Krystal stared up at the window in the sky in the shape of a diamond. A faint yellow glow shone in periodically as Nilsson ran past the sewers' many maintenance lights, carrying Kadyn's body. As she looked down, there was no longer the familiar sight of a small campfire in the darkness, but the grandiose scene of a throne room without boundary. Atop a set of purple carpeted stairs stood a black crystalline throne. Behind it, the window looked out into an infinite dark expanse that appeared as if it were a night sky composed of a trillion stars within a billion galaxies spread across a million universes.
[Mike] - "It looks quite different from what I remember this place to be. "
Said Mike as he walked up the stairs to reach Krystal.
[Krystal] - "My ability has morphed into something greater... Like a pitiful caterpillar turning into a beautiful butterfly. "
Said Krystal as she continued to look out into the dark expanse.
Mike touched the throne and realized, upon closer inspection, that it wasn't just black in colour, but instead a void trapped inside its crystalline structure.
[Mike] - "Yet you changed as well. This isn't you, Kadyn, yet it is also you at the same time. Who exactly are you? "
[Krystal] - "Take it as you will, Darling. "
Said Krystal as she pressed her hand against her heart.
[Mike] - "Perhaps you are also another one of Kadyn's many secrets. "
Said Mike as he stood beside Krystal.
[Krystal] - "I have always been here since day one. Have you ever wondered where that dark side of Kadyn you erradicated go? She didn't disappear; she only went into a deep sleep. "
[Mike] - "This has the same taste as when I realized she had curly hair. "
Krystal smirked before turning toward Mike, her left glowing red eye reflecting off Mike's gaze.
[Krystal] - "Kadyn has been through a lot, you know? When KD-554 defeated her back there, she broke completely. To protect her, I had been awakened from my sleep to bear her trauma. Now, only I know of events that occurred after you died to Sniper. When I eventually hand control back to her, she would not remember who these people who helped us are, nor the events that occurred since that day. I, alone, will be the bearer of those memories. "
[Mike] - "The experiences hardened her. Without them, she would return to be the helpless girl I abandoned in this barren world that day. "
[Krystal] - "That is why I exist. Do not think of me as someone else. I still am a part of her, I still carry her identity and experiences within my heart. "
Mike looked unconvinced of Krystal's words, as he always had a special disdain and distrust toward Kadyn's more violent and savage side. Now that the piece of Kadyn, which carried all the traits that made her look like KD-554, had been made flesh, Mike had no reason to believe anything Krystal said.
[Mike] - "So what? She'll just default to a savage like her enemy when things don't go her way? Is this what your purpose insinuates? "
Said Mike in a bitter voice.
[Krystal] - "At first, I thought I woke up for this exact reason. Yet... She convinced me otherwise. "
Said Krystal as she turned her head fully toward Mike, revealing her right eye, which was glowing with the same lively green as Kadyn's.
Mike looked surprised for a moment as he saw the dichromatic eyes configuration in Krystal. Yet, knowing what each of Kadyn's eyes' colours means, he was quick to discern what kind of person Krystal truly is. There was the crimson of a killer on one side, yet it was balanced by the green of kindness and humanity on the other.
[Krystal] - "I learned from her that savagery without restraint is not the way, considering how I got my nickname, Dark Angel of Retribution, yet no retribution had been made despite all the bloodshed. Neither is her humanity without bound as proven by her failure here against KD-554. The truth lies in a third path... A path beyond expectation, beyond limits and beyond the rules that chained us to our fate. "
Said Krystal as she walked away from Mike.
As Krystal walked, she slowly shed away Kadyn's appearance and clothes. Instead of the coat given to her by Mike, Krystal now wore a proper, ornate black dress. Instead of the tidy bob cut Kadyn used to have, Krystal now adopted a messier bob cut with longer hair at the back. Instead of concealing her fox ears in her hair, she now proudly let them stand atop her head. This is who Krystal wants to be, the true version of her, unbound by her pain and trauma.
[Krystal] - "Though I don't know if I will ever wear this dress and be able to live the life I've always wanted, here, I can at least dream. "
Said Krystal with a bittersweet smile.
Mike looked at Krystal, awestruck by her beauty and grace. It almost brought a tear to Mike's eyes as Krystal looked so free and joyous, unbound by the tight military uniforms or shackled by the phantom pain of his dirty coat.
