There was no life or nature within Krystal's imaginary realms, only the silent shape of a dead world paused in a specific time in history. Unlike when people are brought into the ability, the damage or change inflicted on buildings and objects will not translate to real life. Thus, whoever stands within said reality can let all convictions die and embrace the unlimited chaos without consequences. Within the playground of Freedom, your limit is the sky.
For one moment, the world seemed quiet, but the next, a massive firestorm devoured everything that existed. Buildings instantly turned into ashes while the earth rose into the sky, in columns that easily reached space. Within a single strike, Astroboy caused such devastation that he not only erased the North American continent from existence, but he also slowed the Earth's rotation to almost half its previous speed. As the sudden deceleration of the planet occurred, oceans spilled forth in waves that drained coastlines and created new seas.
With another dash, Astroboy snuck up on Mike and slammed him into the dirt, creating a hole so deep, all there was at the bottom was the bleeding innards of Earth. Yet, despite all his efforts, Mike wasn't even stained by a speck of dust as he rose up from the ocean of lava as if nothing had happened. As Astroboy dove down for another strike, collapsing two ends of two tectonic plates onto Mike to trap him before preparing to attack him, Mike finally raised his hand.
[Astroboy] - "You will acknowledge me! You will respect true power! "
Yelled Astroboy as he dodged Mike's hand with incredible speed.
Yet, Astroboy ignored just how fast Mike also could be. As Mike swung around, he caught Astroboy's leg in his grasp before bringing his other hand down for a strike. At that moment, as Astroboy noticed the soul-triggering strength in Mike's hand, he made a split-second decision to amputate his leg instead, just to get away. That decision soon proved to be right, as just as he managed to fly away, Mike struck the ground with such power that he instantly split the Earth in half.
As Astroboy arrived in space to try to give himself a respite to stop the bleeding in his leg, his face went pale as he witnessed the horrific sight of the Earth being slashed in half. While molten rocks and debris flew all across space, Astroboy found himself in an eerily quiet place despite all the chaos in front. Space is meant to be quiet, for sure, but this type of quiet was a different kind. Astroboy, at that moment, understood the true strength of his opponent. If the cyberknights didn't hold back, their power could easily be world-ending, but Mike was something else. That effortless cleave he performed was enough to rival the power of nearly ten Astroboys at maximum output.
The silence that surrounded Astroboy was loud, so insanely loud that it was starting to make his mind shake and his ears bleed. Then, it hit him. Even with his ability active, his kinetic deflection was simply not strong enough to fully spare him from the resulting shockwave of Mike's strike. That damage was real, as Astroboy felt a side of his face grow stiff while warm blood streamed down his ears and nose. All this, without Mike using one of his more powerful techniques.
[Mike] - "I guess in terms of raw strength, there's nothing much we could compare. "
Said Mike as he placed his hand on Astroboy's shoulder.
[Mike] - "How about this? We finish our duel in a clash over our mastery of the crystal. "
Said Mike casually with a friendly smirk.
Astroboy remained speechless, his eyes fixed on the two halves of Earth that were still drifting apart in the cold void of space. The bright glow of the magma, the golden blood of the savaged planet that danced against the backdrop of the darkness and the endless rain of cinder that looked like Hell's firework, all reflected off Astroboy's irises. Even as majestic and massive as the place we called home, it didn't stand a chance against the power of conceptual law. The death of Earth was Fate, but no matter what, there is always the defiance of Freedom. The question will be: Is Astroboy willing to take that chance?
[Astroboy] - "I accept! "
There was no hesitation, no contemplation and no doubt. Astroboy refused to believe he was anything less than a God worth standing beside the likes of Mike. If only he could achieve the tiniest of victories today, the rewards would be infinite. If he lived today, he could continue to refine his ability and eventually become one of the strongest. He knew he could do it; he knew he was worth more than this, so what was there to hesitate about?
[Mike] - "Very well! "
In an instant, the two combatants descended onto the surface of the moon, kicking up a cloud of dust. As the dust cleared, Mike stood before Astroboy, who was cowering on the floor while holding his bleeding stump. As a show of good sportsmanship, Mike used his ability to stop the bleeding on Astroboy's wound and provided him with a supply of oxygen around his head.
