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The Angels Arc
The story starts with Simoun, a freshman university student in France, feeling something nearby is calling him. This is not a new feeling, but somehow it is much stronger, more compelling. He goes out in search of the summons and encounters Vincent, a young world-renowned wind instrument soloist, who is in this country for a brief performance.
Simoun doesn't immediately understand what Vincent is telling him: that something enormous is going to happen within the next year, or the next few years, and those with similar powers must band together to either fight against it, or fight with it.
As it would seem, Vincent himself does not know what this enormous thing is - he theorizes it is "the end of the world." Simoun agrees to help Vincent track down the other members of their army, but begs off from the actual search; he is only a young student, albeit one with a bad right leg, and Vincent cannot use him in his travels.
Vincent and Simoun correspond for some time. They realize they are both musically-inclined, and of above average intelligence, so they presume the others they are looking for are the same. Then they encounter Kristof, first of five children, a young odd-jobs worker with little schooling, and a very shaky grasp of English. Kristof has one thing in common with both Vincent and Simoun, though - he is extremely fond of music.
Vincent was able to track him down because he discovered reports that in Kristof's hometown, NO ONE got sick. AT ALL. Somehow Vincent attributes this to Kristof, but they don't find proof until they witness a confused and enraged Kristof take his turn on the drums, and unwittingly lets loose a storm that almost devastates his hometown.
Kristof's father is himself convinced that Kristof is meant for greater things. He encourages Kristof to accept Vincent's offer to attend the same integrated school Simoun is attending, in France. There will be a musical scholarship, Vincent assures, under his family's name.
While Simoun patiently walks Kristof through the rigors of privatized higher education, Vincent locates the elusive Michael, who has the power of voice and is not afraid to use it. All three go on a search for Michael in the city, and they learn he is on a vendetta against a neighboring mob group, having recently thoroughly purged his own city. They also learn that Michael has a live-in partner and child.
Vincent tries to convince Michael that he cannot stay on his crusade alone; they can help him become stronger, much stronger. Michael only agrees to come to their aid when Vincent beats him in a duel of direct attacks. Simoun enjoins the help of the community to encourage Michael to leave with the others to France. Grudgingly, Michael accedes.
The next several stories in this arc are pretty much plotless, as the four comrades adjust to each other and become stronger. While most of the time they are peaceful, Michael tends to go off on his own and disobey orders.
At last Kristof voices out their fears: Michael may not be one of them. He may have been born to belong to the unknown enemy they are training to face.
And then, in Michael's prolonged absence, the enemy appears...
