A large hulking beast slams their fist besides Tirpitz. A large and stretched eyes fused to their upper arm blinks and stares at Tirpitz. Tendrils of different sizes wriggle on the abominations back and human faces where those tendrils had sprouts can only shed tears of blood and let out a muffled moan.
"A boring meal ..."
The natural light has disappeared as the black smoke tainted the sky and raging flames illuminated the wrecked battlefield. Bismarck lies unconscious at a distance with a nearly torn Geryon shielding her with its sliced wing.
"..."
Tirpitz lightly exhales when she raises her head and stares right at the Leviathan. The ravenous beast's dripping red saliva creates steam as soon as it drops at the concrete ground. They have gotten stronger and larger from absorbing both energy-based attacks and living beings
"Hmm? Who are you supposed to be? A little pest interrupting my new favorite meal"
Beelzebub hunches and leans their head towards Tirpitz until their jaws and her figure are only a few meters apart. Tirpitz continues to stare at them, unfazed at the blood on their exposed teeth and the stench of melting flesh.
"I'm sorry to tell you, but Bismarck is off the menu"
"Who are you to dictate to me about what to eat, human?!" Beelzebub unhinges their jaw
"You eat everything in your mouth, but you're going after my older sister all of a sudden"
"It was only a morsel, but it was intoxicating. I've never experienced such a fierce and lively flavor before! I want to eat her for myself! Then after her I might go after the annoying cardinal or that blabbering knight"
"..."
It's clear how Beelzebub only perceives everyone as either ingredients or dishes because they stay through their hungry nature. Tirpitz briefly glances at Bismarck lying unconscious with her body bloody and broken.
"How do you plan on stopping me, brat? Your sister is the strongest among your people, yet she'll become an exquisite main dish"
"I can't possibly fight you since I'd be eaten in an instant" Tirpitz softly chuckles
"..."
"Then how about we make things a little interesting? You want flavor, don't you?" Tirpitz stretches out her hand
"You're insignificant. In your previous life and this one, you didn't accomplish anything worth noting"
"Ha! You say I'm insignificant without even trying a sample. Can you call yourself a food lover when you're rather picky? Perhaps the other kansens you squished between your fists actually had flavor"
"You little-!"
As demeaning is Beelzebub like their brethren, they instantly react the way Tirpitz expects them to. Spikes made out of crooked bones sprout on their back and the mouth on their stomach sighs open. She's not the kind to mock her opponents, but behind that unusual confidence masks her heart wildly racing and the urge to violently cough.
"Frying meat alone isn't enough. You're so impatient that you couldn't think of needling and marinating your meat first. Not to mention, infusion" Tirpitz shakes her head
"What do you know about a decent meal?"
"In order to savor your main dish, you have to thoroughly prepare them first. How about we make your meal interesting?"
"What can you possibly offer?" Beelzebub grins
"Myself"
"Huh?"
Beelzebub drops their jaws and the mouth on their stomach nearly does the same.
"I'm offering myself to you, Beelzebub. You can eat me first" Tirpitz calmly declares
"Why?" Beelzebub rubs their chin
"I'm betting my life whether you can succeed with making a meal out of my sister or not"
"You do realize you will die horribly, right?"
"I know. That's why I intend to put up a fight even when you're about to me"
An animated rigging similar to Bismarck quietly hovers behind her while Tirpitz remains firm right where she stands.
"Your death won't save your sister" Beelzebub growls
"Hmm. Want to bet?"
"..."
No sane person would challenge someone who clearly displays the vast disparity in their strength. Tirpitz isn't known to be arrogant or capable of scheming, so it baffles Beelzebub as to why she's so certain.
"You've forgotten who's standing in front of you. I'm the insignificant bastard who wasted everyone's time and resources by doing absolutely nothing" Tirpitz points at their snout
"..."
"If you can successfully eat me, then you'd both get to eat Bismarck-class. If you bet incorrectly, your meals will be soured from now on"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"My flavor is unknown to you. There are dishes covered in front of you, Beelzebub. One is delicacy and the other is foul to the core. I am one of them, so which one do you think I am?"
