Hitirus pressed his palm firmly on Befehlnadir's forehead, branding the Virrwertsur with the mark of an Heir. Befehlnadir resisted against the powerful surge of energy.
Until the linking process was complete.
By the end, Hitirus helped Befehlnadir off his knees. While Ether, the Sol Eater and Hylo, the Dream Chaser, watched.
"And of course... Befehlnadir. The tides of tension have gone loose from the Order Enforcer's grip. So you are what he isn't - the Chaos Enabler," the Iron Butler described.
Hylo looked down at herself, trying to see what's different. What she didn't know, is each Noble Mind change from the inside out. It was a process, albeit a quick one.
Soon enough, the Dream Chaser would embody her being. And even sooner, she would be a contender to Gatruda's title of the Mind Breaker.
"What's with these names?" Befehlnadir shook his head. After throwing off his dizziness and confusion, he locked eyes with the butler. "Is it too difficult to say Befehlnadir?"
The Iron Butler raised a palm to him, Syndicate Dust formed a picture within. "Noble Minds are what change Koroth. Their names identify what change."
He formed four Noble Minds with the dust. "Zeek, the Far Fetcher. He and his pack reach beyond Koroth to bring own the moon and the sun. Otres, the Order Enforcer. He maintains balance.
Gatruda, the Mind Breaker and Senestis, the Oppressed Seer are similar. Neither have physical bodies, they have an object that tethers them down.
Whereas Gatruda's object is Ruda's necklace to Gat, Senestis' is the original Senestis' crystalized heart. Gatruda roams as one, same with Senestis.
However, Gatruda can allow others to see them and live within one's mind. Even break them mentally.
Senestis is different. There is an illusion of a single Variant, but that's just one of his personalities. More than one personality will fight at a time. You just won't see them."
Befehlnadir scoffed, downplaying how powerful both Gatruda and Senestis were. His hands came up to his chest, then black energy beams glew between his palms.
Just as he was about to leave, Hitirus stopped him. The duo locked eyes as Hitirus began to change appearance.
"Don't go too quick. May I ask, what was your experience inside the chamber?" Hitirus said in a feminine tone.
"Heh," Befehlnadir examined her crystal green eyes. "The chamber already made me face my most haunting days. Now it's making me face overwhelming odds. In case you don't know, everything inside the Book of Will is true."
Ether instantly paid more attention. He recited some chapter names to himself, even quotes and illustrations. This book was a huge part of his training under Valentine's watch.
"And by the way, focus your Will Power onto your hands to escape and enter Pareidolia," Befehlnadir concluded.
Right as he prepared to leave, Hylo interrupted. "Wait, where you going?"
"Me? I'll do scouting runs and learn about our opposing pre-Nobles more. Maybe even spread my wings as the Chaos Enabler and lure one out for a fight," Befehlandir answered.
While Befehlnadir faded away, Ether stood awkwardly to the side. His eyes glittering and a slight smile on his face.
Hylo instantly recognized what this meant. Prompting her full attention onto him, followed by Hitirus and the butler.
"I know how to kill Fruzzy, Ventelu, and Ketra for long enough to kill Solqulo and maybe Nestres," Ether blurted out.
"How?" Hitirus was the first to speak.
Ether manifested a small portion of Tellendor's hilt from his chest. "Fruzzy is easy. She strives for heated battles, ones that she can build strength over time in. So just wear her down. Hit her hard enough to damage, but wait long enough for her to go back to normal."
Hitirus shook his head. "No. How did you know?"
"All of them told me. Since Nestres captured me as his trophy, I've been nothing but a therapy tool for them. Solqulo's wise enough to keep to himself, that's why I don't know him," Ether explained.
The Iron Butler laughed. His voice was robotic and almost dismissive. Even if what Ether told was true, he found it humorous to hear about the mental struggles of a pre-Noble.
It was the most basic principle for one to follow when near an unknown friend or foe. Whatever happens, never reveal a weakness.
"R - right..." Ether turned to look at Hylo. "Great Hylo, can you hunt and kill Ketra? Her weakness is being killed off guard. She's a Rampart Feral, meaning she's the least brightest. Feed her, pat her head, entertain her. Then off her head."
Hylo jumped back, shocked that Ether would give her an opponent like Ketra. Even if she was dumber than most, Rampart Ferals had a reputation for being too stupid to realize they were hurt.
Mostly resulting in suicide runs when out in the wilds. A large chunk of which go successfully.
Yet Hylo wasn't about to deny this offering. It was an opportunity to learn how to be a tried and true mercenary.
The Iron Butler reached into his pocket, looking around for the gift he wanted to give to Hylo. His hand came out shortly after, holding a light-weight sword.
Followed by a light-weight shield no bigger than her chest. Which was to block the enemy's eyesight, attacks, specific parts of her body, or to throw.
Ether and Hitirus stood dumbfounded by what they just saw. Neither of them questioned the Iron Butler, especially after what they've seen of him so far.
"Are these for me?" Hylo asked.
"Of course, lady Hylo. It is a necessity for mercenaries to come well equipped for all possible results. Just don't rely on your shield for blocking heavy attacks, or your sword for piercing targets," the butler explained.
Hitirus noticed how seasoned the butler sounded. It was like he had a history of being a mercenary, except he didn't. However, some of the Variants Demon consumed were.
Ether started to exit Pareidolia, deciding it was time to reawaken his link with the sun.