I Need Someone to Stop My Three Brothers

Chapter 10: In the Shadows of Home.

The sun filtered through the curtains, casting a warm, golden light across my room as I slowly stirred awake. For a moment, I forgot about everything—the prophecy, the Hero’s Guild, the weight of magic humming beneath my skin. I was just home, surrounded by the familiar scents and sounds of the Zanov estate. It felt like one of those rare mornings when the world was at peace, when everything seemed right.

But the peace didn’t last long.

As I sat up in bed, stretching out the stiffness in my limbs, reality settled back over me like a heavy cloak. The memories of the Sanctuary, the endless training, and the dark presence that had clawed at me during my magic practice all came rushing back. There was no escaping it. I couldn’t pretend that being home with my brothers would make it all go away.

But here, at least, I didn’t feel so alone.

I pulled on a simple dress, one of the few I hadn’t outgrown from my last life in this house, and opened the door to the quiet hall. The estate had always been a little too big for those who lived there, with vast corridors and echoing chambers that made it feel like a maze. But I knew these halls like the back of my hand. Each twist and turn reminded me of my childhood, of the days when my biggest worries were Aldric pulling pranks on me or trying to keep up with Callan’s endless lessons in strategy.

I wandered down the hall, my bare feet making soft sounds against the polished floors. I wasn’t sure where I was headed, but the house had a way of pulling me in the right direction. I passed the library, where Rhys would likely be hidden behind a pile of ancient texts, and the training rooms, where Elias was probably sharpening one of his many blades.

But it was the garden that called for me. The one place on this estate that always felt like a little world of its own.

When I stepped outside, the crisp morning air was refreshing and cool. The garden was as beautiful as ever—roses blooming along the stone walls, tall hedges casting long shadows on the path, and birds chirping in the distance. It was hard to believe that the world beyond these walls was filled with danger and uncertainty when everything here felt so calm, so… perfect.

I walked down the winding path, letting the garden's peace wash over me. My fingers trailed along the soft petals of the roses, their fragrance wrapping around me like a familiar embrace. It reminded me of simpler times—moments before magic and prophecy took over my life.

But I knew I couldn’t linger in the past forever. The future was coming, whether I was ready for it or not.

I was deep in thought when a familiar voice broke the silence.

“You look like you’re carrying the world's weight on your shoulders.”

I turned to see Rhys leaning casually against one of the garden arches, a small, knowing smile playing on his lips. His dark hair was tousled, and there was a faint smudge of ink on his fingers, evidence that he had probably been buried in one of his research projects all morning.

“Good morning to you too, Rhys,” I said, smiling softly as he made his way over to me. “What are you doing out here? Don’t tell me you’ve finally torn yourself away from your books.”

Rhys chuckled, his sharp eyes gleaming with amusement. “It happens rarely. Besides, I needed a break. All those ancient scrolls were starting to blur together.”

I nodded, my gaze drifting back to the roses. “I missed this place. It’s… peaceful here.”

Rhys studied me for a moment, and I could feel the weight of his attention. Rhys had always been the quiet observer who could see through your defenses without saying a word.

“Being back hasn’t made things easier, has it?” he asked, his tone gentle but probing.

I sighed, feeling the weight of his question settle over me. “No, not really. I thought coming home might help clear my head, but everything’s still… complicated.”

Rhys nodded, stepping closer until he stood beside me. He didn’t push me for answers or offer empty reassurances. Instead, he simply stood there, letting the silence stretch between us. It was something I’d always appreciated about him—his ability to just be there without needing to fill the quiet with words.

“I feel like no matter how much I practice, no matter how much I try to understand my magic, something lurks beneath the surface,” I admitted quietly, my voice barely above a whisper. “Something dark. I’ve felt it during my training, and I’m scared that I will never be able to control it.”

Rhys didn’t speak for a long moment, his expression thoughtful. Finally, he turned to face me, his gaze steady. “The darkness you’re feeling… it’s part of the magic. But it doesn’t define you. You’re stronger than that.”

I bit my lip, the doubts swirling in my mind. “But what if I’m not? What if I become exactly what the Heroes are afraid of?”

Rhys’s eyes softened, and he reached out, touching my shoulder. “You won’t. Because you’re not alone in this, Estella. You have us—your family. And no matter what happens, we’ll face it together.”

His words, simple as they were, brought a sense of comfort I hadn’t realized I needed. Rhys had always been the one to offer quiet support and a steady presence in the midst of chaos. I felt a little lighter knowing he believed in me, knowing that I wasn’t carrying this burden alone.

