WRAITHBOUND ASCENTION

The armory of the Santini gang was strategically positioned next to the entrance of the left wing of the warehouse, usually guarded by armed gang members to ensure its security. Rows of guns, ammunition, grenades, and other deadly weapons lined the walls of the armory, ready for use at a moment's notice.

To the right of the armory stood the right wing of the warehouse, serving as another important area of the headquarters. In the middle of the warehouse, a hall extended into Lucky's office, the central command hub of the gang.

The headquarters of the Santini gang were structured in a rectangular layout, with three halls branching off from the main entrance. The left hall belonged to 1st Lieutenant Vic, who oversaw the daily operations of the gang, while the right hall belonged to 2nd Lieutenant Benjy, responsible for managing the gang's finances.

Each hall contained various rooms for the leisure of the gang members, as well as designated spaces for conducting business deals and negotiations. Additionally, there were grim torture chambers usually used for people like our pal Riccardo Cheves.

Presently, the walls of the armory were lined with wooden racks, each one holding an assortment of firearms that reflected the era.

The air smelled of gun oil and aged wood, a familiar scent that brought a sense of calm to Lucky's otherwise racing mind.

The armory wasn't flashy, but it was efficient. Rifles with polished wooden stocks stood upright in their racks, their barrels gleaming under the dim light of a single bulb hanging from the ceiling.

Handguns were neatly arranged in glass cases, their metallic finishes catching the light. Ammunition boxes were stacked in orderly piles, their labels faded but still legible.

Lucky moved with purpose, his eyes scanning the room as he began to arm himself.

"Tony, grab the M1 Garand. , you.. what's your name again..? Aaaah never mind

Just take the Thompson, it will treat you well....

The rest of you, stick to the shotguns and revolvers. Keep it simple, we're not storming Normandy, but we're not taking chances either."

Tony nodded, his large hands wrapping around the M1 Garand with practiced ease. He checked the action, the familiar 'ping' of the en-bloc clip ejecting as he ensured it was loaded.

"Always liked this one. Never lets you down."

Bobby picked up the Thompson submachine gun, its drum magazine already loaded. He slung it over his shoulder, his movements quick and precise.

The other men followed suit, each selecting their weapons with care. One grabbed a Winchester Model 12 shotgun, its pump-action mechanism smooth and reliable.

Another chose a Smith & Wesson Model 29 revolver, its .44 Magnum rounds capable of stopping just about anything.

Lucky himself reached for a Colt Python revolver, its polished chrome finish gleaming as he spun the cylinder to check the load. He slid it into a shoulder holster, then picked up a Remington 870 shotgun, its wooden stock worn but sturdy. Together with his 1969 browning 9mm he always carried, Lucky considered himself almost ready.

"Grab extra ammo, but don't weigh yourselves down though.. We're moving fast, and we're not sticking around for a firefight."

He opened a drawer beneath one of the racks, pulling out a handful of flash grenades, crude but effective devices that would buy them time if things got messy.

He handed a couple to Bobby and Tony, keeping the rest for himself.

"These might come in handy. Toss 'em if you need to disorient him, but don't blow yourselves up in the process."

The men chuckled nervously, the tension in the room easing slightly. Lucky's calm demeanor was infectious, and they somehow felt energized by his confidence.

Next, Lucky went behind a shelf and moved it ever so slightly. Mechanical gears wriggling and tuning as it opens fully to reveal a hidden .... Closet...?

Inside were tens of suits and coats, gun holsters and ties. Lucky extended his reach, grabbing a checkered turn coat, putting it on instantly.

He also took a hunting knife, its blade sharp and well-maintained, and strapped it to his belt.

"Alright, let's move. Tony, you're on point. Bobby, you're with me. One of you go guard the door to my office and the rest of you, fan out and cover the flanks.

Stay sharp, and keep your distance. If you see him, don't engage unless you have to. We don't know what we're dealing with here... And take a torch"

Heeding his words, Tony instantly took the leading position already acting as a scout for any danger ahead. Lucky was right behind him with Bobby slightly covering his back.

Nate went to the office's door and stood guard while Lucas and Chris covered the sides of Lucky and Bobby, forming a wedge formation that allowed for both flexibility and control. With Lucky at the center of it all that is .

Tony opened the door to the left hall/ wing, then stood aside while Lucky and Bobby flashed their shoguns and Thompson respectively. This was a precaution intended to repel abomination Cheves if he had been waiting to lung out as soon as the door open.

Luckily, he wasn't there.

Tony took a curious step forward, his M1 Garand raised high, it's barrel sweeping across the empty hallway, his breathing steady as looked around in a tensed expression. Lucky and Bobby followed right after him, shotguns and Thompson submachine ready and loaded. Behind them, Chis and Lucas flanked their sides, eyes darting from door to door.

