She avoided such sophistry as to say, “we are shadows of our former selves.” After all, she was living proof that humanity’s best was yet to come.

“Whatever.” Selene blew off the comment. “As long as I get what I want, I’ll be happy.” “What you want huh? Killing people?” Adelheid said, with mock sweetness. “That’s just a hobby. Anyway I’m bored. I’m gonna get some dinner and go to bed.”

There was so much energy around her that Shalikova started to feel more comfortable. Nobody could possibly look at her in the middle of all this– Except the girl whose eyes she did want.

“A Leviathan? Is it a Leviathan? But how did one–?” “Shoot it! Shoot it and kill it, fuck’s sake–!” A cracking sound of skin peeling back– Adelheid peered into the hall to see Hunter III’s tail rise, curling up over her shoulder.

Shalikova felt more helpless, useless, worthless, than she could possibly imagine. She was no hero. It was her fault that Zasha was killed.

“I hope whoever is listening to this takes pity. Please treat this as you would the chronicle of a ship. Tell the world about the brave maid who took an Emperor’s wife and schemed against his Empire for her love. Farewell.”

“Raaya. You are the greatest treasure which God has given me.” Majida said. “And you are my hero, Majida. I’m happy to be able to share these feelings with you.”

“I will read the omens and guide you to safety, whatever your destination. In the current era, I can help you ward off the poor lost souls so you can navigate the sunlit seas.”

“Wizard III– If I were to spare only a single one of your troops. Please name one.” Avaritia spoke in a cruel, uncaring tone of voice. Wizard III felt a jolt of terror directly into her heart. Her lips quivered, teeth chattered.

“You’re not disfigured and neither am I. We are more than our limbs.” Kalika said. “But I still remember exactly when I lost my arm. I remember what I lost with it. People I cherished; a place I belonged to; a path I believed in.”

Homa looked at the sad girl in the mirror and narrow her eyes. “Listen up. None of this is going to bow down your back.” She told herself. And that girl in the mirror– didn’t look any less sad.

Red as Norn’s eyes were, in that instant, Elena saw even redder rings around them. “Unfortunately, for us to meet here in the first place, means you broke the promise.” The Praetorian’s fist struck fast as lightning. Elena had no time to react.

I am unconcerned with justice. My mission is only to destroy and to exterminate.

She could almost feel Maryam’s breath on her own lips and thought to back up, but her body would not move. Maryam had a hand on her forehead, and touching Shalikova’s forehead, only the thin width of that hand separating their faces.

Gertrude was a tyrant. A tyrant in this evil time. She had to be strong, ruthless. All she had was a single goal, one thing she desired the most. One overwhelming focus.

“Alhamdulillah–” She bent forward at the top of the steps, involuntarily dry heaving onto the metal floor. Choking out blessed words while clutching her head, which felt like it had split open.

“When I rule Novograd, you can be the one to crush me and create a new chaos.” “How droll– I much prefer personal narratives. You can have your stupid little city.” “If it was you, I know you could find a way to cuckold and ravage a city.” “Hmph.”

Mona uncuffed her sleeves at the wrist, adjusting a pair of tin plates she wore in each arm. Using her right hand, she tapped on the plate on her left arm in a specific rhythm. While she tapped, she lifted or curled certain fingers to modify her words. “Good morning, sleeping beauty.”

“My husband has been murdered! And I’ve discovered he had so many lovers that there is a veritable community of possible subjects! Men and women both! But the Gendarme all think that I did it! Do I look like a killer to you, detective? Pretty little me~?”

For Elena, she would have killed, annihilated, repressed, crushed all of Aer, with a smile. And in the absence of Elena. She would have done those things also– –wouldn’t she? She would have even, unleashed that same violence upon Elena herself.

“Did I successfully troll you by placing animal life over human life?” Karuniya asked. “Complete failure. Not mad at all.” Murati said, smiling placidly. “Darn. You’ve actually bettered as a person. That sucks.”

Gertrude withdrew her sidearm. She made note of a wall and shot into it. Tiles cracked and fell from the stricken site, jingling on the floor. Leaving a little scar, unveiling plain baby blue concrete wall behind the tiles.

Around her in the drained tunnels there were all manner of gory remains. Taking a breather, she tested how much strength the remains of her body had left. She managed to force herself to a sit. And to then to drop forward onto her belly and breasts.

Murati knew the presence of that single hook meant an officer rank. And the confidently smiling woman meeting her eyes confirmed it herself. “Aatto Jarvi-Stormyweather.” She said. “Rottenführer in the Sicherheitsdienst.”

They had the whole Ocean to themselves and it was pure bliss. There were no imperfections. We’ll meet again. I want to touch you again, Braya. Drifting off to sleep, Zachikova thought, she really wanted to touch her and to be touched again too.

“Yangtze cheated death by combining biomechanics with the Pelagis Process, allowing her to grow backup bodies in vats which receive a digitized education in the form of her memories, implanted into the biomechanoid brain of the new body.”

She didn’t really think about it, but she walked in– –and Murati walked in right behind her. She stepped past Karuniya as the door shut. “So, tell me more about these rumors.” Murati said, an arm outstretched to the wall.

For them to be marines on the Brigand, which was full of other elite soldiers– The Brigand ferrying Aiden Ahwalia, who had suffered from the coup attempt– Shalikova felt a terrible history assembling itself in her mind.

And yet she was also filled with love for Gertrude, the faithful servant, earnest guard, and now, her accomplished knight, who had never deserted her through the years. Her chest was gripped with pain, but she treasured that moment nonetheless.

“Need help washing your back?” Alex said, looking over her shoulder with a smile. Shalikova picked up the soap and started to rub it against her own skin. “Quit teasing or I’ll hurl this back at your face.”