Hitirus eyed the strange visitor down. There was a hint of malice and curiosity in his gaze. Both meant to balance the outcome out.
The butler bowed elegantly, letting his head drop low. Gentleness and extreme self-control was evident in his being as he rose back up to situate his arms neatly behind his back.
"Who - no - what are you?" Hitirus asked, keeping a relaxed tone to his voice.
"Your loyal companion - your Iron Butler. I can give you all you desire, plus more. All you have to do is ask, and I will heed with no compensation needed," the Iron Butler replied.
Ether kept his head in place, only looking from the corner of his eyes. He whispered to Hylo a simple order: 'continue.' Which she obeyed.
Regardless of what was happening around her, she felt blissfully free while decorating her father's hair. She gently smiled as she tied ribbons to each end, with a tidy bow across his crown.
She then brushed another part of his hair, continuing the process. Not paying any attention to Hitirus as he rose out of the bed and greeted the Iron Butler.
"Iron Butler, eh?"
"You'd be correct, good sir. I am your Iron Butler," he answered.
A sense of confidence and care radiated from his voice. Making it difficult for Hitirus to pick him apart verbally and decipher what he was.
So he changed his tactics. He glanced up and down the suit, looking for anything else to point out. Syndicate Dust, a strange blue rose, and an advanced firearm.
"Mmm. Nice outfit," Hitirus reached for the tie. His index finger and thumb encased it in an analytical grip. "Strange how bizarre this looks. Where did you get it?"
The Iron Butler remained expressionless, if he even possessed a face underneath that plate of armor, then he gestured at the rest of his suit. "My owner."
"Owner?" Hitirus slightly raised his voice.
"Yes, owner. I was made by..." there was an awkward pause. He panned his eyes around the room, confused. "Okay... thank you, sir," he mumbled to himself. "I was made by Demon Coros."
Ether reached down for his wounds as he broke free from Hylo's grasp. "Demon? Where is he? I need to talk to him."
Hylo's eyes twisted with confusion, unsure of what he meant. She only ever heard of Jakery Coros, with a rare mention of Solice Coros.
"I'm sorry, sir. You must -"
"I have a name. And if Demon made you, I am confident you already know it," Ether continued.
The Iron Butler nodded. "Yes, yes. My apologies, Ether. Er... Demon is..." he awkwardly paused again. He shook his head. "N - never mind. He isn't open to conversation."
Ether groaned. "That's fucking Stram-shit. I need to speak to him now."
Before the butler could reply, Hitirus intervened. He stood between the two, blocking direct line of sight.
"Okay - okay. I see something very unique on your belt there," Hitirus pointed out the gun. "What's that? Did Demon give it to you?"
"Oh this? Its my firearm, sir. To better execute orders, one needs a reliable backup. In case things go sour, I utilize Kellenas," the Iron Butler answered.
Hitirus nodded. "I see. And what do you want with us?"
The Iron Butler brought a hand up to his left breast. "As a butler, being truthful is first-hand nature. I will not hide secrets regardless of the severity. So please, accept my word when I state there is no malice in my presence."
Ether scoffed, unsure of what to think of this butler. He borrowed the name from one of his most treasured elites, Kellenas, and used it as a weapon's name.
"Hmm..." Hitirus pondered.
"The Butler's Will Power seems strong, not of his own. He is comparable to a Servant!" some Thawed whispered into his ears.
"Coy predators masquerade as gentle creatures. Do not let this one fool you, because it wont give you options," each Feral replied.
Ether sighed. "Despite how I am acting, I love Demon. That's all there is between us, just love. He is kindhearted, and I raised that little guy with Lya."
He struggled to pull himself further up onto the bed, resulting in Hylo stepping in. Deep down, she smiled, knowing she was being the strength her father was for years.
"This is what we'll do. Hitirus -"
Hitirus turned to face Ether.
"Trust the Iron Butler," he concluded. "I know I can trust Demon, he is my brother. So if we're to get you your crown and me my freedom, we'll need him."
Ether allowed Hylo to continue working on his hair. She tried to stop thinking about the strange visitor and this new 'Demon' she had just discovered, but it was impossible.
Ambient sounds of busy streets filled the room. Hitirus kept his doubts to himself, even if his sub-versions were telling him it was time to act.
Somebody that wasn't keeping well to himself, however, was Demon. Even though his first Iron Butler arrived to his destination, something was seriously wrong.
It unnerved Demon just what he saw. Faces resembling Solice and two other similar looking Zegi kept flashing in his eyes. Like a warning.
He was dazed, unsure of what to do. The meaning behind it was also unknown. His back was against a wall with the only direction open to movement being forward, towards this strange anomaly.
Demon couldn't ask the Nine Rules for help, otherwise they'd discover his plot. The only one capable of understanding the Distorted Mind was him.
Except he wasn't. There were three more - the Deviled Kin - the same three Hizentre's prophecy told.
But to Demon, he didn't know. The idea of somebody else matching his strength was a novelty, one he wasn't too comfortable with.
Especially after putting the final pieces of his plan to overthrow the Nine down. If somebody were to rival him in influence, this could threaten his scheme.
Yet all he could do was sit and wait.