Zhubao

Zhūbao was created as yet another artificial lifeform by Illaria. She is her crowning jewel in her collection of metal art. Despite a masterpiece of a heart constructed with screws and cogs beating within her chest, she wouldn't have been out of the ordinary among the many lifeforms created by Illaria. Zhūbao though, is special. She was made with a soul. Although Illaria tried many times before to imbue her beloved creations with souls, it never came to be, and frustratingly for her, her talents always fell short of her Master, who had created her centuries before, somehow, with a soul. The talent for true Creation alluded her. That is, until Zhūbao.

She didn't know that this creation would be her finest or her most cherished. As she painstakingly crafted her metal body, perfecting the curves and sharp angels, she found herself doing so with more and more care. Somewhere along Zhūbao's creation she stopped calculating each step and instead began forging her with passion. As Zhūbao's form was finally completed she marveled at how she had created such a perfect body; the curve of her neck, the sharpness of her horns, the harsh beauty of her face.

Illaria loved her.

The moment she remembered her creation would never be more than simple metal and gears, she was struck by an aching grief. Angry that she allowed herself to feel such, she stiffly left her workshop, no longer able to look upon her perfectly flawed creation.

The next day when Illaria went to work in her shop, she was shocked to find that Zhūbao wasn't where she had left her. Instead, she was curled up in the corner where Illaria usually slept when too tired to leave her workshop.

Unable to breathe, she slowly crept towards the metal work of art, noting that the body rose and fell softly despite none of her creations needing to breathe. She almost didn't believe her eyes. That is, until Zhūbao lifted her head and fixed curious eyes on her.

"What is my name?" Her voice rang out, clear and sharp, and belonging to a metal dragon with a soul.

"Zhūbao. Your name is Zhūbao."