Chapter 1 - The Awakening

Location - Fort Vanguard, Leo's Operation.
Time 7:00AM Year 20XX

Is been 10 years and all scientist has still progress Leo's body, all his part Real skin but inside made of High quality mechanical parts only left is chest have missing slot a diamond shaped

Director give nods on scientist lead, just then

The entrance has enter one elite scientist with 4 bodyguard caring one metal small carriage with there a briefcase. Once reach towards Leo the first guard walks to the briefcase open password code, with a second it's open and there a inside A manifest Diamond shaped glowing with electric....

The other side balcony
Lieutenant: "what is that thing...."

Director: is a core we called Astral Heart Core one our elite scientist have may research about that.. our humanoid like him this could work his rebirth...


As so the elite scientist with holding tool tong to grab easily and carefully and bring to Leo's missing slot and place it, his Leo's chest automatic slowly close like a door.

Computer system...
> Complete
> Complete
> Complete

Leo Ashford memory.... Complete
Begin in woke up in 5....4....3....2...1

As soon begin Leo Ashford is  woke up with stonic and emotionless

Elite Scientist:
"He’s awake… We have huge success!!"

The scientist's voice echoed through the room, his tone filled with a mix of awe and excitement. The atmosphere shifted, as every eye in the room turned to the now-awakened Leo Ashford. His body remained still, his eyes vacant and unblinking—yet there was an undeniable power in his presence.


Director (quietly, to himself):
"The Astral Heart Core… It’s working. He's alive."

The lead scientist approached Leo, cautiously observing the humanoid’s every movement.

Elite Scientist (to the Director):
"The core integration is complete. His body has fully accepted the upgrades, but the question remains… What about his mind? Will he remember who he was?"

Director:
"We’ll have to wait and see. The real test begins now."


Leo’s body twitched, as if fighting the effects of the mechanical transformation. Slowly, his chest rose and fell, as if breathing for the first time in years. Then—

Leo Ashford step forward and scanning around and see director, with a split second scan he start soldier stand and lift his right hand towards his head and salute

Leo Ashford (in a quiet, mechanical voice):
"Leo Ashford, first humanoid weapon fort Vanguard.... Your orders..."


The room fell silent, the weight of Leo's awakening settling in.
Director: well then let's go to chamber Leo to test we made for you...

Once in the chamber test will now start resilient test

Leo Ashford stood motionless in the center of the Fort Vanguard testing chamber. Cold metal walls surrounded him, lined with state-of-the-art monitoring systems and reinforced glass for observation. Scientists and military officials stood on the other side, watching in silence.

A robotic voice echoed throughout the chamber.

Computer System:
Initiating Humanoid Weapon Durability and Resistance Test...
Subject: Leo Ashford
Commencing in 3... 2... 1...

The Director, standing with his arms crossed, gave a sharp nod.

Director:
"Let’s begin the resilience tests. Subject will be exposed to extreme conditions to determine the limits of his new body."

The lead scientist pressed a button on the control panel. The first test was about to begin.

Test 1: Lava Pool Endurance
A section of the floor retracted, revealing a molten pool of superheated lava beneath. The intense heat filled the room, warping the air with its deadly temperature.

Lieutenant (watching from the balcony):
"Tch... That heat alone would burn a normal human to ash in seconds..."

Without hesitation, Leo stepped forward. His metal boots sank into the lava, causing it to bubble and ripple. His body did not react—no pain, no distress, no hesitation.

On the monitors, heat sensors skyrocketed, yet Leo’s internal systems remained stable.

Elite Scientist:
"Incredible... His outer synthetic skin isn’t melting. His internal core is regulating his temperature perfectly."

After several minutes, the Director raised his hand.

Director:
"Enough. Move on to the next test."

Test 2: Acid Resistance

The floor shifted again, and large mechanical pipes above Leo released a highly corrosive acid, designed to melt even the strongest military armor.

The acid splashed against Leo’s shoulders and back, hissing and sizzling upon contact. Yet, his body remained intact.

leo's mind System:
Outer layer damage: 0.08%
Self-repair system engaged... Restoring synthetic tissue.

Within seconds, his skin regenerated, erasing the slightest damage as if nothing had happened.

Elite Scientist:
"This regeneration speed... It’s beyond our expectations!"

Test 3: Liquid Nitrogen Freezing
The next chamber activated, spraying Leo with an intense blast of liquid nitrogen. The freezing mist engulfed his entire body, turning his synthetic skin icy blue.

Any normal soldier would have died instantly, but Leo remained standing. His core pulsed, radiating a faint electric glow. Suddenly—

CRACK!

