Chapter 4
A world engulfed in darkness…
Its calm nature was one of unease, as if it was all a farce, waiting to bring down hell at a moment's notice. A place that would fuel anyone's paranoia to the extreme, never letting its tendrils of terror go from one's mind.
In its empty space began small sparkles to slowly appear, moving faster and faster as they spun around. As light gathered for but a fraction of a second, shining brilliantly against this black world, did it disappear. Replaced with a siren that carried a battered rigging, the scars of battle plain to see.
She took some liberties in relaxing, stretching her arms with fingers intertwined, letting out a satisfied sound as she did. A much lighter noise compared to the pained groan from the rigging behind her.
She only spared it a look as she snapped her fingers, clear dissatisfaction in her eyes as she did. The only flaw in her otherwise happy appearance.
At the command rose several large tendrils up from the black tar ground, their size dwarfing even the Kraken. Their task was simple, destroy the thing that had dissatisfied her.
They all shot out towards the damaged rigging, tearing it slowly to destruction. Large chunks were continuously torn off, thrown away as the tentacles hunted for more, the hunger they felt never satiated.
The speed of that destruction created strong winds, the siren's hair flowing gently with it as she left the scene without looking back, the riggings scream echoing around her as she did.
With each step came a small ripple from the surface. As if a feather had fallen into a peaceful lake, disturbing it with but the smallest touch. A ripple that never stopped, forever traveling to eternity.
Both her siren companions could be seen up ahead, though Tester was the only one paying attention to her. Purifier's eyes locked onto a floating display in the black sky, using her rigging as a makeshift bed as she laid on her back.
Tester spoke up as she saw the small siren approach, never letting a snarky comment pass her by.
"What happened to you not being wasteful, Alpha? Had a bad day or something?"
A comment which did not affect the satisfied siren in the slightest, paying more attention to her hair than anything else.
But as the brutal scene behind her came to an end, the sound of a final scream filling the empty world, opened Observer Alpha her mouth.
"It's not wasteful to throw away something useless, Tester. It's actually the opposite if you ask me. The Cubes are evolving faster than I anticipated and the prototype simply lost its purpose before it could be of any use. It would seem that specialized models won't matter this time."
Tester raised an eyebrow at that, not really believing Alpha's words, her experience in the field pointing to an entirely different conclusion.
"Won't matter? You're joking, right? They're the main way for us to pinpoint progression in specific conditions. To disregard them this early is pure lunacy."
It wasn't unusual for the two to clash regarding the testing of humanity, Tester preferring a much more by the book approach compared to Alpha. Something that had only ramped up recently, a growing headache to the siren's dismay.
Alpha looked up from her inspection of a tip of hair between her fingers, meeting Tester's glare head on, making sure that the displeasure she felt for being questioned was plain to see.
"The Cubes have already begun to shatter, Tester. Metamorphosis is currently in effect by the small sample size I have gathered today. We are in uncharted waters, the rules no longer apply for what is right and wrong."
A beam of transparent light appeared between the two, uneven but pure. Spots that shined brighter than others moving up and down at its edge. In its center laid a blue cube slowly spinning, a giant crack on its side, purple light oozing out from it like mist.
The two sirens circled it, changing its position with the movements of their hands as they went. Though never actually touching it by themselves. Afraid that the smallest touch would disrupt its structure, breaking it into pieces.
Alpha had already seen a glimpse of it before, though she could swear that it had grown. Yes, just a little bit. It had to have grown. Needed to grow.
Tester shared her fascination, eyes completely glued to it as she walked.
"If metamorphosis is indeed in effect then that certainly changes the situation. Have you contacted Zero on this breakthrough? I'm sure she will be interested in hearing this."
Alpha only gave a nod, banishing the stream of light with a flick of her wrist.
"I have, but Code G is on a higher list of priority for her at the moment. Our little experiment seems to have affected her as well with that new attitude of hers. She has truly become an Ashen now, leaving everything and all behind her in open flames. The Antiochus have their hands full just trying to locate her, let alone neutralize her threat to this experiment."