[Krystal] - "Kadyn might have a different style preference compared to me, but nevertheless, she'll still want something beautiful and free to wear. "
Said Krystal as she admired her dress.
A smile appeared on Mike's cheeks as he observed the woman he loved in clothes that spoke her heart and desire. Noticing Mike's smile, Krystal also returned the favour by showing him a cute smile that melted hearts.
[Krystal] - "Don't worry, I'll return this body to Kadyn once I make sure she can have a future to look forward to. I'll not overstay my welcome in case I cause trouble. "
[Mike] - "Hey, you deserve some happiness too. We might have tried to deny you before, but you are still a side of Kadyn that cannot be ignored. "
Said Mike as he patted Krystal on the shoulder.
[Krystal] - "I... I don't understand... "
Said Krystal, her expression both shocked and confused.
[Mike] - "You are more than who you think you are. You're not a dark side or some kind of monster, at least not anymore. You chose to merge with Kadyn and proved that you deserved happiness just as much as she did. To bear pain like a brave, to dream when there are only nightmares, to sacrifice for others without reward for yourself... These are traits that make you also Kadyn, not in name, but in spirit, Lemon. "
While Krystal didn't even realize it, tears began to fall from her eyes.
[Mike] - "I doubted you a moment ago, but I can feel it now. This heart beating inside your chest is the same one that belongs to the woman I love. "
Said Mike in a gentle voice as his palm pressed against Krystal's chest.
[Krystal] - "I... I... "
Krystal stuttered as Mike's kind words ground down the stoic barrier that allowed her to bear Kadyn's pain and trauma without breaking down. As Kadyn's painful memories and experiences rushed through Krystal's mind, she abruptly broke down crying.
[Krystal] - "You're supposed to be nice to Kadyn, not me. "
Sobbed Krystal as she cried with the same intensity as Kadyn.
Even Krystal's voice sounded exactly like Kadyn's as she wailed openly against Mike. Since she shared the same body and heart as Kadyn, Krystal also found comfort and love with Mike. It was a familiar feel as Mike hugged Krystal tightly, both of them drowning in each other's embrace like they used to do.
[Krystal] - "So I'm not a stranger to you? Will you love me just as much as you love Kadyn? "
Said Krystal like a wounded puppy with tears in the corner of her eyes.
[Mike] - "You are Kadyn as much as Kadyn is herself. "
As the two hugged, Krystal smiled joyfully as she melted inside the hug that was so familiar to her. Yet, as she felt warmth spread through her chest, Krystal abruptly jumped back, alarmed by a shocking realization.
[Krystal] - "Wait, wait, wait! I thought you were a ghost! "
Screamed Krystal with shock on her face.
[Mike] - "What do you mean? "
Said Mike, confused by Krystal's comment.
Krystal abruptly rushed up to Mike before violently slapping him across the face. To her utter shock, Mike swung sideways while holding his cheek in pain.
[Mike] - "What the bloody hell are you doing? "
Yelled Mike, his brow raised in embezzlement.
[Krystal] - "Did I fucking touch you? Did I just fucking slap you, ya bloody ghoul? "
Screamed Krystal in both shock and excitement.
[Mike] - "Right... You bloody did– "
Mike paused, suddenly realizing what Krystal had managed to do.
[Mike] - "Hold on! Did you just fucking slap me, you bloody banshee? "
Said Mike as shock and confusion filled his face.
[Krystal] - "Fuck yes, I just did! I slapped the absolute shit out of you, haha! "
Screamed Krystal in a burst of joy and excitement.
Before Mike could come to terms with what just happened, Krystal pounced onto him and kissed him with thirst and aggression. In response, Mike simply ignored all reasons and grabbed Krystal while melting into her kiss. To both of them, it was the same scent and sensation of each other's lips that they desperately wanted to feel for so long. Not one of them wanted to pull back as they collapsed to the ground and continued to drown in their passion without logic or restraint.
After a while, both lay exhausted and naked under Mike's coat, their breaths mixing together as they held each other in their embrace. There was a burning intensity in their shared gaze, even though they were both beyond exhausted. Then, breaking their staring contest, Krystal burst out laughing uncontrollably, followed by Mike as he joined her in her laughter.
