Aboard the Tendril of the Great Devourer, mother carrier of the 6th fleet, Ice Kraken, Nilsson stared into the abyss of space alone inside his room. Through the crystalline glass of the window, he watched as the stars danced in the endless darkness. He had known so many people through his life, yet only he remained. Captain Sven, Michalis, Christos, Voss, Oltevin, and so many more were reduced to just memories. If these men died for nothing, like the two hundred men who used to wear the 9th company's numerals, Nilsson would've never been able to live with himself.
However, for the first time in his life, he learned to accept their sacrifices. They didn't perish under the blast of a Chinese titan, fighting in a war engineered as a game by a tyrant, nor did they perish breaching the walls of the Imperial Palace, fighting the righteous men of the Angel as misguided souls. This time, these men vindicated their sacrifices by bringing a bright future for humanity, buried under the foundation of the Nova Cor Empire, forever cemented as the diamonds that gave the empire structure.
Opening his eyes, Nilsson faced the vast expanse before him without guilt or fear. Then, just as the thoughts faded inside his mind, a human officer called to him from behind.
[officer] - "They await your presence, sir. "
Said the officer, showing Nilsson a salute as he spoke.
With a nod of acknowledgement, Nilsson turned around, exposing his new armour to the light. He was no longer wearing his old captain's armour, but had now been cast in the ornate armour of a Marine General. With a massive bear fur on his back, Nilsson stepped through the hallways into the ship's main hangar, where tens of thousands stood awaiting his arrival. Walking forward, his gaze met that of Admiral Håkon and 1st Marine General Ukko, who both awaited him up on the stage.
As Nilsson walked up the first step, he paused briefly and turned around. There was no one behind him, but Nilsson needed to look, his eyes searching for validation. The friends he used to know had all passed, and he was alone as he was trying to ascend these steps. Nilsson hesitated, his heart uncertain of his place in all this, as he desperately hoped that someone would assure him that he would not fail at his upcoming position as well.
Nilsson looked, yet his eyes would not account for the tens of thousands of eyes that showed him approval. Suddenly, Nilsson's attention was snapped back to the 1st Marine General as he tapped Captain Sven's axe against the stand.
[Ukko] - "Nilsson, please step forward. "
Ordered Ukko in a thundering voice, his patience clearly running thin.
Nilsson looked up, seeing the carving of Captain Sven's name on the axe's edge. The weapon called to him, reminding him that it was his duty to assume the responsibility of carrying the will of those who once served under its blade. Nilsson took another step, noticing how the weapon had been cleaned and polished carefully to reflect its state before it had ever drawn blood.
As Nilsson arrived before General Ukko, he fell to one knee and bowed to his superior. With his chin slightly raised in acknowledgement, Ukko raised his own massive battleaxe and surgically tapped it against Nilsson's neck.
[Ukko] - "The ascension of the new lord of the Nova Cor Empire, his majesty Emperor Horizon, demands our sacrifice once more. How many suffered at the hands of the previous tyrants? How many did we fail to protect as the guardians of humanity? We are accountable as warriors chosen among the best to serve our single purpose, that of righteous war! "
Said Ukko, his voice thundering like the wrath of Thor across the hangar.
Ukko looked down at Nilsson before raising his axe and letting its butt strike with thunderous violence against the floor. The 1st General observed Nilsson and searched for any sign of weakness in his expression.
[Ukko] - "Nilsson, the Bearer of the Torch, Blessed of the Kraken, do you swear an oath to the fleet, to those who will serve under you, that you will carry out your duty with a will of unbreaking steel and the temperance of unmoving mountains? "
Nilsson gazed up slightly, his eyesight meeting Sven's name on his axe held in front of him.
[Nilsson] - "I swear, today and forever, that I will perform these duties until death takes me. "
The moment Nilsson swore his oath, the Medical General of the fleet stepped forward and extended the servo-arms on his backpack. With a nod of approval from Ukko, the warrior doctor removed Nilsson's right arm armour plating and approached a different servo to his exposed flesh. In a flash, a thin stream of molten gold descended onto Nilsson's arm, forming a circle on his skin. With barely a grimace of discomfort, Nilsson watched as the Medical General then carved tiny words and markings on the now solid gold ring.
With his work done, the Medical General placed the armour plate back onto Nilsson's arm before fading back into the background.
[Ukko] - "Rise, Silfvergren Nilsson, General of the 6th Division, overseer of the next generation, guardian of the sons of the Kraken! "
Said Ukko before tapping his chestplate with his fist.
