Chapter 10: Brother's Bond

Vesper stood in the small kitchen, looking at the sparse supplies he had just bought and the few things left in their cupboards. He'd already eaten earlier, but his brother would be home soon, and he wanted to make sure there was something warm and filling ready for him. The noodles he had were simple, but he could make them a bit more substantial with a few small additions.

"Alright, let's see what we've got," Vesper muttered to himself, setting down the bag of groceries. He pulled out the instant noodles, a couple of eggs, and a small packet of dried vegetables he'd managed to buy. He also found a half-used packet of soy sauce and a small onion hiding in the back of a cupboard.

He grabbed a pot, filled it with water, and set it on the stove to boil. While waiting for the water to heat, he peeled and finely chopped the onion, knowing it would add some much-needed flavor. He cracked the eggs into a small bowl and whisked them lightly, thinking about how his brother always liked eggs in his noodles.

As the water came to a boil, Vesper tossed in the dried vegetables to rehydrate them and added the noodles. He stirred them gently, watching as they softened and began to absorb the water. The steam rose up, filling the tiny kitchen with a comforting warmth.

"Almost there," he said to himself, glancing at the clock. His brother would be home soon, and he wanted everything to be ready.

Once the noodles were nearly cooked, Vesper heated a small pan on the other burner and added a bit of oil. He threw in the chopped onion, letting it sizzle and release its aroma. When the onions were translucent, he poured in the eggs, scrambling them quickly before adding them to the pot with the noodles. The golden yellow of the eggs mixed with the noodles, making the dish look more colorful and appetizing.

He added a dash of soy sauce and gave it one final stir before turning off the heat. Vesper grabbed a couple of plates, carefully dividing the noodles between them, making sure to give his brother the larger portion. He set one plate on the table and covered the other, keeping it warm for when his brother arrived.

After tidying up the kitchen, Vesper took a deep breath and walked to the front door. He sat down on the worn doormat, resting his back against the frame as he stared out into the fading light of the evening. The streets were quiet, with only the occasional passerby. The cool breeze felt refreshing after the warmth of the kitchen, and he let it wash over him as he waited.

His thoughts began to drift, circling around the events of the past few days. Awakening his talent had opened up a whole new world of possibilities, but it also brought with it a host of dangers. The Abyss was now a place he could access at will, but that didn't mean it was safe. Far from it.

Vesper knew that the Abyss was filled with countless unknowns, and every step could lead to a new trial or confrontation with other awakened beings. The thought of stumbling upon a legacy or someone far more powerful than himself made his stomach churn with anxiety. He needed to be cautious, to find a place where he could train and grow stronger without attracting too much attention. But where? Was there any part of the Abyss that hadn't already been explored, claimed, or marked by other legacies?

His mind raced with questions. Why had he been chosen by the curse of the Abyss? What was the end goal of all this? How could he grow stronger without drawing the gaze of those who would see him as a threat? Vesper didn't have the answers yet, but he knew one thing: he had to survive. He had to grow stronger, faster, smarter, and more resourceful than anyone else.

But even as his mind wandered through these heavy thoughts, another concern tugged at him, something more immediate and pressing: money. The rent was due in a week, and they barely had enough to scrape by. He needed to find a way to earn money, and fast. But how? It wasn't like he could get a regular job now that he had the curse to deal with. The thought of leaving his brother alone while he fought through trials in the Abyss was almost unbearable. He couldn't afford to let anything happen to him.

Vesper was lost in these thoughts when he noticed movement in the distance. He squinted, focusing on the figure approaching down the street. It was still far away, but to his surprise, he could see it clearly. His brother's familiar form was unmistakable, even at a distance of what seemed like 200 meters. Vesper was shocked at how far he could see now, another reminder of how his awakening had changed him.

As his brother drew nearer, Vesper stood up and waved, a smile spreading across his face. His brother spotted him and broke into a run, closing the distance quickly. When he reached Vesper, he threw his arms around him in a tight hug.

