Inside the dark hallways of the underground laboratory, an unusual sound disturbed the casual silence that reigned the place. Men equipped with flashlights ran through the corridors in hurry alongside executioners.

Soldier - "Quick, find him! We need to catch him! "

Another soldier - "I thought he went your way, didn't you saw him? "

Executioner - "No, I didn't saw him, he escaped. "

Soldier - "I'm outta this, this is none of my business, I don't deserve this! " (Pointing his finger at the executioner) "You were the one guarding the Australium! "

Executioner - "Accept it, he was strong and we can't stop him. "

CR-455 (suddenly appearing) - "This is a disgrace and you will pay for it. "

The hallways suddenly regained his usual silence as only a few droplets of blood from the men can be seen as the remainder of their death. They disappeared without a single word or sound just like they never existed.

CR-455 walked in silence toward a chamber door.

CR-455 (touching the door with his hand) - "Perhaps I was worse than you, lord Sniper, in keeping things in order but I won't make the same mistake... the mistake leaving a threat like Mike alive. I will accomplish something you would never manage; rule as an unbeatable emperor. "

Executioner (reporting to CR-455) - "Shall we dispatch a search team to find the suspect? "

CR-455 (with a sign of hand) - "No, the Australium won't be of use to me anymore. I will rule as the emperor as long as I live. "

Executioner (lowing his head) - "Very well, sir. "

CR-455 (rubbing his hand on the door) - "I admired you because I simply see your rule as a way for me to gain power. Now that I have all the things I need, I don't need you anymore, Sniper! "

While walking away from the steel door, CR-455 looked one last time back on the door before disappearing in the darkness of the hallways.

On the door, it's marked: « Hibernation chamber ».

*In France, Paris

The streets remained magnificent even though some of them were destroyed by the war. The romantic atmosphere did not quit the city even though people were devasted by the battles. The citizens were still going about their daily routine just as usual with almost none of them talking about the conflicts. Mike walked in the street with Kadyn to his side, the two were having a day-off and decided to spend the day in Paris.

Mike (while walking) - "You know Kadyn, I just realized that I never brought you to this place. "

Kadyn (while walking beside Mike) - "You can show me around since you know your way around. I gotta say, the city is so beautiful, the street to the setting, all seems soo peaceful. "

Mike (in a sudden realization) - "Crikey, Kadyn, I just realized something important, I'll leave you here for a moment, I will be right back. "

Kadyn (confused) - "Wait, Mike, aren't we on day-off? How can they make you work? "

Mike (with a smile) - "Don't worry about it, it's not about work, I'll be right back. "

Mike quickly ran into an alley and disappeared from Kadyn's vision. Kadyn, with nothing to do, sat on a bench and waited patiently for Mike's return. Looking to her side, she saw a panel on which wrote « Café du coin ». Not thinking too much, Kadyn entered the coffee house and ordered a cup of cappuccino. Soon, Mike returned from the alley and called Kadyn back to his side.

Mike (pointing at Kadyn's cup) - "A cup of cappuccino? You were pretty impatient, aren't you? "

Kadyn (Looking at Mike) - "It's not good to keep the lady waiting. "

Mike (smelling the cappuccino) - "(sniff, sniff)" "Ark! This cappuccino is bloody garbage. "

Kadyn (trying to take a sip) - "I think it smells great. "

Mike (Taking Kadyn's cup away from her) - "Hey now, I won't let you drink something this bad. Come on let's go I have a place to show you. "

Kadyn (a bit angry) - "Hey, MIKE! Why are you doing this, I was about to drink it! "

Mike - "Our first drink together was a cappuccino, you remember? I don't want you to have a bad taste in your mouth about such a delicious drink. "

Kadyn (remembering) - "Oh, I'm sorry... I almost forgot this was your favourite drink. "

Mike (waving his hand) - "It has been a long time, it's normal to forget, now come on, follow me. "

Kadyn (running to join Mike) - "Coming! "

Mike, by throwing the cup inside the garbage, suddenly attracted the attention of a very muscular man. Wearing a long black robe and a hat, the man looked at the pair with murderous regards.

Man (with a deformed accent) - "I gut you now, Muke. "

Slowly walking through the long district of shops and restaurants, the pair only smiled and taunted by pushing at each other around before Kadyn finally talked.

