RISE OF THE MARTIAL GOD

Kaiser walked into their mansion, and met Rona still standing on the staircase with a stoic expression on her face. Although there were no tears on her face, her eyes were slightly reddish.

"Big brother." She whispered, looking at him fearfully.

"Let me guess, he refused to give it back. No, let me rephrase that, he denied having it or knowing what it was. He probably even denied your years of puppy love with him. But I can understand him. That's my soul shard we are talking about, something that they can finally use to hurt me, yes me, the very painful bone lodged in their throats, his beloved brother's nightmare. If I were the one, I would do the same. What the fuck is friendship or love in the face of brotherhood? Especially a brother you love wholeheartedly? Did you think he would give up a chance to make his beloved brother happy because of you? Then, you're even more stupid than I thought." Kaiser said with a slight chuckle.

"Big brother, I'm so sorry. I didn't…" She began to say, stammering and wiping her sweaty palm against her trousers.

"You didn't know that Leo was a snake? You didn't know he would betray you? Or you didn't realize he never loved you? Or you didn't know that all you were was a pawn to keep me in check? What exactly didn't you know or realize? Why are you pretending to have been tricked here? That's a lie, Rona. You knew everything. You knew from the start!" Kaiser roared, taking a step towards her.

"I swear, I didn't know anything. I will never hurt you intentionally. I really didn't know." Rona whispered, as the tears started falling again.

"Shut up! Don't you dare tell me that stupid lie of yours and pretend to be pitiful, it will only make me hate you. Yes, you knew! You fucking knew because I told you! I told you so many damn times that you were being used, no one who genuinely loves you will encourage you to hurt your family. How many times in the past has he used the information you found out at home to hurt our business in the past? But each time I confront you about it, you defend him and claim miss right. You knew they wanted to kill your brothers, knew they would send Anthony to his grave. But you didn't care anyway, because deep down, you wanted our brother to die. You said it yourself, he should die. You have said it numerous times. Since Brent wants to be the heir, we should give up our birthright, so your little cousin will be happy. What's it if we lose everything as long as you have Leo? Since they feel threatened by Anthony, he should die to avoid your precious Leo hating you because of family feuds. You knew but continued anyways, because all that has ever mattered to you was the happiness of your selfish self." He roared, making Rona flinch and cry even more profusely.

"Big brother, I'm so sorry."

Kaiser scoffed and grabbed her jaws, forcing her to look up at him.

"No you're not. You are only sorry because you realized that he never had genuine feelings for you. Do you think I don't want to fall in love and live happily too? But because there are things more important than love, I ignore it. Because I need to protect my family, I stayed away from getting entangled emotionally. Because family is my priority, not myself or some inconsequential feeling called happiness. Duty comes first in our kind of family, not love. Power and strength comes first, even the pigs and dogs in this family know that. You know what? I'm not going to talk too much, you have gotten your wish. Anthony is trapped, and they also have my soul shard which I'm sure they're already tirelessly trying to put into good use and kill me with. Since you will rather not have your brothers, and would help outsiders kill them, enjoy being alone in the storm. From now on, I won't be beside you to shield you, you better get used to it." Kaiser said in a low voice and pushed her away, letting go of her jaw.

He sighed and shook his head, giving her one last glare and made his way to the staircase. He suddenly felt someone hugging his feet, making him stop at the first flight and look down. Rona was hugging his legs while crying profusely.

"Big brother, tell me what to do to make this right."

"You can't, Rona. You will never be able to make it right. What's done cannot be undone. Live with this guilt, forever. And whilst you're at it, give yourself a suitable punishment, and make sure you continue till I tell you otherwise." He said coldly and withdrew his feet from her grasp which had gone weak on hearing his unforgiving words.

'What's done cannot be undone' kept ringing in her ears, driving her crazy.

Kaiser heard her scream out and stopped for a second, before he continued on his way. He met his mom at the second floor where her quarters were located, standing on the top stair while shedding silent tears. It seems that even the strong woman couldn't endure the loss of her children.

Kaiser walked up to her and pulled her into his arms, letting her weep on his shoulders.

"Don't worry, mom. I won't die. I certainly won't leave you heart broken by dying before you. I promised to protect you, and I will. Trust me, I have a way around this. Brent and the elders council thinking they can hurt me are just their pipe dreams." He whispered, feeling his mom nod and force a smile while her tears kept falling steadily on her shoulders.

"Good! Let's put you to bed, then I can concentrate on the work before me." He whispered, making her pull away.

She looked at him, her eyes covered with worry and sorrow.

"Kaiser…"

"Mom, trust me. Have I ever made you a promise and failed to fulfill it? From the moment I was born, I have never failed you, I won't start now. Forever, I will always be your pride, and never your weakness." He whispered firmly, making her nod in between tears.

"Let's get you to sleep. Just look pretty and relax. Mom, leave all the problems for me. Your son never disappoints." He whispered and swept her up, making his way to her room.

He lay her down, and turned on the mist and temperature regulator, before making his way back to the bed. She smiled as Kaiser covered her with the blanket.

"Are you sure you can sleep tonight? Should I call the masseuse? Or should I find a handsome guy to help you unwind?" Kaiser whispered and winked at her, making her chuckle.

"I'm too old to have toy boys. Besides, I still have your dad. Even though he's always out on official duties, I'm still happy with him. So thanks, keep your handsome boys to whoever needs them." She whispered, and closed her eyes.

"Sleep tight then. But seriously, maybe you should consider accompanying dad. You're too young to live like this." Kaiser whispered and kissed her forehead.

"I love it here, I love my current position. There's not a word of complaint. Run along now that I'm still sober, I don't want to mistake you for your dad and do something nasty when I fall asleep."

"You can't mistake us, I'm more handsome." Kaiser whispered and stood up. He turned off the bulbs, leaving only the dim blue lamp on her reading table to bathe the room in soft glow. Although the blue light was not bright enough to see clearly, movements can easily be detected with it. In a dangerous family like theirs, caution was something no one plays with.

"Good night mom, sleep tight. And don't cry when you think no one will hear. I hate it when you secretly cry into your pillows." Kaiser whispered and shut the door. Joyce smiled as her son left, quickly wiping away her tears.

****

Kaiser entered the secret compartment in his room and smiled. Inside the secret compartment was a very high tech research lab, which further branched into a fool proof treasury where Kaiser stored ancient scrolls, elixirs, formulas, cultivation techniques and the most powerful items of his weaponry. There were innumerable treasures in his personal treasury; the wealth the rest of the world thought he had was actually a joke when compared to his secret treasury. That's why he always laughed at Brent each time he wanted to compete. Even if Brent burns down his companies, he is still not worthy to be his rival.

His other collection of weapons, scrolls and elixirs in his dressing room which everyone thought was his treasury was just a tip on the iceberg. But everyone who saw it always marvelled at it, not knowing they were not worth mentioning before him. Even if Kaiser moved to the cultivation realm, he will still have enough strength to hold his ground. His years of entering different forbidden realms and engaging in expeditions in fragmented worlds were not for nothing.

Kaiser picked some items from cabinets in the research lab and gathered a few elixirs, before he made his way to a huge platform at the end of the room. He set the items down and chuckled.

"A wise rabbit never digs one hole, he always leaves multiple ways out for himself. A wise bird doesn't keep all its eggs in one nest. Did they really think that once they hide my soul shard, I will turn into a sitting duck? Ridiculous!" Kaiser whispered and burst into laughter, letting the sounds echo around him.