The Trials Of Time (ch6)

EARLY RELEASE FOR ALL MY PATRONS!!

Thank you all for continuing on to Part 2! Now that we know of the Korosu's threatening presence, it's time to take it a step further.

Disclaimer: I do not own Shoujo Kageki Revue Starlight.

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								Part 2

							Chapter 6. Once And For All


All the days following their performance are typical and easygoing, and things seem to have gone back to the way they'd used to be. Everyone is cheerful and energetic as they go about their daily tasks, chores, classes, and practices.

And perhaps the best part of it all is that Maya and her friends aren't brought back to the underground stage anymore.

Claudine had told the rest of them of her dream when she'd met Elle, and how there had been no Korosu present at the time, and so they've all come to believe the threat has passed.

The only thing that's troubling to Maya now are her own dreams.

Every night since the performance, her dreams have been haunted by the shapes and sounds of the Korosu. Every night, they've tainted her mind in different ways. Mostly though, she would be standing on that stage, either alone or with her friends, and they would be fighting.

But when she wakes every morning, her head just aches a little, and nothing more. If she truly had been being made to go to that stage and fight for real, she would have known it.

So at the very least, these are only dreams. But they do still trouble her a great deal.

From what she can tell, none of the others have been experiencing such dreams, or if they have been, they haven't shown any signs of it or spoken up about it. And so long as they're only nightmares and no one is actually being made to fight in reality, Maya believes it's fine for her to keep them to herself. They would stop eventually.

But even one whole week after the performance of Into the Woods, Maya wakes that Saturday morning with another slight migraine, and images of the Korosu are fresh in her mind. She hunches forward for a moment, resting her face in her hands as she tries to clear her mind.

But even that has become more difficult in recent days. It feels like the shadows are becoming harder and harder to shake away for some reason, that their grip on her mind is tightening…

It's now, as she's trying to calm herself and erase them from her mind, when something happens for the first time since the nightmares had started.

She envisions herself on the stage again, fighting the monsters. Her friends are all there too, fighting the seemingly-endless battle.

But this is the first time she hears the screams.

There's a sudden flash, as if the spotlight has been shown directly into her eyes, blinding her.

And then red fills her vision.

Maya gasps, forcing her eyes back open to find herself back in her room. A cold sweat clings to her skin, and her heart is lodged in her throat. She shudders from her very core, refusing to let her mind wander back to the dark place it just came from. She brushes her forearms across her face, wiping away sweat and tears alike before getting out of bed and hurrying to her personal bathroom.

She washes her face with cool water - or at least, it's supposed to be cool.

But when she feels it against her skin, it's warm and thick. She blinks, and finds herself staring down into a skin clogged with blood.

Maya jumps back, her heel slipping on the rug as she falls to the floor, gasping and wide-eyed in terror. The sink is still running, but when she looks up to it now, only clear water is flowing.

Panting, she slowly pushes herself back up to her feet, gripping the sink for support. She turns off the water and grabs a towel with shaking fingers before proceeding to dry herself off.

She gets changed cautiously, almost fearful of every time she blinks, unsure of what kind of images will be shown to her next.

She jolts when a knock comes on her door.

Maya quickly pulls her sweater down over her leggings and fastens the usual ribbon into her hair before heading over to answer the door.

"Yes… I'm coming."

She pauses as she makes contact with the knob, and a beat of fear passes through her heart. She pictures herself opening the door to a slew of Korosu, of the monsters pouring in and attacking her relentlessly-

"Maya-?"

With a gasp, she looks up to watch the door open inward. Claudine is standing before her in her favorite casual sweatshirt and shorts with a curious look on her face.

"Bonjour? Tendo Maya?" Claudine tilts her head, the smile she'd been wearing for her usual greeting now fading into a frown. "Did something happen? You look like you've seen a ghost. And I know that's no good for you, of all people." She takes a step forward and reaches her hand out to her.

But when Maya blinks, she sees that hand turn black and clawed, like it's stretching out to strike her. She flinches and takes a frightened step back before she can stop herself. Her blatant and immediate recoil startles Claudine, who draws her hand back instantly.

