CHAPTER 412: FAMILY

Vincent/Vaelthor /Star~

I woke up with a jolt that shot through my entire body like a bolt of lightning from a clear sky. It felt like I’d been tossed around in some wild storm made of swirling shadows and blinding flashes of light, leaving me battered and disoriented. My limbs were heavy, as if they were weighted down by invisible chains, and my mind was all foggy, like trying to peer through a thick mist after a long, restless sleep. Everything felt pieced together wrong, like fragments from a nightmare that hadn’t quite faded away. The last clear memory I had was that excruciating pain—a searing agony that exploded across both my wrists, as if invisible blades were carving into my skin. There was no blood, no visible cuts or scars I could see, just this overwhelming burst of torment that ripped through my veins and turned the whole world pitch black. I’d been in the middle of a bustling market, surrounded by the chatter of vendors and the smell of spices, when it hit me. I honestly thought that was it—the end. Maybe some hidden poison finally catching up to me, or a curse I’d unknowingly triggered. But now... now I was alive, breathing, and definitely not in that market anymore. Where the heck was I?

I blinked a few times, trying to clear the haze from my eyes, and took in the soft, diffused light filtering through what looked like windows made from intricately woven leaves. It wasn’t harsh sunlight; more like a gentle glow that danced across the room, casting playful shadows that seemed almost alive. The air was filled with the rich, earthy scent of damp soil mixed with the sweet perfume of blooming flowers—jasmine maybe, or something wilder, like forest blossoms after a rain. It was comforting, in a way, grounding me back to reality. My bed wasn’t just any ordinary mattress; it was crafted from twisted branches that formed a natural cradle, and I swear they pulsed faintly with a subtle energy, like the wood was still alive and breathing. It held me gently, almost protectively, adapting to my every shift as if it were a living entity responding to my presence. That’s when it hit me—I was back home. But how? Had someone carried me here? Rescued me? The questions swirled in my head like a whirlwind, making my pulse quicken.

As I shifted slightly, testing my body’s response—no major aches, just that lingering heaviness—my eyes landed on her. Lying right beside me, peaceful as a serene dream, was the most beautiful girl I’d ever seen. Her hair was this stunning reddish-blonde, spilling across the pillow like threads woven from a vibrant sunset, catching the light in a way that made it shimmer with hints of gold and crimson. It framed a face so perfect it could chase away even the darkest shadows in my mind—high cheekbones, delicate features, and skin that was fair and almost glowing, like it held a soft inner light. Her lips were curved in a gentle, unconscious smile, the kind that speaks of quiet contentment, and her long lashes rested against her cheeks. Who on earth was she? How had she ended up here, in my bed of all places? I racked my brain, searching for any fragment of memory that might explain it, but there was nothing—just a blank slate where her story should be. Yet, deep inside me, something stirred. It wasn’t just attraction; it was a profound warmth that spread through my chest, chasing away the chill of confusion and fear. She made me feel inexplicably happy, at peace, like I’d stumbled upon a missing piece of myself that I hadn’t even realized was gone. It was as if her presence filled a void I didn’t know existed, wrapping me in a sense of completeness that was both thrilling and terrifying.

Drawn by this inexplicable pull, like an invisible thread connecting us, I reached out slowly. My fingers trembled slightly—maybe from the remnants of whatever had knocked me out, or perhaps from the sheer intensity of the moment—as they brushed against her cheek. Her skin was warm and soft as silk, smoother than anything I’d ever touched, and at that gentle contact, she let out a soft whine in her sleep. It was a small, vulnerable sound, almost like a contented sigh mixed with a hint of protest, and it sent a subtle ripple through the air around us, as if the room itself responded to her.

But then, gasps echoed around the room, shattering the intimate bubble I’d been lost in.

