Master of Myths

The flames of the person sitting on the throne continued to flicker, as if to match his brooding mood, until they finally settled down and he spoke once more

"How do you know all this"

He questioned, something YuJu found himself being asked way too many times these days

"I know many things I shouldn't, but that is not important, for my solution to your problem is most important"

"If by that you mean the alliance then I see no great benefit, even if you guard this place for us it would not extend our life by much longer, especially if you expect us to fight in your stead at some point"

"I wouldn't have you stay here, in fact you must leave this empty fortress all together and come join us instead"

The one on the throne was not following his logic, so he explained more

"Leading this alliance is the human race, my race, one never before seen on the vast expanse of the Infidome, one carrying many secrets, and the race your people shall benefit from the most"

"How so?"

"Rather than explaining it in words lets me show you exactly what we are capable of"

Turning toward the armors lining up the room his eyes gave off a represent light, scanning each and every one of them until his gaze settled on one certain armor, carrying with it a chakram boosting a curved grip in the middle of the circular blade, the armor itself seemed more unique than the weapon, tinted with white overall as a shining black snaked through its joints

"That one, call for it to awaken"

Looking toward the one YuJu pointed at the crowned one gave the matter a few seconds of thought before calling out the name of said armor

"Aapekshaa, open your eyes"

Following his command the armor seemed to come to life as a deep blue flame welled from within, filling it with vigor before it stepped forward and faced the throned one, kneeling down in await of his command

"Now what?"

"Simple, have my servant wear it"

Soon as his words landed a horrible pressure encompassed the place, all the armors yet to lose their life awakened by it as they shot out with colorful flames of their own, hoisting their weapons toward YuJu in readiness for battle

"Come now, don't be so quick to judge"

"Speak no more, leave my land or face my wrath"

The person seemed adamant on not accepting any more explanations from him, taking great offense to those words

"This is why your race, despite its powerful beginnings, remained stagnant thereafter, so repudiating to change, even as an opportunity to once more rise comes to your door you shun it before it can show its value"

"You think I would allow you to humiliate and kill one of my own for an experiment!?"

"Not an experiment, I am sure of the result, otherwise would I come into your modest and spout such words?"

"....Wearing a living armor means the armor must die, even if you truly have a solution what good would it do if it costs our lives"

"That is where the miracle of our race comes in, you see unlike other races that must kill yours to suit up the armor we only need form a bond, one that allows the living armor to live through us as an armament"

Shocking words came out of this human before him, the crowned person, or living armor as it turns out, couldn't help but take many minutes to sort this simple yet unbelievable piece of information

"And what say your words are truthful?"

"If your servant dies then all you must do is kill me in retaliation, the way I see it the armor doesn't have much to live anyway"

"....."

There was much at stake here, but really there was not if one really thought about it, the dwindling life of one of his royal guards for the chance at salvation? The only thing that seemed to bar his choice was the dignity of their race, being the tools of another

"If your words are true stranger then even though it does not line with our morals we shall join your alliance, but if all you spout is lies…"

There was no need to continue as the meaning was clear, just the weapons pointed at him were more than enough to portray the threat

"Subrina, go forth and touch that armor "

"Yes Master"

Following his instructions she walked toward the kneeling armor, Aapekshaa, who had stood up and faced her, placing her hand on the cold breastplate

"Now the both of you must sync your energy, and remember, let there be no resistance between your thoughts or it shall fail"

Subrina closed her eyes and did as commanded while Aapekshaa turned to look at the crowned living armor who nodded, before she as well sunk into a serene state of mind

The place went quiet as all the living armors looked on breathlessly, waiting for said miracle to happen

And they were not disappointed, a magnificent scene occurred before their eyes, the deep blue flames of Aapekshaa seeped out of her, twirling around Subrina's arms, chest, waist and all her body before the armor itself started to vibrant incessantly, then piece by piece they detached, welding onto Subrina's body as they formed another shape under the vibrant flame's effect

Instead of the battle hardened armor from before a new one emerged, tight fitted to suit the female figure, the breastplate extending down to form an iron skirt while the helmet was forgone as a metal hope with frills overtook it, completing the maid look that Subrina embodied

The flames died out when the transformation finished, signifying success

"Aapekshaa, are you still there"

In response to the question of the crowned one the armor shone in its signature blue before turning to light and converging to Subrina's ear, a black and blue ear hoop appearing from which echoed a voice

"Yes"

"What changes do you feel"

"A few restrictions binding me to this human, as well as an abundant amount of vitality coursing through me"

The crowned one did not comment but his flaring flames said it all

"Do we have a deal?"

"I would be a fool of a king if I were to say no, give word and we shall move out to your land"

All the guards lowered their weapons, a sense of hope bubbling inside each of them at the prospect of once more living their lives, unafraid of draining themselves to death, and most importantly join the tides of war once more!

And so the living armors of High Fageroth joined the would be alliance, a joyous occasion no doubt, one YuJu was bound to ruin with his surprising addition of words

"That settles the alliance issue, moving on to my next proposition, I would like you to serve as one of my houses servants"

The statement had the guard raise their weapons in rage once more, yet the king himself put a hand up to stop them

"You really have a way with angering others stranger"

"The name is YuJu, and yes I suppose that's a trait of mine"

"Well then, YuJu, let me make something clear, we might serve as your weapons, as your shields, but we are not mere tools, beware how to treat us for what remains of our dignity matters more than our life"

"What I put forth is an offer, where I bestow upon you a much bigger chance for power than one where you become an armament, for if you become my servant I could use skills available only to the human race's exclusive class, enabling me to use this gem as fuel to evolve you"

Pulling out the ever useful burial gem he showed off its baleful aura of death

"I seek power to lead my people, not to strengthen myself"

"That is even more so of a reason to join me, I lead the human race, and you lead the armaments of my race as my servant, if you don't have authority in my race through me your own would be hard to manage as they serve others you hold no power over"

The king found his words very annoying indeed, but somewhat reasonable

"Furthermore, to lead you must have the necessary power, so what say you?"

"....Haah…"

The sigh was more than enough for a smile to dawn YuJu's face, that was the sigh of a person who gave up the struggle