Auhtor's note : Yeah yeah I know what some of you gonna say, I got too many on goings and should focus on that and all. But I can't even sleep at night if I can't put my thoughts into paper. So here is my newest creation, Gears of Zero.

Btw, this is the first time I tried to write from personal POV of a character that wasn't made by me. Don't know how it will turn out but I try to make it as accurate as possible. Alright, here goes.

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"EAT DIRT AND DIE MOTHERFUCKER !"

The words were barely spoken out of my mouth when I pulled the trigger. My mind filled with rage the moment I saw that ugly bitch Myrrah. Because of her people 3 most important people in my life lost their lives, not counting millions people, my friends and my comrades. I don't give a shit anymore, not now. Not when I can kill that bitch and keep her off Delta Squad until we can save Sera.

"Hey look ! It's Carmine !"

I hear someone called my name, unable to recognize the voice over the gun fire but I knew it was Cole, or probably Baird. I guess Baird. That guy never knew when to shut up. That brought a smile back to my mouth. But it soon faded as I saw the Hammer of Dawn in Marcus' hands. I read the daunting expression in his gaze, and I knew what he was planning.

Memories flooded my mind, back to E Day up till now. When my brother foolishly stood up and was sniped. I couldn't bear to hear that they disposed of his body in a hastily made grave and I almost ripped off the arm of the Gear who was giving me his COG pendant. Then the memory skipped ahead, to Jacinto, Marcus didn't tell me about Squirt's gruesome demise, but I knew it was by some Polype looking creatures. I asked Jack to play the battle record for me. I couldn't bear to watch until the end. I am not some kind of pussy who is afraid of blood, but it was tough to watch how your brother's body got melt down to his spine.

Ben. He was so innocent. Couldn't hurt a fly if he tried. He wasn't the best soldier, but god damn it, he just wanted to make mom and dad proud ! I tried to hold my tears back when Marcus dropped the tag and a note in my hand back then. It's still in my pack back, almost torn from reading it over and over, tears dripping on the edge of the paper.

I was brought out of my thoughts when I heard someone shouted.

"Carmine ! Look out !"

I looked out and saw the giant monster looking like it was gonna cough up something. Then, there was a searing heat and light. The pilot screamed in agony.

"Shit ! We're going down ! We're on fire ! We're on fire !"

The Raven was steadily declining towards the beach. I held onto the turret for my dear life. I am not afraid to die, only not yet. I still need to see this day off, to see my last brother safe and sound.

I hit the ground hard. It hurts like hell. The helmet and armor broke the fall, just barely, but I'm alive. Till now I'm glad that I wore my helmet. They always say it was dumb to wear a helmet, now looks who is still standing.

I lay there on the beach, my body sore. I tried to move but my body didn't respond. All I could do was to hope that Delta could finish this fight. A sound blast hit my ears. It didn't hurt, much, but the buzzing sound was annoying. A light blast followed, lighting the sky up in a blue purple glow. Good, they succeed.

I'm tired. I want to sleep. I closed my eyes. I feel my body falling into the vast abyss. Perhaps I will see my brothers again.

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White light flashed in front of my eyes. Could be the doctor. Slowly I open my eyes. The first thing I noticed was a blue sky. I never see such beautiful sky before, at least not after E-Day. And what the hell Marcus did could never made it this way. Sera was contaminated beyond help.

So am I dead ? That is the first question that popped into my mind. So guess this is the fate of the Carmines. Then where are Anthony and Ben. Shouldn't they be here to greet me ? But then I notice the pain. My whole body hurt like hell. Some red was blocking my visor. Quickly I wiped it away and look at my hand. It was blood, my blood apparently.

And god it hurt. It wasn't like taking a simple bullet. That I can deal with. But this is something else. My head was spinning. I stagger and try to stand up. I fail.

"Jeez Louise what the fuck ?" I called out.

"How… how… do you know my name ?" A feminine voice said on my right.

Looking up, I saw a little girl in blue cloak looking at me. She was ten at most. Doesn't look like she was any older. She has pink hair, but it could be dyed though. A civilian perhaps. But I remember this is not Sera anymore. I mean I am dead, right ?

"Aren't you here to greet me or something ?" I asked back. "I mean, isn't this heaven or some kind of afterlife place ?"

And then that kid just ignore me and walks up to some old dude with a monk haircut and frantically saying something. I couldn't hear shit, my ears are still buzzing. So I took my time to stand up and look around. I saw my backpack and the Lancer laying on the ground, right next to my feet. That was weird, I thought heaven was a place of non-violent. Anyway, I pick the backpack up and check the content. There are seven mags full of rounds for the Lancer, and two dozen clips for the Boltok. All of this was snatched from the Raven as supplies for Delta. But it seems they won't be needing them anymore. After that there were 2 Bolos, Anthony and Ben's COG tags, a few pictures of us together and some toiletries.

I swing the bag over my shoulder and pick up the Lancer. It seems to survive the fall, but still I want to check if it was alright, so I rev it up, to see the chainsaw running smooth. Some of the kids have taken a step back. I don't blame them. Hell, even the Locusts fear the Lancer, at least before they got hands on our model. I wanted to shoot the gun to check if it works fine, but I guess I scared the kids enough for one day.

I saw lots of kids standing around in a group. Yeah, kids die in war, disease and hunger. Sad, but it's the truth. And then some animals standing next to them. Most of them look like they have been exposed to Emulsion for too long and mutated, only without the eerie yellow glowie effect. And then there was a dragon too. Okay not so surprising I guess. I mean dragons fly right ? So if they die they should go up here.

