Two years had passed since Diego woke up in the past. Two years of small actions, of changes almost invisible to others, but deeply calculated by him. And the results were clear.
Rodrigo, his father, now had an energy he had never known in his youth. He had lost weight, built strength and endurance thanks to long walks and workouts in the countryside—"apocalyptic survival missions," as Diego called them. Milena, his mother, also radiated a newfound vitality. Their diet had changed, they meditated every day, and practiced yoga at sunrise, all part of the "mental preparation rituals," another one of Diego's playful suggestions.
The family now lived on a plot of land far from the city. Surrounded by trees, animals, and fertile soil, they had transformed the place into their sanctuary. The decision to move had been planted like a seed by Diego with comments such as:
—"Wouldn't it be awesome to have our own forest to hide in if the zombies come?"
He would say it with a smile, as part of the game. But his parents, laughing, eventually began to take the idea seriously.
Financially, they were doing better than ever. Diego, in his quiet role as strategist, guided his father toward opportunities that seemed like "coincidences." Business ideas, clever products, simple but effective investments. Rodrigo, almost without realizing it, had become a local figure of success. Milena also found her calling, developing wellness workshops that were gaining popularity fast.
Matías, now two years old, was a whirlwind of energy. He could walk, run, and even try to climb trees. Diego taught him everything through play. He spoke of maps, resources, building shelters—and although Matías didn't understand it all, he followed his brother with devotion. Between laughter and branches, they were sowing skills that one day would be essential.
His parents could no longer ignore that Diego wasn't like other children. His maturity, his powers of observation, the ideas he came up with... But they loved him so much that, even if they couldn't explain it, they simply followed his lead. Everything he proposed was good for them, and their family had never been so united—or so happy.
But Diego knew it wasn't enough.
He had begun to expand the circle. They now regularly visited his mother's side of the family: Grandpa Patricio, passionate about woodworking; Grandma Roxana, kind and creative; and Uncle Pablo, who loved hiking in the mountains. Diego began integrating them little by little, sharing exercise routines, healthy meals, and strategy games.
He did the same with his father's side of the family: Grandpa Juan Carlos, strong and stubborn; Grandma Berny, a legendary cook; Aunt Romina, brave and organized; and Uncle Nico, a natural athlete. Diego assigned each of them a "role" in his family survival game. No one noticed, but Diego was building his own army.
Silently, he reflected:
If in the other life Matías and I awakened such powerful abilities… where did they come from? What if they were inherited from our parents? What if everyone in my family has the same potential?
He couldn't allow himself to lose a single one of them this time. Not his parents. Not his grandparents. Not his uncles and aunts. They all had a part to play. They all had to be ready.
Diego didn't know how much time he had before the world collapsed again. But each sunrise, each day of training, each healthy meal, each meditation… was another step toward a different future.
One where they would be ready.
One where this time, no one would be left behind.