Beelzebub cannot resist a meal, so they reflexively salivate again and let their tongue hang by the side of their open mouth. They're so occupied with following their instinct and nature that they only focus on the culinary aspects.
(I don't have much time. Well, either way...I know I won't come out of this alive...)
Tirpitz curves a wry and sorrowful smile when she starts to feel her blood boiling and her insides sizzling. A bit of blood spills at the side of her mouth, but she quickly wipes it off with the back of her hand before Beelzebub's senses return to reality.
(I'm sorry, but I can't allow you to sacrifice yourself, Bismarck. Iron Blood needs you to secure everyone's future. My death is a small price to pay in the grand scheme of things)
While Beelzebub gazes up at the sky, seemingly in deep thought, Tirpitz uses the spare moment to turn around and smiles at an unconscious Bismarck. She couldn't voice out her regrets, let alone a farewell.
"Food is food - may it be small or big. If you prove yourself a decent meal, I'll make a meal out of Bismarck after marinating her" Beelzebub grins
"..." Tirpitz frowns in response
"I will eat your people as well because I won't spare a crumb, but they won't suffer like my other victims"
"I don't expect you to make an exception. I'm gambling my life away because it doesn't really matter where I live or die" Tirpitz warmly smiles
"..."
"I've made up my mind the even before I refused to leave my sister behind..."
In Tirpitz's perspective, inevitable death looms over her with their jaws wide open and trembling in anticipation. Beelzebub is itching to bite Tirpitz already, but the latter remains relaxed. Instead of expressing her regrets, Tirpitz takes another deep breath as she closes her eyes.
I want to live and spend the rest of my days with everyone else..,..but I can't live in the world if I can't protect my sister...who has always protected me...
...
I leave the rest to you, Bismarck. I'm sorry I have to leave you this way...even though I promised to live never give up on living...
In the following moments, only inevitable bloodshed followed. Beelzebub relishes each drop of blood spilled and their claws rending through her flesh. Even after losing her left arm, Tirpitz never dared to lower her head and stare at the raving beast right at their four compound eyes.
...
Surrounded by four thick walls without only a single window letting sunlight in, Tirpitz feels the mild warmth on the left side of her body.
"..."
Seconds after her consciousness returns, the first sensation that flows are extreme soreness and stiffness in her body. She feels her heart beating once more when she's certain it has been destroyed after a harpoon pierced through her chest.
"What...happened?"
Tirpitz weakly turns her head to the left and blinks at the closed window, visibly confused since she has just regained consciousness.
"It felt like I was in a long dream"
Not the slightest noise rings in her ears and no causes any headache. Other than her own voice and movements, Tirpitz feels silence and peace for the first time.
"Nngh. Now I feel like I was beaten up and hit by a truck..."
Tirpitz squeezes her aching left arm and sore shoulders. Every part Beelzebub has successfully lost successfully regrew without Tirpitz even noticing.
"...Huh? I remember there was a commotion because of a Leviathan, but what happened next...?"
Only darkness and mild headache swirl in Tirpitz's mind. Her last memory is joining the others in fending off Mammon, but her memory cuts shortly after.
[Unbelievable! How can I be pushed back like this?! That wretched Soyuz made a fool out of me again!]
Deep within consciousness, Beelzebub thrashes the shallow surface water around them. They violently swing their tail and smash their fists repeatedly. Water splashes everywhere and sends sunken corpses flying in all directions.
"They tricked me into eating Mammon instead!"
Beelzebub swipes a handful of corpses within their palms and immediately squeezes them tightly. What's left of their fluids and water that entered their bodies pops from the mere grip strength. Beelzebub mushes their organs and grinds their bones, using it to relieve a bit of their frustration.
"I lost my grip on the brat, but I'll take back control in a day or two"
Although Beelzebub is momentarily isolated which halts their infection and loosen their parasitism, Beelzebub lets out a deep sigh and lies in the shallow water.
"Even in death, this dull brat is annoying me. I need to break them somehow to prevent another humiliation"
Beelzebub impatiently taps their claws while staring at the floating skeletons and animal carcasses in front of them. They're not as running as Lucifer or creative as Asmodeus, so they're left with increasing frustration and impatience.
