The morning mist clung to the sprawling property like a protective shroud, obscuring the true scale of what Alexander Evans had created. Nestled in rural Alabama and surrounded by dense forest, the massive oval-shaped structure rose from the landscape like a modern colosseum. Workers moved purposefully across the grounds, completing the final touches on what outsiders believed was simply an extravagant corporate retreat for Purple Thread Entertainment, Alexander’s new Virtual Reality Gaming company. Afterall, the best way to hide profits is to launder it with something you love.

  He stood on the balcony of the main building, overlooking the thousand acres he’d purchased and transformed in a matter of months. The compound, which the family had taken to calling The Nest, represented the culmination of meticulous planning and the strategic application of his rapidly growing fortune.

  A massive amount of money and NDAs had purchased the family a fortress. Three above-ground floors formed the visible portion of the complex, but it was the multiple underground levels extending deep into the earth that housed their most crucial facilities. Every element had been designed with both immediate comfort and future defensibility in mind.

  A large lake shimmered in the morning light; its surface occasionally broken by jumping fish. Beyond it, agricultural areas were taking shape; manicured gardens that would soon serve as Margo’s experimental growth facilities, and greenhouses designed to maximize production while concealing their true purpose from outsiders.

  Construction crews worked on what appeared to be recreational facilities; archery ranges, exercise areas, and VR training centers, all carefully disguised to appear as luxury amenities rather than the combat preparation areas they would later become.

  “They’re making good progress,” Aurora said, joining Alexander on the balcony. “The eastern perimeter wall will be finished by the end of the week.”

  Alexander nodded, his eyes scanning the twelve-foot reinforced concrete barriers being erected around the property, their harsh functionality softened by strategic landscaping. “The security systems?”

  “William’s team is installing them now; he still has no idea why you picked his little company for the installations. Motion sensors, heat detection, underground pressure plates; the works.” She wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her head against his shoulder. “You know, most people would consider this excessive for a corporate headquarters.”

  A thin smile crossed Alexander’s face. “Most people don’t know what’s coming.”

  Aurora studied his profile, noting the slight tension in his jaw. “Any word from Sophie?”

  “She’s keeping her distance, as promised. The contract will hold.” He turned to face her. “How are the kids settling in?”

  “Xavier’s already claimed the east wing office for his corporate work ‘on behalf of the company’. Margo’s practically living in the greenhouse. Maeve found the highest spot on the property for archery practice, and Nadia’s been ‘testing’ every security measure by trying to break through it.” Aurora’s eyes sparkled with amusement. “They’re adaptable, just like their father.”

  “Good,” Alexander said, checking his watch. “It’s time for the next phase of their training.”

  He pulled out his phone and composed a message to the family group chat: Training session tomorrow at 8am. Main floor training room. Mandatory attendance.

  Slipping the phone back into his pocket, he gazed out at the property once more. Workers were installing the solar panels that would provide one source of independent power generation. Others were completing the camouflaged watchtowers positioned at strategic intervals along the perimeter.

  “This is just the beginning,” he murmured.

  “It’s impressive,” Aurora agreed. “But?”

  Alexander sighed. “But I’m concerned about how quickly we’re having to accelerate everything. The Illuminati showing up months ahead of schedule can’t be a coincidence.”

  “You think the timeline is shifting?”

  “I think we need to prepare for that possibility.”

  Aurora squeezed his hand. “Then we will.”

  The family gathered promptly at 8am in the newly completed training room. The space, designed to adapt to various training scenarios, currently contained little more than open floor space with cushioned mats.

  Xavier arrived first, dressed in business casual attire despite the early hour. He’d been working tirelessly to establish Purple Thread Entertainment as a legitimate industry force, already securing contracts for their VR technology that would secretly prepare people for the coming challenges.

  Margo followed shortly after; her hands stained with soil from an early morning session in the greenhouse. The scent of various herbs clung to her clothing, evidence of her experiments with mana-enhanced plants.

  Maeve slipped in silently, her observant gaze taking in every detail of the room, mentally cataloging potential escape routes and vantage points out of habit. The bow strapped to her back seemed an extension of her body rather than a separate item.

  Nadia bounded in last, practically vibrating with energy despite having already completed her morning workout. She punched Xavier lightly on the arm as she passed, earning a fond eyeroll from her older brother.

  “I’ll be taking you into a mind space that I’ve prepared,” Alexander announced, scanning their curious faces. Maeve’s eyebrow raised slightly, while Xavier crossed his arms with interest. Nadia practically bounced on her feet, always eager for new challenges.

  “It’ll be easier if I just show you.” Alexander moved to the center of the room, gesturing for his family to sit in a circle around him. He placed his hand on Aurora’s shoulder first, then moved around the circle, briefly touching each family member’s forehead. With each touch, he channeled his mana into the Memory Pocket skill, creating a connection between their minds and his construct.

  When they opened their eyes, collective gasps filled the air.

