The thundering sound of a slap echoed across a brightly lit room with massive painted glass windows. As the young little Mike, barely 10 years old as of now, raised his head, he saw only the massive boots of an adult standing before him. Blood dripped out of his nose onto the ground as the boy groaned with pain.
[Instructor] - "Get back up, boy! Fight! "
Ordered the man without an ounce of empathy.
[Mike] - "I can't, sir, I can't anymore. "
Said Mike as blood from his mouth also joined the puddle from his nose.
[Instructor] - "Coward! Weakling! How could you become the will of the Emperor one day if this is your pitiful reality? "
Yelled the instructor as he abruptly smacked Mike aside.
The distinct sound of a crack was heard inside Mike's chest. Yet, the boy no longer cared. By this point, the number of times his ribs had broken became a number so large that Mike began to feel numb to the pain in his chest. The strength in his arms was slowly drained away by the lack of oxygen as one of his lungs had once again been punctured.
At ten years old, Mike had to have his crystal connected to his brain; a procedure only done to adults because of the risks. On top of the physical torments of his martial instructors, he had to contend with the endless lessons taught to him to train his political and strategic side. There is no rest for a young boy adopted to be turned into a weapon.
Monday, Mike will attend a crystal training course designed to help him master his abilities. Tuesday, Mike will attend a course about political maneuvering and other subjects of an administrative nature. On Wednesday, Mike will undergo a course of indoctrination designed to teach him loyalty to the Empire. Thursday and Friday, the boy will be put inside his cyberknight armour and sent on missions with other knights. Saturday, the boy will be put through multiple courses teaching him different martial disciplines. Finally, on Sunday, Mike will attend the Imperial military academy to learn about military tactics and deployment.
Suddenly, the injured little boy rose up from the ground and activated his crystals. With lightning leaking out of his hands, Mike charged at the instructor and struck him with a punch. However, the giant man easily shrugged off the attack before slamming Mike into a wall, causing him to break more bones.
[Instructor] - "Get up! Do not think you can simply coward away because of a few flesh wounds! "
Yelled the instructor angrily as he approached Mike.
Maybe this time, Mike couldn't get up anymore. He was not just tired; he could feel his own body yearning for the sweet rest of death. However, he knew he couldn't just give up. He was told of his destiny, to help others, to prevent what happened to his parents from happening to other children. Though he was ten years old, his mind was moulded to a point where he was thinking like an adult at this age.
Suddenly, the sunlight began to shine through the painted glasses, illuminating Mike in a golden shine, which highlighted his cyberknight crest. Justice will prevail in the face of darkness. As the instructor stood over him, ready to kick him again for his supposed laziness, Mike began to whisper something under his breath.
[Mike] - "Guilt Extension: Curse of the Red Spores! "
As soon as Mike uttered these words, the instructor abruptly screamed in pain as the skin on his leg suddenly inflated before bursting and splashing his blood and muscle everywhere inside his pants. Soon, the man was violently yelling, with similar spores appearing everywhere on his body before eventually becoming an incapacitated body on the floor.
[Mike] - "What now, coward? Why aren't you moving, you bastard? "
Whispered Mike as he suddenly pressed his palm onto the instructor's face.
There was a cold disconnect on Mike's face as he grabbed the crippled man's face. There was fear inside the instructor's eyes as he looked into the clinical, empty expression on the boy's face. There was a sudden crack as Mike fractured a piece of the instructor's skull with his palm, boosted by his crystals. By this point, the instructor was crying and begging in mumbled noises, as his face began to cave in on itself.
[Mike] - "Don't worry, I will not kill you. I want you to remember this moment and stop giving me shit every time you train me. For once, sir instructor, learn from the disciple instead. "
Said Mike in a cold voice, devoid of a heartbeat.
And so it was, Mike, a boy denied his childhood and humanity by a cruel master. Mike was trained not to think for himself, not to value his own comfort. The boy was taught to serve only others and only prioritize others' well-being over his own. Sniper had always intended for Mike to become his mindless tool of war. To Sniper, Mike is nothing more than an object. He never offered him a word of care, never looked him in the eyes as he would a human being. He is less than a pet; he is but a weapon to be used.
On the contrary, Michele, Sniper's son, was raised with love to be the leader of the upcoming crusade, destined to be the Angel of War who will inspire generations to rise and embrace the Empire. Sniper will stand, with his tool of war by his right, and his all-inspiring son by his left. One destined to feel, to be the winged angel who will feel the freedom of the skies and convey that feeling to those on the ground. The other, destined to serve– to be the shackled demon awaiting to bury those who refuse the angel's light.