The ice that had formed around his body shattered, breaking apart as Leo stepped forward. His systems automatically adjusted, regulating his temperature.

Lieutenant:
"...He just shrugged it off like it was nothing."

Director:
"He’s not just a weapon... He’s a masterpiece."

Final Test: High Voltage Electrocution

The last experiment began. Massive electrical rods descended from the ceiling, sparking with millions of volts of energy.

The room went dark for a brief second—

ZAAAAAAP!!!

A direct surge of electricity struck Leo, his entire body illuminated by blue currents. The ground cracked beneath him, sending sparks flying in every direction.

The force was enough to cripple a tank, yet—

Leo did not fall.
Instead, something unexpected happened. His core began absorbing the electricity, the energy coursing through his body like it was being converted into fuel.

The scientists gasped.
Elite Scientist:
"He’s... absorbing the energy?! That wasn’t supposed to happen!"

Leo’s glowing blue eyes flickered, his body humming with power. The electricity was not harming him—it was empowering him.

Leo look to his hand feels gaining more powers
Leo Ashford: Feels good.....

The Director's lips curled into a smirk.

Director:
"Interesting. It seems we’ve underestimated his true potential..."

Test Results: Success

As the power shut down, Leo stood tall, unaffected. The chamber doors opened, and the scientists gathered their notes, whispering among themselves in excitement.

Leo looked toward the Director and raised his hand in a sharp salute.
Leo Ashford:
"Test complete. Awaiting further orders."

The Director took a deep breath and turned to his subordinates.
Director:
"Prepare for combat simulation. We need to see how well he fights..."

A new test was about to begin.

Simulation Chamber – Fort Vanguard

Director (through comms):
“Begin combat simulation. We need to see what he’s capable of...”

The cold, mechanical voice echoed across the chamber. Leo stood alone in the center—unarmed, expression unreadable, glowing blue eyes locked forward.
With a screech, the simulation gates slammed open.
Metal claws scraped the floor.

A pack of six EXO-Failure Units staggered into view—skeletal machines, once humanoid, now twisted. Their red eyes burned with corrupted rage. Limbs bent unnaturally. Some twitched as sparks burst from open joints.

Elite Scientist (alarmed):
What!? Those aren’t standard drones—those are EXO-Failures!”

Technician (frantic):
> “Why are they even active?! Those units were scrapped after going berserk!”

**Simulation AI**:
> Threat Level: High
> Initiating Combat Override...

Leo Ashford’s HUD flickered alive. Targeting systems locked in—calculations flooded his mind in milliseconds.

Leo (calmly):
“...Hostile signatures confirmed. Engaging.”

Suddenly—
A screeching EXO launched forward like a rabid beast!
Leo sidestepped—barely an inch to spare—then planted his heel and rammed his elbow straight through its chest, piercing the core with brutal precision. Sparks exploded.

WHAM!

Another lunged from behind—Leo spun, grabbing its arm mid-strike.
He twisted once—SNAP—and tore the arm off, flipping it around and driving it straight into the bot’s head like a javelin.

Director (watching):
“...He’s reading their movements. Predicting attacks before they happen.”

The third EXO came with reckless fury, flailing wild blades. Leo crouched low, his sleek armor gliding smooth—then launched upward with a brutal uppercut, sending the machine flying. Mid-air, Leo’s right arm transformed—a barrel slid open.

Leo:
"Firing."

PEWWW ......... BOOM!
A precise blast from his cannon arm erased the airborne target in a flash of blue light.

Two EXOs circled him now, growling in static. They rushed together. A pincer move.
But Leo dashed—lightning-fast, blue streaks trailing behind him.

He slammed into the first with a shoulder bash that crushed metal. Before the second could react, he grabbed its legs and swung it like a weapon, crashing it into the wall with earth-shaking force.

Only one remained.

It roared—wires whipping like tendrils, lunging in a blind frenzy.
Leo stood still.
Then, at the last second—

FLASH STEP.
He vanished.

Reappeared behind the EXO.

WHIRRRRR-CHK.
His cannon arm transformed into a sharp blade attachment.

One clean slash.
The EXO’s red eyes dimmed. Its body fell, split clean.

Simulation AI:
> All hostiles eliminated.
> Combat Trial: Passed.

Smoke hissed from Leo’s cannon as he stood in the center of the ruined chamber, the remains of failure machines scattered around him like scrap.

Leo Ashford:
“Test complete. Awaiting next directive.”

