The Astronaut [Fanfiction Contest Entry]

[spoiler][i]Disclaimer: This post is Fanfiction, and only appears in #Lore because there is no other place to go. I very rarely produce content for these forums, but if you feel the need to mute me regardless please do so. Thank you for your time.[/i][/spoiler] Beneath a moon, ever cold and distant, was an eternal war. This night air was filled with the never still shapes of angular vessels, engines bombastic, weapons hot. They flew in packs over an indistinguishable land of rocks and rubble, where other opposing forces stirred. Against the swelling airforce stood bulbous vehicles, spider legged, cannons long. The two armies clashed amidst the ancient ruins of humanity’s home, in a sea of silvery blues and crimson reds that left bodies within their wakes. Of the many that flew, a lone missile swerved past its designated target. Aimless, the projectile veered into an empty man-made warehouse and reduced it to iron splinters. Swirling clouds of ash bled from the newborn crater like a seeping wound, blanketing nearby flocks of dead trees in its embrace. As the murk settled, the faintest of lights flickered dimly in the shadows. From there it only grew in strength, until the glow coalesced into the distinct form of a person. The mysterious being barely rose from the trembling ground, as would a flower trapped in the darkest cave. After the illumination faded, it could be seen that the meager clothing the humanoid wore was of lesser makings, its helm nought but a golden mirror. Born from ages past and only recently undead, this soul seemed almost unassuming for a creature bearing such unnatural power. Rejuvenated by an eternal second life, the astronaut resembling warrior pressed itself behind the scraps of a wall. On the other end marched alien giants, their oversized shoulders and small heads defining them as the brutes they were. This legion ran itself blindly into the fray, letting their stubby rifles discharge in the direction of insectoid foes. The four-eyed bugs fought with an equal fierceness, slaying just as many lives as they were losing. This astronaut had no part in the raging battle, for unlike the others it swore no allegiance to empires or thieves. Fearful and exposed, it turned to the source of the light that had brought it back from death, a small floating machine known simply as a Ghost. The little blinking object offered only minimal guidance, for only one thing needed to be clear. If both wanted to remain in this conflict ridden world, they had to flee. At that moment one of the flying warships crashed in a tumbling whirl of flames and shrapnel. Using the thunderous distraction to their advantage, the astronaut and Ghost leapt into action. They ran and flew as far as they could. The projectile of blues and reds followed close behind. Along the way a shorter bug-pirate tried in vain to bring the armored humanoid down, its electric knife soon sizzling in its own gut. Avoiding countless other dangers at every turn, the pair barely escaped by taking cover in a derelict factory. Once inside, exhaustion clinging to every bone, the astronaut sealed a gaping doorway to lock out pursuing evils. Against it the aliens slammed their fists and cursed, however all the wretched sounds were drowned out by the greater wails of the persisting war. Out of breath, the astronaut exhaled with relief, enjoying the first solitude since their initial ressurection many hours prior. There was a barred window to the right, and through it could be seen the true scale of the blighted world. With what was discovered came no comfort. This planet had only marching armies fighting over already drained resources. Nothing about the land felt hospitable in the slightest. If it wasn’t for a badge stitched on the uniform, there would’ve been no other indication that this was in fact Earth. All that remained was a corpse to be looted by those who had no part in its Golden Age. The astronaut didn’t know the cause of the battle, or even the names of those that were fighting in it, but the dismayed warrior found comfort in understanding that it all had to end, eventually. Surely no conflict could last forever. There would be resolution and rest soon enough. [i]Right?[/i]