Gauntlet

Chapter 2

Year 3020 – Beyond the Gauntlet Era

In the year 3020, the world had evolved far beyond the limits of robotics. Gauntlets—once a tool for convenience—had become an essential part of everyday life in the sprawling cities. With just a flick of the wrist, a person could summon fire, command water, or harness unimaginable strength. But while the cities thrived on this advanced technology, the countryside preferred a simpler way of life. Yet even in these quieter corners, the gauntlet's influence remained, though used in more practical, subtle ways.

One such place was Meliodas, a stronghold village that felt like a relic from a different time. Nestled among forests and fields, it was a hub for traders, adventurers, and those seeking refuge from the city’s gleaming towers. But it was also home to Professor Robert, the brilliant mind behind the original Gauntlet program. He had moved here with his wife, Rosa, and their daughter Allyza, to leave behind the pressures of his past life in Avilion, the technological capital of the world. Or so he thought.

A Curious Mind

"Allyza, get down here and do your chores!" Rosa’s voice echoed through their home, her frustration evident. She was a tall woman with long scarlet hair that seemed to burn under the sun, and her patience was running thin.

Upstairs, 14-year-old Allyza, small and pale with white hair inherited from her father, was too absorbed in her work to hear her mother’s calls. Her gauntlet, a personalized version built by her father, lay on the table in front of her, wires and pieces scattered around. She was fine-tuning her latest upgrade—camouflage.

"Perfect," she whispered to herself as she tapped the center of the gauntlet. Slowly, it pixelated and faded from view. With a flick of her wrist, it reappeared.

Her mother’s voice finally broke through her thoughts as her music faded between songs. Allyza sighed, pulled off her headphones, and peered out her door. "Yes, Mom?"

Rosa didn’t need to say a word. Her stern look pointed toward the kitchen. Allyza knew exactly what it meant.

Grabbing her gauntlet, she slid it onto her right hand before racing down the stairs. As she passed her mother, she muttered a quick “sorry” and darted into the kitchen to take out the trash. Once outside, she noticed something odd—a blinking light coming from her father’s workshop. Curiosity piqued, she adjusted her gauntlet and activated the camouflage feature. In seconds, her body shimmered out of view.

Into the Lab

Sneaking like the ninjas she had seen in old films, Allyza crept toward the shed, careful not to make a sound. Her father, Professor Robert, was bent over a holographic screen, tinkering with the design of a gauntlet.

Her eyes widened at the sight. The gauntlet he was working on was unlike any she had ever seen—sleeker, less bulky, and somehow more... alive.

“Like what you see, Allyza?” her father’s voice startled her, though he didn’t even turn around.

“How did you know I was here?” Allyza asked, stunned.

Her father smiled and lifted his left hand, revealing a radar screen on his own gauntlet. “Impressive as your camouflage is, my gauntlet has a perimeter scan. I’ve been aware of you the whole time.”

Allyza pouted. “I thought I’d perfected it this time.”

Professor Robert finally turned to her, a grin on his face. “You’re getting closer. But there’s always room for improvement.”

He motioned for her to sit beside him, and she eagerly joined him. “Do you know what this is?” he asked, gesturing to the holographic image of the new gauntlet.

Allyza squinted, examining the design. “It’s a gauntlet, but... it’s smaller. Lighter than the ones we use. It almost looks like a cast.”

Her father nodded. “This is the future. Instead of constantly building new powers, new abilities, I thought—what if we create a gauntlet that never needs to be removed? It becomes a part of you, forever.”

Allyza blinked, trying to wrap her head around the concept. “You mean... a gauntlet we never take off? Like, ever?”

Her father stood, lost in thought, staring into the distance. “Yes. The next step in evolution, where man and machine are one.”

Allyza tugged on his shirt, pulling him back to reality. “But I thought you left all this behind when we moved from Avilion. You said you were done with the Gauntlet Program.”

“I did,” he replied, smiling down at her. “But the idea still fascinates me. You can take the scientist out of the lab, but you can’t take the lab out of the scientist.”

He lifted her up, spinning her around in the air, and she laughed as he placed her back down gently.

“But for now,” he said with a grin, “you should head back inside and help your mother. Don’t let her catch you using your gauntlet, alright? You’re the only 14-year-old with one, and I built it specifically for you. You need to be careful.”

“I know, Dad. You’ve told me a million times,” Allyza said, rolling her eyes playfully. “I’m careful.”

Nickolai ruffled her hair, laughing. “Just don’t forget to keep dreaming, alright?”

She grinned, fixing her hair as she dashed back toward the house. Before she left, her father turned back to his work, his voice low as he activated his gauntlet.

“Yes, Mr. Nakamura, I’m still here. The prototype is almost ready.”