Crimson Bonds

Chapter 36: Dark Prophecy Unveiled

The world was spinning. Babe clutched his head, gasping as the remnants of the hunter's attack left his body weak and his magic in chaos. The apartment was in shambles, debris scattered across the floor from the explosion, and Billy lay crumpled against the wall, slowly regaining consciousness. The artifact's power had overwhelmed them both, and the air still buzzed with the remnants of its energy.

Babe's heart pounded as he rushed to Billy's side, his hands trembling. "Billy... are you okay?"

Billy groaned softly, pushing himself up, though his movements were sluggish. "I've been better, Tofu..." His usual teasing was half-hearted, his face pale from the artifact's draining effect. "But I'm not going anywhere."

Before either of them could fully recover, there was a loud knock at the door. Babe froze, his eyes wide with panic. Not again. He couldn't handle another attack so soon, not after what had just happened.

Billy, still wincing, stood and nodded toward the door. "Get behind me."

Babe didn't need to be told twice. He stepped back, his body still vibrating from the magic that had nearly consumed him. His fingers twitched, wanting to summon the blood magic, but he hesitated, unsure of how much control he had left.

Billy approached the door cautiously, his heightened senses on alert. He flung it open, expecting another hunter, but what he found was the last thing he expected.

Standing in the doorway was a woman-tall, graceful, and draped in traditional Thai attire. Her eyes, a deep shade of brown, gleamed with a wisdom that seemed to stretch across centuries. She held herself with an air of calm authority, but there was no mistaking the power that radiated from her.

"Chalida," Billy murmured in disbelief, stepping aside to let her in. "What are you doing here?"

Babe blinked, his mind struggling to process the sudden change in atmosphere. He didn't know who she was, but the energy she brought into the room was undeniable. He could feel it in his bones.

"Chalida?" Babe asked, his voice barely a whisper.

Chalida stepped forward, her gaze locking onto Babe. "My name is Chalida Tanatat," she said in a smooth, melodic voice. "I'm your cousin."

Babe's heart skipped a beat. His cousin? From Thailand? He had known that his family had branches all over, but no one had ever mentioned Chalida to him before.

"I've come because the time has arrived," Chalida continued, her expression serious. "The Leviathans are stirring, and your bloodline holds the key to what happens next."

Babe swallowed hard, still reeling from the hunter's attack, and now this new revelation. "Wait, you're saying... our family... we're connected to the Leviathans?"

Chalida nodded solemnly. "Yes. The Tanatat family has a long history with blood magic. We were the ones who helped seal the Leviathans away, but our blood is also what can unseal them. That is why you're being targeted, Babe. The hunters know this. The Council knows this."

Billy stood silently beside Babe, his expression unreadable, but there was a sharp intensity in his eyes. "The artifact," he muttered. "It's connected to the Leviathans, isn't it?"

Chalida nodded again. "That artifact is a fragment of the seal. If it is used in conjunction with blood magic, the Leviathans' prison will weaken further."

Babe's breath hitched. "So... they're trying to use my blood to free them?"

"Exactly," Chalida said. "You are the last of the Tanatat line who possesses the strength of blood magic. If they use you, the Leviathans will be released, and the world as we know it will end."

Babe's head spun with the weight of her words. He had always known his blood magic was dangerous, but this... this was something far beyond anything he had ever imagined. His family's history was intertwined with an ancient prophecy, and now, the fate of the world rested on his shoulders.

"What do we do?" Babe asked, his voice trembling. "How do we stop this?"

Chalida reached into her robes and pulled out a worn, ancient scroll. "This is a fragment of the prophecy," she said, handing it to Babe. "It's been passed down through our family for generations. I was tasked with protecting it, but now, it is time for you to know the truth."

Babe unrolled the scroll carefully, his eyes scanning the faded script. The language was old, far older than anything he had ever seen before, but as he read, the words seemed to resonate with something deep within him.

"When blood calls to blood, the Ancient Ones shall stir," Babe whispered, his hands shaking. "The seal will weaken, and their rage shall consume the world."

Billy stiffened beside him. "The Ancient Ones... the Leviathans."

Chalida nodded gravely. "Yes. They have been locked away for centuries, but their power still lingers. The Blood Moon has already weakened the seal, and now, with the hunters seeking to use your blood, we are closer than ever to their release."

Babe stared at the scroll, the weight of the prophecy crushing down on him. He had always feared his powers, but now he understood why. His blood magic wasn't just dangerous-it was the key to either protecting the world or destroying it.

"What if... I can't control it?" Babe asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Chalida stepped forward, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "You are stronger than you know, Babe. Our family has always been protectors, not destroyers. But you must embrace your power fully. Only then will you be able to stop the hunters and prevent the Leviathans from escaping."

Babe's heart raced, his mind swirling with doubt and fear. But as he looked at Billy-at the man who had stood by him through every danger, every challenge-he felt a flicker of determination.

"We'll stop them," Babe said, his voice firming. "I'll do whatever it takes."

Billy placed a hand on Babe's back, his touch grounding him. "We're in this together, Tofu. You don't have to face this alone."

Chalida nodded approvingly. "Good. But you must be prepared. The hunters will come for you again, and next time, they won't just be after you-they'll be after the key to the seal."

Babe swallowed hard, the reality of his situation settling in. The fate of the world was in his hands, and the clock was ticking. The hunters were getting closer, and the Leviathans... they were waiting.