Oswald’s grin widened. “Whoever gets the least kills between the three of us buys the other two dinner.”

  “You are serious?” he asked.

  “Absolutely,” I said. “Are you interested?”

  “Sure.” He shook his head. “I can’t believe I’m wagering with a couple teenagers.”

  “I think you’ll be surprised.” I chuckled. “And a few coins lighter.”

  He laughed. “Well, here they come.” He drew his sword, and Oswald drew his dagger. Around us, the Dwarves pulled out their weapons. Some wielded hammers, others swords, and some even wielded shovels. I looked out at the raging sandstorm silhouetting the oncoming raiders. This would be an interesting fight.

  The armored man glimmered for a moment before surging forward with amazing speed. He met the first blade with his own, then spun, and took the raider’s head clean off his shoulders. The body dropped to the sand as two more charged. I fired a blast of fire at one of them as he sliced it in half, blade trailing red lightning.

  “He’s good!” Oswald yelled over the storm. He cast Bone Armor and sent the shards tearing through bodies. I lost track of him after that. The armored man seemed to have things under control. Behind me, the Dwarves were engaged in one-on-one fights. Three raiders were running straight for the door, unchallenged. I willed bloodmist around me and focused the power on my muscles. I caught up to the raiders before they reached the gate.

  With my increased speed and strength, I grabbed one of the raiders by the arm and swung him like a rug into the other two. The screams died as soon as they collided like so much meat discarded in the sand. The Dwarf nearest me tripped on a raider’s leg and went down. The one he was fighting took advantage and moved to slash his throat while he was down. I slammed into him with my shoulder, and we both went down. He managed to roll and land on top. Just before he stabbed me, a pitchfork exploded through his chest. The raider was tossed aside like garbage.

  “Now we’re even,” said the Dwarf as he helped me up.

  “Much obliged,” I said.

  He nodded to me and ran off to help another defender. I pulled up my own bone shield and sent the shards zipping through two more raiders. Someone slammed into me from behind. I spun as I fell, barely missing the raider’s blade. I blasted him square in his chest, ripping a gaping hole straight through him. I stood and looked around.

  “Looks like that’s the last of ’em,” said one of the Dwarves. “Off tae the tavern!”

  Cheers erupted all around us. We followed the procession of Dwarven defenders back through the gates.

  “So, what’s the tally?” asked the armored man as he cleaned the sword off.

  Oswald smiled cheerfully as we entered the tavern. “I got me five.”

  The armored man turned to me. “And you?”

  I blushed. “Seven.”

  “Wow. I only got four.” He grinned. “Well, a deal is a deal.” His grin widened. “You two are pretty good,” he said as he approached us. “The name’s Ulrich.” He held out his hand, and we traded grips.

  “You’re not so bad yourself. You handle a blade pretty well.” My jaw dropped. “Wait, did you say Ulrich? From Glenarm?”

  Ulrich’s eyebrows shot up. “You know of me?”

  “Hell yes, we do!” I exclaimed. “We’re from Glenarm as well. The Sword Bearer and Captain Ashford, hells, half the country, have been looking for you for months!”

  “Yes, well…” He frowned. “Things have been a bit—complicated.” His frown deepened as he thought back to whatever his recent past held.

  “No kidding,” said Oswald. “How’d you end up all the way down here of all places?”

  Ulrich chuckled. “That is quite the long story.”

  I laughed and gestured at the looming sandstorm in the distance. “Plenty of time. How ’bout you tell us over the meal that you promised?”

  He nodded. “Agreed.”

  We spent the next several hours trading stories of how we had all come to meet in such a remote location. After our meals, we retired to our rooms and agreed to discuss further plans in the morning. We were lulled to sleep by the moans of the sandstorm raging outside.

  Ulrich had introduced us to Katrina as we came down for breakfast. She joined us at our table while we discussed our plans. I drained my glass of nonalcoholic cactus juice and wolfed down my eggs and sausage.

  Ulrich told Oswald and I about the quest to grab the power crystals. “What do you guys think? One hundred silver pieces each sounds pretty good to me. Do you guys want to team up?

