As soon as Akagi recovers, she and Kaga return to the Sakura Empire with Bismarck escorting them personally to ensure their safe return. They got injured within Iron Blood territory, so she feels the need to at least take a form of responsibility for their safe return.
"You really have gotten soft, Bismarck"
Akagi sits down and inhales a bit of a warm tea aroma to calm her nerves and ease her exhaustion.
"Neumark inspected the rigging and found no sign of tampering. If it's clear, then I see no reason to accuse you of sabotage" Bismarck stares at her cup of tea
"Truthfully speaking, there was no need to sabotage it. I realized the chances of failure were higher than success.....but I wanted to gamble on the miracle that another Zwei would come to be"
Akagi exhales deeply to express her dismay at the failed process and how she couldn't benefit from it.
"Well your sister was sort of Zwei and META at the same time"
"What do you mean?"
"The Tirpitz I faced was stronger than a regular kansen. She was annoyingly durable and resilient that my bombs are like fireworks to her" Akagi giggles a bit
"........"
"The ability to manipulate ice belonged to the dead META, but she utilized it with great capacity. Not only can she weaken her opponents with hypothermia but she clad her rigging in ice armor. It's only when I angered her that the rigging transformed and further strengthened her"
Akagi can't take note of Tirpitz's raw power but the utility of her freezing ability makes her a troublesome opponent. The blizzard slowly overwhelms normal kansens like her partnered with high durability and resistance against explosive attacks.
"For someone who was abruptly woken up, her ability to wield it is suspicious. She bends the cold to her will without hesitation and confusion. It's not someone who had just gained the power" Akagi's gaze becomes sharp
"What are you saying?"
"Bismarck, are you certain your sister was free of the META's influence? Perhaps she feared the lingering influencing and restricted it in front of everyone"
"........"
It prompts Bismarck to recall when she enters Tirpitz's unlocked room and is greeted by cold air. When her fingertips slightly Tirpitz's skin, there's no warmth but completely cold no different from a block of ice. Then there's the subtle moment of Tirpitz freezing the surface of her steaming hot coffee.
"Akagi, why did you taunt Tirpitz in trying to kill you? What would you gain from dying?"
"She wouldn't be able to kill me. I admit I tried to burn her alive, but she was more in conflict with herself" Akagi smirks
"With herself?"
"Tirpitz was talking to someone that wasn't there and she's struggling to move her body. Her movements often pause for a second and her hand grabs her other hand"
"What are you trying to say?" Bismarck is confused
"It's as if her mind and body are separate. What she wills, the body rejects. Since she's your sister, you should know what's wrong with her"
Akagi isn't in the mood to guess or suspect foul play, so she throws that problem to Bismarck.
"Even if there's a possibility she has access to the META's power, how it will affect her?"
"If by any chance that's the case, then her body won't be able to withstand it. The META may be immune to her power, but it will recoil if she ever tries to use it. It's a power that's more trouble than worth"
Since Bismarck is concerned about Tirpitz's state, Akagi hypothesizes Tirpitz will be affected by the power of the META as it's not an ability engraved in her wisdom cube. She would be simply using it without the benefits.
"Her condition stabilized because the rigging successfully mitigated the corrosive META influence. However, it baffles me why her output is similar to a META when she rampaged and she has complete control over the rigging" Akagi is personally curious
"It's still under investigation, but that's within Iron Blood now" Bismarck vaguely answers
"What a shame......"
After Akagi's stunt which nearly escalated the incident, Bismarck is naturally cautious of any information regarding the incident. More importantly, it's best not to let Akagi near the rigging even if there's no sabotage involved.
"Akagi, did you believe my sister transformed into a META back then? For a brief moment, I saw them revert to the dark and grim form of her deceased META version" Bismarck asks for her perspective
"Her presence was awfully mixed. The output was on a META's level, but her body was that of a normal kansen. The deceased refused to stay truly dead and haunts both of you as a lingering influence"
"Even as a piece, her consciousness survived"
Bismarck shakes her head trying to forget how the META persisted as a disembodied consciousness within her wisdom cube's fragment.
"I suggest you ensure the dead META is actually dead. If your sister is overtaken by a META and you fail to put her down, I will incinerate her myself before your carelessness let her loose" Akagi makes her stern warning
"My sister will not harm anyone so long as I stand. I will ensure she's stable and free of any influence"
"I hope it's more than confidence, Bismarck. An incomplete awakening and she had to stab herself to be stopped"
Akagi alone failed to even dent Tirpitz and her flames only provoked her into nearly killing her. Bismarck may have arrived, but she keeps stalling until the unexpected turn of Tirpitz stabbing herself occurred.
________________________________________________________________________________
Two days after the incident, the affected kansens recovered from hypothermia and resumed their duty in Iron Blood. Everyone starts to relax and continue with their day, except for the likes of Bismarck who's cooped up in her office albeit impatiently tapping her fingers while staring at the analysis on the deactivated Orthrus.
