Please note the SPOILER warning, many key elements and developments of the anime, Kannaduki no Miko are revealed in the following paragraphs, do not continue reading if you do not want to know the various plot twists.
Kannaduki no Miko - Episode 12 ( Part 1): Priestess of the Godless Moon
The blood drenched sword drops from Himeko’s suddenly slack grip and Chikane collapses against a horrified Himeko as they both fall to their knees. Himeko gapes at the blood seeping from Chikane’s wound and screams her name.
Himeko sobs over an unresponsive Chikane and is so stricken at having dealt the killing blow that she reaches for her sword and tremblingly brings it up to her own neck. Chikane finally stirs as she weakly lifts her hand to cover Himeko’s fist shakily wrapped around the sword hilt. She begs Himeko to stop, obviously not strong enough to physically prevent the other girl from suicide. Himeko lets her hand and sword fall away as she stares at the fatally wounded Chikane struggling for breath to speak.
Chikane gives Himeko a blissful smile as she softly says that this (her death) is fine, that she will finally tell Himeko her true reason. Chikane touches her fingertips to Himeko’s Solar mark and we see a flashback of the two in their previous lives, fighting the Orochi with the Sword Mech. Their duty was to defeat the Orochi and then seal it to remake a world where the Orochi does not exist.
Himeko starts to remember and is aghast to recall that after the Orochi was defeated, the final step that enabled the world to be rebuilt was for one priestess to take the life of the other, a sacrifice in exchange for the gift of the rebirth of the world. In their previous lives a bitterly sorrowing Lunar Priestess killed the happily compliant Solar Priestess and the Lunar Priestess’s present incarnation as Chikane has never truly forgotten or forgiven herself for what she has always considered an unpardonable murder.
The agony of that moment when Chikane witnessed the kiss between Souma and Himeko was so deep that it echoed her ancient anguish of killing the Solar Priestess. The similar grief at losing Himeko (the first time to death by her own hand and the second time to Souma) triggered the memory of her reprehensible deed. Chikane at that moment of perfect recall realised that all the previous attempts to revive the Sword God failed because deep inside her heart, Chikane hated the Sword God.
Himeko protests that Chikane was not the one at fault during the ceremonies but Chikane knows that she would have only hindered the revival of the Sword God if she did not leave Himeko to do it by herself. She also had to make Himeko hate her enough to kill her and so made herself the enemy by joining the Orochi and being utterly despicable and beyond redemption. Now that the ritual is complete, the world will become one without the Orochi’s destructive influence.
Himeko cries as she realises that Chikane, as the embodiment of the Orochi, will be sealed together with the evil force in the Lunar Shrine, and a world without the Orochi would mean a world devoid of Chikane, it would be as if she never existed. Chikane reassures her that Himemiya Chikane never existed in the first place and that it is alright because Souma and Makoto will be in the remade world with Himeko. Chikane reaches into her robes and returns the rose hair clip, as she closes her eyes peacefully and wishes Himeko a happy life.
Himeko looks in surprise at the hair clip placed on her open palm and commands Chikane to hold on. Chikane forces her eyes open at the sharp tone and looks blurrily at Himeko, who pleading for an answer. With eyes brimming with tears, Himeko asks Chikane if her declarations of love were lies. Chikane is caught completely off guard but calms and looks down, admitting that she really does love Himeko, everything about her.
She looks back up at an astounded Himeko and giving a sad smile, looks away and says that her feelings are different from Himeko’s. Chikane says that Himeko is the most important person in her life, a true noblewoman whose graciousness brings warmth to Chikane’s heart. She says the moon is luminous only because it reflects the sun’s rays and it aims to be the most graceful, elegant and beautiful because it wants to be noticed by the brilliant sun, by Himeko. Chikane did not expect to reveal this and apologises for burdening Himeko with her feelings. Himeko says that she loves Chikane too.
Chikane catches her breath at Himeko’s words but then relaxes and turns grateful eyes to Himeko, thanking her for her kindness in saying what Chikane hoped to hear. Himeko takes Chikane’s hand and places it on her chest. Chikane is shocked at Himeko’s action and Himeko asks her if she can feel the rapid heartbeat under her palm, pounding much harder than it did when she was together with Souma.
Himeko now knows why her tears flowed unceasingly immediately after her kiss with Souma, it is because even all the way back then, she subconsciously was aware of her love for Chikane. The kiss and her enjoyment of the date with Souma made Himeko’s heart ache with the regret of mistaking her feelings for Chikane as mere affection, of overlooking and betraying the profound bond she shared with Chikane.
Chikane pulls away from Himeko and braces her arms on the floor. Bowing her head, Chikane explains that she is not as good as Himeko imagines. She has disappointed Himeko with her contemptible lies and cowardice. Himeko assures her that she is not disappointed. Chikane confesses that she wants to embrace and kiss her, even though she is a girl. Himeko says that she wants that too, if the girl is Chikane.
