Episode 10 - Destiny
Eleven years ago, disaster struck the warship Hestia, under the command of Clyde Harlaown, as it was transporting the captured Book of Darkness. The Book broke free of its restraints and went on a rampage, hijacking the ship's systems and turning its weapons on the rest of the convoy. Clyde used his last moments to contact the convoy commander, Admiral Graham, telling him to destroy the Hestia before it could activate its ultimate weapon, the Arc-en-Ciel. Reluctantly, Graham used his own ship's Arc-en-Ciel to annihilate Clyde's ship, with him and the Book of Darkness still on board... something that haunts Graham to this day.
History looks to be in danger of repeating itself, as the Arthra receives images of what's happening now on Earth. Lindy asks after Chrono, and is advised he's on his way to the scene. Down below, Hayate has been completely subsumed by the consciousness of the Book of Darkness, whose silver-haired avatar now stands in her place. She calls forth a vast sphere of black energy, which explodes outward; Nanoha and Fate barely manage to shield themselves as it engulfs the sky around them.
Some distance away, the two masked men keep an eye on things as they prepare to take action of their own. Suddenly, magical binds appear, trapping them before they have a chance to react. Chrono appears and calmly remarks that it's a very useful spell — because one of its effects is to cancel all transformation magic. Indeed, as the spell takes effect, the appearance of the pair changes, and their masks fall off... to reveal the Liese twins, Lotte and Aria.
By the time the Book's magical attack dissipates, Nanoha and Fate have retreated to a safe distance. Yuuno and Arf arrive and let them know the TSAB are looking for ways to help — but it might take some time. Meanwhile, the Book's avatar, determined to find Nanoha and Fate, covers downtown with a magical barrier like the one the Wolkenritter used before. Then, pausing only to wipe the tears from her face, she activates her wings and flies up into the sky.
Taking the Liese twins back to TSAB headquarters, Chrono confronts Admiral Graham in his office. Graham admits that, since the incident eleven years ago, he's been searching for a way to stop the Book of Darkness for good. He discovered the Book on Earth after it reincarnated with Hayate as its master; he has kept watch on them ever since, posing as a friend of her late father and providing for all her needs. In the meantime, he's concluded that there's only one way to seal the Book without it simply reincarnating elsewhere: wait until it's fully activated, then magically freeze both it and its master, sealing them away in another dimension. Chrono points out that, leaving aside the legality of condemning the innocent Hayate to such a fate, someone else would surely find the Book of Darkness eventually and release it from its prison. Conceding that his plan has been foiled, Graham gives Chrono the magical device he had prepared to use against the Book — Durandal, the Staff of Freezing.
Back on Earth, Fate and Nanoha are now fighting the avatar of the Book of Darkness — a battle which is not going well for them. After brushing off their most powerful attacks, the avatar conjures a magic circle resembling Nanoha's own, and begins casting a spell which they recognize as a super-charged Starlight Breaker. It seems that absorbing Nanoha's linker core gave her access to all of Nanoha's spells — and the ability to amplify them. Realizing the attack will be powerful enough to crush them at this range, Fate tells everyone to get as far away as possible.
Fate and Nanoha have retreated a considerable distance when Bardiche suddenly detects civilians nearby — Alisa and Suzuka, who have somehow been caught inside the magical barrier. As the Book of Darkness unleashes its spell, Nanoha and Fate are obliged to forgo secrecy; they drop down in front of their astonished friends and shield them from the blast. Monitoring the situation from on board the Arthra, Amy says she'll move Alisa and Suzuka somewhere safe; and so, before the two girls can demand an explanation, they are transported away.
Nanoha and Fate try to reason with the Book's avatar, imploring her to stop fighting and release Hayate. She replies that she must grant her master's wish: that the world which took away her beloved family be reduced to a bad dream. Materializing directly in front of the girls, she restrains them with tendrils that sprout from the ground. As they struggle, Nanoha asks if she really wants to grant Hayate's wish this way. Tears start running down the avatar's face again, but she claims she is a mere tool with no feelings of her own. Both Nanoha and Fate try to call her out on the obvious lie, but she insists that the tears are Hayate's, not hers.
Fate manages to destroy their restraints, but moments later the ground starts to shake, and fiery columns burst out of the street. The Book says she's starting to lose control, and will soon run wild. Still, she continues to fight, repeating that she must grant Hayate's wish and eliminate everything that caused her pain. Impatient, Fate launches a high-speed attack, demanding that she stop and listen. The avatar blocks her in mid-air, then opens the Book in her direction and tells her to sleep. Fate glows with light, then — with a surprised look on her face — slowly dissolves into golden sparks, which are absorbed by the Book of Darkness.
Tropes
- Disappears into Light: It seems the Book can do this to people, not just its own humanoid A.I.s, as this happens to Fate at the end of the episode. This ability was alluded to in episode 8, when Yuuno said the Book could absorb its own master. As it turns out, it's basically a fancy storage function, and Fate isn't actually harmed by it. Its further implications get explored in the Reflection and Detonation movies.
- Going Down with the Ship: Clyde stayed on board the Hestia while his crew was evacuated in order to warn Graham that the Book had hijacked the ship's systems and was preparing to fire the Arc-en-Ciel.
- It Has Been an Honor: Clyde Harlaown's last act as the Hestia lost contact was to salute Admiral Graham.
- Know When to Fold 'Em: Graham realizes he and his familiars no longer have any chance of carrying out their plan themselves. He opts to give Durandal to Chrono in the hope that he can make use of it.
- The Reveal: Graham is behind the masked men, who are actually the Liese twins. Furthermore, it turns out he's also the unseen "family friend" who's been providing for Hayate.
- Well-Intentioned Extremist: Graham's goal is commendable — stop the Book of Darkness from hurting anyone again — but his methods are both illegal and immoral, as he himself acknowledges. He isn't happy about the idea of freezing Hayate in limbo for eternity, but believes she's doomed to be destroyed by the Book anyway. He has tried to ease his conscience by providing for all her needs and making her as happy as possible, although he admits it's hypocritical of him.
- Wham Shot: The two masked men are revealed as Liesearia and Lieselotte. Chrono doesn't appear surprised — it's clear he's already deduced their identities — but he is plainly not happy with them or Graham.
