They say the little mermaid loved a man who gave her up, and in her despair, she threw the dagger and herself off the ship into the water just as dawn broke. Unicorns are supposed to represent hope and purity with an upturned horn, but a downturned horn means despair. Another witch, another labyrinth. It’s getting harder each time, isn’t it? You watch her fight with a reckless abandon, her swords flashing in the dim light of the labyrinth. You see the glint of tears in her eyes, though whether they are from frustration or something deeper, you can’t tell. She pushes herself harder, fueled by something that seems to burn brighter than magic.

The witch lunges, and Sayaka stumbles, her defense faltering. It’s then that you decide you can’t watch any longer. You step in, your own magic swirling around you like a protective cloak. The witch turns its attention to you, its gaze filled with malice. You don't hesitate. With a swift movement, a powerful blast of energy rips through the labyrinth, vaporizing the witch in an instant.

The silence that follows is deafening. Sayaka stares at you, her face a mask of surprise and… something else. Is it relief? Disappointment? You can't quite decipher it. "You didn't have to," she says, her voice barely a whisper. "I know," you reply. "But I did. And I'd do it again."

You approach her cautiously, noting the exhausted slump of her shoulders, the way her grip tightens on her swords. She's pushing herself too hard, trying to be the hero she desperately wants to be. But the weight of that expectation is crushing her. "You okay?" you ask, knowing it's a loaded question.

She hesitates, then shakes her head. "I... I don't know anymore."