Lucien knew evolvers were stronger than ordinary people. Given the strength he has now, he knew it was nowhere near the strength he had when he was an evolver. He still had six months before things came to a head.
He checked his phone after the bath he had earlier. He knew tomorrow was the start of trouble. According to the information passed around, it was a cluster of meteorites that caused the trouble.
A once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon. They fell all over the planet all at once. Scientists couldn't find a reason for it. It didn't affect any part of the planet or cause any major changes. So people filed it away as a strange occurrence.
Lucien decided he would use the daily training mission to earn points and to become stronger. Killing two birds with one stone. It was necessary, so he didn't put up a fuss.
Surprisingly, he saw a mission for stockpiling, which was also in line with what he needed to do anyway.
Feeling more secure about his options, Lucien went to bed. Tomorrow would be another problem. He wanted to take a rest now because he wasn't sure he would be able to get a proper rest for the next six months.
The night passed quickly. Lucien woke up and started on his daily mission.
[Daily Training-100 points]
[300 push-ups
200 squats
100 burpees
5k run
30 minutes meditation]
[Please note: The Host can add other exercises to training to maximise potential and earn extra points.]
Is it because you know I hate burpees? You couldn't have used something else? Lucien thought to himself.
Dragging himself to the gym, he complained along the way.
However, even if he did complain, he knew that doing this was only the beginning. He would need to build his stamina more and more in the days to come.
After leaving the gym and taking a shower, he went downstairs. He needed to leave. It was already past one, so he only had a few hours to start stocking up.
Rounding the corner, he saw Arthur still at home, sitting on the couch. This was a strange occurrence for a man who always seemed to make work his life.
"Arthur, no work today?" Lucien asked, raising an eyebrow.
Looking away from the phone, Arthur replied, "There's something we need to discuss."
Although curious, Lucien didn't think much about it and went to the kitchen to get some food so he could eat and talk. In a few months, grabbing a quick bite while speeding down an alley to try and find refuge would be considered a good thing.
Sitting on the couch opposite, he indicated to Arthur that he could say what he needed.
"The emerald necklace you stole. I know you still have it. I need it."
Arthur sat with his legs crossed, the picture of perfection. Lucien couldn't help but take a second look. Damn, he looks good.
"If you can answer one question for me, I'll give it to you. You need to answer truthfully, or you won't get it. Can you do that?"
Lucien held the plate in his hand. The food inside, still steaming.
He looked at his brother, taking in every expression. The way his eyes narrowed and the way he flexed his fingers. The way he pressed his lips into a thin line as if to think about what Lucien might ask.
What seemed like an eternity was only a few seconds before Arthur answered. "What do you want to ask?"
Lucien leaned forward slightly, looked straight into Arthur's eyes and asked, "Have you f*cked her?"
Then plastered a grin on his face. Inside, he felt as if he was being eaten by thousands of ants. Every fibre of his being wanted to scream. That's not what he wanted to ask.
He wanted to lash out and question everything he did in his previous life. All the times he hurt him and took her side. He wanted to know if she was worth losing his life for. Why did he never once think about leaving? What did she do to hold him by her side? Why did he grovel at her feet?
Arthur, the man who was always strong, allowed himself to kneel and beg. He begged her to let him stay by her side. His proud brother became so humble for someone so disgusting.
Instead of doing that, he asked that instead.
Lucien watched as Arthur's eye twitched.
"How dare you! You don't get to question what happens between us. Melissa is not someone you can say something like that about!"
Lucien watched his brother yell at him. His heart felt heavy. Such a strong reaction. Darkness weaved its way through Lucien's heart. Wanting to hit Arthur for the way he was acting, but he thought better of it.
He wouldn't get into another fight with him. He had things to do. He couldn't afford to fight with Arthur now and go back to the cellar.
Instead, he placed the plate on the table next to him and said, "So, you haven't f*cked her." Lucien's voice continued to rise, almost yelling, "You're already at her beg and call, and she hasn't given you a taste? What about Brody or Michael? Have they f*cked her? Did you watch?"
Before Arthur could say anything else, Lucien stood up and walked towards him. He raised his hand and caressed Arthur's cheek, his tone softening, his eyes flicking back and forth between Arthur's eyes and lips, "Brother, such a woman is not worthy of you. You should find someone who truly cares about you."
Lucien, noting that Arthur didn't make a move, ran his finger along Arthur's bottom lip before stepping away.
He wasn't sure how Arthur would interpret his actions. He might not think much of it, or he might think too much. Either way, he had no intention of confessing. He would take the small blessings when they came. Tease a little when he feels good.
Lucien didn't wait for an answer from his brother. He swiftly took his plate and ran away. Because of this, he missed Arthur's reaction.
Arthur, the one who was nearly kissed by his brother, seemed to be in some kind of internal struggle. His hands trembled, his entire body shook. He tried to step forward, but felt as if he was weighed down by a ton of steel.
Luicien...come back, Arthur thought, I have so much to tell you.
Only Arthur himself knew that he had no feelings for Melissa. He knew there was something wrong. Every time he tried to express it, his body felt weighed down, his vision foggy. If he even made it out of the fog, he didn't have the energy to speak because as soon as he tried, pain ripped its way through his body.
He didn't know what to do or how to get help.