And then there was a castle on the back ground. And I mean it was huge. Perhaps twice the size of the Sovereign. Is heaven only this big ? Could be bigger from the inside. Anyway, my main concern is to find Anthony and Ben. So I walked up the castle gate. On the way I saw some weird pig. It looks tough. But not as tough as I am.

"Oh bacon." I mumbled. Yes, delicious, wonderful bacon. But some kid saw me looking at the pig and pulled it away from my sight. He seems quite protective about it, so I guess it must be his pet. Still I don't really understand why someone would want bacon as pet.

But for now, my main concern is finding my brothers, though I don't keep my hope up too high. The last time I did all I found was Ben's tag and letter. Nonetheless, that doesn't mean I don't have faith. The door was a huge cathedral wooden door. I pull the knocker and push it open. The door was lighter than I thought.

I wanted to walk inside, only to find a firm hand placing on my shoulder. Instinctively I pull out the Boltok and point at whatever was behind me. Turns out to be the bald monk dude in purple robe the kid was talking to. He seems to understand his position as he immediately raised his hands up as his head is in front of the muzzle. I lower the gun and put it back on my hip again.

"Who are you familiar ?" He asks

"The hell you talking about man ?" I ask back. "What is a familiar ?"

"My apologize. My name is Colbert, and basically, we mages are in the Spring Summoning Rituals, and as such, Miss Valliere here…" He points at the pink haired kid "… summoned you as her familiar. All the non-human creatures you have seen in this yard are all familiar. You are the only one who is human. This is utmost curious indeed, however, we still need to complete…"

"Whoa whoa, back up a little. You said I was summoned ? I mean, I should be dead, so did you mean you like called up my soul to heaven or something ?"

"No mister…"

"Carmine. Corporal Clayton Carmine from the COG."

"Yes mister Carmine." Apparently my rank says nothing to him, so I assume this man knew nothing about military ranking at all. The guy doesn't look all that well built. "And no we are not dead. You are as much alive as any living creature and humans that are standing right here."

"So how did I get here ?"

"As I said, miss Valliere summoned you here, by using the Summoning Magic."

"Magic, as in wizards and witches ? No tricks here right ?"

"We prefer to be called mages, but yes, we are what you commoners call, wizards and witches if you like. There are no trick here." Colbert finishes with a sign and lifted his hand up. My fingers hovered over the Boltok, but I completely forget about that when I see the flame forming in his hand and starts to take shape of a ball. After that it was shot up the sky.

"Okay let see I believe you for now." I said. Either I am dead or this is a fantasy. The first seems more likely to me, but I am a guy who takes any possibility. "I have no intention to be here. I suggest you send me back. They need me there." Okay that was kind of a lie. We Carmines have the gift of being cannon fodder for generations, sooner or later.

"I am sorry, but the Summoning Ritual is a one way trip." Colbert shakes his head.

"Damn. So uh have you seen any of these guys around here ?" I said and pointed to my tattoo. To my disappointment the bald dude shakes his head again.

"I am sorry, buy you are the first human that wears such strange helmet. And the armor as well. Are you perhaps a knight ? Or even a Mage Knight perhaps ?"

Hum, a knight huh ? I never consider myself as a prince in shining armor, but from the fairy tale I read when I was little, a knight often gets some respect. Perhaps a little authority should smooth up my life here.

"Yeah kind of, in my world. And back there, we don't have anything magical at all. Well except for the Hammer of Dawn I think. That shit is too powerful."

"No way, no magic ?" The guy was surprised. "What kind of life have you been leading ?"

"Well it wasn't that bad, at first. Shit hits the fan after E Day. Wars broke out after that. Some shitheads named themselves the Locusts came from underground and started killing humans. And I have fought the war till now. And truth be told, you summoned me from the battle which we hoped to be the last. Anyway, that's all I can say for now. So now what ?"

"That's an incredible story Knight Carmine. For now, I believe it's up to you to decide if you should bond a contract with miss Valliere or not." Colbert pointed back at the pink haired one, completely forgotten in the background.

I need to think. With a hiss, I removed the helmet. The cold gust of wind hit my face, and my head starts to spin around again. My feet feel light, and my knees started to buckle. I have completely forgotten how weak I am at the moment. Years of fighting tend to make you do that. You keep on fighting until all enemies are dead before you can rest.

The vast abyss returns to my eyes before I can feel my body hit the ground. Somewhere in the distance, I can hear children yelling.

Author's note : So here it is for now. The reason I stop here is to ask the readers a few, actually 3, questions.

1-The Ritual is not complete yet. It is up to you to decide whether Carmine should bond with Louise or not.

2-There are not many characters from the FoZ universe that can form a romantic pairing with Carmine. It is up to you to decide who he should be pair up with. If no one chooses the character from FoZ, I'll find a way to bring Sam Byrne in the story. I love Sarmine. And if you still don't wanna, then submit your own OC is fine too. Because I believe that Carmine deserve some love in his life.

3-Also, if you know Gears of War, you know the violence rate. I wonder if I should make this fic M rate with more blood and violence in it. Yours to decide.

And if some of you wonder why I upload this on a Valentine day, I don't have a girlfriend. And don't say the virgin force is strong with me. I am just waiting for the right chick to appear.

Anyway, enjoy and reviews.