Cyberknight: One Path (original novel)

Athena Alkiviadis, one of the youngest Marshals of the Imperial military, obtained her position at the age of 23 for her command of the 21st Imperial fleet "The Falling Spartans". She was one of the few cyberknights within the Imperial ranks to display her power and status as a cyberknight publicly at a limited capacity. For this, all those who served under her fought with reckless abandon, believing they were under divine protection. 

However, no matter how high up the Imperial hierarchy she managed to attain, she remained humbled and stuck true to her roots as a human like the others and as Mike's old disciple. As the war drew to its end in 2072, Athena paid one last visit to her master amidst the few days of leave she was given. 

With a newly bought dress and freshly styled hair, Athena presented herself in front of Mike inside his office. However, as soon as she opened the door, she was met with the sight of a breathtakingly beautiful blonde girl with shiny green eyes.

[Athena] - "Oh! Who are you exactly? "

Said Athena with a shocked expression.

Kadyn took a few seconds to count the golden stripes on Athena's semi-mechanical arms before answering her. 

[Kadyn] - "I think I should be asking why are you here exactly, Marshal Athena of the 21st fleet. "

Said Kadyn with an inquisitive look in her eyes.

[Athena] - "No, you listen to me! You better have a good reason to be here inside an Imperial general's office, you... "

Athena took a look at Kadyn's eyes.

[Athena] - "...You KD-series assassin! Are you here to kill Mike? How fucking dare you! Who sent you here? "

Said Athena with anger as she pushed Kadyn back into the office. 

As soon as Mike returned to his office, he was met with Kadyn who had her blades extended and Athena with an arrow-shaped bolt of lightning between her fingers.

[Mike] - "Bloody hell, can we not try to murder each other as soon as I'm not around? "

Said Mike before stepping between the two. 

[Athena] - "Master Mike, how dare they send an assassin after you! Tell me who they are and I'll go take care of these ignorant bastards! "

Yelled Athena while pointing at Kadyn. 

Suddenly, Kadyn smirked at Athena before leaning toward Mike and kissing him on the cheek. Flabbergasted by what she had seen, Athena's facial expression quickly began screaming bloody murder. 

[Mike] - "So, Athena, a surprise visit, I see? "

Said Mike as he took his seat behind the desk. 

To rub dirt on Athena's wound, Kadyn followed Mike behind the desk before sitting on his thighs. Athena gasped silently as she clenched her fists around her legs. 

[Athena] - "Master Mike, I beg your pardon but who the hell is she? "

[Kadyn] - "Kadyn, Mike's soon-to-be wife. "

Said Kadyn with an obvious taunting smile while reaching her hand toward Athena. 

[Athena] - "Well, nice to meet you, thrift store Marilyn Monroe. "

Whispered Athena as she shook Kadyn's hands with daggers in her eyes.

Shocked, Kadyn turned toward Mike to urge him to say something.

[Mike] - "I mean, you tickled the hornet's nest, so bear the consequences. "

Said Mike while looking unbothered by the situation.

[Athena] - "Hehe, I know Mike well enough to know what I can or can't say in what situation. Clearly, you are a rookie in this, girl. "

Said Athena with a victorious grin on her face. 

With her pride damaged, Kadyn quickly sat up and slammed her hands against the desk. 

[Kadyn] - "A rookie, huh? I have been with him long before you even became his disciple. Clearly, you were the bloody rookie for dressing like this thinking you had a chance. "

Retorted Kadyn with efficiency. 

Not wanting to take a step back, Athena also got up and slammed her hands against the desk before leaning toward Kadyn. 

[Athena] - "Out of all of Mike's disciples, I was his favourite. The fact that you knew so much about me means that he probably told you a lot about me. How come I never even heard him mention your bloody name anywhere around me? Heck, if not because I held back, I would've ended you earlier without knowing who the hell you were. "

Said Athena while both girls threw daggers through their eyes at each other. 

[Kadyn] - "So what? All this desperation for him to notice you, yet he chose this dirty nameless assassin called Kadyn over the glamorous Marshal Athena who "she" claimed to be his favourite. As a matter of fact, how many times have you been in his bed? A big fat ZERO like your chances right now. You think you knew him? I know in bed he loves to creamp- "

Mike suddenly put his palm over Kadyn's mouth and prevented her from finishing her phrase.

[Mike] - "Alright, enough, I have equal respect for both of you but the hostility has to stop. Now, Athena, again, nice to see you here. "

Said Mike as he shook Athena's hand. 

[Athena] - "I was just here to pay a visit to my old master and maybe invite him to dinner for old time's sake. If you could, I made a reservation for two. "

[Mike] - "Sure, I could spare some time for an old student. At what place, exactly? "

Said Mike as he took a look at the time. 

[Athena] - "Francois De Laval restaurant, Versaille, France. "

Said Athena while throwing a glance at Kadyn. 

[Mike] - "Alright, lemme call my secretary for this. You ladies have a seat and I'll be right there. "

Said Mike as he picked up the desk phone. 

Without taking their eyes off each other, the two walked toward the guest area where they took seats on opposing couches. 

