God Eater: Shattered Dawn

Epilogue

Three weeks had passed by since Private Lupa Celestia was officially announced killed in action.

There hadn't been much in the way of a funeral, since her body was destroyed, but the air of solemnity that hung like curtains around the First Unit spoke tales enough to honour her death.

As you can imagine, those who knew Lupa did not take well to her death, prying into the mission data to try to understand exactly how she ended up in the state that she was, however the information vanished from the system within hours of the Unit's return. Whether it was destroyed or simply lost, I cannot say, but the Director's influence was suspected by the few who knew him well.

Lindow improved as a Leader, earning respect from all as he took down powerful aragami, returning from missions always with a full team (and a request for beer). He even did some paperwork.

Sakuya cried for weeks, but with the help of Lindow, found in herself a new determination to survive and reach out to others.

Aria joined the Defense Squad, but was haunted badly by the loss of her close friend, and suffered unseen demons in the dead of night. Strangely it was the least giving of the Squad, Karel, that seemed to pull her through.

And Soma.

Well, he sank back into his old ways, perhaps even more bitter than before. But as far as I know, he never tried to commit suicide again. He never stopped thinking about the girl that fell from the sky, and never stopped blaming himself for her death, not that it was his fault.

It was only after years of coaxing that Soma let me see Lupa's diary, and I now know for certain that the death of Lupa Celestia was not his fault.

It was mine.

For there is one story that I did not quite finish; one tale left unspoken for.

Because, you see, contrary to assumptions made at the time, Jack did not die with Lupa on that fateful day.

Jack didn't die at all.