Kadyn (smiling at Mike) - "What's that very important thing all about? "

Mike (with a fake smile) - "Hahaha, nothing serious, it's about some stuff I said to Dane. "

Kadyn (with a smug smile) - "You think such lie can fool me? Just tell me the truth. "

Mike (with a grin) - "Try and guess. "

Kadyn - "You were reserving for seats at a restaurant tonight. "

Mike (confused) - "How do you know? "

Kadyn (surprised) - "Oh my god, really? "

Mike - "Nice guess. "

Kadyn (smiling) - "Hehehe, zero to one then. "

Mike (with a daring voice) - "Oh, you wanna play it that way? Then let's start to count from now on the times we guess each other's thoughts. "

Kadyn (with an evil smile) - "Competition begins then! "

Mike (Slowly wrapping his hand around Kadyn's waist) - "You know, I didn't lie when I said that I like you. "

Kadyn (blushing) - "Mike, I have a question... "

Mike - "Yeah? "

Kadyn - "Do you mind me calling you by your middle name, Gioacchino? "

Mike - "You can just call me Gio if Gioacchino is too long for you. "

Kadyn - "Gio, sometimes, I have nightmares about Sniper... "

Mike - "What are those like? "

Kadyn - "I dreamed about Sniper's return and that he will take me away from you... "

Mike - "He's dead, you don't have to worry about it. "

Kadyn - "In my dream, we all thought he was but in the end, we were all wrong. "

Mike (looking up the sky) - "You don't have to fear your dreams, you don't need to be afraid of the past, I will protect you. "

Kadyn (with a secure smile) - "And you, Gio, do you have anything that you fear? "

Mike (looking down the ground) - "I fear so much more... I fear that even though I'm powerful, I won't be able to keep you safe from dangers. "

Kadyn (wrapping herself around Mike's arm) - "You don't need to be worried about me, I believe you, your power and your will. "

Mike (In a whisper) - "If fate decides so... "

Kadyn (a bit worried) - "Gio, I think that man behind us has been following our steps for a while now... "

Mike (with a cautious look) - "I realized his presence long ago, we need to be careful, he can be an assassin. "

After taking a turn inside a small alley, the pair quickly disappeared inside. Following them inside the backstreet, the man observed the place before noticing a manhole cover on the ground.

*Inside the sewer

Marching inside the smelly walkway of the sewer, Mike and Kadyn quickly made their way to the nearest lamp that illuminated the obscure sewage system. The man soon appeared in front of the two, a husky man that looked like that he's on steroid with his eyes glowing with a bright yellow colour.

Man (with a deformed accent) - "I wull destroy you Muke! (cough!) "

Kadyn (looking at Mike) - "What the heck is with him? "

Mike - "Judging from his action, he must be pretty confident that he could beat us. "

Kadyn, after taking a wist knife from her forearm, launched the blade toward the man's head.

Mike (shocked) - "Kadyn! Are you crazy, why did you do that? "

The projectile bounced off the man's head as if his skull was made of metal. Grabbing the small wrist knife, the man launched the projectile back at the pair with a huge force. Using his crystal, Mike deflected the blade which ricocheted to side, blowing a large piece out of the sewage system's wall.

Mike (Impressed) - "Such power, he's surely no normal human, neither a crystal user... could he be another psychic? "

Kadyn - "No, if he was a psychic, why would he have to come to physical moves instead of using his mind to levitate the knife! "

Man - "Muke, I'm gonna destroy yuu. "

Mike - "Wait, before we start fighting, I want to know who you are and why you want me dead. "

Man - "Hehe... I'm Babine... I wull kill you for our lord Snipur... "

Mike (putting his hand on his forehead)- "For Heaven's sake... here we go again, another Sniper's follower... "

Man - "You are a devil, Muke, I may die soon but I will gu to Heaven and yuu to Hell... "

Mike - "Oh please, if you go to Heaven, God will put himself to hell just to not see your ugly face! "

The man angered by Mike's comeback, suddenly transformed from a beefy man to a 6 metres tall giant with arms big as a grown man. Burning with rage and hatred, the man screamed in like a wild beast before dashing toward Mike in a fury.

Kadyn (worried) - "Mike, watch out, he's coming our way! "

Mike (calm) - "The talk was a distraction, I was waiting for Emperor Requiem's arrival! "

The shining gold armour suddenly appeared behind Mike before coating itself around him. In a quick and sudden movement of his hand, Mike held the creature mid-air before using his armour's visor to analyze the beast.

Mike (with confidence) - "There is no doubt! "

Kadyn - "What is it? "

Mike - "This man, Babine, has consumed an entire barrel of Australium, that's why he turned into this form. "

Kadyn (surprised) - "(gasp!) "

Mike - "Australium can resurrect people but can also buff the strength of those who absorb a large quantity of it. On top of that, it shortens their lifespan from years to a few hours, which explains his half-dead accent. "

While making a stone barrel out of the cement wall, Mike slowly drained the Australium out of Babine's body. Finally obtaining one barrel of Australium, Mike released the man, now turned into a weak and skinny geezer on the floor.

