“Douglas De Shult is doing well, Gauth Van Hulsieg. Neither he nor his staff will be attending the pleasure summit.” The seven-foot man told the obscured entity he calls his master.

  He knelt as he spoke, his head tilted in subordinance. The balcony was open; the lights turned off. It was familiar to him. As were his master's words.

  “Rise, Cerberus.” He commanded.

  And so Cerberus does, to his full height as he awaits an address.

  Gauth Van Hulsieg placed his hand upon Cerberus from behind. Yet his voice came from in front… Cerberus was sure his master was in front.

  It doesn't matter. Gauth Van Hulsieg spoke again.

  “What about the others? Within the business realm? Are they still in attendance?”

  “Unfortunately so.” Cerberus replies, his voice as deep as his lords only because the Lord decides to speak that high. He lets go of Cerberus.

  “Then they are fools. Yet it is to be expected. You are a… political consultant after all.”

  “They must respect strength! It is why I devote myself to you!”

  Cerberus protests passionately. Not at his master, but through him, towards those he resents.

  Gauth Van Hulsieg replies, walking forward while looking behind. “They respect nobody. Expect no less from animals, no matter how human they appear. I honour your attempt, Cerberus.”

  His master turned his head forward to walk back to the throne. As he begins to take a seat, Cerberus asks for directions. His laser-red eyes make the space close to him glow. His voice is natural, despite the cybernetics.

  “Shall I institute punishment? This insubordination cannot go unmet, Gauth Van Hulsieg.”

  “No. You will protect them.” His master answered as he sat comfortably on the ebony throne. One might think that Cerberus has gotten used to subversion of expectation on behalf of his master now. Yet as he responds, it is clear that he has not.

  “Protect them?... Of course. Whatever it is you command shall be done, Gauth Van Hulsieg.”

  “Good.” Gauth Van Hulsieg replies. Listening only to the ambiance is only pleasant if that is what you intend to do. As Gauth Van Hulsieg finishes his sentence, Cerberus is met with silence. All except for the rain that fell. The winds that blew, and the lightning which struck. Whether or not machines whirred unseen within the throne room is largely arbitrary, Cerberus realizes unwillingly. Silence is the food of thought. Cerberus was not hungry. He was about to speak, but then his master did it for him. =

  He asked him a question.

  “What are you here for, Cerberus?”

  “Would you prefer I leave?” Cerberus replies. His master snapped his fingers and pointed towards Cerberus.

  “You are inferring something that isn't there. Interesting. Are you scared?”

  “What?! Of course not!” Cerberus replies with increased animation. He began pacing side-to-side like an impatient toddler.

  “Yes you are.” Gauth Van Hulsieg replies. “I can smell it. The change in the air when the silence arrived. You are scared, Cerberus. What are you scared of?”

  “I am scared of nothing!” Cerberus begins to yell. He contains the monster within, for now. It is not often he is poked.

  His master took a deep breath in, and then a deep breath out.

  “Ahh… that's what it is. How could I have not noticed for so long…”

  “WHAT!” Cerberus demands, being in no position to do so. He was wrapped around his finger like a ring. As lightning strikes outside, Gauth Van Hulsieg replies.

  “You speak of power. Of how might makes right. This anger you have held onto. It is just the fear of your own downfall. That perhaps might does not make right. This fear brings you anger… because dissonance is frustration. You are afraid of being wrong.”

  Cerberus is quiet for now. He is not sure if that assessment is right or wrong. All he can be sure of in the moment is that Gauth Van Hulsieg stands, and asks him another question.

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  “Do you feel you have something to prove?”

  “I… I believe I have more than proven my loyalty, master Gauth Van Hulsieg. I have promised total faith within your word.” Cerberus replies, kneeling down and bowing again. It wasn't the right answer.

  “And yet you show doubt. Did you not just say that you fear nothing?” His master replies.

  Cerberus keeps his head down, providing a subdued correction.

  “I… I believe I said scared, not fear.”

  His master stopped in place. Either that, or he decided his footsteps were silent. Cerberus isn't sure which one. It is only when his voice whispers in his ear that he has his confirmation.

