“Mulaso! Hey, you alive?”
I reach out towards the sound of the sergeant’s voice and touch something. I tap it. It’s all I can do to breathe. Talking’s impossible. I can hardly see, either. I’m half-buried in rubble and can’t move. And my arms... are just an arm now.
The attack was so sudden. On the horizon, a cloud of dust appeared, and from it came a horde of charging vampires. I’d never seen such numbers. The sergeant shouted something about thousands, and someone else shouted back about tens of thousands. There were just so many. It was obvious from the moment I saw them that it was useless. We were all going to die. I even forgot how to breathe, and ended up just continually sucking in air. It was painful.
Nevertheless, I remembered the sergeant’s words and ran. I did what I could, and tried to warn as many people as possible. “Head to the underground shelters and cave rooms!” I yelled. I urged them to hide. While carrying an old lady on my back and pulling a child by the hand, I did what I could.
I am a soldier; I will die. It is my destiny. But the people who aren’t soldiers don’t have to suffer the same fate. It’s my job to sacrifice myself so they can survive. With that thought in mind, I ran around doing my job. Eventually, my chest began to feel hot. Tears dripped from my eyes, but I kept doing the best I could.
Later, I grabbed my spear along with my brethren and stood against the vampires. We were going to be brave and perform our duty as an army. We would fight, even if we knew we wouldn’t win.
However, I’m not cool like those knights... so I got taken out really quickly. One of them grabbed my arm, flung me about, and tossed me. I hit something; it hurt like hell. I nearly fainted. I was paralyzed. I could only listen to the sounds of my brethren fighting. I’d mustered up my courage, prepared myself for death... and then this happened.
I couldn’t even become kindling for the fire. I’m so lame.
“Mulaso, lad... a job well done.”
Ah, he’s going to scold me until the end. Whatever, it’s fine. As long as I don’t have to die alone... I’m so happy to feel human contact.
“Your spear hit true. It was impressive.”
I... feel like this is praise. Is the sergeant smiling?
“The vampire you fought was a big deal. An Apostle! A beast named Crumbling Mountain. That monster leveled homes, walls, and mountains... yet your spear hit true.”
Really? I got taken out so quickly, though... Was I at least a little helpful, then?
“You can pass on with pride. You did all you could. You, me, the other men... we’re all gonna die here, but God will praise us. He’ll tell us we did a bang-up job.”
His voice is strained, like he’s suffering. The convulsing I’d felt in my fingertips has now disappeared. Oh, the sergeant... and the others... Our army is gone.
What about the citizens? What happened to that old lady? What happened to the children? Come on, voice, I need to ask, or I’ll never be able to pass on in peace.
“...The citizens will be fine. The vampires seemed to be in a hurry.”
Good. I can only hope that’s true. Please, let it be true. Otherwise, it would be my only regret.
Oh, God. You who so love Lady Kuroi; the God of Humanity. I know I pray and ask for a lot, but this is the last time... Please, please, give your blessing to those who are suffering. Bless those frightened children. Create a world where they can all live happily... Deus Ex.
Ah... I can see a flame. A warm, beautiful flame...
It’s my turn to join you.