011 | Darkness in Paradise 07

[priscilla]

Summary First Appearance: N/A Why not open with a dead yoma's butt? The yoma falls to the ground, dead. Which means the danger is seemingly over... but as the surviving humans congratulate her on her victory, Clare finds herself unable to catch her breath... and dangerously low on blood. Suddenly, she falls to her knees, hugging herself as her yoki unleashes itself, warping her body and raising veins not only on her face but even on her body. Realizing she used too much yoki power for her weakened body to manage, and unable to stop her body from transforming, Clare moves to sever her own throat as she says her goodbyes to Raki. Clare attempts to do the noble thing. However, her attempt at self-sacrifice is cut short, as her sword arm suddenly lashes out at Raki - her awakening body moves outside of her control. Clare drives the blade into the ground, and begs for Galk to remove her head while she remains human of mind. She apologizes to Raki, explaining that her overuse of yoki while physically and mentally exhausted has left her unable to fend off her inner monster, and explaining that Father Vincent already promised to take care of him. Raki responds the only way he can: he tosses himself over her body and refuses to move. Crying, he tells her how happy he was to meet her and travel with her when he had lost everything all at once. She always said she wasn't kind, but she was kindest person of all, to him. So, he doesn't want anyone else - if she dies, he's going with her. Clare's eyes widen in shock as the ground around her erupts and cracks. And when the dust settles, she finds her power entirely suppressed. She also finds herself hugging and comforting a sobbing Raki. Finally, Galk declares that he's tired of standing around holding a sword while injured, and she didn't turn into a yoma anyway. Instead, she was saved by that boy. Awkwardly, Clare pats Raki as he cries. It's surprising how little of this there actually is in the series, comparatively. Later, on the streets of Rabona, Clare (apparently back on the medication) says her goodbyes to Vincent, Sid and Galk. She's still injured, but will be fine with a little rest. She thanks Vincent for his help, prompting him to (rightfully) point out that she's the one who helped them, really. The captain of the guard thanks her on behalf of the people, none of whom are permitted to speak with her due to her nature. It troubles him that he can't tell them all she did for them... but Clare says she does not do her work for praise or for thanks. As per their agreement, Vincent offers Raki a chance to stay with them... but Clare simply smiles and asks Raki if he's coming with her. ...And then Sid attack-kisses Clare. She's as shocked as everyone else, especially Raki... who sneaks up behind Sid and kicks him in the crotch. Oooh! Next thing you know, Sid and Raki are beating each other up again... but Clare interrupts them with a simple, "Come on, Raki. Let's go," prompting Sid to tell Raki to grow strong and help Clare. Raki, still carrying Clare's sword on his back, says he will as he follows her out of the city. Notes and Comments This is what happens when the weakest of all the Claymores loses control of her power. 01. This chapter marks a major turning point for Clare as a character... but we won't know for almost two years worth of issues that this is the chapter in which Clare becomes one of the few, the proud, the Half-Awakened. This makes her one among the strongest warriors in the ranks of the Organization, despite the Organization themselves having no idea of this. It's interesting to question what her awakened form might have been like if she had awakened now. Later chapters seem to suggest, or even prove, that the intentions and self-image of the warrior shapes their awakened form... and at this time, she didn't have the same intentions as she would in Pieta at all. 02. This is also the first time we see a physical effect to yoki - Clare's power breaks apart a small section of stone floor around her body as she struggles to rein her power back in. Is this unwilling attack the result of an internal struggle between human and monster? 03. What is it that makes a partially awakened body go out of the warrior's control? This is a repeated theme, as Clare has the same experience in Pieta. It's also central to the question of Priscilla's sneak attack on Teresa - was that attack from the warrior or the monster inside her? One theory is that this is the moment when the parasite that fuels their strength (though presumably an altered form, since they aren't yoma proper) becomes most active and influential in them. By this theory, it's as though a soldier's body becomes a battleground between the animalistic/survival-oriented behavior of the parasite (which causes their body to lash out), and the more cerebral/moralistic inclinations of their human side (which allows the soldier to control those movements temporarily). Eventually the human mind breaks, and then the two sides reach a new equilibrium, with the parasite's influence stronger than it had been pre-awakening, but weaker than it is in a pure yoma. This might even help to explain the bizarre, sense-addled 'hazy' behavior of a newly awakened being, as they have not yet reached a true re-merging of the yoma and human sides. This is just a theory, of course (one of many, I'm sure), but it's interesting to think about. 04. Another important moment? Sid's instruction to Raki about growing strong. That is another moment that will shape a character's life indefinitely. Fact-Checking N/A ☩ ☩ ☩ Back