Cyberknight: One Path

⁕ Athena (part 2)

As the supposed angel saw what lay behind the poor girl, she immediately walked up to her and took her in her arms. The young girl, feeling a strange sense of safety from her saviour, didn't hesitate as Athena embraced her. As she tried turning around to look at her parents' corpse, Athena instinctively shielded the girl's eyes with her hand.

[Athena] - "It's ok, you don't need to look. "

Said Athena with warmth in her voice.

The crowd was both confused and relieved by Athena's presence, but remained alert as they didn't know if she was here to liberate them or to subject them to her rule.

[Athena] - "People of Shenyang, fear no longer. Your supposed God was nothing but a fraud, a man blinded by his own power. There are no Gods, but humans given great power. Do not worship those who descend from the heavens, nor those who ascend from hell. The only truth is that of evil men, tyrants looking to subjugate through fear. "

Screamed Athena in Chinese for all the people to hear.

Stunned by her divine aesthetic, an old woman in the crowd fell to her knees and began to praise Athena like a God. Immediately, Athena approached the old lady and roughly pulled her up to her feet.

[Athena] - "I present myself here today, not as a benevolent deity, but as a carrier of divine justice. Your destiny is in your hands, not the hands of the pretentious. Remember my words, and do not let your eyes deceive you again the next time you witness another impostor. Evil knows no bounds in this dark era of our history, so remain vigilant in your endeavours. There will always be more evil than good in this world, so do not take today's miracle for granted, as next time, you will need to forge your own legends. "

As Athena concluded her speech, some people felt shame for their support of their previous tyrant, while others thanked Athena profusely for her help. However, Athena didn't reciprocate any of their words, as she aimed to leave as soon as possible to avoid forming religions dedicated to her name. As a last gesture of kindness, Athena bent down and looked the orphan girl in the eyes.

[Athena] - "Tell me, child, do you have any other family members besides your parents? "

[Azur] - "No, grandpa and grandma both went on a permanent vacation. And... And big sis went to war and never came back. I hear she is sent on a very, very long mission for like 50 years or more. "

Said the girl while still a bit shaken up from the trauma.

Athena bit her lip in discomfort as the tragedy before he eyes explained itself.

[Athena] - "Geez... I suppose I will drop you off at the orphan house on my way. "

[Azur] - "No, I want to stay with you, big sis. "

Said the girl with tears hanging in her eyes.

[Athena] - "I can't take you with me. You do understand I can't raise you! "

Said Athena in a firm tone as she stood up.

[Azur] - "No! I want to follow you to the sky, big sis. I want to fight evil, bad guys just like you! I want to be an angel like you! "

Yelled Azur as she pulled on Athena's pants.

Though Athena had no intention of indulging in this child's tantrum any further, her eyes stared sorrily at the dissected corpses of the kid's parent. Suddenly, the cries of the girl stopped as Athena noticed her also staring at the gruesome sight.

[Athena] - "Damn it! "

Cursed Athena, shakingly, as she covered up Azur's eyes.

However, the damage was already done as Azur remained frozen without a word, even as Athena turned to face her. The child was scarred irreversibly by the horrors of what she saw.