“Thanks, Rhys,” I said, giving him a small, grateful smile. “I just… I wish I could see the future. I wish I knew how this all ends.”

Rhys chuckled softly, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “Well, if you figure that out, let me know. I could use that kind of foresight in my research.”

I laughed, the tension in my chest easing just a little. “Deal.”

As the day stretched, I found myself slipping back into the rhythm of home life. It was strange how easily I fell into old routines, as if the weeks I’d spent at the Sanctuary were just a brief detour. The estate buzzed with the usual mix of activity and mischief, mostly fueled by Aldric’s boundless energy. He spent the afternoon trying to convince me to test more of my magic on various objects in the courtyard while Elias practiced sword forms in the distance, ever-focused and precise.

Callan watched over everything, as he always did, a quiet leader who never missed a detail. Even when he wasn’t directly involved, he was always there, his eyes sharp and calculating. He kept the family together, even when the rest of us were busy with our own lives. It was a role he never asked for but had taken on without hesitation.

Later, as the sun began to dip low in the sky, casting long shadows across the estate, I found myself back in the garden. The air was more relaxed now, the soft rustling of leaves the only sound around me. It was a rare moment of quiet, and I relished it.

I sat down on one of the stone benches near the roses, letting the garden's stillness wash over me. But no matter how much I tried to focus on the peace of the moment, my thoughts kept drifting back to the prophecy, to the darkness that had stirred within me.

What if it’s true? I thought, my heart sinking at the possibility. What if I really am destined to become the Demon King?

I knew what Rhys had said, what Callan and Lucien had told me—that I could control my fate. But the doubt remained like a shadow I couldn’t shake. It was hard to believe in a future I couldn’t see, especially when the weight of the past pressed down on me so heavily.

Just as I started losing myself in the spiral of dark thoughts, I felt a familiar presence beside me. I saw Callan standing there, his expression unreadable but his eyes soft.

“You’ve been quiet today,” he observed, sitting down beside me.

I shrugged, staring down at my hands. “Just… thinking.”

Callan was silent momentarily, his gaze fixed on the garden before us. “You don’t have to carry all of this alone.”

I glanced at him, surprised by his words. Callan wasn’t usually one to offer emotional support. He was more of a silent protector who handled problems calmly.

“I know,” I said softly. “But sometimes it feels like… like I’m the only one who can.”

Callan turned to me, his expression serious. “You’re not, Estella. We’re in this together. Whatever the prophecy says, whatever challenges come our way, we’ll face them as a family. You don’t have to do it alone.”

I looked at him, feeling a lump form in my throat. “What if I’m not strong enough? What if I can’t control it?”

“You’re stronger than you realize,” Callan said quietly, his voice filled with certainty. “You’ve always been stronger than you realize.”

His words hit me harder than I expected, and I blinked back the sting of tears. Callan didn’t offer reassurances lightly, and hearing him say it made me believe it, even if just for a moment.

“Thanks, Callan,” I said, my voice thick with emotion. “I just… I don’t know what I’d do without you guys.”

Callan smiled, the rare kind of smile for him—soft and genuine. “You’ll never have to find out.”

We sat there for a while longer, the silence between us comfortable. I didn’t have all the answers, and I still wasn’t sure what the future held. But sitting there with Callan, the weight of the prophecy didn’t feel quite as heavy. I wasn’t alone in this. I had my family, my brothers.

And somehow, that made all the difference.

The next morning, I woke up to the soft chatter of birds outside my window; their songs carried on a cool breeze. The estate had always had this stillness in the early hours, a quietness that felt like the world was on pause just for a little while. I pulled the blanket tighter around me, savoring the comfort of being back in my own bed—no training to rush to, no lessons in controlling the surge of magic inside me.

But even as I lay there, trying to soak in the peacefulness, my mind wouldn’t stay quiet. The weight of everything still sat at the edge of my thoughts, waiting to pull me back into the reality I was facing. The training, the looming threat of the Hero’s Guild, the dark voice that had whispered in my mind during those intense moments with Lucien—it was all still there, hanging over me like a shadow.

I pushed myself out of bed, trying to shake the feeling. Today, I promised myself I wouldn’t dwell on it. I was home. I was with my brothers. That was enough for now.

I got dressed quickly and slipped downstairs, following the familiar smell of breakfast wafting through the halls. As I entered the dining room, the clatter of dishes and the soft hum of conversation greeted me. It was like stepping into an old memory—Callan sitting in his usual place, quietly sipping his tea while reading the morning reports, Aldric already halfway through his plate, and Rhys skimming through a book with a piece of toast in hand.

