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If you are also reading my novel Legends Reborn Online, I would suggest holding off on reading the rest of this novel until you get to the big plot twist of LRO. It should be happening around chapter 100-110. This novel has a MAJOR spoiler to the LRO plot twist, so read at your own discretion.
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My siblings and I loved each other very much growing up. We played and bonded like normal siblings should, and even though they all knew of my special circumstances they never treated me any differently.
I was especially close with my oldest sister, Lilian, growing up, because she is only a year older than I am. Markan and Nevandius were always kind to me, but because the youngest of the two is still 6 years older than me they were also more of extra parental figures than parents.
My parents couldn't be called absent in our lives as they made sure to see us at least 2 days a week, but they were extremely busy for the rest of it. We had maids and nannies who took good care of us in their stead, but it wasn't the same as having parents. Nev and Mark decided to take up this role for the rest of us. They disciplined us when necessary, but still offered the love of a sibling. This was especially true with Mark as he is the oldest of us all and 8 years older than me.
Growing up, Mark always believed he would be crowned King of Vendar one day when my father decides to step down and retire.
Vendar is the planet we live on. It is a Fae planet in the Milky Way galaxy.
Vendar was plagued with fighting for years before my father was officially recognized as the King by the Universal Treaty Organization. When UTO discovered our planet, we were given 100 years to decide on a leader or the planet would be open to be conquered by others. UTO is an organization that attempts to keep the peace as best as possible within our universe. Physical fights within reality are rarely permitted, so this 100 year rule on newly discovered planets gives them a chance to avoid reality wars as well.
My father was able to take control of the planet before the 100 year rule was up through pure strength and intelligence. UTO then accepted us within the alliance.
This all happened over 700 years ago as my parents are both now over 800 years old.
The reason my brother believed he would become the Crown Prince of Vendar one day is because it is standard procedure to transfer power to the eldest son after the ruler of a planet has reached a certain power level. Not all planets follow this rule, but most of them do.
However, my father wanted to do things differently.
I still remember that day as if it was yesterday even though I was only 10 years old at the time.
My father called all of the Astor children into the throne room on a saturday, the first of the two days a week that my parents spend in reality.
"I have called you all here to discuss who will be receiving my throne when I retire."
"I thought I would be getting the throne?" Markan cried out in confusion.
"Do not speak out of turn!" My father shouted.
While he was a very kind and loving father most times, he did not allow any kind of disrespect even from his children.
"My apologies father." Markan bowed his head in submission.
"Now, as I was saying. I will not be giving Markan the throne just because he is the eldest."
Markan looked back up with wide eyes. The rest of us followed suit.
"The next Astor King or Queen will be chosen based on merit, not who was born first. The child who conquers the rest of the planets in our solar system will be given the title of Crown Prince or Princess."
As far as I know there are 23 other planets in our solar system. As I said earlier, wars aren't fought in the real world anymore. What my father was telling us to do is to conquer the territories given to these planets within the UTO virtual reality game known by many names. The Fae on Vendar simply call the game VR.
When UTO was formed billions of years ago it was to create a solution to the interplanetary wars that were rampant within the universe at the time. The big solution to this problem was to create a virtual world where the wars could be fought. The winner would be decided virtually, but the consequences would be enacted in real life.
Of course the creators had to make the game world extremely vast for this to work out. They created one large world with infinite land and sea generation, and every time a new planet enters UTO new areas are created and added onto the main world.
Vendar has its own kingdom within the game as a result, and it's almost as big as their planet. The neighboring planets' kingdoms are located directly beside ours in the game as well. A power struggle was obviously created because of the close proximity of these kingdoms in game.
My father had been extremely peaceful to the other planets for hundreds of years because he was the new kid in town. Now, it was time to switch gears. There were too many wars going on around him, and he wasn't going to just sit back and watch someone gain enough power to easily take over Vendar one day.
"I want my own children to be my generals in this upcoming war. You all will be trained once you are of age, and once the twins are ready we will launch the war." He said.
I raised my hand to indicate that I wanted to say something to my father.
"Maruma, you may speak."
"I would like to take myself out of this competition. I am not your real child, so it makes no sense for me to compete."
"Nonsense!" My mother shouted angrily.
She always cared for me just as much as my father did, which is the same as their other children.
"Your mother is correct, and that is nonsense. You will participate whether you like it or not. The same goes for all of you." My father said.