Celestial Sonata 7 Amagi Sayuri Princess Comics / Akita Shoten Amagi Sayuri Hi, everybody, how are you? Here's lucky number 7! It's a story about Erinoa and Elmelia. Poor Chibi-Micael really suffered a lot, didn't he? But he is really cute! Translator's notes: I keep mistyping "Satan" as "Stan"! I hope my proofreading got out everything! Oh, and Amagi-sensei wasn't kidding when she said that Chibi-Micael suffered a whole lot. It's no "Grave of the Fireflies," but it's pretty dark stuff. Come on, it's not right to do that to such a cute little kid! Celestial Sonata 7 Contents Fatalein, Child of Fate (Finale) 5 The Three Moon Tears (Prelude) 139 Chapter 11 Fatalein, Child of Fate Micael : If I become an angel, maybe my mom won't be scared of me. Erinoa : Hey, that's pretty good. Micael : It's homework for school. I'm trying really hard to make the best one. Erinoa : Great! That's an angel, isn't it? Micael : Yeah. Erinoa : It kind of looks like Elmelia. <> Micael : Your sister? Erinoa : That's how it feels…very warm… Micael : Then I'll give it to you when I'm done. And then it will be like Elmelia-san's always here! Erinoa : Thanks, that's very nice of you. Micael : That's not it… Micael : It's because I want a part of me to be with you. Elmelia : Wari!? <> Elmelia : You really startled me! Wari : I haven't had work that hard on Earth in a long time. I'm sorry that I can't join you on my one day off, Elmelia… Elmelia : Oh, it's all right. It must be hard working for Nature itself. <> Wari : The truth is, I don't think I could do it at all without help from the Seraphims and the other great Angels. The Earth is gradually getting strange…As human culture progresses, the sky and the sea, the mountains and the streams, are crying. Elmelia : Crying? Wari : They can only watch silently as their bodies are ruined… And it's the same with the animals. The balance in the food chain is off because of the humans. <> Wari : It's exhausting trying to turn the tide. Elmelia : It does sound hard, but keep at it. I don't think that humans are really bad at heart. Wari : I agree; it's just that they never look back. They can only see the highly civilized modern society before them, even though it's so important to look back sometimes on the distant past when men lived in harmony with nature. Now we have to raise lots of great sorcerors in order to guide the Earth in a better direction, even if it's just by a little. Elmelia : Would the Realm of Magic be destroyed if there weren't any sorcerors? Wari : I think so. It's a world held up by our own magic and positive energy from the human world. Elmelia : Then, would Heaven and Hell be connected again like in the distant past? Wari : No. I think that if the Realm of Magic were destroyed, all of the heavens would be as well. Would you like Heaven and Hell to be connected? Elmelia : No, it's just… Wari : Speaking of that, you're always reading books relating in some way to Hell. Elmelia : I do have an interest in Hell. It's an unknown world that, as an angel, I can't even imagine. But there are hardly any books on Hell in Heaven… Wari : You'd have to go to the Palace of Gods to look for some, wouldn't you? What's that? Wari : This is the Green Castle! It's not a place for kids! --Stop that at once, Fall! Wari : So this is… --I'm very sorry about this. Wari : No, I'm sorry… Elmelia : You have to apologize to him. Fall : I'm very sorry. Wari : Please stop, Falliador-sama! Elmelia : Is that your kid, Wari? Wari : No! <> Wari : Falliador-sama is the great-grandchild of the head sorceror. Elmelia : Well, aren't you cute? How old are you? 5? Wari : No, he should be about 8 by now… Elmelia : Really? He doesn't look it. Wari : For some reason, he's short for his age. He still doesn't talk very much… I told you to stay quietly at the house, didn't I? Fall : Let's go to the festival! Wari : Is that why you came here? Fall : Yeah, the festival! Elmelia : It is time for the Winter Spirit Festival, isn't it? Wari : Yeah, it just started last night… Elmelia : Why don't I take him there? Wari : Don't joke about that. If you take him into town— Elmelia : It seems like my brother has cheered up because of that boy. He'd been depressed ever since he left the Palace of Heaven because he couldn't use his wings. Wari : I'm glad, Elmelia. Elmelia : Thanks, Wari. I think his name is "Micael"…I'd like to see him sometime. I wonder what he's like? <> Elmelia : Erinoa!? Erinoa : Elmelia! Elmelia : Is this Micael? He's cute! I'm Elmelia. It's nice to meet you! Micael : So this is Erinoa's sister…she's pretty. Hello… <> Wari : Elmelia! Elmelia : Over here, Wari! Wari : You have fun with your brother—Fall and I will leave. Elmelia : But… Erinoa : What's wrong, Micael? <> Wari : What mysterious eyes… Elmelia : Wari, Erinoa's with Micael today. I'll see you later, Micael. Uh oh—where's Fall!? He's gone! Wari : Not again! We should tie him up or something! Elmelia : Wait, Wari! Elmelia : I'll come home tonight and make you