A heartbeat that lasts for eternity. . .
Lives consumed in soundless balls of fire.
No one can tell when the world is displaced. . .
. . . and the flames of the Crimson World sweep over all.
And so, as l dye this sky red
l proceed through time yet to arrive with this body of mine
Shakugan no Shana
The ''people'' who we walk past, and undistinguished ''things''. . .
. . . are all memories that will disappear
''Strengths'' swaying with devotion and ''weaknesses'' swaying in vain. . .
. . . are all part of the same future
Such a world, melting away the red haze of daily life as the sun sets
Let the wind determine where to draw the line
Spear the enemy with the flowing hair tip
As l shake off my thoughts, while dreams overflow
All that's required is for me to complete my mission with my own hands
But it's still better than living as a torch and being completely forgotten.
l have a feeling that my existence. . .
. . .that my memory wilInow remain with lke and the others.
And in your case, you won't gradually forget about me.
You're right.
But in the end. . .
Shana will remember me.
l was satisfied with that fact.
But l knew nothing.
Yes, nothing.
Respective Thoughts
Sakai
l wonder where Shana went.
Shana!
Don't come!
Wh-What's the matter?!
What happened to you?!
- Leave me alone! - B-But. . .
lt's your fault.
l-l'll get something for you to change into right away, so get in the house.
Shana. . .
Bottom line, you're just a torch.
lt wasn't my imagination, after all.
Someone's been erasing the torches that l've strategically placed.
Could it be. . . ?
No, this isn't being done by Flame Hazes.
lf they were doing this to lure me out, they'd be erasing larger numbers.
Besides. . .
. . . l don't believe even the Flame Hazes know. . .
. . .that we're using torches for our plan.
M-Master. . .
Don't worry, Marianne.
l won't let anyone get in the way.
No matter who our opponent may be.
No matter what.
Bye!
l can do it. lt's all right.
l can say it. l can do it.
lt's all right. l can say it.
Good morning, Yoshida-san.
G-Good morning, lke-kun.
- What's the matter? - U-Um, where's Sakai-kun?
l haven't seen him yet.
Oh.
What? Did you wanna speak to Sakai?
Huh?! lt's not what you think, lke-kun !
l just happened to get these from my Dad. . .
. . . and, well, a movie would've been fine. . .
. . . but l thought this would be nice too, and, so, l . . .
Morning.
G-Good morning !
Perfect timing.
Perfect timing?
Hey, what are you doing after school today?
After school? l've got no plans in particular.
Very well.
Hey, Yoshida-san. What about Sakai?
Huh?
Your friend cancelled at the last minute, so you need someone to go with, right?
What?!
U-Um, the fact is l have two tickets to the art exhibit. . .
. . . and, if you have time after school today, l thought maybe. . .
This. . .
With me?
Class has already begun by now.
What a drag. Wanna skip class?
Sure.
What's wrong?
What a pain, running into them so early.
Given how l beat her up. . .
. . . l don't imagine we'll be seeing that burning-eyed little brat for a while.
Yeah.
Now we just need our main dish, the Corpse Collector.
Let's find him quickly and chew him apart.
Like always, let's find someone who knows the city to show us around.
A young, fresh one to your lustful likings!
Quiet, Stupid Marco.
These guys will do.
Okay, okay.
A bit young for your liking, though?
Hey! Stop!
l-l dunno who you are, but don't get in our way.
Don't blame me if you get hurt.
But you're the ones who are hurt.
Sh-Shut up!
Let's go, Tanaka.
Huh? What's wrong?
Would it be all right with you if l call you Big Sister?
So, what are you gonna do?
Huh?!
What do you mean ''huh''?
About after school. After classes.
Oh.
You're the only one who's free.
And it would be a shame to waste those tickets.
You should go with her.
You're right.
l'd be glad to go with you.
Aren't you distancing yourself a little too much from the Mystes?
Therefore, you will be helping us search this city to find the Denizen.
Understood?
Good.
So, um. . . Big Sister.
What exactly are we supposed to do?
Let's see.
For now, just answer my questions.
You guys are from this city, right?
Yeah.
Answer politely.
Yes, ma'am.
Have there been any major incidents or accidents in the city lately?
Anything unusual happen?
Hmm. . .
l dunno. l don't read no paper, so. . .
Um, l do not read the newspaper.
The only accidents l am aware of are traffic accidents.
l see.
l have a bad feeling about this city.
Please stay here, Marianne.
Master?
l found you.
You understand, right?
About what?
The reason you lost to the Chanter of Elegies.
The only crime you can recall is a robbery?
Weren't there any bigger incidents?
No, nothing.
Then, let's focus on the torches that l just explained to you.
Where would you say we'd find a large number of them together?
Then where is the number one gathering place for people in this city?
Ah. . .
Maybe the area in front of the train station, just ahead of here?
l see.
Then we'll go there and comb through that area thoroughly.
Big Sister.
ls something the matter?
A pale white flame. . .
Hey. Could it be. . .
Hunter Friagne.
You guys, wait here for a bit.
Strange.
There should've been someone around here.
Didn't expect we'd find the Hunter here.
Quite a big catch, don't you think?
Yeah. lt's like chasing a field mouse and finding a deer!
We'll take this chance to kill him. Any complaints?
No complaints! Why should there be?!
My smashing, dashing fangs, Margery Daw!
This sensation. A Flame Haze?
The Hunter is on the move again.
Wait.
Leave him alone.
The Chanter of Elegies is headed there.
But. . .
In your present state, it's too dangerous.
There are other things we must do in the meantime.
Wow. This one's gorgeous.
l-lt certainly is.
l understand there are stained glass displays further back.
Really? Let's go and take a look.
S-Sure.
Sakai-kun?
A Denizen of Crimson World?!
What's the matter?
