Hahahahahha!”

I couldn’t help but laugh as I saw 3 Behemoth class bugs closing on me. The earth cried beneath their massive bulk as they threatened to destroy what little buildings were left around me.

“Seriously? I am not even worth the biomass! Is this getting personal?”

Of course, I knew the answer. They had no real sapience or even sentience. It wasn’t possible for them to feel hate or other human feelings. I swallowed small amounts of spit I had in my mouth. Their purple shell durable enough to block shots from our most powerful tank shone brightly, telling me that they hatched not long time ago. This could been a thing to take advantage, only if I had the firepower. The closest one opened its mouth and I was able to catch a glimpse of its bio-missile made out of bone before the chemical reaction took place, firing it at me with enough force to level a city block.

“Aegis, 45 degrees north.”

A flimsy-looking shield formed in front of me. Despite what its appearance suggested, it saved me countless times before.

But not now.

I flew back meters as the missile hit the ground several meters away from me, spinning in the air several times before hitting the ground. I tried to start my jetpack to make my landing smoother but…

(Insufficient fuel.)

I hit the ground as a mechanical voice told me that I was fucked. Due to my power armor’s weight, I created a crater when I hit the ground.

(Multiple fractures are detected. Releasing nanomachines…. Insufficient nanomachines. Consult a medic to get nanomachines.)

The right side of my collarbone and several of my ribs were fucked. It was a wound severe enough to kill an average person but I didn’t qualify for that description. I gritted my teeth and stood up as the sounds of broken parts of my bones scrapping each other filled my head. The worst part was I couldn’t even say “Fuck!” as a Hornet class tried to stab me. Its bright yellow and lustrous black carapace caused me to squint my eyes as I sidestepped its thrust. I tried to release my high-frequency blade from its makeshift sheath but it told me it was stuck with a loud “Clak!”.

“Eh, fuck it.”

I grabbed its stinger, ripped it, and returned it back to its owner. Without caring about the disgusting and poisonous fluids, I rose to my feet. Looking in front of me, I saw another bio-missile headed my way.

(Insufficient fiberglass.)

I lifted the Hornet class, using it as a shield.

“Boom!”

My ears rang. I couldn’t hear anything but the ringing. It was so loud that until I hit the ground again I couldn’t think of anything besides it.

“Grhhh!”

My screams were cut short as blood filled my throat and mouth. My body ordered me to cough to get rid of the blood filling my throat and lungs and I obliged, painting the ground in a very deep shade of red. I tried to straighten my body to make throwing up easier and I found out that my left arm was no longer connected to my body. It was gone. Completely gone. I was barely able to rise to my feet. Most of my power armor was reduced to junk. It was a miracle I wasn’t trapped in it.

“Guess that’s fitting.”

I said as I looked at the creature in front of me. It didn’t attack. I knew that it was waiting for me to rise and get my weapon.

“Don’t try to behave like a warrior you fucking bug!”

I spat out blood. It didn’t react or make noise. It couldn’t since it didn’t have a mouth. A helmet-like head mimicking our power armor with two red eyes looked back at me. Motionless. It was slightly taller than me with an exoskeleton giving a black luster covering it fully. It was human-shaped standing on two legs and two arms. Its hands were 5 fingered. A mockery. A being specifically made to kill super soldiers like me. I pulled my high-frequency blade.

(Insufficient battery.)

A small part of me wanted to cry. That mechanical voice sounded too cold in my ears. I knew that it wasn’t cold or warm. It was simply stating the fact.

The last human on this planet.

I didn’t want to cry because I was about to die. I had known the risks when I joined the military or even before that; death was always a possibility. But I didn’t want to die like this. I didn’t want humanity’s last stand to end in such a pitiful manner.

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No ammo, no fuel, no battery, no fiberglass.

Why couldn’t we go extinct with glory? Showing everything we had built?

“It was worthless anyway. Come on, let’s finish this before I fucking bleed out.”

My steps were shaky, each one threatening to collapse me. The Reaper in front of me extended its wrist blade, ready to strike.

I wondered how many had died in the place where I stood.

Did they have their own dreams? Hopes? Fears? How many promises had they been unable to fulfill?

Our blades clashed. I was thrown off balance, struggling to maintain control. I spun to block another attack, using the weight of my massive blade.

Were they talented? What did they want to achieve in their lives?

I barely stopped the stab aimed at my eye, summoning every ounce of strength to keep my blade raised.

I wondered how many mothers had cried for their children. How many people had died from starvation? How many parents had sacrificed their last scraps of food for their kids while their own stomachs devoured them from the inside?

The bug's blade chipped my weapon. My vision began to blur.

I questioned why I didn’t just give up. I was the last human against billions of bugs. I had no way of winning. Even if I could win, for what? Humanity was long extinct, me being the only surviving member.

I could easily stop fighting and let them end me. Was I afraid of death?

No, it was something else. Deep within, a spark of defiance flared, refusing to let go. Every time I considered surrendering, it surged to the surface, igniting my will to fight.

But as my vision blurred further, I couldn’t catch the next stab. The wrist blade plunged deep into my stomach. If I hadn’t found the strength to jump back, it would have split me in two.

I wasn’t afraid. I just couldn’t give in. If I did everything humanity ever worked for, everything they accomplished would be gone. I was the only witness to the suffering and success of our species.

I didn’t want that. Our kindness and cruelty. Our success and failure. Our knowledge and ignorance. If I died here they would all disappear.

I lost my grip on the sword; it clattered to the ground. First time in my life, my sword felt this heavy. My body felt cold. With my fading vision, I saw the creature closing in.

Sorry, everyone. Guess I wasn’t good enough. I truly wanted to protect you. I wanted to make you happy.

The last thing I saw was my own headless body. Then, darkness enveloped me.

I floated in full darkness. There was nothing around me. I didn’t know how long I had been there, just drifting into nothingness. Time seemed irrelevant here. Lack of sensation here could drive a human crazy yet, I felt no signs of madness eating my mind.

I heard no cries for help.

I saw no corpses.

I didn’t smell death.

I sighed in relief. I was finally at peace. I could finally rest. I wasn’t sure whether this place was supposed to be heaven or hell but I felt content here. My memories, my mind, and my own being seemed to be spread across this infinite darkness. All the worries I had when I was seemed so far away.

But the peace was not to last.

A blinding light pierced through the darkness, tearing away the nothingness that had cradled me. I shielded my eyes, trying to comprehend the sudden shift from tranquility to harsh brilliance.

A voice, soft and resolute, broke the silence. “O Noble One, people need your help.”

I struggled to focus on the source of the voice, my thoughts still foggy from the transition. “I’m not noble,” I replied, my voice hoarse and weak. “I’m just a soldier who failed.”

The voice persisted, unwavering. “You are a hero, Noble One, and we need your help.”

“I can’t help you.”

There was a second of silence.

“I am one of the stars that govern Elppader, Hero from another world.”

It continued like I didn’t reject it! I didn’t know if I should be angry with her audacity or be impressed with her not giving a fuck.

“I am no hero.”

“You are a hero, Noble One and we need your help.”

Why didn’t she just let me go?

“Look, the mysterious voice from another world. I failed to protect my own world. What makes you think I can save yours?”

“You won’t be alone, Noble One.”

That didn’t answer my question! Darkness slowly faded as a bright light pierced my entire being.

“Wait, no! I didn’t consent to this! Hey!”

As I screamed, the light got brighter.

“I wish you good fortune.”