supper, Erinoa! --Hey, what are you doing with those apples!? <> Micael : She's just like you said she was. Erinoa : You mean Elmelia? Micael : Yeah. She's bright and sweet and pretty—very angelic. It looks like she's not sad about anything. Erinoa : She always smiles, but she cried for days upon days when our parents died. Micael : How did they die? Erinoa : From Kadriffs poison…the antidote was too late. And now, she's desperately in love with someone she can never be with. Micael : What does it mean, to be in love? Erinoa : It's a bit to soon for you to know that, little Mii. [And, first place in the 'bad pun' category: it actually crossed my mind to make it "Mini-Mii."] I guess you could say it's when a person starts to really like another person. <> Micael : Well, I really like you, Erinoa. Is that it? Erinoa : No…it's between a man and a woman. Micael : Well, you really like Elmelia-san—is that it? Erinoa : …Maybe…I get irritated when I see her with other guys… I do love Elmelia, but she's my sister… <> Micael : Are you not supposed to fall in love with your sister? Erinoa : No. Micael : Why not? Erinoa : There's not really a reason… Micael : I don't really understand this. But I do like you, Erinoa. I feel safe with you. Erinoa : Thanks, Micael. You're a good kid. Micael : You're the only one who's ever had a place for me. Erinoa : Since Elmelia will be making dinner tonight, why don't you come and have some? Your parents won't be home, right? Micael : Won't I bother you? Erinoa : You shouldn't worry about that. <> Elmelia : That boy really likes you. When we met today, he was hanging on to your arm, and the way he looked at me scared me. Erinoa : He's just shy. Elmelia : I wonder if he thinks of me as a rival for love? Erinoa : No way! He's a boy! <> Elmelia : What!? Erinoa : Didn't I tell you? [Because Japanese hardly uses any pronouns, this actually worked in the original version…nyeh…] Micael : I'm done! I'm done the carving of Elmelia-san! Erinoa : When did you meet Wari? Elmelia : At the Summer Solstice meeting. He's a very good person. Erinoa : You went to the meeting hall? Elmelia : Because that's the only day I could see him. Erinoa : Are you still in love with Satan-sama, Elmelia? You should give it up. You know you'll never have him. You're an angel, and he's the ruler of Hell. Elmelia : It's not about whether I can or can't have him. I just love him. <> Elmelia : He doesn't even have to know I exist. Erinoa : That isn't love. Could you just watch as you were slowly crushed to death? That's not love. If it were love, you'd want to make him know you exist, no matter what. Am I wrong!? Micael : Erinoa? Erinoa : Don't you want to have him no matter what else has to be sacrificed? Elmelia : Brother… <> Erinoa : I…I… Elmelia : You're so cruel…I'm your sister… Erinoa : Elmelia… Erinoa : Elmelia! Elmelia : How could this have happened? We got along so well when we were children, playing with Shia. I loved him! <> Erinoa : What have I done? Micael…I'm sorry, but could you leave me alone? Micael : I finished this… <> Erinoa : Elmelia… Micael : It's all right. I'm sure Elmelia-san will forgive you. Erinoa : What do you know? You're just a child. Micael : Erinoa… Erinoa : Go home. Micael : But I… Erinoa : I told you to go home! <> Erinoa : Micael! I'm sorry, Micael…you worked so hard on that… "I'll give it to you, and then it will be like Elmelia-san is always here." Erinoa : Hey, wait! Micael! I'm sorry about yesterday. Erinoa : Look, I fixed it… Micael : Aren't you mad? Erinoa : Why would I be mad? It was my fault. Micael : No…I wasn't thinking about your feelings, Erinoa. Erinoa : Micael…don't let things like that worry you. You should act more like a normal kid. <> Micael : But I don't want you to hate me. Erinoa : You'll tire yourself out if you think too much, Micael, OK? Micael : OK. Erinoa : You should have this after all…it hurts me to look at it. <> Micael : If Erinoa loves Elmelia-san that much, how much could he like me? <> Elmelia : I do love you! Even if you don't know how I feel, I'll watch you from here. <> Elmelia : "That's not love. If it were love, you'd want to make him know you exist, no matter what." No, brother…I'm happy like this. --Welcome, Elmelia Garland. Elmelia : What business might Bael-sama's servants have with someone like me? --In truth, it is wished for you to become his queen. Elmelia : You must be joking. I am an angel, and if I enter Hell, I will die. --With our power, it is possible for an angel to enter Hell and live. Elmelia : But, I… --The one you love is there, is he not? <> --No matter how much you care for Satan-sama, it is in vain while you are in Heaven. Become Bael-sama's queen. Then you will be able to live in Hell where Satan-sama lives. You would be able even to visit his castle and exchange words with him. Elmelia : That isn't what I want! Please forgive me, but I cannot do as Bael-sama wishes. <> --Then I have no choice but to hurt your loved ones, one by one, Elmelia. <> Elmelia : What do you mean by that? --If you reject Bael-sama, he will take his revenge against you. Be ready for it. Elmelia : But… <> Wari : For an angel to enter Hell? It may be possible, with the power of one of the Four Great Powers—but I suspect that that would consist more of turning an angel into something that is not an angel, than doing something which would permit an angel to enter alive into Hell. Why do you ask? Elmelia : For no special reason. I'm sorry for disturbing you. Goodbye, Wari. <> Shia : Elmelia? Elmelia : Shia… Shia : You don't look well. Is something wrong? Elmelia : Not at all. Where are you going all made up like that? <> Shia : A date—I wish! Actually I'm going home for the first time in a while. Elmelia : You haven't been home much since you officially became an adult, have you? Shia : Yeah, but they don't worry about me because you're my partner. Elmelia : Well, thanks! What happened to your arm? Shia : Oh, this? It's nothing, just a little burn. But I almost burned my face! Elmelia : Bael-sama… Elmelia : I'm sorry, but I need to go somewhere. Shia : Elmelia! Elmelia : Get better soon! What should I do? What should I do? Micael : This is going to be boring. <> Micael : Even though I have the day off the day after tomorrow, my mom and dad are going to be at work. Erinoa : The day after tomorrow? That's your birthday, isn't it? Micael : You remembered? Erinoa : You'll be ten, won't you, little Mii? Micael : Yeah! Erinoa : All right, I'll take you somewhere. Micael : Really? Erinoa : Wait at your house, and I'll pick you up by noon on the 7th. Micael : You promise, Erinoa? Erinoa : I promise. <> Wari : I heard that you were her only living relative, and though it may seem rude of me, I thought I should let you know that Elmelia has fallen ill. I've been worried about her for the past several days, so I went to visit the Palace of Heaven this morning, and… Erinoa : What kind of illness does she have? Wari : It doesn't seem that she's physically sick…it's more like there's something wrong with her spirit. Is there anything you think it could be? Erinoa : Is this my fault, Elmelia? Micael : That's strange…it's past noon. --Erinoa isn't coming. Chapter 11 There's something strange that happened related to the carving of the angel that I drew. One of my friends sent me, as a present, a glass angel sculpture that looks just like it, and she hasn't even read this manga! The hair, the position of her hands, the way she stands, are all exactly alike! The movie "The Last Emperor" is amazing! It was pretty long, but I didn't look at my watch once! I started to cry lots of times in the middle of it. The old guy sitting next to me and my friends looked at us like we were really weird, because we just kept crying! I was crying so hard at the end that I couldn't even read the credits! I guess I'll have to get it on video now… <> Micael : Who's that? She seems to know me… --He's with Elmelia now. Micael : With Elmelia-san? --He forgot all about his promise with you. Micael : What's she saying? Who are you? --Do you know how much he loves his little sister? Micael : Who are you? --He loves her much more than he loves you. But you probably don't understand that, boy. Poor Micael… if only Elmelia didn't exist… Micael : Stop! --If only Elmelia didn't exist, he would love you the most. --Erinoa's heart belongs completely to his sister. There's no place in it for you. Micael : But…Erinoa likes me…doesn't he? But…he forgot all about his promise… Erinoa : Are you really all right? Elmelia : Yes, I'm sorry to have worried you. Erinoa : Is this my fault, Elmelia? Elmelia : No, my brother. Erinoa : Then, why? Erinoa : Oh, shoot! I forgot all about my promise with Micael! Elmelia : Oh dear, you should go right away! Erinoa : I'm sorry that I'm leaving so suddenly. Elmelia : Be careful, brother! Erinoa : I will. Elmelia, please forget about what I said before. I'm very sorry. Elmelia : It's all right. Micael : "Erinoa's heart belongs completely to his sister." <> Micael : I wish—I wish—I wish Elmelia wasn't here! <> Erinoa : Micael? That's strange…the door's open. Are you still asleep? Hmm…footprints. Micael! Hey, where are you? <> Erinoa : Micael!? Micael! Open your eyes! <> Micael : Erinoa? Why didn't you come? Erinoa : I'm sorry. Elmelia got sick, so I went to visit her. Micael : "There's no place there for you. If only Elmelia didn't exist, he would love you best." Erinoa : I really am sorry. Micael : Erinoa…You care about Elmelia more than me! Erinoa : Micael…? Micael : I don't want to be second…Elmelia is beautiful and kind, and loved by so many people. Not even my own mother loves me, because of my eyes! No one loves me, except for you, Erinoa! I don't have anyone but you, so… <> Erinoa : You're selfish. Why can't you make friends with children your own age? Micael : They all think I'm strange. Erinoa : Isn't that because you avoid them? I'm sure that if you opened up your heart, you would make friends. Micael? Micael!? <> Micael : I don't want any superficial friends. I want someone to truly understand me—and nothing else. --But do you even truly understand yourself? Micael : Who are you? --Micael, of course. <> --I know who you really are…someone very close to darkness. Micael : What!? --Greedy Micael, there is nothing but pure darkness at the bottom of your heart. Micael : Quiet! --Didn't you think that you wished Elmelia was dead? Micael : What are you saying? --Didn't you break that carving of her? <> --You killed Elmelia! Micael : No! I didn't! That's a lie! Go away! Just go away! Mother : Micael! It's your mother… Micael : What happened to me? Mother : You've been asleep with an awful fever. Garland-san took care of you until we got home. Micael : Where's Erinoa!? Mother : He's gone home now. He said he would come again tomorrow. Micael : Oh… <> Mother : I'm sorry we had to leave you alone on your birthday, Micael… Micael : That's OK. Where's my carving? Mother : It's all broken. The wind must have knocked it down. Micael : Did you throw it away? Mother : No, I put it in a box. Micael : That's good. Father : It won't be easy to fix that, Micael. Micael : I know, but I'm going to anyway. I'm sorry, Elmelia-san. Erinoa : Elmelia! Are you feeling better? Elmelia : Yes, I'm fine. Brother… Erinoa : What is it? Elmelia : Nothing. <> Elmelia : Was Micael-kun mad that you were late? Erinoa : That just reminded me, I've got to go see how he's doing. Yesterday…he fell off a cliff and got hurt. He fell asleep with a very high fever. Elmelia : He's hurt? "I will hurt everyone you care about, one by one"…no, I'm overthinking things. It's just a coincidence. <> Elmelia : I'll be going home now. Erinoa : In such a hurry? Elmelia : Go and see how Micael-kun is doing. Erinoa : Elmelia…Why are there so many crows!? <> Erinoa : Elmelia! <> Elmelia : Erinoa! Erinoa : Stay back, Elmelia! Elmelia : Stop! I beg you, stop! <> Erinoa : What the hell were those crows doing? Elmelia : Brother! I'm sorry…I'm so sorry… Erinoa : Why are you apologizing? Elmelia : It's my fault! Erinoa : Elmelia… Elmelia : It's my fault! Micael : This is pretty hard. Mother : Micael, Garland-san is here to see you. Erinoa : How are you feeling, Micael? I hear your fever's gone down, at least. <> Micael : What happened to your hand, Erinoa? Erinoa : Oh, this? For some reason I was stormed by a murder of crows this morning. Micael : A murder of crows? Wow…were you scared? Erinoa : I was a lot more scared when I found you at the bottom of that cliff. Micael : Erinoa…I… Erinoa : Do you think you'll be able to fix that broken carving? <> Micael : It wasn't just that it was broken…I broke it! But I promise, I'll fix it and make it just like new! Erinoa : It's all right, Micael. Micael : I'm sorry. <> Micael : Erinoa? Erinoa : Yeah? Micael : Am I someone who's close to the darkness? Erinoa : Did somebody tell you that? Micael : In my dream, there was another me, and he said so. Erinoa : It's probably because you regretted breaking that carving, that the 'other you' said that. Micael : But he said that there was pure darkness at the bottom of my heart. Erinoa : Listen to me, Micael. Humans and those of us who live in the heavens are all made out of the same light and the same darkness. Micael : Light and darkness? Erinoa : So even the most evil person has a little bit of light left in his heart, and even the most saintly person has a little bit of darkness hidden in his heart. Micael : Even you, Erinoa? Erinoa : Yes, even me. Erinoa : So don't be scared of the darkness inside you, Micael. If you have courage you can change it into light. Micael : Into light… --Is your mind made up, Elmelia? Everything until now has just been play. I could kill your brother right now. Elmelia : You wouldn't! Brother? <> --You're a good girl. Could you really stand watching your own brother die? --I'll be waiting at midnight tonight, at the Gate of Saturn! [Although 'Saturn' is written with the kanji for the planet, it could also be read as 'Satan,' interestingly enough. The pun might or might not be intentional.] --Don't try to seek help from the Archangel! News of that would get from Heaven to Hell, and you wouldn't want to bother your precious Satan, now would you? <> Elmelia : Satan-sama… Wari : By…crows? Erinoa : Yes. They flew off after Elmelia started screaming, but… she apologized to me, as if it were her fault. And then she started crying, and she wouldn't tell me the reason. I feel as if she's hiding something from me. Has she told you anything? Wari : No…she hasn't even been to the castle lately. <> Erinoa : Oh…I see… Wari : I'll do what I can to try to find out something, and I'll let you know if I find anything out. Erinoa : Elmelia… Wari : Is it so late already? I suppose I should go home soon. Dyugal : I suppose so. Wari : What is it, Dyugal? Dyugal : A girl asked me to give this letter to you. Wari : Thank you. You should rest now, as it is getting late. Dyugal : Yes, sir. <> To Wari: I am going to a