  “You have much to prove to yourself. I am already convinced. Let us refocus this conversation before you say something you will regret.”

  Cerberus turns, his master's face right there looking back at him. He swallows hard and submits. “Of course, Gauth Van Hulsieg.”

  He looks away awkwardly. The monstrous, cybernetic beast of a man reduced to a pathetic lapdog in the face of that which is stronger. Because might makes right, regardless of whether his voice spoke out.

  His master turned away, his head looking towards the open maw of the balcony door.

  His head turns back down into the red eyes of the timid beast.

  “The pleasure summit is near. I cover the slack of your missing colleagues. And your forces maintain only the facade of competence, as does everything else.”

  He turns around again and beckons Cerberus to rise with his finger. Cerberus complies, standing to less than half the height of his master at his tallest.

  “What I offer you now is the opportunity of a lifetime. To be the first ever person in over a century to dictate what is right, and what is wrong.”

  He points to the balcony and turns to walk there. Cerberus joins him as his master continues to speak.

  “Those of my modern business landscape are weak, vein and feeble. Yet you, Cerberus… you are strong. Even in your fear, you do well to control yourself.”

  They both stop by the edge, Cerberus taking in the view.

  There is a skyscraper on fire in the distance, likely due to civil unrest. Or at least, civil lucidity. Lighting strikes as it always does. As it does, he hopes that it always will too. And as it does, his master speaks. Louder than the pending thunder.

  “Prove to those whom are strong that you are stronger, by protecting the weak.”

  “Who could be stronger than I other than yourself? I will crush them!” Cerberus promises as he clenches his fist in promise.

  A piece of the far-off building explodes. It takes about four seconds to reach their ears, after which, Gauth Van Hulsieg replies.

  “The Arch Legion, Cerberus. For their numeracy more than anything. What gives you strength is your perception. And nothing is stronger than a protector. So you will attend the Pleasure Summit, you will protect the richly bankrupt, and you will prove your strength against those whom it matters most. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, my lord, Gauth Van Hulsieg.” Cerberus assures, putting his fist over his beating, throbbing, synthetic heart. Even though he looked up at his master, he didn't see much by that point. All he saw is what he has always seen since their battle. A monument. An icon. And a mighty statue— just wearing a greatcoat in black.

  The statue looked back at him again.

  “Very good Cerberus. I will be counting on it. A flight will be ready for you from the Karanello Luxury Airport by the time you depart this Ivory Tower.”

  Cerberus turns for the inside, his brain already mapping the path to his equipment. His battle-suit and weaponry… it has been so long since they're been exercised.

  “Consider it done.” Cerberus assured as he began to walk away. But the colossal hand of his master stopped him just for a moment.

  “Not yet Cerberus. There is one more thing I must tell you.”

  His hand has grabbed his head as if it was a bowling ball, or perhaps a can to be crushed. He didn't dare move, instead waiting to receive his master's words. Those words oozed out like lava in his left ear.

  “I have been harsh on you. It is times like this I am able to reflect… and you have been far, far more competent than your colleagues. Douglas De Shult is testament to that.”

  The God-Man lets go of the humble Cerberus. He stands tall, reinforcing his image into Cerberus’s head.

  “And so... even if you lack confidence. Even if you are built on a lie. Lie comfortably. Be wrong, confidently. And then, Cerberus?”

  His very breaths thin out the air as he leans in to whisper his answer. “Then… the truth may follow.”

  Gauth Van Hulsieg stands away from Cerberus and gives him a few firm, giant taps on the back which knock him forward. Cerberus wasn't sure what to say, and so he said nothing.

  He proceeds down the staircase without care for the decadence or vanity. And as he crams himself into the elevator door, en route towards the mission ahead, he sees his master at the head of the staircase. His master, who leaves him some parting words before the doors close.

  “You will be landing without the aircraft. And you will be without the aid of SERaMACs. Bring a parachute.”

  Cerberus nods. The elevator door closes.

  And thunder roars yet again.