At balcony, All employees watching whole scene shocked with awe after their efforts made one successful. and they start clap and cheering each other

**Director** (quietly):
“...He’s not just a success. He’s evolution.”

After simulation 
Location -Fort Vanguard, Recovery pods
Time: 5:30 PM

The hum of machines faded into the background as Lieutenant Reynard stood silently before the recovery chamber. Leo’s body floated within—suspended in glowing blue fluid, wires and tubes linked to his mechanical core. His eyes were closed, but something about him looked… distant. Cold.

A hero, now entombed in steel.

The scientists behind him murmured excitedly, displaying performance stats, power levels, and core synchronization charts. But Reynard wasn’t listening. His gaze remained locked on Leo’s still figure.

His hand clenched unconsciously at his side.

Ten Years Ago – Final Warfront

Smoke painted the skies black as the enemy airship rumbled above the battlefield. The ground below was littered with fallen soldiers. Fire crackled in the distance.

Leo Ashford—only sixteen, but already a specialist—was scaling the side of the airship, explosives strapped to his chest. Lieutenant Reynard followed close behind.

Leo Ashford (gritting his teeth):
“Almost there, sir! The ship’s weak spot is just ahead!”

The airship’s metallic hull groaned under pressure as they reached the control hub.

Leo Ashford:
 “I'll plant the C4 and disable the engine. We can't let them escape!”

But just as he reached into the panel, the ship trembled. The automatic door slammed shut—catching Leo’s arm in place.

Leo:

“Ughk—! Damn it! My arm’s stuck! Lieutenant! Help me out!”

Reynard rushed forward, trying to pry the door open, fingers slipping on the hot metal.

Reynard:
“Hold on! I’ve got you!”


But the ship began to rise. Time was running out.
Leo looked at him—calm, despite everything.

Leo (softly):
“Sir… they're about to get away. This is the only way...”



Reynard:
“What are you saying?! There’s still time!”



Leo (smiling faintly):
“There’s no time Lieutenant...  And I have no regrets...”

With sudden force, Leo kicked Reynard out of the hatch, sending him flying to the ground below.

Reynard (screaming):
“LEO—!!”


And then—
BOOM!

The enemy airship exploded mid-air in a spectacular blaze of red and orange. The battlefield lit up like daylight. And then silence.

Leo was gone.


That Day  of Funeral

It rained. Lightly. As if the world mourned in silence.
A silver coffin rested on the ceremonial platform. Flags folded neatly beside it. Soldiers lined up to salute one by one. But Reynard didn’t move.
He just stood, staring at the coffin.

Until someone approached—a man in a sleek black suit with silver lining. A pin gleamed on his collar: a triangle with glowing circuitry.

Director Kris La Doven.
He stepped beside Reynard and handed him a black card.

Director:
“Fort Vanguard. We specialize in second chances. And Specialist Ashford… had potential we can't waste.”


Reynard looked at the card.

Director (softly):
“We can bring him back. Not as he was… but stronger. Better.”


Reynard didn’t answer. He didn’t salute. He simply stared at the coffin... and took the card.

Present Day – Fort Vanguard

Reynard blinked, the memory fading like smoke. His hand slowly lifted to his coat pocket, fingers brushing over the worn edges of that same card. Inside the recovery chamber, Leo remained motionless. A breathing machine pulsed. The chamber lights cast shadows over his mechanical frame.

Reynard (whispering):
“…Did I make the right choice?”
“Was it mercy… or selfishness?”
“Are you still in there, Leo?”

The hum of the chamber continued. Silent. Cold.

Location: Fort Vanguard – Director’s Office

The chamber lights dimmed behind them as the scientists dispersed. Leo remained in the recovery pod, suspended in silence.

The Lieutenant stood by the window, arms folded, watching the artificial sky shift above the massive Fort Vanguard dome. The Director poured two cups of dark coffee from a sleek chrome machine.

Director (calmly):
“You’ve been staring at him for hours, Lieutenant.”

The Lieutenant didn’t answer. He simply exhaled a sigh.

Director (offering a cup):
“Still doubting your decision?”

The Lieutenant finally took the cup, eyes never leaving the view.

Lieutenant:
“He looks like Leo… Talks like Leo… But is that really him inside that machine?”

Director (sitting across the table):
“That ‘machine’ saved all of our lives in today’s test. In fact, he performed beyond expectations. Minimal system stress. Impeccable targeting. No hesitation.”



Lieutenant (quietly):
“No hesitation… That’s exactly what scares me.”

A long silence followed.

Lieutenant:
"When he was human, Leo made that decision himself. He sacrificed everything, knowing the cost. But now… we chose for him. He didn’t get a say in this second life.”

