I threw myself aside as absolute chaos began. Ector's shot rang through my ears, creating a pain that mingled with the one of my shoulder hitting the floor.
I grunted, but didn't take my eyes off the android that had previously pointed a pistol at my head. I aimed my revolver at him, immediately pulling the trigger.
Surprise flashed across his face, and he shouted an insult before leaping over the counter, dodging the bullet that blew a hole in the wooden ceiling.
I tried to get up to orient myself, but immediately regretted it when a stray bullet nearly ripped off my cap and head, shattering a bottle behind the counter.
So I crawled across the floor amidst the screams and gunfire with customers and gangsters alike falling to the ground.
Ector's henchman, who also had previously held a gun to my head, screamed in pain, falling with his left arm and chest riddled with holes, courtesy of the bartender and his shotgun.
His face stopped in front of mine, and his eyes widened in fear and shock as I placed the barrel of my gun in front of his right eye.
"Wait!"
BANG!
What I thought was dark red oil and sparks gushed from his punctured eye socket, but he still moved, trying to aim his pistol with his shaky, damaged arm.
He never got the chance to fire. I put a second bullet in his head, and erratic expressions flashed across his face.
His body convulsed as if having an epileptic seizure, distorted screams erupted from his mouth, along with smoke and the sounds of broken machinery.
Finally, his body went limp, and in that moment I realized I had taken the life of a sentient being, a creation of humanity who worshipped them like gods, like children admiring their parents, and I felt nothing as I stared at his dead form.
What happened to me?
I shook my head, abandoning those thoughts, as this wasn't the place for that, and took his gun from his hands.
I would have looked for more ammunition, but the bartender fell with a bullet in the side of his head, and Ector rose from behind the counter, falling again to dodge another of my shots.
Shit! Shit! Shit!
I stopped crawling and got up, running with my head down as Ector, now with the shotgun of the android he killed, blasted holes in my wake, yelling furiously.
"You bastard! Son of a bitch! I'll turn you into scrap metal!"
Sweat ran down my face and my breathing quickened as it came closer and closer to me.
If it weren't for my superhuman condition, I would already be dead. I don't doubt that androids have better aim and dexterity with a weapon to easily take out a squad of trained soldiers.
I threw myself behind a thick wooden table, cringing as splinters slashed my face.
Ector unloaded his gun. Meanwhile, I opened the chamber of my revolver, counting a bullet, then rummaged through my side pocket, pulling out a handful of ammunition, reloading it.
Suddenly, the shots aimed at me stopped, but the gunfire continued.
The android trying to kill me had disappeared, probably behind the counter, but his gang members hadn't forgotten me.
I retreated behind the table again when a shot from a hunting rifle ripped off a chunk of my cover.
The gangster hid behind a pillar across the bar, with some of his companions forming a wall with overturned tables and chairs around him, returning fire from the other androids.
Some of the patrons and travelers were on the ground, most still moving and shooting as they were dragged away by their friends, which made me wonder how resilient the androids were.
A few appeared to be truly dead, like one of the gangsters behind the covers who had just fallen forward with a chunk of his head missing.
However, the android with the rifle proved to be a superb marksman, taking down his enemies one by one with precise shots.
It didn't matter if they were dead as long as they couldn't fight, because the others were finishing the job for him.
I needed to get out of here now! I won't be able to continue my journey if I'm dead! Besides, the caravan might leave without me because of the gunfire!
I holstered my revolver and raised my left hand, creating a flame on my index finger as I removed a stick of dynamite from inside my coat, lighting the fuse.
I let the fuse burn while counting the intervals between shots, and as soon as the rifle fired, I rose from my cover, throwing the dynamite toward the androids.
I didn't wait to see the result; I returned to my previous spot, covering my ears and gritting my teeth.
I heard a mixture of surprised and frightened screams in the distance and finally, the deafening explosion.
BOOM!
I jumped slightly, the smell of smoke and burning material assaulting my nose.
"HOLY SHIT!"
"WHO THE HELL IS THROWING EXPLOSIVES?!"
"THAT GUY IS CRAZY!"
On the one hand, the gunfire had stopped, on the other, I became the focus of attention.
I risked a peek out of my hiding place, spotting androids staring at me in surprise and fear.
Then I focused on where the dynamite had exploded, seeing a hole in the ground as the smoke cleared, revealing a disgusting image.
I know the androids were mechanical, but that did nothing to ease my stomach churning at the sight of human-like beings torn apart.
Some were missing arms and legs, revealing flaming stumps and burned bodies; others were split in two, their insides spilling onto the ground.
One of them crawled out of the hole, completely skinned and missing its legs, its metallic spine almost touching the ground.
