Chapter 1

Hell Caller

 

 

They say that the day I was born was the end of the world, and a new one began, a darker one, more difficult. I was born in a place they called Hungary, but that name changed like many others, nations fell and others were formed, those who had the numbers or the resources decided the names, and the people accepted it gladly, who cares If they call you Hungarian, French or John Doe, if they gave us food and a better standard of living, we threw patriotism in the trash.

When I was a child, I changed my nationality many times, until the New Holland government was established, which still remains, so they would call me Neo-Dutch, if they didn't have another name for me, << Hell Caller >> , the one who calls to hell.

I don't know when it started, nor who was the first one, I just know that it happened to me for the first time when I was six years old. First it was like a voice calling me, but it wasn't a voice, it was something like a howl, for some reason I felt it was saying my name: Andrei.

At eight years old I saw him for the first time, he looked like a huge wolf, but instead of fur he had scales, and his eyes were penetrating, as if he could see my soul. I knew I should be afraid, the other children in the orphanage were terrified, so much that they couldn't move, not even shout, maybe they thought it would attack them if they reacted suddenly. I couldn't move too, but I wasn't afraid, it was different, I was contemplating it, I had spent the last two years imagining how it would be, and when it approached me, enough to put my hand on his head and stroke it, a name came to my mind, <<Berion>>, that was the name of my Under.

It was only two nights before some men arrived at the orphanage to look for me, the government doesn't take the Hell Callers lightly. They wore dark clothes, with something that looked like armor, now I know they were bulletproof vests. They were armed and asked questions... Many questions. They took me with them to a place where there were others like me. We were few, I'm not sure how many, but I think if I had seen them all I could have counted them with my fingers.

At that time, the world was just beginning to know about our existence. They tested us, more than once they forced me to call Berion, but I didn't do it, I couldn't do it, not only because I was very weak then, but because they would probably do the same to him. A couple more also refused, but most obeyed, at first they didn't know how, but then they learned to invoke their Under ...

Under.

Nobody knows when or who said it first, but apparently that name became popular, for people it was easy to think of them as beings from the underworld, especially because they had already decided to call the Gates << Hell Gates >>, and we , that could invoke the creatures that came from the other side of the Gates were << Hell Callers >>.

After I passed the first months without invoking Berion once, they decided to ignore me and even excluded me from some of their experiments, but they still didn't let me go. Some of them doubted that I was a Hell Caller, but the other children knew it, and I knew it too, I could feel their Under in them. I remember a child who scared me every time I saw him, they called him Number One. I never knew his name, but even the guards behaved cautiously with him, so I decided to keep my distance.

That boy generated an aura even more chilling than the place we were in, although I never knew where it was. The walls were made of rock and metal, when we passed through the doors I could see the thickness they had, a small child like me could have fit inside those walls.

The thickest walls of all were in the area where they kept Number One, and he was always guarded by twice as many guards than the rest of us. I never saw the room where he slept, but I'm sure it should be in the innermost part of the installation, so that it was as far away from the exit as possible. As if we could escape, even if we called our Under, we were just children, a shot and everything would end.

For years I was in those facilities, until the day a new child arrived. As soon as we were in the common space he suddenly summoned his Under and began to attack, the guards tried to stop him, but his Under was different, it was stronger, the bullets didn't hurt it, nor him.

After finishing the guards, he started attacking us. He killed two before we knew what was happening, three others faced him.

Then I heard a sound, like something creaking, and a door opened with a loud noise behind me. Which they called Number One took the chance to escape. Confused I followed him, no matter what I had to get away from that strange boy who had begun a massacre.

I was afraid, but Number One wasn't. He was strong, like the other boy. He got rid of the reinforcements that were going to stop us and knocked down the doors that blocked our path.

When we finally went outside I remember that it was snowing. I didn't know, but we had been taken to an isolated place for safety.

Then he turned around, looked at me and said:

"Don't follow me, if we separate we will have more possibilities. Now that they know our strength, they will not keep us captive, they will kill us as soon as they see us... Luck".

Then he left and I lost sight of him in the snow, but before I could process what was happening, I heard a rumble behind me.

It was him.

The one who had gone mad was covered in blood and on his face he had a smile that even today I see in my nightmares.

In that cold place they gathered us. To watch us, to study us, and to lock us up, we never talked much among ourselves, I don't know if they would have allowed us. But we were the same, being in the same situation, there was a certain spirit of camaraderie among us, and he killed them mercilessly. I felt deep inside me as if his victims had been my friends at the orphanage, and made my blood boil.

