Alright, already, we have a bit of a problem. I have no idea what kind of gun I need to be using. Nor do I know the differences. Ugh, I know there’s no real reason to feel like an idiot, but I really do feel like one at this very moment. I do my best to at the very least not show how idiotic I feel as Bea walks up next to me. The patience in her is something I would prefer not to test so I decide to just be up front and explain my lack of knowledge to her and hope to god she doesn’t kill me.

“Bea.”

“Hm?”

“I have no idea what I’m looking at right now.”

“I figured…alright, lets get this handled then.”

She points to one of the pistols on the table in front of me and picks it up. With very deliberate movements, she shows me in their proper order how to turn off safety, reload, and how much pressure the trigger needs. Once the very basics are covered, she hands it to me, explaining it’s got the best power, I’ll just need to learn how to properly handle kickback, a term I had expected to hear despite how little I truly knew about guns. With the weapon now in my hand, I wonder where exactly we’ll be going to test it out.

Bea waves her hand and, without warning, all the guns on the dining room table disappear, leaving only the one in my hand. With that done, Bea begins to lead the way, into the main area of the building and to a simple looking door. Next to the door is a keypad, which Bea inputs a string of numbers into. After a few moments, there’s a click, and she opens the door to reveal a shooting range inside. Stunned, Bea begins pushing me forward to get the process moving. Once at the counter, Bea goes to a locker and opens it, revealing shelves filled with different kinds of ammo. She grabs a box and brings it up to me.

“Alright, remember how to reload?”

“Yes.”

“Prove it.”

I unload the mag and begin inserting the ammo into the sleek black body. It feels strangely comforting to do, like when one is performing a particularly easy mind-numbing task. Once the mag is full, I push the mag back into the body and load it. Bea nods in satisfaction before pointing at the target in front of me. For this first one, she wants to just see the stance I try to use. I do my best to recall videos I’ve seen of people at the gun range, and do my best to replicate their stances. Shoulder length apart feet, shoulders not tense, arms straight forward. It all seems right to me. I take a deep breath, counting down from ten in my head, and finally pull the trigger. I…miss horribly, not even hitting the target.

“God damn…” I sigh.

“Know why that was?” Bea asks.

“Uhm…not sure.”

“Your eyes.”

She points at my eyes. Did I close them by accident? That’s definitely a possibility. I take a breath before taking a stance once more. This time, I make sure I’m staring the target directly down. Stop thinking about the kickback, if something bad happens, none of that. No stiffening up…I pull the trigger. I manage to shoot the left side, leaving my mark on the target. I feel a smack on the back. Despite it being on the target, it still isn’t any of the lethal points. I’m still definitely just a beginner. I sigh gently, before going once more. Then again, again and again. The clip slowly empties of bullets, some hitting the target, others not, but for some reason, no matter how much I concentrate, they just won't hit where I really want them to.

“Damnit…”

“Relax. Getting angry isn’t gonna help you.” I feel her hand grip my arm tight. “Shooting angry also isn’t all that great an idea either.”

I sigh, putting the gun down and stepping back to stretch some. I take the chance to study what I have accomplished so far. Despite the fact that It verifiably was improvement, I couldn’t see it like that. Rather, I felt my own inadequacy eating at me till it was near impossible to bear. Why is this getting to me so bad?! It was more annoying I was getting annoyed than it was that I was whiffing. I sighed, rubbing my face, when I felt someone's hands grab my shoulders. Bea leads me back to the counter, and takes the gun, holding it between our hands, he gripping the right and her the left. I could immediately tell the difference. My side was much shakier than hers.

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“Alright…what do I do about that?”

“Hmm…a pistol like this may not be the best choice if you’re this uncontrollably shaky. Hold on.”

She takes back the pistol and opens her portals, letting a multitude of guns fall onto the counter. She looks over the options available, before seemingly finding exactly what she’s looking for. Bringing it over to me, she shows me the basics with this gun now, and grabs the matching ammo from the locker. With a nod, I hold it up the same as before, hearing her say this one is an automatic, so it’ll be better for my situation. I watch as a flood of bullets come spraying out of the gun that I do my best to control. Once the mag is out, I admire the gun’s handiwork. It would seem that, yes, with a large spray of bullets, I can manage to hit those damn lethal spots…and…every other spot, hehe. Bea seems to find thi satisfactory though, so i’ll just roll with it.

“Alright, look, I’m gonna have you use both of these in combat. Even if you’re shaky, it’s likely safer to use the old pistol for being up close and personal.”

“Hmm. Alright…you sure know a lot. Did you used to be a gun nut before all this?” She laughs at my question.