With a sideways smirk, she continued. In some ways relating to the Ashen ship, putting her in a somewhat somber mood.
"Though I can't really blame her for being vicious. She finally managed to track him down after all this time. Her sweet Commander before the doomsday, before the sky filled with steel."
She shook her head lightly at her own words, stopping her out loud train of thought before it became a problem, choosing to not dwell on the past when it was the future that truly mattered.
"But never mind all that. Purifier? I have an assignment for you soon, concerning this timeline's operation siren."
The mention of her name stopped a jolly tune she hummed, the siren finally ripping her eyes from the giant display in front of her.
She did not usually concern herself with the details, or follow the discussions about their experiments for that matter. The role she played rarely needed that, her task much simpler.
"What's up, Alpha? Need something destroyed?"
A siren model completely designed for combat, to kill. That was her entire existence, one she relished.
"Not destroy, only fight. I need you to sample the progress from the Cubes who've had very little contact with the Key, if any at all. The Key has had contact with all nations as of this moment. Though the majority has been with the Royal Commonwealth and the Eagle union. The Sakura Empire is in a far third place with both the Sardegnians and Iron Blood having had next to no contact at all."
To visualize what she was saying were several smaller screens summoned before Purifier, detailing the growth of the shipgirls closest to the Commander.
"As you can see, their growth exploded the moment they met the Key. Though if the growth is tied to the time they spend with him, or if it simply needs to be unlocked from their meeting, is something that's still unclear."
Moving the screens over from Purifier to Tester, a thing most welcomed by both parts, continued Alpha to speak.
"I need you to meet the European advance into the Atlantic, Purifier. Slow them down as much as possible and gather any relevant data. The same goes for you too, Tester. However, you will go against the Key's main forces entering from the Americas. We can't let them get in contact with Code G, no matter what happens."
Tester switched her weight from one leg to the other, unfolding one of her crossed arms to point to one of the displays in front of her. A question on her mind.
"Are you sure the status of Belfast is correct? It seems highly improbable, even if she has begun her metamorphosis."
Alpha put her fingertips together, balancing them on themselves. A small smile appeared on her face as she thought about the progress they were making.
"Yes… It does feel impossible, doesn't it? That's why I want you to sample if this is happening to other shipgirls as well. It would seem that the Wisdom Cube's energy output exploded when it thought that the Key's life was in immediate danger…"
Alpha put her hands together fully.
"...So let's recreate that. Make the shipgirls he will travel with believe that he will die if they do not act. Do that and bring me the results. I already can't wait to observe them."
Tester nodded as Purifier gave a thumbs up, arm straight up in the air. Her attention now back to the display in front of her. A thing that earned it a joyful celebration as she saw what was happening on it. Her second arm joined the first as she shadowboxed in the air, a giant open smile overcoming her features as she did.
"Oh, that's nasty!"
Turning around to lie on her stomach, steadying herself with one hand and pointing to the screen with the other, she happily screamed directions to the people on it.
"No, wait! Go for the legs, c'mon go fo- YEAH!"
She was like a kid in a candy store, wonder in her eyes as she watched.
Alpha looked over to the screen, wondering what all the fuss was about, a question answered by Tester before it was even asked.
"Corrupted timelines, she has been watching them all day. This project didn't leave many standing so there really isn't a limit on how long you could watch."
The crack of bones could be heard from the screen, followed by gunfire and screaming. Afterwards, when the sound level allowed it, was crying also noticed.
Alpha watched the whole thing, her eyes nearly glittering with joy.
"Who knew that the Wisdom Cubes could be so… Ruthless."
Tester could only laugh slightly, one deep from her throat.
"You should've seen some of the earlier ones. One second of pure bliss to another of complete chaos. Apparently ripping out their feelings for a loved one and replacing them with another seems to create just a small bit of agitation. Everyone acts differently to it, but it isn't uncommon for the timeline's Key to be killed immediately."
This wasn't shocking to Alpha, even predicted by her own matrix's calculations that she shared with Zero and Empress. Her studying of the Wisdom Cubes and their behavior second to none. Though it's an entirely different thing to predict, and to see it with your own eyes.