[Astroboy] - "Pull your damn ability away! I don't need your help or mercy! I can do this on my own. "
Grumbled Astroboy in frustration.
[Mike] - "Using your ability to stop the bleeding can be extremely painful as the kinetic tics constantly trigger your nerves. Meanwhile, no amount of kinetic energy can capture oxygen in a clean and efficient way. I'm not pitying you or being merciful, I'm just making this fair. "
[Astroboy] - "I don't need your fucking help! I'll fight on my own, and I'll suffer if necessary! This is about me, not you! "
Said Astroboy with increasing frustration.
With a sigh, Mike dispelled his ability around Astroboy, causing him to hiss in pain as his legs began to bleed once more. As Astroboy applied his ability to his wound, the kinetic tics pushed his blood away from the stump, back into his body, but the pain was so intense, it made him gasp and sweat constantly.
[Mike] - "Pride can be important, but having too much pride is where most people meet their downfall. Haven't you learned anything from our previous encounters? "
[Astroboy] - "I've grown, I've become stronger... It's always about strength, Grand Knight. No matter how you look at it, strength always has the last laugh. This world is ruled by strength; people only respect strength, and even your position comes from strength. I've learned that I can only rely on strength if I want to survive. "
Said Astroboy, a scornful expression on his face.
[Mike] - "Strength has a limit. What happens when you reach that limit? "
[Astroboy] - "You work harder to breach that limit! Limit is self-imposed! I started as a child limited by a single ability, but I developed it into something greater, beyond its potential and beyond its limitations. "
Said Astroboy as he slowly pushed himself off the ground.
Mike thought for a moment and carefully chose his next words, knowing full well what made Astroboy tick.
[Mike] - "Then, if I offered you a chance today to stop and accept prison, would you do it? Maybe you still have a chance to become stronger, and maybe one day prove your worth. "
Just as expected, the look on Astroboy grew ugly with hatred and spite.
[Astroboy] - "Heh! To accept the position of a slave once again? I've been jailed long enough under that hack that is KD-554. I'm a cyberknight, a God among men. I do not accept the weak chains meant for mortal men upon my wrists! A God such as yourself offered me a chance today to prove myself... What would I be if I chose such a cowardly proposition? "
Screamed Astroboy, his eyes filled with pride and hunger.
Mike smirked discreetly as his words had the intended effect on his opponent.
[Mike] - "You have the spirit of a warrior, but the heart of a fool. When shown your limits, you refuse to back down. When given another chance, you chose to gamble. Now, one last question: How do you feel about those innocent lives you took under KD-554? "
Said Mike as his crystal began to burn with a blue flame.
[Astroboy] - "Heh! The same answer you would've had. These mortal men are nothing but worms under us. "
Said Astroboy confidently.
Mike grimaced to hide his disgust.
[Mike] - "Indeed, I agree. Strike me with your best attack. "
As soon as Mike uttered these words, Astroboy smirked before suddenly tapping his hands against the ground. In an instant, he infused his kinetic energy into the massive cloud of moon dust particles that flew into the air.
[Astroboy] - "Existential Judgement: Blood Tears of the Weeping God! "
In unison, as soon as Astroboy uttered his technique, nearly all the dust on the surface of the moon converged upon Mike. In truth, this whole time they were talking, Astroboy was slowly letting his kinetic energy seep into the moon's surface. While the dust particles delivered unparalleled devastation against Mike, with another movement of his hand, Astroboy morphed the whole moon into a massive mouth and devoured Mike. In an instant, the whole moon was turned into a triangular shard that had the only goals of burying and crushing Mike.
[Astroboy] - "Even for you, that would've at least done something! "
Said Astroboy, a big grin on his mouth.
Suddenly, like phasing through a liquid, Mike slowly emerged through solid rock and debris. To Astroboy's almost maddened cheers, he saw Mike pull a single grain of dust away from the tip of his hair. Something from Astroboy's attack finally made contact with Mike, thus proving that he had won the challenge. However, as Mike wagged his finger at him, the hysterical smile on Astroboy's face turned into anger.
