Crimson Bonds

Chapter 45: Shadows of the Leviathans

Dark clouds churned overhead, casting long shadows over the city. Babe could feel the pulse of the Leviathans' dark energy in the atmosphere, creeping closer with every passing second. The supernatural factions were scattered across the field, a fragile alliance bound by desperation. Witches, vampires, werewolves, and sirens stood together, uneasy but united against the greater threat.

Billy's eyes were sharp as he scanned their surroundings, his hand resting on the hilt of his blade. The human hunters were somewhere out there, lurking in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. And then there was the looming presence of the Leviathans, their power bleeding into the world as the seal weakened further.

"They're here," Babe whispered, feeling the dark tendrils of energy brushing against his skin. His blood magic stirred restlessly inside him, responding to the ancient force that was slowly seeping through the cracks in the veil. The Leviathans were close, far too close.

Billy glanced at Babe, his jaw tight. "We need to be ready. The hunters won't wait much longer, and with the Leviathans pushing through, it's about to get messy."

Babe nodded, though his mind was racing. He had spent the last few weeks learning to control his blood magic, but now, as the Leviathans' influence grew stronger, he could feel it slipping from his grasp. They wanted in. They wanted him.

He couldn't let that happen.

Across the field, the Council stood in tense discussion, with Draven at the forefront, barking orders. Elara's face was drawn with concern as she argued with him, her gestures frantic. Even from this distance, Babe could sense the fear rippling through the Council. They had never faced a threat like this before.

"They're stalling," Billy muttered. "They're afraid to make a move without knowing what's coming next."

Babe swallowed hard. "I don't blame them. The Leviathans... they're more powerful than any of us imagined."

Before Billy could respond, the ground beneath them trembled-a low, ominous rumble that sent chills down Babe's spine. The air grew colder, and a shadow passed over the sky as if the sun itself was retreating from the approaching darkness.

And then they appeared.

The Leviathans.

At first, it was just a flicker, a faint distortion in the air, but then the shadows began to take shape-tall, imposing figures with dark, swirling energy radiating from their forms. Their presence was suffocating, a weight pressing down on everything around them. They were ancient, powerful, and hungry.

Babe's breath caught in his throat. These weren't just powerful beings-they were something else entirely. Something beyond anything he had ever encountered.

The Leviathans had returned.

Billy moved closer, his hand brushing against Babe's arm in a silent show of support. "We can handle this," he said, his voice steady, though Babe could hear the tension underneath. "We've made it this far. We're not backing down now."

Babe nodded, though his heart was pounding in his chest. His blood magic surged within him, responding to the Leviathans' presence like a magnet drawn to iron. He could feel the pull, the temptation to let go, to unleash everything he had. But he knew that if he did, there would be no going back.

The Leviathans' influence was creeping into the minds of the supernatural beings around them. Babe could see the flickers of fear in their eyes, the hesitation in their movements. The dark energy from the Leviathans was already starting to manipulate them, twisting their thoughts, making it harder to distinguish friend from foe.

A scream echoed across the field as one of the rogue witches lashed out, her magic spiraling out of control. Chaos erupted as others followed suit, their powers warping under the Leviathans' influence. The fragile alliance was unraveling before their eyes.

"We have to stop this," Babe said, his voice urgent. "If they lose control, the Leviathans will feed on the chaos. We can't let them break the seal."

Billy nodded, his expression grim. "Then let's end this."

They moved together, a seamless unit as they charged toward the heart of the battlefield. The human hunters emerged from the shadows, launching their attack with deadly precision. Arrows whistled through the air, enchanted with the power of the artifact that could strip away supernatural abilities.

Babe barely had time to react before one of the arrows grazed his arm, the magic sizzling against his skin. Pain shot through him, but he pushed it aside, focusing on the task at hand. His blood magic flared to life, a crimson shield forming around them as they fought their way through the chaos.

Billy was a blur of motion beside him, his blade cutting through the hunters with lethal efficiency. But even as they fought, Babe could feel the Leviathans' presence growing stronger, their shadows stretching across the battlefield like a looming storm.

And then, with a deafening crack, the seal weakened further.

The sky darkened, and the air rippled with raw, unbridled power. Babe staggered as a surge of energy shot through him, his blood magic reacting violently to the shift. He could feel the Leviathans pushing against the edges of the seal, their hunger palpable.

"They're trying to break through," Babe gasped, his voice strained. "We have to hold them back."

Billy gritted his teeth as he blocked another arrow. "How? The hunters won't stop until we're dead, and the Leviathans are-"

A roar split the air, cutting him off as one of the Leviathans' forms became more defined. It towered over the battlefield, its shadowy figure flickering like a flame in the wind. The sheer force of its presence sent waves of fear through the supernatural beings below.

For a moment, everything seemed to stop.

The Leviathan turned its gaze toward Babe, its eyes glowing with an unnatural light. Babe's breath caught in his throat as he felt the weight of its attention, a cold, suffocating pressure that threatened to crush him.

"Babe!" Billy's voice broke through the haze, grounding him. "We need to focus."

Babe nodded, though his hands trembled as he gathered his magic. He couldn't let the Leviathans win. Not now.

With a deep breath, Babe closed his eyes and reached deep within himself, pulling on every ounce of his power. His blood magic surged, wrapping around him and Billy like a protective barrier. He could feel the Leviathans' influence pressing against it, trying to break through, but he held firm.

"Stay with me," Babe whispered, his voice shaking. "We can do this."

Billy squeezed his hand, his grip strong and steady. "I'm right here."

Together, they faced the Leviathans and the hunters, their magic and strength united in a way they had never experienced before. It was as if the prophecy had brought them to this moment, where their powers were meant to align, to stand against the ancient darkness that sought to consume the world.

But as the battle raged on, and the Leviathans' influence grew stronger, one thing became clear.

This was only the beginning.