Chapter 12

Days had passed, and the atmosphere at the villa had shifted. As the days turned into a blur of survival and adaptation, we'd learned to use our abilities to the fullest and continued to prepare for whatever the future might bring. It had been a week since the babies were born, and every moment with them felt like a blessing amidst the chaos. They were growing quickly—my three little bundles of joy.

Their names had already been decided: the boy would be Xian, the girl Yue, and the other boy, Rui. I couldn't stop thinking about how lucky we were to have them, even though the world outside was falling apart.

The news had stopped broadcasting altogether a few days ago. Before it had been cut off, there had been reports about strange mutations happening to animals and plants. Some animals were growing larger, others becoming more aggressive, while certain plants were sprouting unusually fast or even showing signs of intelligence. The world was changing in ways we couldn't fully understand yet. And I knew, deep down, that the virus was only the beginning.

But for now, we focused on what we could control—our abilities and how to protect the ones we loved.

Mu Family had shown their strength from the beginning. Mu Zu's father, Mu Tian, possessed superhuman strength. He was the first to wake up fully and had started training Jian Ren, who had already begun to master his lightning and metal abilities. Mu Tian could lift entire sections of the villa with ease, his muscles like steel cables as he built barriers and fortified the area. His presence was as imposing as his strength, and his calm demeanor made him the perfect leader in moments of crisis.

Mu Zu's mother, Mu Lan, had water powers, which had proven to be essential for the group's survival. She could summon water from the air, create protective shields, and even manipulate it into complex shapes for various purposes. It made everything easier when it came to cooking, cleaning, and even defending ourselves against threats. Her powers also helped with the babies, as she created an endless supply of fresh water whenever we needed it.

Mu Zu herself had awakened the ability to manipulate shadows. At first, she had been unsure how to control it, but soon enough, she was able to turn the shadows into solid forms, using them as both shields and weapons. She also used her powers to hide or transport things in and out of rooms, helping us move supplies or create safe spaces for the babies.

Jian Ren was a force in his own right. His lightning and metal manipulation abilities made him the most formidable of the group in terms of raw offense. He had already fashioned himself a few rudimentary weapons and defensive tools, using the metal around us. His lightning powers were unpredictable but growing stronger by the day. He had learned how to conduct electricity through objects, but he still struggled with controlling the raw power when his emotions flared.

Jian's family had quickly adapted to the new world as well. Jian Tian, his father, had earth powers. He could manipulate the earth around us, creating barriers, tunnels, and even bringing up entire walls of dirt for protection. His earth abilities made the villa an impenetrable fortress.

Jian Lan, his mother, had the ability to control light. She could create blinding flashes or gentle beams to illuminate even the darkest corners of the villa. Her abilities were also defensive, providing a sort of shield or distraction when needed.

Jian Mei, his older sister, had fire powers. She was still learning to control them, but she could create fire with a simple flick of her fingers. It was incredibly useful for cooking and lighting up the area at night, but she had to be careful not to let her emotions get the better of her—her flames could easily become uncontrollable.

Jian Fei, his young niece, had psychic abilities. At just 7 years old, her powers were still developing, but she had begun to communicate telepathically with me and sometimes with her family. She could sense emotions and even see things happening far away in the villa, making her an invaluable asset to the group.

Jian Jun, Jian Ren's little brother, had super speed. He was the fastest person in the group and could zip from one end of the villa to the other in the blink of an eye. His abilities were perfect for scouting or getting supplies quickly, though he often had trouble slowing down once he got going.

Chen Na had developed healing powers, which had been a blessing for everyone. Her abilities allowed her to heal wounds, ease pain, and speed up recovery from illness. She had been a lifeline for everyone during the early days when we were all sick, and now, she took care of any minor injuries or illness that popped up.

As for me, I had gained plant manipulation abilities. I could make plants grow quickly, which was useful for food and medicinal supplies. I could also use my powers to create natural barriers or even summon vines to help with carrying things. The most surprising part was how my space powers had evolved. I now had an entire dimension of my own—an expansive space where I could store things, organize supplies, and even grow plants. It was like my own personal storage world, which I could access at any time.

The babies, now a week old, were growing strong and healthy. They had already begun to show signs of their own abilities—Xian's little hands would occasionally spark with electricity, Yue's eyes would glow faintly with light, and Rui's body would shift as if made of liquid, like water. I could feel their potential within me as they grew, and I knew they would be something extraordinary when they fully awakened.

But it was becoming increasingly clear that we were living in a different world now. The news had said that animals and plants were mutating, but as time went on, the changes became more apparent. One morning, as we sat down for breakfast, a bird flew into one of the windows, crashing with unnatural force. Its wings were twice the size of normal, and its beak was sharp as a blade.

Jian Lan had to use her light to blind it long enough for Mu Tian to catch it and throw it outside.

"That's just the start," Jian Ren muttered, his tone serious. "The world is changing, and we need to be prepared for it."

I looked at the group, my heart heavy with the weight of the responsibility. The babies, the people around me, the world outside—it was all changing faster than I could comprehend. But I knew one thing for certain: we would survive, and we would make sure that the ones we loved would make it through whatever came next.

And so, we prepared.