To Mike, now 15 years old, his life's purpose has but one goal: To follow and uphold the Imperial gospel. As a cyberknight, his duty is to tear down the old system, protect the weak and be an agent of the ideas of virtue, justice, and loyalty. Unlike Michele, who's like a celebrity, Mike is a man of the people. Where Michele inspired others from above, Mike stayed right by the side of mortal men. Unlike Michele, who is only concerned with the bigger picture, Mike concerned himself with the struggle of individuals.
He is silent and powerful, yet he would stop for those calling his name. He was no God, but a grim reaper, fair and untouchable but feared and respected. He will help, not out of empathy, but out of principle. Sniper bestowed him the role of Grand Knight, expecting him to be an extension of his authority. Yet, Mike only showed the compassion Sniper could never give.
In the hallways of Imperial Base Nepal, Mike strolled around the facility with the duty to inspect the place for any infractions against protocol. Though only meant to keep him busy, with Sniper not even expecting any result, Mike took the assignment seriously. However, as the newly appointed Grand Knight inspected the unremarkable hallway with care for every detail, a shocking sight shattered the monotony of it all. While everyone dressed up in their freshest uniform to look good in front of him, a single woman walked among the crowd with blood coating her entire body.
Confused and offended by the ungodly sight, Mike immediately moved toward the woman, with everyone stepping aside out of respect and fear to allow him through. When Mike reached the woman, she froze before gradually turning around with dread in her eyes. To the girl's surprise, the Grand Knight was standing behind her with his tinted blue visor staring directly into her eyes.
[Mike] - "Explain yourself, comrade of the Empire. Why do you present yourself in such a horrid aesthetic? Why show such ugliness? "
Said Mike bluntly.
KD-555 was in shock as she looked up at the tall, impersonal God in black armour. He radiated an aura of power that penetrated her heart and humbled even the raging violence built into the depths of her psyche. At that moment, the poor woman could only tremble as she saw death staring down at her. She knew, as part of her deeper knowledge of the Empire, what kind of power the man before her eyes held, and it frightened her in ways that were humanly inconceivable.
[KD-555] - "Please– don't hurt me. "
Whispered KD-555 in a trembling voice as she fell to her knees.
The dread in her eyes grew as she began to cry tears of fright. Many in the crowd grimaced in disgust at the girl, only seeing her killer side. To them, she was barely putting on a show to avoid justice. Yells soon erupted in the surrounding area as the mob called for the Grand Knight to enact justice against the beast kneeling before them. In the fiery eyes of the crowd, a killer so brutal, so numb to violence, to the point where the blood coating her was no longer of concern to her, deserved no mercy.
[KD-555] - "I'm sorry! *sobs* I'm sorry! "
Cried the girl as she collapsed her face against the Grand Knight's boots.
Upon seeing how the girl dared to touch the Grand Knight, the crowd burst out in anger as some men moved forward to attack her. Yet, at that moment, Mike had seen enough. Devoid of the bias held by those who saw her, Mike seemingly saw something more than savagery in her. This is the cry and plea of a lost girl, not the false act of a beast looking to save its own skin.
[Mike] - "Hold! "
With that single command, the men, many already committed to their action, stopped as if a force beyond them held their limbs in place.
[Mike] - "I will take care of her! None of you will intervene! "
Yelled Mike as the crowd stepped back in shock at the power in his voice.
To the crowd's shock, the Grand Knight kneeled down to meet the girl at her level. In silence, Mike presented his hand to the girl.
[Mike] - "Get up, servant of the Empire! "
Whispered Mike at the girl.
Looking up, KD-555 saw the same God meeting her gaze as his hand grabbed hers. As she felt the hand extended to her, the girl abruptly felt warmth and a pulse in the supposed God's flesh. Suddenly, she felt the fear in her heart vanish as she no longer saw her damnation in the helmet's inky black gaze. At that moment, KD-555 understood that there was a person behind the mask of divinity.
Later, as Mike took the assassin girl to his personal room, where he allowed her to properly shower and wash the gore from her body, a strange feeling gripped her heart as she showered. Why did the Grand Knight, a God amongst men, react differently than those who surrounded her? Even as his orders were for her to leave after the shower, she ached for an answer to her question.
[KD-555] - "Lord, I had cleaned myself as you ordered. "
Said KD-555 with a gentle bow of respect as she stepped out of the bathroom.
[Mike] - "Before you leave, would you accept a name in the stead of your code. As a servant of the Empire, you deserve more than the designation of a cold set of codes. "
Said Mike as he removed his armour and helmet.
Shocked and flattered by his kind words, KD-555 immediately nodded her head in approval.
[KD-555] - "I accept, my lord. What name would you bestow upon me? "
Said the girl excitedly with a smile.
