From Far Away: Vol. 12

by Kyoko Hikawa

Synopsis
After a terrorist bomb catapults her into an alternate universe full of magic and mystery, teenage Noriko finds herself the central figure in a political power struggle over a dark prophecy she's destined to fulfill, turn the man she loves into a monster that could ultimately destroy the world.

With the evil Brunei brothers hot on their trail, Noriko and her doomed warrior Izark follow Clairgeeta to the rebel enclave in the fortified city of Ennamarna. But the reunion with old friends is quickly interrupted. Corrupt local officials plan to oust the fugitives and turn the walled city into an enemy miliarty base.

While Noriko and Izark once again use their power to save their friends from the greedy government, their enemies in Rienka are joining forces, mixing up new magic that they hope will bring the prophecy that much closer to coming true.

Review
After the big build-up with the brothers, they were dispatched rather anti-climatically. The rest of the volume consists of the group trying to get to their friends that they split apart from in Ennamarna. In fact, this volume is really just a build-up to the end, as the final battle will be fought very soon. All the pieces move into place.

The insight that Clairgeeta offers is useful. He confirms the idea that the sky demon could be used for good, and that the city of Ennamarna may have more information about the world of light. He also said that good and evil is internal, and whichever the person chooses is the one that will manifest.

Final thought: I can't wait to see what happens!