The dimly lit underground room reeked of iron and sweat, the air thick with the tension of violence recently unleashed. Lucky Santini, also known to his men as "Lucky Shot Santini",stepped out of the room, his hands stained crimson.
His nickname came from his precision and the near-miraculous odds of survival he seemed to defy in dangerous situations.
Tall, with dark hair and a permanent, calculating look in his eyes, Lucky has a sharp jawline and a demeanor that suggests he's always a few steps ahead.
While his outward calm makes him seem unapproachable, those close to him know his reputation isn't just built on blant luck but his ruthless determination and willingness to do whatever it takes to win, even if it means bending the rules or getting his hands dirty.
Having a penchant for playing poker, both literally and figuratively, he is always willing to gamble on risky endeavors if the payoff is big enough.
His past though is a mix of many broken allegiances, betrayals,annexing others pay, whispered rumors about a series of miraculous escapes and the sort.Leading some to wonder if he's truly lucky or just far too dangerous to be killed.
His business ventures span illegal gambling, arms dealing, and underground fights, but his true talent lies in orchestrating schemes with the perfect timing and precision, much like the shots he makes that seem impossible to land.
People respect him, fear him, and some even idolize him, though none truly trust him, not when he's willing to betray anyone if it suits his goals, except his direct family ofcourse.
Despite his hardened exterior, Lucky keeps a tight-knit crew around him, those who understand that loyalty to him brings great rewards,and disloyalty leads to swift and irreversible consequences. He moves like a ghost in the criminal underworld, but when he's in the room, all eyes are on him.
Walking out of the underground room, a subordinate hurried forward, offering a crisp white handkerchief. Lucky took it without a word, wiping the blood from his hands with the precision of a man who had done this countless times before.
The hallway was lined with his men, all of whom parted like the Red Sea as he walked through. Their eyes were downcast, their silence a testament to the fear he commanded.
Lucky's expression was unreadable, his sharp features carved from stone, his dark eyes cold and calculating.
He entered his office, a sparsely decorated room with a single desk, a chair, and a window overlooking the warehouse below. His right-hand man, a wiry figure named Vic, handed him a piece of paper.
Lucky scanned it briefly, then scribbled an address and a time on it without uttering a single word. Vic nodded, taking the paper and leaving the room without a sound.
The phone on Lucky's desk rang, breaking the heavy silence. He glanced at it, his stern expression softening as he saw the caller ID: Home. He picked it up, his voice warm and gentle, a stark contrast to the coldness he had displayed moments earlier.
"Hello, munchkin."
On the other end of the line, Grace's voice bubbled with excitement.
"Daddy! Daddy! Guess what? I drew a picture of you today! It's you and me and Mommy at the park, and we're all holding hands, and there's a big sun in the sky, and...."
Lucky chuckled, leaning back in his chair.
"Whoa, whoa ,slow down,munchkin. That sounds like a masterpiece. Did you use all the colors in your crayon box?"
"Of course! I even used the sparkly ones Mommy got me.
Daddy, when are you coming home? Mommy said we're going to watch the rocket launch together, but I want you to be there too."
Lucky's smile widened, his heart swelling with affection.
"I'll be there, munchkin. Promise. I wouldn't miss it for the world."
"Pinkie promise?"
Lucky laughed, a rare, genuine sound that would have shocked anyone who knew him.
"Pinkie promise. Cross my heart and hope to ....well, you know the rest."
Grace giggled, her laughter like music to his ears.
"Okay, Daddy. But hurry up! Mommy's making sandwiches, and she said we can have cookies if we eat all our veggies."
"Cookies, huh? Sounds like a deal. Tell Mommy to save me one, alright?"
"I will ! Love you, Daddy!"
"Love you too, munchkin. See you soon."
He hung up the phone, the smile lingering on his face for a moment longer before he slipped back into his usual demeanor.
***
Half an hour later, Lucky stood with his wife, Maria, and Grace at a crowded viewing site, their eyes fixed on the distant launchpad. The Apollo mission to the moon was about to take off, and the excitement in the air was palpable.
Grace tugged at Lucky's sleeve, her eyes wide with wonder.
"Daddy, is it going to fly all the way to the moon?"
Lucky ruffled her hair, his smile returning.
"That's the plan, munchkin. All the way to the moon."
Maria leaned into him, her hand resting on his arm.
"You made it just in time. Grace was starting to think you'd miss it."
Lucky glanced at his wife, his expression softening.
"I told her I'd be here. I keep my promises."
Maria smiled, her eyes filled with warmth.
"I know you do."
"9..8.. 7..6.."
The countdown began, and the crowd fell silent as the massive rocket roared to life, flames erupting from its engines.
It ascended slowly at first, then faster, leaving a trail of smoke and fire in its wake. Lucky held Grace's hand tightly, his wife leaning into him as they watched the historic moment unfold.
Buzz!! buzzz!!
Lucky's phone buzzed in his pocket. He glanced at the small screen - "VIC".
He hesitated for a moment before deciding to ignore it, slipping the phone back into his pocket.
And then it happened.
A deafening
BOOM!!
Echoed across the sky, so powerful it seemed to shake the very earth.
The rocket, now a tiny speck in the distance, appeared to hit something - an invisible wall.
The screen broadcasting the launch nearby flickered and went dead.
And at that moment !!
Lucky's instincts kicked in immediately. He pulled Grace into his arms, shielding her from whatever was about to happen. Maria clung to him, her eyes wide with fear.
"Lucky, what's going on?!"
Before he could answer, the world around them began to unravel and screams of fear resounded everywhere.
Lucky held them both close, as if shielding the horrors of the world from them as he took long looks at their immediate vicinity.
Then he saw it ! And even felt it. It came from Maria, his own wife
Maria's skin felt rough and when Lucky spared a glance, he was horrified, his calm demenour dissipating into thin air.
His heart races, worry gripping it like squishy ball in the hands of a toddler.
Maria's skin started to crack, her body solidifying and hurriedly started disintegrating into ash before his eyes.
Lucky's heart raced even faster as he reached for her, but it was too late. She was gone, her ashes scattering in the wind.
"Mommy?!"
Lucky held Grace tighter, his mind racing. He looked around, and the scene was one of utter chaos. People everywhere were turning to ash, their screams filling the air.
Where a family of five was, now there were two, where there were six now there none.
There was no pattern, this anomaly continued to reap the lives of mundane people at random,people turning into ash as going with the wind.
Leaving only their worldly possessions, clothes bracelets and the sort.
Worst of all was that this was happening world wide. No region or country was spared
Cars crashed into each other, planes fell from the sky, and the world descended into pandemonium.
But Lucky didn't move. He stood there, his daughter safely tucked in his arms, his expression calm despite the apocalyptic disaster unfolding around him.Despite just loosing the love of his life countless moments ago.
His mind was a fortress, his emotions locked away as he held his crying daughter even tighter. He was not going to loose his calm in front of his daughter, the one he vowed to be her monolith.
But fate had other things instored ...
A voice echoed in his mind, deep and resonant, cutting through the chaos like a knife.
"Children of Gaiahymn, HEED MY CALL."
Lucky's eyes narrowed, his grip on Grace tightening. Fealing that whatever was happening, it was far from over.