I Need Someone to Stop My Three Brothers

Chapter 9: I'm Home, Brothers!

The heavy oak doors of the Zanov estate creaked open, revealing the grand entryway I had once walked through with such uncertainty. But now, as I stood on the threshold, everything felt different—less daunting, less intimidating. The weight of the Sanctuary's magic still clung to me, but something was reassuring about being back here among the familiar faces of my brothers.

As soon as I stepped inside, the faint echo of voices greeted me. As always, my brothers’ laughter and bickering filled the massive house with life. Despite the looming threat of the Hero’s Guild, despite everything that had changed, the Zanov estate remained the same—a fortress of family, both comforting and chaotic.

I hadn’t realized how much I’d missed it until now.

“Estella!” The shout echoed from the far end of the hall. I looked up to see Aldric, my golden-haired brother, sprinting toward me like a force of nature, his broad grin spreading across his face. Before I could react, he wrapped me in a crushing hug, lifting me off the ground as if I weighed nothing.

“Woah, easy!” I gasped, laughing despite myself. “I’ve barely been gone that long!”

Aldric spun me around before setting me down, his grin never fading. “You might as well have been gone a century. This place is way too quiet without you.” He leaned down, ruffling my hair like I was still the little sister he’d always teased. “You’ve been training with those stuffy Silver-born types for weeks. I bet you missed your favorite brother, huh?”

I rolled my eyes. “Favorite? Is that what we’re going with now?”

Before Aldric could reply, another voice chimed in, smooth and teasing. “Favorite? You? Please, Aldric, don’t flatter yourself.”

I turned to see Callan, my older, more serious brother, strolling toward us with his arms crossed and an amused smirk playing on his lips. His dark hair was neatly tied back, and as always, he looked every bit the composed, calculating strategist of the family. But a lightness in his eyes told me he was just as glad to see me as Aldric, even if he would never admit it outright.

“Callan,” I smiled, taking a step toward him. He didn’t rush forward like Aldric, but he didn’t need to. There was always a quiet warmth in how he regarded me, which reminded me that, despite his calm exterior, he cared more deeply than he let on.

“Estella,” he said softly, stepping closer and gently touching my shoulder. “It’s good to have you back. I trust your training went well?”

I hesitated for a moment, glancing between Aldric and Callan. “It’s… going,” I admitted. “It’s a lot to take in, but I’m learning.”

Callan’s eyes searched mine, and I could tell he knew there was more to it than I was letting on. But before he could probe further, Aldric cut in with his usual enthusiasm.

“She’s been gone for weeks, Callan. Let her breathe a little! There will be time for boring talks about magic later.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. Aldric’s energy was infectious, and at that moment, I realized how much I had missed the chaos of home. The Sanctuary's seriousness, the prophecy's weight, and my power—here, it felt distant, almost manageable.

“Where are the others?” I asked, glancing around, half-expecting another brother to come barreling down the hall any second now.

Aldric’s grin widened. “They’re around. Rhys probably hides in his study, reading some ancient scroll or whatever he does to avoid talking to people. Elias was with him last I checked, but who knows with those two.”

“And Nikolai?”

Callan raised an eyebrow. “Out on one of his mysterious errands, as usual. You know how he is—always getting into trouble.”

I smiled, shaking my head. “Nothing’s changed, huh?”

Aldric threw an arm around my shoulders. “Not much, but I’m sure you’ve got stories to tell us. Come on; we’ve got dinner waiting. I’m starving.”

I let Aldric guide me down the familiar corridors; his arm still slung around me as if he thought I might vanish again if he let go; Callan followed behind, his usual calm presence grounding the whirlwind that was Aldric. As we walked, the smells of roasted meat, fresh bread, and rich spices wafted through the air, reminding me that no matter how powerful I might become, some things—like my brothers’ love for a good meal—would always stay the same.

Dinner was just as chaotic as I had expected.

The long dining table was laden with platters of food—more than enough to feed a small army, which was probably necessary given my brothers’ appetites. Aldric was already halfway through his second helping by the time I sat down, and Callan, ever the perfectionist, was meticulously arranging his plate as if it were a work of art.

As I glanced around the table, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of contentment wash over me. It wasn’t perfect—there was still the looming threat of the Hero’s Guild, still the uncertainty about my magic and the prophecy—but in this moment, surrounded by my brothers, it felt like everything would be okay.

