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The Ejellans had a precious, secret treasure which had been passed down their family line for generations. It allowed the user to take the form of any person who previously possessed the item, at any age they ever had it on their person. Even more importantly, it cloaked the person beneath the disguise completely, including their smell, aura, and even the appearance of their soul. It was once said that this item was powerful enough to fool even the Gods.
It was without a doubt a priceless item, the only one of its kind. However… that particular treasure was not the only one passed down the Ejellan family.
The original maker of that treasure had created another item for the Vampires. One even more powerful and stranger. However, despite how powerful it was, it had never been used.
Because that item allowed the user to contact other worlds… but only if it got connected to its exact parallel replica, at the exact same time.
Fredo von Ejellan knew without a doubt that other worlds existed. After all Gods and Demons were both definitely real, and they had to live somewhere. Therefore, the existence of other worlds similar to this one were not a big stretch of imagination. For all he knew, there could be a countless number of worlds identical to this one, like scattered mirror shards.
However, no matter how many times the Ejellans tried to use their second family treasure, nothing happened. It was definitely not defective – the success of their first treasure proved the genius behind its design. It simply meant that they were out of luck so far.
Just because other worlds could be similar, there was no reason for them to be precisely in sync with each other.
Fredo entertained himself by trying to turn on the device once a decade or so. It was simple curiosity. He never imagined he would eventually succeed.
It was an ordinary day when Duke Fredo activated the orb-shaped device, expecting it to remain as blank as ever… when suddenly, a mirror image appeared in it.
"...Oh?" The two Fredos said at the same time.
Then their faces turned into identical expressions of amusement.
"It would seem-"
They tried to speak, except they spoke the same words at the exact same time. It was eerie, to say the least.
"...You."
"Me?"
"Yes, you." The Other Fredo spoke to the first Fredo. "According to the connection description on the device, your side made the call, while my side picked it up. So, you start."
"Very well." Fredo shrugged. It didn't really matter who spoke first, as long they did not interrupt each other. "It would seem the device works as intended."
"Indeed."
"What is the current date on your side?"
"3rd day of the 8th month in the 778th year of the Felix Calendar."
"Interesting." Duke Fredo spoke honestly. "That is the current date here as well. Is the time 9:01 at your side too?"
"Yes, it is. Why have we never connected before if that's the case?"
"I don't usually try to use the device on the 3rd day of the month," he freely admitted. "I made the habit of doing so on the 4th day of the 8th month once a decade."
"Fascinating." The Other Fredo put his hands together and Fredo realized he had unconsciously made the same gesture mere moments ago. The two of them were truly extremely similar, down to minuscule habits... and yet, there were clearly differences, as his counterpart continued: "I always do so on the 3rd day. Which means…"
"...while we appear to be the same person, we are still two different people." He finished, his eyes gleaming. "And that means…"
"...each of us might possess information the other doesn't."
The two Vampires smiled at each other sharply.
They continued to talk for the next hour, comparing their experiences. Fredo was pleased to learn that it was fun to talk to another version of himself. Clearly, he was a wonderful conversationalist. While they did not share anything of great importance, as their trust in each other was limited, they managed to figure out that while their worlds shared the same set-up and all major events, the difference laid in details: meals eaten on particular days, shades of color on clothing, patterns on vases. Their worlds were less like copies of each other, and more like twins.
It was very validating to know. The meeting might have been unsettling for them otherwise. They were Vampires after all – they had their pride of being the most unique of lifeforms, existing on the edge of life and death. But meeting someone simply similar? It was like discovering a forgotten family member.
In short, the two Fredos were delighted. They hit it off immediately.
"...we should keep in touch."
"Oh, definitely."
Even if their worlds remained nearly the same, they could still share information with each other. Also, they could make similar plans with differentiating details to see if any divergence happened. It could potentially provide priceless information for both sides.
"Once a month sounds good?"
"Perfect, just as you are."
"You're such a brilliant person."
"Great minds think alike, after all."
"You'll make me blush, you charmer."
"You're extremely charming as well."
Fredo swooned dramatically.
This was the most fun he had in a long while.
And so, the Fredos continued to make calls once a month. Years passed, and nothing major seemed to change. Their plans were moving forward slowly but surely. However, there were obstacles in their way. The White Star of each of their world was getting closer and closer to gathering all the Ancient Powers he needed to complete his plate. They could not let that happen. Once it did, there would be nothing stopping him from openly challenging both Continents for power.
For over two years, they continued calling each other without fail. However, one day, the Other Fredo did not pick up.
Fredo wasn't worried. While unusual, that wasn't any cause for panic. They had made plans in advance if something came up that made it impossible for them to connect.
He was intrigued instead.