My heart slammed against my ribs like a drum in a frantic rhythm, adrenaline surging through me. I wasn’t alone. Oh no, far from it. My enhanced senses—honed over years of survival and training—kicked in a bit belatedly, picking up the rapid heartbeats, the shallow breaths, the subtle rustle of fabrics shifting. I whipped my head around, my eyes widening as I took in the sight: a whole crowd of people crammed into the room, staring at me with expressions ranging from shock to sheer elation. Some had tears streaming down their faces, unchecked and raw, while others beamed with obvious joy, their smiles so wide it was like they’d witnessed a miracle—like I’d literally risen from the dead. At the forefront stood a massive man with a regal bearing, his broad shoulders and commanding presence screaming authority. He had his arms crossed over his chest, looking relieved yet wary, as if he was holding back a flood of emotions. Beside him was a woman with fiery red hair that cascaded in waves, clutching her hands to her chest, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. There were others too—elemental types, from the way their auras flickered subtly with hints of fire, water, wind, and earth energies. Rayma had taught me how to read those kinds of things, picking up on the invisible signatures that revealed someone’s affinity. There was a brooding, handsome guy with sleek black hair and pale skin that contrasted sharply with his intense gaze, standing like a shadow in the corner. Next to him, a fierce-looking beautiful woman with a dagger strapped to her hip, her posture alert and ready for anything. And more faces—strangers, all of them, yet something about their eyes felt oddly familiar, like echoes from a forgotten dream.

Except for one. Rayma, my savior, the man who’d become my dad in every way that truly mattered, stood at the edge of the group. His golden-blonde hair caught the light filtering through the leaf windows, giving him an almost ethereal glow, and his presence was as cheerful and enigmatic as ever—neutral yet radiating a quiet wisdom that always put me at ease. Relief flooded through me at the sight of him, washing over the confusion like a soothing wave, but it was quickly drowned out by a rising tide of fear. What was going on? Why were all these people here, invading what I thought was my private space? It felt like I’d woken up in the middle of some grand reunion I hadn’t been invited to.

"Dad?" My voice came out hoarse and cracked, laced with panic that I couldn’t quite hide. I scooted back on the bed instinctively, pulling the girl closer without even thinking about it—some protective urge kicking in, as if shielding her would somehow make sense of this chaos. "Dad, who are all these people? What’s happening?"

Rayma’s eyes twinkled with that ancient, knowing spark—the kind that hinted at secrets older than time itself—as he stepped forward. He weaved through the crowd with effortless grace, his movements fluid like a gentle breeze, not bumping into anyone despite the tight space. He reached the bed and patted my head lovingly, his touch grounding me instantly, just like it always did when the world felt too chaotic and overwhelming. "Easy there, Star," he said softly, his voice warm and reassuring, carrying that familiar timbre that could calm a storm. "These folks? They’re your family. The ones you’ve been wondering about all this time."

I stared at him, my mouth falling open in sheer disbelief. Family? The word hit me like a thunderbolt out of nowhere, cracking open something raw and vulnerable deep inside my chest. It stirred emotions I’d buried long ago—longing, hope, a flicker of belonging that I’d convinced myself I didn’t need. Rayma had promised me, just two weeks ago, that he’d help me uncover my past. He’d found me broken and lost, given me the name Star, and built a new life for me from the ashes of whatever I’d been before. But when he didn’t bring up the topic again, I’d figured it was just talk—a kind lie to keep a broken kid like me going. I’d stopped believing he’d actually deliver on that promise, but I still loved and respected him anyway, like the father he’d become. And now... this? A room full of strangers claiming to be mine? It was too much, too sudden, like a puzzle snapping together without me seeing the pieces.

"Family?" I whispered, my voice trembling with a mix of awe and skepticism. I looked around at them again, really searching their faces this time for any spark of recognition—a familiar jawline, a shared eye color, anything that might bridge the gap in my memory. "Is... is that true? Are you really my family?"

