The Iron Butler opened his palm as the Infinus Sky Beast returned to Imbushko. Swirling darkness continued to dance as it threaded the image of a Distorted Mind.
It was him informing Demon of the departure. Silence was the only thing he could use, just like the maiden. Except he couldn't speak at all.
Every part of his vocal cord was shredded from the intense screaming and torturing. What was once a method of encouragement became a barren decoration.
From within the infinite walls of the pocket universe, Demon answered the call. Despite the extreme silence, he could clearly understand what had happened.
Before returning to Koroth, Syndicate Dust washed over his raw body. The fine black powder created complex carvings in the new pieces of armor, while forming crisp layers along the surface.
"Krim, Pearl, Hedix. It is time for you three to strike," he called out through his open palm. "Everyone else, hold out a little longer."
Giving orders to attack a region that pledged loyalty to a peaceful tomorrow did not bother him. In fact, Demon was laughing at the idea.
They were creations meant to attack and die. Leaderships were taken not earned. It was like power, they needed to slaughter for their own benefit.
Out in Koroth, on a frozen over lake, Hedix continued to breathe like a machine. He was numb, ready to handle all those who stood to oppose him.
With the first step, snow crunched in agony. Even they were aware of what was coming next. Dust began empowering itself, dancing through his veins to prepare for the one-man assault.
Despite the lake-side city seeming useless in the grander war, it served a crucial point to their first mission. A straight forward line, connecting the floating island to Olavin-Faa, was their goal.
Howling winds cried out in rage, trying to warn the blissful Variants. They did not listen, only cursed at the wind and continued with their duties.
Until a sudden crack. One of the larger buildings along the outskirts became loose, somehow, and it began barreling towards the ground.
With a stiff bang, debris and bodies decorated that entire street. Variants rushed over, trying to assist in whichever way they could. Only to realize there was someone else there with them.
"Yarno!" Hedix's emotionless voice cut through the deafening calamity. "You started a war with the mighty from Imbushko, so I have come with orders to destroy."
Variants froze in their place, waiting to see where the voice was coming from. Pale buildings highlighted by the drifting snow turned the city into a jungle with a lurking predator.
Hedix took aim at an Ascent Feral standing in the back. With that thought alone, his new abilities awakened. The next second, his metal leg had stomped right through the back of the Feral's head.
Faces turned to greet the force, eager to kill him dead. There were no armored or armed Variants there, only the robe-wearing adults.
Which would have been enough to take Hedix down, if he wasn't empowered. Several battle cries shook the city, it was time to defend themselves.
An incoming Zegus drove his fist into Hedix's cheek, and another Thawed delivered a well-placed knee to his rib. Both attacks felt like nothing.
Using his built-up fury, Hedix grabbed the Zegus' hand and whipped it. The force was powerful enough to dislocate the entire arm, allowing the dust to do its work.
The Thawed attempted to strike at his clothed gut, only to feel a hand going through their chest. It was not the blend of tan and pale Hedix owned, it was pure black.
It was the black hand that belonged to a devilish Distorted, he didn't knew he had it. For the Thawed, she struggled to remain awake after enduring her chest ripped open. As for Hedix, he was pleasingly surprised.
Within the hour, more Variants flooded out of homes to combat the seemingly unstoppable threat. Each attack, no matter how severe, did not cause a single scratch to his cold expressions.
His face was calm and collected, eyes narrowed slightly. Like the type one would see a butcher having when evenly cutting up meat. He was precise and surgical with his blows.
Every attacker that stepped in alive never left, they died on the spot. He tore through them like a hurricane, walking as if it was casual, to each group of defenders.
No one wanted to combat him after they witnessed his psychotic slaughtering. Survival instincts perked up, they were keen on surviving this encounter.
So they fled, at least tried to. However, mysterious forces interfered with that plot. Variants were picked up and ripped apart. Their organs and blood painted the snow below.
After killing roughly four more, he felt like his first objective was complete. Up next was securing the city. He wanted to make sure none were still inside, this place had to be completely empty.
From then until the snow settled down for the night, Hedix continued to search each home thoroughly. Each one was empty, they all have fled in different directions.
He could tell from the frantic footsteps belonging to both children and adults, that have mostly been covered by loose snow. They ran east, west, north, and south. All directions, hoping to throw the attacker off.
On the last house, one all the way to the south-western corner of the city, Hedix stumbled through the forgotten home. He heard distant voices, weeping and whispering in the dark.
They sounded pained, as if something bad was happening to them. Hedix looked down at himself, the bruised up attire sat there idly, he had a good clue as to what that bad thing was.
Gentle footsteps did not echo, not warning them of a new being in the house with them. Until he stood right outside the door that the noises came from.
With a sudden push, it came open and the whispers ceased. A light switch hung by the door, its lever begging the new face to pull it down.
And he did, on accident. The room came to life, revealing a trapped trooper with another trooper sitting beside her.
They were both in tears and shock, unable to move at what they were seeing. When they expected to die, Hedix showed mercy.
"You two, get up and leave. I will not injure neither of you unless you give me a reason," Hedix's cold voice ordered.
One of the troopers, the trapped one, replied. "S... Sir, I - we..."
Hedix made his way closer. "Do not worry, I can see the issue. When I free you, both of you will exit without taking anything else and leave. Do not look back."