This is a review of the 9th episode of Fractale. If you haven't watched the earlier episodes, then I recommend you watch them or decide whether you want to by reading the spoiler-free half-time review. If you missed just the last episode  or want a quick recap, you can find it here. Inconsistency is what made Fractale a good show and not a great show. Some episodes were marvellous, while others were sub-average. Fortunately, episode 8 falls into the former. Clain and Phryne were captured by the Temple and taken away. Strangely, Nessa was not abducted and was allowed to escape (it is explained later why). Once again, Clain wakes up to girl, but this time it's Phryne. Now, he was shot through his stomach and his life was fading fast. Lucky for him, the Temple has paramedics who'll fix him up. But at what cost? Phryne. Brilliant reasoning The episode was moving at quite a fast pace if not for the Lost Millenium bits, which were necessary to distract the viewer and build up the tension in the Temple. Not boring, but nothing memorable either. I don't any guy who has just one of those, but whatever Right, things take a turn for the darker...and perverted. Although Phryne's father, who's the boss, isn't really her father, he seems to be rather...lustful. And not just for Phryne's power.  It is exactly what is sounds and looks like Meanwhile, Clain seems to be fully healed and is lying on a bed with Nessa sitting bedside. No, not kid-Nessa, but the Priestess Nessa that he ran into in episode 3. She doesn't allow him to escape, but strangely, out of nowhere, changes her mind. Suddenly, she wants to help Clain escape. Why? Because Clain just said that he likes Phryne. That changed her mind. Kinda stupid, but they don't push too much. It's also revealed that Phryne is just a term that means "key" and all of these Priestesses are called Phrynes. So, Phryne's name isn't really...Phryne? Good to see that the questions are being answered. Shocking scene next. Before Phryne is accepted as a key again, her eligibility must be verified. And how is that done? Well, we don't exactly get to know, but I think it's safe to say that eligibility=virginity=chastity. This was not what I expected at all. It's nice to see that they're making it more serious. Shows like Fractale need to be serious. Only then will it be able to step out of its mediocrity. Needless to say, the "evaluvation" does not go as planned. The real Nessa (kid) interferes, coming to the Temple to save Clain. Nasty Clain manages to get away and reunite with the group in the weirdest of ways - through Phryne's skirt. Peekaboo! And after hustling and bustling  and a leisurely chit-chat for a couple of minutes with security, they manage to escape the wrath of the Temple guards. There was a pretty sweet moment involving bedside-Nessa for a second there, but since the roof was (literaly) collapsing, they had to get a move on. Aaand... ka-boom. Did Clain and Co. make it out? We have to find out next week, becaue this one's over. Roll Salley Gardens. Overall, this was a very solid episode and I was thoroughly entertained. Things are finally coming together and the pieces of the jigsaw start to fall into place. No stupid ecchi jokes or innuendos - just good ol' action. I'd love to see more of this from this anime. With only 3 episodes to go, things start to heat up, but with Fractale, you never know. It tends to be eratic with its pacing. Nevertheless, this episode gets a well-deserved 9/10 from me. Speculation:If Fractale pacing rules apply, next episode will be a lacadysical filler-type. Probably Nessa wants a new dress or another girl is thrown into the mix. If that's the case, they'll probably end with a cliff hanger to delude the viewer into thinking it was a wholesome episode. Hopefully, that doesn't happen. A good episode 10 would be Phryne, Nessa and Clain trapped inside the rubble. While the Lost Millenium try to get them out, they are attacked by the Temple forces. Meanwhile, the trio unravel the secrets of the Fractale system and Phryne spills the beans about everything, including Nessa's true power. Not too much action here, but this wouls be a great setup for the final two episodes, which can involve tons of action and temperscan run high, including a situation where Clain has to decide between Nessa and Phryne. My guess is one of them sacrifice themself. Only one more week to find out. 
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