I can hear faint sounds of chains clanging. I open my eyes to see chains, stretching out to the endless, black sky.
Everywhere I look are chains. Chains that go beyond the horizon. It's like…
A planet of chains?
I take a step forward, and my feet land on a loose chain. And then, the chain speaks.
"H-H---EY-Y!.!"
The voice tried to reach out to me, but it startled me to the point where I woke up.
A dream…? A planet of chains…
Wait, the Goddess being pierced by chains before I got here…
Is my dream what happened after that? Then, that voice was…
"Are you awake?" Naic spoke out of nowhere.
"Ah!" I jump back by the surprise.
I should've expected that I'd wake up beside her…
"Our parents are arriving soon. Follow me." Naic asked.
"Sigh, Sure." I said.
"Very well then." Naic said as she walked to the front door and held it open till I came so I stood up and followed her.
It's been 3 years… But it sure felt really fucking long.
3 YEARS LATER ; 95 YEARS AGO
AGE: 5 YEARS OLD
After a while of walking, we entered a room full of clothes. The maids were already waiting for us and immediately presented clothes tailored to Vytria's preferences.
Afterward, one of the butlers knocked on the door.
"Are you all finished? Madam Vytria and Sir Kraiter are waiting." He said. His voice felt ominous for some reason… It sounded rough like a soldier.
"Yes, Mikhayn." One of the maids responded. Mikhayn opened the door and took a good look at us.
"Good. They'll love it. Now, follow me." Mikhayn commanded us.
Mikhayn told us everything from what was going to happen to what we needed to do as we walked through the hallway.
Mikhayn opens the front door for us, revealing our parents, Vytria and Kraiter, awaiting with joyful smiles.
"Ah~ I think I'm about to faint…! She's so cute!!!" Vytria said as she stared at me proudly.
"She's going to grow into a fine woman! I'm calling it!" Kraiter complimented.
Ah.. haha… Haaaa...…
I glanced to my left to see what Naic's expression looked like. All I saw was a menacing, threatening stare, looking deep into my eyes.
I'm sorry sis…
I felt a little guilty, taking Naic's spotlight.
"And Nai-" Vytria said before she fainted.
Naic and I were stunned by what we saw. We were more shocked to see Mikhayn open the door and our father hold our mother's unconscious body and throw it inside the carriage.
W-What kind of relationship is this…?
"She'll wake up soon enough later. Anyway, get in!" Our father ordered us with a smile.
Naic and I were left speechless by what we witnessed, but we gathered ourselves and stepped into the carriage nonetheless. Inside the carriage were our parents, me, naic, and a few maids. Including the viny girl whose name is apparently "Saria," and her sister, "Saira." The only difference between the two are the size of their hair. Saira's hair extends to her waist.
"Phewww…" I sighed both relieved and nervous.
Us dressing up this fancy… Yeah, we're going to a party…
Hold on, that rhymed!
"WHIP!" Then the horses ran. The carriage moved quickly and was as stable as a car.
This is very stable… Is it possible to make the wheels out of rubber, similar to how they were made in my old world?
Our father, Kraiter, told us the event taking place somewhere in the middle of the capital. To make it short, it's a familia gathering held by the Dainsvaal familia. There, all heads of each of the most important familia will have a meeting while their sons and daughters mingle. In other words, a nightmare for an introvert. Fortunately, I am, however, NOT an introvert!
Or so I thought…
2 HOURS LATER…
"Mmm…" Mom's faint voice moaned as she woke up.
"I wish I could've taken your shortcut, hon." Dad said with envy.
"I'm sorry, but seeing two of my beautiful daughters walk out with such amazing dresses…! I just couldn't hold it!"
They both laughed afterward.
"Sir, Madam, we're arriving soon." Mikhayn told.
"Look outside the window." Naic asked me.
"Hm?" I followed her instructions and what I saw was gorgeous. I expected the buildings to be somewhat made of wood, but no. It was all white concrete, chiseled with fashion-like Paris. It was a breathtaking sight.
"Is this your first time?" I asked.
"Huh? No. I've been here once a few years back." Naic responded.
I should mention that at this point in time, I'm actually able to speak. Apparently, it's pretty normal for a 4-year-old to learn how to speak. The only problem I've encountered is the letters. They're like kanji or mandarin.
