Hitirus painted his fourteenth pebble with her fingers. She pressed down with her index to make dots, before using her middle finger to paint around the orange dots.
After finishing, she held the masterpiece tenderly within her palm. The warm breeze swept over her relaxed shoulders, carrying the warm smell of fresh fruits in the wind.
"Yomie!" Befehlnadir's Yonie voice cheered. "You've got very, very, very, very good painting skills!"
Seeing her soon-to-be killer trying to help her tame all the Threshers sub-versions eased Hitirus. She smiled before bringing the pebble closer to Befehlnadir.
Befehlnadir smiled in return. He leaned down to her painted fingers, then pressed his small nose against the black paint. Hitirus watched Befehlnadir lean up to her before feeling his nose rub against hers.
"Bap!" Befehlnadir laughed.
"Bap!" Hitirus laughed along.
Grass crunched beneath the weight of an incoming visitor, instantly knocking Hitirus and Befehlnadir out of it. They quickly looked in opposite directions, trying to pretend like they were doing their own thing.
"Er... good afternoon. As per Befehlnadir's request and after many conversations, my owner has decided to grant said request," the Iron Butler began.
Hitirus turned to view her butler. The usual metallic skin and expressionless face stared back.
"Oh! It appears I've interrupted the moment! My apologies," the Iron Butler continued.
Befehlnadir smirked as he watched Hitirus struggle to look away. Her eyes widened and blinked quickly, the Thresher equal of a blush.
"You didn't interrupt anything! Now, what are you here for?" Hitirus snapped back.
The Iron Butler glanced over at Befehlnadir, who gave a single nod in response. Upon receiving the signal, the butler rose a hand towards the distant horizon.
A mountain sat comfortably underneath the permanently setting sun. Its glacial peaks reflected the incoming sunlight off, creating a glorious appearance.
Hitirus stared in awe, speechless. Her body morphed steadily into a blend of multiple Thawed. She quickly found herself smiling with utter joy at the sight.
"You appear to be enjoying the mountain from afar, my Royalty. Why not name it in junction with great Befehlnadir?" the Iron Butler suggested.
"I..." Hitirus mumbled.
Befehlnadir stood up from the soft grassy bed, taking a step to close the distance between him and Hitirus. He then kneeled down beside his Heir before placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Figured I'd get you a little surprise to help you tame yourself. How do you like it?" Befehlnadir asked.
Hitirus looked up into his eyes. "Is this what you call 'little?' Then what do you consider 'big?'"
"Moments like this," Befehlnadir chuckled. "This is a big moment for you. I know our time together is limited now that we're setting our sights on Nestres and his pre-Nobles, so let's make some memories together."
The Iron Butler watched expressionlessly from the side, feeding Demon all he could see. Somewhere hidden within Pareidolia, Demon massaged his chin.
Seeing an emotional moment between two would-be tyrants seemed rather off to him. Yet it felt oddly comforting. Just like Hitirus, Demon was preparing to die.
But there was no one that would grant him such gifts. His bonds with his siblings have been broken long ago. The last time he interacted with one was with Jakery.
Just six months prior to Hitirus' arrival to Coshire, Demon checked in on his younger brother. And when he saw just how different he looked, Demon almost left.
Instead of the young and loving Zesher Jakery was, his older mold replaced him. Now living as an outcast from the Infinus Legion, Jakery's hair grew white and stopped at his shoulders.
Actual muscles lined his perfectly toned body with scars littered around. When he sat down with Demon, Jakery talked about his new family and where he got his wounds from.
Commenting it's from defending his home against wandering Legions.
The memory quickly faded as Demon witnessed Hitirus and Befehlnadir exchanged an embracing hug. Demon glanced at the Iron Maiden, who sat deactivated beside him.
"Do not worry, Alise. We may be alone and lost now, but someday we will both be free," Demon fell silent.
Hitirus stepped forward towards Mt. Up High, keeping his blazing orange eyes right at its highest point. Befehlnadir followed behind, eager to see how the rest of the Thawed within Hitirus would respond.
"No."
Befehlnadir suddenly stopped, keeping his eyes on Hitirus as he looked over his shouldeer in return. Their eyes met, sending a shiver down Befehlnadir's spine.
"To clarify, I respect your gift. If I said I didn't, I'd be lying and rude. However, there is work needed to be done, Nadir." Hitirus added.
"I understand," Befehlnadir took a step away from Hitirus. "What would you like me to do?"
"We do not know how powerful Nestres is. Please be the messenger and test the Heir as much as you can. Win or lose, come back to me with results." Hitirus ordered.
Befehlnadir brought a fist over his heart while giving a firm nod. He turned to look at the Iron Butler, who continued to stare mindlessly back at them.
"Make sure Hitirus doesn't get hurt while climbing Mt. Up High," Befehlnadir ordered. "Don't want to wait for him to decide when he'll come back to life."
The Iron Butler heeded his request, focusing his attention on Hitirus as he grew smaller and smaller with each step away from the duo.
Once Befehlnadir concluded, he focused his energy in his palms. The tugging gently pulled his body closer until the weight suddenly faded, meaning he was out of Pareidolia.
"Nestres... Nestres... where could he be?" Befehlnadir muttered to himself.
A harsh breeze swept over the forest just behind Befehlnadir. It didn't feel like any typical breeze, but a harsher one. As if something bigger and greater was in the area.
The loud screeching of a powerful Sky Beast echoed throughout the open sky. Befehlnadir turned to look up high, aiming to find the source.
As expected, a Sky Beast careened overhead. It did a barrel-roll, letting something drop from its back. That something unleashed a blinding green blast, lighting up the sky.
Befehlnadir covered his eyes. "A pre-Noble..."