Part I — The Forgotten Family
The newly arrived man held my father in a crushing embrace.
Like a child who had finally found his favorite toy after years of searching.
His exaggerated sobs and overly dramatic expression were so convincing that, for a brief moment, anyone watching might have believed he had truly suffered all these years.
He possessed dark bronze skin.
A broad frame.
Towering muscles.
Shoulders like mountain cliffs.
Short black hair streaked with crimson swayed gently in the breeze.
His white tiger tail, marked with black and crimson stripes, lazily wrapped itself around his waist.
He stood nearly a head shorter than Father.
Yet despite the difference in height, his explosive physique made him appear even larger.
Standing together, the contrast between the two brothers was striking.
Father's light silver skin resembled polished jade.
His long silver hair flowed neatly down his back, perfectly combed as always.
His body was lean yet perfectly balanced, every movement carrying effortless elegance.
His own white tiger tail, decorated with black stripes, rested quietly around his waist, caught in the crossfire of the bear hug.
The two radiated completely different presences.
Father's aura was calm.
Silent.
Like a supreme predator patiently waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
His younger brother...
Was the complete opposite.
His aura resembled an ancient beast sleeping beneath a volcano.
Wild.
Explosive.
Chaotic.
Opposites.
Yet somehow...
Perfectly balanced.
It was impossible to deny they were brothers.
Azharyon and I exchanged puzzled glances before turning toward Grandfather.
Neither of us had ever heard Father mention another brother.
Grandfather quietly watched his two sons with the gentle eyes of a loving father.
Mother, meanwhile, smiled warmly as she watched the reunion.
There wasn't the slightest hint of surprise on her face.
Only relief.
And happiness.
She clearly knew about this mysterious uncle long before we did.
Eventually, Grandfather noticed our questioning expressions.
He cleared his throat.
"Ahem..."
His face immediately returned to its usual dignified appearance.
I finally spoke.
"Grandfather..."
"...who exactly is this person?"
"Why is he calling Father his senior brother?"
Before Grandfather could answer...
Azharyon tilted his head.
Then asked the question with complete seriousness.
"...Did you have another son and simply forget to tell us?"
Silence.
Mother burst into laughter.
Father nearly lost his composure.
Even the muscular man hugging him trembled violently as he struggled to suppress his own laughter.
The surrounding elders suddenly became fascinated by the scenery.
Some looked toward the sky.
Others admired the distant mountains.
Anything...
To avoid laughing in front of the Patriarch.
Grandfather slowly turned toward Azharyon.
A dangerous smile appeared on his face.
His expression shifted between murderous intent...
And complete disbelief.
Finally...
He sighed.
Massaging his temples with one hand.
"...That..."
"...is actually a reasonable question."
Azharyon blinked.
"...It is?"
Grandfather nodded.
"You've never met him."
"You've never heard anyone mention him."
"So your conclusion wasn't entirely unreasonable."
He paused.
Searching for the right words.
Then finally spoke.
"...Because neither of you ever asked."
...
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Azharyon and I slowly looked at each other.
Then back at Grandfather.
Then at each other again.
Our expressions mirrored one another perfectly.
"What...?"
Azharyon asked.
"What do you mean..."
"...we never asked?"
Grandfather looked genuinely confused.
He thought for another moment before calmly explaining.
"Most of your uncles..."
"...your aunts..."
"...your nephews..."
"...your nieces..."
"...are my children."
...
Our minds went blank.
Mother's laughter exploded once again.
"Hahaha!"
"Hahaha!"
She laughed so hard tears gathered in her eyes.
Father finally gave up trying to remain composed.
The muscular man released him entirely before bursting into uncontrollable laughter.
"Hahahaha!"
"So you really..."
"...don't know your own family?"
Even several elders could no longer hold back their smiles.
Azharyon scratched the back of his head with an awkward grin.
I...
Simply stood there.
Expressionless.
At least...
That was what everyone probably thought.
Inside...
I wished the ground would open beneath my feet.
We had spent our entire lives within the clan.
Greeting everyone.
Talking to everyone.
Training with everyone.
Yet...
We couldn't even identify our own relatives.
Looking back...
It suddenly felt as though we had been living among strangers all this time.
The muscular man wiped tears from his eyes before walking toward us.
His grin stretched from ear to ear.
Without warning—
He pulled both Azharyon and me into another crushing hug.
"My favorite nephews!"
He laughed loudly.
"No!"
"My favorite cousins!"
"No..."
"My favorite little brothers!"
He frowned dramatically.
"...Actually, what am I supposed to call you two?"
His embrace tightened even further.
"I've missed both of you!"
Azharyon's face slowly turned red.
"U-Uncle..."
"...I can't breathe..."
"I know!"
The man laughed even harder.
"That's how you know it's genuine!"
Meanwhile...
I quietly accepted my fate.
Resistance was futile.
Escaping this man...
Would likely require defeating him first.
And judging by the overwhelming strength hidden beneath his carefree smile...
That wasn't happening today.
Swish—!
The sound of spatial distortion echoed nearby.
Three figures emerged from a teleportation array.
A beautiful woman.
A young man.
And a young woman.
The instant they saw us...
The two younger arrivals almost doubled over laughing.
Their eyes landed directly on our embarrassed expressions.
"...So..."
"...these are the famous cousins?"
The young woman covered her mouth, trying—and failing—not to laugh.
The young man wasn't any better.
Their father finally sensed their presence.
His eyes immediately lit up.
He released us without hesitation.
"My family!"
Like an excited child, he rushed toward them.
His wife smiled helplessly before embracing him.
Their son and daughter quickly joined the hug.
Unlike Father...
Who had always remained beside us...
This uncle spent most of his life in Neraphyx.
Very little time was spent with his own family.
Yet...
The warmth in their reunion made one thing abundantly clear.
Distance...
Had never weakened their bond.
Instead...
It had only made every reunion more precious.