"It says here, that Orthrus should be fixed after Neumark removed the parts from the META rigging and reformatted it" Graf Zeppelin flips one of the files
"We dismantled the old rigging and destroyed it as ordered. I supervised the process for full certainty" Friedrich der Grosse confidently reports
"Although Tirpitz rampaged and nearly underwent full METAmorphosis, it got rid of the corrosion. After the last checkup, there are no lingering side effects on her physical body"
Bismarck briefly sighs in relief, but her eyes are sharply focused on the spread-out files in front of her.
"Tirpitz doesn't remember losing control. That rigging must have overwhelmed her senses and influenced her behavior" Graf Zeppelin clicks her tongue
"I believe it's for the best Tirpitz has general knowledge of her rampage. That child will blame herself and be distraught if we reveal all the details" Friedrich der Grosse looks at Bismarck
"I agree. It's not her fault, to begin with, so I don't want her to wallow in a sin she doesn't even remember" Bismarck raises her head
"What do we do with Akagi? You let her go easily when she could have sabotaged the rigging"
"Without solid evidence, we cannot hold another ship accountable"
As the leader of Iron Blood, Bismarck wishes to avoid conflict with another nation as much as possible. More importantly, Akagi is sharp and sensed something amiss in the fight.
"What's the progress on Orthrus' reconstruction? Neumark won't come out of the warehouse and practically sleeps there....." Bismarck massages her temples
"According to her this morning, Orthrus is nearly operational, but she's slowed down by wiping the system clean" Friedrich der Grosse slides the last update on the rigging
"How about Tirpitz's incomplete retrofit?"
"It's in a stable and manageable state, but Tirpitz is practically left in an imperfect retrofit"
"........"
Bismarck flips to one of the files in hand and views another portion of Neumark's analysis and findings after running tests and scans on Tirpitz's wisdom cube.
"As for why Neumark advised against proceeding with the level of your Zwei retrofit is left unclear. Not only is her explanation vague, but she sets the topic aside" Graf Zeppelin groans under her breath
"Right....." Bismarck is mildly confused
"I think the mistake is enforcing the same level of your retrofit to her, making her incompatible. You went through the process of preparing for the risk and withstood it. The strain overloaded her body and destabilized her wisdom cube because we didn't adjust it" Friedrich der Grosse explains
"Was that Neumark's explanation?" Graf Zeppelin lightly tilts her head
"It is and even explained the file before handing it over to us" Friedrich der Grosse immediately agrees
"She could have explained everything here, but it's rather futile once she's fully focused on the repair" Bismarck sighs
"We can at least relax since Tirpitz's behavior remains normal and her current state is stable. It's as if nothing happened to her" Friedrich der Grosse tries to lift Bismarck's mood
"Since my sister has returned to normal, I can focus on Bismarck META's whereabouts. There's a reason why she gathered the rigging and reactivated it. She's the one responsible for reviving Tirpitz META"
Bismarck straightens herself and slides the last aircraft-taken photo of Bismarck META to the center. Just like before, she appears as a figure clad in black with a metallic beast spitting flames standing closely behind her.
"This time, she won't catch us off guard......and we'll corner her. She has a lot to answer regarding her involvement and motives"
The first and last encounter isn't too pleasing since not only Bismarck META isn't trying much when defeating them, but it's the encounter that is the root cause of the failed Zwei retrofit and brief rampage.
Meanwhile.......
Tirpitz sits by a corner of the warehouse where her rigging is being repaired after Bismarck ordered the parts from the META rigging to be removed. The enormous rigging motionlessly hangs by several suspended chains on its neck, torso, and wings.
"If you hadn't made such a mess of things, I wouldn't have to be in this situation" Tirpitz scoffs at the rigging
"Hhhhm....." The rigging faintly whimpers
"Don't blame the rigging. You're the one who decided to shoot Bismarck and hit everyone else"
Neumark waves her wrench while focusing on tightening loose screws and repairing the part near the rigging's tail.
"The Type Zwei rigging is suffocating and such a burden" Tirpitz squeezes her right hand
Tirpitz pushes herself off the stack of covered crates she's using as a chair and slowly approaches the incomplete rigging.
"Of course, that's your reaction. It's meant to restrict the power of the META's influence and mitigate corrosion. Since it can't handle a full-on META, it's only making you uncomfortable" Neumark turns around and explains
"Ever since I woke up in this Zwei form, this body reacted on its own and began to restrict me. Even now, I can barely draw more than half of my strength"
Tirpitz lifts her right hand and releases visible cold air from her palm and fingertips. There's a weight coiling around her and stiffness reaching the core of her wisdom cube.
