Ep 3. The Gallant Swordsman

Hitomi's arrival in the world of Gaea has been nothing but a whirlwind of adventure and danger. She has found herself caught up in a war between two kingdoms, with the fate of Gaea hanging in the balance. In episode 3 of The Vision of Escaflowne, entitled "The Gallant Swordsman," Hitomi finds herself face to face with a new character, a skilled swordsman who has been watching over her from afar.

The episode begins with Hitomi and Van continuing their journey to Asturia, the capital city of Van's kingdom. However, their journey is cut short when they come across a group of soldiers from the Zaibach Empire. These soldiers are searching for the Guymelef, the powerful mecha that Van pilots. Without hesitation, Van jumps into his Guymelef and begins to battle the soldiers. But as the fight begins to turn against him, a mysterious swordsman appears and joins the fray.

This swordsman is Allen Schezar, a skilled warrior who has sworn to protect the people of Gaea. He is also a member of the country of Freid, which is allied with Asturia in its fight against Zaibach. The fight is intense, with Van and Allen working together to take down the Zaibach soldiers. Hitomi, meanwhile, is caught up in the chaos, dodging explosions and trying to stay out of harm's way.

After the battle, Van, Hitomi, and Allen form an uneasy alliance and continue their journey together. Along the way, they encounter a group of bandits who have been attacking travelers on the road. Once again, Allen jumps into action, using his sword skills to take down the bandits. Hitomi is impressed by Allen's bravery and skill, but she also senses a deeper sadness within him.

As they continue on their journey, Hitomi begins to learn more about Allen and his past. She discovers that he has a tragic history, having lost his sister and his father in a battle against Zaibach. Despite this, he remains a loyal and chivalrous knight, determined to protect the innocent and to fight for what is right.

The episode also reveals more about the larger conflict between the kingdoms of Gaea. Zaibach, the powerful empire that is attempting to conquer all of Gaea, is led by an enigmatic and powerful figure known as Emperor Dornkirk. He is obsessed with unlocking the secrets of the mysterious power source known as "the Dragon's veins," and is willing to use any means necessary to achieve his goals.

As the episode comes to a close, Van, Hitomi, and Allen arrive in Asturia, where they are met by the king of Asturia himself. The king is impressed by Van's fighting skills, and offers him a position as a knight in the Asturian army. But Van refuses, telling the king that he has his own mission to fulfill.

"The Gallant Swordsman" is a thrilling and action-packed episode that introduces a new character to the world of Escaflowne. Allen Schezar is a skilled warrior with a tragic past, and his addition to the group adds another layer of depth to the ongoing conflict between the kingdoms of Gaea. As the story continues to unfold, it is clear that Hitomi, Van, and Allen will face many more challenges and dangers on their journey to save Gaea from the clutches of Zaibach.