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Summary:
The Chevaliers Solomon, Nathan, and James all gather to meet in France. Van Argeno is also there, though he’s in a facility full of people affected with D67. His subordinate reports that compared to Vietnam results, the zoanthropy problem has decreased 30%. Suddenly, a pair of Shifu break into the facility. They behead all of the Chiropteran chasing them and taste the blood, but apparently there’s been no change. The two escape through the skylight after the guards arrive. Meanwhile, David, Kai, and the rest arrive at the Red Shield HQ, which turns out to be a large cruise ship. Through the intercom, Joel tells them that Elizabeth’s naked body has been found. And since the Elizabeth who was with them was a mimic, they are to be isolated for 72 hours.
Saya and Hagi are traveling through the countryside in the back of a truck towards the “zoo”. Over the radio, they hear that an explosion on a US nuclear powered aircraft carrier has caused six casualties. Hagi tries to get Saya to eat something because she hasn’t in three days, but she refuses. Saya questions what Chiropterans are, what she is, and feels that she’s alone. Back in Paris, Solomon, James, and Nathan wait for Amshel to show up. They start talking of Diva, who is sleeping off to the side, and mention the “blood of awakening.” At Red Shield HQ, Kai asks David to tell him everything. David says that Joel’s diary, which would tell Kai about their battle against the Chiropteran and about Saya’s history, can only be read if he has the intention of continuing to fight against them. He would never be allowed to return to an ordinary life. Kai confirms that he is ready and wants to see the diary.
The conversation between the Chevaliers turns to Saya and Hagi. Apparently Hagi is Diva’s bridegroom and Saya is the Chevalier’s bride. Even though her blood can kill them, Solomon notes that if she would be the same race as them if their origins were corrected and they would be better able to understand each other. But, as the just-arrived Amshel continues, it is Red Shield who is to blame for it not being that way. Amshel, who is still in Elizabeth’s form, is patting Diva’s head as she sleeps. Back on the Red Shield ship, Kai can’t believe what he’s reading. David questions if he can still call Saya family now that he knows what he does. Kai is silent to the question and even more silent when Riku shows up.
Amshel changes back to his normal appearance and tells the group about meeting Saya and Hagi in Russia. According to him, this is the most human Saya he’s ever seen, but her blood still would kill them. He also saw Hagi, who he calls a puppy for following Saya everywhere. Amshel says that he’s invited Saya to the zoo, the place where it all started and where it will all end. As Chevaliers, they exist for Diva and cannot permit the existence of anyone who wants to kill Diva. James and Nathan agree, but Solomon is initially hesitant. After Solomon comes around, the four make a toast to Diva.
As Solomon is leaving that night, he thinks about the dance he had with Saya. The same two Shifu who had attacked the facility earlier now approach him from behind. They try to quickly kill him, but he vanishes and reappears behind them. After introductions, the Shifu attack him again for his Chevalier blood. They quickly prove to be no match for Solomon’s powers, as he’s able to even catch their blades with his bare hands. When the two do manage to cut off his bladed arm, Solomon decides that holding himself back isn’t needed. Van Argeno and his crew arrive later to clean up the mess. Solomon, deep in thought, decides that he’s going to meet Saya. Meanwhile, deep in the countryside somewhere, Saya sleeps while Hagi watches over her.
Well this is certainly a big episode in terms of plot development. Saya is revealed to be the bride of the Five Chevaliers (Karl is absent) and Hagi is apparently Diva’s groom. This puts a new spin on things if she and Hagi did make that marriage promise back in episode 17. Though the whole marriage/bridge/groom thing is still a bit confusing actually. What does being their bride actually mean for Saya? Maybe it’s related to evolution and continuing the species, especially considering that there’s the whole genealogy tree on the floor of where the Chevaliers were meeting. Not that it matters too much because Amshel is still determined to kill Saya in order to protect Diva. I am surprised though that Solomon suddenly became the candidate of the enemy most likely to help Saya. It’ll be interesting to see how that angle turns out.
Kai seems to have taken the first step in joining Red Shield. Having read Joel’s diary, he’s past the point of no return. Joel himself reminds me a lot of Riku with that boyish face of his. We also get to see Diva this episode, but only the bad of her head (which causes leaves to decay when they land on it).
But the highlight of the episode for me was watching the Shifu in action. The cloaks and the whole jumping around really quickly thing made me think that they were like Jedi or something. The different bladed weapons and the cloaks also remind me of the XIII Order from the Kingdom Hearts games. Both of the fight scenes are pretty cool, even if the two Shifu do get destroyed by Solomon (and they don’t even show us how he killed them). From the preview, next episode will feature a whole lot of them ganging up against Saya and Hagi.