Heads nodded all around the room, a chorus of affirmations rippling through the group like a wave. Murmurs of "Yes," and "We’ve missed you," filled the air, their voices blending into a symphony of emotion that made my throat tighten. The massive man—something in my foggy memory whispered "King," like a title etched in the back of my mind—grunted in agreement, his deep voice rumbling like distant thunder. His eyes softened, losing some of that wary edge, revealing a depth of care that surprised me. "Yeah, kid. We’re here for you. Always have been."

The red-haired woman stepped forward then, her movements graceful yet urgent, like she couldn’t hold back any longer. She resembled the girl on the bed so strikingly—the same reddish tones weaving through her hair, the same ethereal beauty that seemed to glow from within—that it stole my breath away. It was like looking at an older version of the sleeping beauty beside me, with lines of wisdom and experience adding to her allure. She reached the bed in a few strides and, without a moment’s hesitation, pulled me into a fierce hug. Her arms wrapped around me like a protective shield, strong and unyielding, her scent a comforting mix of warm sunlight and fresh herbs that tugged at buried emotions deep within me. It felt familiar, like a half-remembered lullaby from childhood.

"Oh, Vincent," she murmured against my hair, her voice thick with tears that I could feel dampening my shoulder. "My sweet boy. I’m so relieved you’re okay. We’ve been so worried—we thought we’d lost you for good this time."

Vincent. That name... it echoed in my soul like a long-forgotten melody, stirring feelings I couldn’t quite grasp—nostalgia, identity, a sense of self that clashed with the "Star" I’d become. Who was I, really? Star. Vincent. Vaelthor? The titles blurred in my mind, each one pulling me in different directions. I froze in her embrace at first, overwhelmed by the flood of sensations, but something in me melted at her words, softening the edges of my confusion. "I... I don’t remember," I admitted quietly, my voice muffled against her shoulder as I tentatively hugged her back. "Everything’s so blurry, like pieces of a puzzle scattered everywhere. Who are you?"

She pulled back slightly, just enough to cup my face in her warm hands, her eyes— a vivid blue, like the clearest sky—locking onto mine with a fierce, unwavering love that made my heart ache. There was no judgment there, only acceptance and joy. "I’m Natalie. Your... well, it’s complicated, but I’ve watched over you, Vincent. You’re like a son to me in so many ways—I’ve raised you, protected you, loved you through it all. And this—" She glanced tenderly at the girl beside me, her expression softening even further. "This is Katrina, my daughter. Your... your love. The one who’s been by your side through thick and thin, even when memories fade."

Katrina. The name sent a thrilling shiver through me, like a spark igniting a fire deep within. It felt right, impossibly right, resonating in my core as if my soul recognized her even if my mind didn’t. But the gaps in my memory mocked me, leaving frustrating voids where stories and moments should be. As Natalie stepped back, giving me a moment to breathe and process, my gaze snagged on another figure standing a bit off to the side, partially hidden in the shadows of the room. She was a beautiful girl with flowing blonde hair that caught the light like spun gold, and piercing blue eyes that mirrored Natalie’s in intensity. But her face was etched with sorrow, deep lines of regret furrowing her brow. Tears streamed down her cheeks unchecked, glistening like diamonds in the soft glow, and she looked... guilty. Like she carried the weight of the world on her slender shoulders, a burden that bowed her posture ever so slightly. Pain radiated from her in waves, so palpable it made my own chest tighten in sympathy, as if her emotions were bleeding into the air around us.

Beside her stood a boy with dark, tousled hair and pale skin that gave him an almost ethereal, vampire-like vibe. His posture was brooding yet fiercely protective, one arm wrapped around her waist in a gesture of quiet support. He leaned in close, whispering something in her ear, his voice magnetic and laced with that cocky edge that suggested he was no stranger to confidence. "Winter, go on," he urged softly, his tone encouraging yet firm, like a coach pushing a teammate. "He’s your brother. He needs you. Don’t hold back now— we’ve waited too long for this."