Welcome Pilot

"RAgh, hah, hah, hah," I attempted to catch my breath, getting suddenly teleported from one place to another does things to an inexperienced and unready body.

[Pilot Detected: Requesting Identification]

Catching my breath, I was met with a notification in front of me. In fact, when I got my bearings, I noticed I was inside a cockpit. Evident of the joysticks on both sides, accompanied by several buttons on the dashboard.

Resisting the urge to touch things, I turned to the matter at hand. I see the pilot detected notification on screen in front of me, just above the dashboard.

"Azule Vulta," .I announced my name to my soon to be partner.

[Pilot Name Registered: Welcome Azule Vulta.]

[Assign AC Name and Callsign]

"Name and Callsign huh… AC Name: RealSteel. Callsign: Raven." I geeked out a little as I spoke out the callsign. Just before my death, Armored Core 6 came out and I played the shit out of that game. I remember freaking out on the true final boss. Not for its difficult battle but for its presentation. It was so freakin cool.

[Name Registered as RealSteel / Callsign: Raven]

[Welcome Pilot]

The screen changes from a solid white color to an image. Shockingly, all that I was met with was a stunning view of Earth. A bit of worry crosses over me as I have to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere. For one, the residents of Earth would know I'm here as I would be a burning spotlight in the sky and secondly, I don't know if my AC could withstand it. Speaking of which, in AC, Coral is used as fuel or a power source to power most of their energy weapons, much less the Armored Core itself. How is RealSteal being powered?

"Hey Steel, what's your power source?"

[The AC Is Currently Being Powered By You Pilot] [This AC Is An Extension Of You]

"Powered by me? As in my lifeforce?"

[This AC Taps Into Your Celestial Marker, Allowing for Extended Uses Close To Indefinite]

"Celestial Marker?"

"..."

"Could it be, when that thing said "My Child." It was referring to me being its actual child? That could explain the Celestial Marker my AC tells me that I have but- ARGH fuck that. I'm human, my parents raised me as human. That thing couldn't be my mother or father. If this Marker leads to me being something more as it already suggests, then so be it. That Just means I have some questions for my family… If I ever get to see them again, much less talk to them."

I sat there gathering my thoughts for a while. From getting killed by someone to meeting a god to reincarnating, I needed this break- this breather. I sat there looking at Earth for the longest time, thinking about what to do next. Taking over the world is too boring and playing as a mysterious hero sounds bland. It took me a bit but I've come to a conclusion: I'll use this world as a staging ground for strength and experience, then… I'll go exploring other worlds; I'll go on an adventure. Revenge and all that can come later, why not enjoy the road to it, right? Which begs the question…

"Can I kill another being?" I said with a bit of melancholy behind my voice, "That's a stupid question, I've killed insects before."

"..."

"But even so-"

My thoughts were cut as words popped in my vision. Compared to the ACs notification, this one was within my vision. Everywhere I looked in the cockpit, the message follows. Which leads me to believe that this is the sign-in bonus that I asked for.

|Welcome User.| |Would You Like To Sign-In|

"That's it? No tutorial- no introductions? Alright, that's fine by me. Yes I'd like to sign-in." I shrug my shoulders in response.

|Gained: Inventory| |Thank You For Logging In, Make Sure To Log In Tomorrow|

"Inventory? Ok but how does it- oh here"

As if something read my mind, a description of the ability popped in the corner of my eye.

|Inventory - It is what it is. It holds items of any matter, even live ones. To activate, just have the intent. Limitless storage.|

"Just have the intent huh? It'd be suicidal if I did that now considering I'm in space. This AC is the only thing between me and certain death… Although, I do have that Marker thingy."

I disregarded that last thought. Looking back at the screen I decided to just wing it. I could just stay here and wait for the next sign-in and hope that it's something that'll help my situation. But my sanity can't hold out for that long. What's not to say that the next one would be useless? Then I'd have to wait another 24 hours just to get another; plus food and water is a thing.

"Alright Steel, Let's hope you hold out."

Like second nature, I instinctively moved my hands to appropriately pilot my AC; it was to the extent that I even surprised myself. Then I heard it, the sound of my boosters, the rev of my generator. My blood was pumping when…

Bshzooom!

