TRIGGER WARNING: Reference to non-con and self-harm

. . .

Far East Branch Headquarters - Lobby

The following weeks marked many changes within the Far East Fenrir branch. With his experimental drug successfully slowing the spread, Utsugi quickly returned to the battlefield. Within only a few missions, it quickly became apparent that his travels abroad had proven highly beneficial. While his condition had barred him from combat, he was still free to expand his knowledge as he saw fit.

Throughout his journey, Lenka had spent much of his free time honing strategy, learning tactics, and assisting new recruits within the different branches. Retaining that knowledge, he easily applied it to his combat operations. It seemed that despite his months of absence, the New Type had managed to return even stronger than when he originally left the Far East, much to Kota's frustration.

After observing his tremendous improvement and leadership qualities acquired overseas, the higher-ups ultimately decided upon his promotion. And within days, Lenka Utsugi was officially named Captain of the First Unit. Despite his initial protests, the New Type had actually come to fill the role very well.

And under his leadership, the First Unit finally made a recovery.

Sakuya returned from her leave, more than a little surprised to learn of all that had transpired during her absence, specifically Lenka's return and Ichiro's disappearance. Kota remained in active duty, more than happy to join his old classmate on the battlefront and even happier to call him Leader. After successful rehabilitation, Alisa was finally reinstated and returned to her post. And with Lenka's assistance and Sakuya's support, she had overcome her fear, facing a Vajra in battle and emerging victorious.

The famous squadron had returned to glory, but not every member was happy with their newfound success. Soma, in particular, had grown increasingly irritable, distancing himself from the other members of his unit. While he wasn't dissatisfied with the rectification of his group, not everyone had recuperated. One person in particular remained absent from their squad and Soma was taking it the hardest.

Neo, the team's first New Type, lay comatose under the watchful eye of her doctors. With the help of Paylor Sakaki's emergency procedure, medications, stitches, and many towels of blood, her condition finally stabilized. She remained in his laboratory for the first leg of her recovery under close observation. Once she was deemed safe for movement, she had been changed out of her soiled, tattered clothing and relocated to the Sick Bay due to obvious welfare concerns.

And it was there she had lingered ever since, sleeping soundly in her hospital bed. She was no longer under the effects of tranquilization, yet still she would not wake. Soma began to fear that soon, the First Unit may see its fourth fatality within less than a 12-month period. Even if her heart still beat and her lungs filled with oxygen, if she never woke, the effect would be the same. He would never see her again outside of the white walls of that room.

That concern remained with him constantly even as he entered the lobby from his most recent mission with his unit. While Soma's performance hadn't really suffered, his mind was rarely with the team. He would go through the motions, slaying any and all enemies in his wake before promptly heading to the Sick Bay upon his return. Today was no different. Passing through the metal doors, Soma separated from the group and made his way toward the lift.

Following his lead, Alisa left for the showers, eager to wash out the dirt and grime caked in her hair. Kota wandered toward the Mess Hall, looking forward to a much deserved meal after a rough mission in the field. Utsugi stayed behind, declining Kota's invitation to join him at his table. He wanted to give his mission report to Major Amamiya and discuss a few matters with her regarding the God Eaters under his command.

He didn't have to wait long as he heard the familiar click of heeled boots approaching him from the lobby desk.

"Status report."

"The mission went successfully. All requested cores were collected with no injuries or casualties."

"Excellent. With that out of the way, I wanted to ask you. How are you feeling? Are you acclimating to your new position?"

"Honestly, it's a bit different than I would have imagined it. I was surprised that they even considered me, especially after such a long absence."

"You've shown great potential, even from your first… excursion at the outer wall. Your squad respects and follows you, and both your stigma and compatibility appear to be under control. All in all, I would say that you are more than qualified, Utsugi."

Lenka smiled at Tsubaki's compliment. It wasn't often that anyone received praise from the Major and do so was a great honor. He felt pride to know that she had recognized his efforts and happy that all of his training had finally paid off. But the mention of his teammates reminded him of a very particular concern.

"Major Amamiya, if I may… I wanted to talk to you about one of our team members…"

Tsubaki gripped her clipboard slightly, the irritation in her eyes evident.

"If Soma is giving you trouble…" Lenka shook his head.

"Oh no, it's nothing like that. See, I was going through the team roster the other day and I noticed that the First Unit is listed with six members. The thing is… there are only five of us. I was wondering if there was some kind of mistake, and I thought I should bring it your attention."

