Adam's breath hitched as Sophia's words echoed in his ears.
He stared at her, disbelief clear on his face. For a moment, the world around him seemed to stand still.
Then, almost instinctively, he pushed himself upright, standing so quickly that even he was startled.
"I can move again?" Adam muttered under his breath, his voice tinged with astonishment. His gaze dropped to his hands, flexing his fingers experimentally.
The strength that had drained from his body earlier now seemed to have returned fully.
As if mirroring his inner state, the dark storm clouds overhead began to dissipate, retreating from the sky like smoke blown away by an unseen wind.
Within seconds, the sun's rays pierced through, casting warm light over the meadow once again.
Adam glanced upward, watching the black clouds vanish. He wasn't the only one who noticed.
"Oh!" Sophia exclaimed, shading her eyes with one hand as she looked up. "They're completely gone. How strange… the weather's been so odd today."
Her voice drew Adam's attention back to her, and he blinked before focusing again. Her words from earlier still lingered in his mind. He tilted his head slightly, narrowing his eyes. "Wait… what did you say?"
Sophia hesitated, her cheeks flushing a deep red as she looked down at the grass. "I said… that my parents told me to stay at your house tonight," she mumbled, her voice barely above a whisper.
Adam's brow furrowed, and his surprise deepened.
The idea of Sophia staying at his house was enough to send his thoughts spiraling. A boy and a girl, staying under the same roof? It felt… unusual, even improper.
But before his imagination could run wild, another memory surfaced, grounding him. His mother. His sister.
"Oh, right…" Adam sighed, relief washing over him. It's not just me at home. My mom and sister will be there too. Of course, Sophia will probably stay with them.
With that thought, he exhaled deeply, allowing the tension to leave his body. A faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips.
Sophia, noticing his expression, tilted her head curiously but said nothing.
Before the moment could settle, the sound of footsteps and distant shouting reached Adam's ears.
He turned to see three figures sprinting toward them, their voices growing louder as they approached.
"Adam! Sophia!" one of them called out.
The group quickly came into focus. Two boys and one girl.
The first boy had blond hair that gleamed in the sunlight and striking golden eyes, while the second boy's dark hair and sharp facial features bore a striking resemblance to Adam himself.
The girl, who followed closely behind, had long black hair and equally dark eyes.
All three of them wore simple village attire, their clothes slightly dusty from running across the meadow.
The trio looked slightly older, likely around seventeen, and their expressions were a mix of urgency and curiosity.
Adam's heart skipped as he tried to piece together who they were, but before he could speak, a flood of memories consumed him.
He recognized them instantly.
The blond-haired boy was George—Sophia's older brother. He was brave and energetic, often acting as a protective figure for both Sophia and Adam.
The dark-haired boy was Eric, Adam's older brother. Eric was dependable and had always looked out for Adam, often treating him with a mix of teasing and affection.
And finally, the girl with the dark hair was Yami, Adam's older sister. She was kind but firm, often scolding Adam when he got into trouble, though her love for him was undeniable.
They're my family, Adam thought, his heart swelling with a mix of warmth and nostalgia. In this world, Adam was the youngest child, the cherished favorite of his household.
His siblings adored him, and his parents doted on him endlessly. The memory of their affection lingered like a comforting blanket.
The present came rushing back as George and Eric stopped just a few feet away from Adam.
Both of them were facing the river and the forest beyond it, their postures tense as though bracing for an attack.
"What… are you two doing?" Adam asked, his confusion evident.
Without turning around, George replied, his voice firm. "Isn't it obvious? We're protecting you."
Adam blinked. "Protecting me? From what?"
This time, it was Eric who answered, his tone equally serious. "From the wild animals, of course. The ones hiding in the forest."
Adam raised an eyebrow, his skepticism clear. "What animals? There's nothing there."
But George and Eric didn't seem to hear him. Instead, they swung their arms dramatically through the air, as if battling invisible foes. Their movements were oddly coordinated, each punch and kick flowing seamlessly into the next.
"Attack from the left, George!" Eric shouted, his voice filled with mock urgency.
"Got it!" George replied, delivering a high kick into empty air.
Adam stared at them, dumbfounded. The sight of his brother and Sophia's brother pretending to fight imaginary enemies left him utterly baffled.
What in the world are they doing? Adam thought, his brow furrowing as he watched their antics.
A soft voice behind him broke his concentration.
"Adam," Yami said, her tone exasperated. "Please don't grow up to be like those two idiots."
Adam turned to see his sister standing nearby, her arms crossed as she watched George and Eric with a mixture of annoyance and amusement.
Sophia, who had been quiet until now, chimed in, her own voice tinged with embarrassment. "I don't know why my brother always acts like this. It's like he thinks he's in some kind of anime fight." (I am telling you this for clarification, there is no anime in this world )
She glanced at Adam, shaking her head as a faint smile crept onto her face.
Meanwhile, George and Eric continued their imaginary battle, oblivious to the others' reactions.
Their laughter and exaggerated movements filled the meadow, a stark contrast to the earlier tension of the storm.
Adam couldn't help but smile faintly as he lay back down on the grass, letting the sun warm his face. Despite everything—the strangeness of this world, the lingering questions about his powers, and the odd antics of his companions—he felt a sense of peace.
And with that, the chapter ended, leaving Adam surrounded by the people who now felt like both strangers and family.
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End of Chapter Seven