His eyes met mine as he moved, and in that moment, I remembered the only time I'd ever received such hatred in a look.
I was in a sewer with a giant, dead serpent at my feet. A shadowy figure crawled across the floor, its eyes like beacons staring into my soul.
I unloaded my revolver into the creature, and when its hands almost touched me, it disappeared, leaving behind an object that had no place in its possession.
I pointed the pistol I'd taken as my own at the android.
I knew I should feel something, for I wasn't facing a monster, but a being that felt and thought, a creation of humanity, but there was nothing: no disgust, anger, fear or regret, just nothing.
BANG!
The bullet pierced its head, and its forehead hit the floor.
I closed my eyes tightly and took a deep breath, trying to calm my mind, for I couldn't feel my heart.
When I opened them, I surveyed what remained of the bar; it was a stalemate. There were still androids alive on both sides, their weapons ready, but no one fired.
I believe they were waiting for who would be the first to act, just like before, but no one wanted to be the next body on the ground.
Hm… The nearest window and door are too far for me to run without getting shot. I could use my magic, but I didn't want to exhaust myself using an attack strong enough to get out of here.
I rummaged inside my coat again and pulled out another stick of dynamite, lighting it with a flame from my fingertip.
It took a few seconds for the others to realize what I did, but no one turned their weapon in my direction.
"COULD WE STOP THIS, PLEASE?! DON'T YOU ALL THINK ENOUGH PEOPLE HAVE DIED TODAY?!"
However, I didn't get the answer I expected.
"ARE YOU CRAZY?! TURN THIS THING OFF!" One of the customers yelled.
"NO, I'M TIRED OF THIS BULLSHIT! IF YOU WON'T STOP KILLING EACH OTHER, THEN I'LL MAKE SURE YOU ALL DO! I'LL THROW IT AT YOU ALL AND USE MORE TO EXPLODE WHAT'S LEFT!"
"WE'RE NOT LEAVING WITHOUT OUR BOSS'S MONEY!" One of the gangsters spoke next.
"DO YOU THINK THAT I CARE?! THE DISPUTES IN THIS PLACE HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH ME! I JUST WANT TO CONTINUE MY TRIP! THE LEADER OF YOUR BUNCH OF ASSHOLES CAN GO FUCK HIMSELF! AND WHERE IS HE ANYWAY?! AS FAR AS I KNOW, HE RUN AWAY WHILE YOU GUYS WERE DYING!"
My words finally seemed to penetrate their thick skulls. Both sides exchanged hesitant glances, slowly lowering their weapons.
"THIS PLACE MUST HAVE A BACK DOOR, THE GANG CAN USE IT WHILE WE LEAVE THROUGH THE FRONT! NOBODY NEEDS TO DIE, RIGHT?! WE HAVE A DEAL, RIGHT?!"
There was a flurry of nods and murmurs of approval.
"GREAT!"
I prepared to extinguish the fuse, but before I could, I heard the familiar sound of a gun being cocked.
Whether due to my heightened senses or some paranormal power, time seemed to slow down, giving me the opportunity to take in my surroundings.
It was bizarre; the color seemed to drain from the world, but I could see the smallest details. The numerous holes from stray bullets, the mottled wounds on the shot androids, and so much more.
The sound was too close to be one of the androids in the standoff; there was nothing above or behind me, so that left only one place.
I looked down and saw something glinting between the floorboards. My eyes widened and my muscles nearly tore from the speed at which I moved.
Ice formed on my free hand, surrounding it in a thin mist as a long, blue stake appeared in my grip.
I drove it down with all my strength, piercing through the wood and something just below.
There was a surprised cry followed by a pop, a flash between the boards, and the world returned to normal, and with it, a wave of pain.
BANG!
"FUCK!"
I slammed my back into the wall, nearly biting my tongue off with the impact, and slid toward the floor.
Breathing heavily, I tried to figure out what the hell had hit me.
I found two red-stained holes, one in my left boot and the other in my right shoulder, not to mention, of course, the bloody wall behind me.
I hadn't lost any large chunks of my body, nothing a healing spell couldn't fix, but the androids' desperate screams snapped me out of my confusion.
I let out a scream I'm not proud of when I saw the still-lit stick of dynamite at my feet, and without thinking, I kicked it away with my good leg, sending it hurtling toward the center of the bar.
BOOM!
I shielded my head with my arms, being pushed against the wall again, feeling the shards of wood tearing through my clothes and piercing my skin.
My screams of pain mingled with those of the androids, but the ringing in my ears prevented me from understanding what was happening.
I don't know how much time passed; I remained seated, trying to recover. My anxious breathing gradually slowed, the whistling I'd heard faded, but the pain returned as my adrenaline subsided.
