Cyberknight: One Path

⁕ Athena (part 1)

As the war somewhat ended with the conquest of Russia, Athena was left with an opportunity to reconnect with her more personal life as well. Maybe, just maybe, she thought, she could rekindle her relationship with Mike and even move to being more than just friends? After all, the war had drained her energy to the point where she was mentally exhausted and yearning for some kind of break from administrative duties.

As Athena put on a nice dress and snacked on the first lollipop she had opened since the start of the war, she presented herself in front of Mike's office with a big smile. However, surprisingly, when the door opened, it wasn't Mike, but instead a gorgeous, tall blonde woman who greeted Athena.

[Athena] - "Who the fuck are you? "

Said Athena, shocked.

[Kadyn] - "I should be the one asking who the bloody hell are you? "

[Athena] - "Stupid KD-series assassin! What the hell are you doing in Mike's office? Who sent you to kill him, you snake? "

Yelled Athena as she pushed Kadyn back and stormed into the office.

[Kadyn] - "Oh please, don't tell me you came here to try and seduce my husband, shortie. "

Said Kadyn as she eyed Athena from the bottom up.

[Athena] - "Who the fuck are you calling a shortie, you dumb bimbo! Do you know who I am and what I can do to you if I so snapped my fingers together? "

Yelled Athena in frustration as electricity leaked out of her eyes.

[Kadyn] - "You wouldn't dare do shit to me, smurfette. If I'm tough enough to marry Mike, you sure ain't gonna scare me anytime soon. "

Said Kadyn with a smug grin.

Athena took a long breath to calm herself down, but her nose suddenly picked up a scent she recognized from a while ago.

[Athena] - "Lavender perfume... *Sniff* There is no way! "

Said Athena with shocked eyes as she backed off from Kadyn.

[Athena] - "You... You were with my master since I was training with him! I thought he just liked shampoo with this perfume, but it was you! "

Said Athena as she pointed her finger at Kadyn.

[Kadyn] - "That's right, Athena, I was there all along! "

Said Kadyn with a smirk of victory.

[Athena] - "Gosh, you are really one toxic bitch with that chemical warfare. I wonder what Mike saw in such "random Japanese woman number 1501" right here. If you put your basic ass in Japan, Mike would lose sight of you immediately in a sea of your look-alike. "

Said Athena casually as she collapsed against the couch carelessly.

[Kadyn] - "No wonder he didn't even pay attention to your flirting. Humans are obviously not attracted to gnomes, considered short and ugly even by their own kind. "

Said Kadyn while flipping the middle finger to Athena.

[Athena] - "Talk all you want, poor man's Alita battle angel. Korea must be your favourite country because of how many plastic surgeries you needed to become a zesty terminator in a wig. "

Said Athena nonchalantly while also flipping off Kadyn.

[Kadyn] - "Bitch don't hate me because I'm beatiful unlike you. With a body that thin, no wonder you survived the bloody war. Hell, I wouldn't have shot a cancer patient on the battlefield. Not to mention how dry your scalp is. Did your mother get third-degree carpet burn while giving birth to you? Also, with that cheap dress of yours, your person can be summed up as a credit card with five years of overdue debt. "

Unable to hold her laughter anymore, Athena burst out laughing, before Kadyn also followed suit. After a long moment of uncontrolled laughter, Athena extended her hand toward Kadyn with a friendly smile on her face.

[Athena] - "This is exactly how Mike acts when he shows hostility, and it seems like we both learned after this trait of his. For real though, I respect the heck out of you, miss. "

With a bit of hesitation, Kadyn took Athena's hand and shook it.

[Kadyn] - "Why? What did I do to earn your respect? "

Asked Kadyn, confused.

[Athena] - "First, you aren't afraid of me even when knowing what I can do. Instead, you chose to talk to me as if I'm just another random girl. I can respect that, but most importantly, you aren't fearful of Mike, speaking of him as just another dude. Hey, I had to admit it, even I can't see him as anything less than my superior. For this level of bravery, I truly respect you for it, miss... "

Said Athena before pausing to await Kadyn's response.

[Kadyn] - "Miss Kadyn. It was nice knowing you personally, Athena. "

Said Kadyn as she warmed up Athena's friendliness.

As both sat back down on their respective side of the living room table, Athena suddenly switched to a more serious look.

[Athena] - "Kadyn, I suppose Mike's heart is already where it should be... I'm glad. However, please, promise me to take good care of him. I mean it. He is a great man who has taught me so many valuable lessons. Anything short of perfect, heart-warming happiness won't do him justice for all he has done. "

Said Athena in a sincere tone.

[Kadyn] - "I will. I promise you that I will make him the happiest man on Earth. "

[Athena] - "Yeah, I think you will. Well, it is time for me to leave now that I have nothing to do here anymore. "

Said Athena while trying to pretend she was not about to cry out of heartbreak.

With her tears dangling from her eyes, Athena shielded her eyes with her arm as she got up and walked toward the exit. However, Kadyn placed a comforting hand on her shoulder and prevented her from walking away.

[Kadyn] - "I know you had feelings for him for a long time. However, just know that I won't prevent you from coming to see us from time to time. After all, he was your master, and you two had a strong friendship. "

Said Kadyn in a comforting voice.

[Athena] - "Thank you for... understanding. You are a good... person. "

Said Athena while trying to hide her sobs.

Unexpectedly, Kadyn hugged Athena in her arms to comfort her, to which Athena gladly accepted.

[Athena] - "Just saying, since you are now an extension of Mike, if you need anything, don't hesitate to let me know. "

[Kadyn] - "Mhm. "

It was a bittersweet moment, as Athena returned to her quarters that day not with pain but a strange sense of relief. It was simply not the time yet for her to put down her helmet for such personal pursuits. However, Athena would never get the chance to visit Mike and Kadyn as Mike soon died fighting Sniper, while Kadyn disappeared without a trace after her escape. As for Athena, the biggest challenge of her life will occur with the fall of the National Empire.

To be continued...