I Need Someone to Stop My Three Brothers

Chapter 7: Into the Depths of Power.

The morning air inside the Sanctuary was cooler today, charged with an energy that felt different. It was more than just my training—it was the growing sense that something was shifting in the world outside. The weight of what I was learning felt heavy on my shoulders but also liberating. The thought of controlling my power and deciding my fate had become my new anchor.

Lucien’s words from the day before echoed in my mind as I walked through the long stone corridors toward the training hall. You don’t have to prove anything to them. You just have to be true to yourself. The rest will follow.

But how could I be true to myself when I barely knew who I was anymore? I was Estella Zanov, yes, but also something more—something older, tied to an ancient bloodline and a prophecy that had branded me a potential threat. The Silver-born had welcomed me into their world, teaching me the ways of their magic, but I still felt like an outsider. The truth was, the person I had been before waking up in this life was gone, and I wasn’t sure who this new version of me was supposed to be.

What does it mean to be silver-born? That question haunted me. I was starting to learn the technicalities—the magic, the bloodlines, the responsibilities that came with it—but I had no idea how that truly shaped me as a person. What if I didn’t want the power? What if I didn’t want the burden?

Pushing those thoughts aside, I stepped into the training hall. Lucien was already there, standing in the center of the room, his back to me as he adjusted some small orbs floating in the air. Each orb glowed with a faint silvery light, similar to the Heart of the Silver-born, and I could feel their magical presence from across the room.

Selene was there, too, seated cross-legged on the floor nearby, her eyes closed in meditation. Her breathing was soft and almost hypnotic, perfectly in sync with the surrounding magic.

“Morning,” I called out, my voice sounding slightly too loud in the quiet space.

Lucien turned, his silver eyes gleaming. “Morning. Ready for another round?”

I nodded, feeling both eager and apprehensive. Yesterday’s training had shown me how powerful—and dangerous—my magic could be. It was exhilarating to feel that power coursing through me, but also terrifying to know how easily I could lose control.

Selene opened her eyes, her gaze gentle as she looked at me. “Today’s training will be different,” she said softly. “You’ve already begun to tap into your magic, but now you must learn to connect with it on a deeper level.”

I frowned, taking a few steps toward them. “A deeper level?”

Lucien nodded, stepping aside to reveal the orbs floating in the air. “Magic isn’t just about control—it’s about understanding. These orbs are infused with pure energy from the Heart of the Silver-born. Today, you’ll learn how to sense that energy, connect with it, and eventually draw it into yourself.”

I stared at the orbs, a mix of excitement and nervousness bubbling inside me. “So, I have to... absorb the magic?”

“In a sense,” Selene replied. “But it’s more than just taking the energy. You need to synchronize with it. You need to let it flow through you naturally, as though it’s an extension of your own power.”

“That sounds... difficult.”

“It is,” Lucien said, his tone matter-of-fact. “But you’re ready for it.”

I wasn’t entirely sure I agreed, but I trusted them. After all, they had been guiding me this far. If they believed I was ready for this next step, then I had to believe it, too.

“Alright,” I said, squaring my shoulders. “What do I do?”

Lucien motioned toward the center of the room. “Stand here. Focus on the orbs, but don’t try to control them. Just let yourself feel the energy. It will reach out to you if you’re open to it.”

I did as he instructed, positioning myself in the center of the room. The orbs floated in a slow, lazy circle around me, each one pulsing faintly with that same silvery light. I could feel the magic within them, just on the edge of my senses, like a distant hum that grew louder the more I focused.

“Close your eyes,” Selene said gently. “Let go of everything else. Don’t think about control or power—just feel the magic.”

I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath. The cool air of the Sanctuary filled my lungs, and I focused on the orbs, on the magic they radiated. At first, it was hard to concentrate—my thoughts kept drifting back to my fears, to the pressure of the prophecy and the looming threat of the Hero’s Guild. But slowly, as I took one deep breath after another, I began to push those thoughts away. The world around me faded into the background, and all that was left was the magic.

I can feel it now, more clearly than before. It was like a soft current flowing through the air, brushing against my skin. The energy from the orbs was subtle but powerful, and the more I focused on it, the stronger the connection became. It was as though the magic was reaching out to me, inviting me to join it.

“That’s it,” I heard Lucien’s voice, calm and steady. “You’re doing well. Just let it flow.”

