Drums of War

Walking into the office after keeping people waiting for a long time earned me a few gazes of discontent. They're already in a visibly foul mood. 

"We have waited for almost two hours, are you this busy in your daily life?" Liutenant Feng squinted his eyes from the comfortable couch. 

"I must apologize to delay the several guests, it was something I couldn't leave alone in a short while." I said with a regretful and humble voice. Lu Song looked at me with mild surprise.

Can two people look so much alike? Lu Pei was right, this boy is indeed Lu Aang's twin.

"I am Mikel. I hear you all came here see me. May I help you with something?" Mikel asked pouring himself some of the left over juice. 

"It's good to see you Mikel." Lu Pei said gloomily on the side. He has been coming to see Mikel but is denied entry every time. 

"I wish I could say the same." Mikel said with a playful tone. 

"The reason we came here is because the hunter's association will be coming to Beijing soon and they are not a friendly bunch. We need to present a united front when they get here." Lieutenant Feng said sternly immediately after Mikel took his seat. 

"What do you expect from me?" Mikel who has no head for politics asked straightforwardly. 

"The first thing they will ask of us is men power. We need to keep the numbers as low as possible." Lu Song who has been silent spoke to Mikel for the first time. 

Mikel nodded. "Is there anything else?" Mikel asked again, he knows they came all this way it is definitely for something. 

"We want a share of the mana stone mine at the back of the mountain." Wei Han smirked when he said this making Mikel raise an eyebrow. 

"No." He smiled at them while thinking 'Fuckin vultures.' Mikel knew he can not keep this news hidden for ever. 

"Do you have any idea of the power behind the people in this room?" Ming Ye asked Mikel with a smile. 

He is also someone who wears a suit but instead of a neatly buttoned up shirt, he is wearing only a coat and what looks to be a vest. He has a rugged handsome face with short brown hair and a beard making him look like a wild cat.

"I have an idea. But if you fine gentlemen wish to educate me on the subject, I welcome it." I say un bothered by the blatant threat from the Ming Ye gentleman.

"The hunting families will not leave you be when the benefit is this glaring. If you share some with us, we may be compelled to protect you." Wei Han said trying to sound like someone giving honest advice.

"No no. Such powerful people as yourselves shouldn't be bothered with such things. I can probably protect myself. But many thanks for the offer." I chuckled and responded with a light tone.

"Mikel. You can not swallow such a large resource by yourself. Our families will bend together against you. This place is nice but can you withstand it?" Lu Pei cautioned.

"Why don't you all give it a try and see? In any case, I can promise you all that you will regret crossing me. Just my medicine alone is enough to make sure people are in their best behavior in my presence. Just so we're clear, this is a threat." I smiled when they all showed mild concern.

My base is like wonderland with fantasy like items that no one would want to be denied access to, should a need arise.

"Now. If this is the only reason you came here, then you have wasted both our time. Mostly mine since I was in the middle of something astronomical." I took a sip of the juice in my hand.

"It is amazing how ignorance can breed such profound arrogance. But since you don't want to cooperate, then there's no need for us to ...." Liutenant Feng wants to make threats but Lu Song stopped him.

"Perhaps there's another way we can go about this dilemma. How about a loan?" Lu Song asked me.

"Why are you all so desperate for mana stones? Did you develop something good?" I asked suddenly finding their desperation a little more than intriguing.

"As a matter of fact.." Ming Ye wanted to say something but is blocked by Liutenant Feng with a glare.

"Alright then. There is no need to share if you are reluctant to. But I have to confess something to you all, I am kind of petty. You came here making all sorts of demands and blatant threats. If you don't have a good excuse for your agitation I will be forced to react." I gave a sweet smile.

'Eh?'

Lu Song watched the expression on my face suddenly feeling a chill at the back of his neck. Like a poisonous snake flicking it's long cold tongue before it attacked.

"What's the big deal? Just tell him." April said rolling her eyes. The others looked at her in anger.

