The footage ended with Mike's abduction by Sniper. There was a single camera hidden in the living room when Sniper executed Mike's parents. By pure luck that day, Mike's real babysitter needed to take a leave of absence and called her identical twin sister to cover for her shift for a few hours. That was the small crack that ended up collapsing Sniper's years of cover-up effort.
After realizing what had happened, the babysitter retrieved the footage and lived in anonymity for 19 whole years, waiting for the right time to reveal this crucial piece of evidence. That day in Rome, when Mike failed to cover his face properly, he was immediately identified by his old babysitter. Knowing this was her only chance, she risked her life spreading the word about her connection to Mike inside her village.
Back in the present day, Mike slowly pressed a button, which shut off the screen. The room was in utter silence, as both Ethan and Kadyn awaited Mike's response to these outrageous revelations. For 19 whole years, Mike was subjected to endless indoctrination, training and mental conditioning. Sniper had not only robbed him of a childhood, but he had also turned him into a weapon in the service of a tyrant. The very man who had murdered Mike's parents in cold blood was the same man Mike sacrificed everything to please.
In a sudden burst of silent rage, Mike's feet sank into the floor below him as the metallic control panel under his palms screamed with the ear-shattering sound of twisting steel. Yet, just as both Ethan and Kadyn backed off, sensing the danger of Mike's outburst, the young man turned around and stared at the two with his bloodshot eyes. Terror struck Ethan as he backed off quickly, leaving the fearless Kadyn to face the wrathful stare of the Grand Knight. Yet, despite his murderous expression, Kadyn didn't stutter, and she observed Mike with an unusually calm demeanour.
As Mike stood before Kadyn, an unexpected situation occurred, which shocked Ethan. Instead of an outburst of any kind, Mike simply hugged Kadyn like a wounded child before crying against her shoulder with total abandon. In response, Kadyn hugged Mike with the warmth of a mother and comforted him with a few gentle rubs against his back.
[Mike] - "My whole life was a lie. All these years, I could've been with you, but I was away, serving this bloody bastard of a tyrant. "
Whispered Mike as his tears seeped into Kadyn's clothes.
[Kadyn] - "Then stay as long as you need with me. I'm here with you and I will not leave. "
Said Kadyn in a gentle voice.
The couple shared a long, soul-healing hug before they finally pulled away. The comfort of Kadyn managed to bring Mike back to a more stable state of mind, as he signalled for Ethan to approach them.
[Mike] - "I'm calm now, Ethan, don't worry about me. "
[Ethan] - "Excuse me for my precautions, I was just not sure where I stand within your judgment following those revelations. "
Said Ethan as he carefully approached Mike.
[Mike] - "You stand at a fair place. You were not involved, and you had helped me during all those years. I owe you my thanks. "
Said Mike confidently, confirming to Ethan that there is nothing to fear.
After taking a seat around a table, Ethan poured Mike and himself some whisky while Kadyn took a glass of sparkling water instead. Though the initial tension subsided mostly, the mood remained grim within the group.
[Ethan] - "Now what? From what ya told me, Sniper seemed to want to kill your lady there. "
[Mike] - "It is no surprise. For 19 years, this man had gaslit me into thinking my life's purpose is to be a tool for him to abuse. To think for myself is to break the control he wields over me. What is most troublesome is that, in all my years, this is the only time I was caught off-guard without a plan B to fall back into. "
Said Mike before taking a sip from his glass.
[Ethan] - "It's tragic, truly. Sniper was never a good man, I knew it, yet no one was smart enough to listen. I was there since the beginning, when he promised me the glory of becoming the father of a new age of technology. How wrong I was to willingly walk down into my eternal damnation. "
Said Ethan as he stared at his wavy reflection in his glass.
[Mike] - "The true tragedy is Michele. I personally put down his rebellion while remaining ignorant of his intentions. Knowing the truth now, that was my biggest bloody regret. I was but a foolish teenager back then. "
Said Mike in a guilty tone, with a sombre look on his face.
[Ethan] - "Michele was a tragedy of the past. Now, it's our turn to take up arms and finish what he had started. "
[Mike] - "Heh, you sound like you were a part of his rebellion. "
Remarked Mike, sharply.
[Ethan] - "What's the point of hiding it in our current situation. "
[Mike] - "Ya sneaky old man, you sure love walking on a fine line, supporting his cause while still servicing my zealous arse back in the days. You would've been put deep in an obliette or shot if not for my blind trust in you. "
Said Mike before emptying his glass in a single gulp.
[Ethan] - "Hehe... A man's gotta die for his beliefs sometimes. The world doesn't reward those who don't act. So now, do ya got any plan, son? "
Said Ethan before he also gulped down his drink.
[Mike] - "I can't make a plan. Not as of now. "
Said Mike bluntly.
Mike, known for his usually collected and strategic mindset, shocked both Ethan and Kadyn with his words as Ethan had to pause midway while pouring another drink, while Kadyn looked at him wide-eyed mid-sip.
