Drawings of Monsters

We open on Bachman filming Seph as he returns to claim the sword. With the sword in his hands, Sephiroth will become a legend! And Bachman wants to film it all.

Angeal doesn't see the sword at the altar where they left it. But Sephiroth can sense it. CUTSCENE TIME! Sephiroth manages to spiritually take hold of the blade. Baller animation, even if it's really short.

He finally has the Masamune. And it can change length at will. Seph keeps demonstrating like an idiot lol And he can vanish it at will too. That explains the magic behind the weapon.

Angeal is freaked out. He says that the sword shouldn't exist. But Alissa and Bachman are thrilled. Bachman wants to shoot a big scene like this is a propaganda movie. Sephiroth is super grumpy about it lolol

They leave the altar room to find that the landscape has changed again. It's a big grand Wutai palace. More tricks from the spirits? Alissa thinks it's one big blessing from the spirits so whatever. Sephiroth is into it. He tests out the weapon on spirit-supplied enemies. Alissa and Bachman keep kissing Seph's ass and gushing over the blade. Alissa says Sephiroth needs to just keep fighting and fighting. Soon enough, no one will be able to stop him! Angeal is FREAKED THE FUCK OUT.

More spirit illusions. A bunch of civilians celebrating! It's a party! Alissa continues to shill Seph while Angeal keeps trying to call bullshit on how fake and overly triumphant these illusions are. It's just a facade.

They approach a big temple door. Sephiroth is super into this you guys. He's acting really weird and overly confident. Angeal says it's like he's had that sword his whole life. Sephiroth says that the blade was forged for his hands! Angeal...just fucking stares at him lmao

The fake civilians call Sephiroth a great hero and practically worship him. Angeal tells everyone to OPEN THEIR FUCKING EYES THIS ISN'T REAL! Then they hear a faint sound. "Help us...!" Another monster fight. Was that a distraction? The civilians keep praising Miniroth. He gives an awkward hero's wave to them while they swoon. Angeal wants this shit to be OVER already. Alissa tells him to stop being such a downer. Bachman wants to stay here forever! Angeal says they NEED TO GO.

Moving deeper into the palace, we continue to fight more tedious monsters lol Angeal says that it just looks like Sephiroth is the Masamune's puppet. Alissa says Angeal is jealous and tells Sephiroth to just stay away from Angeal.

They reach the exit. Sephiroth is still kinda out of it. Bachman is happy he got so much footage. Suddenly Angeal pauses. They all sense a sudden presence. It's a SHADOW-SEPHIROTH AND A SHADOW-ANGEAL FIGHTING THEM!

We fight them off and make our way out of the temple back towards the ruins, where we hear a voice laughing. And Sephiroth turns back to find that the entity from before has now DOING THAT FUCKING CHOICE TEST BULLSHIT WITH SEPHIROTH AGAIN! BUT NOW HE HAS TO CHOOSE BETWEEN ANGEAL AND ALISSA! One last trial. One. Last. Choice. He could kill Angeal for real. But Angeal struggles and breaks free! He says that he will make his own path and won't shy away from his choices!

The voice still tells Sephiroth to choose. Kill Alissa or Kill Angeal. Alissa FINALLY REVEALS HERSELF. She said that she was a soldier and when she first came here, the spirits took control over her. They turned her into a monster. She's a soldier constructed to look like his mother by the spirits. She begs Sephiroth to kill her. She doesn't want to be a monster like the man who made the Masamune.

Sephiroth's sword starts moving with a will of its own. Angeal tells Sephiroth to conquer the sword! He's not the enemy! Sephiroth swings at him! Angeal tells him that HE'S the master, not the Masamune! A white feather drops down to the ground. Sephiroth asks his mother what he should do. Alissa has turned into a really fucked up Jenova monster while Angeal screams at Sephiroth to get ahold of himself! She taunts Sephiroth with all the words his "mother" said to him in the dreams. JENOVA THEME ROLLING OUT BIG TIME IN THE BACKGROUND BTW.

Sephiroth manages to take control and fight off the monster. It moves for a killing blow and ANGEAL SAVES HIM USING THE BUSTER SWORD! ANGEAL SAVED HIS LIFE! Sephiroth apologizes about everything. Angeal says that it's because Sephiroth...is his friend. And he should never forget that. Inspired at last, Sephiroth takes the Masamune and he and Angeal fight off the Alissa-Jenova creature TOGETHER SIDE BY SIDE.

