Disclaimer: I own none of the Matrix.
A/N: I'm really glad this is getting such good reviews.. and from such talented people, too!. Thank you very much.
The wheel of Ka was turning indeed, Zephyr could almost hear it as it turned round and round, each spoke as strong as it ever was, she could sense that it was turning against her, and in favour of Smith.
With growing fear and anxiety, she drew closer to the outer city, away from most of the choked traffic, and bustling, ignorant Coppertops, but she was no longer sure she was heading towards her goal.
Maybe this is Ka's way, She thought, sliding steadily towards panic, Sending me not only the wrong way, but into the waste lands of the outer city, where I will surely die by a stray bullet or some awful disease for which there is no cure.
Zephyr tried to push that thought away, she knew it was useless to think such things, but it would not budge. It was gnawing relentlessly at her considerable courage, slowly turning it into small, insignificant flecks which could be blown away by a strong wind.
I will not lose! I will not die! I refuse it! Not now, because of this man, not by the hands of the Program! Never! Fuck you, Ka! Fuck you straight to hell! Zephyr thought childishly, ignoring an inner voice which told her to stop giving in to her fear, and lift her head up and show Ka that she would go down fighting, if it was Ka's will that she should die.
All coherent thought was being denied now, her fear was too great, and was steadily developing into raw terror.
Then a racing thought came with such whip-cracking force that Zephyr stumbled back two steps and almost fell to the ground.
Damn you to hell if you give in!. The Voice screamed, Do you not see that fear is not only beating at your heart but at your soul, too?. And what do you do? You let it eat at you! This love of yours has made you weak, Zephyr! No wonder Ka is turning against you, Ka has never favoured the weak!. Cast aside your love and embrace your rage, for your love makes you as pathetic and drivelling as he was when you first found him!. Is that what you want?.
That thought struck home, and although Zephyr doubted if she could just cast aside an emotion that seemed to be everywhere within her, an emotion that seemed to fill her world with a goodness that was never there, but she would at least let it fade into the recesses of shadows, and maybe there it would seem to have less control. Smith had been right about something, it seemed, love was a weakness, a virus within a virus.
Grimacing and fighting against a bitter wind that seemed to whisper a thousand names in a thousand different languages, Zephyr moved on, and for once, unknowingly passed under the great looming shadow of Ka.