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The instant you open that door you will come face to face with yourselves. It will be an experience full of sorrow and pain... But it is, both to you and to us, a very, very important experience.

Nephilim Verum (ネピリム・ヴェルム, Nepirimu Verumu) is a mysterious ginger-haired girl who claims to be a moderator that oversees the flow of time.

Nephilim appears before Shion Uzuki multiple times throughout the events of Xenosaga, acting as a sort of spirit guide to help heal and overcome her past trauma and painful memories.

Biography[]

NephZohar

Nephilim linking to the Zohar.

Nephilim was born in the Lost Jerusalem era and is the daughter of Grimoire Verum, a Vector Industries scientist and researcher.

NephilimArt

In Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Grimoire used his Program Lemegeton to perform a link experiment with the Original Zohar using his daughter, Nephilim Verum, as a test subject. However, instead of activating it, when Nephilim was linked with the Zohar, she vanished.

Undaunted, the experiment continued until the Zohar was activated, leading to a Matter Shift on a much larger scale, far exceeding humanity's control as its effects began to expand over Lost Jerusalem. As humanity was forced to flee, Wilhelm stepped in and sealed the planet, ultimately stopping and containing the matter shift from spreading beyond.

As it turned out, when Nephilim came into contact with U-DO, she had shifted into the Imaginary Number Domain of the Lower Domain, while her father became an existence of the U.M.N.

U-DO and Nephilim[]

Unlike everyone else that had come into contact with U-DO, Nephilim was not contaminated by the same fear that befell Dimitri Yuriev or Voyager. Because of this, U-DO became very interested in her and began observing her.

Eventually, U-DO wished to observe Nephilim from another angle: the Real Number Domain. When it extended its observation terminal there, this led to the appearance of the form of Abel.[1]

Xenosaga Episode I: Der Wille zur Macht[]

Nephilim first appears in the Encephalon during the KOS-MOS simulator training. Moments before it collapses, Nephilim appears in a glowing light and stares at Shion. Shion stares at Nephilim for a few moments until Allen Ridgeley pulls her out.

Nephilim appears when Shion sees the Zohar Emulator for the first time onboard the Woglinde. Shion's consciousness is briefly transported to an unknown location where she sees Nephilim standing in front of the Zohar. Nephilim mouths something to Shion but all Shion hears is silence. Nephilim then disappears in the Zohar and Shion's vision ends.

Xenosaga_Episode_I_HD_Cutscene_022_-_Night_Shift_-_ENGLISH

Xenosaga Episode I HD Cutscene 022 - Night Shift - ENGLISH

Nephilim and chaos in Shion's dream.

Later, when Shion is sleeping, Nephilim appears in Shion's dream and also in her room. chaos' figure slowly approaches them.

Nephilim appears when Shion is almost killed by a Gnosis.

Later, she appears in Shion's dreams warning her about Andrew Cherenkov's condition, warning that if she doesn't find Cherenkov soon, he will die. Nephilim also tells Shion that she may be able to understand Cherenkov in his final moments which will bring him comfort.

Neph

Nephilim appears to Shion in the Encephalon of Old Miltia's playground.

Nephilim formally introduces herself to Shion in the Encephalon of Old Miltia's playground. When Shion saw a memory of her father leave, Nephilim told Shion that she couldn't go with him, remarking it was the last day Shion was with her father. Nephilim tells Shion she has been waiting a long time to talk. Shion was the only one able to see Nephilim until she and the party arrived at Encephalon where everyone can normally see her. Allen and chaos met up with Nephilim and Shion. Nephilim tries to convince Shion to accept the entirety of her memories and have her return to Old Miltia. After a brief conversation with chaos, Nephilim disappears.

The_Church's_Caretaker

The Church's Caretaker

Nephilim in Febronia's church.

In the Encephalon, along with Febronia, Nephilm is seen in the church. Febronia shows Shion a church, and Nephilim says that the instant that door is opened, Shion will come face-to-face with herself, and it will be an experience full of sorrow and pain, but it is both to Shion, Nephilim and Febronia, a very important experience.

Entering the door, they find themselves in a place resembling a medical hospital called the "Acute Neurosis Treatment Facility", a place which Shion apparently knows well. Shion recognizes it as the place where her mother was hospitalized, and Nephilim deems it a place where painful and sorrowful memories linger. Jr. then sees a flashback of Albedo Piazzolla laughing hysterically, and the group faces a monster known as Tiamat which is promptly defeated.

