Chapter 3: Dedication

Chapter 3: Dedication

...

…

…

A river of blood cascaded.

He felt his nose prickle, as the stench of death refused to let go of its mighty grip. It held each and every molecule in the air.

'God…has something against me and alleys.'

A macabre masterpiece, the final project of a psychopath. The alley of death, painted with dead bodies littered like trash. Hanging limbs, eviscerated corpses.

Yet, he was the only one still alive…for now.

A silent requiem of honour was sung by the rain that splashed against the ground. The usually cold water was now the same temperature as him.

'I wonder what kind of nightmare I'll have this time?'

After all, he'd felt like the devil itself after killing just one person…what would he feel after thirty?

A torn logo was all that remained of them after all. They were nothing but pests in his eyes, foolish beings that dared to threaten the general.

But they were still people. Humans with family. Friends. Lovers. People that cared for them, no matter how twisted they were.

The cacophony of gunshots did nothing to silence their wails of despair, as their numerical advantage slowly dwindled into nothingness.

Ghost sat against the wall, unable to move his lower half. Perhaps due to trauma to his spine earlier.

*Cough*

A newly formed puddle of blood.

But he reassured himself, he had not been in the wrong.

Not this time.

After all, the target was not the thirty he slain...but his master. And so, he was justified. Just like before.

He was not a fool. It was inevitable that he would die soon.

But in his heart there remained only one regret.

An incomplete promise.

One that felt significantly more painful to break than to sit here and die by himself.

'Ah…I wish I could have Shizuku Madam's quiche.'

They truly were to die for.

…And he was dying right now.

He let out a chuckle that shot a bolt of pain through his body. Many had called him a grim reaper before, could the grim reaper ever die like he was?

It was a question that popped up in his mind, like many before. But he had no time to check. He had but a few minutes left.

*Bzzt Bzzt*

He'd have to put it to good use.

*Bzzt Bzzt*

He'd have to apologise for his inability to keep his word.

*Bzzt -click*

["Shinji! Where are you? You should've been here half an hour ago! Shizuku's getting worried."]

Shinji moved the phone away from his ear, allowing the digital screen to light up. Even though the crack ran along, he was able to make it out.

22:43.

"...Sir." He nearly whimpered, before driving his hand down into his leg in frustration…only to feel nothing.

Since when has he become so weak? Too pathetic to even respond properly. He knew better than this!

'A weak blade creates nothing but worry for the warrior.'

["Shinji. Are you alright?"] The general asked in a level voice. As if pretending that he hadn't heard him prior.

'It is a chance to fix the mistake you made.'

"Yes sir." Ghost…no, Shinji replied, "I-I believe I owe you a-an apology. It seems…I might not be able to come tonight."

["..."]

"I-I failed you, sir." Shinji glanced at himself for a second, trying to discern what he could see through his blurred vision.

Deep gashes decorated his pale skin as if he was a canvas. It was the holy symbol of life leaving his accursed temple, his blood flowing through every orifice it could.

["What happened?"]

'Ah yes, the general was always a sharp one.'

"...Nothing too severe sir. I have silenced them all. It seems…someone is aiming at you."

He had to tell him.

Warn him.

He knew General Raymes could solve the issue and deal with it better. Way better than he could have ever imagined.

*Cough*

Another thick wad of blood fell.

["Where are you right now?"] The general asked an unusual sense of urgency in his voice. Though it was faint, Shinji could hear feet shuffling from the other side.

"It is alright. No backup required, I have de-"

["That's not it Shinji! I am sending medical aid. Tell me where you are right now!"] He shouted. "Listen carefully to what I'm saying. I have trained you on self-aid. Wear anything to cover your wounds, it's raining, so keep warm. Do you understand?"]

"...It's too late sir." Shinji delivered the unfortunate news, "I…have become paralysed waist down. Even if I returned, I'd be of no use."

["That's alright, you have done your job, w-"]

"Please sir," Shinji cut him off, an act he'd never dare to take on. "I've lost too much blood on top of that. Public health services are not a response we can use. It'll blow the cover."

["..."]

This is the way. The only way. After all, Shinji Kyokotsu had never existed in public eyes.

"I apologise f-for not following your wishes. I regret not being able to assist you anymore. But I thank you for everything you have done." Shinji smiled from the bottom of his heart.

["Why thank me, boy? I only ruined what you could have had. I turned you into a weapon."]

"And you gave me what I did not have. You taught me everything and showed me how to live. For that, I'm glad to dedicate my life to your cause."

Raymes didn't respond for a few moments, understandably the news must have been quite a shock for him. Raymes had, after all, invested much resources into bringing up Shinji and it was coming to an unfortunate end.

["You may rest now, Shinji."] He gave his permission. ["I hereby relieve you of your duty."]

Shinji for the first time in his life, felt his lips quiver. It wasn't because he felt discarded, but because he could hear his master's sobs. The one he had served religiously was grieving for him.

Each hiccup brought pain like a hot iron rod being cast into his soul. He felt his heart ache. Fresh tears emerged, washing over the dried blood marks that the rain could not reach.

He had lived until the tender age of just 17. He knew just one path in life and forged himself as he journeyed through it.

Unyielding.

Unbreakable.

That was what he believed he had become. Like Excalibur, an undefeatable weapon for his master. One who never fails to respond to his calls.

Yet he could do nothing as he realised he was nothing but flimsy steel. Though maybe this time he would allow himself to rest.

After all,

"Ghost…signing out."

He was no longer Ghost.

He reached into his pocket, his arm shaking and refusing to move but he forced himself to do so.

The raindrops beat faster than his heart. A cold feeling permeated across his body.

Yet he pulled it out.

A small sphere with a single button. This was it.

A final act of service.

He was no proud soldier, but he chose to be impertinent just this once.

"Can you hear me?" His mind drew delusions in a fit to get him to close his eyes, yet defying nature's orders, he reached up to God, "I am Shinji Kyokotsu! I have dedicated my life to serving this country! To protect and follow Raymes Igarez's ideals. May the heavens that watch over my actions know, I was born a warrior and shall die one too!"

'...Heh, just like in anime.'

And so he pressed the button.

Wiping out his life, his identity, the bodies around him and his very existence.

Leaving behind nothing but thirty-one burnt unidentifiable corpses.

…

How strange. It didn't feel like he'd have a nightmare this time.