"The preserved memories triggered this body to react. Since that person wouldn't hurt another kansen on purpose, this body tried to stop me"
"The body instinctively moved. Perhaps it's caused by her remaining memories" Neumark goes back to repairing
"Is such a thing even possible? Her consciousness perished and her broken wisdom cube was absorbed by me. All that's left is this intact body" Tirpitz spreads both arms in the air
"I don't know the exact length of your situation, but even if her wisdom cube was destroyed, a part of her is etched in that body. The most logical solution is the reflex of the body out of repeated habits"
Neumark hammers the loose parts on the tail and twists with a wrench, keenly focused on ensuring each screw and bolt are in place.
"It will take some time to subdue this body completely" Tirpitz twists her left wrist
"How are you so sure?"
"My rigging transferred itself over the Type Zwei rigging, so it's practically a META rigging in a new shell"
"Like rigging, like kansen"
As the rigging weakly nods its two heads, Neumark pauses from her work and furrows her eyebrows staring at Tirpitz.
"Can't you find a way to remove the Type Zwei's restrictions? It's because I'm weakened that this body is getting the best of me" Tirpitz grabs her right wrist
"It'd be way obvious. Bismarck will find out I tampered with the rigging and it might lead her to find out who you are" Neumark points the wrench near Tirpitz's face
"So I have to fight handicapped from now on?"
"If you try to unleash an output to a META's level, then you might get something else other than stabbing yourself"
"........"
The experience is a nuisance for Tirpitz since she only planned to incapacitate Bismarck. No matter how unhappy she is with the incomplete Zwei, she doesn't have the malice to take the life of another kansen, yet the body forces her to plunge her sword into her chest.
"It feels wavy and a bit airy....." Tirpitz closes her eyes
"What?"
"It's when I try to sense my wisdom cube. There's this feeling like I'm under water.....but I'm not drowning"
In her mind, Tirpitz could only sense her wisdom cube flickering light in the distance. She has no physical form to interact with it, only a sensation affecting her actual body. When she thinks of reaching out, the water's pressure around her slows her movements and pushes her back.
"........."
She could see the light within her reach, but an unknown force blocked her. When Tirpitz tries to reach out to it, her palm presses on what's similar to a glass wall. It's pitch black and she couldn't hear or see anything around her.
"........?"
The area around her transforms into a field of snow and she nearly stumbles down face first while her hand is reaching out to nothing.
"Why do you resist after death? What's there to reject when you left everything behind?"
In the distance, Tirpitz faintly spots a "reflection" nearly concealed by the snow and wind. She stands there in complete silence and with a gaze completely devoid of life.
"......."
Who and what's staring at her is nothing but an echo left behind by the original Tirpitz, so it's neither dead nor alive. It's incapable of thoughts and emotions as it's just a faint instinct etched into the body and part of the wisdom cube she absorbed.
"What is it that you're trying to tell me?"
Tirpitz isn't fully aware of its nature as a form of afterimage of the original one's consciousness and essence. She asks it out of frustration and the feeling of being lost. Even if she doesn't want to admit it, she's afraid of letting the confusion and uncertainty linger in her.
"......" The echo stands silently
"Why can't you......pass on quietly?!"
Tirpitz forces her way into the blizzard attempting to push her back. In reality, she bends ice and snow to her will, but the world within her mind is against her.
"Kkh!" Tirpitz is forced to take a step back
"........" The echo reaches out her hand
"........!"
The afterimage of the original one grabs Tirpitz's right wrist, but its expression remains completely stoic, and its eyes are still lifeless.
Let. Me. Forget.
Those words ring to her thoughts even if the reflection of the original doesn't move its mouth the slightest, but it's clearly her voice.
"Tirpitz!"
Neumark grabs Tirpitz when her body wobbles and appears to be on the verge of collapsing.
"I got lost in my thoughts....." Tirpitz straightens herself
"What happened?"
"I tried to suppress her lingering echo, but I was the one nearly suppressed"
The body still rejects the META's consciousness, but Tirpitz is more concerned at the eerie words "Let me forget". She doesn't know if it's her voice or the original one, but it continues to ring at the corner of her mind like a longtime reminder.
"To think, she was prepared to risk her life because I hurt Bismarck......" Tirpitz presses the area where she's forced to stab herself
"I didn't detect any abnormalities in your body and wisdom cube during the scan. It's something a machine can't understand....."
"My body hasn't been acting up ever since I woke up. I suppose I have to avoid conflict with other kansens as much as possible"
It's an unlikely scenario, but Tirpitz is upset she can't easily defend herself from another kansen if someone threatens her like Akagi. Her body mildly reacted when she fended off other Iron Blood ships, but it's only when she struck Bismarck that the body disobeyed her.
"I won't transform this body into a META, so I'm willing to endure restricted output for the time being......"
Despite Tirpitz's displeasure, she reluctantly accepts her current situation out of the sentimentality and resolves to retain the body's original state.
"If you fight an Arbiter or another META, you'll get your ass kicked" Neumark crosses her arms
"I still won't go all out because my nature as a META will corrupt this body"
Tirpitz is unfazed at the possibility she will be defeated or even get killed out of her stubbornness.