far-away world. We probably will not meet again. Tell my brother that I have gone to Earth to work, please. Good-bye, Wari, and thank you for everything. Elmelia Garland Wari : Elmelia!? <> Azyusha : Sir!? Wari : I've heard news about Elmelia! I'm going to tell Erinoa! Azyusha : Elmelia-san? I'll go look for her in this area. Wari : Thank you, Azyusha. Erinoa : She couldn't have gone very far yet. We have to hurry and find her! <> Erinoa : A far-away world… Wari : A far-away world…Hell? No, it couldn't be…and yet… <> Wari : The closest passage is the Gate of Pluto, then the Gate of Mars. Please be safe, Elmelia! Erinoa : "It's not about whether I can or can't have him. I just love Satan-sama." <> Erinoa : I'm sorry, but I need to borrow your horse. --Wait! That's my horse! Erinoa : Oh, if only I had wings! Elmelia! --I haven't seen a girl matching that description. Wari : So she's not at the Gate of Jupiter either? Then the next is the… <> Azyusha : Welcome, Elmelia. Elmelia : Aren't you…Wari's… Azyusha : Yes, his secretary, as well as Bael's servant. Elmelia : You've been deceiving Wari? Azyusha : He has a sharp mind, but he's far too trusting. It was easy to play the role of a secretary. I do feel sorry for you, but you're going to die here. There's no magic in the world that will let an angel enter Hell alive. Well? Aren't you going to scream and act terrified? <> Elmelia : No…I've made up my mind that I'd rather fall to Hell and disappear than belong to Bael-sama. Azyusha : You still love Satan that much? Elmelia : Please tell me just one thing. Why does Bael-sama want to kill me so much? Azyusha : Because he hates Satan. He won't tolerate a girl who cares so much about him. Already countless people have been brought, still beautiful but stuffed like animals, to the Dark Castle. Azyusha : But I'll take pity on you and kill you instead. Elmelia : Thank you very much. It would be better to have my dust drift through Hell than to become Bael's stuffed animal. Azyusha : I hardly thought you'd thank me. Elmelia : You love Bael-sama, don't you? In November I left the housing development I'd lived in for fifteen years, ever since I was seven. My family wanted to move into somewhere more spacious, and although it's right in the neighborhood, it feels very sad for me to move away from the place I've known for fifteen years. Sometimes I start crying in bed without even thinking about it…my old apartment was on the fifth floor. We had a balcony on the east wall that looked out onto the mountains. The sunrises and the full moon were so beautiful! And from the west balcony, we could sometimes see all the way to Osaka, and the sunsets, of course, were absolutely gorgeous. It was wonderful to see the sunset's reflections on the eastern windows. And then there were the mountains: The mountains with snow piled up on them, the brown mountains of autumn, the mountains with the wind blowing over them, the mountains filled with the chirping of cicadas. Everyone loved them and it makes me sad to think that I'll never see them again. I think even my little birds remember the mountains. Our new apartment faces south, and there are other apartments on the north and south sides. Maybe someday I'll go back to such a beautiful place… <> Azyusha : What are you saying, you impertinent little girl? Elmelia : It's all right, I understand. You'd do anything that Bael-sama ordered you to do, wouldn't you? Azyusha : Of course! That's my job! He's my life…how could a little girl like you ever understand something like that? Elmelia : I do understand, because I love Satan-sama! <> Elmelia : We've never exchanged words or glances, but ever since the first time I laid eyes on him… Azyusha : It was love at first sight? You're just infatuated with his beauty, and nothing more. Elmelia : No, it's not like that! It isn't… Azyusha : This woman… Wari : Elmelia! Azyusha : Wari? Wari : Elmelia, wait! Talk to me! <> Wari : Stop, Elmelia! Elmelia : Let me die! <> Wari : Elmelia!!! <> Wari : Elmelia… Azyusha : I'm sorry. <> Wari : There's nothing for you to apologize for. She rejected my magic. I can't believe how she could just fall into Hell like that…was that Bael-sama's power, or was it her decision? <> Erinoa : Wari, have you heard anything about Elmelia!? Wari…? Wari : I couldn't save her. I'm sorry. <> Erinoa : That can't be! Elmelia! Wari : Do you want to die too? You know you can't go into Hell, even if you can't work as an angel any more! <> Wari : Erinoa! Erinoa : Elmelia! Elmelia! <> Erinoa : Elmelia! <> Fall : Wari…Wari… Wari : I'm home, Fall. Were you scared all by yourself? <> Wari : It's all right. Don't cry any more. Micael : It's been almost a month… Mother : He might have left on a trip. Micael : Mom… <> Micael : I heard in school that an angel fell into Hell and died. That couldn't be Erinoa, could it? Mother : Micael… Micael : It wasn't him, right? Mother : No, don't worry, it wasn't him. <> --It was Micael. It was Micael with the blue eyes who killed