Chapter 22 – Reunion and Revelation
"I have returned home," he murmured, his voice quivering slightly as the words escaped his lips. Their residence was an old, modest two-story building located at the district's edge—a home he once shared with his younger brother, Troy.
The common living areas, such as the kitchen, living room, and dining room, were situated on the first floor, while the private bedrooms were located on the second floor. The young man with silver hair paused at the door leading to the upper floor, where his younger brother once resided, and gazed at it for an extended moment. The place appeared unchanged, albeit somewhat dustier and more vacant. He turned the handle.
*Click.*
The hinges emitted a gentle creak as Edem entered the room. A subtle aroma of aged furniture and soap lingered in the atmosphere. Every item remained precisely in the position he had left it.
"It still feels surreal," he murmured. "Only a month inside the gate, yet out here... it seems as though nothing has changed."
Subsequently, from the upper floor, a faint voice could be heard. "Elder brother... Edem? Is that truly you?"
The sound rendered Edem immobile for some seconds.
He glanced upwards as a thin and endearing figure emerged at the summit of the staircase. It was Troy, a young boy appearing to be approximately 11 or 10 years old. His skin was pale, his black hair disheveled, and his lips bore a slight bluish tint. His steps were unsteady, giving him an air of fragility, akin to a candle that might extinguish at any moment.
"Troy..." Edem's voice faltered. In an instant, he swiftly moved to his brother's side, ensuring he caught him before he could stumble..
"You ought not to be moving about," Edem remarked gently, his tone conveying both guilt and relief. "Your condition—"
Troy offered a faint smile. "I believed you were lost... as did everyone else. Some individuals even speculated that you might have been taken by a gang or, even worse, killed, due to the recent disturbances and altercations occurring in the cities."
Edem's gaze became intense. "They are free to express their opinions. However, I have returned now, and I shall never leave your side again."
COUGH
COUGH
COUGH..... COUGH....
Troy coughed, his chest trembling. "I am… pleased. However, you appear… changed. Your hair and eyes… your aura… it seems distant."
Edem offered a subtle smirk and remarked, "Ohh, this. Let us say I have undergone some changes. And now, I am finally in a position to alter your destiny as well."
Troy's big eyes blinked for a moment. "Whh...What do you mean by changing my fate?, Big Brother, I know you've been working hard for my sake"
Edem placed his hand gently on his brother's chest. "Your illness — the sickle cell. It's killing you slowly. But I've gained something… something that can rewrite your body completely."
AN:[The life expectancy for individuals with sickle cell disease has improved considerably due to advancements in healthcare. In high-income countries, it is now estimated to range between 50 and 60 years, a substantial increase from the approximately 10 to 14 years observed in the mid-20th century. Factors such as the specific sickle cell genotype, access to quality healthcare, and the occurrence of complications, including organ failure and stroke, significantly affect individual outcomes.].
A subtle red glow began to emanate from Edem's palm, where he had previously inflicted a cut, allowing the blood to flow and pulsate rhythmically, similar to a heartbeat. He then manipulated the blood to enter Troy's small mouth.
Troy's eyes widened with fear and horror at the sight of what had transpired with his brother. He had been absent for only one night, and now... "Brother, could you please explain what it is that you are—" he wanted to say something, but his big brother cut him off.
"Please trust me," Edem stated softly, his expression both gentle and resolute. "This may cause some pain, but you will survive. Upon awakening, you will no longer experience weakness. I am bestowing upon you a gift; one that many would be willing to sacrifice greatly to obtain. While some may regard it as a curse, it is truly a blessing, as my offering is indeed unique."
Before Troy could react, crimson blood enveloped his body, with some entering his mouth. His veins glowed faintly beneath his skin as Edem introduced a drop of his evolved blood into his brother's bloodstream. As soon as the essence merged, Troy emitted a terrifying scream..
"AAAGH—!!" "I.. IT HURTS AHHHHHH.... BIG BROTHER....AAAAGH....STOP... IT...IT HURTS SO MUCH!!!!."
The sound reverberated throughout the house. His bones emitted a cracking noise. His heart raced with the intensity of a drumbeat. Black and red energy surged through his veins as the system's power altered his DNA. His skin became a bit pale, his fangs extended slightly, and his heartbeat decelerated, yet it did not cease altogether.
Edem clenched his fists and stated, "Persevere, Troy... just a little longer. I have faith in your ability to maintain composure. Do not succumb to the pain; overcome it through sheer willpower."
The passage of time felt prolonged, with minutes seeming to stretch into hours. Ultimately, the intense energy dissipated. Troy's body became limp, his breathing shallow yet consistent. His hair, once completely black, was now subtly streaked with silver. Additionally, his previously fragile physique now emitted a unique aura, a blend of human and vampire qualities.
Edem exhaled slowly and commented, "It was successful..." Congratulations, little brother. Well done; you have now reached a similar level to mine.
A faint ding echoed in his mind.
> [System Notification]
You have successfully transformed a human into a Dhampir.
— New Bloodline Established: Dhampir (Half Vampire)
— Relationship Bonus: Sibling Evolution (Active)
— Bond Strength: 100%
— Troy Qwasi has awakened a unique blood energy.
Edem offered a faint smile. "Rest now, dear brother. When you awaken, you shall be renewed."
With great care, he lifted Troy and laid him upon his bed, covering him with a blanket. For a time, he sat quietly by his side, observing the gentle rise and fall of his chest. A profound warmth enveloped his heart—a rare sensation for one who had recently endured a month of violence and survival.
Subsequently, an additional notification was displayed:
> [System Reward: Survival Trial Completed – 1 Month]
— Reward Granted: Insight of the Future, you may now have a vision into the future.
Edem frowned. "A glimpse into the future?"
Before he could reconsider, a blinding light enveloped his vision. His surroundings faded away, and his consciousness was drawn to another realm.
The world that emerged before him was engulfed in flames.
Blue Star… or what remained of it.
Skyscrapers lay in ruins. The skies were rent asunder by swirling rifts. The ground was fissured with rivers of molten flame. A deep crimson moon loomed in the sky — and in the distance, monstrous silhouettes towered over the shattered cities.
These creatures were unlike anything Edem had ever encountered — adorned with black horns, fiery eyes, and wings composed of living shadow. They traversed the streets as if they were deities of death.
"The Demon Race," a cold voice resonated within his mind.
He turned to see himself, marked by battle scars, and wielding a crimson spear of blood. Accompanying him were two others: his younger brother Troy, now little matured and emanating a dark light… and a young lady with black hair and black eyes, manipulating object and weapons with telekinetic abilities.
Together, they confronted the endless army of demons — three figures standing resolute against an entire invasion.
Then the vision dissipated.
Edem gasped, sitting upright in his brother's room, his forehead drenched in sweat.
[Insight Complete.]
Timeline probability: 90%. Future catastrophe confirmed.
He paused in silence for a moment, his breath heavy. "Thus, that is the future, a month from now. Demons will invade Blue Star, leading to a war that devastates half of the planet." He tightened his fists, his eyes narrowing with determination.
"If that is destiny, then I shall alter it."
His eyes moved towards Troy, who remained unconscious yet stable. "Regardless of the circumstances, I will ensure your safety… and that of the girl from the vision, whoever she may be."
A subtle smile formed on his lips.
"It seems my true challenge is just commencing."
Beyond the confines of the room, the morning sun finally rose completely over the horizon, casting a golden glow within. However, for Edem, the warmth of the dawn carried a more ominous promise — one of bloodshed, fate, and an impending war.
---
To be continued