"Besides, I have to restrain myself to the strength of a normal kansen. Even if I get beat up, use my capabilities as a META"
"I don't like you much, but that body still belongs to the Tirpitz that I know" Neumark's tone becomes solemn
"You can't bring her back. Her wisdom cube was destroyed" Tirpitz reminds her
"I know that, but my wish is to keep that body intact as much as possible. It's the last thing I can protect her"
"......."
There's slight awkwardness and anxiety that Tirpitz turns her head to the side. She quickly remembers how many times her body has been stabbed, slashed, burned, and bombed in nearly two months.
"As for you, I'm going to dismantle you if you try to overload your kansen" Neumark pokes the rigging with a wrench
"........"
The rigging weakly whimpers when it turns to its owner, who just stands there and crosses her arms in disappointment. Even Tirpitz is displeased with the animated rigging's impatience a few days ago.
"How are things on your side, Neumark?"
Bismarck pays an early visit for a personal update from Neumark when she initially planned two hours later.
"Tirpitz, you shouldn't be wandering too much or getting near the rigging" Bismarck approaches her
To Bismarck's knowledge, the incident's root cause is the rigging being unstable and overwhelming the kansen's wisdom cube.
"Neumark said Orthrus is clear now, but I can't use it yet. Besides, both my mind and body are back to normal" Tirpitz knocks on the rigging's wing
"That rigging caused you to attack and wound others"
"......I wish I could remember"
For a split second, Tirpitz nearly forgets that she made it seem she has no recollection of the last incident to avoid more suspicion and questioning.
"It's better that you don't. You didn't do anything wrong because you were also a victim of a mishap"
"Don't blame yourself. What you did saved me from the corrosion" Tirpitz faintly smiles
"It did get rid of it......but you still rampaged"
"We're past blaming ourselves and each other"
"You're right, but I still have some doubts over this rigging"
Bismarck gazes up at the rigging's eyes and it stares back at her. Not as a mindless metallic beast but with a level of understanding much like the other monstrous riggings.
"Ggrrr!"
Even Orthrus dislikes Bismarck as it slightly opens its jaws and lets out a faint yet deep growl. It's not feral, just disliking any stranger in general.
"I thought you got overtaken by a dead META and she might have brought herself back to life through lingering influence" Bismarck takes a deep breath
"What do you mean?" Tirpitz continues to play the ignorant one
"Tirpitz, your META counterpart refused to completely stay dead. Even after her death, a part of her power clung to you"
"I don't have her abilities anymore......"
"You can't notice it, but it's there. I think it only manifests when you lower your guard"
"........."
"From the last examination on you, I believe it's either purged or suppressed along with the corrosion. That's why I don't want you to push yourself in battles"
"The META's wisdom cube is gone and that ghost passed on without a trace" Tirpitz calmly assures her
"......"
Neumark, who's standing behind Bismarck, rolls her eyes and shakes her head at Tirpitz's acting calm and confident. As much as she wants to throw her hands in the air and outright tell Bismarck that Tirpitz is lying, she keeps her promise to herself.
"If I ever become a META again and lost beyond reason, don't hesitate to put me down this time. I'd rather sink than take the life of either my sister or my friend" Tirpitz turns away
"It will never come to that because I'm here and I learned from my mistakes" Bismarck gently taps her shoulder
"Don't worry. I trust you with my life, sister"
Tirpitz turns around a bit and warmly smiles as she's genuinely confident in Bismarck, but that sentiment is barely shared with the META counterpart. She learns to differentiate them, so while she's not hostile to Bismarck META, she's still wary of her actual older sister.
"No more lies and secrets. That I can promise you" Bismarck lightly scoffs
"Right" Tirpitz looks away for a split second
"........"
Neumark, who's been listening to their conversation, widens her eyes for a bit when the two sisters speak and behave normally to each other. Namely, Tirpitz being relaxed and fond for a moment is not part of her act.
Later.....
Since Tirpitz is still not allowed to sortie due to Orthrus being stabilized and her recent trouble, she spends her moment sitting by the edge of the base's wharf. Everything is quiet and she could only hear the gentle waters beneath and the crackling of miniature ice shards floating on her left palm.
"At first I was haunting you, and now your husk persists in my wisdom cube. What is it you're trying to tell me.....?"
Tirpitz removes her cap and places it right beside her. No one can answer her, but she feels the need to voice out her troubles to the sky. Some are aware of her secret, but when it comes to her inner confusion, she would rather talk to the air or herself.
"Even someone like you can't let go. No, perhaps something is still keeping you here. At least.....what's left of you" Tirpitz briefly closes her eyes
"Tirpitz...."
"Was continuing to live the right thing to do?"
"Tirpitz"
"Every now and then, I still see myself as someone else. I just can't look away at who I used to be"
"Tirpitz!"
Alabama grabs Tirpitz's cape from behind and shakes her back and forth.