Tsubaki's mouth twitched slightly. It was only a matter of time before he noticed their missing member. Reckless as he was, Lenka paid very close attention to the people around him and held great concern for his teammates. It was one the qualities that made him such a well-respected leader. Much like unit's original Captain…

Shaking her head, she forced the thoughts from her mind and returned to the matter at hand.

"There is no mistake. The First Unit is comprised of six members."

"Really? I definitely haven't noticed a sixth person… are we missing someone?"

"Yes. The sixth member is… indisposed at the moment. She may not be returning to the field for some time."

"What? Why didn't anyone tell me?! I should go see her…"

"That would be ill-advised."

Lenka raised an eyebrow at her immediate rejection. It was strange enough that not one of the five members had felt the need to mention their remaining recruit, let alone introduce them. But it was even stranger that Tsubaki was advising him against it entirely.

"Any particular reason?"

"Many, in fact." At his dumbfounded expression, the Major continued. "The chief of which is her mental instability."

"Yeah? From what I hear, Alisa was unstable when she joined as well. She seemed to be doing fine now."

"That may be true, but Reaper is… different."

"Reaper? Well, the name's definitely pretty strange… So what's the matter with her?"

"Her behavior as of late has been rather… unpredictable. We simply cannot advise your meeting at this time."

"Unpredictable…? What does that -"

His sentence was suddenly cut short. The alarm sounded, blaring through the lobby, the spinning lights flashing off the walls. Lenka tensed immediately as he was struck with a sense of déjà vu. Hadn't he heard the same sound merely days after his recruitment, standing in this very spot? Had there been another security breach? Where was the Second Unit? He turned his attention to the speakers as Hibari's voice sounded over the intercom.

. . .

Far East Branch Headquarters - Sick Bay

Doctors bustled purposefully around the room each going about their daily routine. One stood at the foot of her bed, monitoring her pulse. A second stood beside her, taking notes on his clipboard. Another gently lifted her shirt to check on her wound, nodded, and returned it to its original position. Sakaki sat in the corner of the room, typing wildly on his laptop, and mumbling to himself about Oracle cell agitation. He paused occasionally to ponder for a moment, check her blood sample data, and return to his work. And sitting silently at her bedside, was Soma.

This was their routine. And it had been ever since he had burst through his doors carrying the New Type, only moments from death. The researchers were initially apprehensive to treat her, fearful of her reaction were she to wake… but she never did. Now, their motions had become practiced and repetitive as they moved easily around her ever sleeping form. The doctor paused his scribbling as the door slid open. Soma turned his head towards the open door, his eyes widening slightly in surprise.

"Johannes! Welcome!"

The Director shook his head at Paylor's jovial invitation. He had been set up in the medical ward ever since the New Type's arrival. He seemed to have forgotten that he had his own office reside in. Striding toward him, he glanced in her direction.

"What is the status report?"

"Same as always I'm afraid. Her vitals have long stabilized and her wound has healed almost completely. I cannot explain her current state. Perhaps there is a mental component… maybe a trauma response? Hm… yes, of course!"

Struck with inspiration, Paylor drifted off and began typing again, suddenly lost in his own thoughts and murmuring about post-traumatic stress.

Shaking his head, Johannes turned and observed the woman sleeping peacefully in her bed. His mind wandered as he watched her chest slowly rise and fall. She had seemed like such a sweet child. He frowned slightly as the videos of her 'experiments' played back through his mind.

"Welcome, welcome!"

Sakaki's outburst refocused his attention, drawing his eyes to the sliding door. Alisa and Kota entered the room.

"She still hasn't woken up, huh…"

Kota muttered, sounding somewhat depressed. Her seemingly irreparable state was beginning to affect even his eternal optimism. Soma scowled slightly at his comment, trying to look irritated even as his eyes betrayed him. Of everyone, he was by far the most heavily weighted by Neo's state. He stared sadly at her closed eyes, wondering if they would ever open again.

Across from him Alisa pulled up a chair and sat by her side. It had not been so long ago that Neo had done the same for her during her own recovery. In fact, she had been laying in the very same hospital bed. It seemed only fitting that she should do the same now that their places had switched. Her eyes slowly ran across her sleeping comrade. She observed her soft hair falling across the pillow like a violet curtain. She watched her frozen expression and perfectly still form. Were it not for her steady breathing, she would have assumed she was already dead.

"The hell, Sakaki? Why hasn't she recovered yet?"

