Chapter 52: My Brothers Came

The suffocating silence left behind by the Level Black transmission hung heavily over the planetary plateau. Rhaevia remained standing in front of the darkened military terminal, her analytical mind processing the staggering implications.

Someone operating at the absolute apex of galactic power knew precisely what she was, and they possessed the authority to seal every record bearing her name. Before she could analyze the situation further, a sharp series of atmospheric engine roars thundered across the sky.

Massive thruster trails cut through the clouds as several colossal military transports descended toward the rocky plateau. High upon their dark metallic hulls, a glowing crimson emblem burned brilliantly.

It was the majestic Crimson Dragon crest belonging to the Rythundeir Ducal House. Rhaevia’s dark pupils widened slightly at the sight. My family?

The leading transport touched down on the rocky earth with a heavy metallic thud, its powerful thrusters scattering thick dust over the surrounding Imperial soldiers.

The pressurized hatch hissed open, lowering a heavy boarding ramp directly onto the ground. Three tall, imposing figures stepped out in synchronized motion.

Rhaevia recognized them instantly, her commander instincts taking in their distinct postures. They were her three older brothers. They had actually come all the way to this desolate world for her.

The three men moved across the terrain with startling speed. They did not stop to acknowledge the saluting academy officers, nor did they glance at the ancient glowing formation. They completely ignored the towering obsidian pillars rising from the fractured earth.

Their eyes were fixed entirely on her slender figure.

"Rhaevia!"

Her eldest brother, an Imperial Fleet officer, reached her side first. His normally composed, icy expression was completely gone, replaced by raw, visible anxiety. His dark eyes immediately swept over her from head to toe, inspecting every inch of her frame.

"Are you injured?" he demanded, his voice tight.

Rhaevia blinked in genuine surprise. "I’m fine."

"Are you certain?" His gaze locked onto the faint tear near her shoulder. "What happened here?"

"Nothing serious," she replied calmly.

Her broad second brother was already stepping up to inspect her arms. "Your sleeve is torn."

"It happened during the Zerg assault," Rhaevia explained.

"Did you get bitten?" he pressed.

"No."

"Burned?"

"No."

"Did your Guide core suffer any internal damage?" he asked, his hands hovering nervously over her shoulders.

Rhaevia stared back at him in deadpan silence. "...No."

The youngest brother pushed forward next, his eyes wide with anxiety. "Are you dizzy? Do you have a headache? Is there any difficulty breathing? Are you experiencing mental instability?"

Rhaevia opened her mouth to speak, but closed it again. They were rapid-firing questions at her like an interrogation unit. Yet they weren’t asking about the ancient planetary system she had awakened, nor were they questioning her undefined classification.

They were interrogating her strictly to determine if she was hurt.

Something strange and unfamiliar stirred deep inside her chest.

"I really am fine," she said softly.

Her eldest brother studied her face for several long seconds before letting out a quiet, lingering breath. "Good."

Only then did the heavy tension in his shoulders ease slightly.

Rhaevia looked at the three of them in silence. She had fully prepared herself for intense questioning, suspicion, or even fear regarding her unclassifiable power. Instead, all she found in their eyes was pure, unadulterated concern.

Why? The thought echoed in her mind.

In her previous life on a dying Earth, people had always viewed her as a ruthless general first. She was a weapon, a commander, and someone expected to survive any apocalypse. No one had ever rushed toward her simply because they were terrified she might be in pain.

Her thoughts were suddenly cut short as her youngest brother stepped forward. Without a word of warning, he wrapped his broad arms around her, pulling her into a tight embrace.

Rhaevia completely froze. Her entire body stiffened like a wooden plank.

She had survived collapsing megacities, vicious Zerg swarms, and the terrifying battle against the Zombie King. She could face an entire invading fleet without flinching. But this gentle, desperate affection was entirely alien to her.

"You’re alive," her youngest brother whispered, his voice trembling slightly against her shoulder.

Rhaevia’s pale hands remained awkwardly suspended in the air beside him. Then, slowly, she lowered them, her fingers curling gently into the back of his military uniform.

A strange, comforting warmth spread smoothly through her chest. It was soft, safe, and almost painful in its sheer unfamiliarity.

So this is what having brothers truly feels like... She swallowed the lump in her throat.

Her eldest brother looked away toward the horizon, pretending not to notice the emotional display. Her second brother cleared his throat loudly to break the heavy silence.

"We are taking you home right now," he announced.

Rhaevia raised her head from her brother’s shoulder. "Home?"

"To the Rythundeir flagship," her eldest brother answered firmly, his tone leaving no room for debate. "The academy can wait."

Rhaevia glanced past his shoulder toward the acting academy commander.

The nervous officer immediately raised his hands and shook his head.

"The academy has absolutely no objection to Cadet Rythundeir’s temporary departure," he stated hastily.

Raevor, standing several meters away in silence, remained motionless.

Her eldest brother turned his attention toward the Major General, his demeanor shifting entirely. His expression became sharp, intensely watchful, and cold.

"We’ve already spoken with the local academy command," the eldest brother stated, stepping forward. "Our family will take full personal responsibility for her return."

Rhaevia frowned slightly, looking between her family and the fleet. "Do I really need to leave Planet V-17 right now?"

All three brothers answered simultaneously with absolute unity. "Yes."

She stared at the three of them in deadpan disbelief. "...You definitely rehearsed that."

Her youngest brother finally released his tight grip on her shoulder and let out a faint smile. "We’ve been worried sick about you for hours, Rhaevia."

Rhaevia couldn’t help the faint, genuine smile that touched her lips. The emotion felt strange to her battle-hardened soul, but she didn’t dislike it. Her family had crossed star systems to reach V-17 simply because they cared about her safety, not because of her transcendent awakening.

She looked across the plateau toward Raevor. Their eyes met in silence, exchanging a quiet, unreadable look.

Then she turned back to her brothers. "Fine, I will go with you."

All three brothers visibly relaxed, the tension draining from their postures.

As her two younger brothers began escorting Rhaevia toward the open transport ramp, her eldest brother remained standing behind. He turned slowly to face Raevor, who watched his approach with impassive, dark eyes.

The two powerful military men stood just several paces apart, their formidable auric pressure clashing quietly in the wind. Neither of them spoke at first, letting the silence stretch between them.

Then, the eldest Rythundeir brother’s expression turned as cold as sub-zero space. His voice dropped into a sharp, lethal warning that carried across the quiet plateau.

"If you hurt our sister, General..." He paused, his dark eyes sharpening into deadly blades. "I will personally come for you."