I relaxed into the sensation, letting the magic wash over me. The hum of the orbs grew louder in my mind, and I could feel the energy swirling around me, merging with the power already inside me. It was a strange sensation—both foreign and familiar at the same time. The magic wasn’t something separate from me; it was a part of me waiting to be awakened.

As I focused deeper, something shifted inside me, like a door unlocking. The magic surged, not wildly this time, but in a controlled, steady flow. It moved through me, filling me with warmth and light as if I had tapped into a limitless power source.

A soft gasp escaped my lips as the energy wrapped around me, cocooning me in its warmth. I could feel it vibrating through my veins, filling every part of me with a sense of clarity and strength.

“Good,” Selene’s voice sounded distant but encouraging. “You’re connecting. Now, try to guide energy. Don’t control it—just guide it.”

I hesitated for a moment, unsure how to guide something so vast, so powerful. But then I remembered Lucien’s words from before: It’s not about control. It’s about balance.

Taking a deep breath, I focused on the energy flowing through me, imagining it as a stream of water. Gently, I began to nudge it, directing the flow and shaping it without forcing it. The magic responded, shifting with my thoughts and moving in the direction I wanted it to go.

The orbs began to pulse brighter, their light intensifying as our connection strengthened. I could feel the Heart's energy merging with my own magic, amplifying it, making it more potent.

A sense of exhilaration flooded through me. This was what it felt like to truly harness magic—not through force, but through harmony. I was part of something greater, and for the first time, I understood the power of the Silver-born.

But just as I was about to push further, something snapped.

The energy flow jolted inside me, and suddenly, the magic turned wild. The warmth I had felt moments ago shifted to something fierce and untamed, and before I could react, the surrounding orbs exploded in a burst of light.

I stumbled back, gasping as the magic surged out of control, overwhelming me. The connection I had worked so hard to build shattered, and the power that had been so gentle now felt like a raging storm inside me.

“Estella!” Lucien’s voice cut through the chaos, and I felt his hands on my shoulders, steadying me. “Breathe! You have to regain control!”

I struggled to calm the storm inside me, but the magic was too strong, too wild. It clawed at me, threatening to consume me whole.

The light from the orbs was blinding now, and I could feel the heat radiating off them as if they would explode again.

“Focus, Estella!” Selene’s voice was urgent. “You’re stronger than this. Don’t let it control you.”

I tried to do as they said, but the fear took over. The same fear that had always haunted me—the fear of losing control, of becoming something terrible. What if the prophecy was right? What if I really was destined to become the Demon King?

No. I can’t let that happen.

With a surge of determination, I forced myself to take a deep breath, pushing the fear aside. I focused on the magic, on the storm raging inside me, and instead of fighting it, I let it flow. I didn’t try to suppress it this time. I didn’t try to control it. I simply let it be.

Slowly, the wild energy began to calm. The light from the orbs dimmed, and the heat in the air dissipated. The magic settled back into that steady hum, and I felt the tension in my body ease.

When I opened my eyes, the room was still. Lucien was standing before me, his hands still gripping my shoulders, while Selene watched from a few feet away, her expression a mix of concern and pride.

“You did it,” Lucien said, his voice low but filled with approval.

I let out a shaky breath, my legs feeling like jelly. “That... was intense.”

Selene stepped forward, her silver eyes soft. “You’re learning, Estella. But this is just the beginning. The deeper you go, the more powerful your magic will become. And with that power comes greater responsibility.”

I nodded, though exhaustion was starting to weigh on me. I had felt—just for a moment—that perfect harmony between myself and the magic. But I had also felt how easily it could slip into chaos. The line between control and destruction was razor-thin, and I would have to walk it carefully if I wanted to master this power.

Lucien stepped back, his gaze serious. “You’re progressing faster than most. But you have to pace yourself. If you push too hard, too fast, the magic will push back.”

I nodded again, grateful for his guidance but also aware of the enormity of the task ahead. There was so much more to learn and uncover about myself, my power, and the Silver-born.

A thought struck me as I stood there, catching my breath and regaining my composure.

“Lucien, Selene,” I said slowly, “if I’m learning this much this quickly... does that mean the Hero’s Guild was right to fear me?”

Selene’s expression darkened slightly, but it was Lucien who spoke first. “The Heroes don’t fear you because of your power. They fear you because they don’t understand it. They’ve been trained to see anything outside their control as a threat.”

