Every part of my body was in pain. It felt as if I were being torn apart from the inside, like my flesh was burning for no reason. I didn't understand what was happening.
The sound of machines rumbled around me, accompanied by the tearing of flesh and the echo of metal puncturing bone. I tried to scream, but my voice drowned in my mind.
I couldn't pass out. I couldn't escape the pain.
This body... this curse...
Why? Why does it hurt so much? Why does everything hurt? I don't want this! Please, stop! What did I do to deserve this?
The sound of the machines grew more distant, more muffled. I heard my bones breaking, my flesh splitting, the cold echo of something metallic embedding itself inside me.
Then, a robotic female voice announced:
—Exoskeleton complete.
That sedative again... and darkness consumed me.
---
—Are you awake? I hope so, T34.
The voice sounded euphoric, almost mocking.
—Do you like your new enhancement? Maybe you can't appreciate it right now, but I worked really hard to make it for you. Kekeke...
I tried to move, but my body was numb, as if it didn't belong to me anymore.
—I replaced your bones with something... more suitable for you. Now, even if you fell from several meters, they wouldn't break so easily. Isn't that incredible?
Before I could process those words, another voice interrupted the conversation urgently.
—Sorry to interrupt, sir, but the Central has spoken. They've asked us to send the experiment to the northern front. They're doubting whether to continue supporting us and want to see the results of our research. If we don't do this, they might withdraw funding.
There was a tense silence before the previous voice spoke again, this time with an irritated and serious tone.
—Talk to Central. Tell them the experiment will be ready in a few days to be deployed... I still need to make a few more modifications.
—Yes, sir! I'll withdraw.
---
The machines resumed their work. Though my eyes couldn't see them, the sound of gears turning and metal scraping against metal allowed me to imagine what was happening.
My mind sank into a dark, viscous, empty abyss. Suddenly, I felt something invading my head.
The edge of a blade pierced my skin.
The pain consumed me.
And once again, I was lost in the darkness.
---
Where am I? What is this place? And this suit...
The sounds of gunfire and explosions echoed around me.
The hum of helicopter blades filled the air.
A robotic voice announced inside the ship:
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—T34 is ready to be deployed.
And then, I fell.
Like a meteor.
The wind howled around me, the weight of the armor pulling me down at full speed. I didn't understand anything. The ground was approaching fast, and when I finally hit it, the crash was deafening.
The dust settled, and the voices of people around me filled the air.
—THE REINFORCEMENTS HAVE ARRIVED!
—WE'RE SAVED!
My body began to move on its own within the mechanical armor. Something sharp drilled into my head.
Through the visor of my helmet, I could barely see the battlefield. An automatic targeting system scanned everything around me, and over their bodies, a red warning appeared:
"Enemy detected."
"Eliminate."
Eliminate? What does that mean? What does this even mean?
I screamed in desperation, but no one heard me. No one could hear me.
The pain in my head intensified.
My arms moved on their own.
A gut-wrenching sound filled the air.
When I regained control, I saw the mangled body of... something. A robot. Or at least that's what it seemed like. It was a pile of metal impaled on the edge of my arm, releasing a strange liquid.
For a moment, I wanted to believe this was all just a dream.
Then, a memory flashed across my mind.
—Mom, today I had a dream. I was a knight fighting demons to protect people. I used my sword to eliminate the bad guys!
—That's my son. Those who are strong must use their power to protect the helpless.
Even trapped in that armor, burning from the inside, even with those cables forcing me to move uncontrollably... I was able to smile.
—Mom... I'll fight to protect these people.
Without realizing it, my eyes started to bleed.
But I never noticed.
---
For an entire day and night, that armor moved tirelessly.
Cutting.
Piercing.
Annihilating everything in its path.
The thick smoke of battle covered everything around me. The smell of blood and metal was unbearable.
In the end, the empire had won this battle.
When the armor stopped moving, my body was as destroyed as it was.
I bled everywhere.
And I screamed.
I screamed until I had no voice left.
A shadow approached.
—We found him.
I didn't imagine this would be my routine from now on.
---
I woke up in the same laboratory.
—Did you wake up? Welcome back! —said the mocking voice—. You looked so tired... Did you like your first battle?
—Thanks to my incredible work, I can keep experimenting on you.
The pain returned.
I felt something piercing my organs.
Days. Weeks.
I lost track of time.
—Kekeke... I didn't think this would be a success, but you surprise me. Your regeneration ability is... fascinating.
Her voice was full of delight.
—I worked so hard on this. It's a gift for me. Now, your organs are superhuman. You shouldn't stop in a fight, nor should you fall wounded. You will defend this nation. This Empire. For the rest of your life.
—...Like the machine you are.
Her words pierced through me like a blade.
Defend. Yes... I'll defend... like Mom said.
I smiled.
---
Time passed.
Scars covered my entire body: arms, neck, legs.
The machinery left deeper marks with each experiment.
My armor bore the flag of the empire.
They called me "the immortal knight."
I was sent to the south. To the north. To the west. To the southeast.
Twenty battles. And counting.
I became accustomed to this life.
Pain. Power. Killing. Returning.
A machine designed solely to kill.
---
The empire has gained significant territory thanks to my experiments —he boasted—. Without a doubt, I'm a genius.
—Sir, the general commander of the empire is here. He wants to speak with the immortal knight.
—Let him in.
We'll see you later, T-34. Kekeke.
Firm footsteps slowly approached me.
—It's a pleasure to meet you, Immortal Knight.
His words sounded solemn.
—The Empire is preparing for the greatest war of all. The conquest of Soldam, the capital of the demons. You, along with the first batch of immortal knights, will be the spearhead of this operation.
He stepped closer.
My body, still bound with metal plates and dozens of devices to contain my strength, barely reacted when I felt the weight of something on my chest.
—We award you the Hero Medal.
—You are the pride of the empire. Do not disappoint us.
No.
I won't..