Heat was something that he could deal with, the lightning that he controlled burned those who got near him, but cold—he had never liked the feeling. It sapped him off his strength, and his movements had grown sluggish with each blow that Lucas had reigned down on him, pushing him further back. He had always known that Lucas had a streak of cruelty in it, but it had never been directed at him like it was now. Lucas was probably attempting to teach him a lesson.
The only good thing about being this cold was that he couldn't feel the pain, and he was certain that he was bleeding. Lucas was never kind when he was attempting to make a point. He parries the next blow as best as he can, but the weight of the blow and the numbness in his hands causes the blade to go flying into the dirt.
"And yet again, I've beaten you. In front of your darling new wife as well, that must be embarrassing," Lucas taunts as he walks around inspecting his brother. He was shivering and probably couldn't feel the blood that dripped down the wounds on his chest. "Yield."
Charlie sniffed and took a step back, Lucas was only toying with him, and he could hear the roar of the crowds demanding that his brother finish the fight. He spits out some blood filled with mouth, the result of a lucky punch that Lucas had landed after he had slipped on the ice that coated the grounds. "Go fuck yourself."
The smile slips from Lucas's face, "Yield. I don't want to make your wife a widow, and I imagine father will be displeased and mother would be heartbroken."
Charlie spat out once more, he would only get one shot to put his brother down and he lets out a breath, watching the cloud for a moment before he calls his power, Lucas had always been better at it, but his abilities were far more destructive. Lightning sparked against the ground causing a flash of violet light as he adjusts his body slowly, the lightning wasn't heating him up like he had hoped. It would simply have to do.
Lucas's frown deepens and he stares at his brother for a moment before deciding to simply strike to end the silly fight that they were in. He brings his sword down quickly, hoping to simply knock his brother out when the sword is suddenly wrenched from his hands causing him to look up just in time for Charlie to punch him hard in the jaw, with enough force to send him tumbling backwards. The pain he felt was instantaneous, and he's certain that his face is burnt, as he struggles to stand. He flicks his eyes towards his brother who seemed to be struggling to stand, and it's the first time he notices that Charlie's hands are wrapped in metal that seems to spark with every movement he makes. "So, you're finally done fucking around then?"
Charlie didn't say anything, still trying to will his body to keep standing. His vision swam, as he wobbled, he had assumed incorrectly that he could beat Lucas in a sword fight, and this was the result. He had grown to complacent, or Lucas had been holding back all these years, he wasn't quite sure which it was. It was becoming apparent that his brother didn't respect him enough to try his hardest, and for that he needed to win.
Lucas glances up at the sky for a moment as the clouds rumbled and lightning began to flash from up above and looked at his brother once more, he looked serious for the first time they'd been taking part in the games and he flicks his eyes towards his father for a moment who was standing at his feet, like many other people in the audience. Charlie could bring this entire place down, kill every last person in the arena—which meant that he needed to end this now. "Very well—" Pain exploded across his face, he hadn't seen his brother move, and for a moment he wonders if Charlie had struck him with lightning. But before he can truly figure out what's happening Charlie's managed to climb on top of him and punches him again in the face, dazing him.
"Fuck you Lucas," Charlie manages as he begins to rain down blows, it was difficult to make sure that he didn't cut Lucas's face but he hoped that the pounding would be enough. He's about to strike once more when he's suddenly shoved off his brother with enough force to send him crashing to the ground. He looks up at his father, noting the large rock that had knocked him off his brother. He had always known that Lucas was his favorite, but this was a bit much even for him. He takes an angry step forward, only to see his breath once more. He turns to see pillars of ice starting to form around Lucas and he prepares himself for what he's certain is the coming onslaught of ice, he'd get one shot to knock Lucas back and hopefully disrupt his concentration. He barely manages to dodge the sharp icicle that whizzes by burying itself in the wall behind him as Lucas slowly gets up. He frowns and concentrates for a moment allowing the power to build up in his fingers. One shot, and he needed to make sure to be careful not to stop Lucas's heart.
Lucas glares angrily at his brother, he could freeze his brother solid if he wanted to, turn him into a giant icicle, but he wanted to make Charlie hurt. He wanted his brother to yield, he was only trying so damn hard to impress his wife. The damned interloper that his parents had just accepted, without doing their due diligence. Normally he wouldn't care but Charles had never ever tried before. He was to lazy, and simply didn't give a shit. But apparently something had changed. He had changed, and Lucas was certain he didn't like it. Charlie had never been a threat before, but doing this in front of so many people was basically a declaration that Charlie wanted his spot as emperor. He moves to strike his brother with everything he has, to freeze him in place and simply put as many icicles through his durable body as he could until Charlie yielded, when a large rock wall appears in front of him blocking his access to his brother. "No!" Lucas shouts turning to his father who was holding up his hand.
"It's not over," Charlie snaps at his father even as the adrenaline that had been keeping him up starts to ebb away. "It's not over," he repeats.
Russell ignored them, he wasn't unaware that they were both about to go for the kill, and he wasn't ready to bury one of his sons over some silly competition. The power build-up that he had felt from his youngest would have taken out half of the arena and would have certainly killed Lucas, if Lucas hadn't managed to kill Charlie first. He doubted his youngest had noticed the frost bite that had begun to form on his fingers. Lucas was going to freeze Charlie solid, he had no choice but to end the fight. "Before you two bring this place to the ground I have decided that this competition will end in a tie."
"I had him!" Lucas protests immediately, biting his lip when his father turned to look at him. To question the emperor in front of so many nobles, and so many of the pageants, was unheard of. He swallowed back his anger.
"To answer your lingering questions, the victor's wreath for the games after surprising us with wins in every competition, and of course the race, the winner will be Charles," Russell said staring at his oldest, daring him to complain publicly. He wasn't above humiliating his sons when the moment arose.
Lucas glared at his father for a moment before bowing his head. The action caused the wall that separated them to recede and he looked over at his brother who was a bloody mess, but had somehow managed to rise to his feet again. He looked completely out of it and after a moment of annoyance he moves to support his younger brother. "It seems you're going to give your wife the victor's wreath after all. Congratulations dear brother."
"I won?" Charlie crinkled his nose.
"If this counts as a win for you. Perhaps you should see your medic," Lucas says helping his brother towards where the royal family sat. "Do you wish to become Emperor?"
"No, but Santana wanted the wreath, and I wanted to give it to her. She's been really nice lately, I thought she'd be nicer if I got it for her."
Lucas paused for a moment before an amused smile crossed his face. So, it was simply about the sex, he could certainly understand that. "Very well, but next time you know that I'll have to beat you."
Charlie grunts as he pushes himself off Lucas's arm and takes a few steps towards his wife flashing her a smile as the victor's wreath is presented.
Santana moved towards him to help him as he gently places the wreath on her head. Though she places a hand on his chest when he leans forward for a kiss. "It's just a wreath," she mutters to him. She had never seen him look so beaten up before. Even when she had stabbed him, he had simply walked it off. "Are you okay?"
"Are you going to take care of me?" Charlie asks.
"Well, I'm just thinking since you're so weak now it will be the perfect time to end you," Santana responds giving him her most serious face. She watches as he frowns at this and leans forward to gently kiss his lips. "I'm teasing."
"I know—I think?" Charlie questions before tugging her towards him. "I think I need to sit down," He mutters. "Lucas poked me full of holes," Charlie says a chair brought forth after Santana makes a gesture and he takes a seat. "Also, I think Blaine needs to come back from his vacation and patch me up," he adds before slumping backwards and promptly passing out.