Chapter 2 : Brotherly Brutality
Raven lay sprawled on the cold, dusty floor, his back aching from the brutal fall. His breathing came in harsh, shallow gasps, but he refused to show pain—not in front of Grim.
The stinging humiliation of being knocked down so easily burned even hotter than the pain radiating through his body.
Grim stood over him, his towering frame radiating cold menace. His white hair, the same as Raven's and Lyra's, seemed almost ethereal under the dim light.
His sharp, handsome features were twisted into a mocking sneer, his dark eyes filled with cruel amusement. Thick veins pulsed along his muscular arms, the tension in his body making him appear like a beast ready to strike.
"Is that all you've got, little brother?" Grim's voice was a low, taunting drawl. "Do you really want to be beaten to a pulp, or are you smart enough to stay down this time?"
Raven's fists clenched against the wooden floorboards. His body screamed in pain, but his fury roared louder. Despite the throbbing ache in his back, he forced himself to sit up, his gaze locked on Grim's.
"Why do you always disturb her?" Raven's voice cut through the tension like a knife, his words sharp and unyielding despite the tremor of rage boiling beneath the surface.
Grim's eyes flicked briefly to Lyra, who still sat on the floor where she had crumpled. Tears stained her beautiful face, her hands trembling as she hugged herself tightly. Her gaze was locked on Grim, terror etched into every line of her expression.
Grim's cold gaze returned to Raven, his lips curling into a vicious smile. "You really think you can protect her from me?" he taunted, his voice dripping with coldness.
Raven tried to push himself up, but the pain from his fall made him falter. Grim watched his struggle with dark amusement, his eyes glinting with sick pleasure.
But then, a gentle voice broke through the thick tension.
"Grim. Raven. What are you doing?"
Their mother's voice, soft and soothing like a warm breeze, echoed from the doorway. She stepped into the room, her white hair cascading down her shoulders like silver silk. Her black eyes held a quiet strength, but also a sadness that had never truly faded.
Before Raven could say anything, Lyra's voice trembled as she rushed to her mother's side, her eyes still wide with fear. "Mom… Big brother was beating us."
The words tumbled out of her in a desperate rush, her voice shaky and childlike.
Grim's expression darkened, his gaze shifting to Lyra. The look he gave her was nothing short of murderous, his eyes promising pain if she spoke another word.
Lyra caught the look, her face turning pale as death as she clung to their mother's arm.
But then Grim's gaze softened just a fraction as he looked at their mother. His harsh demeanor melted away just slightly, a reluctant respect surfacing in his eyes.
"Nothing happened, Mother," Grim said coolly, his voice eerily calm. "Just a little… misunderstanding. That's all."
His words were smooth, but Raven could still see the darkness lurking behind them. Grim's expression had already shifted back to that cold, uncaring mask.
Without waiting for a response, Grim turned and walked away, his footsteps heavy as he headed toward his room.
The tension hung thick in the air, but his retreat brought a fleeting sense of relief.
Raven slowly pushed himself off the ground, refusing to let his pain show. His muscles protested, his ribs throbbing from the earlier fall, but he forced himself to stand.
"Raven," his mother's voice called softly, worry clear in her eyes.
"I'm fine," Raven forced a smile, though it felt more like a grimace. His eyes flickered toward Lyra, who was still clutching their mother's arm with a grip that spoke of pure desperation.
He turned to her, his voice gentle. "Lyra, help me to my room, would you?"
Lyra nodded quickly, her relief at having something to do evident in the way she rushed to his side.
She wrapped one of his arms around her shoulders, supporting his weight as best she could.
Together, they made their way to Raven's small room. His steps were unsteady, but he tried to hide it, unwilling to let Lyra see how badly Grim had hurt him.
Once they reached his room, Lyra carefully helped him onto the bed. Raven let out a quiet groan as his back met the worn-out mattress, his eyes closing briefly as the pain flared up again.
"I'm sorry," Lyra said suddenly, her voice choked. "It's because of me you got hurt. If I just kept quiet, he wouldn't have—"
"Stop." Raven's voice was firm, his eyes locking onto hers. "You did nothing wrong, Lyra. Grim's just... like that. Always angry at something. It wasn't your fault."
"But..." Lyra's eyes shimmered with guilt, her hands wringing together nervously.
"Seriously, I'm fine," Raven tried to reassure her with a grin, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Just a couple of scratches. Nothing I can't handle."
Lyra didn't look convinced, but she didn't argue. Instead, she reached for the small jar of medicine they kept for injuries, her hands shaking slightly as she opened it.
"Why don't you apply the medicine for me?" Raven suggested, his tone light. "Might as well make yourself useful, right?"
Lyra rolled her eyes, but her worry eased just a little. She dipped her fingers into the cool salve and began applying it to his bruises, her touch gentle.
Raven couldn't help but notice the way her hands trembled, her emotions still raw from the encounter with Grim.
"So... what did you even say to Grim that got him so riled up?" Raven asked, trying to keep the conversation going.
Lyra's gaze dropped, her shoulders hunching slightly. "I... I said something bad. Something I shouldn't have."
"Lyra, you didn't do anything wrong," Raven said firmly. "Grim's always angry at something or someone. Whatever you said, it probably wasn't even bad. He just chooses to be pissed off because that's all he knows how to be."
Lyra glanced up at him, her expression torn between guilt and relief. "You think so?"
"I know so." Raven offered her a reassuring smile. "Now, stop blaming yourself, okay?"
Lyra nodded slowly, her eyes glistening but her expression calmer. She continued applying the medicine, her touch more certain now.