> Been a while since you struck a nerve

> Soul shocked, and I'm waiting: Serve

> Strong words, wise up you gotta read the room

> Pinch 'em in the back and it's something new

>

> No Easy Way Out - Comeback Kid

The architecture surrounding them was a stark contrast to the ultra-modern, neon-lit skyline of Night City. Here, the buildings were rich with intricate details of a time long gone. The glass pyramid marking the entrance to the museum was the crowning jewel of the courtyard and the lines trailed out long and far. But Yuki had secured their entrance, sparing them from the wait.

Kerry hadn’t seen the museum in decades and was excited for it. He decided to invite his assistant to join him so he didn’t have to enjoy it alone. Francis on the other hand was contractually obliged to be Kerry’s shadow, so his presence he didn’t count, and he trailed at a safe distance behind the two thanks to Kery’s instance, but never too far.

Kerry was disguised in a synth-cotton mask that covered the lower half of his face and a beanie to conceal his hair. He toned down his usual leather and studs for a more subdued look, opting for jeans and a denim vest. To maintain his punk edge, he kept his rings and bracelets in place. No disguise was infallible for the most devoted fans, but he noticed the French were more reserved than the people of the NUSA, finding himself not being stopped as often to sign autographs.

The Louvre’s grandiosity was apparent as they stepped into the first gallery. The high ceilings were adorned with intricate frescoes, and the walls were lined with paintings from the Renaissance and beyond. Kerry found himself drawn to the vibrant hues and intricate details, but it was the sculptures that truly captivated him. Even the soggy cardboard that was Francis seemed moved by the artwork.

He stopped before Michelangelo’s ‘Hercules Fighting The Hydra.’ The sculpture towered over him, commanding his attention simply by its raw strength and power. Kerry marveled at how the cold stone could evoke such intense energy.

“Ah, Hercules’ second labor.” Yuki chimed in. She stood beside Kerry eyeing the statue with admiration, her arms folded across her chest.

“Hercules’ what now?”

Yuki’s mouth curved into a humorous grin. “It’s an old tale from Greek mythology. Hercules was a demigod and a legend. The story goes that he was driven mad by another god who made him murder his family, and then he was given twelve impossible tasks to complete to right his wrongs. Because of his immense strength, both in physicality and in character, he completed them all. This one is the second task - killing the hydra.”

Kerry whistled. “I had no idea you were such a history buff. Or whatever.”

“Greek mythology is a special interest of mine.” She shrugged.

“So what, Hercules completes the tasks and that’s it ? End of story?”

Yuki nodded. “Yeah. That’s it. He was free to get on with his life. But the tale is about the journey, not the ending. The resilience and the strength to keep going, no matter how impossible things seem, makes it so compelling - at least to me.”

“Sounds somethin’ like what an old friend went through. ‘Cept without the whole ‘murdering his family’ part.”

“The old myths were told and retold for a reason. They’re a reflection of people like us, people like your friend, trying to wade through and survive the trials life throws at us.”

Kerry shifted his weight and cleared his throat, deciding to change the subject.

“To think, this Hercules had no gorilla arms or reinforced tendons, just pure ‘ganic, and he was also like the strongest guy ever!”

“Well, I don’t think Hercules was real, but it’s something to think about.”

“Oh, yeah I knew that.” He paused, eyeing the dozens of marble statues in the gallery. “I can't believe these were all carved by hand. Fuckin’ crazy. No implants to help ‘em, no nanobots to speed the process up…”

“I can't imagine how they did it, how patient they had to be. I can't live without my cyberware!” Yuki agreed with a lighthearted laugh.

***

Kerry sat on the edge of his hotel bed, the only light being the city’s glow through the window and the lone ember of his cigarette. His phone felt heavy in his hand, the screen displaying V’s number. He sighed, running a hand through his hair.

“Dammit.”

He tossed the phone onto the bed and paced the room, his thoughts racing. Finally, he picked up the phone again and scrolled through his contacts until he found Rogue's number.

The holo rang for a while and Kerry wasn't sure she'd pick up at first. Just as he was about to give up, the screen loaded and there she was.

“Hey, Rogue! How've ya been?” Kerry greeted, injecting as much charm as possible into his voice.

“Kerry? Didn’t expect to hear from you. Do you need something?” she replied coolly. “I’m assuming you're not calling just to say hello.”

Ah, that was Rogue. Cold as ice and straight to the point.

“Can't a guy just call an old friend outta the blue?”

Rogue rolled her eyes and shifted. Kerry noticed she was making a coffee.

“What time is it over there?”