"Ah......"
After at least five seconds, Tirpitz realized someone is standing behind her and her only reaction is just lightly raising her eyebrows with little to no reaction.
"I came all the way here because they said something bad happened and it's not your fault this time.....sort of" Alabama puffs her chest
"......."
It's been a while since Tirpitz met Alabama, so when she turns her head, she immediately remembers Alabama from her timeline.
"I also heard you're fine now but grounded for causing trouble" Alabama sits beside her
"Are you disappointed?"
"Kinda. I mean we can't spar like usual" Alabama slouches and heavily sighs
"Orthrus can move now, but if I use it now, it might try to maul you"
"I can handle an untamed rigging. I'm quite capable, you know"
"You're a hard worker, huh"
"Kicking ass is what I do best after all! Also aiming to get stronger like my Eagle Union comrades"
"You're quite motivated and loud at that" Tirpitz chuckles
"I always wanted to know which one of us is stronger, but I feel like you're not giving your all every time we spar"
"If I did, you'd be a popsicle by now"
Tirpitz mutters to herself while she repeatedly squeezes her left hand. Although she can restrain her output as a META, her ability is still deadly to a kansen's human body.
"Don't you want to be strong like your big sister? They say Bismarck's the strongest in Iron Blood, but I think you can be as strong as her too!" Alabama's eyes sparkle
"Are you always challenging me to push my limits?" Tirpitz tilts her head
"Of course! I know you're strong too, but you're too lazy to even go for a walk!"
"It's not that I don't want to, it's that I can't....." Tirpitz turns her head to the other side
"What do you mean?"
"Bismarck and I are different. This body won't be able to withstand past my limit"
"Did the Zwei retrofit weaken you by any chance? Did they fail?!"
"......It's imperfect. Although it halted the corrosion, it left me in an incomplete state. The power of this Zwei form is unstable......so it brought back something I hated"
Although Tirpitz wants to avoid speaking about her secret, she resorts to vaguely implying her current weakened state.
"Tirpitz, when we sparred before, you broke my scythe just by touching it. That freezing power didn't really go away, did it?" Alabama swallows her breath
"......"
Tirpitz expects someone would suspect the subtle use of her abilities to either defend herself or simply fend them off. Right now, her mind is conflicting about whether she should make an excuse or divert Alabama's attention to another topic.
"The META that possessed me is gone, but we were fused for a long time back then......so this was engraved in my body" Tirpitz sighs
Tirpitz removes her right glove and pulls up her sleeve to reveal ice spreading from her fingertips to her forearm. It's a thin layer of ice but it still emits cold vapor enough for the chill to sting someone's skin upon touch.
"I can keep it in check before, but now it's starting to come out ever since the Zwei retrofit"
The ice on her hand evaporates in thin air without a sign of melting. It's her stern decision to reveal it to Alabama rather than Victorious or Bismarck.
"I can't fully control it. This ice activates when I'm up against someone or when I lose focus" Tirpitz maintains the lie
"Why didn't you tell them? They could at least help you"
"They won't help me. Iron Blood will fear I will slowly transition into my hostile and uncontrollable META form. When that happens, they'll only see a liability.....and put me down"
Tirpitz genuinely believes Iron Blood won't spare her if she reveals her full abilities even if Bismarck is determined to protect her.
"I don't want to become a META. I just want to forget everything and start all over again....."
Staring down at the calm water, Tirpitz solemnly confesses an impossible thought. It's more like a wish she hasn't thought much as of the moment. She wants to add "anymore" to her first statement because she's gradually growing weary the burden of being a META needing to pretend.
"You didn't tell Victorious about this?" Alabama almost forgets to ask
"I didn't. Not even to my sister"
"Why? Isn't she like your best friend?"
"It's because she's important to me that I can't tell her"
"........"
Tirpitz doesn't want to involve someone she values out of the fear of confrontation or being used against her. If it's up to her, she would rather take the secret to her grave, but she's conflicted about keeping herself alive as much as possible.
"It may take weeks, months, or years before my restraint slips. When my time comes, I'll take my own life rather than leave someone with a sin" Tirpitz couldn't look at Alabama
"Don't say something depressing!" Alabama grabs Tirpitz's shoulder and shakes her again
"Sorry. I shouldn't be overthinking this, but it feels like I'm being haunted even after death"
Tirpitz brushes off her solemn mood earlier with a wry laugh when she thinks about the original Tirpitz silently standing on a field of snow. She doesn't move in the slightest, yet she shudders when a pair of dull, dark eyes stare at her.
"Still, thank you for hearing me out. I feel a bit relieved being able to tell it to someone" Tirpitz takes a deep breath
"Now you made me feel anxious because if I spill it to someone they'd either throw you in jail again or execute you" Alabama flails her arms
"You're one the few people I can entrust my life with" Tirpitz faintly smiles
"You know I don't think I can sink you even if you want me to. Sure, we're rivals but we're comrades too"
"Don't worry. There's someone else prepared to crush my heart when my time comes"
Tirpitz clutches her chest as a bitter smile curves on her lips. She still dislikes Bismarck META, but she knows her older sister is mentally and emotionally prepared to execute her if she's beyond saving again.