"Sorry. I-"

"No..." Maya shakes her head, and her vision of Claudine becomes clear again. "I should be the one to apologize, Saijou-san." She draws in a deep breath and steps forward toward her, reaching out to accept the hand she'd offered. "It seems I'm still recovering from a bit of a nightmare, that's all."

Claudine is relieved when Maya reaches out to touch her after all, and she gives her hand a little supportive squeeze.

"A nightmare?" she repeats. Maya nods. Claudine looks her over more seriously now, and she gets that knowing look in her eyes. "And this isn't the first time it's happened, is it?"

Maya shakes her head.

"No… ever since last Friday, in fact…"

"Quoi? That long? And you didn't say a word to anyone?"

Maya looks down at the floor.

"Everyone was in such high spirits. I didn't want to trouble them."

"Mecahnte va. And you think hiding it this long wouldn't worry us?"

Maya says nothing. She just gives Claudine a puzzled little glance. Claudine huffs.

"All right then, let's get you something to eat, and then maybe some practice will help clear your mind. What do you say?"

At last, Maya feels at ease enough to smile.

"I think that sounds wonderful."

So Claudine keeps ahold of her hand and begins leading her down the hallway to the lounge for breakfast. Maya truly does feel better already.

On one hand, she hadn't wanted to worry the others with this. But on the other hand, with Claudine being the only one who knows, Maya feels safe. She knows better than anyone how Claudine will do whatever is necessary to protect her friends, so it feels like the nightmares won't be able to do anything to her now that Claudine is on-guard.

Claudine mentions nothing about Maya's uncertainties to the rest of their friends, and merely wishes them all good morning with a lavish French greeting. She sits beside Maya as always as everyone greets them and thanks Nana and Junna for breakfast.

To Maya's relief, eating really does make her feel so much better, and her mind seems to have calmed down for the time being.

Everyone discusses their plans for today, the usual selection of shopping, cleaning, and practicing. Along with Karen, Hikari, and Mahiru, Claudine and Maya are in the latter group, and head to school together for the time being.

Without an upcoming performance on the horizon now, it's the usual kind of stress-free, but still intense, practice. Hikari and Mahiru help Karen with memorizing some choreography, while Maya and Claudine practice a more rigorous piece.

In spite of the fact that both of them know Maya might be a little off her game today, Claudine doesn't go easy on her, and Maya wouldn't have it any other way. Having Claudine as her partner has always kept Maya on her toes, striving to do the best she can, and more. And today is no different.

Claudine holds nothing back, and all but forces Maya to focus on the present in order to remain one step ahead of her. Maya doesn't even realize when the troubling thoughts of her nightmares fade away, and she's allowed to enjoy herself to the fullest.

After about an hour or so, they take a rest, sitting down side by side against the wall while watching the other three. Claudine passes Maya a towel before using her own to wipe her face and neck. Maya does the same and takes a long drink from her water bottle before heaving a sigh. She leans sideways onto Claudine, resting her head on her shoulder. Claudine pauses.

"Maya…?"

Maya can hear a hint of concern in her tone, so she quickly eases Claudine's fears by humming softly and inching closer, looping her arm around her partner's elbow.

"It's nothing," she murmurs. "Just resting my eyes."

"That's fine then." Claudine relaxes, leaning back against the wall and bending her knees up against her chest.

Maya huddles in a little more, listening to the sounds of their friends chatting and the music playing in the background. All of that, coupled with Claudine's presence, provides Maya with a sense of security, enough to doze off for a little while.

Claudine stays still and lets her sleep, occasionally combing her fingers through Maya's hair when none of the others are looking.

Maya rests for about half an hour, and when she finally feels herself regaining consciousness, she can't recall any nightmares having plagued her. She remembers she's in the dance studio with Claudine and the others, and even now she can hear Karen whimpering about doing a turn wrong, and Mahiru gently soothing her.

Maya chuckles softly to herself as she relishes the feeling of Claudine's fingers running lightly down her back. She opts to stay like this for a few more moments.

