Before the Fall: Rise of the Apocalypse King-Chapter 36: "A Brother’s Vow"

Ivan paced back and forth in his dorm room, his mind racing with thoughts of how to keep his family safe from the dangerous world he had been a part of. He knew he had to distance himself from them, to protect them from the dark path he had chosen.

After hours of planning, Ivan finally felt ready to face his family again. He took a quick shower, the hot water washing away some of the guilt and stress that weighed on his shoulders. He dried off and got dressed, then hailed a cab to take him home.

As the cab pulled up to his house, Ivan took a deep breath, steeling himself for the emotional reunion ahead. He rang the doorbell, his heart pounding in his chest as he waited for someone to answer.

The door swung open and there stood his mother, her eyes widening in surprise at the sight of him.

"Ivan? What are you doing here? I thought you were busy with work this weekend," she said, her voice filled with concern.

Ivan forced a smile, stepping forward to wrap his arms around his mother in a tight hug. She stiffened for a moment before returning the embrace, her hands rubbing soothing circles on his back.

"I’m sorry for just dropping by like this, Mom. I just...I needed to see you all," Ivan said, his voice cracking with emotion.

His mother pulled back, studying his face with worried eyes. "What’s wrong, sweetheart? You look like you’ve been through hell."

Ivan shook his head, not ready to reveal the dark secrets he carried. "It’s nothing, Mom. I just missed you guys, that’s all."

She smiled softly, leading him inside. "Well, we’re glad to have you home, even if it’s just for a little while."

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It was a quiet afternoon when the front door creaked open.

Ivan’s sister stepped inside, schoolbag still slung over her shoulder, sweat on her forehead from the long walk home. As soon as she saw him sitting calmly on the couch, her brows furrowed in confusion.

"What are you doing here?" she asked. "Shouldn’t you be at college?"

Ivan didn’t reply right away. He just stared at her—his eyes filled with a storm of emotions. Relief. Pain. Guilt. Love. And something darker—memories of screams, of blood, of her cries for help echoing in the cold.

Without a word, he stood up and walked toward her. She tilted her head slightly, confused. But then he pulled her into a tight hug.

Her body froze. Her breath caught in her throat.

"What the hell?!" she gasped and shoved him hard. "Get off me, you creep!"

She backed away, eyes wide with shock and anger. "What’s wrong with you?! I knew something was off with you. You always stared at me like a weirdo... now you’ve finally snapped, huh?"

She stepped back toward the stairs. "Stay away from me! Pervert!" she screamed, then ran to her room, slamming the door.

Ivan stood still. Silent. Expressionless.

Not surprised.

Not hurt.

Just... hollow.

"Same as always," he whispered. "She still hates me."

But he wasn’t here for her love or forgiveness.

He was here to rewrite fate.

He slowly sat back on the couch, eyes fixed on the dark hallway leading to her room. His fingers clenched into fists, the skin tightening around his knuckles.

In the past, he had begged for food just to keep her alive. Worked sixteen hours a day in that hellish shelter. Endured beatings. Humiliation.

And in the end, he still failed.

He still remembered the night she was dragged away.

Her voice, crying for him.

Her hand reaching out.

Him—too weak, too broken—to save her.

But now?

Now he was back.

This world didn’t know yet... but it had given him a second chance.

"I will protect her," he muttered coldly. "Even if I have to become a monster to do it."

His eyes were calm, but beneath them burned the rage of a man who had died once.

And come back.

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That evening, the whole family sat down at the dinner table. The warm smell of food filled the room, but the air felt a little heavy to Ivan.

He hadn’t seen them like this in so long. His father, calm and quiet as always. His mother, gently smiling while passing dishes around. And his sister... cold eyes, sharp tongue. Just like before.

His father looked at him across the table. "So," he said, picking at his food, "everything alright at college? You’re not getting bullied or anything, right?"

Ivan gave a faint smile. "No, Dad. Who would dare bully me?"

Before anyone else could speak, his sister rolled her eyes and cut in, "Yeah right. Who would bully a pervert like him? Even bullies probably stay away out of fear."

She let out a mocking laugh.

"Hmph... hmm..." His father gave a low chuckle but didn’t say much.

His mother, trying to change the subject, asked gently, "So, do you have a girlfriend now?"

Ivan shrugged. "Not yet. But maybe soon."

His sister didn’t miss a beat. "Yeah, right. Who in their right mind would want to date you?"

"Hey, don’t say that," his mother said, trying to defend him. "Don’t take her words seriously, Ivan. You know how she is..."

"Mooom..." his sister groaned with fake innocence, clearly not sorry.

Ivan forced a smile. "It’s okay, Mom. I know she didn’t mean it."

His sister scoffed and looked away.

The rest of the dinner went on like usual—chatter about school, news on TV, his dad talking about a broken water pipe at work.

But Ivan’s mind wasn’t on the food or the conversation. He watched them all quietly—the way his mother smiled, the way his father calmly sipped his soup, the way his sister avoided looking at him unless it was to insult him.

It all looked so normal.

But he knew it wouldn’t last.

In his last life, this peace had shattered without warning. And he had lost everything.

This time... he was back.

And he would protect this false peace, no matter what it took.

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After dinner when everyone had gone to bed, Ivan found himself unable to resist the urge to see Lena. He crept down the hallway to her room, his heart pounding as he slipped inside.

The moonlight bathed her petite form in a soft glow, illuminating the contours of her young body. She lay on her side, one leg tucked up towards her chest, the other stretched out beneath the thin sheet.

Ivan’s eyes roamed over her sleeping figure, taking in every detail. Her shorts had ridden up slightly, exposing more of her smooth, toned thighs. Her top had shifted, revealing a tantalizing glimpse of her flat stomach and the swell of her small breasts.

Even in her sleep, she managed to look mischievous, her lips slightly parted and her brow slightly furrowed.

Ivan felt a stirring in his loins as he continued his visual exploration. He knew it was wrong, that he should leave immediately and never look back.

But he couldn’t resist the magnetic pull that drew him closer to her. He wanted to touch her, to feel her warmth and softness beneath his fingertips.

Slowly, cautiously, Ivan reached out and brushed a stray lock of hair from Lena’s face. Her skin was soft and smooth, like the petals of a delicate flower.

He traced the line of her jaw, marveling at her youthful beauty. His fingers drifted down to her collarbone, then further, brushing against the swell of her breast.

Lena stirred slightly, a soft moan escape her lips. Ivan froze, his heart pounding in his ears. But she didn’t, Frightened But still...

He continued his exploration, cupping her small breast in his hand and feeling its weight. He could feel her nipple hardening beneath his touch, and he bit back a groan.

But in that moment, lost in the haze of desire, he couldn’t bring himself to care. He wanted more, needed more. He wanted to touch and taste and claim every inch of her.

Realizing what he was doing, Ivan pulled away, his body trembling with shame and arousal. He stumbled back to his room, collapsing onto his bed as he struggled to comprehend the twisted feelings that consumed him.

The rest of the night was a blur of fitful sleep and torturous thoughts.

Ivan knew the way he felt about his sister wasn’t right. Deep down, he understood it wasn’t healthy, and he should keep those feelings in check. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t push them away.

He kept telling himself—it’s not about desire, it’s about protection. He had lost everything once. This time, he wouldn’t let that happen.

He had to protect her.

No matter what.

No matter how dark the world became, no matter how much he had to sacrifice... he would keep her safe.

Even if it meant crossing every line.

≠====================

Author’s Note: freewebnoveℓ.com

Roman has chosen the dark path. The world will burn again... but under **his** rule this time.

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