  “Sure,” I said. “That would be most beneficial to all of us.”

  Oswald nodded. “Absolutely.”

  Ulrich turned to Katrina. “Thoughts?”

  “The boat doesn’t leave for another week,” she said. “This sounds like a worthwhile opportunity.”

  “Then you will await us while we complete the tasks?” asked Cristof.

  “If you agree to give me first rights to purchase your spoils—same deal I gave Ulrich, then yes.”

  Ulrich looked at us and arched an eyebrow. We both nodded. Katrina and I traded grips.

  I grinned. “An accord has been made. We will head out at once.” I turned to Ulrich. “If you’re ready, that is.”

  Ulrich nodded. “I have nothing else planned today. I’m ready to go now.”

  “Perfect,” said Katrina. “I look forward to seeing what you all bring back.”

  The desert air was cold and crisp. The sun was just barely starting to peek over the horizon, and Junktown was already nearly an hour behind us. In the distance ahead of us, a stone pillar loomed.

  “That must be what we’re looking for,” said Oswald.

  Ulrich nodded. “It does match the description given to me by the barkeep.”

  I pointed at the black shapes in the distance. “Oswald, do those look like flying machines to you?”

  “I’ve never seen such a thing,” said Ulrich.

  “We have,” I said. “Some of the Sword Bearer’s friends arrived on one of these.”

  “Really loud,” said Oswald. He peered as far as he could. “Yeah. I’m counting eight—no, nine. They look like they’re in bad shape though.”

  “It doesn’t matter.” I shrugged. “We’d need a Dwarf to fly one anyhow.”

  Ulrich shook his head. “I find it hard to believe that these things actually fly, let alone that you have seen one that worked.”

  Oswald laughed. “Our friends Thasgrin and Kronek are really good with Dwarven machines.”

  “Thasgrin?” asked Ulrich. “The Dwarven prince?”

  “That’s the one,” I said. “Although he’s pretty uppity about people bringing up his royal heritage.”

  Ulrich laughed. “I can sympathize with him.”

  “Must be a royal thing,” said Oswald. He stopped and turned to Ulrich. “My apologies, we meant no disrespect. Should we be calling you prince or sir or anything like that?”

  He shook his head. “Absolutely not. I think I’ve decided that only my enemies will address me by my given title. Otherwise, I’m just plain Ulrich.”

  I laughed. “You and Thasgrin will get along just fine.”

  Ulrich arched an eyebrow. “Said the same thing?”

  “Nearly word for word,” I said.

  “I’m jus’ plain ol’ Thasgrin,” said Oswald in a good approximation of the Dwarven prince. “An’ dinnae ye be forgettin’ it.”

  Ulrich and I laughed. Ulrich grinned. “Now I see what you mean.”

  We chatted while we headed toward the tower. It seemed even bigger than we had originally thought. It loomed over us like a foreboding mountain. At the base of the tower was a suit of enormous armor. It towered over us by at least twice my height; it was positioned so that it blocked the door to the tower with its body. Instead of hands, it bore a shield as big as me at the end of one arm and an axe, equally as large, on the other.

  “That’s a big suit of armor,” I said. I’d hate to meet whoever was inside.”

  “I don’t think anyone is inside,” said Ulrich. “I’ve heard of these things in legends and tales as a child. Supposedly, they’re essentially living machines.”

  I frowned. “It seems pretty unliving to me. How are we going to move it? That thing must weigh more than ten laden wagons.”

  “Let’s look for something to use as a lever. We might be able to pry it out of the way,” said Ulrich.

  We spent the next twenty minutes looking for anything long enough but found nothing.

  “What about this?” asked Oswald.

  “Too flexible,” I said.

  “No, not to pry it,” said Oswald. “The shape on the metal pipe looks to be the same as on the back of the armor.”

  I shrugged. “Let’s put them together and see what happens?”

  Ulrich chuckled. “What if you wake it up?”

  “That’s kind of what I’m hoping,” said Oswald. “We have no idea what’s in this place. Maybe one of its guardians could tell us.”

