As Aedan stepped into the infirmary within the belly of the Sepharon, a sense of relief washed over him. His cousin Alina and aunt Kayla lay peacefully on the medical beds, their conditions stabilized by the space beast's advanced technology.
"Seph, how are they doing?" Aedan inquired, his voice tinged with concern.
"They are resting comfortably, Aedan," Seph replied, its deep voice resonating within the chamber. "All necessary precedents have been performed. With a couple of nights of sleep, they should recover fully."
Aedan breathed a sigh of relief, grateful for Seph's care for his family members. "Thank you, Seph. I appreciate everything you've done."
As he turned to leave, Seph's metallic voice echoed through the chamber once more. "Aedan, I have kept records of every one of your Pilot's abilities as they have been revealed. I have prepared a device to help you keep up with them and facilitate the use of your belt."
Curiosity piqued, Aedan followed Seph's guidance to the lab within the Sepharon. There, on a table in the center of the room, lay a small metal box. Aedan approached it cautiously, his eyes drawn to its contents.
"What's this?" Aedan asked, examining the vial and bracer within the box.
"The vial contains a genetic boost," Seph explained, its holographic form shimmering with knowledge. "In simple terms, it will heal all the internal damage that had been previously done to your body prior to finding us. It will also offer a boost in your base strength, agility, reaction time, and many other smaller enhancements. Essentially, the serum will fix any errors in your genetic code and provide these benefits."
Grateful for Seph's assistance, Aedan accepted the devices. "Thank you, Seph. I trust your judgment."
With Seph's guidance, Aedan spent the next three hours setting up the devices within the lab. Threads connected him to the Sepharon's energy core, integrating the systems seamlessly into the bracer.
As he lay on the large platform, an interface appeared before his eyes, prompting him to input his information. With a mixture of excitement and trepidation, Aedan complied, watching as the Enigma Tool bonded to his arm through his DNA. It was a name both he and Seph had decided upon, signifying the interface through which he could interact with his belt, the Enigma.
Finally, after navigating through several screens, Aedan reached the last one, where he was prompted to select between two distinct modes, each brimming with potential and possibilities. As he delved deeper into the interface, he uncovered the intricacies of each mode, weighing their advantages and drawbacks with careful consideration.
The first mode, a non-intrusive option, utilized the screen on his bracer to visualize the interfaces of all his Heartspark Arts, both discovered and yet to be uncovered. It also provided a real-time model of his body, complete with a health monitor and various other functions. Aedan marveled at the convenience of being able to teleport back to the space beast at will, no longer reliant on Seph's assistance for such tasks.
On the other hand, the second mode offered a more immersive experience, with interfaces sent directly to his brain, integrating seamlessly with his five senses. This mode boasted an overdrive function, allowing Aedan to tap into martial arts techniques from outer worlds, downloaded directly into his brain and imprinted onto his muscles. It was a tantalizing prospect, promising unparalleled combat prowess and access to Seph's spatial energy.
Seph, ever the wise advisor, cautioned Aedan against rushing into the second mode. "Choose the first mode, Aedan," it advised, its voice resonating with authority and concern. "The second mode holds immense power, but it comes with risks. It is best reserved for when you are truly ready to harness its capabilities."
Aedan nodded, acknowledging Seph's words. With a sense of determination, he selected the first mode, a shimmering cascade of light enveloped him, signaling the initialization of the system. With a soft hum, the home interface materialized before his eyes, a holographic projection suspended in the air.
"At last," Aedan murmured, his eyes alight with anticipation. "Let's see what this Enigma Tool can do."
Seph, the wise and enigmatic space beast, observed silently, its presence a comforting presence in the room.
The interface blossomed with intricate displays of information, each panel representing a different facet of Aedan's abilities and arsenal.
"Wow, look at that," Aedan exclaimed, gesturing to the lifelike image of himself at the center of the interface. "It's like looking into a mirror."
Seph nodded approvingly. "Indeed. The Enigma Tool provides a comprehensive overview of your capabilities, allowing you to explore and expand your potential."
Aedan's gaze swept over the various menus and submenus, his excitement mounting with each new discovery.
"Check this out," he said, pointing to a submenu dedicated to simulation and experimentation. "I can create virtual scenarios to test different combinations of arts and armor. Talk about a game-changer."
Seph offered a word of caution. "Remember, Aedan, with great power comes great responsibility. Use this newfound ability wisely."
Aedan nodded, his expression serious. "Don't worry, Seph. I won't let it go to my head."
But amidst the familiar array of options, there was a new addition that caught Aedan's attention—the Sorrow Heartspark Armor.
"Sorrow Heartspark Armor?" Aedan echoed, his curiosity piqued. "What's that all about?"
Seph explained, its voice tinged with solemnity. "According to my data, the Sorrow Heartspark Armor possesses a unique ability to exhale a cold air that freezes things. Its intensity is influenced by your emotions and those of others near the belt. The other armors also have something similar, Anger can easily create flames of hatred which can be condensed into solid form as it intensifies like you did once before and unparalleled joy will irradiate a light that pacifies and heal those near you."
Aedan furrowed his brow, contemplating the implications of this newfound power. "That sounds intriguing. We'll have to experiment with these abilities later."
"Indeed," Seph agreed. "In fact, when you mentioned the word 'Enigma', it seemed to trigger a memory, but I can't quite place it. I suppose that's what happens when one has existed as long as I have."
"One question," Aedan raised his hand. "You told me about your species before, but how exactly do your kind reproduce? Are you even a boy, girl, anything at all? Don't reply if it's too personal."
Seph's holographic form seemed to pause for a moment before responding. "No, we don't possess the concept of something like gender. As biological machines, we can reproduce, but even among our race, it is extremely rare and requires the space beast to possess an organ which only one in a million would have. Those that have it are called Mother Ships and are the most revered of our species. Lucky for you, I am a Mother Ship, one of the three Leviathan Mother Ships in the galaxy, and also the youngest."
Back in the infirmary, Alina and Kayla stirred from their slumber, their eyes fluttering open. Aedan rushed to their side, relief flooding his heart as he saw them awake and alert.
"Alina, Kayla, are you okay?" Aedan asked, his voice filled with concern.
Alina smiled weakly, her voice barely above a whisper. "We're fine, Aedan. Thanks to you and Seph."
Kayla nodded in agreement, her eyes reflecting gratitude. "You've been through so much, Aedan. We're proud of you."
Aedan's heart swelled with emotion as he embraced his family members. "Sorry for involving you guys with this. I'm really happy you two are here."