Soma was growing impatient. She hadn't shown any signs of sentience since their first interaction. He had soothed her in her fearful state, his touch calming her as she slept on the table. Now, she remain still and silent as the grave. It didn't make sense to him. How could she become less active as time went on?

"Hm?"

Alisa leaned forward slightly and stared intently at her sleeping comrade. She could have sworn that she had seen movement just a moment ago. It was so brief that she only captured a glance. A blink of her eyelids would have missed the whole ordeal. She was reacting to something…

"She has recovered, Soma. Almost entirely. Why she remains comatose however, is anyone's guess."

"Damn it all."

It happened again.

Another slight movement caught Alisa's attention as an eye twitched behind her lid. Now, she was certain. It is said that those in slumber still experience what occurs in their environment, and she knew it to be true. She experienced it firsthand when she had been trapped her own world of dreams. While she lay asleep on the bed, she was most certainly aware of their presence. Why though was she reacting to Soma? Was she distressed? In a similar fashion, Alisa slowly lifted her hand and grasped Reaper's in a comforting gesture…

Then, her mind left her.

She was lying strapped to a table, with scalpels parting her skin.

She was playing with a young Ichiro, running around the hallways of a compound.

She was aiming her rifle, screaming as voltage coursed through her neck.

She was smiling with delight as she devoured an Aragami core.

She was tied to a table, thrashing futilely against the doctors holding her limbs.

She was lying in her bed, sobbing as she repeatedly ran the broken glass down her bleeding arms.

She was standing aboard a plane, glowering at the coated passengers.

She was dripping with blood as she slaughtered every person onboard.

She was wandering the frozen tundra in solitude, lost and alone.

She was strapped to a chair, watching her mother sing over and over.

She felt joy. She felt fear. She felt pain. She felt rage.

She could feel the blades slicing her muscle from bone. She could feel her appendages severed and detached. She could feel them shocking her again and again. She could feel them inside of her, deaf to her pleas.

"Aagghh!"

Alisa startled everyone in the room as she screamed in terror, her own limbs trembling as they experienced memories that weren't her own. Kota jumped and Soma rose from his chair, suddenly alert.

"No! Stop it! Get off me! It hurts! Stop, please!"

Her vibrations quickly escalated from trembling to writhing as she fought wildly against enemies unseen. Around them, researchers stepped away, uncertain of what to do about the situation. They had never witnessed a resonance between New Types before, let alone such a powerful one. And whatever she was experiencing had sent her into a panic.

As Kota stared dumbstruck at the situation unfolding before him, Soma frowned. He recalled briefly discussing the concept of resonance with Hamasaki before his disappearance, but all that either of them knew was that two of them had somehow connected. They could share the events of each other's pasts, moving through their lives as though they were their own.

And from her cries and her flails to the tears streaming from her eyes, he had a pretty good idea of which memories she was experiencing. Feeling his own rage building, he moved quickly around the bed and unlaced Alisa's frozen fingers. He peeled them apart, separating the two women and freeing her from Neo's torturous mind.

With their connection severed, Alisa leapt and stumbled backward, her chair tumbling to the ground in her wake. She trembled and wept, rubbing her hands violently across her arms. But no amount of scraping could rid herself of the feeling of their hands. She grabbed her head, trying to clear her mind of the awful recollections. How? Why? Had this truly been her entire life?

From the other side of the bed, Kota looped around and knelt beside her, trying to calm her down.

Then…

A gasp turned everyone's attention to the bed where Neo's eyes had snapped open, torn from her resting state. The moment she awoke, the room fell into a panic. It hadn't occurred to Soma until that moment as he gazed down at her multi-colored eyes. He hadn't the slightest clue what would happen if she finally woke up. Would she awaken as Reaper… or Neo?

It didn't matter. Regardless of the answer, she was lying in a bed, unrestrained, and surrounded by medical personnel. He watched as she lifted a hand her head and rubbed her eyes as everyone made to scramble for the door.

"Take off your coats. Now!"

Soma shouted, freezing every doctor in the room. There was no point in running. Even if they managed to make it outside, there was nothing to stop her from following them. If she were to get past him, they would be trapped in a narrow hallway with nothing between them. There was no way that any one of them could outrun her and even Soma himself wasn't fast to stop her in open terrain.

Every researcher in the room quickly complied, shedding their white coverings, and backing against the walls. Their coats fell to the floor with impeccable timing as Neo quickly sat up from beneath the sheets. Soma watched her panicked eyes look wildly around the room as she took in her surroundings.

