天下制覇

How happy am I that this got extended for at least another 4 episodes?

Impressions:

Have I gushed lately about what an awesome job UFOTable is doing with this adaptation? I absolutely adore that they changed Remiel around quite a bit and that they explicitly explained the early Renegade/Desian bait and switch. Symphonia actually has a pretty great plot (well, before it devolves at the end into the usual Tales "racism is bad" stuff), but in the game, it’s told so poorly that all the backstabbings and betrayals are completely incomprehensible until the second or third time through. About the only clue you have that the ‘Desians’ in the temple at the start are actually Renegades is one of them going "This kid thinks we’re Desians!" or something similar. It isn’t until 20 hours later that you even learn that multiple factions exist and of course, it never bothers to remind you of all the craziness. Let’s not even get started on Remiel’s random betrayal of Cruxis eiither. In the game, he’s just a power hungry little punk that gets put down by Kratos like a stray dog.

Despite having not made an appearance yet, I also really liked how they handled Yuan. His fight with Kratos was also extremely well done, albeit very short. It was still probably the best animated and choreographed action scene that I’ve seen in months, if not much longer. UFOTable really is doing an amazing job with this one. They’re sticking very close to the source, while still rewriting the weaker parts and inserting their own style into the story. I simply cannot wait to see what they’ve done with Kara no Kyoukai, especially after all the other half-assed Type-Moon adaptations out there. Not to mention that every review I’ve read for it has been exemplory. February 22nd is already marked on my calendar. Oh man, I would sacrifice at least fifteen orphans and a healthy goat for them to take on Melty Blood’s story.

Anyway, back to Symphonia. It continues to be awesome. Fans of the game should continue to be ecstatic with the job that UFOTable has been doing, and those that haven’t played the game should hate themselves for being bad people. On to Tethe’alla for some awesome awesome Zelos and Presea action!

Colette has reached the end of her journey. She ascends to the final seal, fully realizing her destiny. Regardless, she’s still scared. She walks into the final gate and annouces to Remiel that the Priestess is here. A magical circle appears beneath her and Remiel announces that she will now become an angel.

Colette silently tells Lloyd that it’s a bit scary, but still she’s really happy. Remiel asks her if her heart is prepared.

The party comes to a guy selling trips on flying dragons. Raine thanks a priest for providing her with the gems that they need and the two talk about how it’s all for saving the world. A little girl interrupts them and the priest tells her to come back later. The priest asks how the Priestess is doing. Raine tells him that she’s holding up.

At the inn, Lloyd crams his gullet. Genis is downcast, even when Colette motions for him to go ahead and eat.

A little later, Genis thinks how stupid they’re being while sitting on the roof with Lloyd and Colette. Genis asks Colette if she’s happy that it’s almost over. Lloyd stands up and Genis stops talking. They’re nearly at the final end, and the’re both a bit worried about what that might bring. Genis grits his teeth and leaves the two alone.

It’s strange, isn’t it? Lloyd thinks. He asks if she’ll give him the pendant. Colette hands him her birthday necklace. Lloyd promises that when this is over, and she can take off her Priestess necklace, he’ll return it to her. Colette worriedly puts her hand on her Cruxis crystal. Lloyd tells her that they’ll go home together. Colette silently knows that when it’s over, that can’t happen.

The next morning, Colette wakes up and is scared of what may happen. Still, she’s prepared, and leaves on her own. Kratos is waiting for her. He’s even already prepared the dragons. The two leave together. She’s really happy. The world and Lloyd are things that she loves and will be able to keep safe, even if it costs her her life. As they fly towards the Tower of Salvation, her Cruxis crystal flares, and the barrier explodes.

Lloyd’s ex-sphere reacts and he wakes up. He, Genis and Raine run to the dragons to find Colette. Raine stops as they’re running.

She explains to the other two that when the journey is over, the Priestess is sacrificed. The Priestess cannot survive the transformation to an Angel. She was meant as a sacrifice all along. The boys can’t believe it and think there must be another way. Raine tells them that there’s nothing.

Lloyd starts walking onward, saying that he’ll protect Colette. He told her that he’d be with her, he’d fight for her. This fight isn’t over yet. He doesn’t understand anything about saving the world, but still, he’ll go for her. Genis walks over to him, and after a moment, Raine also walks over.

A man’s voice asks them what they think they’ll accomplish. A Desian walks out from behind a tree. The man corrects Lloyd… he’s a renegade, not a Desian.

He removes his helmet. He is Yuan, the leader of the Renegades. He tells them that time is short, but he’s on their side. He cannot allow the Priestess to become an Angel. Behind him, a flight of dragons fill the skies. He asks them to come with him.

Inside the Tower of Salvation, Remiel asks Colette if her heart is prepared to become an Angel. She accepts and the final transformation starts. Collete grimaces in pain.

Kratos casts a spell at the approaching dragons. Judgement lances out and destroys entire fleets of them. Kratos turns to go inside, but Lloyd and the rest land to confront him. Kratos asks why they’re with the Desians. Genis yells that they’re Renegades. Lloyd demands to be let inside.

