Azur Lane: Sunset
Chapter 4
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The United Kingdom, London -
In the war room George Frederick Ernest Albert the king of the United Kingdom read the latest report from the Ottoman Empire. When the reports came in about the Russian ships disappearing with the crew onboard falling into the waters. He wouldn’t had believed it if it wasn’t for the many waitresses who had seen the warships disappearing, and saving the crew. The British Intelligence have been working to find out more information in what happened to the ships.
But the reports that came in about his niece Anastasia being still alive after getting reports of his cousin and his family being executed. He had listen to his advisers to not take them in and their deaths weighted down on him greatly. Hearing that one of his nieces might be still alive, gave him some hope to make up that mistake. From what the intelligence have gathered she’s traveling with a band of women heading south from the execution site. He gave orders for anyone who finds them to get them to safety and bring them to England.
Then the reports came of phantom ships appearing and disappearing, those women protecting his niece displaying superhuman abilities. With some of the reports of there being hundreds of them who all dress and look alike on those ships. Then came the reports of a flying ship, an odd looking sloop from the reports, it has a propeller at the rear end that propels it forward, along with its sails. The reports came that the flying ship has been attacking any Red forces it comes across laying waste and taking supplies.
Now from the diplomats in Ottoman Empire have sent telegrams reporting that his niece is alive but isn’t the original anymore. She has been brought back to life by Baba Yaga thanks to Grigoriy Yefimovich Rasputin making a deal with her before his murder and appeared as a ghost in the capital city of Constantinople, being seen by hundreds and seen by the sultan Mehmed. She isn’t his niece but a copy with all of her memories and experiences up to her death, which she used a magic ball to show the final moments of his cousin’s family and he read the detailed report.
As she’s a copy she feels no kinship with any of the royal families that she’s related to and has switched sides joining the central powers. Which also makes her on the side with Friedrich, but there is nothing in the reports saying what relationship she has with her uncle. But he wouldn’t put it past him to try to win her favor, especially with what she’s able to do now.
The women with her are the warships that disappeared, Klabautermanns as she calls them. Who in their human form have the strength and the power of a warship in human form. They also are able to summon their guns on what they call rigs. While in their ship forms the crew of the ships are copies of them. They already proven themselves in battle with the 6 warships that were the blockade of Constantinople.
Both HMS Venture and HMS Windsor Castle were sunk and the HMS Asia captured. The Greek ship, French and the Australia warships were also captured with the radio crews calling for help as women with super strength overran the ship and small arms are all but useless against them.
Already thoughts of how this changed the still on going war have filled the head of the army leaders. At sea they would have to fight against human size targets that can easily avoid fire from the warship cannons and small arms be useless against them, while having the firepower of a full size warship. It’s how both HMS Venture and HMS Windsor Castle were destroyed as the Klabautermanns just got in close and fired their weapons at the places that would sink them and then used their full size ship forms to board the other warships where they couldn’t fire their main guns.
Inland they can smash through any kind of barrier place before them and only cannon fire would harm them, as they just use the firepower of a battle shield on any mass gathering of troops or forts. Or they could use their ship forms and suddenly the troops would have to deal with the full size cannons in a position where there weren’t any defenses and have to deal with an army of super strong women from the ship.
“The surviving crews of the ships are now prisoners of the Ottomans. All ships and soldiers have retreated back to fallback positions and are now on the lookout for any of those women. No word of any sightings of Sunset since the diplomats were told to leave the palace. No signs of her for the last 4 days,” one of the generals said reading the report from the embassy.
“News has spread and now the troops are now scared of the Klabautermanns showing up. Most of the remaining Ottoman fleet have all disappeared,” the admiral of the navy said.
A ball of light appeared in the room and struck a wall expanding scaring the people in the room. The wall turn into a mirror and showed the landscape of a shoreline and what looks like a city in the background. But what surprised George was that he could see King Haakon VII and Queen Maud of Norway, King Christian X of Denmark, King Constantine I of Greece and other rulers who he’s related to, all in circling sultan Mehmed of the Ottoman Empire in full military dress, holding the Sword of Osman in his hand in its scabbard using it like a cane.