She could see Alisa, crying and shivering beside Kota. She could see Soma standing in front of them beside a fallen chair. She could see white beds and white walls with nervous onlookers pressing against them. She saw the strangely dressed eccentric seated with his portable computer, eyeing her curiously. And she saw a man beside him… in a white coat.

As her eyes drifted to Johannes, Soma leapt forward. But he wasn't fast enough. The moment her gaze locked on the Director she was airborne. Slipping past him, she tore from the bed like a wild animal, ramming into the unsuspecting man in one bound.

"Director!"

"Johannes!"

"Neo, stop!"

"Ompf!"

A cluster of startled voices were the only things Schicksal heard before falling backward. A force akin to a sledgehammer knocked the wind out of him, slamming him to the ground as a vice-like grip wrapped around his collar. He saw her other hand in the air, fingers angled in claw-like fashion and her face twisted into a feral snarl. She was going to kill him…

But then, she stopped.

As he gazed into the eyes of his killer, he watched her expression slowly change. Her vicious gaze softened and her murderous look faded into one of curiosity.

"It's you…"

Her words were barely a whisper as she slowly released his collar and lowered her hand to her side. She recognized this man. Not from her sedated state nor her time as Reaper, but from her memories long ago. She had seen him before, many times in fact, through the screen of her NORN terminal.

During her conversations with Soma, she would sometimes see him appear in the doorway, a gentle smile on his face. He was without a doubt the same person, simply older. She wasn't entirely certain who he was, but a friend of Soma's was not her enemy. Rising to her feet, she turned and eyed the door. The researchers quickly clambered to get out of her way as she rushed past them, out the door, and into the hallway.

After her exit, one of the doctors quickly helped the Director to his feet. Dusting himself off, he turned to Paylor.

"Make the announcement. We need to capture -"

"Stop."

Johannes turned, a bit surprised to see Soma standing before him, staring defiantly at him.

"Have you a better suggestion?"

"Yes. Leave her alone."

The room fell into stunned silence at Soma's response. Even Sakaki tilted his head slightly at his request.

"Soma, I understand your concern, but surely you have noticed her volatility. In her current state, she is a danger to -"

"Those she perceives as a threat. Neo isn't aggressive, she's afraid. If you try and catch her, you're going to make her violent. She's only going to fight back."

The Director paused to ponder his words. Soma's logic was sound. He had watched the same recordings that he had, and her reaction was justified. Having forgotten his own attire, he had unintentionally made himself a target. She had overpowered him and could have easily killed him… yet she hadn't. For whatever reason, she hadn't seen him as a danger to her and so had left him alone. The same was true for everyone in the ward. And Soma knew this woman better than anyone else in the room.

"Very well. Put the Defense Unit on standby. Only bring her down if she strikes first."

. . .

Far East Branch Headquarters - Lobby

"Attention all God Eaters! Security has been breached! All researchers and medical personnel are to evacuate into the nearest rooms immediately. Remain out of sight. Subject is volatile. Do NOT engage. I repeat. Do NOT engage!"

Lenka looked wildly around the room as the lobby erupted into chaos before him. Engineers and other scientists bolted for the nearest rooms, rushing to get out of sight as quickly as possible.

"A security breach…? In the Den?! Major, what's happening?!"

"Reaper."

Speak of the devil…

Not a moment after she said her name, Neo burst through stairwell throwing the door against the wall. Her eyes scanned the lobby, searching intently. Finding nothing, she continued on her rampage darting through God Eaters who tried urgently to get out of her way. Without slowing her pace, she ran right in between Lenka and Tsubaki, the latter of whom calmly stepped backward to allow her passage.

And just as quickly as she had appeared… she was gone.

A few moments after she vanished through a different doorway, Soma appeared in the open stairwell, looking around. Seeing no sign of her, he slowed his pace. His eyes swept through the room searching for a head of violet.

"Soma, what the hell?!"

"Not now, Utsugi." Soma brushed him off, trying to locate their frantic New Type.

"Soma!"

"What?!"

Licca appeared from the stairwell, running towards them. "I heard the announcement. Should we lock down the exits?"

"Don't bother. She won't leave." Not to mention that there was little point. He had yet to find a barrier that that woman couldn't break through.

The Major raised her eyebrow slightly at Soma's assured tone. "You sound confident of that. You're certain we shouldn't at least take the precaution?"

Soma shook his head.

"She isn't trying to escape. She's trying to find him."