"I don't feel like challenging you on something after hearing you confess your condition"
"I didn't intend to involve you, but I have no one else to talk to. Anyone in Iron Blood will spell my end. I still want to live a little longer, so I'll confess once I'm prepared to die"
"Stop giving yourself death flags! I'm not going to attend your funeral if you keep talking about your regrets"
"Sorry......" Tirpitz clears her throat
"Geez. You're making me nervous that I'm scared you're always ready to get yourself killed again"
"It's nice talking to you like this. Back then, I had many regrets......"
Tirpitz grunts under her breath when she feels a light sting in her chest because she remembers unintentionally killing another version of Alabama. Bismarck META only focused on restarting her body's vital functions, so they failed to restore her mentally and emotionally.
"I don't want your Iron Blood comrades to treat you like an enemy or someone else for that matter, so I won't tell anyone" Alabama places her hand on her hips
"Thank you"
"If you start losing control, I'm telling Bismarck!"
"I won't stop you because I know it will be the right thing to do.....as my self-proclaimed rival"
"I'm your actual rival!"
Alabama lightly smacks Tirpitz with her fists making her look like a child throwing a tantrum. Tirpitz deliberately says it knowing she would react exactly as she expected.
Northern Parliament base......
Chkalov flips through paper after paper as fast as her eyes can scan them. She nods for a bit for every second she pauses and even faintly smiles. There are more files which are a week of detailed report submitted by Iron Blood to Azur Lane which is closely related to the recent "blunder" and "mishap".
"I see. The Type Zwei rigging proved to be highly effective for Bismarck, but it somehow failed for her sister" Chkalov faces the kansen sitting near her.
"As per their report, Bismarck simply recreated the process" Sovetskaya Rossiya studies the files as well
"This is the second time her sister lost control. The first time landed the lone Queen in jail and the second time spared her of another sentence" Chkalov shakes her head
"This isn't something I expected from her....."
As part of the Northern Parliament, they shouldn't be interested, but Sovetskaya Rossiya worked alongside Bismarck a few times in the past. She knows Bismarck is meticulous and focused, so she's intrigued at the recent incident.
"Bismarck approved and oversaw the process because failing means her sister perishes"
Chkalov points at the rigging's name, "Orthrus". In the report, it's described as a mirror to Bismarck's Geryon but tweaked to sacrifice offense for defensive capabilities.
"Bismarck did achieve her goal of saving her sister, but to think she let her sister cripple several of their ships for the next few days" Sovetskaya Rossiya shakes her head
"You look down for some reason" Chkalov raises an eyebrow
"I know Bismarck, so perhaps she let her guard down when she allowed a fox in her den"
"Foxes are cunning and Akagi has a record for being a headache when no one's watching"
"Do you believe Akagi interfered and caused it to fail?"
"I won't point fingers, especially when I know little of the Sakura Empire. She just happens to have an infamous record for causing everyone trouble when she tried to revive her sister"
"......"
Sovetskaya Rossiya frowns as she's aware of the incident as much as Chkalov. No one could forget it because Akagi attempted the impossible and backfired almost immediately.
"Speaking of sister, Bismarck has gone soft, hasn't she?"
"I heard after nearly losing her sister nearly two months ago, they reconciled and became friendly"
"Bismarck proved her strength as Iron Blood's indomitable leader, but what about her sister? As a Bismarck-class, she should at least grow in potential"
"........."
Chkalov waves her left hand in the air and taps the section of a scattered file detailing Tirpitz regaining consciousness and immediately attacking everyone in sight.
"I suppose it was proven when she hospitalized five of their ships after trying to stop her, incapacitated Akagi, and significantly wounded Bismarck. It showed the potential of Type Zwei for Iron Blood"
"She unleashed a blizzard and the hypothermia forced several ships out of commission for the next few days"
"When comparing the numbers from Bismarck's transformation to Tirpitz's supposed incomplete form, it doesn't match from a researcher's point of view"
Chkalov reaches for a folder on her top right and lazily drags it to her side. She pulls out two files and carefully places it right next to Tirpitz's file.
"It was an explosion in strength. From my initial hypothesis, the Type Zwei rigging triggered something in Tirpitz's wisdom cube and the chain reaction caused her to temporarily destabilize" Chkalov looks back and forth at the two files
"What do you mean?"
"Bismarck was unaware of an unknown variable which caused her to miscalculate, thus resulting in this incident"
"Is that why Bismarck agreed to cooperate with us?"
"Another perspective is important"
"......."