“But what about the prophecy?” I pressed. “What if... what if I really am tied to the Demon King?”

There was a heavy silence, and I could see the conflict in their eyes. Finally, Selene spoke, her voice soft but firm.

“The prophecy is just that—a prophecy. It doesn’t define you, Estella. You define yourself.”

Lucien nodded in agreement. “You have the power to shape your own fate. No one can take that away from you.”

Their words offered some comfort, but the doubt still lingered at the back of my mind. The Heroes might see me as a threat, but what if they were right? What if I was destined to become something terrible, something destructive?

No. I shook the thought away. I couldn’t let fear control me. I had to focus on the here and now—on mastering my power, on learning who I truly was.

“I won’t let the prophecy define me,” I said quietly, more to myself than to them. “I’ll make my own path.”

Selene smiled, the warmth returning to her eyes. “That’s the spirit.”

Lucien clapped a hand on my shoulder, his expression softening. “You’re stronger than you know, Estella. And we’ll be here to help you every step of the way.”

I smiled, feeling a flicker of hope in my chest. Despite the challenges, fear, and uncertainty, I wasn’t alone in this. I had the Silver-born, and we would face whatever was coming together.

The following days were filled with more training, each session pushing me further than the last. Lucien and Selene were patient but demanding, guiding me through exercises that tested not just my magic but my ability to remain calm and centered under pressure.

I learned to channel the magic from the Heart of the Silver-born more effectively, synchronizing my energy with it until it became second nature. The more I practiced, the more natural it became, and I grew stronger and more confident with each passing day.

But the threat of the Hero’s Guild still loomed large in my mind. I knew they wouldn’t stop hunting me, and I couldn’t stay hidden in the Sanctuary forever. Eventually, I would have to face them. And then there was the matter of the prophecy.

No matter how much progress I made, no matter how much I told myself I could shape my own fate, the question of the Demon King lingered in the back of my mind. Was I truly free to choose my own path, or was I bound to a destiny I couldn’t escape?

One evening, after an especially grueling training session, I found myself wandering the halls of the Sanctuary, lost in thought. The dimly lit corridors were quiet, the only sound the faint hum of magic in the air. I had grown used to this place's energy, but tonight, it felt heavier than usual.

As I turned a corner, I nearly collided with Selene, who was walking in the opposite direction. She smiled when she saw me, but there was a weariness in her eyes that I hadn’t noticed before.

“Everything alright?” she asked, her voice soft.

I hesitated, unsure how to voice the thoughts swirling in my mind. “It’s just... the more I learn, the more I wonder if I’m really in control of my own fate.”

Selene’s expression grew serious, and she gestured for me to walk with her. We silently moved through the hall for a few moments before she spoke.

“I won’t lie to you, Estella. The prophecy is something we can’t ignore. But prophecies are not always set in stone. They are often misinterpreted and misunderstood. What matters is how you choose to respond to it.”

“But what if I am the one they’re afraid of?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Selene stopped walking and turned to face me, her silver eyes locking with mine. “Then you will still have the power to choose who you become. The Heroes, the prophecies, even the magic itself—they don’t control you. Only you can decide what to do with the power you’ve been given.”

Her words echoed in my mind, sinking deep into my soul. It was the same message Lucien had been telling me all along, but hearing it from Selene—someone who had lived through the worst of what the Silver-born had faced—made it feel more real, more possible.

I nodded slowly, a sense of clarity settling over me. “You’re right. I won’t let the prophecy define me. I’ll decide my own fate.”

Selene smiled, the weariness in her eyes replaced with pride. “Good. That’s the Estella I know.”

As we continued walking, I realized that the journey ahead would be long and difficult, but I was ready for it. With the Silver-born by my side, I would face whatever challenges came my way.

And no matter what the prophecy said, I would shape my own destiny.

The days following my training felt like a blur. Each session with Lucien and Selene pushed me to the limits of my magic, testing not just my ability to control it but my resolve to master it. I was improving; that much was clear. The wild surges of power that once overwhelmed me were starting to fade into the background, replaced by a steadier, more controlled flow of energy.

But despite my progress, the weight of the prophecy still hung over me like a storm cloud. It didn’t matter how much Selene reassured me or how many times Lucien told me I could control my fate—there was always that nagging fear in my mind. What if I really was destined to become the Demon King? What if all this training, all this effort to master my power, was just leading me closer to that dark future?

