The Superior Rebirth: A Hero's Awakening

Brotherly Reunion

Percival's smile widened as he stepped forward. "Oh, hey, Jona!" he greeted, his voice carrying an easy warmth. "Been a while, hasn't it?"

Jonathan chuckled, clapping his brother on the shoulder. "Yeah, brother, it's been years."

Percival let out a small laugh. "I've been pretty busy these past few years," he admitted. "Just couldn't find the time to visit my brother."

Jonathan waved off the comment with a grin. "Don't worry about it. No matter how long you're away, family is family. You're always welcome back."

Xavier, watching the exchange, felt a knot of confusion tighten in his stomach. His father had a brother? Not just any brother, but an identical twin? He glanced between them, trying to make sense of it.

Jonathan caught his expression and turned to him. "Xavier, meet my twin brother, Percival Ashford."

"It's nice to meet you, Xavier", Percival greeted with a bright smile.

Xavier blinked in surprise, struggling to process the revelation. Percival, noticing his reaction, stepped forward, offering a small box with a knowing smile. "I heard from Aleksander that you like vanilla chocolates."

Xavier hesitated for a second before accepting the gift with a nod of thanks. Before he could say anything, the door burst open.

Violet, Jason, Jupiter, Princess Misaki, and the rest of Xavier's friends stormed in, eager to see him. But the second their eyes landed on Percival, the room fell silent.

Violet's gaze flicked between her father and the stranger before realization dawned. "Uncle Percival?" she gasped. Her face lit up, and she rushed forward, throwing her arms around him with enough force to make him wheeze.

"I've missed you so much, Uncle!"

Percival chuckled, patting her back. "I missed you too, Violet."

After a few more greetings, Percival exchanged a look with Jonathan. "How about we grab some lunch? Give Xavier some time with his friends?"

Jonathan nodded, clapping Xavier on the back before heading out with his brother.

The second the door shut, Violet turned to Xavier and hugged him tightly. "I've missed you, little brother!"

Xavier smiled, returning the hug. "Yeah, it's been a year since we last saw each other."

Violet pulled back, frowning. "A year? What are you talking about? It's only been seven months since you disappeared."

Xavier's expression shifted. "Wait. Seven months? Are you sure?"

Princess Misaki nodded. "It's September 3rd, 1808."

Xavier's eyes widened. "No way... it felt like a whole year."

Violet's eyes narrowed. "You were spotted by the imperial soldiers last week, when you arrived at the kingdom's docks."

Xavier shook his head. "I swear it was a year."

Jason stepped forward, curiosity flickering in his gaze. "Why do you think it felt that long?"

Xavier exhaled. "I was fighting a varmint. It grabbed me and dragged me into its portal—the one it used to enter our world."

Silence gripped the room.

"I managed to escape, but I got trapped in another dimension. I spent what felt like a whole year there... alone."

Gasps erupted. Elowen looked horrified. "You survived a varmint's portal of despair?"

Xavier nodded like it was nothing. "Yeah."

Elowen's shock turned to awe. "That's... incredible. No one has ever come back from one of those. Soldiers from all four races vanished into them during the Great Race War. None have returned."