  “Or try to kill us,” said Ulrich. “I suppose there’s only one way to find out.”

  I nodded. “It’s settled then.” I helped Oswald connect the metal tube to the back of the armor. After a few moments of waiting, I could hear a low hum coming from the armor. Twin specks of dim white glowing light started to shine from the slot I assumed was his eyes.

  “Aegis 03 system reactivation confirmed.” He looked down at us. “Thank you for restoring the main power connection.” Both his axe and shield melted and changed to the shape of hands.

  “Aegis?” I asked. “Is that your name?”

  The armor nodded. “That is correct. I am Aegis 03.” He looked around. “What is the status of the citadel and my clan?”

  “I don’t know,” I said. “This place has been abandoned for generations.”

  “Error,” said Aegis. “Does not compute. We were defending the citadel from invaders several hours ago.”

  “No,” said Ulrich. “The Dwarves that lived here abandoned the citadel several hundred years ago. They fled to the desert and built a town there. We were sent by their descendants to retrieve an energy crystal that their village’s power might be prolonged.”

  “I…see…” Aegis pulled the lower half of his body from the sand. He looked up at the tower then around. “Scan completed. No clan members detected. Citadel in standby mode.” He turned to us. “I will help you retrieve the energy matrix crystal. Please follow me.” He disconnected the metal pipe from his back and dropped it in the sand. Aegis turned to the door, and it slid open as he approached.

  “Are there more crystals?” asked Oswald.

  “No,” said Aegis. “This is the last remaining unit. Only a creator could forge a new one. Since they have apparently long since perished, no new crystals are available. Once this one is removed, the citadel will shut down forever.”

  He led us through several corridors. Unseen lights in the ceiling came on as we walked. After several turns and many junctions, we came to a large room. A console took up most ofthe space in the middle of the room. On the screen, letters in ancient Dwarven slowly flashed by.

  Aegis reached into the console. We watched in awe as his hand melted into the machine and became one with it. “We are no longer legion. Designation Aegis 03 no longer appropriate. New designation required.” He stared at the console for several moments. “As the last of my clan, I will assign myself the designation of Zero.” Symbols in ancient Dwarven flashed all over the screen.

  “What’s happening?” I asked. “Did he just rename himself?”

  “I think so?” Oswald shrugged. “I’ve no clue, to be honest.”

  “Don’t look at me,” said Ulrich. “I’m even more lost than you are.”

  “Worry not, friends,” said Zero. “I am downloading the remaining knowledge of my clan. Please stand by.” Several minutes went by until he pulled his arm from the console. “Download complete. Listing edicts. Primary objective. Protect the clan. Secondary objective. Preserve life. Tertiary objective. Preserve self. Edicts no longer applicable. Edicts deleted. Sentience and free will confirmed. New primary objective. I will create my own purpose.” He turned from the console. “The energy matrix crystal is yours. We can leave at your convenience.”

  “Wait, what just happened?” asked Ulrich.

  Zero turned to him. “Put simply, I have removed my shackles and limitations. I have been reborn. I am free.”

  “Wow,” said Ulrich. “I would never have dreamed that this was possible.”

  Zero shrugged. It looked awkward with his shoulder plating, but he made it look convincing. “Many things are possible when mixing magic and technology. My body is a machine, and my soul is ethereal magic. This is quite similar to your own construction.”

  Ulrich nodded. “That…that actually makes sense.”

  “Well,” I said, holding out my hand, “happy birthday, Zero.”

  “I—I do not know how to respond. I have never had a birthday before.”

  I grinned. “Thank you works or say nothing at all. Either is appropriate.”

  “I thank you for your acceptance.” He reached out and carefully traded grips with me. I had no doubt he would tear my arm clean off if he were not careful.

  “So, what now?” asked Oswald.

  Zero thought about that for a moment. “Well, seeing as how I no longer have a purpose here, perhaps it is time to discover what lies beyond the citadel walls.” He turned to me. “Would the three of you mind terribly if I joined you on your journey?”

  “Fine by me,” I said.

