Gun of Ashes

”So, how did I end up here? Is it the result of abusing Authority: Gabriel?”

Lorenzo thought to himself. This was the first time he utilized Authority to manipulate another body into action, even if it was just an Armor of Original Sin composed of flesh and steel. No one could say for sure what might happen.

This power was overwhelmingly strong, and thus came with corresponding costs.

Lorenzo began to miss Watson. In hindsight, he should’ve asked Watson more about these matters, instead of assuming he wouldn’t need them, guarding some useless rules.

Just as he was about to leave, Lorenzo instinctively raised his head, gazing at the dim starry sky.

”Something Watson once said...”

For some reason, Lorenzo suddenly recalled what Watson had told him once, when he first learned about the existence forms of other people’s [Gap].

”A space linking human minds... Each star is a [Gap]...”

Lorenzo whispered while looking at the starry sky.

Indeed, Watson had once demonstrated to him; she had cut open her own [Gap], letting the dim starry sky appear before him.

Could this be...?

”Starry sky, I often see a magnificent one where the light moves slowly like it’s alive, creating ripples and thunder in the darkness...”

William’s words echoed in his mind; this once Merlin had spoken his final intel before dying.

”Is this what you saw too, William?”

Lorenzo’s heart grew tense. He looked fearfully at the abyss-like starry sky, his breathing becoming labored.

He should’ve realized earlier, should’ve figured it out long before.

This was Lorenzo’s [Gap], but not the familiar ”starry sky”, just as Watson once in her own [Gap], cut open a rift leading to the outside world; the starry sky before his eyes was the starry sky within that rift.

A massive, sky-spanning rift tore through Lorenzo’s [Gap], allowing the dim starry sky to engulf his entire field of vision; this was how Lorenzo observed it all through the colossal wound.

This dim starry sky was the collection of [Gaps].

Lorenzo slowly extended his hand as if to touch the canvas of the starry sky, his arm trembling.

Unsure whether from excitement or fear, his eyes filled with a fervent desire for knowledge, he completely ignored the changes around him.

Suddenly, monstrous waves surged up, swallowing Lorenzo whole, the frigid sea wrapping around him, calming his frenzied mind.

Simultaneously, he witnessed the dim starry sky beginning to collapse, as deep blue night sky accompanied by lead-grey clouds came from the edge of his vision, like a raised curtain obscuring the dim starry sky completely, thereby closing the [Gap].

Lorenzo was then swept into the deep sea, feeling the extreme cold as the sea water instantly froze, sealing the surface above.

In the blink of an eye, everything returned to familiar forms, as countless hands protruded from the darkness of the deep sea, dragging Lorenzo further down into its depths.

...

”Ah!”

Lorenzo let out a sharp scream, sitting up abruptly, only to hit his forehead on the upper bunk due to the narrow space.

”Ah ah ah!”

Clutching his head and hugging the blanket, Lorenzo rolled violently on the bed, uttering even more pitiful screams.

Hearing such chilling cries, the ship’s doctors rushed over immediately; due to the threat of the Demon Hunter and everyone at risk, they wasted no time injecting Lorenzo, suspected of losing control, with several doses of tranquilizers.

Their proficiency seemed like they had done it countless times—or perhaps it’s just Demon Hunter’s tough skin, no need to worry, as there wouldn’t be any medical accidents anyway.

All in all, Lorenzo lay flat on the bed, and as the tranquilizer spread through his body, he felt much better, albeit with slightly weak limbs and a somewhat blurry perception, but at least the bruises on his nose and forehead weren’t as painful.

”Quack doctors!”

Lorenzo cursed silently.

”Looks like Mr. Holmo has come back to life, quite energetic; it took two shots of tranquilizer to calm him down.”

The ship’s doctors shouted to the soldiers, telling them to notify Bola.

After the naval battle and attacks from demons, the erosion reaction inside the Morning Glow Advance had been relentless; fortunately, after careful investigation, the source of contamination should originate from the Armor of Original Sin and residue from fighting demons, no demons lurking aboard.

However, the residual erosion affected many devices like communication and navigation, indirectly causing reliance on backup communication channels and manual relaying for commands now.

”How do you feel now?” asked the ship’s doctor.

”You injected me with two tranquilizers, then you ask how I feel?” Lorenzo retorted.

”Under the effect of drugs, consciousness remains clear, this might relate to the Demon Hunter’s physical qualities,” the doctor scribbled notes, ”clear cognition, no personality disorder evident, still a mouthful of gibberish, no signs of losing control.”

”You’ve almost recovered, Mr. Holmes, although you weren’t sick for long,” concluded the doctor.

”Recovered... What exactly happened?”

Lorenzo then realized he was in a medical ward, its specifications similar to his quarters, but clearly much cleaner.

”You piloted the Black Angel back to the deck, then fainted and fell, and until now,” the doctor tidied up the rack and medications by the door, ”we suspect mental overload caused it, after all, you operated the Black Angel in an unmanned manner.”

Preparing to leave, the doctor opened the door, then turned back to Lorenzo.

”We’re very interested in your method of driving the Black Angel—is it a remote mental manipulation ability? If you’re interested in a detailed discussion, please come for a test later.”

Lorenzo shook his head vigorously, then gestured for the doctor to quickly get lost.

The door closed, leaving Lorenzo alone in the narrow ward, allowing him to enjoy this rare tranquility, but the peace didn’t last long as his mind soon got muddled with restless thoughts.

Plague Doctor, Pioneer, naval combat, starry sky, World’s End...

Too much happened tonight, making it tough for Lorenzo to process, let alone handle the aftermath these events might trigger.

Leaning against the wall, Lorenzo’s gaze was heavy; regarding the ”starry sky,” he vaguely guessed a bit, but without uncovering the Truth, couldn’t ascertain any of it.

Yet, as long as he found Watson, or traveled to the World’s End, he guessed he would likely unveil the full scope of the secrets.

Whether Evangelical Church or Apocalypse Society, Secret Blood or starry sky, humans or demons, Lorenzo believed these would eventually converge at some point—their sought Truth quietly residing at the World’s End, awaiting Lorenzo’s arrival.

Thus, he felt no urgency; having come this far, being hasty was futile, leading to feelings of powerlessness and despair—instead, better to maintain an optimistic attitude, and when the time comes, engage in a decisive battle.

Then it was...

”It got revealed after all.”

Lorenzo clenched his fist, letting out a long sigh, slightly troubled.

He had always concealed his Authority: Gabriel’s ability from others, and the sole person knowing, Erin, had already distanced herself from Lorenzo’s world. But now he exposed this power; when confronting the inquisitive Bola and others, what should he say? Regardless, it’ll require an explanation.

How should he explain it? He became a monster just like Lawrence—or rather, not ”became,” since he originally possessed such power, it’s just been forgotten too long.

Would they fear he knew their inner secrets, or dread he might become the next Lawrence?

Lorenzo didn’t know, but he clearly understood one thing—humans between each other are ultimately estranged; no one can entirely comprehend another person, and even the strongest bond can crumble due to some uncertainties.

Brotherly turning against each other, parental hatred—such drama is all too common.

But Lorenzo didn’t regret it. This journey would be the world’s fork in the road; come what may, Lorenzo aimed to correct its course, pulling destiny from the cursed cycle.

With such thoughts, the ward door opened, letting warm light pour in.