Around six months passed since the explosion engulfing a part of the centre of Eurasia occurred, and the world had not gotten a breather since. By then the DEM had expanded dramatically, as it was the only organization offering sufficient explanations and information on the phenomena. Thanks to the four magus who knew everything no doubt, but Isaac knew just how to gain the favour of many without revealing crucial details only him and his old friends knew.

They labelled the explosions as Spacequakes that are quite alike normal explosions, but they erase everything in an area, only leaving a crater behind. The true cause behind them was hidden, with Isaac holding the existence of Spirits as an ace in his sleeve.

Together with his board of directors within DEM, they collaborated with various governments and organizations over the world, coming together to name the incident in Eurasia the Eurasian Sky Disaster (ユーラシア大空災, Eurasia Daikuusai). Ellen became a director within DEM too for how active she was alongside Isaac, while Elliot and Karen didn't participate much in the happenings within the organization.

As all of this was happening, Isaac pondered how to locate the Spirit, permitting if it may still be on Earth or whether it's long gone. On behalf of his organizations, he started the development on a device capable of measuring the concentration of mana in an area. For the time being, he hid the true source and identity of mana from his human colleagues, only helping them realise that something as such may exist, especially after a Spacequake. Had it not been for Isaac, Ellen would have spilled out everything, as she made sure those working under her felt inferior to her.

***

Back in Japan, another sunrise had risen. The Takamiya siblings were once more by themselves, waking up as their alarm rang. Mana got into her school outfit and walked out into the hallway, once again waiting for Shinji to come out too. When he did, Mana grinned at him. She didn't have to utter a word; Shinji already knew why.

"...At least I got up earlier than yesterday."

"I'm just messing with you. But really, I wonder if we ever have that moment when we walk out of our rooms at the same time."

"That sort of stuff only happens in movies, Mana."

"You said the same about things like the explosion that already happened."

"I didn't quite mean it that way, but... Never mind, let's go eat our breakfast."

The two of them walked down to the kitchen, where Shinji prepared breakfast for both. Mana turned on the TV, revealing a reporter talking about the explosions.

"Today, the British organization Deus Ex Machine Industries alongside the UNDRR has declared that the explosions are indeed not related to any known natural disaster, and that their experts have named this phenomenon respectively as a Spacequake, which is much more destructive than any explosion in the sense that it erases all signs of life within its radius. In addition, DEM has announced their new efforts with various nations, including Japan, to research and deem the cause of Spacequakes. The government continues to insist the civilian populace should not panic, as Japan has not been the target of any Spacequakes or similar incidents. More at five, now turning over to our weather forecast for today..."

Shinji then turned off the TV.

"Mana, did you forget about school and breakfast? We can't watch TV all day."

"But that sounded pretty important! I hope they find the cause soon..."

"Me too, but Spacequake? That's some weird naming. Same goes for Deux Ex Machina."

"But they're obviously trying to live up to their name, aren't they?"

"Eh, so far, it's all talk. Now come on, let's eat before it's cold."

The two of them got seated at the table and ate their breakfast. Shinji couldn't help but wonder whether they were truly safe, or whether one of these Spacequakes could appear beneath them at any second. Even though he appeared calm to those around him, deep inside he was riddled with worry. In a way, he envied Mana's ability to forget about all worries, if only for a moment.

"Don't forget, it's supposed to rain today. Take a raincoat with you," said Shinji.

"I know, I watched the weather forecast too yesterday. We should also take umbrellas with us."

"Good idea. And make sure your phone has battery too."

"Jeez, we're just going to school. Don't worry about me, I've got everything prepared," said Mana before returning to her breakfast.

The two of them finished their break shortly after and prepared to go out, taking out two umbrellas and raincoats. The rain outside was still light, offering to hurdle to Shinji and Mana who travelled to school.

When they arrived, they put their belongings away in their lockers and said their goodbyes to each other before heading off to their respective classrooms. The hallways were almost dark, and the classrooms weren't much brighter. Shinji's and Mana's lessons were added with the sound of rain hitting the windows, slowly gaining on severity.

When the lunch break began, it was clear no one would be spending theirs on the rooftop today. Shinji took out his lunch to eat, but then someone barged into the classroom. It was Mana, who came up to him.

"Shinji, I need to tell you something," said Mana while staring at Shinji.

"Woah, what is it?" responded a surprised Shinji.

"Um, I can't go home with you today after school. You see, my homeroom teacher wants to see me after school..."

Shinji looked suspicious.

"...Did you do something?"

"Of course not! I just may have fluked a test..."

"Really? Well, if that isn't a rarity. Just kidding, everyone makes mistakes. Who's your teacher for the subject?"

"My homeroom teacher..." answered Mana, embarrassed.

"Oh. So that's why she wants to see you... Well, it's all right. I can wait for you."

"That's nice of you, but you really don't have to wait!"

"Eh? Do you not want me to?"

"Maybe you could... make dinner before I come home..." responded Mana, almost whispering.

Shinji giggled.

"I get it. Sure thing, just take your time and sort your test with your teacher."

"Thanks! I must go back to my classroom now, but I'll see you later!"

"See you, Mana."

Mana then ran back out of Shinji's classroom.

"I wonder if she watched too much TV last night and forgot to revise her coursework..."

The school bell then rang, ending the lunch break.

***

After the school day ended, Shinji prepared to go home. This time though, he went alone. The rain intensified, so he had to properly prepare this time. He wore the raincoat and opened the umbrella before stepping out of school, passing the school gate.

While he was walking through his neighbourhood, he noticed someone laying on the pavement in the distance. He hesitated for a second, but then ran to the person to see what's wrong. To his shock, it was a fully naked girl. She lay there in the pouring rain without motion, prompting Shinji to check if she's even alive. He and Mana were taught in school how to check for heartbeat, so he quickly checked.