There had been no change to their schedule before, as their worlds were so similar that if one side was available, by default so was the other. In other words… something had changed. A major divergence finally appeared.
Fredo von Ejellan was excited.
He could barely contain himself when his counterpart finally picked up.
"Well?" He spoke, grinning. "Something must have happened. Tell me everything."
The Other Fredo had a peculiar expression on his face. Fredo wasn't sure what it meant, and that only made him more curious about this unexpected development.
"Do you…" The Other Fredo paused, gathering his thoughts. "Do you remember reading the story of the Puppet and the Woodcarver as a child?"
"'The Puppet and the Woodcarver'?" Duke Fredo repeated, rubbing his chin. "Yes, I believe I still remember it."
It was a very simple story about a lonely Woodcarver, who dreamed of having a child of his own. Then one day, with a God's blessing, one of his puppets suddenly came to life. That Puppet became his son, and they both lived happily ever after.
A harmless fairy tale. Pure wish fulfillment, nothing more. But, come to think of it… wasn't it one of the first things that inspired Fredo to create 'Naru' later on?
Before Fredo could contemplate it any deeper, the Other Fredo spoke:
"I don't know how to explain it any better, but… it happened."
Fredo blinked in confusion. "What happened?"
"That story. It came to life, with Naru. Quite literally."
Duke Fredo stared at his counterpart with a stunned gaze for a long moment. "...I'm sorry, what?"
"Naru became a real person. I have no idea how, but he is." The Other Fredo looked thoughtful as he continued: "He isn't a younger version of me. He isn't like you, either. The family treasure disappeared, and he took its place. He says he used to be a human adult. And now he's Naru. Neither of us know how it happened."
"Naru… is a real person in your world." Fredo slowly said in disbelief.
"So it would seem." The Other Fredo shrugged, and Fredo realized why he had such a bizarre expression on his face.
His other self was utterly baffled by this turn of events. But he was also delighted.
No, delighted was not the right word: he was ecstatic. He could barely contain himself. Fredo finally understood the reason.
"...You're a father?" he said with his eyes growing wide with shock.
"I'm a father!" The Other Fredo agreed, nodding with enthusiasm.
"Uh-"
"You don't understand, he- he's-!"
"He's…?"
"Perfect," Fredo said the world with deep relish and… fatherly pride, perhaps? "He's so clever, and a flawless actor, and greedy, a devious schemer, and-!"
Fredo leaned back, listening to the long list of what made Other Fredo's son perfect and for the first time in his life, he felt a sting of an unfamiliar emotion.
Envy.
The monthly calls became weekly after that, because the Other Fredo could not resist spending most of their call time praising his son – much to Fredo's misery.
It wasn't that he didn't understand- well. Perhaps he didn't. He wasn't a real father, after all, no matter what the rest of the Endable Kingdom believed. No, the reason was that Fredo was jealous.
He was deeply jealous of Other Fredo.
Why did he get to see his secret dream come to life while Fredo didn't? Their worlds had been mostly identical so far. Why did the Gods decided that the Other Fredo was good enough to get such a gift while Fredo didn't?! It just wasn't fair!
"He does it so effortlessly, you know? I worked so hard to make my 'Naru' persona as innocent and lovable as possible. And he not only made it his own; he made it better! He has the entire Kingdom wrapped around his little fingers, and it's only been days!"
"Hm."
Still, no matter how much envy he felt hearing about the 'Real Naru'… He wanted to know more.
"...he said everybody in his family died a long time ago, so it's only natural he doesn't understand familial concern very well," the Other Fredo ranted. "And while I am selfishly happy that he doesn't have another home to return to, I wish Naru could learn to value himself a bit more."
"Hm..."
He wished to know more about the person who, in another world, would have been his own son.
"...dreams of doing nothing and slacking, but does he even know the meaning of rest? I worry about him. Having children is so stressful. Is my hair going gray yet?"
"Oh, definitely."
"Gasp! So cruel. Almost as cruel as my son is to me."
"Maybe he is secretly my son."
"Don't you dare steal my child from me."
Fredo smirked at his counterpart. "Oh no, you've figured out my secret plan."
"You think my dear, filial son would ever go with you?"
"I have more money than you." Because Fredo didn't have a son to spoil, obviously. "I could totally bribe him."
Other Fredo pretended to weep. "So cruel. No sympathy, even from my other self."
Despite the bitter feeling in Fredo's heart, the tales of Naru's adventures never failed to put a smile on his face. Even if he could never have a Real Naru like Other Fredo, he still could comfort himself that at least in one world, the von Ejellan line would not be ending with him.
Of course, Naru wasn't the only topic the two of them discussed. The differences between their worlds were becoming more and more drastic as time went on.
