Chapter IV
The Attacks

   --- Saelius, it's magnificent!
   --- I'm glad you like it, I babbled, trying to hide my overwhelming joy. I was a bit reluctant to show Yui the bill but when I did so, she almost seemed relieved, like if three hundred and seventy zalès was just a minor expense. She invited me to sit down in the living room, in a big, round, orange couch. She looked down, depressed; that mysterious glow in her amber eyes was missing. I immediately asked her what was wrong. She sighed and answered:
   --- I went to Paradise two days ago. The news isn't out yet, but the negotiations have ended. The Thrones have lost their cause and are to resume normal work in less than twenty-four hours, on the Academy's decision.
   I wanted to tell her I was glad that was over, because I was, but apparently, she had planned another ending for that issue.
   --- I met DanĪrael, the Angel who started it all, over a nice dinner, she added, with a trace of sadness in her voice. He had great plans for Paradise, for the entire Realm, but it seems we're not ready to change.
   I frowned against my will, just thinking another guy had asked her out.
   --- What kind of plans, I dared to ask.
   --- Oh, all sorts of plans. You wouldn't understand. This Angel is fabulous! I bet you'd get along with him: you're both... special, in your own way.
   I was mute in shock, because of that nice compliment, but also because she had complimented him, that moron that came out of nowhere. Incredible: I was jealous!
   Yui was eyeing her bottle, sadly, and I was staring at her, as depressed.
   --- What's that? she asked, pointing the wooden case I had dropped at the feet of the couch.
   --- Oh, that's for someone, it's a gift. You might know that kid, his name is Ismael.
   Her eyes widened, and I felt a bit uneasy; it always did this when I spoke his name.
   --- You mean, the little Virtue Angel that... blew up half of the Vaskachian sector, three years ago?
   I nodded painfully and quickly added that he was, in fact, very sweet and calm. Plus, I seemed to be the only one he liked. It was getting late and I wished her a good night, not expecting any kiss this time. It was clear she had met someone ten times more interesting than me. The case under my arm, I headed towards the Heaven Sky City First Orphanage.

*****

   I was very well known at the orphanage, because I had worked there for a while, and because I was a regular visitor. The lady at the counter greeted me and informed me that my little favourite Angel was in the playing room. I hastily walked down the hall, where a joyful fresco had been painted, and pushed the doors leading to the playroom: my ears were filled with laughter, and it must've been the liveliest place in the Realm, thanks to all the kids running and having fun. Angels considered children as their most valuable possession, because almost a quarter of the population was infertile, due to magical powers. Thus this orphanage wasn't anything like those prisons on Earth, where kids are left to rot in small rooms until some caring soul decides to adopt them: no, here, kids went to school in the morning and spent the rest of the day having fun, or practising some tricks. I simply adored that place, and it reminded me of my childhood, in Altacia.
   I spotted Ismael is his corner, far away from all the other kids, doodling on a yellow sheet. I smiled, and, making sure not to step on any toys or little constructions, I walked towards him. He hadn't noticed me until I tapped on his shoulder, the biggest smile on my face. He raised his blank, yellow eyes and his sad face was suddenly lit by the most beautiful smile I had ever seen; he dropped his pencils and threw himself in my arms, hugging me so tightly I was running out of air. For a moment, the world ceased to exist. I fell on my knees and I struck his soft brown and black hair, never letting go of my hold. I think that was the moment when I felt the closest to him, the moment I wanted to bring him home with me. He let go of me and showed me the pictures he had been drawing. He probably had a lot of things to tell me, but he kept his mouth shut: Ismael was mute since that day, three years ago, when he unleashed a terrible power called the Miracle, which only the Virtues possessed.
   --- So, I said, grabbing a few of his pictures, you still like to draw a lot, heh? What's that one, is that you?
   Ismael nodded happily and showed me all of his drawings; I noticed, not without a slight relief, that the way he drew had changed a lot since I met him: now, his skies weren't as black and packed with threatening clouds as before, and I could distinguish smiles on the scribbles. He was getting over that trauma.
   --- I got a surprise for you, I said deviously. Close your eyes!
   He obeyed, and I put the wooden case in front of him. When he re-opened them, he was at first puzzled but once he had opened the box, he simply jumped in joy. A couple of teachers and nurses had gathered around us, as well as a dozen of kids from all ages, all watching for Ismael's reaction. I let him explore the different tools and brushes, the warmest of feelings in my heart.
   --- How do you do it? asked an employee of some sort, behind me. He only smiles when you're around. Otherwise, he sits in his corner and draws all day long.
   --- I don't know. There's really no secret, I just like him, that's all.
   In fact, I felt attached to that little guy since the first day I saw him, a couple of years ago: I had been hired as a janitor of some sort at the orphanage, and since I possessed all of the keys, I could come and go unnoticed, as I pleased. One evening, there he was, alone in one of the many playrooms, staring at the moon. I asked him what he was doing at this hour, but he never reacted or answered; a nurse arrived afterwards and accompanied him nervously to his room. I learned a few days after what his story was and it still gives me chills when I think about it: on the way to the hospital with his parents, Ismael let go of a terrible howl, which shockwave killed both his parents and damaged many of the surrounding buildings. The Miracle could be as destructive as beneficial, but always very, very unpredictable. That day, Ismael showed everyone how powerful his was and had become mute, either by choice or by shock.
   Since I wasn't that tired and I had some time to kill, I decided to go down by the Windy, to see what was up. I kissed Ismael on the forehead, but before he let me leave, he quickly scribbled something with his brand new wax crayons; after a few minutes of intense doodling, he handed me a light blue sheet where he had drawn me and himself, holding hands. On his picture, he was smiling and the sun was shining. It was written clumsily "Saelius and the sun."
   Everything about that kid was contradictory: his amazing intelligence hidden behind emotionless, light yellow eyes, as well as a kind nature, but a will to be let alone. I was the youngest child in my family so I never got the chance to care for a little brother. That night, I could have done anything to adopt him.

