NOVEL NEXT Chapter 152: Meeting With Sister-in-law
Vahn absorbed the incredible, destabilizing truth: he was the product of a forbidden ritual, a celestial/demonic hybrid, and a ticking time bomb carrying the essence of the Void Dragon God.
Yet, his Eye of Heavenly Dao confirmed his inner observation: "There's still enough time till he turns 18," Vahn stated, his voice now regaining its Kingly authority. He needed facts, not panic. "Give me some time to think this over."
Vaylin wasn't offended by the delay. Her predatory smirk softened into a wry, patient look. "Very well. It took me decades of travel to locate you, little brother. A few days won't hurt. I will stay with you till then."
Vahn initiated the Temporal Void Gate, ready to return home. Vaylin followed him through the rift.
As they traveled back through the skies of the Southern Continent, Vaylin floated beside him, examining the chaotic, primitive landscape with detached curiosity.
"Tell me about yourself, little brother," she asked, turning to him. "Have you forged any powerful alliances? Or, more importantly, do you have someone to care for? Father always worried about our line being solitary."
Vahn gave a vague reply, a small smile touching his lips. "Once you reach the destination, you will know everything."
He then added, a challenge in his voice, "And since I was born first, I should be the big brother here, Vaylin."
Vaylin threw her head back and laughed—a rich, deep sound that held millennia of experience. "That's cute, little brother. But time passes slowly here, while in the Nether Realm where I was born, it passes extremely fast. Technically, I'm already over a hundred years old, while you're barely two decades, regardless of when you were ejected. So technically, I am the big sibling."
Vahn shrugged helplessly, choosing to concede the point. He was still trying to cope with the fact that he had a biological sibling and a family waiting somewhere in the Cosmos.
When they arrived at the Royal Palace of the Necrotic Dynasty, Vaylin stopped mid-air, genuinely surprised by the scale and advancement of the nation below.
The Dynasty was a thriving city of dark steel, spiritual formations, and bustling life—far more organized and powerful than the low-level energy signature of the planet suggested.
"Is this the place you live in?" Vaylin asked, a hint of respect entering her voice for the first time.
Vahn's lips curved into a proud smile. He knew how to impress a sibling used to the galactic scale.
"No," Vahn answered, his tone radiating absolute command. "I am the King here."
As soon as he uttered the words, Vahn's subjects and the thousands of soldiers performing drills in the barracks below sensed his presence. In a unified, sweeping motion, tens of thousands of soldiers and citizens bowed their heads toward the sky as the two Necrotis siblings passed above.
Vaylin remained impressed, her expression shifting from curiosity to genuine awe.
"Not bad, little brother. You conquered a little corner for yourself."
Vahn brought her down to the Royal Palace. Upon arriving at the central courtyard garden, his wives Seraphina (radiant and anxious) and Lilith (stoic but relieved) and his daughter Eterna (small and worried) were already waiting to welcome his return.
Eterna rushed forward first, tears welling up. "Papa! You're hurt!"
Lilith and Seraphina embraced him simultaneously, their worry giving way to intimate relief.
"Husband, are you well? You shouldn't have gone alone," Seraphina murmured, her Healing Light instantly activating to soothe his lingering pain.
"Papa, who is the pretty lady?" Eterna asked, pointing at Vaylin.
The sight of her little brother being treated with such intimate, familiar affection, and being called "Husband" and "Papa" by the two beautiful Queens and a child, made Vaylin freeze in shock.
"W-Wives? And... a child?" Vaylin stammered, the casual confidence draining from her face as she looked from Vahn's powerful aura to the delicate, human complexity of his family.
"You... you settled down here? In this insignificant little world? And you already have two wives and a child?"
Vahn wrapped an arm around Seraphina and Lilith, pulling Eterna close. His smile was no longer challenging or predatory, but purely protective.
"Yes, Vaylin," Vahn confirmed, his gaze firm.
"I found my place, and I found my family. And that is why, before I even consider leaving, I need to know precisely how my 'absence' will affect them. They are my priority."
Vaylin raised an eyebrow, though she also understood the depth of Vahn's attachment. She and her parents had missed so much of Vahn's life. A wave of unexpected sadness washed over her. She felt a little guilt, understanding how her mother and father must feel after learning about the fact that their son had grown into a king, found love, and created a family—all without them.
For any parents, missing two decades of their child's life was heartbreaking.
Seraphina, though relieved Vahn was safe, sensed the profound danger emanating from the beautiful, intimidating woman beside him. Her gaze flickered between Vahn's weary face and Vaylin's dark hair and similar facial structure. Even the aura they radiated felt terrifyingly similar.
"You're leaving again, Vahn? And who is this woman beside you? Why do you look so similar?" Seraphina asked, stepping closer to Vahn, her light affinity instinctively surging, ready to shield him if needed.
Lilith, more attuned to danger than relationship, simply stood firm, her eyes narrowed in warning at Vaylin. "She appeared when his breakthrough finished, Seraphina. Could she be—"
Vahn cut Lilith off, knowing he needed to deliver this bomb carefully. He kept Seraphina close, grounding her with his touch.
"Seraphina, Lilith, Eterna," Vahn said, his voice grave, the warmth of the reunion fading into serious concern. "This is Vaylin Necrotis. She is... my biological sister. From the family I never knew existed until a few hours ago."
"Huh??!" Seraphina gasped, her light flickering in astonishment. Eterna stared at Vaylin with wide, curious eyes.
Vahn turned back to Vaylin, his expression unyielding. "Vaylin, this is my family. My wife, Seraphina, the Queen of Light. My wife, Lilith, the Queen of Darkness. And our daughter, Eterna."