In unison, the Marines below the stand all struck their chestplate six times with both fists and let out six cheerful roars. Immediately, Ukko handed Nilsson his reforged axe, which he accepted this time without hesitation. As Nilsson turned around this time, his eyes finally saw the sea of men and women who all supported him with their roars.
[Nilsson] - "The Kraken's reach knows no bounds! For the Kraken, for the Nova Cor Empire! "
Said Nilsson as he confidently raised his axe in the air, allowing Sven's name to face the crowd.
Then, as Nilsson lowered his axe and held it against the ground, the side bearing Sven's name was turned toward himself while the side carrying his own name was now facing the public. The Nova Cor Empire demands his service, so he will serve as the warrior he was forged to be, training the next generation of Marines so that the world will know an enduring peace.
Elsewhere in the world, aboard the mother carrier of the 9th fleet, Demetri joined the other new recruits as they headed toward class for their lesson. Even though it was a formation to forge them into the warriors of tomorrow, today they were children laughing and building bonds that will last a lifetime. At the same time, on the bridge of the carrier, Pantheon took one long look at Athena's old helmet, smiled as he remembered the fond memories, before respectfully placing it facing the horizon beyond the massive observation windows.
At the newly rebuilt Imperial Palace, life was already flourishing below in the city as people got comfortably settled in their homes. At the steps of her home, the short-haired girl was adding a few extra strokes of paint to the butterfly on her door when she heard the noise from the house opposite hers across the street. Turning around, she was shocked by the sight of a massive Marauder Marine standing at the house's doorstep, having accidentally smacked a hole in the door.
However, what met this supposed monster was not the screams of fear or the panicked steps of a fleeing populace, but the casual complaints of a woman and the cheers of a young boy. The World Forger Marauder removed his helmet and knelt down to meet his wife at eye level, while his son happily began to climb his massive armour like a tree. For a moment, the girl forgot the man was a monstrous weapon of war, seeing him instead as just an unusually buff dad coming home to his family.
From across the street, the boy, once he had conquered the height of his father's massive armour, saw the girl from across the street. With a cheerful smile, he waved at her while keeping his balance by hanging onto the ornaments attached to the power unit. Snapping out of her thoughts, the girl quickly stood up and waved back at the boy.
At the same time, inside the Palace, Ulric struggled to keep up with Hyperion as they sparred with mock weapons.
[Hyperion] - "You have to keep up, man! You are not really even trying, I say. "
Said Hyperion as he leaned against his wooden stick.
[Ulric] - "Maybe I'm not made to be a warrior like you. Fucking hell... this is not what I signed up for. "
Said Ulric while trying to catch his breath.
[Hyperion] - "You expect adventures and thrills. However, without some survival skills, a dead man doesn't make for the best travel companion. I ain't carrying your rotting corpse back with me if you croak during a mission. "
Said Hyperion mockingly as he invited Ulric to come at him.
[Ulric] - "Heh! If you die, then can I date your girlfriend instead? "
Said Ulric boldly as he smirked tauntingly at Hyperion.
[Hyperion] - "Oh, you don't wanna go there, mother fucker! "
Said Hyperion, swinging his stick as he prepared to attack Ulric.
[Ulric] - "I go wherever I want. Why don't you come here and stop me? "
Said Ulric as he assumed a defensive stance.
Amused by how Ulric adapted to his sense of humour, Hyperion smirked before going in to deliver his strike.
In the meantime, Ella sat with her master as they began to draft the first words of the Imperial cult of worship centred around the Emperor and Empress's divine powers. As Ella's pen descended on her tablet, she looked up at the painted glass of the monastery, where the sun entered through the twin diamonds of the Cyberknight rune, illuminating her where she sat.
As night descended on the Palace, a lone figure walked through the snow-covered steps leading to a massive mansion. The wind howled at these heights, but the intense cold and storms were kept at bay by the giant molecular shield covering the area. The place was calm and serene, out of view and away from the noise of the busy city below. The man breathed, his exhale turning into a gentle white mist that slowly faded into the chilly air.
Arriving before the mansion's main doors, the figure looked at the illuminated windows, their smooth and gentle glow radiating with warmth. Raising his hand, he was nervous as he hesitated briefly before knocking at the door. However, before he even completed his third knock, the door swung open with the shine of an emerald eye through the gap. Cast in the pillar of light coming from inside the house, Mike smiled awkwardly, unsure of how to act in this civilian role.
