End of The World (Azur Lane: Origins 3)

Chapter 12: Rebirth and Extinction

I woke up in a strange place. I was surrounded by pure white. And I was floating. Did I die? Suddenly, a girl who looked similar to the Brisbane I knew from four years ago appeared in front of me. But she wasn't Brisbane.

The girl's long hair was jet black instead of blonde. Her eyes were blood red instead of green. Her red and white chequered shirt was replaced by a black jacket and her white skirt was also black.

'Orochi...' The girl grinned.

'It's been a while, eh, Kawakaze?'

'What do you want?'

'Jeez, what's with the hostility? I've got some good news for you.' I raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. 'You can live, as long as you let the remains of my soul merge with yours, at the cost of one of your memories.'

'...So I didn't die?'

'No, you did. I'm offering you a chance to get revenge.'

'What will this soul merging do to me?'

'Nothing harmful. I won't be able to control you or anything, I'll just be an annoying voice in your head.' Ah. So she's aware. 'But your appearance might change slightly. So, what do you say?'

'Hang on, where did the 'remains of your soul' come from?'

'Your rigging upgrades. My AI systems were coded into your robotic arm with records of your fights. I've been the one controlling it this whole time.'

'...What?'

'You heard what I said! Hurry up and decide!'

'How do you have the power to do this? To merge souls.'

'Argh! Stop asking questions!' I glared at her. 'W-well I guess I could answer this one. Long story short, I'm not bound by the laws of this world like the rest of you. I can do many things you can't. Not even the Author can stop me.'

Ignoring the last part, I made my decision. If I could get revenge for my friends... For the commander... 'Alright. Do it.'

Orochi grinned again. 'That's what I like to hear.'

I woke up again in another white place. When my vision focused, I realised it was a clinic of some kind. I tried to sit up but my head felt like it would explode. Leaning back in the bed, I turned my head to face the rest of the room.

Was I dreaming? I thought everyone died but... Takao, Enterprise and the admiral were standing by my bedside. 'Wh-what are you three doing here? I watched you die!'

The admiral chuckled. 'These two might've but I was never there. Your commander told me about this curse of yours and convinced me to take some time off.'

'Hey, we didn't die,' Takao pointed out. Enterprise nodded in agreement. 'I heard that you died, Kawakaze. Or do you go by a different name now?'

'What do you mean?'

'We changed our names and requested to be struck from the navy list to attempt to trick the Sirens into not hunting for us.'

'What did you change your names to?'

'Ember,' Takao answered.

'Ash,' Enterprise followed up. 'Do you want a new name?' Do I? I mean, I don't really feel like I can call myself Kawakaze anymore. It feels... off.

'You should definitely change your name!' Orochi? 'I can hear your thoughts, y'know.' How annoying. 'Hey! Anyway, if you're gonna change your name, how about Kakuyuki? I believe that's 'nuclear snow' in your native language.' Kakuyuki, huh? I didn't have any other ideas so I guess it will have to do.

'I will change my name.'

'To?' the admiral asked.

'Kakuyuki.'

After I fully recovered, the admiral gave us our first mission; hunt every last Siren. We sortied immediately, going our separate ways. It was then that I discovered Orochi had done more than bring me back to life.

'Orochi, what have you done to my rigging?'

'I fixed it.'

'What do you mean 'fixed'?' She had managed to instal a laser blade inside my katana. I only discovered this when I triggered something, causing the metal blade to split in two and reveal it.

'I made it so it's easier to kill Sirens. I also tweaked your outfit so it can turn heat into energy for your new blade. What d'you think?'

'I don't really care as long as it doesn't get in the way.'

'Hey! You should be grateful!'

Several days after sortieing, Ash, Ember and I met up in Calais after tracking Siren scouts. We were resting when our radios crackled. 'If you are hearing this pre-recorded message, it is too late. At the time of recording, the Sirens are closing on Berlin. Do not come to our aid and continue your mission. As your former admiral, I have one last task for you; carry the ashes of this world with you, wherever your mission takes you. End transmission.' If the Sirens take Berlin, that means... humanity is...

'Ember, find the Sirens with your recon aircraft. Track them once you do.'

'Rojer.' Apparently it didn't take long to find them. 'They are heading for the English Channel. Brisbane is leading them.' I smirked.

'This is the chance for revenge we have been waiting for.' Grinning at Ash and Ember, I continued, 'We will cut Brisbane off from her escorts in the Dover Strait. You two will deal with them while I fight Brisbane. I will help you once I sink her.'

'That's impossible! They're way too strong,' Ember protested.

'But we can manage,' Ash added.

Ember sighed. 'If you say so.'

'Alright, let's get into position.'