[Athena] - "Well, well, I guess I win. So much for your big fat zero! "

Whispered Athena with a victorious grin.

[Kadyn] - "I'm not worried. I know Mike will have a professional dinner with you and nothing will happen. When he gets home, I'll be waiting in his bed and we'll fuck like animals while you cry yourself to sleep on your empty bed. "

Said Kadyn while motioning cries with her hands in front of her face

[Athena] - "Are you willing to bet on this, bitch? Are you giving a dare right now? "

Said Athena while giving Kadyn a death stare.

[Kadyn] - "I'll bet my bloody life! Between me and him, there is a bond you will never understand. You may be his disciple, but I'm his lover. You, me, we are not the same! You understand his character but I understand his soul. "

Said Kadyn with burning determination in her eyes.

Upon hearing Kadyn's words, Athena breathed a huge sigh of resignation. Although Athena was reluctant to admit defeat, she understood at that moment that Kadyn's words contained not a single microfiber of bluff. To further prove her point, Kadyn grabbed a small blade out of her pocket and threw it toward Athena. 

[Kadyn] - "Try to wound me. Come on, just a tiny cut on my arm. "

Although hesitant at first, Athena gently pressed the blade toward Kadyn's skin before being halted by an invisible barrier. As she pressed harder, the edge of the blade began to bend until it broke off. Suddenly, before Athena could react, Kadyn swiftly extended her wrist blade and left a tiny cut on Athena's finger. 

[Kadyn] - "He respects you because you are someone close to him, worthy of his respect. But this is where our similarities end, so keep it professional tonight with MY man. "

Said Kadyn in a serious tone. 

Despite knowing Kadyn had undoubtedly won the argument, Athena was hesitant to admit defeat as they kept their stare on each other. 

[Mike] - "Ok, stop, this is an order! I'm going to change into something more appropriate. "

Said Mike in a serious tone. 

Mike's words immediately broke the silence between the two as they snapped out of their staring contest. 

[Kadyn] - "Yeah, yeah! "

Said Kadyn casually.

[Athena] - "Understood, master! "

As the tension faded, the voice of reason soon returned to the two as Athena broke the silence by extending her hand.

[Athena] - "I'm sorry for being this way. "

Shocked by Athena's change of heart, Kadyn quickly adapted to the situation.

[Kadyn] - "Hey, no hard feelings. I was overreacting too. "

Said Kadyn as she shook Athena's hand. 

After taking a look at the wound left on her finger, Athena finally came to accept the facts as they were. 

[Athena] - "You don't have an ability, yet you don't fear me knowing how easy it was for me to kill you earlier. You also act so casually around him knowing who he is and what he is capable of. All I can say is that you earn it. You defeated me fair and square as I could never have the type of guts you have. " 

[Kadyn] - "Oh... thank you, I guess. "

Both girls stared at the floor as the sudden peace left a void in the conversation.

[Athena] - "By the way, I'll keep this dinner professional. Just know, I like him too, so please, take good care of him for me. He deserved appreciation too for all he has done, so it's good to know someone is waiting for him at home. "

[Kadyn] - "I will. Once the war is over, we will settle down and start a family. Anyway, that's the plan for now. "

[Athena] - "Heh, knowing him, it's what's best. He never wanted to be treated like the God figure he is, so this type of humble life is what he probably dreams about. "

Upon hearing the side office door open, Kadyn quickly jumped and rushed to meet Mike. Athena watched as Kadyn adjusted Mike's tie and sharp suit with care before kissing him on the cheek. However, this time, Athena didn't feel jealousy or discomfort in her heart. The dinner between the master and ex-disciple went professionally just as Athena promised. Unfortunately, this would be the last time Athena ever sees her master alive. 

Athena was one of the first people to receive the news of Mike's betrayal and subsequent death in his battle against Sniper days after their dinner. She, like many others, approved of Sniper's removal and of Mike's actions but unlike her colleagues, only she was affected on a personal level by Mike's death. 

After serving as the only marshal in CR-455's new Empire, she quickly grew tired of serving the childish and foolish tyrant. Just as she was contemplating an exit strategy, a familiar face suddenly presented himself before her. 

[Athena] - "I thought you were dead! How? I saw you get killed, it's impossible! "

Said Athena in shock.

[Jagger] - "Killing me would take much more than that. Besides, who do you take me for? I'm the Grand Knight. I'm a God amongst men, so what makes you think I would die so easily? "

Said Jagger with confidence.

[Athena] - "How did you fake your death? I have so many questions! "

Said Athena with excitement.

[Jagger] - "Listen to me! I'm planning something big, I'm looking to bring down the corrupt leadership of the Allied Forces. Under their rule, I saw suffering and death across the lands. Save your questions for later as I need your help, now! "

[Athena] - "Eh... Of course! What do you want me to do, Master Mike? "

*Back to the present

Athena splashed a handful of water onto her face before letting out a sigh. As the droplets slowly rolled down her face, she took a look at her reflection inside the water basin. The flashes from her battles against the Allied Blue Guards quickly dominated her memories as she quickly splashed more water onto her face. 

