Harem Tournament of Champions

Kritz's eyes widened at the domineering Sux seething off Hisha, forcing his head back down.

[10 Sux exhausted]

"I can't, my lord. I'm not worthy." Kritz begged to be spared the wrath of refusing to comply.

[Host, cool your temper. He must have an explanation]

If Hisha blindly acted, there was no telling what could result in him exhausting his Sux in such a quick motion without expending it in at least a battle.

"I found her unconscious alongside Solara..." Kritz blurted out, flinching when he witnessed Hisha's feet approach him.

Trembling and bowing in an apology for holding back that information from him.

"Where are they?" Hisha's chilly voice broke the silence.

Having the information he had asked for, he needed to know their current situation and why it had happened.

"They are in the healing bay, they have lost a lot of Sux for some unknown reason," Kritz added.

"As for why I had been the one that got the call is still a mystery..." Kritz mumbled to himself, slightly confused about the choice himself.

Hisha's eyes widened in realization. His frown only increased at what that had meant.

She could only contact Kritz as he was the only one aside from himself that she had interacted amicably with.

'It's because I had cut off all communications.' Hisha thought, guilt-stricken.

'You had told me they wouldn't interfere while I dealt with the problem, but definitely not this!' He yelled at HTC, disappointed and enraged for being a part of what they were going through.

[I apologize, host. I had thought they could withstand that drastic drop in their Sux]

'You thought?!' Hisha's brows twitched in unspoken fury, clenching his fists beside him.

Kritz had wanted to sneak a glance at Hisha's expression but looked back down upon seeing how livid his lord was as he stared back down at him.

'What the hell?!' Kritz brought back his attention to the floor, scared about his fall from the grace of his lord.

Thinking he had it coming, he grimaced and waited for the verdict.

Hisha exhaled and inhaled to calm his inner turmoil, shoving his hand in his pockets.

"Thanks for responding to her call." Hisha commended with a smile, offering his hand to lift Kritz from his current position.

Timidly taking it, Kritz was reminded of how caring his lord was underneath all the temperament, he was a kind and just overlord.

Clearing his throat to break the tension. He opened up a portal.

*****

Island of Asrinth–Minotaur territory,

Designed on the lowest point of a deep, narrow valley with steep sides surrounded by maze channels of streams.

The home to Minotaurs led by Aster Helo.

This city wasn't built by a canyon by accident, as it has magical properties, which are of great importance to the people of Asrinth and its success.

The city itself looks mundane. With its black wooden rooftops, faded granite walls, and vines overgrowing everything.

The main attraction is the windmill, which was built centuries ago and designed by goblins.

Asrinth has a healthy economy, which is mainly supported by herbalism, carpeting, and crafting. But their biggest strengths are refined carpeting, rare crop, and fish farming.

Despite its strengths, Asrinth thrived mainly from the allocated funds given by the overlord to cater to every need of the city due to the lack of intercity trading caused by the numerous maxes laid out for its protection.

A large stone fort stood in the middle of the island with large true formed minotaur guards protecting its steel gates.

Their long black horns were like a warning to the intruders and citizens who could have a look at them from all parts of the city.

Crrrk!

"Open the gates!" A loud cry was made by the advisors.

Stepping out of the gates, Aster made a grunt at the darkened sky.

Pointing with his spear towards the sky, "something isn't right with the balance."

Leaning to his side, Lancaster–his brother and trusted confidant looked up at the sky in confusion.

"It's just dark clouds, brother. How cold dark clouds signify something wrong with the balance?" He teased, nudging the metal corset on Aster.

'Ow!' Lancaster grimaced in slight pain, shaking his hand.

Unlike Aster who had a bulk build, Lancaster was of a slender, yet muscular build with a large claw scar across his chest.

He had black hair devoid of the mane of wild.

A blue piece of cloth from his waist to his feet, split into two sections on his sides with a silver band around his waist.

Around each ankle is a silver ring with a linked chain–much like his brother.

Wiggling his brows, his blue eyes stared at Aster, hoping for some answers.

Shaking his head, Aster refused to answer as he walked towards a boat.

Looking behind him, "are you coming along or not?"

'I don't have a choice.' Lancaster thought with a sigh, holding up his spear over his shoulder.

Sprinting towards the boat, he thrust his spear into the floor, propelling himself with a front flip.

Dum!

The boat rocked from the disturbance. Water splashing into it.

Aster widened his legs, using his hands as a means of balance from being thrown off the boat. His body was wet from occasional splashes.

Lancaster winced at his actions, internally regretting what he had done.

"Lancaster, do you have a death wish?" He snapped, wiping down his face.

"I got excited, why walk in, when you can jump in with style?" He shrugged, laughing in mischief.

The growl from Aster alerted him of a possible outcome of his words.

Weaving to the right before Aster could make a slash at his head, he took a few steps back as a caution.

Pretending to be hurt by the action, Lancaster pressed on his bare chest, making gasping noises and overly dramatic shocked face

"You would do that to your family?" He accused, unable to hide his grin for much longer.

Rolling his eyes at the display of ruse hurt, Aster responded with what could be considered a threat.

Whoosh!

The boat leaned slightly under the bulk and speed of Aster.

With his hand on Lancaster's chest, a wicked grin made its way to his face.

Lancaster, being too stunned to speak, stood frozen in the same spot as he felt his brother trace his scar as though recollecting a memory.

"Would you like to ask father?" Aster leaned over to whisper.

This was enough incentive to jolt Lancaster back to reality, taking a few steps back, he reconsidered his words, replying with a grin. "My mistake, dear brother."

Stretching and tossing his spear on the wooden flooring of the boat, Aster walked and channeled a bit of his Sux over the helm.

"I would like to fish, as much as a duel is tempting, it's best you don't push me to kill." He pointed a finger at his brother.

Laughing at the gesture, Lancaster nodded his head to the main sail. "How about coating those too?"

*****

Plop!

"Haha!" Lancaster cackled at the failed attempt of his brother to catch a fish.

Frowning at his loss of the catch, he tried his best to maintain his composure with the mocking words of Lancaster.

"Don't push it, Lancaster."

Handing over the spear, Aster challenged him to get the red fish which teased them with its presence as it swam in circles around the boat.

Before Lancaster could take the spear, he pulled back his hand, allowing his brother to let it go, causing it to fall.

Clank!

They both watched it roll for a second and stop.

Cross-popping veins made their way to the side of his head, teeth gritting and fists clenching.

"You could have just said you didn't want to use my spear!"

Bringing up his spear in front of him, Lancaster tilted his head and let go of the weapon.

Clank!

Due to the height, it bounced a couple of times before rolling towards Aster's spear.

"What the fuck are you doing?" He snarled, narrowing his eyes.

Protracting his yellow claws, Lancaster smirked. "Watch and learn."

Lancaster's eyes made a rapid movement as they calculated the next possible swim movement of the fish. Locking onto its next location into the water,

Jumping in with great precision, he lurched at the fish.

A screech could be heard from the fish as its black blood stained the water.

Climbing back into the boat, Lancaster raised the 35-inch fish, throwing it at Aster's face.

Sliding down his stoic face, a frown was slowly brimming on his twitching brows.

"Whoops! My bad." Lancaster chuckled, wiping the water off his face, laying on his back on the deck.

Whoosh!

Gasping for air, Lancaster stared at his brother with wide eyes.

*****

A/N

¶ Who else enjoys the interaction between the brothers?

¶ Ever had this Interaction with your sibling or a friend?

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