[Astroboy] - "That was the agreement! Don't tell me you're backing away because you're scared of my potential! "
Yelled Astroboy with bloodshot eyes.
[Mike] - "Yes, that was the agreement. However, aren't humans worms to us cyberknights? Why should I honour the promise made to a pathetic and worthless worm? "
Said Mike as he pointed at Astroboy's arms.
As Astroboy looked down, he realized to his shock that both his crystals were in pieces as they fell slowly from his forearms. In his overly eager attack against Mike, Astroboy had pushed beyond his limits, resulting in overexertion against his opponent's defence. Like trying to forcefully push a needle through heavy steel, the needle will eventually bend and break. Here, by simply defending, Mike's overwhelming power had shattered Astroboy's crystals without any effort on his part.
[Mike] - "You're without crystals, thus reduced to a simple man. And before me, just as you said, mortal men are worms we step over. "
Said Mike as he bent down to meet Astroboy's gaze.
[Mike] - "And this grain? Look carefully, this is salt from my own sweat, not moon dust, you bloody moron. "
Said Mike as he held the grain on his finger closer toward Astroboy.
At that moment, Astroboy's character began to shatter as his ego forbade him from admitting that he had failed. With trembling limbs, Astroboy yelled like a madman before striking Mike with his bare fists. However, with each punch, Astroboy only ended up with gradually more bloody fists and exhaustion. As Astroboy looked up, he could only see Mike looking down at him with the same pitiful gaze he once showed to the people he killed.
[Astroboy] - "I... I... I'm not a mortal man! I refuse to accept this insult! Give me back another pair of crystals! I can try again! "
[Mike] - "The shattering of one's crystals also entails the permanent destruction of their ability. Besides, you've lost the challenge after all. "
Said Mike as he raised his chin at Astroboy.
As Astroboy looked at his arms once more in disbelief, he suddenly felt naked and vulnerable as Mike stood over him. Looking up once more, Astroboy felt a primal fear in his soul as Mike's presence began to feel less and less familiar to him. Then, as he saw Mike's crystals glowing with an unnatural blue flame, his heart dropped. With the blink of an eye, Mike began to appear taller and more untangible to his gaze until Astroboy only saw an entity with unimaginable power and form.
As Mike took a step forward, Astroboy fearfully crawled back three steps. Then, turning around, this time, Astroboy only witnessed the shadow of a figure whose darkness mixed with the dark void of the cosmos. For all the torment he inflicted on the innocents, Astroboy was finally getting a taste of his own medicine. This was how mortal humans saw the cyberknights once they fully understood their power.
[Mike] - "A cyberknight is a balanced duality between human and cosmic power. Forget your root, and you forfeit your right as a knight. You were strong, but you were also disappointingly shit as a human. "
Said Mike with a judgmental gaze.
[Astroboy] - "P– Please! Just... Just another chance, Lord! I promise I'll be better! "
Pleaded Astroboy, now reduced to a parody of his previous self.
[Mike] - "Time is infinite here, but it has run out for you. "
Said Mike coldly as his gaze showed only apathy.
Like a wounded prey in his last desperation, Astroboy tried to run, only to fall due to his missing leg. Then, without looking back, he began to crawl while screaming like a helpless little kid. Yet, Mike, without a shred of hesitation or mercy, raised his arm and aimed his finger at Astroboy.
[Mike] - "Existential Judgement: 2nd Dimension! "
It was one of the most painful techniques in existence. When applied uniformly across the body, 2nd Dimension forces all molecules in the target to adopt strange and unusual geometries, thus dissolving an object into its building elements. However, when Mike does not apply the technique uniformly, the technique tears randomly into the target's flesh, eating away at the cells individually and triggering every existing nerve in the body. As Astroboy's body was slowly breaking apart and swelling with strange tumours filled with unnatural molecules, the sensation was closer to being afflicted with every single possible type of pain a human body could perceive.