Then I began to remember the events of that day, Number one had said it before ...

<< Our strength. >>

I had almost forgotten it while I was wilting in that disgusting place. I was also a Hell Caller, although I didn't practice like the others, I always watched carefully when someone invoked they Under, and for the first time in years, Berion and I saw each other again, but this time in critical circumstances.

In front of me was the scariest person I had ever seen, and that meant that he had undoubtedly killed the other three who opposed him.

'How strong was him?'

It was certainly a kind of monster.

Except for being able to invoke the Under, the Hell Callers were nothing more than human, mere children. But that boy was strong, the bullets couldn't beat him, his Under-a kind of tiger with horns- was twice as large as any of those who were in that facility and one of its blows had been enough to end the three guards who had escorted him.

What the hell was I thinking?

Fighting with him was suicide. I knew it, but the anger inside me didn't stop and in Berion's eyes I saw no doubt, it filled me with determination.

We howled together, at that moment my own voice merged with Berion's, as if I were also a kind of wolf. I am sure that anyone who listened would have confused my howl with Berion's.

At that moment I felt something that had been taken away from me long ago... I felt free.

For a moment the feeling of freedom intoxicated me, and from my sight the boy and his Under disappeared. I could clearly see the building where I had been locked away for years. For the first time since they took me out of the orphanage, I didn't see walls a few meters away from me, I could see into the distance.

Even with the snow blocking my view.

It was beautiful.

I listened to sounds, felt the wind and snow on my face and all over my body.

I stretched my arms and legs as much as I could, the feelings and sensations I had been suppressing were released and mixed with new emotions.

Gratitude.

Towards Number one. He had always caused me fear. Whenever I saw him, I turned so that our eyes would not meet, but he opened the way to our freedom and said goodbye wishing me luck. If one day I see him again, I would thank him from the bottom of my heart.

Joy.

For being free and meet Berion once again without fearing that they experiment with him, for embracing those suffocating sensations that the world around gave me, which would never be again behind those ruinous walls of rock and metal.

Sadness.

For the lost years. For the other children of the installation who would never know this freedom.

Hatred.

For the culprit that their lives ended up being caged.

And...

Power.

A strength I didn't know. With every beat of my fast heart I felt vividly each of my limbs and muscles. My senses, which were no longer restricted by walls, became sharper with every breath I took.

What I did not feel was fear, the fear that moments before had drowned me, vanished, overwhelmed by all those emotions, and would no longer prevent me from acting ...

 

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In a city which two decades ago had been a bustling metropolis, of which only buildings and streets covered by sand are left neglected, two figures walk carelessly, looking for a suitable place to rest before continuing their journey.

Ahead, the tallest figure walks, a man of refined features and impeccable clothing, a black tuxedo suit, loose enough to see a red shirt underneath, and the chain of a pendant behind it. The man's complexion had the perfect balance between robust and slender, allowing him to emanate an air of elegance. His hair was short and silky, dark black with a reddish touch, just like his eyes.

The first thing you would think when seeing him, would be "Butler", but in a second look you would notice some golden ornaments on the edges of his sleeves and his pants, and wristbands that look excessively strong. Yes, the second thing you would think would be "Royal guard".

"There seems to be no one in the immediate vicinity. I think that structure on the corner of the road is the most appropriate to pause, Your Excellency. If you could wait for me there, with your permission I will bring what is necessary for an appropriate breakfast for the emperor".

Says in a strong but submissive voice the elegant man, while bowing to the young man who came with him.

This 'Emperor' was a 15-year-old boy, his face had the impetus of youth, and depending on the expression he had, you could easily mistake him for a wild gang member or a nobleman, that was the kind of face he had. His hair would make you think first of a gang member. Located just above his eyes was a wick of blond hair, covered by a deep red, the rest of his head had a reddish black, similar to that of his refined companion.

He wore some torn jeans and a black T-shirt, an unbuttoned jacket of a peculiar purple. the most striking of his clothing was a plushy cape that fluttered with the wind. If he was an emperor, he would be of the thugs of a gang.

"Proceed. But don't make me wait, this desolate place looks boring".

The young man said lordly to his respectful companion, who instantly disappeared leaving only a trail of wind where he was before. Without being surprised of what happened, the young man walks towards the agreed building while observing the surroundings.

 

♦♦♦

 

"This city doesn't look badly damaged, it must have been one of the first options to rebuild. I wonder why they didn't repopulate it?"