Unknown to everyone but for Sunset, Baba Yaga has been busy flying around setting up the long range spell.
“Greetings other royals of your countries, don’t bother trying to talk you can only watch and listen. I, Mehmed VI Vahideddin have called this meeting of the royal houses to inform all of you that the Ottoman Empire is leaving this war. All foreign soldiers are hereby to leave within a week, giving enough time for transports to take them home. All military equipment will be left behind and all prisoners on either side will be freed. Your niece has turn my fleet into Klabautermanns,” Mehmed said as he gestured to a young beautiful blonde haired busty woman in an Ottoman navy uniform of an admiral.
“Yavuz Sultan Selim, built in Germany now serving as the Flagship of the Ottoman Empire. I lead a fleet of hundreds that have been risen from the depths of the sea,” the woman said and gestured behind her where hundreds of other women just as beautiful and all wearing different styles of Ottoman Empire that were used over the centuries.
Yavuz summon her rig which is a 20 feet long massive sea serpent made of metal and gun turrets on it. Scaring the people watching, which Yavuz pats on the side of its massive jaws like a dog. Mehmed taps the sword of Osman on the ground and the massive war beast coils around itself like a snake and rested its head on the ground, showing it knows who its master is.
“I’m giving you this chance to have your troops leave without anymore bloodshed. Free the prisoners and leave the military equipment behind, after a week, I will unleash my fleet of Klabautermanns upon any remaining soldiers left behind. This is also being shown not just to you but also around your capitals to make sure that all know my demands from their leaders and refusing it will just results in more men not coming home. Now it’s your niece’s turn to speak with you all,” Mehmed said walking off the stage and Sunset took over.
Sunset didn’t say a word as she played the recording of the final moments of Anastasia and her family. Having all to watch what their decision of not helping when help was ask has done. She wanted to make sure all of them knows what they did, how often her dreams are filled with nightmares of her human counterpart’s death. Then the recording ended.
“Your niece Anastasia died that night with her family. Baba Yaga brought me to life, thanks to the loyalty of Rasputin. I have her memories and experiences, but none of the kinships or family ties that she had with any of you. Which is why I turn to sultan Mehmed for a simple exchange, seeing how none can be trusted to help when it matters. At this point words don’t matter, only action. I have nothing to say to any of you as none of you would help when father ask help from all of you. I’m not your niece, not the niece you remember, the one who stayed silent and follow the rules of royal houses. I, let go of everything, my rage is so cold that it absorbs all heat,” Sunset said as she held out her hand to the sea and a large section of it turned to ice.
Sunset walks on the ice as the ocean around her turns into ice as all warmth is taken from it. Music begins to play out of nowhere. Sunset began to form a tall pillar of ice underneath her that grows with each passing second. Sunset began singing as she prepares the ritual.
The snow glows white on the ocean tonight
Not a footprint to be seen
A kingdom of isolation
And it looks like I'm the queen
Sunset now stood on top of an iceberg that could be seen for miles around.
The wind is howling like this swirling storm inside
Couldn't keep it in, heaven knows I tried
Don't let them in, don't let them see
Be the good girl you always have to be
Conceal, don't feel, don't let them know
Well, now they know
Sunset spreads out her hands as the ice and snow formed into shapes and a temple begins to form around her.
Let it go, let it go
Can't hold it back anymore
Let it go, let it go
Turn away and slam the door
I don't care what they're going to say
Let the storm rage on
The cold never bothered me anyway
Sunset dance as the temple grew and formed detailed statues and objects of Roman art style. The statues are the Romanov royal family all dressed in Roman garments.
It's funny how some distance makes everything seem small
And the fears that once controlled me can't get to me at all
It's time to see what I can do
To test the limits and break through
No right, no wrong, no rules for me
I'm free
Sunset dance her way to the edge of the temple looking down at the city below her.