Until she gets a strange taste in the back of her mouth.

She sniffles and swallows, then shudders as the tang of iron registers.

Immediately, she opens her eyes and pushes away from Claudine with a gasp, bringing both hands to her mouth. Blood begins to trickle from between her fingers and drip down onto her leotard.

And this time, she knows for sure it isn't a dream.

Her sudden movement startles Claudine.

"Maya-? Ah!" As soon as she sees the blood, she quickly passes Maya her towel, holding it up to her face for her. "Blood?! Wh-What happened?!"

Maya accepts the towel from her and quickly wipes off her mouth before pinching her nose.

"I am not sure-" she says with a rasp.

Claudine rubs her back for her, helping to tuck Maya's hair out of her face. The other three notice something's amiss and make their way over, but Claudine assures them all that Maya is fine.

Maya keeps turning the towel over to a clean spot until the blood has finally stopped, at which point Claudine helps her to her feet and into the restroom.

"That's as good a sign as any that we should stop for today," she decides.

"I suppose I would have to agree."

Once Claudine is certain she's all right, she leaves Maya to finish cleaning herself up and heads out to the lockers to change.

Maya remains in the restroom for a few moments, scrubbing the few bright drops of scarlet out of her leotard as best she can. Now that she's alone, it allows her mind to start wandering again. She can only think of the night a week ago when Claudine had been the one to suffer such an ailment. But in her case, it had been because she'd physically and emotionally over-exerted herself to the point of collapse.

However, Maya has done nothing so drastic. All she'd done is lost a bit of sleep.

/What could this mean…? No. Perhaps it means nothing at all. Perhaps this was just a fluke, just a natural occurrence./

She opts to believe that - that just a shift in air temperature had caused her nose to get dry, and there's nothing more to it than that.

When she's finished cleaning up, she exits the restroom and retreats to the locker room to change. Claudine waits for her, and Karen's group isn't far behind now, so when they're all ready, they head back to the dorms together for the afternoon.

They shower, change into their sleepwear, and then retreat to the lounge, where Claudine volunteers to help Nana and Mahiru with dinner tonight. Maya sits alone at her spot on the couch, and even though Kaoruko is only a few feet away and the rest of her friends are talking and giggling all around her, it still somehow feels like she's miles away from them.

Her stomach growls, but she feels she won't even be able to enjoy eating whatever Claudine places down in front of her. She hasn't been able to get rid of the aftertaste of blood all evening, even after brushing her teeth for three times longer than usual. Her eyelids begin to droop as her mind wanders off again, pulling her into a darker corner...

"Tendo-han?" Kaoruko's sudden call of her name, followed by a firm poke to Maya's shoulder has her snapping out of her trance. She straightens up and looks to her side, where both Kaoruko and Futaba are gazing curiously at her. "What are you spacing out for?" Kaoruko wonders. "You've been like this all evening. Don't worry, Kuro-han is just over there. She hasn't left you for another woman."

"Kaoruko, can you go like, even one minute without being a total pain?" Futaba sighs, scratching her head.

But their antics are more than enough to draw a smile from Maya.

"No, Hanayagi-san is right. I have been lapsing in focus recently. I should be more aware of myself."

"Done!" Nana's voice calls out from the kitchen. She, Mahiru, and Claudine have all lain out several bowls and plates of meats, fish, veggies, and rice.

"Yes!" Mahiru smiles. "Dinner is ready, everyone!"

"Bon appetite!" Claudine sings.

"Wow!" Junna says as she closes her book. "That looks incredible, you guys."

"And it smells even better!" Karen squeals.

Everyone begins standing up from their seats to head to the kitchen area. As Maya starts making her way over, Nana catches her eye.

"Hm? Maya-chan? Are you okay? You look a little pale."

Her comment has Claudine turning around instantly to look Maya over as well. Maya holds her hands up in a pacifying manner.

"Please do not fret. I-"

But just then, she's cut off at the same exact time as everyone else falls dead silent.

The sound of nine cell phones echoing the same, dreadfully-familiar ringtone fills the room.