Her body collapses, dead. Sephiroth and Angeal mourn together, moving to take her home. Together as friends. Their final farewell to Alissa brought with it the end to their days of constant torment in Robio. Sephiroth has won the sword. And has conquered its evil will. Bachman calls them a chopper to bring them home. Sephiroth asks Angeal not to tell anyone about Masamune so that Shinra doesn't take it away for study. Angeal promises. He and Sephiroth give each other a long look, finally chummy with each other now that Sephiroth has found someone new to trust. They actually start laughing together and it's SO SWEET AND ADORABLE. Angeal even gives one of his "famous lectures"! I'm crying, you guys.

Time to go home. The journey is over. And this time, the ride back isn't traumatic for Seph. Backman checks through his footage. Angeal shows Sephiroth what Alissa REALLY looked like--she didn't actually look like Lucrecia, that was part of the illusion. Poor girl. I feel pretty bad for her. In the end, she was just a puppet to the spirits. Purple Sus was too sus and too purple. And now she's dead. And apparently Sephiroth was the only one who saw Lucrecia the whole time. But he keeps that shit to himself.

Bachman remarks that the footage never saw the light of day in the end. And Robio itself was a mystery.

YEARS IN THE FUTURE, a black-robed Bachman returns to Robio. And presents a theory.

What they called the "spirits" was something else. Something bigger. And its will...slept in the sword.

Jenova.

Reunion.

He drops the camera. And the final shot? Sephiroth. In Nibelheim. The son of Jenova. Who killed with the blade she destined him to have.

THE END.

There is no Episode 3 teaser. That's all, folks. Thanks so much for tuning in. That finale was crazy. But I'm very satisfied overall. It was great closure for Sephiroth and Angeal's relationship. And it explained the nature of Alissa. And confirmed what we always suspected. The Masamune was forged from Jenova as a present for her son. And in the end, even after he conquered it as a child, he would go on to commit so many terrible atrocities with it in her name.

When we last left the gang, Miniroth was in really rough shape, both physically and emotionally. The trials have been wearing him down, along with the dreams of his beloved "mother" becoming more and more intense and disturbing. Angeal isn't doing much better, with everyone shutting down his opinions and his nightmares telling him to die. Miniroth is currently chasing the specter of Glenn, who implores him to help him find Rosen. Alissa is gaslighting everyone. Bachman is...still filming shit lol And the trials are about to ramp up in earnest as Miniroth approaches the end. This isn't good...

We open on Bachman monologuing. Everyone is tripping out. The gang makes its way towards the temple we saw in the teaser. Miniroth pauses to reflect on Angeal previously mentioning that he was "clinging to the past". He asserts that the past doesn't matter to him, but Angeal doesn't believe him. Alissa tells Miniroth that the past makes him who he is. And not to run from it. And that it will fade away eventually. But Miniroth admits that it's still with him.

Alissa tells him to look forward to what's to come. But Miniroth doesn't know what he has to really look forward to. Angeal tells him to push forward and fight.

Miniroth has a flashback of him and Team Glenn on the island. Glenn tells Sephiroth not go be distracted--to fight. They sit by the campfire. Lucia ask Sephiroth if his sword, Nameless, holds him back. She seems to think so. Glenn says that Miniroth needs something more heroic. But Sephiroth says that he doesn't want to be a hero, like before. Any sword is fine. Glenn just tells him he hasn't found the right one yet. Matt adds that it's similar to how Sephiroth doesn't yet have real dreams or desires. Glenn says that once Sephiroth learns his desires, his life will truly begin. And this ties up with Sephiroth's need for the Masamune. It all goes back to this. He's equating the sword with self-fulfillment and his love for Team Glenn.

Back in the present, Sephiroth says that he cherishes his memories of Team Glenn. They were precious. Angeal apologies for telling Seph to cut them loose and promises he won't do it again. He tells Seph that he should save a place for HIM, Angeal, in his memories too! Sephiroth hesitates and says that he'll think about it before walking ahead. AWWWWWWWWW. SEPHGEAL FEELS.

They continue to hear "Glenn's" voice calling for Rosen. It's like it's luring them into a trap. But Sephiroth has no choice but to follow it if he wants the sword. He keeps moving ahead. Alissa and Angeal stop to have a little chat. Alissa says that the world will change when Seph gets the Masamune. Very cryptic.

They make it across the temple to a lovely sunset view over the railing! Angeal remarks that a pretty image is sometimes a trick to lure in prey. The scenery looks like it's another illusion of the past. Before all this crazy shit went down. We fight some monsters.

