"It's not ready yet," Neo cautioned. "This is just a prototype. The neural interface needs refinement, and I'm not satisfied with the power regulation for lower-class Awakened."
"But it works," Roland pointed out. "Better than anyone expected. This could turn the tide on the space colonies' defense front."
Neo nodded absently, already making adjustments based on the test results. "That's the plan. The space colonies need every advantage they can get."
Roland watched her work for a moment, then asked the question that had been nagging at him. "Have you considered what happens if this technology falls into the wrong hands? The resistance, for instance?"
Neo's hands paused briefly. "The resistance isn't our enemy, Roland. They're just... misguided."
"They're actively working against GPA authority," Roland countered. "And some of their leaders are powerful Awakened. Imagine someone like Kaori Yamashita with this technology. She did a lot of damage to the GPA without these. Imagine what she could do with them."
A shadow passed over Neo's face at the mention of Kaori, but she quickly masked it. "The Neo-Weapon requires specialized knowledge to replicate. The GPA will keep the technology secure."
Roland looked skeptical but didn't press the issue. Instead, he changed the subject, trying to lighten the mood. "So, 'Neo-Weapon,' huh? You really like putting your name on things."
That drew a small laugh from Neo. "I didn't name it after myself, you know. It's the same 'neo' as in Neo-Tokyo."
"Ah, the neon-green light that changed everything," Roland nodded. "Speaking of which, I've always wondered, your parents named you Neo not because of the light and the names of these places, right? Bit of a coincidence."
Neo's expression softened slightly, a rare glimpse of the person behind the genius. "According to my parents, they chose it because it means 'new' or 'gift.' They said they knew I would bring something new to the world." Her voice turned melancholic. "I don't think they imagined it would be weapons, though."
"Not just weapons," Roland corrected gently. "Hope. A chance for humanity to stand against whatever's out there." He gestured to the gauntlet. "This is more than a weapon. It's a shield."
Neo nodded, her focus returning to the device. She touched a small button on its side, and the gauntlet hummed to life, the energy lines glowing brighter. The sound was unique, a harmonic hum that seemed to vibrate at a frequency just below human hearing, felt more than heard.
"That sound," Roland commented. "It's almost... intimidating."
"It's the Lumina cell resonator," Neo explained. "All Neo-Weapons will have it. A safety feature, actually, it can't activate without that harmonic signature."
Roland listened to the subtle hum, feeling both impressed and slightly unsettled. "Well," he said finally, "I should let you get back to work. Just... promise you'll get some sleep soon?"
Neo waved him off, already absorbed in her adjustments again. As Roland walked away, he glanced back at the young inventor, the glow of her creation illuminating her beautiful skin. "Oh and Neo… Happy nineteenth birthday."
The gauntlet continued its soft, almost musical hum, a sound that would soon become feared across battlefields and enemy territories, a sound that brought a new chapter in humanity's struggle for survival.
And perhaps, though neither of them knew it yet, a sound that would one day split the world in two.
— — —
Leo stood in the center of the resistance's training room, his breath coming in short intervals despite the sweat beading on his forehead. The room was dimmer than usual, they had discovered that his shadow abilities worked better in darker areas.
"Again," Neo said from where she stood at the edge of the training area, her H-phone above her wrist as she monitored his vitals and energy output. "Focus on maintaining consistent density this time."
Leo nodded, closing his eyes briefly to center himself. When he opened them again, he extended his awareness outward, feeling for the shadows around him. Five days of intensive training had taught him to sense them. Not just see them, but feel them like extensions of his own body.
"Shadow Cloak," he whispered, more for his own focus than necessity.
The shadows around him responded, gathering and flowing toward him like water seeking its level. They clung to his body, creating a faint, smoky layer that wrapped around him. Unlike his previous attempts, where the shadows had been patchy and uneven, this time they formed a more complete covering.
"Good," Neo commented, adjusting something on her device. "The sensors are showing a seventy percent reduction in heat signature and a ninety percent damping of sound waves. You're practically a ghost to basic detection equipment."
Leo took a careful step forward, then another. The shadow cloak wavered but held. He moved more quickly, attempting a swift ninety degree turn, and the shadows fractured, dissipating into wisps that quickly faded back to normal darkness. He exhaled in frustration, bending over with his hands on his knees.
"Better than yesterday," Neo offered, approaching him with a bottle of water. "You maintained the cloak for twelve seconds during movement. That's a three-second improvement."
Leo straightened up, accepting the water gratefully. "It still takes too much concentration. In a real situation, I wouldn't have time to focus on this intensely."
"That's what training is for," Neo reminded him. "Your neural pathways are still adapting to the shadow manipulation. Each time you use the ability, those pathways strengthen."
Leo drank deeply, then handed the bottle back. "It's not just the concentration. It's exhausting, like... like I'm trying to hold water in my hands, and it keeps slipping through my fingers."
Neo nodded thoughtfully. "The shadowmancy, as Marcus calls it, is unusual. Most Awakened abilities align with physical forces or elements, fire, electricity, kinetics. Shadows are... conceptual, in a way, they require more thought from the user. Part light manipulation, part energy manipulation."
"And apparently part energy-draining vampire," Leo added wryly. "Ready for the next one?"
Neo gestured to the collection of small drones hovering at the ready. With a few taps on her H-phone, one separated from the group and floated to the center of the room, its lights blinking steadily.
"Energy Siphon," she confirmed. "Remember, start with a single point of contact and expand gradually."
Leo positioned himself about three meters from the drone, then extended his right hand. He focused again, this time imagining the shadows as hungry tentacles seeking nourishment. A thin strand of darkness extended from his palm, stretching toward the drone like a curious serpent.
When it made contact with the drone's metallic surface, the strand thickened slightly. The drone's lights flickered as its power began to drain, feeding into the shadow tendril and, through it, into Leo himself. He felt the familiar tingle, a cool, electrical sensation running up his arm and spreading through his chest.
"Power transfer confirmed," Neo reported, watching the readings. "The drone's losing power at a rate of approximately ten percent per second. Your Lumina cell activity is increasing proportionally."
Leo gritted his teeth, fighting to maintain the connection. The shadow tentacle pulsed slightly, growing thicker as more energy transferred. The drone's movements became erratic, its hover function struggling to maintain altitude.
"Careful," Neo warned. "Your absorption rate is speeding up. If you take too much too quickly—"
The warning came too late. As the drone's power reserves dropped below twenty percent, the shadow tentacle suddenly expanded, engulfing the entire drone in darkness.
Leo gasped as a surge of energy flooded into him, too much, too fast. The shadows dispelled and the drone clattered to the floor, completely drained.
Leo staggered backward, his eyes temporarily flashing black before returning to normal. He braced himself against the wall, breathing heavily.
"That was... intense," he managed between breaths.
Neo approached cautiously, scanning him with her device. "Your Lumina cell activity spiked to dangerous levels. It's stabilizing now, but you need to be more controlled with the energy transfer."
"It's like trying to drink from a fire hose," Leo explained, straightening up as the overwhelming sensation faded. "Once it starts flowing, it's hard to regulate."
"Which is why we practice," Neo reminded him. "One more technique before we break? Or do you need to rest?"