Gun of Ashes

Why move forward?

Sometimes the technician himself couldn’t understand, knowing full well that there was no way back for him. Death was inevitable, yet he couldn’t stop, as if he feared death.

Or perhaps... to do more before death, do more things that still count as meaningful.

Indeed, in the last moment of life, he recalled his father’s teachings, that always drunken guy, who would often say these things to him.

People can’t idle, even if life is ending, one can’t idle, do more things...

That’s probably the meaning, time had passed too long, the technician couldn’t remember clearly, nor did he care much about those words, for his father who said them lived a fruitless life, contradicting his own advice.

Yet, inexplicably, those words echoed in his ears like a curse.

He couldn’t quite understand, the shadows of Demons were already visible behind him, approaching along the fragile aerial corridor, claws pressed against metal, emitting low hums, below was the surging sea of fire, molten iron throbbing like flowing lava.

”Don’t look back, keep moving forward.”

His colleague’s voice sounded; he was dragged on the ground by the technician, facing the Demons, trembling as he lifted the muzzle and squeezed the trigger.

Scattered gunshots rang out, making the final resistance.

”Honestly, this thing, I originally intended it for myself.”

The colleague smiled bitterly, having depleted his last ammo, regrettable that his shooting was lousy, never stopping the Demons in the slightest.

”Leaving it for you?”

The technician continued forward, dragging him forcefully.

”Yeah, that’s right, I’d rather commit suicide than be eaten by Demons.”

The colleague let out a long sigh, massive blood spilled from his neck, which had turned crimson, making it hard to distinguish the wound’s location.

But such things weren’t important anymore, he tried to relax himself as much as possible.

”Really sorry, but it seems you’ll need to find another way to die.”

The technician forcefully pried open the gate, remnants from the ammunition depot explosion scattered metal fragments everywhere, nailing densely on the walls, still stained with crimson blood, the explosion’s shock overturned many buildings, the gate now twisted, but fortunately leaving gaps to continue.

The two painstakingly crawled into the control room, the journey finally ended, both exhaled heavily, seemingly easing the weight pressing on their hearts.

”Demons have already attacked here.”

The technician surveyed the surroundings, broken corpses everywhere, looking up at the hole broken open high in the wall, Demons probably broke in from there, slaughtering all technicians stationed in the control room.

”Here, this thing should still be useful.”

The technician picked up a firearm from the pool of blood and handed it to his colleague, then forcefully moved his body so he faced the twisted gate directly, ready to fire and counter if Demons attempted to enter.

”Are you not worried I’ll shoot myself?”

The colleague laughed miserably, faced with terrifying despair, humans can do anything.

The technician did not respond, busy on the console, bodies lay nearby, they probably shared the same idea as the technician, the console covered in their blood, unfortunately, they failed; while attempting at the Furnace Pillar, Demons breached this place.

”Really awful...”

He muttered.

Examining this bunch who, before dying, indeed did the same thing as him, many processes already started, the technician only needed to continue his work.

Like passing a baton.

”You better hurry!”

The colleague shouted, seeing the pursuing Demons approaching quickly, he worked hard to keep his heart calm, then lifted the muzzle.

The gunfire continued, meanwhile sharp claws pierced through the gate’s gap, hideous heads poked through, soon shot into blood mist.

As the technician initiated the process again, the roar continuously sounded, ruptured pipes from the explosion caused non-lethal liquid to gush out, mixed with molten iron to spark intense flames.

Under the raging fire, the Mechanical Institute teetered.

”Come!”

The technician ran over, hoisted the colleague, placed him on the other side, gripped his bloody hand, and said.

”Hold onto it.”

The colleague nodded, firmly pressing the lever to prevent it from rebounding.

The technician moved to the other end of the console, designed initially to prevent solo operation leading to irrevocable outcomes; the two control levers were placed far apart.

His hands started shaking, fierce banging echoed from the door, Death God arrived, pounding the gate forcefully.

Taking deep breaths to maintain inner calm, he finished the final work, everything was ready, just waiting for him to pull the lever.

Meanwhile, the gate was filled with cracks, beginning to cave inward, overall shattering, countless claws stretched from the gaps, craving flesh.

”We... We succeeded, perhaps.”

The technician rejoiced, looking at the colleague, but that guy gave no response, a bloodless pale face reflected along, expression blank, seemingly already dead.

Rejoicing turned faintly to a sense of loss, followed by a helpless sigh.

Prolonged bleeding had taken away his warmth and life, the not yet rigid corpse weighed upon the lever, completing the final mission.