Guldrin’s Gluttony: Family Bound by Speed & Food

(Bonus Chapter Due to Power Stones, Thank You to all who support my work! Special Thanks to all who have given me reviews, each rating helps: Qubz2. Thank you, your support keeps me going.)

Shiro and Guldrin's birthday had come and gone, it was early New Year and the family, as fractured as it was, held a celebration. Shiro had finished her game, 'Shimmering Isles'. She said it was a throwback to a game, Skyrim, she had played in her world. Some kind of franchise called Elder, or something, Guldrin had never heard of the game, but it seemed familiar. Though, he brushed it off and just supported her the best he could. She was already in the process of getting a contract with Steam, a valve production that serves as a platform to sell new games. Since she is too young, Letty co-signed the contract and is serving as her guarantor and guardian.

Skye was still a constant in their lives, she would help Shiro with her game project, and Shiro in turn would support her in all her hacking endeavors. Yes, Skye had entered the dark side, she enjoyed ruining the lives of the corrupt and privileged by airing their dirty secrets. It started by exposing her pervert of a principal and escalated to politicians and the sort. 

Shiro and Skye had become a rather dangerous duo and had ruined many lives, stolen money, and redistributed said funds to proper needy organizations and the less fortunate. Shiro was from a much more advanced world and this world was back-water in comparison, so she was able to tear through the security systems like paper, of course, she taught Skye her methods, and they became double the trouble.

 Guldrin didn't understand why they didn't keep any of their gained money, and had explained that they could upgrade their operations if they kept bits of each heist. This seemed to get through to them, and since then they had seemed to save a fraction of everything they stole. Offshore accounts were set up and over these years those fractions have added up to quite the sum.

Their "operations" grew in complexity and finesse as the months passed, with Shiro's programming skills and Skye's sharp hacking abilities forming an unexpectedly powerful partnership. Guldrin had watched from the sidelines, equal parts impressed and bewildered by how quickly they adapted to the world of covert cyber warfare. 

Each time he offered a bit of advice, whether technical or strategic, the two of them would go silent, staring at him in awe before laughing and adding his insights to their plans. They had turned something simple into an art form, leaving digital fingerprints in the strangest, most unexpected places to throw off any potential investigators. Over these years, Shiro had ungraded her set-up, and they had web cameras to allow for easier communication. It was a shock to meet Skye from a simple online meeting, but their first meeting was amusing, to say the least. Skye had been talking to Shiro and Guldrin came back from his workout, shirt off and drenched in sweat, Skye blushed a storm and left the call immediately. Both Shiro and Guldrin laughed at this reaction and tried to reconnect the call, but no matter how much they called, Skye wouldn't answer.

Guldrin, for his part, focused on his own projects, chief among them, the Chevelle. While Shiro and Skye were outsmarting the world, he was under the hood of his beloved car, figuring out each piece with methodical care and discipline. It had taken much longer than he expected, but the work was rewarding. Every time he twisted a bolt or felt the growl of the engine come to life for even a moment, it was like hearing a part of himself slowly awaken. His focus on the Chevelle was almost meditative, providing a way to channel his energy and, in some ways, even unlock parts of his mind.

As he worked and trained recently, he found memories surfacing, small things at first, like how he would correct his minor mistakes and flaws in his stances, to holding his gun and knife in a fluid motion as if he had done it a thousand times. Later in the day, he would work on his car to unwind, but as he neared the end of his restoration project, the memories began to flood in, deeper and sharper. His time as Naked Snake… Big Boss which he had learned was his last identity, the missions he'd completed, the allies he'd lost along the way, all of it came back in waves, overwhelming him at times.

 He found himself crouched in the garage, hands shaking as he pieced together fragments of his old life, unsure if they were truly his memories or simply stories he'd once read. It was Shiro who found him one evening, her quiet presence somehow anchoring him as he tried to make sense of the flood.

Within his mind, Emily was staring at the system screen, "The Two-Year seal has eroded, Past incarnation will merge with the original soul." She couldn't help but frown, but she knew this time would come when she saw MOTHER intervening all those years ago. 'Well, it has begun, what changes will this bring?' 