"That isn't too surprising, everything considered. Confusion should be their first reaction, followed by total dismay. Their memories will remain of the time they spent with their Key. But now, their entire being screams at them that it is false, an illusion. Emotion overcoming fact as the one they once loved is seen as a fake. One that has taken the place of the Key they truly loved, though can never find. A complete breakdown is only expected."
She turned around, walking away from the screen and the two sirens. Though stopping after a few steps, turning her head with some last parting words.
"I'm going to spend some time alone to gather my thoughts on all of this. You know your mission, don't disappoint me when the time comes."
Her voice became sharp, eyes gaining a small fire of fury within. Remembering what had happened today, how she had failed. But how she had also learned once more, and she wouldn't leave it up to chance in the future.
"Oh, and Tester? When that time comes. Don't. Hurt. The. Commander."
With everything said disappeared Alpha in a world of light, particles scattering in every direction as she did. Leaving nothing but pure darkness in the place she once stood.
Tester only stared at the spot she had teleported from, a serious glare from the threatening words Alpha had just delivered.
"Say, Purifier. Don't you think Alpha is acting strange when it comes to this timeline's Key? I can't help but feel that something is extremely wrong with her."
Purifier poked her inner chin with her tongue as she thought about it. Though her conclusion concerning the matter came to be less than useful.
"Isn't she always stingy about how we do our jobs? Totally a mood killer, which is sooo much worse than a real killer if you ask me!"
They stared at each other for a few seconds, Purifier's agitated look meeting Tester's dumbfounded. Tester gave her that small window of time in hope that she would contribute anything of worth. But in the end, only sighed in disappointment at her inability to actually do so.
"Nevermind… I'm going to prepare as well, among other things. I suggest you do the same. It seems like this timeline actually has potential, and I don't want you to hinder that by not being ready."
Purifier only waved her off, however. No care in the world it seemed.
"Yeah, yeah. I'll get on it as soon as I can, have fun out there. I, uh… I'll prepare in here."
Tester shook her head, not believing a single word out of Purifier's mouth. But in the end unable to do anything about it, disappearing the same way Alpha had done. Leaving Purifier alone with only the screen to keep her company.
Flopping down onto her rigging she stared straight towards it with a sullen expression, all her usual energy gone, not even the chaos on the display keeping her mood up.
"Of course she's different, dummy. But going around questioning it isn't helping anyone…"
Alpha laid alone on the black surface, her hair strewn out all over it. Around her broke black tentacles its fragile tension, acting more like serpents than parts of a Kraken. In her hand laid a Wisdom Cube, Belfast's to be more precise. The giant crack was gently caressed by her fingers as she slowly followed it down its sides. The road before her was a long one, but it had at least begun… Yes, at least it had begun.
She turned over, laying on her side as she hugged it, feeling its light warmth as it pulsated quietly. It was not a hug of affection, at least not to the Wisdom Cube itself. No, it was what the Cube represented that made her cherish it.
She put two fingers up to her lips, touching them. She swore that she could still feel the warmth of his kiss… And his blood. A storm of fury rose within her again. The tentacles around her reacted to her anger, their behavior becoming more agitated as the once slow movements that barely rippled the surface now destroyed it without mercy.
But the anger was short lived, she had only herself to blame after all. She was still inadequate after all these years. She hated that her beloved had gotten hurt. She hated that she alone had been unable to make the Wisdom Cube grow… And she absolutely hated that she could not quell the pure euphoria that accompanied it.
She laid there, breathing heavily as a deep blush overrode her features, her brilliantly yellow eyes showing nothing but total insanity from pleasure otherwise unachievable. She hugged herself closer as she began to lightly shake, shivering against the cold elements that weren't there.
He really was the perfect Key. Which only meant that he also was the one she most deserved, the perfect match. That they even considered others were complete heresy to her. A waste of literal time and space that needed to be cut once and for all. How she despised when they were put on the same pedestal as him, and how she loved to see them suffer because of it.