Ye_Shall_Be_As_Gods

Ye Shall Be As Gods

Nephilm warns Shion of KOS-MOS and U-DO.

In a field, Nephilim tells Febronia that she must save Cecily and Cathe for the future of humans, non-humans, and all matter of living consciousness. Nephilim reveals that both she and Febronia can only exist in this world of consciousness and can only come into contact with the real world for a short time. Nephilim implores Shion's group to change the future. Nephilim warns the party about U-DO and the awakening of the "true form of KOS-MOS." What she's talking about is currently unknown.

In the ending, when the Elsa is crashing into Second Miltia, Nephilim's voice asks chaos, "What will you do?"

Xenosaga Episode II: Jenseits von Gut und Böse[]

Xenosaga_Episode_II_HD_Cutscene_50_-_Shion's_Decision_-_ENGLISH

Xenosaga Episode II HD Cutscene 50 - Shion's Decision - ENGLISH

Nephilim appears to Shion on the Dämmerung.

On the Dämmerung, Nephilim appears as a vision to Shion and tells Shion that she must go to Miltia to set Febronia's sisters, Cecily and Cathe, free.

Nephilim appears again in the ending, when Jr. collapses in chaos' arms. She is relieved that Jr. has found a sense of peace, and warns chaos that these recent events are only the beginning.

Xenosaga: A Missing Year[]

Memories

Almadel refuses Nephilim's consciousness.

Using the Fragments of Lemegeton, Grimoire manipulated Gnosis to appear in city areas. These Gnosis behaved differently, making coordinated targetted attacks on civilians rather than the chaotic aggressiveness they were known for. They also would vanish after a certain amount of time had passed.

Since these attacks differed from usual Gnosis phenomenon up to this point and contributed to the deaths of many civilians in those cities, they were referred to as Gnosis Terrorism.

Grimoire's intent was to secure the Realian Almadel, who would be the vessel for Nephilim's resurrection.

Using Lemegeton, Grimoire tried to revive Nephilim's consciousness. However, Almadel rejected these memories and sacrificed herself to stop the Song of Nephilim created by Lemegeton. Almadel Gnosified and turned into salt.

Grimoire dissipated for good, taking the knowledge of the Lemegeton with him in his death. Vector would deny any and all connection to Grimoire or Gnosis terrorism, which led to Shion quitting Vector and joining Scientia.

Xenosaga Episode III: Also sprach Zarathustra[]

At the CAT Testing Grounds on Fifth Jerusalem, Abel is shown briefly appearing before Shion Uzuki and Dr. Juli Mizrahi scribbling a picture of Nephilim.

Nephilim first appears to Shion in the Möbius Hotel. Nephilim tells Shion that trying to protect someone does not always lead to happiness. Nephilim reveals the Gnosis phenomenon happening now is not caused by Lemegeton and a certain being is leading the universe to destruction. Nephilim says this is a sad individual who continues to exist for his own atonement -- he hopes for happiness of the one important to him, but that will bring suffering to many. It is heavily implied Nephilim is talking about Kevin Winnicot. Nephilim says the only one who knows where "we" are headed is KOS-MOS and the only one who can open KOS-MOS's heart is Shion.

Nephilim is then seen having a conversation with chaos.

Xenosaga_III_HD_Cutscene_232_-_Shion_and_Nephilim_(Durandal)_-_ENGLISH_-_REGULAR_MODE

Xenosaga III HD Cutscene 232 - Shion and Nephilim (Durandal) - ENGLISH - REGULAR MODE

Nephilim talks to Shion on the Elsa.

Nephilim appears to Shion again on the Elsa. An annoyed Shion calls Nephilim out for her tendency to "say a bunch of confusing cryptic things and disappear without actually doing anything." Regardless, Nephilim tells Shion to not reject everything or she'll end up alone. Nephilim warns Shion that Kevin may seek something different than her, the salvation Kevin brings might not make her happy, and if she goes to him, she will have to make a difficult and painful choice. Nephilim reveals Kevin wants Abel, the Zohar, Shion and KOS-MOS, and that Abel is currently being used as part of the Omega system to realize Dmitri Yuriev's ambition. If Shion sets Abel free from his curse, Kevin will appear to her again.

Xenosaga_III_HD_Cutscene_313_-_Nephilim's_Guidance_(Crystal_Room)_-_ENGLISH_-_REGULAR_MODE

Xenosaga III HD Cutscene 313 - Nephilim's Guidance (Crystal Room) - ENGLISH - REGULAR MODE

Nephilim speaking to Shion.