Kadyn - "1 barrel of Australium recovered. "

Mike (Entering coordinates on his hologram screen projection) - "Out of the 46 barrels stolen... Let's just leave these here, Bernhardt will come to pick them up later. "

Kadyn - "Well that was easy. "

Mike (turning menacingly toward Babine) - "Now we just need to deal with him! "

Babine (trying to escape) - "Arg! "

Mike (menacingly looking down at him) - "What were you saying... you wanted to kill me? "

Babine (scared) - "Hey, hey, we can talk about this. "

While raising his arm, Mike ignited his crystal, burning with a flame of judgement, ready to commit the deed.

Kadyn - "Mike, there is no need to kill him, he's weak and defenceless! "

Mike turned and looked at Kadyn with a questionable expression and gently slapped Babine in the face. The man fell to the ground and remained unresponsive.

Kadyn (angry) - "Mike! Are we gonna live a life of murderers? "

Mike (turning to see Babine on the ground) - "Oh... What the... but I only slapped him and he's dead... "

Kadyn - "I just feel that soon, you would have killed more people than..." "(Ugh)"

Mike - "It will happen if Sniper has that much of loyal followers. "

Kadyn (angered) - "Stop Mike, I feel like that we are Bonnie and Clyde right now! "

Mike (amused) - "When the entire world is against you, you are technically a criminal to their eyes. "

Kadyn (with a pout face) - "Ummm...! "

Mike - "Ok, ok, listen, he died of a heart attack from his fear of me, so I did not kill him. "

Kadyn (relieved) - "Fine, I believe you... By the way, about... "

Mike (cutting Kadyn in her talk) - "Look at the time, we should get going, don't forget the restaurant reservation. "

Hastily walking toward the sewer's exit, Mike quickly exited the sewage system.

Kadyn (running behind Mike) - "Wait for me! "

*Later that day

Mike drove Kadyn in front of a fancy restaurant hotel with 5 stars rating in a Lamborghini. Just as they wanted to park their car, a yellow Ferrari suddenly came and took their place, causing the two vehicles to crash into each other. The angered driver of the Ferrari got down his car with a metal stick and walked toward Mike's car.

Driver (knocking on Mike's window) - "Hey, you dumbass, get outta here, I'm gonna show you some manner. "

Quickly, Mike got down with a pistol and pointed the weapon at the man.

Driver (realizing that he messed up) - "I'm blind, I'm sorry this is my walking stick, I mean no harm! "

Mike - "A blind man driving? No wonder why you chose to buy such a cheap-ass car! "

Driver - "I'll move, I'll move, sorry for taking your place! "

In a hurry, the driver made his way back inside his vehicle and started its engine. Before he could get away with his car, Mike filled all 4 of the driver's car tires with bullets.

Kadyn - "Mike, don't tell me you murdered someone again! "

Mike - "Tires doesn't count as murder, right? "

Kadyn (while descending from the car) - "Your car is wrecked now. "

Mike (while throwing his key to the waiter) - "I have 38 more of those in my garage. "

The pair walked inside the restaurant hotel with « Degroot » written on his entrance. There was a huge waiting line filled with the rich and politicians, every one of them has a grim look or a fat body. During the war, only they were the ones no concerned by the damage, they were protected from the war but not the people.

That's how society worked and no one can change it. Because when you have the power to do actions such as changing the world, you would rather get yourself comfortable and rich.

Mike and Kadyn walked through the crowd while avoiding eye contact with anyone standing inside the line. Finally to the reception, Mike looked at the young receptionist and ask for his reservation. After consulting his booklet, the man looked at Kadyn.

Receptionist - "Is she a human? "

Mike (shocked by the question) - "She's with me, it doesn't matter if she's a human or not. "

Receptionist - "Sorry, sir, droids, demi-humans and omics without special permission were no allowed inside the building. "

Mike (knocking the desk in anger) - "Who's the asshole who set this rule? "

An old man waiting in line - "Hey, young man, watch your language! "

Mike (in response) - "Old fart, does this concern you? "

Receptionist - "Those are the rules, sir. If you don't wanna cooperate, you can leave! "

Mike - "Rules? Then your manager's fired and the new rule is that everyone is allowed in this place. "

Receptionist - "Please leave, sir! "

The crowd - "Leave already, we are waiting! "

"Don't bring a filthy demi-human to this place! "

"This is a restaurant for humans, sir! "

Kadyn (seeing the situation) - "Maybe I can wait outside and when you are finished, you can bring me some rest, "

Mike (angered) - "Mike Gioacchino Mundy, I'm the legal owner of this property, thus you have no authority over me. "

Receptionist (while typing on his computer) - "Uh... let me verify this... "

*After a while.