Meanwhile...
Thanks to the Arbiters keeping Satan occupied and Mammon quickly incapacitated by Beelzebub, the Northern Parliament suffered no casualties. Half of them have been sent to the ICU after being nearly overwhelmed by an endless visage of Mammon's victims while the others are forced to lie down after collapsing from complete exhaustion.
"While the plan succeeded, half of it relied on luck" King George V slaps a bandage on her forehead
"It was a gamble. There was no guarantee the host will interfere after bombarding Beelzebub's body with drugs" Sovetsky Soyuz isn't fully satisfied
"Do you think for a moment, the one who tried to approach us was Tirpitz?"
"I'm not certain, but it was the internal conflict between the parasite and the host that caused Beelzebub to turn against Mammon and Satan"
Sovetsky Soyuz briefly averts her gaze when she etches the moment Beelzebub seemingly tries to reach out to them after beating Mammon to near death.
"Why is all of this happening? How did this happen? I just witnessed my younger sister turn into a giant man-eating beast and turned back human after being nearly ripped in half" Bismarck marches towards them
"During your supposed defeat of Beelzebub, Tirpitz was targeted by Beelzebub when she interfered. Beelzebub made the mistake of only physically assimilating their host, so they're not facing resistance from the owner of the body" Sovetsky Soyuz calmly responds
"Why? Why Tirpitz? Right before I knew it, I was told the infection is Beelzebub themselves. There's a parasite wriggling inside my sister and eating her from the inside out"
"I know you're frustrated because it's hard to process what we all saw" King George V taps Bismarck's shoulder
"There are a lot of things stirring in my head right now. Not only does my sister have a monster inside her but the Sirens are helping us"
"The Sirens have their own agenda, but both sides are faced with a common enemy. The higher ups formed a truce with the Sirens since the Arbiters are being exterminated by Lucifer alone"
"It's time you tell me what went down between you and Tirpitz. You knew this might happen"
"..."
Even faced with Bismarck's confusion and frustration, Sovetsky Soyuz's expression remains stoic and her position firm.
"We were aiming to find any weaknesses to the Leviathans. They are not immortals as they feel pain and bleed the same way we do. It was either Satan or Beelzebub as those two are the least cunning and most predictable"
Sovetsky Soyuz exhales while she calmly explains her plan shared with her comrades. Her voice is as firm as her unchanging expression because she's been determined with the plan up until now.
"It was a gamble to try and break them down from the inside. Anything that touches Satan's molten blood immediately disintegrates..."
"...So you set your eyes on Beelzebub who eats anything without a care" Bismarck quickly guesses
"Exactly. They were the easiest beast to lure. I planned to collaborate with Iron Blood to increase our chances, but you nearly died"
Sovetsky Soyuz stops her explanation for a moment due to nearing the part where Tirpitz got herself involved with a project while Bismarck remained unaware.
"Why not target Lucifer? They're the leader and notorious for their ego and selfishness" Bismarck crosses her arms
"Lucifer's arrogance is a flaw much like how it is to humans, but they're much more intelligent than the others. They had the might to justify their arrogance" Sovetsky Soyuz shakes her head
"They teleported Mammon and Satan away before we get incinerated because they're aware we don't have the resources and time to pinpoint their weakness"
Chkalov, sitting on one corner and pressing an ice pack on her forehead, lazily adds her own explanation.
"How about you Sirens? You tried to seal them away" Bismarck turns around
"Yeah and you kansens ruined our only chance!" Hermit clicks her tongue
"We were pushing them to a dimension overlayed by the world, but Lucifer pried open the gaps" The Tower sits on a table and swings her legs
"Both sides were at fault for why they manifested in the first place. Lucifer and their kind were dormant in all states of time until continuous battles reverberated to whatever plane they resided in"
The Tower lifts a small metallic cube emitting a faint neon blue light and stretches out a floating and holographic screen for the kansens to understand better.
"..."
There are seven screens representing each Leviathans awakening and gaining corporeal form in the physical form. True to the sin they embody, Lucifer is the first to emerge.
