The eve of the storm (I)

A downpour brewed in the dark clouds. Wild sea winds lashed the water, and with a flash of violet lightning, the first raindrop fell from the sky.

Pulled by gravity, the round drop quickly reached its terminal velocity. It landed on the Brigadier General's chest with a splat, shattering into a spray of water.

Though the cold rain soaked his wound, the Brigadier General made no sound. He simply kept his head lowered, silently following Xia Lun at the head of the group like a monk on a pilgrimage.

Xia Lun and Horn were carrying the gun carriage ahead of the others, one at either end, while Delis and the Brigadier General followed behind.

"It's raining!" Horn sounded a little worried. "This is definitely going to be a downpour."

"Don't worry. We'll reach the Shelter soon." Seeing familiar faces again had put Xia Lun in quite a good mood. "We'll get there before the downpour starts."

As if to prove Xia Lun right, although raindrops had already begun to fall, the downpour was still brewing when the group made their way along the gray-black rocks and returned to the Shelter.

"Put the gun carriage on the right," Xia Lun instructed Horn. "Gently. Yes, right beside the barrel."

"All right!" Horn eagerly set the carriage beside the barrel, a delighted smile spreading across his face. "We actually made it back to the Shelter before the rain started. Now we won't get soaked."

Just then, however, Xia Lun heard Delis mutter behind him, sounding somewhat dazed.

"Oh, undying sacred flame..."

Xia Lun looked back. Sister Delis was staring blankly at the gun barrel, her face filled with horror, as though she had seen something inconceivable.

She moved closer and fixed her gaze on the inscriptions near the muzzle, running her hand over