Let it go, let it go
I am one with the wind and sky
Let it go, let it go
You'll never see me cry
Here I stand and here I stay
Let the storm rage on
Sunset moves back to the center of the temple and stomps her foot on the ground creating runes and symbols on the ground that spread across the ground and up the walls to the ceiling.
My power flurries through the air into the ground
My soul is spiraling in frozen fractals all around
And one thought crystallizes like an icy blast
I'm never going back, the past is in the past
The runes glowed with power as the temple is completed.
Let it go, let it go
And I'll rise like the break of dawn
Let it go, let it go
That perfect girl is gone
Here I stand in the light of day
Let the storm rage on
The cold never bothered me anyway
Sunset stood in the middle of the temple that opens to the view of the ocean. Eight ice torches formed a circle around her and are lit with blue fire. To everyone who is watching surprise, Rasputin appeared holding a glowing cube in his ghostly hands.
“The ritual is prepared, now to show this world what has been missing, that has only existed in stories for so long. Magic isn’t the work of the devil, if our Lord Jesus Christ were to be reborn of a dark skin race or a woman, how many would actually accept that, and not just say it’s the work of the devil. Magic is just another form of science that uses words and rituals, as science uses numbers and machines. Magical weapons are no different from weapons made from a forge, a solider taking a life with a wand that shoots fire is no different from a gun that shoots bullets. And now that I have shown the world that magic is real and can be used to do amazing things, people will seek it out once again,” Sunset said.
Rasputin walks up to Sunset who nodded in response of unsaid words that were exchanged.
“I need an army to retake the throne, now that I have the title of Empress of the Roman Empire, I can call upon part of the greatest army that this world has ever known, the Roman navy,” Sunset explains.
Sunset kneels down on her knees in the center of the ritual circle. Rasputin place the glowing cube down in front of her and disappears. The room glowed as the ritual begins, Sunset snaps her head backwards and thrust out her chest as she begins to sing.
(ᚷᚨᚺ ᛉᚨᚾ ᛏᚨᚲ ᚷᚨᚺ ᛉᚨᚾ ᛏᚨᛏ ᛏᚨᛏ ᛒᚱᚨᚲ)
(ᚷᚨᚺ ᛉᚨᚾ ᛏᚨᚲ ᚷᚨᚺ ᛉᚨᚾ ᛏᚨᛏ ᛏᚨᛏ ᛒᚱᚨᚲ)
Purple flames of energy began forming around Sunset engulfing her in a dome of energy.
(Wandering heart, clouds above)
(Rain begins to fall down)
(My bitter tears flowing out, they never dry up)
(I let the words of a curse be my deliverance)
(ᛗᛁᛖ ᚾᛖᚷ ᛟᚾ ᚷᛁᛖᚲ ᚷᛁᛖᚲ)
(ᚾᚨᚺ ᛈᚺᚨᛋ ᛏᛖᛉᛉᛖ ᛚᚨᚺ)
(These ancient words like a hymn of reclamation)
(Not even death will escape them)
Sunset stands up from the purple flames, purple wings of flames formed on her back and a purple gem formed on her forehead.
(How to center these troubled thoughts? I pray)
(Can the future bring calm to the sea? I beg)
Sunset wraps her arms around her body and lower herself back into the purple flames.
(It's time for salvation to finally come)
(I feel this rage, and I'm feelin' it strong)
(This weeping and wailing has gone far too long)
(Nothing left but to yеll! Yeah! Yeah!)
Sunset burst out of the flames leaning backwards, the viewpoint changed to her face that now has a craze look on her face as she sings.
(I know you feel it too so keep on singin' this song)
(Even whеn they abuse us, we'll keep singin' along)
(We'll start another big bang when we all sing as one)
(United, we're fightin', bring 'em down with our song of ruin)
The viewpoint changes to the ocean surface in front of the temple as large shadows formed under the surface.