"That's..." Bismarck swallowed her breath
Lucifer's head gazes up as they emerge from sticky black liquid from within the crack in space. Their claws grip at each side of the shattered gap in space and push their enormous quadruple form. Lucifer resembles a deep sea beast more than the others, but they have several tails resembling a peacock's tail feathers and more feathers decorating their forearms. Their most prominent feature is the golden crown floating above their horns and the golden line coursing through the intricate patterns all over their body.
"Mammon appeared next" The Tower points at another screen
Compared to Mammon's current appearance, their initial form is barely recognizable. The first time Mammon appeared, they possess a thick hide with bulging golden veins and countless hands sprouting on their spine. Their chest is multiple hands holding each other or on top of each other. On their stomach is a stretched out human face with a wide grin and two emaciated arms on both sides of the abdomen. Their primary arms are as bulky as Beelzebub, but their claws are elongated.
"They're followed by Abaddon, Satan, Asmodeus, Beelzebub, and of course...Belphegor was last. It only took three hours for us to realize they will render humanity extinct" The Tower sighs
"We attempted to fling them to another timeline instead, but Lucifer understood our technology. It obviously failed and we lost Heirophant when Lucifer learned we have multiple servers and they destroyed all of them after studying them" Lovers place their hand on their cheeks
"The others were as difficult as Lucifer as well. They all possess high speed regeneration, but Beelzebub has the fastest one. They can regrow their entire body even after being vaporized by thermonuclear explosion" Hermit massages her temples
"We don't possess the exact knowledge as to why your little sister has a parasite feeding on her wisdom cube"
The Tower and the other two Arbiters look at Sovetsky Soyuz since they don't want to take responsibility for Beelzebub's current situation.
"Tirpitz and I had a discussion about the project. I never expected her to approach me and show interest in cooperation" Sovetsky Soyuz takes a deep breath
"What's this project exactly?" Bismarck narrows her eyes
"It was a gamble to eliminate Beelzebub or at least use them to exploit the Leviathans' weakness"
"Seeing how Beelzebub is alive and eating Tirpitz, it didn't succeed"
"It more or less succeeded. Beelzebub is starved, so they're at their weakest state. Since they faced resistance and restrictions, they're stuck as a lowly parasite"
"You're telling me the form they took was still a lowly parasite?"
Bismarck reminds them of Beelzebub's emergence. Although they're a bit smaller, conventional weapons proved ineffective to them and incapacitated with a combination of experimental drugs and mental conflict with the host.
"Beelzebub can absorb anything they can come into contact with and reshape their body as they wish. You've seen it now Beelzebub only acted like a starving beast" Chkalov waves around her pen
"What was your plan that involved Tirpitz?" Bismarck looks back at Sovetsky Soyuz
"..."
Sovetsky Soyuz's thoughts drift for a few seconds when she still remembers being in her office and Tirpitz holding a vial filled with Belphegor's bubbling essence.
"...I cannot say"
At the current point, Bismarck's frustration and worry deserve to be calmed by the truth, but Sovetsky Soyuz stays true to her promise.
"What's so important that you don't want to tell me?!"
Bismarck furiously swipes her hand in front of her. The roar in her voice makes everyone nearby turn their attention to her. The Arbiters silently and sternly gaze at their conversation, intrigued but distant.
"I'm sorry, Bismarck. It was a promise between your sister and I. It was her own request, and I respected her decision"
"Tirpitz asked you..." Bismarck takes a deep breath
"It was for the same reason why she secretly met with me while you were recovering"
"..."
The boiling frustrations begin to cool down since Bismarck expects Tirpitz to do as she wishes and take the burden alone. They're both strong headed, but it's Tirpitz who hides her intentions more.
"Can you at least tell me why she doesn't want to tell me?" Bismarck's hands tense
"It's because you wouldn't be happy once you learned she went behind your back. She intends to reveal the truth once Beelzebub's end is certain and I plan to do the same" Sovetsky Soyuz calmly assures her
"I'd certainly be furious and scold her for doing what she thinks is the best on her own. It was a mistake I made a long time ago, and I don't want to see that terrible aspect of me reflect on her"
"She cares about you as much as you care about her. It's the very reason why she doesn't wish for you to get involved. You nearly died protecting your people and she feared losing you the most" Sovetsky Soyuz faintly smiles
"Tirpitz's mind is a mess. She doesn't remember some things, especially why she went back to try and save me from Beelzebub"
"..."
