Synopsis: Sensei and the students return aboard the Ark to save the crew and put an end to the calamity. Meanwhile, their opponents await them in the Throne of Naram-sin and prepare for the final confrontation. Can Sensei bring an end to this lasting battle, and what will it mean for the anomalies that exist in this world?
[The episode begins in a dream of a distant past. The sound of waters being splashed could be heard and the brilliant sun is felt in the sky. Two figures are seen walking across beds of sand as water waves splash back and forth like on an ocean shore. While it is unclear if it is the ocean or somewhere else, the pair of strangers continue their stroll with one evidently enjoying herself more than her stoic partner as she takes off her socks and shoes and steps in the shallow waters.]
*Wave crash* *Water Splash*
Female Voice: Hehe! (steps into the waters) *Splash* Hahaha!
Mature Figure: ...
Female Voice: Oi! Come and join me! The water feels amazing!
Mature Voice: ...I can't.
Female Voice: ...?
Mature Voice: Don't give me that look. You know why.
Female Voice: *pout* Mmm... the "Waters of Death?"
Mature Voice: If water touches this body, it will eventually kill me.
Female Voice: Mmm... You're over thinking it~. A little water splash never hurt anyone!
Mature Voice: No means no.
Female Voice: Aww...
Mature Voice: (starts walking away) *Shuffle* *Footsteps*
Female Voice: *humming* (starts walking through the shallow waters parallel to the partner) *Footsteps splashing in water*
Mature Voice: ... Hmph. (stops walking)
Female Voice: (stops walking next to their partner) Hmm? What are you grumbling about?
Mature Voice: Why do you continue to follow me? You have everything required to live however you wish. There is no reason to continue this parody any further.
Female Voice: ...You're right. There's nothing else left for me to learn. But, I think it's okay. Doesn't that mean I can start teaching just like an adult?
Mature Voice: ...You are far from the ideal standard of giving lessons.
Female Voice: Hmph, Meanie. Hahaha! ...Still, I want to try. The world is big, and the "outside" is even bigger. I want to share these moments with as many people as I can and as long as I can. Because, when I leave this world, I want to leave behind memories that can be shared with everyone, so they can find themselves like you did for me.
Mature Voice: ...
Female Voice: And~ I thought of the first lesson I want to teach. I call it, "Understanding Incomprehensibility~." Get it, get it? It's all about understanding what others cannot comprehend.
Mature Voice: And what would that be, exactly? What are you trying to comprehend?
Female Voice: Well... I-I haven't thought that far ahead. B-But it's getting there! M-Maybe the thing to comprehend doesn't have to be there. Maybe it could be anything, or nothing! That's what I'm trying to get at.
Mature Voice: ...Like how you haven't finished submitting that assignment that you keep saying disappeared?
Female: Eh!? Ueh... N-Nothing that serious... Hehe...
Mature Voice: Still, the incomprehensible... Among those words, I understand one truth, that you and I will never follow the same path.
Female Voice: Oh?
Mature Voice: Like sand and water, we are isolated beings whom cannot reach an understanding. No matter how hard we try, how far apart we are, we will never see eye to eye. So why, why do we walk in parallel to each other...
Female Voice: ...It's possible, that's the "incomprehensible" question to you. If so, I can't answer that. You have to find the answer yourself, because that's the beauty of the lesson. "Can we understand by means of the incomprehensible?"
Mature Voice: A paradox...
Female Voice: See? I knew you'd be interested. Even if we can't see eye to eye, even if our paths don't cross, I know I'll be glad to share these talks with you. And maybe, just maybe~, you'll find it in your heart to accept other people's words.
Mature Voice: That... will never happen in a hundred years.
Female Voice: Hehe, not true~. Not today, but someday, a miracle will happen, and I believe you'll be there to see it. How am I so sure? I know you better than anyone. Because... I am your first student after all!
Mature Voice: You... are a mystical mystery, and an incomprehensible mess.
[Suddenly, the scene transitions to a hospital bed where an injured Sensei woke up from their bedridden coma...]
Sensei:
- (A dream?)
- (Where am I?)
Sensei:
- Sit up in the bed.
Sensei:
- (This place...)
