Crimson Bonds

Chapter 19: Rise of the Blood Moon

The Blood Moon hung low in the sky, its red glow casting an eerie light over the forest. The air crackled with energy, the very ground beneath them humming with the magic that surged through the ritual site. Babe stood frozen, his heart pounding as he watched the fire roar back to life, its flames climbing higher into the sky as if reaching for the Blood Moon itself.

Thanom, though shaken by the disruption, stood tall again, her eyes fixed on Babe with a mixture of fury and triumph. Her magic swirled around her, tendrils of dark energy weaving through the air, pulling strength from the Blood Moon's power.

"You thought you could stop me?" Thanom hissed, her voice carrying across the clearing like a venomous whisper. "Foolish boy. The Blood Moon's power is beyond anything you can imagine. You are nothing compared to what's coming."

Babe's hands trembled as his blood magic pulsed within him, eager to be unleashed again. But something held him back. Thanom's words echoed in his mind-you don't even know what you are. He had always known his blood magic was dangerous, but now, standing beneath the Blood Moon's light, he felt it more keenly than ever before. The power inside him was wild, volatile, and if he wasn't careful, it could spiral out of control.

"We need to move," Billy's voice cut through the chaos, pulling Babe back to the present. He was by Babe's side in an instant, his eyes fixed on Thanom as she prepared to strike again. "This isn't over."

Babe nodded, swallowing the lump of fear in his throat. "Right."

In the distance, Krit and Elysia were still fighting off the rogue witches, their magic flashing in bursts of light as they tried to keep the witches from regaining control of the ritual site. But the Blood Moon's rising power was making everything harder-the rogue witches were growing stronger, their magic feeding off the moon's energy.

"We need to take out Thanom," Billy said, his voice low but urgent. "She's the key to all of this. If we can stop her, we stop the ritual."

Babe nodded again, but doubt gnawed at him. His magic was powerful, yes, but so was hers. And now, with the Blood Moon in the sky, her power was amplified even further. Could he really stop her?

Billy must have sensed his hesitation because he turned to face him, his expression softening slightly. "Hey," he said, his voice quieter now, more intimate. "You've got this. I'm with you."

Babe met his gaze, the tension in his chest easing slightly at the warmth in Billy's eyes. He gave a small nod, his heart pounding with a mix of fear and determination.

"Let's finish this," Babe said, his voice steadying.

Billy flashed him a brief, reassuring smile before turning his attention back to Thanom. "I'll create an opening. You take the shot."

With that, Billy moved, his vampire speed a blur as he darted toward Thanom. She barely had time to react before Billy was on her, his strength crashing against her magic like a battering ram. Thanom snarled, her magic lashing out in a violent wave, but Billy was quick, dodging her attacks with ease.

Babe watched, his magic thrumming in time with the Blood Moon's pulse, waiting for the right moment. The air was thick with power, the fire blazing wildly, and Babe could feel the magic pulling at him, urging him to release it.

Thanom raised her hand, her magic surging toward Billy in a deadly arc, but in that moment, Billy ducked out of the way, leaving her exposed.

"Now!" Billy shouted.

Without hesitation, Babe unleashed his magic. A torrent of crimson energy burst from his hands, crashing into Thanom with the force of a tidal wave. The power rippled through the air, colliding with Thanom's defenses in a blinding explosion of light.