“Six in the morning.” She answered. “People don't usually call me just to chat, Kerry. But if you must know, I've been great. The Afterlife is thriving and I've got an army of mercs on hand. What more could a girl want?” She lifted her mug to her mouth and behind her, a hairless cat leapt onto the table.

Kerry’s heart jumped into his throat.“Is that fuckin’ V’s cat?!”

She turned and scratched the cat on the head. “Yeah, he was V’s cat. All his stuff was auctioned off after he went missing. Luckily I managed to nab this little guy before anyone else did.”

Kerry’s heart was hammering. “Rogue, V’s back.”

Rogue took another sip of her coffee, her expression unchanged.

“Did you hear me?”

“Yeah, I got it. Sorry if my reaction wasn't more… shocked? Mercenaries have a lot of enemies, and V picked a lot of fights with a lot of powerful people. When things get sticky, guys like him are known to skip town. It's not the first time I've seen it, and it won't be the last.”

Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

“Yeah, ‘cept this wasn't the case. He had surgery to get rid of the chip and fix the damage it caused. It put him in a coma for two years.”

“Now that's a surprise. What's his status? Should I expect to see him here soon?”

“Eh, I don't know. He said his body can't handle implants no more, and to be honest, he looked pretty worse-for-wear. He said his ripper could fix him up, but I haven't heard anything.”

“Hm, alright. Why did he tell you this?”

Kerry felt a pang of defensiveness. “You serious? V was my input two years ago.”

“Two surprises in one morning. You should call more often.” She joked.

“Yeah yeah, I prefer to keep my shit private, Rogue. That's ‘prolly why you didn't know.”

“When did you find out about all this?”

“He called last month. We haven't spoken since.”

“Thanks for the information, Ker. Look after yourself.” The call ended, and Kerry sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.

He sat in the quiet of his hotel room, staring at his phone. Rogue's indifferent reaction wasn’t surprising; he didn’t know what else to expect from her, or why he even called her in the first place. They were never exactly friends with their only connection being Johnny. Maybe it was just that he wanted someone to talk to who knew the sich, hoping it would help him process everything better.

"Why is this so damn hard?" He whispered to himself. The emptiness of the room swallowed his words.

In an attempt to distract himself, Kerry grabbed his guitar and notebook. Diving into his music would help clear his mind. He strummed a few chords from the new song he was working on, and as he played, it was like a dam wall had broken and the lyrics was the water flooding out.

"Lost in a world that’s cold, searching for a hand to hold…” He hummed. “Ghosts of the past, they whisper lies, but your voice is my guide."

Music had always been his refuge, a way to channel his emotions when everything else failed. He didn’t know what the words meant however, and he was too afraid to dig deeper to find out.

***

"Unplugged and Unraveled: Kerry Eurodyne's Inner Turmoil Exposed!"

Kenzie Winters - journalist at Poul de Paris

Kerry Eurodyne, the legendary rockstar, has once again found himself in the spotlight. The recent release of his self-titled album has been met with critical acclaim, but behind the scenes, it seems the rock icon is battling demons that threaten to overshadow his musical achievements.

In an exclusive interview with Poul de Paris, Eurodyne opened up about the personal challenges he's faced over the past few years. "Life's thrown some curveballs my way," he admitted, hinting at a series of traumatic events that have left a lasting impact on his mental health.

Sources close to the rocker reveal that Eurodyne's struggles are more severe than he let on. "He was in a creative slump, dealing with some heavy personal issues," says an insider. "There were times we were genuinely worried about him."

The most shocking revelation came when Eurodyne alluded to his past suicide attempt, a dark chapter in his life that he has never spoken about publicly. "It’s easy to get lost in all the bullshit," he said, his voice betraying the pain behind his words.

Fans have been quick to pick up on the raw, emotional nature of his latest album. One track in particular, "Visions of Your Memories," has sparked speculation about its inspiration. While Eurodyne refused to divulge details, it's clear the song is a cathartic release for a traumatic breakup, leaving listeners to wonder about the identity of the person who left such a deep wound on the rock legend's heart.

Eurodyne’s recent behavior has also raised eyebrows. Known for his charismatic and often abrasive personality, those close to him describe a man on the brink of insanity. "He's always been intense, but lately, it’s been different." says one source close to the star. "There's a fragility there that wasn't so obvious before."

Critics suggest that Eurodyne's new album might be more than just music; it could be a desperate cry for help. The deeply personal and haunting lyrics paint a picture of a man grappling with his own psyche, trying to find solace in his art. "His music has always been a reflection of his life, but this album feels like a cry from the depths of despair," commented a renowned music critic.

The question on everyone's lips is: Can Kerry Eurodyne maintain his sanity while continuing to perform under the immense pressure of fame? As his galactic tour continues, fans and critics alike will be watching closely.