Receptionist - "It's confirmed, sir, welcome and sorry for my behaviour. "

Mike (furiously) - "I appoint you the new manager and fire the old one! "

Receptionist (surprised) - "Um... T... Thank you, sir! "

After finding their seats, Mike sat in front of Kadyn in a small table. By taking the menu on the table, Kadyn looked inside.

Kadyn (while reading the menu) - "Thank you, Mike, for all of this. "

Mike - "It's nothing, I just can't stand those racist bastards. "

Kadyn (after putting the menu on the table) - "Aren't you going to look at the menu? "

Mike - "I'm waiting for someone. "

Kadyn - "Who? "

Mike - "Kadyn, you know what the rich like us order in a restaurant? "

Kadyn (having no clue) - "by taking all the best and most expensive foods? "

Mike - "No, we take everything our favourite chef gives us. "

Kadyn (confused) - "Huh? "

Mike - "No matter how expensive or how high in quality is the dish, only your favourite chef knows what are your tastes. That way, even those dishes that you don't know or don't enjoy can be brought to you in your taste. "

Kadyn - "I'm learning a lot about the world of the rich. "

Mike - "Right, you can start by choosing a few plates that sound good to you and we can then determine who will be your chef. "

Kadyn - "Look, they have Hawaiian pizzas on the menu. "

Mike (deranged) - "I'm a half Italien, so if you order that culinary abomination, our relationship will be officially over! "

Kadyn (amused) - "Hehe, you are so cute, Gio. "

Voice - "Hey, hey, hey, isn't that my bloody old brother Mike! "

Mike (raising from his chair) - "Huh, long time no sees, bro Liverpool Degroot! "

A black man in his 40 advanced toward Mike, he's the descendant of the Demoman from Team Fortress 2. Currently, he's the head chef of the restaurant with a blind eye covered by an eyepatch.

Liverpool (while taking Mike in his arms) - "Oh man, I missed you so much I could kiss you! "

Mike - "Hahaha, wanna have a drink, bro? "

Liverpool (pointing at Mike) - "I was waiting for you to say that. "

Mike - "Scottish malt whiskey or Polish vodka? "

Liverpool - "Why not both? Hahaha! "

Mike - "Waiter, bring us the strongest drink here, one of each! "

Waiter - "Right away, sir. "

Liverpool - "Oh, that brings tears to the eye every time I remember the first time you drank both. Anyway, who that beautiful princess here with you? "

Mike (looking at Kadyn) - "She's my... wife, my wife, Kadyn. "

Liverpool - "At your age, you already got a wife? Ay, I'll go get you something to eat, have a good time you two. "

Mike - "Then we'll drink after? "

Liverpool (putting a thumb up) - "Oh, man, I will look forward to it! "

With that said, Liverpool walked back into the kitchen, leaving Mike and Kadyn alone.

Looking back at Kadyn, the girl was blushing with a fiery red on her face while looking down the ground. She doesn't know what say as she was overcome with embarrassment.

Mike (trying to find Kadyn's look) - "Kadyn, are you alright? "

Kadyn (with a shy voice) - "I... I am your wife? "

Mike - "(sigh)" "After all the things you've done for me, I think the best way to thank you is to be at your side for the rest of my life. " If this isn't what you want then... "

Kadyn (suddenly speaking) - "I... I will be your bride! "

Mike (while using his finger to raise Kadyn's head) - "(smile)" "If the war ends and we are still alive, I will give you the ring but for now, nothing is sure. I surely can't know if I will die tomorrow. "

Kadyn - "You have to promise to live for me and don't die."

Mike - "I will try. "

Kadyn (while looking at Mike) - "I don't wanna make this marriage feel like that you own me. If you don't like me, you can decide to find a woman you like. "

Mike - "I won't even ask you to be my wife if I don't love you. "

Kadyn - "Then this is official? "

Mike - "Until death does us apart! "

The two looked at each other in the eyes before Kadyn closed her eyes. This, being his first kiss, made the young man nervous. With a quick impassioned kiss on the mouth, Mike sealed the deal with Kadyn in an unsatisfying way. Even though Mike knows he messed up, Kadyn, who slowly reopened her eyes smiled at him for his effort.

To be continued...

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