Chkalov raises an eyebrow and glances at Sovetsky Soyuz. She wishes to voice out her opinion, but she willingly restrains her words. The promise doesn't extend to her, and Sovetsky Soyuz won't berate her if were to reveal it.
Two Hours Later...
Beelzebub's passive regeneration is still in effect that Tirpitz partially recovers her physical strength and the intense muscle sores have subsided. In fact, she quickly heads to the base's cafeteria to snack on anything that contains cooked meat but a normal salad instead.
"Hahaha. You're not in the mood for a heavy meal?" Sovetskaya Rossiya walks towards her
"Hmm? My stomach feels light for once"
Tirpitz nibbles on a piece of lettuce, enjoying tasting food without ravenously shoving anything edible in her mouth at once.
"For once?" Sovetskaya Rossiya sits in front of her
"I was always haunted by the desire to eat anything and anyone. My stomach was always hurting, and I couldn't even sleep for more than an hour"
"So you're saying your appetite is normal again?"
"I suppose. There's no annoying voice telling me to eat the person next to me and my stomach isn't hurting anymore"
"So it worked after all" Sovetskaya Rossiya mumbles to herself
"..."
Tirpitz pauses for a moment as her mind seemingly drift off from reality. Her eyes stare at her plate while her fork is still clumped between her fingers.
"What's wrong?" Sovetskaya Rossiya is slightly cautious
"This whole base is oddly familiar to me. When your resident researcher either injected or made me drink questionable liquids, I remember being here before. I couldn't remember why I was here in the first place other than being suicidal"
Only fleeting moments return to Tirpitz's mind such as strolling past the cafeteria and seeing Sovetsky Soyuz reach for a flower. Trying to recall an image of herself being in an office with Sovetsky Soyuz and Sovetskaya Belorussiya.
"..." Sovetskaya Rossiya remains silent
"I'm still having headaches. I couldn't remember much of the fighting because all I can remember is pushing Bismarck away and everything went blank"
"Can you remember anything else?"
"I was dreaming of a blood red water filled with corpses and remains. I felt big and heavy then I saw a fiery monster about to kill Bismarck"
Tirpitz mildly groans when she tries to unknowingly remember Beelzebub's emergence earlier while her consciousness is initially suppressed.
"I just moved without thinking and everything went blank again after the monster tore a part of me..."
"Did you see yourself in the position of a monster?"
"...Beelzebub. I remember seeing Beelzebub as my reflection, but I can't remember much..."
The conversation with Beelzebub is also vague, but she vividly recalls seeing a smaller Beelzebub feasting on a carcass. Even if Tirpitz completely remembers, she will hesitate to reveal it to Sovetskaya Rossiya who seems to be keenly interested in her dreams.
"Tirpitz. I was about to visit your room, but they told me you went to find food"
Bismarck interrupts the two and snaps Tirpitz's focus back to reality. Rather than being somewhat pleased seeing Bismarck alive and with her limbs intact, Tirpitz notices the heavy silence between her and Sovetskaya Rossiya.
"I'll leave you two for now since it looks like you need to catch up"
Sovetskaya Rossiya lightly scoffs as she presses her hands on the table and lifts herself up.
"Bismarck, is everything okay?" Tirpitz notices the uneasiness in her eyes
"How are you feeling? You got a harpoon to the heart and..."
"..." Tirpitz stares her innocently
"...You were hurt during the fight"
Bismarck quickly changes her words when it's clear Tirpitz is still recovering and doesn't seem to be aware about Beelzebub transformation.
"I remember my heart being skewered. There was no longer a heartbeat, but I walked it off like nothing. When I woke up, my heart is there again. I don't know how it grew back" Tirpitz presses her hand on her chest
"It's fine if you don't remember much. I'm only glad you're well..."