“So,” Aldric began, his mouth half-full as he waved a piece of bread in my direction, “tell us about the training. Did they make you do all those weird meditations and stuff? Or were you hurling fireballs at the end of it?”

I laughed, shaking my head. “No fireballs. Mostly, it’s been about control, learning how to guide the magic instead of letting it overwhelm me.”

Aldric’s eyes widened, clearly more interested in the idea of hurling fireballs than the actual training. “Sounds intense. Think you can show us some tricks later?”

Callan shot him a look. “She’s not a sideshow, Aldric. Let her rest.”

I smiled, grateful for Callan’s support, but a part of me wanted to show them how much I had grown. After all, they had known me as the little sister who barely understood her place in this world. Now, I was learning to master a power that most people couldn’t even comprehend.

“It’s fine,” I said, looking between them. “Maybe I will show you later. Once I’ve had a chance to eat something.” I grabbed a piece of bread and took a bite, savoring the warm buttery taste. “Besides, I’ve missed this.”

Aldric grinned, clearly pleased with the idea of a magic demonstration. “Now we’re talking!”

Callan, ever the cautious one, simply nodded. “As long as you’re comfortable.”

As dinner wore on, the conversation drifted between topics—old stories of trouble Aldric had gotten into as a child, Rhys’s latest research obsession, and Elias’s ongoing fascination with rare weapons. It was lighthearted and easy, and I laughed more than I had in weeks.

But beneath the surface, I could feel Callan watching me, his eyes sharp and perceptive. He wasn’t just here for the banter—he wanted to know what was really going on.

After dinner, Callan pulled me aside when Aldric dragged me off to the courtyard to test my magic (he insisted it was for “scientific purposes,” but I knew better).

“Estella,” he began, his voice low as we stood near the courtyard's edge, away from Aldric’s prying ears. “There’s something you’re not telling us.”

I looked at him, caught off guard by his directness. “What do you mean?”

He folded his arms, his expression serious. “You’ve grown stronger; I can see that. But there’s more to it than just training. I can tell something’s weighing on you.”

I hesitated. Callan had always been the one who could see right through me, no matter how hard I tried to hide my feelings. But this wasn’t something I could brush off with a quick excuse.

“It’s a prophecy,” I admitted quietly, glancing down at my hands. “The more I train, the more I feel like I’m getting closer to… something dark.”

Callan’s brow furrowed. “The Demon King.”

I nodded, swallowing hard. “I’ve felt it. It’s like a shadow inside me; no matter how much I fight it, it’s always there. I’m scared, Callan. Scared that no matter how hard I try, I will become something terrible.”

For a moment, Callan was silent, his eyes searching mine. Then, with a deep breath, he touched my shoulder. “Estella, you’re stronger than you think. I don’t know much about magic, prophecies, or anything, but I do know you. You’ve always fought for what’s right, even when it’s hard. You won’t let this thing control you. You’re the one in control.”

His words hit me harder than I had expected. I blinked back at the sudden sting of tears, surprised by the emotion welling up inside me. Callan wasn’t one for grand speeches or emotional outbursts, but he meant every word when he spoke.

“Thanks,” I said softly, managing a small smile. “I needed to hear that.”

He nodded, his hand giving my shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “We’re your family, Estella. Whatever happens, we’re in this together.”

Before I could respond, Aldric’s voice rang out from across the courtyard, impatient and loud. “Come on, Estella! Show us some magic already!”

I rolled my eyes, wiping away the last traces of my emotion as I turned back toward my other brother. “Guess I’d better not keep him waiting.”

Callan chuckled softly. “Don’t give him too much power, or we’ll never hear the end of it.”

With that, I stepped into the center of the courtyard, where Aldric stood, practically bouncing on the balls of his feet in excitement. He was like a kid waiting for his favorite fireworks show, and I couldn’t help but smile at his enthusiasm.

“Alright, Aldric,” I said, taking a deep breath and letting the magic stir inside me. “You want to see something? Watch closely.”

I raised my hands, feeling the familiar hum of power coursing through me. This time, though, I wasn’t afraid. I had control. And for the first time, I wasn’t doing this out of fear or desperation—I was doing it because I wanted to.

