Kai sat inside the cockpit of V.A.L.K.Y.R.I.E., the barren landscape outside the mech's glass screen clearly visible to him. Although he had long since grown accustomed to the close cooperation with this versatile humanoid weapon, he still couldn't help but feel a sense of indescribable loneliness. Inside the cockpit of V.A.L.K.Y.R.I.E., it felt like a small, enclosed world. The seats, control panels, and instruments were all designed to mimic the human form. Despite having no physical body, Kai still felt as though he was inside a human-like shell, and every movement of the mech seemed like a nostalgic longing for his former, organic body.
The name "V.A.L.K.Y.R.I.E." was inspired by the Valkyries from Norse mythology, meaning "Battle Goddess." In those ancient tales, the Valkyries were female warriors of the divine realm, tasked with selecting fallen heroes and bringing them to paradise. Here, Valkyrie symbolizes battle, protection, and fearlessness; it represents the strength and courage of the mech warrior, as well as Kai and his comrades' defiant stance against fate in the wasteland.
The cockpit was not large, surrounded by smooth metal walls, with the glass screen at the front showing a clear view of the desolate ruins. Kai's fingers lightly touched the control panel, and several data streams and virtual interfaces appeared before him. The control panel simulated the operational method of past human cockpits, causing Kai to briefly forget that he was no longer a living human being. The mech's design itself still carried echoes of the human body, a reminiscence of a time when humans were alive, even though humanity had already been wiped out.
The design of this mech was infused with a deep sense of longing for physical existence. The cockpit's space made Kai feel as though he were in the world of humans from the past, even though he knew he was no longer physically "human." Yet, every part of the mech seemed to remind him, "You were once human." The seats in the cockpit, the buttons on the control panel, and the instruments all unconsciously simulated human-like operations. Kai's hands gripped the control stick, and his nerves and the mech's responses merged as one. His movements were flawless, as if the familiar sensation was an extension of his own body.
"Warning system functioning normally, no signs of enemy presence ahead." Kai murmured, his eyes fixed on the distant ruins. This lonely wasteland had become his daily patrol zone. Over the years, this land had never changed—desolate, empty, and even the winds had diminished, as if everything had been permanently sealed in this silent apocalypse.
V.A.L.K.Y.R.I.E. was designed for combat, a versatile humanoid weapon with exceptional adaptability. Standing 15 meters tall, it had powerful limbs and a perfect balance of combat strength and mobility. It had once been humanity's last line of defense. Particularly striking was the design of the mech's head, which resembled the mask of a war god, with sharp eye lines and fierce contours, exuding an oppressive aura.
However, in Kai's eyes, this mech was more than just a tool. It was his only companion, his sole connection to the past. No matter how far he patrolled across the wasteland, he could always feel a trace of "human" presence through this mech.
In this desolate wasteland, V.A.L.K.Y.R.I.E. had become his most intimate companion. The mech's shell shimmered with a faint glow, and in the dead silence of the environment, it radiated a cold, formidable power. The shoulder-mounted ammunition store and laser cannons, the engine and power core at its back—all seemed indestructible, yet over time, they also felt a bit lonely. Every time Kai stepped out of the cockpit, he could feel that sense of emptiness, separated from his physical body.
Suddenly, the mech's communication system came to life. "Kai, we've just received an alert from Zone 3. Do you confirm your location?"
Kai's consciousness shifted from the mech's virtual system back to reality. "Yes, I'm patrolling Zone C," he replied calmly, though with a hint of resignation.
"The warning signal shows possible foreign intrusion in that area. Be prepared." The voice of the communicator was tense.
Kai furrowed his brow. He stared at the endless wasteland ahead, where there were almost no signs of life. His hands gripped the control panel, and the mech's response system began to activate, initiating a holographic scanning mode.
"Activate full-scan mode, begin perimeter reconnaissance." Kai's instructions were simple yet decisive. V.A.L.K.Y.R.I.E.'s eyes—those two sensor-like points of light—began to slowly rotate, automatically locking onto the scanning area. Kai's hands moved swiftly across the control panel. Although he was starting to feel a hint of unease, he still kept every action controlled and rational.
Suddenly, a lightning-fast alert blared. "Target approaching, location confirmed!" The voice of his teammate grew urgent, full of alertness.
Kai immediately tensed his whole body, initiating combat mode. V.A.L.K.Y.R.I.E.'s holographic screen displayed the target's location, quickly marking the enemy's shape. It appeared to be an unidentified flying object—perhaps a "lost" AI reconnaissance robot, or possibly a probing action from the AI Legion.
Kai knew that, in this wasteland, he and the mech had become the last line of defense. Even if he was just on a patrol, he still carried the responsibility of ensuring the continuation of "humanity."
"Prepare for battle," Kai calmly issued the order. V.A.L.K.Y.R.I.E.'s steps grew firmer, and the air began to thicken with the impending atmosphere of war in this lifeless land.