[Mike] - "Oh God, I shouldn't really indulge this much... It feels like I just cheated on Kadyn. "
Said Mike jokingly.
[Krystal] - "I thought you said we're the same in a way. Not to mention, Kadyn would've felt the same thing I was feeling, even if I'm currently in control. "
Said Krystal as she playfully punched Mike in the chest.
[Mike] - "I was joking with you. I would've never slept with anyone other than my one and only wife. "
Both took a few seconds to catch their breath before Krystal climbed onto Mike and laid flat over his torso.
[Krystal] - "By the way, you know what this means? I'll be able to bring you back from the dead. There's finally a light at the end of this tunnel for me and Kadyn. "
Said Krystal as she playfully circled her finger around Mike's chest.
[Mike] - "How would you do that? "
Said Mike as he glided his fingers over Krystal's smooth back.
[Krystal] - "I'm the key my crystal desired this whole time. While Kadyn only had partial control over our ability, my new mindset, combined with my stronger willpower, was finally enough to achieve dominion over our ability. "
[Mike] - "Crystalline exfoliation... I thought that process made people lose their minds. "
[Krystal] - "You do realize Kadyn would've gone mad if I didn't exist as a backup, right? "
[Mike] - "So you know exactly how your ability works now? "
[Krystal] - "Yeah, I know how my ability works... However, I gotta wait until my body wakes up. KD-554 gave me some serious brain damage that requires a while to heal from. "
Said Krystal as she tapped her skull with her finger.
[Mike] - "Hmmm... "
Mike looked up at the diamond-shaped opening in the ceiling of the throne room while Krystal pressed her head against his chest. Suddenly, an idea struck Mike's mind as he abruptly sat up from the ground.
[Mike] - "Wait, I gotta try something. If your ability evolved and is now way more powerful than before... "
Mike stopped himself before quickly getting up.
[Mike] - "Wait, how do you do that clothes change thing you did? I can't walk around butt-naked like this. "
[Krystal] - "What? Don't tell me you're shy with your own wife, Darling. "
Said Krystal teasingly.
Mike quickly imagined himself in his formal Grand Knight uniform and helmet. In an instant, the clothes materialized around his body.
[Krystal] - "Huh? How did you figure it out? "
[Mike] - "I possess over 167 techniques with my ability, so figuring things out isn't exactly new for me. "
[Krystal] - "Wow, you bloody show-off... "
Whispered Krystal while pouting.
[Mike] - "What was that? "
[Krystal] - "Nothing! Just saying you're awesome, Darling. "
Said Krystal with a silly grimace.
[Mike] - "You're awesome too, Lemon. "
Said Mike with a wink that made Krystal blush.
In a leap, Mike exited the crystal as a ghost, but realized that he was still invisible and translucent, as Nilsson ran right through him, still carrying Kadyn's body. However, before Mike could feel disappointed, he suddenly felt something calling to him from afar. Following the strange call from a familiar voice, Mike phased through walls and ground toward that direction. Finally, as Mike emerged into a tunnel, he came across Voss as he sat on the ground like a dead man, but still clutching his sword and clinging to life.
As Mike approached Voss, he finally understood where the call came from.
[Voss] - "Lord Grand Knight, let me serve! Lord Grand Knight, grant me the strength to smite your enemies a little longer. "
Whispered Voss while drool filled with darkened blood dripped from his mouth.
Back to the present, Mike remained in front of Voss, palms wrapped around his hand and sword handle.
[Mike] - "Rest now, Marine. You have already done your duty and beyond! "
Just when Mike thought Voss could not see or hear him, the Marine suddenly groaned in pain before expelling the bloodied mucus blocking his throat.
[Voss] - "Not yet... Lord... There is still more to be done... "
Mike jolted in shock as the Marine looked up at him, his eyes only discernible from his mangled face by the small dark pupil buried in red flesh. With all the tremendous effort, Voss pointed at the dead cultist scout he had just killed a moment ago with the stump of his missing hand.
As noises flooded the tunnel of men in boots rushing up with weapons, Voss began to try to rise up to meet the threat using his sword as a clutch. Yet, in the messy state he is, the mortally wounded Marine fell back down, his limbs collapsing back down, exhausted from the effort.
