Crimson Bonds

Chapter 43: A Gathering Storm

The tension was palpable, a heavy weight pressing down on the supernatural world as the Leviathans' influence spread like a shadow over everything. The once-covert whispers of dark energy had become loud and unmistakable-infecting minds, twisting alliances, and driving a wedge between the factions that were supposed to protect them all.

Babe could feel it too, in every breath he took, in every pulse of his blood magic. He wasn't just connected to it-he was part of it. His bloodline had ties to the very forces that were now threatening to break free, and that knowledge weighed on him more than ever.

Billy stood beside him, tense and silent as they made their way to the Council's emergency meeting. It was clear that no one trusted anyone anymore. Not fully. And that mistrust was going to tear them apart if they didn't find a way to stop it.

Inside the Council chamber, the atmosphere was just as volatile as the energy outside. Draven sat at the head of the long table, his expression grim. Elara was on the opposite side, her face lined with worry as she exchanged a glance with Kael, the werewolf Alpha. Anya, the Siren Queen, stood by the window, her usual calm facade giving way to a hint of unease.

Tensions were already high, and the weight of the Leviathans' growing power hung over the room like a storm cloud. No one wanted to admit it, but it was clear that the Council was splintering.

"We can't wait any longer," Draven said, his voice cutting through the room like a knife. "The Leviathans are growing stronger by the day. If we don't take drastic action, they'll be unleashed on the world. And we all know what that means."

Kael crossed his arms, his gaze narrowing. "We've heard this before, Draven. But rushing into action without a plan isn't going to solve anything. We need to stabilize our own ranks before we can face a threat like this."

Elara, her tone calmer but no less urgent, added, "Kael's right. The Leviathans feed on chaos, and that's exactly what we're giving them. If we don't restore order, we're playing right into their hands."

Draven slammed his fist on the table. "Restoring order? We don't have time for that! We're already behind! The seal is weakening, and it's only a matter of time before the Leviathans break free. We need to act now."

Billy shifted uncomfortably at Draven's words. The mention of the seal stirred something deep inside him-a memory, a responsibility that had been passed down through his family for centuries. He had spent his entire life trying to forget it, but now, with the Leviathans' power growing stronger, he couldn't ignore it any longer.

Babe noticed the tension in Billy's stance, his jaw clenched tight, his eyes flickering with an emotion he rarely showed-fear.

"What's wrong?" Babe asked quietly, his hand brushing Billy's arm.

Billy hesitated for a moment before speaking, his voice low. "My family... we've known about the Leviathans for longer than anyone realizes. We were part of the original group that sealed them away. But there's more to it. The Patchanon bloodline... we were tied to the seal itself. And if the seal breaks, it could mean more than just the Leviathans returning."

Babe's stomach twisted at Billy's words. "What do you mean?"

Billy looked down, a heavy sigh escaping his lips. "The Leviathans are connected to our immortality. If they return, my family's power could be stripped away. We could lose everything-our strength, our immortality, all of it."

Babe's mind raced, trying to process what Billy had just said. He had always known that Billy's family was powerful, but this connection to the Leviathans was something he hadn't anticipated. And it made everything so much more complicated.

"You need to tell the Council," Babe urged, his voice steady. "They need to know what's at stake."

Billy shook his head. "They'll see it as a weakness. Draven will use it against us. If the Council knows that my family is tied to the seal, they might push to sacrifice us to strengthen it. I can't let that happen."

Before Babe could respond, the chamber doors swung open, and Elysia rushed in, her face pale and her eyes wide with the kind of fear that only comes from knowing something terrible is about to happen.

"Elara," Elysia gasped, her voice shaking. "I had a vision... the Leviathans... they're close. Closer than we thought."

The room fell into a heavy silence as Elysia moved toward the center, her hands trembling as she spoke. "I saw them. I saw the seal cracking. It's barely holding, and the dark energy is slipping through. They're already reaching out, manipulating people, corrupting them. If we don't stop them soon, the seal will break completely."

Elara stood, her face pale as she processed the gravity of Elysia's vision. "What else did you see?"

Elysia shook her head, her voice barely above a whisper. "I saw chaos. Death. Cities falling. Supernaturals turning on each other. The Leviathans... they were everywhere, like a plague. And they're not just after the Council or the rogue witches. They want everything. They want the world."

The room erupted into murmurs, the Council members exchanging glances filled with fear and uncertainty. Draven rose from his seat, his gaze dark as he addressed the room. "Then we need to strike now. No more waiting, no more debating. We either act, or we die."

"But how?" Elara asked, her voice tight. "What can we possibly do to stop something this powerful?"

All eyes turned to Babe.

He could feel the weight of their stares, the pressure building in his chest as he realized what they were asking of him. His blood magic was powerful, yes, but it was also volatile, unpredictable. And now, knowing that his family's bloodline was tied to the Leviathans in ways he was only just beginning to understand, the fear of losing control was even greater.

Billy squeezed his hand, grounding him. "We'll do it together," Billy said softly. "Whatever happens, we'll face it together."

Babe nodded, but the uncertainty still gnawed at him. How could he stop the Leviathans when they were already inside him, lurking in the depths of his magic, waiting for their chance to break free?

"We need a plan," Elara said, her voice steadying as she took charge. "If the Leviathans are that close, we can't just charge in blindly. We need to understand what we're dealing with and how to stop them without making things worse."

Draven crossed his arms, his expression hard. "We don't have time for more research, Elara. We need action. Now."

"And what action do you propose, Draven?" Elara shot back, her patience fraying. "We can't fight them like we would any other threat. These are ancient beings with power beyond anything we've ever faced."

Before Draven could respond, Elysia spoke again, her voice shaky but resolute. "There's one thing I saw... in my vision. A way to stop them. But it's dangerous."

"What is it?" Billy asked, his gaze locking onto Elysia.

Elysia took a deep breath, her eyes darting nervously between the faces in the room. "We need to find the place where the Leviathans were first sealed. The original site. If we can get there, we might be able to reinforce the seal-or at least slow them down. But..."

"But?" Babe asked, his voice tense.

Elysia's gaze dropped to the floor. "But to do that, we need to use your blood magic, Babe. And not just a little. We need you to channel it directly into the seal. It's the only way to stop them from breaking free."

The weight of her words hit Babe like a punch to the gut. His blood magic was dangerous enough on its own, but using it in such a way... it could push him over the edge, draw him even closer to the Leviathans' influence. And if he lost control...

Billy tightened his grip on Babe's hand, sensing his hesitation. "We don't have to decide right now," Billy said gently. "We'll figure this out."

But deep down, Babe knew that they didn't have much time. The Leviathans were already stirring, and the seal was weakening with every passing moment.

Soon, he would have to make a choice.

And the world would never be the same.