*****

      The Windy was quite alive when I arrived. The barman told me some Thrones Angels had been causing commotion since their arrival. I sat down at the bar, observing them from the corner of my eyes: there were about four of them, as well as other Angels, Dominions or Principalities. They were in a seemingly heated conversation and I could easily hear all of what they were saying:
   --- That's the Academy's fault, shouted a strong---and dumb-looking---Thrones Angel.
   --- Yeah, if it weren't for those suckers at the top, Danërael would have won his cause!
   A girl hit the table with her fist, surprising everyone.
   --- Are you crazy? The Academy had every good reason to stop that megalomaniac fool! she yelled.
   --- Pff, nonsense, replied the same dumb Thrones Angel. Danërael knew what was wrong in the Realm: humans!
   --- He's got a grudge against humankind, so what? It's his problem, retorted a young Principalities Angel. He shouldn't mess up Paradise's activities because of this!
   --- Well, it's too bad the negotiations have stopped. Wouldn't it be great if we didn't have to take care of those pesky humans anymore! Ha!
   At that point, I decided to join their conversation.
   --- So that was his plan, huh? I said, innocently. I was still mad at that Danërael guy to have taken MY Yui out on a dinner. If we stopped caring for humans, we would become nothing more than humans ourselves, only with wings!
   It seemed I had taken everyone offguard. To tell the truth, I was only getting my revenge. The stupid-looking Angel took a big sip of his drink and eyed me evilly.
   --- Butt out, he groaned, this is a chat for Angels, not demi-fairies Archangels. Go back to floor mopping, loser.
   Remaining calm, I did not budge from my spot.
   --- I'm sorry, but you behave a little bit like kids in playgrounds. But you wouldn't know, it seems you ignore what the surface looks like. If you did know, you would show some signs of intelligence, or at least, feelings towards the creatures we have been protecting for millennia.
   It was a good thing I had taken off my glasses when I arrived at the bar, because that punch in the nose would have cost me a lot more than some tissues and a Band-Aid.

*****

   --- By all of the clouds in Heaven, what happened to you? shouted Mivelris when I arrived home, later on.
   --- Some guy punched me in the face. And I'm tired.
   I went in the back of the house, removed my shirt and let myself fall in the chair, still holding my nose. Fortunately, it wasn't broken but it hurt like hell. Mivelris was all worried over me so I told him what happened. He seemed shocked---which was normal, considering Angels never fought, or at least, not bare-hands like that---and quickly got me a wet towel.
   --- Thanks, Miv. Uf, I'm so glad all of that stupid negotiation thing is over. Can you believe it, if that moron Danërael had been able to convince the Council, what would Paradise be needed for?
   --- That guy has a few screws missing, huh?
   My roommate then started mimicking an idiot and I couldn't help but laugh. With Danërael out of the picture, I felt way better. Life was finally back to normal.

