"Big brother, are you awake!"
From outside the room came the sweet voice of a young girl, filled with worry.
The little commotion Gray had caused seemed to have drawn his younger sister Raven's attention, he could almost picture her delicate, furrowed brows and round concerned eyes.
"Come in, I am awake." After understanding the situation, Gray spoke; the voice that came out of his mouth was incredibly hoarse as if he hadn't spoken in a long time. The gruff sound startled even him, it was a grim remainder of just how bad his condition was.
As soon as these words had left his mouth, the door to his room was abruptly flung open and a beautiful girl excitedly rushed inside.
The door was flung open, and a girl, her face bright with relief, rushed inside. She moved with a liveliness that contrasted sharply against his own exhausted state. Raven's golden hair cascaded around her shoulders, catching the light in a cascade of warm gold, just like his. Her big, round blue eyes gleamed with a childlike purity that was rare in this cruel world. Those eyes immediately found him, and she gasped at the sight.
Struggling to sit up straight, Gray shifted himself against the pillows, wincing as sore muscles protested. A low groan escaped him, betraying his discomfort.
Raven's expression softened, and in an instant, she was at his side, offering support with her small, surprisingly strong hands. Her concern was so genuine, her presence so comforting, that he felt a flicker of warmth in his heart, something he hadn't felt in a long time.
"Are you okay, Big brother?" She asked again, her beautiful big eyes filled with concern.
Gray could only forcefully nod his head. After making sure that he was okay, Raven immediately let go of him and walked closer to the table filled with books.
Her actions were playful as she hopped from one place to another like a character from certain video game.
Gray's lips curled into a faint smile as he watched her.
"What a monster," he murmured to himself, shaking his head. Though she was just a child, she had a strength that didn't make sense at her age. The spot on his shoulder where she had supported him still burned slightly. He looked down, noting with mild surprise that her fingers had left bright red imprints on his skin. A sign of her incredible strength.
It was to be expected, he supposed. She had been fed the blood of Double-Headed Bison, a rare apocalypse beast famous for its incredible strength, since she was a baby. And yet, he had received the same treatment—so why hadn't his strength increased as hers had? Perhaps, he thought, it was simply a matter of talent
Lost in thought, Gray watched as Raven picked up a thick, worn book from the table and held it up with a hopeful look. "Big brother, can I take this book?" she asked, her lips curling into an innocent smile.
Gray chuckled softly, glancing at the book she held. "Sure, why not? I've read it a few times already."
At his words, Raven's face lit up, and she hugged the book to her chest like it was a prized treasure. She gave a little hop, her joy bubbling over as she exclaimed, "Big brother, you've really changed! Before, you'd never let me touch your books."
Gray's smile wavered slightly, but he nodded. She was right—he had changed.
His expression turned serious, remembering the unusual circumstances of her visit. "Why are you here, Raven?" he asked, with a slight cough, hoping to mask his concern. Typically, she was engrossed in training at this time of day, especially given her strict schedule.
Raven's mischievous smile returned, and she stuck out her tongue playfully. "Mother is calling you for dinner," she said, delivering her message with a gleeful bounce before hopping out of the room as quickly as she had entered.
Gray watched her disappear down the hall, a puzzled expression settling over his face. Dinner? Normally, he ate alone in his room. It was rare, almost unheard of, for his mother to call him to the family dinner table. Despite his unease, he decided to go.
He changed quickly, pulling on a loose white robe, its fabric soft against his sore muscles, and stepped out of his room into the vast hallway.
Golden chandeliers cast a warm glow over the polished marble floors, and he could see the servants moving quietly, almost like shadows, as they went about their duties. They bowed respectfully whenever he passed, their voices low but clear.
"Greetings, Young Master."
Gray noted that their words, though respectful, lacked the warmth they once held. He knew why. Ever since his grandfather, the family's greatest protector, Legendary Knight Theodore, had mysteriously disappeared six months ago, their family's influence had waned. Rivals watched them closely, waiting for any sign of weakness.
Gray walked down the hall, finally reaching the opulent dining room. Golden walls adorned with intricate patterns gleamed under flickering candlelight, casting the room in a warm, ethereal glow.
A large, rectangular table stretched across the center, already occupied by his family members.
He noticed that as he entered, every head turned his way, some with cold, assessing stares, others with thinly veiled disdain. Not a single gaze held the slightest concern for his well-being.
Most of the people were strangers to Gray; he didn't even know their names.
Gray was already used to these gazes, so he didn't care.
Gray took his seat, ignoring the heavy silence that settled over the table. At the head of the table sat his mother, Sophie Peace-loving. Her face was a striking mix of his and Raven's, with the same golden hair and sharp features. But unlike them, her eyes held an eerie, snakelike quality—a mutation caused by the increased percentage of corruption she had absorbed over the years, a testament to her strength
Despite giving birth to four children, she was a good-looking woman in her twenties, with a body that was shaped like an hourglass.
She glanced briefly at him, her gaze as indifferent as if she were looking at a stranger. Then, with a quick tap of her fingers against the table, she commanded silence.
"Three days from now, The Four Noble families will jointly hold the coming-of-age ceremony," Sophie announced, her voice cool and authoritative. "I expect each of you to be fully prepared."
"Those who are not able to make it will have to leave the family."
Her gaze swept across the room, lingering on Gray for a split second before moving on. He felt a strange weight behind that brief look, though he couldn't decipher its meaning.
Once she finished speaking, the servants hurriedly began serving food.
From what Gray could tell her last sentance seemed to be directed at him, after he had failed in the earlier ceremonies and this time was going to be his last chance.
If it was the Original Gray he might have already started to panick but not him.
Gray looked down at his glass, filled to the brim with a thick, dark red liquid. Blood—a staple in their diet ever since the apocalypse had changed everything. The sight turned his stomach slightly, though he forced himself to take a sip.
They had drink the blood to increase the currouption level. If the level increased, their performance in the ceremony was bound to be good.
Across from him, Raven seemed to be struggling. The glass in her small hand trembled as she tried to bring it to her lips. Her face paled, and her cheeks puffed as though she might be sick. Suddenly, she dropped the glass, retching loudly, and a sickened expression crossed her face as she leaned over the table.
Seeing this disgusting scene, none of the people dining at the table acted as if there was nothing wrong; the scene was extremely normal.
In the next moment, a servant carrying some equipment rushed to the table in a hurry and quickly cleaned the table.
Raven's empty glass was once again filled with blood; this time, Raven held her breath and gulped the blood down in a blink of an eye.
Gray watched her, a faint admiration stirring in his heart. Despite her young age, Raven possessed a resilience that few could match. He sighed and took another sip of his own drink, resigning himself to the brutal world they lived in.