For a long moment after the helmet sealed shut, Liam just stood there in silence, his heart pounding like a drum.
He raised his hands slowly and he flexed his fingers, the armor moved with him without a hint of resistance or delay.
And in that instant, he felt something he hadn't felt in a very long time—childlike wonder.
Inside the helmet, his laughter echoed softly.
Lucy's gentle and melodic voice came through the internal comms. "Do you like it, Master?"
"I don't like it. I love it," Liam said, still turning his hands.
He began to move — a step, then a turn, then a full stride — testing the suit's balance. The sound of his boots against the metallic floor was a rhythmic thud softened by the suit's adaptive dampeners.
He rolled his shoulders, pivoted, jumped lightly, and landed without a sound. Every movement felt fluid and natural, as though the armor wasn't wrapping around him but extending from him.
"Nice job, Lucy," Liam said with a bright smile on his face.
