The final hour

From the day Mike was abducted by Sniper, his arms were forcefully amputated for cybernetic arms which bore the crystals and the generators. Instead of a childhood, Mike was forced through a rigorous routine of constant education and training. From the moment he woke up in the morning to the moment he went to sleep, all of his free time was used up by either different classes or training with the crystals.

To prevent Mike from forming any attachment to anyone, Sniper ensured that all his instructors or caretakers were masked individuals with a voice modifier. The goal was simple, Mike was to be turned into a merciless enforcer of Sniper's rule without personal bias or personal opinion. However, Mike was a resilient kid, despite the inhumane treatment offered by his uncle, he managed to keep himself somewhat sane for the first few years.

At 15, Mike was already armed with the knowledge of a university graduate in chemistry, physics and mathematics. He was also capable of thinking like an adult with a mature and refined thought process. On the other hand, all this came with the cost of his sanity. Social isolation and detachment from the world caused him to act more like a machine than a human. However, his biggest problems were the mental issues that destroyed him as a person.

From Mike's perspective, people didn't have a face. All humans were the same as they walked while ignoring his presence. All this isolation made Mike believe that this is the human world, consisting of only machine-like people who went about their business. All interactions were made with a goal in mind and all actions were based on logic. Even when offered small talks, Mike saw them as a decoy to drive forward a hidden goal. The world around him didn't bother him and he didn't interact with it either. His life was about receiving orders and executing them.

His eyes were livid as his small stature moved through the crowd of imperial personnel and officers. His body was numb as he bumped into multiple strangers without even realizing it. Sniper's goal has been achieved and his grip on him was absol-

Mike abruptly collided with a strange figure as he walked. At first, he remained stoic about the whole situation but he was suddenly offered a hand. After getting on his feet, he took one look at the stranger and was shocked to discover that she was different from the others. Most importantly, it awakened a memory hidden deep inside his mind about this specific girl.

[Mike] - "Hey, I remember you! You were in my house when I was still a kid. "

Said Mike as he took off his helmet to get a better look.

[KD-555] - "I concur, mister Mike. I was indeed present that day. "

Said KD-555 in a polite tone.

This sudden access to his past allowed Mike to regain a slight sense of his humanity. During this time, the strange feeling inside KD-555's heart also reappeared.

[Mike] - "Your ears... why are they so different? And your eyes too, they seem to be glowing somehow. "

Said Mike as he shared a stare with KD-555.

For a moment, the two stared awkwardly at each other without a word before they both decided to go about their separate way. However, this wasn't the last time they would meet. That brief interaction sparked something unknown inside the heart of the two kindred souls. At first, they would accidentally meet on a few occasions but they soon began to intentionally cross paths.

Within a year, Mike managed to reconnect with his human side as he began to confidently communicate with others. Meanwhile, influenced by Mike, KD-555 adopted the name Kadyn and began to also develop some level of humanity. Through their accidental encounter, both their fate were altered forever.

In the present, Mike suddenly stood up from his hospital bed before he felt an intense pain in his lower chin. With a series of gentle touches, Mike realized that his chin all the way to his ears was made from cybernetic parts.

[Mike] - "Fuck... there goes any hopes for a beard. "

Mike looked around and saw Kadyn sleeping soundly under his coat on a small couch. His memory was vague but he quickly remembered Sniper's words before his head got bashed. In a panic, Mike looked at the time and saw that it was already 8 PM. Without hesitation, Mike immediately pulled the tubes out of his neck and arms and began to put on his clothes. Meanwhile, the noises slowly pulled Kadyn out of her slumber.

As Mike fumbled with his pants, Kadyn abruptly jumped at him and pressed herself as tightly as possible against him.

[Kadyn] - "Thank god you are fine. I was so worried about you. "

Cried Kadyn with tears of joy.

[Mike] - "Ugh... it's not like I came back from the dead. I was alive this whole time. "

Said Mike as Kadyn pressed him firmly against the bed.

[Kadyn] - "Who did that to you? Your entire jaw was missing. Do you know how horrifying that is to witness? "

[Mike] - "Well, I appreciate your concern but we have a more pressing matter now. "

Said Mike as he gently pushed Kadyn off his chest.

[Kadyn] - "What is it? "

Said Kadyn with a concerned look.

[Mike] - "Let's go to Ethan first. "

Sometime later, both Ethan and Kadyn were in shock as Mike finished explaining his encounter with Sniper.

[Mike] - "We don't have a choice. I must fight him. "

Mike's words instantly activated an instinctual fear inside Kadyn's heart like the terror of a prey moments before it was jumped by a predator.

[Kadyn] - "No! Not a chance! I won't let you kill yourself like this! "

Yelled Kadyn as she used all her strength to hug Mike.

[Mike] - "Listen, I must do this! There is no other way! "

[Kadyn] - "I don't care what happens! You must NOT fight him. "

Said Kadyn with a clear hint of fear inside her voice.