"You look down. What happened while I was useless during the fight?" Tirpitz lowers her fork
"...Are you still suffering from uncontrollable hunger?"
"How did you-"
"I'm your older sister. Do you think I wouldn't notice?"
It's more or less the truth. Bismarck initially discovered it from Neumark's findings and learned its true nature from the Northern Parliament.
"It was there driving me mad and never letting me rest, but when I woke up...I felt at peace for once. My stomach isn't hurting anymore, and my appetite feels light again"
(Beelzebub has been suppressed...)
"Bismarck, I've been hearing Beelzebub's voice in my head for weeks. It felt like they were always holding and strangling me, but I couldn't feel it now. I should be happy that it's quiet again, but I'm scared that this might be temporary"
Tirpitz tightly clutches her chest while her heart race from paranoia and dread. She always imagines Beelzebub's claws digging on her throat and chest while they whisper by her ear with a deep and faint whisper. The weight on her chest and heat on her throat have suddenly vanished.
"If...if you felt like that monster is haunting you again, don't hide it from me anymore. I don't want to just turn around one day and see you're not yourself anymore"
Bismarck clenches her fists resting on the table, still worried after witnessing Tirpitz in pain after her fleshed is warped into a towering abomination of flesh and steel. That monster is devoid of any humanity while it only craves to mutilate and rip apart anyone they view as prey.
"I'm not going anywhere. I'll still be the same Tirpitz when you wake up tomorrow" Tirpitz confidently assures her
"..."
Bismarck's lips silently tremble when her worry towers over her relief. Shortly after being slapped away by Beelzebub, she sees the large abomination lowers their head to Sovetsky Soyuz and prepares to snap their jaws at their firmly standing body.
"If I were to become something else unrecognizable, I won't despise you if you need to kill me-"
"Don't say that. It won't happen. I won't let it happen!" Bismarck slams her right fist on the table
"I'm sorry. I just don't want you to hesitate and make a mistake if the worst thing happens"
"You don't have to fear losing yourself from that insatiable hunger. I'll find a way to get to rid of it"
"..." Tirpitz blinks in confusion
"..." Bismarck lowers her head
"If the worst does come and you find yourself in a tough spot, I'll take that burden and off myself..."
Behind Tirpitz's sorrowful smile is the uneasiness of Beelzebub's burning and sharp gaze. Their hostility and thirst for vengeance is at its peak as of the moment. Tirpitz feels the monstrosity trying to reach her from the corner of her mind, but they're weakened state force them to remain silent and distant from her.
Meanwhile...
It's fortunate Beelzebub manifested despite not regaining their full strength. The Northern Parliament managed to retrieve organic samples from their living body before they retreated inside their host.
"..."
A lump of pulsating flesh expands and compresses in regular intervals. It's more like a tumor with the way it appears as a squishy sack with sprouting veins on some edges. The flesh secretes thin transparent mucus and protected by nearly invisible membrane, giving it a glistening and livelier appearance.
"Beelzebub is eating human cells which means they've been trying to assimilate their host"
Chkalov comments while adjusting a microscope and observing that the sample squirts once every five minutes.
"Mammon's ability is transmutation, but we don't know it even has a limit. They can harden their body by coating themselves in either tungsten or diamond. Satan is much simpler in a sense the angrier they got, the hotter and stronger they become"
Chkalov pushes her chair back and stretches her arms after she's been obsessively staring at Beelzebub's sample for ten minutes straight.
"Beelzebub is aiming to devour Bismarck and to kill me. Although we learned a bit of their goals, our methods won't be effective next time"
Sovetsky Soyuz approaches spacious glass cube where the living sample is contained. The transparent walls are at least two inches thick and resistant to physical attacks. It appears a mindless and defenseless flesh, but no one wants to take the risk that it might escape and consume the whole base.
