From Far Away, Volume 6 Book

Having reached Guzena safely, Noriko and Izark, together with their traveling companions, must confront a new set of dangers in this sixth episode of Kyoko Hikawa's fourteen-volume manga epic, From Far Away. As Noriko slowly recovers from her injuries on a small farm in the countryside, Jeida and his sons, together with Gaya, make their way to Zena's house in the city, where they discover that Guzena has also been rocked by the kind of sweeping political changes seen in Zago. Zena, once the royal seeress, has been replaced by Tazasheena, who really serves Mokumen, a powerful force (a god? a spirit? - it isn't clear) who desires Noriko and Izark as a sacrifice to increase his own power. The moderate leaders have slowly been disappearing - dispossessed, just as Jeida was in Zago - and chaos on the streets, including numerous attacks on Zena's house, have become the norm. Into this situation comes Noriko, already a target of Mokumen's fighters, and as she, Izark and Banadam are distracted by their love-triangle - Banadam having confessed his love for Noriko, and pressed Izark on his intentions toward her - a surprise attack leads to a breathtaking conclusion...

I was warned that this volume concluded with an intense cliffhanger, and that was no exaggeration! With Noriko taken captive by Mokumen's forces, and Izark having his arm cut off(!!!) at the end of the episode, I finished reading with an immediate desire to pick up the next installment. Sadly, it is still on its way to me - hurry up, postal service! - so I will have to wait to see what happens next. I continue to enjoy the story, finding that I feel more invested in the characters and their story with each new episode. Just as the fifth volume contained revelations about Noriko's feelings for Izark - well, perhaps not revelations exactly, since it was already pretty obvious, but certainly a declaration of love - so this volume sees Izark finally acknowledging, even if only to himself, his feelings for Noriko. That was a lovely few pages, done in a similar style, I thought, to the scene in which Noriko makes her declaration, and kisses Izark. All in all, a most satisfactory episode, and very effective storytelling, since I am agog to know what happens next.