"She really isn't dead?!" Tohko pressed a hand to the golden wolf's bisected body, incredulous.
The cells were still alive, the separated halves straining to reunite, yet a strange force held them apart.
"What power is this…?" Tohko marveled, then grimaced. How was she supposed to move such a huge corpse? She knew no spatial thaumaturgy, and the fight had already drawn attention—especially that witch in the city. She had to leave, fast.
While she fretted, a voice spoke behind her.
"Excuse me—Miss Tohko Aozaki?"
An unfamiliar voice. Instantly a Rune blazed in Tohko's hand and she hurled it backward without hesitation.
A violent explosion bloomed into roaring flame.
"Miss Aozaki, you trouble me. Were it not for my master's order to bring you back, I'd already take your head."
The voice came from within the fire. A silhouette appeared—Tohko's eyes narrowed. Wings? Small, but unmistakably wings.
"What rotten luck! One disaster after another!" First Asagami, now a bird-like thing—what had the world come to?
"You seem distressed." The figure floated forward, protected by a green halo.
An angelic girl of breathtaking beauty, radiating crushing presence. A geometric halo spun above her head; tiny wings of light shimmered at her waist. Her long hair shimmered like a prism, scattering rainbow glints; her bright eyes carried a murderous weight.
Under that gaze Tohko felt a mountain pressing down, her back soaked in cold sweat.
"Pfft." The angel suddenly giggled, shoulders shaking.
Tohko stared, bewildered.
"Forgive me." The girl composed herself. "I am Jibril of the Flügel, sent by my master to retrieve you."
Flügel—a Phantasmal Species? And a master? Why was everyone after her today?
Sensing something, Jibril's smile turned playful, then vanished. "Someone approaches. Allow me to take you first."
Tohko clenched her teeth and nodded. She had no strength to resist; she could only hope Asagami would come for her later—though she held little hope.
"Then let's go." Jibril grasped Tohko's arm, then noticed the bisected golden wolf. Her eyes lit; with a wave the corpse vanished. She seized Tohko and they vanished.
Less than a minute later a black-clad girl—short black hair, gloves, a nun-like habit—appeared. Cold black eyes surveyed the scorched ground and stilled.
The girl stepped forward slowly, finally bending down to study the traces. Her brows lifted slightly, her cool voice tinged with surprise: "Runes!? Is she back?"
Two figures perched quietly in a tree behind the girl, watching her.