Then Seph pauses, wondering if fond memories eventually become beautiful like the scenery. ANOTHER flashback. It's on the chopper ride home RIGHT AFTER Sephiroth killed Rosen. Miniroth is obviously upset about what happened. The island is gone. There's nothing left. Back in the present, Miniroth remarks that the images of that day just become more and more vivid in his mind...

They keep walking. Angeal remarks that they've been walking through these illusions for so long that there's no telling the effect it will have on their minds and bodies. Alissa basically tells him to shut the fuck up and enjoy the scenery. Angeal is internally reminded of his time in Banora, harvesting with his father. Angeal's dad is all chill and gentle with him. Angeal promises his dad that one day he'll buy him and his mom a house in Midgar. His dad says that family is more important and that when working together, they can share good and bad times together. Angeal shouldn't definite someone else's happiness based on his own idea of it. It's a different experience for everyone. The only person who can make you happy is YOU. So hold on to your DREAMS. If you change, the world around you will change too. Words of wisdom from Angeal's cool dad.

Back again in the present, Angeal vows not to be taken in by illusions. He will decide the world he lives in. He will stand strong and hold fast to his friends. He does the thing with his sword lol. Miniroth wants a cool sword too!

Looking over the railing at the illusion, Sephiroth can swear he's seen this place before. ANOTHER flashback. Back in that break room right before Team Glenn left him. Matt had showed him that picture of the place, remember? We see Sephiroth returning to the same room later to check on a depressed Refu. Poor Refu isn't eating. Sephiroth begs the dog to eat. He promised to take care of Refu until Team Glenn got back! He gets really upset about it. He wants his friends to come back soon. The next day in the flashback, Sephiroth returns to find that Refu is gone! Sephiroth looks everywhere. Some guards pass by and reveal that Team Glenn recently disappeared. They DESERTED...and they took Refu with them. And not Sephiroth. Sephiroth is completely miserable. Abandoned. FFFFFFFFFFFUCK. "They left me..." OMG OUCH. Later on Sephiroth resolves never to get close to people. He has to forget about them! They never wanted him anyway! He fights in the lab and finds that he's stronger when he suppresses his emotions. He can't let his emotions rule him! He'll never connect with anyone ever again! Ever!

Back in the present, Angeal asks Seph what's wrong. Sephiroth said that he doesn't recognize this place after all and walks ahead. Angeal is concerned. Up ahead, they can hear Glenn calling Rosen. But Bachman isn't looking so good. Sephiroth gives no fucks and goes ahead by himself. Angeal says that Seph isn't safe by himself. Alissa blows him off....AGAIN. UGH. Angeal follows anyway.

After fighting more monsters, Angeal is getting more and more disturbed. If they keep moving forward blindly, things will only get worse. He thinks that Sephiroth is trapped in a nightmare. Nothing Angeal says will reach him! He has to show them the truth through action. He will protect Sephiroth no matter what.

They finally reach a big purple mass like before. The trial attempts to make Sephiroth choose between Glenn and Rosen. Sephiroth flashes back to the infamous hug scene from Ep 1. Those feelings for Glenn are still there. Still precious to him. Compassion...

"Glenn" tells him to kill Rosen like he killed him before! Sephiroth reflects on the time he mercy killed Rosen too. Sephiroth must decide whose lives are important! "Rosen" tells Sephiroth that saving him won't absolve Sephiroth of his sins.

He doesn't want to hurt either of them. Either way, both of them will die. His choice has no meaning. The voice controlling the choice tells him that it's his destiny to choose! Player has to pick one. I chose to save Rosen. And then he just turned into another monster like last time lmao This story is literally just Sephiroth torture porn. Sephiroth and Angeal fight the Jenova-esque enemy together. The voice then says that Sephiroth is worthy of the sword. And tells him to listen to the blade's whispers when he claims it. It shall guide him and free him from the pain of difficult decisions.

Angeal does NOT like this. Alissa is trying to rush them along now that they can go pick up the sword. Jfc Alissa STOP. Angeal doesn't like the idea of Sephiroth no longer having a choice. This....is scary.

—

Time for translations regarding the Glenn Lodbrok subplot in Rebirth.

Note: Once again, if anyone spots errors in my translations, please let me know!

Hello everyone! It’s been some time. Rebirth was amazing and Ever Crisis has been such a thrill to see unfold shortly after with so much new lore.

As it turns out, Mr. Glenn was very important! Our mystery hooded man was him all along.