Despite the deterioration of the city due to abandonment, the condition of the buildings is good, none has collapsed despite being without maintenance the last 15 years, which means that the structures are intact. On the way we saw some damaged buildings, but only a few, it must have been one of the last cities to be attacked before the gates closed, it is in a better state than several of the populated cities we have seen lately. Still there is no one here.

"Ah, I hope to find one soon".

A few days ago I reached 15 years and we decided it was time to start looking for them.

<<Hell Callers>>

A curious name that they decided to give them. Humans consider the Unders as beings from hell. 'So what is on the other side of the gates is hell?' What a fun thought. Does that make me the emperor of hell perhaps? That title doesn't sound very good, I will have to think of something to fix it.

 

♦♦♦

 

"Excuse me for interrupting your meditation. I have everything you need for breakfast ready. Does the emperor want to eat right now?"

Said a voice behind the young man's back.

"Yes, all right. Let's do it to keep looking as soon as possible"

With that said, the figure of the respectful servant was present, as well as a table with plates full of food, cutlery and a chair. All of excellent quality, the chair shone as if it were made of gold and the table of glass, the cutlery was polished silver and the food could only be described as delicacies. Standing next to the table the man placed in position the chair, with a gesture asked the young man to take a seat while bowing his head.

"What path do you suggest we take?"

The young emperor said as he sat down, making sure he didn't sit on his cloak, which he let flutter behind him.

"I detected the presence of an individual to the Northwest from here, he will be arriving in the city in the next few minutes. Apparently he is a Hell Caller, I think he is a good candidate to start, if you decides to give him the honor of being the first one".

The young man looked a few moments northwest.

"It seems good to me, I trust your judgment. I am also not so fussy, I am eager to start this at once".

After saying this, he fixed his attention on the table and began to eat.

 

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Leaving behind a sandy road where the only plants are the distant figures of a few trees and dry grass, a young man covered with a hood to protect himself from the sand looks with relief at the city he was arriving at. Although it didn't seem populated, it would allow him to spend a few nights without being outdoors, hopefully he would find something to eat, it would not be the first time he finds cans with food in an abandoned city.

"If I could hunt an animal it would be best, I almost had no food left. Fuck! Why did it have to be discovered, I was getting along with the townspeople ..."

His mind reproduced the events that occurred 3 days ago. A house had collapsed leaving a family trapped inside, to make matters worse, the collapse caused a fire. Some tried to open a path to take out the family, but the only one with the strength to achieve it was him, and he did not hesitate to save those people, but in doing so his identity as a Hell Caller was revealed and he had to leave the town immediately.

"I barely had time to take the essentials. I had to steal some food too, but I left them the rest of my belongings as payment for it... Not that they were many".

Despite the problem that caused him, there was no trace of regret in his heart. If he had done nothing, then he will repent forever.

"This city ... Is in very good condition. Being that way, the market may be intact, there must be food, clothes, some house must have a comfortable bed ... I think I will sleep very well today".

"Well, that depends".

A voice from the city said. A tall man dressed in black walked calmly from that direction.

"Who are you?"

A logical question. The man dressed as if he were a butler, but had a warrior's wristbands, they looked strong enough to stop bullets.

-Not only does he look strange, his words ... He seems to have clearly heard what I said, from that distance, he is not a simple man- Thought the young man.

"I am the not-so-humble servant of his magnificence, The Emperor".

The man said without hesitation as he leaned down to show his respect to the person he had just named, which can also be seen as a greeting.

"Emperor?"

"That's right. I can't be humble when I was glorified as his first servant".

The man's expression did not give rise to doubts about the seriousness of his words.

"I thought this city was abandoned, if it is ruled by an emperor ..."

"Oh, no doubt this city was abandoned, although it is in good condition. I would say that the reason is the distance between the city and a water source. Although the machines are working today, many people feel insecure and they fear they stop working again, so they are cautious with things like that".

"Wow, so that's why ... Wait, then it is abandoned".

"Indeed".

"..."

"..."

"If it's abandoned, what about the Emperor and what does it have to do with me?"

He said as he watched the man suspiciously.

"Whether the city is abandoned or not is irrelevant, although it is beneficial not to have to silence witnesses".

The man finally changes his posture, before saying the following words:

"I'm here because you're a Hell Caller, aren't you?"

These words caused chills in the young man as he had not felt in years. The expression of this strange man when he said them, was the look of a predator who had just found its prey.

"The Emperor is in search of the Hell Callers, as his servant is my duty to go ahead to present him properly".

