Chapter 2 – Blood, Bonds, and Birthdays
The heavy gates of the residence creaked open as Lin Xuan, Vaibhav, and Prabhat stepped inside. The soft glow of evening lamps lit the courtyard, casting long shadows across the polished stone floor.
But the sight that greeted the family inside froze their breaths.
Yan'er and Anika, both breathtakingly beautiful in their own ways, were the first to appear from the inner hall. Yan'er's goddess-like grace faltered, her hand trembling as she covered her lips. Anika's playful eyes widened in rare seriousness, her smile vanishing.
Behind them rushed Alicia, her innocent face paling as soon as she saw the red stains across Lin Xuan's and Prabhat's robes. Following her were Arjun, Theo, Daichi, and Vivan—each one stiffening in alarm.
"Blood…?" Alicia's voice quivered. "B–Big Brother, Brother Prabhat… are you hurt?"
Lin Xuan waved a hand casually, his tone calm as ever.
"It's not our blood. Calm down."
Prabhat remained silent, his face expressionless, though a flicker of exhaustion crossed his eyes. Only Vaibhav noticed.
Arjun stepped forward, his voice steady yet sharp. "Then whose blood is it?"
"Enemies," Lin Xuan replied flatly. "Nothing for you to worry about."
The tension lingered, but under Lin Xuan's gaze, the family gradually eased. Yan'er sighed softly, stepping closer with a look of concern.
"At least wash and change… you'll only worry everyone more."
"Mn." Lin Xuan nodded. Without another word, he and Prabhat went inside to bathe.
Later that night, the long table was filled with warm dishes. Steaming bowls, fragrant vegetables, and roasted meats lined the center, their aroma filling the hall. Despite the earlier shock, the atmosphere slowly softened into something familiar, almost homely.
Daichi, ever the loudest, laughed as he stuffed food into his mouth. "Ah! Finally, real food. Fighting is good, but eating is the true way of life!"
Theo smacked the back of his head lightly. "Idiot, chew properly before you choke."
Anika chuckled, her mischievous tone returning. "Honestly, Daichi, you sound like a beast released from its cage. Have some grace—look at Vivan, he reads even while eating."
True enough, Vivan was quietly flipping a small book open with one hand while nibbling bread with the other. "Knowledge doesn't wait," he murmured, eyes still scanning the page.
"Knowledge won't save you if you starve, little scholar," Anika teased again.
Laughter rolled around the table, even drawing a faint smile from Vaibhav. For a brief moment, the blood and violence outside these walls felt far away.
Night deepened.
In Prabhat's room, silence reigned except for his ragged breathing. He sat on the edge of his bed, one hand clutching his chest. His pale skin glistened with sweat, as if something inside him gnawed mercilessly at his body.
Suddenly, the shadows shifted.
Lin Xuan appeared in the dim light, his expression unreadable.
"I told you," he said coldly, "to keep the pills with you."
Prabhat's lips tightened, his breath heavy. "…I forgot."
Without another word, Lin Xuan extended his hand. A small porcelain bottle materialized, its faint herbal fragrance piercing through the air. He pressed it into Prabhat's palm.
"Take them. Don't let your weakness drag you under."
Prabhat lowered his gaze. His fingers curled around the bottle as if it were both salvation and curse. "…Thank you, Master."
Morning arrived with soft golden light spilling through the windows. The household stirred with yawns, chatter, and the smell of fresh breakfast.
Prabhat, unusually, was the first to speak as everyone gathered. He glanced at Vaibhav and Alicia, his voice calm but faintly warm.
"Happy birthday, Vaibhy. Happy birthday, Alicia."
Vaibhav blinked in surprise, his lips curving. "You actually remembered?"
"Of course I did." For the first time, Prabhat's expressionless face carried the ghost of a smile.
"Eh?!" Alicia gasped, her eyes sparkling. "It's our birthday already? I almost forgot!"
The others quickly joined in.
"Happy birthday, little one," Yan'er said gently, brushing Alicia's hair with sisterly affection.
Anika grinned mischievously, hugging both Vaibhav and Alicia from behind. "So my cute siblings finally step into adulthood, hm? I wonder what kind of mischief you'll get into now."
Daichi slammed his fist on the table dramatically. "Adulthood means more fights! More battles! More meat!"
Theo sighed. "You're hopeless."
Even Vivan lifted his head from a book to smile softly. "Happy birthday, both of you."
As laughter filled the hall, Lin Xuan finally spoke. His calm voice silenced the noise in an instant.
"Today, the two of you step into adulthood. That means responsibility… and new horizons. We're going out."
"Out?" Vaibhav tilted his head. "Where?"
"You'll see."
The family followed Lin Xuan into the garage. The large steel doors slid open, revealing a massive spacecraft gleaming under the lights, its sleek silver surface carved with faint inscriptions.
Alicia gasped, her eyes widening. "A… a spaceship?!"
Vaibhav whispered, "We... Had a spaceship?!"
The ship's hatch opened with a low hum. One by one, everyone stepped inside, greeted by polished halls and seats arranged neatly around glowing panels. As the engines roared to life, Vaibhav's heart pounded with excitement. Alicia clutched his hand, her eyes sparkling like starlight.
The ship lifted smoothly, leaving the ground behind. The planet's clouds parted as they soared into the endless expanse of space. Stars shimmered like scattered diamonds across the dark velvet sky.
Minutes later, something extraordinary appeared in the distance—an enormous floating island, suspended in the void. Shimmering barriers surrounded it, keeping its air and gravity intact. Towers, restaurants, theaters, and even an amusement park sprawled across its surface, glowing with vibrant lights.
"Welcome," Lin Xuan said calmly, "to Mercury's lost island. Now, a place of wonder… and temptation."
Vaibhav's eyes widened. Alicia's jaw dropped. The others leaned closer to the windows, stunned by the sight.
"An entire island in space…" Vivan whispered in awe.
"Looks expensive," Vaibhav muttered, already calculating.
"Fifty UC for entrance," Lin Xuan confirmed. His gaze swept across them, unreadable. "Today, you'll step into adulthood. Let's see how you spend it."