your sister. He killed your sister. He killed… <> --Micael killed her. He killed your beloved sister. Erinoa : Micael… Micael : Erinoa? Are you here, Erinoa? <> Micael : Erinoa! Where've you been? I was worried! It was mean not to tell me anything! Erinoa? Erinoa : Come to Loren Forest at midnight tonight. <> Micael : It's a good think mom and dad are at work tonight… Erinoa? Where are you, Erinoa? <> Micael : Wait! It's me, Erinoa! Wait! <> Micael : Erinoa? Erinoa : My sister is dead and it's your fault! Micael : Elmelia-san is dead? Erinoa : And it's your fault she's dead! Micael : I don't understand, Erinoa! <> Erinoa : My sister was in your way, so you put a curse on that carving and killed her! Micael : "I wish Elmelia weren't here!" "Didn't you wish that Elmelia were dead?" Erinoa : If I'd never met you, this would never have happened! <> Erinoa : You are someone who's close to the darkness! Those weird blue eyes of yours are exactly like those evil stones! Micael : Why…? Erinoa : You bring misfortune to those you look upon, plunging them into darkness. Micael : No, I'm…I'm… <> Micael : You told me I could become an angel, Erinoa! You said that I could change darkness into light! Erinoa : Did you actually think that you could become an angel? No, you're a monster who changes the light around other people into darkness! <> Erinoa : I'll expose you, you wolf in sheep's clothing! Bael : What do you think, Micael? How does it feel to fall from the brightest light to the depths of darkness? <> Bael : How long will you be able to live like this, my adorable marionette? Erinoa : I loved Elmelia. I loved her much, much more than I would ever love you. <> Micael : No! Let me go! Erinoa! Erinoa : You wanted this, didn't you? You love me, don't you? [At this point Erinoa calls himself by "Ore," a much more informal pronoun than the one he usually uses, "Watashi." I don't know what importance it has, but it must be a little important because Amagi puts little dots beside the word.] <> Micael : No! This isn't…Stop, Erinoa! Erinoa : Isn't this what people who love each other do? But I hate you. <> Erinoa : You killed Elmelia! I hate you! Micael : I didn't kill her! <> Micael : Why do you keep saying it's my fault? Erinoa : I should have realized it sooner. It's a sin just for you to be alive. <> Erinoa : Micael…the Sky Blues… <> Erinoa : Micael! Micael : Erinoa…? Erinoa…!? NOOOO!!!!! In October I went to Kashima, the place in Kyushu where my mother's family comes from. The Kashima station was really cute, with a bright scarlet roof and pillars, and right in the middle of the platform there was something like a big demon carved out of wood. I really felt how much time had gone by as I visited my ancestors' graves for the first time in fifteen years. The cemetary is on top of a mountain, and when you're up there you can see far away. A little bit past the graveyard is an elementary school, an old-style schoolhouse. The 600-year-old trees at Umiwarabe shrine (isn't that a pretty name? It means 'sea child') are really amazing! I wasn't thinking, and I just had to take some pictures! I think that there must be spirits living inside of them! I also went to a big shrine called [something I can't read]. The decorations reminded me of Nikkou temple, which is really pretty. I'd like to go there again in the winter. I really like shrines and temples, and I even felt happy climbing up the rock stairs, one by one. I guess I'm just weird like that. Watching "Journey to see National Treasures" on NHK [Japanese PBS] really moved me. I think that I'd like to write something about Japan someday, like about the old imperial court…but I'm not very smart, so even if I read a lot of history books I probably couldn't understand all the complicated stuff about who was whose child and who was whose enemy and so on. But I do like history anyway. When you go to the country, be sure to visit the shrines and temples nearby. I'm sure it will give your heart a sense of serenity—or maybe that's just me. <> The seal will be broken. The seal will be broken. The Sky Blues will live again. The Heavens will be destroyed. They will be eated by the darkness. <> Chapter 12: The Three Moon Tears (Prelude) <> They will be eaten by the darkness. Gabriel : Michael, things are getting worse. How long can we just stand by and watch? The Anges have done as much as they could, but they're exhausted now. What are we going to do if the seal breaks? Are you listening to me, Micael? Michael : I believe, Gabriel. Gabriel : In what? Michael : In those who guide the fate of the Heavens. Gabriel : Who do you mean? Michael : The gold and silver lovers. Gabriel : That's just a futile dream! You've been saying it for ages, but it's not going to come to pass! Michael : It is not a dream. It is reality. Do not forget that you are the Vice-Archangel, but I am the Archangel. <> Michael : We cannot restore the ancient past. Gabriel : Very well. If you are truly willing to gamble the fate of the