Gun of Ashes

The first to sense the anomaly was Merlin. As an Alchemist, he had an exceptionally keen sense of abnormality. He raised his head to look at the containment cube high above, and before he could think further, the liquid inside began to boil.

”Containment breach!”

Merlin shouted instinctively, and then the well-trained security personnel sprang into action. Electric current flowed into the containment cube, triggering a violent reaction within the entire container. Countless tiny bubbles appeared, rising in the liquid, as if it were boiling water.

The surge of electricity seemed effective, and the faintly swaying figure inside the container came to a halt. All gun barrels pointed at it, and in the eerie calm, a crisp sound rang out, resembling metal snapping under tremendous force.

”Restraint device...”

Arthur murmured to himself. Once a Ranger, he now relied on instincts honed on the battlefield. He grabbed Merlin and pulled him towards the exit of the containment chamber, not forgetting to trigger the alarm along the way.

As the alarm blared, the containment cube in mid-air exploded, and simultaneously the entire Number Four Demon live containment chamber began to seal shut. The other containment cubes holding Demons started to detach...beneath them lay a deep transportation passage leading to the combustion chamber.

The heavy gate slammed shut, and then the sound of roaring gunfire emanated from within. Heavy artillery posts unleashed full firepower, creating a continuous curtain of fire in mid-air. The entire ground shook slightly with each shot as if in an earthquake.

Arthur and Merlin stood outside the containment chamber, both panting heavily, seemingly unprepared for the crisis’s swift arrival.

But suddenly the gunfire ceased, the internal gunfire vanished, and the two, without speaking, simultaneously turned their gaze to the sealed gate. In the silence, thunderous sounds erupted again, with massive bulges appearing on the gate as if a beast were trying to break free from its cage.

...

Dean Lawrence slowly opened his eyes, seemingly suffering from a headache. After rubbing his temples vigorously, he looked out the window. The crowd hustled and bustled, presenting a lively scene, as his carriage moved slowly through the crowded streets.

”I found the position of the Perpetual Motion Pump, but it’s unexpectedly deep.”

He looked at the spot below the horizon and flashed a fearsome smile.

”So next is an attack on the Perpetual Motion Pump? That would amount to a formal declaration of war on the Purification Mechanism.”

His companion inquired, thinking that Dean Lawrence wasn’t the type to act so recklessly.

”No, it’s just a friendly greeting, plus a test of this new power.”

He said, leaning back in his seat, slowly unveiling his clothes. On his aged body lay grotesque crimson flesh, seemingly devoid of skin, like a deformed tumor. It occupied the heart’s position, gently pulsating. From its hideous surface, twisted facial features could barely be discerned, like a sleeping infant.

”The will of the Holy Grail had escaped as early as the Night of the Holy Arrival. What was sealed within the Holy Coffin was merely the shell, yet even such remains held this power...Demons are truly terrifying.”

He gently caressed the infant, the scene reeking of both absurdity and grotesque horror, prompting even his companion to recoil.

”Damn it, put your clothes back on, I’m about to vomit.”

The man cursed, clearly repulsed by the thing, or anything related to the Holy Coffin.

”I shouldn’t have come back. If I hadn’t turned back, I’d already be in the Land of Abundance.”

He seemed utterly regretful.

”Don’t say that, Plague Doctor. You have to admit, our collaboration is quite excellent. My execution prowess, your exquisite transplant surgeries, how does that saying go...a match made in heaven.”

Dean Lawrence closed his clothes, smiling as he spoke.

The Plague Doctor cast an uneasy glance at him, trying to lean back further, but the damned carriage was only so large.