First Spark

Silence cracked. My grip tightened on the forged chain. Below me, the chassis stirred with a low, latent pulse. I did not wait. I leaned forward and lowered my boot to the surface, testing the friction. The tread met the faint printed grid lines of the teal cutting mat beneath my base. A subtle vibration traveled up through the iron frame into my gauntlet. Real. Responsive. The path ahead is flat and solid. Good.