Heavens on them, then I too will believe in them. Michael : Thank you, Gabriel. <> Filla : Micael…today was your nineteenth birthday. Happy birthday! <> Micael : Erinoa…Erinoa… Filla : Whose name are you calling, Micael? <> Micael : Who are you? The Sky Blues!? --Micael, we want your body. We will assimilate you. Micael : My eyes won't open again! I made sure of that! You won't be able to take shape! --That is futile. As long as you live, you will not be able to flee your destiny. Micael : No! Let me go! Chapter 12 I didn't realize it while I was drawing it, but now I see how young everyone looks! Because of drawing little Micael so much, I made Filla and Bael look like little kids too! Oh well… This is a conversation I had with my friend: "Bael-san always appears with fog, and then it swirls around and he disappears while laughing evilly." "Let's call him Tornado Boy, then." "Why does he laugh as he turns around and around?" "Because he couldn't make the tornado if he didn't laugh." I'm sorry for making fun of Bael-san, but it really is funny to imagine it! <> Filla : Micael! Micael! Micael : Filla? Filla : Are you all right? You were having a horrible nightmare. Micael : It's nothing. I had a dream about the memories deep inside my heart. I wish I could just forget them! <> Filla : Are you in pain? Micael : No, I'm fine. Where are Wari and Fall? Filla : At the Tower of Light. They're going to see the head sorceror at daybreak. Micael : Oh… "As long as you live, you cannot flee your fate." Have you been up all this time, Filla? Filla : Yeah, I was watching you sleep. Micael : You didn't do anything weird, did you? Filla : Would you have liked me to? Micael : I'm sorry to have caused you so much trouble. Filla : This isn't like you… Micael : Filla, I'd like to get changed. Could you go get some of Wari's clothes for me? Filla : Sure, I'll go find something that will suit you. Wait here quietly! <> Micael : "Controlled by the stones, you will change into an evil monster. He will throw his life away for you…you belong to the Sky Blues! You will take up arms against Satan!" Piercing my eyes didn't do anything. Is it really true that the wheels of destiny will carry me this way as long as I live? In that case…I'll… <> Fall : Please tell me, sir, isn't there any way to help Micael? Wari : The heavenly Moon Tear has disappeared, but isn't there anything else that can subdue the Sky Blues? <> --A heart… Wari : A heart? --Well now, a Moon Tear can also refer to a pure heart. The Moon Tear in Heaven is gone, but other Moon Tears exist both in Hell and in the Realm of Magic. Fall : Really? --It is true, although they do not take the form of a jewel. They take the form of pure souls. Wari : So the Heavens can be saved? --Well now, that is for the Gods to decide. My own power counts for nothing. Fall : I'm glad, Wari. I don't really understand what Great- Grandfather said, but I think things'll work out. Wari : I'm sure they will, Fall. Something strikes me as suspicious. That seraphim picture that looks like Micael, the head sorceror's vague words… Perhaps the Archangel, the head sorceror, and Satan-sama, have already predicted the course of things… --Three Moon Tears exist in the Heavens: the Moon Tear of Heaven, the Moon Tear of Gold, and the Moon Tear of Light. One has been lost, and yet… <> Filla : Micael? That fool! Micael : Bael! Come out and fight me, Bael! You're watching me, aren't you? I'm right here! <> Micael : Show yourself! Bael : Micael… Micael : Bael? <> Micael : You're not an illusion this time? Bael : I came when you called. Micael, fighting with you when you cannot even see would be like taking candy from a baby. You cannot possibly win. Micael : Quiet! I won't die alone! I'll take you with me, Bael! Bael : That is absurd. <> Bael : He seems ready to throw his life away. Filla : Micael! Micael : Filla! <> Filla : Who are you!? Bael : Bael of the Dark Castle. Filla : Bael!? What business do you have with him? Micael : Go home, Filla, this has nothing to do with you! Bael : When the seal of the Sky Blues is broken, the silver angel will become mine. Filla : What!? Bael : He will turn into an evil monster. Micael : Stop! Go away, Filla! Filla : Micael!? Micael : I'll defeat you even if I have to die! Bael : I will not fight you. However, that golden demon is in my way. He isn't in my scenario. Filla : What do you mean, 'your scenario'? Bael : I don't need to explain, because I'm taking care of you right now. <> Micael : Filla! Bael : Micael, thorns are piercing his entire body. His blood is flowing out. Micael : Stop! Leave Filla alone! Bael : Shall I continue, and rip his body to shreds? Micael : Let Filla go! Let him go! Bael : It's too bad you can't see the pain in his face… Micael : Filla… <> Micael : Filla! Micael : Filla? Filla : Micael? <> Micael : Filla! Bael : I may as well leave you alone for now. You have enough to worry about with Filla's wounds…and the fact that the seal will be broken tonight. <> Filla : Tonight? Bael : No matter how much you run, it will all be the same. The Sky Blues will catch you. <> Micael : Are you hurt, Filla? Filla : It's nothing serious. But you must be freezing. Let's go home. Micael : What's the use? Filla : Micael? Micael : Even with my eyes like this, it's no use. I can't stop this. They're coming, from the north and south! <> Filla : Do you remember what I told you before? I'll be your Moon Tear. Micael : But the Moon Tear is gone! Would you really die for me? <> Filla : If it would free you from those stones, then I wouldn't mind. Micael : Don't talk as if you understood this, Filla! I might kill you! <> Micael : It'll be just like Ishuma said! Filla : It's all right, Micael. Micael : Filla…you can't stop the Sky Blues. Micael : If they assimilate me, I'll turn into a monster. And I'll fight Satan-sama. Filla : Satan-sama? No, that can't be! Micael : That's why Bael hurt my heart when I was young. It was to draw me closer into the darkness. <> Filla : No matter how much power the Sky Blues might have, you're an angel! How could you possibly turn into some monster? Micael : I don't know, but I do know that he'll be my enemy. Filla : If Micael and I were ever forced to fight… Micael : I'm going to raise a sword against Satan-sama, who you care about so much! <> Micael : Then I'll be your enemy! Filla : Be strong, Micael! Don't let what Bael said confuse you, and…don't think about dying. <> Filla : You tried to shut everything up inside you, didn't you? But that's not the right way… I'm here for you, Micael. Trust me. I know I've messed things up before, but I'm absolutely not going to fail this time. We'll take on Bael together! Micael : Filla…even though I can't see you, I feel your warm smile… <> Micael : All right. Filla : Then let's get back to Wari's place. I can't stand this cold! Micael : Hey, Filla! Let go! I can fly by myself! Filla : Aren't you warmer this way? Micael : But you're hurt! Filla : I'm fine! Micael : Filla… <> Micael : Please fight for me…I don't know what I'll do if I lose you. Fall : Filla! Micael! You weren't here when we got back, so I was worried! Wari : Micael, you're bleeding! And what happened to you, Filla? Those wounds look serious! Micael : Filla, you liar! <> Wari : So it was the demon Bael… Filla : I won't forgive that bastard! The fight is tonight. Wari : The head sorceror said that a Moon Tear existed in Hell and in the Realm of Magic. Filla : Really? Where? Wari : In my opinion… <> Wari : The Moon Tear from Hell is you yourself, Filla. Filla : But I'm not a rock! Wari : Your form doesn't matter. Filla : Well, I'd be happy if it were true. I certainly have enough enthusiasm for it. Micael? Micael : I'd like to rest for a little while. Filla : I'll give you a hand. <> Micael : It's OK, I can do this myself. Go away! Filla : Micael… Micael : Stupid Filla! The Moon Tear disappeared because it tried to seal in the Sky Blues! "If it would free you from those stones, then I wouldn't mind." <> Micael : He never thinks about himself at all! And I hate that about him—he doesn't know how much my heart hurts! He doesn't know that I don't want him to die! Celestial Sonata Character Introductions 2 [These weights really don't sound right. Maybe I converted something wrong...or maybe one of the perks of being a demon is getting to weigh as much as you want!] Beelze Kona, Male Black hair, sepia eyes (with a bit of orange in the light) A-class demon, 21 years old Born August 12, Leo, blood type A Height about 188 cm (6'3"), a little taller than Filla Weight 61 kg (135 lbs) Bust/Waist/Hips: Go ask a woman who dates him! Beelze looks good in suits, doesn't he? I'd like to write a school comedy someday and make him the principal. Beelze is Filla's best friend. I'd like to write something about his own life in a side story… What was he like as a kid? Maybe he's in love with Shia…or with Filla…no, with Micael! He could be Bael-san's brother, or Satan-sama's secret child…et cetera… There are lots of rumors like that… At first glance he looks very cool, the type that would be a good leader, but he's actually quite naïve. I'd definitely like to write some more about him (although it's hard to draw all that black hair). Cross Sedeia, Male Chestnut hair, light brown eyes Cherubim, 18 years old Born March 6, Pisces, Blood type AB Height 172 cm (5'9") Weight 54 kg (120 lbs) Micael's friend at the White Castle. He really helps Micael out in a lot of ways, but he's not as foolish as Filla is about it. His hairstyle is pretty unique, isn't it? It would be fun to tie those two ends together and play a trick on him! Shiarazade Schaie, Female Purple and turquoise hair mixed together Dark orange eyes Birthday May 30, Gemini, Blood type A Height 164 cm (5'6") Weight 45 kg (100 lbs) People call her "Shia." She is actually much older than Filla, but that doesn't really matter because she doesn't seem to be. She'll probably appear in some more stories later on…I'd like to have straight hair like hers… 1 23