Chapter 73 - Recap (1/2)

Lydis caressed Ui gently, her fingers sliding over the sharp gash on it's shoulder.

”Ui, what happened while I was asleep?”

”News about Haven should've reached you already but the news about the Zodiacs must not have. Since Master Lydis has been in sleep for the past two days the report will commence from our last parting.”

”Begin.”

Ui's body shook before it rolled in on itself, curling into a ball and revealing a holographic screen. Valfafer curled up in Lydis's arms, content to watch as well.

Although fuzzy at first, the image soon stabilized and revealed the night of the explosion. From Ui's perspective it was low to the ground before flying upwards, making sure to stay within the cover of the trees.

It showed the massive slyphir burst, long strands of purple slyphir oozing out like a monster. Amidst the slyphir was a short girl, black veins crawled over her quickly, devouring the girl. Her body contorted in impossible ways before falling into a limp heap. From her chest, the slyphir exploded again, this time launching a small metallic object into the air and disappearing in the woods.

Ui's perspective changed once again as it began to rapidly move from the back to the side of the dorm. Catching sight of a human-like shadow, Ui followed it underneath the brush and shrubs of the forest, careful to keep a good distance as well as keeping itself concealed. The image fizzed out and after a pause it revealed a group of four people surrounding a man.

”Zzzh.”

”---”

The noise from the video whined until it had focused in on their conversation.

”… Adams couldn't control the core.”

”I told you she wasn't ready!”

One of the men grabbed the other, fist raised. The two standing beside the other man quickly intercepted the angry man and pushed him to the floor.

”Quiver, I expected more of you. Adams had potential, talent, but, she was just one of the many blades of grass you see here. There will always be another.”

”Will there? Or is every life just a tool for you Oliver?”

The man named Oliver turned to face Quiver, looming over him.

”We had a job, the mission was completed without too much error, and now we need to leave. If you're going to hold us up then we'll dispose of you here and now. If you've forgotten our purpose should I remind you again?”

Quiver hesitated for a moment but nodded his head in compliancy.

”Good, now let's go. Since we have Adler there's no reason to stay. Let's mo-!”

The man named Oliver paused and slowly turned around, his sharp gaze scanning the trees. Slowly, steadily, Oliver's eyes locked with Ui's camera.

”You incompetent fool…”

Oliver disappeared and a gush of slyphir slammed against the trees surrounding him in waves. Having been half a kilometer away, Ui's camera still shook violently.

With another rush the camera began to move wildly. Ui scampered down the tree, laying low to the ground. Weaving under the brush, Ui began to retreat from the group. Another wave of slyphir hit the trees. Following the wave, blades of slyphir rained down in Ui's area. Piercing the trees like butter, the light purple slyphir carved holes into everything.

”Stop, we can't alert anyone else. We----move.”

*tch* ”Quiver, your punishment----back----fool.”

”Ye-zzzch----”

”----”

The audio was soon distorted due to Ui moving out of range. Cutting the image off, Ui's recording blanked before showing an image of the hospital ward. From the perspective, Ui seemed to be hiding in a corner of the room, hidden under blankets or used towels. Through a small sliver in the folds and fabric, Ui's camera was able to capture the entirety of the room in front of it.

The older fifth year Zodiacs were gathered around two hospital beds, a few holding back tears while others clung to themselves.