Today's battle hadn't gone the way she had planned. A mere checkup routine had changed by a single action. She wouldn't have believed it if she wasn't there herself, but he had made it possible. With but a single action had he poured fire onto the already scalding Cube, igniting it completely. The affinity between them pushing it beyond its limits, securing victory from an otherwise undefeatable foe.
It's exactly as she foresaw, exactly as she hoped. The future with only herself and the Commander nearly in her grasp. And even if that road was long, full of hardships and pain, had the knowledge that the goal was closer than previously thought become calming to her. She only needed to bide her time, to let the wheels of destiny turn freely. The Cubes will develop and she will watch as they do, collecting her price at the end of it all.
This development, as much as it brought her immense joy, also filled her with anxiety. She needed to play her cards right, to be perfect at every turn. The consequences that would follow if her plans were discovered was nothing less than terrifying.
There were two parts that held up the siren's chain of command. The first, Respect. The other, fear. And it was this fear that made her cower. It wasn't one that went unearned, she knew fully the power that they bore, and their capability of unleashing it.
For the next phase needed her execution to be flawless. She needed to blend in and not make herself a target of interest, all the while planting the seeds of progress for the future. As long as she did not raise any suspicion from-
"Observer Alpha?"
She froze, eyes widening. She was like a deer stuck in the headlights of a truck, unable to do anything but to await her fate.
She sat up quickly, legs to her side as she supported her body upwards with her hands. Still slightly flushed from her previous emotional state.
"Observer Zero! I wasn't expecting you."
Before her stood a Siren of similar stature. Her hair was short, containing a single blue streak. If Alpha could be described as pale, then the siren before her was pure white. Eyes matched its snowlike color, giving an impression of a frozen sea. Eyes that looked down at Alpha, emotionless.
"I heard you decided to gather data by yourself, could I inquire about the reason?"
Her voice was monotone, soft and quiet as a whisper. Though It was impossible to miss even a single word, each one of them containing the power of a tidal wave.
Alpha swallowed, shifting her position slightly to a more comfortable one.
"As this was my project, I decided that it would be best if I checked the preliminary result of the thesis myself. I needed to make sure that the data collected was of the purest quality."
Zero tilted her head slightly at Alpha's statement. A small frown formed slowly as she listened to her explanation.
"You have a state of the art Tester model. To waste your time playing around in the simulation is unnecessary. You have one purpose, Observer Alpha. Don't overstep it."
A single jellyfish tentacle rose before Alpha, stopping at her eye level. It carried the Wisdom Cube that had fallen to the wayside in her panic to greet Zero. In the process illuminating her in its weak blue light.
"...At least you have something to show for it."
The Wisdom Cube disappeared in a ray of light, leaving only Zero in Alpha's line of sight, her rigging floating silently behind her.
"Remember this, Observer Alpha. This project only got approved because of Code G's continued disruptions. It has cost us a nearly unacceptable number of timelines. If you were to throw it away because of your need to play then I would sincerely recommend a change in your priorities."
Alpha couldn't bear to meet Zero's eyes. Their icy surface barely hid the void underneath, one that felt eternally old. Instead, she bowed. Showing weakness in a moment when her voice carried the most resolute of tones. No hesitation in the words she spoke.
"I promise you, Observer Zero. My will has never been stronger in completing our purpose."
Zero watched over Alpha, silence reigning supreme for eternally long seconds. In the end turning her small frown into that of a satisfied smile, small and gentle.
"I believe you, Alpha."
They were encouraging words, once of trust. However, as Alpha began to lift her head. Began Zero anew, freezing her in place as the next words left the commanding siren's mouth.
"I have decided to look over this simulation as well, though as a minor role compared to yourself. Code G is simply too much of a hindrance for me at the moment, to devote my entire attention as an observer would be extremely difficult. I shall therefore split a part of me away, taking on the manifestation of an AI that humanity would have created. If this timeline truly has the potential you suggest, then I'd like to see it with my own two eyes…"
Alpha was completely still, neither answering nor protesting Zero's Choice. The black void fell into silence yet again, only the tentacles from the Kraken disturb it, none of them moving in the harmonic way they used to before. Their loss of elegance sometimes caused the water to splash lightly, letting the sound echo through the darkness as far as one could hear.