The most obvious difference – aside from Naru's existence – was a certain individual named Cale Henituse.
"...A Commander?"
"Yes. And a very successful one. He won against the Indomitable Alliance's invasion of the Roan Kingdom and Caro Kingdom, as well."
"That's… hmmm."
Other Fredo looked very thoughtful.
"You know, I've been thinking." He tapped his chin, looking somewhere in the distance. "Remember how Naru suddenly appeared in my world?"
"...Obviously?" Did Fredo even need to say it?
"Well… we made the assumption that he didn't in your world, because there is no Naru there. However… what if we were half wrong?"
Fredo felt a strange feeling overcome him. It almost felt like hope. "...What are you getting at?"
"What if… he still exists in your world in some form?" There was a piercing looking in Other Fredo's eyes, which made Fredo feel strangely exposed.
It's not like Other Fredo was unaware of his jealously. How could he not know? He was nearly the same person, after all.
Which was why both of them knew how much of an impact it made when Other Fredo said:
"...What if he's also somewhere out there, in your world? Just not as Naru. He was a soul torn from his previous body, after all."
Meeting with Nar- Cale Henituse was not as simple as it might have seemed.
He was constantly on the move. Not to mention well protected. Fredo had to make sure to make contact in a stealthy way, too. One wrong move, and the lives of all Vampires under his command would be on the line. The White Star had no mercy for traitors.
The opportunity finally presented itself when N- Cale's allies foolishly tried to infiltrate the Gate to the Demon World.
"...Are you Cale Henituse?"
Finally, after three years of waiting, he was facing the person he heard so much about.
The person who, in another life – with a God's blessing – could have been his son.
The Hero of the Two Continents.
The person who the Other Fredo loved more than anyone else.
The person for whom Fredo himself cared quite a bit, despite never meeting him before.
Cale's eyes were fearless, cold and calculating. Fredo had no right to feel proud. But feelings are not rational, in the end.
'And his blood smells so sweet, as well.'
He could feel a swell of protectiveness rise within him.
The Roan Kingdom's Commander might not know it – not now or ever – but Fredo would tear the world apart before he'd let anyone touch this child.
"Are you the leader of the Vampires?"
Fredo looked at Cale warmly and responded:
"Yes. I am their leader." Then he turned to the black-haired Sword Master, who always loyally stood by his son's side, no matter what body his soul resided in. "You must be Choi Han. There's no need to look around like that. There are no other enemies in the area."
"Why are there no other enemies here?" Cale calmly asked him.
Like hell he'd let any of that White Bastard's men close to his son when he was around.
"Why would I move with the others?" Fredo feigned innocence.
"...That's hard to believe, when the others are still barricading us from all directions."
That might be the case from Cale's perspective. But Fredo knew better. While their time to chat was definitely limited, he had a dozen plans to make sure he and his friends could escape from here unharmed.
Of course, his dear son would not trust him with most of them at the present moment. It would be for the best if he and his group escaped on their own.
"Don't mind me and come over," Fredo invited him with a smile. "Your enemies will soon arrive from the bottom."
As expected, Cale's expression turned only more suspicious. "What are you planning?"
Fredo suppressed a charmed sigh. His son's suspicious, petulant expression was just as adorable as Other Fredo claimed.
It was the reason why on a whim, he decided to generate an artificial excuse. It was perfect. It played with humans' prejudiced notions on Vampires as well as Cale Henituse's own suspicions.
Why would a Vampire be so invested in a human, if Fredo was any other person?
"Mm. Oh my, it seems you are misunderstanding my intentions. I have no intention of fighting you here."
"Why?" Fredo could practically see the wheels spinning in Cale's mind as he instantly processed newly-gathered information. He was truly an outstanding individual, no matter his exterior. "What is your title? Marquis? Or... Duke?"
"Correct." Fredo wished to praise his son for being such a clever boy. He managed to refrain, just barely, knowing well it would be very poorly received at current time. "I am a Duke. Nice to meet you. My name is Duke Fredo Von Ejellan, the leader of the two Continents' Vampires. You can just call me Duke Fredo."
'...Or father. But that can come later.'
Cale looked at him and casually asked:
"Then who is the King? Do you have a kingdom of your own?"
Fredo shrugged nonchalantly. "Who knows?"
He was curious to see how much his son could figure out on his own. As always, his son's sharp intellect did not disappoint.
"Is the White Star the king?" Cale's eyes narrowed. "Or, is it the Demonic race? I saw some people who served the Demonic race."
Fredo frowned slightly for a fraction of a moment. How hurtful, to see his son looking at him with such judgment.
Then he laughed.
"Haha. No matter how delicious your blood may be... You can't look at me like that."
