Forged in Ash
Chapter: 1
Everybody dies someday right?
Caleb sighs as the alarm once again robs him of his precious dreams, replacing it with a reality barely worth living in. Dim light illuminates his barebones Apartment, fitted out with only the most basic necessities, it makes him lament on times long gone swept away by industrialization and the greed that defined humans. Although he felt nostalgia on the greenery that you could only see rarely nowadays, he didn’t feel regret or the urge to change something making a real difference was pointless in his day and age, the only thig he felt was apathy… but Caleb didn’t see it as that he rather viewed it as realism, crying over it would get him nowhere.
Hmmm cant wait to get to work, although im sure my clients wont appreciate my visit
After completing his morning routine, which was exactly made for maximum efficiency, he shaved his slightly grayed beard, trimming it just about right. After washing himself and making sure his suit fit. He made his way out of his discreet apartment. A suitcase with his Work utensils in his left hand. Caleb’s phone buzzed message from Boss. He didn’t really know the person he was working for, if anything he would describe their relationship very discreet with no unnecessary talking involved. It was business for the both of them, Caleb did his Job, Boss paid for his living conditions and for the hospital bills of his Mother for last few years she had, it was the least he could do for her. She was the only person he really felt something for. All the others were expendable but not her, no not her.
*Boss: Target located sending over address…*
Getting pulled out of his daydreams Caleb sighed, just Another day another job right? People who don’t look in the future and just dwell in the present, borrowing money that wasn’t theirs, all of them would eventually meet their end sooner at that, especially if they owed Caleb’s boss money. After receiving the mentioned address, he prepared for a “friendly” visit. The locks of the suitcase popped open revealing a 9mm pistol with a silencer attached. Carefully taking it out he admired his beloved. He had this pistol since he started this job, almost a decade ago. It was special to him to say the least. Adjusting his suit he stepped to the porch, it was a rundown rather sad looking building old tapestry peeling of the walls like its potato being prepared for dinner and the person looked like one too just a pretty bad one. Grime, dried sweat and more than anything the smell of rot all of these smells assaulted Caleb violently but he pushed though professionally adjusting his tie.
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Caleb: “Justin, was it? right
Justin: “and who the fuck are you mr fancy?
A scowl on his dirty face rather bony looking face
Caleb: “No need to be rude ive just came to collect a certain debt.”
His face staying neutral and at ease, his dept collecting device in his hand
As he noticed the pistol in Caleb’s hand, his eyes widened he broke out in a cold sweat
Justin: “No y…you must’ve gotten the wrong address, yes i…I think it’s the guy living next door.”
Caleb: “No I am pretty sure I am right, blowing someone else’s money on Drugs and not paying it back is not very wise, is it no?”
He saw this act many times before, but they all ended in the same exact way”
Justin: “Come on j...just give me a week I promise ill pa-“
Before he could continue his horrible attempt at convincing Caleb, he got a new hole right between his eyes slumping to the ground afterwards. The sound ringed throughout the building despite the silencer, it only made the sound less loud not making it completely silent. After quickly making his escape through the backdoor he lit a cigarette in an alley. Ash falling to the ground bit by bit. It was a bad habit of him to smoke after a completed case. But you gotta relieve stress somehow, right? He drifted into deep thoughts again, he didn’t feel any regret nor bad for killing this guy why should he? Suddenly as he walked the street, he saw headlights approaching, he dove out of the way of the truck. What was that why was it following they didn’t try to... yes, they did they specifically drove into him, his cigarette falling to the ground as he got under the many tons heavy truck. Out of nowhere a message flew over his vision mid collision.
System
[Assessing body…]
[Analysis failed]
[Integration failed]
[Reason: insufficient body]
[Searching for new fitting body…]
[Body found: fallen lords Vessel]
[Transportation continues]
Caleb felt his body breaking as he got squished by the wheels of the truck, his flesh and bones serving as no hinderance for the Machine. His thoughts a complete mess but one was ever present was this karma. Before this thought could continue, he saw everything going black and numb.
