Crimson Bonds

Chapter 61: Rising Shadows

The Council chamber had become a battlefield. The tension that had simmered for weeks finally exploded, as factions once united in the face of the Leviathan threat now turned on each other. Shouts of accusation echoed through the air, magic crackling dangerously as it surged from all sides.

Babe stood in the middle of the chaos, feeling the raw pulse of energy rising around him. His fingers tingled with the power of his blood magic, an almost uncontrollable force he had spent so long trying to master. Today, that mastery was being tested in ways he had never anticipated.

Billy was by his side, his gaze sharp, watching the Council members warily. His family's dark history with the Leviathans was no longer a mystery to him-it was a burden he now carried openly, determined to set things right. But the corruption that had wormed its way into the hearts of the Council made it clear that this fight wasn't just about restoring order-it was about survival.

A gust of wind blew through the chamber as a wave of magic flared, knocking several supernatural beings off their feet. Those still touched by the Leviathans' dark energy had begun turning on their allies, their eyes wild with corruption.

"We can't let this continue," Billy muttered, his voice tense. "This isn't just a battle for control. If we don't stop them, the Leviathans will break through."

Babe's chest tightened. The thought of the Leviathans making one final push to re-enter their world sent a shiver down his spine. He could feel their presence now, a dark shadow lurking just beneath the surface, pulling strings, manipulating the chaos to their advantage.

His blood magic hummed beneath his skin, powerful and unpredictable. It would be easy to let go, to unleash the full force of it and put an end to this madness. But he knew the cost. Losing control of his magic would not only risk his life but the lives of Billy, their child, and everyone else they had fought so hard to protect.

"Babe..." Billy's voice pulled him out of his thoughts. Billy was watching him with those calm, steady eyes, but there was a flicker of concern there too. "You okay?"

Babe nodded, though he wasn't sure he believed his own answer. "I'll be fine," he whispered, trying to steady his breath. "But we need to act now."

In the far corner of the chamber, a supernatural being-once a trusted ally-had fallen completely to the Leviathans' influence. His body trembled with energy that was not his own, his eyes glowing with an eerie blue light. The Leviathans were using him, just as they had used others before, to further their cause.

"They're going to break through," Billy said urgently, his hand reaching for Babe's. "We have to stop this now."

Babe swallowed hard, feeling the weight of his magic pushing against the confines of his control. He closed his eyes for a moment, searching for that inner calm that had always helped him before, but the pressure was building too quickly, and he wasn't sure if he could contain it this time.

A sudden explosion of magic shattered the air, sending waves of energy through the room. Babe's knees buckled as he tried to hold himself steady, but his magic surged, reacting to the chaotic forces around him. The room was filled with cries and shouts, but all he could feel was the overwhelming, terrifying power swirling inside him, growing stronger by the second.

"Babe!" Billy's voice cut through the haze, sharp with urgency.

Babe opened his eyes, barely holding onto the reins of his power. The world around him seemed to blur as his magic spiraled dangerously out of control. He could feel it slipping, the Leviathans' dark energy feeding off his fear, twisting it into something wild and uncontrollable.

"Babe, look at me." Billy's voice was closer now, grounding him in the midst of the chaos. "Look at me."

Babe forced himself to focus on Billy, his heart pounding in his chest. Billy stood before him, calm and unwavering, his hands gripping Babe's shoulders firmly, his eyes locked onto his with an intensity that left no room for doubt.

"You're stronger than this," Billy said, his voice low but filled with conviction. "You control your magic. Not the other way around."

Babe swallowed hard, his body trembling as he fought to rein in the power surging through him. His blood magic pulsed, a powerful but dangerous force, but Billy's presence was a lifeline, pulling him back from the brink.

"Trust me," Billy whispered, his forehead pressed gently against Babe's. "We've faced worse than this. You can do this. We can do this."

For a long moment, it was just the two of them, standing against the chaos of the world. Babe felt the storm of his magic begin to settle, the weight of it easing as he focused on the steady rhythm of Billy's breathing. Slowly, his power receded, no longer a raging force but a controlled, steady current, still powerful, but no longer overwhelming.

When Babe finally opened his eyes, the room was eerily quiet. The supernatural beings who had been battling moments ago were now staring in awe, watching as the magic that had nearly consumed him faded into the air.

Billy let out a breath, his hands still resting on Babe's shoulders. "You did it," he murmured, his voice filled with pride.

Babe felt the tension in his chest loosen, though the weight of everything they were still facing remained. He gave Billy a small, tired smile. "I wouldn't have done it without you."

Billy's lips curved into a soft smile, and for a moment, the weight of the world seemed to fall away as they stood together, holding on to the one thing that had kept them grounded through it all: each other.

As the Council members slowly began to recover from the chaos, Billy and Babe stepped back, their focus returning to the larger battle at hand. But in that brief, quiet moment, there was no doubt in Babe's mind-they would face whatever came next together.