Gunmage -
Chapter 56: Tank crew
Chapter 56: Chapter 56: Tank crew
"Do you guys hear that?"
Lugh asked, his voice barely rising above the distant chaos.
"Yeah, just did"
Renshaw responded, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the dimly lit interior.
A moment later, the floor beneath them trembled violently. Dust cascaded from the rafters, and the aged walls groaned under the strain.
"Well, sh*t. The building is collapsing."
A wooden beam snapped like a gunshot, sending a portion of the ceiling crashing down. The group barely managed to avoid the debris, shielding themselves from splintering wood and crumbling stone.
"We need to get out of here, now!"
Renshaw barked, urgency sharp in his tone.
The ominous creaking intensified, the entire structure groaning as though it were taking its last breath. The floor tilted, throwing them off balance, forcing them to stagger toward the middle level.
Loose bricks and wooden supports rained down like lethal projectiles as they descended. The air was thick with dust, making every breath a struggle.
"We’re almost there!"
Renshaw yelled through the deafening destruction. He moved to take another step when a sharp crack echoed through the air.
The stairwell beneath them gave way in a violent collapse, leaving a gaping void where their path had been.
"Goddammit!"
He cursed, slamming a fist against the remaining railing.
"Through the window!"
Lugh shouted, his mind already set on escape. Without hesitation, he sprinted and launched himself through one of the large, shattered windows.
The mortars had long since battered the building, explosions having stripped it of any remaining stained glass.
The others followed suit, diving heedless of the treacherous drop. Lyra’s hair lashed out, extending unnaturally in an attempt to slow their descent, while Vaelith chanted under his breath, arcane energy swirling at his fingertips.
But before their spells could take full effect, Lugh commanded the phantoms. They answered instantly, swirling beneath them in a spectral vortex that cushioned their fall.
They landed smoothly on the uneven, war-torn streets below, and without pause, they bolted for cover. Behind them, the cathedral succumbed to its fate, collapsing in a monstrous cacophony of stone, wood, and dust.
A thick cloud billowed into the air, momentarily shrouding them in darkness.
As they reached open ground, they saw the fires had spread even further, turning entire city blocks into infernos. Yet, among the flames, battle raged. In some areas, the fires had been beaten back, replaced instead by brutal, close-quarters combat.
Lugh barely had time to react before he felt a bullet lodge into his head.
A future projection.
Instinct kicked in, and he rolled to avoid the shot. His attacker wasn’t so lucky. Xhi had already lined up the barrel, her rifle steady. She squeezed the trigger, and the soldier’s head snapped back, his lifeless body dropping to the ground.
"Look for cover!"
Renshaw commanded, his voice cutting through the chaos. Without hesitation, he kicked down the door of a nearby building, and they rushed inside, rifles raised—only to be met with the terrified faces of civilians huddled in the corner.
A woman shielded two small children behind her, her eyes wide with fear.
"Please don’t hurt us"
She pleaded in trembling elvish.
Renshaw’s jaw tightened.
"Lady, this is a warzone. Why haven’t you evacuated yet?!"
His voice held an edge, frustration seeping through his otherwise controlled demeanor.
"We don’t have time for this"
Xhi interrupted, her gaze fixed beyond the doorway.
"They’re coming."
"Take up positions!"
Renshaw ordered, and they immediately dispersed, securing vantage points throughout the building.
Lugh climbed to the second floor, taking position at a shattered window. Below, Xhi’s puppets remained stationed, eerily still, awaiting the inevitable clash.
Then, Renshaw swore under his breath.
"You’ve got to be kidding me."
Through the dust-choked streets, a hulking metal behemoth rolled into view.
A tank.
Heieg soldiers moved alongside it, using its armored bulk as a shield as they advanced.
"Hold fire"
Renshaw instructed, voice steady but tense. They remained concealed, hearts pounding in anticipation. The enemy drew closer, their footsteps hurried.
"Now!"
Gunfire erupted in a synchronized barrage. Xhi’s puppets struck with eerie precision, their first volley taking down nearly all of the advancing troops.
The survivors reacted instantly, returning fire, but they were exposed. The tank’s gun turret swiveled, seeking a target, but its angle was too steep to fire upon them directly.
It would have to destroy the building to get to them.
"Hmmm? There are civilians here!"
Renshaw reminded sharply.
"On it"
Lyra called, already in motion. She vaulted from the window, landing atop the tank in a blur of movement.
Xhi and Vaelith provided cover, their bullets cutting down soldiers before they could retaliate. Lyra’s flowing hair had already unfurled, swaying like living tendrils.
They lashed out, intercepting enemy rounds, forming a near-impenetrable shield around her.
She grabbed the tank’s hatch and yanked. It was locked.
Auburn strands slithered into the cracks, gripping the mechanism with crushing force. With a screech of metal, the hatch was ripped open, and Lugh seized his moment.
He dropped inside like a falcon striking prey.
The impact rattled his bones, but he moved swiftly.
In a swift motion he threw out his enchanted dagger. The blade curved through the air, severing throats before the crew could react.
Lugh had already pounced before it could return, his formless blade plunging straight through a man’s heart without any resistance.
One soldier managed to draw a sidearm, desperation etched in his expression, but Lyra’s hair had already wrapped around his wrist, wrenching the weapon away before it could be fired.
The strands coiled tighter, mummifying him in an unbreakable grip.
"Lugh, do your thing!"
She called down.
Lugh locked eyes with the restrained man. The soldier flinched, but resistance was futile. Shadows flickered in Lugh’s gaze as he delved into the man’s mind, sifting through fragmented memories.
It took precious minutes, but he found what he needed, the tank’s controls, its systems, its weaknesses. And, as an added bonus, a new puppet.
"Everyone inside!"
He commanded.
They piled in, discarding the bodies into the blood-soaked streets. The battle had already moved on.
Inside the tank, the air was thick, hot, and suffocating. Metal groaned with each motion, and the engine’s roar was deafening.
"This thing needs a crew of eight"
Lugh muttered, taking stock of their new war machine.
"Then let’s make do"
Renshaw responded.
Lugh’s puppet took the driver’s seat, another controlled the gearbox. Lugh and Lyra manned the machine guns, while Renshaw and Vaelith handled the main battle cannons.
Xhi’s puppets reloaded shells with methodical precision, and others moved outside, providing additional support.
Visibility was poor, the tiny viewing slits offering only glimpses of the outside world. But with the puppets acting as their eyes, they navigated with perfect precision.
Xhi’s voice guided them through the haze of war, her commands direct and unwavering.
The armored beast rumbled forward, weaving toward the battlefield.
If you find any errors (non-standard content, ads redirect, broken links, etc..), Please let us know so we can fix it as soon as possible.
Report