Regret

Over the property line, through the growing crowd of onlookers, and into a nearby park though they went, still nothing felt safe. Another series of blasts ripped through the building, and Eita turned back to see what the matter was. Yua insisted on coming along, and together they found Azalea, shortly before Penny found them.

Together, the three of them were able to get Azalea out of sight and back to Sammy. Somehow, despite seeming to be ripped up just about everywhere, Azalea was still able to talk, and related what had befallen her even as Sammy told her and Penny what had happened to Sara.

Throughout all of this, Yua stayed largely mute. It was more than clear she'd realized how unnatural things were, and more than likely she had an inkling that Eita had known at least some of it before today. Still, she stayed close, and she tried to apply what first aid she could to Azalea's wounds without commenting on the golden blood.

“What about you?” Sammy asked, facing Penny.

“Let's not count our chickens before they've hatched,” Penny replied, “Suffice to say I'm reasonably unscathed.”

“I won't ask any more, then,” Sammy said. She paced anxiously.

“You're not going back,” Penny said.

“I-”

“If Sara lost her gambit,” Penny said, “that's her fault. It may seem cold, but by everything you've said she chose that fight, and she might have had the best chance of any of us.”

“We-”

“If you'd stayed,” Penny said, “Ikami-kun and Jinguushi-san would have been in danger. More bystanders as well, by the sound of it. That's probably what Sara was thinking.”

The one girl who had been injured had scrambled away before Eita, Sammy, and Yua made their break. Presumably, if she was able to get that far, she could get to help.

Sammy looked up at the smoke rising from the school.

“I know what whatever happened,” she said, “it's probably decided by now. But I can't help myself, I... we began as nine. Now we might be six. I...”

Sammy gasped.

“I never should have had a dream. Never should have wished to know. Never should have taken the lead for all of you.”

“Um,” Yua said, “can I say something?”

Sammy looked to Yua, eyes wide in surprise.

“I... admit I don't understand a lot about any of this. Everything that's happening. And at this point I'm even afraid to ask too much. But, Sammy?”

“Yes?”

“I know you're a good person,” Yua said, “I've always been able to tell pretty easily. So you should always hold on to your dreams. Even when times are bad, especially when times are bad, that's what keeps a person moving forward.”

“My dreams have gotten my friends killed,” Sammy said, “and worse.”

Azalea began to stir.

“Give me a break,” she said. She began to force herself to her feet, her more superficial injuries already gone or nearly so.

“Azalea?”

“You should lie down,” Yua said.

“Not for this,” Azalea replied. She looked Sammy in the eye with a sharp, cold glare Eita never would have expected out of her.

“This happened,” Azalea said, “and Jack, and Shamsiel, and Haniel. That's true. But if I were next... I'd meet my fate with a smile. Do you know why?”

“No!” Sammy cried, “I don't know how anyone could!”

“Because,” Azalea said, “I'd have been able to live as myself, even for a little while. I'd have been able to see with eyes unclouded with lies, and speak with a voice unchained by the powers that bound us. Azazel never could have settled the score with Lailah. But I can. And that'd because of the choices you've made and where you've brought us. So don't tell me the bravest of us has cold feet.”

“And besides,” Penny said, “even if you chose to lead, we chose to follow. I'd appreciate not being written off so easily.”

Sammy hung her head. Yua, wordless, hugged her.

“You don't know...” Sammy whispered.

“Then tell me,” Yua said.

Eita stepped back to give them a little space.

Penny stepped up next to him.

“I'll let you ask what you want out loud,” Penny said.

“What happens now?”

“We regroup,” she replied, “Azalea should have ways to get in touch with the others. They deserve to know, at least, and be party to any decision we make.”

Eita looked down, wondering what his place in that future would be.

“I give you the chance,” Penny said, “and you blow it. But you and Jinguushi-san can follow this path as far as you want. At least, that's how I think things will pan out.”

“Do... you think you'll be safe?” Eita asked.

“It's hard to say any more,” Penny said, “Angels typically have rules. Some set by the Weaver itself, some long practice by the elder generations or the wisdom of the Seraphs like Apollyon, but rules all the same. More than one was broken today.”

“So,” Eita said, “anything could happen.”

“Could,” Penny said, “but won't. The world always has infinite possibilities, but few that could realistically come to pass. Do you want to know my analysis?”

“I guess I do,” Eita said.

“Of the angels who participated in the assault,” she said, “Munkar must be calling the shots. Lailah would have played by the book, but Munkar always took any rules about protecting the innocent as suggestions rather than laws. If he'd taken us all in one fell swoop, he might have been forgiven, but he'll be called to task as soon as he returns to the Weaver. He knows this too, so he'll try to keep up the hunt as long as he can. But his hold on command will be tenuous, given he's only a Power.”

“Power?” Eita asked.

“I can tell you've figured out by now where Seraphs, Thrones, and Virtues stand,” Penny said. As she did, Eita confirmed it by recalling that her list was in descending order of strength.

“Powers,” she said, “or Reapers, are a sort of informal caste within the Virtues, who are overspecialized for battle. Munkar and most of the others remaining on our case – Nakir, Shamnail, and Turail – are of that sort. It's no surprise he's been given this task but he's a bottom-of-the-barrel angel and that does him no favors.”

“Reapers,” Eita said, mulling it over. “Do angels do battle often?”

“Quite seldom,” Penny said, “and even less often against anything that would call for skill. Call it one of the mysteries of the Weaver we haven't solved yet: the host of angels is practically an army, but for what war? All things considered, it's probably the most important of the mysteries, though not the one I most want the answer to.”

“Which is?”

“Angels are formed from souls, and presumably bear the image of their past in the moment of decease. So why are most angels young when most humans die old?”

It was a conundrum, Eita realized, but there was one slightly more immediate.

“You... were all staying at the school, weren't you?” Eita ventured. He had never seen them leave for the night

“It was convenient,” Penny said.

“So, where will you go now?” he asked.

Apparently, he asked loudly enough, as Sammy spoke up.

“Actually,” she said, “I was, um, hoping I could stay with you.”