The protagonist, a teenage girl named , is chosen for the program, forced to leave behind her twin sister, Shizuku, who is also infected. When Kasumi and six other survivors abruptly awaken, they find the facility in decay, the staff missing, and the castle infested with carnivorous creatures. Key Characters

The survivors represent a diverse group, each harborous their own secrets or specialized skills: Stephen reviews: King of Thorn (2009)

The story begins with a global pandemic caused by the , which causes its victims to turn into stone. With a 100% fatality rate and no known cure, a shadowy organization called Venus Gate selects 160 individuals to be cryogenically frozen in a Scottish castle until a cure is found.