fusion had actually killed the Demon Queen. She looked exhausted; breathing was a struggle. That attack had hit her hard and she barely managed to stay aloft. The place hadn’t changed much. Maybe it hadn’t worked. Damn—please let it have worked. If it didn’t, we were done for. If that didn’t kill her, what would? Goddess Aqua, please—give us the hope that that damned Demon Queen is dead. Still, a bad feeling gnawed at me that the attack had failed and she was still alive.

We called to Ranma’s fusion to ask how they were. She answered:

—Shit, calm down, we’re okay, but that attack drained us. Let’s hope it killed her — if not, everything depends on you. If we couldn’t do it, I doubt other Magical Girls can. Please, by Goddess Aqua, let it have worked. Please, let it be over. I want to go home.

Ranma’s fusion sounded wrecked — still on edge, shaking from everything that had happened. Then what we feared happened.

—It seems that attack was powerful and hurt me more than you can imagine. If I was only annoyed before, now I’m furious. I’ll have no mercy. I’ll kill the two of you — no, the ten victims I have here. This pain will only make me stronger. It seems that even an attack from a Magical Girl fusion didn’t work. I’ll have to regenerate these wounds, even if it costs half my magic. I hate doing this — my precious blood, my real blood, is being poured back into my body all because of your meddling. I will never forgive you for what you’ve done! Heard me? I will never forgive you! I’ll kill you. When you defuse, I’ll slaughter all ten of you so humanity learns no one can stand against me and the demons. If you thought you had a chance, you were wrong — you’re already dead. When I kill you, you’ll watch as I ruin your loved ones. And you two, Franco and Cleer, I’ll make you watch as I torture your loved ones in your previous world. I can’t wait to go to that world and finish off that humanity — if this human world couldn’t stand against my army and me, do you think your original world’s nuclear weapons or best soldiers will stop me? I’ll laugh as you suffer. Stop pretending you can stop me. You have only death left. I hate you — you don’t deserve to live. To begin with, I’ll take out the fusion that hit me. You’ve got… eight minutes of fusion left, I can see it. Your time is running out while I speak. Why not use the magic you still have to attack me? Or are you scared you’ll fail? Come on — I dare you to attack me. I’m waiting with open arms to crush you.

She was unhinged but still composed enough to taunt us. We didn’t know what to do. If we attacked we might waste the little energy we had left. Mizu and I spoke to the others telepathically.

—This is the time we knew would come. Girls, it has been an honor these years. Now it’s time to finish our mission and leave this world. We’re sorry it must end like this, but there is no other option. Forgive us for what we will do. Fulfill your dreams and become great women. We’re proud to have been your friends.

Mizu, Akane and Rem were stunned by what we said; in their minds, they cried and replied:

—We understand. We won’t stop you. If you’re going to the beyond, we hope the rest of our days are immortal in paradise. It was an honor to know you two. For us you will always be Taiyaki and Mizu. Good luck in your final strike.

The fusions halted. The Demon Queen sneered:

—So I can kill you all at once. Fine — I’ll start with these five.

We all smiled at one another and said:

—Goodbye, everyone. Tell those in the kingdom it was an honor to serve and protect humanity.

Mizu and I took each other’s hands and spoke words that left the Queen perplexed.

—Goddess, we give our lives to save this world from this evil Demon Queen who endangers and torments this and other worlds. In exchange for our lives, grant us the power enough to kill her once and for all so she cannot revive or return.

The sky above cleared and turned blue. A light appeared and Goddess Aqua’s voice spoke.

—Very well. I have decided — I will accept your request. I will give you the power to truly kill Demon Queen Eien no Shi. I await you on the other side. You were the finest Magical Girls this world had.

The Demon Queen was terrified and could not move. Some force pinned her in place. Suddenly a light covered us and healed our bodies. Together, in pose, we unleashed a sacred beam of light imbued with the Goddess’s power and attacked.

The Queen took the blow, screaming in agony. Then, to our shock, she ceased to exist. The place returned to normal. We collapsed to the ground, nearly dead.

Goddess Aqua granted us ten minutes to say our goodbyes to Akane, Mizuki, Rem and Ranma and her friends.