灼眼のシャナⅢ（Final）
Shakugan no Shana III (Final) – 09

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis:

Fecor is stunned that Seireiden has been infiltrated and manages to get his Magnecia unrestricted spell up to protect the gate in the “sky,” so that Yuuji and company can safely return. Fecor contacts Decarabia, demanding to know how Seireiden’s defenses could be breached. Decarabia has no answer since nothing Bal Masqué had established for defenses had been overcome. However, he promises reinforcements for Fecor by the next day, so Fecor has to maintain until then. Meanwhile Fecor gives the order to have the Rinne maids take Shana to a secure location.

As Rebeca and Nbh’w continue their assault, Wilhelmina races through the corridors of Seireiden undetected thanks to a spell.  A flashback explains that Seireiden and and Tendoukyuu were originally made as a pair by the Crimson Lord Gavida, with Tendoukyuu being the palace in daylight and Seireiden being the enemy hunter.  However, when the two come near each other, a bridge automatically forms between the two, massive Hougu, which is how the three Flame Haze and their Crimson Lords were able to get into Seireiden undetected.

A Sophie and company fly to their destination, the tunnel Shana and the Rinne maids are in gets destroyed. Shana is injured and tries to escape, but a damaged Rinne stops her until Shana stabs it repeatedly until her dagger breaks. Meanwhile, Bal Masqué Crimson Lord Purson arrives to stop the Flame Haze assault, using some of Dantalion’s devices as well as his own unrestricted spell to put a hurt on Nbh’w and Rebeca. As they fight, Nietono no Shana reacts to Shana’s rage and desire to fight, causing the Mystes creator of the Hougu sword, Tenmoku Ikko, to emerge and respond to his master’s call.

Using the Haridan to look for breaches in their security, Fecor puzzles over how the Flame Haze were able to so easily get in when all indications are they there was no security breach. While he ponders, Tenmoku uses Nietono no Shana to slaughter Tomogara and absorb their life force. A Tomogara flees to Fecor to warn him but is cut down, as is Fecor, who’s defensive spell was not enough. Fecor’s death causes the Magnecia spell to end, allowing Nbh’w to launch an attack on the gateway.  At the same time, Tenmoku approaches Shana and destroys the Hougu sealing her power before taking a knee and presenting Nietono no Shana to her again. Her powers unlocked, Shana returns to Flame Haze form, thanking Tenmoku in the process.

Thoughts/Review:

I’m trying to remember if this linkage between Tendoukyuu and Seireiden was mentioned before this episode. For some reason, I had an impression that this might be the case after watching the episode.

Whether it was or not, the episode was still a good one. It was fun seeing Nbh’w and Rebeca going on a destructive spree through Seireiden. I expect Purson to go down soon against those two Flame Haze.

Speaking of going down, I am surprised to see that Fecor is apparently dead.  I say “apparently” because we don’t see him slain, but his Unrestricted Spell did drop, which implies it.  If he’s gone, Seireiden will likely fall before reinforcements could arrive.

It was great seeing Tenmoku again. I’d forgotten about him until he appeared in this episode. Man, with the ease that he waded through Tomogara, its still amazing that Shana defeated him in order to win Nietono no Shana.  I loved how she greeted Tenmoku and how he brought back his master’s sword.  Just awesome. ^_^

Now that Shana has her Flame Haze powers returned to her, I figure Wilhelmina will find her fairly quickly, which is why I think Seireiden will fall.  I could be wrong, but that’s sorta what I see.

Then again, Shana may go through the gate after Yuuji. I think that’s what Sophie was considering when thinking of the Flame Haze strategy as well as Bal Masqué’s strategy.

So, another good episode for me. I’m looking forward to seeing what happens next. ^_^