Zyren's eyes flickered open inside a giant glowing machine. Steam hissed and metal clanked around him.
Dr. Gero stepped forward and said, "You are my greatest weapon." Zyren's heavy metal feet THUD across the floor. A tiny blue egg rolled out from behind a pipe and cracked open.
A small glowing bird tumbled out, sneezed, and looked up at Zyren. The little bird wobbled toward Zyren's steel toes and hopped up to rest on his foot.
Zyren froze. One giant finger hovered above the bird. His finger trembled — then curled gently downward.
"Destroy it! You are a weapon!" shouted Dr. Gero. The bird tilted its head and let out a tiny peep. Zyren looked at his big fists, then curled his fingers around the bird.
The bird nuzzled into Zyren's metal palm and made a tiny purring sound. Zyren smiled — a soft sound escaped him, like sparks sighing.
Zyren turned and walked away from Dr. Gero toward a quiet corner of the fortress. He sat down and became the bird's very big, very strong shield.
The little bird settled into Zyren's warm metal palm. Zyren kept his arms still. He would guard this small and gentle thing forever.