With that said, the man stands aside and leans on his knee.

"Your imperial excellence, I have confirmed that this individual is a Hell Caller".

"Well done".

Says a young man in strange clothes whose figure was hidden behind that of his servant. With an expression of maximum authority, the young emperor extends a hand.

"Your name?"

"... I'm Andrei, Andrei Arschiel".

" Rejoice Andrei, from today you will be my servant".

Andrei's head was filled with thoughts:

What the hell does this guy say?

Is this guy 'The Emperor' that man was talking about? He seems my age, is him a Hell Caller? I can't feel his Under. But this situation is very weird.

 

"That man said something about looking for Hell Callers, what is it about?"

"Well, it's simple. I'm gathering my subjects".

"And I'm supposed to be one of your subjects?"

"As expected of my new servant, you're nothing silly".

"Who do you think you are!?"

With a smile from ear to ear and a haughty voice, as if he had been waiting for this, he says while putting a look of superiority.

"The Emperor, of course".

"..."

♦♦♦

Calm down, analyze the situation. This guy is irritating, but the real problem is that man, he isn't an ordinary human, and what is more worrying, I feel nothing, not the slightest trace of an Under in any of them, but that man already proved to have senses too sharp for a normal person.

Is it a skill I don't know?

The Hell Callers are different from each other, as well as their Unders. Is it possible that there is some kind of Under that does not convey its presence? An undetectable Under.

If true, his Hell Caller could not be distinguished from an ordinary person.

The question is, are they two Hell Caller with undetectable Unders or ...

The servant who until then had been calm, moved at a speed incomprehensible to human sight and launched a devastating blow where Andrei was less than a second before. The blow was clean, his fist was buried in the ground as if there had been a hole from the beginning, he hardly raised dust, he left no more trace of the violence that had taken place.

"Worm. How dare you show such an attitude to the emperor !?"

His face showed an expression that brought the worst of his fine face. Contempt.

"..."

That attack ... I didn't see it coming, my instincts told me that my life was in danger, I jumped back in fear. I never saw a blow like that. What would have happened to me if I had stayed still?

"A moment ago I could feel the intention of attacking that you showed the Emperor. Let me tell you that while I am here, a little vermin like you, nor anyone in this miserable world, will put a finger on him".

"Calm down, you could kill him".

Said the young emperor calmly.

"Yes. Excuse my rough behavior, I regret my attitude".

He is strong, too strong. It would be best to escape, but with that speed I have no hope, my best chance is to fight. Its speed is much higher than that of any Hell Caller, I wonder ...

"You! Are you even a Hell Caller?"

"What does this child say now? Of course I am not a Hell Caller".

I figured. As crazy as it sounds, that just means ... That he is an Under!

Based on his behavior so far, that boy he refers to as emperor is his Hell Caller. This starts to make sense, it is ridiculous to think that an undetectable Hell Caller is that strong, as ridiculous as finding two Hell Caller with the same ability to go unnoticed. In addition, all Hell Callers are the same age. If it's a single Hell Caller and his Under, then I have possibilities.

"BERION!"

♦♦♦

 

With a shout that became a howl, Andre invokes his Under. His shadow squirms beneath his feet and from it comes a great Scaly Wolf, at least twice as large as Andrei himself.

"This will be our first fight in a long time, my friend".

"Being honest, this will be my first fight against a Hell Caller, so I understand a little what you feel".

The servant said as he fixed his gaze on Andrei and Berion.

"So you plan to resist, I like it. Give me a good show".

"It will be a performance that you will never forget trashy Emperor".

"Subject him".

With that said the servant rushes forward determined to fulfill the order.

Predictable.

Andrei and Berion see the attack coming and split.

That attack was slower than the previous one, but it was still very fast, if he fought alone he would not last more than a minute.

Let's see how you fight against two. Thought Andrei.

Andrei and Berion attack the man who was between them at the same time, but he remains in his place and taking advantage of the length of his arm, takes Andrei's head with his left hand. Unable to react to the swift and simple movement, Andrei could only feel the vertigo of being thrown against Berion. At the moment of impact, he felt the pain of crashing his back with the hard scales of Berion, scales that over the years became strong enough to stop bullets. The inertia pushes both towards the nearest building, through the wall and rise a cloud of dust and sand.

"When you fight with your fists as weapons, you must take into account the length of your arms and those of your opponent, it is basic. You will not even achieve to dirty my suit if you do not understand at least that".

