This won't be over until I say so...
There is nothing that could be done. The body belonging to the Kriegsmarine counterpart of Tirpitz can no longer be seen as alive. Her consciousness is believed to have faded away, leaving the body as lifeless corpse...for a short while.
"Her heart has been destroyed. Not even her regeneration repaired it...while I laid dormant in this corpse. Is this the doing of the Sirens?"
The ghost weakly lifts her right hand and presses her palm right at the part of her chest where the heart is located. She closes her eyes and concentrates on detecting the faintest heartbeat or pulse. Since the heart has been destroyed, the body itself is technically deceased but physically moving thanks to the one occupying it.
"A consciousness, an ego, a will...and emotions. It seems I'm partially simulating this body's residual existence..."
It didn't faze her the slightest that her current body is practically deceased, but she's someone moving it with the remaining thoughts fresh inside the empty consciousness. She doesn't exactly know how there can be leftover when a deceased person couldn't leave behind memories.
"The Tirpitz of this world has completely passed away and her soul is..."
She sighs to cut off herself before she can verbally reveal her analysis. There is no one to hear it right now or even see a corpse moving with restriction.
"I see. So this what it feels like to have a personality even if it's not originally mine. The feeling is strange...but it's an oddly wonderful experience..."
Anyone would be either shocked or feel disturbed if they realize they are occupying a lifeless body, but this one is both intrigued and thankful for it. She gently pinches her cheeks and squeezes her hands, testing the reality and experiencing the flesh she decides to take as her own.
"Hmm. I feel a bit uneasy and restless. This must be the Abyssal half of this girl...refusing to be put down by me"
The Beast refuses to disappear at the hands of a nameless ghost, but the latter herself doesn't care whether she has an Abyssal to deal with. She slumps her back on one corner and slides down until her rear touches the ground.
"You finally anchor yourself into the world, and you're sulking in some distant island..."
The Siren Empress, who rarely leaves Siren territory on her own, stumbles on the gloomy and solemn ghost who takes the Kriegsmarine's Tirpitz identity as her own. Rather than enjoying her experience being "alive", she sits on corner wrapping her arms around her legs.
"Ah, it's you. The one Observer Alpha calls a waste of energy and resources..." Tirpitz faintly groans
"I want to think it's because you're still adjusting to that husk, but it seems you're currently in a pitiful status"
The insult makes little to no impact towards Tirpitz who lazily turns her eye towards the dismayed Siren Empress. Her eyes lack any enthusiasm or any form of energy, just a depressing outlook to both herself and her surroundings.
"I manifested in timelines here and there. The emotions and experience...are the reasons why I'm like this now. I exist in multiverse, so I experienced it fully. That girl will be the last"
"The last? I see, so you mean..."
"The northern seas, and a wish. That's how it's going to be..."
Her skin on her right cheek is beginning to peel off, so she unwraps her hands to use her right hand to cover half of her face. It's not her her cheek, some areas with bare skin is beginning to peel off as well which is an indication of physical instability.
"After everything is settled, I won't be active unless those folks are in danger. I will fulfill my wish to her...but that would be in the future" Tirpitz informs her
"A future wish you say?"
"There's no way I would ignore it. It will be a wish to secure a future for them...even if she has to pay the price for it"
"Let me guess, is it Bismarck?" The Siren Empress confidently guesses
"Beats me. I feel so dizzy and tired...that I don't really know..."
The nameless ghost curls up in one corner, further dismaying and upsetting the Siren Empress at the same time. She would expect this "Tirpitz" would be a little active at least, but she doesn't have the slightest motivation.
"One month from now, Tyrant is going to make her move. You had just awakened inside that corpse which won't you give enough time to fully adjust to that body" The Siren Empress pointed out
"Can't I have just a break? I just woke up inside someone else's corpse..."
"What are you going to do once they demand that corpse back?"
"They can have it back...if they're willing to shoulder the consequences. Your carefree creator can do that, right?"
"Progenitor can, but she's not completely tolerant with the likes of you"
"Whatever. At the end of the day, she can't bear to see these little humans rip each other apart...even if she has a duty to maintain the natural order"
The ghost loses interest in the conversation and turns away from the slightly unhappy Siren Empress. During that time, she isn't concerned with the events transpiring around her even after she successfully awakens.
"So, how you plan on blending in with the Maizuru fleet?" The Siren Empress sighs
"This body still possesses residual thoughts. I can emulate those remaining memories and act based upon it. Of course, I won't be fully aware of my surroundings as my active ego will hibernate. I don't mind acting on auto-pilot for a few months though"
"I will observe your status once my creator allows me. Our faction won't interfere so long as you don't threaten the natural balance of the world"
The Siren Empress informs and warns her as she turns her back from the uninterested ghost occupying the corpse of the Kriegsmarine's Tirpitz. The Ghost just shrugs her shoulders and let out a faint groan, unsure whether she is fine with it or not.
H-39's last ditch effort temporarily succeeded and was only undone by outside interference. Rather than H-39 as an enemy, they find themselves facing a nameless ghost who occupies the corpse of the Kriegsmarine's Tirpitz. The battle is currently ongoing around them which leage Iron Blood's Bismarck and Tirpitz to go up against the unknown being who is controlling a lifeless body.