- (My body...)
- (It's all coming back to me...)
Sensei:
- Remove the tubes and devices attached to your body.
*Removes all life support attachments*
Sensei:
- (Everything feels sluggish...)
- (The dozens of steel plates holding me...)
- (My mouth hurts when I speak...)
*BOOM* *Explosion*
Sensei:
- (It's started...)
Sensei:
- Pick up the Shittim Chest and your belongings next to the bed.
- Power on the Shittim Chest.
*Tablet powering up*
A.R.O.N.A (The Shittim Chest): ...Biometric verification complete. Sensei verified. What is your command, Sensei?
Sensei:
- Explain what you remember.
- Change the future.
A.R.O.N.A: ...! Sensei, you... remember? (changes tone to sincere expression) I as well. Sensei, Arona-senpai... I recall all my memories. Understood. I will be your eyes, ears, and legs, Sensei, always...
[The scene transitions back to the present minutes before the Spear of Siduri was on course to the Ark of Atrahasis. Inside the Ark, the students continue to fend off wave after wave of enemies while several hours in. Their ammunition depleted, morale at a low, and fear and worries start to take hold of the students...]
Rin: (deep thought) ...
Ayumu: Rin-senpai?
Rin: (snaps out of trance) Ah, Ayumu, what is it?
Ayumu: Umm, are you alright? You look tired.
Rin: ...I'm fine. Please don't worry about me. Tell me, how is everyone else doing so far?
Ayumu: The crew is holding out as best they can. The areas continue to be swarmed with enemy drones, and the teams are fighting back and forth between occupying the area then leaving after more reinforcements arrive.
Momoka: We're already almost a week into the operation, and a third day without sleep. Man, I could really use a rest right now...
Rin: What about our opponent, Pseudos? Have they made any move yet?
Kayoko: No... I've been keeping tabs on comm channels, yet it's been complete silence. I'm not even sure if they forgot about us or just planning something in secret.
Ako: I doubt that. If they did forget, the enemy wouldn't keep coming to attack. The enemy strategist must be doing this to harass and demoralize us into giving up. Like that will ever happen! I won't do it until I see the Head Prefect or Sensei again.
Hanako: Same. I want to see my friends before the end of this conflict. There's still so much to do together...
Kayoko: (worried face) ...
Rin: ...Any word from the city?
Himari: None. The Ark's active multidimensional superimposition state has been interfering with surveillance equipment, and the distance from the Kármán line has made it difficult to reach anyone over long-range comms. The Engineering Club could theoretically boost the signal, though they need the proper equipment to do it. However, I have noticed a sudden shift in the False Sanctum's energy signatures. It seems Sensei and everyone are giving their all against them.
Rin: That's the best news so far...
Himari: There's more. A couple hours ago, a spike of six unknown signatures were detected across the city below. I can say for certain these are no ordinary signs. Compared to previous data, they match the same anomalies we were searching for in the repeat phenomenon.
Rin: ...! They came back?
Himari: Mmhmm. I don't know why or how, but it appears they provided everyone the means to launch a counteroffensive against the False Sanctums. And they aren't done yet. These recent readings indicate the anomaly signatures are on the move.
Kayoko: On the move? To where?
Himari: Up to the Ark.
Everyone: (surprised faces) ...?
[The scene transitions to Area Three where Shiroko Terror was facing off against the strike team that was sent to take the Dimensional engine there...]
Shiroko Terror: (looks off in the distance) ...
Hoshino: Where are you looking! (charges at Shiroko Terror)
Shiroko Terror: *Doom* (opens portal and disappears)
Hoshino: (misses attack) ...! Wah-
Ayane: (long-range comms) Senpai! Behind you!
Shiroko Terror: (appears through the portal and hits Hoshino) *Thwack*
Hoshino: (pained expression) Ow! No fair! There has to be a limit to using those portals!
Shiroko Terror: All's fair in a fight. Did you forget? You taught me that, Hoshino-senpai.
Hoshino: (sweating face) D-Did I? (Still though... What's going on? Why can't I beat her? It's like she knows all my moves, but I also know hers. So why is she fighting without breaking a sweat?)
