*
War never ends, it only changes in form. Economical, biological, chemical. Introduction of society destabilising laws, garnering support and acceptance under the pretty name of progress, equality or advancement... Calculated injections of immigrants, eroding local culture or outbreeding them and taking over the population, like rats introducing the plague...
Even if it wasn't outright military war, there were belligerents throughout time that use these underhanded methods. In an isolated case any of these injections would look good, but under corrupted law and not just negligence but malicious intent, locals and existing culture are antagonised and suppressed by newer more egregious laws. Slow but steady steps are taken to ensure eradication of native culture. The country might live as a bastardisation of its past glory, but the original people are replaced.
Second stage, [Endless conflict]. Sariel couldn't find Arin or Lastia ever since she made it to the surface. She was in another world, an Oblivion Magia. An entire dimension crafted by the enemy's arcane arts, even a shadow of a minor embodiment was able to cause this much chaos with the mere calling of its own name. Realising the facade, it throws away the illusion of a theme park. The massive rides in the distance, the food stalls to the side, the leisurely park, all of it dissolves into the jett black sky.
War will never end, this is an inherent evil possessed by humanity or a subset of it that never knows peace. Without a pause, a rain of artillery shells plow across the land, tilling a massive trench. You will never find peace, life will be constant battle. Was that what it was trying to tell her? Utilising {Swap}, she switch places with the air above her, shifting behind the flying shells after they were launched far enough.
The park wouldn't be damaged anyway. She didn't have to mind about property damage, anyway the 'Event' will take care of all damage. Relocating closer to the Trace, she lands a punch square on its bird like body. Being featherless, it had nothing to shed as its limp body was thrown into the air. Nuclear missiles materialised in mid air, pointed at Sariel. They fire without mercy, even if they didn't hit the fallout itself would be devastating. Had it been hiding its power?
After losing, it exhibited the characteristics of an A grade, two grades above the initial assessment. The bombs erupt, despite teleporting behind the Trace and out of direct fire, the shcokwave knocks into her back. In this small space the impact was even more concentrated, and the Trace was immune to its own magic. Speaking of which, it seemed completely invulnerable with how her punch did nothing but push it away.
[Execution]
[Restitution of evil]
It evolved on the spot? That's the only explanation Sariel could think of. She didn't have the talent to fight like Lastia did, neither did she have the mysterious backing and wealth of power Arin sat on. Everyone knew Arin casted the curse at this point, but no one dared to speak up. Lastia recovered from her curse... Everyone was afraid of bursting the bubble, eliminating the status quo. The current situation is one of peace...
"... I need to be strong. I told her not to leave me, I'm scared..." (Sariel)
She can't do damage, she can only run. At least in this space, the opponent will never run out of magic nor will they be able to die. For the past 10 minutes, there was an unceasing hail of bullets and occasional artillery shells. What's worse... Were the nuclear missiles being sent her away. After the very first shock wave struck deep into her body, she has been teleporting further and further.
"I didn't want to let go... But I might be let go off..." (Sariel)
Arriving at the air behind the Trace, she slams down both arms into its head before shifting away. A bomb erupts next to its body. It's immune to its own attacks, blowing itself up seemed unconventional but it was the safest move it could prepare. Sariel's relation with her parents was ordinary, she was on friendly terms with her classmates in highschool. She didn't lack anything... Really, all she had compared to the other 2 was her ordinary life... And her immense drive not to lose her precious daily life.
"It's average, that's why it's precious. You would never understand that. You mindless monsters only know destruction." (Sariel)
She teleports near and slams her foot into its head, sending its beak digging into the ground. Retreating to a high altitude, she watches her opponent with caution. It had stopped flying, perhaps wary of her as well. Strangely it stopped employing the self exploding tactics. Cold sweat climbs down her back, she sends herself back to the surface as fireworks erupt among the nonexistent clouds. It had begun to think ahead and prepared armaments waiting to ambush potential points of interest...
During a certain era of war, there was more iron in the sky than flesh. Following anti air doctrine, if there is an entire curtain of fire it is more likely to hit a plane than not. This was what it was doing, it was making the battlefield a minefield, including the sky and ground. Think, Sariel... Think. How would Lastia get out of this? She... She would absorb the blast from the bombs with her magic, firepower has never been a concern for her, that's how she grew stronger so fast...
Sariel was not Lastia. That's a given. Something so obvious... Learning that now was too late. Never put stocks into one plan, always have a back up prepared. She needed to grow stronger, to catch up with the other 2.
"Or they will leave me...!" (Sariel)
All she had was her experience. However in the grim face of reality, it couldn't bridge the massive gap in power and let her save her friends. All she did was get defeated by the Super Satellite, and even turn over to its side, in an attempted negotiation to secure Lastia's safety. What safety? That heavenly king was just like the rest, it wanted humanity fully eradicated... Sariel might have been the first to be slaughtered, she was like an ant before that being... She could never understand those who could risk their life at the drop of a hat, just for an infinitesimal chance to win.
"That's right... I'm afraid, I'm weak. I can't do anything right!" (Sariel)
She landed another punch, it was never afraid to take another hit. All of its nuclear missiles were teleported away with {Swap}, causing destruction far off into the abyss. The dark space was awash with sparkling lights, like a fireworks show.
"Haa~ haa~ but... At least... I can learn to make right..." (Sariel)
Even so, she was strong. After all, she is a magical girl.