Chikane is distraught at having harmed Himeko and causing her too much pain and sorrow, Himeko says that none of that matters. Chikane with a catch in her voice states that she killed Himeko, getting worked up as she shakes her head wretchedly, her sudden movements causing her wound to bleed more copiously. She asserts that by her murderous act she has forfeited the right to love Himeko or to be loved in return and must never be forgiven for her heinous crime.
In her agitated desire to convince Himeko of her untenable guilt, Chikane finally raises her head to face a silent Himeko, who leans forward to cup Chikane’s face between her hands and boldly kisses her on the lips. Chikane is stupefied but loses herself in the passionate kiss and they are locked in a tight embrace before Himeko slowly breaks the kiss.
Himeko says that at last she understands that Chikane is neither angel nor devil. During their earlier happy times together, Himeko was delighted but perplexed by the unwarranted attention she received from a wonderful person like Chikane and thus always saw Chikane as a beautiful and mysterious angel, descending from her lofty station to spend time with someone as ordinary as Himeko for unfathomable reasons.
When all that time, Chikane’s intention was just to enjoy Himeko’s company. That Chikane’s heart would also be racing just by being near the person she fancied. That Chikane would be elated at every opportunity to simply walk and talk with that person. That Chikane would also treasure every precious moment together. That Chikane would keep sleepless nights wondering if Himeko did not welcome her friendship, wondering if Himeko would rather not spend time with her but was too polite to refuse her invitations.
Himeko now recognises that despite her maturity, Chikane is still only a sixteen year old girl, plagued by the same uncertainties and insecurities as Himeko. Because of Chikane’s immense strength and kindness, Himeko has always thought nothing of being comforted and sheltered by Chikane. While Himeko went to Chikane with all her troubles and problems, was relying on her for advice and solutions, Chikane kept all her inner turmoil to herself, never seeking solace for her own pain and sorrow.
Himeko knows that Chikane has given up everything important and precious to her, all her favourite activities and places and people, and is the person suffering the most from this situation. Himeko hugs Chikane and cries in her arms as she apologises for forsaking her all the time, letting her suffer that despairing loneliness for so long, beseeching Chikane to let go, to stop restraining herself.
Himeko swears that she can take anything as long as they are together, that the sun will work hard for the moon’s sake to become brighter because the moon teaches it to shine. She wants to be the Himeko that illuminates Chikane. Himeko then gives her another kiss and withdraws slightly to wish Chikane a happy birthday (a repeat of Chikane’s action one month ago on their actual birthday, and the best birthday present Chikane could have ever hoped for).
Chikane, with watery eyes and red cheeks, looks incredibly vulnerable (a decidedly foreign expression on her) and emotional as she takes in Himeko’s words and actions. She tears up and for the first time we see Chikane sob uncontrollably as she clutches Himeko desperately and cries her heart out, wailing Himeko’s name in a voice full of heartache, relieve and yearning. Himeko cradles the distraught Chikane and repeats her words of love, saying that she is not embarrassed to declare her love in front of everyone. Chikane accepts the truth of her words and both their Lunar and Solar symbols glow incandescently (excellent voice acting for the two girls, simply moving).
The combined light from both priestesses shatter the giant Orochi mech they are within (bet everyone forgot about the mech battle) and the light manifests into a huge golden mech that they pilot into outer space in pursuit of a retreating Orochi. Back on the battleground littered with mech parts, we see a motionless Souma covered in dark scales (cuts a terribly forlorn figure). Tsubasa calls out to him and asks if this sorry end is his reward for protecting the girl he loves, if he can still say that Earth is not hell. Souma says yes he can, he does not have any regrets because Himeko is still alive.
Tsubasa mocks him, calls him a fool for sacrificing everything without any gain. Souma says that Tsubasa is the same way, selflessly protecting Souma when they were young. Tsubasa smirks and picks up his sword, saying that Souma is truly his brother and with a fierce expression, slashes at Souma, calling him an idiot. The blow does not harm him but instead scatters the scales. Souma is free from the scales and Tsubasa hands a smiling Souma his sword, saying he will let Souma be a fool to the end.
Souma’s conviction that his brother will understand his choice to protect Himeko and the world one day, is proven right by Tsubasa’s act in freeing Souma from the scales, and especially by his words that Souma is his true brother. Tsubasa’s ability to endure great hardship and his protectiveness towards Souma led him to kill their father and resulted in him living in abject violence and poverty. A life of pain and suffering that got him chosen as the head Orochi acolyte.
Tsubasa learnt first hand that nice guys finish last and wanted Souma to join the winning team of evil, but after he was defeated by Souma, it was the duel with Chikane that reminded Tsubasa of his youthful actions and motivations. The same inner strength and nobility of purpose that led him to his life of crime also led Chikane down her dark road and that glimpse into his past self made him reassess his loyalties and values. Possessing great will-power himself, Tsubasa managed to overcome the influence of the Orochi (much the same way Chikane did) and instead of setting out to kill Himeko as the Orochi would be urging him to do, Tsubasa ended up helping Souma save the priestesses.