Meanwhile, with Mike's calculation, Astroboy's mind registered all the pain before his brain could shut down, meaning for a few seconds, Astroboy felt an agony beyond anything humanly possible. It was Mike's own version of justice, a punishment that made the condemned feel all the pain he had inflicted simultaneously, before death.
Before long, Astroboy gradually dissolved into a puddle of water, carbon and other mixed elements. What used to be a man who thought he could step above others, now reduced to earthly nutrients even worms would stand over. On the other hand, Mike simply watched as he reduced his enemy to nothingness with indifference on his face. What must be done must never be hesitated. In this cruel and unfair, grimdark world, only another cyberknight can judge a cyberknight for his crimes.
Suddenly, Krystal dismissed her ability and returned the three of them back to reality. As soon as they returned to reality, the first thing the couple witnessed was Astroboy's body exploding into a puddle of murky water covered by a veil of carbon particles.
[Krystal] - "Ew! And you're calling me the unhinged one here. "
Said Krystal as she recoiled from Astroboy's remains.
[Mike] - "We're just a couple of madmen who just happen to be the lesser of two evils. Bite me! "
Said Mike jokingly as he caught Krystal in his arms.
[Krystal] - "Sigh... Yeah, you and me. But let's hope we get a better dice roll with the next generation. "
Said Krystal as she gently pulled herself away from Mike.
As Krystal walked toward the edge of the stairs and looked toward the horizon, she extended her arms and stretched her body.
[Krystal] - "Now, let's just finish what we have started. Time to bury a buttload of hatchets. "
Said Krystal as she showed a hopeful look.
[Mike] - "But we must be quick and discreet about it. I have a bigger mess to clean up with whatever's left of Sniper's mess. "
Said Mike as he crossed his arms and stood beside Krystal.
[Krystal] - "Two days, you can spare this much for your beloved wife, no? "
[Mike] - "No, make it three. I might be dead this whole time, but I need a bloody break too. "
Said Mike as he held Krystal by the waist.
[Krystal] - "Huh? Are you even my real Darling, or did something break inside your head? You'd usually negotiate for less when I ask for stuff like this. "
Said Krystal, a confused gaze on her as she glanced at Mike.
[Mike] - "I might have a headache... Need a nice, refreshing glass of lemonade to ease the pain. Don't you agree, my little Lemon? "
Teased Mike as he pulled Krystal closer.
Krystal couldn't help but let out a grin as she pressed her cheek against Mike's arm.
[Krystal] - "Nice choice, you smooth asshole. "
Through the city, emergency services helped evacuate and rescue many of the trapped citizens. In the communication tower, thanks to Michalis and Christos' help, many of the children and parents survived long enough to receive proper care. Meanwhile, surrounded and left with nowhere to escape, Romanovsky and his men, loyal to KD-554, were all captured and executed for their involvement in the mass genocide.
Elsewhere, Dan managed to escape the city before anyone could see him. Since his involvement was more or less known, there was no active hunt for him. However, the guilt of his participation in the atrocity plagued his daily existence, never leaving him alone even in his sleep. In total, the city suffered over 1 million killed and over 3 million injured due to KD-554's scheme. Survivors left their home, broken, but with a slight feeling of vindication, as they all felt the echoes of KD-554's death at Krystal's hand.
As for the true heroes who sacrificed their everything to free the city and defeat evil, McCree and Senju were treated for their injuries. Just before departure, Krystal took the time to properly thank these two for their help.
[Krystal] - "So you're not staying any longer? Not even for a meal for old time's sake? "
Said Krystal while leaning against her guandao.
[McCree] - "Nah, I've had enough adventure for a damn while. Besides, mah parents are probably dead worried, thinkin' I've bit the dust or sum'. Them old folks need my care and help, and this cash in my account. "
Said McCree, tapping on his pants pocket.
Looking up at Krystal and Mike with his old confident smirk, McCree tipped his hat at Mike.
[McCree] - "As ya know, family comes first. "
[Senju] - "We'll meet again, however, Sensei Kadyn. A true master is an eternal student. I look forward to working with or under you in the future. "
Said Senju with a bow.
