Chapter-11 Exodites Changes

Thanks to Kurt understood, what Aiden was going through. He had faced something similar once, and that experience gave him the wisdom to step back and let Aiden process things on his own. There was no rush this was Aiden's decision to make.

Inside his apartment, the room was dark and silent. Posters of bands and abstract, almost eerie artwork lined the walls. His computer sat in its usual spot, a reminder of his loneliness the only other presence in the room was Maya.

Aiden had every intention of sleeping, hoping that by morning, his mind would be clearer. But instead of rest, he spent the night tossing and turning, trapped in an endless cycle of half-formed dreams and restless thoughts. The Phantom Dimension haunted him, its memories seeping into his subconscious, refusing to leave.

Sleep only happened, when his mind drifted to something else… a dream, one far kinder than the reality he knew.

I close my eyes and see a world where my presence isn't just tolerated... but necessary. Where I'm not just another faceless gear in a machine that would turn just fine without me. But the cruelest part? Every time I open my eyes... that world is nowhere to be found.

…

The next morning, Aiden stood motionless in front of his mirror, staring into his own tired eyes. His slightly shaggy hair fell in long, side-swept bangs, partially covering one eye. Today, he wore his usual outfit. A fitted black long-sleeve shirt, dark gray geometric patterns etched into the fabric like veins. Around his neck hung a chain with a bleeding heart pendant.

Over it, he pulled on a distressed leather jacket. His black slim-fit jeans had a few worn tears at the knees, and a thin chain swayed lightly from his belt loop, and his old scuffed black boots.

His bedroom around him was dim, shrouded in the soft shadows of the morning sunlight,

His hand rose and traced a faint scar just below his left eye. He noticed he gotten it from landing on a pieice of metal from Uzrudo. "I don't need adventure. I just want to feel like I'm doing something… worth remembering."

Aiden gaze hardened as he stared at his reflection, as though challenging the image of himself to offer something more than the same tired version of reality he'd been trudging through. It was the same thing every day, a cycle of nothingness that left him craving something.

He sighed, closing his eyes, and in that moment. He remembered the helper, he didn't know how or why it had come into his life, but its presence felt comforting…for now.

"What should I do?" His voice trembled."I-I don't want to k-keep living like this."

The Helper Crystal Pulsed.

"You must move forward, Aiden. For what your searching is not a destination, but a journey. This new opportunity is a chance for you to discover what truly matters. Do not fear the unknown. Embrace it, with my guidance, you will not walk this path alone. There is more for you, if only you have the courage to reach for it."

Aiden stood silently, the weight of the helper words settling. For the first time in a long while, he felt a spark something beyond the numbness that had been suffocating him. Maybe he didn't have to wander aimlessly through life. Maybe this was his chance to change things, to finally break free.

He exhaled slowly. Aiden nodded to himself.

"Alright," he whispered. his voice stronger this time. "I'll move forward."

Now that Aiden had his mind made up of how he wants his future to be he took all what he needed from his room, set put a secret hole where Maya can enter and leave he wasn't able to see her he left.

…

Aiden arrived at an old shop, the exterior worn with age yet still bustling with quiet activity. Hidden beneath was the base where Exodites gathered.

Descending the stairs, he found Kurt and Mira already waiting. Without hesitation, he explained his decision.

Kurt was ecstatic, his excitement evident as he grinned. Mira, on the other hand, remained indifferent, offering only a simple, "That's good."

Before Aiden could say anything else, Kurt clapped his hands together.

"First thing before you leave we need to talk about your abilities as a Spacelocker." His became slightly, more serious. "Since you're part of Mira's team, you won't always be fighting head-on. Your skill set is different reshaping terrain, opening temporary pathways, and creating hazards to control the battlefield. You'll need to outthink your opponents, using the environment creatively to gain the upper hand."

Aiden glanced down at his hands, recalling the sensation of using his abilities before."…I don't really know how to do that." he admitted.

Kurt waved off his concern. "Don't worry, it'll come to you in time. You'll feel it. And if you're struggling, Mira's there to help."

At that, Kurt shot a glance at Mira, who was conveniently looking away, uninterested.

Aiden simply nodded.

"Mira."

Hearing her name, Mira turned to Kurt, she was holding something. Without a word, she grabbed Aiden's wrist, slipping a device around it before he could react.

"What—?" Aiden tried to pull his hand away, but her grip was firm.