*****

   "Normal life" lasted a whole three days. The city was passing over South Africa, and I was sleeping soundly in the chair when Mivelris woke me up, more violently than if the city was on fire.
   --- Saelius, wake up, mate!
   I opened my eyes, searched for my glasses but vainly. The only thing I could see was my roommate and a piece of paper. He was shaking it so hard I couldn't see what was written on it. I finally grabbed it from his hands, a little bit more awake, and I saw it was the newspaper. A single---but huge---headline was showing on it, and I had to read it a couple of times to understand it all: "Paradise falls under the grasp of an extremist group".
   I sat straight in the chair and rubbed my eyes; I wanted to read but at the same time, I could not. Mivelris was all agitated and he kept babbling things like "what will happen to the souls?".
   I read through the article, which had been written quickly, considering the lack of consistent facts.
   "Contacts with Paradise have been impossible since four A.M. standard time, and the Council believes it might be the work of an extremist group, probably led by Danërael Mischav, the Thrones Angel who lost his cause in the negotiations opposing Paradise to the Heaven Sky City Council. The cause of this sudden seizing of the entire Paradise fortress remains a mystery but it seems that this attack has been planned for a long time."
   I read no further and eyed Mivelris anxiously. Outside, shouts and sighs could be heard; everyone was taken aback by this sudden announcement. If Paradise was no longer in the hands of the authorities, what would happen to all of the souls waiting on Earth? Moreover, what would happen to my job?
   --- Great, I moaned, just when I thought that this whole mess was over, THIS happens. What a pain.
   --- And what does this guy want, anyway? What's the point in taking over Paradise? There's nothing there!
   I pondered a bit but the answer was directly in my face; that guy wanted power, it was awfully obvious.
   At this very moment, I heard a stomp on the roof and Zhankiel stormed in the house, squeezing his tall self in our little apartment. Visibly, he was as shocked as us by the news, but there was something else bothering him, something we did not know of, at least, not yet. Strangely, at the moment, I noticed we were in great need of other chairs, as Mivelris was forced to stand up, the only free chair serving Zhankiel's honourable behind. He told us how he had been expecting this embarrassing turn of events, and how things were going at the Academy:
   --- What remains unknown to everyone, is that Danërael did mention why he took over Paradise, he said, gravely.
   --- So it's him after all, I said, still looking for my glasses. I hated talking to a blur.
   --- Of course it's him, sighed my Seraphim friend. He sent a messenger to the Academy saying that he was going to do things his way from now on. His list of allies is greater than we had imagined and, as we suspected, almost every Thrones Angels in Paradise took place in this assault of the fortress. He's mocking the Academy big time, and I have to admit I find our lack of concrete actions quite deceiving.
   He took a big breath and shook his head. Never did I see him so hopeless, so powerless.
   --- And did he mention what were his requests? asked Mivelris, surprisingly serious. I mean, he must have some reasons why he's taken over a floating warehouse!
   Zhankiel rubbed his forehead and smiled sadly.
   --- See, that's what everyone is thinking. Paradise is not only a storing facility for souls, it's also self-sufficient, has an immense reserve of power and is at the peak of angelic technology. In other words, it's a floating war-machine.
   I couldn't believe my ears. War? War between Angels? That was inconceivable! Zhankiel smiled feebly and patted me on the shoulder.
   --- But don't worry, there's absolutely no chance of this turning into a war. There hasn't been a single war in the Angelic Realm and that trouble-maker of an Angel will be caught and punished in no time.
   I asked him why he was telling us all that.
   --- Bah, I know how people hate being kept away from the matters, so I thought I'd let you know on how things were doing. If I have other news, I'll pay you another visit. In the meantime, try to enjoy your few days off. And Mivelris, I'm still expecting that time and space analytic chart. Don't think school is over!
   He took off and disappeared behind a house. I sighed and drank a glass of water; Zhankiel was probably right: there was nothing to be worried about. What could a Thrones Angel and a bunch of anti-humans activists do against the rest of the Realm? I was going to be jobless for a little while, so what? I kept complaining about it, and besides, I still had more than enough money to survive, thanks to Yui.
   Yui.
   I wondered how she was doing. Sure, she admired that Danërael, but was he not an enemy of the Academy? Where would she stand? She'd make the right decision. She was too smart to be fooled by that lunatic.
   --- So, we're having ourselves a nice holiday, said Mivelris with a devious grin. Where is the city heading to? I hear there's a carnival in Jilankev.
   That was Mivelris alright: finding a way to turn a sad situation into a happy one. I decided to do like him, and make the best out of that silly issue.
   --- A carnival, heh? That'd be great!
   Mivelris then proposed to bring Dulciane along and I accepted, joyfully.