Excitingly, Kadyn leaped out of the gap and stepped barefoot into the snow to hug and kiss her beloved husband.
[Kadyn] - "You're just on time. I've made soup, now I'm just waiting for you to cook the rest of the meal tonight. "
Said Kadyn as she rested her head against Mike's chest.
[Mike] - "I worked all bloody day, and you still want me to cook for you? "
[Kadyn] - "But I love your cooking! I want the best food possible for the babies, so of course it has to be your cooking~. "
Said Kadyn babyishly as she rubbed her forehead against Mike's chest.
[Mike] - "Sigh... You know I'll cook for you no matter what. "
Said Mike before lifting Kadyn into his arms.
Carrying his cheerful wife, Mike stepped into the house and shut the door behind them. Once inside the kitchen, Mike prepared to cook, only to be joined by Kadyn in a nude apron.
[Mike] - "I thought you said you wanted me to cook for you. "
Said Mike while averting his gaze away from his wife's exposed features.
[Kadyn] - "I can help you chop up some veggies and prepare some meat product. That is, unless you don't want me here with you. "
Said Kadyn with a teasing grin as she leaned closer toward Mike.
[Mike] - "There's a bundle of spring onions, red onions, bell peppers and potatoes. Chop those up in respective patterns of mince, cubes, diamonds and rounds. Then, prepare me 700 grams of lean beef cut marinated in the spice of seven seas for 30 minutes and 640 grams of chicken breast seasoned with 16 spices and two fluids as per my instructions for one hour. "
Said Mike mechanically as he handed Kadyn a kitchen knife.
Overcoming her initial shock, Kadyn quickly threw the knife back at Mike with a frustrated pout.
[Kadyn] - "Actually, I don't feel like helping anymore. I just wanna watch. "
Said Kadyn as she crossed her arms and sat on the counter.
[Mike] - "Alright then, Lemon, just sit back and let me work. "
Said Mike with a victorious smirk as he grabbed the knife.
[Kadyn] - "You did that to piss me off, didn't you? You don't want me to work, so you just deliberately said all that to make me quit, yeah? You're smirking, I see it! "
Muttered Kadyn while pointing at Mike's smirk.
[Mike] - "Shhh! Just let me treat my cute little Lemon tonight. After all, she deserved to be spoiled properly for bearing our baby. "
Said Mike smoothly with a wink.
Kadyn's cheeks went briefly red for a moment as Mike's expression and words shot through her heart like Cupid's arrow. Watching as Mike worked with the skills of a surgeon and the knowledge of a world-class chef, Kadyn couldn't help but be charmed by him.
[Kadyn] - "You know, if we both lost our memories tomorrow, I think we'll still find each other and fall in love all anew. "
Said Kadyn as she lay on her side on the counter.
[Mike] - "Obviously, you're still pregnant with my child. A simple DNA test would reconnect us right away. "
Said Mike as he tasted Kadyn's soup and grimaced at the taste.
Thinking quickly, he fired up the stove again and used his ability to fly the cooking cream from the fridge into his waiting hand.
[Kadyn] - "Stop taking the fun out of everything by being a bloody robot. "
Said Kadyn as she playfully scratched Mike's back.
[Mike] - "Then stop asking illogical questions. "
Said Mike as he nonchalantly added some diced potatoes and cream into the soup.
[Kadyn] - "I– Ugh! You're unbelievable! "
Said Kadyn, defeated.
Rubbing at her barely showing belly, Kadyn distracted herself with the thought of her future children. However, just as she closed her eyes, Mike snapped her out of her dream and presented her with a spoonful of the remade soup.
[Mike] - "Try it, tell me what you think? "
Said Mike enthusiastically as Kadyn leaned in and drank it fully.
Her eyes immediately widened as she was hit by a creamy explosion of flavours. Compared to the basic soup she initially made, the difference was heaven and earth.
[Kadyn] - "Hmm~ makes me want to take this apron off and let you do me right here and now. "
Said Kadyn as she licked her lips.
Satisfied, Mike quickly went back to cooking his other dishes, leaving Kadyn drunk in the ecstasy of the aftertaste. Sitting upward, Kadyn kicked her feet up and down as she opened her mouth to voice to Mike a little idea she had.
