Endless scaffolding surrounded contorted steel structures. Dozens of rusty automatons with many long arms equipped in pincers tended to the constructions, like If they were plants in a garden.

I've walked the earth below these supposed marvels, having only one mission in mind. To get past, to the far boundary unknown. That's where these nightmares originated from.

As I walked in shadows, unnoticed by the natural inhabitants of the place, I noticed a single flower.

The fact it is here, in this dead place, was kind of amazing, but it came to an end when I've crossed its way.

I can't stand to look at things like this. Out of place. It's barely blooming, fighting with all of its strengths for remnants of nourishment. It's weak only because it was born in this place, because it was unlucky. Each of its days is a constant struggle for survival, with filthy water to drink and contaminated ground.

That reminds me, I have to take a drink. Refreshing...

You would give it to a flower, huh? Pathetic, it's not even alive and even If it was, what would it mean to it? Do you really think you're giving it hope? I see it as another person passing by and not taking full responsibility. Don't pretend like you don't have your own life to live.

I know you do it for yourself. You will never fully commit to a task. You would leave it as it is. You're not a soldier, neither I am.

Haha? You would want to take it home? See? You won't, because I stepped on it, and crushed it to pieces. It's gone. Your false trace of beauty in this dead land. You're late. ALWAYS LATE.

Ah, you are angry again. See If I care, I would appreciate it If you stopped talking to me.

Pain? It does not feel pain, it's just a flower.

My pain? You're mistaken, I don't feel any, no longer.

Garden? I'm not a gardener. I told you, all I know is battle. My armor, hammer, and rifle are all I've ever known. I don't cultivate, I disintegrate.

It's your dream... and what it has to do with me? I'm not here to replace you, in the path that leads to your impossible dreams. Find someone else.

Only I can do that... don't lie in my face. Never. It doesn't matter that I am the only answer you've ever known.

Yes, I will go down that cold and lonely road. Don't make me repeat myself, all I've ever known are lights fading.

I don't want to change. CAN'T YOU HEAR IT!!?

Yeah, sob over people who have nothing to do with you. At least, you'll be partially silent.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

So, there I arrived, at the home of gentle giants. These massive machines do nothing, but sleep in the sun and care for these ruins. Their batteries of missiles would be enough to end this war, but they're even worse pacifists than the voice of that monster in my head. If I only have the knowledge of Anaari, it would be possible to hack them, but the Anaari locked themselves in that huge cube, like cowards.

It's time to speak up and get over it. - "Hey, you. Yes, you, giant brick head."

"Do... you... speak... to... me?"

"Do... you... have... to... make... pauses... brick head?"

"I... suppose... so."

"How many people have to suffer and die before you start fighting?"

"Conflict... is not... the... only... solution."

"Sometimes, it's the only solution. You know, these horrid creatures won't just go away."

"Beauty... lies... in the... eye... of the... beholder."

"Are you going to tell me that these creatures, these destroyers of life, are marvelous wonders?"

"You... shall... not fear... what... you... don't... understand."

"You're a lunatic. I've wasted my time. Listen, the deal is clear. I'm going to lure these nightmares out, here. You're either leaving, fighting, or dying."

"Please... don't... ruin... our... garden..."

"Garden? Hahahaha, this? A garden? These are just useless scraps of metal."

"Your... eyes... are... blinded."

"No, they're open to face the reality."

"Only... in... black... and... gray."

"It is what reality is... and I will overthrow it."

"Why... not... let... it... flourish?"

"Flourish? Listen, you piece of junk. The only way your reality will flourish, will be in ashes. The only garden you will get to see, will be one of blood and thorns. Don't sell our lives for your empty ideals."

"Then... so... be... it. We... will... try... dialogue... or... perish... in... newfound... beauty."

Mindless golems. They see the carnage and their cease of being as something to behold, only because they would get a chance to blabber with the unknown, but all they're going to hear is gurgling of bloodthirsty hunger. Who cares, machines don't feel anyway, they're not alive, they're just pretending. The only shame is that they were not of any use to us.

What? These machines have souls? Are you deranged? Yeah, If I had any, it have crumbled away a long time ago.

No, you can't replace it. No, you can't bring it back together.

I've never been alive, to begin with.

This, this is a good place to climb.

[ ... ]

Just watch me. I will be the one ruining the world you created, the one that ruined my youth.

One bullet is all it takes... focus...

/// R-e-c-a-l-i-b-r-a-t-i-n-g ///

Isn't Anaari tech wonderful? Your nightmares will disappear with one pull of a trigger... do you know the cost of firing this weapon? One dead metropolis... but considering that due to you their ruination is a daily occurrence, I've plenty of ammunition.

Now, they're lured into the trap.

This is the day, where half of your nightmares die.

I told you, I will keep my promise. I'll get rid of your nightmares.

Even If the cost will be the end of another civilization.

My fingers are shaking. Again.

Don't try to stop me. Don't try your tricks on me. YOU! LEAVE ME ALONE.

I. WILL. NOT. MISS.

NOT. EVER. AGAIN.