Descending the stairs alongside Igor, a wave of relief washed over me. The company of my brother, even for a brief moment, offered a sense of normalcy amidst the chaos swirling within me. As we entered the dining room, the sight of my family gathered around the elegant table brought a mix of emotions - joy at their presence, and trepidation at the task ahead.
Four figures sat around the table, their faces etched with varying degrees of familiarity. Igor, with his infectious grin, was a constant source of amusement. In stark contrast, my eldest brother, Mikhail, exuded an air of stoic discipline. A graduate of the Imperial Military Academy, he possessed a well-built physique and a certain "bad boy" charm that made him a favorite among many women, though he remained unfazed by their advances.
Next to him sat Evan, the embodiment of focused ambition. He had chosen a career in business, establishing his own successful company after graduating from university. His seriousness mirrored Mikhail's, but lacked the underlying military discipline. Across from them sat Maria, my sister, her kind eyes filled with a warmth that mirrored the original body's memories. Finally, at the head of the table, sat my grandparents, Katerina and Andrei Lancer. Their weathered faces spoke of a life lived with grace and wisdom, their presence a source of immense comfort and strength.
As I observed my siblings, their pasts intertwined with the knowledge gleaned from the original body's memories. Mikhail, the stoic elder brother, had initially found refuge within General Steve's military camp at the start of the apocalypse. Drawing upon his military training and newfound psychic abilities, he thrived, becoming one of the Copper Kingdom's top ten fighters in just two weeks. The respect and admiration he garnered from his peers resonated through the whispers of the original body's recollections.
Evan, the shrewd businessman, had also proven his adaptability in the face of the cataclysm. Leveraging his business acumen and newfound psychic abilities, he carved out a niche for himself, becoming a crucial figure in the post-apocalyptic economy. His company, originally founded with his own hands, grew to become a vital supplier, providing resources and support across the Copper Kingdom.
My gaze lingered on Mikhail, his usual stoicism masking the depth of his emotions. Though his words were few, his actions spoke volumes. During the apocalypse, he had thrown himself into the fight, utilizing his military training and newfound abilities to become a pillar of the Copper Kingdom's defense. This selfless act, echoing within the original body's memories, solidified my respect for my elder brother.
Despite his reserved demeanor, I knew there was a wellspring of care hidden beneath the surface. The original body's memories revealed moments of Mikhail's quiet protectiveness, his unwavering support for his siblings, a testament to the bond they shared. As I looked upon him, a silent understanding passed between us, a shared resolve to face the coming storm together, brother by brother.
My gaze shifted to my grandparents, their aged faces etched with the trials they had faced. Yet, their eyes still held a spark of warmth and resilience. The original body's memories recounted how, after the apocalypse, Mikhail and Evan had returned, transforming themselves into pillars of support. They tirelessly trained and protected their family, working day and night to ensure everyone's safety and well-being.
This selfless dedication, this unwavering commitment to their family, filled me with a profound sense of admiration and gratitude. They served as testaments to the enduring power of love and loyalty, their actions illustrating the lengths one would go to protect their loved ones. As I met their gaze, I saw a flicker of recognition, a subtle understanding of the weight I carried. In their eyes, I saw not just my family, but allies, warriors forged in the fires of hardship, ready to stand together against any threat. We were a unit, bound by the strongest ties, and together, we would face the coming storm, a beacon of hope in a world teetering on the brink.
My heart swelled with a mix of pride and sorrow as I contemplated the sacrifices my brothers had made. Their raw talent, evident in their rapid rise through the military ranks, could have secured them prestigious positions as commanders. Yet, they had chosen a different path, a path paved with love and sacrifice. They relinquished their chance at personal glory, choosing instead to return to our family, their sole focus our safety and well-being.
The original body's memories revealed another layer of their unwavering devotion - the exchange of their rare psychic and lightning spiritual stones for space spiritual stones. These stones, crucial for upgrading the original body's skills as a space and time mage, were an invaluable treasure. The brothers, aware of the original body's initial weakness, had willingly parted with their own resources, prioritizing his growth for the sake of the family's defense.
This selfless act solidified the unbreakable bond that bound us. It was a testament to the power of familial love, a love that transcended personal ambition and embraced a shared responsibility for each other's well-being. As I looked upon them, their faces etched with quiet determination, I knew that the challenges ahead would be formidable. But with their unwavering support, their unwavering love, I wouldn't face them alone. We were a family, a unit forged in the fires of hardship, and together, we would weather any storm, our love and loyalty our guiding light.
A shiver ran down my spine as the memories of the original body flooded my mind, painting a vivid picture of the family's darkest hour. The Wu family's treacherous plot, orchestrated by their patriarch, had ensnared the Lancers in a web of deceit. Their stepmother, driven by her own desires, had betrayed them, stealing valuable family secrets and using them to fuel the Wu family's accusations of treason.
The king, enraged by the fabricated evidence and fueled by whispers of doubt, had fallen prey to manipulation. Despite the first prince's hesitant murmurs of objection, the House of Lords had no choice but to sanction the Lancers' extermination. In the dead of night, their manor was surrounded, their escape routes cut off.
In that desperate hour, only the original body, Mikhail, and Evan managed to fight their way out, a testament to their exceptional skills and unwavering determination. But their freedom was short-lived. The relentless pursuit of the trackers loomed large, and the taste of fleeting liberty turned bitter.
The original body's memories, tinged with a profound sense of loss and longing, brought me face to face with his final moments with his brothers. The weight of their sacrifice, the depth of their love, pressed down upon me, a heavy yet precious burden. They had given their lives to protect me, to grant me a chance at survival, a chance I was determined not to squander.
As I sat amidst my family, the knowledge of their past bravery and the weight of their sacrifice fueled a fierce resolve within me. I wouldn't just survive; I would thrive, I would honor their memory, and I would protect the family they had fought so valiantly to defend. The future stretched before me, uncertain yet filled with a newfound purpose. I would face the unknown with courage, guided by the unwavering love and loyalty that bound us, a legacy I would carry forward, a beacon of hope in the face of impending darkness.
YOU ARE READING
Apocalypse I have a system to raise children
FantasyA wave of disorientation washed over me, Vivek. My mind, usually teeming with the logic of the stock market, was now flooded with jarring information. I had transmigrated, not into another life, but into the pages of a popular, ten-sequel boy's love...