[Kadyn] - "Darling, I've been thinking, how about we name the girl Mikealyn and the boy Kaiden? You know, their names are like a mixture of our names smashed together. "
Mike's composure was broken slightly as his spatula paused in its movement. However, he quickly resumed his cooking as if nothing had happened, though Kadyn definitely noticed.
[Kadyn] - "Don't you like the names? I mean, if you think they are too silly, we can always think of something else. "
Said Kadyn as she fiddled with her hands nervously.
[Mike] - "Ahem, that's not it. I didn't expect you were carrying twins. "
[Kadyn] - "Aw, ah~ Does this make you nervous, Daddy? You thought I'd go easy on you? Nope! I wanted this huge mansion exactly because I intend to fill every single one of the rooms. "
Said Kadyn as she leaped off the counter and wrapped her arms around Mike's neck.
Kadyn delighted in seeing Mike hide his nervousness under silence and calm. Like a femme fatale, Kadyn leaned toward Mike's ear like a dangerous predator and began to whisper.
[Kadyn] - "You drove me insane for you, so now you must pay the price. Hmm~ You say I'm just being all useless here at home, so I plan to occupy myself by becoming the busiest mom ever. "
Said Kadyn before gently biting on Mike's ear.
Suddenly, as Mike plated one of his finished dishes, Kadyn quickly got off his back and went to steal a few bites. While Kadyn hummed happily as she stuffed her mouth with food, Mike breathed a sigh of relief. Though Kadyn promised him a lot of responsibility and trouble, Mike loved this woman with all his heart. For all her mischief, this unpredictable and endearing side of her is what made her so special to a man driven by logic and rules like Mike.
Even as the thought of fathering a horde of children in the future frightened Mike, the sight of his wife right beside him reassured him beyond anything. Unknowingly, Mike's mouth formed a grin of genuine happiness as he imagined that future. Slowly, the tension inside his heart melted away as he allowed himself to enjoy this new life, where he was Emperor Horizon by day and just Mike by night.
[Kadyn] - "How about ten children, Darling? I think that's a very reasonable number. "
Said Kadyn jokingly as she threw a slice of onion into her mouth.
[Mike] - "Make it twelve if you truly love me this badly. "
Said Mike jokingly, now fully committed to playing along with Kadyn.
Surprised by Mike's response, Kadyn grinned deviously as she leaned toward him.
[Kadyn] - "You messed up now that you said it. You know I will make it happen, hmm? "
Said Kadyn teasingly before peking Mike on the cheek.
[Mike] - "Yep, I messed up... Beautifully. "
Said Mike with a smirk.
Under the bright night sky, the two smile happily in the warm embrace of each other and their home. The world could close its eyes and dream peacefully for once today. However, one will eventually wake from a dream and once again face the cruel reality. While many appreciated the stars and the beauty of the moon, seeing them as symbols of hope, they did so in ignorance of the hatred that gazed back at them from the cold void of space.
[Cyberknight: One Path] END.
*Afterwords
Hi, I'm Minute_Sniper, the creator of Cyberknight: One Path. I thank you sincerely for reading my book throughout these years and for following my story until the end. It all started as a small project I did for free, which I still do. However, despite the relatively low view counts and small audience, I still loved the experience. It was a blast writing this novel and for you to have tagged along. I have concluded the One Path series here, but I have two more projects coming along.
First off, I'd like to polish Cyberknight: One Path a little more, meaning I'd rewrite many parts of the story anew to fit in new lore and elements. Remind you, it will not affect the overall structure of the story, but only serve to enhance it where it is lacking. See, this book took years to finish, and during the process, many new ideas and directions came along, and now that I have a more refined and defined story universe, I'd like to make the quality even across the story. Anyways, I will gradually do so and will announce it periodically, so stay tuned if you loved One Path.
Second, I'm starting a new novel in this series called [Cyberknight: The Luciferian Sundering], a prequel to One Path, where we explore in deeper depth the Cleansing Crusade, the National Empire, the relationships and the tragedies that made the current setting so grimdark. In this installment, it will no longer be a personal story like One Path, where we follow a single heroine or hero in their journey. Instead, the Luciferian Sundering will be more like Warhammer 40k, if you know what that is, focusing on the cool, epic and crazy scales of war and conflict. For reference, chapter 104: In the Heart of the Storm, here in One Path, should give you a clear idea of what exactly the Luciferian Sundering series feels like. See you there. I will publish the first chapter of the Luciferian Sundering on Friday, NA time. Stay tuned.