Yuan cuts him off, idly remarking that he’s not surprised to see Kratos Aurion here. Kratos says that it’s Cruxis’ wish that this happen. Lloyd says that he doesn’t matter and tries to put his hand on Kratos’ shoulder. A barrier blasts Llloyd backwards.

Wings erupt from Kratos’ back and the others realize in horror that Kratos is an Angel. Kratos explains that he’s part of Cruxis, an organization of Angels dedicated to making sure that the Priestess completes her journey. He dispels his wings and declares that he won’t let them pass.

Lloyd demands to know why he became stronger. He doesn’t understand about Cruxis or Angels, he just wants to know why he fought and trained if he couldn’t protect Colette.

Yuan interrupts him, saying that it’s useless to talk sense to Kratos. He draws his sword and attacks Kratos. The two fight, with neither having an advantage. Yuan yells at the others to go ahead while he’s keeping Kratos occupied. When the others gone, he summons his Swallow Blade and prepares to fight for real.

Lloyd and the party race up the Tower of Salvation. They enter the final chamber just after Colette’s transformation completes. She rises and looks at them and tells them to stay back. Lloyd is happy that her voice is back. She says that she’s happy she’ll get to say goodbye. She thanks Lloyd with tears in her eyes. Lloyd runs to her. She says goodbye. He leaps to her, but her eyes fade and go dark.

Lloyd’s grasp falters and he collapses in tears, crying her name.

Genis can’t believe that it’d end like this. Lloyd gets up and walks to her, but Remiel blasts him away. Lloyd demands that he return her. Remiel says that’s impossible, this girl is to become Martel. Everything was to prepare the girl as a vessel for the goddess. Colette isn’t even human anymore. Lloyd yells out to Colette to say that she hasn’t forgotten. When there’s no response, his swords slip from his grasp in despair.

Remiel keeps explaining, but a pair of blasts interrupt him. Genis and Raine aren’t too happy with this either. They tell Lloyd to pick up his sword and protect her. His ex-sphere glows and his mother’s voice echoes in his head, telling him to protect that which is dear to him. Lloyd looks up at Colette’s dead eyes. He closes his own. He firmly lifts his swords.

Remiel declares that those who oppose an Angel will be obliterated and lets loose a massive blast.

Outside, Kratos is distracted by the blast, worried that Lloyd is in danger.

Yuan tries to take advantage, and presses the attack. He manages to blast Kratos into a pillar, but realizes that the fight inside is more important and runs towards the Tower.

Genis and Raine are down, but Lloyd is still fighting. His entire body glows and he shoots out a huge energy blast at Remiel. It pounds through the Angel’s shield and slams him into a wall. The impact fractures the entire structure and the ceiling starts to collapse. Lloyd runs to Colette to protect her.

Lloyd wakes up in a bed. Genis and Raine are nearby. Colette is wordlessly standing nearby, still with dead eyes. Lloyd asks her if she’s okay, but she’s completely unresponsive. He hugs her and apologizes, saying that he was supposed to protect her.

Yuan interrupts the moment, saying that the danger to the Priestess is not past.

Inside the Tower of Salvation, Kratos stands over Remiel’s body, seemingly killed with Yuan’s sword.

Back at the Renegade’s base, Yuan explains about Cruxis and the Desians. They are both part of the same organization dedicated to culling out the weak and promoting the strong to become vessels for Martel. Yuan is impressed with how smart Raine is. She concludes that the ‘Desians’ that attacked back at the shrine in episode 1 were really the Renegades as well.

Yuan is forced to admit that it was them. Lloyd wants to know why they saved him and Colette if they wanted to kill her. Yuan explains that it’s too dangerous to kill the Priestess now. They need more data. They also need Lloyd. Lloyd wonders if Yuan is an enemy too. Yuan says that he might be.

A female soldier walks up, saying that the enemy is here. Yuan is quick on the uptake and immediately attacks the soldier. She leaps back, throwing a splay of talismen in front of her that all explode.

Botta and Yuan choke in the smoke, but the rest are already gone.

They run through the halls as the alarm sounds. Lloyd thanks Sheena for saving them. She wonders what they’re going to do about Colette. Corinne comes in to tell Sheena that she’s found ‘them.’

‘They’ are Airbirds, small flying ships. Using them, they can escape Sylvarant to the other world. Genis is shocked that they’re going to the other world, but Sheena’s not in the mood for backtalk and seals his mouth. She explains that the other world is far more advanced and has studied the Angels. They also have their own ‘Priestess’ who might be able to help.

She asks them if they’re prepared. Lloyd looks at Colette and then nods. Sheena inputs the final commands and tells them to suit up. Lloyd asks Sheena the name of the world they’re going to. Sheena says "Tethe’alla."

Zelos watches four ‘stars’ fly by overhead and remarks that they look interesting.

Presea and Regal watch the light trails fly past.

Yuan sees the Airbirds gone and scowls.

Yggdrasil sits on a throne in front of Pronyma and Rodyle. Kratos teleports in, dressed in full Cruxis garb.

After the credits roll, the four Airbirds fly through the Tethe’allan skies. Lloyd tells Colette to wait, he’ll find a way to save her.

The Sylvarant Chapter ends. The Tethe’alla story begins.