I was off. The surface became more detailed as I entered the Earth's atmosphere. I could feel the struggle my AC was in when it's engulfed by flames, no thanks to the Earth's gravitational pull increasing my already astonishing speed. The Gs came in full… It was thrilling. The Rush was real but I felt nothing but joy. It was then that I created resistance to the speed I currently possessed, attempting to slow down as a snow white surface became in immediate view. Thank goodness I did seeing how the AC stumbled and cracked on its knees under the pressure of its weight and speed it was going; and with the prompt crash landing, it was heavily damaged. Valves open up, letting out steam and pressure built up within the machine.

[AC Damage At 58%] [Initiating Self Repair Sequence]

[Please Standby]

"Hah, haha, HAHAHAHA!" I laughed paradoxically in relief. Glad that I made it, "Holy shit, I can't believe it. Me, a 13 year old kid, having to experience this at first hand. How in the world can a novel MC handle all this?"

I lean back on my seat, taking a deep breath… and then another.

"Phew, Hahaa. Hey Steel, know anything on where we are or the date?"

[Commencing Search…] [Data Insufficient]

"Haha right, you're not like Cortana level AI"

Well, seeing as there's snow outside, It's either winter or I'm up north.

[Repairs complete] [Frame: Green] [Weapons system: Green] [Internal Systems: Green]

I ready myself in response. I rise on my feet, the ground trembles with every step. Now standing, I check my surroundings. Nothing but glistening snow and mountains. Which makes me think I'm up north. Maybe Russia or Alaska… even Greenland.

[Two Signatures Detected, South of your location]

"Hostiles?"

[Negative]

I glance at my weapons systems: all showing full ammunition and raring to go.

"Let's pay them a visit," I said, a smirk apparent on my face.

My boosters churned into a full acceleration, propelling me south. It didn't take me long as I was going between Mach 2 and 3. I didn't have to stop either since the power source was me. With my, let's call it divinity, the machine was able to process and exude more EN than what the machine can express. Effectively giving me a reliable source of flight without landing constantly. Though that doesn't mean I can just stay flying forever if I wanted to. The AC is still effectively a machine and machines have their limits. It's like tuning a truck to gain more horsepower; tune it up too much without upgrading the internals then the metals snap under the pressure. So I had to land once in a while and let the AC cool down.

As I landed at the edge of the beach, I could detect faint sounds. Ranging from roars to weapon firing, I knew I was close and I was both excited and nervous. Sure I can pilot anything at a mythical level, but I as a person don't have the experience. My weaponry is also one to be questioned. They're designed to battle and fell other ACs. Compared to a Jaeger's plasma guns if I remember correctly, they don't really hold a candle. They may have the fire power but not the size. It'd be like sending infantry with M4s to deal with a Freebram. The Jaeger's are built to withstand beatings. From weaponry to their armor, especially their armor. That's got to be like what, a couple ft. thick? Another thing is their size, I don't even come up to their ankles. What am I thinking, It's not like I'm going against them. But just think, Jaeger's are meant to withstand Kaijus like I said, what's not to say the Kaijus are stronger and more durable. They may be flesh but don't underestimate alien tech that made these guys that are made to destroy humanity.

"My weapons aren't enough to get a killing blow, but that's fine. A cat's claw can do damage to a large being too."

I ascended in the black clouds, slicing through the rain and throttled forward. I'm met with a Jaeger, its fist raised high ready to deal a blow to a goblin shark looking kaiju. The Jaeger's chest glows, as if it's containing a small sun. Then, like thunder, the jaeger brought forth anguish upon the kaiju's head, bringing its fist down like a hammer, stirring up the waves as if answering Poseidon's wrath. The Kaiju gets stunned upon impact, its blade-like head sent back into the depth of the sea momentarily before rising again, its eyes radiating malice as it stares holes in the Jaeger's body. It roars in defiance and charges at the Jaeger, its maw ready to take a midnight metal snack.

"YES! The sound of its hydraulics, its gears, its satisfyingly clunky mech movements. God I'm such a freaking nerd," I fangirled inside the cockpit, getting all jittery as the Jaeger blasted the Kaiju with a plasma shot to its torso, "Right, I'm willing to bet that Marshal already knows I'm here. Well, it's about that time, I'll let them know I'm friendly with my actions."

[Threat Detected]

[Initiating Combat Mode]