However, as the coldness of the water slowly left her face, she was once more confronted with the memories of her actions. She remembered how she mercilessly massacred countless civilians just because Jagger told her it was the right thing to do. 

[Athena] - "It doesn't add up. What is the point of the massacre? "

Whispered Athena as reached her hands back into the freezing water. 

Suddenly, the beeping of her phone snapped her out of her trance. She immediately reached down and pulled the phone out of her pocket. 

"A group of four Allied Blue Guards, address: *encrypted*. Take care of them quickly as there will be more than the usual number of them being sent to you this week. "

[Athena] - "Shit, what the fuck is going on? It feels like Jerry and his idiot brother are relaxing while I do all the work. When will this end? "

Whispered Athena in frustration while reading the message.

Meanwhile, inside Dane's office, the hot coffee let out white steam barely noticeable against the backdrop of the white screen behind it. On the screen, a massive list of all the Allied Forces' crystal users is shown with many of them showing the words: "Killed In action" or "Missing in action". The chair before the computer was empty while the noise of a drill echoed from a room not far away. 

[Dane] - "Audrey, I can trust you, right? I want to show you something. "

Said Dane as he opened a compartment on Audrey's cybernetic arm.

[Audrey] - "What is it you wanted to show me, mister Dane? "

[Dane] - "Evidence for something terrible. The word must get out about what Jagger has done. I won't speak of it here but you'll see all I want to say here. "

Said Dane in a panic as he snuck a chip between the cracks of Audrey's arm. 

[Audrey] - "Should I share it with the others? "

[Dane] - "Don't rush. Only share with the people you trust. "

Said Dane as he tightened the screws on Audrey's arm. 

[Audrey] - "What's going on, Doctor Dane? Is this something urgent I should immediately know about? "

Dane looked away while pretending to be working on something else.

[Dane] - "The world must know about the truth of the Appalachian Disaster. It was not the work of a few cyberknights, it's a conspiracy planned by someone you think you could trust. My words here won't do the truth justice, so just see it for yourself. "

With a confused expression, Audrey stared at her arm before slowly walking out of the workshop. Although both Dane and Audrey thought the conversation was between them, their exchange was actually being taken into note by a group of agents behind screens. 

During this time, Jagger and Kadyn had a meal in their personal room. After chewing the food for a few seconds, Jagger spat the contents of his mouth onto the floor. 

[Jagger] - "You are a terrible fucking cook, you know, woman? "

Said Jagger with a frustrated look in his eyes. 

[Kadyn] - "I'm sorry, I was just... trying to do what you did. You know, you cooked such good meals before so I... "

Said Kadyn in fear while avoiding Jagger's eyes.

[Jagger] - "Oh! So you are saying I suck at cooking, is that so, woman? "

Said Jagger as he abruptly stood up.

[Kadyn] - "No, I didn't mean to say that... "

Jagger abruptly threw a piece of bone against Kadyn's head before shoving his plate onto the floor. 

[Jagger] - "So you are trying to poison me, bitch! This food is going to be a good product on the fucking rat poison market! "

Yelled Jagger while Kadyn covered her head in fear. 

[Kadyn] - "I'm sorry! I'm sorry about my cuisine. "

[Jagger] - "By the way, you remained in this room today, right? You didn't wander off somewhere like last time, didn't you? "

[Kadyn] - "No, I stayed like you asked. "

[Jagger] - "That's good! Keep it that way. "

Just as Jagger used a napkin to wipe the food around his mouth, Kadyn suddenly began to whimper. 

[Kadyn] - "Why are you like this... You didn't need to treat me this way. "

Whispered Kadyn while still holding her head below her arms. 

[Jagger] - "Because you disrespected me, you bitch! You are my woman and I want you to be here when I need you. You think you can just go anywhere you want and talk to me like I'm your equal, well I'm not! I'm a mother fucking God, not your Teddy Bear. Remember this next time you try doing something stupid. "

Yelled Jagger before hitting Kadyn on the head. 

[Kadyn] - "Argh! "

[Jagger] - "You owe me so much, and I never asked you to repay me. The number of times I saved your life... Is this how you thank me? I sacrificed myself for you, yet you don't respect me. Be grateful I'm still keeping you around me, woman. "

Said Jagger in a cold and aggressive tone.

[Kadyn] - "You are right, Mike, I wasn't being grateful. I should've never treated you this way. I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry for acting this way. "

Whispered Kadyn while crying.

[Jagger] - "New rule; You will stay silent in my presence! I'm sick and tired of your stupid mouth always spewing load after loads of horseshit! Is that understood? "

Whispered Jagger to Kadyn's ear. 

Without a noise, Kadyn nodded her head while Jagger let out a smile of satisfaction. As Jagger entered the bathroom for a shower, Kadyn finally raised her head and revealed the fist wound around her eye. Although Kadyn could not see or hear Mike's apparition as she no longer believed he was dead, she still felt a touch on her wound. 

Slowly, she got off her seat and walked to the coat hanger with Mike's old worn coat still dangling on its edge. With open abandon, Kadyn leaned in and hugged the coat while tears streamed down her eyes. There was a doubt in her soul but she didn't have a proof to confirm that doubt. 

To be continued...