Cyberknight: One Path

⁕ Gaze of An Empty Reflection

Losing yourself in agony and your obsession with the past. Once that mask has been peeled away... Once everything that makes you smile disappears... Once what defines you as yourself vanishes, all that's left is the soulless monster hidden deep within the psyche of every sentient creature. You can show compassion, you can choose to be a pacifist, and you can dedicate your existence to the concept of virtue, however, every single person has a breaking point.

KD-554 stood in front of a window atop a skyscraper overlooking the city she had created. As she swirled the wine glass in her hand, a sinister smile of satisfaction appeared on her lips. It was not the smile of a proud mayor admiring the result of her labour; it was instead the putrid satisfaction of witnessing a world rotting under her administration. Since she couldn't consume any food or liquor, she instead drank some wine and savoured its aroma until it faded away before spitting it out into a trash can.

Meanwhile, in a decrepit apartment down below, Kadyn stared out of her window with despair in her eyes. Despite the neon-lit city flashing at her face, the light of hope has long been extinguished within her heart. As she stared, both sisters unknowingly exchanged a look from kilometres away. Kadyn, as if by instincts, showed a look of resentment while KD-554, by her instincts, showed a smug smile of mockery. Neither knew the other was so close, yet the wounds of their past ran deep enough for them to feel each other on a subconscious level.

Slowly, Kadyn placed the holographic recording left to her by Audrey and Mike's coat on her bed. With a defeated, apologetic expression, Kadyn kneeled before the items while reaching her hands out as if she were asking for a divine power to hand her her punishment.

[Kadyn] - "I never was good enough. My obsession over you, Mike, has claimed the lives of so many innocent people. If not for me, Jagger would've never been created. I'm sorry, Audrey, Athena and Mike. None of you deserved your fate while I fully deserved mine. "

Whispered Kadyn in a trembling voice.

Slowly, Kadyn grabbed the holographic recording device and slipped it into the coat's pocket. Then, with a heavy heart, she placed the coat on a hanger before placing it into a closet.

[Kadyn] - "Mike... I understand now... Why I needed you so much. I needed you because you became a part of me. Before you, I was a remorseless murderer without morals or restraint. I was not like most of my sisters who were all true women with a human heart. You are the reason why I became a different person. Yet, I couldn't hold on to you. I not only lost my battle but also destroyed the lives of many others. "

Said Kadyn as she slid the closet door shut.

At that moment, Mike, who was still sitting at the campfire, noticed the last sparks of the fire beginning to die out. Despite this, Mike remained calm and collected as he looked up at the opening above the campfire.

[Mike] - "Then take your time figuring this out. The Kadyn I know is not a girl dependent on me to be herself. I know you will come to realize this eventually. Just as you remembered me and kept me alive beyond my passing, I will remember you and remind you of who you are once you are ready to hear me. "

Said Mike in a peaceful tone.

With his final words, the fire before Mike disappeared, leaving him in an endless expanse of darkness and emptiness.

[Mike] - "Everyone has their breaking point but that is a different concept from the point of no return. "

As Kadyn felt the hunger in her belly, she opened a small envelope which only contained her last 50 dollar bill; It won't last her even two meals. Suddenly, loud banging came from her door as a man screamed at the top of his lungs for her to open.