[Mike] - "Considering the first two letters of your code, would you accept the name 'Kadyn' as your identity. "
[Kadyn] - "I accept! I owe you my eternal gratitude. "
[Mike] - "Now, leave if you have no more cause to stay. "
Said Mike in his natural voice, unfiltered by the helmet.
Yet, Kadyn didn't move as she was awestruck by the sight of that face that showed her kindness. He was no God, or even man; he's just a teenage boy about her age. As Mike looked at Kadyn, she saw an emptiness in his gaze that made her shudder. Meanwhile, Mike saw a pair of glowing green eyes, full of joy, but also naive hope. He did not understand why she was smiling, and she did not understand why he was so broken.
[Kadyn] - "Do you have a name as well, lord Grand Knight? "
[Mike] - "Such information is beyond your level of clearance. "
Said Mike clinically as if reciting a passage from a rulebook.
[Kadyn] - "Then I won't leave. I need to know the name of the man who would descend to my level. You didn't ask anything of me; you offered me identity, dignity, and safety, all without a reason. You called me a comrade, a fellow servant, a person, and not just a killer. For this, I need to know– I need to know who you are and why. "
Said Kadyn as she approached Mike while radiating awe in her eyes.
[Mike] - "Because it's the right thing to do. I simply acted out of principle, not because I care about you or what you are about. Knowing my reasons won't make you special. I do this, the same gesture and action, to any loyal servant of the Empire in need. Who I am doesn't matter. I did what any cyberknight is expected to do. Either it be from my hands or from the hands of another knight, what difference does it make? "
Said Mike firmly, without an ounce of emotion on his face.
[Kadyn] - "It matters because it's you who changed me. It's your hand that pulled me to my feet, your voice that gave me a name and your face that captured my gaze. Who else did the same for me? Fifteen years, and the first person who showed me kindness was you. So no, you are not just another man in the crowd! "
Said Kadyn passionately, her eyes full of emotion.
Yet Mike remained cold in his gaze. He simply couldn't comprehend the weight of his action, as he only saw it as duty.
[Mike] - "You know what I am capable of; you showed it in your eyes earlier through your fear. Yet now, you don't tremble, you even dare share the same breath of air as me. Are you mad, comrade Kadyn? Have I perhaps misjudged your sanity? "
Said Mike, his gaze impartial as the belief that defined him.
[Kadyn] - "I'm the most sane I have ever been in my life. You saw beyond the killer in me, and I see the man beyond the knight in you. "
Said Kadyn as she impulsively leaned in and hugged Mike, her bare chest pressed tightly against his.
This action shook Mike in ways he couldn't even comprehend. The softness of Kadyn's chest, the heat of her skin and the heartbeat that rhythmized with his– it reminded him of a long-lost feeling. Tears trailed down Mike's empty eyes, which were slowly filled with the glow of life. Though he could not remember the specific memory, the sensations ignited the suppressed piece of him that remembered his mother's embrace. Mike jabbed himself in the eyes, confused and frustrated at the emotions he could not understand that invaded his mind.
Suddenly, Mike stumbled back, carrying Kadyn downward onto the ground. As he fell, his body shielded the girl against the cold floor while she remained defiantly pressed against him. Now lying flat on the ground, Mike remained shocked beyond words as the years of torture and suppressed pain stung his every nerve.
[Kadyn] - "I need to know because I'm scared. I want to fight, live and serve, knowing your name, so I can remember this man who once believed that I can be more than this monster I'm told I am. I'm scared of losing myself in that darkness, but knowing your name offers me safety. "
Said Kadyn as her tears slowly dripped against Mike's bare chest.
[Kadyn] - "You will forget me after this, but I won't. You see me as just another face you helped, but you are not just any face to me. You are beyond the weakness I possess, you are beyond the silly emotions that afflict us mortals. You might not understand why I need to know your name, but just know, for me, it's just the right thing to do! "
Said Kadyn as she stared defiantly at Mike in the eyes.
To put it lightly, her action shocked him beyond his imagination. Never once in Mike's life has someone who, knowing the full extent of his power, dared to challenge him as he would challenge mortal men. For a moment, Mike was fearful of Kadyn, even as powerful as he is. There is just something unnatural about a girl whom he can atomize with a flick of his hand, pressed against him, skin to skin, and staring him in the eye with such intensity and lacking even a hint of fear. For the first time, his heart beat faster than that of someone he shared direct eyesight with.
[Mike] - "Why would you risk your life for something so meaningless? "
[Kadyn] - "You wouldn't understand– It means more to me than anything. So please... "
Whispered Kadyn with tears glimmering in her emerald eyes.
Frustrated and confused, Mike brought his hand up, ready to violently strike her with a technique that would put a swift end to this sea of wild emotions. Yet, as Mike positioned his hand behind her head, he found himself unable to bring himself to kill her. Her attitude, her perception of him, the heartbeat they shared, they touched the Grand Knight below his cold armour. Even to his duty-bound mind, Kadyn was now beyond the simple etiquette of another face among the crowd.