[Ethan] - "Eh... You must be joking, right, son? This ain't the most appropriate time to joke around, ya know. "
[Mike] - "I can't plan anything because I don't know how deep the rot goes. I don't know how committed Sniper is about eliminating my wife, nor do I know how many people I can trust. The situation is too sudden and too complex to attempt anything as of now. I need more intel about this whole fiasco. "
Said Mike as he rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
[Kadyn] - "Mike, if it's too dangerous to risk it all, maybe we should just hide away somewhere and leave all this behind. "
Said Kadyn with an innocent look.
In response, Mike's fists tightened secretly below the table, while he showed Kadyn an understanding look above. His heart ached with the desire to simply give in and accept his wife's suggestion, yet his honour prevented him from committing to such a selfish decision. Mike is far from being a simple man, content with the fulfillment of his greatest desire. From his time in the Empire, Mike had learned to discipline himself and prioritize others before himself, and this philosophy would come into play as he opened his mouth to speak.
[Mike] - "No! I might not have known Michele personally, but I hold myself accountable for foiling the hopes of millions. I will not quit until I see the unfinished work done. Sniper had not only played me like a fool for my entire life, but he had also wronged millions of innocents for no justifiable reasons. I will not flee and hide, I lived my life as a cyberknight, and I will uphold my honour as a knight. "
Said Mike defiantly.
[Kadyn] - "But this is suicide, Mike. You do realize how powerful Sniper is. Even you... I'm not sure I can trust you on this one. "
Said Kadyn, filled with doubt in her voice.
[Mike] - "Sniper will not stop here. I can go and hide all I want and even avoid being caught, but I'm replaceable. The old cunt will just fuck himself a new heir and the child will carry the same mutated gifts as I do. My replacement will be subjected to the same pain I had experienced and enact his brutal orders with possibly even less restraint than I do. I can't let that happen, I will see Sniper be reduced to ashes, even if it means spilling the last drop of my blood. "
Said Mike, with a muted undertone of hatred in his voice.
[Ethan] - "And you call me a walker of fine lines. You have a meeting scheduled with him in the morning. What do you plan to do with that? "
Said Ethan as he leaned in for an answer.
[Mike] - "I will confront him as I should. He will not get rid of me, not yet. He is smart enough not to throw 19 years' worth of effort away for one infraction. I will use the meeting to better gauge my options for action. "
The thought of Mike going to see Sniper despite these obvious warning signs worried Kadyn to her core. Who knows if Sniper is truly planning to get rid of Mike then and there instead of leaving him alive?
[Kadyn] - "Ethan, could you leave us alone for a moment. There are a few things I need to discuss with him if you don't mind. "
Said Kadyn with a polite smile.
Without objection, Ethan stood up and silently stepped into his workshop before shutting the door behind him. Meanwhile, now left alone, Kadyn grabbed Mike's hand tightly and breathed deeply. There was fear in her veins, and Mike could clearly sense it despite her attempts to conceal it.
[Kadyn] - "What if you don't return? If Sniper is truly as brutal as we've seen him be, what makes you think he will still tolerate your presence? "
Before Mike could respond, Kadyn pressed herself against his shoulder and pulled him closer toward her.
[Kadyn] - "Just be selfish for once, Mike. Let's run away, leave this all behind and live the life we always wanted. You deserve something better, Mike, you do. So stop denying yourself your own happiness. Let someone else fight in your stead for once. "
Said Kadyn with desperation in her tone.
[Mike] - "Do not dream if you don't have the means to support it. That's what the dictum says. You're right, I don't know what he planned for me during that meeting. For the first time in my life, I'm not sure of my own ability. However... "
Mike clenched his fist and observed the crystals embedded in his cybernetic arms.
[Mike] - "... I will try to support your dreams and the dreams of others even if it means I don't get to experience my own. This is the least I can do. "
Said Mike as he wrapped his arm around Kadyn's waist.
[Kadyn] - "Don't go... Think of the family we promised to build. "
Said Kadyn while tears streamed down her cheeks.
[Mike] - "Shhh, it's alright, Lemon, I promise I'll come back. "
Whispered Mike as he caressed Kadyn's head.
Later, as Sniper impatiently tapped his finger against his armrest, Mike finally arrived inside the throne room and kneeled at the bottom of the stairs. With an unimpressed glare, Sniper kept his silence for a long moment to keep Mike in his kneeling position.
[Sniper] - "You are late, Grand Knight. I find this unjustified tardiness quite disrespectful. "
Said Sniper as his frustrated voice rocked the throne room.
[Mike] - "I had to manage some urgent matter, my lord. Please forgive me for my lack of judgment. "
[Sniper] - "You see, Grand Knight, I'm starting to doubt your loyalty toward me. You seem to take me for some fool with no knowledge of your activities. "
Sniper got up from his throne and began to walk toward Mike.