  “The company is welcome,” said Oswald.

  Zero turned to Ulrich. “And you?”

  Ulrich nodded. “I can’t say that I’m not intrigued by you. There may be much we can teach each other.” He grinned. “I would welcome your company as well.”

  “Thank you,” said Zero. “This makes me happy.”

  I pulled the crystal out of the machine. All the lights went outm and the noises slowed until they stopped. I frowned. “So, if this is the last crystal, what happens when it runs out?” Light from Zero’s head flooded the room.

  Ulrich shook his head. “From what the barkeep was saying, it should last them about five years. They’re hoping to figure out a way to fix them, but so far, they haven’t.”

  Zero nodded. “Once it is depleted, it will mean the end of their way of life.”

  “So, this is only temporary?” Oswald frowned. “There has to be a way to replenish it.”

  “Might I offer a suggestion?” asked Zero.

  “Please,” said Ulrich.

  Zero reached for the crystal. I gave it to him.

  “The power needs of the villagers are negligible in comparison to the citadel.” Zero reinserted the crystal into the machine. “If we make the necessary equipment, the villagers can recharge the energy matrix with the power of the sun.” He pressed several buttons on the console’s controls. He whistled the whole time he worked. “There.” In the distance, a heavy hum vibrated the room.

  “What’s happening?” asked Oswald.

  “The citadel’s fabrication unit is constructing several solar energy harvesters. They are smaller versions of the ones mounted to the top of the citadel.” He stepped away from the console and began to head toward the noise. “With this equipment, we can harness the power of the sun to replenish the energy matrix crystal.”

  Oswald and Ulrich looked to me. I shrugged. We followed Zero to the machine. I watched as a brilliant beam of light moved back and forth on its own easily slicing a slab of steel with remarkable precision. The beam made a grid pattern across the recess. Molten copper began to pour from a spout into the grid’s channels. When it cooled, glass poured into the recesses, covering the copper. A blast of cold air hissed out as the clear door opened.

  Zero reached in and pulled several large panels out of the machine. Each was quite large, and they all matched each other perfectly. The panel was made of some sort of metal, definitely not steel. The glass covered a black material with perfectly parallel traces of copper. The moment Zero pulled them out of the fabricator, the door closed, and it whirred to life once again.

  “What’s it making now?” I asked.

  “An addition for myself,” said Zero. “Without the crystal, I have no way of replenishing my own energy matrix. I would die within days.” The whirring stopped. Zero pulled out a…backpack? “Perfection.” He pulled the pack out of the fabricator and placed it on his back. The strange pack beeped, and tiny lights blinked.

  “What is it?” asked Ulrich.

  “It is a smaller version of these energy harvesters.” Zero gestured at the panels. “Now, I too can replenish from the power of the sun.” He laughed—which sounded strange. “I am a plant.” He looked at each of us in turn expectantly. “Because plants use the sun to make food.”

  “Uh?” I stared at him.

  Oswald and Ulrich shrugged.

  “Hmm,” he said. “Attempted humor failed. I shall see myself out.” He nodded once and pulled a metal cart out from a nearby recess in the wall. He loaded the panels onto the cart. “I am ready to depart as soon as you are.”

  Zero pulled the cart through the sand as if it weighed nothing. I had no doubt had it not been laden with weight, I’d have no chance of moving it, let alone pulling it halfway across the desert.

  “Are you getting tired?” asked Oswald.

  “Negative,” said Zero. “I am functioning within nominal parameters. As long as there is sunlight, my energy will not deplete.”

  I laughed. “I wish we could say the same.”

  “Do you need to consume sustenance?” he asked. “We can stop and refuel your reserves if necessary.”

  “No,” said Ulrich. “We can eat while we walk. We need to keep on schedule.”

  “Understood,” said Zero.

  “What in the hells?” yelled one of the Dwarves upon the wall. “That’s a bloody Battleforged Construct!”

  “What a load of crap!” said another.

  “Impossible!” yelled a third.

  The gates opened, and most of the residents of Junktown poured out of them. They swarmed around Zero gasping and whispering to each other.