"I can only sympathize with you. Those above you forced you into a situation that has nothing to do with you. Unfortunately, you are now involved; and your life will change for the worst. Heed my advice, mind your surroundings, because you never know what will hit you," Killertron said with a deep, terrifying voice.

Pete shot his eyes wide open. His heart drummed against his rib cage as sweat formed on his temple. As he sat up, he struggled to sit upright for a prolonged time because his back muscles screamed with agony. He opened his mouth and yawned while Kuhn Lau stepped inside his room.

"And there he is, our God-given hero."

Kuhn lau lowered his posture and enveloped him with a warm embrace.

"Owe, not too much, not too much!"

After embracing him, he stepped back and gently fell on a chair by his bedside with a chuckle.

"Well, I guess I didn't realize the extent of my strength."

"Yeah, I guess, "answered Pete.

He looked at the bandages wrapped around his right arm. For a while, he deliberated, then doubt plagued his mind.

"Kuhn Lau!"

"Yes, Pete," Kuhn Lau responded.

"Did we defeat Slicer?" He asked as doubt explored his mind, poisoning his optimism.

"Yes, we did," he answered.

"Then why doesn't it feel like it," he inquired, still contemplating what Killertron said.

Killertron's words dawned on him since their first encounter. He asked himself multiple questions about what he meant when he said he was now involved in a matter that didn't need him. As he pondered fearfully, he wondered what Killertron planned to do, especially when he said he should mind his surroundings.

Before answering, Kuhn Lau smiled. Then he looked back at him and replied, "Look, Pete, Slicer is gone from our lives. The sooner you accept that the happier you'll be. And as long as you hold onto the anguish, you can never find peace."

Kuhn Lau held Pete's hand and tightened his grip to assure him.

"Let it go, the resentment and the pain. Only then will you defeat him mentally and find peace."

He nodded in agreement.

***********

Deathwrath's Mothership, a breach opened in the control room of the Mothership.

Killertron stepped out of the breach and placed his feet on the dark grey, porous silicon tiles. From behind, Slaughter and Bulldog carried a wounded Slicer on their shoulders while Killertron closed the gap between him and Sovereign Havoc.

As soon as they stepped out of the breach, it closed. Killertron took a few more steps forward. When he was near the throne, Bulldog and Slaughter dropped Slicer in front of him. Slicer fell to his knees and faced the floor.

"Tell me, Killertron...Why have you brought this fool? His odor reeks of failure. He is not worthy to stand among us...! " Havoc said with a deep, broad voice.

"Yes, Sovereign Havoc, I agree. He is not fit to serve under the great one, Death Wrath. His failures will ruin our reputation as an Empire."

Killertron intertwined his fingers and looked down at a disgraced Slicer, who looked at the floor with despair.

"He is worthy of the death penalty. However, we still need him for what is yet to come," Killertron said as he raised his forefinger.

Havoc drummed the arm of the throne with irritants.

"Sovereign Havoc, I humbly come before you, asking that you spare this poor sap from your wrath. I know he has failed you, but I will restore his dignity under my umbrella."

Havoc laughed, "Do you think he will add anything to your plans? He'll fail you, just like he did with me."

Killetron grabbed Slicer's hair and tenderly rumpled them.

"Even so, there is potential in him. Surely, with his brother by his side, he will not falter. And if he does, it will be my pleasure to bring his head to you personally. That's a promise that I intend to keep."

"Be that as it may, I have confidence in you," said Havoc with his arms crossed.

Killertron bowed his head, and just as he was about to walk away, Havoc halted him.

"What are we to do with the Divine Guardians? Without them, our plan to emancipate Death Wrath can never come to fruition."

Killetron chuckled and answered his inquiry, "Oh, them, leave them to me."

"What are you going to do?" Inquired Havoc.

"Oh, you'll see. Soon enough, everything will be clear. A storm is coming their way, and once it does, they won't know what hit them."

****************

Hong Kong

Yung-Fu's second Compound

Nightfall had fallen across the land, and the presence of light was rare. The moon had risen once more and emitted a sequence of light. A serenade was played by an orchestra of crickets, testifying the gift that Nyx had bestowed upon them.

After taking a shower, Pete wore a new set of garments. He set off to the main room, which was located in the east wing house. He journeyed through the corridors until he approached the main room. As he stood on the doorstep, he was reluctant at first. He found the courage to open the double doors. Once he opened the doors, he discovered that the lights were switched off. He switched them on, and to his amazement, he nearly stumbled on the floor.

"Surprise!!!!" Shouted the Guardians.

He placed his hand on his chest as his heart rate increased.

"What the hell!? Do you wanna give me a heart attack!?" He exclaimed.

"Consider this as your welcoming party; Nicholas here organized this banquet to commemorate you," Kuhn Lau said.

He smiled at them joyfully, for he hadn't received such gratitude in a long time." 

Ace narrowed his brows with curiosity, "Wait, are you crying?"

"Shut the fuck up, Ace; crying is for losers," he said.

Surprisingly, he wiped a tear from his left eye and continued, "Sweet Neptune, I think there's something in my eye."

Nicholas approached him and wrapped his arm around his shoulder.

"It's ok to cry, little buddy. After all, whichever dick head said that men can't cry is an idiot."

He took a seat, and much to his delight; the table was set accordingly to one of his greatest fantasies. The table had delectable cullinaries, with a plate of ribs and creamy polenta. There was also a plate of creamy lemon chicken pasta; buttermilk fried chicken pieces, and a plate of classic omelet and greens.

Everyone else sat with him while he addressed them.

"Um, before we dig in, I'd like to thank you for everything. Life has never been easy for me, especially growing up. However, each of you has shown me that there is something to live for. Thank you, everyone. Enough about me; let's enjoy this food before it gets cold."

"I couldn't have said it better myself," Ace said as he belched.

Vanessa twitched her eye with cringe. She was about to lash out at him but found the restraint to curb her anger.

"Calm down, Vanessa. I know he is a pig, but tolerate it, just for today," Kuhn Lau said.

She nodded with her eyes closed; when she opened them, she found Pete ruthlessly chugging a drumstick down his throat.

"Seriously, Pete, did you have to start with the meat?" She inquired.

"What, don't you know that meat is the best part of a dish?!"

To make matters worse, Ace pulled a drumstick out from the entire portion of the body. 

Kuhn Lau, Yung Fu, and Nicholas looked at him with gobsmack. While he chugged the drumstick down his throat, Vanessa smacked her temple with frustration.

"Oh Lord, please help. I do not know how much longer I will survive under the same roof as these vile hogs."

After swallowing, Ace looked at her with furrowed brows.

"Oh, please don't give me that crap. I don't know which clown came up with the idea. Come on, people, there's no need to be uptight about everything. Let's eat."

"Yeah, like Ace said!" Pete responded.

It was an eventful night; after having a delicious meal, everyone returned to their bedrooms and rested peacefully.