The incident is fresh. While there are no casualties and Iron Blood resumed normal operations within days, Sovetskaya Rossiya remains intrigued by Bismarck's direct involvement. Not only did she lead the process, she got injured attempting to subdue her rampaging sister.
"This Tirpitz is who they called the Beast and Lone Queen of the North, right?"
Kursk, sitting at a corner far from the two, reads the general report submitted by Bismarck herself. She speaks up when it finally reaches her curiosity and even smiles.
"A battleship who survived several bombings in the past and rampaged like a beast. They say she's the quiet and lonely type, but she proved to be a troublesome beast when provoked"
"What? Set your sight on another opponent?"
Chkalov is less curious and more annoyed that Kursk wants to be involved with another challenge.
"The Royal Navy tried to hunt her, didn't they? Then recently, one of the ships she hospitalized is Roon. Does that mean she's dangerous as well?" Kursk stands up
"Only during that incident. Tirpitz stabilized now and back to her normal self" Chkalov tries to discourage her
"Are you planning on coming along for our visit, Kursk?" Sovetskaya Rossiya already guesses
"Certainly. As an unmatched hunter in the tundras, isn't it natural for me to challenge the northern fjords' most dangerous quarry?"
The way Kursk smiles is clearly out of anticipation and restlessness. She claims to be a hunter and the type to enjoy dangerous battles, so nothing piques her interest other than dangerous ships or those who proved to be both troublesome and stubborn.
"My skills are getting dull sitting around waiting for the strong to challenge me. I want to seek out those who can push me" Kursk openly claims
"In simple terms, you're bored and you want to fight someone you never fought before" Chkalov massages her forehead
"Chkalov, will you get crucial data in field practice?" Sovetskaya Rossiya turns to her
"Being practical is the most effective method in this situation. I can record and analyze whether it's due to an incompatibility issue or another variable missed by their repair ship" Chkalov immediately responds
"Kursk, I will limit you to sparring, so I forbid an unrestrained battle"
Sovetskaya Rossiya is quick to permit Kursk out of the opportunity to benefit both sides in her perspective at least.
"That's a shame, but I will accept it. I only want to test if the Royal Navy was right to view her as a threat a long time ago. There was that convoy who scattered like spooked rabbits when they learned of her sailing to their direction" Kursk jokingly laughs
Kursk can't hide her dismay, but she's satisfied with the opportunity of facing someone from the Royal Navy who once nicknamed her as the "Beast" whose presence loomed over the Norwegian seas and feared the possibility of her going on the offensive.
Southern Pacific Ocean......
Akagi clears out wandering Siren Explorers on her way to a suspected abandoned hideout possibly used by Victorious META in the past. The moment she steps in the ruined building, the cold breeze blows past her, but the weather outside is warm and sunny.
"This cold....."
It's impossible for Akagi to be unfamiliar with the chill raising the fur on her tails and the bits of ice biting her exposed skin. She experienced it first-hand against the Lone Queen of the North not too long ago.
"There's something off about you after all. Perhaps I might find one of your secrets here"
Akagi smiles in anticipation and enters the building. The only light in her path are either the cracked windows and holes from the concrete's natural corrosion.
"......"
Five minutes walking inside and there are already rime and ice covering the ceiling and walls. The ice thickens the further she walks into the building, but compared to the blizzard a few days ago, the chilly atmosphere doesn't bother her the slightest.
"What's that?"
At the heart of the building appears to be a shard of ice contained in a cracked cylinder. Ice spreads out of it and freezes the corners, making it stuck between the ice it produces.
"Ice....no, it's a piece from an inactive wisdom cube" Akagi frowns
Akagi steps forward and shattered the thin ice beneath her feet seeing the shard is practically from a dead kansen and isn't reacting to defend itself from its presence.
"I wouldn't advise taking it"
Right as Akagi reaches out to it and a centimeter from her fingertips making physical contact with it, another kansen intrudes, walking slowly and rhythmically.
"You're.....!"
Akagi immediately jumps back and growls when Bismarck META reveals herself with little care for herself or Akagi's hostility.
"It's been a while, Akagi. I heard my sister caused you trouble.....but I don't blame her" Bismarck lightly bows her head
"You confidently followed me here, so that means you want to finish me off now?" Akagi smirks
"I'm not interested in pointless violence, but I nearly interfered when she nearly killed you"
"......So you used the blizzard as a cover to sneak in, huh"
"......" Bismarck doesn't respond
"The other one she was referring to was you"
Akagi is quick to realize Tirpitz sensed Bismarck META's presence in the blizzard but doesn't target her.
"Yes....."
"What do you want, Bismarck META?" Akagi remains in a defensive position
"There's nothing to find here, Akagi. Just a remnant of my sister.....who regained herself in a new container"
"Huh?"
