Chapter 5
Nanami was the first to stand from the rubble. She had no vital organs, so Farfarello's blade had done no serious damage. Unfortunately, it had temporarily severed a neural connection, sending her into shock. She looked around, the connection restored. Their new home was leveled. Looking around, her father was a bloody pulp.
She lifted her love, Nagi, from the epicenter and carried him to the edge of the clearing. He was breathing steadily, so she was sure he would revive, shortly. Her sisters needed her.
The hive dug to the surface. Being buried in the labs had been frustrating. It had been necessary to break most of the bones in the host to worm out of the rubble. Repairing those breaks was tiresome, but necessary. It rose to its feet as Tot returned. This was not good. They would find the others.
Karen awoke in darkness, with incredible pressure on her body. She heaved against it, and felt rubble shift. She heaved again. Slowly, she shifted to a position with better leverage, and heaved the slab off her. She was gratified to see Tot and Neu panting from the effort of helping her.
The funeral for Masafumi and Chizuru was a short, somber affair. They shared an unmarked grave a short distance into the woods. Schreient had lost its leader and inspiration in one night of tragedy. They were agreed that Schwarz would pay... all but Nagi, that is.
Schreient was now led by Schön.