[Sniper] - "You don't seem to understand how your duty should come before your personal life. When I invoke you, I expect you to arrive on time instead of indulging in your petty little melodramatic romance. "
As Mike tried to refute Sniper's accusations, but just as he tried to speak, he suddenly noticed that no words came out of his mouth. A dripping sound soon began to echo across the room from Mike's face. Then, to his shock, when he tried to feel his chin, he instead touched his exposed upper teeth. With a sadistic grin on his face, Sniper suddenly released his ability, which was constricting Mike's blood vessels.
As soon as Sniper dismissed his spell, a massive flood of crimson blood rushed out of Mike's wound, causing his face to abruptly lose colour. With barely any time to spare, Mike used his own ability to seal up his injury, though the lack of a mirror meant some areas were still bleeding. Somehow, earlier, before he could even notice it, Sniper destroyed his entire lower jaw with a strike so rapid and efficient, he didn't even register the pain until now. Another sudden, uncontrollable cough caused Mike to expel another puddle of blood.
[Sniper] - "This is your last warning, Grand Knight. Next time, I will aim for the head. "
Said Sniper in a cold voice before he began to ascend to his throne.
Mike tried desperately again to stop all the bleeding, but he could do little without a mirror to repair the damage. Before he could stop it, he vomited another splatter of blood, which coated the golden staircase in a dark crimson shade. As Mike gasped for air, Sniper suddenly trampled Mike's head and pressed it into the puddle of blood using his ability.
[Sniper] - "I don't remember giving you permission to stand up or speak. "
Said Sniper with an amused grin on his face.
The gut-wrenching smell of the blood soon caused Mike to gag and expel another mouthful of crimson. At this point, Mike has lost so much blood that he begins to wonder if he'll be able to survive any longer. Due to a lack of experience, Mike couldn't properly close his arteries with his ability, since he could end up damaging his own body in the process by fusing his flesh the wrong way.
[Sniper] - "Before you lose your consciousness, let me brief you on your next assignment. To prove that you are truly loyal to me, I want you to bring me that whore of yours - I want to see you put her out of her pitiful existence before me. You will arrive no later than midnight, or you will be deemed an enemy of the empire. By then, not even God can save you. "
Using his ability, Sniper lifted Mike's head to face him.
Yet, as Sniper turned around, he noticed Mike's defiance shine through his stare like the ray of a lighthouse in the fog of darkness.
[Sniper] - "Don't test me, Grand Knight. I will not show mercy, just as I showed none to that traitor Michele. If you want to join him in eternal damnation, be my guest! "
Said Sniper with a cruel expression on his face.
However, just as Sniper prepared to let Mike go, he noticed the same defiant look still being sported as if Mike had not heard his threat. Unlike Sniper's other victims, such as Karson, Mike's eyes were fixed on the supposed God's face without an ounce of fear. To Mike, the oppressive aura of Sniper's power no longer induced fear in him as he fought back using his own ability.
[Sniper] - "Kneel and keep your eyes on the ground! "
Yelled Sniper with fury.
Unexpectedly, as Mike fought back against the oppressive aura of Sniper's presence, he somehow found strength despite his injuries. Maybe it was his own resolve - No, it is because Mike is choosing to protect himself using his ability instead of letting Sniper's ability affect him. He was choosing to no longer be the abused dog in this interaction. All this time, the aura of Sniper's power was just one of the Emperor's abilities, which allowed him to put pressure and weight in the air and cause a feeling of dread and oppression to anyone affected.
[Sniper] - "Are you fucking deaf, you stupid mutt? "
Said Sniper with rage in his voice.
With a burst of anger, Sniper kicked Mike across the face with his foot. However, Mike barely flinched at the strike as he defiantly stared once more into Sniper's soul with his bloodshot eyes. It was truly a fateful moment as these unexpected events allowed Mike to realize something more valuable than any other information. Not only is his and anyone else's fear of Sniper a fabricated concept and not something instinctual, but Mike also realized that Sniper might be so invincible after all.
As Mike thought more and more about the situation, the truth became clearer by the passing seconds. If Sniper is truly omnipotent, then why not make Mike submit? If he is truly all-powerful, then why can Mike shrug off the effects of Sniper's ability using his own? Most importantly, why does a God feel the need to shut down the defiant stare of a bleeding mortal with such violence and fury? What does he gain from this - or what does he fear from this?
However, Mike's defiant stare has already buried its roots inside Sniper's mind. Now, even as Sniper tried not to think about it, it tickled the back of his mind like a fly trapped inside his skull. In a fit of anger, Sniper savagely used his ability to smash Mike's head repeatedly against the ground and caused him to lose consciousness. Though Sniper wanted to feel relief after unleashing his anger on Mike, he found little comfort in the aftermath of an empty victory. However, owing to the whispers of his ego, Sniper convinced himself that Mike would learn to fear him once more from the experience.
Under Sniper's spiteful watch, Mike's body was removed from the room by two guards before being transported to a medical bay.
To be continued...