The night had passed quietly, and after all that had happened, Azrael was no where to be found. After making sure Enterprise was safe, they looked in all available dorm rooms and even in some of the occupied ones, yet they found no sign of her.
That's because she was sleeping in front of the grave to Ash, and when she saluted to her with the rising sun, she was hit with a wave of exhaustion, finally having the night's effects catch up to her.
She had passed out for several hours, while Grim watched over her having slept before flying out to find his master...and ultimately finding his old friend standing over her grave.
Azrael: Mmh...mornin' Grim
Grim cooed and nuzzled her cheek, so she scratched his chin a bit as she stood up.
Azrael: So then, how long was I out for?
Grim nodded his head to the ocean, where she saw the sun up in the sky.
Azrael: That's...nearly noon huh? Guess I was more tired than I thought
She stretched and cracked her back, as well as her arms before walking back into the woods. Grim landed on her shoulder and dug into the tough leather of her trench coat.
Azrael: Ya know...your master from the past is quite an asshole. She insulted her future self and called her a fake after I killed her
Grim didn't seem to like that, but she didn't know if his aggression was to Enterprise or herself...or both.
Azrael: Anyways, how about we stay "mad" just to show we mean business huh? I'm sure they'll understand in the end once we stop being so moody
Grim huffed, and pecked at her a bit.
Azrael: Ow! Hey, I deserve some sort of fun! Wouldn't you agree?
Grim stopped pecking her and looked away, even going as far as to cross his wings.
Azrael: Yeah yeah, go enjoy yourself while I have my fun alright?
He flew off after that, and Azrael was left on her lonesome...
Perfect for a plan of "revenge"
——
The hours seemed to breeze by as Shinano described the future, or at least the future that Azrael lived in. The pain and death on such a massive scale really picked at them, especially the Yorktown sisters in the room.
Hornet: So...I died then huh?
Yorktown: Hornet...
She wrapped her in a hug, which Hornet returned silently.
Shinano: Now you see...what Azrael had suffered...or as you know now...she is Prinz Eugen
Nagato: She looked so similar, all because she WAS Eugen...
...
Hornet: Hey, is there anyway we can get this treaty thing done...quicker?
Mutsu: Peace between all faction will take time, but with the Siren attack against us and with Ironblood now knowing about it, they will join us in Azur lane once more very soon
Hornet: Good, 'cause I want future Eugen to feel like she succeeded ya know? After all she went through I just want her to feel happy...hopefully
Zuikaku: If she's happy...she can train me!
Choukai and Nagato just groaned at the battle maniac, and the Union girl all smiled at how eager she was to beat Enterprise.
Zuikaku: Hey, what's with the noise?! I'm happy for her and I'm happy for myself!.
Nagato: Battle maniac...
Zuikaku: What?! Nagato-sama, did you really need to call m-
Mutsu: Hold that thought Zuikaku...does anyone hear that?
They all quieted down and listened in, and while none of them originally heard anything, they soon did.
Heavy footsteps were echoing in the room, and whoever they were owned by is marching down the halls. The steps were slow but strong, so it was obvious they were pissed.
Yorktown: I wonder who's riled up now...? Might be Washington right?
Hornet: Can't be, she gets cranky early in the morning and it's noon now
Nagato: Enterprise?
Yorktown: She doesn't wear boots...now that I think about it, does anyone wear boots?
Hornet: I mean...some people wear metal Greaves, and some sneakers, but I don't recall anybody wearing heavy duty boots
...
Shinano: I think...our Hunter is...unwell
They turned to her, and saw the faint smile painting her lips as she closed her eyes, possibly using her visions to see who it was.
Nagato: Azra-, I mean Prinz Eugen?
Shinano: Yes...but call her...Azrael still...she prefers it
Hornet was the first to stand up, walking over to the door and looking out into the hall. She saw Azrael walking down it, and she didn't look happy at all.
Hornet: Hey Azrael, you uhh...you doing okay?
Azrael:...
Azrael walked right by her, and while Hornet was looking at her back confused, the rest were watching from the doorway.
Hornet: Hey...if there's a problem, you can tell us, remember?
She jogged up next to her, looking at the mercenary who still didn't acknowledge her.
Hornet:...Eugen, are you feeling well?
Azrael still didn't answer and continued walking.
Hornet: Listen, I know what my sister said was bad bu-
Hornet froze immediately, and several gasps were heard as she was slammed into the wall. It didn't hurt her, but the firm grip on her shoulder made sure she didn't move.
Hornet: Hey! What giv-, AHH!!
She was silenced with a scream as a terrifying and wickedly shaped dagger stabbed the wall next to her head.
Azrael: Listen to me Hornet, what your sister said to me didn't put me in the brightest of moods. So if you intend to take a trip to the infirmary and get some nice prosthetics like I have, by all means...keep pestering me...
Hornet was staring at the dagger stuck in the wall, her eyes shrunken as her whole body shook in fear. She refused to look at Azrael as her grip loosened, letting Hornet drop to the floor after her legs gave out under her.
Azrael left the knife in the wall and walked away, leaving the hallway altogether.
Yorktown: Hornet! Are you alright?!
She quickly ran over and wrapped Hornet in a hug, who gripped at her and shook in her older sister's arms.
Nagato: I...didn't expect that
Choukai: But it makes sense doesn't it? What Enterprise said completely insults not only her, but her now dead friends and family. It's no surprise that she's as furious as she is now
Nagato: Well...I hope this get resolved soon. I don't think it's wise to have your allies fear you when we try to work together
Zuikaku: Wait...then what about Taihou and Albacore?
...
Nagato: That's...a different case
—————
Leaning on the wall at the end of the hall, a mercenary was creeping, creeping and hearing this solemn drawl...
Azrael: Okay, enough with the poem
She smiled as she heard the chaos in the hallway, but also felt a little guilty of scaring the poor girl like that. If anything it deserved to be Enterprise who got that treatment...she'll have to apologize later.
Azrael: Now though...it's time
She brought out a small disk, which she activated and watched as four separate signals from across the globe appeared, two of them were in the very same hallway right behind her.
Azrael: Time for everybody to know the truth...