Gun of Ashes

Darkness breeds beneath the flesh-shell, as if possessing a life of its own, it endlessly mutters, tempting.

Shao Liangye’s expression is grave, hand resting on the folding blade’s handle, the weapon ready to strike at any moment. Judging by his usual combat strength, his skill is astonishing, capable of easily severing falling leaves, but he’s uncertain if he can kill the entity before him... Or rather, do such entities even comprehend the concept of death anymore?

Retreating slowly, Shao Liangye can only pin his hopes on Lorenzo’s sanity, while he crouches down, hunched over, face distorted.

”Roger Cruz.”

In the shadows, Lorenzo rises with difficulty, muttering to himself.

”You crave destruction and death, walking the path destined to shatter.”

In his eyes, flames flicker, unlike before when controlling the Black Angel, this time Lorenzo is operating on two fronts, fighting as the Flame Holder while also struggling to act.

This mental pressure is somewhat overwhelming, he feels an indescribable disgust, soon blood trickles from his nose, dripping onto the ground, like some sort of powerful acid, sizzling upon contact.

Seeing this, Lorenzo isn’t much surprised, aware of his body’s condition more than anyone.

With increasing ascension, breaking free of the Silver Binding Bolt’s shackles and having obtained the Credentials, Lorenzo walks the path few Demon Hunters have tread.

His soul is being elevated, deepening along with the body it inhabits.

This body now serves as a furnace, smelting the forbidden Secret Blood, but soon, this Forbidden Power will swell uncontrollably, until blood can no longer restrain it.

”What... are you doing?”

Shao Liangye asks anxiously.

”Fighting Roger.”

Lorenzo pulls a grim smile, distant thunder roaring from the horizon.

”Not just that, right?”

Shao Liangye senses Lorenzo’s pressure, but within it, he finds a fraction of... a gap.

Like a cunning gambler, cornered at the table, yet amidst the duel, his stubbornness keeps seeking the chance to cheat.

It’s a grueling war, everyone needs just a bit of... luck.

”You’ve guessed huh.”

Lorenzo’s smile shows teeth stained with blood, like a beast.

”I’m hunting him, Shao Liangye.”

In an ethereal world, two distinct consciousnesses chase and hunt, searching the endless dark for that sole point of light.

”I’m close to finding him.”

Lorenzo ceases movement, the immense pressure too great, he leans against a wall, collapsing, urging Shao Liangye.

”Run, Shao Liangye, as far from me as you can.”

”What’s wrong?”

Lorenzo gasps forcefully, seemingly on the brink of death.

”When I find Roger, he’ll find me too.”

Eyes turn to pure white, momentarily like a fallen God, this battle is beyond Shao Liangye’s realm, he steps back slowly, refraining from more words, instantly withdrawing, leaving Lorenzo alone.

With Shao Liangye’s departure, Lorenzo can finally ease his mind, fully focusing.

Chaotic, unordered images flash by, constant thunderclaps explode.

...

The Lower City District has become a vast ocean, the Thames River rising to the bridge heads, submerging all. Only a few buildings stubbornly resist, but complete collapse is merely a matter of time.

They are battered by currents, stones mixed with soil, carrying the floating corpses, perpetually crashing.

Close to the docks, most foreigners smuggled in from there, now they too merge with the ocean, the Flame Holder only sees behind the rain fog, ships propelled by rapids.

The Flame Holder moves slowly, water up to its knees, the towering figure spreads Iron Feather, like a beast in combat, enlarging itself as much as possible.

Nearby, grotesque monsters pile in the waterborne carnage. Lorenzo is uncertain what they really are, knowing only such things must be slain.

Consciousness wanders beyond its body, probing each other, like dueling swordsmen.

Sword blades gently touch, seemingly weak, but any minor flaw invites a storm-like strike.

[You are searching for me, aren’t you, Holmes.]

Roger’s soft laughter echoes, dazzling white flames ignite beneath the monster’s shell, illuminating the water’s surface.

[Then I suppose, you’re searching for me too, right?]

Lorenzo responds.

Roger wants to destroy the Echo of the End Lorenzo carries, the only thing that poses a direct threat to the Inexpressible. Lorenzo also seeks Roger’s position; only by killing Roger can the storm hovering over Old Dunling cease.

Both fully aware of the other’s goals, all that remains is to fight to the death.

Thunder suddenly erupts, flames roiling behind the Flame Holder, forming blinding light wings.

It races across the water’s surface, sending heavy waves crashing.

The Flame Holder possesses little weaponry, its deadly wings themselves the most formidable weapon, yet against Roger, still somewhat insufficient; they are powerful but lack lethal capability.