LEVEL EVERYTHING UP in my Eldritch Tribe

Lyerin found himself in a vertical farm, a towering structure filled with rows upon rows of lush, green vegetation growing under the glow of LED lights.

The air was fresh, infused with the scent of soil and plants, a stark contrast to the chaos and decay outside.

The farm was a marvel of modern agriculture, designed to maximize space and efficiency.

The crops grew in stacked layers, each level equipped with hydroponic systems that delivered nutrients directly to the plants' roots. This place was a haven of life amid the surrounding devastation.

He gently placed the capsule containing his mother, Lina, on the floor. Choosing this location was a strategic decision.

Vertical farms, unlike storage facilities or military bases, were often overlooked by scavengers and raiders.

They were fortified against external threats, with multiple layers of security and self-sustaining ecosystems.

The constant circulation of fresh air and controlled environment made it a safe haven, free from the corruption of the Eldren Mana that had turned so many into flesh-eating beasts.

As Lyerin opened the capsule, he braced himself.

Under normal circumstances, removing someone from such a containment device in the outside world, flooded with Eldren Mana, would be a death sentence.

The Mana would invade their bodies, transforming them into rabid creatures. However, vertical farms were different.

The enclosed ecosystem here was insulated from the Eldren Mana.

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The controlled climate and clean air acted as a barrier, preventing the Mana from penetrating and corrupting Lina.

Slowly, Lina began to stir. Her eyes fluttered open, blinking against the harsh light of the farm.

Confusion clouded her gaze as she looked around, trying to make sense of her surroundings. Her movements were jerky and uncertain, hands reaching out to touch the unfamiliar environment.

She struggled to sit up, her breath coming in short, panicked gasps.

"Where am I?" she whispered, her voice trembling.

Lyerin moved closer, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "You're safe, Mom. We're on a vertical farm. It's a secure place, away from the chaos outside."

Her eyes darted around, still filled with confusion. "Vertical farm? But... how? The last thing I remember... I was crying.

Why was I crying?"

"You were taken by the Borgias family. They used you to get to me," Lyerin explained, his tone calm and steady. "I managed to get you out. This place is safe from the Eldren Mana that's affecting everyone outside."

Lina's eyes widened as she absorbed his words. "Eldren Mana? Flesh-eating beasts? What's happening, Lyerin?"

He took a deep breath, knowing he needed to break it down gently. "The world has changed, Mom. We're in the middle of a zombie apocalypse, but it's worse than anything we've ever seen. The Eldren Mana has corrupted people, turning them into rabid creatures. But don't worry, this farm is safe. Mana can't reach us here."

As he spoke, he showed her the heads of the rabid creatures he had encountered, explaining what they were. Lina's face paled as she looked at the grotesque remains, her body trembling with fear. She recoiled slightly, pressing a hand to her mouth.

"Oh my God," she whispered. "I can't believe this is real."

"It's real, Mom. But you're safe now. We just need to stay here and lay low," Lyerin reassured her, his voice firm. "The farm's ecosystem will protect us. It's self-sustaining and insulated from the outside world."

Lina nodded slowly, trying to process everything. Her eyes were wide with shock and fear, but she clung to her son's words like a lifeline. "Okay. Okay, I understand."

Suddenly, a look of intense fear crossed her face, and she grabbed Lyerin's arm. "The Borgias family... Lyerin, they're dangerous. They won't stop looking for us."

Lyerin sat quietly beside his mother, absorbing the weight of her words. The revelation about his siblings was unexpected and deeply unsettling.

Lina's eyes were filled with a mixture of sorrow and desperation as she continued to speak.

"The Borgias family won't stop looking for us, Lyerin. They have resources and influence that stretch far and wide. But there's something else you need to know. You have siblings—three brothers and two sisters. They're all on your father's side."

Lyerin's heart skipped a beat. "Siblings? I didn't know…"

Lina nodded, her voice trembling. "We shouldn't have fled! We shouldn't have escaped from their grasp. The Borgias family used them to control me. They wouldn't let me see them unless I did what they wanted to do. That's why it was wrong for us to flee."

Lyerin knew the Borgias family's reach was extensive, and escaping them entirely was nearly impossible.

He knew, both he and his mother had tracking chips implanted in them.

But he chose not to reveal that the headquarters where she had been taken would soon be razed to the ground by the rampaging zoo animals, a chaotic fate he had foreseen from his past life that he took her and left.

He kept his expression neutral, masking the knowledge he carried from his previous life. He pretended to be curious, "Who are they? My brothers and sisters. What are their names?"

Lina's eyes filled with tears as she recounted their names, one by one, painting a picture of the family Lyerin had never known. "There's James, the eldest. He's strong and dependable, always looking out for the others. Then there's Alice, with her fiery spirit and quick wit. Michael is next, thoughtful and kind. Sarah, the youngest daughter, is full of curiosity and wonder.

And finally, there's little Daniel, still so young, but full of potential."

Lyerin listened intently, each name sinking into his mind, adding to the puzzle of his past and present.

In his previous life, he had no recollection of these siblings, no idea they even existed.

This information felt changed, adding layers of complexity to their already precarious situation.

"Why are you telling me this now, Mom?" Lyerin asked gently, though his mind was racing with questions and emotions.

Lina broke down, tears streaming down her face. "Your father... he didn't allow me to. He kept us apart, forbidding me from speaking of them. I wanted to tell you so many times, but I was afraid. Afraid of what he would do to you, to them."

Lyerin felt a surge of anger towards his father and the Borgias family for putting his mother through such torment. But he understood her position now, the impossible choices she had been forced to make. "I understand, Mom. We'll find a way to deal with this. But for now, you need to rest and regain your strength."

Lina nodded, still sobbing. "Thank you, Lyerin. I'm so sorry for everything. I just wanted to protect you."

"You've done your best, Mom. Now it's my turn to protect you," Lyerin said, his voice filled with determination.

After a few moments of silence, Lina began to calm down, her breathing becoming steadier. Lyerin helped her settle into a makeshift bed he had prepared earlier, ensuring she was comfortable and safe. As she lay down, exhaustion overcame her, and she quickly drifted into a fitful sleep.

Lyerin watched over her, his mind whirring with plans and contingencies. The revelation about his siblings changed everything. He needed to find a way to rescue them too, but first, he had to ensure their immediate safety. The Borgias family's reach was vast, and their resources were nearly limitless. He couldn't afford to make any mistakes.

He sat beside his mother, reflecting on his next steps. The vertical farm, with its self-sustaining ecosystem and insulation from  Eldren Mana, provided a temporary sanctuary. But they couldn't stay here forever. The Borgias family would eventually track them down, chips or no chips.

As dawn broke, Lyerin's resolve hardened. He was intrigued about information about his siblings and the Borgias family's plans. He also needed to secure a means to remove or disable the tracking chips implanted in both him and his mother. His knowledge from his past life gave him an edge, but he had to be careful not to reveal too much too soon.

With a careful plan forming in his mind, Lyerin checked on his mother one last time before stepping outside.

The vertical farm was quiet, the only sounds the gentle hum of the hydroponic systems and the occasional rustle of leaves. He took a deep breath, appreciating the momentary peace.

"Rest for now, Mom," he whispered, looking back at her sleeping form. "I'll take care of everything."