Inside the Sentaku Mēkā, within the halls of the Gaidansu, Magia Regnum Interior.
Prime Shoujo Galaxy Gem, Horiko Tomiyo, tapped her foot anxiously. She already had a lot on her plate and she hadn’t expected to be called to the office of the Haimajika. To her left the Shuyō of the Siegi Keikan, the magical girl known as "Honey Yohko", Haruka Asato, stood quietly, back leaning against the wall. Horiko and Haruka had grown up together and would have normally relished in the opportunity for small chatter between them as their jobs these days left them very little time for themselves. However, neither said anything. Horiko was not sure if this was due to Haruka simply sharing in her anxiety or something else. Although, Horiko couldn’t really tell what Haruka was thinking since she couldn’t exactly see her face. As usual, it was hidden behind a plain, white mask bearing the insignia of the Seigi Keikan.
There were no features to accentuate her face nor any place to see her eyes nor her mouth. While it was part of the uniform, normally during such events most would take it off but it had been a good long while since Haruka had shown her face to anyone. It pained Horiko a little bit, Haruka had always been a happy and bubbly girl. Full of energy, always with the widest grin and shining eyes. But now she usually just sat there. Unmoving. Emotionless. Often when she spoke it was close to monotone. However, Haruka didn’t have her hood up like usual. Horiko could see her beautiful, auburn hair which fell halfway down her back. Her bangs were pulled back with a simple, red ribbon which tied into a bow on each side of her head. A small hint of the old Haruka was still there.
Both of them perked up at the sound of a door across the room opening, a faint glow came from behind it. Out of it emerged in beautiful, white robes and shining blonde hair the Haimajika, Isami "Seeker Bell" Amari. Horiko tensed up at first, it was not often she got to speak with the Haimajika these days as she was a busy girl. Not to mention, Isami was a legendary magical girl far older than most. Horiko was not sure how old, but she knew Isami was almost a couple hundred years old at this point. While Horiko had been a magical girl for a considerable time herself, it still paled in comparison to the titan before her. Isami had a gentle smile on her face and light radiated from her. Her warm eyes soon put Horiko at ease and her shoulders dropped as she let out the tension.
Haruka moved from her position against the wall and joined by Horiko’s side. Both of them bowed before the Haimajika. Horiko then caught movement out her eye and turned her head to look over to see Haruka had removed her mask. Horiko was reminded as to why Haruka never took it off these days. A large scar from her forehead to her jawline ran down the left side of her face. The skin below the right side of her lower lip and chin was discolored and disfigured from a nasty burn. Her eyes looked slightly sunken and baggy. Haruka glanced over at Horiko and their eyes met. Haruka gave a weak smile to Horiko and Horiko could see a small hint of that light return to Haruka’s eyes. Isami looked at the both of them and chuckled softly to herself before addressing the both of them.
“I have been speaking with the Ōrumaiti as of late and I must say it is a bit startling,” Isami’s voice carried power but was also sweet, yet concerned, “there is a disturbance being sensed and she is in pain.”
Isami looked more troubled than usual by this.
“This could be the explanation of our increase in otherspawn attacks.” Haruka piped up with a somewhat achromatic tone. “We have been monitoring unseen levels for a while. We’ve lost quite a few sentinels to it too.”
Haruka let out a somewhat pained sigh. It was true the defense of the nation fell heavily on her shoulders as the supreme commander of the Seigi Keikan she oversaw the Armaments Service as well the Threat Countermeasure Department. It also had been responsible for her visible injuries on her face. No doubt there were many more below her robes. Haruka was a fighter, not a bureaucrat. The lives she was responsible for weighed on her.
“Yes, I am afraid there is something big coming.” Isami said with a grave expression on her face.
Horiko had sweat start forming on her forehead. Something big? The Haimajika would not say this lightly.
“I believe we might be dealing with a Sonohoka directly.” Isami continued, “The Ōrumaiti is sure of it. She can sense them stronger and stronger every day.”
A Sonohoka… Is this possible? This group of malevolent lifeforms. Horiko had heard stories about them. They were the kin of the Ōrumaiti not unlike her. However, they were insane. Twisted. Destroyers of mortal life that even the Ōrumaiti had fled from them. But one here? Surely it was the Ōrumaiti they were after. Magia Regnum couldn’t allow this. She was their protector and their source of power. Haruka lowered her head and tapped her chin repeatedly, no doubt deep in thought.
“We will have to assemble the sentinels. All of them.” Haruka said coolly, snapping back up.
Isami nodded. “That was my thought as well.” She said with a grim expression on her face, “no doubt many will be lost though.”
The sentinels. The magical girl guardians of Magia Regnum. Battle rarely occurs in our realm, sentinels fight within the spirit realm; the place the sonohaka and the otherspawn dwell. However, they also ensure by doing this that those do not cross over here. But to assemble a large force, that rarely happened. Horiko had a bit more sweat beading down her cheek.
“I will also be personally leading it.” Haruka said, not breaking her coolness. Horiko’s ears perked up.
This made Horiko’s blood run cold. Haruka had seen many conflicts as evident from her injuries but it was never easy. This could easily cost her her life.
“Please see to the assembly as quickly as possible.” Isami replied, nodding her head before looking over at Horiko. “Galaxy Gem, I want to you brief the Tate-Shōsū and also reach out to our magical girl sisters to warn them of the danger. I am also going to need you to procure space for our gathering.”
Horiko slowly nodded, mind still on Haruka. Isami then bowed and Horiko and Haruka returned it. Quietly, she turned around and went back through the door she had entered. As soon as it slammed shut Haruko turned to leave. Horiko instinctively grabbed onto her sleeve and pulled. Haruka stopped and turned, looking at her. Horiko was not sure what to say - what to do - but she worried about her friend as always.
“Haruka I…” she began, clasping her hand within her own. However, no words came out but stumbling stutters. Haruka gave a weak, but warm, smile and placed her hand overtop Horiko’s
“It will be ok, Horiko. I promise.” she said, giving Horiko’s hand a gentle squeeze.
Horiko then let her own hand go.Haruka placed her mask on her face once more and pulled her hood back up. With gentle, but confident, strides she then exited the room. Horiko just stood there for a while, deep in thought and worry, biting her lip.