Acceptance without question, that's how Zero saw it. A thing that always managed to put her in a better mood. Her eyes flashed for the briefest of seconds, information on developments elsewhere entering her matrix. An alarm that it was time to go, that she was needed elsewhere.
"...It seems that Empress needs me, anything else you wish to say before I leave?"
Zero waited patiently, but not a single sound escaped Alpha, the small siren acting more like a statue than one of flesh and blood. Another flash appeared in Zero's eyes, the message this time displaying a tone of trepidation, urging her to come immediately.
"Very well then. Let the creator guide you, Observer Alpha. Onto the bright future that we shall create."
That was the end of their conversation, Zero teleporting away instantly.
Alpha still bowed, her facade of calm stillness holding on for several more seconds. But cracks soon became apparent. The first of which was a single red droplet falling from her mouth, soiling the black tar underneath her. More soon joined it, droplets becoming a near steady stream of thick liquid. Her clenched jaw did nothing to stop its flow, in the end only furthering its downpour.
She coughed, letting it all out. There was a small pause, the calm before the storm, as only a small trickle remained of the once never ending flood. The face that had been hidden from Zero was twisted in rage. One that would make any being fear for its life, let alone safety.
Her small pupils shook as she stared into the ground, though unfocused as if they weren't seeing at all. She slammed the surface before her, bending down completely as she screamed in raw unbridled anger. The tentacles matched her temper, destroying every part of the surface that had any semblance of peace left.
The opened mouth revealed the source of the red liquid. A fresh wound covered her tongue, ripped open by the siren's own teeth. The tip of it hung nearly completely loose, swaying slightly as the scream transformed into heavy heaving.
Her rightful place had been usurped, taken right before her eyes. She was the only one that perfectly matched the Key, no other would do. And yet here she sat, having lost for the first time today. She couldn't believe it, she didn't want to. To go from pure euphoria to complete humiliation in the span of a moment, it was preposterous. Her world had been broken by just a couple of words, destroyed completely.
To share an intimate time with one's beloved to someone else was something few desired, most despised. A word she felt didn't come close to the absolute despair she experienced.
She steadied herself, finally getting her breathing under control once again.
Alpha made a loud promise to herself at that moment. Delivered through a raspy and muffled voice, small amounts of liquid still present in her mouth. One that etched itself deep into her heart, the fires of hate residing within. Fire that would never extinguish.
"Zero… I truly hope you believed me before, that my will has never been stronger. Because now, nothing will stand in my way of completing it…"
Author's Notes
I've noticed that a few reviews posted have questions in them, as well as a few PMs that I've gotten. So I thought that answering them down below would be a neat way to answer everything on everyone's minds.
Will this have a harem ending?
While this story can technically be called a harem as several girls will be chasing after the Commander's affection, the ending will be more... Gray. It will be up to you, the reader, to decide if the ending is just that.
Are the existing yanderes "worse"?
Yes, but perhaps not always in ways one might expect.
Will every shipgirl get a chance to be developed?
This was one of my first goals of this series, giving more shipgirls, especially obscure ones, time to shine... Though I quickly abandoned that idea as I found it extremely difficult if not downright unfeasible. The core reasons are a lack of personality developed and canonized by the game, as well as time constraints and fears that it would drag the story out for way too long. A lot of shipgirls will get their time to shine, just far from everyone. I have been thinking of doing side stories however that would not be cannon to the main story, perhaps then!
Will the Commander be competent / Actually his own character?
Yes, he will be competent, but nothing more. He is but a human, neither a god nor a genius. He will struggle and make the wrong decisions at times, but grow from them and learn. Just like everyone else. I don't want him to be a blank character, he will have his own goals and aspirations, as well as flaws, this is one of my key goals with this story, one which I hope I will succeed at swimmingly!
I've shamelessly stolen this idea from another writer called EmtenDew, who at the moment writes a great Nagatoro fanfic. If you're interested in the source material then I would also highly recommend checking her story out.
With that, I want to thank everyone for reading and I wish you all another great day!