Following the hall, the team cleared door to door, the creature not anywhere to be seen.

Lucky had a bad premonition. What if it already gotten out?

was it already on its way to the office?

drip!

drip!

A single drop of something thick splattered on the wooded floor, then another and then on top of Tony's head. He reached with his finger and put it in front of his face, then said in a weak voice....

slimy!

Lucky's grip on his shotgun tightened, "eyes up !! " 

He ordered, prompting them all to flash their guns up. Then the overhead lights flickered and a scraping sound came from up above.

scrrrr....!!!

A flash of something moved on the ceiling, a blur of sinew and claw.

Tony barely had time to react before the creature slammed down into him, nearly crushing him like a bug.

Seeing Tony still standing, it slashed with its claw, but tony was ready this time, aiming the barrel of the M1 Garand at nearly point blank.

BANG! 

Abomination Cheves squinted, forcefully being pushed back by the impact.

Finally coming to a halt, it glanced at Tony, who was already squeezing the the trigger again and again, showering the beast with bullets.The en-bloc clip pinged, announcing the last round which punched a hole through Cheve's shoulder.

Lucky and the others didn't fire, since Tony was too close to the abomination, making it difficult to aim.

It didn't last long though

Abomination Cheves didn't back down, taking hit after hit. Its blood painting the wooden floor red. Then it moved , taking advantage of the time Tony used tp reload, and slammed its body into him, sending Tony crashing into the opposite wall with a sickening crunch. The force used was too great, and the speed at which it moved was too inhumane.

"Jesus ! " Bobby roared, firing his Thompson Machine gun at full force, But it was too late.

Abomination Cheves had already learnt his lesson. It moved in a zigzag , reducing the amount of bullets that actually hit him. The bullets tore through the air , rattling against the wall as the creature turned and twisted... it was too fast

Seeing this Lucky fired the Remington, the shotgun's blast lighting up the dim hall for a fraction of a second.

Bang!!

True to his name, 'Lucky shot Santini' , he didn't miss, the creature wriggled to the ground. Its torso Half torn from the blast of the shotgun.

Lucky had seen its movement, deduced where it would lounge at Bobby and pointed his shotgun.

"Fuck ! " Chris cursed. The ghastly sight of Cheves was sent to his flank, crashing near him. 

bang ! bang! bang!

Chris didnt hesitate, unloading his revolver into Cheve's side. He poured his revolver until he ran out of ammo, never taking his eyes of the horror.

That was when he noticed it, he saw Cheves smilling, its grotesque mouth pulling outward into a wide grin.

It moved !, a blur too fast.

Chris's tried to scream but he was cut short as claws raked across his chest like a rapier, ripping through flesh and bone like wet paper.

His body crumpled, spasmed as he gasped for air, air that would never come.

Hurriedly, Lucky shot forward, his shotgun ready to fire...

Bang !... Bang! 

The creature pulled back.

Without hesitation, Lucky pulled a flash grenade from his coat, hurriedly yanking the pin and hurled it forward..

"Cover your eyes ! "

He yelled, taking the body of Chris while retreating.

Cheves let out a guttural shriek , clawing at its own face as it also retreated a bit.

"Now !! " Lucky barked.

At that moment, Bobby and Lucas let loose, the drums of magazines roaring as he emptied a hail of . 45ACP rounds into the abomination.

Lucas also fired his Shotgun, buckshot tearing into the abomination's twisted frame.

The creature growled and roared in pain letting out a guttural shriek.

They could feel it. It was almost over.Just one more push and this damn beast would be dead.

It had been less that two minutes since they came in contact with the abomination,but they were already spent, their ammo almost out and the worried creature was still not down.

It felt like an eternity.

Lucas decided to be brave,wanting to close the distant and get a point blank shot and blow the abomination's brain out.

He jumped forward, the weight of the shotgun had never felt this light, his form flawless and his conviction stalwart.

If only it were that easy. If only what one needed to win was conviction.

Puchi!!

A head rolled !!

It was none other than Lucas's very own. He had been too naive. Going in the beast range to claim it's head. Only for the cards to be reversed.

He had not taken into account the nature of beasts or any other animal for that,and their primal desire to survive.

Maybe he still thought Cheves human...

He was not! 

He was a cornered beast, the most dangerous kind of beast. One that would do anything to survive. One last desperate rampage, one last desperate chance.

Abomination Cheves saw the door far down the hallway.

The door it had clawed on over and over again in an attempt to escape.It was open right now. Freedom was just down the hall. Survival was just down the hall.

But...

SCHLACK !!!

A wet sickening slice echoed through the hall, producing a sound akin to a cleaver slicing through raw meat.

Then a heavy THUD was heard, as something hit the floor. For a moment there was silence .

A grotesque head rolled.

Then a slow drip! drip! drip! of blood could be heard.

It came from Lucky's huge hunting knife !!