"I created an energy type weapon. Instead of bullets it discharges an energy beam powerful enough to poke a hole into space." April explained.

"April!" Bai Ming and her brother tried to stop her but it is too late.

"What are you doing?" Wei Han asked her sharply. He has known about this girl's little crush on him and likes it very much but they just haven't gotten there yet.

April stood from her seat and walked to me extending her hand for me to shake it. I didn't hesitate.

In the last life, it took her almost a decade to perfect that technology because of her mission to uncover the truth about her missing sister.

In this life without that distraction, she managed to do it in such a short time. Truly the iq of 179. Simply genius.

I clasped her hand into a strong handshake. "This was a play wasn't it? To get me to share my mana stones?" How can I not know April's tendency for theatrics? Her flushed cheeks leads me to believe this to be true. I sighed.

"Perhaps if you hadn't wasted your time with studying human behavior you may have built a spaceship by now." I said jokingly but this is exactly what she said to me in her past life.

"I...how do you..?" She doesn't know what to say but I am a step ahead of her.

"If you want a substantial amount of mana stones. I want the blue print." I said still smiling. The hand I was shaking a while ago went stiff.

"You didn't expect to show me your pretty smile and have me eating out of your hand did you?" The room went silent. I turned to look at Bai Ming. She probably told April I had saved her because I like her. He clicked his tongue. 'And they call me arrogant.'

"In any case those are my terms. Take it or leave it. I am not in short supply of powerful weapons." This is the truth. The bat cave came with a whole new armory.

"Beyond that, I believe we have wasted enough of each other's time wouldn't you agree?" I flash a dazzling smile but the dismissal in my tone is obvious.

"Then how much are you willing to fork out?" April gritted her teeth and asked.

"This will depend on the power of each of your designs." Mikel answered lightly.

April stood up taking Bai Ming with her, headed for the door. I didn't see them off. The rest followed behind as well. They had come to confirm the existence of miracle pills and to try and get me to share the mine with them.

Knowing them, this is only the beginning. In the last life they fought tooth and nail after discovering this mine. There is no way they will let this go.

Raising my head, I am surprised to see Lu Song still seated in front of me. "May I help you with something?" I asked him.

"This may sound a bit out there but I think my wife is your mother." Lu Song said gravely.

"Did she tell you she had twins?" I asked him calmly. Seeing my nonchalance, he is sure I have an idea.

"So you knew? Why not try to re connect with her?" Lu Song is 34 at most. Jet black hair, sharp black eyes, long legs and wide shoulders.

"You should be familiar with the cold nature of your wife. Reconnecting with her will not get me any motherly affection. So, what's the point?" I asked knowing he didn't just 'stumble' on this possibility. He already knew about me, probably from Lu Pei.

"What about your brother, Lu Aang?" Lu Song's expression didn't change as he suddenly asked.

"I don't much care for him. That woman dumped me in a rubbish bin and took him with her. Hehe..." I turn to face the floor to ceiling window, watching the gloomy weather of end times.

"What could I possibly say to him?" I subconsciously pulled out a single and started smoking.

"I am sorry." Lu Song I'd speechless. There must be a limit to what a mother should do to her own child right? That woman is truly special.

"Don't worry about it." I say puffing out rings of smoke. A silence fell between us but it isn't uncomfortable.

He opened his mouth about to say something when April sounded. "Sam is waiting for you." April's voice came through from the home system.

"Mr Lu, it seems our chat will have to end here today. Have a lovely evening." I stood up while Lu Song also stood up walking past me towards the door.

Just as he passed me, his steps halted. Turning to face me, a ghost of a smile graced his handsome face. "I enjoyed meeting you, base leader." He extended his hand and it covered mine as we shook hands.

Without letting my hand go, he asked me a question. "My brother seems enormous by you. How do you feel about him?"

Without missing a beat, I answered him. "If it were up to me, I would never have the pleasure of his company in this life." I spoke words from my heart. I wish to live this life as a wealthy base leader with few complications. Lu Pei is a complications.