[Ethan] - "Mike, I don't think fightin' him is the best idea. The risk of dying is simply too great. "

[Mike] - "You two seemed to forget that I'm the only one in the world with the appropriate ability to challenge him. "

[Ethan] - "That's also why it is risky. What if you failed? Do you realize what kind of consequence could await the world? "

[Kadyn] - "Also, what about me? What will I do without you? "

Mike gently hugged Kadyn and tried to comfort her by kissing her on the cheek.

[Mike] - "I still need to try. I can't let him harm those dear to me. When he ordered your execution, I knew my time was up. Whatever happens, I only want you to be safe. "

[Kadyn] - "Let's run away then. You can do that, right? We can live together, away from this madness. "

Said Kadyn as she edged her tears.

Mike gently pulled Kadyn away from him and put his hands around her cheeks. With an empathic stare, Mike searched for Kadyn's attention as she looked away.

[Mike] - "Kadyn, Lemon, look at me. We can't live like rats and hide for the rest of our lives. What happens if he finds us? Are we going to run forever? That's no way to live. "

[Kadyn] - "I don't mind it as long as you are with me. "

[Mike] - "What about your dreams? You wanted a family, children and to experience the wonders of the world. None of it would happen if we were to hide! "

[Kadyn] - "But none of it will matter if you aren't there with me. "

Said Kadyn in a saddened voice.

Kadyn's words finally broke through Mike's stubbornness. Mike knew how likely his fight would result in his own death but he couldn't allow Kadyn's fate to be sealed with him. No matter the odds, he must walk the righteous path.

[Mike] - "Who said I won't be there? "

Said Mike with an overwhelming sense of confidence.

Kadyn's stare finally returned to meet his.

[Mike] - "I'm Mike G. Mundy and I promise to my Kadyn that I will win that battle and marry her. No matter the odds, I promise you I will come back alive and make you the happiest woman alive. "

Seduced by Mike's fiery attitude, Kadyn seemed to be more at ease. Meanwhile, Mike was already starting to feel guilty for abusing Kadyn's trust toward him.

[Kadyn] - "You promise you will come back to me? "

Said Kadyn with increasing admiration.

[Mike] - "Hey, who the bloody hell do you think I am? We cooked inside a hydrogen blast but I still managed to keep us both raw. So what makes you think I would die to a half-crook dictator in a cheap-ass dress. "

Kadyn giggled at Mike's creative phrasing while being fully convinced by his act.

[Kadyn] - "Alright then, when you come back, I want to start travelling for an entire year before we settle down to start our family. Capiche? "

Said Kadyn in a confident tone.

Mike forced a smile.

[Mike] - "Anything you say, my dear Lemon. How about you go and pack some of your stuff in our room? "

[Kadyn] - "Sure thing, Mikey. "

Said Kadyn as she kissed Mike on the cheek.

As soon as the door shut behind Kadyn, Mike turned toward Ethan who stared at him with an unimpressed look.

[Ethan] - "You can be quite a dirty sly dog sometimes. "

[Mike] - "Sigh... you can only get this type of trust from someone who has never been betrayed. If I don't make it, Ethan, take good care of her. Most importantly, make sure she can move on from my death. "

[Ethan] - "Look at ya, switchin' from overwhelming confidence and optimism to doom-inducing insecurity and pessimism. "

Mike lit himself a cigar while passing another to Ethan.

[Mike] - "I didn't tell her but I want to fight Sniper. The world will never be at peace under his rule. He betrayed his own ideas and allowed corruption and subjugation to win. As long as the world is under his control, darkness is all that awaits the people. I must defeat him for vengeance, for the people and for all of us slaves under him. "

Said Mike as he exhaled a heavy puff of smoke.

[Ethan] - "Very noble of you. But what if you don't win, huh? What if your effort was in vain? What if this is the start of a series of tragedies? "

Said Ethan as he tried to light his cigar.

[Mike] - "You won't go anywhere if you are always constrained by the ifs. You either shine bright or extinguish at the fuse. Just like anyone else, I can't exist forever but this wave I create will send its echoes beyond my existence. That's what matters. The crystals, they are a tool for us humans to break our fate. To be chosen is to bear the responsibility of opening the path for the rest. "

[Ethan] - "If I had an ability, I would've been thrilled to fight alongside you. "

[Mike] - "The symbol of cyberknight represents that very idea. The small diamond at the bottom represents the user's crystal and the large diamond on top represents the will of the user manifested through his ability. Finally, the storm clouds were pushed away by the bigger diamond, thus signifying its shine through the darkness. "

[Ethan] - "Interesting... "

Said Ethan as he took another puff from his cigar.

[Mike] - "Prepare an escape plan, Ethan. If the situation goes south, I will hold him off for as long as possible while you and Kadyn make your escape. "

[Ethan] - "Roger that! "

Said Ethan as he got to work.

[Mike] - "I'm counting on you, Ethan. "

Said Mike with a worried look on his face.

With an understanding nod, Ethan reassured Mike of his commitment. As of now, there is still one hour left before midnight.

To be continued...