Or was he? 🤭

This is an interesting side story in Rebirth that I can’t stop focusing on. The translations have been helpful. The Ultimania as well. I will reference both for this post.

For right now, a mix of these sources and the hints in the game all imply that it was Sephiroth revealing his will through one of the black-robed men. This would not be the first time he relied on “a vision represented by the cloaked figures.”

These extensions and visions of Sephiroth “stem from the will and conscience of Sephiroth that is at play here.”

He uses this ability to torment Cloud in Remake. In Rebirth, we can see him extending that power towards Rufus Shinra too.

Some debate this point, but let us take a look at Glenn’s introduction to Rufus where a very strange interaction occurs.

Tseng introduces “Glenn” to Rufus in Junon here:

“A messenger of Governor Suhur (Sufur) of Wutai would like to visit. Colonel Glenn Lodbrok.”

Rufus is startled, but lets the messenger in. We see what appears as Glenn Lodbrok. He is older than he looks in Ever Crisis and worn down. He also does not seem to wear much besides his heavy black cloak. Rufus sits up quickly with a surprised look. He is hit with a memory of shooting this same man in the back. Notably, the Glenn from the flashback features his Wutai garb and face. He is the Glenn of Ever Crisis.

Rufus: You’re alive?

Glenn: Most certainly dead.

Ultimania translation below:

When Rufus questions Glenn’s survival, the latter has a fit of laughter and responds with the evident truth. He is dead. Rufus can only presume this to be a joke, but the Ultimania questions this bit of humor.

Looking at this through the lens of it being Sephiroth’s will in front of Rufus, we could chuckle at his honesty. He tells Rufus the truth from the moment they meet.

But that can wait! Onto business:

“Glenn” begins to speak on the matters of Wutai and Shinra. I must note that the Japanese VA’s performance is perfect. This is not the rugged and brash Glenn of Ever Crisis. He is a theatrical announcer and speaks to Rufus as though they are planning a grand show.

He says,

“Now, President Rufus. I assume you will be taking over the vision that my Governor and the President shared?”

Rufus responds, “I intend to.”

And here are Glenn’s plans to set the stage. He gestures with flair.

“The theme of this next era will be the war over Huge Materia. Shinra and Wutai maintain tensions as through repeating clashes in various places.”

An acknowledgement of the pointless war of Wutai and Shinra, but Rufus has other plans.

“That’s fine for a while. However, the president died…and the situation has changed. We need a new vision.”

At this, Glenn sneers,

“You still love (drawing your visions), Bocchan (young master). Do you still believe in the Promised Land?”

Glenn is saying that Rufus prefers to run his own show, craft his own visions. He knows Rufus long and well for a defective colonel of Wutai.

Side note:

The term “bocchan” is explained here. In the context with Rufus, it is used to refer to a rich young master.

Glenn continues,

“Shinra’s father and son only think about pumping up Mako. If you don’t return it once in a while, the planet will die.”

Glenn returns focus to the war between Wutai and Shinra, along with its benefits. He says,

“The rage, sadness and hatred that war brings forth will spark the ultimate sense of solidarity and optimism. This spirit inspires the world, enriching the planet…”

I cannot say strongly enough that the ways that Glenn moves and his VA speak feel like direct mockery of how Shinra plots their political movements. Nothing is real or sincere. War is a show and tool that is used to create unity. Shinra and Wutai are actors on a stage that battle for audience favor.

All of the pain that war brings will cause people to rise up in unity together! This spirit of solidarity will enrich the planet’s life. Rufus looks uncertain and nearly bewildered in this scene, as if he cannot tell if Glenn is serious.

“It’s for the future of the planet. Let’s take this step before calamity.”

Glenn declares this with zeal, but Rufus protests.

“But—”

Glenn cuts him off.

“You started this. You’re not a kid anymore. You can’t just stop whatever you want.”

This line is difficult to translate with the correct nuance, but Glenn is saying that Rufus must grow up and face the consequences of the events he sets in motion. He cannot stop them because he feels like it. Glenn’s VA also loses his care-free charm for a moment. There is a dark, aggressive and dangerous tone here that betrays the deeper anger in these words.

That venom disappears after some silence and Glenn returns to his theatrics.

“Let’s deliver justice together.”

Before he leaves the room, Glenn turns with a mocking bow and congratulatory message.

“Aahh, I almost forgot about the message from Governor Sufur! Congratulations on your appointment as president! I wish you increasing growth!”