Guldrin unaware of these changes or why they were taking place, was filtering his memories and struggling to stay as the one in control, the dominant identity. He would be damned if he allowed his old life to overtake his new one. That life is over, long since passed, but would become a footnote in his journey, a guide toward what not to do, and what to do. Though, he did have an obscene craving for a cigar…

"Hey," Shiro said as she wrapped him in a hug, her voice gentle. "You look like you're in another world."

Guldrin shook his head, clearing the fog of memories. "Just… remembering things. It's like there's a part of me that's been asleep for years, and now it's waking up." He struggled to stand, reached into his pocket, and noticed his cigar wasn't there. This oddly frustrated him, and he slapped his face, 'You are Guldrin, not Big Boss! Snap out of it!' Try as he might, the urge was still there, and he knew it wasn't going away.

Shiro gave him a look of understanding, nodding. "Well, if it gets too much, you've got me here, right? No matter how strange your memories get, I won't run."

Her words grounded him, her steady gaze and comforting smile helping him push through the flood of old memories. In the days that followed, as fragments of his past life continued to seep in, Guldrin found himself walking a strange path between who he had been and who he was now. The sensations, the instincts, even the urge for a cigar, all felt intensely real. But his friendship or whatever it had become with Shiro and his grounding activities with the Chevelle reminded him of the life he was building now, a life with family, friends, and freedom he hadn't known as Big Boss or any other alias he assumed.

Meanwhile, Shiro and Skye's partnership continued to flourish, despite having never met face-to-face. Their nightly calls and encrypted video chats had become the stuff of legend; they spoke in rapid-fire tech jargon, weaving together elaborate plans with efficiency and ease. It was both fascinating and terrifying to watch how quickly they could dismantle entire systems and expose secrets hidden by the powerful. Guldrin sometimes teased them about their "Robin Hood act," but deep down, he admired their courage.

One evening, Shiro and Skye called him into their latest scheme, waving him over with mischievous grins. They were working on a particularly sensitive project involving a local crime ring. Guldrin's experience proved useful as they mapped out their approach. He shared strategic insights, sometimes dipping into memories of past tactics he'd once used, which the girls accepted with awe and humor. It was exhilarating to contribute, to watch them grow as they adapted his old techniques into something fresh and unexpected. By the end, they had dismantled a human trafficking organization, they used Guldrin's method of borrowing someone else's sword. They found an FBI agent who had a sister kidnapped and gave him bits and pieces of evidence leading to a full-on raid that destroyed the organization without them needing to be involved.

As the months wore on, Guldrin found himself easing into this strange, layered life. He balanced his evolving skills, honed instincts, and the simple satisfaction of building his Chevelle, piece by piece. Every bolt tightened, every part installed, each late night under the hood with a flashlight brought him closer to completion. His hands had long memorized every curve and line of the car, and it had become more than a project, it was an anchor, a testament to his patience and growth.

Finally, the day arrived. Guldrin stood back, wiping grease off his hands as he looked over the Chevelle, its sleek lines gleaming under the lights of the garage. He'd poured so much of himself into it, letting his focus on the car temper the more intense parts of his memories. Shiro stood beside him, her usual teasing replaced by a quiet awe. Even Emily curled up on his shoulder and flicked her tail as if sensing the significance of the moment.

"Well," Shiro said with a small smile, "think it's ready for the first real test?"

Guldrin nodded, feeling a rare mix of nerves and excitement. After all the late nights, and all the adjustments, this was it. He slid into the driver's seat, feeling the familiar weight of the car wrap around him like an old friend. The leather was cool, the wheel firm in his hands as he adjusted his grip. Shiro leaned in through the passenger window, giving him a nod of encouragement.

"Go on," she said, her grin infectious. "Let's hear it roar."

With a deep breath, Guldrin inserted the key and twisted. For a split second, there was silence, a heartbeat of anticipation, before the engine growled to life, low and rumbling, resonating through the garage like a wild animal finally unleashed. The sound was perfect. Powerful, steady, like thunder held in check. He couldn't help the grin that split his face as the engine's vibrations echoed through his bones.

Shiro clapped, laughing as the car settled into a smooth purr. "You did it! You really did it."

