I'm surprised no one is talking about what the monsters in this episode suggest: that Casca is probably not going to want to immediately resume any kind of romantic relationship when she's restored
Speaking for myself, that's always seemed to be the direction of things -- the sum of her traumatic experience and forced advent from the dream/nightmare world would be an aversion to Guts in some capacity. But indeed, the phallophobia evident in this ep presents a more visceral challenge for EVER engaging in an intimate relationship again.
That being said, the key to your phrasing is "not going to want to
immediately resume." Miura can't keep these two apart from each other, given the momentum of the entire series. So rather than a "break-up" upon her awakening, I expect a cooling off period, during which the girls will give her companionship and she maintains a distance from Guts. But where will Guts' head be during this time? It may be natural for readers to conclude that Casca will eventually return to him, but it might not be for Guts. He's put all his chips on Casca for all these years. What will that rejection, even if it's ultimately temporary, do to him? The harrowing part of the restoration process is only beginning...
I expect the Sprite to play a key role in this. Either as the force of hope and will to live within Casca (opposite the part of her that wants to stay like this) or as the "fully restored" version that they'll have to confront after gathering the last fragment
I think it would be interesting if the sprite was able to show this traumatized, trapped Casca a peek at life in the wider world since the trauma began (if the sprite is even a vessel for memories, and not merely a representation of an aspect of per ego). Just like the memory fragments that compose the "doll"'s body showed visions of the past, the sprite could harbor visions of Guts fighting for her, her child, Griffith, and all the conflicting emotions of all three of these elements. Could it be enough to turn the tide for Casca and accept a return to reality?
As if it weren't already obvious, this is a BIG fucking event for Berserk and the future... More significant to the story and its trajectory even than Fantasia.
It's been made clear they're facing actual danger and I frankly have no idea how they'll get through the memory of the rape. Would Danan be able to shield them from the worst of it? Schierke's so young, and Farnese's mental resilience isn't the strongest...
The memory of the Eclipse has been a literal threat hanging in the sky for this entire sequence. It's almost a relief that we're getting a 4-6 month reprieve before Miura finally drops the blade onto our necks. The idea of Farnese shielding Schierke from that trauma is great/painful. This hypothetical predicament you've concocted is forcing me to take sides — which character do I want LESS traumatized. The obvious answer is Schierke, because fuck that'd certainly be a "gloves off" moment for Miura ... But Farnese has come so far, it would be disheartening to see her permanently scarred, yet another victim of the trauma of the Eclipse.
Though as you allude to, there are other possibilities -- Danan protecting them, Guts/dog going down for the count (what would that mean...?) -- I almost wouldn't want an external force in this instance. Schierke and Farnese should bear the cost of this process if there is one to be paid. I almost feel like some counterstroke for this process would be ... grimly appropriate. Perhaps it'll be something simple, like Guts' white tuft of hair, while also serving as a lasting reminder of the cost of their journey.
A parting thought, I am eagerly anticipating how Miura will choose to represent Femto in this world. I can't imagine it will be a straight-up carbon copy of the being, but some monstrous depiction. I can't wait.