  They stood before a perfect recreation of their old home in the old cul-de-sac, every detail immaculately rendered; from the slightly crooked mailbox, to the wind chimes Aurora had hung on the porch. The sky above was impossibly blue, scattered with clouds that moved in gentle patterns. Beyond the house stretched lush forests, glimmering lakes, and mountains that seemed to touch the heavens.

  “Holy balls, dad!” Margo exclaimed, her eyes wide with wonder.

  “Babe...” Aurora whispered, grasping the air multiple times for Alexander’s hand before grasping it tightly.

  Maeve simply stared, taking in every detail with her observant gaze.

  Nadia knelt down, running her fingers through the grass. “It’s real?” she asked, confusion evident in her voice. “I can feel every blade.”

  Xavier approached a rose bush in Aurora’s garden, leaning in to inhale deeply. “I can smell,” he said in amazement. He plucked a petal and placed it on his tongue. “I can taste as well. Dad, how did you do this?”

  Alexander smiled, pleased by their reactions. “I’ve learned a few things here and there.”

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  “Try using your abilities,” he suggested. “You should notice how much easier it is in this place. The mana density here is significantly higher than in the physical world. It is my mind after all.”

  Aurora immediately responded, closing her eyes in concentration. Golden light bloomed around her, enveloping her form in a radiant aura that bathed the surroundings in warmth. As the light receded, she gasped in surprise.

  “I’ve been trying to create an aura that could temporarily blind and disorient enemies,” she explained, examining her hands as traces of golden energy continued to dance across her skin. “I thought if I could switch between different effects like protection, enhancement, or disruption; I’d be more versatile in battle. Here, it happened almost instantly.”

  “Interchangeable auras of power,” Alexander nodded approvingly. “Smart choice, babe. Exactly what I had been thinking. The applications are practically endless, with study of course.”

  A rumbling sound drew their attention as massive vines erupted from the ground, curling upward in complex patterns. Various species of apples bloomed and ripened before their eyes, hanging from branches that hadn’t existed moments before. Just as quickly as they appeared, the plants receded back into the earth.

  “Margo!” Alexander exclaimed, turning to his daughter with pride. “That’s incredible!”

  Margo beamed, her eyes glowing faintly green. “The botanical knowledge from work helped me understand soil composition, nutrient requirements, and environmental factors. The mana here... it’s like it’s singing to me, Dad. It responds to the slightest intention.”

  “Before anyone else gets carried away, let me give you a proper tour,” Alexander said, guiding them toward the house. “There’s much more to show you.”

  As they entered the house, everyone marveled at the faithful recreation. Every creaking floorboard, every family photo, every scent and sound exactly as they remembered. Alexander led them to the balcony at the back of the house.

  “This is the backyard I created for a friend,” he said with an odd smile.

  Spreading out before them was a scene straight from a documentary. Lush green forests extended for miles, broken by crystal-clear lakes and magnificent waterfalls. The landscape was breathtaking in its beauty and impossible scale.

  “Friend?” Aurora questioned. “Have you invited someone else here besides us?”

  “Not quite,” Alexander replied with a mysterious smile. “Oh, here she comes.”

  Xavier was the first to notice movement among the distant trees. “Dad, something’s coming extremely fast towards us!” he warned, pointing at a dark shape bounding through the forest canopy.

  “Calm down, that’s our new friend,” Alexander said as a spider the size of a small rodent leapt from the tree line, landing gracefully on his shoulder.

  The family recoiled instinctively. The creature was midnight black, with multiple gleaming eyes that suggested an unnerving intelligence. It seemed to fade from view when they looked away, only to reappear with startling clarity when directly observed.

  “This is Umbra, my familiar,” Alexander explained, gently stroking the spider’s back. “She looks after the place for me, don’t you girl?”

  “You created it?” Xavier asked, fascinated despite his initial alarm.

  Alexander’s expression turned serious. “Son,” he said firmly, “not an IT, but a SHE. She gets her feelings hurt easily, look at her face.”

  Xavier stared at the spider, which somehow managed to convey indignation despite its alien features. “I’m sorry, Umbra,” he offered uncertainly.

  The spider raised one leg in what appeared to be acknowledgment.

  “She can understand language?!” Maeve exclaimed, uncharacteristically loud in her surprise.

  Umbra raised a leg again in confirmation, prompting the family to gather around in fascination. Nadia, overcoming her initial shock, asked if she could pet the creature as her father had done. With Umbra’s permission, indicated by another raised leg, Nadia gently stroked the spider’s furry body.

  While the family became acquainted with Umbra, Aurora noticed a dark shape on the distant horizon; a towering spire that seemed to absorb rather than reflect light. “What about that area over there?” she asked, pointing.

  The atmosphere shifted instantly. Umbra darted behind Nadia’s shoulder as Alexander’s demeanor changed, his presence becoming suddenly intimidating.

  “Create whatever you want, practice however you want,” he said, his voice carrying an unmistakable warning. “Do not go in that direction. Do not get rebellious and think you understand my mind better than me. That way lies literal Madness.”

  He looked at each family member in turn, including Umbra in his stern gaze. “If you are ever adventurous or get lost and see a spire, you’ve gone too far. I will not tolerate anyone walking through my mind without permission.”