Cale's dumbfounded expression was priceless.
How else could a Vampire cover up an irrational attachment to a human, other than the desire for their blood?
The next time Fredo saw his son was at the royal palace of the Roan Kingdom.
"Your highness, Alberu Crossman. Nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you as well."
"I wished to meet your highness at some point, but I apologize for suddenly barging in like this."
"Not at all. It's okay."
"Your highness, you truly are as wise and benevolent as I've heard."
"Hahaha! Duke Fredo, you are the one who seems quite wise."
Cale watched their exchange in disbelief. Fredo relished watching his son's reactions to everything.
'He may not be Naru, but no matter what, he will always be my son.'
Was it a foolish sentiment, knowing that Cale Henituse would never return it? Perhaps.
However, Fredo was a Vampire. Vampires did not do regrets. They simply moved forward. And Fredo planned on doing so, enjoying himself as much as possible.
"Little brother, have you ever thought about learning etiquette like Duke Fredo?"
Cale looked at the Crown Prince with an expression which clearly expressed: 'What nonsense is this?'
"I plan on being a slacker, so I don't think I'll have anywhere to use that etiquette even if I learned them."
"Ah."
Alberu sighed, and Fredo was tempted to laugh.
'No matter the world, my son is still delusional about becoming a slacker. How adorable.'
"Your highness, if it is okay with you, may I have a conversation with young master Cale Henituse in secret?"
"Of course. Do whatever you need."
Soon, there were only Cale, Choi Han, Raon and Fredo in the room.
"So, why did you come to find me?"
Fredo, in the form of a black bird, made eye contact with Cale.
"My friend..." It took a lot of effort on Fredo's part to use that word instead of 'son'. Melundo would have been proud of him. "It looks like you'll need to go to the Endable Kingdom with me."
Ah, there was that delightful baffled expression again. Seeing it so up close made it impossible for Fredo not to continue teasing.
"Me... and you... are friends?"
"Of course we are friends. We're practically family. After all, doesn't family share blood?"
Getting a sword next to his neck in response was totally worth it.
After that small commotion, Duke Fredo explained to Cale and the others some things about the Gate to the Demon World and the White Star's current plan.
"Cale Henituse. That man is rushing things because of you."
"...Because of me?"
"Yes. You are someone chosen by the Gods-"
Raon suddenly slammed down on the table with his chubby front paw. The table cracked in half from the impact. The Black Dragon looked quite angry.
"No! Our human is not even a tiny bit interested in a God! He is a good human whose only dream is to be a slacker!"
"I know."
"...You know?"
"...I don't believe in the slacker part." Poor Naru never managed that, despite Other Fredo's sincere efforts. "But I know that he is not someone who has received the will of a God."
Being impacted by a God was one thing. Being someone's lackey was something else entirely. No matter if he was Naru or Cale, that man was not someone to bow to anyone.
As a Vampire, it was the thing Fredo admired about him the most.
"I told Cale Henituse everything because I know that that is the case. Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to tell him. They would hear everything. To be honest with you, I hate both the Gods and the Demonic race. I hate having anybody above me."
It was quite true. He was grateful for the Gods for sending Naru to Other Fredo, and for sending Cale into this world. But Fredo was not so delusional to think that the Gods did it for his sake. The Gods only meddled whenever it was for their own goals, not because they felt for lower, mortal beings.
Fredo despised that. And he knew that Cale felt the same.
"Anyway, you'll need to come to the Endable Kingdom with me."
"...Why."
"I know you don't trust me."
"Of course."
"Then let me show you some proof, so that you can trust me."
Fredo finally arrived at the point he had longed for ever since learning about Cale's – Naru's – existence in this world.
Would he have done this if he didn't know? Yes. Was he even more eager to do it because he knew? Very much, yes.
Fredo touched his wrist and showed him an ordinary-looking arm bracelet, which was actually a priceless treasure.
"The reason I was able to trick the White Star and move around so freely until now is because of a family treasure that has been passed down for generations."
"...Are you going to give that treasure to me or something?"
"Yes, I'll give it to you."
Cale looked at Fredo in shock, clearly not expecting that response.
'My son, you are too cute for my dead heart.' Fredo chuckled at him before continuing to speak.
"It's how you will be able to infiltrate the Endable Kingdom without hiding and causing any suspicion." Fredo grinned widely, and finally blurted out the question he's been dying to ask all along: "...Would you like to be my son?"
Cale Henituse gaped at Duke Fredo.
"...Excuse me?"
No one should blame him that once Cale agreed, Fredo never stopped calling him his son again.
Other Fredo might have a Real Naru, but who said Duke Fredo couldn't have a son of his own? There was no creature more cunning than a Vampire, after all.
The End.