“Look who finally decided to join us!” Aldric grinned as soon as he saw me, waving his fork in the air. “I thought you’d sleep the whole day away.”

I rolled my eyes, grabbing a seat next to him. “It’s barely mid-morning. And not everyone inhales their food like you.”

Aldric smirked, shoving a large bite of egg into his mouth. “What can I say? I need my energy.”

Callan glanced up from his papers, his eyes softening when he saw me. “Good morning, Estella.”

“Morning,” I replied, helping myself to a slice of bread. “Anything interesting in the reports?”

Callan gave a small shake of his head, folding the papers neatly. “Not much. The usual news from the border towns. But there’s been some talk of increased activity near the Hero’s Guild outposts.”

My stomach twisted at the mention of the Guild, but I forced myself to stay calm. It wasn’t exactly unexpected news—of course, the Guild was still on the move. They hadn’t forgotten about me.

“Nothing we can’t handle,” Aldric said, completely undeterred. “If they come knocking, we’ll show them just how wrong they are about our sister.”

I smiled, appreciating his confidence, though I wasn’t sure I shared it. Aldric had always been the optimist, never doubting for a second that we’d come out on top. It was one of the things I loved about him, but right now, his confidence felt like a bit of an overreach. The Hero’s Guild wasn’t something you could just brush off.

Rhys, quietly observing from across the table, finally spoke up. “I’ve been looking into some old texts—histories of the Silver-born and the early conflicts with the Guild. There might be some clues about counteracting their tactics, but it will take some time.”

“Leave it to Rhys to bring research to the breakfast table,” Aldric teased, earning a playful glare from our brother.

“It’s important,” Rhys said, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose. “If we want to understand the Guild’s next move, we must understand their past.”

Callan nodded in agreement, his expression serious. “Rhys is right. The more we know, the better prepared we’ll be.”

I listened to them talk, their voices blending into the background as my thoughts drifted. It was comforting, in a way, hearing my brothers discuss strategy, make plans, and be so sure of themselves. They’d always been like this—unshakable, determined to protect what mattered. And for the most part, they succeeded. But this… this felt different.

I was at the center of the storm this time. And no matter how much they believed in me, I couldn’t shake the fear that I wasn’t ready for what was coming.

Later that day, I wandered the estate’s grounds, needing space to clear my head. The garden was peaceful, the sun filtering through the leaves in golden streaks, casting soft shadows across the stone paths. I let my hands trail along the flowers, feeling the cool petals between my fingers.

I wasn’t alone for long. I heard the sound of footsteps behind me and turned to see Elias approaching. He was quiet, as always, his dark eyes sharp and observant. He had that calm, composed energy about him, the kind that always made you feel like he could handle anything thrown his way. That was why he was the most skilled with a sword—Elias never lost his cool, no matter how intense the situation.

“You’ve been avoiding us,” he said, his voice even, but there was a softness in it that told me he wasn’t accusing me, just… noticing.

I smiled faintly. “Not avoiding. Just… thinking.”

He came to stand beside me, his gaze sweeping over the garden before settling on me. “You’re worried.”

It wasn’t a question, but I nodded anyway. “Yeah. I’m worried.”

Elias crossed his arms, his expression thoughtful. “About the prophecy?”

“About everything,” I admitted. “The prophecy, the Guild, this magic inside me that I still don’t fully understand… I keep thinking I’m getting better and stronger. But then something happens, and I feel like I’m right back where I started.”

Elias didn’t respond right away, letting the silence stretch between us. That was one of the things I appreciated about him—he didn’t rush to fill the space with reassurances or advice. He just… listened.

After a moment, he finally spoke, his voice calm but firm. “You’re stronger than you realize, Estella. And even if you haven’t seen it yet, we do. We see how far you’ve come.”

I looked up at him, surprised by the certainty in his tone. “You do?”

Elias nodded, his gaze steady. “Callan, Rhys, Aldric, me… we all see it. You’re not the same person you were before you left. You’re different now. Stronger.”

I swallowed, the weight of his words settling over me. “But what if it’s not enough? What if I can’t control it? What if I… become something I don’t want to be?”

Elias’s eyes softened, and he placed a hand on my shoulder. “That’s not going to happen. You’re not alone in this, Estella. You have us. We won’t let you fall.”

