Cyberknight: One Path

⁕ Athena (part 2)

[Athena] - "Listen to me, child, you will look me in the eyes when I talk to you! "

Said Athena with a serious, trembling voice.

[Azur] - "I... I understand. "

[Athena] - "If you leave with me today, then you will walk a path you can't back out of. You will wield the same power as the man who killed your parents. If it frightens you, then we'll find you a new family. However, if you accept this, then answer me, how will you use your power? "

There was a moment of hesitation in the child's throat before she answered clearly.

[Azur] - "However you tell me to. I will not do what the big bad man did. "

Said Azur with a forced tone of bravery despite her sadness.

Despite the high emotions, Athena saw the sincerity in the eyes of the poor child. She was ready to fight, but without the affliction of wrath or resentment.

[Athena] - "Sigh... Good answer, child, excellent answer. "

Whispered Athena with relief in her voice.

Later that day, after Athena placed Azur in her new accommodations aboard her carrier, the Merciful Wrath, she finally allowed herself to rest as she collapsed onto her seat on the ship's bridge. However, just as she was preparing to close her eyes, a voice shook up from her chair.

[Patheon] - "Lord Athena, Commander Patheon reporting. "

Athena turned her head and saw Patheon, commander of the first Spartan marine division, standing beside her throne.

[Athena] - "God, I'm seriously considering transferring you to the 19th fleet if you keep sneaking on me like that. "

[Patheon] - "If there was still a 19th fleet, that is. "

Said the commander jokingly.

[Athena] - "Well, you better not tell me that bum we have as an emperor is calling me up again. "

Said Athena, annoyed.

[Patheon] - "Well, my lord, I was gonna talk about that kid you brought aboard again. See, we can always use more recruits, but resources are scarce, and we aren't too equipped to train children for future duty. "

[Athena] - "This one is different. "

Said Athena dismissively.

[Patheon] - "My apologies, lord, but you said that so many times I lost count of it. I mean, no offence, but we were the ones training the kids you brought back every time. Sincerely, lord, we are a military force, not an orphanage or a daycare. We can't keep every orphan you meet in the world. "

Said Patheon while Athena avoided his gaze.

[Athena] - "Listen, soldier, this one is my responsibility. I have avoided the responsibility of a second disciple for too long, and it's time I apply myself. The Grand Knight's legacy won't carry itself. There will come a day I won't be able to fight anymore, and I want there to still be light when I can't shine anymore. "

Yelled Athena at the commander before pressing her face into her hands.

With a compassionate look, the commander, twice Athena's age, patted the marshal on the back like a father. He understood the weight Athena had to carry and how tired she must be, as they had just finished a long war.

[Athena] - "Patheon, promise me. Promise me if I were to die someday that you will take the fleet and use any means necessary to prevent it from falling into the wrong hands. The Falling Spartans will serve the Grand Knight's vision, not the ambition of any of these sacks of shit sitting on pretentious thrones. "

[Patheon] - "You have my word, lord Athena. "

As a long silence passed, the commander realized that Athena had fallen asleep. Gently, the commander left and came back with a light blanket, which he used to cover Athena before lowering her seat into a sleeping position.

Thus, the year went by with Athena accumulating more and more kills under her belt, all cyberknights who had too much hubris in their heart. However, during all this time, Athena yearned for Mike's presence, as she felt lost without his guidance. He was the one holding everything together, yet he never properly instructed her on how to do what he did. However, this yearning would prove to be a weakness as Jagger sought to use Athena in his Lynching Game to clean up the disloyal elements of his empire.

When Jagger presented himself before Athena wearing Mike's face, it was clear Athena would almost never doubt him. When he demanded Athena's help, her guilt over his supposed death would blind her to all common sense. When he ordered her to kill whoever he deemed an enemy, she believed it to be a part of a greater plan.

From the Appalachian Disaster to the removal of disloyal Blue Guards, Athena followed Jagger's orders without question, completely oblivious to his manipulation until now. When the news of Jerry's capture and Harry's death reached Athena's ears, it finally woke her up to the inconsistency of the situation.

Why did Mike almost never want to meet Athena personally? Why did he lack the charisma, sarcasm or the light-hearted tone he was known for when she spoke to him? Where was Kadyn, who was supposed to be not far from him at all times? Most importantly, what kind of plan must be kept hidden, even from Athena, who was supposed to be Mike's second most trusted person on this earth, beside Kadyn? Athena is maybe a bit fanatical toward Mike on occasion, but she is no fool.

Inside Jagger's personal quarters, he viciously attacked Kadyn by slapping her across the face. With a face burning red with anger, Jagger then kicked Kadyn in the abdomen, causing her to cough up blood inside her mouth.

[Jagger] - "I sacrificed everything for you, yet you keep disobeying my orders. I told you to stay inside the bunker, yet you had to go out there and defy me as if I'm worthless! "

Yelled Jagger before spitting on Kadyn.

[Kadyn] - "I never defied you. I... I simply wanted to help when I heard the radio transmission and... "

Before Kadyn could finish, Jagger kicked her again in the abdomen.

[Jagger] - "You have no idea how long I have tolerated your annoying character. From those endless yapping out of your filthy mouth to those disrespectful gesture you dare throw my way, I'm sick and tired of your bullshit! "

Said Jagger before bending down to grab Kadyn by the throat and lifting her up.

[Jagger] - "You listen to me well, you pleasure doll. I gave you this life, so you will show your appreciation for it. You will be silent in my presence and speak only if I allow you to. You will not touch me unless I tell you to. And most importantly, you will not leave this room without my explicit permission. You are my property, the property of Mike. "

Said Jagger with malice oozing out of his voice.

[Kadyn] - "I understand, Mike! Please, it hurts, stop holding me like this. "

Said Kadyn while tears rolled down her cheeks.

[Jagger] - "I'm the emperor, and you will treat me like your God. We are not equal, so remember this the next time you speak with me. "

Said Jagger before violently throwing Kadyn against the wall.

This was the full ugliness of Jagger without his mask, yet Kadyn was too consumed by guilt and grief to notice. At that moment, Kadyn blamed no one other than herself, thinking she had angered Mike. Yet, in her clouded judgement, she failed to consider that Mike would never do such a thing to her.

Suddenly, Athena jumped up from her bed, her crystals bright and ready.

[Athena] - "Don't fucking touch her, you beast! "

Yelled Athena at the top of her lungs.

However, as the sight of her room registered inside her mind, Athena breathed a sigh of relief, thinking it was just a nightmare. However, it was one too many of these kinds of nightmares for a single week. She knew she must dig further and start seeking the truth behind this murky affair.

Meanwhile, inside Jagger's room, Kadyn cried inside the showers, face and body bruised from all the abuse she had received from Jagger.

To be continued...