Claire becomes seriously injured in her fight with the Yoma and just before the Yoma could finish them off it is interrupted and quickly escapes. Claire is then taken back to the inn to recover from her serious injuries and Raki waits by her bedside hoping that she'll eventually wake up. Father Vincent decides to cooperate with Claire to help her find the Yoma but something doesn't seem right. Defeating the Yoma is the least of Claire's worries as she begins to lose control.

The team of Claymore reach the mountains and are surprised by what they encounter, a Male Awakened One. Another Claymore and a handler are watching the battle from a distance, but what do they appear to be plotting? The battle reaches its climatic stage, with all but the "Phantom Miria", badly wounded. This may be what the Awakened meant by "true despair", however Claire is one to know what true despair is really like and this is not it.

After what occurred in the mountains of Zakol, Jeane is accompanying Claire until she can return her favour, however Claire already feels thankful to her because she is now able to fully control her "Flash Sword". Out of the blue Claire's handler Rubel turns up with the no. 5 "Rafaela" but not with request for her return to the organization but with orders to join the war, against Awakened beings, in the Northern Lands. This mission brings upon an unexpected reunion.

The immense battle between the partially Awakened Claire and Rigardo is now over, though Claire has paid a terrible price for this and is on the verge of completely Awakening. Priscilla is able to sense this from afar and is so frightened that she runs away. Nonetheless she cannot run away from the past she thought she forgot, as her memories return and she is forced to remember about her family, about herself and of course "Teresa". An epic battle is about to commence.