"I see. Can I add your contact on my bracelet?" His eyes focused on me. I smiled and agreed.

...

In the central base.

Lu Pei looked at his older brother questioningly. He had left with the others to ensure Mikel is less hostile. "Did he agree to recognize her?" 

"That woman threw Mikel into the trash can. Took his brother to raise in a rich family. Do you think he wants to be brought back?" Lu Song poured himself a glass full of bourbon. 

"How does he know?" Lu Pei showed a subtle expression. 

"Yeah, and since you can't seduce him, we need to put together a detailed plan that will allow us to get a share in that mana stone mine." Lu Song is a businessman and knows that Mikel may want something in return. The problem is that no one knows what a guy like that may lack. 

"How about we speak to Lu Aang? Maybe he will have something to offer his twin brother." Lu Pei suggested.

Indeed, that boy seems to have some sort of mystical space that has mutated mana spirit dew and mana cultivation manuals which he gave to the two of them. 

"Aren't we asking for too much?" Lu Pei had just started his cultivation and feels it is such a miraculous thing. Asking for something else now seems a bit much. 

His lightning flame is growing stronger and more deadly these days, and all of this is thanks to his nephew. Lu Song looked at him coolly. "You need to take care of it." 

Lu Pei stood and went to find his little nephew. He walked down the corridor and finally stood in front of Aang's door.

"Lu Aang, I don't understand. Why are you pushing me away? Don't you understand my feelings for you?" Ah Yue pulled Aang's arm holding him tightly then started showering his neck with wet kisses. 

"It is 'gasp' just that I don't feel romantic feelings for you and Wei Lin. I have someone in my heart." Lu Aang spoke resolutely after getting away from his hold. It is hard to break up when the other person is making you gasp in between words. 

"No!" Yue shouted in anguish. "I love you so much! How can you just throw me away like this? I would do anything for you, I would give my life just to see a smile on your face. How can you bare to hurt someone made for you like this?" He wiped away the tears in the corner of his eyes. 

"Brother..." Aang called him softly, he is clearly about to console Ah Yue.

A nocking sound came from the door. "Aang, I have something to talk to you about."

"Can you go? Uncle is calling me." Aang sounded a bit excited. Yue had no choice but to leave dejectedly. 

"Uncle!" Aang called out cutely. 

"What was that about?" Lu Pei looked unhappy. 

"I.... I don't know what happened in the past and why I had slept with them but in my heart, I am already..." He sighed frustrated. The next moment he found himself pulled into Lu Pei's arms. 

"Then, who do you like?" Lu Pei felt his entire body shiver with delight at holding Lu Aang in his arms. He fits so perfectly. So many years he has longed to hold this body. 

"Uncle..." Aang trembled from inside Lu Pei's embrace. He looked at Lu Pei in his eyes with deep longing. This.. who can stand it? 

Lu Pei's eyes darkened and his lips fell on the small boy's plump cherry lips. They feel so soft, and warm. Lu Pei felt his tenderness turn into something primal. He has always known he loves Aang, in his mind, Aang has always been the goal. 

Mikel..

The thought of Mikel made him turn angry. How dare he?! Lu Pei doesn't even know why he is mad at Mikel's rejection. But something is extremely unsettling about being denied what has always felt like something that belonged to him to do as he wished. 

Lu Aang winced in pain as Lu Pei had accidentally bit down on his lips. Lu Pei only felt the petite boy in his arms pull away and growled pulling him back in anger. 

He pined Aang on the wall sucking on his neck almost painfully. This should have made Aang frown but he felt his entire body turn numb. His body wouldn't listen to reason, the more Lu Pei is rough with him it made Aang dizzy with desire.

It turned out, He was bored with the two because they were not dominant enough. Lu Pei picked up on this and doubled his efforts. This is the start of a wonderful love story, at least according to past life's memories. 

"Uncle.." Aang begged making Lu Pei shudder in absolute delight at the whimpers and soft plea from the one who has always been in his heart. 

