Alright, you want a good story, Escaflowne's second episode will give it to you. But first let me answer a few questions people were sure to be asking themselves at the end of the first episode:

Q: Is Hitomi really on a different world, or is she just dreaming?
A: Episode two reveals the answer.

Q: Why the hell was Van going up against a dragon all by himself?
A: Episode two reveals the answer.

Q: Who taught Van all those cool moves?
A: Episode two reveals the answer.

Q: Who were all those people who encircled our main characters at the end of episode 1?
A: Episo--Well, I think you get the hint.

Episode two, Girl From the Phantom Moon, answers all these questions and more. Here is a rundown of some new characters who we will meet:

First, we meet Rume. He's the leader of the "wolfmen" Hitomi and Van met at the end of last episode. Don't worry, they aren't as scary as they seemed the last time you saw them.

Next, we have Merle [pronouced Melulu]. A childhood friend of Van, she is very protective about Van (and fierce to strangers, namely Hitomi). Besides being an annoyance, I really can't think of a good reason for her existence, but you may like her. [Hey, she's kewl! -Eddie; She's awesome! -Dave]

Then we have Vargas, Van's personal trainer for 10 years and leader of the Fanelia Samurai. He was a knight who served Van's father (the previous king of Fanelia) and taught both Van and his older brother everything they now know about fighting. Vargas is well-known throughout Gaea as the best swordsman [be on the lookout for his mighty sword in this episode!].

Q: Okay, so what's going to happen now? The dragon is dead, right?
A: Yes, the dragon is indeed dead, but as one might say, that's only the tip of the sword. We find out that Van's battle with the dragon was a test to prove himself to his country in order to take the throne as the new king of Fanelia. But, as his coronation is underway, his future kingdom falls under attack by a mysterious group of guymelefs, Gaea's word for cool mecha. Note: the mecha designs were done by none other than Shoji Kawamori (yes, the same guy who did the original design of the Valkyrie from the Macross universe). This brings us to the introduction of Escaflowne, the guymelef which only the King of Fanelia can operate.

So, will Hitomi be able to return to Earth? Will the Fanelia Samurai be able to stop the invaders? Will Van be able to defend his homeland and take his place on the throne of Fanelia? Well, sit back and watch, and prepare to be surprised.