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Chapter 12 - family awakening

Haruka and the women lounged on the sofas and floor cushions around the villa's living room, the low glow of the television casting a soft light over their faces. Bowls of popcorn passed quietly between them, mingling with occasional murmurs as they half-watched the latest news broadcast. The screen showed flickering images—cities in flames, panicked crowds, shadowy figures wielding strange powers. The mood was tense yet comfortable, a fragile moment of calm before the storm.

Without warning, Haruka's phone buzzed sharply on the glass table. He picked it up, instantly recognizing the caller ID. The house fell silent, eyes turning toward him.

"Haruka, my son," his mother's voice rang out, the excitement clear and undeniable. "It's magical—something incredible is happening. The Kirukara family has awakened their vampire royal bloodline."

Pause. Haruka's brows knit together. "Vampire royal bloodline?"

She replied breathlessly, "Yes. They can transform into bats and wield all sorts of powerful magic—ancient magic that's been sealed away for centuries. Now, it's free again."

The women exchanged wide-eyed glances, the weight of the revelation settling over the room.

"And I," she continued, "I've awakened a hybrid bloodline—part fire witch and part Saiyan. The power feels different, stronger... wild in a way I didn't expect."

Haruka's heart pounded. He glanced briefly at Akane and the others, whose expressions reflected shock and curiosity.

"Your aunt," his mother added, voice hushed but urgent, "Maria's mother, she's awakened the dark elf bloodline. Immense power, almost immortal. It's like the legends breathing life again."

Haruka swallowed hard, his mother's news still pouring out, "And your grandmother and grandfather? They've regained their youth. Grandma's awakened the fox bloodline—full of speed, cunning, and craftiness. Grandpa's vampire royal blood pulses stronger than ever."

A sharp inhale escaped Noriko; Yariko's fingers tightened around her popcorn bowl.

"Son, what's your bloodline?" his mother asked urgently.

Haruka answered with quiet resolve, "I've awakened the Saiyan bloodline."

A soft smile in her voice, she said, "Then come home fast. We need you."

The line went dead. The room fell into a heavy silence, the only sound the soft hum of the TV.

Yariko was the first to speak, voice low, "Every major bloodline is awakening... every one of them."

Bitchko nodded grimly. "Fire witches, vampires, dark elves, foxes... and hybrids. The world's changing fast."

Kuroko added soberly, "According to the news, cities are falling, governments struggling to hold on."

Haruka eyes fixed on the TV. The broadcast showed devastated neighborhoods and fierce battles between shadowy powers.

"But there are protectors too," he said quietly. "Immortal bloodlines, heroes, demon kings, dragons, and ninja clans standing guard."

Akane frowned deeply. "And here? Our country?"

"It's stabilizing," Haruka replied. "Immortals and bloodline heroes have stepped up. Security forces are regaining control, the government working with them. People respect them — they're symbols of hope."

Bitchko cracked a sardonic smile. "Fans of immortals... sounds like a cult, but people need something to cling to."

Haruka nodded. "Faith thrives when everything else falls apart."

After a pause, Yariko whispered, "So, what now? How do we survive?"

Haruka exhaled slowly, rising. "We prepare. Every step counts."

He made his way upstairs, turning the key to his room. There, attached to the wall, was a strange, pristine white pocket. The sight sparked a childish thought—Doraemon's pocket?—but he quickly rejected it.

He slid his hand inside. The sensation was like plunging into empty space—vast, intangible, and real.

Locking the door, he pulled out a stack of sleek cards, each emblazoned with symbols and concise labels.

Speaking aloud as much to focus as to document, he began:

"First. Communication device. Mostly functional, though interference drops the signal at times. Still usable."

He activated a pair of AI tactical goggles. The lenses flickered to life, scanning openings, showing thermal signatures. "Reliable for recon. Great for scouting and detecting movement."

Next, a small spray bottle. He released a mist that instantly neutralized odors and stains. "Ideal for stealth and cleaning tracks."

He inserted a card into a tiny launcher; a drone buzzed off silently, hovering before gently settling down after its limited flight cycle. "Single-use, short battery life, surveillance only."

A translator card decoded voices and text fluently, but faltered on rare or unfamiliar dialects. "Needs further updating but functional."

Haruka's expression darkened as he tested more advanced gadgets: time-freezing watches blinked and died, teleportation keys sputtered out. "Completely broken, probably due to black hole interference."

An invisibility cloak shimmered weakly, then faded. "Unstable, can't rely on this."

Others—dress-up cameras, food replicators—remained dead, unresponsive.

He lined up the working cards methodically. "Limited tech, but valuable. No magic fixes here, just what's real."

Muffled voices drifted from downstairs—plans whispered, courage mounting.

Haruka whispered, "We take it one step at a time."

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