"Have you enjoyed your little peace with your big sister, Tirpitz? Surely you missed not trying to kill her" The nameless ghost mocks her
"You've been occupying that body since the beginning all while pretending like nothing happened" Tirpitz senses anger in herself
"It's vacant, so I'm using it. This shipgirl is already dead, so there shouldn't be a problem, right? I mean she can't protest when her heart festered away-"
The ghost heavily coughs, prompting her to cover her mouth. Blood spills out of her mouth, but she is unfazed and non-chalantly wipes it off. Oddly enough, little parts of the shipgirl remains as flesh and blood even if the nameless demon has been eating away her body for months.
"I'm certain their Bismarck is devasted and heartbroken. She may not be able to hurt the corpse of her sister...so I'll put you to rest in her place" Tirpitz draws her own sword
"Heh. How touching..." The demon smirks
"The dead should be left to rest. I won't allow you to use that corpse any longer, demon"
"Are you angry you didn't kill me yourself when you beat me to a bloody pulp?"
"I regret not cutting you down since I actually believed there's nothing wrong with the piece lodged in your heart. In reality, that's just a red herring to mask the fact there already a corpse" Tirpitz bites her lip
"Don't worry. I'll leave this body once I accomplish what I came for"
Their enemy doesn't look like it plans on taking either Tirpitz or Bismarck seriously in the fight, possibly confident in her own strength. It's not like she needs to worry about dying since her current body belongs to a dead person while herself is neither dead nor alive.
"I'll be the one to put you to rest...fiend..." H-39 steps in
"Don't get in my way, even if your body is falling apart" Tirpitz protests
(Even if I'm disintegrating...I have to put a stop to her...)
H-39 gently touches her cheeks with cracks beginning to spread like brittle glass shattering. She is only revived the second time much like Tyrant, but her current self can only last for a short period of time.
"Well, whatever. I'll take you on"
It's obvious how H-39 has little chance of eliminating the ghost in front of her with how her body continues to disintegrate. She won't last for long, yet she continues to stand with her chest up high and her weapon pointing towards the sole enemy in front of her.
"Hey~ Is it my time to shine?" The Siren Purifier emerges out of a void that tears through space
The space beside the nameless ghost tears open and forms a misshapen rift. Who emerges out of it is unexpectedly...the Siren Purifier. All she has been doing is observing the whole situation with little participation, so her appearance right now surprises the three shipgirls while the ghost is mildly unhappy.
"Yes, now go stall those two since you've been useless lately"
"What...?" Purifier blinks
"Fight them to your heart's content. If you get your head blown off carelessly again, I'm not retrieving you like I did at Antarctica"
"You're a grumpy walking corpse"
It's difficult to distinguish whether the Siren Purifier is genuinely dismayed or mockingly behaving like she always does. She complies with the strict order and stands as the two battleships' opponent while the ghost is entertaining H-39.
"It looks like we have to finish this Siren off first" Tirpitz swings her blade
"Tirpitz..."
"I owe you a lot of explanation, but I'm no longer going to be stubborn. After this, I'm willing to turn myself in for abandoning my own nation..." Tirpitz sighs
"You're going to surrender yourself?" Bismarck is genuinely surprised
"I may not have hurt anybody, but I've tarnished Iron Blood by working with the Sirens. That's basically desertion and treason..."
"Hey, can you two sisters talk later? We're supposed to be fighting" The Siren Purifier waves her hand
The two sisters both raises their sword and points towards the gleeful Siren Purifier who maniacally grins as she is more than glad to take on two battleships at the same time. Since the two are forced to fight the Siren Purifier, H-39 is joined by the Kriegsmarine's Bismarck in facing the possessed corpse.
"Why? Why did you take my sister?"
Bismarck, seconds after rushing to the scene, immediately asks the with a cold glare.
"Bismarck, I didn't kill her. She was already dead"
"I don't believe you!" KC Bismarck shouted
"I don't care. I have nothing to prove to you"
"...!"
"Calm down, Bismarck"
Bismarck can barely remain calm since she's facing an enemy using the lifeless body of her sister who has been dead for quite some time. H-39 gently pulls her away even with how her body is weakening and barely maintaining a stable physical form.
"For the record, I'm genuinely wasn't aware your sister has been dead. If I had known, I would have tried to spare you the truth and killed her myself" H-39 guesses her thoughts
"If you had suspected something, you should have told me at least"
"I did suspect something, but I never thought it would be this...terrible" H-39 faintly grunts
"What happened to Tirpitz? You're the only one who instantly realized it. All it took for you was just a single look to know what happened"
"Your sister died for an unknown amount of time. Before her corpse reverted as an Abyssal, that being used the opportunity to occupy the vacant corpse"
"Really like a ghost possessing a body, huh..."
"I'm guessing she managed to extract residual thoughts within the body, so she was able to emulate your Tirpitz's behavior almost perfectly"
"Why pretend for so long?"
"To slowly assimilate that body for herself. She's been fitting her existence in that lifeless body...and reconfiguring it. To put it simple, that thing has been altering the corpse of your sister for months now"
"That-!"
The fact that an unknown being has been altering the corpse to suit her needs only increases KC Bismarck's anger, especially that the culprit is smiling in amusement as if she is enjoying every second of Bismarck's grudge-filled gaze.