[Mike] - "Enough, Marine! There is nothing more you can do! "
Screamed Mike, his face filled with concern and pain.
[Voss] - "No! I can still serve! As long as I have a weapon, I will destroy your enemies, Lord! "
Whispered Voss between laboured breaths.
At the same time, Nilsson rushed around the corner and came face-to-face with the armed formation not far away. Without hesitation, the lead gunners and Samuel shot at Nilsson, causing him to be struck with two bullets in the chest before he pulled back behind the corner. Quickly, after leaning Senju against the wall, McCree rushed in and drew his pistol. With deadly precision, McCree peeked around the corner and fired two shots, causing two of the cultists that served as human shields to stumble over into the sewage water.
Samuel quickly fired back alongside his men, causing McCree to quickly retreat back behind cover. Turning around, McCree realized that he was the only one fit to fight with Nilsson wounded and Senju in a critical state.
[McCree] - "Fuck... This shit ain't good. "
Cursed McCree as he peeked around the corner, only to be shot at.
As the bullets ricocheted off the concrete, McCree took two deep breaths before quickly exposing himself once again to shoot. However, with how many gunmen trained on his position, he only managed to shoot one of the policemen dead before several shots tore through his shoulder and arm.
[McCree] - "God damn it! We gotta run! "
Cursed McCree as he held his bleeding arm in pain.
Just as McCree tried to move back, a bullet flew over his head, missing him by mere inches. On both sides of the tunnel, squads of cultists and gunmen emerged from both sides, cutting off their retreat route. Acting quickly, Nilsson grabbed McCree's pistol and shot at the gunmen, precisely taking out the shooter with a shot to the head. Then, turning around, Nilsson aimed for half a second before taking three shots that only killed the men armed with guns and other ranged weapons.
[Nilsson] - "Come on, let's get moving, soldier! "
Yelled Nilsson as he handed McCree his gun back.
With a grunt, McCree held his gun with his non-dominant hand while trying to get Senju to lean against him. At the same time, Nilsson activated his axe and prepared himself to cut through the horde of melee-armed cultists coming his way. However, just as Nilsson prepared to charge the enemy, a bullet hit him in the right leg, causing him to stumble to the ground. In response, McCree raised his pistol and took three shots at the gunman in the back of the horde. Though McCree's accuracy dropped significantly, his shots luckily struck the enemy on the neck, causing him to fall under the stampede of cultists.
[McCree] - "This could be it, damn it. We ain't got anywhere to go. "
[Nilsson] - "Courage, soldier! As long as we stand, we fight! "
Shouted Nilsson as he swiftly cut down the first cultist to reach him, causing the rest to hesitate.
Meanwhile, as Samuel and his squads passed beside Voss's position, the men didn't even pay him any attention as they believed him dead already. However, after seeing the mountain of bodies Voss left behind, one of the terrified men raised his gun and shot at Voss just to make sure. As the bullet chipped a piece of Voss's scalp and skull away, the Marine finally dropped to the ground. Yet, despite the injury, Mike could see Voss's teeth still clenched in a vengeful rage while his eyes burned with desire for slaughter.
[Voss] - "Lord... Grant me strength... To defeat your enemies... "
Whispered Voss in a weak voice.
Voss's hand reached toward Mike's figure in a desperate plea. It was the hand of a man who isn't afraid to get it dirty, with a heart that valued loyalty as its own reward. Despite the countless lives taken by the blood-soaked hand that struggled to rise, the blood that coated it was clean, pure and just. The World Forgers could've been savages like many other fleets, yet Mike taught his men honour and humanity and gave them a compass in their violence.
Mike closed his eyes as Voss's hand landed on his boot and clenched it as if his life depended on it.
[Voss] - "Let me serve... One last time! "
Whispered Voss before his arm went limp and a final breath left his mouth.
However, as Mike opened his eyes, there was no pity or sadness, but a fire that burned brighter and hotter than the sun.
[Mike] - "Rise, Forger of Worlds, Voss! "
Said Mike as his voice echoed inside every single mind across the city.
As soon as Mike uttered these words, Voss suddenly began breathing and stood up without struggle. As his eyes opened, Mike saw a pillar of flame that burned through Heaven and Hell. The moment Voss raised his sword, the blood-soaked metal morphed into a shiny, yet purely dark void. Without being affected by his injuries, Voss dashed across the tunnel with incredible speed, before, with a single swing, decimating a whole squad of gunmen.