The magic flowed through me easily now, responding to my will. I directed it outward, shaping it into a shimmering orb of light that floated between my hands. Aldric’s eyes widened in awe as the light danced and flickered, casting soft, silvery shadows on the courtyard's stone walls.

“That’s amazing!” Aldric breathed, his excitement palpable. “How do you do that?”

I smiled, feeling a surge of pride. “Lots of practice. And focus.”

Callan watched from the sidelines, his expression unreadable, but I could sense the quiet approval in his gaze. He didn’t need to say anything—I knew he was proud of me.

I felt like I belonged for the first time in a long while. Not just here, with my brothers, but in this world. I wasn’t just the little sister they had to protect anymore. I was part of something bigger. And though the path ahead was still uncertain, I knew I wouldn’t be walking it alone.

Walking through the Zanov estate felt like stepping into a memory I didn’t realize I missed so much. The familiar scents of polished wood, the faint echo of laughter in the distance, and the ever-present sense of family wrapped around me like a comforting embrace. As much as I’d been focused on my training and the heavy weight of the prophecy, being back here made everything seem… normal again—or at least as normal as life could be for someone like me.

I barely had time to take in the familiar surroundings when I heard the unmistakable sound of footsteps thundering down the hall. Before I could brace myself, I was swept up in a whirlwind of golden hair and laughter.

“Estella!”

Aldric, the ever-energetic storm that he was, tackled me in a hug so tight I nearly lost my balance. His grin stretched from ear to ear as he pulled me off my feet and spun me around like I was a child again.

“Easy, Aldric!” I laughed, breathless from the sudden onslaught of affection. “I’ve only been gone a few weeks!”

He set me down but didn’t let go, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “Feels like forever! You’ve been off doing all that magical stuff with the Silver-born while we’ve been stuck here bored out of our minds.”

“Bored? You? Somehow, I doubt that.” I grinned up at him, playfully nudging him away as I straightened my clothes.

Aldric crossed his arms, his grin softening into something warmer. “Well, maybe not bored, but we missed you. The house isn’t the same without our little sister keeping us in line.”

I was about to fire back with a snappy comment when a familiar voice cut through the moment.

“Keep us in line? You, Aldric? As if anyone could manage that.”

Callan strode in, looking every bit the composed older brother he always was. His dark hair was neatly tied back, his posture perfect, and his expression was one of calm amusement. He didn’t hug me like Aldric, but the warmth in his eyes said more than words ever could.

“Callan.” I smiled, feeling a wave of affection for the brother who had always been more reserved with his emotions but no less caring. “I’ve missed you.”

He gave me a small nod and a faint smile. “We missed you too. The house has been a little quieter in your absence.”

“Quieter or more peaceful?” I teased, raising an eyebrow.

Aldric chuckled, slinging an arm around my shoulders again. “Definitely more boring without you around to keep things interesting.”

I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help the smile tugging at my lips. Being around Aldric and Callan, it was like slipping into an old, well-worn coat—familiar, comfortable, safe. It was easy to forget, just for a moment, about all the pressure I’d been carrying. Here, with them, I didn’t have to be the girl with the prophecy hanging over her head. I could just be… me.

Callan’s sharp gaze flickered over me as we stood there, and I knew what was coming. He’d never been one to let things go unnoticed.

“You're training,” he started, his tone gentle but probing. “How did it go? You’ve grown stronger; I can see that.”

I hesitated the easy laughter before fading a little as the weight of everything settled back over me. “It’s… going well. But there’s a lot to learn. I’m still figuring things out.”

Callan’s eyes narrowed slightly, not suspiciously, but in that quiet, thoughtful way he always had when he was trying to piece things together. “There’s more to it, isn’t there?”

Before I could respond, Aldric, ever the master of timing, cut in with his usual enthusiasm. “We can talk about all that boring magic stuff later! Right now, we need to celebrate having Estella back! I’m starving.”

I shot Callan a grateful look as Aldric dragged me toward the dining hall. Callan’s expression softened in understanding. He wasn’t going to press me for answers. Not yet.

Dinner was like stepping back into the heart of our family life. The dining hall was as grand as ever, with its long wooden table and high ceilings, but the real warmth came from the familiar chaos of my brothers. Aldric, of course, was already digging into the food as if he hadn’t eaten in days while Callan sat at the head of the table, his plate arranged with meticulous care, taking everything in with quiet amusement.