Glenn laughs at the transparent joke about Rufus being honored by a man of the same name spelt backwards and exits the room. Rufus is left feeling upset and humiliated.

——

This next scene I would like to include a video clip of because there are more hints about Glenn’s true identity here.

“(Your) dreams are still cute.”

Glenn sneers and laughs at Rufus for dreaming of the Promised Land. Rufus begins to see that “Glenn” is not what he seems. A figure wreathed in purple haze and darkness that appears from nowhere.

“What/who the hell are you?“

Glenn mock-pouts as though he is offended Rufus does not trust or know who he is.

“Don’t say it like that! (Don’t say mean things). I can see everything inside your head, Mr. President. You’re scared of me?”

With this, “Glenn” leans forward as if to peer inside the mind of Rufus. He points at what he detects.

“Uh oh, I can still see it! What’s that?”

“Glenn” lists the weaknesses inside Rufus.

“Fear, hatred, an inferiority complex in relation to your father….and the loneliness behind it all…”

“I won’t deny it. It’s all my driving force.”

Rufus is honest about his negative feelings and admits they are what motivate him. Glenn is pleased with this. After all, he had earlier mentioned how the painful spirit of war would strengthen the planet.

He says,

“Hey, that’s good! The planet needs a little bit of that bite right now. Enliven it with that power.”

Rufus is baffled and mutters to himself,

“Do you care about me that much?“

He can only wonder why this figure wants and needs to stir up his driving emotions so much.

——

(I have skipped Glenn’s TV speech because the dialogue was basically the same).

In our last scene, Rufus remembers his father and finally admits that the man was masterful.

“You were…amazing…”

Rufus is not alone. “Glenn” once again appears at his side. To Rufus’ statement he responds,

Me?

But no, “Ha. How could that be?”

More mockery. Moving on,

“So, you know Governor Suhur? (Sufur). He neglected an important press conference and we were humiliated.”

Rufus is cold and responds,

“The Governor will not stand on such a poor set.”

“Glenn” is annoyed.

“I see. Growing up a rich kid must be so difficult. Well, hey, it worked. The anti-Shinra warriors are on the move.”

Rufus has had enough. He ignores the theatrics and says something astute and strange.

“Hey Glenn…isn’t this war a toy/plaything to keep me away from Sephiroth?”

I still must praise Rufus for his intelligence, but…I do not know why he would assume Glenn was trying to aid and distract Shinra from Sephiroth. This bit is a mystery.

“Glenn” begins to clap proudly. He says,

“I was sure you’d find out.”

And then we see him. The true culprit and architect.

The voices of Sephiroth and Glenn meld together,

“But it’s already happening. Our “promised land” will be born. Good for you. You’ve surpassed your father.”

Sephiroth even sneers now about Rufus completing the dream of his father. The father he hated. Rufus stands his ground.

“I want the real thing.”

(A sentence with double meaning. He wants the real Promised Land. Not a fake. Just like how Sephiroth is playing a fake Glenn).

Sephiroth morphs back into Glenn and only says,

“Oh, don’t you think it’s fitting?”

When Rufus shoots “Glenn” in the back, history repeats. Sephiroth turns back one more time and uses the now-clear black robed man to get in the last word through Glenn’s voice.

“As good at shooting people in the back as always.”

Rufus empties his gun into the ghost.

Extra details from the Ultimania on the scene:

—

Dialogue from the Shinra board meeting scene on Glenn:

Scarlet: Then what about that Glenn-whatever?

Tseng: Glenn Lodbrok. 15 years ago, he participated in a geological survey on Rhadore. He left the army after the mission failed. 

Heidegger: Hmph, he has the air of a deserter. He’s spewing out lies!

Tseng: After, he traveled to various places. He seems to have made connections with people with anti-Shinra ideology around the country. 

———

There we are! After the conclusion of The First Soldier’s episode 1 arc, we now know what caused Glenn to defect. The death of Rosen and the Rhadorans was a crime against humanity too great for Glenn to ignore. He became an anti-Shinra warrior and politician. But how did he first meet “Sufur” and when did this same person (Rufus) shoot Glenn dead?

There are questions here we do not have answered. However, Sephiroth is a voice that provides a bitter commentary on what happened. Through Glenn he relentlessly mocks Rufus. Even in the Japanese translation. He succeeds in posing as Glenn and starting fresh fires between Wutai and Shinra to stir up the planet’s energy.

And on top of that there is a personal undertone to how Sephiroth behaves around Rufus. He mocks Rufus on a level equal to how he torments Cloud. It’s all very interesting.