Crimson Bonds

Chapter 59: Leviathan's Call

The eerie quiet of the forest was broken only by the rustle of leaves underfoot as Babe and Billy made their way deeper into the woods. The energy in the air had grown thicker, more oppressive, the further they went. It was as if the forest itself had absorbed the dark magic of the Leviathans, and now, it was breathing it back into the world.

"We're getting closer," Billy said, his voice low but urgent. His senses were heightened, every fiber of his being on high alert. "The energy's stronger here."

Babe nodded, his heart pounding in his chest. He could feel it too-the faint hum of something ancient and powerful, something they had fought so hard to destroy but hadn't fully vanquished. And now, it was calling to them again.

They reached a clearing, where the trees parted to reveal an ancient altar, cracked and weathered by time. At the center of the altar lay an artifact-a dark, jagged stone that pulsed with a faint, eerie light. It was unmistakable. The Leviathans had left something behind.

Billy stepped forward cautiously, his hand outstretched toward the artifact. "This... this is it," he murmured. "This is what's been causing the disturbances."

Babe stood frozen, staring at the artifact. His mind raced with memories of the battles they had fought, the sacrifices they had made, all to protect their child from the Leviathans' grasp. And now, here it was again-another remnant of their dark power, threatening to pull them back into the nightmare they had tried to leave behind.

"It's connected to Pudding, isn't it?" Babe asked, his voice barely above a whisper. "This artifact... it's tied to our child."

Billy's jaw tightened, his eyes dark with realization. "Yes," he said. "The Leviathans aren't done with us. They're not done with them."

Babe's heart clenched painfully in his chest. He had always feared this-that their child, born with the power of both the Patchanon clan and the Tanatat coven, would be at the center of the prophecy's darkest turn. And now, those fears were becoming a reality.

"We have to destroy it," Babe said, his voice shaking. "We can't let this-"

Before he could finish, the ground beneath them trembled, and the dark energy around the artifact flared to life, swirling like a vortex of shadows. Babe staggered back, instinctively shielding their child, who had begun to stir in his arms.

Billy reached out, pulling Babe close, his eyes scanning their surroundings. "Stay close," he said, his voice steady but tense. "We need to figure out how to stop this before it gets worse."

But the energy was growing stronger, darker. It pulsed through the air, wrapping around them like a vice. Babe could feel it creeping into his mind, whispering dark promises, feeding on his deepest fears.

"You can't stop it," a voice echoed in his head. "The Leviathans will return. And your child will be the key to their freedom."

"No!" Babe shouted, shaking off the voice. He looked at Billy, his eyes wide with panic. "Billy, I don't know if I can stop this. I don't know if I'm strong enough."

Billy's grip tightened on Babe's arm, pulling him close. "You are strong enough," he said firmly. "We've faced worse than this, Babe. We'll figure it out. Together."

Babe swallowed hard, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. "What if... what if I can't protect them?" he whispered. "What if this prophecy-what if everything we've done-has been leading to this moment, and I can't stop it?"

Billy's expression softened, and he cupped Babe's face in his hands, forcing him to meet his gaze. "You've protected us from everything that's come our way," he said quietly. "You've been stronger than anyone could've ever asked. You don't have to carry this burden alone. We'll protect Pudding. Together."

Babe stared at him for a long moment, letting the weight of Billy's words sink in. The fear, the doubt, the crushing pressure of the prophecy-they all seemed to fall away, if only for a moment, in the light of Billy's unwavering belief in him.

"I don't deserve you," Babe whispered, his voice breaking.

Billy smiled softly, his thumb brushing away a tear that had slipped down Babe's cheek. "Yes, you do," he murmured. "And we deserve a future where we can be together. All three of us."

Babe leaned into Billy's touch, his heart aching with love and gratitude. He kissed Billy softly, letting the warmth of the moment wash over him, banishing the darkness that had threatened to consume him.

"Mumu," Babe whispered against Billy's lips.

"Tofu," Billy whispered back, a small, teasing smile playing at the corner of his mouth.