Kerry sat on the edge of his bed in his hotel room scrolling through the article on his laptop, his face growing increasingly red with anger. The words seemed to blur together, each sentence hitting him like a punch to the gut.

"Fucking bastard. I’m going to gut that French motherfucker and strangle him with his own intestines!"

His hotel room was filled with the usual pre-travel chaos. Suitcases were scattered across the room half-packed with clothes and personal items and empty booze bottles littered the floor. He had to leave for the next part of his tour soon, but he couldn’t help himself. He was furious.

The article had painted his album as a desperate cry for help, not for the fucking creative genius it was. He needed to speak to his publicist and lawyer immediately, but he was unable to tear his eyes away from the trainwreck in front of him.

A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts, followed by Yuki’s voice, “Kerry? We need to leave in about fifteen minutes for the Orbital airport. I’ve got your coffee.”

Kerry stormed to the door and yanked it open, startling Yuki. She held out a takeaway coffee cup. “Here’s your -”

Kerry snatched the cup from her hand, took a hasty gulp, and immediately spat it out. “Fuck, Yuki! It’s hot!” He snapped.

Yuki blinked, taken aback. “I... I’m sorry, I didn’t -”

“What do you think about this?” He demanded, shoving his laptop in her face.

She squinted at the screen, trying to make sense of the headlines. “I don’t know. What is this?”

Kerry’s eyes were wild. “What is this? This is the fucking media tearing me apart! They think I’m having a mental breakdown!”

Yuki took a cautious step back. “I... I had no idea he’d do this. I’m sorry.”

Kerry laughed bitterly, a manic edge to it. “You’re sorry? The media are all a pack of vultures. No - sharks! They’re making a spectacle out of my life, twisting everything I say and making me out to be some kind of unstable whackjob!”

“I don’t think it’s that bad. I’ll get your publicist and lawyer on the holo -” Yuki offered, her tone calm.

Kerry took his laptop back and kept scrolling. The next article made his heart sink further: "Secret Romance? Kerry Eurodyne Spotted at the Louvre with Mystery Woman." The paparazzi photos showed him and Yuki, her chatting to him animatedly with excitement in her eyes.

Well, she was actually talking about Greek mythology.

He could feel his pulse pounding in his temples and his breath coming in short, sharp bursts. He slammed the laptop shut before Yuki had a chance to see the article.

She was busy trying to calm him down, but Kerry was tuning her out, mind was already elsewhere plotting his next move. He needed to do something drastic. Something to regain control.

The sleek black car sped through the streets of Paris, the city’s lights flashing by in a blur. Kerry sat in the backseat, mind racing. Next to him, Yuki was on the phone with his publicist.

“I understand, but -” She tried, her voice strained but professional. “Kerry’s words have been taken out of context, and we need to clarify -”

A twisted grin spread across his face as an idea began to form.

Yuki hung up with a growl of frustration. She massaged her temples. “There isn’t much they can do - millions have read the article already and -”

“Hey Yuki,” he said, cutting her off. “I need you to get me the best netrunner’s number in Europe.”

Yuki blinked, momentarily confused. “What for?”

“Just do it. I’ve got a plan.” He leaned back in his seat, his fingers drumming against his thigh. “And hurry up. We’re almost at the airport.”

Twenty minutes later the car pulled up to the private terminal and Kerry stepped out, his mind still buzzing. Yuki rushed to keep up with him.

“Kerry, are you sure about this?” She asked, her voice filled with concern. “What you just told me - this could seriously backfire on you.”

Kerry shrugged. “It’s too late to back down now. Besides, it’s time to remind Kenzie who he fucked with.”

They walked through the terminal, the hum of activity around them barely registering to Kerry as they reached the private lounge. Meanwhile, Yuki made some calls and pulled some strings, proud of herself for being able to get the contact information for a top-tier netrunner in such a short amount of time.

“Got it.” she said, digitally transferring him the details. “But seriously Kerry, think about this.”

Kerry ignored her, opening his holo and dialing the number. The line connected and a disguised voice on the other end answered.

“This is Ne0nG0d. What do you need?”

Kerry smirked. “I need you to crash the network of a French media outlet. Wipe their servers clean. Delete fucking everything they have. I want you to ruin them. Think you can handle that?”

A low chuckle came from the other end. “For the right price, anything’s possible. What’s the target?”

“Poul de Paris. I’ll throw in some extra cash if you leave a message on Kenzie Winters’ desktop that he can’t get rid of. Something like… um… Oh! ‘FUCK YOU’ in big letters."

“Consider it done.”

Kerry ended the call feeling a surge of satisfaction, wishing V was there to enjoy this victory with him.