Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle: Volume 26

by CLAMP, 190 pages

Syaoran reveals his past(s) and future(s) to his companions, trying to explain to them the sacrifices he has made and to what purpose, hoping they will understand and forgive him for possibly setting events in motion that have greatly affected their lives, as well. But they have each of them made choices that have brought them to this point and they accept equal responsibility for what has come to pass...and, smiling, promise to willingly bear equal responsibility for whatever happens next.

And, boy, does a lot happen. We finally understand how XxxHolic's Watanuki fits into the greater shared plot with Tsubasa and then time snaps back to the now of the past and it's an all-out battle between the sworn companions and the powerful magics of Fei-Wang, with scene after scene of flashing swords and roiling spells, repelled attacks and landed blows. The final bittersweet panels made me scrunch up my face in pity and satisfied melancholy and righteous triumph all at the same time. And there are still two books to go!