"No one in our world can, either," said Ella.  "Not in that Knight.  And few enough Knights are left to us."

Megumi sighed to herself as she played around in the mech some more.

It was very much like moving-- it was part of her body.  But stronger, more powerful...

"Wait, who am I going to be fighting in this thing?" Megumi asked.

"The foul things that invade our land," said Raka.  "They first showed in the plains, growing strange spires of twisted metal out of the ground, sending their forces to attack us.  They've moved against all of us now, slaughtering without mercy."

"Okay, but what do they look like?" Megumi asked.

"...blades," said Raka.  "Metal, sharp, edged, pointed.  Stranger shapes, but always metal.  They do not carry arms, nor do they need to."

"They look like blades? Just blades? I'm confused," Megumi said.

"They look almost forged, but the metal is alive," said Onyx.  "Not like armor.  Not jointed.  Alive.  And like they are made of weapons."

"Have they tried to communicate?" Megumi asked.

"Only through slaughter," said Raka.

"Hmm. Strange," Megumi said. "How do I get out of this thing?"

"Kneel down, and think hard about wanting to exit," called Ella.

Megumi tried doing that.

It was, in fact, pretty easy-- the Knight knelt down and opened up, and she was in her own body again.

"That's going to take some getting used to," Megumi said as she climbed out.

"You did very well, though," said Ella.  "As I would have expected, My Champion."

Megumi froze for a second.

"Thank you."

"...I'm sorry," said Ella, bowing her head.  "I know my kind... bother you.  Is there anything that I can do to help?"

"It's not your fault," Megumi said. "I'm trying to deal with it."

"Is there anything that would help, though?" asked Ella.

"I don't know," Megumi said. "I'm working on it."

"All right," said Ella, uncertainly.  "...I will do anything for you, if it will help."

Samran cleared his throat.

"In the meantime, why don't you accept our hospitality?  I'm sure you must need rest, and perhaps food, after what you've been through."

"Yeah, you're right. This all still doesn't feel real," Megumi said.

"Alas, 'tis far too real," said the tiny knight, "as strange as this seemed to us."

The elf lead them inside....