Rex lay on the hospital bed, body heavy with pain.
But his eyes did not rest. They wandered into the past—flashes of fists, blood, and tears.
The beating he suffered today had torn open every scar in his memory.
His family.
The orphanage.
The streets.
All the way to this very bed, it all played before him as if it had happened yesterday—the day his parents abandoned him.
---
The moon was shining proudly that night, but for one woman, it became her worst nightmare.
In a small thatched hut, an old man paced outside. Beside him stood a younger woman—his daughter's first child. Inside, his wife screamed in agony, giving birth to their eighth child.
Moments later, the cries of a baby echoed.
"It's a boy!" came the announcement.
The father rushed inside—not to see his son, but to confront his wife.
"You shouldn't have gotten pregnant that night," he spat. "We wouldn't have to deal with this mess again. But this time, I have an idea."
"What idea, dear?" the mother asked, tilting her head toward the newborn.
"We'll sell him in a few years. A wealthy family will pay well."
"What?!" Her eyes widened in horror. She clutched the child tightly. "No! I won't let you do this again. I already lost two daughters to your perversions!"
"You don't understand—" he started.
"I understand perfectly," she snapped. "From now on, you and I share no bond. You will never touch my children again."
"Don't be silly," he mocked. "We already have three sons and three daughters. We don't need more."
"Then control yourself, you cheat!" she roared.
His grin darkened. "Fine. I never wanted responsibility. I only wanted a beautiful wife—and pleasures. Do you think you're the only one? There are many girls out there for me."
Her trembling voice turned cold. "I always doubted you… now I know the truth."
She tried to say more—but steel flashed.
A knife pierced her throat. Blood gushed, spilling over the crying baby in her arms. The man didn't flinch.
"Dispose of her," he ordered the younger woman coldly. "Bury her with the others."
His father was no ordinary human, he was a mass murder who had killed many people out there and this time it was his own wife.
---
The boy grew red-haired, red-eyed. Cold, stiff, silent. He rarely spoke to anyone.
By seven, after two years in the orphanage, he discovered its truth—young girls tortured, forced into prostitution.
He escaped. He ran to the police. By dawn, the orphanage was closed forever.
From then on, he lived alone. He learned to survive, to blend with society, to wear smiles when needed.
But he never forgot.
That boy… was Rex.
---
He remembered too the day he found one of his sisters.
Akira. Rejected by buyers, left in rags, living alone. When she saw Rex, her eyes filled with tears. She ran and hugged him tightly.
"Oh, Rex, I never thought I'd see you again. I missed you so much!"
"I missed you too," Rex whispered, his voice breaking. He tried to hold back tears, but failed. He cried in her arms like a small child.
"Don't cry, baby," Akira soothed him. "I'm just happy you're here."
---
That night, she took him to her hut. It was clean but bare. Food was scarce. She often worked in fields for a little money, but hunger was her companion.
She opened her last container, frowning at the emptiness, but masked it with a smile. "I'll be right back."
Before she could leave, Rex stood, voice sharp with resolve.
"Pack your things. You're coming with me."
She froze, shocked by his determination. Then she nodded.
They left the hut. Rex lit it on fire without looking back.
---
Together, they went to Acurda—the city of grace and shining architecture.
"This is my house," Rex said as they entered a beautiful home.
"What?!" Akira gasped.
"Go upstairs. I've kept dresses for you. Choose whatever you like."
When she returned in a red dress with black polka dots, she looked radiant. Rex smiled softly.
"Come on, sis. We have to save the others."
And so they did.
Reva, enslaved in a mansion—freed when Rex slaughtered the masters with sword and gun.
Eva, Misty, Tengi—rescued.
But Max and Ben, their brothers, had already died in war.
Together, what remained of their family started anew. Jobs, schools, survival.
But tonight, they sat outside Rex's hospital room.
---
Akira stepped inside with food.
"Your sister is waiting. Don't you want to meet her?"
"Who?" Rex asked.
"Marine," Akira said softly.
The moment he heard the name, Rex stood and walked out.
Marine was there, eyes wet with tears.
"It was all my fault," she whispered.
"No, Marine," Rex said gently. "It wasn't your fault. It was fate."
Then his body gave way. He collapsed, but Marine and the others caught him.
---
Months later, Rex recovered. Though some scars remained, his spirit endured.
Marine invited Rex and his siblings for dinner one night. They ate heartily, laughed, and left with full hearts.
But Silvey seemed distant.
While Isaka washed dishes, Silvey sat quietly. Finally, she said, "Children, it's time for bed. Isaka, too—go recharge. Your battery must be low."
Everyone left. Only Silvey remained in the kitchen.
After a moment, she went to the roof.
She looked up at the stars, whispering, "When will you come?"
A white sphere appeared before her, glowing faintly.
"Maybe tomorrow, my love," a voice echoed.
Tears welled in her eyes. "I miss you so much."
"I miss you too," the voice replied. "I can't believe we've been apart this long."
"I'll wait for you tomorrow," she whispered. The sphere vanished.
She turned—and froze. Megum stood there.
"Megum…" her voice shook.
"How's Dad, Mom?" he asked quietly.
"He's fine," she whispered back. "But don't tell Marine. Not yet."
"Yes, I know," Megum said softly.
That night, Silvey finally went to bed.
No one knew what awaited them with the coming dawn.