Chapter 21: The Knight of Bones
The campfire crackled softly, casting flickering shadows on the scattered ruins around Alex and Lila. The Parasite-Infused Skeleton stood silently nearby, its faint purple glow highlighting the dents and scars on the salvaged pieces of Sentinel armor.
Alex turned one of the chestplates over in his hands, tracing the grooves where the Parasites' tendrils had once burrowed. The metal was thick, far more durable than anything they could scavenge from the ruins. It wasn't built to house a Parasite Hive—it had simply been claimed by the creatures as a shell.
"This armor wasn't made for them," Alex muttered, his fingers lingering on a deep gouge in the metal. "But they adapted to it. If they could make use of it, so can I."
Lila tilted her head, watching him from across the fire. "What's the plan, exactly? You've been talking to yourself for an hour now."
"I'm going to equip the skeleton with the armor," Alex said, nodding toward the Parasite-Infused Skeleton.
Lila raised an eyebrow. "You're going to dress it up like a knight? Why?"
"Think about it," Alex replied. "It's already stronger and faster than a normal skeleton. But it's still just bone. If I give it armor, it'll be tougher—harder to destroy. And with its regeneration, even damaged armor won't slow it down for long."
Lila frowned, leaning forward. "And how do you know it'll even work?"
Alex shrugged. "I don't. That's why I'm testing it."
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1. Preparing the Skeleton
Alex gestured to the Parasite-Infused Skeleton, directing it to step closer. Its glowing eyes locked onto him as it moved with unnatural fluidity. At his command, the summon knelt, its bony frame creaking slightly.
The chestplate was the most intact piece of the salvaged armor, though it was still scarred from its years of use. Alex hefted it, noting the weight. "It's not exactly a perfect fit, but I can secure it with straps."
He rummaged through their supplies, pulling out salvaged leather strips and rusted buckles. Kneeling beside the skeleton, he began the process of attaching the armor. The chestplate didn't align perfectly with the skeleton's ribs, but after some careful adjustments, Alex managed to secure it in place.
"Try standing," Alex said, stepping back.
The skeleton rose slowly, its movements steady despite the added weight. The chestplate gleamed faintly in the firelight, a stark contrast to the creature's pale bones.
"It fits," Alex said, grinning.
"It looks ridiculous," Lila muttered, though there was a hint of approval in her voice.
---
2. Mounting the Remaining Pieces
Encouraged by the success, Alex moved on to the other pieces of armor.
The pauldrons were dented but functional, offering protection to the skeleton's shoulders. Using the same method, Alex secured them with leather straps, ensuring they didn't interfere with the creature's arm movements.
The leg guards proved more challenging. Without muscle or flesh to anchor them, Alex had to improvise, wrapping the straps tightly around the skeleton's femurs and adjusting them until they held firm.
Finally, Alex retrieved the helmet. Though rusted and partially caved in, it still retained its original shape. Placing it carefully over the skeleton's skull, he tightened the straps until it fit snugly.
When he finished, Alex stepped back, admiring his work. The skeleton stood fully armored, its glowing eyes flickering through the slits in the helmet.
"It looks... terrifying," Alex said, a note of pride in his voice.
"It looks like a bad dream," Lila replied, crossing her arms. "What now?"
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3. Testing the Knight
Alex directed the armored skeleton toward the edge of the camp, where a pile of rubble blocked part of their makeshift barricade. "Clear that," he commanded.
The skeleton moved steadily, its movements slightly slower than before but deliberate. It grabbed a large chunk of stone, the reinforced chestplate creaking faintly under the strain, and carried it across the camp with ease.
"It's stronger," Alex noted, watching closely. "The armor distributes the weight better, so it's not putting as much stress on the bones."
"Alright, but what about fighting?" Lila asked, drawing her dagger.
Alex grabbed a rusted sword from their supply pile and handed it to the skeleton. "Attack that post," he said, pointing to a wooden beam set up for training.
The skeleton obeyed, gripping the sword tightly before swinging it with surprising force. The blade cut through the beam in a single strike, sending splinters flying.
Lila raised an eyebrow. "Okay, that's impressive. Creepy as hell, but impressive."
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4. The Cost of Progress
Alex sat by the fire that evening, watching the armored skeleton as it stood guard near the camp's perimeter. It was a towering, imposing figure—a silent sentinel forged from death and salvage.
"It's not perfect," Alex said quietly. "The armor slows it down a little, and it's still just one summon. If we're attacked by something bigger—or more Sentinels—it won't be enough."
Lila glanced at him, her expression unreadable. "So what's the plan? You going to make an army of armored skeletons?"
"I don't have the mana for that," Alex admitted. "Even now, I'm barely keeping up with the Parasite-Infused Skeleton. If I push too far, I'll burn out."
"So what do we do?"
Alex stared into the fire, his mind racing. "We keep improving. The armor works, but there might be other materials out there—better ones. If I can find a way to reduce the strain on my mana, I can sustain more summons like this."
"And if you can't?"
Alex didn't answer. Instead, he looked at the skeleton, its glowing eyes scanning the horizon. For now, it was loyal—a tool to be used in their fight for survival. But Lila's words lingered in the back of his mind.
If I push too far, it might not stay that way.
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5. A Glimpse of Ambition
The night deepened, the ruins falling silent except for the faint rustling of the wind. Alex leaned against a crumbling wall, his gaze fixed on the armored skeleton.
"This changes things," he said softly.
Lila glanced at him. "How?"
"With enough armor—and the right materials—I could turn this into a real defense. Protect the camp. Explore further. Maybe even..." He trailed off, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully.
"Even what?" Lila pressed.
Alex shook his head. "Nothing. One step at a time."
But as he stared at the skeleton, standing like a knight from some forgotten era, the thought refused to leave him. This is just the beginning. If I can control this... I can control anything.
---
The fire burned low, the armored skeleton standing watch as its creators drifted into uneasy sleep. Though the future remained uncertain, Alex couldn't help but feel a flicker of hope—and the faintest spark of ambition.