I leaned against the wall, sighing and groaning with each movement. I gritted my teeth, lifting my wounded foot as soon as it touched the ground.
Bad idea!
My shoulder wasn't in the best condition either; it was a mistake to use my bad arm to lift myself.
I tried to concentrate, summoning the supposed magic I possessed, and did as I'd done this entire trip to hide my humanity.
A green light coursed through my body, and the healing magic took effect.
I felt the holes in my foot and shoulder close, my hearing returned to normal, and my head stopped hurting and spinning.
Something stirred inside me, probably some internal damage I hadn't yet felt, and now it had just disappeared.
But the worst part was the shrapnel. It needed to come out for my body to heal, and the spell did that to me in the worst possible way.
"AAAHHH!"
I slammed my fist into the wall, cracking it as the pieces of wood were expelled from my flesh, each one with a spray of blood.
When it was over, it was as if nothing had happened, but my torn and dirty clothes said otherwise.
I looked around, seeing that the bar was now empty, and I couldn't help but laugh sarcastically at that.
Hm… So now they've decided to listen to me. I should bring more explosives for arguments.
Anyway, it was time to leave. I swear I'll go after the gangsters if I find out they made me miss my ride, and I don't want to explain to anyone what happened here.
I grabbed the pistol from the floor and crossed the bar toward the front door, skirting the edge of the large hole in its center.
Glancing over, I saw a cellar in the basement, now with several destroyed barrels spilling beer and other drinks.
What a waste.
I shook my head, intending to leave before I plunged into my addiction again, which I almost did when I arrived.
Alan, you bastard!
However, I never left the establishment, as a crushing grip on my shin prevented me from advancing.
I screamed in protest, a mixture of my flesh and bone aching and the effort it took to stay upright and try to escape.
But it was useless; I hit my stomach on the floor, dragging my fingers on the floorboards as I was pulled into the hole.
Momentarily, I found myself in the air, only to have my back slammed against the ground. The air left my lungs in a silent scream, and my vision blurred.
"YOU SON OF A BITCH! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW MUCH TROUBLE YOU'VE CAUSED ME?!"
I knew that voice, but a hard kick to my ribs shattered my thoughts, sending me rolling into a ball, stopping upon hitting something, probably a barrel or a support pillar.
The taste of spilled alcohol lingered in my mouth, giving me a mixture of relief and disgust, along with the clarity of having my addiction temporarily sated.
I leaned against what was behind me, slowly rising to my feet in time to dodge an incoming blow.
CRACK!
My head would have split in two instead of the pillar if I hadn't dodged it.
"I DIDN'T SPEND TWO HUNDRED YEARS BUILDING MY GANG IN THIS NOCTURNAL HELL FORGOTTEN BY HUMANS FOR A NOBODY LIKE YOU TO RUIN EVERYTHING IN A MOMENT!"
I raised the pistol with a trembling hand, trying to aim at the blur in front of me.
I pulled the trigger, heard the gunshot, and saw its flash. There was a painful scream, but I couldn't tell if it was mine or my enemy's.
A weight, something almost like a car, slammed into my body, and I found myself on the ground again, struggling and rolling as hands tried to close around my neck.
One of the worst pains I'd ever felt coursed through my body. My muscles burned, my blood boiled, sweat bathed my body, and I was exhausted.
I don't know how I didn't break all my bones with something so heavy on top of me. For the first time, I don't regret making the pact.
I can't die here! I can't die here! Not when I'm so close!
My vision cleared, and I saw half a familiar face. Ector, with half his face blown off, revealing the mechanical parts underneath.
The light in his eyes intensified and flashed a piercing red. The human side of his head was stuck in a furious grimace, probably detached from his skull, nothing more than a mask of skin. His hair was a tangled mass of burnt strands, giving him a terrifying appearance.
It was something out of a horror movie, but not the worst thing I'd ever seen, far from it. I placed the pistol against his left side and unloaded it.
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
Each shot lit up the dark cellar, and Ector howled with each hole torn through his body. However, even as he sparked, alternating between moments of strength and weakness, he managed to close his hands around my neck.
A shiver ran through me as his cold fingers touched my skin. I glimpsed shards of ice and bullet holes in his limbs, the result of my attack.
"I WONDER WHAT MODEL OF ANDROID YOU ARE! I HEARD STORIES OF A PAIR OF TWINS WHO CAN USE THE MASO TO DO THE IMPOSSIBLE! ARE YOU A SIMILAR MODEL?! IT DOESN'T MATTER, I'LL DISASSEMBLE YOU PIECE BY PIECE TO FIND OUT AND USE THEM ON ME! WHAT DO YOU THINK?! WE'LL MAKE A GREAT TEAM, WON'T WE?!"
