Crimson Bonds

Chapter 60: The Council's Divide

The flicker of candlelight reflected off the ancient walls of the Council chamber, casting long, wavering shadows that felt more like sentient beings than mere tricks of the light. Billy and Babe stood side by side, tension palpable between them as the voices of the Council echoed through the cavernous room. It was supposed to be a place of order, where decisions were made to safeguard the supernatural world. But now, with the Leviathan threat still hanging over them, it had become a battleground.

"Are we really going to ignore the obvious?" a voice boomed from across the room. Draven, his cold eyes gleaming, pointed a finger directly at Babe. "The prophecy is tied to their child, and we all know it. The Leviathans will come for them, and if we don't act now, we'll be dealing with more than just whispers of dark energy."

The room buzzed with murmurs of agreement and dissent. Some members shifted uncomfortably, while others leaned in, nodding. Elara, one of the few voices of reason left, spoke up from her place beside them. "What you're suggesting is madness. Targeting an innocent child will not save us."

Billy's fists clenched at his sides, his protective instincts surging as he took a step forward. "Our child is not a weapon," he said firmly. "And they will not be used to fix the mistakes this Council made long before any of us were even here."

Despite the calm in his voice, Babe could feel the simmering rage beneath it. He reached out and gently placed a hand on Billy's arm, a silent reminder to stay steady. They needed to be united now more than ever.

But the Council was fracturing. The signs were all too clear-some members, still tainted by the lingering influence of the Leviathans, were pushing for drastic measures. They were afraid, and fear, as always, was a dangerous thing.

In the back of the room, a cloaked figure moved silently through the shadows, watching, waiting. It wasn't until the flicker of blue-green magic danced at their fingertips that Babe noticed something was wrong.

He turned to Billy, his voice low but urgent. "Do you feel that?"

Billy's eyes narrowed, following Babe's gaze. "Leviathan energy," he muttered under his breath. "But it's not coming from outside..."

Before they could react, a burst of magic exploded from the shadows. Council members screamed, diving for cover as the attack struck with precision. The cloaked figure threw back their hood, revealing a face that sent a chill down Babe's spine.

"Kethan?" Babe's disbelief was evident. Kethan had been a trusted ally within the Council, someone they had believed was on their side.

"You're too late," Kethan sneered. "The Leviathans' power is greater than anything you can stop. And with their influence coursing through me, I will do what this Council is too weak to do-take control."

He lunged for Babe, but Billy was faster, knocking him back with a powerful blow. The Council room descended into chaos as factions erupted into arguments, some backing Kethan's drastic actions, others desperately trying to restore order.

"Take him down!" Billy growled, and Babe didn't hesitate. His blood magic flared to life, a dangerous but controlled force that crackled through the air. He didn't want to unleash the full extent of his power-he knew what it could do-but this was no time for hesitation.

As Babe's magic collided with Kethan's Leviathan-fueled attack, the two forces surged against each other like opposing tides. Babe's heart pounded, the weight of what was at stake pressing down on him. Kethan wanted their child, wanted to harness their power to reopen the gateway for the Leviathans. That could not happen.

Just as Kethan's attack faltered, a sudden surge of energy shot through Babe's veins. His magic intertwined with the faint pulse of his child's power, a raw, untamed force that only added to his strength. With one final push, Babe overwhelmed Kethan, sending him crashing into the stone floor. The room went silent.

Panting, Babe looked at Billy, who was already moving to his side, concern etched on his face. "You okay?" Billy asked, his voice softer now, the heat of battle fading.

Babe nodded, though his mind was still racing. "He was trying to use our child. He's not the only one..."

Billy's expression hardened. "This Council is tearing itself apart. If we don't stop them, they'll destroy everything."

Later that night, as the storm of political chaos continued to rage outside, Babe and Billy found a moment of peace in the quiet sanctuary of their home. The weight of the day pressed heavily on both of them, but here, in the safety of their space, they could let their guards down.

Billy wrapped his arms around Babe from behind, resting his chin on his shoulder. "You're incredible, you know that?" he murmured, pressing a soft kiss against Babe's neck.

Babe leaned back into him, letting out a small, tired laugh. "I think I might've scared Kethan more than he scared me."

"You did more than that," Billy teased, his hands sliding around to hold Babe closer. "You nearly blew the entire Council chamber apart."

"Good thing I had my Mumu to keep me steady," Babe replied, his voice playful but filled with affection. He turned in Billy's arms, their foreheads resting together as they exchanged a knowing look. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

"You'll never have to find out," Billy said, his voice a low promise. He gently lifted Babe's chin and kissed him, the intensity of the day melting away in their closeness. "We've come this far together, and no one-no Council, no Leviathan, no one-is taking that from us."

The tenderness between them deepened, a reminder that even in the midst of chaos, they had each other. For tonight, they could rest, but they both knew that tomorrow, they'd have to face the storm again. Together.