"You don't have to fight the corpse of your sister if you don't want to. I'll put her to rest myself" H-39 suggests
"No. I'll kill her myself...just like that time. This is the burden and mercy I must carry...as her older sister"
"Bismarck, you're still hoping you can save her. Even if you can force me out, she will return to being a lifeless body" The ghost interrupts their conversation
"It's better than have you desecrate the corpse of my sister"
The nameless ghost narrows her eyes, a bit unhappy with how Bismarck is sharply glaring at her with disgusted and spiteful eyes. It's natural for Bismarck to feel angry at that moment since her younger sister is killed and possessed by an unknown being.
"I hate those eyes-!"
She dodges at the split second before H-39 almost instantly appears right in front of her, close enough that her sword would have slashes her torso right where she stands. Now it surprises her that someone who wouldn't last long and will permanently die this time still possess that much speed.
"I've gotten so weak in this state, huh. I would have incapacitated you if it was my peak strength" H-39 clicks her tongue
"...!" Bismarck is surprised as well
"Don't get too distracted, Bismarck. We're kicking this ghost out and bringing home the body of your sister"
Bismarck shakes her head and slaps her cheek to regain her focus before joining with H-39 in facing the nameless ghost.
"Why? Why are you using the face of my sister? You're using her dead body...without a care!" Bismarck shouts her anger
"It's vacant. That's all" The ghost sighs
Bismarck retaliates by aiming all four main turrets and firing at the some time while in mid range. Unfortunately for both her and H-39, their enemy brushes off all the shells that hit her and ignores any damages she sustains.
"I planned to have you use as a distraction, but I forgot how stubborn and selfish you are. As a result, you revealed my secret a bit earlier. I planned to actually kill everyone in the base" Ghost frowns at H-39
"My wish is to prevent humanity from causing the downfall just like in my timeline. It's true that I'm not obliged to protect this world or planned to fight for their sake, but I cannot leave you be" H-39 swings her sword
"You discovered the only way to prevent such thing from ever happening"
"...I'm well aware about equivalent exchange. It's basic law that one must pay the consequences for such drastic wish"
"What's that supposed to mean?" KC Bismarck approaches Tyrant
"She means not everyone will go home the same way. Nothing will change the outcome, especially the one I had seen" Ghost scoffs
"I don't care what you're up to, but get the hell out of my sister's body and face me with your true self!" Bismarck angrily demands
(Bismarck is relatively disciplined, but she becomes emotional when it comes to her sister. To a degree, the one from Azur Lane can be compared this way...)
Rather than be equally angry towards Bismarck, the ghost faintly smiles as she compares the two versions of Bismarck. They are both generally calm and serious, but emotions sets in when their younger sisters are involved. It's both laughable and admirable that the enemy herself feels somewhat "soft" towards Bismarck.
"H-39, you won't last more than a week after this. How do you plan to spend your disintegrating body?" The ghost turns to speak to H-39 again
"I'll have to accept my past self's grudge for what I did, and explain a lot to this Bismarck. I can't undo everything I did, but I can at least give them closure" H-39 immediately responds
"I see. So you've finally made the choice..."
The ghost faintly smiles, partially satisfied with H-39's decision now that she is dying for the second time again, but this time it's going to be permanent.
"You want to eliminate me...then strike me without hesitation. I'll take you two without one as well"
She openly challenges them with a proud smirk, so both H-39 and Bismarck steadies themselves while their enemy waits for them to make the first strike. While the battle rages, Iron Blood's Tirpitz is beginning to feel weaken shortly after the fight started.
"Tirpitz, what's the matter?" AL Bismarck immediately notices
"I'm not in top condition right now..."
Tirpitz clutches her chest while heavily panting, unusually weakened in the middle of the fight.
"Hmm. So that's what's going on..."
The Siren Purifier loses her left arm, but she shrugs off the damage since it regrows in a matter of seconds. The damage is instantly undone when black liquid spills out of the severed arm and reconstructs her missing limb.
"How long are we going play this game?" Purifier tests her newly healed arm
"When did you learn to regrow your limbs, Purifier?"
After seeing an ability as Siren doesn't possess, Bismarck briefly expresses her surprise when the Siren Purifier easily regrows her blown up arm. She now has to face Purifier alone as Tirpitz is currently in a weakened state.
"Oh, I'm just borrowing this trait just for this battle. Custodian is nice enough to link me the process from the archives. Abyssals do make perfect test subjects as they don't die when if they are killed" Purifier maniacally grins
"Then tell me what is the purpose of all of this?"
"I'll tell you...if you can beat me"
"So be it!"
Bismarck instantly accepts the challenge, and swings her proud sword in the air as she tackles the confident Siren in close combat. Tirpitz's current situation is frustrating for her, but her current strength is forcibly limiting her.
"It looks you're not in the best condition, Tirpitz"
"That voice-!"
Tirpitz instinctively raises her arm holding her arm and blocks an incoming strike from above. As the steel blades clash, Tirpitz locks her irritated gaze at the one who attempts to ambush her while she is recovering her strength.
"Tyrant...!" She angrily calls out her name
"Don't get to relaxed just because I've been dead for six months"
"You're still alive after all"
Tirpitz pushes Tyrant and herself away before the former can catch her off guard again. If they battle right now, Tirpitz will lose in a battle of attrition alone, but she has no choice to face against Tyrant despite her current state.
"Why are you still here? I thought you decided there's nothing left for you to live anymore" Tirpitz remembers
"I thought of that as well, but there is still a reason I'm kicked out of the afterlife"
"What else do you want in this world?"
