Gun of Ashes

Between the clouds, an ominous anomaly rolled, as if an unidentified monster were gathering strength in the depths of the clouds, waiting for the moment to erupt.

The gale howled, with icy rain streaks baptizing the towering giant tower, mournful cries ceaselessly echoing, and flocks of black crows flew away from the high tower, as if sensing something, departing with instinctual fear.

The pedestrians on the street raised their heads, recalled ancient legends, and witnessed the escape of the crows.

Their gaze moved up along the iron-gray tower’s body, its top submerged in the cloud mist; no one knows what is happening there, but everyone distinctly feels an ancient evil anomaly spreading with chilling coldness.

Without any warning, everything just suddenly erupted.

Percival tried hard not to think too much, completely forgetting Gareth, focusing all his attention on the current situation.

The ear-piercing alarms echoed, one gate after another fell, sealing off the area where Roger appeared, soldiers gathered in that direction, dense gun barrels blocked every passage.

But this wasn’t enough; Percival knew clearly that these couldn’t stop Roger’s advance.

Thinking of this, Percival felt a burst of powerlessness; facing a monster like Roger, the defenses of the Purification Mechanism seemed so fragile, the Broken Dome which no enemy had ever touched, now allowed Roger to invade so easily while the Purification Mechanism had no ability to respond.

”Damn it, why was this place exposed?”

Percival couldn’t understand; as the command core, the position of the Broken Dome had always been confidential, but soon she figured out the reason.

Under the invasion of the Gap, no secret could hide from Roger’s gaze, Gareth’s face flashed before her, and Percival dared not continue thinking.

Laughably, she should have been used to this sort of thing.

”Everyone, prepare to evacuate!”

Percival came to the command room, shouting.

People were anxious to deal with this crisis from the core, issuing orders, deploying forces, but the suddenly arriving Percival denied all this, ordering everyone to retreat.

Everyone was somewhat at a loss; they obviously didn’t know what they were facing, and Percival shouted again.

”Everyone! Evacuate, this is an order!”

This time, the rigid crowd was moved, their pupils still held some misunderstanding, but this time, they acted according to Percival’s orders.

”Evacuate! Evacuate!”

”Backup the data!”

The chaotic voices continued, and Percival’s heart was extremely urgent; she didn’t know how long the defensive forces could hinder Roger, she only hoped for more time to prepare everything.

Percival continued to urge, only hoping that more people would survive.

”Arthur! This is Percival!”

The communication was linked, and Percival shouted into the other end of the microphone.

As Gareth pressed the alarm, the Broken Dome’s alert had already been sent to all departments; they didn’t know what exactly was happening inside the Broken Dome, but all eyes were on it.

”What happened?”

A calm voice came from the other end of the microphone.

”Roger Cruz, he’s invaded the Broken Dome, Gareth blocked him, but I guess he’s probably already dead.”

Percival recalled her farewell with Gareth; there were no words, but from Gareth’s gaze, Percival had seen too much.

She had known Gareth for too long, so long that she had a very clear understanding of this somewhat unfortunate fellow; this was a very stubborn guy who would never let go once he decided on something, Percival knew very well what Gareth would do.

”Gareth seemed to have thought of something, but he didn’t have time to tell me, just asked us to unconditionally believe in the ’Death Row’.”

Percival’s words were a bit trembling, not knowing if it was fear or sorrow.

She also sensed the flaw in the Death Row; such a massive plan ought to be perfect, even if it couldn’t be perfect, there should be a relatively clear countermeasure for all possibilities.

But now?

The core of the Purification Mechanism was invaded, and Percival couldn’t find any way to respond for a while, ordinary emergency measures couldn’t stop a monster like Roger, everything was on the verge of collapse now.

”Gareth must have thought of something we hadn’t.”

Percival’s voice gradually fell silent, and after a few seconds of silence, the other end said.

”So Gareth, to erase his thoughts, not to be discovered by Roger, would...”

”Alright, don’t say anymore, I will act according to the emergency plan, I don’t know how long this can be delayed, in short...” Percival paused, then continued, ”Trust ’Death Row’ unconditionally.”

The sounds of gunfire had already entered her ears, Percival pressed the last button, scarlet warning flares illuminated around the tower, rising one by one, even clouded by mist, they couldn’t be stopped by these crimson rays.

Anyone, no matter where they were in Old Dunling, could see this rising glow as long as they lifted their heads.

Percival watched the scattering light as it burned, sinking back into the city below, scattering crimson lights throughout.

She whispered.

”Broken Dome... has fallen.”

...

Gunfire roared in the corridor; as the core of the Purification Mechanism, it had extremely strong defensive firepower, even demons would be easily torn to pieces when confronting such firepower.