A Chance Meeting of Light and Dark II (邂逅明暗 II Kaikō Meian II) is the 28th chapter of the Shakugan no Shana manga series.
The old man, Lamies, explained to Yūji how he was harmless to the world's balance and the meaning behind his unusual behavior for a Crimson Denizen.
Summary[]
From the flame Margery had given them, Satō and Tanaka watched the explosion made by Margery's fireballs. They were in awe at the sight, but were surprised that, judging from Margery and Marchosias' conversation, their opponent was a young girl.
Yūji cautious around Lamies after Yoshida had lost consciousness.
In the art exhibit, Yūji was cautious around the old man, while Yoshida was propped against a wall, unconscious. The old man wanted to know more about Yūji, and knew that Yūji wouldn't want Yoshida to hear their talk. The man introduced himself as "Corpse Retriever" Lamies, and asked for Yūji's name. This surprised Yūji, that a Denizen would be interested in a Torch. Yūji figured Lamies would have harmed him long ago if he wanted to, and told the Denizen his name and that he was a Mystes. Lamies had figured as much; no Torch could stay sane after discovering its situation. Surprisingly, Lamies didn't want Yūji's Treasure Tool, but wanted to know about the Flame Haze he was involved with, as he had sensed one's presence in the city before. He wanted Yūji to tell the Flame Haze that he was harmless. Lamies explained that he didn't devour people, only weak Torches. He was also borrowing the body of a Torch, so he wouldn't have to expend as much Power of Existence as a regular Denizen. As Misaki City had an unusually high number of Torches, it was the ideal place for him.
The "Weaver of Coffins" being hunted by Flame Haze.
Yūji asked Lamies why he was collecting Power of Existence with such a slow method, unlike the other Denizens who ate what they wanted, and Lamies said that he needed a lot of Power of Existence. Lamies explained that if Denizens continued to eat humans, they would eventually be hunted and destroyed by the Flame Haze, even if they were powerful existences like "Snake of the Festival" and "Weaver of Coffins". As he didn't upset the world's balance, Flame Haze usually leave him alone. Lamies stated that he wouldn't take Yūji's Treasure Tool because he didn't want to anger the Flame Haze who was with him.
Yūji wanted to know why Lamies was collecting so much Power of Existence, in case it was a reason similar to Friagne's City Devourer. Lamies told him that long ago, a human had made something for him, but it had been destroyed before he had a chance to see it. He wanted to look at it and touch it, and spent years developing an Unrestricted Spell Insignia to do so, but it required an enormous amount of Power of Existence to restore something that no longer existed. After Yūji's asking, Lamies revealed that gathering Power of Existence from Torches amounted to a thousandth or ten-thousandth of the amount gathered from eating humans. That was why he valued Misaki City so much; he could gather more Torches and still not affect the world. However, Lamies didn't want to stay long due to the Flame Haze that was constantly chasing him. A normal Flame Haze would have left a weaker Denizen who was not affecting the balance like him alone, but this one was obsessed with destroying Denizens. Yūji remembered Shana telling him that morning that she had sensed someone, and sure enough, Lamies stated that his pursuer was fighting Yūji's acquaintance at that moment.
Margery smashing Shana in the head.
Margery and Marchosias assumed that the battle was done, but Shana rushed out at them from the smoke of the explosion. Margery barely dodged Shana's thrust so that she was merely scratched, and clubbed Shana, sending her hurtling into the ground.
Yūji's belief that Shana would be fine, and the reality.
Lamies explained to Yūji that it wasn't unusual for Flame Haze to fight each other, as they had different grudges, objectives, opinions, and moods. He said that they would only fight until one was hurt and not to the death. Lamies seemed to think that his pursuer would win, but Yūji smiled and said that Shana would be fine. At that moment, a heavily injured Shana struggled to get up. Seeing Yūji's face, Lamies tipped his hat.
Characters[]
* denotes if the character debuts in this chapter
- Keisaku Satō
- Eita Tanaka
- Kazumi Yoshida
- Yūji Sakai
- Lamies
- Friagne (mentioned, visualization)
- Marianne (visualization only)
- Head Ball Rinne (visualization only)
- "Snake of the Festival" (mentioned)
- "Weaver of Coffins" (mentioned, visualization)
- Mathilde Saint-Omer (visualization only)
- Wilhelmina Carmel (visualization only)
- Sophie Sawallisch (visualization only)
- Donato* (visualization only)
- Leanan-sidhe* (visualization only)
- Margery Daw
- Marchosias
- Shana
Powers and Abilities Used[]
Unrestricted Spells[]
- Toga - Margery
Treasure Tools[]
- Nietono no Shana - Shana
Locations[]
Quotes[]
- Lamies: "Yūji Sakai. It's good that you're quick-witted but there's such a thing as being too hasty. Calm down."
- Lamies: "A lingering affection... Long ago... a human made something for me. However, before I could see it, it was destroyed and lost forever. I want to see with my own eyes what he had tried to give me. I want to touch it with these hands. I want to make sure of it."
- Margery (to Shana): "...You!! Shitty brat!!"
- Lamies: "I pity your friend, having to face those two, but..."
Yūji: "She's alright. She'll... be alright. Shana will definitely... be alright."
Trivia[]
- Yūji recalled Shana telling him she had sensed a Denizen or Flame Haze, in chapter 24.