His words, simple as they were, brought a wave of emotion crashing over me. It was easy to forget, sometimes, that I wasn’t facing this all by myself. I had been so focused on the magic, the prophecy, and everything that came with it that I hadn’t stopped feeling my family's support. They were all there, always standing beside me, even when I was too afraid to see it.

I gave Elias a small smile, feeling a little lighter. “Thanks. I needed that.”

He smiled back, a rare, genuine smile that softened his usual serious expression. “Anytime.”

That night, as the estate settled into its usual quiet after the bustle of the day, I found myself standing at the window of my room, staring out at the moonlit garden. The world outside seemed so peaceful, so far removed from the chaos that had consumed my life in recent weeks. It was hard to believe that just beyond the safety of these walls, danger still lurked, waiting for the right moment to strike.

But for the first time in a long while, I felt… prepared.

The words of my brothers echoed in my mind—Aldric’s unwavering belief in me, Rhys’s quiet determination, Callan’s steady leadership, and Elias’s calm reassurance. They have always been my strength, my constant. No matter the future, I knew they would face it with me.

And maybe that was enough.

Maybe I don’t need to have all the answers right now. Maybe it was okay to be scared, to have questions, as long as I didn’t let them control me. I wasn’t the same person I had been when I first woke up. I had changed. I have grown. And while there were still challenges ahead—challenges I couldn’t fully comprehend—I wasn’t going to face them alone.

With a deep breath, I let the tension in my shoulders ease. The moonlight bathed the garden in a soft glow, casting long shadows that danced with the gentle breeze. And for the first time in a while, I didn’t feel like I was standing in those shadows.

I felt like I was ready to step into the light.

The days at the Zanov estate had a strange sound to them. It was a peaceful place, filled with the quiet routines of home, yet under the surface, I could feel the tension building. No matter how much I tried to relax, the weight of the prophecy and the looming threat of the Hero’s Guild was never far from my mind. It felt like I was living in two worlds—one where I was Estella, the little sister who laughed with her brothers over breakfast, and another where I was something far more dangerous. A girl with magic that could one day spiral out of control.

I couldn’t keep pretending to be just the first version of myself. Not anymore.

After breakfast one morning, as Aldric and Elias were out sparring in the courtyard, I found myself gravitating toward the library. The heavy doors creaked open, and I was greeted by the familiar smell of old parchment and leather-bound books. It was Rhys’s sanctuary, a place where he spent hours combing through ancient texts and forgotten scrolls. I wasn’t exactly here for research, but something about the quiet solitude of the library called me.

I wandered between the towering shelves, letting my fingers graze the spines of the books as I walked. The library had always been a bit of a mystery to me—a world full of knowledge that I had only scratched the surface of. Rhys had once told me that every book here held a piece of history, a story of our family, of the Silver-born, of the world beyond our estate. Now, more than ever, I felt the pull to understand what lay in those pages.

But before I could lose myself in the sea of books, Rhys’s voice called out from one of the reading nooks.

“Looking for something specific, or just hiding from Aldric’s endless challenges?”

I smiled, turning to find him sitting in his usual spot, a stack of books piled high next to him. His dark hair fell over his face as he looked up from the worn pages of an old manuscript. Even in the dim light of the library, his silver eyes gleamed with curiosity.

“Maybe a bit of both,” I admitted, walking over to join him. “Aldric’s convinced I must test every magical trick I’ve learned. I think he just wants to see what will explode.”

Rhys chuckled, shaking his head. “That sounds like him. He’s always been too curious for his own good.”

I sat down across from him, folding my hands in my lap. “What are you reading?”

“Something you might actually find interesting.” Rhys slid the book across the table, his fingers tracing the faded title. The Ancient Bloodlines of the Silver-born.

I stared at the book momentarily before picking it up, the weight of the old leather-bound tome heavy in my hands. The cover was worn, and the gold lettering was barely visible anymore. I flipped through the pages, scanning the detailed accounts of Silver-born magic, its history, and its power.

“This…” I hesitated, looking up at Rhys. “Does this talk about the prophecy?”

Rhys nodded, his expression serious. “There are mentions of it, yes. But the prophecy as we know it—the one connected to the rise of the Demon King—came much later. This book is more about the original magic, how it was tied to the land and to the people who wielded it.”

I closed the book, setting it back on the table with a sigh. “I still don’t know where I fit into all of this, Rhys. Whenever I think I’m getting closer to understanding my power, it feels like I’m being pulled in two directions. There’s the part of me that’s learning, growing stronger, but then there’s the other part… the dark part.”