"This is a CAD," Kurt explained. "Something all Exodites should have."

"CAD?"

"Control and Assessment Device. It monitors your body, manages your connection to the System, and most importantly, helps regulate your abilities." Kurt elaborated.

The CAD was trully essential piece of equipment that acts as both a status monitor and a power regulator, tailored to each Exodites progression.

The CAD was lightweight, made of a metallic alloy infused with circuitry fragments that pulsed faintly with energy. A circular holographic interface flickered to life above the watch face, its silver band snugly to his wrist.

Aiden activated it, the display glowed black, completely empty. It seemed like it would only reveal more once he actually used his abilities.

"When you reach the Fixed Zone, you'll have to register as an Exodite. Otherwise, no one will believe you…and they might kill you on sight." Kurt warned.

Aiden already knew that wielding an Exodite's abilities was proof enough, but an official Exodite License was different. It was only granted to those who passed the Trial of Judgment, that it proved their status and gaining multiple benefits.

An Exodite License wasn't just a form of identification. It granted access to guarded information, allowing them to explore deeper into the System Phantom Dimension, uncover hidden zones, or seek answers about the System's true purpose.

A sudden voice cut through their conversation. "What's going on here?"

Aiden looked past Kurt's shoulder to see a man approaching. He recognized him immediately it was the one who had been with Mira in the Phantom Dimension.

Tall, broad-shouldered, lean and likely in his early thirties. His crystal sharp blue eye's, angular features give him a predatory yet refined look. His little ashen-gray hair, on his bald head.

He wore a sleek, black and gunmetal gray hybrid cloak-jacket. The shoulders and sleeves feature hexagonal plating. The cloak portion is split at the back.

Beneath his jacket, he has a dark armored bodysuit. His forearms are wrapped in sleek, reinforced gauntlets that extend just past his elbows. His pants are reinforced with fabric plating and subtle metallic threading.

Kurt's face lit up. "Riven! Perfect timing. You two should talk I need to discuss something with Mira."

Without waiting for a response, Kurt clapped a hand on Mira's shoulder and led her away, leaving Aiden standing face-to-face with Riven.

The man gave a slight smile as he approached. "I'm Riven." He held out a fist for a bump.

"Aiden."

Aiden stared at the outstretched fist but didn't return the gesture.

Riven chuckled, lowering his hand. "So, you're the Spacelocker… without an Exo?" He gave Aiden an appraising look. "I'm very surprised you managed to survive. That means you're either really lucky…" His grin widened. "Or really good at fighting."

Aiden just kept silent he was staring right at Mira and Kurt he saw how soft and easy he speaking is around her he even saw. He patted her head he knew that Kurt mention her muirple time in rhe past just didn't tell him, what she to him.

Aiden had heard Kurt mention Mira multiple times in the past but had never explained what she was to him.

Riven, noticing Aiden's distraction, followed his line of sight and smiled.

"Kurt's good with people, but Mira… she's not the open type." Riven said.

"But you can't say the same for me." His smile became a frown. "Whatever reason you joined this group, I hope you don't jeopardize us. I'm protective of Mira. I don't want to see this group fall apart… especially after what happened with the last Spacelocker."

Aiden met Riven's cold stare, a chill running down his spine. 'I wasn't planning on doing anything that would put others at risk…' he thought.

"Alright, Aiden, you'll be leaving with Mira and Riven." Kurt said.

Just when it seemed like that was all, Kurt suddenly grabbed Aiden's shoulder and pulled him aside, speaking in a low voice.

"Aiden… take care of her for me, alright? And she'll do the same for you… even if she won't say it."

Aiden nodded. "Of course. And… thanks for everything you've done for me all these years."

Kurt huffed smirking. "Try not to talk like you're marching to your death. As long as you work together, you'll survive."

With that, Aiden turned back to Mira and Riven, falling in step with them. As they reached the exit, Mira suddenly stopped and reached into her belt.

She pulled out her dagger she had previously lent him, pushing it forward.

"Take it."

Aiden shook his head. "I don't need it. It's yours you should keep it."

"You will need it," Mira said firmly. "And it's yours now. I got this from a special zone. It'll be useful to you."

Aiden started deeply at Mira her gazed was indifferent unhuman like. "Thank you. I won't lose it." He gripped the glowing dagger tightly and muttered. 'If that Trial of Judgment was just the beginning, I'm in for one hell of a journey.' He reflected.