"Aang, you better be ready, I have wanted this for so long I can't hold back." He placed kisses down the soft back. He doesn't want to hurt Aang but he will go crazy just now, he needs to be inside this perky pair of cheeks. 

"Aaaahh!" Lu Pei put lube and slide with exercised restraint but it snapped as soon as he heard the soft cry from Aang.

He didn't wait for him to adjust and started moving. The previous soft cries turned into full blown screams which startled Lu Pei so he stood as still as a piece of wood. 

"Aang, what's wrong?" This is the normal way he does it with Mikel. Does it really hurt so much? Did he hurt Mikel so much before? He was even a virgin at first! 

...

Meanwhile down town. 

A glass jar is smashed against the wall by an incredibly angry Rina Blackwell. "You knew didn't you? Yet you kept this from me!" She roared pointing a shaky finger at Huo Jun.

"He told me before he built the base around it." He said calmly helping her avoid the glass shards on the floor.

"A high level mana stone mine Huo Jun! High level!" She shouted angrily.

"Sorry." Is all he can say before she shook off his arm around her and walked on her own to the bedroom.

Huo Jun became worried she will tell her family about the mine in Mikel's hands. He needed to warn Mikel about the possible danger. However upon thinking about his brother, Huo Jun stopped in his track and went back inside the house to check on her. 

In Toy city. Third person POV

"Why are you here?" Mikel felt a headache seeing Kai standing in front of him with a look that seem to be accusing him of something.

Mikel and Sam had finished finalizing the details of the two injections for the soldiers of Toy city who hadn't awakened any ability. It took an entire evening but as of now, the base has 13 thousand supernatural users. 3 thousand are warriors with body type super power. 

Kai walked towards him slowly as if trying not to scare Mikel away. Opening his arms, he held Mikel inside a slowly tightening hug. He keeps sniffing his neck with an intoxicated look on his face. 

"Can you forgive me please?" Kai sounded wronged. 

"Kai, I am not angry anymore. But it was not you who harmed me last time, this is why I always found your apologies unnecessary. Because when someone apologize it means they have learnt from that mistake and will not do it again, but you do not have the power to say it won't happen again." Mikel patted his shoulder. 

"I am in control now, that time was when I hadn't even shifted yet. There is absolutely no chance of that happening again, I swear." He assured. Mikel smiled and pulled him inside. 

"This is only one of the eight buildings but it is the one I chose because of the balcony pool. You can choose any room you like. Welcome home." Mikel said happily. Kai laughed and together they looked around the flat for a suitable room. 

A few miles away from the Toy city, three hundred people showed up wearing black robes that covered their entire bodies and faces. They moved like shadows shuffling in and out of existence as if they are using space power. The one in front pulled a piece of cloth and pointed towards down town. 

Just as Huo Jun and Rina are about to talk and make up, they both looked in a direction. They saw the worry in each other's eyes. Huo Jun pulled his wristband and made a call. 

"Hello."

"Please come over and keep Rina safe. A group from blood clan is coming this way and she is pregnant. I need re-enforcement." Huo Jun said to the phone his voice carrying a slight tremor. 

"My apologies. Who is this?" 

"Huo Jun." 

"..."

"Mikel!" Huo Jun became agitated. 

 "Why call me? Don't you have friends?" Mikel's voice sounded lazily. He doesn't sound like someone who is being asked to assist in a serious situation.

"You are the one who killed all her men." Huo Jun spoke through clenched teeth. He doesn't have any trained hunters to help with this. His men would just be sent into slaughter. 

 "If they died by my hands, then they were not very good hunters in the first place." Mikel doesn't sound bothered at all. 

"Maybe, but if my family inevitably blame you for my death here today, you will suffer." Rina caught on what her fiancé is trying to do. They really need help right now. 

The line went silent. 

  "Mikel!" Huo Jun called out. A deep sigh came through the speaker. 

"See you just now." Mikel said and dropped the call.