The Large, Black frame of rended metal and flesh stood before the congressional of soldiers, the golden lights that shimmered underneath complimented the sheer metallic void outside. It was human, but lacked human features on the head... instead two blunt protrusions came around where a mouth should be... the shoulders of the beast heralded massive protrusions of the same black material leading down to large claws that stood in for hands.
It spoke.
" You are soldiers, what faction heralds your banner? "
A Grotesque man fitted in red armor made his voice heard to the beast, though it sounded more like wet meat slapping than actual linguistics.
" We are Maudri, what business do you have with us? "
A metallic hiss rose as the Beast gathered its knowledge.
" I have inquiries, will you answer? "
" Ask away... "
" What gave you the brass to step in my hall? "
The soldiers flinched at the question as the beast's mood turned sour and scornful.
" I... I'm looking for a thief on behalf of my Cheif of Command... may I ask a question? "
" Question for question, I simply recede... ask away, but beware the answer. "
" What... are you? "
" Mmhaha... "
The Beast scoffed and laughed at the soldier in red, the soldiers gathered their steel and prepared for the worst... they knew what it was, but they needed to make sure... if they were even slightly wrong, they were dead.
" My name is Levirize, commander of Black Powder and Operator of the Black Ivory. Though it may be better to assume the worst... but I'm in great need, lend me your energy... will you? "
Sweat dripped down the Soldiers faces... that name meant something, but they didn't know what... they couldn't assume anything good, neither did the captain in red.
" I'm... afraid I'll have to... decline. "
" Hmm... unfortunate. I guess this kid will have to do for now... "
" K-Kid? "
" Yes, the young girl in brown... I assume you know her? "
" Brown... do you mean the thief? Is she here?!? "
" Oh, now it makes sense... why soldiers would be in my hall... that poor squad that entered here first had the pleasure of consuming my powder and forming this body... but that girl managed to control her urges somewhat despite being her age... of course she wasn't an ordinary girl. "
" T... what? Consume the... huh? The squad that just dissapeared... that was... you. "
Anger filled the general in red.
" Yes yes... quite enjoyable, their void energy I mean... not as good as electricity but it will suffice. Did you happen to know them? "
" OPEN FIRE, AVENGE OUR FALLEN! NOW! "
Nails flew from the guns that were held by the soldiers, just as quickly as they became afraid of the void black frame they became enraged of their slain comrades. The nails pierced nearly every inch of the black chest, sticking itself in the metal flesh hybrid.
" Hm... metal spikes... that's a Boltor right? Why does the Maudri have Boltors... those were outdated even before I was put to sleep... huh, well... it doesn't matter. "
The beast didn't flinch from the spikes, instead enveloping them entirely within its body like a white blood cell consuming a germ.
" It... didn't... work? "
Levirize taunted the exasperated soldiers.
" No way!!! Our primitive weaponry that consists of launched rail road spikes at the same velocity as a base ball didn't work against the Ebony wielded by Levirize?!?! What a shocker! "
Attempting to muster up his courage, the general debated back against the ridicule.
" I... I'd like to s-see you do better! "
Levirize dropped his stone cold act of distinction and instead loosened himself as his confidence was boosted infinitely.
" Well there you go folks, looks like they got me! Oh grief! They found my weakness! I surely cannot harm a being without a gun! Oh what pretense, let's get this over with. "
The door behind the soldiers closed and the lights flickered, despite lacking a mouth it was easily visible that Levirize was smirking like a madman as he slowly approached the ill-fated soldiers.
It consumed each body one by one, while the soldiers struggled to find an escape the Black frame gleefully enjoyed assimilating each and every last one of them... consuming their armor and flesh, leaving nothing but bones and their signature weapons.
The young bounty hunter, who found solace hiding behind a very far away boulder that eclipsed a small portion of the room... she listened in horror as the cries of the Maudri soldiers ached on her mind. Finally... it stopped.
" Now... were did I put that girl... oh, gone... huh, I guess she lost interest in playing sleeping beauty... what an idiot... "
Trapped and with little options, the girl debated her choices... try and out run the beast and find an escape... or try and appeal to its mercy with whatever she could.. neither were good options...
So she made up her mind, if she had no other fate but to die here... she would hope for it to be honorable... she decided to appeal to the black frame.
She held her hands against her stomach like a prisoner with her head down, she slowly made her way toward the black beast who cockily didn't make a noise... it knew it had won.
" Honorable Levirize... I am Suda, a thief... and the one who happened to restore you from your sleep... I await your judgment. "
" Suda, no family name? "
" I am Suda, nothing more... "
" Then you will address me as Leverize, and I shall address you as Suda. Would you be so kind to... 'lend' me your energy? "
" Does that entail my death? "
" No, just a small burst of pain. "
" Then I shall, but only if you answer my question. "
" Ask. "
" What are you? "
" Hmm... a god soldier cast out from a faded military, honed to void energy and desolate energy, trained in firearms and bows... stealth... all remotely controlled by my human body stuck between the void and reality. "
" I... have no idea what half of those words are... "
" I'll... probably tell you later, since you agreed to lend me your energy I will be harvesting you daily for it, Its a pain... but it looks like you are going to have to power an Ebony until I find a sustainable power source or until you die... whichever comes first. Lucky you. "
" I didn't agree to that! I want a refund! "
" This isn't a street market, what I say goes... understand? "
...
" I understand. "