"Where were you? I was worried!" his brother said, his voice a mix of relief and frustration.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you worry," Vesper replied, ruffling his brother's hair. "I'm back now, and I made us some food. Come on, let's eat."

He led his brother into the kitchen, where the warm plate of noodles waited on the table. His brother's eyes lit up at the sight of the food, and he eagerly sat down to eat. Vesper watched with a smile as his brother dug in, the simple meal seeming like a feast after the worry and uncertainty of the past days.

"Is it good?" Vesper asked, taking a seat across from his brother.

"Yeah, it's really good! Thanks, Vesper," his brother said between bites. "I was so hungry!"

"I'm glad you like it," Vesper said, feeling a sense of contentment wash over him. For now, they were safe, and they had food on the table. It was a small victory, but it was something to hold on to.

As they talked, Vesper couldn't help but smile. His brother's laughter and chatter filled the small kitchen, and for a moment, everything felt normal. But in the back of his mind, the weight of his new reality lingered. He couldn't let his brother know about the Abyss, about the curse, or about the dangers that lay ahead. It was a burden he had to carry alone, at least for now.

After they finished eating, his brother yawned and stretched, the day's events catching up with him. "I think I'm gonna go to bed," he said, rubbing his eyes.

"Alright," Vesper replied, standing up and patting his brother on the head. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight, Vesper," his brother said with a sleepy smile before heading to the bed they shared.

Vesper followed him, lying down next to him in the small, cramped bed. The room was dark, and the only sound was the quiet breathing of his brother as he drifted off to sleep. Vesper stared at the ceiling, his mind once again swirling with thoughts. The rent was due in a week, and they barely had enough to cover it. He had to find a way to make money, but he couldn't risk letting anyone know about his awakening.

He would have to come up with an excuse for why he might disappear for long periods, something that would explain his absence without raising suspicion. But what? He couldn't just tell his brother he was going to sleep for days at a time. He had to be careful, to think things through.

As he lay there, Vesper felt the weight of his responsibilities pressing down on him. The Abyss was calling, and he knew he had to answer. But how could he balance that with his life here, with taking care of his brother and keeping them both safe? It seemed impossible, but he had no choice.

For now, all he could do was try to get some rest. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, new dangers, and new opportunities. He had to be ready for whatever came next, but first, he needed to sleep. Vesper closed his eyes and let the exhaustion of the day finally take over, hoping that the answers he sought would come to him in time.

The next morning, Vesper stirred as he felt his little brother shifting beside him. He opened his eyes to see the boy, small and just barely eight years old, trying to quietly slip out of bed. Vesper, still groggy, reached out and gently pulled him back into a warm hug.

"Hey, where do you think you're going, little guy?" Vesper murmured, his voice soft with a mix of sleep and affection.

"I have to get ready for school," his brother replied, his voice small and sleepy.

"Not yet," Vesper whispered, keeping his arms around him. "It's still early. Let's stay in bed for a bit longer."

His brother, feeling the comfort of Vesper's embrace, snuggled closer. "Okay," he said, his voice barely a whisper.

Vesper held him close, feeling the weight of responsibility pressing down on him. In about two hours, his brother would be heading off to school, and Vesper needed to make sure he had a good meal before he left. But that meant using up the last of their food.

"I'll make you something special for breakfast," Vesper said, trying to keep the worry out of his voice.

His brother looked up at him, eyes wide and curious. "Really? What are we having?"

Vesper smiled. "How about some noodles? I'll make them extra tasty, just for you."

"Yay!" his brother cheered, wriggling out of Vesper's arms.

As Vesper got out of bed, his mind was already racing through the plan he'd come up with to make money today. It wasn't much, but it was something, and he needed to make sure they had food on the table.

"Alright, let's get you fed," Vesper said, ruffling his brother's hair. "Then you can tell me all about what you're going to learn in school today."

His brother grinned, his worries melting away in the warmth of Vesper's reassurance. Vesper knew that no matter what, he had to keep that smile on his brother's face, even if it meant pushing himself harder than ever before.