"It's what will happen to you. Before that happens, I have to settle a score with you"
Tyrant turns grim and serious, losing the carefree and laid-back behavior she has been showing Bismarck back in the false timeline.
"You already know..." Tirpitz swallows her breath
"A piece of my mental cube is trapped inside a dimension nicknamed Pandora then H-39 went and sealed my mental cube before I could reconstruct myself. I know now how this will end even if Progenitor doesn't tell me!"
"Don't get in my way if you know what will happen!"
Tirpitz grits her teeth and unleashes a full salvo from all four twin turrets towards the lone Tyrant, only for half of the attack to be either deflected or cut down with a swift swing from Tyrant.
"Bismarck will only suffer in the end because of your selfishness. What you will do...is going to cause more harm than good" Tyrant scolds her
"None of us can carve a desired future without abandoning others..." Tirpitz remains firm
"I really can't let you go sacrificing a life for the sake of others. Doing so will result in a worse future" Tyrant furrows her eyebrows
The more Tirpitz refuses to abandon her only goal left, the more it irritates Tyrant who tries to reason with her at the very least. It's obvious Tirpitz won't back down no matter what Tyrant says. Tyrant pulls herself away briefly to rain a full salvo towards Tirpitz, but most shells misses. The two continues to clash in both blades and stubbornness while Bismarck successfully severs Purifier's left arm again and almost decapitate her.
"Aaaaaah! That fucking hurts!"
Purifier presses the top of her head to prevent her barely intact head from being completely separated from the rest of her body again.
"Tyrant...!"
Bismarck is aware how Tirpitz is currently clashing with Tirpitz while she is occupied with the Siren Purifier. She knows she can't rush to deal with Tyrant herself since Purifier simply refuses to be eliminated.
"I'm pretty you're very aware how she intended to stab you in the back since the beginning, right?" The Siren Purifier giggles
"Tell me, what is Tyrant's true intention?" Bismarck returns her focus to the Siren
"You see her as the bad guy doing bad things, right? That's not the case. She's trying to prevent the same mistake the original Tyrant did. Unfortunately, you're little sister isn't too smart"
"What's that supposed to mean?" Bismarck knows Purifier is implying something
"Nothing important to you~ The Creator and her sister have their own whims after all"
The Siren Purifier teases Bismarck while she effortlessly evades the latter's simultaneous salvos. Purifier watches the shells rain on her with awe brightening her face like she's enjoying every moment with the already furious Bismarck.
"That thing doesn't want to do anything with anyone, but she's responding to a wish for everyone's sake. It was someone who doesn't belong anywhere. For short, it's someone who doesn't fit in any category - just in between"
"I'm tired of your nonsense, Siren"
Bismarck thrusts her sword towards Purifier, but the Siren stretches out her hand and let the blade get stuck in her palm. This forces Bismarck to pull away her weapon and immediately distance herself before Purifier snaps the blade on half.
"You never loved anyone, Bismarck. All you ever love is your pride and honor - basically just yourself" Purifier grins
"Your taunting won't work on me, Purifier. I know how you throw your opponents into disarray" Bismarck scoffs
"I'm not taunting or mocking you. It's the truth of others that I saw through the one in between"
(She's not making any sense) This is what frustrates Bismarck right now
No matter how much she swings her blade on attempt to connect to the Siren's flesh or attempt to blast her regenerating body to pieces, her attempts always proves futile.
I can't reach anything...
A future for Iron Blood...
...Saving my sister from herself...
To prevent my future regrets...
H-39...I may be still lacking...
Those unusual thoughts run through Bismarck's mind while she twists and turn to evade the energy projectiles. One of the countless energy projectiles raining on her grazes her left shoulder and then her right leg with how her focus wavering.
(What am I thinking? Why am I doubting myself all of a sudden?)
Bismarck briefly presses her hand where the attack hit her earlier. It surprises her since she is always the determined and unwavering type.
"I won't let anyone stand in my way, even if I have to crush you. That is who I am"
"Ahahaha! Just like...a Tyrant"
"...!"
Bismarck shakes her head and regains her normal composure, although she is slightly puzzled to why she is suddenly doubting what she has been doing. Bismarck continues to dance with the ecstatic Siren Purifier, while Tirpitz is barely holding herself against Tyrant.
"I'm wasting too much time here. Perhaps this isn't the right time to settle the score with you..." Tyrant backs away
"You attacked me...now you're just going to...run away?" Tirpitz pants
"I know very well what's going on. Besides, that ghost-like being is losing her interest"
"...?" Tirpitz doesn't understand
"H-39 won't even last in a week, so I have nothing to worry about her getting in the way. Although...it's truly upsetting how I can't surpass her the right way. I really do wanted to learn whether - forget it..." Tyrant shakes her head
The way Tyrant expresses her lament and frustration isn't a lie. In fact, she has no reception throughout their brief clash. She may be upset right now, but Tyrant knows she has to settle their fight for another time. This is like just the warm-up for now as it's too early to have a proper rematch.
"Purifier, playtime's over. We're leaving" Tyrant signals Purifier through an intercom
[Ghost isn't done yet]
"They're about to be done anyway. Their Bismarck wants the corpse of her sister back"
[Can't I just have more fun for ten minutes?]
