The only thing I’ll miss of old Luke: harsher Mieu silencing. T_T

Apparently, everything that happened at Akzeriuth was staged…by the Patriots Score!

Legretta’s earlier words to Tear about the Score taken too much to the heart of Auldrant reveal a bit more about the Grants siblings: Van and Tear both originated from Hod. Van seems to be taking revenge on the Outer Lands, who let Hod be destroyed as per written in the Score…and yet, Yulia’s prophecy previously indicated something along the lines of “the one who seizes glory will destroy his island of birth, and will come from Hod.” It could mean that Van accidentally destroyed Hod, perhaps in a similar method he had used Luke to destroy Akzeriuth, and maybe the Order of Lorelei took action and forced Van to cooperate in order to make sure that the event happened, or inaction by not trying to prevent it. At any rate, it does provide more examples of the Score having a negative effect on humanity, to the point where Tear’s grandfather merely classifies Akzeriuth’s destruction as being “part of the plan,” to where Mohs’ ambitions for starting the war is revealed to be in order to obtain the unprecedented prosperity promised, and lessening the worry of Van’s planned collapse of St. Binah because the Score says a battle between Kimlasca and Malkuth will take place there.

Luke’s reference to Rock Lee’s “nice guy” pose only served to frustrate baby-sitter Tear even more.

Luke’s loss of his obnoxious and loud attitude is welcomed, though I can’t say I’m very supportive of his guilt-tripping that’s present right now. It was a appropriate when he was conversing with Tear over what to do from thereon, but I would think he wouldn’t bother with sobbing over his replica status; saying goodbye to him being Asch’s replica should’ve happened when he said goodbye to his old outlook and hair. Instead, it took more emotional support and advice from Guy, whom he knew cared for him regardless of his identity due to his linked mind with Asch, in order for him to stop blaming himself so much for Akzeriuth and to instead look forward…the same things Luke resolved to do anyways and episode earlier, unless “I’m going to start with what I can do” had a different meaning. As far as his resolve to kill…it hasn’t improved much, but he at least is willing to now go that far in order to accomplish the mission, albeit still uncomfortable with taking a life so much that he briefly screams about it.

Could you live with this loli hating you?  COULD YOU!? O.o

He does, however, deserve his fair share of sympathy, especially with how the party now treats him; since they haven’t yet heard his apologize for Akzeriuth, and their last impression being of him not accepting responsibility, the party is effectively split regarding their current feelings towards him; Jade doesn’t acknowledge him as part of the group at first, with only a lecture about being able to kill being the most meaningful, while Anise becomes disappointed when she figures out that Luke came along with them instead of Asch. Natalia, on the other hand, still seems to be having a hard time distinguishing her feelings towards Asch and Luke, quickly trying to rebound her initial reaction of being somewhat disappointed when the group comes to rescue them. While a heartfelt and sincere apology, and maybe some sort of atonement, could restart Luke’s relationship with Jade and Anise, it won’t exactly clear up the matters that are going on in Natalia’s heart at the
moment.

One more thing: This further demonstrates that Ion exists solely as a plot device for kidnappings.

PREVIEW

Just in time for the holidays, the groups heading to a snow town next, with Jade meeting another bespectacled woman. Chibi versions of said woman and Jade seem to have met before, as well as Jade using some sort of “Field of Fonon” at an early age as well (I’ll wait for miken-chan to clarify my terminology…or if I even got that right. ^^;) using fonons at an early age (I told you I wouldn’t get that right. o_o) And call me crazy, but that kid in the last picture kinda looks like Dist…

Does it feel good, Jade?  Mmmm…

-Jay