Salvage Union: Saltlick Part Two

"Pick it up."

Mother Argenta told her how to bypass the Head Sister's locked door; her voice followed throughout the building. She pointed her at the bookshelf, told her how to move it to the side. There was a safe on the other side, something she'd only seen in banks, but smaller.

Mother Argenta told her how to open the safe as well.

Inside was a long branch of black, polished metal with wood on one end. It was cold to the touch, heavy, a few hands long. Near the wood were buttons, latches, a catch made out of metal on the bottom.

https://thecoffin.club

"What is it?" Nia whispered.

"A gun." said her goddess. "A shotgun. Good at most ranges."

"What does it do?"

"It kills." Her goddess' voice was dry, dismissive.

Nia's hands shook. From the weight, from her words, from the circumstances. Too many good reasons. "Oh."

"The metal end. With the hole. Never point it at anything you do not want to kill. Especially loved ones. Especially yourself. The gun will defend you by killing. It won't do anything else. And it's always dangerous. Do you understand?"

"No." she whimpered.

"Nia, you asked for my help. This is my-"

"Argenta."

A new voice. A man's. Smooth, low, controlled. Warm, like a fire about to swell.

"Hey-"

"Seriously?" Disapproval.

"Yes. She asked for my aid. This is the best I can do on such short notice."

"Don't lie to the girl because you're lazy." Commanding. Humoring, but the tone beneath.

"Who are you...?" whispered Nia.

A pause.

"I speak to the monks, little sister. I am the Sword of Justice to her Bullet of Retribution. Isn't that who you are supposed to be, Argenta?"

Another pause.

"What do you propose, then."

"Divine intervention."

"I can't be there until tomorrow."

"But you can be there."

Nia held the gun close. "Please?"

Her goddess groaned. "Okay. Sure. Stay safe until then, alright? Oh, the switch on the side is the safety. It won't shoot if it's on. And remember, don't aim it at anything precious, okay?"

The air shifted. The voices left. All that remained was Nia and the gun.