An air of dismay clouds over all of them, but before anyone can so much as move or speak, all the lights in the building go out. Shrieks of surprise fill the hallways, but Maya only hears her eight friends.

"No, no, no-"

"Not again! Please-"

"Please don't make us…"

But at this point, it all seems inevitable.

When Maya and the others next open their eyes, they find themselves in the last place they want to be right now, wearing the same outfits, and with the same weapons in their hands.

The nine of them stand in line on the stage, and there's a menacing hissing sound coming from all around them.

Only this time, the monsters aren't onstage before them.

As the others wail out in dismay and frustration, Maya whirls around to face the audience. What she sees sends her staggering back in horror.

Every single row of seats glares back at them with shifting, glowing red eyes. The Korosu fill every inch of space around the stage, teeming with menace in the shadows.

As the others turn around and glimpse their surroundings, they begin to cry out.

"Wh-What is this?!"

"There are too many!"

"No! We're not doing this again!"

Their voices are mixed with fear and despair, and all nine girls slowly step away from the shadows until they are all huddled together beneath the wide spotlight.

Maya glances around to all of them, and each of her friends wears an expression of outrage and terror that matches what she's feeling in her chest right now. Claudine is right beside her, and Maya's heart is in her throat as she meets her gaze. Claudine shakes her head, equally as confused and scared and angry all at once.

But before Maya can think to say or do anything, one voice rises up above the others.

"No!" Nana screams. "We won't do this again! We won't!"

Another spotlight comes on to illuminate the far end of the stage. The nine girls turn, whimpering and growling, to find the giraffe standing there. Elle is beside him with her head bowed in shame.

"I'm sorry…" she whispers. "There was no other way…"

With a sword in each hand, Nana takes a few combative steps toward them.

"Elle-san! This is too dangerous! We already-"

"Now, now," the giraffe cuts in, his calmness an almost irritating contrast to the panic his bringing them here has induced. Nana stops dead in her tracks and glares up at him, but he doesn't seem fazed in the slightest. "You have all been brought back here when you'd been told you would not have to return for such a purpose. You are upset. I understand."

"Don't gimme that!" Futaba shouts. "Send us back!"

"That's right!" Claudine joins in furiously. "We won't risk one another because of some stupid Korosu!"

"I understand," he says again, swishing his tail. "But what if I told you that right here - tonight - you could erase the Korosu, once and for all?"

At that, the girls fall silent. Even Nana loosens her grip on her swords a little. Maya remains quiet as the others begin to call out.

"Once and for all?" Kaoruko asks. "So that means we'll never have to be called out here to fight them again?"

"And the other schools, too?" Karen wonders. "We can get rid of all the Korosu now, and no Stage Girl will ever have to fight them again...?"

"And," Hikari says. "Wouldn't that mean none of our plays would ever be at risk of disappearing again…?"

With everyone's statements now heard, Nana takes it upon herself to address the giraffe again warily.

"Fine. We'll hear you out. But that doesn't mean we've accepted any conditions yet!"

"I understand." The giraffe dips his head.

Maya casts her gaze back out through the shadowy audience. The Korosu seem to have shifted closer to the stage by now. She keeps her sword firm in her right hand, and uses her left to touch Claudine's arm, keeping her close. Claudine does the same for Kaoruko next to her, who in turn takes hold of Futaba, until they're all united down the end of the line to Nana.

Everyone waits, and their silence only makes the echoing sounds of the Korosu all the louder. Elle still hasn't raised her head, and Maya doesn't like that.

At last, the giraffe cranes his neck a little and sweeps his gaze down the line of fighters.

"Stage Girls," he proclaims. "Tonight, I shall present to you the unprecedented opportunity to eradicate the existence of the Korosu once and for all. But in order to rid the stage of this deep and ugly stain, a particularly bright radiance must be exchanged. Tonight, you may save your stages, and every play that you may ever perform upon it, so long as you offer up the appropriate price."

He blinks, and his eyes show no emotion.

"The stage merely requires a single sacrifice. And as such, this shall be a fight to the death."

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A/N: xxx