He could clearly feel her heartbeat, but he thought this much rain and cold would surely kill her if he didn't do something urgently. Instead of calling for help, he swiftly took off his raincoat and jacket, wrapping the girl in them. Because they were close to Shinji's house, he carried her as fast as he could inside. Not wasting any time, he acted to warm and dry her up. His efforts eventually worked, but the girl was still not responding. It was almost as if she was sleeping instead of being unconscious.

Amidst the ordeal, Shinji didn't think to call for an ambulance. Instead, he dressed her in comfortable clothing before laying her into his bed and covering her with blankets.

Finally, he could rest and take a good look at the girl. She was unwounded, without so much as a scratch. Her hair was long and light grey/light blue. In age, she appeared like Shinji.

Time passed, and the front door was suddenly opened. It was Mana, who finally came home. Since she didn't see Shinji in the dining room, she walked up to his room. That's when she saw, and her face was too filled with shock.

"S-Shinji?! Why is there... Why is there a girl in your b-bed?!" shouted Mana. Shinji was clearly frozen in time, but he immediately jumped.

"Aah! Mana, I can explain! I found her laying naked on the streets and had to take care somewhere warm-"

"Naked?! Into your bed?! S-Shinji! You better explain yourself before I-"

The girl then sneezed, causing Mana to halt in her sentence. They both looked at her wordlessly. She then slowly opened her eyes and looked at them with weakness in her expression. Mana sighed, calmed down, and decided to help her too.

"I'll go make some warm tea. Just keep an eye on her."

Shinji nodded, and Mana went downstairs.

The girl started looking around the room, but she was too weak to turn her head. She appeared scared, which Shinji realised.

"Hey, you don't have to be scared. You're safe," said Shinji.

She didn't seem to notice his words, but when he put up his hands away from her as a gesture of friendliness, she visibly relaxed.

Mana came back with the tea shortly after, setting it down on the table. She then sat next to her brother and whispered to him.

"Shinji, I know you mean well, but we should still call an ambulance,"

"I know, but there's obviously something off about this. Why would she lay naked in a downpour like this? If we call an ambulance, I shudder to think what will happen to her after," said Shinji. Mana was visibly touched by his words.

"Then what do we do?"

"We let her rest. When she can talk, we'll go from there," said Shinji. Mana was unsure, but she relented.

"Fine, but keep an eye on her for now," said Mana before getting up.

"And by the way, are you coming to eat dinner?"

"Not right now, but you go ahead."

"All right," said Mana before leaving the room.

Shinji stayed by the girl's side, watching over her. He continued like this until he fell asleep, ignoring Mana's suggestions to go eat and sleep somewhere proper. By the time he fell asleep, it seemed like the girl did so too.

***

The next morning, Shinji woke up where he fell asleep. His first instinct was to check on the girl, but she was no longer in bed. Instead, she was standing right in front of him, curiously looking at him. Shinji was spooked by this, which in turn spooked out the girl. He calmed down quickly and tried to talk to the girl.

"Um... Hello? I, uh, found and rescued you from the harsh weather yesterday, and..." Shinji stopped as he noticed the girl didn't seem to understand anything he said.

"I'm Shinji. What is your name?" asked Shinji. The girl thought for a moment.

"Shinji," said the girl. Shinji was confused, but he thought there was a language barrier between them.

He prepared some clothes for the girl and went downstairs to give her some privacy. Mana was already in the kitchen, this time she was preparing the breakfast for both her and Shinji alongside the girl.

"Ah, you're up," said Mana when she saw Shinji.

"How is she?"

"She's able to stand. I left her some clothes, but it seemed like she couldn't understand me when I tried to talk to her."

The girl then appeared at the top of the stairway, slowly taking steps down the stairs, clearly trying, and having trouble not tripping and falling over. Instead of wearing the clothes Shinji left her, she was somehow wearing the exact same school uniform Mana was wearing.

"H-Hi. Um, I'm Mana. How did you get that uniform...?" asked Mana.

The girl merely spun around and smiled. Both Shinji and Mana looked in confusion at her but chose to move on. Mana and Shinji put out the food on the table and signalled the girl to sit. The girl didn't do anything, but when Mana set the tea on the table, she sat herself.

"Shinji, can you turn on the TV on?" asked Mana. Shinji did as she said.

And instantly, they saw horrifying news. Apparently, the prefecture nearby Tokyo was targeted by a Spacequake, one of the biggest. Entire cities were erased, one of them being Tengu City. The government had issued a national emergency, but the Spacequake cut off communications in a large part of the country, effectively leaving a large part of the population in the dark about what happened. They didn't even know it, but around the end of school yesterday, this disaster happened right under their noses. The disaster that bore the identification of the South Kanto Sky Disaster (南関東大空災, Nankanto Daikuusai).

Mana immediately realised their parents were somewhere in the outer area of where the Spacequake hit, and she stormed off to call them. Shinji was left in shock as well, not knowing what to do. There were too many things happening, and he was not in control for once. He could hear Mana frantically trying to reach their parents, but they weren't picking up.

When she gave up and came back, Shinji bore sight to something he almost never saw, or what he hated seeing, and that was Mana crying and weeping. They both loved their parents, and it was clear Mana was taking all of this very roughly. Shinji felt frozen in place, unable to do anything.

Only the girl could do anything, but she too seemed sad when she saw Mana crying. She stood up and walked over to Mana before promptly hugging her. Mana then almost instinctively put her arms around the girl too, crying into her shoulder. This act unfroze Shinji, and he too came over and hugged both. Time was on their side since school was cancelled until further notice.

After all, this disaster left the entire country of Japan paralyzed.

***

End of chapter.