With a grunt, Mike sat up and pushed Kadyn off his chest, the residual heat of her body still echoing through his nerves. Mike stared up, only to meet the eyes that reflected not the cold, unmoving face of his helmet, but the living features of his own face.
[Mike] - "My name is Mike Gioacchino Mundy. "
Muttered Mike, utterly exhausted by his turbulent sea of emotions in his mind.
With these words, Kadyn smiled joyfully before slowly pushing herself off the ground. In a gesture that mirrored Mike's action earlier, she extended her hand to him.
[Mike] - "Just go! You've already got what you wanted. "
Said Mike as he gently pushed her hand away.
[Kadyn] - "Will I ever see you again, Lord Mike? "
[Mike] - "Cover yourself using one of my coats from that closet and go! "
Yelled Mike in a murderous voice.
With a slight frown of disappointment and sadness, Kadyn grabbed one of Mike's coats and wrapped her body with it. As Kadyn left his room, Mike instinctively pressed his hand against his chest, as if his body tried to preserve the last of her fleeting heat. With a deep breath, Mike tried to cleanse himself of the echoes of this encounter, only to taste the cruelty of the cold air that penetrated his lungs. In anger, Mike punched himself in the chest, frustrated by his body's yearning for the warm, lively exhales that Kadyn left on his face. Maybe he will meet her again... Maybe not.
Back in the present, Mike suddenly woke up on a hospital bed and immediately sat upright, thinking he was still in Sniper's throne room. However, after a few ragged breaths, Mike realized that he was in a hospital room instead. Despite the reassuring sight, he wasn't sure if this was real or if Sniper had dealt with him and this was the afterlife. All of a sudden, a sharp pain rocked him in the mouth, neck and chin.
[Mike] - "Fuck! That fucking... AAAARGH! "
Whispered Mike in pain as he gripped his chin, now mostly a construct made of several pieces of shining gold metal plates.
Suddenly, a hand wrapped around Mike's chest and pulled him back onto the pillow before he felt a gentle kiss on his cheek. Turning around, he noticed Kadyn in a half-asleep state before she eagerly spooned him with her body.
[Kadyn] - "You had me worried, you know? I stayed with you in bed for two days straight, thinking you won't wake up. "
Said Kadyn with tears hanging by the edge of her eyes.
[Mike] - "Oh... right. Thinking back, were you always this much of a mindless romantic from the start? Like you absolutely weirded me the fuck out the first time we met, remember? "
[Kadyn] - "Huuuh? Why the hell are you bringing that up? "
Exclaimed Kadyn, surprised by the random nature of the question.
[Mike] - "I had a dream, I think I relived that time we met for the first time. Bloody hell, that was scary. I think you were prepared to have your way with me the first time we met. "
Embarrassed and flabbergasted, Kadyn punched Mike on the chest, causing him to grunt at the pain.
[Kadyn] - "It's not like it matters, doesn't it? We ended up doing it so many times afterward anyway, you dummy. 856 times, to be exact, uwu. "
Mike facepalmed hard upon hearing Kadyn's words.
[Mike] - "Not you keeping count of all of it. "
Upon seeing that his wife's exposed back was uncovered, Mike quickly pulled the blanket over her and made sure she wasn't freezing. However, upon noticing that Kadyn was not dressed under the sheet, Mike began to doubt what had occurred during his coma.
[Mike] - "You did not take advantage of me while I was in the coma, right? "
[Kadyn] - "Huh? What? Do you think that lowly of me? I just feel comfortable sleeping like this. You are really an asshole sometimes, Mike! "
Exclaimed Kadyn, outraged by Mike's claims.
Mike laughed at Kadyn's cute outburst before grabbing a strand of her hair and rolling it in his fingers.
[Mike] - "I might be a bloody asshole, but I'm a living one and not a dead one, Lemon. I just wasn't sure earlier if I was in reality or in a dream. It's these kinds of nonsensical conversations with you that confirm I'm truly in reality, that I'm alive and still me. "
[Kadyn] - "Not entirely alive as a whole, I'd say. "
Said Kadyn jokingly as she tapped the metal plate that is now Mike's chin.
[Mike] - "There goes my chances to grow a beard. "
Kadyn giggled at the remark before lovingly snuggling her head against Mike's chest. However, while Kadyn was still oblivious to the danger they were in, Mike was well aware of what was about to happen next. Now that he is awake, Sniper will be expecting his wife's head to be delivered on a platter to him. Looking up, Mike showed the same defiant look he had shown to Sniper a few days ago at the camera observing him.
To be continued...