So, wrote this up on a whim...
“Hard at work again, I see.” A familiar voice from the pale-haired elf’s concentration. He carefully set down the glass vial and turned his head.
“Please, Caimbuel, I’m working on an extremely delicate experiment and I can’t afford any distractions.”
Caimbuel chuckled, his green eyes glittering with mischief. “Ah, but what else are big brothers for? Besides, all of your experiments are delicate.” He swooped in and swiped the vial from the workbench and eyed it closely. “What are you working on, anyway?”
“Please give that back! It’s extremely unstable!” He reached for the vial, but his older brother held it up out of reach.
“I will as soon as you tell me what it is.” Caimbuel laughed and pushed his sibling’s head to the side playfully.
“It’s an alchemical preparation that will allow the user to control time temporarily.” The young elf grumbled. “There, happy? Now give it back!”
“Pfft, you are being willfully stupid, Amryn. Everyone knows you can’t control time! Not even the Therans can pull that off!” He turned towards the corner and lifted his arm to throw the vial. “Stop wasting your time on foolish endeavors.”
“Wait, don’t!” Amryn reached for the vial, but it was too late. Caimbuel chucked the vial against the wall, shattering it.
A loud ripping sound was heard, and Amryn shoved his brother out of the way just before a massive explosion tore the building apart. Caimbuel was thrown back several feet, and landed on his back hard enough to knock the wind out of him. He was temporarily deafened by the sound and blinked to clear his vision.
“Amryn, are you alright?” He coughed. His eyes grew wide as the smoke cleared. The building had been reduced to rubble, and his little brother was nowhere in sight. He jumped to his feet and dug desperately through the shattered stones. “Amryn!”
Tears streamed down his face as two firm hands grabbed his arms and pulled him back. “He’s gone, Caimbuel!”
He fought against his father’s grip and screamed. “Amryn!”
His father hugged him tightly as he wept. “He’s gone.”
“This is my fault.” He choked on his words. “It’s all my fault…”