The pressure on my neck increased, blood trickled from my mouth, and the corners of my vision darkened.
His disturbing face was inches from mine, making me choke on the boiling smoke and steam pouring from his mouth and nose.
That was his biggest mistake. I placed both my hands on the sides of his head and gave him the experience of being struck by lightning.
"AAAHHH!"
Ector's voice distorted and cracked unnaturally as white electricity coursed through his body. His eyes flickered on and off repeatedly, wires popped out of his body, and the crackling sounds of sensitive machinery frying echoed through the room.
The spell ended as quickly as it had appeared, and Ector's body went limp. His grip on my neck disappeared, and I shoved him aside, where he fell with a heavy thud.
So there I lay, breathing heavily as I wondered what the hell happened. Wondering when it all went wrong.
Come on! Get up! You can't stay here! You have to leave! You have to leave!
I cast a healing spell, not just once, but kept casting until I could no longer, almost depleting my reserves, all to heal the damage done to my body.
I no longer felt pain when it ended, however the exhaustion prevented me from getting up, but I had to.
CLAP!
CLAP!
CLAP!
"That was quite a fight, a spectacle of violence, but the display of the skills I granted you left much to be desired! You allowed yourself to be taken by surprise, despite having the strength to push that android off you! I recommend you keep training if you don't want to repeat what happened today; luck won't favor you next time. I refuse to have such a shameful pact partner."
And there she was, the little blonde girl with red eyes. My tormentor and partner.
Manah stopped beside me, staring down at me with a small smile on her face. How could something so adorable be so terrifying?
"So, aren't you going to get up? We have a long journey ahead of us."
It's easy for you to say! I'm not a magical ghost!
"Why did you disappear?"
"Such coldness! You didn't react well when you learned the price of our pact, so I decided to give you time to adjust. But don't worry, I never abandoned you; I was watching you the entire time."
"And why did you come back?"
"I thought it was time, now that you've experienced your first combat against the androids occupying this world. So, what did you think?"
"WHAT DID I THINK?! WHAT DID I THINK?! LISTEN HERE, YOU LITTLE SHIT, I'M GOING TO…"
I took a deep breath, almost biting my tongue as I felt myself about to lose control. This wasn't the place to be blinded by rage; I didn't want to wake up in a random town in the middle of nowhere again.
"Just leave me alone. If you don't have anything useful to say, then go away."
Manah clicked her tongue, puffing out her cheeks and pouting as she crossed her arms. Something cute if it weren't for our previous interactions.
When I blinked, she was gone. However, I swear I heard her laugh in the back of my mind.
I looked around and found a small wooden staircase leading up. Halfway up, I turned toward Ector's body and snapped my fingers, igniting the spilled liquor in the cellar.
I'm not taking any chances.
So, with everything done, I left the bar, angry, tired, confused, and thirstier than when I arrived.
I walked through the streets of the small settlement, ignoring the hurried androids that passed me, shouting about the spreading fire, or whispering rumors of what I'd done inside.
Some watched me with surprise and fear, and others with suspicion, but I didn't care; I wouldn't be here long.
I turned a corner and found my caravan parked near a gas station refurbished by the locals.
The passengers I'd become acquainted with during the trip were talking to Lara. I couldn't hear their words, but their gestures indicated the seriousness of the situation.
However, my arrival interrupted the conversation, probably because I was the topic, but no one dared say anything.
Were they afraid of me? Damn! I feel awful now! Maybe… Maybe this is a good thing, fewer questions to answer, but I'm sure they will come.
I asked when we were leaving and thankfully received the answer that it would be right now. All to avoid further trouble.
I climbed into the back of the truck, sat on the small bench, and waited, pulling my canteen from my backpack to quench my thirst.
I couldn't stop shaking as my fighting instincts subsided. I nearly spilled all my water halfway there, and when I managed to drink it, I nearly choked.
Suddenly, the truck shook with the roar of the engine, but I was the only one in the vehicle.
Of course, who would want to share a place with a madman who throws explosives and creates ice stakes? At least I'll have a peaceful journey!
A few minutes later, we found ourselves outside the city, its buildings and walls disappearing into the distance, giving way to dense jungle filled with the cries of giant animals.
I won't miss this place, unlike the cities where I lived and the one where I began my journey. Although brief, the interaction I had with its inhabitants will remain etched in my memory.
Hours later, a yawn escaped my lips and my eyes grew heavy.
When was the last time I slept?
Well, there was no one here. I laid my backpack on the bench and leaned to the side, resting my head on it, and when sleep finally enveloped me, I had returned to my home where the woman I loved awaited me.
END OF CHAPTER