Souma summons the Orochi power and blasts off into space in Tsubasa’s mech, shouting Himeko’s name (oh my, after all that, he is still screaming her name at every battle). Souma finds the golden mech and calls out to Himeko, who is happy to see that he is alright. Souma does not reveal his own ordeal and just says that he has a promise to keep. Souma, the consummate gentleman, asks Himeko to let him help save the Earth. He offers to fight the Orochi so that the two girls can enjoy their last moments together.
They take him up on his gracious offer and Souma very quickly dispatches the Orochi (very quickly indeed). Tsubasa appears to Souma again and affectionately calls him a fool when Souma says that he is happy. Tsubasa tells him to be strong so that he can continue fighting even if he is alone, fight to protect what is important to him. We flashback to the two just before young Tsubasa was taken away, where he seemed to be telling Souma the same thing (no audio, just seems that way to me). Souma tearfully thanks him as Tsubasa walks away, nonchalantly raising his hand in a casual wave.
Souma will never be as cynical and jaded as Tsubasa but we see where he gets his protective streak from. Tsubasa can be ruthless and brutal if one allows or deserves it, but we see that if one is willing to fight back, to fight for something they truly believe in, he will smile and step aside, maybe even lend a helping hand (like he did with both Souma and Chikane). Tsubasa is at heart a kind man, battered and strengthened by much suffering and hardship, but not necessarily a bad man given half the chance.
Meanwhile, the golden mech has brought Chikane and Himeko out of the battle zone and to a sunny field of bright flowers where they are now in their uniforms, resting as they realise that the Orochi situation is at an end (Chikane no longer seems to be injured, so they might still be in the mech and the scenario is an illusion created by the mech’s power).
Himeko wants to take a picture and they end up at their secluded rose garden where Chikane stands demurely in front of a tree as Himeko sets the camera timer before taking her place beside Chikane. Himeko slips her arms around a startled Chikane and they end up in an intimate pose. They marvel at how well the picture came out (alright, instant photo development means this is definitely a chimera) and Chikane apologies for her lack of control as her teardrops land on the photo. Himeko says that it is fine for Chikane to cry, she will be her handkerchief (I kid you not). Chikane smiles and says that a handkerchief made from the sun would be splendid (unbelievable, the way Chikane’s reply makes Himeko’s eyebrow raising handkerchief comment strangely appropriate).
Himeko thinks of places they can travel to and wants to go see the puppy that brought them together. She wants to dress up and Chikane agrees to do Himeko’s hair again. Himeko thinks that they should shop for clothes but thinks that matching sets might embarrass Chikane, who denies it. Himeko wants to choose everything that Chikane will wear and her eyes start filling with tears as she talks about making lunch for Chikane and learning to cook from Otoha.
The sudden tears disconcert a previously smiling Chikane as Himeko starts weeping in earnest and demand why they cannot be together when her love for Chikane is so deep. Himeko flips through the blank pages of the album, wanting to fill them with happy memories of them together, but they have barely even begun to make any. She rages against not having done anything for Chikane and not having the chance to do anything in the future.
Chikane says that it is her destiny as priestess of the Godless moon to exchange love and affection for the restoration of the world, just as Himeko did in her previous life. Such a destiny is too cruel for Himeko because she never wants to forget this intense love. Chikane embraces her and says she does not want to forget either, but Himeko surprises her by showing that she was not just paying lip service as she fiercely states that she refuses to forget, that she will not lose her precious feelings for Chikane to anything, not to time, not to destiny, not to God, because their love is mutual.
Chikane is overwhelmed by her aggressive and determined behaviour and promises not to forget either. They lean in for a kiss but the golden mech calls for its sacrifice and pulls the two apart. As Chikane is forced to release Himeko’s hand, she resolves to hold on tightly to Himeko in her heart and soul, and shouts for Himeko to wait for her, that she will find a way to reincarnate and return to the world, return to Himeko. She desperately beseeches Himeko to look for her when she returns. Himeko swears that she will not forget and will recognise her no matter what new form Chikane takes, that she will definitely find her.
As Chikane, dressed in her purple robes, walks up a long flight of stairs leading to the Lunar Shrine, a disembodied female voice (same voice that awakened the priestesses in the first episode) asks Chikane if she wishes for forgiveness, or is she cursing her fate, or is she drained and empty over the eternal and inevitable partings? Chikane shakes her head and softly says that she is happy because she got to see Himeko again. She steps into the dark Shrine and turns to face the Earth visible in the distance through the open doors. The Sword God descends on the Shrine and its huge doors slam shut, locking a silently crying Chikane in the pitch darkness inside the Shrine.
