Azur Lane: Kaiserin (Book 1)

Ch1: Old, Cruel World

Me: I am August.

Bismark: As in August von Parseval?

Me: Huh? N-

Bismark: That explains a lot, including why you were wearing our insignia but we didn't recognise you. When were you built? I thought they hadn't begun work on you.

Huh? I only picked the name August because it was my birth month and I've always liked it. How does it explain anything? Still confused, I watch as her mouth moves but I don't comprehend anything at all. I'm still dazed and the more I try to think, the further away I seem to fall. 

Eugen: Let her get some rest will you? You're overwhelming her. 

Bismark seems surprised at her comment but whatever she sees when she looks at me makes up her mind and before I know it, I'm being lifted. 

Bismark: Let's return before more enemies arrive. 

<->

I awaken sometime later with my head in someone's lap. Opening my eyes reveal Eugen, gently combing through my hair with her fingers. I can't tell why, but as I watch her hum a tune, I feel safe. Here I am, in the arms of a stranger, and yet I am at peace. It's as though I have known her for ages. 

As I continue staring, she notices that I'm awake and smiles. Seeing that my effort to stay unnoticed has failed, I prepare to sit up but before I can, she asks me if I am enjoying the view. The question catches me off guard and as I feel my face heating up, I turn away to avoid embarrassment but by turning, I find my face now resting mere millimetres away from her stomach. I'd completely forgotten I was resting my head in her lap. 

Sensing the impending teasing, I sit up but am surprised at what I find waiting for me. We're still at sea. Unlike before, however, we are on board a warship moving in what looks like a carrier strike group. 

Eugen: How are you feeling? 

Me: Better.

As the word leaves my mouth, my stomach grumbles and I am suddenly gripped by hunger. How long has it been since I ate? With no other alternative, I cast a pleading glance at Eugen who laughs but points out that there isn't much we can do until we make it back to the port. 

Sighing, I lie back down, placing my head back into her lap as I try not to think about the increasing pain. Shortly after I do, a female that I haven't seen before comes into view and, after looking at us, begins making her way over. Unsure of what else to do, I close my eyes and pretend I'm sleeping. 

????: How's she?

Eugen: She's doing better but she's hungry.

????: Oh? I wonder how long she was floating...did she say?

Eugen: From what I understand, she just woke up there with no idea how she got there so I would assume she doesn't know how long she was there. 

????: So Bismark was right...well, hopefully, she can hold out long enough for us to make it back.

Eugen: What's with the shift?

????: Hmm?

Eugen: You...caring.

The female responds with laughter and before long, the sound of footsteps can be heard moving away from where we sit. To my surprise, as they withdraw, Eugen leans over me and whispers into my ear that she's gone. Opening my eyes, I turn to look up at her and find her smiling down at me.

Eugen: Don't mind Roon. She might look vicious but she wouldn't let anything happen to you.

In response, I offer a smile but pain rips through my stomach causing it to quickly turn to a flinch. A look of concern crosses her face but before she voices her thoughts, an explosion sends us flying apart. For a brief moment, I am weightless as I travel through the air but soon I find myself back in the water.

Struggling, I manage to get back to the surface just in time to see the ship I was on with Eugen get hit by shells but thankfully, it doesn't sink. Instead, it breaks apart and reveals Roon readying her turrets to return fire. 

BOOOM x3

Eugen: August! August, where are you?

I try calling out but my voice fails partway through my cry as I sink beneath the waves. Struggling to get back to the surface, I make it just in time to breathe another gasp of air before noticing a group of bombers diving for my position. With no other alternative, I head back underwater but this only partially helps me as the explosions rattle my body. 

Now weak, I float back to the surface, unable to move. In the distance, I spot Eugen and Bismark fighting off approaching ships. No one's looking my way. Nearby, the female Eugen called Roon is also busy protecting herself from incoming aircraft. There's no one to help me. Is this how it ends? 

Someone...Anyone...Help me...Please...