  Sensing the sudden tension, Alexander relaxed his posture and softened his tone. “Apologies,” he said. “Just let me know if you ever need to enter to practice. No magic in the outside world until expressly permitted. Everyone got it?”

  “Got it, pop!” Xavier replied, attempting to lighten the mood. “So, we have godlike powers with your permission and stay away from your weird porn dungeon.”

  Everyone laughed, relieving the tension. Even Umbra seemed to join in, her body vibrating slightly in what might have been spider amusement.

  “Dad, wait,” Nadia interrupted, silencing the group. “I’d like to show you what I’m capable of. Can you make a training partner for me?”

  With a wave of his hand, Alexander created a featureless humanoid figure in a martial arts stance. Nadia stepped forward, assuming her own fighting position as her family watched with interest.

  “Come!” she challenged.

  The construct charged, its massive fist aimed directly at Nadia’s smaller frame. Rather than dodging, Nadia stepped into the attack, deflecting the punch with a perfectly timed wrist lock that redirected its momentum.

  As the construct stumbled past, Nadia grabbed its arm and pivoted, executing a classic Osoto Gari throw. At the peak of the throw, she activated her gravity manipulation, dramatically increasing the construct’s weight. It crashed to the floor with enough force to crack the training mat.

  When the construct tried to rise and grab her, Nadia stepped backward up and onto the wall itself. She walked parallel to the ground, defying gravity as casually as stepping onto a curb.

  While the construct was still off-balance from its failed grab, Nadia leapt down, seized its head, and increased the gravitational force once more. The construct’s skull met the mat with a devastating impact that would have been instantly fatal to a living opponent.

  Margo cheered enthusiastically while Xavier and Maeve exchanged impressed glances. Aurora rushed to embrace her youngest daughter, showering her with well-deserved praise.

  “You were amazing!” Aurora exclaimed, giving Nadia a flurry of motherly kisses.

  Alexander approached Nadia, placing his hands on her shoulders with paternal pride. “I’m so proud of you, kiddo. Fantastic job!”

  Xavier turned to Maeve with a competitive gleam in his eye. “Up for a quick spar before the old man passes out from mana usage?”

  Maeve’s lips curved into a rare smile. “You forget, I ended the world.”

  In an instant, Maeve transformed her clothing into her combat outfit from the previous timeline, complete with her bow on her back and curved daggers in her bandolier. She exchanged her small shield for dual scimitar-like blades.

  “Yeah, only ‘cause I wasn’t there to beat you to it!” Xavier retorted with a grin. He closed his eyes in concentration, channeling his mana to create a shimmering blade of pure light energy. The sword hummed with power, casting a soft glow across his determined features.

  The siblings squared off, then launched into a display of their developing abilities. Xavier’s light blade whirled and slashed with increasing confidence, while Maeve blinked in and out of existence, teleporting around him to strike from unexpected angles.

  When Maeve appeared behind Xavier with her blade poised to strike, he created a light shield at the last moment, blocking her attack. The impact sent a cascade of light particles scattering through the air.

  Alexander watched his children with a mixture of pride and concern. They were progressing faster than he had anticipated, their natural affinities amplified by the mana-rich environment. Yet they still had so far to go before The Fall arrived.

  During their display, Alexander’s chest suddenly tightened, drawing Aurora’s attention immediately.

  “That’s enough,” she called, nodding discreetly toward Alexander. “Great display of abilities, everyone. Let’s let your dad get some rest.”

  The children gathered around, their faces flushed with excitement and the exhilaration of discovery. Alexander managed a smile despite the strain of maintaining the Mind Palace for so long.

  “You guys are amazing,” he told them. “I’m beyond proud of all of you.”

  One by one, they began to fade from the mindscape, returning to their physical bodies in the real world. Aurora was the last to go, giving Alexander a concerned look before disappearing. He told Umbra he would see her later and gave her head a nice rub.

  Left alone in his creation, Alexander allowed himself a moment of vulnerability. The strain of hosting five people in his Mind Palace while creating complex training environments had taken its toll. Yet seeing their progress had made it worthwhile. He needed to practice more.

  He looked toward the distant horizon where the dark spire rose ominously against the otherwise perfect sky. The structure seemed to pulse with its own rhythm, drawing the eye despite its unsettling appearance.

  The Infinite Spire, his most guarded secret; the repository of his darkest impulses and most dangerous knowledge. He had warned them all to stay away, and for good reason. Some powers weren’t meant to be shared, some burdens had to be carried alone.

  With a sigh, Alexander prepared to return to his physical body. The coming weeks would bring new challenges; the construction of their defenses, the gathering of allies, the acceleration of their training. Time was running out, and they needed to be ready.

  He took one last look at his creation, this sanctuary he had built within the confines of his own mind, before closing his eyes and letting the connection dissolve.

  In the real world, they would face limitations that didn’t exist here. The mana would be scarcer, the challenges greater, the consequences more permanent. But they would face them together, as a family.

  And that, Alexander believed, might just be enough to save the world.