On Michtam, Nephilim tells Shion that the room in front of her was sealed by the will of a woman (Mary Magdalene) who was able to call upon the power of God. She did this to prevent what lies ahead from falling into the hands of mankind. If her consciousness does not awaken, Shion cannot reach the truth that lies ahead.

In order to fully stop Zarathustra, which had gone out of control due to the collective minds that was gathered by Wilhelm previously, Mary Magdalene releases the seal to chaos's power of Anima and together with Nephilim, KOS-MOS and Abel, chaos attempts to bring those wills back to Lost Jerusalem, back to the origin of time. Mary also transferred her Animus power to Nephilim.

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Nephilim in the ending.

Nephilim resonates with the Zohar and transforms into a young woman. Nephilim and everyone perform a dimensional shift to Lost Jerusalem, along with the wills of the Gnosis. What happens there, and whether or not Lost Jerusalem is found by Shion and her team, is unknown.

Etymology[]

"Nephilim" is the name of the race of giants referred to in the Bible. "Verum" is simply Latin for 'truth'.

According to the Book of Enoch and the Bible, the Nephilim were the offspring of the "sons of God" who descended to Earth and cohabited with the "daughters of men." This was one of the reasons for the Great Flood. Nephilim means "watchers," or "those who have come down," although Nephila also means "Orion" in Aramaic. This alludes to an extraterrestrial influence.

Note that the Japanese spelling of Nephilim, ネピリム/ Nepirimu, is changes second consonant from /f/ to /p/. This is despite Japanese having both sounds and the word normally being ネフィリム/ Nefirimu. Old Hebrew lacked /f/ and added it in sound change that took place that didn't occur until late in the Biblical period, while the majority of (standard) Japanese /f/ comes from /h/ before /ɯ/ or /u/. However, which pronunciation quirk affected the spelling, or if one is the cause, is uncertain.

Themes[]

Quotes[]

  • "You cannot go. That's right. This was the last day you spent together with your father. I've been waiting a long time for you... We have much to talk about."
  • "Joyful memories form only one half of a whole. Only when they are combined together with the other half, can your consciousness truly take form. All of you must accept the entirety of your memories."
  • "Not just for their future... but for the future of humans, non-humans, and all matter of living consciousness..."
  • "That is why I called for all of you... so that the future may be changed."
  • "Don't be afraid, Shion… Everything will be all right... See with your heart..."
  • "No. This is just the beginning. A tiny ripple has just been born in the world that surrounds them. One day, that ripple will grow into a large wave, and it will swallow even them."
  • "Trying to protect someone does not always lead to happiness. Grimoire only wanted to find me. But that made a great many people suffer."
  • "I knew I wouldn't be able to tell her. The truth is too hard for Shion right now. If she let it pass without knowing, it would be so much easier."
  • "I don't think there's only a single future. A single human thought can change the world. You're the one who taught people that." (to chaos)
  • "Shion, don't reject everything. If you stay like this, you'll wind up alone."
  • "Wills that gather into my cradle, the time has come! We go to where everything began, to the land of origin!"

Trivia[]

Cross

The cross.

FeiPendant

The Pendant of Nisan in Xenogears.

  • According to Xenosaga: Official Design Materials, Nephilim is classified as an Enneagram type 2, along with MOMO.
  • Every time Shion sees Nephilim, a cross is seen swinging back and forth similar to the cross animation sequence that appears every time Fei Fong Wong sees himself as a child in Xenogears, which is the Pendant of Nisan.
  • In the manga adaptation of Episode I, before Cherenkov's death, Nephilim is shown to be the one who apparently freezes time and allows Shion to observe his memories.
  • Nephilim has a notable similarity to a young Elly from Xenogears. In Episode III, Abel draws a picture of Nephilim, implying that Abel and Nephilim are connected like Fei and Elly are. This once led to speculation that Nephilim is a part of Shion in the same way Id was a part of Fei. Xenosaga: A Missing Year gave Nephilim a definitive origin, as the daughter of Grimoire Verum.
  • Also notable is that Nephilim and Abel's roles resemble Contact and the Antitype from Xenogears, only with those roles reversed, as Nephilim is the one who made contact with U-DO, and Abel is the being directly connected with U-DO.
  • In the Japanese versions of both games, Nephilim and Elly share the same voice actor.

References[]

  1. Perfect Guide, section 39.

Gallery[]

Xenosaga Episode I: Der Wille zur Macht[]

Xenosaga: The Animation[]

Xenosaga: A Missing Year[]

Xenosaga Episode III: Also sprach Zarathustra[]

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