As Samuel turned around and began to fire upon Voss with his men, the bullets bounced harmlessly off Voss's body as he began to charge toward the panicking gunmen. As his void sword tore through twenty men in a single strike, the hunters, whose eyes were filled with hatred and savagery, soon felt utter, paralyzing fear that made their faces sag in despair. It was more just the hunters becoming the hunted, but divine judgment being brought upon traitors to humanity.
Each slice from Voss's sword carved further than its reach and left cuts that ate away at reality like a black hole. Though a force tried to make Voss miss his strikes, the sword slashed even through that fated barrier and claimed its prey regardless. Soon, terrified men began to scream out of terror as the unstoppable force carved its way through their ranks with divine fury. As Voss reached Samuel, the cult leader drew his combat knife, his gaze steady as he opened his mouth.
[Samuel] - "Blood for the Red Truth, Death to the faithless! "
Screamed Samuel as he charged toward Voss.
In Samuel's mind, he believed wholly that his faith in KD-554's 'truth' would guide him to victory. To him, this is but a test of his character, to prove the strength of his inner monster and his devotion to his belief. Yet, seconds before the two fighters made contact, even KD-554's most devoted lost his mask when he witnessed the pillar of fire within Voss's eyes.
In one clean strike, the false truth was shattered in two, broken by the indomitable human spirit that proved its strength before savagery. While Voss casually swung his blade around as he stepped away, Samuel's body split in two and fell like the ideology he worshiped.
Just as Nilsson and his group were about to get swarmed by cultists and perish in a death by a thousand stabs, Voss jumped in and swung his blade through the horde of cultists, clearing the way for the group to escape. Then, as Voss turned around, his sword dismembered another horde of cultists with sanctioned fury. As dead bodies piled up before the glowing warrior armed with a void sword, the rest of the cultists finally felt fear as they began to hesitate before finally retreating.
At long last, with the distant screams of fear from the fleeing cultists, the tunnels fell silent. With laboured breaths, Voss kneeled on the ground, his hand still clutching his sword. Meanwhile, Nilsson, McCree and Senju stared at him with shocked faces, their eyes unable to believe what they had just seen.
[Voss] - "Go! The way has been cleared for you. "
Commanded Voss as he pointed at the adjacent tunnel.
Nilsson, concerned after seeing the injuries on Voss, placed his hand on his shoulder. Yet, without hesitation, Voss pushed Nilsson's hand away.
[Voss] - "A dead man doesn't need your hand on his shoulder; he needs your promise that he didn't die for nothing. "
Said Voss as he shifted his gaze to Kadyn's body.
Though Nilsson's eyes were reluctant at the thought of leaving Voss a second time, he nevertheless nodded his head and began to walk away. Then, McCree and Senju limped behind Nilsson, each paying a silent nod of respect toward Voss as they passed by his side. As the group finally disappeared from Voss's sight, the light within his eyes also began to fade. Gradually, Voss collapsed against the ground, the strength Mike had borrowed to him leaving his body.
Despite the carnage he left behind, there was not a single drop of blood spilled as the sword absolved him of burdens. In Voss's last moments, as his vision began to fade, Mike kneeled beside him and placed his hand on his sword.
[Mike] - "What is your duty? "
[Voss] - "To serve you, my Lord, and the worlds and people that require our sacrifices. "
Said Voss as his breathing began to struggle.
[Mike] - "Then you have completed your duty. "
[Voss] - "Duty is never over... Lord... "
Whispered Voss with the last of his strength.
[Mike] - "Who do you owe your duty? "
[Voss] - "To you, my Lord. "
Exhaled Voss as the life gently left his eyes.
[Mike] - "Then I say you have my permission to rest. Let others carry your burden. Duty might never be over, but legacies persist. Actions persist. Sacrifices persist. "
With Mike's words, Voss smiled in relief before he let go of his sword, finally allowing the weapon to slip out of his bruised hand. As he did so, Mike caught the weapon and watched as Voss found his peace, no longer bound by duty. Slowly, Mike stood up and saluted the fallen Marine.
[Mike] - "You refused to let the world forget me, so I'll make sure the world remembers you. "
To be continued...