Chapter Text
The boy with wild flames locked himself away in his room; this truly wasn't a surprise to anyone at Styx. Even before the tragic incident involving Ortho, the young boy's brother, he was withdrawn, a shadow of what a boy should be, according to the staff at Styx. So it would make sense that he was unaware his very future was being discussed, but a few floors down.
"Idia?" A young voice asked, Ortho. "Yeah? Do you need something? Maybe a repair or an upgrade?" Idia, the boy with unruly flames, replied, absentmindedly reaching into the nearly empty chip bag that rested on his desk. "Can we go out to the garden?"
"Why would you want to go there?" Idia asked with a perplexed expression.
"Please?"
"But this is a limited time-"
"Idia...?"
"... Fine. But only for a little while, I need to clear this level."
Idia caved at last, spinning around in his chair to meet his younger brother's hopeful gaze, ever since rebuilding him, it felt... Painful to look at him entirely. Maybe that was why he covered his mouth, because he couldn't handle the grief of not being a proper brother, of not watching over the one job he had properly. "Nii-san?" The boy asked, signalling that Idia had been staring for far too long, "Let's go now." Idia responded simply, standing up and stretching his arms over his head. He grasped Orthos' hand, pulling him along and plucking his switch from its stand. The two boys made their trek through the twisted hallways, and they stopped at the top of a staircase, hearing their parents' voices drifting through the walls.
Upon hearing the door open, Idia took a few steps back; his parents were in a meeting, and he didn't want to be noticed by whatever client they were negotiating with. much less spoken to. Ortho, noticing his brother's reluctance, spoke up, "You said you would take me to the garden, Nii-san." Idia's gaze snapped to Ortho's innocent eyes, his expression softening imperceptibly, "another time. Mom and Dad are in a meeting, we shouldn't disrupt them."
"The garden is just right there-."
"Please just listen to your brother, Ortho."
"But-" Ortho was cut off. A spectator was standing off to the side, his head tilted, gauging the interaction between the two young boys. He looked to be around Idias' age, thirteen or twelve, with a couple of centimetres on him. Idia took another clumsy step back, clutching the switch close to his chest. The spectator, realizing he was noticed, offered a small, amused smile. "Y-you're not allowed u-up here, sir...!" Idia squeaked out, scanning the other boy with wide eyes. "My apologies, I didn't mean to intrude, children of man." he bowed his head in apology, and for the first time since their interaction began, Idia noticed the tall, intricate horns that adorned the other boy's head.
"Horns...?" Idia mumbled and then clamped a hand over his mouth. What an insensitive thing to say! Now this scary newcomer probably had a bad impression! Idia started spilling apologies and stumbling back, as if he had been burned.
"It's quite all right, child of man. I don't mind." The boy interrupted Idias' ramblings. His response was so gentle, despite his rather intimidating appearance. Just as Idia was about to respond, he heard a voice call for the horned man. “Malleus, we'd better get back to Briar Valley now." Idia found himself subconsciously committing the name to memory; he didn't exactly know why, but he couldn't ignore the curiosity blooming in his chest.
“I'll have to cut this short, children of man. I'll see you both soon."
And just like that, the mysterious boy left the two children to their devices. He was odd, and spoke like a man far beyond his years, but there was an intriguing air to him.
Idia watched the door close, the horned boy leaving Idia shrouded in questions he likely wouldn't get the answer to. Amidst his thoughts, he noticed Ortho tugging at his sleeve. "Can we go out to the garden now?" Idia nearly forgot Orthos' request from earlier. He nodded in response, then took a step to the side. "Lead the way," Idia mumbled. Ortho hovered down the stairs, his robotic body humming softly. Idia trailed after him, gripping his switch tightly in his arms. Ortho pushed the door open, and he drifted outside, running a finger over the railing. Idia followed him, looking down over the bar. The blossoms glittered up at him. The sky was painted over with dark clouds, although that was typical for the Island of Woe. He found his mind wandering to the boy from earlier, Malleus. He could have sworn he heard the name before; maybe he overheard it from the staff? Or perhaps from his parents? He wasn't sure.
He gazed at the bloom, looking for answers he wouldn't be granted. The flower stared back at him, the lively colours feeling mocking. Idia shook his head. This was a waste of time. He walked down the small steps, his shoes squeaking against the wet grass. Idia stood in front of the oak tree that sat in the garden, plopping down and leaning against the cool bark.
Idia clicked the power button on his switch, bringing his knees to his chest. He clicked on a game and watched the spinning circle, signalling that his game was loading.
He let out a puff of air; never mind Malleus, he had his weekly missions to attend to. Idias' mind was temporarily taken off the strange encounter from earlier.
Before he knew it, hours had passed. The artificial sky darkened, warning that night was arriving.
Idia looked up, a shiver already running down his spine. He stood up, calling out for Ortho, who nodded and started hovering towards his brother. Idia made his way towards the patio. Should he ask his parents about Malleus?
"Hey Ortho, could you scan the web for someone by the name of Malleus Draconia?" Idia asked his brother, attempting to sound casual.
"Mhm!" The boy responded cheerfully, "Accountants for Malleus Draconia, Prince of Briar Valley, the next thorn king." Idia nearly tripped over his feet, Prince? Idia had an encounter with a fae prince? The boy with raucous flames turned to look at Ortho, his eyes wide with astonishment.
Ortho seemed excited, "We had an encounter with a prince!"
"That's not a good thing!" Idia scolded,
"Hm? But why not?" The innocent question frustrated his older brother to no end.
"What if he doesn't like us?! Then what?"
"He was friendly, though?"
"Because he was plotting our downfall!" Idia exclaimed, his eyes widening as though it was the most obvious answer in the whole of twisted wonderland.
"You're overthinking this, Nii-san," Ortho commented, and Idia knew his brother was right; he was overthinking this. But he couldn't help but feel anxious. Malleus was a fae prince; how could he not overthink this? He looked back at his brother, who was sporting a perplexed expression. Idia sighed, his grasp on his switch tightening ever so slightly. Maybe he should sleep on this, then ask his parents what in the world a prince was doing at Styx?