"They fought Bismarck a few times in the past, so it's expected they gained a taste" Sovetsky Soyuz gently presses her hand on the container
"Why didn't you tell Bismarck that's she's the target?" Sovetskaya Rossiya stands behind her
"We don't have a permanent or long-term method to suppress Beelzebub. They've been suppressed now, but they will regain their strength...and I fear they will evolve again" Sovetsky Soyuz turns around
"If they keep growing, they'll be back at their full strength in a month. Poisons and drugs won't affect them anymore and we'll have a hungry beast who gulps down bombs like spicy food"
Sovetskaya Belorussiya stands nearby and massages her temples, equally worried with Beelzebub's returning filled with vengeance for the culminated humiliation.
"More importantly, Lucifer actually intervened during the fight. We have to be more discreet with our actions until we can discover what can kill them" Sovetsky Soyuz reminds everyone present
"So we have to keep omitting the truth from our allies, huh. Well, if things go south, are you prepared to take responsibility?" Chkalov crosses her arms
"I am. Even if death awaits me in the end, if it means eliminating all seven of them, then I will gladly accept that fate"
"..." Her two sisters look at each other
"The Northern Parliament will not fall even in my absence. Our motherland had taught us to keep moving forward no matter how many of us falls"
Sovetsky Soyuz is completely relaxed and determined in both the present and the future due to her wholehearted fate that her sisters are much as an effective leader as her.
"Still, you're still looking for a way to avoid the worst scenario with Beelzebub. You want to believe Tirpitz can regain herself at the end. You're surprisingly softhearted sometimes" Chkalov shrugs her shoulders
"I will hope, but I also have to try. If it's beyond my reach, then I can provide the eternal rest she sought"
Sovetsky Soyuz glances the beating flesh, but then...an eyes squeezes itself out of the smallest opening. It repeatedly blinks and erratically gazes at different directions.
One hour later...
The clock ticking echoing inside the office seems deafening because neither Tirpitz nor Sovetsky Soyuz are speaking to each other. A small silver suitcase is laid in front of Tirpitz. Inside it is ten cylindrical vials filled with suspicious black liquid.
"I'm sorry...but am I supposed to drink this?" Tirpitz's voice nearly shakes
"They look horrible, but they're special medicine for you. Tirpitz, you're infected with Beelzebub, the worst cancer known to man. You've known it for a while, but you kept it from Bismarck"
"..."
"What will these medicines do to me?"
"It will keep your appetite at bay. Hopefully it will also quiet the voice and keep them from clawing at you"
"What do you know what's haunting me?"
"We've met each other before. The last time you went here was against your sister's wishes. I didn't think I'd see you here again..."
"Did I do something wrong?"
There's no hostility or displeasure from Sovetsky Soyuz's usual stoic and disciplineed tone, but Tirpitz has a different understanding of her statement.
"It's that when you turned around and left to fulfill your goal, I...sensed it was the last time we would meet" Sovetsky Soyuz turns away
"..." Tirpitz stares at the vials
"That treatment is only temporary. It only serves to buy time until we find a more effective solution. Don't forget to take them once a day"
"What...what will happen to me if the infection can't be treated?" Tirpitz swallows her breath
"..."
Sovetsky Soyuz lowers her gaze when she only thinks an enormous creature four tusks and a straight mane who loves to chew, bite, and swallow.
"...I don't know" Sovetsky Soyuz reluctantly lies
"Ah..."
Tirpitz immediately understands the brief pause and uncertain response. Still, it stings her heart out of fear for her own future...when she always looked forward to it.
"It's fine even if you don't tell me..." Tirpitz dryly smiles
"I'm sorry. I cannot say much yet until your memories heal"
"I can only remember fragments" Tirpitz massages her temples
"Let them flow back like a gentle wave. Your mind might collapse if you let them flow like a raging river"
Sovetsky Soyuz slowly approaches Tirpitz, but she hesitates to stretch out her hand to her.
"Once you remember what pushed you to meet me and to save your sister..." Sovetsky Soyuz's voice trails off
"I must have done something foolish"
"It was...desperate times. I once argued with my sisters since I planned to bait one of the Leviathans"
"..."
"You had no choice...because you feared people will leave you behind again"
Sovetsky Soyuz gently taps Tirpitz's shoulders. She's initially reluctant due to Beelzebub's presence and the doubt whether the one in front of her is the same one she spoke before.