Director (raising an eyebrow):
“Would you rather he stayed dead? Buried in some forgotten grave while the world burns again?”

Lieutenant (sharply):
"That’s not the point."

He stood and turned toward the Director, fire in his eyes.

Lieutenant: “Leo was more than a weapon. He was a person. And now he’s reduced to a tool—another asset in your high-tech vault.”


Director (nonchalant):
“You gave me the permission. Don’t forget that."

Lieutenant:
“I haven’t.”

Director:
" you had inside pocket our card lieutenant.."

The room fell silent again. The only sound was the gentle hum of the air filtration system.

Director (leaning forward):
“Look, I understand your guilt. I really do. But let me ask you something, Lieutenant… If Leo was still alive in his old body, and we told him the world was under threat again… would he have refused to fight?”


The Lieutenant’s hands clenched around the coffee cup.
He didn’t answer. Because he knew the truth.

Director (standing):
“This isn’t just about bringing him back. It’s about giving humanity a chance to survive what’s coming.
And whether you like it or not… Leo Ashford might be our last hope.”

Back in the recovery chamber...
Leo’s fingers twitched.
Faint static sparked across the neural core in his chest.
His blue eyes opened—dimly glowing in the dark.

Something deep inside… was stirring.

 Suddenly all facility the alarms howled. Lights sputtered as the air warped violently—an unknown portal now hovered in front of Leo Ashford’s recovery pod.

AI COMPUTER:
"WARNING UNKNOWN PORTAL FROM LEO ASHFORD'S CHAMBER EVACUATED IMMEDIATELY"

All employees start panicking and they some few members has evacuate
Scientist: W-What is that!?
Technician: Let's get out here everyone!!

Leo's stasis pod, still housing his resting body, began to shift and slide across the floor, slowly being pulled toward the anomaly.

Director (furious):
“Engage the chamber locks! We’re losing him!”


Scientist:
“It’s not working! The portal is overriding everything!”

Suddenly, a loud crash echoed as the Lieutenant leaped from the upper level, landing hard on the floor below. He didn’t hesitate—he sprinted toward Leo’s pod.

Director (shouting):
“Lieutenant! Don’t be reckless—get back!”

But the Lieutenant wasn’t listening. His mind was racing with memories.

Flashback... years ago
A younger Leo, just freshly promoted to Specialist rank, saluted him with an awkward grin.

Leo (smiling):
“Sir, I won’t let you down. Not today.”


Back in the Present—
The Lieutenant grabbed onto the edge of the sliding pod, trying to stop it from being pulled in. The force of the portal whipped his coat around, his boots scraping on the floor.

Lieutenant (gritting his teeth):
“You were just a damn kid back then…”

Another memory flooded in. Flashback
Leo, bruised and bloodied, dragging an injured comrade to safety.

Lieutenant (then):
“You were supposed to fall back!”


Leo (breathing hard):
“I couldn't leave him behind, sir... just like you didn’t leave me.”

Present—
The Lieutenant chuckled bitterly through clenched teeth.

Lieutenant (softly):
“You were always like that. Brave. Selfless. Too good for war…”


He looked down at Leo’s unconscious face inside the pod, eyes shimmering with guilt.

Lieutenant:
"I was the one who let you go... back on that damn airship. You said you had no regrets, but I do.. ,Leo. Every damn day after that. Watching you sacrifice everything… and all I did was stand there.”

Tears welled in his eyes, unseen by the others. The portal crackled louder—time was running out.

Lieutenant (resolute):
“You died as a hero. They brought you back as a weapon... but maybe—just maybe—this portal isn’t the end.”

Director's voice on the back shouting at Lieutenant 
Director: RAYNARD DON'T YOU DARE!!

But he didn't listen instead focusing on leo, He placed a firm hand on the pod.

Lieutenant:
“Maybe it's your second chance… to live. To be free.”


He stepped back, breathing heavily, and with one final push—
He let go.

Lieutenant: "Leo your not Weapon! You hear me specialist there plenty world you have to go where you want! you  better remember this voice that an order YOU ARE LEO ASHFORD!!"

The portal swallowed Leo and the pod, and in an instant—
 and They vanished.

The noise died. Silence returned to the chamber.

Director (quietly):
“you foolishness......"

The Lieutenant stood motionless, staring at the spot where Leo had disappeared.

Lieutenant (whispering):
“Live well, kid... wherever you are.” 

Inside of Portal's background huge vortex with blue and dark cloud circle around while Leo on pod still recovery and then... 

Leo memory system: 
Deleting Fort Vanguard..... Erased Replace To... 
Leo: "Leo Ashford...."

THE END OF CHAPTER 1