Hoshino: (regains composure) *exhale* Ha... Have you been working out, Shiroko-chan? You're a lot tougher than before, physically and skill-wise. I admit, Oji-san can't break through, even with everyone together.
Shiroko Terror: ...
Hoshino: Hey, remember all the good times last year? You were a great member of the Abydos student council. A tough cookie to beat, but both of us were almost evenly matched. Although, it's not the same this time. Why is that?
Shiroko Terror: ...Things change, Hoshino-senpai.
Hoshino: ...!
[Shiroko Terror charges forward and attacks Hoshino. Hoshino reactively lifts her shield to block the attack, but she still gets pushed back from the blow and is sent backwards to the Abydos students...]
Hoshino: (stands up in pain) Ow... Didn't see that coming...
Ayane: (shocked face) Senpai!
Hoshino: Oof... I'm fine Ayane-chan. I defended just in time.
Shiroko Terror: Know this. You can't hope to reach me. Not anymore. Because, I'm stronger than any of you combined. If you want a good chance to beat me, you need more than the club and Sensei.
Nonomi (dirty clothes): (pained expression) ...
Serika: (dirty clothes): (pained expression) Ugh...
Hoshino: (worried face) ...
Shiroko Terror: This is the third attempt at taking Area 3, Hoshino-senpai. Again, take everyone and leave.
Ayane: S-Shiroko-senpai! At least tell us where you sent our Shiroko! We still haven't found her...
Shiroko Terror: ...Weak Shiroko isn't on the Ark of Atrahasis.
Ayane: (shocked face) Wah- W-Where is she then?
Shiroko Terror: ...
Hoshino: Answer us! We're supposed to be friends!
Shiroko Terror: ... (faces Ayane and Hoshino) Weak Shiroko is still alive.
Hoshino & Ayane: (surprised faces) ...!
Shiroko Terror: As long as she is, she'll find a way back. If she is lucky, she'll be with Sensei. If not...
*BOOM* *Ground shaking*
Everyone: (puzzled expression) ...?
[The scene transitions back to the Utnapishtim's ship where the crew assesses what the recent explosion was that shocked the Ark...]
Ayane: (shocked expression) What was that!? The whole Ark started to shake!
Hanako: An unknown attack was detected against the multidimensional field! The superimposition state is down!
Himari: There was also an explosion a few meters ahead. It's unclear what it was.
Rin: (realization) Could it be...
*BOOM* *BOOM*
Rin: ...!
Momoka: (confused face) What now!? Two more explosions?
Ako: Two simultaneous explosions at the lower areas of the Ark! Enemy forces are moving down the Shar-Kali-Sharri corridor to investigate the damages.
Yuuka: (notices something on screen) ...! Hold on, I'm receiving unknown readings in the same area. Two large ones, and a couple of smaller ones...
Himari: Hmm... Those two readings give off the same signatures as the anomalies I mentioned. Could they be here on the Ark?
Ayumu: Senpai, what should we do?
Rin: Contact all the teams. Tell them to regroup at the ship. This could be the moment we've been waiting for. And, keep the comms link open...
[The scene transitions back to Area 3 where Shiroko Terror heard the explosions that happened on the Ark...]
Shiroko Terror: (deep thought) ... They're here. I can feel it. I must wake Pseudos soon...
*Gunfire*
Shiroko Terror: (receives gunfire but remains unfazed) ...
Serika: You're not going anywhere!
Ayane: Serika! Nonomi-senpai!
Serika: We came all this way to talk to you, and we won't give up until you spill the truth!
Nonomi: Seika-chan is right! Ever since we reunited, you've been keeping us in the dark. Each time we fought, you never tried to seriously hurt us or end our lives. You've given so many chances, and yet you let us go.
Ayane: Right! There has to be a deeper meaning to this. Fighting and running away, these are things we know all about you!
Hoshino: (confident expression) Hehe, our kouhai's are confident and still have plenty of energy. You better pay attention to everyone, because we aren't going to make it easy.
Shiroko Terror: ...Nn. I can stay. There's still time until the next phase. Everyone... Sensei... Soon, everything will be in place, and the final clash will begin...
To be continued...Episode 2: Reinforcements