I didn’t want to believe it, but doubt is a persistent thing.

It was late one evening when everything finally became too much. After a particularly grueling session, where I had nearly lost control of a powerful spell, I found myself wandering the halls of the Sanctuary, lost in thought. My body ached from exhaustion, and my mind felt like it was on the verge of breaking under the strain of all the questions I couldn’t answer.

Who am I really?

What am I becoming?

The magic inside me was both exhilarating and terrifying. There were moments when I felt in complete harmony with it and when I could guide it as easily as breathing. But then there were moments, like today, when it threatened to slip away, to consume me.

As I wandered aimlessly through the dimly lit corridors, I was drawn to the large chamber where the Heart of the Silver-born pulsed with its steady, silvery glow. I hadn’t intended to come here, but something about the magic radiating from the Heart called to me like a distant melody I couldn’t ignore.

When I stepped inside, the chamber was quiet, the air heavy with the presence of ancient magic. The Heart sat on its pedestal in the center of the room, its light casting long shadows on the stone walls. It was beautiful, mesmerizing even, and yet there was something about it that made me uneasy. This was the source of our power that connected all Silver-born, but it also felt like the very thing tying me to a fate I wasn’t sure I could escape.

I took a hesitant step toward the Heart, the soft hum of magic growing louder in my ears. It pulsed with energy, and I could feel it reaching out to me, like it had during my training. But this time, no one was there to guide me—no Lucien, no Selene.

Just me.

And the power.

I reached out, my fingers trembling as they brushed against the surface of the crystal. The moment I made contact, a shock of energy surged through me, stronger than anything I had felt before. It was as if the Heart recognized me, recognized the power inside me, and responded in kind.

For a moment, I was lost in the sensation. The magic flowed through me like a river, powerful and unrelenting. It was intoxicating, the sheer magnitude of it filling me with a sense of strength I had never known. But with that strength came something else—something darker.

As the magic pulsed through me, I felt a flicker of something deep within, something that wasn’t entirely my own. It was faint, almost imperceptible, but it was there. A shadow lurks beneath the surface, waiting for the right moment to reveal itself.

I pulled my hand away, gasping as the connection broke. The Heart continued to pulse, its light undisturbed, but I was left reeling. What had I just felt? Was it the same power that the heroes feared? The power of the Demon King?

I stumbled back, my heart racing, and collapsed onto the cold stone floor. The room felt suffocating now, the once-beautiful glow of the Heart now casting eerie shadows that seemed to twist and writhe like dark tendrils.

“Estella?”

I jumped at the sound of my name, my head snapping up to see Lucien standing at the entrance to the chamber. His silver eyes were sharp, assessing as if he had sensed the surge of magic from wherever he had been.

“Are you alright?” he asked, his voice low but filled with concern.

I nodded, though I wasn’t sure I believed my own response. “I’m fine. I just... I needed some air.”

Lucien stepped closer, his gaze flickering between me and the Heart. “You touched it, didn’t you?”

There was no accusation in his tone, but I could see the tension in his jaw, the way his posture had shifted ever so slightly. He wasn’t angry, but he was worried.

“I... I don’t know what happened,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. “I just felt this... this power inside me. It was so strong, but... it didn’t feel like it was all mine.”

Lucien knelt beside me, his expression softening. “The Heart of the Silver-born is ancient, Estella. Its magic is tied to our bloodlines, but it’s also tied to the history of our people. When you touch it, you’re not just connecting to your own power but to the power of every Silver-born who has come before you.”

I looked up at him, my chest tight with anxiety. “But there was something else. Something dark.”

Lucien hesitated, his gaze darkening. “What you felt was likely the remnants of the conflict that had followed the Silver-born for centuries. The battle between light and dark, control and chaos. It’s the same conflict that has haunted us since the beginning.”

“The Demon King?” I asked, my voice trembling.

Lucien didn’t answer right away. Instead, he looked back at the Heart as if searching for the right words. “The Demon King was once one of us. A Silver-born who lost control of his power and allowed the darkness to consume him. That’s why the Heroes fear us—because they know what happens when our power is left unchecked.”

I swallowed hard, the weight of his words sinking in. “So they think I’m going to become like him?”