(ᛗᛁᛖ ᚾᛖᚷ ᛟᚾ ᚷᛁᛖᚲ ᚷᛁᛖᚲ)
(ᚾᚨᚺ ᛈᚺᚨᛋ ᛏᛖᛉᛉᛖ ᛚᚨᚺ)
(We will rejoice when we get the freedom promised)
(The freedom so many die for)
Bursting out of the water came ancient Roman era ships, biremes, liburnas, navis lusoria, quinqueremes, triremes, and more. Ships from all across the timespan of the Roman Empire are being called and many are answering. Two massive ships burst out in front of the fleet of hundreds and counting. The twin pleasure ships of a mad emperor, one a floating pleasure palace and the other a floating temple.
(When there's nowhere to run we must find hope)
(Left forgotten within the light, there it glows)
The first ship the floating palace Prima, has a tall dark haired beautiful woman whose thick long hair hang to her feet. Her voluptuous body, massive breasts, large butt, and small waist, is covered by a fine silk toga picta and tunica palmata colored purple, embroidered with gold and wore many jewels on her body.
(Keep making this music 'til you breath your last)
(We dream but never lose sight of the past)
(Illuminate hope and forget all the rest)
(Nothing left but to yell, yeah, yeah)
The floating temple Seconda, is a mirror to her sister but being bigger. She wore the robes of a priestess of Ancient Rome carrying a golden staff with a hanging incense lamp by a gold chain. She stood at the bow of the ship and is joined by another woman who looks just like her and followed by many more, all looking and dressing the same. Which is copied with all the other ships.
(It's time for salvation to finally come)
(I feel this rage, and I'm feelin' it strong)
(This weeping and wailing has gone far too long)
(Nothing left but to yell! Yeah! Yeah!)
The ships behind the two Nemi ships are filled with beautiful women all wearing and armed with the armor and weapons of a Roman soldier of different eras. All coming to the call of their new empress.
(I know you feel it too so keep on singin' this song)
(Even when they abuse us, we'll keep singin' along)
(We'll start another big bang when we all sing as one)
(United, we're fightin', bring 'em down with our song of ruin)
The ocean in front of the ice temple is now filled with hundreds of thousands Roman ships, from warships to the ones used for transportation. Their decks full of the crew copies of Klabautermanns.
(ᚷᚨᚺ ᛉᚨᚾ ᛏᚨᚲ ᚷᚨᚺ ᛉᚨᚾ ᛏᚨᛏ ᛏᚨᛏ ᛒᚱᚨᚲ)
(ᚷᚨᚺ ᛉᚨᚾ ᛏᚨᚲ ᚷᚨᚺ ᛉᚨᚾ ᛏᚨᛏ ᛏᚨᛏ ᛒᚱᚨᚲ)
Sunset stops her singing and the wings and gem vanish. She looks down at her army who have answered her call. She turns to her family members who have all watched the performance. Sunset knew that she needed to make an impact to be taken seriously and came up with this performance to bring everyone to shock and awe. Looking at the faces of her human counterparts family, she got the results that she wanted.
“This fleet is just what I could summon, for now. If I perform again I can call more. The age of the Roman Empire is measured in centuries, and many ships used by the empire, I can still call upon. Hundreds of thousands of Klabautermann I can still call upon. This is your only warning, stay out of my way and of Russia. Don’t make me your enemy,” Sunset said.
The magic that fueled the mirrors disappeared, from the rooms of the royals and the sky above their capitals. The Roman Empire has been reborn and the girl that was their niece is now its empress.
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Author's Note
1 - The Nemi ships were two ships, of different sizes, built under the reign of the Roman emperor Caligula in the 1st century AD on Lake Nemi. Although the purpose of the ships is speculated upon, the larger ship was an elaborate floating palace, which contained quantities of marble, mosaic floors, heating and plumbing, and amenities such as baths. Both ships featured technology thought to have been developed historically later. It has been stated that the emperor was influenced by the lavish lifestyles of the Hellenistic rulers of Syracuse and Ptolemaic Egypt. Recovered from the lake bed in 1929, the ships were destroyed by fire in 1944 during World War II.
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