Chapter 118 - Between brothers

Erick POV.

Something inside me wants to get out, my Beast is restless, as those images pass, this sensation, these feeling increases, and it is like a poison because I need to release it.

What that boy had chosen was much more than just choosing the wrong side and I want to exterminate him. Yes, I don't just want to kill him. I want to eliminate any trace that he ever existed on Earth.

I'm shaking, and I can feel my aura expanding and the space between everyone became heavier and yet when that creature screamed I wasn't able to protect Hope as I saw her fall to her knees and the smell of her blood spread to a catalyst for everyone to want to move and counter-attack but we are still "trapped" in this little bubble of time, not because of Hope but because of my aura.

Not just mine, Lestat's aura is gigantic and blends with mine in such a way that even gravity begins to bend, just as it bends before the sun. I manage to walk over to Hope and help her up.

"You tried," I spoke calmly, a calm I can't show clearly as I watch those little lightning bolts form around everyone.

They say my Father is the most powerful, for he is the holder of the Thunderbolts, the same Thunderbolts that defeated the Titans, but the Thunderbolts are not just in a literal way, for electricity is not just a bluish glow, it is a current that can be indestructible under the right conditions and right now Lestat is providing me with that.

At my feet, circular electric currents began to spread to the edge of my allies, but without hurting them, which was the opposite for those beyond, as they only had to enter my domain and lightning appeared from below.

I meet Hope's amethyst eyes and see them sad, but her expression is peaceful, she knows she tried, that she did her part, but that there was no turning back now.

"I loved him, with everything I had." Her voice is a whisper, and I know it, everyone who was there knew it.

I raise my left hand and wipe the blood that drips from the corner of her lips.

"We know that and that's why we're going to help you... They love you as much as you loved them."

I speak again with a calm that my aura does not emanate and smile. I know I could be one of Hope's Chosen, but I want to walk my path beside her as a friend and ally, not as a lover and a Chosen.

"You, my child, are the only one who has managed to unite several races and that is why I will follow you and defend you."

I spoke again and can feel that corruption forcing itself against mine and Lestat's aura, but how could they reach us? And for the first time, I see Hope tilt her face and neck to the right, exposing her neck to me. It was a clear sign that she recognized me as her Alpha, her King.

"NO!"

A second voice echoed and this time I can feel several chains breaking I turn around just in time to shield myself and protect Hope from the attack, but it was none of the corrupted but rather my own brother who had invaded that bubble of power, and something that can be described as very much like Chaos began to reign.

In front of me is a 3-meter-tall creature, bipedal, a mix between a wolf and a human, its body was much more muscular than just a human and, in several parts, covered by hair, its face is more elongated, instead of hands it had something that was a mix between claws and hands that held a gigantic sword.

The blade was thick and shone silver, indicating that it was made of moonstone and not only that, but it was also a magical item, which many said was very similar to Excalibur itself.

In addition, I can see small metal parts merging with my brother's hair and muscles, which indicated that in addition to the natural armor, he was wearing a second magic.

"Filip, you are making a big mistake."

I spoke, but my voice found only emptiness, as my brother moved to try to attack me, but a kind of electric whip came out of my left arm, and I managed to knock that blade back.

I twist my lips, feeling my muscles ache from the impact, but I still wouldn't transform, my Beast was still contained.

'And do I need to leave for you to defeat our brother?'

I heard my Beast's voice in my mind and agreed with him.

'Pay attention to your fight. I will pay attention to our protégé.'

That meant that from now on I would be alone against my brother, and I need not worry about whether I need to defend Hope, for if I had to, my Beast would take over.

"Brother! Give it up! This fight is pointless!"

I spoke once more, but my brother was unmoved, not wanting to see what is in front of him. So, when he raised his sword to try to attack me, I took advantage of the movement and used the whip to wrap around his left ankle and pulled forward, causing Filip to lose his balance, his weapon passed very close to my face, but without hitting me.

Without losing the moment, I thrust my body forward and held the blade with my right hand, forcing it into the ground and with my left hand I pulled the whip up, cutting my brother's body from the bottom up.

The smell of metal and burning flesh rose, and at the same time I saw my brother's face contort in pain, the problem with facing me with items that have metallic properties is that my blows become even stronger since metal is a natural conductor of electricity. And as much as that armor was magical, my power is superior, as it was a Divine gift. Zeus blessed me with this ability, so when I want, I can channel this divine essence into my blows, something that not even the King knows.

My brother's expression of surprise mixed with pain makes me pity him, for I know he is only being manipulated by the King to act this way, he who has always sought his love. Only he is too young to remember how the King was when we were children, how much the King loved him more than he loved me...

The King changed over the years and became a tyrant, he came to see us only as means to more power, especially after he met his second Mate, the current Queen and mother of my sister.

"Please, brother... I beg you, put down the sword, look around you! The crown is not the most important thing now! The King is not important! Our subjects are suffering! Why fight against me when you could be elsewhere protecting those who serve us?"

As I said this, I wrapped the chain around his neck and pulled him close, his muzzle touching my nose and I looked into his eyes.

"You want to be the next King? Then start acting like one! Protect those who cannot protect themselves! Use your power for that! Do you really think Poseidon wants you to fight me while the real enemies are surrounding us?"

I can finally see the light shining in my brother's eyes.