The Ashborn Brothers (Edited on 27/10/2023)

(A/N)

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Jack reclined on his beach chair, the picturesque view in front of him, and a half-empty coconut drink in his hand. Yet, even in the midst of the idyllic scene, boredom had its way of creeping in.

As he reflected on his current life of luxury, Jack couldn't help but feel a twinge of nostalgia for his past. He and his brother, Alex, had grown up as orphans, abandoned without a trace of their parents' identity, not even a last name to call their own.

Being orphans was a harsh and unforgiving experience, and they found themselves cast adrift in a world that showed them little kindness. They had no family to turn to, no one to rely on, except for each other. Their shared solitude was a daunting challenge, but they were determined not to let their circumstances define them.

The orphanage was home to a group of eight other boys, all roughly the same age and facing the same trials and tribulations. Despite their differences, they quickly formed a bond over their shared experiences and became a close-knit group.

While Jack and his brother, Alex, were grateful to have each other, they found additional comfort in the fact that they had eight other boys who understood their struggles. They were each other's family.

Unfortunately, the orphanage's conditions were far from ideal. Neglect and mistreatment were common, and they lived in poverty. The staff were overwhelmed and lacked the resources to provide for the boys' basic needs.

The boys often went without proper nutrition, adequate clothing, and even essential medical care. It was a harsh and unforgiving environment, and they had to rely on each other to make it through.

One day, Liam, one of the brothers, decided it was time for them to come up with a family name. They had always been known simply as "the orphanage boys," but Liam believed they were more than that. They were a family bound by shared struggles and a determination to succeed, and he wanted a name that reflected this unique bond.

The brothers engaged in a spirited discussion, offering suggestions, and debating the merits of different names. They considered a wide range of options, from classic and traditional to modern and edgy, from playful to serious. 

Ultimately, they chose "Ashborn," inspired by a character from a popular Korean webtoon, "Solo Leveling." The name carried a sense of strength and power that resonated with the brothers, reminding them of the hours they had spent reading and discussing the series during their teenage years.

From that moment forward, they became known as the Ashborns. This name symbolized their family bond and their shared determination to succeed. It was a small change, but it meant the world to them, signifying their unity and pride in their unique relationship.

As they grew into their teenage years, the boys left the orphanage for the streets. Survival on the streets was challenging, but it beat the conditions at the orphanage. They took on odd jobs to make ends meet, including cleaning, gardening, and manual labor.

All of them worked tirelessly to contribute to the household. While the work was grueling and the pay was meager, they were grateful for the opportunities they had and remained determined to make the most of them.

Despite the hardships, Jack and his brothers refused to be defined by their circumstances. They worked hard to create a better life, and their efforts eventually led to more stable and higher-paying jobs.

With improved circumstances, they were able to provide a better life for themselves and their adopted brothers. Their living conditions became more comfortable, and their basic needs were met. However, the struggles of their past left a lasting impact on Jack, and he never forgot the difficulties they had overcome.

As life seemed to be improving for Jack and his adopted brothers, a tragic loss shook their world. The first to depart was Varun, their elder brother, who had Indian ethnicity. Varun had always held onto the hope that his parents and sister would one day return to him, despite their early passing, leaving him an orphan.

He had a dream of having a big family, always believing that his parents and sister were with him in spirit. Tragically, Varun was taken from them too soon, passing away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 25. The loss was a poignant reminder of the struggles they had faced and the strength of their bond as the Ashborns.

The loss of Varun was a devastating blow to Jack and his brothers. They had shared countless trials and formed an unbreakable familial bond. Varun, with his humor and optimism, had been a shining light in their lives. His greatest strength had always been his unwavering commitment to his family, and he had defended them fearlessly against threats in the past.

Varun had stood up to numerous street goons, and those troublemakers had never been seen again. His loss left a profound void in their lives. He was the protective older brother who had always shielded them, and it served as a stark reminder of life's fragility, emphasizing the importance of treasuring every moment together.

As they grappled with the grief of Varun's passing, fate dealt them another cruel blow by taking their second brother, Leo. Leo was known for his love of Harry Potter fanfiction and his nerdy tendencies.

Despite his quirks, Leo had always been a steadfast presence for his brothers, and they cherished him. Jack was devastated by Leo's loss but honored his final request, which had been a running joke among them: clearing Leo's internet search history to protect his secrets.

The loss of Leo was a heavy blow for Jack and his remaining brothers. They had leaned on each other for support and comfort, and losing two brothers in quick succession was almost too much to bear.

It felt like their family was unraveling, and they questioned how much more they could endure. Yet, their resilience as a group pushed them forward, and they knew they had to be there for one another during this trying period.

They leaned on each other, offering solace and support whenever it was needed. They reminisced about their lost brothers, sharing memories and stories to keep their legacies alive. They made efforts to uphold their traditions and preserve their customs, even in the face of such tragedy.

It wasn't easy, but they were determined to keep their family united and support each other through these difficult times.

However, fate had more challenges in store for the Ashborn brothers. Shortly thereafter, they lost their brother Alex, who was known for his wild and boundary-pushing nature. Despite his recklessness, he held fiercely to the family bonds that tied them together.

His absence left a void that was deeply felt by all of them, and it underscored the importance of cherishing the time they had together.

Now, out of the original ten brothers, only seven remained. Life had become even more demanding, but their determination to stand by each other had not wavered. They recognized that their familial bond was their greatest asset during these challenging times, and they were resolute in preserving it.

Jack had always been a robust and active young man, but recently, he'd been plagued by increasing weakness and dizziness. These episodes were occurring more frequently, causing great concern among his brothers. They worried that fate was poised to claim another of their own.

Jack, on the other hand, reassured them that everything would be fine, but internally, he was terrified. Unsure of what was afflicting him, he feared the uncertain future.

Determined to uncover the truth, Jack secretly visited a hospital. He was aware that his brothers would be even more worried if they found out, but he couldn't ignore his symptoms. After a battery of tests and examinations, the doctors delivered a devastating diagnosis: late-stage brain cancer with just a month to live.

Shocked and heartbroken by this news, Jack couldn't bring himself to reveal the truth to his brothers. He couldn't bear to see the despair on their faces or say goodbye. Instead, he discarded the medical report in a trash can and headed home in a taxi, resolved to spend his remaining days in joy with his brothers. Yet, fate had other plans, and Jack met with an accident on the way back home.

But that wasn't the end for Jack. Instead, he found himself in a new world inspired by the Fast and Furious movie franchise. It was a strange and unfamiliar place, but Jack was determined to make the most of it.

In this new world, Jack discovered that he possessed a unique system that allowed him to travel to different worlds inspired by popular movies. Each world offered a new profession, and the objective was to excel in that profession, grow stronger, and unlock new worlds.

As he neared the end of his first journey, Jack couldn't help but wonder if his deceased brothers, as well as the ones still living, had also been transported to other worlds. He hoped they were alive somewhere in the vast cosmos and made it his mission to find and reunite with them. It wouldn't be an easy quest, but Jack was determined to do whatever it took to bring his family back together once more.