"I'm not retrieving you if you lose your head the second time"
Tyrant immediately cuts off the communication, not wanting to deal with Purifier desire to extend her fight with Iron Blood's Bismarck.
"We'll settle our rematch again some other time" Tyrant reluctantly forfeits their fight
"Wait! You can't just-!" Tirpitz clutches her chest when the stinging pain returns
"This is why I'm forfeiting the match. You're not even in the best condition"
"Ty...rant...!"
"It would be pointless to beat you while you're at your weakest. That's why I'll wait till you fully recover. To be exact, only when we can truly face each other one last time"
The pain in Tirpitz's chest numbs the rest of her body which Tyrant notices. Tyrant, upset at Tirpitz's condition, forces herself to leave the battlefield. She briefly gazes at Tirpitz in disappointment before she completely turns her back and leave Tirpitz who is still clutching her chest. On the other hand, Purifier jumps back after both of her arms are severed.
"The Sirens are starting to withdraw as well, so I'll be taking my leave. Going home without a head is such a hassle after all~" Purifier winks
"I won't let you run away!" Bismarck tries to pursue her
"Tyrant already left, you know. You should be worrying about your little sister"
"...!"
The moment Bismarck briefly turns her gaze at the distance where Tirpitz is clutching her chest and heavily panting.
"She's gone?!"
Bismarck turns back to face the Siren Purifier, only to realize the Siren abandons the confrontation for another time as well. The brief clash on the two sides have been settled, the same situation goes with the shipgirls of the Maizuru fleet and the ones from Azur Lane.
"Aaaah. I almost broke my neck, but I was entertained. Too bad I have to leave for the time being since Empress says so" The Siren Omitter cracks her neck
"Don't run away, Siren! We're not finished yet!" Gangut shakes her fists
"You can't just flee after attacking us first!" Odin reloads her main cannons
"Well, too bad for you. I have no time to waste her since my role right now is to keep you away from the real fight"
"...?!"
"Now then, let's try to kill each other again the next time we meet~"
The Siren Omitter waves her hand and immediately exits through a bright golden rule she opens while speaking to the exhausted shipgirls. Unlike the Siren Purifier, she doesn't want to risk overstaying any further since the defacto leader of the separate Siren faction orders the retreat.
"On the bright side, you have your Tirpitz back~"
Those are the Siren Omitter's parting words before she completely pushes her whole body inside the ripple and disappear.
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" The Northern Parliament's Gangut scratches her head
"Another twisted plan of the Sirens...I suppose..." Sovetskaya Rossiya sighs
"I wonder how are Hipper and the others are doing?" Odin worries for the others
The three can finally relax now that the Siren Omitter and the Siren fleet they are facing decide to retreat one by one, but it's unsatisfying with how the Siren forfeits the fight out of the Siren Empress' orders.
"Whoa! What's going on?" Musashi almost loses her balance
The Hydra with two regenerating heads emits a powerful shockwave that it pushes the shipgirls away and cause most of them to lose their balance. Despite the damages all over its body, it manages to move its enormous metallic body with little issue. Rather than attack, it turns away from them and slowly submerges.
"It's retreating!" U-81 surfaces
"We didn't get to do much..." U-101 laments
"Hmph! That one isn't as tough as the whale" U-556 frowns
The three Wolfpack members watches as the enormous Siren weapon slowly disappear from the surface, leaving large waves with every second it moves. The shipgirls from the Maizuru fleet stops their attacks seeing how their enemies are abandoning the fight.
"It's leaving?" AL Kaga disintegrates her flame aircrafts
"It looks like they accomplished what they came for" AL Akagi frowns
Since the clash with the large Siren fleet is being forfeited by the Sirens themselves, the ghost occupying the corpse of the Kriegsmarine's Tirpitz, looks at the distance with a content smile curving on her lips. Her skins grows pale and her eyes slowly loses its vitality.
"I must commend you for putting up a fight. I'll return her body to you...for entertaining me this much" The ghost dryly chuckles
"...?"
"H-39 doesn't have much left to live anyway. Soon, she will permanently cease to exist with no chance for a third resurrection"
"..." H-39 frowns
"I never wanted for you to discover this. I don't like seeing tragedy right before my eyes after all..."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Bismarck clenches her fist
"All generations, all eras...I've seen all kinds of tragedies, but I don't act no matter how much it infuriates me. I'll completely manifest into the world...but not just yet"
"..."
"It genuinely saddens me with what fate awaits you and the rest of your comrades. If only such sweetness could last...but it will undoubtedly end in a bittersweet manner"
The ghost turns her back away from KC Bismarck and H-39, her confident and sinister expression vanishes for a sorrowful and pitiful expression. Bismarck takes one step forward in attempt to chase after the walking corpse, but H-49 blocks her with her arm.
"Wha-?!"
"Let it be. She will return right where she came from..."
Bismarck immediately straightens herself and allow the walking corpse to disappear from the sight, albeit reluctantly. Upset at how the situation turns out for her, Bismarck bites her lip since she is still unable to process how the sister she has been talking to has been actually dead for an unknown amount of time.
Later...
The shipgirls from both the Maizuru naval district and Azur Lane both return to the partially bombarded base. There are injured humans, but the damage is minimal due to the quick interception and defense when the Sirens suddenly attacked. The injured shipgirls treats their minor and moderate injuries, wrapping bandages on their open wounds and pressing ice packs on their bruises and aching muscles.