"It's easy to sacrifice someone you don't know, but to offer your life for the future of the people you want to protect - that's why I refuse to break my promise"
"..." Tirpitz lifts her head, somewhat intrigued
Tirpitz isn't certain if Sovetsky Soyuz is referring to herself, to her, or someone else she knows. What's only certain for her is the faint sorrow and pity in her locker gazed.
Unknown Location...
All of Mammon's arms have been twisted until it snaps off from the rest of the body and their skull have caved in. Their skin has been completely peeled off from their body, revealing silk-like muscles and golden blood flowing in thick veins.
"They were easy prey! You let Beelzebub fall into their hands. Now they're suppressed and leashed again"
Lucifer smashes their tails on the concrete ground and slams their clawed hand as well.
"Your actions made a fool out of us!"
"It's not my fault! Beelzebub ripped off my arms and started clawing at me" Mammon regenerates their broken skull
"The kansens are insignificant, but you gave them the foolish thought that they can match us. They'll be confident and believe they stand a chance" Lucifer grits their teeth
"Grr! If you had let me kill them, then we'd have less insects to worry about"
Satan swings their arm while the several ice spikes impale them from the back and pins them to the ground.
"We should all kill them at once! We are sins, Lucifer. You know how quickly humans progress especially if we keep cornering them!" Satan continues to protest
"It doesn't matter if they invent stronger bombs since we can repeatedly reform in this world. All humans should die, but why ruin the fun?" Lucifer sits down with their arms crossed
"So what do we intend to do with Beelzebub? We can't reach them since they placed a stronger restriction on Beelzebub"
Everyone is present, even Belphegor, but Asmodeus chooses to speak up first. Their deep and stretched tone is casual and slightly annoyed towards Lucifer. The latter may be the de facto leader, but it's mostly because Lucifer's the strongest and better suited at planning.
"We retrieve Beelzebub even if you have to tear their host apart. If Beelzebub refuses to cooperate, then we kill them. I don't want to put effort in squashing hardheaded kin"
Lucifer shakes their head without a care in the world, but the brief clench of their fist conceals their worry and annoyance. As cunning as Lucifer is, they hold back their nervousness at the chance Beelzebub wouldn't obey them anymore.
(Beelzebub can adapt and I cannot let the humans take advantage of that. If Beelzebub chooses the humans over their own kind, then I have no need for a shameless brethren. Well, they're a dimwit who only knows how to taste and eat...)
Lucifer relaxes their stiffened body and proudly grins after confidently assuring themselves. They only find joy in belittling even their own kind and making their whims as an order. If anything, it's a false sense of dependency that tricked the others into following Lucifer.
"This time, you'll be moving, Belphegor" Lucifer turns their head on the least active Leviathan
"There's no need for me to move. It's not worth the effort and will waste everyone's time..."
"Asmodeus, you have to infiltrate Iron Blood"
"Me?!" Asmodeus points at themselves
"Yes, you. Belphegor's ability can help you sneak there. Surely, Mammon's failure won't be repeated. This time, aim to eliminate the host"
"That's..." Asmodeus fidgets with their fingers
"A direct attack failed twice because of Beelzebub. Perhaps, it's time to use your head and think of something more discreet other than emerging when things go south!"
Lucifer lifts one arm with only the index finger pointing upwards. They imitate the technology possessed by both the humans and Sirens to manifest a rectangular projected screen. It displays the current situation in the Northern Parliament where Tirpitz is finally relaxed for the first time and stretching her arms. Bismarck passes by shortly and speaks to Tirpitz with a gentle and relaxed smile.
"It's because of that nuisance that Beelzebub did something stupid. I want to strangle her in fear, but what's the most amusing way to torment her?" Lucifer growls at Bismarck's image
"..."
Their eyes immediately shift to Abaddon who licks their exposed fangs with their elongated tongue coated in a poisonous mucus. A scheme sparks in Lucifer's amused mind when one obvious inspiration comes to their mind: poison. The patterns on their body brightly glow as their dignified expression is twisted with a stretched grin displaying their crooked fangs.
You held pride more than anything else...but they forget they are facing pride in its truest form...