The moment I sat down, Aldric leaned in, already brimming with excitement. “So, tell us all the details! What kind of stuff have you been learning? Can you shoot lightning yet? Make things explode? Turn invisible?”

I snorted, shaking my head. “No lightning, no explosions, and definitely no invisibility. Most of it was about control. Learning how to manage the magic so it doesn’t overwhelm me.”

Aldric raised an eyebrow, clearly disappointed. “Control? That sounds kind of… boring.”

Callan shot him a look from across the table. “Control is the foundation of power, Aldric. Without it, magic would be dangerous.”

“Exactly,” I said, nodding toward Callan. “If I can’t control it, things get messy.”

Aldric still looked unconvinced, but he shrugged. “Well, at least you can do something. Show us a trick later, yeah?”

I smiled, though my mind was already wandering. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to share what I’d been learning—it was just that there was so much more going on beneath the surface. My brothers had always been my safe space, but how could I explain the weight of the prophecy? How could I tell them about the darkness I’d felt, the creeping sense that no matter how hard I trained, it might not be enough?

Instead, I kept the conversation light, deflecting Aldric’s questions with stories about the more mundane parts of training. Callan watched me, his eyes sharp as always, but he didn’t push. For now, I am grateful for that.

After dinner, the relentless Aldric practically dragged me out into the courtyard for the promised magic demonstration. He was practically bouncing with excitement, his energy contagious.

“Come on, Estella! Show me what you’ve got!”

I laughed, shaking my head at his enthusiasm. “You’re like a kid waiting for fireworks.”

“Hey, you’re the one with all the cool powers now,” Aldric teased, crossing his arms. “Don’t hold out on me.”

I glanced over at Callan, who had followed us outside but was hanging back, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. He gave me a small nod, and I knew that while Aldric wanted to see some flashy magic, Callan was quietly assessing just how far I’d come.

Taking a deep breath, I let the familiar hum of magic stir within me. It was easier now, the power responding to my will without the wild surges of chaos I’d struggled with initially. I raised my hands, feeling the energy flow through me, and directed it into a small, shimmering orb of light that floated between my palms.

Aldric’s eyes widened, and I could see the awe on his face. “Whoa! That’s amazing!”

The light pulsed softly, casting faint silver shadows on the stone courtyard. It wasn’t anything grand or explosive, but it was controlled—perfectly balanced. And that, in itself, felt like an accomplishment.

Aldric clapped his hands, clearly impressed. “Okay, okay, that’s cool! Can you make it bigger? Or do something crazier?”

I laughed, shaking my head. “Maybe another time. For now, this is enough.”

Callan, who had been watching silently, pushed off the wall and walked over, his expression unreadable. He didn’t say anything for a moment, just stood there, watching the orb of light as it flickered between my hands.

Finally, he nodded. “You’ve come a long way.”

His words, simple as they were, filled me with a quiet sense of pride. Callan wasn’t one to hand out praise easily, but when he did, you knew he meant it.

“Thanks,” I said softly, letting the orb of light fade. “It hasn’t been easy, but… I’m getting there.”

Callan met my gaze, his eyes serious. “You’ll get there, Estella. And when you do, you’ll be ready for whatever comes next.”

I nodded, though the weight of his words hung heavy in the air. Whatever comes next. It reminded me that no matter how much progress I made, the future was still uncertain. The Heroes were still out there, and the prophecy still loomed over me like a shadow.

But for now, surrounded by my brothers, I felt a sense of calm. I wasn’t alone in this. No matter what happened, no matter what challenges lay ahead, I had them. And that made all the difference.

Later that night, when the house had quieted down, and the rest of my brothers had gone to bed, I sat on the balcony outside my room, staring up at the night sky. The stars were bright, scattered across the darkness like tiny sparks of light, and the cool breeze carried the familiar scents of the estate’s gardens.

I hadn’t realized how much I missed this place—how it felt like home and how my brothers made everything feel lighter and easier. But even as I sat there, wrapped in the comfort of home, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was coming. Something big.

The prophecy, the Hero’s Guild, the darkness I had felt during my training—it all felt like it was building toward something, something I wasn’t sure I was ready for.

But Callan’s words echoed in my mind. You’ll get there.

I didn’t know what the future held, but for the first time in a long while, I wasn't as scared of it. I had a family, my strength, and my magic.

Whatever came next, I’d be ready.