"Bismarck, there you are" Nelson rushes to her
"Nelson, what's the matter?"
"C-come follow me. I don't think I can tell it to you..."
Bismarck is slightly confused, but she shrugs her shoulders and follows after the unusually nervous Nelson. She guides Bismarck to where some of the shipgirls from both sides are gathered, resting and treating their injuries at the same time.
"...?!"
What catches Bismarck's attention is the body lifelessly laying near the mixed shipgirls. Bismarck, with tears streaming down her eyes, slowly approaches the body while the other shipgirls either leaves the scene or silently witnesses the situation. Bismarck's shaking hands slowly reaches for the pale and cold cheeks of the corpse in front of her.
"Tirpitz..." Her lips are shaking
"She fulfilled her word and returned her body. Your sister, who has been dead for months...is back being a corpse..." H-39 approaches her and gently taps her shoulder
"If only I noticed...then..." Bismarck bites her lip
"It's not your fault" H-39 attempts to comfort her
"She's right. It's not yours..."
"...?!"
"It's mine"
Iron Blood's Tirpitz walks towards the scene with her older sister standing beside her, silent knowing the tension in the atmosphere.
"You're - why...?" Bismarck rubs her eyes
"I'm not going to run away anymore. I've done childish things and caused trouble for my sister, so I'm here to take responsibility for once...even if I didn't caused serious harm" Tirpitz sighs
"My fellow Iron Blood allies mutually agreed to simply imprison Tirpitz once we return. Even if Tirpitz has yet to cause serious damage, what she did is treason and desertion. The same punishment goes for our Prinz Eugen" AL Bismarck explains
Tirpitz notices the corpse in front of her and removes her cap as if she paying respect for the loss she is not responsible for.
"Even if you caused trouble, I don't blame you for what happened. I'm a bit angry for siding with the Sirens like an idiot, but I know it's not your fault for what happened to my Tirpitz" KC Bismarck
"Bismarck..."
"I-I just need some alone time...to properly mourn my sister whose body has been used without my knowledge" KC Bismarck turns away
The other shipgirls decides to leave the scene as well, respecting KC Bismarck's wish to grieve and mourn for her deceased sister.
"Let's go" AL Bismarck taps Tirpitz's shoulder
"Right..." Tirpitz nods
The two Iron Blood sisters immediately leaves the scene, also understanding and respecting KC Bismarck's situation. Anyone needs some time to come into terms with loss and grief, specially with how the body of her younger sister has been occupied for months.
"I'll explain everything later..." H-39 faintly exhales
H-39 knows she has several questions to answer, but KC Bismarck is not in the right emotional condition. Just like the rest, she allows her to stabilize her own emotions before they can speak to each other without a weight in their chest.
"There has to be a way to make things right..." Tirpitz still feels somewhat responsible
"You can't bring back dead people, Tirpitz. That's not how the world works" AL Bismarck
"You're forgetting I exist..." H-39 interrupts their conversation
"H-39? Right, you've been brought back twice now...but you won't last long" Tirpitz remembers
"They are humans and not made from nental cubes" Bismarck points out
"I once accessed the World Tree, so there has to be a solution there somewhere..."
"Are you feeling guilty too?" Tirpitz notices
H-39 touches the small crack on her lower right cheek and recalls the cause snd results of her careless and desperate actions.
"I killed you. Aren't you furious at me right now?" H-39 sighs
"...No"
"If you're going to ask me whether I'm still angry as well, then my answer is I don't have room for anger right now. You're dying, aren't you?" Bismarck crosses her arms
"I just don't understand this past to timeline..." H-39 turns away
"Don't be mistaken, I haven't forgiven you for the moment you killed Tirpitz and Odin. I'll have you answer to that once I recover my strength. Returning to this timeline has been exhausting for me"
"You're too tired to vent out your interrupted hatred, huh. That's right...I never let personal emotions rule my reasoning after all..." H-39 takes several steps forward
"Where are you going?" Bismarck asks
"Since I will only last for three to five days at best, I might as well make the most of it...and mend the events I made you two go through"
H-39 briefly limps away before steadying her walking while both Bismarck and Tirpitz aren't sure what to feel with the current situation. Not too long ago, they are fighting each other, but now they are standing in front of each other with little animosity. On the other hand, Admiral Hipper lightly smacks her Prinz Eugen's bouncy chests while Mainz awkwardly twitches her lips.
"Idiot, idiot, idiot! Idiot Eugen!" Admiral Hipper pouts and repeatedly shouts
"I'm surrendering like you wanted. You should be happy about it..." Prinz Eugen sighs
"Doesn't matter! You're an idiot for causing us so much trouble!"
"Whatever. I have no plan to commit suicide again, so you don't have anything to worry, my tsundere washboard sister"
"Who the hell are you calling a tsundere washboard!"
Right before Admiral Hipper pounces at Prinz Eugen like a feral beast, both Odin and Mainz has to drag the blindly furious Admiral Hipper away, much to Prinz Eugen's complete amusement. Watching them in the distance, Prince of Wales and King George V enjoys the entertainment from the two heavy cruiser sisters.
