The Red Lotus [2]

I knocked the door, and my youngest brother opened it. He was shocked to see me. I couldn't believe how much he has changed, he was my height, had sturdy hands, blonde hair, but still had that childish face. I spread my hands open and said, "Brother!"

We hugged and I kissed his forehead. I let my arm around him and entered my home. It is the same as I left it four years ago. My brother shouted, "HEY! MOTHER, FATHER, BROTHERS! LOOK WHO HAS RETURNED!"

My parents rushed, my mother's eyes were filled with tears when she had seen me. I hugged them so hard that I didn't want to let go. I hadn't realized how much I missed them. My mother had strands of white hair. Wrinkles started to appear on father's face. It pained me to see them like this, but I set the matter aside and recounted what happened with me on the route. My brothers listened with eagerness, though my parents frowned from time to time.

"Hey, Orion," said Pangu suddenly, "Why don't you introduce us?"

"Is there a spell that make a sword shut up?" I asked him.

"Not in my knowledge, but why do you want it?"

"Let me see... To make you stop talking, of course".

"That's a cruel thing to do!"

"Um... Dear?" my mother said, and I shifted from Pangu to mom, "Who are you talking to?"

"Sorry mom, it's my sword. Or to be precise, the soul that is in my sword."

"And whose soul it is?"

"Pangu, of course!" said the sword, "The great creator of Yggdrasil!" I didn't know whether to hit myself or the sword.

"Whatever," I said, "How were these four years for you?"

"Not much," said dad, "Some problems in work. Nothing more. However, Mr. Richard visited once every week."

"Richard?"

"Yes. He worked on breaking the seal for the five of us."

"And he succeeded," said my second brother while retrieving a wand from his sleeve. Not only him, but all three of my brothers and parents took out wands. I was genuinely surprised. My family became a wizardry one in my four year absence.

"Richard?" I asked in my mind, hoping that he would respond.

"Yes?" he answered to my surprise.

"Why did you do this?"

"Do what?"

"Oh come on. You know exactly what I am talking about."

"I did it as a gift for you. And also to grant them the elixir of life which only works on wizards."

"Why would you give them this chance? Don't you violate the edicts of death by doing this?"

"I am the lord of chaos, kid. It doesn't matter."

"Then I must thank you."

"No need. I don't want you to be my exact replica."

"When are you coming?"

"This evening."

"Okay. I'll be waiting for you." I continued to exchange stories with my family, until the sun had sunken deep into the sea. Richard suddenly appeared in the room. He saluted us all and I nodded.

"Richy!" cried Pangu in delight, "it has been a long time."

"How many times did I tell you not to call me Richy, Pangu?" he said.

"Believe me, he has been talking to others even in China. He does not listen to me," I said. "Whatever. I have to talk a lot of things with you," he nodded and sat.

"What is the matter with the Red Lotus?" I asked.

"They are an assassination organization that has been growing for some years," he replied.

"Senior brother Sun already told me that. But I want to know who are the traitors. I want to know who should I trust and who I shouldn't."

"If you want the truth, don't trust anyone."

"Not even Tulip?"

"I don't think she is a traitor. Once she visited me at the mansion, I scanned her and found nothing wrong, neither in thoughts nor in the body."

"What about your other disciples?"

"All clear. You can make an exception of Emperor Sun."

"What??"

"I don't trust him. The fact that he killed his seconde rather than keeping him as an information puppet bothers me greatly."

"And his direct disciple is acting very strangely. Two years ago, he was a very good guy. But now, he seems bloodthirsty."

"That's new."

"However, the emperor showed signs of weakness and he appeared tired this morning. Can he be acting?"

"Perhaps. I can't search his mind. His is very complicated and complex. The backlash will be great."

"What are we gonna do?"

"Right know, you have to focus on your task. But if something unexpected happens, I'll need your help and Pangu's."

"Ready at any time," said Pangu.