You could say that. Runes can be more like...ancient computer programming. All that programming power doesn't matter if the computer's not turned on. Using ink or energy is what activates the power dormant in the runes.

[Sweet Pea scuttles closer then, optics flickering. But they weren't like a normal robot's eyes with glass or plastic covering them. They glowed different colors but if one looked closer the space was empty, the glow was coming from within. And it is very interested in Robby. Saeri is curious as to what has the little golem's attention so riveted.]