"Apologies. I'm not supposed to discuss it with you yet. More importantly, she'd be upset if I kept confessing to other kansens"
"Are you here to kill me or not"
"I'm here to warn you not to pry into my matters, Akagi. My time is already preoccupied with keeping a close eye on my sister"
Bismarck META doesn't have any kind of hostility to Akagi, but the latter remains hostile and nervous. In fact, Bismarck META's body language is relaxed and her expression solemn as always. She's rarely in a mood to be hostile and instigate battles.
"You have the nerve to talk about interfering with my plans in the past!" Akagi points at her
"I did what needed to be done. Akagi, you were endangering others and my strength was needed a long time ago" Bismarck META reminds her
"Ggh!"
"Akagi, why did you help their Bismarck? There was no benefit other than the possibility of a META's wisdom cube" Bismarck META sighs
"You collected the destroyed rigging of your dead sister. Don't tell me you were trying to revive her"
"There's no need to revive when......"
Bismarck META restrains her lips and shuts her lips, falling in complete silence.
"Don't tell me you have already succeeded?!" Akagi takes one step forward
"......." Bismarck refuses to confirm or deny
"Did you manage to resurrect your sister? Answer me!"
"I wasn't needed for it to happen, but I was present when she incarnated in a new vessel" Bismarck META sighs
"What?!"
"Her body was long destroyed but her consciousness destroyed. What she needed was to occupy a container as her own"
Bismarck META gazes at the frozen piece of wisdom cube that had turned grey.....but somehow emits a faint glow at its core. She witnessed the event from a distance, lamenting yet also accepting reality.
"Are you trying to revive Amagi again? You.....no, we both know very well the consequence of reviving the dead" Bismarck META takes a step forward
"We?" Akagi takes one step back
"I.....attempted to bring back my sister once only for her to rise as an undying puppet of the black wisdom cube. What I brought back was the body but not the soul. My sister turned lost control and so she was struck down but not before she took the lives of her loved ones"
It may not be visible on Bismarck META's nearly stoic expression, but she carries the regret of being unable to stop her sister before she killed a few kansens.
"We shouldn't have played Gods, Akagi. Our attempt to defy nature punished us with the horrors of our own creation. Both of our sisters went mad and had to be killed because of our selfish love" Bismarck META reaches out for the wisdom cube fragment
"......but you succeeded" Akagi is a bit upset
"It wasn't free of consequences. It cost the life of another"
"......."
"In order to gain something, you must lose something. A life was sacrificed in exchange for my sister to return"
"......." Akagi widens her eyes
"It wasn't out of malice......when she overtook her life"
Bismarck META closes her eyes and gazes at Akagi upon reopening them. She doesn't directly reveal it, but she's aware how Akagi is both sharp and cunning.
"Don't tell me you....." Akagi takes two steps back
"In order to gain something, you must lose something - that is the one law everyone must abide by. While I gained something, your Bismarck lost something......." Bismarck META gently touches the fragment
Despite being inactive, the fragment releases a faint cold at the slightest touch, but Bismarck doesn't take it as a hostile reaction and more of a greeting.
"Can you deliver one of the lost pieces to my sister? Victorious META drained a portion of her freezing ability here. This piece can help mitigate the recoil of her incomplete power"
Bismarck META carefully pulls out the fragment from the broken container and ensures she doesn't squeeze it between her thumb and index finger.
"Why would I do as you say? Last time I recall, I still despise you for interfering with my plans and for underestimating me last time" Akagi scoffs
"This is the least you could do after you attempted to assassinate my sister" Bismarck META tilts her head
"........."
"Take it as a sign of my forgiveness, but this kindness won't extend the second time"
"If I try to kill your actual sister again, then you'd kill me?" Akagi reluctantly takes the piece from her
"You're sharp, but no. My sister and I are already tired of pointless conflict. We wish to find respite even for a moment" Bismarck META calmly replies
"........"
"I won't resort to violence unless my sister is actually harmed. Since she stabbed herself last time, I won't take it against you. However, I must warn you not to attempt such trick again"
"Tch. I get it. You'll attack kansens just to protect her"
Akagi is still displeased with Bismarck META's presence, but she can at least confirm the META has no hostility or killing intent.
"If you're curious about my whereabouts, you may find me through the others. They're rather active, especially Scharnhorst and Gneisenau" Bismarck META turns away
"........"
It's only when Bismarck META leaves Akagi's line of sight that the latter exhales deeply and wryly chuckle. She may seem calm on the outside, but the tense atmosphere in the room earlier is an indication of Bismarck META being unhappy with Akagi's hostile attempt. Even her legs are shaking and a cold sweat drops from her cheek.
________________________________________________________________________________
Chapter 18: Hunter and Prey
Tirpitz's rigging has been repaired, but Bismarck still doesn't allow her to sortie. Although Bismarck is concerned about Tirpitz's well-being, she discovered the Zwei retrofit worked as intended and there are missing recorded data with the help of Northern Parliament allies. Meanwhile, Tirpitz fumbles due to the restriction of Type Zwei rigging and to make matters worse for her, a serious Kursk forced her to spar.