Lucien turned back to me, his expression unreadable. “They fear what they don’t understand. But you’re not him, Estella. You’re not destined to become the Demon King unless you choose to let that darkness consume you.”

I looked down at my hands, the faint traces of magic still tingling beneath my skin. “But what if I can’t control it? What if I become the very thing they’re afraid of?”

Lucien’s hand rested gently on my shoulder, his touch grounding me. “You can control it. You’ve already proven that. The darkness will always be there, but it’s not stronger than you unless you let it be.”

I closed my eyes, trying to steady my breathing. Lucien’s words were comforting, but the fear still gnawed at me. The power inside me was vast, and though I was learning to control it, I couldn’t shake the feeling that it was always teetering on the edge of chaos.

After a moment, I felt Lucien stand, his hand slipping away from my shoulder. “Come on,” he said, his voice gentle. “You need rest. We’ll continue your training tomorrow, but tonight, you need to clear your mind.”

I nodded, slowly getting to my feet. The magic in the chamber still felt heavy, but with Lucien by my side, its suffocating weight began to lift. As we left, I followed him out of the chamber, casting one last glance at the Heart of the Silver-born. Its light continued to pulse steadily as if nothing had changed.

But everything had changed for me.

The following days were a blur of intense training. Lucien and Selene pushed me harder than ever, testing my limits and forcing me to confront the darkest parts of myself. Each session felt like a battle, not just against the magic but against the fear that had taken root in my mind.

But with every step forward, I grew stronger. The wild surges of magic that had once overwhelmed me became less frequent, replaced by a steadier flow of power that I could guide more easily. I was learning to balance the light and dark within me, to harness the magic without letting it control me.

And yet, despite my progress, the shadow of the prophecy still loomed over me.

One evening, after another exhausting session, I was in the sanctuary gardens. The air was cool, the scent of flowers filling the night as I wandered through the rows of tall, ancient trees. The garden was one of the few places in the Sanctuary where I could find peace, a moment of reprieve from the constant pressure of training and the weight of the expectations placed upon me.

As I walked, lost in thought, I heard the soft sound of footsteps behind me.

Turning, I saw Selene approaching, her silver eyes glowing softly in the moonlight. She smiled when she saw me, though her expression had a trace of sadness.

“Mind if I join you?” she asked, her voice gentle.

I shook my head, motioning for her to walk with me. We strolled silently for a while, the only sound being the soft rustling of leaves in the evening breeze.

“You’ve been making incredible progress,” Selene said after a while, breaking the silence. “Lucien and I are both impressed by how far you’ve come.”

I smiled faintly, though the weight of my doubts still lingered. “I’ve had good teachers.”

Selene glanced at me, her expression thoughtful. “But something is still troubling you.”

I hesitated, unsure how to voice the thoughts gnawing at me for so long. “It’s just... a prophecy. No matter how much I learn, no matter how much progress I make, I can’t shake the fear that I’m still walking toward that dark future.”

Selene stopped walking, turning to face me. Her eyes were soft, filled with understanding. “The prophecy is a burden, I know. But prophecies are rarely what they seem. They’re not set in stone, Estella. They’re glimpses of possible futures, not certainties.”

I looked away, my chest tight with emotion. “But what if the future it shows is the one I can’t escape? What if, no matter what I do, I become the very thing the Heroes fear?”

Selene placed a hand on my arm, her touch warm and reassuring. “I’ve known many Silver-born who have faced the same fear. But the truth is, the power inside you is neither good nor evil. It’s what you do with that power that matters.”

I met her gaze, my voice barely above a whisper. “But what if I make the wrong choice?”

Selene’s smile was gentle, filled with a kind of quiet wisdom. “We all make choices, Estella. Some are right, some are wrong. But as long as you stay true to yourself, as long as you remember who you are, you won’t become the Demon King. You’ll become something far greater.”

Her words lingered in the air between us, and for the first time in a long while, I felt a sense of peace settle over me. The fear was still there, but it wasn’t as overwhelming as before. I wasn’t alone on this journey, and a prophecy didn’t bind me. I had the power to shape my own future.

We stood there in the garden for a while longer, the night sky stretching out above us, vast and full of stars. And at that moment, I realized something important.

I wasn’t just a vessel for some ancient power or the potential embodiment of a prophecy. I was Estella Zanov, and I was more than the sum of my past lives, more than the magic that flowed through me.

I was my own person.

And no prophecy could take that away from me.