The satisfaction that filled him was unmatched. Every ounce of effort, every sleepless night, every lesson Dom, Letty, Vince, and Jesse had offered him about tuning and balancing had led to this moment. For Guldrin, the Chevelle was more than just a car now, it was a bridge between past and future, a tangible reminder that he could still create, still build, and still choose who he wanted to be.

The low, steady rumble of the Chevelle didn't go unnoticed. The sound reverberated through the house, reaching Letty and Mia inside. Mia looked up from the book she was reading, a smile spreading across her face.

"That's got to be him," Mia said, setting her book aside.

Letty's eyes sparkled with curiosity and pride. "Sounds like the kid finally did it. Let's go see."

They both made their way to the garage, where Guldrin and Shiro were still beaming at the Chevelle, the engine humming like a heartbeat, steady and alive. Mia and Letty arrived just as Guldrin revved the engine a little more, the sound echoing like a roar through the enclosed space. Letty couldn't help but laugh, crossing her arms as she took in the sight.

"Well, look at that," Letty said, impressed. "It's a real beauty. You've done good work, Guldrin."

Guldrin flushed, pleased at her praise. "Thanks, Letty. It's all put together now… though I guess it's not exactly street-legal yet."

Mia gave him a mock frown. "You're technically not even supposed to be driving it!"

Shiro nudged him, snickering. "Guess the legal test drive will have to wait, huh?"

Letty grinned, eyes gleaming with a mischievous light. "That might be true… but I can drive."

Guldrin's face lit up. "Seriously?"

"Why not?" Letty shrugged, already moving around to the driver's side. "Might as well see what this baby can really do. Hop in, you guys. We're going for a spin."

Guldrin scrambled into the backseat with Mia, while Shiro claimed the front passenger seat. The inside of the car still had a raw, unfinished feel, with small marks and details that told the story of Guldrin's work on it. It wasn't polished or perfect yet, but it was his, and right now, that felt like everything.

Letty adjusted her seat, hands falling comfortably on the wheel. She glanced back at them, the excitement clear in her eyes. "Ready?"

With their enthusiastic nods, Letty put the car into gear, and they rolled out of the driveway, the Chevelle's engine purring steadily. As they hit the open road, Letty gradually pressed down on the accelerator, and the car responded instantly, its power surging to life under her hands. The thrill of the speed, the sound of the engine, the feel of the car, it was intoxicating.

The city lights blurred past, and they quickly hit the open road, the Chevelle eating up the asphalt as Letty pushed it faster and faster. Shiro laughed, exhilarated, her hair whipping in the wind. Mia leaned back, her own smile growing as she enjoyed the rare, wild freedom of the moment.

Guldrin felt a strange mix of pride and excitement. He'd built this, this power, this speed, the smooth hum of the engine that could handle everything Letty threw at it. She made each turn, each shift in gear seem effortless, and he could feel the Chevelle's responsiveness, as if the car itself was alive, answering each of Letty's movements as if they'd been driving together for years.

"Damn, Guldrin," Letty called over the roar of the wind. "You've outdone yourself. This thing handles like a dream!"

Mia laughed. "If Dom could see this…"

Letty chuckled. "He'd probably be fighting me for the wheel." Her smile softened as she thought of him, still on the run, and the reminder lingered, bittersweet.

They spent the next hour cruising through back roads and empty stretches of highway, the Chevelle roaring through the night like a spirit unleashed. With each mile they covered, Guldrin felt a sense of accomplishment settle over him, the memories of his past lives and old battles fading into the background.

As they finally headed back, Letty drove a little slower, giving them all the time to savor the experience. They pulled into the driveway, the Chevelle's engine slowly quieting as Letty brought them to a gentle stop. She turned off the engine, and the silence that followed was almost surreal.

Shiro turned to Guldrin, her eyes bright. "So… how does it feel?"

Guldrin smiled, a deep sense of satisfaction radiating from him. "It feels… amazing. Better than I ever imagined."

Letty put a hand on his shoulder. "You've earned it, kid. This car, this moment… it's all yours."

Mia squeezed his hand, her gaze filled with pride. "Dom would be so proud of you, Guldrin. We all are."

(Give me your POWER, Please, and Thank You! Leave reviews and comments, they motivate me to continue.)