"Have you met other people?" I asked again.
"Yeah, but be close to me." She said it in a manner that was not reassuring. It made me a little nervous.
"Are they dangerous?"
"Nope. They can't harm you-"
"Oh." I felt relieved.
"Physically." She followed.
"Ohhh."
Yeah, I don't think I'm gonna have a good time there.
Our mom and dad laugh at our conversation, extremely happy with how close we two are.
After a short while, the carriage stopped.
"We're here!" Mikhayn said as he opened the door of our carriage. We stepped out first and the maids followed after.
We strolled past the entrance, and I couldn't help but notice the luxuriance of the building. It's even decorated with gold!
"Woahh…" I expressed. Naic noticed and held my hand.
"Don't get distracted. If you get lost, I won't be able to find you."
"R-Right…"
As we walked through, I was surprised to see that each family looked human yet different from one another. The Dainsvaal family was watery blue, the Xodimus family was fiery red, the Rapret family was green like Saria and Saira, and the Excendi family looked human but incredibly saturated.
We walked through the tables and sat at the one reserved for us, the Cynthus familia. Next to our table was the Dainsvaal familia.
"It's been a while!" A man from the Dainsvaals greeted us.
"Indeed. I still remember when you were a little brat fresh out of the womb, Kariyn." Mom said.
"Someone should rip off your tongue, sis… But, I didn't expect you two to go for another one."
"Oh. Teasing us now, doc?" My mother responded to Kariyn. The annoyance was written all over her face.
"You started it."
They both glare at each other before a man from the Excendi familia claps his hands on the stage. His hair was lavender and had a mutton chop. His body is pretty well built, so he's pretty strong.
"Good to see you all make it!" The man said. "Now, to not waste time, I will now gather the heads of each familia for a private breakfast. For the children, we'll serve them food and let them socialize with each other since they'll be seeing each other very often from now on."
"Are you talking about the full-planned scholarships for each familia?" My father asked.
"Yes! From elementary to high school, they'll be with each other on the very same campus!"
Scholarship, huh? That's nice. What's not are the children I'll be with.
"Now then, may you please follow me?" The man ordered and guided the heads of other familia to the hallway.
"Naic, make sure to get along with others and protect your sister, okay?" Our mother asked.
"Yes." Naic said as she nodded.
"Saria, Saira, make sure to look after these two."
"Yes, madam." They said in perfect sync.
After that, all that was left were the children. Some started communicating, some stayed in their corners. One thing led to another, and the entire room was crowded by noise. Everyone was talking left and right.
Naic held my hand tight, making sure I stayed close to her.
"Hungry?"
"Yeah."
Naic ordered the maids to serve us food from the food warmers and we waited. A girl from the Dainsvaal walked over to us. She seems a few years older than Naic.
"I never thought I'd see you here again, pussy." She said, making fun of Naic. Her smile was corrupt like her manners.
Naic was quiet, trying not to react to her insult.
"Tsk. You don't even belong in the Cynthus familia. You belong in the slums."
Then, Naic snapped. She tried to throw a punch before I pulled her back. However, she persisted and kept pushing.
"Hahahaha!!! You even have the "Miracle" backing you up!"
Everyone was silent due to the commotion. No one tried to step up for us.
Damn it! Where are those maids when you need them?!
"Naic!" I yelled. She looked back at me, seeing how desperate I was trying to hold her back.
"I-I'm…" Naic tried to apologize, but she couldn't utter one more word due to the shame. Everyone was looking at us, some pitied, some disgusted, some just ignored.
Damn it… There goes my social interaction for the day.
"Hmm… Are you even a miracle? How do we know that golden hair of yours is legit?" She was clearly trying to turn everyone against us.
"Legit or not… Miracle or not… that doesn't matter! She's my sister! No matter the differences!" I yelled. Everyone was staggered by my response.
The room was quiet and still. Then, one of the Xodimus started to clap their hands, and everyone soon followed after. They were cheering for us.
"Looks like you're quite lucky, Naic. Having such a nice little sister to be there for you. Hybrid or not, you're still a monster."
Hearing her words, the claps and cheering became fuzzy.
… What?
"She'll learn soon enough Naic. The history that flows through her blood. Once she does…"
Then, she began to chuckle.
"She'd wish she wasn't born."