Rhys leaned back in his chair, his eyes never leaving mine. “The darkness you feel, it’s not a flaw, Estella. It’s part of the magic itself. Magic isn’t inherently good or bad—it’s how you choose to use it that defines you.”

I knew he was right, at least logically. But knowing something and feeling it were two different things. I wasn’t just scared of the magic—I was scared of myself, scared of what I might become if I wasn’t careful.

“Do you think it’s possible,” I asked softly, “to have this kind of power and not be consumed by it?”

Rhys was quiet for a long moment, his gaze thoughtful. “I think it’s possible if you surround yourself with the right people. Power, especially magic, can be overwhelming. But you’re not in this alone. You have us. We won’t let you fall.”

His words, simple and steady, hit me harder than I expected. I had been carrying the fear of the prophecy for so long that I’d almost forgotten what it meant to have a family standing behind me, willing to fight alongside me.

“I just… I don’t want to hurt anyone,” I whispered, my voice barely audible. “Not you, not Aldric, not Callan. I couldn’t live with myself if I lost control.”

“You won’t,” Rhys said firmly. “You’re stronger than you think. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned from all these books,” he gestured to the piles surrounding him, “it’s that the strength of the Silver-born has always come from our connections. Our bloodlines are powerful, yes, but it’s the bonds between us that make us unstoppable.”

I looked down at the table, feeling the warmth of his words settle into my chest. Maybe he was right. Maybe I wasn’t doomed to follow some dark path just because of the magic inside me. Maybe, with my family by my side, I could shape my own destiny.

Later that afternoon, as the sun dipped lower in the sky, I was in the courtyard watching Aldric and Elias spar. Their wooden practice swords clashing echoed across the stone walls, a rhythm I had grown used to over the years. Aldric was all energy, his movements quick and unpredictable, while Elias was focused, precise, and never wasting a single motion.

Callan sat beside me on one of the stone benches, his eyes fixed on the sparring match, but his thoughts seemed elsewhere.

“You’re quieter than usual,” I said, breaking the silence.

Callan’s lips twitched into a small smile, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Just thinking.”

“About?”

He hesitated, glancing over at me. “You.”

I raised an eyebrow, caught off guard. “Me?”

“You’ve changed,” he said, his voice calm but serious. “Since you came back. There’s something… different about you.”

I looked away, watching as Aldric lunged at Elias, only to be expertly deflected. “I’ve been training. Learning more about magic.”

“It’s more than that,” Callan pressed, his eyes studying me the way only he could. “You’re carrying something heavier now. I can see it.”

I didn’t respond immediately, unsure how to put everything I felt into words. But Callan had always been able to read me, even when I didn’t want him to.

“I’m scared, Callan,” I admitted quietly. “I’m scared of what I could become. This magic… it’s not just power. It’s something deeper, something darker. And I don’t know if I’m strong enough to keep it under control.”

Callan was silent for a long moment, his gaze thoughtful. “You don’t have to be strong all the time, Estella. That’s why you have us. To help you when things get too heavy.”

I looked up at him, surprised by the softness in his voice. Callan had always been the responsible one, the leader of our little group, the one who kept everything in line. He wasn’t usually the type to offer emotional reassurances, but he told me it was okay to lean on them.

“I just don’t want to be a burden,” I said, my voice small.

“You’re not a burden,” Callan said firmly. “You’re our sister. We’ve been through too much together for you to think that.”

Aldric’s loud laughter rang out across the courtyard as he finally managed to land a hit on Elias. The clatter of the swords brought me back to the moment. I smiled despite everything, feeling the tension in my chest ease a little.

“Thanks,” I said softly. “It means a lot, knowing you’re here.”

Callan nodded, his eyes softening. “We’re always here, Estella. No matter what.”

That evening, after dinner, I found myself alone in the garden, the soft glow of the moon casting long shadows on the path. The air was cool, the scent of night-blooming flowers drifting through the breeze. I wrapped my arms around myself, staring up at the stars, feeling both small and connected to something much larger.

The conversations with Rhys and Callan replayed in my mind, their words reminding me that I wasn’t alone in this fight. It was easy to forget that when the fear crept in when the weight of the prophecy felt like too much to bear. But they were right—I had my family, my brothers. I wasn’t facing this darkness alone.

I reached out with my magic, letting the familiar hum of energy rise within me. It was calmer now, more manageable, like a current I could dip into whenever needed. The dark presence I had felt before, which had whispered of chaos and destruction, was still there, lurking in the corners of my mind. But it felt more distant now, like something I could confront on my own terms.

I wasn’t powerless. And that was something.