"Aren't you going to say anything to Eugen now that she and Tirpitz chose to surrender?" King George V raises an eyebrow
"I'll let her enjoy her sisterly reunion with Hipper and Mainz. I'm fine as long as she doesn't cause another trouble" Prince of Wales' sighs
"Hahaha. I expected for you to say that"
King George V finds the considerate yet vigilant side of her younger sister to be adorable as she always behaves so disciplined and serious due to her duty in the Royal navy. They're not the only one who are observing though.
"King George V, huh" Kaga grits her teeth
"Calm down, Kaga. We're not going to do anything to non-hostile insects" Akagi devilishly smiles
"Akagi...?"
"Although, the moment she draws her sword on us...I'll turn her to ash myself. Anything and anyone a threat to my commander's interests...should be immediately disposed after all~"
(She is madly in love the commander...and that's scaring me half of the time...)
Kaga whispers it in her thoughts, slightly feeling concerned for her own sake and for other's sake since Akagi is a volatile and dangerous ally that is difficult to keep in check. Thankfully, Akagi deeply cares for her Sakura Empire allies and devotes herself to her beloved commander.
Unknown Siren base...
After the assault at the Royal navy base, the Sirens responsible for the attack immediately report back to base with the Siren Omitter being the only one with a wide grin across her face. The Siren Empress greets back the other Sirens with a content smile, but she loosens it when an extras follows them back.
"Well, look who's still alive and well. How was being trapped in a excess archive feels like?" The Siren Empress chuckles
"Tirpitz only agreed to join you in exchange for one thing, but she strained herself more than I expected" Tyrant is in an unpleasant mood
"That's what I meant when I said she has a time limit. What was granted to her shouldn't be burdened too much. That should be expected since you interfered after all"
"That's right. You were too impatient for some reason" The Siren Omitter points at her
Tyrant frowns and faintly grunts when the two Siren points the blame to her. She isn't supposed to be present in that battle, but she chooses to appear and briefly fights Tirpitz.
"It's fine, isn't it? I mean we all know they're cooping up in Miaizuru naval district. They're also tired since they came to face not just Sirens, but the Hydra as well" The Siren Purifier steps in
"That doesn't mean we can just storm their base. Well, even if we don't strike directly now, we have someone regularly passing information to us there" Tyrant massages the back of her neck
"Regarding information, it would seem Tirpitz did really choose to surrender herself back to her own allies along with Prinz Eugen just as Progenitor had foreseen" The Empress smirked
(A Siren that doesn't dictate the future but observes the course events. What a troublesome one...but I have no intentions of dying prematurely)
Tyrant views this as a threat, but she knows the Siren in question is far beyond her that the thought of challenging her is suicidal.
"Don't be too upset, Tyrant. You'll get your opportunity once the Maizuru fleet moves out" Empress assures her
"Yeah! I can make a big commotion too!" Purifier if clearly excited"
"Shut it. I'm not bringing someone as troublesome as you" Tyrant scoffs
The Siren Purifier lightly hits her on her shoulders in protest of her refusal, but Tyrant knocks her away with a single push. She is still not in the mood for an games or leisure with anyone.
"Although, I'm wondering if you're willing to temporarily lend me one of your ancient weapons" Tyrant faintly smiles
"Don't push your luck, Tyrant. Those three wepaons are personal creations of Progenitor. It's not a toy you can simply deploy...specially by the likes of you"
The Siren Empress immediately rejects Tyrant's request much to the latter's mild dismay. It's expected the Siren wouldn't be too keen in lending three prized weapons to someone volatile like Tyrant.
"Then, I'll just have to directly ask Progenitor. I mean those are her wepaons after all" Tyrant faintly chuckles
"If you get annihilated to pieces, then it's your fault" Omitter covers her mouth while giggling
"Since the matter between you and Tirpitz will be settled soon, it's best you get prepared for the outcome, no?" The Siren Empress narrows her eyes
"Even if I don't act much now, what's bound to happen will be always bound to happen. Not even those shipgirls can change the outcome"
"I admit it won't end sweetly for them, but it will be a difficult choice they have to accept"
The Siren Empress, aware of the outcome through her creator, gives a vague hint to Tyrant who raises an eyebrow out of genuine curiosity. The way the Empress smirks means the current event will stir for better or for worse, but nothing will ever change what's has been sealed.
I can hear a voice repeatedly echoing inside my head...
Did I die again? It doesn't feel like that way though...
That feral beast. I couldn't hear her voice this time...
Then...whose voice am I hearing...?
All I can hear are neverending sorrow and loneliness...
I feel so warm and sleepy all of a sudden...
Extra
After the short battle's conclusion, Mikasa and the others learn of the the whole assault by the Sirens. Fortunately, half of Azur Lane are present there as the Royal navy wouldn't be sufficient to fend off the Siren fleet with a colossal Siren weapon.
"The Siren Omitter and the Siren Purifier working together? Now I didn't expect this..." Shoukaku is shocked
"I'm glad Bismarck and the others are alright. It's even better now that Tirpitz decides to surrender herself after deserting Iron Blood" Mikasa crosses her arms and nods
"Thank goodness for Eugen as well. I bet Hipper is scolding her right now" Z23 giggles
Even if they aren't part of the whole clash which ends with the Sirens suddenly retreating, they're all relieved that there are no casualty, just seriously hurt since they have to face an ancient wepaon as well.