*****

   We spent the next day at Jilankev, a small but lively town, renowned for its Angel races and shooting tournaments. At my surprise, Dulciane turned out to be an excellent archer and won a plush cat and later on, a nice little flute. Exhausted and happy, we headed back to Heaven, wondering what we could do the next day. Mivelris suggested some apparitions would be funny.
   --- Come on, let's leave the humans alone, I said. They still believe in a god, so it'd be better to leave them in their little illusions.
   We entered the city, and Dulciane was the first one to notice there was something wrong:
   --- Hey...what's with the banners everywhere?
   We stopped and looked around: flashy and ugly banners had been nailed to house walls. I read one: "Angels = Slaves for Humankind?"
   --- What the...?
   Mivelris read another one: "The Academy has been controlling and oppressing the people of Heaven Sky City for long enough!"
   I suddenly felt less lighter. Where had those things come from? Were there supporters of Danërael here, in Heaven? Why was there anti-human propaganda everywhere?
   --- Let's go home, I suggested.
   On the way, we met two Angels laughing and talking loudly:
   --- Hahaha, have you seen the face the teachers had today? I bet this is the end for the Academy! And to say they haven't found a way to get Danërael out of his fortress.
   I gave them a bad look and continued on. I even ripped off a banner that had been fixed to our own apartment. I was in a very bad mood. This whole thing was degenerating quickly and no one seemed to know what to do. Plus, more and more Angels were adhering to Danërael's club. What would happen to us if we stopped looking after humans? What would we do for a living?
   The night was falling on the tormented city, Dulciane had gone back home, and I was sitting in the chair, staring at the wall, gravely. Mivelris was finishing some homework but he visibly wasn't in the mood. All sorts of questions were haunting my head: what if the Council recognised that Danërael was right? What if those anti-humans ideas made their ways in the Academy? Moreover, what would happen to human without our help? They were already on the verge of destroying their planet, I couldn't imagine how'd they manage to survive a century without us.
   Suddenly, a great noise echoed in the city: the sky was lit by explosions, rays of light parted in every direction and shouts and frightened screams were heard. Mivelris dropped his pen and we both hurried outside, to see what was happening; unfortunately, we were too deep down in the citadel, too packed to really see anything. Angels were flying in every directions and I asked one what in Heaven's name was happening.
   --- The Academy! The Academy is under attack!
   I stopped breathing.
   --- What? How come? By whom?
   The Angel was completely panicked but he managed to give me a satisfying answer:
   --- The Academy decided to keep its position in this anti-human campaign: they hired Angels to counter the sudden propaganda, and they were planning an assault upon Paradise. But it seems Danërael's allies were quicker and to eliminate the remaining resistance, they attacked the Academy!
   It was too much. I took off, telling Mivelris I was going to see what the hell was wrong. The Academy was the biggest building in Heaven, it stood in the middle of the city, and it was the brain of the entire Realm. I stopped at a reasonable distance and watch the desolating spectacle: fire was coming out of some windows, and there was those awful shouts coming from every side of the school.
   The attack was over.
   I spotted Zhankiel and Zana on a rooftop, their bows in hands. They were talking and there were a few arrows stuck in the wall of the house they were standing on. The battle must have been fierce. I waved at them and headed their ways.
   --- Nice party we were having, no? said Zhankiel, sarcastically. There were two arrows left in his quiver, his clothes were shredded in some place and his gloves were burned. Zana seemed in better shape but she looked terribly worried.
   --- The assault is over now, right? I asked, uncertain. I mean, the Angels who attacked are gone.
   Zhankiel looked at me, and I felt like if my heart was going to leap out of my chest.
   --- It's far worse than you think, boy, he said. They're not gone. They're inside.
   --- And since they have taken hostages, there's nothing we can do, added Zana, her usual good-mood vanished. Plus, I'm pretty sure they killed most of the Council members. We're lucky to be only teachers, we don't live inside the Academy. They do.
   I sat down on the roof. I was so confused! It was starting to look more and more like a war than anything else. The Council, destroyed? And to say they used to be the most powerful and wisest Angels in the Realm!
   --- So, what happens now? I asked, my voice shivering.
   --- I don't know. We have to react fast, because soon, the entire Realm will be at Danërael's side. That guy is more influent than we thought. He has allies all over the Realm and from what I heard, every city is facing the problems we are: propaganda, attacks, hostages taking, the whole thing.
   --- Well, he doesn't have MY vote, I said.
   Zhankiel rubbed my hair, like he always did when I said something that pleased him.
   --- That's good. As long as there's people resisting, there's hope. Come and see me tomorrow, with Mivelris, we'll discuss something. Oh, and tell him he's on a homework break. It seems my classroom has been burned to the floor...
   I sighed and headed back home. The sun was setting, and with the smoke over the city, the sky looked like fire.

© 2002 Tsuki