[Krystal] - "You're leaving as well? "
[Senju] - "My home country is not exactly in the best condition as of now. I owe my devotion to my nation in its rebuilding, politics and prosperity. Once Japan is stable enough, I shall return to sail the Seven Seas with you again, Sensei. "
[Krystal] - "So it is. Without your help, nothing would've been possible. I owe you two, to all those who helped, my most sincere gratitude. "
Said Krystal as she lowered down to one knee and bowed to McCree and Senju.
Even Mike, upon seeing the situation, placed his hand on his chest and bowed slightly toward Senju and McCree. Seeing how McCree was still standing straight without an ounce of humility, Senju aggressively nudged him on the side with his elbow.
[McCree] - "What da hell do ya want? I ain't one of ya polite pansies! That's how we do here in the good ol' South. "
Said McCree as he pushed Senju in frustration.
Suddenly, Mike noticed the cyberknight symbol on McCree's belt. As Mike approached him and towered over him with his stature, McCree recoiled in panic, thinking he had offended him.
[Mike] - "That rune is an authentic one from the order; where did you acquire it? "
[McCree] - "I... I acquired the damn thing– excuse me, the relic, on a rogue knight I defeated. I'll gladly give it back, if ya want. "
Said McCree in an anxious tone while trying to hand the symbol back to Mike.
[Mike] - "Judging from where your heart is, I won't question you more than necessary. You've earned the badge, wear it proudly. When you're ready, the order is always in need of veterans. The same goes for you, Senju. "
Said Mike as he ripped one of the runes from his coat and handed it to Senju.
As Mike praised the two men, they could help but feel pride swelling inside their hearts. To be deemed worthy by the most powerful knight to ever live was an honour few had the chance to be granted. Gripping his badge tightly, McCree abruptly bowed toward Mike in gratefulness.
[McCree] - "Thank you, sir! "
[Mike] - "Don't mention it, my friend. "
With a tight grip on Mike's gift, Senju also gratefully bowed before Mike.
As the sun slowly set below the horizon, Senju and McCree saluted the group before going their separate ways. However, just before walking out of sight, McCree turned around and yelled at Senju.
[McCree] - "Hey, we're still good friends, right? "
[Senju] - "Depends on if you still have the balls for another adventure. Otherwise, don't even expect me to show up at your wedding! "
Said Senju as he raised a thumb in the air.
With a confident smirk, McCree tipped his hat before turning away to continue his path. Though their time together was short, Krystal didn't feel sadness in her heart upon seeing them leave. She knew she would see them again, maybe even sooner than expected, as the world still needs heroes who are willing to do what's right.
At night, moving without being seen, Mike and Krystal discreetly retrieved the bodies of Oltevin, Michalis, Christos and Voss. After paying these men one final respect with the others, Mike used his ability to cremate their bodies before placing the ashes into delicate boxes decorated ornately with imagery that reflected their heroic actions. These men have given their all for a cause they believed in. Now, it is time for them to return home and get their deserved peaceful rest.
As for the rest of the group, those who survived but are now without a home, a new beginning awaits them. In the quiet city's ruins, the moonlight shone upon the darkness, coating everything in a gentle glow. Mike, moving ahead of the group, leaped on top of a tall building and observed the moon as if looking for something. Below, Demetri, carrying in his little hands Michalis's ash box, looked up with a curious gaze.
[Demetri] - "Miss Dark Angel, where are we going now? "
Said Demetri while gently tugging on Krystal's coat.
[Krystal] - "Somewhere high up in the sky. "
Said Krystal as she patted the boy's head with a smile.
[Demetri] - "Oh! Like what Mister Michalis said? Is that where the steel angels like him reside? "
[Krystal] - "Yeah, you could say that... "
Said Krystal before looking up at the moon as well.
She paused and thought about all the past memories that had been lost in her mind. In her eyes, the moon was not just a place, but somewhere she used to call home.
[Krystal] - "...Somewhere occupied by angels. "
Said Krystal with a nostalgic gaze.
To be continued...