Having made such a simple and refined movement, the servant did not have a speck of dust on him. Although the movement was simple, it was only possible thanks to great strength and speed, this was obvious to Andrei. In the current state a fight was not possible.

"Howl with me BERION!"

As soon as they went through the hole in the building, Andrei and Berion start to howl.

Two howls were soon one.

Andrei and Berion's fighting spirits melted and burned more intensely.

Moving with rapid jumps, Andrei and Berion once again surround the man, and repeat the previous attack. Again Andrei is held by the head and thrown towards Berion.

"You do not learn".

When hitting the scales, Andrei contracts his legs to accelerate the turn and get into position, instead of hitting, he leans on Berion to propel himself. Berion also changes his posture, his attack became an onslaught.

Still held by the head, Andrei manages to propel himself towards the man's torso, which is pushed by the combined force of Andrei and Berion and falls on his back. His body draws a line on the ground before stopping by friction.

"Now your suit is more than dirty, don't you think Sebastian?"

"Sebastian?"

"Isn't that what a butler should be called?"

"I think I underestimated you. You've exceeded my expectations and I thank you for it". He says while standing up.

"He".

As I thought, his strength and speed are great, but not as much as in his first attack, he must have put himself to the extreme to perform it. Even so, now that Berion and I are also at the limit of our capacity, we could barely get up to it. I need to think about a strategy, I will not be able to withstand the stress of this power for a long time, I must win fast. Thought Andrei.

 

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Even your way of getting up is majestic, Great Emperor.

"I'm done, let's leave for the Northwest immediately".

"As ordered by The Emperor".

While The Emperor begins to walk quietly, I must clean and leave the furniture and utensils safely guarded for next time. I think I'll leave them in the small building I saw in the Southeast, just to be sure. It will take me a couple of seconds, I must not make the Emperor wait.

"That reminds me. You said it was probably a Hell Caller right?"

"That's right, I didn't get close enough to check it out, but it looked stronger than other humans".

"How much?"

"The difference is minuscule excellence, I could barely perceive it. I apologize for my lack of ability, but I don't master a unit of measure of strength so small as to differentiate between humans and Hell Callers, rather than as '1' - Simple human- and '2' -Hell Caller-"

"I see, don't apologize. When I see him, I'll know if it's worth having him as a servant".

"Thank you for your kindness excellence. It will certainly be the best day of his life if you decides to make him your servant".

After walking to the entrance of the city, we finally found this potential servant for the Emperor. It is certainly a Hell Caller, I feel the presence of his Under.

...

I almost killed him without wanting to, I couldn't control myself when I felt that the Emperor would be attacked. I must be careful, The Emperor already declared that him will be his servant and ordered me to make him submit. He seems interested in him.

He also said he wanted a show. If the fight ends very fast, he will be disappointed. For now I will throw myself very slowly towards him, please dodge me.

...

He is tougher than I thought. I was scared to think that he would suddenly die, although I attacked him very carefully. I think he is of the 'Unison' type, they are supposed to be stronger than other Hell Callers. Even so it was a good idea to do nothing when he pushed me, if I offered resistance while holding his head, I could have burst it.

" I think I underestimated you. You've exceeded my expectations and I thank you for it".

As long as it continues like this, he will not die and The Emperor will be pleased.

 

♦♦♦

♦♦♦

 

I can win, if I put everything I have in the next attack, I can beat him. Thought Andrei.

Once again the man goes on the offensive with surprising speed, but Andrei manages to dodge it by jumping backwards. This is repeated two more times until Berion and Andrei surround the man again.

"Berion, it's time for our winning combination".

"Oh, so you're going to show your best move, it better be a wholesome show".

Andrei was irritated, and in his mind he countered The Emperor words:

You will be surprised, Emperor of the inept. I have already realized his fighting style. That man is an Under, and specialized in combat, while the Hell Caller is a specialist in mental energy, so his Under can fight freely without problems. But that class of Hell Caller is not very strong in combat by itself, while I am stronger than other Hell Callers.

My plan is about to bear fruit, I led the direction of the fight since I made them believe I was concentrating on the Under, when I was actually securing my position. They did not realize, but we have entered the city, and the buildings serve as a cover, right now I am many meters closer to the Hell Caller than its Under.

These were his thoughts.

Andrei starts running and takes a piece of the wall that was previously shattered, throwing it at the servant who easily dodges it. That's when Berion attacks from behind, but is repelled without difficulty.

During these short seconds, Andrei, hidden among the buildings, made his way to the young man who was watching the fight from afar, at the entrance of the city, and attacks as fast as he can.