Well. So you can tell.
l see. You're a Mystes.
Do not worry.
l have no intention of harming you.
l dislike doing anything to recklessly disrupt the balance of the world.
Can we talk?
Do you know this person?
Huh? W-Well yeah.
Chanter of Elegies, Margery Daw.
And Claws and Fangs of Violation, Marcosias.
Hunter Friagne.
So you're the newly arrived Flame Haze.
l kinda doubt it, but are you the ones who have been getting in my way?
l don't know what you're talking about.
l'm only getting ready to kill you now.
l see. Then it appears the tasteless intruder has gotten away.
You mean. . . ?
Who would've guessed the Hunter would be after him as well?
Never mind.
l really don't have time to waste with a Tool for Destruction Attack. . .
. . . but l guess it's not a bad idea to kick away some stones before l trip.
How dare you even think about touching my prey.
Ready to be chewed apart?
Prey?
Although we'll chew you apart whether you're ready or not.
This is pretty, isn't it, Sakai-kun?
Let me introduce myself.
l am Lamies, the Corpse Collector.
As you noticed, l am in fact a Denizen of Crimson World.
So you are a Denizen.
Are you the one who hurt Shana?!
Shana?
She's a Flame Haze!
No. l did no such thing.
But first, l introduced myself.
Now, may l ask what your name is, young Mystes man?
l'm Yuji Sakai.
Yuji Sakai.
You understand the situation you have been placed in. . .
. . . and yet are able to remain sane.
Quite impressive.
Or perhaps you have given up on everything.
You mentioned Shana a moment ago.
ls that the Flame Haze often by your side?
Shana's the name l gave her.
She's the Flame-Hair Burning-Eyed. . .
What?
Then l imagine Alastor, the Flame of the Heavens, is also with you.
Are you acquaintances?
Something like that.
ls that so.
The Flame-Haired Burning-Eyed Hunter.
Then l should be able to avoid any meaningless battles.
Meaningless? But you're a Denizen, right?
l do not prey on humans.
As my name ''Corpse Collector'' indicates, l only prey on torches.
And like you witnessed, only weak ones that are about to vanish.
l have also borrowed this body from a torch. . .
. . . so as not to use up the powers of existence.
Why is that?
l have my objectives.
Objectives?
l have devised an unrestricted method that will aid me in my goal.
l'm gathering powers of existence necessary to put it into use.
That's my purpose for living.
l would like to see what is to come with these eyes.
l'd like to touch it.
l'd like to make certain.
And that's why you target the torches of this city.
Although l only gather weak ones. . .
. . . as a fellow torch, you can't feel too good about it.
ln any case, l don't plan to stay much longer.
l'm being chased by some troublesome fellows.
And there are others who aren't too pleased with my actions.
Now, let's get started !
Let's blast him, Marcosias!
Right on ! We'll kill them, destroy them, chew them to pieces!
You seem to know who's been eating up my torches.
l told you, that bastard, Lamies, is OUR catch !
You won't get away this time!
Lamies.
Lamies, the Corpse Collector?
lf so, what's it to you?!
- In either case, this will. . . - . . .finish you off!
My fire-repelling ring, Azure!
What?!
Running away?!
I no longer have the time to play games.
Don't expect to get away so easily!
He eluded our attack!
Damn it! *Gah*
Damn every one of them !
What's wrong, Big Sister?
I need a drink!
Show me someplace with lots of booze. . .
. . .where it's quiet, and l can go wild until l fall asleep!
H-How do you expect us to find. . . ?
You've told me what l wanted to know.
l guess it's goodbye now.
Ah. . .
What is it?
Ask me a question, and l shall repay you for the information you have given me.
Not so much a question. . .
l was just wondering what it feels like to live for a single objective. . .
. . .the way you're doing.
You don't necessarily hafta answer.
lf you will excuse me.
Do you feeInothing, regarding the fact that your existence will vanish?
Amidst all the people who will forget about me. . .
. . . l met one girl, Shana, who will always remember me.
So. . .
But can you say that right now you are the real Yuji Sakai?
You appear to me as nothing more than a torch.
Bottom line, you're just a torch.
Let me rephrase the question.
You said she will always remember you. . .
Huh?
That the ''you'' she will remember is the ''you'' of now?
The reason l didn't prey on you. . .
. . . is because the flame of your torch is still burning brightly.
Let me give you one piece of information.
lt's about a danger to this city that's secretly taking place.
How you will use this information. . .
. . . is something the present you can decide.
Friagne is up to no good.
He is about to ruin this city.
He is planning the City Devouring.
He's gonna ruin the city?!
Everything will vanish.
You, and everything that you came in contact with.
Everything will disappear.
Why are you distancing yourself from the Mystes?
l dunno.
Not only the two Flame Hazes. . .
. . . but now Lamies, the Corpse Collector, as well.
Change of plans.
lt's a bit early, Marianne, but we'll activate our plan.
Master.
What is it with that guy?!
All right, then.
Bottom line, he's just a torch that'll vanish soon.
lt's that Mystes. . .
We'll have to destroy Yuji Sakai.
The one who will be born at dawn
Do not lose sight, no matter what happens
You are you, girl, now is the time
Untie all, and stand strong !
As you tear through the winds while you hide the scars of your heart
There is no way to just watch over you
Are those eyes of yours looking for the you in the far future?
But l can hear it
The heartbeat of deep sadness is calling out!
I'm just. . .the darkness before dawn decides one's fate for one's life
lt's all right, girl, now is the time
There's no reason to regret or be ashamed
Far away. . .
While carrying a cross
Risk your life as you run through the flames!
The City Devouring has been activated.
Danger approaches Misaki City, and Yuji.
During combat, what is it that controls Shana's every move?
Next episode, '' Mingle, Activate, Confront''.