"Everyone's happy. What did I miss?" Zuikaku joins in the discussion
"Zuikaku! Where have you been? I've been looking for you since this morning" Shoukaku pouts
"Don't get too angry, Shoukaku-nee. I got a bit bored and decided to explore outside the base. I don't have horns or ears, so there's nothing suspicious about me"
Zuikaku may be the Sakura Empire version of the Maizuru fleet's Zuikaku, and she doesn't possess any unusual human characteristics, but Shoukaku drops her jaw when Zuikaku casually reveals she wanders off on her own again. She's not a resident of the world, so Shoukaku shouldn't be carelessly wandering by herself.
"Zuikaku, don't wander off even if there are no enemies present. We're still strangers to this world" Mikasa scolds her
"That's right. At least tell me before you go off exploring" Shoukaku joins in scolding her
"Hahaha. I won't do it again" Zuikaku wryly laughs
"Anyway, the Sirens attacked the Royal navy base at Ireland, but they managed to fend them off without casualty. The black mental cube is missing, but the two troublemakers have been secured" Mikasa briefly explains
"Tirpitz and Eugen surrendered? Hmm...I suppose they did the right thing. At least Iron Blood resolved their issue. How about us and our search for the mysterious Siren?" Zuikaku scratches her head
Mikasa certainly looks upset, grunting and staring at the ground still crossing her arms. From the looks of it, they have little progress on their search.
"For the Sirens weapons to be actively used, then thet means Progenitor is active again. If she's awake, then something will stir up in the near future" Mikasa guesses
"What makes you say that?" Z23 looks up
"How should I say this? That Siren personally acts of shows up whenever there's a large or dangerous event. She is the Creator's sister which can be also called the other half, but Progenitor primarily observes humanity and Sirens alike"
"Heh. An spectator who only acts if it doesn't please her" Shoukaku scoffs
"..." Zuikaku stands in silence
"The only way to learn more about her is through her Sirens which is either Omitter or Empress, but we missed the opportunity to ask Omitter herself" Mikasa sighs
Mikasa has been tracking and investigating lingering traces of the Siren Progenitor, so she is dismayed that she is unable to learn more information from the Siren's creations. She sounds that others have time to ask Omitter during the battle, namely Bismarck.
"I'm worried about the important event part. Is it good or had?" Z23 swallows her breath
"It can be any of the two. So long as it doesn't result to complete obliteration, Progenitor won't interfere with humanity's affairs"
"I wish we can get this over with and go home. The Sirens in our world are annoying enough" Zuikaku exhales
"Don't worry. I have a feeling we will return to our own world soon. I mean Bismarck somehow got those two troublemakers to give up themselves" Mikasa in confident
"I-I hope this doesn't jinx us or anything..."
Z23 trembles out of anxiety whether they would encounter unexpected danger before they could all return to Azur Lane. Nothing is always too easy. There will be always a moment of risk in between their comfort and peace.
"I do hope they would get enough rest. We can't have a show with all the actors exhausted after all"
Belfast looks over the Maizuru naval district from a high ground with a slightly sinister yet gentle smile curving on her lips. She claims she will stay neutral in the entire situation with Littorio mildly taking the same part as well.
"Everything is going as you had indeed foreseen, Progenitor. Then again, she's helping us fulfill it. No wonder Enterprise is in a bad mood" Belfast chuckles while her gaze is locked into the peaceful base
The shipgirls within the naval base, the residents and the Azur Lane ones alike, go about their day unaware of the observer experiencing an odd form of entertainment while being part of the current situation herself despite the fact she's always absent. Fortunately for her, Mainz and Kaga remain unaware of her true intentions for agreeing to tag along with them.
[Are you sure you're not going to help them?]
A shadow tears open the boundary between two different dimensions, corroding and tearing the space right beside Belfast. The latter remains calm and expresses a satisfied expression when s humanoid being emerges out of the improperly opened rift.
"I made a vow of neutrality, and I intend to keep it. My...employer has no intention of directly acting herself since she is too occupied with her sister" Belfast immediately responds
[Even though you're a shipgirl, you're allowing them to die]
"Living beings are bound to die, but that death is none of my concern..." Belfast assures the shadow
[Hmm. You're dedicated to your duty, huh]
"Of course. I am a maid after all" Belfast proudly replies
The shadow overlays a proper appearance to a have an easier conversation with Belfast, but the appearance it is mimicking does the opposite. Belfast widens her eyes in surprise before frowning in displeasure.
"Chapayev..."
Belfast utters the name of the shadow's current appearance after it completely steps out of the portal.
"Sorry, she's a goner. I can't last long without having an anchor linked to this world"
"..."
"Although, the condition set for me to be able to truly incarnate is..."
Chapayev's shadows freely explains what she needs to do to fulfill her only goal without concern whether Belfast will reveal it to anyone or not.
"...I see. What Observer Alpha mockingly warned me is no lie after all"
"Don't worry. Ten days from now, I will be on your allies' side"
"..." Belfast is somewhat uneasy
[This is what it means to fulfill a vow after all...]
The shadow removes the appearance of a deceased shipgirl as she inserts a part of her body back into the unstable and lazily opened rift.
[I look forward meeting you again...after I incarnate into this world]
The shadow retreats its whole body inside the rift which appears like shattered glass rather than a stable portal. Even when Belfasts insists on remaining neutral, she worries for her allies' future while she continues to observe the peaceful naval base.
How will the future unfold for everyone? I know you cannot tell me now, but I wish you could tell me...Bismarck.