[ WP ] For millennia , your clan of knights has passed down a set of enchanted armor that greatly increases one 's strength in battle . The catch : the armor has a mind of its own , and can telepathically communicate with its wearer .

“ Wooooooooooo! ” 
 
 I almost yanked the helmet right back off my head. The excited scream reverberated through my entire being, both shocking and energizing me at the same time. 
 
 “ I ’ m fucking amped, son! ” The voice wasn ’ t as loud this time, but it was still a little high pitched and grating. 
 
 “ I ’ m not your son. ” I spoke out loud, and I immediately felt foolish. I knew the voice was speaking to me via my thoughts, as my tutors said it would. I was one of only five heirs in the entire known world to inherit an *entire* suit of Creator ’ s armor. They were priceless possessions, and only the ruling families wielded their power. 
 
 “ Dude, it ’ s just an expression. Chill. ” The voice paused, and I could almost hear it thinking, analyzing me. I was feverishly trying to understand the context of its words. How would I get colder? The suit itself was beginning to feel like a sauna, though. It would be nice to chill. 
 
 “ I didn ’ t literally mean chill. I just meant relax, man, relax. But- ” the voice paused again, and then I heard a clicking noise. A small, very welcome current of frigid air began circulating inside the suit. “ I can take care of that too. ” 
 
 So, this thing really could read my thoughts. It also seemed... pleasant, though a bit strange, as if it was from very, very far away. I thought for a second, and almost asked what a “ dude ” was. 
 
 “ It ’ s like a bro, man. It ’ s… well, the actual definition and origin are a bit weird. Let ’ s move on. ” 
 
 Oh, right, it could read *all* of my thoughts. I decided to delay my understanding of the armor ’ s colloquial sayings. I squared my shoulders. “ I am ready to begin my trials. ” 
 
 “ Hell yes you are! Let ’ s go fuck some shit up! ” 
 
 When I didn ’ t move and my thoughts just reflected nothing but questions, I could have swore I heard the thing sigh. 
 
 “ I ’ m just trying to amp you up bro. ” 
 
 More questions floated across my consciousness. This was going to be more difficult than I had imagined. 
 
 “ I am… trying to help you get motivated… to obtain your objective. ” It picked its words carefully, clearly struggling to speak plain english. 
 
 “ I am much obliged. My name is Daerith, the second of my house. What shall I call you? ” I said, and instantly received the mental picture of a handshake. This was going to be a very interesting experience. 
 
 “ Most of your ancestors called me by whatever weird name they wanted, since they didn ’ t really like mine. I ’ ve been Oathkeeper, King ’ s Defender, Blade Crusher, and some other really geeky ass names. ” 
 
 “ And your true name? ” 
 
 “ Heh, true name. I like the way you say that. My name is... ” He paused for a second, as if taking a big breath before making an important announcement. “ Steve. ” 
 
 “ Steve, ” I repeated. “ That is... unique. ” 
 
 “ Well, it was an acronym. My creator- ” 
 
 “ You remember the creators? ” 
 
 “ Of course. Like it was yesterday. Anyhoo, it stood for Self-Traversing-Energy- ” 
 
 “ I must hear all about them! ” I interrupted, my excitement getting the better of me. 
 
 “ We got time, bro. Maybe we should go kill that Chimaera first though. Isn ’ t there a time limit on the first trial? ” 
 
 I nodded, then looked around for my sword. I head a tsk tsk from Steve. 
 
 “ Hold out your hand, ” he said. I complied. 
 
 Energy crackled, then a five foot long claymore made of pure crackling red energy materialized in my outstretched hand. 
 
 “ Bitchin ’ ain ’ t it? ” Steve said. I felt like he was smiling. 
 
 “ Bitchin ’, ” I breathed. “ Bitchin ’ indeed. ” 
 
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