Chapter 97: Family Meeting II

Chapter 97: Family Meeting II



Emir watched closely, knowing that this moment could determine how their relationship with Lyra would unfold.

Lyra, for her part, maintained her calm composure, giving them a gentle smile to ease their

nerves.

She had expected this reaction and knew that gaining their trust would be a gradual process.

So before they spoke, she broke the silence, wanting to take the initiative.

"Laura, Lily," she began, her voice soft and reassuring.

"I understand that this is a lot to take in, and I want you to know that I never meant any harm to your family."

"As Emir mentioned, I was an AI created by the Order, and my primary function was to assist in their experiments. I didn't have a choice in the matter, just like Emir didn't have a choice in having his memories manipulated."

She paused, giving them a moment to absorb her words.

Laura looked at Emir, seeking confirmation, and he nodded in agreement.

"Lyra played a crucial role in helping me break free from the Order's control, though it won't be long till they catch on, and I'm dreading the day that they do, but for now... I'm a free man," he said, emphasizing the positive impact Lyra had on their situation.

"Just know that she's always been on my side and has been secretly helping me behind the scenes."

Lyra gave Emir's words a moment to sink in and continued:

"I know this is a lot to process, and I don't expect you to trust me immediately. All I can do is be honest with you and prove through my actions that I'm here to support and protect you, just like Emir."

"And I'm sorry for all I've done to Emir, I have no excuses for it. If you don't wish to talk with me because of it, I won't think anything of it. I understand."

Laura quickly shook her head and said:

"No, no, no, nothing like that, I... We just don't know what to say."

Lily, with a nod, agreed with her mother:

"That's right, I just don't know how to talk to you. I mean, we thought of you as our... enemy? But now we don't know what to think..."

Emir leaned back in his chair and watched as his cute sister shook her head in frustration. "Alright! Make this simple for me to understand... Are you like Emir's ally now?"

"Yes, that's right. I've always been his ally, the only difference is that I can now show that I am."

"And you won't let the Order do anything bad to us, right?" she asked with a hint of vulnerability in her voice.

"I promise you, Lily, I will do everything in my power to keep you and your mom safe," Lyra replied firmly.

Laura let out a long sigh, causing Lily's and Lyra's question-and-answer session to end.

"I'm so sorry, dear, I can't, I just can't tell you... How sorry I am. After everything you've been through, you now have to explain it again to us." She said, her voice quivering in disgust at herself.

Emir didn't know what to say that, he didn't want his words to affect her like before, so he simply remained silent.

Laura then wiped away her tears with a newfound determination in her eyes.

"My only wish is to no longer be your burden, and if Lyra could help with that, then I'll welcome her with open arms."

Emir's brows twitched, his face almost contorting with anger, but he managed to rein it in and said:

"Haaah... Mom, never call yourself that again. Alright?"

"It must have increased their suspicions about my involvement with the Order."

"The Order also has moles planted within the UEF, so we won't be involving ourselves with

them too closely, only with people that we can trust."

Laura nodded in understanding.

"Let's just hope we don't get sandwiched by both sides."

Emir's lips went wide with a smile at that red flag, knowing that the Order would eventually

figure out Lyra's plan.

"Indeed, now on to our next agenda, Lily, you seem to have something that you want to share." He said as he looked at his slightly nervous sister.

She was surprised at being mentioned but quickly composed herself.

"Y-yes, I wanted to ask your opinion on something that I wanted to do."

He stared at her with wide eyes as he asked:

"Which is?"

Lily's eyes turned resolute as she said:

"I understand that the whole thing about us dying might not be because of the academy

itself, but I also know that having more information could help us in the long run."

"...Ah, so you want to go on an espionage mission of sorts, eh? You see, I might have encouraged you not to go if you asked me this a few days ago, but if you want to help, then all the power to you. Just make sure to be careful, okay?"

She blossomed a smile while saying:

"Of course, thank you, big bro."

Emir let out a chuckle as he said:

"I know how smart you are, sis, you got this."

He then looked at all three women, his gaze slow.

"Now that that's over, let's talk about the elephant in the room..."

"The novel..."

He spoke slowly as his words hung heavily in the air while he recounted the future events of

Born In Ruins and the fates of the main characters.

With animated gestures, he painted a vivid picture of the ever-increasing attacks of the Order, the incoming monster tide, and the many other factions.

Every detail he shared only served to intensify the sense of impending danger as if they were standing on the precipice of a catastrophic event that could happen at any moment.

The unease in the room was palpable.

Laura and Lily felt it the most while they listened to Emir's foreboding words, wondering if it

was even possible to prevent the impending disaster.

And now that he had finished speaking, the ominous threat of certain death loomed over them -a relentless onslaught that threatened to turn their world to ash and cinder.