Gun of Ashes

Everyone saw it.

In this pitch-black world, the roaring light thundered in everyone’s ears.

Within the corridor, Hebdo and Erin were thrown over by the oncoming heatwave, debris hitting them like pellets. The entire Yega Grand Theater shook violently, as if the ancient building would collapse into ruins at any moment.

The light flooded over the theater square, violently interrupting Renette’s performance. The impact was so close that Renette wondered if he was cursed. By the time he realized the light was upon him, it was too late, he could only clutch his baton in a fall, rolling down the spiral stairs with the others.

The emotions that had barely been pacified grew tense again. The panic-stricken crowd screamed, moans and cries blended together, transforming into a living hell.

In the heatwave of the impact, Eve and the Red Falcon steadied themselves, casting their eyes forward into the light within the Yega Grand Theater. They were well aware of what was happening inside.

”Lorenzo…”

Eve muttered under her breath.

The light ceased, then seething flames covered every place, every inch, like demons returned from hell, wielding burning blades that utterly destroyed human civilization.

The Yega Grand Theater ignited into a fierce blaze.

The history and the years, the glory and the faith it bore were being destroyed bit by bit in the fire, losing all value.

Everyone was shocked by this blazing light, followed by roaring cries resembling ocean waves.

”Heretics! What have you brought to this city!”

The believers of the Evangelical Church gazed at the former church, now the Yega Grand Theater, completely lost in their fanaticism.

The men angrily raised their weapons, charging at the believers of the Orthodoxy, while the women slowly knelt, worshiping, praying, and weeping toward the burning building.

”Why… why…”

Hu ao looked at the furious crowd, carrying murderous intent. He couldn’t understand why they were so angry and could not comprehend what was happening.

Every face screamed and cried, every face Hu ao was familiar with, as they had spoken to him during recent communions.

The beauty he longed for was about to arrive, yet the sudden disaster destroyed everything.

Hu ao couldn’t understand, the more he thought, the more he felt angry and guilty for his incompetence, fearing this strange and complex world.

”Why…”

Conspiracy and interests intertwined; Eve and the Red Falcon were momentarily stunned amidst the chaos, but she noticed that the Choir’s warriors were secretly intensifying the conflict, killing the Evangelical Church believers.

She knew that the evolution of the situation had completely exceeded Lorenzo’s original expectations, and even Lorenzo himself would be shocked now. Tonight, more than just they acted here.

Two mad wills converged here, dragging the world toward the abyss of nightmares.

”Hide, Eve!”

The Red Falcon pulled Eve into the shadows, now everything was chaos.

This could already be considered a religious war, with two faiths using the theater square as their battleground, fighting each other.

”Eve, if we retreat now, no one will notice us.”

The Red Falcon was never a coward, but tonight he suggested retreating more than once, not really understanding why he felt like this.

If there was a reason, it would be the Red Falcon’s intuition.

He was scared, really scared, as if he would soon lose something important.

In the dire straits of Black Mountain Hospital, facing endless demons, the Red Falcon never felt such emotion, but now it grew like thorns, from the depths of his heart, spreading to his throat, tightening bit by bit.

He could hardly catch his breath.

”You’re right, no one will notice us… so we can kill the Pope without anyone noticing, right?”

God knows why Eve was still thinking about such things now.

She made no efforts to disguise anymore, directly taking out the Meteor, her gaze fierce.

”Red Falcon, after all these years, this is my only chance to prove myself to that stubborn guy.”

Eve signaled to the Red Falcon.

”Let’s go!”

…

Light roared in the ruins, but like a dying beast, it had lost all strength. This was its final revelry, gradually, the light died, its remains turning into a raging fire, entirely burning away the darkness below.

Lorenzo clung tightly to the hook gun, suspending himself on the dome’s wall.

He watched the sea of flames below with vigilance, the blinding firelight causing some disarray in his vision.

Lorenzo didn’t think such an offensive could kill Lawrence, but at least it could cause him considerable pain and force him to further reveal his trump card.

In his planning, Lorenzo had to find a way to make Lawrence expose his flaw, only then could he thoroughly destroy him in the gap.

But… would it succeed?

The scorching airflow rose from below, blowing against Lorenzo’s face. The temperature slightly stung his skin, yet the chill inside him remained icy cold.