“Hell no! This is all just from learning on the fly. I dont even know the names for any of these fuckers.”

“...huh?”

I suddenly felt much less secure being taught by her, but, well, she definitely had more experience than me. Best to just trust her till it goes wrong. With that decided, I turn back to look at the target. Imagining an angel there instead of just a practice board fills me with chills. Even if I could shoot it, would it really even do anything? How much punishment would it take for the thing to become killable? Last time was a fluke. This time we can’t rely on it being overly cocky. The thought makes me feel ill.

“Alright, let's go again.” Bea demands, and I do as told, holding the gun up once more.

…

“My arms are sorer than they were dealing with that damn sword.” I complain as I leave the room, Bea close behind.

“Yeah? You get used to it. I suggest you save the whining for the pillow my friend.” Bea suggests before closing the door behind us, hitting the red button on the keypad. I look at her, confused. “That just resets the room so that the others can put in their codes for their own training areas.” I still look confused, earning me a sigh. “Look I don’t get how it works either, but regardless, it’s convenient. Not as convenient as letting everyone enter their training areas whenever but, whatever.” Bea exasperatedly walks ahead, forcing me to catch up.

“The least you could do is let me keep up.” I complain as we make our way up the staircase to the living quarters hall.

“That sounds like a personal issue my friend.” She says, sticking out her tongue. I roll my eyes, arriving in the hall after her and feeling very unenthused for who I imagine is awaiting me in my room. “Oh, right, hey Chris?” I look back at Bea, and see her open the door to her room. “Mind coming in for a bit?” The invitation surprises me. I nervously eye her.

“What for…?” She looks agitated at my hesitance.

“You’d find out faster if you just got in here.” She said. Not wanting to get on the bad side of the one with all the guns, I followed her inside her room. Once we were both inside, she closed the door and stood there for a moment, totally silent. I take a moment to look over the room. It’s surprisingly decorated, covered in posters for anime and heavy metal bands. Hmm, she has pretty good taste. After a good moment admiring her walls, I hear her speak. “Chris, what was the angel like?” Turning back to look at her, I saw she was still facing the door, not moving even an inch.

“How do you mean?”

“Maria told us how strong it was, and how you killed it, but what was it like?” She rephrased. I feel icy chills down my spine having to imagine the thing again. Still, I force myself to do so. In that moment, I get flashes. Flashes of beastial hunger, of human emotion, of a being that could kill hundreds, yet laugh as heartily as a man in his 20’s. The best way to describe that, it would be;

“It was like a man led only by his hatred and glee, in the body of a growing god.” I said the only phrase that came to mind. “With a form too terrifying to comprehend, followed by a mind that couldn’t imagine life outside other’s suffering. If I didn’t know better, I’d say it would be more appropriately called a demon.” I saw it. The gentle shivering of Bea’s back.

“Do you think…we can really kill another one?” I mean, we should be able to. Surely. If just me and Maria could take one on then there’s no way that all of us would do even worse. But…that’s not what she wants to hear. Not what she needs to hear. Something definitive. Something that erases all doubt. I think…I think…

“When something really matters to you…you always get back up.” I say. “It's your responsibility…not to die. To protect what matters to you. Whether you're weak like me, or strong like you.” I feel a smile creep onto my face. “That’s what it means to be human. A truth not even death can erase.” She looked at me with eyes full of doubt. They quickly changed to ones of relief upon seeing my face.

“When the hell did you find the time to study motivational speaking?” She jokes. I shrug my shoulders, and that seems to be enough of an answer. “You’re not all that bad Chris. I think I may like you even.” She says.

“Well, what are friends for?” I say. She chuckles. “Uhm, I should get back to my room before Sasha kicks down your door.”

“True, that bitch ain't paying for any damage she does even if I sue.” Bea says before reopening her door and allowing me to leave. Back out in the hall, I look down the dark path and decide to make one more stop before inevitably ending up stuck in my room again. Reaching Maria’s door, I gently knock and patiently wait. After a few moments, she opens the door with her warm grin.

“What’s up Chris?” She asks. I feel the words sticking in my throat, but…I know I need to say them.

“This mission…won’t be like last time, ok?” I tell her. “You won’t end up like you did before. I promise. Th-that’s all.” Maria chuckles at my words before patting my head.

“Then, I’ll promise too. I won’t let you die again. We’ll kill that angel, and then we’ll come home, all together. Even Sasha. That’s my promise to you.” I smile, and nod.

“Then, goodnight Maria.” I bow to her gently before walking off to my own room, stealing one last glance back to see her watching, smiling happily. I won’t let you be hurt like last time. You or Bea…or Sasha.

The…people I need to protect.