"It's over!"

Then everything turned dark.

When the light returned to his eyes, Andrei felt as if the weight of the world was on him. His arms and legs weighed like never before and a terrible pain coming from every part of his body shocked him.

He could hardly move, but just by turning his head to one side and the other, he noticed that this time it was not a wall, but a whole building. The rubble that surrounded him, were the remains of an entire building that collapsed, not counting a few pieces, the rest had been reduced to pebbles.

"I lose..."

"From the moment you resisted you had already lost, what happened next was just a show for The Emperor".

"I suppose you will kill me now and take Berion. I know how it works. Someone once told me: If one Hell Caller kills another, he seizes his Under".

"That decision is not yours".

"I told you before. Isn't it?"

The young emperor extends his hand to the injured and defeated Andrei.

"Rejoice Andrei, from today you will be my servant".

For a moment he could do nothing but feel perplexed, but then he let out a sore laugh.

"I guess I have no other choice".

Using the last of his strength he takes the Emperor's hand.

"I officially declare you as my servant".

After these words, Andrei felt a great relief, he didn't know the reason, but he felt like all the stress left his badly wounded body. He was no longer tired, his wounds were still there, but it seemed as if they were nothing. He got confused, a few seconds ago he was so exhausted that he could have died, but now he felt more energetic than ever. He hadn't felt so much strength since the first time he summoned Berion.

"Wha... What is this?"

He said as he watched his hand and moved his fingers to see that those were his hands, he felt as light as if his body had lost all its weight.

"You feel it, right?"

The man said.

"You feel The Emperor inside you, his energy now flows to every cell of your body. Try invoking your Under".

"...Berion".

Like last time, Berion immediately manifested, but something was different.

"I'm not feeling it anymore, the stress of keeping Berion's body here".

"That's because you have lost that weight. The Emperor is now the one who keeps the Under. You no longer need to do it with your limited energy, now it can remain in its physical form indefinitely".

"That's ... Great. Did you hear Berion?"

"I did".

Andrei's face was even more perplexed than before.

"You just talked ... And I heard you, I didn't feel like I did, I really heard you".

A warm and wet sensation began to run down his face uncontrollably.

"Because you are of the Unison type, you have a stronger bond with your Under than ordinary, your senses and physical strength are also somewhat greater than other Hell Callers. What happens is that all those abilities have had an increase due to the power of the Emperor flowing in you, that allows you to now listen and understand your Under".

"Really, I can really listen to Berion ..."

"I feel it too. Despite the fight, I'm not exhausted and I can communicate with you, Andrei".

Andrei threw himself into a sudden hug, he couldn't resist the urge to hug Berion tightly, although his arms could not even surround its neck, this did not prevent him from holding it as he could.

"I am so happy".

"Me too".

"It's just the beginning, soon all Under and Hell Callers will meet under the shadow of The Emperor".

These words exalted Andrei.

"You, who are you two really?"

"We said it from the beginning. We are The Emperor and his not-so-humble servant".

"I do not mean that".

"Ah, I know what you mean, I think it's a good time".

The Emperor starts talking while looking a little excited.

"What did he say before? Basti ... ti ... on. Yes, you!"

The Emperor points to his servant, who immediately kneels.

"From now on your name will be Bastion, and you will be the strong fort for my uprising as emperor".

"My name is Bastion, I listen and obey".

"Hey, what is he talking about? You should have a real name?"

"My real name is Bastion, any name that is not given by the Emperor is invalid. As the ruler, everything belongs to him and it is his right to name anything. That the subjects dare to name the Emperor's belongings is a sign of arrogance, their names are fake".

Andrei could do nothing but remain silent at these words.

"Since I'm at this, I'm tired of you calling me emperor all the time. Especially because nobody else refers to me that way".

I wonder why... Thought Andrei.

"You said that your name was Andrei, right? And that Under, Berion ... Well, I like it, you can keep those names. You can call me Kaiser".

"Kaiser?"

"Is how Bastion called me when I was little".

"That word means 'Emperor' in the language of the place where we were at that time".

"Then it's appropriate. From now on my name will be Kaiser".

"... Okay. Kaiser, right? Just for letting me talk to Berion, I'm already grateful. If you really intend to unite all the Hell Callers, then I'll gladly fight by your side".

Andrei offers Kaiser his hand in a sincere show of respect.

"Move your servant just moments after joining your ranks, as expected of The Emperor".

Kaiser shakes hands with Andrei and they share a true greeting.